Third十八: On Divination by Time

論占時三十八。占時者，乃人之神機符合自然，激發禍福之源，推測吉凶之首。故三傳就時不發，目將惟時方加，時與用俱不可傷。如甲乙日金時，時剋日，用又助之，謀事皆凶，所謂「天網四張，萬物盡傷」是也。

Thirty-eighth, discussing "the time of divination." The correct time for casting a hexagram is the moment when a person's inner spirit coincides perfectly with the natural forces of heaven and earth. It is the source from which fortune and misfortune are aroused, and the first step in predicting good or bad outcomes. Therefore, although the three transmissions are derived from the time, they are not directly initiated from it; the month general must also fall upon this time to be effective. Since this is the case, both the correct time and the useful god must remain unharmed. For example, if a day is Jia or Yi (wood), but the time is Shen or You (metal), the time comes to overcome the day, and the useful god turns to assist the metal energy, then all matters in question will be dangerous. This is what is called "the heavenly net spreads on all sides, and nothing in the world is spared."

地下正時為先鋒門，天上正時為直事門。課一入手，便須於正時著意推詳。金日得寅卯時為日財，先鋒門便是財，為求財事；正時所乘天盤將白虎為道路，直事門便是往來出入求財也。

The palace on the earth plate marked by the correct hour is called "Frontier Gate," and the heavenly stem added on top of the correct hour on the heaven plate is called "Direct Affairs Gate." Once a divination lesson is obtained, one should first carefully analyze the correct hour. For example, if a day stem of Geng or Xin (metal) coincides with the hour of Yin or Mao (wood), the wood is overcome by metal, which is the wife and wealth of the day stem. Therefore, the Frontier Gate is wealth, and the matter being inquired about is naturally related to seeking wealth. Then look at the general of the heavenly stem on the correct hour, which is White Tiger. White Tiger governs roads, so the Direct Affairs Gate is about traveling and moving around. Combined, this indicates seeking wealth while being away from home.

發用旺相新財，休囚舊財。如時為日馬，定主出入；若馬為日財，主因財出入。發用休氣，主緊速疾病。若時為日馬帶鬼，或緊速官事往來衙門。時為日德、日祿、日貴、日官鬼者、日兄弟、日子孫等，各隨事斷之。

The fortune indicated by aprosperous and strong (prosperous and strong) Initiating Transmission (initiating transmission) is new wealth, while that indicated by aweak and confined (weak and confined) Initiating Transmission is old wealth. If the hour stem is exactly the day stem's驿马 (post-horse), it indicates travel or movement. If this驿马 is also the day stem's妻财 (husband's wealth), it means traveling for the sake of wealth. If the Initiating Transmission falls in a period of 休气 (weakness), it indicates a sudden illness. If the hour stem is the day stem's驿马 and also carries 官鬼 (official ghost), it indicates urgent legal matters, requiring frequent visits to the authorities. In addition, if the hour stem is the day stem's 德神 (virtuous deity), 禄神 (favorable deity), Nobleman (nobleman), 官鬼 (official ghost), 兄弟 (brother), 子孙 (son or daughter), etc., they should be interpreted according to the specific question asked.

時與日沖，主外動，或出入動搖，或外人相擾，主眾托在外之事，如甲日申時之類。時與辰沖，主內動，或家宅動搖，或人畜走失，事從內起，如寅日申時之類。

The hour of the day's stem conflicting with the day stem indicates movement or activity outside: it may mean going out and coming in without rest, or being disturbed by outsiders, or being entrusted with matters by many people, with affairs happening outside. For example, if the day is Jia and the hour is Shen, since Jia's禄 is in Yin and Yin and Shen conflict. The hour of the day's branch conflicting with the day branch indicates movement or activity inside the house: it may mean the house is not peaceful, or people or animals are missing, with matters arising from within the home. For example, if the day is Yin and the hour is Shen.

時與日同，主外滯，出入淹滯，或外人干涉財物，事從外來，君子宜向外求謀進用，如甲日寅時、庚日申時之類，以其為日祿也。如乙日辰時、辛日戌時、丁己日未時、癸日丑時，但得之與日同，而就日祿。時與辰同，主內滯，或家中動用財帛蹇澀，事從門內，如寅時日寅時之類。

The hour of the day is in the same position as the day stem, indicating obstruction from outside: there may be delays in going out or coming in, or outsiders may interfere with one's property, and matters originate from outside. However, for those who study and seek advancement, it is actually favorable to pursue external opportunities and strive forward. For example, if the day stem is Jia and the hour is寅, or the day stem is Geng and the hour is申, because寅 is the禄 of Jia and申 is the禄 of Geng. Similarly, if the day stem is Yi and the hour is辰, or the day stem is Xin and the hour is戌, or the day stem is Ding or Ji and the hour is未, or the day stem is Gui and the hour is丑, it is because these hours share the same energy as the day stem, and they are considered based on the day's禄. When the hour is in the same position as the day branch, it indicates obstruction within the household: there may be difficulties in handling money or funds, and matters originate from within the house, such as when the day branch is寅 and the hour is also寅.

時為日官，主外和合，或出入求財，託人幹事，或望遠人信至，如辛日未時之類，以午與未彼己合也。時與辰合，主內和合，或婚姻成合、妻妾育孕之喜，如寅日午戌亥時之例。時為日馬，主遠行動謀事，如寅午戌申時之類。時為日貴，主見貴干謁事，如甲戊庚日丑未時之類。

The correct time is the official star of the day stem, governing external affairs and harmony: it may indicate going out to seek wealth, entrusting someone to handle matters, or expecting news from afar. For example, on a day with the stem Xin, encountering the hour Wei is favorable because Wei and Wu (the hour of Wu) are in harmony, and Wu is the official of Xin. When the correct hour harmonizes with the day branch, it signifies harmony within the family: it may indicate the success of a marriage or the joy of a wife or concubine becoming pregnant. For example, on a day with the stem Yin, encountering the hours Wu, Xu, or Hai is favorable (Yin, Wu, Xu form a triple harmony; Yin and Hai are in harmony). When the correct hour is the post-horse of the day stem, it signifies traveling and handling affairs. For example, on a day with the trine of fire (Yin, Wu, Xu), encountering the hour Shen is favorable. When the correct hour is the nobleman of the day stem, it signifies meeting a nobleman or seeking help from someone in authority. For example, on days with the stems Jia, Wu, or Geng, encountering the hours Chou or Wei is favorable.

