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The Si–Chou Arching Combination in BaZi

The Si–Chou Arching Combination is easy to misread. Si (巳), a fire branch, and Chou (丑), an earth branch, support metal when they combine, but they rarely turn fully into metal. Their original elements continue to affect the result.

How Si Fire Affects the Metal

Si fire controls metal, so it can still weaken the metal supported by the combination. The degree depends on the month.

If Si fire falls in a Si month, the fire is strong enough to damage the metal. If it falls in a Hai, Zi, or Chou month, the damage to metal tends to be much smaller.

How Chou Earth Changes the Combination

Chou earth also suppresses the brightness of Si fire and reduces its strength. So the combination works in both directions: Si fire checks the metal, while Chou earth weakens Si fire.

Whether the resulting support for metal helps depends on the whole chart. If metal is favorable, the combination is beneficial. If metal is unfavorable, it is harmful.

The arrival of Mao wood adds another effect. The metal supported by Si and Chou can then control Mao wood.

What the Combination Usually Does

A complete transformation of Si fire and Chou earth into metal is relatively rare. In most charts, the Si–Chou Arching Combination mainly strengthens metal while retaining the effects of its original fire and earth. Other results may also arise from the chart as a whole.

Chart your BaZi at guanweibazi.com/paipan.