Why Astrology?

After the past blog been thinking of Astrology and why we still read this nonsense. Passion to understand future has been a constant companion for mankind ever since its existence on earth. Even in this scientific age, lot of self made and confident youngsters enjoy reading astro predictions. Probably this is another thing that brings out the fear, love and desires in depths of our heart. Reading a 500 word yearly prediction we mostly see our mind highlighting our own plans (hidden or open) within the depths of our mind.
Reading (this) yearly predictions with a friend who shares the same sun sign, while I was excited about fatter paychecks and better work, which were in line with my plans. He noted that he could get married this year, as were his plans.

Anyway a happy NEW YEAR to all.

A kid’s New Year thoughts…
New Year may make me a star
New Year may take me that far
Leaving behind the toys that are old
Travelling far in search of that gold
Or it might get me that new car
The car that will take me that far

If that one is bad you could try this. some one forwarded it to me.

Don't know why poetry should be big and complex to be called good. A poem is often said to be good if you were to grab the dictionary 10 times and still not understand most of it. But 10 line long simple poems have a beauty of there own.

It is true "Simplicity of expression is a manifestation of profound depth and clarity in thought"

Nostradamus Vs History

It appears that people with sun sign as Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) are most interested in Astrology. This thought came after touring a few book stores where they sell separate yearly horoscopes booklets for each star sign. It is seen that it is Scorpio that is sold most. Recently in a store in US noticed that the Scorpio booklet was sold out. I remember reading horoscope right from the time I started reading newspapers. And with every new year comes a flood of forwards from friends predicting the year ahead.
But year-end is also a good time for looking back. I would call it a kind of self appraisal. So I looked back at some of the common horoscope that I check out. A few that were forwarded to me by friends were also reviewed. Most of them had a common trend.

General

What they said: Passion carries you far this year in the realms of creativity and expression. You understand what motivates people to do a good job and will find yourself in situations where people want your advice. You have a very good support system in both your career and home life, and will learn that perfect order is taking place in your life at this time. Since your career has gotten off to such a great start this year, by summer time you will have more time on your hands to become romantically involved in a new relationship (or rekindling of old), which you've been thinking about for quite some time.

How it came: Passion has carried me far in 2007. But not too far that it shows. It was another mediocre year where there were no earthquakes that shook me neither there were triumphs that are worth mentioning. Career was on fast lane and summers or winter I did take good pit stops. Another special thing about this year was that maximum of my college classmates took career making/changing decisions many left job to do MS some for MBA, few in India and a few abrode. A large number of my School friends got married too. With all these changes I did grow insecure about the lack of drastic changes in my life.

Career & Finance

What they said: Transformation is at your doorstep this year, and new opportunities await you. You are proud of your ideas and very good at expressing them. Your thinking is creative and you have a smooth management style. You could enjoy spending time traveling to foreign lands and be drawn to observing others' ideas and cultures. You love to study. You need to get away from routine to feel comfortable and satisfied. Your career seems challenging at times this year. There may be times you feel that you're giving too much to your career and that achieving your goals is being delayed. You'll definitely achieve success from all your efforts and will be reaping many spiritual and material rewards by the end of the year.

How it came: Career wise 2007 had been quite good. I tried quite a few new things. Definitely took another step towards becoming a jack of all trades master of none that every engineer in India becomes. Also took another step away from technical stuff by taking up some people responsibility. One thing that came true was the travel part. Traveled out of India quite a few times and many times time on transit was more than time in visiting office. As a sadistic joke goes I am “The One” among my friends circle who has used toilets in largest number of airports. Also did someone say something about materialistic reward?

Love & Relationship

What they said: With such a loving personality, you will certainly attract romance and passion into your life this year. When in a close relationship, you are intuitive, sensitive and psychic, and have a good sense of what other people's motives are. You will find that your relationship gives you lots of space to breathe, and yet you still have lots of spare time to take care of your own needs as well. You will find much appreciation for the finer things in life. You'll realize the importance of sharing passionate moments with your partner.

How it came: Year after year this one has disappointed me. The rosier it looks in horoscope the worse it is in reality. Another year went past without much happening on my side. Friend after friend got busy on phone with girlfriends. I still depend on a tele-marketer to hear my latest ring tone. Anyway one line came true this time “your relationship (or lack of it!) gives you lots of space to breath and yet you have lots of spare time to take care of your own needs as well”.

References

1. Picture copied from some random website, I don't remember which one.

2. Horoscope: extracts from multiple horoscope.

Tried to bring out things that more than two sources were trying to predict.

The Past, Present and Future

Probably you love your country more when you are away from it. I am writing this post from US. I am writing because I saw this video from YouTube on a dear friends Orkut account, who again happens to be doing MS in US.

Link to the Video

Back home I met a retired gulf returnee, who was into social work and petty local politics. He said "I had some of my most spirited thoughts for India at your age. I used to dream about a better India, better education, equality and stuff, but then I never acted. Then family responsibilities caught on with me and now age".

It made me sad to think that this cycle will continue. As I grow old I may tell a young stranger the same lines. And that stranger may put a similar post and sleep for the day.

A Useful Handicap - The Unsaid

On first thought I was to put this along with the “A Useful handicap” post. But on a second thought I did not post it. Now on third lack of thought it is here.

It is my strength that touches the sky like the shoot
But it is my weaknesses that hold me strong like the root
It is the not the moon that is a beautiful
It is the darkness around it that makes it beautiful