It is generally believed that Zi-Mao Punishment means water generating wood. Since it’s a generative relationship, why is it called a punishment? Why did the ancients refer to Zi-Mao Punishment as the “Penalty of Rudeness”? At the same time, it’s divided into ‘Zi punishes Mao’ and ‘Mao punishes Zi’. After consulting various texts, there isn’t much further explanation. If one were to carefully examine it, the Zi-Mao Punishment can raise many questions.

During the process of Zi-Mao Punishment, a state of unequal strength between the two sides often arises. If the power of Water is significantly greater than that of Wood, it’s like crops in May or June needing water to survive; what would happen if a river dike burst? This would only uproot the crops, bringing devastating disaster to Wood. “Punishment” is a mandatory act; it’s not about giving Wood as much water as it needs, but rather giving Wood all the water available – this is ‘Zi punishes Mao’. If the power of Wood is greater than or more abundant than Water, it becomes ‘Mao punishes Zi’. Through the relationship of punishment, the meaning of water generating wood is expressed, indicating that the “generation” in this relationship is compulsory and coerced in nature and effect.

‘Zi punishes Mao’ means that the dominant power of Zi Water harms Mao Wood, or directly causes water abundance to float wood away, preventing Wood from acting as a mediator for Fire, and Zi Water simultaneously clashes with Wu Fire. Another implication of water abundance floating wood away is that with the wood drifted away, Mao Wood is also powerless to clash with You Metal.

‘Zi punishes Mao’ often involves multiple Zi Waters punishing a single Mao Wood, or Zi Water bringing a combination or meeting formation to punish Mao Wood. The harmed Mao Wood cannot function normally. ‘Zi punishes Mao’ is a phenomenon where the generative relationship turns into a destructive one within the Five Elements generative and destructive interactions. It brings many unfavorable factors to Bazi charts where Fire and Earth are beneficial elements.

‘Mao punishes Zi’ means that the dominance of Wood brings harm to Water, signifying that wood is abundant and water shrinks. This directly results in strong Wood overcoming Earth, Earth unable to generate Metal, and Mao Wood clashing with You Metal. At the same time, when Mao punishes Zi, Zi does not clash with Wu Fire, and strong Fire overcomes Metal. Metal in the Five Elements loses its roots entirely when Mao punishes Zi, being both clashed and overcome. In the dynamic of Mao punishing Zi, the conditions for Zi-Wu clash are met in the process, also aligning with the power of Mao punishing Zi. ‘Mao punishes Zi’ expresses the severity of draining and weakening in the form of punishment, meaning excessive draining becomes destruction – this is the true reason for the Penalty of Rudeness.

Zi-Mao Punishment often leads to different effects and outcomes due to varying strengths or quantities of the two sides. Sometimes, one must refer to the overall momentum of the Earthly Branch Five Elements to determine the specific circumstances of Zi-Mao Punishment. When Zi-Mao Punishment coexists with an Earthly Branch clash, the punishment still punishes, and the clash still clashes, because their targets are only Wu Fire and You Metal. When Wu Fire is clashed away, it is Zi Water harming Mao Wood; when You Metal is clashed away, it is Mao Wood harming Zi Water, while simultaneously weakening or not clashing with Wu Fire.

A singular Zi-Mao Punishment usually indicates that Wood is excessively strong, capable of clashing You Metal without any reduction in its power. Alternatively, a singular Zi-Mao Punishment weakens the power to clash Wu Fire; it’s not that it doesn’t clash Wu Fire at all, but rather that Zi Water lacks the surplus power and time to clash Wu Fire. In this situation, if Wu Fire is a beneficial element, it’s called “life from desperation.” If Wu Fire is an unfavorable element, it’s like “helping a tiger do evil.”

Zi-Mao Punishment means water generating wood, but it does not fully follow the regular pattern of generation, where the power of the generating element transfers to the generated element and the generating element’s power disappears. From the perspective that a singular Zi-Mao Punishment weakens the power to clash Wu Fire, Zi-Mao Punishment means harming through punishment, an act against natural will.

When Zi-Mao Punishment clashes with You Metal, its power is not diminished by any other force. This is significantly different from a combined formation (He Ju) clashing with any branch, where the combined formation would also expend an equivalent amount of power.

Zi-Mao Punishment, when Yang Ren (Blade) meets punishment or Peach Blossom meets punishment, is prone to marriage misfortunes, legal troubles, injuries/disabilities, and ailments related to the liver and gallbladder. If Mao punishes Zi is formed, there is a susceptibility to injuries or illnesses related to the spleen, stomach, tendons, bones, hands, and feet.

