Connection between Astrology and Tibetan medicine

In their research of various techniques beneficial to health and able to protect from physical suffering such as natural illnesses, the ancient Tibetan people established the most obvious qualities of food (the positive and negative effects) and of climate (temperature variations…) in a detailed way.
 

Afterwards, in the King NYATRI TSENPO’s era, two kinds of scholars appeared in medicine and astrology, respectively called : “the medical practice knowing everything beneficial” (tib Phan Shes sMan dPyad) and “the astrology knowing stellar convolution” (tib. bsKor Shes mKhan).
 

With the Four Tantras made by the erudite therapist YOUTHOK NYINGMA YÖNTEN GONPO, as scriptural medical tradition was complete since the 8th century, it clearly tackled – among others subjects – that of the four seasons. According to Tibetan tradition, astronomy and astrology are an integral part of a hospital work.
 

Each year, a physician specialized in calculations makes all predictions for the coming year, fortunate or unfortunate. The tradition linking medicine and astrology didn’t disappear ; it is still practiced nowadays, either for the Medical and Astrological Institute Lhassa, the Dharamsala Institute or also all the big Tibetan hospitals, including the Kham and Amdo regions. The Tibetan calendar includes 12 lunar months per year.
 

The longest months are made of 30 days and the other 29. Every thousand years, one more month is added. Lunar months are equally spread out over the four seasons. With the success of Tibetan Kalachakra tradition, the twelve planetary houses and the five elements combined with the twelve years were added for astrological calculation. 12 years correspond to what is called “short cycle” (rab-byung chung-ba) and 60 years to the “long cycle” (rab-byung che-ba). The first cycle began in the year 1027.