Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui.

五行：屬木。性別：屬陽。方位：東方。氣：長生在亥，沐浴在子，冠帶在丑，臨官在寅，帝旺在卯（以上為氣之盛）；衰於辰，病於己，死於午，墓於未，絕於早，胎於酉，養於（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於春（最旺），相於冬（次旺）；休於夏（衰），囚於四立前各十八天（次衰）；死於秋（最衰），按四立為立春，立夏，立秋，立冬。生：甲生丙丁已午；壬癸亥子生甲。克甲：克戊己辰戌丑未；庚辛申酉克甲。合：甲己相合。化：日干為甲，逢己土，在辰戌丑未月則化土。例：生甲，癸巳，甲生，病。甲克、合甲，己未，甲克，墓。陽木囚於立秋前十八天，甲午，甲生，死。甲克，戊辰，甲克，衰。

The Heavenly Stem Jia belongs to the Wood element, is yang in yin-yang, and is located in the East. The following five points are general principles of this passage. First, we will explain them thoroughly under the character Jia, and the other nine stems can be understood in the same way. The first point is "Qi," which refers to the state of this Heavenly Stem as it moves through the twelve Earthly Branches. This is called the "Twelve Movements," or "Twelve States," which include: Longsheng (Growth), Muyu (Bathing), Guandai (Capping), Lin'guan (Officialdom), Diwang (Prosperity), Shuai (Decline), Bing (Illness), Si (Death), Mu (Burial), Jue (Cutting off), Tai (Conception), and Yang (Nourishment). These terms represent the life cycle of a person from birth to death and then rebirth. Jia Wood is in Longsheng at Hai, Muyu at Zi, Guandai at Chou, Lin'guan at Yin, and Diwang at Mao. These five positions represent the period of strong Qi. After that, it declines at Chen (Shuai), Si (Bing), Wu (Si), Wei (Mu), Shen (Jue), You (Tai), and Xu (Yang). These seven positions represent the period of weak Qi. The original text here mistakenly says "Bing at Ji" instead of "Bing at Si," and "Jue at Zao" instead of "Jue at Shen." The text also has a missing character after "Yang at," which should be "Xu." The second point is "Shi," which refers to the strength and decline of Jia Wood in the four seasons: it is strongest in spring, next strongest in winter, declines in summer, and is even weaker in the eighteen days before the four "Lis" (Lichun, Lixia, Liqiu, and Lidong), and is weakest in autumn. The four "Lis" refer to the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The eighteen days before each of these are times when the Earth element is dominant, and Wood is restrained by Earth, hence called "Shou" (imprisonment). The third and fourth points discuss generation and overcoming. Jia Wood can generate Bing, Ding, Si, Wu, and other Fire elements; and Water elements such as Ren, Gui, Zi, and Hai can generate Jia Wood. Jia Wood can overcome Wu, Ji, Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and the Metal elements such as Geng, Xin, Shen, and You can overcome Jia Wood. The fifth point discusses combination and transformation. Jia combines with Ji to form Earth. If the Day Stem is Jia and it meets Ji Earth, and the month is in Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, then Jia and Ji combine to form Earth. The final example is a small table from the original text, which lists a set of four pillars horizontally and notes the relationships vertically. Due to printing issues, it is printed in several lines. The four pillars are Guisi, Jiwei, Jiawu, and Wuchen, with Jiawu as the Day Stem. The reading is as follows: Gui Water generates Jia Wood; Si Fire is generated by Jia Wood, and Jia Wood in Si is in the state of illness. Ji Earth is overcome by Jia Wood and combines with Jia Wood; Wei Earth is overcome by Jia Wood, and Jia Wood in Wei is in the state of burial. The Day Pillar Jiawu: Yang Wood meets the eighteen days before Liqiu (the beginning of autumn) and is in the state of imprisonment; Wu Fire is generated by Jia Wood, and Jia Wood in Wu is in the state of death. Wu Earth is overcome by Jia Wood; Chen Earth is also overcome by Jia Wood, and Jia Wood in Chen is in the state of decline. This example demonstrates how to apply the above points to an actual birth chart.

五行：屬木。性別：屬陰。方位：東方。氣：長生在午，沐浴在巳，冠帶在辰，臨官在卯，帝旺在寅（以上為氣之盛）；衰於丑，病於子，死於亥，墓在戌，絕於酉，胎於申，養於未（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於春（最旺），相於冬（次旺）；休於夏（衰），囚於四立前各十八天（次衰），死於秋（最衰）。生：乙生丙丁巳午；壬癸亥子生乙。克：乙克戊己辰戌丑未；庚辛申酉克乙。合：乙庚相合。化：日干為乙，逢庚金，在巳酉丑申月則化金。例：生乙，癸酉，克乙，絕。克乙、合乙，庚申，克乙，胎。陰木死於秋，乙己，乙生，沐浴。合乙、合乙，庚辰，乙克，冠帶。

The Five Phases of Yi belong to wood, and it is yin in terms of yin and yang. The twelve cycles of yin stems run in the opposite direction to those of yang stems, as the saying goes, "Yang moves in a clockwise direction, while yin moves counterclockwise." Therefore, the growth of Yi wood is in Wu, bathing in Si, capping in Chen, officialdom in Mao, and prosperity in Yin. These five positions represent strong energy. After that, it declines in Chou, becomes ill in Zi, dies in Hai, is buried in Xu, reaches its end in You, is in the womb in Shen, and is nourished in Wei. These seven positions represent weak energy. Comparing it with Ji, it becomes clear: Ji's growth is in Hai and proceeds to Yin as its prosperity, while Yi's growth is in Wu and moves backward to Yin as its prosperity. The two are exactly opposite, which is the general rule of yin and yang moving in opposite directions. Regarding "strength," Yi and Ji both belong to wood, and their strength and decline throughout the four seasons are exactly the same: they are strong in spring, harmonious in winter, resting in summer, and restrained in the 18 days before the beginning of each of the four seasons, and they die in autumn. In terms of generating and overcoming: Yi can generate fire in Si and Wu, and water in Zi and Hai can generate Yi. Yi can overcome earth in Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and metal in Shen and You can overcome Yi. In terms of combination and transformation: Yi combines with Geng. If the day stem is Yi and Geng metal appears, and the birth month is in Si, You, Chou, or Shen, then Yi and Geng combine and transform into metal. The example given is the four pillars Guiyou, Gengshen, Yisi, and Gengchen, with Yi as the day stem. Gui generates Yi, You overcomes Yi and Yi is in You, which is the end; Geng overcomes Yi and combines with Yi, Shen overcomes Yi and Yi is in Shen, which is the womb; the day pillar Yisi, which is yin wood, dies in autumn, Si is generated by Yi and Yi is in Si, which is bathing; the final pillar Gengchen, Geng again overcomes and combines with Yi, Chen is overcome by Yi and Yi is in Chen, which is capping. The original text "Yi Ji" should be "Yi Si," and the part "combines with Yi, combines with Yi" before should be "overcomes Yi."

五行：屬火。性別：屬陽。方位：南方。氣：長生在寅，沐浴在卯，冠帶在辰，臨官在巳，帝旺在午（以上為氣之盛）；衰於未，病於申，死於酉，墓於戌，絕於亥，胎於子，養於丑（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於夏（最旺），相於春（次旺）；休於四立前各十八天（衰），囚於秋（次衰），死於冬（最衰）。生：丙生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生丙。克：丙克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克丙。合：丙辛相合。化：日干為丙，逢辛金，在亥申子辰月則化水。例：克丙，壬申，丙春，病。丙克、合丙，辛亥，克丙，絕。陽火死於冬，丙子，克丙，胎。克丙，壬辰，丙生，冠帶。

The element of Bing (丙) belongs to the Five Phases of fire and is yang in yin and yang. Its direction is the south. Bing is a yang stem. The twelve stems move in a clockwise order: the positions of growth, bathing, capping, officialdom, and prosperity are in the years of Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, and Wu respectively, where the energy is strong. After that, the energy weakens in the years of Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou. The four seasons' influence: fire is strongest in summer, next in spring (as spring wood generates fire), then in the period before the beginning of the four solstices when earth is strong (fire is weakened by earth), then in autumn (as metal is strong and fire is restrained), and weakest in winter (as water is strong and controls fire). In terms of generation and control: Bing can generate the earth elements of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and the wood elements of Yin and Mao can generate Bing. Bing can control the metal elements of Shen and You, and the water elements of Hai and Zi can control Bing. In terms of combination and transformation: Bing combines with Xin. If the day stem is Bing and it meets Xin metal, and the month is in the water months of Hai, Shen, Zi, or Chen, then Bing and Xin combine to form water. This is particularly important, as fire and metal combining can transform into water, because after combination, a new element is formed and the original Five Phases are no longer considered. The example given is the four pillars of Renshen, Xinhai, Bingzi, and Renchen, with Bing as the day stem. Renshen controls Bing, and Shen is controlled by Bing, with Bing in Shen being in a state of illness (the original text says 'Bing in spring' but should be 'Bing controls Shen'). Xin is controlled by Bing but combines with Bing, Hai controls Bing and Bing in Hai is in a state of extinction. The day pillar is Bingzi, with Bing being dead in winter, Zi controls Bing and Bing in Zi is in a state of birth. The final pillar is Renchen, with Ren controlling Bing, and Chen is generated by Bing, with Bing in Chen being in a state of capping.

五行：屬火。性別：屬陰。方位：南方。氣：長生在酉，沐浴在申，冠帶在未，臨官在午，帝旺在巳（以上為氣之盛）；衰於辰，病於卯，死於寅，墓於丑，絕於子，胎於亥，養於戌（以下為氣之衰）。勢：旺於夏（最旺），相於春（次旺）；休於四立前各十八天（衰），囚於秋（次衰），死於冬（最衰）。生：丁生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生丁。克：丁克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克丁。合：丁壬相合。化：日干為丁，逢壬水在亥卯未寅月則化木。例：同丁，丁卯，生丁，病。克丁、合丁，壬寅，生丁，死。陰火相於春，丁亥，克丁，胎。生丁，甲辰，丁生，衰。

The element of Ding belongs to fire, is yin in nature, and is located in the south. Ding is a yin stem. Its twelve heavenly stems move in reverse order: its long life is in You, bathing in Shen, capping in Wei, officialdom in Wu, and prosperity in Si. These five positions are strong. After that, it declines in Chen, becomes ill in Mao, dies in Yin, is buried in Chou, is cut off in Zi, is in the womb in Hai, and is nourished in Xu. These seven positions are weak. Compared with Bing, Bing is born in Yin and progresses to Wu, where it reaches its peak, while Ding is born in You and moves in reverse to Si, where it reaches its peak. This still shows that yang moves in a forward direction while yin moves in a reverse direction. The trend of the four seasons is the same as Bing: it is strong in summer, moderate in spring, rests before the beginning of the four solstices and equinoxes, is restrained in autumn, and dies in winter. In terms of generation and overcoming, Ding can generate Wu and Ji (the earth stems Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei), and the wood stems Jia and Yi (Yin and Mao) can generate Ding. Ding can overcome Geng and Xin (the metal stems Shen and You), and the water stems Ren and Gui (Hai and Zi) can overcome Ding. In terms of combination and transformation, Ding combines with Ren. If the day stem is Ding and there is Ren water, and the person is born in the months of Hai, Mao, Wei, or Yin (wood months), then Ding and Ren combine to form wood. The example given is the four pillars: Dingmao, RENYIN, Dinghai, and Jiachen, with the day stem being Ding. The year stem Ding is the same as the day stem, making them like shoulders, and Mao generates Ding, but Ding in Mao is in a state of illness. Ren overcomes Ding and combines with it, and Yin generates Ding, but Ding in Yin is in a state of death. The day pillar is Dinghai, where the yin fire in spring receives the nurturing energy from its mother, making it in a state of moderation, and Hai overcomes Ding, making Ding in Hai in the womb. The final pillar is Jiachen, where Jia generates Ding, and Chen is generated by Ding, making Ding in Chen in a state of decline. This example shows that the same earthly branch can have two different roles concerning the day stem: one is about generation and overcoming, and the other is about the twelve heavenly stems. These two aspects should not be confused with each other. (The original text's "the following" in "the following are the weak positions" should be interpreted as "the preceding.")

