Six Relations Theory

壬辰　己酉　辛丑　癸巳／戊申　丁未　丙午　己巳　甲辰　癸卯　壬寅。辛金生於仲秋，支全金局，五行無木，火已成金，必無用官之理。喜其壬癸並透，洩其精英，為了聰明端謹，頗知詩禮。所惜者，十九歲運走丁未，南方火旺，生土逼水，流年庚戌，支全克水，無子而夭。

Four Pillars: Renchen year, Jiyou month, Xinchou day, Guisi hour; the big years are Wushen, Dingwei, Bingwu, Jiisi, Jiachen, Guimao, Renyin. Xin metal is born in the middle of autumn in the eighth month, and the earthly branches Si, You, and Chou form a triple harmony of metal. Among the five phases, there is no wood, and even the fire of Si has been transformed into the metal triple harmony, so there is no reason to use the official star as a basis. Fortunately, Ren water and Gui water appear on the heavenly stem, releasing the essence of metal, so this person is intelligent and cautious, and quite knowledgeable in poetry, books, and etiquette. Unfortunately, at the age of nineteen, the big year reached Dingwei, which is in the southern direction with strong fire, fire generates earth, and earth suppresses water; in the year Gengxu, the earthly branches have earth power that attacks water, and she eventually died childless at an early age.

甲午　丙寅　乙卯　己卯／乙丑　甲子　癸亥　壬戌　辛酉　庚申　己未　戊午。旺木逢火，通明之象，妙在金水全無，純清不雜，為了端莊。以丙火為夫，惜運走北方水地，壽亦不永，生三子留一。至壬運，克丙火而阻矣。設使兩造運皆順行，不特壽長，若男造名利兩全，女造則夫榮子貴也。

Four pillars: Jia Wu year, Bing Yin month, Yi Mao day, Ji Mao hour; the big years are Yi Chou, Jia Zi, Gui Hai, Ren Xu, Xin You, Geng Shen, Ji Wei, Wu Wu. Strong wood meets fire, which is the image of "wood and fire communicating clearly." It is wonderful that metal and water are entirely absent, making it pure and uncluttered, so the person is dignified. The propitious fire is the husband's star. Unfortunately, the destiny moves to the northern water regions, leading to a short life; she had three sons but only one remained. When the destiny reaches the Ren year, the Ren water overcomes the Bing fire, and she passes away. This destiny, compared to the previous one, if the big years were to proceed smoothly through wood and fire regions, not only would longevity be possible, but for a male destiny, he would achieve both fame and fortune, and for a female destiny, she would have a prosperous husband and sons.

丁未　壬寅　乙卯　己卯／癸卯　甲辰　乙巳　丙午　丁未　戊申　己酉　庚戌。春木森森，旺之極矣。時干己土無根，以丁火為主。丁壬之合，去水卻妙，化木不宜，所以出身貧寒。喜其運走南方火地，不但幫夫興家，而且子息亦多，壽至申運，壬水逢生而阻。此與前造論之，不及前造，此造由行運不背，故勝之。然而命好不如運好，男女皆然也。

Four pillars: Dingwei year, RENYIN month, YIMAO day, JIMAO hour; the big years are GUIMAO, JIACHEN, YISI, BINGWU, DINGWEI, WUSHEN, JIYOU, GENGXU. In spring, the wood is flourishing and very strong. The dry earth in the hour has no root and is not useful, so we take the Ding fire in the year pillar as the main element. The Ding and Ren combine, and although it is good that the Ren water is removed, if it turns into wood, it is not suitable, so she was born into poverty. Fortunately, her big years go to the southern fire land, which not only helps her husband to establish a family, but also gives her many children. She dies when she reaches the Wushen big year, because the REN water meets the SHEN metal and is born. Comparing this chart with the previous one, the original chart is not as good as the previous one, but because this chart's big years do not contradict the original chart, it is actually better than the previous one. This shows that "a good fate is not as good as a good fortune," whether it is a man's or a woman's chart.

論財論殺論精神，四柱和平易養成，氣勢攸長無削喪，殺關雖有不傷身。原注：財神不黨七殺，主旺精神貫足，干支安頓和平。又要看氣勢，如氣勢在日主，而日主雄壯者；氣勢在財官，而財官不叛日主；氣勢在東南，而五七歲之前，不行西北；氣勢在西北，而五七歲之前，不行東南。行運不逢前喪，此為氣勢攸長，雖有關殺，亦不傷身。

When assessing the destiny of a child, one should consider the wealth star, the seven killers, and the spirit: if the four pillars are harmonious, the child is easier to raise. If the momentum is continuous and not diminished, even if there are "obstacles" in the fate, they will not harm the body. The original commentary says: if the wealth star does not join forces with the seven killers, the day master is strong and the spirit is sufficient, and the heavenly stems and earthly branches are arranged in a peaceful manner, this is good. One should also examine the momentum: if the momentum is directed towards the day master and the day master is strong; if the momentum is in the wealth and official positions and the wealth and official positions do not contradict the day master; if the momentum is in the southeast direction and before the age of five to seven, the child does not travel in the northwest direction; if the momentum is in the northwest direction and before the age of five to seven, the child does not travel in the southeast direction — if the child's journey does not encounter the aforementioned diminishing factors, this is called "continuous momentum." Even if the fate includes obstacles, they will not harm the body.

任氏曰：小兒之命，每見清奇可愛者難養，混濁可憎者易成，雖關家門之氣數，亦看根源之淺深。且小兒之命，是猶果苗之初出，宜乎培植得好，固不待言。然未生之前，父母不禁房事，毒受胎中；既生之後，過於愛惜，或飲食無忌，或寒暖不調，因之疾病多端，每至無成。尚有積惡之家，而無餘憂，雖小兒之命，清奇純粹者，所以難養也。有第關於墳墓陰陽之忌，遷改損壞，以致夭亡。故小兒之命，不易看也。

Ren Tieqiao said: The fate of a child is often such that those who appear clear and lovely are hard to raise, while those who are dull and unattractive are easier to grow up. This is certainly related to the family's destiny, but also depends on the depth of the root of the child's fate. A child's fate is like a young seedling of a fruit tree just emerging from the soil; it should be well cultivated, which is self-evident. However, before birth, if the parents do not control their sexual activities and the fetus is already poisoned; after birth, if the child is overly indulged, or if there are no restrictions on diet, or if the child is not properly cared for in terms of cold and warmth, then many diseases will arise, and the child often cannot grow up. There are also families with accumulated evil deeds, whose blessings have been exhausted with no remaining good fortune, so even if the child's fate is clear and pure, it is still difficult to raise. There are also cases where the child dies young due to the忌讳 of the tomb's风水 and yin and yang, and the relocation or reconstruction of the tomb causing damage. Therefore, the fate of a child is indeed not easy to see.

除此數端之外，然後論命，必須四柱和平，不偏不枯，無沖無克，根通月之，氣貫生時，殺旺有印，印弱有官，官衰有財，財輕有食傷，生化有情，流通不悖，或一神得用，始終相托，或兩意情通，互相疪護，未交運而流年平順，既交運而運途安祥，此謂氣勢攸長，自然易養成人，反此則難養矣。其餘關殺多端，盡皆謬妄，欲以何等惑人，則造何等神殺，必宜一切掃除，以絕將來之謬。

After considering the above points, one can then discuss a person's destiny. It is essential that the four pillars are in harmony, not biased or extreme, without conflicts or mutual suppression. The vital elements should be connected with the month's stem, and the energy should flow smoothly to the time of birth. If the seven deadly enemies are strong, there should be a beneficial star to transform them; if the beneficial star is weak, there should be an official star to nourish it; if the official star is weak, there should be a wealth star to support it; if the wealth star is light, there should be food or injury stars to generate it. The transformations should be harmonious and the flow should be unimpeded. Alternatively, a single celestial element should be effective and supported throughout, or two celestial elements should be in harmony, protecting each other. Before entering the major years, the stream years should be smooth, and after entering the major years, the fortune path should be peaceful—this is called 'long-lasting energy,' which naturally makes it easy to raise a person. Conversely, if this is not the case, it is difficult to raise a person. As for the numerous 'obstacles and evils' mentioned elsewhere, they are all baseless and absurd. They create various deities and evils to deceive people, so they must all be completely discarded to prevent future errors.

