How the Planets Affect Our Lives?

UM_Cover_-_November_2004No one can say precisely when astrology emerged. Man’s preoccupation with the skies began long before writing was invented. However, we know the fact that 6,000 years ago, Chaldean priests used watchtowers to make maps of the skies. Scientists found clay tablets, estimated to date from 3800 B.C., which record the motions of the Sun and the Moon with extraordinary accuracy. Originally, astronomy and astrology formed one science and were collectively depicted as one word. Later, astronomy specialized in studying the physical movements of the planets and on their chemical structure. Quite the contrary, astrology is not interested in the mechanical or chemical build-up of the planets at all, but it studies how planets influence humans on the emotional and mental plane, which ultimately tends to shape our lives.

In antiquity, people noticed that the majority of stars were stationary in respect to each other. They called these stars “fixed”. They observed that there were five visible stars which in contrast to the others, were revolving about the Earth, confined to a narrow line. This line, called the ecliptic, loops around the Earth at a certain angle. In fact, the ecliptic is the same line traversed by the Sun, the Moon and the five visible stars. Gradually astrologers divided the belt of the ecliptic into 12 sections and named each one of them after the fixed stars’ constellations that they observed “behind” them. Most of them are named after animals, where specific characteristics best describe the energy, emanated from each constellation. This is how the Zodiac was born.

Furthermore, men observed that when a planet passes through a certain section of the Zodiac it triggers certain events. Babies born at this time share the same characteristics. In their constant travel along the ecliptic, planets move from one sign of the Zodiac to another. After some period of time they “return” to the same sign where they were previously. Babies born in different years, but during the time, when a particular planet is passing through the same sign of the Zodiac, also show very similar traits, pertaining to the domain ruled by this planet. For example, Mercury is the planet that rules the mind and communications. In the Greek mythology Mercury is represented by Hermes, who is always depicted as the “winged messenger” of God or in other words he is the intermediate, the one, conducting the communication between Gods and humans. As another example Venus is the planet ruling the harmony, unison and love between people. Greeks called her Aphrodite, the Goddess of love – ideal, familiar and sexual. In the grounds of her temples there were groves where worshippers could make love.

By the position of Venus in the birth chart we can tell how that person relates to his or her partners. Let’s say Venus was in Scorpio, when a particular individual was born. Its presence there will intensify enormously the passion, sexual desires and jealousy of that individual, increasing his desire to “possess” and control his partner. On the other hand if Venus was not in Scorpio, but say, in Pisces, it will produce a person who is totally swayed by emotions and who is all too easily taken advantage of, because he will love and care too much about his partner. The same principle applies for all other planets. Each one of them is imprinting its mark on a particular domain of our life. In this way we are predisposed from birth in the way in which we think, feel, work, achieve, fail etc.

It is important to stress, however, that the stars compel, but do not impel. Their influence can be compared with the tides of the ocean. If the man decides to swim with the tides, he will be completely under the influence of the stars and in this case his life can be easily predictable. If, however, he decides consciously to swim against the tides, then he is exercising his free will and only then he becomes a true master of his own fate. Astrology can help us enormously in this respect. Initially, it may seem that resisting the compelling force of the stars is an extremely difficult task. However, if a person is aware that he possesses certain negative traits and is constantly trying to correct them, then after some time this task becomes quite habitual. In fact, not long after the individual decides constantly to exercise his free will, he or she notices with surprise that their behavior improves dramatically and they wonder how they could have acted otherwise before. All that is needed is some perseverance. I know many people, who after reading their own horoscope decided consciously to work on improving some of their flaws and after some time they became completely different persons.

Ancient people knew as a matter of fact about the distinct correlation between the stars and certain areas of human lives. Today, we live in one of the most materialistic epochs in the history of the World. But even nowadays, unprejudiced people around the World recognize astrology as one of the most rewarding spiritual sciences, available to man. Its correlation with some other official sciences such as physics, mathematics and psychology is undeniable. The trajectory of the planets can be calculated with an extraordinary precision by modern computers and astrology charts can be drawn in a matter of minutes. The real art is, of course, the skillful and correct interpretation of the chart, which remains the property of just a small number of devoted astrologers. The real strength of astrology, besides everything else, lies in its ability to change people’s lives by changing them from within. This can be achieved, provided that the following three conditions are satisfied:

One is in a possession of an accurate, professional, astrological birth chart.
One has the ability to read his or her chart in an objective, unbiased and unprejudiced manner.
One has an inner desire to improve oneself.
The birth chart is like a road map. The map itself cannot get you to your destination, but can show you the various paths that you can take. It can point you the fastest way to become what only you can become. On the other hand it will point out to you where you will end up at the end of your journey if you choose to do nothing. The decision to act or not to act, glancing at the map is entirely yours. The words in the Japanese proverb come to mind:

“To know and not to act, is not to know at all”.