Abstract

It was about half a millions years ago that human beings started occupying the face of Earth. From the very moment he started existence on the face of the Earth, the astounding miracle of shining Sun, Moon, Stars, and Eclipses integrated his curiosity; prodded him to embark upon the journey of enquiry into such natural phenomena. Almost all the great civilizations that marked the existence of human life on earth could identify Moon as the nearby brightest object in the night sky. Its variation in size and shape according to change in location and time, that too happening at regular intervals or phases not only attracted man’s inquisitiveness but did play a vital role in his day to day activities and attitude. Human life was being shaped in its micro and macro aspects-based, substantially on the phase and location of the moon in the night firmament. The waxing and waning phases of moon and seasonal changes which could be observed and recorded in a precisely repeated time frame systematized Astrology and enabled him to plan cultivation and other agrarian activities which sustained his livelihood and helped to cater the needs of his elementary, social and cultural necessities. Their influence on human activities and perhaps even on human fate and thus was born the art or science of astrology where precise pattern of happenings in human life are attempted to be visualized on the basis of planetary movements. Observation, statistics and astronomy were fused together for the genesis of the inter-disciplinary art and science of astrology, though the masters of astrology were not bothered about the technical terms like inter-disciplinary research.

Astrology is the original branch of utilitarian science which depended entirely on the variation of Jyothis or light emitted by various celestial bodies and therefore called Jyothisham.

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The ocean of the science of celestials has been churned with the intellect and from there has emerged the moon of Science of Astrology which is the source of enlightenment for the whole world. Today, the study of the sky is the most enigmatic part of everyday experience and is beyond easy comprehension, amalgamating several exploratory divisions which are merged with Astrology and other Sciences. History of civilization designates both Astrology and Astronomy within single framework of established genre of social sciences. The Mesopotamian Civilization recognized the stars including Sun and the Moon during 3000 BCE as sanctified defenders of the universe. From 6th Century BC onwards, the Greeks contributed to significant advancements in Astrology with their far-reaching insights and brilliance. India has had its own well-conceived branch of Astrology since 1000 BC, during which great Astrologers consummated the Vedic Systems supported by moral excellence and eternal divinity perceiving the Cause and Effect which came to be known as Karmic Theory. In contrast to the Western Astrology, the determination of unblemished guidelines linking Atma and Paramatma leading towards eternal bliss enriched the state of the art of Astrology practice in India. The knowledgeable and meticulous Astrologers over time charted the movement of moon and stars and foreseen about eclipses, upheavals, famine and fortune by developing calendars or ephemeris for marking and measuring the passage of time and studying the pattern of occurrences of vagaries in natural phenomena repeating in sync with certain patterns of repeated space-time epochs. The sole purpose of this research is to emphasize the role of the Moon in the past and present, emphasizing the fundamental principles envisaged by the ancient stalwarts that have contributed to the development of Modern Astrology. Many graphic and ominous narrations in Astrological texts about the possible fluctuations in natural phenomena were and are bypassed or ignored by the modern world and such arrogant treatment to such warnings have resulted in our humanity facing many tragic calamities with traumatic consequences. The observed experience and evaluations of astrology has envisaged in the treatises of masters on the subject over thousands of years appear to hold good even in the modern times when man has stepped on the surface of the moon and is trying to convert the lunar surface as a substitute or supplement for earth as second abode. Today, the developing nations like India and the more developed West conduct very substantial research work as part of quest for knowledge especially in the field of astronomy and other space sciences. The science of astronomy which is closely bound to astrology has seen progress by leaps and bounds. It cannot be denied that the ideas and values propounded by ancient masters and texts could hold the fort on their own even in the present world.

