Return date

千里外與二三千里行人，視大將軍殺下之辰。大將軍，三年一移，寅卯辰在子，巳午未在卯，申酉戌在午，亥子丑在酉。如殺在卯，卯臨子，則決其子月歸。然必視行人天上行年度限了，方用此方推之。度限者，日月二馬為限，卯酉是也。又以陰陽出入之路為期，子午是也。

A person who is far away, even several thousand miles, should look at the branch that is opposite the "Great General"煞. The "Great General" moves to a new position every three years: when the Master Year is in the Year of the Rat, Ox, or Tiger, it resides in the position of the Rat; when the Master Year is in the Year of the Snake, Horse, or Goat, it resides in the position of the Rabbit; when the Master Year is in the Year of the Monkey, Rooster, or Dog, it resides in the position of the Horse; and when the Master Year is in the Year of the Pig, Rat, or Ox, it resides in the position of the Rooster. For example, if the "Great General"煞 is in the position of the Rabbit, and the Rabbit is placed over the position of the Rat, then it is predicted that the person will return in the month of the Rat. However, one must first check whether the person's year on the Heaven Plate has passed the "degree limit" before using this method. The "degree limit" refers to the boundary set by the daily horse and monthly horse, which are the positions of the Rabbit and Rooster. Additionally, it is determined by the fixed time of the entrance and exit of yin and yang, which are the positions of the Rat and Horse.

凡行年在寅、卯、辰、巳、午、未，或行人在東南方，則以地下酉為限，以子上神為至期。假如行年在未，視天上小吉過酉，為行人已發。子上見土神，戊己日至；見金神，庚午日或申酉日至也。

Whenever the person's age year falls within the section from寅 to未, or when the person is located in the southeast direction, use the Earth Plate's酉 position as the boundary, and determine the time of arrival based on the deity at the子 position. For example, if the age year is未, check whether the Heaven Plate's「Xiaoji」(Wei) has passed the酉 position, indicating that the person has already started moving. Then look at the deity at the子 position—if it is the earth deity, the arrival is on戊 day or己 day; if it is the metal deity, the arrival is onGengwu day, or申 day or酉 day.

行年在申、酉、戌、亥、子、丑，或其人在西方，則以地盤卯為限，以午上神為至期。假如行年立酉，視天上從魁在西方，其人仍舊未動。在北方為已發，過卯為度限。而以午上所臨神決其歸之月數。

If the person's age falls within the section of the cycle covering Shen, You, Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou, or if the person is located in the West, then the boundary is set by the卯 position on the Earth Plate, and the time of arrival is determined by the deity at the午 position. For example, if the person's age is at You, observe the 'Congkui' (You) on the Heaven Plate. If it is still in the West, it indicates the person has not yet started moving. If it has moved to the North, it means the person has already departed. Once it crosses the卯 position, it signifies that the limit has been fully passed. Then, the month of return is determined by the deity at the午 position.

千里視歲支下神，五百里視月建下神，百里外視日干下神，五十里視正時下神；末傳墓而乘虎者，歸當病；年命與三傳皆不遇財，或財落空亡，或財乘元武者，歸而無財。年命上乘敗氣者，歸不如意。雀虎交車臨卯酉上，主夜宿關外。訣云若逢關隔夜關門是也。

The selection of spirits depends on the distance traveled: for a journey of a thousand li, one looks at the spirit corresponding to the branch of the heavenly stem of the year; for a journey of five hundred li, one looks at the spirit beneath the month builder; for a journey of a hundred li, one looks at the spirit beneath the day stem; and for a journey of fifty li, one looks at the spirit beneath the exact hour. The final transmission is in the墓 position and is ridden by the White Tiger, indicating the person returns with illness. If the personal stem and the three transmissions do not show the wealth hexagram, or if the wealth hexagram falls in Kongwang or is ridden by the Black Tortoise, the person returns empty-handed. If the personal stem and the year stem are ridden by a declining energy, it indicates an unsatisfactory return. When the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger are adjacent and fall on the卯 or酉 branches, it indicates staying overnight outside the pass—this is what the mnemonic 'If encountering a pass, stay overnight at the pass gate' refers to.

視天上行年下神，便知向何方去；視行年上神，則知從何方來。

If you do not know where the traveler is, look at the branch opposite the year plate to see the direction he has gone; look at the branch above the year plate to see the direction he has come from.

視其人年命上神一作行年所臨，以先天數子午九，巳亥四合定其路程一作上下相乘，如子九午九，二九十八斷。如近，則一進十，十進百。若在遠方，則一進百，十進千。若上神旺相，又當倍而進之，否則但進無倍，而程途之遠近明矣。

If the distance is unknown, look at the god riding on the person's birth year (also called the branch added to the birth year in some versions). Use the Earlier Heaven numbers to calculate the distance. In the Earlier Heaven numbers, Zi and Wu are both nine, Si and Hai are both four (some versions say multiply the upper and lower branches, such as Zi nine and Wu nine, resulting in eighteen). If the person is nearby, carry the ones place to the tens place and the tens place to the hundreds place. If the person is far away, carry the ones place to the hundreds place and the tens place to the thousands place. If the god is currently strong and prosperous, double the result; if not strong and prosperous, only carry the digits without doubling. Thus, the distance becomes clear.

