Ren Zhan Hui Xuan (壬占匯選) · Volume 1

七月甲子日午將申時占來意。《一字玉連環》

On the 7th month, Jiazi day, take the Wu general and add the Shen hour to cast the divination. The divination is for "coming intention" — the person does not state the reason for coming, and the diviner deduces what is in the person's mind based on the divination signs. This example is taken from "One Character Jade Linked Ring."

朱合勾龍 　卯辰巳午　虎玄玄后　財 　戌 玄 ◎ 螣寅　未空　申戌戌子　官 壬申 虎 ⊙ 貴丑　申虎　戌子子甲　子 庚午 龍 　子亥戌酉 　后陰玄常

This is a compressed six壬 lesson board divided into three sections. The outer frame is the "Heaven and Earth Plate": the positions of the Earthly Branches on the Earth Plate remain fixed. The upper row from left to right is巳, 午, 未, 申; the right column from top to bottom is 酉, 戌; the lower row from left to right is 寅, 丑, 子, 亥; the left column from top to bottom is 辰, 卯. The characters inside the frame are the Heavenly Branches on top of the Earth Plate, while those outside are the Heavenly Generals riding them. In this lesson, the general is 午 and the time is 申, so the Heaven Plate is two positions behind the Earth Plate: 寅 rides巳, 辰 rides午, 巳 rides未, 午 rides申, 未 rides酉, 申 rides戌, 酉 rides亥, 戌 rides子, 亥 rides丑, 子 rides寅, 丑 rides卯, 寅 rides辰. The Twelve Heavenly Generals start from "Nobleman" riding 丑 (which is at the Earth Branch position 寅) and proceed in order: Teng Snake rides 寅, Vermilion Bird rides 卯, Liu He rides 辰, Gou Chen rides 巳, Azure Dragon rides 午, Tian Kong rides 未, White Tiger rides 申, Tai Chang rides 酉, Black Tortoise rides 戌, Tai Yin rides 亥, Heavenly Empress rides 子. The middle three rows are the "Four Lessons," read from right to left: the first lesson, the Day Stem 甲 is in the 寅 palace, 寅 has 子, riding Heavenly Empress; the second lesson, 子 has 戌, riding Black Tortoise; the third lesson, the Day Branch 子 has 戌, riding Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson, 戌 has 申, riding White Tiger. The right three rows are the "Three Transmissions": the first transmission is 戌, which is a wealth yao for 甲, riding Black Tortoise, 戌 is in the Jiazi cycle and is empty, so the hidden stem column is blank and marked with "◎"; the middle transmission is 申, which is an official ghost for 甲, the hidden stem is 壬, riding White Tiger, the "⊙" next to it is another mark from the original text; the final transmission is 午, which is a son yao for 甲, the hidden stem is 庚, riding Azure Dragon.

徐次賓曰：來意因西南上，緊速追捕一盜，墜馬折傷右足，感風七日而殞。蓋時為日刑是破，與日馬並，主外動。發用天魁，為日干之財，上得元武為盜賊，故知西南上緊追一盜也。先鋒門傳送為白虎，作中傳，帶日馬克日，又與刑殺並，故主墜馬也。愚按：《管子神書》，馬加辰戌為跌撲殺。戌為足，在日辰之右，是傷右足也。白虎為風神，七月申為風殺，故感風也。甲木秋死而被旺金所克，申數七，至第七日庚午，又並起白虎，故知七日殞也。末傳勝光不論救神者，蓋秋火休囚也。

Xu Cibin explained: The person's mind is in the southwest, urgently chasing a thief, fell from his horse and broke his right foot on the way, then caught a cold from the wind, and died seven days later. He reasoned: The time of the divination was Shen, which is the god of punishment and destruction for the day stem Jia, and also shares the same position as the heavenly horse, indicating there is action outside. The initiating transmission (first transmission) is "Hekui" (River魁), which is Xu, and in the case of the day stem Jia, it is the wealth hexagram. The upper rider is "Xuanwu," which is the god of thieves, so it was concluded that he was chasing a thief in the southwest. The leading gate "Chuansong" (Shen) is riding on "Baihu," falling into the middle transmission, and together with the heavenly horse, it attacks the day stem, and also combines with punishment and killing, so it indicates falling from a horse. Cheng Shuxun commented: The "Guanzi Shen Shu" says that the heavenly horse added to Chen and Xu is "Dipu Sha" (falling and bumping death). Xu corresponds to the foot on the human body, and it is located on the right side of the day branch, so it indicates injury to the right foot. Baihu is the wind god, and the metal Shen in July also has the wind killing power, so he caught a cold from the wind. The wood Jia reaches its death in autumn, and is further attacked by the strong metal of the season. The number of Shen is seven, and on the seventh day, which is Gengwu, it combines with Baihu again, so it is known that he died on the seventh day. The final transmission "Shengguang" (Wu) is originally the saving god, but here it is not considered as the saving god, because in autumn, the fire is weak and confined, and unable to save.

正月甲子日子將寅時占來意。《玉連環》

On the first day of the first lunar month, taking the hour of Yin (3 a.m. to 5 a.m.) to cast the divination, the question is about the matter the person is thinking about. This example is taken from "Yu Lianhuan."

