On the concealment of the month, day, and hour

夫命以年為本為父，月為兄弟僚友，日為主為妻為己身，時為子孫為帝產為平生榮辱之首。又曰年為根，月為苗，日為花，時為實，故苗無根不生，實無花不結。所以遁月從年，遁時從日。遁月即甲己之年，正月起丙寅，二月丁卯，順行十二月。古歌曰：甲已之年丙作首，乙庚之歲戊為頭，丙辛之歲尋庚上，丁壬壬位順行流，更有戊癸何處起？甲寅之上好追求。

Divination of fate begins with the year pillar, which represents the father; the month pillar represents brothers and colleagues; the day pillar is the main one, representing the wife and oneself; and the hour pillar represents children and descendants, being the first important matter in one's life. Another saying is that the year is the root, the month is the sprout, the day is the flower, and the hour is the fruit. Therefore, the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the month pillar must be derived from the heavenly stem of the year, and the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the hour pillar must be derived from the heavenly stem of the day. The method of deriving the month pillar is called "dun yue" (hidden month). For example, in the first month of the year of Jia or Ji, the hidden month starts from Bingyin; the second month is Dingmao, and so on in sequence for twelve months. An ancient verse says: in the first month of the year of Jia or Ji, the hidden month starts from Bingyin; in the first month of the year of Yi or Geng, it starts from Wuyin; in the first month of the year of Bing or Xin, it starts from Gengyin; in the first month of the year of Ding or Ren, it starts from Renyin; and for the first month of the year of Wu or Gui, it starts from Jiayin.

遁時如甲子日子時生人即甲己，還加甲，便知子時乃甲子，丑時乃乙丑，順行十二時。古歌曰：甲己還加甲，乙庚丙作初，丙辛從戊起，丁壬庚子居，戊癸何方發？壬子是直途。

The concept of "dun shi" refers to the method of determining the stem and branch for each of the twelve hours. For example, if someone is born during the "zi" hour on a "jia zi" day, the "jia" and "ji" are grouped together, with "ji" still added to "jia." Thus, the "zi" hour is "jia zi," the "chou" hour is "yi chou," and so on in sequence for the twelve hours. An ancient mnemonic states: On "jia" days and "ji" days, the hours begin again with "jia zi"; on "yi" days and "geng" days, they start with "bing zi"; on "bing" days and "xin" days, they start with "wu zi"; on "ding" days and "ren" days, they start with "geng zi"; on "wu" days and "gui" days, where should they begin? The straight path is "ren zi."

月時之法，取天干合數，陰陽之配也。既取合數，自生化數，月則取生，時則取克。假如甲己化土，火生土故，月起丙寅；水克土故，時起甲子。月遁起寅，人生於寅之義，東作方興之時也；時遁起子，天開於子之義，一陽方生之候也。究而言之，則皆相生而轉，循環無端焉。蓋上古曆元年甲子，月甲子，日甲子，時甲子，甲己起，甲子祖於此也。有甲子則乙丑、丙寅順布十二宮，陽生陽，陰生陰，相間一位，同類為夫婦。是起月之法，不外起時之中矣。

The method of determining the hidden month and hidden hour is based on the numbers of heavenly stems that are mutually compatible, which follows the principle of yin and yang pairing. Once the compatible numbers are selected, they naturally generate the numbers of transformation: the hidden month follows the principle of mutual generation, while the hidden hour follows the principle of mutual control. For example, Jia and Ji are compatible and transform into earth; fire generates earth, so the month pillar starts from Bingyin. Water is controlled by earth, so the hour pillar starts from Jiazi. The hidden month begins from the position of Yin, symbolizing the meaning of "human life begins at Yin," which is the time when agriculture starts in the east. The hidden hour begins from the position of Zi, symbolizing the meaning of "the heavens open at Zi," which is the time when the first yang begins. In the end, all of this follows the principle of mutual generation in a cyclic manner, with no beginning or end. Originally, the first year of the ancient calendar was Jiazi year, Jiazi month, Jiazi day, and Jiazi hour. The group of Jia and Ji starts from Jiazi to determine the hidden month, and this is the origin. With Jiazi, the sequence proceeds to Yichou, Bingyin, and so on, in order through the twelve branches. Yang stems generate yang stems, and yin stems generate yin stems, each pair separated by one position, forming couples of the same type. It is clear that the method of determining the month does not go beyond the method of determining the hour.

凡論人命，年月日時排成四柱，遁月從年，則以年為本，遁時從日，則以日為主。古法以年看，子平以日看，本此。如人本木而得卯月以乘之，主金而得酉時以乘子，謂之本，主乘旺氣；如本水而得甲申、丙子、壬戌、癸亥月；主火而得丙寅、戊午、甲辰、乙已時；本木而得己亥、辛卯、甲寅、庚寅月，主金而得辛已、癸酉、庚申、壬申時，謂之本，主還家；本木而得癸未月，主金而得乙丑時；木水而得壬辰月，主火而得甲戌時，謂之本，主持印。四位如此，更吉神往來，凶煞迴避，謂之本主得位，本勝於主者多得祖蔭，主勝於本者當自卓立，本主兩強，富貴雙全。

When analyzing a person's destiny, the year, month, day, and hour are arranged into four pillars. The month pillar is determined by the stem of the year, so the year is considered the "base"; the hour pillar is determined by the stem of the day, so the day is considered the "main". Ancient methods used the year pillar to determine destiny, while the method of Zi Ping (子平) used the day pillar. This is the reason for the difference. For example, if the year pillar is wood and the month is卯 (Mao), which supports it, and the day pillar is metal and the hour is酉 (You), which supports it, this is called the base and main both being in a strong position. Another example is when the year pillar is water and the month isJiashen (Jia Shen), Bingzi (Bing Zi), Renxu (Ren Xu), or Guihai (Gui Hai), and the day pillar is fire with the hour beingBingyin (Bing Yin), Wuwu (Wu Wu), Jiachen (Jia Chen), or Yisi (Yi Si); or when the year pillar is wood and the month isJihai (Ji Hai), Xinmao (Xin Mao), Jiayin (Jia Yin), or Gengyin (Geng Yin), and the day pillar is metal with the hour beingXinsi (Xin Si), Guiyou (Gui You), Gengshen (Geng Shen), or Renshen (Ren Shen), this is called the base and main both returning to their own palace. Another case is when the year pillar is wood and the month isGuiwei (Gui Wei), and the day pillar is metal with the hour beingYichou (Yi Chou); or when the year pillar is water and the month isRenchen (Ren Chen), and the day pillar is fire with the hour beingJiaxu (Jia Xu), this is called the base and main both holding the seal. When the four pillars are arranged in this way, and auspicious deities are present while malevolent influences are avoided, it is called the base and main both being in proper position. If the base is stronger than the main, the person is likely to benefit from ancestral blessings. If the main is stronger than the base, the person should rely on their own abilities. If both the base and main are strong, then the person will be wealthy and prosperous.

四柱中更抑揚歸中，無太過不及，方作好命，有一位不及，必主蹇滯，然諸家命術皆云好年不如好月，好月不如好日，好日不如好時，大率以年則統乎一歲，月則該乎三十，而時日為得之。獨不知得日時之吉而月不應，反為無用，況用神多取諸月，是月又可輕乎？唐李虛中獨以日干為主，卻以年月時合看生剋制化，旺相休囚，取立格局。此發前賢所未發，故今術家宗之。

In the four pillars of destiny, one must restrain the strong and support the weak, bringing them back to harmony, so that neither excess nor deficiency exists, which is considered a good fortune. If any of the pillars is deficient, it will inevitably lead to a life of obstacles and difficulties. However, various schools of divination often say: a good year is not as good as a good month, a good month is not as good as a good day, and a good day is not as good as a good hour. The general idea is that a year governs only one year, a month only thirty days, while the day and hour are more closely related to the person. But they have not considered that even if the day and hour are favorable, if the month is not in harmony, those favorable elements become useless. Moreover, the selection of the 'useful god' is mostly based on the month, so how can the month be disregarded? Li Xuzhong of the Tang Dynasty uniquely took the day stem as the main focus, and combined the year, month, and hour pillars to examine the relationships of generation and overcoming, as well as the states of prosperity, strength, weakness, and confinement, thereby establishing a pattern. This was an insight not previously expressed by predecessors, so today's diviners all regard him as the founder.

