Thailand's royal astrologer predicts abundant crops

[icymist]

Canadian Press
Published: Thursday, May 11, 2006

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Watched by royalty, a pair of sacred oxen ate grass and drank water at an annual ceremony Thursday, leading a soothsayer to predict abundant rain and plentiful crops in the country.

A royal astrologer and a group of civil servants wearing traditional red and white costumes solemnly marched behind the oxen as they plowed a pile of dirt in a circle several times.

The beasts were then offered symbolic bowls of rice, maize, green beans, sesame seeds, alcohol, water and grass, while officials spread seeds to mark the start of the farming season.

"The oxen ate grass and drank water, which means that this year the water will be sufficient, and food, vegetables and crops will be plentiful," Sithiporn Chiraphan, an Agriculture Ministry official, quoted the astrologer as saying.

Read the article

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. Good blessings .