Heavenly cannon divination

天炮如雷下九霄，國王傷敗見凶妖。正時日上相殘害，千里兵殘血染刀。何方落地定災危，神將加臨看正時。月破歲刑火煞下，政荒民叛戶逃離。喪在喪門死病方，大人喪死易僕王。醫蒿滿室人行役，國敗交鋒例戰聲。天炮常憂墮落者，萬民擾亂似油煎。假令戌亥臨於日，也與天門落一般。

Divination on Heavenly Thunder (a phenomenon of thunder-like explosions in the sky): Heavenly Thunder falls from the ninth heaven like thunder, indicating the defeat and injury of the sovereign and the appearance of malevolent spirits. When the hour stem and the day stem mutually harm each other, it signifies severe warfare within a thousand li, with blood staining the swords. Wherever Heavenly Thunder falls, disaster and danger will be determined there. Observe the addition of the general spirit on the hour stem. If it falls under 「Month Breaker」, 「Annual Punishment」, and Fire Evil, it indicates the neglect of state affairs, the rebellion of the people, and the fleeing of families. Funerary matters should be considered in the direction of 「Mourning-and-Condolence spirit」 and the place of death and illness, indicating the death of great persons and the change of dukes and marquises. Medicinal herbs fill the houses while people are conscripted for service, the state falls, and the sound of warfare never ceases. The omen of Heavenly Thunder often causes anxiety about falling calamities, with the people in turmoil as if boiling in oil. If戌 and亥 are added to the day stem, it is the same as if Heavenly Thunder fell on the Heaven Gate (亥).

月將加正時，視天罡。加孟口舌，加仲失財，加季得財。辰上勾陳白虎，可斷死喪孝服。

Divination on a bird dropping falling on clothing: place the Month General on the starting hour and set up the chart. Observe 'Tiangang' (Chen). If placed on the four beginning sections, it indicates disputes. If placed on the four middle sections, it indicates loss of wealth. If placed on the four end sections, it indicates gaining wealth. If the Day Branch is 'Gou Chen' or 'White Tiger', it indicates matters related to death, mourning, and mourning attire.

月將加正時，歲上刑破、大煞臨，大荒歉。無端野獸入軍城，多主年荒及戰爭。太歲上逢諸惡將，元戎悲泣不安寧。傷物悲鳴井邑旁，獄多迎冤橫內城荒。刑殺破害當其上，人叛流離出故鄉。

Divining about wild animals entering the city: place the Month General on the hour of the day and set up the chart. If the position of the Grand Duke of Years encounters刑, 破, and Great Sha, it indicates a great famine. The verse says: if wild animals enter the city without cause, it often indicates a year of famine and warfare; if various evil generals appear on the position of the Grand Duke of Years, it indicates the commander's sorrow and unrest in the army; if a wounded wild animal cries near a well and town, it indicates many wrongful cases in the prison and the city being abandoned; if 刑, 杀, 破, and 害 all press upon the position of the Grand Duke of Years, it indicates the people rebelling and fleeing to other places.

路遇大鼠，及家中鼠作異聲，月將加時，視日上及用神。見元武，防盜賊埋伏，林間搜之可獲。太陰為婦人事。青龍等吉將，為錢財之類，主三日內應。

Divination for a rat spirit: if you meet a large rat on the way or hear unusual noises from rats at home, add the Month General to the time and set up the chart. Look at the Day Stem and the Useful God— if it shows the Black Tortoise, beware of thieves hiding, and searching in the woods can catch them; if it shows the Tai Yin, it relates to matters concerning women; if it shows the Azure Dragon or other auspicious generals, it relates to money matters. All these indicate that the outcome will occur within three days.

月將加正時，視鳴處所臨神或天日上，在登明下，更來神后下，師巫、女人來。大吉下，親故攜酒食來；功曹，歡喜慶賀；太沖下，酒食事；天罡下，官府文書鬥訟；太乙下，吏人來；勝光下，詔命事，或勾攝事；小吉下，婦人酒食事；傳送下，索債人來；從魁下，女子酒食；河魁下，胥吏至。若好鳥飛鳴德方，主君王徵召喜信，及酒食、饋獻、財帛、婚姻諸喜。若惡鳥四集屋上，百日內防回祿、死喪、官訟。

Divination on abnormal bird calls: Place the Month General on the starting hour and set up the chart. Observe the deities under which the place of the bird call falls, or the deities on the Heaven Plate and Day Stem. If it falls under 'Dengming' (Hai), then a witch or a woman will come. If it falls under 'Shenhou' (Zi), the same applies. If it falls under 'Daji' (Chou), relatives and friends will bring wine and food. If it falls under 'Gongcao' (Yin), there will be joy and celebration. If it falls under 'Taichong' (Mao), there will be matters of food and drink. If it falls under 'Tiangang' (Chen), there will be official documents, disputes, and lawsuits. If it falls under 'Taiyi' (Si), officials will come. If it falls under 'Shengguang' (Wu), there will be imperial orders or being summoned. If it falls under 'Xiaoji' (Wei), there will be matters concerning women and food and drink. If it falls under 'Chuansong' (Shen), debt collectors will come. If it falls under 'Congkui' (You), a woman will bring food and drink. If it falls under 'Hekui' (Xu), officials will come. If a good bird flies and calls in the direction of 'Day De', it indicates a joyful message from the king, along with food, drink, gifts, wealth, and marriage. If evil birds gather in groups on the roof, there will be fire, death, and lawsuits within a hundred days.

