Chinese Metaphysics Books and Resources: Where to Learn More

I get this question a lot: "I got my Bazi reading and now I want to learn more. Where do I start?"

Good question. The problem is that Chinese metaphysics is a huge field, and a lot of the resources are either (1) in Chinese, (2) overly academic, or (3) full of superstition.

Here are the resources I've actually found useful over the years.

Essential Classic Texts

These are the original sources. Not easy reads, but this is where everything comes from.

The I Ching (易经 / Book of Changes)

Why read it: The foundation of Chinese philosophy. Everything — Bazi, Feng Shui, Chinese medicine — traces back to the principles in this book. Best translation: The Wilhelm/Baynes translation is the classic. John Minford's version is more readable. I'd start with Minford. How to read it: Don't try to read it cover to cover. Use it as a reference — look up the hexagrams that come up in your readings.

The Four Books of Destiny (命理四书)

These are the core texts of Bazi study: - 渊海子平 (Ziping Method) — The original Bazi text from the Song dynasty - 三命通会 (Comprehensive Bazi) — The Ming dynasty encyclopedia - 穷通宝鉴 (Poor Man's Treasure) — Practical Bazi applications - 滴天髓 (Dropping Heaven's Essence) — Advanced Bazi theory

Fair warning: these are DENSE. They're written in classical Chinese with layers of commentary. Unless you read Chinese, you'll need to work through translated/adapted versions.

Modern English Books I Recommend

For Bazi Beginners:

"The Four Pillars of Destiny" by Joey Yap Joey Yap is the most accessible English-language author on Bazi. This book covers the basics clearly with lots of examples. It's not perfect (some simplifications), but it's where most English speakers start. "Bazi: The Destiny Code" by Sunny Liao Good structured introduction. More systematic than Joey Yap. Sunny Liao's approach is very logical — great if you have an analytical mind.

For I Ching Study:

"The I Ching: A Biography" by Richard J. Smith Not a translation — this is a history of the I Ching and how it's been used through Chinese history. Fascinating context. "The Complete I Ching" by Alfred Huang Good modern translation with clear explanations. Huang includes both the traditional interpretation and Taoist commentary. "I Ching, the Oracle" by Benebell Wen This is the most practical modern guide I've found. Wen covers the hexagrams, the lines, AND how to apply them to modern life.

For Five Elements and Chinese Medicine:

"Between Heaven and Earth" by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold The best English introduction to Chinese medicine that also covers Five Element theory. It's written for Westerners and doesn't assume prior knowledge. "The Web That Has No Weaver" by Ted Kaptchuk The classic English text on Chinese medicine. Dense but worth it.

For General Chinese Metaphysics:

"The Tao of Craft" by Benebell Wen Covers talismans, Fu amulets, and esoteric Taoist practices. Not directly Bazi, but provides important cultural context. "Chinese Metaphysics: A Beginner's Guide" by Way of the Qilin Online resource (website), not a book. Good for quick reference on Bazi, Feng Shui, and date selection.

Online Resources

Websites I Actually Use:

Joey Yap's Website (joeyyap.com) Lots of free articles and video content. Joey Yap is a marketer first, so take the "buy my course" pitch with a grain of salt. But the free content is genuinely useful. Chinese Fortune Calendar (chinesefortunecalendar.com) Good reference for current year's energies, stem-branch combinations, and solar terms. Not pretty but practical. Ming Li's Bazi Blog Practical case studies and chart readings. Great for seeing how experienced practitioners actually read charts. Reddit r/bazi Mixed quality, but you can learn from others' chart readings. I've picked up a lot by reading the discussions.

Courses (if you want structured learning):

Joey Yap's Bazi Mastery Series Expensive but thorough. Good if you want certification-level knowledge. Way of the Qilin Online Course More affordable than Joey Yap. Good structured curriculum. Institute of Chinese Metaphysics (Singapore) They offer online courses with actual certification. More academic approach.

Tools I Use

My own site — Chimystic (/reading) Of course I use my own site for quick readings. The algorithm follows traditional methods. Bazi Calculator (free online tools) Various free tools for calculating stems and branches if you want to verify manually. Chinese Calendar apps I keep a Chinese calendar app on my phone to check daily stem-branch combinations.

A Note on Learning Chinese Metaphysics

Here's something nobody tells you about studying Chinese metaphysics: it's a lifelong journey. I've been at it for years and I still feel like a beginner sometimes.

The key is to: 1. Read one book at a time (don't overwhelm yourself) 2. Practice on real charts (yours, friends', family's) 3. Keep notes on what you observe 4. Cross-reference with what actually happens 5. Be humble — the system is deep and your understanding will evolve

The deepest wisdom in Chinese metaphysics isn't in any single book. It's in the practice — reading chart after chart, year after year, watching how the same principles show up differently in every life.

My Personal Reading List Order

If I had to recommend a study order:

1. Start with the Wilhelm I Ching (get the overall philosophy) 2. Read Joey Yap's Four Pillars (learn the basics) 3. Read Sunny Liao's Destiny Code (go deeper on calculation methods) 4. Practice on 10 real charts (yours + 9 friends) 5. Read Benebell Wen's I Ching Oracle (understand the I Ching deeply) 6. Read Between Heaven and Earth (understand Five Elements in the body) 7. Re-read your I Ching with new eyes 8. Start studying the classical texts if you're still hungry

That's easily a 2-3 year plan. Don't rush it.

What's Your Next Step?

The best way to learn Bazi is to start with your own chart. You'll be more motivated, and the personal connection helps the knowledge stick. Get your [free Bazi reading](/reading) and use it as your first case study.

After that, pick one book from the list above. Don't buy five — just one. Read it in a month. Then get another reading and see if your understanding has grown.

Good luck on your journey. It's a fascinating one.