Gustave Flaubert

This year falls within the Ji-Hai Major Cycle. The Hai (亥) water in the Earthly Branch of the Major Cycle forms a Three-Union Water Formation with the Zi (子) water of the Month Pillar and the Chou (丑) earth of the Day Pillar, pushing the energy of the Partial Seal to its peak. The Seal Star represents thought, the spiritual world, and inner feelings. The surging water energy made his inner world exceptionally sensitive, profound, and precocious. The Year Pillar Geng-Yin (庚寅) reveals the Tai Ji Nobleman, indicating an exploration of life's mysteries, which aligns perfectly with his childhood act of peeking at death. Simultaneously, the Si-Hai Clash in the Major Cycle impacts the Year Pillar (parental palace) and the Seal Star, suggesting estrangement and change in the family environment or relationships with elders. This sense of alienation likely intensified his observer mentality. His Bazi chart has a Partial Seal Pattern, inherently making him meticulous and insightful. In this cycle and year, the power of the Water Seal reached its extreme, internalizing the impact of the external world (the sight of death) into a profound, calm, even cold observational perspective, becoming the source of his unique literary style.

This year falls within the Wu-Xu (戊戌) Direct Wealth Major Cycle. The Earthly Branch of the Major Cycle carries the Red Phoenix Star, indicating the activation of a significant romantic opportunity. The Year Pillar is Yi-Wei (乙未), where the Fire energy of the Food Spirit gains strength. The Food Spirit governs spirit, emotion, and artistic expression, making his inner world rich, sensitive, and prone to romantic feelings. However, the Wei (未) Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar clashes with the Chou (丑) Earthly Branch of the Day Pillar (Spouse Palace), and together with the Day Pillar and Major Cycle, forms the Chou-Xu-Wei Triple Punishment. This intense punishment and clash violently activate the Partial Wealth Star (representing romantic opportunities) hidden in the Spouse Palace (Day Branch), symbolizing a strong, sudden, and impactful emotional experience. Yet, punishment and clash also imply turbulence and instability, foretelling the difficulty of this relationship reaching a conventional conclusion. It was more of a profound inner storm, which, however, precisely ignited his Food-Hurt talent as a future writer, sublimating personal emotion into artistic creation.

The subject completes his studies this year, with multiple astrological signals intertwining. The Year Pillar Geng-Zi (庚子) forms a repetition with the Month Pillar Geng-Zi (庚子), indicating the recurrence of old matters and the completion of a life phase—the end of his schooling is a manifestation of this. Simultaneously, the Year Pillar forms a Heaven-Earth Double Harmony with the Day Pillar Yi-Chou (乙丑), specifically Yi-Geng Harmony forming Metal (Official) and Zi-Chou Harmony forming Earth (Wealth). This signifies that while this phase ends, it opens new doors for future cooperation and opportunities. The Year Pillar shows the Wen Chang Nobleman, beneficial for concluding studies and exams. The Heavenly Stem of the Major Cycle, Wu (戊) Earth, is the Seasonal Regulator, having the effect of 'melting the frozen river,' aiding academic breakthroughs. However, the Heavenly Stem of the Year Pillar, Geng (庚) Metal (Direct Officer), is the chart's taboo element appearing. While it brings official recognition (graduation), it also foreshadows the social pressures and rules he is about to face, marking the transition from the shelter of campus to the adult world.

This year is within the Wu-Xu (戊戌) Direct Wealth Major Cycle, with the Year Pillar being Geng-Zi (庚子). Astrologically, the Heavenly Stem of the Year Pillar, Geng (庚) Metal (Direct Officer), appears and combines with the Day Master Yi (乙) Wood (Yi-Geng combination forms Metal). This is 'combining with the Officer,' indicating career opportunities and official recognition. However, the Day Master Yi Wood in his Bazi chart is extremely weak, and Metal is a taboo element. This 'combination' is essentially the taboo element clinging to him, bringing a strong sense of constraint and pressure, hence his 'little interest' in rigid law courses. The Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar, Zi (子) Water, forms a 'repetition' with the Month Pillar Geng-Zi (庚子) of his chart, indicating recurring old matters and inner melancholy, intensifying feelings of homesickness and discomfort. Simultaneously, the Year Pillar and the Day Pillar Yi-Chou (乙丑) form a 'Heaven-Earth Double Harmony' (Yi-Geng combination, Zi-Chou combination). While this seems like an opportunity on the surface, the resulting Earth (Wealth Star) from the combination is also not favored by the chart. This leads to a situation where the external environment seems favorable (going to Paris to study), but internally he struggles to adapt, feeling 'city life is uncomfortable.' The Earthly Branch of the Major Cycle, Xu (戌) Earth, forms a punishment with the Day Branch Chou (丑) Earth, clearly indicating inner conflict and struggle.

