On Guiyou day · In the year of Guiyou, Guo Yuting divined for three people traveling together.

崇正癸酉年十二月癸酉日丑將申時占出行。郭氏占案

In the year Guiyou of the Chongzheng era, on the twelfth lunar month and Guiyou day, with 'Chou' as the month general and the time of divination at Shen, the question was about going on a long journey. This example is taken from the "Guo氏 Divination Cases."

龍空虎常 　戌亥子丑　朱玄空蛇　官 辛未 朱 勾酉　寅玄　未寅亥午　兄 甲子 虎 合申　卯陰　寅酉午癸　財 己巳 貴 　未午巳辰 　朱蛇貴後

The course is laid out in a straight line as shown above. With the hour of Chou and the general of Chou added to Shen, the Heaven Plate advances five positions ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate positions Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, the Heaven Plate positions are successively Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou, with the respective divination animals Qinglong, Tiankong, Baihu, and Taichang. On the Earth Plate positions Yin, Chou, Zi, and Hai, the Heaven Plate positions are successively Wei, Wu, Si, and Chen, with the respective divination animals Zhuque, Tengshe, Tianyi Guiren, and Tianhou. On the Earth Plate position Chen, the Heaven Plate position is You, with the divination animal Gouchen; on the Earth Plate position Mao, the Heaven Plate position is Shen, with the divination animal Liuhe; on the Earth Plate position You, the Heaven Plate position is Yin, with the divination animal Xuanwu; on the Earth Plate position Xu, the Heaven Plate position is Mao, with the divination animal Taiyin. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson, on the day stem Gui (with its lodging palace at Chou), shows Wu, with Tengshe; the second lesson, on Wu, shows Hai, with Tiankong; the third lesson, on the day branch You, shows Yin, with Xuanwu; the fourth lesson, on Yin, shows Wei, with Zhuque. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is Wei, with the six relations as Guigui, the hidden stem Xinwei, and the divination animal Zhuque; the middle transmission is Zi, with the six relations as Xiongdi, the hidden stem Jiazi, and the divination animal Baihu; the final transmission is Si, with the six relations as Qicai, the hidden stem Jisi, and the divination animal Tianyi Guiren. The first transmission Wei is before the heavenly stem of the day stem Gui, which is Wu, and the final transmission Si is after Wu, thus surrounding the day stem, forming the pattern of 'yin cong'.

郭御青曰：癸酉年冬，餘與同胞內弟張君公函、王君肇與，約春正公車同行，得此課。初末引從日干，必不能同行，一在餘先，一在餘後也。果張公函於正月初三庚寅日先行，餘於初八乙未日行，乃發用也。

Guo Yuqing said: In the Guiyou year, in the winter, I made an appointment with my twin brother's brother-in-law Zhang Gonghan and Wang Zhaoyu to go to the capital together the following lunar January to take the examination, and I cast this divination. The first transmission and the final transmission are before and after the day stem, forming the image of 'leading and following'. This indicates that the three of us certainly cannot travel together: one ahead of me, one behind me. In the end, Zhang Gonghan left first on the third day of the first lunar month, the Gengyin day, while I departed on the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Yiwei day - the 'wei' in Yiwei is precisely the initiating transmission of this divination.

王君尚卜行期。餘密示余弟季升：王君必於子日行，今且勿言，言則有意先就矣。王君果於正月二十五壬子日行。蓋張行於初傳之地盤，王行於末傳之地盤，干為餘，居中真引從也。人一動一履，莫非前定，奇哉。

Wang Zhao and the day he set out was determined by divination. I privately told my younger brother Ji Sheng: Wang Jun must certainly have set out on a Zi day, and for now we should not reveal it, for if we did, he would deliberately try to match that day. Wang Zhao indeed set out on the 25th day of the first lunar month, which was the Renzi day. Originally, Zhang Gong's journey followed the position of the initial transmission "Wei" which was located on the Earth Plate position "Yin", while Wang Zhao's journey followed the position of the final transmission "Si" which was located on the Earth Plate position "Zi". The day stem represents myself, and I am in the center, being influenced by both sides - this is truly the form of being led and followed. Every movement and step of a person is already predetermined, which is truly marvelous.

辛卯年正月癸酉日寅將巳時占宅。一針見血

In the year Xinmao, first lunar month, on the day Guiyou, using "Yin" as the month general, the time of divination is in the hour Si. The question is about the household. This example is taken from "Yizhen Jianxue."

合朱蛇貴 　寅卯辰巳　朱后陰虎　財 庚午 后 勾丑　午后　卯午未戌　子 丁卯 朱 龍子　未陰　午酉戌癸　兄 甲子 龍 　亥戌酉申 　空虎常玄

The divination board is laid out in rows as shown above. With the hour stem寅 added to the time巳, the Heaven Plate is three positions behind the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate is sequentially: on巳,午,未,申, it is respectively「寅」「卯」「辰」「巳」, with the accompanying divinatory elements of Liu He, Vermilion Bird, Teng Snake, and Heavenly Nobleman. On the Earth Plate, on寅,丑,子,亥, the Heaven Plate is respectively「亥」「戌」「酉」「申」, with the accompanying divinatory elements of Tian Kong, White Tiger, Tai Chang, and Black Tortoise. On the Earth Plate, on辰, the Heaven Plate is「丑」with Gou Chen; on卯, the Heaven Plate is「子」with Azure Dragon; on酉, the Heaven Plate is「午」with Heavenly Empress; on戌, the Heaven Plate is「未」with Tai Yin. The middle three rows are the Four Lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson is on the Day Stem癸 (with its lodging palace in丑) showing「戌」, with White Tiger; the second lesson is on戌 showing「未」, with Tai Yin; the third lesson is on the Day Branch酉 showing「午」, with Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is on午 showing「卯」, with Vermilion Bird. On the right side are the Three Transmissions: the first transmission is「午」, with the Six Relations as wife wealth, hidden stemGengwu, with Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is「卯」, with the Six Relations as children, hidden stemDingmao, with Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is「子」, with the Six Relations as brothers, hidden stemJiazi, with Azure Dragon.