Conditions for Zi-Mao Punishment:

1. The two branches must be in close proximity, and if Jia Wood or Yi Wood protrudes from any Heavenly Stem position, the punishment is considered successful.
2. If Zi-Mao Punishment is successfully formed in the natal chart and major luck cycle, and Jia or Yi Wood protrudes in the annual cycle, it is also called an activation by the annual/luck cycle.
3. If Zi-Mao Punishment is successfully formed in the natal chart and major luck cycle, and one of the branches (Zi or Mao) reappears in the annual cycle, it is also called an activation by the annual/luck cycle.
4. The natal chart, major luck cycle, and annual cycle are all considered to be in close proximity.

Below are specific applications of ‘Zi punishes Mao’ and ‘Mao punishes Zi’:

The Mao Wood in the month branch and Zi Water in the day branch are in close proximity, and Yi Wood protrudes twice from the month and hour, activating Zi-Mao Punishment. Yi Wood directly overcomes Wu Earth in the year stem, indicating a clear sign of the native’s father being suppressed. The native was not yet born when the mother remarried.

The Zi Water in the day branch and Mao Wood in the hour branch are in close proximity, and Jia Wood protrudes from the year, activating Zi-Mao Punishment. Jia Wood is uniquely strong in the chart, and Zi-Mao Punishment is successful, posing a serious threat to Fire, Earth, and Metal in the pillars. The native had several wives who were suppressed (or passed away) and eventually adopted a foster son to get by. Additionally, Zi-Chen forms an arched combination, and Zi-Chou forms an arched meeting.

The Mao Wood in the year branch, Zi Water in the month branch, and Zi Water in the day branch form a configuration of two Zi punishing one Mao. With Water and Wood both protruding from the Heavenly Stems, the punishment is successful. The day master Geng Metal is floating without roots, complying with the strong momentum. The native achieved some success, working in an administrative unit while also running a private business.

The day master Gui Water gains the season’s command, has roots in the year and hour, and is further aided by Gui Water in the hour. Additionally, Geng Metal resource star in the year transforms the Seven Killings and generates the self, making the self strong. The Ji Earth in the month has roots in the day branch and is not weak. The natal chart takes Wealth and Officer as beneficial elements, dislikes Resource stars and Friend/Rob Wealth stars, and enjoys Eating God/Output stars.

In the natal chart, the Ji Earth Seven Killings in the month stem is drained and consumed by the Geng Metal in the year stem. The Si Fire in the Earthly Branch, along with Si-Hai clash, means Si Fire can no longer serve as the root for Ji Earth, thus unfavorable for marriage.

The Zi Water in the year branch and Mao Wood in the month branch are in close proximity. As long as Jia Wood or Yi Wood protrudes from the Heavenly Stems, activating Zi-Mao Punishment, and the Eating God overly controls the Seven Killings, it signifies a time when the husband is suppressed or harmed.

During the Yi Hai major luck cycle, Yi Wood protrudes, activating the Hai-Mao half-combination wood formation. The Hai Water in the hour gains strength, preventing Si-Hai clash between day and hour, and simultaneously activating Zi-Mao Punishment.

In the Ren Shen annual cycle, the Grand Duke activates the Si-Shen combination to transform into Water, preventing Si-Hai clash. Additionally, the Hai-Mao half-combination wood formation and Zi-Mao Punishment, with the Eating God overly controlling the Seven Killings, led to the native’s husband passing away in a car accident that year. In the Ji Mao annual cycle, the Grand Duke activated Zi-Mao Punishment, the Hai-Mao half-combination wood formation, and the Eating God controlling the Seven Killings, leading to the loss of both husband and father that year.

This Bazi chart belongs to a residential class student from Guizhou, who provided his own chart in class, asking me to interpret it on the spot. His intention was obvious, and below is my interpretation process.

In this chart, the day master Ji Earth is born in the Mao month, residing in a ‘sick’ location and not gaining the season’s command. It has a strong root in Chou Earth in the hour branch. The Friend star (Bi Jian) protrudes from the month, closely aiding the self. Geng Metal protrudes from the year, using Chou Earth as its vault root to drain the self. The Seven Killings protrudes from the hour, having a strong root in the month branch and gaining the flourishing season, further intensified by Zi-Mao Punishment, closely controlling the self. The pillars contain Hai, Zi, and Chou entirely, indicating abundant wealth that does not protrude. A comprehensive analysis of the natal chart reveals a weak self and strong Seven Killings. Therefore, the Resource star and Friend star are taken as beneficial elements, while Eating God/Output, Wealth, and Officer stars are unfavorable elements. One must also pay attention to the changes of the beneficial elements during annual and major luck cycles.

Some students believed this chart could be analyzed as a Follow-Wealth or Follow-Officer pattern, which is completely incorrect. For Follow-Wealth or Follow-Officer patterns, there must be no Resource stars or Friend stars appearing in the pillars, and the month command must be the correct Five Element of the flourishing Follow pattern. We will have a dedicated discussion on Follow patterns later.

