On the Metal of Xin

正月辛金，陽氣舒而寒未除，不知正月建寅，中有長生之丙，解去寒氣。忌甲木司權，辛金失令，取己土為身之本；欲得辛金發現，全賴壬水之功。己壬兩透，支見庚制甲，科甲定然。

In the first lunar month, the month builder is寅. Although the yang energy has begun to spread, the cold energy has not yet disappeared. However, we should know that the original character寅 contains the growth of丙, which is already capable of dispelling the cold energy, so there is no need to seek another warm situation. The main concern for this month is the dominance of甲 wood. When wood is strong, the earth is harmed, and the metal 辛 loses its opportunity for nourishment. Therefore, we should take 己 earth as the foundation. To allow 辛 metal to shine, it relies on the washing power of 壬 water. If both 己 earth and 壬 water are clearly present, and the earth branch also sees 庚 metal controlling 甲 wood, then success in the imperial examination is certain.

或己土透干，支中有甲，異路恩榮；或己土不全，號曰君臣失勢，富貴難全；或有丙火出干，亦主武學；或見壬，無己庚者，貧賤之徒。

If the earthy stem Ji appears on the surface, but the hidden heavenly stem Jia wood in the earthly branches secretly restrains it, then the person will achieve honor and prestige through an unconventional path. If the earthy stem Ji is incomplete, it is called 'the ruler and minister lose power'—Ji earth is the ruler, and Ren water is the minister. When the ruler is weak, the minister has no support, so wealth and status cannot both be attained. If Bing fire appears on the surface, it indicates a path in military studies. If only Ren water is present without Ji earth and Geng metal, the metal has no source and the wood has no restraint, making the person poor and lowly.

或支成火局，即壬水出干，不克己土，亦尋常之人；或庚壬兩透，破局制火，必為顯達之人。或支成水局，不見丙火，名為金弱沉寒，平常之士。書曰：金水性寒寒到底，淒涼難免少年憂。得丙透照暖，反主富貴。

If the earthly branches form a fire trinity, even if the ren water appears in the heavenly stems, it can only control the fire but cannot overcome the ji earth. Such a person is ordinary. If both geng metal and ren water appear prominently, they will break the fire trinity and suppress the fire, making the person successful and prominent. If the earthly branches form a water trinity but there is no bing fire, it is called 'weak metal sinking into cold,' which indicates an ordinary person. The命书 says that when the nature of metal and water becomes cold, it remains cold all the way, and the person is likely to experience hardship and sorrow in their youth. If bing fire appears prominently to warm up the situation, it instead indicates wealth and honor.

故正月辛金，先己後壬，己為君，庚為佐，如用丙火須參看。用己，火妻土子；用壬，金妻水子。辛金珠玉，最怕紅爐。辛逢卯日，子時，名曰朝陽。

Therefore, for the Xin metal in the first lunar month, first take Ji earth and then Ren water. Ji earth is the ruler, and Geng metal is the assistant (Geng metal can control Jia wood to protect Ji earth). If using Bing fire, it must be determined according to the overall coldness or warmth of the chart. For those using Ji earth, fire is the wife star and earth is the child star; for those using Ren water, metal is the wife star and water is the child star. Xin metal is like pearls and jade, and it fears intense red furnace fire. When the day master is Xin metal and meets Mao day or Zi hour, it is called the "Dawn" pattern.

時日月年：己辛庚丙，丑酉寅辰。

This chart still lists the time, day, month, and year horizontally, restoring it to the year Bingchen, the month Gengyin, the day Xinyou, and the hour Jichou. The Jichou earth appears in the hour stem, serving as the foundation for the self. The Geng metal in the month stem controls the wood in the寅 (Yin) month. The day stem sits on酉 (You), which gives it strength. The year stem丙 (Bing) fire dispels the cold. This is exactly in line with the method for the first lunar month's辛 (Xin) metal, which follows the order of first Jichou, then Ren (Ren water), with Geng metal as an assistant. The regret is that the Ren water is not present.

