Six Spirits Chapter

官臨財地必榮夫，身入敗鄉須克子。官者，女人之夫星也。官行財鄉，財為祿也，官之遇祿，豈不榮乎？財者男子以之為妻，妻即財也。女人以之事夫，財旺則夫亦盛。故以榮夫喻之。例如五行至敗絕之地，主克子而孤，且甲木生於亥，而敗於子，子為甲之沐浴，如人初生臨水而浴，故為險地，是取克子之義然矣。

The official star reaching the wealth territory will surely bring honor to the husband; if the day's ruler falls into a declining place, it is inevitable to have children suffering misfortune. The official star is the husband's star for a woman. When the official star reaches the wealth territory, wealth becomes the salary of the official, so how could the official not become prosperous? In a man's fate, wealth represents the wife, and the wife is the wealth; in a woman's fate, wealth represents something used to serve the husband. When wealth is strong, the husband also becomes prosperous, hence the term "honor the husband." Conversely, when the five elements reach a declining or extinct place, it indicates misfortune for children and loneliness. For example, the birth of jia wood is in the亥 (Hai) position, and its declining place is in the子 (Zi) position. The Zi position is the "bathing" for jia wood, like a newborn baby being washed immediately after birth, which is extremely dangerous, and this is precisely the meaning of causing misfortune for children.

殺梟破祿連根，墮冰肌於水火。如甲生人以庚為殺，以壬為梟，且甲之祿被殺梟破之，則身被害，主有水火之厄。比劫遭刑喪局，掩玉骨於塵沙。比劫者，兄弟姐妹之類。在人命中主有爭端，如又遭刑，為禍非輕，正謂之劫財羊刃是也。婦人遇此妒害相戕，如人家兄弟多者，有財則爭，無財則禍，更加刑殺，則亡身害命。

The "Seven Killers" and "Sovereign" destroy the person's fortune at its root, causing calamity from fire and water. For example, for someone born under the Jia wood stem, the庚 metal is the Seven Killer and the壬 water is the Sovereign. The Jia wood's fortune lies in the寅, which is destroyed by both the Seven Killer and the Sovereign. This leads to disaster, such as drowning or burning. If the "Companions" and "Robber Wealth" also suffer from punishment and clash or form a Triple Harmony, the jade-like bones will be buried in dust and sand. The Companions and Robber Wealth represent siblings and peers, and in a birth chart, they indicate disputes and conflicts. If they also encounter punishment, the misfortune becomes more severe, which is referred to as "Robber Wealth" and "Yangren." A woman encountering this pattern will have her peers jealous and harming each other, like brothers who fight over wealth when they have money or cause trouble when they don't. Adding punishment and killing further leads to serious consequences, even death.

交馳逢驛馬，母氏荒涼。女命貴乎恬靜，最忌驛馬。《格解》云馬是扶身之本，馬即財也。祿為養命之源，祿即官也。無非財官交互相見之理。男命喜有之，女人以財事夫，莫非得妻家之財，以事夫也。豈不為損母氏之財物，故曰母氏荒涼。

The Post-horse indicates movement and travel. When it is active, the mother's family will decline and become desolate. For a woman's fortune, tranquility is most valuable, and she should most avoid the turmoil of the Post-horse. The "Grasp of Explanation" says that the horse is the fundamental support for oneself; the horse represents wealth. The official position is the source of sustenance and vitality; the official position represents authority. In the end, it is simply about the mutual relationship between wealth and authority. Men favor this, but women use their wealth to serve their husbands. This is like moving the wealth of their mother's family to support their husband's family. Therefore, the mother's family suffers a loss, which is why it is said "the mother's family becomes desolate."

差錯對孤神，夫家零落。陽差陰錯者，止有十二日，丙子、丁丑、戊寅、辛卯，、壬辰、癸巳、丙午、丁未、戊申、辛酉、壬戌、癸亥。陽日為陽差，陰日為陰錯，女子逢之，公姑寡合，妯娌不足。日月時兩重，或三重犯之極驗，只日家犯之尤重。婦人犯之，故主夫家零落。

The combination of "Yang Cha" and "Yin Cuo" with "Gu Shen" indicates that the husband's family will decline. "Yang Cha" and "Yin Cuo" occur on twelve specific days: Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai. Days with Yang heavenly stems are called "Yang Cha," and days with Yin heavenly stems are called "Yin Cuo." If a woman is born on these days, she will have difficulty getting along with her in-laws and her sisters-in-law. If two or even three of these elements appear in the day, month, and hour, the prediction is extremely accurate. If only the day pillar is affected, the impact is the most significant. Since it is the woman who is affected, it leads to the decline of the husband's family.

五馬六財，窮敗比肩之地。馬即財也。甲子生人，以己為財，自甲至己乃六，為財之母，倘比肩兄弟多者，則劫而分之，故曰窮敗，女人無財以事夫，亦可謂窮矣。八官七殺，分離刑害之鄉。甲子生人，以庚午為殺，辛未為官。自甲子至庚午為七殺，辛未為八官。七殺為偏夫，八官為正夫，倘遇三刑六害，或夫死或夫離，此之謂也。

The phrase "Five Horses and Six Wealth" indicates poverty and decline when it falls in the position of the same type of heavenly stem. A horse represents wealth. For someone born in the Jiazi year, Ji soil is considered wealth. Counting from Jia to Ji, it is the sixth position, which is the source of wealth. If there are too many similar heavenly stems, such as the same type of heavenly stem, they will seize and divide this wealth, leading to poverty and decline. A woman without wealth to support her husband is also considered poor. The phrase "Eight Officials and Seven Killers" indicates separation between husband and wife when it falls in the position of punishment and harm. For someone born in the Jiazi year, Gengwu is considered the seven killer, and Xinwei is considered the eight official. Counting from Jiazi to Gengwu is the seventh position, hence called seven killer; counting to Xinwei is the eighth position, hence called eight official. The seven killer represents a concubine, and the eight official represents the main husband. If they encounter three punishments and six harms, either the husband dies or the couple separates, which is what this refers to.

刑空官煞，幾臨嫁而罷濃妝。既以官煞為夫星，當要旺相，不受剋制，正謂夫貴則妻榮。倘若官星落空，殺星被刑，二者俱不得力，已受凶人所制，自己安能獲福哉？謂臨嫁而罷濃妝者幾希。

The official star and seven killing stars are both punished and fall into Kongwang, often leading to the removal of heavy makeup just before marriage. Since the official and killing stars are used as the husband's star, they should be prosperous and strong, not controlled by others. It is said that when the husband is prominent and powerful, the wife can also share in the glory. If the official star falls into Kongwang and the killing star is punished, both are ineffective and controlled by evil spirits, how can one still gain happiness? It is said that one is about to get married but removes the makeup, such a situation is not far away.

