The twelve branches
What are the Earthly Branches?
The twelve Earthly Branches carry the twelve zodiac animals, the four seasons, and the twelve double-hours. They are the reason BaZi and the Chinese zodiac are one tradition: the animal you know from your birth year is that year's Earthly Branch. Each branch also holds a hidden interior of elements, which is where a chart gets its depth.
The twelve fall into three groups: the four cardinals at each season's peak, holding one element nearly pure; the four growths that open a season; and the four storages that close a season and warehouse its element.
Every branch is a door to an animal. Tap one above, then walk into the animal it opens, and on to your own Primal Animal.