Five Elements 五行說

五行篇。秋悉備圖 Autumn features

歲時廣記。南宋。四十二卷陳靚元

秋曰白藏。氣白而收藏萬物。亦曰收成。萬物成而相收歛。三秋。九秋。素秋。素商。高商。

天曰是天。旻愍也愍萬物之彫零。

風曰商風。素風。淒風。高風。涼風。悲風。激風。清風。

景曰朗景。澄景。清景。

時曰淒辰。霜辰。

節曰素節。嘉節。

草曰衰草。

木曰疎木。衰林。霜柯

Autumn is called “Bai Cang,” for its qi (vital energy) is white and causes all things to be gathered and stored. It is also called the season of “Harvest,” for all things have matured and are collected together.

It is known as the Three Autumns, the Nine Autumns, Pure Autumn, Pure Commerce, or High Commerce.

Heaven in this season is called Min, meaning compassionate toward all things that wither and fall.

The wind is called the Shang wind, Pure wind, Chilly wind, High wind, Cool wind, Sad wind, Piercing wind, and Clear wind.

The scenery is described as Bright scene, Clear scene, or Pure scene.

The time is called the Chilly season or Frost season.

The festivals are called Pure festivals or Auspicious festivals.

The grasses are called Withered grasses.

The trees are referred to as Sparse trees, Fading forests, or Frosted branches.

五行篇。夏悉備圖 Summer features

歲時廣記。南宋。四十二卷陳靚元

夏曰朱明。氣赤而光明。亦曰長嬴。朱夏。炎夏。三夏。九夏

天曰昊天。言氣浩汗

風曰炎風

節曰炎節

草曰茂草。雜草

木曰蔚林。茂林。密樹。茂樹

Summer is called Zhu Ming (Vermilion Brightness). Its qi is red and radiant. It is also known as Chang Ying (Long Prosperity), Zhu Xia (Vermilion Summer), Yan Xia (Flaming Summer), Three Summers, or Nine Summers.  

The sky of this season is called Hao Tian, meaning its qi is vast and expansive.  

The Wind is called Yan Feng (Hot Wind).  

The Season is called Yan Jie (Season of Heat).  

The Grass is called Mao Cao (Flourishing Grass) or Za Cao (Various Grasses).  

The Trees are called Wei Lin (Lush Forest), Mao Lin (Dense Forest), Mi Shu (Thick Trees), or Mao Shu (Flourishing Trees).

五行篇。春悉備圖 Spring features

歲時廣記。南宋。四十二卷陳靚元

梁元帝（注。梁元帝是南朝梁晚期的一位皇帝兼著名文士，名蕭繹，字世誠，小字七符，為梁武帝蕭衍第七子，於江陵即位，最終被西魏所殺）纂要

春曰青陽。氣清而溫陽。亦曰發生。芳春。青春。陽春。三春。九春

天曰蒼天（萬物蒼蒼而生）

風曰陽風。春風。暄風。柔風。惠風

景曰媚景。和景。韶景

時曰良時。嘉時。芳時

辰曰良辰。嘉辰。芳辰

節曰嘉節。韶節。淑節

草曰芳草。弱草。芳卉

木曰華木。華樹。芳樹。陽樹

林曰茂林。芳林

鳥曰陽鳥。時鳥。候鳥。好鳥

禽曰陽禽。時禽。好禽

Spring is called Qingyang (Clear Yang).  Its qi (energy) is pure and warm, full of yang vitality.  It is also called Fasheng (the season of growth), Fangchun (Fragrant Spring), Qingchun (Youthful Spring), Yangchun (Sunny Spring), Sanchun (Three Springs), or Jiuchun (Nine Springs).

The sky in spring is called Cangtian (Azure Heaven), for all things grow luxuriant and green beneath it.

The wind is called Yangfeng (Yang Wind), Chunfeng (Spring Breeze), Xuanfeng (Warm Wind), Roufeng (Gentle Wind), or Huifeng (Kind Wind).

The scenery is called Meijing (Lovely Scene), Hejing (Harmonious Scene), or Shaojing (Beautiful Spring Scenery).

The time is called Liangshi (Good Time), Jiashi (Auspicious Time), or Fangshi (Fragrant Time).

五行篇。冬悉備圖 Winter features

歲時廣記。南宋。四十二卷陳靚元

冬曰玄英（冬天雅稱。氣黑而清英）三冬。九冬。

天曰上天（言時無事。在上臨下）

風曰。寒風。勁風。嚴風。厲風。哀風。陰風。

景曰。冬景。寒景。

時曰。寒辰。

節曰。嚴節。

鳥曰。寒鳥。寒禽。

草曰。寒卉。黃草。

木曰。寒木。寒柯。素木。寒條

Winter is called “Xuan Ying” in elegant diction (a refined name for winter; its qi is dark yet pure and luminous), as well as “the Three Winters” and **“the Nine Winters.”

Heaven is referred to as “Upper Heaven” (meaning that in times of peace and calm)．

The wind is called the cold wind, the stiff wind, the severe wind, the piercing wind, the mournful wind, and the gloomy wind.

The scene is called a winter scene or a cold scene.

The time is called the cold season.

The festival (or season) is called the severe season.

Birds are called winter birds or cold fowl.

Grasses are called winter herbs or yellowed grasses.

Trees are called winter trees, cold boughs, pale trees, or cold branches.

五行篇。五行 Further interpretation of the Five elements

月令輯要二十四卷。清。李光地等撰。康𤋮時期內府

五行。一曰水。二曰火。三曰木。四曰金。五曰土。《疏》易繫辭曰。天一地二。天三地四。天五地六。天七地八。天九地十。此即五行生成之數。天一生水。地二生火。天三生木。地四生金。天五生土。此其生數也。如此則陽無匹陰無偶。故地六成水。天七成火。地八成木。天九成金。地十成土。於是陰陽各有匹偶。而物得成焉。故謂之成數也。

Back to the original, experts in the old days used numbers to stands for the five elements.  One is water, two is fire, three is wood, four is metal and five is earth.  In terms of odd and even, heaven is odd, ground is even.  In terms of energy generation, heaven is one, generates two fire, generates three wood, generates four metal and finally is five earth.  Overall on the foundation of yin & yang concept.  

又數之所起。起於陰陽。陰陽往來在於日道。十一月冬至日。南極陽來而陰往。冬水位也。以一陽為水數。五月夏至日。北極陰進而陽退。夏火位也。當以一陰生為火數。但陰不名奇數。必以偶。故以六月二陰生為火數。冬至以及於夏至。當為陽來正月。為春木位也。三陽已生故生為木數。夏至以及冬至。當為陰進。八月為秋金位也。四陰已生。故四為金數。三月春之季。季土位也。五陽已生。故五為土數。此其生數之由也。

又萬物成形。以微著為漸。五行先後。亦以微著為次。五行之體。水最微為一。火漸著為二。木形實為三。金體固為四。土質大為五。水火木金得土數而成。故水成數六。火成數七。木成數八。金成數九。土成數十。

Base on the growing process, when water energy is the origin, so it is ONE.  Fire is gradually exist is two, wood is solid stage three, metal is hard four and finally earth is final stage five.  

五行篇。寒暑相推。運行寒暑 The year cycle of heat and cold

月令輯要二十四卷。清。李光地等撰。康𤋮時期內府

寒暑相推

《易》寒往則暑來。暑往則寒來。寒暑相推而歲成焉。《白虎通》夏至陰始起。陽氣推而上。故大熱也。冬至陽始起。陰氣推而上。故大寒也。

The taking turn of the heat and cold energy

According to I-Ching, the strength of warmth and cold are taking turn to dominate the time of the year, in terms of Yin & Yang.  From the solar term, summer commences, the first yin line appears, and the remaining yang lines are being push upward.  As the result, the heat energy becomes more visible and solid.  

On the other hand, from solar term winter commences, the first yang line appears, the remaining yin lines are pushing upward, the winter cold becomes solid and visible.  

運行寒暑

《易》鼓之以震雷。離電滋潤之。以巽風坎雨離日坎月。運動而行一節為寒。一節為暑。

五行篇。與時消息。四時變通。寒暑相推 Changes in four seasons, the cycle of heat and cold

月令輯要二十四卷。清。李光地等撰。康𤋮時期內府

與時消息

《易》天地盈虛。與時消息。《疏》天之寒暑。往來地之陵谷。貿盈則與時而息。虛則與時而消息。

As time goes on, the heat from summer and cold from winter comes and goes, this illustrates the time goes. 

四時變通

《易》變通配四時。變通莫大乎四時。

According to the concept of I-Ching, as time goes, the four seasons change, this bring changes to the nature.  

五行篇。變化久成。天地相革 The infinite cycle of the four seasons relate to five elements 

月令輯要二十四卷。清。李光地等撰。康𤋮時期內府

《易》四時變化而能久成。四時更代寒暑相變。所以能久生成萬物。

The infinite cycle of the four seasons relate to five elements, and then turn into the taking turns of summer heat and winter cold, and gradually it gave birth to living energy.  

天地相革  The change of weather and nature

《易》天地革而四時成。《漢上朱氏易解》乾始於坎。而終於離。坤始於離而終於坎。乾終而坤革之地。革天也。陽極生陰及為寒。坤終而乾革之天。革地也。陰極生陽及為暑。天地相革寒暑相成。是亦水火相息也。坎冬。離夏。震春。兌秋四時也。故曰天地革而四時成。

In the ancient days, people saw the weather as the sky and the nature as the mother land.  The changes happened with the weather and nature as the four seasons cycle happens.  

五行篇。二至陰陽相生理 Five elements series ~ the Yin & Yang energy cycle based on four seasons

三台命書正宗。十二卷。明。余象斗編集。明萬曆二十六年三台館刊本

一年之內細分五行。配合氣候於十二月之中。各主旺相以定用神。其中五行又分陰陽。為兩叚於一年之中。各主生旺之氣。如冬至之前陽氣未動。木方死絕。其命不甚吉利。若甲乙日生人在冬至之後。陽氣已生。木乘煖氣。其命壽祿皆全。只要用神入格。又如丙丁日干生人。在冬至之前。遇水即滅。若在冬至之後不甚忌水。蓋丙丁乘木之生也。

夏至一陰生。則有金生水用之理。如官暦所載。夏至後逄庚為三伏。蓋謂一陰生後。金生而火囚明乎此。則庚產主於夏至之後。金畧有氣。不甚忌火。其理尤明。學者不可不知。

《補釋》冬至後陽生。夏至後陰生。五行各得其氣。不為身弱。便作中和論。

When we need to distinguish the manner of the five element and the Yin & Yang energy cycle through out the whole year, the energy that dominates the season is the critical key, then identify the strong link to level up the auspicious energy of the chart.  

For example, before solar term “winter solstice “, the yang energy is not active yet, so wood energy is not beneficial.  On the other hand, after “winter solstice”, the yang energy kick start, temperature is picking up.  As the result, wood energy is enjoying a better growing environment. 

For example, fire energy is born before “winter solstice”, it is obviously the weakest link at that period.  Moreover, after winter solstice, since wood energy is picking up the growth energy, this is a beneficial to the fire element.  

五行篇。煖燠常多 Five elements series ~ Heat and warmth

春秋繁露十七卷。董仲舒。宋嘉定四年胡槻江右計台刻本

天之道。出陽為煖以生之。出陰為清以成之。是故非薰（暖氣）也不能有育。非溧（清涼的陰氣）也不能有熟。歲之精也。知心而不省薰與溧孰多者。用之必與天戾。與天戾。雖勞不成。是自正月至於十月。而天之功畢。計其間。陰與陽各居幾何。薰與溧其日孰多。距物之初生。至其畢成。露與霜其下孰倍。故從中春至於秋。氣溫柔和調。及季秋九月。陰乃始多於陽。天於是時出溧下霜。出溧下霜。而天降物固已皆成矣。

故九月者。天之功大究於是月也。十月而悉畢。故案其跡。數其實。清溧之日少少耳。功已畢成之後。陰乃大出。天之成功也。少陰與太陰不與。少陰在內而太陰在外。故霜加於物。而雪加於空。空者地而已。不逮物也。功已畢成之後。物未複生之前。太陰之所當出也。

雖曰陰。亦以太陽資化其位。而不知所受之。故聖主在上位。天覆地載。風令雨施。雨施者。布德均也。風令者。言令直也。

 《詩》云：「識不知，順帝之則。」言弗能知識，而效天之所為云爾。禹水湯旱，非常經也，適遭世氣之變，而陰陽失平。堯視民如子，民視堯如父母。《尚書》日：「二下有八載，放動乃殂落，百姓如喪考妣。四海之內，於密八音三年。」三年陽氣於陰，陰氣大同，此禹所以有水名也。桀，天下之殘賊也；湯，天下之盛德也。天睛除殘賊而得盛德大善者再，是重陽也，故湯有旱之名。

皆適遭之變，非禹湯之過。毋以適遭之變疑平生之常，則所守不失，則正道益明。

When we study the five elements, heat and warmth energy is very critical for growing energy.  To be precise, it is distinguished between heat and warmth.  The warmth energy from the nature is for growth, when growing is finished, ‘yin’ energy is then for mature stage.  This is two main stream of energy cycle  within a year.  

The level of warmth and heat from the nature varies from the 1st month, Yin month until Hai month, the tenth month, the whole growing cycle is finished.  During the process, the yang and yin energy, they have their unique position to take turns.  As a result, the first half of the year, yang energy dominates, until Xu month, the ninth month, yin energy takes over the place.  

五行篇。五行對 Correspondence of Five Elements

春秋繁露十七卷。董仲舒。宋嘉定四年胡槻江右計台刻本

《孝經》曰「夫孝。天之經，地之義。」何謂也。

對曰。「天有五行。木火土金水是也。木生火。火生土。土生金。金生水。水為冬。金為秋。冬主藏。藏。冬之所成也。是故父之所生。其子長之。父之所長。其子養之。父之所養。其子成之。諸父所為。其子皆奉承而續行之。不敢不致如父之意。盡為人之道也。故五行者。五行也。由此觀之。父授之。子受之。乃天之道也。故曰。夫孝者。天之經也。此之謂也。」

王曰。「善哉。天經既得聞之矣。願聞地之義。」

對曰。「地出雲為雨。起氣為風。風雨者。地之所為。地不敢有其功名。必上之於天。命若從天氣者。故曰天風天雨也。莫曰地風地雨也。勤勞在地。名一歸於天。非至有義。其孰能行此。故下事上。如地事天也。可謂大忠矣。土者。火之子也。五行莫貴於土。土之於四時無所命者。不與火分功名。火名夏。金名秋。水名冬。忠臣之義。孝子之行。取之土。土者。五行最貴者也。其義不可以加矣。五聲莫貴於宮。五味莫美於甘。五色莫盛於黃。此謂孝者地之義也。」

王曰。「善載。」

This is the prime concept of five elements and the origin from the ancient times. 

