If there is one question in BaZi from which everything begins, it is: Who am I? All done.This concerns the strength of the Day Master. Is your Day Master strong or weak? Because the answer flips the entire interpretation: the same element is beneficial for a strong Day Master but toxic for a weak one. If you mix them up, the whole analysis will go in the wrong direction. 🧭
Good news: you can make a rough assessment of strength yourself, step by step, by counting points. This won't replace a professional calculation involving Hidden Stems and combinations, but it will give you an honest reference point. Take your chart (build one for free if you don't have one yet), grab a piece of paper — and let's go.
日主
Ji Zhu · Day Master
Day Master (rì zhǔ) — Heavenly Stem of the Birth Day
0 Strong or weak is your Day Master (rì zhǔ — Day Master)? Let's check step by step.
Let's first agree on the terminology. Day Master (rì zhǔ). (jiā zhǔ — "Day Master"), also known as the Day Master (rì zhǔ — rì yuán). (Ji yuan — "Day Master") This is the Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar. This represents "you" within the BaZi chart. The remaining seven characters are either... strengthen Day Master, or weaken his.
Strengthened by two groups: relatives of the same element i Resource Star (yìn xīng — Resource Star), which nourishes you.. Weaken three groups: what controls you, That which you generate and on which you expend your energy., and that which you conquerOur test simply calculates the balance.
🎯What you will need: Your Four Pillars chart (Year/Month/Day/Hour), displaying the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, along with understanding which of the Five Elements your Day Master belongs to, provides a free "Oracle" calculation.
1 Step 1: Were you born in your season? (De ling — having the Mandate of the Season).
This is the most significant factor—that is why it is considered a "team." It refers to 得令 (dé lìng — receiving the command of the season). (de lin — "receive the month's command")Does the element of your Day Master align with the season (Earthly Branch of the Month)? The Month is the most powerful pillar in the chart; it sets the "weather" for everything.
+2
You were born in your own season. The Day Master's element matches the season of the month (Wood—Spring 寅卯辰, Fire—Summer 巳午未, Metal—Autumn 申酉戌, Water—Winter 亥子丑, Earth—transition months 辰戌丑未). Write this down. +2 points.
+1
The season nourishes you (Resource Star). The month carries the element that generates yours (for example, you are Wood, and the month is Water). This is the Resource Star (印星 yìn xīng — Seal/Resource). (Yin — "Resource") In the month. Record it. +1 point.
−2
The season is against you. The month carries an element that controls or drains you (for example, if your Day Master is Wood and the month is Autumn-Metal). This is called shì lìng (shì lìng — Losing Mandate). (shi lin — "losing the command of the month")Please provide the Russian text you would like me to translate into English following the BaZi guidelines. -2 points.
Receiving the Month Command (dé lìng) accomplishes half the work. The Day Master who commands the month is already half-strong, even if they lack support in the rest of the chart.
2 Step 2: Are there "roots" (tōng gēn) grounded in the Earthly Branches?
A Heavenly Stem without a Root is like a flag without a pole: beautiful but falling in the wind. "Root" refers to Tōnggēn (Tonggen). (Tong Gen — "Connection with the Root")the presence of your element (or the nourishing resource) among the Earthly Branches of the chart, including the Hidden Stems concealed within those branches.
+2
A strong root in the Day Branch or Month Branch. Under your Day Master's branch or within the Month Branch, a stem of your own element is hidden. This is the most solid support. +2 points.
+1
Root in the Year or Hour Branch. Your element is hidden in the distant branches (Year/Hour). There is support, but it is weaker. +1 point For each such root (maximum +2).
0
There are no roots at all. There is no branch containing your element or Resource Star. The Stem "hangs in the air" — a serious sign of weakness. 0 points (and be on your guard).
🌳Image: The stem represents what is visible above ground, while roots with 通根 (tōng gēn — Rooted) are what anchor the tree in the soil. One may have a powerful trunk (the Day Master in a strong season), but without roots, it cannot withstand the storm of Pillar Luck pillars. Conversely, a modest trunk with deep roots is incredibly stable.
