The Five Phases Fundamental Principles and Their Transmission and Transformation Treatise

白虎通道，庚加丁臨。太陰得路，辛歸丙舍。庚辛金為白虎，加之丁火克庚金，得配陰陽之道，以柔而濟剛，無相害也。辛為太陰，遇丙且合而歸之，是為正義。壬憐己兮，遠泛洪波。壬為江海之水，己為平地之土。壬水至於陰土之上，則成洪波遠泛，無以止之，須得陽土止之，遂塞其流矣。

The White Tiger deity's path is unobstructed when the metal of Geng is combined with the fire of Ding; the deity of Taiyin finds a way out when the metal of Xin joins the dwelling of the fire of Bing. Geng and Xin, both metals, belong to the White Tiger among the four directions deities. Adding the fire of Ding to overcome Geng metal is in accordance with the principle of yin and yang complementing each other, with softness balancing strength, and neither harming the other. Xin, belonging to Taiyin, meets Bing fire and harmonizes with it, forming a proper and natural union. The water of Ren feels compassion for the earth of Ji, yet it overflows into distant floods. Ren is the water of rivers and seas, while Ji is the earth of flat land. When the water of Ren flows over the soft earth of Ji, it causes widespread flooding. Ji earth cannot contain it, so it must be replaced by the strong earth of Wu to block the flow and stop the flood.

癸喜戊兮，澄瀾漂渺。癸與戊合，得其正義。且癸為水，得合陽土，本無波濤之泛，故曰癸喜戊兮，云云。陽遇陰而化合，陰得陽而成器。此言從化，陰陽相得之義。又有甲己相逢，化土為福，則夫婦遐昌。甲己以成合矣，甲屬木，己屬土，甲以從己，以化土為財。猶人以身從妻之財，可以為福，得全夫婦之道，得申子辰可也。

Gui water likes Wu earth, for the water is clear and the waves are distant. Gui and Wu combine, which is a proper and harmonious pairing. Gui is originally water, which can harmonize with the yang earth, and thus does not suffer from the danger of turbulent waves. Therefore, it is said that "Gui likes Wu." A yang dry branch meets a yin dry branch and they combine; a yin dry branch meets a yang dry branch and they become refined. This refers to transformation, which is the principle of yin and yang mutually benefiting each other. For example, Jia and Ji meeting can transform into earth, which brings fortune, and thus the couple can have a long and prosperous relationship. Since Jia and Ji have already formed a combination: Jia belongs to wood, Ji belongs to earth, Jia submits to Ji and transforms into earth, which is Jia's wealth. Just as a person relying on his wife's family's wealth can bring fortune and also preserve the relationship between husband and wife; if the branches are supported by combinations such as Shen-Zi-Chen, it is also favorable.

乙庚和合，成金得位，則東西類化。乙庚化金，要在巳酉丑十一月可也。丙辛化水，智顯則必主文章。丙與辛合，從金之義，金則生水，辛亦化為水矣。是謂金水相生，反歸本質矣。丁壬為木，聰明則近善多仁。壬水生木，則從而化之，法以正二月間可化。木主仁，故好仁。戊癸得化，祿位崇高。二者相逢，三才可立。戊土賴火生，從火而化之，是歸本質，此皆生生不絕，化化無窮之義。

Yi combines with Geng and forms metal, each attaining its proper position. The wood of the East and the metal of the West become similar and transform into each other. Yi and Geng transforming into metal requires that this transformation occur in the years of Si, You, Xu, or in the eleventh month, when metal and water are present. Bing combines with Xin to form water, indicating wisdom and talent for writing. Bing and Xin naturally combine, which implies obedience to metal; since metal can generate water, Xin then transforms into water, which is called metal generating water, returning to its original nature. Ding combines with Ren to form wood, indicating a person who is intelligent and close to goodness, with much compassion. Since water naturally generates wood, it follows and transforms into wood; according to the rules, this transformation is successful in the first and second months. Wood represents 'benevolence', so such people are inclined towards benevolence. Wu combines with Gui to form a harmonious relationship, with high status; when these two meet, the three realms of heaven, earth, and humanity are established. Wu earth relies on fire to generate, follows fire and transforms, returning to its original nature. All these are examples of continuous generation and endless transformation.

陰遇陽而化官，到旺方官崇位顯。一陰一陽而成配，乃有化道，化得真者，則為貴論。陽得陰而成配，臨有氣財旺妻賢。陽，男也。陰，女也。故以陰陽相合，為之夫婦，若有生氣，主財旺且妻賢，若遇休囚死絕，主散財而傷妻。

When a yin stem meets a yang stem, they form an official star, and if this occurs in a prosperous location, it indicates a high official position. One yin and one yang stem form a pair, which allows for the possibility of combination; if the combination is genuine, it is considered as a noble destiny. When a yang stem meets a yin stem to form a spouse, and this occurs in a location with vitality, it indicates wealth and a virtuous wife. Yang represents a man, and yin represents a woman, so the combination of yin and yang forms a marital relationship. If this pair falls in a place with life qi, it signifies wealth and a capable wife; if it falls in a place of decline, stagnation, death, or critical weakness, it indicates financial loss and harm to the wife.

是以平生不足，甲為壬傷。處世多屯，乙因癸克。甲木賴壬以生，且壬為陽水，故有浮泛之性，甲木無根，恐有飄流之失，故曰平生不足。乙乃陰木，癸乃陰水，但以根莖之資，豈成大林之茂，故曰處世多屯。

Therefore, throughout one's life there is always some deficiency, because the Jia wood is harmed by the Ren water; in dealing with the world, there are often difficulties, because the Yi wood is overcome by the Gui water. The Jia wood originally relies on the Ren water to nourish it, but Ren is yang water, which tends to overflow; if the Jia wood has no root, it fears being displaced and losing its place, hence the saying of a lifetime of insufficiency. The Yi wood is yin wood, and the Gui water is yin water, which can only provide a little nourishment to the roots and stems, how could it lead to the flourishing of a vast forest? Hence, the saying that dealing with the world is often full of difficulties.

陽自敗兮，丙為甲傷。陰不明兮，丁緣乙制。丙火賴甲木生之，以為光明。尚甲之受制於庚，則不能生木之火。且丁賴乙生，因乙受制不能助丁之力也。上之陵下兮，戊遭丙食，卑恐欺尊兮，己傷丁炎。此言倒食之理也。

Yang fire naturally declines, indicating that Bing fire is harmed due to Jia wood being injured, thus suffering in turn; Yin fire cannot shine brightly because Ding fire is deprived of nourishment due to Yi wood being restrained. Bing fire relies on Jia wood to generate its light, but if Jia wood is first subdued by Geng metal, fire cannot be produced. Similarly, Ding fire depends on Yi wood for its vitality, and if Yi wood is restrained, it lacks the strength to support Ding fire. The superior oppressing the inferior refers to Wu earth being consumed by Bing fire through reverse eating; the inferior offending the superior refers to Ji earth injuring Ding fire's intensity. This passage explains the principle of 'reverse eating'.

陽庚嘹唳兮，戊土晦之。辛祿卑薄兮，己陰破之。此言庚辛之質，因戊己多而掩美質，不能顯達也。失之於智，皆因庚禍於壬。喪之於權。每遇辛傷於癸。此言壬癸之水，又因庚辛所擾。猶人之母多，撫其一子，反為害。故有智有權，皆失喪也，不得自專。

Heavenly Stem Geng (metal) is naturally capable of producing a clear and resonant sound, but it is obscured by the presence of Heavenly Stem Wu (earth). Heavenly Stem Xin (metal) has inherently weak fortune, and it is further weakened by the subtle and moist earth of Heavenly Stem Ji. This describes how the refined qualities of Geng and Xin metals are hidden and unable to flourish due to an excess of Wu and Ji earth. The loss of wisdom is because Geng metal brings misfortune to Ren water; the loss of authority often results from Xin metal harming Gui water. This refers to how Ren and Gui waters are disturbed by Geng and Xin metals. It is like a person having too many mothers, with many people raising a single child, which ends up causing harm. Therefore, the inherent wisdom and authority are lost, and the person is unable to take control.

