On the God of Food
Original Text
食神者，日乾所生顺数第三位，乃甲食丙、乙食丁之例。甲生丙为泄气，丙生戊为甲偏财，偏财是天禄自然之财，不劳己之心力，享见成福禄。甲丙有父子之道，如子旺相，生起财禄以奉其父母，岂不安享？又甲见庚为煞，见戊为财，其食神丙火能制伏庚煞，使不得克伤甲木，能生戊财，使为甲木所用。凡命遇财煞之地，食神旺相，煞被食制，不敢为祸，财被食生，充裕不竭，故食神一名寿星，一名爵星，良有以也。此格要日主食神俱生旺，无冲破，主人财厚食丰，福量宽弘，肥体肥大，优游自足，有子息，有寿考。四柱见财食在岁月上，祖父荫业丰隆，在日时，妻男获福，怕母子俱衰绝，两皆无成。
故经云：「食神宜食生食旺，不可食衰食绝。」又云：「食神生旺，胜似财官」是也。食神大忌偏印为倒食，主为人有始无终，容貌欹邪，身材琐小，心性局促，多愁无成。假如甲见丙为食，柱中有壬作甲木偏印，克制丙火不能生戊土，不能制庚金，使甲木受制退财，岂不窘乎？
《元理赋》云：食神制煞，逢枭不贫则夭。《一行》云：阳日食神暗合官星，阴日食神暗合正印，官印不要明显，但得食神纯粹，主贵而有禄，富而有寿，食神只宜一位，不宜太多，恐窃本元之气。
经云：「一木叠逢火位，名为散气之父」是也。食多者宜行印运，食少者不宜，是枭神夺食，故食喜旺禄相助，月令建禄最佳，时禄次之，更逢贵人运，行食神生旺之地，大地福禄。忌身衰枭旺，柱中虽喜见财，亦不宜多，多则不清，不过一富翁而已。食神重见，变为伤官，令人少子，纵有，或带破拗性，又不可入墓，即是伤官入墓，住寿难延。大忌空亡，更有官煞显露，为太医师巫术数九流之士，若食神逢克，又遇空亡，则不贵，再行死绝或枭运，则因食上气上生灾，翻胃噎食，缺衣食，忍饥寒而已。又曰：甲日食丙，柱中无壬癸亥子方好，如有水气，丙自受制，屈伏于人，己身不能卓立，岂能生物以养其父？如无此制，又要生旺向禄，如丙生夏月，运历东南，火土俱旺，其甲用财必厚。若生三春甲旺，丙火虽得生，不知戊己气薄，须历南方火土俱旺，方许发福。又如庚以壬为食，运历北方水旺之地，发财必厚，东方木旺之乡，发福必紧。细论之，庚以壬为食，长生于申，当断申地福重，暴败在酉，壬水至酉，便不为佳，以壬生甲木为庚之财，即自生分发身之财，非婚配正妻之财，甲至酉地为木困金乡，壬水自败，木岂能助养其父？当断此运平平。行至戌运，如乾遇壬甲，亦只断其半吉半凶，逢戊可断其有灾，见庚可断其微福。亥运当言其大吉，子运癸水伤官，伤重泄本身之气，又庚死于子，甲败于子，当断生祸身灾。运至丑，庚金之库，水旺之乡，又有己丑助庚甲冠带成人之地，可断此十年发。寅运亦吉，卯运有灾，馀例此推。
又曰：食神忌枭，亦有不畏者。如己亥不畏丁倒食，丁与壬合化木，而壬禄在亥；丙午不畏甲倒食，甲与己合化土，而己禄在午；乙巳不畏癸倒食，戊癸化火，乙巳亦火；癸巳不畏辛倒食，丙辛化水，癸贵在巳；庚为众阳之首，不畏戊倒食，戊，阳气归源之数，见戊作喜神论；已不倒食辛，阴气初发散之源；庚不倒食壬，阳气初发散之源；辛有丁，不畏己倒食，为丁养育辛金也，况有丁处便有己土，阴阳干涉，得清福之助。食神者，十干福禄之会，君子得之显达丰赡，小人得之周旋给足，在福聚之地则官崇禄厚，在祸聚之地则职卑命薄。如以甲子论，食丙子为福星之贵，食丙寅为长生之禄，又为禄马同乡，食神学堂之贵，丙辰为正印，丙午为自刑破命，丙申为克身破禄，丙戌为身衰破空亡，馀干例推。若遇生旺、库、印、天乙、天官、华盖、文星、学堂、官印禄马之类，为福聚之地，遇克破、空亡、恶煞、刑害、休、败、死、绝，为祸聚之地。
又曰：甲乙食丙丁，加寅卯巳午之上；丙丁食戊己，加辰戌丑未之上；戊己食庚辛，加巳午申酉之上；庚辛食壬癸，加申酉亥子之上；壬癸食甲乙，加亥子寅卯之上，谓之食神见生旺，更带禄马旺相，文为两制两省，武为建节防团，无，亦主财帛丰厚，食神与禄全见，四柱顺当为妙。
《壶中子》云：犯倒食，在命多被人挠，重叠带者，在幼儿则言乏乳，在老人则言缺食。正食而有馀者富贵，争食而不足者贫贱，有馀如甲人得两丙三丙，不足如柱中两甲止有一丙之类。又曰：日主时干重叠相食者，曰吞啖脑子，时日俱食，主头风脑漏，早克母死，后无子送终，若吞中逢吞，如甲人逢壬日时，又逢庚字，主贫死沟壑，有干合解则缓。
《相心赋》云：食神最能饮食，体厚而好讴歌。《奥旨篇》云：月令值食，身健旺，善饮食，姿质丰肥，四柱有吉曜相扶，堆金积玉，声名显著。《幽微赋》云：食神旺相，老寿弥高。《元理赋》云：食居先，煞居后，功名显达。《宝鉴赋》云：月露食神时露官，荣显乌台助国臣。《万祺赋》云：食神名为吉曜制煞，号称寿星，干强日旺，富贵之士，食旺身衰，蹭蹬之人，逢财旺则食前方丈，遇印绶则甑底生尘，见一位者钟铭鼎鼐，二三者陋巷簟瓢，羊刃重临，平生劳碌，刑克相会，一世奔波。
古歌云：
食神制煞吉非常，财旺妻荣子更强，柱中若要吞啖煞，管教金殿佐君王。
又：
食神逢禄号天厨，冲克空亡官煞无，死绝运临偏印地，寿星合处福交孚。
又：
食神印绶不宜逢，惟见财官福更隆，食神喜行身旺地，逢枭逢比总成空。
又：
食神生旺最堪訁夸，惟行水木土金佳，官煞更无来混杂，平生衣禄足荣华。
又：
甲人见丙本盗气，丙去生财号食神，心广体胖衣禄厚，若临偏印主孤贫。
又：
