I have touched a lot on compatibility tests and 8 characters, but have yet to explain clearly what are the 8 characters and why are they important.

By the end of this article, you should have gained some basic knowledge on 8 characters and understand how the 8 characters affect you.

In Chinese astrology, the 8 characters actually refer to a person’s date and hour of birth. There are 4 pillars, namely. . .

1. The Year Pillar

2. The Month Pillar

3. The Day Pillar

4. The Hour Pillar

These 4 pillars form the 8 characters as each pillar is made up of one heavenly stem and one earthly branch.

I can hear you asking, what is a heavenly stem and an earthly branch?And what are their uses?

The heavenly stems and earthly branches are used to represent each year. As you probably know that there are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and for each element, there is a different element. The 5 elements and 12 animals form 60 combinations.

After every 60 years, the cycle repeats itself.

The 5 elements actually represent the 10 heavenly stems. There are 2 heavenly stems for each element. One for the “yin” version of that element and the other for the “yang” version.

There are 12 earthly branches, which represents each of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

For each year, there is one heavenly stem and one earthly branch. Similarly, for each month, each day and each hour, there is also a heavenly stem and an earthly branch.

That is how the 8 characters are derived.

Next, there is something called the luck pillars. The luck pillars are derived from your month pillar, either going backwards or forwards. Depending on whether you are male or female and the year you are born in.

The luck pillar is very important as it determines your luck cycle for a period of 5 to 10 years.

So how do you determine whether your luck cycle is good?

From you 8 characters, you will be able to determine which elements are favorable to you and which are not.

When you encounter favourable elements in your luck pillar, your luck cycles becomes good and vice versa.

From your day pillar, you will determine which element represents you. The next thing is your month of birth. Is the month you are born in favourable to your element?

I will simplify the process here for you. Let’s say you are born on a Wood day, Metal month.

You probably know that Metal destroys Wood. Therefore your Wood is weak. You will need more Wood or Water(Water produces Wood) for your luck cycle to be good.

Whenever you encounter Wood or Water in your luck pillars, your luck cycle becomes good. If you encounter Metal or Fire, your luck cycle becomes bad. As Metal destroys Wood and Fire burns up Wood.

Do you know why people die?

Basing on 8 characters, you can determine if a person will survive through a major illness. Let me explain with a real life story.

I have a friend whose relative was suffering from cancer. I was curious, so I asked for the relative’s date of birth.

This relative’s element was Water, and he was born in Summer, a Fire month. Now, when Water is born in a Fire month, what happens?

The Water gets evaporated right?

Therefore this relative must have Water and Metal(Metal produces Water) in his luck pillars to have a smooth luck cycle. I checked his luck pillars to see if he would survive from the illness.

I was shocked.

He was going through a Fire period for 5 years. From 2003 to 2007, it was all Fire in his luck pillars. He found out that he had cancer in 2006, (Fire Dog year, a double Fire year). I somehow knew that he would not survive because of the “intense Fire” he was going through.

But I kept quiet about it because I did not want my friend to get upset.

Indeed, he passed away in June 2007, which happened to be a Fire Horse month(Double Fire again).

Before that, I actually tried to advise my friend to help his relative improve his luck cycle. But my friend, being a Christian, did not believe in all these.

Things could have improved if he increased Water and Metal in his daily life. But this is where destiny comes into play. As much as I would like to “save him”, but I am unable to. It saddens me.

Let me share another case study. This time it is my brother.

My brother is Earth born in a Metal month. His favourable elements are Fire(Fire produces Earth) and Earth.

I checked out his luck pillars, he was going through a Fire luck pillar. In fact, he started going through the Fire period since the age of 16, and he had 25 years of Fire luck pillar. Before the age of 16, he did not do well in his studies.

Age 16 was his turning point. He has been doing well in every area of his life ever since then.

Therefore from here, you can see that by knowing your 8 characters, you are able to know when are your good times and bad times. You will not be taken by surprise and you can take measures to reduce the effect of the unfavorable elements.

I will share with you how to do it in another article.

