"From Reform" from "Correcting Errors"

凡從革無丑酉巳。從革：三傳巳酉丑。金生巳、旺酉、墓丑。既煅煉相從，又故舊可革，故或從革。

"The Disputation of Errors" first addresses a point: the sequence of Chou, You, and Si cannot be arranged in that order in the From-Revolution pattern. From-Revolution: the three transmissions are Si, You, and Chou. Metal is born in Si, reaches its prosperity in You, and enters its tomb in Chou. Metal must be refined by fire and become obedient to be shaped into an object; once shaped, the object can be remolded again, hence it is called From-Revolution."

占主變動革故鼎新。水日生氣，土日盜氣。丙丁日雖為財，若丑發用，將見貴常勾，乃為降氣，卻主父母災，被恃勢力之人強抑而不得伸也。事先阻後就。若遇旺相氣，吉將並，主革變富貴。遇歲月破及蛇虎，主死喪兵革。日干囚死，有西行之兆。

The divination shows a transformation and renewal. If the day stem is water, then metal generates water, indicating life qi. If the day stem is earth, then earth generates metal, indicating a leaking and stolen qi. On days of Bing and Ding, although metal is the wealth that I overcome, if the initiating transmission comes from Chou, and the heavenly general appears with the nobleman, Tai Chang, and Gou Chen (indicating conflict, land, and entanglement), then the qi descends, leading to disaster for the parents and being oppressed by those in power, unable to move freely. The matter first encounters obstacles and then succeeds. If the metal qi is prosperous and strong with auspicious generals present, it indicates gaining wealth and status after change. If the master year and month builder come to break it, and Teng Snake and White Tiger appear together, it indicates death, mourning, and warfare. The day stem is in a state of captivity and death, showing a tendency to move west.

巳酉丑為順，有氣則革而進，無氣則革而退。酉巳丑主萌芽，欲就而又被隔。巳丑酉變而不順，又主革。酉加巳為愁課，蓋酉為秋令肅殺，萬物愁苦。巳加酉，仕人差遣，改易；常人道路門戶，改革不寧，或有陰人離別之象，占婚大忌，仍以衰旺神將言之。

The order of Si, You, and Chou is in a favorable sequence; when the metal energy is strong, it progresses more effectively, but when the metal energy is weak, it regresses more. The sequence of You, Si, and Chou indicates that matters are just beginning to emerge, but are soon interrupted. The sequence of Si, Chou, and You indicates change without smoothness, and also signifies transformation. When You is placed above Si, it is called a sorrowful lesson, because You belongs to the autumn season, which is characterized by severity and decay, causing all things to feel sorrowful. When Si is placed above You, officials may face transfer or reassignment, ordinary people may experience changes in their paths or homes, or there may be signs of separation from female relatives. This combination is particularly unfavorable for marriage predictions; the overall fortune or misfortune still depends on the strength and weakness of the deities and generals involved.

大都從革與金鬼並，遇秋作游都，定主金革血光逃亡。遇從革藏山石道途之處，病在肺、在筋骨，訟有罪，三傳見劫殺故也。求財獲珍寶，遠行隱避最宜。

In general, if the from-revolution pattern appears along with the metal ghost爻, and it is divined in autumn, it forms the pattern of a wandering capital, which inevitably indicates military conflict, bloodshed, and people fleeing. For lost items, they are hidden among mountains, stones, and roads; for illness, it affects the lungs or bones; for legal disputes, the verdict will be guilty, because the three transmissions include劫 and杀. As for seeking wealth, one can obtain treasures; going on a long journey or seeking shelter is most suitable.

此課雖宜改動更新，然值酉加巳、巳加酉，方孚改革之應。若火多金少，火旺金囚，或將得武后盜金氣，即名從革不革，來意主事欲動未能。如六癸日巳加癸，酉發用，亦難以改動言也。將得六合，亦主欲動不動。凡巳加癸，止有勾空無六合。

This lesson although suitable for amendment and renewal, requires the situations of You adding Si and Si adding You, to truly indicate a need for change. If in the chart there is an excess of fire and a lack of metal, with fire being strong and metal weak, or if the Heavenly General receives the Black Tortoise or the Heavenly Empress to drain the metal energy, then it is called from revolution but the revolution does not occur. If the person's intention is to change but cannot. For example, on six癸 days, when Si is placed on癸, and initiated by You, it still does not truly indicate a change. If the Heavenly General receives Liu He, it is also a case of wanting to change but unable to. All cases where Si is added to癸, the Heavenly General will only be Gou Chen or Tian Kong, and Liu He will not appear.

戊己日占用土神，戊己日占，大吉、小吉發用是也。三傳四季合斯文。此名稼穡緣從土，築室開田墓宅因。

The Heart Mirror explains the Jia Se hexagram: When the Wu Ji day is used for divination, the initiating transmission takes the earth deity, which refers to the situation where the divination is done on Wu or Ji day, and the initiating transmission is based on "Daji" (the Earthly Branch Chou) or "Xiaoji" (the Earthly Branch Wei). The three transmissions combine the seasons of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, all of which are earth elements, perfectly matching the meaning of this hexagram. The hexagram is called Jia Se, which means farming and harvesting, and its meaning is entirely related to earth. The matters it indicates include building houses, opening fields, and matters concerning tombs and land.

