Zi Yao Si Lu (子遥巳禄): The Hidden Strategy Pattern

In the intricate system of BaZi patterns, few are as conceptually ingenious and logically circuitous as the "Zi Yao Si Lu" (子遥巳禄) pattern. This pattern does not rely on a directly visible Executive (正官) star. Instead, it uses two Zi (Rat) branches in the Day and Hour Pillars to trigger a hidden chain reaction of "remote attractions" (遥合) deep within the chart. This ultimately draws the Executive star to the Day Master, thereby bestowing nobility and authority. Its abstract mechanism makes it a classic example of a "hidden pattern." As the classic text Xi Ji Pian (喜忌篇) states: "When the Jia Zi day encounters the Jia Zi hour again, one must fear Geng, Xin, Shen, You, Chou, and Wu."

Conditions for Forming the Pattern

The core of this pattern lies in the specific combination of a Jia Zi (甲子) Day Pillar and a Jia Zi (甲子) Hour Pillar. Furthermore, the Four Pillars must be completely free from the interference of the Executive/Warlord (Metal), Wealth (Fire), Clashes (Wu), and Combinations (Chou). Only when the entire chart is pure and unobstructed can the power of the two Zi branches activate the intricate remote attraction sequence.

The specific conditions are broken down as follows:

• Core Framework: The Day Pillar and Hour Pillar must both be Jia Zi (甲子). This is the original energy point that activates the entire pattern.
• Clear Obstacles: The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the Four Pillars must absolutely not contain Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Shen (申), or You (酉). These are the Executive and Warlord stars. If they appear directly, it is called "filling in" (填实). The pattern's target is already exposed, making the "remote attraction" unnecessary, and the pattern is immediately broken.
• Target Concealment: The Heavenly Stems should not see Bing (丙) fire, and the Earthly Branches should not see Si (巳) fire. Si is the ultimate target palace of the remote attraction. If it appears directly in the chart, the meaning of "remote" is lost, which also constitutes "filling in" and breaks the pattern.
• Stable Foundation: The Earthly Branches should not see Wu (午) fire. A Zi-Wu Clash directly impacts and destabilizes the two Zi branches that serve as the pattern's engine. If the foundation is unstable, nothing can be achieved.
• Focused Energy: The Earthly Branches should not see Chou (丑) earth. A Zi-Chou Combination causes the Zi water to "become greedy and forget the remote attraction" (贪合忘遥). It gets tied down by Chou earth and cannot fulfill its mission of remote attraction.

Deeper Meaning of the Pattern

Individuals who enter this pattern often symbolize extraordinary wisdom and operational ability. Their path to nobility is not direct but involves multiple, indirect transformations and attractions. This reflects a native who excels at strategizing, leveraging resources, and achieving goals through circuitous and clever means in complex situations, much like a military strategist or advisor of ancient times. If the pattern is purely established, it indicates profound nobility, the ability to hold key behind-the-scenes positions or wield real power, but their path to success is often obscure and difficult to discern.

It is important to note that while the theoretical framework of this pattern is exquisite, its practical conditions are extremely strict. Like a precision instrument, it has very high environmental requirements, and even a slight impurity can easily damage it. If the pattern is not genuine, the native may fall into a predicament of overthinking without finding a way to practice, or their talents may remain suspended, unable to materialize.

Favorable and Unfavorable Gods for the Pattern

• Favorable (所喜):

  1. Strong Self and Flourishing Mentor (印旺): It is favorable to be born in the Hai (亥) or Zi (子) months (strong Water, flourishing Mentor) or the Yin (寅) or Mao (卯) months (strong Wood, flourishing Self). Only with a deep and solid foundation of the Day Master can one have enough strength to control and bear the nobility obtained through complex operations.
  2. Supportive Luck Cycles: The Great Luck Cycles (大运) favor the Northern Water sector or the Eastern Wood sector. Water cycles nourish and strengthen the power of the Zi branches, while Wood cycles strengthen the Jia Wood Day Master, both conducive to the stable operation of the remote attraction mechanism.
  3. Purity of the Pattern: The chart completely meeting the above conditions without any admixture of unfavorable elements is the primary factor determining the pattern's level and quality.