假如命上見子，是九數，年上見亥則四數一作行年亥，下臨子，合成十三數，進作一百三十里，冬占水旺，倍作二百六十里。若又遠地方，則進而倍，作二千六百里也。

For example, if the person's birth stem shows Zi, the earlier heaven number of Zi is nine; and if the year stem shows Hai, the number of Hai is four (another version says the year stem is Hai, and below it is Zi). Adding nine and four gives thirteen, which is counted as one hundred thirty miles. If the divination is done in winter, when water energy is strong, it is doubled to two hundred sixty miles. If the person is even farther away, then another digit is added and it is doubled again, resulting in two thousand six hundred miles.

天乙落空，或成喜二神見而空陷，或支上陰陽不和，或日辰上天將入廟，或日克初傳，或日墓發用，或自墓傳生，或用神空亡，或類神或年上神空亡及不入傳，或二馬空亡，或馬臨長生如寅為馬，臨亥為戀廄，或馬入墓絕如寅馬入未墓，或入申絕，為縛足，或馬被合巳馬臨申，或剛日伏吟傳逆，柔日伏吟傳順，或進連茹；或天盤要歸地盤，而卯酉門上神剋日干與年，及日上神剋日與年者，皆主不歸。

Various signs indicating a person will not return: the "Heavenly Nobleman" falls into Kongwang; or the "Useful God" and "Joyful God" appear but fall into Kongwang or are trapped; or the yin and yang spirits on the day branch do not harmonize; or the heavenly generals on the day stem and day branch "enter their temple" (remain stationary); or the day stem overcomes the first transmission; or theTomb Spirit (mound spirit) of the day stem serves as the initiating transmission; or the transmission moves from the mound to the growth position; or the useful god falls into Kongwang; or the class god and the year god fall into Kongwang or do not appear in the three transmissions; or both the Heavenly Horse and the Post-horse fall into Kongwang; or the Post-horse falls into the growth position - for example, if the horse is in the寅 position but appears on the亥, the horse loves its stable and does not move; or the Post-horse falls into the墓 or绝 position - for example, if the horse is in the寅 position but appears on the未 (mound) or申 (extinction), the horse is tied up and cannot move; or the Post-horse is caught by a combination - for example, if the horse is in the巳 position but appears on the申, and巳 and申 combine; or on a yang day, theHidden Chant (hidden chant) occurs with the three transmissions in reverse order, while on a yin day, theHidden Chant occurs with the three transmissions in forward order; or the three transmissions form a "connected transmission" (连茹课); or the heaven plate is supposed to return to the earth plate, but the gods on the卯 and酉 positions overcome the day stem and the year; and the gods on the day stem also overcome the day stem and the year - all these indicate the person will not return.

稽留而不得歸者，視類神上所乘之將決之。如類神是卯，卯上乘天乙，是為貴人所留；乘陰與後，是婦女所留也。以所至為樂地而不肯歸者，則類神臨長生，或旺祿與驛馬臨長生也。中道有阻而不能歸者，則剛日昴星，或加酉發用，與發用斬關，或犯天車煞，或馬在中傳，或課得間傳之類也。

If someone is detained and cannot return, look at the Heavenly General riding on the class god to determine the cause. For example, if the class god is卯, and卯 is ridden by「Tian Yi」, it means being detained by a nobleman; if ridden by「Tai Yin」or「Tian Hou」, it means being detained by women. If someone regards the place they have arrived at as a paradise and refuses to return, then the class god is in the growth place, or the prosperous energy, the禄神, and the post-horse are all in the growth place. If someone is blocked on the way and cannot return, then it is a Yang day with the「Mao Star Lesson」, or the useful god is placed on酉 and initiates the transmission, or the initiation is involved with「Zhang Guan」, or「Tian Che Sha」, or the post-horse is in the middle transmission, or the lesson is「Jian Chuan Ke」.

病而不歸者，則行人年上值病符乘凶將之類也。死而不歸者，則行人本命上值墓神，乘凶將，馬臨空絕，或犯往亡煞之類也。信神發用者，人未歸而信先至，更視信神下神。如信神是酉，酉臨子，遠在子月，近在子日。信神見而空亡者，雖寄信而不至家。若無書信而口傳口信，則必類神作信神，或日上神不傷辰上神者，為實。如蛇、虎、陰、空乘辰戌加日上，或見謾語煞者，為虛。

If the person does not return due to illness, it is because the person's year pillar is in the position of 'Bingfu' and is accompanied by a凶将. If the person has already died and does not return, it is because the person's birth pillar is in the position of theTomb Spirit and is accompanied by aInauspicious General, theThe Post-horse is in theKongwang or the person has committed the 'Wangwang sha'. When 'Xinshen' is the initiating transmission, it indicates that the person has not returned yet but the message has arrived. Then look at the god that is opposite to 'Xinshen'—for example, if 'Xinshen' is You, and You is placed on Zi, then if the distance is far, the event should occur in the Zi month; if the distance is near, it should occur on the Zi day. If 'Xinshen' appears but falls in theKongwang, it indicates that although a message was sent, it did not reach the destination. If there is no written message but only verbal communication, then another god should act as the 'Xinshen', or the god on the day stem should not harm the god on the day branch, then the message is true. If 'Tengshe', 'Baihu', 'Taiyin', or 'Tiankong' are on Chen or Xu and are placed on the day stem, or if the 'Manyu sha' appears, then the message is false.