戊己日用四季為傳，土氣重，主艱難之象。如壬癸日，當為脫難煞，為物極則變，變則通也。久厄者反有解散之意，無事。常占則名鯨鯢歸澗，凡事逼迫不由己出。若遇雷神，方能變化。雷神者，太沖六合是也。六癸日伏吟同。

The book "Xiu Zhong Jin" states: On Wu and Ji days, the three transmissions are made using Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, the four seasonal earths. When earth energy is too heavy, it indicates a difficult and troubled situation. If instead it is on Ren and Gui days, it is called the "Tuo Nan Sha" - when things reach an extreme, they will change, and once they change, they will become smooth. Those who have been in a difficult situation for a long time may find relief. If this situation is encountered in a general divination, it is also known as "Jing Ni Gui Jian," meaning a large fish trapped in a small stream, where all matters are constrained and one cannot take control. Only when the Thunder God appears can there be a change. The Thunder God refers to "Taichong" (the branch Mao) and Liu He. The same principle applies when six Gui days result in a Hidden Chant lesson.

遊子稼穡，亦名五墳卦，不宜占病。巳上三交元胎，遊子稼穡，三體並由孟仲季之命名也。蓋孟為隱伏，仲為進退，季為游動，皆屬刑沖破害。況孟有孤神，仲有敗煞，季有華蓋，不可謂面前常見之體而忽之者也。

The "Zhiyao" says: "Youzi Jiase," also called the Five Tombs Trigram, is not suitable for divining illness. The three types of lesson patterns discussed above, namely Sanjiao, Yuetai, and Youzi Jiase, are all named according to the four Meng, four Zhong, and four Ji seasons. The four Meng indicate concealment, the four Zhong indicate indecision, and the four Ji indicate wandering. All three involve the elements of punishment, opposition, destruction, and harm. Moreover, the four Meng have the solitary spirit, the four Zhong have the defeated evil, and the four Ji have "Huagai" (a star indicating solitude and religious numerology), so they should not be disregarded merely because they are common types of lesson patterns.

若順三合理勢自然，申子辰為潤下，以和順為義。寅午戌為炎上，以發達為名。亥卯未為曲直，當舉直錯諸枉。巳酉丑為從革，宜革故鼎新。三傳稼穡，田土稽停。

The "Zhi Qiao" says: If the triple harmony follows the order of mutual generation, the affairs and circumstances will naturally proceed smoothly. Shen-Zi-Chen is characterized by moistening and descending, and is associated with harmony and compliance; Yin-Wu-Xu is characterized by rising heat, and is known for prosperity and success; Hai-Mao-Wei is characterized by bending and straightening, and is suitable for promoting integrity and rejecting corruption; Si-You-Chou is characterized by following and transformation, and is suitable for discarding the old and establishing the new. If the three transmissions form the pattern of crops and fields, the matters often remain tied to land and property.

若逆三合，事主乖違。子申辰為循順，貴無躐等。戌午寅為就燥，行合中庸。未卯亥為正陽，發生之意。巳丑酉為發罡，肅殺之危。四土迎財，尚宜守舊。

If the Triple Harmony is arranged in reverse order, things tend to be obstructed. The group consisting of Zi, Shen, and Chen is called following the proper sequence, emphasizing proceeding step by step and not exceeding one's rank; the group of Xu, Wu, and Yin is called being overly hot, requiring actions to be in accordance with the middle path; the group of Wei, Mao, and Hai is called the proper yang, implying growth and development; and the group of Si, Chou, and You is called issuing the sharp energy, carrying the danger of severity and suppression. Those involving the four earth branches Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei to welcome the wealth爻 should still be cautious and prefer to maintain the existing situation.

稼穡：三傳辰戌丑未，無丁馬是也。土主稼穡事，故名稼穡。占主沉滯，戊己日更屬艱難。惟壬癸日為脫難殺，謂物極則變，變則通，危反解散。常人占則名鯨鯢歸潤，凡事逼迫不由自己，遇雷神方能變化。雷神者，太沖六合也。

"The *Ding E* says about *Jia Se* (cultivating crops): When the three transmissions fall on the hours of *Chen*, *Xu*, *Chou*, or *Wei*, and do not include the *Ding* deity or the *Yi Ma* (post-horse), this is considered this pattern. Earth represents farming and harvesting, so it is called *Jia Se*. If this pattern is divined, the matter will be heavy and delayed. If it is divined on a *Wu* or *Ji* day, it will be even more difficult. Only when divined on a *Ren* or *Gui* day is it called *Tuo Nan Sha* (escape from danger): when things reach an extreme, they must change; once they change, they become smooth, and a dangerous situation will instead disperse. For ordinary people, if this pattern is divined, it is called *Jing Ni Gui Run* (great fish returning to the moist), like a big fish trapped in shallow water, where all things are forced by others and one has no freedom; only when the *Lei Shen* (thunder deity) appears can there be a change. The *Lei Shen* refers to *Mao* and *Liu He*."

