Category Archives: Five Elements

Feb. 18, 2026: Significance of the Year of the Male Fire Horse Collectively and for Individuals

February 18, 2026 begins the Tibetan lunar year of the Male Fire Horse.  In general according to Tibetan astrology, it is believed that this will be a year where the common people will be happier, have more influence over their own lives, and will act more from a motivation of virtue. Although there is a risk of drought because of less rainfall, there will be less illness and hunger overall. For those individuals born during this Year of the Fire Horse, their vitality will be governed by the element of FIRE, their physical health will be governed by the element of WATER, their charisma or personal power will be governed by the element of FIRE, their lungta, or element of good luck, will be governed by the element of METAL or SPACE, and their soul will be governed by the element of WOOD or WIND. Everyone has these same five natal energies governed by one of the five elements. Each year, these natal energies are in relation to the elemental energies of that specific year. There are five different possible kinds of relationships between the elements that are symbolically described as mother, son, friend, neutral, or enemy. The calculation of these relationships determines an overall potential for how the energetic forces of the year might be experienced by the individual.

For anyone born during a previous year of the Horse who thus has the natal sign of Horse, this year, as well as other Horse years, is considered a time of vulnerability to obstacles. This same astrological principle applies for each of the other eleven animal signs. Therefore, it is recommended to make an effort to engage more with virtuous activities of body, speech, and mind and to engage less with non-virtuous activities as a method to avert obstacles. According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere unbiased and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections. Additionally, each year specific prayers and rituals are suggested in accordance with specific obstacles that have a potential to arise.

Natal Animal Signs and Recommendations to Avert Obstacles

During the year of the Fire Horse of 2026, the following natal signs have varying possibilities for obstacles during the year. They are listed below from most likely to least likely. In order to avert obstacles and challenges, the astrological text gives corresponding recommendations. Often it is recommended to avoid certain activities or environments, and to engage in activities that avert the risk and/or strengthen qualities that might be challenged or weakened. These prayers and rituals can be performed by the individual practitioner or they can be sponsored to be performed by another qualified practitioner such as by monks or nuns. For this reason, the names of the specific prayers and rituals in Tibetan are included below to make it easier for Western practitioners to make these requests. Anyone needing help in making arrangements with the nuns at Radna Menling can contact Raven Cypress Wood at RCW@Gmail.com. It is also possible to sponsor prayers and rituals with monks at either Menri Monastery or Triten Norbutse. H.E. Menri Pönlop Rinpoche’s center in the United States, Khyungdzong Wödsel Ling is assisting with this in collaboration with the monks at Menri Monastery.

What Natal Tibetan Astrological Animal Sign are You?

Because the date of the Tibetan New Year is calculated according to a lunar calendar, the date changes each year. Additionally, this date is vastly different from the Western New Year that is based upon a solar calendar. Therefore, one must know the date of Losar during the birth year in order to ascertain the natal sign. For the aid of the reader, Nine Ways is providing a link to a Tibetan Calendar Converter. Simply type the birth year into the search box at the top and click “Make Calendar.” This will render a Tibetan lunar calendar for that year. If you were born before the beginning date of the rendered calendar, type in the previous year and scroll to the bottom. This is applicable especially to those born in January and February. Calendar link: https://www.lotsawahouse.org/Static/tools/phugpa.html

For those natal animal signs that are under the influence of adverse indications for the Year of the Fire Horse, the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition is rich in methods to reverse, neutralize, or balance these conditions and to strengthen positive conditions. Some natal signs are given multiple suggestions to avert obstacles, but it is not necessary to complete each activity. These suggested prayers and rituals can be performed by the practitioner, another qualified practitioner or lama, or by a renunciate group of monks or nuns.

For those with the natal sign of Horse born after the Tibetan New Year of 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, or 2014, it is important to avoid sick people and also to not to begin new construction on homes or other construction projects that are for personal use. However, if it must be done or if one has to be near those who are ill, it is important to perform prayers and rituals to avert obstacles. Performing a longevity practice, receiving a longevity empowerment, or reciting a longevity mantra is strongly recommended in order to support the lifespan and the vitality. Recommended prayers and rituals to avert obstacles: (It is not necessary to do every recommendation.)

  • ཚེ་སྒྲུབ་འདོན་པ།
  • ཁམ་ཆེན་འདོན་པ།
    • Recitation of the Kham Chen Dönpa. The Kham Chen is the Perfection of Wisdom, or [Sanskrit: Prajnaparamita] scriptures in the Yungdrung Bön. These scriptures are comprised of sixteen volumes. The source and embodiment of the scriptures is the female Buddha Sherap Lopelma, an emanation of Sherap Jamma. She has given us The Heartdrop of Jamma and stated that reciting this short text with faith and devotion is the same as reciting the entire Ka section of the Yungdrung Bön canon which is the collection of the teachings given by the buddhas and is comprised by hundreds of volumes. The English, Spanish, and French language translations are available here: https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=raven+cypress+wood&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00
  • བརྒྱ་བཞི།
    • Four Hundred Offerings, Gya Zhi. This is a ritual that includes an offering of one hundred butter lamps, one hundred tsa tsa, one hundred food offering torma, and one hundred ransom effigies. It can be performed by the individual or sponsored.
  • གཙུག་ཏོར་གདུགས་དཀར།
  • འབུམ་འདོན་པ། 
    • Hundred Thousand Recitations, Bum Dönpa. There are a number of scriptures included in this category. This recitation can be performed by the individual or sponsored.
  • ལྡོག་གཟུངས།
    • Reversing Mantras, Dok Zung. This is a text filled with mantras that have the power to reverse or repel obstacles and negative energies. It can be performed by the individual or sponsored.
  • གེགས་ལྡོག
    • Reversing Obstacles, Gek Dok. This ritual is specifically for reversing or repelling obstacles. This recitation can be performed by the individual or sponsored.
  • དགེ་སློང་བཞི་སྡེ་ལ་དྲོ་དྲངས་བ།
    • Offering Four Renunciates a Meal, Gé Long Zhidé la Dro Drangwa. Here, a meal is provided for four monks or nuns as a way to remove obstacles.
Detail of Yungdrung Bön astrology thangkha. Private collection Raven Cypress Wood.