五行：屬土。性別：屬陽。方位：中央。氣：長生在寅，沐浴在卯，冠帶在辰，臨官在巳，帝旺在午（以上為氣之盛）；衰於未，病於申，死於酉，墓於戌，絕於亥，胎於子，養於丑（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於四立前各十八天（最旺），相於夏（次旺），休於秋（衰），囚於冬（次衰），死於春（最衰）。生：戊生庚辛申酉；丙丁巳午生戊。克：戊克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克戊。合：戊癸相合。化：日干為戊，逢癸水，在寅午戌巳月則化火。例：生戊，丙寅，克戊，長生。戊克、合戊，癸巳，生戊，臨官。陽土相於夏，戊午，生戊，帝旺。生戊，丙辰，同戊，冠帶。

The element of Wu (戊) belongs to the Five Phases of Earth and is yang in yin and yang. Its direction is central. Earth has no fixed direction or season, and it resides at the end of the four seasons, so its twelve transformations are synchronized with fire: growth occurs in寅 (Yin), bathing in卯 (Mao), capping in辰 (Chen), officialdom in巳 (Si), and prosperity in午 (Wu). These five positions are strong. After that, it declines in未 (Wei), becomes ill in申 (Shen), dies in酉 (You), is buried in戌 (Xu), reaches extinction in亥 (Hai), is in the womb in子 (Zi), and is nourished in丑 (Chou). These seven positions are weak. This is because fire generates earth, and earth follows fire. The trends of the four seasons differ greatly from the previous four stems: earth is most vigorous in the eighteen days before the beginning of each of the four seasons, and these eighteen days are the time when earth is in charge. In summer, it is next strongest (fire generates earth), in autumn it is in rest (earth is drained by metal), in winter it is in captivity (water is strong and earth must overcome it, which is hard, so it is captive), and in spring it is most weak (wood is strong and overcomes earth). In terms of generation and overcoming: Wu generates metal in申 (Shen) and酉 (You), and fire in巳 (Si) and午 (Wu) generates Wu. Wu overcomes water in亥 (Hai) and子 (Zi), and wood in寅 (Yin) and卯 (Mao) overcomes Wu. In terms of combination and transformation: Wu combines with Gui (癸). If the day stem is Wu and Gui water appears, and the birth month is寅 (Yin),午 (Wu),戌 (Xu), or巳 (Si), which are fire months, then Wu and Gui combine to form fire. The example given is the four pillars of Bingyin, Guisi, Wuwu, and Bingchen, with Wu as the day stem. Bing generates Wu, and Yin overcomes Wu, but Wu is in Yin, which is its place of growth. Gui is overcome by Wu and combines with it, and Si generates Wu, with Wu in Si being in its place of officialdom. The day pillar is Wuwu, with Yang Earth in summer receiving fire generation, and Wu in Wu being in its place of prosperity. The last pillar is Bingchen, with Bing generating Wu, and Chen being the same element as Wu, so they are like each other, and Wu in Chen is in its place of capping.

五行：屬土。性別：屬陰。方位：中央。氣：長生在酉，沐浴在申，冠帶在未，臨官在午，帝旺在巳（以上為氣之盛）；衰於辰，病於卯，死於寅，墓於丑，絕於子，胎於亥，養於戌（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於四立前各十八天（最旺），相於夏（次旺），休於秋（衰），囚於冬（次衰），死於春（最衰）。生：己生庚辛申酉；丙丁巳午生己。克：己克壬亥子；甲乙寅卯克己。合：甲己相合。化：日干為巳，逢甲木，在辰戌丑未月，則化為純土。例：己克，丁午，生己，臨官。己生，辛未，同己，冠帶。陰土旺於立秋前十八天，己巳，生己，旺。同己，戊辰，同己，衰。

The heavenly stem Ji belongs to the Five Phases of earth, is yin in yin and yang, and is located in the center. Ji is a yin stem, and its twelve heavenly stems move in reverse order. It is in sync with Ding fire. Its growth is in You, bathing in Shen, capping in Wei, officialdom in Wu, and prosperity in Si. These five positions are strong. After that, it declines in Chen, becomes ill in Mao, dies in Yin, is buried in Chou, is cut off in Zi, is in the womb in Hai, and is nourished in Xu. These seven positions are weak. The trends of the four seasons are the same as those of Wu earth: it is strongest in the eighteen days before the beginning of each of the four seasons, is in phase in summer, rests in autumn, is captured in winter, and dies in spring. In terms of generation and overcoming, Ji can generate metal in the stems Xin and Shen and the branches Shen and You, and fire in the stems Bing and Ding and the branches Si and Wu can generate Ji. Ji can overcome water in the stems Ren and Gui and the branches Hai and Zi, and wood in the stems Jia and Yi and the branches Yin and Mao can overcome Ji. In terms of combination and transformation, Jia and Ji combine. If the day stem is Ji and it meets Jia wood, and it is born in the four earth months of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, then Jia and Ji combine to form pure earth. The example given is the four pillars Dingsi, Xinwei, Jisi, and Wuchen, with the day stem being Ji. The first pillar Dingsi, Si generates Ji and Ji is in Si, which is its prosperity. The second pillar Xinwei, Ji generates Xin, and Wei is the same as Ji, which is a fellow stem, and Ji is in Wei, which is its capping. The third pillar Jisi, Ji is at its strongest on the eighteenth day before the beginning of autumn, and Si generates Ji, with Ji in Si, which is its prosperity. The fourth pillar Wuchen, Wu and Ji are the same, and Chen is earth, so Ji is in Chen, which is its decline. The original text has many errors. The first pillar's left note says "Ji overcomes," but earth does not overcome fire, which is illogical. It should be "Ji is generated by," and readers can follow the example to deduce the rest.

五行：屬金。性別：屬陽。方位：西方。氣：長在在巳，沐浴在午，冠帶在未，臨官在申，帝旺在酉（以上為氣之盛）；衰於戌，病於亥，死於子，墓於丑，絕於寅，胎於卯，養於辰（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於秋（最旺），相於四立前各十八天（次旺），休於冬（衰），囚於春（次衰），死於夏（最衰）。生：庚生壬癸亥子，戊己辰戌丑未生庚。克：庚克甲乙寅卯；丙丁巳午克庚。合：乙庚相合。化：日干為庚，逢乙木，若在巳酉丑申月，則花為純金。例：庚克，乙巳，克庚，生。合庚、庚克，乙酉，同庚，旺。陽金旺於秋，庚申，同庚，臨官。同庚，庚辰，生庚，養。

The element of Geng belongs to metal, is yang in yin-yang, and is located in the west. Geng is a yang stem. Its twelve earthly branches run in order: long life is in Si, bathing in Wu, capping in Wei, officialdom in Shen, prosperity in You, these five positions are strong; afterwards, it declines in Xu, is ill in Hai, dies in Zi, buried in Chou, ends in Yin, is born in Mao, and nourished in Chen, these seven positions are weak (the original text says 'long in Si' but it should be 'long life in Si'). The statement that metal is born in Si is most easily questioned: Si contains Geng, which is the birthplace of metal. Although fire overcomes metal, metal actually relies on fire to be shaped, so it is fixed as long life. The four seasons' trends: metal is strongest in autumn, next strongest in the eighteen days before the beginning of each season (earth generates metal), rests in winter (metal is drained by water), is trapped in spring (wood is strong and metal must be cut), and dies in summer when it is weakest (fire melts metal). In terms of generation and overcoming: Geng can generate water in Hai and Zi, and earth in Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei can generate Geng; Geng can overcome wood in Yin and Mao, and fire in Wu and Si can overcome Geng. In terms of combination and transformation: Yi combines with Geng; if the day stem is Geng and Yi wood appears, and if it is born in the metal months of Si, You, Chou, or Shen, Yi and Geng combine and transform into pure metal (the original text says 'flower becomes pure metal' but 'flower' should be 'transform'). The example given is the four pillars: Yi Si, Yi You, Geng Shen, Geng Chen, with Geng as the day stem. The year pillar is Yi Si, Yi is overcome by Geng, and Si overcomes Geng, with Geng in Si being long life; the month pillar is Yi You, Yi combines with Geng and is also overcome by Geng, You is the same element as Geng, so it is a rival, and Geng in You is prosperity; the day pillar is Geng Shen, yang metal is strong in autumn, Shen is the same element as Geng, so Geng in Shen is officialdom; the hour pillar is Geng Chen, Geng is the same element as the day stem, Chen generates Geng, so Geng in Chen is nourishment.

五行：屬金。性別：屬陰。方位：西方。氣：長生在子，沐浴在亥，冠帶在戌，臨官在酉，帝旺在申（以上為氣之盛）；衰於未，病於午，死於巳，墓於辰，絕於卯，胎於寅，養於丑（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於秋（最旺），相於四位前各十八天（次旺），休於冬（衰），囚於春（次衰），死於夏（最衰）。生：辛生壬癸亥子；戊己辰戌丑未生辛。克：辛克甲乙寅卯；丙丁巳午克辛。合：丙辛相合。化：日干為辛，逢丙火，在申子辰亥月則化水。例：辛克，甲申，同辛，旺。克辛、合辛，丙子，辛生，生。陰金休於冬，辛亥，辛生，沐浴。辛生，壬辰，生辛，墓。

Xin belongs to the metal element, and is yin in terms of yin and yang. It is located in the west. Xin is a yin stem. Its twelve heavenly stems' movement is in reverse order: its long life is in Zi, bathing in Hai, capping in Xu, officialdom in You, prosperity in Shen. These five positions are strong. After that, it declines in Wei, becomes ill in Wu, dies in Si, is buried in Chen, is cut off in Mao, is born in Yin, and is nourished in Chou. These seven positions are weak. The trends of the four seasons are the same as for Geng: it is strong in autumn, moderate in the eighteen days before each of the four solstices, rests in winter, is restrained in spring, and dies in summer. In terms of generation and overcoming, Xin can generate water in the亥 and 子 (Hai and Zi) of壬 and 癸 (Ren and Gui), and the earth of 戊 and 己 (Wu and Ji) in 辰, 戌, 丑, and 未 (Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei) can generate Xin. Xin can overcome the wood of 甲 and 乙 (Jia and Yi) in 寅 and 卯 (Yin and Mao), and the fire of 丙 and 丁 (Bing and Ding) in 巳 and 午 (Si and Wu) can overcome Xin. In terms of combination and transformation, Bing and Xin combine with each other. If the day stem is Xin and it meets Bing fire, and the birth month is 申, 子, 辰, or 亥 (Shen, Zi, Chen, or Hai), then Bing and Xin combine to form water. The example given is the four pillars Jiashen, Bingzi, Xinhai, Renchen, with Xin as the day stem. The year pillar Jiashen has Jia, which is overcome by Xin, and Shen, which is the same element as Xin. Xin in Shen is in its prosperity. The month pillar Bingzi has Bing, which overcomes Xin and combines with it, and Zi, which is generated by Xin. Xin in Zi is in its long life. The day pillar Xinhai has Xin, a yin metal, encountering winter, which is a resting period, and Hai, which is generated by Xin. Xin in Hai is in its bathing stage. The hour pillar Renchen has Xin generating Ren, and Chen generating Xin. Xin in Chen is in its burial stage. The same character '生' (birth) refers to different things: in the first case, it refers to the day stem generating the earthly branch's element, while in the second case, it refers to the long life in the twelve heavenly stems. These two meanings should not be confused. This example serves as a clear contrast.

