What Is the Earthly Branch Earth Bureau?
The Earthly Branch Earth Bureau refers to the situation where the four Earth Branches -- Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei -- all (or mostly) appear in a chart, creating a state of extremely vigorous Earth energy. Unlike the four great Three Unions of the Five Elements, the Earth Bureau is composed of the four Storage Branches, possessing distinctive power and far-reaching influence.
Composition of the Earth Bureau
Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei all belong to Earth (the primary qi of their Hidden Stems is Wu or Ji Earth). When all four gather, Earth energy becomes greatly prosperous:
| Branch | Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chen | Wu Earth | Water storage, contains Yi and Gui |
| Xu | Wu Earth | Fire storage, contains Ding and Xin |
| Chou | Ji Earth | Metal storage, contains Xin and Gui |
| Wei | Ji Earth | Wood storage, contains Yi and Ding |
The Unique Nature of the Earth Bureau
Chen and Xu clash, Chou and Wei clash. When all four Branches appear simultaneously, there is both mutual clash and Earth energy convergence, creating complex tension:
- Extreme Earth power: With all four Storages gathered, Earth energy is extremely concentrated and will notably suppress Water (Earth controls Water) and Wood (Earth obstructs Wood) in the chart.
- Four Storages burst open: When Chen-Xu clash and Chou-Wei clash occur simultaneously, all four Storages are burst open, releasing large quantities of the sealed Five Element energies within, causing violent changes in the chart.
- Stability and turbulence coexist: Earth fundamentally governs stability, but the four Storage clashes paradoxically provoke turbulence -- a rare state of "disorder within stability" in a chart.
Practical Significance
Excessively strong Earth energy in a chart (frequent appearance of Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) tends to: control Water (affecting kidneys, thinking, and circulation), bury Wood (suppressing liver and ambition). The chart owner may manifest as stubborn, conservative, or experience obstructed wealth circulation. Wood is needed to break up the Earth, or Water to moisten the Earth, in order to restore balance.