On the Transformation of the Ten Heavenly Stems into Qi

Original Text

复阳子曰：「十干合而化者，阴阳之配，夫妇之道也。」遇六合，合遁三则化。以五子馀数至巳上得合；既合，遁虎统龙，龙主阳，得司天而成变化者也。子者，坎之位，天一生水媾精之象，胎娠阳中。故男子从子左行三十至巳，阳也，故三十而娶，女子从子右行二十至巳，阴也，故二十而嫁。此人事合五行之造化，讵可过于此期哉？

东壬子，至丁巳六数。故丁与壬合，丁壬化木。甲德统龙。

南戊子，至癸巳六数。故戊与癸合，戊癸化火。丙德统龙。

西庚子，至乙巳六数。故乙与庚合，乙庚化金。庚德统龙。

中甲子，至己巳六数。故甲与己合。甲己化土。戊德统龙。

北丙子，至辛巳六数。故丙与辛合，丙辛化水。壬德统龙。

甲己之岁，戊德统龙以土，司化钧天土气；乙庚之岁，庚德统龙以金，司化颢天金气；丙辛之岁，壬德统龙以水，司化玄天水气；丁壬之岁，甲德统龙以木，司化苍天木气；戊癸之岁，丙德统龙以火，司化炎天火气。统龙天德，上下临御以成变化，品汇咸亨。故丙遇辛，得申子辰而奋发；乙遇庚，得巳酉丑而掀轰；丁遇壬，得亥卯未而清贵；戊遇癸，得寅午戌而荣显；甲遇己，得辰戌丑未而旺相。是以五运以五宫为正庙，我入母宫为福德，我入子宫为漏泄，我入鬼宫为刑伤，我入妻宫为财帛；子反能克制于凶煞，仍究煞气制之。所以五运造化无穷，唯生克制化。

三车以甲己年遁起，丙寅至戊辰三数，数至三则变化，辰为龙，亦能变化，故甲己、乙庚、丙辛、丁壬、戊癸随其所属天干而得其气。又曰：甲己丙作首，丙属火，火生土，故化土。馀例推。其说不外前理。

大凡化气，只取日干而言配合之神。或年月与时皆可用，但要日辰得旺气于时；若不得月中旺气，只时上旺气，亦可；尚得月中旺气而时上不乘旺气则不可；若月与日时俱得旺气，方为全吉。

甲己化土，非辰戌丑未月不化，其次午月亦化，有戊字间之则不化，名曰妒合。凡辰戌丑未生人，柱有已亥为受气临官，至晚年不吉，有官夺官，有财夺财。夫受气临官，长生第四位也，以乾为主，双犯则应，馀月不应，又曰：甲己化土，切要木为官，得亥卯、亥未为官，戊癸气为福，忌见丁壬日时。

乙庚化金，非已酉丑月不化，其次七月亦化，有甲字间之则不化，名曰妒合。凡已酉丑生人，柱有庚申为受气临官，晚年不佳。又曰：乙庚化金，切要火为官，故喜丙丁己午甲己为福，忌见戊癸日时。

丙辛化水。非申子辰月不化，其次十月亦化，柱有丁字不化，名曰妒合。凡申子辰生人见癸亥，名曰受气临官，亦主晚年不佳。又曰：丙辛化水，切要土为官，得辰戌丑未为官，乙庚为福，忌见甲己日时。

丁壬化木，非亥卯未月不化，其次正月亦化，柱有丙字不化，名曰妒合。亥卯未生人见甲寅，名曰受气临官，晚年不佳。又曰：丁壬化木，切要庚辛申酉为官，丙辛为福，忌见乙庚日时。

戊癸化火，非丙午戌月不化，其次四月亦化，柱有己字不化，名曰妒合。凡寅午戌生人见丁已为受气临官，晚年不佳。又曰：戊癸化火，切要壬癸亥子为官，丁壬为福，忌见丙辛日时。

