Four Seasons Assignment, annotated by Zheng Xicheng

切以三冬之木遇水而寒。冬水不能始生木之功。九夏之土逢火而燥。夏火太旺，生土反燥。金埋土而反晦，秋金土重反晦，土混水而致濁。冬水冰結土混不清，無根之木遇惡水，而飄泛東西。木躔金度或與金同，夏月水勢盛反被漂流。受制之土見猛水，而崩潰四出。春夏生物之土乃為受制，遇水反崩潰。

Discussing: In severe winter, wood meets water and becomes even colder—water in winter cannot nourish wood; in the height of summer, soil meets fire and becomes drier—summer fire is too strong, and fire nourishes soil, but turns it dry and scorched. Metal buried by soil becomes dull—autumn metal meets heavy soil and is obscured; soil mixed with water makes water turbid—winter water is already frozen, and mixing it with soil makes it even less clear. Rootless wood meets bad water and drifts about—wood in the metal degree or sharing the same palace with metal, when summer comes and water is strong, is carried away by the water; restrained soil meets strong water and breaks down everywhere—soil that nourishes all things in spring and summer is restrained soil, and when it meets water, it collapses.

春金見月，淡薄無成；金未成不能助月，冬月遇金，飢寒刺骨。寒月不宜傍金星，火逢月朗而無權，望夜火月爭光，金得火明而煥發。秋金見火為奇，寒月最宜干陽。月借日光固喜，近陽冬月尤吉。夏火不妨見月。夏火本炎，遇太陰以解酷熱，火得令能助月。

In spring, the metal element meets the Moon and appears weak and ineffective—metal energy is not yet mature and cannot support the Moon; in winter, the Moon encountering the planet of metal intensifies the feeling of cold and hunger—the cold Moon is not suitable to be near metal. Fire loses its power when it meets the bright Moon—on the full moon night, fire and the Moon compete for brightness; metal gains brilliance when it meets fire's light—metal in autumn meeting fire is considered special. The cold Moon is most suitable to be close to the Yang Sun—since the Moon relies on sunlight to shine, the cold Moon being close to Yang is especially auspicious; summer fire can meet the Moon—summer fire is naturally hot, meeting the Moon can relieve its intense heat, and if fire is in its season, it can also support the Moon.

未垣坐命、太陽行限，則柔而能剛。未乃陰宮，行限遇太陽，則陰從陽以剛濟柔也，昴日度。星度為元、太陰司用，則懦而無力。星乃陽度，行限遇太陰，則陽從陰受制於陰故懦。盛夏之火何須木氣生扶。木至六月則絕而不旺，見火反干。六月之水最怕火日枯涸。六月水主輔陽，反為不美。

A person whose destiny is located in the Wei palace and reaches the Sun during their life cycle demonstrates a flexible yet strong nature. The Wei palace is a yin palace, and encountering the Sun during the life cycle indicates that yin follows yang, with yang supplementing yin. This is the same principle as theHairy Head mansion, which belongs to the solar degree. When the Star mansion is the main degree and is governed by the Taiyin, it becomes weak and powerless. The Star mansion is originally a yang degree, and encountering Taiyin during the life cycle means that yang follows yin and is controlled by yin, hence its weakness. In the height of summer, fire does not need the "Purple Qi" (wood) to generate and support it, as wood has already declined by June and is not vigorous; instead, fire would dry it out. Water in June is most afraid of fire and the Sun, which would dry it up. Water in June should support the Sun, but now it is not harmonious.

夏金遇日銷鑠無聊。夏金與日同躔必鎔。秋木逢陽凋零，何補戌垣之火，取用與卯垣不同。戌火勢微，不論四時，最怕水孛卯火勢盛，惟冬怕水孛初生之火，宜木氣生扶。酉宮之金，行限與辰宮有異。土中之金不大，畏火羅。冬水喜於南奔，戌火忌於發露。居婁宿則吉，微弱宜藏。

In summer, metal is weakened by the sun and melts away helplessly; summer metal encountering the sun inevitably gets melted. In autumn, wood meets the sun and only withers, and the sun cannot help it. The fire in the戌 (Xu) palace is used differently from that in the卯 (Mao) palace; Xu fire is weak and regardless of the season, it most fears the water star and "Moon孛" (Yuebo). The fire in the Mao palace is strong and only fears water and Yuebo in winter. Newly born fire is suitable to have "Purple Qi" (Zi Qi) and wood qi to generate and support it. The metal in the酉 (You) palace differs from that in the辰 (Chen) palace when it comes to its time of action; metal buried in soil is not very strong and most fears the fire star and "Ruo Hou" (Luohou). Winter water prefers to flow southward, but fire in the Xu palace dislikes being too prominent; it is auspicious when it resides in the Lou Xu (Lousu), and since its strength is weak, it should be hidden.

冬春之木見日，則謂向陽；冰凍之土會火，始能發用。月圓火焰，奈爭鬥而無成；水凍金寒，縱相生而不發寒。土何生金之有。所謂土寒者，不生之故。秋水非滋木之時。秋木凋零，不能足水之滋。辰酉坐命，土犯月而尤佳，金命喜土為母，卯戌為垣，孛抱蟾而反害。火命怕孛為難殘晦之月見火增輝。初八以前，二十以後，三方對照得火相助。剛燥之土遇水滋潤。夏土乾燥，愛水滋潤。

In winter and spring, wood sees the sun and is called facing the sun; frozen earth catches fire and can then function. When the moon is full and meets fire, it is helpless in struggle and nothing is achieved. When water is frozen and metal is cold, even though they mutually generate, they cannot flourish. Cold earth can no longer generate metal—so called cold earth is the reason it cannot generate. Autumn water is not a time to nourish wood—autumn wood has already withered and cannot bear the nourishment of water. Those with a birth chart in the hour of Chen or You, earth star invading the too-yin is actually better—metal life prefers earth as its mother. Those with a birth chart in the hour of Mao or Xu, the "moon孛" embracing the moon becomes a disaster—fire life most fears the moon孛 causing trouble. A dim and incomplete moon meets fire and can actually add brilliance—before the eighth day and after the twentieth day of the lunar month, if the moon is in triple harmony with fire, it is beneficial. Hard and dry earth meets water and becomes nourished—summer earth is dry and actually loves water to nourish it.