Inter-disciplinary approach of Vedic knowledge covered in Sidhantas, Hora, Ganitha and Samhitas needs to be explored and reviewed for making progress in this field, using the very modern gadgetry and technology. While astronomical findings are based on spatial calculations, the astrological findings are based on statistical probability. The Samhita branch suggests auspicious time for Shodashakarmas of mankind and Vedic rituals like Dharmasooya, Agnichayana, Atirathra and Agnishtoma based on lunar phases and stars aiming at universal prosperity and peace. The rate of influence and experiential energies coming out of moon cannot be measured accurately due to methodological stringencies and inadequate measuring aids. The cosmic force of Moon controls human mind and intellect in minute form of rays which can either trigger positive and negative actions upon him. Mutual transfer of knowledge of Astrology and Astronomy without differentiating or discounting the traditional wisdom either in the name of evidence of science or non-science will be highly beneficial to the new generation. This thesis endorses that all the movements need a force including the planetary system and remain stable forever, keeping their influence as its natural charity. If the inputs of ancient civilization and Astro-Science are synchronized for modernity to enrich the acumen of the new world, that should be a valued asset for the present society and upcoming intellectual achievements.

The variations of the gravitational pull between earth and its occupants on one side and the moon on the other side were considered as causative of regularities and irregularities of activities of the human mind that affects character and intellect and this phenomenon has been the subject matter of wide spectrum scientific research today. Human mind is the only organ that can differentiate and even foresee the good and bad, the positive and negative aspects with high velocity, in every act of life. This underlying principle of Astrology especially in consonance with the theory of Karma which is so integral of Indian ethos, denotes that every act done with good spirit is giving positive results and vice-versa. Astrology is the only social science to suggest the benefits of embarking on enterprises at the most auspicious time and also to suggest the remedial measures to safeguard the mankind from the planetary afflictions arising out of activities performed during inauspicious time. Both Selenolatry and Heliolatry support the Astrological norms of Karma that can be conquered with Karma only. As Pratyaksha Sastra, Astrology has taken roots over millennia, based on realization, backed by experience and reinforced by deep belief, closely taken cognizance by elegant society and benchmarked upon Triprashnadhikara covering time, place and causation. Fundamental Astrology is the forefather of Astronomy which developed with aesthetic support of around four lakh scientific versification as textual reference enriched with slokas or sookthas or sootras of Indian ancestry. Inter-disciplinary approach towards prehistoric civilizations, Astrology and traditional knowledge of the Vedas -the Magnum Opuses of our culture shall definitely contribute very substantially for the wellbeing of the modern world. The alienation of Astronomy as superfluous or Astrology as just a social product just for lack of exact scientific evidence is not tangible because a lot of truth, belief and utility is present in the traditional knowledge. From the viewpoint of metaphysics, waxing and waning state of Moon stand as true symbols of ups and down of human life. The significance of moon contribute honuorable role to make Astrology as principled science underscoring its altruistic human service with the symbolized slogan -the mind is everything and as we think, so we become. Jyotir-Vigyan opens up the holy path of Satkarma shielded with Atma-Gyana and Adhyatmika-Gyana leading towards eternal bliss that cannot be tested through an experiment. The Moon had been treated as a holy entity and adorned as a deity for human worship right from the Vedic period and that worship continues even today. This thesis aims at integrated scientific explanations on New and Full Moon and their influence of geo-physical phenomena and also analyzes how significant a role the moon plays in keeping the life on earth. But the modern rationalists views the subject of astrology as mere light hearted self-indulgence.

Contemporary stream of Modern Astrology has diverged into several branches covering Casting Horoscope, Medical Astrology, Gemology, Financial Astrology, Judicial Astrology, Stock Market Astrology, and so many other specified fields. The modern life is rife with multiple issues and challenges, and is heavily under pressure. No one discipline of art or science or technology can enable us to find easy way out of such issues and hence the approach to any issue can be only multi-disciplinary and sooner or later we are forced to accept this fact even if we try to show allegiance to some particular discipline. As generalized backdrop, contributions of Ancient Civilizations, doctrines of traditional Astrology and Astronomy have to be utilized with inter-disciplinary manner so as to create an attractively harmonious knowledge-sharing research for the modern generation in a win-win-state. This open-ended thesis further passing on to perspicacious Research Posterities and Academicians for vivification of the Traditional Stream of Astrology to keep the integrity of our civilized heritage.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

P.S.P.Nampoothiri (2002) Brihath Samhita (Mal) Devi Book Stall, Trichur, Chap-106 Ver-1, pp-517