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Four Pillars of Destiny

Strength or Weakness of the Day Master
Chart Structures and Conditions

Peter Leung and Nina Wilson
Copyright 2000


Strength or Weakness of the Day Master

The classification of a Four Pillars of Destiny chart as strong or weak is determined by
the nature and position of the stems and branches (five elements) in relation to the self-
element, or Day Master.

There are three primary considerations in such an analysis: the timing (month of birth),
the elemental character of the branches (enhancing, weakening or controlling the Day
Master) and the elemental character of the stems and their impact on the Day Master.

As a further means of evaluation, a formal mathematical model can be employed. The
application of point values to all stems is the first step. Secondarily, the potency of each
stem (element) in a chart must be adjusted according to its strength during the month of
birth.

A wood stem will be strongest in the months of spring, when woody qi prevails.
However, wood will be stronger during the months of Yin and Mao than during Chen
month, when wood returns to earth in preparation for giving birth to the fiery qi of
summer. Wood is weakest during the months when metal qi prevails Shen and You
as metal controls wood. Therefore, a wood Day Master born in the fall will be weakened
by the effect of the dominant metal qi of the season.

The stem Jia (Yang Wood) is somewhat stronger in Yin month than in Mao month, as
Yin contains the hidden stem Jia as innate qi. Yi (Yin Wood) is stronger in Mao month
than in Yin month Mao contains the hidden stem Yi as innate qi. These differences are
most significant during certain months, depending upon the element.

The life stages of the stems will play a role in advanced studies; however, the chart
Strength of the Elemental Stems in the 12 Months of the Year effectively incorporates
this aspect in the present application.

Each of the three conditions for chart strength is discussed below, followed by
instructions for application of Peter Leungs proprietary mathematical model for strength
of the Day Master.


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Getting theTiming

Getting the timing refers to the fortunate situation when the element of the Day Master
is the same as the element (qi) prevailing during the month of birth. The exception is an
earth Day Master birth during either an earth or fire month is considered timely.

DM Jia/Yi, born in Yin/Mao month
DM Bing/Ding , born in Si/Wu month
DM Wu/Ji, born in Si/Wu/Chen/Xu/Chou /Wei month
DM Geng/Xin, born in Shen/You month
DM Ren/Gui, born in Hai/Zi month

Example: Jia Jia Bing Jia
Zi Xu Yin Xu

In this example, the Day Master Jia (wood) was born in Yin (wood) month.
This is getting the timing.

Getting the Branch

When the element(s) of the four branches are either the same as, or enhancing, the Day
Master, the requirement is met for getting the branch.

Example: Geng Ren Gui Gui
Zi Zi Hai You

1. Day Master Ren (water) born in Hai (water) month is getting the timing.
2. The Day Master Ren (water) is enhanced by the Year Branch You (metal) and is
the same element as the Day Branch Zi (water) and Hour Branch Zi (water). This
is getting the branch.

Note: Although getting the branch is based on the innate (most vital) qi of the branches,
all hidden stems influence a chart and are included in the mathematical model for
strength of the DM. Leftover qi and in tomb qi are assigned lesser values than the innate
qi in a branch.

Getting the Gang

Getting the gang is achieved when the element(s) of the other stems enhance or are the
same as the Day Master.

Example: Geng Ren Gui Gui
Zi Zi Hai You



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1. Day Master Ren (water) born in Hai (water) month is getting the timing.
2. The Day Master Ren (water) is enhanced by the Year Branch You (metal) and is
the same element as the Day Branch Zi (water) and Hour Branch Zi (water). This
is getting the branch.
3. The Day Master Ren (water) is enhanced by the Hour Stem Geng (metal) and is
the same element as the Year Stem Gui (water) and Month Stem Gui (water). This
is getting the gang.

Interpretation

The STRONGEST charts will meet all three criteria.
The WEAKEST charts will meet none of the criteria.

Getting the timing is the most important, followed by getting the branch; getting the
gang is last.

If a chart is either too strong or too weak - indicating a lack of balance it is not
considered to be a fortunate chart. An above average amount of challenges within the
potentials of life experience will likely be indicated.

Mathematical Formula for Strength of Day Master

The strength of the Day Master can be determined using a mathematical model.

