This article will be based on Zi Ping Zhen Quan” and other classic numerology texts, to analyze for you the criteria for determining the strength/weakness of the Day Master and its dynamic balance.

I. Three Dimensions for Determining the Strength/Weakness of the Day Master

Determining the strength/weakness of the Day Master cannot merely rely on superficial observation; it must be considered from time (Monthly Command/Season), space (Earthly Branches)and momentum (Heavenly Stems) – these three aspects for comprehensive consideration:

1. Prosperity and Decline (Gaining the Command/Season): Observe whether the Day Master was born in the season when its Five Elements are strongest. The classics state: ‘To gain the season is to be considered prosperous; to lose the season is to be seen as weak.’
2. Strength and Weakness (Having Roots): Observe whether there are roots of the day master in the earthly branches. The essence of numerology lies in ” Many stems are not as good as strong roots”。
3. Crowd of Supporters (Nurturing and Supporting): Observe whether there is support from Resource stars (that generate me) and Companion stars (that are the same as me) in the heavenly stems.

II. Core Quantification Standards: The “Conversion” Rule for Earthly Branch Roots

According to Zi Ping Zhen Quan ‘s logic, the power of the heavenly stems must rely on the roots of the earthly branches to manifest. The strength of the earthly branch roots can be “quantified and converted” according to the following standards:

• Extremely Strong Roots (Longevity, Prosperity Position, Blade Position): As long as the earthly branches see One Chang Sheng (e.g., Jia meeting Hai), Lin Guan (Lu, e.g., Jia meeting Yin), or Di Wang (Ren, e.g., Jia meeting Mao), its strength in supporting the day master surpasses that of the heavenly stems appearing with three Bǐjiān. Even if the day master is out of season (not born in a prosperous month), as long as the earthly branches have deep roots, it cannot be considered “weak”.
• Moderately strong root (residual qi): When the earthly branches see one residual qi (e.g., Yi meeting Chen, Ding meeting Wei), its strength surpasses that of the heavenly stems appearing with two Bǐjiān.
• Minor Root (Storehouse）: When an Earthly Branch encounters a Storehouse (e.g., Jia meets Wei, Bing meets Xu), its strength surpasses that of a Heavenly Stem appearing as a Friend.
  • Note: A Yang Stem encountering a Storehouse is considered to have a root, but a Yin Stem encountering a Storehouse (e.g., Yi meets Xu, Ding meets Chou) is usually considered useless because it does not contain the same type of Five Elements.

III. Comprehensive Judgment Logic for “Strong Self” and “Weak Self”

To determine whether the Day Master meets the standard of “strong self”, one of the following conditions usually needs to be met:

1. Thresholds for Determining a Strong Self (meeting any one is sufficient)

• In Season and Rooted: The Day Master is born in a prosperous month, and also finds in the year, day, or hour branches one medium-strong root (residual qi) or more support.
• Out of Season but Deeply Rooted: Even if the monthly command is in a state of rest, imprisonment, death, or extinction (out of season), as long as it obtains in the earthly branches one extremely strong root (long life, prosperity, blade), the Day Master will possess self-reliance and can be competent for wealth and official positions.
• Well-rooted and Well-supported: If the Earthly Branch roots are slightly weak (only having tomb/storage roots), but the Heavenly Stems have 2 or more Resource or Friend/Rob Wealth stars supporting it, and the Day Master is in an “advancing qi” state (e.g., in the Yang position), it can also be considered not weak.

2. Threshold for Determining a Weak Day Master (Boundary of Excessive Control, Drain, and Consumption)

The Day Master will be determined as “weak” under the following circumstances:

• Rootless and Unsupported: Regardless of how much support there is from the Heavenly Stems, as long as the Earthly Branches are completely rootless (no Long Life, Prosperity, Blade, Residual Qi, or Tomb roots), the support from the Heavenly Stems is considered “floating and powerless”.
• Control, Drain, Consumption Forming a Pattern: When Guan Sha, Shi Shang, or Cai Xing occupy the monthly command, and in the Earthly Branches a three-harmony formation is formed (For example, if Jia Wood is born in You month and a Si-You-Chou metal formation is seen in the branches), even if the Useful God (Assisting God) appears, the Day Master is still very likely to become weak due to excessive consumption.
• Draining and Consumption More than 3 in number: If Heavenly Stems that restrain, drain, or consume the Day Master appear more than 3, and the Day Master’s Earthly Branch roots are insufficient to contend (without strong roots), then it is determined to be weak.

IV. Summary: A Dialectical View of “Gaining the Monthly Command” and “Losing the Season”

Judging strength and weakness cannot be generalized. As “Zi Ping Zhen Quan” warns:

• Strong in season, yet not prosperous: Even if born in a prosperous month, if the Four Pillars have excessive Metal and Water (many restraining, draining, and consuming elements) and no fire to control or earth to resist, the Day Master, though seemingly “strong,” is actually “in peril.”
• Weak in season, yet not weak: Even if born in a declining month, if the Heavenly Stems have supporting Bǐ Jié and the Earthly Branches have strong roots (Lù, Wàng), one can still receive wealth and official positions and achieve great things.

Core Conclusion: Root energy is the framework of strength and weakness; the monthly command is the background of prosperity and decline. One strong root in the Earthly Branches outweighs three Bǐ Jié in the Heavenly Stems. Only by clarifying the coordination of root energy with Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches can one, in the subsequent step of selecting useful gods. and fortune prediction to achieve precision and accuracy in it.

In prognostication, the movement of matter is the interaction of Yin and Yang, and the relationship of generation and overcoming among the Five Element attributes. Due to the differences in the distribution of forces between generation and overcoming, while maintaining the consistent horizontal development of things, various opportunities arise to change the developmental trend of things, where opportunities and challenges coexist, just as the familiar saying goes, “Fortune dwells within misfortune, and misfortune relies on fortune.” Within the laws of the Five Elements’ generation and overcoming, the material movement attribute of “what does not generate, overcomes; what does not overcome, generates” reflects that the development of things never has a temporary halt. It is always in the midst of different actions of generating and overcoming forces, mutually transforming quantity, quality, and energy. The fluctuation of any single factor is enough to cause the development of affairs to shift from one extreme to another. Therefore, the development of things is never absolutely balanced or absolutely fair; it does not shift according to human will but only proceeds according to its own laws of movement. People can only, based on familiarity with its laws of movement, seek favorable times and spaces, favorable directions, and effective ways to solve problems. This is what is known in I Ching studies as seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster.。

The Five Element attributes of the Heavenly Stems are pure and singular, allowing for direct discussion of generation and overcoming. However, for the Earthly Branches, the situation is quite different. Due to the complexity of hidden stems during the conversion of Earthly Branch forces, it can only be achieved through Punishments, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms. methods to convert their power to the Heavenly Stems to achieve generation, overcoming, control, and transformation.

Heavenly Stems govern the external, Earthly Branches govern the internal, and the power of the Heavenly Stems is fully manifested through the Earthly Branches.
Therefore, for the same principles of generation and overcoming, the Heavenly Stems discuss generation, overcoming, control, and transformation, while the Earthly Branches discuss Punishments, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms.

So, regarding the generation, restraint, and transformation of the Five Elements ‘s dialectical principles, what content do they include? The ancient sage Xu Dasheng clearly pointed out the flexible relationships in his “Yuan Li Fu”.

Metal: When metal is strong and meets fire, it can be forged into utensils.

• Metal generates water, but too much water submerges metal; strong metal meeting water can temper its strength.
• Metal overcomes wood, but too much wood dulls metal; weak wood encountering metal, will surely be cut down.
• Metal relies on earth for generation, but too much earth buries metal; earth generates metal, Excessive Metal transforms Earth.。

Fire: When fire is strong and obtains water, only then can they achieve mutual balance.

• Fire can generate Earth, but abundant Earth dims fire; strong fire, when it obtains Earth, can only then contain its flames.
• Fire can overcome Metal, but abundant Metal extinguishes fire; weak Metal, when it encounters fire, will surely be melted.
• Fire relies on Wood for generation, but abundant Wood makes fire blaze fiercely; Wood can generate fire, but abundant fire burns Wood to ashes.

Water: When water is strong and obtains Earth, only then can it form ponds.

• Water can generate Wood, but abundant Wood makes water recede; strong water, when it obtains Wood, can only then release its force.
• Water can overcome Fire, but abundant Fire makes water boil; weak Fire, when it encounters water, will surely be extinguished.
• Water relies on Metal for generation, but abundant Metal makes water turbid; Metal can generate water, but abundant water makes Metal sink.

Earth: When Earth is strong and obtains Wood, only then can it be loosened.

• Earth can generate metal, but too much metal depletes earth; strong earth with metal can control its excess.
• Earth can overcome water, but too much water washes away earth; weak water encountering earth will surely be blocked.
• Earth relies on fire for generation, but too much fire scorches earth; fire can generate earth, but too much earth obscures fire.

Wood: Prosperous wood with metal can become a pillar.

• Wood can generate fire, but too much fire burns wood; strong wood with fire can transform its stubbornness.
• Wood can overcome earth, but too much earth breaks wood; weak earth encountering wood will surely collapse.
• Wood relies on water for generation, but too much water makes wood float; water can generate wood, but too much wood shrinks water.

This text is widely cited in many books, but it lacks a deep scientific analysis.

The text of “Yuan Li Fu” is easy to understand. Is the relationship of mutual generation and mutual overcoming really that simple? Is the power of mutual generation and mutual overcoming really that obvious? If both mutual generation and mutual overcoming relationships exist simultaneously, is it still that simple? When all five elements are present, how should these theories be understood?

In fact, “Yuan Li Fu” encompasses both the general and dialectical meanings of generating and overcoming relationships. In the process of transformation of the Five Elements’ generating and overcoming relationships, the differing roles of the three major elements of power lead to variations and distinctions in the generating and overcoming phenomena. Generating, overcoming, restraining, and transforming reflect the results and forms of overcoming, draining, restraining, and consuming. Concurrently, the states of overcoming, draining, restraining, and consuming embody the Five Elements that curb malicious generating and overcoming. This is the basic principle for selecting and applying opposing Five Elements in I Ching theory.

Here, I will interpret some content of “Yuan Li Fu” in a rudimentary way, hoping to draw the attention of beginners and help them gain a deeper understanding of the basic principles of the Five Elements’ generating, overcoming, restraining, and transforming. At the same time, as a personal opinion, I also hope it can serve as a modest spur to induce others to come forward with valuable contributions.

The following analysis is made based on the relationships between Metal and Water, Water and Wood, and Wood and Fire:

• Wood relies on Water to grow, but too much Water causes Wood to float away; Water can generate Wood, but too much Wood causes Water to shrink.
• Metal can overcome Wood, but strong Wood can break Metal; weak Wood encountering Metal will surely be cut and broken.
• Metal relies on Earth to be generated, but too much Earth buries Metal; Earth can generate Metal, but too much Metal changes Earth.

The most essential content of “Yuan Li Fu” is far more than these. Its concise writing, every word carries immense weight. For example: “Too much Earth obscures Fire” mostly refers to damp Earth; “Too much Fire scorches Earth” mostly refers to dry Earth, and so on. In the traditions of many schools, these are often applied to “taking images,” and the results are quite good. However, images are, after all, just images. What an image represents or does not represent must rely on theory. Based on a solid theoretical foundation, one can deduce the development of things: what it resembles, what it says, what it is, and what it possesses. Therefore, the rigor and adaptability of the theoretical system are the solid foundation for clearly judging auspiciousness and inauspiciousness or for “taking images.”

The above explanation of “Yuan Li Fu” clarifies its content from a rational perspective. As long as one understands its adaptability, it can also be interpreted and applied in other forms. Regardless of the theoretical discussion, the ultimate result must return to the power and phenomena of the Five Elements’ generating and overcoming. As long as in Bazi, when identifying the favorable element, one will naturally apply the basic principles of the two opposing Five Elements. The two Five Elements that generate and overcome each other must truly reflect their generating and overcoming relationships and content only when other Five Elements are involved.

To clarify the Sheng-Ke relationships, the concepts, functions, and forms of Sheng-Ke-Zhi-Hua will be explained below.

I. Sheng (Generation)

1. Sheng is a form where one of the Five Elements transfers its power to the next element through mutual generation.
2. Sheng is divided into active generation and passive generation, where the actively generating element must consume an equal amount of power as the passively generated element. The actively generating element decreases or disappears, while the passively generated element’s power increases.
3. If the power of the actively generating element is greater than that of the passively generated element, and the power difference is significant, the actively generating element’s power will overstep and restrain.
4. If the power of the passively generated element is less than that of the actively generating element, the passively generated element is said to drain the actively generating element.
5. If the power of the passively generated element is greater than that of the actively generating element, the passively generated element is said to transform the actively generating element.

The Year Stem Yi Wood generates the Month Stem Bing Fire, the Month Stem Bing Fire generates the Day Stem Wu Earth, and the Day Stem Wu Earth generates the Hour Stem Xin Metal; this is called Sheng (Generation).

The Hour Stem Xin Metal to the Day Stem Wu Earth is called ‘Hua’ (transformation), because Metal is stronger than Earth. The Day Stem Wu Earth to the Month Stem Bing Fire, and the Month Stem Bing Fire to the Year Stem Yi Wood, are called ‘Xie’ (drainage).

Xin Metal is out of season and rootless; in the process of generating Gui Water, it has completely exhausted its own strength, which is called ‘Hua’ (transformation). The Day Stem Gui Water’s strength has increased from its original basis; whatever strength Xin Metal had, Gui Water’s strength increased by that much.

Both the Year Stem Geng Metal and the Month Stem Gui Water are weak and rootless; when their strengths are equal, the generating element must consume an equal amount of strength as the generated element. Therefore, Gui Water’s strength increases from its original basis, while the generated strength completely disappears.

The Day Master Bing Fire is out of season, sitting on a tomb/storage, the Resource Stars Jia and Yi Wood have qi through the Year, Month, and Hour Branches, and their strength is stronger than Bing Fire. Bing Fire cannot completely transform the strength of Yi Wood, and Yi Wood can bypass Bing Fire to restrain Ji Earth. (Some might think that Earth has two strong roots and should not be considered weak, but this is actually a misunderstanding. This is because Fire and Earth born in Hai month are cold fire and wet/frozen earth, so Fire and Earth cannot exert their original functions. This is due to heavy Water and strong Wood in the chart).

II. Restraint (Ke)

1. For the two elements, the restraining and the restrained, both sides consume equal strength.
2. When the strength of the restraining element is less than that of the restrained element, the strength of the restraining element is completely exhausted, and this is called ‘Hao’ (depletion) for the restraining element.