月將加正時，視鳴處所臨神。魁罡訟起，巳亥吏迫，丑貴人、銅鐵至，未婦人羊酒至，寅家延客，申出逢乞丐，子師巫，午口舌，酉文書，卯陰私。

When predicting based on the cries of crows or magpies, place the Month General on the hour of the event and set up the chart. Observe the deity corresponding to the location where the sound occurs. If it is Hekui or Tiangang, it indicates the possibility of disputes. If it is Si or Hai, it suggests that officials will come to demand things. If it is Chou, it means a nobleman will arrive and there will be metal or iron items. If it is Wei, it indicates that a woman will bring sheep and wine. If it is Yin, it suggests that a banquet will be held at home. If it is Shen, it means encountering beggars when going out. If it is Zi, it indicates that a shaman will come. If it is Wu, it suggests disputes. If it is You, it means there will be documents. If it is Mao, it indicates some secret matters.

月將加正時，視日上所臨身。辰有人持兵器行刺，巳盜賊暴風起，未人不見酒食，申酉子皆主鬼神，戌惡人，亥虎豹野獸，丑空伏吟木折，寅木動及貓來。

Divination for a dog barking: place the Month General on the correct hour and set up the chart. Look at the branch that is on the Day Stem — if it is Chen, it indicates someone with weapons coming to attack; if it is Si, it indicates thieves coming or a strong wind rising; if it is Wei, it indicates someone coming but no food or drink is available; if it is Shen, You, or Zi, it indicates ghosts or spirits causing trouble; if it is Xu, it indicates wicked people coming; if it is Hai, it indicates tigers, leopards, or wild animals; if it is Chou and falls into Kongwang with Hidden Chant, it indicates trees breaking; if it is Yin, it indicates movement of grass and trees and the coming of a cat.

月將加正時，視日辰上神辨吉凶。吉者生子孫添丁、升遷、報捷、市利三倍；凶者宅動、損人口，又主遷移。

Divination for a pot or cauldron making a sound by itself: Place the Month General on the correct hour and set up the chart. Determine the fortune by the deity associated with the Day Stem and Day Branch. If it is favorable, it indicates the birth of children, an increase in family members, promotion in official position, receiving good news, and gaining three times the profit in business. If it is unfavorable, it indicates instability in the household, loss of people, and the need to move house.

家中井泉沸湧，月將加正時，視日上得吉神良將，旺相生旺，主官祿榮貴，士庶亦進財喜。反此不祥。

Divination for boiling well water: If the well in the family suddenly starts boiling, place the Month General on the exact hour and set up the chart. Look at the Day Stem— if it is accompanied by auspicious deities and good generals that are prosperous and strong, it indicates official rank, honor, and wealth; even common people will gain fortune and joy. Conversely, if it is not the case, it is inauspicious.

月將加正時，視行年上，見功曹太沖有文書陰私事；天罡河魁，有疾病；太乙勝光，憂驚口舌；大吉小吉，咒詛事；傳送從魁，有兵器事，遠行者將至；登明神后，有哭泣事，及客相招。年上有旺氣，並吉將及傳見救神，解凶，反此憂危。見乙合龍常陰，吉，餘將凶。日辰忌天地二獄加臨，不吉。

Divination for palpitations and anxiety: Place the Month General on the hour of the day and set up the chart. Look at the position of the year stem. If it meets 'Gongcao' (Yin) or 'Taichong' (Mao), it indicates matters related to documents or private affairs. If it meets 'Tiangang' (Chen) or 'Hekui' (Xu), it indicates illness. If it meets 'Taiyi' (Si) or 'Shengguang' (Wu), it indicates worry, fear, and disputes. If it meets 'Daji' (Chou) or 'Xiaoji' (Wei), it indicates being cursed or slandered by others. If it meets 'Chuansong' (Shen) or 'Congkui' (You), it indicates matters involving weapons and the arrival of travelers. If it meets 'Dengming' (Hai) or 'Shenhou' (Zi), it indicates crying and the invitation of guests. If the year stem has a strong and favorable energy and is accompanied by auspicious generals, and the three transmissions also include 'Jieshen', then harmful matters can be resolved. Conversely, if these conditions are not met, there will be worries and dangers. Seeing 'Tianyi', 'Liuhe', 'Qinglong', 'Taichang', and 'Taiyin' is considered auspicious, while other generals are considered inauspicious. The Day Stem and Day Branch should avoid the evils of 'Tianyu' and 'Diyu'. If these evils are present, it is not favorable.

