On Rigid Adherence to Pattern Formulations in Fate Analysis

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Overall Paraphrased Meaning This chapter critiques the misconception in destiny analysis where pattern names are blindly applied while neglecting the holistic coordination of the complete Eight Characters. Xu Lewu emphasizes that the Monthly Ordinance (月令) is the fundamental basis for assessing strength and weakness and for determining useful elements, while external patterns serve only as supplementary aids. Modern practitioners often possess superficial understanding and mechanically apply pattern names upon seeing a character that seemingly fits a certain pattern, leading to "grasping the false while losing the true." Authentic destiny analysis requires a comprehensive view of the entire chart, discerning the interactions of the Five Elements and the favorable versus unfavorable elements, rather than rigidly adhering to superficial pattern names.

🧩 Structured Components

Embedded chart

Wang Shoushan, General Salt Merchant

Male chart

Pillars	Year	Month	Day	Hour
Ten Gods	正财	正财	Self (M)	正印
Stem	癸	癸	戊	丁
Branch	酉	亥	子	巳
Hidden Stems	辛伤	壬才甲杀	癸财	丙枭戊比庚食
Stage	死	绝	胎	建

Luck cycles

壬戌辛酉庚申己未戊午丁巳丙辰乙卯

Embedded chart

Huang Guangyi, Owner of Xiaori Daily

Male chart

Pillars	Year	Month	Day	Hour
Ten Gods	七杀	七杀	Self (M)	正官
Stem	壬	壬	丙	癸
Branch	辰	子	申	巳
Hidden Stems	戊食乙印癸官	癸官	庚才壬杀戊食	丙比戊食庚才
Stage	冠带	胎	病	建

Luck cycles

癸丑甲寅乙卯丙辰丁巳戊午己未庚申

Embedded chart

Deceased Uncle

Male chart

Pillars	Year	Month	Day	Hour
Ten Gods	偏财	伤官	Self (M)	偏财
Stem	己	丙	乙	己
Branch	巳	寅	未	卯
Hidden Stems	丙伤戊财庚官	甲劫丙伤戊财	己才丁食乙比	乙比
Stage	沐浴	帝旺	养	建

Luck cycles

乙丑甲子癸亥壬戌辛酉庚申己未戊午

Embedded chart

Clan Brother

Male chart

Pillars	Year	Month	Day	Hour
Ten Gods	七杀	七杀	Self (M)	正官
Stem	壬	壬	丙	癸
Branch	辰	子	申	巳
Hidden Stems	戊食乙印癸官	癸官	庚才壬杀戊食	丙比戊食庚才
Stage	冠带	胎	病	建

Luck cycles

癸丑甲寅乙卯丙辰丁巳戊午己未庚申

Embedded chart

Zhu Baosan

Male chart

Pillars	Year	Month	Day	Hour
Ten Gods	正印	偏财	Self (M)	正印
Stem	戊	乙	辛	戊
Branch	申	卯	亥	子
Hidden Stems	庚劫壬伤戊印	乙才	壬伤甲财	癸食
Stage	帝旺	绝	沐浴	长生

Luck cycles

丙辰丁巳戊午己未庚申辛酉壬戌癸亥

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concepts 💡

Monthly Ordinance as the Substance, External Patterns as the Function: The Monthly Ordinance is the core basis for judging the strength/weakness of the Eight Characters and for selecting useful elements; external patterns are merely supplements for special circumstances.
Holistic Analysis: The Four Pillars of the Eight Characters must be analyzed as an integrated whole; individual characters or patterns cannot be viewed in isolation.
Dialectical View of Patterns: Pattern names are merely analytical tools and must be applied flexibly in conjunction with the specific configuration of the Eight Characters.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

Case of 戊 Earth born in 甲寅 month: With 庚 in the Hour Pillar, it originally signifies a controlled explicit killing (七杀 restrained by the Food God), but was mistakenly judged as the "Specialized Food God Pattern." Modern interpretation should focus on the balance of the killing-food configuration, not on applying pattern names mechanically.
Case of 丙 Fire born in 子 month: Encountering the 巳禄 in the Hour Pillar, it is originally a favorable configuration where the returning禄 supports the body, but was mistakenly considered as "the Day禄 Returning to Hour Pattern broken by the official." In reality:
- Wang Shoushan's chart: Wealth is strong, body is weak; the returning禄 supports the body, leading to prosperity in比劫運 (peer/competitor luck) ✅
- Huang Guangyi's chart: Killing is strong, body is weak; requires the印 star to facilitate, cannot be simplistically discussed as "returning禄" ✅
Case of 辛 Metal day with 丙 Fire revealed: Encountering 戊子 in the hour, it originally signifies mutual generation between official and印, but was mistakenly taken as the "Facing the Sun Pattern." Zhu Baosan's destiny is actually a Wealth Pattern matched with印, using the wealth star from the Monthly Ordinance.
Warning on Special Patterns: Patterns such as刑合 (punishment and combination),遥巳 (distant巳),拱夹 (arch and clamp) (e.g., 癸 water born in巳 month encountering甲寅 in the hour,辛 metal sitting on丑, etc.) are often far-fetched. Modern analysis should prioritize the principles of the Five Elements over pattern names.

Practical Value ⚡

Patterns are Tools, Not the Goal: First analyze the strength/weakness of the Five Elements and their interactions of generation, restraint, transformation, and conflict; then consider pattern classification.
Principle of Prioritizing the Monthly Ordinance: If the Monthly Ordinance contains a useful element, discuss it first; if not, then seek external patterns.
Modern Application: Similar to Eight Characters analysis in the workplace, one must grasp the core issue (Monthly Ordinance), not the superficial phenomenon (pattern names).

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

Destiny analysis is like diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine, requiring "pattern differentiation and treatment determination" rather than "prescribing according to a set formula." Obsession with pattern names is akin to superstitiously believing in folk remedies; true wisdom lies in comprehensive consideration and flexible adaptation. This reflects the philosophical views of holistic thinking and dialectical unity in traditional Chinese culture.

📚 Related Knowledge

Associated Concepts:

Useful Element from the Monthly Ordinance: The core basis for selection in the Eight Characters.
External Patterns: A collective term for special patterns.
Returning禄 Pattern: The day master's禄 position is in the Hour Pillar.
Facing the Sun Pattern: A special pattern for the six辛 metal days with戊子 in the hour.

Further Reading:

San Ming Tong Hui · Discussion on Patterns
Shen Feng Tong Kao · Chapter on External Patterns
Yuan Hai Zi Ping · Formulas for Miscellaneous Patterns

Modern Research: Contemporary destiny research emphasizes more the construction of mathematical models for the interactions of the Five Elements, rather than mechanically applying ancient pattern names. It is recommended to combine modern statistical methods to verify the actual accuracy rates of various patterns.