The Year Stem Wu Earth to the Month Stem Ren Water, the Month Stem Ren Water to the Day Stem Bing Fire, and the Day Stem Bing Fire to the Hour Stem Xin Metal, are called ‘Ke’ (restraint).

The interaction of the Hour Stem Xin Metal (辛金) with the Day Stem Bing Fire (丙火), the Day Stem Bing Fire (丙火) with the Month Stem Ren Water (壬水), and the Month Stem Ren Water (壬水) with the Year Stem Wu Earth (戊土) is called “depletion”.

Bing Fire (丙火) sits on its “Chang Sheng” (birth stage), has roots in the month, year, and hour branches, and with Yin (寅) and Wu (午) forming a half-fire combination, it becomes extremely strong. Gui Water (癸水) is weak and rootless, and when attempting to restrain Bing Fire (丙火), Gui Water (癸水) is completely depleted.

III. Control

1. “Control” (制) and “Restraint” (克) have similar meanings, but the distinction lies in the vast difference in strength.
2. When the strength of the controlling element is greater than that of the controlled element, and the difference in strength is significant, it is called “control” (制), meaning complete subjugation and suppression.
3. When the strength of the controlling element is less than that of the controlled element, and the difference in strength is significant, the controlling element’s strength is completely depleted.

The Day Master Ji Earth (己土) is weak and rootless, and its original source is dormant. Jia (甲) and Yi (乙) Wood are in season and have roots, making Wood extremely strong and Earth extremely weak. With no Fire to mediate, Wood’s interaction with Earth is called “control” (制).

The Day Master Wu Earth (戊土) is out of season and has no strong roots in the Earthly Branches. The Official Star Yi Wood (乙木) sits on its own strong root, has roots in the Day Branch, and its original source is strong. This constitutes a close “control” (制) over the Day Master.

IV. Transformation

1. “Transformation” (化) and “Generation” (生) are similar in form, but also differ in strength.
2. Transformation is also a type of drainage, but the two are not entirely the same.
3. When the strength of the generating Five Element is generally equal to or less than the strength of the generated Five Element, the generated Five Element is referred to as “transforming” the generating Five Element.
4. When the strength of the generated Five Element is less than that of the generating Five Element, and there is a significant disparity in strength, the generated Five Element is referred to as “draining” the generating Five Element.

In the process of Ding Fire generating Ji Earth, it transforms all its own strength, and Ji Earth also receives all of Ding Fire’s strength. While the Owl Seal transforms the power of the Seven Killings, it exhibits the nature of an Indirect Seal, thus making one dutiful.

In a Bazi chart where the Day Master is Ding Fire, rooted in the year, month, and hour branches, and further supported by Rob Wealth/Friend, it completely transforms the power of the Seal Stars Jia Wood and Yi Wood.

The above describes the forms of generation, control, and transformation/drainage. The main distinction lies in the magnitude of the Five Elements’ generating and controlling strengths. Through the pathways of generation, control, and transformation/drainage, one can assess the strength and weakness relationships of the Bazi Five Elements, provide standards for classifying Bazi Five Element strengths, criteria for selecting two opposing Five Elements, and reflect the degree of balance between two opposing Five Elements.

Yi Hun: Four Pillars Chapter, Chapter Two, Section One: Mutual Transformation of Heavenly Stems

Complete Analysis of Bazi Generation, Control, Transformation, and Drainage: Unveiling the True Mechanism of “Strong Suppression” in Destiny through the Five Elements’ Energy Dynamics

As a form of material movement, the element of force directly influenced the essence of the Five Elements’ generation and restraint. In the active generation and passive generation relationships of active restraint and passive restraint, the role of force exhibits considerable differences. The effect of this phenomenon ultimately led to the relationship between quantitative change and qualitative change, and thus correspondingly produced the relationship of “control” and “transformation”.

Generation, Restraint, Control, and Transformation ‘s basic principles, in a broader spatiotemporal context, reflect the changes between quality and quantity in the development of things, and concretize each link of the Five Elements. That is to say, the basic principles of the Five Elements’ Generation, Restraint, Control, and Transformation, simulate the effects and modes of material movement. However, it differs from the seriousness of material movement; it uses the effects and modes of material movement to describe in detail the causal relationships in the development of things. Therefore, through the Five Elements’ Generation, Restraint, Control, and Transformation, one can trace past history and predict future developments. The Generation, Restraint, Control, and Transformation among the Five Elements is not philosophy in the general sense.

Heavenly Stems Mutual Transformation is specifically aimed at the Heavenly Stems’ Five Elements’ Generation, Restraint, Control, and Transformation. In terms of its basic principles, “Heavenly Stems Mutual Transformation” as an academic concept can more intuitively reflect the generation, restraint, and transformation among the Heavenly Stems. Its content includes the generation and restraint of adjacent Heavenly Stems, separated Heavenly Stems, distantly separated Heavenly Stems, and the Heavenly Stems of the year, month, day, and hour against those of the Grand Cycle and fleeting years, in terms of their generation and restraint. By converting the five-element generation and restraint forces among the Heavenly Stems, based on their arrangement in the Bazi, it reflects the mutual effects and meanings among the Heavenly Stems, and the factual truth of certain specific links in the development of events; at the same time, it also provides a solid theoretical basis for intuitive fortune-telling.

Heavenly Stems Mutual Transformation reflects the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements in terms of leakage, consumption, and restraint. Through Heavenly Stems Mutual Transformation, one can specifically evaluate the relationships existing between each of the Five Elements.

I. Several Classification Forms of Heavenly Stems Mutual Transformation

1. When the generator is restrained, it does not generate:

The Day Master Yi Wood has its root in the Hour Branch, with the Month Stem Ren Water closely generating it. The Year Stem Wu Earth is out of season but rooted in the Month Branch, and has qi in the Year Branch, aided by the Hour Stem Ji Earth, making it strong. The Month Stem Ren Water is in season, rooted in the Year Branch with qi, but its strength is inferior to Wu Earth. Wu Earth restrains Ren Water (Ren Water also consumes Wu Earth’s strength), so Ren Water cannot generate Yi Wood. This forms the situation of “when the generator is restrained, it does not generate”.

In this generation and restraint relationship among the Bazi Heavenly Stems, the strengths of Ren Water and Yi Wood, two Five Elements, can be added together to contend with Wu and Ji Earth.

Therefore, under the condition that the producer is restrained and thus cannot produce, several characteristics can be summarized:

• If the producing element (Wu Xing) is completely restrained, it cannot produce the element it is supposed to produce.
• The strength of the restraining element (Wu Xing) must be greater than or equal to the strength of the producing element.
• By categorization, the strengths of the mutually producing elements (Wu Xing) are added together to contend with the strengths of other elements.

2. If the restrainer is restrained, it cannot restrain, and its restraining power is reduced:

The Day Master Yi Wood is closely supported by the Hour Stem Jia Wood, and its energy connects to the Year Branch and Month Branch. Xin Metal gains the season’s command and is rooted in the Hour Branch, closely restraining and attacking Wood. The Year Stem Ding Fire has energy in the Year Branch and strong roots in the Day Branch, forming a restraint against the Month Stem Xin Metal. While Xin Metal is restrained by Ding Fire, it no longer has the strength to restrain Yi Wood. For Yi Wood, this is a case where the restrainer is restrained and thus cannot restrain.

Thus, the strength of Yi Wood and the strength of Year Stem Ding Fire are added together to contend with the strength of Month Stem Xin Metal, forming two opposing Five Elements.

• The principle ‘if the restrainer is restrained, it cannot restrain’ also has several prominent characteristics:
• If the restraining element (Wu Xing) is restrained, it cannot restrain the next element.
• The element that restrains the restraining element (Wu Xing) must have a strength greater than or equal to the restraining element.
• By classifying the Five Elements, combine the mutually generating Five Elements to contend with the other Five Elements.
• By classifying the Five Elements, the generation and restraint between separated Heavenly Stems can be regarded as generation and restraint between closely aligned ones.

The Day Master Bing Fire is weak and rootless. The Gui Water in the month pillar has roots in the year and hour branches, and is strong in the day branch, closely restraining the self. The Ji Earth in the year pillar is in season, has roots in the day branch, and closely restrains Gui Water. While Gui Water restrains Bing Fire, it also consumes a certain amount of its strength due to Ji Earth. In this way, Gui Water’s power to restrain Bing Fire is reduced. The presence of Ji Earth means that for Gui Water restraining Bing Fire, the restrainer’s restraining power is diminished.

Several characteristics of a restrainer with diminished restraining power:

• For the main restraining Five Element, there simultaneously appears a Five Element that restrains it, but its power is less than that of the main restraining Five Element.
• The main restraining Five Element must first consume an equivalent amount of power from the Five Element that restrains it, before it can restrain the next Five Element.
• By classifying, combine the mutually generating Five Elements to contend with the other Five Elements.

3. Restrainer transforms into mutual generation:

The Day Master Jia Wood sits on its own prosperity, the month branch is a storage root, and there are resource and companion elements in the Heavenly Stems to support it. Earth and Metal are taken as useful elements. The Geng Metal in the year pillar restrains the Day Master Jia Wood, but the Gui Water in the month pillar completely transforms the power of Geng Metal, so Geng Metal cannot restrain Jia Wood. Through the transformation of Gui Water’s power, a continuous mutual generation is formed.

Forms and characteristics of a restrainer that transforms into mutual generation:

• The power of the dominant suppressing element is completely transformed and cannot suppress the next element.
• Between two elements in a suppressing relationship, a mediating element appears, and its power is greater than or equal to the power of the dominant suppressing element.
• In a birth chart, the intervening stem between two suppressing elements is the mediating element.

4. When the suppressor is transformed, it does not suppress.

The Day Master Wutu (Earth) is rooted in the year, month, day, and hour. The Month Stem Jiamu (Wood) is out of season, and Jiamu closely suppresses Wutu. However, the Year Stem Dinghuo (Fire) appears and triggers the earthly branches, Si-Wu-Wei three-harmony fire formation successfully, completely transforming the power of Jiamu, making Jiamu unable to suppress Wutu. At this point, Jiamu’s relationship with Wutu becomes “when the suppressor is transformed, it does not suppress.”

“When the suppressor is transformed, it does not suppress” has the following characteristics:

• The power of the dominant suppressing element is completely transformed and cannot suppress the next element.
• For the dominant suppressing element, its produced element appears, and its power is greater than or equal to the dominant suppressing element.
• When it comes to the main overcoming element, both the elements it generates and the elements that overcome it appear simultaneously. The main overcoming element’s entire power is neutralized by the generated element, thus preventing it from overcoming the next element.

5. The Controller’s Overcoming Power is Weakened by Drainage

The Day Master Gui Water is in season and has qi in the month branch. The month stem Ji Earth is rooted in the year, month, and day branches, closely adhering to and overcoming Gui Water. The year stem Geng Metal is a “storehouse” in the month branch and in “long life” in the day branch, closely adhering to Ji Earth to drain it. Ji Earth first generates Geng Metal, and then uses its remaining power to overcome Gui Water. This is referred to as ‘the controller’s overcoming power is weakened by drainage’.

Similarly, in this situation, the forces of the Five Elements that have a generating relationship are added together and used to contend against the forces of other Five Elements. At this point, we can combine the Earth and Metal elements to contend against Water and Wood.

The concept of ‘the controller’s overcoming power is weakened by drainage’ has the following characteristics:

• Regarding the main overcoming element, a generated element appears whose strength is less than that of the main overcoming element.
• The main overcoming element first expends an equal amount of power on the generated element, and then proceeds to overcome the next element.
• Through categorization, the forces of the elements that are overcome and the elements that are generated can be combined to contend against the main overcoming element.

The various categorization forms of Heavenly Stem interactions are specific applications of the basic principles of generation, overcoming, control, and transformation. As categorization, it is merely a summary of forms. In practical application, various forms and contents of categorization may coexist or appear intertwined. Therefore, one must have the ability to understand and use them flexibly. Regardless of the form of categorization, it achieves mutual checks and balances and mutual contention among the Five Elements through the methods of draining, consuming, and controlling among the Heavenly Stems. Only in this way can the Five Elements achieve relative balance and peace. If a certain Five Element cannot check another Five Element, related chain reactions will lead to two extremes: auspiciousness and inauspiciousness.

II. Situations Where Separated or Remotely Separated Generation and Overcoming Can Be Considered as Closely Adhering

Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches complement each other, sharing both prosperity and decline. Heavenly Stems govern external forms, while Earthly Branches represent internal essence. What Heavenly Stems express is the internal essence of Earthly Branches, and this internal essence must be manifested through the external forms of Heavenly Stems. The power of Heavenly Stems originates from the interactions between Earthly Branches, specifically through Punishment, Clash, Combination, and Harm Their effects. The Punishment, Clash, Combination, and Harm interactions between Earthly Branches determine the generating and controlling relationships of Heavenly Stems results and capabilities. Therefore, the generating and controlling relationships between Heavenly Stems, whether separated by one stem or by a greater distance, must always conform to the power transformations among Earthly Branches.

When the Earthly Branches Zi Water and Mao Wood are closely adjacent in the Day and Hour pillars, and Heavenly Stems manifest the two elements of Water and Wood as transforming deities, the Zi-Mao Punishment conditions are met, and the Mao Wood in the Year Branch gains strength. Since Earthly Branches represent internal essence, Heavenly Stems must reflect the corresponding external forms. Therefore, the Hour Stem Gui Water and Day Stem Ren Water, which generate the Year Stem Yi Wood across a stem, can be considered to generate it as if closely adjacent, because the transformation through the Earthly Branches directly reflects onto the Heavenly Stem Yi Wood. It would be a misunderstanding to consider the strength of generating relationships across a stem or at a distance as weak or almost non-existent in this context. In this Bazi chart, the Resource star sits in the death stage, the Output star is extremely strong, Earth is absent in the pillars, and Metal is very weak, unable to control Water and Wood. This person is unrestrained and willful, harmful to their father, wife, and mother, and also unfavorable for children.

When the Earth Branches Yin and Shen are closely adjacent in the year and month branches, and Geng Metal and Yi Wood appear in the Heavenly Stems, forming the conditions for a clash, although the Heavenly Stems Geng Metal and Yi Wood are considered a distant clash, they must obey the essential requirements of the Earth Branches. This distant clash can be viewed through the Earth Branch clash as a close clash. Therefore, Geng Metal clashing Yi Wood signifies being shattered, or with Geng Metal as the head and Yi Wood as the feet, it also signifies being dismembered. If Geng Metal and Yi Wood are considered a distant clash, and having almost no power, it would not align with the person’s destiny.

