Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology [SP]

Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology

Astrology had a certain universality in the ancient world, appearing as a global science in ancient time. While details very, there is much in common between all ancient astrological systems. We note that all ancient cultures including Egypt, India, China and Mexico relate the seven days of the week to the same planets, from Sunday, the day of the Sun, to Saturday, the day of Saturn. Is this only a coincidence? There was either a diffusion of information or a commonality of knowledge between these cultures. Similarly today, with the blending of East and West in the world, astrology is again emerging in a global context.

Eastern or Vedic astrology is again becoming important along with the systems of Yoga and meditation and the greater wisdom of the orient. Astrology has always been given a more significant place in Eastern than in Western culture. It remains in use and is respected by the majority of people in India today. It was never consigned to the domain of superstition, nor was attention ever removed from it by the great minds of the land, many of whom, even today, also study and practice astrology. While astrology has been criticized, ridiculed and even suppressed in the Western world, it has flourished in India since ancient times. If there is any threat to its prestige in India today, it is only through those who are adopting Western culture.

Most ancient myths relate to the heavens. It would not be exaggerated to say that all mythology is astrological, at least in one major line of interpretation. Hence, a modern reexamination of myth must also take us back to astrology. Without understanding astrology, our understanding of mythology must be partial. Even if we do not recognize the validity of astrology as a science, we cannot ignore its role in shaping and expressing the myths and legends of the world.

Solar, lunar and planetary symbolism is common in many myths, as among the ancient Greeks and Hindus. The constellations play a very prominent place in them as well, like the Greek myths of Perseus and Orion. It is likely that most myths were first devised while contemplating the sky, or while telling stories at night under the stars. The sky is a good field of projection for the creative imagination. Contemplating the stars also connects us with the cosmic intelligence or universal mind and thereby its energies, laws and symbols come to us to reveal its workings. Mythology is in this way part of a language of cosmic consciousness, with the symbol being a more profound and universal statement of truth than logic or abstract thought. If there is any wisdom in mythology, it must also have an astrological meaning and significance.