Heaven's Three Gates

聖靈經曰：“出行避難出天門，月將加時順轉輪，卯未酉宮為泊地，太沖三向此中分。”太沖卯、小吉未、從魁酉為天三門也。宜出行、征伐、避難，百事向之，吉。若被圍困，消息不通，或打探細事，即以月將加用時尋天盤上三神所臨之方，不被沖剋者，即是天門私路，任其出入，人莫能知法。以月將加用時之上順尋去用卯未酉，即為天三門。

The Shengling Jing says: When going out to avoid danger, one should take the Heaven Gate. Place the Month General on the chosen time and proceed in order through the cycle. The three palaces of卯, 未, and 酉 are where it stops. The directions of the three deities, Tai Chong, Xiao Ji, and Cong Kuai, are determined from this. Tai Chong is卯, Xiao Ji is未, and Cong Kuai is酉. These three are the Heaven Three Gates. They are favorable for traveling, military campaigns, and escaping from danger. All affairs directed towards them are auspicious. If one is surrounded and unable to communicate, or needs to investigate details, place the Month General on the chosen time and find the directions where the Heaven Plate's three deities are located. The one not conflicting or controlled is the Heaven Gate private path, allowing free entry and exit without being known. The method is to place the Month General on the chosen time and count sequentially, taking the positions of卯, 未, and 酉, which are the Heaven Three Gates.

聖靈經曰：“地中四戶法元微，以建加時順轉移，除定危開隨所泊，任君此地好驅馳。”除定為開為四戶也。凡青龍黃道出行，有鬼神默佑。建即月將，正月建寅，即以月建加用時上順行，看除危定開在於何支上，即為地四戶。

The *Shengling Jing* says: The principles of the four gates in the center of the earth are originally subtle. By adding the month builder to the time used and moving it in order, the positions of *Chu*, *Ding*, *Wei*, and *Kai* are determined according to where they stop. You can freely travel and move about in these directions. The so-called four gates refer to the four positions among the twelve divine spirits of the *Jianchu*—namely *Chu*, *Ding*, *Wei*, and *Kai*. Whenever you travel from the direction of the Azure Dragon and the Yellow Path, you are secretly protected by spirits. Here, the term "Jian" refers to the month builder, which is *Yin* in the first lunar month. By adding the month builder to the time used and moving it in sequence, you determine where *Chu*, *Wei*, *Ding*, and *Kai* fall on the earthly branches. These are the four gates of the earth.

地私門者，隱藏潛伏之謂也，取用出入，舉事迪吉，但起貴神順逆，與六壬稍異。其法，先看占時何支，如得辰巳午未申酉時，用旦貴；戌亥子丑寅卯，用暮貴，再以月將加用時之上看貴人臨於地盤何支上，如值亥子丑寅卯辰宮，為陽貴，順行；在巳午未申酉戌宮，為陰貴，逆行，求六合、太陰、太常所落地盤之宮，即是地私門。

The so-called "Di Sī Mén" refers to something hidden and concealed; using it for actions and affairs brings good fortune. However, the direction of the Nobleman (Guìrén) differs slightly from the Six壬 system. The method is as follows: first determine the earthly branch corresponding to the time of the divination. If the time is辰, 巳, 午, 未, 申, or 酉, use the daytime Nobleman. If the time is 戌, 亥, 子, 丑, 寅, or 卯, use the nighttime Nobleman. Then place the Month General on top of the time, and observe which earthly branch the Nobleman falls upon in the Earth Plate. If it falls on 亥, 子, 丑, 寅, 卯, or 辰, it is a Yang Nobleman and moves in the forward direction. If it falls on 巳, 午, 未, 申, 酉, or 戌, it is a Yin Nobleman and moves in the reverse direction. Then determine the positions of the three deities: "Liu He," "Tai Yin," and "Tai Chang" on the Earth Plate. These positions are the "Di Sī Mén."

取貴神之法，仍依甲戊庚日陽貴起丑，陰貴起未，法合六壬貴登天門、螣蛇墮水、諸雀投江、六合得地、勾陳入獄、青龍乘生、天空被戮、白虎燒身、太常值母、元武折足、太陰宅家、天后從駕，是六神藏而四煞沒，用事光輝，勝無不利，故壬無遁而不靈，遁無壬而不驗，益可知矣。

The method of determining the Nobleman remains according to the old practices of Liuren: on Jia day, Wu day, and Geng day, the Yang Nobleman starts from Chou and the Yin Nobleman starts from Wei. This method corresponds with the twelve divine harmonies described in Liuren, such as the Nobleman ascending the heavenly gate, the Snake falling into water, the Vermilion Bird entering the river, Liu He gaining ground, Gou Chen being imprisoned, the Azure Dragon riding the source of life, the Sky being attacked, the White Tiger suffering burning, the Taichang meeting the mother, the Yuanwu breaking its foot, the Taiyin returning home, and the Heavenly Empress accompanying the emperor. At that time, the six auspicious deities are hidden and the four directions of malevolent spirits disappear, making affairs bright and smooth, with nothing failing. Therefore, it is said that Liuren without Dun Jia is ineffective, and Dun Jia without Liuren is not verified. This principle is now even clearer.

天馬即太沖方，以月將加於占時，尋太沖在於何方，即天馬方也。天馬之下，有難可避，兵甲不能為害。

The so-called "Heavenly Horse" refers to the direction where "Tai Chong" is located. Place the "Month General" on the time of the divination, determine where "Tai Chong" falls, and that is the direction of the Heavenly Horse. In the direction of the Heavenly Horse, one can escape from difficulties and troubles, and neither soldiers nor weapons can harm people.

天罡方，若前天馬、天門、地戶不能出入，即以月將加占時尋辰上所指之處沖出，自有出路，沖圍突陣，向之不懼。又法，月將加時看天罡臨孟為左，臨仲為中，臨季為右，行吉。聞疑兵，孟虛、仲退、季寔。子午卯酉為仲，寅申巳亥為孟，辰戌丑未為季。

The so-called "Heavenly Gang Direction" refers to the situation where, if the Heavenly Horse, Heavenly Gate, and Earthly Gate cannot be used to enter or exit, the Month General should be added to the time of the divination. Then, find the position indicated by the Heaven Plate's Chén position and head in that direction to break through the encirclement and escape from the formation. Proceeding in that direction will naturally lead to a way forward. Another method is to add the Month General to the time and observe where the Heavenly Gang falls. If it falls on the four young positions, proceed on the left; if it falls on the four middle positions, proceed on the center; if it falls on the four old positions, proceed on the right. Moving in this manner is considered auspicious. If it is heard that the enemy has set up a decoy force, then when the Heavenly Gang falls on the young position, it indicates a false display; when it falls on the middle position, retreat is advisable; when it falls on the old position, there are indeed real troops present. The four middle positions are Zi, Wu, Mao, and You; the four young positions are Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai; the four old positions are Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei.

