Frequently asked questions about the Yin Yang Horoscope
Information on this type of astrology is scattered all over the pages on this site. On this page you may learn about the Yin Yang Horoscope without piecing the information together. The F.A.Q. page includes some observations not found on any other page, but also omits some details found elsewhere.
* How does a Yin Yang Horoscope differ from other forms of Chinese astrology?
* How does a Yin Yang Horoscope differ from Western astrology?
* What is revealed by the Yin Yang Horoscope?
* What is omitted by the Yin Yang Horoscope?
* Does this system permit of forecasts and year prognoses?
* What about astrology and fate in the light of man's free will?
- HOW DOES A YIN YANG HOROSCOPE DIFFER FROM OTHER FORMS OF CHINESE ASTROLOGY?
 First one point of resemblance: in common with the twelve animal year signs, you receive just ONE symbol for a birth horoscope (the exception is when being born about the time when one Chinese hour changes into the next, which necessitates a study of two different signs). Only, the Yin Yang Horoscope represents a big step beyond the sign common to all people born during any given year. The animals are the simplified version of real Chinese astrology, presenting only one of the four different parameters of a true horoscope. Not only does a full horoscope include the year, which is described by a combination of two signs, one for heaven and one for earth, but also the month, day and birth hour likewise described by double signs. In common with real Chinese astrology, the Yin Yang Horoscope uses the four "double parameters" in order to obtain a much more individualized picture. The Yin Yang Horoscope comes much closer to being a true personal horoscope rather than a general statement about only a sign.
(To the right are shown the traditional signs for the ten Heavenly "stems" and the twelve Earthly "branches." Combined, the result is the sexagenary (60 year) cycle used for time-keeping in ancient China. The four double parameters are also known as the Four Pillars of Destiny.)
The Yin Yang Horoscope differs from traditional Chinese astrology in bypassing the interpretation of the four "double signs." These omens are considered a preliminary step. Using a numeric system for transcription, the eight signs are converted in order to access another system based on the concept of Yin and Yang and their various degrees of interaction, cooperation, conflict et cetera. The result is ONE symbol from this system, displaYing the "inner workings" - due to its unique mix of the Yin and the Yang - of that birth moment. It is this symbol that is finally interpreted as the birth horoscope. The system referred to is none other than that found in the I Ching (Book of Changes), the world's oldest extant oracle and the first (known) text to deal exclusively with the concept of Yin and Yang.
- HOW DOES A YIN YANG HOROSCOPE DIFFER FROM WESTERN ASTROLOGY?
First, a point of resemblance: the Yin Yang Horoscope can be likened to simple Sun Sign astrology with its freely available descriptions of the twelve zodiac symbols since it presents the birth moment in ONE image. Only it has many more colors to its canvas. There are 64 fundamental types instead of twelve! In addition to that, each "type" may show up in 6 different facets. In some cases these differ widely from each other. One could therefore argue that the Yin Yang Horoscope contains 384 distinct birth signs compared to the twelve of Western astrology. Pretty impressive!
But any comparision to simple Sun Sign astrology is really unfair since the Western system consists of zodiac signs occupied and "activated" by 10 indwelling planets, differently distributed in every horoscope. Now, the computation leading up to a Yin Yang Horoscope in itself represents a synthesis of the heavenly forces, that is the heavenly bodies and their positions in the sky at any given moment. Western astrology, on the other hand, stops at this point and leaves to the interpreter to correctly eliminate non-important planetary positions, synthesize contradictory ones and so on, hopefully arriving at an accurate estimate of what were the really weighty "signs" or "messages" in the heavens, and from those making a decision as to the resulting tenor of the horoscope.
