The Four Pillars Reading series focuses on learning a systematic approach to interpreting a Four Pillars. This installment clarifies the criteria and rationale for prioritizing certain elements in a Saju birth chart over others, aiming to reduce confusion for beginners and facilitate more effective interpretation. We will explore how following the correct sequence can deepen one's understanding of Four Pillars interpretation and minimize errors.
Interpreting a Four Pillars goes beyond merely understanding the meaning of individual characters; it involves grasping how each element interacts to form a complete picture. The first part of this series outlined the overall flow of Four Pillars reading, while the second focused on the importance of the Day Master as a reference point for interpretation. Likewise, a systematic approach to Four Pillars analysis is only possible when there is a clear order and established criteria.
The goal of this stage is to establish a hierarchy of elements within a Saju birth chart, determining which factors to examine first and which to consider subsequently. A Saju birth chart is a complex compilation of information, and simply listing these details haphazardly will only create confusion. Much like constructing a building requires laying the foundation before erecting pillars, Four Pillars interpretation necessitates first identifying the sturdy foundation and structural pillars. This sequence serves as the criteria and system for analysis.
One of the most frequent mistakes beginners make is to immediately focus on intriguing individual components such as specific Five Elements, Ten Gods, or Shinsal symbolic stars. For instance, they might mistakenly conclude, ‘I have a travel star, so I must travel,’ or ‘I have many Wealth stars, so I am destined for wealth.’ However, the meaning of these individual elements changes significantly within the context of the entire Saju birth chart, potentially leading to completely opposite interpretations. Without a proper framework, concentrating on fragmented information leads to inconsistent and contradictory analyses.
When first encountering a Saju birth chart, the primary focus should be on the Day Master and Month Branch. These two elements are crucial for establishing the overall framework of the Four Pillars and decisively determining the meaning and function of all other characters.
The reason for prioritizing the Day Master and Month Branch lies in the fundamental principles of Four Pillars theory. The Day Master symbolizes the ‘self,’ acting as the subject and reference point for Four Pillars interpretation. All Five Elements, Ten Gods, and their relationships with other characters are formed around this Day Master. The criteria for judging auspiciousness or inauspiciousness vary depending on the Day Master’s element and its strength. The Month Branch is the earthly branch of the birth month, representing the most powerful environmental factor in the Eight Characters. It embodies the seasonal energy, showing the environment in which the Day Master lives and the influences it receives most significantly. Even if a Day Master is strong, its strength can diminish if the Month Branch counters or drains its energy. Conversely, a weak Day Master can gain strength if supported by the Month Branch. Therefore, the Day Master and Month Branch are considered the two main pillars of Four Pillars interpretation.
In an actual Saju birth chart, the Day Master is located in the Heavenly Stem of the Day Pillar. Specifically, it is the upper character of the third pillar, the Day Pillar, among the four pillars of the birth chart. For example, if the Day Pillar is ‘甲子’, ‘甲’ is the Day Master. The Month Branch is located in the Earthly Branch of the Month Pillar. It is the lower character of the second pillar, the Month Pillar. For example, if the Month Pillar is ‘丁卯’, ‘卯’ is the Month Branch. Accurately identifying these two characters is the starting point for all interpretation and a fundamental step that must be confirmed before examining any other characters. Simply recognizing their correct positions can significantly reduce beginner errors.
A common oversight for beginners is to view the Day Master and Month Branch merely as ‘self’ and ‘environment’ and consequently underestimate their significance. While the Day Master represents the self, an accurate assessment is impossible without also considering the environment (Month Branch) in which that ‘self’ is situated. For example, if a Fire Day Master is born in mid-winter (亥子丑 month), no matter how strong its fire energy, it may struggle due to the cold energy of the environment. Conversely, a weak Wood Day Master born in spring (寅卯辰 month) has the potential to grow abundantly with the support of its environment. Thus, the Day Master and Month Branch are an inseparable pair, and understanding their relationship is the first step in assessing the strength or weakness of a Four Pillars.
Once the broad outline of the Four Pillars and the strength or weakness of its energy have been understood through the Day Master and Month Branch, it’s time to delve deeper into the interpretation by examining detailed elements in sequence. At this stage, each element’s interaction is analyzed based on the criteria established earlier.
The Ten Gods are important tools that reveal the role of each character through its relationship with the Day Master. The ten categories of Ten Gods, such as Comrade, Output, Wealth, Authority, and Resource, each have unique meanings. However, their auspiciousness or inauspiciousness also varies depending on the strength of the Day Master and the environment of the Month Branch. For example, simply having many Wealth stars does not automatically guarantee abundant fortune. If the Day Master is weak, it may struggle to handle the Wealth stars, potentially leading to financial distress. The same applies to Shinsal symbolic stars. Rather than immediately applying the meaning of specific Shinsal symbolic stars like ‘Peach Blossom’ or ‘Traveling Horse,’ it is crucial to first understand the overall energy of the Four Pillars through the relationship between the Day Master and Month Branch. Only then can one determine how these Shinsal symbolic stars might manifest within that overall energy. Shinsal symbolic stars serve as a secondary element, enhancing the main flow of the Four Pillars.
