Eight Characters Divination Method

年上遁月：甲己之年丙作首，乙庚之歲戊為頭。丙辛之歲尋庚上，丁壬壬寅順行流。更有戊癸何處起？甲寅之上好追求。細語世人相傳記，免得當事時用疑。日上遁時：甲己還加甲，乙庚丙作初。丙辛從戊起，丁壬庚子居，戊癸何方發？壬子是真途。

The mnemonic for determining the month stem from the year stem is called "Year to Month Concealment": For Jia years and Ji years, the first month starts with Bingyin; for Yi years and Geng years, the first month starts with Wuyin; for Bing years and Xin years, the first month starts from Gengyin; for Ding years and Ren years, the first month starts with Renyin, and then proceeds in order. For Wu years and Gui years, where does it start? It begins at Jiayin. These lines should be carefully passed on to people to remember, so that there is no doubt when facing actual situations. The mnemonic for determining the hour stem from the day stem is called "Day to Hour Concealment": For Jia days and Ji days, the Zi hour starts with Jiazi; for Yi days and Geng days, the Zi hour starts with Jingzi; for Bing days and Xin days, the Zi hour starts with Wuzi; for Ding days and Ren days, the Zi hour starts with Gengzi; for Wu days and Gui days, where does it start? It begins with Renzi.

凡看命，排下八字，以日為主，取年為根，為上祖，才知世派之盛衰。取月為苗，為父母，則知親蔭之有無。日干為身，支為妻，時為花實為子息，方知嗣續之所歸。法分月氣淺深，得令不得令，年時露出財官，須要身旺。如身衰財旺，多反破財傷身，身旺財多財亦旺，財多稱意，若無財官，次看印綬，得何局勢，吉凶斷之。學者不可執泥，而不知通變也。

When examining a person's destiny, first arrange the four pillars of destiny. The day stem is the main focus. The year pillar is like the root of a tree, representing ancestors, and from it we can know the rise and fall of family lineage. The month pillar is like a young plant, representing parents, and from it we can know whether there is support from relatives. The day stem represents oneself, and the day branch represents the spouse. The hour pillar is like flowers and fruits, representing children, and from it we can know the direction of descendants. In terms of analysis, we need to distinguish the depth of the monthly energy, to see if the day stem is in its season. If the year or hour pillar reveals wealth or official positions, the day stem must be strong enough to bear them. If the body is weak but wealth is strong, it is often a case of losing wealth and harming oneself. If the body is strong but wealth is abundant, then wealth will also be strong, and wealth will be satisfactory. If there is no wealth or official positions in the pillars, then we look next at the nourishing elements, and see what kind of situation they form, to judge fortune and misfortune. Learners must not rigidly follow fixed methods without understanding flexibility and adaptability.

假令年為本，帶官星印綬，則年上有官，出自祖宗。月為提綱，帶官星印綬，則慷慨聰明，見識高人，時為輔佐。平生操履，若年月日有吉，則時要歸生旺之處，若凶神，則要時歸制伏之鄉。時上吉凶神，則要年月日吉者生之，凶者制之。假令月令有用神，得父母力。年有用神，得神宗力。時有用神，得子孫力。反此不吉也。

If the year pillar is the foundation and the official star or seal is present in the year pillar, then the official star comes from the ancestors. The month pillar is the main theme, and if the official star or seal is present in the month pillar, the person is generous, intelligent, and has superior insight. The hour pillar is supportive, governing one's moral conduct and behavior throughout life: if the year, month, and day pillars are all favorable, then the hour pillar should be in a place of birth or strength; if there areInauspicious Spirit (malevolent spirits) in the pillars, then the hour pillar should be in a place that can control them. Conversely, the good or bad spirits in the hour pillar also depend on the year, month, and day pillars for support—good spirits should be supported and nurtured, while bad spirits should be restrained and controlled. For example, if there is a useful god in the month pillar, it indicates support from the parents; if there is a useful god in the year pillar, it indicates support from the ancestors; if there is a useful god in the hour pillar, it indicates support from the children. The opposite is not favorable.

如甲子年，甲己之年丙作首，正月逢丙寅，初一立春後一日生男，折除三日，為一歲，順數至二月驚蟄，得三十日起十歲，丁卯是也。如乙丑年，乙庚之歲戊為頭，正月起戊庚，初一立春，十八日生女，順數至二月驚蟄，四三十二日，四歲運，己卯順行是也。餘仿此。

For example, in the year of Jiazi, according to the rule "Jia and Ji years start with Bing in the first month," the first month is Bingyin. If a boy is born on the first day of the lunar new year, and the next day is the start of spring, then on the third day after that, the child is considered one year old. Counting forward to the day of Jingzhe in the second month, which totals thirty days, the child begins their first major period of life at ten years old, with the first major period being Dingmao. Similarly, in the year of Yichou, according to the rule "Yi and Geng years start with Wu in the first month," the first month begins with Wuyin. If a girl is born on the first day of the lunar new year, and on the eighteenth day after that, she is born, then counting forward to the day of Jingzhe in the second month, the remaining twelve days are counted as four years, so she begins her first major period of life at four years old, with the first major period being Jimao. The same method applies to other cases. In the original text, the phrase "the first month begins with Wu and Geng" should be corrected to "the first month begins with Wuyin."

如乙丑年，乙庚之歲戊為頭，正月起戊寅，初二立春，後十五日生男，逆數至初一日立春，五三十五，五歲運逆行。如甲子年，甲己之年丙作首，正是丙寅，初一立春，後十日生女，逆數至初一日立春止，得九日三三得九，三歲運逆行。餘仿此。

For example, in the year of Yichou, according to "Yi and Geng years start with Wu," the first month begins with Wuyin. On the second day of the month, the Beginning of Spring occurs. If a boy is born ten days after the Beginning of Spring (Yi is a yin year, and yin males move backward), count backward from the day of birth to the day of the Beginning of Spring, which is fifteen days. Every three days equals one year, so the child starts their destiny at five years old, with the large destiny moving backward. Similarly, in the year of Jiazi, the first month begins with Bingyin. On the first day of the month, the Beginning of Spring occurs. If a girl is born ten days after the Beginning of Spring (Jia is a yang year, and yang females move backward), count backward from the day of birth to the day of the Beginning of Spring, which is nine days. Nine divided by three equals three, so the child starts their destiny at three years old, with the large destiny moving backward. Other cases follow the same pattern.

造化先須看日主，坐官坐印衰強取。天時月令號提綱，原有原無輕重舉。露官藏殺方為福，露殺藏官是禍胎，殺官俱露將何擬，混雜去留用心機。有官怕損忌刑沖，官輕見財為福利。年上傷官最可嫌，重怕傷官不可益。傷官用財乃為福，財絕官衰禍亦然，貪合忘官榮不足，貪合忘殺為己福。堪嗟身弱並財多，更歷官鄉禍相逐。財多身弱食神來，財多生殺必為災。會合天地有刑剋，更宜達士細推裁。

To examine a person's destiny, we first look at the day stem, determining whether it is in a position of official or ministerial power, and then assess its strength and weakness to determine the useful god. The month of birth, known as the "guiding thread," is where we measure the presence and weight of the useful god. If the official star is clearly visible while the seven evils are hidden, it brings good fortune; but if the seven evils are clearly visible while the official star is hidden, it brings misfortune. If both the official and seven evils are visible, then we must carefully choose between them, keeping one and removing the other to ensure clarity. When there is an official star, we must be cautious of its damage, especially avoiding punishment and clash. If the official star is weak, the presence of the wealth star to support it is beneficial. The appearance of the injurious star in the year column is highly undesirable, and multiple injurious stars are even more harmful. If the injurious star can be balanced by the wealth star, it brings good fortune; but if the wealth star is absent and the official star is weak, it brings misfortune. If the day stem is overly attached to a harmonious relationship with another element while neglecting the official star, it lacks honor and success; conversely, if it is overly attached to a harmonious relationship with the seven evils while neglecting the official star, it may actually bring fortune. The most regrettable situation is when the body is weak and there is an excess of wealth, and then one enters the official's territory, leading to continuous misfortunes. When the body is weak and there is an excess of wealth, and the food star also generates wealth, leading to a strong wealth and then generating the seven evils, it will certainly bring disaster. The hidden conflicts and punishments within the interactions between heavenly stems and earthly branches must be carefully examined and judged by those with deep understanding.

