Focus your mind to a single point and concentrate with undivided attention.

聖人得抱一之真，則無所不達，鬼神含得一之靈，則變化無窮，而陰陽之理，精神之運，斂散抑揚，歸於一者，所以為致一之命，乃問世賢輔，出群異人也。

The sage who grasps the truth of "holding on to one" has nothing that is not understood; the spirits and deities who possess the spirit of "attaining one" have boundless transformations. The principles of yin and yang, the movement of spirit, the convergence and divergence, the suppression and promotion, ultimately all come down to the single character "one." Therefore, it is called the destiny of attaining unity. Such a person is a virtuous minister of the world, an extraordinary individual beyond the ordinary.

如年月日時胎五位，納音四木、一水、四土一火之類是，見於時，或一金四木，土一水四，全之類，一見於年各有旺氣發越、一路是也。五位中有二戊、二丑，而日上或時上，見一寅之類是也。干神上下俱是戊己，而日上見一丙之類是也。

For example, in the five positions of year, month, day, hour, and birth, if the nayin sound elements consist of four woods paired with one water or four earths paired with one fire, the unique element appears in the hour position; or if it is one metal paired with four woods and one water paired with four earths, the unique element appears in the year position. Each has its own flourishing energy and forms its own path, which is called 'zhi yi'. Similarly, if among the five positions there are two wu and two chou, and a single yin appears alone on the day or hour, it also belongs to this category. Likewise, if the heavenly stems above and below are all wu and ji, and a single bing appears alone on the day, it also belongs to this category.

天乙、天官、文星，天德，往來見於四位為福貴之氣，獨於時上一位無福貴之氣是也。祿馬官印貴德會聚於一位是也。三合於日時上帶本家一位是也，三合逢一馬是也。

For example, if the stars of virtue and resolution, officialdom, literary excellence, and the post-horse appear in the four pillars and circulate among them, everywhere there is an atmosphere of fortune and nobility, but the person at the hour pillar lacks this fortune and nobility, this is also a case of unity. Another example is when the positions of wealth, post-horse, officialdom, seal, nobility, and virtue all converge in one position. Also, if a triple harmony is formed in the day pillar or hour pillar along with the native's own position, or if a triple harmony includes the post-horse, these all belong to this category.

四位俱乘旺氣，獨於時上帶一路死絕之氣是也。四位俱帶死絕之氣，惟日上或時上帶一路生旺之氣是也。四位或甲乙或丙丁或戊己或庚辛或壬癸，而日上或時上見一真官是也。雖曰如是，須往來會合歸於一者，方成此格。

For example, if all four pillars are in a strong position, but the hour pillar alone carries a dying or exhausted energy; conversely, if all four pillars are in a dying or exhausted position, but the day or hour pillar alone carries a true official star. Similarly, if the heavenly stems of the four pillars are all Jia and Yi, or all Bing and Ding, or all Wu and Ji, or all Geng and Xin, or all Ren and Gui, and the day or hour pillar alone shows a genuine official star. Although this may be the case, it is still necessary for the elements to interact and converge into one place to truly form this pattern.

人之年時上下如天地覆載而運，日月於太虛之中，此虛中精實之格，最為奇妙，雖美惡相雜，憎愛相半，無不併包而兼容之，真大氣遠業之命。

The heavenly stem and earthly branch of the year and hour are positioned above and below, like heaven covering above and earth supporting below. The day and month stems move within the vast emptiness in between, forming the pattern of 'empty center and solid essence,' which is most extraordinary. Such a destiny, though mixed with both good and bad qualities, and equally liked and disliked elements, can encompass them all. It is truly a destiny of great capacity and enduring achievements.

且年與時上下乘生旺之氣，而於日月兩路帶死絕之氣是也。年月時三位俱帶生旺之氣，惟日上帶一路衰敗死絕之氣是也。上下乘金土剛建厚實之德，惟日上一路建水火變通之氣是也。

For example, if the year and hour are both in a position of birth and prosperity, while the day and month carry the energy of decline and death; or if the year, month, and hour all carry the energy of birth and prosperity, but the day alone carries the energy of decline and death; or if both the upper and lower positions are in the virtue of strong and solid metal and earth, while the day alone carries the energy of water and fire transformation, these situations are considered as hollow in the center but solid in the essence.

上下俱帶天乙、天官，文星、祿馬，並互換見諸吉神，獨日位上無祿馬貴氣是也。年月日得寅午戍生旺庫三位純全，獨日上一位在火氣衰敗死絕之處是也。巳酉丑、申子辰，亥卯未，三合之命，獨日上一位帶三合、衰敗死絕之氣是也。入此格者，曠世無忌，大德有容，富貴不能淫，威武不能屈。

For example, if both the upper and lower positions contain the Heavenly Ethical Official, the Star of Officialdom, the Literary Star, and the禄 and 马 (favorable influences), with various auspicious deities appearing alternately, yet the day position lacks禄 and 马 as well as noble qi; or if the year, month, and day form the complete three positions of the Fire triad (寅午戌), yet the day position falls in the declining or dead phase of the fire element; or if the triple harmony of the Metal triad (巳酉丑), Water triad (申子辰), or Wood triad (亥卯未) is present in the birth chart, yet the day position falls in the declining or dead phase of that triad. Those who fall into this pattern are fearless in the world, possess great virtue and capacity to tolerate others, and are not easily swayed by wealth and honor, nor intimidated by power and authority.

鼎足之義，謂之三合，見三奇三合，見一馬三合，見馬合三合，見本干三合，帶本家三合，以馬換實支，切忌以金當寅午戌之類，須旺中損壽也。

"The term 'dingzu' refers to the concept of three pillars standing together, meaning the Triple Harmony. In a Triple Harmony situation, one may see the Three Marvels, one驿马, a branch that harmonizes with the驿马, the heavenly stem of the native's birth, the native's own pillar, and the use of驿马 to replace one actual branch. These are the foundations of 'dingzu'. However, one must avoid using metal to replace the fire trinity of寅午戌, as although it may be in a strong position, it will cause a reduction in lifespan."

