San Ming Tong Hui

The Three Destinies are: Heaven Destiny, Earth Destiny, and Human Destiny.

Heaven Destiny refers to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the year, month, day, and hour — the Qi of the Five Elements received from Heaven and Earth at the moment of birth.

Earth Destiny pertains to one's geographical position — the mountains, rivers, and Feng Shui of one's dwelling, and the thickness or thinness of the Earth Qi that influences one's life.

Human Destiny involves personal cultivation and conduct — the accumulation of virtue or vice, the post-natal transformations shaped by human effort.

Only when the Three Destinies are unified can one perceive the full picture of prosperity and poverty, longevity and early death.

When a person is born, they receive the Qi of Heaven and Earth to form their body, and inherit the principles of Yin and Yang to shape their nature. The Year Pillar is the root, the Month Pillar is the stem, the Day Pillar is the flower, and the Hour Pillar is the fruit. Once the Four Pillars are arranged and the Five Elements distributed, one may discuss nobility and lowliness, wealth and poverty, longevity and brevity.

Yet destiny as a subject cannot be exhausted by a single approach. There are Regular Formations (Zheng Ge), External Formations (Wai Ge), and Mixed Formations (Za Ge). Regular Formations take the Month Decree's Useful God as their ruler; External Formations derive nobility from special structural configurations; Mixed Formations are uneven and each requires its own method of analysis. The student must first comprehend the meaning of the Three Destinies, then investigate each one in detail, so as not to neglect any dimension.

The Sixty Jia Zi are formed by pairing the Heavenly Stems with the Earthly Branches, cycling without end, used to mark the years, months, days, and hours.

Jia-Zi and Yi-Chou are Gold in the Sea; Bing-Yin and Ding-Mao are Fire in the Furnace. Wu-Chen and Ji-Si are Wood of the Great Forest; Geng-Wu and Xin-Wei are Earth Beside the Road. Ren-Shen and Gui-You are Gold of the Sword Edge; Jia-Xu and Yi-Hai are Fire on the Mountain Top.

Bing-Zi and Ding-Chou are Water in the Mountain Stream; Wu-Yin and Ji-Mao are Earth of the City Wall. Geng-Chen and Xin-Si are White Wax Gold; Ren-Wu and Gui-Wei are Willow Tree Wood. Jia-Shen and Yi-You are Water in the Spring; Bing-Xu and Ding-Hai are Earth on the Rooftop.

Each Jia Zi pair possesses a Na Yin Five-Element assignment. Na Yin means that the Stem and Branch combine to produce a sound, and from this sound a Five-Element quality emerges — different from the Direct Five Elements, with its own special applications.

The Direct Five Elements discuss generation, conquest, control, and transformation. The Na Yin Five Elements discuss atmospheric qualities and material forms. The two must be examined together to perceive the full picture of a destiny. Ancient methods emphasised Na Yin; modern methods emphasise the Direct Five Elements. The student should master both.

The Heavenly Stems are the warp threads of Heaven; the Earthly Branches are the weft threads of Earth. Where warp and weft interweave, the ten thousand things are born.

Jia and Yi are Wood; Bing and Ding are Fire; Wu and Ji are Earth; Geng and Xin are Metal; Ren and Gui are Water. These are the Five Elements of the Heavenly Stems, each divided into Yin and Yang.

Jia is Yang Wood — the towering tree, upright and benevolent in nature. Yi is Yin Wood — vines and flowers, soft and flexible. Bing is Yang Fire — the sun's fire, radiating light everywhere. Ding is Yin Fire — the candle's glow, subtle and precise. Wu is Yang Earth — mountains and vast land, heavy and supportive. Ji is Yin Earth — fertile garden soil, nourishing all things. Geng is Yang Metal — the blade and axe, hard, sharp, and decisive. Xin is Yin Metal — pearls and jade ornaments, refined and delicate. Ren is Yang Water — rivers and oceans, flowing ceaselessly. Gui is Yin Water — rain and dew, moistening silently.

The twelve Earthly Branches are: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai. Each contains hidden Heavenly Stems, called the Branch's Hidden Stems.

