Saturday, April 25, 2020

Introduction to the 10 Gods (十神, Shi Shen)

Knowing the Five Elements alone is not enough for the interpretation of the chart. These Five Elements must somehow be translated into some kind of representative in order to have a better understanding on the relationships between the elements in a BaZi chart - The 10 Gods. These 10 Gods will be translated practically into what is happening to our life.

The 10 Gods do not associate to religion, superstition or celestial beings. They are just the terminology used in the study of BaZi with meanings behind them. Chinese philosopher prefer to use “God” rather than “Star” for literary purposes. It also sound better to use “God” as it is more poetic. However, the two are interchangeable. 
There are 10 Day Masters which are the Jia () Wood, Yi () Wood, Bing () Fire, Ding () Fire, Wu () Earth, Ji () Earth, Geng () Metal, Xin () Metal, Ren () Water & Gui () Water. Among the 10 Gods, they represent differently based on the person’s Day Master. The 10 Gods can be assigned with reference to the particular Day Master.

To determine which elements represent which 10 Gods, the relationship between the Day Master and other elements have to be found out first. This can be categorized as:
The element that produces the Day Master (Resource Star)
The element that is produced by the Day Master (Output Star)
The element that counters the Day Master (Officer/Influence Star)
The element that the Day Master counters (Wealth Star)
The element that is the same as the Day Master (Companion Star)

As there are Yin and Yang polarities to each of the Five Elements, the 10 Gods are made up. 

Discovering the 10 Gods

The 10 Gods are summarized as follow: 
In the Five Elements, there are Yin & Yang polarity for each element. Similarly, in 10 Gods, there are also Yin & Yang polarity.

10 Gods
Yang
Yin
Resource
Direct Resource
Indirect Resource
Companion
Friend
Rob Wealth
Output
Hurting Officer
Eating God
Wealth
Direct Wealth
Indirect Wealth
Officer/Influence
Direct Officer
7 Killing

The above are the names of each 10 God based on their polarity.

What are the usages of the 10 Gods in BaZi interpretation?  

The 10 Gods are used in BaZi Analysis such as:
Relationship between Day Master and other Stems.
To identify the problems that might arise in that particular luck.
To identify opportunities or potential threats 
Career path
Increase or decrease in personal wealth and so on

The Production and Countering/Controlled cycle in 10 Gods

Similar to the Five Element cycle, the 10 Gods also have the production & countering/controlled cycle. 

(Source : Joey Yap's The 10 Gods)


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Friday, April 10, 2020

Combination (合) of Heavenly Stem (天干) & the 12 Earthly Branches' Interactions

There are some rules applied on how Heavenly Stems combines (合). This is more to the technical aspects in interpreting a BaZi chart and is used extensively. There are 5 possible pairs of combinations in the Heavenly Stem (天干). 

Jia () Wood combines with Ji () Earth
Geng () Metal combines with Yi () Wood
Bing () Fire combines with Xin () Metal
Ren () Water combines with Ding () Fire
Wu () Earth combines with Gui () Water

12 Earthly Branches

The 12 Earthly Branches are represented by the 12 animal zodiacs. Each of the 12 animal zodiacs represents one of the Yang or Yin elements in the Five Elements.

12 Animal Zodiacs
Five Elements representation
Tiger:Yin ()
Yang Wood
Rabbit: Mao ()
Yin Wood
Chen: Dragon ()
Yang Earth
Snake: Si ()
Yang Fire
Horse: Wu ()
Yin Fire
Goat: Wei ()
Yin Earth
Monkey: Shen ()
Yang Metal
Rooster: You ()
Yin Metal
Dog: Xu ()
Yang Earth
Pig: Hai ()
Yang Water
Rat: Zi ()
Yin Water
Ox: Chou ()
Yin Earth


The Relationship between 12 Earthly Branches

1. Production:
Based on the principles of Yin & Yang and the production of the Five Elements, Yang produces Yin, Yin produces Yang, Yang cannot produce Yang and Yin cannot produce Yin.
Yin () Wood produces Si () Fire, Mao () Wood produces Wu () Fire, Si () Fire produces Chen () Earth, Xu () Earth; Wu () Fire produces Wei () Earth, Chou () Earth; Chen () Earth, Xu () Earth produces You () Metal, Wei () Earth, Chou () produces Shen () Metal, Shen () Metal produces Hai () Water, You () Metal produces Zi () Water, Zi () Water produces Mao () Wood, Hai () Water produces Yin () Wood.