The main critical thought of people were treating their parents at high standards since our parents gave life to us and support us until we can live independently.  

This interpreted into the process of the five elements.  The energy generation cycle is just like the parents supporting their children and their children should express their appreciation in return.  On the other hand, the destruction cycle, is just like the parents trying to educate their children and make sure their behavior is at proper standard.  

五行篇。五行之義 Interpretations of five elements

春秋繁露十七卷。董仲舒。宋嘉定四年胡槻江右計台刻本

天有五行。一曰木。二曰火。三曰土。四曰金。五曰水。木。五行之始也。水。五行之終也。土。五行之中也。此其天次之序也。木生火。火生土。土生金。水生木。此其父子也。木居左。金居右。火居前。水居後。土居中央。此其父子之序。相受而布。是故木受水。而火受木。土受火。金受土。水受金也。諸受之者。皆其父也。

受之者。皆其子也。常因其父以使其子。天之道也。是故木已生而火養之。金已死而水藏之。火樂木而養以陽。水克金而喪以陰。土之事火竭其忠。故五行者。乃孝子忠臣之行也。

五行之為言也。猶五行與？是故以得辭也。聖人知之。故多其愛而少嚴。厚養生而𧫴送終。就天之制也。以子而迎成養。如火之樂木也。喪父。如水之克金也。

事君。若土之敬天也。可謂有行人矣。五行之隨。名如其序。五行之官。各致其能。是故木居東方而主春氣。火居南方而主夏氣。金居西方而主秋氣。北居北方而主冬氣。是故木主生而金主殺。火主暑而水主寒。使人必以其序。官人必以其能。天之數也。

土居中央。為之天潤。土者。天之股肱也。其德茂美。不可名以一時之事。故五行而四時者。土兼之也。金木水火雖各職。不因土。方不立。若酸咸辛苦之不因甘肥不能成味也。

甘者。五味之本也。土者。五行之主也。五行之主土氣也。猶五味之有甘肥也。不得不成。是故聖人之行。莫貴於忠。土德之謂也。人官之大者。不名所職。相其是矣。天官之大者。不名所生。土是矣。

Interpretations of Five elements from this ancient Hang Dynasty 漢代 book.  

Five elements are essential substances exist in the nature.  Wood, fire, earth, metal & water elements.  Wood is the beginning of the cycle and wrap up with the water element.  Earth element belongs to the middle sector.  This is an energy infinite generation cycle. 

This cycle is in the nature and the five elements are in fixed order.  Wood is spring and in direction east, fire is summer and in direction south, metal is autumn and in direction west and water is winter and in direction north.  As a result, wood symbolizes growth and metal is eliminating.  Fire is heat and water is freeze. 

Earth element is the critical source for growing energy.  It should be praised and appreciated.  This is an important thought for the ancient society.  

五行篇。論火篇。春月之火 Five elements ~ Fire elements in spring season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夫。火者南方赤帝之神。神農氏執衡司事。張晏曰。火為禮禮者齊。齊者平故曰。衡行炎陽之令。主咸齊之權。生當春月母旺子相。勢力並行加以生旺損物傷身。得以死絕明晦．繼傳見木則愈加煇燁。抱薪救火則火勢增炎。謂火到春承相。更加未生則失之大炎。水濟成功則子母俱俱恩澤。謂木乃火母。春木旺火相喜水以生木。水以濟火而子母皆喜。

土多蹇塞終無照燭之光。金盛璨明可施煅煉之力。謂春未盛。見土失明見金可以施功。重逢火位在初春。可以煒燁。居春未則傷乎燥炎。謂春火相加以火到。為炎在初春得之則吉。春未得反為不美。

Fire energy consists of heat and light features.  When it refers to human characters, this means polite and courtesy.  Referring to culture, when fire energy kicks in, it must be summer time.  This is the season when farming crops are all fully grown and soon ready for harvest.  

In spring wood energy fully escalated and of course fire energy is also in full strength.  If it is in excess, then this will bring damages to other living energy which is not preferred.  At this point, water element is the main key to calm down the whole picture.  At the same time, this can lower the heat absorbed by the wood body.  

In a case if earth element is heavy, this can extinguish the fire flame.  If metal energy is loaded, the fire can be used to release the potential being stored.  

五行篇。論水篇。冬月之水 Five elements series ~ Water energy in winter season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

冬月之水其形得地。其勢得持。火氣減而寒氣增。大寒凜凜水結冰凝。

水本不死。水結冰凝而曰死也。遇火則增暖減寒。而性狀不凝不結。謂冬水勢寒。更加水愈冷。故喜火以溫之。土多藏形化歸於克。謂水死無形。藏歸於土。乃曰死故嫌土多也。

木克土殘水又不畏。金生水隆相忘道義。蓋土藏水形假木散。水能彰形水藉金生。然冬水自得時。不用金生。使見金反為無義。乃曰道義相忘。則冬水唯喜在火木也。

Winter season is the season for water energy, it is strong in both status and strength.  Fire energy deteriorated and weather is freezing.  During this time, if more fire energy is added, then this will defrost the frozen weather and ice.   Since fire energy can generate earth energy, it should carry some warm temperature in earth element, then water can be stored inside.  

As water is the mother star of wood energy, when temperature is retained in earth element, then the wood energy can kick off when the environment is suitable.   On the whole, water in winter season prefer to see fire and wood energy.  

五行篇。論水篇。秋月之水 Five elements ~ Water element in autumn season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

秋月之水。母旺子相表光裏瑩。遇金助則子母俱和。而金白水清。謂秋金旺金能生水。則水相更遇相會。則曰子母和會而金白水清也。

火多財盛太過傷親。財多則於身有勢。傷親則於家不足。身有勞則早傾喪家。不足則仇讎（報復）生。謂水在秋雖相。遇火為財克之不難。又不宜傷多。多則縈心也。傷親者蓋火能克金。金乃水母也。故火不宜多。多則反也。得其中則美矣。

遇木生財更能施力。謂本生火而日生財。更能施力（亦如施舟揖｛拱手禮｝之功也）水水相會泛泛難存。謂秋水旺。更增水則愈泛。土厚成功。物能稼穡。謂水泛當用土止遏之。

Autumn season is the time for metal energy, this is the mother star of water energy.  When metal energy is efficient, of course the child star is strong too.  Due to the foundation features of metal, the water energy can bring shininess  and richness to the metal appearance.  

Money star is the fire energy, when this is overloaded, this will bring damages to the surroundings, i.e. family and friends.   When water energy escalates, earth energy can help to keep the water in control and maintain nature balance for living energy.  

五行篇。論水篇。夏月之水 Five elements ~ Water element in summer season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夏月之水。執性歸源時當涸際。而無泛濫之遶。水助水注可以濟物。物渴思水。水能濟之。謂夏乃赤帝主權。日炎物燥當用水潤。到此之時若施一滴之功。可澤理之潤。貴乎水助也。

金潤水清物能華秀。木逢則色轉。增金逢則體悅潤。謂時當炎熱木燥。則根葉乾焦。遇水則色轉增秀。金到此則性燥。遇水則悅澤色光潤。遇土則萬物成齊。土多又反成損己。謂夏土焦水能濟之。則萬物成齊。設土多又傷乎形質。

Summer is filled with heat and water energy at this season is weak and at the same time it is critical.  When the heated environment is killing growing energy, water can be a savior to bring back the growing energy.

 

五行篇。論水篇。春月之水 Five elements ~ Water element in spring season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夫。水者北方黑帝之神。高陽氏執權司事。張晏曰。水為智智者諸。謀者重。故曰權行嚴凝之令。主殺物之權。執性不定。决諸東則東流。决諸西則則西流。遇冬則結。遇夏則散。

春月之水性濫滔滔。加之以水更逢旺相。必有崩隄潰岸之勢。物加損焉。春乃水泛之時。使之更逢水。見生旺則傷乎。流注損物。

《經》曰滔滔不止。必有自溺之憂。喜逢土止而無泛濫之患。謂水泛土能止之。土多為妙。金盛生愁謂土多則水靜。金盛則水奔（蓋金能生水也）逢木可施舟楫之功。木多土少反成浮泛。謂水得木可以施功。而為有用。設水多木盛。如無土制又成水泛木浮。終為不美。 

Water element stands for wisdom, intelligent.  It is cold and freezing, which will freeze all living energy.  In winter, water freezes and in summer it evaporates.  

During the three spring months, water energy generates energy for wood energy.  When wood is strong which means the water energy it is strong too.  In this case, if more water is being added, this will cause water energy overload and causing damage.  

Add more earth energy can keep water energy in control.   When earth energy is heavy, this will generate metal energy and will loaded with more water energy eventually.  

五行篇。論木篇。冬月之木 Five elements series ~  Wood energy in winter season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

冬月之木。盤屈歸根土多喜見。謂冬月物藏伏時。氣已歸根。用多土以掩之。則根深蔕固。水多氣冷根損形亡。謂時當黑帝行權。水神用事。正冰霜凝結。更加之以水則根不能存。形必亡也。金多木能琢。木並未能生。謂木氣歸根鋧未能施工。木見未能並秀。火見交功却為濟物。謂冬氣既寒得火成溫燠之氣。根荄無凍損之患。可謂濟物。如寒木向陽也。 

Winter months are Hai water, Zi water and Chou earth, during this time water energy are already escalated and dominates the whole period of the year.  In order for living energy to survive through the season to get back to spring, they have to hide away from the freezing cold and keep their warmth.  For wood energy, the best solution is concentrated all the essence at the root and stay underneath the ground.

At this time, water energy can be in different format, in shape of dew, ice and snow, these will eventually damage the wood.  Fire energy becomes the critical key for survival at this time.  This is not in a way of destruction but to keep it warm enough to retrieve its best status. 

五行篇。論木篇。秋月之木 Five elements ~ Wood energy in autumn season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

秋月之木。氣漸淒冷木漸彫敗。

初秋之時。火勢未滅。猶喜水土以相滋。謂處暑當節。正樂火流金之時。物尚渴燥。故乃水土未未可闕。金多成器在乎仲秋。謂之到秋中。果已成實。葉已彫零枝枯根槁。成為無用當用金以琢之。乃成物狀。

《經》曰但能成器為榮。秋深霜降見水當憂。寒露已交火溫成秀。謂寒露後而有。霜降二節近冬。漸漸氣畏之以水。水見水愈寒。喜之以火。見火溫暖木並成林。則上乘而下滅。謂秋木成林。上乘者百禽歸之棲也。下滅者百草不能生也。

Autumn season is three months, Shen metal, You metal and Xu earth month.  During this time of the year, wood is entering the death stage and no more growing energy is at active stage.  

At Shen month (7th month), the fire energy from summer is still there and water energy is a solution to release the stored heat from summer.  Metal energy has already escalated in autumn and wood is weakened, so it can shape the wood in order.  During this time, solar term Frost and Cold dew are  at Xu earth month (last month of autumn), winter season is just round the corner, fire energy is critical at this time to keep the wood energy warm.  When the wood is warm, it can grow at a rapid speed.  

論木篇。夏月之木 Five elements series ~ Wood energy in summer season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夏月之木。根燥葉乾。盤而且直屈而已。

伸水滋其形而無槁朽。水病水死救之無功。水生水旺滋之有力。蓋謂衰不能救。旺中之鬼也。又云水不能生木。然用生旺水乎。金多未能成器時。

當赤帝行權。金死木休。二者失用故難成器。土以養形居燥反成其咎。

水等土均燥體得其磊（光明坦蕩）翠。謂驕陽物炎。必藉水土之功。唯土養 無水潤成其空也。

木助木以成林。徒逞欝欝之麗（青翠茂盛）終無結果之成。

若居季夏（末月）見金相成時。乃金相喜之以成形。謂金相能施可成琢削之象。

Summer season is Si fire, Wu fire and Wei earth month.  During this period of the year, fire energy dominates and leads to absolute dryness from roots to leaves.  Water energy is the solution to break the dryness and bring the wood back to active and healthy status.  

To be precise, we have to check the strength of water energy, which is referring to the 12 stages of heavenly stems.  To be in a better situation, metal energy can generate water energy but in summer, metal energy is at destruction stage, as a result, earth energy is also needed.  Fire energy can generate earth energy, but cannot be overloaded.  

五行篇。論木篇。春月之木 Five elements series ~ Wood energy in Spring Season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夫。木者東方青帝之神。包犧氏執規司事。張晏（東漢末年人。曾注《漢書》一書）木為仁仁者生。生者圜。故曰規行生養之權。持華秀之令。

春月得之漸有生長之象。孟春之令猶有餘寒。當用火以溫燠。則木無盤屈之拘。當有舒暢之美。纔當春末陽壯物渴。藉水資扶益加秀茂。若使初春無火增之。以水則陰濃氣弱。根損枝枯不能華秀。

若使春末失之以水。增之以火則陽氣大盛。燥渴相加根乾葉槁。亦使不能華秀。是以水火二物要得時而濟。方為奇特。土多傷力得中可以然。

木居春月克土不難。若傷乎多曰戀克。有損精神。金盛傷枝損華。重見生旺。必假金以琢之居乎休囚。金不宜多。木生春月有枝有蔓。有條有榦。更加木助葉盛花繁。終無結實。造物太冗。

Wood energy dominates spring season, it means active growing energy to be strong and healthy.  During spring season, there are three months, which are Yin Mao and Chen 寅卯和辰月.  During Yin month, the temperature is still low and water energy is still there, it is a benefit to use fire energy to keep the wood warm.  As time goes on, the water energy from winter dried up and to keep the wood growing, extra water is needed.  Extra earth energy will used up extra energy for destruction.  

Metal energy at this point is act as the trimming function.  As wood energy dominates, metal is the weakest link.  During destruction, metal energy will harm itself and it cannot be overload to bring extra force.  This will keep the wood energy in status and order. 

五行篇。論金篇。冬月之金 Five elements series ~ Metal energy in winter season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

冬月之金。形寒性冷水秀金柔。木多不能施琢削之功。反成無用。

水盛則金氣愈寒。謂冬月乃黑帝行權。水神用事。加之水則金寒水冷。不能執化。火多性溫體健。物當成器鋒銳可施。時隆財（火）相金。聚氣則形微氣盛也。

土多制水生金。性不塞體不懦（軟弱）。加之火助土。厚則子母俱能成。物不以成剛銳。去無不利也。

Winter season is the time for water energy as the strongest link and metal energy is the mother star to generate energy for the water.  In the language of five elements, this means losing energy as the mother star, i.e. metal energy in this case.  

When water energy is the focus, then the metal energy from a hot weather enters a cold environment, this will lead to a softened feature and retained the shininess.  Since water energy can generate wood energy, at this point, metal cannot destruct it anymore.  At this specific season, fire energy can retrieve warmth and makes the earth energy a better criteria to revert its original status.  

五行篇。論金篇。秋月之金 Five elements series ~ Metal energy in autumn season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

秋月之金當權乘勢

《經》曰金氣肅而彫萬類。不多則反傷斧斤。謂秋乃白帝行權。金神用事。雖木死琢之不難。謂有取而轉。進則反費精神。

《五行大論》云猶石鼯（飛鼠）之畏。貪若靈龜之曳尾。金多愈剛。剛而必折。謂乃本性。當權更加本形相助失乎旺。旺則極。極則反於造物。不耐狀若琉璃。火盛可以成形。謂時當暴亂。須用物以制其暴性。性肅則形成。成則可施鋒銳。鋒銳可施收歛之功。水潤體光水白金清。精神悅秀。執性不剛。物無反惡。土盛生其性愈隆。物能稼穡。形有所執物有所成。

Autumn season is dominated by the metal energy, at this time, this energy has escalated to the peak and attained absolute sharpness and power, can damage almost everything.  In a case when metal energy is overloaded, this will not bring a credit to the energy but instead it will eventually breaks the metal.  In a case when fire energy is heavy, this needs to be kept the heated metal under control.  

When metal energy meets water energy, this can help to retain the shininess and richness of the metal feature.  When earth energy is too much, this will turned it back into raw status without harness.  

五行篇。論金篇。夏月之金 Five elements series ~ Metal energy in summer season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夏月之金性尚在柔形未執。方猶嫌死絕。貴乎旺相。見木助鬼傷形克體。

謂夏月乃赤帝行權。火神用事。當是木槁（枯）無形。敬奔其火則火性愈猛。故為傷形克體。若只見火多。却為不厭性溫體潤。形格自如。謂時當極熱土焦金。燥須喜水澤潤肌膚。

土盛大暴執方不能自化。展轉無剛革之成。時當夏月土多。則成滯金助體。剛形飾自立。時有當權火氣出乎。自然變化也。

Metal energy in summer season, due to the fire destruction energy leads to weakened and softened.  When fire is strong, then wood is at death stage, this is destructive to metal energy.  At this point, water energy is needed to lower the temperature and moist the metal body, and retrieve the original metal status.  

During summer season, fire energy can generate energy for earth element, when this is too heavy, this will cover the metal energy and stranded it.  

五行篇。論金篇。春月之金 Five elements series ~ Metal energy in spring season

三車一覽命書詳論。十卷。宋。方謙之編

夫。金者西方白帝之神。金天氏執矩司事張晏曰。金為義義者成成者方。故曰矩（法度）行收歛之令。主肅殺之權。執性堅剛。

春月見之性柔體弱。常用日時坐命處。以生旺助其柔性。見木多則反成剉志。謂春乃青帝行權木神用事。更加木盛則金治之無力。所謂執力小而不能負重也。

《五行大論》曰。木近木遠克其無門。火多則溫其性煆其形。謂其春月尚有餘寒之氣。其本性正居柔弱之中。當貴乎。火之暖氣也。

水多則其性愈寒。其力愈減。謂其春月性柔。體弱加以水增其寒。執不能施鋒銳。然則惡乎。水盛也金見乃助其形。若無火徒加金。盛反為無用。失類之狀。然助金能助形。又用火以煆之土厚。養其性助其形。制其水得其體白形。剛設使土盛亦不慮焉。

謂春乃木旺。土散塵飛而不塞。當喜乎土矣。

Metal energy is white in colour, it is about the shiny feature of the metal and on a person’s character, is about loyalty and follow the rules and regulations.  

Metal energy in spring season when the wood energy is strong.  Metal energy is weakened among the destructive relationship.  When fire energy is heavy, then can heated up the metal energy to retrieve it’s sharpness as a tool.  During spring, temperature is still low with humidity, the extra water energy can softened the metal energy and deduct its razor sharp.  

During spring season, the metal energy prefers earth element to generate energy for it.  

十二地支 Summary on Twelve Earthly Branches

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

大抵五行用法。總無真實。生死衰旺。亦假名耳。

直向源頭。明其出處。

如五陽為剛。五陰為柔。

若失令身衰。不遇資扶而頻洩氣。則剛者其為剛。

若得令身強而事有助。則柔者不失之柔。

中間又分木火為陽。金水為陰。

皆喜生扶資助。要以中和為貴。

After going through the detail of the twelve earthly branches, the usage of five elements are not as solid as people think.  Even we measure the strong and weak link, this also just look like an interpretation. 

We have to look into the basic and the start from step one.  

For example, the first critical step is, we have to be crystal clear that the five Yang heavenly stems are physically hard while the five Yin stems are flexible and more gentle.  

In case if the environment doesn’t provide support and weakened it off, then it will expect to match with some other stems or branches will similar or identical energy to support it.  It also means, when providing assistance, to keep the original feature of the particular stems or branches is the first priority.  

For example, to keep the temperature, the dryness, hardness or flexibility etc.  

Furthermore, wood and fire also classified as Yang since this is the path for escalating.  Metal and water are Yin as this is the path for going down energy until the next cycle.  This forms an infinite circulation.

十二地支。亥地六陰 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Hai water 💧

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

亥地六陰。雨雪載塗。土至此而不煖＂金至此而生寒。其象若五湖之歸聚。

其用在三合之有心。

是故欲識乾坤和煖之處，即從艮震巽離之地而尋之也。

On monthly trigram, Hai month, the tenth month of the year, is the trigram with six broken ‘yin’ line, which means water dominates at this time.  Hai is the first month of winter, winter is water element.  Hai is also the graduation stage of water element, as a result, Hai month is with strong water energy.  

Hai month is with rain and snow at freezing weather.  Earth element at this stage is at low temperatures cannot keep warmth.  Metal energy can generate water energy at cold point.  

Hai water is just like the joints for various rivers and ponds.  

十二地支。戌乃洪爐之庫 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Xu earth 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

戌乃洪爐之庫。鈍鐵頑金。賴以煉成。

見辰龍則衝出𡈼水。而雨露生焉。

見寅虎則會起丙火。而文章出焉。

然火命逢之。則為入墓。寧能免於不傷哉？

Xu earth, its nature is a heated soil with concentrated metal energy since this is the last month of autumn season.  When the peak stage of metal energy has already passed, metal energy has to be stored back in Xu earth to be prepared for the winter season which is just round the corner.  

Since it carries high fire energy, then this can act as the function of a kiln which can smelt raw metal into tools.  

When it clashes with Chen earth, due to the collision, this will release yang water energy, Ren water, just like rainfall out of a dry weather.  

When it teams up with Yin wood and will attract Bing fire, this is completing a fire trio and fire means literature and culture.  

In a case if a bazi chart is already concentrated with fire energy, Xu means a lock to store fire energy inside, which is bringing non-auspicious.  

十二地支。酉建八月金色 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ You metal 👑

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

酉建八月金色。白水流清。

若遇日時火多。運更愁東去。

若遇日時木旺。運亦怕南行。

柱見水泥。應為有用。運行西北。豈是無情。

然逢巳丑三合。亦能堅銳。豈可以陰金為溫柔。

珠玉而泥論哉。

You metal is the second month of autumn season where referring to the twelve stages of heavenly stems, You metal is the peak stage of metal energy.  This is the eighth month of the year and You metal is strong metal energy which carries clear water energy.

In a case when the date and time pillars has heavy fire energy, this is unfortunate if fate pillars go through wood season, which means this will generate more fire energy to destruct the You metal.  

In another case when date and time pillars are showing heavy wood energy plus fate pillars go through fire season, this creates similar status as the last one.  

If water and earth energy are present, then this is an advantage for the You metal since this is the mother star and child star of You metal, with metal and water energy fate pillars, this complete the metal energy circulation.  

When it joins Si fire and Chou earth to make a metal trio combination, then this You metal is consider as strong plus metal energy fate pillars.  

十二地支。申宮 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Shen metal 🔱

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

申宮。水土長生之地。

入巳午則逢火煉，遂成劍戟。見子辰則逢水淬，益得光鋒。

使木多無火，金終能勝；若土重堆埋，金卻有兇。

蓋申乃頑鈍之金，與溫柔珠玉不同故也。

Shen is the first month of autumn season.  Autumn is about metal energy, referring to the twelve stages of earthly branches, Shen metal is also the birth stage of water energy.  

When Shen metal goes through Si and Wu fire energy, it will be under the manner of smelting……it is tough but this will release its potential that was stored.  When it joins with Zi water and Chen earth, it will become a water trio combination, this is the cool down effect.  

In order to evolve a raw metal into a useful tool, use fire to smelt and use water to cool down straightaway, this will turn into useful tool with shiny and sharpness. 

According to the five elements theory, in autumn, Shen metal is strong, when the bazi chart contains heavy wood energy and fire energy is absent, metal energy can still conquer the wood under the destructive relationship.  When earth energy is heavy, this will act like burying the metal under soil, which is just like taking away all the usage of the tool and turn it back into a piece of raw metal, this is non-auspicious.  

十二地支。未當季夏 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Wei earth 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

未當季夏。則陰深而火漸衰。未中有乙木。有丁火。是藏官藏印。不藏財也。

無亥卯以會之。則形難變。只作火土論。

無丑戌以刑以衝之。則庫不開。難得官印力。

柱中無火。怕行金水之運。

日時多寒。偏愛丙丁之鄉。

蓋用神之喜忌最當分曉。不可毫髮誤也。

Wei month belongs to earth element and this is the last month of the summer season.  According to the five elements features, all the fire element from summer heat was stored inside Wei earth.  As the result, this Wei earth is the strongest earth carries heavy heat.  

Wei month is the month after Wu month, according to the monthly trigram, two yin lines accumulated in this month which means the flow of yin energy is piling up until its maximum at Hai month.  

Yi wood and Ding fire are being stored within Wei earth, they are the officer and mother star of Wei earth respectively while money star is no where to be found.  

As I mentioned before, the wood trio combinations are Hai water and Mao wood with Wei earth, if they are not showing up, Wei earth is only a heated earth in nature.   

Regarding the destructive trio mode, it joins with Xu, Chou earth, if they are both absent, the stored heavenly stems cannot be released in terms of the collision strength.  

If fire elements are absent among the pillars chart, it does not prefer to go through fate pillars in terms of metal and water elements.  If date and time pillars are showing strong water energy, then this is better to improve by seeing fire elements fate pillars. 

五行總論 Talk about Five Elements

窮通寶鑑欄江網（清·益元堂版）

五行者。往來乎天地之間而不窮者也是故。謂之行。

北方陰極而生寒。寒生水。

南方陽極而生熱。熱生火。

東方陽散以泄而生風。風生木。

西方陰止以藏而生燥。燥生金。

中央陰陽交而生濕。濕生土。其相也。

所以相維其相剋也。

所以相制此之謂有倫。

火為太陽性炎。土水為太陰。性潤下。

木為少陽。性騰上而無所止。

金為少陰。性沉下而有所止。

土無常。性視四時所乘欲。使相濟得所。勿令太過弗及。

夫。五行之性。各至其用。

水其其性智。火者其性禮。

木其性仁。金其性義。

性土主信。重厚寬博無所不容以之。

木則水附之。而行以之木。

火則木托之而生金。不得土則無自出火。

不得土則無自歸。必損蹇。以為通致雴。以為明。

故五行皆賴土也。

推其形。色則水黑。火赤。木青。金白。土黃此正色也。

Lets see how other ancient bazi book talk about five elements. 

Five elements not only five components but also it is an infinite cycle. 

North carries definite yin energy, this cause cold weather and generates water energy.

South carries definite yang energy, this cause heat and generates fire energy.

East carries yang energy and energy is turning over and cause wind and generates wood energy.

West carries ying energy and stands for storing away, this cause dryness and generates metal energy.

Middle is earth element and carries both yin and yang energy.  

Earth element does not have a unique direction and its spread over in four seasons, it stores growing energy but cannot be overloaded with earth energy.  

Five elements have their own unique characters and usage.

Water stands for wisdom, fire stands for courtesy, wood stands for humanity and metal stands for righteous.  Earth element stands for faith and it has volume and can accept everything and help to grow.  

十二地支。午月炎正升 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Wu Fire 🔥

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

午月炎火正升。入中氣則陰生也。

庚至此為無用。己至此為歸垣。

見申子則必戰尅。見寅戌則越光明。

運行東南。正是身強之地。

若入西北。則休囚喪形矣。

Wu month, this is the mid summer which means weather wise, this is the hottest period of the whole year.  In terms of monthly trigram, the first yin line appears when the heat is at the peak stage.  This is trigram #44 Coupling.  This is all happening after the solar term ‘Grain Buds’ 小滿, which is the 16th days of Wu month onwards.

Geng metal needs fire energy to smelt but when it gets to Wu month, this is too strong and for Ji earth, this will make it stronger as this is the mother star.  

In case of Shen metal and Zi water, this will lead to destructive behavior as Zi and Wu is collision mode and with Shen metal this is smelting.  Moreover, this is the partial water trio, this also will lead to destruction too.  

In case of Yin wood with Xu earth, this is the complete fire trio and lead to brightness from strong fire energy.  Plus the fate pillars are going through southeast with wood and fire, this will only boost it stronger.   On the other hand, it the fate pillars are going through northwest with metal and water energy dominating, this will destroy Wu fire’s status.  

十二地支。巳當初夏 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Si fire 🕯️

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

巳當初夏。其火增光。是六陽之極也。

庚金寄生。因賴戊母。戊土歸祿。乃隨火孃。

見申則刑。刑中有合。翻為無害。

見亥則衝。衝而必破。便為有傷。

若運再行東南生發之地。便成燒天烈焰之勢矣。

Si fire is the first month of summer season, heat is solid and is still escalating.  Regarding the monthly trigram, it is the Qian bagua which consists of six yang lines, this is the maximum.  

