As Myanmar heads into a contested, month-long election beginning December 28, astrology and Yadaya rituals have re-emerged as sources of solace and strategy. Mystics such as Linn Nhyo Taryar — who was jailed after staging an anti-military ritual — and veteran readers like Min Thein Kyaw say people seek security amid ongoing conflict and instability since the 2021 coup. Analysts warn the vote could entrench military power, while popular horoscopes for 2026 offer mixed omens.
Mystics, Yadaya and the Vote: How Fortune-Tellers Shape Myanmar's Uncertain Election
Myanmar has a rich culture of fortune-telling, and many believe the future can be discerned by mystics (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)(Lillian SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/AFP)
What will follow Myanmar's contested election beginning December 28? For many people here, the answer lies not only in ballots and ballots boxes, but in astrology, sacred geometry and Yadaya rituals — traditional practices intended to avert misfortune and influence fate.
Background: A Nation in Turmoil
Only five years ago Myanmar seemed to be on a clearer path after a decade of democratic opening. That trajectory was upended by the 2021 military coup that toppled the elected government and ushered in widespread instability: civil conflict, frequent internet outages and acute humanitarian crises. The phased election starting December 28 is already rejected by rebels and criticised internationally as an attempt to rebrand military rule.
Mystics and Everyday Life
Fortune-telling and occult practices are deeply embedded in Myanmar's cultural life. Astrologers consult a national zodiac, palm readers gather at pagodas, and Yadaya ritual specialists are often sought by citizens trying to protect homes, businesses and careers. Mobile providers even advertise dial-a-diviner services.
“People struggling with trouble turn to fortune-telling and Yadaya, seeking the power and belief derived from it,” said astrologer Linn Nhyo Taryar. “What people really want is a safe and secure life and future.”
Dissident Divination
Linn Nhyo Taryar exemplifies how mystical practice can become political. After the coup he shared a ritual called “Nine Swords, Nine Needles” aimed at the military chief Min Aung Hlaing, which led to his arrest and a two-year sentence in Yangon's Insein Prison on charges of "causing fear or alarm." Now living in self-exile in Bangkok, he continues to serve clients in Myanmar online.
Superstition in the Corridors of Power
Mysticism has long influenced political life in Myanmar. Former ruler Ne Win famously changed traffic rules and currency denominations amid numerological beliefs, and analysts say similar currents of superstition have been reported around current military leaders. With Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned and her party dissolved, many analysts warn the election risks cementing Min Aung Hlaing’s authority under a civilian façade.
Horoscopes, Portents and Public Sentiment
Popular horoscopes for the upcoming Buddhist new year — widely sold on the streets — mix hopeful and ominous signs. The Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board offered advice aimed at those born on Tuesday under the lion zodiac (a category that includes both Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi), and suggested Yadaya practitioners make traditional offerings such as buttered rice at household Buddha shrines.
Voices of Practitioners
Card reader Min Thein Kyaw, 73, says Myanmar still has “good potential” but stresses that predictions require aligning time, place and person. Even mystics counsel prudence: “Vigilance is key,” he adds, urging leaders and citizens alike to practice morality, mindfulness and wisdom.
What This Means
For many Burmese, mysticism provides psychological comfort and a means to act in an environment of great uncertainty. Whether these rituals materially affect political outcomes is debated, but their cultural importance is clear: they shape how people interpret risk, legitimacy and the future in a deeply unsettled moment for the country.
Reporting note: quotes and details are drawn from local mystics, analysts and recent coverage of Myanmar's political and cultural landscape.
