Where did predictions in astrology come from and why don't they work?
Today we want to touch upon a very important nuance in the history of astrology! Despite the fact that this discipline is primarily associated with predictions for most people, in fact, they were not always in ancient science. In the early stages, astrology was used differently, and predictions in the modern sense developed gradually, and their meaning changed over time.
Let's take it in order!
Initially, a semblance of astrology arose from observations of celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars) and attempts to establish a connection between their movements and events on Earth. Ancient people, mostly priests and scientists, noticed recurring cycles and tried to find patterns.
These observations led to the creation of a symbolic system in which certain celestial configurations were associated with specific events or trends.
The very first stage was the observation of the influence of celestial bodies on natural phenomena, such as:
• Change of seasons: The sun and its position in the sky determined the change of seasons, which was critical for agriculture and survival.
• Tides: The moon influenced the tides, which was important for coastal communities.
• Weather events: People may have noticed a connection between the appearance of certain constellations in visible view and the onset of rains, droughts, winds, and other weather events.
Thus, ancient people began to establish a connection between various natural phenomena and visible celestial bodies.
Further, if described in general strokes, on the basis of these relationships, the first branch of astrology developed, which used such an analysis to predict events concerning large social groups, rulers and the state. During these times, astrologers began to occupy an important position in ancient societies, they advised kings, were priests and scientists whose recommendations influenced society.
The earliest astrology known to history (III-I millennia BC) is Babylonian astrology (Mesopotamia).
Here, discipline was the privilege of managers and the upper strata of society, and it was used for important state affairs.
The predictions were not point-based, they were characterized by trends, that is, in fact, they were forecasts.
It is important to understand that forecasting and predictions are two different things.
Forecasting is used, among other things, in science and is actually capable of high-quality work.
Mundane astrology was used not to determine the future, but for strategic planning.
The main task was to help rulers and statesmen make informed decisions, taking into account the significance of the celestial bodies that described certain landmarks.
Astrologers analyzed the position of the planets and their aspects in order to explore the general trends in society and in the world. This allowed them to identify periods of stability, conflict, economic growth or decline.
They predicted major events such as wars, natural disasters, changes of rulers, epidemics, and harvests. The forecasts were based on the interpretation of cyclical patterns.
The priests determined the favorable time for the start of military campaigns, the conclusion of contracts, construction, etc.
Also, based on the analysis of general trends, forecasts and determining the favorable time for action, astrologers helped the rulers to develop whole strategies to achieve their goals. For example, they could recommend certain tactics of warfare, the timing of alliances, or measures to prevent economic crises.
Thus, mundane astrology was not just some kind of tool for predictions, but an important part of the process of forming a state warehouse.
Forecasts were just one of the elements of the analysis on the basis of which political decisions were based.
As you can see, this is an absolutely different use of astrology from what we see in modern classical schools.
In this vein, the discipline told us what to do to make things right, rather than predicting the future or simply describing the present.
As for the detailed predictions used on individual people, the emergence of this trend began later (I millennium BC - I century AD).
During the Hellenistic era, Babylonian astrology was synthesized with Greek philosophy and astronomy. During this period, horoscopic (natal) astrology began to develop, based on the position of the planets at the time of a person's birth.
Horoscopic astrology gradually became more accessible to the general public, although making individual horoscopes remained quite expensive and difficult. That's why it was used by people who had life results.
The information became more individual and concerned a person's personal life: his character, abilities, fate; it helped to avoid unpleasant events in the future and achieve his goals.
Then (about the 1st century A.D. - the Middle Ages) astrology spread to the lower classes.
With the development of writing and printing, astrological knowledge has become more accessible. There were books and treatises on the concept that people from different social circles could study.
Folk astrologers appeared in towns and villages, providing their services to ordinary people. They could make ordinary horoscopes, giving advice on everyday issues – about health, marriage, work, luck, children, etc.
Astrology became accessible to ordinary people, but it was more simplified and not always accurate. The quality could vary greatly depending on the astrologer's level of knowledge and the availability of information.
This is where predictions began to appear in the form we are used to.
Ordinary people were not interested in goal formation, development and building successful strategies, they were interested in survival! And since our brains are very fond of assuming possible danger in order to survive, people were very insanely attracted to what would tell them what the future held for them.
This is how the formation of this market began!
Of course, after that, pseudoscience underwent many transformations, original government systems were built in different countries, many astrological directions appeared, and although people developed, our basic survival instinct did not go away, which is why predictions have survived to our centuries in all kinds of similar disciplines.
Now let's talk specifically about those predictions that are prescribed in most books on Jyotish Vedic astrology, and which are now very common.
