Divination on the sound of a pot: if it is a good sound, it is auspicious; if it is a bad sound, it is inauspicious.

如螺似見咽後幽，占時須察日辰頭。青龍天乙臨之下，不久三公及五侯。 顯鍾似聲斷還鳴，堂前門內不倒聲。凶將來臨日上見，疑移人去宅能驚。主土地不安，遷移事則吉也。

A pot or cauldron makes an unusual sound on its own, like a conch shell, with a mournful and continuous tone. When interpreting this omen, one must carefully examine the day stem and day branch. If the Azure Dragon and Tianyi are present, there will soon be great honor and high official rank. However, if the sound is like that of bells and磬, and it rings again and again in the hall inside the door, and if a凶星 comes to the day stem, then one should plan to move. Otherwise, the household will be startled. The original commentary says that this indicates the land god is restless. If one moves because of this, it will actually be a good omen.

營內庭前草木枯，如遭湯潑一時無。正時看日及年上，玄武旺時見賊徒。在主將家宅行年上，看是何神。 日上相逢喜將臨，青龍天乙遇知音。忽然旺相無刑剋，風振將軍寵賜深。

If grass and trees in the camp or in front of the courtyard die suddenly without any apparent cause, as if scalded by boiling water, one should look at the day stem and the year stem at the time of the incident. When "Xuanwu" is in its prosperous and strong phase, it indicates there are thieves involved. The original note says to check which deity is governing the main general's or the main house's year stem. If the day stem encounters a favorable force, and "Qinglong" or "Tianyi" appears, like meeting a true friend, suddenly becoming prosperous and strong without being harmed or restrained, this signifies the general's authority is greatly enhanced and he receives generous favors and rewards.

大凡庶人有此徵，必然宅內有殃生。行年太歲並辰上，臨見吉神事不成。家長本命、行年、太歲、日、辰上見吉神無事，見凶神則凶也。

If such a sign appears in an ordinary family, disaster will surely occur within the household. If the year stem, the heavenly stem of the year, and the day branch are accompanied by auspicious deities, the disaster will not materialize. The original commentary clearly states: if the family head's birth stem, year stem, and heavenly stem of the year, along with the day stem and day branch, encounter auspicious deities, there will be no trouble; if they encounter malevolent deities, misfortune will follow.

無故人家物類搖，便將月將正時著。日辰有氣旺相吉，休死凶神事不明。

If household utensils move without cause, use the Month General and the exact hour to cast the divination. If the Day Stem and Day Branch are strong and prosperous, it is auspicious. If they are in a state of decline or death and accompanied by malevolent spirits, the situation is unclear and potential hidden dangers should be guarded against.

魁罡不欲日辰臨，蛇虎無令一處存。防備兇徒暗設計，是非長短外相論。正時加蛇、虎，同魁罡在日辰上，凶也。 水火加臨日與辰，青書自還到來時。千里女歸心留念，口舌災臨定有之。

Suddenly feeling startled, eyes twitching, and ears ringing: it is not advisable for the day stem and day branch to have 'River Chief' (戌) and 'Heavenly Gang' (辰) approaching. Also, 'Teng Snake' and 'White Tiger' should not be in the same position. If these are violated, one should beware of hidden plots by villains and external gossip and disputes. The original commentary says: if 'Teng Snake' and 'White Tiger' are added to the hour, and they are together with 'River Chief' and 'Heavenly Gang' falling on the day branch, it is ominous. If water deity and fire deity are added to the day stem and day branch, it indicates that letters will be sent on their own. A woman far away will be eager to return, but there will certainly be disputes over words.

心驚忽爾似神祗，看取日年上面知。天乙太沖及勝光，此個神臨喜有餘。其外金神上，必憂煎。 行年相生旺氣臨，好神吉將又相親，多應外人來說好，酒會逢歡吉又亨。

He suddenly felt a shock as if a divine being had signaled him, so he looked at the Day Stem and the Year Stem: "Tianyi" and "Tai Chong" of the卯 branch, along with "Shengguang" of the午 branch, all indicate a surplus of joy. Additionally, if there is a Metal God above, there will certainly be worries. The Year Stem receives mutual generation and a surge of vitality, with good spirits and auspicious generals accompanying it. This is mostly due to outsiders bringing good news, and during the banquet, there is a joyful atmosphere, which is auspicious and smooth.

