Hai Month

甲乙日得亥月為印，喜露官透印為福，忌財。運亦然。丙日為偏官，有合莫制，有制莫合。喜身旺，忌身弱正官。歲運同。丁日為正官，喜透財、露官、身旺，忌七煞傷官，多合。運亦然。庚辛日為長生之財，如柱中全無財露，只是傷官背祿。月令頗宜時帶偏官、日時諸貴格。喜財露自旺，忌無財身弱。運亦然。壬癸日，壬為建祿，癸為旺相，福無可取，只是身旺年久，頗宜時帶偏官及日時諸貴格。如得時偏官，運喜行合偏官，忌正官。

On days of Jia and Yi, if born in the month of Hai, the heavenly stem is considered the official (印绶). It is favorable if the official is revealed and the official and the stem are both visible, which brings good fortune. It is unfavorable if there is wealth (财). The same applies to the flow of years and the movement of fortune. On days of Bing, if born in the month of Hai, the heavenly stem is considered a biased official (偏官). If there is a combination (合), there is no need for control (制), and if there is control, there is no need for combination. It is favorable if the body (日主) is strong, unfavorable if the body is weak or if there is a proper official (正官). The same applies to the flow of years and the movement of fortune. On days of Ding, if born in the month of Hai, the heavenly stem is considered a proper official (正官). It is favorable if wealth is revealed, the official is visible, and the body is strong. It is unfavorable if there are seven harmful stars (七煞) and injurious stars (伤官). It is favorable if there are many combinations. The same applies to the flow of years and the movement of fortune. On days of Geng and Xin, if born in the month of Hai, the heavenly stem is considered wealth (财) in the state of growth (长生). If there is no wealth visible in the column, it is simply injurious stars (伤官) and back luck (背禄). For this month, it is quite suitable to have a biased official (偏官) in the hour, as well as various noble patterns (贵格) involving the day and hour. It is favorable if wealth is visible and the body is strong; it is unfavorable if there is no wealth and the body is weak. The same applies to the flow of years and the movement of fortune. On days of Ren and Gui, if born in the month of Hai, Ren is considered a built-up fortune (建禄), and Gui is considered in a prosperous and strong state (旺相). There is little fortune to be gained, but the body is strong and longevity is long. It is quite suitable to have a biased official (偏官) in the hour, as well as various noble patterns (贵格) involving the day and hour. If there is a biased official in the hour, it is favorable to have a flow of fortune that combines and controls the biased official. It is unfavorable to have a proper official (正官).

按王氏所謂二氣者，陰陽也；五行者，金、木、水、火、土也，時者，春、夏、秋、冬也；地者，冀、青、兗、徐、揚、 荊、梁、雍、豫也。蓋天有陰陽，行於四時；地有五行，具於九州島，正朱子所謂五行質具於地、氣行於天，故天有春夏秋冬，地有金木水火，皆以時地相為用也。今之談命者，但知論陰陽五行而不知兼論方隅與晝夜陰晴，所以有年日月時同而貴賤壽夭迥異，便謂五行無據，啟世人不信命之疑，亦誣點。嗟夫，人生天地，莫逃五行；九州島分疆，風氣異宜，陰晴寒暖，理難一律。

According to Wang's view: the two energies refer to yin and yang; the five phases refer to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth; the seasons refer to spring, summer, autumn, and winter; and the land refers to the nine states: Ji, Qing, Yan, Xu, Yang, Jing, Liang, Yong, and Yu. Heaven has yin and yang, which operate through the four seasons; the land has the five phases, which are present in the nine states. This is exactly what Master Zhu said: the material forms of the five phases are present in the land, and the energies of the five phases move in the heavens. Therefore, heaven has the four seasons, and the land has metal, wood, water, and fire; these are all cases of the interaction between time and the land. Now, those who talk about destiny only consider yin and yang and the five phases, but do not take into account direction and the brightness or darkness of day and night. Hence, there are cases where the year, month, day, and hour are the same, yet the person's status, wealth, longevity, and death differ greatly. Therefore, they say that the five phases have no basis, leading people to doubt and disbelieve in destiny. This is a false claim. Alas, human beings exist between heaven and earth, and none can escape the five phases; the nine states have different territories, and the climate and soil vary. The principles of brightness, darkness, cold, and warmth cannot be universally applied.

人稟天地靈氣以生一時，得氣各自不同，所以貴賤壽夭難以八字拘也。且以甲乙寅卯屬木，生於兗、青為得地，春令為得時。丙丁巳午屬火，生於徐、揚為得地，夏令為得時。戊己辰戌丑未屬土，生於豫州為得地，四季月為得時。庚辛申酉屬金，生於荊梁為得地，秋冬為得時。壬癸亥子屬水，生於冀、雍為得地，冬令為得時。況晝夜陰晴之間有寒有暖，陰陽造化之內有喜有忌，生剋制化，抑揚輕重，妙在識其通變，不可執一論也。

Human beings receive the vital energy of heaven and earth and are born at a particular moment. Each person receives a different kind of energy, so it is difficult to determine one's status, wealth, longevity, or lifespan solely based on the eight characters of their birth. For example, those with heavenly stems Jia and Yi and earthly branches Yin and Mao belong to wood; if they are born in Yanzhou or Qingshou, they are said to have the right place, and if born in spring, they are said to have the right time. Those with heavenly stems Bing and Ding and earthly branches Si and Wu belong to fire; if they are born in Xuzhou or Yangzhou, they are said to have the right place, and if born in summer, they are said to have the right time. Those with heavenly stems Wu and Ji and earthly branches Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei belong to earth; if they are born in Yuzhou, they are said to have the right place, and if born in the fourth month, they are said to have the right time. Those with heavenly stems Geng and Xin and earthly branches Shen and You belong to metal; if they born in Jingzhou or Liangzhou, they are said to have the right place, and if born in autumn or winter, they are said to have the right time. Those with heavenly stems Ren and Gui and earthly branches Hai and Zi belong to water; if they are born in Jizhou or Yongzhou, they are said to have the right place, and if born in winter, they are said to have the right time. Moreover, between day and night, and between clear and cloudy weather, there are cold and warm variations. Within the transformations of yin and yang, there are both favorable and unfavorable factors. The principles of generation, control, transformation, suppression, and balance, as well as the emphasis and weight of each factor, all depend on understanding and adapting to change. One cannot rigidly adhere to a single interpretation.

正春木，令木也，晴則花葉敷榮，雨則寒其萌櫱。正月生者，雖三陽交泰，寒氣未除，見火則生意藹然，富貴無敵。火多洩其元氣，徐、揚人晝生者疾。火土問躔，富而且貴；有土無火，僅足衣資而己。逢金折傷之患，得火制之為福。見水不為子母相生，蓋初春之木，才有生意，見水則寒，反不為吉。冀，雍生者，貧寒，男濫而女淫也。二月之木，生意暢茂，遇土培植為佳。火土同行，富貴而壽。火盛亦洩其氣，蓋花木始含英而真陽發散故。兗、青人富貴無虞，徐、揚人美中不足。

In early spring, the wood is in its season. When the weather is clear, the flowers and leaves flourish, but when it rains, the tender buds become frozen and cold. Those born in the first lunar month, although the three yang energies are harmonious, the cold still lingers. When they meet fire, they thrive and become prosperous beyond others. However, too much fire will drain their vital energy. Those born in Xu and Yangzhou and born on a day with daylight will suffer illness. If fire and earth are together, they will be both rich and noble. If there is earth but no fire, they will only have enough for food and clothing. When metal comes to cut, there is a risk of injury. But if fire controls the metal, it becomes a blessing. Meeting water is not considered a nurturing relationship, because the wood in early spring is just beginning to grow. If it meets water, it becomes cold, which is not auspicious. Those born in Jiuzhou and Yongzhou will be poor and destitute. Men will be reckless, and women will be promiscuous. The wood in the second lunar month is flourishing. Meeting earth for cultivation is best. If fire and earth are together, they will be rich, noble, and long-lived. However, too much fire will also drain its energy, because the flowers and trees are just beginning to bloom and the true yang energy is spreading. Those born in Yanzhou and Qingzhou will be rich and worry-free. Those born in Xu and Yangzhou will have only partial success.

干支有壬、癸、亥、子者，咎也，水生之，太過，性情流蕩，離祖遷居。土金水會，夭折無疑，賤貧而壽。逢金伐之，旺處遭傷，┥其生意，豈天地生物之至仁耶？先正有云，春木雖旺，不宜逢金者，此也。三月之木，正條達長茂之時，春陽和煦，萬紫千紅。雨水浸淫，根株搖動。見土則根深蒂固，福壽綿延。見火則木通火明，文章秀發。逢金伐木，荊、梁生者凶，徐、揚之人富貴。喜火土，忌金水，運喜東南，西北不利。夏木病巳死午墓未者，蓋南方火盛，洩其真氣故也。

The heavenly stems and earthly branches with Jia, Yi, Zi, and Chou are considered harmful. Water nourishing wood excessively leads to instability and wandering, causing one to leave the ancestral home and settle elsewhere. If earth, metal, and water are present together, there is certain death; even if not, one will be poor and lowly but live a long life. When metal cuts wood, it is at its peak but suffers damage, cutting off its vitality. How can this be considered the benevolence of heaven and earth nurturing all things? An old saying goes: "Spring wood, though strong, should not meet metal," referring to this. In the third month, wood is flourishing and vigorous, with spring's warm sunlight and abundant blossoms. However, if excessive rainwater drenches it, the roots will become unstable. Meeting earth strengthens the roots, leading to long life and prosperity; meeting fire allows the wood's energy to flourish and the fire to shine brightly, resulting in outstanding literary achievements. When metal cuts wood, people from Jingzhou and Liangzhou suffer misfortune, while those from Xuzhou and Yangzhou become wealthy. In summary, wood in the third month favors fire and earth, and dislikes metal and water. Favorable directions are southeast, while northwest is unfavorable. In summer, wood is in the state of disease in Si, death in Wu, and burial in Wei, because the southern fire is strong and drains the wood's vital energy.

