BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 8

I spent 2 hours labeling all the posts! Hopefully, visitors would find the blog a little more organized than before.

SYDB says:

官杀重逢，制伏有功；如行帝旺，遇之不凶。
Officer and 7K are seen repeatedly, control and suppression will attain success; if it goes to DiWang, seeing that is not inauspicious.

The thing with the Officers is that they want to be alone. DO together with 7K is generally considered a sickness.

SYDB states that when DO and 7K are mixed, there should be suppression. For example a Jia wood with Geng 7K and Xin DO in the chart favors Fire.

When the LP goes to DiWang (YangRen for the Yang DM), it should not be analyzed as inauspicious. That is because mixed authorities favor strong DM.

More information about mixed authorities is in this post

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 7

格格推详，以杀为重，化杀为权，何愁损用。

Analyze in detail each structure, 7K should be regarded as (most) important, transform 7K into authority, why worry about damaging the (Use)ful god.

A set  of BaZi can have more than 1 structure. It can have 2 structures, 3 structure or even 4 structures. The more structure it has, the less clear it is. A good grade Bazi must be clear '清'. 

As 杂论 ZaLun says:

一格二格，非卿即相；三格四格，财官不纯，非隶卒多是九流。

One structure or two structures, if not high ministers then should be ministers;

Three structures or four structures, Wealth and Officer are not pure,  If not LiZu (the guards at the courtroom) then mostly is commoner.

In case of a chart having more than 1 structures, and one of the structures is 7K, 7K should be analyzed first, as it is the most important.

 'Transform 7K into authority' refers to using 7K in the correct way, for example to use Food to control 7K, or Seal to transform 7K or YR to withstand 7K. 

When the 7K star is correctly used. It really does not matter what happen to the Useful God of the Month EB.

YHZP says: 官杀混杂要制伏 

Officer and Devil mixed has to be control and restrained.

As we know Officer cannot be restrained. That results in a broken structure. But in this case, 7K has to be restrained and accordingly, Officer is disregarded.

Another famous saying with the similar meaning is a phrase in 五言独步 WuYanDuBu

有杀只论杀，无杀方论用；只要去杀星，不怕提纲重

If there is Devil, Devil should be discussed first. If there is no Devil, the Use(ful) God can be discussed.;
When the Devil star is gotten rid of, it does not fear the heaviness of the outline (Month EB)

We always say that the outline (Month EB) is heavy 提纲有用提纲重.

That is to emphasize the importance of Month Commander i.e YueLing and how chart structures and Useful Gods should be derived from the Month EB. Everything else should be disregarded when Useful Gods reside in the month EB. But in the case of 7K, month EB should be secondary although it is heavy.

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 6

十恶大败，格中大忌；若遇财官，反成富贵。

ShiErDaBai, The ten evil of great defeat, is very unfavorable to the structure; however if it meets Wealth and Officer, it becomes rich and noble.

Shi Er Da Bai are the 10 days where the 十干禄 Shi Gan Lu have fallen into 空亡 Kong Wang.

The 10 days are:

甲辰、乙巳、丙申、丁亥、戊戌、己丑、庚辰、辛巳、壬申、癸亥

Jia Chen

Yi Si

Bing Shen

Ding Hai

Wu Xu

Ji Chou

Geng Chen

Xin Si

Ren Shen

Gui Hai

Having the 10 Evil does not necessarily mean inauspicious luck. If the chart has Wealth and Officer, and if they are usable, strong and affectionate. One can also become rich and noble. 

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 5

十干化神，有影无形；无中生有，福禄难凭。
Ten stems transformation god, with shadow without form; within 'nothing' something is engendered, blessings and fortunes are difficult to be proven.

Trey:
It seems to me that the verse talks about Transformation Qi structure, also it could be talking about two different type of structures.

Anyway, in this post I can only discuss about the first phrase in the verse. The second verse is cryptic and I have no idea what it's talking about at all.

十干化神 Ten stems transformation god in my opinion refers to the transformation Qi structures (or in DTS term - the transformation image 化象), like Jia + Ji transformation to earth, Bing + Xin transformation to water, Wu + Gui transformation to fire, Geng + Yi to metal and Ren + Ding to wood.

DTS states:

化得真者只论化, 化神还有几般话

One that truly transforms is discussed only as transformation, still, the transformation god has many types of sayings. 

