Description
Astrology is one of the traditional arts and sciences of Tibet, where it is known as « the science of calculation, » used by monks and lamas in the study of the rhythms and cycles of time, for divination, for choosing auspicious times for rituals and life-cycle events such as marriages and funerals, and as an adjunct to the practice of traditional medicine.
This comprehensive introduction to the topic includes:
• Historical roots and influences from China and India as well as the Buddhist Kalachakra teachings and the ancient Bön religion of Tibet
• The two main branches of Tibetan astrology: Nagtsi, or « black astrology, » based on the Chinese system, and Kartsi, or « white astrology, » derived from Indian astrology
• The twelve- and sixty-year cycles and the twelve animals and five elements associated with them
• The mewa, or magical squares, which are numerological factors used to calculate the auspiciousness of days or years
• The parkha, or eight trigrams of the I Ching, representing the elements, directions, seasons, and fundamental universal forces
• How to analyze the character of hours, days, months, and years, so as to determine auspicious times for various activities
• How to cast and interpret a Tibetan horoscope
Also included are numerous diagrams and charts that are indispensable to the practice of Tibetan astrology, including tables for converting Western dates to dates on the Tibetan calendar.