辛丑　癸巳　丙子　丁酉／壬辰　辛卯　庚寅　己丑　戊子　丁亥。丙火生於巳月，雖云建祿，五行無木生助。天干既透財官，地支不宜再見酉子，更不宜再會金局，則巳火之祿，非日干有也。雖丁火可以幫身，癸水傷之，謂財多身弱，兼之官星又旺，日主虛弱極矣。且初交壬運逢殺，辛亥年天干逢壬癸克丙丁，地支亥沖巳破祿，運根拔盡，得疳疾而亡。

Four Pillars:Xinchou year, Guisi month, Bingzi day, Dingyou hour; the big years are Renchen, Xinmao, Gengyin, Jichou, Wuzi, Dinghai. The day stem 丙 fire is born in the巳 month, though it is called "built禄", but there is no wood in the Five Phases to nourish it. The heavenly stem already reveals the wealth star 辛 gold and the official star 癸 water, so the earth branch should not again appear with 酉 gold and 子 water, let alone form a gold circle. In this case, the禄 of the day stem does not belong to the day stem. Although the heavenly stem 丁 fire supports the day stem, it is harmed by 癸 water, which is called "wealth abundance but body weak". Moreover, the official star is strong, making the day stem extremely weak. Furthermore, when entering the壬 year, it meets the seven killers. In the Xinhai year, the heavenly stem壬癸 water harms 丙丁 fire, and the earth branch亥 water conflicts with巳 fire, breaking the禄 root. The life root is completely destroyed, leading to the sufferer of malnutrition and early death.

癸丑　己未　丙寅　辛卯／戊午　丁巳　丙辰　乙卯　甲寅　癸丑。前造因財官太旺，以致夭亡，此則日坐長生，又生夏令，財官為用，傷官為喜，傷生財，財又生官，似乎生化有情。殊不知前則財多身弱，以官作殺，此則財絕官休，恐難厚享。癸水官星生未月，火土枯干，餘氣在丑，蓄水藏金，然己土當頭傷癸，丑未沖去金水根源，時上辛又臨絕，雖有若無，焉能生遠隔之水？則己土亦不能生隔絕之金。且運走東南木火這地，斷非守業之人也。

Four pillars:Guichou year, Jiwei month, Bingyin day, Xinmao hour; the big years are Wuwu, Dingsi, Bingchen, Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou. The previous case had excessive wealth and official stars, leading to an early death. This case has the day's main star sitting on the寅 wood which is in its growth phase, and it is born in the summer season. Therefore, wealth and official stars are used, and the wounded official is considered a good element. The wounded official generates wealth, and wealth generates official stars, which seems harmonious. However, the previous case had excessive wealth and a weak body, making the official star turn into a seven killer. In this case, wealth has already died out and the official star is in rest, so it is likely difficult to enjoy great blessings. The癸 water official star is born in the未 month, where fire and earth are dry and barren, leaving only the residual energy in丑 to store water and hide metal. However, the己 earth is at the top and harms the癸 water. The丑 and 未 conflict, scattering the source of metal and water. The辛 gold at the hour is in its dead place, so it is almost nonexistent, how can it generate the distant癸 water? The己 earth also cannot generate the isolated辛 gold. Moreover, the journey through the southeast wood and fire regions will certainly not allow one to maintain family property.

庚戌　壬午　丙寅　己亥／癸未　甲申　乙酉　丙戌　丁亥　戊子。丙用壬殺，身強殺淺，以殺化權；更喜財滋弱殺，定然名利雙全。惜支全火局，寅亥又化木而生火，年月之庚壬無根而少生扶，至丁巳年，巳亥沖去壬水之祿，丁火合去壬水之用，死於疳症。

Four pillars: born in the year of Geng Xu, in the month of Ren Wu, on the day of Bing Yin, and at the hour of Ji Hai; the big years are in order Gui Wei, Ji Shen, Yi You, Bing Xu, Ding Hai, and Wu Zi. The Bing fire takes Ren water as the seven killer, and since the body is strong but the killer is weak, it is appropriate to "transform the killer into power." It is even more favorable to have Geng metal wealth star nourish the weak killer, and the person should naturally achieve both fame and fortune. Unfortunately, the earth branches Yin, Wu, and Xu form a fire group, and Yin and Hai combine to form wood, which nourishes fire. The heavenly stem Geng metal and the heavenly stem Ren water have no roots and lack support. In the year of Ding Si, the Si and Hai branches clash, which removes the禄 root of Ren water; the fire also combines with the water, removing the useful god, and the child died from malnutrition.

壬申　戊申　壬申　戊申／己酉　庚戌　辛亥　壬子　癸丑　甲寅。壬水生於秋令，地支皆坐長生，天干兩戊兩壬，大勢觀之，支全一氣，兩干不雜，且殺印相生，為大貴之格。不知金多水濁，母多子病，四柱無火克金，金反不能生水，戊土之菁華盡洩於金，謂偏枯之象，必然難養，名利皆虛，果死於三歲甲戌年。

Four pillars: Renshen year, Wushen month, Renshen day, Wushen hour; the big years are Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin. The壬water is born in autumn, with all four earthly branches sitting on Sheng metal, and two戊and two壬in the heavenly stems. From the overall perspective, the earthly branches are pure and unified, the heavenly stems are not mixed, and the seven deadly enemies戊earth generate the mother, which in turn nourishes the self. This seems like a very prosperous pattern. But it is unknown that too much metal makes the water turbid - too many mothers lead to illness in the son. There is no fire in the four pillars to control the metal, so the metal cannot generate water, and the essence of the戊earth is entirely drained by the metal. This is called the 'one-sided' pattern, which inevitably leads to difficulty in nurturing, and fame and fortune are all empty. Indeed, he died at the age of three in the Jiaxu year.

壬申　甲辰　壬申　戊申／乙巳　丙午　丁未　戊申　己酉　庚戌。壬水生於季春，似乎殺印相生，地支三遇長生，食神制殺為權，定為貴格。不知春土氣虛，月透甲木，不但辰土受制，而時干之戊，亦受其克。五行無火，未得生生之妙，亦母多子病，偏枯之象，必然難養也。後死於痘症。

Four Pillars: Renshen year, Jiachen month, Renshen day, Wushen hour; the big years are Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu. Renshen water is born in the third month of spring, seemingly with seven killing stars generating the seal, and the seal generating the body, with three instances of Sheng metal in the earth branches, and the food god Ji wood able to control the killing stars and transform power, which must be a noble pattern. But it is unknown that the earth's qi in spring is naturally weak, and the Ji wood is revealed in the month's dry branch, not only does the Chen earth get controlled, but also the Wu earth in the hour's dry branch is attacked by wood. There is no fire in the Five Phases, thus unable to achieve the wonderful effect of mutual generation, which is also a pattern of excessive mothers and children, and a state of partial decay, inevitably difficult to sustain. Later he died of smallpox.

癸丑　壬戌　丁亥　壬寅／辛酉　庚申　己未　戊午　丁巳　丙辰。此造丁火陰柔，生於深秋，殺官重疊，必不能養。殊不知官殺雖旺，妙在戌月，通根身庫，足以制水；更妙無金，時支寅木不傷，氣貫生時，足以納水，不但易養成人，可遂書香之志。然官殺一類，勿以官為喜，殺為憎，身弱者官皆是殺，身旺者殺皆是官，只要無財有印，便為佳造。如雲丁火死寅，謬之極矣。寅中甲木，乃丁之嫡母，何以為死？凡陰干以生地為死，死地為生，非正論也。果幼年無疾，聰慧過人，至甲戌年入泮後，運走南方火土，制殺扶身，未可限量也。

Four pillars:Guichou year, Renxu month, Dinghai day, Renyin hour; the big years are Xinyou, Gengshen, Jiwei, Wuwu, Dingsi, Bingchen. The day stem 丁 fire is weak and born in late autumn, with many official and seven deadly stars. It seems certain that the child will not survive. But in fact, although the official and seven deadly stars are strong, it is good that the month is 戌, and the day stem is rooted in the fire's storage, which can control water. Even better is that there is no metal in the chart, so the branch 寅 wood in the hour is not harmed, and the energy flows continuously from birth to the hour, which can absorb water and nourish fire. Therefore, not only is it easy for the child to grow up, but he can also achieve his ambition of studying. However, when discussing official and seven deadly stars, do not treat the official as a good thing and the seven deadly star as a bad thing. For a weak body, the official is also a deadly star; for a strong body, the seven deadly star is also an official. As long as there is no wealth and there is an official, it is a good chart. As for the statement that "丁 fire dies in 寅", it is absurd. The 甲 wood in 寅 is actually the mother of 丁 fire, how can it be "death"? Any statement that says the yin stems die in their long life place and live in their death place is not correct. This child indeed had no illness in childhood and was very intelligent. In the year Jiaxu, he entered the county school. After that, his fortune went through southern fire and earth, which controlled the deadly stars and supported his body, and his future is limitless.