凡占多係耕農、土工、築室、田宅事。若日辰年命乘死氣，為墳墓事，乘煞墳墓不安。巳午加日辰年命，則理窯灶事，寅卯加為耕農，申酉加為修城築室，亥子加為治溝河，六合青龍為田宅交易。大凡為事遲鈍，病者在脾。

When divining about agriculture and farming, the matters usually involve plowing, land work, roofing a house, and property related to fields, houses, and land. If the day branch or the person's birth year and age are accompanied by death qi, it indicates matters concerning graves or tombs; if further accompanied by凶煞 (malevolent stars), the tomb is unstable. If巳 or午 are added to the day branch or the person's birth year and age, it refers to repairing kilns and stoves; if寅 or卯 are added, it refers to plowing and farming; if申 or酉 are added, it refers to building cities and roofing houses; if亥 or子 are added, it refers to dredging canals and rivers. IfLiu He andAzure Dragon appear, it indicates buying and selling of land and property. In general, the affairs are slow and unsmooth. When divining about illness, the illness is related to the spleen.

此課如占田土，發用辰將得空、貴、勾、常，主因田土爭鬥帶眾，蓋天罡為部領之神，勾陳又住戊辰土，定主帶眾。如將不遇此，主兩人爭競田土。甲乙日主爭錢物。大都土氣重帶煞沖破者，託人費力，謀事反覆。

If this lesson is used to divinate about land, with the initiating transmission from Chen and the Heavenly General arriving at Tian Kong, Nobleman, Gou Chen, and Tai Chang, it indicates that the land will be contested by a group of people. Chen is the god who commands a group, and Gou Chen resides in the earth of Wuchen, so it is determined that many people will be involved. If the Heavenly General is not these ones, then it is simply two people fighting over land. On days of Jia or Yi, the dispute involves money and belongings. Generally, if the earth element is too strong and accompanied byInauspicious Sha (malevolent stars), and if there is a clash or break, then asking others for help will be difficult, and plans will be changeable and unstable.

此上五課，總名三合，又名全局，皆主事叢雜不一，夥眾共謀，不然兩三處託人幹事。或一傳與干支上神作六合，及見天將六合者，凡謀必遂，名利皆宜，主人相助成合也。大都三合是無休歇之象，一事去又一事來，必得吉將用事，須人引進方可，但不利解事。

The above five types of divination are collectively known as Triple Harmony, also called the overall situation. They generally indicate that matters are disorderly or involve collaboration with others, or that affairs are being handled by different people at the same time. If one of the transmissions forms aLiu He with the heavenly stem and earthly branch, or if the Heavenly General meets withLiu He, then whatever is planned will succeed, and both reputation and profit will be favorable, with someone helping from the side to make things happen. In general, Triple Harmony represents a continuous flow of events, where one matter ends and another begins, requiring a favorable Heavenly General and someone to introduce matters for them to proceed. However, it is not suitable for matters aiming to conclude or to disband.

五課外，有寅卯辰亦作曲直，巳午未亦作炎上，申酉戌亦作從革，亥子丑亦作潤下。

In addition to these five main patterns, there are also flexible calculations: if the three transmissions are arranged as寅, 卯, 辰, they should be viewed as curved and straight; if arranged as巳, 午, 未, they should be viewed as fiery; if arranged as申, 酉, 戌, they should be viewed as metal; if arranged as亥, 子, 丑, they should be viewed as moist and downward. This is based on the principle of taking the same direction of energy from the three branches.

凡孟神發用，傳皆四孟，為元胎課。蓋四孟者，寅申巳亥，四生之局，又為五行受氣之位。如木生於亥，火子受氣；水生於申，木子受氣之類。此元中有胎，故名元胎。占者事皆新意。統家人之體，開花結子之課。

Whenever the initiating transmission comes from one of the four beginning stems (四孟), and all three transmissions are also among the four beginning stems, it is called the original embryo lesson (元胎课). The four beginning stems refer to寅, 申, 巳, and 亥, which are the four positions of growth (长生) in the Five Phases. They are also the positions where the next phase begins to receive its vital breath. For example, wood's growth is in亥, and the fire generated by wood also begins to receive its vital breath in亥; water's growth is in申, and the wood generated by water also begins to receive its vital breath in申. The rest follow the same pattern. The vital breath (长生) already contains the essence of the embryo, so it is called the original embryo. When this lesson is divined, the matters inquired about all carry a sense of novelty. In terms of the hexagram, it belongs to the Family hexagram from The Zhou Changes, and is considered a lesson of flowering and fruiting.

象曰：“三傳長生，胎孕成形。官加恩爵，婚獲娉婷。病訟淹滯，財利疊興。行人敵賊，戀生不行。”戀生者，如寅加巳，巳加申，申加亥，亥加寅，為進步長生，主事遲。

The interpretation states: The three transmissions are all in the position of growth, and the fetus has already taken form. Those seeking official positions will be promoted and receive higher ranks; those discussing marriage will marry beautiful women. However, if it concerns illness or legal disputes, they will remain unresolved, while matters concerning wealth will become increasingly prosperous. For those waiting for a traveler or guarding against enemies, the other party will all be attached to the position of growth and unwilling to move. What is called "attachment to growth" refers to cases where寅 is added to巳,巳 to申,申 to亥, and亥 to寅, known as progressive growth, indicating that things will come slowly.

