The Hostile God enters the five internal organs and causes a severe illness.

忌神入五臟而病凶。原注：柱中所忌之神，不制不化，不沖不散，隱伏深固，相剋五臟，則其病凶。忌木而入土則脾病，忌火而入金則肺病，忌土而入水則腎病，忌金而入木則肝病，忌水而入火則心病。又看虛實，如木入土，土旺者，則脾自有餘之病，發於四季月；土衰者，則脾有不足之病，以於春冬月。餘皆仿之。

The Hostile God penetrates the five internal organs, causing a dangerous illness. The original commentary says: when the god that is disliked in the four pillars is neither restrained nor transformed, neither opposed nor dispersed, it deeply resides and firmly roots, making it difficult to eliminate. It then harms the five internal organs, resulting in a dangerous illness. If the disliked wood is buried in earth, the spleen is affected; if the disliked fire is buried in metal, the lungs are affected; if the disliked earth is buried in water, the kidneys are affected; if the disliked metal is buried in wood, the liver is affected; if the disliked water is buried in fire, the heart is affected. One must also distinguish between excess and deficiency. For example, if wood invades earth, and the earth is strong, it is an excess condition of the spleen, occurring in the months of辰, 戌, 丑, and 未; if the earth is weak, it is a deficiency condition of the spleen, occurring in the months of spring and winter. The other cases are similarly analyzed.

任氏曰：忌神入五臟者，陰濁之氣，埋藏於地支也。陰濁深伏，難制難化，為病最凶。如其為喜，一世無災；如其為忌，生平多病。土為脾胃，脾喜緩，胃喜和，忌木而入土，則不和緩而病矣。金為大腸肺，肺宜收，大腸宜暢，忌火而入金，則肺氣上逆，大腸不暢而病矣。

Ren Shi said: The phrase "the Hostile God enters the five viscera" refers to the Yin turbid qi being hidden within the Earthly Branches. When this Yin turbid qi is deeply concealed, it is difficult to control or transform, making it the most dangerous cause of illness. If this qi is a Favorable God, a person will have no calamities throughout their life; but if it is a Hostile God, the person will suffer from many diseases. Earth corresponds to the spleen and stomach, which both prefer harmony. The spleen prefers mildness, and the stomach prefers balance. If wood, which is the Hostile God, invades earth, the spleen and stomach lose their harmony and become diseased. Metal corresponds to the large intestine and the lungs, which both prefer smoothness. The lungs prefer to be收敛 (constricted), and the large intestine prefers to be unobstructed. If fire, which is the Hostile God, invades metal, the lung qi rises abnormally, and the large intestine becomes blocked, leading to illness.

水為膀胱腎，膀胱宜潤，腎宜堅，忌土而入水，則賢枯膀胱燥而病矣。木為肝膽，肝宜條達，膽宜平，忌金而入木，則肝急而生火，膽寒而病矣。火為不腸心，心宜寬，小腸宜收，忌水而入火，則心不寬，小腸緩而病矣。

Water corresponds to the bladder and the kidney. The bladder should be moist and the kidney strong. It should avoid earth, and if earth invades water, the kidney will dry up and the bladder will become dry and cause illness (the original text says 'Xian' but should be 'Kidney'). Wood corresponds to the liver and the gallbladder. The liver should be smooth and unobstructed, and the gallbladder should be calm. It should avoid metal, and if metal invades wood, the liver will become restless and fiery, and the gallbladder will become timid and cause illness. Fire corresponds to the small intestine and the heart (the original text mistakenly writes 'Bu Chang' but should be 'Small Intestine'). The heart should be broad and open, and the small intestine should be restrained. It should avoid water, and if water invades fire, the heart will not be broad and open, and the small intestine will be slack and cause illness.

又要看有餘不足。如土太旺，木不能入土，是脾胃自有餘之病。脾本忌溼，胃本忌寒，若土溼而有餘，其病發於春冬，反忌火以燥之；土燥而有餘，其病發於夏秋，反忌水以潤之。

You also need to determine whether it is excessive or deficient. For example, if earth is too strong, wood cannot penetrate it, which indicates a condition of excess in the spleen and stomach. The spleen usually dislikes dampness, and the stomach usually dislikes cold. If earth is excessively damp and excessive, the illness occurs in spring and winter, at which time fire is actually needed to dry it out (the original text says '忌', which logically should be '宜', same for the next sentence). If earth is excessively dry and excessive, the illness occurs in summer and autumn, at which time water is actually needed to moisten it.

如土虛，弱木足以疏土，若土溼而不足，其病發於夏秋；土燥而不足，其病發於冬春。蓋虛溼之土，遇夏秋之燥；虛溼之土，逢春冬之溼，使木托根而愈茂，土受其克而愈虛。若虛溼之土，再逢虛溼這時；虛燥之土，再逢虛燥之時，木必虛浮，不能盤根，土反不畏其克也。餘仿此。

If the earth itself is weak, then even a weak wood is sufficient to move it. If the earth is damp and insufficient, the illness occurs in summer and autumn; if the earth is dry and insufficient, the illness occurs in winter and spring. This is because weak and damp earth meets the dryness of summer and autumn, and weak and dry earth meets the dampness of spring and winter, allowing wood to take root and flourish more, thus further weakening the earth. Conversely, if weak and damp earth meets a weak and damp season, or weak and dry earth meets a weak and dry season, the wood will be weak and floating, unable to take root, and the earth will no longer fear being overcome by it. Other situations follow the same pattern.

庚寅　己丑　丙子　乙未 庚寅　辛卯　壬辰　癸巳　甲午　乙未 丙火生於季冬，坐下子水，火虛無焰，用神在木。木本凋柘，雖處兩陽，萌芽未動，庚透臨絕，為病甚淺，所嫌者月支丑土，使庚金通根，丑內藏辛，正忌神深入五臟。又己土乃庚金嫡母，晦火生金，足以破寅。子水為腎，丑合之不能生木，化土反能助金。丑土之為病，不但生金，抑且移累於水，是以病患肚腎兩虧。至卯運，能破丑土，名列宮牆；乙運庚合，巳丑拱金，虛損之症，不治而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Gengyin, month pillar Jichou, day pillar Bingzi, and hour pillar Yiwei; the big years are successively Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi, Jiawu, and Yiwei. The fire of Bing is born in the twelfth month, and the day branch is Zi water, so the fire is weak and lacks strength. The useful god is on wood. However, wood at this time is already withered and dry, although after the winter solstice it is the time of "two yangs", the sprouting has not yet truly begun. Although Geng metal is revealed in the year pillar, it is in the place of death, so the illness is not very serious. What is worrying is the month pillar Chou earth, which allows Geng metal to have a root, and Chou also contains Xin metal, which is the hostile god deeply entering the internal organs. Moreover, Ji earth is the mother of Geng metal, which both obscures the fire and nourishes the metal, enough to damage the wood of Yin. The Zi water corresponds to the kidney, but when it combines with Chou earth, it cannot go on to nourish the wood, and after turning into earth, it instead helps the metal. The illness of Chou earth is not only in nourishing the metal, but also affecting the water, so he suffers from a condition of deficiency in both liver and kidney. When he reaches the Mao big year, Mao can break through Chou earth, and he is able to enter school and become famous; when he reaches the Yi big year, Yi and Geng combine, and Si and Chou support the metal, finally dying from an incurable deficiency syndrome.

丁亥　辛亥　辛未　午辰 庚戌　己酉　戊申　丁未　丙午　乙巳 辛金生於孟冬，丁火克去比肩，日主孤立無助，傷官透而當令，竊去命主元神，用神在土不在火也。未為木之庫根，辰乃木之餘氣，皆藏乙木之忌；年月兩亥，又是木之生地，亥未拱木，此忌神入五臟歸六腑。由此論之，謂脾虛腎洩，其病患頭眩遺洩，又更盛於胃腕痛，無十日之安。至己酉運，日主逢祿，采芹得子，戊運克去壬水補廩；申運壬不逢生，病勢愈重，丁運日主受傷而卒。

The four pillars are: year pillar Dinghai, month pillar Xinhai, day pillar Xinwei, and hour pillar originally written as "Wuchen" (according to the following text "Chen is the remaining breath of wood" and "Wu year overcomes Ren water," it should be "Renchen"); the big years are in sequence Gengxu, Jiyou, Wushen, Dingwei, Bingwu, and Yisi. Xin metal is born in the tenth month, the heavenly stem of the year, Ding fire, overcomes the heavenly stem of the month, Xin metal, which is a same kind, leaving the day's main pillar isolated and unsupported. The official water, Ren water, is revealed and in command, draining the original god of the day's main pillar. Therefore, the useful god should be on earth rather than fire. Wei is the root of wood, Chen is the remaining breath of wood, both containing the hostile god, Yi wood; the two Hai of the year and month are the place of growth for wood, and Hai and Wei form a support for wood—this is the hostile god entering both the internal organs and the external organs. From this reasoning, he is suffering from spleen deficiency and kidney leakage, with symptoms including dizziness and blurred vision, seminal emission and leakage, and also stomach pain (the term "gaowan" should be "gaowan"), and he is not safe for ten days. When he reaches the Jiyou big year, the day's main pillar meets its禄 (favorable position), and he passes the examination as a scholar and has a son. When he reaches the Wuyuan big year, the Wut earth overcomes the Ren water, allowing him to be promoted to a廪生 (a type of official student). In the Shenyuan big year, the Ren water gains growth in Sheng (the original text says "Ren does not meet growth," and the character "not" is likely an addition), the official water becomes stronger and drains the body more severely, worsening the illness. When he reaches the Ding big year, the Ding fire overcomes the day's main pillar, and he eventually dies.

