On the Good and Bad of the Correlation between the Five Elements, Time, and Geographic Regions - 2
Original Text
八、九月失时之火，见木生，生之意无穷，富贵无故。金木同躔，官居宰辅。有金无木，主弱敌强，不免有争攘之事。冀、雍、荆、梁人同财致祸。与土同躔，泄其真元，孤刑冷退，得木助之，斯为美矣。见水凶夭。运喜东南，西北忌之。
冬月之火，人多亲之，晴霁则明，阴雨则灭。故见水为凶，木生为贵。有水无木，轻者疾，重者夭，虽生富厚之家，不免冷退，徐、扬、兖、青人得水制之，无咎。逢土泄之，弱中又弱，蹇滞终身，小寒之后旺土，晦其光明，定主昏愚瞽目。见金为财，青、兖、徐、扬人主富，荆、梁、冀、雍人助难为凶，谓金之子，水也，克其母，子则乘势报仇，无木解之，有刀兵狱讼之厄，肿痢没溺之凶，干支木盛者，减轻。大抵冬火喜木，忌水。运宜东南，西北大忌。
论土
土值春时，土膏脉起，万物含生，木气发泄，前哲所谓病寅死卯墓辰者，良有以也。雨则阴凝土湿而荫甲不舒，晴则冻释阳和而生意发越。故春令之土一接阳气，就能发育万物。
正月之土尚有霜寒，遇雨则冻，遇水则冰，值木则病，惟得火以温之，则荣华莫比。逢金制木，亦名利两成。
二月之土，正木盛土崩之时，遇木同躔，有脾胃肠风痔漏之灾，轻者疾，重者夭，徐、扬人干支有火而值昼晴者，无咎。
见火同躔，位登台鼎。见水则凶，冀、雍、青、兖人土浑水浊，终有水涌土溃之危，盖水生旺木而伤土也，值此者贫寒疾夭，徐、扬、豫人干支火者反吉。见金以泄土气，难免灾凶。
三月之土，渐有生意，盖土旺季月故也，有火温燠则阳气发舒而生物茂矣。见木非疾则夭，徐、扬、豫人无害。水木同度，贫薄无聊，冀、雍、兖、青人尤甚。见金制木，反凶成吉。运喜南方，西方次之。土旺长夏，火盛土生之故也，阴雨则湿养万物，故见水为吉；亢旱则田畴龟拆，故遇火为凶。
孟夏之土，炎气未盛，终喜火以助之。逢木则疾夭无疑。见水为财，徐、扬人富足，见金遇木则贵，逢水则贫。
五、六月之土，见火则燥，而万物焦枯，徐、扬人干支火盛者，有火焚风血之灾，轻者危，重者死，或阴雨，或夜生，虽灾不甚。冀，雍人干支有壬、癸、亥、子者，富贵非凡，见水滋养万物，主富贵文章。见木疏通其性，多聪明特达。遇金无用，盖火盛金衰不能制木，所以金无用也。气运宜行西北，最忌南方，盖夏土逢火，太燥故也。土逢秋令，金气盛旺，泄土而气薄矣。晴雨须要得宜。
七月之土，火气未除，土性尚燥，喜水滋之，则万物实矣。若火太盛，亦有燥土之嫌，得水济之为妙。逢木为灾，徐、扬、荆、梁人无忌。
八、九月之土，见木则不能克，此万物凋零之时，金气生旺，子复母仇，荆、梁、徐、扬人富贵而寿。见金泄气太甚，西北人不免有冷退怯弱之患。见火助之，文武名高，君子小人皆吉。见水为财，徐、扬、豫人富而无敌，冀、雍、兖、梁人，水过盛者，反主贫薄，戌月仅可。运喜火土之乡，水木金方有忌。土于冬也，正天地肃杀之时，寒亦至矣，虽一阳下生，土脉未温，值水雪，则冰寒土冻。见火日则寒谷回春。
十月之土，惟喜火以温之，则土脉阳和而万物归根矣。见木则凶，逢金则滞，遇水则主孤寒，徐、扬人干支火多者可富。
子丑之月，寒气之极，火日融和，功名成就。见木最忌。见火解之为吉。见水则阴气愈甚，水寒地冻，轻者疾，重者夭。见金亦主贫薄。岁运南方最佳，北方大忌。
论金
春日之金，木旺火相。非金得气时也，绝寅胎养于卯辰者，盖造化无终极之理也。是以春令之金，晴明吉。阴雨则滞。
正宜遇土以生之，谓其将绝而有生意耳。正月之金，见木为财，木神太旺，仅足衣资。土气尚寒，未能生助，艺术显名而巳。火若问躔，男女重婚重嫁。见火遇土，富贵非常，逢水泄之，孤寒懦弱。
二、三月之金，见土则生，生之意无穷，主人富贵而寿。逢水泄其元气，亦主贫薄无情。见火则囚，金遇鬼，贫夭无疑。
土生水制为吉。见木而有困滞之灾，盖春木盛旺，以微弱之金而欲制之，是犹以婴儿而御强敌，其不格也明矣，犯此者必有求荣反辱之虞，官讼争攘之事，谓其仁义相刑故也，荆、梁、豫人逢之主富。徐、扬人干支土多者，贵显，气运土乡最吉，金乡次之。
夏月火盛，金至柔也，晴则日烁金流，雨则水滋金润，故夏令之金，俱宜见土，主人有出将入相之权，金马玉堂之贵。见火则火炎金烁，贫夭居多，虽富而夭淫贱。见木为财，荆、梁、豫人多主富贵。遇水孤寒，盖弱金不能生水故也，若与火土同行，则富贵康宁。运喜土金木火，最忌秋金肃杀、万物凋零，茍纵而不抑，则生生之意绝矣，晴则火煆金坚，雨则水润金明故也。
七、八月之金得令，其性刚强，仗火以制其威，则有玉带金鱼之贵，盖顽金无火不能成器故也。见水泄其旺气，金白水清，多主词林清贵。水火俱无，则主夭折。见木为财，徐、扬人富而且贵。遇土则隐彩埋光，虽有财而不发，孤者多，经云：秋金埋土而反旺也。逢木而贵，徐、扬、兖、青人见之尤佳。
Interpretation
In the eighth and ninth months, the untimely fire appears with the growth of wood. The meaning of growth is infinite, and wealth and honor come without apparent cause. When metal and wood are in conjunction, one can hold a high - ranking official position like a prime minister. If there is metal but no wood, the main force is weak while the enemy is strong, and there will inevitably be disputes and conflicts. People from Ji, Yong, Jing, and Liang regions may bring disasters due to sharing wealth. When it is in conjunction with earth, it drains its true essence, leading to loneliness, punishment, and a decline in fortune. If assisted by wood, it will be good. When it meets water, it brings misfortune and an early death. The good fortune lies in the southeast direction, while the northwest should be avoided.