This Si fire can smelt Geng metal and this process can help to release the potential of any Geng metal.  This Si fire is not talking about how strong it can be, instead how durable it can last.  Moreover, Wu earth is one of the element that stored within Si fire, this is the mother star of Geng metal, as the result, the bonding between the two are strong even they are the smelting relationship (tough).  

Si with Shen metal is combining but it also can destruct as joining with Yin metal.  This is a trio status.  Its collision partner is Hai water and this is leading to an outbreak effect.  

Si fire is preferable to be supported by wood and fire for energy generation which is direction east, southeast and south.  

十二地支。辰建季春 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Chen earth element 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

辰建季春。為水泥之濕。而萬物之根皆賴此培養。

甲至此雖衰。而有乙之餘氣。

𡈼至此雖墓。而有癸之還魂。

見戌謂鑰。能升庫中之物。若三戌重衝破門。非吉。 

日時多見水木。其運更向西北。則辰土不能存矣。

Chen month, is the last month of the spring season.  The unique features of Chen earth is moist with warmth.  Since wood energy has already fade away and resume back to the ground, summer is only round the corner plus the humidity from spring season, as the result, Chen earth carries the above features.  It is the best to grow things and carries a lot of active energy.

Jai wood has almost come to an end at Chen earth and at the same time, it has stored Yi wood inside. 

It is also regarded as the safety box for Ren water, just like a locker storing yang water energy inside.  It stores Gui water, so this is another turning point for water energy. 

Xu earth collides with Chen earth, this is treated as a force to unlock all the stored energy inside both earth elements.  Of course, among the four branches among a pillar chart, it is not auspicious to see three Xu earth to clash against one Chen earth.  

In another case, if water and wood energy dominate the date and time pillars, plus fate pillars are going through metal and water energy, this is going to harm the nature of Chen earth.  Metal energy belongs to autumn season, this is colliding with spring season Chen earth and winter season is too cold for Chen to survive.   

十二地支。卯木仲春 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Mao wood 🌱

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

卯木仲春。氣稟繁華。雖用金水。不可太過。

若干頭庚辛疊見。地支不可見申酉。恐有破伐之害。

地支亥子重逢。干頭不可見癸壬。主有漂流之傷。

見酉則衝。木必落葉。見亥未則合。木必成林。

若時日歸於金重。大運更向西行。患不禁也。

Mao month, the second month of spring.  Mao is the peak stage of wood energy and middle of spring time.  During this time of the year, plants are growing at rapid pace when the warmth has already escalated since Yin month.  

Among a bazi chart, if the tool is metal and water energy, this cannot be overflow as this will certainly harm the active energy of Mao wood.  

In a case Geng metal and Shen metal appearing on the stems level, try to prevent seeing Shen and You metals on the branches level, since this will boost the metal energy to another high level, and bringing damage to the wood itself, as the result, this is non-auspicious in a way.

In case Hai and Zi water are showing up together on branches level, due to the same point of view, trying not to see Ren and Gui water at the same time.  Since too strong water flow, Mao wood cannot plant on the soil firmly and brings unstableness. 

It is at destructive relationship with You metal, this is like using a scissors cutting the leaves.  It matches Hai water and Wei earth to form a wood trio combinations and water energy is strong and firm.  

If metal energy is strong on the time pillar and plus the same energy flow on the fate pillars, this is also a signal of destruction. 

十二地支。寅正月 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Yin wood 🪵

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

寅。建於春。氣聚三陽。有丙火生焉。

寅刑巳。巳合申。並旺而為貴格。旺於卯。庫於未。同類則為一家。

至午則火光輝。而有超凡入聖之美。見申則寅受衝。而有破祿傷提之憂。

若四柱火多。則又不可入南方火地。語云「木不南奔」是也。

Yin month, this symbolizes the start of spring.  Regard the monthly trigram, this is the #19 Nearing 地天泰卦 with three yang lines from the bottom.  It stored Bing fire inside, so there is an origin of fire to ensure a smooth forward moving.  

It’s destructive partner is Si fire and Si also combines with Shen metal.  Yin wood escalated the peak energy at Mao wood stage, its back to rest at Wei earth stage.  All these similar stages are regarded as one group.  

Its released the most energy at Wu fire stage, it destructs with Shen metal (yang wood vs yang metal relationship).  Moreover, Yin wood is the graduation stage of wood, when it collides with Shen metal, this destroys it’s graduation stage status and since this is the month, it harms more.  

Regarding the pillar chart as a whole, if in the case of fire energy dominates, this is non-preferable to go the fire season as this is another harmful act for the Yin wood.  

十二地支。丑土 Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Chou earth 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

丑雖隆冬。有冰霜之可怯。但天時已轉二陽。是以丑中己土之煖能生萬物。

辛金養地。豈只深藏？

見戌則刑。見未則衝。庫地最宜。刑衝不為無用。

見巳酉三合。會起金局。

若人命生於丑月。而日時多見水木。必測行巽離之地。而土方不衰耳。

Chou earth is the second earthly branch among the cycle.  This is the eleventh month of the year and it refers to freezing and cold weather.  Even though it is dominated by cold weather,  it has two yang line in the month trigram, so it indicates warm weather is actually just round the corner even it is still not visible.  

Ji earth is the earth element that stored inside Chou earth, this is the component that can provide warmth to kick off growing energy.  This is also the mother star of Shen metal, as a result, this is not as frozen as it looks. 

It joins with Si fire and You metal to form a metal trio combination.  

If a pillar chart is born in the Chou month and water and wood energy dominates the date and time pillars, this is expected to flow to enter the wood and fire seasons, this will eventually generates energy for the earth energy with warmth.

十二地支。子Twelve Earthly Branches ~ Zi Water💦

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

子。十二支之魁。溪澗汪洋之水。

乃戊土旺地。然必過大雪之期。一陽來復之後。方能成旺。

辛金所生。亦必於陽回水煖而後能也。

與午相衝。與卯相刑。與申辰三合。

若申子辰全會起水局，即成江海，發波濤之聲也。

This is the first earthly branches of the whole cycle, Zi water.  This is the first energy of the five element cycle, water, first come the ‘Yang’ water, Zi water.  This refers to the image of ocean, ponds and lakes, large amount of running water.

Since Gui water is stored inside Zi water and this combines with Xu earth.  When we look into Solar terms, it has to be after Major snow which is the second half of the eleventh month (7th December of our calendar), the monthly trigram of Zi month is the first yang line resumes and warmth is gradually accumulating.  Xu earth becomes stronger after this time.  

The mother star is Shen metal, it can only generate energy for water element after warmth recovers.  

Zi water collide Wu fire and destructs Mao wood.  It combines Shen metal and Chen earth to form a trio water combinations.  After the trio completes, obvious and heavy amount of water energy will be expected.  

論地支 Twelve Earthly Branches

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

竊惟地支之用，不比天干，動靜不同，圓方迥異。

然五行所屬則一，而所處之地不一。

且如在年則有在年之論，在月則有在月之論，在日時則有日時之論，

其陰陽、輕重、剛柔，豈可泥於一體？

今當以月堤事主，所藏所用要見何神，所耗所嫌要見何物，

凡四柱之神，較量淺深而用。

Let’s look into earthly branches.  

When we look into earthly branches, even it is also referring to the five elements but they are actually totally different from heavenly stems.  They have different degrees of active and status etc.  

When the specific stem is located in any pillars, it has different interpretations.  It is based on the yin or yang aspects, whether it is dominating the pillars chart, it is strong or fading away, these are the general concerns that we have to account for.  

Nowadays, the focus are mainly on the month pillar since it rules the weather of the whole chart, as a result, we have to examine the stored stems, it’s favors or disfavor.

十天干。癸水 Ten Heavenly Stems ~ Gui water 💧

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

繼𡈼之後。乃天干一週。陰陽之氣成於終而反於始之漸。故其為水清濁以分。散諸四方。

有潤下助土之功。滋生萬物之德。在天為之雨露。在地為之泉脈。為之陰水。

其祿到子。子乃陰極陽生之地。辛生庚死之垣。

癸為活水。活水者。柔水也。喜陰金而生。畏陽金而滯。

欲陰木行其根則能疎通陰土。陰土既通於地脈則能流暢。

二月建卯。為花果樹木。木旺土虛。癸水方得通達。

至於申地。三陰用事。否卦司權。天地不交。萬物不通。申中坤士庚金遂成圍堰。

使癸水不能流𣈱。困於池沼。無所施設。豈再生物？

故癸水生於卯而死於申。

《經》云「水不西流」。正謂此也。

又曰：「癸水，雨露陰澤之潤也。若根通亥子。則盈科集流以成江河。

柱無坎坤。失其生旺之本。終為身弱。

局有財官。雖我所用之物。不可遇之太過。

如申子辰全。則水歸聚一家。暗衝寅午戊火為用。反為上格。

若明用寅午成火。須表裏不弱。得之乃佳。

或生於深夏。得用財官。不失其倚之宮。主大富貴。

運道再行西北。不為太過之嫌。」

Ren water is the last element of the cycle, the last stem of the cycle is yin water; Gui water.  Since water element is the destination of the whole cycle, and this is also the symbol of a new cycle is going to kick off soon.  Water is clarified between clear and muddy and is spread out everywhere. 

The nature of water is moisturizing and keeping the soil moist to grow things.  In the sky, this is the rainfall and on the ground this is the water fountain, and this is the yin water.

Zi water 子水 is the graduation stage, in terms of bagua, Zi is the birth of the first yang energy out of the yin environment.  This is also the birth stage of Shen metal and death stage of Geng metal.  

Gui water is active and flexible water.  It prefers to generate energy from yin metal, when it comes across yang metal, it will be stranded.  It likes to run through the root of yin wood (e.g. Yi wood 乙木 and Mao wood 卯木) (wood with high flexibility), so the yin soil (e.g. Ji earth 己土 and Wei 未土，Chou earth 丑土) will be dredged, so Gui water can pass through in order.

Mao is the second month, wood energy is at peak, and earth element is at weak status, so Gui water can pass through easily.  

Shen metal at the monthly trigram is with three yin lines and three yang lines, these two energy are not communicating so no growing activities can be happened.  As a result, Gui water at Shen metal is at death stage. 

十天干。𡈼水 Ten Heavenly Stems ~ Ren water 💦

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

𡈼水。喜陽土而為堤岸之助。畏陰木而為盜氣之憂。

在天為雲。在地為澤。為之陽水。

其祿在亥。亥為池沼存留之水。謂之死水。

死水者。剛水也。賴庚而生。庚祿到申。能生𡈼水。乃五行轉養之氣。

至於卯地。卯乃花菓樹木。木旺於卯則能尅土。

土虛則崩。故堤岸崩頹而𡈼水走洩。散漫四野。流而不返。又被陰木盜氣。豈得存活？

故水生於申而死於卯也。

《經》云「死水橫流」。正謂此也。

又曰：「𡈼水浩蕩。有源之水。併百川而漫天下。藉土為之隄防。

若干支無土。必至漂流四溢。身衰多遇火土。反見耗源塞流之吝。

且𡈼愛南行。以未午為胎養之地。財祿和煖之鄉。長生歸祿。

莫過申亥。蓋統宗會元之府而水得其所歸故也。

若財多身弱。值此必能集福。身旺財輕。遇此反受其災。

縱強壯少年亦不能勝此也。」

Water energy divides into yin and yang side.  Yang water is Ren water 壬水 and yin water is Gui water 癸水.  

Ren water is yang water with the feature of free flow, so it likes boundaries to keep it under control and in manner.  It does not prefer yin wood energy to steal energy from it.  In the sky, it stands for cloud and on the ground it means rivers and swamp.  Its graduation stage is at Hai water 亥水.

Hai water is swamp water, they are inactive, it depends of Geng metal to generate energy.  Geng water has graduation stage on Shen metal, this is the birth stage of Ren water, this is the turning point from metal to wood energy.  

Mao wood is bushes, it is also the peak stage of Jai wood, when wood is strong, it is effective to destruct earth element.  When earth is being destruct, it is weakened off and with loosen structure, and it is not strong enough to keep Ren water under control as a boundary, and then water is running everywhere.  

As a result, Ren water is not enjoying any benefit at Mao wood and generate energy from Shen metal.  

Moreover, Ren water is water with free flow in obvious volume, just like all rivers joining together, needs embankment to keep it in places.  If in case of a bazi chart, earth element is absent, Ren water is seriously affecting other elements.  

In another case, the chart is overloaded with fire and earth elements, then the earth element is too heavy and not giving the water a proper way of flowing.  

十天干。辛金 Ten Heavenly Stems ~ Shen metal 👑

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

辛金。繼庚之後。為五金之首。八石之元。

在天為月。月乃太陰之精。在地為金。金乃山石之礦。為之陰金。

其祿到酉。酉中己土能生辛金。乃陰生陰也。謂之柔金。為太陰之精。

至於中秋。金水相停。會合含光。圓融皎潔。

邵子有云「八月十五玩蟾光」是也。

長生於子。子乃坎水之垣。坎中一陽屬金。外有二陰屬土。

土能生金。子隱母胎。未顯其體。得子水蕩漾。

淘去浮砂。方能出色。此乃「水濟金輝。色光明瑩」。

至於巳地。巳為爐冶之火。將辛金煆成死器。亦被巳中戊土埋沒其形。

不能變化。豈得復生？

故辛金生於而死於巳也。

《經》云「土重金埋」。正謂此也。

又曰：「辛金濕潤。非頑鈍堅剛之物，使遇火炎煆煉。性質反傷。

安能成其美用？

只宜水土資扶。優柔浹洽。以潤其體。

原火太繁。喜行西北。使去火而存金。

如金太寒。亦要丙丁使和金而去冷。

若坐祿通根。即身旺之地。縱加厚土亦不能汩沒。

所以非陽金比也。」

Shen metal, this is the yin version of the metal energy after Geng metal.  Generally they both belong to metal energy but they are yang and yin version, as a result, they inherited the unique features of yin and yang and they very own preferences. 

In the sky, it refers to the moon (ancient people believed the moon has the strongest yin energy as shiny and brightness in the dark).  On earth, it refers to delicate metal and it is the Yin metal.  

Its graduation stage falls on You metal (酉金).  Ji earth 己土 is stored inside You metal which is the same energy mother star of Shen metal.  Zhi water 子水 is the birth stage. The overall concept it, Shen metal was from earth element, since it is still not shiny from the soil, it needs water to wash away its’ rusk, then it can express its’ potential.  

