Is it possible for someone to spend their entire life plagued by their “unfavorable elements”?

Hello, everyone! (๑╹◡╹)ﾉ” This marks your 51st meeting with Huoyun.

I see that many people have a question:

“Teacher, is there such a person—someone whose destiny is to be constantly suppressed by their ‘Adverse Element,’ making their entire life a struggle?”

🤔 A quick rant:

In fact, whenever a topic like this comes up, I invariably find myself thinking back to a male astrological chart I encountered during the summer of 2019.

It was truly an anomaly—a chart where *none* of the Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth—could be utilized. Since I’ve since upgraded my phone and lost the data, I can no longer recall the exact details of the *Ba Zi* (Eight Characters); however, the sheer shock I felt—and the specific reasons behind that shock—have remained indelibly etched in my memory.

It was simply so bizarre. You’d think to yourself: how could there possibly be someone in this world who cannot make use of *any* of the Five Elements? Yet—lo and behold—such a person actually exists, and I happened to cross paths with him.

Now, returning to the topic at hand: from the rigorous perspective of professional numerology…

There is no such thing as an absolute, lifelong, and immutable state of being “haunted by an adverse deity.”

Assuming a person lives to the age of 60, if they spend 20 to 30 years traversing a *Da Yun* (Major Cycle) dominated by their “Adverse Element” (*Ji Shen*), this constitutes what is known as the state most closely resembling being “haunted” by an adverse force. After all, from a purely mathematical perspective, half of one’s life is effectively spent in a state of misfortune.

Consider a scenario where an individual’s natal *Ba Zi* (Four Pillars) chart is severely imbalanced—for instance, being entirely dominated by dry, scorching Fire and Earth elements—yet is a chart that would typically be analyzed using the standard principles of “support and suppression.” In such a case, if their life’s *Da Yun* subsequently consists of decades of consecutive cycles dominated by strong Fire and Earth energies, without ever encountering a Water cycle to provide the necessary climatic regulation, the situation becomes particularly dire.

In that case, over these twenty or thirty years, you will indeed feel as though nothing goes right; your health, career, and relationships will all seem to be weighed down by some invisible force. This is what is commonly known as the experience of being “haunted by an adverse element.”

During this period—as one is in a particularly vulnerable state—even a single misstep could easily cost one their life. However, provided one can simply endure and pull through, a turning point will surely arrive; for the tides of fortune are ever-changing—a truth aptly captured by the old adage: “For thirty years the river flows east; for thirty years, it flows west.”

Therefore, for this type of chart—no matter how potent the unfavorable elements (*Jishen*) may be in the natal configuration—the situation will completely turn around the moment the Major Cycle (*Dayun*) shifts to one capable of suppressing or neutralizing those unfavorable elements, or of strengthening the favorable ones (*Xiyongshen*). It is just like the sun finally breaking through after months of ceaseless rain.

Therefore, the so-called “lifelong adverse element” is more accurately described as a situation in which, throughout most of life’s critical stages, the Major Luck cycles fail to align favorably—thereby allowing the adverse element to run rampant over a prolonged period.

Yet, as long as one is human, one is subject to the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death—to the inevitable ups and downs of life. The *Bazi* “Great Luck” cycles repeat every sixty years, and almost invariably, they encompass annual phases that are both favorable and unfavorable relative to one’s “Adverse Elements.” Absolute light and absolute darkness simply do not exist.

Almost no one experiences 60 years of unfavorable fortune from birth to death. There will always be a few periods of relatively good fortune, even if they are just average.

Of course, there are also some special cases involving *Bazi* charts. One such instance is the case I lamented in my opening remarks—a situation where the natal chart itself is simply too poor.

There are also certain extreme *Bazi* configurations—such as a “Follower Chart” (*Cong Ge*) that has been disrupted, or a chart where the Five Elements are severely imbalanced and stagnant.

In such cases, the Favorable and Useful Deities (*Xi Yong Shen*) within the natal chart are both weak and compromised; consequently, even when the Major Luck Cycle (*Da Yun*) aligns with these favorable elements, their influence remains exceedingly feeble—much like a drop in the bucket.

Thus, what he experienced throughout his life was that his periods of favorable elemental influence were “nothing to write home about,” while his periods of unfavorable influence were “so miserable he wanted to die.”

His overall sentiment was simply that “things were never good.”

There is also a scenario where the *Da Yun* (Major Cycle) runs in reverse—what exactly does that mean?

Generally speaking, most people experience their greatest fortune during middle age; however, some individuals enjoy good luck early in life, only to face a succession of adverse influences—or “unfavorable elements”—after reaching middle age. Such cases often play out like a real-life tragedy of “the prodigy who faded away”: starting from a very high point, yet ending in a very poor place.

These are lives characterized by smooth sailing in youth, followed by a steady decline where conditions worsen with each passing year—a downward spiral that continues even into old age. This stark contrast of “getting worse and worse” can instill a profound sense of despair—the crushing feeling of having been abandoned by fate. Alas…

The essence of the Eight Characters lies in a specific combination of energies; viewed through the lens of “Yin-Yang interchange,” even the “Adverse God” possesses its own inherent value.

A true master of numerology, when analyzing a Ba Zi chart, would never say, “You are plagued by unfavorable elements—your life is doomed.” Instead, they would point out:

What is the primary contradiction in your life? During which period was this contradiction most intense? And in what ways can you transform it?

For instance, if a person possesses an abundance of “Officer” and “Seven Killings” stars—particularly if they are unfavorable elements—it signifies that they are constantly being refined, subjected to rigorous demands, and put through intensive training. This process is undoubtedly arduous; however, once they enter a period influenced by the “Resource” star, all the hardships endured in the past will begin to transform into honors and accolades.

An extreme challenge signifies an extreme opportunity; you must shift your mindset and view your *Jishen* (Adverse Elements) as coaches rather than enemies. The phase dominated by strong *Jishen* is, in fact, the optimal time to compel your growth, cultivate humility, and quietly amass your strength.

For many, their most significant breakthroughs and profound wisdom are forged precisely during these periods of adverse elemental influence. Only after enduring such rigorous tempering will you possess the capacity to fully seize the opportunities when your *Xiyongshen* (Favorable Elements) eventually arrive.

This is also a point that Huoyun frequently emphasizes: just how good your fortune will be when luck is on your side depends on how many “good deeds” you performed during your lowest points; conversely, just how bad things will get when your luck turns sour depends on how many “bad deeds” you committed during your peak moments.

So, do not grow arrogant at the peaks, nor lose heart in the valleys; go forth and experience life. The bittersweet flavors, the pain, the joy, the sorrow, the moments that move you—all of it is life.