On Post Horses
Original Text
所谓驿马者，乃先天三合数也，先天寅七、午九、戌五，合数二十有一，故自子顺至申，凡二十有一而为火局之驿马。亥卯未之数，四、六与八合为十八，故自子顺至巳，凡十八而为木局之驿马。木、火，阳局也，从子一阳顺行。金、水、阴局也，从午一阴逆行，甲子辰之数，七、九与五合，为二十有一，故自午逆至寅，凡二十有一，而为水局之驿马。巳酉丑之数，四、六与八合为十八，故自午至亥，凡十有八，而为金局之驿马。此法之所由立也。
寅午戌生人，马在申而五阳干乘之。见甲申，截路空日马；丙申，大败马。戊申，福星伏马。庚申，逢天关马；壬申，大败马。以上巳酉丑申年月日时发应。
申子辰人，马在寅而五阳干乘之。见甲寅，正禄文星马。丙寅，福星马。戊寅，伏马。庚寅，破禄马。壬寅，截路马。以上亥卯未寅年月日时发应。
巳酉丑人，马在亥而五阴乾乘之。见乙亥，天德马，以马中支生乾，汨没无成，徒自聪明。丁亥，天乙马。己亥，旺禄马。辛亥，正禄马。癸亥，大败马。以上申子辰亥年月日时发应。
亥卯未人，马在巳而五阴乾乘之。见乙巳，正禄马。丁己，旺气马。己已，九天禄库马。辛巳，截路马。癸巳，天乙伏马。以上寅午戌巳年月日时发应。
凡柱中马，若不值空亡、破败、交退、伏神，须荣贵。互禄共天乙贵神，同其马位，更得诸煞相并，官秉大权，贵居廊庙，时为上贵，日为中贵，月为常庶。库马主少年之喜，旺马资壮岁之荣，生马老方得遂而官卑任远矣，如木生亥旺卯库未。馀仿此。珞子云：生马未必有马，背禄未必无禄。看其旺库，不问背生。妙在消息盈虚也。
又曰：驿马者，三命中发用，喜庆之神。若人遇之，君子常居荣位，小人主丰赡。大小运行年至此，主得官及迁改之喜；小运及行年合驿马，并主迁官得禄，如甲子人驿马在寅，小运及太岁至亥，亥与寅合之类是也。
又马有十二：一曰款段，谓巳酉丑人得壬亥，亥卯未人得丙巳，申子辰人得甲寅，寅午戌人得戊申。二曰蹶蹄，谓四柱虽带驿马而生日值空亡之神。三曰折足，谓胎月带驿马而日时带沐浴者是，申子辰全见寅为马，是三人骑一马，谓之折足。若亥卯未全见马，总有官贵，终成下贱。若一辰坐者，少年虽泰，后还穷。四曰无粮，谓生日值马，马食太岁，如甲子人得壬寅日而时更落在空亡者是。五曰不出厅厩，谓胎月带马，不见贵及不见禄堂及入空亡者是。六曰嘶风。七曰趋途，谓驿马虽有禄，在空亡。八曰驮尸，十二驿马惟驮尸最凶，见禄即尸。甲子旬中，巳酉丑生人马在亥，乙丑人丁亥，己巳人乙亥，癸酉人癸亥。乙丑人得亥马，忌寅月日时；己巳人得亥马，忌申月日时；癸酉人得亥马，亦忌寅月日时，有一在此，名曰驮尸。亦如亥卯未是甲午旬中，乙未人辛巳，己亥人己巳，癸卯人丁巳。乙未人得已马，忌寅月日时；己亥人得巳马，忌申月日时；癸卯人得巳马，亦忌寅月日时，皆驮尸也。馀旬准此。九曰食刍，谓驿马克其时，假令驿马属金，生时得木，此类谓之食刍。十曰乘轩，谓胎月生日带禄马，假令甲申人得庚寅甲寅时及庚寅胎月是。十一曰乘轺，谓有天地得合见太岁，生月日时见贵人驿马，假令丁亥生人四月壬寅日己酉时，月坐马，酉系贵人是。十二曰无辔，谓贵神空亡，禄在绝乡者是。
以上十二驿马，当以意消息，灾福自见，款段则平生坎坷，止作选人，无粮不食天俸，不出厩则不历任所，折足则永失，蹶蹄则复起，无辔则一生孤寒，食刍则官可六品，嘶风徒有虚声，趋途漫劳求禄，乘轺则带职，乘轩则三公，驮尸则得官即亡。
有干支合马，如申子辰四马在寅，甲寅见己亥，合；丙寅见辛亥，合，主官职崇重。
有马头带剑，谓驿马上见庚辛或纳音，见金，主名振边疆。
有马骤天庭，谓木人得亥而见辛亥，又马上干逢得禄，如六壬人生，居寅午戌之位，于甲上遁得戊午，戊之禄在巳，巳系天庭，复见巳，得酉合之为是，主官居极品。
有马后二辰为九地马，主职近王廷。
有天马贵神，乃岁中不见驿，五虎遁至马上，看得何干，其干见天乙，而天乙所坐之干却复见贵于马上是也，贵不下三品。
有一木系双马，寅午戌多见丙申，申子辰多见庚寅，巳酉丑多见己亥，亥卯未多见癸巳。马上干克支，主多惊险。若遇四马聚于时或年上，主封爵。
又驿马下生人，月日时支干得御策全，并克身者定贵。马前一辰为御，后一辰为策。假令甲子金命，正月辛丑日卯时生，以子人马在寅逢禄，又本命子与生日丑在马后为策，卯时在马前为御，又马是丙寅，火能克甲子金，故主贵。
