volume two

Scientific BaZi Reasoning: Foundation Principles

Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) Produce and Clash · Academy of Chinese Metaphysics
By Teacher Wenbao — Book 1

Volume Two: Yin-Yang Production and Clash

2-1 Heavenly Stem Basic Yin-Yang Production and Clash

The Ten Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) — Yin-Yang and Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) Reference Table:

Heavenly Stem	甲 Jiǎ	乙 Yǐ	丙 Bǐng	丁 Dīng	戊 Wù	己 Jǐ	庚 Gēng	辛 Xīn	壬 Rén	癸 Guǐ
Polarity	Yang	Yin	Yang	Yin	Yang	Yin	Yang	Yin	Yang	Yin
Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng)	Wood	Wood	Fire	Fire	Earth	Earth	Metal	Metal	Water	Water

2-1-1 Yin-Yang Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) Flow

In writing this book, Teacher Wenbao has tried as much as possible to use plain and easy-to-understand language, so that readers can integrate everything and quickly grasp the core of Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì). Beginning with this chapter, I will lead everyone into the wonderful world of basic Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) production and clash. Please firmly memorize the following chart: the Heavenly Stem Yin-Yang Production-Clash SOP. There is one point to be mindful of — apart from the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s clash-combination with surrounding elements, the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) only undergo yin-yang combination; Yang does not clash Yin. Ready? Class begins!

Regarding the concept of yin-yang: please imagine it as Yang having great force and Yin having small force — the primal law that the large can bully the small. Yin typically avoids being bullied by Yang through "acting coquettish" — and "acting coquettish" is the method of Combination. This is why all Heavenly Stem Five Combinations (天干五合 Tiāngān Wǔhé) are yin-yang pairings — it is like a man leading a woman by the hand and walking together. Right from the start, you must carry this concept. Never think of Combination as simply meaning "getting along well" — it is absolutely not like that at all. Because a single change from Combination can take someone whose fortune was superb and plunge them into the depths of disaster, turning their luck completely bad. The greatest factor in whether it becomes heaven or hell lies in the arrangement produced by the Combination at that very moment. (Now you understand why I dislike Combination so much.)

What is meant by "a well-matched pair" — in yin-yang terms — is Yang paired with Yang, Yin paired with Yin, both carrying comparable force. The so-called "ruthless clash, compassionate production" spoken of in books on the market honestly only adds flair to chart readings while lowering accuracy.

Furthermore, readers must understand: in interactions between Yang and Yang, Yin Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) find it very difficult to participate or to fully neutralize. But in interactions between Yin and Yin, Yang can step in and act as a peacemaker. Yang is greater than Yin — this is the foundational concept of stem-branch yin-yang.

With this basic concept in place, once you become fluent in the yin-yang production and clash of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng), you can attempt real-world chart reading.

In practical application, Yang is more straightforward and clear-cut. First identify all the Yang elements and look at their interactions with each other — because Yang only acts upon Yang, and Yin cannot interfere. In other words, when Yang and Yang are interacting in the stems and branches, the Yin Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) cannot participate.

Once Yang has finished acting, then look at Yin. If there is unfortunately a Yin-clashes-Yin situation, we then look for whether there is a Yang Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) that can assist as a mediating bridge (通關 tōngguān). If there is, it means the current Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is smooth — which is generally good news. If there is not, a serious clash problem will arise.

Let me give two Heavenly Stem examples to illustrate:

Example: 癸 (Guǐ) Water, 乙 (Yǐ) Wood, 己 (Jǐ) Earth

This arrangement produces: 癸 Water produces 乙 Wood, and 乙 Wood then attacks 己 Earth — 己 Earth is severely damaged! At this point, what method must be used to rescue 己 Earth? Teacher Wenbao will give a preview here. This act of "rescuing" has a technical term in BaZi called the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) (用神). The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) that can produce, support, and revive the damaged Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) is called the Favorable Star (喜神 Xǐshén) (喜神). The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) that would worsen the damage to the injured Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) is called the Harmful Star (忌神 Jìshén) (忌神). The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) that can only stand by and watch the scene, with no practical use whatsoever, is called the Idle Star (閒神 Xiánshén) (閒神). Just get a general sense of the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) for now — no rush! I will discuss it in detail later.

Coming back to the question: who must rescue 己 Earth? There are many methods. Among them, the best Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) is to find 丙 or 丁 Fire to serve as a bridge, as follows:

Path 1: 癸 → 乙 → 丁 → 己
Path 2: 癸 → 乙 → 丙 → 己

You might ask: "Teacher, I understand that 丁 Fire can serve as a bridge — but 丙 Fire also works?"

Of course it works! I have said before that Yang can lead Yin and resolve the conflict between Yin and Yin. "When children fight, an adult can stop them."

Without 丙 or 丁 Fire, 己 Earth will be damaged by 乙 Wood (and don't forget 癸 Water is also adding force). Now, if 己 Earth were replaced by 戊 Earth, 乙 Wood cannot topple 戊 Earth — Yin cannot damage Yang. 戊 Earth would merely feel 乙 Wood scratching an itch on its body.

Example: 乙 (Yǐ) Wood · 戊 (Wù) Earth · 丁 (Dīng) Fire · 辛 (Xīn) Metal (戊 Earth is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ))

We find that apart from the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 戊 Earth being Yang, all three remaining Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are Yin. At this point the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) can be skipped over. The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow rule applies: 乙 Wood produces 丁 Fire, which clashes 辛 Metal — 辛 Metal is damaged. At this point we must find the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) capable of serving as a bridge. The answer is simple — 戊 or 己 Earth, because 丁 Fire can produce 戊 or 己 Earth and rescue 辛 Metal. If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) or Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings no 戊 or 己 Earth or 丙 Fire — but instead 丁 Fire appears — that will further increase the pressure on 辛 Metal. However, there are multiple methods for rescuing 辛 Metal. The Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) rules are the same as in the previous example — everyone can think it through!

Please remember: Yin cannot clash Yang. Yin 癸 Water trying to extinguish Yang 丙 Fire — in this situation, the clash is inexhaustible. 丙 Fire remains 丙 Fire — it will not be damaged.

Yin-yang flow is critically important. The greatest cause of inaccurate chart readings is confusion in basic concepts. Some people's readings appear impressive, but are actually wrong in the most fundamental ways. To learn Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) well, step one is to understand yin-yang production and clash — so that you will not lose your way on the path of empirical verification.

Are you still generating and clashing chaotically? Beware — sometimes accurate, sometimes not! You must know that one small detail determines the final result of a chart reading.

2-1-2 Understanding Yin-Yang Production and Clash

When it comes to production and clash, the common affliction among ordinary people is that they completely forget about production — the moment they see a BaZi, they start clashing everything, letting the nature of production go entirely. For example, with Earth, Water, and Wood as three Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng), many people who do not understand the principle will immediately conclude "Earth clashes Water." This is an erroneous concept. The correct flow is: Water produces Wood, and Wood then clashes Earth. Greedy for production, forgetting clash.

For readers who are new to BaZi, understanding the flow of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) is indeed a genuine challenge. Upon seeing a BaZi for the first time, the first instinct is invariably to look for clashes. The phenomenon of chaotic generation and clashing is very dangerous in actual chart reading, and it is the common affliction of many. Through continuous practice, one will gradually achieve fluency.

What does correct Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow look like? The correct flow is: whatever produces whatever comes first — clash is discussed last. Placing clash at the front is wrong. The very first thing one talks about must always be the producing situation. Suppose a BaZi has Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth as four Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng). If you begin by saying "Earth clashes Water" or "Water clashes Fire," this is definitely incorrect Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow. You must first discuss the producing situation — so it becomes: Water produces Wood, Wood produces Fire, Fire then produces Earth. The final result is that everything produces everything — this is correct Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow. Understood?

Let us further suppose the BaZi has only Earth, Water, and Wood as three Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng). If you lead with "Wood clashes Earth" or "Earth clashes Water," both of these are wrong — because production must come first. So it is: Water produces Wood, and then Wood clashes Earth. Clash must always be placed at the very end before it can be considered.

Below I use two examples, moving from simple to deep, to help everyone become more fluent. Readers, please review the production-clash rules for Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān). Beginners must be sure to master this!

Example: 甲 (Jiǎ) · 丁 (Dīng) · 丁 (Dīng) · 戊 (Wù)

Many people mistakenly think that 甲 Wood produces 丁 Fire, and 丁 Fire then produces 戊 Earth. This concept is fundamentally wrong. Because 甲 Wood is Yang — Yang can directly clash Yang. Yin cannot participate in the conflict between Yang and Yang. "When adults fight, children must stand aside." 甲 Wood can directly clash 戊 Earth. 丁 Fire cannot rescue the damaged 戊 Earth. When 丁 Fire is absent, 甲 Wood's force in damaging 戊 Earth will be even stronger. If 丁 Fire were replaced by 丙 Fire, the whole arrangement would flow smoothly in sequential production — smooth sailing all around.

Example: 己 (Jǐ) · 丙 (Bǐng) · 辛 (Xīn) · 戊 (Wù) — Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn): 戊 (Wù), Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián): 乙 (Yǐ)

We see that the natal 丙辛 (Bǐng-Xīn) combine. The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丙 Fire combines with 辛 Metal Wealth. For a female chart, this represents someone who values and protects money, cares about face and appearance, and enjoys dressing up. A person who has studied traditional destiny learning, upon seeing a Combination, would think that 丙辛 combines to transform into Water — 辛 Metal transforms into Water, and Wealth transforms into Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng) — so she has found a new love. Does this actually happen? The answer is no — because Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) emphasizes discussing only Combination, not Transformation. Therefore this condition does not apply.

Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) 乙 (Yǐ) Wood clashes Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 戊 (Wù) Earth. 戊 is Yang and 乙 is Yin — 乙 Wood simply cannot move 戊 Earth at all. The entire Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow becomes: 戊 Earth produces 辛 Metal, which clashes the Yearly 乙 Wood. In the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), it is Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) producing Wealth. But Wealth comes to break Seal. Assuming there is no Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng) in the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): if the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) asks whether they can become pregnant and have a child — the answer is yes, because the Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) has not been damaged. But Yearly 乙 Wood will definitely clash natal 己 Earth. Since 己 Earth and the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丙 Fire differ in yin-yang polarity, the probability of bearing a male child may be somewhat greater.

Note: Predicting whether a child will be male or female in actual chart reading is not one hundred percent accurate. This example is for illustrative purposes only.

Core Principle

The very first thing discussed must always be the producing situation. Assuming the BaZi has Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth as four Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng), the correct flow is: Water produces Wood → Wood produces Fire → Fire then produces Earth. Clash must be placed last and only considered at the very end.

