The 'Four Pillars of Destiny' is an in-depth system for identifying and interpreting the 'five element' qi (energy) pattern present at the moment of your birth ~ with a constructive life reading providing insights as to your character/style of being, natural strengths/weaknesses, life focus/motivations, friendships/social life, career/achievement, relationships, health and emotional well-being.
Based on your date, time and place of birth, a 'Four Pillars' chart provides a structured way of looking at your life, with the interpretation of your natal chart helping you to better understand who you are, and why you experience life the way you do.
A series of 'luck influences' give further insight into what may happen to you at different times in your life, with the influence of individual years adding to the picture.
Your Four Pillars Chart
Your basic 'Four Pillars' chart comprises four 'Pillars', or columns of information, that identify the prevailing qi (or energy) pattern for the Chinese (solar) year, month, day and hour of your birth.
Each 'Pillar' comprises a Stem (yin or yang element) and a Branch (Chinese animal), with each Branch (Chinese animal) containing 'hidden stems' (yin or yang elements).
Example Four Pillars Chart
| Hour | Day | Month | Year |
| Yang Fire | Yang Metal | Yin Fire | Yin Earth |
| Dog | Monkey | Ox | Pig |
| Yang Earth | Yang Metal | Yin Earth | Yang Water |
| Yin Metal | Yang Water | Yin Water | Yang Wood |
| Yin Fire | Yang Earth | Yin Metal |
Referred to as your 'elemental structure of spirit', this qi pattern influences your core beliefs, attitudes, behaviour patterns, and general style of being. The Day Stem is considered the ruling element of the chart (referred to as the 'Self Element') as it represents you within the chart.
Your Character
The Chinese Animals provide one way of looking at your personality (following the popular Chinese Zodiac system of astrology), with a more in-depth view provided by the Chinese Five Elements in your chart.
The Five Life Aspects
In addition to the elemental influence, each of the five elements can also be seen as representing a specific life aspect (according to its relationship to the Day Stem or 'Self Element'), with the five life aspects being:
- Friends ~ your friends, colleagues, challengers, competitors ~ assistance or competition
- Output/Performance ~ your talents, achievements, productivity and way of expression ~ plus it can also represent your children
- Wealth ~ your material possessions, career and money-making potential ~ for a man, the Wealth element can also represent a female partner/wife
- Power ~ your power and authority, courage, ambition, guidance and constraints ~ for a woman, the Power element can also represent a male partner/husband
- Resources ~ the support and encouragement you receive from parents and mentors, your knowledge and education
Your Relationships
Each of the four pillars can be seen as representing different relationships, with:
- the Year Pillar representing your relationship with grandparents and the wider community
- the Month Pillar representing your relationship with parents and authority figures
- the Day Pillar representing yourself (Day Stem) and your marriage/life partnership (Day Branch)
- the Hour Pillar representing your relationship with your children and the people who work for you
Luck Influences
A series of 'Luck Pillars' provide a further influence, with each Luck Pillar influencing your chart for 10 years. These Luck Pillars provide the dynamic aspect of your Four Pillars astrology, and give insight as to what may happen to you during a particular period of your life.
Annual Pillars (for the current year) provide a further influence.
Interpreting a Chart
When interpreting a chart, consideration is given to:
- the relative strength and balance of the individual elements/life aspects (what dominates the chart, what might need to be strengthened/supported)
- the location (within the chart) of the individual elements/life aspects, and how this affects your character/style of being, life focus/motivations, career/achievement, and relationships
- the interaction between stems and branches, and the affect this might have on a particular life aspect or relationship
Guidance
Having identified where your strengths lie, what elements/life aspects support you, what elements/life aspects are likely to challenge or stress you, and what your current Luck Pillar is bringing you, guidance can then be provided as to the life choices, types of work, leisure activities, and relationships, that will bring greater balance to your life.
What you strive for may not be what brings you the greatest satisfaction, and a Chinese astrology reading can help you make sense of this ~ helping you to live a more satisfying and rewarding life.
Click here to request your free information booklet and personal chart >>