This is the final year of the Wu-Xu (戊戌) Direct Wealth Major Cycle, with the Year Pillar being Ren-Yin (壬寅). The Day Master Yi Wood is born in deep winter and favors Bing (丙) Fire as the Seasonal Regulator. The Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar, Yin (寅), contains Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer, precisely where the Seasonal Regulator gains strength, providing an excellent environment for talent display. The Major Cycle and Year Pillar form a Wu-Ren clash (Wealth overcomes Seal), seemingly pressure, but actually stimulating creative impulse. More importantly, the Yin (寅) Wood of the Year Pillar provides root energy for the Day Master Yi Wood, and the Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer within Yin emerges, forming the pattern of Food-Hurt Expressing Talent, representing the smooth expression of inner talent, thought, and romantic sentiment. Additionally, the Year Pillar encounters the Tian Yi Nobleman, beneficial for emerging into prominence. Therefore, completing his first work this year is the inevitable manifestation of the combination of his talent (Food-Hurt) and opportunity (Nobleman) in his destiny chart.

This year enters the Bing-Wu (丙午) Year Pillar. The Heavenly Stem Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer appears, and the Earthly Branch Wu (午) Fire Food Spirit serves as its root. This is precisely when the most favored Fire (Food-Hurt) energy in the chart is extremely strong. The Hurt Officer governs talent, emotion, and romantic expression; the Food Spirit brings gentle attractiveness and pleasure. Combined, they allow his personal charm and artistic talent to be fully displayed, easily attracting the opposite sex. The Earthly Branch Wu (午) of the Year Pillar repeats with the Hour Pillar's Earthly Branch Wu (午) and carries the Red Beauty, Peach Blossom deities, directly activating the emotional palace in his chart, a strong signal for romance. Simultaneously, the Heavenly Stem Bing (丙) of the Year Pillar combines with the Year Stem Xin (辛) (Bing-Xin combination forms Water). Although the combination doesn't fully transform, it activates the Seven Killings Star representing the external world and reputation, implying this relationship had a public aspect or was related to literary circles. The Major Cycle is Ding-You (丁酉), where Ding (丁) Fire Food Spirit also appears, echoing the Fire energy of the Year Pillar, forming a decade-long aura of flourishing Food-Hurt energy, completely igniting his inner longing for emotional and spiritual resonance. Despite the Zi-Wu clash between the Month Branch Zi Water and the Year Branch Wu Fire, bringing emotional fluctuations and inner struggle, overall, this is a year where the favorable deities in his chart are powerfully activated, facilitating the only profound romantic encounter of his life.

This year is within the Ding-You (丁酉) Major Cycle (Food Spirit Cycle), with the Year Pillar being Ji-You (己酉). The Heavenly Stem of the Major Cycle, Ding (丁) Fire Food Spirit, appears, a strong signal for talent release and creative outburst, directly driving the birth of *The Temptation of Saint Anthony*, a monumental work full of imagination and philosophy. However, both the Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar and the Major Cycle are You (酉) Metal (Seven Killings), forming You-You Self-Punishment. Furthermore, together with the Year and Day Branches Si (巳) and Chou (丑) of the chart, they form the Si-Chou-You Three-Union Metal Formation, extremely strengthening the power of the Officer and Killings (Metal). This leads to: 1. Amplification of inner sense of order, perfectionism, and self-criticism (Officer/Killings), causing the work to be repeatedly refined, striving for perfection. 2. Although the Three-Union Formation brings powerful concentration and creative energy, Metal is a taboo element, also meaning the work's style is too serious, profound, and difficult for ordinary people to understand. The friends' harsh criticism is precisely the manifestation of the external pressure and negative feedback brought by You-You Self-Punishment and the taboo Metal formation, the inevitable result of the fierce collision between talent (Food Spirit) and rigorous standards (Officer/Killings).

This year coincides with the Ding-You (丁酉) Major Cycle (Food Spirit Cycle) and the Geng-Xu (庚戌) Year Pillar. The Heavenly Stem of the Major Cycle, Ding (丁) Fire Food Spirit, appears, favored by the chart. It governs talent display, active thought, pursuit of spiritual freedom, and is a strong signal for travel, learning, and exploration. The Heavenly Stem of the Year Pillar, Geng (庚) Metal Direct Officer, comes to combine with the Day Master Yi Wood. Although Metal is a taboo element, the combination shows affinity. Moreover, the Officer Star represents career and fame; this combination suggests the journey itself might have an 'official' or 'formal' aspect, or could bring him prestige. The Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar, Xu (戌) Earth, forms a half-Fire formation with the Hour Pillar's Wu (午) Fire, activating the Food Spirit, further strengthening the tendency to pursue spiritual enjoyment and exotic cultures. The chart itself has an extremely strong Seal Star (Water), representing powerful learning, absorption, and thinking abilities. This long journey is the perfect combination of Seal Star energy and Food Spirit talent—absorbing (Seal) new knowledge through travel (Food Spirit)—opening a brand new door to wisdom and inspiration for the subject.