陰雨則吉，亢晴則忌。四月木未甚衰，火未甚旺，見微火則枝葉茂繁，廕庇發福。值盛水則水神飄蕩，男女淫奔。見土利就名成。火土同躔，干支有壬、癸、亥、子者、富貴。逢金克之，災訟不免，徐、揚人反吉。五、六月之木，喜雨水、夜生九奇，值此者富貴而壽。火盛無水者貧夭。夏令炎威火盛，爍石流金，木有枯槁之患，徐、 人干火多者，有瘋癆熒燎之凶，或水制，或夜生，或陰雨天，化凶為吉矣。得土以培其根，得水以達其枝，若水土同行，非惟富貴，且壽考康寧矣。

Therefore, in summer, if the wood meets rain and clouds, it is auspicious, but prolonged dry weather is unfavorable. The wood in April has not yet become too weak, and the fire has not yet become too strong. If it meets a weak fire, the branches and leaves will flourish, benefiting and bringing good fortune; but if it meets strong water, the water will flow wildly, leading to disorder among men and women. Meeting earth is favorable for achieving fame and success. If fire and earth are present together, and the heavenly stems and earthly branches include壬, 癸, 亥, and 子, it indicates wealth and honor. If metal comes to overcome it, there will inevitably be calamities and lawsuits, but people from Xuzhou and Yangzhou will find it favorable. In May and June, the wood prefers rain and night birth, which is called "nine wonders," and those who meet this condition will be wealthy and long-lived. If the fire is strong without water, it leads to poverty and a short life. The intense summer heat and strong fire can melt stones and flow metal, causing the wood to wither. People in Xuzhou and Yangzhou with many fire elements in their heavenly stems and earthly branches may suffer from madness, tuberculosis, or fire-related calamities. However, if water is present to control the fire, or if they are born at night or on rainy days, these misfortunes can be transformed into good fortune. If earth is present to nourish its roots and water is present to connect its branches, and both water and earth are present together, not only will they achieve wealth and honor, but they will also enjoy a long and healthy life.

見金不能克木，火旺金柔，有子復仇故也。若小暑以後土多，亦忌，蓋衰木不能克旺土也。兗、青生者，為財。大抵夏木喜水，與他時不類。秋三月之木，惟欲晴雨得宜，亢旱則物皆枯槁，淫雨則物不收成。初秋之時，炎威未退，不宜與火同行，陰雨生者最妙。見金雖有剝刻之嫌，然火氣尚炎，金氣未盛，不為害也，處暑以後荊、梁生者忌之。金水同行，化凶為吉；逢土培植，利就名成。水盛無土，冀、雍飄蕩無居，徐、揚人反凶成吉。八、九月之木，正凋零之時，晝火同躔者，貧夭，蓋秋陽燥烈，木皆枯落故也。

In summer, wood does not get overcome by metal, because fire is strong and metal is soft, and the wood has a son (fire) to avenge it. However, after the beginning of the Minor Heat, if there is too much earth, it should be avoided, because weak wood cannot overcome strong earth. People born in Yanzhou and Qingshou benefit from earth as wealth. Generally, summer wood prefers water, which is different from other seasons. For wood in autumn, the three months only require proper weather: excessive drought causes all things to wither, while prolonged rain prevents a good harvest. In early autumn, when the heat has not yet receded, it is not advisable to be with fire; being born on rainy days is best. Although meeting metal may seem to cause harm, the fire is still strong and the metal is not yet powerful, so it does not cause harm. After the Beginning of Autumn, people born in Jingzhou and Liangzhou should avoid metal. When metal and water are together, they can turn danger into benefit; encountering earth that nurtures is favorable for achieving success. If water is strong without earth, people from Jizhou and Yongzhou will be wandering without a fixed home, while those from Xuzhou and Yangzhou will instead turn danger into benefit. In August and September, when wood is naturally declining, those born in the day and encountering fire will be poor, short-lived, and unfortunate, because the autumn sun is dry and hot, causing all wood to wither.

或夜生，或陰雨，或水解之，方吉。兗、 青人文章富貴，見水有漂流之患，蓋秋水非滋木之時也，冀、雍人尤忌。得土栽培，根基穩厚。見金反吉，蓋金司令，則萬物摧落，既無長養以遂其生，又未歸根以復其命，所可借者，在一金耳，苟無金制以成其器，則為天地間一朽木，此所以仗斧斤之力斫削成器而為棟樑之用，正所謂斧斤以時入山林，木不可勝用也。氣運宜往東方、南方。冬木正肅殺之時，復命歸根，微有小春生意，以見造化無終窮之理，︽易︾曰：“碩果不食”者，此也。

Whether born at night, or on a rainy day, or with water to relieve it, it is auspicious. People from Yanzhou and Qingzhou are destined for literary success and wealth. However, seeing water brings the danger of drifting away, because autumn water is not a time for nourishing wood. People from Jizhou and Yongzhou especially need to avoid this. If earth is used to cultivate it, the foundation becomes solid. Seeing metal is actually auspicious, because metal is in its prime season. At this time, all things are withered and falling, the wood can no longer rely on growth to sustain its vitality, and has not yet returned to its roots to restore its essence. The only thing it can rely on is metal. If there is no metal to shape it into a useful object, it would become a piece of rotten wood in the world. Therefore, we must rely on the effort of axes and saws to shape it into a beam or pillar. This is exactly what Mencius said about cutting trees in the right season, so that the timber will never run out. One's favorable period should be heading towards the east and the south. In winter, wood is in the season of肃杀 (severe cold and decline), returning to its root, and slightly showing a little sign of spring. This shows that the workings of nature have no end. The saying in the Book of Changes, "The large fruit is not eaten," refers to this meaning.

生於晴明者最佳，值陰雨則凝冰積雪也。十月之木，遇火貴而有壽，蓋冰寒土凍，仗火以溫暖其根故也。火土輔運，富貴雙全。見金雖無害其根本，未免骨肉參商。得水則有滋助之意，徐、揚人利就名成，冀、雍人貧寒孤克。若子丑月之木，喜火融之，與土同躔，位登臺鼎。見水凶克，蓋冬水，令也，木寒，木也，冬木遇水而寒，無火溫之，則冰凝凍合，而生意摧折矣，貧賤者壽，富貴者夭。見金雖傷不寒，蓋木任冬令歸根者，斧斤無所施，凋零者，斫削可成器，所以見金而無咎也，徐、揚、兗、青生者有隕自夭，荊、梁、豫人雖忌，亦不過枝葉之傷耳，其本根則自若也。干支得丙丁相制者，卻能富貴，豈獨免禍而巳。氣運宜往南方，冬木喜南奔也，東方次之。

In winter, wood thrives best on clear and bright days, but when encountering rain and clouds, it is like ice and snow accumulating. In the tenth month, wood benefits from fire and thus gains wealth and longevity, because the cold and frozen earth relies on fire to warm its roots. Fire and earth support the wood, leading to both wealth and honor. Although encountering metal does not harm the wood's root, it may still cause family discord and separation. Water may seem to nourish the wood, but people from Xu and Yang states benefit from fame, while those from Ji and Yong states remain poor and isolated. As for wood in the month of Zi or Chou, it prefers fire to harmonize and to be accompanied by earth, which can lead to high official positions. However, encountering water is dangerous, because in winter water is in its prime and wood is still cold; winter wood meeting water becomes even colder, and without fire to warm it, it becomes frozen and life is destroyed. The poor may live long, but the wealthy may die young. Encountering metal may harm the wood but not to the point of extreme cold, because in winter wood returns to its root, and axes cannot cut it. Already withered wood, when cut, can become useful, so encountering metal is not a mistake. People from Xu, Yang, Yong, and Qing states may suffer from falling or early death, while those from Jing, Liang, and Yu states may only suffer some branch damage, but the root remains safe. If the heavenly stem and earthly branch are controlled by Bing and Ding to restrain metal, they can achieve wealth and honor, not just avoid misfortune. The best direction for movement is south, because winter wood prefers to go south, and east is the next best.

三春之火，其氣溫然而始著也；晴則借木而明，雨則溼木而晦。正月微陽之火，隱於木中，雖有可親可愛之意，但冰霜之氣未消，遇木生之，則陽氣發揮矣。逢金為財，徐、揚人富而好禮。金木同行，官居鼎鼐。逢金值水，夭折無疑，荊、梁、冀、雍之人尤甚。見土盜洩微陽，浮薄卑賤。二月見木，敗處逢生，木秀火明，文章富貴人也，但不宜有水，蓋溼木不生無陷火也。穀雨以後生者，微水無凶，蓋土司時、木主令，化凶為吉也。兗、青、徐、揚生者富貴何疑。土與金，正月同論，但辰月土差旺耳。

The fire of spring is mild and just beginning to show. When the sky is clear, it shines brightly with the help of wood; when it rains, the wood becomes damp and the fire becomes dim. In the first month, the weak yang fire is hidden within wood, which is affectionate and lovable, but the frost and ice have not yet completely disappeared. When wood comes to nourish it, the yang energy becomes active. If gold appears as wealth, people from Xu, Yang, and Yu states become rich and courteous. When gold and wood are together, one may hold high office and be a prime minister. However, if gold and water appear together, there is certain death, and people from Jingzhou, Liangzhou, Jizhou, and Yongzhou are more severely affected. If earth appears, it steals away this slight yang energy, making the person shallow and of low status. In the second month, seeing wood is like a dying thing coming to life, the wood becomes bright and the fire becomes clear, indicating people who will achieve literary success and wealth. However, water should not be present, as damp wood cannot produce rootless fire. Those born after the Grain Rain period can tolerate some water without harm, because at this time the earth is in season and the wood is in the month's command, able to turn bad into good. People born in Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou will certainly be wealthy and there is no doubt about it. As for earth and gold, they are the same as in the first month, except that the earth in the third month is slightly stronger.

夏令之火，陽氣之極，草木為之焦枯，江河為之枯涸。晴則流金爍石，真陽盡洩；雨則水濟其威，方得中和，反應廕庇發福。四月火勢漸盛，逢日爭光，未能全其忠愛，雖富貴亦主夭亡，貧寒者壽而多子，孤獨艱辛。見金名成利就，逢土有權有謀，遇木富而好禮；微水濟木，其貴不可言也。五、六月生者，火炎之極，得水制之，則都將相，惟冀、雍生人水不宜盛，蓋旺火投於盛水，不能不傷故也，得土制木解，則富貴過人矣。見土略洩其盛而有權衡之貴，又好施惠及人，但施恩反怨耳。

In summer, the fire is intense, and the yang energy reaches its peak, causing grass and trees to wither and rivers to dry up. When the sky is clear, it melts metal and scorches stone, consuming the true yang energy. But when it rains, water comes to moderate the fierce heat, achieving balance and bringing blessings. In April, the fire grows stronger and competes with the sun, making it difficult to maintain loyalty and affection. Even if one is wealthy and noble, it may lead to an early death. Those who are poor and cold, however, tend to live longer and have many children, though they may be lonely and endure hardships. Meeting metal brings fame and wealth, encountering earth brings skill and strategy, and meeting wood brings wealth and propriety. If there is a slight amount of water to assist the wood, the noble status becomes extraordinary. Those born in May or June have fire that is extremely intense. If water is present to control it, they may attain high official positions. However, people born in the regions of Jiuzhou and Yongzhou should not have too much water, because strong fire entering abundant water will cause harm. If earth is present to control the water or wood to relieve the fire, they will surpass others in wealth and status. Meeting earth slightly reduces the intense fire, bringing a balanced and noble status, and they enjoy giving help to others. However, giving favors may lead to resentment.

