Heaven's Call (六甲趋乾)
Heaven's Call (六甲趋乾) is one of the distinguished and auspicious Patterns in the realm of Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny). The term "Six Jia" (六甲) refers specifically to the six Jia (甲) Day Masters: Jia Zi (甲子), Jia Yin (甲寅), Jia Chen (甲辰), Jia Wu (甲午), Jia Shen (甲申), and Jia Xu (甲戌). "Approaching Qian" (趋乾) indicates that the birth hour falls into the Qian Palace, which in Bazi corresponds to the Earthly Branch Hai (亥) hour.
The core of this Pattern lies in the fact that Hai (亥) is the "Birth" (长生) phase for Jia (甲) Wood, nourishing the Day Master. At the same time, Hai (亥) serves as the Mentor (Direct Resource, 正印) for Jia Wood. Moreover, Hai (亥) can secretly combine with Yin (寅) Tiger—the "Maturity" (临官) and Prosperity position for Jia Wood—thus forming a Hidden Grace Pattern (暗禄格), signifying innate nobility and virtue. As stated in the classic Xiang Xin Fu (《相心赋》): “Six Jia Approaching Qian, bestows benevolence, fortitude, and a balanced heart.”
Pattern Identification
This Pattern is established when a person is born on one of the Six Jia Days during the Hai (亥) hour. The Four Pillars must not contain Wealth Stars (Earth elements) that break the Resource, nor should there be any penalizing or clashing Branches (Si 巳, Yin 寅). The Hai (亥) hour Branch nourishes the Day Master and secretly combines with the Day Stem’s Yin (寅) Prosperity.
The criteria are as follows:
- Day and Hour Restriction: The Day Master must be one of the Six Jia Days, and the birth hour must be Hai (亥)—that is, Yi Hai (乙亥), Ding Hai (丁亥), Ji Hai (己亥), Xin Hai (辛亥), or Gui Hai (癸亥) hours.
- No Revealed Grace: The Earthly Branches in all four pillars should not contain Yin (寅) Tiger. This is called "filling the Grace," which is unfavorable—Hidden Grace loses its subtlety if revealed, and the Yin-Hai combination becomes a hindrance, breaking the Pattern.
- No Harm to the Useful God: The Branches should not contain Si (巳) Snake. Si (巳) clashes directly with Hai (亥), undermining the core of the Pattern.
- Pattern Purity: The pillars should not feature strong Wealth Stars (Wu 戊, Ji 己, Chen 辰, Xu 戌, Chou 丑, Wei 未—Earth elements) that would damage the Ren (壬) Water Resource hidden in Hai (亥). If the Day Master is exceptionally strong, Wealth Stars are not a concern.
- No Exposed Executive or Warlord: It is unfavorable for Executive (Direct Officer, 庚, Geng; 辛, Xin; 申, Shen; 酉, You—Metal elements) or Warlord (Seven Killings) to appear openly in the stems or branches, as these would attack the Day Master and muddy the Pattern.
Pattern Significance
Those whose charts fall into the Heaven's Call (六甲趋乾) Pattern are characterized by benevolence, integrity, inner peace, and steadfastness. Hai (亥) is known as the "Heaven's Gate," representing Water and the Mentor (Direct Resource), symbolizing wisdom, origin, and ceaseless nourishment. Jia Wood approaching Qian is like a mighty tree flourishing by the water’s edge—deep-rooted and vibrant.
As a result, the Day Master is naturally endowed with intelligence and receives the protection and support of benefactors and elders, enjoying a life of stability and good fortune. The secret combination with Yin (寅) Tiger—the Hidden Grace—also represents a concealed yet solid foundation and blessing, enabling the individual to overcome adversity and achieve success at critical moments.
This Pattern often indicates literary or scholarly nobility, producing upright officials or respected intellectuals and renowned figures. Its main vulnerability lies in its heavy reliance on the Hai (亥) Water Resource; if the Resource is broken, the foundation collapses. Furthermore, a strong Resource paired with Grace can make the Day Master overly content and stable—without the stimulation of Wealth or Executive Stars, there may be a lack of drive and ambition.