As our Sun begins its’ transit through Scorpio, we become fixed into fall while Mother Nature’s paintbrush continues to perfect another autumn masterpiece. The “tiny planet” Pluto governs this intense feminine water sign, bringing powerful personalities to those influenced by it. Transformational Pluto now may be considered a dwarf, yet it has always been the depth of its’ vast elliptical orbit encompassing us all that brings forth the passionate, esoteric and dynamic qualities known to this sign.

With their water energy in a fixed state, Scorpios are blessed with emotional power, granting a regenerative force that is seen throughout their lives. At times they may swing to the negative side of their polarity, finding themselves in absolute destruction- ignoring those emotions while being as cold as ice. Death and rebirth are a major part of any Scorpio’s energy.

Symbolized by the Scorpion, one is wise to not provoke a Scorpio, for that deadly sting will strike when least expected. Equally sharing the symbol of the mighty Eagle, this zodiac sign is capable of soaring above all obstacles to achieve their goals. Pluto’s energy allows them to easily see the big picture in life and the long term affects of change.

Scorpio’s gravitate to the mysterious, the occult, psychic realms- typically to any area that allows them to execute their innate power to transform. If mysteries in the life linger they will be probed until they are resolved. Eagles excel at the task of organization, with a self-controlled character that is incisive, strong-willed, thorough, and courageous. At times the Scorpion emerges the possessive, ruthless, fanatical, secretive, suspicious, resentful and jealous side of their energy. The cultivation of forgiveness allows the Scorpio native to find the proper directions for their aspirations and intense energies.

True to Scorpio form, we are amidst many deep changes as we enter the month with Mercury in Retrograde motion until November 1st in Libra. Mars enters a Retrograde Period upon the 15th, at 12 degrees Cancer until January 31st 2008, when it then goes Direct at 24 degrees Gemini. We can expect drives on the collective to go through a re-evaluation in the areas of instinct, self-preservation, and emotions until December 31st. As Mars re-enters Gemini, look for reflection of drives to shift to spontaneity, sensory responses, and observations until this transit concludes. Individually, the house in the astrological chart that Cancer and Gemini rules is the area of life that points to where this particular refreshing will work for you over this next 3 month period.

Neptune returns to Direct motion upon October 31st, as this planet now continues to move forward once more in Aquarius. This current long-term Neptune transit stimulates the love of independence in response to humanitarian ideals to move forward. The Aquarius ruled house in your birth chart will indicate to where freedom will once again open, allowing the ultimate potentials of psychic Neptune to emerge in this area of the life.

Being a 4, he’s a hard worker, that’s plain, but he’s also a ‘passive 4′ which means he has extra challenges to overcome. It just shows what you can do even with certain weaknesses in your chart.

Mind you, he also has two lines of strength: The Line of Determination and The Line of Action.

The Line of Action

These ‘higher’ numbers carry an increased vibration which, when combined in this line, create a powerful energy stimulating action, movement, and quick responses. People with this line will not procrastinate once the decision has been made to act. The physical power and intensity of this line has to be tempered by proper rest and a healthy lifestyle. Plenty of fresh air is required to release the tensions that could lead to nervous headaches.

Life path 4

The number 4 is primarily concerned with the practical demands of the material world. The 4 does not possess the spark of originality but is firmly rooted in the Earth and symbolizes loyalty and dedication through self-discipline. They are generally referred to as the workers of the world, who must strive diligently to achieve their goals.

Those who resist the self-discipline that leads to fulfillment on this path can experience extreme frustrations in their daily lives: they will fail in business if they constantly seek shortcuts: they risk alienating their friends and family if they pursue unconventional behavior or a fad that they may hope ‘gets them out of the rat race’.

People with the ‘passive’ trait can be: careless over details, resist new methods, narrow, must see practicality before accepting ideas, and fight intellectualism.

Life path 31/4

To compensate for insecurity, many 31/4s develop highly ambitious, even egotistical personas - big egos that work to prove their worth as they strive to stay in a superior position due to fears of inferiority beneath the surface.