For those with the natal sign of Rat born after the Tibetan New Year in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020: these people have less of a chance for a significant obstacle than those with a Horse sign, but it is still significant. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid legal issues if possible, to engage in practices to raise the lungta such as raising prayer flags, and to invoke their personal protectors known as Drala. Dra La translates as warrior or guardian deity for the enemy or opponent. They are an ancient class of powerful guardians. Each individual has their own personal drala that protects them. It is also very effective and beneficial to repair or construct roads or trails especially between a community and a temple or hermitage. For example, the nuns of Radna Menling are now raising funds to repair and fortify the road to their nunnery. Supporting this endeavor is a way to avert obstacles. (This is a link to the GOFUNDME page created by Sandrine Perkins to support the road construction for the nuns: https://www.gofundme.com/f/road-from-menri-monastery-to-ratna-menling-nunnery) Recommended prayers and rituals to avert obstacles:

  • མདོ་མང། 
    • Many Sutras Recitation, Do Mang. This is recitation of a text that is a compilation of supplications, invocations, Praises, and Aspirational Prayers. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • སྒྲ་བླ་གསོལ་བ། 
    • Supplication of the Drala, Drala Solwa. See above paragraph for description. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • རྒྱལ་མཚན་རྩེ་མོ།
    • Raising a Victory Banner on the Summit, Gyaltsen Tsémo. In general, this is a ritual for raising the lungta, or force of good luck. It includes raising prayer flags and/or invoking the deities of good luck and prosperity. For more about the energetic force of lungta, see previous article: https://ravencypresswood.com/2022/04/16/what-is-lungta/. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • ཚྭ་ཚྭ་གདབ་པ། 
  • ལམ་བཅོས། 
    • Constructing or Repairing Roads, Lam Chö. See above paragraph for description and opportunity to engage in this practice.
  • སྲོག་བསླུ་ཚེ་ཐར།
    •  Life Force Ransom and Rescuing Life, Sok Lu Tsé Thar. This is a ransom offering and rescue of animals that are destined to be slaughtered. These animals are given consecrations and empowerments and marked so that it is known that they are forever not to be harmed or killed. When animals are released, they should be released in a supportive environment and in conditions that provide for their needs. Saving the life of a human being who has been sentenced to death is the greatest tsé thar. For more about the Tsé Thar ritual, see previous article: https://ravencypresswood.com/2020/04/15/how-to-restore-the-lifespan-by-saving-the-life-of-other-beings/
Depiction of the Dra la

For those with the natal sign of Tiger or Dog born after the Tibetan New Year in 1938, 1950, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022 (For Tiger) and 1934, 1946, 1958,1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 (For Dog): They have a lesser chance of encountering a significant obstacle than Rat signs, but it is recommended to make offerings to accumulate merit, especially through the Gya Zhi, The Four Hundred Offerings. In this ritual ceremony a total of four hundred offerings are made: one hundred butter lamps, one hundred food offering torma, one hundred tsa tsa, and one hundred ransom effigies. It is also recommend to invoke one’s drala as described above. Recommended prayers and rituals to avert obstacles:

  • བརྒྱ་བཞི།
    • Four Hundred Offerings, Gya Zhi. This is a ritual that includes an offering of one hundred butter lamps, one hundred tsa tsa, one hundred food offering torma, and one hundred ransom effigies in order to accumulate merit.
  • སྒྲ་བླ་གསོལ་བ། 
    • Supplication of the Drala, Drala Solwa. See above for description. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.

For those with the natal sign of Garuda or Rabbit born after the Tibetan New year in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, or 2017 (for Garuda) or 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023 (for Rabbit): it is recommended to avoid starting a personal business, to limit long distance travel, to recite the Medicine Buddha mantra or sutra, and to not take risks with one’s health. It is also recommended to perform or sponsor a Tsé Thar, Life Release. Recommended prayers and rituals to avert obstacles:

  • སྲོག་བསླུ་ཚེ་ཐར།
    • Life Force Ransom and Releasing the Life, Sok Lu Tsé Thar. See above for description. This can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • སྨེན་ལྷའི་འདོན་པ། 
    • Menla Dönpa, Medicine Buddha recitation of sutra or mantra. This can be done by the individual.
      • Life Force Ransom and Releasing the Life, Sok Lu Tsé Thar.

For males with the natal sign of Dog (years are above) and females with the natal sign of Dragon born after the New Year in1928, 1940, 1952, 1988, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024: During this year, the “sky door is open towards them.” Thus, if they are having construction done on their home, the roof should not be put on this year. This will block the sky door and can create obstacles. Recommended prayers and rituals to avert obstacles:

  • གནམ་མཁའི་སྙིང་པོ།་
    • Essence of the Sky, Namké Nyingpo. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • གནམ་སྒོ་གཅོད་པ།
    • Destroying the Sky Door, Nam Go Chöpa. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.

For males with the natal sign of Pig and females with the natal sign of Snake: During this year, the “earth door is open towards them.”Thus, it is recommended to not dig into the earth such as for construction and to recite or sponsor the recitation of the Sa’i Nyingpo, Essence of the Earth or Destroying the Earth Door.