觀上兩造，其病症與八字五行之理，顯然應驗，果能深心細究，其壽夭窮通，豈不能預定乎？

Looking at the two horoscopes above, the symptoms and the principles of the Five Phases in the Eight Characters are clearly corresponding one by one. If one can truly devote oneself to careful study, can a person's lifespan, prosperity, and adversity not be predicted in advance?

客神游六經而災小。原注：客神比忌神為輕，不能理沒，游行六道，則必有災。如木游於土之地而胃災，火游於金之地而大腸災，土行水地膀胱災，金行木地膽災，水行火地上腸災。

The guest god moves among the six meridians, and the illness is lighter. The original commentary says: the guest god is lighter than the hostile god; it cannot be deeply buried (the term "理没" means "buried"), but only moves among the six paths, and there will certainly be illness. For example, if wood moves to the place of earth, the stomach is affected; if fire moves to the place of metal, the large intestine is affected; if earth moves to the place of water, the bladder is affected; if metal moves to the place of wood, the gallbladder is affected; if water moves to the place of fire, the small intestine is affected (the original text says "上肠," which should be "small intestine").

任氏曰：客神游六經者，陽虛之所，浮於天干也。陽而虛露，易制易化，為災必小，猶病之在表，外感易於發散，不至大患，故為小也。究其病源，仍從五行陰陽，以分臟腑，而五臟論法，亦勿以天干為客神論虛，地支為忌神論實。必須究其虛中有關，實處反虛之理，其災祥瞭然有驗矣。

Ren Shi said: The phrase "guest gods wandering through the six classics" refers to a kind of qi that is yang in nature but deficient, which appears on the heavenly stems. When yang qi is deficient and exposed, it is easy to control and resolve, so the resulting calamity will necessarily be minor. It is like a disease that has not yet penetrated deeply into the body's surface; external pathogenic factors are easy to disperse and will not develop into serious problems, hence it is said "the calamity is small." In tracing the origin of the illness, one still needs to allocate the internal organs according to the five phases and their yin and yang attributes. When discussing the five internal organs, one should not generally regard all heavenly stem guest gods as "deficient" and all earthly branch forbidden gods as "excessive." It is essential to investigate the principle of "deficiency with hidden excess" and "excess that is actually deficient" (the character "guan" should be read as "excess"), only then can the fortune and misfortune, calamities and auspicious events be clearly discerned and consistently verified.

壬辰　甲辰　庚午　丙戌 乙巳　丙午　丁未　戊申　己酉　庚戌　辛亥 庚午日元，生於辰月戌時，春金殺旺，用神在土。月干甲木，本是客神，得兩土，所以脾胃無病，然熬水鍊金，而患弱症。至戊申運，土金並旺，局以木為病，木主風，金能克木；接連己酉庚與三十載，發財十餘萬，辛亥運金不通根，木得長生，忽患風疾而卒。

The four pillars are year pillar Renchen, month pillar Jiachen, day pillar Gengwu, and hour pillar Bingxu; the big years are Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, and Xinhai. The day stem Gengwu was born in the辰 month and戌 hour, which is spring. The seven killing fire, which is Binghuo, is strong. The useful god is on the earth. The month stem Jimu is originally a guest god, but since there are two earths, Chen and Xu, in the chart, they can absorb the Jimu's dispersion, so the spleen and stomach are not diseased. However, the fire has dried up the water and scorched the metal, causing a weakness. When the Wushen big year comes, the earth and metal both become strong. At this time, the wood becomes the disease. Wood in the five elements represents wind, and metal can control wood. Then, the Jiyou and Gengxu big years continue for thirty years, and he gains wealth of more than ten ten thousand. When the Xinhai big year comes, the metal in Hai cannot root, but the wood gets growth in Hai, and he suddenly suffers from a wind illness and dies.

癸丑　戊午　壬寅　庚戌 丁巳　丙辰　乙卯　甲寅　癸丑　壬子 壬寅日元，生於五月戌時，殺旺又逢財局，殺愈肆逞，所以客神不在午火，反在寅木，助其火勢；客神又化忌神，戊癸化火，則金水相傷。運至乙卯，金水臨絕，得肺腎兩虧之症，聲啞而嗽，於甲戌年正月木火併旺而卒。

The four pillars are year pillar Guichou, month pillar Wuwu, day pillar Rennyin, and hour pillar Gengxu; the big years are Dingsi, Bingchen, Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou, and Renzi. The day pillar Rennyin is born in the fifth month at the hour of Xuxu. The seven killing Wu earth is already strong, and it meets the Yin-Wu-Xu fire triad, which forms a fire trinity to nourish it. Therefore, the seven killing becomes even more powerful. In this case, the guest god is not in the Wu fire, but in the Yin wood, which promotes the fire. This guest god then becomes the hostile god. Moreover, the Wu and Gui combine to form fire, causing the metal and water to be injured. When he enters the Yimao big year, the metal and water are in the state of death, and he suffers from lung and kidney deficiency. He has a hoarse voice and coughs. In the year Jiaxu of the first month, when wood and fire are both strong, he dies.

乙亥　庚辰　丙子　庚寅 己卯　戊寅　丁丑　丙子　乙亥　甲戌 丙子日元，生於季春，溼土司令，蓄水養木，用神在木，得亥之生、辰之餘、寅之助。乙木雖與庚金合而不化，庚金浮露天干為客神，不能深入臟腑，而游六經也。水為精，亥子兩見，辰又拱而蓄之；木餘為氣，春令有餘；寅亥生合，火為旺神，時在五陽進氣，通根年月，氣貫生時，精氣神三者俱足，則邪氣無從而入。行運又不背，一生無疾，名利裕如。惟土虛溼，又金以洩之，所以脾胃虛寒，不免洩瀉之病耳。

The four pillars are year pillar Yihai, month pillar Gengchen, day pillar Bingzi, and hour pillar Gengyin. The big years are in order Jimao, Wuyin, Dingchou, Bingzi, Yihai, and Jiaxu. The day pillar Bingzi is born in the third month, when the moist earth is in command, capable of storing water and nurturing wood. The useful god falls on wood: wood is nourished by the water of Hai, supported by the residual energy of Chen, and assisted by the wood of Yin. Although the wood Yi combines with the metal Geng, it does not transform. The metal Geng is only a transient heavenly stem, not penetrating deeply, but merely wandering among the six meridians. Water represents "essence," with Hai and Zi both present, and Chen supporting and storing it. The residual energy of wood is "qi," which is abundant in spring. The mutual generation and combination between Yin and Hai produce fire as the dominant force. The third month is the time when five yang energies begin to rise, and fire is rooted in the year and month pillars, with the qi flowing continuously to the birth time. Thus, essence, qi, and spirit are all complete, preventing evil influences from entering. Moreover, the fortune path does not contradict the destiny structure, so he has no illness throughout his life and enjoys prosperity in fame and wealth. However, the earth is weak and moist, and the metal Geng drains it, leading to a deficiency in the spleen and stomach, making diarrhea inevitable.

木不受水者血病。原注：水東流而木逢沖，或虛脫，皆不受水也，必主血病。蓋肝屬木，緘而不納則病。

The wood element cannot accept water, leading to diseases of the blood aspect. The original commentary says: if water flows eastward alone and wood is thus overwhelmed, or if the wood itself is weak and powerless, it is considered "not accepting water," which inevitably leads to blood disorders. This is because the liver belongs to wood; if the liver becomes blocked and cannot receive and hold onto things, illness will result ("jian" means closure).

任氏曰：春木不受水者，喜火之溫暖也；冬木不受水者，喜火之解凍也。夏木之有根而受水者，去火之烈，潤地之燥也；秋木得地而受水者，洩金之銳，化殺之頑也。春冬生旺之木，要其衰而受水；夏秋休囚之木，要其旺而受水。反此則不受，不受則血不流行，故致血病矣。

Ren Shi said: In spring, wood does not receive water because it prefers fire to warm it; in winter, wood does not receive water because it prefers fire to thaw it. In summer, if wood has roots and can receive water, it is to use water to remove the harshness of fire and moisten the dry earth; in autumn, if wood is rooted and can receive water, it is to use water to dissipate the sharpness of metal and weaken the stubbornness of the seven deadly stars. Wood that is strong in spring and winter should wait until it declines before receiving water; wood that is weak in summer and autumn should wait until it becomes strong before receiving water. If this is contrary, then water is not received; if water is not received, the blood circulation is blocked, leading to diseases of the blood.