論來情三十九。凡占來情，須詳正時與發用。正時與日生克、刑沖破害、比合，以定所占事體；發用旺相休囚，以定事體吉凶，並過去、現在、未來也。時與日沖，主占動搖被人相犯事；時與日同，主占出入遲滯，或外人暗損財帛事；時與日相生，迭為恩惠，時生日得他人之惠，日生時則我惠他人也。

Thirty-ninth, discussing "coming circumstances," which refers to discerning the nature of the question the person is asking. When predicting coming circumstances, one must carefully examine both the main hour and the initiating transmission. The relationship between the main hour and the day stem, such as generation, punishment, clash, destruction, harm, likeness, and harmony, is used to determine the category of the question. The prosperity, strength, weakness, and confinement of the initiating transmission is used to determine the fortune or misfortune of the matter, as well as whether it belongs to the past, present, or future. If the main hour and the day stem clash, the question relates to disturbances or being wronged by others. If the main hour and the day stem are in the same position, the question concerns delays in movement or secret theft by outsiders. If the main hour and the day stem generate each other, it indicates mutual kindness and benefits—when the hour is born from the day stem, it means receiving benefits from others; when the day stem is born from the hour, it means giving benefits to others.

時為日馬，若臨日上，主途行搖動事；臨辰，主家宅動搖事。時為日祿，主求祿位或動用進身之事。時為日德，主賞賜事。時為日貴，主干貴或與貴人謀干之事。時為日劫煞，主事急速或劫盜事。時為日刑，主刑剋官憂急速事。財為旬空，主求謀不成或賺財失脫事。時為日害，主損自己災禍不測之事。時為賊鬼，主鬼賊相犯或災病失脫事。時為日墓，主被人蒙蔽或爭田土墳墓事，旺相為田，休囚為墓。時為日破，主破財走失破敗之事。

If the hour of the day is the post-horse of the day stem, it indicates matters related to travel or movement. If it is on the day branch, it indicates disturbances in the household. If the hour is the禄神 (favorable position) of the day stem, it indicates seeking a position or advancing in activities. If it is the德神 (virtuous deity) of the day stem, it indicates receiving rewards or gifts. If it is the nobleman (贵人) of the day stem, it indicates seeking help from the nobleman or conspiring with the nobleman. If it is theJiesha (trouble deity) of the day stem, it indicates urgent matters or robbery. If it is the刑神 (punishment deity) of the day stem, it indicates legal troubles, lawsuits, or urgent matters. If the wealth爻 (wealth element) falls in the旬空 (empty period), it indicates that matters will not succeed or that money is earned but then lost. If the hour is the害神 (harm deity) of the day stem, it indicates self-harm or unexpected misfortune. If the hour transforms into贼鬼 (thief ghost), it indicates theft, illness, or loss. If the hour is theTomb Spirit (burial deity) of the day stem, it indicates being deceived or disputes over land and graves. If it is prosperous and strong, it indicates property disputes; if it is weak and confined, it indicates grave disputes. If the hour is the破神 (breaking deity) of the day stem, it indicates financial loss, disappearance, or decline.

再以發用衰旺詳其過去、現在、未來，以決吉凶而來情得失。若同時眾人占者，各以本方上神論之。如東方來，看卯位上神；西方來，看酉位上神。方不正，則論坐上神；坐位不正，則論本命上神。此大略也，東方朔《占意歌訣》亦合。

Using the strength and decline of the initiating transmission to determine whether the matter belongs to the past, present, or future, thus judging fortune and misfortune and the gains and losses of the situation. If several people come for divination at the same time, each should be considered according to the direction from which they come; for those coming from the east, look at the god in the卯 position; for those coming from the west, look at the god in the酉 position. If the direction is not accurate, then look at the god of the palace where the person is sitting; if even the sitting position is not accurate, then look at the god of their birth destiny. This is only a general rule, and the Han dynasty scholar Dongfang Shuo's "Songyi Geyue" also agrees with this.

論日辰四課四十。第一課日陽，二課日陰，三課辰陽，四課辰陰，即干陽初傳、干陰次課、支陽三課、支陰第四課之說。陽神以占出現，陰神以占伏藏，以兩陽為主，兩陰次之。四課全，事正順而易；四課不全，事不正逆而難。

Fortieth, discussing the "Day Branch and Four Lessons." The first lesson is the yang spirit of the day stem, the second is the yin spirit of the day stem, the third is the yang spirit of the day branch, and the fourth is the yin spirit of the day branch; this is also commonly referred to as the yang spirit of the stem being the first lesson, the yin spirit of the stem being the second lesson, the yang spirit of the branch being the third lesson, and the yin spirit of the branch being the fourth lesson. The yang spirits are used to observe external conditions, while the yin spirits are used to observe internal conditions. In making a judgment, the two yang spirits are primary, and the two yin spirits are secondary. When all four lessons are present and not repeated, the matter is upright and smooth. If the four lessons are incomplete (with repetition resulting in only three lessons), the matter is disordered, obstructed, and difficult to handle.

日上生日，百事皆晝得人助，夜將神助，但忌空亡，三傳空脫，得不償失，即「見生不生，不如無生」之說。日上剋日，諸事不利，晝得人害，夜得神害，旺相猶可，休囚益甚，即「鬼賊當時無畏忌」之說。日上生神脫，上逢脫，虛費百出；日克上神，凡事阻滯。

The day stem is helped by a god that comes to be born under it, and all things go smoothly: when a lesson is cast in the daytime, people help; when cast at night, gods help; but it is only to be avoided if the god falls into kongwang. If the three transmissions are also empty and detached, then it will result in loss, which is exactly what the saying means: "Seeing a beneficial god that does not benefit is worse than having no beneficial god at all." The day stem is harmed by a god that comes to be born under it, and all things are unfavorable: when a lesson is cast in the daytime, people harm; when cast at night, gods harm; if this god is prosperous and strong, it can still be endured, but if it is weak and confined, it will cause more harm, which is exactly what the saying means: "A ghost or thief in command has no fear or restraint." If the day stem goes to help the god and is drained of its energy, and then encounters another layer of detachment, it will result in wasted effort and constant loss of wealth; if the day stem goes to harm the god, then all affairs will be obstructed and difficult to proceed.

互生俱生，兩家和順，各有生意；互克俱克，凡事離散，兩有所傷；互脫俱脫，彼此防脫，乘武尤甚；互旺俱旺，止許坐謀坐用，不利動謀，動則為羅網；互合俱合，交易成就，但不利解散事。日辰上皆乘墓，如處雲霧之中、昏晦之內，人宅俱不亨快。

When the day and the stem are mutually generating and both are generating each other, the two sides are harmonious and smooth, each having vitality. If they mutually control and both control each other, all affairs will be scattered, and both sides will suffer damage. If they mutually weaken each other and both are weakened, both sides should be cautious of being drained by others; if there is also the Black Tortoise involved, the situation becomes even worse. If they mutually strengthen each other and both are strong, it is only suitable to stay in place and plan and use resources, not to take action, as any movement will lead to being caught in a trap. If they mutually harmonize and both are harmonious, business transactions can succeed, but it is not favorable for matters that require breaking up. If both the day and the stem are occupied by theTomb Spirit (mound spirit), it is like being in a fog or darkness, making people and homes feel uncomfortable and unsmooth.

日鬼之墓加支干，直凶將，凶禍尤甚，如甲乙丑、丙丁辰、庚辛戌、壬癸辰戌丑未之類。蓋日鬼相見者和，其刑害自可治之，亦可避之；鬼藏墓中，闇昧不明，倚草附木，假名托姓，本不可治，訟病大凶。如年命課傳中有破墓子孫之神可解。日辰坐於墓上，比日辰乘墓更凶，坐墓為是本身情願，甘受闇昧，家宅亦肯與人作賤。

The burial place of the official ghost, when added to the day stem or day branch, combined with a malevolent general, brings especially severe misfortune. For example, on Jia or Yi days, the丑 branch appears; on Bing or Ding days, the辰 branch appears; on Geng or Xin days, the戌 branch appears; and on Ren or Gui days, the辰, 戌, 丑, or 未 branches appear. The reason is that an official ghost clearly visible is easier to deal with, as its punishments and harms are apparent and can be avoided or countered. However, when the ghost is hidden in the burial place, it becomes obscure and indistinct, like a ghost attaching itself to a tree or impersonating someone else, making it impossible to deal with. This is particularly dangerous in divinations concerning lawsuits or illness. If there is a spirit of offspring capable of breaking the burial place in the native's life year or in the lesson pattern and three transmissions, it can be resolved. However, if the day or the hour stem is not a superior burial god but sits directly on the burial place, it is even worse than riding on the burial place. Sitting on the burial place is like willingly entering it, accepting the darkness and confusion, and even allowing one's home to be trampled by others.

日辰見祿馬，主榮名遷動。日上見辰馬，辰上見日祿，為富貴格，君子遷官，小人身動宅移。日辰上見徳神，利進發，乘吉將尤利。日辰上見刑見害，名賓主不投，各懷嫉妒。日辰上見敗氣，主身宅俱衰敗。日辰上見絕神，結絕舊事。日辰上逢死氣死神，凡事宜休息，不利動作。日辰上俱空亡，虛察不實。

When the Day Branch shows the禄神 andThe Post-horse, it indicates fame and honor, and promotion in position. If the Day Stem shows theThe Post-horse of the Day Branch, and the Day Branch shows the禄神 of the Day Stem, this is called the 'Fortune and Rank Pattern': scholars who become officials will be promoted, while ordinary people will experience movement or relocation of their homes. If the Day Branch shows the德神, it is favorable for advancement and success; if it is accompanied by a favorable general, it is even more beneficial. If the Day Branch shows刑 or害, it is called 'Host and Guest Not in Harmony', indicating mutual resentment between the parties. If the Day Branch showsBathing and败气, both the person and their home will decline. If the Day Branch shows绝神, it signifies the conclusion of past matters. If the Day Branch encountersDeath Qi orDeath Deity, all affairs are suitable for rest and inaction, and it is unfavorable to take action. If the Day Branch falls intoKongwang, it indicates something empty and not substantial.

日上課不足，自身不足，心意反虛心，行止不定；辰上課不足，家宅不寧，陰小災殃。日辰上魁罡，凡占不自由。或六合發用，主隱身避難、欺詐私鬥，乘蛇虎加臨為用，定有折傷之厄。日辰上見卯酉為阻隔。日臨辰受克，名為取亂首，必為卑小凌犯，如天空加夾克為僕犯主，更值六合必主淫亂。若辰臨日剋日，名上門亂首，卑小上門凌犯，如子弟犯父兄、豪戶犯官長、妻毆夫、奴背主例。

The day stem side of the divination lacks completeness, indicating the person has deficiencies and feels insecure, with indecisive actions. The day branch side also lacks completeness, suggesting the household is unstable, and women and children may suffer misfortunes. If the day branch shows River Chief (戌) and Heavenly Gang (辰), it indicates that the person is not in control of their actions. If the initiating transmission is based on Liu He, it suggests hiding to avoid trouble, deceit, and private conflicts. If the initiating transmission involves Teng Snake or White Tiger, there will certainly be injuries from falls or accidents. If the day branch shows卯 or酉, it indicates obstacles everywhere. When the day stem is added to the day branch and the branch overcomes the stem, it is called "taking the disorder first," indicating that the younger generation has offended the elders. For example, if Tian Kong is added and there is a double overcoming, it means servants have offended their masters, and if Liu He is also present, it indicates immoral behavior. Conversely, if the day branch is added to the day stem and the stem is overcome by the branch, it is called "disorder coming from above," meaning the younger generation has approached and offended, such as children quarreling with parents, the powerful oppressing officials, wives beating their husbands, and servants rebelling against their masters.

日臨辰生，名俯就格，以尊從卑，以上從下，初雖艱難，後終逸樂。辰臨日生日，名自在格，凡事不待我求彼，彼自上門順從，不勞費力。日臨辰生辰，名虛歷格，是人往生宅，人衰宅旺，凡事他來求我，我猶不得已而與之，則此自甘屈己救人，人瘦財耗，虛費百出。辰臨日脫日，名蹇偃格，凡事虛耗遺失，卻無成就。

The day stem approaches the day branch and is nurtured by it, called the "Humility Pattern": the superior person bends to the inferior, the superior position submits to the inferior, initially though difficult, eventually attains ease and happiness. When the day branch approaches the day stem and nurtures it, called the "Ease Pattern": nothing needs me to seek others, others will come to me willingly, without effort. When the day stem approaches the day branch and instead nurtures it, called the "Empty Journey Pattern": this represents a person supporting the house, the person declines while the house thrives, all matters are others seeking me, yet I am compelled to give, equivalent to willingly lowering oneself to help others, resulting in loss of strength and wealth, with great waste. When the day branch approaches the day stem and drains or dissipates the day stem's energy, called the "Obstacle Pattern": all matters result in loss and waste, ultimately achieving nothing.

日臨辰克辰，名求受格，事多費力卻取財。辰加日剋日，名贅婿格，尊長得財，不利卑幼。干加支同類，名培本格；支加干同類，名壯基格，遇凶不至大凶，遇吉栽培猶吉。干乘干前一位，支乘支前一辰，名網羅自裹格，主身宅不得運，所為皆不就。

The day stem combines with the day branch and overcomes the day branch, called "Qiu Shou Ge": although many efforts are needed, wealth can eventually be obtained. The day branch combines with the day stem and overcomes the day stem, called "Zhu Xi Ge": wealth is obtained by the superior party, but it is unfavorable to the inferior party. The day stem combines with the day branch and they are of the same type, called "Pei Ben Ge"; the day branch combines with the day stem and they are of the same type, called "Zhuang Ji Ge": these two patterns will not result in great misfortune when encountering adversity, and when encountering good fortune, it is even more favorable, like cultivating soil and planting roots. If the day stem is exactly the previous stem and the day branch is exactly the previous branch, it is called "Wang Luo Zi Guo Ge": the person and the house are both unable to move forward in fortune, and nothing can be accomplished.

論三傳四十一。傳者，傳四課之隱微，發四課之機櫱也。故四課為體，三傳為用。傳吉課凶終吉，傳凶課吉終凶，體成亦無終始。凡事始末繫之三傳，以初、中、末為次第。

Forty-first, discussing the "Three Transmissions." The term "transmission" refers to revealing the hidden and subtle aspects within the Four Lessons and bringing forth the budding potential within them. Therefore, the Four Lessons are the "body," representing the matter itself; the Three Transmissions are the "use," indicating the direction or outcome. If the Three Transmissions are auspicious while the Four Lessons are inauspicious, the final result will ultimately be auspicious; if the Three Transmissions are inauspicious while the Four Lessons are auspicious, the final result will ultimately be inauspicious. Even if the Lesson Pattern is already formed, without the Three Transmissions, there would be no beginning or end. The entire course of events depends on the Three Transmissions, which are sequentially deduced according to the order of the First Transmission, Middle Transmission, and Final Transmission.

假令初鬼中印末財，便是初阻末順也。初凶中吉，初始艱難，終有成；初吉末凶，初雖順，後不濟；初末凶中吉，事雖中合無。蓋初為發端，乃心之所主、事之所向，須神將比和、上下相生為吉。若逢德祿，舉事稱心，事危有救。

For example, if the first transmission is official ghost, the middle transmission is official seal, and the final transmission is wife's wealth, then the beginning is obstructed while the end is smooth. If the first transmission is凶 and the middle is吉, it means the start is difficult but eventually successful; if the first is吉 and the final is凶, it means the start is smooth but later fails. If both the first and final transmissions are凶 and only the middle is吉, the matter may temporarily come together in the middle but ultimately fails. The reason is that the first transmission represents the beginning, which stands for the seeker's main intention and the direction of the matter. It must have the god and general in harmony, and the upper and lower parts in mutual generation to be considered auspicious. If the first transmission also encounters the virtue god and the禄 god, then the matter will proceed smoothly, and even if the situation becomes urgent, there will eventually be rescue.

中傳為移易，乃事體中間一般。初凶中吉，則移凶為吉；初吉中凶，則移吉為凶。母傳子則順，子傳母則逆。鬼主事壞，墓主事止，害多阻隔，破主中綴無成，空為斷橋折腰，事體不成。

The middle transmission governs the turning point in the middle of an affair. If the first transmission is凶 and the middle transmission is吉, the凶 is transformed into吉; if the first transmission is吉 and the middle transmission is凶, the吉 is transformed into凶. In terms of the Five Phases, if the previous transmission generates the next one (mother generating son), it is considered a smooth flow. If the next transmission instead generates the previous one (son generating mother), it is considered a reverse flow. If the middle transmission encounters an official ghost, the affair will fail. If it encounters a tomb god, the affair will be suspended. If it encounters a harmed god, there will be obstacles. If it encounters a breaking god, the affair will be interrupted midway and fail. If it encounters kongwang, it is called "broken bridge" or "broken waist," meaning the affair will collapse in the middle and cannot be completed.

末傳為歸計，乃事之結局。發用在初，決用在末，最為緊切。若初傳下克財，而終能制之，可以反凶為吉。末傳克初為終末克始，遠行萬里，入水不溺，入火不熱，病醒災止；加破害有阻，吉凶不成；逢空，凶事無結局。

The final transmission governs "returning to plan," which represents the conclusion of an affair. The matter begins with the first transmission, but it is the final transmission that determines the outcome, so the final transmission is most important. If the first transmission indicates a deity overcoming wealth, but the final transmission ultimately restrains it, then misfortune can be turned into good fortune. When the final transmission turns back to overcome the first transmission, it is called "the end overcomes the beginning": this signifies a journey over a great distance without obstruction, not being drowned in water, not being harmed by fire, a sick person regaining consciousness, and calamity coming to an end. If the final transmission is further afflicted by destruction or harm, there will be obstacles, making both good and bad outcomes impossible; if the final transmission falls into Kongwang, then even the misfortune has no resolution.

