The essential key to swift and profound divination techniques

食神生旺，勝似財官；濁之則賤，清之則垣。此法玄玄，識得成仙；學者寶授，千金莫傳。

When the food god is strong and flourishing, it surpasses wealth and officialdom; if disturbed by turbid qi, it becomes lowly, but if kept pure, it remains in its original position. This method is extremely profound, and recognizing it is like becoming an immortal; scholars should treat it as a precious treasure, and even if it were worth a thousand gold pieces, it should not be lightly transmitted.

陽木無根，生於丑月；水多轉貴，金多則折。乙木無根，生臨丑月；金多轉貴，火土則折。丙火無根，子申全見；無制無生，此身貧賤。六甲坐申，三重見子；運至北方，須防橫死。

Jia, the yang wood, has no root and is born in the Chou month. If there is too much water, it can turn to fortune, but if there is too much metal, it will be cut and broken. Yi, the yin wood, has no root and is born in the Chou month. If there is too much metal, it can turn to fortune and follow the killing force, but if there is too much fire or earth, it will be damaged. Bing fire has no root and both Zi and Shen branches appear, with neither control nor support, leading to a poor and lowly life. If there are six Jia days sitting on Shen and three times Zi appears, when the fortune moves to the north, there is a risk of sudden death.

丙臨申位，陽水大忌；有制身強，旺成名利。己入亥月，怕逢陰木；月逢印生，自然成福。己日逢殺，印旺財伏；運轉東南，貴高財足。壬寅壬戌，陽土透露；不混官星，名崇顯祿。

Jia fire is in the position of Shen, which most fears Ren yang water; if Wu earth controls the water and the day's ruler is strong, when it reaches a prosperous place, it will achieve fame and fortune. Ji earth entering Hai month, most fears encountering Yi yin wood to overcome it; if the month has the birth of the official to nourish it, it naturally brings good fortune. Ji day meets the seven deadly enemies, and if the official is strong and wealth is hidden and not revealed, when it moves to the southeast, it will have high status and sufficient wealth. On Renyin and Renxu days, if Wu yang earth is revealed, as long as there is no official star to confuse, it will have a high reputation and prominent status.

陰水無根，火鄉有貴。陽水無根，火鄉即畏。丁酉陰柔，不怕多水；比肩透露，格中返忌。戊寅日主，何愁殺旺；露火成名，水來漂盪。

The癸 water is a yin water without a root, and when it moves to a fire place, it can gain wealth and status. The壬 water is a yang water without a root, and once it reaches a fire place, it becomes dangerous. On a Dingyou day, the yin energy is weak, so it does not fear too much water; but if the heavenly stem reveals a same element, it becomes a problem. On a Wuyin day, why worry about the strong seven killer? As long as fire appears to transform the killer and nourish the self, one can achieve fame; but if water comes, it will cause instability.

庚午日主，支火炎炎；見土取貴，見水為嫌。辛金身弱，卯提入格。癸酉主衰，見財成格。癸巳無根，火土重見；透財名彰，露根則賤。（棄命從財格）

On a Gengwu day master with fire energy strongly present in the earth branch, if earth comes to transform fire and generate metal, it can lead to high status. However, if water appears to save the situation, it becomes undesirable. For a weak Xin metal day master with the month branch being卯 (Mao), it is favorable to follow the wealth pattern. For a weak Guiyou day master encountering wealth, it also forms a pattern. For a weak Guisi day master with no root and heavy presence of fire and earth, if wealth appears in the heavenly stem, it brings fame; but once the day master shows root, it leads to low status. This is called the 'abandoning destiny to follow wealth pattern'.

甲乙無根，怕逢申酉；殺合逢之，雙目必朽。甲木無根，生於丑月；水多轉貴，金土則折。乙木酉月，見水為奇；有根丑絕，無根寅危。乙木坐酉，庚丁透露；二庫歸根，孤神得失。

Jia and Yi wood lack roots and fear encountering Shen and You. If the seven killer is already restrained but still meets it, the eyes will surely be harmed. Jia wood lacks roots and is born in the Chou month; if there is much water, it can turn to fortune, but if there is much metal and earth, it will be damaged. Yi wood born in the You month and encountering water is most unusual; if it has roots and reaches Chou, it will be cut off, and if it lacks roots and reaches Yin, it will be in danger. Yi wood sitting on You and having the heavenly stem reveal Geng and Ding, with Chen and Xu as repositories for its roots, there will be gains and losses among the isolated spirits.

丙火申提，無根從殺；有根南旺，脫根壽促。陽火無根，水鄉必忌。陰火無根，水鄉有救。陰火酉月，棄命就財；北方入格，南則為災。

Bing fire takes Shen as its main reference. If it has no root, it is considered as a killer. If it has a root and goes to the southern direction where it is strong, it is good. But once it loses its root, its lifespan is short. Bing, being a yang fire, if it has no root, it is undesirable in a water region. Ding, being a yin fire, if it has no root, going to a water region can be beneficial. If Ding is born in the month of You, it abandons its fate and follows the wealth. If it goes to the northern direction and forms a proper pattern, it is good. However, if it goes to the southern direction, it becomes a disaster.