丁亥　丁未　乙亥　己卯 丙午　乙巳　甲辰　癸卯　壬寅　辛丑 乙木生於未月，休囚之位，年月兩透丁火，洩氣太過。最喜時祿通根，則受亥水之生，潤其燥烈之土；更妙會局幫身，通輝之象。至甲辰運，虎榜居首，科甲連登，格取食神用印也。

The four pillars are year pillar Ding Hai, month pillar Ding Wei, day pillar Yi Hai, and hour pillar Ji Mao; the big years are in sequence Bing Wu, Yi Si, Ji Chen, Gui Mao, Ren Yin, and Xin Chou. The Yi wood is born in the month of Wei, which is a weak and confined position. The two heavenly stems of the year and month both reveal Ding fire, which drains the energy excessively. What is most fortunate is that the hour branch Mao wood is the禄 (lucky position) of Yi wood, allowing the day's main element to have a root. Thus, it can receive the support of Hai water and be nourished by water to moisten the dry and hot Wei earth. Even more remarkable is that Hai, Mao, and Wei form a wood trinity, helping the main element, creating the image of "mutual illumination." When he enters the Ji Chen big year, he ranks at the top of the dragon and tiger list, and consecutively obtains official titles. This pattern uses the food god and employs the seal.

丙戌　乙未　乙巳　丁亥 丙申　丁酉　戊戌　己亥　庚子　辛丑 乙木生於未月，干透丙丁，通根巳戌，發洩太過，不受水生，反以亥水為病，格成順局從兒。初交丙申丁酉，得丙丁蓋頭，平順之境；戊戌運克盡亥水，名利兩得；至己亥水地，病患膨脹。只因四柱火旺又逢燥土，水無所歸，故得此病而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Bingxu, month pillar Yiwei, day pillar Yisi, and hour pillar Dinghai; the big years are in order Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, and Xinchou. The Yi wood is born in the Wei month, with Bing and Ding fire appearing in the heavenly stem, and also rooted in Si and Xu. The wood is overexerted, and it cannot bear the support of water, instead suffering from the亥 water in the hour pillar, forming the pattern of "from child pattern" which follows the trend of the elements. In the early years of Bingshen and Dingyou, since Bing and Ding are on top of the heavenly stem, it was relatively smooth. In the Wuxu year, the Wu earth completely overcomes the亥 water, leading to both fame and fortune. When entering the Jihai year, moving into a water environment, he suffered from "distension" - a condition where water dampness accumulates in the abdomen, causing it to swell like a drum (the original text says "expansion"). This is because the four pillars have strong fire and dry earth, and the water has no place to go, leading to the illness and eventual death.

土不受火者氣傷。原注：土逢沖而虛脫，則不受火，必主氣病，蓋脾屬土而容火，不容則病矣。

The earth element cannot endure fire, leading to injury of the qi aspect. The original commentary says: when earth meets a conflicting element, it becomes weakened and unable to withstand fire, which necessarily results in illness of the qi aspect. Since the spleen belongs to earth, it should normally accommodate the warming nature of fire. If it cannot accommodate it, illness occurs.

任氏曰：燥實之土不受火者，喜水之潤也；虛溼之土不受火者，忌水之克也；春土有根而受火者，解天之凍，去地之溼也；秋土得地而受火者，制金之有餘，補土之洩氣也。過燥則地不潤，過溼則天不和，是以火不受，木不容。過燥必氣虧，過溼必脾虛，不受則病矣。

Ren Shi said: Dry and firm earth does not resist fire, because it likes water to moisten it; weak and damp earth does not resist fire, because it fears water to overcome it. Spring earth that has a root and can accept fire is to use fire to break through the cold of the sky and remove the dampness of the earth's energy; autumn earth that has proper ground and can accept fire is to use fire to control excessive metal and replenish the earth's energy lost to metal. If earth is too dry, the earth's energy is not moist; if earth is too damp, the sky's energy is not harmonious. Therefore, fire cannot be accepted, and wood cannot be held. Excessive dryness definitely leads to deficiency of energy, excessive dampness definitely leads to spleen deficiency, and earth not accepting fire will result in illness.

己巳　辛未　戊戌　己未 庚午　己巳　戊辰　丁卯　丙寅　乙丑 戊土生於未月，重疊厚土，喜其天干無火，辛金透出，謂裡發於表，其精華皆在辛金。運走己巳戊辰，生金有情，名利裕如。丁卯運辛金受傷，地支火土並旺，不能疏土，反從火勢，則土愈旺。辛屬肺，肺受傷，血脈不能流通，病患氣血兩虧兩亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Ji Si, month pillar Xin Wei, day pillar Wu Xu, and hour pillar Ji Wei; the big years are Geng Wu, Ji Si, Wu Chen, Ding Mao, Bing Yin, and Yi Chou. The Wu earth is born in the Wei month, where the earth is layered and thick. It is fortunate that there is no fire in the heavenly stem, but a Xin metal is revealed, which is called "manifesting from within to the outside." The essence of the entire chart is concentrated on the Xin metal. When the big years Ji Si and Wu Chen arrive, the earth can generate metal and is harmonious, so he has ample fame and fortune. When the big year Ding Mao arrives, the Ding fire injures the Xin metal, and both the earth and fire become strong. The卯 wood should loosen the thick earth, but instead it follows the fire's strength, making the earth even more blocked. Xin metal corresponds to the lungs; when the lungs are injured, the blood and qi cannot circulate, and he suffers from a deficiency of both blood and qi and dies. (The last phrase "two deaths" should be "and dies.")

庚辰　己丑　己亥　壬申 庚寅　辛卯　壬辰　癸巳　甲午　乙未 己亥日元，生於丑月虛溼之地，辰丑蓄水藏金，庚壬透而通根，只得任其虛溼之氣，反以水為用而從財也。初運庚寅辛卯，天干逢金生水，地支遇水克土，蔭疪有餘；壬辰癸巳，不但財業日增，抑且名列宮牆；巳運克妻破財。此造四柱無火，得申時壬水逢生，格成假從財，故遺業豐厚，讀書入學，妻子兩全。若一見火，為財多身弱，一事無成。至甲午運，木無根而從火，己巳年火土並旺，氣血必傷，病患腸胃血症而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Geng Chen, month pillar Ji Chou, day pillar Ji Hai, and hour pillar Ren Shen. The big years are in sequence Geng Yin, Xin Mao, Ren Chen, Gui Si, Ji Wu, Yi Wei. The day stem Ji Hai is born in the month of Chou, which is a damp and weak earth. The earth pillars Chen and Chou both store water and contain metal. The heavenly stems Geng Jin and Ren Shui appear in the sky and have their roots. The day stem is thus subject to this damp and weak earth, and instead uses water as its useful god, following the wealth star. In the early years of Geng Yin and Xin Mao, the heavenly stem Jin supports Shui, and the earthly branch Mu restrains Tu (the original text says "Shui restrains Tu," but since Yin and Mao belong to Mu, it should be "Mu restrains Tu"). The ancestors' blessings were abundant. In the years of Ren Chen and Gui Si, not only did the wealth and career increase day by day, but also he passed the exams and entered school. In the year of Si, he suffered from wife's loss and financial loss. This birth chart has no fire, relying on the Sheng (longevity) of Ren Shui at the hour of Shen, forming the "false following wealth pattern." Therefore, he inherited a rich family fortune, succeeded in education, and had both wife and son. If there was fire in the chart, it would mean excessive wealth and weak self, leading to nothing accomplished. In the year of Ji Wu, the heavenly stem Ji Mu has no root and follows the fire, while Ji Si year sees fire and Tu both becoming strong, causing injury to the blood and qi. He died from bleeding in the stomach and intestines.

金水傷官，寒則冷嗽，熱則痰火；火土印綬，熱則風痰，燥則皮癢。論痰多木火，生毒鬱火金，金水枯傷而腎經虛，水木相勝而脾胃洩。原注：凡此皆五行不和之病，而知其病，知其人，則可以斷其吉凶。如木之病何如，又看木是日主之何神，若木是財而能發土病，則斷其財之衰旺，妻之美惡，父之興衰。亦不必顯驗，然有可應則六親與事體又不相符者，殆以病而免其咎者也。

The Golden and Water Official Pattern causes illness; if it is cold, it leads to cold coughs; if it is hot, it leads to phlegm and fire. The Fire and Earth Official Pattern causes illness; if it is hot, it leads to wind phlegm; if it is dry, it leads to skin itching. When considering the origin of phlegm, it mostly comes from Wood and Fire; when considering the origin of toxins, it mostly comes from accumulated fire and Metal. If the Golden and Water elements are dry and injured, the kidney channel becomes weak; if Water and Wood conflict, the spleen and stomach suffer from diarrhea. The original note says: all these conditions arise from the imbalance of the Five Phases. Once one knows the illness and the person, one can judge the fortune and misfortune. For example, if there is a problem with Wood, one should also look at what Wood represents in the daily master: if Wood is the wealth star and can trigger the illness of Earth, one can then judge the prosperity or decline of wealth, the beauty or ugliness of the wife, and the rise or fall of the father. This is not necessarily always clearly accurate; but if it does indeed come true, and the Six Relations and the matters do not match, then it is probably that the illness has offset that particular misfortune.

任氏曰：金水傷官，過於寒者，其氣辛涼，真氣有虧，必主冷嗽；過於熱者，水不勝火，火必克金。水不勝火者，心腎不交也；火能克金者，肺家受傷也。冬令虛火上炎，故主痰火。

Ren Shi said: In the Jin Shui Shang Gan pattern, if it is too cold, the qi is sharp and cool, which may cause a loss of the body's true qi, leading to cold cough. If it is too hot, the water cannot resist the fire, and the fire will surely overcome the metal. When water cannot resist fire, it is called in traditional Chinese medicine "heart and kidney not communicating"; when fire overcomes metal, the lungs are injured. In winter, the body should be in a state of concealment, but if there is false fire rising, it leads to the syndrome of phlegm and fire.