壬戌　甲辰　丁酉　己酉／乙巳　丙午　丁未　戊申　己酉　庚戌。此造概云木透月干，春木足以生火，年干壬水生木，日時兩坐長生，皆作旺論。惜地支土金太重，天干水木之根必淺，水木無氣，則丁火之蔭不固。夫甲木生於季春，退氣之神也，辰酉合而化金，則甲木之餘氣已絕；戌土隔之，使金不能生水，戌土足以制之，壬水受克，不能生木；辰酉化金，必能克木，日主根源不固可知。如謂酉是丁火長生，五行顛倒矣。酉中純辛，無他氣所雜，金生水，無生火之理。火到酉位，死絕之地；更嫌時干己土，竊去命主元神，生金洩火，而水木火三字皆虛矣。後果夭於癸酉年。由此論之，小兒之命，不易看也。

Four Pillars: born in the year of Renxu, month of Jiachen, day of Dingyou, and hour of Jiyou; the big years are Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, and Gengxu. In general, people say that the wood in the month's heavenly stem is revealed, and spring wood is sufficient to generate fire. The heavenly stem of the year, Ren water, can also generate wood. The day's branch and hour's branch both have the "growth" position, so the fortune is considered strong. Unfortunately, the earth branches are too heavy in earth and metal; the roots of water and wood in the heavenly stems must be shallow. Without vitality, the protection of the fire is not solid. It is important to know that the wood of the heavenly stem is born in the third month of spring, which is already a declining force. The branches of Chen and You combine to form metal, thus the remaining strength of the wood is cut off. The earth of Xu is in the middle, preventing metal from generating water, and the earth of Xu is also able to control water, so the water is harmed and cannot generate wood. The combination of Chen and You forming metal will certainly harm wood. Therefore, the root of the main element is not solid. If one says that You is the growth of fire, that is truly reversing the Five Phases: the You branch contains only Xin metal, with no other elements mixed in; metal can only generate water, not fire. Fire at the position of You is actually in a dead or extinct state. It is also worrying that the heavenly stem of the hour, Ji earth, steals the original spirit of the main element, generating metal on one hand and draining fire on the other, so water, wood, and fire all become empty. Later, he died in the year of Guiyou. From this, we can see how difficult it is to predict the fate of a child.

德勝才者，局合君子之風；才勝德者，用顯多能之象。原注：清和平順，主輔得宜，所合者皆正神，所用者皆正氣，不必節外生枝，不必弄假成真，財官喜神，皆是以了其生平；不生貪戀之心，度量寬宏，施為必正，皆君子之風也。財薄而身旺足以貪之，官輕而心志必從而求之，混濁被害，主弱輔強，爭合邪神，三四用神，心事奸貪，作事僥倖，皆為多能之象。大率陽在內，陰在外，不激不亢者為德勝才，如丙寅戊辰月日，己卯癸卯年時者是；陽在外，陰在內，畏勢趨利者，為才勝德，如己卯己巳月日，丙寅戊寅年時者是。

A person whose virtue surpasses his talent has a destiny that aligns with the conduct of a gentleman; a person whose talent surpasses his virtue exhibits the appearance of being versatile and capable. The original commentary says: When the destiny is clear, peaceful, and harmonious, the day master and the assisting deities are in proper positions, and all the combinations are with righteous deities, and the used deities are of pure quality. There is no need for complications or artificiality; the wealth star and official star, these auspicious deities, are sufficient to meet all his needs throughout his life, thus preventing greed and cultivating a broad mind and upright conduct—these are the characteristics of a gentleman. Conversely, if the wealth star is weak and the body is strong, greed is likely to arise; if the official star is weak, the mind will inevitably pursue it; if the destiny is confused and troubled, the day master is weak while the assisting deities are strong, and it combines with evil deities, with more than three or four used deities—such a person is greedy and scheming, and his actions are opportunistic andby chance—these are the signs of being versatile and capable. Generally, when yang energy is internal and yin energy is external, neither excessive nor overly strong, it belongs to virtue surpassing talent, for example, when the month and day are Bingyin and Wuchen, and the year and hour are Jimao and Guimao. When yang energy is external and yin energy is internal, fearing power and seeking wealth, it belongs to talent surpassing virtue, for example, when the month and day are Jimao and Jisi, and the year and hour are Bingyin and Wuyin.

任氏曰：善惡邪正，不外五行之理；君子小人，不離四柱之情。陽氣動闢，光亨之義可觀；陰氣靜翕，包含之理斯奧。和平純粹，格正局清，不爭不妒，合去者皆偏氣，化出者皆正神，喜官而財能生官，喜財而官能制劫，忌印而財能壞印，喜印而官能生印，陽盛陰衰，陽氣為權，所用者皆陽氣，所喜者皆陽類，無驕諂於上下，皆君子之風也。偏氣雜亂，舍弱用強，多爭多合，合去者皆正氣，化出者皆邪神，喜官而臨劫地，喜財而居印位，忌印而官星生印，喜印而財星壞印，陰盛陽衰，陰氣當權，所用者皆陰氣，所喜者皆陰類，趨勢財於左右，皆多能之象也。然得氣勢和平，用神分明，施為亦必正矣。

Ren Tieqiao said: Good and evil, righteousness and wrong, are all based on the principles of the Five Phases; gentlemen and villains also depend on the state of the four pillars. Yang energy is active and initiates, its meaning of brightness and smoothness can be observed; Yin energy is quiet and gathers, its principle of containing and being reserved is quite profound. If the destiny chart is peaceful and pure, the pattern is upright and clear, without competition or jealousy, then what it combines is biased energy, and what it transforms is the correct deities; if it prefers the official star and the wealth star can generate the official star, if it prefers the wealth star and the official star can control the劫财, if it dislikes the seal star and the wealth star can damage the seal star, if it prefers the seal star and the official star can generate the seal star; if Yang is strong and Yin is weak, Yang energy is dominant, then what it uses is Yang energy, and what it prefers is Yang type; not flattering superiors and not being arrogant towards inferiors—these are the manners of a gentleman. Conversely, if the destiny chart is biased and chaotic, abandoning the weak and using the strong, with much competition and combination, then what it combines is the correct energy, and what it transforms is the evil deities; if it prefers the official star but the official star is in the position of劫财, if it prefers the wealth star but the wealth star is in the position of the seal star, if it dislikes the seal star but the official star partially generates the seal star, if it prefers the seal star but the wealth star partially damages the seal star; if Yin is strong and Yang is weak, Yin energy is dominant, then what it uses is Yin energy, and what it prefers is Yin type; looking left and right, seeking warmth and following trends for profit—these are the signs of being versatile. However, if the momentum is peaceful and the useful deity is clear, then the person's actions will certainly be upright.

癸酉　戊午　庚寅　丁丑／丁巳　丙辰　乙卯　甲寅　癸丑　壬子。庚金生於仲夏，正官得祿，年時酉丑通根，正得中和之氣。寅午財官拱合，財不壞印，官能生印，財官印三字，生化不悖，癸從戊合，去其陰濁之氣，所以品行端方，恆存古道。早游泮水，訓蒙自守；丁酉登科，後挑知縣不赴，情願就教，安貧樂道。有人言其小就者，片曰：功名者，非掇巍科登高位而為功名也，功成名自著，況吾無經濟材，就教職不悉衣食不敷，吾行吾志，不負君父之恩足矣！

Four Pillars: Guiyou year, Wuwu month, Gengyin day, Dingchou hour; the big years are Dingsi, Bingchen, Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou, Renzi. Geng metal is born in midsummer May, the official Ding fire is in the Wu of the month and gets a post, the year branch酉 metal and the hour branch Chou earth support the day's main element, achieving a balance of yin and yang. The wood of Yin and the fire of Wu form a harmonious relationship to form wealth and officialdom, the wealth star does not harm the seal star, the official star can generate the seal star, wealth, officialdom, and seal star are in harmony; the water of Gui is combined with the earth of Wu and disappears, removing the turbid and dark energy. Therefore, this person has upright character and maintains the style of ancient scholars. He entered the county school early and supported himself by teaching young children in poverty. In the year Dingyou he passed the examination, later was selected as a county magistrate but refused to take office, preferring to work as a teacher, content with a simple life. Some people said his position was too low, he replied: fame and achievement are not necessarily achieved by taking high ranks or holding high positions. When achievements are made, reputation naturally becomes prominent. Moreover, I do not have the ability to govern the country and benefit the people, so working as a teacher is enough to avoid worries about food and clothing. I follow my own aspirations, not辜负 the grace of the emperor and father, which is sufficient.

