What is a BaZi reading?
In simple terms, BaZi (pronounced bah-dzee) can be thought of as a form of Chinese Astrology. BaZi reading gives an astonishingly accurate portrait of a person's life according to the year, month, day and hour of birth.

In order to perform a BaZi reading, these four specific times are arranged in four columns or pillars, the so-called "Pillars of Destiny." Each segment of time is denoted by two groups: the first is comprised of the "Ten Heavenly Stems," the Yin and Yang parts of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood. The second group is comprised of the "Twelve Earthly Branches," more commonly known as the twelve animals of the Zodiac: Horse, Tiger, Monkey, Dog, Goat, Snake, Rabbit, Ox, Rooster, Pig, Dragon and Rat.

A detailed analysis of the relationships among these Chinese characters yields information about the person's potential and future direction. It reveals personality traits, as well as strengths and weaknesses that may be applied to career choices and major life decision. It also reveals information about social interactions that may be used to enhance personal and career relationships.


Is BaZi a relatively new practice among the Chinese Arts?
BaZi is certainly not a new practice. The Chinese have likely practiced BaZi for about 3,000 years, yet it has only been documented for hundreds of years. However, BaZi is a relative newcomer to the Western world, and is therefore not as well known as other Chinese arts such as acupuncture and Feng Shui. In time, BaZi will most likely become just as widely accepted in the West as Chinese Medicine and Feng-Shui have become. In fact, Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui and BaZi are closely interconnected, as all of these arts originated in the I Ching and are linked by means of the Five-Element theory. Whereas Feng-Shui is concerned with manipulating environmental design, BaZi is concerned with timing, place and relationships. Like these better known treasures emanating from China, BaZi can enhance happiness, health and even longevity.

Does this mean that two people who were born on the same day, at the same exact time, will share the same destiny?
BaZi fortune telling is much like reading a movie script. The script can be pre-written in a certain way, but the director, producer and actors determine the true outcome of the final movie. Similarly, the same Beethoven piece will sound distinct to each orchestra that plays it because it is conducted by different musicians. Therefore, two people born at the same exact time may have the same "script," but how they choose to act out their roles varies from individual to individual. These two people are raised by different parents, surrounded by different environments and encounter different people in their lives. So, a BaZi reading can tell you what kind of "seed" you are for this life. But, how you take care of your seed, what kind of soil you use and where the seed is planted will all have an effect on how well the seed grows. So, many people may have the same birth time, date, month and year as Abraham Lincoln, but there is only one Mr. Lincoln. Some may even be much smarter and work harder than Lincoln, but they are not from same kind of seed.


Does this mean that there is no free will?
BaZi readings calculate astrology by universal rules. How you live your life based on these rules is still up to you. Your free will allows you to choose to live a happy or miserable life. So, we do have free will in our lives, but we still need to follow the universal rules. For example, you may have the free will to fly, but you do not have the wings. You need to follow Newton's law to design & make the airplane in order to fly. How much freedom you have to carry out your will is determined by nature. You determine what you will do with the freedom that nature does give you.


How can a BaZi reading help us in our personal relationships?
The insight that comes from a BaZi reading can help us understand our personal traits and use this information to enhance our relationships.