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Chapter 3 of 22
Ming Li Tan Yuan — Origins of Destiny Study
Overall Paraphrase
The transformation of the Heavenly Stems across the twelve Earthly Branches is divided into twelve stages: Longevity (长生), Bath (沐浴), Crown (冠带), Official Status (临官), Imperial Power (帝旺), Decline (衰), Sickness (病), Death (死), Tomb (墓), Extinction (绝), Conception (胎), and Nurturing (养). This describes the cyclical process of the energy of the Five Elements from germination to extinction and then rebirth 🌱→🔥→🍂→❄️→🌱.
Yang Stems progress in the forward direction, while Yin Stems progress in reverse. For example:
Each Heavenly Stem goes through the complete twelve-stage cycle.
Embedded chart
Yang Stems Forward
Yin Stems Reverse
This cyclical concept reflects the Chinese philosophical idea of "extremes leading to reversal," reminding us to remain humble in success and hopeful in adversity, as everything is part of a dynamic process.
Overall Paraphrase
The Five Elements exhibit different states of strength, activity, rest, imprisonment, and death across the four seasons:
Earth is unique, being strong for 18 days before the beginning of each season (立春, 立夏, 立秋, 立冬), totaling 72 days, balancing it with the other four elements.
The theory of seasonal strength reflects the Chinese worldview of "harmony between humanity and nature," emphasizing that human activities should align with natural rhythms rather than resist or ignore them.
Tian De Formula:
正丁二坤三壬四辛五乾六甲七癸八艮九丙十乙子巽丑庚
Yue De Rule:
Yin-Wu-Xu months: Bing (丙); Shen-Zi-Chen months: Ren (壬); Hai-Mao-Wei months: Jia (甲); Si-You-Chou months: Geng (庚).
Modern Interpretation: Tian De and Yue De represent protective forces from heaven and earth. Those with these stars often overcome difficulties and receive help from others. In modern terms, this can be understood as having a strong support network and crisis management skills.
Formula:
甲戊庚牛羊 (Jia, Wu, Geng: Ox, Goat), 乙己鼠猴乡 (Yi, Ji: Rat, Monkey), 丙丁猪鸡位 (Bing, Ding: Pig, Rooster), 壬癸兔蛇藏 (Ren, Gui: Rabbit, Snake), 六辛逢虎马 (Xin: Tiger, Horse).
Modern Application: The Noble Star reflects the value of interpersonal relationships. Those with Tian Yi Gui Ren are typically skilled in social interactions, easily gain superiors' appreciation, and excel in teamwork.
Location:
Jia→Si, Yi→Wu, Bing/Wu→Shen, Ding/Ji→You, Geng→Hai, Xin→Zi, Ren→Yin, Gui→Mao.
Modern Significance: Represents learning ability and cultural refinement. Those with Wen Chang are suited for education, culture, creativity, and other intellectually demanding fields, and often perform well in exams.
Rule:
Yin-Wu-Xu→Xu, Si-You-Chou→Chou, Shen-Zi-Chen→Chen, Hai-Mao-Wei→Wei.
Dual Nature: Hua Gai signifies intelligence, studiousness, and artistic talent but also a tendency toward solitude and introspection. In modern terms, those with a strong Hua Gai are suited for specialized fields requiring deep thinking but should pay attention to social and mental health.
Formula:
Shen-Zi-Chen→Yin, Yin-Wu-Xu→Shen, Si-You-Chou→Hai, Hai-Mao-Wei→Si.
Modern Correspondence: Represents change, travel, and relocation. In modern society, this includes not only physical movement but also career changes, shifts in thinking, and international exchanges. When Yi Ma clashes, changes become more intense.
Rule:
甲子旬: Xu-Hai empty, 甲戌旬: Shen-You empty, 甲申旬: Wu-Wei empty, 甲午旬: Chen-Si empty, 甲辰旬: Yin-Mao empty, 甲寅旬: Zi-Chou empty.
Modern Interpretation: Kong Wang does not signify absolute danger but indicates areas of "insubstantial energy." Extra attention and effort may be needed in corresponding directions, matters, or relationships. In specific combinations, Kong Wang can have the positive effect of "emptiness enabling capacity."
Location: The position after Lu (禄) is Yang Ren (e.g., Jia’s Lu is in Yin, Yang Ren is in Mao).
Dual Nature: Yang Ren represents strong energy and competitiveness but also implies impulsiveness and irritability. In modern applications, this powerful energy should be channeled constructively to avoid conflicts and risky behaviors.
Associated Concepts:
Further Reading:
Modern Research:
Contemporary studies in destiny analysis emphasize psychological interpretations and environmental adaptability of deity and evil spirit systems rather than absolute judgments of luck. It is recommended to innovatively apply these traditional concepts alongside modern psychology and management knowledge.
The deity and evil spirit system is an auxiliary tool in Bazi analysis and should not be the sole basis for judgment. A comprehensive analysis should consider the overall destiny structure, interactions of the Five Elements, favorable and unfavorable elements, and personal agency in the context of the times.
Too many auspicious stars can become a burden, while inauspicious stars, if controlled, can be useful—this reflects the dialectical thinking in destiny analysis.