Given that the natal chart has abundant wealth that does not protrude, and wealth is an unfavorable element, this person likely has no affinity with their father. There is not a single trace of a Resource star in the Heavenly Stems or Earthly Branches, and the Resource star is a beneficial element while wealth is strong and damages the resource star, clearly indicating that this person had no support and was unfavored by their mother in childhood. The native immediately confirmed this, stating that in 1972 (Ren Zi year), his mother became seriously ill, and in 1973 (Gui Chou year), his mother passed away. He subsequently grew up with his uncle and has not been with his father since. He then inquired why his mother passed away in 1973.

The reason for the mother’s passing in 1973 was that Gui Water protruded in the annual cycle, successfully activating the Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation in the natal chart. This formation ‘met away’ the strong root of the day master Ji Earth, Chou Earth, turning a beneficial element into an unfavorable one. Simultaneously, the Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation clashed away Si Fire, further intensifying the imbalance of the natal chart. With abundant water scattering earth and extinguishing fire, the unfavorable signs for the mother were very clear.

At this point, a student asked, “There’s no Fire in the pillars, so how can ‘abundant water extinguishes fire’ be unfavorable for the mother?”

I said, “The configuration of a Bazi chart has a distinction between static and dynamic states. The natal chart is static; the activation by a major luck cycle is dynamic. Entering a major luck cycle can also be viewed as static, with the annual cycle being dynamic. Furthermore, the annual cycle can also be seen as static, with the monthly cycle being dynamic. Going even further, the monthly cycle is static, and only the daily and hourly cycles are dynamic. Some unexpected injuries or accidents occur within seconds, having been peaceful before. Diagnosing a serious illness is a longer process and can be interpreted by the annual cycle, but the actual passing of a person occurs within seconds at a specific hour and minute. Even if a Fire resource star does not protrude in the annual cycle, Bing Fire or Ding Fire will certainly protrude in the monthly or daily cycles. That specific moment of protrusion is the moment of the mother’s passing, not every single day of the 365-day annual cycle. Therefore, the true dynamic activation occurs in the monthly and daily cycles.”

At this point, a student exclaimed with emotion, “Teacher Shao Gang’s astrological theory truly represents a new height in the field of Bazi! It’s simply unprecedented! Before, we could only discern general information from a natal chart and couldn’t answer some specific questions posed by clients, let alone accurately predict the timing of events. Now, with this ‘Natal Chart Static-Dynamic Theory,’ predicting event timings is no longer so complicated.”

After his mother passed away, he went to live with his uncle and had a life of basic sustenance, which was much better than his previous life with his biological parents. This was because in the preceding Ren Zi year, the Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation was successful, the imbalance in the natal chart had already formed, and his mother was already seriously ill. Coupled with his father’s low financial capability, the native was already struggling to get regular meals and basic necessities. At this point in the explanation, the native said the interpretation was “too miraculous, as if you had experienced that era with me; it’s so accurate and vivid!”

In 1979, he entered the Ren Wu major luck cycle, followed by the Gui Wei major luck cycle in 1989. Both major luck cycles saw the successful formation of the Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation. The Ren Wu major luck cycle could be considered “a step up,” thus deemed auspicious. Students questioned: “The Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation in the Earthly Branches clashed away Wu Fire, which had already removed the day master’s wealth root. Conflict has already arisen in the chart, increasing its imbalance, so how can it still be considered auspicious? Shouldn’t it be highly inauspicious?”

I replied, “The natal chart and major luck cycles are static; they are just signals. A major luck cycle governs for ten years; does that mean all ten years are inauspicious? This clearly doesn’t align with reality. The specific auspiciousness or inauspiciousness must be activated by the annual Grand Duke (Tai Sui) to manifest.”

During the Ren Wu major luck cycle, the Hai-Zi-Chou three-combination Water formation was successful, the Zi-Wu clash was successful, and Zi-Mao Punishment was successful. (Here, it’s further emphasized that because the Seven Killings is born in Mao month and gains the flourishing command, while Ren Water is in a ‘death’ state in Mao month, Ren Water’s power cannot be fully exerted). Zi-Mao Punishment transforms a portion of Water’s power to Wood, which both reduces the severity of the Zi-Wu clash and diminishes much of Water’s strong momentum. Therefore, Earth here benefits effortlessly and secretly rejoices, making it an auspicious period! Hearing this, the students collectively turned their gaze to the native, awaiting his feedback. The native nodded affirmingly, then asked, “Which years were best in this luck cycle?” After a brief consideration, I confidently said, “Ren Shen, Gui You, and Bing Zi were all very auspicious years, with Bing Zi being the most auspicious of all! In this year, you would surely be promoted and become wealthy!” At this moment, with a “bang,” the native stood up, hitting the table, and said with emotion, “This is precisely why I traveled thousands of miles to Ezhou to study! I consulted several so-called Bazi masters in my hometown, and they all said Bing Zi year would be highly inauspicious! That didn’t match my actual experience, and I couldn’t understand it, but today I finally get it!” He then led a round of enthusiastic applause, full of praise and thumbs-up, making the classroom atmosphere lively and active.

