Golden Deity Pattern

楠曰：甲日金神格，取癸酉乙丑己巳三個時。書曰：“甲日金神，偏宜火制。”又曰：“金神遇火貴無疑，金火災殃有之，此格多生大貴。”但論之未明顯。

Zhang Nan said: For a person with Jia wood as the day master, the Golden God pattern is taken with the hours Guiyou, Yichou, and Jisi. The book says: "For a Jia day, the Golden God is most suitable with fire to control it." It also says: "When the Golden God meets fire, wealth and status are certain; but if the combination of gold and fire is improper, there will be calamity." This pattern often produces people of great importance, but previous commentators have not explained it clearly enough.

但甲日四柱氣旺，金神又或有一二點者，遇火制之極貴。此即同時上偏官格一樣看。若金神氣輕，柱中有火制之太過，大畏火鄉太制其金神，又喜金水以助其金神出。

In fact, if the Jia Wood day master has a strong and vigorous four pillar configuration, and there are one or two instances of metal, encountering fire to control it will result in great fortune, which is exactly the same as the 'time-based biased official' pattern. For Jia Wood, metal is considered the seven killing stars. When the killing stars are heavy but the body is strong, and fire controls them properly, the person becomes accomplished. If the metal itself is weak, and the fire in the column has already over-controlled it, then the most dangerous thing is to encounter another fire element in the destiny, which would kill the metal. In such a case, it is preferable to have a metal or water destiny to support and strengthen the metal.

乙日金神，乙丑、己巳、癸酉三時也，主多貴。己日見巳酉丑金，己日金而洩其氣也，即時上假傷官也。何以言之？書云：“己日金神，偏嫌火制。”若己日干精英涵蓄太過，望見此三時，金清而且秀，己土貪生而洩其秀氣也。

For a day master of Yi wood, the metal deity is also found in the hours of Yichou, Jisi, and Guiyou, and those who have these hours often achieve high status. When the day master is Wu earth and encounters the metal of Si-You-Chou, it is considered that Wu earth generates metal and exhausts its own energy, which is equivalent to a false official in the hour. Why is this so? The book says: "For a Wu earth day, the metal deity is disliked when fire comes to control it." If the Wu earth day master has too much vital energy stored, it needs an outlet. When encountering these three hours, the metal is clear and refined, and the Wu earth is willing to generate it, thus expelling its refined energy into the metal.

若原滯火金神氣衰，最畏火而傷之。喜金運以助金神，喜水運破火，存起金神，多主富貴。若己日干原衰，金神犯重，己土見金而太洩也，則又宜火運，以破金而存己土也。

If the original chart already has fire stagnating and the metal spirit is weak, then fire coming again would be very harmful; in this case, it is favorable to go through the metal cycle to strengthen the metal spirit, and favorable to go through the water cycle to overcome and break the fire energy, thus protecting the metal spirit, which often leads to wealth and honor. Conversely, if the earth day master is originally weak and the metal spirit is too strong, the earth being excessively drained by metal would require going through the fire cycle, using fire to overcome metal and thus preserving the earth. The same metal spirit, depending on the strength of the day master, may be either beneficial or harmful, and cannot be judged in a general way.

舊賦云：夫金神者，只有三時乙丑、己巳、癸酉是也，是乃破敗之神。要柱有火局制伏，運入火鄉為勝。如術中帶羊刃七殺，真貴人也。若四柱中有火局，及運行火氣，便為貴命。若無制伏，則寬猛不濟。柱中怕見木及水鄉運，由為禍矣。亦要月令通金局，或有金氣方論。

Old writings say: The Golden Deity appears only in the hours of Yichou, Jisi, and Guiyou. It is originally a destructive deity, and must be restrained by a fire formation in the pillar. When the destiny enters a fire region, it becomes effective. If the person's fate also includes Yangren and Seven Killers, then they are truly blessed. If there is a fire formation in the four pillars, or if the big run reaches a place with fire energy, then it becomes a noble destiny. If there is no restraining deity, then the gentle and fierce cannot be balanced, and the pattern cannot be formed. The pillars should avoid seeing wood, and also avoid running into water regions, as these will bring misfortune. In addition, the month's stem and the gold formation must be connected, or there must be actual gold energy in the pillars, in order to discuss this pattern.

古歌云：金神巳酉丑之時，殺刃中來真貴人。運氣最宜逢火局，水鄉相見禍臨身。又曰：性多狠暴才明敏，遇木相生立困窮。制伏運行運火局，招遷貴顯富顯窮。

An old song says: "When the metal god is in Si, You, and Chou, the killing blade comes from the nobleman. The best fortune is to meet a fire formation, but seeing water brings disaster." When the metal god is in Si, You, and Chou, and comes from the seven killing and yang blade, it is a true nobleman; the best big destiny is to meet a fire formation, but seeing water brings disaster. It also says: "His nature is often fierce and violent, yet his talent is sharp. If he meets wood that generates him, he will face difficulties. When he runs into a fire formation that controls the metal god, he will be promoted and become prominent, escaping poverty." This person has a fierce and violent nature but is intelligent. If he meets wood that generates him, he will face difficulties. When he enters a fire formation that controls the metal god, he will be promoted and become prominent, escaping poverty.

