Yihun’s Four Pillars Chapter, Chapter 3, Section 3: Earth Branches Mutual Punishment – Yin, Si, Shen Three Punishments

Yin Si Shen Triple Punishment

The Yin Si Shen Triple Punishment, compared to several other groups of Earthly Branch Punishments, and self-punishments, is the most complex and variable combination. Its three Earthly Branches, when matched with their corresponding Heavenly Stems, can produce as many as one hundred and twenty-six different combination forms. Of course, it’s not to say that the mere meeting of the three branches constitutes a usable condition. In practical application, even when the specific conditions for the Yin Si Shen Triple Punishment are met and specific usage objectives are achieved, it may not necessarily be interpreted solely as a punishment. When the three aspects and outcomes of the Yin Si Shen Triple Punishment simultaneously act on certain specific links in the annual and luck cycles, the selection, use, and reasonable trade-offs for them still present a considerable challenge. A deep and thorough understanding of the basic principles of the Yin Si Shen Triple Punishment is essential.

Di Tian Sui states that Yin punishing Si means Yin wood generates Si fire; Si punishing Shen implies both combination and conflict; and Yin punishing Shen implies clash. Why can’t the relationship between the three Earthly Branches of Yin, Si, and Shen be directly understood as the nature and function of generation and overcoming, clash and combination among the Five Elements? Or is the author’s painstaking effort hinting that the Yin Si Shen punishment, and its relationship with the Five Elements’ generation and overcoming and clash and combination, exhibit certain overlapping and coinciding phenomena? After careful consideration, it is found that behind this statement lies a lingering, unfinished sentiment. Through extensive practice and repeated verification, what this statement truly aims to reflect is: to fully and thoroughly express the conditions, effects, phenomena, and forms of the Five Elements’ generation and overcoming relationships, from both positive and negative, Yin and Yang aspects, through the various forms of Earthly Branch punishments.

In practical applications, the “Yin Xing Si Fire Prosperity” group of situations has the highest probability of use. So, how should we understand the meaning of “Yin Xing Si has Yin Wood generating Si Fire”? In fact, the most crucial issue here is “Xing” (punishment/clash) and “Sheng” (generation). There are strict rules about when to consider Xing and when to consider Sheng. This requires a complete and thorough distinction between the concepts and natures of Sheng and Xing. Sheng means that the generating Wuxing (element) transfers all its power to the generated Wuxing, the power of the generating Wuxing disappears, and a qualitative change occurs. The generated Wuxing, based on its original foundation, increases its power by an amount equal to that of the generating Wuxing, resulting in a quantitative change. Then, the generated Wuxing acts on the next Wuxing in the form of Sheng or Ke (restraint). Therefore, mutual generation (Xiang Sheng) is a matter of one plus one equals two. Mutual punishment (Xiang Xing) is to achieve the purpose and effect of restraining the next Wuxing. Through the process of earthly branch Xiang Xing, the power of the main Xing increases exponentially, and at the same time, it eradicates the restrained Wuxing Clearance power, rendering the next Wuxing completely rootless. In other words, Yin Xing Si, based on Yin Wood generating Si Fire, means the fire’s power becomes excessive, exhibiting a power-altering effect, while simultaneously achieving the goal of restraining Geng and Xin Metal, and eradicating the power of Wu and Ji Earth within Si Fire. This process, through the hidden stems of Yin Wood and Si Fire, manifests phenomena such as wood burning due to excessive fire, earth scorching due to excessive fire, fire’s prosperity restraining metal, and dry earth not generating metal. It also demonstrates the Wuxing interaction forms of “no generation means restraint” and “cross-level restraint.” Through the effects and results of Xiang Xing, the relationships between Wuxing generation and restraint are compared and categorized, thereby achieving the purpose of distinguishing favorable and unfavorable elements.

Only by conceptually and qualitatively distinguishing Xing from Sheng and He, can the meaning of “Yin Xing Si has Yin Wood generating Si Fire” be easily understood. Simply put, if the conditions for fire restraining metal are met, it is Yin Xing Si; if the conditions for fire restraining metal are not met, it is Yin Wood generating Si Fire. The same principle applies to Si Xing Shen.

