The Fourth Chapter on the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in the Theory of the Round Heaven

乾在內：子水、寅木、辰土；乾在外：午火、申金、戌土。 坎在內：寅木、辰土、午火；坎在外：申金、戌土、子水。 辰在內：辰土、午火、申金；辰在外：戌土、子水、寅木。 震在內：於水、寅木、辰土；震在外：午火、申金、戌土。 巽在內：丑土、亥水、酉金；巽在外：未土、巳火、卯木。 高在內：卯木、丑土、亥水；離在外：酉金、未土、巳火。 坤在內：未土、巳火、卯木；坤在外：丑土、亥水、酉金。 兌在內：巳火、卯木、丑土；兌在外：亥水、酉金、未土。

This chapter explains "Najia" or "Nashua," which involves assigning the twelve earthly branches to the three lines of the eight primary trigrams. When the same primary trigram is placed in the lower three lines (inner trigram) and the upper three lines (outer trigram), the earthly branches assigned to them differ. Therefore, each trigram is recorded in two rows: inner and outer. When the trigram Qian is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Zi water, Yin wood, and Chen earth. When Qian is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth. When Kan is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Yin wood, Chen earth, and Wu fire. When Kan is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Shen metal, Xu earth, and Zi water. When Gen is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Chen earth, Wu fire, and Shen metal. When Gen is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Xu earth, Zi water, and Yin wood (the original text mistakenly writes "Chen" instead of "Gen"). When Zhen is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Zi water, Yin wood, and Chen earth. When Zhen is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth (the original text writes "Yu water" which refers to "Zi water"). When Xun is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal. When Xun is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wei earth, Si fire, and Mao wood. When Li is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Mao wood, Chou earth, and Hai water. When Li is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are You metal, Wei earth, and Si fire (the original text writes "Gao in the inner" which refers to "Li in the inner"). When Kun is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Wei earth, Si fire, and Mao wood. When Kun is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal. When Dui is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Si fire, Mao wood, and Chou earth. When Dui is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Hai water, You metal, and Wei earth. The trigrams Qian, Kan, Gen, and Zhen are yang trigrams, and their earthly branches are assigned in a forward sequence, all using yang branches. The trigrams Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui are yin trigrams, and their earthly branches are assigned in a backward sequence, all using yin branches. If this rule is memorized, it is easier to avoid mistakes.

如得天風姤卦，上三爻是乾卦即乾在外午火、申金、戌土： 戌土一 申金一 午火一 酉金一 亥水一 丑土 下三爻是巽卦即巽在內丑土、亥水、酉金。點卦由下而上，故裝五行也由下而上，餘仿此。

For example, if you divinate the hexagram Tian Feng Gou (Heaven Wind Meeting), the top three lines form the hexagram Qian (Heaven), which is 'Heaven outside'. Therefore, starting from the fourth line upwards, the earthly branches are assigned in the order of Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth—written on the diagram as the top line Xu earth, the fifth line Shen metal, and the fourth line Wu fire. The bottom three lines form the hexagram Xun (Wind), which is 'Wind inside'. Therefore, starting from the first line upwards, the earthly branches are assigned in the order of Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal—meaning the first line is Chou earth, the second line is Hai water, and the third line is You metal. The vertical line following each earthly branch is the mark for a yang line. Note that when casting the hexagram, the lines are drawn from the bottom up, so the assignment of earthly branches is also done from the first line upwards. This method applies to all other hexagrams as well.

乾兌宮金兄、土父、木財、火鬼、水子。乾兌宮八卦都屬金。坎宮水兄、火財、土鬼、金父、木子。坎宮八卦都屬水。坤艮宮土兄、火父、木鬼、水財、金子。坤艮宮八卦都屬土。離宮火兄、水鬼、土子、木父，金財。離宮八卦都屬火。震巽木兄、水父、金鬼、火子、土財。震巽宮八卦都屬木。

This is a mnemonic for determining the Six Relations. The general principle for determining the Six Relations is only one sentence: take the Five Phases of the original palace as "I," those of the same type as me are Siblings, those that generate me are Parents, those I generate are Children, those that overcome me are Official Ghost, and those I overcome are Wealth. The Qian Palace and the Dui Palace both belong to Metal, so Metal is Siblings, Earth is Parents, Wood is Wealth, Fire is Official Ghost, and Water is Children. The Kan Palace belongs to Water, so Water is Siblings, Fire is Wealth, Earth is Official Ghost, Metal is Parents, and Wood is Children. The Kun Palace and the Gen Palace both belong to Earth, so Earth is Siblings, Fire is Parents, Wood is Official Ghost, Water is Wealth, and Metal is Children. The Li Palace belongs to Fire, so Fire is Siblings, Water is Official Ghost, Earth is Children, Wood is Parents, and Metal is Wealth. The Zhen Palace and the Xun Palace both belong to Wood, so Wood is Siblings, Water is Parents, Metal is Official Ghost, Fire is Children, and Earth is Wealth. The eight palaces form five groups. Memorize these five sentences, and you can immediately determine the Six Relations for any hexagram.

如占得乾為天： 父母戌土、世 兄弟申金、 官鬼午火、 父母辰土、應 妻財寅木、 子孫一子水、 照乾宮金兄、土父、木財、火鬼、水子、裝之，所以辰、戌土為父母，申金為兄弟，火為官鬼，木是妻財，水是子孫，餘卦仿此。

For example, if one divines the hexagram Qian (Heaven) over Heaven, first apply the Najia stem assignment to the earthly branches: the first line is Zi water, the second line is Yin wood, the third line is Chen earth, the fourth line is Wu fire, the fifth line is Shen metal, and the top line is Xu earth. Then, according to the Qian hexagram's statement that "metal is siblings, earth is parents, wood is wealth, fire is official ghost, and water is children," assign the six relations accordingly. Thus, the Chen earth and Xu earth lines are both parents, Shen metal is siblings, Wu fire is official ghost, Yin wood is wealth, and Zi water is children. The world line is marked on the top line Xu earth, and the response line is marked on the third line Chen earth. In the diagram, the first line "children one Zi water" has an extra "one" character, which is a textual addition from the printed edition. All other hexagrams are arranged in the same manner.

乾為天“世”在六，天風姤“世”在初，天山遁“世”在二，天地否“世”在三，天地觀“世”在四，山地剝“世”在五，火地晉“世”在四，火天大有“世”退在三。隔世爻兩位即是應爻，餘卦仿此。

This chapter explains how to place the World Line and the Response Line, using the Eight Trigrams of the Qian hexagram as an example. The Qian hexagram, which represents Heaven, is the first hexagram of this palace, and the World Line is placed on the sixth line. The Tian Feng Gou hexagram is derived from the first line, so the World Line moves down to the first line. The Tian Shan Dun hexagram is derived from the second line, so the World Line is placed on the second line. The Tian Di Pi hexagram is derived from the third line, so the World Line is placed on the third line. The Feng Di Guan hexagram is derived from the fourth line, so the World Line is placed on the fourth line (the original text mistakenly writes 'Tian Di Guan' instead of 'Feng Di Guan'). The Shan Di Bo hexagram is derived from the fifth line, so the World Line is placed on the fifth line. The Huo Di Jin hexagram is a wandering soul hexagram, so the World Line moves back from the fifth line to the fourth line. The Huo Tian Da You hexagram is a returning soul hexagram, so the World Line moves back again to the third line. Once the World Line is determined, the Response Line can be easily found— it is the line two positions away from the World Line, either above or below. For example, if the World Line is on the first line, the Response Line is on the fourth line; if the World Line is on the third line, the Response Line is on the top line. The same rule applies to the other seven palaces.

六爻不動則不變，動則必變，“O”為陽動則變“　″　”，“X”為陰動則變“　′　”。如乾卦初爻動則變為巽卦。 ′　′ ′　′ O　″ 乾卦上下爻動則變為坎卦： O　″ ′　′ O　″ 坤卦中爻動，變為坎卦： ″　″ X　′ ″　″ 坤卦中三爻都動變作乾卦。

In the six-line divination, any line that does not move remains unchanged. Once a line moves, it must transform into its opposite. The symbol "O" represents an old yang line, and when a yang line moves, it changes to a yin line marked as "″". The symbol "X" represents an old yin line, and when a yin line moves, it changes to a yang line marked as "′". Here are some examples: In the Qian hexagram, all three lines are originally yang. If the first line moves, it changes from yang to yin, while the other two lines remain unchanged, transforming the Qian hexagram into the Xun hexagram. If both the first and top lines of the Qian hexagram move, both change from yang to yin, while the middle line remains yang, resulting in the Kan hexagram. In the Kun hexagram, all three lines are originally yin. If the middle line moves, it changes from yin to yang, while the other two lines remain unchanged, transforming the Kun hexagram into the Kan hexagram. If all three lines of the Kun hexagram move, all three yin lines change to yang lines, resulting in the Qian hexagram. The left column shows the original hexagram, and the right column shows the transformed hexagram. Comparing them will make it clear.