二月辛金，陽和之際，壬水為尊，見戊己為病，得甲制伏，則辛金不致埋沒，壬水不致混濁，合此者必身入玉堂。

In the second month, the Earthly Branch is Mao, which is the time of yang warmth. The metal of Xin relies most on Ren water — it is needed to wash away the dust on the metal and reveal its luster. At this time, the presence of Wu and Ji earth is harmful: too much earth will bury the metal and muddy the water. Therefore, the wood of Jia is needed to control the earth, so that the metal of Xin is not buried and the water of Ren is not disturbed. Those who have this configuration will certainly enter the Jade Hall.

故二月庚金，有壬甲透者貴顯，不則，鄉紳，或壬坐亥支，不見土出，可能入芥，家亦小康，得申中之壬者，異途名望，無壬者常人，其生克之理，與正月辛金皆同。

Therefore, the辛 gold in the second month (the text mistakenly says '庚 gold'), if there is壬 water and甲 wood appearing, will be wealthy and prominent; otherwise, it can still become a local gentry. If壬 water is in the亥 branch and there is no earth appearing on the surface to purify it, it can still pass the examination and obtain a blue collar, with the family's fortune being relatively comfortable. If it only has the壬 water hidden in申, it will have a reputation in an unusual way; if there is no壬 water at all, it will be an ordinary person. The principles of generation and overcoming are the same as those for辛 gold in the first month.

或壬戊透，甲不出干，此為病不遇藥，平常之人；得乙破戊，頗有衣衿，但假名假利，刻薄乖張。或一派壬水汪洋，名金水淘洗太過，不得中和，略有衣食，全無作為；如壬水重重，得戊反吉。

If both Ren water and Wu earth appear on the surface, but Jia wood does not emerge, this is a case of illness without medicine, resulting in an ordinary person. If Yi wood appears to overcome Wu earth, there may be some modest means, but Yi wood is weak, so fame and fortune are not genuine. The person may be mean-spirited and unpredictable. If the entire chart is filled with abundant Ren water, it is called 'excessive washing by gold and water,' losing the balance of harmony. There may be some food and clothing, but no real achievements. However, if there is a heavy accumulation of Ren water, then having Wu earth to control the water becomes favorable.

或支成木局，洩盡壬水，有庚富貴，無庚平人。或支成火局，名官印相爭，金水兩傷，下流之格，得二壬出制，富貴反奇。辛金生於春季，一派壬水，而無丙水，即能顯達，家無宿舂；得壬丙齊透，方許大富大貴。

If the earthly branches form a wood situation, the strong wood will exhaust the qi of the rhinoceros water, at this time if there is geng metal to control the wood and generate water, it indicates great wealth and honor; if there is no geng metal, it is only an ordinary person. If the earthly branches form a fire situation, fire is the official and killing star, and earth is the seal, official and seal contend with each other, metal and water are both injured, it is a lowly pattern; if two rhinoceros waters appear on the surface to control the fire, then wealth and honor become extraordinary. If xin metal is born in spring, if there is full rhinoceros water but no bing fire, even if one can achieve success, the family will not have food for two nights; it is necessary for both rhinoceros water and bing fire to appear on the surface—bing fire to warm and rhinoceros water to clear—then one may attain great wealth and honor.

時日月年：甲辛己乙，午酉卯卯。時日月年：丙辛己乙，申卯卯酉。

The two charts are still listed horizontally as "hour, day, month, year". First chart: Yiyou year, Jimao month, Xinyou day, Jiawu hour. The Ji soil appears on the dry branch as the foundation of the self, the Jia wood appears on the dry branch to control the Ji soil, the day's main stem sits on You and gets its strength. The regret is that the Ren water does not appear on the dry branch. Second chart: Yiyou year, Jimao month, Xinyou day, Bingshen hour. The Bing fire appears on the dry branch of the hour to warm the chart, the Ren water in Shen serves as a cleansing element, and the Ji soil can also nourish the self, making the combination more balanced.

時日月年：己辛丁己，亥巳卯未。時日月年：己辛丁甲，亥未卯午。時日月年：壬辛癸壬，辰卯卯子。

The three generations are still listed horizontally as "hour, day, month, year". First generation: Jiwei year, Dingmao month, Xinsi day, Jihai hour—two Jis support the day stem, the壬water in Hai supports the day, the Ding fire in the month is the killer, and fire, earth, and water are all present. Second generation: Jiawu year, Dingmao month, Xinwei day, Jihai hour—the Ji wood in the year comes out to control the Xin, the壬water in Hai refines the metal, but the Ding fire is a bit too intense. Third generation: Renzi year, Guimao month, Xinmao day, Renchen hour—two Rens and one Gui, the water is vast, exactly the pattern of "excessive refinement by gold and water", with no Wu earth to stop the flow.