蓋火能生土，亦能燥土故也。見木生，過反傷青、兗、徐、揚人根基，雖富貴難免夭亡，冀、雍、荊、梁人富而益富。遇金為財，火爍金流，反有破財蕩家之患。水土同行，名成利就。日戰月刑，忠孝有虧，凶禍孤克，夜生減輕。氣運宜往西北南，東大忌。秋初之火，炎威未退，土傳生氣，水不能克，反主貴榮。見木助之，徐、揚、兗、青人干支火多者，雖富貴而壽不永。見金為財，富貴豪侈。逢土則息，顯達非常。八、九月失時之火，見木生，生之意無窮，富貴無故。金木同躔，官居宰輔。

This is because fire can both generate earth and dry it out. When wood comes to assist, excessive fire harms the roots of people from Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou; although they may be wealthy, they are prone to early death. People from Jizhou, Yongzhou, Jingzhou, and Liangzhou, however, become even more prosperous. When metal comes into play as wealth, fire melts metal and causes loss of wealth and property. When water and earth are in harmony, success and profit are achieved. If the sun and moon clash, there is a lack of filial piety and loyalty, leading to misfortune and isolation; those born at night may experience some relief. Favorable directions for travel are west, north, and south, while east is highly inauspicious. In early autumn, the fire's fierce energy has not yet subsided, and earth conveys life energy; water cannot overcome fire, instead indicating honor and glory. When wood assists fire, people from Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou with many fire elements in their heavenly stems and earthly branches may be wealthy but have short lifespans. When metal comes into play as wealth, there is great wealth and extravagance. When earth meets fire, the fire's energy is restrained, leading to remarkable success. Fire that appears out of season in August and September, when assisted by wood, brings endless business opportunities and accurate wealth. When metal and wood are in harmony, one may hold a high official position.

有金無木，主弱敵強，不免有爭攘之事。冀、雍、荊、梁人同財致禍。與土同躔，洩其真元，孤刑冷退，得木助之，斯為美矣。見水凶夭。運喜東南，西北忌之。冬月之火，人多親之，晴霽則明，陰雨則滅。故見水為凶，木生為貴。有水無木，輕者疾，重者夭，雖生富厚之家，不免冷退，徐、揚、兗、青人得水制之，無咎。逢土洩之，弱中又弱，蹇滯終身，小寒之後旺土，晦其光明，定主昏愚瞽目。見金為財，青、兗、徐、揚人主富，荊、梁、冀、雍人助難為凶，謂金之子，水也，克其母，子則乘勢報仇，無木解之，有刀兵獄訟之厄，腫痢沒溺之凶，干支木盛者，減輕。大抵冬火喜木，忌水。運宜東南，西北大忌。

There is metal but no wood, indicating one's own weakness and the enemy's strength, leading inevitably to disputes; people from Jiuzhou, Yongzhou, Jingzhou, and Liangzhou may suffer misfortune due to sharing wealth. If accompanied by earth, it drains the fire's essence, resulting in loneliness, punishment, coldness, and decline; only with the assistance of wood can it be complete. The presence of water brings misfortune and early death. Favorable directions are southeast, while northwest should be avoided. Fire in winter is welcomed by everyone: it shines clearly when the sky is clear, but is extinguished in rainy weather. Therefore, water is ominous, and wood that nourishes fire is valuable. If there is water but no wood, minor illness may occur, and severe cases result in early death; even if born into a wealthy family, one may still face coldness and decline. People from Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Qizhou can avoid blame if earth controls the water. If earth drains the water, it becomes even weaker, leading to a life of obstacles; after Xiaohan, earth becomes strong, obscuring the fire's brightness, inevitably causing foolishness or even blindness. The presence of metal as wealth benefits people from Qizhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou, but those from Jingzhou, Liangzhou, Jiuzhou, and Yongzhou will face difficulties and misfortune—because the son of metal is water, which overcomes fire, the mother, and the son takes advantage to avenge the mother; if there is no wood to resolve this, there will be calamities such as warfare, lawsuits, swelling, dysentery, and drowning. Those with strong wood in the heavenly stem and earthly branch can alleviate these issues. In general, winter fire favors wood and avoids water; favorable directions are southeast, while northwest is greatly to be avoided.

土值春時，土膏脈起，萬物含生，木氣發洩，前哲所謂病寅死卯墓辰者，良有以也。雨則陰凝土溼而蔭甲不舒，晴則凍釋陽和而生意發越。故春令之土一接陽氣，就能發育萬物。正月之土尚有霜寒，遇雨則凍，遇水則冰，值木則病，惟得火以溫之，則榮華莫比。逢金制木，亦名利兩成。二月之土，正木盛土崩之時，遇木同躔，有脾胃腸風痔漏之災，輕者疾，重者夭，徐、揚人干支有火而值晝晴者，無咎。見火同躔，位登臺鼎。見水則凶，冀、雍、青、兗人土渾水濁，終有水湧土潰之危，蓋水生旺木而傷土也，值此者貧寒疾夭，徐、揚、豫人干支火者反吉。

When the earth element reaches spring, the soil becomes moist and the earth's energy begins to stir, with all things containing the potential for growth. The wood energy is actively emerging. The elders said that earth is in the state of illness in the Year of the Tiger (寅), in the state of death in the Year of the Rabbit (卯), and in the state of burial in the Year of the Dragon (辰), and indeed this is accurate. When it rains, the yin energy becomes stagnant and the soil becomes damp, making it difficult for the tender sprouts of grass and trees to spread out. When the sky is clear, the frost melts and yang energy becomes harmonious, allowing the vitality to flourish. Therefore, when the earth element in spring connects with yang energy, it can give birth to all things. In the first lunar month, the earth still carries the coldness of frost. When it meets rain, it freezes; when it meets water, it turns to ice; when it meets wood, it becomes ill. Only when it meets fire to warm it up can it flourish greatly; when it meets metal to control the wood, it can achieve both fame and fortune. In the second lunar month, the earth is at the time when wood is strong and the earth is collapsing. When it meets wood, there will be calamities such as stomach disorders, hemorrhoids, and intestinal diseases. Light cases may result in illness, while severe cases may lead to early death. People from the regions of Xu Zhou and Yang Zhou, whose heavenly stems and earthly branches contain fire and are born on sunny days, will have no mistakes. When it meets fire, one can attain high official positions; when it meets water, it is dangerous. People from the regions of Ji Zhou, Yong Zhou, Qing Zhou, and Yan Zhou have muddy and turbid earth and water, eventually facing the danger of water flooding and earth collapsing, because the water strengthens the wood and harms the earth. Those who encounter this will be poor, sick, and die early. However, people from Xu Zhou, Yang Zhou, and Yu Zhou whose heavenly stems and earthly branches contain fire will be fortunate instead.

見金以洩土氣，難免災凶。三月之土，漸有生意，蓋土旺季月故也，有火溫燠則陽氣發舒而生物茂矣。見木非疾則夭，徐、揚、豫人無害。水木同度，貧薄無聊，冀、雍、兗、青人尤甚。見金制木，反凶成吉。運喜南方，西方次之。土旺長夏，火盛土生之故也，陰雨則溼養萬物，故見水為吉；亢旱則田疇龜拆，故遇火為凶。孟夏之土，炎氣未盛，終喜火以助之。逢木則疾夭無疑。見水為財，徐、揚人富足，見金遇木則貴，逢水則貧。五、六月之土，見火則燥，而萬物焦枯，徐、揚人干支火盛者，有火焚風血之災，輕者危，重者死，或陰雨，或夜生，雖災不甚。

When gold comes to drain the earth's energy, misfortune is inevitable. In the third month, the earth gradually becomes active, as earth is strong in the four seasons; with fire to warm it, yang energy spreads, and all things flourish. Seeing wood is either illness or early death, but people from Xu, Yang, and Yu states are unaffected. When water and wood are together, it indicates poverty and hardship, especially for people from Ji, Yong, Yan, and Qing states. When gold comes to control wood, it can turn misfortune into good fortune. Favorable directions are south, then west. Earth is strong in the long summer because fire is strong and earth is nourished by it; at this time, rain brings moisture to nourish all things, so seeing water is auspicious; drought causes the fields to crack, so encountering fire is inauspicious. In early summer, the earth is not yet very hot, so it still benefits from fire; encountering wood definitely leads to illness or early death. Seeing water brings wealth, and people from Xu and Yang states become prosperous; seeing gold along with wood brings honor, but only seeing water leads to poverty. In the fifth and sixth months, the earth becomes dry when encountering fire, and all things wither; people from Xu and Yang states with strong fire in their birth charts suffer fire and wind-related disasters, light cases are dangerous, severe cases lead to death. If it happens on rainy days or at night, the disaster is less severe.

冀，雍人干支有壬、癸、亥、子者，富貴非凡，見水滋養萬物，主富貴文章。見木疏通其性，多聰明特達。遇金無用，蓋火盛金衰不能制木，所以金無用也。氣運宜行西北，最忌南方，蓋夏土逢火，太燥故也。土逢秋令，金氣盛旺，洩土而氣薄矣。晴雨須要得宜。七月之土，火氣未除，土性尚燥，喜水滋之，則萬物實矣。若火太盛，亦有燥土之嫌，得水濟之為妙。逢木為災，徐、揚、荊、梁人無忌。八、九月之土，見木則不能克，此萬物凋零之時，金氣生旺，子復母仇，荊、梁、徐、揚人富貴而壽。

People from Ji Zhou and Yong Zhou with the heavenly stem Ren and Gui and earthly branch Hai and Zi are destined for great wealth and honor. Seeing water nourishes all things, indicating wealth and literary success. Seeing wood helps to loosen the earth's nature, leading to intelligence and exceptional talent. Encountering metal is not useful, because fire is strong and metal is weak, so metal cannot control wood, making metal ineffective. The best fortune comes from traveling in the northwest, while the south is most unfavorable, as summer earth meets fire and becomes too dry. Earth in autumn is weakened by the strong metal energy, which drains the earth's strength, so weather conditions must be properly managed. Earth in July still has residual fire energy, making the earth dry; it benefits from water to moisten and allow all things to mature. If fire is too strong, there is still a risk of dry earth, so water is needed to relieve this. Meeting wood brings disaster, but people from Xu Zhou, Yang Zhou, Jing Zhou, and Liang Zhou should not avoid it. Earth in August and September is not harmed by wood, as it is the time of decay, and strong metal energy helps, with sons avenging their mothers. People from Jing Zhou, Liang Zhou, Xu Zhou, and Yang Zhou will be wealthy and long-lived.