有驿有马者，主位至侯。乾为马，支为驿，如戊戌人马在申而得庚申，支干俱属金，到申临官，戊戌支干俱属土，到申长生，本命及驿马支干背马有气，是有驿有马。又如壬午人驿马在戊申，戊土临申长生，本命壬水到申亦长生，午火到申为衰乡，本命乾旺支衰，是有马无驿。又如丁丑人驿马在辛亥，金临亥为病乡，本命丁火到亥为绝，以丑土到亥为临官，本命乾衰支旺，驿马干亦衰，是有驿无马。或以寅午戌见庚无申、见申无庚之类，为有马无驿，有驿无马亦通。
有马克身者，取驿马之辰能制生月，如寅午戌人马在申，申属金，能制寅卯月木，假令甲子人在辰戌丑未月生是也，主官禄易求，仕宦无滞，少年亨快，为官清显。常人遇之，小富。
有马财库，取驿马所克之辰入墓，如马在申，申属金，金克木，木至未为库之例。主平生游历四方，广得资财。
有英灵贯马，乃五行真气之长生，下遇驿马，主持节按部之使。
有南方离明马，谓未马已，丑马亥，辰马寅，戌马申，辰戌丑未系土之位，以生处为马，故辰戌丑未人飞在午，为南方离门之马，遇此者，爱于午相冲。为飞马，见鞭策入格，主贵。
有驿马清浊，甲子得丙寅，禄马同乡，又丙为食神，乘长生马。丁丑得丁亥，为天乙天官，乘临官马。若乘长生临官马，或带食禄贵气，则遇一当百。若乘病绝空亡马，更值破败、交退、伏神，则遇而不遇，纵为官，粗浊卑贱，非清要之职。
又曰：凡看驿马有四专、名位、生旺、病绝、驰宝、衔花及倒食互换不同，中间好恶荣辱，须于岁运、鞭策细详之。四专者，如申子辰马在寅，寅逢甲寅，申遇庚申，巳逢丁巳，亥遇癸亥是也。名位者，乃马中逢食神，如甲见丙，乙见丁之类，马上得食是也。四生者，辛巳、甲申、己亥、丙寅纳音自生也。四病乃自死自绝，如年纳音属金，金绝在寅是也。驰宝者，乃甲子见戊寅，马头带天财；或纳音克马为财，如食神之类，如甲寅人见丙申、甲申见丙寅日时是也。衔花者，乃纳音临官遇马，如庚申、壬子、戊辰纳音皆木，遇寅，马临官之地是也。又生成马、名位马与前论禄同，主贵。
凡人遇马，喜专旺而嫌空亡，驳杂为不达；恶死绝而喜逢食，见财为有益。商贾多爱驰宝，妇女最怕衔花；驰宝则富，衔花则淫，衔花更忌木人值庚寅，乙亥见乙巳、丁卯见丁巳、己未见己巳，尤重，男多淫荡，女多私情，运中遇者同前断。
又曰：驿马最怕干神倒食，如乙酉见癸亥，为驿马，却被反食于我，所谓乙癸不同科是也。鞭策发时看互换，如辰人马在寅，或太岁在申冲动寅，即太岁为鞭策，小运在申，即小运为鞭策，多主动。更看申与寅互换如何，如庚申遇甲寅，庚申属木，寅则临官；甲寅属水，申则长生之类，相和则吉，相克则滞。如两互换，无气则空动；或失意有气，即主财。四马朝元，好则荣贵，恶则破家失业，如为僧道，好游脚。小儿老人不利见马，小儿十二岁以前、三岁以上，或马遇小运、太岁冲或临官马，遇多，主惊病颠仆之厄。老人五十以上，或运与太岁乘之，主气虚腰痛、脚痛之患，亦如老人禄遇，病多吐食之类。少者见之、多发病，盖老少并不堪乘马，以马在五行中为动跃之神故也。
Interpretation
What is called the "post horse" is actually the sum of the numbers in the innate trine. In the innate system, the number for Yin is 7, for Wu is 9, and for Xu is 5. The sum of these numbers is 21. Therefore, starting from Zi and moving forward to Shen, a total of 21 positions, it becomes the post horse of the fire trigram. The numbers for Hai, Mao, and Wei are 4, 6, and 8 respectively, and their sum is 18. So, starting from Zi and moving forward