子（元枵）、丑（星紀）、寅（析木）、卯（大火）、辰（壽星）、巳（鶉尾）、午（鶉火）、未（鶉尾）、申（寔沉）、酉（大梁）、戌（降婁）、亥（娵訾）。

The "Month General" is determined by the twelve earthly branches corresponding to the twelve star divisions of the Yellow Path: Zi corresponds to Yuan Xiao, Chou to Xing Ji, Yin to Xi Mu, Mao to Da Fire, Chen to Shou Xing, Si to Chun Wei, Wu to Chun Huo, Wei to Chun Wei, Shen to Shi Shen, You to Da Liang, Xu to Jiang Lou, and Hai to Ju Zi. This is the correspondence between the twelve star divisions of the Yellow Path and the earthly branches. It is used in determining the Month General and the movement of the Sun's palace.

子（神后）、丑（大吉）、寅（功曹）、卯（太沖）、辰（天罡）、巳（太乙）、午（勝光）、未（小吉）、申（傳送）、酉（從魁）、戌（河魁）、亥（登明）。

The month generals are the names of the twelve month generals corresponding to the twelve earthly branches: Zi is Shenhou, Chou is Daji, Yin is Gongcao, Mao is Taichong, Chen is Tian Gang, Si is Taiyi, Wu is Shengguang, Wei is Xiaojí, Shen is Tongsong, You is Congkuai, Xu is He Kuai, and Hai is Dengming. The terms Taichong, Xiaojí, Congkuai, and Tian Gang mentioned earlier all come from this system.

正月寅（娵訾之次，用登明將）、二月卯（降婁之次，用河魁將）、三月辰（大梁之次，用從魁將）、四月巳（寔沉之次，用傳送將）、五月午（鶉首之次，用小吉將）、六月未（鶉火之次，用勝光將）、七月申（鶉尾之次，用太乙將）、八月酉（壽星之次，用天罡將）、九月戌（大火之次，用太沖將）、十月亥（析木之次，用功曹將）、十一月子（星紀之次，用大吉將）、十二月丑（元枵之次，用神后將）。其法以每月中氣後某日時刻日躔某次之日於本月將加正時，視其吉凶各將臨方用之。

The sun passes through different star positions each month and uses specific month generals as follows: in the first month, the month is built on寅, the sun is in the娵訾 position, using the 登明 general; in the second month, the month is built on卯, the sun is in the降娄 position, using the River Chief general; in the third month, the month is built on辰, the sun is in the大梁 position, using the 从魁 general; in the fourth month, the month is built on巳, the sun is in the实沈 position, using the 传送 general; in the fifth month, the month is built on午, the sun is in the鹑首 position, using the 小吉 general; in the sixth month, the month is built on未, the sun is in the鹑火 position, using the 胜光 general; in the seventh month, the month is built on申, the sun is in the鹑尾 position, using the 太乙 general; in the eighth month, the month is built on酉, the sun is in the寿星 position, using the Heavenly Gang general; in the ninth month, the month is built on戌, the sun is in the大火 position, using the 太冲 general; in the tenth month, the month is built on亥, the sun is in the析木 position, using the 功曹 general; in the eleventh month, the month is built on子, the sun is in the星纪 position, using the 大吉 general; in the twelfth month, the month is built on丑, the sun is in the元枵 position, using the 神后 general. The method is: check on which day and time after the middle of the month the sun reaches a certain star position, then use the month general of that month from that day onwards, adding it to the exact time of the divination. Then observe whether the direction of the general is auspicious or inauspicious, and use it accordingly.

亭亭，天上之貴神，即天射星也，背而擊其沖為勝。用法以月將加時，神后下為亭亭所居。背亭亭向白奸，百戰百勝。白奸即天狗孛星也，故以天射星鎮之。又用捷法，神后之下為亭亭，對沖之宮，即白奸也。

"Tingting" is a celestial noble deity, also known as the Star of Shooting Stars; by attacking the direction it faces while facing it, one can achieve victory. The method is to place the Month General on the time being divined, and the position corresponding to "Shenhou" is where Tingting resides. Facing Tingting and turning one's back to "Baijian" ensures victory in every battle. Baijian is the Heavenly Dog and孛star, so the Star of Shooting Stars is used to subdue it. There is also a simpler method: Shenhou corresponds to Tingting, and the palace opposite to it is Baijian.

聖靈經曰：“出行避難出天門，月將加時順轉輪，卯未酉宮為泊地，太沖三向此中分。”太沖卯、小吉未、從魁酉為天三門也。宜出行、征伐、避難，百事向之，吉。若被圍困，消息不通，或打探細事，即以月將加用時尋天盤上三神所臨之方，不被沖剋者，即是天門私路，任其出入，人莫能知法。以月將加用時之上順尋去用卯未酉，即為天三門。

The original text begins here, repeating the section on the three heavenly gates from earlier. Now it is still included as originally. The "Classic of the Holy Spirit" says: when traveling to avoid danger, one should go through the heavenly gate. Place the month general on the chosen time and count sequentially, the three palaces of卯, 未, and 酉 are where it stops. The directions of 太冲, 小吉, and 从魁 are determined from here. 太冲 is 卯, 小吉 is 未, and 从魁 is 酉, these three are the heavenly three gates. They are suitable for traveling, military campaigns, and avoiding danger; all matters facing them are auspicious. If one is surrounded, communication is cut off, or one needs to investigate secretly, place the month general on the chosen time and find the direction where the three deities of the heavenly plate are located. The one not conflicting or controlled is the private gate of the heavenly gate, through which one can enter and exit freely without being noticed. The method is to place the month general on the chosen time and count sequentially to find 卯, 未, and 酉, which are the heavenly three gates.

聖靈經曰：“地中四戶法元微，以建加時順轉移，除定危開隨所泊，任君此地好驅馳。”除定為開為四戶也。凡青龍黃道出行，有鬼神默佑。建即月將，正月建寅，即以月建加用時上順行，看除危定開在於何支上，即為地四戶。

The *Shengling Jing* says: The principles of the four gates in the center of the earth are originally subtle. By adding the month builder to the time used and moving it in sequence, the positions of *chu* (removal), *ding* (establishment), *wei* (danger), and *kai* (opening) are determined according to where they stop. You may travel freely in these directions. The four gates refer to the four positions among the twelve divine spirits of the *jianchu* (establishment and removal): *chu*, *ding*, *wei*, and *kai*. Whenever one travels from the direction of the Azure Dragon and the Yellow Path, the spirits of the underworld will secretly protect them. Here, "jian" refers to the month builder, which is *yin* (the rat) in the first lunar month. By adding the month builder to the time used and moving it forward, one determines where *chu*, *wei*, *ding*, and *kai* fall on the earthly branches. These are the four gates of the earth.

地私門者，隱藏潛伏之謂也，取用出入，舉事迪吉，但起貴神順逆，與六壬稍異。其法，先看占時何支，如得辰巳午未申酉時，用旦貴；戌亥子丑寅卯，用暮貴，再以月將加用時之上看貴人臨於地盤何支上，如值亥子丑寅卯辰宮，為陽貴，順行；在巳午未申酉戌宮，為陰貴，逆行，求六合、太陰、太常所落地盤之宮，即是地私門。

The concept of "earth private door" refers to something hidden and concealed; it is used for actions and affairs, bringing auspicious results. However, the direction of the nobleman differs slightly from the Six壬 system. The method is as follows: first determine the earthly branch corresponding to the time of the divination. If the time is辰,巳,午,未,申, or酉, use the day nobleman. If the time is戌,亥,子,丑,寅, or卯, use the night nobleman. Then place the month general on top of the time, and observe which earthly branch the nobleman falls upon in the earth plate. If it falls in the亥,子,丑,寅,卯, orChen Palace, it is a yang nobleman and moves in the forward direction. If it falls in the巳,午,未,申,酉, orXu Palace, it is a yin nobleman and moves in the reverse direction. Then find the positions of the three deities:Liu He, 太阴, and 太常, on the earth plate. These positions are the earth private door.