三月辛金，戊土司令，辛承正氣，母旺子相，先壬後甲。壬甲兩透，富貴必然；壬透甲藏，廩貢不失；甲透壬藏，富貴可云；壬甲皆無，平常之格。

In the third month, the Earthly Branch is Chen, and Wu earth is in command. Xin metal is born under the influence of the prevailing righteous energy, as the mother is strong, the son is in its prime. The day's main element is not weak, so first we take Ren water to wash it, then take Jia wood to loosen the earth. If both Ren and Jia are visible, wealth and honor are certain. If Ren water is visible but Jia wood is hidden, one will certainly become a廪生 or a贡生. If Jia wood is visible but Ren water is hidden, one may still be considered wealthy and honored. If neither Ren nor Jia is present, then it is just an ordinary pattern.

所忌者丙貪合也。如月時皆丙，名為爭合，主慷慨風流，交四海；若癸出干制丙，可許采芹。或支坐亥子之鄉，支又見申，即非玉堂，亦必高增祿位。若戊出干制水，不見甲乙，清閒之人。

This section warns against the presence of Bing fire which desires to form a harmonious combination. When Bing and Xin fire combine, the day stem becomes attached to this combination and loses its proper use. If both the month stem and the hour stem are Bing fire, it is called 'competing for combination,' indicating a person who is generous and charming, with wide social connections. If there is Gui water appearing in the stem to control the Bing fire and break this combination, he may be able to advance in his studies. If the day stem is seated in water signs like Hai or Zi, and the branch also has Shen metal to provide a water source, even if he does not enter the Jade Hall, he will certainly achieve high official rank. If Wu earth appears in the stem to control the water, but there is no Ji or Yi wood to loosen the earth, then he will be a person of leisure and inaction.

又或支見四庫，名土厚埋金，不見甲制，愚頑之輩。或四柱火多，無水制伏，名火土雜亂，主作緇衣，見癸可解。或比劫重重，壬癸淺弱，主夭，有甲出干，則貴，然無庚制方妙。

If the Earthly Branches include all four of the earthy repositories—Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei—together, it is called "thick earth burying metal," and if there is no Jia Wood to control the earth, it indicates a foolish and stubborn person. If the Four Pillars have excessive fire without water to restrain it, it is called "chaotic fire and earth," which suggests that the person will become a monk or a Buddhist monk; however, if there is癸 water, it can alleviate this situation. If there are many identical or competitive elements (like the same type of Wood) and the壬 and癸 waters are weak, unable to drain the metal, it indicates a short life; at this time, if there is Jia Wood appearing on the surface as wealth to consume the metal, the person may achieve high status, but it is preferable that there is no Geng Metal to cut the Jia Wood.

四月辛金，時道首夏，忌丙火之燥烈，喜壬水之洗淘。支成金局，水透出干，有木制戊，名一清澈底，科甲功名。癸透壬藏，富真貴假；若壬癸皆藏，戊己亦藏，略富；若壬癸俱無，反見火出，必主鰥獨。

In the fourth month, the Month Builder is Si, and the season is just entering early summer. Sulfur metal dislikes the dry and fierce heat of Bing fire, but prefers Ren water to wash and refine it. If the earthly branches form a metal group and water appears in the heavenly stems, and if wood restrains Wu earth so that the water remains pure, this is called "clear and pure from the bottom," which indicates success in the imperial examinations and official rank. If Gui water appears and Ren water is hidden, then wealth is real but rank is false. If both Ren and Gui waters are only hidden in the branches, and Wu and Ji earths are also hidden without appearing, there will be some family wealth. If there is no Ren or Gui water, but fire appears in the heavens to roast the metal, it will certainly result in being single and without family.

