Ba Zi is a comprehensive system of Chinese astrology, called Four Pillar of Destiny Astrology or, indeed, Chinese Energetic Astrology.
Its origins are very ancient and uncertain, just consider that Xu Zi Ping, the greatest modern Ba Zi master, lived before the year 1,000.
What does Ba Zi mean? Its name literally means “eight symbols,” which are the eight ideograms that make up a person’s birth chart and determine his or her main energetic characteristics.
Eight archetypes? Yes, this first indication already makes you understand how Ba Zi is a much more complex tool than the popular horoscope, which generally speaks of zodiac sign (comparable to the Day Master) and ascendant (similar to the animal of the year).
In ancient China, prominent families had their own Ba Zi advisor to whom they turned when making important choices, whether family or business.
Just like Feng Shui, Chinese Energetic Astrology has its roots in Eastern metaphysics; in fact, ancient Feng Shui consultants were also astronomers, mathematicians, and physicists.
Ba Zi is not a form of divination, channeling, or mind or future reading, but is the science of studying Destiny, using principles and methods from Chinese metaphysics.