Saju Terminology Guide

Basic terms to help you understand your Saju reading results

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Four Pillars (四柱八字)

The Four Pillars (Year, Month, Day, Hour) represent the cosmic energies at the time of your birth. Each pillar consists of a Heavenly Stem (sky) and an Earthly Branch (earth), totaling 8 characters.

Heavenly Stems (天干)

Ten stems: Gab, Eul, Byeong, Jeong, Mu, Gi, Gyeong, Shin, Im, Gye. They represent heavenly energies, alternating between Yang and Yin.

Earthly Branches (地支)

Twelve branches: Ja, Chuk, In, Myo, Jin, Sa, O, Mi, Shin, Yu, Sul, Hae. They represent earthly energies and the 12 zodiac animals.

Ten Gods (十星)

Shows the meaning of other stems relative to the Day Master. Includes: Comparison & Rob Wealth (siblings), Output & Hurt Officer (expression), Wealth (money), Power & Officer (career), Resource & Seal (knowledge).

Five Elements Analysis (五行)

Analyzes the balance of five energies: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. The elements have relationships of generation and control, and balance is important.

Wood (木) - Tree

Growth, expansion, creativity, benevolence. Energy of Spring

Fire (火) - Flame

Passion, activity, honor, courtesy. Energy of Summer

Earth (土) - Soil

Mediation, trust, stability, tolerance. Energy of Season transitions

Metal (金) - Iron

Righteousness, determination, justice, integrity. Energy of Autumn

Water (水) - Liquid

Wisdom, flexibility, strategy, calmness. Energy of Winter

Mutual Generation (相生)

Wood→Fire→Earth→Metal→Water→Wood in order, helping each other. (Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates ash for Earth...)

Strong/Weak Day Master (身强/身弱)

Determines whether the Day Master's influence is strong or weak. Strong if many supporting energies (Comparison, Resource) exist in the chart, weak if few.

Strong Day Master (身强)

Many supporting energies (Comparison, Resource) make the Day Master strong.

Beneficial elements: Wealth (money), Power (career/honor), Output (expression/talent)

Weak Day Master (身弱)

Few supporting energies make the Day Master weak.

Beneficial elements: Resource (knowledge/elders), Comparison (siblings/peers)

Twelve Life Cycles (十二運星)

Shows what life cycle stage the Day Master is in for each pillar (Year, Month, Day, Hour). Like dividing human life into 12 stages.

Birth - Beginning of new life

Bathing - Growth and change

Crown - Adulthood, vigor

Prosperity - Active period

Emperor - Peak, zenith

Decline - Beginning of decline

Illness - Weakening

Death - Disappearance

Tomb - Burial, dormancy

Termination - Ending

Fetus - Embryo, preparation

Nurture - Nourishment, preparing for growth

Great Fortune Cycles (大運)

The flow of major fortunes that change every 10 years. Calculated forward or backward from the Month pillar at birth.

Forward Movement (順行)

Yang-year males and Yin-year females progress forward from the Month pillar to the next stems/branches.

Backward Movement (逆行)

Yang-year females and Yin-year males progress backward from the Month pillar to previous stems/branches.

Importance of Great Fortune

Different stems and branches influence each Great Fortune period, allowing prediction of life's turning points. Good fortunes bring opportunities, while difficult fortunes require caution.

Special Stars (神殺)

Lucky and unlucky stars that give special meaning to the Saju chart. They are not absolute and should be used as reference.

Heavenly Noble (天乙貴人)

Star of noble help. High chance of receiving help in difficulties or meeting benefactors.

Travel Star (驛馬殺)

Star of movement and change. Frequent travel, moving, job changes may occur.

Peach Blossom (桃花殺)

Star of romance and popularity. Good social skills and charm, but may need caution in romantic matters.

Literary Star (文昌貴人)

Star of academics and arts. Talent in studies or literature and arts.

Combinations & Clashes (合沖刑破害)

Analyzes harmonies and conflicts between stems or branches. Combinations mean harmony, while clashes mean change or conflict.

Stem Combinations (天干合)

Gab+Gi, Eul+Gyeong, Byeong+Shin, Jeong+Im, Mu+Gye combinations. They harmonize to transform into new elements.

Example: Gab-Gi combine to transform into Earth

Branch Combinations (地支合)

Ja+Chuk, In+Hae, Myo+Sul, Jin+Yu, Sa+Shin, O+Mi combinations. Called Six Combinations, they support each other.

Triple Combinations (三合)

Three branches combine to form one element. Very strong harmony.

Example: In+O+Sul=Fire, Hae+Myo+Mi=Wood, Sa+Yu+Chuk=Metal, Shin+Ja+Jin=Water

Branch Clashes (地支沖)

Ja↔O, Chuk↔Mi, In↔Shin, Myo↔Yu, Jin↔Sul, Sa↔Hae combinations. Head-on conflicts representing change or discord.

Clashes are not always negative; they can also become opportunities for change and development.

This explanation is a brief summary of basic concepts in traditional Chinese astrology.

For more accurate and in-depth interpretation, please consult with a professional.

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Paljawang - Free Saju (Four Pillars) Analysis, Great Fortune, Special Stars