On the Connection with the Divine · Eight, Earthly Branches

陽支動且強，速達顯災祥；陰支靜且專，否泰每經年。原注：子、寅、辰、午、申、戌，陽也，其性動，其勢強，其發至速，其災祥至顯；丑、卯、巳、未、酉、亥，陰也，其性靜，其氣專，發之不速，而否泰之驗，每至經年而後見。

The yang branches are active and strong, so their effects manifest quickly and calamities or auspicious signs appear clearly. The yin branches are quiet and focused, so their effects take longer to appear, and the outcomes of good or bad fortune often become evident only after a whole year. The original commentary says: the branches Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, and Xu belong to the yang category, are active and powerful, and their effects occur very quickly, with calamities or auspicious signs being very clear. The branches Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, and Hai belong to the yin category, are quiet and focused, and their effects do not manifest quickly, while the outcomes of good or bad fortune often only become apparent after a full year.

任氏曰：地支有以子至巳為陽，午至亥為陰者，此從冬至陽生、夏至陰生論；有以寅至未為陽，申至丑為陰者，此分木火為陽，金水為陰也。命家以子、寅、辰、午、申、戌為陽，丑、卯、巳、未、酉、亥為陰。若子從癸、午從丁，是體陽而用陰也；巳從丙，亥從壬，是體陰而用陽也。分別取用，亦惟剛柔健順之理，與天干無異，但生剋制化，其理多端，蓋一支所藏或二干，或三干故耳。然以本氣為主，寅必先甲而後及丙，申必先庚而後及壬，餘支皆然。陽支性動而強，吉凶之驗恆速；陰支性靜而弱，禍福之應較遲。在局在運，均以此意消息之。

Ren Tieqiao explains: The Earthly Branches are divided into yang from Zi to Si and yin from Wu to Hai, based on the idea that one yang is born at the winter solstice and one yin at the summer solstice. There is also a classification where yang is from Yin to Wei and yin is from Shen to Chou, which separates wood and fire as yang, and metal and water as yin. In terms of destiny, the yang branches are Zi, Yin, Chen, Wu, Shen, and Xu, while the yin branches are Chou, Mao, Si, Wei, You, and Hai. If it is said that Zi contains癸 (Kui), and Wu contains丁 (Ding), that is the body being yang and the use being yin. If it is said that Si contains丙 (Bing), and Hai contains壬 (Ren), that is the body being yin and the use being yang. The distinction in using these elements is merely a matter of the principles of strength and flexibility, just like the Heavenly Stems. However, the Earthly Branches have more complex interactions of generation, control, and transformation because each branch may contain two or three Heavenly Stems. Nevertheless, the main focus is always on the 'original qi' (ben qi): for Yin, the first consideration is Jia wood, then Bing fire; for Shen, the first consideration is Geng metal, then Ren water; the same applies to the other branches. Yang branches are active and strong, so their effects of good or bad fortune are usually quick. Yin branches are passive and weak, so their effects of good or bad fortune tend to be slower. Whether in the birth chart or in the course of life, this principle should be considered.

生方怕動庫宜開，敗地逢沖仔細推。原注：寅、申、巳、亥生方也，忌沖動；辰、戌、丑、未四庫也，宜沖開。子、午、卯、酉四敗也，有逢合而喜沖者，不若生地之必不可沖也；有逢沖而喜合者，不若庫地之必不可閒也。須仔細詳之。

The directions of growth (寅, 申, 巳, 亥) should avoid being disturbed by冲; the storage places (辰, 戌, 丑, 未) are suitable for being disturbed by冲; the four败 places (子, 午, 卯, 酉) require careful consideration when encountering冲. The original commentary states: 寅, 申, 巳, 亥 are the directions of growth, which should avoid being disturbed by冲; 辰, 戌, 丑, 未 are the four storage places, which are suitable for being disturbed by冲; 子, 午, 卯, 酉 are the four败 places, among which those that meet 合 are happy to encounter 冲, unlike the growth directions which absolutely cannot be disturbed, and those that meet 冲 are happy to encounter 合, unlike the storage places which absolutely cannot be left idle. It is necessary to examine carefully.

任氏曰：舊說云，金水能沖木火，木火不能沖金水，此論天干則可，論地支則不可。蓋地支之氣多不專，有他氣藏在內也。須看他氣乘權得勢，即木火亦豈不能沖金水乎？生方怕動者，兩敗俱傷也。假如寅申逢沖，申中庚金，克寅中甲木，寅中丙火，未嘗不克申中庚金；申中壬水，克寅中丙火，寅中戊土，未嘗不克申中壬水。戰克不靜故也。庫宜開者，然亦有宜不宜，詳在雜氣章中。敗地逢沖仔細推者，子、午、卯、酉之專氣也，用金水則可沖，用木火則不可沖。然亦須活看，不可執一。倘用春夏之金水，則金水之氣休囚，木火之勢旺相，金水豈不反傷乎？宜參究之。

Ren Tieqiao explains: The old saying states that metal and water can overcome wood and fire, while wood and fire cannot overcome metal and water. This may be acceptable when discussing heavenly stems, but it does not hold when discussing earthly branches. Because the energy of the earthly branches is usually not exclusive, and there are other heavenly stems hidden within them. One must examine whether the other energies are dominant. If they are dominant, how can wood and fire not overcome metal and water? The phrase "the birth element fears movement" refers to mutual destruction. For example, the conflict between寅 and申: the庚 metal in申 overcomes the甲 wood in寅, while the丙 fire in寅 also overcomes the庚 metal in申; the壬 water in申 overcomes the丙 fire in寅, while the戊 earth in寅 also overcomes the壬 water in申. This is precisely because of the mutual conflict and control, causing neither side to be at peace. The phrase "the repository should be opened" also has cases where it should be opened and cases where it should not, which will be detailed in the chapter on "Miscellaneous Qi" later. The phrase "careful consideration is needed when a weak position meets a clash" means that the branches of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You have exclusive energies. If one uses metal and water, they can be overcome, but if one uses wood and fire, they should not be overcome. However, this should be viewed flexibly and not rigidly. If one is using metal and water from spring and summer, then metal and water are weak and wood and fire are strong, so metal and water would not only not overcome but would actually be harmed. One should carefully examine and investigate.

甲寅　壬申　癸巳　癸亥 癸酉　甲戌　己亥　丙子　丁丑　戊寅　己卯　庚辰 秋水通源，金當令，水重重，木囚逢沖，不足為用。火雖休而緊貼日支，況秋初餘氣未息，用神必在巳火。巳亥逢沖，群劫紛爭，所以連克三妻，無子。兼之運走北方水地，以致破耗異常；至戊寅己卯，運轉東方，喜用合宜，得其溫飽；庚運制傷生劫，又逢酉年，喜用兩傷，不祿。

Four pillars: Jia Yin year, Renshen month, Guisi day, Guihai hour; large years: Guiyou, Jia Xu, Jihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen. In autumn, water has its source and metal is in command, with water accumulating heavily. The Jia Yin wood in the year is both weak and attacked by Shen, so it is not useful. Although fire is weak in autumn, it is closely below the day branch, and since the residual heat of fire has not yet disappeared at the beginning of autumn, the useful god must be on the Si fire. Unfortunately, Si and Hai are in conflict, and the heavy water forms a group of disasters to compete, thus causing the death of three wives and no sons. Moreover, the large years go through the northern water land, leading to unusual financial loss. When the large years reach Wu Yin and Ji Mao, the movement goes to the eastern wood land, and the auspicious and useful gods are well matched, thus achieving a modest living. When reaching Geng year, Geng metal controls the injurious star and supports the劫财, and when encountering You year, the auspicious and useful gods are both damaged, leading to death.

癸巳　癸亥　甲寅　壬申 壬戌　辛酉　庚申　己未　戊午　丁巳 甲寅日元，生於孟冬，寒木必須用火。柱中四逢旺水傷用，無土砥定，似乎不美，妙在寅亥臨合，巳火絕處逢生，此即興發之機。然初運西方金地，有傷體用，碌碌風霜，奔馳未遇；四旬外運轉南方火土之地，助起用神，棄印就財，財發數萬，娶妾，連生四子。由是觀之，印綬作用，逢財為禍不小，不如就財，發福最大。

Four pillars:Guisi year, Guihai month, Jiayin day, Renshen hour; great fortune:Renxu, Xinyou, Gengshen, Jiwei, Wuwu, Dingsi. The day stem Jiayin is born in the early winter month of October, and cold wood needs fire. In the four pillars, there are four instances of strong water that harm the useful god, and there is no earth to support and stabilize, which seems unfavorable. However, the day branch寅 combines with the month branch亥 (寅亥 combine to form wood), which brings life to the year branch巳 fire that was in decline. This is the key to prosperity. However, in early years, the person traveled through the western metal path, which harmed the main stem and its useful god, leading to hardships, toil, and lack of success. After forty years, the person moved to the southern fire and earth path, which supported the useful god, gave up the official star (印绶) and focused on the wealth star (财星), achieving wealth of several ten thousand, marrying a concubine, and having four sons in succession. From this, we can see that if the official star is the useful god, and the wealth star harms the official star, the consequences are severe. It is better to give up the official star and focus on the wealth star, which brings the greatest blessings.

辛卯　丁酉　戊子　戊午 丙申　乙未　甲午　癸巳　壬辰　辛卯 傷官用印，喜神即是官星，非俗論土金傷官忌官星也。卯酉沖，則印綬無生助之神；子午沖，使傷官得以肆逞。地支金旺水生，木火沖剋已盡，天干火土虛脫，以致讀書未遂，碌碌經營。然喜水不透，為人文采風流，精於書法。更兼中運天干金水，未免有志難伸。凡傷官佩印喜用在木火者，忌見金水也。

Four pillars:Xinmao year, Dingyou month, Wuzi day, Wuwu hour; big years:Bingshen, Yiwei, Jiawu, Guisi, Renchen, Xinmao. This is a pattern of "hurt official using seal." The favorable deity is the卯 wood official star in the year's branch, not the common teachers' saying that all earth and metal hurt officials should avoid seeing official stars. Unfortunately,卯 and酉 clash, causing the丁 fire seal to lose its wood support;子 and午 clash, allowing the酉 metal hurt official to act freely. The earth branch has strong metal and water to nourish it, so the wood and fire are completely clashed and weakened. The heavenly stem's fire and earth become rootless, leading to no achievement in studying, so they have to be busy in business. Fortunately, water does not appear in the heavenly stem, so this person has literary talent and is skilled in calligraphy. Moreover, the middle years' big years have heavenly stems of metal and water, making it difficult to realize their ambitions. All cases of hurt official with seal and favorable deities in wood and fire should avoid seeing metal and water.

辛未　辛丑　戊辰　壬戌 庚子　己亥　戊戌　丁酉　丙申　乙未 此造非支全四庫之美，所喜者辛金吐秀，丑中元神透出，洩其精英，更妙木火伏而不見，純清不混。至酉運，辛金得地，中鄉榜；後因運行南方，木火併旺，用神之辛金受傷，由舉而進，而不能選。

The four pillars are:Xinwei year, Xinchou month, Wuchen day, and Renxu hour. The major years are: Gengzi, Jihai, Wuxu, Dingyou, Bingshen, and Yiwei. The merit of this destiny does not lie in the completeness of the four earth branches, which are 辰, 戌, 丑, and 未, but rather in the revelation of the refined quality of 辛 metal. The original god of 辛 metal hidden in 丑 is revealed in the heavenly stem, thus releasing the essence of earth. More importantly, the wood and fire are concealed and not visible, making the pattern pure and uncluttered. When the destiny reaches the 酉 year, the 辛 metal gains strength and becomes prosperous, leading to success in the local examination. Later, when the destiny moves to the southern direction, both wood and fire become strong, injuring the useful god, 辛 metal. Although it leads from the local examination to the imperial examination, it ultimately fails to secure an official position.

戊辰　壬戌　辛未　己丑 癸亥　甲子　乙丑　丙寅　丁卯　戊辰 此滿局印綬，土重金埋，壬水用神傷盡，未辰雖藏乙木無沖，或可借用，以待運來引出，乃被丑戌沖破，藏金暗相砍伐，以至克妻無子。由此論之，四庫必要沖者，執一之論也，全在天干調劑得宜，更須用神有力，歲運輔助，庶無偏枯之病也。

Four pillars: Wuchen year, Renxu month, Xinwei day, Jichou hour; major years: Guihai, Jiazi, Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen. This destiny is full of nourishing elements, with heavy earth burying the metal. The water useful god, Ren water, is completely harmed by the earth. Although there is hidden Yi wood in Wei and Chen, if it is not disturbed, it might still be used. However, the conflict between Chou and Xu breaks it, and the metal hidden in the warehouse secretly cuts the Yi wood, leading to the result of no wife and no children. Therefore, the idea that four warehouses must be opened is a narrow view. The key lies in the proper balance of heavenly stems, and the useful god must be strong, with the years and months assisting, to avoid the problem of imbalance.