丙寅　庚子　己亥　甲戌／辛丑　壬寅　癸卯　甲辰　乙巳　丙午。己土生於仲冬，寒溼之體，水冷木凋，庚金又克木生水，似乎混濁。妙在年干透丙，一陽解凍，冬日可暖，去庚金之濁，不特己喜其和暖，而甲木亦喜其發榮；更妙戌時燥土，砥定泛濁之水，培其凋枯之木，而日主根元亦固。況甲己為中和之合，故處世端方，恆存古道，廉恭和厚，有古君子之風；微嫌水勢太旺，功名不過稟貢。

Four Pillars: Bingyin year, Gengzi month, Jihai day, Jiaxu hour; the big years are Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, and Bingwu. The己 earth is born in the middle of winter, November, which is a cold and damp condition, with cold water and withered wood; the Geng metal also controls wood and generates water, making the situation seem murky and unclear. However, the丙 fire is revealed in the heavenly stem, bringing back one yang and thawing the frozen state. The sun in winter is enough to warm the whole situation, removing the turbid energy of Geng metal. Not only does the己 earth like its warmth and brightness, but the甲 wood also benefits from it and can flourish. Even more remarkable is the dry earth of the Jiaxu hour, which can stabilize the overflowing and turbid water, nurturing the withered wood, and thus the root of the day's stem becomes firm. Moreover, the combination of Jia and Ji is called the "harmonious combination," so this person behaves uprightly, always maintaining the style of ancient people, being clean, respectful, and kind, with a broad and peaceful character, possessing the style of an ancient gentleman. However, the water is too strong, so his official rank is only that of a廪生 or 贡生.

丙戌　辛丑　己卯　甲子／壬寅　癸卯　甲辰　乙巳　丙午　丁未。此造水冷金寒，土凍木凋，得年干透丙，一陽解凍，似乎佳美。第丙辛合而化水，以陽變陰，反增寒溼之氣，陽正之象反為陰邪之類，故其為人貪婪無厭，奸謀百出，趨財奉勢，見富貴而生諂容，勢利驕矜，所謂多能之象也。

Four pillars: born in the year of Bingxu, month of Xinchou, day of Jimao, and hour of Jiazi; the big years are in sequence Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, and Dingwei. This destiny has cold water, frozen metal, frozen earth, and withered wood. However, the heavenly stem of the year reveals Bing fire, which brings a single yang to thaw the frozen state, making the appearance quite favorable. But Bing combines with Xin to form water, turning yang into yin, thus adding more damp and cold energy. What should be a dignified and strong appearance becomes instead something of a sinister nature. Therefore, this person is greedy without end, full of cunning schemes, follows wealth and power, shows flattery when seeing wealth and status, bullies others when in power, and is arrogant and self-important. This is what is called the "appearance of many abilities."

局中顯奮發之機者，神舒意暢；象內多沉埋之氣者，心鬱志灰。原注：陽明用事，用神得力，天地交泰，神顯精通，必多奮發；陰晦用事，情多戀私，主弱臣強，神藏精洩，人多困鬱。若純陽之勢，身旺而財官旺者必奮；純陰之局，身弱而官殺多者多困。

In the destiny chart, if there is an appearance of vigorous vitality, the person will have a relaxed expression and a smooth mind; if there is a lot of stagnant and blocked energy within the destiny pattern, the person will feel depressed and their spirit will be low. The original commentary says: when yang energy is bright and dominant, the useful god is strong, and the energies of heaven and earth are harmoniously connected, the spirit and energy will be prominent and flowing, inevitably leading to a vigorous state. When yin energy is dark and dominant, emotions are often attached and private, the ruler (the day master) is weak while the ministers (other gods) are strong, the spirit energy is hidden and the vital energy leaks out, leading to much hardship and depression. If the situation is entirely yang, with a strong body and also strong wealth and official stars, it will certainly be vigorous; if the situation is entirely yin, with a weak body and many official and killing stars, it is mostly difficult and depressed.

任氏曰：無抑鬱而舒暢者，局中不太過，不缺陷，所用者皆得氣，所喜者皆得力，所忌者皆失時失勢，閒神不黨忌物，反有益於喜用，忌其合而遇沖，忌其沖而遇合，體陰用陽，故一陽生於北，陰生則陽成，如亥中之甲木是也。歲運又要輔格助用，多必奮發。少舒暢，而多抑鬱者，局中或太過，或缺陷，所用者皆失令，所喜者皆無力，所忌者皆得時得勢，閒神劫占，喜神反黨助忌神，喜其合而遇沖，忌其合而遇合，體陽用陰，故二陰生於南，陽生則陰成，如午中之己土是也。歲支又不能補喜去忌，必多鬱困。然局雖陰晦，而運途配合陽明，亦能舒暢；象雖陽明，而運途配其陰晦，亦主困鬱，故運途更宜審察。

Ren Tieqiao said: A person who has no depression and feels mentally at ease has a fate that is neither excessive nor defective. The useful gods in his chart are all getting strength, the favored gods are all effective, and the hostile gods are all losing their time and power. The idle gods do not join the hostile gods, but instead benefit the favored and useful gods. Those that are feared to be in conjunction happen to meet a clash, and those that are feared to clash happen to meet a conjunction. This is a case where the body is yin and the use is yang, so it is said, "One yang is born in the north." - Yin qi is generated and yang qi is formed, such as the hidden jia wood in the亥 (hai) position. If the year and the ten thousands also assist the structure and support the useful gods, he is likely to be vigorous and successful. Conversely, a person who is seldom at ease and often depressed has a fate that is either excessive or defective. The useful gods are all missing the month's position, the favored gods are all weak, and the hostile gods are all getting their time and power. The idle gods are seized by the hostile gods, and the favored gods instead join the hostile gods. Those that are wished to be in conjunction happen to meet a clash, and those that are feared to be in conjunction happen to meet a conjunction. This is a case where the body is yang and the use is yin, so it is said, "Two yins are born in the south." - Yang qi is generated and yin qi is formed, such as the hidden ji earth in the午 (wu) position. If the branch of the flowing year cannot supplement the favored gods or remove the hostile gods, he will inevitably be troubled and distressed. However, even if the fate is dark and obscure, if the journey of life is accompanied by bright and clear qi, it can be eased. Even if the fate is bright and clear, if the journey of life is accompanied by dark and obscure qi, it will lead to depression. Therefore, the journey of life should be examined more carefully.

如用亥中甲木，天干有壬癸，則運宜戊寅己卯；天干有庚辛，則運宜丙寅丁卯；天干有丙丁，則運宜壬寅癸卯；天干有戊己，則運宜甲寅乙卯。如用午中己土，天干有壬癸，則運宜庚午辛未。此從藏神而論，明支亦同此論。如用天干之木，地支水旺，則運宜丙寅丁卯；天干有水，則運宜戊寅己卯。地支金多，則運宜甲戌乙亥；天干有土，則運宜甲子乙丑。地之火多，則運宜辰乙巳；天干有火，則運宜壬子癸丑。如此配合，庶無爭戰之患，而有制化之情，反此則不美矣。細究這，自有深機也。

For example, if using the wood in the亥 branch, and there is an abundance of water in the heavenly stems (壬 and癸), with too much water causing the wood to float, then favorable years should beWuyin andJimao, using earth to control water so that the wood can take root. If there is metal (庚 and辛) in the heavenly stems that restrains the wood, then favorable years should beBingyin andDingmao, using fire to control metal. If there is fire (丙 and丁) in the heavenly stems that drains the wood's energy, then favorable years should beRenyin andGuimao, using water to nourish the wood. If there is earth (戊 and己) in the heavenly stems that is thick, then favorable years should beJiayin andYimao, using wood to loosen the earth. If using the earth in the午 branch, and there is water (壬 and癸) in the heavenly stems, then favorable years should beGengwu andXinwei. This is based on the hidden heavenly stems within the branches. Heavenly stems that are clearly visible should also be analyzed in the same way. For example, if using wood in the heavenly stems, and there is strong water in the branches, favorable years should beBingyin andDingmao. If there is water in the heavenly stems, favorable years should beWuyin andJimao. If there is strong metal in the branches, favorable years should beJiaxu andYihai. If there is earth in the heavenly stems, favorable years should beJiazi andYichou. If there is strong fire in the branches, favorable years should beJiachen andYisi. If there is fire in the heavenly stems, favorable years should beRenzi andGuichou. This kind of combination avoids conflict and creates a harmonious relationship; the opposite would be undesirable. Careful analysis of these principles reveals profound meaning.