如用值天后財爻，主妻必懷胎。外有妻財值生氣，胎神發用，主妻有孕。如正月戊己日用子，四月庚辛日用卯，七月壬癸日用午，占妻懷孕無疑。或年命見之，遇元胎尤的。或元胎帶喜神吉將，吉利。遠行又經求名利，百事皆吉，當應家人六四富家大吉之象。

If the initiating transmission is carried by the Heavenly Empress and it is also the wife's wealth爻, it indicates that the wife is certainly pregnant. Additionally, if the wife's wealth爻 is in the life qi and the fetal deity is initiating transmission, it also indicates the wife is pregnant. For example, if the initiating transmission is in the Zi position on a戊 or己 day in the first lunar month, or in the卯 position on a庚 or辛 day in the fourth lunar month, or in the午 position on a壬 or癸 day in the seventh lunar month, then predicting pregnancy is certain. If these signs appear on the person's birth year and the current year, and the fetal lesson is present, the prediction is especially accurate. If the fetal lesson is accompanied by the auspicious god and favorable generals, it is favorable: traveling far, engaging in business, and seeking fame and fortune, all are auspicious. This corresponds to the sixth line of the Family hexagram, "Great Good Fortune for the Wealthy Family," indicating a prosperous family situation.

若老少占病，為後世投胎之兆，最凶。或常占遇三刑及凶神惡將，必有憂疑驚恐。父母用事，家中尊長見災。或日用休囚，天后落空，為元胎不育，家招干兒義女接續，當應九三婦子嘻嘻終吝之象。

But if an elderly person or a child is divining about illness, the yuan tai becomes a sign of reincarnation, which is most ominous. In ordinary divination, if one encounters the three punishments or malevolent spirits, the mind will certainly be filled with worry, doubt, and fear. If the parents' yao are in authority and initiating transmission, the family elders will face misfortune. If the spirits used on the day branch are weak and confined, and the heavenly empress falls into kongwang, it is called yuan tai not being able to produce offspring. The family will need to adopt a son or a daughter to continue the family lineage. This corresponds to the situation described in the family卦 nine three, where women and children laugh without restraint, ultimately leading to regret and loss.

如甲寅日寅時巳將占，三傳申亥寅孟神，為元胎課。

For example: On a Jiayin day at a Yin hour, using the Si general to start the calculation, the three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin, all of which are the first of the four quarters of the heavens. This is known as the Yuan Tai lesson.

申 亥 寅 蛇 陰 蛇 陰 申 巳 申 巳 巳 寅 巳 甲 申酉戌亥 未 子 午 丑 巳辰卯寅

The top vertical line is the Three Transmissions, with the First Transmission to the Final Transmission in order being Shen, Hai, and Yin. The line below marked 「snake Tai Yin snake Tai Yin」 represents the Heavenly Generals governing the Four Lessons, in order being Teng Snake, Tai Yin (governing private matters, protection, and women), Teng Snake, and Tai Yin. The next two lines are the upper and lower gods of the Four Lessons: the upper gods are Shen, Si, Shen, and Si, and the lower gods are Si, Yin, Si, and Jia, with Jia being the Day Stem. The bottom enclosed twelve branches are the fixed positions of the Earth Plate. The Three Transmissions Shen, Hai, and Yin all fall on the Four Clans, forming the pattern of a Yuan Tai lesson.

元胎：四孟神作三傳。三傳長生為五行母氣，此元中有胎，故名元胎。占主事皆新意，有嬰兒隱伏之象，最宜於產，求官、求財、求婚，皆以長生大利。病訟淹滯，行人不來，捕賊不獲，戀生故也。若老幼占病，為後世投胎之兆，凶。

"The Ding'uo" says about Yuan Tai: It is composed of the four Meng deities to form the Three Transmissions. All three transmissions are in the position of Changsheng, which is the original qi of the Five Phases. The Changsheng Yuan already contains Tai, so it is called Yuan Tai. When this divination is obtained, the matter inquired about has new meaning, with an image of an infant hidden but not yet revealed. It is most favorable for childbirth. Seeking official positions, wealth, or marriage is greatly beneficial because of the presence of Changsheng. Divination regarding illness or legal matters will be delayed and unresolved, with no one coming to meet the person or thieves being unable to be caught, because the other party remains attached to the Changsheng position and does not move. If an elderly person or a child divines about illness, this divination becomes a premonition of rebirth in the next life, indicating misfortune.

