How I use Astrology in my life?
I have to say when I was introduced to astrology, and started studying my own birth chart, I was left feeling rather unsettled. It seemed like I was reading the script of my life and I had just played out the script as an actor. It was pre-written and I had no authorship in it. I could totally identify with what the planets were point to: my tendencies, the recurring patterns, my strengths, my areas for development, where luck favoured me and where I did not get results despite SO MUCH effort. It all made sense.
But where was my freewill in all of that? If I was simply reacting from past conditioning, then did I have any REAL choice in life? I've explored my understanding of free will, at least so far, in another post.
So coming back to what could I do with what I saw in my Vedic horoscope? Could I make my future better? Or was everything simply going to unfold exactly as the charts suggested?
Astrology as a map, not a script
Let me draw an analogy here. Say you want to go from point A to point B, and you open Google Maps. Some routes are marked blue, and some are red because of heavy traffic. But the map doesn’t decide what your trip will feel like. You can sit in the traffic feeling frustrated and restless, forgetting that you are also part of the traffic. Or you can listen to a really interesting podcast. Or maybe someone else is driving, and you have a great conversation with someone special, and the time flies. Or you can get out of the car and pick a fight with the driver who cut you off. Or you can honk like crazy and make things worse for everyone around you. The thing is that you can choose how you respond to the traffic! There is the automatic, conditioned reaction. And there is the response that comes from viveka, or discernment.
Understanding the patterns that keep repeating
Astrology has helped me become more aware of my tendencies and recurring themes in life and see the lessons my experiences are trying to teach me. Because I know till I learn the lesson, it will keep repeating itself. I can change jobs, countries, exit relationships, run away somewhere and try a new beginning. But unless I change the habit pattern of my mind, unless I do the inner work to make that happen, those patterns are going to follow me everywhere and show up in some way or the other.
So, what do I actually use Astrology for?
First, to truly understand myself. To understand the big themes of my life. To separate what really matters from the things that only seem important but are just distractions. To understand my life purpose and live in a way that fits it better. I use astrology as a guide to prepare for what might lie ahead. Not to control my circumstances or wriggle out of them, but to build the inner strength to meet challenges calmly and steadily. To try to break free of my conditioning and respond better to whatever life throws at me.
I try to accept with grace whatever life has planned for me. I don’t want to resist it or be afraid of it. Even before I got into astrology, I had started to see that life always had better plans for me, especially once I stopped kicking and crying! LOL
On astrological remedies
By the way, I don't believe in astrological remedies. I feel that whatever is destined for us is the result of our past karma, and there is no escaping the consequences of our actions. Nor do I want to escape them. I would rather learn to accept the fruits of my karma with humility and grace, and with a deep respect for the laws of nature or dharma.
For me, the purpose of astrology is not to find ways around my karma, but to become more conscious of how I live through it, what I learn from it, and what new karma I create along the way.