諸星皆退，主星獨順，乃中流砥柱之人；群曜都衰，身星有用，則獨步軒昂之士土。在子木、在午，似有沖而無害，子命、命居申土、居亥行，此限以何妨。申命不忌土計，在亥則土受制。婁乃金石之火，觸日方發。婁金安命相從太陽。

All the stars are retrograde, but the main star is moving forward, indicating a person who is like a pillar in the middle of a river; all the other stars are weak, but the main star is useful, representing a person who stands out distinctly and has an imposing presence. Earth is in the Zi position and Wood is in the Wu position, which seems to be conflicting but actually causes no harm—this is the situation where the Zi position is the house of destiny; the destiny house is in Shen and the Earth star is in Hai, so there is no obstruction when reaching this period—Shen position as the house of destiny does not dislike the Earth star and "Ji Du", and the Earth star in the Hai position is actually restrained.Bond mansion is fire within metal and stone, which must come into contact with the sun to be revealed—those who have theBond mansion metal degree as their destiny should follow the sun.

箕乃蒙泉之水，見金不清。得木蔭之乃清，若金伐木，不得廕庇，沙泥所以不清。惟參軫議論，不殊與亢星取用，歸一丑宮，坐命不可以木為刑囚。木受制不為害，星柳為垣，亦不可以木為難。木若失時不為惡，豈不有水中之火，巳翼火、火中之金，戌婁金、金垣之木，辰角木、木垣之土。寅艮土。

The mansion of Ji is like a spring of water, which becomes clear only when it is shaded by wood, and becomes turbid when met with metal. If metal cuts down the wood, the water loses its shade and becomes muddy. The discussions about the mansions of Can and Chen are similar to that of Kang, and they all belong to the same category. If the destiny is located in the Chou mansion, one should not consider the wood star as a criminal or restrained star, because the wood is restrained there and cannot cause harm. Similarly, one should not consider the wood star as a difficult star when using the mansion of Xing and Liu, because if the wood is out of its season, it does not cause trouble. How can one not know that there is fire in water — the mansion of Yi in the Si mansion belongs to fire; there is metal in fire — the mansion of Lou in the Xu mansion belongs to metal; there is wood in the metal mansion — the mansion of Jiao in the Chen mansion belongs to wood; and there is earth in the wood mansion — the mansion of Gen in the Yin mansion belongs to earth.

冬水為命，太陽行限，財不足而福有餘。水滋其暖春土作主，火星發用，彼無力而我何藉。春土本不旺而火恩躔洩，則母無力而我何藉。論星先要論時，論殺無過論理。火本畏水，巳宮翼火為登殿；火翼金本畏火，戌宮婁度亦歸經，金婁木本怕金，辰宮角宿為登殿；木角土本怕木，寅宮艮土反長生。土寅，造化貴在擇用，術士妙在推詳，此論先聖之秘奧，而後學必寶敬之。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) Glossary: Juxu = Horn mansion Yi xu = Wings mansion Fa yong = Initiating Transmission Chang sheng = Growth Using winter water as the destiny and encountering the sun in the limit, wealth may be insufficient but blessings are abundant — because water receives the warmth of the sun. Using spring earth as the main element and with the fire star initiating transmission, fire itself is weak, so what can I rely on — spring earth is not strong, and the fire star, which is a benefic, passing through the wings mansion actually drains its energy. The mother star is weak, so I have no support. When discussing stars, one must first consider the season, and when discussing harmful stars, it is merely about a principle. Fire naturally fears water, but the wings mansion in the si palace, which belongs to fire, is considered to be in a palace of honor; metal naturally fears fire, but the lou degree in the xu palace, which belongs to metal, is considered to be in a proper position; wood naturally fears metal, but the juxu in the chen palace, which belongs to wood, is considered to be in a palace of honor; earth naturally fears wood, but the gen earth in the yin palace is considered to have growth. The subtlety of creation lies in the skill of selection and use. The skill of the diviner lies entirely in careful analysis. These are the secret teachings of the ancients, and later learners must treasure and uphold them.

立儀觀象，創法筭星，推天地之有準，定日月之可憑。風雲慶會，順言箕畢之由。箕星好風，畢宿好雨。朝暮昏曉，但看房昴之要。房為日出之所，昴為月生之地。日賦爾命，日為命源月躔乃身。月乃身主子夜朗耀於雙魚，宜逢太乙。夜半月居亥，宜孛星抱之。五更輝煌於巨蟹，喜近長庚。五更月居未，喜金星助之。

Set up instruments to observe celestial phenomena, establish rules to calculate the stars, and determine the principles of the movement of heaven and earth, to ascertain the reliable measures of the sun and moon. The auspicious signs of the meeting of clouds and winds should follow the principles of the mansion of Ji and Bi—Ji star favors wind, Bi star favors rain. The distinction between morning and evening and the time of dawn and dusk depends on the two key mansions of Fang and Mao—Fang is where the sun rises, and Mao is where the moon is born. The sun gives your destiny—the sun is the origin of destiny; the moon's position determines your body—the moon is the main star of the body. At midnight, when the moon shines brightly in the Double Fish mansion, it is favorable to meet the 'Taiyi'—at night the moon resides in the Hai mansion, and it is favorable to have the moon孛 (a comet) accompanying it; at the fifth watch, when the moon's light shines brilliantly in the Cancer mansion, it is favorable to have the planet Venus nearby—during the fifth watch the moon resides in the Wei mansion, and it is favorable to have the planet Venus assisting.