Although Yin and Si branches are closely adjacent in the original birth chart, and the Wuxing of fire appears in the heavenly stems, Yin and Si are not considered to be in a Xing relationship because no restrained Wuxing appears. Once Geng or Xin Metal appears in the annual or ten-year luck cycles, then Yin and Si are considered to be in a Xiang Xing relationship.

During the Wu Wu Grand Luck, in the Geng Xu annual luck, the Tai Sui triggered the Yin Wu Xu combination into fire, and Yin Si Xiang Xing occurred, removing the strong root of Wu Earth in the earthly branches, and simultaneously removing the place of longevity for metal. The earth transformed from prosperous to weak and rootless, unable to clear the path for metal. The lunar month (Xin Si) and lunar day (Geng Yin) truly formed the Yin Si Shen Three Xing, removing the strong root of Geng Xin Metal of the Tai Sui. With five branches of one qi, excessive fire scorched the earth, and prosperous fire restrained metal, leading the native to a car accident and lifelong disability.

Here, another issue can be explained: in the original natal chart, major cycles, and annual cycles, even though the three branches Yin, Si, and Shen are present, they do not constitute the conditions for the Yin-Si-Shen three-punishment. However, the five elements in the natal chart form a situation of strong fire scorching earth and excessive fire burning wood. We must pay attention to the triggers from monthly and daily cycles. This is because the natal chart, major cycles, and annual cycles are static; the true time of events and their ultimate outcome are triggered by monthly and daily cycles.

Specific conditions for Yin-Si-Shen mutual punishment:

(1) Yin-Si mutual punishment with strong fire:

Yin-Si mutual punishment with strong fire means that the specific conditions for strong fire overcoming metal have already been met. If Shen metal is encountered again in the earthly branches, it becomes the Yin-Si-Shen three-punishment, where strong fire punishes and removes Shen metal.

1. The two branches Yin and Si are closely adjacent, and at least one of their heavenly stems reveals Bing or Ding fire;
2. Shen metal must appear in the earthly branches, and Shen metal must be closely adjacent to Yin wood;
3. Heavenly stems must have Geng or Xin metal, and Jia or Yi wood revealed;
4. Year, month, day, hour, and major cycles, and annual cycles, and major cycles with annual cycles are all considered closely adjacent.

Yin wood in the year, Si fire in the month, the two branches are closely adjacent, among which Si fire Heavenly stems revealed Ding Fire, with the Si Fire in the day branch gaining strength, and Xin Metal appearing in the hour, the specific conditions for Yin-Si punishment (Xing) leading to strong fire have been met. Yin-Si punishment removes the strong root of Wu Earth within Si Fire. At this point, fire does not need to generate earth, because earth cannot be generated; too much fire scorches the earth, and the strong fire then overcomes metal.

During the Gui-Hai Grand Cycle, there is a clash (Tian Ke Di Chong) with the day pillar and the monthly branch, which is an unfavorable sign for relatives; the specific timing awaits activation by the annual cycle. In the Ren-Shen annual cycle, the Tai Sui activates the Yin-Si-Shen punishment, where strong fire punishes Shen Metal and clashes with Hai Water. The Wu Earth in the pillar is ineffective in draining the self, Ding Fire becomes excessively strong, and two Ding combine with one Ren but do not transform. With a strong self and Jie Cai (Rob Wealth), the Pian Cai (Indirect Wealth) is overcome and enters the tomb; in this year, the father passed away.

The day master Jia Wood gains the season’s command, has roots in the year branch, and is strong. Geng and Xin Metal both appear in the heavenly stems, having qi in the monthly command. The annual stem Shi Shen (Eating God) sits on its own Chang Sheng (Longevity) star, has qi rooted in the day branch, and is a strong root in the hour branch, closely overcoming Xin Metal. Earth and Metal are taken as useful gods.