支神只以沖為重，刑與穿兮動不動。原注：沖者必是相剋，及四庫兄弟之沖，所以必動；至於刑穿之間，又有相生相合者存，所以有動不動之異。

Among the Earthly Branches, only the "Chong" (conflict) is most important. As for "Xing" (imprisonment) and "Chuan" (harm), some can cause movement and others cannot. The original commentary says: conflicts necessarily involve mutual control, and when the four Earthly Branches of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei (the four repositories) conflict with each other, the movement is certain. However, with regard to "Xing" and "Chuan," there are also elements of mutual generation and mutual combination involved, which is why there is a distinction between movement and non-movement.

任氏曰：地支逢沖，猶天干之相剋也，須視其強弱喜忌而論之。至於四庫之沖，亦有宜不宜，如三月之辰，乙木司令，逢戌沖，則戌中辛金，亦能傷乙木；六月之未，丁火司令，逢丑沖，則丑中癸水，亦能傷丁火。按三月之乙、六月之丁，雖屬退氣，若得司令，竟可為用，沖則受傷，不足用矣。所謂暮庫逢沖則發者，後人之謬也。暮者，墳暮之意；庫者，木火金水收藏埋根之地，譬如得氣之墳，未開動而發福者也。如木火金水之天干，地支無寅、卯、巳、午、申、酉、亥、子之祿旺，全賴辰戌丑未之身庫通根，逢沖則微根撥盡，未有沖動而強旺者也。如不用司令，以土為喜神，沖之有益無損，蓋土動則發生矣。

Ren Tieqiao explains: When there is a conflict among the Earthly Branches, it is similar to the mutual control among the Heavenly Stems. It must be judged based on the strength and preference of the elements. As for the conflict among the four storage places, there are cases where the conflict is appropriate and cases where it is not. For example, in the third month, the Earthly Branch Chen is in charge, and if the Earthly Branch Xu comes to conflict, the metal in Xu can harm the wood in Chen. In the sixth month, the Earthly Branch Wei is in charge, and if the Earthly Branch Chou comes to conflict, the water in Chou can harm the fire in Wei. One must know that the wood in the third month and the fire in the sixth month, although in decline, can be taken as the useful god if they are in command. Once they are conflicted, they will be injured and can no longer be used. As for the saying "when the tomb and storage are conflicted, it brings fortune," this is a mistaken view. "Tomb" means a grave; "storage" refers to the place where wood, fire, metal, and water are stored and rooted. It is like a grave that has received energy, which naturally brings good fortune without being disturbed. If the Heavenly Stems of wood, fire, metal, and water do not have the strong roots in the Earthly Branches of Yin, Mao, Si, Wu, Shen, You, Hai, and Zi, but rely entirely on the storage places of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, then a conflict will completely remove that weak root. There is never a case where being conflicted makes the element stronger. If one does not take the commanding element as the useful god, but instead takes the earth itself as the favorable god, then conflicting it is beneficial and not harmful, because the earth becomes active when it is moved.

刑之義無所取，如亥刑亥、辰刑辰、酉刑酉、午刑午，謂之自刑，本支見本支，自謂同氣，何以相刑？子刑卯，卯刑子，是謂相生，何以相刑？戌刑未，未刑丑，皆為土氣，更不當刑。寅刑巳，亦是相生，寅申相刑，即沖何必再刑？又曰子卯一刑也，寅巳申二刑也，丑戌未三刑也，故稱三刑，又有自刑，此皆俗謬，姑置之。穿，即害也，六害由六合而來，沖我合神，故為之害，如子合丑而未沖，丑合子而午沖之類。子未之害，無非相剋，丑午寅亥之害，乃是相生，何以為害？且刑既不足為憑，而害之義，尤為穿鑿。總以論其生克為是，至於破之義，非害即刑也，尤屬不經，削之可也。

The concept of "刑" has no real merit. For example, when亥 is in conflict with亥, 辰 with 辰, 酉 with 酉, and 午 with 午, it is called "self-punishment"—since the same branch meets itself, they are of the same nature, so why should they conflict? When 子 conflicts with 卯, and 卯 conflicts with 子, water and wood are naturally supportive of each other, so why should they conflict? When 戌 conflicts with 未, and 未 conflicts with 丑, they are all of earth nature, so they should not conflict. When 寅 conflicts with 巳, it is wood and fire supporting each other; when 寅 conflicts with 申, they are already opposing each other, so why add "conflict" to it? Some people say that 子 and 卯 form one "conflict," 寅, 巳, and 申 form two "conflicts," and 丑, 戌, and 未 form three "conflicts," so it is called "three conflicts." In addition, there is "self-punishment." These are all common misconceptions, and we may set them aside for now. "Huan" is the same as "harm." The six harms come from the six harmonies: if the one that harmonizes with me is attacked, it is considered harmful. For instance, if 子 and 丑 harmonize, and 午 attacks 丑, or if 丑 and 子 harmonize, and 午 attacks 子, then it is considered harmful. However, the harm between 子 and 未 is simply mutual control, while the harm between 丑 and 午, and 寅 and 亥 is mutual support, so why is it considered harmful? Moreover, since "conflict" is not reliable, the idea of "harm" is even more fabricated. In conclusion, when discussing the earthly branches, the correct approach is to consider generation and control. As for the concept of "breaking," it is either harm or conflict, and especially absurd. It should be deleted altogether.

丙子　辛卯　壬子　癸卯 壬辰　癸巳　甲午　乙未　丙申　丁酉 壬子日元，支逢兩刃，干透癸辛，五行無土，年干丙火臨絕，合辛化水，最喜卯旺提綱，洩其菁英，能化劫刃之頑。秀氣流行，為人恭而有禮，和而中節。至甲運，木之元神發露，科甲連登；午運得卯木洩水生火，及乙未丙運，官至郡守，仕途平順。以俗論之，子卯為無禮之刑，且傷官羊刃逢刑，必至傲慢無禮，兇惡多端矣。

Four pillars: Bingzi year, Xinmao month, Renzi day, Guimao hour; great years: Renchen, Guisi, Jiawu, Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou. The day stem is Renzi, with two Yangren in the earth branches (zi). The heavenly stems reveal癸water and 辛metal, with no earth in the five phases. The heavenly stem丙fire is in its绝position, and also combines with 辛metal to transform into water. Most fortunate is the卯wood in the month, which is in its旺position, releasing the refined essence of water, thus transforming the harshness of the劫财 and Yangren. The refined energy flows smoothly, so the person is respectful, courteous, and in harmony with propriety. When reaching the Jiawu great year, the wood's origin god emerges, leading to continuous success in exams. In the Wu great year, the卯wood releases water to generate fire, and in the Yiwei and Cheng great years, the official position reaches that of a prefect, with a smooth career. If one follows the common masters' interpretation, zi and mao are considered "punishment of impropriety," and with the presence of the伤官 and Yangren also encountering conflict, one would inevitably be arrogant and rude, with many vicious tendencies. However, the reality is exactly the opposite.

辛未　乙未　庚辰　丁亥 甲午　癸巳　壬辰　辛卯　庚寅　己丑 庚辰日元，生於季夏，金進氣，土當權，喜其丁火司令，元神發露而為用神，能制辛金之劫。未為火之餘氣，辰乃木之餘氣，財官皆通根有氣，更妙亥水潤土養金而滋木，四柱無缺陷。運走東南，金水虛，木火實，一生無凶無險。辰運午年，財、印皆有生扶，中鄉榜，由琴堂而遷司馬。壽至丑運。

Four pillars: born in the year of Xinwei, month of Yiwei, day of Gengchen, and hour of Dinghai. Great years: Jiwu, Guisi, Renchen, Xinmao, Gengyin, and Jichou. The day stem Gengchen is born in the late summer month of June, when metal is rising and earth is in command. Fortunately, the fire ruler Ding is in charge, and the origin god is revealed in the hour stem, becoming the useful god. It can control the year stem Xin metal, which is a劫财. The branch Wei is the leftover of fire, and the branch Chen is the leftover of wood. The wealth star Yi wood and the official star Ding fire both have roots and vitality. Even better is the亥 water, which moistens earth, nourishes metal, and supports wood. The four pillars have no defects. The great years go to the southeast, where metal and water are weak, but wood and fire are strong, so there is no danger in life. In the year of Wu during the Chen great year, the wealth star and the scholar star both receive support and assistance, leading to passing the local examination and being promoted from county magistrate to prefectural assistant. Life ends with the Jichou great year.

辛丑　乙未　庚辰　丁丑 甲午　癸巳　壬辰　辛卯　庚寅　己丑 此與前造大同小異，財官亦通根有氣，前則丁火司令，此則己土司令。更嫌丑時，丁火熄滅，則年干辛金肆逞，沖去未中木火微根，財官雖有若無。初運甲午，木火併旺，廕庇有餘；一交癸巳，克丁拱丑，傷劫並旺，刑喪破耗；壬辰運，妻子兩傷，家業蕩然無存，削髮為僧。以俗論之，丑未沖開財官兩庫，名利兩全也。

Four pillars:Xinchou year, Yiwei month, Gengchen day, Dingchou hour; major years:Jiawu, Guisi, Renchen, Xinmao, Gengyin, Jichou. This chart is very similar to the previous one, with both having the wealth star and official star rooted and active. The difference is that in the previous chart, the hour was ruled by 丁 fire, while in this chart, the hour is ruled by 己 earth. Worse still, being born in the 丑 hour, the 丁 fire is extinguished by the damp earth, allowing the year's 辛 gold to become strong and dominant. The 丑 also conflicts with the 未, removing the slight root of wood and fire in 未. Although wealth and official stars are present, they are effectively absent. In the early years of 甲午, wood and fire are both strong, and there is an excess of ancestral blessings. However, upon entering 癸巳, 癸 water overcomes 丁 fire, and the巳 and 丑 form a metal cycle, causing the injurious star and competing star to become strong, leading to injuries, accidents, loss of wealth, and financial losses. In the壬辰 period, both wife and children die, and the family's fortune is completely destroyed, forcing the person to become a monk. If one follows the common teacher's interpretation, the conflict between 丑 and 未 opens up the wealth and official stars' repositories, which should mean both fame and fortune. In reality, this is completely wrong.

暗沖暗會尤為喜，彼沖我兮皆沖起。原注：如柱中無所缺之局，取多者暗沖暗會，沖起暗神，而來會合暗神，比明沖明會尤佳，子來沖午，寅與戌會午是也。是日為我，提綱為彼；提綱為我，年時為彼；四柱為我，運途為彼；運途為我，歲月為彼。如我寅彼申，申能克寅，是彼沖我；我子彼午，子能克午，是我沖彼。皆為沖起。

When there is an invisible conflict or combination, it is especially favorable. When others come to conflict with me, it is considered as lifting up my hidden power. The original commentary says: if a certain pattern is missing in the four pillars, then take the one that has more occurrences to secretly conflict and combine with it. This action of lifting up the hidden god and then combining with it is better than a direct conflict or combination. For example, Zi (water) conflicts with Wu (fire), Yin (wood) combines with Xu (earth) to form Wu (fire). The day stem is 'I', the month stem is 'the other'; the month stem is 'I', the year stem and hour stem are 'the other'; the four pillars are 'I', the destiny years are 'the other'; the destiny years are 'I', the current year is 'the other'. For instance, if I am Yin (wood) and the other is Shen (metal), Shen can overcome Yin, which is the other conflicting with me; if I am Zi (water) and the other is Wu (fire), Zi can overcome Wu, which is me conflicting with the other — both are considered as 'conflicting up'.

任氏曰：支中逢沖，固非美事，然八字缺陷者多，停勻者少。木火旺，金水必乏矣；金水旺，木火必乏矣。若旺而有餘者沖去之，衰而不足者會助之為美。如四柱無沖會之神，得歲運暗來沖會尤為喜也。蓋有病得良劑以生也。然沖有彼我之分，會有去來之理。彼我者，不必分年時為彼，日月為我，亦不必分四柱為我，歲運為彼也，總之喜神是我，忌神為彼可也。如喜神是午，逢子沖，是彼沖我，喜與寅戌會為吉；喜神是子逢午沖，是我沖彼，忌寅與戌會為凶。如喜神是子，有申得辰會而來之為吉；喜神是亥，有未得卯會而去之則凶。寧可我去沖彼，不可彼來沖我。我去沖彼，謂之沖起；彼來沖我，謂之不起。水火之沖會如此，餘可類推。

Ren Tieqiao explains: When there is a clash in the earthly branches, it is generally not a good thing. However, in most cases, the eight characters of a person's birth chart have defects rather than balance. If wood and fire are strong, then metal and water are definitely weak; if metal and water are strong, then wood and fire are definitely weak. If we can eliminate the excess strong elements by clashing and support the weak ones by combining with others, that would be good. If the original birth chart does not have any clashing or combining elements, but the coming year and the current period quietly bring about clashing and combining, this is especially desirable—it is like a sick person receiving good medicine. However, clashing has a distinction between self and other. There is a difference between clashing from the other side and clashing from oneself. By "self and other," we do not necessarily mean that the year and month are the other and the day and month are the self, nor do we necessarily mean that the original birth chart is the self and the year and period are the other. In short, the favored elements are "self," and the disliked elements are "other." For example, if the favored element is Wu (午), and Zi (子) comes to clash with it, this is "other clashing with self," which is good if there are Yin (寅) and Xu (戌) to combine with Wu. If the favored element is Zi (子), and Wu (午) comes to clash with it, this is "self clashing with other," which is bad if there are Yin (寅) and Xu (戌) to combine with Wu. Another example: if the favored element is Zi (子), and there is Shen (申) with Chen (辰) to combine with it, this is good. If the favored element is Hai (亥), and there is Wei (未) with Mao (卯) to combine with it, this is bad. It is better for self to clash with other than for other to clash with self. When self clashing with other is called "clashing up," and when other clashing with self is called "not clashing up." This applies to the clashing and combining of water and fire, and other cases can be inferred similarly.

庚戌　乙酉　甲寅　庚午 丙戌　丁亥　戊子　己丑　庚寅　辛卯 此造干透兩庚，正當秋令，支會火局，雖制殺有功，而克洩並見。且庚金銳氣方盛，制之以威，不若化之以德。化之以德者，有益於日主也；制之以威者，洩日主之氣也。由此推之，不喜會火局也，反以火為病矣。故子運辰年大魁天下。子運沖破火局，去午之旺神也，引通庚金之性，益我日主之氣；辰年溼土，能洩火氣，拱我子水，培日主之根源也。

Four pillars: Gengxu year, Yiyou month, Jiayin day, Gengwu hour; big years: Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao. In this birth chart, two Geng metals are revealed in the heavenly stems, and it is during the autumn season when metal is strong. The earthly branches Yin-Wu-Xu form a fire trinity. Although fire can control the strong metal, it causes both suppression and depletion at the same time. Moreover, the sharpness of Geng metal is at its peak. It is better to use virtue to transform it rather than use force to control it. Using virtue to transform (using water to transform metal and nourish the self) is beneficial for the day master; using force to control (using fire to control metal) instead depletes the day master's energy. Therefore, this chart does not favor the formation of a fire trinity, and fire should be considered as a harmful element. Thus, when the person travels through the Zi year, they achieve great success. Because the Zi year冲破 the fire trinity, removing the strong fire element in Wu, and guiding the nature of Geng metal (metal transforming into water), enhancing the energy of the day master; the Chen year is moist earth, which can dissipate fire energy and combines with Zi to form a water trinity, reinforcing the root of the day master.

丁巳　癸丑　丁卯　丙午 壬子　辛亥　庚戌　己酉　戊申　丁未 丁火雖生季冬，比劫重重，癸水退氣，無力制劫，不足為用。必以丑中辛金為用，得丑土包藏，洩劫生財，為輔用之喜神也。所嫌者，卯木生劫奪食為病，以致早年妻子刑傷。初運壬子辛亥，暗沖巳午之火，廕庇有餘。庚戌運暗來拱合午火，刑傷破耗；至己酉會金局沖去卯木之病，財發十餘萬。由此觀之，暗沖其忌神，暗會其喜神，發福不淺；暗沖其喜神，暗會其忌神，為禍非輕。暗沖暗會之理，其可忽乎？

The four pillars are: Dingsi year, Guichou month, Dingmao day, Bingwu hour. The big years are: Renzi, Xinhai, Gengxu, Jiyou, Wushen, Dingsi. Although Dingsi fire is born in the third winter month, the four pillars have many Jia and Yi (same kind of fire) and Ji and Xin (steal wealth), making the situation very heavy. The癸water in the month is already weak and cannot control or restrain the same kind of fire, so it cannot be used as the useful god. Instead, the hidden Xin metal in Chou must be used as the useful god. It is protected by the Chou earth, which can reduce the strength of the same kind of fire and help the wealth star, making it a good god that supports the useful god. The problem is that the day branch Maomu wood helps the same kind of fire and takes away the food god, becoming a harmful god, leading to early marriage problems and children loss. In the first big year, Renzi and Xinhai secretly conflict with the巳and午fire, getting enough support from ancestors. In the Gengxu big year, it secretly supports the午fire and helps the harmful god, causing damage and loss. When reaching Jiyou big year, the巳YouChou form a metal circle, secretly conflicting with the Maomu wood, the harmful god, and making a fortune of tens of thousands. From this, we can see that secretly conflicting with the harmful god and secretly forming a circle with the good god brings great benefits. On the other hand, secretly conflicting with the good god and secretly forming a circle with the harmful god brings serious troubles. The principle of secretly conflicting and forming circles cannot be ignored.

庚寅　辛巳　丙寅　辛卯 壬午　癸未　甲申　乙酉　丙戌　丁亥 丙火生於孟夏，地支兩寅一卯，巳火乘權，引出寅中丙火，天干雖逢庚辛，皆虛浮無根。初運壬午癸未無根之水，能洩金氣，地支午未南方，又助旺火，財之氣克洩已盡，祖業雖豐，刑喪早見。甲運臨申，本無大患，因流年木火，又刑妻克子，家計蕭條。一交申字，暗沖寅木之病，天干浮財通根，如枯苗得雨，勃然而興。及乙酉十五年，自財數倍於祖業，申運驛馬逢財，出外大利，經營得財十餘萬。丙戌運丙子年，凶多吉少，得風疾不起，比肩爭財，乃臨絕地，子水不足以克火，反生寅卯之木故也。

Four Pillars: Gengyin year, Xinsi month, Bingyin day, Xinmao hour; Great Destiny: Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai. The fire of Bing is born in the early summer month of April, with two Yins and one Mao in the Earthly Branches, and the fire of Si is strong and in command, triggering the hidden fire of Bing within Yin. Although there are two points of wealth in the Heavenly Stems, Geng and Xin gold, they are floating and rootless. In the early Great Destiny, Renwu and Guiwei, Ren and Gui are rootless water, only able to release the gold energy; the Earthly Branches Wu and Wei are southern fire lands, further strengthening the fire, so the wealth energy is completely drained, thus the ancestral wealth, although abundant, was lost early through misfortune and death. In the Jiashen Great Destiny, although there is no major problem, because the flow year is wood and fire, it again harms the wife and children, leading to a decline in family fortune. When entering the Shen Great Destiny, the hidden conflict with Yin wood, the rootless wealth in the Heavenly Stems becomes rooted, like a dry plant receiving rain, suddenly flourishing. In the fifteen years of Yiyou Great Destiny, the wealth earned is several times that of the ancestral fortune; the Shen Great Destiny also meets the wealth star, and business ventures outside bring great profit, earning tens of thousands. In the Bingxu Great Destiny, in the year Bingzi, there are more misfortunes than good fortune, suffering from a wind illness which leads to death without treatment - because Bingxu is a rival competing for wealth, and the wealth star is at its end; the Zi water is not enough to overcome fire, but instead helps to nourish the Yin and Mao wood.

旺者沖衰衰者拔，衰神沖旺旺神發。原注：子旺午衰，沖則午拔不能立；子衰午旺，沖則午發而為福。餘仿此。

When the strong god confronts the weak god, the weak god is uprooted; when the weak god confronts the strong god, the strong god is instead stimulated. The original commentary says: when the hour of Zi is strong and the hour of Wu is weak, a confrontation causes Wu to be uprooted and unable to stand firm; when Zi is weak and Wu is strong, a confrontation instead stimulates Wu to bring about good fortune. The same principle applies to other cases as well.

任氏曰：十二支相沖，各支中所藏互相沖克，在原局為明沖，在歲運為暗沖。得令者沖衰則拔，失時者沖旺無傷。沖之者有力，則能去之，去凶神則利，去吉神則不利；沖之者無力，則反激之，激凶神則為禍，激吉神雖不為禍，亦不能獲福也。如日主是午，或喜神是午，支中有寅卯巳未戌之類，遇子沖謂衰神沖旺，無傷；日主午，或喜神是午，支中有申酉亥子丑辰之類，遇子沖，謂旺者沖衰則拔。餘支皆然。

Ren Tieqiao explains: The twelve earthly branches' mutual clashes are actually the heavenly stems hidden within each branch that clash and control each other. If the clash occurs in the original birth chart, it is called 'ming chong' (open clash). If it occurs in the year or month, it is called 'an chong' (hidden clash). When the dominant branch clashes with a weak one, the weak one is weakened. When the weak branch clashes with a strong one, the strong one remains unaffected. If the branch initiating the clash is strong, it can remove the other branch. Removing a harmful spirit is beneficial, but removing a beneficial spirit is not. If the branch initiating the clash is weak, it only provokes the other branch. Provoking a harmful spirit brings disaster, while provoking a beneficial spirit may not bring disaster, but also brings no benefit. For example, if the day's main element is Wu or a favored spirit is Wu, and there are branches like Yin, Mao, Si, Wei, Xu helping it, and then Zi comes to clash, this is called a weak element clashing with a strong one, and Wu remains unaffected. Conversely, if the day's main element is Wu or a favored spirit is Wu, and there are branches like Shen, You, Hai, Zi, Chou, Chen, and then Zi comes to clash, this is called a strong element clashing with a weak one, and the weak one is weakened. The same applies to all other branches.

然以子、卯、午、酉、寅、申、巳、亥八支為重，辰、戌、丑、未較輕。如子午沖，子中癸水沖午中丁火，如午旺提綱，四柱無金而有木，則午能沖子；卯酉沖，酉中辛金，沖卯中乙木，如卯旺提綱，四柱有火而無土，則卯亦能沖酉；寅申沖，寅中甲木丙火，被申中庚金壬水所克，然寅旺提綱，四柱有火，則寅亦能沖申矣；巳亥沖，巳中丙火戊土，被亥中甲木壬水所克，然巳旺提綱，四柱有木，則巳亦能沖亥矣。必先察其衰旺，四柱有無解救，或抑沖，或助洩，觀其大勢，究其喜忌，則吉凶自驗矣。至於四庫兄弟之沖，其蓄藏之物，看其四柱干支，有無引出。如四柱之干支，無所引出，及司令之神，又不關切，雖沖無害，合而得用亦為喜。原局與歲運皆同此論。

However, among these, the conflicts involving the branches 子, 卯, 午, 酉, 寅, 申, 巳, and 亥 are more significant, while those involving 辰, 戌, 丑, and 未 are less severe. For example, the conflict between 子 and 午 originally involves the癸 water in 子 conflicting with the丁 fire in 午; but if 午 is strong in the month and the four pillars lack metal but have wood to nourish the fire, then 午 can also conflict with 子. Similarly, the conflict between 卯 and 酉 originally involves the 辛 metal in 酉 conflicting with the 乙 wood in 卯; but if 卯 is strong in the month and the four pillars have fire to restrain metal but lack earth to generate metal, then 卯 can also conflict with 酉. The conflict between 寅 and 申 originally involves the 甲 wood and 丙 fire in 寅 being overcome by the 庚 metal and 壬 water in 申; but if 寅 is strong in the month and the four pillars have fire, then 寅 can also conflict with 申. The conflict between 巳 and 亥 originally involves the 丙 fire and 戊 earth in 巳 being overcome by the 甲 wood and 壬 water in 亥; but if 巳 is strong in the month and the four pillars have wood, then 巳 can also conflict with 亥. In summary, one must first examine the strength and weakness of both sides, and check whether there are any saving gods in the four pillars that can either restrain the conflict or assist in its release. By observing the overall situation and determining what is favorable or unfavorable, the fortune and misfortune will naturally manifest. As for the conflicts among the four earthy branches 辰, 戌, 丑, and 未, one should check whether the things they contain are triggered in the four pillars. If the four pillars and the dry and wet branches do not trigger them, and they are unrelated to the ruling heavenly stem, then even though there is a conflict, it will not cause harm. If they combine to form something useful, it is actually beneficial. Both the original chart and the annual and monthly influences should be analyzed according to this principle.

戊辰　辛酉　丙午　癸巳 壬戌　癸亥　甲子　乙丑　丙寅　丁卯 此造旺財當令，加以年上食神生助，日逢時祿，不為無根，所以身出富家。時透癸水，巳火失勢，逢酉邀而拱金矣。五行無木，全賴午火幫身，則癸水為病明矣。一交子運，癸水得祿，子辰拱水，酉金黨子沖午，四柱無解救之神，所謂“旺者沖衰衰者拔”，破家亡身。若運走東南木火之地，豈不名利兩全乎？

Four pillars: Wuchen year, Xinyou month, Bingwu day, Guisi hour; big years: Renxu, Guihai, Jiazi, Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao. In this birth chart, the wealth star, Xinyu gold, is strong and in command, and the year's Wu earth food star supports the wealth star. The day's main element, Bing fire, gets its luck in the hour's Si fire, so it is not rootless, indicating a wealthy family origin. However, the hour's dry癸 water official and killer star weakens the Si fire, and the You gold pulls it together to form a metal group. There is no wood in the Five Phases, relying entirely on the day's branch Wu fire to support the main element. Thus, the癸 water is clearly a harmful element. When the big year reaches the Xiu branch, the癸 water gets its luck in the Xiu branch, and the Xiu and Chen branches form a water group, the You gold joins forces to attack the Wu fire. There is no saving element in the four pillars, which is exactly what is called 'the strong element attacks the weak, and the weak is pulled down'. Thus, the family breaks down and the person dies. If the big year goes to the southeast wood and fire land, would it not lead to both fame and fortune?

庚寅　壬午　丁卯　癸卯 癸未　甲申　乙酉　丙戌　丁亥　戊子 此財官虛露無根，梟比當權得勢，以四柱觀之，貧夭之命。前造身財並旺，反遭破敗無壽，此則財官休囚，劫業有壽，不知彼則無木，逢水沖則拔，此則有水，遇火劫有救。至甲申乙酉運，庚金祿旺，壬癸逢生，又沖去寅卯之木，所謂“衰神沖旺旺神發”，驟然發財鉅萬。“命好不如運好”，信斯言也！

Four pillars: Gengyin year, Renwu month, Dingmao day, Guimao hour; major years: Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi. In this birth chart, the wealth star Gengjin and the official star Renkui water are weak and floating without roots, while theOwl Spirit Maomu wood and the same fortune Wu fire are in power and dominant. Looking only at the four pillars, this is a fate of poverty and early death. In the previous case, the body was strong and wealth was strong, yet it led to failure and short life; in this case, the wealth and official stars are weak and confined, yet they can achieve family success and enjoy a long life. The reason is that in the previous case, the four pillars had no wood, and the Wu fire was destroyed by water, thus being uprooted completely. In this case, there is Renkui water present, and when the same fortune fire comes to compete for wealth, the water can control the fire, thus providing support. When reaching the Jiashen and Yiyou years, Gengjin gold gets its strength in Shen and You, Renkui water also meets gold to be born, and it also removes the Maomu wood, which is exactly what is called "a weak god attacking a strong one, and the strong one becomes more powerful." Thus, wealth suddenly comes in great amounts. The saying "good fortune is not as good as good luck" is indeed true!

陰陽順逆之說，《洛書》流行之用，其理信有之也，其法不可執一。原注：陰生陽死，陽順陰逆，此理出於《洛書》。五行流行之用，固信有之，然甲木死午，午為洩氣之地，理固然也，而乙木死亥，亥中有壬水，乃其嫡母，何為死哉？凡此皆詳其干支輕重之機，母子相依之勢，陰陽消息之理，而論吉凶可也。若專執生死敗絕之說，推斷多誤矣。

The concept of "yin and yang in order and disorder" originates from the principles of the Luo Writing regarding the Five Phases. This principle indeed exists, but its application should not be rigidly confined. The original commentary states that the place where a yin stem is born is the place where a yang stem is in decline, and yang stems proceed in order while yin stems proceed in reverse. This principle comes from the Luo Writing. The movement of the Five Phases is indeed a practical application; however, saying that Jia wood dies at Wu is reasonable, as Wu is the place where Jia wood is drained. But saying that Yi wood dies at Hai is problematic, since Hai contains Ren water, which is actually the direct mother of Yi wood. How can it be considered "death"? In such cases, one should carefully examine the relative strength of the stems and branches, the relationship between mother and child, and the principles of yin and yang change. Only by considering these factors can one accurately judge fortune and misfortune. If one blindly adheres to the concept of "birth, prosperity, death, and decline," many errors will inevitably arise.

任氏曰：陰陽順逆之說，其理出《洛書》，流行之用，不過陽主聚，以進為退，陰主散，以退為進。若論命理，則不專以順逆為憑，須觀日主之衰旺，察生時之淺深，究四柱之用神，以論吉凶，則瞭然矣。至於長生沐浴等名，乃假借形容之辭也。長生者，猶人之初生也；沐浴者，猶人之初生而沐浴以去垢也；冠帶者，形氣漸長，猶人年長而冠帶也；臨官者，由長而旺，猶人之可以出仕也；帝旺者，壯盛之極，猶人之輔帝而大有為也；衰者，盛極而衰，物之初變也；病者，衰之甚也；死者，氣之盡而無餘也；墓者，造化有收藏，猶人之埋於土也；絕者，前之氣絕而後將續也；胎者，後之氣續而結胎也；養者，如人之養母腹也，自是而復長生，循環無端矣。

Ren Shi explained: the concept of "yin and yang in order and disorder" originates from the Luo Writing.the so-called "flowing usage" is merely that yang energy governs gathering, thus advancing is considered retreating; yin energy governs dispersion, thus retreating is considered advancing. In terms of destiny, one cannot rely solely on order and disorder as criteria. It is necessary to examine the strength and weakness of the day's ruler, to observe the depth of the qi energy at the time of birth, and to investigate the useful gods in the four pillars, in order to judge fortune and misfortune clearly. As for the twelve terms "long life," "bathing," etc., they are merely metaphorical expressions borrowed from human affairs to describe the waxing and waning of the five phases' energies: "long life" is like a person just being born; "bathing" is like an infant washing off dirt after birth; "cap and belt" signifies the gradual growth of form and temperament, like an adult wearing a cap and tying a belt; "official position" is the transition from growth to strength, like a person being able to hold an official post; "prosperity" is the peak of strength, like a person assisting the emperor and achieving great success; "decline" is the turning point from peak to decline, where change begins; "sickness" is a more severe decline; "death" is when the energy is exhausted and nothing remains; "burial" is when the creative forces begin to store away, like a person being buried after death; "extinction" is when the previous energy has ceased and the next is about to begin; "pregnancy" is when the next energy begins to connect and forms a fetus; "nurturing" is like a fetus being nourished in the mother's womb. Thus, returning again to "long life," the cycle continues endlessly without end.

人之日主不必生逢祿旺，即月令休囚，而年日時中，得長生祿旺，便不為弱，就使逢庫，亦為有根。時說謂投墓而必沖者，俗書之謬也。古法只有四長生，從無子、午、卯、酉為陰長生之說。水生木，申為天關，亥為天門，天一生水，即生生不息，故木皆生在亥。木死午為火旺之地，木至午發洩已盡，故木皆死在午。言木而餘可類推矣。夫五陽育於生方，盛於本方，弊於洩方，盡於克方，於理為順；五陰生於洩方，死於生方，於理為背。即曲為之說，而子午之地，終無產金產木之道；寅亥之地，終無滅火滅木之道。

A person's day stem does not necessarily have to be born in a month of strength or prosperity. Even if the month is weak and confined, if the day stem finds growth or strength in the year pillar, day branch, or hour pillar, it is not considered weak. Even if it only meets the storage position, it is considered rooted. Nowadays there is a belief that the day stem must be activated by a clash when it is in storage, but this is a mistaken view from vulgar texts. The ancient method only recognizes four positions of growth:寅, 申, 巳, and 亥. There has never been a concept of "yin growth" with 子, 午, 卯, and 酉. Water nourishes wood, 申 is called "Heaven's Gate," and 亥 is called "Heaven's Gate." According to the Yellow River Chart, "Heaven gives birth to water," and once water is generated, it continues endlessly, so wood is born in 亥. Wood dies in 午 because 午 is a place of strong fire, and when wood reaches 午, it has exhausted its vitality, so wood dies in 午. This example is given for wood, but the other four elements can be similarly inferred. The five yang stems are born in the growth position, reach their peak in their own position, decline in the position that drains them, and end in the position that overcomes them, which follows the natural order. However, the five yin stems are said to be born in the draining position and die in the growth position, which contradicts reason. Even if one tries to explain it in a forced way, there is no logic in saying that metal or wood is produced in 子 or 午. Likewise, there is no logic in saying that fire is extinguished or wood is destroyed in 寅 or 亥.

古人取格，丁遇酉以財論，乙遇午、己遇酉、辛遇子、癸遇卯，以食神洩氣論，俱不以生論。乙遇亥、癸遇申以印論，倶不以死論。即己遇寅歲之丙火，辛遇巳藏之戊土，亦以印論，不以死論。由此觀之，陰陽同生同死可知也，若執定陰陽順逆，而以陽生陰死，陰生陽死論命，則大謬矣。故《知命章》中「順逆之機須理會」，正為此也。

Ancient scholars established patterns where Ding fire meeting You metal is considered "wealth star"; Yi wood meeting Wu or Ji earth meeting You, Xin metal meeting Zi, and Gui water meeting Mao are all considered "food god" to release energy, none of them regarded as "growth". Yi wood meeting Hai and Gui water meeting Shen are all considered "nurturing stars", none regarded as "death". Even when Ji earth meets the hidden Bing fire in Yin or Xin metal meets the hidden Wu earth in Si, they are still considered "nurturing stars", not "death". This shows clearly that the principles of birth and death are the same for both yin and yang stems. If one rigidly adheres to the idea that "yang generates while yin dies, and yin generates while yang dies", that would be a great mistake. Therefore, this book's "Knowing Destiny Chapter" says "one must understand the mechanism of order and disorder", precisely addressing this point.

丙子 己亥 乙亥 丙子／庚子 辛丑 壬寅 癸卯 甲辰 乙巳。乙亥日元，生於亥月，喜其天干兩透丙火，不失陽春之景。寒木向陽，清而純粹，惜乎火土無根，水木太重，讀書未售；兼之中年一路水木，生扶太過，局中火土皆傷，以致財鮮聚而志未伸。然喜無金，業必清高。若以年時為乙木病位，月日為死地，豈不休囚已極，宜用生扶之運？今以亥子之水作生論，則不宜再見水木也。

Four pillars: Bingzi, Jihai, Yihai, Bingzi; Great Destiny: Gengzi, Xinchou, Rennyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi. The day stem Yihai was born in the month of Hai. Fortunately, the heavenly stems have two Bing fire, which does not lose the warm and bright atmosphere of spring. Cold wood turning towards the sun, the pattern is clear and pure. Unfortunately, fire and earth have no roots, and water and wood are too heavy, so he has never succeeded in exams. Moreover, in middle age, he has been traveling through water and wood destiny, which has over-supported the pattern, damaging the fire and earth entirely, leading to difficulty in accumulating wealth and unfulfilled ambitions. Fortunately, there is no metal in the four pillars, so his profession must be noble. If we follow the old saying, taking the Zi water of the year and hour branches as the "disease" position for the Yihai wood, and the Hai water of the month and day branches as the "death" position, then this destiny would be extremely weak and confined, needing support. But if we consider the water of Hai and Zi to support the Yihai wood, we can see that more water and wood are not suitable.

戊午 乙卯 癸卯 癸亥／丙辰 丁巳 戊午 己未 庚申 辛酉。此春水多木，過於洩氣，五行無金，全賴亥時比劫幫身。嫌其亥卯拱局，又透戊土，克洩並見，交戊午運不壽。若據書云，癸水兩坐長生，時逢旺地，何以不壽？又云「食神有壽妻多子，食神生旺勝財官」，此名利兩全，多子有壽之格也。總以陰陽生死之說，不足憑也。

Four pillars: Wuwu, Yimao, Guimao, Guihai; major years: Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou. This destiny is characterized by spring water with excessive wood, leading to excessive depletion of energy. There is no metal in the Five Phases to generate water, and the only support comes from the Guihai hour's same element. However, the problem is that the亥 and卯 form a wooden trinity, and the heavenly stem reveals Wu earth as a seven killer, causing both depletion and suppression to occur simultaneously. Therefore, once the Wuwu major year begins, longevity is difficult to achieve. If we follow the old texts, which say that癸 water's growth is in卯, this destiny has the month and day branches both sitting on growth, and the hour branch亥 is a strong position for water. So why does this person have a short life? The old texts also say, "The food god brings longevity and many children, and a strong food god surpasses wealth and officialdom." According to this reasoning, this should be a destiny of both fame and fortune, with many children and longevity. It is clear that the theory of "yin and yang birth and death" is ultimately unreliable.

天地順遂而精粹者昌，陰陽乖悖而混亂者亡。原注：不論有根無根，俱要天覆地載。任氏曰：取用干支之法，干以載之支為切，支以覆之干為切。如喜甲乙，而載以寅卯亥子，則生旺，載以申酉，則克敗矣；忌丙丁，載以亥子則制伏，載以巳午寅卯，則肆逞矣。如喜寅卯，而覆以甲乙壬癸則生旺，覆以庚辛，則克敗矣；忌巳午，而覆以壬癸則制伏，覆以丙丁甲乙，是肆逞矣。不特此也，干通根於支，支逢生扶，則干之根堅，支逢沖剋，則干之根拔矣。支受蔭於干，干逢生扶，則支之蔭盛；干逢剋制，則支之蔭衰矣。凡命中四柱干支，則顯然吉神而不為吉，確乎凶神而不為凶者，皆是故也，此無論天干一氣，地支雙清，總要天覆地載。

When the heavenly stems and earthly branches are in harmonious succession and the qi is refined, the person's destiny will flourish; when yin and yang are in discord and the qi is chaotic, the person's destiny will decline. The original commentary says: regardless of whether the heavenly stem has a root in the earthly branch, it is essential to achieve 'heaven covers and earth carries'. Master Ren explains: when selecting the heavenly stems and earthly branches, one should focus on the earthly branch that supports the heavenly stem, and when examining the earthly branch, one should focus on the heavenly stem that covers it. For example, if one favors wood (Jia and Yi), and the earthly branch supports it with寅, 卯, 亥, or 子, the wood will be strong and vigorous; if the earthly branch supports it with 申 or 酉, the wood will be weakened and defeated. If one dislikes fire (Bing and Ding), and the earthly branch supports it with 亥 or 子, the fire will be restrained; if the earthly branch supports it with 巳, 午, 寅, or 卯, the fire will become rampant. Similarly, if one favors 木 (寅 and 卯), and the heavenly stem above supports it with Jia and Yi or Ren and Gui, the wood will be strong and vigorous; if the heavenly stem above supports it with Geng and Xin, the wood will be weakened and defeated. If one dislikes fire (巳 and 午), and the heavenly stem above supports it with Ren and Gui, the fire will be restrained; if the heavenly stem above supports it with Bing and Ding or Jia and Yi, the fire will become rampant. Moreover, when a heavenly stem has a root in the earthly branch, if the earthly branch is further supported by another, the root of the heavenly stem becomes strong; if the earthly branch is in conflict or controlled, the root of the heavenly stem is uprooted. When the earthly branch is supported by the heavenly stem, if the heavenly stem is further supported, the support the earthly branch receives is thick; if the heavenly stem is controlled, the support the earthly branch receives is thin. Any case where the four pillars of the birth chart clearly contain auspicious deities but their auspiciousness is not evident, or malevolent deities but their malevolence is not evident, is due to this reason. Therefore, whether the heavenly stems are all in one position or the earthly branches are in pairs, it is always best to achieve 'heaven covers and earth carries'.

己亥 丁卯 庚申 庚辰／丙寅 乙丑 甲子 癸亥 壬戌 辛酉。庚金雖生春令，支坐祿旺，時逢印比，足以用官。地支載以卯木財星，又得亥水生扶有情，丁火之根愈固，所謂「天地順遂而精粹者昌」也。歲運逢壬癸亥子，干有己印衛官，支得卯財化傷，生平履險如夷，少年科甲，仕至封疆。經云：「日主最宜健旺，用神不可損傷」，信斯言也。

Four pillars: Jihai, Dingmao, Gengshen, Gengchen; great years: Bingyin, Yichou, Jiazi, Guihai, Renxu, Xinyou. Although Geng metal is born in spring, it sits on Shen in the day branch, which is a strong and flourishing position. The hour pillar also meets Chen soil, which is the印 (imprint) supporting the Geng metal, and there is also Geng metal, the same as itself, for company. The body is strong enough to take Ding fire as the useful god. The Ding fire has the卯 wood wealth star beneath it, and the卯 wood is supported by the year branch Hai water, making the relationship harmonious. Thus, the root of the Ding fire becomes even more solid. This is exactly what is meant by "when heaven and earth are in harmony, the essence is refined and prosperity follows." When the person encounters the years and great years of Ren, Gui, Hai, and Zi, which are the official stars, the heavenly stem has Ji soil, the印, protecting the official star, and the earth branch has卯 wood, the wealth star, which transforms and disperses the official star. Therefore, the person's life is full of challenges but like walking on flat ground. In youth, he passed the imperial examination and held high official positions. The classic says, "the main stem should be strong and healthy; the useful god must not be harmed." These words are indeed trustworthy.

己酉 丁卯 庚辰 甲申／丙寅 乙丑 甲子 癸亥 壬戌 辛酉。此亦以丁火官星為用，地支亦載以卯木財星，與前造大同小異。只為卯酉逢沖，克敗丁火之根，支中少水，財星有克無生。雖時透甲木臨於申支，謂地支不載，雖有若無。故身出舊家，詩書不繼，破耗刑傷；一交戌運，支類西方，貧乏不堪。

Four pillars: Jiyou, Dingmao, Gengchen, Jiashen; major years: Bingyin, Yichou, Jiazi, Guihai, Renxu, Xinyou. This destiny also uses Ding fire as the official star. The Ding fire is supported by the Mao wood wealth star beneath it, which is similar to the previous case. However, the year's branch You metal and the month's branch Mao wood are in conflict, which weakens the root of the Ding fire. The earth branches also lack water, so the Mao wood wealth star is only being restrained and not supported. Although the hour's dry branch has Jia wood, it is placed on top of Shen metal, which is called 'the earth branches do not support it'. Although it is present, it is as if it is not. Therefore, although he comes from an old family, he cannot inherit the scholarly tradition. His family's fortune is ruined, and he suffers continuous injuries. When he enters the Xu year, the earth branches Shen, You, and Xu form the Western metal group, leading to extreme poverty.

庚申 壬午 辛酉 癸巳／癸未 甲申 乙酉 丙戌 丁亥 戊子。此庚辛壬癸，金水雙清，地支申酉巳午，煅煉有功，謂午火真神得用，理應名利雙輝。所惜者五行無木，金雖失令而黨多，火雖當令而無輔；更嫌壬癸覆之，緊貼庚辛之生，而申中又得長生，則壬水愈肆逞矣。雖有巳火助午，無如巳酉拱金，則午火之勢必孤。所以申酉兩運，破耗異常；丙戌運中，助起用神，大得際遇；一交亥運，壬水得祿，癸水臨旺，火氣克盡，家破身亡。

Four pillars: Geng Shen, Ren Wu, Xin You, Gui Si; major years: Gui Wei, Jia Shen, Yi You, Bing Xu, Ding Hai, Wu Zi. The heavenly stems are Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui, indicating a clear presence of metal and water. The earthly branches are Shen, You, Si, and Wu, with fire assisting metal, which is beneficial. The true god of fire, Ding Fire in Wu, is effectively used, so by principle, one should achieve both fame and fortune. Unfortunately, the five elements lack wood: although metal is not in its season, there is an excess of similar elements; although fire is in its season, there is no wood to support it. Worse still, the water of Ren and Gui covers Geng and Xin, closely attached to receive the generation from metal, and the water in Shen is in its place of birth, making the water even more dominant. Although the branch Si fire helps Wu fire, the conflict between Si and You forms gold, making the fire's strength isolated. Therefore, the years of Shen and You cause great losses; when reaching the year of Bing Xu, the fire god is supported, leading to great opportunities; but when entering the year of Hai, the water of Ren gets its strength, and the water of Gui reaches its peak, completely weakening the fire, resulting in family destruction and personal ruin.

庚申 壬午 辛酉 甲午／癸未 甲申 乙酉 丙戌 丁亥 戊子。此亦用午中丁火之殺，壬水亦覆之於上，亦有庚金緊貼之生。所喜者午時一助，更妙天干覆以甲木，則火之蔭盛。且壬水見甲木而貪生，不來敵火，四柱有相生之誼，無爭克之風，中鄉榜，仕至觀察。與前造只換得先後一時，天淵之隔，所謂毫釐千里之差也。

Four pillars: Gengshen, Renwu, Xinyou, Jiawu; great years: Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi. This destiny also uses the Wu fire in the middle of the branch as the seven killer, with the Ren water covering it on top, and Geng metal closely supporting it. Fortunately, the hour branch is another Wu fire to assist, and the heavenly stem is covered by Ji wood, providing abundant support to the fire. Moreover, the Ren water sees the Ji wood and desires to nourish it, no longer opposing the fire. Among the four pillars, there is only mutual generation and no conflict or struggle, so he passed the county examination and became an official at the level of observer (Dao Yuan). This case differs from the previous one only by an hour, yet the fortune is as different as heaven and earth, which is exactly what is meant by "a difference of a hair's breadth leads to a mistake of a thousand miles."

天全一氣，不可使地德莫之載。原注：四甲四乙，而遇寅申卯酉，為地不載。任氏曰：天全一氣者，天干四甲、四乙、四丙、四丁、四戊、四己、四庚、四辛、四壬、四癸，皆是也。地支不載者，地支與天干無生化也。非特四甲四乙而遇申酉寅卯為不載，即全受克於地支。或反克地支，或天干不顧地支，或地支不顧天干，皆為不載也。如四乙酉者，受克於地支也；四辛卯者，反克地支也。必須地支之氣上升，天干之氣下降，則流通生化，而不至於偏枯，又得歲運安頓，非富亦貴矣。如無升降之情，反有沖剋之勢，皆為偏枯而貧賤矣。宜細究之。

A person whose four heavenly stems are all of the same type cannot be supported by the earthy branches. Original commentary: For example, if there are four Jia or four Yi, and the earthly branches meet with conflicting branches such as Yin and Mao, this is called "the earth cannot support." Ren Shi explains: The term "heavenly stems are all of one type" refers to the case where there are four of each of the ten heavenly stems. The term "earthly branches cannot support" refers to the lack of mutual generation and transformation between heavenly stems and earthly branches. It is not only when four Jia or four Yi meet with branches like Yin, Mao, Shen, or You that the earth cannot support; if the heavenly stems are completely overcome by the earthly branches, or if the heavenly stems overcome the earthly branches, or if the heavenly stems ignore the earthly branches, or if the earthly branches ignore the heavenly stems, all these situations are considered as "the earth cannot support." For example, if all four pillars are Yi You, the heavenly stems are overcome by the earthly branches; if all four pillars are Xin Mao, the heavenly stems overcome the earthly branches. Only when the energy of the earthly branches rises and the energy of the heavenly stems descends can there be circulation and transformation, avoiding imbalance and decline. If the situation is well arranged by the year and the month, the person will not be rich but will be noble. If there is no mutual rising and falling and instead there is a confrontational and conflicting situation, it will lead to imbalance and poverty. This passage should be carefully studied.

甲申 甲戌 甲寅 甲戌／乙亥 丙子 丁丑 戊寅 己卯 庚辰。年支申金，沖去日主寅木，加以戌土乘權重見，生金助殺，謂地支不顧天干。夫四甲一寅，似乎強旺，第秋木休囚，沖去祿神，其根已拔，不作旺論。故寅卯亥子運中，衣食頗豐，一交庚辰，殺之元神透出。四子俱傷，破家不祿。干多不如支重，理固然也。

In the four pillars, the heavenly stems are Jia Shen, Jia Xu, Jia Yin, and Jia Xu; the great years are Yi Hai, Bing Zi, Ding Chou, Wu Yin, Ji Mao, and Geng Chen. The year branch Shen metal clashes with the day branch Yin wood, and the Xu earth is dominant and appears twice, generating metal and assisting the killing force, which is called "the earth branches neglect the heavenly stems." Although there are four Jia woods with a Yin wood in the position, it seems strong, but the wood in autumn is already weak and confined. The Lu spirit Yin wood is also clashed away, so the roots have been completely uprooted and cannot be considered strong. Therefore, when traveling through the years of Yin, Mao, Hai, and Zi, the person had a relatively abundant life. However, when entering the Geng Chen year, the original spirit of the killing force Geng metal appears, and all four sons were harmed, leading to the family's destruction and death. Although there are many heavenly stems, they are not as thick as the earth branches, which is the natural way of things.

戊子 戊午 戊戌 戊午／己未 庚申 辛酉 壬戌 癸亥 甲子。此滿局火土，子衰午旺，沖則午發而愈烈，熬干滴水，是謂天干不覆。初交已未，孤苦萬狀；至庚申辛酉運，引通戊土之性，大得際遇，娶妻生子，立業成家；一交壬戌，水不通根，暗拱火局，遭祝融之變，一家五口皆亡。如天干透一庚辛，或地支藏一申酉，豈至若是之結局乎？

Four pillars: Wu Zi, Wu Wu, Wu Xu, Wu Wu; great years: Ji Wei, Geng Shen, Xin You, Ren Xu, Gui Hai, Jia Zi. This destiny is full of fire and earth. The year's branch, Zi water, is weak, while Wu fire is strong. The conflict between Zi and Wu intensifies the fire, making it even more fierce, and completely dries up the small amount of water. This is called "heavenly stem not covering" — four Wu earths are pressing down on top, with no trace of metal or water to relieve it. In the early years of Ji Wei, the person suffers great loneliness and hardship; when reaching Geng Shen and Xin You years, metal can guide the dryness of Wu earth, leading to great opportunities, marriage, children, and establishing a family. When entering Ren Xu years, the Ren water has no root in the branches, and Xu forms a hidden fire circle with Wu, resulting in a fire disaster. The whole family dies in an unexpected accident. If a heavenly stem could reveal a Geng or Xin, or if a hidden Shen or You were present in the branches, how could the person end up in such a tragic situation?

戊申 戊午 戊戌 戊午／己未 庚申 辛酉 壬戌 癸亥 甲子。此與前造只換一申字，而天干之氣下降，地支之水有源，午火雖烈，究不能傷申金，用金明矣，況有子水為去病之喜神。交申運，戊辰年四月入學，九月登科，蓋得太歲辰字，暗會水局之妙。惜將來壬戌運中，天干群比爭財，地支暗會火局，未見其吉矣。

Four pillars: Wushen, Wuwu, Wuxu, Wuwu; great years: Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai, Jiazi. This destiny differs from the previous one only by the change of the character 'Shen', yet the qi of the heavenly stem Wu earth can flow downward, and the water in the earthly branches has its source. Although Wu fire is fierce, it cannot harm Shen metal, so using metal is clear. Moreover, the water generated within Shen is the favorable deity that removes the fire's harm. When entering the Shen great year, in the fourth month of the Wu Chen year, he entered school, and in the middle of the ninth month, he passed the examination, which was due to the beneficial effect of the 'Chen' character in the sovereign year and the hidden water trinity formed between Shen and Chen. Unfortunately, when reaching the Renxu great year, the four Wu earth heavenly stems compete for the water wealth, and the earthly branches Wu and Xu form a hidden fire trinity, so there is no sign of good fortune to be seen.

辛卯 辛卯 辛卯 辛卯／庚寅 己丑 戊子 丁亥 丙戌 己酉。此造四木當權，四金臨絕，雖曰反克地支，實無力克也。如果能克，可用財矣，若能用財，豈無成立乎？彼此母腹，數年間父母皆亡，與道士為徒；己丑戊子運，印綬生扶，衣食無虧；一交丁亥，生火克金，即亡其師，所有微業，嫖賭掃盡而死。

Four pillars: Xin Mao, Xin Mao, Xin Mao, Xin Mao; Great Destiny: Geng Yin, Ji Chou, Wu Zi, Ding Hai, Bing Xu, Ji You. The person has four Mao wood in the four pillars, and four Xin metal sitting in the place of death. Although it is said that the heavenly stems are opposing the earthly branches, in reality, there is no strength to overcome. If the metal could actually overcome the wood, then wealth could be used; if wealth could be used, how could he achieve nothing? He left his mother's womb only a few years, and his parents died one after another, so he had to become a disciple of a Taoist priest. During the Ji Chou and Wu Zi Great Destiny periods, the earth element is the official star that supports and strengthens the day stem, so he had no lack of food and clothing. But when he entered the Ding Hai Great Destiny period, the Hai water nourishes the wood, and the wood then nourishes the Ding fire to overcome the Xin metal, and the master died soon after. The little wealth he had was spent on prostitution and gambling, and he died soon after.

地全三物，不可使天道莫之容。原注：寅卯辰、亥卯未而遇甲庚乙辛，則天不覆。然不特全一氣與三物者，皆宜天覆地載，不論有根無根，皆要循其氣序，干支不反悖為妙。任氏曰：地支三物者，支得寅卯辰、巳午未、申酉戌、亥子丑之方是也。如寅卯辰日主是木，要天干火多；日主是火，要天干金旺；日主是金，要天干土重。大凡支全三物，其勢旺盛。如旺神在提綱，天干必須順其氣勢，洩之可也；如旺神在別支，天干制之有力，制之可也。何以旺神在提綱，只宜洩而不宜制？夫旺神在提綱者，必制神之絕地也，如強制之，不得其性，用激而肆逞矣。旺神者，木方提綱得寅卯也是也；制神者，庚辛金也，寅卯乃庚辛之絕地也。如辰在提綱，四柱干支又有庚辛之助，方可制矣。所謂循其氣序，調劑得宜，斯為全美。木方如此，餘可類推。

The three earthly branches form a complete set to determine a person's destiny, and it should not be allowed to exceed the capacity of the heavenly stems. Original commentary: For example, if the earthly branches are寅卯辰, they form the eastern direction; if they are亥卯未, they form the wood trinity. However, if the heavenly stems encounter conflicting elements such as Jia and Geng, or Yi and Xin, this is called "heaven does not cover." But not only the case where the heavenly stems are all the same and the earthly branches form a trinity, but all destinies should be "heaven covers and earth carries." Whether or not the heavenly stems have roots in the earthly branches, they should follow the order of the qi, and the heavenly and earthly stems should not contradict each other. Master Ren explained: The term "three earthly branches" refers to when the earthly branches form one of the four directions:寅卯辰,巳午未,申酉戌, or亥子丑. For example, if the earthly branches are寅卯辰 and the day stem is wood, then the heavenly stems should have more fire to release the wood; if the day stem is fire, then the heavenly stems should have strong metal to match it; if the day stem is metal, then the heavenly stems should have heavy earth to generate it. Generally, when the three earthly branches form a complete set, the strength of the element is certain. If the strong element is in the month's stem, the heavenly stems should follow its strength and release it. If the strong element is not in the month's stem but in another branch, and the heavenly stems have strength to control it, then controlling it is also acceptable. Why is it only suitable to release and not to control when the strong element is in the month's stem? Because when the strong element is in the month's stem, it is definitely in the dead ground of the controlling element. If you force control, it goes against its nature and may provoke it, making it even stronger. The strong element refers to the wood element when the month's stem is寅 or卯; the controlling element refers to metal such as Geng and Xin, and寅 and卯 are the dead grounds for Geng and Xin. If the month's stem is辰 and there are Geng and Xin in the four pillars, then it is acceptable to control. This is called following the order of the qi and adjusting properly, which is perfect. Wood is like this, and the other three directions can be similarly inferred.

辛卯 庚寅 甲辰 丙寅／己丑 戊子 丁亥 丙戌 乙酉 甲申。此寅卯辰東方，兼之寅時，旺之極矣。年月兩金臨絕，旺神在提綱，休金難克，而且丙火透時，木火同心，謂強眾而敵寡，勢在去庚辛之寡。早行土運生金，破耗異常，進京入部辦事；至丙戌運，分發廣東，得軍功，升知縣，喜其克盡庚辛之美；至酉、庚辛得地，不祿宜矣。

Four pillars:Xinmao, Gengyin, Jiachen, Bingyin; great years: Jichou, Wuzi, Dinghai, Bingxu, Yiyou, Jiashen. The hidden heavenly stems of the four pillars include Yin, Mao, and Chen, which form the eastern quarter. Combined with the Yin hour, the wood is extremely strong. The metal in the year and month pillars is in the state of being weak and confined, and the strong god is in the main pillar, making the weak metal unable to overcome the wood. Moreover, the fire appears in the hour pillar, so the wood and fire support each other. This is called "strong majority and weak enemy," and the situation should remove the weak enemy of Geng and Xin. In early years, the earth great year generates metal, causing unusual losses, so he had to go to the capital to serve. When reaching theBingxu great year, he was assigned to Guangdong, achieved military merit, and was promoted to county magistrate, which was exactly what he needed to completely overcome Geng and Xin. When reaching the酉 great year, Geng and Xin regained their strength, and his death was natural.

庚寅 庚辰 甲寅 丁卯／辛巳 壬午 癸未 甲申 乙酉 丙戌。此亦寅、卯、辰東方。旺神不是提綱，辰土歸垣，庚金得載，力量足以克木，丁火雖透，非庚金之敵，用殺明矣。至甲申運，庚金祿旺暗沖寅木，科甲聯登，仕至郡守；一交丙運制殺，降職歸田。

Four Pillars: Gengyin, Gengchen, Jiayin, Dingmao; Great Destiny: Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu. The hidden heavenly stems also form the East with寅, 卯, and 辰, but the strong element is not in the original position. The month's branch, 辰 soil, is in its original position, and the two Geng metals are supported by 辰 soil, so their strength is sufficient to overcome wood. Although Ding fire is revealed in the hour stem, it is not strong enough to overcome Geng metal. Therefore, taking seven killers as the useful element is clear. When the Jiashen destiny is reached, Geng metal gains a post and becomes strong, and it also secretly conflicts with寅 wood, leading to rapid success in exams and holding the position of prefect. However, when the Bing destiny is reached, Bing fire controls Geng metal seven killers, resulting in demotion and returning home.

陽乘陽位陽氣昌，最要行程安頓。原注：六陽之位，獨子、寅、辰為陽方，為陽位之純。五陽居之，如若是旺神，最要行運陰順安頓之地。任氏曰：六陽皆陽，非子、寅、辰陽之純也，須分陽寒陽暖而論也。西北為寒，東南為暖，如若申、戌、子全，為西北之陽寒，最要行運遇卯、巳、未東南之陰暖是也；如寅、辰、午全，為東南之陽暖，最要行運酉亥丑西北之陰寒是也。此舉大局而論，若遇日主之用神喜神，或木，或火，或土，是東南之陽暖，歲運亦宜配西北之陰水、陰木、陰火，方能生助喜神用神，而歡如酬酢。若歲運遇西北之陽水、陽木、陽火，則為孤陽不生，縱使生助喜神，亦難切當，不過免崎嶇而趨平坦也。陽暖之局如此，陽寒之局亦如此論，所謂「陽盛光昌剛健之勢，須配以陰盛包含柔順之地」是也。若不深心確究，孰能探其精微，而得其要訣乎？

A destiny with yang heavenly stems occupying the yang branches' positions, where yang energy is flourishing, most importantly needs proper paths for fortune. Original commentary: among the six yang branches, only zi, yin, and chen belong to yang directions, being the purest yang positions. The five yang heavenly stems residing above them, if they are also strong, most importantly need to travel through yin and soft, harmonious places that can provide them with stability. Ren Shi explained: all six yang branches are yang, and not only zi, yin, and chen can be considered pure yang. It is necessary to distinguish between 'yang cold' and 'yang warm'. Northwest is cold, southeast is warm. For example, if the branches shen, xu, and zi are all present, this forms a yang cold pattern in the northwest, which most urgently needs to encounter the southeast yin warm places such as ma, si, and wei during fortune. If the branches yin, chen, and wu are all present, this forms a yang warm pattern in the southeast, which most urgently needs to encounter the northwest yin cold places such as you, hai, and wei during fortune. This is speaking about the overall situation. If the day's ruler's useful god and favored god are wood, fire, or earth, belonging to the southeast yang warm, then the years and months of fortune should be paired with the northwest yin water, yin wood, and yin fire, that is,癸, 乙, 丁 in you, hai, and wei places, in order to assist the favored gods, creating a harmonious relationship like guests and hosts exchanging courtesies. If the years and months encounter the northwest yang water, yang wood, and yang fire, that is, 壬, 甲, 丙, then it becomes 'solitary yang cannot flourish'. Although it can still assist the favored gods, it is ultimately not appropriate, merely avoiding difficulties and moving towards smoothness. This way of looking at the yang warm pattern applies equally to the yang cold pattern. This is what is called 'the flourishing and strong yang trend needs to be paired with the abundant and soft yin places'. If one does not carefully and thoroughly investigate, who can grasp the subtle essence and master its key points?

癸巳 丙辰 丙午 庚寅／乙卯 甲寅 癸丑 壬子 辛亥 庚戌。此東南之陽暖。天干金水，似乎無根，喜月支辰土，洩火蓄水而生金，庚金掛角逢生，則庚金可用。癸水即庚金之喜神。初運乙卯甲寅，金絕火生而水洩，孤苦不堪；一交癸丑北方陰溼之地，金水通根，又得巳丑拱金之妙，出外大得際遇，驟然發財十餘萬。陽暖逢寒，配合之美也。

Four Pillars: Guisi, Bingchen, Bingwu, Gengyin; Great Destiny: Yimao, Jiayin, Guichou, Renzi, Xinhai, Gengxu. This is a Yang warm structure in the Southeast. Although the heavenly stems Geng metal and Guiwater seem to have no roots, it is fortunate that the monthly branch Chen soil can release fire and retain water to generate metal. Geng metal is far away in the hour stem, but it receives nourishment from Chen soil, so Geng metal can be used as a useful element, and Guiwater is the favorable element for Geng metal. In the early destiny Yimao and Jiayin, metal is in a state of extinction, and wood generates fire which drains water, making it very lonely and suffering. When entering Guichou, moving to the Northern Yin damp area, both metal and water have roots, and there is a harmonious combination between the year branch Si and the destiny branch Chou to form metal, thus gaining great opportunities abroad and suddenly becoming wealthy with over ten thousand. This is precisely a Yang warm structure meeting Yin cold, forming a harmonious and suitable combination.

