(378) Saju: the reading of relationships
By Janet Shin
You may see saju as a reading of an individual life but it actually involves intricate structures with many layers in the relationships between humans and the surrounding environment. So it reveals not only one's personal destiny but very systematic and social ones. The structure of human fate is associated with family and social relations, both private and public, in addition to their innate energy. Above all, one of the most important factors to determine one's destiny is “when” and “where” they are.
If we compare the saju of Vladimir Putin, the current president of Russia, and that of Adolf Hitler, the dictatorial leader of Nazi Germany, we may find lots of consistencies. First of all their day masters are the same, yang fire and other major elements, such as earth in yellow.
This is just an example to illustrate the cases of similar saju. It doesn't necessarily mean their fates will be same. Nevertheless it apparently shows some likenesses between the two. Then what makes the two different? It is their times and places. People with the same saju may lead different lives subject to the situations they face.
From ancient days, Heaven, Earth and Humanity are three critical components of the universe. Accordingly, in order to understand the way of Humanity, people must understand the way of Heaven and Earth which is considered nature in general. Heaven itself commonly includes the Earth so that it represents nature or the universe. And the universe or “u-ju” in Korean literally means space and time.
Space is the place you are in while time is the situation you are facing. The essence of destiny, whether one achieves success or not, or good or ill luck depends on their timeliness and situationality.
In “Zhouyi,” the classic book of changes, there are famous phrases about the first hexagram, 'gian' (乾)/ which is composed of six stacked horizontal lines of yang representing Heaven. In addition to its image of Heaven, strength and creativity are its inclination so it is usually compared to the image of leaders. Then it is symbolized as a dragon and the six lines are characterized by the situation when and where the dragon is positioned. The first line is the dragon hidden under the water so people do not use this first line. In the second line, the dragon makes an appearance expecting to meet someone wise and helpful. In the third line, the dragon becomes a noble person with diligence and faithfulness. The dragon in the fourth line must be careful not to make a mistake. In the fifth line, the dragon soars up from the water to become a flying dragon in the air. This is the righteous position for the dragon of the hexagram gian, the monarch. Line six represents something or someone excessive or immoderate because it is positioned above the monarch.
According to the translation of the hexagram gian, the dragon in different contexts of various time and layered space teaches us how to understand and cope with our fates. The dragon's fate is situational. The way it behaves itself depends on where and when it is situated. The most successful demeanor is the way we harmonize ourselves with the situation.
Information : Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teachings, the “Four Pillars of Destiny” and oriental ways of fortune telling or fortune tellers? Janet teaches Saju for the public at Seoul National University of Education. For further information, visit Janet's website at
or her blog,
https://blog.naver.com/janet_shin
.You can also contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin.kor@gmail.com
The writer is the author of “Life's Secrets”.