用神與日生比者，有信。剋日者，亦有信。申為朱雀，音書必發於中途。若雀之陰見罡乘虎，主凶信，見龍常乙合，有好音。

The useful god and the day stem are in mutual generation or harmonious relationship, indicating there will be news; if the useful god overcomes the day stem, it also indicates there will be news. The position of Shen is the flourishing place of the Vermilion Bird, indicating the message is sent halfway. If theYin Spirit of the Vermilion Bird meets the Tiangang (Chen) and is accompanied by the White Tiger, it indicates bad news; if it meets the Azure Dragon, Tai Chang, Tianyi, or Liu He, there will be good news.

其人近則以月將加正時，而視天罡，天罡加日辰者，如期而至。臨於日前，亦至。臨於日後，不來。遠期則視戲神，如戲神是巳，巳加子，則子日或本日子時到。

To determine if someone will arrive on time for a meeting: if the meeting is nearby, place the Month General on the exact hour and set up the chart. Check the Tiangang (Chen). If Tiangang falls on the Day Stem and Day Branch, the person will arrive as scheduled. If it falls before the Day Stem, they will come. If it falls after the Day Stem, they will not come. For distant appointments, look at the God of Drama. For example, if the God of Drama is Si, and Si falls on Zi, then the person will arrive on the day of Zi or at the Zi hour of that day.

其人遠則如占行人例，而兼視類神。要天上類神至地盤類神，若門上神及地盤類神上神不克類神者，必來。門上神及地盤類神上神克類神者，皆主不來。轉法順逆，視天乙所行旦順夜逆之例。

If a person is far away, then the divination should follow the usual method for traveling people, while also considering the class deities. The class deity on the Heaven Plate should be able to reach the original position of the class deity on the Earth Plate. If the deities on the卯 and酉 gates and the deities above the Earth Plate class deity do not overcome this class deity, then the person will surely come. If the deities on the gates and the deities above the Earth Plate class deity do overcome it, then it indicates the person will not come. As for the direction of the turning, follow the rule that the Heavenly Ethical Nobleman moves in the clockwise direction during the day and in the counterclockwise direction at night.

以月將加日支，視正時上所得神。辰、戌、子、午即至。寅、申、丑、未後到。卯酉半路而回。巳亥不來。墓神覆日，或發用占，家人則來，外人則否。

To determine if someone will come, call upon the servants to see if they will arrive. Place the Month General on the Day Branch to set up the chart, and look at the god associated with the hour of the day. If the god is Chen, Xu, Zi, or Wu, the person will arrive immediately. If the god is Yin, Shen, Chou, or Wei, the person will arrive later. If the god is Mao or You, the person will go halfway and then return. If the god is Si or Hai, the person will not come. If the buried god covers the Day Stem, or if the buried god is used as the Initiating Transmission for divination, then family members will come, but outsiders will not.

類神生日干者為父，生日支者為母。日干相比，陽兄弟陰姐妹。日干生者子孫，陽男陰女。日干克者正財妻，偏財妾。貴人視天乙，官吏文書視功曹朱雀。父母視太常。兄弟視太乙太陰。妻妾婦女視二后。朋友夫婿視青龍。子孫媒妁視六合。僕視河魁天空，婢視從魁太陰。軍卒視勾陳。僧道術士視太沖。醫巫視傳送。病人與喪殯視白虎。

Call upon which deity according to what category. According to the principles of generation and overcoming, the Six Relations are divided as follows: the one that is born from the Day Stem is the father, the one that is born from the Day Branch is the mother; those of the same type as the Day Stem, with a yang branch are brothers and with a yin branch are sisters; the one that is generated by the Day Stem is the child, with a yang branch is a son and with a yin branch is a daughter; the one that is overcome by the Day Stem, the official wealth is the wife and the miscellaneous wealth is the concubine. According to the deities and generals, the Nobleman is determined by 'Heavenly Empress', officials and documents are determined by 'Gongcao' (寅) and 'Vermilion Bird', parents are determined by 'Tai Chang', brothers by 'Taiyi' (巳) and 'Tai Yin', wives and women by 'Heavenly Empress' and the two yin empresses, friends and husbands by 'Azure Dragon', children and matchmakers by 'Liu He', male servants by 'Hekui' (戌) and 'Tian Kong', female servants by 'Congkui' (酉) and 'Tai Yin', soldiers by 'Gou Chen', monks and Taoist priests by 'Taichong' (卯), doctors and witches by 'Chuansong' (申), patients and funerals by 'White Tiger'.

紉齋斷案：昔一友人占一吏何以不到，課得貴人臨日，天后作支德加支，日辰上下交車作合，斷被婦人羈絆，後聞梅撫憲屬其帶眷回鄉，此課驗矣。

Li Renzhai recorded a case: Once a friend asked about why an official was absent, and the divination showed "Heavenly Empress" as the nobleman, overlying the day stem, and "Heavenly Empress" also served as the branch virtue, added to the day branch. The day stem and day branch formed a mutual combination. I concluded that he was held back by a woman. Later, it was heard that Mei the Inspector had ordered him to return home with his family, and the divination proved accurate.

