Fortune-telling on moving into a new house

此定新移來入住，看將幾時無憂慮。卻將月將疊行年，宅上之神問其緣。寅申子午相加及，若是安居水不遷。魁罡是老憂逢禍，卯酉分立忌病纏。巳亥六畜多傷損，丑未遭官必喟然。

This section specifically determines the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of moving into a new residence, and how long it will take before there is no more worry. The method is to overlay the Month General on the person's current age stem, then consult the deity governing the dwelling's position to find the reason. If the result shows combinations such as寅 and 申, or 子 and 午, it indicates stability, like water that does not flow, and one can settle down. If the River魁 and Heaven罡, the two魁罡 deities, appear, the elderly should worry about misfortune. If卯 and 酉 are at opposite ends, it is unfavorable for illness. If巳 and 亥 are in charge, livestock will suffer injuries. If丑 and 未 are in charge, legal troubles are certain, leading to sighs and lamentations.

將宅許人來共住，還向日辰推所遇。上克下兮將利己，下賊上兮須吉彼。忽然上下共相生，此中所動亦分明。子之加母無宜受，母之加子會須聽。

Dividing one's own house to allow someone else to share in it requires determining the fortune of both parties through the Day Stem and Day Branch. If the upper god overcomes the lower god, it indicates benefit for oneself; if the lower god harms the upper god, then good fortune is for the other party. If suddenly the upper and lower gods mutually generate each other, the situation becomes clear: if the son is placed above the mother, it means the son receives the mother's favor, and should not take more than what is given. If the mother is placed above the son, it means the mother has something to instruct, and the son should obey.

宅內何知有鬼神，蛇白臨年天目因。春辰夏未秋立戌，冬在丑兮殃害人。四時沖破將刑合，斷其鬼祟定紛紛。四時春酉夏子秋卯冬午，更與刑煞合，有鬼神。

To determine if there are ghosts or spirits troubling a house, one should check whether the Teng Snake and White Tiger are present on the person's year pillar, and then combine this with the "Heavenly Eye" deity for judgment. The Heavenly Eye is located in the辰 (Chen) in spring, in the未 (Wei) in summer, in the戌 (Xu) in autumn, and in the丑 (Chou) in winter. When it is in charge, it will harm people. Also, observe whether the deities of the four seasons are in conflict, broken, punished, or united, and thus determine the presence of ghosts and spirits, which will certainly be evident. The note says: the deities of the four seasons are in the酉 (You) in spring, in the子 (Zi) in summer, in the卯 (Mao) in autumn, and in the午 (Wu) in winter. If they also combine with the punishment stars, there will be ghosts and spirits in the house.

凡欲修造及遷移，家長行年加歲支，旺墓上頭見三煞，此是凶災不可為。孟年酉，仲年巳，季年丑，名三煞。行年加歲加其旺，歲煞今年莫犯之。月煞若臨其日惡，災劫兩般須要知。若還修造開門戶，勿使諸神有嗔怒。行年太歲上頭看，避忌魁罡及蛇虎。月殺，正月起丑，逆行四季。

Whenever there is a need to start construction or move house, first add the parent's annual stem to the earthly branch of the current year's sovereign. If the three evils appear in the旺 or 墓 positions, it is an omen of misfortune and construction should not be carried out. The method to determine the three evils is: in the first year, they are in You; in the second year, they are in Si; in the third year, they are in Chou. If the annual stem added to the sovereign's branch coincides with the旺 position, the current year's evil should be avoided. If the monthly evil falls on that day, the day is also bad. Both the disaster evil and the calamity evil should be clearly identified. If construction also involves opening doors and windows, it should not provoke the anger of various deities. When adding the annual stem to the sovereign's branch, one should avoid the two great evils, Hekui and Tiangang, as well as the two generals, Teng Snake and White Tiger. The method for calculating the monthly evil starts from Chou in the first lunar month and proceeds in reverse order through the four seasons: Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei.

又須推他為月龍，大吉須知月建中。即看寅上何神在，亥子當頭名黑龍。若使修家逢此卦，用之修主應其凶。雖用前占無惡將，更以行年加宅神。本命上頭看所得，第一須知寅及申，勝光神后為中吉，但值魁罡不利人。

You also need to calculate the 'Monthly Dragon': place the 'Great Favor' (大吉) of the month general (月将) at the position of the month builder (月建), then look at what deity is riding on the position of the rat (寅). If it is亥 or 子 at the head, it is called the 'Black Dragon'. If during construction someone encounters this situation, using it to start work will result in misfortune for the owner. Even if there are no evil deities according to the previous calculation, you should also add the person's age to the house deity, and then look at the deity obtained on the person's birth year. The first thing to identify is the positions of 寅 and 申. If you get the 'Shengguang' (胜光) at the position of 午 or the 'Shenhou' (神后) at the position of 子, it is considered medium good fortune. If you encounter the two great deities 'Hekui' (河魁) and 'Tiangang' (天罡), it will be unfavorable for people.