甲己化土，喜戊辰时生，四季月其土成象，柱中生旺，有气为上。不可见火，见火则虚，见木气则克坏。是甲己日怕丙丁时，馀月喜丙。乙庚化金，喜庚辰时生，申酉月其金成象。喜戊土相生，甲己为福。不喜死败，故此月有乙庚日怕子寅时。丙辛化水，喜壬辰时生，亥子月其水成象。爱庚字相生之气，乙庚为福。故此月有丙辛日怕卯已时。丁壬化木，喜甲辰时生，寅卯月其木成象。喜丙辛为福。故此月有丁壬日怕午申时。戊癸化火，喜丙辰时生，已午月其火成象。爱甲字相生，丁壬为福。怕卯酉日时，若犯戊已，是火见土，即暗伏不明。丙寅辛卯、丙辰辛卯、庚申乙酉、庚戌乙酉、己亥甲子，己丑甲子，癸已戊午、癸未戊午、戊子癸丑、戊寅癸丑、酉甲戌、己亥天戌、乙已庚辰、乙卯庚辰、壬午丁未、壬申丁未，以上地支相连，是同气也，故为正化。

有转角进化。乾合中见支辰，四角相顺连，如甲辰见己已之类。日时遇之，成立功名不难。有转角退化。乾合中见支午，四角相返连，如甲午见己已之类。日时遇之，功名差晚，到好处多退减，岁运逢之亦歇灭。

有座下自化，乃壬午、丁亥、戊子、甲午、辛已、癸已，丁禄在午，壬与丁合，壬禄在亥，丁与壬合之例。壬午、丁亥为福最深，戊子聪明，辛已权谋，甲午亦作小亨，癸已贵中有酒色之疾。

Interpretation

Master Fuyang said, "When the ten Heavenly Stems combine and transform, it represents the pairing of yin and yang, which is like the way of husband and wife." When encountering the six combinations, if three of them are concealed, transformation occurs. By taking the remainder of the five - element cycle and reaching the position of Si, a combination is achieved. Once combined, the concealed tiger controls the dragon. The dragon represents yang and can obtain the power of the celestial order to bring about changes. Zi corresponds to the position of Kan. It symbolizes the image of the water generated by the celestial one and the union of essence, like the fetus conceived within yang. Therefore, for men, starting from Zi and moving thirty positions to the left to reach Si (which is yang), they should marry at the age of thirty. For women, starting from Zi and moving twenty positions to the right to reach Si (which is yin), they should marry at the age of twenty. This is how human affairs conform to the creation and transformation of the five - elements. How can one exceed this appropriate period?

From the east, Renzi (a combination in the Chinese traditional calendar system) to Dingsi covers six numbers. Therefore, Ding combines with Ren, and the combination of Ding and Ren transforms into Wood. Jia's virtue governs the dragon.

From the southern Wuzi to Guisi, there are six numbers. Therefore, Wu and Gui combine, and the combination of Wu and Gui transforms into fire. The virtue of Bing governs the dragon.

From the Western Gengzi to Yisi, there are six numbers. Therefore, Yi and Geng combine, and Yi and Geng transform into metal. Geng's virtue governs the dragon.

From Jiazi to Jisi, there are six numbers. Therefore, Jia combines with Ji. Jia and Ji transform into earth. Wu's virtue governs the dragon.

From Bing (in the north) to Xin, there are six numbers. Therefore, Bing combines with Xin, and the combination of Bing and Xin transforms into water. Ren's virtue governs the dragon.

In the years with the Heavenly Stems Jia and Ji, the virtue of Wu governs the dragons with Earth, presiding over the transformation of the Earth qi in the Central Heaven. In the years with the Heavenly Stems Yi and Geng, the virtue of Geng governs the dragons with Metal, presiding over the transformation of the Metal qi in the Western Heaven. In the years with the Heavenly Stems Bing and Xin, the virtue of Ren governs the dragons with Water, presiding over the transformation of the Water qi in the Northern Heaven. In the years with the Heavenly Stems Ding and Ren, the virtue of Jia governs the dragons with Wood, presiding over the transformation of the Wood qi in the Eastern Heaven. In the years with the Heavenly Stems Wu and Gui, the virtue of Bing governs the dragons with Fire, presiding over the transformation of the Fire qi in the Southern Heaven. The Heavenly Virtue governing the dragons, with its influence from above and below, brings about changes, and all things thrive. Therefore, when Bing meets Xin, with the combinations of Shen, Zi, and Chen, there will be a flourishing development; when Yi meets Geng, with the combinations of Si, You, and Chou, there will be a great upsurge; when Ding meets Ren, with the combinations of Hai, Mao, and Wei, there will be nobility and elegance; when Wu meets Gui, with the combinations of Yin, Wu, and Xu, there will be honor and prominence; when Jia meets Ji, with the combinations of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, there will be prosperity and strength. Thus, the Five - Elemental Movements take the Five Palaces as the main shrines. When one enters the palace of its mother element, it brings good fortune; when one enters the palace of its child element, it leads to leakage; when one enters the palace of its hostile element, it causes punishment and injury; when one enters the palace of its spouse element, it brings wealth. The child element can counter - act the evil influences, but ultimately, the evil qi still needs to be restricted. Therefore, the transformations of the Five - Elemental Movements are infinite, all based on the principles of generation, restriction, transformation, and control.

