Ken's Cyber Cave: Grand Duke, 4-Pillars and Feng Shui

Year of Ox is approaching and there will be a new Grand Duke taking over the year.

Grand Duke (GD) is a Daoist creation about an annual deity who controls the human affairs for the year (like the annual luck concept in 4P). There are 60 binomials (jia-zi) in the 60-years cycle of the Chinese calendar, so there are 60 distinct GDs taking turns to "rule" the human world.

These GDs are Chinese historical figures who were righteous, pious and loyal to their country. Most are from the Ming Dynasty (around 1600's), so we know the personification of GD started around that time.

There are many ways to "violate" GD,depending on one's Chinese zodiac animal sign. These ways are based on the rules governing the interactions between the earthly branches or animals signs-- the same rules used in 4-Pillars of Destiny.

Here are some comparisons:

* 4P: "Fu-yin"-- when the branches from two pillars are the same; can be positive or negative (depending on the elemental nature of the fu-yin)

* GD: "Zhi GD"-- when the animal sign of the year is same as yours; normally means obstacles or obstructions in life.

* WHO ARE "ZHI GD" FOR THE YEAR OF OX?

People who were born in 1913,1925,1937,1949,1961,1973,1985,1997

* 4P: "Fan-yin"-- when the branches from two pillars are the antagonistic to each other, e.g. chou vs wei (ox vs. ram); normally negative

* GD: "clash GD"-- same as above, when your animal sign is antagonistic to GD's; normally means bad luck, sickness or accidents. This is the most severe GD violation.

* WHO ARE "CLASHING GD" FOR THE YEAR OF OX?

People who were born in 1919,1931,1943,1955,1967,1979,1991,2003

* 4P: "Penalty"-- when the branches from two pillars are from one of the 3-penalities combinations, e.g. mouse and rabbit, ox and dog, ram and dog, tiger and snake, snake and monkey, etc; normally negative and affecting close relatives of the person involved

* GD: "Penalize GD"-- same as above, when your animal sign "penalizes" GD's; normally means accidents, legal problems and injuries.

* WHO ARE "PENALIZING GD" FOR THE YEAR OF OX?

People who were born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

* 4P: Break or "Po"-- when the branches from two pillars are from one of the following combinations: mouse/rooster, tiger/pig, dragon/ox, snake/monkey, horse/rabbit, ram/dog; "Po" stands for damage and breaking away; this is relative minor event

* GD: "Po GD"-- same as above animal sign combinations; relatively minor offense

* WHO ARE "PO GD" FOR THE YEAR OF OX?

People who were born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

* 4P: Harm or "Hai"-- when a branch stops the combination parnter of another branch; e.g.: wei (ram) "harms" zi (mouse combines with ox); "harm" stands for disharmony and hurting. It's effects are not significant

* GD: "Hai GD"-- same as above; relatively minor offense

* WHO ARE "HAI GD" FOR THE YEAR OF OX?

People who were born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

In Feng Shui, if GD is at the facing of your house or office, it will mean difficulty or problems for the year. You should NOT do construction on GD's direction either UNLESS you take the appropriate precautions and rituals. For year of Ox, Chou mountain is at NE-N (around 22.5 to 37.5 degree).

You can sit with GD at your back, but not in front of you. Supposely in a war, the side with GD at their back will likely win.

There are rituals for "appeasing" GD which are popular in Hong Kong and China.

There are also 4P fixes for clashing GD. For example, you may carry a Mickey Mouse figure or a rooster to combine away the GD Chou.

There are also secret Daoist rituals that make GD your good friend and help you in business and health matters and overcome danger. But that can be another course in itself!

Ken Lai