Our Methods
方法论
Understanding the ancient wisdom and traditional systems that guide our practice. These methods have been refined over millennia and continue to provide valuable insights for life's important decisions.
Philosophy of Chinese Fortune-Telling
命理哲学
Chinese metaphysics views the universe as an interconnected system where celestial patterns mirror earthly events. Unlike fortune-telling traditions that rely on random divination, Chinese systems like BaZi are based on the precise moment of birth - a fixed point that encodes one's destiny blueprint. This deterministic approach allows for consistent, reproducible readings that reveal life patterns, cycles of fortune, and optimal timing for important decisions.
The Importance of Timing
时机的重要性
Chinese culture places profound emphasis on timing - the belief that actions taken at auspicious moments are more likely to succeed. This concept, called Ze Ri (择日) or date selection, permeates all aspects of traditional Chinese life, from weddings and business openings to moving homes and naming children. The right timing aligns human action with cosmic support, while poor timing can create obstacles even for well-planned endeavors.
BaZi (Eight Characters)
八字
The Four Pillars
四柱
BaZi derives its name from the "Eight Characters" that form your destiny chart. These characters are arranged into Four Pillars, each representing a different aspect of your life: the Year Pillar (ancestors and early childhood), Month Pillar (parents and education), Day Pillar (self and spouse), and Hour Pillar (children and later life). Each pillar consists of two characters - one Heavenly Stem above and one Earthly Branch below.
Heavenly Stems & Earthly Branches
天干地支
The Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan) are a cycle of ten elements, while the Earthly Branches (Di Zhi) form a cycle of twelve - corresponding to the Chinese zodiac animals. Together they create a 60-year cycle (Jia Zi) that has been used to mark time in Chinese culture for millennia. Each stem and branch carries elemental properties and energetic qualities that shape the destiny reading.
The Five Elements
五行
Central to BaZi is the theory of Wu Xing - the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements exist in productive and destructive cycles. Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth (ash), Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water (condensation), and Water nourishes Wood. Understanding how these elements interact within your chart reveals strengths, weaknesses, and life patterns.
Birth Time Significance
时辰
The exact time of birth determines your Hour Pillar and is crucial for accurate readings. Chinese tradition divides the day into twelve two-hour periods (Shi Chen), each governed by an Earthly Branch. A person born at 3 AM has a vastly different Hour Pillar than one born at 3 PM, even if they share the same day. This is why traditional BaZi practitioners emphasize accurate birth time.
The Day Master
日主
The Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar is called the Day Master (Ri Zhu) - it represents your core self and is the reference point for all chart analysis. The Day Master's relationship with other elements in your chart determines whether you are "strong" or "weak," which in turn guides recommendations for favorable elements, career paths, and relationship compatibility.
Chinese Name Selection
姓名学
Wu Ge - Five Grids
五格
The Wu Ge system analyzes names through five numerical grids derived from stroke counts: Tian Ge (Heaven Grid - surname influence), Ren Ge (Person Grid - middle life), Di Ge (Earth Grid - youth and foundation), Wai Ge (Outer Grid - social relationships), and Zong Ge (Total Grid - overall life fortune). Each grid's numerical value carries auspicious or inauspicious meanings based on traditional interpretations.
San Cai - Three Talents
三才
San Cai examines the harmony between Heaven, Person, and Earth - represented by the first three grids. This configuration reveals how well a person aligns with cosmic forces (Heaven), their own efforts (Person), and foundational support (Earth). A harmonious San Cai suggests smooth life progression, while conflicts indicate challenges that require attention or compensation through other aspects.
Stroke Counting Tradition
康熙字典
Traditional Chinese name analysis uses the Kangxi Dictionary stroke counts, which may differ from modern simplified character strokes. This 18th-century standard remains the authoritative reference because it preserves the original energetic structure of characters. Some characters have special counting rules, and practitioners must understand these nuances for accurate analysis.
Complementing BaZi
配合八字
A well-chosen name should complement the individual's BaZi chart by introducing elements they lack or strengthening weak areas. If someone's chart is deficient in Water, characters containing the Water radical or water-related meanings can help balance their elemental makeup. The name becomes a daily invocation of beneficial energies that support the person's destiny.
Element Balance in Names
五行平衡
Each Chinese character carries elemental associations through its radical, meaning, or sound. Name selection considers how these elements interact with each other and with the person's BaZi. The goal is not simply to add missing elements, but to create a harmonious flow that enhances the person's natural strengths while mitigating challenging aspects of their destiny.
