Six Ren Approaching Gen (六壬趋艮): The Wisdom Pattern of Hidden Fortune

In the special patterns of BaZi (Chinese astrology), there is a noble configuration known as "Six Ren Approaching Gen" (六壬趋艮). The term "Six Ren" refers to the six days with Ren (壬) Water as the Day Master: Ren-Zi (壬子), Ren-Yin (壬寅), Ren-Chen (壬辰), Ren-Wu (壬午), Ren-Shen (壬申), and Ren-Xu (壬戌). "Approaching Gen" means the Hour Pillar moves toward the "Gen" trigram of the Eight Trigrams, which corresponds to the Earthly Branch Yin (寅) — the Tiger hour. The subtlety of this pattern lies in using the Yin branch's Talent (食神) — Yin Wood — as the core, which secretly combines to bring the Day Master's Fortune God (禄神 — the hidden Lu of Hai Water), and also activates the Executive (正官) and Mentor (正印) stars. This gathers multiple auspicious elements into one, symbolizing wealth and nobility. The ancient text Xiang Xin Fu (相心赋) states: "Those with Six Ren Approaching Gen are endowed with abundant wisdom and benevolence."

How to Identify This Pattern

The key criteria for this pattern are: the Day Pillar is one of the six Ren days, the Hour Pillar is Yin (Tiger hour), and the Four Pillars must not contain Wealth/Executive (Fire/Earth) or Clash/Punishment (Shen). Among these, Ren-Yin and Ren-Chen days are the most standard.

Specific points:

  • Day and Hour Conditions: The Day Pillar must be one of the six Ren days, and the Hour Pillar must be Yin (i.e., Ren-Yin hour). Among the six, Ren-Yin and Ren-Chen days are the purest because the Day Master has a strong root in the Day Branch.
  • Avoid Direct Fortune God: The Earthly Branch Hai (亥) must absolutely not appear in the Four Pillars. Hai is the Fortune God (禄神) of Ren Water. The nobility of this pattern lies in "hidden combination"; once the Fortune God appears directly, it becomes "filled in" (填实), and the pattern is immediately broken. Ancient texts clearly state: "If the Hai month appears, poverty is certain."
  • Protect the Pattern's Hub: The Earthly Branch Shen (申) should not appear. Because Yin and Shen clash (寅申冲), directly impacting and destroying the core Yin Wood.
  • Maintain Purity: The Heavenly Stems Wu (戊) and Ji (己) — representing the Warlord (偏官) and Executive (正官) — should not appear. Their presence pollutes the pattern, making the destiny cloudy and potentially leading to poverty.
  • Preserve the Source of Talent: The Heavenly Stem Geng (庚) should not appear. Geng is the Mystic (偏印) star, which overcomes the Jia Wood hidden in Yin, damaging the root of talent and elegance.

Core Meaning of the Pattern

People with the Six Ren Approaching Gen pattern are typically exceptionally intelligent, kind-hearted, and talented. From the pattern's mechanism, this is an excellent "Talent Draining Self" (食神泄秀) configuration, forming an image of "Water and Wood in Purity" (水木清华). This means the native can smoothly express their inner wisdom (Ren Water) through talent and creativity (Yin Wood), thereby gaining reputation and achievement.

Ancient fortune analysis believes that in this pattern, Yin is not only the Talent star but also secretly combines to bring the Hai Fortune God, activates the Executive (Yin's Jia Wood combines to bring Ji Earth as Executive), and the Mentor (Yin's Bing Fire combines to bring Xin Metal as Mentor). It gathers the three treasures of Fortune, Executive, and Mentor in one, thus bestowing deep blessings and extraordinary nobility. Those with this pattern often become respected scholars, artists, or incorruptible officials, and tend to live long and fortunate lives. However, this pattern heavily relies on the integrity of Yin Wood. If Yin is damaged, or if the Day Master is too weak, the pattern is broken, potentially leading to unfulfilled talent or even poor health.