We will especially touch on negative predictions - bad positions and bad maps.
How was this knowledge formed?
Astrologers consulted a huge number of people, analyzed their lives, and then put it into general statistics and drew conclusions.
Imagine the caste stratum of India, where earlier (during the period of formation of all these predictive statistics) it was forbidden to move from one Varna to another. If you were born in the Varna of Sudras, you became a worker, in the Varna of Brahmins you became an academician, etc.
It is important to note:
Initially, the distribution of people by varna in India, according to the Vedic texts, was based on the gunas (qualities, personality characteristics) and karma (activity, propensity for a certain type of work).
This did not mean a rigid predestination from birth, but rather a predisposition to a certain type of activity.
It was an attempt to organize society according to people's natural inclinations and abilities.
Gunas: Three fundamental qualities that permeate all matter and determine human nature.
Karma: Actions and their consequences. In the context of Varna, this refers to the activity that a person is engaged in and his inclinations towards a certain type of work.
How it worked (ideal model):
1. Definition of gunas and karma: It was believed that through observation, analysis, and perhaps some rituals, one could determine which gunas predominate in a person and which type of activity he is most prone to.
2. Distribution by varnas: According to the prevailing gunas and karma, a person was assigned to one of the four varnas:
• The Brahmins (sattva): A penchant for knowledge, wisdom, learning, and religious activity. They studied the Vedas, performed rituals, taught, and were the spiritual leaders of the society.
• Kshatriyas (rajas mixed with sattva): A penchant for management, defense, and military activities. They were warriors, rulers, administrators, ensuring order and security in society.
• Vaishyas (rajas mixed with tamas): A penchant for trade, agriculture, and cattle breeding. They were engaged in the production and distribution of material goods.
• Sudras (tamas): Penchant for physical labor, maintenance of other varnas. They were engaged in various jobs that did not require high qualifications.
The Vedas of Varna were not rigidly fixed, there was a possibility of social mobility. A person could change their status depending on their qualities and activities.
However, over time, the Varna system has become more rigid and hereditary. The original principle based on the gunas and karma was distorted, and the varnas began to be transmitted by birth, leading to social injustice and discrimination.
Subsequently, the Varnas split into many Jati (castes), which began to determine a person's social status from birth and limit his opportunities.
And based on a system that discredited a person, your life path and your capabilities were not determined by your talents, inclinations and desires, as originally assumed in Vedic culture; they were determined by the "place" of your birth.
Let's take it in order!
Initially, a semblance of astrology arose from observations of celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars) and attempts to establish a connection between their movements and events on Earth. Ancient people, mostly priests and scientists, noticed recurring cycles and tried to find patterns.
These observations led to the creation of a symbolic system in which certain celestial configurations were associated with specific events or trends.
The very first stage was the observation of the influence of celestial bodies on natural phenomena, such as:
• Change of seasons: The sun and its position in the sky determined the change of seasons, which was critical for agriculture and survival.
• Tides: The moon influenced the tides, which was important for coastal communities.
• Weather events: People may have noticed a connection between the appearance of certain constellations in visible view and the onset of rains, droughts, winds, and other weather events.
Thus, ancient people began to establish a connection between various natural phenomena and visible celestial bodies.
Further, if described in general strokes, on the basis of these relationships, the first branch of astrology developed, which used such an analysis to predict events concerning large social groups, rulers and the state. During these times, astrologers began to occupy an important position in ancient societies, they advised kings, were priests and scientists whose recommendations influenced society.
The earliest astrology known to history (III-I millennia BC) is Babylonian astrology (Mesopotamia).
Here, discipline was the privilege of managers and the upper strata of society, and it was used for important state affairs.
The predictions were not point-based, they were characterized by trends, that is, in fact, they were forecasts.
It is important to understand that forecasting and predictions are two different things.
Forecasting is used, among other things, in science and is actually capable of high-quality work.
Mundane astrology was used not to determine the future, but for strategic planning.
The main task was to help rulers and statesmen make informed decisions, taking into account the significance of the celestial bodies that described certain landmarks.
Astrologers analyzed the position of the planets and their aspects in order to explore the general trends in society and in the world. This allowed them to identify periods of stability, conflict, economic growth or decline.
They predicted major events such as wars, natural disasters, changes of rulers, epidemics, and harvests. The forecasts were based on the interpretation of cyclical patterns.
The priests determined the favorable time for the start of military campaigns, the conclusion of contracts, construction, etc.
Also, based on the analysis of general trends, forecasts and determining the favorable time for action, astrologers helped the rulers to develop whole strategies to achieve their goals. For example, they could recommend certain tactics of warfare, the timing of alliances, or measures to prevent economic crises.
