Ten Stems Guide - Gui
Basic Attributes
Order
10
Yin-Yang
Yin Stem
Special Role
Heavenly Net
One of the Six Yi, often read as small water, plotting, secrecy, constraint, and containment.
Element
Water
Overall Nature
Qimen Reading Note
One of the Six Yi, often read as small water, plotting, secrecy, constraint, and containment.
Key Correspondences
| Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Concept | planning concealment constraint containment sensitivity fine flow difficulty hidden advance |
| People | strategic people quiet people constrained people people under confinement low-profile actors |
| Temperament | quiet cautious thoughtful good at concealment emotionally sensitive sometimes passive sometimes lacking autonomy |
| Appearance | shorter or smaller build darker complexion rounder face more inward overall presence |
| Body | kidneys veins eyeballs saliva sweat urine tears |
| Animals | ducks geese cranes water birds pond-dwelling creatures |
| Plants | rice vegetables fruits narcissus water-loving plants |
| Objects | drinks tea wine and vinegar liquids and soups paint small water-related items |
| Places | ponds wetlands water towers drainage ditches groundwater spots wastewater areas hidden damp places |
Prosperity Reading
Rule
Gui follows Water strength patterns. When strong it better supports planning, careful progress, and hidden arrangement; when weak it more easily becomes constrained, stalled, or passive.
Practical Reading
When strong it suggests strategy, quiet advance, and gradual sustained flow. When weak it leans toward weakness, restraint, hardship, and difficulty getting started.
Practical Usage
Person Reading
In person readings, Gui often points to someone quiet, thoughtful, and able to hide their motives, though they may also be passive or sensitive.
Matter Reading
In matter readings, Gui often shows that the matter should be arranged quietly and pushed with care rather than publicly or forcefully. If too weak, it often means the matter is restricted or hard to unfold.
Additional Note
When hidden factors, private communication, strategic closing, passive conditions, or external constraints are involved, Gui often has high interpretive value.
Cast a chart and see where the Ten Stems fall
The Ten Heavenly Stems often describe the core nature of a matter, a person, resources, and changing obstacles.