又曰年為太歲，主人一生禍福，如當生太歲，是金是木，要日月相生相應，造化和順，則根基牢固，一生卓立成就。眾支干五行不順反克，沖破為傷，本主無壽，被形帶煞。及生，月日時者主損木氣，破傷祖業，六親冷淡蹇滯之命也。月為運元，行運從月逮起，若日時是本生年之福，宜歸運元生旺處以扶助之，故官印貴人，祿馬財星宜在運元生旺處為佳；若日時是本生年之禍，宜歸運元剝克處以潛濟之。故土多窒塞，宜歸運元疏通處；水多氾濫，宜歸運元歸宿處；火多暴露，宜歸運元晦息處；金木太強，宜歸運元沈潛處。

There is another view: the year pillar represents the "Supreme Sovereign," which governs a person's fortune and misfortune throughout their life. If the Supreme Sovereign of the birth year belongs to metal or wood, then the day pillar and month pillar should harmonize with it through mutual generation and compatibility, creating a smooth and harmonious foundation, thus enabling one to achieve success in life. If the five elements of the various pillars do not support each other but instead contradict and clash, breaking and causing harm, then the main pillar of the year will not bring longevity, and the person's body will carry ominous influences. Now looking at the month, day, and hour pillars, if these three pillars damage the vital energy of the year pillar, it indicates the destruction of ancestral property, coldness among the six relations, and stagnation throughout life. The month pillar is called the "origin of destiny," and when taking a major destiny journey, it should be calculated from the month pillar. If the day and hour pillars are the sources of good fortune in the birth year, then the major destiny journey should be directed to the flourishing and vigorous areas of the origin of destiny to support it; thus, official stars, official seals, noblemen,禄 and 马, and wealth stars should ideally be located in the flourishing and vigorous areas of the origin of destiny. If the day and hour pillars are the sources of misfortune in the birth year, then the major destiny journey should be directed to the areas of the origin of destiny that weaken and control it, to secretly assist it. Therefore, if there is too much earth causing blockage, it should be directed to the areas of the origin of destiny that provide relief; if there is too much water causing flooding, it should be directed to the areas of the origin of destiny that provide a resting place; if there is too much fire causing exposure, it should be directed to the areas of the origin of destiny that provide darkness and rest; if there is too much metal or wood, it should be directed to the areas of the origin of destiny that provide concealment and depth.

或運元集生時之福，或運元發福於生時，日者三陽之會，帝皇之象，時者近侍之臣，以親帝座，而時日有君臣慶會，天地德合。或年月日時四位納音生旺之氣，或四位祿與福貴氣聚於時上，謂之四位集福於帝座；或時倒揭，旺氣秀氣散在諸位，而諸位乘吉會之氣者，謂之帝座發福於四位。夫集福於帝座則以純厚忠信為心，發福於四位則以聰明端直自進。若近侍之臣切忌土火金氣太旺，不能久住，水木清奇多是翰林。年月發福處，不要生時破壞，敗壞處仍要生時解釋。

Sometimes the destiny elements gather the fortune of the birth time, and sometimes they distribute the fortune of the birth time. The day pillar is where the three yang energies converge, symbolizing the emperor; the hour pillar is like the close attendant of the emperor, because it is adjacent to the imperial throne. Therefore, there is a saying that between the hour and day pillars, there is a harmonious meeting of sovereign and minister, and a union of heaven and earth's virtue. Sometimes the four pillars—year, month, day, and hour—each have their nayin elements in a state of birth and prosperity, and sometimes the luck, fortune, and honor of the four pillars all gather at the hour pillar, which is called "the four pillars gathering fortune at the imperial throne." Sometimes it is the reverse, where the hour pillar spreads its prosperity and refined energy to the other pillars, and the other pillars also have auspicious convergences, which is called "the imperial throne distributing fortune to the four pillars." Those whose fortune gathers at the imperial throne are people who establish their hearts with purity, sincerity, and loyalty; those whose fortune originates from the four pillars rely on their intelligence and integrity to strive for advancement. As for the hour pillar, the close attendant, it is most忌 to have excessive earth, fire, and metal energies, for then it cannot remain in its position for long; if there are clear and extraordinary water and wood energies, they often produce talents who excel in the Hanlin Academy. The places where the year and month pillars generate fortune should not be destroyed by the birth time; the places where the year and month pillars are ruined should still rely on the birth time to rescue and transform.

由是論之，年月日時均重，而時為尤重。人命貴賤、壽夭、窮通、得喪只在生時之辨。時有八刻，有初正末氣不同，須細察之。《定真論》曰：傷年不利父，傷月不利兄弟，亦主初年艱辛，傷日不利己身，名折腰煞，傷時不利子孫，亦無結果。若年生日月時三位謂之上生下，主損本氣，兼破祖業；時上生日月年謂之下生上，主增福德。若上生下得丑行相逢，乘生福氣，亦作好命看，若相乘生禍，則不佳。四柱純粹，無刑沖破害，空亡死絕，更有福神互為之助方為吉命，反此則凶。

Therefore, the four pillars of year, month, day, and hour are all important, but the hour pillar is especially crucial. The fortune or misfortune, longevity or short life, prosperity or hardship, gain or loss of a person are all determined by the time of birth. An hour consists of eight parts, and there are differences in the initial, middle, and final phases of the hour. One must carefully examine these. The "Discourse on Determining True Fate" says: injuring the year pillar is unfavorable to the father; injuring the month pillar is unfavorable to brothers and indicates early hardship; injuring the day pillar is unfavorable to oneself, which is called "broken waist evil"; injuring the hour pillar is unfavorable to descendants and indicates a life without results. If the year pillar is in a position that generates the month, day, and hour pillars, this is called "upper generating lower," which consumes the original energy of the year pillar and leads to the destruction of ancestral property; if the hour pillar generates the year, month, and day pillars, this is called "lower generating upper," which increases fortune and virtue. If "upper generating lower" occurs and the path continues through the position of Chou, riding on the auspicious energy of growth, it can be considered a good fate; but if it rides on the evil energy that brings misfortune, it is not good. If all four pillars are pure, without conflicts, collisions, destruction, or harm, without kongwang, death, or extinction, and with the assistance of benevolent deities, it is a favorable fate; the opposite is an unfavorable fate.

夫胎者，受形之始，故易干知太始，以形言也；月者，成氣之時，故傳曰積日以為月，以氣言也。今談命或不以胎月為重，殊不思胎月是四柱之根苗，日時雖為緊，若不犯破胎月，或乘旺氣祿馬之處則為福尤多，或日時之吉而為胎月所犯，則吉亦歸無用。是胎月最為樞要。

The concept of "Tai" refers to the beginning of a person's formation, so the "Zhou Yi" says "Qian knows the beginning," referring to the physical form. The term "Yue" refers to the period when the climate matures, so the "Zuo Zhuan" says "accumulating days forms a month," referring to the qi. Now, those who discuss fate often do not place much importance on Tai and Yue, but they fail to realize that Tai and Yue are the roots and sprouts of the four pillars. Although the day pillar and hour pillar are important, they are only effective if they do not conflict or destroy Tai and Yue, or if Tai and Yue are in a strong position or on the land of official luck and horses. In such cases, blessings are especially abundant. Conversely, if the day and hour are favorable but are conflicted by Tai and Yue, then the good fortune becomes useless. Therefore, Tai and Yue are the most crucial key points.

胎元之取，唯有一法，以當生前三百日為十月之氣，乃是受胎之正，譬甲子日生便以甲子為受胎之日，蓋五六計三百日，看其生日在何月中有，則閏在其中矣。且如戊子生人甲寅月乙丑日，須於半月前十月或十一月內，尋當生乙丑日，乃是三百日之正胎。

To determine the "Taim yuan" (胎元), there is only one method: take the 300 days before birth as the ten months of pregnancy, and that day is the correct day of conception. For example, if someone is born on a Jiazi day, then the previous Jiazi day is considered the day of conception. Since five multiplied by six equals 300 days, one should check which month before the birth date contains the same heavenly stem and earthly branch as the birth date. The presence of a leap month should also be taken into account. For instance, if someone is born in the year Wuzi, in the month Jiayin on the day Yichou, they should look back about half a month to find the Yichou day within the tenth or eleventh month, which would be the correct Taim yuan, representing exactly 300 days.