戊己亥月，身弱為棄；卯月同推，嫌根劫比。庚金無根，寅宮火局；南方有貴，須防壽促。辛巳陰柔，休囚官殺；運限加金，聰明顯達。壬日戌提，癸干未月；運喜東方，逢沖則絕。

When the person is born in the month of Hai with Wu or Ji earth and has a weak body, it is considered as a case of abandoning the destiny; the same applies if born in the month of Mao, but it is only a concern if there is another root or if there is a劫财 or a same element to help. If the person has no root for Geng metal and the寅 position forms a fire formation, then traveling in the southern direction can bring honor, but one must be cautious of a short lifespan. For a day of Xin Si with a weak and flexible nature, if the official or killer stars are in a weak and confined position, and if the destiny path adds more metal to support the body, then the person will be intelligent and achieve success. For a day of Ren with Xu as the main element or a day of Gui born in the month of Wei, the person benefits from traveling in the eastern direction; however, if there is a clash, it will be disastrous.

棄命從財，須要會財。棄命從殺，須要會殺。從財忌殺；從殺喜財；命逢根氣，命殞無猜。

Those who abandon their destiny to follow wealth must have their earthly branches forming a wealth pattern. Those who abandon their destiny to follow the seven killing stars must have their earthly branches forming a killing star pattern. Those following wealth should avoid the seven killing stars which drain wealth and attack the body; those following the killing stars, however, should welcome wealth which nourishes the killing stars. If the original chart still retains a trace of its original destiny, then the following is not genuine, and life is in danger. This is not something to be doubted.

有病方為貴，無傷不是奇；格中如去病，財祿兩相隨。寅卯多金丑，貧富高低走；南地怕逢申，北方休見酉。

A person's destiny must have some weakness or deficiency to be considered valuable; if there is no damage at all, it is not remarkable. If the pattern can remove the weakness, then wealth and official rank will both come along. If someone is born in the year of Yin or Mao and has a lot of metal, with the additional support of the earth of Chou, their wealth and poverty may vary. When traveling to the southern direction, they should avoid encountering Shen; when going to the northern direction, they should not meet You.

建祿生提月，財官喜透天；不宜身再旺，惟喜茂財源。土厚多逢火、歸金旺遇秋、冬天水木泛，名利總虛浮。

If the person's birth month is the official month (建禄) of the heavenly stem, it is favorable for wealth and official positions to appear in the heavenly stem. It is not good for the day's stem to be too strong; instead, it is better for the wealth source to be abundant. If the earth is already thick and there is excessive fire to generate it, or if metal is already strong and occurs in the autumn season, or if in winter there is excessive water and wood without a proper place to flow, these three situations result in empty fame and fortune.

甲乙生居卯，金多反吉祥；不宜重見殺，火地得衣糧。火忌西方酉。（十二長生，丙死於酉）金沉怕水鄉。（十二長生，庚死於子）木神休見午。（十二長生，甲死於午）水到卯中傷。（十二長生，壬死於卯）

Jia and Yi wood are born in the Mao month, and an excess of metal can actually bring good fortune, because the wood is strong enough to bear the seven killing stars. However, it is not good to have many seven killing stars appearing again. If the fire element is present to control the metal, then there will be food and clothing. Fire should avoid the West, specifically You, because according to the twelve stages of growth, Bing fire dies in You. Metal should avoid being submerged in water, specifically Zi, because Geng metal dies in Zi. Wood should not meet Wu, because Jia wood dies in Wu. Water is harmed when it reaches Mao, because Ren water dies in Mao.

土宿休行亥，臨官在巳宮；南方根有旺，西北莫相逢。陰日朝陽格，無根月建辰；西方還有貴，惟怕火來侵。

The host of earth should not go to the亥 position, as it has its officialdom and prosperity in the巳 palace; there is fire in the south to nourish it, so its root energy becomes strong. One should not go to the northwest where metal and water are present. For the "six yin facing the sun" pattern on a yin day, if the day's ruler has no root and the month builder is 辰, going west may bring prestige, but one should fear the invasion of fire.

乙木生居酉，莫逢全巳丑；富貴坎離宮，貧窮申酉守。有殺只論殺，無殺方論用；只要去殺星，不怕提綱重。

Yi wood born in the You month should not meet Si or Chou again to complete the metal trinity; if it goes to the Kan position water land or Li position fire land, it will achieve wealth and honor. If it stays in the Shen or You metal land, it will be poor. If the destiny has seven killers, it should only consider the killer; if there is no seven killer, then another use god should be considered. As long as the killer star can be removed, there is no fear even if the killer energy in the month's main clause is very strong.

