The "sikidy" can resolve numerous details to ward off bad luck. Malagasy people believe in astrology in all events of their lives. They are indeed convinced that the action of the stars exerts influence on humans from birth, "irrevocably fixing their destiny" (Lucile Rabearimanana, from the "Manuscript of the Ombiasy", Grandidier Library 1864-1870). Thus, when a mother gives birth on the first day of a destiny, it must be countered because there is fear it may be rebellious. It is the "mpanandro", "ombiasy"... (astrologer) who directs the operation to counter what is harmful in one's destiny. He considers that "inauspicious days correspond to the beginning of each major or minor destiny, while auspicious days are revealed by the end of these same destinies" ("Tantara ny Andriana eto Madagascar", R.P. Callet). Dandouau, in the Bulletin of the Malagasy Academy of 1907, describes the exorcism ceremony ("manala-falitry" or "manala dika"), especially for cases of seriously ill persons. Exorcisms and propitiatory sacrifices are resorted to before undertaking something important, when inaugurating a village, a house, when about to marry..., "according to what one wishes to undertake whose destiny one wishes to counter and for which one wishes to make offerings", writes R.P. Callet when describing with precision the ceremony of "santatra" (beginning of an enterprise to be conducted). However, only those who are informed engage in such practices. Everything also depends on the sign under which one is born. According to the Manuscript of the ombiasy, for example, if the child is born under the sign of Asorotany (Cancer) and Alakaosy (Sagittarius), their destiny is countered whether they were born on the first, second or third day for the first destiny, the first and second day for the second destiny, because "these two destinies are dreadful and children risk causing the death of their parents". In fact, one mainly wishes to mitigate their effects. According to Cousins ("Fomba malagasy", 1863), Alfred and Guillaume Grandidier ("Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar", volume IV), the Merina are well "sorted" from birth so they are not rebellious to the sovereign and their superiors. Father Callet reports that children born under these two signs must be drowned at birth, or they are exposed at the entrance to the cattle enclosure, or they are struck with the wooden container used to winnow rice. Another example: no activity begins on the fifth day of the new moon, as this corresponds to "mamangi-dambotsiary"; nor on the fifteenth and sixteenth day of the new moon as it is the full moon; nor on the twenty-second day of the new moon as it descends to the horizon and "that is why people do not like it". And at the new moon of Alakaosy, women about to give birth undertake nothing either, do not eat rice during the first two days of destiny. "They do this for fear of giving birth to their child on these days which are days of misfortune", mentions Cousins. For his part, Jully notes that the day of the new moon of Alakaosy is when the celebration common to all "sampy" (fetishes) of the people takes place. Similarly, at the new moon of Alohotsy (Pisces), everyone does nothing because "Alohotsy is called the destiny of abstinence". According to the Grandidiers, the Merina fast throughout the month of Alohotsy until the Fandroana (Royal Bath) in order to better prepare to celebrate this great day with dignity. And to counter the destiny of a newborn, one seeks out the necessary objects to exorcise their destiny according to the day of their birth. According to Dandouau, this practice aims to ward off the bad luck that their destiny brings upon the child. The astrologer determines the object or objects through which the bad luck can be diverted. In certain circumstances, particularly for a seriously ill person, one consults the "sikidy" which "resolves numerous details". Once the bad luck is countered, propitiatory sacrifices are performed. Exorcism and propitiatory sacrifice are also practiced during the "santatra" which must be accomplished before undertaking anything. Only the ritual and objects used differ according to the person and the enterprise to be conducted. As a reminder, the Alahamady destiny comes from the Arabic word meaning Ram, according to Cousins. For Father Callet it is the sign of the Bull. But in fact, it is the Adaoro that corresponds to the latter. The Adizâoza corresponds to Gemini, Asorotany to Cancer, Alahasaty to Leo, Asombola to Virgo, Adimizana to Libra, Alakarabo to Scorpio, Alakaosy to Sagittarius, Adijady to Capricorn, Adalo to Aquarius, Alohotsy to Pisces. Pela Ravalitera