Complex interactions between characters, such as Heavenly Stem Combinations, Earthly Branch Combinations, Branch clash, Punishments, Destructions, and Harms, enrich Four Pillars interpretation. However, applying them too early can lead to confusion. These combinations, clashes, punishments, and harms alter, strengthen, or weaken the relationships between characters. Nevertheless, their effects must be understood within the basic structure of the Four Pillars, as determined by the Day Master and Month Branch. For example, if a Day Master is very weak and there are many Branch clashes, the Four Pillars could become more unstable. Conversely, in a Four Pillars where the Day Master is strong and seasonal regulation is well-balanced, clashes might even induce positive changes. Therefore, combinations, clashes, punishments, and harms should be used as tools to discern detailed changes only after grasping the broader framework of the Four Pillars.
The ten-year luck cycle and annual luck cycle influence the original Four Pillars chart, shaping the flow of fortune. These must also be applied only after clearly understanding the original Four Pillars chart, especially the relationship between the Day Master and Month Branch. The ten-year luck cycle reveals major trends over ten-year periods, while the annual luck cycle shows specific annual trends. It is crucial to analyze how these luck cycles interact with the characters in the original Four Pillars chart and what changes they bring. If one assesses the ten-year luck cycle and annual luck cycle without a proper grasp of the original Four Pillars chart’s strength/weakness and seasonal regulation, the likelihood of misjudging auspiciousness or inauspiciousness is very high. The flow of fortune is like water poured into a vessel, so one must first understand the size and shape of the vessel itself.
Based on the principles of ‘what to look at first’ and ‘what to look at later’ discussed so far, we present a simple verification procedure that can be applied when reading an actual Saju birth chart.
Day Master Check: Identify the Five Elements of the Day Pillar’s Heavenly Stem and understand their characteristics.
Month Branch Check: Identify the Five Elements and seasonal characteristics of the Month Pillar’s Earthly Branch to analyze its environmental impact on the Day Master.
Assess Day Master Strength: Roughly determine the strength or weakness of the Day Master by examining its relationship with the Month Branch, as well as the generative, restrictive, controlling, and transforming interactions of other Earthly Branches and Heavenly Stems. At this stage, distinguishing only between ‘very strong,’ ‘strong,’ ‘average,’ ‘weak,’ and ‘very weak’ is sufficient.
seasonal regulation Check: Assess the overall balance of cold/warmth and dryness/wetness in the entire Four Pillars to determine the environmental equilibrium surrounding the Day Master.
Check Five Element Distribution: Examine the distribution of Five Elements throughout the entire Saju birth chart to identify any excesses or deficiencies of specific elements.
Ten Gods Apply: Identify the Ten Gods of each character based on the Day Master, and predict the positive or negative effects of these Ten Gods, considering the Day Master’s strength and seasonal regulation.
Check Combinations, Clashes, Punishments, and Harms: Examine the interactions between characters to identify elements that cause changes in the original Four Pillars chart.
ten-year luck cycle and annual luck cycle Apply: Based on the analysis of the original chart, analyze how the flows of the ten-year luck cycle and annual luck cycle impact the original chart.
Practicing this checklist with actual Saju birth charts is crucial. Initially, focus on following each step sequentially and verifying one by one. For example, when examining a Saju birth chart, first circle the Day Master and Month Branch, then summarize their relationship in a sentence or two. Next, assess the Day Master’s strength and check the distribution of the Five Elements. During this process, it is important to avoid premature interpretations or conclusions, focusing solely on ‘verification’ and ‘comprehension.’ By repeatedly analyzing various Saju birth charts using this procedure, you will naturally develop an intuitive understanding of how to read a Four Pillars.
This installment has clearly outlined the priorities and criteria for determining which elements to examine first and later when interpreting a Saju birth chart. It is crucial to master a systematic approach: establish the broad framework of the Four Pillars around the Day Master and Month Branch, then layer on detailed elements such as Ten Gods, Shinsal symbolic stars, combinations/clashes/punishments/harms, and the ten-year and annual luck cycles. Adhering to this order is an essential process for beginners to reduce interpretive errors and gain a deeper understanding of the Four Pillars. In the next installment, we will cover specific methods for systematically recording and organizing the Four Pillars information gathered. Well-organized records will be a key factor in improving your Four Pillars skills.