甲乙若逢申，殺印暗相生；木旺金逢旺，冠袍必掛身。離火怕重逢，北方反有功；雖然宜見水，猶恐對提沖。

When Jia and Yi wood meet Shen, the庚 metal in Shen is a killer, and the壬 water is an official seal. The killer and official seal mutually generate in secret; when wood is strong and metal is also strong, one will certainly attain official rank. At this time, one fears the fire of the Li position appearing repeatedly, while going to the northern water land may bring benefit. Although water is favorable, one should fear that the water directly conflicts with the monthly stem.

八月官星旺，甲逢秋氣深；財官兼有助，名利自然亨。曲直生春月，庚辛干上逢；南離推富貴，坎地卻猶凶。

In August, the official star is at its peak, and the Jia wood is encountered during a deep autumn season. If both wealth and official stars are supportive, fame and profit will naturally be smooth. The "Qu Zhi" pattern born in spring month, if the heavenly stem is attacked by Geng and Xin metals, then moving towards the southern fire direction can lead to wealth and honor, but moving towards the northern water direction will result in misfortune.

甲乙生三月，庚辛戌未存；丑宮壬癸位，何慮見無根。木茂宜金火，身衰鬼作關；時分西與北，輕重辨東西。

When the Heavenly Stems Jia and Yi (wood) are born in the third month when the Earthly Branch Chen (earth) is present, and there are also the Heavenly Stems Geng and Xin (metal) in the sky, and the Earthly Branches Xu and Wei (earth) in the ground, then the day's main stem will not lack root. When wood is flourishing, it is suitable to have metal to cut and fire to release. When the main stem is weak, then the official and ghost (authority) becomes a key point. The hour is divided between the west and the north, and the importance should be judged according to the east and west.

時上胞胎格，月逢印綬通；殺官行運助，職位至三公。二子不沖午；二寅不沖申；得一分三格，財官印綬同；運中逢剋破，一命喪黃泉。

The heavenly stem is in the "fetus" pattern, and the month's stem has the nourishing influence that allows the qi to flow. If the fortune also has official stars or harmful stars to support it, one can reach the rank of the Three Grand Ministers. Two sons cannot move one午, and two yin cannot move one shen — the strength of the majority versus the minority is different. What is called the "one becomes three" pattern refers to the combination of wealth, official stars, and nourishing influences being considered together. If in the fortune there is a clash or destruction, the life is lost in the Yellow Spring.

進氣死不死，退氣生不生；終年無發旺，猶忌少年刑。時上偏財格，干頭忌比肩；月生逢主旺，貴氣福重添。

A god of incoming energy, even if it falls into a dead position, will not die; a god of outgoing energy, even if it meets a favorable position, will not thrive. People who are destined to never flourish should especially avoid being subjected to punishment in their youth. For the pattern of偏财 (biased wealth) in the hour position, the heavenly stem should most avoid the presence of 比肩 (same kind of companion) to compete. If the month's stem supports and strengthens the day's ruler, and the day's ruler is strong, then both dignity and fortune will be greatly enhanced.

運行十數載，上下五年分；先看流年歲，深知來往旬。時上一位貴，藏在支中是；日主要剛強，名利方有氣。

The big destiny period covers about ten years, divided equally into five years above and five below; first examine the current year's heavenly stem and earthly branch, then investigate the messages conveyed in the preceding and following weeks. There is usually a noble deity in the hour position, mostly hidden in the earthly branches; the daily master should be strong and vigorous, in order to have life qi in name and wealth.

大哉干支，生物之始，本乎天地，萬象宗焉。有陰陽變化之機，時候淺深之用；故，金木水火土無正形，生剋制化理取不一。

What a great thing the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are! They are the beginning of the generation of all things, originating from heaven and earth, and all phenomena take them as their master. Within them lie the principles of yin and yang transformation and the influence of the seasons. Therefore, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth do not have fixed forms, and the principles of generation, overcoming, control, and transformation cannot be limited to a single aspect.

假如死木，偏宜活水長濡。譬若頑金，最喜紅爐煆煉。太陽火忌林木為讎。棟樑材求斧斤為友。

For example, a dead tree that has already been cut down is most suitable for being constantly nourished by flowing water. Similarly, dull metal prefers to be refined in a red furnace. The fire of Bing, being the sun, dislikes being obstructed by forests and trees, which are its enemies. However, wood intended to become a beam or pillar welcomes the axe and saw as friends.

火隔水，不能鎔金。金沉水，豈能剋木。活木忌埋根之鐵。死金嫌蓋頂之泥。

Fire is blocked by water and cannot melt metal. Metal sunk in water cannot cut wood. Living wood with roots dislikes having iron buried beneath its roots. Dead metal that has already taken form dislikes having soil covering its top.