沖剋印財，縱得家難成厚福。財者可以養命，印者可以生身，二者人以之獲福，假令沖剋不能見用，固不可以為福。縱然成家，亦無安享之榮。女人之命，以財事夫，既被沖剋，難以安福斷之。

The "印" and "财" are both clashing and controlled, so even if one gets married, it is difficult to enjoy great fortune. Wealth can sustain life, and "印" can support the body; people rely on these two things to gain blessings. If they are clashing or controlled and cannot be used, naturally they cannot bring about good fortune. Even if one can establish a family and career, it is hard to enjoy stability and prosperity. A woman's fate is to use wealth to serve her husband; if the wealth is clashing and controlled, then it is not appropriate to judge her fortune based on enjoying comfort and happiness.

不若藏財不露，明殺無傷。命中有財，貴乎藏而不露，則露者人人得而奪之，藏之者，始而安穩，終而豐厚。殺露者有何傷？書云：財藏則豐厚，官露則清高，其斯之謂歟。殺重印行財，多財遇印。印與財本相剋。克者，假使甲以癸為印，以己為財，甲以己為妻，且財多亦為喜。但恐有印，則財破之，重印行財稍可，多財遇印，則謂貪財壞印，若有劫財乃可。

It is better to keep wealth hidden rather than make it obvious. A clearly visible seven killer (seven杀) is actually not harmful. If one's destiny includes wealth, it is valuable to keep it concealed; if it appears in the heavenly stems, everyone will compete for it, but if it is hidden in the earthly branches, it starts off stable and eventually becomes abundant. As for the seven killer being clearly visible, what harm could it do? The book says, "If wealth is hidden, it becomes abundant; if officials are revealed, they become noble," which refers exactly to this. For those with a strong seven killer, it is suitable to have a seal (印), and for those with a strong seal, it is suitable to go through a wealth path (财运). However, if there is too much wealth and it meets the seal, it becomes problematic. The seal and wealth naturally counteract each other: for example, Jia wood takes癸water as its seal and 己earth as its wealth. Jia wood also takes 己earth as its wife. Having a lot of wealth is generally good, but if the destiny already has a strong seal, too much wealth will damage the seal. If there is a strong seal and one goes through a wealth path, it is still acceptable; but if there is too much wealth and it meets the seal, it is called "greed for wealth ruining the seal." Unless there is another劫财 to share some of the wealth, it would not be good.

四敗非家人之有幸，四沖豈良婦而無嫌。此等皆女人所忌者。水聚旺鄉，花街之女。水之性就下，而不能返也。又至旺鄉，且有汪洋之勢，故女人之性似之者，何也。謂從其夫而不能由己，且婦人之質，若水之柔且清，賦性然也。若與金會合，則欲從其類，若花街之女也。

The four evil branches of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You are all present, which is not auspicious for a woman who manages a household; the four conflicting branches of Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai are all seen, and even a virtuous woman may still attract suspicion. These are all considered inauspicious for a woman's fate. If water gathers in a prosperous place, she is likely to become a woman of the pleasure quarters. Water naturally flows downward and does not turn back; when it reaches a prosperous place, it has the tendency to flood widely. Why is it compared to a woman's nature? Because once a woman marries, she follows her husband and cannot act independently; a woman's nature is inherently soft and clear, like water. However, once water combines with metal, which generates water, the water will be eager to flow toward its own kind, and thus becomes a woman of the pleasure quarters.

金成秀麗，桃洞之仙。金之質極美，故以婦人喻之。女命金生得西方之秀氣，加柔火以成質，並無瑕玷，非仙而何。四生馳四馬，背井離鄉。寅申巳亥者，四生之局也。又為馬所馳之地，女人之命，最忌驛馬，帶之者，主有遠行出嫁離鄉。

Gold achieves a beautiful and refined quality, just like the fairies in the peach blossom cave. The beauty of gold is so remarkable that it is used to compare with women. A woman's destiny belongs to metal and gains the elegance of the west, and with a bit more gentle fire to refine her body, she becomes flawless throughout. What is she if not a fairy? The four birth positions of the Five Phases, namely寅, 申, 巳, and 亥, are also the places where the four horses run. Therefore, one is destined to leave home. The four horses, or驿马, are the places where the Five Phases are born. Women's destinies are most unfavorable when they encounterThe Post-horse, as it often leads to marriage far away from home and leaving their homeland.

三合帶三刑，傷夫敗業。婦人最忌有合，若與官星合，乃正夫相合為妙。又若有二三合，則為相妒，且為眾人之妻，又帶三刑，則骨肉相戕，並損六親，故曰傷夫敗業，理必然矣。暗殺逢刑，槁砧不善。殺，亦為夫也，且暗有刑傷，主其夫不善，且為惡人乎。明官跨馬，夫主增榮。官星喜露，露者謂之明官，又逢祿馬，主其夫出仕馳名。黃金滿嬴，一財得所。如甲木生人，用己土為財。又得辰戌丑未之地，乃財星得地也。其婦主有富貴，為相夫益子之造也。

In a Triple Harmony Formation, if it is also accompanied by the Three Punishments, it will harm the husband and ruin the family. Women should be most cautious about having many harmonies in their fate; if they only harmonize with the official star, that means harmonizing with the official husband, which is actually a good thing. However, if there are two or three harmonies, it leads to mutual jealousy and rivalry, as if being the wife of many men. If the Three Punishments are also present, there will be mutual harm among family members, and all six relations will be damaged. Therefore, it is said to harm the husband and ruin the family, which is naturally the case. If hidden killing in the earth branch meets with punishment, the husband will certainly be bad. The seven killers can also be considered as the husband's star; if they are hidden with injuries, it indicates the husband has bad character, and may even be a cruel person—'gǎo zhēn' is an ancient term for husband. If the official star is revealed and rides the post-horse, the husband will certainly gain honor. The official star prefers to appear in the heavenly stem; when it appears in the heavenly stem, it is called 'ming guan'. If it meets with the禄 and the horse, it indicates the husband will hold an official position and gain widespread fame. Gold fills the house, only because one wealth star is grounded. For example, a person born in the year of Jia Wood uses Ji Earth as the wealth star, and if it meets with the earth's strong positions such as Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, the wealth star is grounded. Such a woman is destined for wealth and prosperity, and her fate is beneficial to her husband and children.

