It’s tough to come in during the middle of a Bazi, or traditional Chinese fortune telling, class. This course was already in the fourth of its eight weeks, and its teacher, Alvin Ang, had done away with generalizations. “This is not a class where I am just going to read people’s Bazi charts for them,” said Ang. “I want to teach them the fundamentals so that some day they can read their fortunes themselves.”

Ang, a wine merchant from Singapore, became interested in the study of Bazi seven years ago. “At the time, my career, my relationships, basically my whole life was a mess. I was looking for answers, and eventually went to a Bazi fortune teller.” The fortune teller completed Ang’s chart based on the year, month, day and hour of his birth. He was stunned by the results. “I couldn’t believe the accuracy with which he was able to describe things in my life,” said Ang. “After that reading, I began reading books on the practice and eventually returned to the master to ask if I could become his student.”

Now a teacher himself, Ang runs an eight-week course at the China Culture Center. He is currently training his nine students to assemble their own charts, which can help them determine their future wealth, career success, and the viability of their relationships.

“What might my Bazi chart say about my engagement?” I asked somewhat nervously after the class concluded. “Well, Bazi cannot tell us everything,” said Ang. “There are earthly forces and human agency that also come into play. However, it might tell you that this is a good match or a bad match. It might tell you that now is a good time or a bad time. In fact, much of this type of fortune telling is not to say what the value of something is, but its timing.” He paused and looked me over.

“It might also tell you that you simply aren’t cut out for relationships. Sometimes, its just about the person, and there is nothing you can do.”

Web: www.chinaculturecenter.org

Jonathan Haagen