甲乙欲成一塊，須加穿鑿之功。壬癸能達五湖，蓋有併流之性。樗木不禁利斧。真珠最怕明爐。

The Heavenly Stems Jia and Yi need to be combined into a single material, requiring some effort of carving and shaping. The Earthly Branches Ren and Gui can connect with the five lakes because they inherently possess a nature of convergence and merging. A scattered tree like the Chinese privet cannot withstand a sharp axe. The precious metal Xin, like a true pearl, is most afraid of an open and direct furnace.

弱柳喬松，時分衰旺。寸金尺鐵，氣用剛柔。隴頭之土，少木難疏。爐內之金，溼泥反蔽。

A weak willow and a tall pine tree should be considered according to the season for their decline and prosperity. A piece of gold an inch long and a piece of iron a foot long should be used according to their hardness and softness. Thin soil on the field can't support trees if there's not enough wood. Gold being smelted in the furnace is covered by wet clay, which actually blocks the fire.

雨露安滋朽木。城牆不產真金。劍戟成功，遇火鄉而反壞。城牆積就，至木地而愁傷。

A single drop of rain can't nourish a decaying log. True gold cannot be produced from thick earth like a city wall. Swords and spears have already been forged, yet encountering a fire element would cause them to melt. The city wall is already built, but when reaching the wood element, there is worry of being harmed by a weakening influence.

癸丙春生，不雨不晴之象。乙丁冬產，非寒非煖之天。極鋒抱水之金，最鈍離爐之鐵。

Gui water and Bing fire are born in spring, indicating a weather condition that is neither rainy nor sunny. Yi wood and Ding fire are born in winter, indicating a climate that is neither cold nor warm. The most sharp-edged weapon is gold that holds water; the most dull is iron that has left the furnace.

甲乙遇金強，魂歸西兌（酉）。庚辛逢火旺，氣散南離（午）。土燥火炎，金無所賴。木浮水泛，火不能生。

When Jia and Yi wood meet strong metal, their souls and spirits return to the酉 position of the West, which is Dui. When Geng and Xin metal meet strong fire, their energy disperses to the 午 position of the South, which is Li. If the earth is dry and the fire is intense, metal has no support. If the wood floats and water is overflowing, fire cannot be generated.

三夏鎔金，安制堅剛之木。三冬溼土，難隄氾濫之波。輕塵撮土，終非活木之基。廢鐵銷金，豈是滋流之本。

In the summer months, molten gold is unable to contain the strong wood. In the winter months, frozen and damp earth cannot prevent the overflowing waters. A mere speck of dust can never serve as a foundation for living wood to take root. Wrought iron melted into gold cannot be the source of flowing water.

木盛，能令金自缺。土虛，反被水相欺。火無木，則終其光。木無火，則晦其質。

When wood becomes too strong, it can cause metal to erode on its own. If earth is too weak, it will be overwhelmed by water. If fire lacks wood to nourish it, its brightness will come to an end. If wood lacks fire to release its brilliance, its essence will become obscured and not evident.

乙木秋生，拉朽摧枯之易也。庚金冬死，沉沙墜海豈難乎！凝霜之草，奚用逢金。出土之金，不能勝木。

Yi wood born in autumn is easily broken by metal, like rotting wood or broken branches. Geng metal dies in winter, sinking into mud and falling to the bottom of the sea, which is no difficulty. Grass already frozen by cold frost needs no further cutting by metal. Unrefined metal just emerging from the ground cannot overcome wood.

火未焰，而先煙。水既往，而猶溼。大抵，水寒不流，木寒不發，土寒不生，火寒不烈，金寒不鎔；皆非天地之正氣也。

Fire has not yet flared up, but smoke has already appeared. Water has already flowed past, yet dampness remains on the ground. Basically, when water becomes cold it does not flow, when wood becomes cold it does not sprout, when soil becomes cold it does not generate, when fire becomes cold it does not burn fiercely, and when metal becomes cold it does not melt. These are not the true energies of heaven and earth.

然，萬物初生未成，而成久則滅。其超凡入聖之機，脫死回生之妙；不象而成，不形而化，固用不如固本，花繁豈若根深。

However, when all things are first born, they are not yet formed, and after existing for a long time, they eventually perish. The key to transcending the ordinary and achieving sainthood, and the subtle method of reviving the dead, arise not from form but from spontaneous creation, not from attachment to form but from natural transformation. It is better to first strengthen the root rather than clinging to the useful god; no matter how abundant the flowers may be, they cannot match the depth of the roots.

