Star-gazing biz gets a fillip from problems on Earth

The stars in the sky are having their moment on Earth. As pandemic-related problems grew over the last 16 months, so did the number of consultations at tarot card readers, palmists, astrologers and others of their ilk.Professional astrologer Vastu Acharya Manoj Srivastava, who has worked with over 300 industrialists and business owners, has noted a 30% jump in people turning to astrology in the last year-anda-half. He says, “It did not happen immediately in March 2020 but by May-June, we could clearly see that people were looking for answers.” Similarly, Acharya Ravi Kumar Sardana, tarot card reader and life coach, has seen his consultations shoot up by almost 70%. “People are turning to these methods for genuine guidance to face the situation and moreover to know what is there for them in the days to come,” he says.LOOK AT THE STARSHealth problems, loss of loved ones, job instability, floundering relationships and uncertainty have been at the centre of the human experience in these times, says Mumbai-based astrologer Sundeep Kochar whose website displays messages from industrialist Gopichand Hinduja and cricketer Gautam Gambhir. He says he has noticed a change in the last year-and-a-half. “Whenever there is uncertainty, a person will look for answers and seek out guidance from astrologers. This is the first time our lives have come to a standstill, so no one is used to this situation,” he says, adding that it’s a good idea to get to know something about the unknown as it helps people understand their journey.New Delhi-based astrologer and palmist Sunita Chabra thinks we need to use astrology as a GPS system. “We need to travel our way from A to B, we need to find ways to avoid falls and setbacks. I think people are turning towards astrology, to find ways to make life easier than what it has become with this pandemic. Astrology is also like psychotherapy with an added advantage of it being predictive in nature,” she says.A NEW BREEDPeople often turn to astrology in times of stress – the last year-and-a-half have by no means been easy. Australia-based psychologist Graham Tyson, who conducted a small study way back in 1982, observed that “under conditions of high stress, the individual is prepared to use astrology as a coping device even though under low-stress conditions he does not believe in it.” This perhaps explains why a number of the astrologers and tarot experts reached out to, revealed that younger people in the 35-45 age group are now approaching them.Mumbai-based Shradha Salla who hails from the Mafatlal family, is a numerologist and tarot consultant. She reveals that one-third of her clients are those looking for solutions in businessrelated problems and says a lot of younger people are booking consultations looking for stability. “Lawyers and doctors give you facts, for faith you turn to these means,” she says.“Younger people were more about logical minds. Many of them don’t believe in God, they don’t believe in rituals. They feel everything is superstitious, that includes astrology. In the last year they are becoming restless and are now inclined towards the ancient science of astrology,” adds Kochar.Sardana says that he’s noticed more women booking appointments as well. “I think they are more affected by this pandemic, both at job and at home as well,” he shares.FINDING ANSWERSThe majority of people ask about their personal health, well-being of their loved ones and most importantly financial security. Chabra says, “In the second wave, people in the 35+ age group were seeking consultation for their businesses, employment and financial security. Loans, debts and ability to pay off their EMI’s are serious financial concerns for this age group. They complained of how their household and medical expenditures have increased over the last few months but their businesses are slow.”Apart from health and finances, many are seeking guidance in the sphere of interpersonal relationships. “I have seen a lot of marital cases where the situation has gone to the level of divorce. Pressures n relationships have built up on account of decreased tolerance, the absence of domestic help etc,” shares Kochar.THE FUTURE IS BRIGHTBut, says Srivastava, bad times don’t last forever and by 2022, we will see better days. “By middle of next year we can expect life to be back to normal. In fact, you will see a marked improvement in the first quarter of 2022. However, economic recovery may take a few more years to fructify,” he says. Patience and positivity will help us get there, say the soothsayers. “What we manifest will become the future,” says Salla, adding that it takes 1,000 days for anything to change. “Things will start looking better soon. When it comes to the near future, you need to create it. Starve the negative, feed the positive,” is her advice.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3z3ovkk