用之為官不可傷，用之為財不可劫。用之印綬不可破，用之食神不可奪。若有七殺須要制，制伏太過反為凶。傷官最怕行官運，傷官尤喜見財星。印綬好殺嫌財旺，羊刃怕沖喜合迎。比肩要逢七殺制，七殺尢喜見食神。此是子平撮要法，江湖術者仔細明。

Those who use the official star as their key element should not let it be harmed; those who use the wealth star should not let it be robbed; those who use the seal star should not let it be destroyed; those who use the food god star should not let it be taken by the hawk god. If a person's destiny includes seven killers, they must be controlled, but if the control is too strong, it can turn into misfortune. The pattern of injured official stars most fears encountering the official star, but especially likes to see the wealth star (as injured official stars generating wealth allow refined energy to flow). The pattern of seal stars prefers seven killers to generate them, but dislikes strong wealth stars that destroy the seal. The yang ren (sheep blade) fears being冲 (conflicted), but likes to have a harmonious connection to be guided. Too many similar stars should be controlled by seven killers. If seven killers are too strong, they most like to be controlled by the food god. This is the essence of the Zi Ping method, and those in the folk divination community should carefully understand it.

乙丑一歲、丙寅二歲、丁卯三歲、戊辰四歲、己巳五歲、庚午六歲、辛未七歲、壬申八歲、癸酉九歲、甲戌十歲。乙亥十一歲、丙子十二歲、丁丑十三歲、戊寅十四歲、己卯十五歲、庚辰十六歲、辛巳十七歲、壬午十八歲、癸未十九歲、甲申二十歲。乙酉廿一歲、丙戌廿二歲、丁亥廿三歲、戊子廿四歲、己丑廿五歲、庚寅廿六歲、辛卯廿七歲、壬辰廿八歲、癸巳廿九歲、甲午三十歲。乙未三一歲、丙申三二歲、丁酉三三歲、戊戌三四歲、己亥三五歲、庚子三六歲、辛丑三七歲、壬辰三八歲、癸卯三九歲、甲辰四十歲。乙巳四一歲、丙午四二歲、丁未四三歲、戊申四四歲、己酉四五歲、庚戌四六歲、辛亥四七歲、壬子四八歲、癸丑四九歲。此法陽命甲子時生，則行乙丑，二歲丙寅，陰則癸亥，周而復始。

This is the table for the "small years" (small age) in male destiny, with each year assigned a heavenly stem and earthly branch: one year Yi Chou, two years Bing Yin, three years Ding Mao, four years Wu Chen, five years Ji Si, six years Geng Wu, seven years Xin Wei, eight years Ren Shen, nine years Gui You, ten years Jia Xu; eleven to twenty years are Yi Hai, Bing Zi, Ding Chou, Wu Yin, Ji Mao, Geng Chen, Xin Si, Ren Wu, Gui Wei, Jia Shen; twenty-one to thirty years are Yi You, Bing Xu, Ding Hai, Wu Zi, Ji Chou, Geng Yin, Xin Mao, Ren Chen, Gui Si, Jia Wu; thirty-one to forty years are Yi Wei, Bing Shen, Ding You, Wu Xu, Ji Hai, Geng Zi, Xin Chou, Ren Chen, Gui Mao, Jia Chen; forty-one to forty-nine years are Yi Si, Bing Wu, Ding Wei, Wu Shen, Ji You, Geng Xu, Xin Hai, Ren Zi, Gui Chou. The method of calculation is: if a male is born in a yang year and at the time of birth it is Jia Zi, then the first year is Yi Chou, the second year Bing Yin, and so on. If born in a yin year, the first year is Kui Hai, and the sequence proceeds in reverse, continuing cyclically. The "small years" are another set of yearly heavenly stems and earthly branches that run alongside the "big years" (big age). The big years change every ten years and cover a broader period, while the small years change every year and cover more detailed aspects of the year. In the old method, for male destiny, the calculation starts from the heavenly stem of the time of birth. If the birth year is a yang year, the sequence proceeds forward; if it is a yin year, the sequence proceeds backward. Each year corresponds to one position, and after completing the sixty Jia Zi cycle, it starts again. When making predictions, one must consider the small years together with the big years and the heavenly stem of the current year. If they are in mutual generation or support, the year will be smooth; if they are in mutual control or conflict, there will be misfortune in that year. Especially during childhood, before the big years begin, the situation is most critical. In the table, the entry for the age of thirty-eight, "Ren Chen," is actually a mistake and should be "Ren Yin," but the original text is preserved and no changes are made.

乙丑一歲、丙寅二歲、丁卯三歲、戊辰四歲、己巳五歲、庚午六歲、辛未七歲、壬申八歲、癸酉九歲、甲戌十歲。乙亥十一歲、丙子十二歲、丁丑十三歲、戊寅十四歲、己卯十五歲、庚辰十六歲、辛巳十七歲、壬午十八歲、癸未十九歲、甲申二十歲。乙酉廿一歲、丙戌廿二歲、丁亥廿三歲、戊子廿四歲、己丑廿五歲、庚寅廿六歲、辛卯廿七歲、壬辰廿八歲、癸巳廿九歲、甲午三十歲。乙未三一歲、丙申三二歲、丁酉三三歲、戊戌三四歲、己亥三五歲、庚子三六歲、辛丑三七歲、壬辰三八歲、癸卯三九歲、甲辰四十歲。乙巳四一歲、丙午四二歲、丁未四三歲、戊申四四歲、己酉四五歲、庚戌四六歲、辛亥四七歲、壬子四八歲、癸丑四九歲。此法陰命甲子時生，則行乙丑，二歲丙寅，陽則癸亥，周而復始。

This is the table for the "small years" (small age cycles) of a female's destiny. The method of pairing the heavenly stems and earthly branches with the ages is exactly the same as for males: one year is Yi Chou, two years Bing Yin, three years Ding Mao, four years Wu Chen, five years Ji Si, six years Geng Wu, seven years Xin Wei, eight years Ren Shen, nine years Gui You, ten years Jia Xu; eleven to twenty years are Yi Hai, Bing Zi, Ding Chou, Wu Yin, Ji Mao, Geng Chen, Xin Si, Ren Wu, Gui Wei, Jia Shen; twenty-one to thirty years are Yi You, Bing Xu, Ding Hai, Wu Zi, Ji Chou, Geng Yin, Xin Mao, Ren Chen, Gui Si, Jia Wu; thirty-one to forty years are Yi Wei, Bing Shen, Ding You, Wu Xu, Ji Hai, Geng Zi, Xin Chou, Ren Chen, Gui Mao, Jia Chen; forty-one to forty-nine years are Yi Si, Bing Wu, Ding Wei, Wu Shen, Ji You, Geng Xu, Xin Hai, Ren Zi, Gui Chou. The difference lies only in the starting point: for a female born at the hour of Jia Zi in a yin year, the first year is Yi Chou, the second year Bing Yin, and so on in a forward direction; for a female born at the hour of Jia Zi in a yang year, the first year is癸亥, and the cycle proceeds in reverse, continuing in a circular manner—this is exactly the opposite of the male's method of proceeding in a forward or reverse direction based on yin and yang. The reason for having separate tables for males and females is because both small years and large years follow the principle that for a yang male, the direction is forward, while for a yin male, it is reverse; for a yin female, the direction is forward, while for a yang female, it is reverse. The starting point is always the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the birth hour, but the direction varies according to the yin and yang of the male or female. In terms of interpretation, one should still consider the small years, large years, and the current heavenly stem and earthly branch of the year together: if they are mutually generating and supporting each other, the year will be peaceful and stable; if they clash and control each other, there may be illness, disputes, or financial loss; for females, it is especially important to check whether the small years are conflicting with the husband's star or the child's star, as this relates to the smoothness or difficulties of the household during the year.