且如，北金戀水而沉形（水多金沉）；南木飛灰而脫體（火旺木焚）；東水旺木以枯源（木盛水縮）；西土實金而虛己（金多土變）；火因土晦皆太過（土多火埋）。五行貴在中和。以理求之，慎勿茍言，掬盡寒潭須見底。

For example, the metal in the north loves water and thus sinks and loses its form, which is called excessive water causing metal to sink; the wood in the south is turned to ashes and loses its original form, which is called strong fire burning wood; the water in the east supports the wood and thus its source dries up, which is called excessive wood causing water to shrink; the earth in the west fills the gold and thus consumes itself, which is called excessive gold causing earth to change; fire becomes dull and dark because of excessive earth. All these are cases of excess. The value of the Five Phases lies in their balance. One must seek according to reason and must not speak carelessly; just as when you scoop up a dry cold pond, you must see the bottom before stopping.

元一氣兮先天，稟清濁兮自然；著三才以為象，播四時以為年。以干為祿，以向背定貧富；以支為命，詳順逆以循環。

The original qi of the beginning belongs to the Earlier Heaven, inheriting the clear and turbid entirely by nature; it manifests the three elements of heaven, earth, and humanity to form images, and spreads through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter to form a year. Using the heavenly stems as 'lu' (favor), determine wealth and poverty by whether it faces or opposes the day stem; using the earthly branches as 'ming' (destiny), carefully examine their cyclic progression in forward or reverse order.

運行則一辰十載。折除乃三日為年；折除者乃一年二十四氣，七十二候。命有節氣淺深，用之而為妙。

The great destiny period (dàyùn) governs ten years. The term "zhéchú" refers to converting three days into one year; the basis for this conversion lies in the fact that a year has twenty-four solar terms and seventy-two climate divisions. The depth of the solar terms in a person's destiny varies, and only by using them appropriately can their significance be fully understood.

其為氣也，將來者進，成功者退；如蛇在灰，如鱔在塵。氣者，四時向背之氣也；其為有也，是從無而立有；其為無也，天垂象以為文；此五行臨於絕地而建貴也。

Speaking of "qi": what is coming is advancing, and what has already achieved its purpose is retreating; it is like a snake crawling over ashes or a eel moving through dust, leaving traces as it comes and goes. What is meant by "qi" is the qi of the four seasons, either facing or turning away. Saying it "exists" is to say it arises from nothing; saying it "does not exist," the heavens yet descend their star patterns to form patterns. This precisely explains the principle that the Five Phases can establish noble qi even when they reach their extremes.

五行絕處有祿馬；其為常也，立仁立義；其為事也，或見或聞。崇為實也，奇為貴也，將星扶德，天乙加臨，本主休囚，行藏汩沒。

The Five Phases may have禄 and 马 hidden in their critical points. By common sense, this signifies establishing benevolence and righteousness; in terms of human affairs, it may be something seen with one's own eyes or heard with one's own ears. Only the lofty can be considered real, and only the extraordinary can be considered noble. The General Star supporting the Deity and the Nobleman of Tianyi overseeing are good things; however, if the day ruler itself is weak and confined, then whether one enters officialdom or retreats into seclusion, they will be buried and submerged.

至若，勾陳得位，不虧小信以成仁；真武當權，是知大才而分瑞。不仁不義，庚辛與甲乙交爭。或是或非，壬癸與丙丁相畏。

As for Gou Chen's earth that has taken position, it does not lose its small integrity and ultimately achieves benevolence. True Wu's water in authority is known to have great talent and is endowed with auspicious signs. Those who are unkind and unrighteous are those where Geng Xin metal and Jia Yi wood contend with each other. Those whose affairs are confused and changeable are those where Ren Gui water and Bing Ding fire mutually fear and avoid each other.

故，有先賢謙己，處俗求仙；崇釋則離宮修定，歸道乃水府求玄。見不見之形，無時不有；抽不抽之緒，萬古聯綿。

Therefore, there were wise men of previous generations who humbled themselves, living in the mundane world yet seeking immortality. Those who revered Buddhism practiced meditation in the position of the fire trigram, Li; those who followed Daoism sought profound mysteries in the water realm. What is invisible yet ever present, and what is endless and unceasing, are both beyond form and continuous through the ages.

是以何公懼其七殺；宣父畏以元辰；峨眉闡以三生，無全士庶；鬼谷布其九命，約以星觀。今集諸家之要，略其偏見之能，是以未解曲通，玅須神悟。

Therefore, He Gong feared the Seven Killings, and Confucius avoided Yuanchen. The Emei school explained the doctrine of three lives, yet could not fully cover the concerns of scholars and commoners; Guiguzi laid down the Nine Lives method, which only roughly observed the stars. Now here we gather the essentials from various schools, omitting those extreme views. As for the parts that still cannot be fully understood, the profound meaning must be grasped by one's own heart and mind.

