The Sacred Symbol OM and Astrology: The Poetry of Life

by Linda Mackey

July 18th Lecture, doors open 7pm, lecture at 7:30pm

Why does astrology work?  What is the connection between the vast and mysterious cosmos and individual lives and happenings here on this small planet?  This is the most fundamental question for astrology.  Our inability to answer this question fuels the contemporary prejudice against astrology as aserious and legitimate discipline.  And, yet, inspite of this prejudice, millions of people the world over continue to be drawn to astrology and the insights that it offers.  How can this be?  From the most ancient times, astrology has been recognized an integral part of the culture of India and the Vedic spiritual tradition.  The understanding of Reality and the resulting perspective of this great tradition can offer an understanding of the nature and power of astrology.  An exploration of the meaning of mantra and especially of the sacred syllabol OM can give us insight into the perspective of this tradition and into the nature of astrology.  Perhaps it can even offer an answer to that persistent question…..  “Why does astrology work?”

 Linda Mackey received her BA in Philosophy and PhD in Philosophy and Asian Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.  During the course of her studies, she began traveling to India in the mid 70’s for the purpose of gaining a deeper understanding and first-hand experience of the Vedic culture and spiritual tradition.  While in India she studied Vedic Astrology with a traditional village Jyotishi (astrologer) where she studied both chart analysis and a system of horary astrology or astrological divination called Prasna that is practiced primarily in Kerala, South India.  She continued her studies with the Vedic Vidya Institute in California and with the Vedic Institute in Delhi where she became a Fellow of the Vedic Institute.  More recently, she has continued her studies at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Pennsylvania with various teachers of vedic astrology from both India and the USA. Currently, she lives in Austin where she teaches Philosophy at Austin Community College and maintains an active Vedic Astrology practice.

Room E1 at AOMA  4701 West Gate Blvd, Austin, TX