丁亥、癸丑、己未、癸酉。金溪高谷南少卿，己日金神，土金假傷官。楠曰；日干己未坐金神，土厚金輕理自真。運轉西方金旺地，金輕豈作等閒人。

The birth chart is: the year pillar is Dinghai, the month pillar is Guichou, the day pillar is Jiwei, and the hour pillar is Guiyou. This is the destiny of Gao Gu Nan from Jinxī, belonging to the Ji day with a false official of metal and earth and metal. Zhang Nan interpreted: the day stem is Jiwei, and the hour pillar is seated on the metal god; the earth is thick and the metal is light, the principle is clear and distinct; when the great destiny moves to the western land where metal is strong, the metal turns from light to strong, so this person is not an ordinary one.

己未日主，生於丑月，兩土氣厚，凡身旺多好洩也。見酉丑結成金局，用金為假傷官。又為己日金神，蓋喜有甲乙木之官殺，為傷官格之病，所以運行西方金運破木，其貴宜矣。

On a day with the day stem Jiwei, born in the Chou month, the day branch Wei and the month branch Chou both contribute heavy earth; when the day stem is strong, it needs to be released. The hour branch You and the month branch Chou form a metal formation, so metal is taken as a false official to release the earth. This is exactly the metal god for the Ji day stem. Fortunately, there are甲 and乙 wood officials in the column, which become the disease of the official pattern; therefore, when the big luck goes west in the metal direction, it will overcome the wood energy, removing the root of the disease, and achieving high status is natural.

楠曰：飛天祿馬格，蓋取為官，財為馬。蓋只有庚子曰，見子字多，沖出午中丁火為官星，沖出己土為印星，則庚日得官印矣。蓋欲子多，則能沖出，亦畏有丑字，則欄路道，不能沖出。畏午字丁字己字則破格。壬日有財官金，暗沖出午中丁火為財星，己土為官星，則壬日有財官矣，亦喜子多，則能沖出財官，畏見丑欄之，午破之。

Zhang Nan said: The Flying Heavenly禄 and Horse pattern treats禄 as official position and Horse as wealth. Only on Gengzi day, if the column has many Zi characters, can it secretly冲 out the Ding fire in Wu to serve as official position star and冲 out the Ji earth in Wu to serve as official star, thus allowing the Geng metal day master to gain official position and official star out of nowhere. Therefore, it is necessary to have many Zi characters to be able to冲; it is also feared that the column has Chou characters to block the Zi, preventing the冲; it is also feared to see Wu characters, Ding characters, or Ji characters, which would fill up the pattern and destroy the pattern. The same logic applies to Renzi day: secretly冲 out the Ding fire in Wu as wealth star and Ji earth in Wu as official star, allowing the Ren water day master to gain wealth and official position; similarly, it is necessary to have many Zi characters to be able to冲, and it is also feared to see Chou characters blocking the way or Wu characters filling up the pattern and destroying the pattern.

又癸亥會，欄中本無官星也。用亥字倒沖出巳中丙火為正財，戊土為正官，畏子字欄住路不能沖，及巳運破其格。蓋亦喜亥多，方能沖出，又丁巳日干，本無官星，喜巳多，暗沖出亥中壬水為官，要巳多方能沖，畏午字攔之，亥字破硌。

On a Guihai day, the column originally lacks official stars, so the亥 character is used to reverse and trigger the巳's Bing fire as the main wealth and the Wu earth as the main official; it is feared that the Zi character blocks the way and prevents the movement, or that arriving at the巳 destiny weakens the structure. Similarly, the亥 character needs to be abundant to enable the movement. For example, on a Dingsi day, since there is no official star originally, it is favorable to have many巳 characters, which secretly trigger the亥's Ren water as the official star; it is necessary to have many巳 characters to enable the movement, fearing that the午 character blocks the way, or that the亥 character appears, filling the structure and breaking the pattern.

此數格，俱以干月時無官，俱要巳多，暗沖其官星出來。此數格自非造化自然之理，故作聰明鳳取其理。便庚子旺，若見子多似水金洩氣，似要有火暖之。若金水氣寒，失中和之道，亦不可以飛天論之。丙午日，午字多，暗沖子中癸水為官，理亦同前。此格俱繫本然無官星，但以類聚我，又多沖之，以取其官。此取其官。此理似無而又有，似非而僅有是也。

These patterns all involve the absence of official stars in the year, month, and hour, relying on the same character to gather together, thus secretly triggering the official star in the opposite palace. In the end, this is not a natural principle of creation, but rather a contrived system devised by later generations. For example, on a Gengzi day, even if the body is strong, if there are too many Zi characters, the metal will be drained by water, and fire should be used to warm it up; when there is an excess of metal and water, creating a cold atmosphere and losing the balance of harmony, it cannot be discussed in terms of flying heavenly禄. On a Bingwu day, with too many Wu characters, the hidden癸water in Zi secretly becomes the official star, and the reasoning is the same as before. Such patterns all originally lack official stars, but they borrow the gathering of similar characters and multiple confrontations with the opposite palace to bring out the official star. This principle seems to exist but is not real, seems to be absent but only exists through a narrow path.