朱合勾龍 　卯辰巳午　虎玄玄后　財 　戌 玄 ◎ 螣寅　未空　申戌戌子　官 壬申 虎 ⊙ 貴丑　申虎　戌子子甲　子 庚午 龍 　子亥戌酉 　后陰玄常

The layout of the divination board is the same as the previous example: in the first month with the Zi general added to the寅 hour, the Heaven Plate is again two positions behind the Earth Plate, so the layout remains unchanged. In the outer circle of the Heaven and Earth Plates, the Heaven Plate is added to the Earth Plate as follows:卯 added to巳, 辰 added to午, 巳 added to未, 午 added to申, 未 added to酉, 申 added to戌, 酉 added to亥, 戌 added to子, 亥 added to丑, 子 added to寅, 丑 added to卯, 寅 added to辰. The Twelve Heavenly Generals start from the Nobleman and proceed in order: Teng Snake is added to寅, Vermilion Bird to卯, Liu He to辰, Gou Chen to巳, Azure Dragon to午, Tian Kong to未, White Tiger to申, Tai Chang to酉, Black Tortoise to戌, Tai Yin to亥, Heavenly Empress to子. The middle three rows are the Four Lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson has Jia (in the 寄宫寅) with 子 added and Heavenly Empress; the second lesson has 子 with 戌 added and Black Tortoise; the third lesson has the Day Branch 子 with 戌 added and Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson has 戌 with 申 added and White Tiger. On the right side are the Three Transmissions: the first transmission is 戌, representing a wealth yao, added with Black Tortoise, and since 戌 is in the旬空, it is marked 「◎」; the middle transmission is 申, representing an official ghost, with the hidden stem Ren, added with White Tiger; the final transmission is 午, representing a son's yao, with the hidden stem Geng, added with Azure Dragon.

徐次賓曰：來意因失陷官錢，勾喚入官，而得驚恐，以致患脾虛下臟之疾。見祟持刃相驚，可移病人於南方，設緋幕，至第九日，南方有屬馬巫醫，艾薩克火為姓名，下赤藥、艾灸、書朱符，其祟自除也。

Xu Cibin explained that the person's worries were due to owing money to the government, being summoned to the authorities, and being frightened, which led to a spleen deficiency and illness in the lower abdomen and internal organs. He also saw malevolent spirits holding knives and threatening him, so he advised moving the patient to live in the southern direction, hanging a large red curtain. On the ninth day, a witch from the southern direction, whose name is related to 'fire', would arrive. The name is roughly related to 'fire' (the original text has a mistake and is difficult to understand, but the meaning is that someone whose name includes 'fire'), who would administer red medicine, perform moxibustion, and write red talismans. The evil spirits would then naturally disappear.

何以知失陷官錢而驚恐？蓋發用天魁為財，上得元武，為失財之象。時為日德日祿，主動，官上見螣蛇主驚恐。何以知脾虛下臟之疾？蓋發用天魁，主脾，春土無氣，又為甲木所克，故主脾虛；上得元武水與天魁內戰，故知下臟病。又言有祟者，《經》云：“傳見天魁為有祟”。又中傳申金為鬼，上得白虎，為刀兵，故言見祟持刃相驚。

How do we know it is about a loss of official funds and being startled? The initiating transmission "Tiankui" (Heavenly Encouragement) is the day stem's wealth爻, and it is occupied by Xuanwu (Black Tortoise), which is the image of losing wealth. The time of the divination is also the day stem's virtue god and禄god, indicating some action. The official ghost above is occupied by Teng Snake, which governs fear and alarm. How do we know it is a disease of spleen deficiency and lower abdomen organs? The initiating transmission Tiankui 戌 belongs to earth, which in the human body governs the spleen. In spring, the earth energy is weak and is further attacked by Jia wood, so it indicates spleen deficiency. The 戌 is occupied by Xuanwu, which belongs to water. Water and earth fighting within the same position indicates the disease is in the lower abdomen. As for the presence of malevolent spirits, this is because the Classic says "if Tiankui appears in the three transmissions, there are spirits." The middle transmission Shen metal is the day stem's ghost, and it is occupied by Baihu (White Tiger), which governs weapons and warfare. Therefore, it is said that there are malevolent spirits holding weapons to threaten.

移於南方設緋幕者，南方及緋幕，皆火象，火能制金祟矣。末傳勝光為救神，勝光九數。故云九日。勝光為馬、為灸、為赤、為巫，故云巫醫也。《經》云：土丸，木散，水湯，火灸，金針，今申金為鬼，若針則病加，灸則病減也。金為日鬼，火為救神，故宜書朱符以鎮之。春月木旺火相，金無氣矣，救神秉相氣，病當瘥也。

Moving the patient to the south and hanging a red curtain is because the south and red both belong to the fire element, and fire can overcome the malevolent gold energy. The final transmission 'Shengguang' is the saving deity of this divination, and Shengguang's number is nine, so the effect will be seen on the ninth day. Shengguang governs horses, moxibustion, red color, and witches in terms of class deities, so a witch doctor who rides a horse will be encountered. The classic says: earth governs pills, wood governs powders, water governs decoctions, fire governs moxibustion, and metal governs acupuncture; in this divination, the shen metal is the harmful spirit. If acupuncture is used, the illness will worsen, but if moxibustion is used, the illness will improve. Metal is the ghost of the day stem, and fire is the saving deity, so it is appropriate to write a cinnabar talisman to suppress it. In spring, the wood energy is strong and fire energy is in harmony, so the metal energy is weak. The saving deity is in harmony with the supportive energy, so the illness will certainly recover.

七月甲子日巳將未時占來意。《指歸靈文論》

On the 7th month, on the Jiazi day, take the Si branch to add the Wei hour to cast the divination, to inquire about the coming intention. This example is taken from the "Zhi Gui Ling Wen Lun."

