Five Phases Overview

五行者，本乎天地之間而不窮者也，故謂之行。北方陰極而生寒，寒生水；南方陽極而生熱，熱生火；東方陽散以洩而生風，風生木；西方陰止以收而生燥，燥生金；中央陰陽交而生溫，溫生土。其相生也所以相維，其相剋也所以相制，此之謂有倫。

The concept of the Five Phases, or Wuxing, originates from the continuous and endless movement of five types of energy present in the universe. Because these energies are always in motion, they are called "Wuxing" meaning "moving phases." When the yin energy in the north reaches its extreme, it produces cold, and cold solidifies into water. When the yang energy in the south reaches its extreme, it produces heat, and heat becomes fire. When yang energy in the east spreads outward, it produces wind, and wind becomes wood. When yin energy in the west gathers and becomes restrained, it produces dryness, and dryness becomes metal. When the yin and yang energies in the center meet, they produce warmth, and warmth becomes earth. The Five Phases generate each other to maintain continuity, and they control each other to impose limits. Through both generation and control, there is an orderly sequence, which is called "having order" or "having a proper sequence," meaning there is a clear structure and order.

火為太陽，性炎上；水為太陰，性潤下；木為少陽，性騰上而無所止；金為少陰，性沉下而有所止；土無常性，視四時所乘，欲使相濟得所，勿令太過弗及。夫五行之性，各致其用。水者其性智，火者其性禮，木其性仁，金其性義，惟土主信，重寬厚博，無所不容。以之水，即水附之而行；以之木，則木托之而生；金不得土，則無自出；火不得土，則無自歸。必損實以為通，致虛以為明，故五行皆賴土也。

Fire belongs to the Yang energy of the Sun, and its nature is to rise upward and burn; Water belongs to the Yin energy of the Great Yin, and its nature is to descend and moisten; Wood belongs to the Lesser Yang, and its nature is to rise upward without limit; Metal belongs to the Lesser Yin, and its nature is to sink downward and be contained. Earth has no fixed bias, but changes according to the season. The five elements must support each other and be in harmony, neither excessive nor deficient. Each of the five elements has its own function: Water governs wisdom, Fire governs propriety, Wood governs benevolence, Metal governs righteousness, and only Earth governs trust, being thick and broad, capable of containing all. Water needs Earth as a bank and bed to adhere and flow; Wood needs Earth to rest upon in order to take root and grow; Metal cannot be produced without Earth; Fire cannot be concealed without Earth. Earth must be loosened to allow air to pass and remain loose to be clear. Therefore, none of the five elements can exist without Earth.

推其形色，則水黑、火赤、木青、土黃，此正色也。及其變易，則不然。常以生旺從正色，死絕從母色，成形冠帶從妻色，病敗從鬼色，旺墓從子色。其數則水一、火二、木三、金四、土五，生旺加倍，死絕減半。

In terms of form and color, water is black, fire is red, wood is green, earth is yellow (and metal is white), these are the inherent colors of the Five Phases. However, when they change according to their environment, they no longer follow their inherent colors: usually when they are in "birth" or "prosperous" positions, they follow their inherent color; when they are in "death" or "extinction" positions, they follow the color of the phase that nurtures them, the mother color; when they are in "formation" or "capping" positions, they follow the color of the phase they overcome, the wife color; when they are in "illness" or "decline" positions, they follow the color of the phase that overcomes them, the ghost color; when they are in "prosperous burial" positions, they follow the color of the phase they generate, the child color. Regarding the numbers of the Five Phases, water is one, fire is two, wood is three, metal is four, and earth is five; when they are in "birth" or "prosperous" positions, their numbers double, and when they are in "death" or "extinction" positions, their numbers are halved.

以義推之，夫萬物負陰而抱陽，沖氣以和。過與不及，皆為乖道。故高者抑之使平，下者舉之使崇，或益其不及，或損其太過。所以貴在折衷，歸於中道，使無有餘不足之累，即才官印食貴人驛馬之微意也。行運亦如之，識其微意，則於命理之說，思過半矣。

From the perspective of meaning and principle: all things carry yin and embrace yang, relying on the mutual movement and collision of these two energies to achieve harmony. Anything that is excessive or insufficient is deviating from the right path. Therefore, what is too high should be restrained to bring it to balance, and what is too low should be elevated to reach a proper level; what is lacking should be supplemented, and what is excessive should be reduced. The valuable aspect lies in moderation, returning to the middle path of neither excess nor deficiency, so that the destiny chart is free from the burdens of surplus or lack. The deeper meaning behind terms such as 'wealth' (originally written as 'talent'), 'official', 'seal', 'food god', as well as nobleman and post-horse, is precisely this. The same principle applies when examining the big years and the flow of years. Understanding this principle means grasping a large part of the study of destiny.

木性騰上而無所止，氣重則欲金任使，有金則有惟高惟斂之德。仍愛土重，則根蟠深固；土少則有枝茂根危之患。木賴水生，少則滋潤，多則漂流。甲戌、乙亥，木之源；甲寅、乙卯，木之鄉；甲辰、乙巳，木之生，皆活木也。甲申、乙酉，木受克；甲午、乙未，木自死；甲子、乙丑，金克木，皆死木也。

The nature of wood is to grow upward without limit. When the energy of wood is too strong, it requires metal to cut and control it; with metal to restrain it, wood can possess the quality of both growing tall and being inwardly restrained. Wood also prefers thick earth, as thick earth allows its roots to be deep and firmly established; if the earth is too thin, there is a risk of lush branches and leaves but shallow roots. Wood relies on water for its growth: a little water is just right for nourishment, but too much water can wash away the wood, causing it to float and lose its roots. In terms of the combination of heavenly stems and earthly branches: Jia Xu and Yi Hai are the origins of wood, Jia Yin and Yi Mao are the native lands of wood (the positions of officialdom and prosperity), Jia Chen and Yi Si are the places where wood grows. These three categories are considered "living wood." Jia Shen and Yi You wood are weakened by the metal of Shen and You, Jia Wu and Yi Wei wood are in the dead or墓 positions, and Jia Zi and Yi Chou wood are attacked by metal. These three categories are considered "dead wood."