五行：屬水。性別：屬陽。方位：北方。氣：長生在申，沐浴在酉，冠帶在戌，臨官在亥。帝旺在子（以上為氣之盛）；衰於丑，病於寅，死於卯，墓於辰，絕於巳，胎於午，養於未（以上為氣之衰）。勢：旺於冬（最旺），相於秋（次旺）；休於春（衰），囚於夏（次衰），死於四立前各十八日（最衰）。生：壬生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生壬。克：壬克丙丁巳午；戊己辰戌丑未克壬。合：丁壬相合。化：日干為壬，逢丁火，在亥卯未寅月則化為木。例：壬生，甲寅，壬生，病。壬克、合壬，丁卯，壬生，死。陽水休於春，壬午，壬克，胎。壬生，甲辰，克壬，墓。

The element of Ren belongs to water, is yang in yin and yang, and is located in the north. Ren is a yang stem. The twelve heavenly stems move in a clockwise order: the growth of water is in Shen, bathing in You, capping in Xu, officialdom in Hai, prosperity in Zi. These five positions are strong. After that, it declines in Chou, becomes ill in Yin, dies in Mao, is buried in Chen, is cut off in Si, is born in Wu, and is nourished in Wei. These seven positions are weak. Water is born in Shen because Shen contains Ren, and metal generates water, so Shen is considered the source of water. The strength of the four seasons: water is strongest in winter, next strongest in autumn (as metal generates water), rests in spring (as water is drained by wood), is restrained in summer (as fire is strong and water needs to be supplemented), and is weakest in the days eighteen days before the beginning of each season (as earth is strong and restrains water). In terms of generation and overcoming: Ren generates wood of Jia and Yi in Yin and Mao, and generates Ren from Geng and Xin in Shen and You. Ren overcomes fire of Bing and Ding in Si and Wu, and is overcome by earth of Wu and Ji in Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei. In terms of combination and transformation: Ding and Ren combine; if the day stem is Ren and Ding fire is present, and the month is Yin, Mao, Wei, or Yin (wood months), then Ding and Ren combine to form wood. The example given is the four pillars Jiayin, Dingmao, Renwu, Jiachen, with the day stem being Ren. The year pillar Jiayin has Ren generating Jia, and Yin is also generated by Ren, but Ren in Yin is considered to be ill. The month pillar Dingmao has Ding being overcome by Ren and combining with Ren, and Mao is generated by Ren, but Ren in Mao is considered to be dead. The day pillar Renwu has yang water in spring, which is resting, and Wu is overcome by Ren, so Ren in Wu is considered to be born. The hour pillar Jiachen has Ren generating Jia, and Chen overcomes Ren, so Ren in Chen is considered to be buried.

五行：屬水。性別：屬陰。方位：北方。氣：長生在卯，沐浴在寅，冠帶在丑，臨官在子，帝旺在亥（以上為氣之盛）；衰於戌，病於酉，死於申，墓於未，絕於午，胎於巳，養於辰（以上為氣之盛）。勢：旺於冬（最旺），相於秋（次旺），休於春（衰），囚於夏（次衰），死於四立前各十八天（最衰）。生：癸生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生癸。克：癸生丙丁巳午；戊己辰戌丑未克癸。合：戊癸相合。化：日干為癸，逢戊土，在寅午戌巳月則化火。例：同癸，癸巳，癸克，胎。克癸、合癸，戊午，癸克，絕。陰水囚於夏，癸巳，癸克，胎。癸克，丙辰，克癸，養。

The heavenly stem Gui belongs to the Five Phases of water, is yin in yin and yang, and is located in the north. Gui is a yin stem. Its twelve earthly branches move in reverse order: its growth is in卯, bathing in寅, capping in丑, officialdom in子, and prosperity in亥, these five positions have strong energy; after that, it declines in戌, becomes ill in酉, dies in申, is buried in未, reaches extinction in午, is born in巳, and is nourished in辰, these seven positions have weak energy (the original text notes here 「the above are positions of strong energy」, but it should be 「the above are positions of weak energy」). The trend of the four seasons is the same as for Ren: it is strong in winter, balanced in autumn, resting in spring, restrained in summer, and dies in the eighteen days before the beginning of each of the four seasons. In terms of generation and overcoming: Gui can generate the wood of Jia and Yi in寅 and卯, and the metal of Geng and Xin in申 and酉 can generate Gui; Gui can overcome the fire of Bing and Ding in巳 and午, and the earth of Wu and Ji in辰,戌, 丑, and 未 can overcome Gui. In terms of combination and transformation: Wu and Gui combine; if the day stem is Gui and there is Wu earth, and the birth month is in fire months such as寅, 午, 戌, or 巳, then Wu and Gui combine to form fire. An example is given: the four pillars are Gui巳, Wu午, Gui巳, and Bing辰, with the day stem being Gui. The year pillar Gui巳 is the same as the day stem, and巳 is what Gui overcomes, with Gui in巳 being in the state of birth; the next pillar Wu午, Wu overcomes Gui and combines with Gui, and午 is what Gui overcomes, with Gui in午 being in the state of extinction; the day pillar Gui巳, yin water in summer is restrained, and巳 is still what Gui overcomes, with Gui in巳 being in the state of birth; the last pillar Bing辰, Bing is what Gui overcomes, and辰 overcomes Gui, with Gui in辰 being in the state of nourishment. The year pillar and day pillar have the same heavenly stem and earthly branch, and the annotations are identical, suggesting the original text may have a repetition, but it is recorded as is. The section on heavenly stems is now complete, with the structure being first to explain the nature of each stem, then its strength in time and place, and finally its relationships with other stems in terms of generation, overcoming, combination, and transformation. This is exactly the foundation for the later discussion on strength and the selection of useful gods.

五行：屬水。性別：屬陰。方位：北方。月令：十一月。節氣：大雪為子月節；冬至為子月氣。藏干：癸。生：子生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生子。克：子克丙丁己午；戊己辰戌丑未克子。合：子丑相合。刑：子卯相刑。沖：子午相沖。害：子未相害。三合：申子辰合成水局。方合：亥子丑合為北方。例：子生，甲申，生子，與子三合成水局。子克，丙子，十一月，大雪至小寒，陰水，藏癸。子克，丁丑，克子，合子，又會北方。子克，丁未，克子，害子。

The element of the Earthly Branch Zi belongs to Water, is yin in yin and yang, is located in the north, and is in charge during the eleventh lunar month. The following are general rules for the Earthly Branches. First, the "Solar Terms" are divided into "Jie" (solstitial points) and "Qi" (equatorial points): DaXue (Great Snow) is the Jie of the Zi month, and DongZi (Winter Solstice) is the Qi of the Zi month. The division of months only uses Jie; the month begins with DaXue and ends with XiaoHan (Minor Cold). "Cang Gan" refers to the Heavenly Stems hidden within the Earthly Branch, also called "Ren Yuan." In Zi, only the stem Gui Water is hidden, and it is the purest. The principles of generation and overcoming are the same as for Heavenly Stems: Zi can generate the wood of Yi and Bing, and the metal of Geng and Xin can generate Zi; Zi can overcome the fire of Bing and Ding, and the earth of Wu and Ji can overcome Zi (the original text has "Ji" where "Si" should be). The following are relationships unique to Earthly Branches and not found in Heavenly Stems. "He" refers to the Six Harmonies; Zi and Chou are in harmony, and when they are in harmony, the two branches are connected and their strength is mutually restrained. "Xing" refers to the Three Punishments; Zi and Mao are in punishment, and punishment indicates injury and discord. "Chong" refers to the Six Clashes; Zi and Wu clash, and when they clash, the two branches mutually provoke each other and both are harmed. "Hai" refers to the Six Harmful Relationships; Zi and Wei are harmful, and harm indicates hidden injury. "San He" refers to three branches separated by four positions forming a group, Shen Zi Chen form the Water Group, and when a group is formed, the power of water is greatly increased. "Fang He" refers to three branches of the same direction forming a group, Hai Zi Chou form the Northern Water Group, and its power is more concentrated than San He. The "example" at the end is originally a small table, with the four pillars in order as Jiashen, Bingzi, Dingchou, Dingwei. The note in the middle column explains the Zi branch itself. The reading is: Zi generates Ji, Shen generates Zi and Shen Zi Chen form the Water Group; Zi overcomes Bing, the day branch Zi is the eleventh lunar month, from DaXue to XiaoHan, is yin water, contains Gui; Zi overcomes Ding, Chou overcomes Zi, Zi and Chou are in harmony, and Zi also joins Hai Zi Chou to form the Northern Water Group; Zi overcomes Ding, Wei overcomes Zi and Zi and Wei are harmful. It is evident that the same character placed in different pillars is related in more than one way.

五行：屬土。性別：屬陰。方位：中央。月令：十二月。節氣：小寒為丑月節；大寒為丑月氣。藏干：己癸辛。生：丑生庚辛申酉；丙丁己午生丑。克：丑克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克丑。合：子丑相合。刑：酉戌相刑。沖：丑未相沖。害：丑午相害。三合：乙酉丑合成金局。方合：亥子丑合為北方。例：丑克，癸酉，與丑三合成金局，丑生。克丑，乙丑，陰土，十二月，小寒至立春，藏己辛癸。生丑，丙子，丑克，合丑。克丑，甲午，生丑，害丑。

The Earthly Branch 丑 belongs to the Five Phases of earth, is yin in yin and yang, and is located in the central direction. It is the ruler of the twelfth lunar month. The solar term Xiao Han marks the beginning of the month of 丑, and Da Han is the climatic period of the month of 丑. The branch 丑 contains three heavenly stems: Ji Earth (Ji Tu), Gui Water (Gui Shui), and Xin Metal (Xin Jin). Ji Tu is the main stem, Gui Shui is the residual water, and Xin Jin is the stored metal. Therefore, although 丑 is earth, it also carries the nature of water and metal. This is very important when selecting and using the elements. In terms of generation and overcoming: 丑 can generateGeng Metal (Geng Jin), Xin Metal (Xin Jin), 申金 (Shen Jin), 酉金 (You Jin), Bing Fire (Bing Huo), and Ding Fire (Ding Huo); Bing Fire and Ding Fire can generate 丑. 丑 can overcome Ren Water (Ren Shui), Gui Water (Gui Shui), 亥水 (Hai Shui), 子水 (Zi Shui), Jia Wood (Jia Mu), and Yi Wood (Yi Mu). In terms of relationships: 子 and 丑 are in harmony, 丑 and 戌 are in conflict (the original text says 'You and 戌', which conflicts with the following text about 戌, so it should be '丑 and 戌'), 丑 and 未 are in opposition, 丑 and 午 are in mutual harm. 巳, 酉, and 丑 form a triple harmony of metal, and Hai, Zi, and Chou form the northern trinity. The example given is Gui You, Yi Chou, Bing Zi, and Jia Wu. 丑 overcomes Gui, You and 丑 form a triple harmony of metal, and 丑 generates You; Yi overcomes 丑, the day branch 丑 is yin earth, the twelfth lunar month, from Xiao Han to Li Chun, and contains Ji, Xin, and Gui; Bing generates 丑, 丑 overcomes Zi, and Zi and 丑 are in harmony; Jia overcomes 丑, Wu generates 丑, and 丑 and Wu are in mutual harm. The original text says 'triple harmony: Yi You Chou', but 'Yi' should be 'Si'.