臣出自蘭野，幼慕真風；入肆無懸壺之玅，遊街無化杖之神；息一氣以凝神，消五行而通道。乾坤立其牝牡，金木定其剛柔；晝夜分為君臣，時節分為父子，不可一途而取，不可一理而推。

I was born in the land of Lanye, and from a young age I admired the conduct of true sages. Entering the marketplaces, I lacked the miraculous skills of Hu Gong's hanging medicine pot, and wandering through the streets, I lacked Fei Changfang's ability to transform a staff into a dragon. I merely held my breath to concentrate my spirit, and examined the Five Phases to understand the great way. Qian and Kun established yin and yang, metal and wood determined hardness and softness; day and night became king and minister, time and seasons became father and son. These things cannot be approached by a single path, nor can they be explained by a single principle.

時有冬逢炎熱，夏草遭霜；類有陰鼠棲水，神龜宿火；是以陰陽罕測，志物難窮。大抵三冬暑少，九夏陽多，禍福有若禎祥，術士希其八九。

In terms of seasonal phenomena, there are instances such as winter encountering excessive heat and summer grass being damaged by frost; in terms of creatures, there are abnormal signs like 'yin mice inhabiting water' and 'divine turtles residing in fire'. This shows that yin and yang are difficult to measure, and the nature of all things is hard to fully comprehend. Generally speaking, during the three months of winter, the heat is minimal, while during the three months of summer, the yang energy is abundant. Misfortune and fortune are like these auspicious omens; for a practitioner to accurately predict most of them is already considered rare.

或若生居休敗，早歲空亡；若遇健旺之鄉，連年偃蹇。若乃，初凶後吉，相源濁而流清；始吉終凶，狀根甘而裔苦。觀乎萌兆，察以其元；根是苗先，實從花後；胎生元命，三獸定其門宗；律呂宮商，五虎論其成敗。無合有合，後學難知；得一分三，前賢不載。

Some are born in a place of decline and decay, and suffer from kongwang early in life; others encounter a flourishing land and yet remain continuously stagnant. Those who start off ominous but eventually become auspicious are like a muddy spring that becomes clear in its flow; those who begin auspicious but end in misfortune are like sweet roots that produce bitter branches. To observe the signs of emergence, one must examine the root: the root comes before the sprout, and the fruit comes after the flower. The fetal origin and the birth month form the destiny, using the "three beasts" to determine the lineage and clan; the musical scale has distinctions of palace and commercial tones, using the "five tigers" to discuss success and failure. Originally without union yet suddenly united, later learners find it hard to understand; within one method, three variations arise, which even predecessors have not recorded.

年雖逢於冠帶，尚有餘災。運將至於衰鄉，猶披少福。大段，天元羸弱，宮吉不及以為營；日下興隆，月凶不能成其咎。若遇，尊凶卑吉，救療無功；尊吉卑凶，逢災自愈。

Although the current year may meet a favorable position like "Capping," there remains unexhausted misfortune. When the big year cycle is about to reach a declining place, it still carries a bit of residual fortune. In general, if the heavenly stem, which is the day stem, is weak, even if the palace is favorable, it cannot establish much; if the day master is prosperous and has a root, even if the month pillar is unfavorable, it will not cause major calamity. If the "superior" side is凶 and the "inferior" side is吉, then there is no way to remedy it; if the "superior" side is吉 and the "inferior" side is凶, even if encountering disaster, it will heal itself.

祿有三會，災有五期。凶多吉少，類大過之初爻；福淺禍深，喻同人之九五。聞喜不喜，是六甲之盈虧；當憂不憂，賴五行之救助。八孤臨於五墓，戌未東行；六虛下於空亡，自乾南首。

Wealth has three places where it converges, and calamity has five appropriate times. When misfortune is frequent and good fortune is rare, it is like the First Line of the Great Excess hexagram, where the soft and weak is at the bottom and the foundation is unstable. When blessings are shallow and misfortunes are deep, it is like the Nine in the Fifth of the Fellowship hexagram, which although correct, first wails and then laughs, enduring hardship. Hearing good news but not feeling joyful is because there is already a cycle of full and empty in the Six Jia period. When one should be worried but actually does not need to be, it is because there is another kind of aid within the Five Phases. When the Eight Isolated Stars are above the Five Tombs, they move eastward from戌 and 未. When the Six Vacant Positions fall below the Kongwang, they start from the Qian position and move southward first.

天元一氣，定侯伯之尊榮。支作人元，運商徒而得失。若乃，身旺鬼絕，雖破命而長生；鬼旺身衰，逢建祿而壽夭。背祿逐馬，守窮途而悽惶。祿馬同鄉，不三臺而八座。

When four heavenly stems belong to the same qi, they can determine the honor of a noble or high-ranking official. The hidden heavenly stems within the earthly branches are used to calculate the gains and losses of merchants. If the body is strong but the official ghost has already declined, even if the destiny chart is broken, one still attains growth. If the official ghost is strong but the body is weak, even sitting on a built-up fortune (jialu) will result in a short life. If one has lost the fortune and chased away the horse, they can only endure a bleak and miserable existence. If fortune and horse are in the same place, they do not need to be on the three platforms but can still hold a high position among the eight ranks.

