THE DIGITAL REBIRTH OF AGE-OLD

ASTROLOGY HAS BEEN A PART OF INDIAN CULTURE SINCE TIMEIMMEMORIAL AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, MAKING IT A RELEVANT SECTOR FOR TIMES TO COME

- PAROMITA GUPTA

Astrology is one of the oldest and most accurate tools known to mankind,” said astrologer Chris Flisher. So, is there any truth in Astrology? Science may not think so, but ancient Vedic history does. For the uninitiated, astrology is the study of the movements of the planets, sun, moon, and stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on one’s life. Long gone are the days when you sat in front of an astrologer, had your planets and stars read, and got advice on various aspects of life such as marriage, job, and education.

According to Allied Market Research, the astrology market size was valued at USD 12.8 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach USD 22.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.7 per cent from 2022 to 2031.

In 2024, all this can be done in the click of a button all thanks to the rise in spiritual tech startups that are making astrology accessible to nook and corners of India, while making a mark in the west.

Spiritual-tech startups such as Astrotalk, AstroVision, InstaAstro, Askmonk, AstroSage, Ganesha Speaks, Taaraka, and VAMA are working towards democratising astrology for the masses. Entrepreneur India spoke to a few entrepreneurs that have taken to technology to keep consultations and predictions going in the digital age.

THE AGE-OLD PRACTICE: Astrology and spirituality hold deep cultural roots in India. While astrology finds its mention in several civilizations such as Babylon, Sumeria, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, in ancient India, Vedic scholars created a complex system called Vedic astrology.

The idea was to use maths to make birth charts or Janam Kundali, which examined planetary alignment when a person was born. This form of practice is deeply linked to Hindu culture, guiding important decisions and spiritual practices.