I don’t want you, your horoscope doesn’t fit

Astrology and horoscopes are an important part of life in Indian society; the Indians are being accompanied by them during their whole lives. They are often a basis for many decisions, they should pre-empt life disasters and failures. In the foretelling an important role is played also by numerology. It should, together with the placement of stars at the birth, find out whether they can expect happiness and success in their future marriage. The astrology should also set the most appropriate date of the ceremony for a successful marriage. The horoscope is determining especially when one of the partners is negatively influenced by Mars. That the horoscopes of the partners fit in at least 70 percent is very important. “Also my parents are looking for a partner for me already. Recently we received an offer from a rich and respected family, but the son had unfortunately a wrong horoscope. He was handsome and well-educated, yet we had to refuse him,” Gayatri, a colleague of Priya, speaks about troubles with choosing an ideal husband.

Bollywood changes customs

With continuous modernization of the country and influence of romantic stories in bollywood films, wedding customs have been changing step by step. Mainly young people in cities are enchanted by the cult of romantic love. However, even here the same rules as for arranged marriages are applied. The difference is only in the fact that the two lovers choose each other without any assistance of the parents. Still the approval of the family is a condition for realizing the wedding. Parents give the blessing only if the partner of their child corresponds to the religious and social requirements of the family. And also the horoscope is being considered in this case. “We cannot give our beloved daughter to a man with a wrong horoscope. We want for her happiness, fortune and contentment. It is the basis for a good marriage,” Mr. Singh means.

And the statistics support the Indian astrologists. In India a marriage is for a whole life and to divorce is not usual. The rate of divorces is about one percent in this country. “People here do not divorce and that is a proof of successfulness of arranged marriages and all wedding traditions we have,” he proudly emphasizes the success of Indian family customs. But is it so due to the tradition of arranged marriages and astrology or is it significantly affected by compulsion of a family, a community and the whole society? To marry and to live in a marriage is a duty of every good Indian regardless of religion. On the other hand, to divorce is still a stigma.