A Reckless Chase (赶禄拦马)
A Reckless Chase (赶禄拦马) is one of the most intricate and subtle "hidden patterns" in Bazi (Four Pillars) metaphysics. The essence of this pattern lies in the fact that the chart does not directly display the Earthly Branches representing fortune, status, or noble rank—namely, the "Wealth Star" (禄) and the "Travel Horse" (马). Instead, it leverages the Earthly Branches immediately before or after these positions, forming a strategic "pincer movement"—one side intercepts, the other pursues—thus drawing the latent energies of wealth and movement into the chart for personal use. The saying, "Wealth unchased brings no fortune; horse unblocked cannot be kept," encapsulates the spirit of triumph through wisdom and strategy, rather than brute force.
How to Identify This Pattern
This pattern requires that neither the true Wealth Star (禄) nor the true Travel Horse (马) is present in the chart. Instead, it relies on the special positional relationship of the Earthly Branches—those immediately before or after—to subtly draw in the energies of wealth and mobility.
The specifics are as follows:
- Chasing Wealth (赶禄): The chart does not contain the "Maturity" (临官) position of the Day Master's Wealth Star, but does include the Earthly Branch immediately after the Wealth Star's position (counted in reverse order).
- Example: For a Jia (甲) Day, the Wealth Star is at Yin (寅) Tiger. If Yin is absent from the chart, but Chou (丑) Ox is present, this qualifies.
- Intercepting the Horse (拦马): The chart does not contain the Travel Horse position for the Three Combinations Team (三合局) of the Year or Day Pillar, but does include the Earthly Branch immediately before the Travel Horse's position (counted in forward order).
- Example: For a Jia Xu (甲戌) Day (part of the Yin-Wu-Xu Three Combinations Team), the Travel Horse is Shen (申) Monkey. If Shen is absent, but You (酉) Rooster is present, this qualifies.
- Pattern Example: For someone born on a Jia Xu (甲戌) Day, if neither Yin (寅) Tiger nor Shen (申) Monkey appears in the Four Pillars, but both Ding Chou (丁丑) (Chasing Wealth) and Gui You (癸酉) (Intercepting the Horse) are present, the pattern is established. (Note: Ding Chou and Gui You must also form meaningful connections with the Day Master or Year Pillar, such as through the Five Tiger or Five Rat Progressions.)
- Key to Formation: The true Wealth Star and Travel Horse positions must remain absent—if they appear, the pattern is invalidated.
Meaning of the Pattern
Those whose charts enter the Reckless Chase pattern are marked by exceptional strategic acumen and a talent for orchestrating complex situations. The path to success and nobility here is indirect and subtle; the individual does not encounter opportunities head-on, but rather creates circumstances through careful planning, causing fortune and opportunity to "walk into the net" on their own. "Chasing Wealth" means the person advances step by step, steering events to their advantage and thereby attaining status. "Intercepting the Horse" signifies the ability to foresee and preempt, laying traps in advance to capture fleeting opportunities and wealth. People with this pattern are natural-born strategists, able to achieve great things invisibly and effortlessly. This is considered an "extremely noble" configuration.
Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions
Favorable:
- Purity of Pattern: The key "chase" and "intercept" branches (such as Chou (丑) Ox and You (酉) Rooster) must be clearly present in the chart, while the Wealth Star and Travel Horse branches (such as Yin (寅) Tiger and Shen (申) Monkey) must remain absent.
- Vital Day Master: The Day Master must have strong roots and vitality in the chart, ensuring the capacity to orchestrate this "hunt" and ultimately enjoy its rewards.
- Stable Luck Cycles: The major luck cycles (Da Yun) should be stable, neither disrupting the pattern nor filling in the absent (virtual) stars. If so, lifelong wealth and honor can be expected.
Unfavorable:
- Filling the Void: This is the primary pitfall. If the chart or luck cycles introduce the actual Wealth Star or Travel Horse branches (such as Yin (寅) Tiger or Shen (申) Monkey), the pattern is "filled," breaking its subtlety and nullifying its auspiciousness.