金匱宜財物，青龍壽命長。玉堂招僕畜，天德合家昌。司命人多吉，明堂子更良。若能常擇喜，生也獲嘉祥。黃道所臨為吉神，任其修造不殃人。太歲之方猶不畏，況其諸煞及將軍？

The Six Spirits of the Yellow Path each have their own dominion: when the Golden Chest is in charge, it is favorable for gathering wealth; when the Azure Dragon is in charge, it signifies a long life; when the Jade Hall is in charge, it brings in servants and livestock; when the Heavenly Virtue is in charge, the whole family prospers; when the Director of Destiny is in charge, the population is auspicious; when the Bright Hall is in charge, the descendants are especially virtuous. If one often carries out affairs on the days when these auspicious spirits are in charge, even matters of childbirth and rearing can obtain good fortune. All places where the Yellow Path is present are under the auspicious spirits; therefore, undertaking construction there will not harm people. Even the direction where the Tai Su resides does not need to be feared, let alone ordinaryInauspicious Sha and general officers.

推之常合天罡訣，正七加虛二八寅。兩月順行陽位上，還加三九便臨辰。黃道吉。天罡黃道建青龍，太乙明堂除可從。傳送臨之定金匱。從魁天德勢消凶。登明危下玉堂吉，功曹司命是開通。

When calculating, it is often necessary to use the "Tiangang Decree": in the first and seventh months, add it to the position of Xusu; in the second and eighth months, add it to the position of Yin; these two groups move along the yang positions. Then, in the third and ninth months, it is located at the position of Chen. All of these belong to the auspicious Yellow Path. Regarding the pairing of the Six Spirits of the Yellow Path with the twelve Construction Gods: the Azure Dragon is paired with the day of Jian, located at the position of Tiangang in Chen; the Bright Hall is paired with the day of Chu, located at the position of Taiyi in Si, which can be followed; the Golden Chest is paired with the day of Ding, with the position of Chuansong in Shen; the Heavenly Virtue is paired with the day of Wei, located at the position of Congkui in You, which is strong enough to dispel evil; the Jade Hall is paired with the day of Wei, located at the position of Dengming in Hai, which is auspicious; the Director of Destiny is paired with the day of Kai, located at the position of Gongcao in Yin, which indicates smooth progress.

勝光下滿天地刑，小吉平為朱雀方。上見天魁破白虎，神后臨成天獄場。大吉俱收元武位，勾陳閉在太沖藏。以上六神名黑道，欲擬修方必受殃。

The position of Wu is under 'Shengguang' with a full day, belonging to Heavenly Punishment; the position of Wei is 'Xiaoji' with a balanced day, which is where the Vermilion Bird resides; the position of Xu is 'Tiankui' with a broken day, belonging to the White Tiger; the position of Zi is 'Shenhou' with a completed day, forming the Heavenly Prison; the position of Chou is 'Daji' with a day of collection, which is the position of the Black Tortoise; the position of Mao is 'Taichong' with a closed day, where Gou Chen is hidden. These six positions are called 'Black Path'. If one intends to break ground and construct in these directions, calamity is certain.

天刑害畜病顛倒，朱雀官司口舌傷。白虎到臨家長獄（主損家長，更刑獄事），天空賊害及財亡。元武損胎奴婢走，勾陳長婦斗刑傷。若令禳之災自滅，莫召師巫出禍殃。

Offending the deities of the Black Path brings various calamities: Heavenly Punishment causes livestock to be harmed and diseases to become abnormal; the Vermilion Bird brings lawsuits and verbal disputes; the White Tiger brings imprisonment for the head of the household—notes say it causes injury to the head of the household and involves legal troubles; Tian Kong leads to theft and loss of wealth. The Black Tortoise causes miscarriage in pregnant women and servants to run away; Gou Chen leads to conflicts between the wife and the mistress of the house resulting in injuries. If these calamities are properly addressed through legal rituals, they will naturally be eliminated; one must not summon witches or sorcerers, as this may bring further misfortune.

誤犯凶神黑煞方，但能修報即消殃。若觸天刑理天德，勾陳金匱虎明堂。朱雀青龍應逢上，元武即求司命禳。天牢須向玉堂內，依此法行保命長。黑道凶天刑害家宅，朱雀斗刑傷。白虎多凶禍，元武貨物妨。勾陳田宅散，天空人口傷。若能迴避得，必不見凶殃。

If one accidentally offends the evil spirit of the Black煞 in a certain direction, the calamity can be immediately dispelled by following proper rituals and offerings. The method of appeasement involves using the corresponding god of the Yellow Path to counteract the god of the Black Path: if one offends Heavenly Punishment, then resolve it on Heavenly Virtue; if one offends Gou Chen, seek help from the Golden Chest; if one offends White Tiger, seek help from the Bright Hall; if one offends Vermilion Bird, resolve it on Azure Dragon; if one offends Black Tortoise, seek help from Director of Destiny; if one offends Heavenly Prison, resolve it in the Jade Hall. By following this method, one can ensure long life. The evil effects of the six Black Path spirits are: Heavenly Punishment harms the household, Vermilion Bird causes disputes and injuries, White Tiger brings many misfortunes, Black Tortoise hinders trade, Gou Chen causes loss of property, and Tian Kong harms family members. If one can avoid these in advance, one will certainly not encounter any calamities.