1. A total numerical value of 360 will be assigned to the stems. As there are 10
Heavenly Stems, each stem will be given a value of 36.
2. A total numerical value of 360 will also be assigned to the branches. As there are 12
Earthly Branches, each branch will be given a value of 30. Branches contain one, two
or three hidden stems. Point values are assigned as follows:
a. Branches with one stem: 30 points
b. Branches with two stems: 18 for innate qi, 12 for leftover qi (60%/40%)
c. Branches with three stems: 18 for innate qi, 9 for leftover qi, and 3 for in tomb
qi (60%/30%/10%)

Example: Geng Ren Gui Gui
Zi Zi Hai You

Numerical Values (hidden stems are in parentheses):

36 36 36 36
Geng Ren Gui Gui
Zi Zi Hai You
(Gui) (Gui) (Ren) (Xin)
30 30 18 30
(Jia)
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Instructions
1. List all ten stems.
2. Indicate the point values for each stem contained in the chart.
3. Add up point values under each stem.
4. Multiply by Strength of the Elemental Stems in the 12 Months of the Year (chart
provided below). For this example, all stems are evaluated based on Hai month of
birth. The strength of Jia in Hai month is 130%, Yi is 130%, Bing is 50% and so on.

Using our example:

Jia Yi Bing Ding Wu Ji Geng Xin Ren Gui
12 0 0 0 0 0 36 30 36 36
18 36
30
______________________________________________________________________30

12 0 0 0 0 0 36 30 54 132

X 1.3 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.5 1.4 (Hai Month)
15.6 0 0 0 0 0 28.8 27 81 184.8

The total value of this chart after taking the month of birth into consideration:
15.6 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 28.8 + 27 + 81 + 184.8 = 337.2

The average value of the 10 stems (10% 0f the total value):
337.2/10 = 33.72

The average value of each of the five elements (20% of the total value):
337.2/5 = 67.44

The WATER-LEVEL value (balance point) for the Day Master with helping and
enhancing elements will be 40% of the total value:
337.2 x 40% = 134.88

(Note: For perfect balance, each element would be 20% of the whole.
Day Master, parallel and resource should be 40%; intelligence, power and wealth
should be 60%.)

DM (Ren) is WATER element. The enhancing element is METAL (Geng and Xin). The
other WATER element is Gui. The total value of the Day Masters element and
enhancing element (Ren + Gui + Geng + Xin) is:
81 + 184.8 + 28.8 + 27 = 321.6

321.6 > 134.88, therefore this Day Master is strong.
Furthermore, 321.6/337.2 = 95.37% - this DM is extremely strong.


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Table (A): The Strength of the Elemental Stems in the 12 Months of the Year


HEAVENLY STEMS
MONTH JIA YI BING DING WU JI GENG XIN REN GUI
YIN Jia
Bing
150% 140% 130% 120% 50% 50% 60% 60% 80% 80%
MAO Yi 140% 150% 120% 130% 50% 50% 70% 70% 90% 90%
CHEN Wu
Yi
Gui

110%

110%

90%

90%

140%

130%

110%

110%

100%

100%
SI Bing
Geng
80% 90% 150% 140% 120% 120% 50% 50% 70% 70%
WU Ding 90% 80% 140% 150% 110% 110% 50% 50% 60% 60%
WEI Ji
Ding
Yi

100%

100%

110%

110%

130%

150%

100%

100%

50%

50%
SHEN Geng
Ren
50% 50% 80% 80% 90% 90% 150% 140% 130% 120%
YOU Xin 50% 50% 70% 70% 80% 80% 140% 150% 120% 130%
XU Wu
Xin
Ding

60%

60%

100%

100%

150%

140%

130%

130%

50%

50%
HAI Ren
Jia
130% 130% 50% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 150% 140%
ZI Gui 120% 120% 50% 50% 70% 60% 90% 80% 140% 150%

CHOU Ji
Gui
Xin

70%

70%

60%

60%

100%


100%

120%

120%

110%

110%



Chart Structures and Conditions

Four Pillars of Destiny charts can be classified into types according to their structure.
There are conditions to be met for each type, some of which begin with whether the Day
Master is considered weak or strong. Therefore, such a determination should be made
before continuing with this lesson.