甲乙常欣戊己，乃為身內之財，丙丁尤喜庚辛，實是生成之福。甲乙以戊己為財。丙丁以庚辛為財，乃生成正理，故安享之。勾陳得位，戊歸壬鄉。陰土逢財，己加癸位。勾陳，戊己土也，以辰戌丑未而得地。陰土，己土也。癸，陰水也。己以癸為財也。

Jia and Yi wood usually like to see Wu and Ji earth, which is their own proper wealth; Bing and Ding fire especially like Geng and Xin metal, which is truly heaven-sent fortune. Jia and Yi take Wu and Ji earth as wealth, Bing and Ding take Geng and Xin metal as wealth, this is the natural order of generation, so they can calmly enjoy it. The deity Gou Chen is in position, meaning Wu earth returns to the land of Ren water; Yin earth meets wealth, meaning Ji earth is placed upon the position of Gui water. Gou Chen refers to Wu and Ji earth, which are established in the positions of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei. Yin earth refers to Ji earth, Gui is Yin water, Ji earth properly takes Gui water as wealth.

庚辛寅卯自然而福壽。寅卯木旺之鄉，庚辛以甲乙木為財，得自然之福壽。壬癸丙丁喜樂以無虞。壬癸水以丙丁火為財，亦得其自然之用，何其有不虞之患？當知我害彼吉，彼害我凶。以直而言之，消詳為可矣。

Geng and Xin metal reach Yin and Mao, naturally enjoying happiness and a long life. Yin and Mao are the strong wood areas. Geng and Xin use Jia and Yi wood as wealth, so they naturally gain happiness and longevity. Ren and Gui water meet Bing and Ding fire, bringing joy and contentment without worry. Ren and Gui water use Bing and Ding fire as wealth, which is naturally appropriate, so how could there be unexpected troubles? In summary, one must understand: when I go to overcome the other, it is auspicious; when the other overcomes me, it is inauspicious. To put it plainly, it is like this. The details, however, require careful consideration by oneself.

榮枯得失，盡在生克之中。富貴榮華，不越中和之外。太過無制伏者貧賤，不及失生扶者刑夭。蓋夫木盛逢金。高作棟樑之具。水多遇土，修防堤岸之功。火煉堅金，鑄出鋒刃之器。木疏土旺，培成稼穡之禾。火炎有水，名為既濟之功。水淺金多，號曰體全之象，削之剝之為奇，生我扶我為忌。

A person's success and failure, gain and loss, are all determined by the interactions of the Five Phases. Wealth and honor do not go beyond the concept of "zhonghe" (balance and harmony). If something is excessive and not restrained, it leads to poverty and low status. If something is insufficient and lacks support, it causes harm and early death. For example, if wood is strong and meets metal, it can be shaped into a tall beam. If water is excessive and meets earth, it can be used to build dikes. If fire refines hard metal, it can forge sharp blades. If wood loosens excessive earth, it can cultivate mature crops. If fire is too hot and meets water, it is called "ji ji" (a state of balance). If water is shallow and metal is abundant, it is called "ti quan" (a complete form). In summary, what cuts or strips me is considered favorable; whereas continuous support and nourishment is actually something to be cautious of.

丙丁生於冬月，貴於戊己當頭；庚辛出於夏間，妙乎壬癸得所。甲乙秋生妙玄武，庚辛夏長貴勾陳。丁卯水多憎北地，逢己反作貴推。庚寅火盛怕東南，遇戊翻為榮斷。秋生甲乙透丙丁，莫作傷看。夏榮戊己露庚辛，當為貴論。火值水多，貴逢木運。土逢木旺，榮入火鄉。庚逢子重水金寒，最宜炎照。戊遇酉多金脫局，偏愛熒煌。

Jia and Yi wood born in autumn are beneficial if there is Black Tortoise water to transform metal and generate wood. Geng and Xin metal born in summer are valuable if there is Gou Chen earth to reduce fire and generate metal. Dingmao destiny with excessive water dislikes the north, but if met with Ji earth, it becomes prosperous. Gengyin destiny with excessive fire dislikes the southeast, but if met with Wu earth, it becomes distinguished. Wood born in autumn that reveals Bing and Ding is not considered as a harmful official, but as a climate regulator. Earth born in summer that reveals Geng and Xin is considered valuable, as it is a refined official. Fire destiny with excessive water is valuable if it goes through wood destiny to connect. Earth destiny with excessive wood is prosperous if it goes through fire destiny to transform the harmful. Geng metal meeting Zi water repeatedly results in cold water and cold metal, which is most suitable with blazing fire to warm. Wu earth meeting You metal excessively with metal already out of its domain prefers bright fire to nourish.

金生秋月土重重，貧無寸鐵。火長夏天金疊疊，富有千鍾。甲乙夏榮土氣厚，功名半許足田莊。丙丁冬旺水源清，爵祿雙全榮錦繡。壬趨艮，甲趨乾，清名之士。辛朝陽，乙鼠貴，文學之官。破局以貧而斷，入格以貴而推。後學君子，毋忽於斯。

When gold is born in the autumn month and earth is thick and layered, it ends up poor with no trace of metal—because too much earth buries the gold. When fire is strong in summer and metal is thick and layered, it results in great wealth—because strong fire can melt metal into wealth. When jia and yi wood are vigorous in summer and the earth is thick and solid, they can only achieve half of their official rank but have enough land. When bing and ding fire are strong in winter and the water is clear, they achieve both rank and salary, and enjoy great prosperity. When ren water tends toward the geng direction of yin and jia wood tends toward the qian direction of hai, they are known for their purity and virtue. When xin metal has the morning sun pattern and yi wood has the rat's honor pattern, they are officials skilled in literature. Those whose patterns are broken should be judged as poor, while those who fit the pattern should be considered prosperous. Later scholars should not neglect these principles.

參天地之奧妙，測造化之幽微。判人生之貴賤，取法則於干支。決生死之吉凶，推得失之玄妙。日乃己身，須究強弱。年為本主，宜細推詳。年干父兮支母，日干己兮支妻。月干兄兮支弟，時支女兮干兒。後煞克年，父母早喪。前煞克後，子息必虧。馬入妻宮，必得能家之婦。煞臨子位，當招悖逆之兒。祿入妻宮，食妻之祿。印臨子位，受子之榮。梟居年位，破祖之基。財宮月旺，得父資財。所忌財傷祿薄，最嫌鬼旺身衰，原其克彼為財，生我為印。食神暗見，人物豐肥。梟印重生，祖產飄蕩。

To explore the profound mysteries of heaven and earth, and to measure the hidden workings of creation; to determine the fortune and misfortune of human life, we rely on the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches; to decide the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of birth and death, we seek the hidden mechanisms of gain and loss. The Day Stem represents oneself and must be carefully examined for its strength; the Year Column is the master of one's destiny and should be thoroughly analyzed. The Year Stem represents the father, and the Year Branch represents the mother; the Day Stem is oneself, and the Day Branch is the wife; the Month Stem is the elder brother, and the Month Branch is the younger brother; the Hour Branch is the daughter, and the Hour Stem is the son. If the Seven Killers (Seven Wounds) come from behind and attack the Year Column, the parents will die young; if the Seven Killers attack the Hour Column from the front, the children will suffer loss. If the Post-horse (驿马) enters the wife's house, one will certainly marry a capable wife; if the Seven Killers are in the position of the children, one will have rebellious sons. If the Wealth (禄) enters the wife's house, one will live by the wife's wealth; if the Seal (印) is in the position of the children, one will gain honor from the son. If theOwl Spirit (Carrion Spirit) is in the Year Column, it will destroy the family's foundation; if the Wealth House is strong in the Month Column, one can inherit the father's wealth. What is to be avoided is the damage to Wealth and the thinness of禄. What is most detested is the strength of the Ghost (鬼) and the weakness of the self (身). In summary: what I overcome is Wealth, and what nourishes me is the Seal. If the Food God (食神) is hidden in the Branch, the person will be plump and well-fed; if the枭印 (Carrion Seal) is heavily present and mutually generated, the ancestral property will be lost.