支傷干兮陰凌陰，干勝支兮女有傷。勿爾男家強欲娶，必是幼年焚土香。

Divination on marriage success: If the day branch overcomes the day stem, it indicates a situation where the female's energy dominates the male's, suggesting the woman is stronger than the man. If the day stem overcomes the day branch, then the woman suffers. If neither of these situations occurs, but the male family insists on marriage, it must be due to an old promise made when they were young, involving incense offerings.

欲出前途訪覓人，看其居處對何神。神上值方他用合（其人居方上神與用神合），三合相呼見且忻。假使他人立戌地，用起加之卯午寅（卯戌六合，寅午戌三合，兼宜與用神加之）

Before going out to visit someone, first determine which deity on the Heaven Plate corresponds to the direction in which that person resides. If the superior deity of that direction harmonizes with the Initiating Transmission, or if it forms a Triple Harmony with the Initiating Transmission and corresponds with it, then you will both meet the person and be welcomed with joy. For example, if the person resides in the direction of Xu, then the Initiating Transmission should start on Mao, Wu, or Yin — because Mao and Xu form a Liu He, and Yin, Wu, and Xu form a Triple Harmony. It is also appropriate to add these deities to the Initiating Transmission.

天頭地足來加日（戌為天頭，巳為地足），斗罡加孟定相親（斗罡加孟神是在內，訪人在）。勝光神后宜須待，從魁路上敘殷勤。小吉合進家飲酒（甲乙日用末傳，小吉主醉）。柔昴伏吟即隱身（柔日昴星、伏吟，是人身藏不見）。

The combination of 'Heavenly Head' and 'Earthly Foot' on the Approach Day is also a significant sign—戌 is called Heavenly Head, and巳 is called Earthly Foot; if the Star Pole falls on the first quarters, it indicates a clear situation—because when the Star Pole is on the first quarter, it means the person is inside the house, and visiting him will certainly find him at home. If the position of Wu (胜光) is at午 and Zi (神后) is at子, one should wait a bit; if the position of You (从魁) is at酉, they will meet on the way and have a warm conversation; if the position of Wei (小吉) is at未 and it matches, they will be able to enter his house for drinking—notes say that on the first and second days, Xiao Ji is the final transmission, indicating drinking until drunk. If it is a Yin day with the昴 star lesson or the Hidden Chant lesson, the person is hidden—Yin day with昴 star and Hidden Chant both indicate that the person is concealed and not visible.

與人同約來遊此，為當已過未曾來。斗繫支干及加仲，待之相見不須猜。斗在日前兼加季，期人離此去難回。此皆在道占之。更值昴星伏吟卦，在家不出莫相猜。

If you have made an appointment to come here together, is he already gone or still on the way? If the star chart is connected to the day stem and day branch, or is placed on the four central positions, then you should just wait for him and not be doubtful. If the star chart is before the day stem and is placed on the four seasonal positions, then the person you have made an appointment with has already left and is unlikely to return. All these are methods of divination when asking about someone on the way. If it also coincides with the昴star lesson or the hidden chant lesson, then he is at home and has not gone out, so there is no need to be confused or suspicious.

征途日暮前途遠，欲寄安宵恐異謀。辰是主人日是客，辰上相生吉可投（辰上與日相生，若值旺相，主人是長者）。登明天空將誘我，蛇虎魁罡欲害仇（元武是賊）。從魁勝光宜急去，神后臨傳進退由。

When traveling far and the sun has set but the journey is still long, one wishes to find a place to stay for the night, yet fears the host may have ulterior motives. The method of divination is: the day branch represents the host, and the day stem represents the guest. If the heavenly stem above the day branch generates the day stem, it is auspicious and one may stay. The commentary says that if the day branch and day stem are in mutual generation and also in a prosperous and strong state, the host is a loyal and kind elder. If the亥 position 'Dengming' is present with Tian Kong, the host is trying to deceive. If there are Teng Snake, White Tiger, Hekui, or Tiangang, it indicates an enemy with hostile intentions. If there is Xuanwu, it signifies thieves. If the酉 position 'Congkui' or午 position 'Shengguang' is present, one should leave quickly. If the子 position 'Shenhou' is in the three transmissions, one may freely decide to advance or retreat.

欲謁尊官何處期，青龍小吉可投依。斗罡加孟所求攻，臨季空回仲許之（見六合、太常並吉。如日辰刑害，神將不吉，無也）。

If you wish to pay homage to an esteemed superior, you should look to where the "Azure Dragon" and "Xiaoji" (Wei) are located; that is where you can seek an audience. If the "Tiangang" (Chen) is positioned over the four "Meng" positions -寅, 申, 巳, and 亥- then the matter will require effort to achieve. If it is over the four "Si" positions -辰, 戌, 丑, and 未- then you will return empty-handed. If it is over the four "Zhong" positions -子, 午, 卯, and 酉- then the other party will agree. If you also see the "Liu He" and "Tai Chang" generals at the same time, it will be even more auspicious. However, if the day stem and day branch are in mutual punishment and harm, and the accompanying heavenly general is not favorable, then there is no hope at all.