見金洩氣太甚，西北人不免有冷退怯弱之患。見火助之，文武名高，君子小人皆吉。見水為財，徐、揚、豫人富而無敵，冀、雍、兗、梁人，水過盛者，反主貧薄，戌月僅可。運喜火土之鄉，水木金方有忌。土於冬也，正天地肅殺之時，寒亦至矣，雖一陽下生，土脈未溫，值水雪，則冰寒土凍。見火日則寒谷回春。十月之土，惟喜火以溫之，則土脈陽和而萬物歸根矣。見木則凶，逢金則滯，遇水則主孤寒，徐、揚人干支火多者可富。子丑之月，寒氣之極，火日融和，功名成就。見木最忌。見火解之為吉。見水則陰氣愈甚，水寒地凍，輕者疾，重者夭。見金亦主貧薄。歲運南方最佳，北方大忌。

Seeing metal causes excessive depletion of energy, people from the Northwest are inevitably prone to loneliness, decline, physical weakness, and timidity. Seeing fire brings assistance, enabling both scholars and commoners to achieve fame and success. Seeing water represents wealth; people from Xu, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou become wealthy in their region. However, people from Jizhou, Yongzhou, Yanzhou, and Liangzhou may suffer poverty if water is too abundant, except those in the戌 month, who can still manage. Favorable years and paths are those with fire and earth; water, wood, and metal should be avoided. Earth in winter is during the time of universal decline and coldness; although the initial yang energy is present beneath the surface, the earth has not yet warmed up. If there is rain or snow, the earth becomes frozen and icy. If there is sunny day fire, it is like spring returning to a frozen valley. Earth in the tenth month only benefits from fire to warm it up, allowing the earth's yang energy to become harmonious and enabling all things to return to their roots. Seeing wood is ominous, meeting metal causes stagnation, and encountering water indicates loneliness and coldness. People from Xu and Yangzhou with many fire elements in their heavenly stems and earthly branches can become wealthy. In the month of Zi and Chou, when coldness reaches its peak, sunny day fire can harmonize and bring success in officialdom. The most dangerous is encountering wood; if fire comes to relieve it, it is auspicious. Seeing water increases yin energy, leading to coldness and frozen ground; minor cases result in illness, severe cases lead to early death; seeing metal also indicates poverty. The best direction for the year and path is the south, while the north is greatly inauspicious.

春日之金，木旺火相。非金得氣時也，絕寅胎養於卯辰者，蓋造化無終極之理也。是以春令之金，晴明吉。陰雨則滯。正宜遇土以生之，謂其將絕而有生意耳。正月之金，見木為財，木神太旺，僅足衣資。土氣尚寒，未能生助，藝術顯名而巳。火若問躔，男女重婚重嫁。見火遇土，富貴非常，逢水洩之，孤寒懦弱。二、三月之金，見土則生，生之意無窮，主人富貴而壽。逢水洩其元氣，亦主貧薄無情。見火則囚，金遇鬼，貧夭無疑。土生水制為吉。見木而有困滯之災，蓋春木盛旺，以微弱之金而欲制之，是猶以嬰兒而御強敵，其不格也明矣，犯此者必有求榮反辱之虞，官訟爭攘之事，謂其仁義相刑故也，荊、梁、豫人逢之主富。

In spring, the metal is not in its prime, but rather the wood and fire are flourishing. Fire is the minister, and metal is not in its season. Metal is considered to be in decline at the hour of the Rat, and in its infancy or nourishment at the hours of the Ox and Dragon. This illustrates the principle that nature has no end, and even in decline there is still vitality. Therefore, during spring, metal is auspicious when it meets clear and bright conditions, but it becomes blocked when it meets cloudy and rainy weather. At this time, it is most suitable to meet earth, because it is on the verge of decline but still retains a thread of vitality. In the first lunar month, metal meeting wood as wealth is favorable, but since the wood is too strong, it can only provide enough for basic needs. The earth still carries a coldness, so it cannot assist the metal, thus one can only achieve fame through a single skill. If fire is present along with it, it indicates that both men and women may remarry. If fire and earth are both present, it brings great wealth and honor. If water is present to drain its energy, it leads to isolation, poverty, and weakness. In the second and third lunar months, metal meeting earth brings birth and endless prosperity, indicating wealth and longevity. If water is present to drain its energy, it leads to poverty and lack of compassion. If fire is present, the metal is trapped and meets its ghost, leading to poverty, low status, and an early death. It is essential to have earth to assist and water to control for good fortune. If wood is present, it brings obstacles and blockages, because the spring wood is very strong, and using weak metal to control it is like having an infant resist a powerful enemy, which is clearly impossible to withstand. People encountering this situation will inevitably face worries of seeking honor but suffering disgrace, and disputes over lawsuits. This is due to the mutual conflict between benevolence and righteousness. People from Jingzhou, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou will actually benefit from this.

徐、揚人干支土多者，貴顯，氣運土鄉最吉，金鄉次之。夏月火盛，金至柔也，晴則日爍金流，雨則水滋金潤，故夏令之金，俱宜見土，主人有出將入相之權，金馬玉堂之貴。見火則火炎金爍，貧夭居多，雖富而夭淫賤。見木為財，荊、梁、豫人多主富貴。遇水孤寒，蓋弱金不能生水故也，若與火土同行，則富貴康寧。運喜土金木火，最忌秋金肅殺、萬物凋零，苟縱而不抑，則生生之意絕矣，晴則火煅金堅，雨則水潤金明故也。七、八月之金得令，其性剛強，仗火以制其威，則有玉帶金魚之貴，蓋頑金無火不能成器故也。

In regions like Xuzhou and Yangzhou, those with many earth elements in their heavenly stems and earthly branches tend to achieve high status and prominence. In spring, the movement of metal is most auspicious when accompanied by earth, and less so when accompanied by metal. In summer, the fire element is at its peak, and metal is particularly soft. When the sky is clear, the intense sunlight melts the metal, causing it to flow away; when it rains, the moist air nourishes the metal, making it bright and clean. Therefore, in summer, metal benefits most from the presence of earth to generate it, and those with such a configuration are likely to hold high authority, such as being in the Golden Horse Gate or the Jade Hall. If metal encounters fire, the fire becomes fierce and melts the metal, leading to poverty, low status, and a short life; even if one is temporarily wealthy, it is often accompanied by a short lifespan and a degenerate lifestyle. If metal meets wood, which represents wealth, people from Jiangzhong, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou tend to achieve wealth and honor. If metal meets water, it leads to isolation and hardship, because weak metal cannot generate water and instead loses its essence to water. If metal is accompanied by fire and earth, it brings wealth, health, and peace. In summer, the movement of metal is favorable when accompanied by earth, metal, wood, and fire. The most unfavorable time is autumn, when the metal element becomes severe and all things wither. At this time, if one allows the metal to run unchecked without restraint, the continuous cycle of life and death in the universe is interrupted. Therefore, in autumn, if the sky is clear, the metal is like being tempered by fire, becoming strong and firm; if it rains, the metal is like being washed by water, becoming bright and lustrous.

見水洩其旺氣，金白水清，多主詞林清貴。水火俱無，則主夭折。見木為財，徐、揚人富而且貴。遇土則隱彩埋光，雖有財而不發，孤者多，經云：秋金埋土而反旺也。逢木而貴，徐、揚、兗、青人見之尤佳。九月生者，金氣稍退，遇火夜生為奇，晝生少利。逢木則克，反應骨肉參商。見水濟之，冀、雍人不免冷退，徐、揚人又何忌焉？逢土亦晦，兗、青人富貴居多，豫人困滯。運喜東南，西北忌之。冬月天氣嚴肅，金伏藏之時也，蓋金之生也，胎於春生於夏旺於秋至冬而死者，謂其畏寒無生意也。

In autumn, metal is weakened by water, which drains its strength, resulting in clear metal and pure water, often indicating a person who holds a high and honorable position, such as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. If there is neither water nor fire, it often leads to an early death. If wood appears, it signifies wealth, and people from Xuzhou and Yangzhou will be both rich and esteemed. If earth appears, the brilliance of metal is buried, so even though there is wealth, it cannot be expressed, and such people tend to be lonely. The classics say that gold buried in earth becomes even stronger in autumn. If wood appears, it brings honor, and people from Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou will benefit especially. Those born in September, when the metal energy slightly declines, if they encounter fire and are born at night, it is extraordinary; if born during the day, the benefit is less. If wood appears, it causes mutual control, leading to discord among family members. If water appears to support, people from Jizhou and Yongzhou will inevitably face decline, but people from Xuzhou and Yangzhou need not worry. If earth appears, it dims the metal, and people from Yanzhou and Qingzhou tend to be wealthy, while those from Yuzhou face difficulties. Favorable directions are southeast, while northwest should be avoided. In winter, the weather is severe, and metal is in a state of concealment and storage. The growth cycle of metal is conceived in spring, born in summer, strong in autumn, and dies in winter, indicating that metal fears cold and lacks vitality.

