Forty-eight, Miscellaneous Patterns and the Selection of Favorable Years

徐注：雜格不一，大都氣勢偏旺，出於五行常理之外。昔人評命，泥於財官之說，四柱無財可取，則不惜遙合倒沖，牽強附會，以期合於財官，未免可嗤。命理不外乎五行，氣勢雖為偏旺，而偏旺之中，仍有正理可取，詳《滴天髓徵義》。偏旺之格，取運大都須順其氣勢，雖干支喜忌，須察四柱之配合，而順勢取運，大致有定。茲就本篇所引各造，約略言之。

Xu Lewu commented: Miscellaneous patterns have various names, but they are mostly cases where the qi is strongly emphasized in one direction, going beyond the usual principles of the Five Phases. In the past, people evaluated destinies by sticking rigidly to the concepts of wealth and official positions. If they could not find wealth or official positions in the four pillars, they would resort to forced methods such as remote combination and reverse conflict to artificially create a wealth or official position, which was rather laughable. Ultimately, destiny calculation does not go beyond the scope of the Five Phases: although the qi may be strongly emphasized, within this strong emphasis there is still a proper principle to follow. This point is elaborately discussed in the "Ditianmei Zhengyi." For all patterns of strong emphasis, the general trend in choosing the right fortune should follow the direction of the qi. Although the specific preferences and aversions of the heavenly stems and earthly branches still need to be examined based on how the four pillars are combined, the general principle of "following the trend when choosing fortune" is definite. Below, I will briefly discuss the examples cited in this section.

癸亥 乙卯 乙未 壬午 甲寅 癸丑 壬子 辛亥 庚戌 己酉 甲乙日主，支全亥卯未或寅卯辰，乃曲直仁壽格也。氣勢偏旺於木，宜行水木火運，官煞運最忌，財運亦不宜。丙丁日主，支全寅午戌、或巳午未，為炎上格。戊已日主，支全辰戌丑未為稼穡格。庚辛日主，支全巳酉丑或申酉戌，為從革格。壬癸日主支全甲子辰或亥子丑，為潤下格。五種意義相同。

Xu Lewu cited the case of a gentleman named Wu, whose birth chart consists of the year Guihai, the month Yimao, the day Yiwei, and the hour Renwu. His big years are Jiayin, Guichou, Renzi, Xinhai, Gengxu, and Jiyou. He said: For a day master of Jia and Yi wood, if the branches form the triple harmony of Hai, Mao, and Wei or the triple combination of Yin, Mao, and Chen, it is called the "Qu Zhi Ren Shou Pattern." This chart has a strong wood element. The favorable years should be water, wood, and fire, since water nourishes wood, wood supports wood, and fire releases the brilliance of wood. The years of official and seven deadly stars are most unfavorable, as metal will weaken wood, which goes against the strong element. The wealth years are also not suitable, as wood will weaken earth and disrupt the entire chart. The same principle applies: For a day master of Bing and Ding fire, if the branches form the triple harmony of Yin, Wu, and Xu or Si, Wu, and Wei, it is called the "Yan Shang Pattern." For a day master of Wu and Ji earth, if the branches form the triple harmony of Chen, Xu, and Chou or Chou, Chou, and Wei, it is called the "Jia Se Pattern." For a day master of Geng and Xin metal, if the branches form the triple harmony of Si, You, and Chou or Shen, You, and Xu, it is called the "Cong Ge Pattern." For a day master of Ren and Gui water, if the branches form the triple harmony of Shen, Zi, and Chen or Hai, Zi, and Chou, it is called the "Run Xia Pattern." The meaning of the years for these five patterns is exactly the same.

甲戌 丁卯 壬寅 甲辰 戊辰 己巳 庚午 辛未 壬申 癸酉 丁壬化木，生於春月，時逢甲辰，木之元神透出，乃化木格。氣勢偏於木也。化神喜行旺地，最宜東方寅卯辰比劫鄉，而忌官煞，日主還原之地亦忌，其中略分別，如丁壬化木，日元壬水，行亥子丑印地，生起化神亦吉；若甲已化土，而行寅卯辰，克我化神，為大忌也。化氣格有甲己化土、乙庚化金、丙辛化水、丁壬化木、戊癸化火五種，意義略同。