Si fire 巳火, it is the kiln fire, and Si fire stored Wu earth inside and they both carry a certain amount of fire energy, this is overloaded for Shen metal, this will eventually destroy it.  As a result, this is the death stage of Shen metal.  

十天干。庚金 Ten Heavenly Stems ~ Geng metal 🔱

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

庚金。掌天地肅殺之權。主人間兵革之變。

在天為之風霜。在地則為之金鐵。為之陽金。

其祿到申。申乃剛金。喜戊土而生。畏癸水而溺。

長生於巳。巳中戊士能生庚金。乃陽生陽也。

巳為爐治之火。煅煉庚金。遂成鍾鼎之器。叩之有聲。

若遇水土沉埋無聲也。所謂「金實無聲」。

至於子地水旺之鄉。金寒水冷。子旺母衰。亦遭沉溺之患。豈能復生？

故庚金生於巳而死於子。

《經》云「金沉水底」正謂此也。

又曰：「庚金頑鈍。得火制而成器。成器之金遇火鄉而反壞。

夏生無根。又行東南之地。則鎔化不已而終無有成。

秋生無火。更行西北之鄉。則澄清淬礪而光芒自如。

若沉於水底。則終無出用之期。鈑受傷於水。

至若用薄鐵而伐茂林。非惟不能拆木。而反為木所傷。

設使土重藏金而無刑衝尅破。則金終埋沒。

亦無望其有用也。」

Within the heavenly stems cycle, after earth element, it comes to the metal element.  Geng metal is the version of Yang metal.  

Geng metal is about the unique sharpness and hardness on using it as a tool, it often connects with the concept of killing and weapons.  In the sky, it is refers to frost and on the ground it is metal weapons.  

Its graduation stage is on Shen metal and Shen is yang metal with hardness and sharpness.  It matches with the energy generated from Wu earth, and disadvantage on Gui water (non-stop running water line and Geng metal will be sunken).

Geng metal’s birth stage is at Si fire (yin fire energy), where Si fire stands for kiln swelling metal, so it can generate energy for Geng metal.  Wu earth is also stored within Si fire, this is the mother star of Geng.  After Geng metal was swelled by Si fire to make it hard and sharp, turns into a powerful tools, so it also carries a metal sound when hitting.  In case when earth and water energy is overload, then this makes the Geng metal losses its features.  

十天干。己土 Ten Heavenly Stems Yi – Ji earth 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

己土。繼戊之後。乃天之元氣。地之真土。

清氣上升。衝和天地。 濁氣下降。聚生萬物。謂之陰土。

天地人三才。皆不可缺此土。如乾坤中一媒妁。陰陽失此。豈能配偶。

故於四行無不在。於四時則寄旺焉。乃真土也。

喜丁火而生。畏陽火而煉。其祿到午。午中丁火能生己土。

被乙木盜其栽培之氣。

至於酉地。丁火而生。丁火既生。己土亦能生。

至寅用事。木火司權。煅煉己土。遂成磁石。反失中和之氣。豈有不損之理。

故己土生於酉而死於寅。

《經》云「火燥土裂」。正此謂也。

又曰：「己土廣厚。其象如田疇。不貴多合生扶。惟喜刑衝有用。此固生物之體。苟失令淺薄。反天時不利。不但難施茲基之力。亦不能劍戟之金。倘再兼行金水旺處。則身愈弱。尤為不利。如逢火土生成則稼穡。有生生之妙矣。」

Ji earth is the Yin side of earth element, which is after Wu earth in the ten heavenly stems cycle.  Ji, in general image is the garden soil.

Obviously, garden soil is damp and user friendly, as a result, it is the perfect substance to grow and plant things.  

In terms of stems and branches, heavenly stems are clear energy which is good at circulation the whole environment, while earthly branches are more solid and compound, this is especially suitable in accumulating energy.  This is the earth element in yin energy.  

In the eyes of fortune telling, the world is a formation of three main components which are heaven, ground and human.  The media that link between them are Ji earth, just like the media between male and female.  Without sound media, the two opposite energy cannot easily link together.  Due to this illustration, Ji earth is widely spread out in four seasons. 

In terms of five elements, Ji earth is generated from Ding fire and does not prefer Yang fire to come close which will upset the yin & yang balance.  Ding is also the graduation stage, and Wu fire has stored Ding fire and this can strengthen Ji earth.  When it comes to wood energy, it does not prefer to see Yi wood since this will lose energy via destruction behavior.  

十天干。戊土 Ten Heavenly Stems Wu Earth 🗻

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

戊土。洪濛 （指原始，天地形成前混沌）未判。抱一守中。

天地既分。厚載萬物。聚於中央。散於四維。

在天為霧。在地為山。為之陽土。其祿在巳。

巳為爐冶之火。煅煉成器。叩之有聲。其性剛猛。難以觸犯。

其陽火相生。畏陰金盜氣。陽光者。丙火也。

丙生於寅。寅屬艮。艮為山。山為剛土。即戊土地。

賴丙火而生焉。

至於酉地。酉屬兌金。耗盜戊土之氣。乃金盛土虛。母衰子旺。

又金擊石碎。豈能延壽？故戊土於寅而死於酉。

《經》云「土虛則崩」。正此謂也。

又曰：「戊土深厚。其象如城牆。要生季月。更求支下通根。

方能振河海而不洩。若上下帶合。則其形堅固。無疎漏之虞。

身乘水木虛弱。則其勢傾危而有崩頹之患。

如土失時。大忌多金漏洩。如城牆既就。不可加木𨂐通。

喜行東南。若原旺有印。再行此地則火化生身。反為過中之禍矣。」

Earth element ~ Yang energy is Wu earth

Wu earth ~ before the exist of our world, this is the concept of balancing.

When the world splits into sky and ground, this Wu earth is the ground that can generate growing energy.  In terms of bagua, it is the middle, in terms of 

Five elements, it fills the four seasons.    

In the sky, it stands for fog, on the ground, it stands for mountain.  It is yang earth element and graduations stage at Si fire.  

Si fire has the image of the kiln fire,  it can swell metal into tools (often refers to Geng metal), to turn it into a tool with sound, and release it’s sharpness and potential.  

Wu earth generates energy from yang fire, which refers to Bing fire.  Bing fire has a mother star as Yin wood.

You metal is the child star of Wu earth, which losing energy to it, when You metal is strong (likely during autumn season), this is weakening Wu earth at the same time.  This is also death stage of Wu earth (12 stages of an earthly branch). 

十天干。丁火 Ten Heavenly Stems Ding Fire

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

繼丙之後。為萬物之精。文明之象。

在天為之列星。在地為之燈火。為之陰火。

其祿到午。乃六陰之道。內有乙木。能生丁火。

乙為活木。丁為活火。活火者。柔火也。

丁喜乙木而生。乃陰生陰也。如世人用菜油、蔴油為燈燭之義。夫油乃乙木之脂膏也。

至於酉時。四陰司權。燈火則能輝煌。列星則能燦爛。故丁生於酉。

至於寅地。三陽當合。陽火而生。陰火而退。如日東升。列星隱耀。

燈雖有焰不顯其光。故丁生於酉而死於寅也。

《經》云「火明則滅」。正謂此也。

又曰：「丁火陰柔。要得時遇局。方能輝光燦爛。雖頑鈍之金亦在其所煆煉。

若失時喪局。即韜光晦跡而煙無存。雖微眇之金。亦不能制。然木燥雖少猶足以發火之機。木濕雖多亦難一以致火之明。要看其中強弱。不可泥於一偏。」

Ding fire is the Yin fire energy after yang Bing fire.  Even Ding and Bing are both fire energy but to be precise, they actually have their very own unique features.  Ding fire stands for culture.

In the sky, it stands for starlight, on the ground, it stands for candle light, and it runs a Yin energy.  Wu fire 午火 is its graduation stage, Wu fire has the first Yin line in it and Ding has a mother star Yi wood 乙木.  Yi wood is Yin, it generates the best fit energy for Ding fire.  Yi wood is flexible and it fits the flexibility of Ding fire.  

Ding fire born in You metal 酉金, this is where four yin lines present, in this status, the light of a candle is able to light up the darkness.  As a result, Ding fire is born in You metal.

Yin wood 寅木, this is where three yang lines appear, this is the birth stage of Bing fire, when yang fire is strong, the light from a candle or lightbulb is not able to produce it’s brightness.  As a result, Ding fire fades away in Yin wood. 

十天干。丙火。Ten Heavenly Stems Bing fire 🔥

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

丙火。麗乎中天。普照六合。

在天為日為電。在地為爐為冶。為之陽火。其祿在巳。

巳為爐冶之火。謂之死火。死火者。剛火也。喜死木發生其焰。惡金土掩息其光。

死木者。甲木也。甲祿在寅。寅乃陽木之垣。木盛火生。隱於木石之間。

非人用之不能生發。故五陽皆出乎自然而為先天。五陰皆乎人事而為後天。

丙火生方於寅。其理甚明。

如太陽之火。自東而升。至西而沒。且酉屬兌。兌為澤。己土生金。氣盛掩息丙火之光。

不能顯輝。豈無晦乎？故丙火生於寅而死於酉。

《經》云「火無西向」。正此謂也。

又曰：「丙火太陽之象。上下化光。無所不照。然不以浮水之為母。不能生有焰火。

不以濕水之土為子。陽火所不產也。

縱遇江湖死水。不合不衝。則波濤弗致衝激。焉能為尅之害？

其所忌者乃繁華之木。浥水不能生火。而反能晦火之光。如五星太陽。以木炁為難之義。」

After we finished wood element, it generates fire element.  We start with the yang fire which is the Bing fire.  

Bing is yang energy fire, just like the big bright sun in the sky, shines throughout the earth on everything and everyone able to feel both the heat and brightness. In the sky, it stands for lighting and electric, on earth it stands for kiln for swelling.  It’s graduation stage at Si fire.

Si fire prefers dried wood to fire it and strong metal to fade out it’s brightness and strength.

Bing fire’s birth stage is at Yin wood, and this is also the graduation stage of Jia wood, since wood energy is strong, so it can start up Bing fire.  

十天干。乙木 Ten Heavenly Stems Yi wood 🌱

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

繼甲之後。發育萬物。生生不已。

在天為風。在地為樹。為之陰木。

其祿到卯。卯為樹木。根深枝茂。謂之活木。

活木者。柔木也。懼陽金斫伐為患。畏秋至木落凋零。

欲潤土而培其根荄。利活水而滋其枝葉。

活水者。癸水也。即天之雨露。地之泉源。

潤土者。己土也。如耕耨之土。成稼穡之功。

己祿在午。午乃六陽消盡。一陰後生。故稻花開於午時。

乙木生於午地。十月建亥。及純陰司令。𡈼祿到亥當權。死水泛濫，

土薄根虛。有失培養。故乙木死於亥。

《經》云「水泛木浮」。正此謂也。

又曰。「乙乃枝葉繁華之木。大喜陽和煦照則發榮。不利陰冷慘刻則耗枯。

水多則傾。頹其根荄。金旺則戕。剝其生意。

如身哀火多兼行南方而禍不淺。

西行土重助煞傷身。不克從者為禍尤深。」

蓋活木連根之木也。豈棟梁之比哉。

After Jia wood is Yang, Yi wood is Yin.  Here are some highlights for Yi wood interpretations:

– Yi wood is spring and this stands for growing energy too.

– In heaven, it stands for wind and on earth it stands for bushes with Yin energy.

– It’s graduation stage is Mao wood.  Mao is active wood energy with deep root.

– It is active growing and scare of metal energy hurting it, so autumn is definitely not the proper season for it.

– It needs damp soil to embed it’s root and stay strong, water to keep it growing and moisturized.

– damp soil is Ji earth.  It is like the garden soil to grow things.

– At the same time, Ji earth’s graduation stage is Wu fire.  At Wu fire, the first Yin energy appears.

– Yi wood’s birth stage is at Wu fire.

– At Hai month when water is strong, this is the graduation stage of Ren water, when water is so strong, earth energy is the weakest link, as well, the root has no suitable environment to grow, so it’s hurting Yi wood directly.

十天干。甲木 Ten Heavenly Stems Jia wood 🪵

增訂萬歷初刻三命通會（上）

甲木。乃十干之首。主宰四時。生育萬物。

在天為雷 （震卦）為龍。在地為梁為棟。為之陽木。

其祿到寅。寅為離土 （火土）之木。其枝已絕。謂之死木。

死木者。剛木也。須仗斧斤斵 （同斷）削方成其器。

長生於亥。亥為河潭池沼之水。名曰死水。

故死木放死水中。雖浸年久不能朽壞。譬如抄椿 （落葉喬木）之木在於水中則能堅固。

若離水 （火水）至岸而遇癸水。（癸水者。活水也。為天地間雨露）

日曬雨淋。乾濕不調 （水火未濟）。遂成枯朽。則能生火。火旺木必焚矣。故有灰飛煙滅之患。且午屬離火。火賴木生。木為火母。火為木子。子旺母衰。焉有不終之理。故甲木死於午 （十二長生死地）。

《經》云「木不南奔」正謂此也。

又曰：「甲乃陽剛蠢 （動。欲動）木。原無根葉枝荄。若成器得用必藉乎金。密藏不壞必賴乎水火 （木賴以生意必要水潤和火暖）。初得配遂成文明之象。使火過多。兼遇南方。化成灰炭。反致其害矣。」

蓋甲木不以春秋而為榮悴 （喻人世的盛衰）。觸物變化亦無定形。須看火金水何如。又看化合何如。不可執一論。」

As we read bazi pillars chart, it consists of ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches.  Jia wood is the first of the whole cycle.  By referring to an ancient book about bazi reading, here are some highlights about Jia wood.

– Jia wood is the first of the whole five elements cycle, it rules over the four season and kicked off all growing energy.

– On trigrams, it lies on the east direction and Zhen trigram (thunder).  It is the Yang energy wood, in the eyes of human, it is timber and pillars.  

– It’s graduation stage at Yin wood, birth stage at Hai water.  

– It generates energy for fire element, this is the mother and son relationship.  When the son is too strong, the mother fades away and it’s death stage at Wu fire.  

– When we have to identify the precise status at four season, we have to count the interactions with fire, metal and water elements, combo modes with other stems and branches.  