斷曰：課得返吟，主門戶內有私財，外人慾來爭奪。蓋酉是宅，為門，太陰為私財，則水日逢丁，兼下克上，亦為財也。勾陳主爭，卯私門入太陰，主私暗隱之財。未作雀加癸為官鬼，未是兄弟，丑年曾爭論，今年再論，丑刑未故也。小刑大，為逆亂之刑也。

The interpretation states: This reading indicates a reverse repetition, suggesting that private money is hidden within the household, and outsiders desire to compete for it. Since "You" represents the dwelling and also signifies the gate, and Tai Yin governs hidden wealth, along with water day encountering "Ding," which also signifies a lower element overcoming a higher one, forming an image of wealth. Gou Chen signifies conflict; "Mao" as the private entrance entering the Tai Yin position indicates concealed money. "Wei" combined with Vermilion Bird on the day stem Gui, Wei earth is precisely the official ghost of Gui water, and Wei here also represents siblings, so there was a dispute in the year Chou, and this year another dispute will occur, due to the mutual conflict between Chou and Wei. Small element offending a larger one is a crime of rebellion and disorder.

建炎己酉年八月癸酉日巳將申時占宅。方本占案

In the year Jiyou of the Jianyan era, eighth month, day Guiyou, using 'Si' as the month general, the time of divination was at Shen. The question was about the family dwelling. This example is taken from "Fang Ben Zhan An."

合朱蛇貴 　寅卯辰巳　朱后陰虎　財 庚午 后 勾丑　午后　卯午未戌　子 丁卯 朱 青子　未陰　午酉戌癸　兄 甲子 青 　亥戌酉申 　空虎常玄

The lesson board is laid out in a row as shown above, with the same arrangement as the previous example: at the time of "巳将加申", the Heaven Plate is three positions behind the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate positions of巳, 午, 未, and 申, the Heaven Plate shows "寅", "卯", "辰", and "巳", respectively, with the following divinatory signs: Liu He (六合), Vermilion Bird (朱雀), Teng Snake (螣蛇), and Heavenly Nobleman (天乙贵人). On the Earth Plate positions of寅, 丑, 子, and 亥, the Heaven Plate shows "亥", "戌", "酉", and "申", respectively, with the following divinatory signs: Heaven Void (天空), White Tiger (白虎), Tai Chang (太常), and Black Tortoise (玄武). On the Earth Plate position of辰, "丑" is associated with Gou Chen (勾陈); on the Earth Plate position of卯, "子" is associated with Azure Dragon (青龙); on the Earth Plate position of酉, "午" is associated with Heavenly Empress (天后); on the Earth Plate position of戌, "未" is associated with Tai Yin (太阴). The four lessons are arranged from right to left: on the Day Stem癸 (with its lodging palace at 丑), "戌" is associated with White Tiger (白虎); on "戌", "未" is associated with Tai Yin (太阴); on the Day Branch酉, "午" is associated with Heavenly Empress (天后); on "午", "卯" is associated with Vermilion Bird (朱雀). The three transmissions: the first transmission is the wife's wealth "午" (Gengwu) associated with Heavenly Empress (天后); the middle transmission is the son's fortune "卯" (Dingmao) associated with Vermilion Bird (朱雀); the final transmission is the brother's fortune "子" (Jiazi) associated with Azure Dragon (青龙). The third lesson has 午 added to 酉, and the fourth lesson has 卯 added to 午. Both are cases of the four cardinal divine forces (子, 午, 卯, 酉) being added to each other, which is referred to as the "Three Intersections" (三交) lesson pattern as mentioned below.

邵彥和曰：凡四正相加，非死即敗。今午加酉作後發用，午火至酉而無光。鄭云三交課體已主闇昧不明之事，邵公每出新意，而日午火到酉而光沒，則宅之昏暗更的。天后水又敗在酉，即用死敗神，則主男女淫奔。

Shao Yanhe said: Whenever the four cardinal divine stems of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You are added together, it either indicates death or failure. Now, the stem Wu is added upon You, and it initiates transmission with the Heavenly Empress. Wu belongs to fire, but when it reaches You, its brightness fades. Zheng said: The lesson pattern of three intersections inherently indicates obscure and unclear matters. Shao often brings new insights, saying that the fire of Wu is completely extinguished when it reaches You, thus confirming that the dwelling is even more dim and obscure. The Heavenly Empress belongs to water, and the place of decline for water is You. Now the useful god is precisely this dead and failing deity, so it indicates that men and women are running away and engaging in licentiousness.

如何用死敗神便主淫奔，蓋敗者敗門風也。干尊支卑，午作天后加支陰神，再見子孫，是子之妻也，奈何發用而與干上戌三合乎。水日逢丁則妻財動，奈何與干上戌又六合乎，豈非新臺之事乎。

Why does using the dead and defeated spirits indicate adultery? Because the term "defeated" refers precisely to the family's reputation. The day stem represents the superior, while the day branch represents the inferior. The "wu" (午) rides on the Heavenly Empress and is placed upon the阴神 of the day branch, and also sees the子孙爻, which refers to the wife of the son. Unfortunately, this "wu" happens to be the initiating transmission, and it forms a triple harmony with the "xu" (戌) on the day stem. When a water day meets "ding" (丁), it indicates the wife's wealth is activated, but it also forms aLiu He with the "xu" on the day stem. Is this not exactly the scandal mocked in the "XinTai" poem of the Book of Songs, where the grandfather has an affair with his son's wife?

