Metaphysical
degrees
Harry Edwards
(Investigator 83, 2002
March)
Astrology is
based upon
a simple, two-part
premise.
1.
Correlations
exist between celestial and
terrestrial events.
2.
Correspondences exist
between the position
of the planets at birth and the human personality.
Historically,
the art of
astrology is over
6000 years old and prevailed among the Egyptians, Etruscans and
Babylonians.
By the fourth century it had spread to Greece and a few centuries later
to Rome. By the 12th century, astrology had attained academic
respectability
and in 1225 A.D. the University of Bologna instituted a chair of
Astrology.
Following a
decline in
the middle ages there
was a sudden resurgence of interest in the 20th century with the advent
of popular media astrology. In 1976, 186 scientists endorsed a
manifesto
called 'Objections to Astrology'. The signers called for a concerted
effort
to stamp out the insidious, ancient superstition once and for all.
Publishers
were exhorted to stop publishing books by 'astrological charlatans'.
Sceptical
groups, intent on promulgating the war cry, sprung up all over the
world.
Their creed was expanded to encompass any and all they labelled
'believers
in the paranormal' including 'alternative health modalities'. Large
sums
of money were offered to any who could substantiate their paranormal
claims
under controlled test conditions.
For some years
now
complementary health sciences
have been finding their way into university curricula and research
charters.
Lismore's Southern Cross University has a degree-level course in
naturopathy.
The University of Western Australia a Bachelor of Applied Sciences
(Osteopathy)
and the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, a Bachelor of Applied
Sciences (Chinese Medicine). In July 1997, the University of Sydney
opened
Australia's first Herbal Medicines Research and Education Centre
(HMREC)
a branch of the Department of Pharmacy. It offers education on the
safety,
quality and efficacy of herbal and complementary medicines.
Postgraduate
degrees, certificates, diplomas and masters are now provided. More
recently,
the Swinbourne University Hospital opened in Melbourne where GPs and
Natural
Therapists work together.
It would seem
therefore,
that the medical
establishment's antipathy towards many "alternative" health therapies
is
mellowing. Many respectable institutions are now prepared to give
accreditation
to what many medicos formally considered to be "dubious practices."
This
raises the question "Are sceptical groups a little too sceptical?"
Over the years
sceptical
tenets in general
have degenerated into self-serving sermons to the converted – and
powerless
to impede or contain the popularity of astrology and alternative
health.
Not only have the plea and the challenges been ineffective, but over
the
past two decades belief in the paranormal has flourished. Nowhere is
this
more evident than in India where astrology in particular touches every
facet of life including the police, the judiciary and government
officials.
Notwithstanding
the
failure to undermine
the belief in astrology, debunking the art has nevertheless produced
some
amusing asides.
Early last
year, some 35
universities in
India applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) seeking
permission
to start Vedic astrology courses at both the under-graduate and
post-graduate
level. Among them, Osmania, Bombay, Pune, Baroda and Madhurai Kamaraj
universities.
In spite of
protests
from the scientific
community the CGU has decided to go ahead with the introduction of
Vedic
astrology courses in Indian universities. Prominent among the
protesters
were the Indian Rationalists which brings me to one of the amusing
asides
mentioned above.
The
following is an
edited version of a letter
written by Professor Narendra Nayak of the Mangalore Rationalist
Association
(and reproduced with his permission) to the Vice Chancellor of the
Mangalore
University, Konaje. Translation of Sanskrit words in parenthesis.
Dear
Sir,
Pranam.
(Greetings). I do hope you will excuse
my writing this letter in English. Rightfully it should have been in
Sanskrit
but since I have no working knowledge of the language, I am forced to
communicate
with you in English. However, I am overjoyed to learn that you have
decided
to grant certificates in astrology and Vedic sciences from your
university
to students of some maths.
I am
writing this
letter to you during Rahu
Kalam on the choudi of ashad masa (a inauspicious time of 90 minutes
each
day). I also know that I should have enclosed a copy of my horoscope.
Unfortunately
I do
not have one but can tell
you that due to circumstances entirely beyond my control I was born on
5th of February, 1951 at 4.30 a.m. You may have my horoscope cast by
the
experts of your university before replying…
It would
be in
keeping for you to introduce
the following new courses from the next academic year.
1.
B.Sc. degree
in soothsaying: The syllabus
could be inclusive of predicting the future using cards picked up by
parrots,
astrology, ouija board and spirit possession etc: We have a number of
authorities
in these fields who can be found in hotels, by the roadside and in
maidans
(recreation areas). You could effectively use them to set the syllabi
and
as master resource persons to train the teachers.
2.
B.A. degree
in superstition: You could
include local as well as foreign superstitions in the syllabus. Things
like firewalking and materialising objects from thin air etc. We have
many
experts in these areas here. For 'sciences' such as faith-healing,
crystal
gazing and signs of the zodiac you could invite outsiders.
3.
Ph.D. in
child marriage: Here researchers
could go into the advantages of child marriages, their methodologies
and
diverse ways by which these could take place at the newborn or in the
foetal
stage itself.
4. Ph.D.
in widow
management: Here new methods
of Managing widows could be tried out e.g. more efficient methods of
burning
widows on the funeral pyres of their late husbands, better means of
shaving
their heads and keeping them inside the house. New methods for usurping
their properties etc could also be studied in detail.
When
these new
courses are introduced, the
means for admission and examinations could also be, changed as follows:
Entrances
to be
based on caste:
Vaishyas
(3rd
category in the Hindu caste
hierarchy) only to be admitted for commerce courses and Brahmins for
'sciences'
such as astrology. Shudras, (4th category) and Daliths (the
'untouchables')
should not be admitted for any education at all as it would wean them
away
from their traditional designated roles in the caste system. Women in
particular
should be debarred from any education as their role is primarily child
bearing and taking care of their families.
At the
time of
admission all candidates should
be asked for a letter of recommendation from the priest of their temple
or the local Swamiji. To determine suitability a copy of their
horoscope
should be examined by an admission panel of eminent astrologers. The
palms
of the candidates could also be read at the time of interview.
Examination
reforms;
Examinations
should be conducted on auspicious
dates only. Things like Rahu kalam, Yamaganda kalam (inauspicious
times)
should be taken into consideration when determining examination dates.
If a candidate fails, the horoscope should be examined by a panel of
experts
who will suggest suitable rituals to propitiate the planets, gods and
spirits
etc: However, these are purely temporary measures as once the panel
develops
expertise, the degree could be awarded at the time of admission itself
after checking the horoscopes of the candidates since everything an
individual
does is predetermined at the time of birth.
Finally,
we are
very sad to know that your
tenure as Vice Chancellor is coming to an end in a few months. However,
since this has been preordained by planetary configurations at the time
of your birth it cannot be helped. Our only request is that to continue
the noble task which you have initiated you may kindly suggest to the
appointing
authorities that your successor may be taken from a panel of
astrologers,
palmists and swamijis whose horoscopes could be scanned and the most
suitable
one appointed.
With
best wishes
from an Aquarian,
yours
sincerely,
Narendra
Nayak,
Secretary,
D.K.Rationalist Association, Mangalore.
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