In the study of Chinese astrology (Ba Zi), "Tou Gan" and "Tong Gen" are two core concepts that jointly influence a person's fate and personality. "Tou Gan" refers to the manifestation of the Five Elements in the Earthly Branches on the Heavenly Stems, while "Tong Gen" means that the Heavenly Stem finds its root in the Earthly Branches. This article will delve into the meaning of the "Zheng Cai" (the official wealth) of the spouse appearing on the Heavenly Stem with a root in the Earthly Branches, and how it affects personal marriage and wealth.

Basic Concepts of Tou Gan and Tong Gen

Tou Gan refers to the manifestation of the Five Elements in the Earthly Branches on the Heavenly Stems, while Tong Gen refers to the root that the Heavenly Stem finds in the Earthly Branches. The importance of Tou Gan lies in the fact that when the Five Elements of the Heavenly Stem appear, their influence on the Day Master and other Heavenly Stems is maximized. Each Heavenly Stem plays an important role, especially the Monthly and Hourly Stems, which are adjacent to the Day Master and directly affect it. Although the Year Stem is farther from the Day Master, it still has a profound impact, and this influence gradually weakens as one ages. Although the Earthly Branches do not directly affect the destiny as much as the Heavenly Stems, they still play a role, especially the Day Branch, which directly affects the Day Master and represents the true nature of the Day Master.

The Power and Influence of Tong Gen

Tong Gen refers to the support of the same Five Elements in the Earthly Branches for the Heavenly Stem that appears. This support can be the principal, secondary, or residual element root. The principal element root is the strongest, followed by the secondary, and the residual is the weakest. The power of Tong Gen is crucial for the Heavenly Stem that appears. If the Heavenly Stem has no root in the Earthly Branches, it becomes unstable and its influence on other stems and branches is greatly reduced. As a useful deity, if it is unstable and lacks a root, its power cannot be fully utilized; as an adverse deity, although it directly hinders the useful deity, if it lacks a root, its ability to harm the useful deity is insufficient, and the harm is not significant. However, once the great fortune or annual flow year provides a root for the adverse deity, it will exert its influence and may bring negative consequences.

The Relationship Between Tong Gen and Its Position

Determining the strength of the Heavenly Stem depends heavily on Tong Gen. A Heavenly Stem with a root in the Earthly Branches has greater power, while a Heavenly Stem without a root in the Earthly Branches has less power. The position of Tong Gen is also very important. The root in the same branch has the greatest power, while the root in the adjacent branch has less power and is influenced by other branches. If the root is clashed or destroyed, the power of the Heavenly Stem decreases, even disappears. In addition, when two or more identical Heavenly Stems are adjacent, they form a single entity, effectively sharing the same root system, and the power of the Tong Gen is thus enhanced.

The Impact of Tong Gen on the Useful and Adverse Deities

The Tong Gen of the useful deity is auspicious, as it represents blessings and wealth. On the contrary, the Tong Gen of the adverse deity is inauspicious, as it amplifies the power of the adverse deity, potentially leading to destruction and disaster. The appearance of the same elements on the Heavenly Stem is equivalent to having a residual root. Even if the Heavenly Stem has no root in the Earthly Branches, if there are similar elements and they are not clashed or weakened, the Heavenly Stem can be considered to have a root and is not regarded as floating without a root.

In Chinese astrology, the appearance of the "Zheng Cai" (official wealth) of the spouse on the Heavenly Stem with a root in the Earthly Branches has a profound impact on personal marriage and wealth. The interaction between Tou Gan and Tong Gen determines the power and influence of the Heavenly Stem, thereby affecting a person's destiny. Understanding these basic concepts and their interrelationships helps us interpret the Ba Zi more deeply, predict the future, and make corresponding life plans.