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Chapter 35 of 108
八字月令
The Mao month is mid-spring, when Wood energy is at its peak. In the Twelve Stages of Growth, Xin Metal faces the "Absolute Decline" (Jue) stage. The month's resource star (Wealth) is thriving, yet the Day Master lacks sufficient strength. This chapter covers twelve Hour Stems, with core judgments following only two paths: first, observe whether there is Earth as the Seal (Yin) or Metal as the Companion (Rob Wealth) for support; second, if no support exists, determine whether the chart shifts into the Wealth-Following Pattern (Cong Cai Ge). Xin Metal is like precious jade — it delights in Water washing — but must first have an Earth-Metal foundation; otherwise, excessive Water further drains the weakened Metal. This is the overarching principle of the entire chapter.
Xin Metal, born in the Mao month, is at a point of vital-energy exhaustion and must prioritize support and nurturing. In this chart, the Hour Pillar is Wu Zi, where Wu Earth as Direct Seal appears on the Heavenly Stem to generate the Day Master; although Zi Water is Xin Metal's Long Life (Chang Sheng) position, in reality it nourishes the vigorous Mao Wood. Ideally, additional Geng Shen as Rob Wealth would assist the Day Master, giving it a root, after which one can use "Hurting Officer Generating Wealth" (Shi Shen Sheng Cai) as the strategy. Jia Wood appearing is a great taboo, because Jia Wood overcomes Wu Earth, destroying the Direct Seal and causing Xin Metal to lose its life-giving source.
Xin Metal in the Mao month is on the verge of extinction; obtaining Ji Earth and Chou Earth mutually supporting each other constitutes rebirth from desperate circumstances (Jue Chu Feng Sheng), enabling it to bear the Mao month's Wealth star. Xin Metal's nature is comparable to precious jade — it still needs Water for washing and cleansing before it can shine with dazzling brilliance. Therefore, if Ren Water appears on the Year or Month Heavenly Stem, or Hai Water is seen in the Day Branch or other branches, this is an excellent chart.
When a Xin Day Master encounters the Mao month and Yin hour, the Wealth star is extremely vigorous. It relies on Geng Metal as Rob Wealth to assist the Day Master, forming a balance of two Metals against two Woods. But Metal in spring ultimately requires Earth for generation, so the foremost need on the Heavenly Stem is Earth — whether Wu Earth or Ji Earth is not a rigid concern. Former scholars held that Xin Metal in the second month favors Ji Earth and disfavors Wu Earth burying the Metal; this view is excessively rigid. If Earth is absent, then Metal as Rob Wealth companions is essential; Ding Fire and Wood are great taboos.
Xin Day, Mao month, encountering another Xin Mao hour — this is two Xin Metal companions confronting two Mao Wealth stars. Although Wealth is abundant, Xin Metal is not solitary either. Yet from the month's mandate, Wood's strength exceeds Metal; from the Twelve Stages, Xin Metal is at the Absolute Decline in both positions. There must additionally be Earth and Metal for generation and support, only then can both Day Master and Wealth flourish. If Wood, Fire, or Water emerges on the Heavenly Stems, the chart should be judged Day Master Weak.
Xin Metal is the metal of precious jade, delighting in Ren Water's washing. Born in mid-spring's Mao month, it is even more fitting for Chen Earth to generate it. Unfortunately, Mao and Chen are positioned in the East, which are Xin Metal's Absolute Decline and Grave (Mu Ku) locations; hence, although Chen Earth is the Seal, its power to generate Metal is very weak. It is still necessary for Earth to appear on the Heavenly Stem to generate further, only then can there be no faults. Excessive Water or Wood is unfavorable; Earth and Metal are beneficial; Fire is not needed.
Xin Metal in the second month is weak, disliking Water to drain its vital energy, and also disliking Fire to overcome the Day Master. Here, the Hour Pillar's Gui Water and Si Fire are both unfavorable stars. However, although Si belongs to Fire, it is the Lingering (Lu) position of Wu Earth and the Long Life position of Geng Metal. As long as Wu Earth and Geng Metal appear on the Heavenly Stems to generate and support, even if the Day Master cannot turn from weak to strong, it can still coordinate to a harmonious balance.
Xin Metal is at Absolute Decline in Mao; a Xin Day born in the Mao month at the Wu hour has both Wealth and Seven Killings at extreme vigor — furthermore, Jia Wood as Direct Wealth appears high on the Heavenly Stem. This situation can be judged according to the "Wealth-Following" (Cong Cai) pattern. In the remaining pillars, Water and Wood are not taboo; encountering Earth or Metal for generation and support actually breaks the pattern. Some say Wu contains hidden Ji Earth, so it cannot be entirely discarded; in reality, Ji Earth is already controlled by the vigorous Wood — how could it retain residual power to generate Xin Metal?
