Astrology and Medicine

When the going gets tough, the well-being begins to decline. People begin searching for ways to preserve their mental health outside of traditional or professional counselling and that is when they fall into astrology. Based on the day, time, and location of their birth and some Google-search, they craft their astrological chart and from there begins the researching on how planetary patterns impact day-to-day life.

In such testing times, the young easily fall into New Age trends, including employing astrology as a substitute for traditional counselling. At a time when healthcare is very expensive and organized religion is in disarray, reading horoscopes, receiving tarot readings, and practicing witchcraft can provide a cushion of stability for many.

Astrologer Acharya Vinod Kumar in an Instagram post has predicted that coronavirus will end in India between September and November. He goes on, “There are several reasons for the outbreak but most important of all is the collective karmic cycle that has finally caught up with the humanity. A return to “Satvik” lifestyle is advised & over consumption to be avoided or else Mother Nature knows how to settle the scores. Not just him, multiple other astrologers have predicted that the effects of coronavirus will cease to exist soon. “But fortunately, on March 30, Guru is leaving Ketu’s alliance and entering Capricorn. That means after March 30, we will all be free from the effects of the coronavirus. This will start from 2.58 pm on March 24 itself,” said Ashish Mehta. Another UAE-based astrologer, Acharya Sandeep Bhargava, also predicted that the pandemic will end this year globally by May 11. Upendra Shastri, another Dubai-based astrologer also claimed that things will have a positive turn from May onwards. [see https://www.deccanherald.com/national/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-india-and-across-globe-astrologers-prediction-815370.html]

When people are scared, confused, and want to feel safe, astrology is a great way to learn that the conflict will eventually pass. Outside of needing to have a smartphone and internet access, there are no real barriers to accessing astrology.

Astrology gives answers to people’s questions quickly, whereas mental healthcare is time-consuming and costly. So many people are obsessed with astrology because it is a cheap alternative to therapy that can, in some respects, guide their understanding of their health and their behaviour.

Astrology can, in some ways, explain what someone is feeling and why someone is feeling it. Being “diagnosed” as a Pisces with a Capricorn moon and Leo ascendant is more digestible for people sometimes than the deep unearthing of trauma that at times arises for them in traditional therapy.

Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are overflowing with memes, posts and videos specifically about the planets. Many people describe themselves by way of their sun, moon, and rising signs, a language they have learned on the internet and are now bringing to bear in real-life interactions.

Astrology provides a great framework for exploring topics like love, familial roles, sex, friendships, grief, the positions we consistently put ourselves in, the ways we cope in times of stress, and so much more.

While many Indians have believed in Astrology for ages, a 2017 Pew Research Study found that nearly 30 percent of adults in the United States believe in astrology. Yet there is still plenty of criticism lobbed at this tool for self-understanding and reflection both in India and the US.

Many people at some point in their lives have relied heavily on astrology to assess and improve their mental and emotional functioning. Those who have not done it so far may do it sometime in future. Many lean into the soft form of relief astrology provides.

The most interesting thing about astrology is that it is related to Medicine in all the three kinds of associations – complementary, supplementary and substitute.

As the illness increases, people who use more of medical services may simultaneously use astrological services to complement the therapy or even supplement the therapy. Astrological services can serve as substitute to medical services when people begin to look for alternative choices.

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