Bazi, a very interesting topic. I have noticed many people held a book in his hand, talked about bazi and in the end headed for the wrong direction. Due to my lack of time, I shall contribute part by part from time to time.
Actually, this material here in certain schools are considered elementary. However, such material many beginners didn't learn about it. Therefore, unable to completely comprehend to certain extend.
First of all, I like to inform learners that although this is written in English. You are encouraged to learn in Chinese. For my advise, I do not encourage learners of chinese metaphysics to learn anything translated. You can never learn the essence and the spirit of the 'source".
In elementary bazi, learners should begin with 'framework' ( 格或局) as part of the material and not separately.
Example:
丙 壬 丙 丁
午 午 午 巳
In this setting, it must be recognised as a framework before proceeding further. Here the Self element 日元 is yang water 壬水. It is observed that all the pillars have wealth elements 正财,偏财. In this case, this bazi is 从财局.
Now Self Element 日主 is extremely weak 弱极, it also doesn't have roots 无根 and its the season of money 财星当令. In addition, bodyguards 门神also 'money face', therefore the favorable element 用神 is fire.
Another example:
丙 庚 壬 壬
子 子 子 子
This bazi is flooded. Its called a 从食神局 . Can be very creative, good mental, far-sighted, enthusiastic, ambitious or even perfectionist........but all can ended up unfruitful.
Also very stubborn indeed.
This is no ordinary flood. Usually this bad flooding will bring about frequent accidents.
从食神 is good to follow the crowd. He shall find solace with people around him, however, unlike others, this particular one has plenty of gossips and clashes also. So this bazi is really in a dilemma, on one hand he wants to show his strength to outside but once he becomes too active with his proposals, he has problems or fails at most things he does.
This man good to have others for company only. Satisfied benefiting others or work organisation, try not to be unhappy when people benefit more. Mind his own business, keep a low profile at his career.....will make good money. Though have to compromise to be an unhappy person from time to time. The more money he makes, the more unhappy he will be (plus weak health)
So, many 从食神局 base on 从儿只要儿见儿. However, this one is unique and should not see/ folllow water !
This bazi 用神 can only be grandchildren.
PS: Any bazi is solely extracted from the calendar itself. It is coincidental if its similar to another's bazi.
.....to be continued
Those who want to study or understand more must start from basics. From foundation, you'll reach profoundness. In complexities, you'll find simplicity.
Let's talk about the first 天干 甲木. This is the beginning. A yang wood, growth towards strength, straight and towards the sky, belonging to the east. Its attributes show unlimited potential, categorized intelligence, uncanny will through shrewdness, steadfast weathering through storms. It can renew itself through adversities. It can be stubborn in certain characteristics. It indulges, manifests and become fearless in condusive conditions of water. With the right combinations, the making of a leader.
Although it can be a thick straightforward wood as some learned, 甲木 can runs deep in thoughts, planning , determination and flexibility, all in the name of survival. In its favourable time, it can be beneficial to many that cross its path. In its unfavourable time, though it can mean useless and harmful to those that cross its path but this process will also bring about better change for the future.
Therefore, it may be seen as self-fulfilling or self-centeredness on the outside but if its really so, this process is actually benefiting others in a more bigger and extensive picture.
Yang wood has its weakness and if this weakness is discovered, exploited and attacked, its damaged outcome is more disastrous than any other 天干. It can greatly influence for the worse through its demise, maybe a failure or a collapsed. This can be observed and alerted through the earlier signs of Yang wood exhaustion.
Yang wood also strive for changes. As long as the environment allows, you can see it go from stages to different stages. It will never stop and be stagnent.
Yang wood can go on to perform or behave differently over different seasons.
So, these are some of the things one must understand about Yang wood. Then comes the association of Yang wood with other 天干. For example, 甲己,甲丁 or 甲戊庚.
For now, let's talk about 地支, 子
It is one of the 四正. 子, 阳水, designating the north. Signifying all kinds moving of water. It is also associated with the 坎卦. In the north, there are fewer stars, darker, so associated with darkness, black, depth. On earth, 子 typifies the ground of heaven 天底, which is different from the axis of rotation varying about 23.5 degrees. Although it is associated with 坎, it should not assume the whole as there are underlying difference.
子 water is important as it nourishes and replenishes when put to proper use. It has strength but subtle within. Thus it must be controlled in order to be beneficial.
子 branch is the leader of the 12 branches, the outstanding of the 12. The life giver. In the eleventh month, considered the extreme of Yin before 冬至 and the beginning of Yang thereafter.
Depending on conditions, can associate with ear, kidney, bladder, hernia, rat, pond, river, well water, theft, woman, swallow, bat, snail, secret, hiding, contemplating, innovate and etc
To continue....
The above shows that one need to fully understand the 10 天干 and 12
地支. This is not only on their individual characteristics but also on the interactive nature. When they interact with other stems and branches and the cycle of season, looking at it not as an individual but as a whole.
Also something you need to acknowledge, 天干 'usually' is the 'director' and 地支 the employee. Why usually? Because sometimes the employee can aspire to be an enterpreneur also.
Some asked me, " Where do we go from here? What are the very necessaries or important knowledge to start off ?"
Ans: There is no quick learning to this one. A lot of patience is needed to immerse yourself over the years and experience the truth, the meaning, the application, the essence, the variation etc just like peeling off mask after mask of a 1000 faces to discover the new or inner faces.
Whichever basic you learn cannot be isolated nor forgotten. Just like weaving of a cloth, make sure the start is strong and the weaving will still continue endlessly .
Next we look at the season:
How an element will manifest itself during spring, summer, autumn, winter and 季土? 得时而显其神功
When comes to chinese metaphysics, seasons play a very important role when comes to interpreting. Many times, without the complete understanding of elements with the season, one may not be able to interpret accurately.
Season is a big extensive topic. One need to spend considerable time to go through. There are 2 parts of understanding here. One is the season which a person is born and the second part is the season which the person's luck is heading. Let's look at the first:
月是年所生,月为运元,取格局,分衰旺,排顺逆,论运行
The month determines the luck cycle.
In each of the 4 seasons, there is 旺休囚死相
Let's look at 甲 wood for example. In spring is 旺, in summer is 休, in earth is 囚, in autumn is 死, in winter 相
In the season of spring, wood carries with it some cold, the cold diminished through the warm and the accompanying rain. Here need to watch out that too much rain will cause it to bloat and maybe rot. While the lack of rain will hampers its growth. So the observance is a good balance of wet and warm even if its in its favorable spring.
Another note, beginning of Spring need more warm while near the end of Spring drinks more water.
Well, what is so extensive about season? From this, one will study and understand more not making mistakes like most people do:
1) The technicalities:
a) 交节气时间的准确
Changing hands of the season.
b)月大,小 和 日干支
Some publications of calendar have the first day 干支 wrong. The time of exchange also wrong.
c) 干支排错
Mistakes in printing of stems and branches of various printing companies.
*Many people may spent from hundreds to thousands of dollars (or plenty of time, time is money , isn't it?) just to obtain the materials or attend the courses without initially first being taught the importance to understand the above. Many of you went frustrated not being able to read a bazi accurately, confusion or giving up sets in. Being a teacher or author has great responsibilities. If a student is not being taught the above initially or being a teacher does not know the above/ priority of importance, then obviously its all about fame, reputation or money. Whether one fits to be a teacher, the way some materials are taught plainly unrevels.
2) The story behind the Seasons:
To continue.......
(can check every one to two weeks for updates)
** I am unable to write further due to my schedule. Kindly check back.