The fire in the eleventh lunar month is often approached by people. It burns brightly on sunny days but goes out on rainy or cloudy days. Therefore, encountering water is inauspicious, while being nourished by wood is auspicious. If there is water but no wood, the mild consequence is illness, and the severe one is an early death. Even if one is born into a wealthy family, they will inevitably face decline. For people in the regions of Xu, Yang, Yan, and Qing, being restricted by water brings no harm. When encountering earth that drains its energy, the fire becomes even weaker, leading to a life full of setbacks. After Lesser Cold, the prosperous earth obscures its light, surely resulting in dullness, foolishness, or blindness. Encountering metal means having wealth. For people in the regions of Qing, Yan, Xu, and Yang, it brings prosperity, while for those in Jing, Liang, Ji, and Yong, it brings trouble and is inauspicious. This is because the "child" of metal is water, which can overcome its "mother" (fire), and then the "child" will take advantage of the situation to take revenge. Without wood to resolve the conflict, there will be disasters such as armed conflicts and lawsuits, as well as misfortunes like swelling, dysentery, and drowning. If there is an abundance of wood in the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, the negative effects will be reduced. Generally speaking, the fire in winter favors wood and dislikes water. It is advisable for it to have a fortune in the southeast, while the northwest is highly unfavorable.
On Soil
In spring, the soil becomes fertile and full of vitality. All things start to grow, and the energy of wood is released. As the ancient sages said, things may get sick in the "yin" period (the third month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar), die in the "mao" period, and be buried in the "chen" period. There is indeed a reason for this. If it rains, the soil will be damp due to the condensation of yin energy, and the seeds will not germinate smoothly. If it is sunny, the frost will melt, and the warm yang energy will make all things thrive. Therefore, once the soil in spring is exposed to the yang energy, it can nurture all things.
In the first lunar month, the earth is still affected by the frost and cold. When it meets rain, it freezes; when it meets water, it turns into ice. When it encounters wood, it suffers problems. Only when it gets the warmth of fire can it achieve unparalleled prosperity. If metal restrains wood, both fame and fortune can be achieved.
In the soil of the second lunar month, it is exactly the time when the wood is in full bloom and the soil collapses. When it meets the wood in the same celestial position, there will be disasters such as spleen, stomach, intestinal wind, and hemorrhoids. Those with mild conditions will get sick, and those with severe conditions will die young. For people in Xuzhou and Yangzhou, if there is fire in their Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and it is a sunny day during the daytime, there will be no misfortune.