暴風急起正時占，占日之神審再三。來處吉凶神將斷，定時為之仔細看。 或有旋風如戶扇，皆以日上將神推。貴人臨官ΟΟ記，白虎勾陳兵甲揮。

A violent storm suddenly arises, so the divination is started according to the correct time. The god riding on the day stem is examined repeatedly. If the wind comes from a certain direction, the god of that direction is used to determine fortune and misfortune. The time is carefully examined. If the wind spins around like a door opening and closing, it is also treated by using the god riding on the day stem: if it rides on the 'Heavenly Ethical' nobleman, it indicates joy in officialdom; if it rides on the 'White Tiger' and 'Gou Chen', it indicates military movements.

朱雀螣蛇吏口舌，天空天后病虺羸。太陰玄武須防盜，六合青龍似慶儀。 若見太常居日上，醫官婦女與僧尼。日辰上看相剋刑，賊來不久入家營。

Riding 'Zhu Que' and 'Teng Snake' indicates officials coming to the door and disputes over words; riding 'Tian Kong' and 'Heavenly Empress' suggests illness and weakness; riding 'Tai Yin' and 'Xuan Wu' warns of theft; riding 'Liu He' and 'Qing Long' indicates celebration and ceremony. If 'Tai Chang' is on the day stem, it signifies the arrival of a physician, woman, or monk. Then check the day stem and day branch for mutual control or punishment; if present, thieves will soon enter the house or camp.

勸君火急須防守，陽疑白日陰因驚。等閒家內暴風來，日上消詳以意裁。 相剋相刑當有氣，強亂官府要生災。日上相逢五墓臨，伏兵不遠可追尋。 提防為患須牢記，無氣其實必不侵。

Advise people to take immediate defensive measures: those with yang characteristics are suspicious during the day, while those with yin characteristics are startled at night. If a sudden storm arises at home without cause, carefully examine the day stem to make a judgment. If there is mutual control and mutual punishment, and it is in season and has strength, it indicates rebellion and disorder, and government authorities will suffer calamities. If the day stem encounters the Five Tombs, hidden troops are nearby and can be pursued. Be vigilant about this danger and remember it well; however, if the element is not in season and lacks strength, it will not actually cause harm.

雲起上頭加正時，日辰向上細尋推。登明太沖神后下，占雨今朝必有斯。

After clouds arise, will it rain or not? Take the direction where the clouds arise, add the correct hour, and turn out the Heaven Plate. Carefully examine it from the Day Stem and Day Branch. If it falls under 「Dengming」亥, 「Tai Chong」卯, or 「Shen Hou」子, it will certainly rain today.

嘉靖三十七年歲次戊午季夏十有一日 衛臨清昭信校尉玄穀道人上蔡高大器拜錄

This is the signature of the copyist of the entire text: In the thirty-seventh year of the Jiajing era, which corresponds to the Wuwu year in the heavenly stems and earthly branches calendar, on the eleventh day of the sixth lunar month in the season of Late Summer, Gao Daqi, a respected copyist from the Linqing garrison, known as the Daoist master Xuan Gu, originally from Shangcai, respectfully transcribed this text. The thirty-seventh year of Jiajing corresponds to the year 1558 in the Common Era. The title Zhaoxin Xiaowei was a rank for military officers in the Ming dynasty.

