Astrology can best be defined as a science which explains the relationship between the life on earth vis-à-vis the inter-play constantly ongoing amongst various forces in the Universe at visible as well as non-visible levels like dark energy, quantum entanglement, multi-string universe and so on. Resultantly, the science of astrology guides us in understanding the influence of heavenly bodies on the genetic material of human beings at subtle levels of energy.

Sounds complex! I try to explain it in simpler terms:

The Universe is a complex fabric of time-and-space and there is a constant inter-play of forces within the Universe. Some of such forces have been known and some are yet to be known to the mankind while the unknown is much more than the known so far, for example, the modern science is now being introduced to the theory of quantum entanglement, quantum tunnelling, presence of dark energy, string theory etc which is already discussed in ancient Indian texts.

Astrology is a very scientific way of thinking which says that whatever happens on this Earth is a cumulative result of various forces intertwined in the Universe, particularly constellations and Planets in our solar system.

Indian astrology is the only Vidya which explains the resultant impact of inter-play of such forces on the various aspects of human life that includes psychological orientation of the person, health, worldly achievements, spiritual inclination, and so on and so on. So far no other branch of knowledge has been able to establish this deeper connect.

The principles of astrology as enumerated in the classical works of ancient Indian Sages work and are still relevant in modern context. 

This is a question which every logical and scientific mind should ask.  In fact, Astrology essentially advocates high levels of probability of a particular life aspect occurring in the life and time of an individual. While studying the basics of Astrology, a student is advised to essentially consider the following pre-conditions:

a.  ‘Desh’, (देश ) 

b. ‘Kaal’,(काल )

c. ‘Paatr’ (पात्र).

 ‘desh’  refers to the Place/Country where the person concerned is living and law of the land governing  such person.

‘Kaal’ refers to Time which INTER-ALIA includes the social setup/customs of the society which the person concerned follows at the relevant period when the horoscope is being analysed.

‘Paatr’ means the Person concerned, which includes the family and the genetic makeup of the person combined with the karmic DNA (or the Prarabdh).

We have to understand that, when a Planet is placed in a certain sign and at a certain degree  (for example, the Sun when placed in Aries at 10 degrees– Param Uchh Avastha ) will release the same set of energies/effects for all the human beings on the Earth. The question here is, will this have the same impact on all individual beings on the Earth? The answer is ‘No’. Here comes the role of genetic makeup and the karmic DNA. The effect of this energy released by the Sun at the above placement will not be the same and will be felt by all human beings on Earth depending upon their individual ‘Prarabdh’, that is accumulation of their Karma so far in the birth-chain. Therefore, the events in the lives of two persons born at same time may vary based on the conditions of ‘desh’, ‘kaal’, & ‘Paatr’.  

Our idea of astrology and spirituality is to practise these in their most scientifically explainable forms. In our opinion, the Kaal-Sarpa-Dosh is merely A-Tool-To-Fool the vulnerable general public and exploit their fears. This Dosha is not mentioned in the classical scriptures. This is more likely a modern-times misnomer. The Lunar Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) do have their individual impact depending upon their placement, conjunction, aspects, etc. They do not hem any other planet(s) between them and they do not have any physical body nor mass of their own.

The answer is yes. It can help to change the destiny to a certain extent. In fact, instead of using the word ‘astrology’, we should say that the ‘spirituality’ or ‘any divine intervention’ can have a life-changing effect on an individual. Astrology can explain our karmas done so far by us, and it can act as a ‘divine light’ (Jyoti of Eesh) warning us as well as advising us for improving the quality of karmas to be performed by us. The improvement in the quality of karma does have an impact on our Prarabdh.