But a Yin Yang horoscope has more to add before it is even time to start interpret it: the influence of the Earth! One may argue that the Moon in Western astrology could refer to "earthly" circumstances, but in Eastern thought the concept of Yin Yang, of a giving and producing principle and a receiving and reproducing principle, has since time immemorial been so self-evident that the female Yin principle is elevated to the same degree of importance as the heavenly Yang. One may reformulate it like this: the Moon in Western astrology, IF seen as a symbol of earthly circumstances, only takes its place as one of the ten heavenly bodies. In a Yin Yang Horoscope Earth is considered at least as important as that given by Heaven. When it comes to an actual moment of birth, the Yin Yang Horoscope may of course alter this starting point of equality between the "cosmic couple." Sometimes the Earthtly influence is weaker and at other times it exerts a considerably stonger influence than does Heaven.
- WHAT IS REVEALED BY THE YIN YANG HOROSCOPE?
We may almost call this an Existential astrology in that the birth symbol tries to describe the "atmosphere" obtaining at the moment of birth. The first period in life to be experienced according to this system varies between approximately 5 and 8 years depending on the birth symbol, and during this time Psychology can verify the extent to which our our awareness and general outlook/attitude is moulded.
The birth pattern thus reveals the attitude or general way in we approach our lives. Life, in turn, and its circumstances, is predicted through a number of sub-cycles spanning six or nine years. What occurs within these divisions will probably affect us in such a way as to modify and possibly improve upon the birth conditions. Some birth moments indicate smooth sailing whereas other birth moments contains sub-cycles implying more struggle (which on the other hand, would result in more opportunities for personal growth). In this double-edged fact the Yin Yang Horoscope reminds one of Western astrology where a prevalence of harmonious planetary aspects may dull the individual so that life may appear stagnant and the sense of getting somewhere in life is missing. Yin Yang Horoscopes of a more "problematic" type thus holds out the promise of a more stimulating Destiny since there are definite tasks to be solved along the way. In other words, these sub-cycles of which the first, the "birth horoscope, is by far the most important, provide you with a road map that paints the broad picture of what ups and down lies ahead for that particular moment of birth.
When the birth horoscope has run through its "sub levels" the system swaps out the birth symbol and replaces it with an altogether different one, also containing a number of cyclic steps prepared for the ensuing years. The time for this change varies from the late 30s to the early 50s depending on whether the Yin or the Yang predominated during the birth moment. The new horoscope is called the "later nature" symbol, referring to the mature person that now is supposed to have become us! In other words, we here have something like a snapshot of what we probably will have become if, and this must be duly noted, IF the birth sign has been allowed to take its course. That means that a few really problematic birth symbols must be bent right in time, before the arrival of "astrological middle age." Because if there is no attempt to improve one's self or circumstances, then the "middle age crisis" will be a fact. Naturally there are a large number of varying starting points with this astrology, each having its own trend.
- WHAT IS OMITTED BY THE YIN YANG HOROSCOPE?
1. No superficiality
Actually, this type of astrology skips a lot of stuff! In Western astrology a skilled interpreter may even make a stab at foretelling a person's physical features and possible health weaknesses by studying the birth chart. This form of Chinese astrology does not seem to bother with such "small" matters. The symbols making up the birth figure is certainly associated with one or two body parts, but experience has shown that it is almost impossible to try and say something for certain about the newborn child. Cases of serious illness or disabilities do seem to be frequently reflected in birth hexagram, but only in an indirect manner which makes it better to say too little rather than to much on the subject. Beauty or the lack thereof, height, leanness or obesity - such matters are simply not the concern of the Yin Yang Horoscope.
You can almost sense the predilections of the astrology when checking out the main "types" of the system. There are indeed birth moments describing a vain personality or "feeling" while other moments herald the birth of people ruled by "principle." The Yin Yang Horoscope obviously does not concern itself with petty personal details. It can be almost hurtingly forthright when passing judgement on a given birth moment; declaring whether it is "of the right stuff" or not! The only comfort one can take in those less fortunately moments is that the surroundings, parents and such, probably were the primary agents of the "trend." But the risk is always there one has picked up some negative characteristic and made it one's own! It is an astrology aimed at giving spiritual and/or moral instruction, so even if the verdict is harsh the underlying feeling is that the horoscope honestly wants us to improve upon the given foundation. At other times it is a rather clever system, disguising its pronouncements in elegant and subtle ways. In any case, the task is to interpret the sometimes rather obscure symbols and translate them into everyday words.