取貴神之法，仍依甲戊庚日陽貴起丑，陰貴起未，法合六壬貴登天門、螣蛇墮水、諸雀投江、六合得地、勾陳入獄、青龍乘生、天空被戮、白虎燒身、太常值母、元武折足、太陰宅家、天后從駕，是六神藏而四煞沒，用事光輝，勝無不利，故壬無遁而不靈，遁無壬而不驗，益可知矣。天馬方：天馬即太沖方，以月將加於占時，尋太沖在於何方，即天馬方也。天馬之下，有難可避，兵甲不能為害。

The method of determining the Nobleman remains according to the old practice of Liuren: on Jia day, Wu day, and Geng day, the Yang Nobleman starts from Chou and the Yin Nobleman starts from Wei. This system corresponds with the favorable combinations described in Liuren, such as the Nobleman ascending the Heavenly Gate, the Snake falling into water, the Vermilion Bird entering the river, Liu He gaining the earth, Gou Chen entering prison, the Azure Dragon riding the birth, the Sky opening being killed, the White Tiger burning itself, the Temple of the Divine Mother being valued, the Black Tortoise breaking its foot, the Taiyin returning home, and the Heavenly Empress accompanying the carriage. At that time, the six favorable deities are hidden and the four directions of evil spirits disappear, making actions bright and smooth, with nothing failing. Therefore, it is clear that Liuren without Dun Jia is ineffective, and Dun Jia without Liuren is not verified. The Heavenly Horse is the direction where Tai Chong is located. Place the Month General on the time of the divination, find out where Tai Chong is, and that is the direction of the Heavenly Horse. Under the Heavenly Horse, one can escape from danger, and soldiers and weapons cannot harm.

天罡方，若前天馬、天門、地戶不能出入，即以月將加占時尋辰上所指之處沖出，自有出路，沖圍突陣，向之不懼。又法，月將加時看天罡臨孟為左，臨仲為中，臨季為右，行吉。聞疑兵，孟虛、仲退、季寔。子午卯酉為仲，寅申巳亥為孟，辰戌丑未為季。

Heavenly Gang Direction: If the previously mentioned Heavenly Horse and Heavenly and Earthly Gates cannot be used for entry or exit, place the Month General on the occupied time and find the position indicated by the Heaven Plate's Chen position. Head in that direction to break through, and there will naturally be a path; this method is used to break through encirclement and attack the enemy, and moving in that direction will bring no fear. Another method: after placing the Month General on the occupied time, if Heavenly Gang is at the four young months, move left; if at the four middle months, move center; if at the four old months, move right. Proceeding in this way is auspicious. If encountering the enemy's decoy forces, when Heavenly Gang is at the young months, it is a false display; when at the middle months, retreat is advisable; when at the old months, there are indeed enemy troops. Zi, Wu, Mao, and You are the four middle months; Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai are the four young months; Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are the four old months.

子（元枵）、丑（星紀）、寅（析木）、卯（大火）、辰（壽星）、巳（鶉尾）、午（鶉火）、未（鶉尾）、申（寔沉）、酉（大梁）、戌（降婁）、亥（娵訾）。地氣將：子（神后）、丑（大吉）、寅（功曹）、卯（太沖）、辰（天罡）、巳（太乙）、午（勝光）、未（小吉）、申（傳送）、酉（從魁）、戌（河魁）、亥（登明）。

The heavenly generals are the twelve zodiacal signs matched with the twelve star divisions: Zi is Yuan Xiao, Chou is Xing Ji, Yin is Xi Mu, Mao is Da Fire, Chen is Shou Xing, Si is Chun Wei, Wu is Chun Huo, Wei is Chun Wei, Shen is Shi Shen, You is Da Liang, Xu is Jiang Lou, Hai is Ju Zi. The earthly generals are the twelve zodiacal signs matched with the twelve month generals: Zi is Shen Hou, Chou is Da Ji, Yin is Gong Cao, Mao is Tai Chong, Chen is Tian Gang, Si is Tai Yi, Wu is Sheng Guang, Wei is Xiao Ji, Shen is Song Tong, You is Cong Kui, Xu is He Kui, Hai is Deng Ming.

正月寅（娵訾之次，用登明將）、二月卯（降婁之次，用河魁將）、三月辰（大梁之次，用從魁將）、四月巳（寔沉之次，用傳送將）、五月午（鶉首之次，用小吉將）、六月未（鶉火之次，用勝光將）、七月申（鶉尾之次，用太乙將）、八月酉（壽星之次，用天罡將）、九月戌（大火之次，用太沖將）、十月亥（析木之次，用功曹將）、十一月子（星紀之次，用大吉將）、十二月丑（元枵之次，用神后將）。其法以每月中氣後某日時刻日躔某次之日於本月將加正時，視其吉凶各將臨方用之。

The sun moves through the twelve palaces each month, and the appropriate month general is used for each month. In the first month, the month is built on寅, the sun is in the娵訾 palace, using the 登明 general; in the second month, the month is built on卯, the sun is in the降娄 palace, using the River Chief general; in the third month, the month is built on辰, the sun is in the大梁 palace, using the 从魁 general; in the fourth month, the month is built on巳, the sun is in the实沈 palace, using the 传送 general; in the fifth month, the month is built on午, the sun is in the鹑首 palace, using the 小吉 general; in the sixth month, the month is built on未, the sun is in the鹑火 palace, using the 胜光 general; in the seventh month, the month is built on申, the sun is in the鹑尾 palace, using the 太乙 general; in the eighth month, the month is built on酉, the sun is in the寿星 palace, using the Heavenly Gang general; in the ninth month, the month is built on戌, the sun is in the大火 palace, using the 太冲 general; in the tenth month, the month is built on亥, the sun is in the析木 palace, using the 功曹 general; in the eleventh month, the month is built on子, the sun is in the星纪 palace, using the 大吉 general; in the twelfth month, the month is built on丑, the sun is in the元枵 palace, using the 神后 general. The method is to check after the middle of the month, on which day the sun reaches a particular palace, starting from that day, place the month general on the correct hour of the day being divined, then observe the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the direction each general governs, and use that for reference.

亭亭，天上之貴神，即天射星也，背而擊其沖為勝。用法以月將加時，神后下為亭亭所居。背亭亭向白奸，百戰百勝。白奸即天狗孛星也，故以天射星鎮之。又用捷法，神后之下為亭亭，對沖之宮，即白奸也。

Tingting is a noble deity in the heavens, also known as the Shooting Star; by attacking the direction it faces while facing away from it, one can achieve victory. The method is to place the Month General on the time of the divination, and the position beneath "Shenhou" is where Tingting resides. Facing away from Tingting and towards Baijian will ensure victory in every battle. Baijian is the Heavenly Dog and孛star, so the Shooting Star is used to subdue it. There is also a simpler method: beneath Shenhou is Tingting, and the palace opposite to it is Baijian.