論其玉兔之形，到彼金牛之地，卻怕火羅，毋嫌土計。以金命言先觀陰精圓缺，須辨晦明，上下弦而月缺，十五六而月圓，日月相會而晦，日月相望而明；次看子夜、晨昏以分向背，日將出為晨，日已入為昏，子夜者，夜半之際也，夜生為向，晝生為背。

Regarding the image of the Jade Rabbit, which represents the Taiyin, when it reaches the place of the Metal Ox, it most fears the Mars and 'RuoHou', but need not be wary of the Saturn and 'JiDu' — this is speaking specifically about people with a Metal destiny. First, observe the roundness and lack of the Taiyin's essence to distinguish between darkness and brightness: the moon is lacking during the waxing and waning phases, and it becomes full only on the fifteenth and sixteenth days; when the sun and moon are in conjunction, it is dark, but when they are far apart, it is bright. Next, consider the time of night and dawn to distinguish between facing and backing: when the sun is about to rise, it is dawn, and when the sun has already set, it is dusk, while midnight is the middle of the night; those born at night are considered facing, while those born during the day are considered backing.

職屬太后，配同母親，遇群凶，先主克母；逢惡曜，亦當損身。月為後、為母、又為身。南有張，北有危，南北正殿；午張子危東有心，西有畢，東西正垣。卯心酉畢既曰入垣而入廟，亦須相順以相生。逢吉星則吉，逢凶曜則凶。

The function of Taiyin belongs to the Empress, and in human terms it corresponds to the mother; when it meets a group of malevolent stars, it first indicates the mother's demise; encountering evil influences also harms itself—because Taiyin is both the Empress and the mother, and also the master of the body. To the south there is Zhangsu, to the north there is Weisu, these are the central palaces of north and south—Zhangsu in theWu Palace and Weisu in theZi Palace; to the east there is Xinxu, to the west there is Bisu, these are the central enclosures of east and west—Xinxu in theMao Palace and Bisu in theYou Palace. Although it is said to be entering the enclosure and temple, it also requires mutual generation and harmony between them—meeting auspicious stars brings auspiciousness, meeting malevolent stars brings misfortune.

入晉而躔，觜參財星守命，申命以月為財在鄭而躔角亢祿主居辰。辰命以月為官身之如何，六奴僕位庶出偏生。月居奴僕九遷移宮過房離祖。月居遷移同水見孛兮，癰疽癆瘵，月同水孛同金見火兮，盲聾喑啞。月同金火如逢木氣，山間林下作生涯，月逢木氣若遇孛金，月下花前恣歌舞。月遇金孛。

The Moon's negative energy enters the territory of Jin and passes through the mansions of Zi and Shen, indicating the wealth star guarding the destiny — those with their birth palace in Shen use the Moon as their wealth. When it reaches the territory of Zheng and passes through the mansions of Jiao and Kang, it signifies the official star residing in Chen — those with their birth palace in Chen use the Moon as their official position. The body palace is also determined by the Moon: if the Moon is in the sixth palace of servants, it indicates being born from a secondary wife; if it is in the ninth palace of migration, it indicates being adopted by another family and leaving the ancestral estate. If the Moon is in the same palace as the water star and the 'Purple Qi' is present, it leads to diseases like abscesses and tuberculosis. If the Moon is in the same palace as the gold star and the fire star is present, it leads to blindness, deafness, and muteness. If 'Purple Qi' and wood energy are present, one will live a life in mountains and forests; if 'Purple Qi' and the gold star are present, one will enjoy dancing and singing under the moon and flowers.

其初也，出扶桑之地，卯宮生於蓬島之間，酉宮或掛柳梢之上，未宮柳度倘躔斗柄之前。丑宮斗宿，每日常行十三度。一晝夜間行十三度。逐月曆遍一周天，一月之內歷十二宮。圓缺不齊昨夜今夜。正望之際，月固圓明，未望前既，望後月尚缺矣。晦明迥別上弦下弦。上弦之後月漸明，下弦之後月漸晦。

The Moon begins its journey from Fusu land — that is the Mao mansion; sometimes it arises between Penglai — that is the You mansion; sometimes it hangs above the willow branch — that is the Wei mansion's Willow mansion degree; sometimes it moves ahead of the handle of the Dipper — that is the Chou mansion's Dipper mansion. It travels thirteen degrees each day — thirteen degrees in a day and night; each month it completes a full circle around the sky — finishing the twelve mansions within a month. Its waxing and waning differ between yesterday and today: when it is the full moon, the moon is bright and round; before the full moon and after the full moon, the moon remains crescent. The brightness and darkness also differ according to the upper and lower gibbous phases: after the upper gibbous, the moon gradually becomes brighter; after the lower gibbous, the moon gradually becomes darker.

二十八宿循環，禍福曉矣。二十八宿所屬，太陰躔此者，有禍福之所據。四十五度向背，吉凶瞭然。四十五度中間，太陰泊此者，有吉凶之所辨。與太乙同坐官宮，為官食祿；月同孛居官祿，會天乙而居財帛，問舍求田。月會氣居財帛。

The twenty-eight constellations cycle and rotate, allowing one to know about fortune and misfortune—each of the twenty-eight constellations has its own domain, and the Moon's path passes over them, thus providing a basis for determining fortune and misfortune. Within a range of forty-five degrees, there are directions and their opposites, making good and bad fortune clearly discernible—the Moon stops in the middle of these forty-five degrees, thus distinguishing good and bad fortune. When the Moon and the 'Taiyi' and 'Yuebo' are in the official fortune palace, one can hold an official position and receive俸禄—this is when the Moon and 'Yuebo' share the official fortune palace. When the Moon and the 'Tianyi' and 'Zi qi' are in the wealth and property palace, one can build houses and buy land—this is when the Moon and 'Zi qi' share the wealth and property palace.

古人云：石崇鉅富，月在白羊；戌命月為田土，甘羅為官，月居天秤；辰命月為官主，火月逢孛，雖韓信未免遭刑；月愛火助豈使逢孛，金月遇羅，縱顏子亦須短命田。月喜金伴奚宜遇羅，刑囚犯月，須看三方，暗耗臨身，猶觀四正。月犯刑囚、暗耗等星，觀看三方、四正有援庶可。

Ancient people said: Shi Chong became extremely wealthy because the Moon was in the Ram sign—when the destiny is placed in the Dog sign, the Moon becomes the master of property; Gan Luo became an official at a young age because the Moon was in the Balance sign—when the destiny is placed in the Dragon sign, the Moon becomes the master of officialdom. Fire and Moon meet the "Moon孛" star, even Han Xin could not avoid punishment—the Moon originally loves Fire to assist, how could it meet the Moon孛 again; Metal and Moon meet the "Ruo Hou" star, even Yan Hui could not escape a short life—the Moon originally prefers Metal as a companion, how could it meet the Ruo Hou again. When stars of punishment and restraint attack the Moon, one must check the Triple Harmony direction for rescue; when hidden consumption stars are at the native's palace, one must also examine the four cardinal directions—the Moon being attacked by punishment and consumption stars should look for help from the three directions and four cardinal directions.

