12 Earthly Branches

Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai.

There are 12 Earthly Branches which are as follows:

Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai.

It is also reflected in the 12 months of the year and the 12 hours of the day.

There are four animals in a Bazi chart.

Each reflecting a specific characteristic.

The popular yearly animal Bazi reading by contemporary Masters centers around the Year Pillar. There are books which uses the Month Pillar and some uses the Day Pillar.

What is the correct way to read the 4 Earthly Branches in a Bazi chart?

The Heaven Stems of a chart are sometimes referred to as the Heaven’s luck.

The EB as the earth’s luck.

The HHS as the Man’s luck.

What is the significance of the EBs?

Unlike the HS which focus on interaction between the five elements, the interactions for the EB are more complex, such as punishment, harm, destruction, Liu He combination, San Hui combination and San He combination on top of the clashes.

It represents earthly interactions which are interactions which occur on earth with other humans.

EB interactions.

Another very important question on EB interaction is the way the EB interact.

Multiple interactions.

Can the EB have multiple interactions or can it only have a single interaction?

There are some who teaches that EB can only have a single interaction which follows very strict requirements on the position. For example for combination the EB must be next to each other. Also there can only be one interaction.

There are some who teaches that EB interaction has no such requirements. There can be any numbers of interactions.

ZPZQ shows that there can be multiple interactions happening at the same time, but the interaction will affect the strength of the other interactions. Such as reducing the effect or increasing the effect.

Sequence.

Is there a sequence?

Is the sequence based on time?

Would the interactions between external EB such as from the LP or from the AP follow a time frame?

Example the external EB interacting with the Year EB then the month EB followed by the Day and the Hour EB.

5 and 5 years – 6 months and 6 months.

There are some masters who says that the interaction of the EB only occurs the second half of the Pillar be it LP or AP.

There are some who says that the EB starts at the beginning of the AP or LP but at a slower pace but last longer.

Priority.

Is there a priority that the interaction follows?

For example in most Bazi book, San Hui combination is often described as having the highest priority. Which will override the other interactions which are lower in priority.

·        There are some who teaches that the 4 Cardinal clashes have the highest priority. The clashes between Zi, Wu, Mao, You.

·        The Blind man explained that the highest priority is Liu He which to them is the combination between husband and wife.

·        ZPZQ places the highest priority on San Hui combination and Liu He is very low in priority.

Transformation.

What are the rules for transformation?

Is there such as thing as transformation?

Does all the EB change to the transformed element?

What happens to the HHS?

·        There are some Masters who does not use any rules. Everything can transform.

·        There are some Masters who uses very strict rules. Using the Season(Month) and HS as transformation catalyst.

·        According to ZPZQ, San He, Ban He can affect the HS. San Hui in a small way. Liu He not at all. ZPZQ stresses not so much on the transformation but on how the EB interactions affect the HS.

The significant of Punishment, Harm, Destruction.

·        Some Masters says there is no such thing as punishment. It is just an interaction between the 5 elements.

o   ZPZQ: 至于三刑取义，姑且阙 疑，

o   It is still an open question with regards to the explanations (theory) behind the punishment relationships.

o   虽不知其所以然，于命理亦无害也。

o   However, these relationships are harmless when applied in Destiny analysis.

·        Some teaches the importance of all the interactions, including the directions of the interactions. The strength of the interactions. The auspiciousness of the interactions.

·        Some just uses it as an indicate for general luck. Example having punishment is an inauspicious matter.

o   ZPZQ: 八字支中，刑冲俱非美事，

o   It is unfavourable (not ideal) if the earthly branches in the natal chart are clashing or punishing each other.

EB interaction should be one of the most interesting ways to do Bazi reading, especially when it is so complex.

Resource - Yuan Hai ZiPing

渊海子平

Resource 《论 印 綬》

所谓印？生我者，即印綬也，

What is Resource? The element which produce/birth the self.

经曰：『有官无印，即非真官；有印无官，反成其福。』

Saying : “With Officer without Resource, not considered as real Officer; With Resource without Officer, will not be fortunate.”

Comment: Officer and Resource are considered as auspicious God. With both of them together, the Officer can produce the Resource while the Resource can protect the Officer against Hurting Officer/Eating God. It is most auspicious to see both in the chart.

何以言之？

Why is that so?

大抵人生得物以相助相生相养，

All living things needs support in order to grow,

使我得万物之见成，岂不妙乎；

For the million things to be created, otherwise how is it possible;

故主人多智虑，兼丰厚。

The DM is considered wise and generous.

