What Is the Following Output Structure?
The Following Output Structure (Cong Er) is one of the Following Structures, classified as a Special Structure (Wai Ge). "Er" (child) refers to Output/Expression (Shi Shang) — representing the next generation force that the Day Master generates (the symbolism of children). When the Day Master is extremely weak and the Output/Expression stars in the chart are overwhelmingly strong, the Day Master lacks the strength to sustain itself and can only follow the Output energy outward — this is called the Following Output Structure.
Formation Conditions for Following Output
- Day Master extremely weak: No Peer/Rival with root connection, no Resource/Seal generating the Day Master
- Output/Expression extremely strong: The Output God (Shi Shen) or Hurting Officer (Shang Guan) force in the chart is exceptionally strong, appearing in both Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
- No Authority/Killings: No Officer or Killings to control the Day Master (Authority controls Peer, but when the Day Master has no root, Authority instead controls the Day Master even more severely)
- No Resource/Seal: No Seal to generate the Day Master or control the Output stars
Favorable and Unfavorable for Following Output
The Following Output Structure submits to Output/Expression:
- Favorable: Output/Expression (follow the dominant deity), Wealth stars (Output generates Wealth, following the natural flow)
- Unfavorable: Resource/Seal (Seal controls Output — breaks the structure), Authority/Killings (Output controls Killings, but if Killings are strong they control the Day Master), Peer/Rival (Peer generates Output which can work, but if Peer is too strong and overshadows Output, the structure becomes impure)
Personality Traits
Those with the Following Output Structure typically:
- Are artistically gifted and excel at expression and creation
- Are free-spirited and easygoing, following inspiration
- Have outstanding talent in art, creative work, writing, and performance
- Have an agreeable personality, going with the flow and disliking forcing themselves
Relationship Between Following Output and Following Wealth
In the Following Output Structure, if Output continues to generate Wealth, it further develops into a "Following Wealth" momentum. In actual charts, Following Output and Following Wealth sometimes mutually transform — one must determine whether the chart's main dominant deity is Output or Wealth.
Important Notes
The Following Output Structure also requires extreme purity — if the Seal has even a slight amount of strength, it can generate the Day Master and control Output, and the structure immediately does not hold.