官崇位顯，定知夾祿之鄉。小盈大虧，恐是劫財之地。生月帶祿，入仕居赫奕之尊。重犯奇儀，蘊藉抱出群之器。

Those in high official positions with great prestige are certainly moving through the land of夹禄. Those who have surplus in small matters but loss in great ones are probably moving through the land of劫财. Those whose birth month carries the禄 will attain a prominent and honorable position upon entering officialdom. Those who repeatedly encounter the Three Marvels will be profound and reserved, possessing exceptional talent and insight.

陰男陽女，時觀出入之年；陰女陽男，更看元辰之歲，與地之相逢。宜退身而避位，凶會吉會，返吟伏吟，陰錯陽差，天沖地擊；或逢四殺五鬼，六害七傷，天羅地網，三元九宮。福臻成慶，禍並危凝；扶兮速速，抑乃遲遲。

For a male born in a yin year and a female born in a yang year, the great destiny cycle moves in reverse, and one should look at the year when it enters and exits. For a female born in a yin year and a male born in a yang year, the great destiny cycle moves forward, and one should also consider the situation when the yuan chen year meets the earthly branch. In such cases, it is advisable to retreat and avoid the position. Regarding the meeting of good and bad influences, returning chant and hidden chant, yin error and yang difference, heaven's attack and earth's strike, or encountering the four killers, five ghosts, six harms, seven injuries, heaven's net and earth's trap, and the three yuan nine palaces: when good fortune arrives, it becomes a celebration; when misfortune arises, it leads to danger. Those that support me come quickly, while those that suppress me come slowly. One should also be mindful of the speed and timing between these.

歷貴地而待時。遇比肩而爭競。至若人疲馬劣，猶托財旺之鄉；或乃財旺祿衰，健馬何避。掩沖歲臨，尚不為災，年登故宜獲福。

Those who pass through your territory should only wait for the right time. When encountering someone of the same kind, they should compete with others. As for those who are already weary and their horses are of poor quality, they can still seek refuge in a place where wealth is prosperous. Or if wealth is prosperous but the official position is declining, where can the strong驿 horse escape? If they are covered or clashed with and the year's master is also present, it is still not considered a disaster. If the harvest is good, they will naturally receive blessings.

大吉主逢小吉，及壽長年。天罡運至天魁，繼生續壽。從魁抵蒼龍之宿，財自天來。天沖臨昴胃之鄉，人元有害。

When the Big吉利 (Da Ji) meets the Small吉利 (Xiao Ji) at Chou, it can prolong life and ensure longevity. When the Heavenly Gang (Tian Gang) moves to Chen and reaches the Heavenly Kuai (Tian Kui) at Xu, it can also continue life and prolong longevity. When the From Kuai (Cong Kuai) at You reaches the dwelling place of the Blue Dragon (Cang Long), wealth comes from heaven. When the Tian Chong (Tian Chong) at Mao arrives at the dwelling places of the昴 (Mao) and 胃 (Wei), the hidden heavenly elements in the branch will suffer damage.

金祿窮於正首，庚重辛輕。木人困於金鄉，寅深卯淺。玅在識其通變，拙說猶神；巫瞽昧於調絃，難希律呂。

The fortunate position of metal is exhausted at the beginning of the first month. Among them, Geng suffers greatly while Xin suffers lightly. Those with wood destiny are trapped in the land of metal, where寅 suffers deeply and卯 suffers lightly. The subtlety lies in understanding flexibility and adaptability. Even if it is a shallow saying, it can be as effective as a divine oracle. If one is like a blind musician who does not even know how to tune the strings, there is no hope of understanding the musical scales.

庚辛臨於甲乙，君子可以求官。北人運至南方，貿易獲其厚利。開朝懽而旋至，為盛火之炎陽。剋禍福之遙，則多因於水土。

Geng and Xin metal are overlying Jia and Yi wood, and wood is the wealth of metal. A gentleman may use this to seek official positions. A person from the north who reaches the south in their destiny will gain substantial profits in business. When someone is just about to eat in the morning and good fortune follows immediately, it is because the fire is strong and the yang energy is intense. As for the delay or distance of the effects of good or bad fortune, this is mostly determined by water and earth.

金木未能成器，聽衰樂以難明；似木盛而花繁，狀密雲而不雨。乘軒衣冕，金火何多；位窮班卑，陰陽不定。所以，龍吟虎嘯，風雨助其休祥；火勢將興，故先煙而後焰。

Gold and wood that have not yet taken form are like listening to the music of decline, which is hard to discern its meaning; it is also like a flourishing tree that only flowers, or thick clouds that do not bring rain. Those who can ride in carriages and wear caps and sashes have a great abundance of gold and fire; whereas those in low positions and humble ranks have uncertain combinations of yin and yang. Therefore, when the dragon lets out one cry or the tiger lets out one roar, the wind and rain come to bring auspiciousness; when the fire is about to rise, it must first emit smoke before showing flame.