2. Restrained or Controlled:
Based on the principle of Yin & Yang and the Controlling cycle of the Five Elements, Yang controlled Yang and Yin Controlled Yin.
Zi () Water controlled Wu () Fire, Hai () Water controlled Si () Fire, Si () Fire controlled You () Metal, Wu () Fire controlled Shen () Metal, Shen () Metal controlled Yin () Wood, You () Metal controlled Mao () Wood, Yin () Wood controlled Chen () Earth, Xu () Earth, Mao () Wood controlled Wei () Earth, Chou () Earth, Chen () Earth, Xu () Earth controlled Zi () Water, Wei () Earth, Chou () Earth controlled Hai () Water.

3. Combinations
There are 6 pair and 3 triplet of possible combinations in the Earthly Branches.

(i) 6 pair combinations
Zi () combines with Chou ()
Wu () combines with Wei ()
Chen () combines with You ()
Mao () combines with Xu ()
Shen () combines with Si ()
Yin () combines with Hai ()

(ii) 3 triplet combinations
Shen Zi Chen (申子辰)
Yin Wu Xu (寅午戌)
Hai Mao Wei (亥卯未)
Si You Chou (巳酉丑)

4. Clashes
There are 6 pair of possible clashes in the Earthly Branches.
Zi () clashes with Wu ()
Chou () clashes with Wei ()
Yin () clashes with Shen ()
Mao () clashes with You ()
Chen () clashes with Xu ()
Si () clashes with Hai (


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Monday, March 23, 2020

The Day Master (日主)


The Day Master which is YOU is located in the Heavenly Stem (天干) at the Day Pillar. All derivation begin with the Day Master. The Day Master is the commander of the chart. The rest of the stems and branches represent their influences to the Day Master’s life journey.
Therefore, one question will definite come across our mind. 

What does the Day Master tells?

The Day Master tells about characters and personalities. The description of the Day Master cannot merely be taken as absolute as the following will influence the Day Master:

The interaction of Year, Month & Hour Pillar and the Day Master
The 10-year luck cycle and the annual pillar.  

Let’s understand what does the 10 Day Masters tell us about

1. Jia () Wood
Jia () Wood represents trees in nature where trees extend themselves towards the sunlight direction. Jia () people plan and develop themselves to move forward from their current situation. The roots of trees are firmly rooted to the ground and not easily sway by wind.
Therefore, the characteristics of Jia () people are having strong willpower and do not give up easily if they encounter any setbacks or obstacles. They are outspoken which makes them direct and righteous. They do not like to beat around the bush. They have strong sense of responsibility in what they do which makes them down-to-earth personality.They are honorable people who do not succumb to negative temptations. 
Jia () people do not turn away when someone needs help. They are able to sympathize and empathize others. However, over sympathize and empathize may lead them to interfere other people’s life too much.
The shortcomings of Jia () people are stubborn and difficult to compromise. Like a tree with firm roots, they are not able to adapt to changing circumstances and do not expect changes to happen overnight.
Jia () people’s development and growth are easily anticipated just like a small plant grows to become a tall and strong tree. 

2. Yi () Wood
Yi () Wood represents flowers, soft-stem plants, climbing plants, grass, etc. Yi () people like to seek improvement in one’s own environment.
Just like flowers and other soft-stem plants, Yi () people are very sensitive to small changes of conditions or environment. This makes them adaptable to changing environment.  
Other traits that Yi () people possess are they well coordinated but are not firm with their opinions. They are careful and meticulous despite being modest. Flowers may appear weak but they are able to survive in harsh environment as their roots are still rooted. Yi () people are realistic and very flexible from this instance. 
Yi () people shortcomings are they have timid personality and dependent on others just like climbing plants. They are likely to follow others’ thought and go against their own feelings and thoughts. The possibility of being deceived is high for Yi () people as they are swayed temptations. Just like grass sways in the direction of wind. 

3. Bing () Fire
Bing () Fire represents the Sun in nature. Bing () people are open, magnanimous, full of warmth, passion and enthusiasm. Bing () people are able to give good impressions of themselves to others. They are very energetic, show interest in what they do and actively participate in hands on activities. They are straightforward and do not hide any truth. Bing () people are very fast in their action, speech and understanding ability.
Bing () people shortcomings come from their own personality which may lead them to be overly-excited that may cause rash and reckless actions or decisions being made. When this situation happens, they will be busy for nothing and their effort will be wasted. Due to their nature of being quick on-the-go, they tend to be impatience and self-opinionated. They are prone to have mood swings and often show their temper. Therefore, friends around them may come and go, one after another. 

4. Ding () Fire
Ding () Fire represents candlelight, lighthouse, flame in nature. Ding () people are conservative, courteous and passionate. A fire often do not let others know their directions or movements. Thus, they do not attract attention.
Ding () people are quiet and unhurried. Their tolerance level and endurance are very high, just like a slow burning fire and the opposite of Bing () people. One must have patience and sensitivity in order to understand Ding () people.
Ding () people tend to hide their feelings in their heart and wait attentively for the right opportunity to strike. They are very careful and cautious in terms of their thinking and actions. This is like a small fire burns everything into ashes.
They are likely to sacrifice oneself in order to provide warmth to other people, just like a slow burning fire. They dedicate their heart to the extent of sacrificing themselves. They discover that it is hard for them to reject someone who is close to them even though they may lose out in certain circumstance. 

