Hi. I moved this article to my new website. Please read its updated and improved version there. Thank you.
https://www.100percentastrology.com/bazi-chart-reading-astrologer-morin/
Written in October 2015
“The Sun hardens clay and melts wax”. J.B. Morin
(In other words, the same planet or element
can show a very different outcome in different charts).
I have been doing heavy astrological research and these days the chart the 17th century Astrology practitioner and doctor and professor of mathematics Jean Baptiste Morin (1583-1656), popped up. Since he is one of the famous astrological authors ever published, especially a foreign European one, and many articles have been written about him or his chart, as looked from Western Traditional Astrology, I thought I would write an article by using the branch of Classical Chinese Astrology called Four Pillars of Destiny aka BaZi.
As this is the first time I am presenting such type of knowledge and opening the Four Pillars of Destiny section in my blog, I will just mention a few things about Chinese Astrology. For those that are interested in learning more, I wrote 2 such detailed articles about a year ago in my Bulgarian blog as Chinese Astrology aka Four Pillars of Destiny or BaZi is also known in Bulgaria. You can read them by using Google Translate:
One contains an introduction and the fundaments of Four Pillars of Destiny and should be read first and the other looks at the life of athlete Marion Jones and her reaching the top and falling from grace.
Four Pillars of Destiny or BaZi is a little over 1000 years old. In regards to determining the peaks and lows of one’s life it is amazingly accurate, if not unsurpassed. It can also get into specifics in some areas, but not as detailed as Western Ancient Astrology, even though in some cases it is just spot on. This is not a contradiction as the two systems, from one perspective, have nothing whatsoever in common in terms of apparatus, and from another, are extremely similar and give close results.
No planets are used in BaZi, even though it is based above all on the cycle of the planet Zeus (aka Jupiter) and also has to do with the Sun, Moon and the Saturn-Jupiter conjunctions.
There are 12 Chinese zoidia, called wrong animals, since the words for “animal” and “a Chinese zodiac animal” are different in Chinese. What is measured is the cosmic energy influencing the Earth and Man, the trinity of Heaven-Man-Earth. Whatever the rationale behind it, whether it signifies or causes as the Asian practitioners accept, this energy is extremely focused and powerful, that is, its effects, if you will, are more strongly felt than those of the 7 planets, because the former is coherent while the latter are not so much so and have more significations.
Just as there are Lots – points extracted in the Western chart, there are stars – points extracted from the Chinese astrological chart. These “stars” are just names, they are not astronomical bodies, similar to the Lots, but likewise they are extremely powerful.
Also, there are the 10 Gods or 10 Deities – again, extracted from the Chinese astrological chart and having nothing whatsoever to do with religion or spirits, they are just fancy names, as Chinese is a very poetical language and there are special phrases in almost any area of Chinese Metaphysics – much like a secret language (in Chinese Astrology, Chinese Face and Palm Reading, Acupuncture, Classical Feng Shui, martial arts etc).
A crucial thing to know is that there are quite a few different types of charts in Four Pillars of Destiny and in order to judge the Chinese astrological chart one has to determine the kind of type it belongs to. There are about 18 types, each having variations. If the practitioner makes a mistake when determining the type of chart, a significant part of his delineation will be wrong and many if not all of the predictions will be wrong! That is why, when uncertain about the type of chart, the practitioner has to check with events from the native’s life and see which are the beneficial/favourable/positive elements and symbols and which one are the unfavourable/negative ones.
One last thing, which is absolutely indispensable: Chinese Metaphysics – Astrology in this case – is completely and utterly holistic, that is, one has to examine and keep in mind at all times the whole life of the native, which is indeed similar to Ancient Astrology (Hellenistic above all but also Medieval) but is really more pronounced and emphasized here due to the type of system it is.
Needless to say, what you will read is part of the classical method of Chinese Astrology, where it is about direct, concrete delineations in many areas as well as specific predictions, exactly like the Western ancient methods, NOT the pseudo, modern New Age type or creating one’s reality and changing fate, just because someone does not want to face the difficulties and, forbid, learn from them.
I would not dare taint the name of such a great person as Morin, not to mention a colleague, and use modern invented and simplified methods.
Overall examination of the Jean Baptiste Morin’s natal chart/figure
This is the natal chart with the so called Luck Pillars (it has nothing to do with what is called “luck” in the west – something completely random which is impossible to know or study; they are better called destiny pillars and their analogue are the many timing techniques in Ancient Astrology), that is, the whole life of the native is seen from here, no extra charts!
Details: 23 February 1583, 8.47 am LMT – local mean time, France, Villefranche 45N25, 4E43 – the coordinates used by Morin himself in his 26 books Astrologia Gallica (French Astrology).
You will notice that the Chinese, like other peoples, write from the right to the left. It takes time to get used to it but is definitely worth it and I strongly recommend that those who want to learn do so as well, least of all to keep in mind this is a different system with different rules and not confuse it with the Western or Indian one.