III. Regarding the Mutual Transformation of Heavenly Stems: Differences in Several Classification Forms

1. The difference between “transformation of the controller leading to indirect generation” and “transformation of the controller leading to no control”:

(1) “Transformation of the controller leading to indirect generation” is the result of continuous generation under separated stems, where the separated stem is a mediating element, and its strength is greater than or equal to the strength of the main controlling element.

(2) “Transformation of the controller leading to no control” refers to the main controlling element simultaneously encountering adjacent generating and adjacent controlling elements, where the main controlling element’s strength is completely transformed, and thus cannot control the next element.

Therefore, although both involve transformation of the controller, the difference between indirect generation and no control lies in the different arrangement of generating and controlling positions among the Heavenly Stems.

2. The difference between “transformation of the controller leading to no control” and “transformation of the controller leading to weak control due to leakage”:

(1) “Transformation of the controller leading to no control” refers to the main controlling element simultaneously encountering adjacent generating and adjacent controlling elements, where the main controlling element’s strength is completely transformed, and thus cannot control the next element.

(2) “Transformation of the controller leading to weak control due to leakage” refers to the main controlling element simultaneously encountering adjacent generating and adjacent controlling elements, where the main controlling element’s strength is partially transformed, and then it controls the next element.

The difference between these two situations lies in the generated elements adjacent to the main controlling element, specifically the difference in their respective strengths.

IV. Differences in the Manifestation of Generating and Controlling Strengths in the Mutual Transformation of Heavenly Stems

1. Leakage (Transformation): When the main generating element is less than or equal to the generated element, it transfers all its strength to the generated element.

2. When the generating element is stronger than the generated element, after the generating element has released (transformed) an equivalent amount of energy as the generated element, it will then restrain the next element in sequence.

3. When the controlling element is weaker than the controlled element, the controlled element will completely exhaust the power of the controlling element. This type of control is referred to as “depletion”.

Yihun’s Four Pillars Treatise, Chapter Two, Section Two: Mutual Generation of Heavenly Stems

Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation is a process where the power of one Five Element is transferred to another Five Element. The generating element expends as much energy as the generated element gains. In the transformation of mutual generation, the generated element’s power increases, undergoing a quantitative change; the generating element’s power disappears or diminishes, undergoing a qualitative change. The purpose of mutual generation is to allow the generated Five Element to participate more powerfully in the process of Heavenly Stems Inter-transformation, thereby reflecting a result formed by the development of things.

Rules of Five Elements Mutual Generation: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood.

In a natal chart, based on the different arrangement order of the Heavenly Stems, the situations of Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation can be divided into three types. One: Close-Proximity Generation (Jintie Zhi Sheng), which refers to the Year Stem and Month Stem, Month Stem and Day Stem, Day Stem and Hour Stem. Two: Intervening-Stem Generation (Gegan Zhi Sheng), which refers to the Year Stem and Day Stem, Month Stem and Hour Stem. Three: Distant-Intervening-Stem Generation (Yaogegan Zhi Sheng), which refers only to the Year Stem and Hour Stem.

Traditional Bazi theory holds that: Close-proximity generation has great strength, intervening-stem generation has secondary strength, and distant-intervening-stem generation has almost no strength. That is, “two Five Elements with a generating relationship, restricted by their Heavenly Stem positions, cannot directly bypass the power of an intervening Five Element; at the same time, two Five Elements with a generating relationship cannot jointly affect the power of an intervening Five Element; and of course, there can be no power transformation between Earthly Branches to affect the corresponding Heavenly Stems.” This is a rigid way of thinking that stifles the adaptability and flexibility of Bazi, thereby firmly fixing the phenomena of development in certain procedures and harshly separating the philosophy of I Ching from real life.

In essence, two Five Elements with a generating relationship, and the intervening Five Elements between them, all simultaneously exert mutual influence. This simultaneous interaction with intervening Five Elements is a form of distant resonance, which, based on their varying strengths, manifests phenomena or situations with more complexity and instability through methods of depletion, control, and leakage under different forces.

I. Characteristics of Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation

Laws of Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation: Mutual generation is primary, generation takes precedence. If there is generation, it generates; if there is no generation, it overcomes.

The basic laws of Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation are explained as follows:

In Heavenly Stems Mutual Generation, there is a distinction between the generating element (主生五行) and the generated element (被生五行). The generating element affecting the generated element is called “generation” (生), while the generated element affecting the generating element is called “leakage” (泄).

“Generate if there’s generation” means that the generated element’s strength is greater than or equal to the generating element’s strength, allowing the generated element to completely assimilate the generating element’s power.

According to the principle of “generate if there’s generation,” the Ding Fire in the Month Stem must first generate the Ji Earth in the Year Stem. In the process of mutual generation, Ding Fire’s entire strength is depleted, so although it is in close proximity to the Daymaster Xin Metal, it cannot overcome it.

If here close-proximity overcoming has the greatest strength, and intervening-stem generation has secondary strength, then it clearly does not align with the actual situation of the chart owner.

The Deviant Resource (梟印) in the Year Stem transforms the Seven Killings (杀) to support the Daymaster, indicating that the chart owner is diligent and practical.

“Overcome if there’s no generation” means that the generated element has no strength (or there is no generated element), and the generated element cannot assimilate the generating element’s power, causing the generating element to skip a stage and overcome.

The Daymaster Xin Metal, though in season (得令), is ultimately weak (身弱). The Wu Earth in the Hour Stem sits on strong roots (自坐强根) and closely generates Xin Metal. Xin Metal cannot assimilate the power of Wu Earth, so Wu Earth skips a stage and overcomes Ren Water.

II. Same-Sex Generation is Stronger, Opposite-Sex Generation is Weaker

That is, Yin generating Yin, and Yang generating Yang, have greater strength; Yin generating Yang, and Yang generating Yin, have lesser strength. When discussing Five Elements mutual generation, one must first distinguish between the generating element and the generated element. Within a generating relationship, the distinction between “generation” (生) and “assimilation” (化) is primarily made through the strength of Five Elements mutual generation. Thus, the understanding that same-sex generation is stronger and opposite-sex generation is weaker cannot fully reflect the patterns and laws of Five Elements mutual generation. For example, when a Heavenly Stem has a penetrating root (通根) in a Yang Blade (羊刃), or when there’s a combination (会局) in the Earthly Branches, the characteristics of Heavenly Stems mutual generation become very evident, and the generating and generated elements can undergo significant power transformation.

According to the principle that same-sex generation is stronger and opposite-sex generation is weaker, when Ren Water and Gui Water appear simultaneously, Geng Metal should first generate the same-sex Ren Water. In the process of generation, Geng Metal’s strength is already depleted, implying it will no longer generate Gui Water. Analyzing this from the perspective of image-based fortune telling, if Metal and Water are beneficial elements (用神), and Metal represents the mother among the Ten Gods in the Four Pillars, then this generating relationship can reflect a situation where the mother dotes on her siblings but is relatively harsh towards herself. Here, I want to emphasize that Ren Water and Gui Water, externally, still act as a combined force to contend with other Five Elements.

The Gui Water in the Month Stem generates Yi Wood, depleting all its strength and thus lacking the power to generate Jia Wood. The Ren Water in the Hour Stem provides close-proximity generation to Yi Wood, but for Jia Wood in the Year Stem, being a distant-intervening-stem generation, it has almost no strength. This is how it’s formally understood. However, when categorizing the Five Elements, we can combine the strength of Water and Wood to contend with Earth and Metal, at which point the phenomenon of distant-intervening-stem generation ceases to exist.

Image-based fortune telling is very important in the core theory of I Ching studies. Only by mastering the basic principles of Five Elements generation, overcoming, control, and transformation can one understand the wisdom passed down by our ancestors, its specificity, and its scope of application. Only by grasping such a standard can the I Ching teachings be passed down and widely promoted.

III. Application of Intervening-Stem and Distant-Intervening-Stem Generation in Natal Charts and Luck Cycles

1. In cases where Earthly Branches have penetrating roots (通根), multiple instances of the same Five Element, or a Five Element with a generating relationship, can be considered close-proximity generation even when separated by intervening or distant stems.

The Yi Wood in the Year Stem provides close-proximity generation to the Bing Fire in the Month Stem. Because both Bing Fire in the Month Stem and Ding Fire in the Hour Stem have penetrating roots (通根) in the Day Branch and Hour Branch, and the Month Branch acts as a “storage root” (库根), with roots intertwined, Yi Wood is also considered to provide close-proximity generation to Ding Fire in the Hour Stem.

Both the Daymaster Jia Wood and the Jia Wood in the Year Stem have penetrating roots (通根) in the Year Branch. When the Gui Water in the Hour Stem provides close-proximity generation to the Daymaster Jia Wood, it is also considered close-proximity to the Jia Wood in the Year Stem.

2. The transformation of strength through Earthly Branch Punishments (刑), Clashes (冲), and Combinations (合) can cause distant-intervening-stem generation and intervening-stem generation to be regarded as close-proximity generation.

The Earthly Branches Hai and Mao form a half-combination into a Wood frame (亥卯半合木局), with the Mao Wood in the Hour Branch adding strength, which transforms the Water element into the Wood element. Therefore, the Day Stem Ren Water and Hour Stem Gui Water, although they are intervening-stem and distant-intervening-stem generation for the Year Stem Yi Wood, are all regarded as close-proximity generation here.

The Earthly Branches Si and Shen successfully combine and transform into Water, removing the strong root of Geng Metal. Through the form of Earthly Branches combination, the power of Metal is transformed into Water. Therefore, the Geng Metal in the Hour Stem is regarded as providing close-proximity generation to the Ren Water in the Year Stem.

3. When two generating Five Elements simultaneously form an overcoming or leaking/depleting relationship with a certain Five Element, then these two intervening-stem generating Five Elements can be considered close-proximity generation.

The Earthly Branches Mao and You clash, already forming a Metal-Wood conflict. The Geng Metal in the Month Stem closely overcomes the Daymaster Yi Wood, and the Bing Fire in the Year Stem closely depletes the Geng Metal in the Month Stem. In this situation, the intervening Bing Fire and Yi Wood can be seen as a combined force because Fire overcomes Metal and helps Wood, so Wood and Fire can be regarded as close-proximity generation.

Although the Xin Metal in the Month Stem closely overcomes the Yi Wood in the Year Stem, the Five Elements have an order of “first generate, then overcome.” The Xin Metal in the Month Stem must first generate the Day Stem Ren Water. Ren Water then depletes Xin Metal’s strength, so Xin Metal will no longer overcome the Year Stem Yi Wood. At the same time, as the Yi Wood in the Year Stem and Ren Water in the Day Stem jointly interact with Xin Metal, they can be regarded as providing close-proximity generation.

4. Regardless of distant-intervening-stem generation or intervening-stem generation, as long as the generating or generated Five Element appears in the luck cycles (Sui Yun), it is considered close-proximity generation for the natal chart.

Yi Hun: Four Pillars Chapter 2, Section 3 – Heavenly Stems Mutual Overcoming

For example, in real life, Metal overcoming Wood is like driving a nail into a wooden board. So, how is a nail driven into a wooden board? It’s force; force determines the depth to which the nail penetrates the board. While ensuring a certain amount of force is applied, as the nail is fully driven into the board, the board must also expend an equal amount of reactive force. The board must consume a volume equal to the nail’s volume; only then can the board firmly restrain the nail’s presence.

Throughout the entire process of Metal overcoming Wood, the draining (transforming), consuming, and restraining between the two Five Elements with a clashing relationship are fully demonstrated. Therefore, Heavenly Stems clashing implies restraint, attack, confrontation, and containment.

Rules of the Five Elements clashing: Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal.

In a birth chart, due to the limitations of the Heavenly Stems’ positional arrangement, the forms of clashing are also divided into three situations:

First is Adjacent Clashing, which includes the Year Stem and Month Stem, Month Stem and Day Stem, Day Stem and Hour Stem; second is Separated Clashing, specifically the Year Stem and Day Stem, Month Stem and Hour Stem; third is Remote Clash, specifically the Year Stem clashing with the Hour Stem.

Ancient people similarly believed that among these three types of Heavenly Stem clashes: an immediate clash has the greatest power, a separated clash has secondary power, and a remote clash has almost no power. The one-sidedness of this understanding is due to the Five Elements’ interactions the impact of the strength of these interactions on Heavenly Stems at different positions in the natal chart not being deeply considered. Therefore, its applicability is relatively limited.

Regarding the effect of the Five Elements’ interactions on the Heavenly Stems in the natal chart, one must not only consider the arrangement of the Heavenly Stems but also the magnitude of the Five Elements’ interactions and their specific effects on Heavenly Stems at different positions. Therefore, the intuitive Heavenly Stem generation, restraint, control, and transformation, very easily leads to a superficial understanding and perception. ” Mutual Transformation of Heavenly Stems” is precisely aimed at addressing these situations.

The relationship of the Five Elements’ mutual restriction is not that simple. If we want to demonstrate Metal restricting Wood, it’s not about placing a wooden board on the ground, nor is it about nailing a nail into the board; rather, it’s about driving the nail into the board. The wooden board also doesn’t solely bear the impact of the nail; beneath the board, there’s the effect of the ground, and the interactive force of the iron hammer driving the nail.

This phenomenon reflects that the relationship of Metal restricting Wood can only be completed under the influence of other conditions. When considering Metal restricting Wood in isolation, the existence of other conditions must be taken into account.

Therefore, the generating and restricting relationships in the Four Pillars are not solely about the strength of close proximity. The extent of the effect of close proximity must also be influenced by intervening stems, or even distantly separated stems. The magnitude of the heavenly stems’ influence is determined by the earthly branches’ Punishments, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms. In other words, the inherent strength of the earthly branches and the strength of their Punishments, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms directly influence the generating and restricting relationships and outcomes between the positions of the heavenly stems.

Generally, there are several situations for heavenly stems’ mutual restriction:

1. Greed for Generation Forgets Restriction

For a Five Element that is closely restricted, if an element that drains it also appears simultaneously, the principle of mutual generation should take precedence, The principle of mutual generation taking precedence is followed.

If, for a dominant restraining element, an element that drains it appears, and its strength is greater than or equal to the dominant restraining element, then after the dominant restraining element has exhausted all its strength, it can no longer restrain the next element.

In the month pillar, Bing Fire Seven Killings sits on its own “Chang Sheng” position, closely restraining the Geng Metal day master. In the year pillar, Ji Earth emerges, closely draining the Bing Fire. After the Bing Fire’s entire strength is transformed by the Ji Earth, it does not restrain the Geng Metal day master.