晴明則金清水秀，雨雪則水冷金寒，所以冬月之金，得火融之，然後可以奪其寒氣，則富貴非常矣。初冬之金，見火則為傷殘、徐、揚人干支無土日生者貧夭。夜生者孤寒。遇土則衣祿豐足。見水木，俱不利矣。子、丑月生者，亦喜火以溫之，徐、揚人無火亦喜遇土得火為貴，冀、雍人有土無火者，孤貧，蓋寒土非生金之資也。見水則寒，西北人賤貧疾夭。徐、揚人干支有火土者，福壽康寧也。遇木為財，主富，享閒中之福，兗、青人則有妻孥犯分之事，蓋衰金不能制木故也，荊、梁、豫人則吉。運喜東南，西北最忌。

In the winter, metal is clear and beautiful when it meets bright and clear weather, but when it meets rain or snow, the water becomes cold and the metal becomes cold. Therefore, metal in the winter month needs fire to warm and blend with it, so that it can remove its coldness, leading to great wealth and honor. However, in the early winter, metal encountering fire may cause harm. Those born in Xuzhou or Yangzhou with no earth in their heavenly stem and earthly branch, and born in the daytime, will be poor, lowly, and short-lived. Those born at night will be lonely and cold. If they meet earth, they will have abundant clothing and food. If they meet water or wood, it is not favorable. Those born in the month of Zi or Chou also prefer fire to warm them. Those from Xuzhou or Yangzhou even without fire prefer to meet earth. If they have fire, they will be honored. Those from Jiuzhou or Yongzhou have earth but no fire, leading to loneliness and poverty, because cold earth is not a source for generating metal. Meeting water will make it even colder. Those from the northwest will be poor, lowly, and suffer illness and early death. Those from Xuzhou or Yangzhou with fire and earth in their heavenly stem and earthly branch will have happiness, longevity, and health. Meeting wood as wealth indicates wealth and the ability to enjoy the happiness of leisure. However, those from Yanzhou or Qingzhou will have their wives and children acting out of line and exceeding their roles, because weak metal cannot control wood. Those from Jingzhou, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou will have good fortune. Their fortune is favorable when they travel in the southeast and most unfavorable when they travel in the northwest.

春月之水，孰不謂其病寅死卯墓辰為至弱矣，殊不知水為陰氣，生申旺子。秋冬之時，其氣翕聚未散，故水常涸，春至，陽氣上蒸，陰氣下降，故雨露既濡而水生發，此水勢之常耳。星家以活水生於卯者，良有以也。晴則春水溶溶，雨則汪洋氾濫。正月生者，水有寒氣，見火則冰融凍釋，富貴雍容。得金相助，徐、揚生者最佳。逢木無火，則水冷木寒，未有生意。遇土克水，亦主貧寒。土制金生，衣資豐贍。二、三月之水，浩無邊際，見土則有堤防，晝則富貴，夜則流移，生於穀雨後者，或主淫邪痺憊之疾，蓋土渾水濁故也。

In spring, water is considered weak, with the month of Yin (February) being the time of illness, the month of Mao (March) the time of death, and the month of Chen (April) the time of burial. It is at its weakest. But people do not realize that water is of yin energy, and it is born in Shen (July) and reaches its strength in Zi (January). In autumn and winter, the energy of water is gathered and condensed, not yet dispersed, so the surface of the water often dries up. But in spring, the yang energy rises, the yin energy descends, and the rain and dew nourish the water, allowing it to flourish. This is the normal state of water. Star and destiny scholars say that living water is born in Mao (March), which is indeed reasonable. In spring, when the sky is clear, the water ripples; when it rains, the water overflows. Those born in the first month still have a cold nature, and when they meet fire, the ice melts and the water becomes clear, indicating wealth and dignity. If they receive the assistance of metal, those born in Xu (October) and You (November) are the best. If they meet wood without fire, the water is cold and the wood is cold, with no vitality. If they meet earth that controls the water, it indicates poverty and hardship. However, if earth controls the water and metal generates water, then food and clothing will be abundant. Water in the second and third months is vast and boundless, and only when it meets earth does it have a dam. Those born in the day are wealthy and noble, while those born at night are wandering and unsettled. Those born after the Grain Rain festival may have tendencies towards licentiousness or diseases such as weakness and paralysis, because the earth is muddy and the water is turbid.

見火則水火相刑，災訟不免。遇金生水，氾濫無情，徐、揚人干支得土者，無咎。見木洩之，能施惠及人。兗、青人生於二月中旬者，木氣正旺，盜其元神，則生風怯之疾。得金助之，無患。夏水失令，逢火則干涸矣，所以忌晴而喜雨也。初夏之時，水猶氾濫，得土止而不流，則福氣深厚，但不宜與火同行，蓋火盛則土燥而水涸，徐、揚人干支無金水者疾夭也，逢水利就名成。金若生之，反主孤克，蓋夏令金衰，母弱不能生子而反傷於母也，荊、梁、豫人值之則吉。五、六月之水，正能滋助萬物，喜土同行，生時更值陰雨者，主富貴文章，見火則有涸水之嫌，輕者疾，重者夭，得水濟之，凶中反吉。

In spring, water meets fire, leading to mutual punishment between water and fire, resulting in inevitable disasters and disputes. If metal comes to generate water, the water becomes excessive and uncontrolled, so those with dry earth in their heavenly stems and earthly branches in Xu and Yangzhou will not have faults. If wood comes to drain water, it can benefit others; however, those from Yanzhou and Qingzhou born in the middle of February, when wood is strong, will have their water's origin god drained, leading to diseases like wind affliction and weakness. If metal comes to assist, these problems will be avoided. In summer, water is out of its season, and encountering fire causes it to dry up, so it dislikes dry weather and prefers rain. In early summer, water is still overflowing, and if earth comes to stop it, the water will not flow away, leading to deep blessings. However, it is not suitable to be with fire, as strong fire makes earth dry and water dry up, causing illness or early death for those in Xu and Yangzhou without metal or water in their heavenly stems and earthly branches. If water comes to assist, one will achieve fame and fortune. If metal comes to generate water, it will lead to isolation and harm, because in summer metal is weak, and the mother is too weak to generate the child, thus harming the mother herself. Those from Jingzhou, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou will find this auspicious. Water in May and June is able to nourish all things, and it prefers to be with earth. Those born during rainy weather will be wealthy and have literary achievements. If fire appears, there is a risk of drying up the water, leading to minor illnesses or severe early death. If water comes to help, the bad situation will turn into good.

見木亦主富貴豪雄，兗、青人洩其真氣，非佳。逢金氣弱，無力生水，不可例以母曜論之，反主孤克；干支有金水者，吉。運喜金水，火鄉最忌。水生秋令，正水清秀之時也，晴則清澈無瑕，雨則潦水渾濁。七月之水，正能滋實萬物，不宜與火同行，徐、揚火多者，貧夭無依。金為母曜，適當其時，子母相生，文章清貴。土來同處，化禍為祥，木若聯行，亦行貴顯。八、九月之水，遇令星則福壽難量。金火同，則功名炬赫。見木終被疏洩，不免先成後敗。火若同垣，恩金失力，雖有治民服眾之德，未免痰疾刑傷。

Summer water meeting wood signifies wealth and noble strength, but people from Yanzhou and Qingzhou suffer from wood draining the true energy, which is not good. When gold appears, the gold's energy weakens and lacks the strength to generate water, so it cannot be considered as the mother star that nourishes me, instead indicating isolation and hardship. If there is both gold and water in the heavenly stem and earthly branch, it is auspicious. Favorable years are those with gold and water, while fire is most to be avoided. Water born in autumn is at its clearest and most elegant time: when the sky is clear, it is pure and flawless; when it rains, it becomes muddy and stagnant. The water of July is capable of nourishing and enriching all things, and it is not suitable to be with fire. People from Xuzhou and Yangzhou, where fire is abundant, will be poor, short-lived, and without support. Gold is the mother star that generates water; when it appears at the right time, mother and child generate each other, indicating scholarly prestige. If earth is present, it can turn misfortune into blessing; if wood is present, it can also lead to high status. Water born in August and September, meeting the appropriate stars, brings boundless blessings and longevity; if gold and fire appear together, it brings fame and distinction. Meeting wood ultimately leads to its dispersion and loss of strength, inevitably resulting in initial success followed by failure. If fire is present together, it weakens the gold that is beneficial to me, although it may have the virtue of governing people and commanding respect, it still inevitably leads to illness and injury.

見土雖凶不凶，蓋秋令金最能化難為福，徐、揚、豫人干支土多者，亦困滯終身。運利西北，東南失宜。冬月司令之水，寒氣嚴凝之時也，雨則冰凝，晴則凍釋，故冬三月俱喜火以溫之，則富貴無虞矣。見金子母相生，徐、揚人金紫玉堂之貴，冀、雍人水冷金寒，雖相生而反貧薄，得火同行為吉。逢土金，骨肉參商，冀、雍人賴以堤防而無氾濫之患也。遇木，水寒木凍，俱無生意，貧夭無疑，徐、揚人干支火多者，富壽。木土同垣，制煞反吉。丑月生者，貴顯，運喜南方，東方次之。

In autumn, water meets earth, which although seemingly ominous is not really so dangerous, because the metal of autumn is most capable of turning difficulties into blessings. However, those born in Xu, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou, where the earthly branches of earth are numerous, may experience continuous stagnation and blockage. Favorable fortune comes from traveling in the northwest, while the southeast is unsuitable. In the winter month, water is in command, and during the time of severe cold, rain leads to ice formation, and clear skies lead to freezing. Therefore, the three winter months all benefit from fire to provide warmth, leading to wealth and security. Meeting metal signifies mother and son mutual generation; those from Xu and Yangzhou may attain noble status and the dignity of the Jade Hall. However, those from Ji and Yongzhou have cold water and cold metal, and even though they are in mutual generation, they tend to be poor and thin, and only with fire accompanying them is it auspicious. Meeting earth and metal indicates discord among family members; however, those from Ji and Yongzhou rely on earth to prevent flooding, thus avoiding disaster. Meeting wood results in cold water and frozen wood, with no business prospects, leading to poverty, low status, and early death. However, those from Xu and Yangzhou with many fire elements in their heavenly stems and earthly branches may instead attain wealth and longevity. When wood and earth are in the same palace, they can control evil influences and bring good fortune. Those born in the month of Chou are destined for high status and prominence. Favorable fortune comes from traveling in the south, with the east being secondary.