Zi contains Gui; Chou contains Ji, Xin, Gui; Yin contains Jia, Bing, Wu; Mao contains Yi; Chen contains Wu, Yi, Gui; Si contains Bing, Wu, Geng; Wu contains Ding, Ji; Wei contains Ji, Ding, Yi; Shen contains Geng, Ren, Wu; You contains Xin; Xu contains Wu, Xin, Ding; Hai contains Ren, Jia.

The Hidden Stems are the inner content of the Earthly Branches. Without knowing the Hidden Stems, one cannot analyse destiny.

Zheng Guan (Direct Officer) is that which conquers me with affinity. When Yin sees Yang's conquest, or Yang sees Yin's conquest — with control and transformation — it is called the Direct Officer. The Direct Officer is like a court-appointed official: courteous and restrained, disciplining without injuring.

Qi Sha (Seven Killing) is that which conquers me without affinity. When Yin sees Yin's conquest, or Yang sees Yang's conquest — same polarity attacking — its force is fierce. The Seven Killing is like an enemy general on the battlefield, charging ferociously; it must be controlled or transformed before it can serve us.

The Direct Officer favours a strong Day Master and fears punishment, clash, destruction, and harm. A single Officer position is considered pure; multiple Officers become impure. When Officers are too many, they behave as Killings, bringing hardship instead.

The Seven Killing favours the Eating God to subdue it, or the Resource Star to transform it. When Killing and Resource mutually generate, it is a destiny of authority and power. When the Eating God controls the Killing, it becomes the foundation of wealth and nobility. When the Killing lacks control or transformation, disasters descend upon the person.

When Officer and Killing are mixed together, it is the greatest taboo. One must either remove the Officer and retain the Killing, or remove the Killing and retain the Officer — purity must be achieved. When they are mixed and impure, the person toils restlessly throughout life.

Yin Shou (Resource Stars) are the elements that generate the Day Master.

The Direct Resource generates through opposite polarity — like a birth mother nurturing her child, affectionate and gentle. The Indirect Resource generates through same polarity — like a stepmother raising a child, with kindness but severity.

Resource Stars govern intelligence, wisdom, scholarship, and literary talent. When the Day Master is weak and receives a Resource Star, it is like an orphan finding a mother, a hungry person receiving food. When the Day Master is already strong and encounters a Resource, it becomes excess baggage, fostering arrogance.

The Direct Resource favours Officer or Killing stars to generate it — Officer generating Resource is a pure and noble destiny. The Direct Resource fears Wealth Stars that destroy it — this breaks both fortune and reputation. When the Resource encounters a clash, studies are interrupted; when it encounters a combination, wisdom is obscured.

The Indirect Resource is also called the Owl God (Xiao Shen) — the star that snatches food. When the Indirect Resource meets the Eating God, it is called "Owl Snatching Food" — the person suffers loneliness and hardship, struggling for sustenance. The Indirect Resource favours the Indirect Wealth to control it, called "Controlling the Owl" — transforming misfortune into fortune.

When the Resource is light and the Luck Pillar enters a phase that generates Resource, it indicates academic advancement and success. When the Resource is heavy and the Luck Pillar enters a phase that conquers Resource, it paradoxically indicates liberation and emergence. Those using Resource as the Useful God must not let Wealth destroy it. Those using Wealth as the Useful God must not let Resource obstruct it. When Resource and Wealth appear together, it creates an irreconcilable dilemma.

The Eating God (Shi Shen) is what I generate — produced by the Day Master through same polarity. The Hurting Officer (Shang Guan) is what I generate — produced by the Day Master through opposite polarity.

The Eating God governs longevity; its nature is warm, generous, and peaceful. The Eating God controlling the Killing produces a lone hero. The Eating God generating Wealth ensures abundant food and clothing. The Eating God accompanied by Resource indicates profound scholarship. The Eating God most fears the Owl (Indirect Resource) snatching it — encountering the Owl brings disaster.

