In traditional Chinese astrology, the "Twelve Stages of Life" (八字十二长生) is an important concept that describes the changes in a person's fortune at different stages of life. This article will delve into the optimal states within the Twelve Stages of Life and how understanding these states can help predict and plan one's life.
Basic Concepts of the Twelve Stages of Life
The Twelve Stages of Life is an important concept in traditional Chinese astrology, referring to the changes in a person's fortune during different stages of life. These stages include Longsheng (longevity), Mushi (bath), Guandai (crown and belt), Linquan (minister), Diwang (sovereign), Shuai (decline), Bing (illness), Si (death), Mu (grave), Jue (extinction), Tai (embryo), and Yang (nourishment). Each stage has its own specific meaning and influence. In a person's fate chart, the Twelve Stages are mainly used for divination, generally not directly involved in judging auspicious or inauspicious events. The great luck (大运) plays a vital role in a person's prosperity or decline, and the Twelve Stages are not solely about the great luck; they also include the Twelve Stages of each age period in the birth chart, the hidden luck (暗运), and the combination of the annual luck (流年) to form a complete course of fortune.
Identifying the Best Great Luck
In the Twelve Stages of Life, the best great luck includes Longsheng (longevity), Linquan (minister), and Diwang (sovereign). When running through these three stages, a person can experience prosperity and popularity. If encountering Shuai (decline), Bing (illness), Si (death), Mu (grave), and Jue (extinction), there will be more inauspicious events and less popularity. Particularly, the stages of Shuai (decline), Si (death), and Jue (extinction) can lead to disasters if combined unfavorably with the birth chart and not properly managed.
Application of the Twelve Stages of Life in the Eight Characters
How should the Twelve Stages of Life in the Eight Characters be applied? Actually, it's very simple. Just remember that yang stems follow the sequence, while yin stems follow the reverse. For example, Jia (甲) is born in Hai (亥) and dies in Wu (午), bathes in Zi (子), and nourishes in Xu (戌). Yi (乙) is born in Wu (午) and dies in Hai (亥), and nourishes in Wei (未). The palace positions are: Birth, Bath, Crown and Belt, Minister, Sovereign, Decline, Illness, Death, Grave, Extinction, Embryo, and Nourishment. Through this method, we can determine the fortune of each stage in a person's birth chart.
Learning the Twelve Stages of Life
When starting to learn the Twelve Stages of Life, it's unnecessary to memorize them by rote; instead, understanding and memory are key. The elders who practiced Chinese astrology invented the "Finger Counting Method" (掌诀) to help remember. There is a "Twelve Stages Finger Counting Method" which allows you to learn quickly without having to memorize everything. Yang stems follow the sequence, while yin stems follow the reverse. A yang stem is born in a yin stem and dies in a yang stem, and vice versa. For example, Jia wood (甲木) is born in Hai (亥) and follows the sequence through the twelve branches. Bing and Wu (丙戊) are born in Yin (寅) and follow the sequence through the twelve branches. Geng metal (庚金) is born in Si (巳) and follows the sequence through the twelve branches. Ren water (壬水) is born in Shen (申) and follows the sequence through the twelve branches. Yin stems like Ding and Ji (丁己) are born in You (酉) and follow the reverse sequence through the twelve branches. Yi wood (乙木) is born in Wu (午) and follows the reverse sequence through the twelve branches. Xin metal (辛金) is born in Zi (子) and follows the reverse sequence through the twelve branches. Gui water (癸水) is born in Mao (卯) and follows the reverse sequence through the twelve branches.
Correspondence between Earthly Branches and the Twelve Stages of Life
In the Eight Characters, the correspondence between earthly branches and the Twelve Stages of Life is as follows: Jia (甲) falls in Hai (亥). Bing and Wu (丙戊) fall in Yin (寅). Geng (庚) falls in Si (巳). Ren (壬) falls in Shen (申). Yi (乙) falls in Wu (午). Ding and Ji (丁己) fall in You (酉). Xin (辛) falls in Zi (子). Gui (癸) falls in Mao (卯). Yang stems follow the sequence to find the birth branch month, while yin stems follow the reverse sequence to find the birth branch month. The position thus determined is the location of the Twelve Stages of Life.
By analyzing the optimal states of the Twelve Stages of Life, we can better understand the changes in a person's fortune at different stages of life and make corresponding life plans. Longsheng (longevity), Linquan (minister), and Diwang (sovereign) are the best great luck stages, while Shuai (decline), Bing (illness), Si (death), Mu (grave), and Jue (extinction) require special attention. By understanding the patterns of the Twelve Stages of Life, we can more accurately predict and respond to the ups and downs of life.