月將加時視年上，見寅卯巳午，有喜；申酉亥子，有憂；旺相，吉；囚死，凶。更辨天將類神，詳定吉凶。

Divination for twitching eyelids and hot ears: place the Month General on the time of divination and set up the chart. Look at the position of the year stem. If it is in the positions of寅, 卯, 巳, or 午, it indicates good fortune. If it is in the positions of申, 酉, 亥, or 子, it indicates worry. Prosperous and strong (旺相) is auspicious, while imprisoned or dead (囚死) is inauspicious. Further distinguish the class spirits of the Heavenly General to determine the exact nature of good or bad fortune.

日上神為己身，辰上神為他人。日上神制辰上神，人有怨言；辰上神制日上神，人將害己。日上並年命上見蛇、虎、魁、罡，其謀已成。空亡德解，可免。辰上見者，謀不成，空有其意。

If someone fears being schemed against, the gods on the day stem represent oneself, while those on the day branch represent others. If the god on the day stem controls the god on the day branch, others may only have grievances; but if the god on the day branch controls the god on the day stem, others may really intend to harm oneself. If the terms "Teng Snake," "White Tiger," "Hekui," and "Tiangang" appear on the day stem and the current year stem, it indicates that their schemes have already been set in motion. If "Kongwang" and "Day De" are present to resolve the situation, harm can be avoided. However, if these terms only appear on the day branch, their schemes will not succeed, and they are merely harboring such intentions without action.

日上神為來人，辰上神為主人。日上神克辰上神，虛妄；辰上神剋日上神，可信。日上見魁、罡、蛇、虎、空、陰，詭誕欺詐。課得八專昴星，亦然。又云：天上地下非空亡，言傳不實事乖張。傳凶事，視白虎，與日干比和者，為實，否則虛。傳吉事，則視青龍。

To determine if someone's words are true or false: the god on the day stem represents the speaker, and the god on the day branch represents the owner. If the god on the day stem overcomes the god on the day branch, the words are false. If the god on the day branch overcomes the god on the day stem, the words are trustworthy. If the day stem has the gods 'Hekui', 'Tiangang', 'Teng Snake', 'White Tiger', 'Tian Kong', or 'Tai Yin', it indicates deceit and concealment. If the divination is 'Bazhuan Ke' or 'Mao Xing Ke', the same applies. It is also said that if neither the heaven plate nor the earth plate falls into 'Kongwang', the information may not be accurate and the situation may be abnormal. If the news is bad, look at 'White Tiger'. If 'White Tiger' is harmonious with the day stem, it is true; otherwise, it is false. If the news is good, look at 'Azure Dragon'.

月將加時，視年上與月上，各得吉神將，旺相相生者，為善人，反此為惡人。日辰上克下者，人慾求財；下克上，人送物至。見登明為征戰人，魁罡為吏役兇徒，從魁為女子借索；傳送為僧道，及行客過往問路；龍、常送喜慶筵宴；小吉人索飲食，並龍則持酒、米、錢、食來；勝光相招宴遊，太乙乞丐，太沖為傭工人，功曹吏相覓，大吉貴人召。神后奸盜。

Divination on someone knocking at the door: Place the month general on the time of divination and set up the chart. Observe the person's age and the month builder. If both are accompanied by auspicious deities and generals that are prosperous and strong, the person is a good one. Conversely, if they are not, the person is evil. If the day stem and day branch show the upper deity overcoming the lower deity, the person is seeking wealth. If the lower deity overcomes the upper deity, the person is giving something. Seeing "Dengming" (Hai) indicates a soldier or warrior. Seeing "Hekui" and "Tiangang" indicates a messenger or a dangerous person. Seeing "Congkui" (You) indicates a woman borrowing or demanding something. Seeing "Chuansong" (Shen) indicates a monk or Taoist, or a traveler asking for directions. Seeing "Qinglong" and "Tai Chang" indicates someone coming to celebrate or invite to a banquet. Seeing "Xiaoji" (Wei) indicates someone asking for food. If "Qinglong" is also present, it means they are bringing wine, rice, money, or food. Seeing "Shengguang" (Wu) indicates an invitation to a banquet or entertainment. Seeing "Taiyi" (Si) indicates a beggar. Seeing "Taichong" (Mao) indicates a worker. Seeing "Gongcao" (Yin) indicates an official looking for someone. Seeing "Daji" (Chou) indicates a nobleman summoning someone. Seeing "Shenhou" (Zi) indicates a dishonest thief.

人來寄物，或相投靠，當視第四課，辰上陰神遙生日者，可留。遙剋日及日上神者，不得留。更視支神所臨地盤之神生日吉，剋日凶。其所緣事，則以天將類推。

If someone comes to leave things or to rely on another, look at the fourth lesson. If the yin spirit on the day branch is far away and is born to the day stem, it is acceptable to take them in. If it remotely harms the day stem or harms the spirit on the day stem, then they should not be taken in. Also examine the spirit on the day branch that is under the earth plate. If it is born to the day stem, it is auspicious; if it harms the day stem, it is inauspicious. As for the reason they came, refer to the heavenly general's corresponding spirit for interpretation.