Before moving on I suggest you copy the chart file picture and have it separately so that you can view it while reading the long article and not having to go back.
The native is represented by the Day Stem – in this case Yin Wood. Morin was born in the spring (the Chinese New Year in the solar calendar starts around 4-6 Feb every year, and each season is also 3 months long, so Spring starts around Feb 6, Summer around May 7, Autumn around August 6 and Winter around November 6. Again, this is NOT about temperature or some northern southern hemisphere physical banality; this is about cosmic energy) in the month of the Tiger. There is a lot of Wood in this chart and is born in season, that is, where Wood grows and is strongest. In addition there is also some Water for support while the other 3 elements are weak or drained and controlled. What this means is this is a strong chart in terms of classification, in fact it is too strong, but there is no way for it to become Dominant.
Therefore the most unfavourable elements are in this order: Yin Wood, Yang Wood, Yin Water, Yang Water, Yin Earth, Yang Earth,; the zoidia also in this order: the Rabbit, Rat, Tiger, Pig, Dragon, Goat.
The most favourable ones are in this order: Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yin Fire, Yang Fire,; the zoidia are in this order: the Rooster, Snake, Ox, Monkey, Horse.
The Dog is mixed and is even more likely unfavourable.
What this means for Jean Baptiste Morin is because there are too may rivals in his chart (Yang and Yin Wood) which are born in season, his life will be very difficult and full of enemies as a whole and even though that natal condition will remain, his second half will me markedly better and where he succeeds in a big way and becomes very famous.
This chart also shows a lot of diseases and dangers, betrayals and setbacks. The native has to work very hard to achieve what he wants, in an extremely harsh environment of fierce competition. Were it not for the help of some stars, Morin would not have made it because of the type of chart he has – extremely tough. The major reason for this is because the rivals are born in season, thus strongest, and also have support, while there is only one useful major element present – the Rooster. There is Yin Fire and Yang Fire but they are in the hidden stems and the Yin Fire, the Eating God is in a Voided star – extremely weak.
The most impressive feature of Jean Baptiste Morin’s BaZi chart is the Six Harmony Combination between the Rooster and the Dragon and also between the Yang Metal of the Dragon and the Yin Wood of the Rooster – both of these can transform into Metal, BUT only when the right time comes, that is, when Metal is strongest in the life of Morin.
Looking at the Luck/Destiny Pillars one sees Yin Metal from 26.48 to 31.48 years as well as Yang Metal from 36.48 to 41.48 years, also the Rooster from 46.41 to 51.48 and the Monkey from 61.48 to 66.48 years.
Lily Chung in her wonderful book “Four Pillars of Destiny – Discover Your Code to Success” page 150 calls this Yang Metal Dragon-Yin Wood Rooster –“Different Division Heaven Earth Union”, because they are not part of the same column of the Sexagenary Cycle of the 12 zoidia and the 5 elements. For the Same Division Heaven Earth Union she writes on page 147: “is extremely auspicious. It suggests a special skill, way of thinking or position in society”. It follows the delineation is very similar for the Different Division, especially as it includes the Day Branch.
One is tempted to say that Morin would reach his peak in the Yin Metal or Yang Metal or the Rooster, that is, up to 51 years of age. However, the practitioner must follow the rules and judge objectively. The 4 Pillars in the chart divide the life into 4 parts.
I have come across two types of divisions: each Pillar gives 15 years starting with the Year Pillar, the Month, the Day and the Hour, but to one adds the beginning of the Luck Pillars to the Year Pillar, that is, in this chart the Year Pillar would last from 0 to 21.48 (6.48+15), the Month one would last from 21.48 to 36.48, the Day one would last from 36.48 to 51.48 and the Hour one would last from 51.48 to 66 48;
the second one has the Year Pillar – 0-17, the Month one – 18-35, the Day one – 36-60 and the Hour one 60-end of life. The first method is from Lily Chung, the second one is from Joey Yap.
Neither of these rely on determining the length life. Moreover, what happens if the native lives more than 66.48 years as in the first case, as shown by Morin’s chart.
I, of course, prefer to calculate the length of life using Ancient Western Astrology and then to divide the life into 4, but since it so happens that the 3rd Pillar starts at 36, it is fine by me to use the 2nd method of division, because since Morin lived 73.7 years, the half of it is 36.85 years, which is close enough to 36. In other words his second part of life will start then.
I must caution against using the method of dividing the life into 4 parts too rigidly and ignoring the rest of the chart. It is a useful method but one must keep in mind the whole chart. In this case, it is made easier, however, because both the Yang Metal Dragon and Yin Wood Rooster are in the second part of the chart, so Morin will reach his peak in life in terms of recognition and fame and wealth from 36 onwards. Thus the Rooster or the Monkey cycle will be his most prosperous one. Of course, the individual years have to be accounted for, not just the cycles, and I did this when preparing the article, but will only show this in the relevant and strongest events that I have chosen from Morin’s life. Also, keep the importance of eminence in your mind, as well as the mundane context, I will examine them later.
Before delineating some topics in Jean Baptiste Morin’s Four Pillars of Destiny chart, I want to include some stars. The proper way to do this is after one has determined the type of chart and the positive and negative elements, just as I did. Otherwise, without knowing them, an intrinsically positive star, if it turns out to be negative, will negate or might even kind of reverse its meanings, which would be a big shock to the client, of course.
Again, as I mentioned, the energy being studied in Chinese Astrology is extremely powerful and coherent, thus the mistakes are very costly – just imagine someone investing their wealth or risking their business or health in what they are told is a most beneficial period and it turns out to be the most devastating one, simply because the chart type was not determined properly!
I have selected a number of stars. There are about 200, like the Lots in Ancient Astrology, and must exercise discretion and separate the wheat from the chaff. Of course, there are the major ones, then the secondary ones and then the weaker ones. Also, some stars are valid only if present natally, others are valid only when appearing in the Luck Pillars or Annual Pillars (any given year, which is valid for everyone; in a lot like transits/ingresses – 2015 is the year of the Yin Wood Goat and it is for everyone, but it has different meanings in different charts etc), and some are valid in both the natal chart and the Luck Pillars.
There are a few books in English that mention the stars. Lily Chung’s book is excellent and covers the majority of the major and secondary stars, but I will be using Ani Pesheva’s book, which is written in Bulgarian – “Chinese Astrology Part 1 – the Stars in the Four Pillar of Destiny”. Her book is a real gem as it is the only book outside of China to give the meanings of over 150 stars. All pages mentioned will be from that book and the translation in English will be mine.
One last thing: as usual, the whole chart is taken into context, that is, all the information from the stars and the chart is taken together and synthesized, determining the positive and negative elements is primary and any placement or star can be strengthened or weakened or almost neutralized.
So this native has a star, which is not present in any English book on BaZi I know. Its direct translation is “Culture and Melodies Star”. It is determined by using the Day Stem or Year Stem. By using the Year Stem – Yin Water – the star is the Rooster – the most positive zoidion (animal) in Jean Baptiste Morin’s Chinese Astrology chart.
Here is what Ani Pesheva writes for star 12, page 39:
“It has to do with literature and writing, music and art, astronomy and astrology, physiognomy, medicine and psychology, culture and education, rhetoric, calligraphy and design”.
There is more about this star but this will do.
Morin was a doctor – medicine, a professor of mathematics – educator, an astronomer, an astrologer and he wrote the one of the biggest astrological books ever – writing.
The next star is a complex one, it is based on the whole Day Pillar: Yin Wood Rooster. It is called The Ten Famous aka Accepting of Energy. Page 105-106, star 44:
“Easy achieving of fame”. Then it says: “…..if the native receives support from favourable elements or if the chart is a strong self, then they will have a valuable destiny.”
The next star present in Morin’s chart is the Widow Star (as mentioned by Lily Chung, also with Isolation Star). It is determined from the Year Branch and for Morin – Goat – the star is the Dragon. The Dragon is an unfavourable element for Morin as it is Earth and can also be transformed into Water when a Rat comes. Yes, it can be transformed into Metal with the Rooster but only under the right circumstances.
Here is the delineations for the star: number 23, page 69-70:
“Feeling of loneliness, melancholy, depression, a lonely life, not being understood by others, lack of harmony with relatives, people close to the native, colleagues and friends, separating from close people, loss of parents and relatives, widowhood, divorce, quitting a job.”
Before commenting, I want to add another one – something I was going to mention when dealing with the topics, as shown from the chart itself.
Jean Baptiste Morin’s Four Pillars of Destiny chart has what Lily Chung calls a Void Star – the Goat. The Goat falls in the Year Branch – the one showing grandparents, especially mother’s family according to Lily Chung’s book page 34.
As an added note the Month Branch shows the mother and her career.
So with the having a Void Star falling in the Year Branch, here is what it says: star 34, page 92-93:
“There is some void and decline in regards to parents and grandparents: the native has a weak affinity to them, separates early from the family, change of family and family name, lack of support from parents and ancestors, early death of one parent or both, bad relationships with one parent or both, the native lives far away from them (either travels too much or can’t be together with their parents).”
Also, siblings are represented by the same element as the self. If it is useful, they are called Siblings, if it is negative, they are called Rivals. Since Morin’s chart is a type called Rivals chart or very strong chart, he will not have affinity with siblings, or be separated from them or suffer loses because of them.
Likewise, the mother is shown by the Resource element – Water in Morin’s chart, or Direct Resource more specifically – Yang Water. It is very negative for Morin on top of it, the Tiger, which is Wood, lies in the Month Branch – the mother. Add to this the Void Star and there are 3 indications of lack of affinity or losses or being away from the mother and parents, because the father is shown by the Wealth element – Earth, more specifically Indirect Wealth – Yin Earth. It is also bad for Morin, but not as bad as the Water element.