to Si, a total of 18 positions, it becomes the post horse of the wood trigram. Wood and fire belong to the yang trigram, and the movement follows the forward sequence starting from Zi, the beginning of yang. Metal and water belong to the yin trigram, and the movement follows the reverse sequence starting from Wu, the beginning of yin. The numbers for Jia, Zi, and Chen are 7, 9, and 5 respectively, and their sum is 21. Thus, starting from Wu and moving backward to Yin, a total of 21 positions, it becomes the post horse of the water trigram. The numbers for Si, You, and Chou are 4, 6, and 8 respectively, and their sum is 18. So, starting from Wu and moving to Hai, a total of 18 positions, it becomes the post horse of the metal trigram. This is how this method is established.
Those born in the years of Yin, Wu, and Xu have the Horse in Shen, and the five Yang Heavenly Stems are associated with it. When it comes to Jiashen, it is the Horse on the Intercepted Empty Day; Bingshen is the Great Defeat Horse. Wushen is the Horse with the Lucky Star Hidden. Gengshen is the Horse Encountering the Heavenly Pass; Renshen is the Great Defeat Horse. The above are manifested and take effect in the years, months, days, and hours of Si, You, Chou, and Shen.
For those born in the years of Shen (Monkey), Zi (Rat), and Chen (Dragon), the Horse star is in Yin (Tiger), and when five Yang Heavenly Stems are combined with it. When seeing Jia Yin, it is the Proper Salary and Literary Star Horse. Bing Yin is the Lucky Star Horse. Wu Yin is the Hidden Horse. Geng Yin is the Broken Salary Horse. Ren Yin is the Blocked Road Horse. The above situations manifest and take effect in the years, months, days, and hours of Hai, Mao, Wei, and Yin.