壬生庚甲，絕、病，癸、巳、乙，胎、敗，丁、丙，己、戊，旺、死、辛、祿。壬、敗、庚、甲，胎、死，癸、午、乙，絕、生，丁、丙，己、戊，祿、病、辛、旺。壬、冠、庚、甲，養、墓，癸、未、乙，墓、養，丁、丙，己、戊，冠、衰、辛、衰。壬、祿、庚、甲，生、絕，癸、申、乙，死、胎，丁、丙，己、戊，敗、旺、辛、病。壬、養、庚、甲，墓、衰，癸、辰、乙，養、敗，丁、丙，己、戊，衰、墓、辛、冠。生論、旺陽、死順、絕陽、圖逆。

This section is the text of the "Diagram of the Twelve Longevity States for Yang and Yin" in a grid format. Each square is marked with a terrestrial branch in the center, and the ten heavenly stems are listed around it showing their twelve longevity states on that branch. Yang stems proceed in order, while Yin stems go in reverse. The following are the entries for the five squares of巳, 午, 未, 申, and 辰: In the巳 square, Ren is in death, Geng is in birth, Jia is in illness, Gui is in infancy, Yi is in decline (bathing), Ding and Ji are in strength, Bing and Wu are in prosperity, and Xin is in death. In the午 square, Ren is in infancy, Geng is in decline, Jia is in death, Gui is in death, Yi is in birth, Ding and Ji are in prosperity, Bing and Wu are in strength, and Xin is in illness. In the未 square, Ren is in nourishment, Geng is in capping, Jia is in burial, Gui is in burial, Yi is in nourishment, Ding and Ji are in capping, Bing and Wu are in decline, and Xin is in decline. In the申 square, Ren is in birth, Geng is in prosperity, Jia is in death, Gui is in death, Yi is in infancy, Ding and Ji are in decline, Bing and Wu are in illness, and Xin is in strength. In the辰 square, Ren is in burial, Geng is in nourishment, Jia is in decline, Gui is in nourishment, Yi is in decline, Ding and Ji are in decline, Bing and Wu are in capping, and Xin is in burial. At the end, the ten characters are arranged vertically, forming the diagram title "Diagram of Birth, Prosperity, Death, and Decline" and "Discussion on the Order of Yang and the Reverse Order of Yin" interwoven.

壬、旺、庚、甲，敗、胎，癸、酉、乙，病、絕，丁、丙，己、戊，生、祿、辛、死。壬、胎、庚、甲，死、旺，癸、卯、乙，生、祿，丁、丙，己、戊，病、絕、辛、敗。壬、衰、庚、甲，冠、養，癸、戌、乙，衰、墓，丁、丙，己、戊，養、冠、辛、墓。壬、絕、庚、甲，病、祿，癸、寅、乙，敗、旺，丁、丙，已、戊，死、胎、辛、生。壬、墓、庚、甲，衰、冠，癸、丑、乙，冠、衰，丁、丙，己、戊，墓、養、辛、養。生、死、庚、甲，旺、敗，癸、子、乙，祿、病，丁、丙，己、戊，絕、生、辛、胎。壬、病、庚、甲，祿、生，癸、亥、乙，旺、死，丁、丙，己、戊，胎、敗、辛、絕。

This is the text for the remaining seven sections of the same diagram, in order: You, Mao, Xu, Yin, Chou, Zi, Hai. In the You section, Ren is in decline, Geng is strong, Jia is in the womb, Gui is in sickness, Yi is at its end, Ding and Ji are in growth, Bing and Wu are in their official positions, and Xin is in death. In the Mao section, Ren is in death, Geng is in the womb, Jia is strong, Gui is in growth, Yi is in its official position, Ding and Ji are in sickness, Bing and Wu are in decline, and Xin is in decline. In the Xu section, Ren is in capping, Geng is in decline, Jia is in nourishment, Gui is in decline, Yi is in burial, Ding and Ji are in nourishment, Bing and Wu are in capping, and Xin is in burial. In the Yin section, Ren is in sickness, Geng is at its end, Jia is in its official position, Gui is in decline, Yi is strong, Ding and Ji are in death, Bing and Wu are in the womb, and Xin is in growth. In the Chou section, Ren is in decline, Geng is in burial, Jia is in capping, Gui is in capping, Yi is in decline, Ding and Ji are in burial, Bing and Wu are in nourishment, and Xin is in nourishment. In the Zi section, Ren is strong, Geng is in death, Jia is in decline, Gui is in its official position, Yi is in sickness, Ding and Ji are in death, Bing and Wu are in growth, and Xin is in the womb. In the Hai section, Ren is in its official position, Geng is in sickness, Jia is in growth, Gui is strong, Yi is in death, Ding and Ji are in the womb, Bing and Wu are in decline, and Xin is at its end. The first character of the Zi section was originally carved as 'Sheng', which is likely an error for 'Ren'; it is still recorded as it originally appeared.

巳。日分半。庚五半。戊七分。丙七日十日二，六二分。午。二分。半。丙分丁己十半。十七日三日三，日三分。未。六半。乙丁分。己三九十日日八一三，日分分。申。五半。壬戊分。庚七己十日共六二七日分日。辰。六半。癸乙，分。戊三九，十日二，八一三日分分。地支造化之圖。酉。生。六半。庚，分辛十，半。二日，丁十三長日分。

This diagram of "the transformative nature of the Earthly Branches" originally lists the hidden heavenly stems in each Earthly Branch and the number of days each stem is in charge during the month (the domain of the heavenly stem). The original layout of the printed version has been broken up, and the characters are out of order. Here, the original characters are preserved without any changes. It can be roughly identified as follows: the Si branch is governed by Wu earth, Geng metal, and Bing fire, each in charge for a certain number of days and fractions; the Wu branch is governed by Bing, Ding, and Ji; the Wei branch is governed by Ding, Yi, and Ji; the Shen branch is governed by Wu earth, Ren water, Geng metal, and Ji earth; the Chen branch is governed by Yi wood, Gui water, and Wu earth; the You branch is mainly governed by Xin metal, and also notes the position of Ding fire's growth. The terms such as "seven days," "three parts," and "five and a half days" in each square indicate the number of days and fractions during the month that the hidden heavenly stem is in charge, corresponding with the previous text "the hidden heavenly stems in the twelve branches."

卯。生。六半。甲，分乙十，半。二日，癸十三，長日分。戌。分。戊丁辛，十三九，八日日，日一分，六分。分。寅。日分半。戊，五半。丙七，分。申七日，十日二，六二分。丑。分。己辛癸，十三九，八日日，日一二，六分。分。子。生。六半。壬，分癸十，半。二日，辛十三，長日分。亥。日分半。戊，五半。甲七，分。壬七日，十日二，六二分。

This is the text of the remaining six sections of the same diagram, in order:卯, 戌, 寅, 丑, 子, 亥. The卯 section is mainly about 乙 wood, and also records the days when 甲 wood and 癸 water are in the state of Growth; the 戌 section is governed by 辛 gold, 丁 fire, and 戊 earth; the 寅 section is governed by 戊 earth, 丙 fire, and 甲 wood (the character 「申」 in the diagram is likely a mistake for 「甲」); the 丑 section is governed by 癸 water, 辛 gold, and 己 earth; the 子 section is mainly about 癸 water, and also records the days when 壬 water and 辛 gold are in the state of Growth; the 亥 section is governed by 戊 earth, 甲 wood, and 壬 water. The terms such as 「十日二分」 and 「七日半」 mentioned in each section refer to the number of days each hidden heavenly stem is in charge in its respective branch, matching the order of the hidden heavenly stems in the branches. Therefore, this diagram is called 「地支造化之图」.

甲丙戊庚壬。甲丙戊庚壬 為比肩兄弟之類。乙丁己辛癸 為劫財羊刃，主克父及妻。丙戊庚壬甲 為食神，天廚壽星，又為男。丁己辛癸乙 為傷官，盜氣，克子息，剝官。戊庚壬甲丙 為偏財偏妻，又為父，為妾。己辛癸乙丁 為正財，正妻，主克母。庚壬甲丙戊 為偏官，七殺，將星權。辛癸乙丁己 為正官，榮身星也。壬甲丙戊庚 為倒食梟神，主克子息。癸乙丁己辛 為印綬庇廕。

This is a chart showing the ten heavenly stems in relation to the five yang heavenly stems (Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren) as the day master. The first five characters in each line correspond to the day masters Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, and Ren respectively. When the day master encounters the same heavenly stem (Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren), it is called "Biqian" (Shoulder Companion), representing brothers. When it encounters the yin heavenly stems (Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui), it is called "Jiecai" (Robber Wealth) and "Yangren" (Yang刃), which indicate a tendency to harm the father and wife. When it encounters the stems (Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren, Jia), it is called "Shishen" (Food God), also known as Tianchu (Heavenly Kitchen) and Shouxing (Longevity Star), representing sons. When it encounters the stems (Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui, Yi), it is called "Shangguan" (Wounding Official), which indicates a tendency to steal one's energy, harm children, and lose official position. When it encounters the stems (Wu, Geng, Ren, Jia, Bing), it is called "Piancai" (Side Wealth), representing a concubine, father, and妾. When it encounters the stems (Ji, Xin, Gui, Yi, Ding), it is called "Zhengcai" (Right Wealth), representing the main wife, and indicates a tendency to harm the mother. When it encounters the stems (Geng, Ren, Jia, Bing, Wu), it is called "Pianguan" (Side Official) or Qishash (Seven Killers), representing the General Star and authority. When it encounters the stems (Xin, Gui, Yi, Ding, Ji), it is called "Zhengguan" (Right Official), which is a star that brings honor and status. When it encounters the stems (Ren, Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng), it is called "Daoshi" (Reverse Food) or Xiao Shen (Hawk God), indicating a tendency to harm children. When it encounters the stems (Gui, Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin), it is called "Yinshou" (Inheritance), representing protection and support.