月將加時，視從魁，臨處孟為始釀，臨種為正熟，臨季為已盡。雙以大吉加時，視日上，功曹魁罡為新熟，神后小吉古釀。又小吉臨旺相之地，為有酒；囚死之地，為無酒。又從魁加木，青而酸，加金白而辛，加火赤而苦，加水黑而淡，加土黃而甜。

To determine whether there is good wine to buy, first place the Month General on the time of divination and set up the chart. Look at 「Congkui」 (You), which represents wine. If it falls in the first quarter, the wine is just beginning to ferment; if it falls in the middle quarter, the wine is fully matured; if it falls in the last quarter, the wine has already been sold out. Then place 「Daji」 (Chou) on the time of divination and set up the chart again. Look at the Day Stem: if it gets 「Gongcao」 (Yin) and 「Hekui」 and 「Tiangang」, it is newly matured wine; if it gets 「Shenhou」 (Zi) and 「Xiaoji」 (Wei), it is aged wine. Also, if 「Xiaoji」 (Wei) falls in a prosperous and strong position, there is wine available; if it falls in a restrained or dying position, there is no wine available. Finally, look at where 「Congkui」 (You) is placed: if it is added to the wood position, the wine is green in color and sour in taste; if added to the metal position, it is white in color and pungent in taste; if added to the fire position, it is red in color and bitter in taste; if added to the water position, it is black in color and bland in taste; if added to the earth position, it is yellow in color and sweet in taste.

月將加正時，視行年上神將，以旺相休囚、生合刑害決之。又用陽神憂在外，用陰神憂在內。罡臨陽憂男，臨陰憂女。更視月厭並何神將，可以預知其應。

Divination of dreams: Place the month general on the hour of the day and set up the chart. Observe the god and general on the year pillar, and determine according to their prosperity and strength, weakness and confinement, and their relationships of generation, union, conflict, and harm. For the initiating transmission, take the yang god to indicate worries outside, and the yin god to indicate worries within. If the tiangang (Chen) falls on a yang branch, it indicates concern for a man; if on a yin branch, concern for a woman. Then observe what god or general is present with the month aversion, and thus predict the matter to which this dream refers.

伏藏之法妙幽元，地盤所臨不在藏。如能合命為財喜，方使鍬鋤下地源。物類視天將，色視日干。

To find where something is hidden: the method of concealment is profound and subtle. The place indicated by the Earth Plate is not the actual location. If the branch under which it falls can harmonize with the birth branch to form wealth or joy, then one may use a spade to dig downwards. As for what kind of object it is, look at the Heavenly General; as for its color, look at the Day Stem.

月將加時，視死者年上。見登明在原溺處，見天罡流去可見，見傳送難見。又日辰上俱吉，即日撈得，干傷可得，支傷不可得。

Divination for the body of someone who drowned: place the Month General on the time of the divination and set up the chart. Look at the position corresponding to the person's age at the time of death. If it shows 'Dengming' (Hai), the body is still at the original place where the person fell into the water. If it shows 'Tiangang' (Chen), the body has floated away but can still be found. If it shows 'Chuansong' (Shen), the body will be difficult to find. If both the Day Stem and Day Branch are auspicious, the body can be recovered on the same day. If the Day Stem is injured, the body can still be recovered. If the Day Branch is injured, the body cannot be recovered.

日為弟子，辰為所學，時下辰為師。日上神生日，或得生氣者，從師有益，所學必成。日辰欲得吉將，有旺相氣，上下相生，更得末傳吉神將旺相，吉。忌辰上神上下相賊。末傳入墓，所學不遂。

Divination for a student seeking a teacher: The day stem represents the student, the day branch represents the subject of study, and the branch under the hour represents the teacher. If the god on the day stem is born on the day stem or receives 'life qi', it is beneficial to learn from this teacher and the student will surely succeed. Both the day stem and day branch should be favored by auspicious generals, have prosperous and strong energy, and have mutual generation between them. Additionally, the final transmission should be an auspicious god or general that is currently strong and prosperous, which is favorable. It is inauspicious if the god on the day branch has mutual control or conflict with the upper and lower elements. If the final transmission is in a state of burial, the student's studies will not succeed.

干加支相生乘吉將，主進人口。或乙合龍常乘天喜加支亦同。支加干相傷乘凶將主退人口。凡此皆不以入傳不入傳論。祿前一位為羊刃，三傳或日辰上見之，占官必被刑。占病必見血光。加蛇作白虎，主家中陰人血症，或墮胎。

There are various mnemonic rules. If the day stem is placed on the day branch and they mutually generate, and are accompanied by favorable generals, it indicates an increase in family members. Alternatively, if "Heavenly Joy," "Liu He," "Azure Dragon," or "Tai Chang" accompanied by "Heavenly Joy" are placed on the day branch, it also indicates the same. If the day branch is placed on the day stem and they mutually damage each other, and are accompanied by unfavorable generals, it indicates a decrease in family members. These rules apply regardless of whether they enter the three transmissions. The禄神 (Lushen) is preceded by "Yangren"; if it appears in the three transmissions or on the day stem or day branch, predicting official matters indicates punishment, and predicting illness indicates bloodshed. If it is combined with "Teng Snake" and acts as "White Tiger," it indicates women in the family suffering from blood disorders or miscarriage.