戊寅 乙丑 丙寅 庚寅／丙寅 丁卯 戊辰 己巳 庚午 辛未。丙寅日元，雖支遇三寅，最喜丑土乘權，財星歸庫。若運走西北土金，財業必勝前造，惜一路東南木火之地，祖業破盡，遍曆數省，奔馳不遇，至午運暗會劫局，死於廣東。一事無成，莫非運也。

Four Pillars: Wuyin, Yichou, Bingyin, Gengyin; Great Destiny: Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei. The day stem is Bingyin, and although there are three instances of Yin wood in the earthly branches, the most favorable is the month stem Yichou, which is the authority of the earthy branch. The wealth star, Geng metal, has a repository in Yichou. If the destiny path leads to the Northwest, where earth and metal are dominant, wealth and career would certainly surpass the previous destiny. Unfortunately, the entire path has been in the Southeast, where wood and fire are dominant, leading to the complete loss of ancestral property. Traveling through many provinces, one has spent a lifetime in hardship without encountering opportunity. When reaching the Wu destiny, the hidden combination of Yin and Wu forms a劫财 (劫财) situation, leading to death in Guangdong. One's life has achieved nothing, is it not due to destiny?

陽乘陰位氣盛，還須道路光亨。原注：六陰之位，獨酉亥丑為陰方，乃陰位之純。五陰居之，如若是旺神，最要行運陽順光亨之地。任氏曰：六陰皆陰，非酉、亥、丑為陰之盛也，須分陰寒陰暖而論也。承上文西北為寒，東南為暖，假如酉、亥、丑全，為西北之陰寒，最要行運遇東南寅、辰、午之陽暖是也。如卯、巳、未全，為東南之陰暖，最要行運遇申、戌、子西北之陽寒是也。此舉大局而論，若日主之用神喜神，或金，或水，或土，是西北之陰寒，歲運亦宜配東南之陽金、陽火、陽土，方能助用神喜神，而福力彌增。若歲運遇東南之陰金、陰火、陰土，則為純陰不育，難獲厚福，不過和平而無災咎也。陰寒之局如此論，陰暖之局亦如此論，所謂「陰盛包含柔順之氣，須配以陽盛光昌剛健之地」者是也。

When the yin heavenly stems are in the position of yin earthly branches and the yin energy is strong, the person's destiny still requires a smooth and unobstructed path of fortune. Original note: Among the six yin earthly branches, only You, Hai, and Chou belong to the yin direction, which are the purest yin positions. The five yin heavenly stems are located above them. If they are also strong, the most important is to have a favorable fortune path that is yang and smooth, bright and unobstructed. Ren Shi explained: All six yin earthly branches are yin, and it is not only You, Hai, and Chou that are considered as the strongest yin. It is necessary to distinguish between 'yin cold' and 'yin warm'. Continuing from the previous discussion that northwest is cold and southeast is warm: if the earthly branches You, Hai, and Chou are all present, this forms a yin cold pattern of the northwest, which most urgently needs to encounter the yang warm of寅, Chen, and Wu in the southeast. If the earthly branches Mao, Si, and Wei are all present, this forms a yin warm pattern of the southeast, which most urgently needs to encounter the yang cold of Shen, Xu, and Zi in the northwest. This is considering the overall situation. If the day's ruler's useful god and favored god are metal, water, or earth, belonging to the northwest yin cold, then the years and months of fortune should be paired with the yang warm metal, yang fire, and yang earth, that is, Geng, Bing, and Wu in the positions of寅, Chen, and Wu, in order to assist the favored gods and increase blessings. If the years and months encounter the yin metal, yin fire, and yin earth, that is, Xin, Ding, and Ji, then it becomes 'pure yin without fertility', which is difficult to achieve great fortune, and is only moderate and free from disaster. This way of discussing the yin cold pattern applies similarly to the yin warm pattern. This is what is called 'yin strength includes the qi of flexibility and compliance, which must be paired with yang strength for prosperity and strength'.

丙子 己亥 乙酉 壬午／庚子 辛丑 壬寅 癸卯 甲辰 己巳。此全酉、亥、子西北之陰寒。寒木更宜向陽，以丙火為用，壬水即其病也。然喜壬水遠隔，與日主緊貼，日主本衰，未嘗不喜其生，又有己土透干，亦能砥定中流。且喜天干水木火土，各立門戶，相生有情；地支午火緊制七殺，年月火土，通根祿旺。更喜行運東南陽暖之地，不但四柱有情，而且行運光亨，早年聯登甲第，仕至封疆，皆陰陽配合之妙也。

Four pillars: Bingzi, Jihai, Yiyou, Renwu; major years: Gengzi, Xinchou, Rennyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Jisi. The hidden heavenly stems of the birth chart include You, Hai, and Zi, forming a yin-cold pattern in the northwest. Cold wood is more suitable for exposure to sunlight, so the heavenly stem of the year, Bing fire, is taken as the useful god, while the heavenly stem of the hour, Ren water, is considered its illness. However, it is fortunate that the Ren water is far apart from the Bing fire, but closely attached to the day stem Yi wood: the day stem is originally weak, and it does not dislike the Ren water for nourishing it. There is also the Ji earth appearing in the month stem, which can act like a central pillar to block the water flow. Moreover, it is fortunate that the heavenly stems of water, wood, fire, and earth are each clearly present, and they follow each other in mutual generation and show harmony. The hidden earthly branches have the fire of the hour closely restraining the Xin metal seven killers in You. The Bing fire and Ji earth appearing in the year and month also have roots in Wu, gaining strength and prosperity. Furthermore, the fortune path moves towards the southeast, a warm and bright direction, which not only brings harmony to the four pillars but also ensures a bright and smooth journey. Therefore, he achieved success in the imperial examinations early on and held high official positions, which are all the result of proper yin and yang coordination.

己亥 丙子 乙丑 壬午／乙亥 甲戌 癸酉 壬申 辛未 庚午。此與前只換一酉子。以俗論之，酉換丑更美，酉乃七殺克我，丑乃偏財我克，又能止水，何其妙也。不知丑乃溼土，能洩火不能止水，酉雖七殺，午火緊克，不洩火之元神；彼則丙火在年，壬水遙遠，又得己土一隔，此則丙火在月，壬水相近，已土不能為力，子水又逼近相沖。而且運走西北陰寒之地，丙火一無生扶，乙木何能發生？十干體象去：「虛溼之地，騎馬亦憂」，斯言不謬也。所以屈志芸窗，一貧如洗，克妻無子，至壬申運，丙火克盡而亡。所謂「陰乘陰位陰氣盛」也。

Four pillars: Jihai, Bingzi, Yichou, Renwu; Great Destiny: Yihai, Jiaxu, Guiyou, Renshen, Xinwei, Gengwu. This configuration differs from the previous one only in the characters You and Zi: the year and month are exchanged, and the day branch changes from You to Chou. According to common views, replacing You with Chou should be better: You is the seven killer that restrains me, while Chou is the biased wealth that I can restrain, and Chou soil can also stop water, which is quite clever. But in reality, Chou is a damp soil that can only release fire but cannot stop water; You, although the seven killer, is tightly restrained by the hour branch Wu fire and does not weaken the original spirit of Bing fire. In the previous configuration, Bing fire was in the year stem, and Ren water was far away, with Jihai soil in between; in this configuration, Bing fire is in the month stem, and Ren water is close, Jihai soil cannot act, and Zi water approaches Wu fire to clash. Moreover, the journey of destiny goes to the northwest cold and damp places, where Bing fire receives no support, and how can Bing wood flourish? The "Ten Body Images of the Ten Heavenly Stems" chapter in "Ditianmou" says, "In a place of emptiness and dampness, even riding a horse is worrying," which is indeed true. Therefore, he is confined to his study, unable to achieve his ambitions, poor, and suffers from the death of his wife and no children. When he reaches the Renshen destiny, Bing fire is completely restrained and dies. This is what is called "Yin occupies Yin position, Yin energy is excessive."

地生天者，天衰怕沖。原注：如丙寅、戊寅、丁酉、壬申、癸卯、己酉，皆長生日主，甲子、乙亥、丙寅、丁卯、己巳，皆自生日主，如主衰逢沖，則根拔而禍更甚。任氏曰：地生天者，如甲子、丙寅、丁卯、己巳、戊午、壬申、癸酉、乙亥、庚辰、辛丑是也。日主生於不得令之月，柱中又少幫扶，用其身印，沖則根拔，生機絕矣，為禍最重。若日主得時當令，或年時皆逢祿旺，或天干比劫重疊，或官星衰弱，反忌印綬之洩，則不怕沖破矣。總之看日主之氣勢，旺相者喜沖，休囚者怕沖。雖以日主而論，歲運沖亦然。

When the Earthly Branches generate the Heavenly Stems, the Heavenly Stem is weak and most vulnerable to being冲 (clash). Original commentary: For example, the day pillars of Bingyin, Wuyin, Dingyou, Renshen, Guimao, and Jiyou are all sitting on the position of Growth (长生); the day pillars of Jiazi, Yihai, Bingyin, Dingmao, and Jisi are all sitting on the position of self-generation through the印 (nurturing) and self (自生). If the day stem is weak and also meets a clash, its root is uprooted, and the calamity becomes more severe. Ren Shi explained:the so-called "地生天" refers to day pillars such as Jiazi, Bingyin, Dingmao, Jisi, Wuwu, Renshen, Guiyou, Yihai, Gengchen, and Xinchou. When the day stem is born in a month not in its favor and lacks support in the four pillars, it can only rely on the印 (nurturing) in the day branch to sustain itself. Once it meets a clash, the root is uprooted, vitality is cut off, and the calamity is the most severe. If the day stem is in its season and in its favor, or if the year and hour also meet the禄 (favorable position) and旺 (prosperous), or if the Heavenly Stems of the same type are repeated, or if the official star is weak and the印 (nurturing) is actually harmful by dispersing the official energy, then it is not afraid of being clashed. In summary, it depends on the strength of the day stem: the prosperous and strong ones like clashes, while the weak and confined ones fear clashes. Although this is discussed in terms of the day pillar, the same principle applies when the year or the month clashes with it.

甲寅 戊辰 丙寅 丙申／乙巳 庚午 辛未 壬申 癸酉 甲戌。此坐下印緩，生於季春，印氣有餘，又年逢甲寅，則太過矣。土雖當令，而木更堅，喜其寅申逢沖，財星得用，第嫌比肩蓋頭，沖之無力。早年運走南方，起倒異常；至壬申癸酉二十年，申沖寅木，克去比肩，創業興家。此謂乘印就財也。

Four pillars: Jiayin, Wuchen, Bingyin, Bingshen; big years: Yisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu. The day branch is occupied by the official star, and the person was born in the third month of spring, when the official star's energy is already abundant. The year pillar is Jiayin, so wood becomes excessive. Although the earth branch Chen is in its season, the wood becomes even stronger. Fortunately, the hour branch Shen conflicts with the day branch Yin, allowing the metal wealth star to be used. However, the hour stem Bing fire, which is the same as the day stem, covers the Shen metal, so the force of the conflict is insufficient. In the early years, when the big years are in the southern fire direction, there have been ups and downs. During the twenty years of Renshen and Guiyou, the Shen metal conflicts with the Yin wood and also overcomes the Bing fire, thus establishing a business and creating a family. This is called 'riding on the official to obtain wealth'.

壬申 甲辰 丙寅 丙申／乙巳 丙午 丁未 戊申 己酉 庚戌。此坐下印綬亦在季春，印綬未嘗無餘氣，年干壬殺生印有情，不足畏也，所嫌者，兩申沖寅，甲木之根拔。還喜壬水洩金生木，運走丙午劫去申財，入學補廩登科；丁未合去壬水，三走春闈不捷；戊申克去壬水，三沖寅木而死於途。此造之壬水，乃甲木之原神，斷不可傷，壬水受傷，甲木必孤。凡獨殺用印者，最忌制殺也。

Four pillars: Renshen, Jiachen, Bingyin, Bingshen; great years: Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu. The day branch also sits on a print, and being born in late spring, the print is not entirely lacking in strength. The year stem壬water seven killer generates the print in a harmonious way, so it is not really dangerous. However, the year and hour branches both have shen metal, which clash with the day branch yin wood, thus pulling up the root of jia wood. Fortunately, the壬water drains the metal and generates the wood. During the Bingwu great year, the劫 removes the wealth star in shen, so he started school, passed the supplementary examination, and passed the imperial examination. During the Dingwei great year, the ding and ren combine, which removes the ren water, and he failed the imperial examination three times. During the Wushen great year, the wu earth overcomes the ren water, and shen again clashes with yin, finally dying on the way. In this case, the ren water is the original god of jia wood, and it must not be harmed. If the ren water is injured, the jia wood will be isolated and helpless. For any case with only one seven killer and using the print to transform the killer, it is most taboo to control the killer.

