Yongsin (Meaningful God) and Heesin: The Philosophy of Healing Saju

Introduction: Compass of Life, Yongsin

When you get a Saju consultation, the most common thing you hear is "You need Water" or "Fire is your Yongsin." What on earth is Yongsin (用神) that Saju scholars are so obsessed with it?

Yongsin literally means 'Using (用) God (神)', or 'the core character that operates my Saju'. It is the single most urgent and important character among the 8 characters. It is not just a lucky charm, but a strategic weapon to balance my life and break through crises.

Core Concept Analysis

Characters in Saju are divided into Allies and Enemies.

1. Yongsin (用神, Useful God): My Weapon

Medicine (藥) that cures the sickness (病) of the Saju chart.

• Eokbu (Suppress/Support) Yongsin: Suppressing the too strong, or helping the weak.
• Johu (Climate) Yongsin: Regulating climate that is too cold or too hot.
• Tonggwan (Flow) Yongsin: Enabling communication between blocked energies.

2. Heesin (喜神, Supporting God): Yongsin's Assistant

Character that helps Yongsin. If Yongsin is the General, Heesin is the Lieutenant. When Heesin comes in fortune, Yongsin gets empowered and life flourishes.

3. Gisin (忌神, Opposing God): My Obstacle

Character that attacks or hinders Yongsin. The main culprit breaking the balance. Appears as trials in life.

4. Gusin (仇神, Enemy God): Gisin's Assistant

Character helping Gisin to make me harder. (Uses the character for 'Enemy/Revenge' 仇)

Philosophical Meaning of Yongsin

1. Aesthetics of Junghwa (Harmony): Excess is Bad

Yongsin thought touches Confucian 'Golden Mean (Jungyong)' philosophy. Shedding the strong, Adding to the weak. This is the principle of the universe and healthy life.

• Wangja Chungbal: If you touch (clash) a guy who is too strong, he explodes. (In this case, you must not suppress but drain/channel the energy).

2. Deficiency is Drive

Yongsin is usually what I 'crave the most'. If one is cold due to lack of Fire (deficiency), he wanders seeking warmth all his life. That desperation becomes the power moving him. Thus, Yongsin is my deficiency and simultaneously my aspiration.

3. Yongsin Changes with Situation

Many think Yongsin is fixed for life. But just as a hero in turbulent times becomes a traitor in peaceful times, the necessary weapon (Yongsin) changes when the situation (Great Fortune) changes.

• Fire (Climate Yongsin) is urgent in Winter fortune, but when Spring comes, Water and Earth to grow Wood might become more necessary than Fire.

Deep Dive: Eokbu vs Johu Debate

The eternal theme of Saju academia: "Is Power Balance (Eokbu) first, or Climate Regulation (Johu) first?"

• Eokbu School: "We are starving to death, who cares about weather? Balance of power comes first."
• Johu School: "No matter how much money you have, if you are frozen solid, you can't use it. Temperature for life activity comes first."

Modern Conclusion:

• Social achievement (Wealth, Status) is deeply related to Eokbu (Power).
• Personal happiness (Health, Emotion) is deeply related to Johu (Climate).
• Rich but unhappy? Eokbu was right but Johu was broken.

Practical Application: Using Yongsin (Opening Luck)

Let's take a person whose Yongsin is 'Wood (Tree)'.

1. Material: Growing plants, wood furniture, green clothes, hiking, East direction.
2. Action: Starting, planning, benevolence (In 仁), playing with children.
3. Job: Education, architecture, fashion, publishing.
4. People: Meeting a spouse or partner with strong Wood energy.

But the most important method is Mindset. If Yongsin is Wood, possessing a mind that is straight, flexible, and growing like a tree will open luck.

Conclusion: You Are Your Own Yongsin

One might lack Yongsin or have a powerless one (Bulgeup). But no need to be disappointed.

Classics said "Broken structure without Yongsin," but modern perspective values the "ability to bring what is missing from outside or create it oneself." Yongsin is not a savior coming from outside. Recognizing the imbalance within me and my Will to balance it myself—that is the true Yongsin.

References:

• Dripping Heavenly Marrow (Jeokcheonsu)
• Gungtong Bogam (Ultimate Guide to Climate) - Origin of Johu theory
• Carl Jung, Psychological Types