Tibetan astrology (Tibetan : དཀར་རྩིས, Wylie : dkar rtsis) is a traditional discipline of the Tibetan peoples that has influence from both Chinese astrology and Hindu astrology. Tibetan astrology is one of the 'Ten Sciences' (Wylie: rig-pa'i gnas bcu; Sanskrit: daśavidyā) in the enumeration honoured by this cultural tradition. [1]
In the Tibetan Buddhist medical and tantric traditions, astrology is not regarded as superstition but rather as a practical tool to understand and heal our body and mind on the gross, subtle and very subtle levels. One can experience many sicknesses and misfortunes due to outer, inner and secret astrological reactions and malevolent celestial influences. [2]
The Year-signs cycle in an archetypal progression or continuüm:
| Year | Animal | Element | Start Date |
| 1912 | Mouse | Water | 21-Dec-1911 |
| 1913 | Ox | Water | 9-Dec-1912 |
| 1914 | Tiger | Wood | 28-Dec-1913 |
| 1915 | Rabbit | Wood | 17-Dec-1914 |
| 1916 | Dragon | Fire | 7-Dec-1915 |
| 1917 | Snake | Fire | 25-Dec-1916 |
| 1918 | Horse | Earth | 15-Dec-1917 |
| 1919 | Sheep | Earth | 4-Dec-1918 |
| 1920 | Monkey | Iron | 23-Dec-1919 |
| 1921 | Bird | Iron | 11-Dec-1920 |
| 1922 | Dog | Water | 30-Dec-1921 |
| 1923 | Boar | Water | 19-Dec-1922 |
| 1924 | Mouse | Wood | 8-Dec-1923 |
| 1925 | Ox | Wood | 26-Dec-1924 |
| 1926 | Tiger | Fire | 16-Dec-1925 |
| 1927 | Rabbit | Fire | 6-Dec-1926 |
| 1928 | Dragon | Earth | 24-Dec-1927 |
| 1929 | Snake | Earth | 12-Dec-1928 |
| 1930 | Horse | Iron | 31-Dec-1929 |
| 1931 | Sheep | Iron | 20-Dec-1930 |
| 1932 | Monkey | Water | 10-Dec-1931 |
| 1933 | Bird | Water | 28-Dec-1932 |
| 1934 | Dog | Wood | 18-Dec-1933 |
| 1935 | Boar | Wood | 7-Dec-1934 |
| 1936 | Mouse | Fire | 26-Dec-1935 |
| 1937 | Ox | Fire | 14-Dec-1936 |
| 1938 | Tiger | Earth | 2-Jan-1938 |
| 1939 | Rabbit | Earth | 22-Dec-1938 |
| 1940 | Dragon | Iron | 11-Dec-1939 |
| 1941 | Snake | Iron | 29-Dec-1940 |
| 1942 | Horse | Water | 19-Dec-1941 |
| 1943 | Sheep | Water | 8-Dec-1942 |
| 1944 | Monkey | Wood | 28-Dec-1943 |
| 1945 | Bird | Wood | 16-Dec-1944 |
| 1946 | Dog | Fire | 5-Dec-1945 |
| 1947 | Boar | Fire | 24-Dec-1946 |
| 1948 | Mouse | Earth | 13-Dec-1947 |
| 1949 | Ox | Earth | 31-Dec-1948 |
| 1950 | Tiger | Iron | 20-Dec-1949 |
| 1951 | Rabbit | Iron | 10-Dec-1950 |
| 1952 | Dragon | Water | 29-Dec-1951 |
| 1953 | Snake | Water | 17-Dec-1952 |
| 1954 | Horse | Wood | 7-Dec-1953 |
| 1955 | Sheep | Wood | 26-Dec-1954 |
| 1956 | Monkey | Fire | 15-Dec-1955 |
| 1957 | Bird | Fire | 1-Jan-1957 |
| 1958 | Dog | Earth | 22-Dec-1957 |
| 1959 | Boar | Earth | 11-Dec-1958 |
| 1960 | Mouse | Iron | 30-Dec-1959 |
| 1961 | Ox | Iron | 19-Dec-1960 |
| 1962 | Tiger | Water | 8-Dec-1961 |
| 1963 | Rabbit | Water | 27-Dec-1962 |
| 1964 | Dragon | Wood | 16-Dec-1963 |
| 1965 | Snake | Wood | 4-Dec-1964 |
| 1966 | Horse | Fire | 23-Dec-1965 |
| 1967 | Sheep | Fire | 12-Dec-1966 |
| 1968 | Monkey | Earth | 31-Dec-1967 |
| 1969 | Bird | Earth | 20-Dec-1968 |
| 1970 | Dog | Iron | 10-Dec-1969 |
| 1971 | Boar | Iron | 29-Dec-1970 |
| 1972 | Mouse | Water | 18-Dec-1971 |
| 1973 | Ox | Water | 6-Dec-1972 |
| 1974 | Tiger | Wood | 25-Dec-1973 |
| 1975 | Rabbit | Wood | 14-Dec-1974 |
| 1976 | Dragon | Fire | 2-Jan-1976 |
| 1977 | Snake | Fire | 21-Dec-1976 |
| 1978 | Horse | Earth | 11-Dec-1977 |
| 1979 | Sheep | Earth | 30-Dec-1978 |
| 1980 | Monkey | Iron | 20-Dec-1979 |
| 1981 | Bird | Iron | 8-Dec-1980 |
| 1982 | Dog | Water | 27-Dec-1981 |
| 1983 | Boar | Water | 16-Dec-1982 |
| 1984 | Mouse | Wood | 4-Jan-1984 |
| 1985 | Ox | Wood | 23-Dec-1984 |
| 1986 | Tiger | Fire | 12-Dec-1985 |
| 1987 | Rabbit | Fire | 1-Jan-1987 |