For those born in the years of the Snake, Rooster, and Ox, their favorable star (symbolically represented as "horse") is in the position of the Pig, and it is accompanied by five yin elements in the Qian position. When the year or time is the combination of Yi and Hai (the Wood Pig), it is the "Heavenly Virtue Horse". Since the branch in the "horse" position generates the Qian element, it often leads to a situation where one achieves nothing despite being smart. When it is Ding and Hai (the Fire Pig), it is the "Heavenly Noble Horse". When it is Ji and Hai (the Earth Pig), it is the "Prosperous Salary Horse". When it is Xin and Hai (the Metal Pig), it is the "Regular Salary Horse". When it is Gui and Hai (the Water Pig), it is the "Great Defeat Horse". The above situations are applicable and take effect in the years, months, days, and hours of the Monkey, Rat, Dragon, and Pig.
For those born in the years of the Pig, Rabbit, or Goat, the Horse is in the position of the Snake, and five Yin and Qian are combined with it. When it meets Bingsi, it is the proper lucky Horse related to salary. For Dingji, it is the Horse with prosperous qi. For Jisi, it is the Horse related to the celestial nine - day treasury of salary. For Xinsi, it is the Horse blocked on the way. For Guisi, it is the Horse hidden by Tianyi. The above situations take effect in the years, months, days, and hours of the Tiger, Horse, Dog, and Snake.
In general, for the Horse in the Pillars, if it is not in the positions of Empty and Lost, Ruined, Retreating, or Hidden God, it indicates honor and nobility. When the Mutual Lu and the Heavenly Noble God are in the same position as the Horse, and are accompanied by various inauspicious signs, the person will hold great power in officialdom, occupy a high - ranking position in the court. If it appears in the Hour Pillar, it represents the highest level of nobility; in the Day Pillar, it is the middle - level nobility; in the Month Pillar, it is just an ordinary noble. A Horse in the Storage position brings joy in youth; a Horse in the Prosperous position brings glory in middle - age; a Horse in the Birth position brings success in old age but with a low - ranking official position and a far - away post. For example, for Wood, the Birth position is Hai, the Prosperous position is Mao, and the Storage position is Wei. The same principle applies to the rest. As Luozi said: Having a Horse in the Birth position doesn't necessarily mean having good fortune related to the Horse, and being away from Lu doesn't necessarily mean having no good fortune. We should focus on the Prosperous and Storage positions rather than the Birth and Away - from - Birth situations. The key lies in understanding the principles of gain and loss and fullness and emptiness.
It is also said that the post horse is the one that comes into use in the three fates and is the god of joy and celebration. If a person encounters it, a gentleman will often hold a prestigious position, and a commoner will be well - provided for. When the major and minor fortune cycles and the annual fortune reach this point, it indicates that one will obtain an official position and have the joy of promotion; if the minor fortune and the annual fortune are in harmony with the post horse, it also indicates getting an official promotion and receiving a salary. For example, for those born in the Year of the Rat (Jiazi), the post horse is in the position of Yin. When the minor fortune and the annual star reach the position of Hai, which is in harmony with Yin, it is such a case.