朱合勾龍 　卯辰巳午　虎玄玄后　財 　戌 玄 ◎ 螣寅　未空　申戌戌子　官 壬申 虎 ⊙ 貴丑　申虎　戌子子甲　子 庚午 龍 　子亥戌酉 　后陰玄常

At the time of the snake hour (巳) added to the hour of the goat (未), the Heaven Plate moves back two positions relative to the Earth Plate, so the lesson disk is the same as the previous two examples. The outer circle of Heaven and Earth Plates: the Heaven Plate is positioned over the Earth Plate as follows:卯 (Mao) over巳 (Si), 辰 (Chen) over午 (Wu), 巳 (Si) over未 (Wei), 午 (Wu) over申 (Shen), 未 (Wei) over酉 (You), 申 (Shen) over戌 (Xu), 酉 (You) over亥 (Hai), 戌 (Xu) over子 (Zi), 亥 (Hai) over丑 (Chou), 子 (Zi) over寅 (Yin), 丑 (Chou) over卯 (Mao), 寅 (Yin) over辰 (Chen). The Heavenly General starts from the Nobleman at丑 (Chou) and proceeds in a clockwise direction: Teng Snake at寅 (Yin), Vermilion Bird at卯 (Mao), Liu He at辰 (Chen), Gou Chen at巳 (Si), Azure Dragon at午 (Wu), Tian Kong at未 (Wei), White Tiger at申 (Shen), Tai Chang at酉 (You), Tai Yin at戌 (Xu), Tian Hou at亥 (Hai). In the center are the four lessons, read from right to left: Jia (in the lodging palace of寅 (Yin)) is over子 (Zi) with Tian Hou, 子 (Zi) is over戌 (Xu) with Xuan Wu, the day branch子 (Zi) is over戌 (Xu) with Xuan Wu, and戌 (Xu) is over申 (Shen) with Bai Hu. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is戌 (Xu), a wealth hexagram, riding Xuan Wu, in the旬空 (decade void); the middle transmission is申 (Shen), an official ghost, hidden dry branch Ji (壬), riding Bai Hu; the final transmission is午 (Wu), a son hexagram, hidden dry branch Geng (庚), riding Qing Long. The Nobleman at丑 (Chou) is in the position of Tian Yi. The statement later refers to 'the first transmission after Tian Yi and the final transmission before Tian Yi' as the relationship between the first transmission at戌 (Xu) and the final transmission at午 (Wu) relative to the Nobleman at丑 (Chou).

斷曰：來意主奴僕奸謀道路出行之狀。又主一外任武官不滿任而回者。何以知之？戌為用，主奴僕，元武主奸謀。初傳在天乙後，末傳在天乙前，名傳陰出陽，主在家者遠出，況申與白虎俱是道路之神，而午又為天馬也。又申並白虎為武官，以申主刀兵，且為日之官星也，奈末傳勝光克之，故云不滿任而回也。余按：四課不全亦為不滿任也。

The interpretation says: The person is asking about a servant plotting against the master, and matters related to travel. Also, it indicates that there is a military officer serving away from home who will return before completing his term. How do we know this? The first transmission is戌 (Xu) initiating the transmission. Xu governs servants, and the superior sign above it is the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu), which signifies treachery and deceit. The first transmission comes after the Heavenly Nobleman (Tianyi Guiren), and the final transmission comes before it, which is called "Transmission Yin emerging in Yang," indicating that someone at home will travel far away. Moreover, the combination of Shen and the White Tiger (Baihu) are deities related to roads, and Wu is the Heavenly Horse (Tianma). Furthermore, the combination of Shen and the White Tiger signifies the image of a military officer, as Shen governs weapons and is the official star for the day stem Jia. However, the final transmission "Shengguang" (Wu fire) restrains Shen metal, so it indicates that the term of service is not completed and the officer will return early. I (the diviner) further note: The four lessons are incomplete (only three are formed), which also indicates an unfinished term of service.

六月甲子日午將申時占病，《張本占案》。此課出於《通神集》，然非邵案。

On the 1st day of the 6th month, using the hour of Wu as the starting point with the time of Shen, a divination was made concerning illness. This example is found in the "Zhang Ben Zhan An." The compiler notes that this lesson comes from the "Tong Shen Ji," not from Shao Yanhe's divination cases.

朱合勾龍 　卯辰巳午　虎玄玄后　財 　戌 玄 ◎ 螣寅　未空　申戌戌子　官 壬申 虎 ⊙ 貴丑　申虎　戌子子甲　子 庚午 龍 　子亥戌酉 　后陰玄常

It is still the same divination chart with the general at Wu and the hour at Shen. In the outer circle of the heaven and earth plates, the heaven plate retreats two positions from the earth plate: Mao adds Si, Chen adds Wu, Si adds Wei, Wu adds Shen, Wei adds You, Shen adds Xu, You adds Hai, Xu adds Zi, Hai adds Chou, Zi adds Yin, Chou adds Mao, Yin adds Chen. The twelve heavenly generals start from the nobleman and proceed in order to the heavenly empress, moving from Chou to Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the day stem Jia (lodging palace Yin) has Zi with the heavenly empress, Zi has Xu with the black tortoise, the day branch Zi has Xu with the black tortoise, and Xu has Shen with the white tiger. Among the four lessons, two are repeated, forming only three lessons, so the text says "the four lessons are insufficient." On the right side, the three transmissions are: the first transmission is Xu, which is a wealth hexagram riding the black tortoise and in the empty period; the middle transmission is Shen, which is the official ghost hexagram with the hidden壬 riding the white tiger; the final transmission is Wu, which is the son hexagram with the hidden Geng riding the azure dragon. When divining about illness, the official ghost is the illness god, and the son is the saving god.

邵彥和曰：四課不足，脈息短小。發用戌土，祟元武，主脾病瀉痢；中傳申鬼並白虎，主沉重。然得末傳午火作青龍，剋制虎鬼，久而自安。藥宜辛溫及？陽耳。

Shao Yanhe interpreted that when the four lessons are incomplete, it reflects on the human body as short and weak pulse. The initiating transmission is on the戌 earth, which is occupied by the White Tiger, indicating signs of evil spirits, mainly diseases of the spleen and diarrhea. The middle transmission is the申 metal, which is the ghost of the day stem, and it is combined with the White Tiger, indicating a serious condition. Fortunately, the final transmission is the午 fire, which is occupied by the Azure Dragon, capable of restraining the White Tiger's申 metal ghost. Therefore, although the illness may last long, it will eventually recover on its own. In terms of medication, it is advisable to use herbs with pungent and warm properties, as well as those that support yang energy (the question mark in 「及？阳」 is a missing character in the original text, and I have not made up any words).

三月甲子日酉將酉時，范蠡占吳王病。《直指》引《吳越春秋》。

On the 3rd month Jiazi day, take You as the month general and start the divination with the You hour — when the month general and the time of divination are the same, this is called 'Hidden Chant' lesson. This example is cited from "Luyin Zhizhi" which is quoted from "Wuyue Chichun".