《喜忌篇》云：內有正倒祿飛，忌官星亦嫌羈絆。楠曰：內有者，蓋言四柱中有庚子、壬子、辛亥、癸亥四日，為正飛天祿馬，固忌官星填露，亦忌合神羈絆。強庚子日要柱中有子字多，虛沖午字出，為庚日之官星。柱中有寅字，則子字貪合不能沖午中之祿。其柱中有子宛午字填實，或丑字絆住，則不貴也。丙己字為七煞偏官，則減分數，歲運亦須忌之。如古蔡妃造。

The *Xi Ji Pian* says: If a person's destiny contains the pattern of "correct flying" and "reversed冲" for禄 and 马, then it is undesirable to have official stars appear, and also to have the god of harmony restraining. Zhang Nan explains: The term "inner existence" refers to the four days of Gengzi, Renzi, Xinhai, and Guihai in the four pillars, which are considered as 正飞天禄马. It is also undesirable to have official stars appearing clearly, or having the harmonizing god restraining the useful character. For example, on a Gengzi day, the column needs to have many Zi characters to create a virtual 冲 to Wu, which serves as the official star for Geng metal. If there is a寅 in the column, the Zi will be attracted to combine with寅, thus failing to 冲 Wu's禄 in the middle. If the column already contains Wu or Chou, then it will not be auspicious. For Geng metal, Bing and Ji are considered as seven killers (偏官), and their appearance should reduce the score. They should also be avoided in the year and destiny. For example, the birth chart of Cai妃 from ancient times.

己未 丙子 庚子 丙子 以三子暗沖午，而未合也。如壬子日，要柱中有子字多，虛沖午中己字出，壬日得官星。柱中有壬戌未，得一字可全為妙。亦不要四柱中有丑宛絆住，則子字不能去沖午中之祿。若四柱中午字填字。或丑字絆住，則不貴也。戊己字淡七煞偏官，則減分數，歲運亦須忌之，如古橫行正使浩造。

Cai Fei's birth chart: the year pillar is Jiwei, the month pillar is Bingzi, the day pillar is Gengzi, and the hour pillar is Bingzi. There are three Zis, which暗暗冲 (impliedly conflict) the Wu. The year branch Wei also combines with Wu. For example, on a Renzi day, the chart should have many Zis, and the virtual conflict with Wu would bring out the Ji soil in Wu as the official star for Ren water. It is best if there is one of the characters Ren, Xu, or Wei to complete the situation. It is also important not to have the Chou character, otherwise the Zi would not be able to conflict with the Wu soil's official position. If the Wu character is present in the chart or the Chou character is present, it would not be beneficial. The characters Wu and Ji are seven killers for Ren water, and their presence would reduce the score. They should also be avoided in the year or the big years. For example, the birth chart of a historical figure who was very powerful.

壬子 壬子 壬子 壬寅。壬子 壬子 壬子 丙午 亦三子暗沖午財官出，則以三子沖填實為禍。

The first case has the year, month, and day pillars all as Renzi, and the hour pillar as Renyin. The second case also has the year, month, and day pillars as Renzi, but the hour pillar is Bingwu. In the first case, the three Zi pillars secretly conflict with Wu, bringing out the wealth and official positions, thus forming a proper pattern. In the second case, although the three Zi pillars also conflict with Wu, the Wu in the hour pillar is already solid, which instead brings misfortune. The only difference between the two cases is the hour pillar, yet their fortune and misfortune are completely opposite.

《鷓鴣天》云：祿馬飛天識者希，庚壬二日報君知。暗逢丁字為官祿，寅戌來合換紫衣。擎象簡，佩金魚，凌煙閣上姓名題。虛合官星財祿厚，金榜標名到鳳池。

The ci poem "Zhe Gu Tian" says: This pattern is recognized by very few people, and the key lies in the days of Gengzi and Renzi. Secretly, the fire of Ding in the hour of Wu is considered as official rank and fortune. If further supported by the branches of Yin and Xu to harmonize with Wu, one can wear purple imperial robes. At that time, one holds an ivory tablet, carries a golden fish symbol pouch, and has one's name inscribed on the Lingyan Pavilion. Although the official star is merely a false harmony, wealth and fortune are extremely abundant, ultimately achieving a high position and entering the central government.

古歌云：庚寅二日重逢子，虛沖祿馬號飛天。如行金水多清貴，運轉南方數有難。如辛癸二日生亥，柱中亥字多，沖出巳中丙火戊土為官星。柱中要有申酉丑字，但得一字合起為貴。若柱中有戊巳丙三字則壞。此格有戊字，則亥不能去沖，歲運亦忌。運重太歲輕，再見巳字填實。則為禍矣。

An old song says: "On the days of Geng and Ren, if they meet Zi again, the empty confrontation of official stars is called flying heaven. If there is much metal and water, it brings noble status, but if the fortune turns to the south, there will be difficulties." For those born on Xinhai or Guihai days, if there are many Hai characters in the pillar, they can clash to produce the fire Bing and soil Wu in Si, which act as official stars. The pillar should also contain Shen, You, or Chou, and if any of these characters are present, they can combine with Si to bring wealth. However, if the pillar contains Wu, Si, and Bing, the pattern is ruined: the presence of Wu prevents Hai from clashing, and both age and fortune should avoid this. In terms of importance, the big year has more weight than the heavenly stem; if Si appears again to fill the pattern, it becomes a disaster.

