Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tong Shu?
The Tong Shu (通書) is the traditional Chinese almanac used for centuries to identify auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities. TongShuToday translates this ancient system into plain English.
How are the daily readings calculated?
Each day in the Chinese calendar belongs to a 60-day cycle of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The interaction between the day's Earthly Branch and the month's branch determines which of the 12 Day Officers governs that day. This officer, combined with the day's stem, branch, element, belt spirit and auxiliary stars, determines which activities are favourable — resolved by a fixed precedence order. All calculations are performed by a deterministic rules engine server-side; AI is used only to explain those pre-computed results in plain language, never to decide them. See our Methodology page for the full precedence ladder.
What are the 12 Day Officers?
The 12 officers are: Establish (建), Remove (除), Full (满), Balance (平), Stable (定), Control (执), Break (破), Danger (危), Success (成), Collect (收), Open (开), and Close (闭). They are grouped into five tiers — Auspicious, Favorable, Neutral, Cautious, and Unfavorable — based on the overall quality of energy they bring to the day.
Is this fortune-telling?
No. The Tong Shu is a timing system, not divination. It helps you choose when to act based on cyclical energy patterns, similar to how farmers use seasons. The quality of your decisions still matters most.
How far ahead can I check dates?
We maintain 12–24 months of calendar data. For date-specific planning (weddings, business openings), use our date selection tools to find the best upcoming days.
What is a Day Officer?
A Day Officer (建除十二神) is one of twelve energies that cycle through the Chinese almanac. Each officer — like Establish, Success, or Open — shapes the character of the day and influences which activities are favored or discouraged. The cycle repeats every 12 days.
What is a Day Master?
Your Day Master is the Heavenly Stem of your birth day in the Chinese calendar. It represents your core elemental nature — one of ten types across Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Knowing your Day Master helps you understand how you personally interact with each day's energy.
How do I find my Day Master?
Sign up for a free account and enter your birth date and time. We'll calculate your Day Master and Four Pillars (BaZi) chart automatically. You can then see personalized daily readings tailored to your elemental profile.
Can I use TongShuToday for wedding planning?
Yes — our Auspicious Days finder highlights the best upcoming dates for weddings based on Day Officer energy. Look for dates rated as 'Auspicious' under the Wedding category. For the most thorough date selection, also consider your and your partner's Day Masters.
How is this different from a horoscope?
Horoscopes are based on your birth sign and make general personality predictions. The Tong Shu is a calendar system — it describes the quality of each day for everyone, based on a 60-year cycle of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. It's about timing, not personality.
Is TongShuToday free to use?
All public almanac content — daily readings, date selection, guides, and reference pages — is free. We offer optional premium features including personalized Day Master readings and advanced date analysis for subscribed users.