忽聞怪鵲鳴枝枝，便將月將加鳴時。即看天上何神下，凶惡之時以神知。 天罡河魁論訟說，登明太乙吏來追。大吉大人銅鐵至，小吉婦人羊酒食。

Suddenly hearing a magpie screeching on a branch: place the Month General on the hour when it called and turn out the Heaven Plate. Then observe which position of the Heaven Plate falls below. Whether it is凶 or恶 can be known by the god at that position. If it falls on 「Heavenly Gang」Chen or 「River Chief」Xu, there will be a lawsuit or disputes. If it falls on 「Dengming」Hai or 「Taiyi」Si, there will be a constable coming to summon. If it falls on 「Dají」Chou, there will be a superior bringing copper or iron objects. If it falls on 「Xiaojí」Wei, a woman will arrive with mutton, wine, and food.

功曹在家筵賓客，傳送出門見乞兒。子為師巫午口舌。酉為文狀卯陰私。 但然用此求其氣，所事用神無不知。

The "Gongcao" falls on the寅 branch, indicating a banquet at home to entertain guests; the "ChuanSong" falls on the申 branch, meaning encountering beggars as soon as one leaves home; the "Shenhou" falls on the子 branch, indicating meeting priests or fortune tellers; the "Shengguang" falls on the午 branch, indicating disputes or arguments; the "Congkui" falls on the酉 branch, indicating the presence of documents or legal papers; the "Taichong" falls on the卯 branch, indicating private matters. As long as one follows this method to seek the qi one rides upon, all questions can be deduced from the Useful God.

忽聞犬吠為何因，月將加時看日辰。日辰所臨何將下，吉凶之事斷其因。 天罡有人持兵器，太乙臨來賊盜人。勝光忽爾聞風起，小吉因為覓酒醇。

Suddenly hearing a dog barking, to know the reason: place the Month General on the time of divination, and look at the Day Stem and Day Branch. Determine which Heavenly General the Day Branch falls under, and judge the cause of good or bad fortune accordingly. If it falls under 'Heavenly Gang' (天罡), there is someone holding a weapon; if it falls under 'Too Bright' (太乙), thieves are coming; if it falls under 'Victorious Brightness' (胜光), a sudden wind arises; if it falls under 'Minor Auspiciousness' (小吉), someone comes to ask for alcohol.

從魁天魁並傳送，神后皆驚鬼與神。若遇登明窺虎豹，大吉無因將叫頻。 更看太沖相臨處，忽然木折得其真。

Falling under "From魁" in You, "River Chief" in Xu, and "Transmission" in Shen, or falling under "Shenhou" in Zi, all indicate disturbance of spirits; if falling under "Dengming" in Hai, it signifies seeing fierce beasts like tigers and leopards; falling under "Daji" in Chou indicates unprovoked frequent barking. Now observe the place where "Taichong" in Mao occurs, if suddenly trees break, that is a true response.

心不自安目瞤動，正時常規歲中神。寅卯巳午歡忻事，申酉亥子悶憂勤。 若逢旺相皆為吉，囚死臨之憂事真。還遇前三並前五，後二後四吉須陳。 其餘多少相逢日，休便尋思是惡因。

A person with an unsettled mind and twitching eyelids should cast a divination chart according to the standard method, using the heavenly stem of the current year. If it falls on寅, 卯, 巳, or 午, it indicates joyous matters. If it falls on申, 酉, 亥, or 子, it suggests worry and labor. If it meets theprosperous and strong energy, it is favorable. If it falls in囚 or 死, then worries are real. If it also meets the third and fifth positions before its own position, or the second and fourth positions after, it is considered favorable. For other occasional encounters, there is no need to think of bad outcomes.

風起何來占吉凶，螣蛇加上有憂驚。朱雀臨之官口舌，白虎相逢死喪神。 天乙有時貴人出，各以其將見得真。

The wind coming from which direction indicates the fortune and misfortune of that direction: if "Teng Snake" is on top, there will be worries and disturbances; if "Vermilion Bird" is present, it signifies official troubles and disputes; if "White Tiger" appears, it indicates death and mourning; if "Heavenly General" is encountered, there will be a nobleman accompanying the journey. Each should be judged according to the heavenly general it is riding, and this is the most accurate.