This year coincides with the Ding-You (丁酉) Major Cycle (1843-1852). The Heavenly Stem Ding (丁) Fire Food Spirit of the Major Cycle could have expressed talent and generated wealth, but the Earthly Branch You (酉) Metal Seven Killings forms a Three-Union Seven Killings Formation with the Year and Day Pillars Si-Chou (巳丑) of the chart, causing the taboo element Metal (Officer/Killings) energy to become extremely strong, creating immense pressure and constraint. The Year Pillar is Geng-Xu (庚戌). The Heavenly Stem Geng (庚) Metal Direct Officer appears, combining with the Day Master Yi (乙) Wood. While this seems like a career opportunity, it actually creates a mix of Officer and Killings, attacking the body even more severely. The Earthly Branch Xu (戌) Earth forms a Chou-Xu punishment with the Day Branch Chou (丑) Earth, punishing the Spouse Palace and Partial Wealth Star. Moreover, Xu contains Ding Fire Hurt Officer, representing desire and indulgence. The Earthly Branch of the Major Cycle, You (酉), and the Year Pillar's Xu (戌) also form You-Xu harm, intensifying the impact of the taboo Metal and Earth elements on the chart. The Day Master Yi Wood in the chart is extremely weak, with excessive water causing the wood to float. Now encountering strong Metal overcoming it and damp Earth punishing and harming it, both body and mind are exhausted, and resistance is very poor. Therefore, in a foreign land, under the intertwining of desire (Food-Hurt) and pressure (Officer/Killings), he encountered this body-harming, luck-damaging event.

This year coincides with the Bing-Shen (丙申) Hurt Officer Major Cycle. The Year Pillar again encounters Bing-Chen (丙辰) Hurt Officer, with Hurt Officer appearing twice, reaching the peak of talent and desire for expression. The Hurt Officer governs talent, creation, and rebellion, precisely the astrological root of his creation of a subversive literary work. The Earthly Branch Chen of the Year Pillar forms a Three-Union Water Formation with the Major Cycle's Shen and the Month Branch Zi. Water is the Seal Star, representing thought, the work itself, and the platform for dissemination. The powerful Three-Union Formation means the work formed immense influence upon publication. Simultaneously, the Bing (丙) Fire Seasonal Regulator appears in both the Major Cycle and Year Pillar, like winter sunshine, completely activating the talent and vitality frozen in his chart (Yi Wood Day Master, born in deep winter), making his literary thoughts flow abundantly. The Year Pillar shows the Tian Guan Nobleman and Ci Guan, indicating powerful literary force and ease of gaining noble recognition. Although the work sparked controversy, it established an immortal position in the literary world.

This year coincides with the Bing-Shen (丙申) Major Cycle (Hurt Officer Cycle) and the Bing-Chen (丙辰) Year Pillar (Hurt Officer Year), with double Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer appearing, a strong signal for the eruption of talent and creative desire. The Hurt Officer governs thought, expression, and rebellion, directly corresponding to the birth of this literary masterpiece challenging social moral taboos. The Earthly Branch Chen of the Year Pillar forms a Three-Union Water Formation (Seal Star) with the Major Cycle's Shen and the Month Branch Zi. The surging water energy, on one hand, intensifies the chart's characteristic of strong Water, making his thought profound and emotions turbulent. On the other hand, excessive water causes the wood to float, also hinting that the work would trigger tidal waves of controversy and suppression from authorities (Officer Star). Fortunately, the Heavenly Stem Bing (丙) Fire of the Year Pillar is the Seasonal Regulator, capable of thawing the deep winter freeze, bringing vitality and a turn of events. Moreover, both the Major Cycle and Year Pillar are blessed with the Tian Guan Nobleman and Ci Guan, beneficial for literary skill and reputation in the lawsuit. The final not-guilty verdict corresponds to the astrological pattern where the Hurt Officer confronts the Officer (Year Pillar Bing Fire Hurt Officer overcomes Month Pillar Geng Metal Direct Officer) but is mediated by the Three-Union Seal Formation (Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood), transforming the pressure of legal trouble into immortal prestige.