彼有使來知偽真，加時先看日兼辰。辰上之神傷日上，來者言詞不妄陳。日為來使辰為我，干若傷支是妄因。陰空蛇虎魁罡立（立在日上），五者相逢必誑人（如報凶事，視白虎與今日比合，即是實；若報吉事，視青龍與今日比合，即是實也）。

When an envoy comes to deliver a message, to determine whether what he says is true or false, use the method of "month general added to the hour" to cast the divination. First examine the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the day, and the spirits riding upon them. If the spirit on the day branch overcomes the spirit on the day stem, then the envoy's words are not false. The day stem represents the envoy, and the day branch represents our side; if the day stem overcomes the day branch, then the envoy's intention is false. "Tai Yin," "Tian Kong," "Teng Snake," "Bai Hu," and "Kui Gang" (Hekui Xu, Tiangang Chen) - these five refer to spirits standing on the day stem. If any of these five appear in the divination, the person is certainly deceiving. For example, if he reports something bad, check whether "Bai Hu" is harmonious with the day; if harmonious, it is true. If he reports something good, check whether "Qing Long" is harmonious with the day; if harmonious, it is true.

文視青龍武視常，與日神相生吉，相剋凶；神將外戰，在官憂罪累；內戰，主官憂疾病測之。文官視龍，三月甲戌日未時占，辰卯寅，用午加辰乘龍，與今日相生，為吉遷。甲至辰青龍得三位，即為三歲期。從戌至辰青龍得七位，為七月期。此日青龍乘午火，火生土，是戊己為日期。青龍加在辰，則為辰時。旺相去三年七月戊己日辰時遷。

When divining the promotion of civil officials, one should look at the "Azure Dragon," and for military officials, at the "Tai Chang." These two Heavenly Generals, when they are in harmony with the Day Branch, bring good fortune; when they are in conflict, it brings misfortune. If the Heavenly General overcomes the god it is riding upon, this is called "external conflict," and officials in office should worry about being implicated in crimes. If the god it is riding upon overcomes the Heavenly General, this is called "internal conflict," and it indicates that officials should be concerned about illness. One can thus make predictions based on these factors. For civil officials, looking at the Azure Dragon: for example, if a divination is made on the day of Jiaxu in the sixth hour of the third month, and the three transmissions are Chen, Mao, and Yin, with the initiating transmission being Wu added to Chen, and the Azure Dragon riding on it, and this is in harmony with the day branch, it indicates a favorable sign for promotion. Counting from Jia to Chen, the Azure Dragon is three steps away, so it is determined to be a period of three years; counting from Xu to Chen, the Azure Dragon is seven steps away, so it is determined to be a period of seven months. On this day, the Azure Dragon is riding on Wu fire, which generates earth, so the response date is determined to be on the day of Wu or Ji. The Azure Dragon is also riding on Chen, so the time is determined to be the Chen hour. If the lesson pattern is prosperous and strong, then the promotion is predicted to occur three years and seven months later on the day of Wu or Ji at the Chen hour.

武官視太常，亦如之。文官春占寅乘青龍，寅屬木，木生於亥，至十月始遷。武官春占子乘太常，子屬水，生於申，至七月始遷。餘仿此。馬折足，龍化蛇，最不利。

A military officer looking at "Tai Chang" uses the same method as above. A civil officer in spring who gets the trigram Yin with the Azure Dragon riding on it, Yin belongs to wood, and wood's growth is in Hai, which corresponds to the tenth month, so he can expect promotion only in the tenth month. A military officer in spring who gets the trigram Zi with Tai Chang riding on it, Zi belongs to water, and water's growth is in Shen, which corresponds to the seventh month, so he can expect promotion only in the seventh month. Other examples follow the same pattern. If "Heavenly Horse is broken" (Heavenly Horse is injured and cannot move) or "Azure Dragon turns into Teng Snake" (the place where Azure Dragon is located turns into Teng Snake), it is most unfavorable for promotion.

欲卜求官成不成，須逢印綬馬相併（魁常為印綬，馬即天馬）。龍常天后成傳內，城吏太陰居顯榮（傳送為天城，功曹為天吏）。

To divinate whether seeking an official position will be successful, one must look for both "印绶" and "天马" to appear together. "印绶" refers to "河魁" in the戌 position and "太常", while "天马" refers to the "马" position. If "青龙", "太常", and "天后" are within the three transmissions, or if "天城", "天吏", and "太阴" are in the same position, it indicates success and honor. "传送" in the申 position is called "天城", and "功曹" in the寅 position is called "天吏".