There are also twelve types of post horses: 1. **Kuan Duan**: It means that for those born in the years of the Rooster, Ox, and Snake, getting the Ren and Hai combinations; for those born in the years of the Pig, Rabbit, and Goat, getting the Bing and Si combinations; for those born in the years of the Monkey, Rat, and Dragon, getting the Jia and Yin combinations; for those born in the years of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog, getting the Wu and Shen combinations. 2. **Jue Ti**: It refers to the situation where although the four - pillar chart has the post horse, the birth day coincides with the empty -亡 deity. 3. **Zhe Zu**: It means that when the fetus month has the post horse and the day and hour have the bathing element. For example, when all of Shen, Zi, and Chen are present and Yin is the post horse, it is like three people riding one horse, which is called "broken foot". If all of Hai, Mao, and Wei have the post horse, even if there are official honors, one will eventually end up in a lowly position. If one sits on a single Chen, although one may be prosperous in youth, one will end up poor later. 4. **Wu Liang**: It means that the birth day coincides with the post horse, and the post horse "eats" the Tai Sui. For example, for a person born in the year of Jia Zi, getting the Ren Yin day and the hour falling into the empty -亡 is such a case. 5. **Bu Chu Ting Jiu**: It means that the fetus month has the post horse, but there are no noble elements, no Lu Tang, and it falls into the empty -亡. 6. **Si Feng**. 7. **Qu Tu**: It means that although the post horse has Lu, it is in the empty -亡. 8. **Tuo Shi**: Among the twelve post horses, Tuo Shi is the most inauspicious. When Lu appears, it is like a corpse. In the Jia Zi cycle, for those born in the years of Si, You, and Chou, the post horse is in Hai. For a person born in the year of Yi Chou, the post horse is Ding Hai; for a person born in the year of Ji Si, the post horse is Yi Hai; for a person born in the year of Gui You, the post horse is Gui Hai. For a person born in the year of Yi Chou with the post horse in Hai, the months, days, and hours of Yin should be avoided; for a person born in the year of Ji Si with the post horse in Hai, the months, days, and hours of Shen should be avoided; for a person born in the year of Gui You with the post horse in Hai, the months, days, and hours of Yin should also be avoided. If any one of these conditions exists, it is called "carrying a corpse". Similarly, in the Jia Wu cycle for Hai, Mao, and Wei. For a person born in the year of Yi Wei, the post horse is Xin Si; for a person born in the year of Ji Hai, the post horse is Ji Si; for a person born in the year of Gui Mao, the post horse is Ding Si. For a person born in the year of Yi Wei with the post horse in Si, the months, days, and hours of Yin should be avoided; for a person born in the year of Ji Hai with the post horse in Si, the months, days, and hours of Shen should be avoided; for a person born in the year of Gui Mao with the post horse in Si, the months, days, and hours of Yin should also be avoided. All these are cases of "carrying a corpse". The same principle applies to other cycles. 9. **Shi Chu**: It means that the post horse restricts the birth time. For example, if the post horse belongs to metal and the birth time gets wood, this kind of situation is called "eating fodder". 10. **Cheng Xuan**: It means that the fetus month and birth day have the Lu and post horse. For example, for a person born in the year of Jia Shen, getting the Geng Yin or Jia Yin hour and the Geng Yin fetus month is such a case. 11. **Cheng Yao**: It means that there is a combination between heaven and earth and the Tai Sui is seen, and the noble person and post horse are seen in the birth month, day, and hour. For example, for a person born in the year of Ding Hai, on the Ren Yin day and Ji You hour in the fourth month, with the month sitting on the post horse and You being the noble person. 12. **Wu Pei**: It means that the noble deity is in the empty -亡 and the Lu is in the "desolate" place.
Regarding the above twelve types of horses in the metaphor, one should make inferences according to the meaning, and then good and bad fortune will become apparent. If it is a slow - paced horse, it means a life full of frustrations. One can only be a candidate for an official position. Without enough forage, it indicates that one won't receive the imperial salary. If the horse never leaves the stable, it means one won't serve in different official posts. If the horse breaks its leg, it means a permanent loss. If the horse stumbles but then gets up again, it means one will rise again after a setback. Without a bridle, it means a lonely and poor life throughout. If the horse eats hay, it means one can reach the sixth - rank official position. A horse that neighs at the wind only has an empty reputation. A horse that rushes on the road in vain is like a person laboring fruitlessly in the pursuit of an official salary. Riding in a light carriage means having an official title. Riding in a high - class carriage means attaining the position of a high - ranking official. If the horse carries a corpse, it means one will die as soon as getting an official position.
There is a combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches with the Horse element. For example, in the combination of Shen, Zi, and Chen, the Horse element is in Yin. When Jia Yin meets Ji Hai, it forms a combination; when Bing Yin meets Xin Hai, it also forms a combination, which indicates high - ranking official positions.