乙丁己辛癸。乙丁己辛癸 為比肩兄弟。丙戊庚壬甲 為傷官，小人。丁己辛癸乙 為食神，天廚，壽星。戊庚壬甲丙 為正財，正妻，克母。己辛癸乙丁 為偏財，偏妻。庚壬甲丙戊 為正官，祿馬。辛癸乙丁己 為偏官七殺。壬甲丙戊庚 為印綬正人。癸乙丁乙辛 為梟神，偏印，倒食，主克子。甲丙戊庚壬 為敗財逐馬。

This is a chart showing the ten heavenly stems corresponding to the five yin stems, which are the day rulers. The first five characters in each line correspond to these five day rulers. When the day ruler meets the same yin stem, it is called "Bijian," representing brothers. When it meets the yang stems 丙, 戊, 庚, 壬, 甲, it is called "Shangguan," which signifies attracting small people. When it meets the yin stems 丁, 己, 辛, 癸, 乙, it is called "Shishi," also known as Tianchu and Shouxing. When it meets the yang stems 戊, 庚, 壬, 甲, 丙, it is called "Zhengcai," representing the official wife and indicating the mother's affliction. When it meets the yin stems 己, 辛, 癸, 乙, 丁, it is called "Piancai," representing a concubine. When it meets the yang stems 庚, 壬, 甲, 丙, 戊, it is called "Zhengguan," representing the official position and the post-horse. When it meets the yin stems 辛, 癸, 乙, 丁, 己, it is called "Pianguan" or Qixia. When it meets the yang stems 壬, 甲, 丙, 戊, 庚, it is called "Yinshou," representing upright people. When it meets the yin stems 癸, 乙, 丁, 己, 辛, it is called "Xiaoshen," "Pianyin," or "Dao Shi," indicating the child's affliction. When it meets the yang stems 甲, 丙, 戊, 庚, 壬, it is called "Bai Cai," indicating the expulsion of the official position and the post-horse. The names of the ten heavenly stems for yin and yang stems are exactly complementary to each other.

子平之法，一曰：官分之陰陽，曰官，曰殺，甲乙見庚辛是。二曰：財分之陰陽，曰正曰偏，甲乙見戊己是。三曰：生氣之陰陽，曰印綬曰倒食，甲乙見壬癸是。四曰：竊氣之陰陽，曰食神，曰傷官，甲乙見丙丁是。五曰：同類之陰陽，曰劫財，曰羊刃，甲乙見甲乙是也。人之富貴貧賤壽夭，皆不出此五者，術士不明其格，亂惑世人，無異乎命不驗也。今立格定局訣於左，以便稽考。

The principles of Zi Ping method are only five. The first principle is to distinguish the gods that control me into yin and yang: those with opposite yin and yang to the day master are called "Zhen Gan" (True Official), and those with the same yin and yang are called "Qi Sha" (Seven Killers), for example, Jia and Yi wood meeting Geng and Xin metal. The second principle is to distinguish the gods that I control into yin and yang: one is "Zhen Cai" (True Wealth), and the other is "Pian Cai" (Offset Wealth), for example, Jia and Yi wood meeting Wu and Ji earth. The third principle is to distinguish the gods that nourish me into yin and yang: one is "Yin Shou" (Mantle of Favor), and the other is "Dao Shi" (Reverse Devouring) or "Pian Yin" (Offset Favor), for example, Jia and Yi wood meeting Ren and Gui water. The fourth principle is to distinguish the gods that discharge my energy into yin and yang: one is "Shi Shen" (Food God), and the other is "Shang Guan" (Wounding Official), for example, Jia and Yi wood meeting Bing and Ding fire. The fifth principle is to distinguish those of the same kind as me into yin and yang: one is "Jie Cai" (Competitive Wealth), and the other is "Yang Ren" (Yang刃), for example, Jia and Yi wood meeting Jia and Yi wood. A person's fortune, poverty, longevity, and short life all fall within these five categories. Those who do not understand the principles of forming a pattern will confuse the public and naturally fail to predict accurately. Now I will list the mnemonic for determining the pattern below for reference.

甲日定格：甲日寅月是建祿，卯月羊刃可堪憑。三月財星藏辰庫，巳為食神財暗伏。午月丁火傷官格，未月雜氣取財星。七月申提七殺論，酉為正氣官星得。九月戌中惟雜氣，十月偏印格局真。十一月取正印格，丑中雜氣仔細詳。

For a day master of Jia Wood, the pattern is determined by the month: if born in the寅 month, it is "Jian Lu" (established fortune); in the卯 month, it is "Yang Ren" (shearing blade), which can be used for reference; in the辰 month, there is hidden Wu Earth, which is a miscellaneous wealth star; in the巳 month, Bing Fire is the "food god," and there is also hidden Wu Earth, a miscellaneous wealth star; in the午 month, Ding Fire is in command, taking the "injury official" pattern; in the未 month, it is considered miscellaneous, and the wealth star within is taken; in the申 month, Geng Metal is the "seven killer"; in the酉 month, Xin Metal is pure, taking the "correct official" pattern; in the戌 month, it is still considered miscellaneous; in the亥 month, Ren Water is the "biased scholar," and the pattern is clear and genuine; in the子 month, Gui Water is taken as the "correct scholar" pattern; in the丑 month, the hidden elements must be carefully distinguished as miscellaneous.

乙日定格：乙曰寅月號傷官，卯為建祿格中真。三月財官俱雜氣，巳中傷官財星端。午提丁火食神格，未中雜氣曰財官。申月正氣官星論，八月酉中作殺推。戌內財官俱雜氣，亥月正印便扶身。子癸之中偏印是，雜氣推來在丑中。

For a day master of Ethereal Wood (乙木), the pattern is determined by the month. If born in the寅 month, the丙 fire within寅 is considered 'Wounding Official' (伤官). In the卯 month, it is 'Established Wealth' (建禄), which is the most genuine pattern. In the辰 month, both wealth and official positions are considered mixed energies (杂气). In the巳 month, the丙 fire is again 'Wounding Official', but the戊 earth wealth is pure and usable. In the午 month, the丁 fire is considered 'Nourishing Official' (食神). In the未 month, wealth and official positions can be taken from the mixed energies. In the申 month, the庚 metal is pure and is considered 'True Official' (正官). In the酉 month, the辛 metal along with乙 is阴, so it is considered 'Seven Killers' (七杀). In the戌 month, both wealth and official positions are mixed energies. In the亥 month, the壬 water is 'True Mother' (正印), which supports the self. In the子 month, the癸 water is 'Side Mother' (偏印). For the丑 month, it is still considered based on mixed energies.

丙日定格：丙日逢寅偏印生，卯月正印喜官星。辰初雜氣用食神，巳中定取建祿格。午火羊刃又傷官，未取傷官宜傷盡。申是偏財喜旺神，酉月財旺生官格。戌上雜氣為食神，亥月偏印七殺真。子中正官宜官旺，丑宮分明雜氣生。

For a person born with the heavenly stem Bing (fire), the determination of the main pattern (格) depends on the month. In the寅 month, the甲 wood is 「biased scholar」 (偏印) that nourishes the body; in the卯 month, the乙 wood is 「true scholar」 (正印), and it is favorable to see the official star again, forming the pattern of official and scholar mutual generation (官印相生); in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and theWu Earth 「food god」 (食神) can be used; in the巳 month, the pattern of established official position (建禄格) is established; in the午 month, it is 「Yangren」 (羊刃), and theJi Earth is also the official star; in the未 month, 「official star」 (伤官) is taken, and it is better to have a clean official star; in the申 month, the庚 metal is 「biased wealth」 (偏财), and it is favorable to have the wealth god strong; in the酉 month, the辛 metal wealth is strong, forming the pattern of wealth generating official (财旺生官格); in the戌 month, theWu Earth is 「food god」 (食神) within the mixed atmosphere; in the亥 month, the甲 wood is 「biased scholar」 (偏印) and the壬 water is 「seven killers」 (七杀), both true; in the子 month, the癸 water is 「true official」 (正官), and it is favorable to have the official star strong; in the丑 month, it is still clearly a mixed atmosphere.