2-1-3 Applying Heavenly Stem Yin-Yang Production and Clash (Examples 1–10)

Example 1 — Basic Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) Analysis

Question: Which Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) will be damaged?

Analysis: 辛 (Xīn) Metal. Natal 辛 Metal was already damaged. With two 丁 (Dīng) Fire arriving in Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) — adding insult to injury.

Student's plea for help: I know 辛 Metal is severely damaged — but how does one rescue the damaged Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation:

(a) 戊 or 己 Earth: 乙 produces 丁, 丁 produces 戊/己 Earth, which then produces 辛 Metal. Remember — Yang can resolve conflicts between Yin and Yin.
(b) 庚 (Gēng) Metal: 乙庚 combine — this carries away the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) of the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), reducing the force of 丁 Fire clashing 辛 Metal.
(c) 壬 (Rén) Water: 丁壬 combine — 辛 Metal escapes confinement. However, 辛 also clashes 乙, and 辛 also leaks into 乙 Wood — not ideal to use.
(d) 癸 (Guǐ) Water: A good thing — 辛 Metal produces 癸 Water, produces 乙 Wood, produces 丁 Fire. But 辛 Metal also leaks a little qi.
(e) 丙 (Bǐng) Fire: 丙辛 combine — 辛 Metal is carried away by 丙 Fire. Left behind are 乙 Wood and 丁 Fire — 乙 Wood leaks very substantially.

Important concept: This question involves a simple application of the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) method. Readers should pay attention to the period during which Yearly 丁 qi is present. When 丁 Fire is absent, 乙 Wood must tighten its guard. When 丁 Fire is present — beyond 辛 Metal being severely damaged — 乙 Wood will also be leaking very substantially.

Example 2 — Reducing Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clash

Analysis: 乙 and 庚 cannot combine because 壬 Water stands between them. 庚 Metal produces 壬 Water, which clashes Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丙 Fire. 乙 Wood can only provide minimal support. The natal Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed. Note: 乙 Wood is Yin and cannot open the path between two Yang elements. When the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings 甲 Wood, the path is opened. When the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings 乙 Wood, it can combine away 庚 Metal. With 庚 Metal gone, the force of damage to Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丙 Fire has already been reduced.

Important concept: When Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 甲 Wood appears, the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) qi flows smoothly and powerfully. But the natal 庚 Metal being combined away by Yearly 乙 Wood means money may end up being spent on learning or household matters.

Example 3 — The Function of the Protective Star

Analysis: Natal 辛 Metal clashes 乙 Wood. But 乙 Wood will not be very severely damaged, because 甲 Wood — the elder and Yang — is present. When Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 己 Earth combines away 甲 Wood, and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) 庚 Metal combines away 乙 Wood, only 辛 Metal remains in the natal chart. But Yin cannot clash Yang — Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 甲 Wood is unharmed and at peace.

Important concept: With 甲 Wood Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) backed by 乙 Wood and 甲 Wood as Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié), even when encountering two 庚 Metal elements in Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián), the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) will not be harmed. From this we can see: having Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) protect the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) in the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) can prevent the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) from being directly harmed by Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā).

Example 4 — Combination First

Analysis: The Year's 丁 Fire and the Hour's 壬 Water cannot combine because a column separates them. They instead flow sequentially: 壬 produces 甲, 甲 produces 丁. Companion Star produces Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng), which then produces Wealth.

Important concept: When the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 己 Earth — 甲己 combine, and natal 丁壬 also combine. 壬 Water, the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s protective guardian, disappears. This is not good news.

Example 5 — Combination Leads to Hell

Analysis: According to the greedy-production-forgetting-clash principle, the natal chart is all Yin — simply look at the Yin interactions directly. 辛 produces 癸, produces 乙 — sequential smooth flow.

Important concept: The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is not clashed — but if Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 庚 Metal, it's game over. 乙庚 combine: Wealth produces Officer, which kills the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ).

Example 6 — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Goes Out-on-Stem (Part I)

Analysis: Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 丁 combines natal 壬. 戊 clashes 癸. The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is under clash-combination. 乙 cannot clash Hour Stem 戊 — Yin cannot fully eliminate Yang.

Important concept: Natal 壬 Water is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s protective guardian. As long as 丁 does not combine 壬 away, 戊 Earth cannot damage Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 癸 Water. If the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings 癸 Water, 戊 Earth will be pulled away, and natal 壬 Water will escape confinement. But Yearly 癸 Water going out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān) indicates that this year's fortune is unstable — the crisis of Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) being clashed still exists.

Example 7 — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Goes Out-on-Stem (Part 2)

Analysis: Yang and Yang interact first — 庚 clashes 甲, 甲 Wood is damaged. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 壬 combines 丁 — with 丁 gone, 甲 Wood will suffer even more.

Student's request: The Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) 乙 Wood combines natal 庚 Metal — can 甲 Wood be used to break this up?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: The answer is NO. Students, please remember the rule: Combination first — it cannot be arbitrarily changed! When the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings one 乙 Wood, 庚 Metal runs off and elopes with 乙 Wood. Having regained its freedom, 甲 Wood — how could it possibly go back and walk into the trap again?

Important concept: Natal 庚 clashes 甲. When Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings 乙 Wood, 庚 Metal runs off to court 乙 Wood — 甲 Wood revives. If the natal chart has 甲 Wood, Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 乙 Wood will not be harmed. But when the Yearly brings 乙 Wood — that means the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) goes out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān). Watch out for crisis points.

Example 8 — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clashed (Part 3)

Analysis: Natal 甲 produces 丙, which clashes 庚. In the dynamic period, 丙辛 combine and 甲己 combine — 庚 Metal can immediately kill 甲 Wood. The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed.

Important concept: Both 甲 and 丙 are the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s protective guardians. The Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) come in and combine away all the natal 甲 Wood and 丙 Fire. At this point 庚 Metal can finally run rampant and cause harm. But readers should note: the period when the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed will not be an entire year!

Example 9 — Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Escapes Confinement

Analysis: 戊癸 combine. 壬 clashes 丙 but also produces 乙 — so 壬 Water leaks. The natal situation is clash-combination. 壬 Water can temporarily escape confinement.

Important concept: The natal situation is 癸 producing 乙 — but Yin producing Yin is weak and lacks force. 丙 Fire can directly clash-combine the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). Using 戊 Earth as a bridge to resolve the clash-combination is not very effective — Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 辛 Metal can only recover fifty percent. When the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings 壬 Water to directly suppress 丙 Fire Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā), the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is able to escape confinement.

Example 10 — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Breaks Natal Combination

Analysis: Natal 丁壬 combine. Although 己 Earth is practically useless (無三小路用), it can slightly leak 丁 Fire's qi — making 壬 Water a bit stronger.

Student's plea for help: Without discussing monthly qi flow (流月氣法 liúyuè qìfǎ) — the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 丁 Fire is damaged. Will natal Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丁 Fire also be harmed?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: NO! Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 丁 Fire is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s good friend — and one might also say it is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s "substitute sacrifice (替死鬼 tìsǐguǐ)." The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) being harmed is entirely because 壬 Water has been released. To go further: the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 丁 Fire going out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān) does not equal the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) going out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān).

Important concept: Decade 丁, Yearly 癸 — can 癸 Water clash 丁 Fire? No! Natal 己 Earth will first attack Yearly 癸 Water — it is already in peril itself. If 己 Earth were replaced by 辛 Metal, 癸 Water could then clash 丁 Fire. At that point both Decade and natal 丁 Fire would be damaged. When 丁 Fire is finished, 壬 Water can directly clash-combine the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 丁 Fire. And 己 Earth? Step aside! Whether you are there or not the result is much the same. When 甲 or 乙 Wood pulls away or kills 己 Earth, for 丁 Fire it is like pouring salt into an open wound!

Rules Quick Reference

Skip the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ): The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) does not participate in production-clash interactions. It can only be the starting point or the ending point.
Combination first: If the BaZi has a Combination, it must be resolved as the top priority.
Separated columns cannot combine: If another Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) stands between two elements in the middle, they cannot combine.
Yang first, then Yin: Yang acts first. Yin cannot interfere in interactions between Yang and Yang.
Greedy for production, forgetting clash: Generate until you cannot generate before discussing clash. Clash is always placed at the very end.
Yin cannot clash Yang: Yin lacks the force to topple Yang. Yin can only overcome hardness with softness — meaning Combination.

2-2 Earthly Branch Basic Yin-Yang Production and Clash

Earthly Branch Yin-Yang Production-Clash SOP:

Rule	Content
Rule 1	The Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) have no Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). (The Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) have Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) protection; the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) do not.)
Rule 2	Combination first
Rule 3	Separated columns cannot combine
Rule 4	Yang first, then Yin
Rule 5	Greedy for production, forgetting clash
Yang clashes Yin	Effective — Yang has sufficient force to topple Yin
Yin clashes Yang	Ineffective — Yin lacks the force to topple Yang

2-2-1 Stem-Branch Correspondence and Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) Flow

The Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) of the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) are also simply Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. If you cannot distinguish yin-yang, major errors will easily arise in readings. Establishing a foundational understanding of yin-yang is very important for future learning — this is also the key focus that the Charging Station sections explore. Only by understanding the yin-yang of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) can one advance to chart reading.

The Ten Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) are relatively manageable — their yin-yang is clearly defined. But when it comes to the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī), many people become confused, because the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) have hidden stems, which makes yin-yang even harder to distinguish. However, I skip over and do not look at the hidden stems of the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī). You might say: "How can you read BaZi without looking at hidden stems? Is the teacher joking?"

No rush — let us look at this together.

First: the Twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) use purely the yin-yang attributes of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) — returning everything to its most fundamental state. When studying BaZi, please return to the twenty-two simple symbols: the Ten Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) and the Twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī).

Each of the Twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) corresponds to one Heavenly Stem Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng). Students, please firmly memorize:

戊 (Wù) Earth = 辰 (Chén) and 戌 (Xū) Earth
己 (Jǐ) Earth = 丑 (Chǒu) and 未 (Wèi) Earth

A netizen once asked me: "Teacher, does Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow mean combining Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) and Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) together in sequential production?" This understanding is actually not correct. Strictly speaking, Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is a study of time. Time is something formless and cannot be arbitrarily divided. The Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) have the yearly qi flow pattern; the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) have the Grand Year (太歲 Tàisuì) qi (太歲) flow pattern. Through the changes produced after dynamic and static flow interact, we must analyze the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) and Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) separately.

