When people feel low, defeated, or completely worn out, where do they turn for help? It often depends on where they live.
In the Western world, people are more likely to turn to a counselor or psychiatrist—professionals trained to help them unpack their thoughts, confront their struggles, and gradually find a way forward. Some, mainly women, are likely to drop by at the neighborhood psychic reader.
In India, however, the response often differs. Many seek out an astrologer—someone who reads palms or horoscopes, offers insight into the past, and predicts what lies ahead. Along with this, they may suggest religious rituals or practices, providing reassurance and emotional relief.
While astrologers are not legally or professionally trained to be equivalent to psychiatrists, they often play a comparable social role in India—as counselors, advisors, and sources of emotional comfort.
From marriage and children to careers and family disputes, many Indians turn to astrologers for guidance on almost every aspect of life. The younger generation, in particular, is embracing this 5,000-year-old tradition more actively, helping drive it into a $7 billion industry.
Is astrology science or math?
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, known as Sadhviji, is a global spiritual leader who has explained the connection between astrology and science. She emphasizes that it is the scientific aspect of astrology that led her to believe in it.
“I believe in astrology scientifically, more than spiritually. Here is why — the human body is 70–80 percent water, depending upon how old you are. The ocean has high tide and low tide caused by the magnetic pull between the Earth and the moon,” said Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, a Stanford University graduate who no serves as International Director of Parmath Niketan in Rishikesh.
“The scientist in me says that it would be crazy to accept that the pull between the moon and the ocean causes high tide and low tide, but I, who am also water, am not impacted by it. If the pull on the water is enough to change the tides, how is it scientifically impossible that it doesn’t impact me? It must.”
She further explains how planetary forces influence human life.
“All the planets have different magnetic pulls with each other, with the moon, and with the Earth. We are made of the same five elements that our creation is made up of—earth, water, fire, air, and space. If the pull of the planets on the moon changes, all of that must change us. So I actually believe in astrology from that scientific perspective, but that doesn’t mean I believe in horoscopes and newspapers (columns).”
She distinguishes her belief from popular astrology, emphasizing a more detailed and individualized approach:
“What I really believe in is when truly expert people take all of the details of your actual human incarnation—they take your birthplace and your birth time, and they use mathematical calculation to know what the difference is in the pull of the moon on you versus you or you this year versus you last year. Because it changes on the Earth, it changes in us year by year and month by month, and it impacts us differently. The pull of that moon creates different tides in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean—so I believe in astrology because of that.”
Highlighting the mathematical foundations of astrology, Sidharth Kumar, a Bangalore-based IT professional, recalled a prediction that once seemed far-fetched.
“A distant relative of mine was a brilliant student. He was extremely talented in mathematics and later got interested in astrology,” he said, adding that the relative’s strong foundation in mathematics made his predictions “remarkably accurate.”
“He came to my house when I was in middle school, looked at my horoscope, and said I would acquire multiple academic degrees,” he told A Lotus In The Mud.
“At that time, it sounded hollow because I was barely passing my exams,” Sidharth said. “But over the course of life, I completed an MBA and earned several other degrees.”
He said predictions about his younger brother also proved accurate.
“He said my younger brother would get married abroad to a foreigner. Given our situation then, it was hard to believe, but it eventually turned out to be true,” Kumar added.
Astrology is widely considered a pseudoscience, yet its practice is closely tied to mathematics. Astrologers calculate birth charts, planetary movements, and angles using geometry, trigonometry, and positional astronomy.
According to a BBC Earth article, astrology once developed alongside early disciplines such as astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. For centuries, astrologers recorded observations and used them to make predictions. Some scholars describe it as one of the earliest forms of data analysis. In the Roman Empire, astrologers were regarded as “number crunchers,” identifying patterns in collected data—an approach that echoes aspects of modern scientific methods.
Astrology: Origins, evolution, and its place in the Vedas
Chenna Reddy Vasudev’s book ‘The Origin, Meaning & Purpose of Astrology with a Synthesis of Karma & Advaitha’ says that the Vedas were originally revealed as a unified body of knowledge known as “Veda Rasi.” Over time, Vyasa—the son of Parashara and regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu—divided them into four parts for the benefit of people in the Kaliyuga.
