Shen Congwen

This year, Shen Congwen was in the final year of the 癸丑 Major Fate Cycle, about to enter the 甲寅 Major Fate Cycle. The Year Pillar is 甲寅, and the Literary Star appears, governing studies and literary inspiration. The arrival of this star coincided with his transition from a private school to a modern primary school, a classic signal of opening wisdom and receiving systematic education. However, the Year Heavenly Stem 甲 (Wood) is the Rob Wealth element, an unfavorable element in his chart. Furthermore, the Year Earthly Branch 寅 (Wood) is the Blade, indicating that the educational process was not smooth sailing, likely accompanied by competition, environmental changes (such as transferring schools twice within half a year), and adaptation. His chart itself has strong Water and flourishing Wood, with an overly heavy Seal element, leading to deep contemplation. The open environment of the modern school helped the expression of his Talent Star (丁 Fire), balancing the excessive Seal element, marking a crucial node of enlightenment and breakthrough in his life.

This year, he was in the 甲寅 Major Fate Cycle, with the Year Pillar being 丁巳. It had a profound impact on his chart: 1. Talent Star (丁 Fire) Emerges: Ding Fire is a favorable element, representing talent, expression, and the manifestation of opportunities. Its emergence in the year signifies that inner inspiration and talent began to show externally, with a desire for new life and modes of expression, fitting the image of joining the army and engaging in clerical work. 2. Creativity Star (丙 Fire) Finds Support: The Year Earthly Branch 巳 is the prosperous ground for the Creativity Star, further strengthening the energy of Fire (Talent/Creativity). Fire can warm and regulate the chart, dispelling the cold dampness of the winter month in his chart, making his spiritual world active and rich, with a strong thirst for knowledge, hence his immersion in books. 3. Yearly Interaction with Seal Element: The Year Heavenly Stem Ding Fire combines with the Ren Water (the Direct Seal) from the Year and Month Pillars, forming a Ding-Ren combination into Wood. Although this combination transforms into Wood (an unfavorable element), it first activates the Seal element, strongly stimulating the energy of 'learning'. Working as a clerk in the army precisely embodies the environment of documents and officialdom represented by the 'Seal'. 4. Clash and Harm Between 寅 and 巳: The Major Fate Cycle and Year Pillar form mutual clash and harm between 寅 and 巳, representing the 'Clash of the Year Branch' and 'Harm of the Year Branch'. This signifies environmental changes, tests in interpersonal relationships, and the need to leave one's comfort zone. Joining the army was precisely the choice to face this change and challenge, seeking a new foothold amidst turbulence. Overall, the 丁巳 Year was dominated by the favorable Fire element, activating the Seal and Officer/Killer (army, discipline) environment. Despite the accompanying clashes and changes, it opened the first door to knowledge and his future career.

This year was the 庚申 Year, which formed a Heavenly Clash and Earthly Clash (甲 clashes with 庚, 寅 clashes with 申) with the 甲寅 Major Fate Cycle he was in. This is a strong signal of intense turmoil in fate. The Year Heavenly Stem 庚 (Metal), the Direct Officer, comes to combine with the Day Master (乙 Wood), seemingly offering a career opportunity (Officer Combination). Hence, he could secure the public position as a tax clerk. However, this is an 'unfavorable combination', signifying surface prosperity but hidden loss and waste. Both the Major Cycle and the Year Pillar are dominated by the strong, unfavorable energies of Wood and Water, exacerbating the tendency of his chart towards excessive Seal element weakening the self and overthinking. The Year Earthly Branch 申 (Metal) clashes with and overcomes the 寅 (Wood) in the Year Pillar (Rob Wealth), disturbing the foundation of the Wealth Star (戊 Earth). Coupled with the deceptive nature of the 'unfavorable combination', this led to the swindling of the family savings (Direct Wealth) he was safeguarding. This blow was precisely the major change and loss brought by the Clash of the Year Branch, also prompting him to leave his original place and seek a new path.