To take it further: Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is built upon the principle of yin-yang production and clash — applying Heavenly Stem Five Combinations (天干五合 Tiāngān Wǔhé) and Earthly Branch Six Combinations (地支六合 Dìzhī Liùhé), together with the natal BaZi, Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn), Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián), and Monthly Luck (流月 Liúyuè) — separating stems and branches to discuss the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) arrangement. Compared to the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī), the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) are more simple and straightforward. Production-clash flow has a set of rules that can be followed. Without going through practice and personally grasping it, it is like presenting an academic paper where everyone just talks past each other — which is also why you will almost never see Teacher Wenbao discussing things with others on forums.

If the laws of Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow have not been worked through practical exercises, nine times out of ten chaotic generation and clashing will occur — because the phenomena of production and clash change in myriad ways and may leave you bewildered. Everyone's theoretical framework is different; many things cannot be resolved through discussion and may even devolve into quarrels. So regardless of which school you study — please work hard to advance within the school you are studying. Each school has its own advantages. Absorbing too much knowledge from too many schools easily produces logical conflicts, and losing sight of the fundamentals is not conducive to growth.

Many people appear on the surface to understand Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) production and clash, but when actually reading charts, they often throw the theory to the back of their minds. I hope that by purchasing my debut work, everyone can open up the foundational base of Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) — and from this point on, bid farewell to chaotic generation and clashing forever.

Earthly Branch to Heavenly Stem Correspondence Table:

Branch	子	丑	寅	卯	辰	巳	午	未	申	酉	戌	亥
Stem	壬	己	甲	乙	戊	丁	丙	己	庚	辛	戊	癸

Memorize especially: 戊 Earth = 辰戌 Earth; 己 Earth = 丑未 Earth

2-2-2 Pay Attention to Three-Yin One-Yang

Writing about yin-yang theory again — you must be wondering: "Here we go again! The same old idea, hammered in over and over — teacher, aren't you tired? Does it always work like this? Is yin-yang really so important in BaZi?"

If you think that way, Teacher Wenbao congratulates you here! It proves that your foundation in destiny study is very solid!

Yes — yin-yang is like the heart of BaZi. Almost every BaZi book on the market will mention to you the yin-yang of the stems and branches. These foundational theories are critically important. But wait — do you truly understand them? Most people, when actually applying them to chart reading, have long since thrown the concept of yin-yang out to the far horizon. Chaotic generation and clashing is already serious enough. If on top of that one arbitrarily changes the chart-reading rules — that is a condition beyond saving.

Having studied BaZi for most of a lifetime — including myself — I have made the same mistakes! To say nothing of friends who have just come into contact with Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì). No one is a saint; who can be without faults? Making mistakes is an indispensable experience on the long journey of learning BaZi.

Someone once said: "Life is like a game of chess — one wrong move and every subsequent move is wrong." But I think this saying is overly alarmist. No matter what mistakes you have made — as long as you bravely face and accept responsibility for them, and make corrections, it isn't too bad. From being wrong comes the opportunity to be right, does it not?

At this point in the writing! Dear reader, you should now understand why Teacher Wenbao still takes the trouble to write this article with earnest words of advice. Please keep reading.

First, let me test everyone with a Three-Yin One-Yang production-clash question. The following has four options — which do you think is correct?

巳 (Sì) Fire produces 丑 (Chǒu) Earth, produces 酉 (Yǒu) Metal, which suppresses 寅 (Yín) Wood.
寅 (Yín) Wood directly suppresses 丑 (Chǒu) Earth; 酉 (Yǒu) Metal cannot rescue it.
寅 Wood produces 巳 Fire, produces 丑 Earth, produces 酉 Metal — good news.
寅 Wood produces 巳 Fire, which suppresses 酉 Metal; 丑 Earth cannot help.

Before the explanation, please everyone read the following passage of text. The content is not too long — time yourself for one minute!

"Yin and Yang are both opposing and mutually interdependent as one unity — they are also the two aspects of Taiji. The primal laws of Yin and Yang: Yang moves and advances; Yin rests and conceals. Yang moves outward; Yin follows inward. Yang returns to Yin's terminus; Yin's extreme reverses to Yang. That which moves with Yang virtue causes things to produce each other. That which rests with Yin form causes things to complete each other. Yang seeks Yin; Yin binds Yang — they seek each other mutually. This is also the original Yijing thinking about Yin and Yang. Yang's power can lead Yin's power, while Yin can only overcome hardness with softness, following Yang's lead. 'Overcoming hardness with softness' means that the union of Yin and Yang cancels out Yang's rigidity. Here we can compare it to the union of a man and a woman: a woman uses gentle coquetry to rein in and cancel out a man's forcefulness. Whether it is the Heavenly Stem Five Combinations (天干五合 Tiāngān Wǔhé) or the Earthly Branch Six Combinations (地支六合 Dìzhī Liùhé), they are all yin-yang pairings — in simple terms: the husband leads, the wife follows."

The above passage is rather long-winded, and some people might not understand it. That is fine — let me explain in plain language. Do you remember the yin-yang 80/20 rule I mentioned? Using an RPG video game as an example to open the discussion: the Demon King is Yang, the minor monsters are Yin. As long as the Demon King is bribed or taken out, the minor monsters are of no use either, right? Alternatively: suppose there are two people, A and B, each holding 100 yuan. A loses 80 and is left with 20; B loses 20 and is left with 80. Which person feels the financial loss more acutely?

You would surely answer A, right! That is the fundamental concept of yin-yang. Doesn't it feel like a sudden flash of enlightenment? OK! Let us go back to the question above. A Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) combination that looks simpler at first — if you are not careful for just a moment, you may fall right into a trap.

We have been discussing the concept of "greedy for production, forgetting clash" — generate until you cannot generate before discussing clash. From this example we can see that there are three Yin elements and one Yang element. Yang will act upon Yin first — meaning 寅 (Yín) Wood will prioritize attacking 丑 (Chǒu) Earth. At this point you will certainly have questions: "Teacher! Shouldn't 寅 Wood produce 巳 Fire, 巳 Fire produce 丑 Earth, and 丑 Earth then produce 酉 Metal? Why would 寅 Wood directly kill 丑 Earth?"

Let me put it this way: if 寅 Wood were replaced by 卯 (Mǎo) Wood, the above conditions would hold. But 寅 Wood is Yang Wood — it is a Demon King. The minor monsters 巳 Fire and 酉 Metal — how could they resist the Demon King's power to protect 丑 Earth?

Having read to this point, I believe you certainly understand: the rule of "greedy for production, forgetting clash" is conditional. When the Three-Yin One-Yang arrangement appears, please first identify whether the Demon King (Yang element) can kill one of the minor monsters (Yin elements) — that is the correct Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow!

Three-Yin One-Yang is the problem that most people easily get confused by. Wood produces Fire, Fire produces Earth, Earth produces Metal — this is an incorrect reading. Because 寅 Wood is Yang, 寅 Wood can directly clash 丑 Earth. Yang's force always exceeds Yin's. Yin 巳 Fire cannot rescue Yin 丑 Earth; Yin 酉 Metal also lacks the force to clash Yang 寅 Wood. 丑 Earth can only take the beating. Once 巳 Fire and 酉 Metal are gone, 丑 Earth will suffer even more severely. Using 午 (Wǔ) Fire as a bridge is the best remedy. 戌 (Xū), 丑 (Chǒu), and 未 (Wèi) Earth are the second choice.

Correct Answer: (2) — 寅 Wood directly suppresses 丑 Earth; 巳 Fire and 酉 Metal cannot rescue it.

Did you get it right?

Additionally — the above explanation describes the relative magnitudes of yin-yang force. But this is not uniformly helpful for all Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng). Because of the varying changes of yin-yang, the state where the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) becomes the Harmful God and the Harmful God becomes the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) appears most frequently. This is also why many people feel puzzled by BaZi. A person enters the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) of their Useful God (用神 Yòngshén), and the expected good fortune simply does not materialize — while entering the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) of the Harmful God, the dreaded bad fortune turns out to be perfectly fine.

Why is this the case? It is simple — this has a great deal to do with the yin-yang of BaZi. For beginners, beyond first understanding the concept of yin-yang, you must also apply it to distinguish yin-yang in actual chart reading. Only then will you clearly understand: the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) is not simply used to distinguish Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Honestly, that is a very crude method of classification. In the end, you may end up treating the Harmful God as the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) — making error after error without realizing it.

2-2-3 Applying Earthly Branch Yin-Yang Production and Clash (Examples 1–13)

Example 1 — The Yin-Yang 80/20 Rule

Question: Will natal 亥 (Hài) Water be damaged?

Analysis: No! The natal chart has 子 (Zǐ) Water present. Yang can protect Yin. Even if Yin is clashed, nothing will happen — therefore the Water has not been damaged.

Student's plea for help: If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 子 Water, will natal 亥 Water be damaged?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: Decade 子 Water combines away natal 丑 (Chǒu) Earth. Natal 子 Water is also "kidnapped." At this point 未 (Wèi) Earth clashes 亥 Water — 亥 Water will be damaged. But 未 Earth will also leak.

子 (Water, Yang) = Adult / Boss | 亥 (Water, Yin) = Child / Subordinate

Example 2 — The Yin-Yang 80/20 Rule

Question: Which Water will 戌 (Xū) Earth clash first?

Analysis: Yang acts first. 戌 Earth clashes 子 (Zǐ) Water — 子 Water is damaged. When Yang 子 Water is gone, Yin 亥 Water will also weaken.

Student's plea for help: If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 子 Water, will natal 子 Water be damaged?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: No! A Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 子 Water can take the hit — the "substitute sacrifice (替死鬼 tìsǐguǐ)" concept. The overall force of Water will increase; 戌 Earth will leak quite substantially. Having an extra 子 Water in the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) actually places 戌 Earth at a disadvantage. Don't think Earth can easily suppress Water!

Example 3 — Watch the Leakage of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng)

Question: Is natal 子 (Zǐ) Water damaged?

Analysis: No damage! 未 (Wèi) Earth cannot harm 亥子 Water — in fact, 未 Earth itself also leaks. But this Water is, after all, summer Water — it is not particularly vigorous.

Student's plea for help: If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 丑 (Chǒu) Earth, will 未 Earth still leak?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: 子丑 (Zǐ-Chǒu) combine — Yang 子 Water is combined and essentially "kidnapped." 未 Earth clashes one 亥 Water. Compared to the natal chart, 未 Earth leaks less and becomes slightly stronger — but Water will weaken.

Looking at this in terms of Wealth: Combination = kidnapping; Clash = being killed. If Water is Wealth, Wealth being clashed (financial loss) is more serious than Wealth being combined (kidnapped). If 辰 or 戌 Earth arrives, it will damage 子 Water and compound the financial loss.

Example 4 — Three-Yin One-Yang

Question: What is the natal Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow?

Analysis: 寅 (Yín) Wood directly clashes 丑 (Chǒu) Earth — no negotiation!