火月入邊郵，蘇長卿甘處牧羊；邊郵者遷移也，水月坐遷移，郭令公宜見虜陣。此二古人流於夷地，常論金命月居卯戌，火命月居巳申，水命月居子丑，土命月居寅亥，木氣犯月命居於鶉火之位，土計臨身命躔於鶉首之宮。

Fire and the Taiyin enter the border region, and Su Wu willingly tends sheep in the northern sea — the border region is the migration palace; water and Taiyin sit in the migration palace, and Guo Ziyi is destined to personally face the enemy camp — these two ancient men were both exiled to foreign lands. Usually, it is said that for those with a metal destiny, Taiyin resides in the卯 and 戌; for those with a fire destiny, Taiyin resides in the巳 and 申; for those with a water destiny, Taiyin resides in the子 and 丑; and for those with a earth destiny, Taiyin resides in the寅 and 亥. When the purple qi and wood qi invade Taiyin, it indicates the destiny is in the鹑火 palace; when the planet Saturn and the 'Jidi' are at the person's palace, it indicates the destiny is in the鹑首 palace.

飛來陽刃、釣起三殺，重則犯刑惡死，輕則破相壓身有救，則非常富貴無助，則難免夭貧。已上數條，皆係身居難地。命亥月辰，正是厄宮當受病，命寅月酉，是真奴僕，主艱辛。此亦承上文言，人皆曰凶莫凶於火羅計孛，吉莫吉於木氣金水，殊不知身命入魯、宋不怕火羅，身命居齊、吳毋嫌土計。

The native's palace is attacked by the Yang Blade from its own palace, and also the Triple Harmony from the opposite palace draws up the Three Killings. The severe cases will suffer from punishment and a violent death, while the lighter cases may suffer from disfigurement or being oppressed by others. If there is a star to save, it will instead bring about extraordinary wealth and honor. If there is no assistance, then one is inevitably doomed to an early death and poverty. All these points describe the situation when the native's palace falls in a place of harmful stars. If the native's destiny is in the亥 (Hai) and the Taiyin is in the辰 (Chen), it is the palace of illness and suffering, and there will be sickness. If the native's destiny is in the寅 (Yin) and the Taiyin is in the酉 (You), it is the position of a servant, indicating a life of hardship—this is a continuation of the previous discussion. Everyone says that the most凶 (dangerous) stars are the Fire Star, Luo Hou, Ji Du, and Yue Bo, while the most auspicious are the Wood Star, Zi Qi, Metal Star, and Water Star. But they do not know that those whose destiny falls in the regions of Lu and Song do not fear fire or Luo Hou, and those whose destiny falls in the regions of Qi and Wu do not need to be wary of earth or Ji Du.

大凡人生天地之間，剛強正直有勇敢，為火羅計孛使之然也。不以火羅計孛為凶，勿以木氣金水為吉，各有所用不同。凡金星伴月以躔亢，辰命，水星伴月而入軫，巳命火星伴月向南斗，丑命木星伴月朝東井，未命，雖然一星伴月，自古宜有不如，眾星朗朗孤月獨明，宮清身吉休愁爾命。

In general, a person's life exists between heaven and earth, being strong, upright, and courageous, which is due to the influence of the planet Mars, the planet RuoHou, the planet JiDu, and the planet YueBo. Therefore, one should not regard Mars, RuoHou, JiDu, and YueBo solely as凶 (malevolent), nor should one regard the planet Wood, ZiQi, the planet Metal, and the planet Water solely as吉 (favorable). Each has its own use and is not the same. When the planet Venus is with the Moon and moves through the constellation Kangle, that is the birth chart in the辰 (Chen) palace; when the planet Water is with the Moon and enters the constellation ChenZhen, that is the birth chart in the巳 (Si) palace; when the planet Mars is with the Moon and faces the Southern Dipper, that is the birth chart in the丑 (Chou) palace; when the planet Wood is with the Moon and faces the Eastern Well, that is the birth chart in the未 (Wei) palace. Although there is one star accompanying the Moon, since ancient times, it has always been better to have many stars shining clearly and the single Moon shining alone. As long as the palace position is pure and the ruler of the body is favorable, there is no need to worry about one's destiny.

即宮主、度主、身主是也。身主不傍鬼，不冥晦宮度，三主要得局，不洩氣，不遲留伏逆於惡地，極喜朝元升殿垣局，生我之度也，所以不怕，三方忌星刑照，正是他來刑我，我居廟旺以何妨，不必論恩援二星於失次，亦富貴論之。宮身度主喜朝陽，三主高強福壽昌，恩援不須來輔助也，應富貴始終良。主猶人身，稟氣強壯且居廊廟之上，不受剋制，近於天庭終為貴也。

The so-called Triple Harmony refers to the Palace Master, Degree Master, and Body Master. The Body Master must not be accompanied by ghost stars; the Palace and Degree must not be obscure or unclear. All three masters must be in a favorable position, must not be drained of energy, and must not linger in evil places where they are reversed. They prefer to face the original destiny, ascend to the celestial realm, and fall into the degree that generates me. Even if there are忌 stars or harmful influences in the Triple Harmony directions, there is no need to worry, for they only harm me, but I am in a strong and favorable position, so what difference does it make? Even without considering whether the benevolent stars and supporting stars are out of place, we can still determine wealth and honor. The rhyme says: the Palace Master, Body Master, and Degree Master all prefer to face the sun. If the three masters are strong, then prosperity and longevity will flourish, without the need for the benevolent stars and supporting stars to assist, naturally leading to a life of wealth and stability throughout. The three masters are like a person's body, receiving strong energy, residing in the hall of the court, not being restrained, and being close to the heavenly court, ultimately resulting in a noble destiny.

