What is Bazi

「天干 为 天上的干扰」

「地支 为 地上的 支撑」

The Heavenly Stems as 'Heavenly Interference,' 

The Earthly Branches as 'Earthly Support'

It encapsulates the dynamic relationship between external forces and internal stability:

1. The Heavenly Stems as "Heavenly Interference"

• "Heaven" represents cosmic influences and universal laws:
  The Ten Heavenly Stems (甲, 乙, 丙, 丁, 戊, 己, 庚, 辛, 壬, 癸) signify the movement of energy, celestial rhythms, and the influence of heavenly bodies on earthly life.

• They represent active, external forces, akin to disturbances or influences from the heavens. These are the driving energies that initiate change, growth, and transformation.

• In metaphysics, the Stems symbolize external factors like societal dynamics, weather, and cosmic conditions that impact individual lives.

• The term "interference" does not carry a negative connotation but instead refers to external forces that disrupt, shape, and influence the status quo.

2. The Earthly Branches as "Earthly Support"

• "Earth" represents grounding, stability, and the foundation of life:
  The Twelve Earthly Branches (子, 丑, 寅, 卯, 辰, 巳, 午, 未, 申, 酉, 戌, 亥) correspond to the twelve months, zodiac animals, directions, and seasons.

• They represent inherent stability and internal factors, acting as the structural support system of life.

• In Chinese metaphysics, the Branches embody deep-rooted aspects like one's personality, family, resources, and hidden potential.

• "Support" refers to the foundation and enduring qualities that sustain life and counterbalance external interference.

3. The Relationship Between Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

The interaction between the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches can be understood as a dynamic balance between movement and stability:

• The Heavenly Stems are visible, dynamic, and represent short-term changes or external influences (e.g., societal trends, external opportunities, challenges).

• The Earthly Branches are hidden, stable, and represent long-term grounding or internal aspects (e.g., personal growth, emotional stability, resources).

• Used as a Metaphor: The Heavenly Stems are like the branches of a tree, constantly reaching and adapting, while the Earthly Branches are like the roots, providing the strength and nourishment for sustainable growth.

4. Implications in Destiny and Astrology

In Chinese astrology and the "Four Pillars of Destiny" (Ba Zi), this phrase helps explain how the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches influence a person’s life:

• Heavenly Stems represent visible, external aspects such as career, reputation, and relationships—factors influenced by external circumstances.

• Earthly Branches represent hidden, internal aspects such as emotions, character, and foundational stability. These are enduring elements that shape how a person responds to external changes.

Together, the Stems and Branches create a holistic framework, blending external forces and internal resilience to define the trajectory of one’s fate and life circumstances.

Chinese philosophy sees time as the foundation of all existence. The Eight Characters combine heavenly time, an individual’s physical state, and geographical factors to create a life map, offering insights into probable outcomes and directions.

Time, in its essence, represents the motion of matter. Ancient Chinese and Western cultures alike defined time by observing celestial movements:

• The Earth's rotation defines a day.

• The Moon's cycle defines a month.

• The Earth's orbit around the Sun defines a year.

Chinese Metaphysics takes into account three comprehensive components shaping destiny:

1. Heaven (天): The celestial influence on a person’s fate is universal and determines the general "melody" of one’s life. For instance, two people born at the same time might face similar periods of fortune or adversity, though the specifics vary.

2. Earth (地): Geographic differences affect a person’s circumstances. For example, someone born in northeastern China may grow up in an industrial area with fiery energy, while someone born in southern China might live by a river with a cooler, watery influence.

3. Humanity (人): Physical characteristics, such as height, skin tone, and temperament, influence how celestial forces manifest in an individual’s life. Even with identical Eight Characters, personal traits and life choices lead to unique outcomes.

1. The Sun [日]

2. The Moon [月]

3. The Stars [星], referring to the Big Dipper [星北斗七星]

4. The Pole Star [辰], also known as the North Star or Polaris. In Taoism, it’s called the Great Emperor Ziwei [紫微大帝].

Do the stars actually affect the human body?

There are two perspectives:

1. The Tide Analogy
   Many friends living by the sea know that the rise and fall of tides—billions of tons of seawater—are caused by one celestial body: the Moon. Now consider how much each of us weighs—at most, no more than 300 pounds. If the Moon can influence something as massive as the ocean, why wouldn’t it also affect our much smaller bodies?

Some might argue, "I’ve never felt this influence in all these years." But that’s not because it doesn’t exist. It’s simply because, as Zhuangzi put it, "a fish in water doesn’t know it’s in water." From the moment you were born, you’ve been immersed in these gravitational and cosmic forces. You’ve grown accustomed to them.

Because most of us lack the meditative discipline to become aware of these subtle forces, we fail to perceive their influence on our emotions, fortunes, and destinies. You’ve been "soaked" in these forces for decades without realizing it.

2. Mystical Practices and Observations
   In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, specifically the Gelug school, there is a text called The Vajra Wheel of Stone (石轮金刚). Over the past 800 years, countless monks have practiced this text and developed a skill—not a grand one, but notable—of predicting solar and lunar eclipses.

This ability doesn’t stem from supernatural vision or "heavenly eyes" that can observe the orbits of the Sun and Moon. Instead, it comes from meditative practices that allow them to observe the flow of their inner energy channels (气脉).

Tibetan Buddhism teaches about the movement of two vital points—red and white energy points. By observing the movement patterns of these points during meditation, one can deduce events like a lunar eclipse. For instance, if they see that at 2 PM a week later the white point will cover the red point, they can predict a lunar eclipse will occur.

Why does a particular meridian in the human body become active and vibrant at midnight (子时)?

Each of the 12 two-hour periods in a day (时辰) corresponds to different meridians in the body, which operate at varying speeds and sensitivities. This synchronization shows that our bodies are intimately connected with celestial movements.

This is because the movement of these internal energy points corresponds to the flow of celestial bodies like the Sun and Moon. The universe and the human body operate in synchrony—this is a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhist thought.