During the Jia-Chen Grand Cycle, in the Gui-Si annual cycle, Yin-Si punishment occurs, punishing Si Fire, the Chang Sheng branch of Geng Metal, thereby transforming the weak useful god in the earthly branches into an unfavorable god. In the heavenly stems, Bing and Xin combine but do not transform, directly overcoming Xin Metal into the tomb of Chou Earth. Chou is the tomb of Guan Sha (Officer/Seven Killings) Metal, and Si month is the Chang Sheng place for Guan Sha, triggering Yin-Si punishment. Excessive Shang Guan (Hurting Officer) controlling Guan (Officer) makes it prone to legal disputes, injuries, or illnesses.

On the evening of June 17th, during a remote online education lecture, a student presented a Bazi chart, which was also immediately identified as having legal troubles and imprisonment in the Si month.

The day master Xin Metal is born in the Shen month, a place of Di Wang (Emperor’s Prosperity), gaining the prosperous command. The monthly command is taken as a strong root. Shang Guan (Hurting Officer) appears in the month, sitting on its own Chang Sheng (Longevity) star, and Si-Shen combine to transform into Water, closely draining the self. Cai Xing (Wealth Star) appears in the hour. It has strong roots in the year branch, closely draining, which can be described as both overcoming and draining. Fortunately, the annual Xiao Yin (Indirect Resource) has a strong root in the hour branch, controlling Shang Guan and protecting the self. A comprehensive analysis of this chart indicates a weak self, strong Shi Shang (Eating God/Hurting Officer) and Cai Xing (Wealth Star). Yin Xing (Resource Star) and Bi Jie (Friend/Rob Wealth) are taken as useful gods, while Shi Shang and Cai Xing are unfavorable. Guan Xing (Officer Star) is favorable. At the same time, attention should be paid to the changes of useful gods in the annual and grand cycles.

The Bing-Yin Grand Cycle forms Yin-Si punishment with the natal chart, leading to strong fire, punishing the strong root of Shen Metal, the day master. Furthermore, Yin-Wu forms a half-fire combination, where punishment and combination become one qi. It also punishes the strong root of Xiao Yin (Indirect Resource) within Si-Wu Fire in the earthly branches, making Si-Wu Fire a single fire element. At this point, the entire five-element Guan Xing (Officer Star) becomes excessively strong. Guan Xing does not need to generate Xiao Yin (because Xiao Yin is floating and rootless in the earthly branches, cannot be generated, and cannot act as a通关 (Tong Guan, mediating element) for the day master) but instead controls the self. In the Ding-Chou annual cycle, Guan Sha (Officer/Seven Killings) mixed, Seven Killings is strong and attacks the self. Moreover, Ding and Ren combine but do not transform, too much fire scorches the earth, and Xin Metal is overcome and enters the Tai Sui’s tomb. In the Si month of that year, the chart owner died of a sudden heart attack.

When I was explaining this natal chart in class, a student asked, ‘Why wasn’t it in the Geng-Wu year of 1990 and the Xin-Wei year of 1991?’ That’s because the natal chart and the Grand Cycle had already formed the strong momentum of the Yin-Si-Shen three punishments of fire. The Grand Cycle reflects the informational state of ten years, while the Geng-Wu and Xin-Wei years merely followed the strong momentum of fire. If we can draw inferences from one example, if we were to swap the Grand Cycle and annual cycle: Grand Cycle Geng-Wu, annual cycle Bing-Yin, although the magnitude of strength does not change, the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness would be completely different. This is because the Yin-Si-Shen three punishments are triggered by the annual cycle, changing from a static to a dynamic state. There will be a dedicated discussion on the distinction between static and dynamic later.

(2) Si-Shen mutual punishment, water is strong:

Without wood, Si-Shen is considered to combine and transform into water. If there is wood, it is considered that water generates strong wood. On this basis, encountering earth is considered punishment.

1. The two branches Si and Shen are close together, and at least one of the heavenly stems of the two branches reveals Ren or Gui water;
2. When encountering Yin wood, Si-Shen is considered to mutually punish, strong water generates wood, and it is considered that wood is strong;
3. Yin wood must have Jia or Yi wood revealed in the heavenly stems;
4. Year, month, day, hour, and the Grand Cycle and fleeting year, both the Grand Cycle and fleeting year are considered close together.