Comment: This is referring to a DM with Direct Resource Structure. As compared to say an Indirect Resource Structure who is more cunning and not so straight forward.

盖印綬畏财，主人括囊。

Resource fear Wealth the most denoting the wealth being tied up.

Comment: Resource fear Wealth.

From ZPZQ:

若印轻财重，又无劫财以救，则为贪财破印，贫贱之局也。

However, if the Useful God Resource is light and the Wealth (protrusion) is heavy, in addition without Rob Wealth to control the Wealth (rescue Resource from Wealth).

The Wealth can break the Resource Structure.

Such a Bazi chart belongs to a poor and lowly person.

故四柱中及运行官贵，反成其福，盖官鬼能生我；只畏其财，而财能反伤我。

The reason with Officer in the natal chart going through Officer luck period is considered auspicious. The officer able to support/birth the self; only fear Wealth, which can damage the self.

此印綬之妙者，多是受父母之荫、承父之貲财，见成安享之人；

When Resource is favorable, able to benefit from the parent and inheritance the wealth from the father, with a stable and peaceful life;

Comment: Resource being the useful god also represents being close to parents, able to gain benefit from parent, especially in terms of inheritance.
若又以两三命相併，当以印綬多者为上。

Meeting further in the chart, with numerous Resource considered as upper grade chart.

Comment: This is referring to a Resource Structure which is deemed upper grade when the Resource is numerous/prosperous.
However it is important to differentiate the useful elements for Luck Period when Resource is very heavy. From ZPZQ:

其印绶用官者，官露印重，财运反吉，伤食之方，亦为最利。

For Resource Structure applied with Officer Structure, if Direct Officer protrudes and Resource is heavy, Wealth 10-Year Luck Pillar will instead become favourable.

Hurting Officer or Eating God 10-Year Luck Pillar; also very favourable.

又主一生少病、能饮食。

The DM will be healthy with less illness, able to “eat and drink”.

或若财多乘旺，必多淹留。

Or if with strong wealth in the chart becoming prosperous from Resource, (the wealth) will stay for a long time.

虽喜官鬼，而官鬼多或入格，又不可专以印綬言之。

Even though prefers Officer/7K, but with too many Officers/Ghosts establishing a chart structure, it can’t be decoded as pure Resource.

假如，甲乙日得亥子月生，丙丁日得寅卯月生，戊己日得巳午月生，庚辛日得辰戌丑未月生，壬癸日得申酉月生者是也，其餘以类言之。最怕行印綬死绝之运；或运临死绝，复有物以窃之，即入黄泉，无可疑也。
Like Jia Yi DM born in Hai Zi month, Bing Ding DM born in Yin Mao month, Wu and ji earth born in the Si and Wu month, Geng and Xi born in the Chen and Xu month, Ren and Gui born in the Shen and You month, the rest similarly discussed.

The worst is when the Resource is in the Death and Repose Qi phase; or encountering luck period when the Resource is in the Qi phase of Death and Repose; denoting the person not having any possession when entering the yellow spring (death).

夫印綬者，生我之谓也，亦名生气。

以阳见阴，以阴见阳，谓之正印；

阳见阳，阴见阴，谓之偏印。

喜官星生印，忌财旺破印。

The term “Resource’, the one who birth/produce the self, the name related to “Sheng” growth.

Yang Meeting Yin, Yin meeting Yang, considered as Direct Resource;

Yang Meeting Yang, Yin meeting Yin, considered as Indirect Resource.

Good to have Officer star to birth/produce the Resource, dislike Wealth which cause damage to the Resource.

如甲人生亥子月中，水为印，忌火伤官，忌土破印，要行生旺之乡，怕行死绝之地；若行死绝之地，或有物以伤之，则危矣！

Like Jia DM born in the month of Hai Zi, water as Resource, dislike fire HO, dislike earth to damage the Resource, must be in supportive luck period, afraid to be in the Death and Repose Qi phase period; if during Death Repose Qi phase period, or being damaged (by earth), danger sign.

印綬之人智虑、一生少病、能饱食丰厚、享见成财禄；

若两三命相併，当以印綬多者取之。

People with resource are wise, not often sick for the whole life, able to have the ample and handsome meal. Will be able to enjoy money and good fortune;

When considering other matters, using abundant Resource is still applicable.

最忌财来乘旺，必生淹滞。

It is the most unfavorable when meeting the prosperous wealth, which will result sluggish and "submerge".

若官鬼多，或入别格，又不可专以印綬论。

If the officer and 7 killings is abundant, or the chart is established, it can’t be discussed as pure Resource.