However, the combination of strong foundation energy, creative energy, and expressive energy gives rise to a well-balanced, synergistic blend of strength, sensitivity, and creativity. This blend, along with a drive for security and strong ambitions, creates a multi-faceted potential for success. When these drives and qualities are working in harmony, 31/4s can accomplish their highest aspirations.

A secure ‘home base’ and a safe, settled, orderly environment amplify these individuals’ impact many times over.

For 31/4s, strong creative drives, a confident, out-going persona, and a constant striving for success veil an underlying insecurity. They can be highly competitive because they feel they need to prove themselves to overcome their fear of not measuring up. They have strength, ambition and a desire for status. The twin shadows of self-doubt and insecurity are worthy challenges on the way to manifesting their strength and achieving success. A key concept for 4s is that success, in terms of their life purpose, lies not in achieving the end product but in their ability to go through the necessary process.

Many 31/4s experience difficult family histories, sometimes entailing physical abuse by at least one parent, or perhaps a military childhood that meant they moved around and didn’t have a stable home life. Therefore they have the hurdle to overcome of establishing strong foundations. They need to work express all of their emotions, including anger and resentment, before they can express their love. They don’t have to agree with their parents but they need to bring any issues out into the open and express their feelings, even if parents are deceased.

Those 31/4s who have previously worked through a structured process, such as athletes, musicians, or anyone who has stuck with a process of skill training, are way ahead of the game, because they have a template or model they can apply to anything else they do.

The strength of the 31/4, coupled with creative energy, gives them a robust appeal, ruggedness and resistance to everyday illnesses. They are basically strong, but vulnerable at foundation points, ankles, knees, thighs and hips.

The easy sociability of 31/4s attracts many friends and admirers. They tend to be gregarious, family-oriented, and generally relaxed people. But their air of confidence often hides an insecurity they are wise to acknowledge to themselves and others, in order to achieve authenticity. In their vulnerability, they can find new strength.

Due to their array of creative and expressive energies, and their sound analytical abilities, they find success in a variety of careers, centered on some sort of business, advising or counseling in real estate or investments.

Miracles just may happen today, and we may see a reward for our patient and steady efforts. There is also a potential that our feelings may get hurt or we may have to deal with a financial setback. But, our intuitions will be off the scale, and creativity will abound. So, today has lots of possibilities, and it will be up to us what we do with those possibilities. Our emotions will be balanced this morning, and we will find it easy to communicate with others. There is a potential for an emotional explosion (or implosion) early this afternoon, but by late afternoon we may not care anymore. Tonight our feelings will turn towards home and family. It will be a great night to cuddle on the sofa with your favorite person (or pet).

Tue 10/30/07 Putter Around the House, and Nurture Others

We may want to spend some extra time at home or with loved ones today under the Cancer Moon. It will be an excellent day for puttering around the house or nurturing others. Early this morning, people will be patient and relations will go well with the opposite sex. Our feelings may be strong today, and there is a tendency we will act on them this afternoon. We may want to spend some time with friends tonight, and new ideas could be exploding from our conversations. It will also be a great night for technology, so maybe just spend some time on the Internet.

Wed 10/31/07 Happy Halloween

Tonight could be one of the most haunted Halloweens we will ever experience with Neptune at direct station today and Mercury at direct station tomorrow. Neptune is the ruler of the occult, and Mercury governs communication. It would be an excellent night for a seance, but I would recommend waiting until late tonight (after 12:48 AM eastern time Thursday) to start the ceremony. People will be polite and cooperative this morning, but there may be some misunderstandings early this afternoon. We may lose our focus this evening, but as I mentioned above, late tonight the drama will begin.

Thu 11/1/07 Take Center Stage

We may want to take center stage today under the Leo Moon, and it will be a great day for entertainment. There could be some transportation or communication problems with Mercury at direct station, so we may hit some delays traveling. Also, double check Internet transmissions. There may be a few problems with the opposite sex late this afternoon, but the rest of the evening will be time to “play.” Happy All Saints Day.

