Do Planets Really Control Us? Planets, Astrology and Karma
Many people have a deep misunderstanding of how Astrology actually works in our lives. If you scroll through YouTube, you will find countless videos discussing how a specific planet is "affecting" your life. You might often hear Astrologers say things like, "Saturn is causing this problem for you right now.", "Saturn will teach you a lesson", "Rahu will make you a drug addict" etc. etc.
It is no wonder that the younger generation, especially college students and the scientifically-minded individuals and so called rationalists, are highly skeptical of Astrology. They look at the planets in our horoscope and ask a very valid question, "How can a massive, inanimate ball of rock or gas millions of miles away control my daily life, my happiness, or my problems?"
As an Astrologer, let me tell you something that might surprise you: The skeptics and scientists are absolutely right. Yes. Planets do not control us.
They do not cause our problems, nor do they create our happiness and success. If that is the truth, why do we use planets in a horoscope at all? Let’s break down what is actually happening using two simple everyday examples.
The Clock and the Speedometer Analogies
To understand the true role of planets, we need to distinguish between a cause and an indicator.
The Clock Needle
If I ask you what time it is, you will look at your watch or a clock on the wall. You look at the positions of the needles to tell me the exact hour. But let me ask you: Are those physical needles the cause of time? Of course not. Everyone knows the needles are just indicating the time.
The Speedometer
Imagine a small child sitting in the passenger seat of a car, watching the dashboard. When the needle points to 40, the car moves at 40 km/hr. When it moves up to 60, the car goes faster (3:42). The child might easily make the mistake of assuming that the speedometer is controlling the speed of the car. But as adults, we know the speedometer only measures the speed; the engine and the driver's foot on the pedal control it. Just like that child, most of us make the mistake of assuming the planets are the active cause of what happens in our lives.
Why Astrologers Use the Wrong Phrasing
In my own consultations with clients, I sometimes catch myself saying, "This is caused by this planet." Whenever I use that expression, I know I am technically making a linguistic mistake. A planet is never the cause, it is strictly an indicator. So why do Astrologers use this language? It is simply an old habit of speech that has been passed down through generations. Think about how we say, "The sun rises in the east and sets in the west." Scientifically, we all know the sun stands completely still; it is the Earth's rotation that creates the illusion of it moving up and down. Yet, even scientists use the phrase "sunrise" because it is a convenient, universally understood figure of speech. In the exact same way, when an Astrologer says a planet is "influencing" you, it is just an astrological figure of speech that Astrologers and their clients got so used to.
Planets Don't Have Feelings
During my consultations, worried clients frequently ask me, "Why is this planet doing this to me? What have I done wrong?" I have even had people offer me huge sums of money, asking if it is possible to perform a puja or a remedy to physically change the position of a troublesome planet.
Let’s clear up the reality of the cosmos:
- Planets are neutral: A particular planet is not angry with you, nor is it trying to be your friend. They are just inanimate celestial bodies that have no personal relationship with us.
- Planets cannot be moved: No ritual, amount of money, or remedy can alter the physical orbit of a planet in the solar system.
- Planets reflect your Karma: The positions of the planets in your birth chart simply mirror your karma. Because your horoscope is cast at the exact moment of your birth, it acts as a cosmic receipt of your past deeds—primarily from your past lives.
The terms "friendly" or "angry" planets are just simplified terms used by Astrologers to help you understand how to read your karma from a birth chart.
Final Thoughts
You Are the Author of Your Life :
Astrology is not a system of planetary victimisation. You are not at the mercy of the stars. The next time you look at your horoscope or listen to an Astrological prediction, remember this golden rule: The planets are only showing you the time; they are not making the day happen. The planets indicate your karma, but your past actions created it, and your current actions shape your future. Do not be afraid of the planets because they are just the indicators.
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