白虎帶喪門弔客加支，占者有喪。三傳見之，有外孝。占病者死。白虎作月厭加支，主死亡哭聲。占病必重，更乘死氣在傳，其家當有三人喪死。又天后在傳而天后陰神作白虎者，所占不拘何事，數已先現，將有克妻之凶。若占妻病，如上更驗。占婚姻，不久必克妻。又申酉作六合者，數當損子，以六合為子孫，申酉為絕地也。亥子作白虎，小口災厄。

The White Tiger together with the Mourning-and-Condolence spirit and the Guest spirit on the Day Branch indicates that the person being divined has a funeral in his family. If these appear in the Three Transmissions, it signifies mourning for a relative from another family. If divining about illness, the patient will die. When the White Tiger acts as the Month Aversion on the Day Branch, it indicates there will be cries of mourning and death, and if illness is divined, the condition will be severe. If the White Tiger also combines with Death Qi in the Three Transmissions, there will be the death of three family members. If the Heavenly Empress appears in the Three Transmissions and the spirit of the Heavenly Empress acts as the White Tiger, regardless of what is being divined, the fate has already been revealed, and there will be a misfortune of harming the wife. If this is specifically about the wife's illness, it will be even more accurate. If divining about marriage, the wife will be harmed soon. When Shen and You act as Liu He, there will be damage to children, because Liu He represents descendants, and Shen and You are the dead ground for wood. When Hai and Zi act as the White Tiger, it indicates disaster for children.

家長命前五位為宅，上見寅、申、巳、亥，乘乙、空、常、勾，其家必有孀婦。見辰、戌、丑、未，乘蛇、虎、武、龍，其家每出鰥夫。凡行年上見傳送者，主服藥。

From the parent's heavenly stem, count forward five positions to determine the house position. If this position shows寅, 申, 巳, or 亥 and is accompanied by 天乙, Tian Kong, Tai Chang, or Gou Chen, the family is sure to have a widow. If this position shows 辰, 戌, 丑, or 未 and is accompanied by Teng Snake, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, or Azure Dragon, the family often has widowers. If the year stem shows Chuansong (Shen) (Shen), it mainly indicates the need for medication and medical treatment.

日為陽，為天，為尊長；辰為陰，為地，為卑幼。剛日視干上之神，柔日視支上之神，兼用神合而決之。月將加時，專取發用，不論中末，如發用在日辰，其物堪食，更詳五行之類。月起月建為正發，後一辰為已過，前一辰為未來。

In divination for guessing the contents of a covered box, the day stem represents yang, heaven, and authority, while the day branch represents yin, earth, and juniors. On a yang day, examine the god associated with the day stem; on a yin day, examine the god associated with the day branch. Then combine this with the useful god to make a judgment. Set up the chart by adding the month general to the time of divination, focusing only on the initiating transmission and ignoring the middle and final transmissions. If the initiating transmission falls on the day stem or day branch, the covered object is something edible, and its five phases should be further analyzed. Starting from the month builder, the one corresponding to the current month is called 'zheng fa' (correct transmission), the next one is already past, and the one before is yet to come.

用在日辰上亦為正發，用神旺相加臨本方，為近貴堪食之物。囚死加臨休、廢、墓、絕，其物不堪用。旺相而加休囚之地，其物先可用，今則廢棄。日辰入傳，主物有表裡。如甲午日三傳寅午戌，或戌午寅，其物外青內赤之類。天乙臨日辰為尊人衣物。若休囚死，為不堪用者。螣蛇臨日辰，或發用，在春夏其物形長，在秋冬其物盤曲。

The useful god falling on the day stem and day branch is also considered "correct initiation." If the useful god is prosperous and strong and adds to its own native element, the covered thing is valuable and useful; if the useful god is weak and confined and adds to the places of rest, decay, burial, or decline, then the thing is useless. Even if the useful god is prosperous and strong but is placed in a weak or confined position, the thing was once useful but has now become obsolete. When the day stem and day branch enter the three transmissions, it indicates that the thing has both inside and outside aspects—such as in the case of a Jiawu day where the three transmissions are寅, 午, 戌 or 戌, 午, 寅, which would represent something with an outer green and inner red. "Tianyi" adding to the day stem and day branch represents the clothing of a superior; if it is weak, decayed, dead, or in decline, it represents old and unusable items. "Teng Snake" adding to the day stem and day branch or initiating the transmission, in spring and summer covers things that are long and slender, while in autumn and winter covers things that are coiled and twisted.

天空發用落空亡，為無物。天空作空亡，臨日辰，說然。若無天空，但空亡，為有物。

When 'Sky' is the initiating transmission and also falls into Kongwang, it indicates that there is nothing inside; if 'Sky' takes on the role of Kongwang and also affects the day stem and day branch, the result is the same. If the chart does not contain 'Sky' but only falls into Kongwang, then there is still something inside.

旺相臨日辰發用者，為新物。遇休囚死氣，為舊物。又天罡主新，大吉主舊。

Divination on whether an object is new or old: If the useful god is prosperous and strong, and it approaches the day stem and day branch and initiates transmission, it is a new object. If it meets weak and confined conditions and 'death qi', it is an old object. Also, 'tiangang' (Chen) indicates new, and 'daji' (Chou) indicates old.

