On the Wuzi day, Jiangxi's five leading candidates divined about the imperial examination.

崇正丁丑年二月十八戊子日亥將子時江西五家魁孝廉占會試。（郭氏占案）

In the year Dingchou of the Chongzhen era (the original text says 'Chongzheng'), on the eighteenth day of the second lunar month, at the time of Wuzi, the lesson was cast with the Month General of Hai added to Zi hour. The person seeking the divination was Wu Jiakuai, a candidate from Jiangxi, asking whether he would pass the imperial examination. This example is taken from the "Guo's Divination Cases." The Month General of Hai added to Zi still results in the Heaven Plate retreating one position relative to the Earth Plate, so this lesson shares the same plate as the previous two lessons.

合勾龍空 辰巳午未 玄陰朱合 兄丙戌玄 朱卯 申虎 戌亥卯辰 子乙酉常 蛇寅 酉常 亥子辰戊 子甲申虎 丑子亥戌 貴后陰玄

The lesson plate is the same as the previous two examples: the Heaven Plate has Chou multiplied by the Nobleman, Yin multiplied by the Teng Snake, Mao multiplied by the Vermilion Bird, Chen multiplied by Liu He, Si multiplied by Gou Chen, Wu multiplied by the Azure Dragon, Wei multiplied by Tian Kong, Shen multiplied by the White Tiger, You multiplied by Tai Chang, Xu multiplied by the Black Tortoise, Hai multiplied by Tai Yin, and Zi multiplied by the Heavenly Empress. The four lessons, from right to left, are Chen added to Wu, Mao added to Chen, Hai added to Zi, and Xu added to Hai. The three transmissions are initially Xu multiplied by the Black Tortoise, then You multiplied by Tai Chang, and finally Shen multiplied by the White Tiger. It is the same plate, but when divining about enemies, one takes the positions of the three transmissions' retreat and the wandering place; when divining about criminal cases, one takes the metal energy of Shen and You; when divining about academic success, one focuses on the burial of Chen under the day stem and the year of birth and the native star. The used deities vary according to the question, which is the fundamental principle of the Six Rats system of divination.

郭御青曰：此課墓祿覆日，雖初傳有戌沖之，奈年上又乘墓神？命上乘酉，合住辰墓，則戌墓不能沖開矣。大端不美，餘可不論。吳稼云曰：墓庫加干乃埋沒不得出頭之象。

Guo Yuqing said: This reading shows theTomb Spirit (mound spirit) pressing upon the day's禄 (favorable position) and day stem. TheWu Earth (Wu earth) is lodged in the巳 (Si) palace, which is its禄 position. However, the辰 (Chen) mound spirit is precisely on top of it. Although the first transmission戌 (Xu) can break open the辰 (Chen) mound, it is ineffective because the year stem is also occupied by theTomb Spirit (mound spirit). The personal stem is酉 (You), which combines with辰 (Chen), firmly binding the辰 (Chen) mound and preventing the戌 (Xu) mound from being opened. Since the overall situation is unfavorable, further details need not be considered. Wu Jiayun said: When aStorage (mound storage) is placed on top of the day stem, it represents an image of being buried and unable to emerge.

崇正戊寅年正月二十四戊子日亥瘵酉時為高公占功名。（郭氏占案）

In the fifth year of the Chongzhen era (the original text says 'Chongzheng'), on the 24th day of the first lunar month, at the time of Wu Zi, the Month General was placed on the You hour to cast the divination. This was for Gao Gong to inquire about his official rank. This example is taken from the "Guo氏 Zhan An."

貴后陰玄 未申酉戌 合龍陰貴 兄壬辰合 蛇午 亥常 辰寅酉未 父◎午蛇 朱巳 子虎 寅子未戊 子甲申后 辰卯寅丑 合勾龍空

This chart starts with the month general at You (酉) in the hour of You, and the Heaven Plate advances two positions ahead of the Earth Plate. The hour of You belongs to night, so the night nobleman is at Wei (未). The nobleman is located at the Earth Plate's position of Si (巳) and moves in reverse. Therefore, the Heavenly Generals on each branch of the Heaven Plate are: Wei (未) with the nobleman, Shen (申) with the Heavenly Empress, You (酉) with Tai Yin, Xu (戌) with the Black Tortoise, Hai (亥) with Tai Chang, Zi (子) with the White Tiger, Chou (丑) with Tian Kong, Yin (寅) with the Azure Dragon, Mao (卯) with Gou Chen, Chen (辰) with Liu He, Si (巳) with the Vermilion Bird, and Wu (午) with the Teng Snake. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu (戊) lodging in Si (巳), with Si (巳) having Wei (未), which is with the nobleman; the second lesson is Wei (未) having You (酉), which is with Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Zi (子) having Yin (寅), which is with the Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson is Yin (寅) having Chen (辰), which is with Liu He. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Chen (辰), with the hidden stem Renchen (壬辰), riding on Liu He, representing brothers; the middle transmission is Wu (午), riding on Teng Snake, with Wu (午) in the Jiashen (甲申) sequence being empty, marked with '◎' on the chart, and Wu fire generating Wu earth, representing parents; the final transmission is Shen (申), with the hidden stem Jia Shen (甲申), riding on the Heavenly Empress, representing children. Chen (辰), Wu (午), and Shen (申) each advance one position in sequence, indicating a forward transmission.