II. When the Restrainer is Restrained, It Does Not Restrain

This refers to a situation where an element that restrains the dominant restraining element appears, and its strength is greater than or equal to the dominant restraining element. The dominant restraining element’s strength is then constrained, preventing it from exercising its power to restrain.

In the month pillar, Wu Earth Seven Killings sits on its own “Chang Sheng” position, rooted in the year branch, closely restraining the Ren Water day master. In the year pillar, Yi Wood Hurting Officer emerges, rooted in the month branch, closely restraining the Wu Earth. The Wu Earth is restrained and does not restrain the Ren Water.

The Geng Metal in the month pillar, with the day branch as its strong root, closely restrains the Jia Wood day master. In the earthly branches, three Yin clash with one Shen, clashing away the Shen Metal. The Bing Fire in the year pillar closely restrains the Geng Metal. The Geng Metal is excessively restrained and does not restrain the Jia Wood (it can also be understood that Geng Metal is counter-restrained, becoming a case of wood being too abundant and metal lacking)。

III. When the Restrainer Gains Support, Its Restraining Power Increases

This refers to the emergence of elements that generate the dominant-controlling element, with their strength being equal to or less than the dominant-controlling element.

The day master Wutu sits on a “long life” position, has roots in the annual branch and hourly branch, closely controls the monthly Gui water, and the hourly Ding fire further generates the day master Wutu, increasing Wutu’s power to control Gui water.

The monthly Ren water controls the day master Ding fire, and the annual Geng metal wealth star is close to Ren water, increasing Ren water’s power to control Ding fire.

Four, Intervening and Distant Heavenly Stems Controlling Each Other

The Heavenly Stems represent external forms, but they must express the intrinsic and substantial meaning of the Earthly Branches.

1. Through the rooting of Earthly Branches, intervening or distant Heavenly Stems controlling each other can also be regarded as closely controlling each other.

The hourly Jia wood controls the day master Ji earth, because both the day master Ji earth and the annual Ji earth are rooted in the hourly branch, and the rooting of Earthly Branches does not distinguish between near and far. Therefore, while the hourly Jia wood controls the day master Ji earth, it also controls the annual Ji earth.

2. Through the power conversion of punishment, clash, combination, and harm between Earthly Branches, intervening or distant Heavenly Stems controlling each other can be regarded as closely controlling each other.

Through Earthly Branches Si and Shen combine to form water Successfully, Water overcoming Fire also appeared in the Heavenly Stems, because Heavenly Stems reflect the intrinsic essence of Earthly Branches, and Earthly Branches also simultaneously influence the power of Heavenly Stems. Thus, the Ren Water of the hour stem against the Ding Fire of the month stem is also considered “tightly attached”.

The Seven Killings on the month and Gui Water on the hour are separated stems clashing. Through the influence of the Yi-Hai clash of the Earthly Branches, the separated stem clash of the Heavenly Stems can be seen as a tightly attached clash.

Yihun’s Four Pillars, Chapter 2, Section 4: Heavenly Stems Combinations

Relative balance is a fundamental law and principle of development. Therefore, the essence of combination also has a fundamentally unbalanced aspect, and things always develop by leaning towards a certain force. Alternatively, the trend of development is often interfered with by certain factors, meaning that even the way Heavenly Stems combine must conform to this premise. Thus, the essence of combination is not absolutely fair and just; it must involve a Yin-Yang restraining relationship, and it must involve submission and compulsion. Therefore, it can be understood that: Heavenly Stems combination is when two forces achieve directional consistency and reach a common mode of operation within a unified timeframe. Once the combined Five Elements become dominant, this relative balance must be broken, and in another stage of development, a Yin-Yang generating and restraining relationship occurs, namely combination without transformation. In Bazi, there is no concept of being “tied up”; it should be considered as “restraining.”。

The fundamental attributes of matter also influence its own laws of motion, and in the process of motion, many causal components and contradictory dualities are manifested. It is precisely these factors that determine the impact of the situation’s development on people at that time. As for its ultimate outcome, a reasonable judgment must be made based on its impact on people or the needs of factual development. Heavenly Stems Combination and Transformation Whether successful or not, it inherently has no auspicious or inauspicious meaning; it only refers to the intentions of people and things: If combined auspiciously, it is auspicious; if combined inauspiciously, it is inauspicious.。

Heavenly Stems combination means a harmonious union, aiming to achieve a certain purpose by integrating forces to form a unified situation. Naturally, this also means the weaker party has to give up itself or its power, while the stronger party’s power continuously expands.

Heavenly Stems combination means two originally clashing Five Elements, through the act of combination, simultaneously undergo changes in quality and quantity, transforming into a single Five Element.

Heavenly Stems combination means that the combined Stem must absolutely yield to the dominant Stem, fully embodying the Five Element attribute of the dominant Stem, and the combined Stem no longer interacts with its original Five Element.

I. Five Types and Characteristics of Heavenly Stems Combination

Five Types of Heavenly Stems Combination: Jia-Ji combine to transform into Earth, Yi-Geng combine to transform into Metal, Bing-Xin combine to transform into Water, Ding-Ren combine to transform into Wood, Wu-Gui combine to transform into Fire.。

Common characteristics: All involve a relationship between a dominant and a subdued Five Element, and all possess a Yin and Yang relationship. Only when they have a Yin-Yang relationship can clashing Five Element Heavenly Stems combine. This is what is meant by “one Yin and one Yang constitute the Dao” in the “Xici Zhuan” (Appended Remarks).

The difference is: in the process of combination for the first two groups, there are main combining and being combined stems; in the process of combination for the latter three groups, there are no main combining stems of the Five Elements, all are being combined stems of the Five Elements.

1. Jia-Ji combine and transform into Earth, Yi-Geng combine and transform into Metal.

The Five Elements formed by the combination of the two combining stems are the same as the Five Elements of one of the two combining stems.

Characteristics of combination: In the process of combination and transformation, the being combined stem of the Five Elements undergoes a qualitative change, transferring its power to the main combining stem, which increases the power of the main combining Five Elements, resulting in a quantitative change.

The annual stem Ji Earth and the monthly stem Jia Wood, closely combine. Jia Wood sits in the monthly command, and after successful combination and transformation into the same Five Elements (Jia-Ji combine and transform into Earth), Jia Wood has changed its attribute to Earth, undergoing a qualitative change. It can no longer interact with other elements as Wood. The power of Ji Earth increases, resulting in a quantitative change.

2. Bing-Xin combine and transform into Water, Ding-Ren combine and transform into Wood, Wu-Gui combine and transform into Fire.

The Five Elements formed by the combination of the two combining stems are different from the Five Elements of the two combining stems.

Characteristics of combination: In the process of combination and transformation, both being combined stems of the Five Elements undergo a qualitative change, transferring their power to another type of Five Elements. At the same time, the power of the transformed Five Elements increases, resulting in a quantitative change.

The annual stem Bing Fire and the monthly stem Xin Metal, closely combine and transform. Among them, the branch on which the annual stem Bing Fire sits is the transformed Five Elements, and the daily stem Ren Water is also the same transformed Five Elements. Bing-Xin successfully combine and transform into Water. Both Bing Fire and Xin Metal undergo a qualitative change and no longer interact with other elements as Bing Fire or Xin Metal. Instead, the power of the heavenly stem Ren Water increases, resulting in a quantitative change.

II. Conditions for Heavenly Stems Combination

For Heavenly Stems to combine, certain conditions must be met to achieve the desired outcome. The strength and weakness of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches vary in each monthly cycle, which determines the success or failure of the Heavenly Stem combination. Of course, this also includes the strong roots of Earthly Branches and Earthly Branch Punishments, Clashes, and Combinations.

1. Both combining Heavenly Stems must be closely adjacent. In a birth chart, this refers to the Year Stem and Month Stem, Month Stem and Day Stem, and Day Stem and Hour Stem. The Stems of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour, in relation to the Grand Cycle (大运), Annual Cycle (流年), and also the Annual Cycle’s Heavenly Stems in relation to the Grand Cycle, are all considered closely adjacent.

2. At least one of the Earthly Branches supporting the two combining Heavenly Stems must be the same transformed Five Element.

3. For Heavenly Stems to combine, the monthly command (月令) must be the same transformed Five Element. (For example, Jia-Ji combining to transform into Earth in Si or Wu months is also considered the same transformed Five Element, because Si and Wu Fire are the ‘Lu’ and ‘Ren’ positions for Earth).

4. Besides Jia-Ji combination and Yi-Geng combination, for Bing-Xin, Ding-Ren, and Wu-Gui combinations, the Heavenly Stems must reveal the transformed Five Element for the combination to be successful.

5. When Year and Month combine, if the monthly command is not the same transformed Five Element, but the Year Branch is the same transformed Five Element, the combination can also be successful. (This is because the Year is the Tai Sui, and Tai Sui is greater than the monthly command).

6. When the birth chart combines with the Grand Cycle and Annual Cycle, the Earthly Branches supporting the Grand Cycle and Annual Cycle must be the same transformed Five Element.

7. For Heavenly Stems to combine, if the monthly command is not the same transformed Five Element, but there is an Earthly Branch combination that forms the same Five Element, it can also be considered a successful transformation. (This is because an Earthly Branch combination is greater than the monthly command).

8. When Heavenly Stems combination and Earthly Branches combination contend for the transforming deity, if the Heavenly Stems combination and Earthly Branches combination transform into different Five Elements, the Heavenly Stems combination must yield to the Earthly Branches combination.

9. When there is a combination in the original Natal Chart (Bazi), if the combined Stem has a strong root, it is not considered a strong root, but rather a transformation.

10. When there is a combination between the original Natal Chart and the Grand Luck (Dayun) or Annual Luck (Liunian), if the combined root has a strong root, it is considered a strong root, not a transformation (regardless of whether the strong root is in the Natal Chart or in the Luck cycles).

11. Heavenly Stems combinations must yield to Earthly Branches’ Punishment, Clash, and Combination. (Because Earthly Branches’ Punishment, Clash, and Combination determine the strength and weakness of Heavenly Stems).

The Day Stem Ji Earth combines with the Hour Stem Jia Wood, and the two Stems are closely adjacent. Among them, the Hour Stem Jia Wood’s sitting branch Chen Earth and the monthly command Xu Earth are both the same Five Elements after transformation. Therefore, the Jia-Ji combination transforming into Earth in the Day and Hour is considered successful.

The Day Stem Jia Wood combines with the Hour Stem Ji Earth, and the two Stems are closely adjacent. Their sitting branches are also the same Five Elements after transformation, but the monthly command is Si, and Si-Wu is the place of prosperity and blade for Earth. Therefore, the Jia-Ji combination transforming into Earth in the Day and Hour is considered successful.

If Jia Wood is the Day Master and combines to form other Five Elements, it should still be analyzed for its interactions (generation and control) with other Five Elements according to its original Five Elements.

The Year Stem Yi Wood combines with the Month Stem Geng Metal, and the two Stems are closely adjacent. Among them, the Year Stem Yi Wood’s sitting position is the same Five Elements after transformation, and Chen-You combines to transform into Metal is successful. Therefore, the Yi-Geng combination transforming into Metal is successful (this is a Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch combination).

In this chart, the annual stem Ding Fire and the monthly stem Ren Water combine, with the two stems closely aligned. The earthly branch supporting the monthly stem Ren Water is the same element as the transformed element, and the daily stem Yi Wood is also the same element as the transformed element. Therefore, the combination of Ding-Ren in the year and month transforming into Wood is considered successful.

If the monthly command is not the same element as the transformed element, but there is a combination in the earthly branches that forms the same element, it is also considered a successful transformation.

The monthly stem Ding Fire and the daily stem Ren Water combine, with the two stems closely aligned. However, neither the monthly command nor the earthly branches supporting the two stems are the same element as the transformed element, so the conditions for transformation are not met. But the earthly branches Hai-Mao-Wei form a three-combination Wood frame is successful, and both the annual branch and monthly branch transform into the Wood element. Therefore, the Ding-Ren combination transforming into Wood is successful.

When stems combine in the original chart, if the combined stem has a strong root, it is not considered a strong root, but rather a transformation.

The annual stem Jia Wood and the monthly stem Ji Earth combine, with the two stems closely aligned. The earthly branches supporting the two stems and the monthly command are also the same element. Although the daily branch Mao Wood is a root for Jia Wood, it does not affect the Jia-Ji combination transforming into Earth.

12. When stems combine in the original chart with the Grand Cycle (Dayun) or the Annual Cycle (Liunian), or when the Grand Cycle combines with the Annual Cycle, if the combined stem has a strong root, it is considered a strong root, not a transformation.

In the Grand Cycle Ji Si, the annual pillar’s heavenly stem Jia Wood combines with the Grand Cycle’s heavenly stem Ji Earth. The two stems are considered closely aligned, and Ji Earth sits on Si Fire, which originally met the conditions. However, Jia Wood has a strong root beneath it, so it is not considered a successful transformation.

In the original chart with the Grand Cycle or the Annual Cycle, the earthly branch supporting the Grand Cycle or Annual Cycle must be the same element as the transformed element.

In Dayun Yiyou, the Geng metal in the year pillar’s heavenly stem and the Yi wood in the Dayun’s heavenly stem combine, which can be considered closely aligned. The earthly branch supporting the Dayun’s heavenly stem Yi wood is the same transformed five element, so the Yi-Geng combination successfully transforms into metal.

Heavenly stem combinations must yield to earthly branch punishments, clashes, and combinations.

The Jia wood in the year pillar’s heavenly stem and the Ji earth in the month pillar’s heavenly stem combine, with the two stems closely aligned. The earthly branches supporting both stems and the monthly command are all the same transformed five element. However, the You metal in the day branch and the Si fire in the month branch form a half-metal combination, and the Chen earth in the hour branch successfully transforms into a metal combination. The Chen earth in the year branch strengthens this combination. Thus, it combines away the Si fire in the month branch and the Chen earth in the year branch. Jia and Ji, lacking roots in the earthly branches, therefore cannot successfully transform.

13. If, in a heavenly stem combination, the combined stem has one or more additional stems and there are strong roots in the earthly branches, it is not considered a successful transformation, but rather a competing combination that does not combine.

The day stem Ji earth and the hour stem Jia wood combine, with the two stems closely aligned. The earthly branch supporting Jia wood and the monthly command are both the same transformed five element. However, the year stem also reveals Jia wood, which sits on strong roots, with the monthly command as its storage root, and has roots in the day branch. Earthly branch roots are not distinguished by proximity. Therefore, two Jia combine with one Ji, resulting in a competing combination that does not combine, and is thus considered not combined.

