Why BaZi Essentials?

BaZi (八字) is system of Chinese Astrology known as the Four Pillars of Destiny. BaZi literally translates to mean 'Eight Characters,' because the eight characters are derived from four pairs of characters - hence, the four pillars. BaZi translates our birth information - specifically the year, month, day, and hour of birth into four pillars known as Geng Zi. And what are these Eight Characters? They are made up of the Yin and Yang variations of the Five Elements (Wood, Water, Metal, Fire and Earth).

The idea for the BaZi Essentials series of books began out of my wish to simplify what is a sophisticated, multifaceted study of authentic Chinese Astrology into something a little easier to digest. Too many people are only familiar with the "12 Animal Year Signs" type of Chinese Astrology. But the true form of character traits in Chinese Astrology stems from the Day of Birth, not the animal sign of the Year of Birth.

If you've read my previous books on BaZi, BaZi - The Destiny Code and BaZi - The Destiny Code Revealed, or even taken any classes on the subject, you probably know that there is really NO end to BaZi studies. There may be a finite amount of theory or principles to learn, but the methods of application and interpretation are endless. And that's precisely why BaZi is a consistently intriguing and exciting field of Destiny study!

But every form of knowledge has to start somewhere. And BaZi essentially begins with the Day Master, or the Day Stem. This is basically - YOUR DAY OF BIRTH. On your BaZi chart, as shown in the image below, the Day Master refers to the 'Heavenly Stem' section of your Day Pillar.

If you don't know what's your chart or your Day Master, no problem - you can log on to my website at http://www.joeyyap.com/bazi to plot your BaZi chart.

The Heavenly Stems on the BaZi chart are denoted by the upper halves of each of the four pillars, while the bottom halves are known as the Earthly Branches. Heavenly Stems represent what is known as surface Qi. In essence, the Heavenly Stems reveal what you are on the exterior or the 'outside' - your personality or character traits that are visible to everyone who knows you. When people say, "He's stubborn" or "She's extremely friendly," these are the characteristics that are visible to others, and it is seen on the Heavenly Stems.

The Earthly Branches (meaning, the animal signs in the Year, Month, Day and Hour pillars), in contrast, indicate what is inside a person. These are hidden, sometimes buried, personality traits and characteristics - and are only known to others once you truly get to know a person. Sometimes, it may even take up to years before some of these traits are discovered by others!

There are 10 Heavenly Stems, or Day Masters, in BaZi study. These 10 Stems comprise the Yin and Yang aspects of the Five Elements of Chinese Metaphysics: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. For every element, there is a Yin and Yang polarity, giving us ten Stems in total.

The Day Master is the most important reference point for BaZi analysis. Before you can go anywhere with using BaZi to analyse your life, you begin with the Day Master - which denotes your basic nature and character. It denotes WHO YOU ARE at the most fundamental level. Therefore, it follows that people who are of the same Day Master share similar traits.

The BaZi Essentials Series has ten books, with each one focusing on one individual Day Master. This book that you have in your hands is on the Yang Metal, or Geng Metal, Day Master. (To better immerse yourself in BaZi, use the proper terminology. So, if you're a Geng Metal Day Master, refer to yourself as a "Geng Metal person" instead of "Yang Metal person.")

Sharpening the sword of Geng

Clearly, if you're a Geng Metal Day Master, you are more than just a human representation of sturdy sword or battle-axe! While you will exhibit the most obvious and general qualities of the Geng Metal Day Master to a greater or lesser degree, you may also demonstrate different attributes in different situations.

What are your most basic personality traits? What are you like in your career, in your relationships, and how do you deal with money? What type of entrepreneur or businessperson are you likely to be? What type of person are you in the workplace, and how do you operate as a leader or manager? What kind of friend or colleague are you?

All these questions and more are addressed in this book, so that you're able to see exactly how the Geng Metal person operates in various aspects of his or her life. While there are other factors to consider when analysing a person's fundamental character, motivations in life, and outlook and destiny, a Geng Metal person's modus operandi, so to speak, is significantly different from the other Day Masters.

How Geng are you?

If you're a Geng Metal Day Master, you are likely to exhibit the majority of the traits that is highlighted in the book. If you're not a Geng Metal Day Master but you have the Geng Metal as one (or more) of the Heavenly Stems in your BaZi chart, then you're likely to exhibit these tendencies in lesser degrees. Alternatively, it suggests that you have the potential or inclination to exhibit these tendencies in specific situations and contexts only.

In BaZi, the concept of STRONG or WEAK elements plays a big role in determining how 'Geng' you are.

So bear in mind that even if you are a Geng Metal Day Master, whether or not you display the traits covered here to a greater or lesser degree depends very much on the strength and quality of your Day Master. The Day Stem is but one part of the chart, and there are 3 other Stems and 4 Earthly Branches to consider in your complete chart. These other parts of the chart will influence the strength and quality of your Day Master.

These factors are too varied and complex to be discussed here in a simple book (it is, however, a fundamental section of my professional BaZi courses and Destiny Code series of books). Suffice to say that to read and understand this particular book, you merely need to be aware of this concept. If your Day Master is strong, you'll exhibit MORE of these tendencies or traits outlined in the book. If your Day Master is weak, you'll exhibit less of these traits.

Do keep in mind that this book shows you the traits of the Geng Metal Day Master in general, and doesn't take into account the particularities of your entire BaZi chart! Having said that, nothing beats getting a complete BaZi consultation from a professional, or taking a full BaZi course and learning the interpretation skills completely for yourself.

BaZi Astrology is a study that helps us understand ourselves, make better decisions, and ultimately, enables us to shape our life for the better. With these pocket-sized books, I hope to make BaZi a relevant a part of your life - and may the knowledge that you gain serve you in all of life's endeavours.

All the best in your BaZi studies... and here's to discovering what the Geng Metal person is all about!

View a video clip on BaZi Essential Series - The Ten Day Masters (BaZi Profiling)

Other books in this BaZi Essentials Series: