Gongcao (Yin)

木神，大雪後日躔析木，十月將。

The official of merit, Gongsao, belongs to the Wood element. After the Great Snow solar term, the sun moves through the constellation of Ximuzhi, so the rat (Yin) is the Month General for the tenth month.

功曹者，十月萬物大聚，歲功成就，而會計於曹也。

The term "Gongcao" refers to the fact that in the tenth month, all things are greatly gathered and stored, and the agricultural work of the year has been completed, requiring the officials to account for and settle the records, hence the name "Gongcao."

功曹神，面方青色有須，勢大身材，古之使命也。

The deity Gongcao has a square face with a bluish complexion, a beard, and a strong, imposing appearance. He is tall and robust, corresponding to a person sent on a mission in ancient times.

甲寄其上，火生其下，青龍之象。音徵、數七、味酸，星尾、箕，禽虎、豹、貓，宮人馬，分野燕、幽州，屬虎，位東北。

The heavenly stem Jia resides in the position of Yin. Fire is born in the position of Yin, so Jia is the original form of the Heavenly General "Azure Dragon." It corresponds to the musical tone Zheng, has a number of seven, and is associated with the taste of sour. It corresponds to the mansions of Tail and Winnowing Basket in the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Its animal forms are tiger, leopard, and cat. It corresponds to the constellation of Sagittarius, which is the Archer constellation. Its territorial division corresponds to Yan region and Youzhou. Its zodiac sign is the tiger, and its direction is the Northeast.

所主水器、文書、婚姻、才帛、官吏之事。

It governs matters related to water vessels, documents and contracts, marriage and weddings, wealth and property, and officials.

類為天三臺星，又為天又風（作虎加申）。

According to classification imagery, Yin is the "Heavenly Three Platforms Star"; when White Tiger is added to the position of Shen, it also indicates the onset of wind.

為承相、賓客、督郵、家長、夫壻、秀才（加六合青龍）、吏（雀加申、戌）、醫（天后加未）、丹客（亥加巳）、僧（后加申）。

In terms of people, the trigram Yin represents officials such as chancellor, guest, and supervisor of postal stations, as well as family heads and sons-in-law; when combined with Liu He, Azure Dragon, it signifies a scholar. When Vermilion Bird is combined with Shen or Xu, it signifies a government clerk. When Heavenly Empress is combined with Wei, it signifies a physician. When Hai is combined with Si, it signifies a alchemist. When Heavenly Empress is combined with Shen, it signifies a monk.

為謁見、徵召、喜慶、文章（加卯）、信（作六合），又為五色（蛇加午）、四角。

In matters of affairs, the trigram Yin signifies visiting superiors, imperial summons, and joyful events; when added to the position of Mao, it signifies literature and writings; when combined with Liu He, it signifies messages and communications; when Teng Snake is added to the position of Wu, it signifies colorful objects; additionally, it also signifies objects with four sides and sharp angles.

為三焦、膽、筋、脈、髮、口、眼。

On the body, Yin governs the triple burner, gallbladder, tendons, meridians, hair and beard, mouth and eyes.

為社稷、公衙、庵、觀、神祠（加上）、神樹、山林。

In terms of location, Yin governs ancestral temples, government offices, monasteries, and Taoist temples; when superimposed on a higher position, it governs divine shrines. It also governs sacred trees and forests.

為棟柱（寅午相加）、花木、屏風、寶劍、機杼、棺槨、火盆、香爐、禪椅、橋樑、竹箱、食物。

When the trigram Yin is combined with the trigram Wu in objects, it signifies beams, pillars, and column bases; it also relates to flowers and trees, screens, swords, looms and their spindles, coffins and outer cases, fire basins, incense burners, meditation chairs, bridges, bamboo boxes, and food.

為姓韓、蘓、曾、喬、林（寅卯相加）、霍（子加寅）、杜（戌加）、程、朱（太陰加），凡木傍、草頭、走腳、高、趙、杜之類。

In terms of surnames, the trigram Yin governs the surnames Han, Su, Zeng, and Qiao; when Yin and Mao are combined, it governs the surname Lin; when Zi and Yin are combined, it governs the surname Huo; when Xu and Yin are combined, it governs the surname Du; additionally, it also governs the surname Cheng. If Tai Yin is combined with Yin, it governs the surname Zhu. Generally, surnames with characters containing the radical for wood, the grass radical, or the walking sole radical, as well as surnames like Gao, Zhao, and Du, are categorized under this group.

功曹道士（乘龍）兼書籍（乘常），雜色班文（乘玄）火炬紅（乘雀），從事（乘後）信誠（乘雀）徵召（乘貴）吏（乘勾），虎豹（乘虎晝）貓狸（乘虎蛇空夜的）居木叢（乘合、水日、木火日為柴薪）。

The rhyme says: If the official Gongsao is on the寅 (Yin) branch, riding the Azure Dragon indicates a Taoist priest; riding Tai Chang indicates books; riding Xuanwu indicates miscellaneous colorful patterns; riding Zhuque indicates red objects like torches; riding Heavenly Empress indicates a profession; riding Zhuque indicates integrity; riding Guiren indicates a summons; riding Gou Chen indicates officials. During the day, riding Baihu indicates tigers and leopards; during the night, riding Baihu, Teng Snake, or Tiankong indicates cats and raccoons; riding Liuhe on days of壬 (Ren) and癸 (Gui) water indicates forests and thickets, while on days of wood and fire indicates firewood.

青龍主道士，太常主書籍，玄武主雜色班文，朱雀主火炬之物，天后主從事（未解），朱雀又主信誠，天乙主徵召，勾陳主吏，白虎晝主虎豹，夜主貓、狸。螣蛇、天空則主貓、狸之怪。六合、壬癸日主木叢，丙丁則為柴薪，謂火旺木休也。

The commentary explains: the Azure Dragon presides over寅 and signifies monks, the Tai Chang signifies books, the Black Tortoise signifies miscellaneous colorful patterns, the Vermilion Bird signifies torches, the Heavenly Empress signifies occupations (this interpretation is previously unknown); the Vermilion Bird also signifies honesty and integrity, the Nobleman signifies summoning, the Gou Chen signifies officials; the White Tiger signifies tigers and leopards during the day and cats and foxes at night. If Teng Snake or Tian Kong preside over寅, it signifies cats and foxes causing disturbances. Liu He on壬 and癸 water days signifies forests and thickets, but on丙 and丁 fire days it signifies firewood, because when fire is strong, wood has already declined.

土神，冬至後日躔星紀，十一月將。

Great Auspiciousness is associated with the Earthly Branch Chou, which belongs to the Earth deity. After the Winter Solstice, the Sun moves through the sequence of the Star Records, so Chou is the Month General for the eleventh month.

大吉者，冬至之氣，小往大來，君子道長，大人之吉也。又一陽始生，上帝復位之義。

The term "great auspiciousness" refers to the weather pattern of the winter solstice when the first yang energy returns. Yin is retreating slightly while yang is coming strongly, which aligns with the meaning of "small going and great coming" in the "Zhou Changes (I Ching)" Tai hexagram. The way of the gentleman is increasing, hence it is a great blessing for the superior person. Another meaning is that at this time the first yang begins to arise, corresponding to the image described in the Fu hexagram of the "Zhou Changes (I Ching)" where the Supreme Deity returns to his position.

大吉將，其色黑，為古之策牛人也。

The general known as Da Ji has a black color, corresponding in ancient times to a person who held a whip and drove oxen.

癸寄其上，金墓其下，貴人之象。音徵、數八、味甘，星斗、牛，禽獬、牛、龜，宮磨蠍，分野吳、楊州，屬牛，位北方。

The heavenly stem Gui resides on Chou, with metal buried beneath Chou, indicating its fundamental image as the Nobleman among the Twelve Heavenly Generals. It corresponds to the pentatonic note Zheng, has a number value of eight, and a taste of sweetness. It corresponds to the constellations Dipper and Ox. Its animal symbols are獬, cow, and turtle. It corresponds to the twelfth palace, Capricorn. Its geographical region is associated with Wu and Yangzhou. Its zodiac sign is the ox, and its direction is the north.

所主田宅、園圃、及鬪爭事。又總論丑未專主田宅、才帛、晏喜。

It governs matters concerning fields, houses, gardens, planting, and disputes. Overall, the pair of Chou and Wei specializes in matters related to property, wealth, and feasts and celebrations.

類為天牽牛星，又為天耳、風伯、雨師、天衢（作常加申酉）、雷雨（丑加卯雨復雷；卯加丑，雷後雨）。

According to classification of symbolic meanings, Chou represents "Heavenly Cow Star," also functioning as Heavenly Ear, Wind God, and Rain God. When Tai Chang is added to Shen or You hours, it signifies the celestial pathways and channels. Additionally, Chou governs thunder and rain. If Chou is placed over Mao, it indicates rain first followed by thunder. If Mao is placed over Chou, it indicates thunder first followed by rain.

為人君、土主、宰執（加歲）、將軍、長者、父母、神佛、尼僧、矮子（作空）、瘸子（加卯酉）。

In terms of people, Chou represents the sovereign and the master of the land; when added to the time of the Tai Su, it signifies the prime minister and the ruling officials. It also represents generals, elders, parents, deities, Buddhist nuns, and monks. When it is the Tian Kong, it signifies a short person; when it is added to卯 or酉, it signifies a lame person.

為表奏（雀加寅）、舉薦、福德爵、冤仇、呪咀。

In matters of affairs, when the Vermilion Bird is positioned over the寅 position, it signifies presenting memorandums and petitions. It also indicates recommendations, fortune virtue, rank and honor, disputes with enemies, and curses or invocations of ill will.

為脾、肺、小腸。又為禿髮、病日腹洩（丑亥相加）。

On the body, Chou governs the spleen, lungs, and small intestine; it also governs hair loss. When Chou combines with Hai, it indicates diarrhea during illness.

為寶殿（貴加寅）、室閣、社壇、僧舍（加申）、桑園、倉庫、田圃、橋（龍加亥子）、井、牆。

In terms of location, when the Nobleman is positioned over the寅 position, it indicates a palace; it also signifies buildings, pavilions, and shrines. When the Nobleman is positioned over the申 position, it indicates a monastery; it also signifies mulberry gardens, granaries, and fields. When the Azure Dragon is positioned over the亥 or子 positions, it indicates bridges; it also signifies wells and walls.

為車轎（卯日）、珍珠（貴人加得旺相）、首飾、鞋履、秤尺、斗斛、飲食、枯物、不完物（丑為未）。

On objects, on the day of卯 (Mao), it signifies carriages, horses, palanquins, and sedan chairs. When the Nobleman is added and the energy is prosperous and strong, it indicates pearls. It also signifies ornaments, shoes, sandals, scales, measuring vessels, food, and dried goods. If丑 (Chou) is considered as未 (Wei), it indicates incomplete or broken objects.

為六畜、龜鱉（加子）、蜈蚣。

In animals, Chou governs the six domesticated animals; when it is added to the position of Zi, it governs turtles and tortoises; it also governs centipedes.

為姓田、孫、牛、吳、趙、楊、杜、董、嶽、王（丑木加亥子）、苗、黃（俱六合加丑）、汪（亥加丑），凡土傍之類。

In terms of surnames, Chou governs the surnames Tian, Sun, Niu, Wu, Zhao, Yang, Du, Dong, and Yue; when Chou wood is superimposed over the hours of Hai and Zi, it governs the surname Wang; when theLiu He is applied to Chou, it governs the surnames Miao and Huang; when Hai is superimposed over Chou, it governs the surname Wang. Generally, surnames with characters that include the radical for earth are classified under this category.

大吉將軍（乘勾）主薦賢（乘雀火日的），橋樑（乘龍乙辛日的）長者（乘貴）地祇（乘陰）冤（乘月厭的），風伯（乘虎）雨師（乘後）貴人召（乘貴），車（見卯）畜牛鱉（乘蛇空）宅與田（乘常）。

The song says: On the day of Chou, if the General (Gou Chen) is present, it indicates a general; on a fire day, if the Vermilion Bird is present, it signifies the recommendation of a virtuous person. On Yi or Xin days, if the Azure Dragon is present, it relates to bridges; if the Nobleman is present, it indicates an elder; if Tai Yin is present, it refers to earth spirits; if the Month Aversion is present, it indicates冤仇 (wronged person). If the White Tiger is present, it refers to the wind god; if the Heavenly Empress is present, it refers to the rain god; if the Nobleman is present, it indicates a nobleman's summons. If the卯 (Mao) position is seen, it refers to vehicles; if Teng Snake or Tian Kong are present, it refers to cattle and turtles; if Tai Chang is present, it refers to fields and houses.

勾陳乘丑加卯為將軍。六丙日、朱雀主薦賢。壬癸日則主官訟、口舌。六辛日、六乙日俱丑青龍，辛金乙木斲削，且丑癸水龍，木在水上，故屬橋樑。天乙在丑為長者。太陰主地祇。冤，帶煞者是也。白虎為風伯，天后為雨師。丑上乘天乙，為徵召。六合主車，天空、螣蛇主鱉，且主牛蛇之怪。太常主田宅事。

The commentary says: Gou Chen occupies Chou and is placed over Mao, indicating a general. Six days with Bing as the heavenly stem, with Zhu Que over Chou, indicate the recommendation of virtuous talents; on days with Ren and Gui, it instead indicates official disputes and verbal conflicts. On six days with Xin and six days with Yi, Chou is occupied by Qing Long: Xin metal and Yi wood interact, and Chou also contains hidden Gui water, Qing Long, being wood, floats on water, thus belonging to the category of bridges. Nobleman over Chou indicates an elder. Tai Yin over Chou indicates the earth deity. The term 'wrong' refers to situations involving malevolent influences. Bai Hu over Chou indicates Feng Bo, and Tian Hou over Chou indicates Yu Shi. Nobleman over Chou indicates summoning. Liu He over Chou indicates vehicles, Tian Kong and Teng Snake over Chou indicate turtles, and also cattle and serpents. Tai Chang over Chou indicates matters concerning land and property.

水神，大寒後日躔元枵，十二月將。

The deity Shenhou belongs to the water god. After the Great Cold solar term, the sun moves through the constellation Xuanxiao, so the Zi branch is the Month General for the twelfth month.

子者，十二支之首，有君道焉。十二月子位北方之中，上帝所居。神后者，帝君之稱也。歲畢酒蘸蜡祭，以報百神故名。

Zi is the first of the twelve earthly branches and contains the principle of sovereign rule over the world. In the twelve months, the position of Zi is at the center of the north, which is the dwelling place of the heavenly sovereign. The term "Shenhou" refers to this heavenly sovereign. At the end of the year, when wine is offered and a ritual is held for the gods, to express gratitude to all deities, the name "Shenhou" originates from this practice.

神后，面圓黑色，古之淫婦也。

The deity Shenhou has a round face and a dark complexion, corresponding to a licentious woman in ancient times.

正祿無寄，天后之象。音宮、數九、味咸，星女、虛、危，禽蝠、鼠、燕，宮寶瓶，分野齊、青州，屬鼠，位正北。

Zi is the original禄 position of Gui water, itself being a禄 position, without needing another heavenly stem to reside in. It represents the original form of the Heavenly Empress among the Twelve Heavenly Generals. It belongs to the palace tone in the five tones, with a number of nine, and the taste of salt. It corresponds to the female mansion, emptiness mansion, and rooftop mansion in the twenty-eight mansions. Its animal symbols are bat, rat, and swallow. It corresponds to the bottle palace in the twelve palaces. Its territory belongs to Qi land and Qingzhou. Its zodiac sign is the rat. Its direction is due north.

