YANGON (AFP) - - Even after the twin catastrophes of
the cyclone here and the earthquake in China, the outlook for
Myanmar, and the rest of Asia, is not good for the remainder of
this year, Yangon's revered astrologers agree.
Across from Yangon's golden Shwedagon Pagoda, Khin Myint Myat
sits under her newly repaired roof and sketches a star chart that
she says explains both the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in
China.
"This is the year with the combination of three bad factors --
the dangerous planet Mars, the dark planet Kotu, and the watery
side," she said, drawing a diagram of the stars while thumbing
through an astrology book.
"There will be another wave of natural disasters -- either
powerful storms or devastating earthquakes -- in the region again
before the end of this year," Khin Myint Myat said, amid the din of
hammers working to repair the home next door.
Khin Myint Myat's own roof was blown off when Cyclone Nargis
ripped through Myanmar on May 2 and 3, but she retrieved the tin
sheets and hammered them back on.
Less fortunate victims of the storm have been trekking to visit
astrologers like her in the desperate hope of learning the fate of
loved ones who were swept away in the storm, which left more than
66,000 dead or missing.
Numerology plays an important role in the daily life of this
devoutly Buddhist country, where people turn to astrologers to
determine the most auspicious times for weddings, travelling or
making business deals.
Faced with the incomprehensible destruction of the cyclone, many
people are now turning to astrologers to help start rebuilding
their lives.
In the town of Hmawby, north of Yangon, 70-year-old astrologer
Min Theinkha receives at least 200 visitors a day at his "Full of
Blessings" compound, including many who made the long journey from
the hardest-hit regions of the Irrawaddy Delta.
Min Theinkha has little comfort to offer them. He says the
cyclone was part of the universe's karmic balance, a tragedy
written into the nation's fate.
"Disasters are unavoidable in astrology. All we can do is pray
for the victims," he said.
"Disasters like this can happen when numbers in the year add up
to 10," he said, adding that after 2008, the next dangerous year is
2017.
"There could be another storm this year, but it will not be a
big disaster like this," Min Theinkha said.
In Myanmar, years ending with an eight are particularly
significant.
In the year 888, ancient Burmese texts say that three kings
died, ushering in a 20-year reign by a tyrant despised by the
people for executing a group of Buddhist monks.
Thailand-based Myanmar analyst Aung Naing Oo says many inside
the country believe this ancient history has parallels with the
current political crisis.
Myanmar's previous dictator Ne Win was toppled during a
pro-democracy uprising that began on August 8, 1988 -- a date now
remembered as 8-8-88.
The ruling junta, including the current leader Than Shwe, seized
power during the bloody unrest that followed.
Last September, Buddhist monks led new anti-government marches,
which were again suppressed by the military as security forces
fired on and beat the protesters.
The historical similarities have raised cosmic concerns of new
turmoil as August 8 approaches this year.
"The year 888 symbolises the death of kings, the installation of
bad kings," Aung Naing Oo said. "Than Shwe has been in power for
about 20 years now, he has killed monks, he has been a bad
king."
Buddhist teaching lays out 10 rules for monarchs, including
values such as compassion and impartiality, he said.
"When a natural disaster like Cyclone Nargis hits Burma, or when
there's an outbreak of disease, the Burmese blame it on the
rulers," he said, referring to Myanmar by its previous name.
"People always say the king or the rulers have not adhered to
their principles of governance."