We then continued to analyze why these three years were so auspicious. Students already understood Ren Shen year, but in Gui You year, an additional Mao-You clash occurred. How could this still be considered auspicious? It is crucial to remember a major principle: “Never assume clashes or destructions are inauspicious, nor assume generations or combinations are auspicious. Remember that both clashes and destructions can be auspicious or inauspicious, and generations and combinations can also be auspicious or inauspicious.” In this Mao-You clash, the Zi-Mao Punishment amplifies the power of Mao Wood clashing You Metal. If Metal were a beneficial element, it would be inauspicious, but here Metal is clearly an unfavorable element. The Mao-You clash results in Wood overcoming Metal, and Metal’s power is very weak. It can neither drain Earth’s strength nor generate Water to increase Water’s power. For the day master, this leads to a good outcome, so this clash is an auspicious clash. The native then confirmed that in both Ren Shen and Gui You years, he had children and his career was smooth sailing. Now, let’s look at Bing Zi year. The day master is wet Earth, born in Mao month, and most favors Bing Fire’s illumination, warming the self and facilitating flow. Although the Zi-Wu clash formed, due to the transformation of Five Element power by Zi-Mao Punishment, it can be considered that Zi does not clash Wu, or the power of clashing Wu Fire is weakened. At this time, the entire natal chart’s Five Element flow is harmonious, making it a rare and greatly auspicious year in the native’s life. Therefore, it can be confidently judged as a year of promotion and wealth! This major luck cycle and annual cycle, with Heavenly Stem clash and Earthly Branch clash, symbolized changes and promotions, as well as fierce competition. Ultimately, due to the favoritism of a leader (Bing Fire), he was able to overcome many rivals and succeed! At this point, the native repeatedly exclaimed, “It’s too miraculous, too miraculous! Even these details could be calculated! The competition that year was indeed fierce in the selection process to rise from deputy section chief to section chief. There were few spots and many competitors, and I was the least hopeful candidate at the time. However, a supervisory leader had a distant family relationship with us and had received a small favor from my family elders in childhood, which he never forgot. So, he strongly recommended me and spoke highly of me, and that’s how I got promoted!”

When interpreting a Bazi chart, one must be meticulous, carefully observing and evaluating each Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch, discerning the ultimate results of their punishments, clashes, combinations, meetings, and generations, destructions, controls, and transformations. Only by judging the overall trend of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, and then using the knowledge of symbolic interpretation in image-based Bazi reading to vividly reconstruct the scenario, can the client be convinced. Never be careless or make simplistic, crude judgments, for a slight deviation can lead to a huge error, misleading both oneself and others.

In 2013, during the Jia Shen major luck cycle, and Gui Si annual cycle, the Si-Shen combination successfully transformed into Water, removing the strong Yang Ren (Blade) root of the day master Ji Earth and increasing the imbalance in the natal chart. This combination is thus considered inauspicious, leading to disaster that year. The native mentioned that he saw signs of this, which was also the main reason he came to Ezhou, asking me to resolve or mitigate it for him.

The Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments fundamentally differ from other He Ju (combinations) and Hui Ju (assemblages). In practical application, they must be conceptually distinguished: a combination is a combination, and a punishment is a punishment. If the power of punishment were similar to that of combinations, why would the ancients discuss both punishment and combination? In reality, what punishment and combination manifest is completely different. Punishment and combination should not be confused. Mutual Punishment implies compulsion, requiring not only corresponding conditions but also a clear objective. The Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are considered ‘punishment’ only when strong Earth aims to control Water. When the objective is not met, it may not be considered a punishment. What does “objective not met” mean? For instance, when Water is strong and has strong Metal to mediate, Chou-Wei-Xu cannot achieve its purpose of control. The Chou-Wei-Xu Mutual Punishment transforms the Hidden Stems of Metal, Wood, and Water within the Earthly Branches into the elemental Qi of Earth. This prevents Wood from controlling Earth and Metal from draining Earth, thereby eliminating opposing forces and multiplying Earth’s own strength, signifying an overwhelming dominance of Earth.

The difference between Chou-Wei-Xu Mutual Punishment and He Ju (combinations) / Hui Ju (assemblages): He Ju and Hui Ju involve generation, transformation, generation, and control. A combination is like one plus one equals two, where one element increases in strength while another decreases. It’s a matter of qualitative and quantitative change for the Five Elements. Mutual punishment, however, is like a nuclear fission reaction, causing the involved Five Elements to become overly strong (fan wang). Therefore, different concepts have different natures; different natures lead to different conditions, functions, and objectives.