暴風無故起天來，善惡加臨日上排。太乙臨之官有罪，白虎勾陳兵陣開。 天空百姓多疾病，玄武相逢盜賊乖。風止為期當審細，假令落處有須該。落睡寅應正月。

A sudden storm descends from heaven without warning; the fate of good and evil is determined by the deities that are added to the day stem. If "Tai Yi" (Supreme Virtue) is on the巳 position, officials will be guilty; if "Bai Hu" (White Tiger) or "Gou Chen" (Hook Star) is present, military campaigns will begin; if "Tian Kong" (Heavenly Void) is there, the people will suffer many diseases; if "Xuan Wu" (Black Tortoise) is encountered, thieves and bandits will act unpredictably. The moment the wind stops indicates the time of occurrence, which must be carefully examined. The original commentary gives an example: if the wind stops at the寅 position, the event will occur in the first lunar month.

飛鳥鴟梟忽作鳴，日上看神見此情。登明有位為司吏，神后相逢巫女人。 大吉下來親戚至，故人攜酒谷相尋。功曹忽爾歡忻事，太沖酒肉飯無因。

A sudden strange cry from a bird or a crow: look at the god riding on the day stem to see what it signifies. 'Dengming' at亥 position indicates a government official arriving; encountering 'Shenhou' at子 indicates a female priestess; 'Daji' at丑 means relatives come to visit, old friends bring wine, food, and grain; 'Gongcao' at寅 signifies sudden joy; 'Taichong' at卯 means food and drink arrive unexpectedly.

天罡之下多官府，鬥訟臨人切莫驚。太乙吏人來相訪，勝光勾召有餘真。 小吉婦人酒食事，傳送逢迎索債人。從魁更有佳人酒，天魁官吏若相縈。

The Heavenly Gang (tian gang) is associated with the辰 (chen) branch, and matters related to government offices are common here; if a lawsuit or fight occurs, there is no need to be alarmed. The Tai Yi (tai yi) is associated with the巳 (si) branch, indicating visitors from officials. The Sheng Guang (sheng guang) is associated with the午 (wu) branch, which signifies being summoned or called upon, and this is accurate. The Xiao Ji (xiao ji) is associated with the未 (wei) branch, indicating a woman preparing food and drink. The Cheng Song (cheng song) is associated with the申 (shen) branch, meaning encountering someone demanding repayment of a debt face to face. The Cong Kuai (cong kuai) is associated with the酉 (you) branch, implying another beautiful woman hosting a banquet. The He Kuai (he kuai) is associated with the戌 (xu) branch, indicating persistent纠缠 (entanglement) by government officials.

忽然有客叩門聲，正時尋人年上神。日辰相見視休咎，上下相逢吉出逢。 反此為凶休管待，恐有災禍已臨門。登明即為征伐客，天魁忽是府公人。

A guest suddenly knocks on the door: one should find the time of day and determine the person's age, then look at the deities accompanying them according to the day stem and day branch. Based on how these elements interact, one can judge whether it is auspicious or inauspicious. If the upper and lower elements meet and harmonize, it is a good guest; if they are opposite, it is a bad omen, and one should not entertain the guest, as disaster may have already arrived. "Dengming" (亥) indicates a guest related to military campaigns, while "Heqiu" (戌) suggests a sudden visitor from the government.

從魁女人來索借，傳送應人慾問津。小吉欲來求飲食，勝光相請宴遊頻。 太乙有人來乞索，天罡官府欲勾人。太沖客子來庸力，或有功曹吏覓尋。

"From Kui" in the酉 hour indicates a woman borrowing something; "Transmission and Communication" in the申 hour indicates someone asking for directions; "Small Auspiciousness" in the未 hour indicates someone asking for food and drink; "Victorious Light" in the午 hour indicates frequent invitations for feasting and outings; "Supreme Virtue" in the巳 hour indicates someone coming to beg or demand; "Heavenly Gang" in the辰 hour indicates the authorities summoning someone; "Great Momentum" in the卯 hour indicates a hired worker's visitor arriving; "Meritorious Official" in the寅 hour indicates an official or clerk coming to look for someone.

