The Twelve Earthly Branch Harms (Di Zhi Xiang Hai):
Chou-Wu Harm, Shen-Hai Harm, You-Xu Harm, Mao-Chen Harm, Yin-Si Harm, Zi-Wei Harm.
Harm (Xiang Hai): It refers to mutual damage, obstruction, and hindrance between Earthly Branches. This meaning of Earthly Branch Harm also has its specific forms and reasons.
Many texts explain the above forms of harm by stating that harm is primarily directed at combination formations (He Ju). For example:
- Zi combines with Chou, when Wu clashes, Chou-Wu harm occurs; when Wei clashes, Zi-Wei harm occurs.
- Yin combines with Hai, when Shen clashes, Shen-Hai harm occurs; when Si clashes, Yin-Si harm occurs.
- Mao combines with Xu, when You clashes, You-Xu harm occurs; when Chen clashes, Mao-Chen harm occurs.
- Si combines with Shen, when Yin clashes, Yin-Si harm occurs; when Hai clashes, Shen-Hai harm occurs.
- Wu combines with Wei, when Zi clashes, Zi-Wei harm occurs; when Chou clashes, Chou-Wu harm occurs.
From this, it can be seen that harm refers to two Earthly Branches with a harming relationship exerting an influence on a combination formation (He Ju) formed by another Earthly Branch.
Harm (Xiang Hai) is specific to combination formations, and in this respect, it shares formal similarities with clashes (Xiang Chong) that affect combination formations. However, their actual effects differ significantly. Clashes (Xiang Chong) are a form of Earthly Branch force transformation; harm (Xiang Hai) does not participate in the transformation of forces between Earthly Branches. It is also the only manifestation of Earthly Branch force that does not participate in the Five Element generating and controlling cycles. Through this form of harm, the degree and details of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness in Five Element interactions can be better reflected.
For example, Zi-Wei Harm:
This refers to Zi impacting the Wu-Wei Six Combination, Mao-Wei Half-Three Combination, Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination, and Si-Wu-Wei Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Wei impacting the Zi-Chou Six Combination, Shen-Zi or Zi-Chen Half-Three Combination, Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination, and Hai-Zi-Chou Three Meeting Formation.
For example, Wu-Chou Harm:
This refers to Wu impacting the Zi-Chou Six Combination, You-Chou Half-Three Combination, Si-You-Chou Three Combination, and Hai-Zi-Chou Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Chou impacting the Wu-Wei Six Combination, Yin-Wu or Wu-Xu Half-Three Combination, Yin-Wu-Xu Three Combination, and Si-Wu-Wei Three Meeting Formation.
For example, You-Xu Harm:
This refers to You impacting the Mao-Xu Six Combination, Wu-Xu Half-Three Combination, Yin-Wu-Xu Three Combination, and Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Xu impacting the Chen-You Six Combination, Si-You or You-Chou Half-Three Combination, Si-You-Chou Three Combination, and Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation.
For example, Shen-Hai Harm:
This refers to Shen impacting the Yin-Hai Six Combination, Hai-Mao Half-Three Combination, Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination, and Hai-Zi-Chou Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Hai impacting the Si-Shen Six Combination, Zi-Shen Half-Three Combination, Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination, and Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation.
For example, Mao-Chen Harm:
This refers to Mao impacting the Chen-You Six Combination, Zi-Chen Half-Three Combination, Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination, and Yin-Mao-Chen Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Chen impacting the Mao-Xu Six Combination, Hai-Mao or Mao-Wei Half-Three Combination, Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination, and Yin-Mao-Chen Three Meeting Formation.
For example, Yin-Si Harm:
This refers to Yin impacting the Si-Shen Six Combination, Si-You Half-Three Combination, Si-You-Chou Three Combination, and Si-Wu-Wei Three Meeting Formation.
This refers to Si impacting the Yin-Hai Six Combination, Yin-Wu Half-Three Combination, Yin-Wu-Xu Three Combination, and Yin-Mao-Chen Three Meeting Formation.
