The 3 Groupings of Earthly Branches

As those of you who are studying BaZi have discovered, the process of learning and deciphering BaZi is akin to peeling an onion. This “onion peeling” analogy has been used time and time again to describe the process of BaZi study and interpretation. Each concept in BaZi is usually first understood on a standalone basis, and then next in a combined and usually interactive and dynamic manner together with other concepts.

But life doesn’t always have to be so complicated… Often, we can derive important information from just a single characteristic of the chart, for example just one of the Earthly Branches or Heavenly Stems. The Day Master is probably the best (and most important) example of how a single, “one-dimensional” aspect of the BaZi chart can reveal such key and crucial information!

Today, our topic is the 3 groupings of the Earthly Branches namely the i) Growth ii) Cardinals and iii) Graveyard groupings. As we know, the BaZi chart describes the BaZi owner’s personality, behaviour and pretty much all the circumstances of his or her life. As such, simply by identifying the make-up of the Earthly Branches, we can already tell surmise certain key information.

For example, the Growth Earthly Branches (namely the Tiger, Snake, Monkey and Pig) are indicative of movement, travel and even money-making activities. These branches denote exploration and growth in one’s life which lead to discovery and excitement. A chart devoid of any of these animal signs hence points to a more sedentary and “take-it-as-it-comes-along” type lifestyle and personality. A chart with 2 or more of these growths points to frequent changes, travel, movement and in general, a lack of stability in the person’s life.

On the other hand, the Cardinal Earthly Branches (the Rabbit, Horse, Rooster and Rat – the Peach Blossoms) denote the pure qi of each element, hence indicative of strong and usually extreme characteristics as represented by each element in question. As such, people with many cardinals (2 or more) are usually headstrong and exhibit “extreme” characteristics. Thanks to the “peachiness” of these branches, it also goes without saying that these people are always somehow attractive to others (even if they aren’t physically so). However, this X-Factor often leads to complicated and dramatic interpersonal and dramatic relationships.

The Graveyard Earthly Branches (the Dragon, Goat, Dog and Ox) denote not only stability (due to the earth element) but also the “mysterious” aspects of one’s life. Since the Graveyards contain two other hidden stems, those with many graveyards indeed tend to be complicated people! They usually are reserved characters but more so they tend to have difficulty understanding and expressing their real, inner feelings – characteristics which lead to communication issues with those around them. However, people with graveyards typically have multiple, hidden talents too! The complete absence of even a single graveyard in the BaZi chart indicates a lack of grounding and oftentimes, practicality in one’s life.