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Intuition

Piān Yìn (Indirect Resource)

Intuition is one of the ten roles: how a character in the chart relates to your Day Master. Classical books call it Indirect Resource.

Unconventional learning, insight, time alone

What it stands for

Traditional formula: Male

You think deeply and trust your intuition. Unusual knowledge draws you.

Traditional formula: Female

You think deeply and trust your intuition. Unusual knowledge draws you.

In each pillar

Year pillar

Stem

The back corner of the library

Picture a child curled up in the back corner of a library. Indirect Resource, the star of unusual learning and intuition, shows openly in your childhood, up to about sixteen. Traditionally it points to an unusual upbringing, sometimes with care from a grandparent or other relative, and early odd interests.

You likely grew up a little different from other kids, with interests all your own.

Hidden stems

The owl's eyes

An owl sees clearly while everyone else is asleep. Hidden in your childhood pillar, Indirect Resource gives a quiet intuition, up to about sixteen. You may have sensed things about people and places that you could not explain.

A strong gut feeling tends to have been with you since childhood.

Month pillar

Stem

A box of rare tools

Think of a repairer's toolbox full of rare, odd tools. Indirect Resource shows openly in your career and family pillar, ages about seventeen to thirty-two. It traditionally favors specialist skills, research, healing arts or unusual fields, and learning off the usual path.

Your young adult years tend to go best when you follow an unusual skill or subject.

Hidden stems

A light in the attic

Picture a light on late in an attic workroom. Hidden in your career pillar, ages seventeen to thirty-two, Indirect Resource gives a thoughtful mind that needs time alone. Traditionally it can make you restless in ordinary jobs, and brilliant in quiet, focused ones.

Early in your working life you tend to need quiet and room to think deeply.

Day pillar

Hidden stems

Two reading lamps

Think of two people reading side by side, each under their own lamp. Indirect Resource sits hidden in the seat of your partner, most active around ages thirty-three to forty-eight. Traditionally it points to a need for personal space, and a bond built on understanding more than words.

In love you tend to need some private time, and a partner who understands that.

Hour pillar

Stem

The cabin bookshelf

There's a quiet cabin in the hills with a shelf of well-read books. Indirect Resource shows openly in your later-life pillar, from about forty-nine on. It traditionally brings deeper interests in later years, such as philosophy, spirituality, healing or study.

Later life tends to turn you toward meaning, and toward subjects that feed the mind.

Hidden stems

Deep well water

Well water comes from deep underground, cool and clear. Hidden in your later-life pillar, from about forty-nine on, Indirect Resource gives a quiet wisdom that rises with age. Traditionally it can also bring stretches of solitude, which often turn into reflection.

Your later years tend to bring inner insight, and some quiet time you can use well.

Absent

Feet on the ground

A good cook follows the tried recipe rather than a hunch. Indirect Resource, the star of intuition and unusual learning, is missing from your chart, even hidden.

You tend to trust plain facts and practical know-how, and you learn best from experience you can touch.

The other roles

Ten roles