Category: <span>Chinese Metaphysics</span>

Ba Zi (八字 bāzì) is one discipline inside a larger tradition. Chinese metaphysics is usually grouped as the Five Arts (五术 wǔ shù): mountain, medicine, destiny, divination and physiognomy. This section covers the parts of that family that sit beside a birth chart, including the divination boards Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲 qí mén dùn jiǎ) and Da Liu Ren (大六壬 dà liù rén), and the sub-hubs for feng shui, the I Ching, Zi Wei Dou Shu and face reading.If you are new, start with the overview of Chinese metaphysics, which maps what each art is for. Then read the Three Cosmic Boards (三式 sān shì) to see how the divination methods relate to one another, followed by what Qi Men Dun Jia is and what Da Liu Ren is. Each of those leads into the structural pages: plates, gates, generals and lessons.The distinction that matters most is between a fixed natal chart and a chart cast for a moment. Ba Zi describes the person; the boards here describe a question or a decision. Most people get more from the boards once they know their own natal pattern, so it is worth plotting your Ba Zi chart first and keeping it beside you as you read.