- Destruction of the Barrier: The "chase" and "intercept" branches (such as Chou (丑) Ox and You (酉) Rooster) must not be harmed by clashes, penalties, or destruction. If the barrier is broken, the Wealth Star and Travel Horse escape, and the pattern fails.
- Void Star (空亡): If the "chase" and "intercept" branches fall into a Void Star, the barrier is rendered powerless, unable to contain the energies, and the pattern cannot be established.
Classical Text Reference
From "San Ming Tong Hui" (《三命通会》):
如甲戌生人，甲禄在寅，得丁丑以赶之；戌马在申，得癸酉以拦之。不必求正禄正马，而禄马自来。此格极贵，所谓“禄不赶不发，马不拦不住”是也。
Explanation: For example, a person born on a Jia Xu (甲戌) Day has the Wealth Star of Jia (甲) Wood at Yin (寅) Tiger. If Yin is absent from the chart, but a Ding Chou (丁丑) pillar is present, it "chases" the Wealth Star from behind. The Travel Horse for Xu (戌) Earth is at Shen (申) Monkey. If Shen is absent, but a Gui You (癸酉) pillar is present, it "intercepts" the horse from ahead. In this way, there is no need to directly seek the true Wealth Star or Travel Horse—their energies will naturally arrive. This pattern signifies great wealth and nobility, as captured in the saying: "Wealth unchased brings no fortune; horse unblocked cannot be kept."
FAQ
What is the Reckless Chase pattern in Bazi Four Pillars metaphysics?
The Reckless Chase (赶禄拦马) is a rare and advanced hidden pattern in Bazi, also known as the Four Pillars of Destiny. This configuration occurs when a birth chart is missing both the true Wealth Star (禄) and the true Travel Horse (马) Earthly Branches, but includes the branches immediately before or after these positions. This indirect setup forms a strategic "pincer movement," allowing a person to attract wealth and opportunities through subtle strategy rather than direct confrontation. It is considered a sign of exceptional intelligence and ability to succeed through planning and foresight.
How to identify the Reckless Chase pattern in a Bazi chart?
To identify the Reckless Chase pattern in a Bazi chart, first check that neither the true Wealth Star (禄) nor the true Travel Horse (马) branches are present. Next, look for the Earthly Branches immediately before or after these positions. For example, if the Wealth Star should be Yin (寅) but Yin is absent and Chou (丑) is present, it qualifies as "chasing wealth." Similarly, if the Travel Horse should be Shen (申) but Shen is absent and You (酉) is present, it qualifies as "intercepting the horse." The pattern is only valid if the key branches are present and the original Wealth Star and Travel Horse branches are absent.
Why is the Reckless Chase pattern considered valuable in Bazi readings?
The Reckless Chase pattern is highly valued in Bazi readings because it indicates a person with remarkable strategic skill and the ability to achieve success in indirect ways. Instead of confronting challenges directly, these individuals attract fortune and opportunities through planning, resourcefulness, and subtle maneuvering. This pattern is associated with noble status and a unique talent for turning complex situations to one’s advantage, making it a coveted configuration for those seeking power, status, and long-term prosperity.
What are the favorable conditions for the Reckless Chase pattern to function effectively?
For the Reckless Chase pattern to be truly effective in a Bazi chart, certain conditions must be met. The key "chase" and "intercept" branches, such as Chou (丑) Ox and You (酉) Rooster, must be clearly present, while the true Wealth Star and Travel Horse branches must remain absent. The Day Master should have strong roots and vitality to leverage the pattern’s benefits. Additionally, stable and supportive luck cycles (Da Yun) are important to ensure the individual can make the most of the pattern’s strategic advantages.
When does the Reckless Chase pattern become invalid in a Bazi chart?
The Reckless Chase pattern becomes invalid if the chart contains either the true Wealth Star or the true Travel Horse Earthly Branch. Their appearance disrupts the delicate balance required for the pattern to work, negating its hidden strategic advantage. To maintain the pattern, it is essential that only the immediately adjacent branches to the Wealth Star and Travel Horse are present, while the original positions are completely absent from the Four Pillars. This ensures the chart retains its subtle and indirect route to wealth and opportunity.