As for events and quotes from Jean Baptiste Morin, I will be using his Book 21 translated by Richard Baldwin and Book 22 translated by James Holden. I won’t be giving the pages as it will become too tedious and long. In Book 21 you can locate them, if you have it electronically as well, by searching for “my”, where it will show – “Ptolemy” or my as in “my chart”. For Book 22 I have used chapter 7, so pages 23-58, where Morin discuses the SRs – solar revolutions charts.
Here is a quote from the translator’ foreword in Book 21:
“When he was 12 years old both of his parents became ill at the same time – his mother in childbirth from which she later died, and his father from a fever from which he was not expected to recover. During this time his older brother asked him which of his parents he would rather see die and Morin said he would prefer that his father should live. His brother repeated the conversation to his mother who from that instant until she died two days later wanted to disinherit him, and refused to give him his final blessing……Morin later noted that his sister received three times what he did and his brother even more than that.”
It hardly needs explanation – the Void Star the Goat in the Year Branch and the mother and siblings being most unfavourable to Morin and the parent or both dying early or the native separating from them.
Moreover, in regards to timing when Morin was 12, since he was born in the 1583 Yin Water Goat year, 1595 was Yin Wood Goat year.
Absolutely perfect! The Goat –the Void Star is activated again (reminding that he was still under the Year Pillar till age 18 or age 21.48 depending on the method). Of course, Yin Wood is the same polarity as the Day Master, the self – Morin – which shows a male sibling or friend, from whom the native suffers that year.
What is equally impressive is Morin was the Ox cycle and there was a clash with the Goat of the year and of the Year Branch – grandparents, ancestors. Clashes bring drastic events and accidents and changes.
I will give a few more stars and carry on with the delineation and timing of the major events in French Astrology practitioner Morin using Chinese Astrology.
Morin has the Lamb and Chopper Star, translated into English as the Sabre or Sword Star, as determined by the Day Stem – Yin Wood – the Tiger is the star for him.
With the Tiger unfavourable, it is even worse of course. Page 80, star 27:
“Danger of injury, operation and accidents”.
Ani Pesheva says that the influence of this star is stronger for Yang Day Masters but if there is Hurting Officer present in the chart then the star has great strength and brings disasters and injuries. It so happens that in Morin’s chart the star itself is sitting on the Hurting Officer – the Tiger contains Yang Fire – Hurting Officer, which makes it even stronger.
Another star present in Morin’s BaZi chart is the True Lamp and Chopper star which is again determined from the Day Stem – Yin Wood – and for him that star is the Yang Meal Dragon – present in the Hour Pillar.
Pape 86, star 28:
“This star is stronger than the Lamb and Chopper one. It means, injuries, devastation and accidents.”
Another star that Morin has is called the Celestial/Heavenly River and determined from the Month Branch – the Tiger, which for Morin gives the Dragon as that star.
Page 200, star 143:
“Danger of water disasters and drowning”.
Here is what Morin says about his life, from Book 21:
“…I have suffered from many serious diseases but luckily recovered because of good medical treatment. I have also been in danger of a violent death several times and was once very gravely wounded.”
“I have had several serious diseases which were difficult to cure and more than once was almost put in jail because of youthful lollies, at least ten times was close to a violent death and have experienced all kinds of dangers. Sixteen times I have enlisted in the service of others, which is a thing not dissimilar to incarceration or captivity, and have had many enemies through envy and nobles who treated me unfairly – one of which was Cardinal Richelieu.”
In regards to his motivation, because of this eminent chart but very difficult life, Morin would seek to be in a position of power or influence – as shown by the Power/Influence/Controlling element Metal being the most favourable in his chart. Since the Rooster and Yin Wood Rooster are the favourable stars, he will do it according to the descriptions of these stars: astronomy, astrology, education, medicine, and of course the Yin Metal is represented by a knife, this is another indication that he might be a surgeon or a doctor.
In regards to marriage, the Wealth element being unfavourable (it shows the partner for a male, the Controlling/Power one for a female) and being completely controlled by the rivals, shows either the death of the native’s wife or a short marriage and separation, or no marriage at all, and remember the Isolation or Widow star also – the Dragon sitting on the Wealth element – Indirect Wealth – Yin Earth, which tips the scales to no marriage. Morin did not marry as far as I know and even he did, which I doubt, it would have been very brief.
Someone who is not versed well enough in Chinese Astrology, upon seeing the most favourable Rooster in the Day Branch (the Spouse Palace) would be quick to say the native will have a happy marriage, but that is not how it is done as the life showed – it is completely false. Moreover, the Rooster is also the Loss Star and it is the Spouse Palace – losses as a result of relationships, worry stress, hardship.
In regards to children, shown by the Controlling element (Output one for females), they would be of great use to him and there would be affinity, but again early death or disease or a hard life is indicated as the Controlling element is out of season and weakened by the many rivals of Wood. Morin did not have children. Moreover, if the native were to have children, it would be after age 36 or could be even after 50, because the Metal is in the 2nd half of life.
