The Four Pattern States: Establishment, Breakage, Excess, Deficiency
Pattern states aren't just 'established' and 'broken' — there are also excess and deficiency
Pattern states aren't limited to 'established pattern' and 'broken pattern.' The Ziping pattern method has two additional important state dimensions: excess and deficiency. Excess — the pattern's core Ten God has excessive strength, losing balance. Deficiency — the pattern's core Ten God is too weak, unable to fulfill the pattern's function. Understanding the four pattern states enables complete assessment of the pattern's actual performance.
Established = structurally complete and balanced. Broken = structurally damaged. Excess = excessive pattern strength causing imbalance. Deficiency = insufficient pattern strength preventing function. Each of the four states has its own adjustment strategy.
1. Pattern Establishment and Breakage — Judgments at the Structural Level
Pattern establishment and breakage are the two most basic pattern states. Established pattern — the pattern's core Ten God is unharmed, the Useful God is effective, and the structure is complete. The pattern's potential can be fully expressed. Broken pattern — the pattern's core Ten God is restrained, combined away, or mixed up; the Useful God is ineffective; the structure is damaged. The pattern's function is severely limited. Establishment and breakage address the question of 'can it be used.' But even if a pattern is established, there's still the question of 'is it being used well' — this is what excess and deficiency answer. In a Direct Officer pattern where the Officer star is established (has root, not restrained by Hurting Officer), but the Officer star is too strong (Officer star's force far exceeds the Day Master's bearing capacity) — established but in excess, the Day Master is crushed by the Officer star, and the Officer pattern is established but not beautiful. Conversely, the Officer star is established but leans weak (Officer star floating or shallow root) — established but deficient, the Officer pattern's expression is discounted.
2. Excess and Deficiency — Imbalances at the Power Level
Excess refers to the pattern's core Ten God or key Ten God having excessive strength, breaking the pattern's internal balance. Direct Officer pattern Officer star in excess — the Day Master is crushed by the Officer star and can't breathe. Needs the Seal star to transform Officer and generate body (Officer generates Seal → Seal generates body), or needs Eating God/Hurting Officer to control Officer (Output restrains Officer, but Direct Officer pattern abhors Output). Wealth pattern Wealth star in excess — the Day Master can't bear the Wealth and is instead burdened by it. Needs Companion/Rob Wealth to control Wealth (Companion seizes Wealth, helps body bear Wealth). Seal pattern Seal star in excess — the Day Master is overprotected and lacks initiative. Needs the Wealth star to break Seal (Wealth restrains Seal, activating the Day Master). Deficiency refers to the pattern's core Ten God having insufficient strength. Officer star deficient — Officer star too weak, the pattern almost has no Officer. Needs the Wealth star to generate Officer (strengthen the Officer star), or needs Seal to protect Officer (prevent the remaining Officer star from being hurt). Wealth star deficient — Wealth star too weak, the wealth pattern can't rise. Needs Eating God/Hurting Officer to generate Wealth (strengthen the Wealth star's source).
3. Adjustment Strategies for the Four States
Each of the four pattern states has its own adjustment strategy. Established pattern — maintain pattern balance, express pattern potential when luck cycles coordinate. No adjustment needed; enjoy the pattern's advantages. Broken pattern — find the cause of breakage and try to avoid it (if remedy exists) or accept the pattern's limitations (if no remedy). Luck cycles are the best repair tool. Excess — take the Use that can check and balance the excessive force to restore balance. Officer excess: take Seal to transform or Output to control (depending on the specific situation); Wealth excess: take Companion/Rob Wealth to control Wealth; Seal excess: take Wealth to break Seal. Deficiency — take the Use that can supplement insufficient strength to strengthen the pattern. Officer deficiency: take Wealth to generate or Seal to protect; Wealth deficiency: take Eating God/Hurting Officer to generate Wealth. Among the four states, 'excess' is the most common and most easily overlooked — many patterns aren't broken, but the pattern's core force is too strong, causing other parts to fall behind.
Four State Dimensions
Career & Wealth
Love & Relationship
Personality
Health
Classical Support
Practical Key Points
- Four-state judgment is advanced pattern analysis : First judge establishment vs. breakage (can it be used), then judge excess vs. deficiency (is it being used well). Only after completing both steps is pattern analysis complete.
- Excess is more common and more concealed than deficiency : The pattern's core Ten God is too strong — the pattern looks 'robust,' but it's actually already imbalanced. Don't be deceived by a pattern's 'strength'; check whether it has already crossed into 'excess becoming calamity.'
- Adjustment strategies should follow the state : Established: maintain. Broken: repair. Excess: check and balance. Deficiency: supplement. Each state has its corresponding adjustment direction.
Common Follow-ups
Q: Are bazi charts with pattern excess necessarily bad?
A:
Pattern excess doesn't mean the destiny is bad — it just means one force in the pattern is too strong, causing imbalance. As long as luck cycles can provide checking and balancing force (such as an excess pattern entering a checking/balancing cycle), the pattern can restore balance. Conversely, a balanced pattern with luck cycles destroying balance can also develop problems.