Yongshen Selection Method for False Following Patterns
Why is yongshen selection in false following patterns ten times more complex than in true following patterns?
True following patterns have simple yongshen — if following strength, go with its strength; if following weakness, go with its weakness. But false following patterns are different: the Day Master still has a micro-root, or the chart has a trace of non-submissive Ten Gods; the pattern is in an ambiguous state of 'half-following, half-not-following.' The slightest carelessness in yongshen selection either aids the oppressor or provokes resistance. This article starts from the definition and gradually dismantles the yongshen selection method for false following patterns.
The core approach to yongshen selection in false following patterns: diagnose where the 'false' lies, then decide whether to remove the false and support the true, or transform the false into useful.
1. Definition of False Following Patterns and the Three Sources of 'False'
False following patterns are defined relative to true following patterns. In true following patterns, the Day Master has completely abandoned self-positioning — absolutely no root qi in the earthly branches (not even residual qi), and Wealth/Officer/Output have formed overwhelming absolute advantage; the Day Master can only 'go with the flow.' False following patterns are different — the Day Master, though extremely weak, still has a trace of 'non-submissive' capital. This capital may come from three sources. First type: the Day Master has a micro-root in the earthly branches. For example, the Day Master has residual qi root in a hidden stem within the earthly branches (such as Jia Wood Day Master, Chen branch hides Yi Wood residual qi), or has a root that has been clashed/restrained but not completely extinguished. This micro-root makes the Day Master 'unwilling at heart' — wanting independence but powerless. Second type: the chart has body-supporting Ten Gods but they are not powerful. For instance, there's a floating, rootless Companion, or a Resource star surrounded by Wealth stars. Third type: individual Ten Gods don't follow the momentum. For example, the overall chart follows Killing (Officer/Killing dominates), but there's one Output controlling the Killing — this Output becomes the 'false factor' of the false following. Identifying the source of 'false' is the first step in choosing yongshen for false following patterns.
2. The 'Remove False' Strategy: Making False Following Trend Toward True Following
For most false following patterns, 'remove false' is the priority strategy — i.e., the yongshen should be able to suppress or pull out the factors causing 'falseness,' making the pattern trend toward true following. If the 'false' lies in the Day Master's micro-root — the yongshen must be able to restrain or pull out this micro-root. For example, if the Day Master has a micro-root in the earthly branches, the yongshen takes the element that can clash/restrain this root, making the Day Master completely abandon independence and submit to the momentum. If the 'false' lies in body-supporting Ten Gods — the yongshen must be able to restrain this body-supporting Ten God. For instance, if there's a floating Resource star supporting the body, the yongshen takes Wealth star to break Resource; once Resource is broken, the Day Master has no support and can only submit. If the 'false' lies in individual non-submissive Ten Gods — the yongshen must be able to restrain or combine/transform this disruptor. For example, in a Following Killing pattern where there's one Output controlling Killing, the yongshen takes Resource to control Output (Resource restrains Output, making Output shut up), or takes Wealth to bridge (Wealth drains Output and generates Killing). The goal of the 'remove false' strategy is to make the false following pattern become a true following pattern — once the pattern is pure, the yongshen actually becomes simpler.
3. The 'Support False' Strategy: When False Following Should Break and Return to Standard
In a small number of cases, false following patterns should not 'remove false' but should 'support false' — i.e., follow the direction of 'false,' making the pattern completely break from false following and return to standard ordinary pattern. The judgment criteria for this situation: the Day Master's micro-root is not completely powerless, and the luck cycle direction is body-supporting rather than body-restraining. If the Day Master has an un-clashed root in the earthly branches (e.g., the Day Master has a complete Lu or Growth root protected by other earthly branches), this root cannot be called a 'micro-root' — it is a rescued root with the opportunity to turn things around. When luck cycles continuously go through body-supporting cycles (Resource/Companion cycles), the Day Master's strength will gradually be lifted — at this point, the false following pattern loses the premise of 'following' and should choose yongshen per standard patterns. The most reliable method for judging whether a false following pattern should 'remove false' or 'support false' is to look at the event correspondence of the first two luck cycle steps: if the chart owner thrived with success during the first two luck cycle steps (going through body-supporting cycles), it indicates the Day Master's root has strength and should support false to break the pattern; if the first two luck cycle steps going through body-supporting cycles instead brought obstacles, it indicates the Day Master's root is indeed weak and should remove false to follow true. Luck cycles are the best touchstone.
4. Luck Cycle Changes in False Following Patterns: Multiple Pattern Transitions Possible in One Lifetime
This is the most unique and hardest-to-grasp characteristic of false following patterns — the pattern changes as luck cycles turn. In one luck cycle step, the false following pattern may trend toward true following (remove false successful); in another step, it may break and return to standard (support false successful); in yet another step, it may fall into the awkward state of 'half-following, half-not-following.' This requires the chart reader to not give a static yongshen conclusion but to provide a dynamic yongshen adjustment plan for each luck cycle step. Luck cycle going through body-restraining cycles (further weakening the Day Master) — pattern trends toward true following; choose yongshen per following pattern (continue following momentum). Luck cycle going through body-supporting cycles (lifting the Day Master) — pattern trends toward standard pattern; choose yongshen per standard pattern (support/suppress balance). Luck cycle going through mixed cycles (partial body-support, partial body-restrain) — pattern maintains false following; continue 'remove false' with yongshen. A common error in practice: giving a false following pattern a static conclusion of 'your yongshen is X,' then discovering this conclusion no longer holds after changing luck cycles. Dynamic yongshen is the correct posture for reading false following patterns.
Three Judgment Dimensions
Career & Wealth
Love & Relationship
Personality
Health
Classical Support
Practical Key Points
- Step 1: Locate the root of 'false' : False following has three types of sources: Day Master micro-root, body-supporting Ten Gods not powerful, individual Ten Gods not following. Correctly identifying the false factor is necessary before targeted yongshen selection.
- Step 2: Judge whether to 'remove false' or 'support false' : For most false following patterns, removing false is prioritized. But if the Day Master's root has rescue + luck cycles support the body, switch to the support-false strategy and choose yongshen per standard patterns. The actual performance of the first two luck cycle steps is the best diagnostic basis.
- Step 3: Give dynamic yongshen by luck cycle phase : Body-restraining cycles → choose yongshen per following pattern. Body-supporting cycles → choose yongshen per standard pattern. Mixed cycles → continue removing false. Evaluate each luck cycle step independently; don't give static conclusions.
Common Follow-up Questions
Q: Are false following patterns definitely worse than true following patterns?
A:
At the pattern level, false following is not as pure as true following, and the wealth-honor hierarchy is slightly lower. But in terms of life experience, false following people, having experienced the tug-of-war of 'to follow or not to follow,' often have a richer understanding of life. False following patterns with good luck cycle coordination can still achieve high accomplishments.
Q: Can a false following pattern break and return to standard?
A:
Yes. When luck cycles long-term go through body-lifting cycles, and the Day Master's strength gradually strengthens enough to stand independently, false following patterns may break and return to standard ordinary patterns. At this point, the entire chart reading framework must change — from 'following momentum' to 'balancing support and suppression.'