In regards to health issues, since the Earth is very weak and attacked by the Controlling element Wood, the spleen, the stomach, the digestive system and the abdomen are susceptible.
Since the liver has to do with the formation of blood and its cleansing and filtering and eliminating toxins, when Wood, becomes even stronger, especially from Water, the liver or gallbladder will malfunction. Water controlling Fire (rules the heart and the eyes) will damage the heart, which has to do with the circulation of blood – blood problems or problems relating to deficiency or excess of fire – fevers.
Timing the crucial events in Jean Baptiste Morin’s chart
Quote from Book 21:
“…around my eighth year it (Saturn) caused me to have the quartan fever……in 1616 it caused me to contract a serious and long lasting disease”
When the native was 6.48 years, so around July 16 1589 he entered the Yin Water cycle – Indirect Resource – highly unfavourable. I say the fever occurred either in 1590 or 1591 – when the native was 7 or 8 years old.
1590 is the Yang Metal Tiger:
It is the Lamb and Chopper/Sword/Saber Star – “Danger of injury, operation and accidents” or if it is the Rabbit – the most unfavourable imaginable symbol – the Negative God – then it is even worse:
Just bear with me and remember the next time I mention the Rabbit, when the native is also in a bad cycle like then with the fever, not just bad year, and what happened.
On July 9 1605 Morin sustained two very deep wounds due to a famous woman – almost bled out completely – close to below the heart and the middle of the left thigh. Taken from Book 22.
He was 22 something and had begun the Rat cycle – a highly negative element – cardinal Water and transforms the Dragon into Water, thus activating the Dragon as well and it is the True Lamb and Chopper one. “It means, injuries, devastation and accidents”. It is also the Widow Star but the native will not be alone in this period because the other reason he will suffer from females is 2 fold:
- the Rat destroys the Rooster – in the Spouse Palace of relationships. The Destruction relationship means behaviour or relationships that are damaging to the person. It may be drinking or mistakes as a result of pressure;
- the Rat is the Peach Blossom Star/Romance Star for Morin, as based on the Year Branch. The Rat is an external star, that is, it appears in the Luck Pillars and thus the native is not used to this, unless there are similar stars or type of charts, and Morin does not have this – quite on the contrary – he has the Widow and Loss Star, so he has to deal with this energy. Page 45, star 15:
“…it creates an invisible chemistry of fluids and attracts others to the native”. Peach Blossom also shows charisma and appeal to others, not just romantic and sexual moods and inclinations. Morin must have caught the attention of that powerful woman, but he does not give details as far as I know. As for the blood, the Water strengthened the liver even more and controlled the Fire – the heart.
Also, here is the chart for the day of the accident:
There is another rival in the Yin Wood year of the Snake, which forms Metal and is highly positive, as is the Rooster, but that is not enough. The Water cycle is weakening the Metal year and add to this the Yin Water Goat – doubly negative symbol, as repeated in Morin’s Year Pillar, but these are secondary and tertiary indications.
One can say that the Rooster day leads to self-Punishment due to the Rooster natal Day Branch, hence – self-sabotage, but I disagree with this.
The next event is: 30 May 1612 – excessive drinking led to a continuous fever for 6 months, jaundice – liver disease, dropsy (swelling of tissues due to too much water), taken from Book 22.
Morin was 29 so in the Yin Metal cycle – extremely positive, yet look what happened – Yang Water Rat – AGAIN – activating the Dragon – no need to repeat and again destroying the Rooster – no need to repeat, see above.
There are 2 Wood rivals as well in this chart, and no top of it the Snake can’t combine with the Rooster but forms a Summer Seasonal Combination with the Horse and natal Goat – Fire. So there is clash of Water and Fire – again, the liver suffers and as you see – too much Water and Water controls Fire. What made it worse is that the favourable element Metal was destroyed and were it not for the favourable cycle, it would have been surely worse, because the Water weakened/drained the Metal and the Fire controlled it.
Next event: 9 May 1613 – received Doctor of medicine degree, taken from Book 22.
Extremely favourable chart. The Snake and the Ox complete the Three Harmony Metal Combination with the Rooster, the Tiger/Wood is completely controlled and destroyed and the cycle continues to be Yin Metal. Moreover, the Ox is what is called the Talent Star for Morin, as taken from the Day Branch – the Rooster. It appears in the year so is valid for this year and every time the Ox shows up. Page 65-67, star 21:
“If it is together in a given Pillar with Eating God, or Hurting Officer and/or Indirect Resource – these are good doctors and nurses, and also writers.”
Yin Water is Indirect Resource in Morin’s chart and not only is the Ox sitting on the Yin Water, but it contains Yin Water as well – absolutely perfect – and he became a doctor that year and years later served noblemen and aristocrats.
Now comes the most dangerous year of Morin’s life – 1615 the year of the Yin Wood Rabbit (and I remind the year is from Feb 4-6 to Feb 4-6). Taken from Book 22:
“….but several times during it (the journey) I fell into danger of violent death; and four times in particular in the greatest danger in life”
7 Jul 1615 – attacked while swimming in a river in Germany – had a catapult thrown at him and almost got transfixed by a sword – the foreigners thought Morin was a robber.