財生官，官生印，印生身，富貴雙全。傷黨財，財黨殺，殺攻身，凶窮兩逼。馬落空亡，遷居飄泊。祿遭沖破，別土離鄉。富貴生身，化凶煞而名垂萬古。貴宜乎多，祿宜乎少。絕慮忘思，無差無誤。

Wealth generates official position, official position generates the seal, and the seal regenerates the self; this continuous cycle of mutual generation leads to both wealth and honor. Conversely, if the injurious official assists wealth, wealth assists the seven killers, and the seven killers attack the day master, then danger and poverty will come from both sides. If the post-horse falls into kongwang, one will have to move from place to place all one's life; if the lu spirit is attacked and broken, one has to leave home and go elsewhere. If the heavenly gods of wealth and honor in the destiny can generate and support the day master, even evil stars can be transformed into useful ones, and one's reputation can be passed down through the ages. More noblemen are favorable, while fewer lu spirits are better. If these principles are thoroughly understood and no longer need to be thought about, then predictions will not be wrong.

官印財食。無破清高。煞傷梟刃。用之最吉。善惡相交。喜去惡而崇善。吉凶混雜。忌害吉而向凶。有官有煞。宜身旺制煞為奇。有煞有印。畏財興助煞為禍。身強煞淺。煞運無妨。煞重身輕。制鄉為福。身旺印多。喜行財地。財多身弱。畏入財鄉。男逢比劫傷官。克妻害子。女犯傷官偏印。喪子刑夫。幼失雙親。財星太重。為人孤克。身旺無依。

The four auspicious deities, official star, true seal, true wealth, and food god, appear refined and noble when they are not damaged. The four malevolent deities, seven killers, injurious star, hawk deity, and yangren, can be beneficial if properly guided and used. When good and evil deities are mixed, the evil ones should be removed and the good ones elevated. When auspicious and inauspicious elements are mixed, it is undesirable to harm the auspicious ones and favor the inauspicious ones. When the official star and seven killer star appear together in a chart, it is favorable if the day's main element is strong and can control the seven killer star. When the seven killer star and true seal appear together, it is feared that the wealth star will assist the seven killer star and cause misfortune. If the main element is strong and the seven killer star is weak, traveling on a seven killer star path is not harmful. If the seven killer star is strong and the main element is weak, traveling on a path that controls the seven killer star brings fortune. If the main element is strong and the true seal is abundant, it is favorable to travel on a wealth path to break the seal. If wealth is abundant and the main element is weak, it is feared to travel on another wealth path. For a male's chart, encountering a similar element,劫财, and injurious star can harm his wife and children. For a female's chart, encountering injurious star and biased seal can lead to loss of children and harm to her husband. Losing both parents in childhood is often due to excessive wealth star that harms the seal. Being lonely and experiencing conflicts is often due to a strong main element without proper support.

年沖月令。離祖成家。日被提沖。絃斷再續。時日對沖。傷妻克子。日通月氣。得祖安身。是以木歸春長。遇庚辛反假為權。火居夏生。見壬癸能為福厚。土逢辰戌丑未。木重成名。金生申酉巳丑。火鄉發福。水居亥子。戊己難侵。身坐休囚。平生未濟。身旺者喜行祿馬。身弱者忌見財官。得時俱為旺論 。失令更作衰看。四柱無根。得時為旺。日干無氣。遇劫為強。身弱喜印。主旺宜官。

The year pillar conflicts with the month pillar, indicating the need to leave the ancestral home and establish one's own family. The day pillar is conflicted by the month pillar, suggesting that marriage will be broken and require renewal. The hour pillar conflicts directly with the day pillar, which may harm the wife and children. The day stem connects with the month pillar's energy, enabling the person to inherit the family's legacy and establish a stable life. Therefore, if wood grows in spring and meets the metal of Geng and Xin, it transforms false officials and killers into real authority. If fire is born in summer and meets the water of Ren and Gui, it can lead to great blessings. If earth meets the four earthy branches of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and is supported by many woods, it can bring fame. If metal is born in the strong metal months of Shen, You, Si, and Chou, it needs to go through fire to achieve prosperity. If water is in the strong water months of Hai and Zi, the earth of Wu and Ji cannot harm it. If the day stem is in a weak and confined position, the person will have a difficult life. Those with strong roots prefer to go through the lucky and horse years, while those with weak roots should avoid wealth and official positions. Those who are in season are considered strong, while those out of season are considered weak. Even if the four pillars have no roots, if they are in season, they are considered strong. Even if the day stem has no strength, if it is supported by the劫财, it is considered strong. Those with weak roots prefer the nourishing elements, while those with strong roots benefit from the official stars.

甲乙秋生金透露。水木火運榮昌。丙丁冬降水汪洋。火土木方貴顯。戊己春生。西南方有救。庚辛夏長。水土運無妨。壬癸逢於土旺。金木宜榮。身弱有印。煞旺無傷。忌行財地。傷官傷盡。行官運以無妨。傷官用印宜去財。傷官用財宜去印。傷官財印俱彰。將何發福。身旺者用財。身弱者用印。用財去印。用印去財。方發其福。正所謂喜者存之。憎者去也。

Jia and Yi wood, born in autumn with metal appearing in the heavenly stem, will flourish with the fortune of water, wood, and fire. Bing and Ding fire, born in winter with abundant water, will achieve prominence with the fortune of fire, earth, and wood. Wu and Ji earth, born in spring when wood is strong, will find relief with the fortune of southwest metal and earth. Geng and Xin metal, born in summer when fire is strong, will be unharmed by water to control fire or earth to generate metal. Ren and Gui water, encountering strong earth, should go to metal land to transform earth into water or wood land to loosen earth, thus achieving prosperity. If the body is weak but has a minister (earth), even a strong seven killer (water) will not harm the body, but it is only dangerous to go to wealth (metal) land that destroys the minister. If the official (water) is completely destroyed, it is actually acceptable to go on an official career without harm. If the official takes the minister (earth) as its use, then the wealth (metal) should be removed; if the official takes the wealth (metal) as its use, then the minister (earth) should be removed. If official, wealth, and minister are all clearly present, how can fortune arise? The answer is: if the body is strong, take wealth; if the body is weak, take the minister. If taking wealth, remove the minister; if taking the minister, remove the wealth. Only then can fortune be realized. This is precisely the principle of keeping what is liked and removing what is disliked.

財多身弱。身旺運以為榮。身旺財衰。財旺鄉而發福。重犯官星。只宜制伏。食神疊至。須忌官鄉。頑金無火。大用不成。強木無金。清名難著。木多得土財帛厚。火焰逢波祿位高。有官有印。無破為榮。無印無官。有格取貴。羊刃極喜偏官。金神最宜制伏。雜氣財官。刑沖則發。官貴太盛。旺處必傾。身太旺喜見財官。主太柔不宜祿馬。旺官旺印與旺財。入墓有禍。傷官食神並身旺。遇庫興災。

When there is an abundance of wealth but the self is weak, one needs to go through a period of strong self to achieve success; when the self is strong but wealth is lacking, one needs to go through a place where wealth is abundant to gain prosperity. If the official star appears repeatedly, it is suitable to use food and injury stars to control it; if food stars appear repeatedly, one should avoid going through official star territories. Unyielding metal without fire to temper it cannot become great; strong wood without metal to cut it cannot achieve clear fame. When there is an abundance of wood and it meets earth, wealth will be abundant; when fire meets water waves, official position will be high. Having official and seal stars without damage is considered glorious; even without seal and official stars, if another pattern is formed, it can also lead to high status. The Yangren (sheep blade) prefers a biased official star to match, and the metal god pattern is most suitable with east and west elements to control it. For wealth and official stars hidden in the mixed earth of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, they need to be opened by punishment and clash before they can be effective. When official and noble stars are too strong, their peak will inevitably lead to downfall. When the day's main element is too strong, it prefers to meet wealth and official stars; when the day's main element is too weak, it is not suitable to meet禄 and horse. When official, seal, and wealth stars are all strong, entering the storage will bring disaster; when injury stars, food stars, and the self are all strong, encountering the storage will also cause calamity.