郭御青曰：課名登三天，嫌中末空陷，祿傳墓神。乃正月，目下諸事不爽，未幾，果然有言，須屬犬之人沖之，到四五月方美。行年見白虎，必是臺中，但恐考不能待，孰知其果至期也乃五月中字填實，三天方可登，此番曠興乃真登三天也。與張坦之課俱奇中。（見辛卯日干上巳）

Guo Yuqing said: The pattern of this divination is called "Ascending to the Three Heavens." It is only regrettable that both the middle transmission and the final transmission fall into empty and barren places, and the day's luck is transmitted into the tomb god. At that time it was the first lunar month, and at present, all matters seem to be without error; soon afterwards, there was indeed a sign: a person of the dog sign was needed to break the situation, and it would only improve by mid-May. The year of the person's age shows the White Tiger, indicating that the future will be in the path of the Censorate; it is feared that the examination for appointment will not arrive at that time. Who would have thought that the day actually arrived - by May, the character "wu" was filled in (the original text says "zhong," which is likely a mistake for "wu"), and then the three heavens could be ascended. This time's exceptional appointment finally counted as the real "ascending to the three heavens." This divination is remarkably accurate, just like Zhang Tangu's case (see the entry for Xinmao day "Gan Shang Si").

己酉年閏八月戊子日辰將子時姚博戊辰生四十二歲占家訟。（方本占案）

In the year Ji You, in the leap month of August, on the day Wu Zi, using the month of Chen as the Month General, the divination was started at the Zi hour. The person seeking divination is Yao Bo, born in the year Wu Chen, aged forty-two, asking about a lawsuit concerning family property. This case is from the book "Fang Ben Zhan An."

朱合勾龍 酉戌亥子 蛇玄空朱 兄壬辰玄 蛇申 丑空 申辰丑酉 子甲申蛇 貴未 寅虎 辰子酉戊 財戊子龍 午巳辰卯 后陰玄常

This chart is cast with the month general at Chen (辰) added to the Zi (子) hour. The Heaven Plate advances four positions ahead of the Earth Plate. The Zi hour belongs to night, so the nobleman is at Wu (戊) night, and the nobleman is on the Earth Plate's Mao (卯) position and proceeds in order. Therefore, the Heavenly Generals on each branch of the Heaven Plate are: Wei (未) with the nobleman, Shen (申) with the Teng Snake, You (酉) with the Vermilion Bird, Xu (戌) with Liu He, Hai (亥) with Gou Chen, Zi (子) with the Azure Dragon, Chou (丑) with Tian Kong, Yin (寅) with the White Tiger, Mao (卯) with Tai Chang, Chen (辰) with the Black Tortoise, Si (巳) with Tai Yin, and Wu (午) with the Heavenly Empress. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu (戊) lodging in Si (巳), with酉 (酉) on Si, which is occupied by the Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is酉 (酉) with Chou (丑), which is occupied by Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Zi (子) with Chen (辰), which is occupied by the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson is Chen (辰) with Shen (申), which is occupied by the Teng Snake. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Chen (辰), with the hidden stem Renchen (壬辰), occupied by the Black Tortoise, representing a brother; the middle transmission is Shen (申), with the hidden stem Jia Shen (甲申), occupied by the Teng Snake, representing a son; the final transmission is Zi (子), with the hidden stem Wuzi (戊子), occupied by the Azure Dragon, with the water of Zi in the earth of Wu representing a wife's wealth. Shen, Zi, and Chen form a water trinity, which is exactly a wealth trinity.

邵彥和曰：訟因後一項財，卻爭先一項財起。喜得有舊文書為證。姚曰：果是收得伊父筆據，候到宣先將出。曰：今日有一人，面黑有痣，狀貌魁肥，來控爾口中言語，爾可設酒款待，卻將此筆據出看，訟可便止。蓋三傳無官鬼財，在今日之長生上，所以不失財，故與此人說即止也。

Shao Yanhe said: This lawsuit is nominally about a later sum of money, but in reality it was caused by a dispute over an earlier sum. Fortunately, there are old documents in hand to serve as evidence. Yao Bo said: Indeed, there is a handwritten note written by his father, which will be presented when they arrive at the official court. Shao Yanhe said: There will be a person coming today, with a dark complexion, a mole on his face, and a robust, stout build, who will confront you face to face about what you have said. You should just prepare wine and entertain him, then take out this document and show it to him, and the lawsuit will immediately be resolved. This is because among the Three Transmissions, there is no official ghost爻 that harms the wealth, and the wealth爻 is located at the position of Growth on the current day, so the money will not be lost. Precisely because of this, once you explain things to this person, the matter will be settled.

姚博昔與何知鎮干財，知鎮赴任時，姚博將帳簿來呈知鎮於簿內，批判請訖二字。其子名於九者，卻不知及知鎮卒後二年，姚博再向何宅借錢三百貫，何宅將與之，而宅前有沈姓者開店，其人身肥，面黑有痣，卻與何宅說知鎮在日姚博欠錢未還，其子遂欲進狀來追。姚博因來占課，及占後回家，沈姓果來相探，姚博遂置酒相待，將知鎮批據與看，沈乃向何宅言之，遂止。

The original story is as follows: Nao Bo once managed finances for He Zhizhen. When He Zhizhen took office, Nao Bo presented the account book, and He Zhizhen wrote the two characters "qing qi" on it, meaning that the accounts had been settled. However, his son, named Yu Jiun, was unaware of this. Two years after He Zhizhen's death, Nao Bo borrowed three hundred guan from the He family, and the He family had already agreed. There was a man named Shen who ran a shop in front of the He family's house. This man was stout and had a black face with a mole. He told the He family that the money Nao Bo owed during He Zhizhen's lifetime had not been repaid. The son of the He family then intended to file a lawsuit to recover the debt. Nao Bo therefore came to consult a divination. After finishing the consultation, he returned home, and Shen indeed came to inquire. Nao Bo then prepared a meal to entertain him and showed him the document from He Zhizhen's time. Shen then informed the He family about this matter, and thus the matter was settled.