  • ས་ཡི་སྙིང་པོ།
    • Essence of the Earth, Sayi Nyingpo. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.
  • ས་སྒོ་གཅོད་པ།
    • Destroying the Earth Door, Sa Go Chöpa. Recitation of this text can be done by the individual or sponsored.

Gu Mik, Nine Eyes: According to Tibetan astrology, there is also a calculation known as Gu Mik, Nine Eyes. This applies to anyone whose age is a multiple of nine during the Year of the Fire Horse, i.e. in 2026, anyone aged nine, eighteen, twenty-seven, and so on. For these ages, it is recommended to perform the Gu Mik Choka, The Nine Eyes Correcting Ritual. However, it is very important to note that when someone is born, Tibetan Astrology considers them to be one year old and at their subsequent birthday, they are two years old. According to Western calculation, they are only one year old at their subsequent birthday. Therefore, from a Western calculation, these individuals are one year younger. For accuracy, it is important to always confirm the animal sign rather than the listed age when referencing astrological texts or information. This calculation has been done for 2026 and is given below.

Born After Losar in:Natal SignTibetan Age in 2026Western Age in 2026
2018ཁྱི། Dog98
2009གླང་། Ox/Elephant1817
2000འབྲུག Dragon2726
1991ལུག། Sheep3635
1982ཁྱི། Dog4544
1973གླང་། Ox/Elephant5453
1964འབྲུག Dragon6362
1955ལུག། Sheep7271
1946ཁྱི། Dog8180
1937གླང་། Ox/Elephant9089
1928འབྲུག Dragon9998

Those born after Tibetan New year in 2018, 2010, 2002, 1994, 1986, 1978, 1970, 1962, 1954, 1946, 1938, and 1930, and before the following Tibetan New year; it is important to avoid funerals and especially keep a distance from dead bodies, to limit construction of personal projects, and to keep the place in the home where food is cooked clean and free of defilements during the year of the Fire Horse. If these things do happen, it is important to cleanse by means of cleansing rituals using water. For example, the practice of Nampar Jompa is commonly used to empower water that is then used for cleansing contamination in these kinds of situations.

For any other natal signs, it is generally considered either a good or neutral year although looking in detail at each of the five natal, elemental relationships mentioned above will provide more detailed information.

Qualities of the Horse as a Natal Astrological Birth Sign

In general, the Horse is very energetic with an active mind. It is inspired, motivated and charming. It wants adventure and exploration rather than to stay at home. It is always on the move and in excess this can become a kind of instability or an inability to stick with things long enough to complete them. This life of excitement can sometimes give way to impatience. The Horse can be quite charming, likes to talk, and therefore finds it difficult to keep secrets. Although it appears independent, because of the fear of failure the Horse relies upon the validation and support of friends and family. 

The Horse’s positive direction is South. The Horse’s soul day is Tuesday and the life-force day is Friday. These are the best days for beginning new projects and activities that are meant to grow and increase. The obstacle day is Wednesday. This day is best for cleansing and letting things go. It is not a favorable day for beginning new things.

The Southern face of Mount Tisé

Gangkar Tisé

Every sacred site has its own special year when pilgrimage to it is considered especially auspicious. Horse years are especially auspicious times for pilgrimage to the sacred sites of Mount Tisé and Kongpo Bönri.

Although Mount Tisé, or Gang Tisé, is commonly known as Mt. Kailash, it was given the name of Gangkar Tisé by Buddha Tönpa Shenrap himself. In ancient times it was known as Gang Nyen Yabak Shara in reference to a mountain god that resided there. During his time at the mountain teachings and performing miracles, Buddha Tönpa Shenrap renamed it Gangkar Tisé. Gangkar meaning white snow, Ti meaning water, and Sé meaning protector.

Mount Tisé is located in the western part of the Tibetan Plateau. It rises to an altitude of 21,778 feet and is the source of four rivers: the Indus, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra, and the Ghaghara. Nearby is the sacred Lake Manasarovar and the texts speak of their interwoven relationship.

In 1844 C.E., the Yungdrung Bön sage Karu Drupwang Tenzin Rinchen Gyaltsen, also known simply as Karu Drupwang Rinpoche, wrote a pilgrimage guide to Mount Tisé entitled, An Index of Gang Tisé. This pilgrimage guidebook has become the definitive guide to this sacred mountain and the surrounding area. In H.E. Yongdzin Rinpoche’s pilgrimage guide to Tisé, he frequently quotes from Karu Drupwang Rinpoche’s guidebook. In it, Karu Rinpoche gives detailed descriptions of the mountain’s attributes and the deities and protectors that gather and abide there.

“Especially from the depths of its body, a single, white syllable AH radiates light into the sky which dissolves into this sacred place, blessing it. Therefore, this place is indistinguishable from the enlightened body Künzang. The four corners are like heaps of jewels, and is where all rikdzin and khandro gather on auspicious days to turn the wheel of tsok offerings that increase attainments, clear obstacles, and bestow both the supreme and common accomplishments.”

“Moreover, there are thirteen hidden secret caves, thirteen divine bathing pools, thirteen chortens of sacred relics, and thirteen unchanging landmarks. There are three sites of enlightened body, speech, and mind, three sites of the three protectors, and four manifestations of wisdom and miracles.”

