Two main categories of Tibetan Astro. Science

This web is mainly about Elemental Astrology in Tibetan tradition, but actually there are two main categories in the Tibetan Astro. Science:

1. Byung rTsis (Elemental Astrology)
2. Kar rTsis (Astronomy & Planetary Astrology)

A full Tibetan birth horoscope is made by using both elemental horoscope and planetary calculations. For all calculations it is important to know the time of birth as exactly as possible in order to make a more precise prediction.


Elemental Astrology - Byung rTsis

The oldest type of Tibetan astrology Byung-rTsis is also called Nagtsi, which means black calculation. Byung-rTsis has its origin in ancient Tibetan Bön culture and in Chinese influence, with its name coming from the black clothes that were common to the ancient Chinese people. Byung-rTsis is pronounced Jung-Tsi, and in some English texts called Jungtsi.

This system has no mathematical calculations and planetary observation. Byung-rTsis is based upon the relationships of the five elements, twelve animal signs, nine magic Mewa square numbers and the eight Parkha trigrams. Every year has its own element and animal sign, but also a month, day and hour has its own element.

Elemental astrology is used to construct a birth horoscope, marriage compatibility, yearly predictions, medical calculations and death horoscopes for funeral arrangements.

In the section Elemental Horoscope you can read more about Elemental Astrology and learn some basic calculations. 


Astronomy & Planetary Astrology - Kar rTsis

Kar rTsis is also called Kartsi, which means white calculation. It has Indian origin and got its name from the white clothes ancient Indians wore. 

Tibetan astronomical system and calendar making is based on the Sri Kalachakra Tantra (Wheel of Time Tantra), which was translated into Tibetan from Sanskrit in 1027 A.D. and changed the history of Tibetan Astro. Science.

Tibetan astronomy presents the mathematical calculations for the ephemeris of planetary positions and personal birth horoscopes. Calculations are also used to make calendar and yearly almanacs with auspicious and inauspicious days for different kind of activities, as well predictions for eclipses. It is important to notice, that Tibetan calendar and astrology is based on the lunar cycle.

Tibetan astrology uses, as Indian astrology, the system of Sun, Moon, five planets and Shadowy planets Rahu and Kethu (moon nodes) together with the twelve houses of zodiac; running from Aries to Pisces. Outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not recognised by Tibetan astrologers.

Tibetan weekdays are ruled by Sun, Moon and five planets. Each day also has the same name as its ruling planet:

The Kalachakra system for casting a birth horoscope is called Dhus Khor and it makes use of only eight heavenly bodies, Kethu is not included. This system focuses on the person's Sun sign, the Ascendant sign and the weekday of birth. Planets will have a favourable or unfavourable influence to each other according their own nature as wrathful or peaceful.

In addition to Kalachakra teachings the Kar rTsis system also includes a secret tantric practice Yangchar (Shiva Sarodhaya Tantra), which means Arising Vowels. This system has an Indian origin and it is about the initial syllable of the persons name in connection to his/her horoscope. Yangchar associates a different vowel with each day of the month and this effects predictions. The predictions are made according to planetary positions in the twelve houses of the zodiac and relationships between the planets. A person's life span will be dealt in different periods, which are ruled by changing planets. Periods ruled by a peaceful planet will be lucky and periods ruled by a wrathful planet will be more problematic.

House system in Yangchar:
1. House: Body and birth
2. House: Possessions
3. House: Paternal relatives
4. House: Friends and colleagues
5. House: Children
6. House: Enemies
7. House: Marital life
8. House: Life and death
9. House: Religious practice, higher studies and good fortune
10. House: Profession
11. House: Gain
12. House: Loss