On the Three Combinations of Branch Elements

Original Text

或以三合者，如人一身之运用也。精乃天之元，气乃神之本，是以精为气之母，神为气之子，子母相生，精气神全而不散之为合。盖谓支属人元，故以此论之。如申子辰，申乃子之母，辰乃子之子，申乃水生，子乃水旺。辰乃水气，生即产，旺即成，库即收，有生有成有收，万物得始得终，乃自然之理，故申子辰为水局。若三字缺一则化不成局，不可以三合化局论。盖天地间道理，两则化，一阴一阳之谓也，三则化，三生万物之谓也。已酉丑、寅午戌、亥卯未皆然。五行不言土者，四行皆赖土成局，万物皆归藏于土故也；若辰戌丑未全自作土局论。

凡命有合，要得局为佳。假令丙丁生人见亥卯未印、已酉丑财为得局，见寅午戌火为本局，申子辰水为官局，辰戌丑未土为伤局。又如丙人见已酉丑，丁人见寅午戌为三位禄格，谓丙以已为禄，丁以午为禄，酉丑合已，寅戌合午故也。︽珞录子︾云：「禄有三会」。《壶中子》云：「得一分三，折月中之仙桂」。此之谓也。馀仿此例。

凡六合三合入命，主人形容姿美，神气安定，好生恶死，心地平直，周旋方便，聪慧疏通。如相生合者，举事多遂，更有福神来往，则福愈厚，一生平易，多艺多才，言和貌悦，不较是非，福祸扶持，人多见怜；如相克合者，难事而易悦，多是定计，动多招损，更有凶煞相兼，横事勾连，惊暴之灾，不致深咎；死绝合者，主人有为未尝遂意，威武不重，精神俗陋，招人鄙薄，志卑气窄，爱小人恶君子，习下自贱，一生少得称怀；与建禄合者，多横财、意外名望之福；正印贵人合，得天恩贵人提携之福；食神合，衣禄丰馀，饮食厚给；大耗合，无礼貌，言情行浊，厚于贱人，侮慢君子；咸池并，奸恶私通，不良贪污之行；与官符并，多招形狱，词讼旁牵，暗昧是非；天空并，动无成实，贱人欺诒。妇人大忌合中带煞，咸池玷行淫声，大耗必致淫奔，中有贵禄者，自贱而贵也。大率合吉神则吉，合凶神则凶。

Interpretation

Some say that the principle of the three - element combinations is like the operation of a human body. Essence is the origin of the heavens, and qi is the foundation of the spirit. Therefore, essence is the mother of qi, and spirit is the son of qi. When the mother and son interact and generate each other, and essence, qi, and spirit are all intact and not scattered, it is called "combination". Since the earthly branches are related to the human element, we discuss it from this perspective. For example, in the combination of Shen (Monkey), Zi (Rat), and Chen (Dragon), Shen is the mother of Zi, and Chen is the son of Zi. Shen represents the birth of water, Zi represents the prosperity of water, and Chen represents the storage of water vapor. Birth means production, prosperity means completion, and storage means collection. With birth, completion, and collection, all things have a beginning and an end, which is the natural principle. So, Shen, Zi, and Chen form a water - element combination. If one of these three characters is missing, the combination cannot be formed, and it cannot be regarded as a three - element combination. In the world, the principle is that two elements can transform, which is the combination of yin and yang; three elements can also transform, which is the concept of "three gives rise to all things". The same principle applies to the combinations of Si (Snake), You (Rooster), and Chou (Ox); Yin (Tiger), Wu (Horse), and Xu (Dog); and Hai (Pig), Mao (Rabbit), and Wei (Goat). In the theory of the five elements, earth is not specifically mentioned in the three - element combinations. This is because the other four elements all rely on earth to form a complete combination, and all things are finally stored in the earth. If all of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are present, they form an earth - element combination.

In general, for the combinations in one's fate, it is better to have a well - formed configuration. For example, for those born in the years associated with Bing (丙) or Ding (丁), if they see the combinations of Hai (亥), Mao (卯), and Wei (未) which represent the seal, or Ji (巳), You (酉), and Chou (丑) which represent wealth, it is considered a well - formed configuration. Seeing Yin (寅), Wu (午), and Xu (戌) which form the fire configuration is the basic configuration for them; Shen (申), Zi (子), and Chen (辰) which form the water configuration represent the official position configuration; and Chen (辰), Xu (戌), Chou (丑), and Wei (未) which form the earth configuration represent the configuration of the "injury". Moreover, for a person born under the sign of Bing, seeing Ji, You, and Chou, and for a person born under the sign of Ding, seeing Yin, Wu, and Xu, it is called the three - position lucky - official configuration. That is because Bing takes Ji as its lucky - official position, and Ding takes Wu as its lucky - official position. You and Chou combine with Ji, and Yin and Xu combine with Wu. As stated in "Luo Lu Zi", "There are triple - combinations for lucky - official positions." And according to "Hu Zhong Zi", "Getting one and it can be expanded into three, which is like plucking the osmanthus in the moon." This is what it means. The rest can be inferred by following this example.

When the combinations of the six - harmonies and three - conjunctions enter one's horoscope, the person usually has a beautiful appearance and a calm demeanor. They cherish life and abhor death, have an honest and straightforward heart, are good at dealing with people, and are intelligent and flexible. If the combinations are of the mutually - generating type, most of their undertakings will succeed. If there are also auspicious deities coming and going, the blessings will be even greater. They will lead a smooth life, be multi - talented, have kind words and a pleasant appearance, not haggle over right and wrong, be supported in both good and bad times, and be pitied by many. If the combinations are of the mutually - restraining type, difficult things can be easily dealt with, but they often make plans that end up causing losses. If there are also evil stars involved, they will be involved in unexpected troubles and sudden disasters, though the consequences may not be too serious. For those with combinations related to the state of death and extinction, their undertakings never go as they wish. They lack dignity, have a vulgar and shabby spirit, are despised by others, have a low - minded and narrow - minded nature, like villains and dislike gentlemen, associate with the lowly and degrade themselves, and rarely feel satisfied in life. Those whose horoscopes combine with the established salary star often get unexpected wealth and fame. When combined with the positive seal and noble star, they will receive the blessings of imperial grace and the support of noble people. When combined with the gourmet star, they will have abundant food and clothing. When combined with the great loss star, they are impolite, have vulgar words and deeds, are kind to the lowly and disrespectful to the noble. When combined with the rosy pool star, they are involved in immoral and corrupt behaviors such as adultery. When combined with the official punishment star, they are often involved in lawsuits and unclear disputes. When combined with the empty sky star, their actions are often fruitless and they are deceived by the lowly. Women should especially avoid combinations with evil stars. If combined with the rosy pool star, it will stain their conduct and lead to immoral reputations. If combined with the great loss star, it will lead to promiscuity. However, if there are noble and prosperous stars among the combinations, they may rise from a lowly position to a noble one. Generally speaking, combinations with auspicious deities bring good fortune, while those with evil deities bring bad luck.