食神生旺无刑克，命逢此格胜财官，更得身旺逢财地，青春年少步金銮。
又：
食神无损寿绵长，庶母逢之不可当，若无偏财来救护，命如秋草带冬霜。
又：
食神月上号天厨，人命逢之富有馀，切忌枭来明减福，最嫌冲去暗消除。
生财化鬼兼无病，制煞为祥信有储，士子如逢利甲第，官封要职领天书。
合诸说，观食神喜忌尽矣。
Interpretation
The God of Food (Shishen) refers to the third position counted in sequence from the day stem. For example, Jia takes Bing as its God of Food, and Yi takes Ding. When Jia gives birth to Bing, it expends its energy. Bing then gives birth to Wu, which is Jia's partial wealth. Partial wealth is the natural fortune from the celestial blessings, and one can enjoy ready - made fortune and blessings without expending one's own efforts. There is a father - son relationship between Jia and Bing. If the son (Bing) is in a prosperous and favorable state, it can generate wealth and blessings to support its parent (Jia). How can one not enjoy a peaceful life? Also, when Jia meets Geng, it is an evil star (Sha), and when it meets Wu, it is wealth. The God of Food, Bing Fire, can subdue the Geng Sha, preventing it from harming Jia Wood. It can also generate Wu wealth, making the wealth useful to Jia Wood. In a person's fate, when encountering the situations of wealth and evil stars, if the God of Food is in a prosperous and favorable state, the evil star will be controlled by the God of Food and dare not cause harm, and the wealth will be continuously generated by the God of Food, being abundant and inexhaustible. Therefore, the God of Food is also called the God of Longevity and the God of Rank, which is well - founded. For this pattern, it is required that both the day stem and the God of Food are in a prosperous state without being broken or damaged. This indicates that the person will have abundant wealth, ample food, a broad fortune, a plump body, a leisurely and self - sufficient life, children, and a long life. If wealth and the God of Food are seen in the year and month columns, it means that the person can inherit a large amount of family property from their grandparents. If they are in the day and hour columns, their wife and children will gain blessings. It is feared that both the day stem and the God of Food are in a declining and exhausted state, in which case nothing will be achieved.