大凡月与时上见者为妙；而月上最为紧要。

It is the best to have Resource in the Month or Hour Pillar; However, it is most important in the Month.

先论月气之后有生气，必得父母之力；

年下有生气，必得祖宗之力；

于时上见之有生气，必得子孙之力，寿元耐久，晚景优游。

With Sheng Qi in the Month Pillar, obtained help from the Parent;

With Sheng Qi in the Year Pillar, obtained help from ancestors.

With Sheng Qi in the Hour Pillar, obtained help from the children, living a long life, having a good life during old age.

*Sheng Qi is growing Qi.

如带印綬，须带官星，谓之官印两全，必为贵命。

若官星虽见成，得父母力，为福亦厚也；

须行官星运便发，或行印綬运亦发。

With Resource in the chart, it is necessary to have Officer star, termed as Officer Resource complete, considered as noble chart.

若用官不显，用印綬为妙；最怕四柱中岁运临财乡，以伤其印。

When the useful god “Officer” is not strong, it is good to use Resource;

The worst is having Wealth in the natal chart or during Wealth luck period which damages the Resource.

若伤印，主破家离祖、出赘；

又临死绝之地，若非降官失职，必夭其寿。

When the Resource is damaged, the family will be destroyed and the DM will leave the house;

Further with Death and Repose luck period, will be demoted or lose the job, will also die prematurely.

如【戊戌，庚申，癸酉，庚申】：

Chart:

此命癸日生于七月中气之后，月时皆是庚申，自坐金库，所以印綬；

岁干又透出戊官，谓之官印两全，极为贵命。

Gui DM born in the 7^th month (after the main Qi), Month and Hour Pillar are both Gen Shen, sitting on metal store, establishing the Resource Structure.

With Wu earth Officer star protruding in the Year Pillar, considered as Officer Resource both complete, a very noble chart.

(Comment: 中气之后 after the middle Qi. In the month of Shen, the HHS are Ji/Wu, Ren and Geng. The Geng HHS is after the middle Qi. Therefore this is referring to the DHHS which is Geng at this time to establish the chart structure.)

如【癸亥，癸亥，甲寅，甲子】：

Chart:

  

此日用癸为印，印却旺；缘无财星相助，发福不厚也。

This chart uses Gui as Resource, the Resource is prosperous; With no Wealth to assist, it is not a good grade chart. Cannot be very rich.

如【甲寅，庚午，戊戌，壬子】：

Chart:

此日戊用丁为印綬，有寅午戌火局为好；

不合时上壬子水旺，财能冲印，所以失明。

生气是丙丁火属木故也。

Wu DM using Ding as the Resource. It is favorable to have Yin Wu Xu fire San He;

Not compatible with the prosperous Ren Zi water in the Hour Pillar, the Wealth is able to clash the Resource. As a result losing the sight. (Blinded)

The Sheng Qi (Resource) is Bing, Ding which is dependent on wood.

如【己卯，丁卯，丙辰，壬辰】：

Chart:

此命用卯为印，用癸为官，年在卯日在辰，所以官印两全，少年清要。

至四十二、三岁，癸亥运亦不妨；

至庚申年，水七杀生于申，乃被庚申破印，故不吉也。

The Resource for this chart is Mao wood, the Officer is Gui water. Mao located in the Year Pillar, Chen located in the Day Pillar, termed Officer Resource both complete. Capable and distinct during young age.

Until the age of 42, 43, during Gui Hai luck period, it is not bad;

During Geng Shen year, water 7K birth in Cheng Sheng Qi phase in Shen, the Geng Shen damaging the Resource, inauspicious.

Direct Wealth - Yuan Hai ZiPing

渊海子平

YHZP - Direct Wealth 《论 正 财》

何谓之正财？犹如正官之意；

是阴见阳财，阳见阴财。

Why Direct Wealth? It is similar to Direct Officer;

It is Yin meeting Yang Wealth, Yang meeting Yin Wealth.

大抵正财，吾妻之财也。

Mostly for Direct Wealth represent my wife’s wealth.

人之女貲财以事我，必精神康强，然后可以享用之；

The wealth from the woman, must be strong in spirit, after than can be usable;

如吾身方且自萎懦而不振，虽妻财丰厚，但能目视，终不可一毫受用。

 If the self is spiritless, withered and not vibrant, even if the wife’s wealth is generous/ample/sufficient, only able to look, at the end not able to use.

故财要得时，不要财多。

For Wealth must obtain the season, no need to have many.