Xu Lewu cited the case of Hua Mu, whose four pillars are Jia Xu year, Ding Mao month, Ren Yin day, and Jia Chen hour; the big years are Wu Chen, Ji Si, Geng Wu, Xin Wei, Ren Shen, and Gui You. He said: the day stem Ren water combines with the month stem Ding to form wood, and the person was born in the Mao month of spring, with the hour pillar Jia Chen, so the origin god of wood appears, which is the Hua Mu pattern. The whole energy is inclined towards wood. All "huan shen" (transformed deities) prefer to travel through their strongest positions, so the best is to go to the eastern area of Yin, Mao, and Chen, which is the land of same kind. However, the official and evil stars that restrain the transformed deity are to be avoided. Also, the land where the day stem returns to its original form should also be avoided. There are some differences: for instance, in the case of Ding Ren Hua Mu, the day stem is originally Ren water, and if the person travels through the Hai, Zi, and Chou areas, which are the land of the mother, the water can nourish the transformed deity wood, which is considered auspicious. However, if it is the case of Jia Xi Hua Tu, and the person travels through Yin, Mao, and Chen, which are the land of wood, the wood will restrain the transformed deity Tu, which is a great忌. There are five types of Hua Qi patterns: Jia Xi Hua Tu, Yi Geng Hua Jin, Bing Xin Hua Shui, Ding Ren Hua Mu, and Wu Gui Hua Huo. The meaning of the big years is generally similar.

戊午 戊午 戊午 戊午 己未 庚申 辛酉 壬戌 癸亥 甲子 兩神成象，而氣勢偏於火土，為從旺格。最宜金運，洩土之氣，但火炎土燥，究嫌偏枯，宜帶水之土以護之。如庚辰辛丑等運為最佳，若見水運，如以一杯水救車薪之火。立見其災。所謂倒沖最忌填實，即此意也。木運逆土之性，增火之焰，亦不相宜。

Xu Lewu cited an example of a birth chart with all four pillars being the same: Wuwu year, Wuwu month, Wuwu day, and Wuwu hour; the big years in sequence are Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai, and Jiazi. He said: this is a case of 'two deities forming an image' between fire and earth, with the whole energy leaning towards fire and earth, so it should be considered according to the 'from strength' pattern, not a case of 'reverse conflict'. The best fortune comes from traveling through metal, which can release the strong energy of earth; however, since fire is intense and earth is dry, it is still considered imbalanced. The best is to have earth with some water to protect it, so the best big years are those with dry metal and wet branches, such as Gengchen and Xinchou. If only water is present, it is like trying to put out a cartload of burning fire with a single cup of water, disaster will arrive immediately. The old saying 'reverse conflict most dislikes being filled' refers exactly to this meaning. As for wood fortune, it not only goes against the nature of earth but also enhances the fire, so it is not suitable.

甲寅 庚午 丙午 甲午 辛未 壬申 癸酉 甲戌 乙亥 丙子 庚金無根，置之不論，氣偏木火，格成炎上，最宜土運洩火之氣。說見前仁壽格。以上兩造皆俗所謂倒沖格也。

Xu Lewu comments on another case: Jiayin year, Gengwu month, Bingwu day, Jiawu hour; the big years are in sequence Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi. He says: the heavenly stem Gengjin has no root in the earth, so it can be ignored; the whole chart's momentum is inclined towards wood and fire, so the pattern is "Inflaming Ascendancy." The best fortune is to go through earth, using earth to release the excess fire energy, the reasoning has already been explained in the previous "Qu Zhi Ren Shou Pattern." The above two cases are what ordinary people call "Reverse Pouring Pattern" — in reality, they should be viewed according to the "Following the Strength Pattern."

戊辰 辛酉 辛酉 戊子 壬戌 癸亥 甲子 乙丑 丙寅 丁卯 此金水傷官，原無官星，氣勢偏於金水，以順其性。行土金水運為美，火運為忌。帶水之木尚可行，而帶火之木則不宜見。此俗所謂朝陽格也。

Xu Lewu cites the case of Zhang County Magistrate, born in the year of Wu Chen, month of Xin You, day of Xin You, and hour of Wu Zi. His successive big years are Ren Xu, Gui Hai, Jia Zi, Yi Chou, Bing Yin, and Ding Mao. He says: This is a case of "Jin Shui Shang Gan" (Gold and Water Official). The native's chart originally lacks the official star, and the momentum is inclined towards gold and water. Therefore, the big years should follow its nature. Traveling through earth, metal, and water big years is favorable, as earth generates metal, metal supports metal, and water releases the brilliance. Fire big years should be avoided, as fire overcomes metal and goes against the strong metal. Big years with water and wood (such as Ren Yin and Gui Mao) can still be acceptable, but big years with fire and wood (such as Bing Yin and Ding Mao) should be avoided. This is what common people call the "Chao Yang Ge" (Sunrise Pattern).