The Rabbit is by far the most dangerous symbol of all in Jean Baptiste Morin’s Four Pillars of Destiny chart because it not only completes the Spring Wood Seasonal Combination with the Tiger and the Dragon, but becomes strong enough to clash the Rooster –the Useful God in Morin’s chart – the most favourable symbol. On top of it – the Rabbit is sitting on Yin Wood – another rival, the month is the Yang Water Horse – further weakening the Metal and the day is Yin Fire Pig – adding to the Wood by wanting to combine with the Rabbit and Goat or with the Tiger, or just remaining plain Water – bad in every case. Who needs the Yang Water combining away the Yin Fire into even more Wood after these horrendous indications?! Again, the Dragon is activated and remember it signifies “Danger of drowning or water disasters”.
What is even worse is that Morin was in the Pig cycle – again – Water or much more likely Wood, due to the Rabbit and Goat or Tiger – Three Harmony or Six Harmony Combination.
The year is not over yet!
1 January 1616 – suffered from a psychic attack from a very powerful witch and fortune teller – almost drowned with horse, 2 other men almost died as well, because they too refused lodging at this woman’s place.
Morin says:
“….for I was truly freed (from it – the danger) in a miraculous manner; neither I, nor my horse, nor anyone mortal could have freed me or the horse from a fall that had already begun and from (subsequent) death.”
That is almost as bad as it gets. The Rat wants to combine with the Dragon to make Water and further drain the Metal after the Wood Seasonal Combination is really draining it and on top of it destroys the Rooster – the native’s most favourable symbol.
I remind that the Rat is the Peach Blossom Star and the Rooster sits in the Spouse Palace –broken romance literally or separation and facing the consequences.
To dig deeper, the Rat sits on the Indirect Resource – Yin Water, which represents magicians, fortune tellers, alchemists, Astrology, Feng Shui, energy healing etc. That is absolutely amazing!
If it had Direct Resource the meaning, of course, would be somewhat different, even though there would be the issue of romance and appeal, thus there is a double whammy, in fact triple indication, because the Spouse Palace is destroyed.
Note that the Yin Wood Rooster is the day (the Chinese have a special term for this type of thing – when the natal Day Branch repeats – every 60 days or months or years and is can be very dangerous or deadly) of birth. Of course, in this chart it is the most favourable symbol and really protected Morin, otherwise he would have suffered even more.
Next event, from Book 22:
16 April 1616 – a great and malign illness
Note what happens. It is a Dragon year, activating the natal Dragon and creating a self-Punishment. To make it worse there is another Dragon in the month and the day is another Earth symbol – the Goat. In other words, the rivals are fighting for the Wealth element Earth and the native suffers a lot – Morin got sick. Note that the Dragon contains another rival – Yin Wood.
Next event, taken from Book 21:
“Morin later predicted that in the year 1617 his employer, the Bishop of Boulogne, would be arrested and imprisoned”. When this actually occurred it won Morin a certain fame and he began to be consulted by the high born and the important, including Queen Marie de Medicis herself.”
Morin had taken up studying Astrology by that time, in the Pig cycle – containing and being Water – the Resource element of knowledge.
Look closely what happens. The Snake combines with the Rooster and is thus protected from the clash of the Pig. The Partial Three Harmony Metal combination strengthens Metal and helps control the Wood. Metal being the Power element and the useful one – the native finds himself in the company of men of power and influence and benefits. Of course, remember what the Roooster signifies via the 2 stars – fame, astrology, astronomy, writing etc.
Moreover, the Snake is the Travelling Horse Star, as taken from the Year Branch – the Goat. What it means is – page 57, star 18:
“Change of employment, relocating or many journeys”.
Morin did not change his profession yet, just wait until the next year of the Snake, but he did gain clients and sort of a part time job if you will – doing astrological delineations and predictions.
Next event, from Book 22:
1621 –made regular physician to the Duke of Luxembourg – had to be great success, but he says “was not a fortunate one for me. I worked a field that was sterile and ungrateful.”
On top of it, he was in the Yang Metal cycle – an extremely powerful combination. The Yang Metal could easily then combine away the Yin Wood and turn it into Metal.
What is the problem then, why was Morin dissatisfied?
Well, first of all you have to realize the books he wrote were written decades later, that is, he had reached his peak and become truly famous and had wealth. Thus it is easy not to appreciate what he had back then compared to what followed.
The second factor is that this being his most powerful symbol, the Rooster is activated again, and the native wants to achieve fame and to educate and write and practise medicine or astronomy etc, but the field itself, medicine, is as he says sterile and ungrateful. Again, he was a professional and highly qualified, it is just his destiny is not to be a doctor but an Astrology practitioner and an astronomer (I don’t want to digress with including Western Ancient Astrology, but Jean Baptiste Morin’s Kurios, Ruler of the chart – the planet speaking about the native’s overall life path and one’s destiny – is Hermes aka Mercury (Astrology, astronomy, the scientist and writer – culminating from the Lot of Fortune), not Ares aka Mars (the doctor, surgeon, warrior etc), which rules his Ascendant).