朱蛇貴后 巳午未申　虎虎龍龍　兄 丙寅 龍 合辰酉陰　子子寅寅　子 己巳 朱 勾卯戌玄　子子寅甲　官 壬申 后 寅丑子亥 青空虎常

The lesson board. The month general is You, added to the time of You, so the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlap. Each of the twelve branches returns to its original position, which is called 'Hidden Chant'. Therefore, the branches within the frame, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, Chen, Mao, Yin, Chou, Zi, Hai, You, Xu, correspond exactly with the earth plate. The twelve heavenly generals start from the nobleman riding Xu (Xu is at the earth position of Xu, which belongs to the Yin position from Si to Xu) and move in reverse order: Teng Snake rides Wu, Vermilion Bird rides Si, Liu He rides Chen, Gou Chen rides Mao, Azure Dragon rides Yin, Tian Kong rides Chou, White Tiger rides Zi, Tai Chang rides Hai, Black Tortoise rides Xu, Tai Yin rides You, Heavenly Empress rides Shen. The middle three rows are the four lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is in the lodging palace of Yin, Yin still shows Yin, riding Azure Dragon; the second lesson, Yin shows Yin, riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson, the day branch Zi shows Zi, riding White Tiger; the fourth lesson, Zi shows Zi, riding White Tiger. The right-hand three rows are the three transmissions: the first transmission is Yin, which is the brother's yao for Ji, hidden stem Bing, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Si, which is the son's yao, hidden stem Ji, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Shen, which is the official ghost's yao, hidden stem Ren, riding Heavenly Empress. In a Hidden Chant lesson, the four lessons are paired and identical, so the transmissions are taken by punishment and clash, thus the three transmissions are Yin, Si, Shen.

范蠡曰：德祿在寅，病在巳，絕在申。春木旺，金囚無傷也。己巳日有瘳，壬申日痊癒。愚按：白虎生日，主病癒。子屬水，故斷壬也。然查《吳越春秋》，無日時，不知《直指》何所據。

Fan Li's divination: The first transmission is寅, which is the virtue god and禄 god of the day stem Jia. The middle transmission is巳, which in the twelve growths is the disease position of Jia. The final transmission is申, which is the绝 position of Jia. Although disease and绝 are unfavorable, in spring the wood energy is strong and the metal energy is weak, so it cannot harm the Jia wood. Therefore, on the day Jisi, the disease is reduced, and on the day Renshen, it is cured. Cheng Shuxun comments: In this divination, the White Tiger is riding on the Zi water, which can generate the day stem Jia wood, so it indicates that the illness can be cured. Zi belongs to water, and water in the heavenly stem is壬, so the recovery is predicted for the day of壬. However, checking the original text of "Wuyue Chunqiu," there is no record of the day and time of this divination. It is unknown what the "Liu Ren Zhi Zhi" is based on.

建炎己酉年九月甲子日卯將寅時，謝省元乙丑生四十五歲占赴省試。《口鑑》《方本占案》。

In the Jiyou year of the Southern Song dynasty, September 10th, the divination was cast by placing the卯 trigram on the寅 hour. The person seeking divination was Xie Xingyuan, born in the Yichou year, aged forty-five, asking about the outcome of his examination in the provincial capital. This case is recorded in the "Koujian" and "Fangben Zhan'an."

蛇貴后陰 　午未申酉　青空合勾　財 戊辰 合 朱巳　戌玄　寅丑辰卯　子 己巳 朱 合辰　亥常　丑子卯甲　子 庚午 蛇 　卯寅丑子 　勾青空虎

The divination board. In the ninth month, with the卯 general added to the寅 hour, the Heaven Plate advances one position ahead of the Earth Plate:午 is added to the Earth Plate's巳, 未 is added to午, 申 is added to未, 酉 is added to申, 戌 is added to酉, 亥 is added to戌, 子 is added to亥, 丑 is added to子, 寅 is added to丑, 卯 is added to寅, 辰 is added to卯, and巳 is added to辰. The Twelve Heavenly Generals start from the Nobleman on the未 (since the未 is located at the Earth Plate's午 position and belongs to the Yin, it moves in reverse): Teng Snake is on午, Vermilion Bird is on巳, Liu He is on辰, Gou Chen is on卯, Azure Dragon is on寅, Tian Kong is on丑, White Tiger is on子, Tai Chang is on亥, Black Tortoise is on戌, Tai Yin is on酉, and Heavenly Empress is on申. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the Day Stem 甲 lodging in寅, with卯 on寅, and Gou Chen as its general; the second lesson has辰 on卯, withLiu He as its general; the third lesson has the Day Branch 子 with丑 on子, and Tian Kong as its general; the fourth lesson has寅 on丑, with Azure Dragon as its general. The three transmissions on the right side are: the first transmission is辰, which represents wealth in the context of 甲, hidden stem 戊, withLiu He as its general; the middle transmission is巳, representing descendants, hidden stem 己, withVermilion Bird as its general; the final transmission is午, also representing descendants, hidden stem 庚, with Teng Snake as its general. The three transmissions,辰,巳,午, proceed in order, advancing continuously without returning, which is what is referred to later as 'progressing smoothly without looking back'.