日為人，辰為行意。辰上神生日干上神；或日干臨支；或魁罡臨日辰年命；或天馬驛馬及旬丁臨日辰發用；或日上旺相而斗罡加季；或巳亥加卯酉發用；或伏吟返吟見丁馬；或卯車午馬入傳；或卯午加申；或太常衣服行李乘午並白虎；皆主必行。

Divination for travel uses the day stem to represent the person and the day branch to represent the intention of travel. The following all indicate a definite journey: when the god on the day branch is the same as the god on the day stem; or when the day stem is added to the day branch; or when "Hekui" and "Tiangang" are added to the day stem, day branch, birth star, or current year; or when "Heavenly Horse" and "Post-horse" along with the "Ding god" of the current ten-day period are added to the day stem and day branch and serve as the initiating transmission; or when the day stem is prosperous and strong and "Tiangang" (Chen) is placed on the seasonal branches; or when巳 and亥 are placed on卯 and酉 and serve as the initiating transmission; or when "Fuyin" and "Fan Yin" are divined and the "Ding god" and "Post-horse" are seen; or when卯 (vehicle) and午 (horse) are in the three transmissions; or when卯 and午 are placed on申; or when "Tai Chang" represents clothing and luggage and rides on午, and appears together with "White Tiger".

白虎為道路之神，乘子午二馬入傳，在天乙前者，速行。訣云：白虎出行威風凜凜。又白虎臨戌亥為天地頭，臨辰巳為地足，不論入傳不入傳，並主行動。魁罡加本日者，不得已而行。戌加申，辰加寅，在日辰年命上發用者，出行吉。申作二馬，名馬帶金鈴，最利出行。

The White Tiger is the deity governing roads. It enters the Three Transmissions riding on the horses of Zi, Wu, and the Heavenly Horse and the Post-horse. It is positioned before the Nobleman, indicating a swift action. A mnemonic says: "The White Tiger going out, majestic and imposing." When the White Tiger is combined with Xu or Hai, it is called "Heaven and Earth Head," and when combined with Chen or Si, it is called "Earth Foot." Whether or not it enters the Three Transmissions, it mainly indicates travel. When Hekui and Tiangang are placed on the Day Stem, it indicates that the journey is undertaken reluctantly. If Xu is placed on Shen or Chen on Yin, and it falls on the Day Stem or Day Branch or the person's birth year and serves as the Initiating Transmission, the journey is auspicious. If Shen serves as the Heavenly Horse or Post-horse, it is called "Horse with Golden Bell," which is most favorable for travel.

辰剋日上神，或辰上剋日上，或干支墓日，或日上休囚，及斗罡加孟，或日辰上下互相剋而用起天乙，或日墓發用而無沖破，或二馬並三合六合，或值空亡及傳之戀廄，或伏吟返吟無丁馬者，皆主不行。關格或臺土當門，辰加支及關，可出行。

All the following indicate that one cannot go out: when the god in the day branch controls the god on the day stem; or when the god in the day branch controls the god on the day stem; or when the day stem and day branch form the burial place of the day stem; or when the day stem is weak and confined; or when the Tiangang (Chen) is placed on the four young branches; or when the day stem and day branch mutually control each other and the initiating transmission starts from the nobleman; or when the burial god of the day stem is used in the initiating transmission without being broken by a clash; or when the two horses, Heavenly Horse and Post-horse, are held by Triple Harmony and Liu He; or when it falls into Kongwang and theThe Post-horse in the three transmissions is reluctant to move; or when the divination showsHidden Chant or返吟 without the presence of theThe Post-horse and丁神. If the divination involves 关格 or if the earth god is blocking the door, as long as the day branch is placed on its own branch and opens the door by a clash, one can still go out.

傳退逢馬，謂之回馬，不利行動。發用天盤地結申加辰戌巳亥，或元武乘日鬼發用者，防寇盜剽掠。六辛下不可行。朔日忌北行，望日忌南行，上弦忌西行，下弦忌東行。所出之方上神克行年，商賈無利，行兵征戰大凶。如行南方，午上見亥，行年在巳，乃方上克巳也。游都臨日辰行年，出行逢盜。辰戌乘六合加卯酉，官鬼乘元陰，加財爻，皆主私遁。

Three transmissions moving backward and encountering the post-horse is called "returning the horse," which is unfavorable for travel. If the initiating transmission involves "heavenly plate earth knot" (the hour of Shen added to the hours of Chen, Xu, Si, or Hai), or if "black tortoise" occupies the official ghost of the day stem as the initiating transmission, one should be cautious of thieves and robbery. The directions under the six hidden stems of Xin should not be traveled. On the first day of the month, one should avoid heading north; on the fifteenth day, avoid heading south; on the waxing moon, avoid heading west; and on the waning moon, avoid heading east. If the god at the direction one is going to is capable of overcoming the year stem, merchants will have no profit from this journey, and military campaigns will be extremely dangerous. For example, if one is going south and the position of Wei is occupied by Hai, and the year stem is Si, then the god at the direction being traveled will overcome Si. If "you du sha" is added to the day stem or day branch or the year stem, travel will encounter thieves. When Chen and Xu are combined with "liu he" on the positions of Mao and You, and when official ghosts are combined with "black tortoise" and "tai yin" on the wealth hexagram, it indicates secret escape.