如占得水天需卦變天水訟： 妻財子水″　動　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟戌土′　子孫申金′ 子孫申金″世　動　父母午火′世 兄弟辰土′　動　父母午火″ 官鬼寅木′　兄弟辰土′ 妻財子水′應　動　官鬼寅木″應 上三爻坎卦即是坎在外卦申金、戌土、子水，所以四爻申金、五爻戌土、六爻子水。變為乾卦即是乾在外卦午火、申金、戌土所以申金變出午火，子水變出戌土，申爻不動則不變。變出之爻按六親者仍照正卦而推，餘卦仿此。

Now consider another example: the hexagram water over heaven (Xu) changes to heaven over water (Song). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is wife wealth zi water (a yin line, which is active), the fifth line is brothers xu earth, the fourth line is children shen metal (the world line, which is active), the third line is brothers chen earth (active), the second line is official ghost yin wood, and the first line is wife wealth zi water (the response line, which is active). Each active line changes to a new line, which is placed in the right column. Here we are explaining how the earthly branches of the changing lines are determined: the top three lines of the primary hexagram form the kan trigram, which is 'kan outside', so the fourth line shen metal, fifth line xu earth, and top line zi water. Among these three lines, two are active and change to the qian trigram; the qian trigram outside is paired with wu fire, shen metal, and xu earth, so the original shen metal position changes to wu fire, and the original zi water position changes to xu earth; the fifth line shen metal is not active, so it does not change. As for what the changing lines are considered in terms of the six relations, they are still determined according to the hexagram's original palace. The hexagram water over heaven (Xu) belongs to the kun palace, where earth is brothers and fire is parents, so the changed xu earth is considered brothers, and the changed wu fire is considered parents. The same method applies to all other hexagrams.

父母爻：占父母即以卦中之父母爻為神。祖父母、伯、叔、姑、姨、父母，凡在我父母之上，或與我父母同輩之親及師長、妻父母、乳釋之父母，三父、人母或僕占主人皆以父母爻為用神。占天地、城池、牆垣、宅舍、屋宇、舟車、衣服、雨具、綢緞、布匹、章奏、文書及書館文契也以父母爻為用神，物類亦多在變通，一切庇護我身者是也。

First, we discuss the parents' hexagram. When divining matters related to parents, the parents' hexagram is used as the useful god. Any person who is above the parents in辈分, or of the same辈分, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, maternal uncles, maternal aunts, teachers, in-laws, wet nurses and their husbands, as well as those mentioned in the rites of propriety as 'three fathers and eight mothers' (the original text mistakenly refers to 'person mother' as 'eight mothers', meaning stepfather, adoptive father, and biological father for the three fathers, and嫡mother, stepmother, and adoptive mother for the eight mothers), as well as servants taking the place of the master, all use the parents' hexagram as the useful god. As for things, such as heaven and earth, cities, walls, houses, ships, vehicles, clothes, rain gear, silk and cloth, official documents, writings, and contracts from academies, all use the parents' hexagram as the useful god. There are many other items that can be included in this category, and they should be determined through flexible application. The general principle is: anything that can cover and protect the body belongs to the parents' hexagram.

官鬼爻：占功名、官府、雷霆鬼神、妻占夫皆以官鬼爻為用神。占亂臣賊盜、邪崇也以官鬼爻為用神，物類亦多，一切拘束我身者是也。兄弟爻：占兄弟、姐妹、族中兄弟、姑姨、妹夫及結拜兄弟都以兄弟爻為用神。兄弟乃同類之人，彼得志則欺凌，見財則奪，所以占財物以此為劫神，占謀事以此為阻神、占妻妾、婢僕以此為刑傷克害之神。占姊丈妹夫以世爻為用神子屢得驗。

Now speaking of the Official Ghost爻. When divining about official positions, career prospects, government offices, thunder and ghostly spirits, or when a wife divines about her husband, the Official Ghost爻 is taken as the Useful God. Similarly, when divining about rebels, thieves, and evil spirits, the Official Ghost爻 is also used. There are many things that fall into this category. The general principle is: any force that can restrain or bind me is considered the Official Ghost. Now speaking of the Siblings爻. When divining about brothers and sisters, relatives of the same clan, maternal and paternal cousins, sisters-in-law, and sworn brothers, the Siblings爻 is taken as the Useful God. Siblings are people of the same kind as myself. Once they gain power, they will oppress me, and when they see wealth, they will come to claim it. Therefore, when divining about wealth, the Siblings爻 is the "劫财之神" (the god who seizes wealth). When divining about affairs, it is the "阻隔之神" (the god that obstructs). When divining about wives, concubines, and servants, it is the "刑伤克害之神" (the god that causes injury and harm). The Wild Crane Elder adds: when divining about a brother-in-law, it is more accurate to use the World Line爻 as the Useful God. He himself has tested this repeatedly (the original text says "子屡得验" where "子" should be read as "予", meaning the author himself).

妻財爻：占妻妾、婢、僕、役，我驅使之人皆以要財爻為用神。占貨財、珠寶、倉庫一切使用之財物亦以妻財爻為用神。子孫爻：占子孫、占女、女婿、侄、甥、門生凡在我子孫輩中皆以子孫爻為用神。占忠臣、良將、醫藥、僧、道、兵卒皆以子孫爻為用神。占六畜、禽獸亦以子孫爻為用神。子孫福德之神。為制鬼之神、為解憂之神、為剝官之神，諸事見之為喜，獨占功名者忌之。

Now talking about theWife-Wealth Line. When divining about one's wife, concubine, maid, or servant, anyone who is under one's control is considered theUseful God, using theWife-Wealth Line (the original text says 「要财爻」, where 「要」 is a mistake for 「妻」). When divining about goods, money, jewels, warehouses, and all things used by oneself, theWife-Wealth Line is also used. Finally, we talk about theChildren Line. When divining about one's son, daughter, son-in-law, nephew, cousin, and students, anyone of a lower generation is considered theUseful God, using theChildren Line. When divining about loyal ministers, capable generals, doctors and medicine, monks and Taoists, and soldiers, theChildren Line is also used. When divining about cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and other domestic animals, as well as birds and beasts, theChildren Line is also used. TheChildren Line is called the「福德之神」. It can subdueOfficial Ghost, so it is a god that removes worries; yet it can also remove官星, so it is also a god that harms official positions. Therefore, when divining about other matters, seeing theChildren Line is a good omen, but when divining about official positions, it is most feared.

用神，即前各類之用神也。元神，生用神之神即為元神。忌神克用神之爻也。仇神者克元神而生忌神也。

This chapter introduces the four key elements in divination. The "useful god" refers to the line determined in the previous chapter based on the person and matter being consulted. Any line that generates the useful god is called the "origin god," which is the source of the useful god. If the origin god is strong, the useful god has support. Any line that restrains the useful god is called the "hostile god," which is the opponent of the useful god. There is another type of line that restrains the origin god while also generating the hostile god, causing trouble from both sides; this is called the "enemy god." The relationship among these four can be remembered as follows: the enemy god restrains the origin god and generates the hostile god, the hostile god restrains the useful god, and the origin god generates the useful god. When a hexagram is obtained, first identify the useful god, then check whether the origin god is strong, whether the hostile god is restrained, and whether the enemy god appears. The overall fortune or misfortune is thus determined.

例：辰月戊申日占父近病，得乾為天變天小畜。 父母戌土′世　妻財卯木′ 兄弟申金′　官鬼巳火′ 官鬼午火′　動　父母未土″應 父母辰土′應　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　子孫子水′世 一人持此卦而問余曰：近病逢沖即愈。此卦乃係六沖，但父病之甚，再爾看愈於何日？餘說此卦辰土、未土、戌土三重父母爻，當擇其旺者而用之，今辰土父母臨月建，即用辰土為用神，目下病重者，乃因申日沖寅木而暗動，木動以克辰土。彼問：卦中午火發動，寅木雖動，不克辰土。余曰：午火雖動化出未土，午與未合，午未相合不生辰土，所以此辰土單受寅木之克，不得午火之生，故此病體沉重，須待丑日沖去未土而午火無合，其土災退。果於丑日起床。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Wu Shen (戊申) in the month of Chen (辰), someone consulted about a new illness his father had recently acquired. He cast the hexagram Qian (Heaven) changing into Xiao Xu (Wind Heaven). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the parents in the earth element Wu (戌土), the fifth line is the siblings in the metal element Shen (申金), the fourth line is the official ghost in the fire element Wu (午火) which is moving, the third line is the parents in the earth element Chen (辰土) which is the responding line, the second line is the wife's wealth in the wood element Yin (寅木), and the first line is the son in the water element Zi (子水). The fourth line, the fire element Wu (午火), moves and changes into the parents in the earth element Wei (未土). The diviner took the hexagram to the Wild Crane Elder and asked: the book says that a new illness encountering the six clashes is good, and this hexagram Qian (Heaven) is exactly a hexagram of the six clashes. However, his father's illness is very serious. Please look again to see on which day the illness will recover. The Wild Crane Elder replied: when divining about a father's illness, the parents' line is taken as the useful god. In this hexagram, there are three layers of parents: the earth element Chen (辰土), the changed earth element Wei (未土), and the top line earth element Wu (戌土). We should choose the one that is most vigorous. Now the earth element Chen (辰土) is the parents, which is in the month of Chen (辰), and is in the month builder position, so we take the third line earth element Chen (辰土) as the useful god. The reason the illness is severe is that on the day of Wu Shen (戊申), the metal element Shen (申金) clashes with the wood element Yin (寅木), which is still quiet but is clashed, becoming a covert movement. The wood element moves and then attacks the earth element Chen (辰土), causing the useful god to be injured, hence the illness is serious. The diviner asked again: the fourth line, the fire element Wu (午火), is clearly moving. Fire can generate earth, so even if the wood element Yin (寅木) moves, it should not be able to attack the earth element Chen (辰土), right? The Wild Crane Elder answered: although the fire element Wu (午火) is moving, it changes into the earth element Wei (未土). The fire element Wu (午火) and the earth element Wei (未土) are exactly compatible. The moving line is bound by this compatibility, so it is blocked and cannot generate the earth element Chen (辰土). Therefore, the earth element Chen (辰土) is only attacked by the wood element Yin (寅木), and does not receive support from the fire element Wu (午火), which is why the illness is so severe. It will only be until the day of Chou (丑), when Chou (丑) clashes with the earth element Wei (未土), and the fire element Wu (午火) is no longer bound, it can then generate the earth element, and the illness will naturally subside. Later, the father indeed recovered on the day of Chou (丑).