For the three - chariots (a concept in traditional Chinese divination), starting from the cyclical years of jia and ji, the numbers are counted from bingyin to wuchen, which are three numbers. When the count reaches three, changes occur. Chen corresponds to the dragon in the Chinese zodiac, which is also capable of transformation. Therefore, for the combinations of jia and ji, yi and geng, bing and xin, ding and ren, wu and gui, they obtain their corresponding qi according to their respective heavenly stems. It is also said that for jia and ji, bing is the starting point. Bing belongs to fire, and fire generates earth, so they transform into earth. The rest can be deduced by analogy. This theory is basically in line with the previous principles.

Generally speaking, when it comes to the transformation of qi, one should only consider the Heavenly Stem of the day and the corresponding gods for combination. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the year, month, and hour can all be used, but the day stem must obtain prosperous qi from the hour. If it fails to obtain prosperous qi from the month, but only has prosperous qi at the hour, it is also acceptable. However, if it has prosperous qi from the month but not from the hour, it is not acceptable. Only when the month, day, and hour all have prosperous qi can it be considered completely auspicious.

When Jia and Ji combine to form Earth, the combination doesn't occur unless it is in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei. Secondly, it can also occur in the Wu month. If there is the character Wu in between, the combination won't happen, which is called "jealous combination". For those born in the months of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, if there are Ji and Hai in their Bazi (birth chart), it means they are in the state of "receiving qi at the official position". It will bring bad luck in their later years. If they have an official position, they will lose it; if they have wealth, they will lose it. The state of "receiving qi at the official position" is the fourth position of the cycle of the twelve states of life, with Qian as the main reference. If this occurs twice, it will have an effect; it has no effect in other months. Also, it is said that when Jia and Ji combine to form Earth, it is crucial to have Wood as the official element. Having Hai and Mao or Hai and Wei can serve as the official element. The combination of Wu and Gui brings good fortune. It is taboo to have Ding and Ren in the day and hour columns.

When Yi and Geng combine to form Metal, this combination only occurs in the months of Ji, You, and Chou. Secondly, it can also occur in the seventh month. If there is a character Jia in between, the combination will not occur, which is called "envious combination". For those born in the years of Ji, You, and Chou, if there is Geng Shen in their Bazi, it means they are in the state of "receiving qi and being an official", and they will not have a good life in their later years. Also, when Yi and Geng combine to form Metal, it is essential to have Fire as the official. Therefore, it is auspicious to have Bing, Ding, Ji, Wu, Jia, and Ji, and it is inauspicious to see Wu and Gui in the day and hour columns.

When Bing and Xin combine to form Water. It won't combine if it's not in the months of Shen, Zi, or Chen. Secondly, it can also combine in the tenth month. If there is the character Ding in the Bazi, it won't combine, which is called "jealous combination". For those born in the years, months, or days of Shen, Zi, or Chen and see the combination of Gui and Hai, it is called "receiving qi at the Linguan stage", which also indicates an unfavorable situation in old age. Also, it is said that when Bing and Xin combine to form Water, it is crucial to have Earth as the official element. Having Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei as the official element is good, and having Yi and Geng is a blessing. It is taboo to see Jia and Ji in the day or hour columns.