There are three general categories of Four Pillars charts:
1. Formal Pattern
2. Transformed Pattern
3. Miscellaneous Pattern

The formal and transformed patterns will be discussed here, as the majority of Four
Pillars charts will fall into either of these two groups. Miscellaneous patterns will be
covered in advanced work (there are numerous miscellaneous patterns - 41 different
types, plus others).

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Formal Pattern Charts

The formal patterns are also called the Regular Patterns or the Eight Patterns and are
named after the dominant deity in the chart:

(1) Cheng Yin Type Cheng Yin must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(2) Pien Yin Type Pien Yin must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(3) Shang Kuan Type Shang Kuan must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(4) Shih Shen Type Shih Shen must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(5) Cheng Tsai Type Cheng Tsai must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(6) Pien Tsai Type Pien Tsai must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(7) Cheng Kuan Type Cheng Kuan must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.
(8) Chi Sha Type Chi Sha must be one of the deities in the Month Branch.

Note: Th eight patterns encompass the resource, intelligence, wealth and power deities.
There are no Pi Chien or Chieh Tsai (parallel) type charts.

Criteria and methods for determining the Formal types:

(1) The innate Qi of the hidden stem in the Month Branch (root) has fruit with the
same element appearing in the Year Stem, Month Stem or Hour Stem. The deity of
such element will be named as the type.

Example:

Cheng Tsai DM Chieh Tsai Cheng Yin
Geng Ding Bing Jia
Zi Mao Yin Xu
(Gui) (Yi) (Jia) (Wu)
Chi Sha Pien Yin Cheng Yin Shang Kuan
(Bing) (Xin)
Chieh Tsai Pien Tsai
(Ding)
Pi Chien

This Four Pillars chart is a Cheng Yin Type.


(2) If the innate Qi of the hidden stem in the Month Branch does not have fruit (same
element) appearing in the Year Stem, Month Stem or Hour Stem, the chart will be
classified as the type of any hidden stem in the month branch that has fruit (same
element) in any of the three stems noted.



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Example:

Pien Yin DM Pien Tsai Cheng Kuan
Geng Ren Bing Ji
Zi Wu Yin Chou
(Gui) (Ding) (Jia) (Ji)
Chieh Tsai Cheng Tsai Shih Shen Cheng Kuan
(Bing) (Gui)
Pien Tsai Chieh Tsai
(Xin)
Cheng Yin

This Four Pillars chart is a Pien Tsai Type.

(3) If the element of the innate qi of the Month Branch does not appear in any of the
stems, the strongest element in the hidden stem of the Month Branch is considered
the type.

Example:

Pien Yin DM Chieh Tsai Cheng Tsai
Geng Ren Gui Ding
Zi Wu Mao You
(Gui) (Ding) (Yi) (Xin)
Chieh Tsai Cheng Tsai Shang Kuan Cheng Yin

This Four Pillars chart is a Shang Kuan Type.


Transformed Pattern Charts

The Transformed Patterns, also called the Modified Patterns or Special Patterns,
can be further categorized into three subgroups:

(1) The Solo-Strength Types
(2) The Follow Types
(3) The Transformation Types

The Solo-Strength Types

Definition: The Day Master element is the strongest in the chart. Both stems and
branches of the same element as the Day Master are numerous.

There are five different types in this group based on the five elements:
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(a) The Wood Type
The Day Master must be Jia/Yi wood, born in the spring months of Yin or Mao. There
must also be a combination of Yin-Mao-Chen or Hai-Mao-Wei in the branches, without
any controlling element of metal (Geng, Xin, Shen or You) in the chart.
Wood is the Useful Deity.
Favorable elements are water, wood and fire.
Unfavorable element is metal.

(b) The Fire Type

The Day Master must be Bing/Ding fire, born in the summer months of Si or Wu, and
there must be a combination of Si-Wu-Wei or Yin-Wu-Xu in the branches without any
controlling element of water (Ren, Gui, Hai or Zi) in the chart.
Fire is the Useful Deity.
Favorable elements are wood, fire and earth.
Unfavorable element is water.