運貴在於支取。歲重向乎干求。印多者行財而發。財旺者遇比無妨。格清局正。富貴榮華。印旺官明。聲名特達。合官非為貴取。合煞莫作凶推。桃花帶煞喜淫奔。華蓋重逢多剋剝。平生不發。八字休囚。一世無權。身衰遇鬼。身旺則宜洩宜傷。身衰則喜扶喜助。務稟中和之氣。莫令太過不及。若遵此法推詳。禍福驗如影響。

When examining a person's destiny through their large years (big destiny), the key lies in the earthly branches; when looking at the annual years, the key is in the heavenly stems. Those with many印 (nurturing) elements will only achieve success when they encounter wealth. Those who already have strong wealth will not be harmed even if they meet a fellow element. Those with a clear and proper destiny pattern will naturally attain wealth, honor, and prosperity. Those with strong印 and clear official stars will have exceptional fame and recognition. If the official star is combined, it should not be considered as a sign of nobility. If the seven killers (seven evil stars) are combined, they should not be regarded as harmful. If there isTaohua (flower) along with seven killers, it is easy to lead to immoral behavior. If there are multiple Huagai stars, there is often suffering and loss. If a person never rises in fortune, it is because their八字 (birth chart) is weak and confined. If a person never holds power, it is because their body is weak and they are attacked by harmful elements. If the body is strong, it should be released or injured; if the body is weak, it should be supported and assisted. In summary, one must receive a balanced and harmonious energy, avoiding excess or deficiency. If one follows this principle in analysis, the fortune and misfortune will be as accurate as a shadow following its form or an echo responding to a sound.

吉福最宜生旺，祿馬全要精神。魁罡有靈變之機，離坎乃聰明戶，日干旺而災咎寡，財命衰而惆悵多。或問人性情善惡賢愚，先推官煞旺衰。方究機巧靈變，觀幽閒瀟灑之人。遇華蓋孤虛之宿，好恃勢霸道之輩。犯偏官劫刃之權，其所憂者福，其所優者福不福，其所慮者成不成。福不福者，吉處遭凶；成不成者格局見破。傷其格則死，破其局則禍。譬之苗逢秋旱，而冬稟虛空。花被春霜，而夏果無成。縱有迴天轉軸之機，終無建功立業之遂。

The deities that bring good fortune and blessings are most favorable when they are in a place of birth and prosperity; the Lu Spirit and the Post-horse should both be vigorous and strong. The "Kui Gang" (a combination of the Kui and Gang stars) possess adaptability and resourcefulness, while the Li position and the Kan position are the gateways from which wisdom and intelligence emerge. If the Day Stem is strong, misfortunes are few; if wealth and destiny are weak, troubles are many. If someone asks about a person's nature, whether he is good or bad, wise or foolish, first examine the strength and weakness of the official star and the seven killing stars, then study his adaptability and resourcefulness. Those who appear quiet, elegant, and detached are often destined to encounter stars such as Huagai and Gu Xū; those who bully others, act tyrannically, and are domineering often suffer from the influence of biased officials,劫财, and Yangren (the sharp knife), which are forms of harsh and aggressive forces. What people worry about most is their fortune. What they cannot let go of is whether they have fortune or not; what they are most concerned about is whether they can achieve their goals or not. It is said that having fortune yet lacking it means that in a favorable situation, a misfortune occurs. It is said that being able to achieve yet failing means that the overall pattern has been broken. If the pattern is injured, one may die; if the situation is broken, one may suffer misfortune. This is like crops encountering a dry autumn, leading to no harvest in winter; flowers being damaged by spring frost, leading to no fruit in summer. Even with the ability to change fate and reverse the situation, one cannot achieve great accomplishments.

豈不見酈生烹鼎，范增背疽。淵明東歸，子美西去，孟軻不遇，馮衍空回。困於溝壑，命使其然。淹滯無成，何勞差嘆。是以時有春秋，月有圓缺。常觀資蔭之子，親一喪而無聊。或見耕釣之人，運一通而殊顯。

Have you not seen how Li Yiji of the Han dynasty was boiled to death in a cauldron, and Fan Zeng, the strategist of Xiang Yu, died from a boil on his back? Tao Yuanming resigned his post and returned eastward, while Du Fu wandered in western Sichuan. Mencius traveled through the states but met no wise ruler, and Feng Yan of the Eastern Han submitted a memorial to the court but returned empty-handed. These people were troubled by hardship and poverty, and it was fate that brought them to this. If being stuck and unsuccessful is due to fate, then why lament in vain? Therefore, the seasons have spring and autumn, and the moon has full and crescent phases. It is common to see sons and daughters who relied on their father's and grandfather's influence, who suddenly find themselves without support after their parents' death; and it is also common to see ordinary farmers and fishermen who, when their fortune turns, suddenly become prominent.

或有少依祖父之榮，長借兒孫之貴。又有垂髻難苦，至老無依。蓋因四柱之旺衰，以致大運之亨否。豈不見枯槁之木，縱逢春而不榮。茂盛之標，雖凌霜而不敗。時日更虧年月，定無下梢。生時旺氣朝元，必有晚福。消息妙在變通，禍福當察衰旺。庶幾君子，其鑑是辛。

Some people rely on their grandfather's prestige when young and enjoy their grandchildren's status in old age; others suffer hardship from childhood and end up helpless in old age. This is determined by the strength and weakness of the four pillars, which in turn decide the success or failure of one's great destiny. Have you not seen it? A withered tree, even when encountering spring, will not regain its vitality; a flourishing branch, even when encountering frost, will not wither. If the time pillar and day pillar weaken the year and month pillars, there will certainly be a poor ending; if the birth hour's strength returns to its original state, there will surely be blessings in old age. The skill in divination lies in flexibility and adaptability; judging fortune and misfortune should carefully examine the strength and weakness. May the gentlemen take this as a warning.

欲識五行生死訣，萬金賦與凡人說。星中但以限為憑，子平只以運為訣。運行先布十二宮，看來何格墮時節。財官印綬與食神，但知輕重審分明。官星怕逢七煞運，七煞猶畏官星臨。官殺混雜人必夭，去官留殺仔細尋。

One wants to know the mnemonic for the Five Phases' generation and destruction. The "Wan Jin Fu" explains this to ordinary people. In star and destiny studies, the "limits" are used as a basis, but in the method of Zi Ping, the "years" are the key. To arrange the big years, one must first determine the positions of the twelve houses, then see what kind of pattern the birth chart belongs to and which season it falls into. The auspicious elements such as wealth, officialdom, seal, and food god should be clearly distinguished in terms of their importance. The official is afraid of encountering the seven killers' years, and the seven killers are afraid of the official appearing. When official and killer are mixed, people tend to have short lifespans, so one must carefully decide whether to remove the official or retain the killer.

留官去殺莫逢煞，留煞去官官莫逢。日時偏正問何財，大怕干頭帶劫來。劫若重來人夭壽，孰知偏正甚為災。有財官運須榮顯，財旺官鄉是福胎。只怕日干元自弱，財多生煞趕身災。財多身弱行財運，此處方知下九臺。

If one decides to keep the official position and remove the seven killer, then one should not encounter the seven killer again; if one decides to keep the seven killer and remove the official, then one should not meet the official again. One must clearly determine whether the wealth seen on the day pillar and hour pillar is偏财 or正财, and it is most dangerous if the heavenly stem also carries劫财. If劫财 appears heavily, the person will have a short life; who would think that偏财 and正财 could instead become great disasters. If a person's fate includes wealth and the big destiny cycle enters the official position, it naturally brings honor and prominence; if wealth is strong and the official cycle comes, that is the womb of good fortune. One should fear that if the day stem is originally weak, wealth increases and then generates the seven killer, which in turn follows the day stem to cause disaster. For someone with weak body and abundant wealth, if they enter another wealth cycle, they will realize at this point that they have fallen nine steps down.

