By Mrs. Tsering Choezom
Astrologer

There is nobody in this universe who doesn't have some kind of problem, whether big or small. On a large scale, this applies to countries, communities and organisations. On a small scale, it applies to the family and the individual. Every country has its own traditional ways to solve such problems, and we Tibetans have a unique system of our own. In important matters, we seek advice from oracles or request a divination from a high llama. We also rely on astrological calculations.

In minor matters, depending on the type of problem, we may use astrological predictions, calculations or divination. To determine the good or unfortunate events which will occur during an individual's life, a horoscope must be cast based on that individual's personal details. For adults, there are charts to determine the compatibility of a marriage partner; for the sick, there are calculations to determine the cause of the illness, what treatment should be applied, which doctors are suitable, when they will find relief, and ultimately whether they will survive the illness. Calculations are also made after death to determine how t~ dispose of the body with respect to the five elements: Fire, by cremation; Earth, burial; Water, in water; Iron, to be interred tinder one's own home; or Wood, to be given to vultures. These calculations will also show which religious ceremonies should be performed for the deceased and which prayers are needed to avoid harm to the remaining family members.

Here I will mainly address the individual's horoscope. The Manjushri Mula Tantra says, "Many constellations are said to exist: One thousand six hundred and twenty-four. They will exert their influence during the last period of time." We ordinary people who can't take birth according to our wish, but whose rebirth is governed by karmic actions, definitely need the help of horoscopes. Without these, through the influence of harmful planets and stars, we will become unsuccessful in our activities, we will suffer from poor health and there will be obstacles in our life. Many other hindrances will arise.

To prevent these, our compassionate teacher the Buddha has revealed this system. We have basic wholesome and unwholesome imprints, accumulated over many lifetimes. When these come under the influence of harmful planets and stars, the unwholesome imprints take root and develop into unwanted effects. At such times the astro-practitioner can guide the individual by suggesting purification rituals or behaviour to avoid the conditions, as well as encouraging skillful means and ceremonies to avert misfortune. Since the Victorious Ones do not lie, we should be in no doubt that if these guidelines are followed, it is possible to prevent the obstacles created by bad conditions before they occur; unless the time for our past actions to ripen has definitely come.

It is a unique feature and belief of Buddhism that the seeds of good and bad actions can be destroyed. Anger destroys good potential while wrong-doing is purified by acknowledging and correcting the negative action. There is a Tibetan saying. "Build a dam before the flood. Avert it before it happens. Having discovered by means of a horoscope what harmful obstacles and undesirable events will occur in a person's life, we can also know from the horoscope how to prevent them.

There are three systems of casting horoscopes:

1. Yangchar: the Arising from the Vowel

2. Dhus Khor: the Kalachakra system

3. Byung-rtsis: the Elemental system.

For all three systems the time of birth is very important. It is said, "The weapon of time is sharp."

Yangchar

The Arising from the Vowel system has many similarities with the Occidental and Indian systems, as well as certain parallels with the principles of numerology. We predict happiness or suffering by examining the position of the planets in the twelve houses of the zodiac. Just as we have friends, enemies and (neutral) acquaintances, so it is among the planets. The position of good planets leads to good results, while the position of bad and neutral planets leads to bad and neutral results. The significance of the houses is as follows: First house -- birth or body; Second house --wealth; Third house -- paternal relatives; Fourth house -- friends and colleagues; Fifth house -- children; Sixth house -- enemies; Seventh house -- spouse and home life; Eighth house -- life and death; Ninth house - fortune, religious practice and higher studies; Tenth house -- work or profession; Eleventh house -- gain; and Twelfth house --loss.

The planets, in order of the strength with which they influence our actions, are: Saturn, the weakest; Mars., Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, the Moon and the Sun. Although shadowy, the Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) are the strongest of the lot. Each planet also exerts influence on different types of personalities: the Sun -- rulers and political leaders; the Moon -- ministers and queens or other female political leaders; Mars -- soldiers and military commanders; Mercury -- businessmen; Jupiter -- priests and scholars; Venus -- musicians and artists; and Saturn -- farmers, labourers and servants.