楠曰：舊經傳甚明。但辛癸日，多逢亥字沖巳，若四柱中有戌字，則亥不能去沖。何也？蓋亥見戌為天羅，主一生蹇滯凶害，所以不能去沖。與他羈絆不同，或者疑舊文戌字，謂恐作寅字，非也。如丞相造：丁未、癸卯、癸亥、癸丑，亥沖丑合。古曹廊中造：壬申、辛亥、癸亥、壬子，亥沖申合。

Zhang Nan said: The explanations passed down from old texts are already clear. There is only one point to add: on days of Xinhai and Guihai, there are often many instances of the亥 character conflicting with巳. If the four pillars contain the character戌, then the亥 will not be able to conflict with巳. Why? Because when亥 meets戌, it is called "Tianluo," which indicates a life full of obstacles and misfortune. Therefore, the conflict cannot be resolved, which is different from the nature of other combinations that involve binding or restraint. Some people suspect that the character戌 in the old texts should actually be寅, but that is incorrect. For example, the birth chart of a certain chancellor: the year pillar is Dingwei, the month pillar is Guimao, the day pillar is Guihai, and the hour pillar is Guichou. In this case,亥 conflicts with巳, and then the丑 combines with the metal energy in巳. Another example is the birth chart of a person from the ancient Gao Lang: the year pillar is Renshen, the month pillar is Xinhai, the day pillar is Guihai, and the hour pillar is Renzi. In this case,亥 conflicts with巳, and then the申 combines with the巳. Both cases meet the condition of "multiple Hais conflicting with Si, and having the character Sheng, You, or Chou to combine with it."

《鷓鴣天》云：飛天祿馬貴非常，辛癸都來二日強。無庚丙戌生官祿，逢合沖官近聖王。利祿俱顯姓名揚，酉丑一位最高強。運逢巳午凶災起，歲歲年年受禍殃。

The ci poem "Zhe Gu Tian" says: This pattern is valuable because it is unusual; the days of Xinhai and Guihai are most effective. If the pillar does not contain庚metal, 丙fire, or 戌earth to interfere, the official star and the official salary will naturally arise. By relying on a clash and a combination, one can obtain the official star and thus approach a wise sovereign. At that time, both fame and fortune will be prominent, and the reputation will spread far and wide. Those who have 酉 or 丑 are especially strong. Once the big destiny moves to巳or 午 and fills the clash, calamity will follow, and one will suffer misfortune year after year.

庚子、甲申、庚子、甲申。高功韶尚書，飛天祿馬格。楠曰：庚申日主子申重，午內財官暗喜沖。金水兩千無剝雜，邦家萬世有奇功。

The person's birth chart is: the year pillar is Gengzi, the month pillar is Jiashen, the day pillar is Gengzi, and the hour pillar is Jiashen. This is the birth chart of Gao Gongsao, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, belonging to the Flying Heavenly禄 and Horse pattern. Zhang Nan interpreted it saying: the day master is Geng metal, and the Zi and Shen characters in the year and month pillars repeat; the wealth and official positions hidden in Wu are happily being secretly conflicted out; the metal and water are both pure and not mixed; thus he can establish extraordinary achievements for the country that will last for generations.

庚生申月，下通申子之氣，水盛則能動午中丁己作財官。再行北方，重重水氣沖之，如喜身主有氣，飛天祿馬格真也。

Heavenly stem Geng metal is born in the month of Shen, and the earthly branches connect with the water of Shen and Zi; when water becomes strong, it can shake the Ding fire and Ji earth in Wu, taking them as wealth and official positions. If the big destiny moves toward the north, the heavy water will attack Wu, making the pattern even more established. Moreover, the day's stem Geng metal sits on its own禄 in Shen and has strength, so it can bear this strong movement. Therefore, this Flying Heavenly禄 and Horse pattern is a genuine pattern.

倒沖祿馬格。舊賦雲丙午日，柱中用午字多，沖出子宮癸水為官星，不論帶合。若柱中有未字絆信，則午不能去沖，柱中大忌見子字則禍也。如丁巳日，柱中用巳字多，沖出亥中壬水為官星，柱中忌見壬亥字不美也，不論合。若四柱中有辰字，則巳不能去沖，歲君大運亦同，運重歲君輕。

Now discussing the pattern of inverted momentum with official stars. The old writings say: On a Jia Wu day, if the column contains many Wu characters, it will clash with the Zi character, producing the癸 water as official star. This pattern does not require the presence of a harmonizing character. If the column contains the Wei character, it will tie up the Wu character, preventing it from clashing. The column most dislikes the presence of the Zi character, as it fills the position, and if it is present, it brings misfortune. Similarly, on a Ding Si day, if the column contains many Si characters, it will clash with the Hai character, producing the Ren water as official star. The column dislikes the presence of the Ren character and the Hai character; if they are present, it is not favorable. Again, this does not require the presence of a harmonizing character. If the column contains the Chen character, the Si character cannot clash. The principle of the heavenly stem and earthly branch is the same as that of the big year, except that the big year has greater weight and the heavenly stem and earthly branch have less.

楠曰：舊經文明白。但丁日巳字多沖亥，若四柱中有辰字，則巳不能去沖。何也？蓋巳見辰為地網，主多生蹇滯凶害，所以不能去沖，與他羈絆不同。而或有疑舊文辰字，當作申字，亦非也。《易散》云：丙丁離巽動江湖，歲運無官入仕途。厚利榮名還有利，定教榮貴感皇都。

Zhang Nan said: The old text explains clearly. Just add one sentence: On Dingsi day, the巳 character has more power to冲亥. If there is a辰 character in the four pillars, then巳 cannot冲亥. Why? Because when巳 meets辰, it is called "Diwang," which indicates many obstacles and harmful effects, so it cannot break through. This is different from other cases of combined deities being restricted. Some people suspect that the "辰" character in the old text should be "申," but that is also incorrect. The "Yi San" says: "Bing Ding Li Xun move in rivers and lakes, without officials in age and destiny, one can enter officialdom. Great profits and honor are still beneficial, surely leading to honor and wealth that move the imperial capital."