Thus, mundane astrology was not just some kind of tool for predictions, but an important part of the process of forming a state warehouse.
Forecasts were just one of the elements of the analysis on the basis of which political decisions were based.
As you can see, this is an absolutely different use of astrology from what we see in modern classical schools.
In this vein, the discipline told us what to do to make things right, rather than predicting the future or simply describing the present.
As for the detailed predictions used on individual people, the emergence of this trend began later (I millennium BC - I century AD).
During the Hellenistic era, Babylonian astrology was synthesized with Greek philosophy and astronomy. During this period, horoscopic (natal) astrology began to develop, based on the position of the planets at the time of a person's birth.
Horoscopic astrology gradually became more accessible to the general public, although making individual horoscopes remained quite expensive and difficult. That's why it was used by people who had life results.
The information became more individual and concerned a person's personal life: his character, abilities, fate; it helped to avoid unpleasant events in the future and achieve his goals.
Then (about the 1st century A.D. - the Middle Ages) astrology spread to the lower classes.
With the development of writing and printing, astrological knowledge has become more accessible. There were books and treatises on the concept that people from different social circles could study.
Folk astrologers appeared in towns and villages, providing their services to ordinary people. They could make ordinary horoscopes, giving advice on everyday issues – about health, marriage, work, luck, children, etc.
Astrology became accessible to ordinary people, but it was more simplified and not always accurate. The quality could vary greatly depending on the astrologer's level of knowledge and the availability of information.
This is where predictions began to appear in the form we are used to.
Ordinary people were not interested in goal formation, development and building successful strategies, they were interested in survival! And since our brains are very fond of assuming possible danger in order to survive, people were very insanely attracted to what would tell them what the future held for them.
This is how the formation of this market began!
Of course, after that, pseudoscience underwent many transformations, original government systems were built in different countries, many astrological directions appeared, and although people developed, our basic survival instinct did not go away, which is why predictions have survived to our centuries in all kinds of similar disciplines.
Now let's talk specifically about those predictions that are prescribed in most books on Jyotish Vedic astrology, and which are now very common.
We will especially touch on negative predictions - bad positions and bad maps.
How was this knowledge formed?
Astrologers consulted a huge number of people, analyzed their lives, and then put it into general statistics and drew conclusions.
Imagine the caste stratum of India, where earlier (during the period of formation of all these predictive statistics) it was forbidden to move from one Varna to another. If you were born in the Varna of Sudras, you became a worker, in the Varna of Brahmins you became an academician, etc.
It is important to note:
Initially, the distribution of people by varna in India, according to the Vedic texts, was based on the gunas (qualities, personality characteristics) and karma (activity, propensity for a certain type of work).
This did not mean a rigid predestination from birth, but rather a predisposition to a certain type of activity.
It was an attempt to organize society according to people's natural inclinations and abilities.
Gunas: Three fundamental qualities that permeate all matter and determine human nature.
Karma: Actions and their consequences. In the context of Varna, this refers to the activity that a person is engaged in and his inclinations towards a certain type of work.
How it worked (ideal model):
1. Definition of gunas and karma: It was believed that through observation, analysis, and perhaps some rituals, one could determine which gunas predominate in a person and which type of activity he is most prone to.
2. Distribution by varnas: According to the prevailing gunas and karma, a person was assigned to one of the four varnas:
• The Brahmins (sattva): A penchant for knowledge, wisdom, learning, and religious activity. They studied the Vedas, performed rituals, taught, and were the spiritual leaders of the society.
• Kshatriyas (rajas mixed with sattva): A penchant for management, defense, and military activities. They were warriors, rulers, administrators, ensuring order and security in society.
• Vaishyas (rajas mixed with tamas): A penchant for trade, agriculture, and cattle breeding. They were engaged in the production and distribution of material goods.
• Sudras (tamas): Penchant for physical labor, maintenance of other varnas. They were engaged in various jobs that did not require high qualifications.
The Vedas of Varna were not rigidly fixed, there was a possibility of social mobility. A person could change their status depending on their qualities and activities.
However, over time, the Varna system has become more rigid and hereditary. The original principle based on the gunas and karma was distorted, and the varnas began to be transmitted by birth, leading to social injustice and discrimination.
Subsequently, the Varnas split into many Jati (castes), which began to determine a person's social status from birth and limit his opportunities.
And based on a system that discredited a person, your life path and your capabilities were not determined by your talents, inclinations and desires, as originally assumed in Vedic culture; they were determined by the "place" of your birth.
In this regard, a huge number of people simply could not realize their destiny, could not reveal their strength and do what they do best, what gives inspiration ... could not activate their horoscope properly!