3 Step 3: How many Companion stars (bǐ jiān — 比肩，jié cái — 劫財) and Resource stars (yìn xīng — 印星) are there?
Now we calculate your "own team" among the eight characters of the chart. Allies are those sharing the same element as you: 比肩 (bǐ jiān — Companion Star). (bǐ jiàn — "equal, comrade-in-arms") (same element, same polarity) and 劫財 (jié cái — Rob Wealth). (Jie Cai — "wealth robber, competitor") (same element, opposite polarity). Plus the Resource star (Yìn xīng — Resource Star). (Yin — "Resource, Seal") —the element that generates and nourishes you.
+1
For each visible Companion star in the stems. Every Heavenly Stem of your element (Companion Star or Rob Wealth) in the Year/Month/Hour pillar. +1 point for each one (usually a maximum of +2...+3).
+1
For each Resource Star (印星) stem. Each Heavenly Stem of the element that generates you infuses strength into you as a Resource Star (印星 yìn xīng). +1 point For each one.
+½
For support in the branches. Additional branches carrying your element or resource (beyond those accounted for in Step 2). Add approximately +1 point In total, if there are two or more such branches.
The more "allies" present in the chart, the harder it is for the Day Master to be subdued. However, do not rush to celebrate the quantity—an excess of allies without an outlet for energy renders the chart "overloaded with self." This is explained in the interpretation of the result.
Not sure where allies and resources are in the chart?
The free "Oracle" calculation will generate your BaZi chart, label all Ten Gods, and immediately display the preliminary strength of the Day Master—you only need to compare it with the test.
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4 Step 4: How many "adversaries" — Officer/Killer (guān shā), Output stars (shí shāng), and Wealth star (cái)?
Now we subtract. Three groups of gods spend and weaken the Day Master. For each visible representative in the Heavenly Stems, deduct one point.
−1
Control — Officer/Killer Stars (guān shā) (Guan Sha — "Authority and Killer")The element that controls your Day Master (for Wood, it is Metal). Zheng Guan disciplines, Qi Sha attacks. -1 point for each stem.
−1
Conclusion — Output stars (shí shāng). (shí shāng — "Output and Wounding")The element you generate (for Wood, it is Fire). The Output stars (Shí shén and Shāng guān) "flow out" from you, consuming your strength. -1 point for each stem.
−1
Wealth (Cái) (cái — "wealth")The element you control (for Wood, it is Earth). Conquering it depletes the Day Master's strength. -1 point for each stem.
誤Nuance: The most significant weakening occurs with the Officer/Killer (Guan Sha) and strong Output stars (Shi Shang), especially when they are seated in a season favorable to themselves. Wealth (Cai) also drains energy, but in a "pleasant" manner. If you have many "opponents" in the Heavenly Stems that are rooted in the Earthly Branches, subtract more boldly.
5 Step 5: Position of the Day Master and Support from Adjacent Pillars
The final touch is proximity. The Day Master pillar does not exist in a vacuum: it is "embraced" by the Month pillar on the left and the Hour pillar on the right. What stands closest exerts a stronger influence than the distant Year pillar.
+1
Neighbors are friendly. The Month and/or Hour carry your element or the Resource Star (yìn xīng — Resource Star). The Day Master is "sitting" in support. +1 point.
−1
Neighbors are pressuring. The Month and Hour pillars carry the control of Officer/Killer (Guan Sha) or Output stars (Shi Shang), pinning the Day Master from both sides. -1 point.
0
Neutral. Neighbors are mixed or related to Wealth Star (cái xīng). The position is uncertain. 0 points.
Now combine everything: the points from Steps 1–5, plus the pros and cons. The resulting number is your reference for the Day Master's strength. Proceed to the scale.
The strength of the Day Master is neither "good" nor "bad"; it is the direction in which the chart seeks balance.
6 Calculation: Result Scale
Sum up the results and find your range. The scale is calculated for "paper" accuracy—it serves as a reference point, not a verdict.