第一限逢印綬鄉，運行生旺必榮昌。官鄉會合遷官職，死絕當頭是禍殃。若是逢財來壞印，墮崖落水惡中亡。莫道食神非易訣，食神有氣勝財官。只怕梟神前外截。傷官命運若逢官，斬絞徒流禍百端。日德日貴逢克戰。此命危亡立馬看。戊己土皆分四季。雜氣透開如吾意。逐一依定數中推。吉凶禍福無差謬。

The first major period of life, if it reaches the land of the印绶 (nurturing), and operates in a flourishing and vigorous place, will certainly bring prosperity and success; if it further combines with the official position, it will lead to promotion and official appointment. If the印绶 (nurturing) falls in a dead or exhausted place, it will bring calamity. If the wealth star comes to break the印绶 (nurturing), there will be dangers such as falling from a cliff, drowning, or dying an untimely death. Do not think that the food god (food god) is not important; as long as the food god has strength, it surpasses wealth and official position. Be afraid that the hawk god (hawk god) blocks it in front. For those with the pattern of official injury, if they encounter the official position in their major period, they will face various misfortunes such as beheading, hanging, imprisonment, or exile. If the good patterns like day virtue and day dignity meet opposition, the fate will be immediately in danger. The戊 (Wu) and己 (Ji) earths belong to the months of辰 (Chen),戌 (Xu),丑 (Chou), and未 (Wei). When the hidden wealth and official positions in the mixed qi are disturbed and revealed, it meets my intention. Follow each rule precisely according to the fixed numbers, and the fortune and misfortune will not be mistaken.

人居六合，心相五行。欲曉一生，辨形察性。官星愷悌，貴氣軒昂。印綬主多智慧，豐身更且心慈。食神善能飲食，體厚而好謳歌。偏官七煞，勢壓三公。喜酒色而偏爭好鬥，愛軒昂而扶弱欺強。性情如虎，急躁如風。

A person lives in the four directions and above and below. His nature corresponds with the Five Phases. To understand a person's whole life, one must examine his appearance and observe his character. Those with a proper official star in their destiny are cheerful and easygoing, exuding noble dignity. Those with many seal stars are intelligent, have a robust body, and are kind-hearted. Those with a strong food star are good at eating, have a thick build, and enjoy singing. A biased official, also known as seven杀, has an overwhelming presence that can surpass the Three Marquises: such people enjoy wine and women, yet they also like to quarrel and fight. They value grandeur and dignity, helping the weak while oppressing the strong. Their nature is like a tiger, and their temper is as fierce as a storm.

梟印當權，使心機而始勤終怠，好學藝而多學少成。偏印劫刃，出祖離家，外象謙和尚義，內心狠毒無知,有刻薄之意，無慈惠之心。偏正財露，輕財好義。愛人趨奉，好說是非。嗜酒貪花，亦係如此。傷官傷盡，多藝多能，使心機而傲物氣高，多詭詐而侮人志大。顴高骨峻，眼大眉粗。

People withOwl Spirit and偏印 in authority are fond of scheming, working hard at first but becoming lazy later. They like to learn various skills but end up achieving little. If偏印 is combined with劫财 andYangren, they tend to leave their ancestral home to start their own lives. They appear humble and loyal but are actually cruel and ignorant, possessing only a mean-hearted nature without any compassion. Those with偏财 and正财 revealed in the heavenly stem look down upon wealth and prefer to act justly. They enjoy flattery, like spreading gossip, and are fond of drinking and indulging in lust, which also falls into this category. Those whose伤官 is cleanly expressed are versatile and capable in many areas. They are cunning, arrogant, and look down on others, being deceitful and disrespectful while having grand ambitions. Their appearance usually shows high cheekbones, sharp bone structure, large eyes, and thick eyebrows.

日德心善身穩厚，而作事慈祥；魁罡性嚴有操持，而為人聰敏。金神貴格，天地奇哉，有剛斷明敏之才，無刻薄欺瞞之意。五陰會局，為人佛口蛇心。二德印生，作事施恩佈德。火炎土燥，必聲焦而好禮。水清兌下，主言悟而施仁。果合如然，失地返此。事則舉其大略，須要察其細微。欲識性情，學者用心於此。

People with the "Day Virtue" in their destiny are kind-hearted, steady in their conduct, and gentle in their actions. Those with the "Kui Gang" pattern are strict in character, have integrity, and are intelligent and quick-witted. If the Golden God pattern forms a noble destiny, it is considered rare in the world: such people possess firm determination and sharp insight, yet lack the mean-spiritedness and deceitfulness. Those whose four pillars consist entirely of yin elements tend to be hypocritical, appearing compassionate in speech but cruel in heart. Those who possess both Heavenly Virtue and Monthly Virtue and also have the印绶 (seal and ribbon) element supporting them are inclined to act with benevolence and generosity. People with overly strong fire or dry earth elements have hoarse voices and are overly concerned with etiquette. Those with clear water elements born in the West (the position of the Metal trigram) are insightful in speech and capable of practicing benevolence. All these are manifestations of harmonious combinations in their time. If the Five Phases are out of place, the effects reverse. This is only a general overview; one must examine the details carefully. To understand a person's nature, scholars should focus on these aspects.

天既生人，人各有命。所有早年富貴，八字運限咸和。中世孤單，五行逢敗死絕。過房入舍，年月旺而運強。隨母從父，偏財空而印旺。早歲父亡，偏財臨絕死之宮。幼歲母離，只為財多印死。官逢死氣之方，子難招得。如見傷官太甚，子亦難留。己身入敗，早歲興衰。若見傷官所生，必主依人過活。婁星越宮所生，亦是他人義女。

Heaven has created humans, and each person has their own destiny. Those who become wealthy and prosperous at an early age have both their birth chart and their destiny period in harmony. Those who become lonely in middle age have their Five Phases falling into areas of decline, death, or extinction. Those who are adopted by others or marry into another family have their year and month pillars strong, and their major destiny period also powerful. Those who follow their mother's remarriage and recognize a stepfather have their偏财 (biased wealth) falling into areas of extinction and death, while their印绶 (imperial seal) is overly strong. Those who lose their father at an early age have their偏财 (biased wealth) located in the areas of extinction and death. Those who separate from their mother at a young age are due to excessive wealth that kills the印星 (imperial seal star). When the official star falls into the death qi position, it is difficult to have children. If the伤官 (harmful official) is too strong, children cannot be retained. When the day master falls into a position of decline, early life will experience ups and downs. Those born from the伤官 (harmful official) will inevitably rely on others. Those born under the娄星 (Liu Star) that overstep their palace are often adopted daughters.

印綬逢生，母當賢貴。偏財歸祿，父必崢嶸。官煞逢祿，子當顯達。比肩得祿，兄弟名高。 此乃男命之玄機，略說女人之奧妙。印綬多而老無子，傷官旺而防傷夫。食神一位逢生旺，招子須當拜聖明。父母之官，男命之斷。依其此法，萬無一矣。

When the official star or seven deadly stars meet the fortune of the native, the son will certainly achieve success; when the same fortune is shared by the native and the brother, the brother will have a high reputation. The above are the secrets of male destiny. Now let us briefly explain the mysteries of female destiny: if the official star is too strong, the woman will have no children in old age; if the injurious star is too strong, she should be careful of harming or defeating her husband; if the food god is only one and meets the fortune of birth and strength, she should thank the gods after having children. As for the interpretation of the parents' position, it is based on the method of male destiny. By following this method, there will be no error at all.

他來克我為官星，身旺當權。我去克他為妻財，干強則富。財星有破，賣祖基別立他鄉。印受被傷，失宗業拋離故里。人命以貴神為福，遭克陷則凶禍不祥。五行會凶曜為災，喜合煞並食神為貴。四柱有吉曜相扶，推金積玉。五行無凶煞侵犯，名顯聲揚。

When others come to restrain me, that is the official star; if the day stem is strong, it can take authority. When I restrain others, that is wife and wealth; if the day stem is strong, it can lead to wealth. If the wealth star is damaged, one must sell ancestral property and start anew elsewhere; if the nourishing star is injured, one must abandon ancestral property and leave the homeland. A person's fate relies on the auspicious gods for fortune; if the auspicious gods are restrained or trapped, misfortune and calamity will follow. If the five elements meet malevolent stars, disaster will occur; it is favorable if the seven deadly stars are harmonized by something, and the food god star controls them, which brings honor. If the four pillars have auspicious stars supporting, one can accumulate gold and jade; if the five elements are not invaded by malevolent stars, one will naturally become famous and renowned.