Next event, taken from Book 21:
“In 1629, the Queen interceded with the King on behalf of Morin who had applied for appointment to the chair of mathematics at the College de France, and in September of that year he left the service of the Duke of Luxembourg and took up his duties as professor of mathematics.”
Do these look familiar? The fame, education, astronomy star and the Travelling Horse – change of employment and relocation star. There is no need to comment really – absolutely perfect.
However, Morin had just entered the Yin Earth cycle in July 1629 – an unfavourable cycle, because even if it were possible to combine away the Yang Wood, there are other rivals which would attack Wealth and the native will suffer. Yes, if it happened before 7 Sep it would be the Monkey month – Metal again, but I very strongly doubt it did.
Next event:
1634 – Invented the longitudes method and was awarded on 30th Mar but 10 days later the prize was taken away due to enemies. Taken from Book 22:
The Yin Fire and the Dog, at least partially, provided it combines to make a Partial Three Harmony Combination with the Tiger, are favourable, the others are the likely suspects – the nemesis Rabbit completing the Wood Seasonal Combination and the Rat destroying the Rooster.
What is even worse is Morin was 51.11 years old, so still in the Yin Earth cycle. Can he win that major award then? Most definitely not! Keep in mind this was kind of a revolutionary discovery or improvement of a method developed over 100 years ago. I remind that the Wood shows friends and what is called Rob Wealth deity – the native loses wealth because of friends, who appear to be on his side, but are fair weather and abandon him and take advantage. Moreover, the cycle itself is Indirect Wealth. Where did it go? It went to the pockets of Morin’s enemies of course, at his expense.
Next event:
2 Nov 1642 – contracted a long illness – swelling and pain in the spleen which released urine in a flood, taken from Book 22.
What happened was the Earth, ruling the spleen was imbalanced: it was either, and much more likely, too weakened by the Rooster who fed the Water affecting the kidneys – urinating, or it got too strong as a result of the Horse transforming the Tiger into Fire and making a bridge to feed the Earth – Wood feeding the Fire and the Fire the Earth. The Dog gave even more Fire and completed the Three Harmony Fire Combination and the Yin Fire Goat supported the Earth.
In any case, that is not as deadly as the others because the native is in an excellent cycle, namely the Rooster. The reason why it is so serious is because the native is pushing age 60 and by that time the energy attacks more naturally the health and not other aspects of the native’s life, and of course recuperation is slower.
Next event, which is absolutely crucial – 4 Dec 1642 death of Cardinal Richelieu:
Just note that the day is Yin Earth Rabbit the nemesis in Morin’s chart, because it completes the Spring Wood Seasonal Combination and clashes away the Rooster. Now, Cardinal Richelieu is a boss, a person of great power and influence, thus shown by the Power/Controlling/Influence element in Morin’s chart – Metal. So what happened as you see is the Wood was so strong, and supported by the Pig and feeding the Horse – Fire, that it completely drained the Metal – Metal was incapacitated.
The absolute irony of fate is that the man who deprived Morin unjustly and most probably humiliated or abused him in other cases, died from the most negative symbol possible in Morin’s chart.
Here is Cardinal Richelieu’s Four Pillars aka BaZi chart (9 Sep 1585, 9.28 am LMT, France, Chinon 47N10, 0E15, or Paris with 48N52 2E20, but barely makes a difference in the Chinese chart) :
I will be very brief: it is strong self with rivals, which also needs the Controlling element. However, notice that the rivals are now out of season – weakest, whereas the Controlling/Power element Metal is strongest – Metal rules autumn. Do you see how subtle it is and how many variations there are? Moreover, the Snake combines with the Roosters to make even more Metal and suppress the rivals.
His destiny is way easier and there are not powerful enemies who are stronger than him, because even if there were such, they are out of season, out of the comfort zone and at a disadvantage and he is in there.
The Rabbit is the most devastating symbol and when it comes disasters are sure to follow. This is because the Rabbit is the Rival of the Yang Wood. Each of the 10 Stems has a zoidion/animal that is its Rival and since it is a strong self chart with rivals, the Rival is most unfavourable.
“Surprise, surprise” he was in a Rabbit cycle and even died on a Rabbit day – double whammy and both Rabbits clashed away the two Roosters – Beauty in its simplicity!
Sure, the Pig month added more Wood and the Horse year of death added Fire, further controlling Metal, but that is so minor compared to that most devastating combination.
Now is the time to emphasize how crucial the mundane fate is and how eminence and whole lives are subordinated to it. This is all the more noticeable the further up the hierarchy one reaches because then one has fewer and fewer persons to deal with, BUT if they do not like the native for whatever reason, including envy, then they either become enemies or do not support the native.