This year, Shen Congwen was in the 甲寅 Rob Wealth Major Fate Cycle. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 寅 contains the 丙 Fire Creativity Star, which is the regulating favorable element his chart needs, representing the budding of talent and thought. The Year Pillar is 壬戌. 戌 is the Fire storage, containing 丁 Fire Talent Star. The Talent Star governs talent, expression, and the pursuit of freedom. The Fire energy finds strong support in the year, greatly stimulating his creative desire and determination to leave his hometown for development. The Year Heavenly Stem Ren Water (Direct Seal), although an unfavorable element, generates the Major Cycle Heavenly Stem Jia Wood, which in turn generates Fire. The unfavorable element indirectly aids the favorable one, creating a flow. The Year Earthly Branch 戌 forms a hidden Fire combination with the Year Branch 寅 and Month Branch 子, further strengthening the Fire energy and activating the Literary Star in his chart. This star governs unique talent and literary arts, foretelling that his talent would be recognized. The appearance of the Monthly Virtue Nobleman also means this journey could receive kind support from a benefactor (like Chen Quzhen). The Day Pillar 乙酉 and the Year Earthly Branch 戌 have a 酉-戌 harm relationship, disturbing the foundation of the Seven Killings, which precisely reflects leaving the old system (military) in his fate.

This year, he was in the 甲寅 Rob Wealth Major Fate Cycle, with the Year Pillar 癸亥. His chart itself has extremely strong unfavorable Water and Wood elements. The Major Cycle and Year Pillar further combine into Wood (寅亥合木), pushing the energy of the unfavorable Water and Wood elements to its peak. Competition was fierce, and obtaining formal academic success (like passing university exams) was prone to obstacles. However, the Year Earthly Branch 亥 Water (Direct Seal) combines with the Year Pillar and Major Cycle's 寅 Wood, activating the energy of the Literary Star and the Direct Seal. The Direct Seal governs learning and shelter, symbolizing that although he could not enter a formal institution, he could audit classes at the highest seat of learning (Peking University), gaining spiritual nourishment and intellectual enlightenment. The Break of the Year Branch signifies unexpected changes and expenditures, corresponding to the failure in the exam and life hardship. But with the Seal element combining in, this 'break' was transformed into a non-traditional, self-directed path of growth.

This year was the final year of the 甲寅 Rob Wealth Major Fate Cycle, and the Year Pillar was also 甲子. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 寅 contains the 丙 Fire Creativity Star, which is the regulating favorable element for his chart, representing the stimulation of talent and desire for expression. The year encountered the Heavenly Nobleman, signifying gaining recognition and support from patrons, precisely corresponding to meeting senior literary figures and receiving their support. Meanwhile, the Year Earthly Branch 子 Water is the Indirect Seal. Although an unfavorable element, it resonates with the Month Branch in his original chart, strengthening the characteristics of his Indirect Seal structure, making his literary creation deeply thoughtful with unceasing inspiration. The Major Cycle and Year Pillar also carry the Literary Star, indicating excellent literary talent and study luck, allowing his works to be published smoothly.

This year was at the transition point between the 甲寅 Major Fate Cycle and the 乙卯 Major Fate Cycle (the cycle changed in February 1925), a crucial node of shifting fortunes. The Year Pillar was 甲子. The Heavenly Stem Jia Wood (Rob Wealth) emerges, intensifying the power of the unfavorable Water and Wood elements in his chart, meaning real-life pressure and competition persisted, corresponding to his impoverished living conditions. However, the Hour Pillar's 丁 Fire Talent Star is the key favorable element in his chart, representing talent, expression, and opportunity. The Talent Star, in his chart dominated by the harsh winter's Water, is like a flickering lamp in the cold night. Its function of 'blossoming' was manifested this year through publishing the essay. More importantly, the Year Earthly Branch 子 Water activated the powerful energy of the Heavenly Nobleman and Supreme Ultimate Nobleman in his chart. With the nobleman stars activated, his literary talent (Talent Star) could move Professor Lin Zaiping (the patron), gaining appreciation and assistance, opening the first door for his career.