(c) The Earth Type

DM must be Wu/Ji earth, born in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou or Wei. There must be
complete earth branches of Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei without any controlling element of
wood (Jia, Yi, Yin and Mao) in the chart.
Earth is the Useful Deity.
Favorable elements are fire (except Wei month), earth and metal.
Unfavorable element is wood.

(d) The Metal Type

DM must be Geng/Xin, born in the autumn months of Shen or You, and there must be a
combination of Shen-You-Xu or Si-You-Chou without any controlling element of fire
(Bing, Ding, Si or Wu) in the chart.
Metal is the Useful Deity.
Favorable elements are metal and water.
Unfavorable element is fire.

(e) The Water Type

DM must be Ren/Gui, born in the winter months of Hai or Zi, and there must be a
combination of Hai-Zi-Chou or Shen-Zi-Chen without any controlling element of earth
(Wu, Ji, Xu or Wei) in the chart. (Chou and Chen are fine, due to the hidden stem Gui
in these branches.)
Water is the Useful Deity.
Favorable elements are metal, water and wood.
Unfavorable element is earth (except Chou and Chen, which contain water).

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The Follow Types

There are six subtypes within this group. A prerequisite of a follow-type classification is
either an extremely weak or extremely strong Day Master. It is difficult to bring these
charts into balance by either strengthening or controlling the Day Master in the usual
manner.

(a) Follow the Cheng Kuan Type

The Day Master is extremely weak, without similar element in the hidden stems of any
branch (no root). The Day Master did not get the timing (month of birth). The entire
chart is strong with Cheng Kuan.
Useful Deities are Cheng Kuan and Chi Sha.
Favorable Deities are Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan and Chi Sha.
Unfavorable Deities are Shih Shen, Shang Kuan, Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Chien,
and Chieh Tsai.

(b) Follow the Chi Sha Type

The DM is extremely weak, without similar element in the hidden stems of any branch
(no root). The Day Master did not get the timing. The entire chart is strong with Chi
Sha. There must be Cheng Kuan or Chi Sha appearing in one of the stems as well.
Useful Deities are Cheng Kuan and Chi Sha.
Favorable Deities are Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan and Chi Sha.
Unfavorable Deities are Shih Shen, Shang Kuan, Cheng Yin, Pien Yin,
Pi Chien, and Chieh Tsai.

(c) Follow the Tsai Type

The DM is extremely weak, without similar element in the hidden stems of any branch
(no root), not born with the timing, and the entire chart is strong with Cheng Tsai or
Pien Tsai. There must be Shih Shen or Shang Kuan appearing in one of the stems as well.
(Special notes: If there is Chi Sha, the chart will be treated as a Follow the Chi
Sha type. If there is Cheng Yin or Pien Yin, the root of the Yins will determine
whether the chart can be considered a Follow the Tsai type. If there is root of
Cheng Yin/Pien Yin (either appear in a branch), it cannot be a Follow the Tsai
type. If there is no root, it can be a Follow the Tsai type.)
Useful Deities are Cheng Tsai and Pien Tsai.
Favorable Deities are Shih Shen, Shang Kuan, Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng
Kuan andChi Sha.
Unfavorable Deities are Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Pi Chien and Chieh Tsai.



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(d) Follow the Children Type

The Day Master is extremely weak, without similar element in the hidden stems of any
branch (no root), not born with the timing, and the entire chart is strong with Shih Shen
or Shang Kuan.
Useful Deities are Shih Shen and Shang Kuan.
Favorable Deities are Shih Shen, Shang Kuan, Cheng Tsai and Pien Tsai.
Unfavorable Deities are Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Cheng Kuan and Chi Sha.

(e) Follow the Weak Intensity Type

The Day Master is extremely weak, without similar element in the hidden stems of any
branch (no root); not born with the Timing. The resource and parallel deities Cheng Yin,
Pien Yin, Pi Chien or Chieh Tsai cannot appear in the chart. The Month Branch must be
Cheng Tsai/Pien Tsai, Shih Shen/Shang Kuan, or Cheng Kuan/Chi Sha (wealth,
intelligence or power deities). Such a chart is full of weakening and controlling elements
and it is not possible to follow any single deity.
Useful Deities are Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan, Chi Sha, Shih Shen and
Shang Kuan.
Favorable Deities are Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan, Chi Sha, Shih Shen
and Shang Kuan.
Unfavorable Deities are Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Pi Chien and Chieh Tsai.