三合見三奇者，乙丙丁或甲戊庚在年月日時，胎上是也。三合見一馬者，申子辰而得寅馬，巳酉丑而得亥馬之類是也。三合見馬合者，寅午戍見巳合，亥卯未見申合之類是也。三合見本干者，甲乙人得亥卯未，丙丁人得寅午戍之類是也。

The concept of "triple harmony meeting three marvels" refers to the presence of 乙, 丙, or 丁, or 甲, 戊, or 庚 in the year, month, day, hour, or the prenatal element. The concept of "triple harmony meeting a post-horse" refers to situations where a water triple harmony such as 申, 子, 辰 has a post-horse at 寅, or a metal triple harmony such as 癸, 酉, 丑 has a post-horse at 亥. The concept of "triple harmony meeting a harmonious post-horse" refers to situations where a fire triple harmony such as 寅, 午, 戌 has a post-horse at 申 and also has 巳 to harmonize with 申, or a wood triple harmony such as 亥, 卯, 未 has a post-horse at 巳 and also has 申 to harmonize with 巳. The concept of "triple harmony meeting the original heavenly stem" refers to situations where a day ruler of 甲 or 乙 has a wood triple harmony such as 亥, 卯, 未, or a day ruler of 丙 or 丁 has a fire triple harmony such as 寅, 午, 戌.

三合帶本家者，寅午戍火命得丙寅，戊午、甲戍帶本家火也，亥卯未得己亥、辛卯、癸未，帶本家木也，他準此。又如寅午戌馬，在申有申，而闕寅，亥卯未馬在巳，有巳而闕亥，申子辰馬在寅，有寅而闕申，巳酉丑馬在亥，有亥而闕巳，此三合馬換頭支也。

The concept of "three harmonies with the original branch" refers to a situation where someone with the fire triple harmony (Yin-Wu-Xu) has the three pillars Bingyin, Wuwu, and Jiaxu, all of which belong to the fire element in terms of nayin sound, thus carrying the original fire element. Similarly, someone with the wood triple harmony (Hai-Mao-Wei) has the three pillars Jihai, Xinmao, and Guiwei, all of which belong to the wood element in terms of nayin sound, thus carrying the original wood element. The same principle applies to other triple harmonies. For example, in the case of the fire triple harmony (Yin-Wu-Xu), the post-horse (Yimashu) is in Shen. If the person's chart contains Shen but lacks Yin, then Shen is used to replace the first branch. Similarly, for the wood triple harmony (Hai-Mao-Wei), the post-horse is in Si. If the person's chart contains Si but lacks Hai, then Si is used to replace the first branch. For the water triple harmony (Shen-Zi-Chen), the post-horse is in Yin. If the person's chart contains Yin but lacks Shen, then Yin is used to replace the first branch. For the metal triple harmony (Si-You-Chou), the post-horse is in Hai. If the person's chart contains Hai but lacks Si, then Hai is used to replace the first branch. This is called using the post-horse to replace the first branch in the triple harmony.

本命甲子，以己巳、辛未為拱揖，虛午為闕門，本命乙丑以庚午壬申為拱揖，虛未為闕門，餘皆倣此。陽命只天官合，陰命見天官、印綬，在日時上，居拱揖二位者是也。

For those with a birth stem of Jiazi, the columns Jisi and Xinwei form an embrace, with the empty Wu position in the middle being called the 'Quemmen'; for those with a birth stem of Yichou, the columns Gengwu and Renshen form an embrace, with the empty Wei position in the middle being Quemmen, and so on in the same way. For yang destiny, only the Star of Officialdom should harmonize, while for yin destiny, the Star of Officialdom and the Seal should be present, both falling on the day pillar or the hour pillar, and exactly located at the two positions of the embrace.

一如甲以己為天合，辛為天官，乙以庚為天官，壬為印綬之類，或二天官合，又二天官或二印綬，夾輔闕門，亦貴資以天德、天乙者，尤貴也。（並閻東叟）

For example, Jia combines with Ji as a heavenly stem harmony and with Xin as the star of officialdom; Yi combines with Geng as the star of officialdom and with Ren as the seal of authority. Such combinations, or two instances of the star of officialdom, or two instances of the seal of authority, supporting the gate from both sides, also indicate nobility. If further assisted by the power of the Star of Virtue and Resolution and the Star of Officialdom, the person will be exceptionally distinguished. The above is also mentioned in the "Yan Dongshou Book."

拱將、拱門、並拱座，拱貴、拱印、青雲路。凡拱者二位虛夾一位，日拱，拱將者，如亥人得寅日，辰時，故虛夾有拱，林開云：坐實不如拱虛、明合不如暗合，乃此格也。

Couplets say: "Arching the general, arching the gate along with the arching seat, plus arching the noble and arching the seal, are all paths to the blue clouds." Any term called "arch" refers to two positions virtually enclosing the middle one, with the day pillar arching it. For example, "arching the general" is when someone born in the year of Hai has a day of Yin and an hour of Chen. Yin and Chen virtually enclose the middle of Mao, which is exactly the general star for someone born in the year of Hai. Lin Kai said: "A solid position is not as good as a virtual arch, an open combination is not as good as a hidden one," referring to this pattern.

拱門者，如年對處是，如林發運癸亥年、癸亥月、戊辰日、戊午時，有辰有午，虛拱巳上一位，曰拱門，加之戊輿癸合，兩戊巳上又拱祿，兩癸巳上又虛夾拱貴，與兩戊合為真拱。

An arch is formed when the elements are positioned opposite the year pillar. For example, Lin Fayun was born in the year and month of Guihai, on the day of Wuchen and the hour of Wuwu. There are both Chen and Wu, which virtually form an arch over the middle Si. This is called an arch. Furthermore, Wu and Gui combine, the two Wus in Si form an arch for the禄, and the two Guis in Si virtually form an arch for the Nobleman, combining with the two Wus. Only then is it considered a true arch.

凡拱者須愛兩拱干同方為真拱，如戊辰見壬午等，乃假拱。凡拱處只愛一午、一辰，如一處重逢，乃偏也。凡拱格皆用此例。

All true arching (拱) requires that the heavenly stems on both sides are the same; if the heavenly stems are different, like Wuchen and Renwu, it is only a false arch. In cases of arching, it is preferable to have one Wu paired with one Chen; if the same side repeats, it becomes biased. All cases of arching patterns should be judged according to this example.

