Astrology is the study of planetary positions to determine the course of things ahead in life as well as events and details concerning past life experiences as well as karmic events. The earliest recording or sign of astrology was found in the 3rd millennium BCE. Astrology has over the course of time influenced culture, the occult and metaphysical sciences, early astronomy, scientific thought, history, anthropology, navigation, and other disciplines.
Astrology uses two methodologies of predicting or foretelling the future – one is astrological transits and the other is astrological progressions. It is important to understand how both interact in the way a horoscope is read and how predications made. Astrological transits look into the movement of planets and the impact of such movements in the universe and within one’s personal horoscope. Astrological progressions use a set of methods to determine how a horoscope has moved forward in time. Now-a-days, astrologers no longer predict actual events according to some pundits. Instead, what they do is bring out various general astrological events in order to extrapolate better results and give importance and more credence to arbitrary and unrelated events.
There are three main astrological traditions. These are Vedic astrology, Western astrology and Chinese astrology. Vedic and western astrology make use of an astrological chart or horoscope and make their prediction using the position of the Sun, Moon, and planets. However, the point of difference between Vedic and Western astrology is in the linking of zodiac signs to their original constellations, which while is a feature not present in western astrology, but is considered of paramount importance in Vedic astrology. The chief characteristic of Vedic astrology is in its use of nakshatras or the 27 lunar mansion and planetary periods known as dashas in future predictions (i.e., portions of the Zodiac that are 13 degrees and 20 minutes in length). And do not discount the major influence of the Mayans on astrology.
Chinese astrology uses a means that is very different from Vedic and western astrology. Instead of diving zodiac signs according to the sky, they are divided according to the celestial equator. Every zodiac sign here stands for a year and the sign is combined with a system that uses the five elements of Chinese cosmology to give a 60 (12 x 5) year cycle. Chinese astrology is a method not just used or practiced in China; it is used in many Asian countries as well as in the United States of America.
Now, the question remains: Can the future be predicted by astrology? Yes, from some to a great extent as with any form of divination or consultation with the Divine Oracles. Astrology, though considered by many scientific thinkers as some sort of superstition, is actually a science because there is considerable study that goes into making each prediction as well as the development of astrological charts. Reliable astrologers have been able to bring out future influences to accuracy, but accuracy also depends upon providing correct information, doing knowledgeable calculations, and performing salient research.
Of the many forms of astrological methods in practice, Nadi Jyosiam (i.e., predictions or forecasts involving the use of palm leaves) astrology is considered to be highly accurate as it is based on readings of past life events taken from palm leaves available in Videesvaran (Vaideeswaran) Temple in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Hindu astrology dates back to approximately 7,000 years ago. Further, "Naadi forecast is that branch of Hindu astrology through which predictions are made of individuals from palm-leaf manuscripts. Hand written on palm-leaves, these contain records of the past, present and future of numerous individuals, born anywhere in the world. Naadi is a collective name given to these manuscripts. It is believed that the contents of these palm leaves are dictated by ancient sages such as Agastya, Bhrugu, Shukra, Vasistha and others. There are several volumes of such palm-leaf manuscripts available in various parts of India and these volumes are categorized with respect to the sages i.e. Agastya Naadi, Bhrugu Naadi." [Excerpted from Naadi Josiyam – Predictions from mysterious palm-leaf manuscrips]