或支成火局，有制者吉，無制者凶，凡火旺無水，取土洩之。若壬水藏亥，戊不出干，亦主上達；有戊常人。有一甲透，衣祿可求；若有甲無壬癸者，富貴虛浮，所謂羊質虎皮是也。壬，癸，甲，三者全無，又不合格，斯為下品。

If the earthly branches form a fire combination, having water to control it is auspicious, while lacking control is inauspicious. When fire is strong and there is no water, then earth is used to release the fire's energy and generate metal. If the壬 water is hidden in the亥 but the戊 earth does not appear on the surface to control it, it indicates success and advancement. However, if the戊 earth appears on the surface, it will only result in an ordinary life. If there is a甲 wood appearing on the surface as wealth, then one can seek clothing and food. But if there is甲 wood without壬 or癸 water, then wealth and status are just empty appearances, as the saying goes, "a sheep wearing a tiger's skin"—it looks like a tiger on the outside, but is actually a sheep inside. If there is no壬,癸, or甲, and it does not form any other pattern, then it is a low-ranking destiny.

時日月年：乙辛辛乙，未亥巳未。

This configuration still lists the "hour, day, month, year" horizontally, restoring it as Yiwei year, Xinsi month, Xinhai day, Yiwei hour. The day's main stem sits on Hai, and the壬water in Hai is exactly for washing and cleansing. There are two Yi stems as wealth, and the Bing fire in Xinsi is the official star without restraint. This belongs to the category of "Rén water hidden in Hai, Wù not appearing on the surface, also indicating upward movement."

五月辛金，丁火司權，辛金失令，陰柔之極，不宜煆煉，須己壬兼用。何也？己為泥沙，壬為湖海，己無壬不溼，辛無己不生，故壬己並用。無壬，癸亦可用，但癸力小。

In the fifth month, the Month Builder is Wu, and Ding fire holds authority. Xin metal is out of its season, and Yin flexibility has reached its extreme, making it unable to withstand refinement. Therefore, Ji earth and Ren water should be used together. Why? Ji earth is like mud and sand, and Ren water is like lakes and seas. Ji earth cannot become moist without Ren water, and Xin metal cannot be produced without Ji earth. Thus, using both Ren and Ji is necessary: Ren water cleanses the metal, Ji earth produces the metal, and Ren water also moistens Ji earth. If Ren water is not available, then Gui water can be used instead, but its strength is weaker.

或支成火局，即重見癸出，亦不濟，得壬透破火方可，必主生員。若無壬，癸見戊，雖有午宮己土，燥泥成灰，金必煆熔，反遭埋沒，必為僧道，有一二重比肩，不致孤獨。

If the earthly branches form a fire trinity, even if癸 water appears repeatedly in the heavens, it will not be sufficient. It is necessary for 壬 water to appear and break the fire. In this case, it would only indicate a person with a low official rank. If there is neither 壬 nor 癸, but instead 戊 earth appears, even though 巳 earth can generate metal, the dry and muddy earth will be burned into ash, and the metal will be melted and destroyed, leading to being buried and ultimately becoming a monk or a Taoist. If there are one or two instances of similar elements to support the body, one will not be lonely.

五月辛金，壬，癸，己，三者皆用。或壬己兩透，支見癸水，不沖，定主顯達；即己藏支，亦有廩貢；或無壬有己，須得異途；或癸出有庚，必主衣錦，叨受恩榮；若水土多者，見甲方妙。庚辛生於夏月，要壬癸得地，若木多火多，不見金水，逢金水運必敗。

In the fifth lunar month, the use of Xin metal, Ren water, Gui water, and Ji earth is required. If both Ren water and Ji earth appear on the surface, and there is also Gui water in the earth branches without being in conflict, success and prominence are certain. Even if Ji earth is only hidden in the earth branches, one may attain the status of a廪生 or 贡生. If there is no Ren water but only Ji earth, one must take an alternative path. If Gui water appears on the surface and is supported by Geng metal, one will achieve great success and receive royal favor. However, if there is an excess of water and earth, it is necessary to see the presence of Jia wood to loosen the earth and protect the water, which would be ideal. Metal born in summer must have Ren and Gui water to be rooted and established. If there is an excess of wood and fire without the presence of metal and water, once the destiny reaches a period of metal and water, the conflict between water and fire will lead to decline.