蓋酉作朱雀，為舊文字，陽主新，陰主舊也。辰加子作玄武臨財，是財上之庫也，庫鬼即沈也。申臨庫地，所以便了，財臨生地，所以不失財也。

Careful analysis of the divination: The day stem is on酉, which is occupied by the Vermilion Bird. The Vermilion Bird governs documents;酉 belongs to yin, while yang represents new and yin represents old, so it is determined to be an old document. The first transmission is 辰 placed on 子 with the Black Tortoise, the Black Tortoise is on the wealth hexagram, and 辰 is also the water reservoir. This is a treasure chest pressing on wealth; the ghost within the treasure chest refers to a person surnamed Shen. The middle transmission is 申 resting on the treasure chest, so the matter can be resolved immediately. The final transmission's wealth hexagram 子 is in the growth position, so the money will ultimately not be lost.

己酉年三月戊子日戌將巳時何承務丁巳生五十三歲占家宅。（一針見血、方本占案、口鑑）

In the year Jiyou, third lunar month, on the day Wuzi, using the戌 month general placed on the巳 hour to cast the divination. The person asking the question is He Chengwu, born in the year Dingsi, aged fifty-three, inquiring about his family home. This case is recorded in the three books: "One Needle Reveals the Essence," "Case Book of Divination," and "Oral Mirror."

朱蛇 六戌亥子丑貴 六常陰六 父癸巳常 勾酉 寅后 戌巳卯戌 比丙戌六 龍申 卯陰 巳子戌戊 官辛卯陰 空未午巳辰玄 虎常

This chart is cast with the month general Wu at the hour of Si, and the Heaven Plate advances five positions ahead of the Earth Plate. The hour of Si belongs to the day time, so the daytime nobleman is at Chou. The nobleman is located at the Earth Plate position Shen and moves in reverse. Therefore, the heavenly generals riding on each branch of the Heaven Plate are: Chou rides the nobleman, Yin rides the Heavenly Empress, Mao rides Tai Yin, Chen rides Black Tortoise, Si rides Tai Chang, Wu rides White Tiger, Wei rides Tian Kong, Shen rides Azure Dragon, You rides Gou Chen, Xu rides Liu He, Hai rides Vermilion Bird, and Zi rides Teng Snake. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu lodging in the palace of Si, with Si bearing Wu, which rides Liu He; the second lesson is Wu bearing Mao, which rides Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Zi bearing Si, which rides Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Si bearing Wu, which rides Liu He. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Si, with the hidden stem Guisi riding Tai Chang, Si fire generates Wu earth, representing parents; the middle transmission is Wu, with the hidden stem Bingxu riding Liu He, representing a peer; the final transmission is Mao, with the hidden stem Xinmao riding Tai Yin, Mao wood overcomes Wu earth, representing official ghosts.

邵先生曰：此課日往加辰，是人廣而宅狹也。宅上發用，傳出日上，是宅居不得許多人而後出也。末傳歸第二課，又見宅不納人。然非宅克人，是人多欲自出也（若丙子日，人來就宅，為宅所克，是宅不容人，居必生災也）。若移出各人自為活計，將因太陰擾動而興詞訟，太陰乘卯為今日鬼，故就卯上論之，在末傳，故至十三年後。十三年後見之後，人財亦興旺。

Master Zhao said: In this divination, the day stem's lodgment palace has moved to the position of the day branch's zi. This represents a situation where there are too many people and the house is too small. The fire sign si, which is located on the house position, initiates the first transmission. The middle transmission then moves to the god xu, which is on the day stem. This indicates that the house cannot accommodate so many people, and eventually some people will have to move out. The final transmission returns to the second lesson's卯, which again suggests that the house cannot hold the people. However, it is not the house that is attacking the people, but rather that the people are too numerous and are forced to leave. If the day were bingzi, then it would be the house that attacks the people, and that would be a situation where the house cannot hold them, leading to disaster. If each person moves out to seek their own livelihood, they will later be disturbed by matters related to tai yin, which will lead to lawsuits. Tai yin is riding the卯, which is the official ghost of today, so we calculate based on卯. Since卯 is in the final transmission, the lawsuit will occur thirteen years later. After thirteen years, the lawsuit will be resolved, and the family's population and wealth will still flourish.

先生愚按：何居祖宅，狹仄人眾，此是日來加宅相逼，又作破碎也。本年十一月移出店房居住，自做經營，亦應初傳巳為店業，妙！妙！前原是兄嫂家掌家，後十三年，歲在甲子，果因家財爭訟，是以加子，人宅相剋也。巳四子九，併成十三年也。其壬戌年有卯制，故不動。癸亥年天罡壓之，亦不動。甲子年人宅相逼，所以至此方爭也。訟起於甲子之春，至乙丑四月方止，宅上見祿神，尚自興旺，人財尚可旺發也。

Master explained himself: He resides in the old family house, which is narrow and has many people, which is exactly the image of the day stem's god pressing down on the house position, indicating a conflict. Moreover, the巳 carries the broken-up evil. In the eleventh month of that year, he moved out to live in a shop and started his own business, which corresponds to the image of the initial transmission's巳 indicating shop business, which is very remarkable. Previously, his elder brother and sister managed the family affairs. After that, in the thirteenth year, when the year was Jiazi, there was indeed a lawsuit over family property, which corresponds to the巳 pressing on the Zi, with people and house conflicting. The number of巳 is four, and the number of Zi is nine, adding up to thirteen years. In the year Renxu, there was a卯 to restrain it, so there was no action; in the year Guihai, the Tiangang of Chen pressed it down, so there was no action; until the year Jiazi, when people and house directly conflicted, so it came to this point. The lawsuit started in the spring of the Jiazi year and stopped in the fourth month of the Yichou year. The house position saw the禄神, so the family fortune remained prosperous, and people and wealth could still flourish.