This DTS verse probably has two meanings:

1. That there are many types of transformation structure - there are transformation that is true, fake and follow.

2. That the transformation structure behaves in ways, that were never explained by the DTS original text. 

The commentary in DTS on this verse states that when Jia and Ji transforms to earth, the intensity of the earth should be analyzed. If earth is too strong, then it needs water as Wealth, wood as Officer and Metal as Food. That when it meets Jia or Yi in the LP or AP, it should not be regarded as 'rivalry' or 'jealousy' combination, instead it should be regarded as the 'idle god'. 

I think this commentary contradicts itself. When earth is strong, does it not need wood as Officer? how can wood become an idle god for a strong earth transformation god?

DTS also states the following on the subject of 'fake transformation'

假化之人亦多贵，孤儿异性能出类

Many people who are 'fake transformation' are also noble, orphans or people with different surname can also be outstanding.

This verse indicates that fake transformation structure can also be noble structures, but people with fake transformation structure usually have difficult young age. 

'Transformation' of the DM is often regarded as a form of 'image' 象. A stem has 2 images i.e the original image and the transformed image. For example, Jia original image is wood and transformed image is earth, Bing original image is fire and transformed image is water etc.

When the DM sees its pairing (like Jia seeing Ji) among the stems, it has a tendency to transform. Transformation is then analyzed on the basis of how 'True' it is, then the structure is classified as 'true transformation' 真化 or 'fake transformation' 假化, probably for the sake of simplicity. I believe that transformation is continuum, rather than absolute.

A poem in SMTH 巫咸撮要 WuXianCuoYao, briefly discuss about transformation structure.

又若化格成象，须分衰旺相停。
Also when the transformation structure manages to become image, it must be distinguished as weak, prosperous or equal

尤宜配合之中，要识往来去路。
It is good that within the combination and matching, one knows the way where it comes and goes

金绝艮北，火没乾西，木落坤南而无形，水到巽东而无位。
Metal extincts and northern Gen, fire extinguished at western Qian, wood falls at southern Kun it has no shape, when water arrives at eastern Xun it has no place.

此乃阳干皆死，遇合而以类相从，
That is when all Yang stems die, when it meet its pairing, it joins,

妻若潜形，但见局中。
if the wive hides, hopefully it is seen in the structure

而可决阴生四正，时旺者身贵家荣。死绝墓伤类伤干，尤为不足。
and it can be decided that Yin (of Yin and Yang) is birthed at the four cardinals (Mao, Wu, You and Zi), that when it is prosperous (supported by season), one is noble and his family glorious. When it is dead, extinct, entombed, injuring others, injuring the stems, that is regarded as especially insufficient.

化气入格不破，大显贵者十有八九。
When the transformation Qi is not broken, eight or nine out of ten (people with the structure) are prominently noble.

化气失局有伤，论显荣者百无二三。
When the transformation Qi lost its frame or is injured, there would be no more than two or three people out of 100 who are prominent and glorious.

最高最贵者，居旺处三位，需要相扶持。
The highest (of status) and most noble of people, resides in prosperity places of three individuals, they must be mutually assisting. 

至贱至贫者，居衰处，四柱难寻造化。
The lowliest and poorest of people, resides at declining places, it is difficult to find a structure within the four pillars.

元象在地支之中，配合在天干之内。
The origin of image lies within the earthly branches, the matching and combination within the heavenly stems

象成旺用，皆生火土之中。四柱无伤，直列朝廷之上。
The image that is successfully created, prosperous and is used, are all engendered within fire and earth. If there is no injury within the four pillars, one is placed high in the imperial court

In my opinion, the truest transformation happens under these conditions:

1. Transformation god has the command of the month

2. Transformation god has the support of a frame

3. Transformation god meets the dragon (EB Chen)

4. Transformation god protrudes in heaven

In most cases, all these 4 criteria are not met, it is up to the reader to decide if the transformation is true or fake, and then decide which deities would be favorable to the chart. 

There is no definitive guidelines to do this, there is no sufficient information regarding transformation structure available in literature (AFAIK) to help us to do this correctly and SYDB acknowledges this difficulty.

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 4

进气退气，命物相争；进气不死，退气不生。
Advancing Qi and retreating Qi, substances of Life are competing, advancing Qi does not die, retreating Qi does not live.