When it meets with fire in the same celestial position, one will hold high - ranking official positions. When it meets with water, it is inauspicious. For people in the regions of Ji, Yong, Qing, and Yan, as the earth there is muddy and the water is turbid, there is ultimately a danger of water gushing and soil collapsing. This is because water promotes the growth of wood and damages the earth. Those in this situation will be poor, sick, and die young. For people in the regions of Xu, Yang, and Yu, if their Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are related to fire, it is on the contrary auspicious. When it meets with metal, which drains the qi of the earth, disasters and misfortunes are inevitable.
In the third lunar month, the earth gradually shows signs of vitality. This is because it is the peak season for the earth element. When there is the warmth of the fire element, the yang energy unfolds and living things thrive. If the wood element appears, unless it is in a state of imbalance, it will lead to withering. People in the Xu, Yang, and Yu regions are not affected. When the water and wood elements co - exist, it indicates poverty and a lack of prospects, especially for people in the Ji, Yong, Yan, and Qing regions. When the metal element restrains the wood element, it turns bad luck into good. The favorable direction for fortune is the south, and the west comes second. The earth element is prosperous in the late summer because the fire element is strong and gives birth to the earth element. In rainy weather, the moisture nourishes all things, so the appearance of the water element is auspicious; in a severe drought, the fields crack like a tortoise shell, so encountering the fire element is inauspicious.
In the Earth of the fourth month of the lunar year, the scorching qi is not yet strong, and it is ultimately favorable to have Fire to assist it. If it meets Wood, there is no doubt that there will be an early and untimely end. When it encounters Water, it represents wealth. People in the Xu and Yang regions will be rich and prosperous. If it sees Metal and meets Wood, it indicates nobility. If it meets Water, it means poverty.
In the fifth and sixth lunar months, the earth becomes dry when exposed to fire, causing all things to wither and dry up. For people in the Xu and Yang regions whose Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches have strong fire elements, there will be disasters such as being burned by fire and suffering from wind - blood disorders. Those with mild cases will be in danger, and those with severe cases will die. If a person is born during rainy days or at night, the disaster will not be very serious. For people in the Ji and Yong regions whose Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches contain Ren, Gui, Hai, or Zi, they will enjoy extraordinary wealth and honor. When the earth meets water, it can nourish all things, which indicates wealth, honor, and literary talent. When it meets wood, it can dredge its nature, making people often intelligent and outstanding. Meeting metal is of no use, because when fire is strong and metal is weak, metal cannot control wood, so metal has no function. The favorable qi - movement is towards the northwest, and the south is most to be avoided, because the earth in summer meets fire and becomes too dry. When the earth encounters the autumn season, the metal qi is strong and prosperous, which drains the earth and weakens its qi. Both sunny and rainy days should be appropriate.
In the soil of the seventh lunar month, the fire energy has not subsided yet, and the nature of the soil is still dry. It is preferable to have water to moisten it, so that all things can mature. If the fire energy is too strong, there is also a risk of the soil becoming overly dry. It is excellent to have water to balance it. Encountering wood brings disasters, but people in Xu, Yang, Jing, and Liang regions need not worry.
In the eighth and ninth months, the Earth element cannot overcome the Wood element. This is the time when all things wither and fade. The Metal element is strong and prosperous, and it takes revenge for its mother (Earth). People in Jingzhou, Liangzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou will be wealthy and enjoy a long life. When the Earth encounters Metal, it loses too much of its vital energy. People in the northwest regions may suffer from weakness and lack of vitality. When supported by Fire, one can achieve high fame in both civil and military fields, and both the noble and the common people will have good fortune. When Water is present, it represents wealth. People in Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou will be extremely wealthy. However, for people in Jizhou, Yongzhou, Yanzhou, and Liangzhou, if there is an excessive amount of Water, it may lead to poverty. In the Xu month, it is just acceptable. The favorable luck lies in the regions associated with Fire and Earth, while there are taboos in the directions of Water, Wood, and Metal. In winter, it is the time when heaven and earth are in a state of desolation and cold has reached its peak. Although the first yang energy begins to emerge underground, the earth's veins are still not warm. When it meets with water and snow, the earth will be frozen. When it encounters the sun representing Fire, it is like spring returning to the cold valley.
In the earth of the tenth lunar month, it only welcomes the fire to warm it up, so that the earth veins will be warm and harmonious, and all things will return to their roots. Encountering wood is inauspicious; meeting metal will cause stagnation; coming across water indicates loneliness and coldness. People from Xuzhou and Yangzhou with more fire in their Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches can become wealthy.