日為陸，辰為水，日上神將吉，宜陸行。辰上神將吉，宜從水。太沖為舟車，旺相則完固，囚死則破損。太沖乘蛇虎入傳者，行輿壞。登明神后臨太歲或蛇臨地盤亥卯者，主翻船。巳加亥見元武，白浪滔天。酉加卯遇白虎，舟楫損折。傳月厭臨卯，風濤驚恐。

Should one travel by water or by land? The day stem represents land travel, and the day branch represents water travel. If the spirits on the day stem are auspicious, it is suitable to travel by land; if the spirits on the day branch are auspicious, it is suitable to travel by water. "Taichong" (Mao) represents ships and carts. If Taichong is prosperous and strong, the ships and carts are intact and sturdy. If Taichong is in captivity or dying, the ships and carts are damaged. If Taichong is accompanied by "Teng Snake" and "White Tiger" in the three transmissions, it indicates damage to the vehicles. If "Dengming" (Hai) and "Shenhou" (Zi) are added upon the sovereign year, or if "Teng Snake" is on the earth plate at Hai or Mao, it indicates a shipwreck. If Si is placed on Hai and "Yuanwu" is present, it indicates huge waves. If You is placed on Mao and "White Tiger" is present, it indicates broken oars. If "Yueyan" is in the three transmissions on Mao, it indicates a shocking storm.

登明加孟有風，加仲風緩，加季無風。又丙子、癸未、癸丑三日為觸水龍，不可渡江。又太歲為風波，月建見午亦是，月建為白浪，日建為覆舟，歲後一辰為河伯，月建見壬癸亦是。

The method of crossing rivers and lakes: "Dengming" (Hai) added to the four beginning months brings wind, added to the four middle months brings gentle wind, and added to the four seasonal months brings no wind. Additionally, the three days of Bingzi, Guiwei, and Guichou are called "Touch Water Dragon," and crossing rivers is not allowed on these days. Moreover, the Tai sui (Grand Time) causes waves and storms (the month builder showing Wu is the same), the month builder causes white waves, the day builder causes capsizing, and the position after Tai sui causes the river god (the month builder showing Ren or Gui is the same).

三傳純陽為晴，木神多者主風，純陰而土神多者陰，水神多者雨。

Weather on the road: if all three transmissions are yang branches, it indicates clear weather, and if there are many wood spirits, it suggests wind. If all three transmissions are yin branches and there are many earth spirits, it indicates overcast weather, and if there are many water spirits, it suggests rain.

日為客，辰為主，辰上神生日，或生日上神可留客；若值旺相，主人仁厚。辰上神剋日，更乘凶將，或日上見蛇、虎、魁、罡，或辰上見登明乘天空，或辰上見午酉，或行年命上見二后者，皆宜急去勿停。又月將加時，視天上丙巳壬亥上為宿處。視天盤丙壬下者，即在巳亥兩方。丙課在巳，壬課在亥。丙戊祿居巳，壬祿居亥。假如甲子日順數至寅見丙，申上見壬之例。

The method of choosing a place to stay overnight: use the day stem to represent the guest and the day branch to represent the host. If the god on the day branch is born to or generates the day stem, or the god on the day stem is born to the day branch, then it is suitable to stay overnight. If the god is also in its prosperous and strong state, the host is also kind. However, if the god on the day branch overcomes the day stem and is accompanied by aInauspicious General (malevolent general), or if the day stem has the Teng Snake, White Tiger, Hekui, or Tiangang, or if the day branch has Dengming (Hai) accompanied by Tian Kong, or if the day branch has the hour of Wu or You, or if the person's birth year has the Heavenly Empress and Tai Yin, then one should leave quickly and not stay. Also, place the month general on the time of day to set up the chart. Look for the heaven plate hidden stem Jia and the earth branch Si, as well as the hidden stem Ren and the earth branch Hai. The places where these are located are suitable for staying overnight. Also, look at the heaven plate Jia and Ren below, which correspond to Si and Hai respectively, because Jia's luck is in Si, Ren's luck is in Hai, Jia and Wu share their luck in Si, and Ren's luck is in Hai. For example, on the day of Jiazi, count sequentially from Jiazi to the position of寅 to find Jia, and to the position of申 to find Ren, and take these two positions.

月將加正時，視天罡加孟路在左，加仲路在中，加季路在右。又罡加六陽宜左，加六陰宜右。又宜從中末方轉天罡而行，即得正路。又天盤寅申下亦可求路。

When lost, the method of divination is to place the Month General on the correct hour and set up the chart. Observe the "Tiangang" (Chen) — if it falls on the four beginning branches, the correct path is on the left; if it falls on the four middle branches, the correct path is in the center; if it falls on the four final branches, the correct path is on the right. Also, if the Tiangang falls on the six Yang branches, it is suitable to go left; if it falls on the six Yin branches, it is suitable to go right. One can also turn towards the direction indicated by the Middle Transmission and Final Transmission to the position of the Tiangang to find the correct path. Additionally, the directions opposite to the positions of the Heaven Plate under the branches Yin and Shen can also be used to ask for directions and find the way.