Pattern Favors and Taboos
Favorable:
- Resource Revealed in the Heavenly Stems: If Ren (壬) or Gui (癸) Water appears in the Heavenly Stems, it draws out the power of the Resource hidden in Hai (亥), strengthening the Pattern and making wisdom and fortune outwardly apparent.
- Weak Executive Nurtures Resource: The presence of Xin (辛) Metal in the Heavenly Stems is favorable. As Executive (Direct Officer), Xin (辛) is not strong enough to harm Jia (甲) Wood, but can instead generate and support the Ren (壬) Water Resource within Hai (亥), forming the auspicious image of "Power by Precept" (官印相生).
- Strong Day Master Favors Wealth: If Jia (甲) Wood is rooted and robust in the Month Branch, Wealth Stars are not a concern; in fact, their presence helps balance the strong self, leading to wealth and prosperity.
Taboo:
- Yin (寅) and Si (巳) Filling or Clashing: This is the greatest taboo for the Pattern. If Yin (寅) appears in the chart or luck cycles, it "fills" the Grace and becomes a hindrance; if Si (巳) appears, it clashes with the foundation—both break the Pattern.
- Wealth Stars Breaking Resource: Unless the Day Master is extremely strong, Wealth Stars (Wu 戊, Ji 己, Chen 辰, Xu 戌, Chou 丑, Wei 未—Earth elements) are highly unfavorable, as they directly attack the Hai (亥) Water Resource, the Pattern's root.
- Mao (卯) as a Hindrance: The combination of Hai (亥), Mao (卯), and Wei (未) forms the Three Combinations Team of Wood. If Mao (卯) appears in the chart, it easily combines with Hai (亥), weakening the secret combination with Yin (寅) Grace and compromising the Pattern’s purity.
Classical Text
《三命通会》
此格乃六甲日见亥。亥，天门之位，北极之垣，甲木赖之长生。又亥能合出寅中本禄，与趋艮同。忌寅字填实，巳字刑冲。又曰：甲见亥时，亥有壬禄为印，喜见辛金生印，不喜见财，柱有卯合亥，即不能合寅中禄矣。若身弱遇巳酉丑局，金神太多，岁运重见生灾。《相心赋》云：“六甲趋乾，主仁慈刚介心平。”《真宝赋》云：“六甲趋乾，透印绶为佳。财星迭见，位列名卿。”《千里马》云：“壬趋艮，甲趋乾，清朝名士。” 诗曰：“趋乾六甲最为奇，甲日生人得亥时。岁运若逢财旺处，官灾患难来寻之。”详诗与赋，有忌财、喜财不同，余见透印忌财，身旺喜财。
Explanation: This Pattern is established when one of the Six Jia Days coincides with Hai (亥) hour. Hai (亥) is the position of Heaven’s Gate, the Northern Pole’s enclosure, and the source of "Birth" (长生) for Jia (甲) Wood. Furthermore, Hai (亥) can combine with Yin (寅) Tiger to draw out the original Grace (禄) hidden within Yin (寅), similar in principle to the "Mountain's Call" (六壬趋艮) Pattern. It is taboo for Yin (寅) to appear openly, as it fills the Grace, and for Si (巳) to appear, as it clashes and penalizes.
Another view: When Jia (甲) Day meets Hai (亥) hour, the Ren (壬) Water Resource (Ren’s Grace) in Hai (亥) serves as the Mentor (Direct Resource), and it is auspicious to see Xin (辛) Metal generating the Resource, but not Wealth Stars (Earth). If Mao (卯) Rabbit appears in the pillars and combines with Hai (亥), it can no longer combine with the Grace hidden in Yin (寅). If the Day Master is weak and encounters a Metal-dominated chart (Si 巳, You 酉, Chou 丑), with too many Spirits of Metal (金神, Warlord), further repetition in luck cycles can bring disaster.
