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When to Do Things Based on Balinese Astrology
For the Balinese, a calendar is more than
just a chart or series of pages showing
the days, weeks, and months of a particular
year. A calendar seems to have become an
inseparable part of life that should be
renewed annually. It carries all national
days or holidays, temple anniversaries,
some auspicious days for carrying out ritual
and daily activities of its community.
 Such
calendars on sale are written by different
authors such as that by the late I Gede
Bangbang Gde Rawi & sons, Wayan Gina,
Bambang Gde Wisma and some others. However,
they are essentially the same. Slight difference
may lie in the supplement on the back pages
or presentation. In terms of its size, there
are at least two kinds of calendar namely
the broadsheet usually stuck on the wall
and the desktop. The latter contains less
information, just days, dates, national
and religious holidays, Balinese month (sasih),
full and new moon, three and five-day week
and wuku.
Uniquely, the days in such a Gregorian calendar
year has been mostly written in 5 languages
namely Indonesian, Balinese, English, Japanese
and Mandarin. Other than common Gregorian
year, it also mentions that of Java, Arab,
Caka, Chinese, Japanese and Buddhism.
Today’s calendar is more practical
than that of previous years. Guidance of
propitious days when to do particular activity
has been well organized to make it easier
for the users finding the information intended.
They consist of farming, animal husbandry,
fishery, building & infrastructural
construction, handicraft & utensils,
commerce, education, organization and Hindu
rituals. Meanwhile, propitious ness and
inauspiciousness of the days are also detailed
on every page. It is based on the encounter
of at least three elements such as the three
and five-day week and wuku or seven-day
week and lunar dates. Details about this
are carried within the Wariga Dewasa, Palelintangan
or other almanac books. This will help the
user about the do and don’ts to get
confidence and luck and avoid any bad fortunes
based on their system of belief.
For instance, the propitious day to make
weapons like kris dagger, spear, cockfighting
blade is on the day with Kala Muncrat falling
on Monday Paing Merakih (15 January). Literally,
muncrat in Balinese means spurting. Presumably,
those weapons are expected to be able to
spurt the blood of the enemies. Other examples
are starting trade business, based on calendar
by Wayan Gina, falling on 19, 28 and 31
January and 5 and 20 February; or if readers
would like to perform meditation, the suggested
days are 19, 31 January and 12, 20 February;
and initiation rite for high priest on 2,
19, 20, 22 and 28 February.
Since it is a unique and typically Balinese
product, it can be made into an appealing
and informative souvenir or reference. Hopefully,
there would be one who specially designs
such calendar by combining this Balinese
astrology, tourist destination, temple anniversary,
fixed calendar of event and written in English
or other foreign languages in accordance
with the target market. It would be effective
enough to be used as promotional tool for
a year and the tourists can consult it when
traveling to Bali to get right moment and
where to go. (BTN/029) The presentation
night of the THK Tourism Awards & Accreditation
took place at the Wantilan Agung of Pakendungan
Temple, Tanah Lot, Friday (22/12). Present
on this rejoicing event, amongst others,
were the Minister for Tourism and Culture,
Ir. Jero Wacik, SE and Minister of Environmental
Affairs, Rachmat Witoelar. In addition,
hundreds of stakeholder members of Bali
tourism also looked on during this prestigious
event. Meanwhile, the Governor of Bali,
Dewa Beratha and other high officials of
Bali Province and Regencies/City across
Bali were also present as witness of the
annual event organized by Bali Travel News
as English language tourist publication
in Bali.
The complete recipients of the THK Tourism
Awards 2006 are as follows: 1. Tourist object/Eco-tourism/Special
Retreat category: a. Tanah Lot (Gold), Sangeh
(Silver), Taman Ayun (Bronze); 2. Non-star/Guest’s
House category: Waka Di Ume Resort (Gold),
Puri Bagus Candidasa (Silver), Puri Lumbung
Cottages (Bronze); 3. Hotel of 1, 2, dan
3-star category: Nusa Lembongan Resort (Gold),
Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa (Silver),
Tandjung Sari Hotel (Bronze); 4. Hotel of
4-star category: Alila Ubud (Gold), Novotel
Benoa Bali (Silver), Candi Beach Cottage
(Bronze); 5. Hotel of 5-star dan 5-star
plus category: Sofitel Seminyak (Gold),
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa (Silver),
Nikko Bali Resort & Spa (Bronze); 6.
Boutique Resort category: The Ritz Carlton
Bali Resort & Spa (Gold), Bali Tropic
Resort & Spa (Silver), Ibah Luxury Villas
(Bronze). (BTN/*)
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