(113)Differences in leadership, part 2

In keeping with the previous column, we will review the saju ― Eastern philosophy of reading one’s fate ― of two more leaders, in order to understand their life stories and the differences or similarities in leadership styles.

Lula da Silva, the 35th and current President of Brazil, is being ranked as the most popular Brazilian president in its history. He has been elected president in 2002 and will end his reign in January 2011, after eight years of presidency.

Lula was born with yin earth energy, which is usually represented by crop fields. Yin earth is translated into patience and benevolence ― it provides a space for people to harvest. The plants obtain nourishment from the soil and yield fruits for the people. The yin field opens itself with no strings attached. It is sociable but has internal strengths.

As we have often seen in the saju of political leaders, we see the abundance of earth, self energy, nourished by great fire energy, or the knowledge star.

However, looking at his earlier life, his career star (wood) was chopped by metal. When reading one’s fate, the year pillar represents the ages of 0-15, the month pillar stands for 16-30 and the day pillar is for the ages 31 to 45.

The year pillar in this saju, a wood-metal combination, suggests da Silva’s life until he was 15-years-old. The weak wood stem was cut by the metal. In this instance, the career star represents his school life as a student. In his saju, student life, or education, was disconnected before the age of 15.

But from another viewpoint, wood can refer to the extremities (legs, arms or fingers) of a human body. Lula lost the pinky finger of his left hand in an accident, while working as a press operator in his youth. This explains the saju reading, and the incident eventually led him to take interest in participating in the Workers’ Union.

Lula was named the 2009 Man of the Year by prominent European newspapers, ranked the 18th most important person in the world by Newsweek magazine, and is the only Latin American featured in a list of 50 most influential world leaders. His approval rate by population has shot to exceed 80 percent, in his final stage of presidency.

Knowledge star, fire, denotes reputation, and show that his success will not be damaged. The strong metal energy also suggests the fact that he is an activist not just a politician.

Now, here is the saju of another leader, Julia Gillard, the current and the first female Prime Minister of Australia, appointed since June 2010.

Unlike those of other leaders, the day master is yin wood in Gillard’s. Although people often think of flowers when they see the yin wood, yin wood does not just represent a tender plant. Yin wood acts after careful consideration. It is like a perfectionist searching for exquisite solutions.

Having powerful metal energy in the month branch, which also combines with earth positioned next to it to become a greater metal energy, the wood day master must have sought for fire energy to balance the power.

Gillard suffered from bronchopneumonia in her childhood. Her doctor advised a move to the south for its warmer climates. It was definitely a good decision to migrate to Australia.

Metal energy stands not only for career or power, but also for the familiar position of ``husband.’’ Having never married would have protected her from misfortune in her personal life.

Though there will be continuing challenges in her political life, Gillard will face them prepared and with determination.

The “Four Pillars of Destiny”? A special saju workshop is held Saturdays in Itaewon. For more information, contact Janet at 010-5414-7461or email janetshin@hotmail.com.

The writer is the president of the Heavenly Garden, a saju research center in Korea, and the author of “Learning Four Pillars” For more, visit www.fourpillarskorea.com