又曰：丙午丁巳名倒刑，若無辰未絆相宜。不逢壬癸來真實，富貴雙全大出奇。《繼善篇》云：得佐聖君，貴在沖官逢合。此正倒祿飛之謂也。

It is also said: "Bingwu and Dingsi are called reverse冲 (clash), if there is no Chen to bind them, they are most suitable. If壬癸 does not come to fill the official star, then both wealth and status will be complete, which is very unusual." The "Ji Shanjian" says: those who can assist the enlightened monarchs are considered noble because their official star is produced through冲 and also meet a combination to complete it. This refers precisely to the two patterns of正飞天禄马 and倒冲禄马.

楠曰：子遙巳，取甲子日甲子時，蓋取子中癸水，遙運巳中戊土，戊土動丙火。丙火合辛金，甲木取辛金為官星也。忌四柱天干有庚金七煞絆住甲字，但此遙遠作合，理亦通也。月令有正格可用為是，無正格以此取用。此下場近是百非，屢試亦有驗。畏西方申酉戌巳酉丑運，實了官星也。

Zhang Nan said: The Zi Yao Si pattern takes the Jiazi day and Jiazi hour. Its method is: the癸water in Zi remotely moves the戊earth in Si, and the戊earth then moves the丙fire in Si. The丙fire combines with the辛metal, and the Jia wood takes the辛metal as its official star. Thus, the official star is remotely drawn out. This pattern is to be avoided if there is the庚metal seven killer in the four pillars that ties up the Jia wood. This kind of remote combination, though logically somewhatwith difficulty, is acceptable. If there is another proper pattern in the month's stem, it should be used instead. Only when there is no proper pattern should this one be used. Generally, such patterns are rare, but they have indeed been verified in practice. This pattern is afraid of the western Shenshoushu and Siyouchou years, as they would fill in the official star.

《喜忌篇》云甲子日再遇子時，畏庚辛申酉丑午。曰此格舊傳以甲子日見甲子時，其子遙合巳宮戊土，來動丙，又去合酉中辛金為官星，要行身旺鄉，如月令通木，方論歲運。及四柱中忌有辛申酉字為官殺填實，子忌丑字絆住，午字沖子，不能去遙，並未有喜官運之說，而《格解》喜官運何也？

The *Xiji篇* says: On a day of Jiazi, if the time is also Jiazi, one should fear the presence of Geng, Xin, Shen, You, Chou, and Wu. Someone explains: This pattern is traditionally understood as when Jiazi day meets Jiazi time, the Zi is used to remotely combine with the Si palace Wu earth. Wu earth activates Bing fire, which then combines with You metal to form an official star. One should go to a place where the body is strong. Only if the month and branch have wood with roots can it be considered favorable. In the four pillars, one should avoid having the characters Xin, Shen, You, which fill the official star, as Zi fears Chou blocking it and Wu conflicting with it. Once blocked or conflicted, the remote combination fails. The old saying never mentioned the idea of "favoring official star luck," but the *Gejie* says it does. Why is that?

作曰：此格固不可見正官星，若生春月，又坐印重重，並生冬月，印愈旺矣。無官則身旺無極，歲運遇見官星，多有資財昌盛，功名顯達，大富貴者，作嘗驗之矣。故曰木旺得金，方成棟樑，官印兩全，乃是貴人。此待格局，亦當通變，不可執一，以為不可見官星，《格解》此說極是。經曰：“通變以為神”，是也。

The original chart naturally lacks the presence of the official star, but if born in spring, with the imprint star appearing repeatedly in the chart, or born in winter with the water imprint being strong, then the day's main element is strong without restraint. At this time, if the official star appears in the year or the decade, it is likely to bring wealth and fame, leading to great prosperity and success. I have personally verified this. Therefore, strong wood needs metal to shape it into a beam, and the combination of official and imprint stars makes one a nobleman. When dealing with such patterns, one should be flexible and not rigidly insist that the official star must not appear. The statement in "The Explanation of Patterns" is very accurate. The classic says, "Only those who can adapt are called divine," which exactly conveys this meaning.

觀古歌云：“甲子重逢甲子時，休言生旺不相宜。月生日主根元壯，運入官鄉反得奇。”則《格解》非無稽也，可見矣。蔌者不司此歌，改月生日主根元壯而為無根壯，又改運入官反得奇而為反不奇，俱非。辦以生春月冬月，干支水木太多者論，要輕重較量。如生傷官食神印綬財官之月，只以六格斷之，不可作予遙。不然則差之毫釐，謬之千里。

Now looking at the ancient song which says: "When Jiazi meets Jiazi hour, do not say that the birth and strength are not suitable. If the month is the day master's birthday, the root is strong. When the destiny enters the official place, it becomes extraordinary." This shows that the "Explanation of the Categories" is not baseless talk. Those with shallow understanding do not understand this song, and they change "the root is strong" into "no root and strong," and "when the destiny enters the official place, it becomes extraordinary" into "it does not become extraordinary," which are both wrong. One must consider the situation according to whether the person was born in spring or winter, and whether there are too many water and wood in the heavenly stems and earthly branches. One must also weigh the importance. If the person was born in a month of official, food, seal, or wealth, then one should only judge according to the six standard patterns, and not treat it as a remote巳 (Si) situation. Otherwise, a slight error will lead to a great mistake.