柱中若有華蓋，逢二德乃清貴之人。官星七煞落空亡，在於九流之輩。為官卑職。推尋子位，先面觀煞官。 死絕者嫡庶難存，太旺者別門求覓。妻星顯露，子息必多。刑害嗣宮，男女罕得。四宮背祿，不可妄求，官將不成，財當不聚。八字無財，須求本分。越外若貪，必招凶災。噫！甘貧養拙，非原憲之不才。鼓腹吹笙。使伍員之挫志。順則行，逆則棄。知命樂天，困窮合義。洪範數終，淵源骨髓。

If the Huagai star appears in the pillar, and is also accompanied by the Heavenly Virtue and Monthly Virtue, then the person is of a refined and noble nature, destined for high status. However, if the official star and seven killers fall into the Kongwang position, the person can only be of the lower class, and even if holding an official position, it will be of low rank. To determine the fate of children, one must first examine the official and killer stars: if these stars fall into the dead or doomed positions, both legitimate and illegitimate children may not be safe; if the official and killer stars are too strong, the person must seek a child from another family (by adoption). If the wife's star is clearly visible, there will be many children; if the children's position is harmed or afflicted, children will be difficult to obtain. If all four pillars (year, month, day, hour) are away from the禄 (favorable position), one should not be greedy or ambitious, for one cannot hold an official position or accumulate wealth. If the八字 (eight characters) lacks wealth, one should just stay within one's own bounds; if one is always greedy for external gains, one will surely invite misfortune. Alas! Being content with poverty and living simply is not because Confucius' disciple Yan Xian lacked talent; even Wu Zixu, a great man, was once discouraged by the act of blowing a flute and begging for food. If one's fate is favorable, one should act accordingly; if one's fate is adverse, one should let go. Knowing one's destiny and being content with one's fate is in accordance with the Way. The "Numerical Principles" from the Book of Documents concludes here, and its essence is precisely the core of命理 (fate divination).

天道尚有虧盈，人事豈無反覆。或始貧而終富，或先敗而後成。當舍短而從長，毋取彼而舍此。居官居貴，五行醇而不疵。 多滯多憂，八字難而又戰。兄弟多逢，宜嗟原憲之貧窮。印綬疊逢，可比老彭之高壽。九宮旺相，難逃邀我於桑中。四柱合和，未免題詩於葉上。是以妻宮有克，少年早娶之人。兒位逢傷，未歲損成家之子。

Heavenly Dao is still subject to deficiency and abundance; how could human affairs not have reversals? Some people start poor and eventually become rich, while others suffer initial failure but later achieve success. When judging a person's destiny, one should abandon their shortcomings and take their strengths, without being overly fixated on one aspect at the expense of another. Those who can hold official positions and attain prestige have their Five Phases pure and without blemish; those who face constant obstacles and constant worries have their八字 (eight characters) difficult and with conflicting elements. If the twin sons (twin heavenly stems) appear repeatedly, one should sigh like Yan Xian, a disciple of Confucius, who was poor; if the official stars (twin heavenly stems) appear in layers, one can compare it to Peng Zhu, who lived a long life. If the positions in the destiny chart are prosperous and strong, one is likely to have private relationships like those in the桑间濮上 (a place known for romantic affairs); if the four pillars have too much harmony, one is bound to have romantic stories like the one involving red leaves and poetry. Therefore, if the wife's position is harmed, it often indicates an early marriage in youth; if the children's position is injured, it usually means that a son capable of managing the household will be lost in middle age.

最貴者官星為命，時得偏正財為福。最凶者七煞臨身，逢天月二德呈祥。官星如遇劫財，雖官不貴。七煞如逢資助，其殺必威。羊刃若逢印綬，縱貴有殘疾在身。七煞無制逢官，為禍而壽元不長。三偏三正，位居一品之尊。四柱四合，福坐眾人之上。羊刃更兼會殺，千里徒流。用財若遇劫壓，一生貧困。榮辱兩端，妍媸一判。自古相傳，非賢匆授。

The most valuable is when the official star is the destiny, and at the hour pillar there is also a biased wealth or proper wealth to generate it, which brings good fortune. The most dangerous is when the seven killers are present, but if they meet the Heavenly Virtue and Monthly Virtue, they can instead bring auspiciousness. If the official star meets the劫财, although there is an official, it is not valuable; if the seven killers receive support, this killer will certainly be powerful. If the Yangren meets the印绶, even though one is prominent, there will be a disability on the body. If the seven killers are not controlled and meet the official star mixed, it becomes a disaster and shortens life. When three auxiliary spirits and three main spirits are balanced, one will hold a high position. When the four pillars have harmonious connections everywhere, the fortune is higher than others. If the Yangren is combined with the seven killers, one will be exiled a thousand miles; if wealth is used but meets the劫财 suppressing it, one will live in poverty all life. Honor and disgrace, beauty and ugliness, are determined by these distinctions. These words have been passed down orally since ancient times, and they should not be easily taught to those who are not virtuous.

命不易看，子平可推。先要取其日干，次則詳其月令。年時共表其吉凶，妖祥不忒歲月。通參成敗，禍福無遺。或有不見之形，須當審究。更有分抽之緒，後學難知。天清地濁，自然稟一氣之生。五行正貴，忌刑沖剋破之鄉。四柱干支，喜三合六合之地。寅甲巳亥，乃財官印綬長生。丑未戌辰，繫祿馬印星寄庫。日貴時貴，大忌刑沖剋破。拱祿拱貴，最怕填實刑沖。觀無合有合，逢凶不凶。傷官之於年運，到官鄉不喜。羊刃沖合歲君，運臨而禍至。辰戌魁罡，忌官星怕逢七殺。金神日刃，喜七殺而忌刑沖。

Fortune reading is not easy, but fortunately there is the method of Zi Ping to explore it. First, determine the day stem, then carefully examine the month's stem. The year pillar and time pillar together show good and bad fortune, and strange phenomena and auspicious signs will not be wrong in the years and months. Combining success and failure thoroughly, misfortune and blessing will be fully understood. Some things are not visible, so they must be carefully examined. Some branches and threads are difficult for beginners to understand. Heaven is clear and earth is turbid, all things naturally receive one breath to be born. In the Five Phases, the proper noble spirits should not be in places of punishment, clash, control, or destruction. The four pillars' stems and branches prefer to be in the Triple Harmony or Six Harmony positions. The years of寅,申,巳,亥 are the places of birth for wealth, official positions, and official seals (the original text says "寅甲巳亥" which should be "寅申巳亥"). The years of丑,未,戌,辰 are the storage places for rank, horse, and official seals. The patterns of day noble and time noble are greatly disliked if there is punishment, clash, control, or destruction. The patterns of mutual support for rank and noble are most feared if filled by real characters or subjected to punishment and clash. When reading a person's fate, pay attention to cases where there is no original harmony but suddenly there is harmony; in such cases, encountering misfortune can avoid it. The pattern of official damage does not like to meet official positions in the big years and destinies. The Yangren (sharpness) pattern is dangerous if it clashes with or harmonizes with the heavenly stem of the year. The pattern of Chen Xu (dragon and tiger) and Qiu Gang (strong and firm) should avoid official stars and be afraid of encountering seven killers. The Jin Shen (metal god) pattern and the day sharpness pattern prefer seven killers but dislike punishment and clash.

時上偏官要制伏，身強喜官，專殺莫逢。鬼旺亦要制伏為強，但看本有本無，遇而不遇，要稟中和。辛癸日多逢丑地，怕填實不喜官星。甲子日再逢子時，嫌丑午亦畏庚辛。壬癸亥子，祿馬飛天，離巽丙丁聚巳午。倒沖天祿，壬騎龍背。辰多沖戌官星，乙用丙字聚貴。聲名遠大，財命有氣，雖背祿而不貧。財絕命衰，縱建祿而不富。

The official in the time column should be restrained, and a strong body prefers to see the official star, but if the seven killing stars are specially used, the official star should not appear again. If the ghost and god are strong, they must also be restrained to be considered strong. It depends on whether the restraining god is present in the birth chart, whether it is encountered or not, and whether it is balanced. For days of辛 and 癸, if they often meet 丑, it is a pattern of 'meeting the official salary', which fears being filled by real characters and also dislikes the official star. For Jiazi day meeting 子 time, it forms the 'flying heavenly salary and horse' pattern, which dislikes seeing 丑 and 午, and also fears being attacked by 庚 and 辛. For days of 壬 and 癸, if the branches have many 亥 and 子, it forms the 'salary and horse flying heaven' pattern, relying on the virtual conflict with the southern fire and wind directions, 丙 and 丁, to gather the salary of 巳 and 午. The '壬 riding dragon back' pattern, which is a reverse conflict of heavenly salary, is formed when there are many 辰, using 辰 to conflict with 官 star in 戌; similarly, 乙 wood uses 丙 to gather the nobleman. If these patterns are formed, the person will have great fame. If wealth and the destiny have life qi, even if they are in a salary position, they will not be poor. But if wealth is cut off and the destiny is weak, even if they are in a built salary position, they will not become rich.