丁曰定格：丁日寅提正印評，卯上偏印格局真。辰初雜氣未傷官，巳上傷官便生財。午中建祿分明取，未月食神獨可嗔。申內正財生官格，酉月偏財可追尋。戌中雜氣未傷官，亥月正官及正印。子月偏官七殺真，丑月雜氣是財官。

For a day master of Ding Fire, the pattern is determined by the month: in the寅 month, the甲 wood is the 正印; in the卯 month, the乙 wood is the 偏印, forming a clear and pure pattern; in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, with the戊 soil being the 伤官; in the巳 month, the戊 soil 伤官 can also generate wealth; in the午 month, it clearly takes the 建禄; in the未 month, the己 soil is the 食神, which is regrettable (the use is thin); in the申 month, the庚 metal is the 正财, forming a pattern of wealth generating official position; in the酉 month, the辛 metal is the 偏财, which can be pursued; in the戌 month, within the mixed atmosphere, the戊 soil is still the 伤官; in the亥 month, the壬 water is the 正官 and the甲 wood is the 正印; in the子 month, the癸 water is similar to Ding and opposite, being the 偏官 seven killing; in the丑 month, within the mixed atmosphere, there is both wealth and official position.

戊日定格：戊藏寅月殺拘印，卯是正官尋貴氣。辰內雜氣財官格，巳上亦取號建祿。午月刃取正印格，未上雜氣作官印。七月食神生財旺，八月傷官喜遇財。戌中雜氣分明取，亥月財殺格中真。子提正財生官格，丑上雜氣號財官。

For a day master of Wu Earth, the pattern is determined by the month: in the寅 month, the甲 wood is the seven killer and the丙 fire is the seal, resulting in a situation where the killer and seal are in mutual restraint; in the卯 month, the乙 wood is the official, which can be considered as noble; in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, forming a wealth and official pattern; in the巳 month, it takes the established fortune; in the午 month, it is the Yangren, and the丁 fire in the午 can form the official seal pattern; in the未 month, it is considered as official and seal in the mixed atmosphere; in the申 month, the庚 metal is the food god, which can generate wealth and make wealth prosperous; in the酉 month, the辛 metal is the injurer, and it is favorable to meet wealth to circulate; in the戌 month, the mixed atmosphere is clear and can be taken; in the亥 month, the壬 water is wealth and the甲 wood is the killer, forming the wealth and killer pattern most truly; in the子 month, the癸 water is the official wealth, forming the wealth generating official pattern; in the丑 month, the mixed atmosphere is still called wealth and official.

己日定格：己生寅月正官印，卯推七殺便是真。辰是雜氣取財官，己中正印格可清。午中建祿居此位，未土雜氣借財殺。申月傷官真論此，酉中食神亦可尋。戌月借取雜氣格，亥上正財生官格。子月偏財明怕劫，丑月雜氣取財官。

For a day master of Ji Earth, the pattern is determined by the month: in the寅 month, the wood in寅 is「正官」(official star), and the fire is「印」(intellectual support); in the卯 month, the wood is「七杀」(seven killers), which is most accurate; in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the wealth and official star are taken from it; in the巳 month, the fire is「正印」(pure intellectual support), and the pattern is clear and pure; in the午 month,「建禄」(established fortune) is exactly in this position; in the未 month, the earth is strong and it is a mixed atmosphere, so the wealth and killer can be borrowed from it; in the申 month, the metal is「伤官」(hurt official), which should be discussed in this way; in the酉 month, the metal is「食神」(food god), which can also be used; in the戌 month, the mixed atmosphere pattern is borrowed; in the亥 month, the water is「正财」(pure wealth), forming the wealth generating official pattern; in the子 month, the water is「偏财」(biased wealth), which clearly fears rivals and competitors to take it away; in the丑 month, within the mixed atmosphere, the wealth and official star are still taken.

庚日定格：庚到寅宮評財殺，卯月正財便生官。辰初雜氣用偏印，巳火七殺號偏官。午月炎天尋正官，未中雜氣用正印。申中便取建祿格，酉用羊刃格中尋。戌中雜氣用偏印，亥上食神喜身強。子月傷官真可論，丑中只可作雜氣。

For a day master of Geng metal, the pattern is determined by the month. If born in the寅 month, the wood in寅 is Jia wood, which is wealth, and the fire is Bing fire, which is a killer; one should assess wealth and killer. In the卯 month, the wood is Yi wood, which is the official wealth, and wealth can also generate official; in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the Wu earth in it is the biased scholar; in the巳 month, the fire is Qi sha, known as a biased official; in the午 month, it is hot, and the fire is Ding fire, which is the official; in the未 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the Ji earth is the official scholar; in the申 month, it is the established official pattern; in the酉 month, it is Yangren, and the pattern is taken from Yangren; in the戌 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the Wu earth is the biased scholar; in the亥 month, the water is Ren water, which is the food god, and it is favorable if the day master is strong; in the子 month, the water is Gui water, which is the official damage, and it can be discussed according to the official damage; in the丑 month, it can only be considered as a mixed atmosphere.

辛日定格：辛日寅財旺生官，卯月偏財是福基。辰是雜氣未正印，巳上正官及正印。午月偏官喜梟神，未取雜氣用偏印。申月借取傷官格，酉是建祿怕逢沖。戌中雜氣戊是印，亥日傷官喜見財。子月之中求食神，丑上下旬論偏印。

For a person born with the day stem Xin (辛) metal, the determination of the pattern (格) depends on the month. In the寅 month, the wood stem 甲 is the official wealth (正财), and the strong wealth can generate official (官), which is favorable. In the卯 month, the wood stem 乙 is the biased wealth (偏财), which is the foundation of good fortune. In the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the earth stem 戊 is the official education (正印). In the巳 month, the fire stem 丙 is the official (正官), and the earth stem 戊 is again the official education. In the午 month, the fire stem 丁 is the biased official (偏官), and it is favorable to have theOwl Spirit (己土, biased education) to transform it. In the未 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, and the earth stem 己 is the biased education. In the申 month, the pattern is the official's son (伤官格). In the酉 month, it is the establishment of official's salary (建禄), and it is most feared to be attacked by the卯. In the戌 month, within the mixed atmosphere, the earth stem 戊 is the education. In the亥 month, the water stem 壬 is the official's son (伤官), and it is favorable to see wealth to circulate. In the子 month, the water stem 癸 is sought for the minister's son (食神). In the丑 month, it is discussed in the ten-day cycle for the biased education (偏印).

壬日定格：壬逢寅地號食神，卯上見印取傷官。辰是雜氣為七殺，巳取偏財並偏官。午月財官正兩全，未上雜氣取財官。申月偏印無別論，酉取正印怕逢財。戌月雜氣為七殺，亥未建祿用食神。子月之中羊刃格，丑中雜氣是財官。

For a day master of Ren water, the established pattern is determined by the month. If born in the寅 month, the甲 wood in寅 is called 'food god'; if born in the卯 month, the乙 wood is 'hurt official', and if there is an official, then 'hurt official' and 'official' are paired; if born in the辰 month, it is a mixed atmosphere, with戊 soil as 'seven killer'; if born in the巳 month, take丙 fire as 'biased wealth' and戊 soil as 'biased official'; if born in the午 month,丁 fire is wealth and己 soil is official, both wealth and official are present; if born in the未 month, take wealth and official from the mixed atmosphere; if born in the申 month,庚 metal is 'biased official', there is no other pattern; if born in the酉 month,辛 metal is 'correct official', beware of wealth breaking the official; if born in the戌 month, take the seven killer from the mixed atmosphere with戊 soil; if born in the亥 month, it is 'established fortune', using the甲 wood food god within; if born in the子 month, it is 'Yangren pattern'; if born in the丑 month, take wealth and official from the mixed atmosphere.