元神雖生用神，須要旺相，方可生得用神。元神能生用神者有五：元神旺相或臨日月或日月動爻生扶者一也。元神動化回頭生及化進神者二也。元神長生帝旺於日辰三也。元神與忌神同動四也。元神旺動臨空化空五也。占以臨空化空為無用，非也。殊不知動不為空，皆應沖空實空之日而有用也。故以為吉能生用神，此五者乃有力之用神也，諸占皆吉。

The original god (元神) is the line that generates the useful god (用神), but it itself must be prosperous and strong (旺相) in order to genuinely generate the useful god. There are five situations where the original god can indeed generate the useful god: First, the original god itself is prosperous and strong, or it is exactly on the day branch (日辰) or month builder (月建), or it is supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line (动爻). Second, the original god moves and produces a transformed line that generates it back, or it moves and transforms into an advancing god (进神) (such as from Shen to You or Hai to Zi, from weak to strong). Third, the original god is on the day branch and receives "growth" (长生) or "prosperity" (帝旺). Fourth, the original god and the hostile god (忌神) move together—although the hostile god usually harms the useful god, it first generates the original god, thus turning into a continuing mutual generation. Fifth, the original god is prosperous and strong and moves, even if it is in the旬空 or the transformed line after movement is in the旬空. Some people think that being in the旬空 or transforming into the旬空 means it is ineffective, but this is incorrect: know that once a line moves, it is no longer considered empty, and on the day it is冲空 or filled, it still has power. Therefore, this situation is still considered favorable, and the original god can still generate the useful god. The above five situations are all powerful original gods, and they are favorable for any matter.

例：酉月辛亥日占求財得兌為澤卦變雷水解卦： 父母未土″世　父母戌土″ 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″應 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 父母丑土″應　官鬼午火″ 妻財卯木′　父母辰土′世 官鬼巳火′　動　妻財寅木″ 斷曰：寅日得見財，亦如心。彼曰：卯木妻財爻空而月破，又被金克，初爻巳火官雖生世，亥日沖散又化旬空何以為吉。余曰：神兆機於動，餘從來不言散，正因巳火化空，所以目下不見，待甲寅日出空而相見。寅木之財以生官，官來生世，果於寅日早見木日得財。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Xinhai in the month of You, someone sought fortune and cast the hexagram Dui (Hexagram 58) changing into Xie (Hexagram 40). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in the earth (the world line), the fifth line is siblings in metal (which is moving), the fourth line is children in water, the third line is parents in earth (the response line), the second line is wealth in wood, and the first line is official ghost in fire (which is moving). The two moving lines change into siblings in metal and wealth in wood. The Wild Crane Elder said: On the day of Yin, wealth will be seen and it will be satisfactory. The person who asked the question was not convinced, saying: The second line, which is wealth in wood, is in the旬空 and is also being冲 by the month of You, making it the month breaker, and it is also being overcome by the moving line of siblings in metal. Although the first line, official ghost in fire, generates the world line, it is directly冲 by the day of Hai, which breaks it up. Moreover, the wood generated by it is also in the旬空. How can this be considered auspicious? The Wild Crane Elder replied: The mechanism of the hexagram is revealed through the moving lines. I never talk about the concept of being broken up by冲. Because the moving line of official ghost in fire generates wood in the旬空, the wealth is not yet visible. When the day of Jiayin comes and the wood comes out of the旬空, the wealth will appear. On that day, the wealth in wood will generate the official ghost in fire, which in turn will generate the world line, and the wealth will naturally be obtained. Later, indeed, on the day of Yin, wealth was seen early that day, and on that day, which was a day of wood, wealth was obtained.

元神雖現又有不能生用神者有六：元神休囚，不動或動而休囚又被傷克者一也。元神休囚又逢自空、月破二也。元神休囚動化退神三也。元神衰而又絕四也。元神入三墓五也。元神休囚動而化絕、化克、化破、化散六也。以上元神無力生用神，無用之元神也，雖有如無。

The origin god appears in the hexagram but fails to support the useful god in six situations: First, the origin god is weak and confined, or is quiet and unmoving, or although it moves, it remains weak and confined and is harmed by other lines. Second, the origin god is weak and confined, and at the same time falls into "ten-day emptiness" or meets "month breaker." Third, the origin god is weak and confined but moves, yet transforms into "retreating god" (such as from You to Shen, or Zi to Hai, becoming weaker as it changes). Fourth, the origin god is already weak and meets "end" position. Fifth, the origin god enters "three graves" — that is, enters the day's grave, enters the grave of the moving line, or moves itself into its own grave. Sixth, the origin god is weak and confined but moves, yet transforms into "end," transforms into "overcoming," transforms into "breaking," or transforms into "scattering." These six situations are all weak origin gods; although they appear in the hexagram, they are effectively nonexistent.

忌神動而克害用神者有五：忌神旺相或遇日月動爻生扶或臨日月者一也。忌神動化回頭生扶退神者二也。忌神旺動動臨空化空三也。忌神長生帝旺與日辰四也。忌神與仇神同動五也。以上之忌神者如斧戟之忌神，諸占大凶。忌神雖動，不能克用神者有七：忌神休囚不動，而動休囚被日、月動爻克者一也。忌神靜臨空破二也。忌神入三墓三也。忌神衰動化退神四也。忌神衰而又絕五也。忌神動化絕化破、化克、化散六也。忌神與元神同動七也。此忌神者乃無力之忌神也，諸占化凶為吉。以上論元神、忌神之有力、無力者，亦要用神有氣，倘若用神無根謂之元神有力亦難生，忌神無力何足喜。

When theHostile God is activated and truly capable of harming theUseful God, there are five situations: First, theHostile God is prosperous and strong, or is supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, or itself is adjacent to the day branch or month builder. Second, theHostile God is activated and the changing line supports or strengthens it, even if it turns into a retreating god, it still has strength. Third, theHostile God is strong and activated, even if it falls into an empty position or transforms into an empty position. Fourth, theHostile God gains growth or prosperity on the day branch. Fifth, theHostile God and theEnemy God are both activated—since theEnemy God generates theHostile God, theHostile God becomes even more harmful. These five situations are like sharp axes and long spears, indicating great misfortune in any divination. Conversely, when theHostile God is activated but cannot harm theUseful God, there are seven situations: First, theHostile God is weak and inactive, or although activated, it remains weak and is overcome by the day branch, month builder, or moving line. Second, theHostile God is quiet and falls into an empty position or meets the month breaker. Third, theHostile God enters one of the three tombs. Fourth, theHostile God is weak and transforms into a retreating god. Fifth, theHostile God is weak and meets a dead end. Sixth, theHostile God is activated and transforms into a dead end, a broken position, a harmful position, or a dispersing position. Seventh, theHostile God and theOrigin God are both activated, and theHostile God first generates theOrigin God, which then generates theUseful God, resulting in a favorable outcome. These seven situations are weakHostile God, and any divination can turn misfortune into good fortune. However, it should be noted that the above discussion about the strength or weakness of theOrigin God andHostile God is based on theUseful God having vitality. If theUseful God itself has no root, then even the strongestOrigin God cannot support it; if theUseful God has no salvation, what is the point of theHostile God being weak?

例：巳月乙未日自占病得澤風大過變火風鼎卦： 妻財未土″　動　子孫巳火′ 官鬼酉金′　動　妻財未土″應 父母亥水′世　官鬼酉金′ 官鬼酉金′　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　父母亥水′世 妻財丑土″應　妻財丑土″ 自占病世爻亥水為用神，被未土忌神動而克水，幸得酉金元神亦動，忌神未土反生元神之酉金，金生亥水，接續相生，化凶而為吉。其如亥水月沖日克，值月破而被克，雖有生扶生之不起，如樹無根，寒谷不回春也。果卒於癸卯日，應卯日者沖去元神之日也。此謂之用神無根，元神有力亦難生。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Yiwei (Yi-Wu) in the month of Si, someone divined their own illness, and the hexagram drawn was Da Guo (Hexagram 28) changing to Ding (Hexagram 50). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is wife wealth You soil (moving), the fifth line is official ghost You metal (moving), the fourth line is parents Hai water (world line), the third line is official ghost You metal, the second line is parents Hai water, and the first line is wife wealth Chou soil (response line). The two moving lines change into children Si fire and wife wealth Wei soil. When divining one's illness, the world line is taken as the useful god. The world line is the fourth line, Hai water. The top line, Wei soil, is the hostile god, which is moving and thus attacks the Hai water. Fortunately, the fifth line, You metal, the origin god, is also moving. Therefore, the hostile god Wei soil first generates the origin god You metal, which in turn generates the Hai water. This continuous mutual generation turns a potential bad situation into a good one. This is exactly the pattern mentioned earlier, "the hostile god and origin god move together." Unfortunately, the useful god, Hai water, is in the month of Si, and is attacked by the month builder, resulting in "month breaker." It is also attacked by the soil of the day, Wei, leading to being broken and attacked again. Even with the origin god supporting it, it cannot be saved. It is like a tree that has already lost its roots, and the cold valley can never return to spring. The person died on the day of Guimao. The prediction came true on the day of Mao, because Mao and You are in opposition, and that day was when the origin god You metal was attacked. This hexagram is called "the useful god has no root, even with a strong origin god it cannot be generated."

