New Mandala

Last week we issued a call for applications for a consultant astrologer.  New Mandala is yet to fill this position. 

And – if this Wall Street Journal report is anything to by – there is a simple explanation.  For Thailand’s legions of fortune-tellers business is booming.  According to one observer this is a “glorious time for astrologers”.  But…

…It can be dangerous work. A small group of soldiers kidnapped Mr. Luck [the name of the featured astrologer] a decade ago for predicting the collapse of the government, he says. They dangled him above the jaws of some hungry crocodiles at a reptile farm on the outskirts of Bangkok to warn him against making dire predictions, he says. He’s carried a gun ever since, and has continued making bold forecasts about Thailand’s political future. Mr. Luck’s story couldn’t be independently verified.

And he didn’t predict the kidnapping?  Hardly a strong endorsement of his forecasting skills, one would think.  Or is that not how it works?  Whatever the case may be, “Mr. Luck” appears to be making a good living.  Surely he has no foreseeable need for New Mandala’s business.