Mao month at Wei hour — Mao and Wei form a Half Wood Combination Bureau, with Yi Wood as Indirect Wealth appearing on the Heavenly Stem, giving Wood a deeply established root. Although Wei belongs to Earth and can generate Metal, Wei Earth has already been restrained by the Yi Mao Wood energy, leaving no strength to generate Xin Metal. Therefore, this is also judged as "abandoning one's destiny to follow Wealth" (Qi Ming Cong Cai). Numerous Water and Wood elements are not feared; what is feared is Rob Wealth companions dividing the spoils; Fire drains the Wealth's vital energy, and Earth generates Metal to rebel against the pattern — neither is favored.
Bing combines with Xin, but in the Mao month when Wood is vigorous and Fire is flourishing, Bing-Xin can never transform into Water. However, with Bing Fire as Direct Officer appearing on the Heavenly Stem, and the Mao branch's Wealth generating the Officer, the weakened Xin Metal — even seated upon the vigorous Shen Metal — still lacks sufficient power to bear the Wealth and Officer. The most wonderful scenario is Wu Earth appearing, while simultaneously seeing Hai Water. In this way, Xin Metal has a root, Fire comes to warm the chart, and Water comes to wash the Metal — naturally conforming to the exquisite principle of warmth and sheen. As long as Earth exists on the Heavenly Stem, then Metal and Water are not taboo, and Fire and Wood present no major issues either.
Xin Metal in the Mao month — although the You hour is the Day Master's Lingering (Lu) position, You Metal is restrained by Ding Fire as Seven Killings, causing Xin Metal's root to be severed and life source to vanish; furthermore, there is Mao-You Clash. Earth is essential requirements, to transform and drain Ding Fire while generating the weakened Metal, forming "Seven Killings Transforming via Seal" (Sha Yin Xiang Sheng). If Earth is lacking, then one settles for second best: Rob Wealth companions for mutual support. Water is not favored; especially taboo is Gui Water as yin water.
Xin Metal at Absolute Decline in the Mao month, obtaining Wu Xu as Direct Seal to generate the Day Master — this is indeed an excellent chart of rebirth from desperate circumstances. Only, Xu is the Fire Warehouse, containing hidden Ding Fire as covert Seven Killings, which will silently overcome Metal; therefore it is most favorable for Water on the Heavenly Stem to restrict Fire and regulate the climate. Earth has already fulfilled its life-generating function; if Wood appears it easily transforms to feed the Fire; Fire is not required; Metal is not disliked for its assistance.
Zi Ping methodology holds that Xin Metal in the Mao month must have Ren Water for washing and Ji Earth for generation. Here, the Hour Pillar is Ji Hai — Hai is the Lingering position of Ren Water — aligning perfectly with the above principle. But one must also examine how the Year and Month Heavenly Stems, along with the Year and Day Branches, coordinate. Based on the Hai-Mao Half Wood Combination, and Wealth star prevailing in the month, what is most favored is Geng Shen to assist the Day Master — of this there is no doubt. In addition, a slight mixture of Wood and Fire does not substantially harm the overall picture.
| Hour Stem | Pattern Tendency | Core Favorable Elements | Core Avoidances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wu Zi Hour | Seal revealed; awaiting Rob Wealth for Hurting Officer Generating Wealth | Geng Shen, Wu Earth | Jia Wood breaking the Seal |
| Ji Chou Hour | Seal and Companion mutually assisting; rebirth from desperate circumstances | Ren Water, Hai Water washing | Excessively vigorous Wood and Fire |
| Geng Yin Hour | Wealth vigorous, relying on Rob Wealth assistance | Wu/Ji Earth, Geng Metal | Ding Fire, Jia/Yi Wood |
| Xin Mao Hour | Two Xin vs. two Mao; still Day Master Weak | Earth, Metal for support | Wood Fire Water appearing on Heavenly Stems |
| Ren Chen Hour | Hurting Officer with Seal; weak Seal needs assistance | Earth, Metal | Excessive Water Wood, Fire |
| Gui Si Hour | Hurting Officer draining; Officer Fire overcoming | Wu, Geng on Heavenly Stems | Water, Fire vigorous without control |
| Jia Wu Hour | Wealth-Following Pattern | Water, Wood | Earth, Metal |
| Yi Wei Hour | Abandoning Destiny to Follow Wealth | Water, Wood | Rob Wealth, Fire, Earth |
| Bing Shen Hour | Wealth and Officer vigorous; weak body cannot bear | Wu Earth, Hai Water | No Earth with vigorous Wealth and Officer |
| Ding You Hour | Seven Killings overcoming the Lingering position | Earth forming Killings-Seal Generating | No Earth but seeing Water; especially Gui Water |
| Wu Xu Hour | Direct Seal generating; hidden Killing in warehouse | Water controlling Fire | Fire, Wood converting to Fire |
| Ji Hai Hour | Indirect Seal + Ren's Lingering; Wealth vigorous, use Rob Wealth | Geng Shen | Excessive Water Wood without Metal |