Tulungagung- Javanese astrology is not merely a system of calendars or spiritual symbols. A 2026 peer-reviewed study by Luqman Fauzi of UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, Indonesia, presents it as a coherent ethical framework for ecological awareness and environmental sustainability. Published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, the article explains how traditional Javanese cosmology positions humans, nature, and the divine in an inseparable relationship—an idea that carries practical relevance amid today’s escalating climate and environmental crises.
The research matters because Indonesia, like many countries, faces deforestation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and recurring natural disasters. While modern environmental policies often rely on legal enforcement and technological solutions, Fauzi’s work highlights an alternative foundation: cultural ethics rooted in local wisdom. The study shows that long before contemporary environmental discourse emerged, Javanese society had already developed a moral system that discouraged ecological destruction and encouraged balance with nature.
Why Javanese Astrology Matters Today
In public discussions, astrology is often dismissed as superstition. Fauzi challenges this perception by showing that Javanese astrology is grounded in centuries of collective observation, known locally as kaweruh titèn. This knowledge system records recurring patterns between seasonal cycles, natural phenomena, and human behavior.
At its core is the belief that life operates as a “web of life”, where damage to one element inevitably affects the whole. Humans are not positioned as rulers of nature but as participants within a broader ecological order. This worldview contrasts sharply with extractive economic models that prioritize short-term gain over environmental balance.
Fauzi connects this traditional perspective to contemporary ecological ethics, arguing that sustainability cannot rely solely on regulations. It must also be anchored in moral responsibility and cultural meaning.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study uses a qualitative literature-based approach, drawing on classical Javanese texts rather than field experiments or surveys. Fauzi analyzed authoritative sources such as Primbon manuscripts, Javanese horoscope books, and philosophical writings that document traditional cosmology, ethics, and seasonal knowledge.
Instead of statistical analysis, the research focused on interpretation and comparison, examining how different texts consistently frame the relationship between humans, nature, and divine order. This method allows ancient knowledge to be read in dialogue with modern ecological thought.
Key Findings Explained Simply
The study identifies several core principles that define Javanese astrology as an ethical system for environmental awareness:
- Nature as a Sacred Continuum Javanese teachings describe the universe (bawana) as an emanation of Sang Hyang Widhi, the divine source of life. Nature is not separate from the sacred; it is part of it. Destroying forests, rivers, or land is therefore seen as damaging a divine manifestation.
- Human Survival Depends on Ecological Balance Humans rely on plants, animals, water, and soil for survival. Javanese ethics emphasize that harming these elements ultimately harms humanity itself. Environmental destruction is understood as self-destruction.
- Seasonal Knowledge Guides Sustainable Living The Javanese solar calendar, Pranata Mangsa, maps seasonal changes across twelve periods, each linked to specific agricultural activities and natural conditions. This system teaches people when to plant, harvest, or conserve resources based on environmental rhythms rather than economic pressure.
- Cultural Symbols Reinforce Ecological Ethics Rituals such as tumpeng—a cone-shaped rice dish symbolizing mountains—serve as everyday reminders that mountains are sources of water, biodiversity, and life. Protecting them is a moral obligation, not just a practical one.
- Spiritual Consequences of Environmental Damage In Javanese belief, neglecting nature invites imbalance and disaster. Figures such as Batari Sri, the guardian of the earth and fertility, symbolize the idea that the land must be respected like a living mother.
Ethical Insights from the Author
Fauzi emphasizes that Javanese ethics are not abstract ideals but practical moral guidelines. He explains that in Javanese philosophy, “whoever damages nature damages life itself, and whoever damages life damages the divine order.” As a scholar at UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, Fauzi situates this insight within broader ethical philosophy, showing strong parallels with modern ecological ethics and systems thinking.
He also highlights the Javanese moral principle ngundhuh wohing pakarti—roughly translated as “harvesting the consequences of one’s actions.” In environmental terms, pollution, deforestation, and climate disruption are understood as direct outcomes of human behavior.
Implications for Society and Policy
The findings have wide-ranging implications:
- Environmental Policy: Policymakers can strengthen sustainability programs by integrating cultural ethics, making environmental protection feel locally meaningful rather than externally imposed.
- Education: Schools and universities can use Javanese ecological philosophy to teach environmental responsibility through cultural narratives familiar to students.
- Community Action: Local practices such as maintaining home gardens and protecting sacred natural spaces demonstrate how ecological ethics operate at the grassroots level.
- Sustainability Discourse: The study supports the growing recognition of indigenous and local knowledge systems as valuable contributors to global environmental solutions.
By framing environmental care as a moral and spiritual responsibility, Javanese astrology encourages long-term thinking that aligns closely with sustainability goals.
Author Profile
Luqman Fauzi UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung
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