月令篇。月令廣義卷之十九。十一月令 11th month of the year ~ Zi month

月令廣義。二十四卷。明馮應京纂輯

仲冬之月日在斗。斗宿在丑。星紀之次。

其日𡈼癸其帝顓頊其神玄冥其蟲介其音羽律中黃鐘

其數六其味鹹其臭朽其祀行祭先腎

月建子

（前漢書）陰陽合德氣鍾于子。化生萬物者也。

故孶萌于子。

（史記）子者滋也。言萬物滋于下也。

（說文）子。十一月。陽氣動萬物滋。入以為稱徐鉉。

曰十一月。夜半陽氣所起。人𠄘陽故以為稱。

（白虎通）子滋也孶。孶無巳也。于易為坎之險也。

（注：滋，供給養分。孳，滋生。)

Winter is the last season of the whole year, the 11th month is the Zi month 子月.  At this time, the tail of the Big Dipper is pointing north.  On the heavenly stems, they are Gui and Ren water 壬，癸水.  

In terms of five elements, water element also stands for number 6, salty taste, rotten smell and in body parts is the kidney.  

Month Zi 

Zi is water element and people see this is a critical element to generate living creatures.  After last month, Hai month, it was all six ‘Yin’ energy, when it gets to Zi month, the first ‘Yang’ line appears, the first trace of yang comes back again.  

Apart from energy generating, water element also stands for danger, this comes from the concept of people do not see through the water in the sea, ponds and rivers etc.  When they cannot see through it, it is black and they are scared, therefore, they see water element as message for danger and risk.  

五行篇。五行相生相剋要法（II) Five elements, energy generation and destruction (II)

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

大率五行。尚其變而不尚其常。

貴其隱而不貴其顯。

死絕有救則為還魂。生旺有剋者氣散。

若夫彼我之相生。順則益本。逆則奪氣。

彼此之相剋，順則勢強。逆則有傷。

(Con’t from last article)

When we take a closer look into the behavior of  five elements, how do the changes take place and how the changes turn into an infinite cycle.  

According to ancient books, experts explained something like this:

Changes is a critical behavior of elements, changes brings improvement or deterioration, even it is like this, they do not prefer stationary form, not going forward, nor backward, in another word, keeping its usual status for too long. 

In order to discover the highlight of a specific bazi chart, we have to find the unseen energy cycle.  Unseen means it is physically not to been seen, but the cycle is actually taking place and it is taking up an active role within a bazi chart.  

According to the twelve stages of an earthly branch, even a particular element lies on the death or empty stages, if we can find a loophole among the chart, this can be treated as a save.   If it lies on the strong stages, i.e. graduation or peak stage, when a destruction comes, it can a damage and weaken the energy.  

五行篇。五行相生相剋要法 Five elements energy generating and destructing

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

五行相尅最為不好。如是福聚之地。尅他處卻從好斷之。

如其他來剋福聚之地。即大不好。

五行相生最為佳。然以禍相生則為凶。以福相生則吉。

凡相生相尅。遇五行交錯方可論之。

如六合三合刑害衝破之類。

皆為五行之交錯也。

Process of five elements, is all about energy generation and destruction, so the cycle can continue infinitely.  How can it relates to real life?

According to ancient experts, elements destruction is non-preferred, since this will bring a tough and hard time.  If this destruction is not on auspicious aspects, then this is not a big deal.  

Energy generating is always a good thing to see since this will make the specific energy stronger, if this is the auspicious aspects, then the luck will be stronger.  

In order to examine the energy generating and destructing, we have to look into the manoeuvre in between elements.  This is always referring to the combination and destruction combo of both stems and branches.  

五行篇。論五行（II) About five elements (II)

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

功成者謂五行稟旺氣者也。旺而能止息。是謂退藏。

將來者。五行在冠帶胎養之地。其氣虧而未盈。

故欲子母相生。以益其氣。則有榮進振發之道也。

如木非其時。則消箇（衰退）。衰則為梗介（矛盾）。死絕則枯槁。故為梗介。

金旺太過則動作凶。炎炎者貴乎熄。不熄則有自焚之災。

滔滔者貴乎止。不止則有自溺之患。

夫。火行南陸而化熱。盛則焚烈而害物。至酉亥則陰能翕（順從）之。然後熅燠。

水行北陸而化寒。盛則嚴冷而殺物。至卯巳則陽能闢之。然後能滋生萬物。

Cont’ from last article

This is the second part of five elements discussion.  This part is based on the concept of 12 stages of an earthly branch (discussed in previous post)

When an element is at good status, the energy is strong and can improve but at the same time can stop at a point, instead of keep going forward which is non-preferable.  

At stage four (giving birth), five (toddlers) stages, since this is not the peak status yet, therefore, this is counted as keep moving but not at full yet.  There are still rooms for improvement.  

For example, wood element not at spring time, it is either going downward or moving forward, not at peak yet.

Metal energy, when it is at peak, since it carries sharpness and can bring damages, and in order to reach this point, fire energy has to involved too.  Fire energy needs to be under control, if not, it can bring harmful to surrounding.  

Water energy, needs to be under control by means of earth element, if not, it is too strong and eventually can bring damages to the environment.  

五行篇。論五行 Let’s talk about five elements again (I)

五行精紀。三十四卷。廖中撰

夫。論五行之性各致其用。 水者其性智。火者其性禮。木者其性仁。金者其性義。逮夫土則信而已。

重厚寛慱無所不容以之。

水附之而行以之木。則木託之而生。

金不得土則無自出。

火不得土則無自歸。必損實以為通。虛以為明也。

夫。論五行之用。多則太過。少則不及。其氣其類有餘不足。皆能致凶。

抑揚歸中。然後為福。功成者貴於退藏也。將來者貴於榮振也。

Five elements seems a simple theory to understand but when we want to know more about it, it is actually a broad topic to learn.  Feature is a good way to start.  

Each element has its own unique features and it evolves into different usage.

Water stands for wisdom.

Fire stands for politeness.

Wood stands for kindness.

Metal stands for loyalty.

Earth stands for faith.

Water borrows wood element to let it move upward and at the same time, wood element depends on water element to supply growing energy.

Metal element needs earth element to generate growing energy.

Fire element needs earth element to act as a platform for it to stored inside after it’s becomes weak.  

On the whole, element’s energy too much is over and not enough is weak, these can be treated as a signal of non-auspicious, balanced and creates a good flowing cycle is a signal for auspicious and smooth.  

月令廣義。卷之十七。冬令 Winter (II)

月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京輯

履霜堅氷至

坤之初六變而為復。履霜堅氷將至。𧫴微之始也。

陽氣潛藏

乾初九。潛龍勿用言十一二月。陽氣潛藏未得用事也。

水正陰勝

《淮南子》日冬至則水從之。十一月水正而陰勝。

冬物終藏

《前歷志》冬終也。物終藏乃可稱䆁。名曰萬物所以終成也。

萬物終

《蔡邕》冬終也。萬物於是終也。

伏方藏物

《大傳》北方者何伏也也。伏方何以謂之冬。

冬者終也。終也者物方藏干中也。故曰北方冬也。

陽盛則吁荼萬物而養之外也。陰盛則呼吸萬物而藏之內。

故曰呼吸者陰陽之交接萬物之始終。

陽伏冬時

《律歷志》北方陰也伏也。陽伏于下于時為冬。

陰畢物成

《管子》陰氣畢下萬物乃成。

北方為冬

《禮》北方為冬。冬之為言中也。中者藏也。

This is the second half of the Winter post.

Kun bagua 坤卦 is the monthly bagua of Hai 亥月 month, first month of winter season.  When the first yin line (from bottom to the top) of Kun bagua change to yang, is the monthly bagua of Zi month 子月, which means the weather is starting with a tiny change as time passes by.  

During winter, the yang energy is being stored underground, as the yin energy still dominates the whole season.

Winter season is the season for water element, this is strong and peak stage.  

During this time of the year, all the growing energy, crops and harvests are being stored properly as water and cold dominates, to avoid being rotten.  

月令廣義。卷之十七。冬令 Winter (I)

月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京輯

政教

《管子》北方曰月。北方太陰故為月

其時曰冬

中也藏收。萬物干中

其氣曰寒。寒生水與血

寒釋水流。血亦水類

其事號令修禁。徙民令靜止

時方休息。故禁私徙（遷移。移居）

文言

陰象冬

冬主閉藏。陰之象也。

水氣育

聖人以教民育材。

帝戰乎乾

《易繫》乾西北之卦。言陰陽相薄也。乾戌亥十月建亥。

勞乎坎

坎水也。正北方之卦也。勞卦也。萬物之所歸也。故曰勞乎坎。坎主子十一月建子

成言乎艮

艮東北之卦。萬物之所成。終而所成始也。艮主丑寅十二月建丑。

After three autumn months, we finally get to the cold season.  In terms of earthly branches, the three winter months are:

Hai 亥月, Zi 子月and Chou month 丑月

During this time of year, water element dominates the season and it also represents the moon too. 

In winter, this is the season for storage and complete rest after a whole year of hardworking.  After the harvest season autumn, winter is for storing crops.  This was critical especially for ancient society as they do not have the many tools to use.  To prevent their food and crops being rotted, storing it properly was very important.  

This is also the time for resting, the emperor forbidden people to migrate to other parts of the country, he basically stopped most of the active movement of his people.  For further interpretation, winter is still and quiet.  

五行篇。五行真象。五行金 Metal combo elements 

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

金水。多清

金水象不可見土。謂水土渾雜。金氣不見水。水渾金暗。令人福淺。土歲亦滯。唯金水清白。集秀麗之容。水深金重逢水厄。遇水須教落深淵。

金火。剛虐刻核

金火象不可見水。金火主血多。性好殺。往往因血主福。金重火輕發遲益壽。金輕火重發早退速。早發虧壽。利主兵刑之權也。

金木。柔而有立。剛正時成

金木象活木畏金。見火成秀。死木得金。方成其造化。金重木輕。令人多骨痛。木重金輕。反化肺疾。金木相宜。造成顓平之象也。

悟玄子云。金輕木重損錢財。金重為殃彻骨災。

金土。重厚有執。福慧數全

金土象。土積成金。土多金少。其福厚著。金重土輕。福出艱辛。戊己土多有庚辛者。福厚。若庚辛多有戊己者福艱難也。

As in previous articles, features of metal element was explained and when we read bazi chart, we have to consider the status of a particular element with another element to bring out a new status.  Let’s start with the metal.

Metal and water

In this combo, clearness is the primary goal, therefore, do not want to see earth element, since this will ruin the clearness of the water.  When metal combine with water in good balance, then the person will be in good shape and smart.  When water is more than metal element, then the shininess of the metal cannot exposed and it will sink in deep water.

Metal and fire

This is a hot circumstance, then cannot mix with water.  This is the concept of smelting, when the metal is hot, then it can be turned into a useful tool but when the temperature drops, then this cannot be done.

Metal and wood

This is divide into wood and timber.  When the wood has growing energy, then metal can help to trim it down and turn it into a better shape, as a useful wood energy.  When the wood is timber, then metal can turn it into another piece of object for other uses, just like giving it a second chance of living.   Obviously, this is not a good picture when metal element is much more than wood element.  

Metal and earth

In five element theory, earth can generate energy for metal but this has to consider the different features of different earth and the balance between them.  First consideration is earth cannot be much more than metal, since this will buried the metal deeply and cannot show its features.  

五行篇。元亨利貞。四時不惑。Fundamental concept of four seasons and five elements

御定月令輯要。卷一。詳校官編修臣繆晉

元亨利貞

增易。元者善之長也。亨者嘉之會也。利者義之和也。貞者事之龫也。

元是物始於時配春。春為發生。故下云體仁。仁則春也。

亨是通𣈱。萬物於時配夏。故下云合禮。禮則夏也。

利為和義。於時配秋。秋既物成各合其宜。

貞為事幹。於時配冬。冬既收藏事皆幹了．

四時不惑

天地以順動故日月不過而四時不惑。

天地以順而動。則日月不有過差。依其晷度四時不有惑。變寒暑以時。

元亨利貞 (English interpretation : commencement, smoothness, benefit and execute)

This is the meaning of Qian trigram 乾卦.  According to the concept of bagua, Qian is the commencement of the whole world and everything.  

元 (yuan) ~ commencement, starting point, in the language of five elements, it is spring, wood element, things are about to start its growing cycle.  

亨 (heng) ~ smoothness, things are taking place in a smooth manner, this will enhance the presence of any later stages. 

利 (li) ~ things are happening, people are taking benefits from the process.

貞 (zhen) ~ after people enjoyed benefits, things are done in a solid mode.  

On the whole, this is a cycle of things happening in the world, from commencement to conclusions.  

Four seasons is an infinite cycle

As long as four seasons representing four elements (wood, fire, metal and water), they are also four streams of energy.  Changing of energy means seasons change, this is yang and yin energy.  Sun sets and moon rises shows the cycle is actively moving.  

五行篇。論土 Five elements ~ Earth element

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

五行之主散在四維。故金木水火依而成象。是四時皆有用。

惟忌火死（酉也）水旺（子也）

神白經云。火死土囚。水旺土虛。風角云土得金火成大器。

又云土高無貴。空惹灰麈。土聚則滯。五行聚處生有福之人何故？

土聚復滯。古人云土聚在辰亦即貴。謂陽土聚於辰。陰土聚於未。

辰未者土之正位也。

水丑戌亦土位何不言之蓋。

辰有伏水。未有匿木。水木能滋養萬物。故令人貴。

戌有藏火。丑有隱金。秋火冬金能肅萬物。故令人不貴。

土愛辰未而不愛丑戌也

Earth element, it is one of the five elements, but it is never the same as the other four elements.  Metal, water, wood & fire, each of them has their designated season of the year, it has a starting point and escalating to the peak and finally being stored for the next season to start.  

Earth element is presence all round the year, according to the twelve earthly branches, it is the last month of the season, which means, in another word, it is the media to store the element after the season and transforming it into the next element for circulation again.  As a result, earth element acts like the media that elements can reply on in order to regain energy to get ready for the next season.  For example, from spring to summer, is wood to fire, this is an energy generate relationship.  

Excess or lack of?

Earth element is so important, then it should be excess or lack of for the bazi pillars chart energy circulation?

Too many will eventually station the circulation with chart, which makes the earth energy to heavy perform its job.  

Lack of will lead to insufficient media for the previous element to generate further energy to get ready for the forthcoming circulation.  

Excess fire element will make the earth too heavy to move.  

Excess water element will break the structure of the earth element and make it weakened.  

In ancient days, people recognized both Chen 辰土 and Wei 未土 earth elements are the two best earth and they did not prefer Xu 戌土 and Chou 丑土 earth elements.  