The two branches Si and Shen are close together, the heavenly stem of Si fire reveals Gui water, Si-Shen successfully combines and transforms into water, Jia and Yi wood are revealed in the heavenly stems, and Yin wood is encountered in the earthly branches, so it is considered that water generates strong wood. Fire, earth, and metal are used.

During the Xin-Si Grand Cycle and Wu-Yin fleeting year, the Grand Duke (Tai Sui) triggered Yin-Si-Shen mutual punishment, making wood strong. This punished away the strong root of the Grand Duke’s official star Wu earth, and punished away the root of the resource star Xin metal. The favorable god turned into an unfavorable god. Metal could not overcome wood, so wood overcame earth. The six branches were of one qi, and the root of the favorable god was completely gone. In that year, due to theft, he was imprisoned
and was also dismissed from public office.

During the Xin-Si Grand Cycle and Geng-Chen fleeting year. This triggered Yin-Si-Shen mutual punishment, making wood strong, Yin, Mao, Chen form a triple wood combination, the punishment and combination become one qi, removing the roots of the official star and the roots of the resource star. The six branches become one qi, with uncontrolled hurting officer. Too much wood leads to a lack of metal, and wood overcomes earth, causing it to collapse. In the Wei month of that year, he was arrested for car theft in Anhui.

During the Xin Si Grand Luck and Xin Si Annual Luck, with the Grand Luck and Annual Luck coinciding, it triggered the Yin Si Shen three punishments, strengthening wood. This removed the roots of the resource star and the roots of the official star, making the six branches one qi. He was again arrested for car theft.

The Earth Master (Wu Tu) gains command, with roots in the day branch and hour branch. The Yin, Mao, Chen three-meeting wood formation in the pillars successfully removes two strong roots of the Earth Master, making the self weak and the Seven Killings strong. Therefore, take Resource and Companion as favorable elements, and Eating God and Hurting Officer as joyous gods.

During the Ji Si Grand Luck and Ren Shen Annual Luck, the Grand Duke triggered the Si Shen mutual punishment, strengthening water to generate wood, thus considered strong wood. The Yin, Mao, Chen three-meeting wood formation, with punishment and combination as one qi, removed the root of Ding Fire in Si Fire. Bing and Ding Fire resource stars could not clear the path for the Earth Master. The six branches became one qi, and the useful god had no roots at all. The Seven Killings were strong and attacked the self. That year, the native got into a fight, fatally stabbed someone, and was sentenced to a suspended death penalty.

(3) Si Shen mutual punishment strengthens metal

Si Shen mutual punishment strengthening metal means that earth is strong and generates metal, so the heavenly stems must reveal Wu and Ji Earth.

In the presence of wood, it is considered a punishment.

1. The two branches of Si and Shen are closely connected, and at least one of the heavenly stems of the two branches must reveal Wu and Ji earth;
2. When encountering Yin wood, Si and Shen are considered to be in a mutual punishment relationship, where strong earth generates metal, and strong metal is used to punish and remove Yin wood;
3. The heavenly stems Geng and Xin metal must be closely connected to Wu and Ji earth;
4. Yin wood must have Jia and Yi wood revealed in the heavenly stems;
5. Year, month, day, hour, as well as the Grand Cycle and Flowing Year, both the Grand Cycle and Flowing Year are considered closely connected.
   

Year and month Yin and Shen clash, with the two branches closely connected, and both metal and wood revealed in the heavenly stems, forming the conditions for a clash, transforming the remote restraint into Close restraint. Yin and Shen clash, both suffer, making the strong Seven Killings unable to control the self.

During the Xin Si Grand Luck, although Si and Shen are in close proximity, the main pillar heavenly stems of these two branches do not have Wu Ji Earth revealed. In this type of Yin Si Shen Three Punishments, even though all three branches are present, it cannot be considered a punishment.