今加於宅，主宅中有淫亂不明之事，大不可居。占者不聽，竟居之，後果公淫其媳，家丑外揚。蓋子作龍加卯，為無禮刑；龍乘水則腳浮；戌加日上主動，故應此也。

Now these signs have been placed on the dwelling position, indicating that there is improper and unclear behavior within the household, making it absolutely unsuitable to live there. The person who cast the divination did not listen and still moved in. Later, indeed, the grandfather had an affair with his granddaughter-in-law, and the family disgrace spread outside. This is because "Zi" (Water) is riding on the Azure Dragon and is placed on "Mao" (Rabbit), and the conflict between Zi and Mao is the "Punishment of Impropriety"; the Azure Dragon riding on water indicates a weak and improper foundation; "Xu" (Dog) is placed on the day stem, indicating an action is taken—thus fulfilling this outcome.

三月癸酉日酉將未時占來意。指歸靈文論

On the Guiyou day of the third month, using 'You' as the Month General, the time of divination is in Wei. The question is about the intention of the person who came. This example is taken from "Zhi Gui Ling Wen Lun."

朱合勾龍 　未申酉戌　常空貴陰　官 乙丑 常 ⊙ 蛇午　亥空　丑亥巳卯　子 丁卯 陰 貴巳　子虎　亥酉卯癸　財 己巳 貴 　辰卯寅丑 　后陰玄常

The divination board is laid out in rows as shown above. With the hour of You (酉) as the general and the time of Wei (未), the Heaven Plate advances two places ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate is arranged as follows: on the positions of Si (巳), Wu (午), Wei (未), and Shen (申), the Heaven Plate shows Wu (未), Shen (申), You (酉), and Xu (戌), respectively, with the accompanying animals being Vermilion Bird, Liu He, Gou Chen, and Azure Dragon. On the positions of Yin (寅), Chou (丑), Zi (子), and Hai (亥), the Heaven Plate shows Chen (辰), Mao (卯), Yin (寅), and Chou (丑), respectively, with the accompanying animals being Heavenly Empress, Tai Yin, Black Tortoise, and Tai Chang. On the position of Chen (辰), the Heaven Plate shows Wu (午), accompanied by Teng Snake; on the position of Mao (卯), the Heaven Plate shows Si (巳), accompanied by Tian Yi Nobleman; on the position of You (酉), the Heaven Plate shows Hai (亥), accompanied by Tian Kong; on the position of Xu (戌), the Heaven Plate shows Zi (子), accompanied by Bai Hu. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson, on the Day Stem Gui (癸) (with its lodging palace at Chou (丑)), shows Mao (卯), accompanied by Tai Yin; the second lesson, on Mao (卯), shows Si (巳), accompanied by Tian Yi Nobleman; the third lesson, on the Day Branch You (酉), shows Hai (亥), accompanied by Tian Kong; the fourth lesson, on Hai (亥), shows Chou (丑), accompanied by Tai Chang. On the right side, the three transmissions are: the first transmission is Chou (丑), with the six relations as official ghost, the hidden stem Yichou (乙丑), accompanied by Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Mao (卯), with the six relations as son and grandson, the hidden stem Dingmao (丁卯), accompanied by Tai Yin; the final transmission is Si (巳), with the six relations as wife's wealth, the hidden stem Jisi (己巳), accompanied by Tian Yi Nobleman. The three transmissions, Chou (丑), Mao (卯), and Si (巳), proceed in order, each separated by one position.

斷曰：來意主行人進發復有盤桓，往還三日而再發立至。蓋大吉是陽局之神，退而臨寅，寅為陰局之用神，退在陰局，凡春冬占得者，主發動而復還。以月建而言，丑是十二月建，亥是十月建，丑至寅三位，即三日也。癸日為占者身，發用丑，此人必動。末傳巳作貴人加卯，凡末傳為足，卯酉為門戶，貴人臨此，為人身與足俱動矣，故云立至也。

The interpretation says: The inquiry is about the movement of a person—this person has already set out, but stopped in the middle, lingered around, and returned three days later before starting again, and will soon arrive. Because "Daji" (which is also the name of "Chou") belongs to the Yang group of deities, it is now retreating and coming to rest on the position of "Yin". "Yin" is the Useful God of the Yin group. When Yang retreats into Yin, if this pattern appears in spring or winter, it indicates that the person has already started but turned back. If we consider the Month Builder: "Chou" is the Month Builder of the twelfth month, and "Hai" is the Month Builder of the tenth month. Counting from "Chou" to "Yin" involves three positions, which corresponds to three days. "Gui" day represents the person asking the question, and the Initiating Transmission is "Chou", indicating that the person must definitely move. The Final Transmission "Si" is riding on Tianyi Nobleman and is placed on "Mao": since the Final Transmission represents the feet, "Mao" and "You" represent the gate, and the Nobleman is located here, it means both the body and the feet are about to move, so it is said that the person will arrive soon.

崇正九年丙子歲三月甲戌日酉將酉時自占吉凶。郭氏占案

In the ninth year of Chongzheng, during the year Bingzi, on the third month, on the day Jiaxu, using 'You' as the Month General, and the time of divination also being You, the person themselves inquired about auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. This example is taken from the "Guo's Divination Cases."