| 1988 | Dragon | Earth | 21-Dec-1987 |
| 1989 | Snake | Earth | 10-Dec-1988 |
| 1990 | Horse | Iron | 28-Dec-1989 |
| 1991 | Sheep | Iron | 18-Dec-1990 |
| 1992 | Monkey | Water | 7-Dec-1991 |
| 1993 | Bird | Water | 24-Dec-1992 |
| 1994 | Dog | Wood | 14-Dec-1993 |
| 1995 | Boar | Wood | 2-Jan-1995 |
| 1996 | Mouse | Fire | 22-Dec-1995 |
| 1997 | Ox | Fire | 11-Dec-1996 |
| 1998 | Tiger | Earth | 30-Dec-1997 |
| 1999 | Rabbit | Earth | 19-Dec-1998 |
| 2000 | Dragon | Iron | 8-Dec-1999 |
| 2001 | Snake | Iron | 26-Dec-2000 |
| 2002 | Horse | Water | 15-Dec-2001 |
| 2003 | Sheep | Water | 3-Jan-2003 |
| 2004 | Monkey | Wood | 24-Dec-2003 |
| 2005 | Bird | Wood | 13-Dec-2004 |
| 2006 | Dog | Fire | 1-Jan-2006 |
| 2007 | Boar | Fire | 21-Dec-2006 |
| 2008 | Mouse | Earth | 10-Dec-2007 |
| 2009 | Ox | Earth | 8-Jan-2008 |
| 2010 | Tiger | Iron | |
| 2011 | Rabbit | Iron | |
| 2012 | Dragon | Water | |
| 2013 | Snake | Water | |
| 2014 | Horse | Wood | |
| 2015 | Sheep | Wood | |
| 2016 | Monkey | Fire | |
| 2017 | Bird | Fire | |
| 2018 | Dog | Earth | |
| 2019 | Boar | Earth | |
| 2020 | Mouse | Iron |
This calendar is based on Tibetan Astrology and is calculated for midday in European Std Time ( GMT+2)
Table below show the days of the weeks (and corresponding planets) that are considered generally favourable or not favourable for the 12 Tibetan astrological signs. [5]
For the start of new or important activities it is advisable to avoid the unfavourable week days in the calendar.
| Animal Sign | Favourable | Non Favourable |
| Mouse | Wednesday (Mercury) | Saturday (Saturn) |
| Ox | Saturday (Saturn) | Thursday (Jupiter) |
| Tiger | Thursday (Jupiter) | Friday (Venus) |
| Rabbit | Thursday (Jupiter) | Friday (Venus) |
| Dragon | Sunday (Sun) | Thursday (Jupiter) |
| Snake | Tuesday (Mars) | Wednesday (Mercury) |
| Horse | Tuesday (Mars) | Wednesday (Mercury) |
| Sheep | Friday (Venus) | Thursday (Jupiter) |
| Monkey | Friday (Venus) | Tuesday (Mars) |
| Bird | Friday (Venus) | Tuesday (Mars) |
| Dog | Monday (Moon) | Thursday (Jupiter) |
| Boar | Wednesday (Mercury) | Saturday (Saturn) |
The names of the chapters of the Vaiḍūrya dKar-po (the premier Tibetan text on astrological divination) are :
Tibetan Buddhism is the form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet and Bhutan, where it is the dominant religion. It is also in majority regions surrounding the Himalayan areas of India, in much of Central Asia, in the southern Siberian regions such as Tuva, and in Mongolia.
Dzogchen, also known as atiyoga, is a tradition of teachings in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Yungdrung Bon aimed at discovering and continuing in the ultimate ground of existence. The primordial ground is said to have the qualities of purity, spontaneity and compassion. The goal of Dzogchen is knowledge of this basis, this knowledge is called rigpa. There are numerous spiritual practices taught in the various Dzogchen systems for awakening rigpa.
The Gelug is the newest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), a Tibetan philosopher, tantric yogi and lama and further expanded and developed by his disciples.
The Kagyu school, also transliterated as Kagyü, or Kagyud, which translates to "Oral Lineage" or "Whispered Transmission" school, is one of the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Kagyu lineages trace themselves back to the 11th century Indian Mahasiddhas Naropa, Maitripa and the yogini Niguma, via their student Marpa Lotsawa (1012–1097), who brought their teachings to Tibet. Marpa's student Milarepa was also an influential poet and teacher.