In the Gui Wei flowing year, the wealth star Gui Water appears, with Hai Water as its strong root, triggering two Si clashing with Hai, Yin clashing with Shen, and a strong self. Eating God restraining Seven Killings, the Seven Killings were injured and restrained, entering the tomb of Tai Sui. That year, the native was driving a truck in Zhejiang, encountered a car accident, and died on the spot. Often, situations like this are misunderstood by many as the Yin Si Shen Three Punishments, which is incorrect.

The Day Master Wu Earth, supported by Ji Earth in the year pillar, has roots in the day and hour branches with qi. The Seven Killings in the hour pillar sit on their own prosperity, closely restraining. The wealth star in the month pillar closely depletes. The Eating God and Hurting Officer are strong but not revealed in the pillar. Take the Seal and Companion as useful gods, and also pay attention to the changes of the useful god in the luck cycles.

During the Geng Wu luck cycle, the Xin Si flowing year, together with the Day Pillar Wu Shen and Hour Pillar Jia Yin, forms Si Shen mutual punishment, where Earth is strong and generates Metal, thus considered strong Metal. Then, it punishes away the strong root of Yin Wood Seven Killings, and at the same time punishes away the residual qi of the wealth star in Shen Metal, preventing it from connecting with Wood. The Eating God and Hurting Officer excessively restrain the Seven Killings, leaving no root for the Seven Killings. That year, the native was relentlessly pursued by creditors, and his wife eloped with someone else.

Analysis of several situations regarding the Yin Si Shen Three Punishments in practical application:

As mentioned before, for conditions that already constitute mutual punishment, it is not necessarily always treated as such. One must have a deep and thorough understanding of the basic principles of the Yin Si Shen Three Punishments.

1. When the mediating element has power but fails to restrain the next element, it is not considered a ‘punishment’.

1. When Yin and Si clash, fire is strong, punishing Shen metal. At this time, there is a mediating element, when earth is strong. At the same time, it must be considered that too much fire scorches the earth, and dry earth does not produce metal, in which case it is considered a ‘punishment’;
2. When Yin and Si clash, fire is strong, punishing Shen metal. At this time, there is abundant water in the natal chart that can contend with fire;
3. When Si and Shen clash, water is strong and produces wood, thus wood is considered strong, when the power of earth and metal in the natal chart can contend with wood;
4. When Si and Shen clash, earth is strong and produces metal, thus metal is considered strong, when the power of water and wood in the natal chart can contend with metal;
5. When Yin, Si, and Shen clash, fire is strong, water is strong, and metal is strong. When all three sets of conditions are simultaneously met, there is no issue of one giving way to another. The final outcome is determined by the strength, momentum, and circulation of the five elements. As follows:

If water, wood, and fire are strong in the natal chart, then Yin and Si clashing makes fire strong, punishing Shen metal; if earth and metal are strong in the natal chart, then Si and Shen clashing makes earth strong and produces metal, thus metal is strong, punishing Yin wood; if metal, water, and wood are strong in the natal chart, then Si and Shen clashing makes water strong and produces wood, thus wood is considered strong. For example:

When the natal chart and the grand cycle simultaneously form two states within the Yin-Si-Shen three punishments, namely Yin and Si clashing making fire strong, and Si and Shen clashing making earth strong and producing metal, with metal considered strong. These two sets of punishments do not inherently give way to each other. At this point, the choice must be made based on the strength and weakness of the five elements in the natal chart. That is to say, if the power of water, wood, and fire in the natal chart is greater than that of earth and metal, then it is considered Yin and Si clashing, punishing Shen metal. If the power of earth and metal in the natal chart is stronger than that of water, wood, and fire, then it is considered Si and Shen clashing, earth strong producing metal, with metal considered strong, punishing Yin wood. Fire being strong and metal being strong are opposing relationships. If the choice is not made properly, the strength and weakness of the five elements in the natal chart will be completely different, and different strengths and weaknesses will lead to vastly different prediction results.