拱座者，乃時為帝座，對沖處逢曰拱座，如庚寅年、丁亥月、庚辰日、乙酉時，沖卯為木帝旺之門，乙祿在卯，與庚合，逢真拱為貴。

Arching the seat refers to treating the time pillar as the Imperial Seat, and when an arch occurs at the position opposite to it, it is called arching the seat. For example, in a year of Gengyin, a month of Dinghai, a day of Gengchen, and an hour of Yiyou, the酉 (You) is opposing the卯 (Mao), which is the Prosperity position for wood. The禄 (Lucky position) of Yi is also at Mao, and Yi combines with Geng. Therefore, this is considered a true arch, leading to wealth and status.

拱貴者，如甲戊庚牛羊，逢有寅、有子、或有午，更有申曰拱貴也。拱印者，如六丙生人遇卯，並巳遁起拱得壬辰，辰乃水印也，凡拱印者，須不破，又看得財印、鬼印、官印、子印、乘印、脫印細細推之。

When the nobleman is supported, for example, the nobleman of Jia, Wu, and Geng is in Chou and Wei, which are the ox and the sheep. If a person's fate meets Yin, Zi, or Wu, and also meets Shen, the nobleman can be virtually supported. When the seal is supported, for example, a person born on the day of Bing meets Mao and has Si, then starting from Si, the hiddenRenchen (Renchen) is supported, and Chen is the water seal. All supported seals must not be broken, and one must distinguish whether the supported seal is a wealth seal, a nobleman seal, a ghost seal, an official seal, a son seal, a riding seal, or a releasing seal, and examine them carefully.

凡拱印者，有七十二格，拱印、拱害、拱馬、拱學堂、拱飛刃、拱劫、拱亡神、拱鬼、拱官貴、拱旺、拱破、拱孤辰、拱寡宿、拱巌廊、拱合、拱君臣合，凡拱須詳殺神輕重分高低言禍福貴賤，青雲得路者，皆貴命，乃日就時中帶祿也。（沉芝源髓）

There are a total of seventy-two types of "gong" (拱), such as gong yin (拱印), gong hai (拱害), gong ma (拱马), gong xuetang (拱学堂), gong feiren (拱飞刃), gong jiesha (拱劫煞), gong wangshen (拱亡神), gong gui (拱鬼), gong guan gui (拱官贵), gong wang (拱旺), gong po (拱破), gong guchen (拱孤辰), gong guasu (拱寡宿), gong yancang (拱岩廊), gong he (拱合), gong jun chen he (拱君臣合), etc. When discussing "gong," one must carefully examine the strength of the killing stars to determine superiority or inferiority, and use this to judge fortune and misfortune, wealth and poverty.the so-called "qing yun de lu" (青云得路) refers to noble destiny, which means that the day pillar combines with the hour pillar to bring out the luck (禄). The "Chen Zhi Yuan Mei" (沉芝源髓) states this.

凡五亥人，得壬辰日時，壬辰人得五亥日時者也，如見丁亥者，為正入格，天門在西北處。乾之位，壬辰水正印，而六龍在御，見亥，所以為福，若得丁亥，則干神合壬祿在亥，入此格者，有潤澤生民濟世之功業。

All those born in the year of Yihai, Dinghai, Jihai, Xinhai, and Guihai, if they are born on a day or hour of Renchen, or if those born in the year of Renchen are born on a day or hour of Hai, belong to this pattern. If they see Dinghai, it is a perfect match. The heavenly gate is in the northwest, which is the position of the Qian trigram. The Nayin sound element of Renchen belongs to water, which is the true official of water. Chen is also the dragon, and six dragons in the sky govern, with Hai occupying the position of Qian, thus forming great fortune. If someone has Dinghai, then the heavenly stem Ding combines with the heavenly stem Ren, and the禄 of Ren is precisely in Hai. Those who enter this pattern will have achievements in benefiting the people and securing the world's peace.

庚申人得辛卯，為日時者，為正入格，曰虎家在庚申，而辛卯重重見之，則為龍閣，故曰虎臥龍閣，得此者，有聲彈壓名臣。

Those born in the Gengshen year, if their day pillar or hour pillar has Xinmao, are said to have the correct configuration. Shen belongs to the tiger, and Gengshen represents the tiger's home; when Xinmao appears repeatedly, it forms the Dragon Pavilion, hence the term "tiger lying in the Dragon Pavilion." People with this configuration are renowned ministers whose authority is sufficient to subdue a region.

丙午、丁未得戊子已丑日時，戊子己丑人得丙午丁未日時，蓋丙午丁未天河水，戊子己丑霹靂火，子午居陰陽之正位，今全見之，陰陽和也，陰陽和而乃雨，如己入貴格，而得此者，膏澤及民，榮職百撥，如有沖破、空亡，亦不免為州縣之職，丁未人得壬辰、己丑人得壬辰，凖龍得天河水、與霹靂火亦為雨故也。

Those born in the years of Bingwu or Dingwei, who have days or hours of Wuzi or Jichou, or those born in the years of Wuzi or Jichou, who have days or hours of Bingwu or Dingwei, all fall into this pattern. The nayin sound element of Bingwu and Dingwei is Tianhe Water, while that of Wuzi and Jichou is Pileli Fire. The hour of Zi and the hour of Wu are the proper positions of yin and yang. Now that both are present, yin and yang are in harmony, and when yin and yang harmonize, rain can be produced. If one already has a noble destiny and further attains this combination, the favor can extend to the people, and one can achieve successive promotions to honorable positions. However, if accompanied by conflict or kongwang, one may only hold a position as a county official. Those born in the year of Dingwei who have the day or hour of Renchen, or those born in the year of Jichou who have the day or hour of Renchen, should also be viewed in the same way, because Chen is the dragon, and the dragon receives Tianhe Water and meets Pileli Fire, which can also produce rain.