邵彥和曰：謝省元三次到場屋，今次定不得，更五次不遂，不免受文學中心病而死。蓋甲日迤邐生去，更不回顧，以此言之，無文學尚可，有則不利。行年上亥加戌，亥乃甲之長生學堂，惜乎空而加空，而宅上日貴又作天空，不過虛名文學耳。中末傳巳午脫干，午火心病見蛇必死。謝果省試不中，後為文學不遂，遂納賄，又是五甲，大不如意，回家遂成心病，辛酉年十一月卒。蓋甲木生巳午蛇雀諸火，木隨火而上炎，木向南奔，本主便死。因背後有行年見亥，亥為甲木長生學堂，故尚有虛名而未死耳。造化前定，所以不由人也。

Shao Yanhe interpreted that Xie Xingyuan had already taken the examination three times and would certainly not pass this time, and even if he took it five more times, he would still not succeed. Eventually, he would die from a heart disease caused by his frustration over his failure in academic pursuits. Why? The day stem is Jia Wood, which in the three transmissions moves continuously towards growth (Chen generates Si, Si generates Wu), and once it begins to grow, it does not turn back. According to this image, this person lacks literary talent, which would be acceptable, but having literary talent is actually detrimental. His age is亥 added to戌, where亥 is the long life place of Jia Wood and represents academic achievements, but亥 itself is empty and is placed on another empty戌. The day's noble star at the residence is also occupied by Tian Kong, indicating that academic success is just an empty title. The middle transmission Si and the final transmission Wu both drain the energy of the day stem. Wu belongs to fire and represents the heart, and with Teng Snake present, heart disease is certain and death will follow. Later, Xie Xingyuan indeed failed the provincial examination, and continued to have no success in his academic career, even attempting to bribe officials. He still failed five times, greatly disappointed, and eventually developed a heart disease, dying in November of the Xinyou year. This is because Jia Wood generates Si and Wu, and encounters Teng Snake and Vermilion Bird, the fire gods. The wood follows the fire's intensity and burns upward, continuously draining towards the south. He should have died immediately; however, his age is亥, which is the long life place of Jia Wood and represents the academy, thus allowing him to retain a hollow title and not die suddenly. The fate was already determined, and no human effort could change it.

大觀己丑年十二月甲子日子將戌時，建寧李大夫占憂銀網事，鞏罷官。《方本占案》《一針見血》。

In the Jichou year of the Da Guan period of the Northern Song dynasty, on the 12th lunar month, Jiazi day, the divination was started by taking the Zi general added to the Xu hour. Li Doctor from Jianning was worried about an incident called "Silver Net," fearing it might lead to his dismissal from office, so he came to seek divination. This case is recorded in "Fang Ben Zhan An" and "Yi Zhen Jian Xue."

貴后陰玄 　未申酉戌　合青蛇合　財 戊辰 合 蛇午　亥常　辰寅午辰　子 庚午 蛇 朱巳　子虎　寅子辰甲　官 壬申 后 　辰卯寅丑 　合勾青空

The lesson board. The general at the hour of Xu is added to the Zi position. The Heaven Plate advances two positions ahead of the Earth Plate: Wei is added to the Earth Plate's Si position, Shen is added to Wu, You to Wei, Xu to Shen, Hai to You, Zi to Xu, Chou to Hai, Yin to Zi, Mao to Chou, Chen to Yin, Si to Mao, and Wu to Chen. The Twelve Heavenly Generals start from the Nobleman at Wei (Wei is located at the Earth Plate's Si position, which is yin, so it moves in reverse): Teng Snake is at Wu, Vermilion Bird at Si, Liu He at Chen, Gou Chen at Mao, Azure Dragon at Yin, Tian Kong at Chou, White Tiger at Zi, Tai Chang at Hai, Black Tortoise at Xu, Tai Yin at You, and Heavenly Empress at Shen. The middle three lines are the Four Lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the Day Stem Jia lodging in Yin, with Chen on Yin, riding Liu He; the second lesson has Wu on Chen, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson has the Day Branch Zi with Yin on Zi, riding Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson has Chen on Yin, riding Liu He. The right three lines are the Three Transmissions: the first transmission is Chen, which is a wealth hexagram for Jia, hidden stem Wu, riding Liu He; the middle transmission is Wu, which is a son hexagram, hidden stem Geng, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission is Shen, which is an official ghost hexagram, hidden stem Ren, riding Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions Chen, Wu, and Shen advance in order of yang, which is called the 'ascending to the third heaven' lesson.

邵彥和曰：登三天主有撓，中午作螣蛇，五月末沖替可知。末申作後，六月初有赦。寅作龍入宅，明年三月必轉官。果然庚寅年正月朝廷差兩浙提刑，三月轉大夫，五月沖替，六月赦。蓋明年者，歲上發用也。五月替者，蛇入中傳也。六月赦者，申加午作天后恩澤之神也。寅天吏作龍入宅，故必遷轉。

Shao Yanhe interpreted that the three-day divination indicated that matters would be troubled. The middle transmission was on Wu with Teng Snake, indicating that by the end of May he would be displaced by someone else. The final transmission was on Shen with Heavenly Empress, meaning that in June there would be a pardon. The house was on Yin with Azure Dragon, meaning that definitely in March of next year he would be promoted. Later it turned out that in the year of Gengyin, in January the court appointed him as the inspector of two zhe regions, in March he was promoted to a higher rank, in May he was displaced, and in June he received a pardon. The reason for saying 'next year' is because the initiating transmission was on the sovereign's position. The reason for saying he was displaced in May is because Teng Snake was on the middle transmission. The reason for saying he received a pardon in June is because Shen was added to Wu and had Heavenly Empress, and Heavenly Empress is the god of grace. The house was on Yin, which is the god of heavenly officials, and had Azure Dragon, so he would certainly be promoted.

嘉佑七年，太歲壬寅，三月十七日甲子日，上宣苗公達賜當日午時占課，問射覆。《苗公達斷經》。射覆當作來意。

In the seventh year of the Jiayou era of the Northern Song dynasty, the heavenly stem was Ren and the earthly branch was Yin. On the seventeenth day of the third lunar month, which was the Jiazi day, the emperor summoned Miao Gongda into the palace and ordered him to cast a divination on that day at the noon hour, to inquire about "she fu" — that is, guessing the object that was hidden. This example is taken from "Miao Gongda's Divination Classics." The compiler's note: here "she fu" should be understood as "lai yi," which means deducing the matter that the emperor had in mind.