生木得火而秀，丙丁相同；死木得金而造，庚辛必利。生木見金自傷，死木得火自焚。無風自止，其勢亂也；遇水返化其源，其勢盡也。金木相等，格謂斲輪；若向秋生，反為傷斧，是秋生忌金重也。

Living wood gains brilliance and clarity with fire, and both Bing fire and Ding fire have this effect. Dead wood requires metal to be shaped into tools, and both Geng metal and Xin metal are beneficial. Conversely, living wood encountering metal harms its vitality, and dead wood meeting fire leads to self-destruction. If there is no wind, it remains stagnant and does not grow, indicating a confused energy; encountering water instead leads to the consumption of its source, indicating exhausted energy. When metal and wood are evenly matched, this configuration is called "Zhuo Lun," which is excellent material for making wheels. However, if it is born in autumn, when metal is strong, the axe becomes an instrument that harms the wood—so wood born in autumn most fears heavy metal.

木生於春，餘寒猶存。喜火溫暖，則無盤屈之患；藉水資扶，而有舒暢之美。春初不宜水盛，陰濃則根損枝枯；春木陽氣煩燥，無水則葉槁根枯。是以水火二物，既濟方佳。土多而損力，土薄則財豐。忌逢金重傷殘克伐，一生不閒。設使木旺，得金則良，終生獲福。

When wood is growing in spring, the remaining cold of winter has not yet completely disappeared, so it prefers fire to warm it up, and with fire it will not curl up and remain bent; it also needs water to support and nourish it, and with water it can stretch and flourish. However, in early spring, water should not be too strong, for excessive water brings heavy yin energy, which may freeze the roots of the wood and wither the branches. When the wood's yang energy becomes stronger and dryness gradually appears, without water, the leaves will wither and the roots will dry up. Therefore, water and fire must be balanced to form a "both completed" situation, making the destiny excellent. Too much earth will consume the strength of the wood, while thin earth brings wealth. The most harmful is heavy metal that harms and suppresses the wood, leading to a life of constant toil and unrest; but if the wood itself is strong, receiving metal for shaping and cutting is actually beneficial, bringing a lifetime of happiness.

夏月之木，根乾葉燥，盤而且直，屈而能伸。欲得水盛而成滋潤之力，誠不可少；切忌火旺而招焚化之憂，故以為凶。土宜在薄，不可厚重，厚則反為災咎；惡金在多，不可欠缺，缺則不能琢削。重重見木，徒以成林；疊疊逢華，終無結果。

In summer, the wood is dry at its roots, trunk, and leaves, appearing twisted and bent, yet actually straight. It is capable of both bending and stretching. It most urgently needs abundant water to achieve nourishment, and cannot do without it at all. It most fears strong fire, as strong fire brings the danger of burning. Therefore, strong fire is considered凶 (unfavorable). The earth should be thin, not thick; thick earth brings misfortune. Metal is undesirable in excess, yet it cannot be entirely absent, for without it, there is no way to shape and carve the wood into useful material. If the entire situation is filled with excessive wood, it merely results in a forest without purpose. Even if the flowers are layered and dense, they will ultimately fail to bear fruit.

秋月之木，氣漸淒涼，形漸凋敗。初秋之時，火氣未除，尤喜水土以相滋；中秋之令，果以成實，欲得剛金而修削。霜降後不宜水盛，水盛則木漂；寒露節又喜火炎，火炎則木實。木多有多材之美，土厚無自任之能。

In autumn, the wood element becomes increasingly bleak and withered. At the beginning of autumn, the fire element has not yet fully receded, so it particularly favors water and earth to nourish it. By mid-autumn, the fruits have already formed, and it requires the sharpness of metal to cut and shape them. After the frost descent, excessive water is not suitable, as too much water would make the wood drift and lose its foundation. After the cold dew, it prefers fire to provide warmth, as warm fire allows the wood to bear fruit. An abundance of wood signifies many valuable materials; however, thick earth may hinder the wood's ability to stand independently and bear responsibility.

冬月之木，盤屈在地，欲土多而培養，惡水盛而忘形。金總多不能克伐，火重見溫暖有功。歸根復命之時，木病安能輔助，須忌死絕之地，只宜生旺之方。

In winter, wood is bent and hidden underground, preferring abundant earth to protect its roots and disliking excessive water that would drown its form. At this time, even if metal is abundant, it cannot cut or suppress the wood. If fire is strong, it brings warmth and is very useful. This is the season when all things return to their roots and renew themselves. The wood itself is already in a state of decline, so how can it be expected to assist other things? Therefore, one should avoid paths of death and decay, and instead choose directions of birth and strength.

春月之木，漸有生長之象。初春猶有餘寒，當以火溫暖，則有舒暢之美；水多變克，有損精神。重見生旺，必用庚金斲鑿，可成楝梁。春末陽壯水渴，藉水資扶，則花繁葉茂。初春無火，增之以水，則陰濃氣弱，根損枝枯，不能華秀；春末失水，增之以火，則陽氣太盛，燥渴相加，枝枯葉乾，亦不華秀。是以水火二物，要得時相濟為美。

In spring, the wood gradually shows signs of growth. In early spring (the month of寅), the cold has not yet completely disappeared, so fire should be used to warm it up. Only when the wood receives warm energy can it stretch and flourish. If there is too much water at this time, it will not nourish but instead harm the wood, damaging its vitality. If the wood is repeatedly supported and strengthened, it will become overly vigorous, requiring the use of metal (庚) to cut and shape it, so that it can become a fine piece of timber. By late spring (the month of辰), the yang energy is strong and the water is dry, so water is needed to support and nourish the wood, allowing it to blossom and flourish. Conversely, if there is no fire in early spring but water is added instead, the yin energy becomes excessive and the yang weakens, causing the roots to freeze and the branches to wither, preventing the growth of good flowers. If there is no water in late spring but fire is added instead, the yang energy becomes too strong, leading to dryness and thirst, causing the branches, trunks, and leaves to wither, and again preventing the growth of good flowers. Therefore, water and fire must be properly coordinated according to the time of year, balancing each other, to achieve perfection.