Xiang Xin Fu (《相心赋》) states: “Those whose fate enters the Heaven's Call Pattern (六甲趋乾格) are innately benevolent, upright, principled, and serene.” Zhen Bao Fu (《真宝赋》) says: “Heaven's Call Pattern, with the Resource Star revealed in the Heavenly Stems, is most auspicious. If Wealth Stars also appear in succession, one can rise to the ranks of eminent ministers.” Qian Li Ma (《千里马》) notes: “The Ren Approaching Gen Pattern (壬趋艮格) and Jia Approaching Qian Pattern (甲趋乾格) produce renowned scholars in refined dynasties.” A poem reads: “Heaven's Call among the Six Jia is most rare; those born on Jia Days at Hai hour. If, in luck cycles, Wealth Stars become abundant, lawsuits, disasters, and hardships will come their way.” Upon careful study of these poems and treatises, there are differing views on whether Wealth Stars are favorable or not. My opinion: If the Resource Star is revealed in the Heavenly Stems (a weak Day Master favors Resource), then Wealth Stars are taboo (as they break the Resource); if the Day Master is strong, then Wealth Stars are beneficial (as they help balance the self).
FAQ
What is Heaven's Call Pattern in Bazi astrology?
Heaven's Call (六甲趋乾) Pattern in Bazi astrology is an auspicious configuration where a person is born on one of the Six Jia (甲) Days during the Hai (亥) hour. This pattern is recognized for bestowing benevolence, integrity, and inner peace upon the Day Master. The Hai (亥) hour provides strong support and nourishment to Jia (甲) Wood, making the chart stable and fortunate. Known for its association with scholarly nobility and protection from benefactors, Heaven's Call is a revered structure in Four Pillars of Destiny readings.
How to identify Heaven's Call Pattern in a Four Pillars chart?
To identify Heaven's Call Pattern in a Four Pillars chart, check if the Day Master is one of the Six Jia (甲) Days: Jia Zi, Jia Yin, Jia Chen, Jia Wu, Jia Shen, or Jia Xu. The birth hour must be Hai (亥). Ensure there are no Wealth Stars (Earth elements) or penalizing branches like Si (巳) Snake or Yin (寅) Tiger in the chart, as these disrupt the pattern’s purity. Also, avoid exposed Executive (Metal elements) and Seven Killings stars for an authentic Heaven's Call configuration.
Why is Heaven's Call Pattern considered auspicious in Bazi?
Heaven's Call Pattern is considered highly auspicious in Bazi because it signifies strong resource support and hidden grace, fostering intelligence, virtue, and stability in the individual. The Jia Wood Day Master receives nourishment from the Hai (亥) hour, representing wisdom and continuous growth. This pattern often leads to the protection of benefactors, success in scholarly pursuits, and resilience against adversity, making it a prized formation in destiny analysis.
When should you avoid Wealth Stars in a Heaven's Call Pattern chart?
You should avoid Wealth Stars (Earth elements like Wu 戊, Ji 己, Chen 辰, Xu 戌, Chou 丑, Wei 未) in a Heaven's Call Pattern chart when the Day Master is not exceptionally strong. These elements can break the Ren (壬) Water Resource hidden in Hai (亥), destabilizing the pattern. Only if the Day Master is very robust can Wealth Stars be present without harming the chart’s overall auspicious nature and resource support.
Where does the Hidden Grace come from in Heaven's Call Pattern?
The Hidden Grace in Heaven's Call Pattern comes from the secret combination between Hai (亥) hour and Yin (寅) Tiger, which is the prosperity position for Jia Wood. This subtle interaction creates a concealed blessing, providing a solid foundation, inner nobility, and resilience. The presence of Hidden Grace is lost if Yin (寅) Tiger appears openly in the pillars, so maintaining this hidden aspect is crucial for the pattern’s true power.