The Astrology Book

Each of the earthly branches/animals has one of the five elements attached to

it, as well as a primary yin or tang polarity. The heavenly stems consist of one of the

five elements and a yin or yang polarity. Using the five elements and the doctrine of

yin/yang as a template, the Four Pillars astrologer judges the merit or misfortune of the

nativity according to whether the chart assists/harms, strengthens/weakens, or bal-

ances/unbalances the heavenly stem of the day. The astrologer can also judge which

periods of life will aid the subject or harm him.

These same techniques from Taoist philosophy can also determine the degree

of compatibility between two prospective partners. In this way, the Four Pillars have

been used to arrange marriages in the East for centuries.

—Ko Hashiguchi

Sources:

Lau, Theodora. The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.New York: Harper, 4th ed., 2000.

Starr, Amanda. Chinese Astrology.Hod Hasharon, Israel: Astrolog, 2002.

Twicken, David. Four Pillars and Oriental Medicine.Lincoln, NE: Writers Club, 2000.

Walters, Derek. Chinese Astrology: Interpreting the Revelations of the Celestial Messengers.

Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK: Aquarian Press, 1987.

FOUR-FOOTEDSIGNS

The traditional four-footed signs were, as one might anticipate, Aries, Taurus, Leo,

Sagittarius, and Capricorn.

FRATERNITAS

Fraternitas, asteroid 309 (the 309th asteroid to be discovered, on April 6, 1891), is

approximately 32 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.4 years. Its

name is derived from the Latin word for brotherhood. When prominent in a natal

chart, Fraternitas indicates a friendly personality, interested in universal brotherhood.

The sign and house position indicates how one interacts with friends.

Sources:

Kowal, Charles T. Asteroids: Their Nature and Utilization.Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Ellis

Horwood Limited, 1988.

Room, Adrian. Dictionary of Astronomical Names.London: Routledge, 1988.

Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.

FRIEDA

Frieda, asteroid 722 (the 722nd asteroid to be discovered, on October 18, 1911), is

approximately 15 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 3.2 years. It was

named after the granddaughter of the Vienna Observatory’s director, whose name

means peace in German. In a natal chart, its location by sign and house indicates

where and how one is most likely to seek or experience peace. When afflicted by

inharmonious aspects, Frieda may show conflict or peace-seeking in situations where a

Four-Footed Signs

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