Relationships関係性

The relationship in which the Five Elements generate one another. They cycle in the order Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood.

Generation is the relationship in which one Element generates and nurtures another. Wood burns to generate Fire (Wood generates Fire), Fire becomes ash to generate Earth (Fire generates Earth), Earth contains minerals to generate Metal (Earth generates Metal), Metal melts to generate Water (Metal generates Water), Water nurtures Wood (Water generates Wood). The Generation relationship creates the flow of qi within the chart. Whether the Day Master is strengthened or weakened through Generation determines the skeletal structure of the chart. Generation is not a "good relationship." Generating too much weakens the generating side; receiving too much makes the receiving side excessive. Generation, too, is read within the balance of the chart as a whole.

The relationship in which the Five Elements overcome one another. Bazen Sanmei reads its duality — destruction and generation.

Overcoming is the relationship in which one Element restrains and overcomes another. Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood. Yet Bazen Sanmei sees duality within Overcoming. Metal overcoming Wood is 琢磨成器 — the metal blade carves wood, shaping it into a vessel. Not destruction, but a process of refining. Fire overcoming Metal is 百煉成鋼 — fire melts metal, tempering it into steel. Water overcoming Fire is the I Ching's 水火既済 (hexagram 63) — water and fire harmonize and complete the image. Overcoming is neither a tool of destruction nor a marker of good or ill fortune. Its role is decided within the balance of the chart as a whole.

The relationship between Stems of the same Element. They strengthen each other, but also tend toward excess.

Parallel is the relationship in which Stems of the same Element stand together. Wood with Wood, Fire with Fire — when the same quality overlaps, the qi of that Element is strengthened within the chart. Parallel is a neutral relationship. When many of the same Element are present, the qi of that Element spreads powerfully through the chart. If this functions as the Favorable Element, it becomes an aid; if it functions as an unfavorable Element, it becomes an excessive force. Parallel is spoken of less often than Generation and Overcoming, but it is an indispensable concept in reading the Five Elements balance of a chart.

The five combinations in which Heavenly Stems bind together. Combining may transform into a different Element.

Stem Combination is the relationship in which specific Heavenly Stem combinations attract each other: 甲 and 己 (Earth), 乙 and 庚 (Metal), 丙 and 辛 (Water), 丁 and 壬 (Wood), 戊 and 癸 (Fire) — five combinations. When two Stems combine, they may "transform" (化). Transformation means that the original Elements shift into a new Element. Yet for transformation to occur, specific conditions must be met (such as support from the Month Authority), and not every Stem Combination results in transformation. Stem Combination is also a phenomenon in which the action of two Stems within a chart changes when they bind together. Stem Combination with the time axis (Major Luck, Annual Luck) significantly influences the movement of the chart during that period.

The six combinations in which Earthly Branches bind together. Combining may transform into a different Element.

Branch Combination is the relationship in which specific Earthly Branch combinations bind to each other: 子 and 丑 (Earth), 寅 and 亥 (Wood), 卯 and 戌 (Fire), 辰 and 酉 (Metal), 巳 and 申 (Water), 午 and 未 (Earth) — six combinations. Branch Combination, like Stem Combination, may "transform." When transformation occurs, the original Elements shift into a new Element. The Month Authority and the overall balance of the chart determine whether transformation succeeds. Branch Combination is also a phenomenon in which the qualities of two Earthly Branches change when they bind. Branch Combination between Earthly Branches within the chart binds the relationship of those two pillars deeply.

The relationship in which Earthly Branches at opposite positions clash against each other. It brings movement and change.

Branch Opposition is the relationship in which Earthly Branches at opposite positions among the twelve clash against each other: 子 and 午, 丑 and 未, 寅 and 申, 卯 and 酉, 辰 and 戌, 巳 and 亥 — six pairs. Branch Opposition stimulates the qi of each, bringing movement and change. Traditionally, Opposition was often regarded as inauspicious, but Bazen Sanmei reads it through duality. Opposition is collision — and at the same time, it is movement that breaks stagnation. When Branch Opposition is present within the chart, the relationship of those two pillars always carries tension. Yet that tension can also be the source that gives movement to the chart. Opposition with the time axis brings change and movement during that period.