戊辰　甲子　壬子　辛亥／乙丑　丙寅　丁卯　戊辰　己巳　庚午。壬水生地仲冬，三逢祿旺，所謂崑崙之水，可順而不可逆也。喜其子辰拱水，則戊土之根不固，月干甲木為用，洩其氾濫之水，此即局中顯奮發之機也。運至丙寅丁卯，寒木得火以發榮，去陰寒之金土，是以早登甲第，翰苑名高；至戊辰運，逆水之性，以致阻壽。

Four Pillars: Wuchen year, Jiazi month, Renzi day, Xinhai hour; the big years are Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu. The壬water is born in the middle of winter, November, with three instances of the Earthly Branches meeting the strength of water, which is called "water from Kunlun." It can only be allowed to flow naturally, not opposed. Fortunately, the Zi and Chen branches form an arch to support water, making the foundation of Wu earth unstable. Therefore, the heavenly stem Jia wood is taken as the useful god, to release the overflowing water. This is the manifestation of vitality in the destiny. When he reaches the Bingyin and Dingmao years, cold wood gets fire and thrives, and the cold metal and earth are removed, so he achieved success early in life and gained fame in the Hanlin Academy. When he reaches the Wuchen year, earth opposes the water, leading to a reduction in his lifespan.

甲申　丙子　癸亥　癸亥／丁丑　戊寅　己卯　庚辰　辛巳　壬午。癸水生於仲冬，三逢旺支，其勢汪洋，喜其甲丙並透，支中絕處逢生，木土互相護衛，金得流行，水得溫和，木得發榮，火得生扶，用神必是甲木，為奮發之機。一交戊寅，雲程直上；己卯早遂仕路之光；庚辰辛巳雖有制化之情，卻無生扶之意，以致蹭蹬仕途，未能顯秩也。

Four Pillars: Jiashen year, Bingzi month, Guihai day, Guihai hour; the major years are Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu. The癸water is born in mid-winter, with three branches in the旺position, indicating a vast flow of water. It is fortunate that Jia wood and Bing fire are both visible on the heavenly stem. The branches provide support in the weak position, with wood and earth mutually protecting each other, thus allowing the metal energy to flow freely, the water to become gentle, the wood to flourish, and the fire to be supported. The useful god must certainly be Jia wood, which is the key to striving forward. As soon as the Dingchou major year begins, the official career will rise rapidly; the Jimao major year will even bring early success in officialdom. However, during the Gengchen and Xinsi major years, although there is a controlling and transforming relationship, there is no supporting energy from the useful god, so the official career will be difficult and not reach a high rank.

甲申　庚午　丁亥　壬寅／辛未　壬申　癸酉　甲戌　乙亥　丙子。此造天干四字，地支皆坐祿旺，惟日主坐當令之祿，足以任其財官，清而且厚。清足神旺，所以東西南北之運，皆無咎也。出遺業百餘萬，早登科甲，仁至方伯，六旬外退歸林下；一妻四妾，十三子，優遊晚景，壽越九旬。

Four pillars: Jia Shen year, Geng Wu month, Ding Hai day, Ren Yin hour; the great years are Xin Wei, Ren Shen, Gui You, Jia Xu, Yi Hai, Bing Zi. In this birth chart, the four heavenly stems'禄 are exactly located among the four earthly branches—Jia's禄 is in Yin, Geng's禄 is in Shen, Ding's禄 is in Wu, and Ren's禄 is in Hai. Among these, the day stem Ding fire's禄 (Wu) is exactly the month's stem, which is strong enough to support the wealth and official stars. The destiny is clear and thick. Pure and full of vitality, so there are no misfortunes in the directions of east, west, south, and north. He inherited over a hundred thousand in property, passed the imperial examination early, held the position of governor (Buzhengshi), retired in his sixties, had one wife and four concubines, thirteen sons, and lived comfortably in his later years, living past ninety.

癸丑　乙丑　癸丑　癸丑／甲子　癸亥　壬戌　辛酉　庚申　己未。此天干三癸，地支一氣，食神清透，殺印相生，皆云名利兩全之格。予云：癸水至陰，又生季冬，支皆溼土，土溼水弱，溝渠之謂也；且水土冰凍，陰晦溼滯，無生發之氣，名利皆虛。凡富貴之造，寒暖適中，精神奮發，未有陰寒溼帶，偏枯之象而能富貴者也。至壬申年，父母皆亡，讀書又不能通，又無恆業可守，人又陰弱，一無作為，竟為乞丐。

Four pillars:Guichou year, Yichou month, Guichou day, Guichou hour; the big years are in order Jiazi, Guihai, Renxu, Xinyou, Gengshen, Jiwei. This chart has three癸 water in the heavenly stems and four丑 earth in the earthly branches, all the same. The food god 乙 wood is clear and bright, and the seven killers (己 earth in 丑) generate the scholar, which in turn generates the self. Everyone says this is a chart that brings both fame and fortune. But I say:癸 water is originally the most yin water, and it is born in the last month of winter, December. All four earthly branches are wet earth. The earth is wet and the water is weak, it is just a little water in a ditch. Moreover, the water and earth are frozen, dark, damp and stagnant, with no vitality. Fame and fortune are all empty. All the wealthy and prosperous charts have moderate cold and warmth, and are full of spirit. There is no case of being wealthy and prosperous with cold, dark, damp and stagnant, and with a one-sided condition. In the year of Renshen, his parents both died, he could not understand the books, had no fixed property to rely on, was weak and incapable, and achieved nothing, eventually becoming a beggar.

兩意情通中有媒，雖然遙立意尋追；有情卻被人離間，怨起恩中死不灰。原注，喜神合神，兩情相通，又有人引用生化，如有媒矣，雖是隔堔分立，其情自相和好，則有恩而地怨，合神喜神雖有情，而忌神離間，求合不得，終身多怨。至於可憎之神，遠之為妙；可愛之神，近之尤切。又有一般邂逅相逢者，得之不勝其樂；私情偷合者，去之亦足為奇。

Two spirits are in mutual affection, with a mediator in between. Although they are far apart, their feelings will still seek each other out. Originally in harmony, if someone intervenes and causes separation, resentment arises from the original affection, and this resentment persists even until death. The original commentary says: When the favorable spirit and the harmonious spirit are in mutual connection, and another spirit intervenes to generate and transform, it is like having a matchmaker in between. Even if they are far apart and separated, their affection will naturally harmonize, resulting in affection without resentment. If the harmonious spirit and the favorable spirit are in affection but are separated by the hostile spirit, the desire for union cannot be fulfilled, leading to a lifetime of resentment. As for the hostile spirit, the farther away it is, the better; as for the favorable spirit, the closer it is, the better. There is another situation: the idle spirit and the hostile spirit偶然 combine to become the favorable spirit, like an unexpected meeting, which brings great joy. There is also a case where the favorable spirit is drawn in by the idle and hostile spirits, removing obstacles and being considered extraordinary.