時日月年：壬辛甲丙，辰亥午子。

This chart still lists the "hour, day, month, year" horizontally, restoring it to Bingzi year, Jiawu month, Xinhai day, and Renchen hour. The heavenly stem of the hour, Ren water, appears and breaks the fire, which matches the saying "only with Ren water appearing can fire be broken." The day's main stem sits on Hai water, the year's branch has Zi water, and the hour's branch has Chen water, which is a water reservoir. Water has both roots and a reservoir, which perfectly fits the statement. The heavenly stem of the month, Ji wood, loosens the earth and generates fire. The heavenly stem of the year, Bing fire, is the official. The climate is neither too cold nor too warm.

六月辛金，己土當權，輔助太多，恐掩金光，先用壬水，取庚佐之。壬庚兩透，科甲功名；即不出干，藏支得所，亦有榮華。但忌戊出，得甲制之，方吉，甲須隔位，恐貪己合，反掩金光，又寒壬水之流，下賤之格；又忌庚出制甲。

In June, the month builder is Wei, and Ji earth is in charge. There is too much generation and support for Xin metal, which may actually cover up the brightness of the metal. Therefore, first use Ren water to wash the metal, and take Geng metal as an assistant to develop the water source. If both Ren and Geng appear in the heavenly stem, it indicates success in the imperial examination and official rank. Even if they are not in the heavenly stem, as long as they are hidden in the earthly branches in a proper position, there will be honor and prosperity. However, it is undesirable for Wu earth to appear in the heavenly stem and to overcome water. At this time, Ji wood must control Wu earth to be auspicious; however, this Ji wood should be separated from Ji earth, for it is afraid of being attracted to combine with Ji earth. If Ji and Ji combine, it not only fails to remove the earth, but also covers up the brightness of metal, and blocks the path of Ren water, resulting in a lowly destiny. It is also undesirable for Geng metal to appear in the heavenly stem and to overcome Ji wood.

或只有未中一己，見子壬水，又為溼泥，不可見甲，甲出，反作平人。總以一壬一己，見庚無甲，方妙，與五月用己壬同。

If only theJi Earth hidden in 未 is present, and there is also Ren Water in 子, the earth becomes moistened by water, and the moist earth can nourish metal. In this case, it is actually not good to see Jia Wood, because Jia Wood would weaken theJi Earth, making the person ordinary. In summary, the best combination is to have one Ren Water with one Ji Earth, along with Geng Metal but without Jia Wood. This is similar to the usage in the fifth month.

或丁乙出干，又有庚壬者，顯貴，無壬者，否，或支成木局，得壬透，又有庚金發水之源，可云富貴。

If the Ding fire and Yi wood appear in the heavenly stems, with Ding fire representing the seven杀 (seven deadly enemies) and Yi wood representing the biased wealth, and there are also Geng metal and Ren water in the column, Geng metal controls Yi wood and Ren water controls Ding fire, then it indicates a high official position; without Ren water, it is not possible. If the earthly branches form a wood局 (wood trinity), the wealth is strong but the body is weak, and if Ren water appears to connect and harmonize, it both drains the wealth and nourishes the body, and with Geng metal as the source of the water, it can be said to lead to wealth and honor.

時日月年：甲辛丁壬，午丑未辰。時日月年：丁辛辛甲，酉未未寅。

The two horoscopes are still listed horizontally in the order of "hour, day, month, year." The first horoscope: Renchen year, Dingwei month, Xinchou day, Jiawu hour. The year stem Ren water appears on the heavenly stem, serving as a washing element, and the year branch Chen is a water reservoir. However, the month stem Ding fire combines with the year stem Ren water, and the hour stem Jia wood is close to the hidden earth stem Ji, leading to a somewhat mixed combination. The second horoscope: Jiayin year, Xinchou month, Xinchou day, Dingyou hour. Two Xinchou branches nourish the self, with the same stem Xinh for the month and day, indicating support from the same element. The hour stem Ding fire acts as a killer element, and the year stem Jia wood represents wealth. However, there is a lack of Ren water for washing, which falls into the category of "without Ren water, it is not good."