己亥 乙亥 甲子 甲子 古錢丞相造。自十六七後，就行金鄉酉申運，並運干庚辛金四十年不斷，官至宰相，則生月多印綬，當行官運也明矣。

In ancient times, Qian Chengxiang's birth chart was: the year pillar Jihai, the month pillar Yihai, the day pillar Jiazi, and the hour pillar Jiazi. After he was about sixteen or seventeen years old, he continuously experienced the metal terrain of You and Shen, along with the heavenly stem of Geng and Xin metal, for forty years, which enabled him to rise to the position of prime minister. This clearly shows that the Zi Yao Si pattern, which has many birth month tonalities, is supposed to go through official luck, and this principle is very clear.

丙寅 壬辰 甲子 甲子 古趙知府造。三十旬內，行申酉官鄉運，功名顯達，官至知府，則生春身旺之月，喜行官旺也明矣。豈可以遙巳為皆不可見官星填實哉。

In ancient times, the birth chart of Zhao Zhi Fu was: the year pillar was Bingyin, the month pillar was Renchen, the day pillar was Jiazi, and the hour pillar was Jiazi. During his thirties, he experienced the destiny path of Shenyousheng and You, which are official paths, and thus achieved fame and official positions, eventually becoming a prefect. This clearly shows that those born in a strong body month of spring greatly benefit from a path of strong officials. How can we generally claim that the Jiazi remote Si pattern cannot see official stars to fill in reality?

《鷓鴣天》云：甲臨子位日時全，遙作蟾宮折桂仙。癸水子中遙巳動，丙戊相合用祿權。財滾滾，福綿綿，白衣脫去紫維穿。庚辛申酉丑午絕，富貴榮華四十年。

The ci poem "Zhe Gu Tian" says: If the day stem is Jia Wood and both the day and hour pillars meet Zi, then one can achieve high official rank, like plucking the osmanthus from the moon palace. The癸 water in Zi remotely connects with the巳 palace, drawing out Bing Fire and Wu Earth to form a harmonious combination, thus bringing official position and authority. Therefore, wealth flows in abundance, blessings last long, and one can change from a white robe to a purple robe. As long as the pillar contains no庚, 辛, 申, 酉, 丑, or 午, which are considered breaking the pattern, one can enjoy forty years of glory and wealth.

楠曰：丑遙巳格，取癸丑日，丑字多遙合巳中戊土為官星。要丑字多，又辛丑日，亦遙合巳中丙火為官星。畏有巳字填實，畏有寅字絆了丑，不能遙，理亦同前。辛癸日多逢丑地，不喜官星。歲時逢子巳二宮，虛名虛利。

Zhang Nan said: The Chou remote Si pattern takes Guichou day. It uses multiple Chou characters in the pillar to remotely combine with the Wu earth in Si. The Wu earth is the official star of the Gui water. Therefore, there must be many Chou characters. Xinchou day is similar, as the Chou character remotely combines with the Bing fire in Si to serve as the official star of the Xin metal. This pattern fears the presence of Si characters to fill it in, and also fears the presence of Yin characters that tie up the Chou and prevent it from moving remotely. The reasoning is the same as in the previous Zi remote Si pattern. Those with many Chou characters on Xin or Gui days do not like to see another official star. If the year or hour also meets the Zi or Si positions, it will only result in empty fame and empty profit.

或曰：此格舊傳以辛丑、癸丑二日用丑多為主，以丑辛動巳中丙火戊土為官星。喜申酉二字，但得一字合起為妙。若四柱中原有子字絆住，巳字填實，不能去遙，歲運亦同，原無官星，方用此格。未有喜官運之說，而《格解》謂喜官運，何也？

Some people say: This pattern is traditionally based on the days of Xinchou and Guichou, using multiple instances of Chou to stir the Bing fire and Wu earth within Si, serving as official stars. It is favorable to have Shen or You, and having one of these to combine with Si is especially good. If the four pillars originally contain Zi, which ties up Chou, or Si, which fills it up, then the effect is not activated, and the same applies to the years and months of birth. It is only when the original chart has no official stars that this pattern is used. The old sayings never mentioned favoring an official star in the year or month of birth, but the "Pattern Explanation" says it is favorable to have an official star. Why is this so?

何曰：此格固不可見官星，然四柱身極旺，亦喜官鄉，運與子遙同斷。故古歌云：“辛日癸日多逢丑，名為遙巳合官星。莫言不喜官星旺，誰信官來返有成。”又觀古歌云：“諸般貴氣雖合格，六格大綱維去得。更看向背運辰行，不可一途而取格。”子遙丑遙二格身大旺，喜向官運益明矣。

The original chart may not show the official star, but when the day master is extremely strong, it still prefers to go to the official star's position, and the method of interpretation is the same as the Zi Yao Si pattern. Therefore, an ancient rhyme says: "When辛 or癸 day is often seen in丑, it is called the remote Si combination with the official star. Do not say that the official star's strength is not desired, who would believe that the official star's arrival brings success." Another ancient rhyme says: "Although various noble energies may conform to the pattern, the six major patterns must be removed. Further consider the direction of the destiny and the movement of the years, do not take the pattern in a single way." This shows that both the Zi Yao and Chou Yao patterns, when the day master is very strong, prefer to go to the official star's position, and this principle is even clearer.