冬至陽遁一局甲子時奇圖式。冬至陽遁一局乙丑時奇圖式。起時奇法，陽遁冬至上元一局以蓬星為值符，休門為值使，即將甲子戊儀起坎宮，以戊己庚辛壬癸丁丙乙為次，九星以蓬芮沖輔禽心柱任英為次，均順飛一二三四五六七八九宮，此起一局地盤星符之法，其天盤則以甲子旬首值符加時干，如甲子時，以甲子直符蓬星加地盤甲子於一宮，則甲戌芮星在二宮，如乙丑時，甲子直符蓬星加地盤乙奇於九宮，則甲戌芮星在一宮，如丙寅時，甲子直符蓬星加地盤丙奇於八宮，則甲戌芮星在九宮，均按星符之次序順飛天盤九宮，此起一局天盤星符之法也。

The original text here lists two diagrams: the diagram of the odd (qí) arrangement for the Jiazi (甲子) hour of the Yang Dun (阳遁) system on the winter solstice, and the diagram of the odd arrangement for the Yichou (乙丑) hour of the Yang Dun system on the winter solstice. The method of starting the odd arrangement for the Yang Dun system is as follows: for the first period of the winter solstice in the Yang Dun system, one uses one arrangement. The Chief Symbol is the Tianpeng (天蓬) star, and the Duty Gate is the Xiu Men (休门). The instrument "Jiazi Wu" (甲子戊) is placed at the Kan (坎) palace. The order of the instruments is arranged in the sequence of Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui, Ding, Bing, and Yi. The nine stars are arranged in the sequence of Tianpeng, Tianrui, Tianchong, Tianfu, Tianqin, Tianxin, Tianzhu, Tianren, and Tianying, and they are all moved in the order of the first to the ninth palace. This is the method of starting the arrangement of the Earth Plate stars and symbols. The Heaven Plate is started by placing the Chief Symbol of the Jiazi (甲子) ten-day cycle on the heavenly stem of the hour. For example, in the Jiazi hour, the Jiazi Chief Symbol and Tianpeng star are placed on the first palace of the Earth Plate where Jiazi is located, so the Jiaxu (甲戌) and Tianrui star are placed in the second palace. In the Yichou hour, the Jiazi Chief Symbol and Tianpeng star are placed on the ninth palace of the Earth Plate where the Yi (乙) odd is located, so the Jiaxu and Tianrui star are placed in the first palace. In the Bingyin hour, the Jiazi Chief Symbol and Tianpeng star are placed on the eighth palace of the Earth Plate where the Bing (丙) odd is located, so the Jiaxu and Tianrui star are placed in the ninth palace. All the stars and symbols are moved in the order of the Heaven Plate's nine palaces, which is the method of starting the arrangement of the Heaven Plate stars and symbols.

一局以休門為直使，如甲子時，則以休門起坎宮，即為直使之門，則死門在坤宮，如乙丑時，休門起坤宮，死門則在震宮，丙寅時，休門起震宮，死門則在巽宮，一時一易，門以休死傷杜開驚生景為次，不入中五，而逾於六順飛坎坤震巽乾兌艮離八宮，此起一局人盤直使之門也。

A layout begins with the Xiu Men as the Duty Gate. For example, at the Jia Zi hour, the Xiu Men starts in the Kan palace, making it the Duty Gate, while the Death Door is in the Kun palace. At the Yi Chou hour, the Xiu Men starts in the Kun palace, and the Death Door is in the Zhen palace. At the Bing Yin hour, the Xiu Men starts in the Zhen palace, and the Death Door is in the Xun palace. Each hour changes the position once. The eight gates follow the order of Xiu, Death, Injury, Du, Open, Startle, Life, and Jing, without entering the center palace, but instead moving directly to the sixth palace, flying sequentially through Kan, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Qian, Dui, Gen, and Li palaces. This is the method for starting the Human Plate Duty Gate.

其八詐以天乙直符加於各旬首直使之上，如甲子戊加坎宮，則天乙直符即加於甲子旬首直符之上，即所謂小直符加大直符，陽遁以直符、螣蛇、太陰、六合、勾陳、朱雀、九地、九天為次，按坎艮震巽離坤兌乾順布八宮也，此甲子旬首直符，管至癸酉十時之法，如甲戌十時，即甲戌旬首直符用事，則甲戌芮星起於二宮矣，如七局以柱星為直符，驚門為直使，即以甲子戊儀起七宮四局，以輔星為直符，杜門為直使，即以甲子戊儀起四宮，仍按星符直使之次，分天地人三盤，順飛九宮，至中五寄宮之法，陽遁九局五宮之星符，均寄於艮宮，餘局仿此。

The eight deceptions involve placing the "Chief Symbol" from the eight gods on top of the initial "Duty Gate" of each ten-day period. For example, if the "Chief Symbol" is placed on the坎宫 (Water) in the Jiazi (甲子) period, it is placed on the "Chief Symbol" of the Jiazi period's initial "Duty Gate," which is called a small Chief Symbol being placed on a large Chief Symbol. In the case of Yang Dun, the eight symbols are arranged in the order of Chief Symbol, Qishe (Tie Snake), Taiyin, Liuhe (Six Harmonies), Gouchen (Hook Earth), Zhuque (Vermilion Bird), Jiudi (Nine Earth), and Jiutian (Nine Heavens), and are placed in the order of Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui, and Qian. This is the method for the Chief Symbol of the Jiazi period's initial "Duty Gate" to govern the ten hours up to Guiyou (癸酉). When it comes to the ten hours of Jiaxu (甲戌), the Chief Symbol of the Jiaxu period's initial "Duty Gate" takes over, and the Jiaxu and Tianrui (Heavenly Star of the Earth) are placed in the second palace. For example, in the seventh formation, the "Tianzhu" (Heavenly Pillar) star is the Chief Symbol and the "Jing Door" is the Duty Gate, so the Jiazi戊 (Jiazi戊) is placed in the seventh palace. In the fourth formation, the "Tianfu" (Heavenly Assistant) star is the Chief Symbol and the "Du Door" is the Duty Gate, so the Jiazi戊 is placed in the fourth palace. The symbols are still arranged in the order of stars, Chief Symbols, and Duty Gates, and the three disks of heaven, earth, and humanity are arranged in a clockwise manner to move through the nine palaces. As for the method of the "Lodging Palace" in the central fifth palace, in the nine formations of Yang Dun, the stars and Chief Symbols of the fifth palace are all lodged in the Gen palace, and the other formations are handled in the same way.

