(74) Saju and Oriental Medicine (2)

By Janet Shin

Let's continue to study the connection between saju and Oriental medicine.

The major philosophical origin of Oriental medicine is the concept of yin and yang. The physiological function of a human body is maintained by the cooperative relationship with the opposing or organic activities of yin and yang.

According to qi theory, all the functions of the human body are subject to the activity of ``qi,'' and the source of qi is breathing and ingestion.

We will further review human health in connection with the five elements and how they are read by saju, through one's birth year, month, day and time.

As previously mentioned, Oriental medicine is largely based on the philosophical concept that the human body is a small universe comprised of yin, yang and the five elements.

Ancient people thought that the five elements constituted the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These five elements were also applied to the human body. Although translated as ``elements'' in Western terminology, they should not be understood as blocks of matter. They exist, act and react, and circulate within the yin-yang boundary. So it is more like ``changing states of being.''

Wood is like a seed sprouting from the ground, or the branches of a tree stretching out to grow. This implies the energy of rising and expanding. The sour flavor has wood energy and goes to the liver, gall bladder, tendon and nerve system.

Fire is like a flower whose energy explodes and pounds as it blossoms. The bitter flavor has fire energy and it goes to the heart, small intestine and blood system.

Earth is the energy of crossing over to balance other elements. It is the center of the body. The sweet flavor has earth energy and goes to the spleen, stomach, flesh and digestive systems.

Metal is like a ripened fruit or nut. The spicy flavor has metal energy and goes to the lungs, large intestines, skin and respiratory system.

Water is similar to fruits being prepared for the spring. The salty flavor has water energy and goes to the kidney, urinary bladder, bone and excretory systems.

Chart 1 shows five elements with their relevant organs.

Now let's apply our saju knowledge to better understand human health.

Chart 2 is the saju of a woman.

She was born with the energy of gyeong, yang metal, which implies great resolution and leadership. Lots of knowledge stars in all four branches imply the depth of her knowledge. This means that she is a thoughtful person and that she might be working in the knowledge industry. Her mother (knowledge star) also means a lot to her life and has been a great influence in determining her career path. With fire and wood energy located in other stems, she doesn't seem unbalanced in terms of yin and yang status ― she is neither too cold nor too hot.

However we cannot see any water energy, which means her expression star and her son and daughter. In Oriental medicine, water energy also means pregnancy for women.

Although she has been successful in her social activities and career achievements, she does not have any children in her life.

The writer is the president of the Heavenly Garden, a saju research center in Korea. She is the author of "Learning Four Pillars." She offers saju courses to all who are interested. For more information, visit her Web site (https://blog.naver.com/janet_shin) or email janetshin@hotmail.com.