癸到艮山，怕庚辛忌逢戊土，壬逢丑地，忌戊己怕見庚金。庚遇早申子辰。乃井欄叉，謂之入局。忌丙丁，愁巳午，戊日申時，怕甲丙亦忌寅卯。辛金己土若遇，謂之從格，名為秀氣。四柱火傷又無救,返是災屯。丑日戊子時,忌子多,怕相沖。陽水逢辰見戊己,災臨難逃。

Heavenly stem癸 water reaches the寅 position of the mountain trigram艮, forming the pattern '癸水趋艮', which fears the presence of庚 and辛 to generate water and drain its energy, and also dislikes the presence of戊 earth. Heavenly stem壬 water encountering the earth branch丑 forms the pattern '壬骑丑', which dislikes the presence of戊 and己 earth, and fears the presence of庚 metal. When the day stem is庚 and the hidden stem in the earthly branch meets申, 子, and 辰 together, it forms the pattern '井栏叉', known as entering the pattern; this pattern dislikes丙 and丁 fire and fears巳 and午. When the day stem is戊 and it is born at the hour of申, it forms the pattern '戊水趋艮', which fears甲 wood and丙 fire, and also dislikes寅 and卯. When the day stem is辛 and it meets己 earth or similar, and the day stem has no root, it is called the pattern of following, known as having refined energy. If the four pillars are harmed by fire and there is no remedy, it becomes a disaster and hardship. For the day stem丑 with the hour stem戊 and the hour branch子, forming the pattern '六阴朝阳', it dislikes too many子 characters and fears being冲. When heavenly stem壬 water meets辰 and also encounters戊 or己 earth, disaster is inevitable.

甲見戊時名偏財，身運喜財鄉，丁日辛年號歲財，運逢戊貴。乙逢申位，忌見刑沖。日時歸祿，官逢有禍。另有天沖地擊，陰錯陽差。貪合忘官，劫財從官難成貴，貪合忘殺，身旺時福祿增加。官藏殺見有制伏，亦自輝煌。官見殺藏，身柔弱終見奔波。身弱喜逢旺運身強愛煞鄉。將來者進，成功者退，富貴賢者善，重犯者奇，宜通變而推禍福，決無差誤矣。

When the heavenly stem Jia (甲) wood meets the heavenly stem Wu (戊) earth, it is called partial wealth, and the day ruler and big years both prefer to go to the wealth area. When the day ruler is Ding (丁) fire and meets the heavenly stem Xin (辛) metal, it is called annual wealth, and encountering Wu (戊) earth in the big year brings prestige. When the heavenly stem Yi (乙) wood meets the position of Shen (申), it is advisable to avoid punishment and clash. When the day pillar and hour pillar are in the禄 position, encountering the official star brings misfortune. In addition, there are terms such as heavenly stem clash, earthly branch impact, and yin error and yang difference. Those who seek harmony and forget the official star, and the劫财 follows the official star, will find it difficult to achieve prestige. Those who seek harmony and forget the seven killers, if the body is strong, their fortune and happiness will increase. If the official star is hidden in the branch and the seven killer is revealed but controlled, it will have its own brilliance. If the official star is revealed and the seven killer is hidden, and the day ruler is weak, they will ultimately have to work hard. Those with weak bodies prefer strong years, while those with strong bodies prefer the seven killer area. The coming energy is called entering, and the successful energy is called retreating. Wealth and honor combined with virtue is good, while multipleInauspicious Spirit are capable of being controlled is extraordinary. In summary, one should flexibly and skillfully determine fortune and misfortune, and there will be no mistakes.

一氣即判，天地闢焉。三才既定，陰陽立焉。於是乎運用五行之造化，於是乎推遷四時之氣候。洛出神龜，河生龍馬。八卦露太易之象，九疇彰洪範之篇。是以聖人仰則觀天，俯則察地。以類萬物之情，以通神明之意。辦四時之氣候，成於律呂,取五行之造化,為之卜筮。

When the primordial energy was divided, heaven and earth were created; once the three principles of heaven, earth, and humanity were established, yin and yang were formed. Thus, the transformations of the Five Phases could be utilized, and the changes of the four seasons and the shifting of the climate could be arranged. A divine turtle emerged from the Luo River, carrying characters on its back, while a dragon horse appeared in the Yellow River, bearing pictures on its back. The Eight Trigrams revealed the initial images of the Book of Changes, and the nine categories were clearly established in the chapter "Hongfan" of the Book of Documents. Therefore, the sage looked up to observe the heavenly phenomena and looked down to examine the geographical features, using them to compare and understand the forms of all things and to connect with the meanings of the divine. By distinguishing the climatic conditions of the four seasons, the twelve tones were created; by utilizing the transformations of the Five Phases, divination and卜 were practiced.

然後以乾為天，與地相配。以支為地，與干相連。主靜以持載，主動以斡旋。下以應五行之風景，上以應五位之經纏。日月雖明，不能照於毫忽。鬼神雖奧，不能察其幽玄。成天下之美麗，序人事之綿綿，故有化而不化之由，聚而不聚之義，合而不合之類，秀而不秀之體。聚而不聚者，損其財用。化而不化者，損於貴氣。合而不合者，三主必背。秀而不秀者，一生何遂。

Then the heavenly stems are considered as heaven, paired with the earthly branches; the earthly branches are considered as earth, connected with the heavenly stems. The still aspect carries all things, while the moving aspect circulates and operates. Below, it corresponds to the five phases of wind and objects on the earth; above, it corresponds to the movement of the five stars in the sky. Although the sun and moon are bright, they cannot illuminate the most minute details; although ghosts and spirits are profound, they cannot penetrate the subtle mysteries. They accomplish the beauty of the world and arrange human affairs continuously. Therefore, there are cases where something should change but cannot change, where something should gather but cannot gather, where something should combine but cannot combine, and where something should flourish but cannot flourish. If something should gather but does not, financial resources will be damaged; if something should change but does not, noble fortune will be diminished; if something should combine but does not, the three main elements of year, month, and time will certainly be conflicting; if something should flourish but does not, one's life will never be satisfactory.

又有不化而化之局，不聚而聚之者，不秀而秀之用，不合而合之事。不聚而聚之者，終於富足，不化而化之者，定於權貴。不合而合者，必達於官職。不秀而秀者，須享於祿位。定四時己旺未旺，察五行有氣無氣。有顯隱，有休囚。有進退，有否泰。人亨通，有屯蹇，有駁雜，有純粹。隨物而變物，因類而求類。

On the other hand, there are also patterns where something that should not have transformed ends up transforming, where something that should not have gathered ends up gathering, where something that should not have shown itself ends up showing, and where something that should not have combined ends up combining. Those that gather without being gathered will ultimately be prosperous; those that transform without being transformed will certainly attain power and status; those that combine without being combined will surely achieve official positions; and those that show themselves without being shown will naturally enjoy honor and position. To predict a person's fate, one must first determine whether the energies of the four seasons are already strong or not yet strong, and then examine whether the Five Phases have energy or not. Among these, there are both evident and hidden, active and restrained, advancing and retreating, and favorable and unfavorable conditions. In human affairs, there are both smooth and obstructed situations, mixed and pure conditions. In summary, one should observe changes according to the changes of things and seek similar categories to find corresponding patterns.

