Escaping Destiny – Astrology?

Astrology…

Is just a way to make sense of what is happening in the universe by looking at the configurations of the universe itself. Since you can use math to rewind those configurations into the past or fast forward them into the future, astrology also becomes a way to make sense of what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.

In astrology there are 9 planets 12 signs and so on. In the real world there are 94 quintillion zillion gagillion possibilities per minute. So obviously the configuration of the stars, planets, and signs of the universe don’t literally spell out the past, present and future for you. You have to “interpret” the configuration. In other words the configuration is an abstract symbol and if you want concrete details you have to interpret them from the abstract symbol.

There is a very valid reason why the astrological configurations are abstract. It’s because destiny is somewhat abstract. It’s not written in stone that you will get bit by a mosquito 3 cm above your left elbow at 6:38 on March 29th 2013. But it is written in stone that you will feel uncomfortable on your skin around then.

If a person loses a loved one, was that their destiny – or could they have done something to change it? The real thing to understand is that the events of the world, pleasant and unpleasant, are not altogether real in the same way that we instinctively think they are real. There is a reality to them, but it is not what we instinctively percieve as reality. The reality of a situation like losing a loved one is the necessity to experience loss, pain, to increase (or otherwise affect) ones affection for dear people, etc. – in other words, the reality of a situation is more abstract than the concrete details we focus on. So, could we have done something different and avoided the loss of our loved one? Probably not, practically speaking – because such a catastrophic event is very deep and already quite abstract and terribly profound. But even if for argument’s sake we say, “yes, you could have” but the you cannot escape the underlying reality of what is in your destiny – so if you escape one permutation of it taking shape in one way, you only cause it to come at you from a different angle in a different permutation.

The essence of destiny is unavoidable.

Of course this is not fatalism, because destiny is merely a response to our choices of how we use our freewill. So by choosing wisely to be selfless and loving in all ways possible, we create a bright and progressively positive destiny for ourselves. Our future is not out of our control, but our past is. And the present is a mixture.

The Most Imporant Things I Have Learned About Astrology

The  six most important things I have learned so far about astrology:

1. You can’t “think outside the box” without knowing what the box is.
2. Experience and observation is overrated and under documented.
3. Everything you ever need to know, you learn in kindergarten.
4. Intuition is not mystical.
5. It’s not what you say, it’s what they hear.
6. Don’t be “right,” be helpful.

Thinking Outside the Box

If you really want to think outside of a box, first of all you must thoroughly know the dimensions and location of that box! Otherwise, you don’t really know if you are in or out of it. You’re not thinking outside the box, you are “all over the place.”

Are we enamored to learn “out of the box” stuff about Lilith, Neptune, Galactic Centers and what-have-you, without using or perhaps even understanding the “in the box” stuff like extra-normal planets (upagraha)? I’m not suggesting that we restrict ourselves to thinking “inside the box.” Fundamentalism is a zombie, I say. But the most important thing I have learned about astrology is that the only way to truly get out of the box is to deeply, intimately, patiently and thoroughly comprehend it.

Don’t be eager for new principles. Be eager for new understandings.

Experiential Observation:
Overrated, Under Documented

Yes, we must apply our intellect to astrology via practical observations and experiences, but don’t lose perspective on the proper place of this principle. Even if you have tons of experience – hundreds or thousands of happy clients – put that into perspective. Compare it to the hundreds and perhaps thousands of years of accumulated experience recorded in jyotiṣa śāstra (the scriptures of astrology) by persons far more divinely rooted than any of us. Be real: If your observational experience arrives at a conclusion which contradicts the ācāryas of our ancient science, where is the first and most likely place the error lies: in your observation or in the ācārya’s?

Let’s also be honest as to the quality of our observation. If we are going to go out on a limb and depart from the traditional descending process of acquiring knowledge through submissive inquiry from guru-paramparā, if instead we will embrace the ascending process of gaining knowledge through empirical observation and research, let us not masquerade in white lab-coats without truly becoming scientists. Scientific method demands hundreds and thousands of carefully chosen test subjects, duplication of observations by peers, and full disclosure of the methodology, variables and constants involved. Only then does observation warrant a new hypothesis being validated as a working theory. For sure, you have the right to observe and feel that “Neptune really affects” lots of people (your mom, uncle, babysitter, girlfriend and sister) but is this really a scientific observation worthy of adjusting, amending or redefining our ancient systems?

Be humble. Strive to correct yourself, not your teacher.

Everything I need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

A kindergarten genius is preferable to a post-doctorate fool. Don’t get high, get deep.

Astrology is simple. There are a few dozen core symbolic images to become intimate with, each of which can be clearly encapsulated in a few simple symbolic words. These simple elements interact with one another to form sophisticated karmic structures. The outcome is fantastically complex, but the components are not.

Astrology seems hopelessly complicated when we don’t deeply understand its fundamental components clearly and simply. I have never become a better astrologer by trying to adapt some new complex calculation or technique or system. Every time I have improved as an astrologer it has been a result of trying to more clearly and simply understand fundamental components like the 9 planets, 12 houses, and 12 signs.