Trey: This verse probably talks about the elemental Qi brought by the month EB, advancing Qi refers to the Qi before LinGuan / DiWang, retreating Qi refers to the Qi after DiWang. Substances refer to the entities in the month EB, Food, Wealth, Officer, Seal, Hurt, Blade , Owl, Devil. These substances are always competing for command.

The second part of the verse is ambiguous, advancing Qi does not die and retreating Qi does not live?

WuYanDuBu has a verse that says: 

进气死不死，退气生不生;终年无发旺，犹忌少年刑。
Advancing Qi dies but is not dead, retreating Qi lives but is not alive, late years without success, punishment during youth is dreaded indeed.

DTS says: 理承气行岂有常，进兮退兮宜抑扬
Dealing with the bearing Qi movement how can it have normalcy, advancing or retreating favors suppression or agitation.

What is implied in SYDB?

财官临库，不冲不发；四柱支干，喜行相合。
Wealth and Officer inside storage, without clash there's be no success; stems and branches in the four pillars, likes to undergo combination.

Trey: Wealth and Officer insider storage is exactly what it is, if these are protruded or moved they are no longer 'inside storage' and clash becomes harmful instead.

提纲有用，最怕刑冲；冲运则缓，冲用则凶。
Key Point has uses, most fearful is punishment and clash; clashed Luck is not intense, clashed Use is inauspicious.

Trey: Key point refers to the Month EB, when there's Officer and Wealth in the Month EB, there's something to be used, and in this case punishment and clash involving the month EB becomes unfavorable; especially when the Useful God is clashed.

三奇透露，日主专强；寄根有力，福禄荣昌。
Three wonders protrude and exposed, DayMaster is focused and strong; lodging roots with power, blessings fortune glory and prosperity.

Trey: the essence of ZiPing, the three wonders refer to Wealth, Officer and Seal. Having all these entities protruding or exposed with a strong DM indicates affection and strength. The 2 most important criteria for a complete chart.

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 3

五行生旺，不怕刑囚；东西南北，数尽方休。Five elements born prosperous, does not fear punishment or imprisonment, east west south and north, direction where the count ends is at rest.

Trey: Five elements refers to the DM and all the gods in the chart. Being born prosperous or having Qi is an advantage because when LP goes to the places where the element is 'dead' or 'extinct', it can still function well.

寅申巳亥，四生之局；用物身强，遇之发福。

Yin-Shen-Si-Hai, the structures of 4 births; usable substances and self prosperous, meeting this is successful

Trey: Yin, Shen, Si and Hai are 4 places where elements are born, Yin is the birthplace of fire and earth, Shen of water (and earth), Si of metal and Hai of wood. Usable substances refer to Useful Gods, for example earth born in Shen can use Wealth, fire born in Shen can use Officer. Wealth and Officer gets ChangSheng Qi from the Month EB and together with a strong DM, the chart becomes a good structure. 

辰戌丑未，四库之神；人元三用，透旺为真。 

Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei, the gods of 4 storages; the Human Origin gets 3 uses, protrusion and prosperous are regarded as true. 

Trey: This verse talks about DM born in the month of the earth, all 3 Qis contained in the earth can be used when they protrude and they are prosperous.

Take for example Jia born in Xu, Xu contains earth as the main Qi, which is Wealth, metal as the residual Qi, which is Officer and fire as storage Qi which is the output. The true Useful God is the one that protrudes or is prosperous. 

子午卯西，四败之局；男犯兴衰，女犯孤独。

Zi-Wu-Mao-You, the structures of 4 defeats'; committed by men denotes rise and fall. committed by women denotes loneliness.

Trey: I have no idea why it is like this. 

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps Part 2

日主高强，月提得令；用财为物，表实为正。
DayMaster very strong, with the outline of Month EB (DM) gets the command; Use Wealth as material, one is just on the outside and the inside.

Trey: This verse is most possible about a strong DM that uses Wealth, while having support from the month EB. A person of this structure is 正 true - just, honest, principled etc.

年根为主，月令为中；日生百刻，时旺时空。
The root of year as Master, The month command as middle, The birth day has hundred 'ke', some hours are prosperous and some hours are empty.

Trey: The year as the Master is not the same as DM, it's an entirely different concept.

SMTH writes:

然古人论命，分三主，定三限。

The ancient people analyze life, separate into three masters, determine three boundaries

以年与月管初生，月与日管中主，日与时管末主。

With Year and Month taking charge of the time one is newly born, month and day taking charge of the middle master, day and hour taking charge of ending master.

