Diary of the exhausted soothsayer

It's peak season for astrologers, diviners and followers of the occult: people who decipher clues from the planets and celestial beings for a living. We find out what it means to be a seer at this time of year, predicting what the New Year has in store for mere mortals

There's a reason why astrologers are revered in India. After all, their predictions are said to come from no less than God himself (the Sanskrit word for astrologer 'jyotish' is a portmanteau of 'jyot' meaning light and 'ish' meaning God). It is believed that through the "light of God" or the gift of clairvoyance that they are able to predict the future, in terms of love, money, work and health.

Tarot card reader Shirley Bose admits that the year-ends present unique challenges. So as not to demoralise people, she ensures that her predictions are positive. If she foresees something negative, she provides a solution or tip to deal with it. "Year-ends are taxing, even though I enjoy what I do. Apart from my regular sessions, I also write for several publications," she says.

To achieve her target, Shirley starts working 20 days in advance. The effort took a toll on her this year, and she had to make a short trip to Goa to destress.

Veteran astrologer Bejan Daruwalla has TV commitments that will have him appear on three channels over 10 days, including a visit to the sets of a reality show. "The period during November to March, for reasons unknown to me, is a time when people feel insecure and unhappy. They seek answers and I am happy to help them out." He swears by the mantra of 'eat, pray and laugh' to relax.

While making predictions, he frames his statements appropriately. "I tell people that stars are important, but genes and attitude are much more important. If I see that a person will face calamities, I warn them to get their affairs straightened out and to get an insurance policy in place. The predictions may not come true, but it helps to be prepared," he adds.

Sushhila Golani, a tarot card reader and angel therapist, also feels the year-end pinch. A surfeit of calls and appointments sees her work 20 hours a day. "I am aware the job calls for counselling skills. I offer practical remedies for the same though graphology as simple changes in handwriting can change the future," she says.

Wiccan Kiran Gupta, who also does tarot readings, says, "My day starts at 7 am and ends at 1 am. All I need to feel better is positive feedback, which gets the feel-good endorphins flowing through me," she concludes.