正月甲木，初春尚有餘寒，得丙癸逢，富貴雙全。癸藏丙透，名寒木向陽，主大富貴。倘風水不及，亦不失儒林俊秀。如無丙癸，平常人也。

In the first lunar month, the Earthly Branch is Yin, and the Heavenly Stem Jia Wood begins to grow. Early spring still carries the remaining cold from winter, so for this month's Jia Wood, the key is to use Bing Fire to dispel the cold and Gui Water to nourish its roots. If both Bing Fire and Gui Water are present in a person's destiny, it indicates a prosperous and wealthy life. If Gui Water is hidden in the Earthly Branch and Bing Fire appears in the Heavenly Stem, this is called "Cold Wood Facing the Sun"—with water nourishing its roots and the sun warming its top, it signifies great wealth and honor. If external factors such as ancestral virtue and good风水 are lacking, at least the person will still be an outstanding scholar. But if neither Bing Fire nor Gui Water is present, the cold wood receives neither warmth nor nourishment, and the person will be ordinary.

正二月甲木，素無取從才從殺從化之理。或一派庚辛，主一生勞苦，克子刑妻，再支會金局，非貧即夭。如無丙丁，一派壬癸，又無戊己制之，名水泛木浮，死無棺槨。如一派戊己，支會金局，為財多身弱，富屋貧人，終生勞苦，妻晚子遲。

In the first and second months, the Jia wood is in its own season and receives the right energy, so it has never been considered appropriate to take external patterns such as 'following wealth', 'following killing', or 'transformation'. When the body is strong, it cannot abandon its own destiny to follow others. If the entire chart is full of Geng and Xin metal, with many official and killing stars that stronglyrestrain the body, it indicates a life of hardship, harming children and suffering from marital problems. If the earthly branches form a metal group, then it is either poverty or short life. If there is no Bing or Ding fire to warm the situation and release the brilliance, but instead a lot of Ren and Gui water, and no Wu or Ji earth to control the water, this is called 'water flooding and wood floating'—the wood roots are submerged by water, floating without support, leading to great misfortune, even to the point where one cannot afford a coffin after death. If the entire chart is full of Wu and Ji earth as wealth, and the earthly branches form a metal group to generate wealth, this is called 'wealth abundant but body weak', indicating a poor person living in a good house, working hard all their life, marrying late and having children late.

或無庚金，有丁透，亦屬文星，為木火通明之象，又名傷官生財格，主聰明雅秀。一見癸水傷丁，但作厚道迂儒。或柱中多癸，滋助木神，傷滅丁火，其人奸雄梟險，曹操之徒，言清行濁，笑裡藏刀。

If there is no Geng metal, but Ding fire appears on the heavenly stem, Ding fire is the son of Jia wood, considered a literary star. This forms the image of "wood and fire shining clearly," also known as the "pattern of the son generating wealth," indicating a person who is intelligent, refined, elegant, and graceful. However, if癸 water appears and harms Ding fire, extinguishing this light, the person becomes a loyal and somewhat clumsy scholar. If there is too much癸 water in the pillar, it nourishes the wood deity, making wood even stronger, while also damaging Ding fire. The strong wood has nowhere to express itself, and the cold dampness cannot be transformed. Such a person becomes a cunning and dangerous character, like Cao Cao, who speaks clearly but acts corruptly, with a hidden dagger behind a smile.

若庚申、戊寅、甲寅、丙寅，一行金水運，發進士。或甲午日庚午時，此人必貴，但要好運相催，不宜制了庚丁。

For example, in a birth chart with the year Gengshen, the month Wuyin, the day Jiayin, and the hour Bingyin, the Jia wood is born in the Yin month and gets its strength, with the Bing fire in the Yin branch appearing to show its brilliance. The year column Gengshen, the seven killing star, sits on its own strength and has a solid foundation. Once the person enters a destiny path of metal and water, the seven killing star becomes powerful and the printing star supports the body, allowing the person to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. Another example is when the day is Jiawu and the hour is Gengwu. The Wu branch contains Ding fire as the injurious star, and the heavenly stem Geng metal is the seven killing star, forming a situation where the injurious star controls the seven killing star. This person is destined for high status and prominence. However, they need a favorable destiny path to trigger this potential, and they must not have other heavenly stems or earthly branches that weaken the Geng metal and Ding fire, which are the useful gods.

或支成金局，多透庚辛，此又不吉，號曰木被金傷，若無丙丁破金，必主殘疾。或支成火局，洩露太過，定主愚懦，常有啾唧災病纏身，終有暗疾。支成木局，得庚為貴，無庚必凶，若非僧道，男主鰥孤，女主寡獨。支成水局，戊透為貴，如無戊制，不但貧賤，且死無棺木。故書曰：甲木若無根，全賴申子辰，干得才殺透，平步上青雲。

If the earthly branches form a metal trinity, and the heavenly stems also have many appearances of geng and xin, it is not auspicious, called "wood harmed by metal"; if there is no bing or ding fire to overcome the metal energy, it will certainly lead to disability. If the earthly branches form a fire trinity, the wood energy is excessively drained by fire, the origin god is exhausted, and it will certainly result in dullness and weakness, often suffering from minor illnesses and misfortunes, with lifelong hidden ailments. If the earthly branches form a wood trinity, there are many siblings, and it must have geng metal to control it in order to be prosperous; without geng metal, it will be inauspicious. If not becoming a monk or nun, men will be widowers and lonely, and women will be widowed and without a partner. If the earthly branches form a water trinity, there is too much water and the wood floats, so there must be wu earth appearing to build a dike in order to be prosperous; without wu earth to control the water, one will not only be poor and lowly, but even unable to afford a coffin after death. Therefore, the fortune book says: if jia wood has no root, it entirely relies on the water trinity of shen, zi, and chen to generate and support it; if the heavenly stem also has wealth star and killer star appearing as useful elements, it can achieve success smoothly.