This year is within the Bing-Shen (丙申) Major Cycle (1853-1862). The Heavenly Stem Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer of the Major Cycle appears, precisely a period when talent can be fully released. For a Day Master who favors Fire as the Seasonal Regulator, Bing Fire is like winter sunshine, thawing the frozen river, stimulating creative inspiration and the impulse for distant travel and investigation. The Year Pillar is Wu-Wu (戊午). Wu (午) Fire is the Food Spirit, further strengthening the Fire (Food-Hurt) energy, representing that artistic, imaginative, and expressive desires reach their peak. The Earthly Branch Wu (午) Fire of the Year Pillar clashes with the Month Pillar Zi (子) Water (Partial Seal), meaning thought and knowledge reserves (Seal) are strongly stimulated and need to be transformed and output through practical action (Food-Hurt). Simultaneously, the Major Cycle and the Year Pillar Xin-Si (辛巳) form a Heaven-Earth Double Harmony, providing stable foundations beneficial for distant travel and pioneering endeavors. Multiple Nobleman Stars (Tian Yi, Wen Chang, Tai Ji) converge in the Year Pillar, especially the Wen Chang Nobleman, governing writing, learning, and research, perfectly matching the event of conducting on-site investigation for literary creation.

This year is the final year of the Bing-Shen (丙申) Major Cycle. The Heavenly Stem Bing (丙) Fire Hurt Officer of the Major Cycle appears, precisely his favorable deity and Seasonal Regulator, governing exceptional talent and inspiration. The Year Pillar is Ren-Xu (壬戌). Although the Heavenly Stem Ren Water (Direct Seal) clashes with the Major Cycle's Bing Fire, forming the pattern of Hurt Officer Adorned by Seal, it instead indicates his literary thought achieved a delicate balance between constraint and breakthrough, with the work possessing both depth and brilliance. The Earthly Branch Shen of the Major Cycle shows both punishment and combination with the Year Branch Si, and also forms a half-Water formation with the Month and Hour Branches Zi Water. The overall Water energy in the chart is extremely strong, corresponding to his creative theme of delving into ancient, exotic civilizations (Water governs wisdom and ancient history). The Earthly Branch Xu Earth of the Year Pillar is the Wealth Storage and encounters the Red Phoenix, indicating the work can bring fame and tangible rewards. Ci Guan, Wen Chang, and other literary stars converge in his chart, their energy fully activated in this cycle and year, enabling him to complete and publish this uniquely styled literary masterpiece.

This year is within the Yi-Wei (乙未) Major Cycle (1863-1872). The Earthly Branch Wei (未) of the Major Cycle contains Fire, which is Food-Hurt, favored by the chart's pattern, governing a rich spiritual world beneficial for creation. The Year Pillar is Ji-Si (己巳). The Earthly Branch Si (巳) Fire is the Hurt Officer, precisely where the chart's Seasonal Regulator (Bing Fire) gains strength. Strong Fire brings inspiration, enabling the transformation of deep thought into words. The Heavenly Stem Ji Earth (Partial Wealth) of the Year Pillar clashes with the Day Master Yi Wood, but the Wealth Star can also generate the Officer/Killings, which in turn generate the Seal Star, forming a circulating pattern of Officer Generating Seal, beneficial for gaining fame and achievement. Simultaneously, the Year Pillar gathers auspicious stars like Tian De Nobleman, Guo Yin, Xue Tang, indicating his work will gain official recognition and establish his literary status. The Major Cycle and the Day Pillar of the chart form a Chou-Wei clash, which, while indicating life changes, also stimulated the inner tension and deep reflection in his creation.

This year coincides with the Jia-Wu (甲午) Major Cycle (Robbery Wealth Cycle). The Earthly Branch Wu (午) Fire of the Major Cycle is the chart's favorable deity Food Spirit, governing spiritual abundance and vigorous creativity. The Year Pillar is Ding-Chou (丁丑). The Heavenly Stem Ding (丁) Fire Food Spirit appears, directly activating the Food Spirit in the Hour Pillar, a clear signal for the eruption of talent and inspiration. The Earthly Branch Chou (丑) of the Year Pillar combines with the Earthly Branches Zi (子) of the Month and Hour Pillars (Zi-Chou combine into Earth), resolving the original chart's Zi-Wu clash turbulence, making the chart more stable, conducive to focusing wholeheartedly on literary creation. Simultaneously, the Year Pillar shows the Hua Gai deity, which governs art, philosophy, and unique talent, corresponding to the pursuit of ultimate depth of thought and artistry in his later works. The Fire and Earth energy of the Major Cycle and Year Pillar strengthens, the Seasonal Regulator works effectively, dispelling the cold Water energy of the winter month, making his literary thoughts flow like a spring, enabling him to complete this timeless masterpiece.