若财多则自家日本有力，可以胜任，当化作官。

If the wealth is prosperous and the DM is strong enough, able to win/control, transform to officer.

天元一气，羸弱贫薄难治。

Heaven and Yuan one Qi/energy, weak, meager, poor not able to control.

是乐于身旺，不要行剋制之乡；

Prefers to have strong self, not suitable to encounter ke/control luck period.

剋制者，官鬼也。

The one which ke/control, the officer ghost.

又怕所生之月令，正吾衰病之地，又四柱无父母以生之；

Afraid that the month commander is weak or in sick Qi phase, further without the support from the parent’s ground (Resource);

反喜财，又有见财，谓之财多。

Likes wealth, further meeting wealth, considered as prosperous wealth.

力不任财，祸患百出；

If not able to control the wealth, numerous disasters will occur;

虽少年经休囚之位，故不如意，事多频併。

Although during younger years located in rest/prison stage, therefore not smooth, many worries/issues.

或中年或末年，复临父母之乡，或三合可以助我者；

Or middle age or Wei year, return to the ground of the parents (resource), or with ‘San He’ is able to help the self;

则勃然而兴，不可御也。

Suddenly becomes flourishing, not able to manage.

倘少年乘旺，老在脱局，不惟穷途悽惶，兼且是非纷起。

If prosperous during younger age, diminishing during old age, not only poor, sad and frightened, will also encounter numerous quarrels.

盖，财者，起争之端也。

Cover, wealth, the reason for argument.

若或四柱相生，别带贵格，不值空亡；

Or the four pillars producing, without noble chart, not worth Kong Wang;

又行旺运，三合财生，是皆贵命。

Further during strong luck period, three combination produce wealth, represent a noble life.

其餘福之浅深，皆随入格轻重而言之。

The quantity and depth of the fortune, determined by the chart structure’s weight in the chart.

财多生官，要须身健。

Prosperous Wealth birth Officer, the self must be strong.

财多盗气，本自身柔，年运又或伤财，必生奇祸；

Prosperous wealth will diminish the self, if the self is delicate, during HO/Wealth luck period, will encounter strange disaster.

或带刑併七杀，凶不可言也。

Or with punishment together with 7 Killing, very inauspicious.

又云，正财者，喜身旺、印綬，忌官星、忌倒食、忌身弱、比肩劫财。

Classic:  Direct Wealth person, likes to be strong, likes resource, dislike Officer star, dislike Indirect Resource, dislike to be weak and Bi Jian to rob the wealth.

不可见官星，恐盗财之气也；

Cannot meet Officer star, afraid that the wealth Qi is robbed;

喜印綬者，能生身主弱故也。

Likes resource, able to produce self who is weak.

且如甲日用己为正财；

如身弱，其祸立至。

Example for Jia DM with Ji earth as the Direct Wealth;

If the self is weak, it is disastrous.

凡人命带财下生，须出富豪；

For a person with wealth in the chart, will be wealthy;

不螟蛉，必庶出、或冲父母。

Cannot adopt a child, must produce own child, or will clash the parent.

身旺无劫财，无官星为妙。

DM prosperous without Rob Wealth, without officer is considered splendid.

若命中有官星得地，运行喜财星多生官。

Or with officer star in the chart which is rooted, during heavy wealth luck period it is auspicious due to it producing officer.

兼有财星得地，运行忌见官星，恐剋其身；怕身弱也。

With Wealth star obtaining the ground, inauspicious during Officer star luck period, afraid of it controlling/ke the self; especially bad when self is weak.

大抵财不论偏正，皆喜印綬，必能发福。

Mostly for wealth, there is no need to differentiate between Direct or Indirect, with resource available, can become wealthy.

如【辛丑，丁酉，丁巳，丁未】：

Example

此命丁日身坐财之地，又见巳酉丑金局，故主财旺。

This chart Ding DM sitting on Wealth ground (Wealth Structure), further meeting Si You Chou metal formation, which represent strong wealth.

盖金得木库居未，能生丁火，故身旺能当其财；

With metal cover (metal protrude in HS) obtaining wood store in Wei, able to produce Ding fire, with a strong self is able to control the wealth;

运行东南方，宜乎巨富。

During East South luck period (Wood and Fire), becomes very rich.

丁用壬官，用庚金为财，生壬官；

Ding uses Ren as Officer, uses Geng metal as Wealth, Metal able to produce Ren Officer;

身入旺乡，必能发福。

The self in prosperous village (during LP which supports the DM), will be rich.