己未 戊辰 戊辰 庚申 丁卯 丙寅 乙丑 甲子 癸亥 壬戌 此土金食神也。比劫重重，氣勢偏於土金，以金運洩土之秀為最吉，水運亦美，火運為忌，木亦不美，所謂土盛木折也。俗以庚合乙為官星，稱為合祿格，又不要明見，喜財以生之。取運略同。

Xu Lewu points out an example called Shu Wang Yi Zao: born in Jiwei year, Wuchen month, Wuchen day, and Gengshen hour; the big years are in Dingmao, Bingyin, Yichou, Jiazi, Guihai, and Renxu in order. He says: this is actually the 'Earth Metal Food God' pattern. In the birth chart, there are many jiaqian and jiecai, and the momentum is mainly in earth and metal. Therefore, the most auspicious big years are those that release the essence of earth through metal, and water years are also good (as metal can generate water, and water is wealth). Fire years are unfavorable (as fire generates earth, making earth even more blocked), and wood years are also not good - although wood can overcome earth, since earth is too strong, it actually breaks the wood, which is called 'earth being too strong, wood is broken'. Common people take the heavenly stem Geng metal to combine with the earthly branch Yi wood, and regard Yi wood as the official star of Wu earth, calling it the 'combination and wealth pattern'. They also say that this official star does not need to be clearly present, but prefers wealth to generate it. In fact, according to this pattern, the conclusion is roughly the same as above.

己酉 辛未 癸未 庚申 庚午 己巳 戊辰 丁卯 丙寅 乙丑 俗亦名之為合祿格，以申合巳中戊土為官星也。月令偏官，年上透出，時上庚印化煞為用（見論偏官篇），格正局清，有何不美？若取巳中戊土官星，豈非官煞混雜耶？

Xu Lewu cited the case of a minister Zhao, whose birth chart is: Jiyou year, Xinwei month, Guimi day, Gengshen hour; the big years are in sequence Gengwu, Jisi, Wuchen, Dingmao, Bingyin, Yichou. He said: Common people also call this chart the 'Harmony and Wealth Pattern', saying that the hour branch Shen combines with the Si branch's Wu earth, which is considered as the official star for the癸water. In reality, the癸water is born in the Wei month, where the Wei branch's Ji earth is a biased official, and it is also revealed in the year stem; the hour stem Geng metal is the proper seal, which can transform the evil and nourish the self, and this is the true useful god. The pattern is correct and the structure is pure, so what is not beautiful? If one does not take the Wu earth in Si as the official star, then the Ji evil and Wu official come together, would they not become a mixture of official and evil?

庚申 乙酉 丙申 己丑 丙戌 丁亥 戊子 己丑 庚寅 辛卯 乙從庚化，不作印論，丙火臨申，坐於病地，四柱無根，時上己丑又來生金，氣勢偏於金旺，為棄命從財格也。運宜行土金水，南方火鄉最忌，木亦不利。

Xu Lewu cited Wang Shiwan's case: born in the year of Gengshen, month of Yiyou, day of Bingshen, and hour of Jichou. His big years are in order Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, and Xinmao. He said: the heavenly stem Yi wood is originally the true official of the heavenly stem Bing fire, but it is combined with the heavenly stem Geng metal in the year column, turning into metal, so it can no longer be considered as an official. The heavenly stem Bing fire is sitting on the branch Shen, which is the "sick" position in the twelve branches, and there is no root of fire in the four pillars. The hour column Jichou is also earth that nourishes metal. The whole chart is inclined towards strong metal, so it is the "abandoning the destiny to follow the wealth" pattern. The best years are those of earth, metal, and water, because earth nourishes metal, metal supports metal, and water is generated by metal, following its trend. The southern fire land is most undesirable, because fire would revive the root of Bing fire, opposing the wealth trend. The wood years are also unfavorable, because wood is attacked by the many metals, causing unnecessary disturbance.

乙酉 乙酉 乙酉 甲申 甲申 癸未 壬午 辛巳 庚辰 己卯 乙木無根，氣勢偏於金，為棄命從煞格。金運最美，水土亦吉。木運為乙木逢根，火運逆其旺勢，皆忌見。與上從財格大致相同。

Xu Lewu cited the case of Li Shilang, whose birth chart is: Yiyou year, Yiyou month, Yiyou day, Jiashen hour. His big years are in sequence: Jiashen, Guiwei, Renwu, Xinsi, Gengchen, Jimao. He said: Three Yi wood are all sitting on You, and the hour branch is also Shen. Therefore, the Yi wood has no root at all, and the momentum is biased towards metal, so it is the 'abandoning destiny and following the evil' pattern. The best fortune is the metal big year, and water and earth big years are also favorable - earth can generate metal, and water although drains metal is still in line with the trend. The wood big year is not suitable, because if wood comes, the Yi wood will have a root, and it will compete with the evil it follows; fire big year is even more against the trend, as it will attack metal, which is undesirable. This is similar to the previous 'following the wealth' pattern.