天合地者，地旺喜靜。原注：如丁亥、戊子、甲午、己亥、辛巳、壬午、癸巳之類，皆支中人元，與天干相合者。此乃坐下財官之地，財官若旺，則宜靜不宜沖。任氏曰：十干之合，乃陰陽相配者也。五陽合五陰為財，五陰合五陽為官，所以必合。尚有陰旺不從陽，陽旺不從陰，雖合不化，有爭合、妒合、分合之別。若露干合支中暗干，則隨局無所不合，無所不分爭妒忌矣。此節本有至理，只因原注少變通耳。天合地三字，須活看輕看，重在下句「地旺喜靜」四字，夫地旺者，天必衰也；喜靜者，四支無沖剋之物，有生助之神也。天干衰而無助，地支旺而有生，天干心懷忻合之意。若得地支元神透出，緣上天下地，升降有情，此合似從之意也，合財似從財，合官似從官，非十干合化之理也。所以靜則居安，尚堪保守，動則履危，難以支持。

When the heavenly stem combines with the hidden heavenly stems contained within the earthly branch of the native's column, the earthly branch prefers to be quiet when it is strong. Original commentary: For example, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jiawu, Jihai, Xinsi, Renwu, Guisi, and so on, are all cases where the hidden heavenly stems in the earthly branch combine with the heavenly stem of the native's column. This is when the day stem is sitting on the position of wealth or officialdom. If wealth or officialdom is strong, it is better to be quiet rather than to be clashed with. Ren氏 explains: The combination of the ten heavenly stems is a relationship of yin and yang pairing. The five yang stems combine with the five yin stems, which are considered wealth; the five yin stems combine with the five yang stems, which are considered officialdom. Therefore, combination is essential. However, there are cases where yin is strong and unwilling to follow yang, or yang is strong and unwilling to follow yin, so even though they combine, they do not change. There are also distinctions such as competing for combination, envying combination, and dividing combination. If the heavenly stem that is revealed combines with the hidden heavenly stem in the earthly branch, then according to the pattern, there is no place where combination does not occur, and there is no place without division, competition, and envy. This section contains very profound meaning, but the original commentary is not flexible enough. The term "heavenly combination and earthly union" should be viewed flexibly and lightly, with the emphasis on the next phrase "earthly strength prefers quietness":the so-called "earthly strength" means the heavenly stem is definitely weak; "prefers quietness" means the four earthly branches have no conflicting or controlling elements, but have supporting elements. When the heavenly stem is weak and has no support, and the earthly branches are strong and have supporting elements, the heavenly stem naturally feels happy about the combination. If the original heavenly stem in the earthly branch also appears in the heavenly stem, then the heavens and earth are connected, and there is a harmonious relationship between ascending and descending. This kind of combination carries the meaning of "following": combining with wealth is like following wealth, combining with officialdom is like following officialdom, which is not the principle of the combination of the ten heavenly stems. Therefore, when it is quiet, it is stable and can be preserved; when it is active, it leads to danger and is difficult to support.

然可言合者，只有戊子、辛巳、丁亥、壬午四日耳，若甲午日，則午必先丁而後己，己土豈能專權而合甲？己亥日，亥必先壬而後甲，甲豈能出而合己？癸巳日，巳必先丙而後戊，戊豈能越過而合癸？此三日不論，至於十干，應合而化，則為化格，另有作用，解在化格章中。

However, only the four day pillars, Wuzi, Xinsi, Dinghai, and Renwu, can truly be called "heavenly and earthly harmony." If we consider Jiawu day, the hidden heavenly stems in Wu are first Ding fire and then Ji earth; how can Ji earth override Ding fire to take control and harmonize with Ji wood? As for Jihai day, the hidden heavenly stems in Hai are first Ren water and then Ji wood; how can Ji wood come forward first to harmonize with Ji earth? In the case of Guisi day, the hidden heavenly stems in Si are first Bing fire and then Wu earth; how can Wu earth override Bing fire to harmonize with Gui water? Therefore, these three day pillars are not included in this discussion. As for the ten heavenly stems that should harmonize with each other and can actually transform into one another, they form the "transformed qi" pattern, which has its own method of selection and use. The explanation can be found in the chapter on transformed patterns in this book.

己巳 辛未 壬午 乙巳／庚午 己巳 戊辰 丁卯 丙寅 乙丑。支類南方，乘權當令，地旺極矣；火炎土燥，脆金難滋水源，天衰極矣，故日干之情，不在辛金，其意向必在午中丁火而合從矣。己巳戊辰運，生金洩火，刑耗有之；丁卯丙寅，木火併旺，克盡辛金，經營發財鉅萬。

Four Pillars: Ji Si, Xin Wei, Ren Wu, Yi Si; Grand Journey: Geng Wu, Ji Si, Wu Chen, Ding Mao, Bing Yin, Yi Chou. The Earthly Branches Si, Wu, and Wei are all of the Southern direction, holding power and being in command, reaching their peak strength. The fire is intense and the earth is dry, baking the Xin metal weak and unable to generate water. The heavenly stems are at their weakest. Therefore, the Ren water day stem's intention is not in the Xin metal tonic, but rather in the Ding fire in the day branch Wu, with which it combines and follows. When traveling through the Ji Si and Wu Chen Grand Journeys, the earth generates metal and releases fire, leading to injuries and losses. When traveling through the Ding Mao and Bing Yin Grand Journeys, wood and fire are both strong, completely overcoming the Xin metal, thus leading to successful business and great wealth.

己丑 丙子 丁亥 庚子／乙亥 甲戌 癸酉 壬申 辛未 庚午。此造支類北方，地旺極矣；天干火虛，無木生扶，又有溼土晦火，天衰極矣。人皆論其殺重身輕。取火幫身敵殺。戊寅歲，金絕火生，又合去亥水，必有大凶，果卒季夏。此地支官星乘旺，又類官方，天干無印，己土洩丙，未足幫身，此為天地合而從官也。甲戌運生火克水，刑喪破耗，家業已盡；癸酉壬申克盡丙火，助起財官，獲利五萬；未運丙子年遭回祿，破去二萬。人皆取其火土幫身，以午未運為美，殊不知比劫奪財，反致大凶。

Four pillars: Jichou, Bingzi, Dinghai, Gengzi; big years: Yihai, Jiaxu, Guiyou, Renshen, Xinwei, Gengwu. The earthly branches亥, 子, 丑 are of the same type as the northern direction, and the earthly branches are extremely strong. The heavenly stems have Ding fire that is weak and floating, without wood to generate and support it, and the Jichou damp earth obscures the fire's brightness, making the heavenly stems extremely weak. People usually consider this as a heavy official star and weak body, suggesting the use of fire to support the body and counter the official star. According to this view, the year Wuyin, when metal is in its dead position and fire is in its growth position, and the寅 wood combines with the亥 water, should be a good year. However, Ren Shi concluded it would be a great misfortune, and indeed he died in the summer of that year. In reality, the official star in the earthly branches is strong and in its favorable position, and the heavenly stems lack the seal to transform it. The Jichou earth only drains the Bing fire but is insufficient to support the body. This belongs to the case where the heavenly and earthly stems are in harmony and follow the official star. Therefore, during the Jiaxu big year, the fire is generated to overcome the water, leading to misfortune, loss, and the destruction of family property. During the Guiyou and Renshen big years, the Bing fire is completely overcome, and the wealth and official star are supported, resulting in a profit of 50,000. In the Xinwei big year, the fire was extinguished by a fire disaster, resulting in a loss of 20,000. People generally think that taking fire and earth to support the body and considering the Wu and Wei big years as favorable ones, but they do not realize that the competition for wealth leads to great misfortune.

甲申戊寅，真為殺印相生；庚寅癸丑，也作兩神興旺。原注：兩神者，殺印也。庚金見寅中火土，卻多甲木，而以財論；癸見丑中土金，卻多癸水，則幫身，不如甲見申中壬水庚金、戊見寅中甲木丙火之為真也。

The day pillars Jiashen and Wuyin are the only ones that truly represent "kill and seal mutual generation"; Gengyin and Guichou can also be considered as both the seven killing and the seal being strong. The original note says that "two deities" refer to the seven killing and the seal. Geng metal sitting on Yin contains, among other things,丙 fire as the seven killing and戊 soil as the seal, but it is mostly甲 wood, so it should be treated as the wealth star.癸 water sitting on Chou contains, among other things,己 soil as the seven killing and辛 metal as the seal, but it is mostly癸 water's own energy, which is just a same-sky helper. Neither of these is as pure as甲 wood sitting on Shen, where Shen contains壬 water as the seal and庚 metal as the seven killing, or戊 soil sitting on Yin, where Yin contains甲 wood as the seven killing and丙 fire as the seal.

任氏曰：支坐殺印，非止此四日，如乙丑、辛未、壬戌之類，亦是兩神也。癸丑多比肩，戊寅豈無比肩乎？庚寅多財星，甲申豈無財星乎？非惟庚寅癸丑不真，即甲申戊寅，亦難作據，若只以日主一字論格，財年月時中，作何安頓理會耶？不過將此數日為題，用殺則扶之，不用則抑之。須觀四柱氣勢，日主衰旺之別，如身強殺淺，則以財星滋殺；身殺兩停，則以食神制殺；殺強身弱，則以印綬化殺，論局中殺重身輕者，非貧即夭；制殺太過者，雖學無成。論行運殺旺，復行殺地者，立見凶災；制殺再行制鄉者，必遭窮乏。書云「格格推祥，以殺為重」；又云「有殺只論殺，無殺方論用」，殺其可忽乎？

Ren Shi explained: The day branch which contains both the seven killing star and the official star is not only limited to these four day pillars. For example, Yichou, Xinwei, Renxu, and so on, also contain both the seven killing star and the official star. If it is said that Guichou has many same-sky stars, then is there not also a same-sky star in Wuyin (the branch Yin contains the earthy Wu)? If it is said that Gengyin has many wealth stars, then is there not also a wealth star in Jiashen (the branch Shen contains the earthy Wu)? Not only are Gengyin and Guichou not pure, but even Jiashen and Wuyin are not certain. If we only use the two characters of the day pillar to determine the pattern, then how should we handle the year, month, and hour pillars? These are merely examples. If we use the seven killing star, we should support it; if we do not use it, we should restrain it. We must observe the overall strength of the four pillars and determine the strength and weakness of the day's main element. If the body is strong and the seven killing star is weak, we should use the wealth star to nourish the seven killing star. If the body and the seven killing star are evenly matched, we should use the food star to control the seven killing star. If the seven killing star is strong and the body is weak, we should use the official star to transform the seven killing star. In terms of the entire birth chart, someone with a heavy seven killing star and a weak body is either poor or dies young. Someone who over-controls the seven killing star may have knowledge but will not achieve success. In terms of the fortune, if the seven killing star is strong and then the person meets another killing star in the fortune, immediate misfortune will occur. If the person has already controlled the seven killing star and then meets another controlling element in the fortune, they will certainly face poverty. The book says, "Carefully examine the pattern, with the seven killing star as the main concern," and also says, "If there is a seven killing star, only consider it; if there is no seven killing star, then consider the useful element." How can the seven killing star be ignored?

壬午 己酉 甲申 甲子／庚戌 辛亥 壬子 癸丑 甲寅 乙卯。甲申日元，生於八月，官殺當權，喜其午火緊制酉金，子水化其申金，所謂去官留煞。煞印相生，木凋金旺，印星為用，甲第聯登，由郎署出為觀察，從臬憲而轉封疆。

Four Pillars: Renwu, Jiyou, Jiashen, Jiazi; Grand Destiny: Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao. The day stem Jiashen was born in August when You metal is in command, and official stars and killing stars are in power. It is fortunate that the year branch Wu fire tightly restrains the You metal within Jiyou, and the hour branch Zi water transforms and disperses the Shen metal within Jiashen. This is called "eliminating official stars and retaining killing stars." The seven killing stars and the seal stars mutually generate. In autumn, wood withers and metal is strong, so the seal star is taken as the useful god. Therefore, he achieved success in examinations, held a position in the capital, was transferred to serve as an observer (Dao Yuan), and later moved from the Inspectorate to a high-ranking official position.