From Mohamad Sabu's Thanks from Mahathir: How the Official Star and Seal Star in Bazi Explain 'Retiring After Achievements' and 'An Old Steed Still Aspires'

Recently, the news 'Terima kasih Mat Sabu jemput datang MAHA 2026 – Tun M' attracted wide attention in Malaysia. Former Prime Minister Mahathir thanked Mohamad Sabu for the invitation, and their interaction at the agricultural exhibition painted a picture of a political figure maintaining social connections after retirement.

From the perspective of Bazi destiny analysis, this state of 'retired but not resting' is not merely a personal choice but is closely related to the flow of the great cycles and the configuration of the Ten Gods. Among them, the interplay between the Official Star and the Seal Star deeply influences whether, after achieving success, a person chooses complete seclusion or continues to radiate residual warmth.

Common Misconceptions

When applying destiny analysis concepts to the public behavior of well-known figures, we must draw clear cognitive boundaries to avoid falling into determinism or privacy prying.

• Misconception 1: Destiny analysis determines specific events. The Bazi chart reveals a person's innate temperamental tendencies and life rhythm, not a pre-written script. It explains 'why there is such a tendency,' not 'something will definitely happen.'
• Misconception 2: Retirement equals decline in fortune. In destiny analysis, retirement is merely a turning point in life's great cycles. If the subsequent cycles are favorable, especially when the Seal Star is strong, it often marks a golden period of wisdom sedimentation and influence elevation, not the beginning of decline.
• Misconception 3: The Official Star only represents government positions. Broadly, the Official Star represents order, responsibility, reputation, and social framework. After retirement, it can transform into industry prestige, public welfare commitment, or sustained concern for public affairs, not limited to concrete positions of power.

1. Official Star: The 'Social Frame' That Cannot Be Taken Off

In Bazi, the Official Star represents rules, responsibility, and self-discipline. The Direct Officer is a 'restraint with affection,' symbolizing respect gained through order; the Seven Killings is a 'restraint without affection,' representing boldness, authority, and pioneering. Together, they form the mode of interaction between a person and the social framework.

For those who have held public office for a long time, the Official Star is often deeply rooted in the chart. Even after retirement, this inertia toward 'order' and 'responsibility' does not disappear; it merely changes its form—from direct management to advisory guidance or spiritual inspiration.

• People with a strong Official Star: After retirement, they easily feel that their social responsibilities are not yet complete and often maintain social connections through public welfare participation, invited speeches, or event attendance.
• When the Official Star is favorable: They can gracefully use past experience, becoming a 'respected and esteemed advisor,' enjoying the honor brought by the framework without the burden of official duties.
• When the Official Star is unfavorable: They may fall into anxiety of 'still meddling in affairs despite being out of office' and must guard against excessive intervention. They should proactively shift toward the wisdom aspect of the Seal Star.

2. Seal Star: The 'Source of Wisdom' for Retired but Not Resting

The Seal Star is the god that nurtures the Day Master, representing learning, thinking, compassion, and introspection. The Direct Seal governs traditional wisdom and stability, while the Indirect Seal governs special talents and transcendence. It is the key energy that makes life rich after retiring from achievements.

When the life cycle shifts from a period dominated by Officer and Killing to one dominated by the Seal Star, a person's external pursuits naturally internalize. They no longer need confirmation from external power but instead derive satisfaction from knowledge transmission, cultural nourishment, or spiritual legacy.

• Official-Seal mutually generating structure: This is the most ideal configuration for retirement. The sense of responsibility from the Official Star is transformed by the wisdom of the Seal Star, manifesting as 'transmitting knowledge, teaching, and resolving doubts.' Inviting juniors for a visit and sharing experiences are typical outward projections of this structure.
• Seal Star protecting the body: If the great cycle after retirement meets a strong Seal, it is like an old tree with deep roots. Facing external disturbances or honors, one remains clear-headed and detached, refining past experiences into life philosophy that benefits others.
• When the Seal Star is favorable: In later years, one loves activities that nourish the spirit, such as reading, writing, art, or farming. An agricultural exhibition, symbolizing nurturing and cultivation, aligns well with the nourishing imagery of the Seal Star.

3. The Ten Gods Combination: Decoding the Inner Drive Behind 'An Old Steed Still Aspires'

In Cao Cao's poem, 'An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles,' the ancients had long observed that some people retain their ambitions in old age. In destiny analysis, this is not the work of a single star but a complex symphony of Officer, Seal, Eating God, Hurting Officer, and other Ten Gods.

If the Official Star has a root in the chart and the great cycle encounters a Wealth Star generating the Officer, the retiree may still be keen on economic activities or resource integration. If the Eating God or Hurting Officer emerges, they may continue to influence society through speech or creation. The mutual generation of Official and Seal, however, represents the most culturally profound model of 'old steed still aspires.'

• Enduring influence: The Official Star provides the foundation of social prestige, while the Seal Star imparts depth of thought. Their combination elevates the retiree's words and actions beyond temporary power into the realm of cultural and spiritual transmission.
• The nature of interpersonal interaction: From the perspective of destiny analysis, invitations and expressions of thanks after retirement are the flow of the 'frame' of the Official Star and the 'camaraderie' of the Seal Star. It is no longer a hierarchical command but an equal connection based on mutual respect and shared wisdom.
• The true meaning of retiring after achievements: The ancients did not advocate passive withdrawal from the world; they emphasized voluntarily handing the leadership of life to the Seal Star after the mission of the Official Star is complete. What retires is the specific position; what remains is the personal influence elevated by the Seal Star.

Points to Note

When applying destiny analysis to public figures, one must uphold the principles of reason and respect and avoid the following common traps.

• Never fabricate birth times to force a match. The specific birth details of public figures are private. Any Bazi chart construction based on speculation is irresponsible. This article only infers possible temperamental types associated with the Ten Gods from public behavior, purely for cultural education.
• Avoid 'destiny analysis determinism' narratives. Do not say, 'Because he has an Official-Seal mutual generation, he was inevitably invited.' Destiny analysis is a tool for interpreting personality tendencies and life stages, not an event trigger. All social activities result from the interplay of personal choice, environmental opportunity, and cultural background.
• Beware of stereotypes about 'later-year fortune.' There is no absolute good or bad in the configuration of Official Star and Seal Star. The key lies in whether it harmonizes with one's personal disposition and the flow of great cycles. Forced seclusion or excessive activity can both lead to unrest in later years.
• Distinguish between cultural metaphor and real-life prediction. 'An old steed still aspires' is a literary and destiny analysis depiction of temperament, not an encouragement for the elderly to pursue high-risk goals regardless of physical conditions. The core wisdom of destiny analysis is knowing the mandate of heaven and following nature.
• Respect the regional cultural context. In Malaysia's multicultural environment, the expression forms of Official Star and Seal Star may integrate Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other traditional understandings of 'elder wisdom' and 'social roles.' Interpretation must maintain cultural sensitivity.

From the interaction between Mohamad Sabu and Mahathir at the agricultural exhibition, we see a vivid picture of active social participation in later years. Bazi destiny analysis, through the dynamic relationship between Official Star and Seal Star, provides a profoundly wise interpretive framework. The Official Star lays the foundation of a person's lifelong responsibility and social framework, while the Seal Star determines whether, after stepping down from specific positions, they can transform that framework into wisdom that nourishes themselves and others. True 'retiring after achieving merit' is never an exit from life but an elegant transition from 'establishing merit' under the dominance of the Official Star to 'establishing virtue' and 'establishing words' under the dominance of the Seal Star. This poised shift in life stages is precisely the precious inspiration that traditional destiny culture offers to modern people.