紅顏失配，兩貴無家。貴人，天乙貴人也，凡女命不宜多見。經云貴眾合多，定是師尼娼婢。凡一官者，亦為一貴，若重見者主剋夫，且如人無家者，不得地之謂也，所以主少年而失配也。

A woman with a red face loses her spouse because her destiny includes two noblemen but they have no place to settle. Here, the nobleman refers to the Tianyi Nobleman, and for a woman's destiny, it is not advisable to have many noblemen. The scriptures say that if there are many noblemen and many harmonies, it is likely to be a nun, a Buddhist nun, a courtesan, or a servant. For every official star, it counts as one nobleman; if the nobleman appears repeatedly, it actually indicates a tendency to harm the husband. The term 'no home' means that the nobleman does not fall into a strong position and has nowhere to go, so it indicates losing the spouse at a young age.

先比後財，自貧至富。四柱中，先有比肩，然後行財運，謂之為先比後財。若四柱原有財有比，不為先比而後財，乃是財源被劫，則不為美也。此以行運逢財，方是此斷。沖官合食，靠子刑夫。官者，女人之夫也，食者，女人之子。官被沖，主其夫不得力，食神帶合，其子得濟，所以靠子而終身。死絕胞胎，花枯寂寂。胞胎者，受氣之月也。如逢死絕，主一生寂寞，至老而孤苦也。

First seeing the same zodiac sign (比肩) and then encountering wealth (财), one can change from poverty to wealth. In the four pillars, if there is first the same zodiac sign and then the big year (大运) reaches the wealth position, this is called "first same zodiac sign then wealth" (先比后财). If the four pillars already have both wealth and same zodiac sign together, then it is not "first same zodiac sign then wealth," but rather the wealth source is immediately robbed, which is not good. This rule only applies when the big year meets the wealth position. If the official star (官星) is conflicting and the food god (食神) is combined, one will rely on the son all their life but will harm the husband. The official star represents the husband for a woman, and the food god represents the children. If the official star is conflicting, it indicates the husband is not helpful; if the food god is combined, it indicates the children are successful, so the person will live their whole life relying on their son. If the month of conception (胞胎) falls in a dead or absolute position, it is like a flower withering and being cold and lonely. The term "conception" refers to the month when the fetus is formed; if it meets a dead or absolute position, it indicates a lonely life, and old age will be lonely and without support.

長生根本，瓜瓞綿綿。五行得長生之位，女人多俊雅，且有子孫綿遠，謂之瓜瓞綿綿。根本者，木生亥，火生寅，金生巳，水土生申，故曰根本也。合貴合才，珠盈金屋。合貴者，官星夫星得合也。只合其一官為貴，非合貴人也。合財者，財神也。女人以財事夫，男子以財為妻。故喜合之，主有珠盈金屋。

The place of growth is the foundation of destiny. If one attains it, descendants will be as numerous and continuous as the melon vines. When the Five Phases are in their place of growth, women are often graceful and refined, and their descendants will last for a long time, which is called "melon vines stretching continuously." The term "foundation" refers to the fact that wood is born in Hai, fire in Yin, metal in Si, and water and earth in Shen. Therefore, these are called foundations. When the nobleman and wealth are harmonized, treasures will fill the golden house. "Harmonizing the nobleman" means that the official star and husband star are in harmony—only harmonizing with one official star is considered noble, not necessarily harmonizing with Tianyi Nobleman. "Harmonizing wealth" means harmonizing with the wealth god. Women use wealth to serve their husbands, and men regard wealth as their wife, so both like to harmonize with it, indicating that the house will be filled with jewels and treasures.

破財破食，衾冷蘭房。女命最喜者，財與食而已，財以事夫，食以養老，假使破之，將何為生，遇此者甘受淒冷，故曰衾冷蘭房。呂后名馳天下，只緣陰並陽剛。女人之命，以純陰為柔則為貴福。兼併陽剛者，乃奪夫之權，多能多為，未免有陰邪之刑。故以呂后例之。

When a woman's fortune is ruined in terms of wealth and food god, the bedclothes in the chamber become cold. A woman's fortune is most valued by wealth and food god: wealth is used to serve her husband, and food god is used for supporting him in old age and sending him off at the end of life. If both are destroyed, how can she live? Those with such a fate can only accept the coldness, hence the saying "cold quilt in the chamber." Empress Lu of the Han dynasty was famous throughout the world, only because her purely yin destiny included yang energy. A woman's fate is considered valuable and fortunate when it is purely yin and gentle. If yin includes yang energy, it will take away her husband's authority, making her talented in many areas and always standing out, which inevitably brings about sinister and perverse punishments, hence using Empress Lu as an example.

綠珠身墮樓前，蓋是梟沖煞位。命有用梟者，為事多不仁，婦人不宜有之，殺者女人亦忌之。何況又逢梟而沖之，綠珠之命，未嘗有之。以此譬喻之言，學者宜詳審之。秋水通源，剔眸立節。此言壬癸生於秋月，又兼有亥子水之源者。況秋金旺而又生水，水性清，金性剛。又以眼喻秋水，故云剔眸，有節之操。

In the Jin Dynasty, the woman named Lü Zhu died by jumping from a building, precisely because theOwl Spirit in her fate clashed with the七杀 position. Those whose fate is based onOwl Spirit tend to act unkindly, and it is especially unsuitable for women to have this; seven killers are also something to be avoided in a woman's fate, and when枭神 clashes with seven killers, two evils combine. The actual birth chart of Lü Zhu may not be exactly like this, but this is just an example for understanding. Scholars should carefully consider this, rather than take it literally. If壬 and癸 water are born in autumn and there is a connection to the water source, their eyes are clear and bright, like the clear autumn water, capable of maintaining chastity. This refers to when the day ruler is壬 or癸 and is born in autumn, with additional support from亥 and子, which are sources of water. Moreover, in autumn, metal is strong and metal generates water, so the water is clear and the metal is hard. Comparing the eyes to autumn water implies 'cleansing the eyes,' which symbolizes having integrity and moral principles.