Chen stored water element which is Gui 癸水 and Wei stored Yi 乙木 wood , and water can grow wood element which means can bring out energy generation is a sign of auspicious.  On the other hand, Xu stored fire element which is Bing 丙火 and Chou stored Shen metal 辛金, these two are destructive relationship and cannot see as a sign of auspicious, so they did not prefer. 

五行篇。論火 Five elements ~ Fire element

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

論火

春忌見木。惡其焚也。

夏忌見土。火旺見土則暗也。

秋忌見金不能尅制。

冬忌見水。水旺則滅形。

春火欲明不欲炎。炎則不實。

秋火欲藏不欲明。明則燥也。

冬火欲生不欲殺。殺則殺也。

火無不明之理。明無不滅之象。

火多令人不實。火極明。明不久也。

不可無木。木能藏火。春火得明到卯寅生也。

火不利西。古法曰然是春火亦宜晚明。何也。

火無不明之理。亦無不滅之象。

火多發即死也。

Let’s talk about fire element. 

In terms of four seasons:

Spring ~ seeing wood element, will eventually burn it out.

Summer ~ not prefer earth element, since fire can generate energy for earth element and at the same time, seeing earth element can fade out the heat and light features of fire element. 

Autumn ~ no prefer metal element as it is the strongest in autumn, so fire cannot destruct it during autumn time. 

Winter ~ no prefer water element as it is strongest in winter and can destruct fire element. 

Fire in spring needs to be visible but not too strong.

Fire in autumn needs to be stored instead of visible, prefer to be overheated.

Fire in winter needs to have continuous energy to stay presence, not to be eliminated by strong water energy.

五行篇。論水 Five elements ~ Water element 

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

四時皆忌火多。火多則受渴。忌見衝刑。衝刑則橫流。

忌見土重。土重則不流。

忌見金死。金死則水囚。

忌木旺。木旺則水死。

又雲天傾西北，水之源地。䧟東南水之府。

天傾西北。亥為水出之方。䧟東南。辰為納水之海。

逆流到申而作聲。故水不西行。水多則溢。

反散漫而多不足也。

土年亦然。卯巳同。

玉霄寶鑑云。水之性潤下。逆則有聲。順則有容年月日時。

逆行十二辰者。逆也。入格者。主清貴有聲譽。

順行十二辰者。順也。主有量度。有吉神扶助乃貴格。

Water element : any time of the year, avoiding strong fire element since they are destructive relationship. 

Not like strong earth element, this will prevent the smooth running manner of water.

Not like weak metal element, metal too weak cannot generate energy for water.

Not like strong wood energy, this will over demand water energy to grow the wood.

Features of water element according to ancient book:

Water is downward flowing and keeps moisturizing growing energy on the ground.  When it is running smoothly, then it is a credit but instead if it runs opposite way, it can bring damages.  

Among bazi pillars chart, if the water energy is flowing under a control and smooth manner, plus the blessings from lucky stars, then this person is likely to enjoy a high level of auspiciousness. 

五行篇。論木 Five elements ~ Wood element

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

春忌見金。蓋死弱傷生。

夏忌見火。火出木盡。

秋忌見水。水盛則木漂。

冬忌見死絕。為春已。前三陽未盛。盤根在地。當是時金水火土不能害之。惟忌死絕耳。

生木欲火而秀。丙丁亦然。

死木得金而造。庚辛必利。

生木見金自傷。死木得火焚則盡。發則無憑也。

無風即止。

遇水返化其源。無風即止亂也。

遇水返化其源盡也。

木見水多。木氣浮輕。水氣漂流。營生每勞力尅䧟六親。浮散他鄉無安迹之地。

In terms of seasons:

Spring ~ try to avoid metal element, since wood is strong and wood cannot destruct it and will bring self-hurt.

Summer ~ fire is strong and wood should avoid it as can quickly burn it out.

Autumn ~ try to avoid water element, since metal element is strong in autumn and it can generate water, in case water is excess, wood cannot stay in soil strong and firm.

Winter ~ freezing weather is certainly not a benefit for wood to grow.  At this time, the roots are deeply stay in the soil, as a result, all the other elements cannot hurt it.  

In reading bazi stems and branches, wood is being divided into growing wood and timber and in terms of seasons.  

During spring and summer, wood is in active manner, on the other hand, in autumn and winter, wood is not growing, so it is timber.   Growing wood needs fire element (heat) for it to grow, and timber needs metal element to carve it into tools for various uses.  

五行篇。論金 Five elements ~ Metal element

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

春忌見木。不能尅伐。

夏忌見火。金嫌鬼盛。

秋忌見金。太剛則闕。旺則害物。

冬忌見水。水流則金化。

金成則火煉器。就是金成則欲得火。金未成則不欲火也。

又云秋金得火方為良。

金到巳酉丑亦可謂之成也。

又云金不煉不成器。聚金無火難成脫朴之名。

金重火輕執事繁難。金不利死衰之火。器象難完。

金極火盛為格最精。

金輕火重。煅煉消亡。

大火煉金。幸功成而退速。

純金溪水遇富以贏餘。

Look into metal element in terms of four seasons

Spring ~ wood element dominates, since wood is too strong to be destructed.  

Summer ~ fire element dominates, fire is too strong and it has a chance to over heated it and eventually breaks it.

Autumn ~ metal element dominates, its energy is already maximizes and its likely to hurt all the energy surviving in the same space.    

Winter ~ water element dominates, water and metal has a generating relationship,  it has a good chance for weakening the metal energy at one point. 

Features of metal element

Among bazi pillars chart reading, when we want to use metal element, it’s likely we need to get hold of fire element too.  

This is the concept similar to smelting.  

Back to bazi language, metal energy will be strengthened when we see the metal trio combination on the earthly branches level.  Si fire 巳火, You metal 酉金 with Chou earth 丑土 elements. 

五行篇。論五行 Lets talk about Five Elements

五行精紀。三十四卷。宋。廖中撰

五行者。往來乎天地之間而不窮者也。是故謂之行。

北方陰極而生寒。寒生水。

南方陽極而生熱。熱生火。

東方陽散而生風。風生木。

西方陰止以收而生燥。燥生金。

中央陰陽交而生溫。溫生土。

其相生也。所以相繼其相剋也。

所以相治此之謂有倫 （五行要論）

When we look into Chinese fortune telling, five elements phenomenon is the central thinking that being used in all aspects.  As a result, how did people in ancient times defined five elements is very critical.  We can have a better understanding in their fortune telling methods.

First of all, five elements is an infinite cycle which takes place from the beginning of the time until the end of the year.  This is time wise. 

Direction wise is about the four directions corresponding to four seasons. 

Yin energy maximize in direction north, it develops into cold and water.

Yang energy maximize in direction south, it develops into heat and fire.

Wind appears in direction east, when wind blows, plants grow and we have wood energy.

Dryness appears in direction west, when all the growing energy wrapped up and being stored and we have metal energy.  

Middle stands for earth energy, this is the warm zone (under the soil), and then we have the earth energy.

The five elements cycle consists of infinite energy generating and destructing  at the same time.  This is the manner.  

五行曰：論人性情篇 Five elements to personalities

新刻星平總會命海全編。十卷。明萬曆。薜承愛

☀️太陽：

守命主人為性聰明。寛大出眾多能。有大人之度。行止端莊終始。議論公確謀猷協情。

The Sun is the best lucky star in Chinese fortune telling.  It blesses the person to be smart, clever, kind and decisive.

🌕太陰：

賦性聰敏念善心慈。清閑處靜。以承順為德。以代終為功。不自專受制於人者也。

The moon is the second best lucky star.  It blesses the person to be kind, friendly and calm.  

🔱金：

主義為性剛直方多員少滯。咸池則淫冶 （注：漢語詞語，猶淫蕩；輕狎）

帶陽刃則剛方。是豢 （注：養）氣之人。終始之士。所嫌者骨肉無情。恩中成怨。可喜者於事敗為肯任勞任苦也。

Metal element stands for being a justice and righteous person,.

🪵木：

主仁心懷惻隱。資稟聰明。紊多文藝志行光霽。清高為事不憚煩劇。從曲從直有柔有剛。道合則從不合則去。不肯以私滅公徇情說眾。

Wood element stands for being smart, clever, kind hearted and has potential in academic and education.

💧水：

主智為潤下。性最謙多圓。變喜怒無常。激則怒順則喜。智巧多能處眾惟和。能施恩惠於事。多料隨方逐圓。事多勤始而怠終。情遂東西而無情。

Water stands for flexible, clever, can easily adapt to different circumstances, emotion changes.  

🔥火：

主禮為炎上。性最好高而矂暴。元藏蓄先有始而後無終。若受水制。溫和有禮辭遜不貪。於事應酬勇而無謀。又主易好易剛友目無情。

Fire stands for heat, can get angry easily, politeness and can be impulsive sometimes.

🗻土：

主信多機變。有方有直不奢不詐。溫厚持重。觸之則含恨於心。悅之則言無不信。但心難測隱事要密。為難言語默而暗計有餘。沉謀熟慮者也。又主人尊重難若。如性必然帶疾。

Earth element stands for integrity, respect others, warm hearted, and good in follow rules.  

五行曰。土令主屬 Five elements : Earth element

月令廣義。二十四卷

帝致役乎坤。坤也者地也。萬物皆致義焉。故曰致役乎坤。

其方中央。其時四季。其卦艮坤。其干戊己。其支辰戌丑未。

其數五十。其星鎮星。其行土天氣主濕。天曰鈞天天之神。

曰勾陳。帝曰黃帝。宮曰黃龍。其岳嵩山。其鎭霍山。

其穀稯。其蟲倮（注：即無毛無羽無鱗無甲覆蓋的意思）。其畜牛。

於經為書。五常為信。五事（注：古人修身的五件事：貌、言、視、聽、思。）主思。其用作聖。情為純厚。狀為端誠。性愛稼穡。稼穡味甘。

人身之脈為肉。五官曰口臟曰脾腑曰胃。其志思。其形肥。其殼黃地之金。

為金體之主。為肉其色。黃其音宮（注：是中國音樂中常用的音階系統）。

其惡風於天。時為雲。於地形為崗坡。天元化運為甲己。

Earth is one of the five element and as usual, it has its unique features in terms of various properties.  

In terms of bagua, it is the Kun trigram 坤卦 #2 (Field), while Qian 乾卦 is the sky, and Kun is the ground/field.  As people in the old days, they observed all the plants and other resources come from the ground, so they believed the ground generates growing energy to them, so it is working very hard to make this happened.  

Direction wise, it stays in the middle and season wise, it is the third month of each season.  

In terms of stems and branches, they are Wu 戊 and Ji 己土 and Chen 辰, Xu 戌, Chou 丑 and Wei 未土. For heavenly stems combination, it is Jia wood and Ji earth 甲己作合.

In terms of weather, it stands for humid. For nature, it stands for cloud, mountains. 

In terms of human behavior, it stands for thinking, trustability, pure and thickness.  

For shape, it is roundish and flashy.  Colour refers to yellow and colour of soil.

月令廣義。卷之十三。秋令 Autumn (11)

月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京輯

五刑五聲

以五刑（五刑則指笞、杖、徒、流、死）聽萬民之獄。訟用情之以五聲聽獄訟求民情。 （古代中國將這5個音依次定名為宮、商、角gok3、徵zi2、羽，大致相當於西洋音樂簡譜上的唱名（do）、（re）、（mi）、（sol）、（la）。）

兵象秋

（山墳）秋主殺。物兵之象也。

金氣殺

（氣墳）聖人以順天殺物。

兌正秋

（易）萬物之所說也。

物成象

（太玄）物皆成象而聚。

萬物聚斂

聚揫同。少陰西方西者遷也。陰氣遷落萬物聚落。乃成熟也。

愁時察義

西方曰秋。秋者愁也。愁之以時察守義也。

萬物收

（淮南子）陰氣始下而萬物收。

揫斂成熟

（曆志）秋揫也物揫斂乃成熟

秋禾熟

秋禾穀熟也。從禾龜省聲

斗杓西指

斗杓西指天地皆秋

Continue with the last post about how did people see autumn in the ancient society.

Autumn, obviously is the season for harvest and storage, in another word, is the time for all growing energy to stop and pause.  It is also the season to carry out all the death penalties, as a result, people always link autumn with killing.  Emperors at those times, they will grant their permissions to carry out any death penalties that are waiting, and they also think this is the perfect time according to their belief of heaven.  

Autumn, the season of metal energy, stands for direction west, and it is also the bagua of ‘Dui’ 兌卦.  From this time of the year onward, is the time for the ‘yin’ energy to grow and the ’yang’ energy to escape as it is weaker now.  

The tail of the Big Dipper is facing west, and it is the autumn season.  

月令廣義。卷之十三。秋令 Autumn (1)

其時曰秋。

秋揫（ 意：收攏、聚集）也。物成熟。揫斂。

其氣曰陰。陰生金與申

陰凝。堅實生金為瓜甲（角質硬殼）。

其德憂哀靜正嚴順

秋氣悽惻。順其時德。

百物乃收。使民毋怠所惡。其察所欲必得

察所惡方而伐之。必得所欲。

我信則克。此謂辰德

辰以收斂殺奸邪為德。

辰掌收之為陰。秋行春政則榮。行夏政則永。

冬政則耗。是故秋三月以庚辛之日發五政。

（淮南子）西方曰皓天。其星胃昂畢（胃：為西方七宿之三。昴：為西方七宿之四。畢：為西方七宿之五）。

西南方曰朱天其星觜巂參（觜：為西方七宿之六。參：為西方七宿之七。）東並西方金也 。其神為太白。其獸白虎。其音商。其日庚辛。西方之極。

Shen month 申月 is the first solar term of autumn which means autumn commences.  As being explained in various posts before, having a good knowledge of how people in the ancient society saw their nature and the picture they had during each period of the year, we can have a broader picture in reading a bazi chart or other aspects in fortune telling.  

From this ancient book, it stated something like this:

– what makes autumn so unique, it is the season for storing, all crops are matured at this time, it is time for harvest and storage.  This also carries a meaning for all growing energy’s cycle has almost comes to an end, it is being stored away to wait for the new cycle to kick in. 

– autumn correspondence to metal element, and it is the second half of the year, as a result, in year wise, this belong to ‘yin’ energy.

– metal element is strong at this time, it passed the spring and summer season, it becomes hard and strong now.  

– back in the old days, all the punishment and court sentences were finalized in autumn, which includes put in jail to death penalties, due to this tradition, autumn gave people a feeling of inactive, depressed and blue. 

