Auspicious and Inauspicious Meetings: Unveiling the Fortune and Misfortune of Earthly Branch Three-Harmony Frames

In traditional Chinese destiny reading, the distinction between auspicious and inauspicious meetings is an essential analytical tool. It reveals how the Earthly Branch (Di Zhi) three-harmony frames influence a native's fortune. The three-harmony frames (San He Ju)—Shen-Zi-Chen, Hai-Mao-Wei, Yin-Wu-Xu, and Si-You-Chou—can be analyzed through the Five Elements (Wu Xing) attributes of these combinations. By doing so, we can determine whether they serve as favorable or unfavorable elements for the Day Master (Ri Zhu), thereby distinguishing between auspicious and inauspicious meetings.

How to Determine

To judge whether a three-harmony frame is an auspicious or inauspicious meeting, one must first identify the three-harmony frame present in the natal chart, or one jointly formed by the Luck Pillars (Da Yun) or Annual Pillars (Liu Nian) interacting with the natal chart. Next, analyze the attribute of the Five Elements transformed by this three-harmony frame to see whether it acts as a favorable element (Yong Shen) or unfavorable element (Ji Shen) for the Day Master.

Auspicious Meetings

• Definition: An auspicious meeting occurs when the element transformed by the three-harmony frame becomes the Day Master's favorable element, and its strength is moderate.
• Example: For a strong Day Master of Bing or Ding Fire, encountering the Shen-Zi-Chen three-harmony frame of Water in the branches is known as "a meeting of Officers bringing nobility." This is an auspicious meeting.
• Practical Example: For a weak Day Master of Geng or Xin Metal, encountering the Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei directional frame of Earth in the branches is known as "a meeting of Resource bringing blessings." This is also an auspicious meeting.

Inauspicious Meetings

• Definition: An inauspicious meeting occurs when the element transformed by the three-harmony frame becomes the Day Master's unfavorable element, and there is no strength within the chart to control or transform it.
• Example: For a weak Day Master of Jia or Yi Wood, encountering the Shen-You-Xu directional frame of Metal in the branches triggers a powerful Seven Killings (Qi Sha) of "Geng and Shen." If there is no means to control or transform it, this is an inauspicious meeting.
• Practical Example: For a weak Day Master of Bing or Ding Fire, encountering the Hai-Mao-Wei three-harmony frame of Wood in the branches triggers an overpowering Wood (the Resource star). This leads to a state of an "overabundant Resource weakening an already weak self," which is also an inauspicious meeting.

Implications of the Structure

The distinction between auspicious and inauspicious meetings profoundly reveals the dual nature—both good and bad—of "teamwork" or collective power.

Auspicious Meetings

• Symbolism: The native can secure the support of a powerful and stable social force.
• Influence: If it is an "Officer meeting," it signifies a vast career platform and the ability to hold prominent positions. If it is a "Wealth meeting," it signifies a robust commercial network and the potential to achieve great wealth. If it is a "Resource meeting," it signifies receiving profound academic or elder support.

Inauspicious Meetings

• Symbolism: The native will face an organized pressure or infringement that is difficult to escape.
• Influence: If it is a "Killings meeting," it indicates being surrounded by crowds of petty rivals and antagonists, or suffering from powerful, continuous disasters and stress. If it is a "Hurting Officer meeting," it suggests that the native's excessive cleverness and arrogance born of talent will provoke massive disputes and conflicts.

Favorable and Unfavorable Factors

Favorable

• Formation of a Favorable Element: The element transformed by the Earthly Branch three-harmony frame happens to be the exact favorable element the chart needs most.
• Control of an Inauspicious Meeting: If it is an inauspicious meeting, it is most favorable to have a strong "rescue" element appear in the chart.
• A Strong Day Master: A strong Day Master is better able to sustain the blessings brought by an auspicious meeting and is more resilient against the pressure brought by an inauspicious meeting.

Unfavorable

• Formation of an Unfavorable Element: If the Earthly Branch three-harmony frame transforms into a strong unfavorable element, and the natal chart lacks the strength to control or transform it.
• Weak Rescue: If it is an inauspicious meeting, and although a "rescue" element is present, it is itself too weak or damaged by clashes.
• Clashes, Punishments, Destruction, and Harms: The Earthly Branches that constitute the three-harmony frame most fear being clashed or destroyed by other branches.

Practical Essentials

• Identify the Three-Harmony Frame: First, accurately identify the three-harmony frame present in the natal chart.
• Analyze the Five Elements Attribute: Determine whether the transformed element of the three-harmony frame is favorable or unfavorable.
• Comprehensive Analysis: Evaluate the overall good or ill fortune by integrating the strength of the Day Master and the condition of the entire natal chart.

Recommendations for Use

• In-Depth Study: Understand the Five Elements attributes and the favorable or unfavorable nature of various three-harmony frames.
• Practical Application: Apply the theory of auspicious and inauspicious meetings to actual BaZi destiny analysis.
• Continuous Practice: Improve the ability to judge auspicious and inauspicious meetings through ongoing practice.