五行：屬木。性別：屬陽。方位：東方。月令：正月。節氣：立春為寅月節，雨水為寅月氣。藏干：甲丙戊。生：寅生丙丁巳午，壬癸亥子生寅。克：寅克戊己辰戌丑未，庚辛申酉克寅。合：寅亥相合。刑：寅巳相刑。沖：寅申相沖。害：寅巳相害。三合：寅午戌合成火局。方合：寅卯辰合為東方。例：比寅，乙巳，寅生，害寅，刑寅。寅克，戊寅，正月，立春至驚蟄，陽木，藏甲內戊。克寅，庚申，克寅，沖寅。寅生，丁亥，生寅，合寅。

The element of Yin belongs to Wood, is yang in yin-yang, is located in the east, and is the ruler of the first lunar month. The beginning of spring is the solar term of the Yin month, and the rainwater is the seasonal climate of the Yin month. The stem-branch cycle is divided by the beginning of spring, so the Yin month is both the first month of the year and the starting point for calculations throughout the year. Yin contains three heavenly stems: Jia Wood, Bing Fire, and Wu Earth. Jia is the main stem, Bing is the birth of Fire, and Wu Earth is located in the position of Fire, so Yin Wood inherently contains the nature of Fire and Earth. In terms of generation and overcoming: Yin can generate Bing and Ding Fire, as well as Ren and Gui Water, which can generate Yin; Yin can overcome Wu and Ji Earth, as well as Geng and Xin Metal, which can overcome Yin. In terms of relationships: Yin and Hai are in harmony, Yin and Si are in conflict, Yin and Shen are in opposition, Yin and Si are in mutual harm, and Yin, Mao, and Chen form the Eastern Wood trinity. The example given is Yisi, Wuyin, Gengshen, Dinghai. The year stem Yis is of the same Wood as Yin, thus it is a helping relationship. Si is generated by Yin, and Yin and Si are both in conflict and mutual harm. Yin overcomes Wu, and the day branch Yin is the first lunar month, from the beginning of spring to the start of thunder, belongs to Yang Wood, and contains Jia, Bing, and Wu. Geng overcomes Yin, Shen also overcomes Yin, and Yin and Shen are in opposition. Yin generates Ding, Hai generates Yin, and Yin and Hai are in harmony. This example shows that there are three relationships between Si and Yin: generation, mutual harm, and conflict. When calculating a person's destiny, one must weigh which relationship is more significant.

五行：屬木。性別：屬陰。方位：東方。月令：二月。節氣：驚蟄為卯月節；春分為卯月氣。藏干：乙。生：卯生丙丁己午；壬癸亥子生卯。克：卯克戊己辰戌丑未；庚辛申酉克卯。合：卯戌相合。刑：子卯相刑。沖：卯酉相沖。害：卯辰相害。三合：亥卯未合成木局。方合：寅卯辰合為東方。例：卯生，丙子，生卯，刑卯。克卯，辛卯，二月，驚蟄至清明，陰木，藏乙。生卯，壬辰，與卯合為東方，害卯，卯克。卯克，己酉，克卯，卯沖。

The element of卯 is wood, belonging to yin, located in the east, and ruling the second month. The beginning of spring is the festival of惊蛰 in the month of卯, and the beginning of the spring equinox is the climate of春分 in the same month. The branch卯 contains only one heavenly stem, 乙 wood, and is one of the pure branches that contain only one heavenly stem, along with子 and酉. Therefore, the energy of卯 wood is most specialized and pure. In terms of generation and overcoming:卯 can generate fire, such as丙,丁,巳,午; water such as壬,癸,亥,子 can generate卯.卯 can overcome earth, such as戊,己,辰,戌,丑,未; and metal such as庚,辛,申,酉 can overcome卯. In terms of relationships:卯 and戌 form a harmonious combination,卯 and子 form a hidden conflict,卯 and酉 form a confrontation,卯 and辰 form a harmful relationship, and亥,卯,未 form a triple harmony of wood. Also,寅,卯,辰 form the eastern wood group. The example given is the four pillars:Bingzi,Xinmao,Renchen,Jiyou.卯 generates丙,子 generates卯 but also forms a hidden conflict between子 and卯, which is why conflict is considered an invisible loss.辛 overcomes卯, the day branch卯 represents the second month, from惊蛰 to清明, belonging to yin wood, containing 乙.壬 generates卯,辰 and卯 form the eastern wood group, and卯 and辰 form a harmful relationship, with卯 also overcoming辰.卯 overcomes己,酉 overcomes卯 and forms a confrontation between卯 and酉.

五行：屬土。性別：屬陽。方位：中央。月令：三月。節氣：清明為辰月節，穀雨為辰月氣。藏干：戊乙癸。生：辰生庚辛申酉；丙丁已午生辰。克：辰克壬癸亥子；甲子寅卯克辰。合：辰酉相合。刑：二辰自刑。沖：辰戌相沖。害：卯辰相害。三合：申子辰合成水局。方合：寅卯辰合為東方。例：生辰，丁酉，辰生，合辰。克辰，申辰，三月，清明至立夏，陽土，藏戊乙癸。辰克，壬戌，比辰，沖辰。

The Earthly Branch Chen belongs to the Five Phases of Earth, is yang in yin and yang, and is located in the central direction. It is the ruling branch of the third month. Qingming is the solar term of the month of Chen, and Gu Yu is the seasonal climate. Chen contains three heavenly stems: Wu Earth, Yi Wood, and Gui Water. Wu Earth is the main stem, Yi Wood is the residual wood of spring, and Gui Water is the stored water. Therefore, Chen is a damp earth that contains both water and wood. In terms of generation and overcoming: Chen can generate Geng and Xin metal, as well as Shen and You metal; fire of Ji and Wu can generate Chen. Chen can overcome Ren and Gui water, as well as Ji and Yi wood. In terms of relationships: Chen and You are in harmony, two Chens meeting is called self-punishment. Chen and Xu are in opposition, Mao and Chen are in conflict, and Shen, Zi, and Chen form a water trinity. Yin, Mao, and Chen form the eastern wood. The example given only includes three pillars: Ding is born in Chen, You is generated by Chen and forms a harmonious relationship with Chen; the second pillar notes 'overcoming Chen', the day branch is Chen, which is the third month, from Qingming to Li Xia, belongs to yang earth, contains Wu, Yi, and Gui. Chen overcomes Ren, Xu and Chen are both earth and thus are similar, but Chen and Xu are in opposition. According to the usual format of this text, each example should include four pillars, but the original text is missing some characters. The second pillar's heavenly stem and the fourth pillar are missing. The characters 'Shen Chen' are not part of the sixty-jiazi cycle and are likely a mistake for 'Jia Chen'. The text is recorded as is without correction.

五行：屬火。性別：屬陽。方位：南方。月令：四月。節氣：立夏為巳月節；小滿為巳月氣。藏干：丙戊庚。生：巳生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生巳。克：巳克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克巳。合：巳申相合。刑：寅己相刑，巳申相刑。沖：已亥相沖。害：寅巳相害。三合：巳酉丑合成金局。方合：己午未合為南方。例：巳生，戊寅，生巳，刑巳，害巳。比巳，丁己，四月，立夏至芒種，陽火，藏丙戊庚。克巳，壬申，巳克，合巳。巳克，辛亥，克巳，沖巳。

The element of Si belongs to fire, is yang in yin and yang, is located in the south, and is in command in the fourth lunar month. The beginning of summer is the solar term of the Si month, and the small fullness is the seasonal climate of the Si month. The Si branch contains three heavenly stems: Bing fire, Wu earth, and Geng metal. Bing is the main stem, Wu is earth attached to fire and is born from fire, and Geng is the place of birth for metal. Therefore, although Si belongs to fire, it is the source of metal. The text in the heavenly stem section mentions that Geng metal is born in Si, and this is the reason. In terms of generation and control: Si can generate Wu and Ji earth, and wood of Ji and Yi can generate Si; Si can control Ji and Xin metal, and water of Ren and Gui can control Si. In terms of relationships: Si and Shen are in harmony, Yin and Si are in conflict and Si and Shen are also in conflict, Si and Hai are in opposition, Yin and Si are in mutual harm, and the triple harmony of Si, You, and Chou forms a metal trinity. The combination of Si, Wu, and Wei forms the southern fire. The example given is the four pillars: Wu Yin, Ding Si, Ren Shen, and Xin Hai. Si generates Wu, Yin generates Si and Yin and Si are in conflict and mutual harm; Ding and Si are both fire and thus are similar. The day branch Si is in the fourth month, from the beginning of summer to the summer solstice, belongs to yang fire, and contains Bing, Wu, and Geng. Ren controls Si, Shen is controlled by Si and Si and Shen are in harmony; Si controls Xin, Hai controls Si and Si and Hai are in opposition. One must be careful about the complex relationship between Si and Shen, which are in harmony, conflict, and control. In the original text, the instances of 'ji' and 'yi' in 'yin ji', 'yi hai', 'ji wu wei', and 'ding ji' should all be read as 'si'.

五行：屬火。性別：屬陰。方位：南方。月令：五月。節氣：芒種為五月節，夏至為五月氣。藏干：丁己。生：午生戊己辰戌丑未；甲乙寅卯生午。克：午克庚辛申酉；壬癸亥子克午。合：午未相合。刑：二午自刑。沖：子午相沖。害：丑午相害。三合：寅午戌合成火局。方合：巳午未合為南方。例：午克，辛丑，午生，害午。生午，甲午，五月，芒種至小暑，陰火，藏丁己。克午，壬子，克午，沖午。比午，丁未，午生，合午，與午合為南方。

The element of Wu (午) belongs to fire, is yin in yin and yang, is located in the south, and rules the fifth month. Mangzhong is the solar term of the Wu month, and Xiazhi is the solar term of the Wu month. Within Wu, there are two heavenly stems: Ding fire (丁火) and Ji earth (己土). Ding is the main stem, and Ji is earth generated by fire, so Wu fire inherently contains earth qualities. In terms of generation and overcoming: Wu can generate Wu, Ji, Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei earth; and Wu can be generated by Ji and Yi wood. Wu can overcome Geng and Xin metal, and is overcome by Ren and Gui water. In terms of relationships: Wu and Wei are in harmony, two Wus together are self-punishment, Zi and Wu are in opposition, Chou and Wu are in mutual harm, Yin, Wu, and Xu form a triple harmony of fire, and Si, Wu, and Wei form the southern fire. The example given is a four pillar chart: Xinchou, Jiawu, Renzi, Dingwei. Wu overcomes Xin, Wu generates Chou but Chou and Wu are in mutual harm—this shows that harm is a separate concept from generation and overcoming; Ji generates Wu, the day branch Wu corresponds to the fifth month, from Mangzhong to Xiaoshu, is yin fire, contains Ding and Ji; Ren overcomes Wu, Zi overcomes Wu and Zi and Wu are in opposition; Ding and Wu are both fire, so they are similar; Wu generates Wei, Wu and Wei are in harmony, and together with Si form the southern fire.