初傳日之長生，末傳入墓，有始無終；初傳日墓，末傳日之長生，先難後易。初傳凶，中傳吉能解之；初中凶，末吉能解之；三傳俱凶，行年能解之；若三傳行年俱凶，不能解也。

The first transmission is the day stem's growth, and the final transmission falls into the storage, indicating something that starts but does not end. Conversely, if the first transmission is the day stem's storage and the final transmission is growth, it indicates difficulties first followed by ease. If the first transmission is凶, then a吉 in the middle transmission can resolve it. If both the first and middle transmissions are凶, a吉 in the final transmission can still resolve it. If all three transmissions are凶, then we look at the native's destiny and year. If the year is吉, it can still be resolved. If all three transmissions and the year are all凶, there is no way to resolve it.

三傳神克將為外戰，憂輕，雖凶可解；將克神為內戰，憂重，雖吉有咎。三傳皆空，推事了無實。如兩傳空一傳實，卻見天空，亦係三傳皆空之象。如初中空，以末傳為主也；末傳空，以初傳為主。

Among the three transmissions, when the noble spirit is overcome by the heavenly general, it is called "external conflict," indicating lighter worries, and even if it is凶, it can be resolved; when the heavenly general overcomes the noble spirit, it is called "internal conflict," indicating serious worries, and even if it is吉, it may still bring misfortune. If all three transmissions fall into kongwang, the matter being predicted will be empty and have no real result. If only two transmissions are in kongwang and one is actual, but the actual one is occupied by tian kong, it is equivalent to all three transmissions being empty. If the first and middle transmissions are empty, then the final transmission is used for interpretation; if the final transmission is empty, then the first transmission is used for interpretation.

三傳自干上發傳，傳歸支上者，名朝支格，主我求人營謀；自支上發傳，傳歸干上者，名朝干格，主人托我營謀相干。假如神吉傳吉，事易成合，不求自至；若神凶傳凶，則禍起不測，諺云「閉門家裡坐，禍從天上來」，占病、訟、產皆忌。如丙寅日干上午，三傳辰巳午；壬寅日干上戌，三傳子亥戌是也。

The Three Transmissions originate from the Day Stem and eventually reach the Day Branch, which is called "Chao Zhi Ge," indicating that I go to ask others for help. If the Three Transmissions originate from the Day Branch and eventually reach the Day Stem, it is called "Chao Gan Ge," meaning that others ask me for help and come to me. If the Auspicious God is favorable and the Three Transmissions are also favorable, the matter will be easily settled without the need to ask, as benefits will come to me naturally. However, if the Auspicious God is unfavorable and the Three Transmissions are also unfavorable, misfortune will come unexpectedly, just like the saying goes, "sitting at home in peace, disaster comes from the sky." This pattern is most dangerous in divinations related to illness, lawsuits, and childbirth. An example of "Chao Gan Ge" is when on a Bingyin day, the Wu is on the Day Stem, and the Three Transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu; or on a Renyin day, the Xu is on the Day Stem, and the Three Transmissions are Zi, Hai, and Xu.

朝支格俯就於人，不能自由。如甲午日干上辰，三傳辰午申，甲木傳於死地，行人不來，病死；丁亥日干上酉，三傳成亥辰，財被貴人引入絕地，不利於貴人交易，反自危；庚寅日干上午，三傳午辰寅，此乃支助日鬼，反害尊長。三傳不離干支，求物得，謀事遂，行人回，賊不出鄉，逃不脫。

The "Chao Zhi Ge" pattern indicates that one is forced to submit to others, with everything out of one's control. For example, if the day stem is Jiawu and the day branch is Chen, and the three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen, the Jia wood stem progresses through the three transmissions to Shen, which is a dead and exhausted place. In a divination about a missing person, the person will not return; in a divination about illness, the person will die. If the day stem is Dinghai and the day branch is You, and the three transmissions are Xu, Hai, and Chen (the original text says "Xu" instead of "Cheng," but it is recorded as "Cheng" here), the wealth hexagram is led by the nobleman into a dead place. Engaging in trade with the nobleman brings no benefit and instead puts oneself in danger. If the day stem is Gengyin and the day branch is Wu, and the three transmissions are Wu, Chen, and Yin, the day branch goes to support the day stem's official ghost, which in turn harms the superior. If the three transmissions never leave the day stem and day branch, then seeking something will surely result in obtaining it, planning a matter will surely succeed, the missing person will return, thieves will not leave their hometown, and those who flee will not escape.

三傳不離四課，謀事成，吉則吉，凶則凶，忌占病、訟、產。如辛亥日干上酉，三傳戌酉申；戊子日干上子，三傳子未寅是也。外庚申、甲申、庚寅、甲寅、癸酉、癸未反吟，因三傳離日遠，凡事難成，惟占逃難、訟災可退。三傳日辰互換三合，遞相牽連，占事翻來覆去，不易了當。

If the three transmissions are entirely outside the scope of the four lessons, then matters can be achieved, but the outcome depends on whether the lesson is auspicious or inauspicious. For diseases, lawsuits, and childbirth, one should be cautious. For example, on a day with the stem Xinhai, the branch You appears on the day stem, and the three transmissions are Xu, You, and Shen; on a day with the stem Wuzi, the branch Zi appears on the day stem, and the three transmissions are Zi, Wei, and Yin. Additionally, on days such as Gengshen, Jiashen, Gengyin, Jiayin, Guiyou, and Guiwei, which are reverse chant lessons, because the three transmissions are too far from the day stem, things are difficult to achieve. However, in cases of fleeing from danger or lawsuits and disasters, they may indicate a way to avoid trouble. If the three transmissions and the day branch exchange positions to form a triple harmony, with each layer connected, the matter will be complicated and difficult to resolve.

