#2 "Let's Learn the Ten Heavenly Stems!" Takenoko's Four Pillars of Destiny Starter Book

This might be sudden, but you often hear the phrase "kou-otsu tsukegatai" (hard to distinguish between the first and second), don't you?

Actually, these "kou-otsu" are part of the

"Ten Heavenly Stems"

originally used in divination and calendars. Did you know that?

What you can learn in this article☝️

Is the idiom "kou-otsu" a divination word?

"Kou-otsu tsukegatai" is a phrase used when it's hard to decide which is better.

Actually, these "kou" and "otsu"are the first and second of the Ten Heavenly Stems,

Kou (kinoe) and Otsu (kinoto)

which are their etymological origins.

The Ten Heavenly Stems were widely used in ancient Chinese calendars and divination, representing a total of 10 types of energy born from combinations of the Five Elements (Gogyo) and Yin-Yang.

● Kou (kinoe) = 1st → Symbolizes strength and beginnings
● Otsu (kinoto) = 2nd → A soft flow that follows next

As they were used as ranking symbols like this, they became established in Japanese idioms.

What do you think? Isn't it a bit interesting?

Grasping the Ten Heavenly Stems with 5 "initials"

The trick to the Ten Heavenly Stems is to first quickly memorize the initials based on the Five Elements of "Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water."

● Ki (Wood)
● Hi (Fire)
● Tsuchi (Earth)
● Ka (Metal)
● Mizu (Water)

"Yang" and "Yin" are added to each to make a total of 10. For example, for "Wood," there is "kinoe (Yang)" and "kinoto (Yin)."

Yang = Older Brother (e) and Yin = Younger Brother (to)

The "Yang = Older Brother (e)" and "Yin = Younger Brother (to)" added to the Five Elements might feel a bit mysterious. But try to imagine it!

● The Yang "Older Brother" is the type who takes the stage and plays an active role.
● The Yin "Younger Brother" is the support role who quietly backs up the older brother.

For example, with "Wood":

"Kinoe (Older Brother) = Piercing energy"

"Kinoto (Younger Brother) = Soft, intertwining energy"

Something like that.

It's easier to imagine now, right?

First, you don't need to try to "memorize" them!

For now, try to think of the Ten Heavenly Stems as characters.

● Kinoe <Yang Wood> = The feeling of "stretching toward the vast sky"
● Hinoto <Yin Fire> = The feeling of "gently lighting a flame"

...In this way, try imagining a "tree towering in the sky" or a "quiet candle." Just picturing the general vibe is enough.
Let's keep it light, like "I'll memorize it later with an app!"

Just 3 questions! Experience Quiz

Now, here's a quick quiz! Let's try challenging these 3 questions!

1. Which one is "Yang Metal"?

   • Kanoe? Kanoto?

2. Which one do you think is "Yin Water"?

   • Mizunoe? Mizunoto?

3. "Kinoe (甲) / Kinoto (乙)" belong to which element?

   • Wood? Fire? Earth? Metal? Water?

How was it? Did you get a feel for it?

Now, let's check the answers!

1. Yang Metal → Kanoe (庚)

   • Since it's the Yang stem of the Metal element, imagine the energy of steel being released outward!

2. Yin Water → Gui (Mizunoto)

   • Since it's the Yin Stem of the Water element, it feels like supporting from within, just like dripping water!

3. Jia (Kinoe) / Yi (Kinoto) → The Wood siblings

   • Those were the Yang and Yin Stems of the Wood element, right!

How was it? Did you get it right?

Presenting the "Ten Heavenly Stems Memorization App"

Now all that's left is to memorize them. But maybe because these kanji aren't familiar, they're actually quite hard to remember.
So, I made an app specifically for memorization. 📱
You can learn them like a game with a time limit, so please use the app to quickly review them.

▶ Memorize the Ten Heavenly Stems like a game with the app!
From this link ↑, feel free to learn them anytime on your smartphone!

Summary

Doesn't it feel much easier to remember when you imagine the Ten Heavenly Stems as characters like this?

Actually, when reading the Four Pillars of Destiny, it's so important that you can't even start without these Ten Heavenly Stems.

Depending on which Ten Heavenly Stems correspond to your birth year, month, day, and time (the four pillars), your personality and fortune trends become much easier to understand.

Moreover, these Ten Heavenly Stems have mysterious roles called "Ten Gods" (Tsūhensei), and rumor has it that they depict your destiny in a dramatic way.
I'll be teaching you about those Ten Gods in detail, so look forward to it!

Takenoko's Four Pillars of Destiny Starter BookClick here for the magazine that compiles everything ↓
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