Therefore, the classic says: "For the Gourmet God, it is advisable to have it in a state of vitality and growth, and it should not be in a state of decline or exhaustion." It also says: "When the Gourmet God is prosperous, it is better than wealth and official positions." The Gourmet God greatly fears the Partial Seal as the Reverse Gourmet. It indicates that a person will start things but not finish them, have an irregular appearance, a small and unimpressive figure, a narrow - minded nature, and be full of worries and achieve nothing. For example, if Jia (Wood) sees Bing (Fire) as the Gourmet, and there is Ren (Water) in the Bazi chart as the Partial Seal of Jia Wood, which restrains Bing Fire so that it cannot generate Wu Earth and cannot control Geng Metal, causing Jia Wood to be restricted and wealth to recede. Isn't this a difficult situation?
According to "Yuanli Fu", "When the Hurting Officer restrains the Seven Kills, encountering the Owl means either poverty or an early death." According to "Yixing", "For Yang days, the Hurting Officer secretly combines with the Official Star; for Yin days, the Hurting Officer secretly combines with the Proper Seal. The Official and the Seal do not need to be obvious. As long as the Hurting Officer is pure, it indicates nobility and a good salary, wealth and a long life. There should only be one Hurting Officer, not too many, for fear of stealing the energy of the original element."
The classic says: "When a single wood element repeatedly meets the fire position, it is called the 'father of scattered qi'." Those with an abundance of the "Food God" element in their natal chart should experience the fortune of the "Print" element, while those with a small amount should not, as this indicates the "Ominous Owl God" seizing the "Food God". Therefore, the "Food God" prefers the support of prosperous "Lucky Salary". Having the "Lucky Salary" in the monthly pillar is the best, followed by that in the hourly pillar. If one also encounters the fortune of a noble person and moves into the place where the "Food God" is prosperous, they will enjoy great fortune and blessings on earth. It is taboo for the body element to be weak while the "Ominous Owl God" is strong. Although it is favorable to see the "Wealth" element in the natal chart, it should not be excessive. If there is too much, it will lead to an unclear situation, and one will only become a rich man. When the "Food God" appears repeatedly, it turns into the "Hurting Officer", which may cause one to have few children. Even if there are children, they may have stubborn and rebellious personalities. Also, it is not advisable for the "Food God" to enter the tomb, which is equivalent to the "Hurting Officer" entering the tomb, and it will be difficult to extend one's lifespan. It is a great taboo for the "Food God" to be in the "Empty and Lost" position. If there are also the "Official" and "Killing" elements clearly revealed, one will become a person engaged in medical, witchcraft, or other miscellaneous professions. If the "Food God" is overcome and also encounters the "Empty and Lost" position, one will not achieve high status. If one then experiences the fortune of death, decline, or the "Ominous Owl God", disasters will arise due to problems related to the "Food God", such as indigestion, difficulty in swallowing, lack of food and clothing, and having to endure hunger and cold. It is also said that for a person with the "Jia" wood element as the day master, having the "Bing" fire element as the "Food God" is good only when there is no "Ren", "Gui", "Hai", or "Zi" water element in the natal chart. If there is water qi, the "Bing" fire will be restricted and will have to submit to others. In such a situation, one cannot stand independently and support their "father" (referring to the element that the "Food God" nourishes). If there is no such restriction, the "Food God" needs to be prosperous and in a position of "Lucky Salary". For example, if the "Bing" fire is born in the summer months and experiences the fortune in the southeast direction where both fire and earth are prosperous, the "Jia" wood will have a large amount of "Wealth". If one is born in the spring when the "Jia" wood is strong, although the "Bing" fire can be generated, the qi of the "Wu" and "Ji" earth elements is weak. One needs to experience the fortune in the south where both fire and earth are prosperous to be blessed with good fortune. Another example is that for the "Geng" metal element, taking the "Ren" water element as the "Food God", when one experiences the fortune in the north where water is prosperous, they will make a large amount of money. When in the east where wood is prosperous, the blessings will come quickly. In detail, for the "Geng" metal with the "Ren" water as the "Food God", the "Ren" water is in the "Longevity" state in the "Shen" position, so it can be judged that there will be great fortune in the "Shen" position, but there will be a sudden decline in the "You" position. When the "Ren" water reaches the "You" position, it is not good because the "Ren" water generates the "Jia" wood which is the "Wealth" of the "Geng" metal. This is the "Wealth" that is generated and distributed by oneself, not the "Wealth" from a proper marriage. When the "Jia" wood reaches the "You" position, it is trapped in the metal position, and the "Ren" water is in a state of decline. How can the wood support and nourish its "father"? So it can be judged that this fortune will be mediocre. When reaching the "Xu" fortune, if there is "Ren" water and "Jia" wood in the chart, it can only be judged as half - good and half - bad. If there is "Wu" earth, it can be judged that there will be disasters. If there is "Geng" metal, it can be judged that there will be a little fortune. In the "Hai" fortune, it can be said that it will be extremely auspicious. In the "Zi" fortune, the "Gui" water is the "Hurting Officer", which will overly damage one's own qi. Also, the "Geng" metal dies in the "Zi" position, and the "Jia" wood is in a state of decline in the "Zi" position. So it can be judged that there will be disasters and misfortunes. When reaching the "Chou" fortune, the "Chou" is the storage of the "Geng" metal and a place where water is prosperous. Also, the "Ji Chou" helps the "Geng" metal and the "Jia" wood to reach a state of growth. It can be judged that there will be good fortune in these ten years. The "Yin" fortune is also auspicious, while the "Mao" fortune will bring disasters. The rest can be deduced in the same way.