月將加正時，向丑未下可得飲食。又渴尋卯未，飢尋戊己謂日遁所臨辰也。又途中遇人饋憎酒食。當以月將加時視日辰上，見辰戌子卯巳者，不可食，餘無害。

The method of seeking food when hungry and drink when thirsty on the road: place the Month General on the starting hour and set up the chart. Then look at the directions corresponding to the positions of Chou and Wei, and you will find food. If thirsty, look towards the directions of Mao and Wei. If hungry, look towards the place where the hidden stem Wu or Ji is located (that is, the earthly branch corresponding to the hidden stem of the day). If on the road someone offers you food and drink, place the Month General on the hour of the event and set up the chart again. If the Day Stem and Day Branch show Chen, Xu, Zi, or Mao, do not eat the food. If they show any other branches, it is safe to eat.

月將加時視神后，加孟善人，加仲商賈，加季奸惡。來而持刀杖者，日辰上見亥、子、巳、卯為賊寇，見辰、戌、寅、申是吏卒，見酉午為逃亡之人，見丑未為送喪之人。若子加卯者，為冤仇也。

When someone is seen approaching from the front, the method of divination is as follows: place the Month General on the time of day and set up the chart to look at "Shenhou" (Zi). If Shenhou is placed on the four beginning (four Meng) positions, it indicates a good person; if on the four middle (four Zhong) positions, it indicates a merchant; if on the four end (four Ji) positions, it indicates a wicked person. If the person is holding a weapon, then look at the Day Stem and Day Branch: if it shows亥, 子, 巳, or 卯, it indicates a thief; if it shows 辰, 戌, 寅, or 申, it indicates an official or soldier; if it shows 酉 or 午, it indicates a fugitive; if it shows 丑 or 未, it indicates someone mourning a funeral. If Zi is placed on Mao, then the person approaching is an enemy or a rival.

月將加時，視鬧方上。見天乙太常是尊貴呼攏。龍合是歌樂。勾陳是爭鬥。朱雀為官吏口舌。天空是學館。白虎是殺傷，或為喪殯。太陰為禱祀。天后則為爭訟。

When hearing distant noisy sounds and drumming, the method of divination is to add the Month General to the time of the event and set up the chart. Then observe the direction of the noise to see which Heavenly General is present. If it is "Heavenly Empress" or "Tai Chang," it indicates a respected person calling people together. If it is "Azure Dragon" or "Liu He," it suggests music and dancing. If it is "Gou Chen," it indicates fighting and quarrels. If it is "Vermilion Bird," it suggests officials arguing. If it is "Tian Kong," it indicates sounds from a school. If it is "White Tiger," it suggests someone being killed or a funeral. If it is "Tai Yin," it indicates worship and prayer. If it is "Heavenly Empress," it suggests disputes between people.

直符，口舌論事；往亡，災厄死亡；劫奪，初臨懸胎；天車、天坑、天猴，車損馬倒，又爭訟；飛廉，凶傷禍災；轉煞，君子宜行赴任，小人家凶出門；游都、魯都，防盜；關神，謀事阻礙；空亡，失脫無成；鬼，災；墓，阻滯；螣蛇，憂驚頭痛；朱雀，口舌喧爭；勾陳，阻礙；白虎，傷；太陰，淹滯；元武、天空，盜賊及人失脫；六合、天后，婦女損害。

The various deities to be avoided when traveling: "Zhi Fu" indicates disputes and arguments; "Wang Wang" indicates calamity and death; "Jie Duo" is particularly dangerous if it appears in the first transmission along with "Xuan Tai"; "Tian Che", "Tian Kong", and "Tian Hou" indicate vehicle damage, horse overturning, and disputes; "Fei Lian" indicates danger, injury, and misfortune; "Zhuan Sha" is suitable for gentlemen to travel and take office, but not suitable for villains to leave home as it brings misfortune at home; "You Du" and "Lu Du" warn against theft; "Guan Shen" indicates obstacles in plans; "Kong Wang" indicates loss and failure; "Official Ghost" indicates disaster; "Mù Shen" indicates obstruction. Regarding the Heavenly Generals: "Teng Snake" indicates worry, fear, and headache; "Zhu Que" indicates disputes and arguments; "Gou Chen" indicates obstacles; "Bai Hu" indicates injury; "Tai Yin" indicates delay; "Yuan Wu" and "Tian Kong" indicate encountering thieves and loss of people and property; "Liu He" and "Tian Hou" indicate harm from women.

月將加時，視式中干傷及天罡加孟，勿往前；支傷及罡加後，勿退後；時傷及罡加仲，勿居中。

When in a dangerous situation, the method of divination is to place the Month General on the time of divination and set up the chart. Observe the pattern of the lesson - if the Day Stem is harmed, and the Tiangang (Chen) is placed on the four young months without moving forward; if the Day Branch is harmed, and the Tiangang is placed on the rear position without retreating; if the time of divination is harmed, and the Tiangang is placed on the four middle months, do not stay in the middle.