龍勾合朱 　申酉戌亥　虎陰龍常　官 壬申 龍 空未　子螣　午卯申巳　父 　亥 朱 ◎ 虎午　丑貴　卯子巳甲　兄 丙寅 后 ⊙ 　巳辰卯寅 　常玄陰后

The divination board. In the third month, the month general is You, placed on the hour of Wu. The heaven plate advances three positions ahead of the earth plate: Shen is placed on the earth plate's Si, You on Wu, Xu on Wei, Hai on Shen, Zi on You, Chou on Xu, Yin on Hai, Mao on Zi, Chen on Chou, Si on Yin, Wu on Mao, and Chen on Yin. The twelve heavenly generals start from the nobleman on Chou, which is currently on the earth plate's Xu position, an yin position, so they move in reverse: Teng Snake is on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, White Tiger on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Black Tortoise on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Heavenly Empress on Yin. The middle three lines are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, which is lodged in the palace of Yin, with Si on Yin, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Si with Shen on it, riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Mao on it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Mao with Wu on it, riding White Tiger. The right side has the three transmissions: the first transmission is Shen, which is the official ghost of the day stem Jia, hidden stem Ren, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Hai, which is the parent爻, riding Vermilion Bird, and since Hai is in the Jiazi cycle and is empty, the hidden stem is missing and marked as 「◎」; the final transmission is Yin, which is the brother爻, hidden stem Bing, riding Heavenly Empress.

苗公達奏曰：“臣聞古經云，凡傳課，剛日先看日上神，柔日先看辰上神，次分天乙順逆，及看三傳，並太歲行年，只取勝者為事類。據來意，主貴人將婦人使用銅鐵尖長之物，欲傷小蟲之命；其蟲必生於穢雜不潔之處，人所不喜；今蟲卻未傷死而飛去，而銅鐵尖長之物，反在木上傷折，不堪用矣。”

Miao Gongda submitted a memorial stating: I have heard from ancient texts that when determining a divination, on a yang day one should first examine the god associated with the day stem, and on a yin day, the god associated with the day branch. Then one should distinguish whether the heavenly master and nobleman are moving forward or backward, next examine the three transmissions, and combine them with the heavenly stem of the year and the personal year. One should select the element with the strongest energy to determine the matter. By applying this method to the person's affairs: a nobleman caused a woman to take an object made of copper or iron, long and sharp, intending to kill a small insect. This insect must have been living in a dirty and unpleasant place, which people detest. Now the insect has not been killed, but has flown away, and the long and sharp object made of copper or iron has fallen on wood and broken, thus becoming unusable.

上宣問曰：“何以知之？”公達奏曰：“上巳作太常，卦名重審，亦名天網天乙逆行，故取故取太歲是寅，並天后勝事言也。故云：‘主有貴人慾有害心也’；將婦人銅鐵尖長之物者，為發用得申金，春占又是甲日，申金囚死，更加巳上受克，故為銅鐵尖長之物也；婦人使用者，初傳沖末傳，見天后寅木，此乃旺相，又在所生之處也。在木上傷折者，為木受生旺，金受囚死，又在巳火之上，所謂重重無氣也。

The emperor asked, "How do you know this?" Miao Gongda replied, "The day stem has a巳 (Si) that is occupied by Tai Chang. The name of this divination is 'Chong Shen' (Rechecking), also called 'Tian Wang' (Heavenly Net). The heavenly master, the nobleman, is moving in reverse. Therefore, taking the year stem寅 (Yin), and combining it with the Heavenly Empress is the most powerful aspect. Therefore, it is said, 'There is a nobleman harboring harmful intentions.' It is said to let a woman take a sharp iron rod because the initiating transmission is on the metal申 (Shen). In spring, when the day stem is甲 (Jia), the metal申 is in a state of imprisonment and death, and it is also on the fire巳 (Si) which is overcoming it, which is the image of a sharp iron rod. It is said that the woman should act because the first transmission and the final transmission are opposing each other. The final transmission is on the wood寅 (Yin), which has the Heavenly Empress (the Heavenly Empress represents a woman). The wood寅 is currently prosperous and strong, and it is in the place that generates me. It is said that the object breaks on the wood because the wood is in its birth and prosperity, while the metal is in imprisonment and death, and it is placed on top of the fire巳, which can be described as being without vitality at every level."

小飛蟲生於穢雜不潔之處者，為發用是月厭，為汙穢，將得青龍，中傳將得朱雀，皆有飛象；金為蟲，雖然無氣，又申亥相害，然末傳見生氣加亥，其生氣春以日旺，又在生鄉，故主欲害飛蟲，究竟未傷死而飛去也。臣出於短拙，有犯聖皇，合當萬死。”上曰：“為適來有蠅子，在殿柱之上，朕戲以針刺之，而蠅飛去，其針在柱上傷折，故應課也。”

The small insects are born in dirty and disorderly places because the initiating transmission is aligned with the month aversion, which governs filth; the initiating transmission is associated with the Azure Dragon, and the middle transmission is associated with the Vermilion Bird, both of which have the image of flying. Metal can be classified as an insect in the class god, although it has no qi, and it is also in conflict with the亥 branch; but the vital qi of the final transmission is added to the亥, and the spring vital qi grows strong with the day, and falls in the place of growth, so it is predicted that the insect will be harmed, but the insect did not die and flew away. The minister's knowledge is shallow, and he has offended the emperor, deserving a thousand deaths. The emperor said: Just now a fly stopped on the pillar of the hall, I playfully tried to stab it with a needle, and the fly flew away, while the needle broke on the pillar — this exactly corresponds to your divination.

正月甲子日亥將申時占來意。《指歸靈文論》

On the first day of the first month, on the Jiazi day, take the亥 as the starting point and add the time of Shen to cast the divination, to inquire about the coming intention. This example is taken from the "Zhi Gui Ling Wen Lun."