神無廟無所歸，人無室無所棲，命無宮無所主，故有命宮之說，不然流年星辰，為凶為吉，以何憑據？此法看是何月生人坐於何時，然後方定命坐何宮。先將所生之月從子上起正月，亥上二月，戌三，酉四，申五，未六、午七，已八，辰九，卯十，寅十一，丑十二，逆行十二位，次將所生之時加於所生之月，順行十二位，逢卯即安命宮，假令甲子年三月生人得戌時，卻將正月加子，二月在亥，三月在戌為止，又將戌時加在戌上、亥上、亥子上、子丑上、丑寅上、寅卯上、卯逢卯便是，即命坐卯宮是也。仍隨甲子年起，亦如起月之法。甲已之年丙作首，乃丁卯宮也。次看三方並本命流干犯何星凶吉推之。

The gods have no temples to rely on, people have no houses to live in, and a person's destiny has no palace to be governed by, hence the concept of "Ming Gong" or "Destiny Palace" is introduced. Otherwise, how could we determine whether the stars in the flow of the year are auspicious or inauspicious? The method involves determining which hour a person was born in, and then identifying the palace where the person's destiny falls. First, the birth month is counted from the Zi position, with the first month (January) starting at Zi, the second month (February) at Hai, the third month (March) at Xu, the fourth month (April) at You, the fifth month (May) at Shen, the sixth month (June) at Wei, the seventh month (July) at Wu, the eighth month (August) at Si, the ninth month (September) at Chen, the tenth month (October) at Mao, the eleventh month (November) at Yin, and the twelfth month (December) at Chou, counting backward through twelve positions. Then, the birth hour is added to the position of the birth month, and counting forward through twelve positions, the position where the count reaches Mao is where the Ming Gong is placed. For example, a person born in the year Jiazi (甲子) in the third month and at the hour Xu (戌), first place the first month (January) at Zi, the second month (February) at Hai, and the third month (March) at Xu. Then, add the hour Xu to the position Xu, and count forward through Hai, Zi, Chou, Yin, until reaching Mao, which is where the Ming Gong is placed. The heavenly stem of the Ming Gong still follows the stem of the birth year, Jiazi, using the same method as for the month pillar: for the year Jia or Ji, the first month starts at Bingyin (丙寅), and proceeds in order to Mao, which is Dingmao (丁卯). Then, observe the stars that are in trine or opposition with the person's birth stem, and use this to determine fortune and misfortune.

夫運者，人生之傳舍。探命之說先以三元、四柱、五行、生死、格局致合以定根基，然後考究運氣，協而從之以定平生之吉凶也。古人以大運則一辰十歲，折除以三日為年者何？蓋一月之終，晦朔周而有三十日，一日之終，晝夜周而有十二時；總十年之運氣，凡三日有三十六時，乃見三百六十日為一歲之數；在一月之中有三百六十時，折除節氣，算計三千六百日為一辰之十歲也。天論折除之法必用生者日曆。過日時數，其節氣之數。陽男陰女，大運以生日後未來節氣日時為數，順而行之；陰男陽女，大運以生日前過去節氣日時為數，逆而行之。

The concept of "yun" (destiny) refers to the temporary lodging one stays in during the journey of life. To explore one's destiny, one must first establish a foundation by combining the three elements, four pillars, five phases, birth and death, and the overall structure. Then, one should examine the destiny, ensuring that destiny and fate work in harmony, thereby determining the fortune and misfortune of a person's entire life. In ancient times, the calculation of major destiny periods was based on each earthly branch governing ten years. They used three days to represent one year. This is because a month consists of thirty days, with the cycle of new and full moons; a day consists of twelve hours, with the cycle of day and night. In total, the destiny for ten years is calculated as follows: three days contain thirty-six hours, which corresponds to the number of days in a year, which is three hundred and sixty. A month contains three hundred and sixty hours, and when adjusted according to the solar terms, the total becomes three thousand six hundred days, which is the duration of one earthly branch. In summary, the method of calculation must use the almanac of the day on which the person was born, counting the number of days and hours between the birth date and the solar term. For males born in a yang year and females born in a yin year, the major destiny periods are counted from the solar term that comes after the birth date, in a forward direction. For males born in a yin year and females born in a yang year, the major destiny periods are counted from the solar term that has already passed before the birth date, in a backward direction.

假如甲子陽男十二月二十四日已時生，是月也二十九日申時立春，陽男數以未來之日，自二十四日已時至二十五日已時方是一日之實數，至二十九日申時正得五日三時之節氣，實歷過六十三日折除，過六十三時折除，計六百三十日，乃一歲奇九月之大運；起於丁丑，必自十二月生日後，實經歷過二十有一之日，月運方移宮，是越三歲九月之內，方是甲子十二月生，行一歲奇九月之大運也。

For example, a male born in the Jiazi year, on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month at the Si hour, and the beginning of the solar year (Lichun) occurs at the Shen hour on the 29th day of that month. To calculate the future days for this male, he should count from the Si hour on the 24th day to the Si hour on the 25th day, which makes one full day, continuing until the Shen hour on the 29th day, totaling five days and three hours. Using the actual passage of 63 days and 63 hours, the total is 630 days, which equals one year and nine months. The big destiny (dai yun) starts from Dingchou. It must be twenty-one days after the birth month before the monthly destiny moves to the next palace. Continuing this way, after passing three years and nine months, this person's big destiny of one year and nine months begins.

凡行運，在干兼用地支之神，在支則棄天干之物。蓋大運重地支，故有行東方、南方、西方、北方之辨損。用神者欲運制之益，用神者欲運生之身。弱欲運引進旺鄉；官欲運生，不欲運傷；煞欲運制，不欲運助。財欲運扶，不欲運劫；印欲運旺，不欲運衰；食慾運生，不欲運梟絕。更看四柱強弱何如，原有原無，原輕原重。

When examining the progress of a person's fortune, if the heavenly stem is encountered, one should also consider the heavenly stem's associated earthly branch deity. However, when encountering an earthly branch, one can disregard the heavenly stem. Since the great destiny is based on the earthly branch, there are distinctions in the directions of East, South, West, and North. If the "useful god" harms the destiny, one hopes the great destiny will restrain it. If the "useful god" benefits the destiny, one hopes the great destiny will support it. For a weak body, one hopes the great destiny will bring it to a prosperous place. For official stars, one hopes the great destiny will generate them, not harm them. For seven evils, one hopes the great destiny will control them, not assist them. For wealth stars, one hopes the great destiny will support them, not steal them. For the mother star, one hopes the great destiny will strengthen it, not weaken it. For the food star, one hopes the great destiny will generate it, not let it be destroyed by the hawk star. In addition, one should also consider the strength of the original four pillars, whether the character exists in the original chart, and whether it is light or heavy in the original chart.

如木人用金為官，陽男運出未入申，陰男運出亥人戌；金人用木為財，陽男出丑入寅，陰男出已入辰，俱向祿臨馬。原有官，行官運發官；原有財，行財運發財；原有災，行災運發災。更看當生年時得氣渾淺，四柱得氣深，迎運便發，得氣淺，須交過運始發，得其中氣，運至中則發。

For example, a person with a wood destiny using metal as the official star, a yang male's big destiny moves from Wei to Shen, while a yin male's big destiny moves from Hai to Xu; a person with a metal destiny using wood as the wealth star, a yang male's big destiny moves from Chou to Yin, while a yin male's big destiny moves from Si to Chen. These are all ways of moving towards the official position and approaching the post-horse. If the original chart already has an official star, then when the official destiny comes, official positions are achieved; if the original chart already has a wealth star, then when the wealth destiny comes, wealth is obtained; if there is originally a disaster, then when the disaster destiny comes, disaster occurs. One must also examine the thickness or thinness of the qi obtained in the birth year and hour. If the four pillars have thick qi, then success comes immediately when the destiny arrives; if the qi is thin, then success comes only after passing that stage of destiny; if only the middle part of the qi is obtained, then success comes when the destiny reaches the middle stage.

凡行運，長生主有創建作新之事；到臨官、帝旺，主興盛快樂，發福進財，生子骨肉之慶；到衰病之鄉，多退敗、破財、疾病等事；到死絕鄉，主骨肉死喪，自身衰禍鈍悶，百事蹇塞；到敗運，主落魄懶惰，酒色昏迷；到胎庫成形、冠帶之鄉，百事得中，安康平易。凡行運至夾貴、華蓋、貴人，六合上，及乘生旺氣者，皆主善慶，仍須察當生根基，十分則應五分，生時則應十分，福與災同；凡行運至臨官、帝旺上，太歲持之，官員主薦事改秩之喜中。

When one's fortune reaches the position of "Longsheng" (Growth), it signifies the occurrence of new beginnings and innovations; when it reaches "Lin Guan" (Officialdom) and "Di Wang" (Prosperity), it indicates flourishing happiness, gaining blessings, wealth, and the joy of having children and increasing family members. When it reaches the places of "Shuai" (Decline) and "Bing" (Illness), there are often setbacks, financial loss, and illness. When it reaches "Si" (Death) and "Jue" (Cessation), it indicates the death of family members, personal decline leading to misfortune, dullness and distress, and obstacles in all affairs. When it reaches the "Bai" (Decline) fortune, it signifies being downcast and lazy, indulging in alcohol and pleasures. When it reaches the positions of "Tai" (Embryo), "Ku" (Repository), and "Guan Dai" (Capping), all affairs proceed smoothly and evenly, leading to health and ease. Whenever one's fortune encounters positions such as "Jia Gui" (Between Nobleman), "Huagai" (Huagai), "Gui Ren" (Nobleman), and "Liu He" (Six Harmony), as well as when it is accompanied by the vital and prosperous energy, it indicates good fortune and joyful events. However, one must still examine the original foundation at birth. If the foundation is only half, then the result will be half; if the foundation is full, then the result will be full. Whether encountering blessings or misfortunes follows the same principle. When one's fortune reaches "Lin Guan" (Officialdom) and "Di Wang" (Prosperity), and is supported by the current year's sovereign, officials will experience the joy of being recommended and promoted, and changes in rank.