Buddha Tönpa Shenrap traveled to this mountain on his way to Tibet in order to introduce the Yungdrung Bön teachings to the Tibetan population under the guise of retrieving his stolen horses from a group of demons that were trying to provoke him. During his time at Mount Tisé, he was joined by five hundred sempa [Sanskrit: bodhisattvas] and divine, human, and lu [Sankrit: naga] disciples. At the mouth of each of the four rivers that originate here, he taught a specific scripture and left the print of his divine feet in the rocks.

The Northern face of Mount Tisé

Throughout history countless yogis and yoginis such as Tonggyung Tuchen, Lishu Taring, Choza Bönmo, Drenpa Namkha, and Tséwang Rikdzin, to name only a few, practiced and performed miracles here. The warmth and energy of their blessings remain and can be felt. The mountain has many cave, bathing pools, self-appearing syllables, and countless miraculous signs. As for the benefits of this great sacred site, Karu Rinpoche writes this:

“Regarding the benefits of this great mountain, if elaborated, it would be beyond comprehension. But if a few essential points are summarized, this great mountain of snow is known as The Mountain of Enlightenment. It is said that if one takes a step here, even if one tries to go to the lower realms after dying, one will not be able to. If one meditates, practices, circumambulates, frees lives, performs rituals, accumulates merit, gives generously, raises prayer flags, builds stone mounds, or performs any good deeds whether large, medium, or small, all are multiplied by eighteen billion. On auspicious days, this number is even greater. In particular, during the Year of the Horse, the multiplication is beyond imagining.”

Kongpo Bonri

There is one sacred mountain in Tibet that both Buddhists and Bönpo circumambulate counter-clockwise, the Bön way. That mountain is Kongpo Bönri, the Bön Mountain. Located in Southeastern Tibet on the Northern bank of the Yarlung River, Bönri rises to over 14,700 feet in altitude. In general, it is heavily forested and circumambulation of the mountain takes three to seven days. Tourists generally begin their pilgrimage from the Eastern slope.

The demon Khyappa having stolen seven of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap’s horses, took them to the Kongpo valley in Southeastern Tibet and hid them beneath the castle of the king of Kongpo. Seeing this as an opportunity to introduce the Yungdrung Bön teachings into Tibet, Tönpa Shenrap followed him. Reaching the Kongpo valley, the demon tried to block the Buddha’s approach with a mountain. Pushing this demon mountain down with the power of his mind, Lord Tönpa Shenrap manifested another mountain in its place in the shape of a spearhead that would be for the benefit of his followers. This was Kongpo Bönri.

Kongpo Bönri, the sacred Bön Mountain

As time passed, visits and pilgrimages to this sacred site became quite rare. However, in the Iron Horse year of 1330 C.E., Togden Ripa Druksé, at the age of 41, opened a sacred door to Bönri. He had been prophesied as an emanation of Takla Mebar that would have such realization that whoever touched his lotus feet would attain liberation within three lifetimes. He spent many years at Bönri practicing and performing miracles. Since that time during Horse Years, the Great Horse Pilgrimage takes place. This is a pilgrimage to Bönri from the faithful around the world regardless of their religious affiliation.

The famed Tulku Loden Nyingpo, born in 1360 C.E., visited Kongpo Bönri and wrote five songs praising the wonderful qualities of the sacred mountain and the incredible events that took place there. However, it was the Tertön Sangye Lingpa, born in 1705 C.E., that wrote the much cited pilgrimage guide entitled A Mala of Wish-Fulfilling Trees, A Guide to Bönri. It is said that whoever encounters the great sacred mountain of Bonri which embodies the mind of enlightenment, will have the obscurations of their past lives purified. Even those who merely pray to it with their minds will have their obscurations washed away.

Path of circumambulation on Kongpo Bönri. Photo credit: The Thousand Stars Foundation

“At its crown, a host of lamas, rikdzin, and deities reside. At its throat, groups of peaceful and wrathful yidams brilliantly shine. At its heart, is a luminous assembly of mother and sister khandro. At its belly, Bön guardians and religious protectors gather. At its secret place, are perfectly established, sacred burial grounds. In the surrounding area, are assemblies of guardians, lords of terma, nyen, medicine goddesses, local earth goddesses, gods, and lu. I supplicate to the supremely sacred place, the great Bönri!”

Extract of Supplication to the Sacred Place of Bönri where Blessings are Quickly Attained written by Khandro Dechen Wangmo and included in the book A Blazing Mala of Wish-fulfilling Jewels by Raven Cypress Wood

Other historically significant Horse Year events for the Bönpo include:

  • In the Fire Horse year of 914 B.C.E, the great lama Drenpa Namkha and Öden Barma are born.
  • In the Fire Horse year of 1486 C.E., the treasure discoverer Patön Lundrup Palzang discovered a portion of the Mother Tantra scripture.
  • In the Iron Horse year of 1810 C.E., Kündun Sonam Lodrö ascended the golden throne of Menri Monastery, becoming its 22nd abbot.
  • In the Wood Horse year of 1834 C.E., as a result of strong encouragement by the 22nd Menri Trizin Kündun Sonam Lodrö, Nangtön Dawa Gyaltsen founded the esteemed Ralak Yungdrung Ling Monastery on the banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Bring Meaning & Benefit to 2026 by Taking a Vow of Nonviolence for 1 Day, Multiple Days, or a Full Year

The auspicious day of March 3, 2026 is the first full moon of the Year of the Fire Horse and marks the birth anniversary of His Eminence Menri Pönlop Yangtön Trinley Nyima Rinpoche. This is an especially auspicious time to perform virtue and receive vows because the power of the activity is greatly multiplied. By taking a vow of nonviolence to abstain from eating meat from compassionate loving kindness during this time, unimaginable spiritual merit and benefit for both self and others is generated. One can accept this vow for a single day, multiple days, or for the entire Fire Horse year. The names of all those who take the vow will be offered to His Eminence Menri Pönlop Rinpoche on February 27th for the benefit of his long life and indestructible good health. Follow this link for more information and to fill out and submit the form for your personal vow of nonviolence. https://ravencypresswood.com/2026/01/24/bringing-meaning-benefit-to-2026-by-taking-a-vow-of-nonviolence-for-1-day-multiple-days-or-a-full-year/