If there is a "horse head with a sword", which means seeing Geng or Xin (two of the ten Heavenly Stems in traditional Chinese culture) or the corresponding "Nayin" on a post - horse, or seeing metal elements, it indicates that one will gain fame on the frontiers.
There is a horse galloping to the Celestial Court. It is said that for a wooden figure getting Hai and seeing Xin - Hai, and when the Heavenly Stem on the horse gets the "lu" (a favorable position in Chinese metaphysics). For example, for a person born according to the Six - Ren system, if they are in the positions of Yin, Wu, and Xu, and from Jia they derive Wu - Wu. The "lu" of Wu is in Si, and Si represents the Celestial Court. If Si appears again and is combined with You, it is considered auspicious, indicating that the person will hold the highest official position.
There is a horse. The second horse two hours later is the "Nine - Earth Horse". It is mainly responsible for duties close to the royal court.
There is a celestial noble star. In the year, there is no "post station" (a certain astrological concept). Using the method of "Five Tigers' Evasion" to reach the "horse" position, check which Heavenly Stem is there. If this Heavenly Stem meets the Celestial Worthy Star, and the Heavenly Stem where the Celestial Worthy Star is located is also regarded as noble when related to the "horse" position, then the nobility will not be lower than the third rank.
There is a situation where one element of wood is related to two horses. In the combinations of Yin, Wu, and Xu, Bing Shen is often seen; in the combinations of Shen, Zi, and Chen, Geng Yin is often seen; in the combinations of Si, You, and Chou, Ji Hai is often seen; in the combinations of Hai, Mao, and Wei, Gui Si is often seen. If the Heavenly Stem on the Horse position overcomes the Earthly Branch, it mainly indicates many perils. If four Horse positions gather in the Hour Column or the Year Column, it mainly indicates conferment of titles.
Moreover, for those born under the influence of the Horse in the zodiac and whose year, month, day, and hour stems and branches in the Chinese almanac form a complete combination of "Yu" and "Ce" and can overcome the element of their own life - element, they are surely destined to be of noble status. The zodiac sign one position ahead of the Horse is called "Yu", and the one behind it is called "Ce". For example, if someone is born with the Metal element in the Jia - Zi year, on the Xin - Chou day of the first lunar month, at the Mao hour. Since the Horse position for the Zi year is at Yin, and there is the "Lu" (auspicious star) there. Also, the Zi of the birth - year and the Chou of the birth - day are behind the Horse position, which is the "Ce". The Mao hour is ahead of the Horse position, which is the "Yu". And the Horse position corresponds to Bing - Yin, and Fire (represented by Bing - Yin) can overcome Metal (represented by Jia - Zi). Therefore, this person is predicted to be of noble status.
Those who have both an "express post" (a certain astrological concept) and a "horse" (another astrological concept) are destined to reach the rank of marquis. The Heavenly Stem represents the "horse", and the Earthly Branch represents the "express post". For example, for those born in the year of Wuxu, the "horse" is in Shen, and if they get Gengshen, both the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch belong to Metal. When it comes to Shen, it is the "official position" stage. For Wuxu, both the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch belong to Earth, and when it comes to Shen, it is the "natal growth" stage. The Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch of the natal chart and the "horse" are in a state of having qi (vital energy), which means having both an "express post" and a "horse". Another example is for those born in the year of Renwu. The "horse" is in Wushen. Wutu (Earth) reaches the "natal growth" stage in Shen. For the natal Ren Shui (Water), it also reaches the "natal growth" stage in Shen. But Wu Fire reaches the "declining" stage in Shen. The Heavenly Stem of the natal chart is prosperous while the Earthly Branch is declining, which means having a "horse" but no "express post". Another example is for those born in the year of Dingchou. The "horse" is in Xinhai. Metal reaches the "sick" stage in Hai. For the natal Ding Fire, it reaches the "extinction" stage in Hai. But Chou Earth reaches the "official position" stage in Hai. The Heavenly Stem of the natal chart is declining while the Earthly Branch is prosperous, and the Heavenly Stem of the "horse" is also declining, which means having an "express post" but no "horse". Some also consider situations like in the combination of Yin, Wu, and Xu, seeing Geng but no Shen, or seeing Shen but no Geng, etc., as having a "horse" but no "express post" or having an "express post" but no "horse", which is also a valid view.
