Spiritual guidance

Astrology

โหราศาสตร์

Astrology is a very old divinatory tradition that interprets the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets at birth; in Thailand it shapes dates, colours and ceremonies.

Origin

Mesopotamia; Thai astrology draws on Indian (Brahmanic) traditions

History

Practised in Babylon from around 1800 BCE; horoscopic astrology took shape in Hellenistic Alexandria

Licence in Thailand

Not required

Where it comes from

A form of astrology was practised in Mesopotamia in the Old Babylonian period, around 1800 BCE, where celestial events were read as signs rather than physical causes. After Alexander's conquest, astrologers in Alexandria combined Babylonian and Egyptian ideas into horoscopic astrology, and Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos later became a foundation of Western astrology.

In India, astrology (jyotisha) is one of the six auxiliary disciplines linked to the Vedas and was first concerned with calendars for rituals. The Yavanajataka ('Sayings of the Greeks'), translated from Greek in the 2nd century CE, is described as the first Sanskrit astrological treatise. Indian astrology mainly uses the sidereal zodiac and 27 lunar mansions (nakshatras).

Thai astrology (โหราศาสตร์) derives from Brahmanic practices at the royal court. Compared with Western astrology, it gives more weight to numerology and omens.

The principle

Astrologers believe that the apparent positions of celestial bodies at the moment of birth say something about a person's character and future. In Thailand, the day of the week you were born on is especially important: each day is linked to a planet and a colour, and many people wear certain colours on certain days for luck.

A reading starts from your date, time and place of birth. The astrologer draws a chart and interprets it, then often suggests auspicious dates or actions. Because Thai belief links fortune to karma, a negative forecast is not seen as final and can be softened by merit-making.

What people come for

Understanding oneself and one's tendencies
Choosing an auspicious date for a wedding, a move or a new business
Questions about relationships and compatibility
Career and money questions
Knowing one's lucky colours and days

How it works on the body

Astrology is experienced as a reflective conversation about personality and timing, not as a physical treatment.

A session, step by step

01
Prepare your birth details
Bring your date, time and place of birth; Thai astrologers also ask which day of the week you were born.
02
Agree on price and length
Ask about the fee before starting, as prices vary a lot between practitioners.
03
Chart calculation
The astrologer calculates your chart, by hand or with software.
04
Interpretation
They explain what they see about character, love, work and coming periods of your life.
05
Advice
Readings often close with suggested dates, colours or merit-making.

Precautions

Do not let a horoscope decide medical treatment, investments or legal matters; consult qualified professionals.
Be wary of anyone who predicts disaster and then sells costly rituals or amulets to prevent it.
Horoscopes often contain vague statements that seem personal but apply to almost anyone.
In a vulnerable moment (grief, breakup, anxiety), prefer support from people you trust or a mental health professional.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

In Thailand

Astrology is woven into Thai public and private life. Royal astrologers cast the king's horoscope and inscribed his reign horoscope on a golden plate for the 2019 coronation, a way of signalling a legitimate and prosperous reign. Ordinary Thais consult astrologers about career and love, pick wedding and business dates, and wear colours matched to the planet of each day. A Thai astrological association runs courses and lists practitioners, and consultations have increasingly moved online since COVID-19.

Frequently asked questions

Is astrology scientifically proven?

No. Astrology is considered a pseudoscience: no physical mechanism is known, and in a double-blind test published in Nature in 1985 (Carlson), astrologers did no better than chance at matching charts to personality profiles.

How is Thai astrology different from Western horoscopes?

It comes from Brahmanic court traditions and gives more weight to numerology, omens and the day of the week you were born.

What do I need for a reading?

Your date of birth, ideally the exact time and place, and in Thailand the day of the week.

Why do Thais wear different colours on different days?

Each day is associated with a planet, and wearing its colour is believed to bring good luck.

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