Tong Shu
Joey Yap
April 1999
The Tong Shu is an annual Chinese Almanac containing information about auspicious and inauspicious dates. It is used for general planning purposes. The selection of auspicious times can also be based on Four Pillars calculations, but the Tong Shu is one of the most convenient and effective methods of selecting auspicious days and hours for any occasion.

The Tong Shu, divided into various sections, is a compilation of information concerning Chinese metaphysical studies. The highest quality almanac is the Wing King Tong Annual Tong Shu publication. It is about 2 inches thick, although there is also a smaller abridged version, about one half inch thick.

The Tong Shu is an extremely complex reference. Special classes focusing entirely on the study of the Tong Shu are offered in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These classes often continue on for years.

There is still very much in the Tong Shu that many do not understand. Many are only taught several useful parts of the Tong Shu, such as Date and Time selection, Yearly Direction of the God of Wealth, Daily Direction of the God of Wealth, etc.

About half of the Tong Shu remains a superstitious subject for many Oriental Feng Shui Masters. For instance, the Tong Shu offers advice as to the best months of the year to conceive a child, and also for higher chances of a boy or girl. These types of advice may only be cultural superstitions. It also contains sections of the Chue Kot San Suen, a form of divination passed down from Kung Ming, the famous Prime Minister of the Three Kingdom era.

Although much of the information in the Tong Shu may be considered more traditional than practical, certain significant portions are relevant to the practice of Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology. Considered as crucial criteria in the practice of Feng Shui in Asian countries, the Tong Shu is not yet a popular tradition in the West.

The Tong Shu may display a page similar to the Zi Wei Dou Shu 12-Palace grid including the annual locations of certain Zi Wei stars for the 12 palaces/months. This is for astrologers to provide a general outlook of each Animal sign for that year.

The Tong Shu also contains references to the Tai Sui (Grand Duke Jupiter) and Sam Sart (Three Killings). These have extreme importance in our Feng Shui practice.

How is the information in the Tong Shu calculated? This poses a difficult question. The system is more complicated than just using the stem and branch.

The information in the Tong Shu involves complex systems of calculation. The complexity and the ability to comprehend all the elements of the theories can be problematic. Some calculations are based on the Four Pillar's Five Elemental calculations, but the rest are combinations of lunar mansions and other forms of divinatory theories. It would require an expert in Tong Shu studies to explain the intricacies behind the significance of the prevailing energies of each day as calculated in the Tong Shu.

Choy Pak Li of Hong Kong, revered for his knowledge and ability to calculate such a complex reference, is one Great Grand Master who continues to author the Tong Shu. His family has been publishing an annual Tong Shu for more than 6 generations. His great, great, great grand father was producing the Tung Shu during the Ching Dynasty.

Today, Choy Pak Li, recognized and respected by almost all Asian Feng Shui Masters and Chinese Astrologers, is well over 80 years old. His son is assuming his legacy in the heritage of producing the Tong Shu.

Other families also construct a revered Tong Shu. One of the highest quality almanacs is the Wing King Tong Annual Tong Shu publication. It is about 2 inches thick, although there is also a smaller abridged version, about one half inch thick. The Tong Shu published by the Tung family are also highly regarded.

Tong Shu calculated by different families may vary greatly. One Tong Shu may determine a time as auspicious while another determines the same time as inauspicious. Different families may use different methods of calculation and interpretation, so it is important to know which families offer the most respected quality.

Selecting dates that are auspicious according to two or three qualified authors is a safe and convenient method of date selection.

Many Chinese still believe that just keeping a copy of the Tong Shu is deemed to be auspicious. Most traditional Chinese families will have a Tong Shu in the home because it displays the Direction for the Lunar New Year for the reception of Chai Shen, the God of Wealth.

Joey Yap, © 1999, All Rights Reserved
[Editors Note: Joey Yap is Co-Founder of the Yap Cheng Hai Feng Shui Centre of Excellence and can also be contacted at his Chinese Feng Shui Consultancy website.]