金生水、水生木、木生火、火生土、土生金。凡用神、元神宜於逢生，月建生、日建生，動爻生、動化回頭生。如卯月己卯日弟占兄已得重罪，叩問能救否。得復之震： 子孫酉金″　兄弟戌土″世 妻財亥水″　子孫申金″ 兄弟丑土″應　動　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土″　兄弟辰土″應 官鬼寅木″　官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′世　妻財子水′ 兄弟爻為用神，丑土兄動日月克之，明現大罪難脫，幸得兄爻丑土化午火父母回頭相生，斷曰：速速行之。父母化兄爻相生為吉，後蒙恩免死。

The order of mutual generation among the Five Phases is: metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal. Whenever the Useful God and the Origin God are involved, it is favorable for them to be generated by something else. The sources of generation can come from four directions: being generated by the Month Builder, being generated by the Day Branch, being generated by a moving line within the hexagram, or being generated by the line itself changing and generating back to itself. Here is an example of a real case: in the month of卯 (Mao) and on the day ofJimao (Jimao), someone consulted a hexagram on behalf of his elder brother, who had been sentenced to a serious crime. He asked if the sentence could be overturned. The hexagram cast was Fu (Hexagram 24) (Fu, Hexagram 24) changing to Zhen (Hexagram 51) (Zhen, Hexagram 51). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is theChildren酉金 (Children酉 Gold), the fifth line is theWealth亥水 (Wealth亥 Water), the fourth line is theSiblings丑土 (Siblings丑 Earth) (which is the Response Line and has moved), the third line is theSiblings辰土 (Siblings辰 Earth), the second line is theOfficial Ghost寅木 (Official Ghost寅 Wood), and the first line is theWealth子水 (Wealth子 Water) (the World Line). The moving line is the丑土 (丑 Earth) changing into theParents午火 (Parents午 Fire). In this case, the matter concerning the elder brother uses the brothers' line as the Useful God, and the Useful God is the丑土 (丑 Earth). At this time, the month and day are both卯 (Mao), so wood and earth are in mutual control. The Day Branch and the Month Builder both attack the丑土 (丑 Earth), clearly indicating that the serious crime is hard to avoid. Fortunately, the丑土 (丑 Earth) has moved and changed into the父母午火 (Parents午 Fire), which generates back to itself, thus generating the brothers' line. Fire generates earth, so there is a way to save the situation. The Wild Crane Elder therefore said: hurry to make efforts to save him. The parents' line changing into something that generates the brothers' line is a favorable sign. Any matters related to documents, elders, or favors can be resolved. Later, it was indeed found that he was pardoned and escaped the death penalty.

金克木、木克土、土克水、水克火、火克金。凡忌神、仇宜於逢克，月克、日克、動爻克用神、化回頭克，此四者用神、元神俱逢一克，他處不見生扶者，則為凶兆。占吉事樂極生悲，占凶事須宜急急迴避。如卯月戊寅日占父官事已擬重罪得澤地萃卦變天火同人： 父母未土″　動　父母戌土′應 兄弟酉金′應　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　動　子孫亥水′世 官鬼巳火″世　父母丑土″ 父母未土″　動　妻財卯木′ 外卦未土父母，卯月克之，內卦亥卯未合成木局又相剋制，月剋日刑全無助，果至重刑。

The order of mutual control among the Five Phases is: metal controls wood, wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, and fire controls metal. Both the Hostile God and the Enemy God are favorable when they are controlled. Conversely, the four sources of control are: the Month Builder controlling, the Day Branch controlling, the moving line in the hexagram controlling the Useful God, and the Useful God itself activating and the changing line controlling back. If the Useful God or the Origin God is controlled by any of these, and there is no generation or support elsewhere, it is an omen of misfortune. When predicting good fortune, it will turn into sorrow; when predicting danger, one should avoid it immediately. Here is an example: in the month of卯 (Mao) and on the day ofWuyin (Wuyin), someone consulted the hexagram for a case involving his father. His father had already been charged with a serious crime. The hexagram drawn was Cui (Hexagram 45) changing to Tong Ren (Hexagram 13). From top to bottom, the hexagram is: the top line is the parent in the earth phase (未土) which is activated, the fifth line is the sibling in the metal phase (酉金) which is the response line, the fourth line is the child in the water phase (亥水), the third line is the wealth in the wood phase (卯木) which is activated, the second line is the official ghost in the fire phase (巳火) which is the world line, and the first line is the parent in the earth phase (未土) which is activated. For the father, the parent line is the Useful God. The parent in the earth phase (未土) at the top of the outer trigram is being controlled by the wood of the month of卯 (Mao). Inside the hexagram, the branches亥 (Hai), 卯 (Mao), and 未 (Wei) form a wood trinity, which also controls the earth. The Useful God is surrounded on all sides by control. There is control from the Month Builder and a conflict from the day ofWuyin (Wuyin). There is no place where the Useful God is supported or assisted. Later, the father was indeed sentenced to a severe punishment.

同日妹占兄官事同此一案亦擬重罪得天地否變天水訟： 父母戌土′應　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′世 妻財卯木″世　官鬼午火″ 官鬼巳火″　動　父母辰土′ 父母未土″　妻財寅木″應 申金兄爻為用神，巳火鬼動，刑剋申金，重罪定矣。幸喜辰日沖動戌土父母暗動生申，克處逢生，若有父母可以救之，後因父年八十，援例恩留免死。

On the same day, another younger sister cast a divination for her brother on the same case, and the brother was also charged with a serious crime. The hexagram cast was "Heaven and Earth in Opposition" changing to "Heaven and Water in Contention." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was parents in the earth dog (戌土), the fifth line was siblings in the monkey (申金), the fourth line was official ghost in the horse (午火), the third line was wife wealth in the rabbit (卯木) (world line), the second line was official ghost in the snake (巳火) (in motion), and the first line was parents in the goat (未土). For the brother, the siblings line was the useful god, and the useful god was the fifth line, the monkey (申金). The second line, the snake (巳火) official ghost, was in motion. The snake and the monkey both harmed and controlled each other, with fire controlling metal, and the serious crime had already been decided. Fortunately, the day was the day of the dragon (辰), which clashed with the戌土 on the top line, causing the戌土 parents to move covertly. The moving earth generated metal, allowing the useful god to be controlled but also supported, which is called "control with a chance of support." Moreover, the covert movement was of the parents line, indicating there was a chance of help from an elder. Later, it was indeed found that because his father was already eighty years old, they appealed according to the established practice of supporting and caring for parents, and he was granted mercy and his death sentence was commuted.

聖人作易，令人趨吉避凶，未卜而不知者，是大數也，卜之而神不告，亦大數也，既已卜之，神己先之，明知故犯者，亦不可盡委之於數也、命也。

The sages created the Book of Changes so that people could seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. If a person does not consult divination and thus does not know that something bad is going to happen, it is due to heaven's decree. If they do consult divination but the divine does not clearly reveal the outcome, that is also due to heaven's decree. However, once divination has been performed and the signs have already been shown, if a person still deliberately ignores them and rushes into danger, the result cannot be entirely blamed on 'heavenly decree' or 'fate'. The Wild Crane Elder's words are a reminder to readers that the value of divination lies in the willingness to change after the divination. If a bad omen is foretold but the person refuses to avoid it, the responsibility lies with the person, not with heaven.

受此處之克，得他處之生，即為克處逢生。大凡用神、元神克少生多為吉。忌神者以克少生多為凶，所以忌神宜克不宜生也。如辰月丙申日占弟癌症業已臨危得既濟卦變革卦： 兄弟子水″應　官鬼未土″ 官鬼戌土′　父母酉金′ 父母申金″　動　兄弟亥水′世 兄弟亥水′世　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　子孫卯木′應 斷日：月建辰土雖克亥水，兄弟賴申日以生之，又得動爻相生，臨危有救，果於本日酉時遇名醫救活也，至巳亥日以全生。

In a situation where one place is being overcome, another place may be generating, which is called "overcoming met with generation." Generally speaking, when the useful god and the origin god have more generation than overcoming, it is considered auspicious; however, for the hostile god, having more generation than overcoming is actually inauspicious, so the hostile god should be overcome rather than generated. Here is an example of a real divination case: In the month of辰 with a day ofBingshen, someone consulted about his brother's illness, and the brother was in critical condition. The hexagram drawn was Ji Ji (Hexagram 63) changing to Ge (Hexagram 49). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers' water (response line), the fifth line was official ghost戌 earth, the fourth line was parents申 metal (which was moving), the third line was brothers亥 water (world line), the second line was official ghost丑 earth, and the first line was sons卯 wood; the moving line申 metal transformed into brothers亥 water. For consulting about the brother, the brothers' line was taken as the useful god, specifically the third line亥 water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: Although the earth of the month of辰 overcomes the water of亥, on this day it is the day of申, and the metal of申 can generate the water of亥; the fourth line申 metal in the hexagram also moves to generate it. Thus, one day of辰 and one moving line of two generations, even though in a critical condition, there is a chance of salvation. Later, on the day of酉, the person met a famous doctor and was saved, and by the days of巳 and亥, he fully recovered.