凡三春甲木，用庚者，土為妻，金為子；用丁者，木為妻，火為子。總之正二月甲木，有庚戊者上命；如有丁透，大富大貴之命也。

In spring's first three months, for jia wood that takes geng metal as its useful god, the earth that generates geng metal is considered the wife star, and metal is the son star; for jia wood that takes ding fire as its useful god, the wood that generates ding fire is considered the wife star, and fire is the son star. Traditionally, the one that generates the useful god is considered the wife, and the one that belongs to the useful god is considered the son. If the useful god is strong, then the wife is virtuous and the son is well-mannered. In general, for jia wood in the first and second months of spring, if the destiny has geng metal to cut and wu earth to nourish the root, it is considered an excellent destiny; if there is also ding fire appearing to support geng metal, forming the pattern of a wounded official controlling the killer, it is a destiny of great wealth and honor.

二月甲木，庚金得所，名陽刃駕殺，可云小貴，異途顯達，或主武職，但要財資之。柱中逢才，英雄獨壓萬人。若見癸水，困了才殺，主為光棍，重刃必定遭凶，性情兇暴。書曰：木旺宜火之光輝，秋闈可試；木向春生，處世安然有壽；日主無依，卻喜運行才地。

In the second lunar month, the month builder is Mao, which is the Yang Blade for Jia Wood. At this time, if the庚 metal seven killer is strong and has a good position, it forms the pattern of "Yang Blade Riding the Killer," which can be considered as a minor noble status. Such people often achieve success through unconventional paths or by holding military positions. However, there must be a wealth star to nourish the seven killer, so that the killer can be effectively utilized. If the wealth star is present in the birth chart, it indicates a situation where a hero surpasses all others. If the癸 water appears on the surface, it both drains the庚 metal and moistens the Jia Wood, thus trapping both the wealth and the killer. In such a case, the person becomes a lazy and idle person. If the Yang Blade appears again, it will definitely bring misfortune, and the person's nature will be fierce. The fortune books say that when wood is strong, fire should be present to illuminate it, and thus there is a chance to succeed in the autumn examination. Wood born in spring indicates a stable and long life. When the day's main element is isolated and unsupported, the person tends to prefer a fortunate journey to the wealth position.

三月甲木，木氣相竭。先取庚金，次用壬水。庚壬兩透，一榜堪圖，但要運用相生，風水陰德，方許富貴。或見一二庚金，獨取壬水。壬透清秀之人，才學必富。

In the third month, the Earthly Branch Chen is in charge, and the earth energy is strong, causing the wood energy to be quite weakened. To adjust the climate, first take Geng metal to break through the thick earth and shape the wood, then use Ren water to nourish the roots of the wood. If both Geng and Ren appear in the heavenly stem, success in official exams is possible. However, it is also necessary to have a favorable fate that allows Geng metal to generate Ren water and Ren water to nourish Jia wood, with each element supporting the next. Combined with the merits of ancestors, true wealth and honor can be achieved. If the column already contains one or two points of Geng metal, the metal is sufficient, and then only Ren water is taken as the useful god; those with Ren water appearing in the heavenly stem are clear and refined, and their talents and learning are certainly abundant.

或天干透出二丙，庚藏支下，此鈍斧無鋼，富貴難求。若有壬癸破火，堪作秀才。或柱中全無一水，戊己透干，支成土局，又作棄命從才，因人而致富貴，妻子有能。

If two Bing fire stems appear in the heavens, but Geng metal is buried in the earthly branches, the excess fire will melt the metal. This Geng metal axe becomes a dull one without sharpness, unable to cut wood, and thus wealth and status are difficult to attain. If at this time Ren water or Gui water appears to suppress the fire and protect the Geng metal, one might still achieve the status of a scholar. However, if there is not even a single drop of water in the column, and Wu or Ji earth appears in the heavens, and the earthly branches form an earth pattern, then the wealth becomes extremely strong while the day stem has no root. In such a case, we should follow the principle of 'abandoning the destiny to follow wealth,' meaning that one's fortune comes from relying on others' strength (such as the wife's family or external support), and the wife is also quite capable.

或見戊己，及比劫多者，名為雜氣奪才，此人勞碌到老，無馭內之權。女命合此，女掌男權，賢能內助；若比劫重見，淫惡不堪。或支成金局，方可用丁，不然，三月無用丁之法，惟有先庚後壬取用。書曰：甲乙生寅卯，庚辛干上逢，離南推富貴，坎地卻為凶。

If both Wu and Ji wealth stars are present, and there are many siblings and劫财, and the branch is Chen, which is a mixed wealth repository, but it is divided and taken by the group of siblings and劫财, this is called "mixed wealth being taken away." This person will be hardworking all their life and even lack the authority to manage the household. For a woman's destiny if this pattern is formed, it may indicate that the woman takes control of her husband's authority, making her a capable and virtuous helper. However, if there are many layers of siblings and劫财, it becomes indecent and immoral. Only when the branches form a metal group and the metal energy is too strong can Ding fire be used to control the metal. Otherwise, in the third month, the wood of Jia and Yi does not benefit from Ding fire. Instead, first take Geng metal and then take Ren water as the useful elements. The classic texts say that when Jia and Yi wood are born in the month of Yin or Mao, and the heavenly stem meets Geng and Xin metal, if the fortune moves towards the southern Li position, which represents fire, the fire can control the metal, the wood can be comfortable and prosperous, leading to wealth and honor. If it moves towards the northern Kan position, which represents water, the water drains the metal and helps the wood, but the metal is not strong enough to resist the wood, which becomes a disaster.

