How can the teaching of a military strategist and the Chinese art of astrology intertwine?
When it comes to fundamentals and applications, both systems share similarities. Both are over 2,500 years old, but remain timeless in their relevance to modern times. A military strategist like Sun Tzu advocates that one should always be prepared for battle, as can be read in his brilliant mantra:
“Know yourself, know your enemy and your victory will be assured. Know heaven, know earth, and your victory will be complete.”
How does this relate to Chinese astrology? In one of the systems of Chinese astrology, a person’s destiny is sealed at birth in a set of pillars known as “The Four Pillars of Destiny.” Accompanying these four pillars is a set of lucky pillars that chart the course of a person’s life in 10-year intervals. Together, these pillars formed the map of our destiny and by reading this chart, we can predict what destiny awaits us in life and see in the same light as Sun Tzu’s Art of War, it can be said that “be forewarned”. is to be armed.”
According to “The Art of War”, the five important virtues that a general must have to be successful in battle are: Wisdom, Courage, Sincerity, Benevolence and Discipline.
Based on “The Four Pillars of Destiny”, a person’s destiny is governed by five important elements, namely Resources, Personality, Production, Wealth and Influence.
The five virtues and the five elements reinforce each other in the following way:
resource of wisdom
Own value
departure from sincerity
Benevolence Wealth
Discipline that influences
By wisdom, we mean that a general must employ his resource element, which is his thoughts, intuition, knowledge, and experience, when devising his strategies. If his resource element is weak, he won’t be able to plan wisely.
By courage is meant that the general needs to be strong and courageous to face adversity. He has to show strength to overcome the challenges and obstacles on the battlefields. If his own element is weak, he leans toward cowardice and risks being caught.
By sincerity, it is perceived that the general must exhibit honesty in his communication and be able to convey his message in an incisive, sincere and convincing manner. If his Exit element is weak, he lacks persuasive skills and will have a hard time gaining the trust of his men.
Out of benevolence, the general is seen as generous with his wealth and willingly shares his spoils of war with his men, caring for them and appreciating their efforts and work. If his wealth element is weak, his men will lose confidence in him and thus feel demoralized to continue fighting.
By discipline, the general must exercise his influence over his men through leading by example. He will have to be strict with his men so that the orders are carried out consistently and he will not hesitate to punish if the reports of him do not fulfill their duty. If his Influence element is weak, his men will not be loyal to him and may rebel against his control.
“So, are you destined to be a five-star general?” Stay tuned for part 2.