文武位殊占各別，文要青龍武太常。日辰若內生其將，此選居官得久長。上克下為憂罪累，下賊上時遭疾殃（龍常所臨處，上下相剋賊也）。日去就常遷歲限，辰至龍常月可量。二將相生為上日，時即克龍為共詳（注誤前遷官下）。

Civil officials and military officials have different statuses, and their divination methods also differ: civil officials should look at the "Azure Dragon," while military officials should look at the "Tai Chang." If the day stem and day branch generate and support these two heavenly generals, the official position selected will be long-lasting and stable. When the upper god controls the lower god, it indicates worries about guilt and responsibility; when the lower god harms the upper god, it indicates suffering from illness and misfortune. This refers to the situation where the Azure Dragon and Tai Chang are present. When the upper and lower gods mutually control each other, it is called "thief." Counting from the day stem to the Azure Dragon and Tai Chang can determine the number of years for promotion; counting from the day branch to the Azure Dragon and Tai Chang can determine the number of months. The day when the two generals mutually generate and support each other is a good day for taking office. If the day stem controls the Azure Dragon, it should be carefully examined together. (This note was originally mistakenly placed under the section "Divination for Promotion.")

擇日上官何所從，年上神遭官克凶。兵法二曹金是主，任曹為木水司工，禮屬火官倉任土，水來傷火害期冬（水官主事，行年上神，或被官克，主冬有災，及天將言之）。

When choosing a day to take up a position, it depends on the "Xing Nian" (personal year) and the deities governing it. If the deity is overcome by the Five Phases corresponding to the person's official duties, it is considered inauspicious. The Five Phases are assigned based on the nature of the official duties: those responsible for military strategy and criminal law are associated with metal, those handling affairs are associated with wood, the water department is associated with engineering, the rites department is associated with fire, and the official granary is associated with earth. If water harms fire, the disaster period will occur in winter, as the person in charge of water will have their deity on the Xing Nian overcome by the Five Phases of their official duty, indicating disaster in winter; this should also be combined with the analysis of the Heavenly General to determine the outcome.

將是朱禽憂口舌，神為白虎病龍鍾。年上又遙能制日，值此之時禍必重。年上神克上官日，亦凶。年上陰神所合為月，假如甲乙日上官，年上見傳送，傳送本位登明，登明合寅，為月建，建正月有凶。陰神在亥，亥屬水，當戊己日有禍。餘仿此定日以測。

If the Heavenly General on the year pillar is "Zhuque" (Vermilion Bird), there will be worries about verbal disputes; if it is "Baihu" (White Tiger), the illness will be severe and difficult to recover from. If the god on the year pillar can remotely overcome the day stem, the calamity will certainly be serious. If the year pillar's god overcomes the day it takes office, it is also ominous. The yin god on the year pillar, when it combines with another, determines the month of disaster: for example, if on a Jia or Yi day the god on the year pillar is "Chuansong" (Shen), then Shen corresponds to "Dengming" (Hai), and Hai combines with Yin, which is the first month's month builder. Therefore, there will be misfortune in the first month. If the yin god falls on Hai, which belongs to water, then there will be misfortune on Wu or Ji days. The rest can be calculated in the same way.

門上傷年歸未得（任官之方為門，門上神克年上神，是未歸本鄉），年上傷門徭役蹤（被差遣也）。求替支傷干吉允，斗罡加季也相容（擇上官日勿令人年上克拜署之日。又所出之門不可克人年上神，恐不得歸鄉也。所出之門者，所往之方也。假令人年見從魁，所往之方是西北戌地，上得勝光，此謂門上克行年也。年上神亦不要克所往之門上神，主徭役不安之象）。

The direction to which one is appointed is called "men." If the deity of the "men" overpowers the deity of the year pillar, it indicates that one will not be able to return home. Conversely, if the deity of the year pillar overpowers the deity of the "men," it suggests hardship from being sent on errands and constant travel. If one wishes to have someone else take their place, the day branch overpowering the day stem will be approved. Also, if the "Dǒu Gāng" (Chen) is placed on the position of the four seasons, it can also be acceptable. When choosing the day for taking office, one must ensure that the deity of the year pillar does not overpower the day stem. Additionally, the direction one is going to should not overpower the deity of the year pillar, otherwise, one may not be able to return home. The "door" refers to the direction one is going. For example, if someone's year pillar is "Congkui" (You), and the direction they are going is northwest (Xu), and Xu is associated with "Shengguang" (Wu), this is called the "men" overpowering the year pillar. Conversely, the deity of the year pillar should not overpower the deity of the "men," as this indicates hardship from being sent on errands and mental and physical distress.

催官使者赴官期。凡占上官赴任，見日鬼乘白虎加日干，或年命上，名催官使者。縱是遠缺，必催速赴任也。如使值空亡，又是虛信，或被遣差。又如官星臨日干年命之上，其三傳上神生其官星者，亦名催官符。

The concept of "catalyst for official appointment" and the time of taking office: when predicting one's appointment, if a ghost that controls the day stem appears with the White Tiger added to the day stem, or added to the native's destiny or the year's stem, it is called the "catalyst for official appointment." Even if the position is very far away, one will still be urgently urged to take office immediately. If this messenger falls into the void, it is a false sign, or merely a temporary assignment. Similarly, if the official star is present on the day stem, the native's destiny, or the year's stem, and the three transmissions also generate and support this official star, it is also called the "catalyst for official appointment."