火土印綬，過於熱者，木從火旺也。火旺焚木，木屬風，故主風痰；過於燥者，火炎土焦也。土潤則血脈流行，而營衛調和。皮屬土，土喜暖，暖即潤也，所以過燥則皮癢，過溼則生瘡。夏土宜溼，冬土宜燥，在人則無病，在物則發生。總之火多主痰，水多主嗽。

The Fire and Earth Harmony Pattern: If the fire is too hot and dry, it will consume the wood, which in the Five Elements is associated with wind, leading to wind phlegm. If the fire is too dry, it will scorch the earth, which needs moisture to maintain its vitality. The earth's moisture allows blood to circulate and the body's defenses to harmonize. The skin belongs to the earth element, which prefers warmth, and warmth is equivalent to moisture. Therefore, excessive dryness causes skin itching, while excessive dampness leads to sores. In summer, the earth element prefers moisture, while in winter, it prefers dryness. If this balance is maintained, there will be no illness in humans and all things will flourish. In summary, excessive fire tends to produce phlegm, while excessive water tends to cause coughing.

木火多痰者，火旺逢木，木從火勢，則金不能克木，水不能勝火，火必克金而傷肺，不能下生腎水，木又洩水氣，腎水必燥，陰虛火炎，痰則生矣。

The reason people with wood and fire elements tend to have phlegm is that fire is already strong and meets wood, which follows the fire's trend. Thus, metal cannot suppress wood and water cannot overcome fire. Fire then necessarily overcomes metal and harms the lungs. Once the lungs are injured, they cannot generate kidney water downward. Wood then turns back to drain the water energy, causing the kidney water to become dry and deficient. This leads to yin deficiency and virtual fire rising upward, resulting in the production of phlegm.

生毒鬱火金者，火烈水涸，火必焚木；木被火焚，土必焦燥；燥土能脆金，金鬱於內，脆金逢火，肺氣上逆；肺氣逆財肝腎兩虧，肝腎虧財血脈不行，加以七情憂鬱而生毒矣。

It says that "accumulated fire and metal" can cause boils because fire is too fierce and dries up the water, so fire must burn the wood; when wood is burned by fire, the earth becomes dry and scorched; scorched earth makes metal brittle, and brittle metal becomes stagnant inside the body; when weak metal meets fire, the lung qi rises abnormally; when lung qi rises abnormally, the liver and kidney are both deficient (the two "cai" characters here should both be read as "ze"), and when liver and kidney are deficient, the blood and qi cannot circulate properly; furthermore, if the seven emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, thought, etc.—become stagnant, boils will develop.

土燥不能生金，火烈自能枯水，腎經必虛；土虛不能制水，木旺自能克土，脾胃必傷。凡此五行不和之病，細究之必驗也。然與人事可相通也，不可專執而論，如病不相符，可究其六親之吉凶，事體之否泰，必有應驗者。

When the earth element is dry, it cannot generate metal; when fire is intense, it naturally dries up water, leading to kidney deficiency. When the earth element is weak, it cannot control water; when wood is strong, it naturally overcomes earth, causing damage to the spleen and stomach. All such diseases caused by disharmony among the five elements must be carefully examined and will inevitably manifest. However, these principles are also applicable to human affairs, and one should not rigidly adhere to a single aspect. If the symptoms do not match, one should investigate the fortune or misfortune of the six relations and the success or failure of the matter, for one of them must surely be accurate.

如日主是金，木是財星，局中火旺，日主不能任其財，必生火而助殺，反為日主之忌神。既或有水，水仍生木，則金氣愈虛。金為大腸肺，肺傷大腸不暢，不能下生腎水，木洩水而生火，必主腎肺兩傷之病。然亦有無此者，必財多破耗，衣食不敷，是其咎也。然亦有無病而財源旺者，其妻必陋惡，子必不肖也。

For example, if the day stem is metal, then wood is the wealth star. However, if fire is strong in the chart, the day stem cannot bear the wealth. Instead, the wealth star nourishes fire and strengthens the killing force, making the wealth star become the day stem's hostile god. Even if there is water in the chart, it still nourishes wood, further weakening the metal. Metal corresponds to the large intestine and lungs. If the lungs are injured, the large intestine becomes obstructed and cannot descend to generate kidney water. Wood then drains the water to nourish fire, inevitably causing damage to both the kidneys and lungs. However, there are cases where such diseases do not occur. In such cases, it is certainly due to repeated financial losses and insufficient clothing and food, which are the source of his misfortunes. There are also cases where there is no illness and the source of wealth is strong. In such cases, his wife is likely ugly and unkind, and his son is certainly not capable.

斷斷必有一驗。其中亦有妻腎子肖而無病，且財源旺者，歲運一路土金之妙也。然亦有局中金水，與木火停勻，而得肺腎之病者，或財多破耗，或妻陋子劣者，亦因歲運一路木火，而金水受傷之故也。宜仔細推詳，不可執一而論也。

Among these three, one of them will certainly come to pass. There are cases where a wife is virtuous, children are respectful, and the person remains healthy with abundant wealth, such as when "wife's kidney" is actually "wife's virtue." This is due to the favorable influence of the year and destiny moving through the elements of earth and metal. Conversely, there are cases where the original balance of gold, water, wood, and fire in the chart is even, yet the person still suffers from lung and kidney diseases, or experiences financial losses, or has an unvirtuous wife and poor children. This is because the year and destiny have been moving through wood and fire, which have harmed the gold and water. These matters should be carefully examined, and one should not stick to a single perspective.

壬辰　壬子　辛酉　己丑 癸丑　甲寅　乙卯　丙辰　丁巳　戊午 辛金生於仲冬，金水傷官，局中全無火氣，金寒水冷，土溼而凍，初患冷漱。然傷官佩印，格局純清，讀書過目成誦，早年入泮。甲寅乙卯，洩水之氣，家業大增；至丙辰運，水火相剋而得疾，丙寅年火金旺，水愈激，竟成弱症而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Renchen, month pillar Renzi, day pillar Xinyou, and hour pillar Jichou; the big years are Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, and Wuwu. The person was born in the eleventh month, which is the metal and water official pattern. There is no trace of fire in the chart, so the metal is cold and the water is cold, and the earth is damp and frozen. Therefore, he suffered from cold cough in his early years. However, the official pattern is combined with the seal, making the pattern pure and clear. He could memorize things at a glance and entered school at an early age. During the Jiayin and Yimao big years, the water's strength was drained, and his family fortune greatly increased. When he reached the Bingchen big year, the water and fire mutually controlled each other, and he fell ill. In the Bingyin year, the fire became stronger, which in turn stimulated the water more strongly, eventually leading to a weak condition and his death.

己丑　丙子　辛酉　壬辰 乙亥　甲戌　癸酉　壬申　辛未　庚午 金水傷官，丙火透露，去其寒凝，故無冷嗽之病；癸酉入學補廩，而舉於鄉。問曰：金水傷官喜官星，何以癸酉水之運而得功名？余曰：金水傷官喜火，不過要其暖局，非取以為用也。取火為用者，十無一二；取水為用者，十有八九。取火者必要木火齊來，又要日元旺相。此造日元雖旺，局中少木，虛火無根，必以水為用神也。壬申運由教習得知縣，辛未支丁丑年，火土並旺，合取壬水，子水亦傷，得疾而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Jichou, month pillar Bingzi, day pillar Xinyou, and hour pillar Renchen; the big years are Yihai, Jiaxu, Guiyou, Renshen, Xinyou, and Gengwu. This is a Jin Shui Shang Gan pattern. Fortunately, the fire Bing is revealed in the heavenly stem, which removes the cold and dampness in the pattern, so there is no problem of cold cough. During the Guiyou big year, he passed the examination and became a廪生, and also passed the local examination to become a juren. Someone asked: Jin Shui Shang Gan pattern prefers to see official stars, so why did he achieve success during the Guiyou big year, which belongs to water? I answered: Jin Shui Shang Gan prefers fire, but it is only to warm up the pattern, not to take fire as the useful god. Among ten cases taking fire as the useful god, less than two are suitable, while among ten cases taking water as the useful god, eight or nine are suitable. To take fire as the useful god, both wood and fire must be present, and the day stem must be strong and prosperous. In this case, although the day stem is strong, the pattern lacks wood, and the fire is empty and rootless, so water must be taken as the useful god. During the Renshen big year, he started as a teacher and was appointed as a county magistrate. During the Xinyou big year's Dingchou year, fire and earth both became strong, combined and took away the壬water, even injuring the zi water, and he died from illness.

