For centuries, humanity has been conditioned to live within the rigid framework of a 24-hour day. Work, school, social life—everything revolves around the expectation that we wake, function, and rest according to this imposed cycle. But what if this cycle is not intrinsic to human biology? What if our natural rhythm is far more flexible than we’ve been led to believe?

This question has intrigued scientists, philosophers, and forward-thinkers alike. Among them, Michel Siffre, a French geologist, and speleologist, conducted groundbreaking experiments in time isolation, revealing that when stripped of external cues like sunlight and clocks, the human body does not necessarily adhere to a strict 24-hour schedule. His findings challenge not only our perception of time but the very foundations upon which our society is structured.

Now, imagine a world where individuals function based on their own biological clocks. A world where some people naturally thrive on 36-hour cycles, while others fluctuate unpredictably. At first glance, such an idea appears chaotic, and unmanageable—how could we possibly coordinate schools, workplaces, or daily routines?

Yet, in an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of life, this concept is no longer mere speculation. Automation and AI-driven efficiency are already dismantling traditional work structures, making room for more personalized, flexible schedules. Whether we welcome it or resist it, this transformation is inevitable. The Yin-Yang principle teaches us that within every disruption lies an opportunity, and rather than fearing change, perhaps it is time to embrace its potential.

Does Time Shape Our Destiny?

Time is an unrelenting river that carries us forward, whether we like it or not. Yet, is our 24-hour cycle of wakefulness and sleep the only way to experience time? Is it the most natural rhythm for our energy? According to Chinese Metaphysics, time is more than just a clock ticking away; it is a force that shapes destiny, mood, and fortune. Every hour has its unique energy, and our connection to these energies may determine the flow of our lives.

The ancients observed the sky and found patterns. They divided the day into twelve two-hour intervals, each ruled by one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, influencing our moods, actions, and interactions. But what happens when we disrupt this rhythm? Could a 36-hour cycle unlock new energy patterns? Let’s explore these hidden rhythms of time, blending ancient wisdom with modern experimentation.

The Twelve Earthly Branches: The Energy of Hours

In the Chinese calendar, each day follows a 60-day cycle, and every day is further divided into twelve two-hour intervals. Each interval corresponds to a specific zodiac animal and an elemental energy:

Rat (子) – Yang Water (11 pm - 12:59 am): The time of strategic thinking and planning.
Ox (丑) – Yin Earth (1 am - 2:59 am): A moment of deep-rooted stability.
Tiger (寅) – Yang Wood (3 am - 4:59 am): The burst of courage and new beginnings.
Rabbit (卯) – Yin Wood (5 am - 6:59 am): Gentle growth and flexibility.
Dragon (辰) – Yang Earth (7 am - 8:59 am): The time of strength and foundation.
Snake (巳) – Yin Fire (9 am - 10:59 am): Wisdom and transformation.
Horse (午) – Yang Fire (11 am - 12:59 pm): Passion, action, and movement.
Goat (未) – Yin Earth (1 pm - 2:59 pm): Nurturing and compassion.
Monkey (申) – Yang Metal (3 pm - 4:59 pm): Cleverness and agility.
Rooster (酉) – Yin Metal (5 pm - 6:59 pm): Precision and clarity.
Dog (戌) – Yang Earth (7 pm - 8:59 pm): Loyalty and structure.
Pig (亥) – Yin Water (9 pm - 10:59 pm): Intuition and endings.

The energy of these hours is not just general but interacts with our personal Ba Zi chart. Some hours may bring luck and productivity, while others challenge us.

The Meridian Clock: When the Body Aligns with Time

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) adds another layer to this understanding with the Meridian Clock. Each organ has an optimal function period, and aligning our actions with these times can enhance well-being:

11 pm - 1 am (Gallbladder): Essential sleep for immunity.
1 am - 3 am (Liver): Detoxification and healing.
3 am - 5 am (Lungs): Oxygen circulation and immunity boost.
5 am - 7 am (Large Intestine): Best time for morning activity.
7 am - 9 am (Stomach): Ideal for breakfast.
9 am - 11 am (Spleen): Best time for focus and work.
11 am - 1 pm (Heart): Enjoyable activities and socialization.
1 pm - 3 pm (Small Intestine): Digest and absorb nutrients.
3 pm - 5 pm (Bladder): Relaxation and hydration.
5 pm - 7 pm (Kidneys): Energy storage and restoration.
7 pm - 9 pm (Pericardium): Emotional balance and preparation for rest.
9 pm - 11 pm (Triple Warmer): The body enters deep rest mode.

Ignoring these cycles may lead to physical imbalances. Have you ever noticed how working late into the night makes you feel sluggish the next morning? That’s your body’s way of warning you.