夫大運司十年之休咎，小運掌一歲之災祥，是小運者補大運之不足而立名也。古人以男起丙寅順行，女起壬申逆行，一定而不可易也。解者謂男之陽火，元氣起戊子，三十丁已，十月至丙寅，此木生火；女之陰水，元氣起庚子，二十辛已，十月至壬申，為金生水，此其數也。

The small years (xiao yun) govern the fortune and misfortune of a single year, while the big years (da yun) govern the fortune and misfortune of a ten-year period. This shows that the concept of small years was established to supplement the shortcomings of the big years. In ancient times, for male destiny, the small years started from Bingyin and proceeded in a clockwise direction, while for female destiny, they started from Renshen and proceeded in a counterclockwise direction, and this was fixed and could not be changed. Explainers believe that for males, who belong to yang fire, the original energy starts from Wuzi, counts thirty positions to Dingsi, then counts ten months to Bingyin, which represents wood nurturing fire. For females, who belong to yin water, the original energy starts from Gengzi, counts twenty positions to Xinsi, then counts ten months to Renshen, which represents metal nurturing water. The starting points for the small years of males and females are thus calculated in this manner.

醉醒子以為男女小運皆由時生而行之，逆順亦以年定。如陽命陽年甲子時生墮地，即行乙丑，二歲丙寅，一位一年，周而復始，陰命陽年逆行亦然。嘗試用之，屢驗，亦要與大運及柱中用神日主較量吉凶。童限未交大運，專用此法；行死絕煞旺之宮，必有危難。先詳八字衰旺喜忌，然後以此參之，無不中矣。今之談命者只以大運為用，殊不知小運亦有緊關。大運雖吉，其小運不通，未可便言吉利；大運雖凶，其小運卻吉，未可便作凶推。此小運又名行年，不可不究。

Zuixingzi believed that the small years of both men and women should be calculated starting from the birth time and continuing in sequence. Whether they go in reverse or forward is still determined by the yin and yang of the birth year. For example, if someone born in a yang year has a yang destiny and is born at the Jiazi hour, they immediately enter Yichou at birth, Bingyin at two years old, and so on, with each heavenly stem and earthly branch governing one year, repeating cyclically. For a person born in a yang year with a yin destiny, the sequence is reversed, and the principle is the same. I have tried this method and found it to be repeatedly accurate. However, it must also be considered together with the big years and the useful god and the day ruler in the birth chart to determine fortune and misfortune. In childhood, before encountering the big years, this method is used exclusively; if one reaches a dead or dying place or a palace where malevolent stars are strong, there will certainly be danger. First, carefully examine the strength, favor, and disadvantages of the birth chart, then refer to the small years, and there will be no inaccuracy. Nowadays, people who talk about fate only know how to use the big years, but they do not realize that the small years also have important points: even if the big years are favorable, if the small years are not in harmony, it cannot be considered as favorable; even if the big years are unfavorable, but the small years are favorable, it cannot be judged as unfavorable. This small year is also called 'running year,' and it should not be overlooked.

夫太歲者，乃一歲之主宰，諸神之領袖。其說有二：如四柱中生年曰當生太歲，如逐年輪轉曰遊行太歲。當生太歲乃終身之主，其理已論於前；其逐年太歲游行十二宮，定一年之禍福，為四時之吉凶。蓋太歲如君也，大運如臣也。如君臣和悅，其年則吉；若值刑戰，其年則凶。經運：歲傷日干，有禍必輕；日犯歲君，災殃必重。

The "Tai Sui" is the master of the year, the leader of all deities. It has two interpretations: the "Dang Sheng Tai Sui," which refers to the stem and branch of the birth year in the four pillars, and the "You Xing Tai Sui," which changes every year. The Dang Sheng Tai Sui is the lifelong master, as explained before; the annual Tai Sui moves through the twelve earthly branches, determining the fortune and misfortune of the year, and governing the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the four seasons. The term "you xing" means that the master changes its stem and branch every year, and when it arrives at a particular branch, it oversees the affairs of that year. Generally speaking, the Tai Sui is like a sovereign, while the big destiny is like a minister: if the sovereign and minister are harmonious, the year is auspicious; if they clash or fight, the year is inauspicious. Old texts say: if the Tai Sui harms the day stem, the calamity will be light; if the day stem conflicts with the Tai Sui, the disaster will be severe.

此又分言：歲君傷日者，如庚年克甲日為偏官，譬君治臣，父治子，雖有災晦，不為大害，何則？上治其下，順也，其情尚未盡絕；日犯歲君，如甲日克戊年為偏財，譬臣其君，子其父，深為不利，何則？下凌上，逆也，其凶決不能免。若五行有救，四柱有情，如甲日克戊年，四柱原有庚申金，或大運中，亦有將甲木制伏純粹。不能克戊土為有救；如大運並四柱有一癸字與戊相合為有情。經云：壬以癸妹配戊，凶為吉兆。

Here we must distinguish further. When the year stem harms the day stem, for example, when Geng year overcomes Jia day, Geng is considered a biased official to Jia. It is like a superior governing a subordinate, or a father educating a son. Although there may be misfortune, it is not a great harm. Why? Because the superior governing the inferior is in harmony, and the relationship has not been severed. When the day stem conflicts with the year stem, for example, when Jia day overcomes Wu year, Wu is considered a biased wealth to Jia. It is like a subordinate bullying the superior, or a son offending his father, which is extremely unfavorable. Why? Because the inferior is overstepping the superior, which is against the natural order, and danger is inevitable. However, if there is a saving element in the Five Phases or if there is a harmonious relationship among the four pillars, the situation is different. For example, if Jia day overcomes Wu year, but there is originally Gengshen metal in the four pillars or also in the big destiny, which can completely restrain the Jia wood so that it cannot overcome Wu earth, this is called 'having a saving element'. Another example is when there is a character 'Kui' in the big destiny or the four pillars that combines with Wu, this is called 'having a harmonious relationship'. Old texts say: 'Nin marries her younger sister Kui to Wu, and misfortune turns into good fortune.'

又有真太歲、徵太歲之說。經云：生時相逢真太歲。假如甲子生人又見甲子年，謂之真太歲，又名轉趾煞，要大運日主與太歲相和相順，其年則吉；若值刑沖破害，與太歲互相戰克則凶。如癸已日逢丁亥流年；日干支沖剋太歲曰徵，運干支傷沖太歲亦曰徵，太歲干支沖日干支亦曰徵，其年則凶，災禍未免。

There are also terms called "true Tai Sui" and "征 Tai Sui." Old texts say that if the year of birth coincides with the current year's stem and branch, it is called "true Tai Sui." For example, someone born in the year Jiazi will encounter another Jiazi in the current year, which is called "true Tai Sui," also known as "zhuanzhi sha." In such a year, it is auspicious only if the big destiny and the day stem and branch harmonize with the Tai Sui; if they meet in conflict, break, damage, or harm, it will be inauspicious. For instance, if someone's day stem and branch is Guisi and the current year's stem and branch is Dinghai, the day stem and branch clash and control the Tai Sui, which is called "zheng." If the big destiny stem and branch clash and control the Tai Sui, it is also called "zheng." If the Tai Sui stem and branch clash and control the day stem and branch, it is called "zheng" as well. Such years are inauspicious and disasters are inevitable.

又如甲子流年又是甲子運，謂之歲運並臨，獨羊刃、七煞為凶，財、官、印綬亦吉。又如甲子日見甲子太歲，謂之日年相併，如君子得之，謂之君臣處會，其年利奏對，有面君之喜，若當省士人得之，有登薦仕進之象，又要與歲君帝座和協，方為奇特；若是常俗小人遇之，最為不善，若生時相和，為災稍輕。故經云：太歲當頭立，諸神不敢當，若無官事擾，定主見重喪。此之謂與！更加以勾林、元亡、咸池、孤苦、宅墓、病死、官符、喪吊、白虎、羊刃、暴敗、天厄諸凶煞並臨，禍患百出，甚者死。

For example, if the current year is Jiazi and the big destiny year is also Jiazi, this is called "years and destiny years coincide." Only when both the Yangren and the seven evils are present does it become ominous. If the coinciding elements are wealth stars, official stars, or educational stars, it remains auspicious. Another example is when a Jiazi day meets a Jiazi grand age, which is called "day and year coincide." A gentleman encountering this is called "emperor and minister meeting," indicating that this year is favorable for presenting petitions to the emperor and having the joy of meeting the sovereign. A candidate taking the imperial examination encountering this shows a favorable sign of being recommended and entering officialdom, but it must also harmonize with the imperial throne and the year's ruler to be truly remarkable. If a common person encounters this, it is most unfavorable. However, if the time of birth harmonizes with it, the misfortune is somewhat lighter. Therefore, old texts say: "The grand age stands at the head, all gods dare not resist. If there is no legal trouble, one must surely face a heavy loss." This is exactly what they mean. If additional ominous stars such as hook and net, origin and loss, Xianchi, loneliness and hardship, home and tomb, illness and death, official symbols, mourning and celebration, white tiger, Yangren, sudden collapse, and heavenly obstacles all come together, then numerous misfortunes will arise, and the worst cases may even lead to death.