所主陰私闇昧婦女之事。

It governs matters that are obscure and unclear, such as private affairs and those related to women.

類為天華葢星，又為河祟（丙丁日辰上）、陰天（加酉）、大雨（子日玄龍）、雪（冬至後加巳午）。

According to classification imagery, Zi represents the celestial Huagai star; when Bing or Ding days are over the Day Branch, it indicates the river god causing trouble; when added to You position, it indicates overcast weather; when Zi day is combined with the Black Tortoise and Azure Dragon, it indicates heavy rain; after the winter solstice, if it is combined with Si or Wu positions, it indicates snowfall.

為后妃、淫女、乳媼、媒妁（或作六合）、幼女（作后加午，或作天空又日子為小口並虎災，受土剋死亡）、孩童（亥加）、老婦（加未、加丑）、嫁婦（己加）、軍婦（加辰作虎）、孀婦（酉加）。

In terms of people, the branch 子 (Zi) represents the queen consort, promiscuous women, and wet nurses; when it acts as Liu He, it signifies matchmakers. When it acts as Heavenly Empress and is placed over the position of 午 (Wu), or when it acts as Tian Kong, it represents young women. At this time, the Zi on the day pillar also signifies a young child in the family. If White Tiger is present along with earth control, it indicates a short life. The branch 亥 (Hai) when placed over the position of 临 (Ling) signifies children. When placed over 未 (Wei) or 丑 (Chou), it signifies an old woman. The branch 己 (Ji) when placed over 临 signifies a married woman. When placed over 辰 (Chen) and accompanied by White Tiger, it signifies a woman in the army. The branch 酉 (You) when placed over 临 signifies a widow.

娼婦（太常）、婢妾（太陰）、翁婆（加日辰）、樂工、染匠、盜賊、駝子（勾陳）、邪師（空加卯申木）、僧尼（貴合加申亥）、溺死。

When the trigram Tai Chang is present, it signifies a courtesan; when Tai Yin is present, it signifies a servant woman; when it is added to the day branch, it signifies an elder father-in-law or mother-in-law. It also signifies musicians, dyers, and thieves. When Gou Chen is present, it signifies a hunchback. When Tian Kong is present and added to the branches of wood such as Mao or Shen, it signifies a practitioner of occult arts. When Nobleman or Liu He is present and added to the branches of Shen or Hai, it signifies a monk or nun. It also signifies someone who died by drowning.

為奸邪（加卯）、陰小、胎產、女經、淫泆、私禱、聰明、悲（加巳日、子加巳為大陽盡也。若乘吉將臨德，變凶為吉）。

In matters of affairs, when a sign is placed over the卯 position, it indicates deceit and wickedness; it also relates to women, children, pregnancy and childbirth, women's menstrual cycles, licentiousness, secret prayers, and intelligence. When placed over the巳 day, or when the子 position is placed over the巳, it indicates sorrow, as this signifies the exhaustion of the sun's energy. If a favorable general is present along with a virtuous deity, it can transform misfortune into good fortune.

為腎、膀胱。又為滴痢、血病（作虎克日）。

On the body, Zi governs the kidney and bladder; in terms of disease manifestations, it also governs symptoms such as dysuria and diarrhea. When Zi appears as White Tiger and overcomes the day stem, it indicates blood disorders.

為江湖、溝渠、沙石、道路（加寅申）、蓮塘、花盆。

In terms of location, Zi represents rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, and sandy stones; when combined with Yin or Shen hours, it signifies roads. It also represents lotus ponds and flower pots.

為石灰、木灰、珠玉、圖書、文墨、首飾、籠筐、繩索、木匙、缾、盞（日辰上）、浴盆、梯甕（加辰戌）、小裁刀、水物。

On objects, Zi represents lime, plant ash, pearls and jade, books and documents, writing brushes and ink, jewelry, baskets and cages, ropes, wooden spoons, and bottles; when placed over the Day Branch, it signifies cups and bowls; it also represents bath tubs; when combined with the hours of Chen and Xu, it signifies ladders and large jars; it also represents small cutting knives and all things in water.