四課陰陽俱備，不值刑破，其物完好。又壁宿主圖書，翼宿主斑文，皆不備之象。

Divination of an object's completeness: If the four lessons have both yin and yang without encountering punishment or destruction, the object is intact. Additionally, among the twenty-eight mansions, the Wall mansion governs books and the Wings mansion governs mottled patterns, and these two mansions indicate incomplete forms.

日辰上用起旺相，堪食。囚死者已壞而不堪食。若非日辰發用，得小吉旺相有氣乘吉將，為堪食物。囚死乘凶將，為不堪食物。又發用吉神乘龍合常，旺相有氣，亦是可食之物。若魁罡，其物有毒，不可食。

To determine if an object is edible, start from the day stem and day branch to initiate the transmission. If the transmission is in its prosperous and strong state, it is edible. If it is in a state of captivity or death, it has lost its vitality and is not edible. If the transmission does not originate from the day stem and day branch, then look at "Xiao Ji" (Wei), which governs food and drink. If "Xiao Ji" is prosperous and strong and is accompanied by auspicious generals, it is edible. If it is in a state of captivity or death and is accompanied by inauspicious generals, it is not edible. If the transmission is a beneficial deity and is accompanied by "Azure Dragon," "Liu He," or "Tai Chang," and is prosperous and strong, it is also edible. However, if it is "Hekui" or "Tiangang," the object is poisonous and should not be eaten.

不論剛柔，並視辰上神及發用。若旺相相生，其物必活。休囚死氣相剋，其物必死。數目則以上下相乘定之。

To determine if an object is alive or dead, regardless of whether it is a yin or yang day, examine the deity in the day branch and the initiating transmission. If it is prosperous and strong and mutually generating, the object is alive. If it is weak and confined, accompanied by death qi, and mutually controlling, then it is dead. For the number, use the earlier heaven numbers of the upper and lower branches and multiply them together.

火神臨日辰為虛，水神為實。日辰得水神，發用為火神，為半虛半實。

Divination on whether an object is hollow or solid: If the fire deity is added to the day stem and day branch, it indicates something hollow. If the water deity is added, it indicates something solid. If the day stem and day branch receive the water deity but the initiating transmission is the fire deity, then it is half hollow and half solid.

火土木神，自相加臨發用，臨日辰，其物出陸地。寅午戌、亥卯未及辰戌丑未是也。金水神，自相加臨發用，臨日辰，其物出水中。又巳酉丑金神相加，在日辰者，多主金石，出山谷中。申子辰臨發用日辰上者，主水中物。日辰發用，上下加臨，雖少一字，亦可吉局。

To determine whether an object originates from water or land: when the gods of fire, earth, and wood mutually exert influence and initiate transmission, and also exert influence on the day stem and day branch, the object originates from land — the fire trinity (Yin-Wu-Xu), the wood trinity (Hai-Mao-Wei), and the earth trinity (Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei) all belong to this category. When the gods of metal and water mutually exert influence and initiate transmission, and also exert influence on the day stem and day branch, the object originates from water. When the metal trinity (Si-You-Chou) exerts influence and falls on the day stem and day branch, it often indicates metallic or stone objects originating from mountain valleys. When the water trinity (Shen-Zi-Chen) exerts influence and falls on the initiating transmission and the day stem and day branch, it indicates objects originating from water. If these trinities fall on the day stem and day branch and the initiating transmission, even if one character is missing, they can still be considered as auspicious trinities.

潤下為水中物，或形象屈曲之物。曲直為曲木器物，或斜長草木物。炎上為煙火虛心之物，或尖銳器。稼穡為近土可食物，或圓厚泥土物。從革為山中所生物，及方形、堅硬、雕鏤物。伏吟為近處伏匿之物，返吟為遠路往來之物。用孟物方，有稜角，亦為題。用仲物本直，有口，亦為箸。用季物圓實，或尖長，亦為缽。陽為碗，陰為碟。

When interpreting the lesson pattern to determine the nature of an object: if the pattern is "Renyi Lesson," it refers to objects in water or those with curved shapes. If the pattern is "Quzhi Lesson," it refers to objects made from bent wood or slanting plants. If the pattern is "Yanshu Lesson," it refers to objects associated with fire, hollow items, or sharp tools. If the pattern is "Jiasu Lesson," it refers to things close to earth that can be eaten or round, thick earthy objects. If the pattern is "Congge Lesson," it refers to objects produced from mountains, square, hard, or carved items. If the pattern is "Fuyin Lesson," it refers to things hidden nearby. If the pattern is "FanYin Lesson," it refers to items traveling over long distances. When the initiating transmission takes the four initial terms, the object is square, angular, or something written on. When the initiating transmission takes the four middle terms, the object is straight, has an opening, or is like a chopstick. When the initiating transmission takes the four seasonal terms, the object is round and solid, or pointed and long, or like a bowl. The yang branches indicate bowls, while the yin branches indicate plates.

