Digging through the earth to observe the color of things.

視山上所得神將決之，如二十四山，乾亥艮寅之例。寅申為雜氣之土。子鼠穴。辰丑伏尸。卯水泉或木根。巳窯灶物。午焦土。未腐木。酉白色礫石。戌亥無物。天乙黃膩土，螣蛇窯灶焦土。朱浪花赤土。六合樹木根。勾陳堅黃土或蟲蟻。青龍錢或曲木。天空無物。白虎死沙。太常金石物。元武水泉或溼土。太陰白土。天后地鼠穴。

Digging into the site will reveal what is present, and this depends on the deities and phenomena associated with the direction the mountain faces, which is determined according to the twenty-four mountain directions, such as Qian paired with Hai and Gen paired with Yin. First, consider the earthly branches: Yin and Shen indicate mixed soil; Zi indicates a mouse hole; Chen and Chou indicate buried corpses; Mao indicates spring water or tree roots; Si indicates remnants of kilns and stoves; Wu indicates burnt soil; Wei indicates rotten wood; You indicates white gravel; Xu and Hai indicate nothing at all. Then consider the heavenly generals: Tian Yi indicates yellow fine soil; Teng Snake indicates burnt soil from kilns and stoves; Zhu Que indicates red soil like waves; Liu He indicates tree roots; Gou Chen indicates hard yellow soil or insects; Qing Long indicates copper coins or curved wood; Tian Kong indicates nothing at all; Bai Hu indicates dead sand; Tai Chang indicates metal and stone objects; Yuan Wu indicates spring water or wet soil; Tai Yin indicates white soil; Tian Hou indicates underground mouse holes.

將神二土，其土黃膩肥厚。土金，有石。土水，沙泥。土木，朽木。土火甑瓦礫。二金，白石或金器。金水，沙泥。金木，尸骸。金火，銅錢器皿。二水，黑色土或水泉。水木，蘆黃草根。水火，伏尸。二木，草木根，木火，炭灰。二火，赤土石或焦炭，空亡無物。

When considering both the Heavenly Generals and the Earthly Branches in terms of the Five Phases: if both are earth, the earth is yellow, moist, fine, and thick; earth paired with metal indicates stones in the site; earth paired with water indicates sand and mud; earth paired with wood indicates rotten wood; earth paired with fire indicates broken pottery and cooking vessels. If both are metal, it indicates white stones or metal objects; metal paired with water indicates sand and mud; metal paired with wood indicates bones; metal paired with fire indicates copper coins and vessels. If both are water, it indicates black soil or spring water; water paired with wood indicates roots of reeds and yellow grass; water paired with fire indicates hidden corpses. If both are wood, it indicates roots of grass and trees; wood paired with fire indicates ash. If both are fire, it indicates red soil and stones or burnt charcoal. If it meets Kongwang, there will be nothing at all.

月將加正時，視大吉下有伏尸，小吉下有腐木，從魁下有瓦石，太沖下有湧泉，餘無物。

When examining what is buried around a tomb, place the Month General on the exact hour and set up the chart. The direction opposite to 'Daji' (Chou) has hidden corpses, the direction opposite to 'Xiaoji' (Wei) has rotten wood, the direction opposite to 'Congkui' (You) has tiles and stones, and the direction opposite to 'Taichong' (Mao) has flowing springs. There are no other objects in the remaining directions.

月將加時辨其用神本墓支，更看神將之善惡，貴賤窮通任意推。戊癸合將土塞墓，乙庚配位氣自纏，丁壬合時蛇並血。甲己根株穿骨尸，丙辛蛇侵立穴地。五行刑剋驗根基，申酉端詳蟲與虎。寅卯根株似髮鬚。巳午熱氣宜迴避，亥子蛇鼠好遷居。

The method of verifying a grave site involves placing the Month General on the time of the divination and setting up the chart. Identify the Useful God and its own墓支 (burial branch), then examine the nature of the accompanying divine general. Thus, one can determine the person's status, wealth, and fate. A mnemonic says: When a hidden heavenly stem meets Wu and Gui, it indicates the earth has blocked the grave. When Yi and Geng are paired, it suggests the earth energy is entangled. When Ding and Ren are paired, it indicates the presence of snakes and bloodshed. When Jia and Ji are paired, it suggests roots and grass penetrate bones. When Bing and Xin are paired, it indicates snakes intruding into the chosen grave site. In general, use the five phases' punishments and restrictions to test the foundation of the land: if there are Shen or You, carefully check for insects and tigers (transformations of metal energy); if there are Yin or Mao, it indicates tree roots entwined like hair; if there are Si or Wu, it suggests underground heat, which should be avoided; if there are Hai or Zi, it indicates snakes and rats, and it is best to relocate.

上克下兮面合地，下賊上兮身首離。貴合旺相青龍並，三公事業出群黎。螣蛇開壙蟲滿墓，必須家破婦奸私。朱雀旺相明蛛網，官事遭連子梗頑。六合墳墓橫根倒，見水兒孫富有餘。勾陳貴賤傷殘惡，主出兇徒盜賊連。青龍水土生祿馬，主出高官將相權。天后墓間須見水，當年必主子孫賢。太陰金箔堪貼土，或為衣祿富貴遷。元武蛇鼠人多盜，墳中水泛必無棺。

If the heavenly god overpowers the earthly god, it indicates the corpse is lying face down on the ground. If the earthly god overpowers the heavenly god, it indicates the body and head are separated. If the 'Heavenly Nobleman' and 'Liu He' are in command and prosperous, and the 'Azure Dragon' is also present, it indicates the descendants will attain high official positions and achieve success beyond ordinary people. If 'Teng Snake' is in charge during the opening of the grave, it indicates the grave is full of insects, the family will suffer ruin, and women will have secret affairs. If 'Vermilion Bird' is prosperous, it indicates the grave site is covered with bright webs, leading to legal troubles and rebellious sons. If 'Liu He' is in charge, it indicates trees with roots growing horizontally and inverted in the grave; if there is water present, it indicates the descendants will be wealthy and have surplus. If 'Gou Chen' is in charge, regardless of status, it indicates the corpse is damaged and broken, the family will produce villains, and there will be continuous theft. If 'Azure Dragon' is in charge and the water and soil energies support 'L禄' and '马', it indicates the emergence of high officials who hold the power of generals and ministers. If 'Heavenly Empress' is in charge, there must be water in the grave, and that year will see the descendants being virtuous and capable. If 'Tai Yin' is in charge, the soil at the grave site appears as if covered with gold foil, or it indicates abundant food and clothing, and prosperity and promotion. If 'Black Tortoise' is in charge, there will be snakes and rats, and family members often commit theft; if there is flooding in the grave, the coffin will no longer exist.