假如甲日見戊年太歲，甲又生寅卯亥未，年月日時又重見甲乙字並克，戊年柱中無庚辛已酉丑金局制木，丙丁火局焚木者，太凶。如一命戊辰、戊午、戊戌、甲寅，羊刃倒戈，遇壬申年四月，項生惡瘡，頭將墮死；又一命乙丑、乙亥、壬申、乙已，運行辛未、丙寅，日干之壬克太歲之丙，日支之庚申克太歲之寅甲，又寅刑已，已刑申，刑寅，行辛未運，合太歲之木局傷官，皆不為吉，其年甲午火旺戰克，故死非命。

For example, if a day stem of Jia meets a year stem of Wu, and Jia is born in months of Yin, Mao, Hai, or Wei where wood is strong, and there are repeated appearances of Jia and Yi in the year, month, day, and hour columns all attacking Jia, and the Wu year column has neither Geng, Xin, nor the metal triad of Si-You-Chou to control wood, nor the fire triad of Bing and Ding to burn wood, it is extremely dangerous. There was a case with the pillars Wu Chen, Wu Wu, Wu Xu, and Jia Yin. The Yangren (sharpness) turned against itself. When he reached the year Renshen in the fourth month, he developed a malignant abscess on his neck, and his head almost fell off, leading to death. Another case had the pillars Yi Chou, Yi Hai, Ren Shen, and Yi Si. When he entered the Xin Wei and Bing Yin years, the day stem Ren attacked the year stem Bing, and the day branch Shen's Geng metal attacked the year stem Yin's Jia wood. Yin was in conflict with Si, Si was in conflict with Shen, and Shen was in conflict with Yin again. When he entered the Xin Wei year, it combined with the year's wood to form a wounded official (shang gan), which was not a good omen. In the year Jiawu, the fire was strong, and there was mutual conflict and attack, so he died an untimely death.

大抵日犯歲君，在五陽干則重，在五陰干則輕，若日干是天月德。太歲是用神則無咎，而反有獲；天沖地擊，柱中原有，流年再遇，亦無大咎；若太歲克當生時，或時克太歲，亦主有災，卻以子位斷之。

In general, when the day stem conflicts with the annual stem, it is more serious if it falls on the five yang stems, and less severe if it falls on the five yin stems. If the day stem itself is 'Heavenly Virtue' or 'Monthly Virtue', and the annual stem is also the useful god in the native's chart, then there is no fault, and there may even be some benefit. As for conflicts among heavenly stems and clashes among earthly branches, if these are already present in the native's chart, and they occur again in the current year, there will not be major problems. If the annual stem overcomes the time stem, or the time stem overcomes the annual stem, this indicates disaster, but the effect will be on the children's position.

夫太歲者，年中天子，一歲諸神煞之尊；統正方位，四送六氣，遷運四時以成歲功，至尊無上，若人遇克沖壓伏，皆為不詳之兆。運者協和二十四氣，般運一生休咎，扶持四柱，輔弼三元，運與流年二者相為表裡，乃人命禍福死生所繫，歲用天元，運用地支，凡行好運而日干傷流年天元，為福輕；若行不好運及脫財官運而日干傷歲干，為禍重，若是已發之命，禍患立至，凡行不好運，未可便言衰絕，大要知已發未發，其氣數已過未過言之。

The Supreme Sovereign of the Year is like the Son of Heaven, the supreme authority among all the divine influences of the year; it governs the four directions, conveys the four seasons' energies, and regulates the changing of the four seasons to complete the function of a year, being the highest and most exalted. If a person encounters something that overcomes, clashes with, suppresses, or subdues the Supreme Sovereign, it is an omen of misfortune. The Great Destiny, on the other hand, coordinates the twenty-four solar terms and carries the fortune and misfortune throughout one's life; it supports the four pillars of destiny and assists the three elements. The Great Destiny and the current year interact as yin and yang, and the fate, misfortune, and life and death of a person are all determined by these two factors. The Supreme Sovereign is mainly judged by the heavenly stem, while the Great Destiny is mainly judged by the earthly branch. If someone is experiencing good fortune but their day stem harms the heavenly stem of the current year, the fortune will be reduced. If someone is experiencing bad fortune or has already left the favorable destiny of wealth and official position, and their day stem again harms the heavenly stem of the current year, the misfortune will be more severe. If the person's destiny was already successful, misfortune will immediately arrive. When experiencing bad fortune, one should not hastily conclude it as a complete decline. It is crucial to determine whether the person's destiny has already been realized or not, and whether the particular period of fate has already passed or not, before making a judgment.

行運以生月為運元，最怕行運與太歲沖剋，若歲運沖月必禍；若歲運與日相對，謂之返吟，歲運壓日，謂之伏吟，二者不利六親，非橫破財，不為吉兆。凡歲運吉凶，當生天元，或支中原無官星，天元有正官或原有偏官制伏太過，運遇天元官星，亦可發福；支無財而運干是財，亦可發財；支無煞而運干是煞，亦足為禍。

The starting month column is called "yun yuan." The most dangerous situation is when the big year and the heavenly stem of the current year clash and control each other. If both the current year and the big year clash with the month column, misfortune is certain. If the current year and the big year directly clash with the day column, it is called "fan yin." If the current year and the big year have the same heavenly stem and earthly branch as the day column and are placed on top, it is called "fu yin." Both situations are unfavorable for the six relations, either causing unexpected accidents or financial loss, neither of which is a good omen. When judging the fortune or misfortune of the current year and big year, one must also refer to the heavenly stem of the birth time. If there is no official star in the earthly branch but there is an official star in the heavenly stem, or if there was originally a biased official star but it was overly restrained, then encountering the official star in the heavenly stem during the big year can bring good fortune. If there is no wealth in the earthly branch but the big year's heavenly stem is wealth, it can bring wealth. If there is no seven evil star in the earthly branch but the big year's heavenly stem is an evil star, it can bring misfortune.

晦氣者，乃不明之象，昏昧之道也，即甲已乙庚之例，以合則晦也，日干與時干不宜與太歲元天元合，合則名為晦氣。又要分日干合太歲，如甲日已年之例，太歲合日干，如已日甲年之例。甲合已災重，已合甲災輕，歲位近者災重，遠者災輕，如歲在日前五辰而遇合，謂之太歲入宅，晦氣臨門，主災厄。大運不宜與太歲相剋相沖，尤忌運克歲，與日犯同，主破耗喪事，有貴人祿馬解之稍吉，八字有救無虞。

The term "hui qi" refers to a state of dim light and unclear vision, meaning when a heavenly stem combines with another, such as Jia with Ji or Yi with Geng. When two stems combine, the light becomes obscured. It is not advisable for the day stem and the hour stem to combine with the heavenly stem of the year. When they do combine, it is called "hui qi." This situation can be divided into two cases: one is when the day stem combines with the year stem, such as Jia day meeting Ji year; the other is when the year stem combines with the day stem, such as Ji day meeting Jia year. If Jia combines with Ji, the disaster is severe; if Ji is combined with Jia, the disaster is lighter. The closer the position of the year stem is to the day stem, the heavier the disaster; the farther away, the lighter. For example, if the year stem is located five positions ahead of the day column and combines with the day stem, this is called "the year stem enters the house, hui qi arrives at the gate," indicating potential calamity. The big destiny (large destiny) should also avoid being in conflict or opposition with the year stem. It is especially unfavorable if the big destiny overcomes the year stem, which is similar to the day stem conflicting with the year stem, leading to financial loss and family misfortune. If there is a nobleman or a lucky position to rescue, it may turn into good fortune. If the birth chart already has a rescue, there is no need to worry.

