This is not about the Doordarshan you might recall from the early days of television, where it was a novelty to watch and listen. Instead, this is about fortune-telling.

I am not very fond of astrologers. But sometimes, life’s circumstances force you, against your will and preferences, to consult one. It’s often joked that, just like doctors, no two astrologers will ever agree. Even during my wedding preparations, we ended up with three different opinions on the matching of the horoscopes. In the end, we left it to God to decide, received a “yes,” and went ahead. Now, after being together for over fifty years, I wonder—how much should we rely on astrology?

Any astrologer can accurately describe your past. But if you expect the same precision in future predictions, you might be asking too much. So, is astrology to be blamed, or the astrologer?

One of my younger son’s friends is deeply interested in astronomy and astrology. Recently, he completed a course in astrology and passed the exams. With a keen memory, sharp observation skills, sincerity, and engaging discussions with experts, he’s rapidly gaining mastery over the subject. I often chat with him, and through these conversations, I’ve come to believe that astrology, as a science, is impressive—it just depends on how well the astrologer interprets it.

In the past, some predictions have failed. Yet, at the same time, many have proven true. For example, in late 2019, this same boy mentioned that certain planetary alignments could lead to air-related disasters in the world by March of the next year. And then the pandemic struck. I don’t know much about planetary houses—except the one I built without much knowledge and the one I lovingly reconstructed for self-preservation—but his prediction was accurate.

Years ago, nadi-joshiers from Andhra Pradesh used to visit offices, carrying commendation letters. Two such individuals came to my workplace. I refused to pay or ask for predictions, but they both told me in unison, “Sir, you will be transferred to another state within a couple of months.” And that’s exactly what happened.

One senior official in my office, who took an interest in me, offered to read my signature and make a prediction. I can never forget this experience. When I was just 19, without much education, he told me I would be promoted at 24 and married at 25. Both predictions came true. Although he is no longer with us, I remember him fondly—not for his accuracy, but for the kindness and affection he showed me.

During my cataract surgeries, I spoke with a friend who was an astrologer. My right eye was troubling me at the time. He consulted his books and said, “My reading indicates that your left eye is in more danger.” Almost two decades later, it was indeed my left eye that suffered a retinal detachment.

At work, a voluntary retirement scheme with compensation was rumored to be introduced in the following March. This same astrologer confidently told me that the process would be completed by the end of the current year. And, sure enough, it happened just as he said.

So, what do you deduce from all this? Do you focus on the wrong predictions or the right ones? Do you trust the experience of the astrologer? Or should you simply avoid astrology altogether and continue doing your duty, knowing that whatever is meant to happen will happen?

Continued in 126. Crops and Cuts - Part 1