冬金坐局，斷臂流芳。金生於冬月，又得巳酉丑局，此金之從類。夫金之性主義，有剛果毅然之立。男子稟之有威武之權，女人稟之有堅貞之節。此謂冬金者，則為金白水清，且水冷而金寒，故云斷臂流芳，其理然矣。

A piece of metal born in winter, when it is seated upon a metal formation, can display a fierce and resolute nature, capable of cutting off an arm yet leaving a lasting legacy. Metal born in the month of winter, and further supported by the triple harmony of Si, You, and Chou, represents metal returning to its original kind. The nature of metal is associated with 'righteousness', embodying a character of strength, decisiveness, and independent resolve. A man endowed with this metal possesses authority and power, while a woman endowed with it exhibits steadfast virtue. The metal referred to here is the image of white metal and clear water, where the water is cold and the metal is also cold and pure. Thus, it is said 'to cut off an arm and leave a lasting legacy', and this is the reasoning behind it.

姐妹同宮，未適而先有恨。姐妹者，比劫也。如甲生，重見甲乙之類。如甲寅乙卯之日月，謂之同宮。恐有爭妒之意，故未適而先有恨。命財有氣，配夫到老無憂。命，謂本命也。財，謂財帛也。二者有生旺之氣，可以榮身，可以助夫，豈不謂之到老而無憂也。是以榮枯貴賤，所造淵源，務要投明博學，領受真傳。若夫理誤時差，雖先賢不自知矣。

Sisters' stars are in the same palace, and before they marry, they already have resentment. Sisters are considered to be the same as the "benevolent companion" and "wealth thief." For example, if the day stem is Jia wood and it sees another Jia or Yi wood, this is considered as having the same kind of elements. If the day pillar is Jiayin and the month pillar is Yimao, they are connected together, which is called "same palace." When similar elements gather, there is inevitably competition and jealousy, so they have hatred before marriage. If the native's destiny and the wealth star are both strong, then marrying a husband will lead to a peaceful old age. "Destiny" refers to the native's day stem, and "wealth" refers to wealth. If both are strong and prosperous, they can bring honor to oneself and help the husband, so how can it not be peaceful in old age? Therefore, the prosperity, decline, nobility, and humility of a person all originate from this. One must necessarily seek a wise teacher, widely study, and personally receive true transmission. If the principles are wrong or the time is miscalculated, even the wise men of past generations cannot realize their own mistakes.

夫生日為主者，行君之令，法運四時，陰陽剛柔之情，內外否泰之道。以生日為主者，以所生之日干為主。譬之人臣也，行君之令者 即主行月令，提綱所起之運也，言君者，即本命年庚也。如本命甲子，年即是歲君。正月生，月令建丙寅。男命則運順行丁卯戊辰，故謂以日為主者，蓋以其為如人臣，主行歲君所建之月令，為命運也。法運四時者，法者，理也。運者，行運也。四時者，春夏秋冬也。子平之理，如運行寅卯辰，則屬春，行巳午未，則屬夏之類是也。

The method of divining a person's fate based on the day of birth is like a minister carrying out the orders of the sovereign. It follows the natural order through the four seasons, distinguishing the nature of yin and yang, and examining the principles of internal blockage and external smoothness. The phrase "taking the day of birth as the main factor" means taking the heavenly stem of the day of birth as the main element. It is like a minister: "carrying out the sovereign's orders" refers to following the monthly command, which is the great destiny determined by the stem and branch of the month. Here, the "sovereign" refers to the stem and branch of the year pillar of the birth. For example, if the birth stem and branch is Jiazi, then this year is called the "year sovereign." If one is born in the first lunar month, the monthly command is Bingyin; for a male, the big destiny will proceed in the order of Dingmao, Wuchen. Therefore, taking the day stem as the main factor is because the day stem is like a minister, responsible for carrying out the monthly command established by the year sovereign, thus determining one's fate. The phrase "the method of the four seasons" refers to "method" as the natural order, "movement" as the progression of destiny, and "four seasons" as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The principle of Zi Ping's method is that when the big destiny moves through寅,卯, and辰, it belongs to spring; when it moves through巳,午, and未, it belongs to summer, and so on in the same manner.

陰陽剛柔之情者，蓋甲丙戊庚壬為陽，乙丁己辛癸為陰，陽之性情則剛，陰之性情則柔也。內外否泰之道者，蓋十二支中所藏人元，謂之內，十干露出謂之外。否者塞也。泰者，通也。若八字中，天干陰陽，剛柔配合有情，地之提綱所藏人元用神或財或官或印，行生旺胎養運。則吉而向泰，行死墓絕運，則凶而向否。

"The sentiment of yin and yang and strength and flexibility" refers to the fact that Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, and Ren belong to yang, while Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, and Gui belong to yin; yang heavenly stems have a nature that is strong and vigorous, while yin heavenly stems have a nature that is gentle and compliant. "The way of internal and external blockage and smoothness" refers to the fact that the "person origin" hidden within the twelve earthly branches is called internal, while the ten heavenly stems that are revealed externally are called external; "blockage" means obstruction, and "smoothness" means通畅. If the combination of yin and yang and strength and flexibility in the heavenly stems in the birth chart is harmonious, and the person origin hidden in the monthly stem of the birth chart, which serves as the useful god—whether it is wealth, officialdom, or education—enters a period of growth, prosperity, fetal stage, or nurturing, then it will be auspicious and tend toward smoothness; conversely, if it enters a period of death, tomb, or decline, then it will be inauspicious and tend toward obstruction.

進退相傾。賦云：將來者進，成功者退，蓋春木夏火秋金冬水，與夫四季之土，其氣進也。或用之為財官，斯美矣。若春水土夏金秋木冬火，其氣休囚，謂之退矣。或用為財官，未善也。又用神行運值旺相則吉。行死絕休囚則凶。此進則彼退，彼進則此退，入此則出彼，出彼則入此，互相傾逐如此。

The Five Phases have a cycle of advancement and retreat, and they contend with each other. An old commentary says: the qi that is about to arrive is called "advance," and the qi that has already matured is called "retreat." The wood of spring, fire of summer, metal of autumn, and water of winter, as well as the earth of the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth months, are all in the phase of advancement. Using these as wealth or official positions is favorable. Conversely, water and earth in spring, metal in summer, wood in autumn, and fire in winter are in a state of weakness and confinement, called "retreat," and using them as wealth or official positions is not as good. Furthermore, when the useful god encounters a prosperous and strong phase, it is auspicious; but when it reaches death, extinction, or weakness, it is inauspicious. One phase advancing means the other retreats, and one phase advancing means the other retreats. This advancement and retreat alternate, with each phase entering and exiting in turn, and they contend with each other in this way.