• Unfavorable (所忌):

  1. Filling in with Executive/Warlord: This is the most severe taboo. If the Great Luck or Annual Cycle (流年) encounters Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Shen (申), or You (酉), the Executive/Warlord stars become exposed, and the pattern is instantly broken. This indicates career setbacks, unstable authority, and even legal troubles.
  2. Southern Fire Cycles: Great Luck moving into the Si (巳) or Wu (午) territories. The Si cycle "fills in" the target palace, while the Wu cycle directly "clashes" and breaks the foundation of the Zi branches. Both are cycles that break the pattern, leading to frequent disasters and complete destruction of the pattern.
  3. Chou Earth Binding: If the Great Luck or Annual Cycle encounters Chou (丑), it combines with Zi, binding the remote attraction force. This indicates hindered development, opportunities being intercepted by others, or overall failure due to minor details.

Classical Text Discussion

From San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会)

The Xi Ji Pian says: "When the Jia Zi day encounters the Jia Zi hour again, one must fear Geng, Xin, Shen, You, Chou, and Wu." This pattern takes the Jia Zi day and Jia Zi hour. Jia takes Xin as its Executive. The Gui water within the two Zi branches can remotely attract the Wu earth hidden in Si. Wu comes to combine with Gui, but fears being overcome by the Jia wood sitting on top of Zi, so it dares not come to combine. Wu and Bing reside together in the Si palace; Bing and Wu are like father and son. When Wu moves, Bing also moves. Bing then combines with Xin, which is hidden in You, to come and overcome Jia wood. Thus, the Jia Day Master obtains its Executive star. Only then can Wu combine with Gui. This is called the Si-You-Chou triad activating the Executive star bureau. The Year and Month Pillars greatly fear Wu clashing with Zi or Chou combining with Zi, as this prevents the remote attraction.

Another explanation says: "Jia, as the master, overcomes and drives out the Wu earth from Si. It also uses the Gui water from Zi to overcome and drive out the Bing fire from Si. Once Wu is driven out, it combines with Gui. Bing, driven out without a partner, seeks out Xin metal in You to combine with. Thus, the Jia Day Master obtains the beauty of both Wealth and Executive." Yet another says: "This pattern uses the Gui water from the two Zi branches to remotely attract the Wu earth in Si as Jia's Wealth. Bing and Wu share their 'Lu' (Fortune God) in Si. Bing is Jia's Talent (食神) star, and Wu is Bing's Talent star. When Wu moves, Bing also moves. Bing sees Wu (due to combining with Gui) and becomes emotionally stirred, so it combines with Xin metal to become Jia's Executive. This is like a son inheriting his father's legacy, glorifying the family, and achieving the father's nobility." It is favorable to be born in the Ren, Gui, Hai, Zi months (strong Water, flourishing Mentor) or Mao, Yin months (strong Wood, flourishing Self). When Great Luck moves into the Executive's prosperous territory, it indicates success in imperial examinations, abundant salary, and both power and wealth. It is taboo to see Geng, Xin, or Bing clearly exposed in the Heavenly Stems, or Shen, Si, or You in the Earthly Branches, as this breaks the pattern. If there are other characters that can control or transform these unfavorable elements, the harm can be reduced. If the chart has Chou combining or Wu clashing, it reduces the pattern's quality. The same applies to the Luck Cycles and Annual Cycles.

If one is born in the You or Chou months, it is treated as a regular Executive Pattern. If the Geng character appears weakly in the Heavenly Stems, it can also indicate wealth and nobility. It all depends on the condition of the Month Pillar. Sometimes it can form a Warlord-Mentor combination to provide support. If this pattern is formed, one must be especially wary of the Southern Fire Luck Cycles. For example, the BaZi of Minister Fan Jizu: Geng Zi, Ji Mao, Jia Zi, Jia Zi, is a true example of this pattern. The classic says: "When Jia Zi encounters the combined Lu, one will be wealthy and content for life."

The poem says: "Jia Zi day meets Jia Zi hour, remote attraction of Executive Lu, nobility is beyond doubt. Chou binds, Zi clashes, Executive appears, fortune is not auspicious, Lu also comes late. Jia Zi meets Jia Zi again, do not say the Executive is strong and unfavorable. The month gives birth to the Day Master, the root is strong, luck arriving in the Metal sector is instead a wonder." Another says: "Jia Zi day gives birth to Jia Zi hour, suddenly encountering an Executive, who can know? Gui moves, Wu comes, Wu moves Bing, Bing combines with Xin, this is the foundation of fortune. Avoid Geng, Xin, Shen, You characters, also dislike Chou binding and Wu clashing. If encountered in the chart or luck cycles, the pattern is damaged, fortune is lacking." Another says: "Zi remotely attracts Si, ponder deeply, Jia Zi must be sought with Jia Zi. Gui invites Wu earth from Si, Bing combines with Xin metal from You. Secretly rejoice in the Shen-You triad, openly fear the invasion of Geng and Xin. If Chou and Wu are not encountered, it is a high-level pattern, passing the imperial exams and feasting in the Qionglin Garden."