《鷓鴣天》云：癸辛二日丑宮中，遙合巳上得官星。申酉合巳功名顯，富貴榮華萬事通。丙丁破，戊己沖，重茵列鼎所恩榮。年時有子終為絆，如無此字位三公。補曰：丙丁破，是言辛日大運遇丙丁官殺也。戊己 言癸日大運遇戊己官殺也，重茵列鼎反恩榮，正《格解》反謂喜官運也。

"The Zhe Gu Tian" says: "On the second day of the癸 and 辛, in the Chou palace, distant harmony with Si brings official stars. The combination of Shen and You with Si brings fame and success; wealth, honor, and all things go smoothly. The destruction by Bing and Ding, the conflict with Wu and Ji, sitting in luxury, feasting with bronze vessels, and receiving royal favor. If there is a son in the year, it will eventually be a hindrance; if not, one will reach the position of a minister of the third rank." Supplementary explanation: The term "Bing Ding destruction" refers to the situation where on a 辛 day, the big destiny cycle encounters Bing and Ding, which are official stars. The term "Wu Ji" refers to the situation where on a 癸 day, the big destiny cycle encounters Wu and Ji, which are official stars. Since it is said that encountering these can lead to sitting in luxury, feasting with bronze vessels, and receiving royal favor, this confirms the "Grading Explanation" that the joy comes from official stars.

格言：壬騎龍背格，取壬辰日辰字多，則能沖出戌中丁火為財星，要辰字寅字多，寅多則能以騎龍為言，非根正理，但美名以取運人聽信。取辰字多沖戌，理亦頗有，不可專以此論禍福。八字中無正格，方以此矣看。

The method of "Gridding" explains that the "Ninety Dragon Back" pattern uses Renchen day. If there are many Chens in the pillar, they can clash with the Xu in the column to bring out the Ding fire within Xu as a wealth star; it is necessary to have many Chens or Yins. The reason it is called "Riding the Dragon" is because Chen represents the Dragon, and the Ren water rides on the back of the Dragon. This name is not based on correct reasoning, but is just a pleasant name to make people believe. As for using multiple Chens to clash with Xu, the reasoning is reasonable, but one cannot rely solely on this to determine fortune or misfortune. Only when there is no proper pattern in the four pillars, should this pattern be considered.

《喜忌篇》云：陽水疊逢辰位，是壬騎龍背之鄉。古賦云：此格以壬辰日為主，四見辰字多貴。寅字多者富。壬日坐辰土，以丁為財，以己為官，以辰沖戌中丁戊，壬辰日得財官。而寅午戌三合，以壬日坐寅，卻要年月時上，多聚辰字，方可為貴。

The "Xiji篇" says: On a day of Jia Water, if the position of Chen appears repeatedly, it is called the land of Ren riding on the dragon's back. Ancient writings state: This pattern is based on a day of Renchen. If the column has many instances of Chen, it indicates wealth; if it has many instances of Yin, it indicates prosperity. When Ren water is seated on Chen earth, it uses Ding fire as wealth and Ji earth as official position. Using Chen to冲 (conflict) the Ding fire and Wu earth in Xu, the day of Renchen gains wealth and official position effortlessly. The triple harmony of Yin, Wu, and Xu forming a fire trinity is also considered wealth. If Ren day is seated on Yin, it also requires many instances of Chen in the year, month, and hour to achieve prosperity.

若壬辰日有，年月時上皆有寅字。只為富命，以寅午戌為財得地。若年月時皆辰字，則沖出財官所以名揚四海，威振八方，而大貴也。古歌云：壬騎龍背怕官居，重疊逢辰貴有餘。設若寅多辰字少，須應豪富比陶朱。

If the day is Renchen and the year, month, and hour are all Yin, then it is considered a wealthy fate, because Yin, Wu, and Xu form a fire trinity, and the wealth star is in its proper place. If the year, month, and hour are all Chen, the hidden wealth and official star in Xu are disturbed, thus enabling great fame throughout the land and great power in all directions, leading to high status. An old poem says: "Ren riding on a dragon's back fears officials; encountering repeated Chen brings great wealth. If Yin is abundant and Chen is scarce, one should be as wealthy as Tao Zhu Gong." This means that if the original chart already has an official star, it is unfavorable. If there are many Chen, it brings high status; if there are many Yin and few Chen, it results in great wealth similar to Tao Zhu Gong.

《鷓鴣天》云：壬綺龍背喜非常，寅子多兮福命祥。辰字若多官印重，韜略英雄佐聖王。榮封紫誥綬金章，澄清四海鎮邊疆。先賢立就窮天理，肅整威儀壓四方。

The ci poem "Zhe Gu Tian" says: This pattern is exceptionally commendable. Those with many instances of the characters yin and zi in their pillars will have great fortune and a prosperous destiny; those with many instances of chen will have official positions and seals of authority that are substantial, enabling individuals with broad strategies and wisdom to assist the sage ruler. At that time, they will receive purple imperial edicts, wear golden seals and sashes, clear the world of chaos, and guard the borders. The ancients established this method by thoroughly investigating the principles of heaven and earth; these people have dignified appearances and formidable authority capable of subduing all directions.