寅加巳、巳加申、申加亥、亥加寅，為進步長生，主事速，又名病胎。蓋上生下為五行病處，懷胎有憂。寅加亥、亥加申、申加巳、巳加寅，為退步長生，主事遲，又名生胎。蓋下生上，乃身臨長生之鄉，懷胎大吉，發用財爻，得天后，值生氣胎神，定主妻有孕。

When the trigram Yin is added to Si, Si to Shen, Shen to Hai, and Hai to Yin, it is called progressive long life, indicating that matters will come quickly, also known as the fetal illness—when the upper god generates the lower god, it falls exactly on the position of the Five Phases' illness, implying worries during pregnancy. Conversely, when Yin is added to Hai, Hai to Shen, Shen to Si, and Si to Yin, it is called regressive long life, indicating that matters will come slowly, also known as the fetal birth—when the lower god generates the upper god, the person is standing in the land of long life, implying a favorable pregnancy. If the initiating transmission is the wealth hexagram, and it is accompanied by the Heavenly Empress, and it coincides with the life qi and fetal deity, it can be concluded that the wife is already pregnant.

如正月戊己日用子，四月庚辛日用卯，七月壬癸日用午，占妻懷孕無疑。年命見之尤的。常占遇三刑及凶將，必有憂疑驚恐。父母發用，尊長見災。子孫空亡，為元胎不育，凡占無成，更艱子息。天后空亡，因孕傷母。

For example, if the initiating transmission falls on the Zi branch on a Wu or Ji day in the first lunar month, or on the Mao branch on a Geng or Xin day in the fourth lunar month, or on the Wu branch on a Ren or Gui day in the seventh lunar month, it indicates with certainty that the wife will become pregnant. If the person's birth year and current year both show the same, it is even more accurate. In ordinary divination, if the three punishments or凶将 are encountered, there will be worries, doubts, and fear. If the parents'爻 is active, there will be misfortune among the family elders. If the children's爻 falls on Kongwang, it indicates that the pregnancy will not result in a child, and in all matters, it will not succeed, especially regarding descendants. If the Heavenly Empress falls on Kongwang, it indicates that the mother will be harmed due to the pregnancy.

此課雖係新鮮喜慶之兆，然多身喜心憂。蓋為腹中有孕，心自懸懸也。事主遠而多伏，闇昧不通，觸則成禍，若反吟課為絕胎。

This lesson, though indicating a fresh and joyful omen, mostly suggests external happiness and inner worry—like carrying a fetus in the abdomen, yet the heart remains anxious and unsettled. The matter in question is distant and full of hidden obstacles, vague and difficult to understand, and any contact may lead to misfortune. If it encounters a reverse chant lesson, it becomes a complete miscarriage.

五行受氣處，四孟是懷胎。三傳見寅申巳亥者，為元胎卦也。寅中金受氣，火生從此來。寅中金絕，名曰受氣，火生於寅。木從申上起，水產五行推。木受氣於申，水生於申也。金逢巳上生，水上卻栽培。水土巳上受氣，金生於巳也。登明上生木，火因此路開。火受氣在亥，木生於亥也。

The "Observing the Menstrual Cycle" verse says: The Five Phases receive their qi at certain points, and the four beginning months are where the fetus is conceived; when the Three Transmissions show寅, 申, 巳, or 亥, it indicates the original fetal hexagram. The verse explains each line: Gold qi is conceived in寅, and fire begins its growth here — gold is extinguished in寅, called receiving qi, while fire is born in寅. Wood begins its growth in申, and water also originates here — wood receives qi in申, and water is born in申. Gold gains its growth in巳, while water is cultivated here — water and earth receive qi in巳, and gold is born in巳. "Dengming" (the earth branch Hai) gives birth to wood, and fire also begins here — fire receives qi inHai, and wood is born inHai.

欲知懷胎婦，因此卦中推。要知此端的，女人必有災。主婦人先有患，後有懷胎之事也。或然無產婦，來占為求財。正月丙申日，申時卦作陪。孟秋申發用，寅亥俱一垓。孟秋即申為初傳，亥為中傳，寅為末傳。學人依此語，求發不遲迴。三傳俱孟，依此為元胎卦也。

If one wants to know if a woman in a family is pregnant, one should refer to this hexagram; if considering accuracy, a woman must first suffer misfortune before becoming pregnant. This means that the woman first has an illness, and then becomes pregnant afterwards. If there is no pregnant woman in the family and the person is only divining for wealth, one should still interpret the hexagram in the same way. A verse illustrates this: On the day of Bingshen in the first lunar month, the hour of Shen matches the start of the divination, the initial deity Shen initiates the transmission, and Yin and Hai combine together — meaning Shen is the first transmission, Hai is the middle transmission, and Yin is the final transmission. Scholars should use these lines to deduce, and they will not hesitate or take unnecessary detours when starting the divination. In summary, if all three transmissions are from the four young months, this is considered the original pregnancy hexagram.

巳申亥寅，春元胎者，生意已萌於中。夏勵陽者，機關略見於外。秋者四牡，驅馳不息。冬者全福，行止亨通。若逆相加，勢情為悖，三傳亥申巳寅，六合亦名六害。春元毓，有始勤終怠之形。夏秉弘鈞，中正權衡之象。秋含義而無中生有，冬傳慶而暗事將明。

The "Zhi Qiao" explains according to the four seasons: if the three transmissions are arranged as巳, 申, 亥, 寅, then in spring it is called Yuan Tai, with the vital energy already beginning to stir; in summer it is called Li Yang, with the mechanism slightly revealed externally; in autumn it is called Si Mu, like four stallions pulling a carriage running continuously; in winter it is called Quan Fu, with both movement and stillness smooth and unimpeded. If reversed, the situation becomes discordant: if the three transmissions are arranged as亥, 申, 巳, 寅, which is called Liu He, also called Liu Hai. In spring it is called Yuan Yu, showing a pattern of initial diligence followed by later slackness; in summer it is called Bing Hong Jun, indicating an atmosphere of upholding righteousness and governing balance; in autumn it contains meaning, capable of creating something from nothing; in winter it brings good news, with hidden matters about to become clear.