In this short video, Raven Cypress Wood talks about how taking the vow, even for a single day, can bring meaning to your life and develop the Four Immeasurable Qualities: https://youtu.be/8jQlrNXFmvU

Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

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2025 Tibetan Astrology: The Year of the Wood Snake

The twelve animals of Tibetan astrology according to the Yungdrung Bön texts are the Rat, Elephant, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Snake, Sheep, Garuda, Monkey, Dog and Pig.  Each animal has a specific element associated with its life-force and a position direction determined by that element. Each year one of these twelve animals is associated with one of the five elements of: metal, wood, fire, water, or earth. In other contexts, metal is referred to as space, and wood is referred to as wind or air. It takes sixty years for all twelve animals to be associated with each of the five elements. When this happens, it is considered one complete cycle that repeats again and again.

The Royal Tibetan New Year begins on the first lunar day of the first lunar month. February 28, 2025 begins the Royal Tibetan New Year and the Year of the Wood Snake. Therefore, people born on or after February 28th will be a Wood Snake and will have an emphasis of the specific qualities associated with the Snake.

The 1st lunar day of the 12th lunar month is celebrated as New Year’s Day according to the custom of the ancient land of Zhang Zhung that included a vast geographical area including Tibet, parts of Nepal, and the area previously known as Persia. This is still celebrated in areas throughout the Himalayas as Sonam New Year, Himalayan New Year, or Peasants New Year. In 2025, this date coincides with January 30th. Additionally, the Chinese New Year in 2025 occurs on January 29th. Sometimes the Tibetan New Year and Chinese New Year fall on the same date, and sometimes not. This is due to a difference of how the years are calculated within the 60 year cycle.

People born during the year of the Snake will have an emphasis on the specific qualities associated with Snake. The element which governs the life-force of the Snake is Fire. So, if a Snake person wanted to strengthen their life-force, they would focus upon strengthening the element of Fire internally and externally. The positive direction is South. Facing this direction while meditating, doing healing practices, or just relaxing the mind is beneficial.

In general, a Snake person can see the depth of things and spends a lot of time thinking and processing. They can recognize the underlying motivation of others even if they do not recognize it within themselves and might use this to their advantage at times. A Snake person enjoys luxury and loves to be in elegant and beautiful surroundings. They can have an intolerance for hardship or discomfort. Generally magnetic and charming, they are socially graceful and often surrounded by admirers. However, they can become vengeful when angered. Thus, they benefit from the practicing tolerance and openness.

The Snake’s soul day is Tuesday and its life-force day is Friday. These are the best days for beginning new projects and activities that are meant to increase or develop something. The obstacle day is Wednesday. This day is best for purification and letting things go. It is not a favorable day for beginning new activities.

Snake years include: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, & 2013

If you were born during a previous year of the Snake, this year as well as other Snake years are considered a time of vulnerability to obstacles. This same astrological principal applies to the other eleven animal signs during their associated year. Therefore, it is recommended to engage in practices that support vitality, good fortune and spiritual merit such as hanging prayer flags, having a soul and life-force retrieval ritual performed, restoring any deterioration or violation of one’s spiritual commitments or any damaged relationship with one’s spiritual brothers and sisters, and/or performing prayers and rituals to remove obstacles. In general, making an effort to engage more with virtuous activities of body, speech and mind and committing to engage less with non-virtuous activities is supportive. According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere, unbiased, and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections.

A common prayer within the Yungdrung Bön tradition that is used to remove obstacles is the Bar Che Lam Sel, The Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path. The English, Spanish, and Portuguese translations of this prayer are offered free for personal use on the Nine Ways Publications page. Click on the Publications tab above and scroll down to find the download link for the prayer.

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2023: Year of the Water Rabbit

The twelve animals of Tibetan astrology according to Yungdrung Bön are the Rat, Elephant, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Snake, Sheep, Garuda, Monkey, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has a specific element associated with its lifeforce and a positive direction determined by that element. Each year, one of these twelve animals is associated with one of the five elements of either metal, wood, fire, water, or earth. In other contexts, metal is referred to as space, and wood is referred to as wind or air. It takes sixty years for all twelve animals to be associated with each of the five elements. When this happens, it is considered one complete cycle that repeats again and again.

February 21, 2023 begins the Tibetan Royal New Year and the Year of the Water Rabbit. The year of the Water Rabbit continues until February 9, 2024. Therefore, people born on or after February 21st will have the natal astrology of a Water Rabbit with its associated characteristics. In general, Rabbit years are considered to be times of calm and ease that bring beauty and harmony. They are periods with less suffering and conflict. Thus, people have more time for entertainment, pleasure, and enjoyment. Because of this, there is the temptation to become lazy and distracted especially if the previous year was especially difficult. Also, Rabbit years are often times of population growth.

In general, the Rabbit is kind and polite, and enjoys elegance and comfort. It protects its peaceful environment and will make an effort to avoid conflict and confusion which can give others the impression of being indifferent or aloof. If the Rabbit feels directly threatened, it will express its anger through subtlety and cleverness rather than outbursts.