甲戌　丙子　庚子　丙戌 丁丑　戊寅　己卯　庚辰　辛巳　壬午 庚金生於子，丙火併透，地支兩戌燥土，乃丙這庫根，又得甲木生丙，過於熱也。運至戊寅己卯，而患談火之症；庚辰經肩幫身，支逢溼土，其病勿藥而愈，加捐出仕。辛巳長生之地，名利兩全。其不用火者，身衰之故也。凡金水傷官用火，必要身旺逢財，中和用水，衰弱有土也。

The four pillars are year pillar Jiaxu, month pillar Bingzi, day pillar Gengzi, and hour pillar Bingxu; the big years are Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, and Renwu. Geng metal is born in the month of Zi, with two Bing fires appearing, and two Xu dry earths in the earth branches, which are the roots of Bing fire. Adding Jia wood to generate Bing fire, it becomes too dry and hot. When he reaches the Wuyin and Jimao big years, he suffers from a cough with phlegm and fire symptoms. In the Gengchen big year, the same Geng metal helps the day pillar, and the earth branches meet wet earth, so the illness heals without medicine, and he is appointed to an official position. In the Xinsi big year, Si is the growth place of Geng metal, leading to success in both fame and fortune. The reason why fire is not used here is because the day pillar is weak. Generally, when gold and water officials are harmed, fire is needed only if the body is strong and wealth is present; if the energy is balanced, water is used; if the day pillar is weak, then earth is needed.

己巳　庚午　己亥　丙寅 己巳　戊辰　丁卯　丙寅　乙丑　甲子 己土生於仲夏，火土印綬，已本溼土，又坐下亥水，丙火透而逢生，年月又逢祿旺，此之謂熱，非燥也。寅亥化生火，夏日可畏，兼之運走東南木地，風屬木，故患風疾。且巳亥本陰用陽也，得午助，心與小腸愈旺；亥逢寅洩，庚金不能下生，腎氣愈虧，又患遣洩之症。幸善調養，而病勢無增，至乙丑運轉北方，前病皆愈。甲子癸亥水地，老而益壯，又納妾生子，發財數萬。

The four pillars are year pillar Jisi, month pillar Gengwu, day pillar Jihai, and hour pillar Bingyin; the big years are successively Jisi, Wuchen, Dingmao, Bingyin, Yichou, and Jiazi. The earthy element Jisi is born in the fifth month, which is the fire and earth official position. The Jisi earth is originally a damp earth (the original book mistakenly writes 'yi', which should be 'ji'), and the day branch is occupied by Hai water. The Bing fire appears in the hour stem and is supported by Yin wood, and the year and month branches are also its strong and prosperous places. This situation is called 'heat', but it is not yet 'dry'. Yin and Hai combine to form wood and generate fire, and the fire power in summer is really formidable; adding the big years moving to the southeast wood land, wind belongs to wood in the five elements, so he suffers from a wind illness. Moreover, the relationship between Si and Hai is 'using yang in yin', and Si is further supported by Wu fire, so the heart and small intestine become even more vigorous; Hai water is consumed by Yin wood, and Geng metal is unable to produce water downward, so the kidney energy becomes even more deficient, thus suffering from leakage symptoms ('qianxie' should be 'yixie'). Fortunately, he is good at cultivating and maintaining his health, so the illness does not worsen; when the big year reaches Yichou and enters the northern direction, all previous illnesses are cured; when the big years reach Jiazi and Guihai, which are water lands, although he is old, he becomes even stronger, and he even takes a concubine and has a son, becoming wealthy with tens of thousands of money.

辛未　戊戌　戊戌　丁巳 丁酉　丙申　乙未　甲午　癸巳　壬辰 戊土生於戌月，未戌皆帶火燥土，時逢丁巳，火土印綬，戌本燥土，又助其凶，時在季秋，此之謂燥，非熱也。年干辛金，丁火劫之，辛屬肺，燥土不能生金。初患痰症，肺家受傷之故也。其不致不害者，運走丙申丁酉，西方金地。至乙未甲午，木火相生，土愈燥，竟得蛇皮瘋，所謂皮癢也。癸巳運水無根，不能克火及激其焰，其疾卒以亡身。此火土逼干癸水，腎家絕也。

The four pillars are year pillar Xinwei, month pillar Wuxu, day pillar Wuxu, and hour pillar Dingsi; the big years are in sequence Dingyou, Bingshen, Yiwei, Jiawu, Guisi, and Renchen. TheWu Earth is born in the month of戌, and both 未 and 戌 are dry earths with fire, and the hour pillar meets Dingsi, forming a fire and earth official pattern. 戌 itself is dry earth, which further enhances its harsh nature. The season is deep autumn, and this situation is called "dryness," not "heat." The year stem Xin metal is robbed by Ding fire, and Xin metal corresponds to the lungs, while the dry earth cannot produce metal. Therefore, he suffered from phlegm disease in his early years, which was due to injury to the lungs. He did not suffer severely at first because the big years Dingyou and Bingshen belong to the western metal direction. However, when the big years Yiwei and Jiawu came, wood and fire generated each other, making the earth even drier, and he finally developed "snake skin disease," a stubborn skin condition characterized by thick, scaly skin resembling snake skin, which is referred to as "skin itching" in the original text. In the Guisi big year, the癸water has no root, not only failing to overcome fire but even intensifying the fire, leading to his eventual death from this illness. This is due to the fire and earth drying up the癸water, causing the kidneys to fail completely.

己丑　丁丑　己亥　乙丑 丙子　乙亥　甲戌　癸酉　壬申　辛未 己土生於季冬，支逢三丑，日主本旺，過於寒溼，丁火無根，不能去其寒溼之氣。乙木凋枯，置之不用，書香難就。己土屬脾，寒而且溼，故幼多瘡毒。癸酉壬申運，財雖大旺，兩腳寒溼瘡，數十年不愈，又中氣大虧，亦乙木凋柘之意也。

The four pillars are year pillar Jichou, month pillar Dingchou, day pillar Jihai, and hour pillar Yichou; the big years are in sequence Bingzi, Yihai, Jiaxu, Guiyou, Renshen, and Xinwei. The Jichou earth is born in the twelfth lunar month, and the earth branches meet three Chous, so the day ruler is already strong, but it is too cold and damp. The Ding fire has no root, and cannot dispel this cold and dampness. The Yi wood is withered and dry, so it is discarded, thus making it difficult to achieve success in official positions and academic ranks. The Jichou earth belongs to the spleen, which is both cold and damp, so he suffered from many sores in his childhood. The Guiyou and Renshen years although bring great wealth, the cold and damp sores on his legs remain untreatable for decades, and he also suffers from a severe loss of vital energy, which exactly corresponds to the meaning of the withered and dry Yi wood (the term '凋柘' should be '凋枯').

丙戌　己亥　甲戌　庚午 庚子　辛丑　壬寅　癸卯　甲辰　乙巳 甲木生於亥月，印雖當令，四柱土多克水，天干庚金無根，又與亥水遠隔，戌中辛金鬱而愛騻，午丙引出戌中丁火，亥水被戌土制定，不能克火，所謂鬱火金也。庚為大腸，丙火克之；辛為肺，午火攻之；壬為膀胱，戌土傷之，謂火毒攻內。甲辰運木又生火，沖戌中辛金，被午克之，生肺疽而亡。

The four pillars are year pillar Bingxu, month pillar Jihai, day pillar Jiaxu, and hour pillar Gengwu; the big years are in order Gengzi, Xinchou, Rennyin, Guimao, Jiachen, and Yisi. Jia wood is born in the month of Hai, the印star is in its season, but the four pillars have too much earth which restrains the water. The heavenly stem Geng metal has no root and is far from the water in Hai. The hidden metal in Xu is blocked and injured (the original text says 'ai liu', which is a mistake and should be 'injured' or similar). The fire in Wu and Bing fire brings out the hidden Ding fire in Xu. The water in Hai is restrained by Xu earth and cannot restrain the fire — this is what was previously called 'accumulated fire and metal'. Geng metal corresponds to the large intestine and is attacked by Bing fire; Xin metal corresponds to the lungs and is attacked by Wu fire; Ren water corresponds to the bladder and is injured by Xu earth: this is called fire poison attacking internally. When entering the Jiachen big year, Jia wood again generates fire, and Chen冲opens the hidden Xin metal in Xu, which is then injured by Wu fire, leading to lung abscess and death.

庚寅　癸未　甲午　甲戌 甲申　乙酉　丙戌　丁亥　戊子　己丑 木火傷官用印，得庚金貼身，生癸水之印，純粹可觀，讀書過目不忘。惜庚癸兩字，地支不載，又嫌戌時會起火局，不例題金不柘傷，而且火能熱木，命主元神洩盡。幼成弱症，肺腎兩虧，至丙戌運，逼水克金而夭。

The four pillars are year pillar Gengyin, month pillar Guiwei, day pillar Jiawu, and hour pillar Jiaxu; the big years are in sequence Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, and Jichou. This is a pattern of wood and fire official with the use of the seal. It is favorable that Geng metal is closely attached to the day pillar, which can generate Gui water, the seal star. The configuration is pure and commendable, and the person has an excellent memory for reading. Unfortunately, the characters Geng and Gui do not have support in the earth branches. Also, the hour pillar Xu, together with the year pillar Yin and day pillar Wu, forms a fire trinity, which injures Geng metal instead (the original text reads 'bù lì tí jīn bù zhà shāng', which is a corrupted version; according to the context, it should mean that metal is injured by fire). Moreover, fire scorches the wooden pillar, exhausting the person's origin god. He became weak in childhood, with deficiency in the lungs and kidneys. In the Bingxu big year, fire dries up the water and injures the metal, leading to his early death.