The Hurting Officer is proud by nature — brimming with talent yet unconstrained by propriety. Hurting Officer seeing Officer brings a hundred calamities. Hurting Officer wearing Resource (Shang Guan Pei Yin) instead produces elegance and refinement. Hurting Officer generating Wealth achieves fortune through skill and craft. When the Hurting Officer is completely exhausted and the Officer star appears clearly, fame and rank may be expected.

The difference between Eating God and Hurting Officer lies in gentleness versus ferocity. The Eating God is like a gentle breeze and fine rain, nourishing silently. The Hurting Officer is like a violent storm, uprooting the old and withered.

When Eating God and Hurting Officer are excessively strong, they drain the Day Master too much — the person has talent but suffers physical weakness and illness. When they are too weak, talent cannot manifest — the person has ambitions but lives in unfulfilled depression. When Eating God and Hurting Officer are balanced, the person is clever and articulate, eloquent in speech, and gifted in the arts.

Wealth (Cai) is the element that the Day Master conquers.

The Direct Wealth is conquered through opposite polarity — like a proper wife, affectionate and loyal. The Indirect Wealth is conquered through same polarity — like a concubine, charming but inconstant.

Wealth is the source of sustenance; no person can be without it. Yet when Wealth is abundant but the Day Master is weak, it is like a person living in a rich mansion but too feeble to enjoy it — a "rich house, poor person." Only when the Day Master is strong and Wealth is also strong is true prosperity achieved.

Direct Wealth favours a strong Day Master to carry it, and Eating God or Hurting Officer to generate it. Direct Wealth fears Rob Wealth (Bi Jie) to seize it, and Resource Stars to conquer it. A single, clearly revealed Direct Wealth indicates a diligent and frugal household manager. Direct Wealth hidden within the Branches indicates inner refinement without ostentation.

Indirect Wealth governs generosity, liberality, and charitable giving. Indirect Wealth revealed in the Stems indicates a person skilled in social relations, forming wide connections. Indirect Wealth paired with Rob Wealth in motion means "the wealth of many becomes mine." Indirect Wealth also represents the father; when the Indirect Wealth is injured, the father faces calamity.

When the Wealth Star enters the Tomb, the person is miserly and hoards wealth — possessing riches but unable to enjoy them. When the Wealth Star encounters Emptiness, it indicates false appearances — fame without substance. Wealth generating Officer brings both prosperity and nobility. Excessive Wealth destroying Resource brings riches but ignorance. When Wealth encounters the phases of Birth and Peak (Chang Sheng, Di Wang), lifelong abundance is assured. When Wealth encounters the phases of Death, Tomb, and Extinction (Si, Mu, Jue), lifelong poverty results.

Shen Sha (Spirit Markers) are special designations carried by the Stems and Branches. Some are auspicious spirits; some are malicious forces; some are half-auspicious, half-malicious. The ancients devised the Shen Sha system to assist destiny analysis, but one must not rely solely on Shen Sha to determine fortune and misfortune.

Tian Yi Gui Ren (Heavenly Nobleman): For Jia and Wu Day Masters, look to Ox and Goat; for Yi and Ji, to Rat and Monkey; for Bing and Ding, to Pig and Rooster; for Ren and Gui, to Rabbit and Snake; for Geng and Xin, to Horse and Tiger — these are the positions of the Noble One. Tian Yi Gui Ren is the foremost auspicious star. The person turns misfortune into fortune and transforms danger into auspiciousness. Any chart carrying Tian Yi is marked by intelligence, elegance, and frequent assistance from benefactors.

Tian De Gui Ren (Heavenly Virtue Nobleman): Month 1 — Ding; Month 2 — Kun; Month 3 — Ren; Month 4 — Xin; Month 5 — Qian; Month 6 — Jia; Month 7 — Gui; Month 8 — Gen; Month 9 — Bing; Month 10 — Yi; Month 11 — Xun; Month 12 — Geng. Heavenly Virtue transforms malice and resolves calamity; those who carry it rarely suffer great disasters in life.

Yi Ma (Travelling Horse): For Shen-Zi-Chen, the Horse is at Yin; for Yin-Wu-Xu, at Shen; for Si-You-Chou, at Hai; for Hai-Mao-Wei, at Si. The Travelling Horse governs relocation, journeying to distant places, and changes in position.

