Hi, I just got a query from a Reader, and though I'd post it here, as it is a very genuine one...

The Query is
" i know that line on palms could change and could change the life of the person. does this work in astrology as well. does the planets change their path. lets say if you read my chart and you say that this planet would stay in this house for 10 years. is it possible that it could even end up in some differnt house or ends even before 10 years. lets say in 5 years. do the planets change their paths or when you read someone chart and does the chart stay the same for rest of his life. and never change".

I replied as follows.....

Planets are always in motion, they go from one rashi to the next.
They affect us as follows:

1. Planetary positions in the birth horoscope never change, they show fixed indications.

2. Planetary periods (called dashas and bhuktis) last for from a few months to a few years and are applicable according to calculations, at certain periods in one's life. These calculations are based upon fixed principles given in the Hindu almanac.

3. Planets transiting the sky affect different persons differently, based upon their birth horoscopes and the planetary positions at birth. These effects are also based upon the tenets given in Vedic treatises and need to be studied in depth, for understanding them.

This same Reader responded,
"so in that case our fate or destiny is already controlled by these planets. pretty much there is nothing we could change. for example: one planet have effect to make someone ill and kill him/her at age of 36 and when that person reach to that age he will fall ill and die for sure as this was in his birth chart indicated by effect of those planets. as you said also that we cant change the planets and their effects. one more question, why there are gem stones, poojas, herbs etc to reduce their effects if they are NOT going to effect you anyway. if lets say that that it could reduce the effect then how would it help the one who suppose to get divorce as this was in birth chart and effect of those planets. how could it reduce the effect of divorce. it will either cure 100% or either the divorce would happen. because you cant cure divorce. sorry for too many question. but i just had the feeling you are good at answering these kind of questions".

My answer to the above, is:

Some things that are destined to happen will not be changed but there are other things destined to happen that can be altered to smaller or greater extent.

This is the vachan given in the Shastras.

In other words, not everything in Destiny can be changed.
Exactly what is amenable to change and what is not, can be known only by a very Enlightened Mind, which is beyond an average human, like me!

I personally have seen many instances where a person's health has improved markedly with the use of specific herbs, based on their horoscope.

I mean, these people never had incurable diseases, but they had chronic diseases, and were not responding properly to their medicines. They all began to respond properly to their medicines, at least.

And many heart patients could avoid a Bypass operation because of the herbs..... would you call that useless?
Their health parametres improved so much that their own doctors suggested they need not go for Bypass!
They still take their medicines, however, but they are leading lives of a much better quality!

Similarly, in Behaviour Disorders:
In one instance, the wife was unable to bear the humiliation (this humiliation was not too much, by the way) in her husband's family. Her mother-in-law was not satified with her behaviour in the house.
BOTH ladies were treated with Bach flower remedies ..... and today the marriage is saved, the couple has a 6 year old son, and is living fairly happily.
BOTH ladies were given appropriate gemstones on the advice of a very renowned jyotishi.
The husband had a full kaal-sarpa dosha in his horoscope and the appropriate pooja was done.
They still have some quarrels, but they do not go the extreme of divorce!

So....... isn't this of use to them?

method: tantra and personal will power, worship and stick to true path,path of Dharma.

Method: by knowing the nature of efects of planet.

Science is already changing it.

science is progressing due to divine blessing.

Birth chart is an indicator; a rough probabilistic map from birth to death. We could may be learn when the bad time would end or how long good time would stay.
And may be slightly we could increase or decrease the intensity of periods only very slightly. But with knowing that bad period would end soon gives a psychological boost and hope nothing more than that.

But if real changes are required it must  already be present no effort of ours would make us something which we are not.

Some where in this modern fascination of anything named "vedic", and huge demand for quick results astrology has taken a new role and is doing something its not meant for (i.e playing god) and you could see many failed results because of that.

In olden days what i heard from my elders is astrologers used to jst keep quite and say nothing more if they have seen some bad combination's and used to leave it for fate. They used to suggest only if they thought there is a chance for change.

Regards,
Gs

Again, can not point to a source, but something my guruji told me long time back....
The only things that can not be altered and that only Brahma Ji truly know are:
Janma-Mrityu (Birth-Death)
Laabh-Haani (Gains - Losses)
Yash-Apyash (Fame - Defame)

Everything else comes into the spectra of Free Will and it is upto us to make the best of the worst situations and how sometimes people make the worst of the best opportunities...
sahil