以姓墓加月將，視行年本命，在大煞下不可送葬。以酉加月建，視年命在大煞下，不可當柩作孝。又以丑加月建視本命，在魁罡下不可送薤。又以月將加月建，魁罡下為墓主。丑未下為哭星。月建下為喪車，若加年命不可送葬。又陽用丑，陰用未，加太歲，視年命在魁罡，不可送葬。

As an additional precaution for funerary rituals, one should add the family surname's tomb position to the Month General to cast a chart, then check where the person's age and birth year fall. If they fall under the Great Sha, they should not attend the funeral. Another method is to add You to the Month Builder to cast a chart, then check where the person's age and birth year fall. If they fall under the Great Sha, they should not perform mourning rites before the coffin. Another method is to add Chou to the Month Builder to cast a chart, then check where the person's birth year falls. If it falls under Hekui or Tiangang, they should not attend the funeral procession. Another method is to add the Month General to the Month Builder to cast a chart: the position under Hekui or Tiangang corresponds to the tomb position of the deceased, the position under Chou or Wei corresponds to the crying star, and the position under the Month Builder corresponds to the funeral carriage. If any of these positions fall on a person's age or birth year, they should not attend the funeral. There is another method: in a yang year, use Chou; in a yin year, use Wei, and add them to the Tai sui to cast a chart. If the person's age or birth year falls under Hekui or Tiangang, they should not attend the funeral.

以戌加月建，視三殺加年命，不可送葬。不得已則立華蓋方。又或以月將加正時，或神后下，可避，並出行俱吉。

Append explanations on methods to appease, avoid, and prohibit taboos. Place the hour of Xu on the month builder to cast the chart, and observe the 'three killers'. If any of them fall on a person's birth year and destiny, that person should not attend a funeral. If it is absolutely necessary to go, stand at the direction where Huagai is located to avoid the harmful influence. Another method is to place the month general on the exact hour to cast the chart, or stand at the direction opposite to Shenhou (Zi). These two directions are also auspicious directions for travel.

以生時月將加生時，而以生日干支演成四課三傳，更以貴神審其吉凶。初傳為初限，中傳為中限，末傳為末限。一傳之中，上下相乘，而得數減半作實，再加以地盤之本數，即知一限為若干年，如未八加申七，是七八五十六數，減半乃二十八數，再加地盤申七，得三十五年也。

The method for divining a person's entire life fate involves adding the month general corresponding to the birth time to the birth hour to form the Heaven and Earth Plates. Then, using the stem and branch of the birth day, the Four Lessons and Three Transmissions are calculated. Finally, the "Nobleman" (Heavenly Ethical Nobleman) is added to determine fortune and misfortune. The Three Transmissions govern three periods: the First Transmission corresponds to the initial period (early life), the Middle Transmission corresponds to the middle period (middle life), and the Final Transmission corresponds to the later period (later life). The number of years each Transmission governs is calculated by multiplying the earlier heaven numbers of the upper and lower branches of that Transmission, subtracting half of the product as the real number, and then adding the earlier heaven number of the Earth Plate's own branch. For example, if the Heaven Plate's Wei (number eight) is added to the Earth Plate's Shen (number seven), the product of seven and eight is fifty-six, half of which is twenty-eight, and adding seven (the number of Shen) gives thirty-five, meaning this period governs thirty-five years.

流年則以歲合加月將，如壬午年用未加於月將之上，午與未合，而以太歲干支作四課三傳，一傳管四月，三傳管十二月。逐月則以月合加月建，如辛丑月用子加丑上，而以月建干支作四課三傳，一傳管十日，三傳管三十日。日課則以日合加正時，用本日干支作四課三傳。若課傳上下相生旺相，與吉神將並者，為福，反此為禍。

To calculate the flow of years, add the branch that combines with the heavenly stem of the Tai Su to the month general. For example, in the Renwu year, the branch Wu combines with Wei to form Liu He, so use Wei added to the month general, then use the Tai Su's stem and branch to form the four lessons and three transmissions. Each transmission covers four months, and the three transmissions together cover twelve months. To calculate monthly changes, add the branch that combines with the month builder to the month builder. For example, in the Xinchou month, the branch Zi combines with Chou, so use Zi added to Chou, then use the month builder's stem and branch to form the four lessons and three transmissions. Each transmission covers ten days, and the three transmissions together cover thirty days. To calculate daily lessons, add the branch that combines with the day branch to the starting hour, then use the day's stem and branch to form the four lessons and three transmissions. If the transmission's upper and lower parts mutually generate and are in their prosperous and strong state, and also appear with auspicious deities and generals, it is a blessing; the opposite is a misfortune.

更以天官百殺詳數推決。如天乙臨干支或入傳，則仕宦顯達，常人近貴。朱雀則仕宦文書，常人口舌。二馬則仕宦轉升，常人遠行之類。

Again, use the Heavenly Generals (Twelve Heavenly Generals) and various divine omens to analyze in detail. For example, if "Heavenly Nobleman" is added to the Day Stem and Day Branch or enters the Three Transmissions, officials will achieve success and status, while ordinary people can get close to nobles. If "Vermilion Bird" is in charge, officials will receive good news related to documents, while ordinary people will face disputes. If both "Heavenly Horse" and "Post-horse" are in charge, officials will be transferred or promoted, while ordinary people will need to travel far. The rest of the deities and generals are also explained in this way according to their respective statuses.

