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Shen (申) — Monkey Branch / Yang Metal
Also known as: Monkey Branch
Ninth Earthly Branch; yang metal; the monkey sign; rules late afternoon (15:00–17:00) and the first month of autumn (立秋).
Shen is yang metal, hidden stems 庚 (yang metal), 壬 (yang water), 戊 (yang earth) — sharp metal with the springs of water already running underneath. Symbolically the agile monkey at autumn dusk: clever, tactical, mechanical-minded, restless. Shen Day Masters often display quick analytical talent, dexterity with tools and systems, and an instinct for the shortcut.
Shen san-he with 子 and 辰 transforms to water (申子辰), and six-unites with 巳 to water (巳申合水, also part of 寅巳申 三刑). Conflicted by 寅 (寅申冲).