14. If, in a heavenly stem combination, the combined stem has one or more additional stems, and there are no strong roots in the earthly branches, and the earthly branch five elements follow the strong trend of the main combining stem, it is considered a successful transformation, and not a competing combination that does not combine.

III. Situations of Competing Combinations That Do Not Combine

Combination refers to the relationship between the main combiner and the combined, where the combined five element strongly submits to the main combining five element and completely gives up its own strength. When the combined five element also has strong roots, it changes the relative balance of things, thereby triggering a competing combination that does not combine.

When the main combining stem has one or more additional stems, the issue of competing combinations does not exist.

Combination and competing combination are forms of power struggle among the five elements through their generating and controlling cycles, and are Five Elements Generation and Restriction the strength of which determines the final outcome. From a purely theoretical perspective, it has little practical significance. However, in terms of symbolic principles, its significance is extraordinary. Therefore, regarding the issue of unsuccessful contending combinations, one must have a dialectical and adaptable understanding.

1. Wu-Gui Combination Transforms into Fire

If there are multiple Gui Water and Wu Earth stems, and there are no strong roots in the Earthly Branches, and the Five Elements in the Earthly Branches follow the strong trend of Fire, it is considered a successful combination and transformation.

The annual stem Gui Water and monthly stem Wu Earth combine, the two stems are closely adjacent, the Earthly Branches supporting both stems and the monthly command are all the same Five Element as the transformed element, and Ding Fire appears in the hour stem. Therefore, the Wu-Gui combination successfully transforms into Fire. The daily stem Wu Earth also has roots in the annual, monthly, daily, and hourly branches, and rooting in Earthly Branches does not distinguish between near and far. Even with contending combinations, Fire is strong. Therefore, here it is not considered an unsuccessful contending combination, but rather a successful combination and transformation.

2. Bing-Xin Combination Transforms into Water

(1) If there are multiple Xin Metal stems and strong roots in the Earthly Branches, it is considered a successful combination and transformation.

The annual stem Bing Fire combines with the monthly stem Xin Metal, the two stems are closely adjacent, the Earthly Branch supporting Bing Fire is the same Five Element as the transformed element, and Ren Water appears in the daily stem. Therefore, the Bing-Xin combination successfully transforms into Water. The hourly stem Xin Metal and monthly stem Xin Metal are rooted in the daily branch, and because rooting does not distinguish between near and far, the hourly stem Xin Metal also contends to combine with Bing Fire. Bing-Xin combines and transforms into Water, and strong Metal generates Water, which follows the trend of the Earthly Branches and the transforming deity in the Heavenly Stems. Therefore, it is not considered a contending combination, but rather a successful combination and transformation.

(2) If there are multiple Bing Fire stems and strong roots in the Earthly Branches, it is considered an unsuccessful contending combination. If there are no strong roots in the Earthly Branches, it is considered a successful combination and transformation.

The annual stem Bing Fire combines with the monthly stem Xin Metal, the two stems are closely adjacent, the Earthly Branch supporting the annual stem Bing Fire is the same Five Element as the transformed element, and Ren Water, the transforming deity, appears in the daily stem. It should have successfully combined and transformed. However, both the hourly stem Bing Fire and the annual stem Bing Fire are rooted in the daily and hourly branches, and the two Fire stems in the hour contend to combine with the monthly stem Xin Metal. This is an unsuccessful contending combination.

3. Ding-Ren Combination Transforms into Wood

(1) If there is one or more additional Ren Water stems, and the earthly branches have strong roots, it is considered a transformation.

When Ding Fire in the year pillar combines with Ren Water in the month pillar, the two stems are close, and Ren Water sits on the month branch, which is the same element as the transformation, and the day master Jia Wood appears, the Ding-Ren combination successfully transforms into Wood. Although both Ren Water in the hour pillar and Ren Water in the month pillar have roots in the year branch, and Ren Water in the hour pillar competes to combine with Ding Fire in the year stem, however, strong Water generates Wood, following the strong trend of the transformed five elements. Therefore, it is not considered a competing combination that fails, but rather a successful transformation.

(2) If there is one or more additional Ding Fire stems, and the earthly branches have strong roots, it is not considered a transformation, but rather a competing combination that fails. If the earthly branches have no strong roots, it is considered a transformation.

When Ding Fire in the year pillar combines with Ren Water in the month pillar, the two stems are close, Ren Water sits on the month branch, which is the same element as the transformation, and the day master Jia Wood appears to induce the transformation, the conditions for Ding-Ren transformation are met. However, both Ding Fire in the hour pillar and Ding Fire in the year pillar have roots in the day branch, and have qi in the month and year branches. Ding Fire in the hour pillar competes to combine with Ren Water in the month pillar, which is considered a competing combination that fails.

4. Generating and Controlling Relationships After Transformation

1. Through the mutual transformation of heavenly stems the conversion of the power of the five elements，when the Heavenly Stems successfully combine and transform, the combined element takes on the attributes of the dominant element. At this point, one must observe the influence that the elements, both before and after transformation, have on human affairs and needs. Based on favorable and unfavorable elements, combining with an unfavorable element leads to misfortune, while combining with a favorable element leads to good fortune.

The Day Master Yi Wood gains strength, rooted in the month and hour branches, indicating a strong self. Wu Earth gains longevity in the month branch, rooted in the day branch. Comparatively, the self is strong, so the use of Eating God/Output to generate wealth is favorable. However, the successful combination and transformation of Ding and Ren in the pillars brought significant hidden dangers to the native: parents had a bad marriage, the native herself followed her mother through multiple marriages in childhood, and suffered an injury, resulting in lifelong disability.

2. The Day Master is the center of the birth chart. Therefore, in the combination of Heavenly Stems, only when the Day Master is combined and transformed into another element, the Day Master still interacts (generates and overcomes) according to its original element.

Jia Wood Day Master, gains strength, rooted in the month branch. However, Wu and Ji Earth appear in the pillars, rooted in the year branch, and also Chen-Chen self-punishment, it is advisable to use Resource and Companion elements as favorable。

The Ji Earth in the month pillar combines with the Day Master Jia Wood, the two stems are close. The month branch is not the same element as the transformed combination, but the Chen-Chen self-punishment is successful, and the Jia-Ji combination and transformation is successful. However, the Day Master Jia Wood still interacts (generates and overcomes) with other elements according to its original element.

The result is Chen-Chen self-punishment, harming the Resource Star. Jia-Ji combines into Earth, making the Day Master weak with heavy wealth. This describes a woman who is dull, simple-minded, and very frugal.

3. In Bazi numerology, there is no concept of “He Ban” (combination and restraint) for Heavenly Stem combinations and transformations. Originally, these are two conflicting elements. If the combination and transformation is successful, they do not conflict; if not, they do. Whether combined or not, or combined but not transformed, all manifest as a struggle in the birth chart: combining an unfavorable god into a favorable god brings good fortune; combining a favorable god into an unfavorable god brings misfortune. In practical application, whether the Heavenly Stems successfully combine and transform or not, they are all uniformly regarded as conflicts.

Yi Hun’s Four Pillars Chapter, Chapter 3: On the Punishment, Clash, Combination, and Harm of Earthly Branches.

We know that Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are integrated and inseparable; Heavenly Stems are the external manifestation, while Earthly Branches are the internal substance. Compared to the pure Five Element attributes of Heavenly Stems, the Earthly Branches and their hidden Stems possess greater complexity and variability. Therefore, the same Five Element producing, overcoming, and transforming interactions, while applicable to Heavenly Stems, cannot fully achieve the energy transformation between Earthly Branches. If the Heavenly Stems were to fully reflect all the information and energy contained within the Earthly Branches through simple Five Element producing and overcoming interactions, then the relationships between Earthly Branches could not be handled by direct Five Element producing and overcoming. Among the Earthly Branches, only through the different forms of Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms can all specific energies and information be fully reflected in the mutual transformations of Heavenly Stems. If this relationship is not clearly understood, it leads to conflating Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, fundamentally denying their interdependent and complementary roles, and neglecting the complexity and variability of Earthly Branches and their hidden Stems. Furthermore, it ignores the distinct forms, specificity, and purpose of Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms. The different forms of interaction among Earthly Branches reflect different details and outcomes in the development of events.

In practical application, the prosperity and decline (旺衰) of the Five Elements play a crucial role in the energy transformation during Earthly Branch Penalties, Clashes, and Combinations. Each Five Element, in different seasonal nodes (节令), and even different regions, will exhibit varying degrees of differences and changes. Such a subtle factor can directly lead to inaccurate predictions. For example, just as oranges grown south of the Huai River differ from those grown north of it, and considering the formation of the Three Harmony Combinations (三会局) of Yin-Mao-Chen in spring versus Shen-You-Xu, their strengths are entirely different. Whether an element is “in season” (得令) or “in location” (得地) determines that the same Five Element will have completely different strength and authority in different seasons or monthly commands.

By the same token, for instance, if three Shen clash one Yin, and it’s in the Yin month, the Metal of Shen can only clash away the Five Element energy of Yin Wood, but it cannot clash away the “seasonal energy” (得令之气) of Yin Wood. The Chou-Wei-Xu Three Penalties may form conditions to overcome Water, but they do not necessarily indicate misfortune in the Hai or Zi months. The time of misfortune often occurs when the favorable god (用神) or the Five Element supporting the favorable god is in a state of rest, decline, death, or extinction (休囚死绝), lacking qi, and then further meets a clash or overcoming. Of course, for Five Elements that suddenly become extremely prosperous, causing imbalance, it is necessary to carefully distinguish between the principles of producing and overcoming and the actual unfolding of events. One cannot blindly assume fortune or misfortune simply because the conditions for Penalties, Clashes, or Combinations are met; that is pure dogmatism. Yiology (study of I Ching/Changes) originates from life, and we must find life’s direction, purpose, and conditions within it.

The concepts inherent in Earthly Branch Penalties, Clashes, and Combinations have fully integrated both principle (理) and manifestation (象). Precisely for this reason, many people develop one-sided understandings, declaring misfortune upon seeing a Penalty and fortune upon seeing a Combination, making blind conjectures that mislead others and harm themselves. Principle and manifestation are fundamentally inseparable; principle fully serves manifestation, and manifestation exists entirely for principle. Therefore, in the practical application of Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms, one must adopt a flexible approach.

A Combination (相合) does not merely signify harmony; it is often laden with utilitarian and practical implications. After transforming into another Five Element, it uses its unified, powerful force to produce or overcome the next Five Element. A Clash (相冲) represents opposition, confrontation, and impact, where both sides simultaneously and equally suffer loss of strength, scattering residual qi, highlighting self-interest and an exclusionary trend. A Penalty (相刑) is a form of punishment; to achieve the goal of controlling the next Five Element, it integrates energies through coercive means, making the original qi intensely strong, multiplying its power, and exhibiting a fission-like effect, while simultaneously eradicating the strength of the Five Elements being controlled.

The relationships among Earthly Branch Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms are not as distinct as their conceptual definitions might suggest; sometimes, their interactions are quite entangled.

For example, the Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei Clash can be seen as a Six Combination for Earth. Superficially, it gains the same energy transformation as Earthly Branches in a combination through the form of an Earthly Branch Clash, but in reality, it fulfills the function of a Penalty.

Although the conditions for the formation and application of Earthly Branch Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms are all built upon the principles of Five Element producing and overcoming, their use, under more complex conditions, pushes the principles of Five Element producing and overcoming to a more extreme and specific level.

In this chart, during the Bing-Zi (丙子) luck pillar and the Ding-Mao (丁卯) flowing year, the natal chart and the luck pillars/flowing year not only form a Jia-Ji Combination (甲己合) and a potential Bing-Xin Combination (丙辛有相合之象) among the Heavenly Stems, but also form two Xu combining with one Mao (两戌合一卯), a Zi-Mao Penalty (子卯相刑), a Mao-You Clash (卯酉相冲), and a You-Xu Harm (酉戌相害) among the Earthly Branches.

When the distinct characteristics of Penalties, Clashes, Combinations, and Harms interact with the natal chart through luck pillars and flowing years, no matter how complex and changeable the situation, as long as they are analyzed separately according to their respective conditions, correct predictions can ultimately be made.

Two Xu combine with one Mao, You comes to clash and disperse it, and the Zi-Mao Penalty successfully makes Jia Wood prosperous, clashing away You Metal. The Heavenly Stems Bing Fire and Ding Fire of the luck pillar and flowing year control Geng Metal, so Metal cannot overcome Wood. Wood being prosperous then overcomes Earth. This indicates that in this natal chart, the Day Master is strong, and the Resource element is even stronger. Therefore, Eating God/Output producing Wealth is taken as the favorable god (用). During the Bing-Zi luck pillar and Ding-Mao year, Wealth and Resource elements contend, and the favorable god is in place. In reality, the chart holder successfully participated in and was admitted to the college entrance examination that year, achieving a “carp leaping over the dragon’s gate” transformation.

Yi Hun Bazi Chapter 3, Section 1: On Earthly Branch Combinations

As mentioned earlier, the Earthly Branches represent the inner essence; they must have the combined and transformed Five Elements penetrate through to the Heavenly Stems to manifest the causal relationship between the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The actual situation is indeed like this: the Five Elements successfully formed through combination and transformation often use their unified, powerful force to generate or restrict the next Five Element. For example, the Yin-Hai combination transforming into Wood means converting the hidden stem Ren Water within the Earthly Branch Hai Water into the power of Wood, while the hidden stems Bing Fire and Wu Earth within the Earthly Branch Yin Wood also disappear due to the transformation. In fact, the changes in such a process already reflect the truth of the Yin-Hai combination transforming into Wood. This transformation process causes severe trauma to the hidden stems in Yin Wood and their corresponding Five Elements penetrating the stems. Unless there is no Earth in the Heavenly Stems, or the Fire element can act as a bridge, the purpose of the Yin-Hai combination transforming into Wood to restrict Earth cannot be reversed. Therefore, as long as the Yin-Hai combination transforming into Wood is successful, it not only increases the power of the Wood element but also increases the power of Wood restricting Earth and reduces the power of Wood generating Fire. By the same logic, under singular conditions: the Hai-Mao-Wei Wood frame combination is a serious hidden danger of prosperous Wood restricting Earth, and the Shen-Zi-Chen Water frame combination ultimately results in abundant Water scattering Earth, and so on. Therefore, the Earthly Branch frame combination itself is a purpose and also a function; the generation of a frame combination must meet the conditions required by the frame combination itself.