Student's plea for help: Why isn't it sequential production? Isn't it supposed to be "greedy for production, forgetting clash"?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: The Three-Yin One-Yang arrangement is the one most easily confused. Many people assume: 亥 Water produces 寅 Wood, produces 巳 Fire, produces 丑 Earth. If that were the case, an error would occur — because Yang has priority dominance and can act upon Yin. Yang's power always exceeds Yin's. Therefore 巳 Fire cannot rescue 丑 Earth — 丑 Earth can only take the beating. When 巳 Fire is gone, 丑 Earth will suffer even more. The best Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) for a bridge is 午 (Wǔ) Fire. 辰 (Chén), 戌 (Xū), 丑 (Chǒu), 未 (Wèi) Earth are the second choice.

If you still don't understand, click on my YouTube teaching video: "Scientific BaZi is Really Fascinating, Lesson 237: Combination is Heaven or Hell." Or scan the QR code below.

Example 5 — Combination First

Question: What is the natal Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow?

Analysis: 巳 (Sì) and 申 (Shēn) are not separated by any column, so they can combine. Natal remainder: 丑 (Chǒu) Earth produces 酉 (Yǒu) Metal.

Student's plea for help: Teacher, what organs or body parts might the 巳申 combination reflect?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: 巳申 combination carries a high probability of nearsightedness or a poor digestive system.

Supplementary note: This is based on the hidden-stem clash relationships in the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) (even though Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not use hidden stems). This is the accumulated large-data empirical experience over many years — with a high accuracy rate, usable for reference, though not applicable to every BaZi. 巳 has hidden stems 丙戊庚; 申 has hidden stems 庚戊壬. Hidden 壬 Water clashes 丙 Fire. 丙 Fire governs the eyes and small intestine.

Additionally: 寅申 (Yín-Shēn) clash may involve hair loss, liver and gallbladder issues, eye disease, fractures, or dental problems — probability figures are for reference only.

Example 6 — Combination First

Question: What is the natal Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow?

Analysis: 巳申 combine. 寅 (Yín) Wood clashes 戌 (Xū) Earth — 戌 Earth is damaged.

Student's plea for help: What is the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) for rescuing 戌 Earth?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation:

Best Useful God (用神 Yòngshén): 午 (Wǔ) Fire as a bridge.
卯 (Mǎo) Wood combines 戌 Earth — rescuing the victim away.
亥 (Hài) Water combines 寅 Wood — pulling away the attacker.
申 (Shēn) Metal clashes 寅 Wood — killing the attacker.
辰 (Chén) Earth serves as a substitute sacrifice (替死鬼 tìsǐguǐ) alongside 戌 Earth; 丑 (Chǒu) and 未 (Wèi) Earth offer minimal assistance.

Useful God (用神 Yòngshén)s change alongside the dynamic and static Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow. The Useful God (用神 Yòngshén)s of Yearly and Monthly Luck (流月 Liúyuè) are also never fixed and unchanging.

Example 7 — Separated Columns Cannot Combine

Question: Which Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) in the natal chart are damaged?

Analysis: 卯 (Mǎo) and 戌 (Xū) cannot combine because a column separates them. Yang and Yang interact first — 戌 Earth clashes 子 (Zǐ) Water. Then looking at Yin: 酉 (Yǒu) Metal clashes 卯 Wood. Both 子 Water and 卯 Wood are damaged.

Student's plea for help 1: If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings 丑 (Chǒu) Earth and the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings 午 (Wǔ) Fire — what is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation 1:

Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings 丑 Earth — 子丑 (Zǐ-Chǒu) combine. Natal 卯戌 can then combine. Remaining is 酉 Metal alone. 子 Water and 卯 Wood are rescued.

Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings 午 Fire — which Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) will be damaged? Answer: 午 Fire kills 酉 Metal. 酉 Metal is ultimately damaged.

If 酉 Metal is Wealth, then in the 午 year, during the Chén month, Wǔ month, and Yǒu month — financial loss will occur.

Student's plea for help 2: Why does the Wealth Star of a male chart equal his wife?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation 2: In ancient times, women held a lowly status — they were appendages of men. Wealth represents the people, events, and things that I can control. Breaking Wealth = poor marriage or financial luck. So a man who beats his wife will not prosper — when the wife (Wealth) is beaten, Wealth scatters too. How then does one accumulate Wealth?

Example 8 — Greedy for Production, Forgetting Clash

Question: What is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of natal chart + Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) combined?

Analysis: The natal + Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) arrangement is excellent. We find that not only are all Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) Yang, but all five elements are fully present. No matter which character serves as the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu), it works. The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) qi flows powerfully and smoothly. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn): 寅 (Yín) Wood produces 午 (Wǔ) Fire, 午 Fire produces 辰 (Chén) Earth, 辰 Earth produces 申 (Shēn) Metal, 申 Metal produces 子 (Zǐ) Water. Note: 子 Water cannot turn around and counter-clash 午 Fire, because 午 Fire has already participated in the interaction. Also: 申子辰 Three-Harmony (三合 Sānhé) Water is not used — Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not discuss Three-Harmony (三合 Sānhé) formations.

Student's plea for help: What if the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings one 丑 (Chǒu) Earth?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: 子丑 (Zǐ-Chǒu) combine. At this point Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 寅 Wood is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) — Wood produces Fire, produces Earth, produces Metal. The Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) continue to flow smoothly.

Greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash rule: generate until you cannot generate — only then discuss clash. Each Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) can only act once.

Example 9 — Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) Combines Natal

Question: What is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of natal chart + Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) combined?

Analysis: 寅 (Yín) Wood and 亥 (Hài) Water cannot combine because 子 (Zǐ) Water stands between them. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 丑 (Chǒu) Earth arrives — combination first: 子丑 (Zǐ-Chǒu) combine. When 子 Water disappears, 寅亥 (Yín-Hài) can immediately combine. What remains at the end is 戌 (Xū) Earth.

Student's plea for help: Assuming a female chart where 戌 Earth = Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng) — what might happen during the 丑 Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn)?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: In the static state: 子 Water produces 寅 Wood, which clashes 戌 Earth — 戌 Earth is damaged, representing Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) clashing Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng). Due to the 子丑 and 寅亥 combinations, the damaged 戌 Earth is released — going from -2 to +1. For a female chart, this may mean the appearance of a boyfriend, thoughts of marriage, or receiving a job promotion.

Separated columns cannot combine. When something dynamic comes in and combines away the separating element, the static Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) can immediately combine — all it takes is one click. Because of the Combination, fortune at this stage can be either good or bad.

Example 10 — Combination Resolves Natal Clash

Question: What is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of natal chart + Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) combined?

Analysis: Static state: 寅亥 (Yín-Hài) combine. The other 寅 Wood clashes 戌 (Xū) Earth — 戌 Earth is damaged. With the appearance of Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 亥 Water, the damaged 戌 Earth revives. Assuming 乙 (Yǐ) Wood is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ): 戌 Earth represents Wealth. Natal Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) clash Wealth. When dynamic 亥 Water combines away 寅 Wood, Wealth is rescued and improves — going from -1 to +1.

Student's plea for help: If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) is 亥 and the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) is 卯 (Mǎo) — will the financial luck be even better?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: Without considering Monthly Luck (流月 Liúyuè) — it will actually get worse. Because of the 卯戌 (Mǎo-Xū) combination, Wealth is trapped again — going from +1 back to 0. Not good news!

Dynamic Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) combining away natal Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) to release Wealth Star is called "Releasing Wealth Through Combination." During this period, financial luck may be several times better than usual!

Example 11 — Combination Brings Disaster

Question: What is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of the static natal chart?

Analysis: The natal Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are all Yin. 卯 (Mǎo) Wood is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). 卯 produces 巳 (Sì), 巳 produces 未 (Wèi), 未 produces 酉 (Yǒu) — the flow is smooth.

Student's plea for help: If 酉 Metal is Wealth and the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings 午 (Wǔ) Fire — what will happen?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 午 Fire appears and combines away natal 未 Earth. The entire Earthly Branch falls into great disorder. 卯 Wood produces 巳 Fire, which clashes 酉 Metal — 酉 Metal is damaged, indicating financial loss.

No matter how perfect a static arrangement is, it cannot withstand disruption from dynamic elements. Often, one Combination can change a fate from that point on.

Example 12 — Earthly Branch Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clashed

Question: Without looking at the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) — what is the dynamic and static Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī)?

Analysis: Natal Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): 寅 (Yín) Wood produces 午 (Wǔ) Fire, 午 Fire produces 辰 (Chén) Earth — sequential smooth flow. When Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 未 (Wèi) Earth combines away 午 Fire, 寅 Wood will then attack 辰 Earth. 辰 Earth being damaged = Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 戊 (Wù) Earth being damaged. This phenomenon is called Earthly Branch Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clashed.

Student's plea for help: Between Heavenly Stem Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clash and Earthly Branch Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clash — which is more severe?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: Generally speaking, the severity of Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) being clashed is greater for Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) than for Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) — because the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) are what is visible on the surface. Many people will know that you are having a hard time.

辰 = 戊; Earthly Branch 辰 Earth being clashed = Earthly Branch Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clashed. The subject will be unhappy but will bottle it up inside, not wanting others to know. If both Stems and Branches simultaneously show Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clashed — things could get even worse, or a major incident may occur.

Example 13 — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Breaks Natal Combination

Question: Natal chart + Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) + Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) — what is the final Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow?

Analysis: Static state: 卯戌 (Mǎo-Xū) combine; 子 (Zǐ) Water clashes 午 (Wǔ) Fire — 午 Fire is damaged. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 亥 (Hài) Water cannot rescue 午 Fire. When Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) 卯 Wood arrives — and when the Monthly Luck (流月 Liúyuè) also brings 卯, 申 (Shēn), or 酉 (Yǒu) — 卯 Wood will be damaged. Natal 卯戌 combination is broken apart. At this point 戌 Earth bursts free. 午 Fire produces 戌 Earth — 戌 Earth counter-clashes 子 Water. In the end, 子 Water is damaged.

Student's plea for help: Assuming the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s 午 Fire = Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng), 子 Water = Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng), 卯 Wood = Wealth Star — what might happen in the 卯 year?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: Originally, Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) clashing Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng) was fine. But when 卯 Wood is damaged and the Combination is broken, the Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) is instead clashed by the Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng) — the subject easily develops depression, their will becomes dispirited, or their financial luck turns poor.

When the Grand Year (太歲 Tàisuì) arrives at 卯, it also means 卯 Wood goes out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān). Once the Yearly 卯 is damaged, the natal 卯 will also disappear.