五行：屬土。性別：屬陰。方位：中央。月令：六月。節氣：小暑為未月節；大暑為未月氣。藏干：己丁乙。生：未生庚辛申酉；丙丁已午生未。克：未克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克未。合：午未相合。刑：戌未相刑。沖：丑未相沖。害：子未相害。三合：亥卯未合成木局。方合：巳午未合為南方。例：生未，丙戌，比未，刑未。克未，乙未，六月，小暑至產秋，陰土，藏乙丁己。未生，辛丑，比未，沖未。比未，戊子，未克，害未。

The element of Wei belongs to earth, is yin in yin-yang, and is located in the center. It is the ruling element in June. The solar term of Xiaoshu is the beginning of the month of Wei, and Dashu is the qi of the month of Wei. Wei contains three heavenly stems: Ji earth, Ding fire, and Yi wood. Ji is the main stem, Ding is the remaining fire of summer, and Yi is the wood stored in the earth. Therefore, Wei is a dry earth with fire and wood qualities, contrasting with Chen, which is a damp earth. In terms of generation and overcoming: Wei cannot generate metal, but fire such as Bing and Ding can generate Wei. Wei cannot overcome water, but wood such as Ji and Yi can overcome Wei. In terms of relationships: Wei and Wu are in harmony, Wei and Xu are in conflict, Wei and Chou are in opposition, and Wei and Hai are in mutual harm. The triple harmony of Hai, Mao, and Wei forms a wood pattern, and the combination of Si, Wu, and Wei forms the southern fire pattern. The example given is Bing Xu, Yi Wei, Xin Chou, and Wu Zi. Bing generates Wei, and Xu and Wei are both earth, forming a relationship of mutual support, but Xu and Wei are in conflict. Yi overcomes Wei, and the day branch Wei corresponds to the sixth month, from Xiaoshu to Liqiu, which is yin earth, containing Yi, Ding, and Ji. Wei generates Xin, and Chou and Wei are both earth, forming a relationship of mutual support, but Chou and Wei are in opposition. Wu and Wei are both earth, forming a relationship of mutual support, and Wei overcomes Zi, while Zi and Wei are in mutual harm. The relationships between Chou and Wei, and between Xu and Wei are both earth branches, one in opposition and one in conflict, showing that earth and earth may not necessarily be harmonious.

五行：屬金。性別：屬陽。方位：西方。月令：七月。節氣：立秋為申月節，處暑為申月氣。藏干：戊庚壬。生：申生壬癸亥子；戊己辰戌丑未生申。克：申克甲乙寅卯；丙丁己午克申。合：巳申相合。刑：巳申相刑。沖：寅申相沖。害：申亥相害。三合：申子辰合成水局。方合：申酉戌合為西方。例：申克，乙亥，申生，害申。申克，甲申，七月，立秋至白露，陽金，藏戊庚壬。生申，己巳，克申，合申，刑申。克申，丙寅，申克，沖申。

The element of Shen belongs to metal, is yang in yin and yang, is located in the west, and is in command in the seventh month. The beginning of autumn is the solar term of the Shen month, and the heat ends are the seasonal climate of the Shen month. Within Shen, there are three heavenly stems hidden: Wu earth, Geng metal, and Ren water. Geng is the main stem, Wu is the earth that generates metal, and Ren is the birthplace of water, so Shen is the source of water. The statement in the section on heavenly stems that Ren water is born in Shen is based on this. In terms of generation and overcoming: Shen can generate Ren and Gui water, as well as Zi and Hai water; Wu and Ji earth, and Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei earth can generate Shen. Shen can overcome Yi and Bing wood, as well as Bing and Ding fire. In terms of relationships: Shen combines with Si and is in conflict with it, Shen and Yin are in opposition, Shen and Hai are harmful to each other, and Shen, Zi, and Chen form a triple harmony of water. Shen, You, and Xu form the western metal. The example given is Yi Hai, Ji Shen, Ji Si, and Bing Yin. Shen overcomes Yi, Shen generates Hai but Shen and Hai are harmful to each other; Shen overcomes Ji, the day branch Shen is in the seventh month, from the beginning of autumn to the beginning of white dew, is yang metal, and contains Wu, Geng, and Ren. Ji generates Shen, Si overcomes Shen, Si and Shen combine, and Si and Shen are in conflict; Bing overcomes Shen, Shen overcomes Yin but Shen and Yin are in opposition. This example presents all four relationships of combination, conflict, opposition, and harm, making it the most complete statement in the entire text.

五行：屬金。性別：屬陰。方位：西方。月令：八月。節氣：白露為酉月節；秋分為酉月氣。藏干：辛。生：酉生壬癸亥子；戊己辰戌丑未生酉。克：酉克甲乙寅卯；丙巳午克酉。合：辰酉相合。刑：二酉自刑。沖：卯酉相沖。害：酉戌相害。三合：巳酉丑合成金局。方合：申酉戌合為西方。例：克酉，丙辰，生酉，合酉。克酉，丁酉，八月，白露至寒露，陰金，藏辛。酉生，癸卯，酉克，沖酉。酉生，壬戌，生酉，害酉，與酉合為西方。

The element of You (酉) belongs to metal, is yin in yin and yang, is located in the west, and is in command during the eighth month. BaiLu (White Dew) is the solar term of the You month, and Qiufen (Autumn Equinox) is the climatic point of the You month. Only Xin metal is hidden within You, and together with Zi and Mao, they are pure branches. Therefore, the metal of You is most concentrated, and during the season of autumn metal, its sharpness is at its peak. In terms of generation and overcoming: You can generate Ren and Gui water, as well as Zi and Hai water; Wu and Ji earth, as well as Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei earth can generate You. You can overcome Yi and Bing wood, as well as Bing, Ding, Si, and Wu fire (the original text omits the character Ding). In terms of relationships: Chen and You form a harmonious combination, two You branches appearing together result in self-punishment, Mao and You are in opposition, You and Xu are harmful, Si, You, and Chou form a triple harmony of metal, and Shen, You, and Xu form the western metal group. The example given is Bing Chen, Ding You, Gui Mao, Ren Xu. Bing overcomes You, Chen generates You and forms a harmonious combination with You; Ding overcomes You, the day branch You corresponds to the eighth month, from BaiLu to HanLu, is yin metal, and contains Xin; You generates Gui, You overcomes Mao and Mao and You are in opposition; You generates Ren, Xu generates You, You and Xu are harmful, and also form the western metal group. Xu both generates and harms You, and shares the same direction, making the situation most complex. This is precisely why the earthly branches are more difficult to interpret than the heavenly stems.

五行：屬土。性別：屬陽。方位：中央。月令：九月。節氣：寒露戌月節，霜降為戌月氣。藏干：戊辛丁。生：戌生庚辛申酉；丙丁巳午生戌。克：戌克壬癸亥子；甲乙寅卯克戌。合：卯戌相合。刑：丑刑戌，戌刑未。沖：辰戌相沖。害：酉戌相害。三合：寅午戌合成火局。方合：申酉戌合為西方。例：戌克，癸卯，克戌，合戌。戌克，壬戌，九月，寒露至立冬，陽土，藏戊辛丁。生戌，丙辰，比戌，沖戌。生戌，丁酉，戌生，害戌，與戌合為西方。

The element of Xu belongs to earth, is yang in yin-yang, and is located in the central direction. It rules the ninth month. The solar term of Cold Dew marks the beginning of the Xu month, and the solar term of Frost Descent marks its end. Xu contains three heavenly stems: Wu earth, Xin metal, and Ding fire. Wu is the main stem, Xin is the residual qi of autumn metal, and Ding is the storage qi of fire. Therefore, Xu is a dry earth with fire characteristics, and is similar to Wei but even drier. In terms of generation and overcoming: Xu can generate Geng and Xin metal, as well as Ji and Wu fire; Ji and Wu fire can generate Xu. Xu can overcome Gui and Hai water, and Ji and Yi wood can overcome Xu. In terms of relationships: Mao and Xu form a harmonious combination, Chou is in a mutual crime with Xu, and Xu is in a mutual crime with Wei (Chou, Xu, and Wei mutually crime with each other, known as 'Punishment of Ingratitude'), Chen and Xu are in opposition, You and Xu are in mutual harm, Yin, Wu, and Xu form a fire trinity, and Shen, You, and Xu form the western metal group. The example given is Gui Mao, Ren Xu, Bing Chen, and Ding You. Xu overcomes Gui, but Mao overcomes Xu and forms a harmonious combination with Xu—thus, it is a case of both overcoming and harmonizing, which is called 'harmony with contention'. Xu also overcomes Ren, and the day branch Xu is in the ninth month, from Cold Dew to the Beginning of Winter, is yang earth, and contains Wu, Xin, and Ding. Bing generates Xu, and Chen is also earth, forming a mutual support relationship, but Chen and Xu are in opposition. Ding generates Xu, Xu generates You, You and Xu are in mutual harm, and You also forms the western metal group with Shen and Xu.

五行：屬水。性別：屬陽。方位：北方。月令：十月。節氣：立冬為亥月節，小雪為亥月氣。藏干：壬甲。生：亥生甲乙寅卯；庚辛申酉生亥。克：亥克丙丁巳午；戊己辰戌丑未克亥。合：寅亥相合。刑：二亥自刑。沖：已亥相沖。害：申亥相害。三合：亥卯未合成木局。方合：亥子丑合為北方。例：克亥，戊寅，亥生，合亥。比亥，癸亥，十月，立冬至大雪，陽水，藏壬甲。亥克，丙申，生亥，害亥。比亥，癸巳，亥克，沖亥。

The element of Hai belongs to water, is yang in yin-yang, is located in the north, and rules the tenth month. The beginning of winter is the solar term of the Hai month, and the light snow is the seasonal climate of the Hai month. Hai contains two heavenly stems: Ren water and Jia wood. Ren is the main stem, and Jia is the long life of wood, so although Hai belongs to water, it is actually the nurturing ground for wood. The statement in the heavenly stem section that Jia wood is born in Hai is based on this. In terms of generation and overcoming: Hai can generate Jia and Yi wood, and also Bing and Ding fire, but it is overcome by Wu and Ji earth. In terms of relationships: Yin and Hai form a harmonious combination, two Hais together form self-punishment, Si and Hai form a clash, Shen and Hai form mutual harm, Hai, Mao, and Wei form a triple harmony of wood, and Hai, Zi, and Chou form the northern water group. The example given is Wu Yin, Gui Hai, Bing Shen, and Gui Si. Wu overcomes Hai, Hai generates Yin and Yin and Hai form a harmonious combination; Gui and Hai both belong to water, forming a mutual support relationship, the day branch Hai is the tenth month, from the beginning of winter to the light snow, belongs to yang water, and contains Ren and Jia; Hai overcomes Bing, Shen generates Hai and Shen and Hai form mutual harm; Gui and Hai again form a mutual support relationship, Hai overcomes Si and Si and Hai form a clash. The twelve earthly branches are now complete. By reviewing the entire text, it can be seen that the earthly branches include the month ruler, hidden stems, and the relationships of punishment, clash, harmony, and harm, which are more complex than the heavenly stems. Therefore, when selecting the useful god and determining the pattern, the interactions among the earthly branches must be examined one by one, and not only the surface elements should be considered.