(f) Follow the Strong Intensity Type

The Day Master is extremely strong. The entire chart is saturated with Cheng Yin, Pien
Yin, Pi Chien or Chieh Tsai. There must be no Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan or
Chi Sha in the chart.
(Note: If Cheng Tsai, Pien Tsai, Cheng Kuan or Chi Sha make a WEAK
appearance in the chart, it signifies a FalseFollow the Intensity Type.)
Useful Deities are Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Pi Chien and Chieh Tsai.
Favorable Deities are Cheng Yin, Pien Yin, Pi Chien, and Chieh Tsai.
Unfavorable Deities are Cheng Kuan, Chi Sha, Cheng Tsai and Pien Tsai.

A yin DM will follow the intensity more easily.
A yang DM will follow only if its innate qi is dead or nonexistent. Dead
refers to getting the worst timing, or the stage prior to conception in the 12
life stages. Nonexistent means the self-element does not appear in any
stems or branches.

The Transformation Types

The following conditions must be met in order for a chart to be considered a
transformation type:
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The Day Master must combine with the Month Stem or Hour Stem.
The transformed element must be one of the innate qi in the Month Branch.
If the transformed element is not one of the innate qi in the Month Branch,
there must be a directional combination or elemental combination in the
branches. This is a known as a False Transformation.
It will be excellent if the transformed element appears in the stem.

There are five subtypes in the transformation category.

(a) Jia/Ji Transformed Earth Type

The Day Master must be Jia or Ji, born in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou or Wei, or with
any three of the four in the branches.
It is inauspicious if the controlling stems/branches Jia, Yi, Yin or Mao appear
in the chart or luck pillars.
Favorable elements are fire, earth and metal.
Unfavorable element is wood.

(b) Yi/Geng Transformed Metal Type

The Day Master must be Yi or Geng, born in the months of Shen or You, or with the
branches Shen-You-Xu or Si-You-Chou.
It is inauspicious if the controlling stems/branches Bing, Ding, Si or Wu
(branch) appear in the chart or luck pillars.
Favorable elements are earth, metal and water.
Unfavorable element is Fire.

(c) Bing/Xin Transformed Water Type

The Day Master must be Bing or Xin, born in the months of Hai or Zi, or with the
branches Hai-Zi-Chou or Shen-Zi-Chen.
It is inauspicious if the controlling stems/branches Wu (stem), Ji, Xu or Wei
appear in the chart or luck pillars.
Favorable elements are metal, water and wood.
Unfavorable element is earth.

(d) Ding/Ren Transformed Wood Type

The Day Master must be Ding or Ren, born in the months of Yin or Mao, or with the
branches Yin-Mao-Chen or Hai-Mao-Wei.
It is inauspicious if the controlling stems/branches Geng, Xin, Shen or You
appear in the chart or luck pillars.
Favorable elements are water, wood and fire.
Unfavorable element is Metal.

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(e) Wu/Gui Transformed Fire Type

DM must be Wu or Gui, born in the months of Si or Wu, or with the branches Si-Wu-Wei
or Yin-Wu-Xu.
It is inauspicious if the controlling stems/branches Ren, Gui, Hai or Zi appear
in the chart or luck pillars.
Favorable elements are wood, fire and earth.
Unfavorable element is water.

The Useful Deity for Transformation Type Charts
Useful Deities depend on the strength of the transformed element
(controlled/weakened or enhanced).
If the transformed element is too strong, the weakening element is
recommended as the Useful Deity.
If the transformed element is too weak, the enhancing element is recommended
as the Useful Deity.
If the transformed element is neither too strong nor too weak, the transformed
element is recommended as the Useful Deity.
If the transformation is disrupted, but there is remedy in the chart - that remedy
is recommended as the Useful Deity. (The month pillar or year pillar can
control or weaken the disruptive element or deity, or combine with the
disruptive element/deity. The deity/element that remedies the situation in any
of these ways will be considered the Useful Deity.)

Favorable and Unfavorable Deities
The elements that enhance or weaken the Useful Deity are favorable elements.
The element that controls the Useful Deity is the unfavorable element.



End of file.