木主園林草木、田蟲、木蟲、木器、繒帛，色青，味酸，蒼谷。加日辰發用，旺相為林木，休囚為蒿萊，死為朽腐器用之餘。附：木上見木竹木器，見水帶花生物，見金冶鑄刀劍物，見土凶具物，見火焦枯物。

According to the Five Phases to infer objects. Belonging to Wood: it governs gardens, grasses, insects in fields, wood-boring insects, wooden objects, silk and cloth. Its color is green, its taste is sour, and grains belonging to the green category. When Wood is added to the Day Stem and Day Branch and serves as the Initiating Transmission, it is prosperous and strong as forests and trees, weak and confined as weeds and vegetables, and dead or exhausted as rotten objects and remnants. Note: Wood combined with Wood indicates bamboo and wooden objects; combined with Water indicates flowering creatures; combined with Metal indicates cast iron swords and knives; combined with Earth indicates funeral and mourning utensils; combined with Fire indicates withered and dried objects.

水主珍珠，醬汁，鱗蟲，水日，色黑，味咸，元谷，旺相為水中所產，休囚為流轉圓曲之物。附，水上見水，其物中足好走；見金生命物，見土土器故物；見火半實半虛，見木輪轉、活動物。

Belonging to water: it governs pearls, sauce, and fish with scales, and should appear on water days, with black color and salty taste. Grains belong to the category of black. When prosperous and strong, it refers to things produced in water; when weak and confined, it refers to round and curved objects. Note: if water appears again on water, the thing in the middle has feet and is good at moving; if it meets metal, it is a living thing; if it meets earth, it is old earthenware; if it meets fire, it is a semi-real and semi-virtual thing; if it meets wood, it is a movable and active thing.

金主五金，毛蟲，磚石，刀劍，利刃。色白，味辛，白谷，旺為金銀，相為銅鐵，休囚為鉛錫，死為磚石瓦碟。附，金上見金成器之物，見土瓦石物、爐冶物，見木雕刻物，見水沙石玲瓏物。

Metal: Governs silver, gold, copper, iron, tin, and the five metals; hairy animals; bricks and stones; knives and sharp weapons. The color is white, and the taste is pungent. Grains belonging to the white category are associated with metal. The flourishing phase is silver, the phase of growth is copper and iron, the weak and confined phase is lead and tin, and the dead and extinct phase is bricks, stones, tiles, and dishes. Note: If metal is seen again with metal, it refers to cast objects; if seen with earth, it refers to pottery, stone, and furnace-related items; if seen with wood, it refers to carved objects; if seen with water, it refers to sand and stone that are delicate and transparent.

土主泥土、石子、螺蟲、蛇蚓、塵沙；色黃，味甘，黃谷。旺相為土神及土物，休囚死為塵埃。附，土上見土牆壁物，見火光明物，見木堅牢物，見水桑扣原文如此物，見金瓦石。

For earth: it represents soil, stones, snails, insects, snakes, earthworms, dust and sand, with the color yellow and a sweet taste; grains belong to the yellow category. When earth is prosperous and strong, it refers to the earth god and earth-made objects; when weak and confined, it refers to dust. Note: if earth meets another earth, it refers to walls; if it meets fire, it refers to bright objects; if it meets wood, it refers to strong objects; if it meets water, it refers to 'sangkou' objects (the original text here notes 'as written', with the character possibly being a mistake or missing, so I dare not make up any explanation); if it meets metal, it refers to tiles and stones.

火主光明毛羽，錦物，燈燭，煙煤，心虛，上炎。色赤，味苦，丹谷。附，火上見火好行之物，見金花果物，見水破損物，見金冶鑄物，見土碑碣石塊等物。

Fire element: it governs bright things, feathers, silk and brocade, lamps and candles, smoke and soot. Its nature is hollow and upward burning, its color is red, its taste is bitter, and grains belong to the red category. Note: Fire with another Fire indicates something good at moving; encountering Metal indicates flowers and fruits; encountering Water indicates broken things; encountering another Metal indicates casting and smelting; encountering Earth indicates stone tablets and blocks.

子為純水主毛，兼絲帛物，有爪竅，或水生，或音樂中所用，或在沙石中及婦女裁帛之物，為螺、蛤、魚、龜水族，為大豆，味咸。丑為土中雜金，主土兼鐵、穀物，有皺縐，似有眉目，土金所產，或出自冢墓中，及瓦石物，為牛肉油酥，為蟹，為杓，味甘。

By using the twelve Earthly Branches to guess an object, "Zi" (子) represents pure water, and it is associated with animals with fur, silk and brocade, things with claws and holes, or things born in water, or used in musical instruments, or found in sand and stone, or materials used by women for cutting cloth. It could be snails, clams, fish, turtles, or other aquatic creatures, or soybeans, which have a salty taste. "Chou" (丑) represents earth mixed with metal, and it is associated with earthy objects, metal tools, and grains. This object has wrinkles on its surface, seems to have eyebrows and eyes, is produced by earth and metal, comes from tombs, or is made of tiles and stones. It could be beef, clarified butter, crabs, or a ladle, which have a sweet taste.