癸日定格：癸日寅月取傷官，卯月食神定是真。辰中雜氣是正官，巳月正財官便是。午月偏財又偏官，六月雜氣是七殺。申月正印怕逢寅，酉月偏印忌見比。戌中雜氣是財官，亥月借取傷官格。子中建祿定其真，丑中雜氣為七殺。右財官印七殺傷食六者，繫子平的切法，故錄之。

For a癸 water day master, the determination of the pattern depends on the month. In the寅 month, 甲 wood is the "Wang Guan" (offensive official); in the卯 month, 乙 wood is the "Shi Shen" (nourishing deity), which is definite and clear; in the辰 month, the mixed qi contains 戊 earth as the "Zheng Guan" (correct official); in the巳 month, 丙 fire is the "Zheng Cai" (correct wealth) and 戊 earth is the official; in the午 month, 丁 fire is the "Pian Cai" (biased wealth) and 己 earth is the "Pian Guan" (biased official); in the未 month, the mixed qi contains 己 earth as the "Qi Sha" (seven killers); in the申 month, 庚 metal is the "Zheng Yin" (correct seal), beware of the寅 month conflicting with the申 month; in the酉 month, 辛 metal is the "Pian Yin" (biased seal), avoid seeing similar officials; in the戌 month, the mixed qi contains both wealth and official; in the亥 month, it is the "Wang Guan pattern"; in the子 month, it is the "Jian Lu" (established official), which is the true pattern; in the丑 month, the mixed qi contains 己 earth as the seven killers. The above six patterns: wealth, official, seal, seven killers, offensive official, and nourishing deity, are the most essential methods for determining patterns in Zi Ping methodology, so they are all recorded here.

傷官若傷盡，卻喜見官星，傷官若論財，見官禍不輕。傷官若用印，克殺不為刑。傷官若論刃，帶合有聲名。傷官用財，不宜印鄉。傷官見官，印運不妨。雜氣財官，印俱不忌。三戊合一癸，得再嫁妻財，受克生子無育。印綬比肩，不忌財鄉。印綬多根，身旺必滯。印綬被傷克父母，官殺混雜克父母，財多身弱克父母，干與支同，損財傷妻。辛卯戊寅，不怕殺合。

When the official star is completely harmed by the official star, it is actually favorable to see the official star again (this forms a special pattern). If the official star has already been used with wealth as the main pattern, then seeing the official star again brings serious troubles. If the official star is combined with the official star and the official star can control the seven killers, it is not considered as a crime. If the official star is discussed together with the Yangren, and there is a combination, it brings fame. For those using wealth as the main pattern, it is not favorable to go through the official star's native land, as it would take away wealth and damage the official star. However, if the official star has already appeared, going through the official star's native land is not bad, because the official star can protect the official star and control the official star. As for the mixed official and wealth pattern, seeing the official star is not to be avoided. ThreeWu Earth combining with one癸water indicates marrying a woman who has been married before and thus gaining wealth; if the癸water is heavily harmed, even if children are born, they may not survive. If the official star pattern has a similar star to support the body, it is not bad to go through the wealth's native land (the similar star can take on the wealth). If there are too many official stars and they are all rooted, the body becomes too strong, leading to stagnation. If the official star is harmed by wealth, it indicates harm to the parents; if the official star and the seven killers are mixed, it also indicates harm to the parents; if there is too much wealth and the body is weak, it also indicates harm to the parents. When the heavenly stem and earthly branch are the same and repeated, it indicates loss of wealth and harm to the wife. The configuration ofXinmao day andWuyin day is not afraid of the seven killers combining.

女命比肩即姐妹，貪合多謊詐，財有卻不怕露殺。火命人最好月支屬火，干頭有木，提出火矣。癸酉弱格，見殺必凶。官貴太甚，旺處必傾。土命不論胞胎，只論日時，不怕官殺混雜。陽干方論，陰干不取。子水怕午火，午火不怕子水。寅木不怕金，庚金不怕火，己土不怕木，卯木怕酉金，辰土怕寅木，乙日丑月不怕殺。四柱元有病要去，不去病不發。

In a female's chart, the jihuan represents sisters; those who are greedy for harmony are often deceitful and dishonest. If a person's chart has wealth, they do not fear the seven killers appearing (wealth can harmonize and generate the killer, and the killer does not attack the person). For those with a fire destiny, it is best if the month's branch is also fire, and if the heavenly stem has wood, the wood will lead out the fire. On a Guiyou day, the destiny is weak; if the seven killer appears again, it will be very bad. The official and noble energy is too strong, and when it is extremely prosperous, it will lead to downfall. For those with a destiny of earth, there is no need to consider the birth branch; only look at the day and hour pillars, and even if officials and killers are mixed, it is not a problem. These statements apply only to yang stems; yin stems are not considered in this way. Water in the hour branch fears fire in the hour branch, but fire does not fear water in the hour branch; wood in the hour branch does not fear metal, and metal does not fear fire, and earth does not fear wood. Wood in the hour branch fears metal in the hour branch, and earth in the hour branch fears wood in the hour branch; a day stem of wood born in the month of chou does not fear the seven killer. If the four pillars originally have a problem, it is necessary to remove the problem; if the problem is not removed, the destiny will not be successful.

凡看八字，先明從化為本。從化不成，方論財官。財官無取，方論格局。非格非局，無足論已。若從若化成格成局，必為富貴之命。賦云：火虛有焰，木盛多仁，得化得從，定顯聲名之士，惟甲木則無從化之理。甲己化土乙庚金，丁壬化木盡成林，丙辛化分發清濁，戊癸南方火焰侵。甲己化土，中正之合，辰戌丑未曰稼穡，勾陳得位。乙庚化金，仁義之合，巳酉丑曰從革。戊癸化火，無情之合，得火局曰炎上。天干化合者，秀氣也。地支合局者，福德也。化之真者，名公鉅卿，化之假者，孤兒異姓。化之格局，玄中又玄，妙中又妙。

When examining a person's八字, the first thing to determine is whether there is "from" (from strength) or "transformation" (change). If from and transformation are not established, then we consider wealth and official positions; if wealth and official positions are not present, then we consider the overall pattern; if neither pattern is formed, there is nothing more to discuss. If a person's八字 can both from and transform into a pattern and a structure, then it is certainly a destiny of wealth and honor. The classic text says: fire may be weak but still has light and flame, wood when abundant shows much kindness and virtue; those who can transform and from are certainly people of great reputation and success. However, the character Jia wood is strong and independent, and there is no logic for it to transform or from. The mnemonic says: Jia and Ji combine to form earth, Yi and Geng combine to form metal; Ding and Ren combine to form wood, which can grow into a forest; Bing and Xin combine to form water, which needs to be distinguished as clear or turbid; Wu and Gui combine to form fire, which spreads flames to the south. Specifically: Jia and Ji combining to form earth is called "zhongzheng" (upright and just), and when the earth branches Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are all present, it is called "jiase" (cultivation of crops), which is also called Gou Chen in its proper position. Yi and Geng combining to form metal is called "renyi" (benevolence and righteousness), and when the earth branches Si, You, and Chou are all present, it is called "congge" (transformation through metal). Wu and Gui combining to form fire is called "wuqing" (without sentiment), and when the fire pattern is formed, it is called "yanshang" (ascending fire). When the heavenly stems combine to form a transformation, it is considered refined; when the earth branches form a structure, it is considered fortune and virtue. If the transformation is genuine, one can become a high official or noble; if it is false, one may become an orphan or someone of different lineage. The pattern of transformation is profound and mysterious, subtle and wonderful.

