Extinction (絕) in the 12 stages of Ba Zi
Extinction is the gap after one cycle ends and before the next begins: the quietest point, and the freest.
On this page
What Extinction means
First, to be clear: Extinction is the traditional name for a phase of energy, not a literal ending or a hopeless state. It means the strength of the old cycle has run its course and the next one is about to be conceived from here, like a blank page with no baggage and no set direction yet.
Where it falls for each Day Master
Jia Wood in Shen, Yi Wood in You, Bing Fire in Hai, Ding Fire in Zi, Wu Earth in Hai, Ji Earth in Zi, Geng Metal in Yin, Xin Metal in Mao, Ren Water in Si, Gui Water in Wu.
Extinction on your Day branch
With the Day Master sitting on Extinction, people often describe you as flexible and fresh-minded, willing to reset and start over, rarely tied down by the past and quicker than most to settle into new surroundings. You often find openings in the middle of change. The thing to watch is a shallow root that leaves you easily swayed or changing direction often; one or two long-term anchors will help you feel settled.
On the Year, Month and Hour pillars
On the Year pillar, it is often read as an early life with many changes, or leaving where you grew up early to make your own way. On the Month pillar, career changes tend to come up, and new ventures, cross-disciplinary work or anything built from scratch suits you. On the Hour pillar, it is traditionally read as starting afresh with a new way of life in later years, with you and your children each having your own world.
A tip
Extinction is both a blank and a freedom. Before changing direction, ask yourself what you want to keep, and the blank becomes a starting point.
FAQ
Does the Extinction stage mean a dead end?
No. Extinction is the traditional name of a phase in which the old cycle closes, and what follows is Conception, Nurture and Birth, a whole new cycle. Its upside is having no baggage and an easy fresh start.
Which Day pillars sit on Extinction?
Four of the sixty pillars do: Jia Shen, Geng Yin, Yi You and Xin Mao. In Jia Shen and Geng Yin the branch hides a Resource element, which tradition calls "finding life where it seems cut off": even at the weakest-looking point, there is a source of support.
How does Extinction relate to Conception?
Conception comes right after Extinction: one is the close of the old, the other the start of something new, back to back. So although Extinction is the quietest point, it is also the closest to a new beginning.
The 12 stages
Ba Zi centres on the Day Master and Ten Gods; Zi Wei Dou Shu on your Life Palace star. Draw your Zi Wei chart to compare.
This is the general reading. On your own chart it shifts with the stars' brightness, the San Fang Si Zheng and the year you are in.
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