Heliomancy - the Lashunta Art of Divination

Worlds such as Earth and Golarion have strong practices of Astrology, whereby practitioners use the relative positions of the stars, sun, moon, and planets to prognosticate future occurrences and influences on people’s lives. Depending on time period, region, and culture, the vaunted role of Astrologer might even serve as a highly paid professional consultant to merchants, generals, and even rulers, their opinion solicited on everything from which trade venture to invest in, to when to declare war, and even to which alliances to seek. On Castrovel, however, where the the cloud cover obscures the sky for four fifths of the year or more, access to the stars and planets is unreliable in all but a few places. Thus the Lashunta have developed different systems.
Among Lashunta, ~Milanmidi~ - the study of watching Heaven, is based on the appearance and direct observations of the Sun, especially in Asana’s northern hemisphere, and also in its southern ranges where an alternate study has transposed to match values in opposition to the North (note: the equatorial climes lack a temperate season where cold air and high pressure systems drive away cloud cover in conjunction with the winter solstice). This is an important function of the priesthood of Matarasse - Burning-Mother, the Lashunta’s solar creator-goddess -  who spend the season of ~Anmathi~ - Heaventide (equivalent to Winter) performing and interpreting these observations.
Each temple typically maintains a solar observatory: a watchpost located on a high point (a peak or tower) over the surrounding landscape, and from which direct sightings of the Sun and also Heaven (meaning observation of blue sky through the clouds) will be faithfully logged. Furthermore, a sunlight illuminating a patch of land within the visible countryside may have significant interpretation, especially if it is a site of historical or ritual import. To these will be added any sightings of Elindrae, Castrovel’s moon, including position, phase, and halo, as will those of the rarest apparitions, the Stars. Needless to say, these factors make each temple’s practice of heliomancy specifically unique to their location, and rival temples will jealously defend their practices against all challenges. Some temples, depending on relationship and treaty, will consult with the Hall of Stars on Ta-Shestaru, one of the few places on Castrovel where true Astrology, learned from the Elves, can be practiced. Yet at the end of Heaventide, in a formal ceremony, the priests of the Sun Goddess will release their divinations, both for individuals and the general welfare.