Fri 11/2/07 Romance, Travel, and Fun

Its going to be a really great Friday, so leave work early and go out and play! We will want be noticed today, and our egos may also be fragile. Be gentle with others or those sensitive feelings may turn into a dramatic situation. We may find our creativity is a little stifled late this morning, and some of us may turn to our addictions for comfort. By early afternoon our moods will improve and optimism will be high. It will be an excellent day for travel and romance, so get out there and have some fun.

Sat 11/3/07 Ready to Clean and Lots of Energy

We will be ready to do some extra cleaning and organizing today. Our minds could also turn to our own health, and we may decide to get a little extra exercise. We will have lots of energy, and we may be absolutely amazed at all we accomplish today. It will be a calm and patient evening, and we may want to just sit back and look at all we have done. Don’t forget to set your clocks back (to real time) tonight. Hooray! The End of Daylight Savings Time!

Sun 11/4/07 Lots of Energy - Keep the Pain Relievers Handy

We will awaken with lots of energy today, and we may want to finish up projects we began yesterday. We could encounter some emotional upsets early this afternoon, and some of us may be very critical with our reactions. Remember, its not what you are saying, its how you are saying it. We may want to stay busy this evening, but watch out for overdoing it. Some of us will be up late looking the pain relievers tonight.

Two world leaders Dalai Lama and George W. Bush were born on July 6. The Dalai Lama’s birth chart shows many signs of a spiritual life.

Saturn, the planet symbolizing spiritual authority, is placed in the Ninth House of religion, and is given mystical tendencies by being in philosophical sign Aquarius. Saturn’s position in 9thhouse in trine to Sun translates into the easy assumption of religious authority. The Sun is also trine to Jupiter, the planet associated with religion and Jupiter is trine to Saturn. Together, these three planets create a wonderful trine. It’s in fact a cosmic blessing denoting wisdom, internal peace and spiritual excellence. Jupiter and Saturn are also symbols of social and political issues. Their relationship with the natal Sun strongly associates Dalai Lama’s personal destiny with the cause of his nation Tibet.

The Moon represents one’s mind. Dalai Lama was born with the Moon in opposition to Saturn. It gives high quality discipline and highly developed spiritual teachings. The other splendid placement is the conjunction of Neptune with the Moon. This conjunction perfectly reflects the charisma and compassion for which Dalai Lama is known.

The spiritual leader of Tibet received the Congressional Gold Medal in USA recently. He is currently under the influence of Saturn Mahadasha and Saturn Bhukti and Saturn is the Lord of 9th house well placed and forming Rajayoga in his chart. In D-10 chart, Saturn is placed in the 10th house. So, the impact of Saturn’s influence is in full force and obvious. The Mars of Bush’s chart is exactly conjunct in Dalai Lama’s Moon and both are activated by transiting Saturn. Saturn will be retrograde in mid-December just before it reaches this composite point close enough to keep mutual interest in pressurizing China.

The transiting Mars in Gemini might become a cause of concern for Dalai Lama and the period around August 2008 just before the opening ceremony of Olympic 2008 could be very eventful, as we could expect both Bush and Dalai Lama to become more expressive, aggressive and assertive, though in different ways. And in return, they can expect more hostility from their political enemies.

ICICI Banking Corporation Limited was established on 5th January 1994. Later it was renamed as ICICI Bank Limited on 10th September 1999. it was listed on NYSE with this new name. However, considering ICICI Banking Corporation Limited as base, Ganesha would like to throw light on ICICI’s future.

In ICICI Banking Corporation Limited’s establishment horoscope, Saturn is placed in its own sign in the ascendant. Here, Ganesha notes that Saturn is placed in the air sign in ascendant, so the basic chart is very powerful. More to this, Saturn is Lord of 12th house of foreign land in this Establishment horoscope, so its position in the ascendant is favourable for gains through foreign countries. Sun, Mercury, Mars and Venus are placed in the 11th house of gains in Sagittarius in ICICI’s chart. Transiting Jupiter will be entering Sagittarius on 22nd November 2007. This transit is surely beneficial for ICICI because it is house of gains and Jupiter - a natural benefic planet will be influencing all four planets during 2008. Ganesha feels that 2008 is likely to be very eventful year for ICICI.

