The origins of astrology is in cosmology, “which studies the origin of the universe and everything it includes” and which began at the dawn of human civilisation. Garg shares that the underlying belief across most world cosmologies was that of interconnectedness—‘as above, so below’. “The instinct was scientific... but it was based on approximations,” she says. It’s what led them to mimic cosmic patterns in daily life: “For instance, astronomers of yore, through approximations of diameters and distances, estimated that you could fit in 108 moons between the Moon and the Earth, and 108 suns between the Sun and Earth. The number then became auspicious and shows up as a significant part of Hindu practices from 108 beads in prayer rosary beads, 108 pressure points in the body in marma ayurvedic massage,” she writes. Astrology evolved as ancient societies started “observing, recording and interpreting” cosmological patterns. For some, it became their religion. This, she says, made the ancients feel that they could control and exercise free will, at least to some degree, to an already uncertain existence overrun by natural disasters and epidemics. “Astrology won out of favour somewhere around the 17th century. Two radical changes occurred around this time. First is the Enlightenment Era, when a more logical and rational way of thinking was encouraged,” says Garg. “Second, was the rise of the Roman Catholic Church. Astrology threatened the Vatican’s authority to shape public discourse on God and the cosmos, and came to be seen as immoral.”

Closer home, Vedanga Jyotish, one of the six parts of the Vedas, became the basis of Indian astrology. “Initially, it was used to find an auspicious time [muhurta], to conduct a ritual sacrifice... it was down the line, following interactions with the Babylonian and Greek system that jyotish evolved into how we understand it today, [which is astrology of the individual]”. “What sets Indian astrology apart is that it is based on karma, while Western astrology is based on fate. Fate is something that happens to you and has to be accepted, while karma is what you carry with you from another lifetime [a person’s actions in one life influence what happens to him/her  in future lives]. In a way, karma gives fate a logical basis.”  

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Garg confesses that until she started researching for the book, she had little interest in astrology. “I would read my horoscope in the newspaper, and that was about it...” But as she delved deeper, she realised how astrology has been “misunderstood and misused” over time. “Astrologers claim to figure out your future, and being able to change your destiny. Astrology is also mocked by many, and reduced to complete garbage. In the book, I don’t take sides. I just want to highlight that people who criticise it or even show excessive belief in it, should be absolutely sure of what they are talking about.”