其分十二宮，有從本命上起者，即一命宮、二財帛、三兄弟、四田宅、五男女、六奴僕、七妻妾、八疾厄、九遷移、十官祿、十一福德、十二相貌，隨天官旦墓逆行。有從寅上起命宮者，有以生時太陽加生時上順數，遇卯起命宮者，一命宮、二兄弟、三妻妾、四男女、五財帛、六田宅、七奴僕、八疾厄、九遊行、十官祿、十一福德、十二父母，隨天官順逆從地盤定之。有以行年起命宮者，行十二宮而斷六親行年之吉凶。

The body and life divination also divides into twelve palaces. There are several methods to determine the palaces. One method starts from the earthly branch of the birth year to determine the "life palace," then proceeds in order as: first life palace, second wealth, third siblings, fourth home, fifth children, sixth servants, seventh wife, eighth illness, ninth movement, tenth official position, eleventh fortune virtue, and twelfth appearance, arranged in reverse order according to the Heavenly General's movement, which goes forward during the day and backward at night. Another method starts the life palace from the寅 (Yin) position. A third method involves adding the solar palace where the sun was at birth to the birth hour and counting forward to the卯 (Mao) position to determine the life palace, then proceeding in order as: first life palace, second siblings, third wife, fourth children, fifth wealth, sixth home, seventh servants, eighth illness, ninth travel, tenth official position, eleventh fortune virtue, and twelfth parents, also arranged according to the Heavenly General's forward or reverse movement on the Earth Plate. There is also a method that starts the life palace from the year's movement, going through all twelve palaces to determine the fortune of various six relations and the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the current year's flow.

青龍加勝光，午馬化龍，本命逢之大吉。勝光作父母臨干是讀書人，功曹父母臨干上異路人。命上官鬼見煞庶人忌。月鬼見殺僧忌。日墓加用道士忌。

The Azure Dragon is combined with Shengguang (Wu), which is originally the horse. With the Dragon's energy, it transforms into a Dragon. If one's destiny encounters this image, it is very auspicious. Shengguang (Wu) serves as the parent爻 of the day stem and is placed upon the day stem, indicating someone who comes from an academic background. Gongcao (Yin) serves as the parent爻 and is placed upon the day stem, indicating someone who comes from an unconventional path. If the destiny has official ghosts accompanied byInauspicious Sha, common people should avoid it. If the official ghosts transformed by the month builder are accompanied byInauspicious Sha, monks should avoid it. If theTomb Spirit of the day stem is combined with the initiating transmission, Taoists should avoid it.

本命課定，即就盤不動，但換流年太歲干支作四課三傳，以定一歲之吉凶。三傳各管四月。本命式盤不動，但換流年月建干支成四課三傳，以用神下辰為應時。

Once the native's chart is established, the Heaven and Earth plates remain fixed. Only the stem and branch of the current year's heavenly sovereign are substituted to re-enact the Four Lessons and Three Transmissions, which are used to determine the fortune of the year. Each of the Three Transmissions governs four months. Similarly, the native's chart remains unchanged, but the stem and branch of the month's heavenly sovereign within the current year are substituted to form the Four Lessons and Three Transmissions again. The earthly branch opposite the Useful God is taken to determine the time when the effect will manifest.

又或以太歲加本命視行年上得寅申者，職官增祿秩，庶人獲財福。得辰戌者災病。又男以丑，女以未，各加本命，視行年上，得寅卯辰巳午者，歲中有慶賀事。又男以寅，女以申，加本命視行年太歲，支德並者福利。又男以寅，女以申，加生月，視行年上見魁罡者，有喪服。

There are several other methods of divination for the current year. The first method involves placing the current sovereign year on the person's birth year to form a chart, and then checking the branch of the current year. If it is寅 or 申, officials will receive increased salary and rank, while common people will gain wealth and blessings. If it is 辰 or 戌, there will be misfortune and illness. The second method involves placing 丑 for men and 未 for women on the person's birth year to form a chart, and then checking the branch of the current year. If it is 寅, 卯, 辰, 巳, or 午, there will be good news and celebrations in that year. The third method involves placing 寅 for men and 申 for women on the person's birth year to form a chart, and then checking the current year and the current sovereign year. If both meet the 'branch virtue', there will be blessings and benefits. The fourth method involves placing 寅 for men and 申 for women on the birth month to form a chart, and then checking the current year. If the 'Hekui' and 'Tiangang' are present, there will be mourning for parents or elders in that year.

又法，男以天罡加本命，視寅上，女以天罡加本命，視申上。上下命數為初運。假如子加寅，子九寅七，則十六歲為初厄。次則倍之，三十二歲為中厄。終則乘之，七九六十三歲為終厄。

There is another method that specifically calculates three periods of misfortune: for a man, place the 'Tiangang' (Chen) on his birth stem and arrange the chart, then look at the position of Yin. For a woman, place the 'Tiangang' on her birth stem and arrange the chart, then look at the position of Shen. Take theEarlier Heaven numbers of the two branches above and below that position and add them together; this is the first period of misfortune. For example, if Zi is placed on Yin, the number of Zi is nine and the number of Yin is seven, adding them together gives sixteen, so sixteen years old is the first period of misfortune. The second time, double this number, so thirty-two years old is the middle period of misfortune. The third time, multiply them together, so nine times seven is sixty-three, and sixty-three years old is the later period of misfortune.

男始以天罡，次以功曹，末以大吉，加本命，視其生月上神，三復位俱吉者，富貴；俱凶者，微賤。先吉後凶，先凶後吉，俱以類推。女始以天魁，次在傳送，末以小吉，加本命，視其生月上，見功曹，其女必貴；見登明，有獄厄，或微賤。見從魁，兵死。見大小吉，自如。

The method of determining a person's fortune. For a man, three charts are prepared: the first places "Tiangang" (Chen) on his birth year, the second places "Gongcao" (Yin) on his birth year, and the third places "Daji" (Chou) on his birth year. Each time, the position corresponding to his birth month is checked to see which deity is present. If all three are favorable, he will be wealthy and noble; if all three are unfavorable, he will be of low status. If the first is favorable and the second unfavorable, or the first unfavorable and the second favorable, the same principle applies. For a woman, three charts are also prepared: the first places "Tiankui" (Xu), the second "Chuansong" (Shen), and the third "Xiaoji" (Wei) on her birth year. The position corresponding to her birth month is checked. If "Gongcao" (Yin) is found, she will be prominent; if "Dengming" (Hai) is found, she may face imprisonment or be of low status; if "Congkui" (You) is found, she may die by weapons; if "Daji" (Chou) or "Xiaoji" (Wei) is found, her life will be ordinary and peaceful.