六爻安靜旺相之爻，可以生得休囚之爻，亦可以克得休囚之爻，蓋旺相者有力之人也。例：令春天寅卯月占得坤卦。 子孫酉金″世 妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木″應 父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″ 如占父母巳火為父母，三爻之卯木當春旺相能生巳火，父母既逢春，木相生，父旺能克子孫。如占子孫，子孫衰矣。春木當令能克丑未，二土臨兄弟，如占兄弟謂之休囚無氣，餘仿此。

When all six lines of a hexagram are still, the line that is prosperous and strong can still generate or control the moving or weak lines. This is because a prosperous and strong line is like a strong person who can exert influence even without moving. For example, if one divines in the spring month of寅 (Yin) or卯 (Mao) and gets the hexagram of Kun (Earth), the six lines from top to bottom are: the top line is theChildren (children)酉金 (You Jin), the fifth line isWealth (wealth)亥水 (Hai Shui), the fourth line isSiblings (siblings)丑土 (Chou Tu), the third line isOfficial Ghost (official ghost)卯木 (Mao Mu) (response line), the second line isParents (parents)巳火 (Si Huo), and the first line isSiblings (siblings)未土 (Wei Tu), all six lines are still. If the question is about the parents, then the second line巳火 (Si Huo) is the useful god. The third line卯木 (Mao Mu) is prosperous and strong in spring, and wood can generate fire, so the parents line is strengthened. The parents, having been generated by the spring wood, become strong and then go on to control the gold, thus the top line酉金 (You Jin) is injured. Therefore, in the same hexagram, if the question is about the children, the children line is actually weak. Looking again, in spring, wood is in command and can control earth. The two earth lines丑土 (Chou Tu) and未土 (Wei Tu) are siblings and are controlled by the strong wood, so if the question is about the siblings, they are considered weak and without vitality. The same principle applies to other hexagrams.

例：令春占得兌卦變歸妹卦： 父母未土″世　父母戌土″應 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 父母丑土″應　父母丑土″世 妻財卯木′　妻財卯木′ 官鬼巳火′　官鬼巳火′ 酉金發動雖則休囚，動而能克旺相之卯木，卯木當令能克丑未二土，今既木被金傷，亦難克土，餘仿此。

Another example: still in spring, a hexagram is drawn, with Dui (Hexagram 58) changing to Gui Mei (Hexagram 54). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: top line parents wei earth (world line), fifth line brothers you metal (moving), fourth line children hai water, third line parents chou earth (response line), second line wealth mao wood, first line official ghost si fire; the moving line you metal changes into brothers shen metal. In spring, metal is naturally weak and confined, but the fifth line you metal, since it is moving, has strength and can still overcome the thriving and strong mao wood. This contrasts with the previous example: a static line gains strength through prosperity, while a moving line gains strength through action. The mao wood is naturally strong and could normally overcome the two earth lines, wei earth and chou earth; but now it is first injured by you metal, leaving it unable to overcome the earth lines. The rest follows the same principle.

卦有動爻，動而必變，夫變出之爻能生克沖合本位之動爻，不能生克他爻，而他爻與本位之動爻，亦不能生克變爻。例：令子月卯日占得坤卦變火地晉： 子孫酉金″世　動　父母巳火′ 妻財亥水″　兄弟未土″ 兄弟丑土″　動　子孫酉金′世 官鬼卯木″應　官鬼卯木″ 父母巳火″　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　兄弟未土″應 酉金發動，酉為動爻，變出巳火，巳為變爻，變爻之巳火能回頭克本位之酉金，並不能克生他爻。四爻之丑土能動而生世爻之酉金，不能生變出之酉金，而變出之酉金亦不能生克他爻。

In a hexagram, when a moving line is activated, it necessarily transforms into a new line. This transformed line can only exert influence on the line it originally belonged to, either by generating, controlling, conflicting or harmonizing with it, and it does not affect any other lines. Similarly, other lines cannot affect this transformed line. For example, in the hexagram "Kun (Earth) changing into 'Fire and Earth' (Jin)", the original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the son's metal (the world line, which is activated), the fifth line is the wife's water, the fourth line is the brother's earth (which is activated), the third line is the official ghost's wood (the responding line), the second line is the parent's fire, and the first line is the brother's earth. The top line transforms into the parent's fire, and the fourth line transforms into the son's metal. The top line, which is the son's metal, is the moving line, and the transformed fire can only control the original metal line, and cannot control or generate any other lines. The fourth line, which is the brother's earth, is activated, and earth generates metal, so it can generate the world line's metal, but it cannot generate the new metal line in the transformed hexagram. The transformed metal line also does not exert any influence on other lines.

然則變爻誰能制之？惟日月能生之、克之、沖之、令之何也？日月如天，能生克動爻、靜爻、變爻、飛爻、伏爻、而諸爻不能傷日月。黃金策曰：爻傷日月，徒受其名。既如此卦子水月建能克世爻變出之巳火。卯為日建能沖變出之酉金是也，餘仿此。

So if the changing line is not subject to the control of other lines, who can restrain it? Only the day branch and the month builder. The day branch and the month builder can generate, overcome, clash with, and restrain the changing line. Why? Because the day and month are like the high heavens, able to generate, overcome, move, and restrain the moving lines, static lines, changing lines, flying gods, and hidden gods. Yet these lines cannot in any way harm the day or month. The Golden Strategies say: if a line seeks to harm the day or month, it can only bring about a reputation without any real effect. Take this hexagram as an example: the Zi water of the Zi month is the month builder, and water overcomes fire, thus overcoming the fire that is the changing line of the world line; the卯 wood of the卯 day is the day builder, and卯 and酉 clash, thus moving the酉 gold that is the fourth line's changing line. All other hexagrams follow this principle.

正月寅為月建，寅木旺，卯木次之。二月卯當月建，卯木旺，寅木次之。正二月木為旺、火為相，其餘金火土作休囚。三月辰為月建辰土旺，丑未之土次之，土生金，金為相，相雖不旺，還有餘氣。其餘俱作休囚，四月巳為月建，巳火旺、午火次之。五月午為月建，午火旺，巳火次之，四五月火為旺，土相其餘俱作休囚。六月未為月建，未土旺，辰戌次之，土生金，金為相，火雖衰，但有餘氣，其餘俱作休囚。七月申為月建，申金旺，酉金次之。八月酉為月建，酉金旺，申金次之。七八月金旺，金生水、水為相，其餘俱作休囚，九月戌為月建，戌土旺，丑未次之，土生金，金為相，其餘俱作休囚。十月亥為月建，亥水旺、子水次之。十一月為月建子水旺、亥水次之。十月十一月水旺，水生木，木為相，其餘俱作休囚。十二月丑為月建，丑土旺，辰戌之土次之，土生金，金為相，水雖衰，還有餘氣，其餘俱作休囚。

This chapter discusses the strength and decline of the Five Phases throughout the four seasons. The rule is simple: when the earthly branch of the month belongs to a certain phase, that phase is considered "旺" (strong), the phase it generates is "相" (auxiliary), and all other phases are considered "休囚" (weak and confined). In the first lunar month, the branch is寅 (Yin), so wood is strongest, and卯 (Mao) wood is secondary; in the second lunar month, the branch is卯 (Mao), so wood is strongest, and寅 (Yin) wood is secondary; in the first and second months, wood is strong and fire is auxiliary, while metal, earth, and water are all weak and confined. In the third lunar month, the branch is辰 (Chen), so earth is strongest, and丑 (Chou) and未 (Wei) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary, although not as strong as the strongest, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. In the fourth lunar month, the branch is巳 (Si), so fire is strongest, and午 (Wu) fire is secondary; in the fifth lunar month, the branch is午 (Wu), so fire is strongest, and巳 (Si) fire is secondary; in the fourth and fifth months, fire is strongest and earth is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the sixth lunar month, the branch is未 (Wei), so earth is strongest, and辰 (Chen) and戌 (Xu) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary; although fire has already declined, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. In the seventh lunar month, the branch is申 (Shen), so metal is strongest, and酉 (You) metal is secondary; in the eighth lunar month, the branch is酉 (You), so metal is strongest, and申 (Shen) metal is secondary; in the seventh and eighth months, metal is strongest, and metal generates water, so water is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the ninth lunar month, the branch is戌 (Xu), so earth is strongest, and丑 (Chou) and未 (Wei) earth are secondary; metal is still auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the tenth lunar month, the branch is亥 (Hai), so water is strongest, and子 (Zi) water is secondary; in the eleventh lunar month, the branch is子 (Zi), so water is strongest, and亥 (Hai) water is secondary; in the tenth and eleventh months, water is strongest, and water generates wood, so wood is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the twelfth lunar month, the branch is丑 (Chou), so earth is strongest, and辰 (Chen) and戌 (Xu) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary; although water has already declined, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. One should note that in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months, which are earth months, the strong phase of the previous season has not yet completely faded, so the text specifically mentions the phrase "still has some residual strength."

月將即是月建又為月令。掌一月之權，司三旬之令。一月三十日內當權得令。操持萬人之提綱，巡察六爻之善惡，能助卦爻之衰弱，能挫爻象之旺強，制服動變之爻，扶起飛伏之用。月將乃當權之帥，萬卜以之為綱領。爻之衰弱者能生之合之、比之、拱之、扶之，衰而亦旺。爻之強旺者能沖之克之、刑之、破之，旺而亦衰。

The "month general" refers to the "month builder," also known as the "month command," which is the earthly branch of the month in divination. It holds authority over the entire month, governing the thirty days of the three weeks. It serves as the overall framework for the entire hexagram, inspecting the good and evil of the six lines. It can support weak lines, restrain overly strong ones, control moving lines and changing lines, and assist hidden or concealed useful gods. The month general is like the commanding general in power, and all divination relies on it as a guideline. For weak lines, it can generate them, harmonize with them, be of the same type as them, support them, or form an arch with them, thus transforming weak lines into strong ones. For strong lines, it can clash with them, overcome them, punish them, or break them, thus turning strong lines into weak ones. Therefore, when examining a hexagram, one should first look at the month builder. Whether the useful god is supported or restrained by the month builder determines half of the fortune's outcome.

