In traditional Chinese fateology, the twelve long-life major periods have a profound impact on a person's destiny. This article will delve into the role of the twelve long-life major periods in the eight-character (Ba Zi) fortune-telling system, and how to predict the ups and downs of life through these major periods.
The Basic Concept of the Twelve Long-Life Major Periods
The twelve long-life major periods are an important concept in traditional Chinese fateology, referring to the changes in one's fortune during different stages of life. These changes not only affect one's good or bad luck but are also closely related to personal career development, health status, and interpersonal relationships. The major periods are very important for a person's prosperity or decline. The twelve long-life major periods do not solely refer to the major periods, but also include the twelve long-life periods at various ages in the birth chart itself, as well as the hidden periods and the annual periods. Only when they are combined can they form a complete period of fate.
The Impact of Major Periods on Life
Good major periods include the stages of "Long Life", "Official Position", and "Imperial Prosperity". During these three periods, one may experience prosperity and popularity. If one encounters "Wane", "Sickness", "Death", "Mound", "Extinction", there will be more misfortunes and less popularity. Especially the periods of "Wane", "Death", and "Extinction", if they are unfavorable in combination with the birth chart, and if one does not pay attention, it can often lead to disasters. The periods of "Fetus", "Nursing", and "Crowned" are ordinary periods. Generally speaking, to form a good major period, after arranging the major periods according to the birth chart, it is best to start from "Long Life" or "Bathing". Because in childhood, one does not need strong fortune, but rather a learning stage, to learn knowledge and culture, and to establish life goals.
Application of the Twelve Long-Life Palaces in the Eight Characters
How should the twelve long-life palaces in the eight characters be applied? The twelve palaces are simple, and as long as you remember that "Yang follows the order and Yin reverses it," you can understand them. For example, Jia (Wood) is born in the House of Heaven, dies in the House of Fire, bathes in the House of Water, and nurtures in the House of Earth. Yi (Wood) is born in the House of Fire, dies in the House of Heaven, and nurtures in the House of Earth. The palace positions are: Birth, Bathing, Crowned, Official, Prosperity, Decline, Sickness, Death, Repository, Extinction, Fetus, and Nurturing. Through these changes in palace positions, one can predict the changes in a person's fortune at different stages of life.
Learning the Twelve Long-Life States in the Eight Characters
How did people memorize the twelve long-life states when they first learned the eight characters? How old are you now? Still relying on memorization? When starting to learn the eight characters, it is best to use understanding and memory. The elders who practiced eight-character fortune-telling invented a "hand method" using finger-counting techniques. There is a "Twelve Long-Life Hand Method" which allows you to learn quickly without having to memorize by rote. Yang stems follow the sequence, while Yin stems go against it. A Yang stem is born in a Yin state, and a Yin stem is born in a Yang state. Yang stems start from the four births and proceed in order, while Yin stems start from the four failures and proceed in reverse. For example: Jia Wood is born in the House of Heaven and proceeds in order through the twelve branches. Bing and Wu are born in the House of Tiger and proceed in order through the twelve branches. Geng Metal is born in the House of Snake and proceeds in order through the twelve branches. Ren Water is born in the House of Monkey and proceeds in order through the twelve branches. Yin stems such as Ding and Ji are born in the House of Rooster and proceed in reverse through the twelve branches. Yi Wood is born in the House of Horse and proceeds in reverse through the twelve branches. Xin Metal is born in the House of Rat and proceeds in reverse through the twelve branches. Gui Water is born in the House of Rabbit and proceeds in reverse through the twelve branches.
Correspondence between the Earthly Branches and the Twelve Long-Life States
How do the earthly branches correspond to the twelve long-life states in the eight characters, and how do we determine which earthly branch corresponds to which in practice? Jia falls in the House of Heaven. Bing and Wu fall in the House of Tiger. Geng falls in the House of Snake. Ren falls in the House of Monkey. Yi falls in the House of Horse. Ding and Ji fall in the House of Rooster. Xin falls in the House of Rat. Gui falls in the House of Rabbit. For Yang stems, follow the order to find the birth branch and month. For Yin stems, go in the opposite direction to find the birth branch and month. That is where the twelve long-life positions are located.
Through an in-depth analysis of the twelve long-life major periods, we can see that they play a crucial role in the eight-character fortune-telling system. Understanding and mastering the changing patterns of the twelve long-life major periods can help us better predict and plan our lives, achieving personal transformation in fate.