又法，子、午、丑、未、寅、申生人者，以天罡加本命。卯、酉、辰、戌、巳、亥生人，以天魁加本命。視生月上，見子、午、丑、未、寅、申者富貴，魁罡貧賤。或但以天罡加本命，視生月上，見丑為大貴，見未為次貴；見子、午、寅、申亦貴，見魁罡貧賤。

Another method: For those born in the years of Zi, Wu, Chou, Wei, Yin, Shen, add the Tiangang (Chen) to their birth year. For those born in the years of Mao, You, Chen, Xu, Si, Hai, add the Hekui (Xu) to their birth year. Then look at the position corresponding to the birth month. If it is Zi, Wu, Chou, Wei, Yin, or Shen, it indicates wealth and honor. If it is Hekui or Tiangang, it indicates poverty and low status. Alternatively, simply use Tiangang added to the birth year, and look at the position corresponding to the birth month. If it is Chou, it signifies great fortune; if it is Wei, it signifies lesser fortune; if it is Zi, Wu, Yin, or Shen, it also signifies fortune; if it is Hekui or Tiangang, it signifies poverty and low status.

附：天后臨申，婦女淫，太陰入火女奸生，太常加木須後嫁，勾陳臨位婦憂迍。朱雀臨卯傷殘甚，螣蛇亥位逐人行。元武臨位奸謀賊，六合臨位肆身輕。青龍得位貴女位，天乙居南國寶珍。白虎東鄉非是賤，天空木土必遭刑。

A verse on determining the fate of women through divination: "Heavenly Empress" falling on the position of Monkey (申) indicates a woman's licentiousness; "Tai Yin" entering the position of Fire (午) suggests a woman giving birth due to an affair; "Tai Chang" on the position of Wood (卯) indicates that this woman must remarry; "Gou Chen" on its own position shows a woman suffering from worry and hardship. "Vermilion Bird" on the position of Rabbit (卯) indicates severe physical disability; "Teng Snake" on the position of Pig (亥) suggests following someone else to run away. "Black Tortoise" on its position indicates involvement with villains and thieves; "Liu He" on its position shows self-indulgence and disrespect. "Azure Dragon" in its proper position indicates a noble woman's fate; "Heavenly Ethical Influence" residing in the southern position of Horse (午) indicates a national treasure. "White Tiger" on the eastern positions of Tiger (寅) and Rabbit (卯) is not considered lowly; "Tian Kong" encountering the energies of Wood and Earth will surely result in punishment.

紉齋曰：前墳墓占，謂得潤下課者不發，吾於選試占亦云。蓋因水性就下而又幽暗，且克去文明之火也。而得炎上而不犯傷克者，吉可知矣。

Li Renzhai said: In the previous section on tombs, it was mentioned that if one divines a "Runxia lesson" (Shen-Zi-Chen water trinity), it indicates that after burial, the family will not prosper; I believe the same applies to divining for academic examinations. Because water flows downward and is dark, it will also overcome the fire representing civilization. Conversely, if one divines a "Yanshang lesson" (Yin-Wu-Xu fire trinity) without being harmed or overcome, its auspiciousness is self-evident.

日為應試人，日上神為主文，辰為題目，辰上神為場屋。干克支，舉子畏；支克干，場屋憂。用神克干，舉子有災。克支，題目不稱意。六甲旬首臨日干年命作貴者，高第。甲戌甲戌二旬，內辰戌臨三處者，元魁。斫輪課卯落空亡者，終身不第。

When divining about the imperial examination, the day stem represents the examinee, the heavenly stem on the day stem represents the chief examiner (the one who writes the examination), the day branch represents the examination question, and the heavenly stem on the day branch represents the examination venue. If the day stem overcomes the day branch, the examinee is timid; if the day branch overcomes the day stem, there is worry from the examination venue. If the useful god overcomes the day stem, the examinee will suffer misfortune; if the useful god overcomes the day branch, the examination question is not to his liking. If the first day of the six-jia period is added to the day stem, the native's birth stem, and the year of birth, and acts as the nobleman, it indicates ranking high. If within the two periods of Jiaxu, the stems Chen and Xu are added to the day stem, the native's birth stem, and the year of birth, it indicates winning the top prize. If the divination results in the "Zhuo Lun" lesson and the stem Mao falls in Kongwang, the person will never pass the examination.

初傳為第一場，為縣州，亦為應試。中傳為第二場，為府，亦為文章。末傳為第三場，為督學，亦為批閱。三傳遁得甲戊庚及乙丙丁者，進必中。訣云：三傳來生日，萬事比順吉。若見我生傳，何日得頭出。三傳生日，亦有喜忌。惟選試占得而不犯空亡者，以進必中之兆也。句內萬事二字，欠細。李紉齋注。

The three transmissions correspond to three stages: the first transmission represents the first stage, symbolizing the county level and the examination itself; the second transmission represents the second stage, symbolizing the prefecture level and the written essay; the third transmission represents the third stage, symbolizing the examiner and the grading process. If the heavenly stem emerging in the three transmissions is among the three marvels "Jia, Wu, Geng" or "Yi, Bing, Ding," then the candidate is certain to pass. The mnemonic says: "If the three transmissions are born on the day stem, all matters will proceed smoothly and it is very auspicious; if the day stem is born to support the three transmissions, on which day can one rise to prominence?" However, the rule that the three transmissions are born on the day stem has both good and bad implications. Only when this occurs in the context of the imperial examination and does not involve kongwang is it a sure sign of success. Li Renzhai notes that the phrase "all matters" in the mnemonic is too vague.

