Chen-Xu Clash

Both Chen and Xu are storage branches with several hidden stems, so the Chen-Xu clash mainly shows as hidden stems overcoming one another. Chen is the water storage, hiding Yi Wood, Gui Water, and Wu Earth. Xu is the fire storage, hiding Xin Metal, Ding Fire, and Wu Earth. When they clash, Xin Metal overcomes Yi Wood, and Gui Water overcomes Ding Fire. This damages the root energy of the hidden stems and also activates what is stored inside the storage branches.

Chen is seen as the Heavenly Gate, while Xu is seen as the Earthly Gate. In symbolic stars, they are also linked with Tian Luo and Di Wang, so the Chen-Xu clash carries a strong opposition between heaven and earth. Its force is stronger than the Chou-Wei clash. Whether the result is favorable or unfavorable depends on whether the damaged hidden stem is useful to the Day Master.

Chen Earth is warm, moist earth of late spring, with enough moisture to nourish growth. Jia Wood is tall and needs firm soil to hold its roots, but Chen’s higher moisture can cause Jia Wood roots to rot. Yi Wood is softer and more flexible, so it adapts better to Chen Earth. When Ren Water enters Chen Earth, its strength weakens and can turn into Gui Water.

When Yi Wood appears clearly in the chart, it can act like vines holding Jia Wood and stabilizing the soil. If Ren Water and Gui Water are also present in support, water, wood, and earth can form a smoother generating flow, which helps reduce the force of the Chen-Xu clash.

Xu Earth is associated with a literary or cultural storage. When the Chen-Xu clash is favorable, people in cultural or creative fields may be suited to releasing original or innovative work.

Chen is linked with lawsuits, and Xu is linked with conflict. When the Chen-Xu clash is unfavorable, it can bring arguments, schemes, legal disputes, and official trouble. This is especially serious when two Chen branches clash with one Xu, or three Chen branches clash with one Xu.

Chen and Xu both belong to earth, so they also carry images of housing and environment. For yang residences, this may show as buying a home, moving, renovating, or changes in the work or living environment. For yin residences, it may involve repairing a grave, relocating a grave, or burial matters.

When the Chen-Xu clash appears in the year or month pillar, it may affect parents or ancestors, or bring larger changes in environment. When it clashes the day pillar, it can point to arguments between spouses, disharmony in the relationship, and major changes for the person. When it appears in the hour pillar, it may indicate travel, distance, or possible difficulty involving children.

Chen and Xu both belong to earth, which mainly relates to the spleen, stomach, and skin. For this reason, the Chen-Xu clash may point to digestive problems or skin conditions. During the clash, Gui Water overcomes Ding Fire. If Ding Fire is useful and becomes damaged, it may also point to cardiovascular or cerebrovascular issues, such as cerebral hemorrhage or ruptured blood vessels.

If the Chen-Xu clash already exists in the natal chart, its influence tends to remain over time. Three-combination, three-meeting, or six-combination structures can reduce the force of the clash, but they cannot remove it completely. Examples include the Chen-You combination, Mao-Xu combination, Shen-Zi-Chen three-combination, Yin-Mao-Chen three-meeting, Shen-You-Xu three-meeting, and Yin-Wu-Xu three-combination.