順治辛卯年二月戊子日亥將午時胡尹二兄占淮揚巡按差可復，吏書缺可照舊否？（指南）

In the 1652 Xinmao year, second month, Wuzi day, the lesson was cast with the Month General of亥 added to the午 time. Hu and Yin came to consult: Can the position of Inspector of Huaiyang be restored? Can the post of official clerk be maintained as before? This example is from the Six壬 Guide. The亥 General added to午 is the same as the previous lesson where the戌 General was added to巳, as both have the Heaven Plate advancing five positions relative to the Earth Plate, so the two lessons are exactly the same.

朱蛇 六戌亥子丑貴 六常陰六 父癸巳常 勾酉 寅后 戌巳卯戌 比丙戌六 龍申 卯陰 巳子戌戊 官辛卯陰 空未午巳辰玄 虎常

The divination plate is the same as the previous example: the Heaven Plate has Chou multiplied by the Nobleman, Yin multiplied by the Heavenly Empress, Mao multiplied by Tai Yin, Chen multiplied by Black Tortoise, Si multiplied by Tai Chang, Wu multiplied by White Tiger, Wei multiplied by Tian Kong, Shen multiplied by Azure Dragon, You multiplied by Gou Chen, Xu multiplied by Liu He, Hai multiplied by Vermilion Bird, and Zi multiplied by Teng Snake. The Four Lessons, arranged from right to left, are Xu added to Wu (Wu is located in Si), Mao added to Xu, Si added to Zi, and Xu added to Si. The Heavenly Generals in sequence are Liu He, Tai Yin, Tai Chang, and Liu He. The Three Transmissions begin with Si multiplied by Tai Chang as the parents, continue with Xu multiplied by Liu He as the companion, and end with Mao multiplied by Tai Yin as the official ghost. In the previous example, He Chengwu asked about his family residence, focusing on the mutual pressure between person and dwelling, and the final transmission's official ghost indicating litigation. In this example, asking about the existence or non-existence of an official messenger, the focus is instead on the first transmission's day's wealth being present in the branch, and the final transmission's Mao, which is exactly the Xinmao year's sovereign, acting as an official star. Since the question is different, the divination elements considered are also different.

斷曰：巡方官可復，吏缺未能如舊也。何也？蓋因鑄印乘軒，主遷官轉職而啟奏事。喜日祿臨支發用，末傳太歲作官，定有差遣，代天子巡狩之官也，且官居奎婁，是鳳廬有官之兆。又格合迴環，四墓加生，去而復來、已廢復興之象，未幾工科上疏題復。不復吏書者，以課不全，故占二得一也。

The interpretation states that the position of patrol inspector can be restored, but the position of the personnel office cannot remain as it was. Why? Because the lesson pattern is "casting the seal and riding the carriage," which indicates a change in official position and matters requiring a report. Fortunately, the day stem's fortune is located on the day branch, and the initiating transmission is the first transmission; the final transmission's卯 is exactly the Xinmao year's sovereign, and it is also the official star, indicating a certain appointment, and specifically an official who tours the four directions on behalf of the Son of Heaven. Moreover, the official star is located precisely in the area of the constellations Qiu and Lou, which is a sign that there will be officials in Fengyang and Luzhou regions. The lesson pattern is also a circular combination, with all four tomb spirits added to the position of growth, which is the image of going away and returning, of being abolished and then revived. Soon after, the Ministry of Works indeed submitted a memorial requesting the restoration. As for why the personnel office cannot be restored, it is because this lesson is not complete, so only one of the two matters came true.

丁丑年二月戊子日亥將巳時江西傅鼎臣孝廉占會試。（郭氏占案）

On the day of Wuzi in the second lunar month of the Dingchou year, the lesson was cast with the Hour General of the亥 month placed on the巳 hour. The person consulting is Fu Dingchen, a juren from Jiangxi, asking whether he will pass the imperial examination. This example is from the "Guo Shi Zhan An."

朱蛇貴后 亥子丑寅 蛇虎常朱 父◎午虎 合戌 卯陰 子午巳亥 財戊子蛇 勾酉 辰玄 午子亥戊 父◎午虎 申未午巳 龍空虎常

This chart is based on the month of Hai as the general, placed on the time of Si. The month general and the hour are directly opposite, and the Heaven Plate advances six positions ahead of the Earth Plate, forming a "returning echo" pattern. The hour of Si belongs to the day time, so the nobleman for a Wu day is Chou. The nobleman is located on the Earth Plate at Wei and moves in reverse. Therefore, the heavenly generals on each branch are: Chou with the nobleman, Yin with the Heavenly Empress, Mao with Tai Yin, Chen with Black Tortoise, Si with Tai Chang, Wu with White Tiger, Wei with Tian Kong, Shen with Azure Dragon, You with Gou Chen, Xu with Liu He, Hai with Vermilion Bird, and Zi with Teng Snake. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is located in the palace of Si, and Si is occupied by Hai, which is occupied by Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Hai, which is occupied by Si, which is occupied by Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Zi, which is occupied by Wu, which is occupied by White Tiger; the fourth lesson is Wu, which is occupied by Zi, which is occupied by Teng Snake. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Wu, the middle transmission is Zi, and the final transmission is again Wu. The Wu in the first and final transmissions falls in the Jiashen decade and is exactly in the empty position, marked with "◎" on the chart. The fire of Wu generates the earth of Wu, representing parents, while the water of Zi represents wife and wealth. The first transmission Wu is occupied by White Tiger, the middle transmission Zi is occupied by Teng Snake, and the final transmission Wu is again occupied by White Tiger. The mutual conflict between Zi and Wu forms a returning echo pattern, indicating an unstable situation.