卦有變爻剋制動爻者，月建能制變爻。卦有動爻剋制靜爻者，月建亦能制服動爻。用神伏藏被飛神壓住者，月建能沖剋飛神，生助伏神而為用也，爻逢月合而有用，爻逢月破而無功。月建合爻為月合，乃有用之爻也。月建沖爻即為月破，乃無用之爻也。月建不入爻亦為有用，月建一入卦愈見剛強。卦無用神即以月建為用神，不必尋伏神也。月建入卦動而作元神者為福更大，動而作忌神者為禍更深，不入卦者緩之。爻值月建旺相，當謂逢空不空，逢傷無害。古有此說，余試不然，在旬內者畢竟為空。

If there is a changing line that is controlled by the moving line in the hexagram, the month builder can reverse and control the changing line. If a moving line controls a static line, the month builder can also control the moving line. When the useful god is hidden and not visible, and is suppressed by the flying god above, the month builder can overcome the flying god, support the hidden god, and make the hidden god still usable. If a line is in harmony with the month builder, it is called "month harmony," which is a useful line. If a line is attacked by the month builder, it is called "month break," which is an ineffective line. Even if the month builder does not appear in the six lines, its power remains effective. Once the month builder itself appears in the hexagram, that line becomes especially strong. If the useful god is not present in the hexagram at all, use the month builder directly as the useful god, without needing to look for the hidden god. If the month builder appears in the hexagram and moves, and it serves as the origin god, it brings greater fortune; if it serves as the hostile god, it brings greater misfortune. If the month builder does not appear in the hexagram, its power is weaker. There is also an old saying: if a line is in a prosperous and strong state with the month builder, even if it is in the empty period, it is not considered empty, and even if it is attacked, it is not a problem. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have tested this and found it not entirely accurate — as long as it is still within the current period, an empty line is still empty, and it only becomes effective when it moves out of the period.

如寅月庚戌日占求財得火天大有： 官鬼巳火′應 父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′ 父母辰土′世 妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′ 斷曰：寅木財爻為用神，財爻克世，此財必得，但目下尚空，要到甲寅日出空可得。果於甲寅得之。若以逢空不空非也。若在旬內還作空亡，待出旬不為空也。

This is a real divination case. The person asked about seeking wealth on the day of Gengxu in the寅 month, and the hexagram drawn was Da You (Hexagram 14), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the Official Ghost of fire (the Response Line), the fifth line is the Parents of earth, the fourth line is the Brothers of metal, the third line is the Parents of earth (the World Line), the second line is the Wealth of wood, and the first line is the Son of water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted it, saying: when seeking wealth, the Wealth line is the Useful God, so take the second line, the wood of寅. Wood overcomes earth, and the Wealth line is directly overcoming the World Line. Whenever the Wealth line overcomes the World Line, it indicates that wealth will certainly be obtained. Therefore, this wealth will definitely be obtained. However, the wood of寅 is still within the旬空, and it will only be available on the day of Jiayin. Later, the wealth was indeed obtained on the day of Jiayin. This hexagram is a good example to refute old sayings: some people say that when a line is at the month builder, it is not considered empty. Since the wood of寅 is the month builder of the寅 month, it should have wealth at the moment. But in reality, it is not the case. As long as it is still within the current旬, it is still considered empty. It is only when it has passed this旬 that it is no longer considered empty.

逢空不空終非落底之空，逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。所以用神逢空，勿即指為空，畢竟為空。但此空者乃目下旬內之空也，待至出空之日則不空也。作忌神者出而為禍，作元神者出而不為福，非比休囚之真空到底而為空也。爻值月建乃為旺矣，或被他爻所克，即謂之逢傷，占病者目下不愈，占事者目下不成，待至沖去傷爻之日則不受其傷矣，病者必愈、事必成。故曰：逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。

From this we can establish two lines of mnemonic: "When encountering an empty position, it is not truly empty," meaning that this kind of emptiness is not complete emptiness; "When encountering a damaging position, it is also damaging," meaning that although there is damage now, there is still a potential for future effectiveness. Therefore, if the useful god falls into an empty position, do not immediately conclude it is useless, but it is indeed empty at present—this emptiness is only within this ten-day period. When the emptiness is over, it is no longer empty. If it is a hostile god, on the day the emptiness ends, it will cause trouble; if it is the origin god, on the day the emptiness ends, it will bring benefit. This is completely different from the "true emptiness" of being weak and confined, which is truly entirely empty. Similarly, when a line is in the month builder position, it is considered prosperous and strong, but if it is restrained by another line, it is called "encountering damage": in divination about illness, the illness will not recover immediately; in divination about affairs, the affair will not succeed immediately. However, on the day when the line that restrains it is removed, it is no longer restrained, and the patient will recover, the affair will succeed. Therefore, it is said, "Encountering damage is also damaging, but it has potential for future effectiveness."

如酉月丙寅日占謁貴得山風蠱變山水蒙： 兄弟寅木′應　兄弟寅木′ 父母子水″　父母子水″ 妻財戌土″　妻財戌土″世 官鬼酉金′世　動　子孫午火″ 父母亥水′　妻財辰土′ 妻財丑土″　兄弟寅木″應 世臨月建之官，定得面見，但被午火回頭之克，須待子日沖去午火方得拜謁，果得見於丙子日，故曰逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bingyin (丙寅) in the month of You (酉), someone asked if they would meet a nobleman. The hexagram cast was Gu (山风蛊) changing into Meng (山水蒙). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers yin wood (response line), the fifth line was parents zi water, the fourth line was wife's wealth xu earth, the third line was official ghost you metal (world line, which was active), the second line was parents hai water, and the first line was wife's wealth chou earth; the world line you metal transformed into children wu fire. The world line was an official ghost, and it was in the month of You, the month builder, so it was prosperous and strong, thus definitely meeting the nobleman. Unfortunately, after it became active, it transformed into wu fire, which was fire overcoming metal, a case of 'self-overcoming', causing it to be injured at present, so the meeting could not take place. It must wait until the day of Bingzi (丙子), when zi and wu are in opposition, to remove the wu fire, then the meeting can happen. Later, the person indeed met the nobleman on the day of Bingzi. This is a true example of 'meeting injury also causes injury, but there is a time when it can be used'.

日絕、日沖、日克，須察別位有生扶。化絕、化墓、化克，又怕他爻增制克。爻值月建，墓於日或日建沖剋者可以敵之，無吉無凶之象，倘得他爻又動相扶者為吉兆。恐他爻又來剋制用神，雖臨月建，亦難敵也。

If the useful god is on the day branch and meets its decline, or is clashed with or controlled by the day branch, one should check if there is another line that generates and supports it. If the useful god is activated and turns into decline, enters its tomb, or is controlled by itself, then one should fear another line adding another layer of control. Specifically, if a line is already strong due to the month builder, even if it enters its tomb or is clashed with or controlled by the day branch, it can still withstand the month builder's strength, resulting in an outcome that is neither particularly good nor bad. If at this time another line is activated to support it, then it turns into a favorable sign. Conversely, if another line also controls this useful god, then even the strength of the month builder cannot resist the double attack, and it will ultimately be difficult to overcome.

如：寅月丙申日占官之升遷得艮卦變山雷頤： 官鬼寅木′世　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水″　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟戌土″世 子孫申金′應　動　兄弟辰土″ 父母午火″　官鬼寅木″ 兄弟辰土″　動　妻財子水′應 寅木官星持世臨月建而旺相，雖被申日沖剋，喜申子辰合成水局，以生官，不獨無害，定然三月高遷，果於三月升任雲南太守，即升者乃因爻得水局生扶，應三月者辰土出空之月也，應雲南者，世與官星皆在六爻之故耳。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bing Shen (丙申) in the Year of the Tiger (寅月), someone asked about whether a certain official would be promoted. The hexagram drawn was Gen (Geng) as Mountain changing to Yi (Yi) as the Hexagram of Nourishment. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was the Official Ghost (官鬼) of寅 wood (the World Line), the fifth line was the Wealth (妻财) of子 water, the fourth line was the Siblings (兄弟) of戌 earth, the third line was the Children (子孙) of申 gold (the Response Line, which was active), the second line was the Parents (父母) of午 fire, and the first line was the Siblings (兄弟) of辰 earth (which was active). For predicting promotion, the Official Ghost (官鬼) was the useful god (用神). In this hexagram, the Official Ghost was exactly holding the World Line, which was the top line of寅 wood. It also coincided with the Month Builder (月建) of寅 month, thus being prosperous and strong. Although on the day of Bing Shen (丙申), the metal of申 gold clashed and controlled the wood of寅 wood, seemingly unfavorable; however, the metal of申 gold, the water of子 water, and the earth of辰 earth combined to form a water circle (水局), which generated and supported the wood, thus actually supporting the Official Ghost. Therefore, there was no harm, but rather an additional support. Hence, it was predicted that the official would certainly be promoted in the third lunar month. Later, he indeed was promoted to the position of Governor of Yunnan. The reason for the promotion was that the Official Ghost received support from the water circle. The reason for the timing in the third lunar month was that the first line of辰 earth was just out of the旬空 (a period of emptiness). The reason for Yunnan was that both the World Line and the Official Ghost were in the sixth line, which is the position of distant lands.