動靜相伐。八字或甲日干，有辛字為官，又露庚字為煞，斯謂之動。動，擾動也，即庚逢丙擾之意。若有物以制其殺，或合其殺，而無丁字以傷其官，斯謂之靜。靜。安靜也。地支有沖刑破害，亦謂之動，否則靜也。行運亦有生剋制化，宜向宜背者，是即八字動靜相伐之謂也。舊說乾為天，能動不能靜。支為地，能靜不能動。甲乃天之首，子乃地之首，終於亥。甲傳與子。周流不息，循環十二支，一動一靜，一陰一陽，相代用之。

Heavenly stems and earthly branches are in constant interaction of movement and stillness. For example, if the day stem is Jia wood, and there is Xin metal in the heavenly stem as the official star, and also Geng metal appearing in the heavens as the seven killer, this is called 'movement'. Movement refers to disturbance, just as Geng metal is disturbed by Bing fire. If there is another element that controls the seven killer or harmonizes with it, and there is no Ding fire to harm the official star, this is called 'stillness', which means calmness. If there are conflicts, punishments, destruction, or harm in the earthly branches, it is considered movement; if there are none, it is stillness. The same applies to the big years, which also involve generation, control, restriction, and transformation, with some elements to be faced and others to be avoided. This is the meaning of the interaction between movement and stillness in the eight characters. The old saying holds that heavenly stems belong to heaven, thus they can move but not be still; earthly branches belong to earth, thus they can be still but not move. Jia is the first heavenly stem, and Zi is the first earthly branch. They continue in sequence up to Hai, and Jia passes to Zi, circulating endlessly through the twelve earthly branches. Movement and stillness, yin and yang, alternate in use.

取固享出入之緩急。固，滯塞也，亨，通達也。八字日主贏弱，四柱財官七殺乘旺，或印綬被傷財破，此等乃滯塞之造。日主健旺，而值財官印綬，無少傷克，或煞有制，此等乃通達之造。出者，脫也。入者，交也。運順行如出戌入亥，逆行如出亥入戌之類。或有值宜向之運，於早年而達之迅速者。亦有或值宜向之運，於晚年而達之遲緩者，至於固滯之運，亦有早暮不一，學者須識取之。

To determine whether a birth chart is obstructed or smooth, and how quickly or slowly the big years (dàyùn) bring change, "固" indicates obstruction, and "亨" indicates smoothness. If the day stem is weak, and the wealth, official star, or seven killers in the four pillars are all strong, or if the nourishing star is harmed or broken by wealth, such a birth chart is obstructed. If the day stem is strong and meets wealth, official star, or nourishing star without any harm or conflict, or if the seven killers are controlled, such a birth chart is smooth. "出" means leaving, and "入" means entering: when the big years proceed in the normal order, it is like leaving the戌 year and entering the亥 year; when they proceed in reverse, it is like leaving the亥 year and entering the戌 year. Some people encounter good years early in life and quickly achieve success, while others encounter the same good years but only achieve success later in life. As for obstructed years, they also vary in timing, and cannot be generalized. Scholars must distinguish clearly.

求濟復散斂之巨微。濟，功名之成也。復，功名反覆不就也。散，財之破也。斂，財之積也。功名之濟復，財帛之散斂，雖有大小多寡之不同，皆命運所主。若八字原有官，行官運則發官。原有財，行財運則發財，原有災，行災運則發災。學者須搜求之。雖然亦要識其地方山川風氣，平日所產人物可如，方得大小高下之理。古云生江南則為橘，生江北則為枳。正此之謂也。

One must also investigate the success or failure of official rank, the dispersal or accumulation of wealth, and the extent of these matters. "Ji" signifies the achievement of official rank, "Fu" indicates the reversal of official rank and failure, "San" represents the loss of wealth, and "Lian" denotes the accumulation of wealth. The success or failure of official rank and the dispersal or accumulation of wealth, although varying in degree, are all governed by destiny and fortune. If one's original八字 contains official stars, then traveling on an official path will bring official success; if one's original八字 contains wealth stars, then traveling on a wealth path will bring wealth. If one's original chart carries misfortune, then encountering misfortune will result in disaster. Scholars must carefully examine and seek these matters. Although this is the case, one must also understand the local mountains and rivers, the terrain, and the typical people of the region, in order to determine the size and level of the overall pattern. The ancients said that the same tree grows as a jujube in the south of the Yangtze River but becomes a citrus in the north, illustrating exactly this principle.

釋之曰：法有三要，以乾為天，以支為地。支中所藏者為人元，分四柱以年為根，月為苗，日為花，時為實。又釋：四柱之中，以年為祖上，則知世代宗派盛衰之理：月為父母，則知親蔭名利有無之類；以曰為己身，推其干，搜用八字，為內外生克取舍之源。干弱則求氣旺之藉，有餘以補不足之法。

The method of divining one's destiny has three key points: using the Heavenly Stems to represent heaven, the Earthly Branches to represent earth, and the hidden heavenly stems within the Earthly Branches called "ren yuan." The division of the four pillars is as follows: the year pillar represents the root, the month pillar represents the sprout, the day pillar represents the flower, and the hour pillar represents the fruit. It is also explained that among the four pillars, the year pillar represents ancestors, thus revealing the rise and fall of family lineage; the month pillar represents parents, thus indicating the blessings from parents and the presence or absence of fame and fortune; the day pillar represents oneself, and by examining the day stem, one thoroughly searches through the entire八字 to determine the overall source of internal and external generation, overcoming, and selection or rejection. If the day stem is weak, it needs strong energy to support it; if the day stem is excessive, it should be used to supplement the deficiency.

以年為根，月為苗，日為花，時為實者，看年月中，若有財官印綬，無少克破，是根苗先有氣也；而所生日時，又相合得宜，則花萼開而果實結也。經云：“根在苗先，實從花後”是也。以年為祖上，根基田宅，世代宦派之宮。蓋健刃劫煞伏年，祖基必微賤。若年月日合為富貴，或值祿馬印綬而無克破刑沖，則根基光華世代不衰也，反此則不然矣。

The concept of year as root, month as sprout, day as flower, and hour as fruit: if there are wealth, official positions, and official seals in the year and month pillars without any suppression or conflict, then the root and sprout have already gained life qi. Then, if the day and hour pillars are in harmony, the flower will bloom and the fruit will form. The classic text says, "the root comes before the sprout, and the fruit comes after the flower," which means exactly this. The year pillar represents ancestors, being the palace of family heritage, land and property, and the lineage of official status. If fierce spirits such as Yangren,劫财, and seven killers are hidden in the year pillar, the ancestral foundation is certainly weak. If the year, month, and day pillars form a prosperous and noble image, or if they meet the blessings of禄, 马, and official seals without any suppression, conflict, or punishment, then the foundation shines brightly and the family lineage does not decline. Conversely, it is not the case.