三傳俱孟是元胎，五行生處主嬰孩。所占百事皆新意，或卜懷娠結偶來。三傳俱孟，是五行生處，應此卦。主懷胎及結偶之事。

The Heart Mirror says: If all three transmissions are in the first months, it indicates a primordial embryo, and the place of growth in the Five Phases signifies an infant. When divining various matters, they often carry a new meaning, mostly concerning pregnancy or marriage. If all three transmissions fall in the first months, it is exactly the position of growth in the Five Phases, so this hexagram indicates matters related to pregnancy and marriage.

三傳俱孟，名曰元胎。其象嬰兒，隱伏之狀，利上不利下，事主遠而多伏，闇昧不通，觸則成禍。申加巳名生胎，為憂課，女人懷孕必的，安得不憂？巳加申為病胎，又名怕課，又名四病課，胎孕有病，安得不怕？

The "Xiu Zhong Jin" says: When all three transmissions are in the first months (four Meng), it is called Yuan Tai, symbolizing the image of an infant hidden and not yet revealed. This is favorable to those in higher positions but unfavorable to those in lower positions. The matter in question is distant and full of hidden dangers, vague and unclear. Once touched, it will cause trouble. When Shen is placed over Si, it is called Sheng Tai, indicating a worrying situation—how can a woman not worry when she is already pregnant? When Si is placed over Shen, it is called Bing Tai, also known as Pa Ke and Si Bing Ke—pregnancy with illness, how can one not fear?

生胎主事生新，病胎主疾病，見虎入傳為驗。然皆身喜心憂。事主四人共謀，終見災異。又在臨時消詳。反吟四孟為絕元胎也。

The birth stem indicates new matters, while the sick stem indicates illness. If the White Tiger enters the three transmissions, the prediction becomes more accurate. However, both situations involve joy on the surface but worry in the heart. Matters to be handled usually involve four people planning together, and ultimately, disasters or anomalies will be seen. When the four beginning months encounter reverse chant, it is called a complete original birth.

元胎有四，驛馬、龍、雀、貴人，大利舉人占試。四孟是五行初氣，事多遲緩。四馬四祿俱吉。官員占差除，是學館有旺氣。若辰戌丑未，是親民守土之位，無土是學館。此四位用處不同，不可一例而推。

There are four types of combinations in the original form: those with the Post-horse, those with the Azure Dragon, those with the Vermilion Bird, and those with the Nobleman, all of which are very favorable for a candidate seeking to predict the outcome of an examination. The four beginning months represent the initial stage of the Five Phases, so matters tend to develop slowly. When the Post-horse and the four禄神 appear together, it is auspicious. For an official seeking to predict an appointment or assignment, if the earth element is prosperous and strong, it indicates a position managing a school; if the three transmissions fall in the years of辰, 戌, 丑, or 未, it signifies a position involving direct governance of the people and defending a region. If the lesson contains no earth element, it refers to a school position. The four beginning months and the four seasonal months each have their own applications and cannot be treated the same way.

謂有刑合沖破害克。如丙日亥申用，有克害，必有害事，更見元雀勾，定有五件事。又寅日見巳申用，雖合於內，有沖有刑。蓋申破巳，巳刑申也。占主刑中之合，薄有所就，欲出行則可。

This is because there are distinctions among the four beginning months, such as punishment, union, opposition, destruction, harm, and control. For example, if on a Bing day the亥 and 申 are used as the initiating transmission, with the presence of punishment and harm in between, there will certainly be obstacles. If further the Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Gou Chen appear, it indicates five matters entangled. Another example is when on a寅 day the巳 and 申 are used as the initiating transmission, which seems to indicate union, but in reality there is both opposition and punishment—申 destroys巳, and巳 also punishes 申. When such punishment is mixed with union, the matter can only achieve partial success; if it is about traveling far, it may still be feasible.

大抵四孟須看人情狀。如家樵小人，豈有學館。如勾朱白，必有訟事相交，或有病人也。如見日辰生處用，主婦人胎產，更行年見龍，必生男子，見後元是女。螣驚、虎傷、陰難產。勾有厄。惟朱空近產，只如尋常。

In general, when casting a divination for someone in the first quarter, one must consider the person's status and circumstances: if the person is a poor man who makes a living by cutting firewood, how can he possibly hold an official position in a school? If the Heavenly General appears with Gou Chen, Vermilion Bird, or White Tiger, there will certainly be legal troubles or a sick family member. If the initiating transmission falls in the long life position of the day branch, it indicates a woman's pregnancy; if the person's birth year also has the Azure Dragon, it will be a boy, but if it has Heavenly Empress or Black Tortoise, it will be a girl. Teng Snake indicates fear or alarm, White Tiger indicates injury, Tai Yin indicates difficult childbirth, and Gou Chen indicates hardship. Only when Vermilion Bird or Tian Kong are present at the time of childbirth will the situation be relatively normal.