大吉貴人相召請，神后相逢奸盜頻。皆以日辰，見吉神良將，有旺相氣，是善人，反此皆為惡人。又以天六情言之。

"Great Good" in the Earthly Branch Chou indicates the arrival of a Nobleman inviting; "Shenhou" in the Earthly Branch Zi signifies frequent appearances of dishonest and thieving people. The original annotation summarizes: all these are determined by the Day Stem and Day Branch. If auspicious deities and virtuous Generals appear along with a prosperous and strong atmosphere, then the people coming are good; conversely, they are evil people. Additionally, one may also refer to the theory of the six relationships with Heavenly Generals for further deduction.

恐人謀己見加臨，月將加時視日辰。日上神來為自己，辰中神即是他人。 日上神來制辰上，怨恨言語正談論。辰上神來制日上，欲來謀害自家身。若日上神得蛇、虎、魁、罡者，事必成凶。上空者事不成，空有其意也。

If you fear someone is scheming against you, examine the added spirits. Place the month general on the occupied time and review the day stem and day branch. The spirit above the day stem represents yourself, and the spirit within the day branch represents the other party. If the spirit above the day stem controls the spirit within the day branch, the other party is only behind you, resenting and gossiping. If the spirit within the day branch controls the spirit above the day stem, then someone is planning to harm you. The original commentary adds: if the spirit above the day stem is 'Teng Snake', 'White Tiger', 'River Chief', or 'Heavenly Gang', the matter will certainly turn out badly. If these spirits fall under 'Kongwang', the matter will not succeed, and it will be just empty intentions.

人心驚動欲須知，凶吉臨時月將期。注曰：加在人年上看之。 若見功曹太沖將，必有文書陰與私。太乙勝光或各見，驚憂口舌是來儀。

When a person is startled without cause, to determine whether it is auspicious or ominous, one should use the Month General to set the divination and determine the time of the event. The original commentary says: place the divination on the person's current age year to observe. If the 'Gongcao' (Assistant Minister) and 'Tai Chong' (Great Momentum) generals appear at the寅 and卯 positions respectively, there will certainly be matters related to documents or private feelings. If the 'Tai Yi' (Supreme Virtue) and 'Sheng Guang' (Victorious Light) generals appear at the巳 and午 positions respectively, then worries, anxieties, and disputes will come to the person.

傳送從魁兵器客，遠行將至運非遲。登明神后哀聲泣，有客相呼召見伊。 天罡河魁疾病速，大吉小吉咒詛為。旺相相生吉將並，開憂不畏莫遲疑。

The transmission occurs at Shen, and 'From Kuai' at You, indicating a guest in charge of weapons or someone traveling far is about to arrive, and the affairs will not be delayed. 'Deng Ming' at Hai and 'Shen Hou' at Zi indicate mourning sounds or someone coming to visit and meet. 'Tian Gang' at Chen and 'He Kuai' at Xu indicate a rapid onset of illness. 'Da Ji' at Chou and 'Xiao Ji' at Wei indicate curses. If the auspicious stars are prosperous and strong and mutually generating, and the favorable generals are present together, worries will naturally be resolved, and there is no need to fear or hesitate.

反此即為憂事至，須要防備的無疑。前三前五後二四，大吉休憂吉來遲。 前一二並後五六，此逢凶禍要君知。天地二獄臨日辰凶。天獄者，春巳、夏未、秋亥、冬丑。地獄者，春辰、夏未、秋戌、冬丑是也。

This is the opposite situation, indicating that troubles are about to come and precautions are necessary without doubt. If it falls in the third, fifth before, or second and fourth after, it is very auspicious, no need to worry, although good things will come a bit later. If it falls in the first, second before, or fifth and sixth after, one will encounter misfortune, so this point should be remembered. The two spirits 'Heavenly Prison' and 'Hell' appearing on the day stem and day branch are ominous. The original annotation lists their positions: Heavenly Prison is in the fourth solar term in spring, sixth in summer, tenth in autumn, and second in winter; Hell is in the third solar term in spring, sixth in summer, ninth in autumn, and second in winter.

