Astrology Qualifications (a) Physical features : According to the said author , the physical feature reflect the inner

nature of man. The astrologer must be good to loom at, with all his body parts complete and healthy. He should be of sound health, with sound hands, feet, nails, chin teeth ears, forehead and head, and having a loud and impressive voice. (b) Moral soundness : He should be truthful, gentle, bereft of cravings and aversions, clear of heart, not inclined to be critical of the qualities of others, devoid of base and wordly distractions. (c) Behaviour in an assembly : He should be clever, able to express himself, bold in an assembly, not intimidated by his fellow astrologers, dignified and aware of the constraints of social and historical circumstances. (d) Proficiency in the subject of Astrology : He should be well-read, and proficient in the three branches of Astrology known as Ganita, the Samhita and the hora. He must have studied the five siddhantas (or mathematical treatises). His mathematical proficiency must include the knowledge of various divisions of time, from the gross one like yuga to the finer ones. He must also possess knowledge of the various divisions, including the finest ones, of the zodiac. (e) Proficiency in various branches of Astrology : The astrologer is required to possess a knowledge of different aspects of astrology which deal with propitiation of planets, rendering the planets beneficial or hostile, conducting religious ceremonies, and rituals which help neutralise the natural calamities. (f) Defence of Astrology : The astrologer must be able to answer queries, and also pose relevant questions where appropriate. When necessary, he should be able to dazzle others by his knowledge, only to increase the dignity of astrology. The Sage Parashara advocates a similar code of conduct for astrologers, stressing particularly on the necessity for technical intellectual and moral excellence; the capacity to weigh the pros and cons of a situation, along with the ability to synthesize a coherent prediction based on sound knowledge of the principles, sometimes apparently contradictory, of knowledge.