人元者，即地支內所藏之天干也，已見地支篇，可參閱之。人元之利：（一）可以輔助天干地支之不逮，例如：癸卯、丁巳、甲寅、甲子。八字中水木居六，土金全無，當以身強無剋制為患，然巳中藏有戊土並庚金，土能克水，金能制木，是天干地支雖屬無用，而支中所藏人元，獨可輔助其不逮也。

The concept of "personally originated elements" refers to the heavenly stems hidden within the earthly branches. In the previous section on earthly branches, each branch's hidden heavenly stems were listed in detail, which can be referred to for reference. A separate section is dedicated to this topic because the eight characters visible in a birth chart only represent the surface, while there are actually more than ten hidden heavenly stems within the branches. When selecting the useful god, these hidden stems are often crucial. Let us first discuss the two advantages of the personally originated elements. The first advantage is that the personally originated elements can supplement the deficiencies of the heavenly stems and earthly branches. For example, in the four pillars ofGuimao,Dingsi,Jiayin, andJiazi, the day stem is 甲 wood. In the birth chart, water and wood account for six characters, while earth and metal are entirely absent. The day stem is strong but has no element to restrain it, leading to an excess that is considered a problem. However, the branch巳 contains hidden戊 earth and庚 metal: earth can control water, stopping the flow of water that nourishes wood; metal can restrain wood, preventing it from growing excessively. This means that although the visible heavenly stems and earthly branches cannot help, the hidden personally originated elements within the branches can compensate for their shortcomings. If one only considers the visible eight characters when selecting the useful god, this destiny would be considered hopeless. Only by considering the hidden stems can one find a solution.

（二）可以增加天干地支之力量，例如：甲寅、壬申、甲寅、甲子。三甲二寅，木如林立，又有壬水子水之生木，則木更繁重，自喜申金之剋制，但一金五木只力難勝，則不得不賴申中寅中所藏戊土，以生金克木，是取戊土人元以增加申金之力量也。

The second advantage is that the heavenly stems and earthly branches can enhance the strength of the heavenly stems and earthly branches. For example, in the four pillars of Jiayin, Renshen, Jiayin, and Jiazi, the day stem is still Jia Wood. There are three Jia stems and two Yin branches, so the wood is abundant, like a forest. With the presence of Ren Water and Zi Water beside it, the wood becomes even more vigorous. In such a case, the chart naturally favors the month branch Shen Metal to restrain it. However, one Metal is not enough to counter five Woods. At this point, it becomes necessary to rely on the hidden Wu Earth within Shen and the hidden Wu Earth within Yin. Earth can generate Metal, so Metal supported by Earth has support; Earth can also weaken the strength of Wood, so Wood is not overly dominant. Therefore, this is taking Wu Earth as a person's origin to support Shen Metal. The same character Shen, when considered only as Metal, is different from when it is also considered with the hidden Wu Earth within it. The difference in weight is significant, and this is the reason why person's origins must be taken into account.

人元之害：（一）幫助天干地支之為虐，例如：戊申、庚申、甲申、庚午。獨甲為五金所克，其衰可知，何堪申中再藏戊土，午中再藏己土，用戊己土之人元，再去生金，豈非專助庚申金之為虐乎。（二）破壞天干地支之精采。例如：乙未、戊寅、戊辰、庚申。戊土甚重，當洩秀氣於庚申二金，豈不甚美，奈何寅中所藏丙火，既能克去時干上之庚金，而時支申中所有庚金，亦破寅中之丙火沖去，豈非精采盡為破壞乎。

The heavenly stem can both help and cause harm, thus having two drawbacks. The first is that the heavenly stem can strengthen the already harmful side. For example, in the four pillars of Wuchen, Gengwu, Wuyin, and Jiashen, the day stem Jia Wood is alone and is heavily overcome by five metal elements. Its weakness is evident. However, among the three Shens, each contains Wuchen, and Wu contains Ji Earth. These Earth elements are generating the metal; since the metal is already too strong, receiving more Earth support only helps the Gengshen metal to become more aggressive. The second drawback is that the heavenly stem can disrupt the original harmonious balance. For example, in the four pillars of Yiwei, Wuyin, Wuchen, and Gengshen, the day stem Wu Earth is heavily weighted, and it should naturally give its refined energy to the hour stem Geng Metal and the hour branch Shen Metal, which would be a good arrangement. Unfortunately, the month branch Yin contains Bing Fire, which can overcome the hour stem Geng Metal. Meanwhile, the hour branch Shen contains Geng Metal, which in turn overcomes the Bing Fire in the Yin. This back and forth completely ruins the original harmony. Therefore, the heavenly stem is not always beneficial; it depends on which side it supports.

人元力量之分析：（一）最重：月支內之人元屬月之本氣者（例如申月之庚，庚與申皆屬金，庚即為申中之本氣），力量最重。（二）次重：月支內所暗藏之人元（例如申月，申中暗藏戊壬），雖非申月本氣，力量則次重。（三）稍輕：年日時支內所藏之人元，與月支之人元相較，則力減輕。

The heavenly stems hidden in the earthly branches vary in strength. They are generally divided into three categories. The first category is the strongest: the heavenly stem that is the true essence of the month's earthly branch. The author explains that in the month of Shen, the stem Geng metal is the true essence of Shen, as both Geng and Shen belong to the metal element. Since the month's earthly branch rules the entire month and the true essence is the main body of the branch, its strength is the greatest, and it often determines the overall pattern. The second category is next in strength: the other heavenly stems hidden in the month's earthly branch besides the true essence. The author explains that in the branch Shen, there are also hidden stems Wu earth and Ren water, which are not the true essence of the month, but they are still within the month's branch and benefit from the month's influence, so their strength is second only to the true essence. The third category is the weakest: the heavenly stems hidden in the year, day, and hour branches, which are weaker compared to those in the month's branch. This ranking is very important: the subsequent discussion about determining patterns begins by checking whether the true essence of the month's branch is revealed, which comes directly from this principle.

五行者，金木水火土，其數有五，並往來乎天地這間，而不窮者也，故謂之行。

The so-called Five Phases refer to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, a total of five elements. They move and circulate throughout heaven and earth, ceaselessly in motion without end. Because they are always "moving" and never stationary, they are called "Phases" (行), not terms like "five substances" or "five objects." This sentence serves as the main thesis of the entire passage: the Five Phases are not five static things, but five kinds of flowing energies. They have strength and decline according to the seasons, and they have generating and overcoming relationships with similar and different elements. Therefore, when discussing each Phase later, we first explain its origin and nature, then its strength and weaknesses in the four seasons and its favorable and unfavorable conditions. (The original text has "这" in "天地这间," which should be "之.")

原始：西方陰止以收而生燥，燥乃生金。性：屬少陰，沉下而有所止。體：至陰中含至陽，故光明可照。質：堅剛。天干：庚辛屬金。地支：申酉屬金。支藏：申酉戌巳丑中皆藏金。生克：受土之生；生水；為火所克；克木。

The origin of metal: the energy of the west is yin in nature, and yin is characterized by gathering in and cessation. When gathering and ceasing lasts long, dryness arises, and this dryness condenses into metal. Its nature is that of minor yin, with its energy descending and settling, unlike wood and fire which tend to rise continuously. Its substance is extreme yin containing extreme yang, so although metal is cold and hard, it can become bright when rubbed, capable of reflecting light. Its quality is hard and strong. In the heavenly stems, Geng and Xin belong to metal; in the earthly branches, Shen and You belong to metal. As for metal hidden within the branches, it is present in the branches of Shen, You, Xu, Si, and Chou—Shen and You are the native positions of metal, Xu is the residual energy of metal, Si is the place of growth for metal, and Chou is the storage place for metal. In terms of generation and overcoming: metal is generated by earth, metal generates water, metal is overcome by fire, and metal overcomes wood. These eight words serve as the basis for the following discussion on what is favorable and unfavorable: whenever it says 'generating metal,' it refers to earth; whenever it says 'dispersing metal,' it refers to water; whenever it says 'overcoming metal,' it refers to fire; and whenever it says 'dividing the strength of metal,' it refers to wood.

種類：金分六類，各有喜忌。（一）強金，當令或繁為強，喜木分力，火煅練，水吐秀，忌土生金，金加重。（二）弱金，失令或頹少為弱，喜土生金，金比助，忌水分力，火剋制，水洩氣。（三）埋金，土多易埋，喜木制土，忌火助土。（四）沉金，水多易沉，喜土克水，水洩木，忌金助水泛。（五）缺金，木多易缺，喜土生金，忌木加重。（六）熔金，火多易熔，喜水制火存金，土洩火生金，忌木助火積。

Gold is divided into six categories based on its situation, each with its own favorable and unfavorable elements. The first category is strong gold: if it is born in the autumn season when it is in authority, or if there is an abundance of gold in the birth chart, it is considered strong. Strong gold should be reduced rather than increased, so it favors wood to divide its strength, fire to refine it into a useful object, and water to release its brilliance; it dislikes earth that produces more gold and additional gold. The second category is weak gold: if it is out of its season or in small quantity, it is considered weak. Weak gold should be supported rather than harmed, so it favors earth to produce gold and similar gold for assistance; it dislikes wood that divides its strength, fire that overcomes it, and water that drains its energy (the original text says 'water drains its energy' but should be 'wood'). The third category is buried gold: too much earth buries the gold, so it favors wood to control the earth and dislikes fire that helps the earth. The fourth category is submerged gold: too much water submerges the gold, so it favors earth to overcome water and wood to drain water; it dislikes additional gold that exacerbates the water overflow (the original text says 'water drains wood' but should be 'wood drains water'). The fifth category is deficient gold: too much wood weakens and damages the gold, so it favors earth to produce gold to strengthen it and dislikes more wood. The sixth category is melted gold: too much fire melts the gold, so it favors water to control fire to preserve the gold, and earth to drain fire and regenerate gold; it dislikes wood that assists fire, making the fire even stronger. Among these six categories, the first two discuss the inherent strength and weakness of gold, while the last four discuss being constrained by other elements. When analyzing a birth chart, one should first determine which category the gold belongs to, and the favorable and unfavorable elements will become clear.

四季金之喜忌。春：值囚令。喜：未盡，貴乎火氣為榮，性體柔弱，愛得薄土之資生，既見火，由喜金來比助。忌：水盛則金寒，有用等於無用，木盛則金折，至剛轉為不剛。夏：值死令。喜：性柔，遇薄土則資生有益，形未充，得金比，則扶持精壯。時方在炎，逢水滋則金潤澤。忌：火多則銷熔，木盛則傷身，土厚則埋沒無光。秋：值旺令。喜：當權得令，遇火煅練，則成鐘鼎之材；見水吐秀，則精神發越；逢木斫削，則施威逞才。忌：金助愈剛，剛過必缺，土再資生，反為頑濁。冬：值休令。喜：形寒性冷，土能制水，金體不寒，火土並來，溫養更妙。忌：木多則難施斫削之功，水盛則不免沉潛之患。

When discussing the favorable and unfavorable aspects of metal according to the four seasons, we can analyze it as follows. In spring, metal is in the "imprisoned" position: the remaining cold has not yet dissipated, so it is valuable to have fire to warm it and give it a luster; at this time, metal is weak and prefers thin earth to generate and support it—thin earth can produce metal without burying it; once fire is present, it is even more favorable to have similar metal to assist it, making it able to withstand forging. What is to be avoided is: excessive water makes metal even colder, and even if it is useful, it is as if it is not; excessive wood causes metal to be broken, and the originally strong metal becomes weak. In summer, metal is in the "dead" position: it is soft in nature, and encountering thin earth to generate it is beneficial; its form is not yet full, and it needs similar metal to assist it to become strong and vigorous; during the hot season, encountering water to moisten it gives metal a luster. What is to be avoided is: too much fire melts it, too much wood harms it, and thick earth buries it without luster. In autumn, metal is in the "strong" position: it is in command and in its season, so encountering fire to forge it can make it into heavy objects like bells and tripods; encountering water to drain its energy gives it vitality; encountering wood for cutting and shaping allows it to display its strength and ability. What is to be avoided is: more metal to assist it makes it even harder, and when it is too hard, it will inevitably break; more earth to generate it turns it into a dull and turbid substance. In winter, metal is in the "resting" position: it is cold in form and nature, and only when earth controls water can metal not be too cold; if fire and earth come together to warm it, it is even better. What is to be avoided is: too much wood prevents metal from displaying its cutting ability, and too much water causes it to sink and be unable to rise. It is clear that the same thing, when in season or out of season, has almost opposite favorable and unfavorable aspects. This is the most important principle in the entire text.