巳酉丑人皆得乙字者是，假令乙丑人得乙酉月、乙巳日、乙酉時為入正格，金主刑，乙真金也，巳酉丑金之正位，上下全見之故，清肅憲臺，得此者，多為臺諫之任，若胎月中見驛馬，則外任憲司之職。（並玉霄寶鑑）

Those born with the Earthly Branches Si, You, and Chou forming the Metal Bureau, and with the Heavenly Stem Yi in the sky, constitute this particular pattern. For example, someone born in the year Yichou, with the month Yiyou, day Yisi, and hour Yiyou, is said to perfectly fit this pattern. Metal represents punishment and severity, but in this case, Yi is considered true Metal. Since Si, You, and Chou are the proper positions for Metal, both upper and lower parts are complete, hence the term "Clear and Stern Constitutional Office." People with this pattern often hold positions in the court of remonstrance and advice. If they also have the Post-horse in their natal chart or month pillar, they are likely to be assigned to external positions as officials in the supervisory system. This is discussed in detail in the "Yuzhao Baodian."

風雲慶會少人知，年遁月兮日遁時，轉把月時遁年日，有人遇者一生奇。（廣録）

The song says: The pattern of "clouds and winds meeting" is rarely recognized, it uses the heavenly stem of the birth year to hide the birth month, and the heavenly stem of the birth day to hide the birth time; conversely, it also uses the month and time to hide the year and day, and they correspond with each other. If a person encounters this pattern, their life experiences will certainly be extraordinary. The "Broad Record" says so.

須將三日一分干，十干日內細推看，六日生為初甲乙，須逢寅卯貴人言。一至三日得甲或寅，四至六日得乙或卯，七至九日得丙或巳，十至十二日得丁或午，十三日至十五日得戊或己，十六日至十八日得己或午，十九至二十一日得庚或申，二十二至二十四日得辛或酉，二十五至二十七日得壬或亥，二十八日至三十日癸或子，五行既失，取舍既便，數日人命稍加於此，乃為福貴之命。（太乙統紀）

The song says: divide a month into groups of three days, each assigned to a Heavenly Stem, and examine carefully within the ten stems. Those born in the first six days belong to the stems Jia and Yi, and they require the branches Yin and Mao to be considered as having a Nobleman. Specifically: those born on the first to third day take Jia or Yin; fourth to sixth day take Yi or Mao; seventh to ninth day take Bing or Si; tenth to twelfth day take Ding or Wu; thirteenth to fifteenth day take Wu or Ji; sixteenth to eighteenth day take Ji or Wu; nineteenth to twenty-first day take Geng or Shen; twenty-second to twenty-fourth day take Xin or You; twenty-fifth to twenty-seventh day take Ren or Hai; and twenty-eighth to thirtieth day take Gui or Zi. If the Five Phases are already out of place, then the choice should be adjusted accordingly. The fate determined by the day count, when slightly combined with other auspicious patterns, becomes a fortunate and noble destiny. The "Taiyi Tongji" says this.

陽奇者，甲庚丙壬也，陰偶者乙辛丁癸也，命中見之大好，重陰者，如甲人逢癸又見庚，重官者，如甲人逢辛，又見丙，蓋甲以辛為官，辛以丙為官，乃重官也。如甲人逢兩辛，不用此論如福聚多，兩府之命。

The term "yang qi" refers to the four yang stems: Jia, Geng, Bing, and Ren. "Yin ou" refers to the four yin stems: Yi, Xin, Ding, and Gui. It is considered favorable to see both in a person's destiny. "Chong yin" means encountering both癸 and庚 on a day of Jia. "Chong guan" refers to encountering both辛 and丙 on a day of Jia: Jia takes Xin as its official star, and Xin takes Bing as its official star, so official star is added upon official star, hence called "chong guan." If a person born on Jia day only encounters two Xin, it is not considered "chong guan." Those who gather more fortune are said to have a destiny that can enter two government offices.

包裹旌旗乃拱劫殺、亡神相見，須是天元有氣，不甚死絕，最吉。凡命中劫殺曰旗，亡神曰旌，二殺相見，方為旌旗，獨遇一位，非旌旗也。包裹者，乃拱旌旗也。

Wrapping the banners refers to the situation where the劫杀 andWangshen appear together, both being virtual and supported by the heavenly stems, not too dead or exhausted, which is most auspicious. In a person's destiny, the劫杀 is called "flag" (旗), and the亡神 is called "banner" (旌). Only when both are present does it constitute "wrapping the banners" (包裹旌旗); if only one is present, it does not form "wrapping the banners." The term "wrapping" means that the banners (旌旗) are enclosed or sandwiched between them.

且如庚辰年、丙戌月、庚午日、丙子時，乃辰人劫殺在巳，亡神在亥，庚辰庚午拱巳上劫殺，曰包裹旗，丙戌丙子拱亥上亡神，曰包裹旌，餘格類此。凡遇旌旗者，官雖卑，亦作小監司，如遇之必為師帥，如帶刃，身克殺，多斬人，殺克身必下來惡死定也。（沉芝源髓）

For example, in the year of Gengchen, month of Bingxu, day of Gengwu, and hour of Bingzi: people born in the year of Gengchen have their calamity and killing power in Si, and their Wangshen in Hai. The two pillars of Gengchen and Gengwu form a virtual arch over the killing power in Si, which is called the wrapping flag. The two pillars of Bingxu and Bingzi form a virtual arch over the Wangshen in Hai, which is called the wrapping banner. Other similar patterns should be examined in the same way. Those who have the banner and flag usually have low official rank but can hold a minor supervisory position. If the combination is favorable, they will certainly become a military commander. If they also have Yangren, those who kill others often end up killing people themselves. If the killing power turns back to attack them, they will certainly meet a violent death. The "Chen Zhi Yuan Mei" says this.