Those with the "Mark of the Body" should take the earthly branch of the "post horse" that can control the earthly branch of the birth month. For example, for those born in the years of Tiger, Horse, and Dog, the "post horse" is in the Monkey year. The Monkey belongs to Metal, which can control the Wood of the Tiger and Rabbit months. Suppose a person born in the year of the Rat is born in the months of Dragon, Dog, Ox, or Goat. This indicates that official positions and emoluments are easy to obtain, and there will be no obstacles in official careers. They will enjoy a smooth life in their youth and hold a clear and prominent position as an official. If an ordinary person encounters this situation, they will have a small amount of wealth.
For the treasury of the horse in fortune - related concepts, take the earthly branch of the hour that is overcome by the earthly branch of the horse and put it into the tomb. For example, if the horse is at Shen, and Shen belongs to metal. Since metal overcomes wood, and wood reaches its storage state at Wei. This indicates that one will travel around the world throughout one's life and gain a lot of wealth.
There is a heroic spirit piercing through the horse, which represents the longevity of the true qi of the five elements. When it meets the "post horse" below, it indicates a person who will hold the position of an envoy in charge of inspection and supervision.
There is a horse related to the south and the trigram Li. It is said that the Horse in the Wei (8th earthly branch) corresponds to the Horse in the Yi (2nd heavenly stem), the Horse in the Chou (2nd earthly branch) corresponds to the Horse in the Hai (12th earthly branch), the Horse in the Chen (5th earthly branch) corresponds to the Horse in the Yin (3rd earthly branch), and the Horse in the Xu (11th earthly branch) corresponds to the Horse in the Shen (9th earthly branch). The positions of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are related to the element Earth. Taking the place of birth as the Horse, so for those born in the years of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, the Horse flies to the position of Wu (7th earthly branch), which is the Horse of the southern Li Gate. Those who encounter this situation are in conflict with the Wu. It is called a flying horse. When it meets the situation of being whipped and enters the pattern, it indicates nobility.
There are distinctions between pure and turbid post - horses. For example, in the Jiazi combination getting Bingyin, it means the salary and the horse are in the same place. Moreover, Bing is the God of Food and rides on the horse of the prosperous stage of life. For Dingchou getting Dinghai, it is the Heavenly Official of the Heavenly Noble Star and rides on the horse of the official - approaching stage. If one rides on the horse of the prosperous or official - approaching stage, or is accompanied by the God of Food, salary, or noble qi, then one encounter is equivalent to a hundred. If one rides on the horse of illness, extinction, or emptiness, and is further accompanied by decline, retreat, or hidden spirits, then it's like having an encounter but actually not having one. Even if one becomes an official, the position will be vulgar and humble, not a high - ranking and important one.
