Chinese Astrology Newsletter Volume 1 (Goat Year preview, New Letters to Shelly, This Months' article -Feng Shui Tips, Monthly Recipes from Shelly's kitchen, Day-by-day guide from the Chinese almanac (Tong Shu) for November.)

Premier of Shelly's new book, Fate, Destiny & You
Fate, Destiny & You offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient wisdom's of the East, and How "the animal which hides within your heart" sways your destiny. All Twelve animal signs of the Chinese zodiac, what your birth Element has to add, love signs, best careers and more are included. Click here!

Goat Year Preview

FALL 2002

Letters to Shelly

Dear Shelly:
I am familiar with the 12 animal signs and the 5 elements and the cycles that they follow over the 60 year path. I also know that there are 4 pillars consisting of hour, day, month and year. My question is: Isn't it simplistic to say that because I was born in a given year that I will have the same personality as all people born into that year?

Dear R****:
Each year is divided into 12 "moons" or months. For instance, a 2nd moon Tiger (Pisces in Western astrology), has a much calmer and more reflective nature than say, an 8th moon Tiger (Leo in western astrology). More simply, a Chihuahua is quite different from a pit Bull Terrier, however they are both Canine's, and share distinct traits which are common to both.

The Birth "moon" or month, helps "shade" the personality, along with the influence of the birth element, birthtime (companion or rising) sign, etc. These basic aspects constitute the large cycles which contain the smaller cycles, which contain still smaller cycles, and so-on, and the Balance of these unseen forces.

Shelly Wu

Dear Shelly:
I've heard that it's not so much the year, but the month and day animal that you are, that describes the personality. Others say that viewing your personality based on the animal year you were born in is incorrect. Is this true? What role do the other pillars play in determining a person's personality? And if I know what animal and element make up each of the pillars for my birth date, what do these tell about me? Can you explain this a little better?

Dear D***:
There are multiple branches of study which constitute "Chinese astrology." The Four Pillars of Destiny (Ba Zi), various schools of Flying Star Feng Shui, Zi Wei Dou Shu, etc. All of which, use as their cornerstone, the 12 "Earthly Branches" (the familiar 12 animals) and the 10 "Heavenly Stems" (the 5 basic elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water).

These "Basics" form the basis for all of the various forms of Eastern divination. As these concepts of birth sign branch and element stem are foreign to many people, it is important to first learn these basic concepts before attempting to understand the more complex concepts of interpreting advanced schools of thought. These two basic factors, once understood and absorbed, are the building blocks to mastering the more complex forms of divination intrinsic in this art.

Unfortunately, some practitioners of these more advance forms of Chinese astrology, are presumptuous and arrogant in their knowledge, and are contemptuous of those who choose to present the "basic steps" as a foundation. It makes them feel superior to throw out advanced Wuxing theory to beginning students, leaving them shaking their heads in confusion as advanced concepts are tossed at them prematurely.

A basic grasp of the 12 animal archetypes, the cycles of the 5 elements or "courses" and the triangles of compatibility/opposition, are essential in interpreting the more complex systems of Chinese astrology and understanding the Fate, Destiny and Life-Luck cycles.

Regarding your question of the influence of the birth month, day, etc. .. These are what constitute the "Four Pillars" or Ba Zi. The first pillar consists of the birthyear animal sign and birth year element, the second "pillar" is comprised of the birth month or "moon", again with a specific designation of animal sign and element, the third and pivotal point of the Ba Zi, is what is called the "Day Master," again assigned one of the 12 animal signs/branches with element, and finally the fourth pillar is based on the birth hour and is assigned yet another animal/element combination.

Once the 4 combinations of Earthly animal Branch and Heavenly element Stem are calculated; these 4 "pillars" or "eight words" are examined using the fundamental rules of compliment and conflict. Certain patterns and combinations between signs and elements in each pillar, mean certain things. The more experience one has with this, the more accurate the analysis. In Four pillars, one's "Day Master" or day pillar is the salient feature, but is relative in reference to the balance and placement of the other signs and elements contained in the chart.

Interpretation is made using the same basic Compatibility/Incompatibility of the 12 animal signs and the Conflict/Compliment cycles of the 5 elements. Knowing which elements produce, control, enhance and destroy each other, and which animal branch signs are in harmony or conflict is critical to the interpretation of such a chart.

Even further in complexity is the "Zi Wei Dou Shu" chart (the "grand-daddy" of them all) which in addition to various star energy placements, also uses the 12 animals placed in each house or 'palace' to flavor the reading and indicate harmonies or clashes between the life-palaces.

Even Feng Shui (the art of placement and form) uses as a basic basis, the individuals birthyear animal branches and polarity. This is important for evaluating the house or office, as the 'Ba Gua' is superimposed.

In summary, there are many paths to enlightenment, but each begins with the stepping stones of the 12 Earthly branches (the 12 animals of the Eastern zodiac) and Ten Heavenly stems ( the 5 basic elements, each one expressed twice -- once in their positive +Yang form, and again in their negative -Yin form)...Once these "notes" are learned, it is possible to sing a beautiful song.

Shelly Wu

Pig Month 10, "Ji Hai"
November 5th - December 3rd 2002

From the Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac)

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