勾龍空虎 　巳午未申　玄玄蛇蛇　兄 戊寅 蛇 合辰　酉常　戌戌寅寅　子 辛巳 勾 朱卯　戌玄　戌戌寅甲　官 　申 虎 ◎⊙ 　寅丑子亥 　蛇貴后陰

The divination plate is laid out in a straight line as above. The month general and the time of divination are both "You", and the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlap, forming a "Hidden Chant" lesson. On the earth plate, the heaven plate still shows "Si", "Wu", "Wei", and "Shen" on the positions of Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, with the accompanying elements of Gou Chen, Azure Dragon, Heaven Void, and White Tiger respectively. On the earth plate, the heaven plate still shows "Yin", "Chou", "Zi", and "Hai" on the positions of Yin, Chou, Zi, and Hai, with the accompanying elements of Teng Snake, Heavenly Ethereal Nobleman, Heavenly Empress, and Tai Yin respectively. On the earth plate, the position of Chen has Chen with the accompanying element of Liu He, the position of Mao has Mao with the accompanying element of Vermilion Bird, the position of You has You with the accompanying element of Tai Chang, and the position of Xu has Xu with the accompanying element of Black Tortoise. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson shows "Yin" on the day stem Jia (with its lodging palace at Yin), accompanied by Teng Snake; the second lesson shows "Yin" on Yin, accompanied by Teng Snake; the third lesson shows "Xu" on the day branch Xu, accompanied by Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson shows "Xu" on Xu, accompanied by Black Tortoise. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is "Yin", with the six relations as brothers, the hidden stem is Wu Yin, accompanied by Teng Snake; the middle transmission is "Si", with the six relations as sons and grandsons, the hidden stem is Xin Si, accompanied by Gou Chen; the final transmission is "Shen", with the six relations as officials and ghosts, on the day of Jia Xu, which belongs to the Jia Xu cycle, with the cycle's void in Shen and You, so Shen falls into Kongwang, accompanied by White Tiger. The three transmissions, Yin, Si, and Shen, are exactly the three punishments of the Hidden Chant.

郭御青曰：末傳馬載虎鬼，課傳天將皆惡，猶幸申空，到七月月建填實可畏。四月辛巳日，又占得亥辛一課，三傳午未申，蒿矢帶金射中傷身，進茹主事體瓜蔓相纏，又幸申空，亦慮七月填實，兩課一意。

Guo Yuqing said: The final transmission is the post-horse carrying the white tiger official ghost, and the lesson pattern, the three transmissions, and the riding heavenly general are not good. Fortunately, 'Shen' falls in kongwang. It is feared that by July, when the month builder reaches the position of Shen, the kongwang will be filled, which would be dangerous. On the fourth month Xinsi day, I divined another lesson 'Hai jia Xin', with three transmissions of Wu, Wei, and Shen, belonging to the 'hao shi' lesson, which carries the metal qi and may injure the body. The three transmissions advancing in order show the image of 'jin ru', indicating that matters will be connected like a gourd vine. Fortunately, 'Shen' also falls in kongwang, and the same caution is needed regarding July when the kongwang is filled. The two lessons refer to the same matter.

余每對親友言，知避居鄉村，至七月二十八忽有不相干事被人纏繞，餘欣然順受不與較，數日而紛定。人皆服予之量，餘安命而已。凡遇凶課守正可免，不則凶如分數而止，愈橫命愈決裂，於天何尤，人自作孽也。

I often tell this to my friends and relatives, knowing that I should retreat to the countryside to live. On the 28th day of the seventh lunar month, suddenly an unrelated matter was connected to me, and I calmly accepted it without quarreling with others. Within a few days, the disturbance was resolved. Everyone admired my tolerance, but in reality, I was merely content with the will of heaven. Whenever I encounter an ominous fate, as long as I stay on the right path, I can avoid misfortune; otherwise, the calamity will only reach its destined limit. The more you are stubborn and unreasonable, the more your fate will be ruined. What can you blame heaven for? It is the result of your own actions.

愚按：前課申鬼應在月建，後課五鬼應在日辰，七月二十八實庚午日也。申鬼空亡，五鬼蒿矢，皆為無力，故數日而紛定，況加以逆來順受乎。

Cheng Shuxun remarked: In the previous lesson, the official ghost of metal in the hour of Shen should have been on the month builder, while in the following lesson, the five ghosts should have been on the day branch. July 28th was precisely the day of Gengwu. The official ghost of metal fell into Kongwang, and the five ghosts were merely a lesson of "hao shi", a weak and powerless situation, so they could not cause great harm, thus the matter calmed down within a few days. Moreover, he was able to endure hardship and accept adversity.

乾隆辛巳年八月甲戌日巳將辰時乙未命人四十七歲占月建。牧夫占驗

In the year Xinsi of the Qianlong era, on the eighth month, on the day Jiaxu, with "Si" as the month general and the time of divination at Chen, a person born in the year Yiwei, aged forty-seven, inquired about his fortune for this month. This example is taken from "Mu Fu Zhan Yan."