All He Ju (combinations) and Hui Ju (assemblages) must yield to the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments when sharing Earthly Branches. The ancients repeatedly emphasized this point, yet the underlying reasons were often glossed over, leading later students of Yi to blindly follow.

In fact, there’s a direct and crucial point here: the three Earthly Branches Chou, Wei, and Xu all belong to the Earth element. Earth is the Mu Ku (tomb and storehouse) for all things. Chou is the Mu Ku for Metal, Wei is for Wood, Xu is for Fire, and Chen is for Water. So, under what circumstances is it considered a ‘tomb’ (Mu), and under what circumstances a ‘storehouse’ (Ku)? This reflects the Yin-Yang principles of the Yi Dao, which is the dialectical thought of ‘one divides into two’. ‘Ku’ (Storehouse) means containment, capacity, storage, collection, and accumulation; it is the source of the Five Elements’ power. In other words, Earth is the mother of all things, vast and accommodating. ‘Mu’ (Tomb), on the other hand, indicates a state of decline, weakness, and death for the Five Elements, facing the dilemma of being controlled. When the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are successfully formed, they cause varying degrees of harm to Metal, Wood, and Fire, while also fundamentally suppressing the Water element. In other words, a successful Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishment can fundamentally destabilize or disintegrate the power of other Five Elements.

The ancients strictly distinguished between the concepts of mutual punishment and combination, acknowledging that the effect and process of mutual punishment inevitably break the normal order and rules of Five Element generation and control. For example, in the process of Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments, ‘punishment transforming into Fire’ indicates too much Earth obscuring Fire; ‘punishment transforming into Wood’ indicates that heavy Earth breaks Wood, and Wood cannot control Earth; ‘punishment transforming into Metal’ indicates too much Earth burying Metal, meaning Earth no longer needs to generate Metal, Metal cannot generate Water, and Earth directly controls Water. These phenomena, in turn, demonstrate various states of Five Element generation and control, such as excessive drainage becoming control, excessive generation becoming control, and no generation leading to control.

Conditions for the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments:

1. When the three Earthly Branches Chou, Wei, and Xu appear together, and the Heavenly Stems reveal Wu or Ji Earth, the Three Punishments are successfully formed.
2. If He Ju (combinations) or Hui Ju (assemblages) share Earthly Branches with the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments, they must yield to the Three Punishments, unless punishment and combination share the same Qi.
3. If the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed in the Bazi chart and a Dayun (major luck cycle), and a Liunian (annual luck cycle) encounters one of these branches again, it is considered an ‘activation’.

Analysis of Several Scenarios for Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments in Practical Application:

1. When the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed, it is always considered a conflict occurring among the Earthly Branches, regardless of whether the controlled element has a root in the Earthly Branches or is merely floating in the Heavenly Stems.
2. If the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed, but Metal is strong or Wood is strong, it is not considered a punishment.
3. If the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed, but the controlled element is strong in numbers, or a mediating force appears, it is not considered a punishment.
4. When the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed and both Metal and Wood elements are present, it implies strong Earth generating Metal, and Metal then controls Wood; this can be considered a successful Three Punishment formation.
5. If the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are formed, and Wood counteracts with strong force, creating a balance, but the Fire element appears in the Heavenly Stems, it is considered inauspicious.

The Day Master Wu Earth is in season, rooted in the year, month, day, and hour, and supported by Ding Fire in the year. Ren Gui Water, representing wealth, is weak and unrooted. Therefore, output (Eating God and Hurting Officer) generating wealth is used as the Yong Shen (favorable element).

The three branches Chou, Wei, Xu appear together, and Heavenly Stems reveal Wu and Ji Earth, thus the conditions for the Three Punishments are met. In the Bazi chart, Ren Gui Water also appears in the month and hour, indicating the objective of the Three Punishments is achieved. Here, the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments are successfully formed, awaiting activation by luck cycles (sui yun).

During the Xin Hai Dayun (major luck cycle) and Yi Hai Liunian (annual luck cycle), although Ren Gui Water encountered strong roots, the Tai Sui (annual branch) triggered the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments, punishing and removing the root of Yi Wood in the Tai Sui’s storehouse, thereby transforming the weak Yong Shen (favorable element) into a Ji Shen (unfavorable element). Furthermore, the Tai Sui sits in a ‘death’ position, and the Officer Star appearing cannot exert its effect. The Day Master is strong with Rob Wealth. Wu Gui combine but do not transform. Both Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches experienced conflict. In this year, he lost his wife.

