Dear Nidhi,
It’s wonderful to hear about your deep passion for astrology since childhood and your desire to Learn Astrology through a course. It’s also understandable to feel conflicted when facing disapproval from respected spiritual figures. Let’s explore this dilemma from a spiritual perspective, particularly drawing insights from the teachings of Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda.
From the viewpoint of these esteemed spiritual leaders, astrology is far from a path to be dismissed. In fact, it is considered an ancient and sacred science. Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda, even authored a comprehensive book titled Your Sun Sign As a Spiritual Guide, highlighting the spiritual dimensions of astrology. Yogananda himself delves into the topic of astrology in his renowned Autobiography of a Yogi, particularly in the chapter “Outwitting the Stars.” This chapter offers enlightening perspectives on the role and potential of astrology in our lives. Furthermore, Sri Yukteswar, Yogananda’s guru, was a highly regarded astrologer, and even Adi Shankaracharya, a towering figure in Indian spiritual history, had connections with this Vedic science.
The crucial factor lies in how astrology is applied. If approached as a tool for self-awareness and understanding karmic patterns to facilitate personal growth and help others navigate their life’s journey, it becomes a truly divine profession. In this light, astrology serves as a guide for positive change and overcoming limitations. However, if astrology is used deterministically, rigidly defining an individual’s future and potential based solely on their horoscope, it can indeed fall short of its higher purpose and might be viewed unfavorably by spiritual teachers.
Yogananda beautifully clarifies this point in his Autobiography: “The starry inscription at one’s birth, I came to understand, is not that man is a puppet of his past. Its message is rather a prod to pride; the very heavens seek to arouse man’s determination to be free from every limitation.” This emphasizes that astrology is not about fatalism but about empowerment and understanding our potential for transcendence.
Therefore, to answer your question directly, yes, you should absolutely pursue learning astrology if it resonates deeply with you. Align yourself with the wisdom of the spiritual masters who recognized and supported Vedic astrology, or Jyotisha. Let your passion flourish, guided by wisdom and spiritual understanding.
To truly excel as an astrologer, cultivate your intuition through meditation. Sri Yukteswar wisely stated: “The natal chart can be rightly interpreted only by men of intuitive wisdom: these are few.” Meditation is the key to developing this intuitive wisdom, enabling a deeper and more accurate understanding of astrological charts.
Wishing you all the best as you embark on this celestial journey of learning astrology and exploring the wisdom of the stars and planets.
Warmly,
Jayadev