Different frame combinations possess different Five Elements, and different Five Elements possess the active forces of different Five Element attributes. During the time when their movement directions are consistent, multiple Five Elements often combine together, representing the same will. As a dominant force, it usually influences the developmental trend of things. However, as long as differences in directionality and temporality appear, different substances, under the influence of their respective different attributes, can directly lead to the splitting of internal force movements, thereby reflecting the collapse or end of the relationships between things. All Five Elements participating in a combination will continue to participate in the transformation of other Five Element forces with different attributes and powers; these situations are particularly prominent when the frame combination encounters a clash, punishment, or yielding.

It can be understood this way: combination is a mode of development and a mode of existence for things; it gives the movement of matter and the development of things directionality, temporality, and specificity.

Combination is not just for the sake of harmony, nor is it merely because the existence of a dominant force completely dictates the development of the weaker one. From another perspective, being weak does not mean having no power; within a time of consistent directionality, due to the effect of the combination, it abandons or betrays its own attributes. This is the relationship between active and passive, the relationship between Yin and Yang, and a process of one waning while the other waxes. Thus, through the form of combination, the meaning of combination can be broadly understood. It is full of speculation and plunder, loyalty and betrayal, obedience and control, and so on.

Therefore, when the primary combining force becomes dominant, the combined force compliantly transforms. Once the primary combining force is obstructed, the combined force will use its original Five Element to engage in punishment, clash, or combination with other Five Elements.

The Day Master Geng Metal is rooted in the Year Branch, the Resource Star penetrates twice but is rootless, and the Wealth Star Yi Wood in the pillars is rooted in the Day and Hour, further assisted and made more prosperous by the Earthly Branch Yin-Hai combination frame; the destiny chart should take Earth generating Metal as the Useful God.

In the Major Cycle Xin-Wei, it forms a Hai-Mao-Wei triple combination Wood frame with the destiny chart, merging into one Qi with the Yin-Hai Wood combination, combining away the root of the Resource Star Ji Earth; prosperous Wood restricts Earth, damaging the Resource Star due to Wealth.

In the Annual Cycle Xin-Si, the Grand Duke triggers the Si-You half combination Metal frame, the Yin-Hai Wood combination, and the Hai-Mao-Wei triple Wood frame, combining away Wei Earth and Si Fire, which are the roots of the Useful God Resource Star. At the same time, the Annual Cycle and the Month Pillar have a Heavenly Clash and Earthly Clash, Wealth comes to control the Resource Star., causing an imbalance.

While determining the favorable and unfavorable elements of the destiny chart here, one should carefully analyze the information-inducing effect of the Yin-Hai combination into Wood. It combines and removes the useful god; the Yin-Hai combination into Wood causes the Bing Fire hidden in the Yin Wood to no longer generate Wu Earth. The only ‘Fire generating Earth’ in the Bazi that can elevate the destiny owner’s level disappears in the quantitative transformation of the Earthly Branches. The Yin-Hai combination into Wood means Water goes to generate Wood, and prosperous Wood overcomes Earth. In the Bazi, Wood represents wealth and Earth represents the resource; because wealth damages the resource, and wealth represents women, it is destined that the marriage will be unsmooth throughout life. Entering the Xin-Wei major luck pillar, the Hai-Mao-Wei triple combination forms a Wood frame, combining away the root of the useful god Ji Earth. In the fleeting year Xin-Si, it seems the useful god is in place, but the Si-You half-combination once again loses the root of the useful god Ji Earth. In this chart, the repeatedly appearing combination frames in the destiny, luck, and year are all the useful god in the Earthly Branches repeatedly giving up its own Five Elements attribute during the transformation of power, which is all about the useful god repeatedly turning into an unfavorable god.

In reality, the adopted son of the destiny owner’s mother and the destiny owner’s wife had a long-term secret affair, which was exposed by the adopted brother’s wife that year, almost leading to divorce.

1. The Six Combinations of Earthly Branches

The Six Combinations of Earthly Branches refer to Zi and Chou combining to transform into Earth, Yin and Hai combining to transform into Wood, Mao and Xu combining to transform into Fire, Chen and You combining to transform into Metal, Shen combining to transform into Water, and Wu and Wei combining to transform into Earth. In practical application, besides the Six Combinations of Earthly Branches, there also exist Zi and Chou combining to transform into Water, and Wu and Wei combining to transform into Fire scenarios.

The Six Combinations of Earthly Branches use the form of Yin and Yang combinations among the Twelve Earthly Branches to represent Five Elements generation and restriction, the transformation of those complex relationships. Through the form of combination, it reflects the quantitative and qualitative changes of two or more Five Elements, and the specific effects and influences brought to the generation and restriction of the Five Elements.

Specific conditions for the Six Combinations:

1. The two combining branches must be adjacent, namely the Year branch and Month branch, Month branch and Day branch, Day branch and Hour branch. Each branch of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour with the Major Cycle and the Annual Pillar, as well as the Major Cycle with the Annual Pillar, are all considered adjacent.
2. Of the two combining branches, at least one must have its Heavenly Stem revealed as the same Five Element resulting from the combination.
3. When Zi and Chou combine to transform into Water, if both Water and Earth are revealed in the Heavenly Stems, it is evaluated as transforming into Earth; when Wu and Wei combine to transform into Fire, if both Fire and Earth are revealed in the Heavenly Stems, it is evaluated as transforming into Earth.
4. The power of the Six Combinations is the weakest, and when interacting with other combination setups or two branches in self-punishment When sharing a branch, they must all give way, unless the punishment and combination are of the same Qi, the clash and combination are of the same Qi, or the transformation and combination are of the same Qi, in which case they do not give way.
5. In the Six Combinations, there is no concept of ‘competing to combine’. As long as the conditions for the combination are met, any extra branches are considered as adding power to the combination, regardless of whether the adding branches are near or far.
6. If the conditions for the Six Combinations are met, but the transformed spirit is restrained, the combination and transformation are not considered successful.

The Year Branch Zi Water and the Month Branch Chou Earth are closely adjacent and combine. The transformed Five Elements emerge on the Heavenly Stems of the two combining branches, so the Zi-Chou combination transforming into Water is successful.

The Day Master Ding Fire is floating and rootless, while both the Direct Officer and Seven Killings emerge and are rooted in the Earthly Branch combination, making them extremely prosperous. The Earthly Branches Zi and Chou combine and transform into Water, combining away the root of the Eating God Ji Earth. Zi and Chou combine to transform into Water; with too much Water, the Earth scatters. Fire cannot generate Earth, and both Fire and Earth lose their season and are extremely weak. In reality, the life owner is a mentally disabled and handicapped person.

II. Earthly Branch Three-Harmony Combinations

Earthly Branch Three-Harmony Combinations, referring to Shen, Zi, and Chen forming the Three-Harmony Water combination; Yin, Wu, and Xu forming the Three-Harmony Fire combination; Si, You, and Chou forming the Three-Harmony Metal combination; Hai, Mao, and Wei forming the Three-Harmony Wood combination。

The Three-Harmony combination is composed of three branches representing the Birth, Peak, and Grave stages of the transformed Five Elements. It represents the entire process from initiation to growth, and then to accumulation; it strives to unify all the power of the transformed Five Elements to generate or overcome the next Five Elements; it often takes appearing in an unbalanced form where all three branches are Yin or all three are Yang. When encountering a Three-Directional Combination, a mutual punishment among the three branches, or when two branches come to clash, the Three-Harmony Combination is often considered dissolved.

Under relatively simple conditions, once a Three-Harmony Combination is formed, it always has very obvious effects and purposes.

For example: the Yin-Wu-Xu Three-Harmony Fire Combination transforms the main Qi of Yin Wood, Jia Wood, into Fire. At the same time, the hidden stem Wu Earth in Yin Wood, Ji Earth in Wu Fire, and Wu Earth in Xu Earth are directly converted into dry earth, paving a smooth path for prosperous Fire to overcome Metal. This combination process is a kind of chain reaction, which includes prosperous Fire burning Wood, excessive draining becoming overcoming, abundant Fire scorching Earth, and dry Earth failing to generate Metal, where failing to generate means overcoming. The most direct effect and purpose of the Yin-Wu-Xu Three-Harmony Fire Combination is prosperous Fire overcoming Metal. Similarly, the direct effect of the Shen-Zi-Chen Three-Harmony Water Combination is abundant Water dispersing Earth and prosperous Water overcoming Fire; the direct effect of the Hai-Mao-Wei Three-Harmony Wood Combination is prosperous Wood overcoming Earth; the direct effect of the Si-You-Chou Three-Harmony Metal Combination is abundant Metal transforming Earth, and prosperous Metal overcoming Wood. The Earth element is constantly and directly affected in all four groups of Three-Harmony Combinations. Therefore, the same generation and overcoming relationships of the Five Elements exhibit greater complexity and instability in their manifestations among the Earthly Branches.

Specific Conditions for Three-Harmony Combinations

1. Three-Harmony Combinations (San He Ju): In a natal chart, or between the natal chart and the major cycles (Da Yun) or annual pillars (Liu Nian), as long as the three earthly branches meet and the heavenly stems reveal the same element of the transformed combination, the transformation is considered successful. Any additional branch of the Three-Harmony Combination is regarded as adding strength to the combination.

2. The strength of a Three-Harmony Combination is less than that of a Three-Meeting Combination (San Hui Ju) and three-branch self-punishments, or three-branch mutual punishments; when sharing branches with them, it must yield, unless the punishment and combination are of the same element, or the meeting and combination are of the same element, in which case it does not yield.

In the natal chart, the three branches Si, You, and Chou all appear, and the Xin Metal in the year and hour pillars doubly reveals as the transforming spirit, so the Si-You-Chou Three-Harmony Metal Combination is successful.

The Day Master Ding Fire is in season, taking the month branch as its root; the Gui Water on the month pillar roots in the year branch, closely attaching to and restricting the Day Master; the Xin Metal in the year and hour pillars reveals, triggering the Si-You-Chou Three-Harmony Metal Combination, combining away the Day Master’s strong root in the month branch, and turning the Useful God (Yong Shen) into a Taboo God (Ji Shen).

During the Gui-Si major cycle and the Ding-Si year, Tai Sui (the Grand Duke) triggers the Si-You-Chou Three-Harmony Metal Combination, combining away the Useful God of the cycle and year, as well as the Day Master’s triple Si Fire strong roots. The Day Master’s triple Yangren (Goat Blade) transforms into a Taboo God, the Wealth Star becomes excessively prosperous, and the annual pillar and the year pillar form a Heavenly Clash and Earthly Clash; the mother passed away that year.

During the Yi-Wei major cycle, the Useful God Yi Wood sits on a Tomb branch, forming a Heavenly Clash and Earthly Clash with the hour pillar.

In the Yi-Hai year, the Tai Sui Useful God sits on a Death branch, and Gui Water again meets the strong root of the annual Hai Water. The Seven Killings (Qi Sha) is prosperous and attacks the self, and the Fire and Earth in the chart that could have provided rescue all transform into Taboo Gods.

Here: the Si-You-Chou Three-Harmony Metal Combination means that excessive Metal transforms Earth, excessive Metal extinguishes Fire, and prosperous Metal restricts Wood. This poses a severe threat to Fire, Earth, and Wood among the Five Elements, causing the chart owner to clash with their parents, children, and themselves. In reality, the chart owner died of bone cancer in the Yi-Hai year.

3. Half Three-Harmony Combinations

A half three-harmony combination is half of a three-harmony combination. From within a three-harmony combination, the birthplace half three-harmony combination is formed by the Changsheng (Birth) branch and the Diwang (Peak) branch; and from within a three-harmony combination, the graveyard half three-harmony combination is formed by the Diwang (Peak) branch and the Mudi (Grave) branch. The strength of a half three-harmony combination is greater than that of a six-harmony combination.

The conditions for a half three-harmony combination are the same as those for a six-harmony combination:

1. The two combining branches must be closely adjacent.
2. Of the two combining branches, at least one must have its Heavenly Stem reveal the same Five Elements as the transformed combination.
3. In the destiny chart, or between the destiny chart, the major cycle, and the fleeting year, the appearance of any additional branch from the combination is considered an increase in the combination’s strength.
4. The strength of a half three-harmony combination is less than that of a full three-harmony combination., Three-Meeting combinations, as well as two-branch self-punishments and three-branch mutual punishments, when forming combinations with other Earthly Branches, Earthly Branch mutual punishments, or sharing branches in self-punishment, must all give way. Unless the punishment and combination are of the same Qi, the clash and combination are of the same Qi, or the meeting and combination are of the same Qi, in which case they do not give way.

The Year Branch Wu Fire and the Month Branch Xu Earth are closely adjacent and combine; the Day Branch Mao Wood and the Month Branch Xu Earth are closely adjacent and combine. The Heavenly Stem of the Month Branch Xu Earth is the transformed Five Elements. The Month and Day Mao-Xu combination into Fire is successful, and the Year and Month Wu-Xu semi-three-harmony Fire combination is also successful, transforming into the same Qi. The Six Combinations and Semi-Three-Harmony combinations can exist simultaneously.

The Day Master Gui Water is floating and rootless. The Resource Star Geng Metal takes the Hour Branch Si Fire as its Growth phase. The Wealth Stars Bing and Ding Fire both penetrate the Month and Hour, rooting in the Earthly Branch combination, flanking the Day Master and consuming its energy, thus taking Resource and Companion stars as the Useful Gods。

Taking the Month Command Bing-Xu as the Major Cycle, in the Xin-Wei year, Tai Sui triggers the Si-Wu-Wei three-harmony Fire combination and the Mao-Xu Fire combination. The six branches are of the same Qi, and two Bings combine with Xin, combining but not transforming, resulting in prosperous Fire overcoming Metal.

In this chart, the Wu-Xu Fire combination and Mao-Xu Fire combination are successful, clearly forming a situation where prosperous Fire overcomes Metal and excessive Wealth ruins the Resource. Fortunately, the Useful God Geng Metal is born in autumn, has Qi in the Xu month, and takes the Hour Branch Si Fire as its Growth phase.

In the Xin-Wei year, when the chart owner was half a year old, overnight, all the male family members including the father, elder uncles, and younger uncles died tragically in an accident, and the chart owner followed the mother through multiple marriages.

4. Earthly Branch Three-Meeting Combinations

The three-meeting combinations of the Earthly Branches, namely: Hai-Zi-Chou forming the three-meeting Water combination, Yin-Mao-Chen forming the three-meeting Wood combination, Si-Wu-Wei forming the three-meeting Fire combination, Shen-You-Xu forming the three-meeting Metal combination. The complete presence of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei forms the Earth combination.