七月辛金，值庚司令，不旺自旺，且壬水居申。四柱不見戊土，胎元戊藏申內，為壬岸，人命得此，為官清正，但不富耳。

In the seventh month, the Month Builder is Shen, and Geng metal is in command. Xin metal does not need to seek additional generation and support, as it naturally becomes strong. Moreover, Ren water is born in Shen, so the mutual generation between metal and water is clear and pure. If the four pillars do not contain Wu earth, but the Wu earth is hidden within Shen in the胎元 (fetal origin), it secretly serves as a dam for Ren water. A person with such a configuration will be upright, honest, and clear in official duties, though not wealthy.

或有土無甲，為有病無藥，常人；有甲者，衣衿可望。或四柱金多，宜水洩之；若一金水，得一戊土，反為辛用，又宜甲制，自然富貴。或干支水多，重見戊土，逢生得位，福壽之造。

If there is earth in the pillar but no Jia wood to loosen it, then there is illness without medicine, resulting in an ordinary person; but if there is Jia wood, one may expect to have a robe and official rank. If there is excessive metal in the four pillars, it is suitable to use water to release its sharpness. However, if both metal and water are only present in one position and the water is shallow, having a Wu earth to hold back this water actually benefits the Xin metal. At this time, if there is also Jia wood to control the earth, preventing it from becoming too thick, then natural wealth and honor will result. If there is excessive water in the branches and Wu earth appears repeatedly, the earth meets its source and is in the right position, able to stop the flow of water, this is a birth with both fortune and longevity.

七月辛金，壬不在多，故書曰，水淺金多，號曰體全之象，壬水為尊，甲戊酌用可也，癸水不可為用。

In July, the辛 gold requires壬 water, but not in excess, so the命书 says: "When water is shallow and gold is abundant, it is called the complete body image." This means that as long as the water is sufficient, the gold body is complete on its own. In general,壬 water is the most important, and甲 wood and戊 soil can be used with consideration. As for癸 water, it is weak and has a dark, turbid quality, so it should not be used as the useful god.

時日月年：癸辛壬甲，巳卯申午。

This configuration still lists the time, day, month, and year horizontally, restoring it as Jiawu year, Renshen month, Xinmao day, and Guisi hour. The壬water appears in the monthly stem and sits on申with a source, the year stem甲wood疏土, and卯wood as wealth, which perfectly matches the idea of July辛gold, where壬water is primary and甲and戊are used with consideration. However, the癸water in the hour stem appears together with壬water, which is slightly mixed.

八月辛金，當權得令，旺之極矣，專用壬水淘洗，故云金見水以流通。如見戊己，則生扶太過，故以土為病，見甲制土，方妙；無戊，不宜用甲。

In the eighth month, the Month Builder is You, and Xin metal is in command and in its prime, reaching the peak of its strength. Therefore, it is necessary to use Ren water to wash and refine it. The命书 says, "When metal meets water, the energy flows smoothly." At this time, if Wu or Ji earth appears, it would be excessive in supporting, so earth is considered a problem. It is necessary to use Ji wood to control the earth, which would be ideal. However, if there is no Wu earth originally, then Ji wood should not be used again, because without earth to channel, Ji wood would only waste the strength of Ren water in vain.

或四柱一點壬水，甲多洩水，此為用神無力，奸詐之徒；得庚制者，反主仁義。或三點辛金，一重壬水，多見甲木，有庚透者，主大富貴，不見丁為美；若見一丁，此人風雅清高，衣食饒裕而已。

If the four pillars contain only one壬water and there is too much甲wood to drain the water, the useful god becomes weak, and the person is a deceitful individual. If庚metal appears to control the甲wood, it indicates a person of benevolence and righteousness. If there are three辛metal, one壬water, and many甲wood as wealth, and if庚metal is visible to control the wood and support the body, this indicates great wealth and honor, and it is best if丁fire is not present. If one丁fire appears to control the metal, the person will merely be refined, elegant, and have sufficient food and clothing.

或一二比肩，壬甲皆一，無庚出干，亦有恩榮。若二三比肩，一點壬水，戊土多見，此為土厚埋金，此人愚懦；見一甲出，必為創立之人。或一派辛金，一位壬水，無庚雜亂，又主富中取貴。

If there are only one or two rivals, with the壬water and甲wood each appearing once, and no庚metal to compete, there will still be some favor and honor. If there are two or three rivals, with only a single壬water and multiple戊earth, this is called 'thick earth burying metal,' indicating a person who is dull and timid. If there is one甲wood appearing to loosen the earth, then the person is sure to be capable of establishing their own career. If there are many辛metal but only one壬water, and no庚metal to mix in, the situation is pure and unified, which also indicates achieving high status from wealth.