龍勾合朱 　申酉戌亥　虎陰龍常　官 壬申 龍 空未　子螣　午卯申巳　父 　亥 朱 ◎ 虎午　丑貴　卯子巳甲　兄 丙寅 后 ⊙ 　巳辰卯寅 　常玄陰后

At the time of the hour of Hai with the general at Shen, the Heaven Plate moves three places ahead compared to the Earth Plate, so the lesson plate is the same as the previous example: Shen is added to the Earth Plate's Si, You to Wu, Xu to Wei, Hai to Shen, Zi to You, Chou to Xu, Yin to Hai, Mao to Zi, Chen to Chou, Si to Yin, Wu to Mao, Wei to Chen. The Heavenly General moves from the Nobleman at Chou (occupying the Earth Plate's Xu position) in reverse: Teng Snake is at Zi, Vermilion Bird at Hai, Liu He at Xu, Gou Chen at You, Azure Dragon at Shen, Tian Kong at Wei, White Tiger at Wu, Tai Chang at Si, Tai Yin at Chen, Black Tortoise at Mao, Heavenly Empress at Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: Jia (in the lodging palace of Yin) is on Si with Tai Chang, Si on Shen with Azure Dragon, the day branch Zi on Mao with Tai Yin, and Mao on Wu with White Tiger. The three transmissions: the first transmission is Shen, representing official ghosts, hidden Jinn, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Hai, representing parents, empty in the ten days, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Yin, representing siblings, hidden Bing, riding Heavenly Empress. The first transmission Shen is before the Nobleman at Chou, and the final transmission Yin is after the Nobleman at Chou, so it is referred to as 'transmission from yang to yin' in the following text.

斷曰：來意主望道路行人，其人路遇奸賊，欲相謀害，幸而奸賊自受其難，謀害不成，但主道路上遲延，終平安而歸也。又主有文字，兩重一明一暗，藏在樓閣中，其樓柱繫用物墊著。何以知之？蓋初傳在天乙前，末傳在天乙後，名傳陽入陰，主在家不出，遠人歸家，外來之信立至。況申主道路，又主行人，奈為日鬼，又在巳上被刑害，故遇奸賊。申鬼受旺火克，故云賊人受難，干為占者上得巳火為救，故謀害不成，但主遲歸耳。朱雀乘亥主明文字，天后乘寅主暗文字，寅加於亥上，故藏在樓閣，亥是旬空，其柱必有損而用物墊之也。

The interpretation says: The person is asking about expecting travelers on the road. The person encountered a villain on the road, and the villain intended to harm him. Fortunately, the villain himself suffered the consequences, and the plot failed. The person only experienced a delay on the way, and eventually returned safely. There are also two documents, one obvious and one hidden, stored in a building. The building's pillars are supported by something. How do we know this? The first transmission is before the Heavenly Nobleman, and the final transmission is after the Heavenly Nobleman, which is called "transmission of yang into yin," indicating that those at home do not go out, and those who traveled far will return home. Moreover, the monkey is associated with roads and travelers. However, it is the ghost of the day stem, and it is on the snake, which is under punishment and harm, so there is an encounter with a villain on the way. The monkey ghost is defeated by the strong fire, so the villain himself suffers. The day stem represents the person asking the question, and it is supported by the fire, so the plot fails, and the return is delayed. The Vermilion Bird is on the pig, indicating obvious documents, and the Heavenly Empress is on the tiger, indicating hidden documents. The tiger is on the pig, so the documents are stored in a building. The pig is in the empty period, indicating that the pillars must be damaged and supported by something.

十月甲子日卯將子時，乙卯人占子命行人。《行人類證》

On the tenth month, Jiazi day, take the Mao branch as the general and start the divination for the time when a person returning from a journey will come back. This example is taken from "The Classification of Travelers." The person born in the Yimao year is divining for their son whose destiny is associated with the Zi branch.

蛇朱合勾 　申酉戌亥　后常蛇陰　官 壬申 蛇 貴未　子龍　午卯申巳　父 　亥 勾 ◎ 后午　丑空　卯子巳甲　兄 丙寅 虎 ⊙ 　巳辰卯寅 　陰玄常虎

Lesson Disk. The time is the hour of卯 (Mao), with the general (天将) added to the子 (Zi) position. The Heaven Plate advances three positions ahead of the Earth Plate, and the arrangement of Heaven and Earth Plates is the same as in the previous two examples: 申 (Shen) is added to the Earth Plate's巳 (Si), 酉 (You) to午 (Wu), 戌 (Xu) to未 (Wei), 亥 (Hai) to申 (Shen), 子 (Zi) to酉 (You), 丑 (Chou) to戌 (Xu), 寅 (Yin) to亥 (Hai), 卯 (Mao) to子 (Zi), 辰 (Chen) to丑 (Chou), 巳 (Si) to寅 (Yin), 午 (Wu) to卯 (Mao), 未 (Wei) to辰 (Chen). The difference in this lesson is the use of night nobleman (夜贵). The Heavenly General starts from 未 (Wei) and is multiplied by the nobleman (贵人). Since 未 (Wei) is located at the Earth Plate's辰 (Chen) position and belongs to a yang position, it proceeds in the order of the yang. Teng Snake is multiplied by申 (Shen), Vermilion Bird by酉 (You), Liu He by戌 (Xu), Gou Chen by亥 (Hai), Azure Dragon by子 (Zi), Tian Kong by丑 (Chou), White Tiger by寅 (Yin), Tai Chang by卯 (Mao), Black Tortoise by辰 (Chen), Tai Yin by巳 (Si), and Heavenly Empress by午 (Wu). The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has 甲 (Jia) (in the lodging palace寅 (Yin)) with Si (Si) on it, multiplied by Tai Yin; the second lesson has Si (Si) with Shen (Shen) on it, multiplied by Teng Snake; the third lesson has the day branch Zi (Zi) with Yin (Yin) on it, multiplied by Tai Chang; the fourth lesson has Yin (Yin) with Wu (Wu) on it, multiplied by Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions: the first transmission is Shen (Shen) as official ghost, hidden Jia (Jia), multiplied by Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Hai (Hai) as parents, empty in the ten days, multiplied by Gou Chen; the final transmission is Yin (Yin) as brother, hidden Bing (Bing), multiplied by White Tiger. To divinate about a traveler, one should look at Black Tortoise and the final transmission. In this lesson, Black Tortoise is directly on Chen (Chen) and added to Chou (Chou).