以生月為父母之宮，若月內有財官之星，旺相無沖破，又日干居生旺之地，然矣，以生月為父母之宮，若月內有財官之星，旺相無沖破，又日干居生旺之地，其人必承父母之福，居死絕之地。為人雖承父母之福，終不為久長親蔭也。

Using the birth month pillar as the parents' palace: if there are wealth stars and official stars within the month pillar, which are prosperous and strong without being冲破 (conflicted or broken), and the day stem is located in a position of birth and strength — meaning the text repeats itself here, but the meaning is as such — such a person is certainly able to inherit the blessings from their parents. Conversely, if the day stem is in a dead or exhausted position, although the person may still receive some residual blessings from their parents, it is not a long-lasting or reliable inheritance from close relatives.

以日為己身者，是生日天元，乃人之己身也。必須推詳，生日天元臨何宮之分，搜用八字，外而干上透露，有何為官殺印等，內而支中所藏，有何字為官殺印等，或去官留煞，或去煞留官，不亦日干為生克取舍之源乎。夫日干貴乎旺，若日干弱，則求資於印刃，以扶其弱，或運行身旺之地，亦美。若有餘，則欲謀乎官殺，以制其強，或運行財官之地亦喜。

The day pillar represents oneself, referring to the "heavenly element" of the birth day, which is the day stem. This is the person themselves. One must carefully examine: where is this day stem located in terms of palace and division, and then thoroughly search through the entire four pillars—what heavenly stems are revealed on the surface, which are officials, evils, or seals; and what heavenly stems are hidden within the earth branches, which are officials, evils, or seals. Then decide whether to remove the official and retain the seven evils, or remove the seven evils and retain the official. It is clear that the day stem is the overall source of generation and suppression. A strong day stem is considered valuable: if the day stem is weak, it seeks support from the seal or yangren; or if a major period brings about a strong day stem, it is considered favorable. If the day stem is too strong, it seeks control from officials or evils, or if a major period brings about wealth and officials, it is also considered favorable.

干同以為兄弟，如乙以甲為兄，忌庚重也。甲以乙為弟，畏辛重也。辛多則傷乙木，庚多則傷甲木，如此則兄弟有克。如甲日生以乙為弟，柱中有辛字多克乙木，不得姐妹之力也。乙日生人，以甲為兄，若四柱中有庚金重克甲木，則生平不得兄弟之力也，凡看兄弟有無，以此例推之。

When the Five Phases are the same as the Day Stem, they represent siblings. For example, if the Day Stem is Yi Wood, then Jia Wood is considered the elder brother, and it is unfavorable to have Geng Metal repeated, as Geng Metal will harm Jia Wood. If the Day Stem is Jia Wood, then Yi Wood is considered the younger brother, and it is feared to have Xin Metal repeated, as Xin Metal will harm Jia Wood. Thus, siblings will be harmed. For instance, if someone is born on a Jia Wood day, Yi Wood represents siblings, and if there is too much Xin Metal in the pillar, it will harm Yi Wood, thus preventing the siblings from providing support. Similarly, if someone is born on a Yi Wood day, Jia Wood represents the elder brother, and if there is too much Geng Metal in the pillar, it will harm Jia Wood, and the person will never receive support from the elder brother. In general, when determining whether siblings are present and whether they are helpful, this principle is applied.

干克以為妻財，財多干旺，則多稱意若干衰則財反禍矣。財多干旺者，力能任財則為福。干衰弱力不能任，則財反禍矣。賦云“財多身弱，正為富室貧人。”此之謂也。干與支同，損財傷妻。干與支同者，甲寅乙卯之類。又曰若地支同局之命，則損財傷妻。更月令氣旺，年時不見財官，又無格局，窮必徹骨矣。

The Five Phases that the Day Stem overcomes are wife and wealth. When there is an abundance of wealth and the Day Stem is strong, everything goes smoothly; but when the Day Stem is weak, wealth turns into misfortune. A person with abundant wealth and a strong Day Stem can bear the wealth, thus it brings fortune. However, if the Day Stem is weak and cannot bear the wealth, the wealth becomes a curse. An old text says, "When there is too much wealth but the body is weak, it is like living in the home of the rich but being a poor person," referring to this situation. When the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are of the same type, they damage wealth and harm the wife. This is referred to as the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch being the same, such as Jiayin and Yimao, where both the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch are wood. It is also said that if the Earthly Branches form a pattern of the same type as the Day Stem, it also damages wealth and harms the wife. If the month's energy is strong and the year and hour columns do not have wealth or official positions, and no pattern is formed, then the person will certainly be extremely poor.

男取克干為嗣，女取干生為子，存失皆然。以時分野，當推貧賤富貴之區也。假令甲乙生人，以庚辛為子息，女命甲乙生以丙丁為子息，更看時辰在何分野，輕重生旺，定其多少。若四柱有克子息之星，可言無子矣。假如六庚日午時生，乃子嗣多數。謂庚以乙為財，乙木去生火。火克庚金，為子之星，午時乃火之分野，丁火建祿之鄉，當有子多，生顯貴命矣。若生於戌亥子時，則是金水分野，火絕之地，則子息少矣，當生孤獨貧賤之子，不然僧道過房螟蛉之命矣。

For a male's destiny, the Five Phases that overcome the Day Stem are considered as children. For a female's destiny, the Five Phases that are generated by the Day Stem are considered as children. The existence or absence of children is determined by this principle. Then, according to the branch of the hour pillar, we can distinguish whether the children are poor or wealthy. For example, if the Day Stem is Jia or Yi wood, then the children are represented by Geng or Xin metal. For a female with a Day Stem of Jia or Yi wood, the children are represented by Bing or Ding fire. We also need to look at the branch of the hour pillar to determine whether the children are numerous or few. If there is a star in the four pillars that overcomes the children, it can be concluded that there are no children. For example, if someone is born on a Geng metal day and the hour is in the branch of Wu (fire), there will be many children. Geng metal takes Yi wood as wealth, Yi wood generates fire, and fire overcomes Geng metal, which is the child star for Geng. The hour of Wu is the territory of fire, and it is the place where Ding fire is strong, so there will be many children, and they will be prosperous and noble. If the hour is in Xu, Hai, or Zi, these are the territories of metal and water, and the place where fire is in decline, so the children will be few, and those born will often be lonely and poor, or they may become monks or Taoists, or be adopted by others or raised as foster children.