Tao Hua (Peach Blossom): For Shen-Zi-Chen, Peach Blossom is at You; for Yin-Wu-Xu, at Mao; for Si-You-Chou, at Wu; for Hai-Mao-Wei, at Zi. Peach Blossom governs physical attractiveness, personal charm, and strong romantic connections. When Peach Blossom encounters a clash, it indicates emotional turmoil.

Hua Gai (Canopy Star): For Shen-Zi-Chen, Hua Gai is at Chen; for Yin-Wu-Xu, at Xu; for Si-You-Chou, at Chou; for Hai-Mao-Wei, at Wei. Hua Gai governs solitary refinement and lofty character, affinity for arts and metaphysics, religion and philosophy. When Hua Gai encounters Emptiness, it is the image of one who renounces the world to enter monastic or spiritual life.

Na Yin (Sound Element) is produced when Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches combine to create musical pitches, and these pitches transform into Five-Element qualities. Unlike the Direct Five Elements, the Na Yin system has thirty distinct forms.

Why are Jia-Zi and Yi-Chou classified as Gold in the Sea? Because Zi is Water and Chou is Earth. Metal situated between Water and Earth is like gold sunk to the ocean floor — its brilliance is contained inward, its utility not yet manifest. Hence it is called Gold in the Sea, indicating a person who is reserved and profound, with talent hidden within.

Why are Bing-Yin and Ding-Mao classified as Fire in the Furnace? Because Yin is Wood, and Fire is born from Wood — like firewood placed in a furnace. The fire's power is concentrated rather than dispersed, forging and refining all things into useful implements. Hence it is called Fire in the Furnace, indicating a person who is focused, resilient, and masterful in craft.

Na Yin method of analysis: The Year Pillar's Na Yin is the Root Destiny, governing the overall tone of one's life. The Month, Day, and Hour Pillar Na Yin serve as supplementary references, examined for mutual generation or conquest.

When Na Yin elements generate each other, life flows harmoniously; when they conquer each other, there are many tribulations. When the same Na Yin type encounters itself, it is called "Self-Punishment" — the person is stubborn and obstinate. Great Forest Wood fears Sword Edge Gold, for the axe fells the great tree. Mountain Top Fire fears Ocean Water, for water and fire cannot coexist. Heavenly River Water favours Great Forest Wood, for rain and dew nourish growth.

Yet modern practitioners largely abandon Na Yin and rely exclusively on the Direct Five Elements — this is in truth one-sided. The utility of Na Yin lies in discussing atmospheric quality, tonal character, and textural feeling — dimensions that the Direct Five Elements' generation-conquest framework cannot replace. The student should employ both.

The Hour Pillar is the last of the Four Pillars — like the fruit of a flower, the final destination of a person's life. The Hour Pillar governs children, old age, and the conclusion of one's destiny.

Method for deriving the Hour Pillar: Use the Day Stem to determine the Hour Stem. On Jia or Ji days, begin with Jia-Zi hour; on Yi or Geng days, begin with Bing-Zi hour; on Bing or Xin days, begin with Wu-Zi hour; on Ding or Ren days, begin with Geng-Zi hour; on Wu or Gui days, begin with Ren-Zi hour. This is called the Five Rats Crossing Method (Wu Shu Dun Shi Fa).

When the Hour Pillar carries an Officer star, the later years bring nobility. When it carries a Wealth star, the later years bring abundance. When it carries a Resource star, the later years bring learning and wisdom. When it carries a Killing star, the later years bring hardship and toil. When the Hour Pillar carries Emptiness (Kong Wang), the twilight years are desolate, or one's children offer no support.

The Conception Origin (Tai Yuan) is the month of conception. The method: advance the Month Pillar's Stem by one position and advance the Month Pillar's Branch by three positions. For example, if the Month Pillar is Jia-Zi, the Stem advances from Jia to Yi, and the Branch advances from Zi to Mao, yielding a Conception Origin of Yi-Mao.

