We can start learning to analyse our own Bazi using the method outlined in the “San Ming Tong Hui三命通會: Destiny reading mnemonic看命口訣”.
Start by examining the Month Branch as it determines the overall structure “ge ju”. The book states, "When examining one's destiny, start by checking if there are Wealth or Officer elements in the Month Branch; then, consider other factors. The Month Branch is the essence of one's destiny. The Month takes the Earthly Branch, the Year takes the Heavenly Stem, the Day takes the Heavenly Stem, the Annual Luck takes the Heavenly Stem, and the Decade Luck takes the Earthly Branch. The Year is the foundation, the Day is the main factor. If the Month has the Direct Officer “Zheng Guan” or Indirect Officer “Pian Guan”, and the Hour falls into a different structure, focus only on the Month Branch, disregarding other structures. If the Month Branch has no suitable structures, then consider other structures.
When analysing a Bazi, it's essential to have a starting point. Without it, even with a solid theoretical background, you won't be able to analyse a Bazi effectively. The starting point is the Month Branch. The principle of "consider Wealth or Officer elements first, then look at other factors if no Wealth or Officer are present" is essentially saying that you should start by examining the Month Branch, and if there are no Wealth or Officer elements, then explore other elements.
Focus on the Day Stem as the core, where the Stem represents the wealth and the Branch represents destiny. The book emphasises, "When examining one's destiny, the Day Stem is the key element, representing the core, and the objects used by the Month Branch as the destiny.” In contrast to the "Yuan Hai Zi Ping" method, “San Ming Tong Hui“ starts by examining the Month Branch and then the Day Stem. In essence, both methods emphasise the interplay between the Day Stem and the Month Branch. Nevertheless, the Day Stem is of utmost importance because it represents the individual's destiny, and other Stems and Branches, including the Month Branch, influence it. Together, these elements determine the individual's different states at various life stages.
After examining the Month Branch, attention shifts to the Heavenly Stems. The elements represented by the Heavenly Stems indicate what the individual expresses outwardly, particularly Wealth, Officer, and Seal (Cai Guan Yin). When assessing a person's achievements and status, begin by examining the Heavenly Stems and then the Earthly Branches. You might wonder, "Didn't you say the Month Branch is the most crucial? Why are you now saying that wealth and status are determined by the Heavenly Stems?" To clarify, the Month Branch is like the tree's roots, providing nourishment along with other Earthly Branches. However, the tree's overall growth and prosperity depend on the trunk (Heavenly Stems) and the leaves (Earthly Branches).
While examining the Heavenly Stems, it's important to assess whether they have roots in the Earthly Branches to determine the strength of the Heavenly Stems. The strength of the Heavenly Stems represents their energy and the influence they exert on the individual.
Shift your focus to the Earthly Branches, which represent the palaces and primarily relate to family and relationships. Additionally, examine the interplay of the Earthly Branches in terms of clashes, punishment, harm etc to determine the harmony or discord in the individual's family and relationships. The book mentions, "If there are Wealth or Officer elements in the Year and Month Branches, the individual is likely to be born into a prosperous and influential family. The family's foundation is strong, and they may achieve fame and fortune early. If there are no Wealth or Officer elements in the Year and Month Branches but they exist in the Day or Hour Stem, the individual will build their success."
During this analysis, also consider the relationships between the Stems and Branches, as well as the interactions involving the Five Elements, to determine the overall dynamics and influences on the individual's life.
(The book contains more detailed information on this topic, which you can explore further. )
I mentioned in a previous article that “San Ming Tong Hui“ is a highly regarded ancient book among those studying Bazi. Even practitioners with decades of experience rely on the content of this book. However, is the information in this book really accurate? In the 29 sentences provided above, only 3 sentences are clearly accurate, while the remaining 26 sentences are based on significant premises. Many modern individuals who study and analyse Bazi often overlook the reasons behind such analyses. For example, the statement "Focus on the Day Stem as the core" raises questions about why one should always begin the analysis this way. Without a clear understanding of the underlying principles, blindly following the literal interpretations of texts can hinder the mastery of Bazi and lead to misunderstandings about the true essence of Bazi.
When a practitioner has examined many Bazi charts (50 or 100 is definitely not to call "a lot") and, at the same time, has validated their own Bazi through multiple divination (doesn’t need to be WWG) and feng shui simultaneously, they will inevitably encounter the objective issues mentioned above. This is an inherent problem. Therefore, if learners cannot identify which three sentences are correct, then I believe there is still much unknown to them regarding Bazi. Making life predictions for others and providing advice without a comprehensive understanding can be misleading for both the practitioner and the person seeking guidance.
Anyway, for amateurs or new beginners, the above methods are more than enough.
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