When Ding and Ren combine to form Wood, they won't transform unless it is in the months of Hai, Mao, or Wei. Secondly, they can also transform in the first lunar month. If there is the character Bing in the Bazi column, they won't transform, which is called "envious combination". For those born in the months of Hai, Mao, or Wei and see Jia Yin, it is called "receiving Qi at the official position", and they will have an unfavorable old age. Also, it is said that when Ding and Ren combine to form Wood, it is essential to have Geng, Xin, Shen, or You as the official elements, and Bing and Xin bring good fortune. It is taboo to see Yi and Geng in the day and hour columns.

When Wu and Gui combine to form Fire, the combination won't occur unless it's in the months of Bingwu or Xuyue. Secondly, it can also occur in the fourth month. If there is a Ji character in the Bazi column, the combination won't happen, and this is called "jealous combination". For those born in the years with Yin, Wu, or Xu, seeing Dingji means being in the state of "receiving qi and being in the official position", and they will have an unfavorable late - life. Also, it is said that when Wu and Gui combine to form Fire, it is crucial to have Ren, Gui, Hai, or Zi as official elements, and Ding and Ren bring good fortune. It is taboo to have Bing and Xin in the day or hour of the Bazi.

When Jia and Ji combine to form Earth, it is auspicious to be born in the Wuchen hour. In the four seasons' months, the Earth takes shape. If it is prosperous and full of qi in the birth chart, it is considered excellent. Fire should not be seen, for if there is fire, it will be insubstantial; if there is Wood qi, it will be damaged. So, on days of Jia and Ji, the Bing and Ding hours are feared, while in other months, Bing is preferred. When Yi and Geng combine to form Metal, it is auspicious to be born in the Gengchen hour. In the Shen and You months, the Metal takes shape. It likes the mutual generation of Earth represented by Wutu, and Jia and Ji bring good fortune. It dislikes death and decline, so on days of Yi and Geng in these months, the Zi and Yin hours are feared. When Bing and Xin combine to form Water, it is auspicious to be born in the Renchen hour. In the Hai and Zi months, the Water takes shape. It loves the qi of mutual generation represented by Geng, and Yi and Geng bring good fortune. So, on days of Bing and Xin in these months, the Mao and Si hours are feared. When Ding and Ren combine to form Wood, it is auspicious to be born in the Jiachen hour. In the Yin and Mao months, the Wood takes shape. It likes Bing and Xin to bring good fortune. So, on days of Ding and Ren in these months, the Wu and Shen hours are feared. When Wu and Gui combine to form Fire, it is auspicious to be born in the Bingchen hour. In the Si and Wu months, the Fire takes shape. It loves the mutual generation represented by Jia, and Ding and Ren bring good fortune. It fears the Mao and You days and hours. If it encounters Wu and Ji, it means Fire meets Earth, and then it will be dim and unclear. For the combinations of Bingyin and Xinmao, Bingchen and Xinmao, Gengshen and Yiyou, Gengxu and Yiyou, Jihai and Jiazi, Jichou and Jiazi, Guisi and Wuwu, Guiwei and Wuwu, Wuzhi and Guichou, Wuyin and Guichou, You and Jiayu, Jihai and Tianxu, Yisi and Gengchen, Yimao and Gengchen, Renwu and Dingwei, Renshen and Dingwei, since the earthly branches are connected and have the same qi, they are regarded as proper transformations.

There is the so - called "corner evolution". In the combination of the Heavenly Stems, when the Branches are involved, the four corners are connected in sequence. For example, when Jia Chen meets Ji Si and so on. If this occurs in the day and hour columns of one's birth chart, it is not difficult to achieve fame and success. There is also the so - called "corner regression". In the combination of the Heavenly Stems, when the Branch Wu is involved, the four corners are connected in reverse. For example, when Jia Wu meets Ji Si and so on. If this occurs in the day and hour columns of one's birth chart, fame and success will come relatively late, and there will often be setbacks when things are going well. Even when this situation is encountered in the annual and monthly fortune, good fortune will also decline.

There are self - transformations under the seat, namely Renwu, Dinghai, Wuzhi, Jiawu, Xinsi, and Guisi. Ding's prosperous qi (lu) is at Wu. Ren combines with Ding. Ren's prosperous qi (lu) is at Hai, and it is an example of Ding combining with Ren. Renwu and Dinghai bring the greatest blessings. Wuzhi indicates intelligence. Xinsi implies strategic ability. Jiawu also brings a small degree of good fortune. Guisi means nobility but with a problem related to wine and women.