為絲、布帛（天后加寅卯）、大豆、糖（武加亥）。

In terms of products, Zi represents silk; the Heavenly Empress presiding over Yin and Mao hours signifies brocade and silk; it also governs large beans; the Black Tortoise presiding over the Hai position signifies sugar.

為燕窩、魚鮓。

In terms of food, Zi corresponds to bird's nest and pickled fish.

為姓孫、齊、謝、耿、聶、沐、漆、汪、任（丑未加）、姜（未加）、孔（六合加）、陳（加卯）、傅（申加）、馮（午加），凡水偏傍，流曲之類。

In terms of surnames, the branch Zi (rat) corresponds to the surnames Sun, Qi, Xie, Geng, Nie, Mu, Qi, Wang, and others. The branch Chou (ox) and Wei (tiger) take on temporary surnames depending on their added positions. When Wei is added to the position of Wei, it corresponds to the surname Jiang. When combined with the position of Mao (rabbit), it corresponds to the surname Chen. When Shen (monkey) is added to a temporary position, it corresponds to the surname Fu. When Wu (horse) is added to a temporary position, it corresponds to the surname Feng. Generally, surnames with a water radical or characters with flowing and curved strokes are categorized under this group.

神后陰私（乘陰）綵女（乘後）奸（乘合），亡遺（乘龍）盜賊（乘玄）鬼神言（乘貴常）。土公（乘勾）悲泣（乘空）浴盆事（乘蛇見本季浴盆的），燕（乘雀旦）鼠（乘虎夜）行人（乘虎）取類看。

The song says: When the deity of the Empress rides the Tai Yin, it signifies private matters; when it rides the Heavenly Empress, it indicates palace beauties; when it rides the Liu He, it relates to secret affairs; when it rides the Azure Dragon, it signifies loss or misplacement; when it rides the Black Tortoise, it indicates theft; when it rides the Nobleman or Tai Chang, it relates to supernatural events; when it rides the Gou Chen, it signifies breaking ground; when it rides the Tian Kong, it indicates sorrowful weeping; when it rides the Teng Snake and the seasonal bath tub evil spirit appears, it relates to bath tub matters; in the morning when it rides the Vermilion Bird, it signifies swallows; at night when it rides the White Tiger, it signifies rats; when it rides the White Tiger again, it relates to travelers—these should all be interpreted according to their respective categories.

太陰，主陰私。天后，主綵女。六合，主姦淫。丙丁日男誘女，壬癸日女誘男。青龍主遺亡，玄武主盜賊，壬癸日賊由水路，中必勞眾。丙丁日陸路，勢凶。天乙、太常供鬼神。勾陳主土公事。天空主悲泣。蛇臨謂之浴盆煞，課傳中見四時浴盆煞，又是壬癸虎為浴盆，占小兒，其凶甚矣。朱雀，旦主燕，暮主鼠，虎主行人。

The Heavenly Empress presiding over the Zi hour indicates palace concubines. The Liu He presiding over the Zi hour indicates infidelity: on days of Bing and Ding, men are the ones enticing women; on days of Ren and Gui, women are the ones enticing men. The Azure Dragon indicates loss or misplacement. The Black Tortoise indicates theft; on days of Ren and Gui, thieves come by water, and pursuit requires the involvement of many people; on days of Bing and Ding, thieves come by land, and their approach is fierce. The Nobleman and Tai Chang indicate offerings to spirits. Gou Chen indicates matters concerning the earth god and breaking ground. Tian Kong indicates sorrow. The Teng Snake presiding over the Zi hour is called "Bathing Tub Harm." If the lesson pattern and three transmissions also contain the four seasonal Bathing Tub Harms, and on days of Ren and Gui the White Tiger also forms the Bathing Tub Harm, and it is used to divinate about children, then it is extremely dangerous. The Vermilion Bird presiding over the Zi hour indicates swallows in the morning and mice in the evening; the White Tiger presiding over the Zi hour indicates travelers.