The element which governs the lifeforce of the Rabbit is Wood and its positive direction is East. So, if a Rabbit person wanted to strengthen their lifeforce, they would focus upon strengthening the element of Wood internally and externally. This could be as simple as wearing the color green which is associated with the element Wood. The Rabbit’s positive direction is East. So, facing this direction while meditating, reciting prayers, or just relaxing and taking deep breaths is beneficial. The negative direction is West. This is the direction from which danger or obstacles are most likely to arise and it is the direction towards which to release and let go of negativity or for ritual offerings to pacify negative forces.

The Rabbit’s soul day is Thursday and the life-force day is Saturday. These are the best days for beginning new projects, activities to increase or develop something, or meeting new people. The obstacle day is Friday. This day is best for cleansing and letting things go. It is an unfavorable day for beginning new projects or taking risks.

Rabbit years include: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011

Thangkha depicting the Tibetan astrological symbols and their relationships. Private collection: Raven Cypress Wood

According to Tibetan astrology, there are five factors associated with each year that have a corresponding element. These five factors are lifeforce, health, personal power, lungta or the force of good luck, and soul. The elements associated with these five factors change each year. For the Water Rabbit year of 2023, these five factors and their associated elements are:

  • Lifeforce: Wood
  • Health: Metal
  • Personal Power: Water
  • Lungta: Fire
  • Soul: Water

Although the associated elements to the five factors change each year, the element associated with the lifeforce is determined by the animal sign. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the influence of the year of the Water Rabbit upon the lifeforce of each of the other natal animal signs without having knowledge of the respective birth year. This influence is calculated by the relationship of the five elements to one another. For example, the element of Wood is considered the Mother of the element of Fire. Thus, a Wood to Fire relationship is considered Excellent. However, a Fire to Wood relationship is considered Neutral. There are six possible types of combinations that result in a relationship that is either Excellent, Very Good, Good, Neutral, Bad, or Very Bad. The influence of the Water Rabbit year on the lifeforce of each of the astrological signs is as follows:

  • Rat: Neutral
  • Elephant: Very Bad
  • Tiger: Bad
  • Rabbit: Bad
  • Dragon: Very Bad
  • Snake: Excellent
  • Horse: Excellent
  • Sheep: Very Bad
  • Monkey: Very Good
  • Garuda: Very Good
  • Dog: Very Bad
  • Pig: Neutral

Because these are calculations regarding the lifeforce, if the prediction is negative it would be particularly beneficial for those individuals to protect the lifeforce of other beings, to perform or sponsor the performance of a Life Release ritual which frees those animals that would be otherwise killed, or to contribute to the care of homeless people and/or stray animals. Also, it would be very beneficial to perform longevity practices such as The Longevity Practice of Tsewang Rikdzin (https://www.lulu.com/shop/raven-cypress-wood/indestructible-the-longevity-practice-of-tsewang-rikdzin/hardcover/product-23499207.html?page=1&pageSize=4), and to recite many longevity mantras. These activities specifically protect and strengthen the lifeforce.

This calculation concerns only one factor among five and is only a partial view of the totality of the possible influence of the year. Tibetan astrology includes calculations based upon the influence of both the five elements as well as calculations based upon the influence of the constellations. In order to have a complete prediction of possible influences or events, it is necessary to look at a complete astrological calculation based upon an individual’s date and time of birth.

However, especially if a person was born during a previous year of the Rabbit, this year is considered a specific time of vulnerability to obstacles and illness. Therefore, it is recommended that those individuals take preventive measures to reverse or at least diminish the potential for any problems or obstacles to arise. It is important for them to avoid any risky behavior and take extra care with their health and safety. Making an effort to engage more with virtuous activities of body, speech, and mind and engaging less with non-virtuous activities as well as encouraging this behavior in others is a method to eliminate obstacles. Additionally, spiritual activities that support merit, good fortune, and health such as hanging prayer flags, donating to spiritual practitioners or any kind of charitable work, repairing damaged or broken spiritual commitments with one’s lama, spiritual community, or enlightened beings, connecting with the protectors and meditational deities, having a soul and life-force retrieval ritual performed, and regularly performing prayers and/or rituals to remove obstacles are skillful methods to reverse potential negativity. According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere, unbiased and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections.

A common prayer within the Yungdrung Bön tradition that is used to remove obstacles is the Bar Che Lam Sel, The Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path. The English, Spanish, and Portuguese translations of this prayer are offered free for personal use on the Nine Ways Website. Click on the Publications tab above and scroll down to find the download link for the prayer.

“By reciting this Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path a single time, obstacles of an entire year are pacified. By reciting it one hundred times, obstacles of one lifetime are pacified.

Furthermore, by merely reciting it, it has the ability to protect from fear or injury from gods, demons, and humans, fear of not having food, wild animals, the five elements, etc. It pacifies illness and negative spirits, and reverses all negative predictions or divinations.”

— Excerpt from Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path
Geshe Yongdong Losar. Photo: Courtesy of Sherab Chamma Ling

For those interested in a traditional Tibetan astrological horoscope to calculate the influence of 2023 on each of their natal factors of lifeforce, health, personal power, lungta, and soul, Geshe Yongdong Losar of Sherab Chamma Ling in British Columbia, Canada offers Tibetan astrological horoscopes through his website. Follow this link for more information about Geshe Yongdong and his astrological calculations: https://sherabchammaling.com/product/astrology-reading/

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2022: Year of the Water Tiger

Thangkha depicting the Tibetan astrological symbols and their relationships. Private collection: Raven Cypress Wood

The twelve animals of Tibetan astrology according to the Yungdrung Bön texts are the Rat, Elephant, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Snake, Sheep, Garuda, Monkey, Dog and Pig.  Each animal has a specific element associated with its life-force and a position direction determined by that element. Each year one of these twelve animals is associated with one of the five elements of: metal, wood, fire, water, or earth. In other contexts, metal is referred to as space, and wood is referred to as wind or air. It takes sixty years for all twelve animals to be associated with each of the five elements. When this happens, it is considered one complete cycle that repeats again and again.