癸酉　乙卯　庚戌　戊寅 甲寅　癸丑　壬子　辛亥　庚戌　己酉 春木當權，卯酉雖沖，木旺金缺，土亦受傷；更嫌卯戌寅砘拱合化殺，木主脾虛肺傷疾，然竟一生無病。便酉弱卯強，妻雖不克，而中深難言。生二子，皆不肖，卒為匪類，故免其病，財亦旺也。

The four pillars are year pillar Guiyou, month pillar Yimao, day pillar Gengxu, and hour pillar Wuyin; the big years are in sequence Jiayin, Guichou, Renzi, Xinhai, Gengxu, and Jiyou. In spring, wood is in its prime, so although Mao and You are in opposition, the wood is strong and the metal is weak, and the earth is also injured. It is even more worrying that Mao and Xu are in conjunction, and Yin and Xu are in mutual support, leading to the transformation of seven killing fire (the characters "Yin and Xu" are possibly incorrect). According to the principle of strong wood, it should lead to illness of the spleen and lungs, but he remained healthy all his life. Originally, You is weak and Mao is strong, so the wife is not necessarily harmed, but the depth and complexity of the relationship between husband and wife are hard to describe. He had two sons, but neither was capable, eventually becoming bandits. This is because the misfortune has already manifested in the Six Relations, so he was spared from illness, and his wealth and fortune remained prosperous.

巍巍科第邁邁倫，一個玄機暗裡存。原注：凡看命看人之出身最難，如狀元出身，格局清奇迥異，若隱若露，奇而難決者，必有元機，須搜尋之。

He is lofty and outstanding in the imperial examination, surpassing all others in excellence; there is certainly a hidden "mystery" within this. Original commentary: When examining a person's destiny, determining their origin is the most difficult task. For example, the origin of a top-ranking状元 (imperial examiner) has a unique and extraordinary structure, distinctly different from ordinary people. However, this uniqueness is subtle and elusive, strange and hard to determine. In such a birth chart, there must be another layer of mystery, which needs to be carefully searched for in order to discover it.

任氏曰：命論我人出身最難，故有玄機存焉。玄機者，不特格局清奇迥異，用神真假之分，須究支中藏神司命，包羅用神喜神，使閒神忌神不能爭戰，反有生拱之情。又有格局本無出色處，而名冠群英者，必先究其世德之美惡，次論山川之靈秀，所以鍾靈毓秀。從世德而來者，不論命也。故世德心田居一，山川居二，命格居三。然看命這要，非殺印財官官印雙清為美也。如顯然殺印財官，動人心目者，必非佳造；若用神輕微，喜神暗伏，秀也深藏者，初看並無好處，越看越有精神，其中必有玄機，宜仔細搜尋。

Ren Shi said: Discussing a person's destiny while considering their origin is the most difficult, so there is another hidden key involved. This "hidden key" does not only refer to the distinction between extraordinary patterns and the presence of true or false "useful gods," but also requires a deep examination of which heavenly stem is in command and ruling in the earthly branches, to see if it can encompass the "useful god" and "favorable god," preventing the "idle gods" and "hostile gods" from coming into conflict, and instead creating a mutual generation or supportive relationship with the "useful god" and "favorable god." There is another type of destiny where the pattern itself does not appear outstanding, yet the person is renowned among peers. In such cases, one must first investigate the virtue and morality of their family background, and then consider the spiritual beauty of their hometown and natural landscape. Only when the mountains and rivers are spiritually rich can outstanding people be nurtured; all achievements and honors come from the accumulated virtue of ancestors, so they cannot be judged solely by the eight characters. Therefore, when discussing origin, family virtue and moral character come first, followed by the spiritual qualities of the land and environment, and the eight characters come third. However, the key to judging a destiny is not necessarily that "killer and seal gods are in mutual generation," "wealth and official positions are both strong," or "official and seal gods are both clear." In fact, if the killer, seal, wealth, and official positions are clearly visible and immediately striking, they may not necessarily be the best destiny. Instead, those with subtle "useful gods," hidden "favorable gods," and deep hidden elegance, which initially seem to have no advantages but become more impressive upon closer examination, must certainly contain hidden keys and should be carefully searched for.

壬辰、壬寅、己未、戊辰／癸卯、甲辰、乙巳、丙午、丁未、戊申。己土生於孟春，官當令，天干覆以財星，生官有情，然春初己土溼而且寒，年月壬水，通根峰庫，喜其寅中丙火司令為用，伏而逢生，所謂“玄機暗裡存”也。至丙運，元神發露，戊辰年比助時干，克去壬水，則丙火不受克，大魁天下。以俗論之，官星不透，財輕劫生，謂平常命也。

Four pillars: Renchen, RENYIN, JIWEI, WUCHEN; big years: Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen. The己 earth is born in the beginning of spring, with the official star (the hidden 甲 wood in寅) in command, and the heavenly stem is covered by the wealth star壬 water, which generates the official star. The official star is in harmony. However, in early spring, the己 earth is damp and cold. The壬 water in the year and month stems has its roots in the辰 warehouse, so the water is not light. Fortunately, the丙 fire is in command in寅, so it is taken as the 'useful god'. The fire is hidden in寅 and is supported by wood, which is exactly what is called 'the hidden mystery exists secretly'. When the丙 big year comes, the original god of the useful god is revealed, and when the戊chen year comes, the戊 earth stem, which is a helper, supports the heavenly stem戊 earth, and together they overcome the壬 water. The丙 fire is no longer restrained, and thus the person achieves the top rank and becomes the top in the world. If we look at this according to the common view, the official star is not revealed in the heavenly stem, and the wealth star is light and is generated by the劫财, so it is only considered an ordinary destiny.

壬戌、甲辰、甲戌、丙寅／乙巳、丙午、丁未、戊申、己酉、庚戌。甲木生於季春，木有餘氣，又得比祿之助，時干丙火獨透，通輝純粹。年干壬水，坐下燥土之制，又逢比肩之洩，輾轉相生，則丙火更得其勢。至戊運，戌之元神透出制壬，兩冠群英，三元及第。其仁路未能顯秩者，運走西方金地，洩土生水之故也。

Four pillars: Renxu, Jiachen, Jiaxu, Bingyin; major years: Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu. The Jia wood is born in the third month of spring, and the wood still has residual energy. It also receives the "Lushu" (favorable position) of the hour branch Yin wood and the Jia wood in the month's stem as a helper. The Bing fire in the hour's stem is clearly visible, making the entire chart bright and pure. The Ren water in the year's stem is sitting on dry earth in Xu, being restrained by the earth and also drained by the Jia wood in the month's stem. Water nourishes wood, and wood nourishes fire, creating a chain of mutual generation, which enhances the strength of the Bing fire. When the major year is Wuxu, the original spirit of Wu earth in Xu rises to the sky, controlling the Ren water. Thus, he achieves outstanding results twice, winning three consecutive top positions and passing the imperial examination. His career did not reach high office because, after middle age, his major years moved to the western metal direction. Metal drains the earth's energy and generates water, harming the fire that the entire chart relies on.

甲寅、丁丑、丁卯、庚戌／戊寅、己卯、庚辰、辛巳、壬午、癸未。丁火生於季冬，局中兒子綬疊疊，弱中變旺，足以用財。庚金虛露，本無出色，喜其丑內藏辛為用，亦是玄機暗裡存也。丑乃日元之秀氣，能引比肩來生，又得卯戌合，而丑土不傷，所以身居鼎右，探花及第。

Four pillars: Jiayin, Dingchou, Dingmao, Gengxu; great years: Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei. The Ding fire is born in the third winter month, December. The chart has abundant wood (Jia,卯, Yin) as the official (印绶), which strengthens the day stem, allowing it to bear the wealth star. The heavenly stem at the hour is Geng metal, which appears weak and not prominent. Fortunately, the Chou earth contains hidden Xinh metal, which is taken as the 'useful god' (用神), which is 'hidden mystery exists'. The Chou earth is also the refined essence of the day stem Ding fire, able to attract fellow stems of fire to nourish it. With the combination of Mao and Xu, the Chou earth is not harmed, so this person is ranked among the top, and passed the imperial examination as a third place winner.

丁亥、壬子、庚子、辛巳／辛亥、庚戌、己酉、戊申、丁未、丙午。庚金生於仲冬，傷官太旺，過於洩氣，用神在土，不在火也。柱中之火，不過取其暖局耳。四柱無土，取巳中藏戊，不旺克火，火能生土，亦是玄機暗裡存也。至戊運丙辰年，火土相生，巳中元神併發，亦居鼎右。

Four pillars: Ding Hai, Ren Zi, Geng Zi, Xin Si; big years: Xin Hai, Geng Xu, Ji You, Wu Shen, Ding Wei, Bing Wu. Geng metal is born in the middle of winter, November, where the "wounding official" (water) is too strong, causing excessive depletion of metal energy. The "useful god" should be taken as earth, not fire. The small amount of fire in the pillars is only used to warm the cold environment. There is no earth on the surface of the pillars, so the hidden Wu earth in Si is taken as the useful god. Wu earth is not afraid of fire, and fire can actually generate earth, which is "the hidden mystery exists secretly." When the big year of Wu arrives and the flow year of Bing Chen comes, fire and earth generate each other, the hidden origin god in Si is revealed, and the person is listed among the top ranks.