郭御青曰：三傳俱空，天將皆凶，日克朱雀，大不美課。凡諸同袍求占者，餘皆含糊應之，獨此課餘面直千，傅君變色。餘心不安，後果不中。

Guo Yuqing said: All three transmissions fall into empty positions, and the heavenly generals are all凶 generals. The day stem also overcomes the vermilion bird representing official documents, which is really a very bad divination. Whenever friends of the same generation come to seek divination, I usually give vague answers. But this time I told him directly in front of him (the original text says 'Yu mian zhi qian', the character 'qian' is likely a mistake for 'yan' or 'gao'). Fu Jun turned pale. I felt very uneasy. Later, he indeed did not pass the examination.

崇正丁丑年二月十九己丑日亥將午時六安祝謙吉孝廉字尊光者占會試。（郭氏占案）

In the Dingchou year of the Chongzhen era (the original text says 'Chongzheng'), on the nineteenth day of the second lunar month, Jichou, the Month General was placed on the午 (Wu) hour to cast the divination. The person seeking the divination was Zhu Qianji, a candidate for the imperial examination from Lu'an, whose courtesy name was Zun Guang. He was asking about his performance in the examination. This case is from the "Guo氏 Zhan An" (Guo氏's Divination Cases).

朱蛇貴后 戌亥子丑 蛇空虎貴 父癸巳虎 合酉 寅陰 亥午巳子 兄丙戌朱 勾申 卯玄 午丑子己 鬼辛卯玄 未午巳辰 龍空虎常

This chart begins with the month general at亥 (Hai) placed on the午 (Wu) hour. The heaven plate advances five positions ahead of the earth plate. The午 (Wu) hour belongs to the day, so the daytime nobleman for the己 (Ji) day is子 (Zi). The nobleman is located on the earth plate's未 (Wei) position and moves in reverse. Therefore, the heavenly generals on each earth branch are: Zi (子)乘 (multiplied by) the nobleman, Chou (丑)乘 the Heavenly Empress, Yin (寅)乘 Tai Yin, Mao (卯)乘 Black Tortoise, Chen (辰)乘 Tai Chang, Si (巳)乘 White Tiger, Wu (午)乘 Tian Kong, Wei (未)乘 Azure Dragon, Shen (申)乘 Gou Chen, You (酉)乘 Liu He, Xu (戌)乘 Vermilion Bird, Hai (亥)乘 Teng Snake. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ji (己) lodging in Wei (未), with Zi (子) on Wei, which is multiplied by the nobleman; the second lesson has Si (巳) on Zi, which is multiplied by White Tiger; the third lesson has Wu (午) on Chou (丑), which is multiplied by Tian Kong; the fourth lesson has Hai (亥) on Wu (午), which is multiplied by Teng Snake. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Si (巳), with the hidden stem Guisi, multiplied by White Tiger, where Si fire generates Ji earth, representing parents; the middle transmission is Xu (戌), with the hidden stem Bingxu, multiplied by Vermilion Bird, representing siblings; the final transmission is Mao (卯), with the hidden stem Xinmao, multiplied by Black Tortoise, where Mao wood overcomes Ji earth, representing official ghosts.

郭御青曰：簾幕臨行年亦為吉，但申臨胎地，無力，況了午相沖而空陷，傳課全無馬。時即未敢深許。祝君精於五星，亦自知不第，後果落孫山。

Guo Yuqing said: The nobleman's influence on the year of birth is originally considered auspicious, but the position of Shen falls in the state of infant and nurturing, which lacks vitality. Moreover, Zi and Wu are in opposition, and Wu is located in the empty period. In the transmission of the divination, there is not even a single post-horse. Therefore, at that time I did not dare to predict he would pass the examination. May you be skilled in the five stars' knowledge, and you yourself know you would not be admitted. In the end, he indeed failed to pass the examination.

崇正庚午年十一月己丑日寅將未時富平朱西昆占入覲考選何官？（指南）

In the Gengwu year of the Chongzhen era (the original text says 'Chongzheng'), on the Jichou day of the 11th lunar month, the class hour was set with the寅 trigram placed on the Wei hour. Zhu Xikun from Fuping went to the capital to pay homage and asked about the official rank he would receive in this examination. This example is from the Six壬 Guide.