女取干生亦然。論子息多少，於生時內參詳，萬無一失。看生時在何宮分，若在長生沐浴冠帶臨官帝旺之鄉，定其多嗣，當生出美麗富貴之子，落在衰病死墓絕無氣胞胎沖刑之鄉，定主子少，當生孤若貧財之子。《理愚歌》云：“五行真假少人知，知時須是洩天機。”是也，俗以甲子乙丑海中金，即婁景之前，未知金在海中之論。

For a female's destiny, the heavenly stem of the day is considered as the god who produces children, and the principle is the same. To determine the number of children, one should examine the birth time. There is no mistake in this method. Look at the birth time and see which palace it falls into: if it falls into the palace of growth, bathing, capping, officialdom, or prosperity, there will certainly be many children, and they will be handsome and prosperous. If it falls into the palace of decline, illness, death, burial, or extinction, or into the palace of the womb or a place of conflict and punishment, there will certainly be few children, and the children born will be lonely and poor. The "Ri Yu Ge" says, "Very few people know the truth of the five elements, and if one speaks it out, it is revealing heavenly secrets," which exactly expresses this meaning. In the world, people call Jiazi and Yichou "sea gold," but in fact, before the Han dynasty scholar Lou Jing, there was no such thing as "gold in the sea."

《理愚歌》所云五行真假少人知，知時須是洩天機。五行真假者，納音是也。乃天地大衍數也，先布大衍四十九數在地，次將甲己子午九，乙庚丑未八，丙辛寅申七，丁壬卯酉六，戊癸辰戌五，己亥當屬四等數除之，除減不盡，又按五行數除之。餘者水一火二木三金四土五，相生取用，便是納音也。

The "Five Phases" mentioned in "Li Yu Ge" refer to the "Nayin" sound element. The origin of Nayin comes from the great derivation number of Heaven and Earth. First, the number forty-nine is laid out on the ground. Then, according to the numbers corresponding to each heavenly stem and earthly branch, the number is subtracted. Jia, Ji, Zi, and Wu are subtracted by nine; Yi, Geng, Chou, and Wei by eight; Bing, Xin, Yin, and Shen by seven; Ding, Ren, Mao, and You by six; Wu, Gui, Chen, and Xu by five; and Si and Hai by four. When subtraction can no longer proceed, the remaining number is divided according to the numbers of the Five Phases. One corresponds to water, two to fire, three to wood, four to metal, and five to earth. Then, according to the principle of mutual generation, the corresponding Nayin is determined.

相生者，餘一生木，餘二生土，餘三生火，餘四生水，餘五生金，且如甲子乙丑四個字，干支共除了三十四數，外有十五數，以二五除了一十，餘數得五，屬土，土能生金，是甲子乙丑金也，又如丙寅丁卯四個字，干支共除了二十六數，外有二十三數，以四五除了二十，餘剩得三屬木，木能生火，是丙寅丁卯火也。餘者依此。

The concept of mutual generation in determining the use of heavenly stems and earthly branches is as follows: if the remainder is one, it generates wood; if two, it generates earth; if three, it generates fire; if four, it generates water; if five, it generates metal. For example, the four characters Jiazi and Yichou, when their numerical values are subtracted by thirty-four, leave fifteen. Dividing fifteen by five, we remove two fives (totaling ten), leaving a remainder of five, which belongs to earth. Earth generates metal, so Jiazi and Yichou are considered metal. Similarly, for the four characters Bingyin and Dingmao, their numerical values subtracted by twenty-six leave twenty-three. Dividing twenty-three by five, we remove four fives (totaling twenty), leaving a remainder of three, which belongs to wood. Wood generates fire, so Bingyin and Dingmao are considered fire. The rest can be determined in the same way.

豈得有金在海中，火在爐中之說，世有不肖之術，未遇明師道聽途說，錯論古道，迷誤後人，焉能中理。故將甲子乙丑金喻，子丑近北方坎水之地，為海中金。丙寅丁卯火，喻寅卯，近東方生火之地，如爐火之說。自婁景先生以前，並無金在海中火在爐中。子平之法不用胎元小運納音，專以生日天元為主，配合八字干支，並支中所藏人元，或當生為財為官，為禍為福。依此參詳人命，貴賤得失榮枯賢愚可知矣。

Where is there really any truth in the idea that gold is in the sea or fire in the furnace? Some unskilled diviners, who have not met a wise master, have heard things from others and have misinterpreted ancient methods, misleading future generations. How could such ideas be reasonable? The reason we call the Jiazi and Yichou years "sea gold" is because the branches Zi and Chou are near the northern Kan water region. Similarly, the reason we call Bingyin and Dingmao years "furnace fire" is because the branches Yin and Mao are near the eastern region where fire is born, hence the metaphor of furnace fire. Before Lou Jing, there was no such term as "gold in the sea" or "fire in the furnace." The method of Zi Ping does not use the concept of the fetal year, minor years, or Nayin sound elements. Instead, it focuses on the heavenly stem of the day of birth, combining it with the heavenly stems and earthly branches of the entire birth chart, as well as the hidden heavenly stems in the earthly branches, to determine whether they are wealth, official rank, fortune or misfortune at the time of birth. By examining this way, one can determine a person's status, gains and losses, prosperity and decline, and wisdom or foolishness.