祿期本地，身命旺相，祿乘馬位，貴合兩全。如甲人生亥卯未或寅卯辰中，即生旺氣也，如甲辰得辛亥，丙寅己亥，甲寅得辛未，丙子巳亥是也。

The禄 should fall in the native's own essential element position, with both the body and the destiny being prosperous and strong. If the禄 is also located on the Post-horse position, then both dignity and harmony are present. For example, if someone born on a Jia day is born in the Wood triad of Hai-Mao-Wei or the spring quarter of Yin-Mao-Chen, they have obtained the vital and prosperous energy. Also, cases such as Jia Chen with Xin Hai, Bing Yin with Ji Hai, Jia Yin with Xin Wei, and Bing Zi with Ji Hai all fall into this category.

如丁人得壬，而在寅卯辰亥之中、或見丙辛各在旺地，而別位無丁是也。

For example, if someone born on a Ding day is paired with a Ren, and this Ren is located in the positions of Yin, Mao, Chen, or Hai; or if Bing and Xin are each in their strong positions, and there is no Ding elsewhere to compete, this is called true essence staying in its position.

本命四柱支干純一，或四柱干純帶貴神來朝本命，或四柱並在一支上見貴神。

The heavenly stems and earthly branches in the four pillars of destiny are all the same, or the heavenly stems in the four pillars are all the same while the noble spirits come to support the destiny pillar, or all four pillars share the same earthly branch with noble spirits present, all fall under this pattern.

金、木、水、火、土而三元有氣，得生克相順尤佳也，辛酉人得甲午月、戊寅日、庚申時，是三奇順得也。

Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth are all present, and the year, month, and day all have energy. The generating and overcoming relationships follow in order, which is the best situation. For example, a person born in the year of Xinyou, with the month of Jiawu, the day of Wuyin, and the hour of Gengshen, the three marvels of Jia, Wu, and Geng come in sequence, which is called a proper sequence of the three marvels.

如土人生夏季，或居申子辰中，連四季者是也。

For example, if someone with a Nayin sound element of earth is born in the late summer month, when fire is strong and can generate earth; or if they are in a water trinity of Shen-Zi-Chen and also connected to the four earth months of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, this is called borrowing the sound of another element at the right time.

尊生卑曰寶，卑生尊曰義，上克下曰制，下克上曰伐，以此四者，胎月日時上下相生相剋是也。

The generation of a higher position by a lower one is called "bao," and the generation of a higher position by a lower one is called "yi." The control of a lower position by a higher one is called "zhi," and the control of a higher position by a lower one is called "fa." Using these four relationships to examine the mutual generation and control between the胎, 月, 日, and 时 positions, it is referred to as "bao yi zhi fa."

木須要金，而木適用，甲重而無金者，須得支有金，金須要火，而金相當，或庚重而會合於丙。

Wood must have metal to shape and cut it, so that it becomes useful; if there are many Jia woods in the heavenly stems and no metal, then metal must be hidden in the earthly branches. Metal must have fire to temper it, so that it becomes suitable; if there are many Geng metals, they should combine with Bing fire to be good.

謂三元各處一方，帶本位祿，而和及三元各居生旺庫，而納音支干相生育也。

This refers to the three elements of year, month, and day each occupying one position, each accompanied by their own禄 and harmonizing with each other; or the three elements each residing in the positions of birth, prosperity, and repository, while the Nayin sound element and the stem-branch can also mutually generate and nurture each other.

庚子土得丙午月、丁丑胎、庚辰日、癸未時之類，雖沖破卻會在本氣之方，更有祿馬尤好。

For example, in the year of Gengzi, the nayin sound element belongs to earth. If the month is Bingwu, the day is Gengchen, the hour is Guiwei, and the taimen is Dingchou, this type, although having the conflict between Zi and Wu, and the destruction between Chou and Wei, will all gather in the original energy of earth. If there is also a禄马 to join, it would be even better.

【月官德合】如丁亥得壬辰、壬戌、壬寅，己亥得甲辰、甲戌、甲寅。【暗逢支祿】如甲人得丑未亥之類。【用刑者有時】如寅刑巳，而生在春，制克有用。【守刑者不亂】如癸巳刑戊申、而無丁干是。人生元命支干四柱，應以上諸格者，主富貴，縱無氣，亦主名聞挺特出群。

When the month's heavenly stem is in harmony with the virtue of the day's stem, for example, if the month is Ding Hai and the person's birth chart includes Ren Chen, Ren Xu, or Ren Yin, or if the month is Ji Hai and the person's birth chart includes Ji Chen, Ji Xu, or Ji Yin, then the heavenly stem of the month and the person's stem are in harmony. This is considered a harmonious relationship between the official star of the month and the person's inherent virtue. When the hidden branch of the earth contains the禄 (favorable position), for example, if a person is born on a Ji day and has the branches Chou, Wei, or Hai in their chart, the earth branch contains the禄. When there is a conflict, for example, when Yin is in conflict with Si, and the person is born in spring when wood is strong and fire is in its season, this conflict can be used to control and restrain. When there is a conflict but it remains orderly, for example, when Gui Si conflicts with Wu Shen, but there is no Ding stem to disturb it. If a person's birth chart includes any of these patterns, they are destined for wealth and honor; even if the Five Phases are not in their prime, they will still have a notable reputation and stand out from others.

三元有地而貴，四柱遞合而榮。三元俱有用得地，必富貴清顯，胎月日時為四柱，交互相合而朝命，即是榮貴清顯之命。（並鬼谷遺文）

Parallel sentences say: If the three elements of year, month, and day each have their proper positions, then one will be wealthy and esteemed; if the four pillars mutually harmonize, then one will achieve honor and distinction. The explanation is: If all three elements are useful and each occupies its proper place, one will certainly be wealthy and distinguished; considering the fetal, lunar, solar, and hour pillars as the four pillars, if they mutually harmonize and converge towards the true destiny, then it is a life of honor and distinction. The above is also found in the "Ghost Valley Remains."