後陰 貴子丑寅卯玄 玄勾六陰 官辛卯六 蛇亥 辰常 卯申酉寅 兄丙戌朱 朱戌 巳虎 申丑寅己 父癸巳虎 六酉申未午空 勾龍

This chart is based on the month of寅 with the month general placed on the hour of未. The heaven plate advances seven positions relative to the earth plate. The hour of未 belongs to the day, so for a day with the stem 己, the nobleman is located at the position of巳 and moves in reverse. Therefore, the heavenly generals on each earthly branch are: 子 is accompanied by the nobleman, 丑 by the heavenly empress, 寅 by the great Yin, 卯 by the black tortoise, 辰 by the great constancy, 巳 by the white tiger, 午 by the heavenly void, 未 by the azure dragon, 申 by the hook heaven, 酉 by the six harmonies, 戌 by the vermilion bird, and 亥 by the tending snake. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem 己, which is located in the palace of 未, and 未 has 寅, which is accompanied by the great Yin; the second lesson is 寅, which has 酉, accompanied by the six harmonies; the third lesson is the day branch 丑, which has 申, accompanied by the hook heaven; the fourth lesson is 申, which has 卯, accompanied by the black tortoise. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is 卯, with the hidden stem Xinmao, where 卯 wood overcomes 己 earth, representing official ghost; the middle transmission is 戌, with the hidden stem Bingxu, accompanied by the vermilion bird, representing brother; the final transmission is 巳, with the hidden stem Guisi, accompanied by the white tiger, representing parents. (The original text's first line of the three transmissions has the heavenly general marked as '六', but the four lessons clearly indicate that 卯 is accompanied by the black tortoise, and Chen Gongxian also states 'the initiating transmission 卯 is accompanied by the black tortoise as official', so it should be '玄'.)

陳公獻曰：考選不得銓部詞林，定是風憲言官，且有貴子由科甲入翰院。蓋因日上天吏官德空墓，陰神又制之，必有明暗相攻不得銓部也。發用卯乘玄武為官，中傳朱雀，末見白虎，是以主黃門金瑣、風憲言官。果後考入垣中，歷轉山海巡撫，都御史。因支上子乘幕貴，貴人又作長生學堂，應子由科甲入翰院也。

Chen Gongxian said: This examination will not result in a position in the Ministry of Personnel or the Hanlin Academy, it must be a position in the Office of Imperial Censor or the Imperial Attendant, a type of official who gives advice. Moreover, he will have a good son who enters the Hanlin Academy through the imperial examination. Because the "Heavenly Official" on the day stem and the official star have both fallen into the earth and been buried, and the hidden spirit is also restraining them, there must be attacks from both inside and outside, so he cannot enter the Ministry of Personnel. The first transmission is卯 (Mao) with the Vermilion Bird, which represents the official star, the middle transmission is the Vermilion Bird, and the final transmission is the White Tiger, so it indicates a position in the secretariat or the office of imperial censors. Later, he indeed entered the advisory path, served as the governor of the mountain and sea region, and reached the position of Grand Imperial Censor. As for the son爻 (yao) on the day branch, which is申 (Shen) riding on the curtain nobleman, the nobleman is sitting on the position of growth and learning, this exactly corresponds to his son entering the Hanlin Academy through the imperial examination.

銓部，吏部；詞林，翰林院；皆文職也。風憲，御史；言官，六科給事中，掌風紀糾察，屬秋官，有肅殺之威，以虎類之。可見德者，文官也。德主生而刑主殺，宜深思之。

Here are explanations of a few terms: "Quanbu" refers to the Ministry of Personnel, and "Cilin" refers to the Hanlin Academy, both belonging to the category of civil posts. "Fengxian" refers to the Imperial Censorate, and "Yanguan" refers to the Six Boards of Attendants, who are responsible for maintaining discipline and conducting inspections. They belong to the sixth of the six ministries, which is associated with autumn, and carry an atmosphere of severity and punishment, hence the use of the White Tiger as a symbolic representation. From this, we can see that deities representing "De" are associated with civil officials. "De" is linked to nurturing and generation, while "Xing" is linked to punishment and execution. This distinction is worth careful consideration.

丁丑年二月己丑日亥將炳時陳名夏孝廉字百史者占會試。（郭氏占案）

In the year of Dingchou, second lunar month, on the day of Jichou, using the month general of Hai to start the divination on the time of Bingyin. The case is about Chen Mingxia, a candidate for the imperial examination, who is asking about his performance in the examination. This example is taken from the "Guo Shi Zhan An."

朱合勾龍 寅卯辰巳 虎陰蛇勾 財戊子貴 蛇丑 午空 未戌丑辰 兄壬辰勾 貴子 未虎 戌丑辰己 兄丙戌陰 亥戌酉申 后陰玄常

This chart uses the month general亥 placed on the寅 hour to generate the divination. The Heaven Plate is three positions behind the Earth Plate. Using the daytime nobleman for the己 day, the nobleman is located on the卯 position of the Earth Plate and moves in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the heavenly generals on each branch of the Heaven Plate are: 子 is accompanied by the nobleman, 丑 by the Teng Snake, 寅 by the Vermilion Bird, 卯 by the Liu He, 辰 by the Gou Chen, 巳 by the Azure Dragon, 午 by the Tian Kong, 未 by the White Tiger, 申 by the Tai Chang, 酉 by the Black Tortoise, 戌 by the Tai Yin, and 亥 by the Heavenly Empress. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem己 lodging in the palace of 未, with 未 having 辰, which is accompanied by the Gou Chen; the second lesson is 辰 having 丑, which is accompanied by the Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch 丑 having 戌, which is accompanied by the Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is 戌 having 未, which is accompanied by the White Tiger. All four lessons are earth deities that are like and harmonious with each other, and there is no mutual control, so the method of "昴星" is used. Since it is a阴 day, the initial transmission is taken from the酉 position on the Heaven Plate, which is associated with the子 position on the Earth Plate. The middle transmission is taken from the heavenly deity on the day stem, which is 辰, and the final transmission is taken from the heavenly deity on the day branch, which is 戌. Therefore, the initial transmission is 子, with the hidden stemWuzi, accompanied by the nobleman, and the water of 子 is the wife and wealth for the earth of 己; the middle transmission is 辰, with the hidden stemRenchen, accompanied by the Gou Chen, representing brothers; the final transmission is 戌, with the hidden stemBingxu, accompanied by the Tai Yin, also representing brothers.