2-3 Yin-Yang Chart Reading Mnemonics

Many people have studied destiny learning for most of their lives, yet are still stuck in place regarding basic yin-yang production and clash — or cannot even get clear on Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow, leading to chaotic generation and clashing in their readings. Teacher Wenbao has decided to publish a book sharing the Foundation Principles, so that everyone can build a solid base from this moment on. Mastering the chart-reading rules is what allows accurate fortune predictions. Ready? Section 2-3 officially enters the essence. Remember! Until you have truly understood yin-yang production and clash, don't even think about producing a masterful reading!

From these mnemonics, one can clearly grasp the primal laws of yin-yang. Yang can lead Yin, while Yin can only overcome hardness with softness, following Yang's lead. "Overcoming hardness with softness" means the union of Yin and Yang cancels out Yang's rigidity. We can think of it as the union of a man and a woman — a woman uses coquetry to rein in and control a man's forcefulness. So both the Heavenly Stem Five Combinations (天干五合 Tiāngān Wǔhé) and the Earthly Branch Six Combinations (地支六合 Dìzhī Liùhé) are all yin-yang pairings. Simply put: the husband leads, the wife follows. This is a foundational concept that must be in place when learning Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì).

Many ancient books say that Combination represents "getting along well." However, in Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì), Combination does not mean getting along well. Some BaZi charts, when a Combination appears, more easily fall into bad fortune. Combination can become better, but it can also become worse. Because the appearance of Combination may let you turn your life around — or it may let you fall into hell from that point on.

Below I will break the mnemonics apart and explain them one by one:

Mnemonic 1 — Yin and Yang Must Be Separated

When a beginner first sees a BaZi, the very first thing to do is label each Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) with its yin-yang polarity and then separate them. Remember: read Yang first, then discuss Yin.

Example 1: 甲 (Jiǎ) · 乙 (Yǐ) · 戊 (Wù) · 辛 (Xīn)

Analysis: 乙 Wood is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). 甲 Wood and 戊 Earth are Yang. 甲 Wood clashes 戊 Earth — 戊 Earth is damaged. This must be discussed first. Then look at Yin: 辛 Metal goes to clash 乙 Wood — the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is also clashed.

Mnemonic 2 — Yin Moves Following Yang

The second thing: always remember Yang is forever greater than Yin. The husband leads, the wife follows. If Yang is damaged or destroyed, Yin is also useless. Have you played mobile games or RPGs? Usually when the Demon King is knocked out, the minor monsters can't pose any threat either, right? That is the concept of "Yin moves following Yang."

Yang = Adult or Demon King; Yin = Child or Minor Monster.

(The Yin-Yang 80/20 Rule)

The yin-yang of Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is different from the traditional school. The 80/20 rule is a principle I invented myself. This rule differs greatly from the commonly known 80/20 rule. Its meaning is not that paying 20% of effort yields 80% of ability. Rather, it is Yang dominating Yin, Yin following Yang — explaining the theory that Yang accounts for 80% and Yin accounts for 20%.

If you are already reading charts for others, you may understand what the 80/20 rule is expressing. If it conflicts with what you have learned — just pass for now. But then again, since you have already bought my book, I trust you will be able to gradually accept it. Come on — please click the video or scan the QR code to watch.

The Yin-Yang 80/20 Rule

Example 2: 甲 (Jiǎ) · 乙 (Yǐ) · 戊 (Wù) · 己 (Jǐ)

Analysis: 乙 Wood is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). 甲 Wood and 戊 Earth are Yang. Read Yang first: 甲 Wood clashes 戊 Earth — Yang 戊 Earth is damaged, and Yin 己 Earth is also of little use anymore. Note: 乙 Wood Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) will not go and attack 己 Earth — the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) cannot participate in production-clash interactions. Also: 甲 and 己 are too far apart across columns to combine.

Mnemonic 3 — Carefully Observe Yin-Yang Combination

If the BaZi has a Combination, it must be discussed first. If you have ever been in a romantic relationship, you will understand how great the power of Combination is. Generally speaking, men have greater force than women. Although Yin cannot topple Yang, overcoming hardness with softness is precisely Yin's special quality. Note carefully: among the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), apart from the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s clash-combination, only yin-yang combination occurs — Yang does not clash Yin. Among the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī), however, both yin-yang combination and Yang-clashes-Yin occur.

Example 3: 庚 (Gēng) · 乙 (Yǐ) · 己 (Jǐ) · 甲 (Jiǎ)

Explanation: 乙 Wood is the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). 甲 Wood and 庚 Metal are Yang. Originally 庚 Metal wanted to pick a fight with 甲 Wood — but 甲 Wood has 己 Earth right beside it. 甲 and 己 fall in love and elope together. 甲 Wood, being incapable, was forced to marry into 己 Earth's family. Although 甲 Wood is weak, 己 Earth is strong! When 庚 Metal cannot reach 甲 Wood, who will it vent its frustration on? Naturally, the unlucky Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 乙 Wood.

Example 4: 午 (Wǔ) · 酉 (Yǒu) · 申 (Shēn) · 巳 (Sì)

Explanation: First look at the relationship between Yang 午 Fire and Yang 申 Metal. However, Yang 午 Fire cannot clash 申 Metal — because 巳 Fire will combine away 申 Metal first. With 午 Fire left with no recourse, it has no choice but to use 酉 Metal as a punching bag. 午 Fire kills 酉 Metal. 申 Metal is pulled away by 巳 Fire — the Metal in these Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) is so weak! Fortunately, 申 Metal is in seasonal power — barely hanging on, managing to hold the situation together.

Mnemonic 4 — Production and Clash Come Later

Explanation: This is the concept of greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash. If there is no Combination relationship in the BaZi, use production and clash to determine the final result. Remember: generate until you cannot generate before discussing clash. Clash must always be placed at the very end. Starting a reading by looking for clashes is very dangerous. Beware of becoming a "Chaotic Generation-Clash Syndrome" sufferer.

Example 5: 丙 (Bǐng) · 庚 (Gēng) · 甲 (Jiǎ) · 戊 (Wù)

Explanation: Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 庚 Metal — skip over and ignore. 甲 Wood produces 丙 Fire. 丙 Fire produces 戊 Earth. 戊 Earth then produces Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) 庚 Metal. The Heavenly Stem arrangement is beautiful! Note: the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is the final destination. Please do not ask me: "Teacher! Can 庚 Metal go back around and clash 甲 Wood?" NO! Each Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) can only act once — once used, it cannot be "recycled."

Mnemonic 5 — Unceasing Generation

Explanation: This is just a filler phrase added to make the mnemonic rhyme and sound smooth. It has no particular practical function — just read it and move on quickly!

I first began studying BaZi in 1999. The very first book I encountered was Master Siying's BaZi Secrets Revealed. In those days I only half-understood it. Although I had previously read Wu Junmin's New Theory of Destiny and built up some foundational grounding in destiny study, I had not received the baptism of traditional destiny learning. My father had spent dozens of years studying traditional BaZi before switching to Master Siying's Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) approach to reading charts, and he passed on to me the secret transmission of the Three-Yuan Geomancy secrets. I discovered that this predecessor was in fact the second-generation master of the Heavenly Secrets Gate (天機門). Over these years, through verifying an innumerable number of clients, the accuracy rate has been extremely high. Combined with the practical truth of Leakage, in time, Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) will certainly be carried forward to flourish.

Charging Station 2: Why Does Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) Not Look at Clash?

Many netizens have asked me: "Teacher! What happens when Zǐ (子) and Wǔ (午) clash? Why doesn't chart reading look at Clash?"

Honestly, I have already stopped using those theories! Except for the 辰戌 (Chén-Xū) and 丑未 (Chǒu-Wèi) pairings, the Six Clashes (六沖 Liù Chōng) in BaZi are essentially equivalent to Clash in Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) — we treat them as Clash. If you are in the midst of switching from traditional destiny learning to Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì), many concepts need to be unlearned from scratch.

Traditional destiny learning places heavy emphasis on Earthly Branch Clashes — for example, 辰戌 clash and 丑未 clash. Has everyone noticed? In fact, all Earthly Branch Clashes involve elements of the same polarity but opposite nature. Take 寅申 (Yín-Shēn) clash: both are Yang in polarity. 寅 belongs to Wood; 申 belongs to Metal. So this kind of combination, in my view, is simply 申 Metal clashing 寅 Wood. Since the phenomenon of Clash exists, we should use 子 (Zǐ) Water to serve as a bridge — to resolve the situation of 申 Metal clashing 寅 Wood. Once this is done, the clash phenomenon is resolved. Apart from the 辰戌 and 丑未 clashes, Earthly Branch Clash phenomena are not that numerous. They are generally treated as Clash — which is to say, Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not particularly emphasize the Six Earthly Branch Clashes. There is only Combination, Production, and Clash — and the "Clash" already contains the meaning of Clash within it.

Let us analyze the theory of Clash. The 辰戌 clash and 丑未 clash — both pairs of Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are Earth. When Earth clashes Earth, the only thing left is the primary Earth qi; all the other residual hidden stems must be removed and disregarded. 辰戌 clash leaves only 戊 (Wù) Earth. 丑未 clash leaves only 己 (Jǐ) Earth.

These two clashing combinations involving 辰戌 and 丑未 cause Earth to become even more vigorous. Clash carries the meaning of "abandoning the self" — the minor hidden stem qi within the branch must also be discarded along with it. This is also the reason why Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not look at the Human Element hidden stems: everything is determined by yin-yang Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow through production, clash, control, and transformation.

Why does Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) treat Clash as a mutual-clash relationship? The 子午 (Zǐ-Wǔ) clash mentioned above looks a little alarming at first. But if 寅 (Yín) Wood is present to serve as a bridge, the clash has a path to resolution. Because the original meaning is simply that 子 Water clashes 午 Fire — and with 寅 Wood present, the flow becomes: 子 Water produces 寅 Wood, 寅 Wood produces 午 Fire. The clash-clash phenomenon ceases to exist. Once a bridge is formed, what was originally a clash-clash becomes even more auspicious — blessings in full force.

By the same logic, 卯酉 (Mǎo-Yǒu) clash in Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is simply Metal clashing Wood. Everyone must never treat Clash as something so terrifying. Although Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not look at Clash specifically, once you understand this principle, chart reading will naturally lead you to understand why Clash is not separately examined — because the production-clash of the Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) already includes the clash situation within it.

In Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì), Clash is the central focus of problems. The process of clash-clashing must have conditions in order to occur. A Clash that does not produce actual Clashing carries no effect at all. Clash is the greatest key to problems occurring. Therefore, for Clash to express itself, it must be founded upon mutual clashing. If there is only Clash and no resulting damage — the situation may appear to be bad luck, when in reality it is good luck. These concepts differ greatly from traditional destiny learning — offered here for reference to readers with the heart to truly learn Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì).