龍空虎常 　午未申酉　后陰合朱　財 庚辰 合 勾巳　戌玄　子亥辰卯　子 辛巳 勾 合辰　亥陰　亥戌卯甲　子 壬午 龍 　卯寅丑子 　朱蛇貴後

The divination board is laid out in rows as above. At the time of the fourth hour, the Heaven Plate advances one position ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate positions of巳,午,未,申, the Heaven Plate successively shows 午, 未, 申, 酉, with the respective divination animals of Qinglong, Tiankong, Baihu, and Taichang. On the Earth Plate positions of寅, 丑, 子, 亥, the Heaven Plate successively shows 卯, 寅, 丑, 子, with the respective divination animals of Zhuque, Tengshe, Tianyi Guiren, and Tianhou. On the Earth Plate position of 辰, the Heaven Plate shows巳, with the divination animal of Gouchen. On the Earth Plate position of 卯, the Heaven Plate shows辰, with the divination animal of Liuhe. On the Earth Plate position of 酉, the Heaven Plate shows戌, with the divination animal of Xuanwu. On the Earth Plate position of 戌, the Heaven Plate shows亥, with the divination animal of Taiyin. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson shows the day stem Jia (with its lodging palace in寅) with 卯, with the divination animal of Zhuque; the second lesson shows 卯 with 辰, with the divination animal of Liuhe; the third lesson shows the day branch 戌 with 亥, with the divination animal of Taiyin; the fourth lesson shows 亥 with 子, with the divination animal of Tianhou. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is 辰, with the six relations as wife wealth, hidden stem Gengchen, and the divination animal of Liuhe; the middle transmission is巳, with the six relations as children, hidden stem Xinsi, and the divination animal of Gouchen; the final transmission is午, with the six relations as children, hidden stem Renwu, and the divination animal of Qinglong. The three transmissions, 辰, 巳, 午, progress in order, indicating the image of advancing.

王牧夫曰：干上卯木乘朱雀，與支之戌交車合，正時發用沖破支辰，主因尊長之財而破財事，雖有始無終，然要費口舌破財，八月甚平常耳。蓋支儀為尊長，卯乘朱雀與之合，是因尊長口舌也。支為財，初傳與正時為財，是因財而破財也。

Wang Mufu said: The "Mao" wood on the day stem is riding the Vermilion Bird, and combines with the day branch "Xu"; at the time of divination, it also serves as the initiating transmission, which breaks the day branch - this indicates that the loss of money is due to the elder's wealth. Although the matter starts but does not end, there will be much verbal dispute and some financial loss. This eighth month will be ordinary. Since the day branch represents the elder, and "Mao" riding the Vermilion Bird combines with it, it is clear that the dispute comes from the elder's words. The day branch belongs to wealth, and both the initial transmission and the time of divination also relate to wealth, so the loss is due to wealth.

年上丑貴人又與支相刑，戌支又坐酉月上，故主重重破財，若不忍耐順受，恐致官非。喜三傳辰巳午皆火，有始無終耳。果真人本月內因其父昔日借有銀兩來索，不婉轉而使氣，債主欲到官也。驗甚。

The 'Chou' in the year pillar is multiplied by the nobleman, and also conflicts with the day pillar; the day pillar 'Xu' is sitting on top of the You month, so it indicates layer upon layer of financial loss. If one cannot endure and reacts angrily, there is a risk of legal trouble. Fortunately, the three transmissions are in the order of Chen, Si, and Wu, which belong to fire, so the matter will have a beginning but no end. Later, indeed, this person in this month had his father's old debt collectors come to demand repayment. He refused to speak politely and even acted stubbornly, so the debt collectors threatened to take the matter to court. This prediction was extremely accurate.

己巳年酉月甲戌日巳將辰時占失脫。牧夫占驗

In the year Jisi, during the month of You (August), on the day Jiaxu, using 'Si' as the month general, the time of divination was at Chen. The question was about a theft. This example is taken from "The Shepherd's Divination Verification."

龍空虎常 　午未申酉　后陰合朱　財 庚辰 合 勾巳　戌玄　子亥辰卯　子 辛巳 勾 合辰　亥陰　亥戌卯甲　子 壬午 龍 　卯寅丑子 　朱蛇貴後

The lesson plate is laid out in a straight line as above, identical to the previous example: the hour of巳 is added to the hour of辰. On the Heaven Plate, compared to the Earth Plate, it advances by one position. On the Earth Branches of巳,午,未, and申, the Heaven Plate shows午,未,申, and酉, with the accompanying animals of Qinglong, Tiankong, Baihu, and Taichang. On the Earth Branches of寅,丑,子, and亥, the Heaven Plate shows卯,寅,丑, and子, with the accompanying animals of Zhuque, Tengshe, Tianyi Guiren, and Tianhou. On the Earth Branch of辰, the Heaven Plate shows巳, with Gouchen; on the Earth Branch of卯, the Heaven Plate shows辰, with Liuhe; on the Earth Branch of酉, the Heaven Plate shows戌, with Xuanwu; on the Earth Branch of戌, the Heaven Plate shows亥, with Taiyin. The four lessons, read from right to left: on the Day Stem Jia (with its lodging palace in寅), it shows卯, with Zhuque; on the Earth Branch卯, it shows辰, with Liuhe; on the Day Branch戌, it shows亥, with Taiyin; on the Earth Branch亥, it shows子, with Tianhou. The three transmissions are: wife wealth '辰' (Gengchen) with Liuhe, son '巳' (Xinsi) with Gouchen, and son '午' (Renwu) with Qinglong.

王牧夫曰：有友在寓所失去人參二兩，來占。餘細詳之：今早有二人至，一人穿土黃衣，一人穿栗色衣，物之失也在此。友云：今早來者所穿衣不差，彼坐吾床邊不語，即去，並無他人至。數甚奇妙。蓋凡脫氣皆為失物，發用即賊之身，六合乃朋友之象，辰之姓又可知也。其衣黃者，辰土；栗色，青林臨土也。發用為財作六合，乃有手足之物。巳午旺氣生天醫，非人參而何。

Wang Mufu said: A friend lost two pounds of ginseng in his residence and came to consult. After careful consideration, I said: This morning, two people came, one wearing yellow clothes, the other wearing chestnut-colored clothes, and the lost items were in their hands. The friend said: The people who came this morning were exactly as described. One sat by my bed in silence and then left, and no one else came. This divination is truly marvelous. Because any loss of the day stem's energy indicates a loss of property. The initiating transmission is the thief himself. The six harmonies represent friends, and even the surname corresponding to the 'Chen' branch can be known from this. The yellow clothes refer to the 'Chen' branch being earth; the chestnut color refers to the green and lush wood energy resting on earth. The initiating transmission is the wealth hexagram and is combined with the six harmonies, indicating something with branches and roots, with whiskers and feet. The middle and final transmissions, 'Si' and 'Wu', are in their flourishing phase and support the Tianyi deity, so what else could it be but ginseng.