The Day Master Jia Wood sits on its prosperity position, is in season, rooted in the Earthly Branches Yin-Hai combination, making it strong. The Officer Star Xin Metal appears twice, with a storehouse beneath it. Therefore, output (Eating God and Hurting Officer) and wealth generating officer is used as the Yong Shen (favorable element). However, the Yong Shen changes with the variations of luck cycles (sui yun).

During the Wu Xu Dayun (major luck cycle) and Xin Wei Liunian (annual luck cycle), the three branches Chou, Wei, Xu all appeared, with Earth revealed in the Heavenly Stems. The conditions for the Three Punishments were met, and the Yong Shen (favorable element) changed. With strong Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood could be considered favorable elements, because strong wealth (Earth) controls resource (Water). Metal drains strong Earth to generate resources, Water consumes strong Earth, and Wood controls Earth. Chou-Wei-Xu punished and removed the storehouse roots and residual Qi roots of Metal, Water, and Wood elements, transforming the favorable elements into Ji Shen (unfavorable elements). This resulted in “too much Earth burying Metal” and “too much Earth breaking Wood.” Metal could not drain the strong Earth, and Wood could not control the strong Earth. Although Water did not appear in the Heavenly Stems, in practical application, when Ren or Gui Water appeared in the monthly or daily luck cycles, it marked the time of misfortune for the chart owner. In that year, the chart owner borrowed from loan sharks, was dragged into a water prison by the triad, and suffered greatly.

This Bazi chart was provided by a student from the 2007 May 1st Advanced Lecture Class, and I analyzed it live in the classroom.

Bazi Chart Analysis: The Day Stem Gui Water is born in the Wei month, resides in a ‘tomb’ position, and is not in season. It is weak and unrooted in the Earthly Branches. The Officer Star in the hour pillar has strong roots as the elemental Qi in the year, month, day, and hour. Furthermore, the Wu-Wei combination successfully transforms into Earth, closely controlling the Day Master. The Eating God in the month pillar drains the Day Master and generates wealth. A comprehensive analysis of this chart indicates an extremely weak Day Master and extremely strong Officer Star. Therefore, Resource and Friend/Companion (Bi Jie) are taken as Yong Shen (favorable elements), while output, wealth, and officer are Ji Shen (unfavorable elements). Attention should also be paid to how the Yong Shen changes with luck cycles (sui yun).

In 2006, entering the Xin Chou Dayun (major luck cycle), the Dayun and the Bazi chart formed the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments. This means transforming the ‘middle Qi’ and ‘residual Qi’ within the three branches Chou, Wei, and Xu into a single element through the form of mutual punishment. At this point, Earth in the Bazi chart combined with the Dayun became overwhelmingly strong (fan wang) and turned into a Ji Shen (unfavorable element), while Metal, Water, and Wood became Yong Shen (favorable elements). The result of this mutual punishment was that Xin Metal and Gui Water within Chou Earth, Yi Wood within Wei Earth, and Xin Metal within Xu Earth—all these weak Yong Shen—were completely punished and transformed into Ji Shen. Wu Earth, representing the Officer Star, became overwhelmingly strong (fan wang), becoming the absolutely dominant force in destiny. The Liunian (annual luck cycle) could only follow its trend. If any opposing element appeared, it would provoke its overwhelming strength and trigger a disaster.

In 2006, the Liunian (annual luck cycle) Bing Xu (Fire-Earth) once again formed the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments with the Tai Sui (annual branch). In this Dayun (major luck cycle), it cannot be interpreted as activating the Chou-Wei-Xu Three Punishments, because this Dayun has already established a strong Earth situation; it can only be understood as ‘following the strong trend’. I predicted that it would be an auspicious and smooth year for the chart owner, which was confirmed by the owner.

In 2007, the Liunian (annual luck cycle) Ding Hai (Fire-Water), the Day Master Gui Water encountered a strong root of Yang Ren (Goat Blade) in the Tai Sui. This seemed to bring the Yong Shen (favorable element) into place, but it disrupted the Day Master’s continuous state of following the trend from the original chart to the Dayun, and also provoked the strong nature of Earth. Punishment aims to control the next element. In the Si month, Gui Water was weak and without Qi. Si Hai clashed, removing the Day Master Gui Water’s strong root in the Tai Sui. Heavenly Stems Wu and Gui combined but did not transform. Gui Water had control but no generation, and conflicts occurred in both Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. At the same time, the Yong Shen Yi Wood was present in the Tai Sui, and Hai Water was in a ‘death’ position. These factors, in essence, exacerbated the imbalance in the Bazi chart. Because the Bazi chart and the Dayun had already shown an overwhelming dominance, it was not suitable for confrontation. In a situation where the Five Elements are highly unbalanced, using opposing elements as Yong Shen requires not provoking the strong element’s nature.