或一派壬水洩金，無戊出制，為沙水同流，主奔波貧苦；若得支見一戊止流，其人頗有才略，藝術過人。或支成金局，干見比肩，無壬淘洗，此宜用丁；無丁必主兇頑無賴；若得一壬高透，以洩群金，又名一清到底，定有治國之材。

If all the Ren water in the chart drains the metal, and there is no Wu earth to stop the flow, the metal will follow the water away, called 'sand and water flowing together,' which indicates a life of constant toil and poverty. If there is one Wu earth in the earth branches to stop the water flow, the person will have considerable talent and skills beyond others. If the earth branches form a metal group and the heavenly stems have a similar metal, but there is no Ren water to wash away the metal, then we should use Ding fire to refine it instead. If there is no Ding fire, it will certainly indicate a person who is fierce and lawless. If there is one Ren water clearly visible in the heavenly stems, which can drain the metal's energy, it is called 'clear and pure from beginning to end,' and such a person will surely be a talent for governing the country.

或支成金局，戊己透干，壬透無火，名白虎格，運行西北，富貴大顯，子息艱難；或透丙火，雖有壬出，亦屬平庸。或一二辛金，一派己土，定為僧道；或干透己土，支見庚甲，一生安閒。或一派乙木，不見庚壬，為才多身弱，一見庚制，富貴可期。

If the Earthly Branches form a metal trinity, and the Heavenly Stems reveal戊 or己 earth, with壬 water also appearing but no fire, it is called the 'White Tiger Pattern'. If the person travels through the Northwest region of metal and water, they will achieve great wealth and fame, but will have difficulty in having children. If丙 fire also appears to warm the situation, even if壬 water is present, it will only result in an ordinary life. If there are one or two辛 metal and the entire chart is filled with己 earth, the earth will bury the metal, and the person will likely become a monk or a Taoist. If己 earth appears in the Heavenly Stems and庚 metal and甲 wood appear in the Earthly Branches, the庚 metal will strengthen the body and the甲 wood will loosen the earth, leading to a peaceful and comfortable life. If the chart is filled with乙 wood as wealth but there is no庚 metal or壬 water, it is called 'wealth in excess but body weak'. If庚 metal appears to control the wood and strengthen the body, wealth and honor are possible.

金生秋月土重，貧無寸鐵，六辛日透戊子時，運喜西方，陰若朝陽，切忌丙丁離位，庚辛局全巳酉丑，位重權高。

An old song says: Metal is born in autumn month when the earth is too heavy, and it ends up poor with not even an inch of iron; if six days of Xin (metal) meet the Wuzi (Wu Zi) hour, it is called "six yin facing the sun," and in fortune it prefers to go west, most fearing the fire of Bing and Ding and the southern fire trigram to break the pattern; if the heavenly stem of Geng and Xin (metal) has the earthly branches of Si, You, and Chou (metal triad) forming a complete metal trinity, then it will have high position and great power.

時日月年：己辛癸己，亥未酉酉。時日月年：丙辛己丁，申酉酉酉。時日月年：壬辛己丁，辰亥酉卯。

The three generations are still listed horizontally as "hour, day, month, year." First generation: Jiyou year, Guiyou month, Xinyu day, Jihai hour—two Ji earths nourish the self, but gold is already too strong. Only the癸 water in the month and the壬 water in the亥 of the hour can relieve the situation, but with too much earth and not enough water, it is exactly the case of "earth as the illness." Second generation: Dingyou year, Jiyou month, Xinyu day, Bingshen hour—three You and one Shen, gold is extremely strong. The two fire elements Ding and丙 are refined but without the壬 water to wash them, which fits the pattern of "without壬 water to wash, it is suitable to use Ding." Third generation: Dingmao year, Jiyou month, Xinhai day, Renchen hour—the壬 water in the hour is clearly visible, the day is seated on亥 and the hour is on辰, so water has its root and reservoir, completely exhausting the metal energy, which exactly matches the saying "one壬 water clearly visible, the whole thing is clear from beginning to end."