In the months of Zichou (the first and second months in the Chinese lunar calendar), the cold reaches its extreme. If there is a day with the element of fire, bringing warmth and harmony, one can achieve fame and success. It is most taboo to encounter the element of wood. Encountering the element of fire to resolve the situation is considered auspicious. If one encounters the element of water, the yin energy will become even stronger, with cold water and frozen ground. In mild cases, it may lead to illness; in severe cases, it may cause premature death. Encountering the element of metal also indicates poverty. It is best for one's fortune in the southern direction in the annual and decadal cycles, while the northern direction is highly inauspicious.
On Gold
In spring, for metal, wood is flourishing and fire is in the prosperous phase. It's not the time when metal gains its qi. Metal is in the state of "extinction" at Yin, "fetal" and "nourished" at Mao and Chen, which is because there is no ultimate principle in nature's creation. Therefore, in spring, metal brings good fortune in clear and sunny weather, while it becomes sluggish in rainy weather.
It is just appropriate for it to encounter Earth to nourish it, meaning that although it seems on the verge of extinction, there is still a sign of new life. For Gold in the first lunar month, when it meets Wood, it is regarded as having wealth. However, if the Wood element is too strong, it can only provide enough for basic clothing and resources. The Earth energy is still cold at this time and cannot offer sufficient support, so one can only gain fame in the arts. If Fire appears, both men and women may remarry. When Fire and Earth are present together, it brings extraordinary wealth and honor. But if it meets Water which drains its energy, one will be lonely, cold - hearted and weak.
In the second and third months, gold (in the context of the Five - Element theory). When it meets earth, it is nourished and the potential for growth is boundless. This indicates that the person will be wealthy, noble, and long - lived. If it encounters water, which drains its vital energy, it also suggests that the person will be poor, meager, and heartless. When it meets fire, it is in a state of imprisonment. When gold meets its "enemy" (fire), there is no doubt that the person will be poor and have a short life.
It is auspicious when earth generates water and restrains it. When metal encounters wood, there will be disasters of stagnation. In spring, wood is prosperous. Trying to restrain it with weak metal is like a baby trying to fight a strong enemy. It's obvious that it won't work. Those who encounter this situation may risk seeking glory but ending up in disgrace, and may be involved in lawsuits and disputes. This is because of the conflict between benevolence and righteousness. People from Jing, Liang, and Yu regions will be wealthy if they encounter this. For people from Xu and Yang regions, if there is a lot of earth in their heavenly stems and earthly branches, they will be noble and prominent. It is most auspicious when the qi - movement is in the earth phase, and the metal phase comes second.
In summer, the fire element is at its peak. Gold is the most yielding element. On sunny days, the sun scorches and melts the gold; on rainy days, the water moistens and nourishes the gold. Therefore, in the summer season, gold should ideally be accompanied by earth. This indicates that the person will have the power to serve as a general in the field and a prime - minister in the court, and enjoy the honor of being a high - ranking official. If gold meets fire, the fire will blaze and melt the gold, often leading to poverty and premature death. Even if one is wealthy, they may die young and lead a licentious and base life. When gold meets wood, which represents wealth, people in the Jing, Liang, and Yu regions are mostly blessed with wealth and honor. When gold encounters water, it will lead to a lonely and cold situation because weak gold cannot generate water. However, if it travels together with fire and earth, then the person will enjoy wealth, honor, health, and peace. In terms of fortune, it is favorable to have the presence of earth, metal, wood, and fire. The most feared is the autumn gold, which brings a desolate and killing atmosphere, causing all things to wither. If it is allowed to run wild without restraint, the vitality of all things will be cut off. On sunny days, the fire can temper the gold to make it firm; on rainy days, the water can moisten the gold to make it bright.
In the seventh and eighth months, gold is in its favorable season, and its nature is strong and unyielding. If it is tempered by fire to restrain its might, one can attain the honor of wearing jade belts and holding goldfish tokens, for just as crude gold cannot be fashioned into useful items without fire, so it is in this case. When it meets water, which drains its excessive energy, resulting in clear gold and pure water, it often indicates a noble and elegant status in the literary world. If there is neither water nor fire, it may lead to an early death. When it encounters wood, which represents wealth, people from the regions of Xu and Yang will be both wealthy and noble. When it meets earth, its luster is hidden, and although there is wealth, it cannot be fully realized, and there are often many who are solitary. As the classic says: Gold in autumn buried in earth becomes even more prosperous. When it meets wood, it brings nobility, and it is especially auspicious for people from the regions of Xu, Yang, Yan, and Qing.