It is also said that the God of Food is afraid of the Owl, but there are also cases where it is not afraid. For example, the year of Jihai is not afraid of the counter - eating by Ding. Ding combines with Ren and transforms into Wood, and the prosperity of Ren is at Hai. The year of Bingwu is not afraid of the counter - eating by Jia. Jia combines with Ji and transforms into Earth, and the prosperity of Ji is at Wu. The year of Yisi is not afraid of the counter - eating by Gui. Wu and Gui transform into Fire, and Yisi also belongs to Fire. The year of Guisi is not afraid of the counter - eating by Xin. Bing and Xin transform into Water, and the noble position of Gui is at Si. Geng is the head of all yang elements and is not afraid of the counter - eating by Wu. Wu represents the number where yang energy returns to its origin, so when seeing Wu, it should be regarded as an auspicious star. Ji does not counter - eat Xin, as Xin is the source where yin energy begins to disperse. Geng does not counter - eat Ren, as Ren is the source where yang energy begins to disperse. When Xin is accompanied by Ding, it is not afraid of the counter - eating by Ji, because Ding nurtures Xin Metal. Moreover, where there is Ding, there is always Ji Earth. The interaction between yin and yang brings the assistance of a peaceful and blessed life. The God of Food represents the gathering of blessings and wealth among the ten heavenly stems. For gentlemen, obtaining it means achieving prominence and prosperity; for commoners, it means having enough to get by. In the place where blessings gather, one will hold high - ranking positions and enjoy generous salaries; in the place where misfortunes gather, one will hold low - ranking positions and have a meager fate. Taking the year of Jiazi as an example, having Bingzi as the God of Food is a sign of the nobility of the lucky star. Having Bingyin as the God of Food is a sign of the prosperity of life and also means that the fortune star and the horse star are in the same place, with the nobility of the God of Food and the school star. Bingchen is the proper seal. Bingwu is self - punishment and destroys one's fate. Bingshen is the one that overcomes the self and destroys the fortune. Bingxu is when the self is in a weak state and encounters the void and emptiness. The same principle can be applied to other heavenly stems. If it meets the conditions of being prosperous, in the treasury, having the seal, the Heavenly Noble Star, the Heavenly Official Star, the Canopy Star, the Literary Star, the School Star, the official seal, the fortune star and the horse star, etc., it is a place where blessings gather. If it meets the conditions of being overcome, in the void and emptiness, encountering evil stars, punishment and harm, being in a state of rest, decline, death, or extinction, it is a place where misfortunes gather.
It is also said: When the heavenly stems of Jia and Yi consume those of Bing and Ding, and they are placed on the earthly branches of Yin, Mao, Si, and Wu; when Bing and Ding consume Wu and Ji, and they are placed on Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei; when Wu and Ji consume Geng and Xin, and they are placed on Si, Wu, Shen, and You; when Geng and Xin consume Ren and Gui, and they are placed on Shen, You, Hai, and Zi; when Ren and Gui consume Jia and Yi, and they are placed on Hai, Zi, Yin, and Mao, this is called the "God of Food" encountering prosperity and vitality. If it is also accompanied by the prosperous and auspicious signs of the "Lucky Star" and the "Horse Star", in the case of a person in the literary field, they will hold high - level positions such as being in charge of two administrative regions; in the case of a person in the military field, they will hold positions like a military governor or a defense commander. Even without such high - level positions, it also indicates a rich fortune. When the "God of Food" and the "Lucky Star" both appear, it is best if the four pillars of the birth chart are in good order.