雪心曰：占行人責元武及末傳，今元武在辰加丑。末傳寅為馬，當主來，果於十一月十四癸巳日大雪歸。

Snow Heart Divination says: To predict the arrival of a traveler, one should examine the Black Tortoise and the Final Transmission. In this case, the Black Tortoise is on the Dragon (Chen) and is placed on the Ox (Chou). The Final Transmission is the寅 (Yin), which is the Post-horse. Therefore, the prediction is that the traveler will return. Later, indeed, he arrived home on the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, which was the day of Guisi with heavy snow.

天聖戊辰年正月甲子日，亥將未時，七十四歲老人占逃亡。《一針見血》

In the fifth year of the Tiansheng era of the Northern Song dynasty, on the first day of the first lunar month, on the Jiazi day, the divination was cast with the亥 (Hai) general added to the Wei (Wei) hour. A seventy-four-year-old man consulted about a person who had left home. This example is taken from "Yizhen Jianxue."

愚按：甲木克元武辰土，干上午火，克元武陰神申金，故易獲。

Cheng Shuxun notes: The day stem Jia Wood can overcome the Chen Earth that the Black Tortoise is riding on, and the Wu Fire on the day stem can also overcome the Yin Spirit Shen Metal of the Black Tortoise. The fleeing spirit is restrained on both sides, so it is easy to capture.

勾合朱蛇 　酉戌亥子　龍玄合虎　財 戊辰 玄 龍申　丑貴　申辰戌午　官 壬申 龍 空未　寅后　辰子午甲　父 甲子 蛇 　午巳辰卯 　虎常玄陰

The divination plate shows that the hour of Wei is added to the general of Hai. The Heaven Plate advances four positions ahead of the Earth Plate: You is added to Si, Xu to Wu, Hai to Wei, Zi to Shen, Chou to You, Yin to Xu, Mao to Hai, Chen to Zi, Si to Chou, Wu to Yin, Wei to Mao, Shen to Chen. The twelve Heavenly Generals start from the Nobleman on Chou, moving in reverse as it is a yin position: Teng Snake is on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, White Tiger on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Heaven Empress on Mao, and the Heavenly Empress on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Jia lodging in Yin, with Wu on Yin, riding the White Tiger; the second lesson has Wu with Xu, riding Liu He; the third lesson has the day branch Zi with Chen, riding the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson has Chen with Shen, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions on the right side are: the first transmission is Chen, representing a wealth hexagram, hidden stem Wu, riding the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission is Shen, representing a ghost hexagram, hidden stem Ren, riding the Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Zi, representing a parent hexagram, hidden stem Jia, riding Teng Snake. The divination is about a disappearance, and the responsibility lies with the Black Tortoise. In this divination, the Black Tortoise is on Chen and added to the day branch Zi, so the transmission starts from the branch.

苗公達曰：主昨夜三更門戶不閉，婢逃失財，網羅水際辰為羅網，往正北所至人家藏匿。其錢藏水中，速尋可得。愚按：“門戶不閉”句，似從斬關課取義也；失財者，元武臨財也。

Miao Gongda interpreted the divination: This reading indicates that last night at the third watch the doors were not closed, a servant girl ran away and took away the money; a net was set near the water (since the branch Chen is associated with nets), she went towards the north, and took refuge in someone's house; the stolen money was hidden in the water, so it should be sought quickly before it is lost. Cheng Shuxun commented: The phrase "doors not closed" seems to take its meaning from the "Cutting the Gate" reading; the loss of money is because the Black Tortoise is riding on the wealth爻.

《精華摘錦》云：元陰見青龍乘申為損鱗，故主失財。果於當日申時獲之。論曰：貴人臨酉，門戶驚恐。天罡加子將得元武，子為三更，在支上發用，是急應之兆。行年立卯上，天空乘未，屬陰為婢，被旺木所制，故逃竄。元武陰上見申金，金生水，故錢藏水中。

The Essence and Selection of the Best says: The dark god of Xuanwu appears with Qinglong riding on Shen, indicating the image of "loss of scales," thus presaging loss of wealth. Later, indeed, the person was caught at the hour of Shen that day. The book explains: When the nobleman is present at You position, it indicates disturbance within the household; Tiangang at Chen is placed on Zi, which is at the third watch, and since it originates from the day branch, it is a sign of quick verification. The person's year falls on Mao, with Tiankong at Wei. Wei is yin, and in the category of spirits it represents a servant, who is subdued by the strong wood energy, so she ran away. The dark god of Xuanwu sees the metal of Shen, which can generate water, so the money is hidden in water.

言逃往北者，謂陽作元武，婢走求陽也。法以初覺逃時只就元武立處求之，今在子，逃亡未經旬，只看元武立處。愚按：元武從不臨東南，豈逃亡未經旬者，從不往東南方乎？故云正北。本人行年在卯，卯刑子，是元武遭刑可獲。當日申時者，甲日屬木，克元武所乘辰土，又末傳臨申，是元武三傳之終也。

She is said to have fled north because her yang spirit is associated with the Black Tortoise. The servant girl's escape is interpreted as her going to join a man. The method of capturing a fugitive is: when someone is first discovered to have fled, one should search only where the Black Tortoise is located. Now the Black Tortoise is positioned at the Zi position, and the escape has not exceeded ten days, so one should only look where the Black Tortoise is located. Cheng Shuxun comments: the Black Tortoise never appears in the southeast direction. How can it be that those who have fled for less than ten days do not go to the southeast? (This statement is questionable.) Therefore, the book only mentions due north. The owner's birth year is in the Mao position, which is in conflict with the Zi position, thus the Black Tortoise is affected by this conflict, making it possible to capture the person. The judgment is made at the Shen hour of the day because on a Jia day, which belongs to wood, wood can overcome the earth (Chen) that the Black Tortoise is associated with. Additionally, the final transmission is at Shen, which is exactly where the Black Tortoise ends up in the three transmissions.