郭御青曰：課得昴星已為不美，況發用貴人作財又為中傳所墓，干上辰墓，雖戌能沖之，奈辰作勾陳，是又一辰也，似非戌所能沖矣。課傳並無簾幕驛馬，命乘朱雀，嫌克太歲，安能中乎？陳君為海內名宿，後果抱屈。信乎人遇全有時。

Guo Yuqing said: The divination result is the昴 star lesson, which is already unfavorable; moreover, the initiating transmission's nobleman acts as a wealth hexagram, and is reversed by the middle transmission's chen, which is the墓 of chen. The chen on the day stem is the墓 of water, although the final transmission's xu can break it, the chen is also riding on Gou Chen, whose original position is also chen, which is equivalent to adding another layer of chen earth. A single xu may not be able to move two chens. Since there is neither a curtain nobleman nor a post-horse in the transmission, and the original hexagram is riding on the Vermilion Bird which is too strong to overcome the sovereign, how can it succeed? Chen Jun is a famous scholar in the country, but later indeed suffered injustice and failed the examination. This shows that people's fortunes are indeed determined by fate.

吳稼云曰：命上朱雀、日德、月德是即名士之應。

Wu Jiayun said: On his destiny chart, the Al雀 and the daily virtue and monthly virtue are sitting together, which exactly corresponds to him being a renowned scholar. The Vermilion Bird governs literature, and the virtue deities govern reputation; even though he did not pass the imperial examination, his reputation was already established.

壬申年十月己丑日寅將巳時自占明年得子否？（郭氏占案）

In the year Renshen, tenth month, day Jichou, using the寅 month general placed on the巳 hour to cast the divination, Guo Yuqing asked himself if he would have a son next year. This example comes from the "Guo's Divination Cases." The寅 general placed on the巳 hour is the same as the previous lesson where the亥 general was placed on the寅 hour; the Heaven Plate is again three positions behind the Earth Plate, so both lessons share the same plate. In the previous lesson, the focus was on the昴 star and theTomb Spirit, but in this lesson, the attention is on whether the character 「子」 appears in the three transmissions.

朱合勾龍 寅卯辰巳 虎陰蛇勾 財戊子貴 蛇丑 午空 未戌丑辰 兄壬辰勾 貴子 未虎 戌丑辰己 兄丙戌陰 亥戌酉申 后陰玄常

The lesson plate is the same as the previous example: the Heaven Plate has Zi with the Nobleman, Chou with Teng Snake, Yin with Vermilion Bird, Mao with Liu He, Chen with Gou Chen, Si with Azure Dragon, Wu with Tian Kong, Wei with White Tiger, Shen with Tai Chang, You with Black Tortoise, Xu with Tai Yin, and Hai with Heavenly Empress. The four lessons, arranged from right to left, are Chen with Ji (Ji is located in Wei), Chou with Chen, Xu with Chou, and Wei with Xu. The Heavenly Generals are in sequence Gou Chen, Teng Snake, Tai Yin, and White Tiger. The three transmissions are: the first transmission, Zi with the Nobleman, representing wife's wealth; the middle transmission, Chen with Gou Chen, representing brothers; and the final transmission, Xu with Tai Yin, also representing brothers. This is still the lesson of昴 star.

郭御青曰：壬申餘因傷子，偶動意占明年得子否，意中不論課體吉凶，但傳出子字，即取為子。果傳出子字，乘貴人且發用，三奇旺相，後果於癸酉年甲子月戊戌日庚申時生子不字。甲戊庚三奇與課同，何其神符也？

Guo Yuqing said: In the Renshen year, because I lost my son, I happened to cast a divination to ask whether I could have another son next year. At that time, I did not consider the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the lesson pattern, but only thought that if the three transmissions contained the character "zi", I would take it as my son. Indeed, the transmission did contain the character "zi", and it was riding on the nobleman, and also served as the first transmission. The three marvels of Jia, Wu, and Geng were all prosperous and strong. Later, I indeed gave birth to a son on the day of Guiyou in the month of Jiazi of the year Kuiyou, but could not raise him (the character "bu" means not being able to have children). The Jia, Wu, and Geng marvels in the birth date were exactly the same as those seen in the divination lesson, how miraculous it was!

愚按：子貴發用，眾土克之，此應生而不育之象。觀丁丑年十月戊申日子時占夢一課，而知此子不育。郭君雖不論課體吉凶，但六壬神應，無微不到，吉凶何嘗虛報耶？

I remarked: The first transmission's water element, though riding on the nobleman and initiating, was surrounded by many earth deities in the lesson, thus corresponding to the image of "being born but unable to be raised." Looking further at the divination for a dream on the day of Dingchou in the tenth month of the year Wushen, one can also see that this child cannot be raised. Although Guo Jun said he does not personally judge the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the lesson pattern, the response of the Six Rats is subtle and comprehensive. When has auspiciousness or inauspiciousness ever been falsely reported?