廷試，太歲也，君象；會試，月將也，閣臣；鄉試，歲也，京兆藩臬，天子之象；督學，月建也，四時循宣之象。府，月破也，遙對督學之象，又或取亥破寅，申破巳，建後三辰是也；州縣，日干也，師父催文象。

The main deities for examinations at various levels: the palace examination (廷试) takes "Tai Sui" (the Year God), representing the emperor; the metropolitan examination (会试) takes "Yue Jiang" (Month General), representing the cabinet ministers; the provincial examination (乡试) takes "Sui" (Year), representing the capital's governor and the provincial governors and prosecutors, and also includes the image of the Son of Heaven; the supervisor of education (督学) takes "Yue Jian" (Month Builder), symbolizing the seasonal inspections and promotion of virtue. At the level of the prefecture, "Yue Po" (Month Breaker) is taken, as it faces the supervisor of education from afar, representing the prefecture's relationship with its superior authorities; it can also take the relationship of亥 breaking寅 or申 breaking巳, which is the third position after the Month Builder. At the level of the county and town, "Ri Gan" (Day Stem) is taken, representing the image of teachers and parents urging the writing of articles.

日辰上下相生乘吉將；日辰上見祿馬；三傳旺相相生而乘吉將；三傳遞生而生日；三傳剋日，而天官生日；龍雀乘日上神，或發用作日德日祿日官而不空亡；日上神作三奇六儀，而發用螣蛇，末傳青龍，此是蛇化為龍也；年命上神作天喜，而課傳見簾墓貴人；隨所試而主文生日，或乘吉神，在日上及年命上發用。

The auspicious signs that indicate success include: the day stem and day branch mutually generate each other and are accompanied by favorable generals; the day stem and day branch have the "Lushen" and "Yimash" present; the three transmissions are prosperous and strong, mutually generating, and accompanied by favorable generals; the three transmissions successively generate each other, ultimately benefiting the day stem; although the three transmissions overcome the day stem, the heavenly general benefits the day stem; the "Qinglong" and "Zhuque" are on the gods associated with the day stem, or the initiating transmission is exactly the "Ri De", "Ri Lu", or "Ri Guan" of the day stem without falling into Kongwang; the gods on the day stem form the "Sanqi" and "Liuyi", while the initiating transmission is "Tengshe" and the final transmission is "Qinglong", which is a noble omen of the snake transforming into a dragon; the god on the personal year's position serves as "Tianxi", and the lesson and transmission also have the "Lianmu Guiren"; and according to the level being examined, the corresponding main examination god is selected, which benefits the day stem, or is accompanied by favorable gods on the day stem and personal year, and serves as the initiating transmission.

日辰上下相剋，乘凶將。三傳上下無氣而乘凶將。三傳遞克而剋日。勾元陰乘日上神，與發用作日刑、日墓、日害者。墓神覆日辰，或三傳墓日空亡加日上或發用。三傳見死氣月厭病符而無吉將。雀落空亡，龍墓於未，天空發用，元武乘神剋日上神，或白虎乘神剋日。年命上見凶神將。而課傳空陷。隨所試而主文空亡。或剋日，或凶將臨年命。

The ominous signs for an unsuccessful examination include: the day stem and day branch are mutually controlling and occupied by a malevolent general; all three transmissions lack life qi and are occupied by malevolent generals; the three transmissions mutually control each other in layers, ultimately controlling the day stem; the gods Gou Chen, Yuan Wu, and Tai Yin are on the day stem, and the initiating transmission is exactly the day stem's punishment, burial, or harm; the burial god covers the day stem and day branch, or the day stem's burial god is in kongwang within the three transmissions and is added to the day stem or serves as the initiating transmission; the three transmissions show death qi, month aversion, and bingfu without rescue from auspicious generals; the Vermilion Bird is in kongwang; the Azure Dragon is buried in Wei; the sky void serves as the initiating transmission; the god Yuan Wu's occupant controls the god on the day stem, or the god White Tiger's occupant controls the day stem; the malevolent gods and generals appear on the native's year position, while the course and transmission fall into empty or hidden positions; and the main text god selected according to the level being examined is in kongwang, or the main text god controls the day stem, or malevolent generals are added to the native's year position.

喜天乙、青龍、六合、螣蛇、朱雀、太常，忌勾陳、白虎、元武、天空、太陰、天后。喜天喜、皇恩、五馬、印綬，忌死氣、月厭、病符。喜三奇、六儀、龍德、富貴、高蓋、乘軒。忌日墓、空亡、休囚、刑破死。凡喜忌臨初末尤驗。

Divination for academic examinations: Favorable signs include the six generals: Heavenly Joy, Azure Dragon, Liu He, Teng Snake, Vermilion Bird, and Tai Chang. Unfavorable signs include the six generals: Gou Chen, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Tian Kong, Tai Yin, and Heavenly Empress. Favorable deities include Heavenly Joy, Imperial Grace, Five Horses, and Seal and Robe. Unfavorable deities include Death Qi, Month Aversion, and Bingfu. Favorable patterns include the Three Marvels, Six Instruments, Dragon Virtue, Wealth and Honor, High Cover, and Riding the Pavilion. Unfavorable patterns include the day's墓, Kongwang, and the states of weakness, confinement, punishment, destruction, and death. When these favorable and unfavorable signs appear in the first or final transmission, their effects are particularly evident.

甲酉乙申丙子丁亥戊卯己寅庚午辛巳壬己癸戊。紉齋曰：如占選試，以朱雀為用，則三傳切忌水局，年命日辰上亦忌會成水局。

The "Heavenly Officials" (official stars) for each of the ten Heavenly Stems are as follows: Jia pairs with You, Yi with Shen, Bing with Zi, Ding with Hai, Wu with Mao, Ji with Yin, Geng with Wu, Xin with Si, Ren with Ji, and Gui with Wu. Li Renzhai said: If the Vermilion Bird is taken as the Useful God in divination for academic examinations, since the Vermilion Bird belongs to fire, the three transmissions must strictly avoid forming a water pattern. It is also forbidden for the native's destiny, current year, day stem, and day branch to form a water pattern, otherwise water will overcome fire, and the literary stars will be extinguished.