外有三傳三合，為日辰全生、全脫、全鬼、全兄弟、全妻財，皆視天將吉凶及五行制化如何。假如全鬼為凶兆，若日辰年命四處有子孫爻，則制鬼矣。脫氣要看父母，全生不可見財。三傳並日辰上下皆緊合，則不得妄動，須年命沖破方動；然必看三傳凶吉何如，若吉則宜吉不宜沖，凶則宜沖，凶沖則散。

In addition, there are cases where the three transmissions form a triple harmony, and concerning the day branch, they may all be beneficial spirits, all be escaping energies, all be officials and ghosts, all be brothers, or all be wife and wealth. In all these situations, one must look at the fortune or misfortune of the heavenly general riding on them, as well as how the five phases interact and influence each other. For example, if all three transmissions are officials and ghosts, which is inherently ominous, but if there are sons and daughters' yao at the day, the branch, the original destiny, and the year, they can control the officials and ghosts. If all three transmissions are escaping energies, one must look at the parents' yao (parents can control sons and daughters). If all three transmissions are beneficial spirits, then one must not see the wealth yao again (wealth can damage the seal). If the three transmissions and the day branch are tightly combined, then they cannot move until the original destiny or the year branch breaks the combination. However, one must first determine whether the three transmissions are auspicious or inauspicious: if auspicious, it is better to maintain the auspiciousness rather than break it; if inauspicious, it is appropriate to break it, as breaking it will disperse the ominous influence.

三傳剋日至凶，被沖則凶破。如癸亥日，辰加癸，三傳辰未戌是，戌沖辰，以凶則凶。若行年更在戌上，凶可散；或行年在辰，則一戌二辰，不能沖破，而辰反為癸之墓，便全凶矣。三傳入盜氣，只宜退散，主有失脫，更加蛇虎空亡，主託人無力，官事反覆。

The Three Transmissions attacking the Day Stem is usually extremely凶. However, if the attack is broken by a冲, the凶 influence is dispelled. For example, on a Guihai day, if Chen is placed on Gui, and the Three Transmissions are Chen, Wei, and Xu, then Xu can冲 Chen. When a凶 attacks another凶, it actually resolves the situation. If the year of the person also falls on Xu, the凶 influence disperses. But if the year of the person falls on Chen, then Xu confronts two Chens, and the冲 cannot happen. Since Chen is theStorage of Gui water, the凶 becomes extremely severe. If the Three Transmissions entirely drain the Day Stem's energy, it is best to retreat and disband, indicating loss or leakage. If there are also Teng Snake, White Tiger, and Kongwang, it means that relying on others for matters is completely ineffective, and legal disputes will not be resolved.

三傳遞生日干與遞克者，吉凶得課體中。內干克初，初克中，中克末，求財大獲。三傳日辰全逢下賊上者，絕無和氣，訟必刑，病必死，占事家法不正，自惹害，或丑事出於堂中，以致爭競。

The three transmissions successively generate the day stem, and those that successively overcome the day stem determine fortune and misfortune based on the lesson pattern itself. If the day stem overcomes the first transmission, the first transmission overcomes the middle transmission, and the middle transmission overcomes the final transmission, with each overcoming being a source of wealth, then seeking wealth will certainly bring great profit. However, if the three transmissions and the day branch are everywhere where the lower spirits overcome the upper spirits, there will be no harmony at all: lawsuits will result in punishment, illness will lead to death, and when predicting events, it indicates disorder within the family, self-invited misfortune, or scandals occurring in public, leading to continuous disputes.

三傳被日辰夾定居中者，惟宜成合諸事；若占憂、病、訟、產、行人皆不利。更有透出干支外者，只先緊後慢。更看所夾何如：若夾財則利求才，不利病訟；夾官則利求官，亦不利病訟；夾脫氣利憂病，不利求財，利占產不利占孕；夾生氣利占用事，不利占產；夾兄弟不利諸事；夾空事多虛作，枉用心機，率無實效。

If the three transmissions are sandwiched between the day branch and are in the middle, it is suitable for discussing matters of harmony and success. However, if it is used to predict worries, illness, lawsuits, childbirth, or the whereabouts of a person, it is unfavorable. If one of the three transmissions appears outside the stem and branch, the situation will first be tense and then ease. Now look at what is sandwiched: if it is the wealth hexagram, it is favorable for seeking wealth but unfavorable for predicting illness or lawsuits; if it is the official star, it is favorable for seeking official positions but also unfavorable for predicting illness or lawsuits; if it is the spirit that removes qi, it is favorable for matters of illness (removing illness qi) but unfavorable for seeking wealth, and favorable for smooth childbirth but unfavorable for predicting pregnancy; if it is the life qi, it is favorable for matters of taking on responsibilities and employing people but unfavorable for predicting childbirth; if it is the brother hexagram, all matters are unfavorable; if it is kongwang, there will be many false and fabricated matters, with much effort wasted and no real results achieved.

又三傳被日辰夾定，如日辰上乘空，謂之遇夾不夾，雖凶不至凶，有吉不成喜。外有三傳雖在日辰中間，而後前或欠一位，謂之夾定虛一格，主有小節不完。更看所虛何如：若是日財，則圖財不足，不能成事；若是官鬼，則因官事外逃；若是同類，則因兄弟朋友不足；若是子孫，則因卑小不足；若是父母，則長上不足，或文字不圓。更有天將吉凶斷之。

In addition, even if the three transmissions are sandwiched between the day stem and day branch, if the day stem and day branch are riding on kongwang, it is called 'being sandwiched but not actually sandwiched': the bad outcome is not as severe as it seems, and the good outcome is not as pleasant as it seems. There is another situation: even though the three transmissions are in the middle of the day stem and day branch, if one of the sides is missing, it is called 'a sandwich with a missing one', indicating that things are not fully complete in minor aspects. One should further examine which yao is missing: if it is the wealth yao of the day stem, it means there is not enough wealth and the matter cannot be completed; if it is the official ghost yao, it means there will be legal troubles and someone may have to flee; if it is the same type or companion yao, it means that brothers and friends will not provide enough support; if it is the descendants yao, it means that younger generations will not be helpful; if it is the parents yao, it means that elders are insufficient or documents and contracts are incomplete. In addition, one should also consider the fortune or misfortune of the heavenly general riding on it to make a judgment.