任氏曰：恩怨者，喜忌也。日主所喜之神遠，得合神化而近之也。所謂兩意情通，如中有媒矣；喜神遠隔，得旁神引能而相和好，則有恩而無怨矣。只有閒神忌神而無喜神，得閒神忌神合化喜神，所謂邂逅相逢也。喜神遠隔，與日主雖有情，被閒神忌神隔絕，日主與喜神各不能顧，得閒神忌神合會，化作喜神，謂私情牽合也，更為有情。喜神與日主緊貼，可謂無情，遇合化為忌神；喜神與日主雖不緊貼，卻有情於日主，中有忌神隔占，或喜神與閒神合助忌神，如被人離間，以恩為怨，死不灰心。

Ren Tieqiao said: What is called favor and enmity refers to the beneficial god and the hostile god. If the god that the day ruler favors is far away, and if it is brought closer through the combination of the harmonizing god, this is called "mutual understanding with a mediator in between." If the beneficial god is distant, but is connected through the nearby god and they become harmonious, this is considered to have favor without enmity. If a person's fate only contains idle gods and hostile gods but no beneficial gods, and if the idle and hostile gods combine to produce a beneficial god, this is called "meeting by chance." If the beneficial god is far away, although it has affection for the day ruler, it is blocked by idle and hostile gods, and the day ruler and the beneficial god cannot reach each other. If the idle and hostile gods combine to become the beneficial god, this is called "private connection," which is even more affectionate. Conversely, if the beneficial god is closely attached to the day ruler and should naturally have affection, but it turns into a hostile god due to combination; or if the beneficial god, although not closely attached, originally has affection for the day ruler, but is blocked by the hostile god in between; or if the beneficial god combines with the idle god to assist the hostile god — this is like being betrayed by someone in between, turning favor into enmity, and the feeling never fades.

如日主喜丙火在時干，月透壬水為忌，如年干丁火合壬化木，不特去干乙木合庚金而近之，此閒神化為喜神，如中有媒矣。日主喜火，局內無火，反有癸水之忌，得戊土，合癸水，化其為喜神，謂解逅相逢也；日主喜金，惟年支坐酉，與日主遠隔，日主坐巳，忌神緊貼，得丑支會局，以成金之喜神，謂私情牽合也。餘可類推。

For example: If the day stem favors Bing fire, and it appears in the hour stem, but the month stem reveals Ren water as a hostile god, and if the year stem Ding fire combines with Ren water to transform into wood, not only does it remove the hostile god, but it also brings the heavenly stem's Yi wood and Geng metal close by. This is when an idle god transforms into a favorable god, just like having a matchmaker in between. Another example: If the day stem favors fire, but the chart lacks fire and instead has Gui water as a hostile god, and if Wu earth combines with Gui water to form fire, turning it into a favorable god, this is called 'meeting by chance'. Another example: If the day stem favors metal, and only You metal is in the year branch, far away from the day stem, while Si fire, a hostile god, is closely beside the day stem, and if Xu branch joins to form a metal trinity, achieving the favorable metal, this is called 'secret affection bringing together'. The rest can be understood in a similar way.

丁酉　甲辰　戊戌　戊午／癸卯　壬寅　辛丑　庚子　己亥　戊戌。此重重厚土，甲木退氣，不能疏土，則土情必要年支酉金，發洩菁華。金逢火，蓋其意亦欲日主之生，雖然遠隔，兩意情能，喜辰酉合而近之，如中有媒矣。初運癸卯壬寅，離間喜神，功名蹭蹬，困苦刑傷；辛丑運中，晦火會金入泮，連登科甲；庚子己亥戊戌，酉北土金之地，仕至尚書。

Four pillars: Dingyou year, Jiachen month, Wuxu day, Wuwu hour; the great years are Guimao, Renyin, Xinchou, Gengzi, Jihai, and Wuxu. This destiny has heavy earth elements. The heavenly stem of the month, Jiawu, is a declining wood element, which cannot loosen the earth's nature. Therefore, the earth's intention must rely on the branch of the year, You metal, to release its essence. Although the You metal is covered by Ding fire on top, its original intention is still to give birth to the main element. Although it is far from the main element, the two are still connected emotionally. It is fortunate that Chen and You are in harmony, bringing them closer together, just as there is a matchmaker in between. In the early years, during the Guimao and Renyin great years, wood separates the beneficial elements, leading to delays in official success, hardship, and many injuries. When reaching the Xinchou great year, the soil obscures fire and joins with metal, allowing him to enter the county school and pass the exams consecutively. During the Gengzi, Jihai, and Wuxu great years, moving through the northwest areas of earth and metal, he reaches the position of Minister.

丁酉　乙巳　丁丑　丙午／甲辰　癸卯　壬寅　辛丑　庚子　己亥。丁火生於巳月午時，比劫並旺，又逢木助，其勢猛烈，年支酉金，本日主之所喜，遙隔遠列，又被丁火蓋之，巳火劫之，似乎無情。最喜坐下丑土，烈火逢溼土，則成生育慈愛之心，邀己酉合成金，歸之庫內，其情似相和好，不特財來就我，又能洩火吐秀，故能發甲，仕至藩臬，名利雙全。

Four pillars: Dingyou year, Yisi month, Dingchou day, Bingwu hour; the big years are Jiachen, Guimao, Rennyin, Xinchou, Gengzi, Jihai. Ding fire is born in the Si month and Wu hour, with the same element and wealth star both strong, and Yi wood assisting, making the fire extremely fierce. The year's branch, You metal, is the wealth star that the day's main element prefers, but it is far away, covered by Ding fire above and robbed by Si fire beside, seeming to have no affection. What is most pleasing is the day's branch sitting on Chou soil: fierce fire meets damp soil, producing a nurturing and loving heart, and also combining with Si and You to form a metal group, gathering metal into the warehouse. In this way, the relationship between the two becomes harmonious: not only does the wealth star come to me, but it also releases the fire and produces refined qualities. Therefore, he passed the imperial examination, held official positions as a provincial governor and a judicial officer, achieving both fame and fortune.

癸酉　戊午　丙辰　甲午／丁巳　丙辰　乙卯　甲寅　癸丑　壬子。丙火生於午月時，旺可知矣。一點癸水，本不相濁，戊土合之，又助火之烈；年支酉金，本有情與辰合，又被午火離間，求合不得，年謂怨起恩中也。兼之運走東南火木之地，一生只刑傷破耗，並無財喜之事。克二妻七子，遭回祿四次，至寅運而亡。

Four pillars: born in the year of Guiyou, in the month of Wuwu, on the day of Bingchen, and at the hour of Jiawu; the great destiny progresses through Dingsi, Bingchen, Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou, and Renzi. The fire of Bing is born in the month and hour of Wu, so its strength is evident. There is a single癸water in the heavenly stem of the year, which originally would not have made the destiny murky, but it is combined by Wu earth, which instead enhances the intensity of the fire. The branch of酉metal in the year, which originally had a harmonious relationship, wished to combine with the branch of辰earth, but was separated by the fire of Wu, and thus could not combine — this is exactly what is meant by "hatred arises from affection." Adding to this, the journey through the southeast, which is the land of fire and wood, he had throughout his life only injuries, losses, and misfortunes, with no fortune or joy. He lost two wives and seven sons, suffered four fires, and died during the year of Jiayin.

一二閒神用去麼，不用何妨莫動它；半局閒神任閒著，要緊之場作自豪。原注：喜神不必多也，一喜而十備矣；忌神不必多也，一忌而十害矣。自喜忌之外，不足以為喜，不足以為忌，皆閒神也。如以天干為用，成氣成合，而地支之神，虛脫無氣，沖合自適，升降無情；如以地支為用，成助成合，而天干之神，游散浮泛，不礙日主，主陽輔陽，而陽氣停泊，不沖不動，不合不助；日月有情，年時不顧，日主無害，日主無氣情；日時得所，年月不顧，日主無害，日主無沖無合，雖有閒神，只不去動他，但要緊之地，自結營寨。至於運道，只行自家邊界，亦足為奇。

In one's destiny, having one or two idle gods is acceptable; if they are useful, they can be used, but if not, there is no harm in leaving them undisturbed. Even if half the entire destiny consists of idle gods, they can simply remain idle, as long as they can contribute support when it is crucial. The original commentary says: a single favorable god is enough for completeness, and a single hostile god is enough for harm. Apart from favorable and hostile gods, those that are neither favorable nor hostile are considered idle gods. For example, if the heavenly stems are used as the basis, and the heavenly stems form a group or a combination, while the earthly branches' gods are weak and lack vitality, whether they are in conflict or in harmony is naturally acceptable, as their rise and fall are indifferent to each other. Another example is when the earthly branches are used as the basis, and the earthly branches form support or a combination, while the heavenly stems' gods are scattered and floating, and they do not interfere with the day ruler. If the day ruler is yang and the auxiliary gods are also yang, the yang energy remains stable, without conflict, movement, or combination. If the day pillar and month pillar are harmonious, but the year pillar and hour pillar do not concern themselves, it does not harm the day ruler. If the day pillar and hour pillar are in their proper place, but the year pillar and month pillar do not concern themselves, it also does not harm the day ruler. Since the day ruler has neither conflict nor combination, in such situations, even though there are idle gods, as long as they are not disturbed and can naturally form their own camp in critical moments, it is sufficient. As for the course of life, if one only travels within their own territory, it is already remarkable.