What does all this add up to? The Yin Yang Horoscope actually omits much of what some people are on the lookout for in a horoscope. You should not engage in this subject if you cherish the ideas you've built up around yourself, or if you feel the need of an approving pat on the head. A Yin Yang Horoscope exposes our frail little existence for what it is, and in vivid and sometimes dramatic imagery too. The task of the interpreter is to contribute with something constructive or soothing when the naked truth of our lives becomes apparent. This system looks at us from a distance, where only the typical and important drives are visible. It gives food for thought. Let's hope your birth didn't coincide with the theme for that "glittering surface, totally unaware of having any content of its own, and only looking to the outside for satisfaction." This image corresponds to a severely one-dimensional personality and would be very hard to explain away!*
2. Overview and a grasp of the big picture rather than small detail
A common view on Chinese astrology is that it generally focuses on Destiny, that is, "what will happen," rather than subtle psychological facets of our being. This is to some extent true also with the Yin Yang Horoscope. The sketch may appear a little cruder than what is obtainable via Western astrology, but then we should remember that good astrologer's do not heap one thousand planetary positions and aspects on the consulting part, leaving him or her with the impression that there are just that many sides in the personality to be discovered! This realization lead us on to the next point:
3. No computerized, self-condradictory texts
Computerized horoscopes have been offered for relatively small sums for many years but they consist of very little beyond lengthy and tedious descriptions of the many planetary positions and their supposed "effects" on the person. A computermade horoscope lacks, without exception, the all important summing up of its data. It has so far simply proven too problematic and costly to build a program capable of an interpretations even remotely as penetrating as a reading performed by a skilled human being. In my mind this type of inexpensive computerized horoscope of the Western type is a total waste of money. Go buy a beginner's book covering the planetary aspects instead - you get the same information, and if buying it used, it will probably cost you even less!
Real Chinese astrology, based on an analysis of the Four Pillars of Destiny (see above) has so far not suffered the same degradation as its Western relative due to half-brained programmers only trying to make easy money for themselves. Yours truly has indeed put together an algorithm for instantly calculating a Yin Yang Horoscope (it takes at least 20-40 minutes to perform it manually, and even more if bothering to calculate the exact commencement of the Chinese months for the year in question). But that's about the only place where the computer can prove its usefulness. After letting modern technology rapidly perform a number of mathematical functions, one should be satisfied, knowing the limitation of the computer! astrological interpretations cannot be anything but a humanistic art, where the interpreter makes use of logical and associative thinking as well as his/her aesthetic faculties.
The Yin Yang Horoscope is unique in that its "crude" picture in reality turns out to be a final interpretation of what the birth moment is likely to produce in the way of destiny, character, temperament and so on. Remember that saying, "less is more?" Due to its limited number of "astrological" types (64 or 384 depending on how one looks upon the system), this is the only form of astrology lending itself to systematization. This has not gone unnoticed but both the shareware programs I have so far come across on the Internet make GROSS calculation errirs.
These pages do not presently contain astrological interpretations of the hexagram. Students of the Book of Changes (the I Ching or Jijing) may, however, find the calculator to be of some interest. It was built based on 20 years of performing manual calculations and was thoroughly tested against known horoscopes before being launched. Not one major bug - that is, a problem corrupting the results - has been discovered during the past three years.
