Stem Combines while Branch Harmonizes (天合地合)
Understand the compound pillar relation formed by a canonical stem combination and branch harmony, including completion, transformation, timing, and limits.
Overview
天合地合 compares two pillar units whose Heavenly Stems form one of the Five Combinations and whose Earthly Branches form a recognized harmony or group relation. The upper and lower contacts can reinforce linkage, but neither phase transformation nor a favorable relationship follows automatically. Exact pairs, force, competition, and timing must be reported.
At a glance
- Upper relation
- One canonical Heavenly-Stem Five Combination
- Lower relation
- A declared branch harmony or complete group
- Unit
- Two exact pillars or natal and timing pillar
- Separate tests
- Contact, effective force, transformation, and usefulness
- Interference
- Rival combination, clash, damage, distance, and timing
- Boundary
- Double combination does not guarantee marriage or benefit
Verify both relations on the same pillar pair
Confirm the exact Five-Combination stems and the exact lower branch relation.
State whether “地合” means Six Harmony, a trine, or another declared complete group.
- Use closed relation tables.
- Name the lower convention.
Assess upper and lower completion separately
Stem combination force depends on roots, season, proximity, and rivalry.
Branch harmony depends on its own membership, support, clashes, and group competition; one strong level does not make both strong.
- Grade both levels.
- Keep transformation separate.
Bound timing-pillar linkage to its period
A Luck Pillar or year may create a temporary double combination with a natal pillar.
Publish the natal baseline, active contact, and what remains after the timing pillar departs.
- Date the temporary pair.
- Revert to baseline afterward.
Do not equate linkage with a happy union
天合地合 cannot alone prove marriage, reconciliation, partnership, contract success, pregnancy, or wealth.
Interpret the technical linkage through functional roles and real relationship evidence.
- No marriage guarantee.
- No automatic favorable verdict.
Sources and editorial basis
- 《三命通會》 (Sanming Tonghui)《三命通會》十干五合與地支六合諸論：同一對柱上下皆合仍須分別驗固定配對及合化條件A historical compilation covering stems and branches, Ten Gods, Nayin, Shen Sha, and multiple classical pattern systems.
- 《滴天髓》 (Dripping Heavenly Marrow)《滴天髓》干支與源流評註：多重相合不會自動抹去原干支、藏氣、月令與其他沖刑A core later text on Bazi balance, seasonal strength, and relational reading.
- OpenFate Editorial Methodology天合地合頁分開上干與下支兩條邊及行運期限，禁止由雙合直接推定婚姻、合作或成功OpenFate separates deterministic chart calculation, traditional interpretation, and modern editorial explanation.