On the negative side, ICICI has Rahu in the 10th house and it’s under the influence of Rahu major period till 20-01-2019. Viewing ICICI’s fate in the light of Dasha Bhuktis and planetary transits, Ganesha feels that even though the time is very progressive and eventful for the bank, there may be difficulties on their way to progress. There may be some major changes on the organizational level during 2008.

While Rahu Dasha is in force, transiting Jupiter is retrograde and Saturn is in last degrees of Cancer, Mercury too is retrograde in Gemini. Mercury is significator of Banking and documentation. Mercury is a very important planet for stock market too. Ganesha feels that because of this planetary picture, ICICI’s right issue may not be very satisfactory for the investors. This does not mean that it will not gain enough subscription but still, there may not be much of enthusiasm in investors. If they would have chosen a different timeframe to open public issue, it would have been good for them.

On 20th September 2007, one of the biggest takeovers in Indian Markets happened. On all Star Network Channels we could see Vodafone’s advertisement. It is a very interesting event astrologically too.

Ganesha observes that at the time of the takeover, Aries Ascendant was rising. Aries indicates initiation. The Decanate rising at the time of takeover was Leo, which being fixed sign indicates stability and success. Mercury - the planet that signifies communication is placed in the sixth house of employees. It is in sign of exaltation and it is Vargottami and thus powerful. This indicates that they will be able to do very good business with the help of hard working, research oriented and progressive employees. However, they might have to spend more money to hold some of the employees back. Moon is in Sagittarius in the house of luck. It is in Anyo Anya Neecha Yoga with Jupiter. This indicates that Vodafone might have to concentrate quite a bit on this business in India and might also have to spend good money behind the whole process of restructuring the business.

Best factor is, Venus rules the house of finance in the horoscope of takeover. Dasha of Venus is ruling till June 2026. Venus is in Cancer in 4th house. Ganesha feels that Vodafone will be able to do this business successfully and will also accumulate good wealth out of this business. Third quarter of 2008, to be specific July 2008 is likely to be tough time for Vodafone and they can expect some changes in their financial or organizational structure in the said period.

As per Chaldean Numerology System, Vodafone totals down to 7, the Number ruled by Negative Moon, Ketu or Neptune. The date of takeover is heavily influenced by Positive Moon because date is 20th which totals down to 2 and complete total of the date 20-09-2007 is also 2. Moon is fast moving planet which indicates very good business for mobile phone companies. It is positioned in the house of Luck in the horoscope of takeover. Neptune and Moon both signify liquidity. Ganesha feels that because Vodafone’s name which is influenced by Negative Moon is compensated by double influence of Positive Moon, this company will be able to generate good money with new ideas and policies. This company may expect their employees to work harder but pay scales will also be satisfactory or better.

From November 2007, they will be able to do better business and customers may also be benefited. Their customer delight programmes will be very innovative and interesting. Exactly third year starting from 20th September 2007 may be little difficult for the company where in Vodafone (India) can expect radical changes in the organization.

Summarily, future of Vodafone seems bright in India. Ganesha welcomes Vodafone and wishes good luck for business and prosperity in India.

An expected divorce of the French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia (2nd marriage for both) has recently been announced. The conservative politician Nicholas has Virgo Ascendant with Mars placed in the 7th house (house of marriage) indicating more than one relationship and disputes in married life. Adding to this, the Lord of 7th house Jupiter is placed with debilitated Ketu deteriorating the problems further. There is no wonder in his separation and divorce in both the marriages.

In Cecilia’s case, the Lord of 7th house Saturn is placed in the 5th house without any severe affliction but Mars is placed in the 4th house with Rahu and it is aspecting the 7th house indicating terrible confrontation in married life. Nicolas is currently under the influence of Sun-Venus-Saturn period. Cecilia is currently under the influence of Venus-Moon-Saturn period. Saturnine influences in relationships have major obstacles and Saturn’s cold hand descend the relationship.