The reasons why Earthly Branches produce harm (Xiang Hai) are more often derived from their intrinsic symbolism (xiang yi). Only through the Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan) and Earthly Branches (Di Zhi) can the waxing and waning of all things, the depth of seasons, and the profound mysteries of Yin and Yang transformations be manifested. In Bazi texts, the reasons for harm between Earthly Branches are analyzed as follows:
For example, in You-Xu harm, Xu contains Ding Fire as “dead fire,” and You is “strong metal.” The dead fire and strong metal, out of jealousy, cause harm.
For example, in Mao-Chen harm, Mao is “strong wood,” and Chen is “dead earth.” Strong wood overpowers dead earth; earth existed before wood, and wood harms earth. This is called “the young disrespecting the elder.”
For example, in Zi-Wei harm, Wei belongs to “strong earth,” and Zi belongs to “strong water.” When strong earth and strong water contend, one must be harmed, and so on.
Such relatively absurd interpretations, due to the structural characteristics of symbolism and numerology culture, also contain some dialectical components.
In practical application, there are no strict limitations on the conditions for harm; it only requires two branches to be closely adjacent to form harm.
Between Earthly Branch harms (Xiang Hai), clashes (Xiang Chong), punishments (Xiang Xing), and combinations (Xiang He), there is no yielding. When various forms of Earthly Branch force transformation coexist, each should still develop according to its own conditions.
Earthly Branch harm (Di Zhi Xiang Hai) is a derivative form of Earthly Branch clashes (Xiang Chong), combinations (Xiang He), and punishments (Xiang Xing); its function is to reflect the auspicious and inauspicious results and degrees of Earthly Branch clashes, combinations, and punishments.
Therefore, harm can represent both the resistance encountered in the development of things and the impetus encountered in their development.
These characteristics of harm also indicate that harm itself is merely a static “image” (xiang). Its favorability or unfavorability needs to be triggered, requiring the transformation of forces between Earthly Branches through punishments (Xing), clashes (Chong), and combinations (He) to manifest specific results.
For example: If Mao forms a transformed combination into fire, which is an unfavorable element, and You comes to clash and disperse it, then You-Xu harm is auspicious; otherwise, it is inauspicious.
If Chen-You combine and transform into metal, which is an unfavorable element, and Mao comes to clash and disperse it, then Mao-Chen harm is auspicious; otherwise, it is inauspicious.
Therefore, the favorability or unfavorability of Earthly Branch harm is determined by the favorability or unfavorability of the Daymaster (Ri Zhu) and the natal chart (Ming Ju). The same principle applies to situations where the Six Kin Relationships (Liu Qin) and Palaces (Gong Wei) encounter harm. It can also explain specific circumstances between the Six Kin Relationships and the Daymaster.
Generally, Zi-Wei harm, You-Xu harm, and Mao-Chen harm are more frequently used. Zi-Wei harm often indicates matters related to marriage, while You-Xu harm and Mao-Chen harm often indicate information regarding injuries, disabilities, and legal disputes.
Here are illustrative examples:
Example One:
Several years ago, while conducting specialized case studies, a middle-aged woman provided her son’s Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) chart. This chart particularly highlighted the substantive effects of Earthly Branch harm.
Natal Chart Analysis: The Daymaster (Ri Zhu) Yi Wood is born in Chen month, gaining the season’s command. It has roots in the Day Branch and connects to the Year, Month, and Hour Branches. Ren Water Resource Star (Yin Xing) appears in the Month Stem, transforming the Seven Killings (Qi Sha) to support the Self, making the Daymaster extremely strong. Geng Metal and Xin Metal appear in the Year and Hour Stems but are rootless and weak in the Earthly Branches. The original natal chart (Ming Ju) takes Output Stars (Shi Shang) generating Wealth Stars (Cai Xing) as the Favorable Gods (Yong Shen). Resource Stars (Yin Xing) and Companion Stars (Bi Jie) are Unfavorable Gods (Ji Shen).