其法与星历家分三主同。

This method is the same as the 3 masters from the school of 'stellar calendar' (I have no idea who they were)

若初主星当生年得力，则初主好。

If the Early Master star is the year of birth that has strength, denotes a good Early Master

不得力，则初主蹇滞。

If it does not have strength, Early Master is unfavorable.

中、末主同。

Middle and Ending Masters are the same.

Trey: Actually I don't understand this concept very well. But let's just know that Year Master is entirely a different concept that dates back to the time before ZiPing.

干与支同，损财伤妻；岁运一类，破弃祖基。
Stem and Branch are the same, damage Wealth and injure wife, Annual Pillar and Luck Pillar are the same, break or abandon the foundation built by ancestors.

Trey: Stem and Brach are the same - this probably refers to the 八专 BaZhuan pillars like Jia Yin Yi Mao, Geng Shen etc, this denotes cleverness and good health, without Officer or 7K, it denotes a person who likes to indulge in sex and alcohol, thus wasting money and hurting the family.


月令建禄，不住祖屋；一见财官，自然发福。
Month Decree JianLu, does not stay in the ancestor's house; once the chart sees Wealth and Officer, naturally become successful.

Trey: This is self-explanatory.

用火愁水，用木愁金；轻重论分，祸福能真。
When Fire is used, water is worrisome, when wood is used, metal is worrisome, lightness and heaviness are analyzed, disaster or fortune can be true.

Trey: This refers to the benevolent Gods, say if the DM is Wood, structure is 7K controlled by Food Fire, water would be worrisome.

The second part of the verse talks about how the balance of the chart should be analyzed.

For example, Jia DM with a 7K structure that uses Food, with Food being excessively strong and 7K being weak, in this case, Seal or Owl would be favorable instead, as Owl would seize the excessive Food and restore balance to the structure.

BaZi: An Early Classic - 四言独步 SYDB Four Words Invincible Steps

SYDB is a very old poem from an unknown time and author. As it is contained in YHZP, it is safe to be assumed that SYDB is older than the time of Xu DaSheng of Tang dynasty. The texts are considered to be authoritative by literature. It is cryptic and requires quite a bit of classical knowledge to be understood. Here's my attempt at translating and interpreting:



先天何处，后天何处，要知来处，便知去处。
Where was it before heave? where was it after heaven, (one) has to know where it comes from, then (one) can know where it goes.


四柱排定，三才次分；日干为主，配合元辰。
Four pillars are arranged and determined, Three talents are distinguished; Day Stem as the Master, matches with the Origin time.

Three talents refers to Heaven, Earth and Human - the classical representation of the three talents are

Heaven - Heavenly Stems

Earth - Earthly Branches

Human - Nayin (The Qi that connects Heaven and Earth)

Modern interpretation of Human is the hidden stems under the Earth. 

Origin 元  refers to Heavenly Origin, the daymaster and Earthly Origin, the Month EB, while 'time' refers to the Year, Month, Day and Hour of the person's birth. 

神煞相绊，轻重较量；先观月令，论格推详。

ShenSha (Gods and Devils) keep company, lightness and heaviness are measured; firstly, look at the month's command, discuss structure for analysis.

Gods refer to the benevolent Gods - Wealth, Officer, Seal and Food. Devils refer to the malevolent ones - Hurting Officer, Devil, Owl and Blade.

The text stresses the importance of month command and chart structure.


以日为主，专论财官；分其贵贱，妙法多端。
With Day as the Master, focus discussion on Wealth and Officer, tell the difference between the noble and the lowly, wonderful methods are many.

Classical Bazi has always focused more on Wealth and Officer, Officer especially is regarded as the leader of the 10 Gods. These 2 are highly favorable as they denotes wealth and nobility.

独则易取，乱则难明；去留舒配，论格要精。

Single and it is easy to take, messy and it is difficult to understand, to be away or to be kept, (when one) analyzes the structures (he/she) needs to be proficient. 

Single denotes a single deity in the month command, thus only one Useful God. In this case chart reading becomes relatively easy.

Messy is when there are more than one Gods that reside in the month command and the chart has many deities competing for the command. In this case, it is difficult to analyze the chart.

To be away refers to - to be countered away like Yi is countered away by Xin, or to be combined away, like Yi is combined away by Geng.

To be continued..