楠曰：井欄叉格，蓋取庚子庚申庚辰三日，要申子辰全，沖動午財官，為庚日之財官也。畏有寅午戌字，則破壞格矣。庚日時逢潤下，忌壬癸巳午之方，時遇子申，其福減半。舊注曰：“此論井欄叉格。”蓋言六庚日生人，地支得申子辰全，乃謂全逢潤下。蓋庚用丁為官，而子沖午，庚用未為財，而申沖寅。戌中戊土為庚之印，而辰沖之，以申子辰三義來沖寅午戌，為財官印綬。

Zhang Nan said: The well frame pattern takes the days of Gengzi, Gengshen, and Gengchen. The earthly branches must have Shen, Zi, and Chen all present to stir up the position of Wu, thus bringing out the wealth and official position in Wu for Geng metal. It is most feared if the pillar contains Yin, Wu, and Xu, as this would break the pattern. There is a saying: "On a Geng day, when the time is moist and downward, it is undesirable to have Ren and Gui in the direction of Si and Wu; when the time is Zi or Shen, the fortune is reduced by half." The old commentary explains: "This refers to the well frame pattern." It means that for those born on six Geng days, if the earthly branches have Shen, Zi, and Chen all present, it is called full moist and downward. Geng metal uses Ding fire as its official, and uses Zi to stir Wu; it uses Yi wood as its wealth, and uses Shen to stir Yin; the Wu in Xu is the印 of Geng metal, and uses Chen to stir Xu. By having Shen, Zi, and Chen all present to stir Yin, Wu, and Xu, wealth, official position, and the印 are all obtained.

四柱中須用申子辰全為貴，不必三個庚子，若有三庚尤妙。只要庚日生庚年日時，北方傷官，南方火地不為貴，此乃壬癸巳午之方，而此格最忌者也。若是時遇丙子。則是時上偏官。若時是申時，則是歸祿格，其福減半，則福氣不全，虛名薄利而已。

In the four pillars, one must have all three of Shen, Zi, and Chen to be considered prosperous, though it is not necessarily required to have three Gengzi; if there are three Geng in the heavenly stems, that is even better. As long as the person is born on a Geng day and the year, day, and hour also contain Geng. Regarding the northern water region, it is the place where Geng metal is weakened, and the southern fire region is where it meets its official and killer, so traveling to these places is not beneficial, because they are exactly the 'Nen Gui Si Wu direction', which is the most disliked in this pattern. If the hour pillar is Bingzi, then it becomes the pattern of a biased official in the hour; if the hour is Shen, then it becomes the pattern of returning to the native land, with half the fortune and incomplete blessings, resulting only in empty fame and meager gains.

補曰：忌壬癸巳午之方，謂忌北方傷官，南方官運雲。舊注甚明。可改壬癸巳午之方，為忌壬癸之方何也？傳云：“中和為福，偏黨為災。”格中申子辰，會傷官之旺，若再遇北方壬癸運，則傷民洩氣太過必禍。正所謂四柱若三合傷官之殺，乃運行傷官。其禍不可言也。

Supplementary explanation: The phrase "忌壬癸巳午之方" refers to both avoiding the northern direction which is the place of the injurious official and also avoiding the southern direction which is the period of official killing. The old annotations explain this clearly. Some people want to change "壬癸巳午之方" to only avoid "壬癸之方," but why? The classics say: "Moderation and harmony bring blessings; excess and bias bring calamity." In this pattern, the combination of Shen, Zi, and Chen already forms a strong injurious official structure. If another northern direction of壬癸 is encountered, the excessive release of energy will certainly bring disaster. It is precisely said that the four pillars have already formed a triple harmony of the injurious official, and if the big year also moves in the direction of the injurious official, the disaster is beyond description.

《鷓鴣天》云：庚日全逢申子辰，井欄叉格合官星。相逢三格多官星，巳午未臨受苦辛。壬癸破，丙丁沖，柱運無逢得顯名。不作蓬萊三島客，出須金榜玉偕行。

The ci poem "Zhe Gu Tian" says: When the day master is Geng metal and the earthly branches are complete with Shen, Zi, and Chen, this pattern naturally brings out the official star. However, when these three branches are all present together, the official star becomes excessive; once the branches Si, Wu, and Wei appear, hardship is inevitable. If壬癸 water comes, it will break the pattern; if丙丁 fire comes, it will clash and fill the pattern. As long as the original chart and the big destiny do not meet these, one can achieve fame. Such a person, if not becoming a hermit on the Penglai Island, will certainly achieve success in officialdom, with a golden list inscription and a jade belt around his waist.

觀壬癸破之句，則考經文又謂忌壬癸者可見。又觀吾邑王封君造：癸卯、庚申、庚子、庚辰，合此井欄叉格，宦成名立，敕封御史。至壬子運，癸亥歲，干支俱傷官太過不祿，則經文所謂忌壬癸者益信。

Looking at the phrase "Rén Guǐ Pò," we can see that the text's warning against Rén and Guǐ is indeed based on solid reasoning. Now consider the birth chart of Wang Fengjun from our county: his heavenly stem and earthly branch for the year are Guimao, for the month Gengshen, for the day Gengzi, and for the hour Gengchen. This perfectly matches the pattern known as the well shaft cross pattern. As a result, he achieved official status and was honored with an imperial appointment as a censor. However, in the year Guihai of the Rénzi cycle, both the heavenly stem and earthly branch were water, leading to excessive泄气 (exhaustion of energy) through the伤官 (harmful official), which ultimately caused his death. This further confirms that the text's warning against Rén and Guǐ is not without merit.