Conclusion

Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) does not particularly emphasize the Six Earthly Branch Clashes. There is only Combination, Production, and Clash — and the Clash already encompasses the meaning of Clash. Once a bridge is formed, what was originally a clash becomes even more auspicious — blessings in full force.

2-4 Chart Reading Begins with the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) (Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu))

What is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) in BaZi? Having studied BaZi for so many years, why have I never heard of this at all? Ancient books don't seem to contain this concept either.

This is a core principle unique to Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì). The so-called Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) (abbreviated as DH) represents the starting sequence point of a Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow. This point may be combined away, may be clashed, or may be leaked. Chart reading must begin with the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). Once the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) disappears (through combination, clash, or leakage), it will produce major changes in the chart configuration. And these changes have their good and bad distinctions!

Teacher Wenbao uses five examples to explain:

(1) Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) Combined Away — Bad Thing

Explanation: The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is: 甲 (Jiǎ) Wood produces 丙 (Bǐng) Fire, 丙 Fire produces 戊 (Wù) Earth. Because 甲 Wood is the starting point of the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), 甲 Wood is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). We can say that 甲 Wood produces 丙 Fire — which also means 甲 Wood leaks into 丙 Fire. For 戊 Earth, the force it receives is very powerful — because 甲 Wood has given force to 丙 Fire — this logic is certainly clear to everyone! Now I am going to perform a magic trick! Brace yourself!

Suppose the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 己 (Jǐ) Earth. Teacher Wenbao has said: if there is a Combination, discuss it first. 甲 Wood is bribed by 己 Earth. 甲 Wood temporarily elopes with 己 Earth (note: temporarily, not permanently). 丙 Fire suddenly loses its source and must sustain 戊 Earth entirely on its own. At this point we find that 丙 Fire's source has been cut off — and on top of that, 丙 Fire is still leaking into 戊 Earth. So not only is 丙 Fire weaker, it is also leaking. And 戊 Earth? The additional force it previously received from 甲 Wood is now gone. Comparing to the natal BaZi — has 戊 Earth also weakened along with it? When 甲 Wood Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is combined away, it is not good news for either 丙 Fire or 戊 Earth!

(2) Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) Combined Away — Good Thing

Explanation: The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is: 甲 (Jiǎ) Wood produces 丙 (Bǐng) Fire, 丙 Fire clashes 庚 (Gēng) Metal. Because 甲 Wood is the starting point of the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), 甲 Wood is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). We can say that 甲 Wood produces 丙 Fire — which also means 甲 Wood leaks into 丙 Fire. For 庚 Metal, the damaging force it receives is stronger. Everyone should already understand this. Listen carefully! I am going to perform a magic trick again!

Same as the previous example: Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 己 Earth. Combination first. 甲 Wood is bribed by 己 Earth; 甲 Wood elopes with 己 Earth (note: do not treat this as disappearing). 丙 Fire suddenly loses its source — and must use its own strength alone to clash 庚 Metal. At this point 丙 Fire's source has been cut off — it can only independently clash 庚 Metal. Not only is 丙 Fire weaker, it is also leaking. And 庚 Metal? Previously it was being severely damaged by both 甲 and 丙 — now, comparing to the original BaZi, the pressure seems to have already lightened! When 甲 Wood Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is combined away: for 丙 Fire it is a bad thing, but for 庚 Metal it is a good thing! If this is a female chart, the romance or career fortune of this Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) period will show improvement. Read as joyful — do not read as worrying.

(3) Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) Clashed — Bad Thing

Explanation: The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is: 巳 (Sì) Fire produces 未 (Wèi) Earth, 未 Earth produces 酉 (Yǒu) Metal, 酉 Metal produces 亥 (Hài) Water — the qi flows powerfully and smoothly. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 午 (Wǔ) Fire. 午 Fire combines away 未 Earth. At this point the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī) fall into change. 酉 Metal produces 亥 Water, which clashes 巳 Fire — the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is damaged, which is not good news. Assuming 巳 Fire is Wealth Star: the incoming 午 Fire Wealth Star not only cannot come in — it also takes away 巳 Fire's protector 未 Earth (Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng)). Natal 巳 Fire Wealth Star goes from being unharmed to being harmed (financial loss). From this we can deduce: during this Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn), financial luck may plummet into the abyss — unless the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) comes to rescue.

(4) Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) Clashed — Good Thing

Explanation: The Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is Metal-Wood at war. 申 (Shēn) Metal is in seasonal power — it clashes 寅 (Yín) Wood with considerable force. Alongside this, 酉 (Yǒu) Metal also clashes 卯 (Mǎo) Wood. The natal Wood is already at death's door. We can tell the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is 申 Metal. Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 午 (Wǔ) Fire — 寅 Wood now has a rescuer. Wood produces Fire; Fire clashes Metal (Metal is in seasonal power and will not be fully eliminated). At this point 申 Metal is damaged and 寅 Wood revives. Assuming 申 Metal = Companion Star and 寅 Wood = Wealth Star — this Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) favors wealth accumulation. But it requires sacrificing the 申 Metal Companion Star. The Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) being clashed is good news for the Wealth Star.

You might ask me: doesn't the natal chart still have 酉 Metal attacking 卯 Wood? Pull out the yin-yang 80/20 rule and review it! When Yang 申 Metal is damaged and releases Yang 寅 Wood, Yin 酉 Metal not only lacks force but is also leaking. However, clashing the Companion Star to rescue the Wealth Star must still be viewed in conjunction with the Heavenly Stem flow — whether the overall BaZi is body-strong or body-weak at that moment is extremely important. You cannot only think about making money and then abandon your friends. "People gather around Wealth, but scatter when Wealth is gone" — this is not the fundamental way of being human. The Advanced Principles of Book 2 will provide further elaboration.

(5) Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) Leaked — Mixed Good and Bad

Explanation: The natal chart has one 巳 (Sì) Fire producing three Earth elements. The Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) then brings another 丑 (Chǒu) Earth. 巳 Fire leaks very substantially. Should this situation be read as good or bad?

If Fire = Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng) and Earth = Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié): typically such a person is more enthusiastic about public good works, happy to share knowledge with the general public — I consider this a good thing. If Fire = Wealth Star and Earth = Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng): Wealth leaks into Officer — one must sacrifice Wealth to gain more Officer control. Because Officer controls Wealth, this is not necessarily a good thing.

Teacher Wenbao's Tip: The Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is the ruler of the static chart's qi. Only when you know the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) can you truly grasp Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì).

The Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is the ruler of the static chart's qi. Only when you know the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) can you truly grasp Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì).

— Teacher Wenbao

2-5 Clash Is Forward Reasoning, Leakage Is Reverse Reasoning

The Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) practiced in the marketplace only reads Production (生 Shēng), Clash (剋 Kè), and Combination (合 Hé) — neglecting Leakage. Heavenly secrets and clever insights may from this point on pass you by. Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is like a practical discipline of mathematics — a problem has many methods of solution. When you encounter a blind spot, please try thinking from a different angle. Perhaps one day, when you experience a sudden enlightenment, you will surely break into laughter through tears!

We often speak of the concepts of Clash and Leakage. Clash is the point that ordinary chart reading commonly focuses on — it is the problem and the result of all things. However, Clash is only one type of forward reasoning or forward reading in chart reading.

Why does this book discuss Leakage? Because the situation of Leakage can also reveal problem points. Leakage means sacrifice — like a bottle of slow-acting poison eroding the body, while you remain completely unaware. Compared to Clash, it is not as forceful. But from the concept of Leakage, the blind spots in people, events, and things can also be reflected. Leakage is what is called reverse reasoning or reverse reading. In order to understand the true inner problem of the person asking about their fate, chart reading must view things from both forward and reverse reasoning. Reverse reasoning is not pattern-matching — it is a method of reading derived from empirical verification.

If chart reading only looks at Clash and does not pay attention to Leakage, it will miss a great many heavenly secret marvels. Therefore we must be bold in also looking at the concept of Leakage. Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is vast and boundless — many heavenly secrets are still waiting for everyone to verify and discover.

How does one learn to read Leakage? Teacher Wenbao gives an example to explain:

Suppose the natal chart has one Metal and one Water: Metal produces Water — Metal leaks; Water becomes more vigorous. If the natal chart has one Metal and one Wood: Metal clashes Wood — Metal leaks; Wood is eliminated. These are very ordinary common-sense principles and easy to understand, right?

Looking at Metal-Water: if more Metal dynamically appears, the Metal in this situation will not leak — and Water will become even more vigorous. But if excessive Water appears, Metal will leak even more substantially. Looking at Metal-Wood: if more Metal dynamically appears, the Metal in this situation will not leak — and Wood will be damaged even more severely. But if excessive Wood appears, Metal will leak very substantially.

The above is only the basic principle of Leakage. For more precise chart reading, it must still be coordinated with yin-yang — with the strong-weak state of the overall BaZi as the foundation.

(1) 壬 (Rén) → 甲 (Jiǎ) → 丙 (Bǐng)

壬 Water is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu), leaking into 甲 Wood. But 丙 Fire is very vigorous. Note: 甲 Wood has a source and will not leak. When 壬 Water is combined away by 丁 (Dīng) Fire, 甲 Wood lacks 壬 Water to produce and support it — and simultaneously also leaks into 丙 Fire. Both 甲 Wood and 丙 Fire become weak.

(2) 乙 (Yǐ) → 丁 (Dīng) → 辛 (Xīn)

乙 Wood is the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). Wood produces Fire; Fire clashes Metal — 辛 Metal is severely damaged. 丁 Fire has 乙 Wood producing it and will not leak. When 乙 Wood is combined away by 庚 (Gēng) Metal, 丁 Fire lacks 乙 Wood to produce and support it — and simultaneously also leaks into 辛 Metal. At this point 丁 Fire is weakened, but the damage to 辛 Metal has also been reduced.

(3) 辰 (Chén) · 辰 · 午 (Wǔ) · 辰

One 午 Fire produces three 辰 Earth. 午 Fire is the leading Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) — but it is truly exhausted! If 午 Fire = Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) and 辰 Earth = Wealth Star: using one Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) to produce three Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) is equivalent to one person working three jobs simultaneously. Finances may appear to be doing well — but the body likely cannot sustain the load.

(4) 午 (Wǔ) · 午 · 辰 (Chén) · 午

Three 午 Fire producing one 辰 Earth. 午 Fire not only does not deplete its energy — it also strengthens 辰 Earth's force. Strong and well-supported — a good thing!