任氏曰：有用神必有喜神，喜神者，輔格助用之神也；然有喜神，亦必有忌神，忌神者，破格損用之神也。自用神、喜神、忌神之外，皆閒神也。惟閒神居多，故有一二半局之稱。閒神不傷體用，不礙喜神，可不必動它也，任其閒著。至歲支遇破格損用之時，而喜神不能輔格護用之際，謂要緊之場，得閒神制化歲運之凶神忌物，匡扶格局喜用；或得閒神合歲支之神，化為喜用而輔格助用，為我一家人也。

Ren Tieqiao said: If there is a useful god, there must be a happy god—the happy god is the god that assists the structure and supports the useful god. If there is a happy god, there must also be a forbidden god—the forbidden god is the god that destroys the structure and harms the useful god. Apart from the useful god, the happy god, and the forbidden god, the rest are idle gods. In a person's fate, idle gods often dominate, so there are expressions such as "one or two idle gods" and "half the structure consists of idle gods." Idle gods neither harm the structure nor interfere with the happy god, so they do not need to be disturbed; they can be left idle. When the flow year and the current fortune encounter situations that break the structure and harm the useful god, and the happy god is also powerless to assist the structure and protect the useful god, this is called "a critical moment." At such times, if the idle god can control and resolve the harmful gods and forbidden objects in the flow year and current fortune, supporting the structure and the useful god; or if the idle god can combine with the flow year's god, transforming it into a happy god to assist the structure and the useful god, then it becomes a member of the family.

此章本文，所重者在末句“要緊之場，作自家”也，原注未免有誤。至雲雖有閒神，只不去動它，要緊之場，自結營寨，至於運道，只行自家邊界，誠如是論，不但不作自家，反作賊鬼提防矣，此非一定之理也。如用木，木有餘，以火為喜神，以金為忌神，以水為仇神，以土為閒神；木不足，以水為喜神，以土為忌神，以金為仇神，以火為閒神。是以用神必得喜讅之佐，閒神之助，則用神有勢，不懷忌神矣。木論如此，餘者可知。

The emphasis of this passage lies in the last sentence, "In critical situations, act as one's own." The original commentary seems to be incorrect. The original explanation says that even if there are idle gods, they should not be disturbed; in important situations, one should establish one's own camp; and when moving through one's fortune, one should only move within one's own territory. If this were true, idle gods would not only not become one's own, but would instead be regarded as bandits to be cautious of. This is not necessarily the case. For example, if the useful god is wood: if there is an excess of wood, then fire is considered the favorable god to release its brilliance, and metal is the hostile god because it overcomes wood; water is the enemy god because it nourishes wood and enhances its strength; and earth is the idle god. If there is a deficiency of wood, then water is the favorable god to nourish wood, and earth is the hostile god because it consumes water; metal is the enemy god because it overcomes wood; and fire is the idle god. Clearly, the useful god must be supported by the favorable god and assisted by the idle god to have sufficient strength and not fear the hostile god. This is the case with wood, and other cases can be inferred similarly.

庚寅　戊子　甲寅　丙寅／己丑　庚寅　辛卯　壬辰　癸巳　甲午　乙未。甲木生於子月，兩陽進氣，旺印生身，支坐三寅，松柏之體，旺而且堅。一點庚金臨絕，不能克木，反為忌神。寒木向陽，時干丙火清透，敵其寒凝，洩其菁英，而為用。喜神：冬火本虛，以寅木為喜神；月干戊土能制水，又能生金，故為閒神；以水為仇神。喜其丙火清純，至卯運洩水生火，早登科甲；壬辰癸巳，得閒神制合，官途平坦；甲午乙未，火旺之地，仁至尚書。

Four pillars: born in the year of Gengyin, in the month of Wuzi, on the day of Jiayin, and at the hour of Bingyin; the big years are in order Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi, Jiawu, and Yiwei. The wood of Ji is born in the month of Zi, with the gradual increase of one and two yang energies. The strong yin water of Zi supports the body, and the three Yins in the earth branch support the wood, like the body of pine and cypress, which is strong and firm. The heavenly stem Geng metal in the year is at its absolute end, unable to overcome the wood, and thus becomes a hostile god. Cold wood needs sunlight, and the heavenly stem Bing fire clearly appears at the hour, which can both resist the cold and release the essence of the day's main element, so Bing fire is taken as the useful god. As for the favorable gods: fire is naturally weak in winter, so the Yins are taken as favorable gods to support fire; the heavenly stem Wu earth can both control water and generate metal, so it is a neutral god; water is an enemy god. The most favorable aspect of the whole chart is the purity of the fire. When arriving at the Xinmao big year, the Maos release water and support fire, so he achieved success early in his career; during the Renchen and Guisi big years, the neutral god Wu earth controls and combines water, resulting in a smooth official career; during the Jiawu and Yiwei big years, moving to a place with strong fire, he reached the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

甲子　丁卯　甲寅　庚午／戊辰　己巳　庚午　辛未　壬申　癸酉。甲木生於促春，支逢祿刃，干透比肩，旺之極矣。時上庚金，無根為忌，月干丁火為用，通輝之氣，所以早登之路，仁至觀察；惜無土之閒神，運至壬申，金水並傷體用，故不能免禍耳。

The four pillars are Jiazi year, Dingmao month, Jiayin day, and Gengwu hour. The great years are Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, and Guiyou. The Jia wood is born in the middle of spring, with the earth branches meeting the禄 (Jin) and Yangren (Mao), and the heavenly stem also showing a Jia wood, making the wood extremely strong. The Geng metal in the hour has no root and can only be considered a hostile god. The Ding fire in the month is the useful god, and the whole chart has the bright light of wood and fire. Therefore, he entered officialdom early and reached the position of inspector. Unfortunately, his chart lacks the earth element, which is a neutral god to moderate things. When he entered the Renshen great year, the metal and water together damaged the day stem and the useful god, so he could not avoid disaster.

出門要向天涯遊，何事裙釵瓷意留。原注：本欲奮發有為者也，而日主有合，不顧用神，用神有合，不顧日主，不欲貴而遇貴，不欲祿而遇祿，不欲合而遇合，不欲生而遇生，皆有情而反無情，如祿釵這留不去也。

He was originally planning to go out and travel far away, but why was he arbitrarily detained by women's affection? The original note says: This is a person who originally wants to strive and achieve something, but the day's ruler has a combination, so he cannot focus on the useful god; the useful god has a combination, so he cannot focus on the day's ruler. He does not want to meet a noble person but happens to meet one, does not want to meet a salary but happens to meet one, does not want to meet a combination but happens to meet one, does not want to be born but happens to be born—these are all seemingly affectionate, but in reality, they become unfeeling. It is like being arbitrarily detained by women's affection and unable to leave.

任氏曰；此乃貪合不化之意也。既合宜化之，化之喜者，名利自如；化之忌者，災咎必至。合而不化，謂絆住留連，貪彼忌此，而無大志有為也。日主有合，不顧用神之輔我，而忌其大志也；用神有合，不顧日主之有為，不佐其成功也。又有合神真，本可化者，反助其從合之神而不化也；又有日主休囚，本可從者，反逢合神之助而不從也。此皆有情而反無情，如祿釵之恣意留也。

Ren Tieqiao said: This refers to the meaning of "greed for union but not transformation." Once there is a union, it should be transformed. If the transformed result is a beneficial god, then fame and fortune will proceed smoothly; if the transformed result is a hostile god, then misfortune and calamity will certainly arrive. If there is a union but no transformation, it is called being hindered and lingering behind, clinging to one side and delaying the other, thus lacking great ambition. When the day's ruler has a union, it cannot focus on the useful god's assistance, and instead hinders its great aspirations; when the useful god has a union, it cannot focus on the day's ruler's actions, and thus cannot support its success. There are also cases where the union god is genuine and could be transformed, yet it instead supports the union god without transformation; there are also cases where the day's ruler is weak and confined, and could originally conform to the pattern, but instead refuses to conform because of the help of the union god. These are all appearances of affection but in reality become unfeeling, just like being arbitrarily detained by women's hair.

