Lesson 2: The Concept Of Fate: Four Pillars Analysis

Analysis of an Example 4 Pillars Charts - Princess Diana and Saddam Hussein

The best way to understand how to analyze a 4 Pillars Chart is to take an example. In this section, we are going to analyze two different charts using the methods described in the last section. Princess Diana's sample chart is on page 90 of the Interpretations book in your Chinese Astrology kit - I suggest you turn to this page and refer to it as we go along.

Looking at her 4 Pillars chart - we see that she was born in the year of the Ox (natural Yin Earth), with the year element and polarity being Yin Metal. She had all the strength and determination of the Ox, plus the natural grace and beauty bestowed by the double Yin combination. The sign of the Ox also gave her a legendary stubbornness! Earth provides Metal - so her year element shows compatibility with the natural element of her sign, the Ox. This further shows a well integrated personality, she was down to earth and practical, yet courageous per the Metal element. The natural sign of the Ox is Spring, yet Diana was born in the summer - one indication of the inauspiciousness of her chart.

Reviewing the rest of the signs in her 4 Pillars analysis, she was born in the month of the Horse (natural element Yang fire) with month element Yang Wood, the day of the Goat (natural element Yin Earth) with day element Yin Wood, and the Hour of the Rabbit (natural element Yin Wood) with hour element Yin Earth.

Looking at her animal combinations, we see that she has none of the special configurations we looked at in the last section. The presence of the Goat and the Rabbit in her chart further add to her grace and artistic talents, plus her legendary kindness and caring for those less fortunate. The Goat and Rabbit are compatible signs, which also reinforces her as a well integrated personality. Relating the Goat to the Ox shows that dangers could arise for her from inner conflicts and indecisiveness, and relating the Horse to the Ox shows problems with relationships, especially with the Horse falling as her month animal which rules earlier familial relationships such as parents and siblings. The relationship between the Ox and the Rabbit show that she had a strong internal need for a happy family life. The Rabbit sign is in conflict also with the Horse - showing a conflict between her individuality and her need for social attention. The combination of the Horse and the Goat gives her fairness and solid judgment capabilities.

Looking at the balance of Yin and Yang - she was definitely imbalanced on the side of Yin. The most heavily weighted element and polarity is Yin Earth - meaning sudden wealth which did happen to her. She has NO water in her chart - meaning this is what she needed to bring into her life to overcome the adverse aspects of her chart.

Her Day stem or key element is Yin Wood, as this was not supported by any Water (before it in the creative cycle), her childhood was not a happy one. However, the next sign after Wood, Fire, is present so she was very gracious and attentive in taking care of her own children. Her hour pillar being Yin Earth Rabbit also shows extreme generosity and kindness towards her children, she gave them the love she lacked as a child. Her Day element is weak, due to the lack of supportive Water and also due to the season in which she was born - further indicating that living next to Water or bringing water into her life would have helped her considerably. This day stem being weak also points to competitors instead of friends being ruled by it - she indeed had many people who were jealous of her. Her day element or Heavenly Stem is Wood, and the Earthly Branch of the Month is the Horse, with a natural element of Fire - wood creates fire so these are in balance.

Looking into the Attribute cycle, her expression element was Fire. This gave her great enthusiasm in communication and eloquence in speech. Earth controlled her wealth - this is usually the sign of someone who becomes wealthy and keeps their fortune. Metal controlling her power meant that she was indeed a person who would strive towards power and influence, as she did. Water controls her resources - again we see the lack of water creating a problem in her life with respect to internal resources. Most of her wealth and position came from marriage, not from her own endeavors.

We will analyze how the years and cycles affected her in the next lesson.

Now, let's look at Saddam Hussein's chart and see what we find. First, use this link, http://www.delemme.com/etelchin.htm and download the complementary Izi Wei astrology software. Double click on the desktop icon, and click on the "Create, modify,....." button. Select Saddam Hussein, and click OK. In the central window, select 4 Pillars and OK twice. Now, you should have his 4 Pillars chart in front of you. Let's analyze it!

Looking at his year animal, although the program calls it a Buffalo, we know this sign as the sign of the Ox, with the element and polarity of Yin Fire. A fire ox is more aggressive than the typical Ox - whose natural element is Yin Earth. Fire is ahead of Earth in the creative cycle, so these are compatible. The sign of the Ox makes Saddam very practical, determined, powerful and stubborn! We see also that he was born in the Spring, so his sign and birth time are in balance, making him a lucky individual. He has none of the special configurations we mentioned in the last lesson. Half of his stems and branches are Yin, the other half are Yang - meaning he should be well-balanced with the traits of both. The weightings of his elements shows a lack of Water just like in Diana's chart - this is the element he would have needed to bring into his life to be successful.

The Tiger, Rooster, Dragon and Ox are his 4 Pillars animal signs - all aggressive and powerful signs! The combination of the Ox and the Tiger creates internal conflicts within an individual which causes mood swings and rapid changes of personality, but the Rooster gives luck in commerce and trade, which was evidenced by the massive treasure he accumulated. It also shows that the individual will live in a luxurious home with every comfort. The combination of the Rooster and the Tiger brings esteem and recognition, - Saddam was destined to be in the public eye. This combination also make one more inclined to step on others to get to the top. Adding to this is the combination of the Dragon and Tiger - showing strong determination for power and luxury. The combination of the Dragon and Rooster means that he is a very jealous person when it comes to his relationships. The combination of the Rooster and Ox adds a drive for expansion, and the accumulation of things.

The day stem or "Master" is Yin Wood - which is weak as it is not supported by any Water and exhausts the Earth in the rest of the chart. As Fire does exist in the chart - similarly to Diana - he did not have a great childhood but definitely cared for his children. As this element is weak, Saddam had many enemies. His output and expression is ruled by Fire, making him a fiery orator and very expressive. The Day Master sign is the Rooster, which is compatible with the Month sign, the Dragon, but adds to his tendency to be very power-centric. The combination of a day stem of Yin Wood and Yang Earth shows Earned Wealth -this was indeed the case. In the branches, we also see Yin Earth which signifies Sudden Wealth as well (page 75 of your Interpretations book). But Yin Metal in the Day branch is an unfavorable sign, and the element needed for happiness, Yang Water, is missing.

The Wood Dragon is his month sign - showing that his parents and siblings were very noble, but somewhat despotic and snobbish. His adult life and marriage is symbolized by the Wood Rooster, which is a sign of ambition and gives an overly proud disposition and a quick tongue. The Hour pillar is the Earth Tiger - which are somewhat compatible, but the branch element of Wood depletes the Earth - his last years are not favorable ones and his own mistakes have cost him wealth and power.

His wealth, according to the attribute cycle is controlled by Metal - which is unfavorably placed in his chart. This shows the sudden demise of his wealth. The next element in this cycle is water which controls his resources - oil is shipped over water so this is definitely true. The lack of water in his life and chart once again is evident.

The full Delemme analysis is available by clicking on the appropriate link. Some of the analysis they show is different from our approach, but a lot can be learned from going through the detail.

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