甲從己合，賴土化生，遇乙兮，妻財暗損，逢丁兮，衣祿成空。貴顯高門，蓋得辛金之力。家殷大富，皆因戊土之功。見癸兮平生發福，逢壬兮一世飄蓬。月遇庚金，家徒四壁。時逢丙火，祿享千鍾。己能化甲，秀在於寅。逢丁兮，他人凌辱，遇乙兮，自己遭逆。陽水重重，奔走紅塵之客。庚金銳銳，孤寒白屋之人。丙內藏辛，必得其貴，戊裡藏癸，不至於貧。若要官職榮遷，先須見癸。家殷大富，務要逢辛。

The Heavenly Stem Jia Wood combines with the Earthly Branch Ji Earth, relying entirely on the Earth to generate and nourish itself. If at this time there is also Yi Wood, Yi Wood will compete for Ji Earth, causing damage to the wife's domain and the wealth star; if there is Ding Fire, it will drain the vital energy and overproduce Earth, leading to loss of fortune and sustenance. Those who achieve high status in noble families mostly receive the support of Xin Metal (the official star); those who become wealthy and prosperous are due to Wu Earth (the wealth star). Meeting Gui Water brings continuous blessings throughout life, while meeting Ren Water results in a life of wandering and lack of support. If there is Geng Metal in the month pillar, the family will be in poverty; if there is Bing Fire in the hour pillar, one can enjoy great official rank and generous salary. When Jia Wood combines with Ji Earth to form a harmonious relationship, the refined quality is寄托 in the寅 (the禄 of Jia Wood). If at this time there is Ding Fire, it indicates being humiliated and insulted by others; if there is Yi Wood competing for the combination, one will face rebellion and disorder. If there is a heavy presence of Yang Water like Ren Water, it signifies a person who is constantly involved in worldly affairs and hardworking; if there is sharp Geng Metal, it indicates someone born in poverty, living in a humble house and being poor. If there is hidden Xin Metal within Bing Fire, one will surely achieve high status; if there is hidden Gui Water within Wu Earth, one will not be poor. If one wishes to attain official rank and promotion, one must first meet Gui Water; if one wishes to become wealthy and prosperous, one must meet Xin Metal.

乙從庚化，氣稟西方。蹇難兮，生逢丙地，榮化兮，長在壬鄉。丁火當權，似春花之遇日。辛金持世，若秋草之逢霜。最喜己臨，滿堂金玉，偏宜甲向，禾麥盈倉。日日勞神，蓋為勾陳作亂。時時費力，只因玄武為殃。庚從乙化，金質彌堅。最忌辛金暗損，偏嫌丙火相煎。遇丁官兮，似蛟龍之得雲雨。逢己印兮，若鵬鶚之在秋天。癸水旺兮，田園破蕩。壬水盛兮，財祿增遷。遇戊相侵兮，不成鉅富。逢辰助力兮，永保長年。

Yi wood transforms along with Geng metal, drawing its essence from the western metal energy. If born in the land of Bing fire, fire will overcome metal, leading to many obstacles and difficulties; if growing in the land of Ren water, metal and water will mutually generate, resulting in honor and success. When Ding fire is dominant, it is like spring flowers meeting warm sunlight; when Xin metal is in charge, it is like autumn grass suffering from severe frost. Most favorable is Ji earth occupying its position, indicating a full hall of gold and jade; also suitable is Jia wood facing it, indicating abundant grain stored in granaries. If one is constantly worried, it is due to Gou Chen (Wu and Ji earth) causing trouble; if one is always exerting effort, it is because Xuan Wu (Ren and Gui water) is causing harm. Geng metal transforms along with Yi wood, making the metal even more solid. Most disliked is Xin metal secretly consuming it, and also disliked is Bing fire roasting it from the side. When Ding fire, the official star, appears, it is like a dragon obtaining clouds and rain; when Ji earth, the seal star, appears, it is like a great eagle soaring in the autumn sky. When Gui water is strong, the fields will be ruined; when Ren water is powerful, wealth and official rank will increase. When Wu earth invades, one cannot become extremely wealthy; when Chen earth supports, one can maintain prosperity for a long time.

丙為陽火，化水逢辛。有福兮，戊土在位，成名兮乙木臨身。官爵遷榮，生逢癸巳。家門顯赫，長在庚寅。強橫起於甲午，禍敗發於壬辰。屢遇陰丁，縱富貴能有幾日。重逢己土，須榮華亦似浮雲。辛能化水，得丙方成。四柱最宜見戊，一生只喜逢庚。見己兮何年發福，逢壬兮何日成名，癸水旺兮，縱困而不困。甲木旺兮，須榮而不榮。富貴榮華，重重見乙。傷殘窮迫，疊疊逢丁。

Jing is yang fire, and when it meets Xin metal it combines to form water. If Wu earth is present, there will be good fortune; if Yi wood is present, one can achieve fame. Those who attain official rank and promotion are mostly born in Guisi; families that become prominent are mostly born in Gengyin. Those who are strong and domineering originate from Jiawu; those who suffer misfortune and defeat begin in Renchen. If one repeatedly encounters Yin fire (Ding) to diminish Jing's brightness, even if one has wealth and status, it will not last long. If one encounters multiple instances of Ji earth to muddy the spiritual force, even if one is prosperous, it will be like drifting clouds. Xin metal can transform into water, but it must combine with Jing fire to do so. Among the four pillars, it is most favorable to see Wu earth; throughout one's life, it is most desirable to encounter Geng metal. If Ji earth appears to muddy the situation, in which year can one attain good fortune? If Ren water appears to disrupt the transformation, on which day can one achieve fame? When Gui water is strong, even in hardship one will not be trapped; when Ji wood is strong, it seems one should achieve success but does not. To attain wealth, honor, and prosperity, one should see multiple instances of Yi wood; if one suffers injury, poverty, and hardship, it is mostly due to encountering multiple instances of Ding fire.

丁為陰火，喜遇陽壬。見丙兮百年安逸，逢辛兮一世優遊。富貴雙全，喜甲臨於天德。祿財雙美，欣己共於金牛。活計消疏，皆因戊敗。生涯寂寞，皆為癸囚。乙木重重，財祿決無成就。庚金燦燦，功名切莫妄求。壬從丁火，秀在東方。遇甲兮多招僕馬，逢辛兮廣置田莊。丙火相逢，乃英雄之豪傑。癸水相會，為辛苦之經商。佩印乘軒，巳臨官位。飄蓬落魄，戌帶殺來。皓首無成，皆為庚金乘旺。青年不遇，蓋因乙木為殃。

Ding is a yin fire that prefers to meet with yang Ren to combine and transform into wood. Meeting Bing fire brings a hundred years of peace and comfort; encountering Xin metal brings a lifetime of ease and leisure. To achieve both wealth and honor, it is favorable to have Jia wood at the Heavenly Virtue position; to attain both official rank and wealth, it is favorable to have Ji earth with Chou (the Ox) together. Those with a bleak and scattered livelihood are due to Wu earth destroying the transformed spirit; those who are always lonely and cold are because of Gui water being trapped and unable to flow. When Bei wood appears repeatedly, there will be no achievement in wealth or official rank; when Geng metal is bright and shining, one must not dare to seek fame and success. Ren water combines with Ding fire to transform into wood, with refined and elegant qualities resting in the East. Meeting Jia wood brings many servants and carriages; encountering Xin metal allows for the acquisition of extensive fields and estates. Meeting Bing fire indicates heroes and outstanding individuals; meeting Gui water signifies people who labor hard in business. Those who can wear an official seal and ride in high-ranking carriages have Si (the Snake) at the official position; those who drift about and are in a state of despair have Xu (the Dog) bringing the seven deadly stars. Those who grow old with white hair and achieve nothing are due to Geng metal being strong and destroying the transformed spirit; those who are talented but unrecognized in youth are due to Bei wood causing trouble.

戊從癸合，化火成功。見乙兮終能顯達，逢壬兮亦自豐隆，眾貴拱持，喜丁臨於巳位。六親不睦，緣甲旺於寅宮。丙火炎炎，難尋福祿。庚金燦燦，易見亨通。妻子損兮，皆因己旺。謀為拙兮，蓋為辛雄。癸從戊合，火化當臨。丙內藏辛，一世多成多敗，甲中隱己，百年勞力勞心。倉庫豐肥欣逢丁火。田財殷實，喜得庚金。官爵升榮兮，連綿見乙。資財富貴兮，上下逢壬。財源相失兮，緣辛金之太旺，仕途蹭蹬兮，蓋己土之相侵。

The earth element Wu and the water element Gui combine to form fire. If there is also the wood element Yi, one will eventually achieve success; if there is also the water element Ren, one will naturally enjoy prosperity. When many noblemen surround and support, it is favorable to have the fire element Ding in the position of Si. If the Six Relations are not harmonious, it is due to the strong wood element Ji in the position of Yin. If the fire element Bing is too intense, it is difficult to find fortune and favor; if the metal element Geng is bright and prominent, it is easy to achieve success. If the wife is harmed, it is because the earth element Ji is too strong; if plans are clumsy, it is mostly due to the strong metal element Xin. The earth element Wu and the water element Gui combine to form fire, and the fire energy is about to arrive. If the fire element Bing contains the hidden metal element Xin, one will experience many successes and failures throughout life; if the wood element Ji contains the hidden earth element Ji, one will work hard for a hundred years without results. When the granary is full, it is favorable to meet the fire element Ding; when the land and wealth are abundant, it is favorable to meet the metal element Geng. When official rank keeps rising and one becomes prominent, it is favorable to continuously meet the wood element Yi; when wealth and status are achieved, it is favorable to meet the water element Ren both above and below. When the source of wealth is repeatedly lost, it is due to the strong metal element Xin; when the career path is difficult and unprogressive, it is mostly because the earth element Ji is interfering from the side.