九月辛金，成土司令，母旺子相，須甲疏土，壬洩旺金，先壬後甲。壬甲兩透，桃洞之仙；或壬透甲藏，又見者，平人；甲透，壬藏，戊在支內，異途之仕。

In the ninth month, the Month Builder is戌, and Wu Earth is in command (the original text "成土" should be "戊土"). When the mother (土) is strong, the son (金) is in a prosperous state, so Xin Metal is not weak. Therefore, Jia Wood is needed to open up the thick earth, and Ren Water is required to drain the strong 金. The order of selection is first 壬 and then 甲. If both 壬 and 甲 are visible, it is as precious as a deity in the Peach Blossom Spring. If 壬 water is visible but 甲 wood is hidden, and there is another earth element mixed in, it is for an ordinary person. If 甲 wood is visible but 壬 water is hidden, and Wu Earth is present in the branch, it indicates an official who rose to power through an unusual path.

或辛日甲月，壬水在支，有庚自能去濁留清，秋聞一榜，若戊戌月，即有甲在支亦否。總之土太多，甲不出干，莫問功名，一壬出，洗土助甲，雖不發達，富而可求。

If the day master is辛 gold and the month stem is甲 wood, with壬 water present in the earthly branches, and also庚 gold is present, then the庚 gold can control the stubborn earth and generate clear water, thus naturally removing turbidity and retaining clarity. In this case, one can pass the autumn examination and be listed on the imperial list. However, if the month pillar isWuxu, the earth is too heavy. Even if甲 wood is hidden in the earthly branches, it still cannot be effective. In summary, if there is too much earth and甲 wood does not appear in the stem, then official rank is not worth considering. At this time, if there is one壬 water appearing in the stem, it can both wash away the earth's turbidity and assist the甲 wood. Although success may not be achieved, wealth can still be pursued.

或土多無壬甲，時月多透丙辛者，略貴，加以辰字在支，則榮顯莫及。或木多土厚，無水者常人；或干上重見癸水，雖無淘洗之功，頗有清金之用，此命主富，辛苦。或己透無壬有癸，亦能滋生金力，衣衿之貴，但恐己多，不免濁富。九月辛金，火土為病，水木為藥。

If there is a lot of earth but no Ren water or Jia wood, and only the heavenly stems of Bing fire and Xin metal are clearly visible, there is still some noble quality; if the earth branch also contains Chen, which is a water reservoir, capable of moistening earth and nurturing metal, the fortune becomes even more outstanding. If there is a lot of wood and thick earth but no water, it is just an ordinary person. If there are many癸 water in the heavenly stems, although癸 water does not have the cleansing power of Ren water, it can still clear some of the metal energy, and such a person will be wealthy but will have to work hard. If JI earth is visible but there is no Ren water, only癸 water, the damp earth can also generate metal strength, leading to a modest official position; however, if there is too much JI earth, it may result in being wealthy but not clear. In summary, for辛 gold in September, fire and earth are considered as ailments, while water and wood are considered as remedies.

時日月年：壬辛戊丙，辰未戌戌。時日月年：戊辛壬戊，子酉戌戌。時日月年：丁辛戊丙，酉未戌戌。

The three generations are still listed horizontally as "hour, day, month, year." First generation: Bingxu year, Wuxu month, Xinyou day, Renchen hour—two Xu and one Wei, the earth is very heavy, relying on the壬water in the hour stem to wash the earth and the Chen reservoir to store water, but the year stem丙fire actually helps the earth, which is exactly the depiction of "fire and earth as illness, water and wood as medicine." Second generation: Wuxu year, Renxu month, Xinyou day, Wuzi hour—Rénwater is revealed in the month stem, the day sits on You禄, and the hour sits on Zi water, the flow of elegance is strong, only the two Wu earths appearing in the sky make the water turbid. Third generation: Bingxu year, Wuxu month, Xinyou day, Dingyou hour—both Bing and Ding are revealed, and the earth is also thick, there is no Rénwater to wash it and no Jia wood to loosen it, the illness is severe but there is no medicine.