On the Preciousness of Taiji
Original Text
太极者，太初也，始也，物造于初为太极，成也，收也，物有所归曰极。造化始终相保，乃曰太极贵也。甲乙木先造乎子，坎水助而生，后终乎午，离火焚而死。丙丁火先喜出乎震，卯也，后喜藏乎兑，酉也。庚辛金得寅，乃金生乎艮，见亥乃金庙乎乾。壬癸水先得则生，后得巳而纳。经曰：「地陷东南，四渎俱流巽位，皆有始有终之意。」戊己，土也，喜生乎申，得辰戌丑未为正库。《理愚歌》云：「四库全时为至贵，位班上列据权衡。」人命入格，更有福气贵神扶，岂不为美。
有文昌贵，甲乙蛇口乙猪头，丙狗丁龙戊向猴；己午庚寅辛未贵，六壬卯位癸逢牛。
有文誉贵，如甲子人见壬戌、丙寅，禄前禄后一般神，必作公卿冠世人；立性天聪名誉播，富贵荣华事业新。
有文星贵，甲马乙蛇丙戊猴，酉台丁己亥辛求；庚逢戌狗逢虎，十位文星癸兔游。
有天印贵，甲子在寅中，乙逢亥亦同；丁酉戊申位，丙戌己羊宫；庚辛马蛇足，癸卯与壬龙；此号天印贵，荣达受皇封。
Interpretation
The Supreme Ultimate represents the primordial beginning. It is the origin. When things start to be created, it is the Supreme Ultimate. It also implies completion and return. When things have their destinations, it is called the "Ultimate". The beginning and the end of creation are mutually protective, which is why the Supreme Ultimate is highly regarded. For the Wood of Jia and Yi, it first begins in Zi (the Rat), where the Water of Kan assists its growth. Then it ends in Wu (the Horse), where the Fire of Li burns it to death. For the Fire of Bing and Ding, it first prefers to emerge in Zhen (the place corresponding to the direction of the rising sun, related to Mao, the Rabbit), and then prefers to hide in Dui (related to You, the Rooster). For the Metal of Geng and Xin, when it meets Yin (the Tiger), it means that Metal is born in Gen. When it sees Hai (the Pig), it means that Metal has its temple in Qian. For the Water of Ren and Gui, it can be born when it first gets the appropriate conditions, and it is received when it meets Si (the Snake). As the classic says: "The land sinks in the southeast, and the four great rivers all flow towards the direction of Xun, which all imply the meaning of having a beginning and an end." Wu and Ji represent Earth. It likes to be born in Shen (the Monkey), and getting Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei means having the proper storage. As the "Song for the Unenlightened" says: "When all the four storages are complete, it is of the highest nobility, and one can hold important positions and have power." If a person's fate conforms to this pattern and is further supported by auspicious deities of fortune and nobility, isn't it wonderful?
Those with the auspiciousness of Wenchang are as follows: For Jia and Yi, it is related to the snake's mouth and the pig's head; for Bing, it is the dog, for Ding, it is the dragon, and for Wu, it points to the monkey; for Ji, it is noon, for Geng, it is tiger, for Xin, it is sheep; for Ren, it is the rabbit's position, and for Gui, it meets the ox.
Those with literary fame and high status are like those born in the Jiazi year encountering Renxu or Bingyin. They are as extraordinary as those before and after the official emoluments. They are bound to become high - ranking officials and stand out among the people. They are naturally intelligent, and their good reputation spreads far and wide. They will enjoy wealth, honor, and achieve new feats in their careers.
Those with the Literary Star are lucky. For Jia, it's the Horse; for Yi, it's the Snake; for Bing and Wu, it's the Monkey. For You, it's associated with Ding; for Ji, it's the Pig; for Xin, it needs to be sought. Geng meets the Dog in Xu and the Tiger. Among the ten Heavenly Stems, the Literary Star for Gui roams with the Rabbit.
There is the Heavenly Seal Noble. For Jia, it's in the Yin position of the Jiazi cycle; for Yi, it's the same when meeting Hai. For Ding, it's at the position of You; for Wu, it's at Shen. For Bing, it's at Xu; for Ji, it's in the position related to the Goat. For Geng and Xin, it's related to the Horse and the Snake. For Gui, it's at Mao; for Ren, it's related to the Dragon. This is called the Heavenly Seal Noble, bringing honor and being conferred by the emperor.