Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations (吉会凶会)
Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations (吉会凶会) is not a fixed Pattern, but rather a crucial principle for analyzing the favorable or unfavorable nature of "Three Combinations Teams" (三合局) among the Earthly Branches. Here, "combination" refers specifically to the Three Combinations Team: Shen-Zi-Chen (申子辰), Hai-Mao-Wei (亥卯未), Yin-Wu-Xu (寅午戌), and Si-You-Chou (巳酉丑). The core of this principle lies in determining whether the powerful elemental force generated by these combinations is beneficial ("favorable") or detrimental ("unfavorable") to the Day Master. If the combination produces a Favorable God, it is called an "Auspicious Combination" (吉会); if it produces an Unfavorable God or Inauspicious God, it is called an "Inauspicious Combination" (凶会).
Method of Analysis
The essence of this Pattern is to analyze the final elemental attribute produced by the Three Combinations Team among the Earthly Branches. First, identify any existing Three Combinations Team within the natal chart, or those formed by the interaction of Luck Pillars and the natal chart. Then, assess whether the resulting element is favorable or unfavorable to the Day Stem (Day Master).
The interpretations are as follows:
Auspicious Combination (Three Combinations as Favorable God): When the element produced by the Three Combinations Team among the Earthly Branches happens to be the Day Master's Earner (Direct Wealth), Executive (Direct Officer), Mentor (Direct Resource), Talent (Eating God), or other Favorable Gods, and the strength is moderate.
- Example: For a strong Bing (丙) or Ding (丁) Fire Day Master, if the Earthly Branches contain the Shen-Zi-Chen Three Combinations Team, which produces Water, this is known as "Gilded Authority"—the combination brings forth the Executive (Direct Officer), and is thus an Auspicious Combination.
- Example: For a weak Geng (庚) or Xin (辛) Metal Day Master, if the Earthly Branches contain the Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei group (here understood as forming a Mentor (Direct Resource) combination), it is called "Mentor Brings Blessing"—an Auspicious Combination.
Inauspicious Combination (Three Combinations as Unfavorable God): When the element produced by the Three Combinations Team among the Earthly Branches is the Day Master's Warlord (Seven Killings), Maverick (Hurting Officer), Blade (Yang Blade), or other Unfavorable Gods, and there is no power in the chart to control or transform it.
- Example: For a weak Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood Day Master, if the Earthly Branches contain the Shen-You-Xu group (original text refers to Shen-Zi-Chen combination activating Shen-Geng), this brings forth a powerful Geng-Shen Warlord (Seven Killings). If there is no controlling or transforming force, it is an Inauspicious Combination.
- Example: For a weak Bing (丙) or Ding (丁) Fire Day Master, if the Earthly Branches contain the Hai-Mao-Wei combination, which produces strong Wood (Mentor/Direct Resource), this results in "Mentor Overwhelms the Day Master"—also an inauspicious combination.
Pattern Significance
This principle profoundly reveals the dual nature of "team power" in a chart.
- Auspicious Combination: Symbolizes that the chart holder can receive strong, stable, and organized support from society. If it is an "Officer Combination," it indicates a broad career platform and potential for high office; if a "Wealth Combination," it points to a powerful commercial network and the potential for great wealth; if a "Mentor Combination," it suggests deep academic or elder support.
- Inauspicious Combination: Symbolizes that the chart holder will face organized, persistent pressure or harm that is difficult to escape. If it is a "Warlord Combination," it suggests being beset by adversaries or rivals forming alliances, or encountering powerful, ongoing calamities and stress; if a "Maverick Combination," it indicates that excessive cleverness and arrogance may provoke significant disputes and troubles.
- Transformation: The most subtle aspect of this Pattern is its potential for transformation. If an "Inauspicious Combination" is precisely balanced by another force within the chart (such as "Talent Tames Warlord" or "Warlord and Mentor"), the Pattern can instead indicate great nobility. This symbolizes the ability to harness and transform major crises, turning the greatest adversaries into the most potent sources of authority—often achieving more than those with merely an Auspicious Combination.
Favorable and Unfavorable Factors
Favorable:
- Combination Forms Favorable God: The optimal state is when the element produced by the Three Combinations Team among the Earthly Branches is exactly the Favorable God most needed in the chart.
- Inauspicious Combination is Controlled: If it is an Inauspicious Combination, the best scenario is for the chart to contain a strong "Rescuer" God (such as Talent (Eating God) to subdue Warlord (Seven Killings), or Mentor (Direct Resource) to resolve Warlord). This is the "illness with its cure"—a sign of great nobility.
- Strong Day Master: A robust Day Master can better receive the blessings of an Auspicious Combination and more effectively withstand the pressures of an Inauspicious Combination.
Unfavorable:
- Combination Forms Unfavorable God: This is the greatest taboo. If the Three Combinations Team produces a strong Unfavorable God and the chart lacks the power to control or transform it, it foretells a life of hardship and recurring misfortune.
- Weak Rescuer: If it is an Inauspicious Combination, and even though a "Rescuer" God appears, it is itself weak or damaged, then it cannot turn the tide—the Pattern remains inauspicious.
- Disruption by Clash or Harm: The Earthly Branches forming the Three Combinations Team are most averse to being disrupted by clashes or breaks from other Branches. This is like a team developing internal rifts—whether the combination is auspicious or inauspicious, its power will be greatly weakened or dissolved.
