Favor of Seasons (四时乘旺)
Favor of Seasons (四时乘旺) is a Bazi Pattern that centers on the concept of "gaining the advantage of timing." Here, "Four Seasons" refers to Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, while "Favor of Seasons" describes a Day Master (日主, the Day Heavenly Stem) born precisely in the season when its own Five Element is at its most prosperous. The essence of this pattern lies in the Day Master receiving the full vitality of the Month Branch, much like "a dragon returning to the sea or a tiger returning to the mountains"—deeply rooted, brimming with life force, and laying a solid foundation for future wealth and honor.
How to Identify
This pattern focuses on the Day Master. If its Five Element is born in the season of its greatest strength (Seasonal Advantage), and the Hour Branch is also the Day Master's "Maturity" (临官) or "Flourish" (帝旺) phase, then both Month and Hour Pillars provide a double boost of prosperity.
The specifics are as follows:
- Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood: Born in Spring (Yin (寅), Mao (卯), Chen (辰) months), and also during Yin (寅) or Mao (卯) hours.
- Bing (丙) or Ding (丁) Fire: Born in Summer (Si (巳), Wu (午), Wei (未) months), and also during Si (巳) or Wu (午) hours.
- Wu (戊) or Ji (己) Earth: Born in the transitional months (Chen (辰), Xu (戌), Chou (丑), Wei (未)), and also during Chen (辰), Xu (戌), Chou (丑), or Wei (未) hours; or born in Si (巳) or Wu (午) months and hours as well.
- Geng (庚) or Xin (辛) Metal: Born in Autumn (Shen (申), You (酉), Xu (戌) months), and also during Shen (申) or You (酉) hours.
- Ren (壬) or Gui (癸) Water: Born in Winter (Hai (亥), Zi (子), Chou (丑) months), and also during Hai (亥) or Zi (子) hours.
Pattern Significance
Those whose charts form the Favor of Seasons Pattern (四时乘旺格) are typically bright-minded, resolute, and radiate self-confidence and vitality. With the support of timely seasonal energy, they possess abundant inner strength and robust health. Individuals with this pattern are naturally endowed with powerful drive and initiative. If their chart allows this prosperity to be channeled through suitable outlets—such as Wealth (财), Executive (官), or Talent/Maverick (食伤)—they can achieve accomplishments far beyond the ordinary. If the Hour Pillar also supports this prosperity, such fortune can last a lifetime, signifying "longevity, wealth, and great influence." The main drawback, however, is that if the prosperity is excessive and lacks outlets, it can lead to stubbornness and inflexibility, resulting in a "strong self with no support" scenario.
Favorable and Unfavorable Factors
Favorable:
- Wealth and Executive Utilized (财官得用): This is the ideal outcome for the pattern. A strong Day Master thrives when Wealth and Executive stars serve as goals to strive for and manage, forming the superior pattern of "the strong self harnessing Wealth and Executive," which brings great fortune and nobility.
- Genius Unbound (食伤泄秀): In the absence of strong Wealth or Executive stars, it is beneficial for Talent (食神) or Maverick (伤官) stars to channel the Day Master's prosperity, transforming it into talent, skill, and creativity—leading to both fame and fortune.
- Pattern Purity (格局纯粹): When the chart centers on the Day Master's prosperity, complemented by one or two powerful useful spirits (用神), and the energies remain focused, the pattern reaches an even higher tier.
Unfavorable:
- Excessive Mentor (印绶过重): This is the primary pitfall. The Day Master is already strong due to seasonal advantage; if Mentor (印星) stars further enhance it, the result is overwhelming prosperity and severe imbalance among the Five Elements, leading to obstacles and diminished fortune.
- Extreme Prosperity with No Outlet (旺极无泄): If the Day Master is extremely strong but lacks any Wealth, Executive, Talent, or Maverick stars to rely on, the prosperity becomes blocked—this is the "strong self with no support" scenario, often indicating loneliness or a monastic life.
- Foundation Clashed (禄刃被冲): If the Month or Hour Branch, which serves as the root of the Day Master's prosperity, is severely clashed or penalized, the foundation is shaken and fortune becomes unstable.
Classical Text
From "San Ming Tong Hui" (《三命通会》):
如春生甲乙时，夏生丙丁日时之类，主人心明。时全见者，足寿富贵多权。
Interpretation: For example, a Jia (甲) or Yi (乙) Wood Day Master born in Spring, or a Bing (丙) or Ding (丁) Fire Day Master born in Summer, especially when also born during the hours when their element is at its peak. Such individuals are bright-minded. If the Hour Pillar also fully reflects this prosperity, it indicates a life of longevity, wealth, and great influence.
FAQ
What is Favor of Seasons in Bazi astrology?
Favor of Seasons (四时乘旺) is a special Bazi Pattern where the Day Master is born during the season when its own Five Element is at its most prosperous. In Chinese astrology, this means the individual receives the strongest seasonal energy, leading to enhanced vitality, inner strength, and potential for wealth and success. The pattern relies on the alignment of the Day Master’s element with the Month Branch and the Hour Branch, forming a foundation for future achievement and influence. This concept is highly valued for predicting favorable life outcomes and personal attributes.
How to identify Favor of Seasons pattern in a Bazi chart?
To identify the Favor of Seasons pattern in a Bazi chart, first determine the Day Master’s Five Element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water). Then, check if the Month Branch matches the season when this element is naturally strongest. Next, verify if the Hour Branch is in the Day Master’s “Maturity” or “Flourish” phase, which further boosts prosperity. For example, Jia Wood thrives in Spring, Bing Fire in Summer, Geng Metal in Autumn, and Ren Water in Winter. Matching these seasonal pillars is key to recognizing the Favor of Seasons pattern.
Why is Favor of Seasons pattern important for personal success?
The Favor of Seasons pattern is important because it signifies that the Day Master receives full support from seasonal energies, leading to strong vitality, confidence, and initiative. Individuals with this pattern have a solid foundation for wealth, health, and social influence. When the chart also features Wealth, Executive, or Talent stars that channel this prosperity, the individual can achieve extraordinary accomplishments and long-lasting success. This pattern is highly sought after in Bazi astrology for its positive impact on life outcomes.
What are the favorable factors for the Favor of Seasons pattern?
The most favorable factors for the Favor of Seasons pattern include having Wealth (财) and Executive (官) stars utilized effectively, which allows the strong Day Master to harness prosperity for leadership and financial gain. Genius Unbound (食伤泄秀) is also beneficial, as Talent or Maverick stars channel the Day Master’s energy into creativity and skill, leading to recognition and fame. Pattern purity, where the chart’s energies remain focused and centered on the Day Master’s prosperity, further enhances the pattern’s positive effects in Bazi astrology.
When does the Favor of Seasons pattern become unfavorable in Bazi charts?
The Favor of Seasons pattern becomes unfavorable when the Day Master’s prosperity is excessive and lacks proper outlets, such as Wealth, Executive, or Talent stars. This can result in stubbornness, inflexibility, and imbalance among the Five Elements, leading to obstacles and diminished fortune. Excessive Mentor (印绶过重) stars can further intensify the imbalance, making it hard for the individual to channel their energy productively. Recognizing these conditions is crucial for accurate Bazi chart analysis and remedy planning.