In the analysis of the strength and weakness of the five elements in the original natal chart, the power of water, wood, and fire is greater than that of metal. During the Ji Si grand cycle, two Si clash with one Hai in the natal chart, clashing away Hai water, and also clashing away the root of Ji earth in Si fire. Yin and Shen clash, clashing away Shen metal. Therefore, the power of water, wood, and fire is still greater than the power of earth and metal. Thus, here, Yin and Si clashing makes fire strong, punishing Shen metal. Si and Shen clashing makes earth strong and produces metal, with metal considered strong, and punishing Yin wood is considered giving way.

Let’s illustrate with the Xin Hai, Ren Zi, and Ding Si years during the Ji Si grand cycle. The original natal chart and the grand cycle form Yin and Si clashing, making fire strong, punishing Shen metal, clashing away Hai water. The official star is uniquely strong in the chart, and the resource star, companion star, and producing star should be taken as useful gods. In the Xin Hai and Ren Zi years, the producing star again encounters a strong root, achieving a high degree of balance in contending with the official star. In the above two years, there were both promotions and marriages, which can be described as double happiness.

The Ding Si year again triggered Yin Si mutual punishment, with strong fire punishing Shen metal and clashing with Hai water. The root of the favorable god is completely gone, official and seven-kill stars are mixed, and strong seven-kill stars attack the self. This year’s disasters of lawsuits, injuries, and illnesses completely matched the fate owner. Therefore, when two types of mutual punishment appear in the birth chart and both conditions are met, we must carefully analyze the strong and weak states of the two opposing five elements in the birth chart, and only by making appropriate choices can we truly restore the true aspect of the law of development of things.

The birth chart, major cycle, and annual cycle form two sets of the Yin Si Shen three punishments: Yin Si mutual punishment with strong fire, and Si Shen mutual punishment with strong water. How to make a choice still requires analyzing the overall strength and flow of the five elements.

In the Bing Yin cycle, Bing fire emerges, triggering Zi Wu clash and Yin Shen clash. Ren water in the heavenly stem generates Jia wood, Jia wood generates Bing fire, and Bing fire generates Ji earth, resulting in wood, fire, and earth being the strongest.

In the Gui Si year, the five elements flow from metal generating water, and water generating wood. The power of metal, water, and wood is stronger than fire and earth. Si Shen mutual punishment with strong water generates wood, which is considered strong wood, and simultaneously triggers Zi Wu clash, fire, earth, and metal have no roots at all. The day master is overly strong, with no restraint, no control, and no release, forming a situation where too much wood causes earth to collapse, too much wood blocks fire, and too much wood damages metal.

Two, distinctions in several situations where Si Shen punishment-combination results in strong water: Si Shen punishment-clash does not break, but fears the transforming god being restricted;

1. Si Shen mutual punishment with strong water, when earth is strong, water has no root, and there is no Geng Xin metal emerging in the heavenly stem, belongs to the transforming god being restricted;
2. Si Shen mutual punishment with strong water, when there is too much fire and earth is scorched, even if Geng Xin metal emerges and water has no root, it also belongs to the transforming god being restricted;
3. Si Shen mutual punishment with strong water, when wood is strong and forms a restraint on earth, Si Shen mutual punishment is considered strong water.

During the Wuwu (戊午) Grand Cycle, it formed with the natal chart a Yin-Wu-Xu (寅午戌) three-harmony fire formation, Si-Wu-Wei (巳午未) three-meeting fire formation. The five branches are of one qi, forming one qi. Too much fire scorches the earth, and metal and water have no root.

In the Ren-Shen (壬申) fleeting year, Si-Shen (巳申) failed to transform into water, and the strong root of Geng metal was flushed away. Metal and water withered and were damaged, which was ominous. The native suffered from nephrotic syndrome and some mental disorder this year.

The Grand Cycle and the natal chart formed Wu-Wu (午午) self-punishment, Yin-Wu (寅午) combined into fire, and the strong fire scorched the earth.

In the Ren-Shen (壬申) fleeting year, Si-Shen (巳申) failed to combine into water. Too much fire scorched the earth, too much fire burned the wood, and earth and metal were damaged, which was an ominous sign.