Auspicious times

This year, there is said to be some disagreement among astrologers on the auspicious times for the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It is generally the practice among Buddhists and Hindus to consult astrologers to cast the horoscope when a child is born or a girl attains puberty or a wedding is planned or the foundation of a house is laid. Our politicians, too, consult astrologers to find out the best time to hand over nomination papers at election times.

Astrologers determine the auspicious times and dates for events on the basis of the positions of celestial bodies such as the sun, the moon and planets in the solar system. They go by ‘Epa Litha’, published every year.

Here is another CNN news item which will add to the present confusion or disagreement among astrologers in fixing the time.

“POLAR ICE IS MELTING AND CHANGING EARTH’S ROTATION” -According to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the earth’s rotation and changes the time itself. The hours and minutes that dictate our days are determined by the earth’s rotation. But that rotation is not consistent, it can change ever so slightly, depending on what’s happening on the earth surface and its molten core. For the first time ever, a second will need to be taken off.

Changes in the earth’s rotation over a long term have been dominated by the friction of the tides on the ocean floor which has slowed down its rotation. Recently the impact of melting polar ice driven by humans burning planet-heating fossils have become a significant factor. Ice melts into the ocean, meltwater moves from poles towards the equator which further slows down the speed of earth’s rotation.”

With these findings can astrologers pin-point exact auspicious times. Or should we give up this age-old belief or traditions and follow the west?

G. A. D. Sirimal 
BORALESGAMUWA