凡貴人之命，不可一塗而定，須推生月日時之所遇，有遇四貴者，有遇五行本位及華蓋而貴者，有遇正天乙而貴者，有遇本家祿而貴者，有遇干合而貴者，有遇正官印而貴者，有遇天乙神而貴者，有遇天乙貴神合而貴者，有遇祿馬同位而貴者，有遇支干四字全而貴者，有遇驛馬而貴者，有遇貴神足而貴者，有遇帶三祿而貴者，有遇君相五行而貴者，有遇貴窠而貴者，有遇命合祿合而貴者，有遇食神福會而貴者，有遇三支迭三奇全而貴者，有遇胎生元命而貴者，有遇學堂而貴者。

All noble persons' destinies cannot be determined by a single factor; they must be carefully examined according to the month, day, and hour of birth, and what each encounters. Some become noble due to four noble influences, some due to the Five Phases and Huagai, some due to the proper Tianyi, some due to their native禄, some due to the harmony of heavenly stems, some due to proper official and official-teacher positions, some due to Tianyi deity, some due to the harmony between Tianyi and noble deity, some due to the presence of禄 and the post-horse in the same position, some due to the completeness of the four heavenly stems and earthly branches, some due to the post-horse, some due to the completeness of noble deities, some due to carrying three禄, some due to the king and minister Five Phases, some due to the noble nest, some due to the harmony of the native and禄, some due to the food god and fortune meeting, some due to three branches producing three marvels completely, some due to the presence of the fetal, birth, original, and destiny positions, and some due to the xuetang.

以上分為廿例，非為遇一例便為貴人，但以生月日時三位上占例數多者為上貴，謂臺相兩府之人也，占例數中者，為中貴，謂侍從清華也，占例數少者，為下貴，謂帶貼職並朝奉郎，以上入為省郎清望之官，出曆監司潘府之任，若知小州軍者，在下等也，占例數又少者，京朝官而已，又少者選人而已。

The above consists of twenty examples, and it is not enough to encounter just one instance to be considered a nobleman. One must look at the number of examples appearing in the positions of birth month, birth day, and birth time. Those with the most occurrences are considered upper nobles, referring to officials such as those in the provincial and central government and those at the level of the two cabinets. Those with moderate occurrences are considered middle nobles, referring to officials in important and clean positions in the court. Those with fewer occurrences are considered lower nobles, referring to officials with attached positions and those holding the rank of court attendant, who can serve as provincial officials or hold prestigious posts in the court. If one only holds a minor position as a prefect of a small state, they are already considered lower class. Those with even fewer occurrences are merely officials in the capital, and those with even fewer are just candidates waiting for appointments.

就二十例中，更以福力之高下，則四貴位五行本位，正天乙本家祿，祿馬同鄉（不犯沖破刑者），以上為上等，上下合正官、正印、華蓋、天乙、貴人、合生馬同位（陽祿臨官馬同），有氣貴神（不與忌神同者），支干四字全，貴神足，君相五行，帶三祿以上，為宜中等。

Among these twenty cases, they should also be further divided into ranks according to the strength of fortune: the positions of four noblemen, the original position of the five phases, the proper heavenly stem, the native's official position, and the禄 andThe Post-horse in the same place, limited to those that do not conflict, break, or suffer from punishment; these belong to the top rank. The proper official, proper seal, Huagai, heavenly stem, and nobleman, with the combination of generation and theThe Post-horse in the same position, referring to the禄, official position, andThe Post-horse of the yang heavenly stem in the same palace, as well as the noble god with vitality, limited to those not sharing the same place as the hostile god, and also those with all four heavenly stem and earthly branch characters complete, the noble god fully present, the king and minister of the five phases, and those carrying three types of禄, should be considered medium rank.

食神福會，三支又三奇，全乾合胎生元命學堂無氣貴神（與忌神同），病馬絕馬祿合馬合六合貴窠命中胎生旺庫已為四貴此謂其餘者也。以上宜為下等也。（三命提要）

As for the food god's blessing, three branches meeting three marvels, complete harmony in the heavenly stems, the original life and destiny, the xuetang, and the noble spirits that share the same place as the hostile god but are without energy, as well as the sick horse, the dead horse, the禄合, the horse harmony, the six harmonies, the noble nest, and the four noble positions of the original life's birth, growth, strength, and repository, these are all other categories and should be considered inferior. The "Three Destiny Essentials" states this.

人之富貴者，得五行之純粹陰陽之交泰也，命若入格，則五行清而可貴，獨而可富，所謂清者，生旺是也。濁者，死絕是也。若貴氣已成，得陰陽秀氣，大氣有所刑破，則尤為害，或多出謫，更或帶殺，則不得善終。蓋陰陽己成，稍有刑傷則相反，較之氣未成者，災尤甚也。正如好物易毀耳。

People become wealthy and prosperous because they possess the purity of the Five Phases and the harmonious interaction of yin and yang. If a person's destiny fits a pattern, the clarity of the Five Phases indicates value, and being focused without mixture indicates wealth. Clarity refers to being in a state of growth and vitality, while turbidity refers to being in a state of decline and decay. If the noble energy has already formed, and further receives the refined essence of yin and yang, then once the overall situation is harmed by punishments or disruptions, the damage becomes especially severe, often leading to demotion. If such a person also carries the presence of destructive forces, they are likely to have an unfortunate end. This is because once yin and yang have formed a structured pattern, even slight injuries or damages will lead to adverse outcomes, which are more severe than when the energy has not yet taken shape. Just as valuable things are more easily damaged.

凡命入格局，須有一官重得之者愈增。然又須能辮其可以宜文、可以宜武，大抵學堂、官印、驛馬乘金水之氣，或火木之氣，又或三奇、華蓋、夾貴、夾祿中有生旺食神皆宜文也。

If a person's destiny is already in a structured pattern, it must have a governing star, and if it appears again, the noble quality increases. However, it is also necessary to distinguish whether it is suitable for a civil or military position: generally, if the Xuetang, official seal, and post-horse are accompanied by the energies of metal and water or fire and wood, or if among the three marvels, Huagai,夹贵, and夹禄 there is a thriving food god, these are suitable for the civil service.