又如：午月丁未日占弟被訟吉凶得困卦變雷風恆卦。 父母未土″　父母戌土″應 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″ 子孫亥水′應　官鬼午火′ 官鬼午火″　動　兄弟酉金′世 父母辰土′　子孫亥水′ 妻財寅木″世　父母丑土″ 酉金兄爻為用神，午月克之，未日生之，可以相敵，但不宜又動出午火相剋，正所謂最怕他爻增剋制。彼問有害否？余曰：午火為月建動於卦中，謂之入卦者更見剛強，又謂之月建作忌神，為禍不淺，大凶之象，又問凶在何時？余曰：酉金兄爻化退神，今歲辰年太歲相合，自是無妨，恐退至申年而無路矣，果於本年下獄至申年而重刑。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingwei (丁未) in the month of Wu (午), someone consulted about the fortune of his younger brother being involved in legal trouble. The hexagram drawn was Kun (泽水困) changing into Heng (雷风恒). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the father's earth (父母未土), the fifth line is the brother's metal (兄弟酉金, which is active), the fourth line is the son's water (子孙亥水, which is the response line), the third line is the official ghost's fire (官鬼午火, which is active), the second line is the father's earth (父母辰土), and the first line is the wife's wood (妻财寅木, which is the world line). For the consultation about the younger brother, the brother's line is taken as the useful god, specifically the fifth line, the brother's metal (酉金). In the month of Wu, fire is strong and can overcome metal, while on the day of Dingwei, earth is strong and can nourish metal. One overcoming and one nourishing can balance each other; the problem arises because the third line also activates another fire (午火) to overcome the metal, which is exactly what was previously warned against: "most dangerous is when another line adds more overcoming." The person consulted asked: is there any harm? The Wild Crane Elder said: this fire is actually the month builder (月建) of this month, and now it appears in the hexagram and is active, which is called "month builder entering the hexagram," making it especially strong. Moreover, it is the hostile god (忌神), causing great harm, indicating a major凶 (dangerous situation). Another question was asked: when will the danger occur? The answer was: the fifth line, the brother's metal (酉金), which is active, transforms into shen metal (申金), which is the retreating god (退神), already gradually retreating. This year is the year of Chen (辰), and Chen combines with酉 (the fifth line), so it is restrained by the sovereign year (太岁), so for now there is no harm. However, fear comes when it retreats to the year of Shen (申), then there will be no way out. Later, indeed, the younger brother was imprisoned that year and received a severe sentence in the year of Shen.

天象吉者從斯而泰，天象凶者出月遭殃。克少生多者天象吉也，克多生少者天象凶也。天象雖凶，在月內還許不礙，出此月而受其殃。用神遇之得福不輕，忌神逢之得禍不淺，此言用神臨月建而用神休囚無救者諸占皆凶。

If the overall structure of the hexagram is favorable, then things will go smoothly; if the overall structure is unfavorable, misfortune will occur as soon as the month is over. How do we distinguish between favorable and unfavorable structures? When there are few instances of overcoming and many instances of generating, it is a favorable sign; when there are many instances of overcoming and few instances of generating, it is an unfavorable sign. What is important is: even if the structure is unfavorable, as long as it is still within this month, with the help of the month builder, it may not cause trouble. Once the month is over, misfortune will come. Furthermore, the effect of the month builder: if the useful god is supported by the month builder, good fortune will be great; if the hostile god is supported by the month builder, misfortune will be severe. Conversely, if the month builder falls on the side of the hostile god, and the useful god is weak and confined without any support, then anything predicted will be unfavorable.

生扶忌神乃助惡而為虐，剋制用神乃邀路而截糧。忌神克害用神得月建剋制忌神者名為有救。若月建反生忌神者助惡為虐也。如用神得元神之生，月建又生元神吉而又吉，倘月建剋制元神者如劫神強奪食也。物窮則變，器滿則傾。用神衰遇時則發，即如用神臨火，冬占不旺，等到春來則旺矣，謂之物窮則變，又如正月占卦，用神臨寅木月建謂之大旺，若到秋季遇金沖剋不無破敗，故謂之器滿則傾。

The Moon Builder (month builder) supporting and nurturing the Hostile God (忌神) is like helping a wicked person commit a crime; the Moon Builder restraining the Useful God (用神) is like intercepting a supply route halfway. Therefore, when the Hostile God is already harming the Useful God, if the Moon Builder instead restrains the Hostile God, it is called "having help"; if the Moon Builder instead supports the Hostile God, it is aiding evil. Similarly, if the Useful God is already being supported by the Origin God (元神), and the Moon Builder also supports the Origin God, it is a double blessing; but if the Moon Builder instead restrains the Origin God, it is like a robber taking away the food right in front of you. Additionally, one must understand two sayings: "When things reach an extreme, they change; when a vessel is full, it will tip over." When the Useful God is currently weak, it will become strong when it reaches its season—such as when the Useful God is fire, and it is not strong in winter, but when spring comes and the wood becomes strong, it will generate fire and become strong, which is called "extreme conditions lead to reversal." Conversely, if in the first lunar month, the Useful God is in the position of the寅 wood, which is the current month builder, it is considered very strong; but when it reaches autumn and the metal becomes strong, the metal will clash and restrain it, inevitably leading to failure, which is called "when a vessel is full, it will tip over." Divination should not only look at the current strength and weakness, but also consider its future changes and growth.

如：寅月丁酉日占開鋪面得艮卦變明夷卦。 官鬼寅木′世　動　子孫酉金″ 妻財子水″　妻財亥水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟丑土″世 子孫申金′應　妻財亥水′ 父母午火″　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土″　動　官鬼卯木′應 世臨寅木得令，當時目下開張，即許熱鬧，獨嫌日辰克世，世化回頭之克，生少克多，又是六沖卦，不吉。彼曰：我是夥計不同心？或是別有他圖？余曰：鬼在身邊須防疾病，夥伴從此變心，受其累，果於六月疾至，八月夥計盜盡。鳴之於官，分文不復。此謂之當時旺相無傷，過時有害。應六月者，木墓於未，夥計變心者，應爻申金秋天當令，而沖剋世爻，財被盜盡者，四爻子財落空亡。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingyou in the寅 month, someone consulted about opening a shop, and the hexagram cast was Gen (Hexagram 52) changing into Ming Yi (Hexagram 36). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the Official Ghost of寅 wood (the World Line, which is active), the fifth line is the Wealth of子 water, the fourth line is the Siblings of戌 earth, the third line is the Children of申 gold (the Response Line), the second line is the Parents of午 fire, and the first line is the Siblings of辰 earth (which is active). The World Line of寅 wood changes into the Children of酉 gold. The World Line of寅 wood is in the寅 month and thus receives the mandate, so the opening of the shop will certainly be lively. However, there is a problem: the酉 gold of the Dingyou day comes to control the World Line, and the World Line being active also changes into酉 gold, which turns back to control it, resulting in more control than support. Moreover, the hexagram Gen (Hexagram 52) itself is a hexagram of six clashes, indicating dispersion, which is generally unfavorable. The person consulted asked: are the assistants not in harmony with me, or is there some other plot? The Wild Crane Elder said: the Official Ghost is attached to the World Line, so one must first be cautious of illness; the partners will change their hearts, and you will be burdened by them. Later, in June, he fell ill, and in August, the assistants stole all the goods, and when they were reported to the authorities, nothing could be recovered. This is called "at the time of prosperity and strength, there is no harm, but after the time, there is harm." The occurrence in June is because the wood is buried in the earth of未; the assistants changing their hearts is because the Response Line of申 gold becomes dominant in autumn and clashes with the World Line; the complete theft of the wealth is because the wife's wealth of子 water is exactly in the旬空.

逢絕不絕，逢沖不散，日生月克，兼看生扶，日克月生，兼查沖剋。月將當權，其能衰絕？旺相如剛，其能沖散？月剋日生遇幫而愈旺，月生日克逢他削而亦衰。如午月戊辰日占妹臨產吉凶得火地晉： 官鬼巳火′ 父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′世 妻財卯木″ 官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″應 酉金兄爻為用神，月令克之，日建生之，許之無礙，卯日卯時必生，果於次日卯時生，母子平安，應卯時者，酉金與辰日相合。黃金策曰：若逢合住，必待沖開，此月克而日生，無增剋制或幫扶也。

Another few lines of mnemonic: When a line is at the month's builder, it is said "when met, it does not break; when clashed, it does not scatter." If the day branch generates and the month builder controls, one should check elsewhere for any generation or support. If the day branch controls and the month builder generates, one should check elsewhere for any clash or control. Since the month general is in charge, how can it be weak or dead? A prosperous and strong line is hard as iron, how can it be scattered by a clash? However, if the month controls and the day generates, and another line supports, it becomes even more prosperous. If the month generates and the day controls, and another line weakens it, it will still turn weak. Here is a real case: In the month of午 (Fire), on the day of戊辰 (Wuchen), someone divined the fortune of his sister's childbirth, and the hexagram came out as Fire on Earth (Jin), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the top line was the official ghost of巳 (Fire), the fifth line was the parents of未 (Earth), the fourth line was the siblings of酉 (Metal) (the world line), the third line was the wife's wealth of卯 (Wood), the second line was the official ghost of巳 (Fire), and the first line was the parents of未 (Earth) (the response line). For the sister's childbirth, the siblings line was taken as the useful god, which was the fourth line酉 (Metal). In the month of午 (Fire), fire controls metal, and on the day ofWuchen (Wuchen), earth generates metal. One control and one generation are exactly balanced, so it was predicted that there would be no hindrance, and the time of childbirth was predicted to be on卯 (Wood) day and卯 (Wood) hour. Later, she indeed gave birth the next day at卯 (Wood) hour, and both mother and child were safe. The prediction of卯 (Wood) hour is because the酉 (Metal) line was tied by the combination with辰 (Earth) day, and it could not be released until卯 (Wood) came to clash and open it. The Golden Strategies say "if a combination holds, it must wait for a clash to open," which is exactly this meaning. In this case, the month controlled and the day generated, and there was neither additional control nor support elsewhere, so the prediction was based solely on the balance between one control and one generation.