Modern Interpretation: The Xi Ji Pian points out that the Jia Zi day and Jia Zi hour require avoiding Geng, Xin, Shen, You, Chou, and Wu. The mechanism of this pattern is: Jia wood takes Xin metal as its Executive. The Gui water from the two Zi branches can "remotely attract" the Wu earth from the distant Si palace. Wu earth wants to respond to Gui's call but fears being overcome by the Jia wood sitting on the Zi branch, so it dares not act rashly. Wu earth and Bing fire reside together in the Si palace; their relationship is close. When Wu earth moves, Bing fire also moves. Bing fire then turns to combine with the Xin metal hidden in the You palace, thereby attracting the Executive star (Xin) to restrain Jia wood. At this point, the Jia Day Master obtains its Executive star, and Wu earth can also rest assured to combine with Gui water. This series of actions essentially secretly activates the "Si-You-Chou" triad of the Executive bureau. Therefore, the Year and Month Pillars most fear seeing Wu fire to clash with Zi, or Chou earth to combine with Zi, as this would destroy the starting point of the remote attraction.

Another explanation is: Jia wood, as the dominant force, overcomes and moves the Wu earth in Si (Wealth); it also uses the Gui water in Zi to overcome and move the Bing fire in Si. After Wu earth is drawn out, it combines with Gui water. After Bing fire is drawn out, it has no place to go, so it seeks out Xin metal in You to combine with. Thus, Jia wood simultaneously obtains Wealth (Wu) and Executive (Xin). Another view holds that this pattern uses the Gui water of the two Zi branches to remotely attract the Wu earth in Si as Jia wood's Wealth. Bing fire and Wu earth share their Lu position in Si. Bing is Jia's Talent star, and Wu is Bing's Talent star. Therefore, when Wu moves, Bing must also move. Bing fire, seeing Wu (due to combining with Gui), becomes emotionally stirred and combines with Xin metal to become Jia wood's Executive. This is like a son inheriting his father's career, glorifying the family, and achieving the father's nobility. This pattern favors being born in the Ren, Gui, Hai, Zi months (strong Water) or Mao, Yin months (strong Wood). When Great Luck moves into the prosperous territory of the Executive star, it indicates success in imperial examinations, generous salary, and both power and wealth. It is taboo to see Geng, Xin, or Bing clearly exposed in the Heavenly Stems, or Shen, Si, or You in the Earthly Branches, as this breaks the pattern. If other characters can control these unfavorable elements, the harm can be reduced. Seeing Chou combining or Wu clashing in the chart reduces the pattern's quality. The same applies to Luck Cycles and Annual Cycles.

If one is born in the You or Chou months, it is treated as a regular Executive Pattern. If the Geng character appears weakly in the Heavenly Stems, it can also indicate wealth and nobility. The key lies in the coordination of the Month Pillar. Sometimes it can form a Warlord-Mentor combination to provide support. After the pattern is formed, one must be most vigilant against the Southern Fire Luck Cycles. For example, the BaZi of Minister Fan Jizu: Geng Zi, Ji Mao, Jia Zi, Jia Zi, is a true example of this pattern. The ancient classic says: "When the Jia Zi day encounters this combined Lu pattern, one can expect a lifetime of wealth and contentment."

The poem says: "Jia Zi day meets Jia Zi hour, remote attraction of Executive Lu, the noble pattern is true. If Chou binds or Wu comes to clash, Executive appears, fortune is hard to attain, the Lu star may also come late. Do not say that a strong Self is unfavorable for the Executive; the month gives birth, the root is deep. Luck entering the Metal sector becomes a wonder." Another says: "Jia Zi day and hour meet twice, secretly obtaining an Executive is a wonderful mystery. Gui moves Wu, Wu leads Bing, Bing combines with Xin, this is the root of fortune. Geng, Xin, Shen, You must not be seen, Chou binding and Wu clashing are also taboo. If encountered in the chart or luck cycles, the pattern is damaged, fortune is empty." Another says: "Zi remotely attracts Si, the principle is deep and profound. The Jia Zi day and hour are the core. Gui invites Wu earth from Si to move, Bing combines with Xin metal from You to arrive. Rejoice in the hidden formation of the Shen-You bureau, fear the invasion of Geng and Xin. If Chou and Wu do not come to destroy, high rank and feasting in the Qionglin Garden."