甲己歌：甲己化土乙庚金，局中奇妙最難尋。局中六格分高下，貴賤方知有淺深。甲己中央化土神，時逢辰巳脫埃塵。局中歲月趨炎地，方顯功名富貴人。甲己干頭生遇春，平生作事漫勞神。百般機巧番成拙，孤苦伶丁走不停。

The song for the Jia and Ji combination says: Jia and Ji combine to form earth, Yi and Geng combine to form metal; the subtle aspects of the transformed qi are hard to explore. The pattern is divided into six levels, with varying degrees of quality, thus distinguishing the noble from the common and the deep from the shallow. Jia and Ji are in the center and transform into the earth deity; if the time pillar meets Chen or Si, they can escape worldly troubles and achieve success. If the year and month pillars also incline towards hot fire (fire generates earth), then they become people of fame and wealth. Conversely, if Jia and Ji combine in the sky pillar but are born in spring (wood is strong and controls earth, the transformed deity is restrained), they will waste their whole life without results; their cleverness becomes clumsiness, they remain lonely and have to keep moving about.

乙庚歌：乙庚金局旺於西，時遇從魁是根基。辰戌丑未如相剋，此是名門將相兒。乙庚最怕火炎炎，志氣消磨主不良。寅午重逢為下格，隨緣奔走覓衣糧。丙辛歌：丙辛化合喜逢申，翰苑英豪氣象新。潤下若居年月上，須知不是等閒人。丙辛化水生冬月，陰日陽時須見清。有土局中須破用，得金相助發前程。

The song for the combination of Yi and Geng says: Yi and Geng transform into metal, and the metal element thrives in the west. If the time pillar meets You (from Kui), then the foundation is established. Although Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei belong to earth, they interact with the transformed element, and such people are the sons of distinguished families and officials. Yi and Geng transforming into metal most fear intense fire, as fire will overcome metal, leading to the weakening of will and poor character; if寅 and午 appear repeatedly, forming a fire element, it becomes a low-level pattern, and the person can only rely on fate to struggle for a living. The song for the combination of Bing and Xin says: Bing and Xin transform into water, and they favor meeting Shen (where water is born), indicating a person with a noble and outstanding appearance in the Hanlin Academy. If the "run down" water element pattern appears in the year or month pillar, it shows that the person is not ordinary. Bing and Xin transforming into water, if born in the month of winter, with a yin day and yang hour, the atmosphere should be pure; if there is earth element to overcome water, it must remove this earth to use the water; if there is metal to assist and generate water, the future will naturally prosper.

丁壬歌：丁壬化木喜逢寅，亥卯生提是福基。除此二宮皆別論，金多尤恐返傷之。丁壬化木在寅時，蓋世文章邁等倫。曲直更歸年月地，少年平步上青雲。戊癸歌：戊癸南方火炎高，騰光時上顯英豪。局中無水傷年月，獻賦龍門奪錦袍。天元戊癸支藏水，敗壞門庭事緒多。行運更逢生旺地，傷妻克子起風波。

The rhyme for the combination of Ding and Ren says: Ding and Ren transform into wood, and it is most favorable to meet the hour of Yin. If the month is born in Hai or Mao, it is also the foundation of good fortune. Except for these positions, other cases should be considered separately. If there is too much metal, especially if it turns back to harm the transformed god. If Ding and Ren transform into wood and are born in the hour of Yin, they will have extraordinary literary achievements and surpass their peers. If the "curved and straight" wood formation is present and returns to the year or month pillar, they can rise quickly in their youth. The rhyme for the combination of Wu and Gui says: Wu and Gui transform into fire, and if born in the southern direction, the fire is fierce and intense, with brilliant flames rising on the time pillar, revealing a heroic nature. If there is no water in the formation to harm the year or month pillar, they can compose brilliant writings and win honors. Conversely, if the heavenly stems are Wu and Gui but the earthly branches hide water, it will ruin the family and cause many troubles. If the big destiny moves to the flourishing land of water, it will harm the wife and children and cause disturbances.

陰土蛇雞去會午，名為福德號貔貅。火來侵害傷殘處，事事蹉跎百事憂。己巳己酉並己丑，福德秀氣真希有。若逢歲運沖剋破，縱是榮華事不久。陰木相逢牛與蛇，生居八月暗諮嗟。為官得祿難長久，縱有文章不足誇。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) Fortune Virtue refers to a rare and auspicious pattern. Yin Earth (Ji) encountering Si (Snake) and You (Rooster), and further combining with Wu Fire, is called Fortune Virtue, also known as the貅 (a mythical beast). Once fire comes to harm it, damaging its vital energy, it will experience delays in all affairs and constant worries. The days of Ji Si, Ji You, and Ji Chou are truly rare and auspicious patterns of Fortune Virtue. If these days are confronted by the year or destiny's clash and control, even if there is prosperity, it will not last long. Yin Wood (Yi) encountering Chou (Ox) and Si (Snake), and if born in the eighth month of You, will only sigh in sorrow; even if holding official rank and fortune, it will not last long, and even with literary talent and ability, it is not worth boasting about.

陰火相連巳酉丑，生居木日壽難長。更兼名利多成敗，破蕩荒淫福不昌。癸臨酉丑月臨風，百事遲延作者空。名利平生難有望，是非得失事匆匆。金居從革貴人欽，造有清高福祿深。四柱火來相混雜，空門藝術漫經綸。

Heavenly Stem Ding (Fire) is connected to the Metal triad of Si, You, and Chou. If born on a Wood day, where Wood is overcome by Metal and cannot generate Fire, longevity will be difficult. Moreover, if there are many achievements and losses in fame and fortune, and if there is destruction, disorder, and lack of prosperity, then the person's fate will be troubled. For a癸 Water day ruler, if it is near You or Chou, and the month is in the position of "wind", all matters will be delayed and efforts will be in vain. Throughout life, there will be little hope for fame and fortune, and matters of right and wrong will come and go quickly. If Gold forms the "from revolution" pattern, it will be respected by the nobleman, and such a birth chart will be noble and endowed with deep blessings and honors. However, if there is fire in the four pillars that mixes and overcomes Gold, then one can only make a living through skills in an empty place, with great ability but little success.

天元一字水為源，生在秋冬妙莫言。大小吉神逢一位，少年雲路必高遷。天元一字土為基，四季生時便是奇。辛酉二丈為格局，聰明俊秀異常兒。天元一字木為根，傳送登明顯福元。四柱官星如得地，功名利祿好爭先。天元一字若逢金，時日魁罡福氣深。庫位逢沖並帶貴，平生德行貴人欽。天元一字火融融，大吉功曹時日沖。沖起財官為發用，生平富貴福興隆。

"The Heavenly Stem of the First Character" refers to all four heavenly stems in the four pillars being the same character. If this character belongs to water, with water as the source, it is excellent if it appears in autumn or winter when water is in season; if the big destiny year and the current year also meet another auspicious deity, the person will rise quickly on the path to success at a young age. If this character belongs to earth, earth is the foundation of all things, and it is remarkable if it is born in the months of辰 (Chen), 戌 (Xu), 丑 (Chou), or 未 (Wei); if it is combined with the metal of 辛 (Xin) and 酉 (You), the person will be intelligent and outstanding, different from ordinary people. If this character belongs to wood, wood relies on its root, and if the earthly branches contain 申 (Shen) (Transmission) and 亥 (Hai) (Dawn), the original nature of good fortune will be evident; if the official star in the four pillars is also well positioned, the person can compete for fame and wealth. If this character belongs to metal, and the day pillar and hour pillar are both on the魁罡 (Kui Gang), the fortune is deep; if theStorage (Mu Ku) position is confronted and accompanied by a nobleman, the person's virtue will be respected by the nobleman throughout their life. If this character belongs to fire, the fire is warm and bright, and if the earthly branches 丑 (Chou) (Great Good Fortune) and 寅 (Yin) (Meritorious Official) are in conflict in the day or hour positions, the hidden wealth and official positions in the repository will be activated and used for the person's benefit, leading to a life of wealth and prosperity.