每見凶中有吉，吉乃先凶；吉中有凶，凶為吉兆；禍旬向末，言福可以近推。才入衰鄉，論災宜其逆課。男迎女送，否泰交居；陰陽二氣，逆順折除。占其金木之內，顯於方所分野；標其南北之間，恐不利於往來。

Commonly, misfortune contains good fortune, and the good fortune comes after the misfortune; good fortune may hide misfortune, and that misfortune is actually a sign of turning into good fortune. When the period of misfortune is about to end, one can predict good fortune nearby; when just entering a declining phase, one should calculate disasters in reverse. For males, proceed in the forward direction to meet; for females, go backward to send off. Prosperity and adversity alternate; the two energies of yin and yang are calculated by alternating forward and reverse directions. When the divination falls within the category of metal and wood, it is shown in the directional regions; if it is marked between south and north, it may be unfavorable for traveling or moving around.

一旬之內，於年中而問月；一歲之中，求月中而問日。向三避五，指方面以窮通；審吉查凶，述歲中之否泰。丙寅丁卯，秋天宜以保持。己巳戊辰，度乾（亥）宮而脫厄。

Within a ten-day period, one should look from the year to determine the month; within a year, one should look from the month to determine the day. Favoring the third and avoiding the fifth, indicating direction to determine success or hardship; examining good and clarifying evil, explaining the prosperity and adversity of the year. On Bingyin and Dingmao days, one must be cautious and conservative in autumn. On Jisi and Wuchen days, one can escape calamity by passing through the乾 position and the亥 palace.

值病憂病，遲生得生；旺相崢嶸，休囚絕滅。論其眷屬，憂其死絕，墓在鬼中；危疑者甚，足下臨喪，面前可見。

When encountering a sickly earth position, there is worry about illness; those who are born late may eventually be born. In times of prosperity and strength, the situation is grand and flourishing, but in times of weakness and confinement, it is utterly extinguished. Regarding family members, the most concerning is if they are in a dead or extinct position, or if the storage is exactly hidden within the official ghost position. The most dangerous and doubtful signs are present, and calamity is right beneath one's feet, visible right before one's eyes.

憑陰察其陽福，歲君莫犯於孤辰。恃陽鑑以陰災，天元忌逢於寡宿。

By relying on the yin aspect to observe the yang fortune, one must avoid Guchen in the Tai Su. By relying on the yang aspect to discern the yin calamity, one must avoid Guasu in the heavenly stem.

先論二氣，次課延生；父病推其子祿，妻災課以夫年。三宮元吉，禍遲可以延推；始末皆凶，災忽來如迅速。宅墓受殺，落梁塵以呻吟；喪吊臨人，變宮商為薤露。干推兩重，防災於元首之間；支折三輕，慎禍於股肱之內。

First discuss the yin and yang energies, then calculate the number of years for prolonging life; if the father is ill, refer to the son's official position; if the wife has misfortune, refer to the husband's birth year. If all three palaces are auspicious, misfortune will come later and can be postponed; if both ends are inauspicious, disaster will arrive quickly, like a sudden gale. If the ancestral grave is affected by the Seven Killers, dust accumulates on the roof beams and falls, causing people to moan within; if the Mourning-and-Condolence spirit and the guest spirit affect a person, the harmonious music of the palace and market becomes the funeral song of "Xie Lu". If the heavenly stems indicate multiple layers of calculation, beware of disaster affecting the head and face, these "original heads"; if the earthly branches show a lighter calculation, be cautious of misfortune arising in the limbs, these "shoulders and arms".

下元一氣，同居去住之期；仁而不仁，慮傷伐於戊己。至於寢食侍衛，物有鬼物，人有鬼人；逢之為災，去之為福。就在裸形夾殺，魄往酆都，所犯有傷，魂歸岱嶺。或乃行來出入，抵犯凶方，嫁娶修營，路登黃道；災福在歲年之位內，發覺申日時之擊揚。五神相剋，三生定命。

The energy of the lower yuan determines the period for staying or leaving a partner. It seems benevolent but is actually not, so one must consider the harm caused by the earth elements Wu and Ji. Regarding sleeping, eating, attendants, and guards, there are 'ghost things' that control objects and 'ghost people' that control humans. Encountering them brings disaster, while removing them brings blessings. If one is exactly on a naked land and suffers from a killing force, the soul will go to Fengdu. If there is any damage at the place of offense, the soul will return to Daizong mountain. Also, when traveling or moving around, if one confronts an evil direction; when marrying or building, if one follows the auspicious path of the Yellow Path: disaster and blessing are within the positions of the year and age, but they are revealed through the conflicts and manifestations of the day and hour. The five spirits mutually control each other, and the results of the three lives determine human life.