It is also said that when observing the courier horse (a concept in traditional Chinese fortune - telling), there are different situations including the four exclusive types, the position of honor, the prosperous and declining states, the sick and extinct states, the treasure - bearing state, the flower - holding state, and the reversed - food and mutual - exchange states. Among them, the good and bad, honor and disgrace must be carefully analyzed in combination with the annual luck and the "whip" (a related concept). The four exclusive types are as follows: for example, in the combination of Shen, Zi, and Chen, the courier horse is in Yin. When Yin meets Jia - Yin, Shen meets Geng - Shen, Si meets Ding - Si, and Hai meets Gui - Hai, it belongs to this type. The position of honor means that the courier horse meets the gourmet god. For example, when Jia meets Bing, and Yi meets Ding, it is like getting food on the horse. The four prosperous states refer to Xin - Si, Jia - Shen, Ji - Hai, and Bing - Yin, whose natal element tones are self - generated. The four sick states are self - death and self - extinction. For example, if the natal element tone of the year belongs to metal, and metal is extinct in Yin, it is such a situation. The treasure - bearing state means that when Jia - Zi meets Wu - Yin, the horse's head brings the heavenly wealth; or when the natal element tone restrains the courier horse, it is regarded as wealth, just like the gourmet god situation. For example, when a person born in Jia - Yin year meets Bing - Shen, or a person born in Jia - Shen year meets Bing - Yin in the day and hour, it is this state. The flower - holding state means that when the natal element tone is in the prosperous official position and meets the courier horse. For example, the natal element tones of Geng - Shen, Ren - Zi, and Wu - Chen are all wood, and when they meet Yin (the place where the horse is in the prosperous official position), it is this state. Moreover, the generated courier horse and the courier horse in the position of honor are the same as the earlier - discussed emolument in terms of significance, and they indicate nobility.
Ordinary people, when it comes to the Horse in fortune - telling, prefer the Horse to be in a prosperous and dominant position and dislike it being in the state of emptiness and extinction. A complex and disordered situation is considered inauspicious. They loathe the state of death and extinction and like the Horse to be associated with the "Eating God" (a term in fortune - telling). Encountering wealth is regarded as beneficial. Businessmen often like the Horse in the state of "Galloping with Treasures", while women are most afraid of the Horse in the state of "Wearing Flowers". When the Horse is in the state of "Galloping with Treasures", one will be wealthy; when it is in the state of "Wearing Flowers", one will be promiscuous. When the Horse is in the state of "Wearing Flowers", it is even more taboo if the Wood - element person meets the combination of Gengyin. Combinations such as Yihai meeting Yisi, Dingmao meeting Dingsi, and Jiwei meeting Jisi are particularly inauspicious. For men, they will be more lascivious, and for women, they will have extramarital affairs. If such a situation occurs in one's fortune - telling, the same judgment applies.
It is also said that the post horse is most afraid of the inverted eating by the heavenly stems. For example, when there is Yiyou and it meets Guihai, Guihai is the post horse, but it is eaten back by Yiyou. This is what is meant by "Yi and Gui belong to different categories". When the post horse is spurred, we should look at the mutual exchange. For example, in the Chen year, the post horse is in Yin. If the Grand Duke of the Year is in Shen and it stirs up Yin, then the Grand Duke of the Year acts as the spur. If the minor fortune is in Shen, then the minor fortune acts as the spur, and it mostly indicates movement. We should also see how Shen and Yin exchange with each other. For example, when Gengshen meets Jiayin, Gengshen belongs to wood, and Yin is the state of prosperity; Jiayin belongs to water, and Shen is the state of birth and growth. If they are in harmony, it is auspicious; if they are in conflict, there will be stagnation. If in the mutual exchange, they have no qi, it means empty movement; if there is qi but one is frustrated, it indicates wealth. When the four post horses face the origin, if it is good, it means honor and nobility; if it is bad, it means family ruin and loss of occupation. If one is a monk or Taoist priest, it means a fondness for wandering. It is unfavorable for children and the elderly to encounter the post horse. For children under twelve and over three years old, if the post horse meets the minor fortune or the Grand Duke of the Year in conflict or the post horse is in the state of prosperity, and there are many such encounters, it indicates the misfortune of being frightened, getting sick, and falling down. For the elderly over fifty, if their fortune and the Grand Duke of the Year coincide with the post horse, it indicates the problems of qi deficiency, low - back pain, and foot pain. It is also similar to the situation when the elderly encounter their official salary, often suffering from diseases like vomiting food. When young people encounter it, they are prone to get sick. Generally, both the young and the old cannot bear to encounter the post horse, because the post horse is the god of movement and leaping in the Five - Element theory.