According to "Hu Zhong Zi": Those with the "reverse eating" phenomenon in their fate are often bothered by others. For those with multiple occurrences of this, infants may lack breast - milk, and the elderly may face food shortages. Those who have an excess in "proper eating" will be wealthy and noble, while those who have a shortage in "competing for food" will be poor and of low status. Having an excess is like a person with the heavenly stem "Jia" getting two or three "Bing", and having a shortage is like having two "Jia" in the pillars but only one "Bing". It also says that when the heavenly stem of the day master and that of the hour pillar overlap in the "eating" relationship, it is called "swallowing the brain". If both the day and the hour show the "eating" phenomenon, it indicates migraines and nasal discharge, early loss of the mother, and no children to see one off at the end. If there is a repeated "swallowing" situation, like a person with "Jia" encountering "Ren" in the day and hour pillars and also encountering "Geng", it means one will die in poverty in the ditches. If there is a combination of heavenly stems to resolve it, the situation will be less severe.
The "Xiang Xin Fu" says: Those with the God of Cookery are most fond of eating and drinking. They have a strong build and like to sing. The "Ao Zhi Pian" says: If the God of Cookery is in the monthly stem and the body is strong and prosperous, one is good at eating and drinking, with a plump and well - built figure. If there are auspicious stars in the four pillars to support, one will accumulate great wealth and gain remarkable fame. The "You Wei Fu" says: When the God of Cookery is prosperous and in good condition, one will enjoy a long and healthy old age. The "Yuan Li Fu" says: If the God of Cookery comes first and the Seven Killings come later, one will achieve prominent success in officialdom. The "Bao Jian Fu" says: If the God of Cookery appears in the monthly stem and the Official appears in the hourly stem, one will be an honorable official in the imperial court, assisting the country. The "Wan Qi Fu" says: The God of Cookery is called an auspicious star that restrains the Seven Killings and is known as the God of Longevity. If the heavenly stems are strong and the day master is prosperous, one will be a wealthy and noble person. If the God of Cookery is prosperous but the body is weak, one will have a rough life. When encountering prosperous wealth, one will enjoy sumptuous feasts; when encountering Seal, one will be in poverty. If there is only one God of Cookery, one will be famous and hold high - ranking positions; if there are two or three, one will live in a poor alley, relying on simple utensils. If the Yang Blade appears repeatedly, one will be busy and hard - working all one's life. If there are punishments and conflicts, one will be on the go all one's life.
An ancient song goes:
It's extremely auspicious when the God of Food restrains the Killing Qi. With prosperous wealth, the wife will be glorious and the sons will be even stronger. If there is the Devouring Killing Qi in the Bazi column, one is destined to assist the king in the imperial court.
Moreover:
When the God of Food meets the Lucky Star, it's called the Celestial Kitchen. If there are no clashes, voids, or official and evil stars, but when it reaches the dead and declining stage in the land of the Partial Seal, when the Longevity Star combines, blessings will arrive.
Moreover:
It's not advisable for the Gourmet God and Seal Constellation to meet. Only when they encounter Wealth and Official Constellations will good fortune be more prosperous. The Gourmet God likes to be in the position where the self is strong. Meeting the Owl Constellation or the Peer Constellation will all end up in vain.
Moreover:
It's truly praiseworthy when the God of Food is prosperous. It's good to have the influence of Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal. As long as there is no mixture of Official and Killing Energies, one will enjoy sufficient wealth and honor throughout life.
Moreover:
Person A notices that in Bing's chart, there is the qi of a thief. When Bing moves to the position of generating wealth, which is called the "Eating God". One will have a broad mind, a plump body, and abundant wealth and good fortune. If it meets with the Partial Seal, it indicates loneliness and poverty.
Moreover:
If the God of Cookery is prosperous and free from punishment and conflict, one's fate in this pattern surpasses that with wealth and official positions. Moreover, if one has a strong body and encounters the place of wealth, they will enter the imperial court in their youth.
Moreover:
If the God of Food remains intact, one will enjoy a long life. But if a concubine - mother encounters it, it's unbearable. Without the support of the Inauspicious Wealth, one's life will be like autumn grass in winter frost.
Moreover:
When the God of Food appears in the lunar month and is called the Heavenly Chef, those whose fates encounter it will have abundant wealth. One must avoid the appearance of the Ominous Owl openly, as it will reduce blessings, and most of all, dislike the hidden elimination caused by clashes.
It can generate wealth and turn ghosts into harmless ones without causing illness; It can subdue evils and bring good fortune, truly having such abilities in store. If scholars encounter it, it's beneficial for them to succeed in the imperial examinations. They'll be appointed to important official positions and receive imperial edicts.
Combining all the theories, one can fully understand the favorable and unfavorable conditions of the Gourmet God.