In this chart, there are no Output Elements present. Although Wealth Elements appear strong in the Earthly Branches, the two Chen Earth and Wei Earth also serve as residual roots for Wood. As long as the Favorable Gods (Yong Shen) are strong, the Unfavorable Gods (Ji Shen) also become strong, which is the crux of the problem. The Favorable Gods cannot exert any effect at all. At this point, the natal chart fully exhibits the phenomena of strong Wood causing Metal deficiency, too much Wood drying up Water, and strong Wood overcoming Earth. The injury/disability is already determined and incurable. Furthermore, observing the adjacent Mao Wood and Chen Earth in a harming relationship in the Earthly Branches, this completely exacerbates the information of congenital disability.
Through the different roles of the Five Elements in various states: The Seven Killings (Qi Sha) in the Year Pillar represent the father. The Ren Water Resource Star (Yin Xing) in the Month Pillar represents the mother. The Ren Water Resource Star sits on a tomb (Mu), transforming the Seven Killings to support the Self, turning the Authority Stars (Guan Sha) into Unfavorable Gods (Ji Shen). This makes the Daymaster (Ri Zhu) strong but unchecked, with no remedy, also indicating the parents are helpless. Looking at the Earthly Branch Mao-Chen harm, it is also a relationship of strong Wood and dead Earth: Chen contains hidden stems Yi Wood, Wu Earth, and Gui Water. Water generates Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, which also indicates the mother’s helplessness regarding her son’s condition, and even that the mother could not bear to see her son’s suffering and wished for him to end his life early.
Upon seeing this, I said: “This chart indicates a congenital disability, beyond medical cure, and it will be difficult to survive the Yi Hai (Wood Pig) year.”
The middle-aged woman’s face was solemn, her eyes moist, and she said, “Teacher Shao is right. This child has congenital heart disease, pectus excavatum (chicken breast), six fingers, and kyphosis (hunchback), and there has been no way to treat it. Seeing my child’s condition, I secretly wished he would pass away sooner to suffer less.”
In 1994, the chart owner entered the Xin Mao (Metal Rabbit) Ten-Year Luck Cycle (Da Yun). From the perspective of Five Element generating and controlling cycles, it maintained a balance with the original natal chart; however, this balance within the luck cycle was established on the basis of the original chart already having a disability. From this perspective, it was an indication of incurable illness. To evaluate a Bazi chart is to understand the state of the eight characters (Stems and Branches), and only then can the specific auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of the annual luck (Liu Nian) and Ten-Year Luck Cycles (Da Yun) be determined. Simply considering the relative balance from the natal chart to the luck cycle is a mechanical way of thinking.
During the Xin Mao (Metal Rabbit) Ten-Year Luck Cycle (Da Yun), two Mao and two Chen appeared with the natal chart, strengthening the information of Mao-Chen harm.
In 1995, the annual luck (Liu Nian) Yi Hai (Wood Pig) triggered the Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination of Wood, transforming the hidden stems Ding Fire and Ji Earth within Wei Earth into the essential qi of Wood. Ding Fire represents the heart, and Wei represents the spine. The disappearance of Wei Earth and its hidden stems Ding Fire and Ji Earth indicates the severe deterioration of the illness. At the same time, it triggered the actual effect of Mao-Chen harm, meaning that Mao Wood, through the Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination of Wood, harms Chen Earth. It can also be said that Chen Earth harms Mao Wood and Mao Wood’s combination. The result of Mao-Chen harm was that Mao Wood prevailed, bringing fatal harm to the chart owner.
In the monthly luck (Liu Yue) Yi You (Wood Rooster), two Chen combined with one You in the natal chart; however, the Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination of Wood clashed away You Metal, preventing Chen and You from combining. Metal also could not overcome Wood. When Wood becomes overly strong, it will overcome Earth.
Mao-Chen harm serves to obstruct the combination formation of the other party, preventing its combination from functioning. Here, because the strength of the Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination of Wood was greater than the Chen-You Six Combination of Metal, Mao Wood clashed away You Metal and caused harm to Chen Earth, resulting in damage to Chen Earth and harming the chart owner’s Favorable God (Yong Shen).