四月甲木退氣，丙火司權，先癸後丁。庚金太多，甲反受病。若得壬水，方配得中和，此人性好清高，假裝富貴。即廕襲顯達，終日好作禍亂，善辨巧談，喜作詩文，此理最驗。

In the fourth month, the Month Builder is Si, and the Jia wood has already reached its peak and begins to decline. The Si branch is ruled by Bing fire, which is strong and scorches the wood, causing it to wither. Therefore, to harmonize the climate, we should first use Gui water to moisten the wood and reduce the fire. Only then should we use Ding fire to reveal the brilliance. If there is too much Geng metal at this time, the metal will overpower the body, causing the Jia wood to suffer. It is essential to have Ren water appearing on the surface, which can both relieve the strength of Geng metal and nourish the Jia wood. Only when these elements are balanced can the person's character be harmonious. Such a person has a refined and lofty nature, yet often displays an air of wealth and status. Even if they achieve success through ancestral blessings, they tend to be restless, talkative, skilled in debate, and fond of writing poetry and literature. This interpretation is remarkably accurate.

如一庚二丙，稍有富貴；金多火多，又為下格。或癸丁與庚齊透天干，此命可言科甲，即風水淺薄，亦有選拔之才。癸水不出，雖有庚金丁火，不過富中取貴異途官職而已。壬透可云一富。若全無點水，又無庚金丁火，一派丙戊，此無用之人也。

For example, if a person has one Geng metal paired with two Bing fire, the fire is sufficient to control the metal without excessively harming the person, and there is a slight possibility of wealth and status. However, if there is an excess of both metal and fire, they will fight against each other, resulting in a low-ranking destiny. If both Gui water, Ding fire, and Geng metal appear in the heavenly stem, Gui water nourishes the body, Ding fire controls the metal, and Geng metal acts as a killer element; such a destiny can be considered for academic success, even if the ancestral tomb's风水 is poor, the person is still capable of being selected. If Gui water does not appear, even with Geng metal and Ding fire, one can only seek a bit of status among wealth, and may attain an official position through an unconventional path. If Ren water appears, it can be considered a wealthy destiny. If there is no water at all, and no Geng metal or Ding fire, and the entire chart consists only of Bing fire and Wu earth, with fire burning and earth dry, and wood receiving no nourishment and no one to cut it, then this person is of no use.

五六月甲木，木性虛焦，一理共推。五月先癸後丁，庚金次之。六月三伏生寒，丁火退氣，先丁後庚，無癸亦可。或五月乏癸，用丁亦可，要運行北地為隹。

In the fifth and sixth months, the Jia wood is weak, dry, and scorched, and can be analyzed in the same way. In the fifth month, the month builder is Wu, which is the peak of fire, so first we need to use Gui water to relieve the dryness and heat, then use Ding fire to bring out the beauty of the wood, and finally use Geng metal. In the sixth month, the month builder is Wei, which has entered the third heat period, and extreme heat produces cold. Ding fire becomes weak, so we first use Ding fire and then Geng metal, even without Gui water it can still work. If there is no Gui water in the fifth month, we can use Ding fire instead, but it is best if the person's fortune moves towards the northern water direction.

總之五六月用丁火，雖運行北地，不致於死，卻不利運行火地，號曰木化成灰必死。行西程又不吉，號曰傷官遇殺，不測災來。惟東方則吉，北方次之。此五六月用丁之說也。凡用神太多，不宜剋制，須洩之為妙。

In general, for a destiny that uses Ding fire as its useful god during the fifth and sixth months, although traveling through northern water regions may harm Ding fire, it does not lead to death. However, it is most dangerous to travel through southern fire regions, which is called 'wood turning to ash,' inevitably leading to death. Traveling through western metal regions is also unfavorable, known as 'harmful official meets killer,' which brings unexpected disasters. Only traveling through eastern wood regions is favorable, and northern water regions are次之. This is the explanation for using Ding fire in the fifth and sixth months. For those whose useful god is already abundant, it is not advisable to suppress it by means of control; instead, it is better to use methods that release it—releasing allows the flow of energy, while control leads to conflict between the two.

五六月甲木，木盛先庚，庚盛先丁。五月癸庚兩透，為上上之格；六月庚丁兩透，亦為上上之格。用神既透，木火通明，自然大富大貴。或丁火太多，癸水亦多，反作平人。

For Jia wood in May and June, if the wood is strong, first take Geng metal to cut and shape it; if the Geng metal is strong, first take Ding fire to melt it. When both癸 water and Geng metal appear in the sky in May, it is an excellent pattern; similarly, when both Geng metal and Ding fire appear in the sky in June, it is also an excellent pattern. Once the useful god is revealed in the sky, with wood and fire clearly connected, one naturally becomes very wealthy and noble. However, if there is too much Ding fire and too much癸 water, the water and fire clash with each other, resulting in an ordinary person instead.

若柱中多金，名曰殺重身輕，先富後貧，運不相扶，非貧即夭。或庚多，有一二丙丁制伏，又有壬癸透干，洩金之氣，此又為先貧後富。

If there is an excess of metal in the pillars, with a strong seven killer and a weak day master, it is called 'killer heavy and body light', which indicates wealth first then poverty; if the fortune does not come to support the day master, then it will be either poverty or short life. If there is a lot of庚 metal, but there is a little bit of丙 or丁 fire to control it, and also壬 or癸 water appears on the surface to release the metal's energy, the metal's strength is both controlled and dispersed. In such a case, it is actually poverty first then wealth.