夫合者，乃和諧之義，如陽見陽，二陽相競則為克，陰見陰，二陰不足則為克，唯陰見陽，陽見陰為合，亦如男女相合而成夫婦之道。東方甲乙木畏西方庚辛金克。甲屬陽為兄，乙屬陰為妹，甲兄遂將乙妹嫁金家，與庚為妻，所以乙與庚合。南方丙丁火畏北方壬癸水克。丙屬陽為兄，丁屬陰為妹，丙兄遂將丁妹嫁水家，與壬為妻，所以丁與壬合。

The term "he" refers to harmony. When a yang stem meets another yang stem, the two yangs contend with each other, resulting in a conflict. When a yin stem meets another yin stem, both yins are considered insufficient, also resulting in a conflict. Only when a yin stem meets a yang stem or a yang stem meets a yin stem is it called "he," just as a man and a woman are matched to form a husband and wife relationship. Among the ten heavenly stems, only those that are five positions apart from each other are considered to be in harmony. For example, Jia is five positions away from Ji, Yi is five positions away from Geng, and so on. The following five examples explain this principle using the analogy of a brother marrying his sister. The eastern wood stems, Jia and Yi, fear the western metal stems, Geng and Xin, which are considered to be in conflict. Jia is yang, representing an elder brother; Yi is yin, representing a younger sister. The elder brother Jia marries his younger sister Yi to the family of Geng, making her his wife, so Yi and Geng are in harmony. The southern fire stems, Bing and Ding, fear the northern water stems, Ren and Gui, which are considered to be in conflict. Bing is yang, representing an elder brother; Ding is yin, representing a younger sister. The elder brother Bing marries his younger sister Ding to the family of Ren, making her his wife, so Ding and Ren are in harmony.

中央戊己土畏東方甲乙木克。戊屬陽為兄，己屬陰為妹，戊兄遂將己妹嫁木家，與甲為妻，所以甲與己合。西方庚辛金畏南方丙丁火克。庚屬陽為兄，辛屬陰為妹，庚兄乃將辛妹嫁火家，與丙為妻，所以丙與辛合。北方壬癸水畏中央戊己土克。壬屬陽為兄，癸屬陰為妹，壬兄乃將癸妹嫁土家，與戊為妻，所以戊與癸合。

The central Wu and Ji earth are afraid of the eastern Jia and Yi wood which control them. Wu is yang, representing an elder brother; Ji is yin, representing a younger sister. The elder brother Wu marries his younger sister Ji to the wood family, giving her to Jia as a wife, so Jia and Ji are in harmony. The western Geng and Xin metal are afraid of the southern Bing and Ding fire which control them. Geng is yang, representing an elder brother; Xin is yin, representing a younger sister. The elder brother Geng marries his younger sister Xin to the fire family, giving her to Bing as a wife, so Bing and Xin are in harmony. The northern Ren and Gui water are afraid of the central Wu and Ji earth which control them. Ren is yang, representing an elder brother; Gui is yin, representing a younger sister. The elder brother Ren marries his younger sister Gui to the earth family, giving her to Wu as a wife, so Wu and Gui are in harmony. These five harmonies involve giving the younger sister in marriage to the party that controls the self, using marriage to resolve the controlling relationship.

甲與己何名為中正之合？甲，陽木也，其性仁，位處十干之首，己，陰土也，鎮靜淳篤，有生物之德，故甲己為中正之合。帶此合主人尊崇重大，寬厚平直。如帶煞而五行無氣則多嗔好怒，性梗不可屈。

Jia and Ji are said to form the "harmonious union of righteousness and correctness." Jia is a yang wood, embodying benevolence, and holds the first position among the ten heavenly stems. Ji is a yin earth, calm, sincere, and solid, possessing the virtue of nurturing all things. Therefore, Jia and Ji are called the "harmonious union of righteousness and correctness." Those whose fate includes this union are noble and lofty, with great capacity, broad-minded, and upright and straightforward. However, if they also carry malevolent stars and their five elements lack vitality, they may become easily angered, stubborn, and unwilling to yield to others.

乙與庚何名為仁義之合？乙，陰木也，其性仁而太柔，庚，陽金也，堅強不屈則剛柔相濟，仁義兼資。故主人果敢有守，不惑柔佞，周旋唯仁，進退唯義。五行生旺則骨秀形清，若死絕帶煞則使氣好勇，體貌不揚，自是非人。甲己、乙庚之合，婦人不忌。

Yi and Geng are said to form the union of "Ren and Yi" because Yi, being Yin Wood, is naturally inclined towards Ren (benevolence) but is too gentle and yielding; Geng, being Yang Metal, is strong and unwilling to bend. When they combine, they balance each other with firmness and flexibility, embodying both Ren and Yi. Therefore, the person is decisive and brave, with integrity, not easily swayed by flattery or deceit. In dealing with others, they act with benevolence, and in their actions, they follow righteousness. If the Five Phases are in a state of growth and strength, their physical features are refined and their appearance clear and bright. However, if they encounter death or decline and are accompanied by malevolent stars, they may become impulsive, quarrelsome, and aggressive, with an unremarkable appearance, self-opinionated, and looking down on others. The unions of Jia and Ji, as well as Yi and Geng, are not necessarily to be avoided in a woman's destiny.

丙與辛何名為威制之合？丙，陽火也，輝赫自盛，辛，陰金也，克刃喜煞。故丙辛為威制之合。主人儀表威肅，人多畏懼，酷毒，好賄喜淫，若帶煞或五行死絕則寡恩少義，無情之人。婦人得之，與天中、大耗、咸池相併者，貌美聲卑，夭冶而淫。

Jia and Xin are said to form a "compelling union" because Jia is yang fire, radiant and prominent, while Xin is yin metal, capable of overcoming Yangren and preferring the presence of seven evils. Therefore, Jia and Xin are called the "compelling union." The person with this union tends to have a dignified and solemn appearance, with many people fearing him. However, his nature is harsh and cruel, greedy for wealth, and fond of indulging in female company. If accompanied byInauspicious Sha orFive Phases dead ends, he becomes a person lacking mercy and righteousness, showing no compassion. A woman who has this union, along with Tianzhong, Dahuang, and Xianchi, is beautiful in appearance, has a soft voice, is alluring and unrestrained.

丁與壬何名為淫慝之合？壬者，純陰之水，三光不照，丁者，藏陰之火，自昧不明。故丁壬為淫慝之合。主人眼明神嬌，多情易動，不事高潔，習下無去，枕歡溺色，於我則吝，於彼則貪，若五行死絕或帶煞，見咸池、大耗、天中自敗，有淫汙家風之丑；親厚小人，侮慢君子，貪婪妄作，必勝而後已。婦人淫邪奸慝，易挑易誘，多招玷辱，或年高而嫁少夫，或年幼而配老夫，或先賤而後良，或先良而後賤。

Ding and Ren are said to form the "lewd and evil union" because Ding is an internal hidden yin fire that is itself obscure and unclear, while Ren is pure yin water that cannot be reached by the sun, moon, or stars. Therefore, the union of Ding and Ren is called the "lewd and evil union." The person with this union has bright eyes and a charming demeanor, is sentimental and easily moved, unwilling to maintain purity, and has a habit of descending into lowliness without restraint. They are greedy for pleasure and indulge in music and beauty. They are stingy with themselves but insatiable in their desires. If the Five Phases are dead or in decline, or if they are accompanied by Xianchi, Da Hao, or Tianzhong self-destruction, there may be disgraceful incidents of immorality and disgrace. They are close to petty people, disrespectful to gentlemen, greedy and reckless, and will not stop until they have gained the upper hand. Women with this union are easily tempted and may suffer disgrace and humiliation. They may marry a younger husband when they are old, or a older husband when they are young, or may start in a lowly position and then become respectable, or may start respectable and then fall into vice.

戊與癸何名為無情之合？戊，陽土也，是老丑之夫，癸，陰水也，是婆娑之婦，老陽而少陰，雖合而無情，主人或好或丑，如戊得癸則嬌媚，姿美得所，男子娶少婦，婦人嫁美夫；若癸得戊則形容古樸，老相俗塵，男子娶老妻，婦人嫁老夫。

The Heavenly Stem Wu combines with the Earthly Branch Gui, and this is called "the无情之合" or "inanimate union." Wu is a Yang Earth, like an old, unattractive husband; Gui is a Yin Water, like a graceful and charming wife. A mature Yang combines with a young Yin, and although they are compatible, there is little emotional connection. The appearance of the person may be beautiful or unattractive: if Wu is the day stem and Gui is present, it appears charming and well-proportioned, with a youthful wife for a man or a handsome husband for a woman; if Gui is the day stem and Wu is present, it appears old-fashioned and somewhat unappealing, with an old wife for a man or an old husband for a woman.

