About Astromunk

The wisdom of Tibetan astrology has helped guide the lives of generations of Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists. Our mission is to bring authentic Tibetan astrology into the lives of Buddhist practitioners and people around the world by bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. We believe this is also the most effective way to preserve and promote this aspect of Tibetan culture. Our worthy mission and our authentic approach—true to the millenia-old approaches of authentic Tibetan astrology—mean we have received the support and encouragement of highly revered lamas across Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

We combine the expertise of respected Tibetan astrologers with the capabilities of experienced software developers to provide hyper-personalized authentic horoscopes supported (but not dictated) by the latest in artificial intelligence and crafted just for you. Astromunk also means you no longer have to rely on generic lunar calendars. Your personal Dharma calendar is keyed to your birth chart, showing sacred Dharma days, days for specific practices (such as fire and naga pujas), and each day’s personal favorability for activities like travel, haircuts, and many more. You can discover your Tibetan zodiac signs and birth Mewa, along with character tendencies and the rhythms of your best and most challenging days. You can also check how your energy aligns with a partner, friend, or community member using traditional Tibetan compatibility principles. The Astromunk app also provides down-to-earth podcasts that make Buddhist practice and Tibetan astrology accessible and actionable. They cover introductory Tibetan astrology and the teachings of classical Indian and Tibetan Buddhist masters and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

A journey to the Himalayan mountains is no longer required to seek out the wisdom of Tibetan astrology; we bring it straight to your phone every day!

The Astromunk app is available on both Android and iOS.
Get the app here:       .

How to think about Tibetan astrology

Tibetan astrology is the most expansive form of astrology developed by humanity. It synthesizes astrology originating from ancient Tibetan sources, with astrology originating from India and China, and includes astrology systems including Kalachakra, Mewa and Five Energies.

From the viewpoint of Tibetan Buddhism, engagement with astrology is not merely about addressing personal challenges but also about enhancing our capacity to assist others. At one level, Tibetan astrology points to the propensities that our futures hold. Based on this knowledge, we can take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of difficulties materializing or improve the chances of desirable outcomes for ourselves and others. We need to be careful, however, not to become superstitious and fall into a mindset that considers everything predetermined and surrenders our sense of control and agency for our lives and actions to cosmic influences. ‘Ley’ the Tibetan term for karma literally means ‘action’, underscoring the centrality of our actions to what we experience and the impact we have on others.

At another level, astrology serves as a tool for self-reflection and understanding, enabling us to improve our lives and positively influence those around us. It is important, however, to avoid falling into a mindset—common in Western astrology—that locks people into rigid categories, such as thinking, "So-and-so is a Taurus and I’m a Virgo, so I have to behave a certain way with them." Such thinking leaves no room for individuality and the associated immense diversity of human propensities and experience. Even though Tibetan astrology considers a much broader range of influences—offering a more complex and nuanced picture—any interpretation must always be grounded in a recognition of the interdependent nature of our existence and the unfathomable complexity of the countless causes and conditions that underlie every single experience.

In discussing Tibetan astrology, it is important to acknowledge the efforts of the many astrologers and scholars who have contributed to keeping this rich tradition alive despite the upheaval and challenges over the past six decades. In particular, the central role of Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute) must be recognised. Men-Tsee-Khang continues to offer a range of resources and products related to Tibetan astrology including handcrafted astrological readings (https://mentseekhang.org/astrological-orders/).

Key components of Tibetan astrology

‘White calculations’ in Tibetan astrology draw primarily from the Indian Buddhist system, as found in the Kalachakra tantra teachings, which in turn are considered to have originated in the mystical kingdom of Shambhala. Kalachakra, meaning "cycles of time", encompasses three levels: external, internal, and alternative cycles. External cycles pertain to the universe’s cyclical movements, measured by the sun, moon, and planets. Internally, time is measured by bodily cycles, such as breaths, life stages, or menstruation cycles. According to the Kalachakra teachings, these external and internal cycles of time parallel each other.

The cycles occur by the force of karma, or impulses of energy. The external cycles, which account for the transit charts of the daily positions of the heavenly bodies, ripen or result from general shared karma. The internal cycles ripen from each person’s individual karma. Some manifestations of these cycles are more obvious. Some people, for example, are strongly affected by particular phases of external cycles such as long winters or full moons. Some people are particularly influenced by internal cycles: the cycle of hormone development over the course of a month or as they pass through puberty, the menstrual cycle, or the aging process.

The cycles of time entail various practices which are aimed at removing current obstacles or improving chances of desirable outcomes. However, the ultimate goal of all practices from a Buddhist perspective, is liberation not only from the current obstacles reflected in personal horoscopes but from the entire cycle of uncontrollable rebirths. This liberation extends beyond the confines of the zodiac and its psycho-physical constraints.

In addition to considerations of time cycles, Tibetan astrology incorporates ‘black calculations’, the cycles of twelve animals – mouse, ox, tiger, and so on – and of five elements – earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. Animal-element combinations are considered for the year, month, day, and two-hour period of each day. Black calculations also contain a system of eight trigrams (Parkha) and nine magic-square numbers (Mewa). The Parkha and Mewa of the natal year and elective years or days are also drawn on to inform prognostications.