或滿柱丙火，又加丁火，不見官殺，謂之傷官傷盡最為奇，反成清貴，定主才學過人，科甲有望，但歲運不宜見水。若柱中有壬水，運又逢水，必貧夭死。但凡木火傷官者，聰明智巧，卻是人同心異，多見多疑，雖不生事害人，每抱忌妒之想，女命一理同推。

If all the heavenly stems in the chart are Bing fire, and Ding fire is added as well, with no presence of Geng or Xin metal officials orrestrain forces, this is called "Wang Guan Wang Jin" (injury official injury complete), which is very unusual and instead forms a clear and noble pattern. Such a person is sure to have exceptional talent and ability, and prospects for success in the imperial examinations. However, the big years and ten-thousands years should not meet water, which would extinguish the fire. If there is already Ren water in the chart and then water appears in the ten-thousands years, it will certainly lead to poverty and early death. Generally, people with wood and fire injury officials are intelligent and resourceful, but their appearance is in harmony with others while their inner thoughts are different. They see a lot and are often suspicious. Although they do not cause trouble or harm others, they often harbor jealousy. This principle also applies to women's fortunes.

或四柱多土，干上有乙木，切勿作棄命從才。時月兩透己土，名二土爭合，男主奔流，女主淫賤；見二甲則不爭矣，亦屬平庸之輩。或四柱有辰，干見二己二甲，此人名利雙全，大富大貴。

If there is an excess of earth in the four pillars, but there is also yi wood in the heavenly stems to support the day master, then it should not be considered as 'abandoning the destiny to follow wealth'—since there are siblings in the chart, the day master will not submit to others. If both the hour stem and the month stem are revealed as ji earth, and jia and ji combine, with two earths competing for one jia, this is called 'two earths competing for combination'. For a male, this indicates a life of toil and wandering; for a female, it suggests promiscuity. If there are two jia woods in the heavenly stems, each combines with one ji earth, they will not compete, but the person will still be ordinary. If there is chen earth in the four pillars, and there are two ji earths and two jia woods in the heavenly stems, the jia and ji will combine to form earth, and with the presence of chen earth, the person will achieve both fame and fortune, becoming very wealthy and prosperous.

若在六月，見辰支，名為逢時化合格。以癸水為妻，丁火為子。若二己一甲爭合，取支中比劫為用。以甲為用者，壬癸為妻，甲乙為子。其餘用庚者，土妻金子；用丁者，木妻火子。女命以妻作夫，用作子，十干皆同。

If someone is born in the sixth month, which is the month of Wei earth, and the earthly branch also appears as Chen, the earth element is both timely and well-positioned, which is called "meeting the time and transforming into a qualified pattern." In this pattern, the癸 water is considered the wife star, and the丁 fire is considered the son star. If two Ji earths compete to combine with one Jia wood, then the heavenly stem's hidden siblings and rivals in the earthly branch are taken as the useful god. For those who take Jia wood as the useful god, the Ren and Gui waters are considered the wife stars, and the Jia and Yi woods are considered the son stars. For those who take Geng metal as the useful god, the earth is considered the wife star, and the metal is considered the son star. For those who take Ding fire as the useful god, the wood is considered the wife star, and the fire is considered the son star. For female命, the above mentioned "wife" is considered the husband star, and the useful god is considered the children—this applies to all ten heavenly stems.

或是己土，不見戊土，乃為假從，其人一生縮首，反畏妻子。若無印綬，一生貧苦。六月尤可，五月決不可。

If the wealth element in the birth chart is only Ji Earth and there is no Wu Earth, the earth energy is not thick and pure, which is considered 'false following'. Such a person will be timid and fearful of their wife throughout their life. If the birth chart also lacks the official element to support the body, they will live a poor and difficult life. This false following pattern is somewhat acceptable if born in June when Wei Earth is strong; however, if born in May when fire is strong and earth is weak, it is definitely not appropriate to consider it as a following pattern.

三秋甲木，木性枯槁，金土乘旺，先丁後庚。丁庚兩全，將甲造為畫戟。七月甲堪為戟，非丁火不能造庚，非庚不能造甲，丁庚兩透，科甲定然。庚祿居申，殺印相生，運行金水，身伴明君。

In the third month of autumn, the Jia wood is already dry and withered, while metal and earth are flourishing at this time. To adjust the climate, we first take Ding fire and then Geng metal: Geng metal is the axe, and Ding fire is the furnace. With both present, this Jia wood can be shaped into a spear. Jia wood in July is particularly suitable for making a spear. The reasoning is: without Ding fire, we cannot refine Geng metal into a sharp weapon, and without Geng metal, we cannot shape the Jia wood into an object. When both Ding and Geng appear in the heavenly stems, academic success and official rank are assured. Geng metal's strength is in Shen, and those born in July have their killing star (Geng) at its peak. Shen also contains Yin water as the official star. The killing star generates the official star, which in turn supports the self, forming 'killing star and official star mutually generating'. If the fortune later moves towards metal and water, the person can serve in court and attend to a wise ruler.

或庚透無丁，一富而已，主為人操心太重，不能坐享。或丁透庚藏，亦主青衿小富。或庚多無丁，殘疾之人，若為僧道，災厄可免。或四柱庚旺，支內水多，不作棄命從殺；見土多可作從才而看。

If the庚 metal is revealed but there is no丁 fire to refine it, it is merely a wealthy destiny, but the person will be overly anxious and unable to enjoy the benefits of wealth. If the丁 fire is revealed while the庚 metal is hidden in the earth branches, it indicates a minor scholar with a modest fortune. If there is an excess of庚 metal without丁 fire to control it, the killing energy is too strong and the body is too weak, leading to disabilities. If one becomes a monk or a Taoist, this disaster can be avoided. If the庚 metal is strong in the four pillars and there is also much water in the earth branches, the killing energy is neutralized by the earthy element, so it should not be considered as 'abandoning the destiny to follow the killing energy'. If there is an abundance of earth and strong metal, it can be considered as 'following the wealth'.