巳作天后，亦主懷胎。巳是螣蛇本宮。太常占病主血疾。若巳作太陰，定傷血。如占婦人，多因產臥得之。若丈夫占病，得此上傷氣。若見陰常，須有膿血。見青龍，病不吉。占官事，見常陰白皆有官厄。

The trigram Si is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, which indicates pregnancy; Si is originally the palace of the Teng Snake. If Si is occupied by Tai Chang and used for divination on illness, it indicates problems related to the blood; if occupied by Tai Yin, there will certainly be blood loss. When divining for a woman, it mostly indicates illness contracted during the postpartum period; if a man divines illness and gets this pattern, it indicates injury to the upper part of the body related to qi. If Tai Yin and Tai Chang appear together, there will certainly be symptoms involving pus and blood; if the Azure Dragon appears, the illness is unfavorable. When divining about legal disputes, seeing Tai Chang, Tai Yin, and Bai Hu together indicates trouble with legal matters.

凡用神傳在一方，相連作中末，為連珠課。如三傳寅卯辰之類。蓋中末傳孟仲季神相連若貫珠，故名連茹。茹，菜也。蓋拔茅連茹，言其相牽引也。吉事占之，若連珠可愛。凶似連茹可惡。統復之體，乃山外青山之課也。退連茹又名失友格，主事欲行不行，人情欠美。

When the initiating transmission and the following two transmissions are all in the same direction and arranged one after another as the middle transmission and the final transmission, it is called a connected transmission lesson. For example, if the three transmissions are寅, 卯, 辰, the middle and final transmissions connect the three divine beings of the first, second, and third positions like a string of pearls, hence it is also called a connected root lesson. "Root" refers to the root of a plant, and the "Zhou Yi" Tai hexagram says "pulling the wild garlic and connecting the roots," which means pulling one brings out a string. When divining for good events, it is as charming as a string of pearls; when divining for bad events, it is as unpleasant as connected roots. In terms of the hexagram structure, it belongs to the复 hexagram, representing a mountain outside another mountain, with one layer following another. If the three transmissions are connected in reverse order, it is called the lost friend pattern, indicating that things intended to be done cannot be accomplished, and interpersonal relationships are not harmonious.

象曰：“陰陽拱夾，奇偶有主。凶則重重，吉當累累。孕必連胎，事獲交舉。時旱多晴，天陰久雨。”

The interpretation says: Yin and Yang energies come from both sides to support and surround, with odd and even numbers each having their own place. When it is凶 (unfavorable), it is one layer after another; when it is吉 (favorable), it is one matter following another. In predicting pregnancy, it indicates consecutive pregnancies; in doing affairs, it suggests several things can be accomplished at once. When there is drought, the prediction suggests continued clear weather; when there is overcast weather, it indicates continuous rain.

若傳進宜進，貴順事順速成。值空亡則宜退，可以全身遠害。傳退宜退，貴逆遲阻，遇空亡則宜進，可以消災避禍。或三傳亥子丑日月星奇全者，為三奇聯珠，主萬事合和，乘吉將尤吉，當應復六五敦復無悔之象也。

When the three transmissions are arranged in forward order, a person should move forward, and if the nobleman is also in forward order, things will proceed smoothly and succeed quickly; if they fall into kongwang, one should retreat instead, for retreating preserves oneself and keeps one away from misfortune. When the three transmissions are arranged in reverse order, a person should retreat, and if the nobleman is also in reverse order, there will be many obstacles and delays; if one encounters kongwang, one should advance instead, for advancing dispels calamity and avoids disaster. If the three transmissions exactly consist of亥, 子, and 丑, combining the daily marvel, monthly marvel, and stellar marvel, known as the three marvels, this is called the three marvels in a line, indicating harmony in all matters. When this is combined with a favorable general, it becomes even more auspicious, corresponding to the line six in the fifth of the复卦, which signifies a thick and sincere return without regret.

如乙丑日酉時戌將占，三傳寅卯辰，為連珠課。

For example: On Yichou day and You hour, using Xu as the general, the three transmissions derived are Yin, Mao, and Chen, each following one after another, which is known as a connected transmission lesson.

凡日辰前後夾定三傳在內，為夾定三傳格。凡事進退皆不由人，以其夾定故也。上病訟解除事不利，問財喜併成合事可為美也。如癸酉日亥加戌，庚子日戌加亥，甲午日辰加卯之類是也。

Whenever the day stem and day branch are positioned one before and one after, with the three transmissions in between, it is called the "夹定三传格" (sandian sanzhuan ge). In such a situation, whether to advance or retreat is not in one's control, as both ends are blocked. This pattern is unfavorable for divination regarding illness, legal disputes, or attempts to escape or resolve matters. However, it is a favorable configuration for predicting wealth and happiness, or for determining the success of a matter. For example, Guiyou day with亥 (Hai) added to戌 (Xu), Gengzi day with戌 (Xu) added to亥 (Hai), and Jiawu day with辰 (Chen) added to卯 (Mao) all fall into this category.