太歲乘吉將生日干，或作日貴臨干發用。五馬交馳，印綬、德祿、皇恩並現，六陽數足，狀元也。太歲乘吉將生日干，或作貴臨干，見中傳，三四馬，印綬、德祿、天喜並現，六陽缺一，榜眼也。太歲乘吉將生日干，或作日貴臨干，見末傳，三四馬，印綬、德祿、天喜並現，六陽缺二，探花也。

The divination pattern for the palace examination. If the heavenly stem rides a favorable general to the day stem, or if the heavenly stem itself serves as the nobleman and approaches the day stem, acting as the initiating transmission; at the same time, the five horses, including "Heavenly Horse," "Post-horse," and "Ding Horse," all appear, along with "seal," "day virtue," "day fortune," and "royal grace," with all six yang positions present—this is the pattern for the top scorer. If the heavenly stem rides a favorable general to the day stem, or if the nobleman approaches the day stem, but appears in the middle transmission, and among the five horses only three or four are seen, while "seal," "virtue," "fortune," and "heavenly joy" all appear, but one of the six yang positions is missing—this is the pattern for the second place. If the heavenly stem rides a favorable general to the day stem, or if the nobleman approaches the day stem, but appears in the final transmission, and among the five horses only three or four are seen, while "seal," "virtue," "fortune," and "heavenly joy" all appear, but two of the six yang positions are missing—this is the pattern for the third place.

日辰課傳皆吉，而吉將並臨初傳者，一甲也。吉將並於中傳者，二甲也。吉將並於末傳者，三甲也。殿試：如六己日干，辰戌丑未流年，命用夜貴逆布，朱雀臨年命，乃真朱雀生年命，其文合上意，必中高甲。如雀乘神克幕貴，文不中主司之意，及榜將出，忌雀乘丁馬。

The day stem and day branch along with the four lessons and three transmissions are all auspicious, and if all the favorable generals are concentrated in the first transmission, it indicates a first class result; if concentrated in the middle transmission, it indicates a second class result; if concentrated in the final transmission, it indicates a third class result. For the palace examination, there is another method: for example, if the day stem is one of the six days with the stem Ji, such as Ji Chou or Ji Mao, and if the year is Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, then the night nobleman is arranged in reverse. If the Vermilion Bird is directly placed on the person's birth year, this is the true Vermilion Bird coming to the person's birth year, indicating that the composition conforms to the examiner's intention and will certainly achieve a high class result. Conversely, if the Vermilion Bird's governing god is overcome by the Curtain Nobleman, the composition will not conform to the examiner's intention. Especially before the announcement of the results, it is particularly inauspicious if the Vermilion Bird is riding on the Ding god and the Post-horse (the literary star is moving, and the name is lost).

榜上名數之高下，以休旺氣言之。如幕貴朱雀或並青龍，乘旺相，在六處合我者，高中。止在六處生合我者，或乘休囚，中而不高。不在六處，而自乘旺相合我者，副榜。入局或不入局，但落空亡，或乘休囚死墓絕者，不中。

The ranking on the list is determined by the strength of theprosperous and strong orweak and confined energies. If 「Lanmu Nobleman」 and 「Vermilion Bird」, or if they are combined with 「Azure Dragon」, are all inprosperous and strong energy and fall on the six key positions: the correct time, day stem, day branch, three transmissions, original destiny, and current age, they will be in harmony with me, indicating a high ranking. However, if they are in the six positions but inweak and confined energy, or if they are in the six positions but not inprosperous and strong energy, they may still be successful but with a lower rank. If they are not in the six positions, but only inprosperous and strong energy and harmonize with me, it indicates a secondary ranking. Regardless of whether they are in the chart or not, if they fall intoKongwang or are in休, 囚, 死, 墓, or 绝 energy, they will not be successful.

干上得吉神吉將，乘旺相生合者，中。干支上神作貴人，拱年命者，中。日辰上祿馬互見者，中。用神旺相，生合日辰年命者，中。三傳生日者，中。三傳或作進連茹，或五行全局，如寅卯辰木局，巳午未火局生日者，中。三傳遞生生日者中。三傳剋日而天將生日者中。三傳旺相，並吉將者，吉。

Other favorable signs in the divination: if a beneficial god or heavenly general is on the day stem and comes in a prosperous and strong state to generate or harmonize with me, it is favorable. If the gods on the day stem and day branch act as noblemen, supporting and surrounding the native's year, it is favorable. If the "Lushen" and "Yimash" on the day stem and day branch are seen together, it is favorable. If the useful god is prosperous and strong and generates or harmonizes with the day stem, day branch, and the native's year, it is favorable. If the three transmissions are born to the day stem, it is favorable. If the three transmissions form a progressive "Lian Ru lesson" or combine to form a complete five elements pattern, such as the wood pattern of Yin-Mao-Chen or the fire pattern of Si-Wu-Wei, and generate the day stem, it is favorable. If the three transmissions generate each other in sequence and finally generate the day stem, it is favorable. If the three transmissions although harm the day stem, the heavenly general however generates the day stem, it is favorable. If the three transmissions are prosperous and strong and accompanied by beneficial generals, it indicates good fortune.

初乘蛇，末見龍，為變化之象者，中。蛇化為龍。太歲作天乙，或作貴龍入傳者，中。天乙青龍乘馬，臨日辰年命者，中。天馬、驛馬、天魁、太常四位臨日月年命，全備者，中。天喜臨年命，或生氣助之，更龍朱入傳者，中。日德加亥發用，為德入天門，主高中。長生帶天德天馬者，可中。

The first transmission is accompanied by 'Teng Snake' while the final transmission shows 'Azure Dragon', indicating an image of the snake transforming into a dragon, which is favorable. The Sovereign Year takes on the role of 'Heavenly Ethical Nobleman', or the Nobleman and 'Azure Dragon' appear together in the three transmissions, which is favorable. 'Heavenly Ethical Nobleman', 'Azure Dragon' ride upon the Post-horse and are added upon the day stem, day branch and personal birth year, which is favorable. 'Heavenly Horse', 'Post-horse', 'Heavenly Qiu' and 'Tai Chang' all appear together upon the day stem, month builder, personal birth year and personal age without any missing, which is favorable. 'Heavenly Joy' is added upon the personal birth year, or there is 'Life Qi' assisting, together with 'Azure Dragon' and 'Vermilion Bird' appearing in the three transmissions, which is favorable. The 'Day Virtue' of the day stem is placed on the亥 position and serves as the initiating transmission, called 'Virtue Entering the Heavenly Gate', which indicates a high result. The long life position of the day stem carries 'Heavenly Virtue' and 'Heavenly Horse', which is also favorable.