閻東叟云：以十干為四候，十五日為一候，十二日為進神候，外三日為交退伏神候。故甲子為第一進神，則丙子、丁丑、戊寅為交退伏神；己卯為第二進神，則辛卯、壬辰、癸巳為交退退伏神；甲午為第三進神，則丙午、丁未、戊申為交退伏神；己酉為第四進神，則辛酉、壬戌、癸亥為交退伏神。值進神則發跡亨快，值交神則庶事不諧，值退神則官資降黜，值伏神則所作滯留。

Yan Dongshou said: The ten heavenly stems are divided into four periods, each period consisting of fifteen days, of which twelve days are "Advancing Gods" period, and the remaining three days are "Meeting God," "Retreating God," and "Hidden God" periods. Therefore, Jiazi is the first Advancing God, and Bingzi, Dingchou, and Wuyin are its Meeting, Retreating, and Hidden God periods respectively; Jimao is the second Advancing God, and Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi are its Meeting, Retreating, and Hidden God periods respectively; Jiawu is the third Advancing God, and Bingwu, Dingwei, and Wushen are its Meeting, Retreating, and Hidden God periods respectively; Jiyou is the fourth Advancing God, and Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai are its Meeting, Retreating, and Hidden God periods respectively. If one's fate is associated with Advancing Gods, they will achieve success and prosperity quickly; if associated with Meeting Gods, things will not go as desired; if associated with Retreating Gods, official positions and salaries will be reduced; if associated with Hidden Gods, all affairs will stagnate. The purpose of this division is: within a period of fifteen days, the first twelve days have an advancing energy, while the last three days have an energy that has turned and retreated, so within the same period, good and bad fortune are divided into two parts, before and after.

復陽子曰：“十干合而化者，陰陽之配，夫婦之道也。”遇六合，合遁三則化。以五子餘數至已上得合；既合，遁虎統龍，龍主陽，得司天而成變化者也。子者，坎之位，天一生水媾精之象，胎娠陽中。故男子從子左行三十至巳，陽也，故三十而娶，女子從子右行二十至巳，陰也，故二十而嫁。此人事合五行之造化，詎可過於此期哉？

Fuyangzi said, "The ten heavenly stems combine and transform, representing the pairing of yin and yang, the principle of husband and wife." Whenever the Six Harmony occurs, one starts counting the hidden numbers from the point of combination and reaches the third position to achieve transformation. Using the remainders of Jiazi, Bingzi, Wuzi, Gengzi, and Renzi, one counts down to the position of Si, thus determining the paired stems. Once paired, one starts counting from Yin the Tiger and proceeds to Chen the Dragon. The Dragon governs yang, thus controlling the weather and causing transformation. Zi is the position of the Kan hexagram, symbolizing the image of "Heaven produces water" where the union of male and female essence occurs, and the embryo develops within yang energy. Therefore, men count thirty to Si from the Zi position to the left, which is yang number, hence thirty years old for marriage; women count twenty to Si from the Zi position to the right, which is yin number, hence twenty years old for marriage. This aligns human affairs with the transformation of the Five Phases. How can marriage be delayed beyond this time?

東壬子，至丁巳六數。故丁與壬合，丁壬化木。甲德統龍。南戊子，至癸巳六數。故戊與癸合，戊癸化火。丙德統龍。西庚子，至乙巳六數。故乙與庚合，乙庚化金。庚德統龍。中甲子，至己巳六數。故甲與己合。甲己化土。戊德統龍。北丙子，至辛巳六數。故丙與辛合，丙辛化水。壬德統龍。

The East starts from Renzi, counting to Dingsi, which is six positions, so Dingsi combines with Renzi, forming wood, governed by Jia's virtue. The South starts from Wuzi, counting to Guisi, which is six positions, so Guisi combines with Wuzi, forming fire, governed by Bing's virtue. The West starts from Gengzi, counting to Yisi, which is six positions, so Yisi combines with Gengzi, forming metal, governed by Geng's virtue. The Center starts from Jiazi, counting to Jisi, which is six positions, so Jisi combines with Jiazi, forming earth, governed by Wu's virtue. The North starts from Bingzi, counting to Xinsi, which is six positions, so Xinsi combines with Bingzi, forming water, governed by Ren's virtue.

甲己之歲，戊德統龍以土，司化鈞天土氣；乙庚之歲，庚德統龍以金，司化顥天金氣；丙辛之歲，壬德統龍以水，司化玄天水氣；丁壬之歲，甲德統龍以木，司化蒼天木氣；戊癸之歲，丙德統龍以火，司化炎天火氣。統龍天德，上下臨御以成變化，品彙咸亨。故丙遇辛，得申子辰而奮發；乙遇庚，得已酉丑而掀轟；丁遇壬，得亥卯未而清貴；戊遇癸，得寅午戌而榮顯；甲遇己，得辰戌丑未而旺相。是以五運以五宮為正廟，我入母宮為福德，我入子宮為漏洩，我入鬼宮為刑傷，我入妻宮為財帛；子反能剋制於凶煞，仍究煞氣制之。所以五運造化無窮，唯生剋制化。

In the years of Jia and Ji, the Heavenly Virtue is governed by Wu and focuses on the earth, controlling the earth's energy of the celestial realm. In the years of Yi and Geng, the Heavenly Virtue is governed by Geng and focuses on metal, controlling the golden energy of the celestial realm. In the years of Bing and Xin, the Heavenly Virtue is governed by Ren and focuses on water, controlling the dark energy of the celestial realm. In the years of Ding and Ren, the Heavenly Virtue is governed by Jia and focuses on wood, controlling the green energy of the celestial realm. In the years of Wu and Gui, the Heavenly Virtue is governed by Bing and focuses on fire, controlling the fiery energy of the celestial realm. The Heavenly Virtue of the dragon governs all directions, thus bringing about transformations and ensuring the prosperity of all things. Therefore, when Bing meets Xin and the water trinity of Shen-Zi-Chen is present, one can rise suddenly. When Yi meets Geng and the metal trinity of Si-You-Chou is present, one can achieve great fame. When Ding meets Ren and the wood trinity of Hai-Mao-Wei is present, one can attain noble status. When Wu meets Gui and the fire trinity of Yin-Wu-Xu is present, one can achieve honor and prominence. When Jia meets Ji and the earth trinity of Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei is present, one can achieve prosperity and strength. Therefore, the five movements are based on the five palaces of their respective directions: when the transformed spirit enters the mother palace that generates me, it is called 'Fortune Virtue'; when it enters the child palace that I generate, it is called 'leakage'; when it enters the ghost palace that controls me, it is called 'punishment'; and when it enters the wife palace that I control, it is called 'wealth'. The spirit of the child palace can also restrain evil influences, but one must still check whether the evil influences have been subdued. Thus, the transformations of the five movements are endless, all depending on the four characters of generation, control, restriction, and transformation.

三車以甲己年遁起，丙寅至戊辰三數，數至三則變化，辰為龍，亦能變化，故甲己、乙庚、丙辛、丁壬、戊癸隨其所屬天干而得其氣。又曰：甲己丙作首，丙屬火，火生土，故化土。餘例推。其說不外前理。大凡化氣，只取日干而言配合之神。或年月與時皆可用，但要日辰得旺氣於時；若不得月中旺氣，只時上旺氣，亦可；尚得月中旺氣而時上不乘旺氣則不可；若月與日時俱得旺氣，方為全吉。

The "San Che Yi Lian" takes the example of the遁 (transformation) starting from Jia year and Ji year: counting from Bingyin to Wuchen is three steps, and when the count reaches three, a change occurs; Chen is also the dragon, which itself can change, so each group of Jia and Ji, Yi and Geng, Bing and Xin, Ding and Ren, Wu and Gui follows the corresponding qi according to their heavenly stem. Another saying is that in the first month of Jia year and Ji year, the count starts from Bingyin, Bing belongs to fire, and fire can generate earth, so it transforms into earth; the other groups follow the same logic. These explanations do not go beyond the previous reasoning. Generally speaking, when discussing transformation qi, only the day stem is considered in relation to its matching heavenly stem; the heavenly stems in the year, month, and hour can also be used, but the day branch must have a strong qi in the hour. If the month's qi is not strong, but the hour's qi is strong, it is still acceptable; however, if the month's qi is strong but the hour's qi is not, it is not acceptable; only when both the month and the hour have strong qi is it considered fully auspicious.

甲己化土，非辰戌丑未月不化，其次午月亦化，有戊字間之則不化，名曰妒合。凡辰戌丑未生人，柱有已亥為受氣臨官，至晚年不吉，有官奪官，有財奪財。夫受氣臨官，長生第四位也，以干為主，雙犯則應，餘月不應，又曰：甲己化土，切要木為官，得亥卯、亥未為官，戊癸氣為福，忌見丁壬日時。

Heavenly Stems Jia and Ji form the earth element. If they are born in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, the transformation into earth does not occur. If born in the month of Wu, the transformation can still happen. However, if there is a Wu in between, the transformation is blocked, which is called "du he". Those born in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, if their chart contains Ji Hai, it is called "shou qi lin guan", which brings misfortune in old age. If there is an official star, it will be taken away; if there is a wealth star, it will be taken away. "Shou qi lin guan" refers to the fourth position in the sequence of growth. When both the heavenly stem and the earthly branch are involved, the effect is realized. In other months, the effect does not occur. Another view states that Jia and Ji forming earth, the key is to have wood as the official star. If there is亥卯 or亥未, it is considered having an official star. The energy of Wu and Gui can bring good fortune, but it is inauspicious to see the day or hour of Ding or Ren.

