Paramhamsa Yogananda
In his Autobiography (Ref..."Autobiography of a Yogi"- chapter 16 - "Outwitting the Stars"),Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda ji narrates an incident which occurred in his life concerned with Astrology, which gave him a clear insight as to what is the role of planets and stars in a human life. The chapter is rather filled with the Views of SRI SWAMI YUKTESWAR GIRI JI MAHARAJ (who is said to have communion with the supreme spirit), the blessed, adored and worshipful Master of Sri Paramhamsa Yogananda ji.
1..In the aforesaid chapter, Paramhamsa ji admits that initially he did not believe in Astrology; but after the incident and the teachings of his Master, he understood clearly that -
"The starry inscription at one's birth, I came to understand, is not that man is a puppet of his past. Its message is rather a prod to pride; the very heavens seek to arouse man's determination to be free from every limitation. God created each man as a soul, dowered with individuality, hence essential to the universal structure, whether in the temporary role of pillar or parasite. His freedom is final and immediate, if he so wills; it depends not on outer but inner victories."
2..The incident goes as such that one day Mukunda, (the previous name of Paramahamsa ji) was advised by his Master to get a bangle made of Silver, lead and Copper. And for some specific purpose he was advised to get a bangle of lead and copper. Initially Mukunda showed resitance that he did not believe in Astrology to which his Master told that -
"It is never a question of belief; the only scientific attitude one can take on any subject is whether it is true. The law of gravitation worked as efficiently before Newton as after him. The cosmos would be fairly chaotic if its laws could not operate without the sanction of human belief."
Mukunda was soon wearing the advised bangles. The predictions of his Guru - that Mukunda was destined to suffer from Liver pain after a month's time, which was scheduled to last for six months but due to the effect of bangles the pain would be shortened to 24 days - was soon forgotten by Mukunda....
....Soon after a month, Mukunda fell sharp pain in his liver and was soon down to bed. He did not venture to report this to his Master, lest he be troubled. But the excruciating pain that he underwent constantly for 23 days broke his will power totally. He entrained for Benaras and stood before his Master. Under the Moon light the Master queried him -
"You must have come about your liver disorder."
"Yes, Sir."
"Please do the stomach exercise I taught you."
"If you knew the extent of my suffering, Master, you would not ask me to exercise."
"You say you have pain; I say you have none. How can such contradictions exist?"
At this Mukunda stood amazed; tried the exercise and found that the pain had gone. He was overcome with joyful relief. It was the exactly 24th day when his pain had gone, the day as predicted by his Master.
3...His Master explained him that it is because of the charlatans that the stellar science has suffered disrepute - "Astrology is too vast, both mathematically and philosophically, to be rightly grasped except by men of profound understanding. If ignoramuses misread the heavens, and see there a scrawl instead of a script, that is to be expected in this imperfect world. One should not dismiss the wisdom with the 'wise.' "