When the Conception Origin generates or combines with the Day Pillar, the innate foundation is solid. When the Conception Origin clashes with or conquers the Day Pillar, the innate constitution is deficient, and childhood illness is common.

Method for the Life Palace (Ming Gong): Count backward from the birth month and birth hour to determine the Life Palace's position. The Life Palace is the innate orientation, governing the Qi-movement of one's entire life. When auspicious stars occupy the Life Palace, life flows smoothly. When malicious forces invade the Life Palace, life is turbulent.

The analysis of female destiny differs from male destiny in several respects. For men, the Officer and Killing stars represent career; for women, they represent the husband. For men, the Wealth star represents the wife; for women, the Wealth star represents the parents-in-law.

In a female chart, the Direct Officer is the legitimate husband — a single, clearly revealed Officer is ideal. Too many Officer stars indicate emotional complexity. The Seven Killing is the unofficial partner; when Killings are numerous and uncontrolled, marriage is turbulent.

Female destiny values clarity and purity above all; the greatest taboo is Officer-Killing mixing. A woman with mixed Officer and Killing faces emotional entanglement and cannot find peace — unless the Eating God or Hurting Officer controls the Killing, or the Resource Star transforms it.

Hurting Officer seeing Officer is especially feared in female charts. The Hurting Officer attacks the Officer (husband star), indicating harm to the husband or marital discord. However, a woman with the Hurting Officer-wearing-Resource formation possesses outstanding talent, and this instead indicates virtue and capability.

The Day Branch is the Husband Palace — the position of the husband. When the Husband Palace is clashed, marriage is unstable. When the Husband Palace is combined (by another Branch), it suggests the husband has external romantic entanglements. When the Husband Palace sits on auspicious stars or Noble Persons, it indicates marriage to a good partner.

When a female chart has excessive Eating God and Hurting Officer, there may be many children but the husband is harmed. When Resource Stars are excessive, children are harmed but academic pursuits benefit. When Rob Wealth (Bi Jie) is excessive, the husband's wealth is seized, indicating marital conflict over resources.

However, the ancient methods of analysing female destiny were often biased. Modern practitioners should view women's charts with equitable perspective. A woman's career, scholarship, and talent are no different from a man's — one should not rigidly adhere to ancient conventions and lose fairness.

The method of analysing destiny must be verified through actual cases. To discuss theory in a vacuum without testing it against facts is to conduct warfare on paper.

The great Confucian scholars and renowned generals of antiquity, emperors and ministers alike — all can be examined through the lens of destiny analysis.

Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, was born in the 47th year of King Zhao of Qin. His chart features Killing-Resource Mutual Generation, with Indirect Wealth revealed in the Stems. The Seven Killing, properly controlled and transformed, enabled him to rise from the grasslands to ascend the imperial throne. The revealed Indirect Wealth indicates his generous and magnanimous character, his ability to win hearts. The Killing-Resource chain indicates his political cunning and capacity to command heroes.

Zhuge Liang, the Marquis of Wu, was born in the 4th year of the Guanghe reign of Emperor Ling of Han. His chart features the Hurting Officer wearing Resource, with the Canopy Star (Hua Gai) at the Life position. The Hurting Officer indicates surpassing intellect; the Resource indicates profound scholarship. The Canopy Star indicates mastery of astronomy and expertise in the numerical arts. Yet the Hurting Officer ultimately conquers the Officer — hence he never attained the throne himself, reaching only the pinnacle of a minister's rank.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was born in the 18th year of the Kaihuang reign of Emperor Wen of Sui. His chart features a Direct Officer formation, with a strong Day Master. The Officer star is timely and powerful, rooted in its base. A strong body bearing the Officer enabled him to inherit the mandate and inaugurate a golden age.

The use of case studies lies in verifying theory. The student must collect charts widely and analyse them one by one, so that theory and practice are jointly perfected. Yet the subtleties of human destiny — how can they be fully contained within Four Pillars alone? The Three Destinies must be observed together: Heaven's timing, Earth's advantage, and Human harmony — none may be lacking. This is the central thesis of the entire San Ming Tong Hui.