起元之法，以子午卯酉為上元，寅申巳亥為中元，辰戌丑未為下元，假如陽遁冬至值甲子、甲午、己卯、己酉日交節，即用上元一局，甲寅、甲申、己巳、己亥交節，即用中元七局，甲辰、甲戌、己丑、己未日交節，即用下元四局，九局以甲、己為符頭，分上中下三元，統十二氣，餘元同此類推。

The method of starting the calculation: take the days of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You as the Upper Yuan, the days of Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai as the Middle Yuan, and the days of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei as the Lower Yuan. For example, if the winter solstice occurs on a Jiazi, Jiawu, Jimao, or Jihou day, the Upper Yuan is used. If it occurs on a Jiayin, Jiashen, Jisi, or Jihai day, the Middle Yuan is used. If it occurs on a Jiachen, Jiaxu, Jichou, or Jiwei day, the Lower Yuan is used. All nine sections use Jia day and Ji day as the symbol head, dividing into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Yuan, which cover twelve solar terms. The other Yuan follow the same pattern.

其取時之法，依五子元遁，如甲己日，則起甲、子時，乙、庚日，則起丙子時，星門元局已定，則吉凶格局畢現，如陽遁冬至上元一局甲子日甲子時，艮方門合吉格，乙丑時兌方天遁、真詐，乾方地假，離方相佐吉格，按後九局時格選用，則知時之門奇吉凶之妙其應如響矣。

The method of selecting the hour is based on the "Five Sons Original Dun." For example, on Jia day and Ji day, the hour begins with Jiazi; on Yi day and Geng day, the hour begins with Bingzi. Once the stars, gates, original elements, and formations are determined, the auspicious and inauspicious patterns become clear. For instance, in the first formation of Yang Dun during the winter solstice in the first period, on a Jiazi day and Jiazi hour, the Gen direction is "Gate Union," an auspicious pattern. By the YiChou hour, the Dui direction becomes "Heavenly Concealment" and "True Fraud," the Qian direction becomes "Earthly Deception," and the Li direction becomes "Heaven Plate Zhi Fu," an auspicious pattern. By referring to the nine formations' hour patterns listed later, one can understand the auspicious and inauspicious nature of the gates and odd numbers within the hour. Its effectiveness is like an echo.

夏至陰遁九局甲子時奇圖式。夏至陰遁九局乙丑時奇圖式。起時奇法，陰遁夏至上元九局，以英星為直符，景門為直使，即將甲子戊儀起離宮，以戊己庚辛壬癸丁丙乙為次，九星以英任柱心禽輔沖芮蓬為次，均逆飛九八七六五四三二一宮，此起九局地盤星符之法，其天盤則以甲子旬首直符加時干，如甲子時以甲子直符英星加地盤甲子於九宮，則甲戌任星在八宮，如乙丑時，甲子直符英星加地盤乙奇於一宮，則甲戌任星在九宮，如丙寅時，甲子直符英星加地盤丙奇於二宮，則甲戌任星在一宮，按星符之次序，逆飛天盤九宮，此起九局天盤星符之法也。

The original text here lists two diagrams: the diagram for the Jiazi hour of the Yin Dun Nine Patterns during the Summer Solstice, and the diagram for the Yichou hour of the Yin Dun Nine Patterns during the Summer Solstice. The method of starting the Qi Men: for Yin Dun during the Summer Solstice Upper Period, the Nine Patterns are used, with the Tianying Star as the Chief Symbol and the Jing Gate as the Duty Gate. The instrument Jiazi Wu is placed at the Li Palace, and the order is arranged according to Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui, Ding, Bing, Yi. The nine stars are arranged in the order of Tianying, Tianren, Tianzhu, Tianxin, Tianqin, Tianfu, Tianchong, Tianrui, Tianpeng, and all fly in reverse order from the ninth to the first palace. This is the method of starting the Nine Patterns' Earth Plate stars and symbols. The Heaven Plate is started by placing the value symbol of the first day of the Jiazi ten-day cycle on the hour stem: for example, in the Jiazi hour, the Jiazi value symbol and Tianying Star are placed on the ninth palace where the Jiazi Earthly Branch is located; the Jiaxu and Tianren Star are placed on the eighth palace. In the Yichou hour, the value symbol is placed on the first palace where the Yi odd is located, and the Jiaxu Tianren Star is placed on the ninth palace. In the Bingyin hour, the value symbol is placed on the second palace where the Bing odd is located, and the Jiaxu Tianren Star is placed on the first palace. All are arranged in the order of the stars and symbols, flying in reverse order from the ninth to the first palace on the Heaven Plate. This is the method of starting the Nine Patterns' Heaven Plate stars and symbols.

九局以景門為直使，如甲子時，則以景門起離宮，即為直使之門，則生門在艮宮，如乙丑時，景門起艮宮，生門則在兌宮，如丙寅時，景門在兌宮，則生門在乾宮，一時一易，門以景生驚開杜傷死休為次，不入中五，而逾於四逆飛離艮兌乾巽震坤坎八宮，此起九局人盤直使之門也。

The nine sections use the Jing Gate as the Duty Gate: for example, at the Jiazi hour, the Jing Gate starts in the Li Palace, which is the Duty Gate, and the Life Gate is in the Gen Palace; at the Yichou hour, the Jing Gate starts in the Gen Palace, and the Life Gate is in the Dui Palace; at the Bingyin hour, the Jing Gate is in the Dui Palace, and the Life Gate is in the Qian Palace. Each hour changes once, and the eight gates follow the order of Jing, Sheng, Jing, Kai, Du, Shang, Si, Xiu, without entering the central Wu Palace, but instead moving to the fourth palace, flying in reverse order through the Li, Gen, Dui, Qian, Xun, Zhen, Kun, and Kan Palaces. This is the method for starting the Human Plate's Duty Gate in the nine sections.

其八詐以天乙直符加於各旬首直符之上，如甲子戊加離宮，則天乙直符即加於甲子旬首直符之上，即所謂小直符加大直符，陰遁以直符、螣蛇、太陰、六合、白虎、元武、九地、九天為次，按離巽震艮坎乾兌坤逆布八宮也，此甲子旬首直符，管至癸酉十時之法，如甲戌十時，繫甲戌旬首直符用事，則甲戌任星起於八宮矣，其三局以沖星為直符，傷門為直使，即以甲子戊儀起三宮六局，以心星為直符，開門為直使，即以甲子戊儀起六宮，仍按星符直使之次序分天地人三盤，逆飛九宮，至中五宮寄宮之法，陰遁九局五宮之星符均寄於坤宮，餘局仿此。

The eight deceptions involve placing the "Chief Symbol" from the eight deities on top of the Chief Symbol of each ten-day period. For example, if the Chief Symbol is placed on the Li Palace when the initial symbol is Jiazi, then the Chief Symbol is placed on the Chief Symbol of the Jiazi ten-day period, which is called a small Chief Symbol added to a large Chief Symbol. In the Yin Dun, the eight deities are arranged in the order of Chief Symbol, Tang Sha, Tai Yin, Liu He, Bai Hu, Yuan Wu, Jiudi, and Jiu Tian, and are placed in reverse order on the eight palaces starting from Li, Xun, Zhen, Gen, Kan, Qian, Dui, and Kun. This is the method for the Chief Symbol of the Jiazi ten-day period to govern from Jiazi to Guiyou, covering ten hours. When it comes to the ten hours of Jiaxu, the Chief Symbol of the Jiaxu ten-day period takes over, and the Jiaxu and Tian Ren stars are placed in the eight palaces. For example, in the third division, with Tian Chong as the Chief Symbol and Shang Men as the Duty Gate, the Jiazi Wu is placed in the third palace. In the sixth division, with Tian Xin as the Chief Symbol and Open Door as the Duty Gate, the Jiazi Wu is placed in the sixth palace. The stars, Chief Symbols, and Duty Gates are still arranged in order to form the Heaven, Earth, and Human disks, which are flown in reverse order through the nine palaces. Regarding the method of the Lodging Palace for the central fifth palace, in the nine divisions of Yin Dun, the stars and Chief Symbols of the fifth palace are all lodged in the Kun Palace, and the same applies to the other divisions.

