BAZI KNOWLEDGE BASE
Yuan Chen / Great Depletion: two-direction table and examples
Yuan Chen (元辰), also called Great Depletion in some sources, carries imagery of separation or dissipation. One classical method finds the Year Branch’s opposite, then moves forward or backward according to Year-Stem polarity and a historical male/female classification. The two directions produce different targets.
Twelve Year Branches: one step after the opposition
In the cited convention, yang-man/yin-woman uses one forward step and yin-man/yang-woman one backward step. Year-Stem polarity means Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng and Ren are Yang; the others are Yin. Both columns remain visible rather than guessing a category for the reader.
These are historical rule parameters, not evidence about modern gender identity or personal worth. Clarify does not calculate Yuan Chen and has no enabled one-direction Yuan Chen table.
| Year Branch | Opposite | One forward | One backward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zi | Wu 午 | Wei | Si |
| Chou | Wei | Shen | Wu 午 |
| Yin | Shen | You | Wei |
| Mao | You | Xu | Shen |
| Chen | Xu | Hai | You |
| Si | Hai | Zi | Xu |
| Wu 午 | Zi | Chou | Hai |
| Wei | Chou | Yin | Zi |
| Shen | Yin | Mao | Chou |
| You | Mao | Chen | Yin |
| Xu | Chen | Si | Mao |
| Hai | Si | Wu 午 | Chen |
Why do the classical Jia-Zi and Yi-Chou male examples differ?
Jia in Jia-Zi is Yang. Under the source’s male category, Zi opposes Wu and the forward step reaches Wei. Yi in Yi-Chou is Yin: Chou opposes Wei and the backward step reaches Wu. Both the reference and direction change.
Only after deriving a target do you check whether it occurs in the natal or timing layer being discussed. The Year Branch alone does not ensure a match, and combining both directions would change the rule.
Does Great Depletion always mean this Yuan Chen rule?
No. Calendrical and other astrological systems also use Great Depletion, sometimes deriving a position from the year or month by a different method. Compare references, directions and formulas before comparing names.
The Sanming Tonghui entry preserves further interpretations and criticizes a verse omitting the classification. Those differences are more informative than translating every depletion label into spending or loss.
Separate dissipation imagery from the actual situation
Dissipation can be a theme for reflecting on where time or effort goes. Schedules, accounts and communication establish whether there is an actual problem. Historical stereotypes about appearance or character should not be applied to people.