Guides

The terms behind the results, chapter by chapter

Every word that shows up in a chart read-out is listed here: first the pinyin, then the English name and what it points to in real life. 190 terms in 11 chapters, matching what the product actually uses.

Method and formulas

By chapter

Five phases: the basics

How strong each of the five phases is, and how they pull on each other, is the ground everyt…

17 terms

Ten gods

The ten gods sort the relationship between the day master and the other stems into ten types…

25 terms

Pathology model

The classics summed up unbalanced structures as a set of failure modes. This chapter lists w…

17 terms

Remedies

Once a structure is out of balance, there are six basic ways to adjust it: check, convert, d…

14 terms

Climate balance

Climate balance is about cold, heat, dryness and damp. Get the temperature right first, then…

20 terms

Bridging

When two forces push against each other, the bridging element is the middleman. This chapter…

10 terms

Luck cycles and annual years

The time dimension: when the ten-year cycles turn over, how the strength shifts after each t…

21 terms

Compatibility and relationships

Terms used when two charts are read side by side: the partnership palace, what complements, …

12 terms

Behaviour guidance

Structure translated into behaviour: what to do more of and what to hold back on. This chapt…

16 terms

Chart patterns

A pattern is the structure set by the month branch and which stems surface. The eight standa…

23 terms

Quick reference

An appendix for checking on the fly: behaviour notes for each phase and each of the ten gods…

15 terms

Three ground rules