起元之法，以子午卯酉為上元，寅申巳亥為中元，辰戌丑未為下元，假如陰遁夏至值甲子、甲午、己卯、己酉日交節，即用上元九局；甲寅、甲申、己巳、己亥日交節，即用中元三局；甲辰、甲戌、己丑、己未日交節，即用下元六局，以甲、己為符頭，分上中下三元，統十二氣，餘元同此類推。

The method of starting the cycle is: using the days of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You as the Upper Yuan, the days of Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai as the Middle Yuan, and the days of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei as the Lower Yuan. For example, if Yin Dun occurs at the summer solstice, and the change of the season falls on Jiazi, Jiawu, Jimao, or Jiyou, then the Upper Yuan Nine Trigrams are used; if it falls on Jiayin, Jiashen, Jisi, or Jihai, then the Middle Yuan Three Trigrams are used; if it falls on Jiachen, Jiaxu, Jichou, or Jiwei, then the Lower Yuan Six Trigrams are used. All use Jia day and Ji day as the symbol head, dividing into Upper, Middle, and Lower Yuan, which govern the twelve solar terms. The other Yuan follow the same pattern.

其取時之法，依五子元遁，如甲己日則起甲子時，乙庚日則起丙子時，星門元局已定，則吉凶格局畢現，如陰遁夏至上元九局甲子日甲子時，坎方龍遁吉格，乙丑時巽方門合，離方儀合吉格，按後九局時格選用，則知時之門奇吉凶之妙其應如響矣。

The method of selecting the hour is based on the "Five Sons Original遁" (Wu Zi Yuan Dun): on Jia day and Ji day, the hour starts from Jia Zi; on Yi day and Geng day, the hour starts from Bing Zi. Once the stars, gates, original elements, and formations are determined, the auspicious and inauspicious patterns become clear. For example, in the Yin遁 (Yin Dun) summer upper beginning (Shang Yuan) ninth formation, on Jia Zi day and Jia Zi hour, the Kan direction forms the "Dragon遁" (Long Dun) auspicious pattern; when it reaches Yi Chou hour, the Xun direction forms the "Gate Union" (Men He) auspicious pattern, and the Li direction forms the "Instrument Union" (Yi He) auspicious pattern. By referring to the auspicious patterns of the nine formations listed later, one can understand the auspicious and inauspicious effects of the gates and odd elements within the hour. Their verification is like an echo.

冬至後陽遁八門九星圖式。起八門九星法，依冬至後陽遁八門，用休死傷杜開驚生景為次，如一局以甲子置一宮、甲戌二宮、甲申三宮、甲午四宮、甲辰五宮、甲寅六宮，假如甲子日起一宮，休門用事，即以休門起一宮，乙丑日休門起二宮，管至癸亥十日止，順行八宮，不入中五，一日一行宮，則甲戌日在二宮死門用事，即以死門起二宮，乙亥日死門起三宮，管至癸未十日止。

The original text here lists "Diagram of the Eight Gates and Nine Stars for Yang Dun after the Winter Solstice." The method of starting the Eight Gates and Nine Stars is based on Yang Dun after the Winter Solstice, with the Eight Gates in the order of Xiu Men, Death Door, Injury Gate, Du Gate, Open Gate, Startle Gate, Life Gate, and Jing Gate. For example, in one set, Jia Zi is placed in the first palace, Jia Xu in the second, Jia Shen in the third, Jia Wu in the fourth, Jia Chen in the fifth, and Jia Yin in the sixth. If a day starts with Jia Zi in the first palace, Xiu Men is placed in the first palace. On Yichou day, Xiu Men starts in the second palace, continuing for ten days up to Gui Hai. The Eight Gates move in sequence through the eight palaces without entering the central fifth palace, moving one palace per day. On Jia Xu day, Death Door is placed in the second palace; on Yihai day, Death Door starts in the third palace, continuing for ten days up to Gui Wei.

其甲申、甲午、甲辰、甲寅各旬用事，均仿此布九星之法，陽遁九星以一太乙、二攝提、三軒轅、四招搖、五天符、六青龍、七咸池、八太陰、九天乙為次，如陽遁甲子日，以八宮起太乙，九宮攝提，乙丑日九宮起太乙，一宮攝提，順行九宮，此陽遁飛布星門之法，餘仿此。

For each of the days Jiashen, Jiawu, Jiachen, and Jiayin in their respective ten-day cycles, the method described is applied. As for the arrangement of the nine stars: in the case of Yang Dun, the nine stars are arranged in the order of one Taiyi, two SheTi, three Xuanyan, four ZhaoYao, five TianFu, six QingLong, seven XianChi, eight TaiYin, and nine TianYi. For example, on a Yang Dun Jiazi day, the Taiyi starts from the eighth palace, and the SheTi is in the ninth palace; on a Yichou day, the Taiyi starts from the ninth palace, and the SheTi is in the first palace, and so on in a clockwise manner through the nine palaces. This is the method for flying and arranging the stars and gates in Yang Dun. The rest follows the same pattern.

夏至後陰遁八門九星圖式。起八門九星法，依夏至後陰遁八門用景生驚開杜傷死休為次，如九局，以甲子置九宮、甲戌八宮、甲申七宮、甲午六宮、甲辰五宮、甲寅四宮，假如甲子日起九宮，景門用事，即以景門起九宮，乙丑日景門起八宮，管至癸亥十日止，順行八宮，不入中五，一日一行宮，則甲戌日在八宮生門用事，即以生門起八宮，乙亥日生門起七宮，管至癸未十日止。

The original text here lists "The Diagram of the Eight Gates and Nine Stars for Yin Dun after the Summer Solstice." The method of starting the eight gates and nine stars: following the Yin Dun after the Summer Solstice, the eight gates are arranged in the order of Jing Gate, Life Gate, Jing Gate, Open Gate, Du Gate, Wounding Gate, Death Gate, and Rest Gate. For example, in the nine sections, Jiazi is placed in the ninth palace, Jiaxu in the eighth palace, Jiashen in the seventh palace, Jiawu in the sixth palace, Jiachen in the fifth palace, and Jiayin in the fourth palace. If a day starts with Jiazi, the Jing Gate is placed in the ninth palace. On Yichou day, the Jing Gate is placed in the eighth palace and continues for ten days up to Guihai, moving through the eight palaces without entering the central palace, moving one palace each day. On Jiaxu day, the Life Gate is placed in the eighth palace. On Yihai day, the Life Gate is placed in the seventh palace and continues for ten days up to Guiwei.