5. Wu () Earth
Wu () Earth represents the mountain, great earth or rock in nature. They are steady, trustworthy, honest, optimistic, open-minded, strict or carefree.
Wu () people will make sure the foundation is strong before putting in effort, feelings or commitment. Therefore, changes are unlikely to occur in a short period of time which will result in a lot of missed opportunities. Once they have made up their mind, nothing can change the way they think. At certain time, they may appear to be stubborn. However, because of this, other people have faith in them for their stability. Wu () people appreciates and treasures relationship which makes other people seek consultation with them. They will not turn down on anyone who seek for their assistance.
Wu () people shortcomings are being self-centered, stubborn, or unable to socialize well. They are inflexible and firm with their opinions which lead to monotonous lifestyle. Other people will consider Wu () people uninteresting and boring. Their self-respect is very strong and a good reputation is important to them. 

6. Ji () Earth
Ji () Earth represents moist soil with various kind of nutrients suitable for cultivating various plants. Ji () people’s understanding, ability to absorb knowledge and learning are rapid, in other words, they are versatile.
Ji () people are steady, kind, considerate, hardworking and constantly improving themselves, hence they are able to attain high achievements. Moist soil has a soft, flexible and comfortable nature. Therefore, they know when to advance or retreat in different situations. This makes them have high adaptability and will be given difficult tasks to handle.
Their shortcomings are they may not appear to be good as their thinking is complex. Their concentration level is not that high which lead them to be rash at times. They tend to compromise on decisions made and will be taken for granted by other people. 

7. Geng () Metal
Geng() Metal is like a sword, Geng () people are stronger compared to other elements. They are straightforward, strong-willed, determined, and do not give up easily. They show a lot of enthusiasm in what they do and may be rash at times. Therefore, they do not like to waste time thinking after decisions are being made. They will act without hesitation.
They can be proficient in a skill and able to reap benefits from what they have studied or learnt. They will spare no effort to upgrade themselves. They have strong sense of justice and are against unfairness. They have a chivalrous heart; when they see other people suffering from injustice, they will stand up to speak for those suffering.
Their shortcomings are stubbornness; once a decision is made, they will not change their mind in any circumstances. Geng () people are careless and do not pay much attention on the fine details. They make enemies easily as they show no mercy to those they do not like.  

8.1. Xin () Metal
Xin () represents gold, silver, or other expensive minerals in nature. Xin () people have very fine feelings and unique opinions. They are approachable and helpful to others. Sometimes, they may wear off themselves by helping others with a sympathetic heart.
Xin () people are very sharp and quick in thinking, are attractive thus attract attention wherever they go. They are sociable and maintain good relationships. They love new things which will lead them to spend unwisely most of the time.
Xin () people shortcomings are willfulness, stubbornness when it comes to having their own opinions. They care very much on their external looks, making them presentable all the time. Xin () people find it hard to reject other people when they are seeking for assistance which will allow other people to advantage on them.

9. Ren () Water
Ren () are water of rivers and sea flow continuously everywhere, and drawn into all kind of things. Ren () people are worry free, optimistic and filled with courage to move on as they do not mind about the past.
They show enthusiasm in what they do. They like to help others and able to endure hardships. They are lively, vivacious, and enjoy social activities and often become the centre of attraction.
They are highly adaptable to change in any circumstances. They are good at seizing opportunities and will not miss any opportunities that come along. Once the drive to achieve comes in, they will overcome all obstacles to reach their goal.
Ren () people are clever, intelligent and full of inspirations. They have leadership qualities that are able to outshine and surpass themselves from others.
Although they have well-rounded personality, they are wilful. They tend to be lazy and depend on others easily. Ren () people likes freedom and dislikes being restrained. As a result, they are unable to hold on to the last minutes. They are also easily get entangled in love relationship. 

10. Gui () Water
Gui () Water are rain drops, dew or snow in nature. Gui () people are steady diligent, and have high levels of endurance.
They have an introvert personality, honest and down-to-earth. They are very much into cleanliness. In terms of feelings management, they are weak at it and may be nervous at times. They like to have fantasies thoughts and romantic feelings.
They allow their heart and feelings to lead them to pursue their goals in order to attain the meaning of life. They may not be able to understand reality due to their wishful thinking. Hence, they are able to unknowingly emphasize on meaningless matter, sometimes putting too much thought into small matter which could lead to distrustful thinking.
Gui () people are pure and innocent, good in coordination and can be affected by small matters. They are very sensitive to feelings and tend to hide their feelings. They know how to enjoy their lives to the fullest. 

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