Date Selection
择日
Tong Shu - The Chinese Almanac
通书
The Tong Shu (also called Huang Li or Chinese Almanac) is a comprehensive calendar that has guided Chinese life for over a thousand years. Far more than a simple calendar, it designates auspicious and inauspicious activities for each day based on complex astronomical and metaphysical calculations. Different editions may vary slightly, but the core methodology remains consistent.
Auspicious vs Inauspicious Days
吉日凶日
Days are classified based on the interaction of celestial energies, the day's stem-branch combination, and the presence of beneficial or harmful "stars" (神煞). Some days are universally good or bad, while others are suitable for specific activities only. A day perfect for weddings might be terrible for funerals, and vice versa. Understanding these distinctions requires deep knowledge of traditional systems.
Personal Compatibility
个人配合
Beyond general day quality, true date selection considers the individual's BaZi chart. A universally "auspicious" day might actually clash with your personal elements, creating hidden conflicts. Proper date selection harmonizes the cosmic energies of the day with your personal destiny chart, ensuring the chosen date truly supports your intentions and goals.
The Lunar Calendar
农历
Chinese date selection operates primarily on the lunar calendar, which follows the moon's phases rather than the solar year. The lunar calendar includes intercalary months (leap months) to synchronize with seasons, and these adjustments affect date calculations. Understanding the relationship between lunar dates, solar terms, and stem-branch cycles is essential for accurate date selection.
Wedding-Specific Considerations
婚嫁择日
San Niang Sha - The Six Taboo Days
三娘煞禁日
According to legend, San Niang (the Third Lady) was a beautiful woman whose sharp tongue offended the Matchmaker God, who then prevented her from ever marrying. In her grief and anger, she cursed six days of each lunar month, vowing to sabotage any weddings held on those days.
Days to Avoid (Lunar Calendar):
Family Harmony
家庭和谐
Wedding date selection considers not just the couple but their families as well. The selected date should ideally not clash with the zodiac signs of either set of parents, particularly the bride's. This consideration reflects the traditional understanding that marriage unites families, not just individuals, and the wedding day's energy affects all involved.
Fetching the Bride
迎亲
Traditional weddings involve specific timing for the groom's procession to fetch the bride from her family home. This moment is separately selected based on favorable hours that support the couple's union. The direction of travel, timing of departure and arrival, and even the route may be guided by date selection principles to maximize auspicious energy.
An Chuang - Bed Setting
安床
The setting up of the marital bed is considered a ceremony in itself, traditionally performed on a separately selected auspicious date before the wedding. This ritual involves specific timing, the placement of auspicious items, and sometimes having children jump on the bed to invite fertility. The date for An Chuang should harmonize with both partners' charts.
Guo Da Li - Betrothal
过大礼
The formal betrothal ceremony, where the groom's family presents gifts to the bride's family, also requires careful date selection. This pre-wedding ritual establishes the formal engagement and sets the tone for the marriage. Selecting an auspicious date for Guo Da Li demonstrates respect for tradition and sets positive energy in motion for the upcoming union.
Sources & Traditions
渊源与传承
Historical Background
历史渊源
Chinese metaphysical arts have developed over thousands of years, with roots tracing back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) and the I-Ching. BaZi in its current form was systematized during the Tang and Song dynasties (7th-13th century CE). These traditions have been continuously refined by generations of masters who tested and validated the methods against real-world outcomes.
Classical References
经典文献
Our methods draw from classical texts including the San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会), Di Tian Sui (滴天髓), Qiong Tong Bao Jian (穷通宝鉴), and various Tong Shu editions. These texts represent the accumulated wisdom of countless practitioners and form the theoretical foundation for all our date selection and destiny analysis work.
Master Chun's Lineage
春大师传承
Master Chun learned the art of Chinese metaphysics through the Fujian lineage, a tradition particularly renowned for its practical approach to date selection and name analysis. This southern Chinese tradition emphasizes real-world application and has been passed down through generations of practitioners who served the Chinese diaspora communities throughout Southeast Asia.
Ready to Apply These Methods?
准备好运用这些方法了吗？
Whether you're planning a wedding, naming a child, or seeking to understand your destiny, Master Chun can apply these time-tested methods to your specific situation.