子水、丑土、寅木、卯木、辰土、巳火、午火、未土、申金、酉金、戌土、亥水。日辰為六爻之主宰，司四時之旺相。前章言：月令司三旬之令，令於春則生，令於秋則殺，春夏秋冬各令其時，獨日辰不然，四時俱旺，操生殺大權與月建同功。沖旺相之靜爻，既為暗動，沖衰弱之靜爻為日破，爻之旺而靜者沖之則為暗動，愈得其力，爻之衰而靜者，沖之則為日破，愈加無用。沖空即起，沖合即開，爻之衰弱，能生扶合拱，如時雨以滋苗，爻之強旺，能克害刑沖，似秋霜殺草。

The twelve Earthly Branches each correspond to one of the Five Phases: Zi belongs to Water, Chou to Earth, Yin to Wood, Mao to Wood, Chen to Earth, Si to Fire, Wu to Fire, Wei to Earth, Shen to Metal, You to Metal, Xu to Earth, and Hai to Water. The Earthly Branch of the day on which the divination is performed is called the "Day Branch," which is the master of the six lines and controls the prosperity and strength of the four seasons. The previous chapter explained that the monthly ruler only governs one ten-day period; in spring, it governs growth, and in autumn, it governs destruction, with each season having its own time. However, the Day Branch is different; it is always prosperous throughout the four seasons and holds great power over life and death, being as powerful as the monthly ruler. The functions of the Day Branch are as follows: if it conflicts with a prosperous and static line, that line becomes "covert movement"; if it conflicts with a weak and static line, that line becomes "day break." In other words, a prosperous and static line that is conflicted gains even more strength, while a weak and static line that is conflicted becomes even more useless. A line that is empty and is conflicted becomes "active," and a line that is bound by a conjunction and is conflicted becomes "unbound." For a weak line, the Day Branch can generate it, support it, join it, or support it, like timely rain nourishing crops; for a strong line, the Day Branch can overcome it, harm it, punish it, or conflict with it, like autumn frost sweeping away weeds.

爻遇旬空，日辰沖起而有用，謂之沖空則實。逢合住遇日建以沖開，謂之沖合則散。他書有云，爻逢月建日沖而不散，是明知當令，不畏日沖，及至講論禍福不拘旺相休囚，一概俱以散論，最重要者散，獨余屢試不驗，偏不應乎散，“神兆機於動，動則必驗”，不見其散也，旺相者沖之愈強，休囚無氣者，間乎有散，亦百中僅一二也。

If a line is properly placed in the旬空 (a void period), and is then opposed by the day branch, it becomes active, which is called 'the void is made real by opposition'. If a line is bound by a combination, and then opposed by the day branch, the combination is broken, which is called 'the combination is dispersed by opposition'. Other divination books say that a line opposing the month builder will not be dispersed even if opposed by the day branch. This statement is clear in that a line in its season is not afraid of being opposed by the day. However, when these books come to judging fortune and misfortune, they ignore the strength and weakness of the line, and treat 'dispersion' as the most important factor. Only the Wild Crane Elder has repeatedly tested this and found it ineffective, and it does not correspond to the word 'dispersion'. His view is that the mechanism of the卦 (divination chart) is revealed through movement. Once there is movement, there must be a response, and there is no need to consider whether it is dispersed or not. A strong line becomes even stronger when opposed; a weak line is only occasionally dispersed, and this happens only once or twice in a hundred cases.

逢月破而不破，遇沖剋而無傷，似與月建同權，中天日麗，旺相之機。生多克少錦上添花，生少克多，寡不敵眾。既如酉月卯日占卦，爻臨卯木謂之逢破不破，假使爻中有動出申酉之金或卯爻動化申酉，此謂之寡不敵眾，破亦為破，傷亦為傷。餘仿此。

If a line of the hexagram is exactly on the day branch, then even though it meets the month breaker, it is not considered broken. It also does not suffer from clash and control. Its power is almost equal to the month builder. This is like the sun at noon shining brightly in the sky, which is the most prosperous and strong time. At this time, if there are more supportive elements and fewer controlling ones, it is like adding flowers to a beautiful scene. But if there are fewer supportive elements and more controlling ones, it would be like a minority being overwhelmed by the majority. For example, if the hexagram is cast on the day of卯 (Mao) in the month of酉 (You), and there is a line of卯 wood in the hexagram, the month of酉 usually clashes with卯, making it the month breaker. However, since the line is on the day of卯, it is called "meeting the breaker but not being broken." If there are also movements of申 (Shen) metal or酉 (You) metal in the hexagram, or if the卯 line itself moves and transforms into申 or酉, then it is a case of the minority being overwhelmed by the majority — the breaking still occurs and the damage still happens. Other situations follow the same principle.

如申月戊午日占病得天山遁變天風姤： 父母戌土′　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′應　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′應 兄弟申金′　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火″世　動　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土″　父母丑土″世 世爻午火臨日辰，本主旺相，不宜申金月建生亥水回頭克世，卒於亥月。

This is a real divination case. The person consulted on a disease during the month of Shen and day of Wuwu. The hexagram cast was Heaven over Mountain, Dun, changing to Heaven over Wind, Gou. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in earth (Xu earth), the fifth line is siblings in metal (Shen metal) which is the response line, the fourth line is official ghost in fire (Wu fire), the third line is siblings in metal (Shen metal), the second line is official ghost in fire (Wu fire) which is the world line and is active, and the first line is parents in earth (Chen earth). The world line, Wu fire, changes to children in water (Hai water). In self-divination for illness, the world line is the useful god. The world line, Wu fire, is exactly the day branch, Wuwu, so it should be considered prosperous and strong. The problem is that after it becomes active, it changes to Hai water, which is water overcoming fire, forming a self-overcoming aspect. The month builder, Shen month, also supports this Hai water, making the self-overcoming force stronger. Although the day branch is strong, it cannot resist the power of the month builder's support in the self-overcoming aspect. As a result, the person died in the month of Hai, which is the month when Hai water is in command.

又如：巳月亥日占僕何日回得夬卦變履卦： 兄弟未土″　動　兄弟戌土′ 子孫酉金′世　子孫申金′世 妻財亥水′　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土′　動　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼寅木′應　官鬼卯木′應 妻財子水′　父母巳火′ 亥水財爻為用神，亥為月破，臨日建而不破，不宜重疊四重土動以傷之，諺云：雙拳不敵四手，不獨難望歸期，預防不測，果於午月卯日得信中途已遭害矣。此章當與月建章參看。

This is a real divination case. In the month of Si and day of Hai, someone asked about the day when a servant would return. The hexagram cast was Guai (Hexagram 43) changing to Lv (Hexagram 10). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is brothers in Wei earth (moving), the fifth line is children in You metal (world line), the fourth line is wife wealth in Hai water, the third line is brothers in Chen earth (moving), the second line is official ghost in Yin wood (response line), and the first line is wife wealth in Zi water. For this divination, the wife wealth line is the useful god, taking the fourth line Hai water. The month of Si conflicts with Hai, so Hai water is originally the month breaker; fortunately, it is exactly the day branch of Hai, so the breaking does not actually occur. Unfortunately, there are too many earth lines in the hexagram: the top line Wei earth is moving, the third line Chen earth is moving, and the two moving lines each change into Xu earth and Chou earth, resulting in four layers of earth lines attacking the water. As the saying goes, two fists cannot defeat four hands. The useful god is being attacked from all sides, so not only is the return date uncertain, but there is also a need to be cautious of unexpected events. Later, on the day of Wu and Mao, news was received that the servant had already been killed on the way. This chapter should be read together with the chapter on the Month General to clearly distinguish the power of the day branch and the month builder.

總注：旺之者，爻之帝旺於日月也；比之者，爻與日月同也；扶之、拱之者爻與日、月同類也；墓之、絕之者爻墓絕於日月也。李我平日：易以爻臨日辰莫能散之、莫能空之，謂逢空而不空也，然動逢日沖謂散，既作日辰又有日辰來沖乎？旬空者乃旬內之所無也，既是旬空其又有臨日辰之事？故知讀書之不足如此。

Here are some summaries of the previous terms: "Being prosperous" refers to a line being in "Prosperity" on the day branch or month builder; "Being similar" refers to the earthly branch of a line being exactly the same as that of the day or month; "Supporting" and "Supporting by flanking" refer to a line sharing the same Five Phases as the day or month (such as寅 and 卯, or 申 and 酉); "Being in the墓" and "Being in the绝" refer to a line entering the墓 or encountering the绝 in the day or month. The commentator Li Woping (pen name Tan, from Chujiang) remarked: Divination texts say that when a line is on the day branch, it will not be scattered by a冲 and will not be empty, hence called "meeting an empty but not being empty"; yet it also says that when a moving line meets the冲 of the day branch, it is considered scattered. Imagine, if the line itself is already the day branch, how can there be another day branch to冲 it? Moreover, the term "ten-day empty" refers to the two earthly branches that do not exist in this ten-day period; since these branches do not exist in this period, how can there be a case where the line is exactly on the day branch? It is evident that some people do not read carefully, leading to contradictions as serious as this.