徐子平論格局，獨以印、食、官、財四者為綱。其立名之義云何？蓋造化流行天地間，不過陰陽五行而已。陰陽五行，交相為用，不過生剋制化而已。今指甲乙為例，以日干論甲乙，在五行屬木，甲陽而乙陰也。如人命得甲乙，生謂之日主屬我，生我者壬癸水，我生者丙丁火，克我者庚辛金，我克者戊己土，而十干盡之矣。生我者，有父母之義，故立名印綬。印，蔭也。綬，受也。譬父母有恩德廕庇子孫，子孫得受其福。朝廷設官分職，畀以印綬，使之掌管。官而無印，何所憑據？

Xu Ziping discussed the structure of a person's destiny, focusing solely on the four elements:印 (seal), 食 (food), 官 (official), and 财 (wealth). Why did he establish his system in this way? In general, the natural transformations that occur in the universe are simply yin and yang and the Five Phases. When yin and yang and the Five Phases interact, it is merely about generating, controlling, overcoming, and transforming. Now take Jia and Yi as an example: when considering the Day Stem as Jia or Yi, they belong to the Wood element in the Five Phases. Jia is yang, Yi is yin. If a person's destiny is determined by Jia or Yi as the Day Stem, it is called "I." Those that generate me are Ren and Gui water, those I generate are Bing and Ding fire, those that overcome me are Geng and Xin metal, and those I overcome are Wu and Ji earth. The relationships among the ten Heavenly Stems are thus fully explained. Those that generate me have the meaning of parents, so this is called "印绶" (seal and robe). "印" means protection and support, and "绶" means receiving and inheriting. Just as parents have kindness and protection for their descendants, the descendants can inherit this blessing. The government appoints officials and gives them seals and robes to manage their duties; if an official has no seal, how can he exercise his authority?

人無父母，何所怙恃？其理通一無二，故曰印綬。我生者，有子孫之義，故立名食神。食者，如蟲之食物，蓋傷之也。蟲得食物則飽，人得食則益，被食則損造化。以子成而致養，即人子致養父母之道也。故曰食神。克我者，我受制於人之義，故立名官煞。官者，官也。煞者，害也。朝廷以官與人，以身屬之公家，任其驅使，赴湯蹈火，不敢有違，至於蓋棺而後已，是官害之也。凡人夢棺而得官，亦是此義，故曰官煞。我克者，是人受制於我之義，故立名妻財，如人成家立產，須得妻室內助，故曰妻財。

A person has no parents, so who would he rely on? This principle is consistent and therefore called "印绶." My being able to produce offspring signifies the meaning of having descendants, so it is named "食神." Food is like a pest eating something, actually damaging it; the pest gets full from the food, and a person benefits from food, while the thing being eaten suffers. Nature uses children to support their parents, just as a son supports his parents, so it is called "食神." When something overcomes me, it signifies being controlled by others, so it is named "官煞." "官" means to govern, and "煞" means to harm. The court gives an official position to a person, and the person submits himself to the state, obeying completely, even facing fire and water without rebellion, until death, which is the harm of the official; a person dreaming of a coffin and receiving an official position also means this, so it is called "官煞." When I overcome something else, it signifies that others are controlled by me, so it is named "妻财," just as a person needs the support of his wife to establish a family, so it is called "妻财."

是四者，術家立名之大義。然生近乎身，克隔乎位，造化喜生惡煞，乃自然之理也。中間陰陽從類，陰陽配合，各有至理存焉。生我，我生，如壬生甲、癸生乙，甲食丙、乙食丁，是陰生陰，陽生陽，陰食陰，陽食陽，為陰陽各從其類，故甲喜壬生死，木滋死水中則多年不壞；不喜癸生死，木被雨水淋漓不逾所則朽。甲喜食丙，以丙能制庚煞，而甲始得安其身；不喜食丁，以丁能傷官，而甲不得成其材。以其義也。克我、我克，如辛克甲，庚克乙，甲克己，乙克戊，是陰克陽，陽克陰，陰匹陽，陽匹陰，乃陰陽配合之理。

These four categories represent the general principles used by diviners. However, those that nourish me are close to myself, while those that overcome me are opposite and attack each other. Nature favors nourishment and dislikes overcoming, which is a natural principle. Within this, yin and yang each follow their own kind, and yin and yang combine with each other, each having extremely refined principles. First, let us discuss nourishment and being nourished: for example, Ren nourishes Jia, Gui nourishes Yi, Jia consumes Bing, Yi consumes Ding. This is yin nourishing yin, yang nourishing yang, yin consuming yin, and yang consuming yang, with yin and yang following their own kind. Therefore, Jia prefers Ren to nourish it, as wood submerged in stagnant water for many years remains intact; Jia does not prefer Gui to nourish it, as wood soaked in rain and unable to move will rot. Jia prefers Bing to consume it, because Bing can control Geng, the seven煞, allowing Jia to be secure; Jia does not prefer Ding to consume it, because Ding harms the official position, preventing Jia from growing into a fine material. The reasoning is clear. Now let us discuss overcoming and being overcome: for example, Xin overcomes Jia, Geng overcomes Yi, Jia overcomes Ji, Yi overcomes Wu. This is yin overcoming yang, yang overcoming yin, yin combining with yang, and yang combining with yin, which is the principle of yin and yang combining.

故甲見辛為正官，見庚為偏官。官喜正，不喜偏，掌印佐貳，職有不同。甲見己為正妻，見戊為偏妻。妻貴正，不貴偏，敵體侍立，分則有別，此其理也。至若官怕傷，被傷則禍，財怕劫，被劫則分；印怕財，貪財則壞；食怕梟，逢梟則奪。其理與人事無二，學者明於人事，斯可以言造化矣。夫五行展轉生克，皆子為父母復仇之義。故甲乙生丙丁為子，甲乙畏庚辛，賴丙丁克制之。丙丁生戊己為子，丙定畏壬癸，賴戊己剋制之。戊己生庚辛為子，戊己畏甲乙，賴庚辛克制之。

Therefore, Jia sees Xin as the official, and Geng as the secondary official. Officials and dignitaries are valued in their proper form rather than in their secondary form, just as the chief official who holds the seal of authority differs from the deputy who assists. Jia sees Ji as the main wife and Wu as the secondary wife; wives are valued in their proper position rather than in their secondary one, for one is directly opposite to the husband while the other can only stand by in attendance, and their status is clearly different, which is the reason for this distinction. As for officials fearing the destruction of their official, if they are destroyed, there will be misfortune; wealth fearing the theft of wealth, if it is stolen, the wealth will be diminished; the seal fearing wealth, if one is greedy for wealth, the seal will be ruined; the food god fearing the hawk god, if the hawk god appears, the food will be taken away. These principles are the same as those in human affairs. If scholars understand human affairs, they can then discuss the transformations of nature. The Five Phases generate and control each other in turn, all containing the meaning of a son avenging his parents: Jia and Yi generate Bing and Ding as sons, and Jia and Yi fear Geng and Xin, so they rely on Bing and Ding to control Geng and Xin; Bing and Ding generate Wu and Ji as sons, and Bing and Ding fear Ren and Gui, so they rely on Wu and Ji to control Ren and Gui; Wu and Ji generate Geng and Xin as sons, and Wu and Ji fear Jia and Yi, so they rely on Geng and Xin to control Jia and Yi.

庚辛生壬癸為子，庚辛畏丙丁，賴壬癸剋制之。壬癸生甲乙為子，壬癸畏戊己，賴甲乙剋制之。地支十二，其理亦同，雖動靜不同，方圓有異，而生克一也。試言之：北方亥子水，生東方寅卯木，東方寅卯木，生南方巳午火，土寄旺於火，生西方申酉金，西方申酉金，生北方亥子水。然亥子間丑一位而後接寅卯，寅卯間辰一位而後接巳午，巳午間未一位而後接申酉，申酉間戌一位而後接亥子。土立四維，五行均賴。故巳酉合丑為金局，申子合辰為水局，亥卯合未為木局，寅午合戌為火局。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) Five Phases: The Five Elements Geng and Xin generate Ren and Gui, which are their sons. Geng and Xin fear being overcome by Bing and Ding, so they rely on their sons Ren and Gui to overcome Bing and Ding. Similarly, Ren and Gui generate Jia and Yi, which are their sons. Ren and Gui fear being overcome by Wu and Ji, so they rely on their sons Jia and Yi to overcome Wu and Ji. The principles of the Twelve Earthly Branches are the same. Although they differ in movement and form, the principles of generation and overcoming remain consistent. Try to explain: The water of northern branches Hai and Zi generates the wood of eastern branches Yin and Mao. The wood of eastern branches Yin and Mao generates the fire of southern branches Si and Wu. Earth is strong in fire and generates western branches Shen and You. The western branches Shen and You then return to generate the water of northern branches Hai and Zi. However, between Hai and Zi and Yin and Mao there is a Chou; between Yin and Mao and Si and Wu there is a Chen; between Si and Wu and Shen and You there is a Wei; and between Shen and You and Hai and Zi there is a Xu. Earth is established at the four cardinal points of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and the Five Phases all depend on it to connect. Therefore, Si and You combine with Chou to form a metal trinity, Shen and Zi combine with Chen to form a water trinity, Hai and Mao combine with Wei to form a wood trinity, and Yin and Wu combine with Xu to form a fire trinity.

金生水，水生木，木生火，火生土，土生金，相生而無間也。丑為金庫，生亥子而克寅卯；辰為水庫，生寅卯而克巳午；未為木庫，生巳午而受金克；戌為火庫，克申酉而受水制。東南主生，西北主殺，此天地之大機也。且辰戌丑未，奠安四維，金木水火，咸賴之以生藏。《易》曰：“成言乎艮，終言乎坤。”此土之功用在五行為尤大也。舍干支而總言之，甲生亥死午，乙生午死亥，就祿於寅卯，是甲乙、寅卯同也。丙生寅死酉，丁生酉死寅，就祿於巳午，是丙丁、巳午同也。

Metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal, forming a continuous cycle of mutual generation. Chou is the repository of metal, capable of generating Zi and Hai but restraining Yin and Mao; Chen is the repository of water, capable of generating Yin and Mao but restraining Si and Wu; Wei is the repository of wood, capable of generating Si and Wu but restrained by metal; Xu is the repository of fire, capable of restraining Shen and You but restrained by water. The southeast is associated with generation, while the northwest is associated with destruction, which represents the great principle of the universe. Moreover, Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei stabilize the four directions, and metal, wood, water, and fire all depend on them for growth and storage. The Book of Changes says: "The completion of the beginning and end of all things is in Gen, and the nurturing of all things is in Kun." This shows that the function of earth is especially significant among the Five Phases. Setting aside the distinction between heavenly stems and earthly branches, in general, Jia is born in Hai and dies in Wu, Yi is born in Wu and dies in Hai, both receiving their strength in Yin and Mao, indicating that Jia and Yi are essentially the same as Yin and Mao. Bing is born in Yin and dies in You, Ding is born in You and dies in Yin, both receiving their strength in Si and Wu, indicating that Bing and Ding are essentially the same as Si and Wu.