The composite charts Sun conjunct Venus signifies true love. So, there was also a good deal of affection and a spirit of adventure between them in the good times. But Cecilia has Sun in Scorpio and Nicholas has in Aquarius. They often live apart even when they are together. Note that Nicholas’s Saturn is in conjunction with Cecilia’s Sun marking a difference in social status, age and distance in general. From the very beginning, Cecilia Sarkozy refused to be just ‘Nicolas’ wife’.

Upheavals and family changes were on the cards.

After eight long years of exile, Benazir Bhutto returned to her native country Pakistan today (18th Oct 07). She wowed to restore democracy and to fight religious extremism prevailing in Pakistan. Several corruption cases against her led Bhutto to leave her motherland in 1999. She has been the Prime Minister of Pakistan twice and thus will be given tight security. There are mixed feelings among the masses related to her return. Ganesha observes the planetary positions in her birth chart and gives out reasons for this decision.

Benazir Bhutto is a Pakistani politician who became the first woman to lead a post-colonial Muslim state. She is the twice-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was born on 21st June 1953 in Karachi. She has Gemini Sun sign. Its lord Mercury is situated in the 2nd house from the Sun which indicates that she is highly intelligent with sharp skills required to become a good politician. In 1999, she was under the negative influence of Saturn. Saturn was aspecting the Sun, which is the significator of Government as well as fame and name. Thus she was charged with corruption and faced a number of legal dealings in Pakistan that made her leave Pakistan in 1999. She has also been charged with laundering state-owned money through Swiss banks, in a case that remains before the Swiss courts.

Presently, transiting Saturn is moving through the 3rd house which doesn’t aspect Sun. This means current time is favourable for her. Because of that she has arrived in Pakistan’s largest city eight years after she left to avoid corruption charges and lived in self-imposed exile. Her return under the cloud of a threat to her life from pro-Taliban groups has Karachi and much of Pakistan on the edge. In view of next year, next year would be encouraging for her in political field. However, Natal Sun will be aspected by transiting Jupiter which is a positive sign in her favor. This doesn’t mean that each and every problem will be sorted-out. She may face some amount of difficulty but the aspect of Jupiter over the Sun will save her reputation.

After making his mark felt in exploration and refining industries, business tycoon Laxmi Mittal is now entering into the field of petroleum in order to make his presence felt in the hydrocarbons value chain. He signed an MoU with refiner maker Hindustan Petroleum, gas utility GAIL, north-east explorer Oil India Ltd. and French major Total for setting up integrated refinery-cum-petrochemicals complex at Vizag. Ganesha reads his birth chart to find reasons for his success.

Laxmi Mital is the largest steel maker in the world. He was born on June 15, 1950 at Sadulpur, in Churu district of Rajasthan, in a poor family. With the powerful planetary strength he went on to become a successful businessman. In his chart, Exalted Moon indicates speedy success. Jupiter is aspecting Saturn in his birth chart. This denotes benefit from steel and iron related business. Thus, Lakshmi Mittal began his career working in the family’s steelmaking business in India in 1976. The placement of Rahu in the 11th house from the Moon denotes high amount of success. With the addition of Venus in 12th house, benefit of dealing in export import business with foreign country is foreseen. Saturn, which is the significator of steel, is in Leo sign. At present, transiting Saturn is moving over the Natal Saturn.

Furthermore, transiting Jupiter is passing though the 7th house. This is also beneficial and indicates various dealing and new establishment in business. Moon, which is the significator of liquid as well as Mars, denotes oil, petroleum and chemical. Moon and Mars are in trine situation which indicates benefit from chemical, petroleum, oil business. Transiting Jupiter will be in square position from Mars November onwards. Considering this, Ganesha views that next year would be much favorable for increasing business. Current transit of Mars and Jupiter denote inspiration of new establishment in chemical and petroleum business. Thus, he is eyeing a second foray into India’s oil sector through a stake in a refinery and chemicals plant to be built by Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd, sources involved in the deal said on Friday. His Business will develop leaps and bounce.