Greetings Cocodine:
Hi, I am re-learning the basics again and I am curious as to why the HS are assigned with the said elements, eg., HS1 = +Jia Wood while HS3 = -Bing Fire, and is there any relation in terms of the stem's nature and hence, consider HS1 to be Wood. If it is Wood, why Jia? Pardon me, for I am re-learning to walk once again. 
I am not sure what is your question exactly, but I will attempt to say a few things in the hope that they may help. I am doing this, in part, because I told Bazisuanming in one of my previous posts, that I will write some messages on the very basics of Bazi and you have given me a good reason to do so.
There are several ways in which the heavenly stems are presented. The sequence is the same but the starting point may vary. Historically the stems may begin with water, metal and wood. Currently wood is the starting point.
Why? That is difficult to say. I will tell you my own thoughts on this.
1. The sequence of stems always starts with a yang stem followed by a yin stem. Currently we use Wood as a starting point, hence it starts with yang wood. Wood represents that stage of Qi or Energy that is springing out, emerging, growing, bestowing life enhancing energy and the ancient saw in nature that wood (this character in ancient times also meant plants) is analogous to the behavior and characteristic of emerging qi. So it is quite logical to start with wood. Of course, wood needs water to grow, so water is also a logical point to start. And water needs metal... and so on... hence it is called a cycle.
2. To start something in Metaphysics one needs to tap on yang energy, energy which helps us come out and go up to the top... then, anything that has arrived at its fruition needs to lessen its impetus, its drive and this is yin energy. Thus, this is why for me, yin comes after yang in the sequence of stems.
I also think you are asking about the unions and transformations of the heavenly stems.
To understand this we need to know that stems can have basically three kinds of relationships. A friendly one called union (合), a beligerant one called clash (沖) and a slightly aggressive one called control (剋).
Actually both unions and clashes are predicated in a controling relationship.
3. When the control relationship among the stems happens between stems of different polarity (one is yang and the other one is yin), then this is called "control with tenderness or feeling" or in Chinese 有情之克.
4. When the control relationship among the stems takes place between stems of the same polarity (one is yang and the other one is also yang; or one is yin and the other one is yin), then this is called "control devoid or without tenderness or feeling", or in Chinese 無情之克.
When the relationship among the stems is one of control with tenderness, a union may ensue. Example: Jia with Ji. Jia is wood, Ji is earth. Wood controls over Earth. Jia wood is yang, Ji earth is yin. Hence this control is with tenderness and hence union may come about.
When the relationship among the stems is one of control without tenderness, a clash may ensue. Example: Jia with Geng. Geng is metal, Jia is wood. Metal controls over Wood. Geng is yang metal and Jia is also yang wood. Hence this is control without tenderness and hence a clash may occur.
Note that there are some exceptions to these considerations.
If you go back to your tables on stems and their relationships, you will see how the things I have written here will be reflected on them.
I hope this helps.
Manty "with tenderness".
Topic: 10 Heavenly Stems. (Read 6183 times)
October 12, 2009, 06:46:55 PM