庚生巳死子，辛生子死巳，就祿於申酉，是庚辛、申酉同也。壬生申死卯，癸生卯死申，就祿於亥子，是壬癸、亥子同也。戊生寅死酉，己生酉死寅，就祿於巳午，與火同位，子隨母旺之義，而辰戌丑未，乃其正位也。由是天干地支，相合配偶，生剋制化，旺相休囚，其名為印、為梟、為食、為傷、為官、為煞、為財、為劫，刑沖破害，虛邀暗合，而變化無窮矣。徐子平識破此理，故只論財、官、印、食，分為六格，而人命之富貴、貧賤、壽夭，窮通舉不外是其餘格局，不過自此而推之耳。

The heavenly stem Geng is born in Si and dies in Zi, while Xin is born in Zi and dies in Si. Both Geng and Xin gain strength in Shen and You, showing that Geng and Xin are closely related to Shen and You. The heavenly stem Ren is born in Shen and dies in Mao, while Gui is born in Mao and dies in Shen. Both Ren and Gui gain strength in Hai and Zi, showing that Ren and Gui are closely related to Hai and Zi. The heavenly stem Wu is born in Yin and dies in You, while Ji is born in You and dies in Yin. Both Wu and Ji gain strength in Si and Wu, which are associated with fire, hence the principle that children follow their mother's strength. The true positions of earth are Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei. Thus, the heavenly stems and earthly branches combine to form pairs, leading to the principles of generation, control, transformation, and mutual destruction, as well as the states of prosperity, strength, weakness, and confinement. These give rise to the categories of seal,枭, food, injury, official, evil, wealth, and conflict, along with punishments, clashes, breaks, harm, and hidden combinations, resulting in endless variations. Xu Ziping understood this principle, so he focused only on wealth, official, seal, and food, dividing them into six categories. Thus, the fortune, poverty, longevity, and success or failure of people are all within this framework. Other patterns are merely derived from this.

正官者，乃甲見辛、乙見庚之例。陰陽配合，相制有用，成其道也。故正官為六格之首，止許一位，多則不宜。正官先看月令，然後方看其餘。以五行之氣，惟月令當時為最，況四柱各管年限，年管十五，失之太早，時管五十後，失之太遲。故只此月令為正，餘格例此。甲日生酉月，乙生申巳，丙生子，丁生亥，戊生卯，己生寅，庚生午，辛生寅巳，壬生午未丑，癸生辰巳戌月，皆為正氣。官星更天干透出，如甲見辛酉，乙見庚申之例，謂之支藏干透，餘位不宜再見，又須日主健旺，得財印兩扶，柱中不見傷煞，行運引至官鄉，大富大貴命也。

The term "正官" refers to cases such as Jia encountering Xin or Yi encountering Geng, where yin and yang are properly matched, and there is mutual control that is restrained and functional, thus achieving the correct path. Therefore, 正官 is the first among the six structures. It is only allowed to appear once; if it appears more than once, it is not suitable. When examining 正官, one should first look at the month's stem and then consider the other pillars. This is because the energy of the Five Phases is most significant in the month; furthermore, each pillar governs a certain period of life, with the year pillar covering the first fifteen years, which is too early, and the hour pillar covering after fifty, which is too late. Therefore, the month is considered the main factor, and the other pillars follow this principle. If a person is born on a Jia day in the酉 month, a Yi day in the申 or巳 month, a Bing day in the子 month, a Ding day in the亥 month, a Wu day in the卯 month, a Ji day in the寅 month, a Geng day in the午 month, a Xin day in the寅 or巳 month, a Ren day in the午, 未, or丑 month, or a Gui day in the辰, 巳, or戌 month, these are all cases of 正官's true energy. If the official star is also revealed in the heavenly stem, such as Jia encountering Xin in the酉 month or Yi encountering Geng in the申 month, it is called "支藏干透" (the root is hidden and the stem is revealed). In such cases, the other pillars should not have another official star. Moreover, the day's main element should be strong, with wealth and education supporting it, and there should be no presence of harmful stars or damaging elements. If the fortune leads to a place where the official star is strong, then the person will have great wealth and high status.

大忌刑沖破害、傷官七煞、貪合忘官、劫財分福，為破格。如甲生酉月，見卯為沖、酉為刑、午為破、戌為害、丙為合、乙為劫、丁為傷克、庚為混雜、須是官星純一，五行和粹，方以正官論。若見前忌柱中，雖有物去之，亦不純粹，若官星結局，又有財資扶，非行身旺地不發。官止一二，無財有印，身弱無妨，若四柱皆歸背祿，宜推歲運向背財官旺地。何如？若財官滿目，日主衰弱，不能負荷，徒勞無用，運至財煞旺鄉，多染癆瘵，但有七煞行運復遇，便是徒流之命。又曰甲生酉月，辛金正祿，若見丁傷，支中無局，時引歸衰敗死絕之地，或有制合去之衰絕之火，豈能傷其旺祿。

The official star is most disliked when it is harmed, opposed, broken, or harmed by other elements. It also dislikes the presence of the official's enemy, the seven harmful stars, the greedy official, and the劫财 (robbery wealth) dividing the fortune. These are all considered to break the pattern. For example, if someone is born on a day of Jia (甲) and is in the month of You (酉), then seeing Mao (卯) is an opposition, seeing You (酉) is self-punishment, seeing Wu (午) is breaking, seeing Xu (戌) is harm, seeing Bing (丙) is combining with the official star, seeing Yi (乙) is robbery wealth, seeing Ding (丁) is harming the official star, and seeing Geng (庚) is mixing the official and harmful stars. The official star must be pure and the five phases harmonious in order to be considered as the official star. If the column already contains these disliked elements, even if other elements remove them, it is not pure. If the official star forms a pattern and there is wealth to support it, then if the body is not strong, it will not be successful. If there is only a little official star and no wealth but there is the printing star, even if the body is weak, it is not a problem. If all four pillars are in a position that is against the official and wealth, then it is necessary to examine whether the year and the fortune are towards or away from the prosperous land of wealth and official. As for cases where there are many wealth and official stars but the day master is weak and cannot bear the burden, it is just a useless effort. If the fortune goes to a place where the wealth and harmful stars are strong, it is likely to suffer from tuberculosis. If there is only the harmful star and the fortune meets it again, it is a fate of being exiled or imprisoned. It is also said that if someone is born on a day of Jia (甲) and in the month of You (酉), then Xin (辛) metal is its official luck. If there is Ding (丁) fire official's enemy, but the branches do not form a fire pattern, and the hour brings Ding to a weak, dead, or dying position, or if there is something that restrains or combines with this weak fire, then it cannot harm the strong official luck.

若時引官星臨衰敗死絕之位，反引丁火歸生旺之鄉或臨煞地，降官失職，禍生無疑。時為歸息之地，吉凶全在時消息。日主用神太盛，宜時以節制之；日主用神漸衰，宜時以補助之。柱中雖有凶神，時能節制，亦不能為禍。此看命之要法也。又曰甲生丑月，內有辛金，又值酉時，己是重犯，若天干復透辛多，更行西方，力不勝任，變官為鬼，旺處必傾，多致災夭，須有合制方吉。若自身乘旺，如甲寅、乙卯等日，更有印生助，官星雖多亦不為害。甲生戌月，雖坐火庫，若不成局，無黨不能為害。

If the official star is led to a position of decline, death, or extinction by the hour, and instead the Ding fire is led to a place of birth and strength or to a harmful position, then the official will be reduced and the person will lose their position, and misfortune is certain to arise. The hour pillar is the place of rest and finality, and whether it is good or bad depends entirely on the hour. If the day ruler and the useful god are too strong, the hour is needed to restrain them; if the day ruler and the useful god are gradually declining, the hour is needed to support them. Even if there are harmful spirits in the pillar, as long as the hour can restrain them, they will not cause disaster. This is the essential method of fortune telling. It is also said that if someone is born on a day of Jia and in the Chou month, the Chou contains Xin metal, and if they are also born at the You hour, it is already a repeated official star; if the heavenly stem also reveals Xin again, and they go through the western direction of fate, the day ruler will not be able to overcome it, and the official will become a ghost, leading to inevitable collapse and many disasters and early death. It is necessary to have a combination and restraint for good. If the self is strong, such as on days of Jiayin or Yimao, and there is also a seal to support, even if there are many official stars, they will not cause harm. If someone is born on a day of Jia and in the Xu month, although they are sitting on the fire warehouse, as long as it does not form a fire circle, being isolated and without support, it will not be harmful.

又曰取官星不必專泥月令支辰，或月干，或年日時支干，只一處有，不曾損傷，皆可取用。故經云：明干有氣明干取，明干無氣暗中取。若明干無氣，引歸地支，或有助托，運行得地，亦不減月內官星之福。又曰凡論官星，略見一位食神坐實，便能損局，惟月令隱祿，見食卻為三奇之貴。大要看官食虛實何如，若官星坐實，合神略虛，隨官助貴；合神坐實，官星漸弱，官隨合神，謂之貪合忘官。又曰正官格，要行印鄉，即是逢官看印，柱中原有印隨，官因輕重，日干強弱，以觀所以之運，身弱印輕，要補其印，身旺官輕，要補其官，行傷官運即是背祿，行身旺運即是逐馬。

It is also said that taking the official star does not necessarily require it to be found in the earthly branch of the month, or in the heavenly stem of the month, or in the heavenly stems of the year, day, or hour; as long as it exists in one place without being damaged, it can be used. Therefore, the classic says: if the heavenly stem of the day has strength, take it; if it does not have strength, take it from the hidden place. If the heavenly stem of the day has no strength, bring it back to the earthly branch, or have other supports, and if the fortune is favorable, its blessing will not be worse than the official star in the month. It is also said that whenever the official star is discussed, if there is a real food god present, it can ruin the pattern; however, if the month is hidden official and the food god is present, it becomes the Three Marvels of great fortune. The key is to see whether the official or the food god is real or not: if the official star is real and the food god is slightly weak, the food god will follow the official star to help achieve fortune; if the food god is real and the official star gradually weakens, the official star will follow the food god, which is called "greed for combination and forgetting the official." It is also said that the pattern of the official star requires the fortune of the scholar to be favorable, which is called "meeting the official and looking at the scholar." If the column originally has the scholar, the official star may be light or heavy, and the day stem may be strong or weak, and according to this, we can determine what kind of fortune is needed: if the body is weak and the scholar is light, we need to strengthen the scholar; if the body is strong and the official is light, we need to strengthen the official. Walking the fortune of the food god is going against the official, and walking the fortune of the strong body is chasing the horse.