其甲申、甲午、甲辰、甲寅各旬用事，均仿此布九星之法，陰遁九星，以一太乙、二攝提、三軒轅、四招搖、五天符、六青龍、七咸池、八太陰、九天乙為次，如陰遁甲子日，以二宮起太陰，一宮攝提，乙丑日一宮起太乙，九宮攝提，逆行九宮，此陰遁飛布星門之法，餘仿此。

For the days of Jia Shen, Jia Wu, Jia Chen, and Jia Yin in each ten-day period, the method described is applied. As for the arrangement of the nine stars: the nine stars in the Yin Dun follow the same order: one Taiyi, two SheTi, three Xuanyuan, four ZhaoYao, five TianFu, six QingLong, seven XianChi, eight TaiYin, and nine TianYi. For example, on the Jia Zi day of Yin Dun, the TaiYin starts from the second palace, and the first palace is SheTi; on the Yi Chou day, the Taiyi starts from the first palace, and the ninth palace is SheTi, proceeding in reverse order through the nine palaces. This is the method for flying and arranging the stars and gates in Yin Dun, and the rest follows the same pattern.

地四戶起例以除危定開為地四戶法，以建加本時而定地戶也。如正月建寅，即從寅上起建，順數至卯上是除，午上是定，酉上是危，子上是開，則子卯午酉即地四戶也，如建加子上，則丑辰未戌得除危定開是地四戶也，如正月地氣將是寅，用時午，以寅將加午，以建加寅，則地盤未上得除，即地四戶也，餘仿此。

The method for determining the four earth gates (地四户) involves using the twelve divinatory gods (建除十二神) known as "remove" (除), "danger" (危), "stability" (定), and "open" (开) as the four earth gates. To find them, the month builder (月建) is placed on the current hour, and then counted sequentially to determine where the four earth gates fall. For example, in the first lunar month, the month builder is on寅 (Yin). Starting from寅, we count sequentially:卯 (Mao) is "remove" (除),午 (Wu) is "stability" (定),酉 (You) is "danger" (危), and子 (Zi) is "open" (开). Therefore,子, 卯, 午, and 酉 are the four earth gates. If the month builder is placed on子 (Zi), then丑 (Chou), 辰 (Chen), 未 (Wei), and 戌 (Xu) will be "remove," "danger," "stability," and "open," respectively, making them the four earth gates. Similarly, in the first lunar month, the earthly general (地气之将) is寅, and the time used is午. Place寅 on午, then place the month builder on寅. This results in "remove" (除) on未 (Wei), which is one of the four earth gates. Other cases follow the same pattern.

天三門起例法以月將加所用之正時順尋太沖、小吉、從魁所臨之方，即是天三門也。如正月雨水後日躔娵訾之次，月將是亥，用時是卯，以亥加卯則太沖在未、從魁在丑、小吉在亥，其所加臨之處或伏奇掩襲，或遊騎探虜，或遣使間諜，更合吉門所同通達也。

The method of determining the Three Heavenly Doors involves placing the Month General on the chosen hour and then sequentially finding the positions of the three deities 「Tai Chong」, 「Xiao Ji」, and 「Cong Kuai」. These positions are considered the Three Heavenly Doors. For example, after the Rain Water solar term in the first lunar month, the sun is in the Ju Zi section, the Month General is Hai, and the chosen hour is Mao. Placing Hai on Mao, Tai Chong falls in Wei, Cong Kuai falls in You, and Xiao Ji falls in Hai. At these positions, one may conceal troops to attack unexpectedly, send scouts to gather intelligence, or dispatch messengers for espionage. If these positions align with favorable gates, all actions will proceed smoothly and successfully.

天罡方起訣，凡臨陣突圍取天門、地戶之方不能出入，即以月將加於用時之上尋天盤天罡所指地盤之處沖出，敵人遇之，無不披靡，若路逢三，又未知何路可通，以月將加時，天罡加寅申巳亥為孟，子午卯酉為仲，辰戌丑未為季，如加孟，左道通；加仲，中道通；加季，右道通也。

The method for determining the Heavenly Gang direction: When facing a battle and needing to break through, if the Heaven Gate and Earth Gate directions are blocked and one cannot enter or exit, place the Month General on the current hour and find where the Heaven Plate's "Heavenly Gang" points to on the Earth Plate. Head in that direction to break through, and the enemy will inevitably scatter. If there are three paths at a crossroads and it is unclear which one is passable, place the Month General on the current hour: if Heavenly Gang falls on the four young positions, which are寅, 申, 巳, and 亥, take the left path; if it falls on the four middle positions, which are子, 午, 卯, and 酉, take the middle path; if it falls on the four old positions, which are辰, 戌, 丑, and 未, take the right path.

太沖天馬最為貴，卒然有難宜逃避，但當成取天馬行，劍戟如山不足畏，此天馬神方也。以月將加於用時之上，求太沖所臨之方，即天馬方。蓋太沖以卯為本家，即房宿也，其所加臨之處，不宜空陷，不囚、不墓，利於奔騰萬里，更合奇門，縱劍戟如林不足畏焉。

The song says: The Heavenly Horse at Tai Chong is most valuable; if suddenly encountering danger, one should escape from here. As long as one determines the direction of the Heavenly Horse and moves in that direction, even if mountains of swords and blades are present, they are not to be feared — this is the divine method of the Heavenly Horse. The method is to place the Month General on the hour being used, and then find the direction where Tai Chong is located, which is the Heavenly Horse direction. Tai Chong takes You as its base, which corresponds to the Room Mansion among the Twenty-Eight Mansions; the place where it falls should not be in a void, a fallen position, a prison, or a tomb, so that it is favorable for traveling thousands of miles. If it also combines with the Odd Gate, then even if there are countless spears and arrows, there is no need to fear.

地私門取用出入，利為百事，其法，看占時何支，如得辰巳午未申酉時，用旦貴；得戌後子丑寅卯時，用暮貴，再以月將加時視貴人臨於地盤何支上，如值亥子丑寅卯辰宮為陽貴順行，如在巳午未申酉戌宮為陰貴逆行，求六合、太常、太陰所落地盤之宮，其用貴人之法，仍依甲戊庚日陽貴起丑，陰貴起未。

The method for using the Nobleman (贵人) is as follows: first determine the earthly branch of the time being divined. If the time is in the branches of Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, or You, use the day Nobleman. If the time is in the branches of Xu, Hai, Zi, Chou, Yin, or Mao, use the night Nobleman. Then place the Month General on the time and observe which earthly branch the Nobleman falls on in the Earth Plate. If it falls in the branches of Hai, Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, or Chen, it is a Yang Nobleman and moves in the forward direction. If it falls in the branches of Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, or Xu, it is a Yin Nobleman and moves in the reverse direction. Next, determine the positions of the three deities: Liu He, Tai Chang, and Tai Yin, in the Earth Plate. As for the method of using the Nobleman, it follows the same rules as before: on Jia day, Wu day, and Geng day, the Yang Nobleman starts at Chou, and the Yin Nobleman starts at Wei.