甲戌年十二月甲戌日子將戌時占試上舍。一針見血

In the year of Jiaxu, the twelfth lunar month on the day of Jiaxu, using 'Zi' as the month general, the time of divination is in the hour of Xu. The question is whether one will be selected in the Shangshe examination. This example is taken from "Yizhen Jianxue."

貴后陰玄 　未申酉戌　龍虎蛇合　財 庚辰 合 蛇午　亥常　寅子午辰　子 壬午 蛇 朱巳　子虎　子戌辰甲　官 　申 后 ◎ 　辰卯寅丑 　合勾龍空

The course plate is laid out in rows as above. With the 'Zi' general added to the 'Xu' hour, the Heaven Plate advances two places ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate is 'Wei' on 'Si', 'Shen' on 'Wu', 'You' on 'Wei', and 'Xu' on 'Shen', with the following accompanying deities: 'Tianyi Guiren' (Heavenly Nobleman), 'Tianhou' (Heavenly Empress), 'Taiyin' (Yin Deity), and 'Xuanwu' (Black Tortoise). On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate is 'Chen' on 'Yin', 'Mao' on 'Chou', 'Yin' on 'Zi', and 'Chou' on 'Hai', with the following accompanying deities: 'Liuhe' (Six Harmonies), 'Gouchen' (Hook Star), 'Qinglong' (Azure Dragon), and 'Tiankong' (Heavenly Void). On the Earth Plate 'Chen', the Heaven Plate is 'Wu', accompanied by 'Tengshe' (Teng Snake); on the Earth Plate 'Mao', the Heaven Plate is 'Si', accompanied by 'Zhuque' (Vermilion Bird); on the Earth Plate 'You', the Heaven Plate is 'Hai', accompanied by 'Taichang' (Great Constable); on the Earth Plate 'Xu', the Heaven Plate is 'Zi', accompanied by 'Baihu' (White Tiger). The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson, on the Day Stem 'Jia' (with its lodging palace in 'Yin'), shows 'Chen', accompanied by 'Liuhe' (Six Harmonies); the second lesson, on 'Chen', shows 'Wu', accompanied by 'Tengshe' (Teng Snake); the third lesson, on the Day Branch 'Xu', shows 'Zi', accompanied by 'Baihu' (White Tiger); the fourth lesson, on 'Zi', shows 'Yin', accompanied by 'Qinglong' (Azure Dragon). On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is 'Chen', with the six relations as 'Wife Wealth', the hidden stem 'Gengchen', and accompanied by 'Liuhe' (Six Harmonies); the middle transmission is 'Wu', with the six relations as 'Son and Grandson', the hidden stem 'Renwu', and accompanied by 'Tengshe' (Teng Snake); the final transmission is 'Shen', with the six relations as 'Official and Ghost', falling into the void, and accompanied by 'Tianhou' (Heavenly Empress).

邵彥和曰：是登三天之課。天罡為天關，功曹為天梁，六合為天門，三天俱動，必主身動，動則有擾，不能中也。末傳旬空乘天后而敗干，午主二妻；子乘白虎加宅，宅近水而子防水厄。果考試不中，其子在秋間墜水幾死，賴人救之。

Shao Yanhe said: This is a "ascending to the three heavens" divination. "Tiangang" (Chen) is the heavenly gate, "Gongcao" (Yin) is the heavenly beam, and "Liuhe" is the heavenly door. All three heavenly doors are activated together, which definitely indicates that the person will have to move around a lot. Once moving around, there will be disturbances, and thus the examination will not be successful. The final transmission falls into the旬空 and is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, which undermines the day stem. "Wu" indicates two wives; "Zi" is combined with the White Tiger and affects the dwelling position, indicating that the house is near water and the son is prone to water-related dangers. Later, indeed, the examination was not successful, and his son nearly drowned in autumn and was fortunately rescued.

己巳年丑月甲戌日丑將戌時在三義閣夜坐忽聞響聲如雷，友人占主何應候。牧夫占驗

In the year Jisi, during the twelfth month (Chou), on the day Jiaxu, with Chou as the Month General and the time of divination at Xu, someone was sitting in the Sanyi Pavilion at night when they suddenly heard a sound like thunder. A friend then set up a divination to inquire about the omen. This example is taken from "The Farmer's Divination Verification."