The Three-Meeting Combination reflects the power of a certain Five Elements, gathering the earth energy of one direction and the seasonal energy of one season. Its power is often greater than that of the Three-Harmony Combination. Unlike the unbalanced Yin and Yang of the Three-Harmony Combination, the Three-Meeting Combination exists in a form where there is Yang within Yin and Yin within Yang. Therefore, the stability of the Three-Meeting Combination is greater than that of the Three-Harmony Combination. The Three-Meeting Combination only yields to the Three-Branch Punishment; when the Three-Meeting Combination encounters a clash, it does not disperse, but encountering two clashing branches forms two opposing Five Elements.

Conditions for the combination and transformation of the Three-Meeting Combination

1. In the natal chart, or between the natal chart, major periods, and fleeting years, as long as the three branches meet and the Heavenly Stems reveal the transformed Five Element, the transformation is considered successful. Any extra branch of the Three-Meeting Combination is regarded as adding power to the combination.

2. When the Three-Meeting Combination shares branches with the Three-Branch Self-Punishment, it yields to the Three-Branch Self-Punishment, unless the punishment combines the Qi.

Under singular conditions, the function and purpose of the Three-Meeting Combination are the same as those of the Three-Harmony Combination. For example, the function and purpose of the Yin, Mao, and Chen Three-Meeting Wood Combination are directed against the Earth element. Two charts are listed below for illustration.

Day Master Geng Metal is out of season, rooted in the Year Branch, Wu Earth on the Year Pillar is rooted in the Hour Branch, Yi Wood on the Month Pillar is in season and rooted Earthly Branches Three-Meeting Wood frame, the Self is strong, Wealth is even stronger, taking Earth and Metal as Useful Gods.

Running the Wu-Wu Major Luck, the fleeting year 1998 (Wu-Yin) triggered a Yin-Shen clash, and Yin-Mao-Chen formed a Three-Meeting Wood frame, clashing away the Day Master’s strong root, combining away the root of the Wu Earth Heavenly Stem of the year and luck pillars, while Yi Wood also offended and countered the Tai Sui. The chart owner had a car accident that year and suffered a leg injury.

Day Master Geng Metal is out of season, sits on a Yangren (Goat Blade) in the Hour Branch, Yi Wood on the Hour Pillar gains a prosperous command, is rooted in the Year and Month, and Yin-Mao-Chen forms a Three-Meeting Wood frame. The Self is strong and Wealth is even stronger.

Running the Yi-Wei luck pillar, in the fleeting year Ji-Mao, the Tai Sui triggered a Mao-Wei half-combination Wood frame, and Yin-Mao-Chen formed a Three-Meeting Wood frame, combining into one Qi, clashing away the Day Master’s strong root, while Yi Wood was prosperous without control, directly countering the Tai Sui Ji Earth.

Comparing the two charts, in a singular situation, the Yin-Mao-Chen Three-Meeting Wood frame causes harm to Earth and Metal. In the male chart, because Wu Earth penetrates the stems, the Earthly Branch Chen Earth is combined into an Annoying God, creating the condition for Wood to counter Earth. The Useful God turns its back ruthlessly, and the chart owner’s level is low; even when running the Wu-Wu luck pillar, there is still the suspicion of prosperous Wood countering Earth, making it an ordinary structure. In the female chart, although there is a Yin-Mao-Chen Three-Meeting Wood frame, the Day Master carries a Yangren, and with a spread of Friend and Rob Wealth, she still does not lose her wealth and nobility.

Soul of I Ching, Four Pillars Section, Chapter 3, Section 2: Earthly Branches Clashing

In-depth Analysis of Bazi Earthly Branches Combinations: From Basic Principles to Application in Judging Events, Uncovering the Energy Flow of Hidden Stems

Comprehensive Analysis of Earthly Branches Six Combinations, Three Combinations, and Half-Three Combinations

Clashing means opposing, conflicting, dispersing, or confronting, and it involves two clashing Earthly Branches competing in strength. Its effect is: ‘clash causes dispersion of Qi.’ In a one-on-one clash, both sides suffer; when strengths are unequal, the stronger one dispels the weaker one, and the one with more power dispels the one with less.

In different seasons, the strength of each of the Five Elements and the power it exerts vary greatly. Regarding one-on-one clashes, it’s not always Zi Water clashing against Wu Fire, or Shen Metal clashing against Yin Wood. If Yin Wood or Wu Fire is dominant, then two Zi clash one Wu, three Shen clash one Yin; it can only dispel the Five Element power of Yin Wood or Wu Fire, but it cannot dispel the dominant Qi that Yin Wood or Wu Fire possesses. Therefore, when specific misfortunes occur, it’s not necessarily in the Yin or Wu month.

The characteristic of Earthly Branches clash is that it arises from the chaotic struggle between the Hidden Stems of the two clashing Earthly Branches, and absolutely cannot be understood as the generating and controlling relationship between the two Earthly Branches themselves. The generating and controlling relationship between Earthly Branches can only be transformed into such a relationship through the visible Heavenly Stems of the two clashing branches. In other words, the magnitude of the generating and controlling power that the Hidden Stems of the Earthly Branches bring to the visible Heavenly Stems directly affects the outcome of the Heavenly Stems’ Five Element generating and controlling interactions.

Therefore, one must earnestly understand the profound principle of ‘clash causes dispersion of Qi.’ So, what is a clash? And what does ‘clash causes dispersion of Qi’ mean?

Ancient texts explain Earthly Branch clashes as follows:

For example, in a Zi-Wu clash, it’s the Ji Earth within Wu Fire’s Hidden Stems overcoming the Gui Water within Zi Water’s Hidden Stems, or the Gui Water within Zi Water’s Hidden Stems overcoming the Ding Fire within Wu Fire’s Hidden Stems.

For example, in a Yin-Shen clash, it’s the Jia Wood, Bing Fire, and Wu Earth within Yin Wood’s Hidden Stems, respectively overcoming the Wu Earth, Geng Metal, and Ren Water within Shen Metal’s Hidden Stems. Or, alternatively, it means that the Wu Earth within Shen Metal produces Geng Metal, and overcomes the Jia Wood within Yin Wood; the Geng Metal within Shen Metal produces the Ren Water, and overcomes the Bing Fire within Yin Wood. This ancient understanding does not deviate from the principles of Five Element generating and controlling interactions; it only explains that the process of Earthly Branch clashes is a chaotic struggle between the Hidden Stems of the Earthly Branches. It does not offer more explanations regarding the function and purpose of Earthly Branch clashes. In practical application, not only must the specific conditions for an Earthly Branch clash be met, but its specific function and purpose are also required.

A Yin-Shen clash dispels the residual Qi and central Qi. In the process of a Yin-Shen clash, it is necessary to exclude Fire depleting Wood, Fire overcoming Metal, Water depleting Metal, Water generating Wood, Earth generating Metal, and Earth consuming Wood. Otherwise, the substantial effect of a Yin-Shen clash cannot be completed. In a one-on-one clash, both Wood and Metal ultimately lose their supporting power. Therefore, it results in both sides suffering, with Qi dispersing upon clash. The effect of clashes between Earthly Branches, and their impact on the Five Element generating and controlling interactions of Hidden Stems, directly leads to the most sensitive questions in Five Element relationships, namely: ‘to generate or not to generate, to overcome or not to overcome,’ which again means: not to generate is to overcome, not to overcome is to generate.

Therefore, when two Yin clash one Shen, Shen Metal is dispersed. This includes the Wu Earth, Geng Metal, and Ren Water in Shen Metal’s Hidden Stems, and the Wu Earth and Bing Fire in Yin Wood’s Hidden Stems, all of which are dispersed. As a result of this clash, Metal cannot overcome Wood, and Fire cannot deplete Wood, allowing Wood to directly overcome Earth, posing a threat to the Earth element.

If two Shen clash one Yin, Yin Wood, including the Jia Wood, Fire, and Wu Earth in Yin Wood’s Hidden Stems, and the Ren Water and Wu Earth in Shen Metal’s Hidden Stems, are all dispersed. Dispelling the Ren Water in Shen Metal’s Hidden Stems means Water no longer needs to generate Wood (if Ren Water is not dispelled, the Water power from three Shen Metal’s Hidden Stems could be equivalent to a strong root). Therefore, for two Shen to clash one Yin, Water must be damaged for Metal to overcome Wood.

Earthly Branches clashes all have relative purposes and effects. While highlighting the main Qi power of the Five Elements, they dispel other Five Elements within the Earthly Branches’ Hidden Stems, disrupting the generating and controlling relationships between the Hidden Stems that might interfere with the clash’s effect. This allows the Earthly Branches’ Hidden Stems to reflect their power into the generating and controlling interactions of the visible Heavenly Stems through inverse generating and controlling relationships.

Earthly Branch clashes disperse residual Qi, and while emphasizing individualism and primary contradictions, they also reflect a sign of turning points in the development of things. The appearance of such signs further influences the development of events. That is to say, Earthly Branches clashes themselves do not inherently carry good or bad fortune. If they are beneficial to the development of the Favorable God, they are often considered auspicious.

Clashes of the Four Growth Stages:

Yin-Shen-Si-Hai (寅申巳亥) are the places of growth for the Five Elements. Among them, Yin-Shen clash and Si-Hai clash are called “Clashes of the Four Growth Stages,” also known as “Traveling Horse Clashes.” This signifies a dynamic environment, changes in career, and much movement. If the Favorable God clashes with and dispels the Unfavorable God, one travels widely and gains extensive knowledge; if the Unfavorable God clashes with and dispels the Favorable God, one struggles for wealth and experiences hardship. Yin-Shen-Si-Hai, due to the complexity of their Hidden Stems, involve many variable aspects during the clash process. If the two clashing branches dispel the residual Qi and central Qi, the two Earthly Branches will no longer serve as the growth branches for the Hidden Stem Five Elements. Instead, they can only independently serve as strong roots of the same Five Elements’ main Qi.

Clashes of the Four Cardinal Points:

Refers to Zi-Wu clash and Mao-You clash. The Four Cardinal Points represent the four directions, signifying directional clashes. The Four Cardinal Points are also the peak prosperity places for Five Element power, exerting great influence. Therefore, there are discussions on the clashes of the Four Cardinal Points. The Hidden Stems of these Earthly Branches are all main Qi. The clash process is not as complex. It similarly determines the victory or defeat in Five Element generating and controlling interactions based on the strength and quantity of the main Qi.

Clashes of the Four Cardinal Points are also known as Doorway Clashes, Directional Clashes, Yang Ren Clashes, and Peach Blossom Clashes. They indicate a person with strong activity, adaptability, quick thinking, good opposite-sex relationships, extensive connections, a love for adventure, and a tendency for injuries. The head, hands, and feet are prone to injury, and there’s a higher risk of blade-related injuries. Many Zi-Wu-Mao-You in the Pillars signify Yang Ren and Peach Blossom.

Clashes of the Four Storage Earths:

Clashes of the Four Storage Earths refer to Chen-Xu clash and Chou-Wei clash. A ‘vault’ (Ku) is a place where all things are stored, and it’s the tomb/storage vault of the Five Elements. Clashes involving Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei are fundamentally different from Yin-Shen-Si-Hai clashes and Zi-Wu-Mao-You clashes. Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei clashes are merely a form; they are named clashes but are actually Punishment-Clashes (xingchong). Ancient texts state: Chen-Xu clashes involve the Wu Earth in Chen-Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems generating the Xin Metal in Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems; the Xin Metal in Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems generates the Gui Water in Chen Earth’s Hidden Stems; the Gui Water in Chen Earth’s Hidden Stems generates the Yi Wood in its Hidden Stems; the Yi Wood in Chen Earth’s Hidden Stems generates the Ding Fire in Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems; the Ding Fire in Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems generates the Wu Earth in Chen-Xu Earth’s Hidden Stems. This is a completely incorrect understanding.

Clashes of the Four Storage Earths not only lack chaotic struggles among the Hidden Stems of the Earthly Branches, but through the cyclical generating interactions between the Hidden Stems, the central Qi and residual Qi are all transformed into the main Qi of Earth through the form of clashing, multiplying their strength. Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are outwardly clashes, but are actually ‘punishment’ (xing). When reflected in the Heavenly Stems, this means the Earth element becomes stronger with more clashes.

Clashes of the Four Storage Earths are often confused with combinations. If Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei are considered Earth combinations, it blurs the conceptual and qualitative differences between punishment and combination, and punishment and clash. Punishment is punishment, combination is combination; different concepts have different natures, forms, and contents.

Clashes of the Four Storage Earths are also called Clashes of the Four Tombs, and Clashes of the Wealth Vaults. Generally, they indicate legal disputes, hurting officials, and financial loss. In practical application, they often relate to hospitals, graves, and prisons. Numerous vaults primarily signify treasuries and real estate. If a Favorable God encounters a clash, it signifies increased wealth; if an Unfavorable God encounters a clash, it means injury, life-threatening disaster, or financial loss.

Conditions for Earthly Branches Clash:

1. Two branches must be adjacent to clash. That is, the Year Branch and Month Branch, Month Branch and Day Branch, Day Branch and Hour Branch, and any branch in the natal chart with the Grand Luck (Dàyùn) or Annual Luck (Liúnián) are all considered adjacent.

2. For two branches to clash, as long as two clashing Five Elements appear in the Heavenly Stems (no need for the Heavenly Stem of the same pillar to be visible).

3. In Si-Hai clash and Zi-Wu clash, even if Bing or Ding Fire is not visible in the Heavenly Stems, the visibility of Wu or Ji Earth also constitutes a clash. (Because Fire and Earth share the same palace).

4. In a one-on-one clash, both sides suffer. Only the one with more power dispels the one with less power; the stronger one dispels the weaker one.

5. Chen-Xu clash and Chou-Wei clash, similar to the conditions for Six Combinations and Half-Three Combinations, require the Heavenly Stem of the same pillar to be visible, revealing the corresponding Five Elements.

6. Six Combinations and Half-Three Combinations disperse upon clash. Three Combinations and Three Meetings: the clashing occurs as normal, and the combination occurs as normal. Three Combinations disperse if two branches clash them. Three Meetings, if two branches clash them, are considered two opposing Five Elements.

If the Year Branch Yin Wood clashes with the Month Branch Shen Metal, and the two branches are adjacent, with Geng Metal and Jia Wood visible in the Heavenly Stems, the conditions for a Yin-Shen clash are met. If the Day Branch Wu Fire clashes with the Hour Branch Zi Water, and the two branches are adjacent, but Water or Fire, or corresponding Five Elements of Water and Earth, are not visible in the Heavenly Stems, then Zi-Wu does not constitute a clash. However, in specific destiny analysis, it can be viewed as an image of clash, representing a directional clash or a Peach Blossom clash.