乙未　庚辰　戊辰　丙辰／己卯　戊寅　丁丑　丙子　乙亥　甲戌。戊土生於季春，乙木官星透露，盤根在未，餘氣在辰，本可為用。嫌其合庚，謂貪合忌克，不顧日主之喜我，合而不化。庚金亦可作用，又有丙火當頭。至二十一歲，因小試不利，即棄詩書，不事生產，以酒為事；且曰：高車大纛不為榮，連陌度阡，吾不為富，惟此怡悅性情，適吾口體，以終吾身，足矣！

Four Pillars: born in the year of Yiwei, in the month of Gengchen, on the day of Wuchen, and at the hour of Bingchen; the big years are in sequence: Jimao, Wuyin, Dingchou, Bingzi, Yihai, and Jiaxu. TheWu Earth was born in the third month of spring, with the Yi wood official star revealed in the heavenly stem, its root located in the Wei earth, and residual energy in the Chen earth. It was originally capable of being the useful god. However, it is disliked because it combines with the monthly stem Geng metal, which is called "greedy combination forgetting to overcome." The day's main element cannot fully appreciate its favor, and since the combination cannot be transformed, Geng metal could also be considered as the useful god, but it is weakened by the presence of Bing fire at the top which overcomes it. At the age of twenty-one, due to poor results in minor exams, he abandoned poetry and books, ceased to engage in business, and devoted himself only to drinking. He said: "A high carriage and large flag are not considered honor, and owning fields stretching for miles is not regarded as wealth. Only this drink can please my nature and satisfy my taste, allowing me to live this life, which is enough."

丁丑　癸卯　丙戌　辛卯／壬寅　辛丑　庚子　己亥　戊戌　丁酉。丙火生於仲春，印正官清，日元生旺，足以用官。所嫌丙辛一合，不顧用神之輔我，辛金柔軟，丙火逢之而怯，柔能制剛，戀戀不舍，忌有為之志；丙嫌卯戌合而化劫，所以幼年過目成誦，後因戀灑色，廢學亡資，竟為酒色喪身，一事無成。

Four Pillars: Dingchou year, Guimao month, Bingxu day, Xinmao hour; the big years are Renyin, Xinchou, Gengzi, Jihai, Wuxu, Dingyou. The fire element is born in the middle of spring, with the official star Guimao wood being upright and the official star Guimao water being clear. The day's main element is strong and powerful, so it is sufficient to take the official star as the useful god. However, there is a problem with the combination of Bing and Xin, which makes the day's main element unable to support the useful god. Xin metal is soft, and when it meets Bing fire, it becomes weak, which is a case of soft controlling hard. The two elements are attached to each other, which hinders the ambition to achieve something. Also, there is a problem with the combination of Guimao and Wuxu, which transforms into fire and forms a劫财 (劫财 means a type of competitive or rival element). Therefore, he was able to memorize things quickly when he was young, but later he became addicted to alcohol and women, neglected his studies, spent his family's wealth, and eventually died from alcohol and women, achieving nothing in life.

不管白雪與明月，任君策馬朝天闕。原注：日主乘用神而馳驟，無私意牽制也；用神隨日主而馳驟，無私情羈絆也。足以成其大志，是無情而有情也。

He does not pay attention to the clear pleasures of snow and moon, but instead rides his horse directly towards the palace gates of the imperial court. The original commentary says: the day ruler rides upon the useful god and gallops forward, without any private constraints; the useful god follows the day ruler and gallops forward, without any private attachments. Thus, it is sufficient to achieve his great aspirations—appearing to be emotionless, yet in reality full of feeling.

任氏曰：此乃逢沖得用意也，沖則動也，動則馳也。局中除用神喜神之外，而日主與他神有所貪戀者，得用神喜神沖而去之，則日主無私意牽制，乘喜神之勢而馳驟矣。局中用神喜神與他神有所貪戀者，日主能沖剋他審而去之，則喜神無私之羈絆，隨日主而馳驟矣。此無情而反有情，以丈夫之志，不戀私情而大志有為也。

Ren Tieqiao said: This refers to the meaning of "meeting a clash and obtaining the useful god." Clash means movement, and movement allows for swift progress. In the birth chart, besides the useful god and auspicious gods, if the day master has a fondness for other gods, the useful god or auspicious god can clash with them to remove them. Then the day master is no longer restrained by personal attachments and can ride the momentum of the auspicious gods to move forward. Conversely, if the useful god or auspicious god has a fondness for other gods, the day master can clash and control that god to remove it. Then the auspicious god is no longer bound by personal attachments and can follow the day master to move forward. This seems to be without affection, but in fact it is affectionate: with the spirit of a great man who does not cling to personal feelings, one can establish great aspirations and achieve great accomplishments.

丁卯　辛亥　丙寅　丙申／庚戌　己酉　戊申　丁未　丙午　乙巳。此造殺雖秉令，而印綬亦旺，兼之比劫並透，身旺足以用殺。用殺不宜合殺，合則不顯，加以辛金貼身，而日主之情，必貪戀羈絆。喜其丁火劫去辛金，使日主無貪戀之私，申金沖動寅木，使日主無牽制之意。更妙申金滋殺，日主依喜用而馳驟矣。至戊申運，登科發甲，大志有為也。

Four pillars: Dingmao year, Xinhai month, Bingyin day, Bingshen hour; the big years are Gengxu, Jiyou, Wushen, Dingwei, Bingwu, Yisi. In this birth chart, the seven deadly enemies (Renshui in Hai) are in command and powerful, but the official support (Mao wood) is also strong. With two Bing fire siblings and brothers appearing, the self is strong enough to bear the seven deadly enemies as the useful god. Using the deadly enemies is most feared when they are combined, as one combination makes them ineffective; moreover, the Xinhua wealth star is close to the self, so the self's affection will be greedy and restrained. Fortunately, the year's heavenly stem Ding fire removes the Xinhua wealth star, so the self does not have greedy affection; the hour's branch Shen metal also agitates the Yin wood, so the self does not have any restraint. Even better is that Shen metal can generate water to nourish the deadly enemies, so the self follows the preferred gods and useful gods and moves forward. In the Wushen big year, he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi, and his great ambitions were realized.

辛巳　丙申　壬寅　庚戌／乙未　甲午　癸巳　壬辰　辛卯　庚寅。壬水生於申月，雖秋水通源，而財殺並旺，以申金為用。第天干丙辛、地支申巳皆合，合之能化，亦可幫身，合之不化，反為羈絆，不顧日主，喜我為用也。且金當令，火通根，只有貪戀之私，而無化合之意。妙在日主自克丙火，使丙火無暇合辛，寅去沖動申金，使其克木，則丙火之根反拔，而日主之壬，固無牽制之私，用神隨日主而馳驟矣。至癸巳運，連登甲第，仕至觀察，而成其大志也。

The four pillars are: Xinsi year, Bingshen month, Rennyin day, and Gengxu hour. The big years are Yiwei, Jiawu, Guisi, Renchen, Xinmao, and Gengyin in order. Rennyin water is born in the Shen month, although autumn water is connected, but the wealth star fire and the seven killing earth are strong. Therefore, the useful god is taken as the metal Sheng star. However, the heavenly stems Jincheng and Xinsen are combined, and the earthly branches Shen and Si are also combined. If the combination can be transformed, it can help the self; if not, it becomes a hindrance, not supporting the day stem, and not willing to be used. Moreover, metal is in its season, and fire has roots, so they only have a private desire, without the intention of combination. Fortunately, the day stem Rennyin water itself attacks the fire Jincheng, making Jincheng unable to combine with Xinsen again; the day branch Yin wood also agitates the Shen metal, forcing it to attack the wood, and the root of the fire Jincheng wood is pulled out. In this way, the day stem Rennyin water has no private constraints, and the useful god follows the day stem. When entering the Guisi big year, he was promoted successively, and reached the position of observer, achieving his great ambitions.