丑中有斗，未中有鬼，合而為魁，故丑加未，未加丑，作日干年命者，必中魁元。返吟，丑乃癸日，未乃丁己日也。酉為從魁，戌為天魁，酉戌臨日干年命相生者，主中魁，戌正魁，酉亞魁。

The constellation Chou contains the star "Dou," and the constellation Wei contains the star "Gui." When Dou and Gui combine, they form "Kui." Therefore, when Chou is placed over Wei and Wei is placed over Chou, if they fall on the day stem or the person's birth year, they will certainly result in a top ranking (Kui yuan). This Chou and Wei interaction is an example of "reverse repetition." Chou over Wei appears on a癸 day, and Wei over Chou appears on a丁 day or a己 day. In addition, You is called "Congkui," and Xu is called "Tiankui." If You or Xu fall on the day stem or the person's birth year and they mutually generate each other, they also indicate a top ranking. Xu represents the first place (Zhenkui), and You represents the second place (Yakui).

祿馬相併在六處者，中。然學試省試，重馬不重祿；會試殿試，重祿不重馬。學試省試專重文書，不重官鬼，以其克我也。若會試殿試，則兼重矣。長生見於上，或發用，為房司愛其文字。若傳入死囚墓絕，亦難登榜。長生在日前，中速。在日後，成功緩。若傳入死絕，主得第不祿。

The gods of rank and the post-horse appear together in six important positions, indicating a central outcome. However, the level of examination and the emphasis differ: the post-horse is more important than the god of rank in the level of the local examination and the provincial examination, while the god of rank is more important than the post-horse in the metropolitan examination and the palace examination. In the local and provincial examinations, the爻 representing documents is emphasized, not the official ghost, because the official ghost restrains me; but in the metropolitan and palace examinations, both the official ghost and the documents are equally important. If the long life position of the day stem appears in the upper god or is used as the initiating transmission, it indicates that the examiner of the examination hall likes his essay. However, if the three transmissions fall into the positions of death, captivity, tomb, or destruction, it is still difficult to be listed on the examination results. If the long life is placed before the day stem, success comes quickly; if it is placed after the day stem, success comes slowly. If the three transmissions fall into death or destruction, it indicates that although one may pass, he will not receive salary.

選舉忌神，多是水土及金。天后太陰主文字幽暗。武主名落孫山，且恐文卷多塗抹，或有汙損。天空克支，文多荒謬。日辰上下相剋，乘凶將者，不中。三傳刑害無氣者，不中。三傳遞剋剋日辰者，不中。勾元陰臨日上，與發用作日刑、日害、日墓，而無吉神者，不中。

TheHostile God in imperial examinations are mostly water, earth, and metal. When「天后」or「太阴」are in charge, the article will be obscure and unclear. When「元武」is in charge, it indicates failure in the examination, and there is also fear of excessive corrections or damage on the paper. When「天空」overcomes the day branch, the article will be absurd. The following are all signs of failure: the day stem and day branch are mutually overcoming each other and are governed by malevolent generals; the three transmissions are punished and harmed without life qi; the three transmissions are successively overcoming each other and even overcome the day stem and day branch;「勾陈」「元武」and「太阴」are added upon the day stem, and the initiating transmission is exactly the punishment, harm, or tomb of the day stem, with no auspicious deity to save.

墓神覆日，與辰傳墓日者，不中。龍歸墓地者，不中。天空發用者，不中。元武剋日上神者，不中。白虎克日克辰之陽辰神者，不中。年命上凶將惡煞而，課傳俱空陷者，不中。官星旺動，龍朱發用者，必科舉中人也。如雀臨寅、卯、午，官星不見，或傳入休囚者，林下文人也。財生官，官星又作學堂，不旺相，監生也。用帶丁馬生氣，傳中帶長繩、懸索，更入空亡之地，是馬被傳，空自加鞭，安能前進？

Continuing with the signs of failure: if theTomb Spirit is covering the day stem, or if the day branch or three transmissions become the墓 of the day stem, it fails; if the Azure Dragon is in the墓 position, it fails; if the Tian Kong is used as the initiating transmission, it fails; if the Black Tortoise overcomes the god on the day stem, it fails; if the White Tiger overcomes the day stem or the yang god on the day branch, it fails; if all theInauspicious General and 恶煞 are on the personal year position, and the lesson and transmissions all fall into empty or trapped positions, it fails. Conversely, if the official star is prosperous and active, and the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird are used as the initiating transmissions, it certainly indicates someone who passes the imperial examination. If the Vermilion Bird only appears on寅, 卯, or 午, but the official star does not appear, or if the three transmissions fall into weak and confined positions, then it is merely a recluse living in the mountains and forests. If the wealth爻 generates the official star, and the official star is in the 学堂 position, but is not in a prosperous and strong state, it indicates someone who became a monitor through official sponsorship. If the useful god carries the 丁神, The Post-horse, and Life Qi, but the three transmissions also carry the 长绳 and 悬索, these are bindingInauspicious Sha, and then fall into empty positions, it is like a horse being tied with ropes, being whipped in vain, how can it move forward?

殿試，見天空、天后、太歲者，中必高。甲辰、甲戌旬，若得辰戌加十干年命相生，主中元。若殿試，干辰旬內占，辰作太歲生日干，乘吉將，或作日貴臨發用，五馬交馳，印綬、德祿、皇恩並見，六陽數足，殿元也。

Divination for the palace examination: If the chart shows 'Tian Kong', 'Heavenly Empress', and the Tai Su, the candidate will certainly achieve a high rank. In the Jia Chen and Jia Xu decades, if the Chen or Xu is combined with the ten heavenly stems and the person's birth year, and they mutually generate, it indicates winning the first place. If the examination is divined within the Jia Chen decade, the day branch Chen acts as the Tai Su to be born on the day stem, and if it is accompanied by auspicious generals, or if it serves as the nobleman of the day stem and is used in the initiating transmission, and if the five horses are in motion, and 'imperial seal', 'day virtue', 'day fortune', and 'imperial grace' all appear, with all six yang numbers complete—this is the chart for the first place in the palace examination (the top rank).