Nyingma is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also often referred to as Ngangyur, "order of the ancient translations". The Nyingma school is founded on the first lineages and translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan in the eighth century, during the reign of King Trisong Detsen.
Losar also known as Tibetan New Year, is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location tradition. The holiday is a new year's festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar, which corresponds to a date in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. In 2020, the new year commenced on the 24th of February and celebrations ran until the 26th of the same month. It also commenced the Year of the Male Iron Rat.
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, also known by his tertön title, Pema Ösel Dongak Lingpa, was a renowned teacher, scholar and tertön of 19th-century Tibet. He was a leading figure in the Rimé movement.
Jamgön Ju Mipham Gyatso, or Mipham Jamyang Namgyal Gyamtso (1846–1912) was a very influential philosopher and polymath of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He wrote over 32 volumes on topics such as painting, poetics, sculpture, alchemy, medicine, logic, philosophy and tantra. Mipham's works are still central to the scholastic curriculum in Nyingma monasteries today. Mipham is also considered one of the leading figures in the Ri-me (non-sectarian) movement in Tibet.
In Tibetan Buddhism, Ngöndro refers to the preliminary, preparatory or foundational practices or disciplines common to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and also to Bon. They precede deity yoga.
Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö was a Tibetan lama, a master of many lineages, and a teacher of many of the major figures in 20th-century Tibetan Buddhism. Though he died in 1959 in Sikkim, and is not so well known in the West; he was a major proponent of the Rimé movement within Tibetan Buddhism, and had a profound influence on many of the Tibetan lamas teaching today.
Geshe or geshema is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns. The degree is emphasized primarily by the Gelug lineage, but is also awarded in the Sakya and Bön traditions. The equivalent geshema degree is awarded to women.
Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje was known as Terchen Drodül Lingpa and as Dudjom Rinpoche. He is considered by many Tibetan Buddhists to be from a line of important Tulku lineage, and a renowned Tertön. Lineage wise, he was a direct incarnation of both Padmasambhava and Dudjom Lingpa (1835–1904). He was a Nyingma householder, yogi, and a Vajrayana and Dzogchen master. According to his disciple Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal, he was revered as "His Holiness" and as a "Master of Masters".
Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche was a Tibetan Dzogchen master and a reclusive ngagpa yogi, known for his great realization and strict discipline. Chatral Sangye Dorje was a disciple of Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang and was widely regarded as one of the most highly realized Dzogchen yogis. In addition to his relationship with Khenpo Ngagchung, Chatral Sangye Dorje also studied with some of the last century's most renowned masters, including Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, and the famed Kunzang Dekyong Wangmo. Chatral Sangye Dorje was one of the primary lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingthig, and in particular the lineage that descends through Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu and then on to Patrul Rinpoche.
Dorjidak Gompa or Tupten Dorjidak Dorjé Drak Éwam Chokgar is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and one of the Nyingma school's "Six Mother Monasteries" in Tibet. It is located in the Lhoka (Shannan) Prefecture in the south of the Tibet Autonomous Region, older southeastern Ü-Tsang.
Katok Monastery, also transliterated as Kathok or Kathog Monastery, was founded in 1159 and is one of the "Six Mother Monasteries" in Tibet of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, built after Samye Monastery. It is located in Payul, Karze Prefecture, Sichuan, China, known as Kham.
The Tantra of Kalachakra is the basis of Tibetan astronomy. It explains some phenomena in a similar manner as modern astronomy science. Hence, Sun eclipse is described as the Moon passing between the Sun and the Earth.
Gyalpo spirits are one of the eight classes of haughty gods and spirits in Tibetan mythology and religion. Gyalpo, a word which simply means "king" in the Tibetic languages, in Tibetan mythology is used to refer to the Four Heavenly Kings and especially to a class of spirits, both Buddhist and Bon, who may be either malevolent spirits or oath-bound as dharmapalas.
Kirti Gompa, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery founded in 1472 and located in Ngawa, Sichuan province, in China, but traditionally part of Amdo region. Numerous other associated Kirti monasteries and nunneries are located nearby. As of March 2011, the Kirti Gompa was said to house 2,500 monks. Between 2008 and 2011, mass arrests and patriotic re-education programs by Chinese authorities have targeted the monks, reducing the population substantially to 600 monks. The wave of Tibetan self-immolations began at Kirti Gompa.
Lobsang Dolma Khangkar also called Lobsang Dolma or Ama Lobsang Dolma was a 13th generation doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. She travelled with the Dalai Lama in 1959 from Tibet to India. She was the First woman to become chief physician of the Men-Tsee-Khang. She and the others carried her daughters on their backs into what is now Dharamsala, India: Tsewang Dolkar Khangkar and Pasang Gyalmo Khangkar, succeeded her in the family line of doctors, the Khangkar.
Lobsang Thubten Trinley Yarphel, was the 5th Gangchen Tulku Rinpoche of Tibet. He was a Tibetan-Italian lama of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He also established the NgalSo Tantric Self-Healing methods. Some of his life's work can be found documented in a published book: Gangchen A Spiritual Heritage.