假如正月用亥將，甲戊庚日得卯時，即以亥將加卯，卯用暮貴順數貴人在未，而未貴又臨地盤亥宮，亥為陽宮起貴神順行，則太常在未，六合在寅，太陰在酉，又如甲戊庚日得午時，午用旦貴，即以月將加午順行旦貴在丑，丑臨申宮，申為陰支，起貴神逆行，則太常在子，六合在巳，太陰在戌，即地私門也。

For example: In the first lunar month, the month general is亥. On days of Jia, Wu, and Geng, when encountering the卯 hour, the亥 general is placed on the卯. In the卯 hour, the night nobleman is used, and following the count, the nobleman falls on未. The nobleman on未 is also located on the earth plate's亥 palace. Since亥 belongs to the yang palace, the noble god moves in the forward direction. Thus, the Minister of Rites is in未, the Six Harmonies in寅, and the Yin Moon in酉. Another example: On days of Jia, Wu, and Geng, when encountering the午 hour, the day nobleman is used, and the month general is placed on午 and moves forward. The day nobleman falls on丑, which is located on the申 palace. Since申 belongs to the yin branch, the noble god moves in the reverse direction. Thus, the Minister of Rites is in子, the Six Harmonies in巳, and the Yin Moon in戌. These are examples of the door of the earth plate.

三奇臨宮吉凶圖。八門宮迫圖。六儀擊刑圖。星門返吟伏吟圖。九星利主客圖。奇儀星門入墓圖。干支順行長生圖。陰干逆行長生圖。五行旺相圖。婷婷白奸方位圖。

Below are ten illustrations in sequence: the diagram of the Three Marvels in the palace and their auspicious or inauspicious implications, the diagram of the Eight Doors and their oppressive influences, the diagram of the Six Instruments and their mutual punishment, the diagram of the stars and doors returning and hidden chanting, the diagram of the Nine Stars benefiting the host and guest, the diagram of the Marvels, Stars, and Doors entering the tomb, the diagram of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches progressing in the Growth phase, the diagram of the Yin Stems regressing in the Growth phase, the diagram of the Five Phases' prosperity and strength, and the diagram of the position of the White Criminal. The content of these diagrams has already been explained in the preceding sections of the text and can be cross-referenced. The original text here only includes the titles of the diagrams but does not contain the actual illustrations.

先觀二至，以分順逆。冬至後為陽遁，順布六儀，逆布三奇；夏至後為陰遁，逆布六儀，順布三奇。次分節氣以定三元。三元者，上中下三元也，五日一候，三候一氣，一月二氣，一年二十四氣，此法以甲、己兩將為符頭，如值子午卯酉為上元，寅申巳亥為中元，辰戌丑未為下元，五日一換符頭，故半月一氣而局周也。假令冬至用事，按起例雲冬至一七四，一為上元，七為中元，四為下元，看本日符頭是上元一局，則從坎宮起甲子，餘仿此。

The first line of the mnemonic is "First observe the two solstices to determine the direction of movement": when setting up the layout, first look at the winter solstice and summer solstice, which are the dividing points, to determine whether the movement is forward or backward. After the winter solstice, it is yang dun, with the six instruments arranged in order and the three marvels arranged in reverse; after the summer solstice, it is yin dun, with the six instruments arranged in reverse and the three marvels arranged in order. This is the first step in setting up the layout, and if the direction is wrong, everything else will be wrong. The second line of the mnemonic is "Next divide the solar terms to determine the three yuan." The three yuan refer to the upper yuan, middle yuan, and lower yuan: five days make a qi, three qis make a season, and a month has two solar terms, making twenty-four solar terms in a year. This method uses the days of jia and ji as the symbol heads: if the symbol head falls on zi, wu, maow, or you, it is the upper yuan; if it falls on yin, shen, si, or hai, it is the middle yuan; if it falls on chen, xu, chou, or wei, it is the lower yuan. A new symbol head is used every five days, so a half month corresponds to one solar term, completing the cycle of the three yuan. For example, if the winter solstice is the starting point, according to the starting formula "winter solstice one seven four," one is the upper yuan, seven is the middle yuan, and four is the lower yuan; if the symbol head on that day is the upper yuan, then use one layout, starting from the kan palace with jiazi. The rest follows the same pattern.

取符使全憑旬首。旬首者，六甲符頭也，看占時符首所落之宮即為直符，所得之門即為直使，假如在坎宮，休門為直使，天蓬為直符，餘類推。定直符卻隨時干。視占時之乾落於地盤何宮，即以本旬符首移加此宮，分順逆布之，則奇儀所臨之方見矣，假如時干落於坎宮，天蓬星即為直符，餘再類推。

The third line of the mnemonic is "Take the symbols and the duty gate entirely based on the beginning of the ten-day period." The "beginning of the ten-day period" refers to the starting symbol of the Six Jia. Determine which palace the symbol of the ten-day period falls into; the star of that palace is called the "Chief Symbol," and the gate paired with that palace is called the "Duty Gate." For example, if the symbol of the ten-day period falls into the Kan palace, which is paired with the Xiu Men gate, then Xiu Men is the Duty Gate, and the Tianpeng star of the Kan palace is the Chief Symbol. The other palaces are treated similarly. The fourth line of the mnemonic is "Determine the Chief Symbol by following the heavenly stem." Find which palace the heavenly stem of the time falls into on the Earth Plate, then move the beginning symbol of the current ten-day period to that palace. Then arrange the symbols in order, either clockwise or counterclockwise, and thus the positions of the Three Marvels and the Six Instruments will be revealed. For example, if the heavenly stem of the time falls into the Kan palace, then the Tianpeng star of the Kan palace is the Chief Symbol. The other cases are treated similarly.

直使數時支。視占時之支落於地盤何宮，即從本旬首宮分陰陽順逆數至時支位上得幾宮，即將直使之門加於其上，假令陽遁一局，甲子時休門在一宮，乙丑時休門在二宮矣，餘仿此。直符加符首。直符者，詐門直符也，符首者，甫時本每首也，視旬首直符加於占時何宮，即將詐門直符加於符首之上，分陽順陰逆布之，則詐神所臨之宮見矣。

The fifth line of the mnemonic is "the number of the duty gate corresponds to the branch of the time." To determine the position of the duty gate, find the earthly branch of the time on the earth plate, then starting from the palace where the beginning of the current shen (ten-thousand-year cycle) is located, count forward or backward according to yin and yang in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until reaching the branch of the time. The number of palaces counted determines the palace where the duty gate is placed. For example, in a yang遁 (yang movement) of the first layout, the xiu men (rest gate) is in the first palace at jiazi time, but moves to the second palace at yichou time. The rest follows the same pattern. The sixth line of the mnemonic is "the chief symbol is added to the beginning of the shen." Here, the "chief symbol" refers to the chief deity among the eight deceptions; the "beginning of the shen" refers to the beginning of the current shen. Find the position of the chief symbol on the earth plate corresponding to the time being divined, then place the chief deity of the eight deceptions on top of the beginning of the shen. Then arrange the eight deceptions according to yang movement in a clockwise direction and yin movement in a counterclockwise direction, thus revealing the positions of all eight deceptions.