Geng (庚) is Yang Metal, known as Tai Bai (太白). It is the most fierce of the Six Rites, signifying obstruction, conflict, and legal disputes. The palace where Geng (庚) falls often indicates where things are blocked or where adversaries are located.
Classical Adages
Bing (丙) is perversity, Geng (庚) is obstruction; obstruction means impassable, perversity means chaos and rebellion.
Explanation
Geng (庚) in the Ten Heavenly Stems belongs to Yang Metal, embodying the肅殺 (su sha) energy of autumn. In Qimen, it is called Tai Bai (太白) and is the Rite (仪) hidden by Jia Shen (甲申) in the Xun (旬) cycle. Geng (庚) is the most inauspicious of the Six Rites: its symbolic meanings include obstruction, confrontation, enmity, legal disputes, and warfare. Its material representations are metal, bladed weapons, roads, and hard objects. Its human representations are military personnel, police, adversaries, and people with rigid personalities. In marriage divination, Geng (庚) often represents the male party. In terms of direction, Geng Metal corresponds to the West, sharing characteristics with the Qian (乾) and Dui (兑) palaces. Auspiciousness and inauspiciousness when falling into palaces: Geng (庚) falling into Qian (乾) 6 or Dui (兑) 7 is considered 'gaining ground,' amplifying its fierce nature. Falling into Kun (坤) 2 or Gen (艮) 8 receives earth's generation; however, falling into Gen (艮) 8 is a 'Six Rites Punishment' (申刑寅), indicating injury and failure. Falling into Li (离) 9 is restrained by fire, reducing its fierce nature but often leading to intense conflicts. Falling into Kan (坎) 1 drains its energy. Falling into Zhen (震) 3 or Xun (巽) 4 restrains wood, indicating damage and injury. Strength and weakness preferences: In autumn and in palaces where metal is strong, Geng's (庚) power is greater, and obstructions are more significant. When weak and restrained, obstructions are lighter. Geng (庚) is most unfavorable when combined with the year, month, day, or hour stem, or with the Chief (值符), forming severe patterns like 'Sui Ge' (岁格), 'Yue Ge' (月格), 'Fu Gan Ge' (伏干格), or 'Zhi Fu Fei Gong' (值符飞宫), making all endeavors difficult. In any divination, the palace where Geng (庚) falls indicates the location of obstacles and adversaries. If Geng (庚) falls into 'Empty Void' (空亡), the obstruction is insubstantial, but caution is still needed when it emerges from the void. If it falls with auspicious doors and stars, its inauspiciousness can be mitigated.
Categorized Judgments
Career and Official Positions
When seeking a job or divining career matters and Geng (庚) appears, there are often competitors or significant obstacles. If Geng's (庚) palace restrains the palace of the Day Stem, the opponent has the upper hand, and it's advisable to postpone aggressive action. If Geng (庚) is in the same palace as the Chief (值符) or forms a 'Sui Yue Ri Shi Ge' (岁月日时格), promotion is blocked; wait until the pattern resolves before acting. If it receives generation and assistance from auspicious doors, strong measures can be used to break the deadlock.
Wealth and Business
Geng (庚) signifies financial loss and obstruction. If Geng (庚) falls into the wealth position when seeking wealth, income is often blocked or intercepted by others. Geng (庚) adding Wu (戊) is 'Tian Yi Fu Gong' (天乙伏宫), meaning funds are stuck; it's advisable to first clarify who or what is causing the obstruction. When Geng (庚) is weak and restrained, obstacles are small, allowing for small-scale transactions, but large investments, loans, and guarantees should be avoided.
Marriage and Relationships
When divining relationships and marriage, Geng (庚) often represents the male party, and also adversaries or obstacles in the relationship. Yi (乙) adding Geng (庚) is 'Ri Qi Bei Xing' (日奇被刑), indicating private grievances between spouses. If Geng's (庚) palace is strong and restrains the other party's palace, the male is dominant and unyielding. If Geng (庚) is restrained or meets auspicious doors, the stalemate can be resolved; it's advisable to seek mediation from a third party.
Health and Illness
Geng (庚) governs knife injuries, bones, lungs, and large intestines. If Geng (庚) falls with inauspicious doors or patterns, beware of external injuries, fractures, and surgeries. Geng (庚) falling into Gen (艮) 8 palace is a 'Punishment,' indicating recurrence of old injuries or injuries to muscles and bones. If Geng (庚) is strong, the illness comes on rapidly. When seeking medical treatment, choose a time when Geng (庚) is restrained; schedule surgeries to avoid days with Geng (庚) patterns.
Travel and Movement
Geng (庚) signifies road obstructions. If Geng (庚) appears when traveling, expect blockades, detours, or changes involving fellow travelers. Geng (庚) adding Xin (辛) is 'Bai Hu Gan Ge' (白虎干格), indicating great inauspiciousness for long journeys, like a vehicle breaking down or an animal dying; avoid travel. Geng (庚) adding Ren (壬) is 'Shang Ge' (上格), making it easy to get lost or lose contact. If Geng (庚) falls into 'Empty Void' (空亡), obstructions are slightly lighter, but it's still advisable to reschedule or change the route.
Lawsuits and Disputes
Geng (庚) represents legal adversaries and legal disputes themselves. If Geng (庚) is strong and prosperous in a lawsuit, the opposing party is strong, and a prolonged struggle is inevitable. Geng (庚) adding Ji (己) is 'Guan Fu Xing Ge' (官符刑格), indicating endless litigation and potential imprisonment. Geng (庚) adding the Day Stem is 'Fu Gan Ge' (伏干格), meaning the first to act loses. If Geng (庚) is restrained or falls into 'Empty Void' (空亡), the opponent's momentum has waned, and a quick settlement is advisable.