Bazi, often shrouded in mystery for many, is an ancient form of divination. It harnesses the principles of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and the Bagua to transform a person’s birth year, month, day, and hour into eight characters. From these, it attempts to predict one’s wealth or poverty, fortune or misfortune, life span, and social status. On the surface, this method appears to lack scientific foundation. Yet, it has resonated with humanity’s deep-seated desire to foresee and control destiny. Since its inception, it has been embraced by everyone from the elite to the common folk. With the endorsement and refinement by scholars through the ages, Bazi has evolved into an intricate system of fortune-telling.
The Bazi is derived from the specific year, month, day, and hour of one’s birth. In each of these temporal segments, there is a corresponding Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch. The Heavenly Stems consist of ten characters: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui. The Earthly Branches, which many may be somewhat familiar with, are: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. It’s worth noting that the ancients were far more ingenious than their modern counterparts. They devised these systems and combined the Heavenly Stems with the Earthly Branches to create an individual’s Bazi, a cycle that perpetuates indefinitely. Through the Bazi, one can discern the Five Elements embodied within a person. The simplest manifestation of these elements is in bodily sensations. For instance, if a Bazi indicates a predominance of Water, the most immediate effect is an intolerance to cold. As winter sets in, someone with a Water-heavy Bazi might find their feet freezing upon waking, seeking the warmth of a charcoal fire for comfort, while a companion without such an inclination remains unaffected. Conversely, those with a Fire-heavy Bazi possess a greater resilience to cold. The Five Elements in a Bazi also have significant implications for one’s life and work. The south is associated with Fire, and for someone with an overabundance of Fire, seeking employment or living in the south is akin to pouring oil on a raging fire. The consequences can range from minor setbacks in daily life to, in extreme cases, dire outcomes when encountering certain astrological periods.
Many may dismiss these notions as mere superstition, but I would like to emphasize that belief or disbelief is a personal choice. However, one day you might encounter Bazi divination and then witness its enigmatic nature. Humans have a peculiar trait: we seem to possess an uncanny ability to assess others at a glance, forming quick judgments after a brief encounter. Yet, when it comes to self-awareness, we are often in the dark. The saying goes, “We cannot see the true face of Mount Lu, for we are among its peaks.” Many have dabbled in Bazi calculations, mostly for entertainment, without taking it seriously. In truth, Bazi is akin to a predestined connection, as mysterious as quantum mechanics. It operates subtly, like an unseen elder offering insights into our past and present. If you approach it with earnestness, it will yield profound results; if you treat it with indifference, it will reciprocate in kind.
Life is rarely a smooth sail. No matter how hard we strive, we are bound to face adversities. These can manifest as career obstacles, strained relationships with superiors, romantic setbacks, financial difficulties, or health issues. To navigate these challenges, understanding one’s Bazi and the underlying fate it reveals is crucial. Once the root causes are identified, targeted solutions can be applied.