月將加時，視支神，上下旺相相生，或登明乘貴、合、龍、常、陰者，家中平安。支辰上下休囚相剋者，不安。或登明乘朱雀，主口舌火災。勾陳主爭訟。螣蛇主火燭驚恐。白虎主疾病死喪。元武主盜賊走失。

For divination about missing home, place the Month General on the time of day and set up the chart. Observe the deity on the Day Branch. If the deity is prosperous and strong, or if Dengming (Hai) is riding on Tianyi, Liuhe, Qinglong, Taichang, or Taiyin, it indicates peace and safety at home. If the deity is weak and confined, or if there is mutual control, it suggests unrest at home. If Dengming is riding on Zhuque, it indicates disputes and fire accidents. If it rides on Gouchen, there will be disputes. If it rides on Tengshe, there will be sudden fire alarms. If it rides on Baihu, there will be illness or death. If it rides on Yuanwu, there may be theft or someone missing.

天目酉下，天耳卯下察之。

Divination method for uncovering secrets: "Heaven's eye" is in You, so look at the direction corresponding to You; "Heaven's ear" is in Mao, so listen to the direction corresponding to Mao.

一視天目下，二視游神方，三視生氣方，四視戊己方如甲子旬中見辰巳，五支生旺方，六向天月德方，及天驛馬生旺之鄉。須與日辰相生合，不空亡刑害者，可隱避。又天盤丑及甲寅下可隱避。又天盤寅下為仙人道，申下為玉女道，皆可隱伏遁形。又春出寅入申，夏出申入寅，秋出午入子，冬出子入午，人尋不得。又子下最可藏形，卯下次之，酉下又次之。

To hide or conceal oneself, one may choose among six directions: first, the direction below the 'Heavenly Eye' (You); second, the direction where the 'Wandering Spirit' is located; third, the direction of 'Life Qi'; fourth, the direction of the hidden stem Wu and Ji (such as in the Jiazi cycle, Wu is in Chen and Ji is in Si); fifth, the direction of the Day Branch's generation and strength; sixth, the directions of 'Heavenly Virtue', 'Monthly Virtue', Heavenly Horse, and Post-horse's generation and strength. These directions must also be in harmony with the Day Stem and Day Branch, not falling into Kongwang, and not suffering from punishment or harm, in order to hide. In addition, the position of the Earthly Branch Chou on the Heaven Plate and the positions below the hidden stem Ji and the Earthly Branch Yin can also be used for hiding. Moreover, the position below the Heaven Plate Yin is called 'Xianren Dao', and the position below Shen is called 'Yünu Dao', both of which can be used for concealment. Also, in spring, one should leave from the Yin direction and hide in the Shen direction; in summer, leave from Shen and hide in Yin; in autumn, leave from Wu and hide in Zi; in winter, leave from Zi and hide in Wu. Others will not be able to find you. The most suitable direction for hiding is below Zi, followed by Mao, and then You.

惟魁罡不可往。歌曰：除定危開卯未方，龍常陰后可逃藏。傳進無鬼可進，有鬼當止。傳退有鬼莫退，無鬼可退。傳生旺宜遠，休囚宜近。魁罡爭走，丑未緩緩。避災宜向洩鬼方。如甲宜向壬癸亥子及丙丁巳午方吉，庚辛申酉方凶。最忌天盤空亡方、旬中六辛方、月厭游都方。若日辰刑剋，或三傳見鬼及生氣克天目，或白虎帶煞者，皆不能逃匿。

Only the places where "Hekui" and "Tiangang" are located should be avoided. The mnemonic says: on the four days of "Chu, Ding, Wei, Kai" among the twelve divine days of "Jianchu", as well as the directions of "Mao" and "Wei", plus the directions where "Qinglong", "Tai Chang", "Tai Yin", and "Tianhou" are located, one can take refuge. If the three transmissions advance without the presence of "Guan Gui", one can move forward; if "Guan Gui" is present, one should stop. If the three transmissions retreat and "Guan Gui" is present, one should not retreat; if "Guan Gui" is absent, one may retreat. When the three transmissions are in a state of prosperity and vitality, it is suitable to escape far away; when they are weak and confined, it is better to hide nearby. When encountering "Hekui" and "Tiangang", one should hurry to escape; when encountering "Chou" and "Wei", one can move slowly. To avoid misfortune, one should go in the direction that can release the energy of "Guan Gui": for example, if "Jia Wood" takes "Metal" as its ghost, one should go towards "Ren and Gui Hai Zi" (water that drains metal) and "Bing and Ding Si Wu" (fire that overcomes metal), which is favorable; going towards "Geng and Xin Shen You" (metal) is unfavorable. One should most avoid the direction of "Tianpan Kongwang", the six "Xin" characters in the current ten-day cycle, and the directions of "Yan" and "You Du". If the day stem and day branch mutually harm each other, or if "Guan Gui" appears in the three transmissions along with "Sheng Qi" countering "Tian Mu", or if "Baihu" is accompanied byInauspicious Sha, then no matter what one does, one cannot escape.

假如甲以未為貴，龍廟於寅臨申地，先伏西隅過酉時，便向寅方尋所止。才過寅時再宜下，尊此施行當獲福，廟神鬼賊若同居，切莫前趨當退伏。有如甲乙見申酉，陰廟荒祠休奔走。其間若不見冤詈，也有胥徒來把守。

On a Jia day, the nobleman is at Wei. The Azure Dragon's temple is in寅 but at this time it is located in申. It should first hide in the western corner, then go to寅 to find a place to rest after the You hour. Just after the寅 hour, it should again find another place to hide. Following this method will surely bring good fortune. However, if the temple god and the ghost thief are in the same position, one must not move forward anymore, but retreat and hide. For example, on Jia or Yi days, if one sees申 or酉 (the official ghost of wood is in power), then one should not enter dark temples or abandoned shrines — even if one does not encounter vengeful spirits, there will be officials and guards there.

