Four Pillars Insight

The Four Pillars of Destiny • Guest Editor Feature

The Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi 八字) By Jerry King

2010 Year of The Tiger

T

hrough my practice in Feng Shui, many of my customers always want to know about their destiny, which includes a consultation of their career, health, wealth and relationships. A plethora of approaches can be employed, for example, Chinese Astrology, Purple Star Astrology and I-Ching hexagrams; however, one I find very accurate is the Four Pillars (四柱), sometimes referred to as BaZi. The Four Pillars method have been practiced for thousands of years in China, yet it is only recently that members of the Western society have begun to utilise the knowledge of BaZi. The Four Pillars approach takes into account a person’s birth - from the year they were born down to the hour. The birth hour is significant as it can help determine the flow of the chart and how it is affected by the luck cycles later in life. However, it is still possible to look at one’s luck and cosmic flow without knowing the birth hour. The reading from the Four Pillars method has eight characters comprising of 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches. Most people would know the 12 Earthly Branches as the 12 annual ruling animals in the Chinese astrology calendar. 2010 is the year of the Tiger.

The 12 Annual Ruling Animals in The Chinese Astrology Calendar:

• Rat 子 • Horse 午

• Ox 丑 • Goat 未

• Tiger 寅 • Monkey 申

• Rabbit 卯 • Rooster 酉

The 10 Heavenly Stems:

• Yang Wood 甲 • Yang Fire 丙 • Yang Earth 戊 • Yang Metal 庚 • Yang Water 壬 Water

• Yin Wood 乙 • Yin Fire 丁 • Yin Earth 己 • Yin Metal 辛 • Yin Water 癸

West

Earth

East

South

Metal Earth

Fire

Wood

•Snake巳 • Pig 亥

The 10 Heavenly Stems in the Four Pillars approach are composed of the five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each of these elements has a Yang and a Yin version. For example, Yang wood is considered a big tree, while Yin wood can be seen as flowers or shrubs.

Several of the 10 Heavenly Stems are hidden in each of the 12 Earthly Branches and they all have a direction attached to them - fire is to the south; water to the north; metal to the west and southwest; wood to the east and southeast; and earth to the southwest and northeast.

North Metal

• Dragon 辰 • Dog 戌

Wood

This five-element theory holds much significance in BaZi analysis, as each facet produces, controls or reduces another component. For example, water produces wood, wood produces fire, fire produces earth, earth produces metal and metal produces water. However, while water produces wood, wood itself reduces water; the same notion applies to fire reducing wood and so forth. Finally, water controls fire, fire controls metal, metal

controls wood, wood controls earth and earth controls water. Many denote balanced elements as lucky and an uneven Four Pillars life chart as unfortunate. This, however, is an incorrect hypothesis. It is the flow of the chart that is paramount, and experienced practitioners see this when they look at a person’s life chart. Everyone has a particular type of energy and this is assigned to you when you take your first breath once you were born. Once the Four Pillars chart has been determined and understood by the practitioner (one of the most difficult parts of the process), the next step is to look at the luck cycle and the annual ruling animal and element. The luck cycle can change the energetic flow of the chart from bad to good and vice versa. The characteristics of a person can also be determined after an understanding of one’s Four Pillars chart. One’s relationship can be affected by the change of luck cycles. This requires the use of many different methods in understanding why a marriage has harmony or disharmony and why some people may experience divorce or be engaged in multiple affairs. By understanding the life chart of a person, the use of Feng Shui can reduce the impact of bad luck cycles or enhance good cycles in one’s life. The life chart can also allow Feng Shui practitioners to determine the best sleeping and facing positions. With the BaZi (八字) information, house selections, date selections, use of proper colours and shapes and the timing of investments can be determined. It is very important for a Four Pillars practitioner to obtain the correct favourable and unfavourable elements to produce great results for their clients. v Jerry King is a Feng Shui consultant and trainer in the Four Pillars of Destiny based in Vancouver, Canada. He also consults in China, Hong Kong, North and South America. Visit www.whitedragonhome.com for more information.