清得盡時黃榜客，雖存濁氣亦中式。原注：天下之命，未有不清而發科甲者，清得盡者，非必一一成象，雖五行盡出，而能安放得所，生化有情，不混親神忌客，決發科甲。即有一二濁氣，而清氣或成一個體段，亦可發達。

Those whose destinies are completely clear and pure are destined for success in the imperial examinations; even if there is a slight impurity remaining, they can still pass the exams. Original commentary: There is no destiny in the world that is not clear and pure yet can achieve success in the imperial examinations. The term 'clear and pure to the utmost' does not mean that the Five Phases must each form a complete manifestation. Even if all five phases are present in the chart, as long as each is in its proper position, harmonious and supportive, without the beneficial elements being mixed with the harmful ones, success in the imperial examinations is certain. Even if there are a few impurities, as long as the pure elements can form a complete structure and pattern, success is still possible.

任氏曰：清得盡者，非一行成，兩氣雙肖也。雖五盡出，而清氣獨逢生旺，或真神得用，或清所陸海空椹者，橫榜標名也。若清當權，閒神忌客不司令，不深藏，和歲運制化者，亦發科甲也。清所當權，雖有濁氣，安放得所，不銸喜用乾，雖不能發甲，亦發科也。清敢雖不當，得親神忌客不黨濁氣，匡扶清氣，或歲運安頓者，亦可中式也。

Ren Shi said: The phrase "clear qi reaches its limit" does not necessarily mean that one must have a single clear phase and two pure energies. Even if all five phases are present in the chart, as long as the clear qi is alone in a place of birth and strength, or the true god is used effectively, or the clear qi is deeply hidden (this sentence in the original text is corrupted and the meaning is no longer clear; according to the context, it should mean that the clear qi is deeply concealed), it can achieve a high rank. If the clear qi is in control, and the idle gods and disliked spirits are neither in command nor deeply hidden in the branches, and if they can be controlled or transformed by the year or the decade, it can still achieve success in the imperial examination. Even if the clear qi is not in control, as long as the favored spirits and disliked spirits do not join forces with the turbid qi, and instead support the clear qi, or if they can be properly arranged by the year or the decade, it can still pass the examination.

戊辰、乙卯、己卯、丙辰／丙辰、丁巳、戊午、己未、庚申、辛酉。平傳臚造，己土生於卯月，殺旺提綱，乙木元透露，支類東方，時干內火生旺，局中不雜金水，清得盡者也。若一見金，不但不能克木，而金自傷，觸其旺神，徒與不和，為不盡也。

Four Pillars: Wuchen, Yimao, Jimao, Bingchen; Great Destiny: Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou. This is the destiny of a person who achieves a high official position. The Ji earth is born in the卯 month, where the "seven deadly enemies" are strong in the month's main element. The Yimao wood origin god also appears in the heavenly stem. The earthly branches contain Chen,卯, and卯, forming a single piece of eastern wood energy. The丙 fire in the hour stem is supported by wood and becomes strong. There is no metal or water in the chart, which is called "clear and complete." If metal appears in this chart, it not only fails to overcome the strong wood, but also harms itself, offending the dominant powerful god, resulting in mutual discord, which is called "incomplete."

癸未、己未、庚子、甲申／戊午、丁巳、丙辰、乙卯、甲寅、癸丑。庚金生於未月，燥土本難生金，喜其坐下子水，年透元神，謂三伏生寒，潤土養金。雖然土旺水衰，妙在申時拱子，有洩土生水扶身之美，更妙火不顯露，清得盡也。初交戊午丁巳丙運，生土逼水，功名蹭蹬，家業破耗；辰運支全水局，舉於鄉；交乙卯制去己未之土，登黃甲，入詞林，又掌文柄，仕路顯赫。

Four Pillars: Guiwei, Jiwei, Gengzi, Jiashen; Great Years: Wuwu, Dingsi, Bingchen, Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou. Geng metal is born in the month of Wei, which is a dry earth and not very suitable for generating metal. Fortunately, the day's stem sits on Zi water, and the year's stem Gui water is also present, which is like cold air emerging in the middle of summer heat. Water moistens the earth, and the earth can then nourish metal. Although the earth is strong and the water is weak, it is fortunate that the hour's branch Shen metal and the day's branch Zi water form a trine, which can relieve the earth's strength, generate water, and support the day's stem. Even more fortunate is that fire does not appear in the heavenly stem, which is called 'clear and pure'. In early years, when the Great Years were Wuwu, Dingsi, and Bing, fire generated earth, and earth forced water, leading to difficulties in achieving fame and fortune, and some loss of family property. When the Great Year turned to Chen, the earth's branch Shen, Zi, and Chen formed a complete water trine, and he passed the local examination. When the Great Year turned to Yimao, wood restrained the earth's Wei, and he passed the imperial examination, entered the Hanlin Academy, and took charge of the literary examination, achieving great success in his official career.

癸未、癸亥、甲午、丁卯／壬戌、辛酉、庚申、己未、戊午、丁巳。甲木生於亥月，癸水並透，其勢氾濫。冬木喜火，最喜卯時，不特丁火通根，抑且日主臨旺，又會木局，洩木生火扶身；更妙無金，清得盡矣。至己未運，制其癸水，丙辰流年，捷南宮，入翰苑，官居清要。

Four Pillars: Guiwei, Guihai, Jiawu, Dingmao; Grand Journeys: Renxu, Xinyou, Gengshen, Jiwei, Wuwu, Dingsi. The Jia wood is born in the month of Hai. Both the year and month pillars have the癸 water visible, indicating excessive water. In winter, wood most desires fire. In this case, the most favorable aspect is the卯 hour. Not only does the Ding fire gain root and strength through the卯 wood, but the day's main element, Jia wood, also resides in a strong position. Additionally, the presence of Hai, Mao, and Wei forms a wood trinity, allowing the wood to drain the water's energy and generate fire, which in turn warms the body. Even more favorable is the absence of metal in the Four Pillars, which signifies 'clear and complete' harmony. When arriving at the Jiwei Grand Journey, the earth controls the Gui water. Encountering the Bingchen year, he passes the imperial examination, enters the Hanlin Academy, and holds a prestigious official position.

壬辰、己酉、癸卯、己卯／庚戌、辛亥、壬子、癸丑、甲寅、乙卯。癸卯日元，食神太重，不但日元洩氣，而且制殺太過。喜其秋水通源，獨印得用，更妙辰酉合而化金，金氣愈堅，局中全無火氣，清得盡矣。所以登雲路，名高翰苑。惜中運逢木，仕路恐不能顯秩。

Four pillars: Renchen, Jiayou, Guimao, Jimao; Great Years: Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao. The day stem is Guimao, with two Mao wood 'food god' energies being too strong. Not only does this excessively drain the original energy of the day stem, but it also overly restrains the two Ji earth 'seven killers'. Fortunately, the water source in autumn is smooth and unobstructed, with the Xin metal 'tutor star' in You metal being uniquely effective. Moreover, the Chen and You are in harmony and transform into metal, making the metal energy even more solid. There is no fire energy in the entire chart to harm the metal, which is called 'clear and pure'. Therefore, this person is destined to rise to great heights and achieve high reputation in the Han Yuan. Unfortunately, when the Great Year enters the wood territory in middle age, the official career may find it difficult to hold a high position.

己亥、甲戌、庚子、丙子／癸酉、壬申、辛未、庚午、己巳、戊辰。庚金生於戌月，地支兩子一亥，干透丙火，克洩交加。喜其印旺月提，雖嫌甲木生火克土，得甲己合而化，清得盡也。至己巳流年，印星有助，沖去亥水，甲木長生，名題雁塔。

Four Pillars: Jihai, Jiaxu, Gengzi, Bingzi; Grand Destiny: Guiyou, Renshen, Xinwei, Gengwu, Jisi, Wuchen. Geng metal is born in the month of Xu, with two Zi water branches and one Hai water, and the heavenly stem also has Bing fire. Both the overcoming and the draining elements are acting on the body. Fortunately, the month of Xu is the strong time for the "Imperial Star" (印星) in the main pillar. Although it is regrettable that Jia wood generates fire and overcomes earth, the good news is that the year stem Jihai and the month stem Jiaxu are in harmony, so the wood does not become a problem. This is called "clear and complete" (清得尽). When the flow year is Jisi, the Imperial Star is supported by Jihai earth, and the巳 branch conflicts with Hai water, while Jia wood also meets the condition of growth (长生) in巳. The person then successfully passes the imperial examination and is named on the bell tower.

己亥、丙子、庚子、辛巳／乙亥、甲戌、癸酉、壬申、辛未、庚午。庚金生於仲冬，地支兩子一亥，干透丙火，克洩並見。喜其己土透露，洩火生金，五行無木，清得盡也。至己巳年，印星得助，名高翰苑，所不足者，印不當令，又己土遙列而虛，故降任知縣。

Four Pillars: Jihai, Bingzi, Gengzi, Xinsi; Great Destiny: Yihai, Jiaxu, Guiyou, Renshen, Xinwei, Gengwu. Geng metal is born in the middle of winter, November, with two Zi water branches and one Hai water, and the heavenly stem also reveals Bing fire. Both controlling and draining are present. Fortunately, Ji earth is revealed in the year stem, which can drain the fire and nourish the metal. In the Five Phases, there is no wood to damage the earthy element, which is called 'clear and complete'. In the flow year of Jisi, the earthy element is supported, and the person becomes famous in the Han Yuan. The deficiency is that the earthy element is not in its season, and Ji earth is far away in the year stem and is weak and ineffective, so later he was appointed as a county magistrate.