On the daily luck (Liu Ri) Jia Yin (Wood Tiger), it triggered the Yin-Mao-Chen Three Meeting Formation of Wood. The Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination of Wood combined and met to remove the Favorable God (Yong Shen) in the natal chart. The Daymaster (Ri Zhu) was strong and unchecked, with no roots for the Favorable God. Mao Wood harmed Chen Earth even more thoroughly. At Mao hour on that day, the chart owner passed away.
Example Two:
Gui Water is born in Shen month, a place of “death,” with no roots in the Earthly Branches. Jia Wood in the Month Stem loses its season, with no roots in the Earthly Branches. Resource Star (Yin) and Indirect Resource Star (Xiao) both appear in the Year and Month Stems. Geng Metal and Xin Metal gain the strong season’s command, with roots in all four branches, dominant in the chart. The original natal chart takes Output Stars (Shi Shang) and Wealth Stars (Cai Xing) as Favorable Gods (Yong Shen), Companion Stars (Bi Jie) as Auxiliary Favorable Gods (Xi Shen), and dislikes Authority Stars (Guan Sha) generating Resource Stars (Yin Xing).
In 1993, the chart entered the Bing Xu (Fire Dog) Ten-Year Luck Cycle (Da Yun), forming a Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation of Metal with the natal chart. Bing Fire Wealth Star (Cai Xing) sits on a tomb (Mu), appearing in the Heavenly Stem of the Da Yun. The weak Favorable God (Yong Shen) Ding Fire within the Da Yun’s Earthly Branch Xu Earth was combined and transformed into an Unfavorable God (Ji Shen), thus requiring attention to annual luck (Liu Nian) triggers.
The Da Yun’s Earthly Branch Xu Earth, along with the Day Branch You Metal and Hour Branch You Metal in the natal chart, also simultaneously formed harm. Through the Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation of Metal, the entire Xu Earth also transformed into Metal. This indicates that during the harming process between Earthly Branches, You Metal harmed Xu Earth through a combination formation.
In 1999, the annual luck (Liu Nian) Ji Mao (Earth Rabbit) brought the Grand Duke (Tai Sui), triggering Mao-You clash. The Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation of Metal clashed away Mao Wood. Simultaneously, it triggered Geng Metal and Xin Metal in the Heavenly Stems to overcome Jia Wood, leading to Indirect Resource Star (Xiao Yin) seizing the Output Star (Shi). That year, the person was arrested for car theft and also suffered injuries.
It can also be understood this way: The appearance of the Grand Duke (Tai Sui) in the annual luck triggered the successful combination and transformation of Mao-Xu into Fire in the luck cycle, which would originally be favorable for the chart owner. However, because the Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation of Metal clashed away the Mao-Xu Six Combination of Fire, the auspicious combination failed and turned inauspicious. At the same time, the Shen-You-Xu Three Meeting Formation of Metal absorbed the weak Favorable God (Yong Shen) Ding Fire within the Da Yun’s Xu Earth, turning the Favorable God into an Unfavorable God (Ji Shen). This illustrates You Metal harming Xu Earth during the harming process between the two Earthly Branches, You and Xu.
Based on the examples above, some characteristics of harm (Xiang Hai) can be summarized:
- Harm (Xiang Hai) is a form of existence for Earthly Branches and Five Elements. It is a state in the development of things and inherently has no auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. If an auspicious combination encounters harm, it becomes inauspicious; if an inauspicious combination encounters harm, the degree of inauspiciousness is reduced.
- Harm (Xiang Hai) does not participate in the Five Element generating and controlling cycles directly. However, it reflects the degree of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness in Five Element interactions. Therefore, it is parasitic upon the forms of Earthly Branch punishments (Xiang Xing), combinations (Xiang He), and clashes (Xiang Chong).
- When the transformation of Five Element forces maintains a relative balance, the significance of harm lies in indicating the reasons for the development of things and their future trends.