月將乘吉將生日干，或作日貴，臨干發用，傳見德祿馬天喜，元魁也。吉同上，而月將見於中末者，名數後也。會場取青龍為用。

Divination for the metropolitan examination: The 'Month General' serves as the main deity representing the examination. If the Month General is accompanied by a favorable deity and comes to the day stem, or if it acts as the nobleman of the day stem and is used as the initiating transmission, and the three transmissions include 'Day Virtue', 'Day Wealth', 'Post-horse', and 'Heavenly Joy', this is considered a lesson of the top rank. Other auspicious signs are the same as in the palace examination, but if the Month General appears in the middle or final transmission, the rank will be lower. In the examination hall, the 'Azure Dragon' is used as the useful deity.

歲破乘吉將生日干，或作日貴，臨干發用，傳見德、祿、馬、天喜者，元魁也。吉同上，而月歲破見中末傳者，名次後也。鄉試取白虎為用。

Divination for the local examination: The main deity is "Year Breaker." If the Year Breaker is accompanied by a favorable deity and comes to the day stem on the day of birth, or if it serves as the nobleman added to the day stem and initiates the transmission, and the three transmissions include "Day Virtue," "Day Wealth," "Post-horse," and "Heavenly Joy," this is a lesson of the first place. Other auspicious signs are the same as above, but if the Month Breaker and Year Breaker appear in the middle and final transmissions, the rank will be lower. For the local examination, the "White Tiger" is used as the useful deity.

月建乘吉將生日干，或作日貴，臨干發用，傳見德祿者，批首也。蛇雀旺相，月建乘吉作貴人，見於中末者，一二等也。祿神旺相入傳者，補廩也。蛇雀休囚，月將乘吉將作貴而不入傳者，三等也。懸胎吉將，六合加子未辰卯者，冒籍得之。陰后乘日貴生日，陰私得也。

Divination for minor exams such as the childhood examination: The main divination god is the Month Builder. If the Month Builder is accompanied by a favorable general and comes to the day stem, or if the nobleman is added to the day stem and acts as the initiating transmission, and the three transmissions include the day virtue and day fortune, then the examinee is likely to be ranked first. If the Teng Snake and Vermilion Bird are prosperous and strong, and the Month Builder, accompanied by a favorable general, acts as the nobleman in the middle and final transmissions, then the examinee is likely to be ranked in the first or second class. If the fortune god is prosperous and strong and appears in the three transmissions, then the examinee is likely to be promoted to the廪生 rank. If the Teng Snake and Vermilion Bird are weak and confined, and the Month General, although accompanied by a favorable general as the nobleman, does not appear in the three transmissions, then the examinee is likely to be ranked third. If the divination shows the "suspended embryo" pattern and is accompanied by a favorable general, and the Liu He is placed on Zi, Wei, Chen, or Mao, then the examinee is likely to have falsified their place of origin. If the Tai Yin and Heavenly Empress are accompanied by the nobleman of the day stem to birth the day stem, then the examinee is likely to have obtained the position through secret favors.

朱雀乘神克主文，主文怒。朱雀空亡，少文彩。朱雀克歲，誤犯廟諱。見白虎，犯時忌。見陰后，主幽晦。空亡發用，或見天空者，文卷疏失。空亡乘吉將者，副榜。凡小試，只干上三傳旺相生合，朱雀得位，俱有力。若鄉會試，事體重大，必須元首、時泰、龍德、三光、三陽、三奇、六儀、鑄印、軒蓋、斫輪、富貴、官爵大吉課，方可斷中。外，懸胎得吉亦中。

The Vermilion Bird is the deity riding which, if it overcomes the class deity of the chief examiner, indicates the chief examiner is angry. If the Vermilion Bird falls in Kongwang, the article lacks literary merit. If the Vermilion Bird overcomes the Tai Su, it indicates a mistake in violating the imperial taboo (writing forbidden characters). Seeing the White Tiger indicates violating the time taboo. Seeing Tai Yin or Heavenly Empress indicates obscure thoughts. If Kongwang is the initiating transmission, or if the lesson contains Tian Kong, the examination paper has omissions or errors. If Kongwang is accompanied by a favorable general, it indicates passing as a runner-up. For minor exams, as long as the day stem and the three transmissions are prosperous and strong, generating and harmonizing with the day stem, and the Vermilion Bird is in its proper position, there is strength. As for the county and provincial exams, which are of great importance, one must obtain a major auspicious lesson such as Yuan Shou, Shi Tai, Long De, San Guang, San Yang, San Qi, Liu Yi, Zhu Yin, Xuan Gai, Zhuo Lun, Fu Gui, and Guan Jie, to conclude that one can pass. In addition, if the lesson is Xuan Tai and accompanied by a favorable deity, one can also pass.

課得返吟、伏吟、昴星、炎上、潤下、曲直、從革、稼穡、斬關皆不中。若得無祿、絕嗣、天網、伏殃、飛魂、魄化、四絕等，皆不中。伏吟如旺相，仍以中論。若三合為文書生干，旺相乘龍朱，亦以中論。

The divination results of 'returning chant', 'hidden chant', '昴 star', 'inflammation', 'moistening downwards', 'curved and straight', 'following and changing', 'cultivating and harvesting', and 'cutting the gate' are all considered ineffective. Similarly, if the results are 'no official rank', 'no descendants', 'heavenly net', 'hidden calamity', 'flying soul', 'spirit transformation', or 'four extremes', they are also considered ineffective. However, if the 'hidden chant' is in its prosperous and strong state, it is still considered effective. Additionally, if the triple harmony formation becomes the official document line that nourishes the day stem, and it is also prosperous and strong with the influence of 'azure dragon' and 'vermilion bird', it is also considered effective.