如丁卯日干上申，三傳辰巳午，欠一未字，未乃丁日脫氣子孫爻位，將朱雀主卑下口舌文字不足，日貴勾陳主子孫田事牽連未了，行年命反覆不在此限。又三傳透出日辰外，名透關格，號曰省時不時，過後失時，凡事主失時，或心力不逮，致使已成之事為人破壞，如甲子日子加丑，三傳子亥戌是也。

For example, if on a Dingmao day the stem is supported by Shen, and the three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu, missing the Wei; Wei is exactly the position of the son and grandson爻 for Ding day, which is where the energy is released. If this position is occupied by the Vermilion Bird, it indicates disputes with younger people and deficiencies in documents. If the day's noble is occupied by Gou Chen, it indicates matters related to children and property that are not clearly resolved. As for the repeated changes in the person's destiny during the year, this is not included here. If the three transmissions all appear outside the day's branch, it is called 'transmission passage pattern,' also known as 'procrastination,' meaning that one fails to realize the importance at the right time and only becomes aware afterwards, having missed the opportunity: in all matters, one misses the right time or lacks the strength, leading to already completed affairs being destroyed by others. An example is when Jiazi day is placed on Chou, and the three transmissions are Zi, Hai, and Xu.

如前透者是鬼爻，反吉為凶，主破財。若是退連茹透出者，因退之慢而有所不及；進連茹透出者，因進之過而反成不足。若是干透出支者，不利外事，主有迴環意，先動後靜；支透出干，不利內事，惟宜外事也。

If the revealed element happens to be the official ghost爻, it turns good fortune into misfortune, indicating financial loss. If the revelation comes from "retreating consecutive transmission" (three transmissions gradually retreating), it is because the retreat is too slow to catch up. If the revelation comes from "advancing consecutive transmission" (three transmissions gradually advancing), it is because the advance is too excessive and ends up empty. If the day stem reveals itself beyond the day branch, it is unfavorable for external matters, indicating a tendency to return halfway, starting with action and then becoming still. If the day branch reveals itself beyond the day stem, it is unfavorable for internal family matters, and is more suitable for external affairs.

論發用四十二。用在日上兩課主外事，在辰上兩課主內事。用第一二課並天乙順行，若貴人前，不問吉凶，應事速；用第三四課並天乙逆行，在貴人後，不問吉凶，應事遲。用第四課名驀起課，凡事主驀然而成。

Forty-second, discussing "发用," which refers to where the first transmission comes from. If the useful god is taken from the two lessons of the day stem, the matter concerns external affairs; if taken from the two lessons of the day branch, the matter concerns internal family affairs. If the useful god is taken from the first and second lessons and also meets the heavenly nobleman moving forward, or if the useful god is before the nobleman, regardless of fortune or misfortune, the matter will happen quickly. If the useful god is taken from the third and fourth lessons and also meets the heavenly nobleman moving backward, or if the useful god is after the nobleman, regardless of fortune or misfortune, the matter will happen slowly. If the first transmission is solely taken from the fourth lesson, it is called "蓦起课," and all matters are indicated to be accomplished suddenly.

用上克下，卑小災，事從外來，利男子，利先動；下克上，尊長災，事從內起，利女子，利後應。用上克下，天盤又克天官，為內戰，凡事將成合，被人撓擾，雖有救而率難解。用下克上，天官又克用者，名逼迫殺，主身不自由，被人驅策，被人抑鬱。若夾財，主財不由己。而發用天官入廟，而月居中克天官地盤，謂之隔將，阻隔難合。

The Useful God is when the upper god overcomes the lower god, indicating that the younger or younger generation may suffer misfortune, and the matter comes from outside. It is favorable for men and those who act first. When the lower god overcomes the upper god, it indicates that the superior or elder may suffer misfortune, and the matter originates within the family. It is favorable for women and those who respond later. If the Useful God overcomes the upper god, and the Heaven Plate also overcomes the Heaven Official, this is called "internal conflict": affairs seem about to be settled, but are disrupted by others in the middle, and even with help, it is often difficult to resolve. If the Useful God is overcome by the lower god, and the Heaven Official then overcomes the Useful God, this is called "compulsion and killing": indicating lack of self-control, being driven by others, and being oppressed. If this pattern is combined with the Wealth Trigram, it indicates that one cannot control their finances. If the Heaven Official of the initiating transmission is already in its proper position, but the Month General is in the middle and overcomes the Heaven Official's position, this is called "separation by the general": indicating obstacles everywhere, and difficulty in coming together.

用財，問財用與事發不利。用印，宜謀須用洩，子孫事。用同類，弟兄朋友事。用長生，凡事大遂。用墓加長生，舊事再發；用長生臨墓亦然。用死敗，事必毀敗。用絕，事了人來便至；凡遇絕神，可結絕舊事，絕神作貴，宜告貴結絕。用墓，事止不發，占病死，占禍在，占人歸。

The useful god is the wife and wealth; when asking about wealth, wealth will be obtained, but it is not favorable for taking responsibility or making moves. The useful god is the official seal; it is suitable for planning, but it needs the descendants to release it, and it mainly relates to matters concerning descendants. The useful god is a similar or same element; it mainly relates to matters concerning brothers and friends. The useful god is the growth position; all matters will proceed smoothly. The useful god is the tomb position but placed on top of the growth position; old matters will be revived. The useful god is the growth position but placed on top of the tomb position; it is the same. If the useful god falls into the death or destruction position, the matter will certainly fail. If the useful god is the绝 position, the matter will be concluded immediately, and people will come quickly. Whenever there is the绝 position, old cases can be concluded. If the绝 position also acts as the nobleman, it is most suitable to report to the nobleman to conclude old matters. If the useful god is the tomb position, the matter will stop and not proceed. When divining illness, it indicates death; when divining misfortune, it indicates that misfortune still exists; when divining people, it indicates that the person will return.