The classroom erupted in an uproar, with many expressing their disbelief. Many believed that the Ding Hai year should be considered auspicious because the Yong Shen (favorable element) was present, reducing the imbalance. Such a conclusion seemed unbelievable. The chart owner himself felt optimistic, believing that nothing bad would happen to him that year. Given the trust established over a long period, the students still requested me to continue the analysis according to my own perspective.

“There will definitely be a major disaster in the Ding Hai year! And it will happen in the Si month, it’s imminent!” Seeing my unwavering certainty, the chart owner also became afraid and asked if the disaster could be resolved.

I said if he had shown me this Bazi chart before the year (i.e., in 2006), it could definitely have been resolved. But now that the disaster was imminent, it was too late. It’s like volcanic energy accumulating underground. Once it reaches a certain level, it must find an outlet to release. The reason early resolution is effective is that the negative energy hadn’t accumulated to a disastrous level yet; at that time, clearing it was effective. Now, disaster is at the gates, and the negative energy has accumulated to an extent that it cannot be cleared or touched. One can only leave it to fate! There’s another apt analogy: “If you reinforce riverbanks and clear river channels during the dry season, there won’t be dam-breaking disasters during heavy rains. But if you ignore it during the dry season, when the flood comes, clearing will be too late, and reinforcing will be useless!” Therefore, those of us who study Bazi must know our own and our family’s charts thoroughly. If there’s a disaster, resolve it in advance! Waiting until the last minute is useless!

Before coming to Ezhou to study, the chart owner, presuming he had a certain level of Bazi knowledge, didn’t take my words to heart, believing nothing would happen. However, on the third day, while he was out for a walk after class, he was hit by a motorcycle, suffering a comminuted pelvic fracture. It took him three years of bed rest to recover. In 2010 and 2011, he returned to Ezhou to study as a resident student. This case study caused a great stir among the students, serving as a real and painful lesson to remind everyone: when analyzing a Bazi chart, one must carefully weigh and meticulously consider! If there’s a disaster, it must be resolved in advance!!!

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.

Di Tian Shui states: “The meaning of ‘punishment’ is not to be taken literally. For instance, Hai punishing Hai, Chen punishing Chen, You punishing You, and Wu punishing Wu are called self-punishment. When an Earthly Branch meets its identical counterpart, they are considered to share the same Qi. How then can they mutually punish?” When an Earthly Branch meets its identical counterpart, sharing the same Qi, it means abundance and strength. If this dominant Qi is a favorable element, it is auspicious; if it is an unfavorable element, it is inauspicious.

The conditions for two Earthly Branches to form self-punishment are the same as for Six Combinations and Half Three Combinations: the two branches must be adjacent, and one of them must have its corresponding Five Element Heavenly Stem prominent.

When two Earthly Branches form self-punishment, if the transformed element is restrained, it is not considered punishment. When two Earthly Branches form self-punishment, those that punish still punish, those that clash still clash, and it is not considered a dispersal. Any Six Combination or Half Three Combination that shares branches with two Earthly Branches forming self-punishment must yield to the self-punishment, unless the punishment and combination form a unified Qi, in which case it does not yield priority.

The conditions for three Earthly Branches to form self-punishment are the same as for Three Combinations and Three Meetings: as long as the three branches meet, and the Heavenly Stems reveal the corresponding Five Element. Any Three Meeting or Three Combination that shares branches with three Earthly Branches forming self-punishment must yield to the self-punishment, unless the punishment and combination form a unified Qi, in which case it does not yield priority.

Self-punishment does not imply ‘elimination’; rather, it is the fact of ‘excessive strength’. In real life, many people interpret self-punishment as elimination or nullification, which is an inaccurate understanding. This is purely unfounded speculation.

Self-punishment means an Earthly Branch encountering its identical counterpart, resulting in the dominant Qi becoming excessively strong. It is only considered punishment if it aims to restrain the next Five Element. Regardless of whether it involves two or three branches forming self-punishment, if this objective is not achieved, it is not considered punishment.

Due to the unique nature of the hidden Heavenly Stems within the Earthly Branches, there are specific differences in the conditions for each group of Earthly Branches forming self-punishment.

Here, it only signifies strong Earth, meaning Fire generates Earth, without a specific objective. If Ren Water or Gui Water appears prominently in the Luck Pillars or Annual Pillars, it is then considered to trigger three-Chen self-punishment. At this time, with three Chen self-punishment, the Yi Wood and Gui Water hidden in Chen Earth both transform into the dominant Qi of Earth, and their strength multiplies, indicating excessive strength. Chen Earth also no longer serves as the root for the miscellaneous Qi of Water and Wood, making Wood powerless to restrain Earth, thereby achieving the objective of Earth becoming excessively strong and restraining Water.