乙庚化金，非已酉丑月不化，其次七月亦化，有甲字間之則不化，名曰妒合。凡已酉丑生人，柱有庚申為受氣臨官，晚年不佳。又曰：乙庚化金，切要火為官，故喜丙丁己午甲己為福，忌見戊癸日時。丙辛化水。非申子辰月不化，其次十月亦化，柱有丁字不化，名曰妒合。凡申子辰生人見癸亥，名曰受氣臨官，亦主晚年不佳。又曰：丙辛化水，切要土為官，得辰戌丑未為官，乙庚為福，忌見甲己日時。

Yi and Geng form the metal trinity, but it cannot be formed if born in the months of Si, You, or Chou. If born in the seventh month, it can still form the trinity. However, if there is a Ji in between, it cannot form, which is called jealous combination. Those born in the months of Si, You, or Chou, if their chart contains Geng and Shen, it is called receiving the officialdom, and they will have an unsatisfactory later life. Another view says that Yi and Geng forming metal trinity depends on fire as the official star, so it prefers丙, 丁, 己, and Wu. The qi of Ji and Wu can bring good fortune, but it is bad to see Wu and Gui in the day or hour. Chen and Xin form the water trinity, but it cannot be formed if born in the months of Shen, Zi, or Chen. If born in the tenth month, it can still form the trinity. However, if there is a Ding in between, it cannot form, which is called jealous combination. Those born in the months of Shen, Zi, or Chen, if their chart contains Gui and Hai, it is called receiving the officialdom, and they will have an unsatisfactory later life. Another view says that Chen and Xin forming water trinity depends on earth as the official star, so having Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei is considered having an official position. The qi of Yi and Geng can bring good fortune, but it is bad to see Ji and Wu in the day or hour.

丁壬化木，非亥卯未月不化，其次正月亦化，柱有丙字不化，名曰妒合。亥卯未生人見甲寅，名曰受氣臨官，晚年不佳。又曰：丁壬化木，切要庚辛申酉為官，丙辛為福，忌見乙庚日時。戊癸化火，非丙午戌月不化，其次四月亦化，柱有己字不化，名曰妒合。凡寅午戌生人見丁已為受氣臨官，晚年不佳。又曰：戊癸化火，切要壬癸亥子為官，丁壬為福，忌見丙辛日時。

Ding and Ren form a Wood transformation, but it cannot be formed if born in the month of Hai, Mao, or Wei. If born in the first month, it can still form. If there is a character of Bing in the pillar, it will not form, which is called "du he." Those born in the months of Hai, Mao, or Wei who see Jiayin are called "receiving the officialdom," which indicates an unfavorable later life. Another view says that for Ding and Ren forming Wood, the key is to have Geng, Xin, Shen, or You as official stars. The presence of Ding and Ren can bring good fortune, but it is to be avoided to see Yi or Geng on the day, month, or hour. Wu and Gui form a Fire transformation, but it cannot be formed if born in the month of Bing, Wu, or Xu. If born in the fourth month, it can still form. If there is a character of Ji in the pillar, it will not form, which is called "du he." Those born in the months of Yin, Wu, or Xu who see Dingsi are called "receiving the officialdom," which indicates an unfavorable later life. Another view says that for Wu and Gui forming Fire, the key is to have Ren, Gui, Hai, or Zi as official stars. The presence of Wu and Gui can bring good fortune, but it is to be avoided to see Bing or Xin on the day, month, or hour.

甲己化土，喜戊辰時生，四季月其土成象，柱中生旺，有氣為上。不可見火，見火則虛，見木氣則克壞。是甲己日怕丙丁時，餘月喜丙。乙庚化金，喜庚辰時生，申酉月其金成象。喜戊土相生，甲己為福。不喜死敗，故此月有乙庚日怕子寅時。丙辛化水，喜壬辰時生，亥子月其水成象。愛庚字相生之氣，乙庚為福。故此月有丙辛日怕卯已時。丁壬化木，喜甲辰時生，寅卯月其木成象。喜丙辛為福。故此月有丁壬日怕午申時。戊癸化火，喜丙辰時生，已午月其火成象。愛甲字相生，丁壬為福。怕卯酉日時，若犯戊已，是火見土，即暗伏不明。

Heavenly Stems Jia and Ji generate Earth. They prefer to be born in the hour of Wuchen. Earth can take form only in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei. If the pillar also has a birth or strength, and the transformed element is strong, it is excellent. Fire should not be present, as it would make the earth empty. If wood is present, it would harm the earth. Therefore, on days of Jia or Ji, the hours of Bing or Ding are feared. In other months, the hours of Bing are preferred. Heavenly Stems Yi and Geng generate Metal. They prefer to be born in the hour of Gengchen. Metal can take form only in the months of Shen and You. They like the presence of Wu Earth to generate them, and the energy of Ji and Jia can bring good fortune. They dislike being in dead or failed positions. Therefore, on days of Yi or Geng, the hours of Zi or Yin are feared. Heavenly Stems Bing and Xin generate Water. They prefer to be born in the hour of Renchen. Water can take form only in the months of Hai and Zi. They like the presence of Geng to generate them, and the energy of Yi and Geng can bring good fortune. Therefore, on days of Bing or Xin, the hours of Mao or Si are feared. Heavenly Stems Ding and Ren generate Wood. They prefer to be born in the hour of Jiachen. Wood can take form only in the months of Yin and Mao. They like the presence of Bing and Xin to generate them, and the energy of Bing and Xin can bring good fortune. Therefore, on days of Ding or Ren, the hours of Wu and Shen are feared. Heavenly Stems Wu and Gui generate Fire. They prefer to be born in the hour of Bingchen. Fire can take form only in the months of Si and Wu. They like the presence of Jia to generate them, and the energy of Ding and Ren can bring good fortune. They fear the hours and days of Mao and You. If they also meet Wu or Ji, it is like fire meeting earth, which makes the fire dim and unclear.

丙寅辛卯、丙辰辛卯、庚申乙酉、庚戌乙酉、己亥甲子，己丑甲子，癸已戊午、癸未戊午、戊子癸丑、戊寅癸丑、酉甲戌、己亥天戌、乙已庚辰、乙卯庚辰、壬午丁未、壬申丁未，以上地支相連，是同氣也，故為正化。

Bingyin pairs with Xinmao, Bingchen pairs with Xinmao, Gengshen pairs with Yiyou, Gengxu pairs with Yiyou, Jihai pairs with Jiazi, Jichou pairs with Jiazi, Guisi pairs with Wuwu, Guiwei pairs with Wuwu, Wuzi pairs with Guichou, Wuyin pairs with Guichou, and in the following list, Yisi pairs with Gengchen, Yimao pairs with Gengchen, Renwu pairs with Dingwei, Renshen pairs with Dingwei. These pairs of columns have their earthly branches connected in sequence and share the same energy flow, so they are called "zhenghua." Among them, the entries "You Jia Xu" and "Ji Hai Tian Xu" have missing characters in the original text, making them unreadable, so they are retained as they are without modification.

有轉角進化。干合中見支辰，四角相順連，如甲辰見己已之類。日時遇之，成立功名不難。有轉角退化。干合中見支午，四角相返連，如甲午見己已之類。日時遇之，功名差晚，到好處多退減，歲運逢之亦歇滅。有座下自化，乃壬午、丁亥、戊子、甲午、辛已、癸已，丁祿在午，壬與丁合，壬祿在亥，丁與壬合之例。壬午、丁亥為福最深，戊子聰明，辛已權謀，甲午亦作小亨，癸已貴中有酒色之疾。

There is another type called "turning corner evolution": when two columns with heaven stems that are compatible contain the branch of Chen, the four corner stems and branches connect in sequence. For example, Jiachen paired with Jisi. If this appears in the day column and hour column, it is not difficult to achieve fame and success. Another type is called "turning corner regression": when two columns with heaven stems that are compatible contain the branch of Wu, the four corner stems and branches connect in reverse order. For example, Jiawu paired with Jisi. If this appears in the day column and hour column, fame and success come later, and even when reaching success, it is often reduced or obstructed. Similarly, when encountering this in the year or the fortune, it will also lead to decline. There is also another type called "self transformation in the seat," which refers to the groups of Renwu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jiawu, Xinsi, and Guisi. The stem Ding's strength is in Wu, and Ren is compatible with Ding. The stem Ren's strength is in Hai, and Ding is compatible with Ren. This is the example given. Among these, Renwu and Dinghai bring the deepest fortune, Wuzi indicates intelligence, Xinsi indicates skillful strategies, Jiawu indicates some success, and Guisi indicates noble status but with illness caused by indulgence in alcohol and women.