凡四時者，春溫、夏熱、秋清、冬寒，當分節前、氣後以定四時寒暑，故可論之，及後學不能精通，即道希奇八九之數，豈能通到於淵源，又如春木、夏火、秋金、冬水四季月土皆為令星，若宮度二主得時得令為美。經云：五星俱要比和，但以得時為貴。又云：看星須看得時星。二十四氣轉流通，四時寒暑在其中，寒凝不可居陰極，暑熱嫌居陽爍宮。時謂天地之氣，四時行焉，猶物之各得其時流通，則暢滯塞，則乖五行亦如之，況人命乎。

The four seasons refer to spring warmth, summer heat, autumn clarity, and winter cold. One must distinguish between the beginning of a season and the later part of its energy, in order to determine the cold and heat of each season, and only then can one discuss destiny. Those who study later often fail to grasp this principle, and instead focus on strange and peculiar numbers like eight and nine, which can never lead to the root of the matter. For example, the wood of spring, the fire of summer, the metal of autumn, the water of winter, and the earth of the four seasonal months are all stars that are in season. If both the palace ruler and the degree ruler are in season, it is favorable. The classics say: all five stars should be harmonious with each other, and the most important is that they are in season; they also say: when observing stars, one must observe those that are in season. A mnemonic verse says: the twenty-four solar terms circulate and flow, containing the cold and heat of the four seasons within them; during the time of cold, one should not reside in extremely dark places, and during the time of heat, one should not be in a place exposed to intense sunlight. The term 'time' refers to the movement of the energies of heaven and earth according to the four seasons. All things thrive when they are in their proper time, but if they are blocked, they become discordant. This is true for the five elements, and even more so for human destiny.

晝生者，喜太陽木土計氣水孛於陽宮陽度；夜生者，愛太陰火金羅於陰宮陰度。如合此者，則福祿崇高、顯貴論之；倘或晝曜反於夜，夜星背於晝，以為孤克，乃是刑星，則減福氣；如晝行夜曜，夜行晝宿，亦不祥也。

Those born during the day prefer the Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, 'Ji Du', 'Zi Qi', Mercury, and 'Yue Bo' to be in the Yang Palace and Yang Degree. Those born at night favor the Moon, Mars, Venus, 'Luo Hou', and others to be in the Yin Palace and Yin Degree. If the configuration matches this pattern, then the person is destined for high blessings, honor, and prosperity. However, if the stars belonging to the day are dominant in a night-born chart, or the stars of the night are dominant in a day-born chart, it results in a lonely and harsh configuration, equivalent to a harmful star, thus diminishing the fortune. Similarly, if one's day chart is influenced by night stars or the night chart is influenced by day stars, it is also considered inauspicious.

故曰：日生怕逢中宵宿，夜裡須防日裡星。晝生日木土為奇，夜反孤星非所，宜月火金星，為夜曜日光晦昧克妻兒。謂陽星居晝，而陰星居夜，乃各得其所，苟有反背者，俱有所忌，當辨晝夜之分，則吉凶方驗。

Therefore, those born in the day should avoid encountering the stars of the night, and those born at night should beware of the stars of the day. Those born during the day are favorable if they have the sun, Jupiter, or Saturn, but if these stars appear in the birth chart of someone born at night, they become isolated stars and are not auspicious. Those born at night are favorable if they have the moon, Mars, or Venus, for these are the stars of the night; at this time, daylight is dim, and they may cause harm to wife and children. This means that yang stars should be in the day and yin stars in the night, each in their proper place; if they are reversed, there will be inauspicious effects. It is essential first to distinguish between day and night, so that fortune and misfortune can be accurately determined.

凡初一二三四五日戌亥子丑時生人，日月俱晦，如為宮度身三主有二失次者，兼刑煞有犯，則主孤獨論之；若二十六七八九三十日酉戌亥子丑時生人，亦謂日月俱晦，論之皆不足取也。

Anyone born during the hours of Xu, Hai, Zi, or Chou on the first to fifth days of the month will have both the sun and moon in darkness; if among the three rulers—palace ruler, degree ruler, and body ruler—two are out of order, and they also commit the crime of punishment, then they are considered to have a lonely destiny. Similarly, those born during the hours of You, Xu, Hai, Zi, or Chou on the twenty-sixth to thirtieth days of the month are also called having both sun and moon in darkness, and such cases are not considered favorable.

陰陽孤晦，主孤恓不損兒兮，便損妻。日月分明，妻子盛；無光，父母主生離。天得一以清，地得一以寧，天清地寧、物象咸亨，人物雍熙且晦者，陰陽交錯天地闇昧，如日月無光，所以酉言父母之災晦也。

The song says: When yin and yang are isolated and dim, the person is lonely and sorrowful, either harming the son or the wife; when the sun and moon are clear, the wife and children flourish, but when the sun and moon are obscured, there is separation from parents. The Book of Dao says that heaven becomes clear only when it receives the one, and earth becomes peaceful only when it receives the one; when heaven is clear and earth is peaceful, all things are harmonious, and people live in joy. The term "hui" refers to the crossing of yin and yang, making heaven and earth dark, like the sun and moon losing their light. Therefore, this line refers to parents encountering calamity and gloom.

凡木火土金水而有遲留伏逆之辨，以尊其太陽故也，蓋太陽者，君象也，五星者，臣下也，臣見君，則讓於禮，所以五星近太陽，則遲遲，則行緩也；五星三方見太陽，則留留則不行也；五星與太陽同行，則伏伏則不見也；五星對照見太陽，則逆逆則退行也。

The five stars of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water have different phenomena of delay, stationary, concealment, and retrograde movement, all in order to show respect to the sun: the sun symbolizes the king, and the five stars represent ministers; ministers must show respect and retreat when they meet the king. Therefore, when the five stars approach the sun, it is called "delay" — delay means slow movement; when the five stars see the sun from the triple harmony direction, it is called "stationary" — stationary means stopping without moving; when the five stars move together with the sun, it is called "concealment" — concealment means being hidden and not visible; when the five stars see the sun from the opposite palace, it is called "retrograde" — retrograde means moving backward.