“I know the basics.” Erase that phrase from your mouth. Never say it. Never think it. Strive for absolute simplicity. In simplicity dwells harmony, symmetry, perfection, and beauty. It is the birthplace of intuition.

Intuition is not Mystical

Intuition is the ability to make connections between things that have no obvious connection.

Astrology requires intuition. You can’t be a descent astrologer without it. The good news is that you can learn intuition and constantly improve it. We don’t so much improve our intuition by sitting pretzel-legged on a Himalayan glacier as we do by becoming the best kindergarten student in the history of the school.

The more deeply I understand the planets and houses, for example, the more succinctly my mind can amalgamate the information about them into compact, easy to handle images and phrases. These compact, meaning-rich symbols are the very atoms which combine in the alchemy of intuition. They are full of connectors to other astrological symbols. Thus by becoming intimate with them I learn to make rapid, deep connections between patterns and situations in a horoscope – connections which become semi-subconscious and rapid and appear to an onlooker as mystical intuition.

A kindergarten genius is intuitive. Strive for that.

It’s Not What you Say, It’s What They Hear

Once you actually understand something about a person’s fate… now the huge challenge is to give that understanding to the person. This is at least as difficult as understanding the chart in the first place. It is not enough to know the truth, we must speak it. And it is not enough to speak the truth, the truth must be understood by whom we speak it too!

Therefore communication skill is as important as astrological acumen. To communicate effectively we must put ourselves in the querent’s shoes and ask, “would what I am saying make sense to me if I were them? How might I misunderstand it?” Edit yourself accordingly.

I have found that I can usually decipher a dozen or more important things about someone’s karma by looking at their birth charts for a few minutes. But it takes one, two, even three hours to explain all of what I see in an effective way. I have found that I give better readings by spending less time analyzing the charts, selecting fewer topics from it to discuss, and giving most of my time and energy to clearly and patiently explaining these few points and their ramifications and practical implications.

Concentrate on communication as much as you concentrate on astrology.

Don’t Try To Be Accurate

Obviously you should try to be accurate. It should not, however, be your prime motivation. Your prime motivation must be seva – service. We astrologers are not here to be looked up to or admired for being accurate, right, and “the best.” That is all māyā-sukhāya, illusionary gratification, and pratiṣṭha, false prestige. We are here on Earth to be servants of God and of humanity. Do not ask to be called a “pundit” (expert), call yourself “dāsa” (servant). Water never flows up a mountain! Similarly divine knowledge never flows to someone who thinks himself high and mighty, big, knowledgeable, expert and important. Be a humble kindergarten student of the astrological masters, and be the humble servant of anyone who comes to you for a reading.

Scriptures reprimand us not to be motivated for donations. Do not practice astrology to collect donations towards your pride and ego! Your first motivation must be to serve in whatever manner you can. Help people! Assist them! Serve them! In pursuit of this only, desire to be accurate.

Hari bolo.

 

Thank you,

Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

Astrological Caste System?

I just want to quickly say that you cannot declare what someone’s “varna” is by looking at their horoscope! Especially not by simply looking at the Nakshatra of their moon. If you want to get some idea of where they most likely are on the spectrum of various varnas, for the purpose of selecting an ideal career – you can do that, if you blend the nakshatra in with the varnas of the rashi, navamsha, and planets. Here is an old example I once gave in this regard: Career Assessment in Vedic Astrology.

You cannot look at a horoscope and say – “you are a shudra” or “you are a vaishya” etc. etc. It is absolutely preposterous to anyone who understands the difference between the pre-modern, corrupt caste system and the beautiful, ancient varna system. The horoscope is an artifact of an individual’s birth. Social status based on a factor of birth is caste. It is bogus. The varna system is based on actual behavior and character (“guna and karma“). That is why Krishna declares in Bhagavad Gita catur-varnyam maya srishtham, guna-karma-vibhagasa - “I created the four social classes, differentiated by character and behavior.”

Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

My New Book is Available! 27 Stars, 27 Gods

27 Stars, 27 Gods

The Astrological Mythology of Ancient India

Over a decade of dedicated research! Over a year of writing and editing! With the blessings and guidance of a swāmī , a babajī, and a Sanskrit scholar, Vic DiCara presents you the world’s first accurate, simple and completely awesome explanation of the mythology and meaning within the 27 stars of ancient Indian astrology!

If you are an astrologer or a fan of astrology, you will be transformed by Vic’s radically clear and straightforward explanations of Sanskrit, Vedic mythology, and mastery of intuitive symbolism.

If you are a lover of India and her culture, you will delight in these deep revelations and rare expositions of familiar gods like Viṣṇu, not-so-familiar gods like Varuṇa, and nearly forgotten gods like Ajaikapāt.

If you are a spiritual seeker, you will discover the origin of the universe, the meaning of life, and essential clues in the eternal quest for the “fountain of youth.”

The 150 pages of this book are abundantly replete with exact references and footnotes to satisfy the scholars among you. The book is dripping with dramatic storytelling, filled with philosophy as clear and deep as a Himalayan lake, and precisely presents the perfectly useful astrological symbolism of the divine stars.

Check it out, and buy it!