Although the conditions for mutual punishment are met, if the excessively strong Five Element has no element to restrain, it can be seen as strong Fire generating Earth, and is not considered self-punishment. It is only when Geng Metal or Xin Metal appears prominently that it is considered three-Wu self-punishment. The purpose of three-Wu self-punishment is to transform the Earth hidden within Wu Fire into the dominant Qi of Fire through the form of self-punishment, multiplying its strength. This makes Earth rootless and unstable, Fire no longer needs to generate Earth, Earth cannot mediate between Fire and Metal, and Fire directly restrains Metal. This thereby achieves the objective of mutual punishment, and is thus considered punishment.

If Wu-Wu self-punishment occurs, and only Fire and Metal appear prominently together, it is considered Fire restraining Metal, and not self-punishment. When Wu Earth or Ji Earth appears, it is also referred to as triggering Wu-Wu self-punishment.

Similarly, although three-Hai self-punishment also meets the conditions, when Bing Fire or Ding Fire does not appear, it is considered Water generating Wood, and not self-punishment. It is only when Bing or Ding appears prominently in the Heavenly Stems of the chart that it is considered punishment. Because Hai Water is the birth palace for Wood, Hai-Hai self-punishment, through the form of mutual punishment, transforms the hidden Wood in Hai into the dominant Qi of Water, multiplying its strength. This makes Wood float aimlessly and rootless, Water no longer needs to generate Wood, Wood cannot mediate between Water and Fire, thereby achieving the objective of Hai-Hai self-punishment: to restrain Fire.

If Water and Fire both appear prominently in the Heavenly Stems, it is considered Water restraining Fire, and not self-punishment. When Jia Wood or Yi Wood appears prominently in the Luck Pillars and Annual Pillars, it is called a seasonal and annual trigger for Hai-Hai self-punishment.

Both two-You self-punishment and three-You self-punishment aim to restrain Wood. Whether it constitutes punishment or not, Metal is strong. It is only considered punishment when Metal overcomes Wood. Three-You self-punishment also signifies an excessive strength of Metal. In practical application, it indicates information about injuries or disabilities, and also represents Peach Blossom facing punishment.

Example 1:

During the Wu Zi Luck Pillar, the Ding Hai Annual Pillar formed a Fu Yin with the Day Pillar, completely forming three-Hai self-punishment with the birth chart, clashing away Si Fire. The unfavorable god clashed away the favorable god, causing Wood to float on excessive Water. Gui Water Seven Killings became strong and attacked the Day Master. That winter, he was strangled to death at home by his elder brother.

Example 2:

During the Jia Wu Luck Pillar, the Xin You Annual Pillar triggered You-You self-punishment. Chen and You combined to form Metal, and the punishment and combination became one Qi, combining away the weak favorable god in the Earthly Branches. Strong Earth generated Metal, transforming the favorable god into an unfavorable god. Jia Wood received restraint but no generation. That year, the father passed away.

During the Ren Chen Luck Pillar, the Geng Chen Annual Pillar. Three Chen Earth branches met, and Chen-Chen self-punishment was successful, transforming the triple root in the treasury of the Wealth Star into the dominant Qi of Earth. Ren Water Wealth Star became rootless and unstable, unable to mediate for the Seven Killings, thereby transforming the favorable god into an unfavorable god through punishment. Geng Metal and Xin Metal further had Shen Metal and You Metal as strong roots. Earth and Metal formed one Qi, strong Metal could not generate Water, and directly restrained Wood. The Eating God overly restrained the Seven Killings, leading to a divorce that year.

Example 3:

During the Jia Wu Luck Pillar, the Geng Wu Annual Pillar, the Grand Duke (Annual Pillar) triggered three-Wu self-punishment. Yin and Shen clashed, clashing away Shen Metal, and punishing away the triple strong roots of Wu Earth in Wu Fire. This caused Fire to become excessively strong. Fire generated Earth, leading to scorched Earth due to excessive Fire, and directly restrained Metal. The Starving God devoured the Eating God. That year, he lost a child, self-harmed, and suffered financial loss.

Yi Hun: Four Pillars – Chapter 3, Section 4: On Earthly Branches Mutual Harm

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:

1. Zi combines with Chou, when Wu clashes, Chou-Wu harm occurs; when Wei clashes, Zi-Wei harm occurs.
2. Yin combines with Hai, when Shen clashes, Shen-Hai harm occurs; when Si clashes, Yin-Si harm occurs.
3. Mao combines with Xu, when You clashes, You-Xu harm occurs; when Chen clashes, Mao-Chen harm occurs.
4. Si combines with Shen, when Yin clashes, Yin-Si harm occurs; when Hai clashes, Shen-Hai harm occurs.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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.

Full Analysis of Earthly Branch Harms (Di Zhi Xiang Hai)