戊子 庚申 庚申 庚辰 辛酉 壬戌 癸亥 甲子 乙丑 丙寅 此俗所謂井欄叉格。庚金乘旺洩秀，支全申子辰水局。氣勢偏於金水，當順其勢以取運。土金水運均美，木運亦可，行火運逆其旺勢不利。

Xu Lewu cited a case of Guo Tongzhi: born in the year of Wuzi, month of Gengshen, day of Gengshen, and hour of Gengchen; his successive big years were Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai, Jiazi, Yichou, and Bingyin. He said: this is what common people call the "well rim cross pattern." In reality, the庚gold is flourishing in the autumn season, and water is used to release its brilliance. The earthly branches Shen, Zi, and Chen form a water trinity. The momentum leans toward gold and water, so the big years should follow this trend: earth, gold, and water are favorable; wood is also acceptable, since the strong water can generate wood, and wood can also release water; only fire is contrary to this strong momentum, and is most unfavorable.

辛丑 辛丑 辛丑 庚寅 庚子 己亥 戊戌 丁酉 丙申 乙未 此俗所謂丑遙巳格。土金成局，生於十二月，時上寅木無氣，不能為用。勢象偏於土金，宜土金水運，木火逆其旺勢為不宜。與遙巳格取運相同也。

Xu Lemu pointed out an example of a single formation called "Xin Chou year, Xin Chou month, Xin Chou day, Geng Yin hour; the big years are in sequence Geng Zi, Ji Hai, Wu Xu, Ding You, Bing Shen, Yi Wei." He said: This is what common people call the "Chou remote Si pattern." In reality, the earth and metal form a single group, and the person is born in the twelfth month, when the earth is in command. The hour branch, which is the wood branch Yin, has no strength in the severe winter, and cannot be used as the useful god. The overall trend of the situation is biased towards earth and metal, so it is suitable to go through the earth, metal, and water years. The wood and fire years are against the strong trend and are not suitable. It is exactly the same as the previous pattern of taking the remote combination and choosing the years.

乙未 癸卯 癸卯 甲寅 壬寅 辛丑 庚子 己亥 戊戌 丁酉 《喜忌篇》云，「癸日進逢寅位，歲月怕戊已二方」，以寅刑出巳中戊土為格，其實乃從兒格也。氣勢偏於木，行運最喜木火。從格忌見比劫，而從兒有食傷引化，不忌比劫，此為不同之點。官煞大忌，印運亦忌。

Xu Lewu points out a case of twelve officials, with the birth year being Yiwei, the month Guimao, the day Guimao, and the hour Jiayin. The big years follow in order: Renyin, Xinchou, Gengzi, Jihai, Wuxu, and Dingyou. He says: "The "Xiji篇" states that when the day is Gui water and the position is Yin, the years and months should avoid Wu and Ji." The old interpretation used Yin to刑 out Si and take Wu earth as the basis. In fact, this case should be considered as the "Cong Er Ge" - the day master Gui water is supported by wood throughout its life, following the path of what it generates. The momentum is inclined towards wood, and the best fortune is wood and fire: wood is the child it follows, and fire is what wood generates. Usually, from patterns dislike to see siblings or thieves, but in the case of Cong Er Ge, the food and injury are in the middle to transform the momentum, so the siblings' momentum also flows into wood, thus it is not disliked. This is the difference between this pattern and other from patterns. Officials and evils are greatly disliked, and the印运 is also disliked - they all come to harm this wood momentum.

甲申 甲戌 甲子 甲子 乙亥 丙子 丁丑 戊寅 己卯 庚辰 《喜忌篇》云，「甲子日再遇子時，畏庚辛申酉丑午，以子遙合巳為格」，其實月令偏財，用財損印，何必另取格局？戌藏丁火，生起財星，遇運透清為美，庚辛申酉官煞生印為忌，午沖子、丑刑戌均為忌也。

Xu Lewu cited the case of Luo Yu Shi, whose birth chart is Jia Shen year, Jia Xu month, Jia Zi day, and Jia Zi hour. His big運 are Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, and Gengchen in sequence. He said that the "Xiji篇" states, "When Jia Zi day meets Zi hour again, it fears Geng and Xin, as well as Shen, You, Chou, and Wu, because Zi combines with Si from a distance to form a pattern." In reality, in this case, the month of Xu contains Wu earth, which is the biased wealth, and the two Zi waters are the official. Using wealth to reduce the excessive official is sufficient, so why establish another pattern? The month also contains Ding fire, which can generate the wealth star. Therefore, if the running fortune brings out Ding fire and clearly uses it, it would be a good fortune. Geng and Xin, as well as Shen and You, are officials and evils, which would instead generate the official, making it more extreme, thus they are considered bad. As for Wu conflicting with Zi and Chou conflicting with Xu, they shake the roots of the official and wealth, which are also considered bad.