蛇朱合勾 　申酉戌亥　玄空蛇陰　官 　申 蛇 ◎ 貴未　子龍　辰丑申巳　父 乙亥 勾 ⊙ 后午　丑空　丑戌巳甲　兄 戊寅 虎 　巳辰卯寅 　陰玄常虎

The course is laid out in a horizontal format as above. With the general at Chou adding Xu at the time, the Heaven Plate advances three positions ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate positions over Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen are respectively 'Shen', 'You', 'Xu', and 'Hai', with the accompanying divinatory animals being Teng Snake, Vermilion Bird, Liu He, and Gou Chen. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate positions over Yin, Chou, Zi, and Hai are respectively 'Si', 'Chen', 'Mao', and 'Yin', with the accompanying divinatory animals being Tai Yin, Xuan Wu, Tai Chang, and Bai Hu. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate position over Chen is 'Wei', accompanied by Tian Yi Nobleman; the Heaven Plate position over Mao is 'Wu', accompanied by Heavenly Empress; the Heaven Plate position over You is 'Zi', accompanied by Qing Long; and the Heaven Plate position over Xu is 'Chou', accompanied by Tian Kong. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson, with the day stem Jia (with its lodging palace in Yin), shows 'Si', accompanied by Tai Yin; the second lesson, over Si, shows 'Shen', accompanied by Teng Snake; the third lesson, with the day branch Xu, shows 'Chou', accompanied by Tian Kong; and the fourth lesson, over Chou, shows 'Chen', accompanied by Xuan Wu. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is 'Shen', with the six relations as official ghost, falling in the empty term, accompanied by Teng Snake; the middle transmission is 'Hai', with the six relations as parents, with the hidden stem Yihai, accompanied by Gou Chen; and the final transmission is 'Yin', with the six relations as brother, with the hidden stem Wuyin, accompanied by Bai Hu.

王牧夫曰：丑為太陽乘丁，戌是大墓與丑相刑，日支又加閉口，恐有火物傷人之事。從支，非天上，不是雷聲；三傳遞生，白虎克支，皆主地上。次日知是南門外走了火藥，傷死扒灰者數人。

Wang Mufu said: "Chou" is the position where the sun is stationed, and also hides "Ding" fire. "Xu" is the great burial place for fire, which forms a conflict with "Chou". There is also a closed mouth god on the day branch, so there is fear of accidents involving fire injuring people. This image originates from the day branch, not from the heaven plate, so it is not thunder. The three transmissions turn and generate each other, and the white tiger also controls the day branch, indicating the matter occurs on the ground. The next day it was found out that there was a fire explosion from gunpowder at the south gate, which killed and injured several people who were digging through ash and slag there.

五月甲戌日未將得卯時三十五歲婦人占親事。王連環末卷。一針見血

On the 15th day of the fifth lunar month, with "Wei" as the Month General and the divination time at "Mao," a 35-year-old woman asked about marriage. This case appears in the final volume of "Yu Lianhuan" (the original text is "Wang Lianhuan") and is also included in "Yizhen Jianxue."

勾合朱蛇 　酉戌亥子　虎后合虎　兄 戊寅 后 龍申　丑貴　午寅戌午　子 壬午 虎 空未　寅后　寅戌午甲　財 甲戌 合 　午巳辰卯 　虎常玄陰

The lesson board is laid out in rows as above. When the unmarked hour is added to the卯 (ox) hour, the Heaven Plate advances four positions relative to the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate's巳 (snake), 午 (horse), 未 (sheep), and 申 (monkey), the Heaven Plate shows 酉 (rooster), 戌 (dog), 亥 (pig), and 子 (rat), respectively, with the following divinatory elements: Gou Chen, Liu He, Zhu Que, and Teng Snake. On the Earth Plate's 寅 (tiger), 丑 (ox), 子 (rat), and 亥 (pig), the Heaven Plate shows 午 (horse), 巳 (snake), 辰 (dragon), and 卯 (ox), respectively, with the following divinatory elements: Bai Hu, Tai Chang, Xuan Wu, and Tai Yin. On the Earth Plate's 辰 (dragon), the Heaven Plate shows 申 (monkey), with the element Qing Long. On the Earth Plate's 卯 (ox), the Heaven Plate shows 未 (sheep), with the element Tian Kong. On the Earth Plate's 酉 (rooster), the Heaven Plate shows 丑 (ox), with the element Tian Yi Gu Ren. On the Earth Plate's 戌 (dog), the Heaven Plate shows 寅 (tiger), with the element Tian Hou. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Jia (with its lodging palace in 寅) showing 午 (horse), with the element Bai Hu; the second lesson has 午 (horse) showing 戌 (dog), with the element Liu He; the third lesson has the day branch 戌 (dog) showing 寅 (tiger), with the element Tian Hou; the fourth lesson has 寅 (tiger) showing 午 (horse), with the element Bai Hu. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is 寅 (tiger), with the six relations as brothers, the hidden stem is Wu Yin, and the element is Tian Hou; the middle transmission is 午 (horse), with the six relations as sons and daughters, the hidden stem is Ren Wu, and the element is Bai Hu; the final transmission is 戌 (dog), with the six relations as wife and wealth, the hidden stem is Jia Xu, and the element is Liu He. The three transmissions, 寅 (tiger), 午 (horse), and 戌 (dog), form a fire trinity, which is referred to as the "Inflaming Ascendancy" lesson mentioned later.

苗公達曰：爾有二夫，正夫不告而去，偏夫巳入？賊，中音信不通。爾今年求別嫁，有鄰家一僕作媒，必有新喜，但請成之。議曰：陰不備是婦人不貞之兆。法以青龍為夫，乘申金剋日又屬空亡，主逃竄，是不告而去也。青龍之陰神為偏夫，見子水乘蛇，主陰私隱匿；再傳子上是辰，乘元武，是入賊黨。

Miao Gongda said: You have two husbands. The official husband left without saying goodbye, and the secondary husband has already joined a group of thieves. (The original text is missing one character here.) There are thieves in the middle, and there is no communication. You want to remarry this year, and a servant from a neighboring family will act as a matchmaker, and there will certainly be new good news. Just agree to do it. The reasoning is: the four lessons are incomplete in the yin lessons, which is a sign of a woman's unfaithfulness. According to the method, the azure dragon represents the husband. The azure dragon is riding the metal of 'Shen' and is attacking the day stem. 'Shen' is also in the kongwang, indicating fleeing and hiding, which corresponds to 'leaving without saying goodbye'. The yin spirit of the azure dragon represents the secondary husband. Seeing the water of 'Zi' riding the teng snake indicates secret hiding. Further down, 'Zi' is on 'Chen', riding the black tortoise, meaning joining a group of thieves.