* This actually is an image that will never appear because of the way the numeric values in the system are correlated with the linear systems. It is thus not possible to be born with this luckless signature associated with a youngest daughter, who only could be put to use as a "bonus daughter" when an ancient family married off her older sister, or a poster girl or a prostitute. Might be just as well she is omitted as an available "birth type" (as is her older sister Li, "She who only can survive by clinging to societal values"). The absense of these two is thus not a flaw with the system as has been asserted somewhere on the Internet. On the other hand, "The Joybringer" as well as "The Clinging" can appear as the result of one's longterm personal development and must then be analyzed in that larger context.
- DOES THIS SYSTEM PERMIT OF FORECASTS?
Yes. The general interpretation with its "snapshots" (primarily the birth horoscope and the revised picture of the "mature nature") is in fact only half the story. It is possible also to make forecasts for any given day of any year. Additional calculations make it possible to develop sub-cycles for any year. Its four solstices each correspond to a sign considered to be an overall portent of the state of affairs at that time. One may therefore trace a development of the state of affairs by comparing the present sign with that of the preceding or succeeding solstices, provided one is engaged in an affair spanning the entire period.
The year sign and the quarterly signs are symbolic, just as everything else in this astrology, and where there is, for instance, talk of "Great Power," the actual life one leads at that time will provide the clue to how the portent is most likely to appear. When mention is made of travel or a traveler, the literal meaning is a possibility but need not be! What we can be reasonably certain of, however, is that the principle of a non-lingering movement is about to manifest in our life during the period. Non-lingering means that it will not appear twice. Interpreted, this may be an instruction to be alert for an opportunity coming but once! (Provided we are at that period on the lookout for something....)
As of Summer 2005, the problems of translating the method of forecasts into computer code have not yet been addressed! Repeat visitors may be downhearted to find this and I really have no excuse for the tardiness. The idea was, that for a small fee the birth pattern - which can be calculated for free on this site - should be used as data input in combination with the time period of interest.
- WHAT ABOUT ASTROLOGY AND FATE IN THE LIGHT OF MAN'S FREE WILL?
First, this system is based on the idea of Time flowing in an eternally self-renewing cycle, with each two hour segment identified by its own symbol. After 180 years, the great cycle begins anew. (The system makes use of three slightly different sexagenary cycles - see above.) This is clearly a view that with ease lends itself to ideas of total pre-determination in which all living beings are but puppets in a cosmic show - their entire life decided for them at the very moment they appear in the world by being born. If so, it is all rather depressing! But is it the final word?
The question of Destiny versus free will is not simple when talking of astrology; the birth moment is certainly a part of one's Fate; since it has in fact taken place it is now part of Necessity, or Fate. That is, unless one adheres to some Eastern school of thought believing it possible after the physical demise to consciously enter upon a new incarnation, selecting a new womb for another birth... But that is an entirely different topic!
Since the Yin Yang Horoscope includes various forms of advice one must consider this system to be at least some form of "modified determinism." The cycles of life are there; the birth signs keep repeating themselves forever, and in every moment some newborn child is "hooked up" with the system we call this world. From that moment pre-determined cycles will unfold, but experience has shown that arrogance may come out of very successful and "good" birth horoscopes while nice personalities may emerge from very difficult and even potentially harmful birth symbols.
Clearly we see the free will at work behind these "discrepancies," which makes it probable that one's own conduct and conscious choices can alter the way these pre-determined patterns manifest themselves! It is almost as if you were enacting your own drama, and what you bring into any given situation is what returns. It would thus seem to be possible to - to an unknown degree - counteract e.g. a difficult year omen by approaching that time in life with a noble attitude and the heart set on doing one's best.
Some words of the great philosopher Chu Hsi (1130-1200) may conclude this paragraph on astrology and its relation to Fate and serve as food for thought:
[One's] nature refers to what is stabilized wheras destiny refers to what is operating. Destiny, for example, refers to water flowing, while nature refers to water contained in a bowl. A big bowl contains more water, wheras a small one contains less. The water in a clean bowl will be clear, whereas the water in a dirty bowl will be turbid.
|