After carefully observing and recognising the strength and nature of planetary influence, as well as the relationship between the planets, the astro-practitioner can form an interpretation for the individual. It is important to know the exact year, month, day and time of a child's birth because predictions regarding future good and bad events are based on planetary position. According to the Indian system of nine planets (also called the Maha Dasha, or major period), which can be elaborated to eighty-one (Antha Dasha, or sub-major period), the human lifespan is calculated to be 120 years at the most. Tibetan astrology postulates a maximum lifespan of 100 years; however, the performance of good deeds can add years to the life of the individual. We call these extra years the "ransom life" or hchi-bslu (literally, to deceive death).

During the individual's life, he will be influenced by each of the nine planets in varying degree: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, the Ascending Node (Rahu), Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, the Descending Node (Ketu) and Venus. The nine planets are also divided according to their peaceful or violent aspects. Good events will occur during the period of a peaceful planet while, during the periods of violent planets, ill effects will be observed.

The peaceful planets are the Moon, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. For example, during the rule of the Moon, one will enjoy sound sleep, success in peaceful activities, an increase in wealth and acquaintance with agreeable people. In the case of Jupiter, one will meet with success in both peaceful and fierce activities, increased mental capacity, improved work efficiency and richer and more rewarding religious activity

The violent planets are the Sun, Mars, Rahu, Saturn and Ketu. During the rule of Mars, fever and diseases of the blood and bile will manifest. There is danger of fire, lawsuits and theft, as well as conflicts with family members and close friends. The influence of Saturn brings on dullness, laziness, failure at work and separation from loved ones; it may also prompt an unwilling shift of residence.

It is also important to note the transitions between periods of planetary influence, and their detrimental effect. At the time of "handing over" a violent planet to a peaceful one, minor problems will

arise, such as mild illness. The transit between a peaceful planet and a wrathful one is likely to bring about worse illness, suffering and loss; while the transit between one wrathful planet to another is a harbinger of almost certain death and destruction. Extreme precautions are suggested during these times. Specifically during a Moon-to-Mars transit, minor illness may result; Rahu-to-Jupiter, slight decline in wealth and possessions; and Saturn-to-Mercury, luck and good fortune. During the transits between the violent Mars and Rahu, remedial measures may not take hold and death is likely; and the Mercury-to-Ketu transit is said to bring certain death.

Dus Khor

Whereas the Yangchar system casts the horoscope with reference to nine planets, the Kalachakra or Dus Khor system recognises only eight: Ketu is omitted. The four wrathful planets appear at the North, South, East and West positions on the

calculation chart, while the peaceful planets lie at its four corners, exerting their favourable or unfavourable influences. Interpretations are also made with regard to the day of the week on which birth took place, the twelve links of dependent arising, and one's sign of the zodiac. In this system, the maximum lifespan is calculated to be 108 years.

Byung-rtsis

The Byung-rtsis or Elemental system uses no mathematical calculations yet is considered to be the best way to forecast one's future happiness or misfortune. The elements of Iron, Water, Fire, Earth and Wood are characterized by the- function of cutting, wetness, heat, solidity and movement respectively.

Their interrelationship is similar to that between mother and son, enemy and friend. Their main purpose is to determine one's life dangers, illnesses, wealth, and luck in work and affairs, and the astrologer will highlight different themes for each type of individual. For men, special attention is paid to life safety and avoiding harm; for the young and the aged, emphasis will be placed on health; for decision-makers, success in business; and for women, empowerment and prosperity.

After the moment of conception, the development of the fetus takes place in terms of the five elements; and during our life the state of our comfort or discomfort depends on whether these five elements are disturbed or in harmony. Finally, when we die, the death process is a gradual dissolution of the elements in sequence: Earth is absorbed by Water, which is in turn absorbed by Fire. Fire is absorbed by Air or Wood, which is finally absorbed by Space or Metal.

When the elements are undisturbed, one experiences happiness. When they are in a state of disequilibrium one suffers and experiences illness or even death. A newborn child's horoscope is cast according to the elemental system based on the year, month, day and time of birth. In addition the child's respective element, animal sign, birth Parkha, birth Mewa and the parent's elements and signs are considered. These are coordinated with the five elements to create simple or complex calculations resulting in a chart marked with an "O" mark or white stone, denoting auspicious combinations; or an "X" or black stone to denote inauspicious combinations.

The astro-practitioner can offer guidelines and suggestions based on one, two, or all three types of horoscopes.

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Last updated: 30-Sept-96