庚多無癸，而壬水多，戊己亦多，此則專用一點丁火，方可制金以養群土，此命大富。丁藏富小，不顯；丁露定作富豪。得二丁，不坐死絕，必然富貴雙全，即風水不及，亦可富中取貴，納粟奏名。

When there is a lot of Geng metal but no Gui water, and also a lot of Ren water and Wu or Ji earth, then we specifically take Ding fire as the useful element. Ding fire can control Geng metal and also nourish the abundant earth in the chart. This person will be very wealthy. If Ding fire is hidden in the earth branches, the wealth will be small and not obvious. If Ding fire appears in the heavenly stems, the person will definitely become a wealthy magnate. If there are two Ding fires and they are not in the dead or extinct positions, the person will certainly achieve both wealth and status. Even if the ancestral graves are not favorable, they can still gain status through donations of grain and rice to obtain an official title and gain fame.

或癸疊疊制伏丁火，雖滿腹文章，終難顯達。得運行火土，破癸，略可假就功名；歲運皆背，刀筆之徒。支成水局，戊己透干，制去癸水，存其丁火，又可云科甲。但此等命，主為人心奸巧詐，好訟爭非，因貪致禍，奸險之徒，決非安份之人也。

If癸 water is heavily present and suppresses丁 fire, this person may have abundant knowledge but will ultimately find it difficult to achieve success. If the person's fortune moves to a fire or earth environment, earth controls癸 water and fire supports丁 fire, then they might achieve some official rank. However, if both the stream year and the big year are contrary to the useful god, they can only be a low official who earns a living by writing official documents. If the earth branches form a water trinity and the heavenly stems reveal戊 or己 earth, which control癸 water and protect丁 fire, this can also be considered as having the potential for official rank. However, such a destiny usually indicates a person who is cunning and deceitful, enjoys lawsuits and disputes, often brings misfortune due to greed, and is a dangerous and untrustworthy person, definitely not someone who is content with a simple life.

七月甲木，丁火為尊，庚金次之，庚金不可少。火隔水不能熔金，故丁火熔金，必賴甲木引助，方成洪爐。若有癸水阻隔，便滅丁火；壬水無礙，且能合丁，但須見戊土，方可制水存火。

In the seventh month, the Month Builder is Shen, and Geng metal is in charge. Jia wood values Ding fire most, followed by Geng metal, but Geng metal is also essential—without Geng metal, there is no vessel to smelt. If fire is blocked by water, it cannot melt metal; therefore, for Ding fire to melt metal, it must rely on Jia wood to ignite and support it, forming a great furnace. If Gui water is in the middle blocking the way, the Yin water will overcome Ding fire, and the fire will be extinguished immediately. Although Ren water is a great water, it does not cause a problem, because Ding and Ren harmonize without conflict. However, it is still necessary to have Wu earth to control Ren water, in order to preserve the fire.

八月甲木，木囚金旺，丁火為先，次用丙火，庚金再次。一丁一庚，科甲定顯；癸水一透，科甲不全。丙庚兩透，富大貴小；丙丁全無，僧道之命。丙透無癸，富貴雙全；有癸制丙，尋常之人。

In the eighth month, the Month Builder is You, so wood is in captivity and metal is at its peak. To adjust the climate, Ding fire comes first, then Bing fire, and Geng metal follows. Ding fire refines metal into objects, Bing fire warms wood and brings spring back, and Geng metal is the material to be refined. When there is one Ding fire and one Geng metal, success in exams and official rank is certain. If癸 water appears and harms Ding fire, then success in exams is incomplete. When both Bing and Geng are visible, wealth is great but rank is small, because Bing fire can only warm the situation but cannot refine Geng metal. If neither Bing nor Ding fire is present, the cold wood lacks yang energy, indicating a fate as a monk or hermit. If Bing fire is visible but癸 water does not come to restrain it, both wealth and rank are achieved. If癸 water restrains Bing fire, then one is only an ordinary person.

支成火局，可許假貴，戊己一透，可作富翁。或支成金局，干露庚金，為木被金傷，必主殘疾，得丙丁破金，亦主老來暗疾。或支成木局，干透比劫，反取庚金為先，次用丁火。

The Earthly Branches form a fire trinity, and with too much fire, it excessively drains the wood, resulting in only a hollow reputation and false status. If another戊 or己 earth appears in the Heavenly Stems, the fire generates earth, which becomes wealth, and one can become a wealthy person. If the Earthly Branches form a metal trinity and the Heavenly Stems reveal庚 metal, the metal energy is too strong, leading to 'wood harmed by metal,' which inevitably causes disability. Even if丙 or丁 fire comes to break the metal, it still indicates illness in old age. If the Earthly Branches form a wood trinity and the Heavenly Stems reveal a same-branch or shared-wealth character, the wood becomes even stronger. In this case, one should first use庚 metal to cut down the wood, and then use丁 fire as the secondary choice.

九月甲木，木星凋零，獨愛丁火，壬癸滋扶。丁壬癸透，戊己亦透，此命配得中和，可許一榜。庚金得所，科甲定然。

In the ninth month, the Month Builder is Xu, and Wu earth is in charge. The wood star is withered. At this time, the situation favors Ding fire to warm the environment and reveal the beauty of the wood, and also needs Ren and Gui water to moisten and support this withered wood. If both Ding fire and Ren and Gui water appear, and Wu and Ji earth also appear, then fire can warm, water can moisten, and earth can be controlled by wood without burying it. If the combination is balanced, it may be possible to pass the imperial examination. If Geng metal also has a strong position, it can both loosen the thick earth in Xu and shape the wood into a useful tool, making the imperial examination a certainty.

或見一二比肩，無庚金制之，平常人也。倘運不得用，貧無立錐。一命，甲辰、甲戌、甲辰、甲戌，身伴明君，富貴壽考，此為天元一氣，又名一才一用。遇比用才，專取季土。或見庚丙，可許入泮，白手成家。用火者，木妻火子，子肖妻賢。

If there are one or two siblings helping the body, but no geng metal to control them, then it is just an ordinary person; if during the course of life one does not meet the useful god, he will be poor and have no place to stand. There is a case: jiachen year, jiaxu month, jiachen day, jiaxu hour. This person was able to serve a wise ruler, achieving both wealth and longevity. This is called "tianyuan yiqi" — all four heavenly stems are jia wood; it is also called "yi cai yi yong" — the earthly branches chen and xu are opposite each other, and the whole chart is full of wealth earth, and wealth is the useful god. Whenever there are siblings competing for wealth, one should specifically take chen, xu, chou, and wei, the four seasonal earths, as the useful god. If there are also geng metal and bing fire in the chart, one may hope to enter school and build a family from scratch. For those using fire as the useful god, wood is the wife star and fire is the son star, indicating that the son is handsome and the wife is virtuous.

