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Feng Shuii & Chinese Astrology:
Inside Chinese Metaphysics
The Five Elements and
Four Pillars of Destiny Astrology
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by Barbara Finch |
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The Four Pillars of Destiny is probably the most well known form of astrology in China. Four Pillars is based on the theories of Yin/Yang and Wu Xing (the Five Elements).
The exact origin of Four Pillars is unclear, but the Chinese calendar – one of the foundations of Four Pillars – dates back to at least 2704-2595 BC. We do know that Four Pillars was being used as a divination tool by 480-222 BC. Four Pillars as we know it today is credited to Zhu Zi Ping, who enhanced the system during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Sometimes known as Ba Zi, Four Pillars is also known as Zi Ping Ming Li in honor of Zi Ping’s contributions.
Zi not only is the name of the scholar who refined the Four Pillars system, but it can also be interpreted to mean child or seed, and is the first of the 12 Earthly Branches (a basic component of Four Pillars). Ping means level, even, smooth or peaceful. Ming is life or destiny, and Li is science. Li can also mean to manage or to put in order, so the study of Four Pillars can teach us to determine our destiny from the seed - the beginning of life - so that we can manage our lives in peace, harmony and balance.
Studying Four Pillars allows us to understand ourselves and our relationships with others, giving us a mechanism with which we can change ourselves and thus fathom our own potential, the various cycles in our lives, and optimize our health, relationships and prosperity.
A Four Pillars chart is a symbolic representation of who we are, based upon the exact moment that we take our first breath. We are imprinted by the qi of the year, month, day and hour of birth (thus the four “pillars”), and this imprint stays with us our entire lives. Throughout our lives we are further affected by each subsequent year, month, day and hour. The impact of time on us can be learned and optimized by understanding the Four Pillars of Destiny.
However, before discussing Four Pillars astrology, it is important for you to have a basic understanding of Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements. The theories of Yin/Yang and The Five Elements (Wu Xing) are at the very foundation of Chinese metaphysics, including Chinese Astrology, the Yi Jing, Feng Shui, and traditional Chinese medicine. Almost all of Chinese metaphysics has to do with the nature of balance and harmony, whether in the heavens, on Earth, or within ourselves.
Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are the two primal forces or types of qi that originate from the Wu Qi, the void that contains the potential for all things in the Universe. From the Wu Qi emerges the Tai Ji, the principle of opposing but interacting forces – Yin and Yang – that represent the transformation of energy.
Yin qi is related to the feminine, cold, intuitive, night, dark, moist, receptive, and still. Yang qi is masculine and is hot, reasoning, day, bright, dry, assertive, and active. Achieving perfect balance between yin and yang is the ideal state. Without yin there can be no yang. Without yang there can be no yin. The Chinese metaphysician analyzes our bodies and homes, our lives and our environment, and determines what is needed to bring balance.
In Four Pillars of Destiny, a metaphysician analyzes a chart partly based on how balanced the birth chart is in terms of its elements. Is it too hot? Too Cold? Too Wet? Not wet enough? Having a chart that is out of balance can create upheavals in one’s health, relationships, finances and career. In Four Pillars we determine what is needed to bring the chart back into balance, and how to better understand one’s self and the timing in order to reach best success.
The Five Elements
All things are made up of yin and yang. Energy and matter can be broken down into what are known as the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The Five Elements represent different types of qi that have a profound impact on us.
Below are the basic properties of each element:
Wood is trees, grass and any other living plants. A tall tree or building is Wood shape, or tall and columnar. Wood is associated with life, determination (the tiny seed pushing its roots through the soil), and stability. Wood is related to Spring, the time of rebirth and growth after the cold of Winter. In Chinese medicine, wood qi is related to the liver and gall bladder.
Fire is heat and light. It rises and spreads, and its nature is bright and hot. Fire is associated with power, aggression, optimism and generosity. Fire is related to Summer. Once the tree grows through spring it can begin to bear fruit. Fire is also related to the heart and small intestine.
Earth is rocks, soil, boulders and mountains. Its nature is stable, concentrated and unmoving. It is not related to any one season per se, but more to the period between seasons, where one season ends and the next begins. Earth is related to the spleen and the stomach.
Metal is any kind of metal, from a bulldozer to a delicate gold bracelet. It is sharp and piercing. Metal’s season is Autumn, the time of harvest – think of a scythe slicing through rows of wheat in a field. The tree’s fruit can now be enjoyed. In Chinese medicine, Metal is related to the lungs and the large intestine.
Water flows and takes the shape of whatever holds it. Water is related to Winter - the ending of one year’s cycle before the beginning of Spring again. Water is related to the kidneys and the urinary bladder.
The Primary Cycles of the Five Elements
The Five Elements do not just exist separately in space and time. They interact with each other in specific ways. Depending upon the combination, they can generate, control or weaken each other. These transformational relationships can be seen in three primary cycles:
The Enhancing Cycle
The Controlling Cycle
The Weakening Cycle
The Enhancing (Productive) Cycle
In the Enhancing Cycle one element produces the next. It is the relationship of parent to child – one element gives itself for the other’s benefit. In Chinese metaphysics, however, this may be good or bad depending on the situation. For example, watering our plants is good for them, but too much water can kill them.