These are the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
The Vedas are supported by six auxiliary disciplines, known as Vedangas, essential for their understanding. These are symbolically described as parts of the “Vedapurusha”:
- Siksha~nose
- Vyakarana~face
- Chandass~feet
- Niruktam~ears
- Jyotishyam or astrology~eyes
- Kalpam~hands
In this framework, astrology is considered the “eye” of the Vedic body—emphasizing its importance as a source of insight. The text suggests astrology helps interpret the past and present while offering guidance for the future. Through horoscope analysis, it is believed one can assess health, finances, relationships, psychology, and spirituality, and identify possible remedies.
Ancient astrology text
India is home to several ancient astrological texts, such as Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa, Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra, and Sūrya Siddhānta. However, the Bhrigu Samhita is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative ancient Indian astrological texts, traditionally attributed to Sage Bhrigu.
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev explained its significance in a broader context.
“Bhrigu was one of the Saptarishis. He looked into the future and spoke about how human beings would be until the end of the world,” he said. “He was not talking about you as an individual, but about humanity—how it will evolve and what it will do,” said the founder of the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, India.
“He outlined various combinations and permutations—if people are a certain way, what consequences may follow, and if they are another way, what may come to them,” he added. “In that sense, what he created is like a map. I want you to see it as a sketch.”
Astrology: Reflecting the cosmos in the human journey
At its foundation, astrology sees individuals as a miniature expression of the cosmos. It examines life across physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions, offering insight into relationships, social standing, and life direction. Ultimately, it presents a way to understand life through the lens of karma.
Classical astrology follows a structured system, using a 12-sign zodiac, assigning planetary rulerships, and dividing charts into houses representing different aspects of life. It also studies planetary interactions and movements over time to interpret patterns and outcomes. Many of its principles draw from ancient scholars such as Ptolemy and Vettius Valens.
In simple terms, astrology is a symbolic, ancient practice that interprets the movements of celestial bodies—such as the Sun, Moon, and planets—to understand human behavior and life events.
Astrology: A booming industry in modern India
India’s deep-rooted belief in astrology is finding new life in the digital age, with millions—especially younger audiences—turning to it for guidance.
The country is home to an estimated 2 million astrologers, and its astrology market is valued at over $7 billion, reflecting its growing commercial scale.
This popularity is evident in the rise of astro-tech platforms. Astrotalk reports more than 47,000 astrologers and over 118 million users, while AstroSageIndia has crossed 80 million downloads. AstroSage, described as the country’s first multilingual astrology YouTube channel, was launched on Dec. 12, 2012, at 12:12 p.m. and continues to expand its digital presence.
Astrology across continents: Belief, curiosity, and engagement
Beyond India, astrology holds cultural significance in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Globally, interest in astrology persists in different forms. A Fall 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center found that about 30% of U.S. adults consult astrology, horoscopes, tarot cards, or fortune tellers at least once a year—mostly for entertainment, with few relying on them for major decisions. When it comes to gender, American women make up the largest share of astrology believers. For instance, 43% of women aged 18 to 49 say they believe in astrology.
The popularity of astrology is also reflected in the rapid growth of astrology-focused podcast channels. One prominent example is The Astrology Podcast, a weekly show hosted by Chris Brennan, a professional astrologer based in Denver, Colorado. The channel has amassed around 264K subscribers.
Equally notable is The Edge of Everyday, hosted by Sandra Bargman, as well as a podcast hosted by Jessica Lanyadoo. Lanyadoo, an astrologer, horoscope writer, psychic medium, and animal communicator, releases episodes twice weekly, reflecting the sustained and growing audience for astrology-based content worldwide.
A YouGov survey found that while most people in the U.K. remain skeptical, a notable minority believe horoscopes can reveal aspects of personality. Overall, only about 8% believe in astrology’s predictive power.
Across cultures and generations, astrology continues to straddle belief and skepticism, evolving from an ancient practice into a modern tool for meaning, comfort, and curiosity.
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