經云：伏逆無光，而順行有氣。五星遇日，須當伏，三合逢陽，便是留；要識對宮為逆度，不逢陽處，順行周。此謂群下尊君之禮，嚴敬有如此，不敢相犯，犯之則有觸君之罪，惟順而吉。

The text says: stars that are hidden andretrograde have no light, while stars that move in the proper direction have power. The mnemonic states: when the five planets meet the sun, they are hidden; when the triple harmony directions meet the sun, they are stationary. One must know that when they are in the opposite palace, they areretrograde; only when they do not meet the sun do they move properly around the sky. This describes the respect of ministers towards the sovereign, being respectful and solemn to this extent, not daring to offend. Once they offend, they commit the offense of offending the sovereign, and only obedience brings good fortune.

但凡遲留伏逆，在於廟旺受生之地，恩情之度，不相剋戰，又在君前，禮不相拘，反能為吉；若遲留伏逆，在於克洩鬼制之宮，相戰相剋之度，又在君后死絕之地，不祥之甚。經云：順則優遊，逆則退縮，留則拘繫抑鬱，伏則韜晦無光。遲留廟旺在君前，富貴雙全發，少年克我，無情洩我，氣伏逆君后反為迍。伏與逆者，言其不敢與太陽相見也，五行居旺相之方賓。主有情禮，法不拘且吉，無情克戰且凶。

But whenever there is delay, retention, concealment, or reversal, if they occur in a place of prosperity and strength, where there is mutual benefit and harmony, and there is no mutual control or conflict, and they are located before the sun, then they are not restricted by etiquette and can turn into auspiciousness. However, if delay, retention, concealment, or reversal occur in a place that controls me, drains me, or is under the influence of ghosts and demons, and they are in a position of mutual conflict and struggle, and they are located after the sun in a place of death and decline, then it is extremely inauspicious. The classic says: proceeding in the right direction allows for ease and leisure, while reversing leads to hesitation and retreat; retention causes restriction and depression; concealment means hiding one's light and not shining. The rhyme says: if delay and retention occur in a place of prosperity and strength, and in the position of the sovereign, then both wealth and status will be achieved, and success will come in youth; but if they are in a place that controls me, is无情 (without affection), or drains me, and are concealed and reversed behind the sovereign, then it leads to hardship. What is meant by concealment and reversal is that it dares not meet the sun. If the Five Phases are in a place of prosperity and strength, there is affection and respect between host and guest, and if there is no restriction by etiquette, it is auspicious; but if there is no affection and mutual conflict, it is inauspicious.

凡宮身度主俱坐祿貴馬鄉，或祿貴拱之，或祿貴夾之為上，更兼宮度身主得經得位，不失次於惡地，乃為富貴福壽；若見身命度主在殺宮，星辰失次者，夭折貧窮之論。宮身度主貴人宮，祿貴相生富壽翁，設使逢空，星失次，一生蹇滯不亨通。且祿與貴者，人之所欲也，全在三主歸垣得地，乃為真祿；若值空亡弱陷，又為虛祿虛貴，得之無益。

All the main stars, the body star, and the measure star, if they are located in the land of the禄 star, the nobleman, or the post-horse, or if they are supported by the禄 and nobleman, or protected by the禄 and nobleman, are the best; if in addition the main star, measure star, and body star are all in proper positions and not in evil places, then it is a destiny of wealth, status, happiness, and longevity. If the body star, life star, and measure star fall into a killing palace, and the stars are out of order, then it is judged as a short life and poverty. The song says: if the main star, body star, and measure star fall into the palace of the nobleman, and the禄 and nobleman are in mutual generation, then it is a wealthy and long-lived man; if they meet the empty void or the stars are out of order, then the person will have a life full of obstacles and lack smoothness. The禄 and nobleman are naturally desired by everyone, but it depends on whether the three main stars are in their proper place and in a good position, which is true禄; if they meet the empty void or are weak and fallen, then they become false禄 and false nobleman, and even if they are obtained, they bring no benefit.

凡身命度主要居長生之地，帝旺之宮，倘命立敗宮，身度主飛入死絕不得地，貧賤的矣。宮身度主旺生鄉，名利重重，坐廟堂若見空亡臨敗地，貧窮、夭折、絕三綱。生旺則富貴，猶人氣質敦厚，信而有之，則主富潤屋而德潤身矣。

All the main elements, including the ruler of the body, the ruler of destiny, and the ruler of measure, should fall in the long life position or the prosperous palace. If the palace of destiny is established in a declining place, and the rulers of body and measure enter the dead and absolute positions without proper support, then it is a destiny of poverty and low status. A verse says: if the palace ruler, body ruler, and measure ruler all reside in the prosperous and strong, and long life regions, then fame and fortune will accumulate repeatedly, allowing one to sit high in the halls of power. But if one sees kongwang and encounters a declining place, then poverty and early death will result, and even the three fundamental relationships of family will be severed. If there is vitality and prosperity, then wealth and honor will come, just as a person's nature is solid and sincere. If there is indeed substance within, then it can be said that wealth makes the house bright and virtue makes the mind and body bright, as stated in the Great Learning.

木凋天秤與金牛、火怕申鄉巳亦憂、土走雙魚人馬位、金銷天蠍白羊州、水漂羊角流巨蟹、計虎豬兒兔亦愁、紫氣亦嫌雞唱曉、孛逢戌上是三坵、羅?酉亥君須忌、日月無光卯酉頭、縱爾神仙並活佛、涅盤尸解去悠悠。此謂五星躔度相遇之宮，各有所忌之宮度也，主人晦昧反覆甚，則必死。

The song lists the most unfavorable houses for each star: "Jupiter" declines in Libra and Taurus; "Mars" fears the Monkey house and is also troublesome in the Snake house; "Saturn" is unfavorable in Pisces and Sagittarius; "Venus" is melted in Scorpio and Aries; "Mercury" drifts in Aries and flows into Cancer; "Ji Du" is unfavorable in the Tiger and Pig houses, and also worries in the Rabbit house; "Zi Qi" dislikes the Rooster house where the bell rings at dawn; "Yue Bo" meets trouble in the Dog house, which is the Three Mountains place; "Luo Hou" is to be avoided in the Rooster and Pig houses; the Sun and Moon lose their brightness when they reach the Rabbit and Rooster houses. If these occur, even if you are a Buddha or a sage, you can only attain Nirvana and dissolve away. This refers to the unfavorable houses encountered by the five planets, each having its own taboos; if they are violated, the person becomes confused and unstable, and in severe cases, will certainly die.

