Astrology and Superstitions in Assamese Society

Himangshu Ranjan Bhuyan

(himangshur1989@gmail.com)

Astrology, a traditional method of explaining celestial motions to predict human destiny, remains a significant part of the social life in Assam. For millennia, this process has determined decisions in every area of greatest personal and communal significance, from the terms of a marriage contract to the terms of a contract for business. Despite the fact that within the framework of the age of science and with technological advances, astrology retains its unchallenged dominance over the societies of much of the globe. In Assam, and elsewhere in India, there is an uncanny aptitude for the nexus of tradition and development, usually in the context of conflict. Ongoing use of astrology attests to a need for more use of scientific thought and critical thinking as arguments against the superstition that supports astrology.

Notably, the cultural landscape of Assam is characterized as a polyphonic circle of practices, ceremonies, and beliefs. In that, astrology helps us not only with a way out but also with stability in times when the world is confusing. Astrology (consultation of an astrologer for a favourable date for marriage, starting a new enterprise, or religious rites) is not infrequent to be observed among families. Astrology is regularly used in rural regions, where education and access to technological modernization may be scarce, as a means to compensate for the paucity of empirical knowledge. However, the recognition that it is also prevalent in the urbanized educated population, in addition to the deceptively simple nature of its analysis, is even more frightening. This cross-sectional manifestation of acceptance offers a peek at the deep degree of cultural incorporation of astrology, an integration that is hard to decouple.

The allure of astrology is undeniable. It affords consolation in hopelessness by giving to life’s challenges and triumphs a universal significance. One finds the tendency with many to believe that an ordained destiny through planetary alignment gives psychological comfort. But that wonderment of what life is, what it means, what it does and does not, is not so frightening when imparted by the “science” of the stars. Yet this experience with order comes at a cost—personal accountability, rational problem solving, and even a sense of hope for life are all diminished.

The social effects of astrology in Assam are tremendous. Just picture the effect on marriage, an area where astrological compatibility plays a core role. Although it has been pointed out that this is one of the most basic elements of how a union is formed, it often marginalizes the more fundamental aspects of mutual respect, empathy, and shared vision. Societal pressures upon couples proved incompatible by astrology have the potential to eventually break strong alliances apart. By doing so, astrology further enforces such regressive factors as sexism and casteism, which, although other social reform measures taken or supported in Assam are not recognized.

The damage does not stop at health and well-being. It is not uncommon to hear tales of persons discontinuing or beginning in a noncurative manner medical treatment in accordance with astrological prediction. This is easily fatal, especially in rural areas where medical help is scarce. Despite the ability of astrology to provide clues in matters of health and lifespan, the lack of empirical backing to the field and the propensity of the field to generalize to useful patterns of risk present risks of displacement by evidence-based medical approaches.

Astrological presentation further compounds the grip of astrology over Assamese society. Astrological characters in teleserials/serials, columns of newspapers for their predictions, and the websites providing personalized astrological guidance all contribute to its blanket impact. Since no critical issue or counter-narrative is embedded in these representations, astrologizing is naturalized not as a matter of personal conviction but rather as a matter of universal practice. This normalization is especially worrying in a state like Assam, which is known to be historically intellectual and culturally rich. The impetus to romanize astrology as a good source of reliable advice crumbles in the name of aims, while the resilience of superstition finds safe harbour in the extendable arms of superstition.

The antidote to astrology’s social supremacy lies in developing scientific thinking—a discipline that relies on evidence, logic, and the ability to question. Scientific thinking is unambiguous and empowering, not nebulous and nonspecific, as in astrology. It encourages people to seek out authentic, evidenced truth, to be sceptical of assertions, and to make decisions on the strength of evidence, rather than dogma.

In the case of scientific reasoning promotion in Assam, it should start from the bottom up. Education is crucial in this transformation. Curricula also have to be devised for schools and universities giving value to the critical process and the scientific method. Science lessons need to teach students not only the “facts,” but also how to differentiate evidence-based knowledge from pseudoscience. This could be used to counteract the cognitive biases, i.e., the Barnum effect and confirmation bias, of astrology.

Public awareness campaigns are equally important for combating the pervasive influence of astrology. Such supporting campaigns will necessarily give the public mind a working premise for the scientific unreality of astrological statements, and [this] should not be done in jargon with extemporaneous examples but in the ordinary language with understandable, realistic examples. The destiny of those who perished after placing their hopes on astrology may well be the practical warning stories. And the press itself need not strike too thin a line in the reporting of astrology, between the evidence that is rationalistic and the evidence that is highly critical.

But this can be achieved by the policymakers of Assam by promoting evidence-based policy-making in public policy. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten in the sense of cultural values, and it must be emphasized, that it is essential to explain the rationale of health, education, and policy limits. The state’s commitment to scientific thinking will challenge the undue influence of astrology and open up avenues for a more informed and progressive society.

Astrology is still around in Assam, a miniature representation of the antagonism between the old and new worlds. Unto its worth as a part of the culture, it is undeniable, but its effect on the society raises a question of the price of the relentless superstition. If the people of Assam will take a scientific view of the future, Assam is well at liberty to commend its glorious past. It is only through holding this tension that the state will be able to cast off the cobwebs of superstition and to set free its subjects, who have been held in the thralls of the celestial, as their guides of the way and its concepts, and lead them out of the way of the superstitious into the way of reason, of knowledge, and, above all, into the way of enlightenment.