(5) 戊 (Wù) · 戊 · 乙 (Yǐ) · 己 (Jǐ)

Suppose 乙 Wood = Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā); 戊己 Earth = Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié). Logically, shouldn't Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā) be able to clash the Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié)? NO! One 乙 Wood wants to punch little 己 Earth — but two burly 戊 Earth adults are standing right beside it. 乙 Wood cannot topple 己 Earth. 乙 Wood itself, however, is in the middle of fire and water — though not damaged, 乙 Wood is constantly depleting and leaking qi. This is not a good thing! Have you ever heard of Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) clashing Officer? Now I am telling you: this arrangement cannot use the Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng) — because the Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) are strong and the Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā) is weak. Officer cannot damage the Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié). Instead, it is the Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) that influence the Officer!

(6) 卯 (Mǎo) · 卯 · 申 (Shēn) · 卯

Can one Yang 申 Metal possibly knock down three Yin 卯 Wood at once? Normally speaking, it is possible — don't forget that Yang can dominate Yin. However, in a natal chart where this phenomenon appears, from another angle, it indicates that 申 Metal is also weakened. If the Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) then bring another 寅 (Yín) Wood or 卯 Wood, 申 Metal will leak even more substantially.

(7) Student Question:

Natal 丁 (Dīng) Fire clashes 辛 (Xīn) Metal — 丁 Fire leaks. If the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 戊 or 己 Earth, 辛 Metal escapes confinement. At this point, will 丁 Fire leak again?

Teacher's explanation: 丁 Fire will not leak again. The leaking force produced by clashing 辛 Metal in the natal chart and producing 戊/己 Earth in the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) are equal in magnitude — with no additional impact on 丁 Fire whatsoever.

Teacher Wenbao's Tip: Most people are accustomed to using forward Clash reasoning to find problems in the people, events, and things of the world. However, the devil lies in the details. When you encounter a chart reading that differs greatly from reality, if you can become fluent in the principle of Leakage for reverse reasoning — the heavenly secret will resolve itself easily.

Most people are accustomed to using forward Clash reasoning to find problems in the people, events, and things of the world. However, the devil lies in the details. When you encounter a chart reading that differs greatly from reality, if you can become fluent in the principle of Leakage for reverse reasoning — the heavenly secret will resolve itself easily.

— Teacher Wenbao

Charging Station 3: Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) Leaking Wealth — The Wolf Among Men

(Scientific BaZi Live Show Series #42)

November 17, 2019 — (Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) Leaking Wealth: The Wolf Among Men)

Chart: Hour · Day · Month · Year columns; Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn): 戊 (Wù); Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián): 亥 (Hài) [己亥 year]

Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): 辰 (Chén) · 辰 · 午 (Wǔ) · 辰; Decade: 戌 (Xū); Year: 亥 (Hài)

(Note: The author presents a male chart with the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) not fully specified in the original text at this point; the discussion focuses on the Earthly Branch configuration.)

Questions: (1) How can we tell this person is romantically unfaithful? (2) What might happen in the 己亥 (Jǐhài) Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián)?

(Case Analysis)

Although this book emphasizes Foundation Principles, this is an excellent case study for discussing Leakage. Teacher Wenbao specially shares it publicly with readers. If you cannot fully understand it — that is perfectly normal. In the future five e-books on Ten God (十神 Shí Shén) archetypes (人生縮影 rénshēng suōyǐng), you will be able to learn a more interesting life-based BaZi.

A student said: "Teacher, I can't figure it out! Why did this chart suffer disaster in the Wùchén (戊辰) month — with the wife insisting on divorce?"

This question is certainly what most people are wondering. Honestly, I have made the same mistakes myself. But as long as corrections are made, the experience accumulated year after year will become personal signature insights. Everyone perceives BaZi differently — and only through more practical empirical verification will learning Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) continue to progress.

In fact, this BaZi has two methods of interpretation. (You can call it pattern-matching if you want.) Let us continue reading.

Method One — "Weak Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Hits Rock Bottom":

Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān): 甲 (Jiǎ) Wood produces 丙 (Bǐng) Fire, 丙 Fire produces 戊 (Wù) Earth — sequential production. Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): one 午 (Wǔ) Fire produces three 辰 (Chén) Earth — one Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) leaking into three Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng). No problem! This is just innate DNA — indicating the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is money-focused, works multiple jobs simultaneously, or has a "latent flirting gene." When problems emerge depends on what the dynamic elements trigger.

As a side note: a male chart where Wealth Star is in seasonal power typically has a stronger-willed partner. There is also a tendency to "fear the wife." If the body is strong and Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) produces Wealth, the man tends to be more caring and devoted toward his wife. And if the body is weak? Things may get out of hand! In practice, I have encountered men who fool around outside and then come home and act like devoted, family-oriented husbands who dote on their wives.

For female charts: if the Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) craves the Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng), the person easily becomes romantically inconstant or two-timing — especially clearly visible in the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān). For male charts: if the body is weak and Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) produces Wealth, the person may be a flirtatious dandy — spending mental energy and money on women.

Mnemonic: Wealth breaks Seal (財破印 cái pò yìn) + weak body → male chart: infidelity or being caught in an affair, misconduct, breaking trust, being deceived.

One Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) leaking into three Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) is already exhausting enough. With the Wùxū (戊戌) Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) bringing two more Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) in both Stems and Branches, 午 Fire leaks even more severely. During this ten-year period, the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) did indeed make a great deal of money — while also enjoying a polygamous lifestyle. But beginning from the Rénxū (壬戌) month of the Wùxū year, his wife began to suspect his behavior. In the Jǐhài (己亥) year: the Heavenly Stem 甲 Wood is combined away by 己 Earth. One 丙 Fire suddenly has to produce two Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) alone. With 甲 Wood Companion Star weakened, 丙 Fire also weakens. Looking at the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): one 午 Fire produces four Earth elements — romance and financial luck both flourish. However, the Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) leaks even more severely. If one were to call this person "a wolf among men" — it would not be an exaggeration at all.

A noteworthy point: the natal chart has no Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng). The Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Earthly Branch happens to be 亥 (Hài) Water — a Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng). And with no Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng) to serve as a bridge, this easily creates a Wealth-breaks-Seal (財破印 Cái Pò Yìn) situation. When things go wrong in the Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī), it must be viewed in conjunction with the Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān). If the Heavenly Stem Companion Star and Seal have no clash, no leakage, and no combination — things may still be fine. But if the Heavenly Stem Companion Star is combined away and the Earthly Branch Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng) is also clashed — the situation is going to be serious!

For a person with a strong body who is under Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clash: at worst, they get scolded by the boss at work, nagged by the wife at home, miss a transport connection when going out, and lose or forget things — mild everyday inconveniences. If the body is weak and without Seal Star (印星 Yìnxīng) (or Seal is weakened) and the Companion Star is also combined away — this easily leads to trouble caused by Wealth (money bringing ruin).

Looking only at clash and leakage without considering body strength and weakness will not lead to a complete reading. For Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng) producing Wealth in order to make big money, Companion Stars (比劫 Bǐjié) and Seal must be present to support and generate — this is the balance law of nature. Seeing through production (生 shēng), clash (剋 kè), combination (合 hé), and leakage (洩 xiè) makes for a more comprehensive reading. Having read to this point, I believe you should be able to understand clearly why the affair came to light in the 己亥 year.

Chart reading must pay attention to body strength and weakness. Strength and weakness must be compared against the natal DNA. A weak body cannot sustain Wealth — even if more Wealth is generated, it is useless. Once the body is weak and the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is being clashed, the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) will begin to decline. These concepts will receive more in-depth explanation in my second book, Advanced Principles.

Method Two — "Monthly Luck (流月 Liúyuè) Out-on-Stem":

This method is fast, simple, and highly effective. The Wùchén (戊辰) month — isn't that precisely the month when all the Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) of the natal chart go out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān)? Once Wealth Stars (財星 Cáixīng) are released, a crisis can occur any day. Add to this the fact that 己 Earth is pulled away — 午 Fire is too weak to protect 戌 Earth. Marriage problems naturally arise in response!

Which method of interpretation do readers find easier to digest? Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) is a life science. Through analysis and verification from different angles, the underlying principles are actually all the same. Given sufficient time to brew, all can be played like an instrument in the palm of one's hand.

Verified result: In the 己亥 year, Wùchén month — caught by the wife in an affair. The couple ultimately signed divorce papers.

2-6 Integrated Yin-Yang Production and Clash Exercises

After understanding the basic rules of Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) production and clash for Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) and Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī), please now practice the following eight example problems. According to the rules of Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow — Combination first, Yang before Yin, greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash. Remember! Always practice before looking at the answers. Correct your concepts and record in your notes. Only through thinking with your brain will your BaZi skill advance! Interested readers are encouraged to give it a try.

Exercise 1 — Yin-Yang Production and Clash Concept

Advanced Practice 1: Hour · Day · Month · Year = 申 (Shēn) · 子 (Zǐ) · 午 (Wǔ) · 辰 (Chén) — No Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) or Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián)

Which of the following options is correct?
① 申 Metal produces 子 Water, which clashes 午 Fire
② 子 Water can directly clash 午 Fire
③ 午 Fire produces 辰 Earth, produces 申 Metal, then produces 子 Water
④ 辰 Earth produces 申 Metal, produces 子 Water, which then clashes 午 Fire

Answer: ③ — 午 Fire produces 辰 Earth, produces 申 Metal, then produces 子 Water.

Analysis: The Earthly Branch Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are all Yang. The Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is 午 Fire. According to the greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash law: remember that only after generating until it cannot generate can clash be discussed. Starting by looking for clashes will fall into the trap of chaotic generation and clashing. Therefore the answer is ③.

Exercise 2 — Basic Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) Method

Question: Please find the Useful God (用神 Yòngshén) for each of options A, B, and C.

Analysis:

Option A: Skip over the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) and ignore it. 乙 (Yǐ) Wood produces 丁 (Dīng) Fire, which clashes 辛 (Xīn) Metal — 辛 Metal is damaged. Useful God (用神 Yòngshén): 己 (Jǐ) Earth can be used as a bridge — but 戊 (Wù) Earth will not work as it will cause Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) to be clashed. 丙 (Bǐng) Fire can rescue the dying 辛 Metal. 庚 (Gēng) Metal can reduce 丁 Fire's pressure. 癸 (Guǐ) Water is also OK — it can substitute for the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) as a "sacrifice." If 壬 (Rén) Water is used — 丁壬 combine and rescue 辛 Metal, but it also triggers another problem: 辛 Metal clashes 乙 Wood — 乙 Wood being damaged is not a good thing. The most important principle of Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow is "everyone rejoices."

Option B: Natal 戊癸 (Wù-Guǐ) combine. Remaining: 丙 (Bǐng) Fire clashes 庚 (Gēng) Metal — Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) also clashed. Useful God (用神 Yòngshén): 辛 (Xīn) Metal can let the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) escape confinement. 戊 Earth can serve as a bridge. 己 Earth lacks sufficient force. Recommended: use 庚辛 Metal as "substitutes." 甲乙 Wood and 丙丁 Fire are all Harmful Star (忌神 Jìshén)s — unfavorable for the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ). 壬 Water can be used but requires sacrificing 丙 Fire. 癸 Water cannot clash 丙 Fire, but can partially deflect it.