(To be continued )

土月令 Earth element month, what do we read from the month which belongs to the earth element?

月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京

（淮南子）中央曰鈞天。其星角亢氐。中央土也。其帝黃帝。其佐右土執繩而制四方。其神為鎮星。其獸黃龍。

鎭星主德

（玉曆璇璣）鎭星主德，占為夏季亦陳於外而兆發於中。

（注）居四方之中。在戊己之位。萬物因之發生四時據之而列。故星名曰鎭。

主德厚安危存亡之機，以其屬土之行，而動靜吉凶占於季夏。

鎭，說文解字，引申之為重也。安也。壓也。

鎭星，土星也，古稱鎭星及填星，為太陽系行星。

Five elements, earth element is one the five, it carries certain messages, but how was it interpreted in the old days?

People in the old society think, when there is an image in the nature that we live in, there is a star connected to it.  Saturn in the sky is the earth element on earth.  

Earth element stands for stable, moral, safety and is Wu 戊 and Ji 己 in heavenly stems, it generates growing energy for all elements, that’s why they are the four months at the energy of each seasons throughout the whole year. 

耕寸集。明。題明不著撰人

論十干十二支（2）Heavenly stems and Earthly branches (2)

即以木論甲乙者。木之陰陽也。

甲者乙之氣。乙者甲之質。在天為生氣而流行於萬木者。

甲也。在地為萬木。而承茲生氣者。

乙也。又細分之生氣之散布者。

甲之甲。而生氣之凝成者。

甲之乙。萬木之所以有是枝葉者。

乙之甲。而萬木之枝枝葉葉者。

乙之乙也。方其為甲而乙之氣已備。

及其為乙。

甲之質乃堅。有是甲乙而木之陰陽具矣。

(Continue with the last article)

In a lot of my previous posts, I mentioned about Jia wood 甲木 and Yi wood 乙木.  They can be interpreted as the yang 陽 and yin 陰 energy of wood, while Jia wood is yang and Yi wood is yin.  They belongs to the same wood energy of the heavenly stems but they are not the same.

In this ancient bazi book from the Ming dynasty, the author suggested something like this:

– Jia wood is the physical timber and it has the growing energy.

– Yi wood is the spreading growing energy of the wood.

– Yi wood can also be interpreted as the leaves growing on the tree trunk.

– Jia wood is strong and hard.

– Yi wood is flexible so it can combine with the sharpest metal.

耕寸集。明。題明不著撰人

論十干十二支（1）Heavenly stems and Earthly branches

天地之間。一氣而已．唯有動靜遂分陰陽。逐分四象。

老者極動極靜之時。是為太陽太陰。

少者初動之際是為少陰少陽。有是四象而五行。具於其中矣。

水者太陰也。火者太陽也。

木者少陽也。金者少陰也。

土者陰陽老少。木火金水冲氣所結也。

有是五行。何為又有十干。又有十二支乎。

蓋有陰陽。因生五行。而五行之中各有陰陽。

Heavenly stems and earthly branches are the foundation of Chinese fortune telling.  It appears from bazi pillars chart to Feng Shui and various sorts of fortune telling methods.  They appear in terms of Chinese words but actually they are being used as calculations.  

The concept

The world that we are living in, the space 空間, all living things behavior in terms of an energy.  This energy is classified as ‘yin’ & ‘yang’.  (At this point we can understand it as active and in-active).  This yin & yang can develop into four seasons. 

Absolute yang is the most active and on the other hand is the most in-active is yin.  This can be understand as the sun and the moon.  When we have sun stands for fire, the moon stands for water energy, then we have four seasons and the five elements. 

Water is the most yin energy.

Wood is one step to the yang.

Fire is the most yang energy.

Metal is one step to the yin.  This is an infinite cycle.

While earth element consists all four elements.

When we have the five elements, then we have to divide each element into yin and yang.  As a result, we have the stems and branches concept. 

To be continue. 

月令釆奇 ~ 三月令。辰月 Chen month 

承上篇。清明

月令采奇。三月令。

後十五日。斗指辰為榖雨。言甫至此時。生百榖也。太陽過酉。纏大梁(歲星每十二年運行一周之黃道，分為十二區域其中一區)之次。表影長五尺五寸六分。

榖雨乃三月中炁，斗指辰。故月建辰。從三月中炁而定建也。

辰者何。樂志曰。辰震也……萬物之振也。三月陽氣動。雷電振。民農時也。又言時物震動而生長也。

Continue of the last post 

3rd month of the year ~ Chen 辰

Fifteen days after Ching ming, that’s the sixth and the last solar term of the spring season, which means after ‘corn rain’, we will officially enter summer season.  Corn rain is the relationship between the weather and farming activities.  Corn rain marks the mid month of Chen month and the energy of Chen is at max at this time, as a result, Chen is marked as the name of the third month also.  

What is Chen month?  Chen is at Zhen trigram 震卦, this stands for a stream of very active energy which brings the plants and crop to grow rapidly.  

The Earth Element in Mao 卯 五行土氣在卯月

Mao 卯 is the peak of wood energy and it is the middle of spring season.  According to the five element procedures, when wood is most active, earth element is definitely deteriorating constantly. 

卯月正值仲春，木盛之時，跟據五行概念，木盛土虛，所以土在春季謂弱。

When we refer to our body parts, earth element represents our digestive system. When earth element is not in a good status, related sickness scenario may occur.   At this stage, how to improve the situation? 

在我們身體而言，土對應消化系統，當土弱時，我們應注意消化系统毛病出現。  我們怎麼可以避免？

Fire element is the solution, as soil need to be warm until it is situation for growing. On the other hand, water is causing any potential problem.   This is base on water is leading the wood to grow much stronger, and is going to make the earth element even weaker, as a result, if this is the picture of the pillars, then the person is most likely experiencing a bumpy road.

五行火可生扶土，就如凍土不能生萬物，必須要用火溫土。  同時，為防土過於燥烈，得用水潤土。

Metal Element in different times of the year 金在四時

In order for us to take a detail look into the metal element in different time of the year, we have to have a clear picture on the basic status of the metal element.  From classic Bazi books, it told us something like this:

我們要仔細看金氣在四時變化，我們必須從根本看，古書告訴我們這些:

Firstly, we have to distinguish from the angle of ‘Yin’ & ‘Yang’, as this is the back bone of the five elements theory.  Metal element is ‘yin’ as the outer shell but with ‘yang’ element inside, therefore it has an absolute sharpness and hardness to be the strongest tool in the world.  This is the ultimate texture of the metal element apart from the rest.  This is making sense, since if it only belongs to ‘yin’ but without ‘yang’ element inside, then it will be as soft as ice, it can easily disappear.

看五行，從陰陽看起。 金性為外柔內剛，所以便成外表鋒內裡堅硬的工具。 這是金性特有。

Throughout the whole year, when it comes to autumn, it’s the season of the metal element.  It has gained the most of its energy, therefore, when it was turned into tools, it can almost destroy anything.  This is due to ‘yang’ element inside a ‘yin’ body.   This is most visual on Geng 庚金. 

秋季是金旺日子，這時金最剛硬和鋒利，所以最宜為工具，最能毀壞任何東西。這個最易見於庚金。

Moreover, in order for a piece of metal from the soil to turn into a sharp piece of tool, without fire, this is not possible.  As a result, in order for the metal element to make the most out of its potential, fire element must be present in a precise status, to obtain a sustainable balance.   

金本體是從土出，使之為器，必須要火冶才能使它鋒利，沒有火，金只有外表沒有作用。

When Geng metal is a ‘Yang’ version, the Shen 辛 metal is the ‘Yin’ version of the autumn metal element.  Shen is the opposite picture of the Geng, it does not need the fire element to vent its potential.  It is a soft version, it cannot stand the heat of the fire, it will be totally destroyed.  Base on this property, on bazi manoeuvre, Shen and Bing fire pair up together to form an extra layer of water element.  

庚是陽金，辛是陰金。庚要受火，辛遇火便毀。 八字裡辛金合丙火，環境合適會化出多一層水氣。

Let’s talk about the formation of Five elements 五行

Since the first article of Bazi, we had mentioned the concept of the five elements in endless time, but why is that? 

當閱讀八字書，首頁說明何謂五行，為什麼要以五行為開篇？

As you have to know, all fortune telling methods originated from the ancient society of China, and they are all from the formation concept, yin & yang (that is the two contrast energy that filled the space).

正如認知，大部分占卜術是本自中國古代文化，由陰陽概念形成。

According to ancient books, they even have a concept of ‘Six energy’ which comes with the five elements.  With the interactions taking place non-stop between the six energy and five elements, then it brings to the formation of the four seasons that we can feel everyday, and gradually give us our everyday dawn and dusk.  

從古書記載，五行概念發展成六氣。當五行在時間中不停互動形成四季。這就是我們在四時日出日入中，各有不同感受。

Five elements relates to four seasons and time, it also relates to numbers. 

1 = water; 2=fire; 3=wood; 4=metal and 5=earth element.

五行在日常有不同代表，如下：

For details, please refer to the table below.

In conclusion, the five elements has to corresponds to yin & yang to be meaningful, if not, there is a major part of the picture that is missing and not being realistic at the end.

總結，五行和陰陽互動中產生無限不同，缺一不可。

1st heavenly stem ~ 甲木 Jia wood

甲屬陽。主宰四時。生育萬物。在天為雷為龍。在地為樑為棟。

所謂陽木卽剛硬。埋於死水千年不朽。出水生火。遇雨露則爛。得斧鋸以成材。得火以見文明。然金多則毀。火多成灰。

在于春。雷始發聲。是為木旺之時。

在于秋。木氣凋萎。是為失時之所。

然夏木繁榮。猶能引風生涼。

涼冬木枯。亦畏蔽日。

Ten Heavenly Stems ~ 1st Jia (甲) Wood

Properties:

Yang wood element, it is the origin of the four seasons and provides energy for living things to become active.

In the sky, eight trigrams, in the east, it stands for thunder and in an image of a dragon, on earth, it is a big block of tall timber, it can be reform into a strong supporting element.

‘Jia’ is strong and hard timber, when it is placed in water , it is not easy to decay.  Water gives it life and it can be burnt into fire.  If it is being left under rain for a long term, it‘s texture can be destroyed.  It can be chopped into small chunks when it goes under an axe (hard metal).

When it is burned into fire, this symbolises civilisations.  We have to maintain a balance between elements, i.e. when too much hard metal, ‘jia’ can be totally destroyed.  When there is too much fire, ‘jia’ can turn into ash.

‘Jia’ in four seasons:

Spring ~ as temperature starts to pick up in spring, gives wood energy to grow from soil.  Spring is a wet season, this makes the wood even stronger.

Autumn ~ autumn is the season for metal, as we always said ‘golden autumn’ , this is the season wood is at its energy’s lowest point.  

Summer ~ wood needs water and warmth to grow, during summer, it can gain a lot of temperature to grow and be strong.

Winter ~ winter is the season for water, bases on ‘jia’ nature, it can be destroyed eventually is it is being soaked in the water for too long, therefore, all its growing energy will be saved until the next spring.

五行中疾病論 The relationship between illness and five elements

各種之病症。須看五行屬性。病在何處。

金傷～咳嗽氣喘。虛怯瘦瘠。血瘡筋骨疼痛。

木傷～四肢不舒。風邪肝膽。左癱或口眼歪。

火傷～頭痛腦熱。三焦口渴。誕語傷寒心腹疼痛。惡瘡眼疾。

水傷～發冷遺精。白濁腰腎淋瀝。吐瀉嘔逆。

土傷～脾胃虛弱。黃腫下瀉。瘟疫時氣等疾。

古云。金木凶死癲狂病。水土相犯不親和。木土定是傷脾胃。水金癆蠱禍來侵。

Five elements with our health

In five elements theory, it is not only about feng shui and bazi, it also forms a critical part of the Chinese medical foundation.   To a certain extend, during certain period, when fall ill, we can have a look at the five element relative field try to find a hint.

Metal element refers to our respiratory system, and bones pain.  Cough can be a popular symptom.

Wood element refers to our limbs, lungs and guts.  Sores can be commonly found.

Fire element refers to our blood, head and eyes.  When we have headaches, feeling hot inside our inner body, constant thirsty or eyes sickness.

Water element refers to our kidney, ears.  When we feel constant coldness or vomit, this maybe a cause.

Earth element refers to our digestive system.  When we vomit or diarrhea, our earth element may have problem.

再看看生與尅 The relationship between generating and destruction

耕寸集云：

有生必有尅，生而不尅則四時不成矣。

尅者所以節而止，使之收歛，以為發洩之基。

故曰：天地節而四時成。

例：木盛於夏，殺於秋，而殺於秋以使外之發洩者。 收藏於內是殺者。

People would rather prefer generating rather then destructing, this is the general language for most people, but let’s consider, if non-stop generating a specific energy is it a good thing to happen?  Is destructing necessary?

According to book, generating and destructing is both existing at the same time.  Due to this dual existence, then we have the four seasons.  

Destructing is stopping a single element becoming overly strong, to keep it stay in manner and low profile, to prevent it from damaging it’s surrounding.  

As a result, four seasons originate from the generating and destructing of the five elements.  

For example, wood element dominates and is strong in spring, is weakest in autumn.  Autumn is the season for metal element, it is strongest at this time and it destruct the wood element to make it stay in its manner and low profile, in order to resume energy and prepare for the coming of spring. 

換個角度看寅卯木 Looks have another look in Yin 寅木 and Mao 卯木 wood

耕寸集云：

何以復有寅卯？

寅卯者，此又與甲乙分陰陽，天地而言者也。

甲陽乙陰木，之行於天為陰陽者也。

以寅卯而分陰陽，則寅為陽，卯為陰木，之存乎地而為陰陽者也。

甲乙寅卯而統分陰陽，則甲乙為陽，寅卯為陰。

木之在天成象，而在地成形者也。

甲乙行乎天而寅卯受之。

寅卯存乎地而甲乙施焉。

In the last article, we looked into Jia and Yi wood, today we will have another look from another angle of the wood earthly branches, Yin and Mao wood.

When we have Jia and Ji wood, why do we still need Yin and Mao wood?

While Jia and Ji are heavenly stems, they are ‘yang’energy and Yin and Mao wood are earthly branches, so they are ‘yin’ energy.

Just classify in terms of yin and mao, yin wood is yang and mao wood is yin energy.

Jia and Yi wood are wood energy in the air and correspondence to the wood substance.  This makes a complete circulation of wood energy among the five elements theory.