Water nourishes Wood (Water feeds living plants)
Wood feeds Fire (Fire grows as more wood is added)
Fire creates Earth (Fire warms up the Earth and gives it life, Fire leaves ashes behind)
Earth produces Metal (Metal is mined from the earth)
Metal creates Water (Water condenses on cold metal).
The Controlling (Domination) Cycle
In the Controlling Cycle, one element dominates the next. This cycle is somewhat of a bullying relationship, with one element causing trouble for another. This is not always a negative thing if your house is burning down, however! You need Water to extinguish Fire.
Wood dominates Earth (large tree roots pushing apart a concrete sidewalk)
Earth obstructs Water (sandbags holding back a flood)
Water extinguishes Fire (Water putting out a house fire)
Fire melts Metal (a smelting factory melting metal ore)
Metal chops Wood (an axe chopping wood)
The Weakening (Reductive) Cycle
The Weakening Cycle is the reverse of the Enhancing Cycle – an element is weakened by producing another element. This is the parent-child relationship from the child’s point of view. The child takes from the parent, reducing the parent’s energy. The Dominating Cycle is confrontational, while the Weakening Cycle more gently weakens the opponent.
Wood draws from Water (living plants drink up ground water)
Water corrodes Metal (water rusting metal)
Metal reduces Earth (the empty quarry left behind after unearthing metal ore)
Earth reduces Fire (using earth to make a fire smaller)
Fire burns Wood (the wood is reduced as it is consumed by the fire)
The Stems and Branches
We strive to find balance for a person’s chart – balance among the elements, balance with timing. But the first thing we need to know is the players in the game.
Moving up from the Five Elements, the next step is learning the Stems and Branches. Each increment of time – a year, month, day or two-hour segment of a 24-hour day – is represented by the pairing of two Chinese characters: a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch.
The 10 Heavenly Stems
There are 10 Heavenly Stems that heavenly qi that continually rains down upon us. Unlike the Western calendar which has the New Year beginning in winter, the Chinese New Year begins with spring, when wood qi dominates, initiating the sprouting and growth of plants.
Each season begins with the dominating element’s yang aspect, followed by its yin aspect. Each dominating element and season then yields to the next in a continuous cycle according to the Enhancing cycle of the Five Elements. The Wood qi of spring generates and gives way to the Fire qi of summer, Fire’s qi gives way to the cooling of Metal qi in the autumn, and Metal’s qi gives way to the cold of Water qi in Winter. The cycle is never ending.
Jia
Jia is yang Wood. It is a tall tree or the log that acts as a supporting beam in a house. It grows up and out, not curving or bending. It is associated with kind hearts, but has a lack of flexibility.
Yi
Yi is yin Wood. It is soft and yielding, such as grass or flowers.
Bing
Bing is yang Fire. It is the sun – hot, dominating and generous. It is very independent – the sun does not need help.
Ding
Ding is yin Fire. It is the moon or the light of a candle. While not strong like Bing, on a cold, dark night, a candle can brighten the whole house.
Wu
Wu is yang Earth. It is sand or rocks. Sand and sand do not mix – they are still separate grains of sand. Since they do not combine, they cannot help each other much.
Ji
Ji is yin Earth. It is moist soil or mud. Mud with mud is a puddle, and can make things worse.
Geng
Geng is yang Metal. It is refined, strong metal such as an axe or machinery.
Xin
Xin is yin Metal. It is unrefined metal, such as a nugget of ore or gold jewelry.
Ren
Ren is yang Water. It is big water - the ocean, a sea.
Gui
Gui is yin Water. It is small water - raindrops, snow flurries or a small stream.
There are Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. As you can see above, within each element, there is a yin and yang aspect. The serious student of Chinese metaphysics must memorize the Heavenly Stems, and then also the 12 Earthly Branches.
In my next column I will discuss the 12 Earthly Branches, and give you an introduction to Four Pillars of Destiny charts. |
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Barbara Finch,
Feng Shui &
Chinese Astrology
Consultant, Writer, Instructor, & Speaker
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Barbara Finch has been fascinated with metaphysics since childhood. Following a vedic astrologer's advice in 1995, she has studied feng shui and other Chinese metaphysics in earnest with Masters Larry Sang and Peter Leung, becoming an instructor for both.
Using both ancient and modern techniques and methods, Barbara has vast experience in residential and commercial feng shui consultations. She also teaches and writes extensively on Chinese Metaphysics.
Barbara is also a professional Chinese astrologer using Zi Wei Dou Shu, a form of Chinese astrology. Additionally, with Master Leung, Barbara has recently written a correspondence course on The Four Pillars of Destiny, another Chinese astrology. This course contains extensive and profound information on Four Pillars, much that has never before been available in the English language.
Barbara has lectured on Chinese astrology for the American Federation of Astrologers and various other groups.
Continually updating and expanding her knowledge of Chinese metaphysics, Barbara is committed to using this ancient wisdom to help those seeking assistance to best harmonize themselves with nature, time and space.
Have a question or comment for Barbara Finch? Contact her:
Email:
barbara@finchshui.com
Website:
http://www.finchshui.com
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