憂喜君家要自詳，傳中有救福吉昌。憂不憂，傳自救也。用神囚死而臨囚死之鄉，若問憂即實，反此即虛。傳自救初：傳用水臨土，傳得木神，或遇木將，或在木鄉，皆為救，即係吉也。 喜或不喜須君記，母子無歡金水傍。

When dealing with matters of worry or joy, one must carefully discern them oneself: among the three transmissions, if there is a saving god, then blessings and auspiciousness will follow. What is meant by "worrying without actually worrying" is that the three transmissions can resolve the matter themselves. The original commentary says: if the useful god falls in a state of captivity or death and also resides in a place of captivity or death, then asking about worry will result in actual worry; conversely, it will be a false alarm. What is meant by the three transmissions saving themselves is as follows: if the initiating transmission belongs to water and is subject to earth (earth controls water), but among the three transmissions there is a wood god, or a wood general, or it falls in a wood place (wood can relieve earth and generate fire, transforming the control into something else), this is considered a rescue, which is auspicious. As for whether something is joyful or not, one must also be clear: between mother and child, there is no harmonious energy, which is on the side of metal and water.

忽聞凶喜投者來，須憑妙訣日辰猜。日若加辰端的看，相生虛誕莫憂猜。 忽爾日辰相剋處，此言不妄果實哉。假令丙午日，便將丙加午，相生也，為虛；假令甲辰日，便將甲加辰，即實也。

If someone suddenly brings either bad or good news, and you don't know if it is true or false, you can use the method of the day stem and day branch to guess. Place the day stem above the day branch and examine them: if they mutually generate, the news is false and there is no need to worry; if the day stem and day branch suddenly mutually control each other, then the news is genuine. The original commentary gives an example: on a Bingwu day, place Bing above Wu, which is fire generating fire, so it is false; on a Jiachen day, place Jiachen above Chen, which is wood controlling earth, so it is true.

日吉時貞，天地清寧，天神月將，六甲六丁，會意潛心，仰惟： 聖課妙道合真，與天地同其用，宇宙應其均氣，調其序法，術驗其靈，敬啟： 天乙、太乙吉神，雷公玄女，軒轅帝尊，東方曼倩，李筌名臣，武候李靖，歷代賢能，祝詞一告，相遇儀形，吉凶進退，善惡虧盈，天人合志，盡付六壬 伏惟 感應

This is the invocation recited before casting the divination: today is auspicious, at this moment it is correct, the heavens and earth are clear and peaceful; we respectfully invite the heavenly deities, the Month General, and the Six Jia and Six Ding deities. The diviner should concentrate the mind, focus intention, and sincerely appeal upwards. The profound way of the sacred divination aligns with truth, its function is the same as heaven and earth, its energy corresponds with the universe. It can regulate order and establish laws. Once the method is verified, its spirit becomes evident. Therefore, with reverence, we respectfully appeal: the deities Tianyi and Taiyi, the benevolent gods, the Thunder God and the Mysterious Lady of the Ninth Heaven, the Yellow Emperor, Dongfang Shuo, the skilled diviner of the Han dynasty, Li Quan, the military strategist of the Tang dynasty, Zhuge Liang, Wei Gong Li Jing, and all the virtuous men of past dynasties. Once the invocation is recited, it meets the deities in the ritual image; the rise and fall of fortune and misfortune, the waxing and waning of good and evil, are all entrusted to this lesson of the Six Rens. We humbly request your attention, hoping for a response.