或四柱木多，用丙用丁，皆不足異，端用庚金為妙。凡四季甲木，總不外乎庚金。譬如木為犁，能疏季土，非庚金為犁嘴，安能疏土。雖用丙丁，癸庚決不可少也。九月卻不取土妻庚子，當取水妻木子。

If there is a lot of wood in the four pillars, using Bing fire or Ding fire is not unusual; the best choice is still Geng metal. For all Jia wood born in the seasons of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, Geng metal is essential. To illustrate: wood is like a plow, which can loosen the thick soil of the season months; but without Geng metal as the iron tip of the plow, how can the soil be turned? Therefore, even if Bing or Ding fire is used as the main element,癸 water and Geng metal are still indispensable. However, for the case of September, there is a different approach. It does not follow the usual rule of "using Geng metal, with earth as the wife and metal as the son." Instead, water should be taken as the wife star and wood as the son star.

凡甲木，多見戊己，定作棄命從才而看。從才格，取火妻土子。或見一派丙丁傷金，不過假道斯文；有壬癸破了丙丁，技藝之流。無壬癸破火，支又成火局，乃為枯朽之木，有庚亦何能為力，定作孤貧下賤之輩，男女一理。

For a destiny based on the Jia wood stem, if there is a lot of Wu and Ji earth and the day master has no root, one must definitely look at it according to the "abandoning the destiny to follow wealth" pattern. Once entering the wealth-following pattern, fire is taken as the wife star and earth as the son star, because fire can generate the wealth earth. If there is a large amount of Bing and Ding fire that harms and overcomes Geng metal, the useful god is harmed, and this person is merely pretending to be refined. If there is also Ren and Gui water that overcomes and breaks Bing and Ding fire, there is a conflict between water and fire, and this person falls into the category of artisans. If there is no Ren and Gui water to break the fire, and the branches form a fire pattern, the wood is burned into dry and withered material, even if there is Geng metal, it has nowhere to act, and this person is certainly lonely, poor, and lowly, regardless of whether it is a male or female destiny.

或有假傷官，得地逢生，此正合甲乙秋生貴元武之說。用水制傷官者，以金為妻，水為子。或丁戊俱多，總不見水，又為傷官生財格，亦可云富貴，此格取火為妻，土為子。

If one's fate involves a "false official" (伤官), meaning that the wood is weak in autumn and fire is considered the official, but it is not the true official of the season, and this official is supported by the environment, this matches the saying "Jia and Yi wood born in autumn, with the Black Tortoise as valuable." The Black Tortoise represents northern water: in autumn, metal is too strong, so water is used to mediate. Water both reduces metal, nourishes wood, and controls the official, hence it is valuable. Whenever water is used to control the official, metal that generates water is considered the wife star, and water is considered the child star. If there is an excess of Ding fire and Wu earth, but no water is seen, this is called the "official generates wealth" pattern, which can also be considered prosperous and wealthy. In this pattern, fire is considered the wife star and earth the child star.

凡甲多庚透，大貴；庚藏，小貴。若柱中多庚，則又以丁為奇，富貴人也。如庚申年、丙戌月、甲申日、壬申時，此主功名顯達，有文學。若無庚丙年月，又無火星出干，雖曰好學，終困名場。

If there is a lot of Jia wood and the Geng metal is visible in the heavenly stem, it indicates great wealth and honor; if the Geng metal is only hidden in the earthly branches, it indicates lesser wealth. If there is too much Geng metal in the column, the killing energy is too strong and the body is too weak, then the rare and valuable element is the Ding fire—having Ding fire to control the killing energy makes one a wealthy and honored person. For example, in a birth chart with Gengshen year, Bingxu month, Jiashen day, and Renshen hour: the three Shens represent the killing energy of metal, and the Bing fire in the heavenly stem controls it, while the Renshen water can transform it, indicating success in officialdom and possessing literary talent and knowledge. If the year and month do not have the combination of Geng metal and Bing fire, and there is no fire visible in the heavenly stem, although the person may be studious, they will ultimately be stuck in the examination hall.

九月甲木，端用丁癸，見戊透必貴。如戊戌、壬戌、甲子、甲申，支成水局，干有壬水，正合貴元武之說，配得中和，一榜之命，家計豐足，但庚丁未透出干，不能館選。甲乙比肩，又逢比劫運，主兄弟劫財爭訟，刑妻損子。甲乙生正二月，無制無洩，主長髮師姑。

In September, the Jia wood is strong and requires Ding fire and Gui water. If Wu earth appears to control the water and preserve the fire, it will surely indicate great success and prestige. For example, in a birth with Wuxu year, Renxu month, Jiazi day, and Jiashen hour, the Shen and Zi trines form a water trinity, and there is also Ren water in the heavens, which exactly matches the saying "In autumn, Jia and Yi wood are valuable with the Black Tortoise." The combination is balanced and harmonious, indicating a successful examination and a prosperous family. However, since the heavenly stem does not show Geng metal or Ding fire, he cannot be selected into the Hanlin Academy. If the Jia or Yi day stem is entirely supported by similar stems and the fortune moves through paths of similar stems and劫财, it indicates disputes among brothers over money, continuous litigation, and even harm to wife and children. Jia and Yi wood born in the first and second lunar months, when the wood energy is isolated and strong, with no metal to cut and no fire to release, female natives often have a long history of being a nun or a religious practitioner.