Richelieu was such a man. For whatever reason, he was hostile to Morin. So do you see the enormous determination of fate, as revealed by Chinese Astrology?
In short, Richelieu had to die before Morin could reach his peak. Moreover, remember the natal promise of Morin – namely that he will make in his second part of life – the Rooster or Monkey cycle. But for this to happen, Richelieu also has to be dead as well. Of course, all that is prefigured, predetermined in the natal charts chosen before birth.
On to the next event. The Monkey cycle finally came, in July 1644:
8 Apr 1645 – Morin was given the prize of the Longitudes after 11 years and given today’s equivalent of a $10,000 per month pension for the rest of his life and also paid $60,000.
Now, THAT is what I am talking about! Talk about repetition and the natal promise. That is simply fate, there is no other word.
For those that do not know, the Yin Wood Rooster year, for Morin (and for anyone, unless they live over 120 years!) last came in 1585 – once in 60 years, and this is his last chance, the Yang Metal Dragon month comes once every 60 months – 5 years, but even if it comes, the year would not be Yin Wood Rooster, though the day or hour could be, but that is way weaker.
The point is this combination that could not transform into Metal is now completely transformed, twice – once in the natal chart – present in the Day and Hour Pilllars and in this chart as well and let me repeat what it promises, because that is the absolute peak in the life of 17th century French Astrology practitioner Jean Baptiste Morin:
“Is extremely auspicious. It suggests a special skill, way of thinking or position in society”.
The Rooster as a star:
“It has to do wit literature and writing, music and art, astronomy and astrology, physiognomy, medicine and psychology, culture and education, rhetoric, calligraphy and design”.
And the Yin Wood Rooster:
“Easy achieving of fame”. Then it says: “…..if the native receives support from favourable elements or is the chart is a strong self, then they will have a valuable destiny.”
Another thing worth mentioning is that the Monkey from the cycle did NOT combine with the Dragon to make a Partial Three Harmony Water combination because the cardinal Water symbol – the Rat was absent.
Keep in mind the sentence about support. Metal, of course, represents the Power/Influence element and book 21 says:
“Morin enlisted the support of Duke d’Arles and Prince de Conde and other important nobles, he submitted the report to the Royal Council with intention of obtaining the financial reward that had been originally been promised. At last a favourable decision was reached.”
I searched for the birth data of these two gentlemen, but only found those of Prince de Conde. I am not sure if it is him, but it has to be him, living in the same century, in the same country and city and in fact in the same period – during the 30 Years War in Europe.
Now, would you like to guess whether the Prince’s natal chart contains Metal, so as to be sympathetic to Morin’s?
He was born on 8 Sep 1621, no hour:
Not just 1 but 2 Roosters, and the year was the Yin Wood Rooster of course.
The last event is Jean Baptiste Morin’s death as seen from Chinese Astrology:
Taken from:
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/morinchart.html
“Raizin reports that Morin died of a fever “on the 6th of November, 1656, at 2 in the morning” having shown himself to be aware of his impending death the month before, whilst in good health. Unfortunately the historical source of this report is not given in Raitzin’s article, which is available online at https://www.forumonastrology.com/foa/morin-life-1.html . It is said that Morin, then aged 73, smiled at his doctor’s attempts to save him, because he had already seen the certainty of his death in his stars.”
He was in the Goat cycle which is highly unfavourable. There are several indications and only the last one of them is possibly good. First the Yang Fire in the Monkey combined away the positive Yin Metal and transformed into Water – the protection was removed.
Second, the day and hour are of course way less important. The 2 Goats, the natal and cycle one either clashed away the 2 Oxen or completed the Bullying Punishment of the Goat the Ox and the Dog – which is Earth based – another unfavourable element and the rivals were fighting for the Wealth as well, without the Metal being strong enough to stop them.
Third, whether the Earth drained the Fire, or the Full Metal Combination of the Rooster, Monkey and Dog did it, Fire was imbalance and the native died, or at least one of the symptoms was – a fever, connected with the Fire element.
Conclusion
It has been a pleasure writing this article and it so happens that it is within 2 weeks of Morin’s day of death. I have learned a lot from him and would like to thank the translators Richard Baldwin and James Holden for giving me the opportunity to read his work in English.
Readers should now have a decent idea about how powerful and unbelievably accurate Chinese Astrology can be. I barely restrained myself from including delineations from the Ancient Astrology, and so will most likely be including such similar materials in the other section where I am integrating Ancient Astrology and Chinese Metaphysics.
I would love to see Jean Baptiste Morin’s face and palm so I can read at least some major features on them using Chinese Physiognomy but such are the risks of choosing to write about historical figures.
Written on the 23 of October 2015, day of Aphrodite, hour of the Moon, day of the …you guessed it – Yin Water Rooster, hour of….you guessed it – Yin Wood Rabbit
100 PERCENT ASTROLOGY: ANCIENT AND CHINESE ASTROLOGY 