雨水兩日七刻零，春分四日忽交迎。穀雨六日尤加二，小滿七日得均平。 夏至六朝零五刻，大暑五日將星成。處暑六日兼三刻，秋分九日理分明。 霜降十日交宮位，小雪九日氣中行。冬至五日太陽過，大寒三日七刻盈。

This passage determines the actual time when the twelve month generals change during the twelfth month. In the Six Rén system, the change of generals occurs with the middle qi: after the rainwater season, the "Dengming" general is transferred to the亥 general, which requires two days and seven parts; after the spring equinox, the "He Kuí" general is transferred to the戌 general, which requires four days; after the grain rain season, the "Cong Kuí" general is transferred to the酉 general, which requires six days and two parts; after the small full summer, the "Song Song" general is transferred to the申 general, which requires seven days to be balanced; after the summer solstice, the "Xiao Ji" general is transferred to the未 general, which requires six days and five parts; after the great heat, the "Sheng Guang" general is transferred to the午 general, which requires five days for the star to form; after the beginning of autumn, the "Tai Yi" general is transferred to the巳 general, which requires six days and three parts; after the autumn equinox, the "Tian Gang" general is transferred to the辰 general, which requires nine days for the principle to become clear; after the frost descent, the "Tai Chong" general is transferred to the卯 general, which requires ten days to reach the palace position; after the light snow, the "Gong Cao" general is transferred to the寅 general, which requires nine days for the qi to arrive; after the winter solstice, the "Da Ji" general is transferred to the丑 general, which requires five days for the sun to pass; after the great cold, the "Shen Hou" general is transferred to the子 general, which requires three days and seven parts to be complete.

五日三刻半時加，隔年求將妙無霞。但尋官曆前後照，萬兩黃金莫與他。

There is another method: generally, five days and three hours after each solar term, adding half an hour, the month general will change. This method can be used to calculate the month general from year to year, with infinite benefits. However, it is still necessary to compare with the official calendar to ensure accuracy. This technique, though valuable, is not easily shared, even for a fortune of ten thousand taels of silver.

正午逆行順排坐，出茶齊正斜角末。大卯小辰順加數，正五八十周閒過。

This passage explains the method for calculating "three months without" (三月没): starting from the first month at the position of the horse (午), move backward through the twelve earthly branches, then proceed in order to determine the positions. The positions of emergence and disappearance run diagonally from the central position to the corners. For large months, start at the rabbit (卯); for small months, start at the dragon (辰), and proceed by adding the numbers sequentially. When encountering the first, fifth, eighth, and tenth months, skip a cycle. The rhyme is concise and obscure, and the original text has no annotations, so it is preserved according to the literal meaning.

交過子宮加一日，刻上六八一時周。五時二刻卯中求，十時四刻在龍頭。 立夏十日二時六，芒種一日九時收。二日二時二小暑，二日七時四刻秋。

This passage explains the calculation of the number of days and hours between each section: after the Zi hour, add one day, and pair the hours with six and eight, completing one hour cycle; if there are five hours and two hours, refer to the Mao position; if there are ten hours and four hours, it falls on the Chen position at the 'dragon head'. The beginning of summer is ten days, two hours, and six hours; the summer solstice is one day, nine hours, and complete; the beginning of autumn is two days, two hours, and two hours; the beginning of autumn is two days, seven hours, and four hours.

白露三朝單六刻，寒露三日六時休。立科三日十一二，大雪四四兩雙流。 小寒四日九時六，五日三時又打牛。

White Dew lasts for three days and six periods, Cold Dew lasts for three days and six hours, Beginning of Winter lasts for three days, eleven hours, and two periods (the original text's '立科' is likely a mistake for '立冬'), Heavy Snow lasts for four days, four hours, and two double periods, and Minor Cold lasts for four days, nine hours, and six periods; after another five days and three hours, it reaches the Beginning of Spring, which is the time for the ox-drawing ceremony.