≤ −3
Very weak Day Master. The Day Master is almost without support. The chart urgently needs the Resource Star (印星) and Companion stars (比劫). Sometimes this forms a "follower behind the leader" structure.
−2 … 0
Weak Day Master. There are few supports but many opponents. The beneficial elements are those that strengthen you: the Resource Star and your Companion stars.
+1 … +2
Balanced. The forces and expenditures are roughly equal. This is the most flexible type, but also the most delicate in analysis; the balance can be easily tipped.
+3 … +5
Strong Day Master. There are many supports. The elements that "unload" you are beneficial: Wealth (cái), Output stars (shí shāng), and Officer/Killer stars (guān shā).
≥ +6
Very strong Day Master. Excess of one's own strength. The chart is almost "bursting" with energy—it desperately needs an outlet and application; otherwise, this strength will turn against the owner.
7 What does your result mean: a strategy for each type.
Power itself decides nothing—it is what you do with it that matters. Here is a brief strategy for each type:
🔵
Weak and very weak
Your luck lies in nourishment and support. The Resource Star (yìn xīng — Resource Star) and Companion stars (bǐ jié — Companion stars) are favorable. Avoid overloading with control and large expenditures. Handle money cautiously: a weak Day Master (rì zhǔ — Day Master) finds it difficult to retain substantial Wealth Stars (cái xīng — Wealth Star).
🟢
Balanced
A rare and auspicious type: the chart adapts easily. Success is determined by subtle factors—season, combinations, and the chart's climatic balance (调候). Without a professional analysis, it is especially easy to make mistakes here.
🔴
Strong and very strong
You need an outlet for your energy: career, creativity, responsibility, or money. The Output stars (食伤 shí shāng), Wealth Star (財星 cái xīng), and Officer/Killer Stars (官杀 guān shā) are favorable. An excess of Resource Stars (印星 yìn xīng) and Companion stars (比劫 bǐ jié) is dangerous, as it "blocks" a chart that is already overflowing.
Note the paradox: For a weak Day Master, what harms the strong becomes helpful, and vice versa.This is precisely why determining the strength of the Day Master (日主 rì zhǔ — Day Master) is the primary task. An error here reverses all recommendations by 180 degrees: you will either "strengthen" a chart that is already overflowing or "drain" one that is already weak.
8 Disclaimer: An accurate calculation is more complex.
Honesty: this test is a simplification. It provides the correct direction for most ordinary charts, but a true analysis of strength takes into account what cannot be calculated by hand on "paper":
- Hidden Stems of the Earthly Branches 藏干 Hidden Stems (cáng gān) Inside each Earthly Branch hides one to three Hidden Stems with their respective weights.
- Combinations and Transformations — combinations of stems (Wu He) and branches (San He, Liu He), which may... change The element of the entire block of the chart.
- Clashes and Punishments — 沖 (chōng — "clash"), 刑 (syn — "punishment"), 害 (hai — harm)those that weaken or "uproot" the roots.
- Seasonal Strength and "Climatic Balance" (tiáo hòu) — dryness/wetness, heat/cold of the chart, which influence the actual strength of the elements.
- Special Structures — The "Next" BaZi charts are the Cong Ge (cóng gé — Following Pattern) formations, where standard rules of strength do not apply at all.
Therefore, treat your BaZi chart as a compass, not as a GPS. If the result falls close to the edge of the range (for example, +2 or +3), a professional analysis is almost certainly needed: it is precisely borderline charts that produce the most errors for beginners.
🧪Check yourself: Build your chart in "Oracle" — the system will calculate strength taking into account hidden stems and combinations. Compare its output with your "paper" score. If they match, congratulations, you've grasped the logic. If they differ, that's an excellent reason to delve deeper into the hidden layers of the chart.
The strength of the Day Master is the key; turning it unlocks the entire chart: which element brings you luck, which Luck Pillars will be "yours," where lies wealth and where risk. Spending just five minutes on this test is the best time investment for anyone beginning to read their BaZi. 🟣
Discover the strength of your Day Master, and half of the BaZi chart will reveal itself on its own.
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