The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c5.s5.3

c5.s5.3

Peoples faith in astrology was reinforced for seeking solution to their immediate problems and their curiosity to know their future. The first was done by astrologers and palm-readers by examining the hand and face of the applicant, turning over the leaves of the large book, and pretending to make certain calculations and then decide upon the *Sahet* (saiet) or propitious moment of commencing the business he may have in hand.⁴⁹ Amulets and charms were also prescribed for warding off distress, removing fear, obtaining success in an undertaking or victory in battle and a hundred other similar problems.⁵⁰ The second was done by preparing a horoscope. As usually practised, the whole heavens, visible and invisible, was divided by great circles into twelve equal parts, called *houses*. The houses had different names and different powers, the first being called the house of life, the second the house of riches, the third of brethren, the sixth of marriage, the eighth of death, and so on. To draw a persons horoscope, or cast his *nativity*, was to find the position of the heavens at the instant of his birth. The temperament of the individual was ascribed to the planet under which he was born, as *saturnine* from Saturn, *jovial* from Jupiter, *mercurial* from Mercury and so on. The virtues of herbs, gems, and medicines were also supposed to be due to their ruling planets.