Likes and Dislikes of the Pattern

  • Likes:

    1. Strong Day Master: This pattern prefers a Day Master with strong roots (e.g., Day Branch being Zi or Chen) or support from Metal/Water. A strong self can harness the Talent Draining Self mechanism, transforming talent into actual fortune.
    2. Wood Generating Fire: If the Day Master is very strong, the Luck Cycle (大运) prefers the South Fire direction. This creates a virtuous cycle of Talent Generating Wealth (食神生财), meaning talent can bring significant wealth and fame.
    3. Pattern Purity: The complete absence of Hai, Shen, Wu, Ji, and Geng in the chart is the core factor determining the pattern's high level.
  • Dislikes:

    1. Hai Filling In: This is the number one taboo. If Hai appears in the chart or in the Annual Cycle (流年) / Luck Cycle, the hidden fortune becomes visible, the pattern is immediately broken, and blessings are greatly reduced.
    2. Shen Clashing Yin: If Shen appears to clash with Yin, it directly destroys the foundation of this pattern, leading to career setbacks and turbulent life.
    3. Executive/Warlord Mixing: The appearance of Wu or Ji Earth not only breaks the pattern but also creates the unfavorable "Talent Meets Executive" (食神见官) situation, easily causing disputes and disasters.
    4. Geng Metal Stealing Talent: If Geng appears, it overcomes the Jia Wood hidden in Yin, forming "Mystic Steals Talent" (枭神夺食), leading to suppressed talent, depression, and diminished blessings.

Classical Texts

"San Ming Tong Hui" (三命通会)

This pattern refers to the six Ren days encountering Jia-Yin hour, which combines to bring out the Ren Fortune God hidden in Hai, hence it is also called the Hidden Fortune Pattern. The classic says: "A hidden fortune is better than a visible one." It fears the Hai character filling in, and fears Clash, Punishment, Overcoming, and Break. Ren-Yin and Ren-Chen days are the standard; if Yin appears many times, it indicates great wealth, because Yin's Jia Wood Talent generates Bing Fire (Ren's Venturer), and Bing Fire is in its Birth stage in Yin. Wealth flourishes and generates the Executive, hence it is beautiful. It fears Executive/Warlord damaging the self, and Shen/Geng harming Jia Wood, preventing wealth generation, which is ominous. Another interpretation: "For a Ren day, many Yin characters use Yin's Jia Wood to secretly combine Ji Earth as Ren's Executive, and Yin's Bing Fire to secretly combine Xin Metal as Ren's Mentor. It fears Wu combining and Shen clashing, and dislikes Wealth/Executive filling in. It likes the Day Master being strong. The same applies to Annual Cycles and Luck Cycles." Xiang Xin Fu says: "Those with Six Ren Approaching Gen are endowed with abundant wisdom and benevolence." Zhen Bao Fu says: "Six Ren Approaching Gen is extraordinary if Wealth and Mentor appear on the Heavenly Stems. If Executive/Warlord invades, it instead leads to poverty and lowliness."

Poem: "Six Ren Approaching Gen is a great joy, a Ren day born in Yin hour enters the noble realm. It greatly fears Punishment, Clash, and Overcoming; if Jia appears in the Annual Cycle, disaster will come."

Modern Interpretation: This pattern refers to the six Ren days encountering the Yin hour (note: the original text says "Jia-Yin hour" to emphasize the Talent star image, but in reality, the Heavenly Stem for a Ren day Yin hour is Ren). It can secretly combine the Ren Fortune God hidden in Hai through Yin Wood, hence it is also called the Hidden Fortune Pattern. The classic saying "A hidden fortune is better than a visible one" is the principle. It most fears the Hai character appearing directly to "fill in" the fortune, and also fears Clash, Punishment, Overcoming, and Break. Ren-Yin and Ren-Chen days are the most standard; if Yin appears many times in the chart, it indicates great wealth, because Yin's Jia Wood Talent can generate Bing Fire (Ren's Venturer), and Bing Fire is in its Birth stage in Yin. Wealth flourishes and generates the Executive, hence it is beautiful. It fears Executive/Warlord damaging the Day Master, and also fears Shen Metal and Geng Metal harming Yin's Jia Wood, preventing wealth generation, which is ominous. Another interpretation: "For a Ren day birth, if Yin appears many times in the chart, it uses Yin's Jia Wood to secretly combine Ji Earth as Ren's Executive, and Yin's Bing Fire to secretly combine Xin Metal as Ren's Mentor. It fears Wu Fire combining and Shen Metal clashing, and dislikes Wealth/Executive filling in. It likes the Day Master being strong in Luck Cycles. The same applies to Annual Cycles." Xiang Xin Fu says: "Those with Six Ren Approaching Gen are endowed with abundant wisdom and benevolence." Zhen Bao Fu says: "Six Ren Approaching Gen is extraordinary if Wealth and Mentor appear on the Heavenly Stems. If Executive/Warlord invades, it instead leads to poverty and lowliness."

Poem: "Six Ren Approaching Gen is a great joy, a Ren day born in Yin hour enters the noble realm. It greatly fears Punishment, Clash, and Overcoming; if Jia appears in the Annual Cycle, disaster will come."

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