視發用勝光，若在天乙前則先行向前，在天乙後則遲延落後。

When separated from a companion and looking for them: examine the initiating transmission and "Shengguang" (Wu). If "Shengguang" comes before "Heavenly Ethical Nobleman," it indicates that the companion has already moved ahead. If it comes after "Heavenly Ethical Nobleman," it suggests that the companion is lagging behind.

日上財為外財，辰上財為內財，臨伏吟則近，臨丁馬則遠。日上神克命上神，為財神臨命。日干旺相有氣，則財可獲。囚死無氣，總屬空亡。水日逢丁，主財動，或得遠鄉財。遠行求財，要支上神克干上神，克必獲利。若干上神克支上神，不宜遠動，反有損失。

Divination for seeking wealth: the wealth hexagram on the day stem represents external wealth, while the wealth hexagram on the day branch represents internal wealth. If the wealth hexagram falls on 'Fu Yin', wealth is nearby. If it falls on 'Ding Shen' or 'Yi Ma', wealth is far away. When the day stem's god overcomes the native's god, it is called 'Cai Shen Lin Ming'. If the day stem is strong and prosperous, wealth can be obtained. If the day stem is weak and in decline, even if there is wealth, it is equivalent to Kongwang. On a water day encountering 'Ding Shen' indicates moving wealth or the possibility of obtaining distant wealth. For seeking wealth through travel, the god on the day branch should overcome the god on the day stem to be profitable. If the day stem's god overcomes the day branch's god, it is not advisable to travel, as it may result in loss.

居家求財，只視用神，如發用是支之財、干之鬼方，得財之象也。反此反遭破失。初傳財又乘中庫，財利十倍。若末傳不克中傳，更可世守。財臨月建並太歲，宜求大財。財附二馬，宜遠方求財。然必行年旺相剋龍合，乃得。若求小財，只視發用，或占時，或財臨命，即可得。

When seeking wealth at home, focus on the Useful God. If the Initiating Transmission is the wealth hexagram located in the Day Branch or the position of the official ghost of the Day Stem, this indicates a favorable sign for gaining wealth; conversely, it may lead to loss. If the First Transmission is a wealth hexagram and the Middle Transmission is also riding on the wealth repository, the wealth gained can be tenfold. If the Final Transmission does not overcome the Middle Transmission, this wealth can be preserved for generations. If the wealth hexagram is combined with the Month Builder and the Sovereign, it is suitable for seeking large wealth. If the wealth hexagram is associated with the Heavenly Horse and the Post-horse, it is suitable for seeking wealth in distant places — but this requires that the year's stem is prosperous and strong enough to overcome the Azure Dragon and Liu He. If one is seeking small wealth, one can look at the Initiating Transmission, or the time of the divination, or whether the wealth hexagram is located in one's own destiny, and thus obtain it.

求財喜財歸本庫，則財祿疊盈。如戊辰日子加辰，水歸本庫，財有餘而不散，忌自墓傳生。如辛亥日未加卯，三傳木局全作日財，然自庫傳出，先聚後散，財反歸他。忌財入鬼墓，主財消壞。如丁巳日，干上申，末傳戌為火庫，灼耗金財，財不能聚。更看墓上天將，審其破財之因。墓乘退悔殺，春未夏丑秋辰冬戌。

To seek wealth, it is most favorable for the wealth element to return to one's own storage. In this way, wealth and official rank accumulate layer by layer. For example, on a Wuchen day, if the Zi is placed on the Chen, the Wuchen earth is the storage for water, which is the wealth of the Wuchen earth. The water returns to the storage, so the wealth is abundant and does not scatter. Conversely, it is unfavorable for the wealth element to flow out from the storage: for example, on an Xinhai day, if the Wei is placed on the Mao, the three transmissions form a wooden pattern, which is the wealth of the Xinhai metal. However, this wealth flows out from the storage, first gathering and then dispersing, ultimately belonging to others. It is also unfavorable for the wealth element to fall into the storage of the official ghost, indicating loss and damage to property: for example, on a Dingsi day, the day stem is Shen (the metal is the wealth of the Dingsi fire), and the final transmission is Xu, which is the fire storage. The fire storage burns the metal wealth, so the wealth cannot be retained. One should also examine the heavenly generals on the storage. According to this, the cause of losing wealth can be investigated. If the storage is occupied by the 'retreating regret' (in spring it is Wei, in summer it is Chou, in autumn it is Chen, in winter it is Xu), losing wealth is inevitable.

視青龍所臨之地，乘寅卯臨申酉為折足，主破財。

To determine the direction for seeking wealth, look at the earthly branch that the Azure Dragon is added to; that direction is the wealth direction. However, if the Azure Dragon is on寅 or卯 (wood) and added to申 or酉 (metal), the wood is harmed by metal, called "broken foot," which instead indicates loss of wealth.