十一月己丑日丑將辰時某占兒病。（方本占案）

On the day of Jichou in the 11th lunar month, using the Month General of Chou added to the time of Chen, a person divined about his son's illness. This example is from "Fang Ben Zhan An." The Month General Chou is added to the time of Chen. The Heaven Plate remains three places behind the Earth Plate. The four lessons and three transmissions are exactly the same as the previous two lessons; the only difference is that the previous two lessons used the daytime noble at Zi, while this lesson uses the nighttime noble at Shen. As a result, the entire set of Heavenly Generals changes, and the method of interpretation also changes completely.

虎常 空寅卯辰巳玄 龍丑 午陰 后朱龍常 財戊子陳 陳子 未后 未戌丑辰 兄壬辰常 六亥戌酉申貴 戌丑辰己 兄丙戌朱 朱蛇

This chart begins with the month general at Chou, placed on the Chen hour. The Heaven Plate is three positions behind the Earth Plate. For this lesson, the night nobleman is at Shen for the day stem Ji. The nobleman is located at the亥 position on the Earth Plate and moves in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the Heavenly Generals on each branch of the Heaven Plate are: Shen riding the nobleman, You riding the Teng Snake, Xu riding the Vermilion Bird, Hai riding Liu He, Zi riding Gou Chen (written as 'Chen' in the chart), Chou riding the Azure Dragon, Yin riding Tian Kong, Mao riding the White Tiger, Chen riding Tai Chang, Si riding the Black Tortoise, Wu riding Tai Yin, and Wei riding the Heavenly Empress. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ji lodging in Wei, with Wei receiving Chen, which rides Tai Chang; the second lesson has Chen receiving Chou, which rides the Azure Dragon; the third lesson has the day branch Chou receiving Xu, which rides the Vermilion Bird; and the fourth lesson has Xu receiving Wei, which rides the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions follow the method of the昴 star: the first transmission is Zi, with the hidden stem Wu Zi riding Gou Chen, representing wife and wealth; the middle transmission is Chen, with the hidden stem Ren Chen riding Tai Chang, representing brothers; and the final transmission is Xu, with the hidden stem Bing Xu riding the Vermilion Bird, also representing brothers.

斷曰：昴星課陰掩其陽，是無陽氣也。辰作常覆日，陰神來破之，末傳戌加丑，被丑相刑，是陰氣陽氣將盡，病人當氣促而喘死。外應虛熱煩躁，又主熱渴，其人果先熱渴而後喘死。

The interpretation states: The昴star lesson indicates that yin energy covers yang energy, equivalent to a person having no yang energy left. The day stem is on the辰, which is covered by Tai Chang, and its yin spirit further breaks it. The final transmission's戌is placed on丑, which is punished by丑—there is mutual punishment between戌and丑. This is a sign that both yin and yang energies are nearly exhausted. The patient should experience shortness of breath and rapid breathing leading to death. External symptoms include false heat and irritability, and also indicate thirst and fever. This child indeed first showed signs of dryness, thirst, and fever, and later died from shortness of breath.

丁丑年二月己丑日亥將子時金壇虞大定孝廉占會試。（郭氏占案）

In the year Dingchou, second lunar month, on the day Jichou, the month general is亥, placed on the Zi hour to cast the divination. The person consulting is Yu Dading, a juren from Jintan, asking about the imperial examination. This example is from the "Guo Shi Zhan An."

勾龍空虎 辰巳午未 后貴龍空 財戊子貴 合卯 申常 亥子巳午 財丁亥后 朱寅 酉玄 子丑午己 兄丙戌陰 丑子亥戌 蛇貴后陰

This chart begins with the month general at Hai in the Zi hour. The Heaven Plate is one position behind the Earth Plate. On the day of Ji, the nobleman is located at Zi during the day, and the nobleman is at the Earth Plate's Chou position, moving forward. Therefore, the Heavenly Generals on each Earthly Branch are: Zi with the nobleman, Chou with Teng Snake, Yin with Vermilion Bird, Mao with Liu He, Chen with Gou Chen, Si with Azure Dragon, Wu with Tian Kong, Wei with White Tiger, Shen with Tai Chang, You with Black Tortoise, Xu with Tai Yin, and Hai with Heavenly Empress. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the palace Wei, and Wei has Wu, which is with Tian Kong; the second lesson is Wu with Si, which is with Azure Dragon; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Zi, which is with the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Zi with Hai, which is with Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Zi, with the hidden stem Wu Zi, accompanied by the nobleman, representing wife and wealth; the middle transmission is Hai, with the hidden stem Ding Hai, accompanied by Heavenly Empress, also representing wife and wealth; the final transmission is Xu, with the hidden stem Bing Xu, accompanied by Tai Yin, representing brother. Zi, Hai, and Xu each step back one position, forming the pattern of retreating steps.

郭御青曰：此課干上命上，祿作天空，無簾幕貴人。宅上雖貴人發用，上下夾克，為逼迫枃。貴人入廟，吉不為吉。天空雖在日相對，入廟則不見面，天空高惡矣。

Guo Yuqing said: In this lesson, both the day stem and the native's stem are riding on the Tian Kong, but the entire lesson does not show any curtain and nobleman. Although there is a nobleman in the dwelling position that initiates the first transmission, it is squeezed by forces on both sides, forming a pattern of oppression. Although there is a nobleman, it is in its own temple palace, so the auspicious deity fails to bring good fortune. Although the Tian Kong is directly opposite the day stem, after entering its temple palace, they cannot see each other, making the Tian Kong appear especially troublesome.

吳稼云曰：貴人入廟為陷而不出之象。

Wu Jiayun said: The nobleman entering his temple signifies a situation where he is trapped and unable to escape - the nobleman should be able to come forward and assist, but now he is confined to his own palace, so his help cannot reach.