This year, Shen Congwen was in the final year of the 甲寅 Major Fate Cycle. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 寅 contains the 丙 Fire Creativity Star, the regulating favorable element for his chart, which can warm the cold winter Water and Wood, stimulating his creative inspiration and desire for expression. The Year Pillar is 乙丑. The Heavenly Stem 乙 Wood (Companion) emerges. Although an unfavorable element, it strengthens the energy of his Day Master (乙 Wood), making his personality and style more distinct. Crucially, his chart has an Indirect Seal structure, which favors the Talent and Creativity Stars to 'blossom' and generate wealth. The Hour Pillar's 丁 Fire Talent Star represents talent and works. Against the background of gradually warming Fire energy in this cycle, his inherent literary talent and deep affection for his homeland (the Seal element as the source of thought) could be smoothly expressed through the Talent Star, crystallizing into a work with a distinctive style like 'The Market'. The Year Earthly Branch 丑 forms a half-Metal combination with the Day Branch 酉, activating the Seven Killings in the Day Pillar. The Seven Killings represent pressure and challenge, as well as sharpness and decisiveness, prompting him to decisively put his inner insights into writing, achieving a key breakthrough in his personal literary style.

This year, Shen Congwen was in the 乙卯 Major Fate Cycle (Companion), with the Year Pillar 戊辰 (Direct Wealth). His chart has strong, unfavorable Water and Wood and favors Fire and Earth for regulation. The Year Heavenly Stem 戊 Earth (Direct Wealth) emerges, signifying the appearance of a favorable element, representing practical business opportunities and financial operations in his career. The Earthly Branch 辰 combines with 酉 into Metal, activating the Day Branch's Seven Killings, transforming pressure into motivation and cooperative opportunities. Crucially, the Year, Major Cycle, and the Year Branch in his natal chart form a Triple Wood Combination (寅卯辰三会木局), representing the gathering of Companion (friends, peers) energy, precisely corresponding to the alliance and entrepreneurial venture with like-minded individuals such as Hu Yepin and Ding Ling. The Year Pillar shows the Official Nobleman, beneficial for gaining recognition and establishing a platform in his career. Although this cycle has strong, unfavorable Companion energy prone to competition, the favorable element arriving in the year channeled interpersonal energy into positive collaboration and pioneering.

This year, he was in the 乙卯 Major Fate Cycle. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 卯 and the Day Branch (Marriage Palace) 酉 form a 卯酉 clash, a strong signal of major changes in romantic relationships. The Year Pillar is 己巳. The Heavenly Stem 己 Earth (Indirect Wealth) emerges, precisely representing the wife star and romantic opportunity for a male chart, triggering a romantic chance. Simultaneously, the Year Earthly Branch 巳 is the location of the Heavenly Nobleman, Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, and is the prosperous ground for the regulating favorable element丙 Fire, representing favorable environment (Hu Shi's recommendation for teaching), timing (peak of fortune), and personal state (talent can be displayed). The Year Pillar and the Day Pillar form a half-Metal combination (酉巳半合金局), combining the Talent/Creativity (Fire) representing talent with the Seven Killings (Metal) representing pressure and career, foretelling that he could transform personal learning (writing, teaching) into actual career achievement and social status. This added significant real-world capital and confidence to his pursuit of love.

This year, he was in the 乙卯 Major Fate Cycle. The Major Cycle's stems and branches are both Companion (Wood), a period of extremely strong unfavorable element energy. The Year Pillar is 庚午. The Heavenly Stem Geng Metal (Direct Officer) combines with the Day Master Yi Wood, seemingly offering a career opportunity (Yi-Geng Officer Combination). However, the Earthly Branch 午 Fire clashes with the Water in the Month and Hour Pillars (子午 clash), activating the extremely strong Water Seal and Companion unfavorable elements in his chart. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 卯 Wood and the Year Earthly Branch 午 Fire also form a 卯午 break relationship, exacerbating turmoil and loss in interpersonal relationships. The Year Pillar and the Hour Pillar form a Heavenly Clash and Earthly Clash (丙 clashes with 庚, 子 clashes with 午), a strong signal of turmoil and separation. His chart has an overly strong Water Seal, representing thought, emotion, and friends. Activated by the Major Cycle's Companion (competition, friends) and the Yearly clash, the fate of his dear friend Hu Yepin is precisely the manifestation of this clashing and severe change in Companion/peer relationships, bringing a profound emotional impact to Shen Congwen.

