A fascinating subject. ASTROLOGY. With my background in Spherical astronomy and substantial experience in skygazing,  I can figure out the positions of the planets, stars, constellations &  nakshatras quite easily. For instance, these days, around 9.30 pm , the constellation Gemini is right overhead and one can easily spot the bright red Mars in it. The astrologers, with the help of their pothi, patraa & panchaang can also state “Aapka Mangal aajkal Mithun mein chal raha hai”. But having interacted with a number of smalltime panditjis & jyotishis I have discovered onething. There is a widespread belief amongst this crowd that the planets, nakshatras and constellations (Rashis) cannot be seen by mere mortals without divine grace. For example, “Aapko Mangal devta ke darshan kaise ho gaye??”  And when one tries to tell them that it is also possible to see Saturn, Jupiter, Venus etc with the naked eye, disbelief can clearly be seen writ large on their face. A disbelief quite similar to that on the faces of my educated friends who dismiss astrology as pure bunkum .The ones that consult their own astrologers in private are even more vociferous in their protestations and assertions of disbelief. A plain and simple floccinaucinihilipilification  (act of condemnation as worthless) of astrology. I know that the Panditjis & the Jyotishis are ABSOLUTELY WRONG  in their assertion of the essentiality of divine help before planets, Constellations and nakshatras can be seen by mere mortals in the night sky. Any amateur astronomer knows it. Skycharts are regularly available on websites and in newspapers. But then , I also believe, that my friends are EQUALLY WRONG when they dismiss astrology as mere hogwash.  Any acceptance or rejection must be an informed and considered decision.  A minimal level of knowledge and understanding is definitely required before one can convince oneself regarding rejection or acceptance. It is with this basic premise that I decided to venture into the field of astrology. The modest aims at this stage are  to acquire some basic foundational knowledge and to test some simple scientific hypotheses with the help of astrological concepts.   More on that later…….