Option C: 甲己 (Jiǎ-Jǐ) combine. 丙 (Bǐng) Fire clashes-and-combines 辛 (Xīn) Metal — Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed. Note: 丙辛 clash-combine the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) — for a female chart, this means a deranged pursuer or domestic violence, being bound by a partner and unable to escape marriage. Because it is both combined and clashed, this situation is more troublesome than a simple Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) Clash. Useful God (用神 Yòngshén): 戊 Earth can be used but its actual effect is not great. Recommended: use 庚辛 Metal as the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)'s defensive shield — or directly use 壬 Water to suppress 丙 Fire and let the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) escape confinement. However this will cause side effects. Recommended only as an emergency measure.

Exercise 3 — The Force of Production and Clash

Question: What is the Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow of the natal chart?

Analysis: 甲 (Jiǎ) produces 丁 (Dīng), which clashes 辛 (Xīn). 辛 Metal was already under 丁 Fire's attack — with 甲 Wood also adding force, 辛 Metal is damaged even more severely.

Student's plea for help: What if the Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) brings one 己 (Jǐ) Earth? What will happen?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: 甲己 (Jiǎ-Jǐ) combine — the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu) is pulled away. 辛 Metal is still clashed by 丁 Fire, but the damage has already been substantially reduced.

The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) can only be viewed when it is the starting point or ending point. The result at the ending point is either being produced or being clashed. All other cases are skipped over and ignored.

Exercise 4 — Separated Columns Cannot Combine

Natal chart: Hour 戊 (Wù) · Day 甲 (Jiǎ) · Month [乙 (Yǐ)] · Year [癸 (Guǐ)] · [庚 (Gēng) · 庚]

(Note: The original lists Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān) as: Hour 戊 · Day 甲 · Month 乙 · Year 癸庚庚)

Question: Can natal 戊 and 癸 combine?

Analysis: No! 戊 and 癸 are separated by 乙 Wood — they cannot combine. Furthermore Yang acts first: 戊 Earth directly clashes 癸 Water.

Student's plea for help: If the Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) bring 庚 (Gēng) Metal — can 癸 Water escape confinement?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: When 乙庚 (Yǐ-Gēng) combine, 戊癸 (Wù-Guǐ) can then combine. 癸 Water goes from being damaged to escaping confinement. This is good news!

Definition of good and bad: without comparison, no harm can be identified. First compare to the natal chart — then compare to the future.

Exercise 5 — Yang First, Then Yin

Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān), Hour: 癸 (Guǐ)

(Note: The full stem arrangement includes 癸 at the Hour stem position, with the full arrangement implied in context)

Question: Which Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) in the natal chart are damaged?

Analysis: Read Yang first: 甲 (Jiǎ) clashes 戊 (Wù) Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) — Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed. Then read Yin: 癸 (Guǐ) clashes 丁 (Dīng) — two Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) in the natal chart are damaged.

Student's plea for help 1: Can 戊 (Wù) and 癸 (Guǐ) combine?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation 1: The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) does not involve itself in Combination discussions. It can only represent a personality that cares about face, loves beauty, and values and protects money.

Student's plea for help 2: Why is 丁 (Dīng) Fire damaged? Shouldn't Yang 甲 Wood be able to protect Yin 丁 Fire?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation 2: A student who asks this question shows they have not yet understood the yin-yang concept of Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì). (Go back and read Chapter Two more carefully.) Remember: one Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) can only act once. Yang-clashes-Yang has already acted — it no longer has the energy to also protect 丁 Fire. One cannot fight and protect the weak at the same time — it is very hard to do two things with one heart.

Only a Yin Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) will be under clash-combination by the Official Officer. If the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) actively clashes-and-combines the elements on either side of it, simply treat it as Five Element (五行 Wǔxíng) flow.

Exercise 6 — The Interaction of Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián), Part 1

Question: After static natal + dynamic interactions — what is the final result?

Analysis: Natal 戊癸 (Wù-Guǐ) combine. 己 (Jǐ) cannot damage 癸. Hour Stem 甲 (Jiǎ) will prioritize grabbing away 己 Earth. Final result: 癸 produces 乙.

Student's plea for help: Why can't 己 Earth clash 癸 Water and break the natal 戊癸 combination?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: The Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) and natal chart interact very quickly — 己 Earth is grabbed away by 甲 before it can damage 癸. 癸 Water is unharmed.

Teacher Wenbao's Tip: If 甲 were replaced by 壬 (Rén), 己 Earth could then damage 癸 Water. At that point 戊 Earth would burst out to attack 壬 Water — and that would be Wealth breaking Seal!

Exercise 7 — The Interaction of Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián), Part 2

Question: After static natal + dynamic interactions — will 癸 (Guǐ) Water be damaged? Will the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) also be in trouble?

Analysis: Natal 戊癸 (Wù-Guǐ) combine. Yearly 己 (Jǐ) clashes 癸 — breaking the 戊癸 combination. 戊 Earth is released and attacks 壬 (Rén) Water — the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed.

Student's plea for help: Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 癸 Water is damaged — why is natal 癸 Water also implicated?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: This is the concept of going "out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān)." Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 癸 Water is equivalent to all 癸 Water in the natal chart (not including the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) itself).

The Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) being harmed — the root cause lies in the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) 己 Earth Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng)'s action. What was originally fine suddenly has trouble. Truly unfortunate!

Exercise 8 — Real Case Explanation

Simple analysis:

All Five Elements (五行 Wǔxíng) are Yin. Based on many years of experience: the personality is very feminine. For a male chart, the person will be more gentle, delicate, and detail-oriented.
Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiāngān): Natal 丁 (Dīng) Fire produces two 己 (Jǐ) Earth. Be mindful: Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) Yang 庚 (Gēng) Metal can directly clash Yin 乙 (Yǐ) Wood — the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is clashed.
Earthly Branches (地支 Dìzhī): Natal two 卯 (Mǎo) produce 巳 (Sì), which produces 丑 (Chǒu). Companion Star produces Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng), produces Wealth. Yearly Water cannot clash Fire — and 亥 (Hài) Water is unstable.
Because the natal chart has no Officer Star (官星 Guānxīng), the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) is Yin. A 辛 (Xīn) Metal Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) is beneficial for financial and career luck — but a 庚 (Gēng) Metal Decade simply will not work.
Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) of 庚 Metal = Officer-Clash (七殺 Qīshā) clashing the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ) — signifying great life pressure arising from work, supervisors, or romantic entanglements.
己亥 (Jǐhài) year: Earthly Branch 午 (Wǔ) Fire = Output Star (食傷 Shíshāng), representing wanting to pursue a better life — the person will be actively working hard to make money and accumulate wealth.
庚子 (Gēngzǐ) year: Earthly Branch 子丑 (Zǐ-Chǒu) combine — Seal combines with Wealth. Money may be spent on property, learning something new, or given to the mother.

Student's plea for help: Why is the Earthly Branch not Wood produces Fire, Fire produces 丑, 丑 clashes 亥 Water? Can 亥 Water serve as the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu)?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation: 亥 Water can serve as the Dragon Head (龍頭 Lóngtóu). According to the greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash concept — generate until you cannot generate, and only then discuss clash.

Teacher Wenbao's Tip: Apart from Three-Yin One-Yang situations, starting a BaZi reading by looking for clashes is very dangerous. Never cause chaotic generation and clashing.

2-7 Student Q&A Collection

This Bonus section collects three questions raised by students — which I believe are also what everyone wants to understand about chart-reading core principles. I specially share them publicly with readers here! Five Elements BaZi (五行八字 Wǔxíng Bāzì) looks easy on the surface, but actually contains many subtleties hidden within. Without the baptism of real-world practice, one may spend a lifetime unable to discover these tricks.

① Correcting Basic Production-Clash Concepts

Student's questions:

① 壬 (Rén) Water clashes 丙 (Bǐng) Fire; 己 (Jǐ) Earth clashes 癸 (Guǐ) Water. Will Yearly 癸 Water damage the Day Master (日主 Rìzhǔ)?

② The natal chart has one 癸 Water; the Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) brings another one. How many 癸 do we count?

③ Yearly qi is unstable — is the Yearly 癸 Water equivalent to the natal 癸 Water?

④ Greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash means production first then clash — but when discussing clash, is it a one-on-one interaction?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation:

① One element clashes one element — Yearly 癸 Water can clash 丁 (Dīng) Fire.

② Two 癸 Water — but Yearly 癸 Water is equivalent to natal 癸 Water going out-on-the-stem (出干 chūgān).

③ Yes — Yearly 癸 Water is unstable and also has the possibility of being damaged.

④ Greedy-for-production-forgetting-clash means generate until you cannot generate before discussing clash. The clash rule is also one-on-one.

② Basic Concepts of Dynamic Combination

Student's questions:

① Two 子 (Zǐ) combine natal 丑 (Chǒu); remaining: 寅 (Yín) produces 巳 (Sì), which clashes 酉 (Yǒu). Can all the 子 Water from Decade and Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) be fully combined away?

② 子 Water Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) — if it encounters a 戌 (Xū) month or 辰 (Chén) month, will the combination be broken? But can 未 (Wèi) month leave things undisturbed? Will a 丑 (Chǒu) month combine it away entirely?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation:

① The static 丑 Earth can combine away all dynamic 子 Water — 子 Water is fully combined away.

② 子 Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) fears 辰 and 戌 months most, but does not fear 未 month. A 丑 month will combine everything away entirely.

③ The Concept of Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) Qi and Breaking Combinations

Student's questions: Year Branch and Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 寅亥 (Yín-Hài) combine. 戌 (Xū) Earth clashes 子 (Zǐ) Water — natal Earthly Branch 子 Water is very weak.

① When Yearly 子 Water arrives and we discuss production — do we count the natal + yearly 子 Water as one 子 or two 子?

② When 子 Water encounters a 戌 (Xū) month or 辰 (Chén) month — will this affect the 亥 Water breaking the combination? Will 亥 Water be damaged or weakened?

Teacher Wenbao's explanation:

子 Water is the Grand Year (太歲 Tàisuì) (太歲) — Yearly Luck (流年 Liúnián) qi is unstable. When the qi is present, you can say there is an additional 子 Water.

子 Water being damaged has nothing to do with Decade Luck (大運 Dàyùn) 亥 Water. 亥 Water will not be damaged. 寅亥 (Yín-Hài) will also not be broken apart.

End of Volume Two