命坐敗宮，身入死絕，縱吉亦貧，大限又在死絕之地，小限犯原流旬空，太歲天空，決死之兆。死絕休囚不足觀，宮身度主怕相干，若逢二限行空地，薤露歌聲日落山。謂原守與流年犯旬空者，必死。薤露歌者，送死之歌，田橫死，門人義之而作其歌，曰薤上露，何易晞露晞明，朝更復落，人死一去何時歸。

The native's destiny palace is in a declining position, and the body palace falls into death and decline. Even with auspicious stars, it is still a poor fate; if the major period also falls into death and decline, and the minor period again encounters the empty period of the original chart and the current year's ten-day cycle, and the heavenly stem meets the empty sky, then it is a sure sign of death. The rhyme says: stars in death and decline and weakness are not worth considering; the palace ruler, body ruler, and degree ruler all fear being disturbed by them. If both periods fall into the empty period, then only the薤露 song accompanies the setting sun. This refers to those who both the original chart and the current year's cycle are affected by the empty period, who are destined to die. The薤露 song is a funeral song: when Tian Heng committed suicide, his followers composed this song to commemorate his righteousness, saying how easily the dew on the chrysanthemum leaves dries up, and when the dew dries, the sky becomes bright; the next morning, the dew falls again, but once a person dies, they can never return.

太歲者，至尊之煞，當權司令，諸星節制，命坐人君，在家不能為禍，若在大小限，為禍不可言，如當生太歲沖，犯大限、流太歲、犯小限，以凶斷之。原流太歲煞，相沖二限相干，子哭翁，天德解援來救，護貲財耗散一場空。

The Supreme Sovereign is a powerful malevolent spirit, in charge and commanding, with all other stars subject to its control. It resides in the命宫, like a king in his own home, and thus cannot cause harm. However, if it falls in the large limit or small limit, the harm it brings is endless. For example, if the Supreme Sovereign of the birth year conflicts with the large limit, or if the Supreme Sovereign of the current year conflicts with the small limit, it is considered凶. A rhyme says: The Supreme Sovereign of the original chart and the Supreme Sovereign of the current year, these two malevolent forces, when they conflict and interfere with the two limits, will result in the death of the young and mourning of the elders. Even if the Heavenly Virtue star comes to rescue and protect, wealth will still be lost in vain.

假如命限是金行，逢火度火星與水交戰，流水或三方對照正犯之，決死無疑，坐命亦然。露殺交爭氣散傾，根源最怕忌流星，若然流煞相呼殺，導氣修身要上升。五行一例，而推今，舉一隅而知其三矣。根源乃原守之辰，流星乃流歲之曜。

For example, if one's inherent destiny belongs to the metal element, but it encounters the fire element, and the fire star conflicts with the water star, and the water star of the current year comes from the triple harmony direction and directly affects this point, then death is certain. If the natal chart is like this, it is the same. The rhyme says: when visible killing stars contend with each other, the vital energy disperses and the foundation collapses; the root of the destiny most fears the forbidden transient stars; if the killing stars of the current year attract other killing spirits, then one can only guide the true energy, cultivate the body and mind, and prepare for transcendence. All five elements follow this principle, and by understanding one corner, the other three can be known. The so-called root refers to the stars in the original chart; the so-called transient stars refer to the stars of the current year's movement.

如納音屬火，命躔參水，夏生之人，限行胃土度為壽令，俱洩乃生，土克度之，故度主又失經者，決死斷之，命度身主仿此。從來土宿能克水，壽令生彼號死鬼，流土再逢刑命限，仙人救助無道理。納音鬼谷子所作，如甲子乙丑海中金之類是也。

For example, if the nayin sound element belongs to fire, and the destiny is in the Three Stars mansion which belongs to water, and the person was born in summer, when the limit reaches the Stomach mansion earth degree, this earth degree is called 'life command'; fire generates earth, and earth controls water, both ends are consuming the original energy of the destiny. If the degree loses its original path, then it is certain to die. The destiny, the degree, and the body all follow this pattern. The song says: 'Since the earth mansion can always control water, the life command instead generates it, this is called death command; if the flowing year's earth star again harms the destiny limit, even immortals cannot save the person.' The nayin is determined by Guiguzi, for example, Jiazi and Yichou are classified as sea metal.

庸術概以宮分斷之，誤錯多矣。假如丑上安命，女初女一度，限行斗一、斗二、斗三、斗四。戌上婁度安命，忌行箕風。角木斷躔，命躔女初女一女二度者是。寅宮斗一斗二斗三，限行亢金鬼關。軫九度命者，胃土柳土內皆忌，如過軫十，則無害也。鬼觜參度虎口真忌。參度命者，女土之忌，若犯正真躔度，限行到此，必有大災，應如影響，若有忌，星居上則重吉，星居上則輕，不可一例而推。

Ordinary diviners generally only judge based on the palace positions, leading to many errors. For example, if the命 is placed in the Chou palace and is located at the first degree or the first degree of Nu Xiu, then when the limit reaches the first to fourth degrees of Dou Xiu, there will be obstacles. If the命 is placed in the Xu palace and the Lou Xiu, then it is forbidden for the limit to reach the Feng Du of Ji Xiu. The angular mansion of the Wood is determined by the position of the命 at the first, second, or third degree of Nu Xiu; the first to third degrees of the Dou Xiu in the寅 palace, when the limit reaches the Jin Du of the Kangle mansion, it is considered the Ghost Gate. Those with the命 at the ninth degree of the Zhen Xiu are forbidden from the Tu Du of the Wei Xiu and the Liu Xiu, but if they pass the tenth degree of Zhen Xiu, there is no harm. The degrees of Gui Xiu, Zi Xiu, and Shen Xiu are called the Tiger's Mouth, which are truly to be avoided. Those with the命 at the degree of Shen Xiu are forbidden from the Tu Du of Nu Xiu. If these exact degrees are exactly reached, when the limit arrives, there will certainly be great calamity, which is like a shadow following the form or an echo following the sound. However, if there are忌 stars above these forbidden positions, the effect is more severe, while if there are auspicious stars above, the effect is lighter. It cannot be judged in a general way.