課得炎上，夏旺則為新，三合六合則為喜，法以納音為媒人。甲戌是陽火，以午為媒位，午上見河魁為奴僕。今日支干在傳，為鄰近，故云鄰僕。婦人行年在戌，上見功曹，夏寅木休囚，課傳屬火，夏為正旺，故有再嫁之說。初傳天后與日辰相生而氣和，必成之理也。果然。

The three transmissions form the "Inflaming Upward" fire pattern, which is suitable for summer when fire is strong and flourishing, indicating new beginnings. The triple harmony also includes theLiu He (Liu He), which signifies joy. According to the method, the媒人 (matchmaker) is determined by the day's nayin sound element. The nayin sound element of Jiaxu is mountain top fire, which belongs to yang fire, so the position of "午" (Wu) is chosen as the媒人. On Wu, there is "Hekui" (Xu's alternate name), which governs servants. Since the day stem and day branch are both within the three transmissions, it indicates that the person is nearby, so it is said to be a servant from a neighboring family. The woman's age is in "戌", and on戌 there is "Gongcao" (Yin). Yin wood is weak in summer, but the three transmissions all belong to fire, which is strong and flourishing in summer, hence the suggestion of remarriage. The first transmission is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, which harmonizes with the day branch and produces a smooth and harmonious energy, so this marriage is expected to succeed. In the end, it indeed turned out that way.

辛巳年八月甲戌日巳將丑時李仁夫占鹽船何日到泰州。牧夫占驗

In the year Xinsi, eighth lunar month, on the day Jiaxu, using 'Si' as the month general and the time of divination at Chou, Li Renfu asked about the day when the salt ships would arrive at Taizhou. This example is taken from "Mu Fu Zhan Yan."

朱合勾龍 　酉戌亥子　后虎合後　兄 戊寅 虎 蛇申　丑空　午寅戌午　子 壬午 后 貴未　寅虎　寅戌午甲　財 甲戌 合 　午巳辰卯 　后陰玄常

The lesson board is laid out in a horizontal row as above. At the time of巳 (Snake) hour added to丑 (Ox), the Heaven Plate advances four positions ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate positions over巳 (Snake),午 (Horse),未 (Goat), and申 (Monkey) are respectively酉 (Rooster),戌 (Dog),亥 (Pig), and子 (Rat), with the following animals: Vermilion Bird, Liu He, Gou Chen, and Azure Dragon. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate positions over寅 (Rat),丑 (Ox),子 (Rat), and亥 (Pig) are respectively午 (Horse),巳 (Snake),辰 (Dragon), and卯 (Rabbit), with the following animals: Heavenly Empress, Tai Yin, Black Tortoise, and Tai Chang. On the Earth Plate, the Heaven Plate position over辰 (Dragon) is申 (Monkey), with the animal Teng Snake; the Heaven Plate position over卯 (Rabbit) is未 (Goat), with the animal Tian Yi Nobleman; the Heaven Plate position over酉 (Rooster) is丑 (Ox), with the animal Tian Kong; and the Heaven Plate position over戌 (Dog) is寅 (Rat), with the animal Bai Hu. The middle three rows are the four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson, on the day stem Jia (with its lodging palace in寅), shows午 (Horse), with the animal Heavenly Empress; the second lesson, on午 (Horse), shows戌 (Dog), with the animal Liu He; the third lesson, on the day branch戌 (Dog), shows寅 (Rat), with the animal Bai Hu; and the fourth lesson, on寅 (Rat), shows午 (Horse), with the animal Heavenly Empress. The right three transmissions: the first transmission is寅 (Rat), with the six relations as brothers, the hidden stem is Wuyin, and the animal is Bai Hu; the middle transmission is午 (Horse), with the six relations as sons and daughters, the hidden stem is Renwu, and the animal is Heavenly Empress; the final transmission is戌 (Dog), with the six relations as wife and wealth, the hidden stem is Jiaxu, and the animal is Liu He. The three transmissions,寅 (Rat),午 (Horse), and戌 (Dog), form a fire trinity, making this a "Yan Shang" (Inflaming Ascending) lesson.

王牧夫曰：此以類神並傳上決之。卯為舟車，卯坐亥上受生，無險失阻滯。傳出炎上炎局，火最迅速；戌為儀神，支辰為卯之合神，何阻之有。戌為僕，乃遣去探信之人；六合即卯，為舟臨於其上；午為姤卦，姤者遇也。僕到，船己到，今日即抵泰州矣。戌坐午上，故有此應。此翁占二數，非丑即未，乃貴為財，主由貴處見財也。時為目前，故應日內。

Wang Mufu said: This divination requires the combination of the class god and the three transmissions to make a judgment. "Mao" is the class god representing boats and vehicles. "Mao" sits on "Hai" and is nourished by water, indicating no danger along the way and no delay. The three transmissions form a fire pattern, and fire is the most rapid; "Xu" is the divine god of the day stem, and the day branch is theLiu He of "Mao," so there is nothing to obstruct. "Xu" also represents a servant, meaning the person sent out to investigate; theLiu He is "Mao," representing a boat, which is directly above "Xu"; "Wu" corresponds to the Gou hexagram, and the meaning of Gou is meeting. Therefore, when the servant arrives, the boat will also arrive, and it will reach Taizhou today. "Xu" sits on "Wu," so this is the time of fulfillment. The old man was asking about two sums of money, which must be either in "Chou" or "Wei." The celestial master, the nobleman, is acting as the wealth爻, indicating that this wealth comes from the nobleman. The divination was made at the present time, so it should be fulfilled within a few days.