This year, Shen Congwen was 42, in the final year of the 丙辰 Major Fate Cycle (Creativity Cycle), with the Year Pillar 甲申. His chart itself has an Indirect Seal structure with extremely strong Water Seal, leading to deep contemplation. The Major Cycle Heavenly Stem 丙 Fire (Creativity) emerges, which should have been a decade for his talent (Talent/Creativity) to be released. However, the Year Heavenly Stem 甲 Wood (Rob Wealth) emerges, intensifying the power of the unfavorable Wood and Water elements. The Year Earthly Branch 申 Metal combines with the chart and Major Cycle to form a Triple Water Combination (子辰申三合水局), pushing the already excessive Seal (Water) energy to its peak, creating a 'Excessive Seal Weakens Self' pattern breakdown state. Excessive Seal governs overthinking, reminiscence, and mental exhaustion. The Yearly clash and harm with the Year Pillar (寅申冲刑) symbolizes a strong impact on and severance from the past (the Year Pillar represents foundation and early life). Burning diaries and manuscripts was precisely an extreme but inevitable act of 'casting off the old' performed by the 丙 Fire Creativity (representing decisiveness, cleansing) in the yearly environment of rampant unfavorable Water and Wood and extreme inner suppression, intended to cut off overly heavy mental burdens in preparation for the new era to come (entering the 丁巳 Talent Cycle the following year).

This year, Shen Congwen was in the 丁巳 Talent Star Major Fate Cycle, with the Year Pillar 丙戌 (Creativity Star). His chart favors Fire and Earth to regulate the弊端 of cold winter Water. The Major Cycle and Year Heavenly Stems 丁,丙 Fire emerge together, precisely the favorable elements finding support and emerging. The Talent/Creativity Star energy is abundant, allowing talent to be fully released and literary thoughts to flow freely, an excellent period for cultural creation and activities. The Year Earthly Branch 戌 Earth is Wealth, also a favorable element, capable of bearing the radiance of Fire, beneficial for the restoration and stabilization of his career foundation. The Year Pillar shows the Literary Star, indicating unique talent will be seen, beneficial for shining in the cultural field. The arrival of Fire and Earth from the Major Cycle and Year effectively harmonized the original chart's cold, damp Water and Wood energy, allowing him to emerge from the turbulent war years, return to a familiar cultural environment, and regain his career rhythm.

This year coincided with Major Cycle and Year Coincidence (庚申大运与庚申流年岁运并临), amplifying both auspicious and inauspicious energies. Both the Major Cycle and Year Heavenly Stems are 庚 Metal (Direct Officer), forming a Yi-Geng combination into Metal with the Day Master 乙 Wood. This is 'the Officer comes to combine with me', a strong signal of gaining official recognition and elevated social status in his career. The Earthly Branch 申 is the Travel Star, clashing with the Year Pillar's 寅 Wood, forming an '寅申 clash'. A Travel Star activated by clash governs long journeys, changes, and奔波, precisely corresponding to this transoceanic lecture tour. Simultaneously, the Year Pillar shows the Heavenly Nobleman and Literary Hall, meaning this journey could gain introductions from patrons, and the power of his speech and writing (Literary Hall) could be fully exerted in high-level academic settings (Heavenly Nobleman). Although his chart has strong, unfavorable Water, this year the strong Officer Star combines with the self, transforming the introspection and contemplation brought by the Seal (Water) into authoritative influence and output.

This year, Mr. Shen Congwen was in the final stage of the 辛酉 Seven Killings Major Fate Cycle. The Major Cycle Earthly Branch 酉 and the Day Pillar Earthly Branch 酉 form 酉酉 self-punishment, governing inner conflict, self-torment, and with the Seven Killings attacking the self, the pressure was immense. The Year Pillar is 戊辰. The 辰 Earth (Direct Wealth) combines into the Day Branch (Marriage Palace), seemingly 'Wealth comes to combine with me'. However, the original chart has strong Water causing Wood to float. The unfavorable Water and Wood energies still dominated the year, while the favorable Fire and Earth were weak. The Year Heavenly Stem 戊 Earth (Direct Wealth), although a favorable element, is overcome by the double 壬 Water (Direct Seal) in the original chart, forming a Wealth damaging Seal pattern. Furthermore, the Year Earthly Branch 辰 combines with the 酉 in the chart and Major Cycle, activating the Seven Killings and Marriage Palace, exacerbating the chart's turmoil and depletion. Overall, the combined action of the Major Cycle and Year, with the Seven Killings punishing the self and the Seal element restrained, while unfavorable elements ran rampant and favorable ones were powerless, brought his life energy to its end at this moment.