JANUARY 2010 www.InsightMagazine.com.au

Guest Editor Feature

• The Four Pillars of Destiny

General Characteristics of the Animals in the Chinese Zodiac The Rat People born in this year often manifest characteristics

of a different species that is more resistent in nature. This animal has been around way before human existence and will continue to survive after humans are extinguished. In the Chinese Zodiac, the rats have considerable qualities of *1912*1924*1936 *1948 *1960*1972 resistance and persistence. The Rat also has the ability to adapt and move forward. The problem with the Rat is that if it faces *1984*1996 a difficult circumstance, it can break under pressure.

The Horse The Horse is full of energy and they need a lot of space to run around. They are not the type that would sit down in a 9 to 5 job. The Horse fears being trapped in any circumstances whether it is at work or at home. They are constantly on *1918*1930*1942 the move and at times, they could be impatient. *1954 *1966*1978 On the other hand, they are fast thinkers and can *1990*2002 make quick decisions.

The Ox People born in this year are workers and are tireless just like buffalos and cows dragging plows. Resistance and persistence are their strengths. They can withstand considerable pressure and support a heavy load. *1913*1925*1937 The Ox tends to be conservative and stay in the same job *1949 *1961*1973 or profession for a long period of time. They want to stay *1985*1997 economical and do not want to run into any risks.

The Goat Goats are creative and intuitive and they would make good artisans or teachers. They can be overly sensitive and insecure. Goats need a lot of support from their friends and family because of their insecurity. They are day dreamers *1919*1931*1943 and are more comfortable being alone when they *1955 *1967*1979 are thinking. *1991*2003

The Tiger The Tiger experiments with the total force of

The Monkey The Monkey is energetic, charming and optimistic. They are also adventurous and crave for new ideas and activities. The Monkey is very straight forward and cannot hide their feelings. They enjoy showing off their creativity *1920*1932*1944 *1956 *1968*1980 and charm to their friends. If there is one word to describe Monkeys, ‘fun’ is the word. *1992*2004

his energy with overwhelming intensity. The Tiger in his natural habitat have an immense field of energy found in constant and intimate interaction with the environment that surrounds it. The presence of these people almost *1914*1926*1938 *1950 *1962*1974 always perceive a very intense form. Even when they are resting, they are like a loaded gun at rest, ready to fire. *1986*1998 Their influence can be considerable, both in business and people relations. In China, they say Tigers are like a steam locomotive at the head of a large train.

The Rabbit The Rabbit is gentle and kind and tends

to have a wide group of friends and family. They enjoy entertaining at home and ensure that their home is comfortable and organised. Change is not immediately *1915*1927*1939 embraced by the Rabbit as they will think over every *1951 *1963*1975 detail before making any decision. *1987*1999

The Rooster Roosters are observers and they are meticulous in everything that they do. Their perfectionist nature can annoy the people around them. They love to be the center of attention. The Rooster can be loyal and trustworthy *1921*1933*1945 friends. They have great attention to details that *1957 *1969*1981 would make them thrive in work requiring great *1993*2005 precision and accuracy. The Dog Dogs are wonderful and loyal friends

The Dragon The Dragon is seen as one of the most powerful

and lucky animals in the Chinese Zodiac. It is proud, courageous and charismatic. The Dragon also possesses many talents and they are intelligent. Dragons can influence others with their ideas and advice but they do not like to listen to anyone else *1916*1928*1940 but themselves. They can achieve a considerable amount if *1952 *1964*1976 they put their mind to it but their main objective is power. *1988*2000

to have around. They can become stubborn and emotionally unstable at times. Dogs can make great business people since they have the ability to discern the true motives of others. They are *1922*1934*1946 *1958 *1970*1982 serious and intelligent and commit to noble causes. Dogs are constantly working on making *1994*2006 the world a better place.

The Snake The Snake is very smart, popular and slick.

The Pig Pigs are generous and honorable.

Although they are perceived as lazy, the Snake usually would wait until the situation presents itself before they strike. They are very determined in their work and they work very hard until the job is done. Snakes also use their gut instincts when *1917*1929*1941 *1953 *1965*1977 making important decisions. The Snake is usually a very cautious animal. *1989*2001

They make great friends because of their refusal to see the negative side of people. Pigs care about their friends and family and work hard to ensure that everyone in their life is happy. They *1923*1935*1947 *1959 *1971*1983 are constantly working to improve themselves *1995*2007 and others.

www.InsightMagazine.com.au JANUARY 2010