Here is the fast divination technique using a mala.
You
visualize the deity Manjushri and pray one japa of the mantra.
You then hold the mala in your lap, and with each hand grasp a bead at
random. You then count off in threes, moving the hands toward each
other, until one, two, or three beads remain. You do this three times.
One remaining bead is called Falcon. If you have a Falcon on your first round, it indicates support from protectors, luck in new endeavors, and success in lawsuits. If you have a Falcon on the second round, this indicates general good luck, with small risk of misfortune. If you have a Falcon on the third round indicates expected guests will arrive imminently, or you will have news of them.
Two beads remaining is called Raven. A Raven on the first round means little support from the protectors, nothing can be accomplished, lawsuits will be unsuccessful, and enemies have the upper hand. A Raven on the second round indicates serious illness and a decline in force. Things will be lost or stolen. A Raven on the third round indicates bad luck for travelers, and sicknesses will not be cured.
Three beads remaining is called Snow Lion. A Snow Lion on the first round indicates middling support from the protectors, slow accomplishment, and weak enemies. This is generally a neutral result. A Snow Lion on the second round indicates dangers to health that could nevertheless be resolved. Things lost or stolen can be found. A Snow Lion on the third round indicates late arrival for travellers, and some difficulty finding the right treatment for illness
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/03/falcon-raven-snow-lion.html
So, what is the conventional wisdom about the Iron Tiger?
The folk
astrology of Tibet indicates that Tigers in general are brave, daring,
ferocious, intelligent, and often audacious, with a tendency toward
harsh speech and risk taking, i.e. gambling and business adventures.
The ideal companions are those born in the year of the Dog, Horse, and
Pig. Those to avoid are born in the year of Ox, Monkey, and to a lesser
degree, Snake. Many people will try to have sons this year.
In particular,
Iron Tigers are generous to the poor, and protective of the underdog,
but can become wrathful and bloody minded, and without moral
instruction may become fond of killing. Somebody
better tell Jamgon Kongtrul II, and Orgyen Thinley Dorje -- to give but
two examples-- both Tigers, but neither of whom were or are bloody
minded and fond of killing, as far as anyone knows.
Iron Tigers
greatly enjoy meat, alcohol, the opposite sex, and comfortable living
circumstances. They speak directly, with an authoritarian air of
command. They are to some extent vulnerable to haunting spirits (bstan) and gyalpos, particularly those gyalpos associated with knives and other weapons. They will have two to four
children. Their average lifespan is sixty years. They will face five
major obstacles.
Iron Tiger dharma
practitioners are known to be highly stable and extremely faithful,
with unusual powers that are expressed in unconventional ways. As such,
their actions are often liable to misinterpretation. They
have the potential to exist in this lifetime as reborn spirits, i.e.
they were not precisely human in their immediately previous lifetime.
In the lifetimes prior to that, they were kings or princes, and in most
lifetimes previous to that, they were siddhas, acharyas, or wandering
yogis. In this lifetime, they are often characterized by wide learning
and extreme intelligence. However, they may be prone to
procrastination, and indecision brought on by physical ailments.
As 2010 is the
fourth of a five year run of inauspicious element combinations for
Tigers, (2011 will be incredibly troublesome) one is advised to take
practice to heart. Speaking very personally, I would recommend that
Tigers vigorously save the lives of beings otherwise marked for death.
I would also recommend the creation of images, printing of dharma
books, and other good works. In particular, and at all costs, one
should cause at least one statue of Shakyamuni Buddha to be made. If
conditions permit, Tigers should seriously consider going into retreat
until 2012 at the earliest. What is wrong with that?
If you are born
in the Year of the Iron Tiger, you are in the closing chapters of an
extremely troublesome Mercury-Ketu transit, but if you survive, you are
at the threshold of an extremely auspicious run of good luck. The
operative word in that last sentence is "if." In Tibetan astrology, the
Mercury-Ketu transit is described as "certain death." Of course, as an
Iron Tiger, you don't care, but let me say the beginning of the
transit, circa 2006, while no picnic, had the elements showing mercy.
For the end of the transit, which begins now, the elements show no
mercy. Are you impressed yet? Again
and again, I want to emphasize that spiritual practice throws all
astrological indications to the winds. This is why even very great
lamas go into retreat for obstacle years, and live to tell the tale.
You should also
be aware that people who have formerly been good friends may turn into
bitter enemies. I hate to say this, but Iron Tigers have an
astrological propensity to fall victim to murder. Stay
away from weapons of all kinds: indeed, be extremely careful of sharp
instruments such as knives, axes, saws, and so forth. Taking this
energy as a clue, all persons should beware of accidents, misadventure,
assault, robbery, and so forth in this wild year of sudden surprises.
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/12/astrology-for-tibetan-new-year-2010.html