至五事，俱宜自旺，一物不可偏傷。水不勝火，奔波而流落。火不勝金，困難而愴隍。有秀無官，但施巧於技藝。見財無比，惟逐利於經商。三辛見丙兮，財多破散。二壬就丁兮，家道豐稔。土力敗水，則胃弱而色黑。木氣刑土，則脾衰而面黃。性顯聰明，蓋為水家之秀。事能決斷，因成金氣之剛。

When it comes to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, each should have its own strength and should not be harmed excessively. If water cannot control fire, the person will be restless and have a wandering life. If fire cannot control metal, the person will face difficulties and be anxious. If there is refined energy but no official star, the person can only use their cleverness in skills. If there is wealth but no support, the person can only rely on business for profit. Three辛 metals meeting one丙 fire, although there is much wealth, it will be scattered. Two壬 waters meeting one丁 fire, the family will instead become prosperous. If earth's strength overwhelms water, the person will have a weak stomach and a dark complexion. If wood's energy harms earth, the person will have a weak spleen and a yellow complexion. A clever nature is due to the refined energy of water. The ability to make decisions is due to the strong quality of metal.

太歲與命不和，有殃無福。四柱與命各旺，有福無殃。男逢兩位之妻，必須置妾。女純真夫之氣，定主淫娼。火炎水涸者，多自壞之苦。木秀火明者，有吉慶之祥。甲木如革之方，桎梏圓土。戊土居潤下之勢，萍梗他鄉。

When the current heavenly stem is not harmonious with one's birth stem, there will be only misfortune and no good fortune; if the four pillars and the birth stem each have strong energy, there will be good fortune and no misfortune. A man's fate with two wife stars indicates he must take a concubine; a woman's fate with a husband star that is too pure and unrestrained will lead to a tendency towards licentiousness. Those whose fire is too intense and water is dried up suffer from self-inflicted misfortunes; those with wood that has a refined energy and fire that is bright will have auspicious signs. If the Jia wood stem reaches the western metal land of from-reform, it is like being locked in prison; if the Wu earth stem is in the northern water region of nourishment, it is like floating water plants and broken reeds, drifting away from home.

又若陽死陰生，陰死陽生。關五行之所變，由五氣之所藏，外合五常，而應乎動靜。內合五曜，而通乎表裡。俱旺則玄之所使，俱衰則化而為物。失運則百無一通，化物則十有九死夫旺則妻必從夫而化，婦旺則夫必從婦而歸。一財未必勝兩官，一祿不能當兩鬼。

For example, the place where a yang stem dies is precisely where a yin stem is born, and the place where a yin stem dies is precisely where a yang stem is born. This relates to how the Five Phases change, depending on where the five energies are hidden; externally, it corresponds to the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness, aligning with human actions and movements; internally, it corresponds to the five stars, connecting the exterior and interior. When all Five Phases are strong, they are driven by the mysterious principle; when all Five Phases are weak, they become objects subject to others. If one loses the right timing, nothing goes smoothly; if transformed into something else, nine out of ten will die. If the husband's aspect is strong, the wife will certainly follow him; if the wife's aspect is strong, the husband will certainly submit to her. A single treasure star may not be as powerful as two official stars, and a single fortune energy cannot resist two ghosts.

頭面有損，則申破甲乙。眼目有災，則丙沉亥子。愛仁好義，日時因旺於庚辛。多信多仁，基本位專於戊己。美資貌者，春夏之生木。無見識者，丑未之困水。木堅則心直以行仁，為旺則性急而好禮。五行氣足，體必至於充肥。四柱過多，性自成於頑鄙。

If there is injury on the head or face, it is because the庚 metal in the申 is breaking the甲 and乙 wood; if there is disaster in the eyes, it is because the丙 fire is submerged in the亥 and子 water. Those who love benevolence and righteousness have the庚 and辛 metal strong in the day and hour pillars; those who are trustworthy and virtuous have the戊 and己 earth in the fundamental position. Those with good appearance and talent are mostly born in spring or summer, when wood is strong; those without wisdom are mostly those whose water is trapped in the丑 and未 earth. Those with strong wood have upright thoughts and can practice benevolence; those with strong fire are impetuous but fond of propriety. When the five elements are abundant, the body is full and strong; when one element is excessive in the four pillars, the nature becomes stubborn and vulgar.

蓋夫本位為主，次位為賓。陽干順行，陰干逆行。氣無歸根，終身歸於何地。物有倚托，一世托於他人。藏暗合者，官高極品。遇貴祿者，位非常論。十干臨死絕病衰，殘居塵土。五行入生旺庫墓，榮列簪纓。乙庚丙辛，德秀在巳酉丑申。丁壬甲乙，德秀在亥卯未寅。寅午戌巳兮，德丙丁而秀戊癸。申子辰亥兮，德壬癸而秀丙辛。五行落於本鄉，則貴亦富。四氣臨於破處，更賤且貧。可謂生旺為上，德秀為奇。

In general, the main position is the master, and the secondary position is the guest. Yang stems are arranged in order, while Yin stems are arranged in reverse. If a person's energy has no place to return to, they will never know where to go in their lifetime; if they have something to rely on, they will have to depend on others all their life. If the earthly branches secretly combine, an official position can reach the highest level; if encountering a nobleman and a禄 (favorable position), the status is extraordinary. If the ten heavenly stems are in the positions of death, decline, illness, or weakness, they can only barely survive in the world; if the five elements enter the positions of birth and strength or the repository and tomb, they can achieve honor and rank. The stems of Yi, Geng, Bing, and Xin have Heavenly Virtue and Monthly Virtue and refined energy in the branches of Si, You, Chou, and Shen; the stems of Ding, Ren, Jia, and Yi have virtue and refined energy in the branches of Hai, Mao, Wei, and Yin. For the earthly branches of Yin-Wu-Xu and Si, the virtue is associated with Bing and Ding, and the refined energy with Wu and Gui; for the earthly branches of Shen-Zi-Chen and Hai, the virtue is associated with Ren and Gui, and the refined energy with Bing and Xin. If the five elements are in their native land, they will be both noble and wealthy; if the four seasons' energies reach a broken place, they become even more lowly and poor. Therefore, being in a state of birth and strength is the best, and having virtue and refined energy is extraordinary.

身坐學堂，文藝入清高之格；命臨鬼禍，盜賊犯徒配之危。祿內隱傷，作兵戎于軍戌。秀中鬼克，掌吏職於官司。母旺鬼休，牛馬與奴僕浩大；母衰鬼旺，父子及兄弟散離。官印雙全，乘旄戟而居武職。德秀兼備，應科甲而入文員。兩在鬼鄉，逢倒食必為奴婢。一歸有氣，遇基月定主孤窮。

The day master sitting upon the "Xuetang" indicates a noble and refined destiny through literary talent and skills; if the birth star is located in a place of ghostly misfortune, one may become a thief and face imprisonment or exile. If the禄气 (favorable fortune) contains hidden injuries and conflicts, one should serve in the military; if the refined qualities are attacked by ghosts, one can only serve as a minor official in the government. If the印星 (favorable star) that supports me is strong while the ghost that harms me is weak, there will be many cattle, horses, livestock, and servants; if the印星 is weak and the ghost is strong, father, son, brothers will be separated. If both official and印星 are strong, one can hold military posts and command banners and weapons; if Heavenly Virtue, Monthly Virtue, and refined qualities are all present, one can pass the imperial examinations and enter the ranks of civil officials. If both are located in the ghostly land, and one also encounters倒食 (reverse consumption), one will certainly become a servant; if only one is in a place with vitality, but encounters an unfavorable month, one will certainly be lonely and poor.

此則天地相臨，上下相應。氣順則和，氣逆則病。非其位則邪，當其位則正。及有所生，互有所制，互有所勝，互有所衰，彌綸於天地之道，包括於人民之命。探頤索隱而見其隱，窮里盡性而識其性。既不可以一理而觀，又不可以一途而定。若能極於玄機，乃禍福吉凶之龜鑑。

This is the mutual illumination of heaven and earth, and the mutual response between above and below. When the qi flows smoothly, it is harmonious; when it flows against its course, it leads to illness. If something is not in its proper place, it is considered wrong; if it is in its proper place, it is considered correct. They generate each other, restrain each other, overcome each other, and decline in turn. This principle encompasses the way of heaven and earth, and also summarizes the destinies of people. Only by investigating the profound and searching for the hidden can one see the concealed aspects. Only by thoroughly examining principles and fully understanding the nature of things can one recognize their inherent qualities. One cannot rely solely on a single principle to understand, nor can one determine matters solely from a single path. If one can push the subtleties of this to their extreme, it becomes a clear mirror for judging fortune and misfortune, good and evil.