March 3, 2022 begins the Tibetan New Year and the Year of the Water Tiger. Therefore, people born on or after March 3rd will be a Water Tiger and will have an emphasis of the specific qualities associated with the Tiger.

The element which governs the life-force of the Tiger is Wood and its positive direction is East.  So, if a Tiger person wanted to strengthen their life-force, they would focus upon strengthening the element of Wood internally and externally. Their positive direction is East. So, facing this direction while meditating, doing healing rituals or just relaxing and taking deep breaths is beneficial.

In general, the Tiger is considered to be courageous, independent, unpredictable, artistic and passionate.  The Tiger tends to go after life with passion and daring.  Making its own path, it tends to gravitate towards unconventional lifestyles and avoids following traditions or social conventions.  The Tiger is a fierce and determined leader that can be quick-tempered and protective of its ego.  The Tiger wants to live life to the fullest in its own way, and without being told what to do.

The Tiger’s soul day is Thursday and the life-force day is Saturday.  These are the best days for beginning new projects and activities that are meant to increase or develop something.  The obstacle day is Friday.  This day is best for cleansing and letting things go.  It is not a favorable day for beginning new things.

Tiger years include: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010

If you were born during a previous year of the Tiger, this year as well as other Tiger years are considered a time of vulnerability to obstacles. This same astrological principal applies for all of the other eleven animal signs during their associated year. Therefore, it is recommended to engage in practices that support vitality, good fortune and spiritual merit such as hanging prayer flags, having a soul and life-force retrieval ritual performed, restoring any deterioration or violation of one’s spiritual commitments or any damaged relationship with one’s spiritual brothers and sisters, and/or performing prayers and rituals to remove obstacles. In general, making an effort to engage more with virtuous activities of body, speech and mind and committing to engage less with non-virtuous activities is supportive. According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere unbiased and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections.

Although the associated elements to four of the five natal forces change according to the birth year, the element of the life-force is determined by the animal sign and remains the same regardless of the birth year. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the relationship of the year of the Water Tiger in regards to the life-force of each of the other natal animals without having knowledge of the specific birth year.

The influence of the Water Tiger year on the life-force of each of the Tibetan astrological signs:

  • Rat: Neutral
  • Elephant: Very bad
  • Tiger: Bad
  • Rabbit: Bad
  • Dragon: Very bad
  • Snake: Excellent
  • Horse: Excellent
  • Sheep: Very bad
  • Monkey: Very good
  • Garuda: Very good
  • Dog: Very bad
  • Pig: Neutral

For each of these animal signs, there remains the four other natal constituents to consider in order to have a better idea of the influence that 2022 will have upon the individual. For example, although the life-force calculation could be bad, the calculations for health, personal power, lungta, and soul could be excellent. Traditionally, these calculations are done yearly.

If the yearly horoscope calculations result in any challenging aspects, preventive measures can be taken in order to remove or at least decrease the potential for any problems to manifest. Common methods used to eliminate these obstacles are hanging prayer flags, rituals to reverse negativity, making or renewing spiritual commitments, pilgrimage, making charitable donations, and so on.

According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere, unbiased and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections, and avoiding non-virtue and engaging more with virtue supports all of the natal forces to be strong and balanced.

A common prayer within the Yungdrung Bön tradition that is used to remove obstacles is the Bar Che Lam Sel, The Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path. The English, Spanish and Portuguese translations of this prayer are offered free for personal use on the Nine Ways Publications page. Click on the Publications tab above and scroll down to find the download link for the prayer.

Geshe Yongdong Losar. Photo: Courtesy of Sherab Chamma Ling

For those interested in a traditional Tibetan astrological horoscope to calculate the influence of 2022 on each of their natal constituents of life-force, health, personal power, lungta and soul, Geshe Yongdong Losar of Sherab Chamma Ling in British Columbia, Canada offers Tibetan astrological horoscopes through his website. Follow this link for more information about Geshe Yongdong and his astrological calculations: https://sherabchammaling.com/product/astrology-reading/

Raven Cypress Wood© All Rights Reserved

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The Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi Ritual: Restoring Environmental Peace & Harmony

Mandala palace for the Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi ritual.

At Triten Norbutse Monastery each year during fourth lunar month from the 12th – 16th lunar days the Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi ritual is performed. In 2020, these dates coincide with June 3rd-6th. This ritual is performed in both monasteries and households throughout Tibet and His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoché has established this ritual as part of the yearly religious calendar at Triten Norbutsé Monastery. It is more commonly referred to by its shortened name “Nye Lam Dé Zhi” and monks often refer to it simply as “the Summer ritual.” The literal English translation of “Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi” could be rendered as “the four kinds of shortcut to the sadak.” The term “sadak” means rulers of the earth and the ritual primarily addresses four specific groups of sadak within this broad category: 1) the lu [Sanskrit: naga] who are associated with bodies of water, 2: a subgroup of sadak that are associated with the earth and soil 3) nyen who are associated with open fields and the sky, and 4) tö who are associated with boulders and cliffs especially red boulders and rocks. The purpose of the ritual is to appease, restore and cleanse all the worldly spirits due to disturbances caused by humanity. Thereby, it restores harmony between us and heals the natural environment and its elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. The Nye Lam Dé Zhi text that is used for the ritual was discovered as a terma, or hidden treasure, by Pönsé Khyunggö Tsal in the 12th or 13th century at Mt. Tisé [a.k.a Mt. Kailash.]