或五行生旺，而無學堂、納音，見金火、官符，與劫殺往來，大耗與羊刃相承，刑沖帶馬尅，處貴氣主之，倒食帶殺。祿貴逢生，皆宜武官，官符利文不利武，劫殺利武不利文，學堂貴神祿馬中下有金水或水木中有刑害、空亡、劫殺、羊刃者，是謂清濁駁雜。或自文而換武、或自武而換文，可以意推之也。

If the Five Phases are flourishing but there is no Xuetang, and the Nayin sound element also shows metal and fire along with Guanfu, and if Jiesha comes into contact with these, and Da Hao and Yangren follow one after another, with Xingchong accompanied by Yimashu and showing a destructive influence, then the noble quality will fall upon these evil spirits. If further combined with Dao Shi and killing stars, and if the official rank and noble spirits are born in a favorable condition, these are suitable for military officials. Guanfu is favorable for literature but not for military affairs, while Jiesha is favorable for military affairs but not for literature. If among Xuetang, noble spirits, and official rank there are intermingled metal and water or water and wood, and if there are also Xinghai, Kongwang, Jiesha, and Yangren in between, this is called a mixture of clear and turbid elements. Such people may change from literary to military or from military to literary, and this can be inferred accordingly.

凡貴命切要五行生旺，不可死絕，生旺則超達，死絕則卑冗，生旺則權謀機變，死絕則沉滯坎坷，而於政事亦不敏也。

In matters of destiny, the most important thing is whether the Five Phases are in a state of generation and prosperity rather than decline and extinction. Those with prosperous Five Phases will excel and achieve great success, while those with declining Five Phases will be humble and scattered. People with prosperous Five Phases are rich in strategy and adaptability, whereas those with declining Five Phases tend to be stagnant and encounter obstacles. They also lack agility in handling official affairs.

凡貴人命見拱端朝帝座、生旺、祿貴、驛馬，五行自旺者，多近侍清華之職，不離京國。凡貴命常以祿馬集帝坐，生時五行來生本命，如命是金時土也，多主恩寵，為祿最緊。如命是水，而時是木者。主為臣忠孝子，但為祿稍慢，又時上帶本命之貴人者，多寵眷之恩也。

All noble persons' destinies, when they see the auspicious assembly of the end and the imperial seat, and also have the birth and prosperity, official luck, and the post-horse, with the five phases strong in themselves, often hold important and confidential positions close to the court, not far from the capital. For all noble destinies, the official luck and post-horse usually gather above the imperial seat. If the five phases in the hour column generate the destiny, for example, if the destiny is metal and the hour column is earth, earth can generate metal, which often indicates receiving imperial favor. This point is especially important for obtaining official luck. If the destiny is water and the hour column is wood, water generates wood, which usually indicates being loyal as a minister and filial as a son, but obtaining official luck is a bit slower. If the hour column also carries the nobleman of the destiny, there is often imperial favor and care.

凡貴命見生旺帶殺，刑沖破及尅者，多刑獄兵刃之權，見印庫財庫建祿者，多錢榖重任，得驛馬帶劍，官符同貴人或孤辰四殺合長生建祿者，漕憲之職，見學堂金水或水木兩字清秀，多館職清華也。

All noble destinies that show growth and strength along with killing stars, and also have conflicts, clashes, destruction, and control, are likely to hold positions related to criminal justice and military power. Those that show seal repositories, treasure repositories, and establishedofficial stipend are likely to bear the heavy responsibility of managing grain and supplies. If the post-horse is accompanied by a sword, or if official symbols and noblemen are together, or if Guchen is combined with four killing stars and growth and establishedofficial stipend, they are likely to hold positions in the granary transport and the judicial office. Those that show the academy and have clear and refined gold and water or water and wood elements are likely to hold important and clean positions in the imperial academy.

凡貴命見正印重重，或見偏印，或異類帶合者，動有兼職重權，至隆顯也。凡貴命帶偏印、四殺、刑尅、驛馬、孤角，州縣冷官、或宜力四方，出塞邊鄙，多不安逸也。

If a noble birth has a strong and repeated presence of the official star, or if it has a secondary official star, or if it is accompanied by other stars that form harmonious combinations, such individuals often hold multiple positions, wield significant power, and attain high status. However, if a noble birth includes the secondary official star, four killers, punishments, the post-horse, or the isolated star, it usually indicates holding a low-ranking position in a remote county, or requiring travel extensively, serving on the frontier, and generally lacking comfort.

凡貴命見大耗、官符、尅身者，多遭言章貶逐，小官文書督責，僚友不和。凡貴命相沖上、或一切貴格上，帶喪門弔客，倒食祿鬼，一才得祿，便丁憂也。凡貴命見魁罡、天中、刑尅，本命奪祿分氣，更帶諸凶殺，謫死遠方也。

All noble destinies that encounter the Star of Great Expenditure, the Official Seal, and also afflict the self, are likely to be impeached by officials and demoted, or suffer reprimands for minor paperwork issues, and have conflicts with colleagues and friends. All noble destinies that are in the position of mutual conflict, or are in various noble patterns while also carrying the Mourning-and-Condolence spirit, the Guest spirit, and the Inverted Food spirit and the禄 Ghost, will immediately face the loss of their parents and have to observe mourning upon receiving their official salary. All noble destinies that encounter the魁罡, the Middle Heaven, and the Empty Wasteland, and have their own salary taken away and their energy divided, and also carry various凶 Killers, will be exiled and die in distant places.

凡富足命，尤為易定，有貴格而不生旺，貴格全而見刑沖氣散、或乘死絕馬，或在無氣祿庫中，生身，貴人交互，或月日時胎納音重重生本命，主富足，得之多者，祿厚，得之少者，祿薄也。（並燭神經）

All prosperous and wealthy destinies are especially easy to determine: those with noble qualities but not in a strong position, or those with complete noble qualities but encountering punishment and clash, causing their energy to scatter, or those riding dead or exhausted horses, or those in a place without vital energy yet still able to nourish their destiny, or those with noble people interacting with each other, or those with multiple Nayin sound elements in the month, day, hour, and胎 position generating and supporting their destiny, all indicate prosperity and wealth. The more of these conditions are present, the thicker the fortune; the fewer, the thinner. The above is also mentioned in the "Zhu Shen Jing".