Classical Text
From San Ming Tong Hui (《三命通会》)
假甲日生人见子辰全，会起申庚为甲七杀，乃凶会也。柱有丙或乙合制，是化杀为权；若无，须日主得令，方免生祸。生子辰水候，化杀为印，贵。乙日生人，见子辰合起申庚，甲日见己丑，合起酉辛，俱飞天禄，吉。丙日生人，见卯未会出亥，壬为七杀，柱有戊丁合制，其杀为权；若无，须日主得令，方免生祸。生卯未旺月，化杀为印，贵。
窃详吉凶会，如命喜财官、印食、禄马、贵人，值大小运岁君俱合会，决主大发富贵，谓之吉会。如命忌七杀、伤官、羊刃、亡劫，而大小运流年俱合会，决主大发凶祸，谓之凶会。
诗曰：“吉会凶会要推详，吉会相逢最吉昌。若是凶神相合起，破财剥职主灾殃。”
Interpretation: Suppose a person is born on a Jia (甲) Day, and the Earthly Branches in the chart include both Zi (子) and Chen (辰). (The Shen-Zi-Chen combination) activates Shen Metal (申金), and if the Heavenly Stem also reveals Geng (庚), this becomes the Warlord (Seven Killings) for Jia Wood—an Inauspicious Combination. If the Pillars contain Bing (丙) Fire (Talent/Eating God) or Yi (乙) Wood (Rival/Rob Wealth) to combine and control the Warlord, this is "transforming Warlord into Authority." If there is no such control, the Day Master must be strong in the seasonal branch to avoid disaster. If the Jia Day Master is born during the season when Zi and Chen Water are strong (Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood), then the Warlord can be "transformed into Mentor (Direct Resource)," indicating nobility.
For a Yi (乙) Day Master, seeing Zi and Chen combine to activate Shen and Geng; or for a Jia (甲) Day Master, seeing Ji (己) and Chou (丑) combine to activate You (酉) and Xin (辛)—these all belong to the "Fortune Aloft" (飞天禄马, meaning the combination brings forth the Officer Star), and are Auspicious Combinations.
For a Bing (丙) Day Master, if Mao (卯) and Wei (未) combine to bring out Hai (亥) Water, and Ren (壬) Water within Hai acts as the Warlord (Seven Killings), if the Pillars contain Wu (戊) Earth (Talent/Eating God) or Ding (丁) Fire (Rival/Rob Wealth) to combine and control, this Warlord can become a source of authority. If not, the Day Master must be strong in the seasonal branch to avoid disaster. If born in the months when Mao and Wei Wood are flourishing (Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire), then the Warlord can be "transformed into Mentor (Direct Resource)," indicating nobility.
The author, after careful study, believes this principle extends to Luck Pillars as well. For example, if the chart favors Earner (Direct Wealth), Executive (Direct Officer), Mentor (Direct Resource), Talent (Eating God), Fortune Horse, or Nobleman, and these are activated by the convergence of Major Luck, Minor Luck, and Annual Pillars, it foretells great prosperity and nobility—this is an Auspicious Combination. Conversely, if the chart is averse to Warlord (Seven Killings), Maverick (Hurting Officer), Blade (Yang Blade), Lost Spirit, or Robbery Sha, and these are activated by the convergence of Major Luck and Annual Pillars, it foretells great calamity—this is an Inauspicious Combination.
The poem states: "Whether a combination is auspicious or inauspicious must be carefully discerned. If one encounters an Auspicious Combination, it brings the greatest fortune and prosperity. But if the Three Combinations Team activates an inauspicious god, it will lead to loss of wealth, removal from office, and disaster."
FAQ
What is the principle of Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations in Earthly Branches
The principle of Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations (吉会凶会) in Earthly Branches analyzes how "Three Combinations Teams" (三合局) impact the Day Master in a natal chart. It determines whether the elemental force produced by combinations like Shen-Zi-Chen, Hai-Mao-Wei, Yin-Wu-Xu, and Si-You-Chou is beneficial or detrimental. If the combination supports the Day Master with Favorable Gods such as Direct Wealth or Direct Officer, it is auspicious. If it generates Unfavorable Gods like Seven Killings or Hurting Officer, it is inauspicious. This principle is key to understanding the overall fortune in Four Pillars of Destiny analysis.
How to identify a Three Combinations Team in a natal chart
To identify a Three Combinations Team (三合局) in a natal chart, examine the Earthly Branches present in the chart and look for sets like Shen-Zi-Chen, Hai-Mao-Wei, Yin-Wu-Xu, or Si-You-Chou. These teams can also form through interactions with Luck Pillars. Once identified, determine the element produced by the team and assess if it benefits or harms the Day Master. This method is essential in BaZi analysis for predicting auspicious or inauspicious outcomes.
Why is analyzing Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations important in BaZi
Analyzing Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations in BaZi is important because it reveals whether the chart holder will experience supportive or challenging influences in life. Auspicious combinations indicate strong societal support, career advancement, wealth, or mentorship. Inauspicious combinations signal persistent pressures, adversaries, or excessive stress. Understanding this principle helps practitioners forecast life potential, risks, and opportunities based on the synergy of Earthly Branches.
What happens if a Three Combinations Team creates an unfavorable element for the Day Master
If a Three Combinations Team creates an unfavorable element for the Day Master, the result is an Inauspicious Combination (凶会). This means the chart holder may face organized and ongoing challenges, such as adversaries, stress, or harmful alliances. For example, if the combination brings forth Seven Killings or Hurting Officer without any controlling or transforming elements in the chart, it can lead to persistent difficulties. Recognizing these patterns helps in risk management and strategic life decisions.
Where can Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations appear in a BaZi chart
Auspicious and Inauspicious Combinations can appear anywhere the Earthly Branches form Three Combinations Teams, either within the natal chart itself or through interactions with Luck Pillars. Practitioners must carefully analyze the branches in all four pillars and consider how external influences may create new combinations over time. This comprehensive approach ensures accurate forecasting and deep insight into the dynamic forces shaping the chart holder’s destiny.