The Nye Lam Dé Zhi ritual includes prayers of apology to the four groups of worldly spirits for disturbing them by cutting trees, interfering with the natural course of waterways, digging into the earth, destroying or moving rocks, and generally causing the destruction of the natural environment. Our manipulation and control of these natural systems causes imbalances and disharmony between the elements and becomes a source of disruption, illness and upset for these worldly spirits. Therefore, we are subjected to epidemics, droughts, failing crops, increasing violence and military conflicts, as well as natural disasters from the elements such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and landslides.

Namkha and offerings for the Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi. Photo credit: Unknown

Through their acceptance of our offerings and our heartfelt words of apology during the Nye Lam Dé Zhi ritual, we request that they stop causing or supporting the occurrence of epidemics, natural disasters, droughts, military conflicts, accidents, and misfortune etc. This ritual action combined with meditative focus has the power to pacify the vengeful and aggrieved minds of these spirits and therefore avert any further harm or injury caused by them. Additionally, these spirits will act to support and increase our prosperity, protect and increase crops and domestic animals, protect us from danger and accidents, and generally act on our behalf.

In general, it takes many monks for four full days to complete the preparations for the size of the ritual performed at the monastery. The construction of the dö, which represents the entire universe, begins with the creation of a sand mandala which is an architectural representation of the immeasurable palace within which the enlightened deities and worldly deities will be ritually invited to reside and stay during the ritual presentation of the offerings.

Yungdrung Bön monks creating the sadak nyelam sand mandala at Gyalshen Institute. Photo credit: Unknown.

In the center of the mandala upon four petals are the four seed syllables of the four principal enlightened lords of the Yungdrung Bön tradition: 1) Satrik Érsang, 2) Tönpa Shenrap, 3) Sangpo Bumtri, and 4) Shenlha Ökar. (For more information, see previous article: https://ravencypresswood.com/2016/08/20/the-four-principal-enlightened-ones/ ) Just beyond that is the four seed syllables of the four principal ones that subdue the four kinds of worldly spirits and the seed syllables for the four subduing garudas. Beyond that in the outer corners of the mandala are the seed syllables for the four kinds of worldly spirits which are the primary focus of the offerings and recitations. Beyond that are the four gateways in each of the four directions which are the entrances into the mandala palace. This palace is then filled with thread-crosses and torma that act as a support for the presence of the deities and worldly guests. It is then ornamented with greenery, grains, and other precious substances. Surrounding it are the various offerings that will be presented.

The actual ritual begins with the usual preliminaries which purify and consecrate all of the offerings, ritual implements and participants. Then, a brief ritual is performed in order to ask the earth goddess, Sayi Lhamo, for her permission and blessing to perform the Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi. Then, a ritual boundary is established that will remain until the conclusion of the ritual. These preliminaries are only necessary at the beginning and will not be performed again in the following days. After the preliminaries, the enlightened deities are invited to take their seats within the mandala palace, their respective mantras are recited and offerings are presented to them. Similarly, the subduers and the worldly spirits are invited. This too only needs to be performed once. Now that the presence of the deities is within the mandala palace, no one is allowed to come near the ritual dö unless it is to present offerings or pay homage. Much of the rest of the ritual recitations such as praising the qualities of the deities and the respective prayers for presenting each type of offering are repeated throughout the course of each of the days of the ritual. In conclusion, the four groups of spirits having become completely satisfied and happy with the ritual are asked to return to their respective homes. Then, prayers of aspiration for health, happiness, prosperity and good fortune are recited with the final prayer being that of dedicating the merit of the virtuous ritual activity for the benefit of all suffering beings. During this multi-day ritual performance, the specific texts associated with the lu, sadak, nyen and tö [Lu Bum, Sadak Bum, Nyen Bum, and Tö Bum] are continually recited by groups of monks in ancillary rooms.

In addition to the elaborate ritual of the Sadak Nye Lam Dé Zhi, there is much guidance and skillful methods for our interactions with the worldly spirits within the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition. Following these instructions prevents us from disturbing the spirits within the environment or creating an imbalance of the natural elements while still providing for ourselves from the earth’s resources. For example, before beginning the construction of a building, it is important to examine the characteristics of the land in order to locate the appropriate place to dig into the earth. Traditionally, areas of land are seen in the form of a turtle. If you build upon the turtle’s ‘head’, then the spirit of the land will die and the soil will become barren and empty. The best is to build within the area of the turtle’s ‘stomach’ because there is more empty space in this area and no ‘major organs’ will be disturbed. Once the appropriate location has been determined, it is then important to communicate with the spirits residing at that location and to assure them that you mean no harm to them and that you apologize in advance for any disturbance created by the construction. In this way, we maintain a harmonious relationship with the environment and its inhabitants while also mindfully providing for our needs as human beings.

A ritual often used for groundbreaking is entitled Nang Sa Nang Gyé Düs Pa and referred to simply as Nang Sa, Permission for the Land. 

“AH OM HUNG

To the gods above, the lu below, and the nyen in-between, 

to the thirty nyenpo above, the nine kinds of yen töpo in-between and the eleven greater yen upon the earth,

to the local spirit owners of this mountainous area and to the eight classes of gods and demons of this isolated place,

accept this torma made of the essence of grain together with this golden drink.

Now, because of my melody and offering this precious torma, whatever my activities upon this land or wherever I travel in any direction upon this land, don’t become jealous or upset.”  

— Condensed extract from Permission for Using Land from the Eight Classes of Gods and Demons

All translations and content by Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

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