辰加寅為用 三傳辰午申 十四 甲子 丙寅 甲申 戊子 庚寅 丙子 戊寅 甲辰 壬子 甲寅 甲午 庚子 甲戌 壬寅 皆八 辰午申為用，三天不可登。病死遠行極，訟乃省部陳。

This lesson uses the Heaven Plate "Heavenly Gang" placed on the Earth Plate "Gongcao" to initiate the transmission, with the three transmissions in sequence being Chen, Wu, and Shen, proceeding smoothly upwards. The base text then lists fourteen day stems and branches belonging to this lesson: Jiazi, Bingyin, Jiashen, Wuzi, Gengyin, Bingzi, Wuyin, Jiachen, Renzi, Jiayin, Jiawu, Gengzi, Jiaxu, and Renyin. At the end, it notes "all eight" — this is the number associated with this set of day lessons in the original text. All lessons where the Heaven Plate advances two positions are marked with this number, but the meaning behind it is not explained in the source, so it is recorded as is. The interpretation states: the transmissions Chen, Wu, and Shen are used, named "ascending the three heavens," but the three heavens cannot be reached; for illness, it indicates death; for long journeys, it is extremely difficult; for lawsuits, it will escalate to the provincial and ministerial authorities for resolution.

午加辰為用 三傳午申戌 午申戌是出三天，凡事遠大辛難言。行人失約病歸泉，訟達上司說喧天。

Using the Heaven Plate "Shengguang" at Wu position placed on the Earth Plate "Tian Gang" at Chen position to initiate the transmission, the three transmissions are Wu, Shen, and Xu. The interpretation states: Wu, Shen, and Xu form a lesson named "Chu San Tian," meaning that all matters are extensive and distant, with hardships that are hard to describe. If predicting travel, the person will not arrive as promised; if predicting illness, the person will die; if predicting legal disputes, the matter will escalate all the way to the superior authorities, causing continuous noise and unrest.

申加午為用 三傳申戌子 十三 乙丑 庚午 壬午 庚辰 乙未 戊辰 乙亥 己酉 壬辰 乙巳 丙午 丙辰 乙卯 戊午 皆八 欲動不動涉三淵，申戌子兮在目前。進退艱難阻萬狀，對面言之似隔山。

Using the Heaven Plate "Transmission" of Shen added to the Earth Plate "Victory Light" of Wu as the initiating transmission, the three transmissions are Shen, Xu, and Zi. The original text is titled as thirteen days but actually lists fourteen day stems: Yichou, Gengwu, Renwu, Gengchen, Yiwei, Wuchen, Yihai, Jiyou, Renchen, Yisi, Bingwu, Bingchen, Yimao, and Wuwu. The number does not match, indicating a mistake in the original text. The end still notes "all eight." The interpretation states: wanting to move but unable to, just like entering three deep abysses, with Shen, Xu, and Zi right in front; advancing is difficult, retreating is also difficult, with countless obstacles, even if facing each other in conversation, it feels as if separated by a mountain.

戌加申為用 三傳戌子寅 三淵深處不宜入，戌子寅兮來意言。勸君早早回頭去，下去深淵直至淵。

Using the Heaven Plate "River Chief" (Heavenly Stem)戌 placed on the Earth Plate "Transmission" (Earthly Branch)申 as the initiating transmission, the three transmissions are戌, 子, 寅. The interpretation states: the depths of the three abysses are not suitable for entering; the intentions of the person are written in the three transmissions戌, 子, 寅; it is advised to turn back early, for proceeding further will only make one abyss deeper than another.

子加戌為用 三傳子寅辰 凡八 壬辰 丙戌 庚戌 丙申 戊戌 庚申 壬戌 三陽去暗至明深，惟怕空亡又隔停。若更相生無克賊，子寅辰出向陽行。

The Heaven Plate "Shenhou" Zi is placed on the Earth Plate "Heqiu" Xu to initiate the transmission. The three transmissions are Zi, Yin, and Chen. The original text mentions a total of eight days, but only seven are listed: Renchen, Bingxu, Wuxu, Bingshen, Wuxu, Gengshen, and Renxu, with one day missing. The interpretation states: a lesson of three yangs signifies a transition from darkness to light, gradually entering deeper illumination, but it is feared that encountering Kongwang and interruptions may cause obstacles. If the three transmissions can mutually generate without being overcome, then Zi, Yin, and Chen will proceed steadily towards brightness.