《三命鈴》云：凡祿命身三等官，各稟五行，率以其性推之，如以金為官，職位清峻，多掌刑獄錢穀之任，決斷明敏，遇行年太歲在丑為官庫。若以木為官主，品秩清高，和俗守慎，遇行年太歲在未為官庫。以火為官主，官序炎赫，為性猛烈，用刑慘酷，亦主發歇不常，遇行年太歲在戌為官庫。以水為官主，職卑位下，級升序進，謙和得眾，矜恤孤寡，亦有道性，遇行年太歲在辰為官庫。以土為官主，官序穩當，難侵犯，厚重質直，法令分明，遇行年太歲在辰為官庫。凡五行之官，各隨其性則吉，若失其性，則主為官不久。

The Three Fate Bell says: All officials, namely the official position, the destiny, and the body, each receive the nature of the Five Phases. Generally, they are judged according to their nature. Those with metal as their official position have a high and sharp status, often taking charge of duties related to criminal justice and finance, making quick and decisive judgments. When the year's heavenly stem reaches Chou, it is their official warehouse. Those with wood as their official position have a high rank, are adaptable to common customs while remaining loyal to their own principles. When the year's heavenly stem reaches Wei, it is their official warehouse. Those with fire as their official position have an illustrious and fierce status, are impetuous in temperament, and use severe punishments. They also experience ups and downs in their careers. When the year's heavenly stem reaches Xu, it is their official warehouse. Those with water as their official position have a low status, can only rise step by step, are humble and gain the people's favor, care for the lonely and the poor, and also have a bit of Daoist temperament. When the year's heavenly stem reaches Chen, it is their official warehouse. Those with earth as their official position have a stable status, are not easily infringed upon, are solid and straightforward in character, and have clear laws. When the year's heavenly stem reaches Chen, it is their official warehouse. For all officials of the Five Phases, if they act according to their original nature, it is auspicious; if they lose their original nature, it indicates that they cannot hold office for long.

西蜀知命者云：凡人年月日時，四干疊相，官印足者，主貴。歷觀大命，遇兩印者頗多，如呂吉甫學士，壬申、己酉、丁巳、庚子，壬與己，庚與丁為官，壬與庚、己與丁為印。又云：看官星，有天官鄉，取月干制歲干，如六甲年正月建丙寅，五月庚午，六月辛未，庚辛金能制甲木，戊癸即相帶而行，甲癸人在午未，乙丙人在辰巳，丁戊人在寅卯，己庚人在戌亥，辛壬人在申酉，若人遇之，當食天祿，貴處朝倫。有地官鄉，取月建制歲干，如歲干是甲乙，屬木，七八月見申，屬金，金能制木，甲乙人在申酉，丙丁人亥子，戊己人在寅卯，庚辛人在巳午，壬癸人在辰戌丑未，若人遇之，主早承休蔭，官序易升。

A wise man from Western Sichuan said: For any person, the heavenly stems of year, month, day, and hour connect in sequence. If both official star and seal star are present, it indicates a high status. When examining the birth charts of great people, many have two seal stars. For example, the birth chart of Lu Jifu, a learned scholar, is Renshen, Jiyou, Dingsi, Gengzi: Renshen and Jiyou, as well as Gengzi and Dingsi, are mutual official stars; Renshen and Gengzi, as well as Jiyou and Dingsi, are mutual seal stars. He also said: When examining official stars, there is the concept of "Heavenly Official Residence." This is determined by the month stem controlling the year stem. For example, in the sixth year of Jia, the month stem in the first lunar month is Bingyin, in the fifth lunar month is Gengwu, and in the sixth lunar month is Xinwei. Geng and Xin metal can control Jia wood. Wu and Gui also interact in this way. Therefore, those born in the year of Jia or Gui, with their birth months in Wu or Wei, those born in the year of Bing or Ding, with their birth months in Yin or Mao, those born in the year of Wu or Ji, with their birth months in Zhen or Mao, those born in the year of Geng or Xin, with their birth months in Shen or You, will enjoy court salary and hold official positions. There is also the concept of "Earthly Official Residence," determined by the month builder controlling the year stem. For example, if the year stem is Jia or Yi (wood), then in the seventh and eighth lunar months, when the month builder is Shen (metal), metal can control wood. Therefore, those born in the year of Jia or Yi, with their birth months in Shen or You, those born in the year of Bing or Ding, with their birth months in Hai or Zi, those born in the year of Wu or Ji, with their birth months in Zhen or Mao, those born in the year of Geng or Xin, with their birth months in Shen or You, and those born in the year of Ren or Gui, with their birth months in Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, will inherit family fortune at an early age and have an easy path to promotion in official rank.

有真官鄉，取命前三辰月干與命干合，如丙子人二月生，為命前三辰是辛卯，丙與辛合，故丙子二月生人為真官，中生之類，君子遇之，職居近侍，小人遇之，亦主富豪。如劉行素御史，丙子、辛卯、丙子、辛卯，正合此說。又云：術者以甲見辛為官，不知真五行克納音為真官，此最緊福坤。干頭自見官而得合者為上，有諸神來朝者最佳。如甲寅生，納音水，得己亥，甲己為真土，是納音見真五行克也。若不見太歲本干克，但於日月時上見乙庚亦是。若止見庚，謂之偏官，比之全者減力，又不見乙庚，止見乙巳、乙丑、乙酉，餘位中多見申，不見申止得三五分力，餘仿此。

There is also the concept of "true official native land." It is determined by the heavenly stem of the month three positions before the person's birth stem, and if this stem combines with the person's birth stem, then it is called true official, belonging to the middle generation. A gentleman encountering this is likely to hold a position close to the emperor, while a petty person encountering it may become wealthy. For example, the birth chart of Liu Xingsu, an imperial censor, is Jiayin, Xinmao, Jiayin, Xinmao, which exactly fits this description. It is also said that diviners only know that Jia meeting Xin is an official, but they do not know that the true five phases overcoming the nayin sound element is the true official. This is the most important point. If the heavenly stem itself meets the official and also combines with it, it is the best. If there are many gods supporting it, it is even better. For instance, if someone is born in Jiayin year with nayin sound element of water, and meets Jihai, Jia combines with Ji to form true earth, which is the nayin sound element being overcome by the true five phases. If it is not overcome by the stem of the year, but only appears in the day, month, or hour with Yi or Geng, it is also acceptable. If only Geng appears, it is called a partial official, which is less powerful than when both are present. If neither Yi nor Geng appears, but only Yi Si, Yi Chou, or Yi You appears, and the other positions have many Shen or none at all, then it has only three or five parts of power, and so on.

又如己酉、己卯見丁壬，壬子、壬午見乙庚，雖納音見真五行克為官，奈本干同受克，故不作真官，而作真鬼斷之，大小運流年逢之，災尤重。此亦看官星者所當知。《喜忌篇》云：“五行正官，忌沖刑剋破之官。”《五言》云：“有官要有印，無刑足可誇，不為金殿客，也作富豪家。”《秘訣》云：“官星重見，只作煞推，再至官鄉，災非難免，若是太多，制之為福。”古歌云：“正氣官星用月支，喜逢財印到年時，破害沖空俱不犯，富貴雙全報爾知。”又：“官星不可被刑沖，官煞同來吉變凶，化煞為官方是吉，化官為煞禍重重。”

For example, in the cases of Jiyou and Jimao, if they meet Ding and Ren, and in the cases of Renzi and Renwu, if they meet Yi and Geng, although the nayin is being overcome by the true five phases and thus becomes an official, it is unfortunate that the heavenly stem itself is also being overcome, so it is not considered a true official but rather a true ghost. When this occurs in the big destiny year, small destiny year, or flowing year, the calamity is especially severe. This is something that those who examine the official star should know. The "Xiji篇" says: The true official of the five phases should avoid being冲, 刑, 克, or 破. The "Wuyan" says: Having an official also requires having a seal; if it is not harmed or injured, it is sufficient to be proud, even if one does not become a noble guest in the golden hall, they are still wealthy. The "Mimiao" says: When the official star appears repeatedly, it should be treated as a harmful star; if one enters the official's territory again, calamity is inevitable; if it is really too much, controlling it can turn it into good fortune. The ancient song says: The official star of the true energy should be used with the month's branch; it is favorable if wealth and seal are in the year and hour; if it does not encounter destruction, harm, conflict, or kongwang, one can conclude that they will be both wealthy and noble. It also says: The official star should not be subjected to 刑 or 冲; if the official and harmful star come together, good turns to bad; transforming harmful star into official is good, but transforming official into harmful star brings heavy calamity.

又“官星大抵要身強，身弱須求氣旺方，印綬兼行財旺地，無沖傷破是榮昌。”又：“生月官星坐祿鄉，日辰生旺福無疆，有財有印無傷破，年少成名坐玉堂。”又：“月逢正祿號真官，不犯刑傷祿最寬，日主興隆名利顯，運逢財印步金鑾。”又：“印多官多為貴命，官旺身衰反為病，官多身旺化為財，財旺身衰貧病並。”又：“正官大抵要純和，四柱無傷掇顯科，時上喜逢財健旺，柱中欣見印生多。提綱獨遇為真貴，年位重逄乃太多，別處若有煞來混，反為辛苦受奔波。”合諸說，觀正官喜忌見矣。

It is also said that official stars generally require a strong body; if the body is weak, one should seek directions where the energy is strong. If there is also wealth and the official star is supported by the seal, and there is no conflict, damage, or destruction, then success and prosperity will follow. It is also said that if the official star in the month is in its own land, and the day branch is also strong, then limitless blessings will come. If there is both wealth and seal, and there is no damage or destruction, then one will achieve fame at a young age and occupy the Jade Hall. It is also said that if the official star in the month is in its true land, it is called a true official, and if it is not harmed by crime or injury, the land is most generous. If the day's ruler is strong, then fame and fortune will be prominent, and when the fortune meets wealth and seal, one can step onto the Golden Hall. It is also said that having many seals and many officials indicates a noble destiny; if the official is strong but the body is weak, it becomes a problem. If there are many officials and a strong body, they can be transformed into wealth; if wealth is strong but the body is weak, poverty and illness will follow. It is also said that the true official generally requires purity and harmony, and if there is no damage in the four pillars, one can pass the imperial examinations successfully. At the hour, it is favorable to meet a strong wealth star, and in the pillar, it is joyful to see many seals being generated. If the main topic of the month is only one official star, it is truly noble; if it appears again in the year, it is too much. If there are other evils mixed in, it will lead to hardship and toil. Combining these statements, the favorable and unfavorable aspects of the true official are clear.