如六處見父母爻者，便為恩主舉主，亦為食祿之地。如值長生貴人，亦妙。假如六乙日見旦貴，六己日用夜貴，忌乙卯日貴空。外有四時返本煞，占赴任極遲也。查返本煞，春得金局，夏得水局，秋得火局，冬得土局。赴任占得返吟，多不滿任。

If the "parents' yao" appears in any of the six positions: day stem, day branch, three transmissions, native's destiny, and year's movement, it indicates the patron or recommenders who support and provide sustenance. If the parents' yao is at its growth position and also accompanied by a nobleman, it is even more favorable. For example, on a day with the stem Yi, one should look for the daytime nobleman; on a day with the stem Ji, one should look for the nighttime nobleman. However, on a day with the stem Yi and branch Mao, the nobleman falls into kongwang, which is to be avoided. There is also the "returning origin evil" which occurs in the four seasons. If one encounters this when seeking an official position, the appointment will be extremely delayed. To determine the returning origin evil: in spring, look for the metal trinity; in summer, look for the water trinity; in autumn, look for the fire trinity; in winter, look for the earth trinity. If one's divination for taking office results in a returning echo pattern, it often means that the person will not complete the term of office.

凡占科舉，以夜貴為簾幕貴人；以朱雀為文字。雀乘神旺相與日相生，文字合格；雀乘休囚與日相剋，傳空，為不合格。

When divining about imperial examinations, use 'Night Nobleman' to represent the chief examiner's curtain nobleman, and 'Vermilion Bird' to represent one's own examination paper. If the god riding on the Vermilion Bird is prosperous and strong and mutually generates with the day stem, the article will be approved and pass; if the god riding on the Vermilion Bird is in a weak and confined position and mutually controls the day stem, or if the three transmissions fall into Kongwang, the article will not be approved.

簾幕官者，晝占以夜貴是，夜占以晝貴是。此神臨人年命之上，或臨日干者，試必中高甲。或用六甲旬首臨年命日干之上，作簾幕官者，尤的。惟六辛日、己日、乙日有之。

The term "Lianmu Guan" refers to the Nobleman who appears in the day's divination if the divination is done during the day, and appears in the night's divination if it is done at night. This deity appears on the person's year pillar, birth year, or on the day stem. If the person is divined on such a day, they are certain to pass the examination with high rank. If the initiating transmission is from the first day of each ten-day cycle (such as Jiazi or Jiaxu), and the deity appears on the person's year pillar, birth year, or day stem, serving as the Lianmu Guan, then the prediction is even more accurate. However, this pattern only occurs on the six days of Xin, Ji, and Yi.

又如甲辰甲戌二旬中，占得辰或戌臨年命日干者，必作魁元。或丑加未，或未加丑作年命，日干者，亦作魁元。緣丑中有斗，未中有鬼，斗鬼二字合而為魁故也。或天盤酉臨年命日干者，占試必作亞魁，緣酉為從魁故也。已上諸說皆忌空亡。

For example, in the Jiachen and Jiaxu decades, if the Chen or Xu appears on the person's age, birth year, or day stem, it is certain to achieve the top rank (first place). Similarly, if the Chou is added to Wei or Wei is added to Chou and falls on the person's age, birth year, or day stem, it can also result in the top rank. This is because the Chou contains the 'Dou' star and the Wei contains the 'Gui' star, and the combination of 'Dou' and 'Gui' forms the character 'Kui'. If the Heaven Plate's You appears on the person's age, birth year, or day stem, it indicates a second place in exams, as the name of You is 'Congkui'. All these statements are most unfavorable if the involved deity falls on Kongwang.

日德加亥為用，主人高中。緣德入天門，德者得也。占赴殿試，如六己日於在辰戌丑未年占，用夜貴人逆布，乃真雀臨午，名真朱雀，其文得上意，必得高中。緣朱雀生太歲又生日干也。如真朱克太歲，占訟達朝廷，罪必致凶，惟申酉歲然。

The Day Stem's "De Shen" is placed on the亥 position and serves as the initiating transmission, indicating the person will pass the examination. Since亥 is the Heaven Gate, the De Shen entering the Heaven Gate means "De" signifies "to obtain." When predicting the palace examination, for example, if the day is six Ji and the year is辰, 戌, 丑, or 未, use the night nobleman moving backward to set the general. If the午 position has the true Vermilion Bird, it is called the "true Vermilion Bird," meaning the article conforms to the higher intention and will certainly pass. This is because the Vermilion Bird both generates the year stem and the day stem. Conversely, if the true Vermilion Bird is used to overcome the year stem, it indicates a lawsuit reaching the court, and the person will certainly face misfortune; however, this only applies in the years of申 and 酉.