如命限犯原空、流太歲又空，或限度主又空，決死而無疑矣。空命空限並空神，縱爾聰明志不靈，太歲加空來激限，南柯一枕夢泉扃。如土空則崩，木空則折，水空則流，金空則向火，空則發。大抵火空終歸煨燼，不如金空者妙。

If the destiny limit coincides with the original chart's kongwang, and the current year's tai sui also meets kongwang, or the limit ruler and degree ruler also fall into kongwang, then death is certain. The song says: destiny is empty, limit is empty, and with the addition of the kong spirit, even if you are exceptionally intelligent, your ambitions cannot be realized. When the tai sui combines with kongwang to attack the current limit, it is like a dream in the southern pavilion, and in an instant you will enter the gate of the Yellow Spring. Remember, when earth falls into kongwang it collapses, when wood falls into kongwang it breaks, when water falls into kongwang it flows away, when metal falls into kongwang it turns toward fire, and when fire falls into kongwang it erupts. Generally, fire in kongwang ultimately turns to ashes, which is not as good as metal in kongwang.

凡金騎人馬土埋雙女，火燒牛角木打寶瓶，命限逢此怒星者，決死之道也。四刑三忌亦非良怒處，行兇逞惡強星怒，得時空有救，行逢怒殺豈為祥。此四者賤格之謂，寅為人馬，已為雙女，酉為金牛，子為寶瓶，遇此則為刑忌。

The so-called "golden horse and man," "earth burying two women," "fire burning ox horn," and "wood striking the treasure bottle" are four types. When a person's destiny encounters these angry stars, it is a sure path to death. The rhyme says: the four punishments and three taboos are not good things; wherever the angry star is, there will be violence and wickedness. Even if it is in a favorable time and position, if it falls empty, there may still be some salvation. But once the destiny meets the angry killer, how can there be any good fortune? These four types all belong to lowly patterns: theYin Palace represents the horse and man, theSi Palace represents two women, theYou Palace represents the ox horn, and theZi Palace represents the treasure bottle. When these occur, they become punishments and taboos.

值者，正二太陽之類也；難者，八殺宮主也；枵者，天囚天耗也。且如宮身度主犯此三端者，或值難度中安身命，或又限行此惡星，再加流星迭逢，如雪上加霜，必死無疑也。枵神莫近命身宮，碌碌，浮生一世窮，值難相刑猶可畏，莫教限犯死囚凶。一云：八殺宮主，即疾厄之宮主也。

The term "value" refers to the sun in the first and second months; "difficulty" refers to the ruler of the eight killing palaces; "hollow" refers to the stars Tian Qiu and Tian Hao. If the ruler of the palace, the ruler of the body, and the ruler of the degree are involved in these three, or if the body and the life are placed in the degrees of value and difficulty, or if the limit of the years leads to these evil stars, and further compounded by the stars of the current year, it is like adding snow on top of frost, and death is certain. The rhyme says: the star of hollow should not be near the palace of destiny or the palace of the body, otherwise one's life will be full of toil and poverty throughout old age; the mutual conflict between value and difficulty is already terrifying, and even more so if the limit of the years also involves the凶 star of death. Another view says: the ruler of the eight killing palaces is the ruler of the palace of illness and injury.

凡春土、夏金、秋木、冬火為黑道之星，又為休廢之曜，命身度主躔於此上，彼無力我何施，終是不祥，如限路值此，為災莫大，無生旺恩星解救者，死無疑矣。須知失令怒生嗔，黑道無光闇昧，身限主無情君切忌，無常一到作泉人。謂失令者，亦猶人之失時，作事不通，手足無所措也，失令即無權也，東不遇而西不偶，惟枕泉石而樂幽林可也。

All earth in spring, metal in summer, wood in autumn, and fire in winter are considered Black Path stars, which are also stars that are weak and confined. If the ruler of destiny, the ruler of self, and the ruler of measure are moving along these stars, since these stars themselves are powerless, I can do nothing, which is ultimately inauspicious. If during the period of life's journey one encounters these stars, no disaster is greater than this. If there is no strong and flourishing beneficial star to rescue, death is certain. A verse says: Be aware that stars out of their season become angry and resentful, the Black Path is dark and without light. Since the ruler of self and the ruler of measure are emotionless, you must be cautious. When death comes, you will become a soul in the afterlife. What is meant by being out of season is like a person losing their fortune, unable to do anything, with nowhere to put their hands or feet. Being out of season means having no authority, not meeting people on the east, nor finding harmony on the west. One can only rest on springs and stones, and find joy in secluded forests.

如限見原天雄，再犯流天雄，並的刃劫亡等殺是也，故云：刃並天雄劫加地雌限路危則亡，生喪魄，依此仿之驗矣。天雄的劫刃宮中，怕迭流年太歲沖，禍起蕭牆生百出，官災死敗轉為凶。蕭牆，門屏也，言禍起蕭牆甚近也。

For example, if one's career limit coincides with the original chart's Tian Xiong star, and also encounters Tian Xiong in the current year, along with the evils of Sha, Yang Ren, Jie Sha, and Wang Shen, this is a case of evils piling upon evils. Therefore, it is said that when Yang Ren combines with Tian Xiong, or when Jie Sha combines with Di Ci, the path of one's career becomes extremely dangerous, leading to possible death or, if surviving, loss of spirit and soul. This pattern holds true repeatedly. The rhyme says: When Tian Xiong, Sha, Jie Sha, and Yang Ren gather in the same palace, it is most dangerous if the current year's Tai Suai also conflicts with it. Misfortunes arise from within the door and screen, causing various troubles, lawsuits, death, loss, and decline, all turning into calamity. Xiao Qiang refers to the screen inside the door, and the phrase "havoc arises within the courtyard" is used to describe misfortunes that are close at hand.