Glossary

Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny)

An Eastern discipline that calculates and interprets the four pillars (Year, Month, Day, Hour) from birth data

Gunghap (Compatibility Reading)

Comparing two people's Saju charts to find harmony, clash, and complementary points

Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water)

The foundational language of Saju — the cycle and relationships of five energies

24 Solar Terms (Jeolgi)

The solar-based time system that determines the month-pillar boundaries in Saju

Heavenly Stems (Cheongan)

Ten symbols representing heavenly energy — the Yang and Yin forms of each element

Earthly Branches (Jiji)

Twelve symbols representing earthly energy — the basis of the Chinese zodiac animals

Ten Gods (Sipsin)

Ten role categories that classify the relationship of each character to the Day Master

Harmony, Clash & Special Relationships

Five types of special interactions between Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

Major Luck Cycles & Annual Fortune

How fortune shifts in 10-year cycles (Daeun) and 1-year cycles (Seun)

Day Master & Day Pillar

The starting point of Saju interpretation — the character that represents 'the self'

Favorable Element (Yongsin)

The element or energy most needed to bring balance to a Saju chart

Void (Gongmang)

The two unpaired Earthly Branches in the Sexagenary Cycle — the meaning of empty positions

Twelve Life Stages

The life cycle of energy — from extinction (Jeol) to the tomb (Myo), then around again

Yin and Yang

The foundation of all Saju interpretation — two complementary and opposing forces

Month Pillar & Structure Pattern

The pivotal pillar that determines the season and social role in a Saju chart