用害，阻抑不成。用刑，百事不利。用沖破，雖成必破。用空亡，雖成必敗，憂喜皆不成，託人多詐，謀事出旬。用剋日，憂身及長上官訟。用克辰，家宅不寧，克勝心動憂驚。克末傳，有頭無尾，先易後難。用克命，如係財臨本命，只利求財。用克行年，謀為難遂。用二馬主動，如克行年本命日辰，傷損手足，忌乘馬登舟。

When the useful god is accompanied by a harmful god, there will be constant obstruction and failure. When the useful god is accompanied by a punishing god, all affairs will be unfavorable. When the useful god is accompanied by a clash or destruction, although the matter may succeed, it will eventually break down. When the useful god falls into kongwang, although the matter may succeed, it will ultimately fail, both joy and sorrow will be in vain, and when relying on others for matters, there will be frequent deceit. Matters will have to wait until after the current ten-day period. When the useful god overcomes the day stem, there will be worries concerning oneself and elders, and it may also indicate legal disputes. When the useful god overcomes the day branch, the household will be unsettled; the stronger the overcoming, the more anxious and fearful one will feel. When the useful god overcomes the final transmission, there will be an incomplete outcome, with ease at first and difficulty later. When the useful god overcomes the native, if this useful god is actually the wealth element located on the native, it will only be beneficial for seeking wealth. When the useful god overcomes the year stem, the intended matters will be difficult to achieve. When the useful god is the heavenly horse or post-horse, it indicates movement; if it overcomes the year stem, native, or day branch, it indicates injury to hands or feet, and it is most unfavorable to ride horses or take boats.

用月厭，做事不成。用喪吊，事干有服人。用入廟，樂吉事易吉，雖凶將若在本家，亦不為災。用旺相氣主吉，用休主疾病，用囚主官刑，用死主喪禍。然生我比和，則旺相為宜；克我盜我，則休囚亦不忌也。

When the useful god is accompanied by month aversion, things will not succeed. If the useful god is accompanied by the mourning-and-condolence spirit or the guest spirit, the matter involves someone in mourning. If the useful god is in its temple position, joyful affairs are more likely to result in good fortune; even if it is a凶 god, as long as it is in its native palace, it will not cause disaster. The useful god in a prosperous and strong condition indicates good fortune, in a weak and confined condition indicates illness, in a confined condition indicates official punishment, and in a death qi condition indicates mourning and misfortune. However, this also depends on whether the useful god is generating me or harmonizing with me; in such cases, prosperity and strength are favorable. If the useful god is restraining me or draining me, then its weakness and confinement are not something to be feared.

論年命四十三。命為身之應，所占與日干同，大要不得與歲月日上神相傷，宜與日及類神相生作合。年為用之助，亦不得與日用相傷，剋日為不及，克用事不成。

Forty-third, discussing 'year destiny', which refers to one's inherent destiny and the year's influence. One's inherent destiny is the place where one's fate manifests, and when making a divination, it should be treated equally with the day stem. It is important that it does not clash or conflict with the heavenly stem of the year, the month builder, or the heavenly stem of the day. Ideally, it should harmonize and generate with the day stem and similar deities. The year's influence is the helper of the useful god; it should also not clash or conflict with the day stem or the useful god. If the year's influence overpowers the day stem, it indicates insufficient strength; if it overpowers the useful god, it means the matter will not succeed.

年命上求財，求財吉；逢鬼，主官病；父母、兄弟、子孫依類推詳。年命上神與太歲相刑，常人主官府事憂始；若逢太歲乘天乙，大人有天庭文書恩澤之喜，或主橫發得官。年命上見月將，大能除一切凶禍。

If the wealth hexagram appears on the person's birth year in the hexagram chart, seeking wealth will be auspicious. If the official ghost hexagram appears, it indicates official troubles or illness. If the parents, brothers, or children hexagrams appear, they should be interpreted according to their respective categories. If the deity on the person's birth year hexagram is in conflict with the current year's heavenly stem, ordinary people may face official matters and troubles, which will begin from this. However, if the current year's heavenly stem is accompanied by the nobleman, people of high status may receive imperial documents or imperial favors, or achieve unexpected success and gain official positions. If the month general (sun) appears on the person's birth year hexagram, it is most effective in eliminating all misfortunes.

年命上魁罡作凶將，凡事不利。年命上見二馬，遷官捧詔，亦主出行大吉；若見旬破為用，主終惑。若宅向年命上見天喜，又乘吉將，百事吉慶。年命作月厭乘死氣，主有冤家，又鬼相逼，見血忌，驚車馬驚恐。

If the heavenly stem of the person's birth year falls on the River Chief (Xu) and Heavenly Gang (Chen), and is accompanied by a malevolent general, then all affairs will be unfavorable. If the heavenly stem of the person's birth year falls on both Heavenly Horse and Post-horse, it indicates promotion, receiving a mandate, and receiving an imperial decree, also suggesting great fortune for traveling far away; however, if the ten-day break is broken and the initiating transmission is involved, it will result in confusion in the end. If the direction of the residence and the heavenly stem of the person's birth year both show Heavenly Joy, and are accompanied by a favorable general, then all things will be auspicious. If the person's birth year is exactly on the Month Aversion and is accompanied by Death Qi, it indicates having enemies who are resentful, being harassed by ghosts and spirits, encountering bloodshed and calamity, or being startled by vehicles and horses.

年命上見凶將乘傳送申，主疾痛醫藥；乘登明，主水厄。天乙臨年命，龍常吉慶，若克年命有官事。螣蛇臨年命，龍常終滯。白虎臨年命，主鬥狠，克年命身災。年命乘死氣者，不出一月病，病不出四十九日死，乘金煞尤凶。乘生氣克命，有傳尸癆瘵之病。喪吊病符臨年命，凶。

If aInauspicious General is on the year pillar of the person's destiny and rides on 传送 (Shen), it indicates illness and pain, requiring medical treatment and medication; if it rides on 登明 (Hai), it indicates danger from water. If 天乙贵人 is on the year pillar of the person's destiny and appears together with Azure Dragon and Tai Chang, it indicates good fortune and celebration. However, if other elements reverse and overcome the year pillar of the person's destiny, there may be legal disputes. If 螣蛇 is on the year pillar of the person's destiny, even with Azure Dragon and Tai Chang, there will still be blockages. If White Tiger is on the year pillar of the person's destiny, it indicates disputes and violence; if it overcomes the year pillar of the person's destiny, the person himself will suffer misfortune. If Death Qi is on the year pillar of the person's destiny, the person will fall ill within a month, and the illness will develop within forty-nine days, leading to death. If it is also accompanied by 金煞, the situation becomes even more dangerous. If 生气 comes and overcomes the year pillar of the person's destiny, it indicates contracting a wasting disease such as tuberculosis. If The Mourning-and-Condolence spirit, 吊客, or Bingfu are on the year pillar of the person's destiny, it is all ominous.