原始：東方陽散以洩而生風，風乃生木。性：屬少陽，騰上而無所止。體：陽中含陰，故枝葉繁榮於外，而內空虛。質：柔和。天干：甲乙屬木。地支：寅卯屬木。支藏：寅卯辰亥未中皆藏木。生克：受水之生；生火；為金所克；克土。

The origin of wood: The energy of the East belongs to yang, which is characterized by dispersion and outward release. When this energy is released, it becomes wind, and the movement of wind gives rise to wood. Its nature is that of "Less Yang," with its vital energy rising and surging upward without rest, which is opposite to the descending and restraining nature of metal. Its substance is yang containing yin, so its branches and leaves are flourishing on the outside, yet empty within. Its quality is gentle. In the heavenly stems, Jia and Yi belong to wood; in the earthly branches, Yin and Mao belong to wood. Wood hidden within the branches is found in the branches of Yin, Mao, Chen, Hai, and Wei—Yin and Mao are the original positions of wood, Chen is the residual energy of wood, Hai is the place of growth for wood, and Wei is the storage for wood. In terms of generation and overcoming: wood is generated by water, wood generates fire, wood is overcome by metal, and wood overcomes earth. The terms mentioned below, such as division of force, cutting and shaping, showing excellence, and generation and support, all come from these four sentences.

種類：木分六類，各有喜忌。（一）強木令當，或繁盛為強，喜土分力，金斫削，火吐秀，忌水生木，木加重。（二）弱木，失令或稀少為弱，喜水生木，木比助，忌土分力，金克害，火洩氣。（三）浮木，水多易浮，喜土制水，忌金助水。（四）焚木，火多易焚，喜水克火，土洩火，忌木生助，火熾烈。（五）折木，土多易折，喜水生木，忌土加重。（六）斷木，金多易斷，喜火制金存木，水洩金生木，忌土助金，金堅銳。

Wood is also divided into six categories based on its situation. The first category is strong wood: if it is born in spring when it is in authority, or if there is a lot of wood in the four pillars and it is flourishing, it is considered strong. Strong wood prefers earth to share its strength, metal to cut and shape it into useful material, and fire to release its refined essence. It dislikes water that regenerates wood and increases its strength (the original text "强木令当" should be "强木当令"). The second category is weak wood: if it is out of its season or scarce, it is considered weak. Weak wood prefers water to nourish it and similar wood to support it. It dislikes earth that divides its strength, metal that harms it, and fire that drains its energy. The third category is floating wood: too much water causes wood to float without roots. It prefers earth to control water and dislikes metal that further assists water. The fourth category is burning wood: too much fire burns the wood. It prefers water to control fire and earth to weaken fire. It dislikes wood that regenerates and intensifies the fire. The fifth category is broken wood: too much earth causes wood to be bent and broken. It prefers water to nourish wood and strengthen it, and dislikes earth that increases further. The sixth category is cut wood: too much metal cuts the wood. It prefers fire to control metal and preserve wood, and water to weaken metal and transform it into wood. It dislikes earth that assists metal, making it even sharper. The arrangement of these six categories is exactly the same as in the Metal chapter: first divide into strong and weak, then divide into four situations where it is constrained by water, fire, earth, and metal. The methods of salvation are only two: either directly control the harmful element, or introduce another element to transform its power.

四季木之喜忌。春：值旺令。喜：餘寒猶存，得火溫曖，無盤屈之枸，遇水資扶，有舒暢之美，見薄土則材豐。忌：土多則反損力，重金傷殘克伐，則生意索然。夏：值休令。喜：根竿葉桔，水盛有滋潤之功，無土則根之不固，缺金則不能斫削。忌：火旺招焚化之患，土厚則反為災咎，金多亦轉傷殘，木太多亦無可為用。秋：值死令。喜：氣漸淒涼，形凋敗，木多有多材之美，初秋喜水土相滋，中秋愛剛金原削，寒露遇火則木實。忌：土厚無已任之材，獨霜降水盛，則有木漂之患。冬：值相令。喜：得金多以為用，遇火以成功，欲土厚而培養。忌：水盛則忘形，木雖多而難助。

When discussing the favorable and unfavorable factors for wood according to the four seasons, we can analyze it as follows. In spring, wood is in its "prosperous" position: at the beginning of spring, residual cold still lingers, and with fire to warm it, there is no problem of being twisted or constrained; encountering water to support and assist it brings about a flourishing and open state; encountering thin earth allows it to grow into strong and abundant timber. What is to be avoided is excessive earth which drains the strength of wood, and heavy metal which cuts and damages it, leading to a decline in the vitality of wood. In summer, wood is in its "resting" position: roots and trunks are dry and withered, branches and leaves are scorched and dry. At this time, abundant water brings nourishment; without earth, the roots cannot take hold firmly, and without metal, it cannot be shaped into useful objects. What is to be avoided is strong fire which brings about burning, thick earth which brings about misfortune, and excessive metal which also leads to damage. If there is too much wood, it will only result in mutual competition without any useful outcome. In autumn, wood is in its "dying" position: the autumn air gradually becomes bleak and cold, and the form becomes withered. At this time, having more wood is actually beneficial as it provides abundant material. Considering the seasons: in early autumn, water and earth together provide nourishment; in mid-autumn, strong metal is preferred to cut and shape the wood into useful objects; after the cold dew, fire helps the wood to mature. What is to be avoided is thick earth which makes the wood unable to bear and thus fail to become useful; only when it is around the time of frost and dew, if water is too abundant, there is a risk of the wood being washed away. In winter, wood is in its "governing" position: it prefers abundant metal to be used by itself, encounters fire to achieve success, and needs thick earth to nurture and support it. What is to be avoided is excessive water which causes the wood to float and lose its form; even if there is a lot of wood, it cannot support each other.

原始：北方陰極而生寒，寒乃生水。性：屬太陰，潤下。體：積陰之寒氣反而為水，水雖陰物，陽含於內，故水體內明。質：沉潛。天干：壬癸屬水。地支：亥子屬水。支蕆：亥子丑辰申中皆藏水。生克：受金之生；生木；為土所克；克火。

The origin of water: The extreme yin energy of the north produces cold, and the cold energy condenses into water. Its nature belongs to 'Taiyin', its tendency is moist and flows downward. Its substance is formed by the accumulation of yin cold energy, which reverses into water; although water is a yin substance, it contains yang energy within, so its exterior is dark while its interior is bright. Its quality is quiet and hidden. In the heavenly stems, Ren and Gui belong to water; in the earthly branches, Hai and Zi belong to water. Water hidden within the branches is present in the branches of Hai, Zi, Chou, Chen, and Shen — Hai and Zi are the native positions of water, Chou is the residual energy of water, Chen is the storage of water, and Shen is the growth of water (the original text says 'zhi cheng', where 'cheng' is interpreted as 'concealed'). In terms of generation and overcoming: water is generated by metal, water generates wood, water is overcome by earth, and water overcomes fire. The Classic of Documents, 'Hongfan', says 'water is moist and flows downward', and this discussion of water's nature is based on this.

種類：水分六類，各有喜忌。（一）強水當令或繁盛為強，喜火分力，土堤防，木洩秀，忌金生水，水加重。（二）弱水，失令或稀少為弱，喜金生水，水比助，忌火分土，土剋制，木洩氣。（三）滯水，金多易滯，喜火制金，忌土助金。（四）縮水，木多易縮，喜火洩木，金制木，忌水生助，木繁盛。（五）沸水，火多易沸，喜金生水，忌火加重。（六）淤水，土多易淤，喜木克土存水，金洩土生水，忌火助土，土堅實。

Water is also divided into six categories depending on its situation. The first category is strong water: it is strong when it is born in winter and is dominant, or when there is an abundance of water in the four pillars. It prefers fire to share its strength, earth to build a dike and block it, and wood to release its refined quality. It fears metal which produces more water and water which increases further. The second category is weak water: it is weak when it is out of its season or scarce. It prefers metal to produce water and similar elements to support it. It fears fire which divides its strength, earth which controls it, and wood which drains its energy (the character 'earth' in the original text is considered an addition and should be read as 'fire' dividing its strength). The third category is stagnant water: too much metal causes water to be blocked and not flow. It prefers fire to control metal and fears earth which further supports metal. The fourth category is reduced water: too much wood absorbs water completely, causing it to dry up. It prefers fire to drain wood and metal to control wood. It fears water which regenerates and supports wood further. The fifth category is boiling water: too much fire boils and dries up water. It prefers metal to produce water and replenish its source. It fears fire which increases further. The sixth category is silted water: too much earth blocks water and prevents it from flowing. It prefers wood to control earth and preserve water, and metal to drain earth and produce water. It fears fire which supports earth and makes it even harder. The passage about stagnant water is the most difficult to understand: metal is supposed to produce water, so why does it cause blockage? Because excessive production leads to the child being burdened by the mother. Although the source of water is sufficient, it cannot flow. This is what is called in divination 'too many mothers cause illness in the children', similar to too much earth causing water to be silted up, both being blockages, but from different sources.

四季水之喜忌。春：值休令。喜：土盛則泛漲無憂，木見則施功可期，籍金生扶，慾火相濟。忌：水盛則崩提堪虞，金多火繁均非所宜。夏：值囚令。喜：時當涸際，愛金生，而欲同類之幫扶。忌：火旺則干涸堪虞，木盛氣耗，土重流塞。秋：值相令。喜：母旺子相，表光裹瑩，見金則澄可愛，火多財盛，木重妻榮。忌：遇土則混濁可嫌，水多則泛瀾堪憂（水既重重方愛得土清平）。木火過多，亦非所宜。冬：值旺令。喜：專權司令，遇火則增暖，木盛為有情，見土則無氾濫之憂。忌：金多無義，土多無恩（惟泛漲時，可籍作堤防）。

When discussing the favorable and unfavorable aspects of water according to the four seasons, we can analyze it as follows. In spring, water is in the "rest" position: if there is much earth, it can act as a dam, preventing floods; if there is wood, water can flow and be useful; if there is metal to support it and fire to regulate its cold and warmth, it is also beneficial. What is to be avoided is: if water is too strong, there is a risk of the embankments breaking; too much metal or too much fire is also not suitable—spring water is naturally weak, so too much support is actually a burden, and too much fire will steal its energy. In summer, water is in the "captured" position: it is in a dry period, so it most desires metal to generate it and similar water to support it. What is to be avoided is: too much fire will cause dryness, too much wood will consume its energy, and too much earth will block its flow. In autumn, water is in the "prosperous" position: metal is the mother and water is the child, so when the mother is strong, the child is also prosperous, and the relationship is clear and open; seeing metal makes water even clearer and more beautiful, while too much fire indicates wealth, and too much wood indicates a successful wife (water controls fire, which is considered wealth, and wood is the food and injury of water, which can generate wealth, hence this statement). What is to be avoided is: encountering earth makes the water turbid, and too much water causes worry about flooding. The author notes: since water is already abundant, it actually prefers earth to clear and control it. Too much wood or fire is also not suitable. In winter, water is in the "strong" position: it is in charge, and when it meets fire, it increases warmth; when wood is strong, it releases its beauty in a meaningful way; when earth is present, there is no need to worry about flooding. What is to be avoided is: too much metal is not appropriate as it generates water without meaning, and too much earth is not kind as it controls water without mercy; the author adds a note: only when water is flooding can earth be used to build dikes.