占試如逢朱雀所乘之神克簾幕官者，文不帖主司意；榜將出，忌朱雀乘丁馬。假如申年巳將己巳日子將占，三傳巳戌卯，課名鑄印乘軒，又曰龍德卦，又係甲子旬首，子加未上，卻以旦貴為簾幕官臨身，且占人本命乙巳，其行年本命上又乘神魁，占試必中魁甲無疑。此例如無官人占試，則得簾幕周全，如有官人見之，則無不仕之官。

When divining about an examination, if the Vermilion Bird is riding on a god that goes against the official in charge of the curtain, the composition will not meet the examiner's expectations. When the time comes for the results to be announced, it is most unfavorable for the Vermilion Bird to ride on the "Ding Horse" (Ding and Heavenly Horse). For example, if the year is Shen, the hour is Si, the day is Jisi, and the next hour is Zi, with the three transmissions being Si, Xu, and Mao, the name of the divination is "Cast Seal and Ride the Carriage," also known as "Dragon Virtue Hexagram." It also coincides with the beginning of the Jiazi decade, with Zi placed on Wei, and the morning nobleman serving as the curtain official. Additionally, the person seeking the divination has a birth date of Yisi, and the year of birth and birth date are both under Hekui. In this case, the person is certain to achieve the top rank. If an unappointed person receives this divination, they will have full support from the curtain officials and pass the examination successfully. If someone already in an official position receives this divination, they will not face any obstacles in promotion.

雖值簾幕官者，猶分喜忌細具於後。甲日不喜未，庚日不喜丑，墓也。又甲寅日亦不喜空丑為之，庚寅日之未同六丙日，並丁卯日不喜克亥為之，己卯、乙亥日不喜空申為之，六壬六壬日不喜脫卯為之，壬寅癸卯日不喜空巳為之，六辛日不喜克午為之，辛亥日不喜空寅為之，空亡尤甚。試官不視其文卷，徒勞一次。

Even when encountering the curtain officials, there are distinctions of fortune and misfortune. The details are as follows: On Jia days, the hour of Wei is not favorable; on Geng days, the hour of Chou is not favorable, because Wei is the墓 (grave) of Jia and Chou is the墓 (grave) of Geng. Also, on Jiayin days, the hour of Chou falling in Kongwang is not favorable. On Gengyin days, encountering the hour of Wu is similar to the situation on the sixth day of Bing. On Dingmao days, the hour of Hai is not favorable as it comes to克 (overcome). On Jimao and Yihai days, the hour of Shen falling in Kongwang is not favorable. On the sixth day of Ren (Rensheng), the hour of Mao is not favorable as it comes to脱泄 (drain). On Renyin and Guimao days, the hour of Si falling in Kongwang is not favorable. On the sixth day of Xin, the hour of Wu is not favorable as it comes to克 (overcome). On Xinhai days, the hour of Yin falling in Kongwang is not favorable. Among these, the ones falling in Kongwang are the worst. When these situations occur, the chief examiner does not even look at the examinee's paper, and the examinee wastes his effort in taking the exam.

如占武舉試弓箭，以巳為弓，申不矢，申加午，必箭中紅心。如申加寅、申、巳、亥為四腳花，以第四課言其箭數，其中四墓必脫垛。

If divining about a military archery exam, use Si to represent the bow and Shen to represent the arrow. If Shen is placed on Wu, the arrow will surely hit the red center. If Shen is placed on Yin, Shen, Si, or Hai, which are the first quarters, it is called 'four feet flower', and the fourth lesson is used to calculate the number of branches the arrow hits. If it falls on Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, which are the fourth quarters, the arrow will surely miss the target.

凡卜求婚成不成，須逢天后莫相刑。日辰上得凶神將，克下如何合聘名。天后畏干女不宜，支克天后男悔情。斗罡加季催花燭，加孟禮函徒自營。加仲許之為配偶，媒看六合辨其情。日辰上下無相剋，天后相生便合親。

When divining about the success or failure of a marriage, one must check whether the "Heavenly Empress" representing the woman is not subjected to harm or control. If the Day Stem or Day Branch is occupied byInauspicious Spirit (evil spirits) or Heavenly General (Heavenly Generals) that exert control from above, how can the engagement be finalized? If the Day Stem controls the Heavenly Empress, the Heavenly Empress will feel afraid, which is unfavorable for the woman. If the Day Branch controls the Heavenly Empress, the man may change his mind. When the "斗罡" (a star) is positioned over the seasons of 辰, 戌, 丑, and 未, it indicates a successful marriage. If it is over the seasons of 寅, 申, 巳, and 亥, the effort in sending the marriage proposal will be in vain. If it is over the seasons of 子, 午, 卯, and 酉, the other party will agree to the marriage. The媒人 (matchmaker) should refer to the "六合" (Liu He), a Heavenly General, to discern the truth of the match. If the Day Stem and Day Branch do not control each other, and the Heavenly Empress is mutually generated with them, the marriage will be successful.