If the Day Branch Chen Earth clashes with the Hour Branch Xu Earth, and the two branches are adjacent, with Wu Earth visible in the Heavenly Stem of Xu Earth, the Chen-Xu clash is successful.

Under singular conditions, the information conveyed by Earthly Branch clashes always has very clear effects and purposes. For example, in Yin-Shen clashes or Mao-You clashes, regardless of whether both sides suffer or one of the Five Elements is damaged, if it pertains to injuries, the probability of musculoskeletal or surgical issues is higher. Of course, combining this with an analysis of the entire natal chart and clarifying the sequence of Five Element generating and controlling relationships can lead to more detailed and accurate judgments. When specifically using the conditions for Earthly Branch clashes, it is essential to carefully analyze and research the inherent meaning of Earthly Branch clashes. Only then can one act purposefully.

The Daymaster Yi Wood is dominant, supported by siblings and friends in the Hour, and has roots in the Month and Day Branches. Xin Metal appears twice in the Year and Month, with roots in the Hour Branch. Earth and Metal are taken as Favorable Gods.

In the Pillars, Mao-You clash occurs, satisfying the conditions and triggering a Metal-Wood conflict. Information about injuries and marital problems is evident.

During the Jia-Wu Grand Luck and Ji-Mao Annual Luck, the Heavenly Stems Jia and Ji combine but do not transform. The Grand Duke (Tai Sui) triggers three Mao clashing one You, dispelling You Metal, making the Daymaster strong and unchecked. The native suffered financial loss, underwent surgery, and experienced marital changes that year.

The Daymaster Geng Metal is floating without roots. Ren Water in the Hour is dominant, rooted in the Year and Day, and closely depletes the Daymaster. Jia Wood appears twice in the Year and Month, closely consuming the Daymaster. The Daymaster Geng Metal experiences both depletion and consumption. Earth and Metal are taken as Favorable Gods, and Fire as an Auspicious God.

The original natal chart shows an image of Metal sinking due to excessive Water. The Zi-Wu clash between Day and Hour is not formed; it only awaits activation by luck cycles (Grand Luck and Annual Luck) to dispel the Favorable God Wu Fire, which is a hidden danger for the native. During the Bing-Zi Grand Luck and Bing-Zi Annual Luck, with the luck cycles coinciding, four Zi clashing one Wu were triggered, dispelling the root of the Grand Duke. Excessive Water caused Wood to float, and Wood was powerless to mediate for Fire. That year, the native suffered from epilepsy, became permanently disabled, and lost the ability to work.

Regarding the Application of Clash and Combination, and Combination Resolving Clash:

The relationship between combination and clash involves the transformation of power between two Earthly Branches through clash and combination, leading to a redistribution of Five Element power. This change has a significant impact on the generating and controlling interactions of the visible Heavenly Stems’ Five Elements.

Combination refers to a combination formation (Heju), specifically: Six Combinations (Liuheju), Half-Three Combinations (Bansanheju), Three Combinations (Sanheju), and Three Meetings (Sanhuiju). Clashing is directed at these combination formations, specifically when Earthly Branches with clashing relationships and conditions appear in combination formations that have already been formed. Generally, Six Combinations and Half-Three Combinations disperse upon clash; for Three Combinations, they disperse if two branches clash them. If only one branch clashes, the clash proceeds as normal, and the combination proceeds as normal, with the stronger power dispelling the weaker. For Three Meetings, if two branches clash them, they are treated as two opposing Five Elements.

Regarding the clashing and combination relationships between Earthly Branches, there have always been significant differences in academic debate over a long period. In reality, the lack of a sufficiently clear understanding of the dialectical components of adaptable Five Element generating and controlling interactions is the true reason why the clashing and combination relationships of Earthly Branches cannot be definitively settled. Some say that combination can resolve clash; others say that a clash prevents combination. Even now, no one has conducted thorough research and explanation on the clashing and combination relationships between Earthly Branches. Consulting numerous sources, only “Di Tian Sui” states that Si-Shen combination is a ‘punishment-combination’ (xinghe) that does not disperse upon clash, but provides no further detailed explanation as to why. So, what is the meaning of Si-Shen punishment-combination not dispersing upon clash?

In a Six Combination, Si-Shen combines to transform into Water, which means “transforming one form of energy into another.” This involves changing two different Five Elements, Fire and Metal, both into the Five Element of Water. This transformation, while violating the original attributes of two different Five Elements, should be considered a forced measure, hence termed a ‘punishment-combination’ (xinghe). This phenomenon is unique among Six Combinations. It combines two Five Elements with an overcoming relationship into another Five Element, and this combination does not disperse upon clash. In other words, after Si Fire and Shen Metal combine into the Five Element of Water, for Hai Water and Yin Wood, which originally had a clashing relationship, Hai and Si become the same Five Element, and Shen and Yin also become Five Elements that generate each other. Thus, the Si-Shen combination does not disperse upon clash because there is no clash anymore.

Having understood the principle of Si-Shen punishment-combination not dispersing upon clash, two important rules can be directly deduced regarding the relationship between Earthly Branch combinations and clashes:

1. If two Five Elements originally in clash transform after combination into Five Elements that generate each other or are the same, the clash does not disperse.
2. If two Five Elements originally in clash, after combination and transformation, still overcome each other or still clash, then clash causes dispersion.

From this, it can be inferred that combination resolving clash is not due to the clash being unbreakable, but rather because there is no longer a clash. Therefore, in Six Combinations, Three Combinations, and Half-Three Combinations, this principle must be followed. One cannot clash simply because a clash is seen, or combine simply because a combination is seen. A clash must meet the conditions for clashing; a combination must meet the conditions for combination. Both are indispensable.

The Month Branch Hai Water and Day Branch Si Fire appear to clash, and with Water and Earth Five Elements visible in the Heavenly Stems, the conditions for a clash are met. The Day Branch Si Fire and Hour Branch Shen Metal are adjacent and combine. The Heavenly Stem of the Hour Branch Shen Metal reveals the same transformed Five Element, forming the conditions for combination. The Day Branch Si Fire and Hour Branch Shen Metal combine to transform into Water, which no longer clashes with the Month Branch Hai Water. This is an example of combination resolving clash.

The Day Branch You Metal and Month Branch Si Fire are adjacent and combine. The Heavenly Stem of the Day Branch You Metal reveals the same transformed Five Element, forming the conditions for combination. The Day Branch You Metal and Hour Branch Mao Wood are adjacent and clash, and with Metal and Wood Five Elements visible in the Heavenly Stems, the conditions for a clash are met. The Day Branch You Metal combines with Month Branch Si Fire to form Metal, but it still clashes with Hour Branch Mao Wood. This is an example of ‘clash causes dispersion,’ where combination cannot resolve clash.

I. Specific Rules for Six Combinations Encountering Clashes

When a Six Combination encounters a clash, it must follow the two rules between Earthly Branch combinations and clashes. From this, the following specific conditions are derived:

1. Zi-Chou combines to transform into Water: Wu Fire clashing disperses it; Wei Earth clashing disperses it.
2. Zi-Chou combines to transform into Earth: Wu Fire clashing does not disperse it; Wei Earth clashing does not disperse it.
3. Yin-Hai combines to transform into Wood: Shen Metal clashing disperses it; Si Fire clashing does not disperse it.
4. Mao-Xu combines to transform into Fire: You Metal clashing disperses it; Chen Earth clashing does not disperse it.
5. Chen-You combines to transform into Metal: Xu Earth clashing does not disperse it; Mao Wood clashing disperses it.
6. Si-Shen combines to transform into Water: Hai Water clashing does not disperse it; Yin Wood clashing does not disperse it.
7. Wu-Wei combines to transform into Fire: Zi Water clashing disperses it; Chou Earth clashing does not disperse it.
8. Wu-Wei combines to transform into Earth: Zi Water clashing disperses it; Chou Earth clashing does not disperse it.

II. Specific Rules for Half-Three Combinations Encountering Clashes

1. Shen-Zi Half-Three Combination (Water): Yin Wood clashing does not disperse it; Wu Fire clashing disperses it.
2. Zi-Chen Half-Three Combination (Water): Wu Fire clashing disperses it; Chen Earth clashing disperses it.
3. Yin-Wu Half-Three Combination (Fire): Shen Metal clashing disperses it; Zi Water clashing disperses it.
4. Wu-Xu Half-Three Combination (Fire): Zi Water clashing disperses it; Chen Earth clashing does not disperse it.
5. Hai-Mao Half-Three Combination (Wood): Si Fire clashing does not disperse it; You Metal clashing disperses it.
6. Mao-Wei Half-Three Combination (Wood): You Metal clashing disperses it; Chou Earth clashing disperses it.
7. Si-You Half-Three Combination (Metal): Hai Water clashing does not disperse it; Mao Wood clashing disperses it.
8. You-Chou Half-Three Combination (Metal): Mao Wood clashing disperses it; Wei Earth clashing does not disperse it.

III. Specific Rules for Three Combinations Encountering Clashes:

For a Three Combination, if one branch clashes it, the clash proceeds as normal, and the combination proceeds as normal, with the stronger power dispelling the weaker. A Three Combination also consumes an equivalent amount of power when it dispels other Earthly Branches.

If a Three Combination encounters two branches clashing it, it is considered dispersed. But which two Earthly Branches clashing lead to its dispersion? A Three Combination consists of three branches: Growth, Prosperity, and Tomb of the Five Elements. This means the central branch of the Three Combination is the core of its power. Only when the central branch is simultaneously damaged is the Three Combination considered dispersed.

For a Three Combination to disperse when two branches clash it, in addition to following the rules of Earthly Branch combinations and clashes, there is an supplementary condition:

If a Three Combination encounters two branches clashing it, at least one of these must be a clash with the central branch (Zhong Sheng), and the combination is then considered dispersed. Similarly, if two central branches clash, the combination is also considered dispersed. The central branch (Zhong Sheng) is the middle branch of a Three Combination.

Through the above conditions and rules, the principle for a Three Combination dispersing when two branches clash it is as follows:

1. Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination (Water): Yin Wood plus Wu Fire clashing does not disperse it; Wu Fire plus Xu Earth clashing disperses it. Or, two Wu clashing disperses it.
2. Yin-Wu-Xu Three Combination (Fire): Shen Metal plus Zi Water clashing disperses it; Zi Water plus Chen Earth does not disperse it; two Zi Water clashing disperses it.
3. Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination (Wood): Si Fire and You Metal clashing does not disperse it; You Metal and Chou Earth clashing disperses it; two You clashing disperses it.
4. Si-You-Chou Three Combination (Metal): Hai Water plus Mao Wood clashing does not disperse it; Mao Wood plus Wei Earth clashing does not disperse it; two Mao Wood clashing disperses it.

IV. Analysis of Various Scenarios for Combination Formations with Multiple Branches Adding Strength Encountering Clashes:

The effect of Earthly Branch combination formations is to strengthen the power of one Five Element. Any additional branches participating in the combination are considered to add strength to the combination. Only under this premise, when the clash is formed and dispels the combination’s power, is the combination considered dispersed.

Here, the relationship between Earthly Branch combination formations and Earthly Branch clashes must be considered. In reality, they are a competition of power. Furthermore, it is also necessary to consider the conditional transformation and application between combinations and combinations, and combinations and punishments.

Taking Six Combinations as an example:

Two Zi combine with Chou. If they combine to transform into Water, one Wu Fire clashing does not disperse them; instead, it can dispel the Wu Fire. One Wei Earth clashing, however, can disperse them.

Analysis: Two Zi combine with one Chou. If they combine to transform into Water, one Wu Fire clashing does not disperse them; instead, it can dispel the Wu Fire. This illustrates that the relationship between combination and clash is also a comparison of strength. The stronger power dispels the weaker; the one with more power dispels the one with less.

Two Zi combine with one Chou. If they combine to transform into Water, one Wei Earth clashing can disperse them. This requires adherence to the conditions where Six Combinations and Half-Three Combinations yield when forming a Six Combination with Earth or two branches self-punish.

Similarly:

Two Zi combine with one Chen: one Wu Fire clashing does not disperse it; one Xu Earth clashing disperses it.

Two Yin combine with one Wu: one Zi Water clashing disperses it; one Shen Metal clashing does not disperse it.

Similarly:

Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination (Water): one Wu Fire and one Xu Earth clashing disperses it.

Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination (Water): if there is no Wu Fire, even three Xu Earths clashing do not disperse it. If there is no Wu Fire, and two Chen Earths self-punish it, the Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combination (Water) does not yield.

Two Earthly Branches, two Five Elements, in the interplay of clashes and combinations, with specific conditions for application, have relatively clear directionality and impact on the transformation of Five Element power and the redistribution of Five Element power. As long as one can skillfully apply the relationships of Earthly Branch clashes and combinations, more concrete and vivid information can be captured.

The Daymaster Ji Earth is dominant, rooted in the Year and Month Branches, and supported by Wu and Ji Earth in the Year and Month, making the Daymaster strong. Yi Wood is visible in the Hour, rooted in the Hai-Mao-Wei combination (Wood formation), which also combines away the strong root of Ji Earth in the Month Branch. The Daymaster is strong, and the Seven Killings are even stronger.

During the Xin-You Grand Luck and Yi-You Annual Luck, two You clash and break the Hai-Mao-Wei Three Combination (Wood formation). The Three Combination (Wood) is considered dispersed, and Hai and Wei are analyzed for their original Five Element generating and controlling interactions in the natal chart. At this point, Earth has the power to generate Metal, and You-You self-punish, while Mao-You clash, dispelling the strong root of the Seven Killings. With no foundation for the Seven Killings, and Eating God overly controlling the Seven Killings, the native’s father passed away that year.

During the Ji-Mao Grand Luck and Xin-Wei Annual Luck, the Grand Duke (Tai Sui) triggers the Si-Wu-Wei Three Meeting (Fire formation), which combines away Ji Earth’s strong roots in Si Fire, Wu Fire, and Wei Earth. Excessive Fire scorches Earth, and strong Fire overcomes Metal. Simultaneously, Si-Hai clash is triggered, dispelling Hai Water. Ren Water Official Star has no root or source, meaning the official does not control the Daymaster, and the Daymaster suddenly becomes excessively strong. That year, the native’s father passed away, and the engagement was broken.

In Ren-Shen year, with the Day Pillar forming a Heavenly Stem-Earthly Branch combination, Si-Shen combines to transform into Water. The Si-Hai clash between Day and Hour no longer occurs. Moreover, one Ding combines with two Official Stars, but the combination does not transform. The Daymaster suddenly became weak, and the native had an inauspicious year.

Yi Hun Bazi: Chapter 3, Section 3 – Earthly Branches Punishment (Dizhi Xiangxing)

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.