凡命有清氣、有官印、有福神、有吉殺，天月德合，卻犯空亡、六害者，建功立業臺輔之命，蓋無空亡、無度量、無六害、無斷制也。凡大用冢宰之格，須是六害空亡全，方有斷制、度量以能建功立業事也，凡冢宰輔臣皆以五行朝命，有殺論之，不可離空亡六害。

Whenever a person's destiny includes clear qualities, official rank, auspicious deities, and beneficial malevolent stars, and also encounters the harmony of the Star of Virtue and Resolution and the Star of Virtue and Charity, yet happens to be afflicted by Kongwang and the Six Harmful Influences, they are actually destined to achieve great accomplishments and attain high positions such as the Star of Conferment. This is because without Kongwang there is no capacity for tolerance, and without the Six Harmful Influences there is no decisiveness. Any destiny capable of being used for great governance must have both Kongwang and the Six Harmful Influences, thereby possessing decisiveness and tolerance, enabling them to achieve great accomplishments. All officials and ministers of great importance must examine the Five Phases converging towards their native star, and consider the malevolent stars together, without separating from the analysis of Kongwang and the Six Harmful Influences.

凡建大事，立大功，不以五行取，是應時之人，雖以五行，當意外求之，不多得也，五百年方出於世，如狄梁公、趙韓王之徒，邵先生日：才堪命世有時有，智可濟時無世無。長平之卒、南陽之士，意不外此。

Anyone who can accomplish great deeds and establish great achievements cannot be judged solely by the Five Phases; such people are born at the right time. Even if we use the Five Phases to analyze them, we should look beyond ordinary principles. Such individuals are rare, appearing perhaps once every five hundred years. Examples include Di Lian Gong, Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty, and Zhao Hanwang, Zhao Pu of the early Song Dynasty. Master Shao Kangjie said: those with talent sufficient to make a name for themselves may appear occasionally, but those with wisdom sufficient to benefit the world are not lacking in any era. The soldiers of Changping who were buried alive and Zhuge Liang who plowed in Nanyang are also examples of this principle.

凡命係官格，卻日落空亡者，主多就權闢正任，多不滿也，寸珠尺璧雲亦難有出身或印落空亡者，主常居清職，亦多不全任，沖破印者，亦多不滿任，行年太歲亦不可使沖印。

If a person's destiny falls under an official rank pattern but their day pillar is in Kongwang, they are mostly only able to hold temporary positions, and often cannot fulfill their official term. The book "Cun Zhu Chi Bi" says such people also rarely have proper official backgrounds. If the seal star falls in Kongwang, they usually hold idle positions and often cannot complete a term; if the seal star is broken, they also often cannot complete their term; the year pillar's Tai Sui should not be in conflict with the seal star.

乘軒衣冕，金火何多，位劣班卑，陰陽不定。王氏注云：乃四柱遇官鬼生旺之鄉也，如金人得戊午，辛人得丙寅之類，金從火革，有造化之妙，然亦欲合陰陽之耦，如庚人得丁，辛人得丙之類，天官帶德，陰陽相配，加以祿馬相乘，則有乘軒衣冕之生、或庚人得丙，辛人得丁，純陽純陰，為尅為鬼，是謂陰陽不定，如此者，雖有官，亦致位劣班，安能顯達。（珞琭子）

The Luolu Zi says: Those who can ride in carriages and wear ceremonial caps have a lot of metal and fire in their destiny; while those in low positions and of humble rank have an unstable balance of yin and yang. Wang's commentary says: This refers to when the four pillars meet the prosperous and favorable places of officialdom and ghosts, for example, someone with the nayin sound element of metal getting Wuwu, or someone with a辛 day getting Bingyin. Metal is refined by fire and transformed into useful objects, which is a marvelous transformation. However, it must also conform to the principle of yin and yang being paired. For example, someone with a庚 day getting a丁, or someone with a辛 day getting a丙, and also having the star of officialdom with virtue, the yin and yang are properly matched, and with the addition of禄 and 马, they will achieve high status and honor. Conversely, if someone with a庚 day gets a丙, or someone with a辛 day gets a丁, pure yang is matched with pure yang, and pure yin with pure yin, resulting only in mutual suppression and becoming ghosts. This is called unstable yin and yang; such people may have official positions, but they will be of low rank and humble status, and cannot achieve prominence.

印堂在日，呼為雨，而吐為雲。詞館臨時，談為經，而注為史。五行以入墓為印堂，以長生為詞館，印堂以在日而言者，蓋年為本，管於月，日為主，管於時，故取主本須言日也，詞館以在時而言者，蓋年尊而象君，時卑而象臣，故取君臣須言時也。

Parallel sentences say: Those whose imprint hall falls on the day pillar can call for rain with one breath and summon clouds with one utterance; those whose Ciguan falls on the hour pillar can speak scriptures and write history with a stroke of the pen. The Five Phases take the place of burial as the imprint hall and the place of growth as the Ciguan. The reason the imprint hall is associated with the day pillar is that the year represents the root and governs the month, the day represents the main element and governs the hour; to take the main element and the root, one must refer to the day pillar. The reason the Ciguan is associated with the hour pillar is that the year is exalted and represents the sovereign, while the hour is humble and represents the minister; to take the relationship between sovereign and minister, one must refer to the hour pillar.

自墓者，癸未、甲戍、丙辰、壬辰、乙丑，惟壬辰、丙辰可借而用，蓋同包共墓也，自生者，己亥、丙寅、辛巳、甲申、戊甲，惟戊申、甲申可借用，蓋同包共生也，正得之則力全，借得之則力減，不在日時者，半之，非本家者更無用也。

Those with theStorage (storage) in their column areGuiwei (Guiwei), Jiaxu (Jiaxu), Bingchen (Bingchen), Renchen (Renchen), and Yichou (Yichou). Among these, only Renchen (Renchen) and Bingchen (Bingchen) can be borrowed, because they share the same storage. Those with theGrowth (growth) in their column areJihai (Jihai), Bingyin (Bingyin), Xinsi (Xinsi), Jiashen (Jiashen), and Wushen (Wushen). Among these, only Wushen (Wushen) and Jiashen (Jiashen) can be borrowed, because they share the same growth. The strength of being in the correct position is complete, but borrowed strength is only half. If it does not fall on the day column or the hour column, it is halved again. If it is not from the same family, it is of no use at all.