不然支被上神克，干上又剋制此神。傳中六合青龍在，陰陽有氣好婚姻。夫之本命加女命，兩家年上看邪正。若是魁罡有損傷，大小吉兮尤多病。雖遇惡神成不怡，兩家年上吉相催。忽然相喜還中吉，若也相嗔不用為。

If the day branch is overcome by the superior deity, and the deity above the day stem then overcomes this superior deity, it is not considered auspicious. If among the three transmissions there are "Liu He" and "Azure Dragon," and the yin and yang energies are strong and effective, it indicates a good relationship. To determine the moral character of both partners, add the husband's birth stem to the wife's birth stem and examine the auspiciousness of their respective ages. If "Hekui" (Xu) and "Tiangang" (Chen) are damaged, or if "Daji" (Chou) and "Xiaoji" (Wei) are harmed, there will be frequent illness after marriage. Even if encountering evil deities, the marriage may be forced but will not be harmonious. The marriage is only good if both families' age deities are auspicious and mutually supportive. If the deities of both families suddenly generate and harmonize with each other, it is considered medium auspiciousness; if they are hostile or mutually overcoming, this marriage should not be pursued.

欲取三方為女兒，辰申與午各相摧（一女在辰，一女則在申，一女午地）。方上有神知善惡，天后相生即可為。八月卯時甲子日，子乘天后與誰宜（天后屬水，看與何方相生）。午上土兮辰上火（午上是土克天后，辰上是火畏天后，兩處相剋莫娶之）。申上從魁金水會，此女為妻是合儀。

To determine the suitable woman among the three directions—Chen, Shen, and Wu—each direction is associated with one person. The spirits governing these three directions indicate the nature of each person. The one who is in harmony with the Heavenly Empress can be chosen as a spouse. For example, if the consultation is on the day of Jiazi, during the卯 hour in the eighth lunar month, the spirit on Zi is the Heavenly Empress. Since the Heavenly Empress belongs to water, we check which of the three directions is in harmony with it. The Wu direction is earth, which controls water; the Chen direction is fire, which the Heavenly Empress fears. Both are incompatible. Only the Shen direction, which is Congkui (You) metal, is in harmony with water, as metal and water generate each other. Therefore, the woman in the Shen direction is the suitable choice for marriage.

從魁太沖與亥未，為用之時並太陰。玄合悉為皆不正，若非無色即邪淫。天上甲來臨子上，功曹加戌兩夫心。神后處伊年命上，採乘逢客必售金。

If "Congkui" (You), "Taichong" (Mao), or the positions of Hai and Wei are initiating transmissions, and they are also in the same place as "Tai Yin", or if all the trigrams in the divination are "Xuanwu" and "Liu He", then the woman's character is not upright: she is either plain-looking or has immoral behavior. If the heavenly stem Jia (the first stem of the ten-stem cycle) is placed on Zi, or if "Gongcao" (Yin) is placed on Xu, it indicates that the woman has a heart for two husbands. If "Shenhou" (Zi) falls on her year of birth or her true birth year, then she is a woman who decorates herself to attract men and sells her smiles for money.

二后課時如旺相，此女輕盈貌並仙。居在凶神又囚死，媒人說好是虛言。斗罡加孟當居長，仲即為中季少年。年上見金應白色，火來臨照必紅顏（木青，水黑，土黃）。

The Heavenly Empress and Shenhou, if they encounter prosperous and strong energies, indicate a woman with a slender figure and a heavenly appearance. However, if these two deities fall uponInauspicious Spirit and are in a state of imprisonment or death, then even the best words from a matchmaker are empty talk. If the "Dǒu Gāng" (the Hourly Star, represented by the Earthly Branch "Chén") is placed in the first of the four seasons, she is the eldest among her sisters; if in the second, she is the middle child; if in the fourth, she is the youngest. If the year pillar shows metal, her skin color should be fair; if fire is present, her complexion will be rosy. Seeing wood indicates a greenish hue, water indicates black, and earth indicates yellow.

婦入門來何否臧？止於天后以居詳。傷殘日本公姑疾（假如壬癸日炎為天后，傷申金，金是水之父母）。若克青龍婿必尫，六合畏之男女少。丑午遭刑牛馬殃（刑剋丑損牛，刑剋午損馬）。

After the bride enters the house, whether it is auspicious or not depends on where the Heavenly Empress is located. If the Heavenly Empress injures or overcomes the Day Stem's origin, the parents-in-law will suffer illness (for example, if the Day Stem is Jia or Yi wood, and the Heavenly Empress is in fire, fire injures the metal of the hour of Shen, which is the parent of water, so the parents of water are injured, meaning the parents-in-law will be ill). If the Heavenly Empress overcomes the Azure Dragon, the son-in-law will certainly be weak. If Liu He fears the Heavenly Empress, then the children will be few. The hours of Chou and Wu are subjected to punishment, causing cattle and horses to suffer (if the Heavenly Empress overcomes Chou, cattle will be harmed; if it overcomes Wu, horses will be harmed).

男以龍之陰為來年，女以後之陰為來年。大吉臨下辰為嫁月，后合占婚豈用媒？

To determine when the groom will arrive, use the Yin spirit of the Azure Dragon; to determine when the bride will arrive, use the Yin spirit of the Heavenly Empress. When Daji (Chou) is located at the Chen position on the Earth Plate, it indicates the month of marriage. If the Heavenly Empress and Liu He combine to indicate marriage, the two are already in mutual affection, so there is no need for a matchmaker.