For each of us, depending on our Destiny Chart, one of these time intervals is the most important. On the Profile page of BaZi Advisor, you can see which interval is crucial for you and, more importantly, what activities are best suited for that time and what should be avoided.

Cosmic Interactions: Clashes and Productive Combinations

According to Ba Zi, certain hours may feel naturally lucky or unlucky due to clashes and combinations.

Clashes: Opposing forces that create disruption. For instance, a Tiger-Monkey clash may bring emotional turmoil, while a Snake-Pig clash could cause unexpected setbacks.
Productive Combinations: Two elements combine to produce a third, influencing life in positive or negative ways. If the produced element supports your Ba Zi chart, the hour is auspicious.

Example Combinations:

Rat + Ox = Earth (Stability, grounding)
Tiger + Pig = Wood (Growth, expansion)
Rabbit + Dog = Fire (Passion, drive)
Dragon + Rooster = Metal (Discipline, precision)
Snake + Monkey = Water (Flow, adaptability)

Understanding these interactions can help you optimize daily activities for better outcomes.

For those who want to dive deeper into these interactions, we recommend reading our articles Heavenly Stems & Earthly Branches Interactions in Ba Zi and Balance the Five Elements for a Harmonious Life. If you’d like to check whether these interactions appear in your Destiny Chart, you can explore the Profile page on BaZi Advisor.

If they are present in your chart, their effects will manifest throughout your life. However, even if they aren’t, it’s essential to understand that the four pillars of your Destiny Chart continuously interact with the current time pillars—the Hour, Day, Month, Year, and Luck Pillar. At some point, all these combinations, and many more, will influence your life, even if only for a single day.

Among the temporary influences, the most significant ones arise from interactions between your Destiny Chart and the Year or Luck Pillar, as these last for an extended period. Just imagine the impact of a triple combination like a Harmonical Combination when it involves your Luck Pillar, Annual Pillar, and one of your natal pillars.

It’s worth reading the article and consulting BaZi Advisor to uncover these influences in your own life!

The 36-Hour Cycle: A New Perspective on Time

Now, let’s step outside traditional time cycles. The Michel Siffre experiment, a study on the natural sleep-wake cycle, found that when isolated from external cues, the human body often shifts to a 36-hour rhythm—24 hours of wakefulness followed by 12 hours of sleep. This challenges the notion that 24-hour cycles are the most natural.

Could rigidly following societal schedules be limiting our access to certain energies? Imagine waking up at different times over a cycle of days, experiencing every two-hour interval at some point. This could allow for a more holistic interaction with cosmic energies.

Lao Zi once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Perhaps a simple change in how we sleep and wake could unlock profound changes in our lives.

Time is not just a rigid construct—it is a dance of energy. By understanding Ba Zi’s hourly influences, the Meridian Clock’s health effects, and the potential of a 36-hour cycle, we can experiment with how we interact with time. Perhaps we are missing crucial energies by adhering strictly to a 24-hour schedule. Could a shift in rhythm improve our lives?

At BaZi Advisor, you can explore your auspicious and inauspicious hours, uncover how time interacts with your destiny, and make choices that align with your natural rhythm. The power to shape your time, and in turn, your destiny, is in your hands.

So, what will you do with your next hour?

Conclusion: Rewriting Our Relationship with Time

If we discard preconceived notions and outdated societal constructs, we see a world of continuous activity—not in the sense of relentless exhaustion but in the possibility of human productivity being harmonized with natural rhythms rather than forced into arbitrary cycles.

Imagine businesses operating seamlessly around the clock—not because employees are forced into unnatural shifts, but because different individuals are naturally awake and alert at different times. Jobs would multiply, services would be available whenever needed, and overall well-being could improve as people align their schedules with their own optimal energy levels. Instead of burnout and inefficiency, we could witness a surge in happiness, creativity, and even a deeper sense of connection—to ourselves, to each other, and perhaps even to something greater.

Michel Siffre’s experiments, particularly his six-month isolation in a Texas cave, demonstrated that without external cues, the human sleep-wake cycle extends beyond 24 hours—sometimes even to 48-hour intervals. This finding was largely dismissed or downplayed, perhaps because of the sheer logistical disruption it could bring. But today, as we stand on the brink of a new era in human organization, these revelations may no longer be a threat, but an opportunity.

As we reconsider our relationship with time, we must ask ourselves: is it truly impossible to break free from the 24-hour mold? Or is it simply inconvenient for the existing social order? If we are willing to question, to imagine, and to innovate, then perhaps the future holds something even more extraordinary than we ever anticipated.