或以年為主，則可知萬億富貴相同者。以甲子年生，便為本命忌日之戒。世之談三命者，皆以古法，往往多以年為主，則可知萬億用胎元小運納音為論，似水之渙漫，而無所歸矣，富貴有相同者謬矣。故子平之法，專以生日天元為主，日下支辰為妻宮，生年為本命根基，又為祖上田宅之宮。如甲子生，便為本命太歲之尊神，忌生日支干與太歲沖並戰鬥克害，名為主本不和。則人生來不靠祖業田宅，暌敗宗親，應難倚依。若生月時中，與本命干支會合入局，或遇財官貴氣，則生平當有祖宗田宅，茲其豐厚，聲譽之美也。

If the year pillar is still taken as the main factor, it would lead to a ridiculous conclusion that all people born in the same year would have exactly the same fortune—everyone born in the Jiazi year would have to avoid the same day as their destiny. People who talk about the three lifetimes often follow the old methods, taking the year pillar as the main factor, and then use the fetal origin, small years, and the Nayin sound element to make arguments, like water flowing aimlessly, leading to the conclusion that all people born in the same year would have the same fortune, which is indeed absurd. Therefore, the method of Zi Ping focuses mainly on the heavenly stem of the day pillar. The earthy branch under the day pillar represents the wife's palace, the birth year represents the root of the destiny, and also the palace of the ancestors' fields and houses. For example, if someone is born in the Jiazi year, Jiazi is the supreme deity of their destiny. They should most avoid the conflict, repetition, or mutual destruction between the heavenly stem and earthly branch of their birth day and the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the Jiazi year, which is called "the main destiny does not harmonize with the supreme deity." Such a person would be unable to rely on the family's inheritance and fields, would be estranged from relatives, and would find it hard to rely on anyone. If during the birth month or birth hour, the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the destiny can form a harmonious combination, or if they encounter wealth, official positions, and noble energies, then throughout their life they would have the fields and houses left by their ancestors, a prosperous family business, and a good reputation.

以月為兄弟，如火命生酉戌亥子月，言兄弟不得力之斷。月為兄弟之宮，如男取比和同干，便為兄弟之星，且如六丙日生人，以丁火為弟妹，六丁日生人，以丙火為兄姐，若臨酉戌亥子月，言兄弟不得力之論。謂酉月火死，戌月火之墓，亥月火絕氣，子月火懷胎，故言兄弟不得力之斷。其餘依此，萬無一失。

The month pillar represents brothers. For example, if a person with a fire destiny is born in the months of You, Xu, Hai, or Zi, it is said that brothers are not helpful. The month pillar is the brother's palace. For a male's birth chart, the brother's star is determined by the five elements similar to the day stem. For instance, a person born on a Bing day stem uses Ding fire as a younger sibling, and a person born on a Ding day stem uses Bing fire as an older sibling. If born in the months of You, Xu, Hai, or Zi, it is said that brothers are not helpful. This is because You month is the dead place for fire, Xu month is the storage place for fire, Hai month has fire completely extinguished, and Zi month has fire still in the womb. Therefore, brothers are not helpful. The same reasoning applies to other destinies, and it is infallible.

或日為妻，如在空刑剋殺之地，言克妻妾之斷。論妻妾者，以生日支辰，為妻妾之星。無所克之物為上，若在空刑剋害之地，則克妻妾，不然重婚再娶。或時為子息，臨死絕之鄉，言子少之斷。論子息多少者，當以生時為子息宮。男取克干為子息星，女取干生為子息星。若臨死墓胎絕衰病之地，子息甚少。

The day pillar represents the wife: if the day branch falls in Kongwang, or in a position of punishment and clash, or is attacked and destroyed, it is interpreted as being harmful to the wife and concubine. When discussing the wife and concubine, one should take the earthly branch of the birth day as the star representing the wife and concubine; it is best if nothing comes to attack it. If it falls in Kongwang or in a position of punishment and harm, then the wife and concubine will be harmed, otherwise there may be a need for remarriage. The hour pillar represents children: if the hour pillar falls in a dead or exhausted position, it is interpreted as having few children. When discussing the number of children, one should take the earthly branch of the birth hour as the children's palace. For a male's fortune, the five elements that overcome the day stem represent the children's star; for a female's fortune, the five elements generated by the day stem represent the children's star. If this star falls in dead, tomb, fetal, exhausted, declining, or sickly positions, then the number of children will be very few.

如男命六乙日申時生，當有子息多。乙木以庚金為子生子息。申時乃金之分野，庚金建祿之鄉，故言子多者也，若生子丑寅卯辰巳午時，為子息極少之斷，謂居墓死絕胎克害受制之鄉。或四柱之中有刑破克害損子，時中定是晚年少子嗣，不然遲矣。縱有亦須僧道過房，貧賤夭折，螟蛉出祖之輩也。

For example, a man with a Yi wood day stem born in the Shen hour should have many children. Yi wood takes Geng metal as its controlling force, which is its child star. The Shen hour is the domain of metal and also the land of Geng metal's official position, so it is said that there will be many children. However, if he is born in the Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, or Wu hours, he will have few children, because the child star falls into the墓 (grave), 死 (death), 绝 (decline), 胎 (pregnancy), or is harmed, restrained, or defeated. If there are also conflicts, destruction, control, or harm in the four pillars that damage the child star, and the time pillar is also like this, then he will certainly have few children in his later years, or he will have children very late. Even if he has children, they are mostly monks or Taoists, adopted by others, poor and short-lived, or raised as foster children, or born outside the family line.

論命皆非人之可為，造物陰陽之所致。後世術士，不知斯理，而僭亂於俗，故不可言傳，當考幽微之妙矣。前篇論生年，為祖上父母，世代宗派盛衰之宮，切忌四柱中有刑沖破害之物。傷於生年，應主祖宗暌敗，根基雖有，親蔭無倚也。以生月為兄弟之宮，若比和者，兄弟之星也。若臨死絕墓胎之月，言兄弟不得力也。以日辰為妻妾宮，若臨空刑剋害之地。言克妻妾也。以時為子息之星，子星若臨絕死墓之鄉，言子息少之斷。

The results of divination cannot be arranged by human effort; they are entirely determined by the changes of yin and yang. Later generations of diviners do not understand this principle, and they recklessly alter and disturb the world, so this discipline cannot rely solely on oral transmission. One must personally investigate its profound and subtle aspects. In the previous passage, it was explained that the birth year represents the palace of ancestors and parents, and it is most忌 to have the four pillars containing elements of punishment, clash, destruction, and harm that damage the year pillar. If the year pillar is harmed, it indicates the separation and decline of ancestors, although the foundation remains, there is no support from the parents' blessings. The birth month represents the palace of brothers; if the month pillar is of the same type as the day stem, it is considered the brother star. If the month pillar falls in the month of death,绝,墓, or胎, it indicates that brothers are not helpful. The day branch represents the palace of wife and concubine; if it falls in the position of kongwang, punishment, clash, or harm, it indicates that the wife and concubine will be harmed. The time pillar represents the palace of children; if the child star falls in the position of death,绝, or墓, it indicates a scarcity of children.