Osho's Horoscope: A Case for the Aquarius Ascendant

The birth chart of Shri Rajneesh (Osho) has been a subject of astrological debate. While his date of birth, December 11, 1931, is undisputed, his birth time remains a point of contention. The esteemed astrologer Mr. K. N. Rao supports a time of 17h 13m, which yields a Taurus ascendant. The birthplace is the small village of Kuchwara in Madhya Pradesh.

However, nearly twenty years ago, at the beginning of my astrological studies, I came across his horoscope in a Hindi magazine* with an Aquarius ascendant, corresponding to a birth time of 11h 40m. The article detailed an inquiry Osho's father made to an astrologer. Unfortunately, I no longer have that issue, but the logic of that chart has always seemed correct to me.

Here, I will compare both horoscopes against the known facts of Osho's life to demonstrate the correctness of the Aquarius ascendant. Both charts are cast using the Lahiri Ayanamsa.

Is Religion an insult to human dignity!

 Is Religion an insult to human dignity!

A famous saying by the Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg has long been a favourite of mine:

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”

Such aphorisms are compelling. They are easy to recite and create an illusion of being profoundly thought-provoking. However, upon closer examination, they often reveal a simplification of reality. We tend to craft our rules and maxims for extremes—the upper class or the lower class, the saint or the sinner—while ignoring the vast, complex middle ground where most of humanity resides.

Ruler's Forced Departure: An Annual Chart Analysis

 Astrological Indicators for a Ruler's Forced Departure: An Annual Chart Analysis

(Reproduced from Modern Astrology, Bangaluru, October 2025)

The annual horoscope of a nation (Varshaphala) can provide critical insights into the stability of its government. Specific planetary configurations can indicate a period of intense pressure, potentially forcing a ruler to step down from their position. The following astrological indications, when found concurrently in an annual chart, create such a possibility.

The Astrological Framework for an Unstable Government

Determinism or Free Will

 Determinism or Free Will

I don’t have a definitive answer, but there are thought processes that can help us reflect more deeply on this question. You may find some satisfaction in contemplating them.

The Question of Origins

Did consciousness create the universe, or did the universe give rise to consciousness?

If consciousness evolved from matter, then we must first examine the material world. Consider the planets, stars, and galaxies—vast structures bound by the laws of physics such as gravity, motion, and thermodynamics. They obey fixed, predictable principles with no sign of independent will. How, then, could consciousness—something fluid, adaptive, and self-aware—emerge from such constrained systems?

Ayanamsa on the practical ground

 !!Ayanamsa on the practical ground!!

(Modern Astrology, May 2025)

The Ayanamsa is a central pillar of Vedic or sidereal astrology. This is the basis for the correct position of planets. Unfortunately, it is vital as it is disputed too.

Ayanamsa (Sanskrit ayanāṃśa: Ayana "movement" + aṃśa "component") is the Sanskrit term in Vedic astronomy for the amount of precession in astrology, which is the longitudinal difference between the tropical (Sāyana) and sidereal (Nirayana) zodiacs.

There are many Ayanamsas in vogue. Everyone is free to create their own! Astrology is not a science until now, like science, which has an undisputed and globally accepted base.

Out of many Ayanamsas, only three are essential and widely used. These are Lahiri, Raman, and Krishnamurthy. The values of Lahiri and Krishnamurthy Ayanamsas are too close and have some differences only on the second level. So, we will not consider both separately. So, only two Ayanamsa are in the picture, Raman and Lahiri. I don`t know much about the astronomical mathematical process that works in this issue. Here, I will compare the above two on practical grounds with the help of some astrological clues. The concept or rule that is logical and systematic surely fits on the practical ground. I found Lahiri Ayanamsa more accurate than others. But please don`t think of it as any kind of remark to others. This is part of the learning process.