丙申、壬辰、丙子、壬辰／癸巳、甲午、乙未、丙申、丁酉、戊戌。丙火生於季春，兩殺並透，支會殺局，喜其辰土當令制殺，辰中木有餘氣而生身，病在申金，無此盡美，所以天資過人。丁卯年合殺，而印星得地，中鄉榜，辛未年去其子水，木火皆得餘氣，春闈亦捷。究竟申金為嫌，不得大用歸班；更嫉運走西方，以酒爭為事也。

Four pillars: Bing Shen, Ren Chen, Bing Zi, Ren Chen; big years: Guisi, Jiawu, Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu. The fire of Bing is born in the third month of spring, with two壬 (seven killers) appearing in the month and hour, and the earth branches Shen, Zi, and Chen forming a water trinity to assist the killer. Fortunately, the earth branch Chen is in command, able to control the strong killer, and the wood of Yi in Chen still has some residual energy to nourish the self. The problem in the whole chart is the metal of Shen (which produces water and assists the killer), if there were no Shen metal, the chart would be perfect, so this person has extraordinary talent. In the year of Ding Mao, the fire of Ding combines with the killer壬, and the印星 (helper star) of Mao wood is in its own place, leading to success in the local examination. In the year of Xin Wei, the earth of Wei removes the water of Zi, and both wood and fire have residual energy, leading to success in the imperial examination. Ultimately, the presence of Shen metal is a drawback, preventing great use and resulting in only a minor position. It is even more regrettable that the big years go to the western metal direction, leading to indulgence in drinking and competition.

戊午、壬戌、壬子、乙巳／癸亥、甲子、乙丑、丙寅、丁卯、戊辰。壬水生於戌月，水進氣，而得坐下陽刃幫身，年干之殺，比肩擋之，謂身殺兩停，其病在午，子水門沖之，又嫌在巳，子水隔之，使其不能生殺，且戌中辛金暗藏為用，同胞雙生，皆中進士。

Four Pillars: Wuwu, Renxu, Renzi, Yisi; Great Destiny: Guihai, Jiazi, Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen. The壬water is born in the month of Xu, when water is gradually entering its season, and it is supported by the Zi water in the position, which is called the Yang Blade. The Wu earth in the year pillar, which is the Seven Killers, is blocked by the壬water in the month pillar, which is called 'body and killer balanced'. The problem in the whole chart is the Wu fire (which generates earth and helps the killer), but fortunately the Zi water directly opposes it. Also, the巳fire in the hour pillar is prevented from generating the Wu earth killer because the Zi water is in between. Moreover, the hidden Xin metal in Xu can be used effectively. Therefore, these twin brothers both passed the imperial examination and became jinshi.

庚戌、辛巳、乙卯、戊寅／壬午、癸未、甲申、乙酉、丙戌、丁亥。乙木生於巳月，傷官當令，足以制官伏殺，坐下祿支扶身，寅時又藤蘿繫甲，至庚辰年，支類東方，中鄉榜，不發甲，只因四柱無印，戌土洩火生金之故也。同胞雙生，其弟生卯時，雖亦得祿，不及寅中甲木有力，而藏之為美，故遲於己亥年，印星生拱，始中張榜也。

Four pillars: Gengxu, Xinsi, Yimao, Wuyin; big years: Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai. The ethereal wood is born in the month of Si, where the "hurtful official" is in charge, and the fire is strong enough to control Geng and Xing official and killing forces. The day's main pillar is seated on the卯wood, which is the "favorable position" and receives support. At the hour of Yin, it is like a vine climbing on Ji wood, receiving the strength of Ji wood contained in Yin. When the flow year is Gengchen, the earth branches of Yin, Mao, and Chen form the eastern wood energy, and the person passed the county examination. He failed to further pass the imperial examination because the four pillars lack the "seal star," and the year branch Xu earth drains the fire and generates metal. This is a pair of twin brothers. The younger brother was born at the hour of Mao. Although Mao is also the "favorable position" of ethereal wood, it is not as strong as the Ji wood contained in Yin. Moreover, the Ji wood is hidden and not revealed, which is more wonderful. Therefore, the younger brother only passed the examination in the year of Jihai, when the "seal star" supported and assisted him.

癸亥、乙卯、戊午、甲寅／甲寅、癸丑、壬子、辛亥、庚戌、己酉。戊土生於仲春，官殺並旺臨祿，又才星得地生扶，雖坐下午火印綬，虛土不能納火各成充命從殺一既從，水作混論，郅了運沖去午火，庚子年金生水量，沖盡香火，中鄉榜。

Four pillars: Guihai, Yimao, Wuwu, Jiayin; major years: Jiayin, Guichou, Renzi, Xinhai, Gengxu, Jiyou. TheWu Earth was born in the middle of spring, with the official (Yi wood) and killer (Jia wood) both strong and located in their own land. The癸water in the year pillar, as the 'wealth star', is supported by the亥water, which generates and supports the wood. Although the day's main element sits on the午fire印, the floating earth cannot hold this fire, so the entire chart becomes a 'following the killer' pattern (these sentences are seriously corrupted and the meaning is no longer clear, so I explain the general idea according to the logic). Since it is following the killer, water cannot be considered as a mixed element. When it reaches the子year, the子water冲去 the午fire, and in the Gengzi year, the metal generates water, and water supports the wood killer, completely eliminating the remaining fire. The person then passed the local examination.

戊子、壬戌、庚寅、癸未／癸亥、甲子、乙丑、丙寅、丁卯、戊辰。庚金生地戌月，印星當令，金亦有氣，用神在水，不在火也。至庚申流年，壬水逢生，又洩土氣，北闈奏捷。所發者，戊土元神透露，不利春闈，兼之中運木火，則多破耗。

Four Pillars: Wu Zi, Ren Xu, Geng Yin, Gui Wei; Grand Years: Gui Hai, Jia Zi, Yi Chou, Bing Yin, Ding Mao, Wu Chen. Geng metal is born in the month of Xu, where the "Imperial Star" is in command, and metal also has some strength, so the "Useful God" should be water, not fire. In the year of Geng Shen, Geng metal supports Ren water, and water drains away the strength of the earth, allowing this person to achieve success in the Northern Examination (North闱). However, he only reached this level because the original "Origin God" of Wu earth is revealed in the year stem, and the abundance of the "Imperial Star" actually buries the metal, making it unfavorable for the Spring Examination (Spring闱). Additionally, during middle age, his Grand Years travel through wood and fire territories, leading to many losses.

戊子、己未、辛亥、戊子／庚申、辛酉、壬戌、癸亥、甲子、乙丑。辛金生於季夏，局中雖多燥土，妙在叢下亥不，年時逢子養金，能邀其未拱木為用。至丁卯年，全會木局，有病得藥，棘闈奏捷。

Four Pillars: Wuzi, Jiwei, Xinhai, Wuzi; Great Destiny: Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai, Jiazi, Yichou. The辛gold is born in the late summer sixth month, although the dry earth is heavy in the chart, it is fortunate that the day's stem sits on Hai water, and the year and hour branches also meet Zi water to moisten the earth and nourish the gold. The Hai water can also combine with the month's branch Wei earth, supporting the growth of wood. When the Dingmao year comes, Hai, Mao, and Wei form a complete wood trine, which is like a sick person receiving the right medicine. The person then succeeded in the local examination.

秀才不是塵凡子，清氣還嫌官不起。原注：秀才之命，與異路人、貧人、富人之命，無什大別，然終有一種清氣處，但官星不起，故無爵祿。

Those who can become county scholars are certainly not ordinary people; their fate inherently possesses a clear and refined quality. The only drawback is that their official star does not rise, so they remain at the level of a single official title. Original note: The fate of a county scholar is not fundamentally different from that of someone who rises to prominence through an alternative path, the poor, or the rich. However, there is always a certain clear and refined quality present. The reason they do not attain titles and salaries is because their official star does not rise.

任氏曰：秀才之命，與異路貧富人無會什分別，細究之，必有清氣存焉。官星不起者，非官星不透之謂也，如官星太旺，日主不能用其官；如官星太弱，官昨不能剋日主。如官旺用印見財者，如官衰用財遇劫者，如印多洩官星之氣者，如官多無印者，如官透無根，地支不載，如官坐傷位，傷坐官位，如忌官逢財，喜官遇傷者，皆謂之官星不起也。

Ren Shi said: The fate of a scholar is not visibly different from that of people from other paths or of the poor and rich, but upon careful examination, there must be some clarity in it.the so-called "official star does not arise" does not mean that the official star is not revealed in the heavenly stem. For example, if the official star is too strong, the day's main element cannot bear it and cannot use this official; if the official star is too weak, the official star will suppress the day's main element and cannot move it. Also, if the official star is strong and should use the seal star, but the wealth element appears in the chart to damage the seal star; if the official star is weak and should use the wealth element to generate the official, but the劫财 element appears to take away the wealth; if the seal star is too much, it will exhaust the official star's energy; if there are many official stars but no seal star to harmonize and transform the official star; if the official star is revealed in the heavenly stem but has no root in the earthly branch, the earthly branch cannot support it; if the official star is sitting on the position of the harmful star, or the harmful star is sitting on the position of the official star; if someone who should avoid the official star meets the wealth element that generates the official star, or someone who should welcome the official star meets the harmful star that suppresses the official star— all these situations are called "the official star does not arise."