凡日辰前後夾定少一位，為夾定虛一格，凡事有小節不完，其勢稍緩。或前虛一主初時有阻，或後虛一主將成小阻。如虛一位是日財，主財上不足，父母則長上不足。丁卯日干上申，三傳辰巳午，欠一未字，是子孫乘朱雀，主卑幼文字口舌不足，年命填實不在此限。此三傳被干支夾定，不能進退，畢竟吉凶皆不散也。

If the day stem and day branch enclose the three transmissions but one is missing in the middle, it is called the "夹定虚一格" (enclosure with a missing one). In such cases, things are never fully complete, and the momentum is somewhat slow. If the missing transmission is before the day stem, it indicates initial obstacles; if it is after, it suggests some minor hindrance when things are about to be completed. If the missing transmission is the day stem's wealth爻 (wealth element), it indicates a lack of money; if it is the parents爻 (ancestral element), it suggests shortcomings from the elders. For example, on a Dingmao day, if the day stem is Shen, and the three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu, with the missing transmission being Wei, which is the子孙爻 (descendant element) riding the Vermilion Bird, it indicates shortcomings in the descendants regarding documents and disputes. However, if the person's birth year happens to fill in this missing transmission, then this does not apply. When the three transmissions are enclosed by the day stem and day branch, they are stuck and cannot move forward, whether the outcome is good or bad, it will eventually disperse.

凡三傳透出日干之外，為夾不住格。經云：夾住不住，留中有去。若進透出者，因進之太過；退透出者，因退之不及。如甲子日，三傳子亥戌是也。若干透出支，不利外動事，有回還；支透出干，不利於內，惟宜外動。或透鬼，鬼在外，有凶；透財，財在外，有破耗。餘仿此。

If the three transmissions go beyond the day stem and appear outside, it is called the 'unable to contain' pattern. The classic text says: wanting to contain but unable to, seeming to remain in the middle but actually having already slipped away. If the transmissions emerge in the forward direction, it indicates excessive progress; if they emerge in the reverse direction, it indicates insufficient retreat. For example, on a Jiazi day, if the three transmissions are Zi, Hai, Xu, this is such a case. If the transmissions emerge from the day stem and go beyond the day branch, it is unfavorable for external activities, and the matter will return inward. If the transmissions emerge from the day branch and go beyond the day stem, it is unfavorable for internal affairs, and it is more suitable for external activities. If the emerging element is a ghost爻, with the ghost outside, it indicates misfortune. If the emerging element is a wealth爻, with wealth outside, it indicates loss. The rest can be inferred in a similar manner.

凡三傳有支上發傳朝日格，神吉傳吉，主成合事，不求自至，無心中得。或神凶傳凶，主禍來不測，及占病生產事忌。如丙寅日干上午，三傳辰巳午；戊寅日干上午，三傳辰巳午；壬寅日干上戌，三傳子亥戌之類是也。

All three transmissions that originate from the day branch and proceed towards the day stem are called the "Morning Sun Pattern." If the divine transmission is auspicious and the transmission is also auspicious, it indicates that matters of reconciliation will succeed, and things will come to you without seeking them; you will obtain them unintentionally. However, if the divine transmission is inauspicious and the transmission is also inauspicious, then misfortunes will come unpredictably, and this pattern is especially unfavorable for divinations concerning illness or childbirth. For example, on a Bingyin day, the day stem is Wu, and the three transmissions are Chen, Si, Wu; on a Wuyin day, the day stem is Wu, and the three transmissions are Chen, Si, Wu; on a RENYIN day, the day stem is Xu, and the three transmissions are Zi, Hai, Xu. All these cases fall under this pattern.

凡三傳有干上發傳及他處發傳，歸支上；有支上自發用相連作三傳者，三傳朝支格。如臣使君，子使父，不免俯就於人，被人抑勒不自由。旺相尤可，死囚更凶，利卑不利尊，利靜不利動也。

All three transmissions originate from the day stem or from elsewhere, eventually returning to the day branch; or they may originate from the day branch itself and be arranged in sequence to form the three transmissions. This pattern is called the Three Transmissions Returning to the Branch. It is like a subject ordering the sovereign or a son ordering his father, inevitably having to bow and yield to others, being oppressed and lacking freedom. When the spiritual energy is strong and prosperous, it can still manage, but if it falls into a dead or imprisoned position, it becomes even more dangerous. This pattern benefits the lower-ranking party and is unfavorable to the higher-ranking one; it is suitable for stillness and not for reckless action.

如甲午日三傳辰巳午，末傳引入死地，緣何會好？占病必死，行人未來，以上圖例仿此前。

For example, on a Jiawu day, if the three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu, the final transmission brings the matter into the wood's place of death, where can there be good fortune? Divining illness indicates it will certainly not be cured, and for waiting on a traveler, the person will not come. The examples of the layout for each pattern should all be viewed in the same way as the one previously mentioned.