原始：南方陽極而生熱，熱乃生火。性：屬太陽，炎上。體：積陽之熱氣反者為火，火雖陽物，陰在其內，故火體內暗。質：熾烈。天干：丙丁屬火。地支：巳午屬火。地藏：巳午未寅戌中皆藏火。生克：受木之生，生火，為水所克，克金。

The origin of fire: the yang energy of the south reaches its peak and produces heat, and the rising heat becomes fire. Its nature belongs to the 'Sun,' and its force is intense and upward. Its substance is formed by the accumulation of yang heat turning into fire; although fire is a yang element, yin energy is present within it, so the flame is bright on the outside but dark in the center. Its quality is fierce and intense. In the heavenly stems, Bing and Ding belong to fire; in the earthly branches, Si and Wu belong to fire. Fire is also hidden within the branches in the branches of Si, Wu, Wei, Yin, and Xu—Si and Wu are the original positions of fire, Wei is the residual energy of fire, Yin is the place of birth for fire, and Xu is the storage place for fire (the original text says 'earth storage,' which should be understood as 'branch storage'). In terms of generation and overcoming: fire is generated by wood, fire generates earth, fire is overcome by water, and fire overcomes metal (the original text says 'fire generates fire,' which should be understood as 'fire generates earth,' as clear from the context). The Book of Documents, Hongfan, says 'fire is upwardly flaming,' and this discussion of fire's nature is based on that.

種類：火分六類，和有喜忌。（一）強火，當令或繁盛為強，喜金分力，水相濟，土洩秀，忌木生火，火加重。（二）弱火，失令或稀少為弱，喜木生火，火比助，忌金分力，水克熄，土掩晦。（三）熾火，木多易晦，喜金洩土，木制土，己火生土，土堅重。（四）晦火，土多易晦，喜金洩土，木制土，己火生土，土堅重。（五）熄火，金多易熄，喜木生火，忌金加重。（六）滅火，水多易滅，喜土制水存火，木洩水生火，忌金助水，水盛旺。

Fire is also divided into six categories based on its situation. The first category is strong fire: when it is in its season or flourishing, it is strong. It prefers metal to share its strength, water to support it, and earth to release its brilliance. It dislikes wood to generate more fire or fire to increase further. The second category is weak fire: when it is out of season or scarce, it is weak. It prefers wood to generate fire and similar elements to support it. It dislikes metal to share its strength, water to suppress it, and earth to obscure it. The third category should be "intense fire": when there is too much wood, fire becomes overly intense. It should prefer metal to control wood and water to support fire. It dislikes wood to further assist. The fourth category is "obscured fire": when there is too much earth, the fire's light is obscured. It prefers metal to release earth and wood to control earth. It dislikes fire to generate more earth, making earth even stronger. These two categories are completely repeated. The explanation for the third category obviously copied the fourth one by mistake. The term "Ji fire generates earth" has "Ji" marked as a忌 (disfavored element). Readers can correct it according to the example. The text is recorded as is without changes. The fifth category is "extinguished fire": when there is too much metal, fire is suppressed. It prefers wood to generate fire and continue its flame. It dislikes metal to further suppress it. The sixth category is "extinguishing fire": when there is too much water, fire is extinguished. It prefers earth to control water and preserve fire, and wood to drain water and generate fire. It dislikes metal to assist water, making the water even stronger.

四季火之喜忌。春：值相令。喜：母旺子相，見金可以施功，繼多無防，木少可得生扶（過多則火炎）。水只宜其兩濟。忌：火盛則多傷爆燥，土多則蹇寒無光。夏：值旺令。喜：恃勢行權，遇金為良工，得土成家穡（金土雖美，缺水則金燥土焦）。逢水則自焚可免。忌：見火有傾危之慮，遇木有夭折之患。秋：值囚令。喜：性息體休，重疊見火而光輝，遇木生，亦有復明之慶。忌：土重則掩光，水克則隕滅，金多見，其體亦能損傷。冬：值死令。喜：休絕形亡，木生而有救效，土制水以為榮，水比則有利。忌：見金難任為財，水克必以為殃。

When discussing the favorable and unfavorable aspects of fire according to the four seasons, we can analyze it as follows. In spring, fire is in the "phase" position: spring wood is the mother of fire, and when the mother is strong, the son is in its prime, so fire is at its peak of strength. At this time, seeing metal can help to refine and shape it, and even if there is a lot of metal, it is not a problem. If there is little wood, it can support and nourish fire, but the author notes that too much wood may make the fire too intense. Water is suitable only for balancing the cold and warmth, but should not be excessive. What is to be avoided is: excessive fire can cause dryness and damage things, and too much earth can block the fire's energy and prevent it from shining. In summer, fire is in the "strength" position: it is dominant and in charge. At this time, encountering metal is good as it can act as a skilled craftsman, and encountering earth can help achieve agricultural success. The author notes that although metal and earth are beneficial, without water, the metal becomes dry and the earth becomes scorched, leading to an imbalance. When water comes to assist, it can prevent fire from burning itself out. What is to be avoided is: encountering more fire can lead to collapse, and encountering too much wood can cause premature death. In autumn, fire is in the "captivity" position: its energy is declining and its strength is waning. At this time, seeing more fire can actually enhance its brightness, and encountering wood can bring renewed vitality. What is to be avoided is: too much earth can cover up its light, too much water can extinguish it, and too much metal can damage its essence. In winter, fire is in the "death" position: its energy is exhausted and its form is nearly gone. At this time, encountering wood can provide support and help, encountering earth to control water can lead to prosperity, and encountering similar elements can also be beneficial (the original text says "water is beneficial," but this should be "fire"). What is to be avoided is: encountering metal weakens the fire's strength, making it unable to bear wealth, and encountering water to control it will certainly bring disaster.

原始：中央屬陰陽交而生溼，溼乃生土。性：土無常性，視四時所乘，喜相濟得所，忌太過不及。體：土包四物，故其體能兼虛實。質：含散持實。天干：戊己屬土。地支：辰戌丑未屬土。支藏：辰戌未巳午寅申中皆藏土。生克：受火之生；生金；為木所克；克水。

The origin of earth: it arises from the meeting of yin and yang at the center, producing dampness, which condenses into earth. Its nature is most unique: earth has no fixed disposition; it depends on the season it is associated with. It prefers balance and harmony from all directions, and it most dislikes excess or deficiency. Its substance can encompass metal, wood, water, and fire, so it has both empty and solid aspects. Its quality can both contain and release, and also hold firm and solid. In the heavenly stems, Wu and Ji belong to earth; in the earthly branches, Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei belong to earth. Earth hidden within the branches is found in Chen, Xu, Wei, Si, Wu, Yin, and Shen. In terms of generation and overcoming: earth is generated by fire, earth generates metal, earth is overcome by wood, and earth overcomes water. The principle that earth has no fixed nature is very important: metal, wood, water, and fire each have fixed natures, but earth changes with the seasons. Therefore, the preferences and aversions of earth in the four seasons differ more than the other four elements.

種類：土分六類，各有喜忌。（一）強土，當令或繁盛為強，喜水分力，木疏通，金洩秀，忌火生土，土加重。（二）弱土，失令或稀少為弱，忌水分力，木剋制，金洩氣，喜火生土，土比助。（三）焦土，火多易焦，喜水制火，忌木助火。（四）焚土，火多易焚，喜火制金，水洩金，忌土助金，金堅實。（五）流土，水多易流，喜火生土，忌水加重。（六）傾土，木多易傾，喜金制木存土，火洩木生土，忌水助木，木繁盛。

Soil is also divided into six categories depending on its context. The first category is strong soil: when it is in its season or flourishing, it is strong. It prefers water to share its strength, wood to smooth it, and metal to release its essence. It fears fire which regenerates soil and increases its strength. The second category is weak soil: when it is out of season or scarce, it is weak. It fears water which drains its strength, wood which controls it, and metal which drains its energy. It prefers fire to generate soil and similar soil to support it. The third category is scorched soil: too much fire scorches the soil. It prefers water to control fire and fears wood which further assists fire. The fourth category, following the previous pattern, should be 'soil that is drained'. When metal is excessive, the soil's energy is drained. It prefers fire to control metal and preserve soil, and water to drain metal and transform it into something beneficial. However, the current text reads 'fire is excessive and burns, prefers fire to control metal, water to drain metal, fears soil assisting metal, and metal being solid'. The first half repeats the third category, and the latter half discusses the preferences and fears of metal, clearly a mistake from the metal section. Readers can correct this by following the principle of the five elements. The text is recorded as is without changes. The fifth category is flowing soil: too much water causes the soil to flow. It prefers fire to generate soil and solidify its quality, and fears more water. The sixth category is collapsing soil: too much wood causes the soil to collapse. It prefers metal to control wood and preserve the soil, and fire to drain wood and transform it into something beneficial, fearing water which assists wood and makes it even more flourishing.

四季土之喜忌。春：值死令。喜：土勢虛弱，火生扶，土比助，金能制木為祥（按金多仍能盜土氣）。忌：木太過，水氾濫。夏：值相令。喜：土勢燥烈，見盛水則滋潤成功，見水復遇金生，更為有益。忌：旺火煅煉焦赤，見火復遇木生，則生克無良（惟土太過者，喜木），土多見則蹇塞不通。秋：值休令。喜：子旺母衰，不厭火重，鍊金成材，最愛木盛，制伏純良。土多則頗可助力（惟至霜降，則毋用土比）。忌：金多而耗盜其氣，水泛而一定非祥。冬：值囚令。喜：外寒內溫，木溫火暖，則寒谷回春，再加土助，則尤佳。忌：金水氣冷，則冰寒土凍，再加身弱，多損壽元。

When considering the favor and disfavor of earth according to the four seasons, in spring earth is in the "dead" position: earth is weak, so it prefers fire to generate and support it, and also prefers earth of the same kind to assist it. It also benefits from metal that can control strong wood and turn danger into good fortune. The author notes that although metal can control wood, too much metal will also drain earth's energy, so it should not be excessive. What is to be avoided is: excessive wood that overcomes earth, and excessive water that floods and erodes earth. In summer, earth is in the "growing" position: earth is dry and fierce, so it needs abundant water to moisten and nourish it in order to succeed. If there is also metal to generate water, it is even more beneficial. What is to be avoided is: strong fire that burns earth dry and red; if there is already fire and then wood comes to generate fire, both generation and overcoming become inappropriate. The author adds a note: only in cases where earth is too strong does wood become favorable for dispersion. If earth is too much, it can cause blockage and stagnation. In autumn, earth is in the "resting" position: metal is strong as a child, and earth is weak as a mother. When the child is strong and the mother is weak, fire is not disliked, for strong fire can refine metal into useful material. It also loves strong wood, for strong wood can control and restrain metal properly. Earth being abundant also helps, but the author notes that after the autumn equinox, it is no longer necessary to use earth for assistance. What is to be avoided is: excessive metal that drains earth's energy, and excessive water that brings inevitable misfortune. In winter, earth is in the "captured" position: the outside is cold while the inside is warm. At this time, the presence of wood and fire to warm it is like spring returning to a frozen valley, and adding more earth for assistance is even better. What is to be avoided is: the coldness of metal and water, which becomes even colder and freezes earth when there is too much of it; if this is combined with a weak body, it often leads to shortened lifespan. By examining the five elements and their relationships across the four seasons, it is clear that the same element can have almost opposite preferences and aversions in different seasons. Therefore, the first step in divination is to look at the month's element, precisely for this reason.