寅為大木，又為竹木，兼衣服，其物叢雜，似手足，貴重有稜角及斑點，或結實細長。旺為花果，為文書，為羽族，屬碗，味酸。卯為純木，主草，兼絲綿物，有口腹，水陸逆轉動用，或無根，或園林，或盤盒、絲輪及門戶動用，為驢兔，為果碟，味酸。

"Yin" represents a large tree, also governing bamboo and wood, and is associated with clothing; this substance is miscellaneous and numerous, in shape resembling hands and feet, valuable and having edges and spots, or being solid and long; when strong, it is flowers and fruits, documents, birds, or a bowl, with a sour taste. "Mao" represents pure wood, governing grass, and also relates to silk and cotton; this substance has a mouth and a belly, can move both on water and land, or is rootless, or comes from a garden, or is a tray, a silk reel, or something that moves on doors and windows; specifically, it can be a donkey, a rabbit, a dish for fruits, with a sour taste.

辰為雜水，主藥，兼皮角，其物水土所成，近水而堅剛，囚死為火熏焦破物，為形方圓，為魚咸海味，為羅網，樽鐺，味咸。巳為雜金，主火，兼氣其物造，似多手足，或不完，或弓駑鎖鑰之餘，或出自爐冶、煅煉，為盞子，為臭物，味苦。

"Chen" is a combination of water and earth, representing medicine and leather and animal horns; it is something that is near water and hard, and when it is captured or dies, it is burned and scorched by fire. Its shape may be square or round; specifically, it can be salted fish and seafood, nets, wine vessels, and cooking pots, with a salty taste. "Si" is a combination of miscellaneous metal, representing fire, and also things formed by qi transformation; it is something that appears to have many hands and feet, or is incomplete, or consists of broken parts of bows, crossbows, locks, and keys, or comes from smelting and forging; specifically, it can be small wine cups, or things with a foul smell, with a bitter taste.

午為太陽純火，果品兼文書，其物偏斜，頭有孔竅，彩色光明，或書畫絲蠶，為馬，為獐鹿，為小豆之類。為盞，味苦。未為雜木，主酒食，兼衣服之物，有甜味，堪食。或細碎塵土，及絹帛女衣，或女子所成，庖丁所用，或祭祀酒饌之餘，為羔鷹，為碓物，味苦。

"Wu" is pure fire, representing fruits and documents; this thing is oblong in shape, has a hole on top, is brightly colored, or may be something related to calligraphy, paintings, or silk and sericulture; specifically, it can be a horse, a musk ox, a deer, small beans, or a wine cup, with a bitter taste. "Wei" is a mixed wood, representing wine and food, and also clothing; this thing has a sweet taste and is edible; or it may be fine dust, silk, women's clothes, or something made by women and used by cooks, or leftovers from sacrificial banquets; specifically, it can be a lamb, an eagle, or something pounded and crushed, with a bitter taste.

申為少陰金，主銅鐵堅鋼之物，有四角，或硬而心虛，從道路中來，為寶器，為兵器，為砂石，磁器、鐵器及絲綿，或為骨殖，藥餌，碓磨之物，為糟物，甌，味辣。酉為純金，兼主珠玉，其物堅硬，有耳目，叢雜，形或尖圓，斫削所用，為錢刀錐鑽，金玉，或倉庫小麥之餘，為雞鳥，為魚酢醬，為純鋼利器，細花磁器，味辣。

「Shen」is a metal of lesser yin, governing copper, iron, and hard steel; this type of thing has four corners, or is hard on the outside and hollow inside, and comes from the road; specifically, it can be treasures, weapons, sand and stones, porcelain, ironware, and silk and cotton, or bones, medicine, and grinding tools, or also wine lees and clay pots, with a spicy taste. 「You」is pure metal, also governing pearls and jade; this type of thing is hard, has ears and eyes, has a complex shape, either sharp or round, and is used for cutting and carving; specifically, it can be money, knives, needles, and drills, or gold and jade, or the remaining wheat in granaries, or chickens and birds, or fish, pickled fish, and condiments, or pure steel weapons and fine porcelain, with a spicy taste.

戌中雜火，主瓦物，兼谷角，其物堅硬，土虛而經火氣，為印位，兵器，塑畫細碎物，為五穀，鐵石，磁器，為犬，為樽瓶甕，味甘。亥為重陽雜木，主墨，兼屑細，其物無定，逐人情意，或近水曲形之物，及小兒戲耍物，為管鑰圖車，為豕，魚鱉，蝦鱟水族，為水果，為臺格磁器，味咸。

The branch 戌 contains fire, governing tiles, and also grains and animal horns; this substance is hard, with loose earth that has been burned; specifically, it can refer to the position of seals, weapons, clay figurines and painted decorations, grains, iron and stone, porcelain, dogs, and wine vessels and jars, with a sweet taste. The branch 亥 represents heavy and miscellaneous wood, governing ink, and also fine particles; this substance has no fixed form, changing according to human will, or curved objects near water, and toys for children; specifically, it can refer to keys, books, carts, pigs, fish, shrimp, crabs, and lobsters, fruits, porcelain with frameworks, and has a salty taste.