Chapter 38 of 46
五行精纪
When determining the fate of monks or Taoists, if the destiny contains astrological signs such as 丧门 (Funeral Gate), 孤角 (Lonely Horn), or 空亡 (Empty Death), alongside accompanying auspicious stars of the same kind, it falls into this category. Alternatively, if the destiny possesses noble energy but the Five Elements are in a state of decay or extinction 🌱, or if the destiny lacks noble energy but the Five Elements are flourishing and accompanied by 天中 (Heavenly Center, synonymous with Empty Death), one may also become a monk or Taoist. Generally, the Month Pillar represents the religious community (fellow practitioners), the Day Pillar represents religious robes and the status of an abbot, and the Hour Pillar represents religious assets, disciples, and spiritual successors. The Five Elements of the Day Pillar should be harmonious and functional, indicating many disciples and supportive companions on the spiritual path. If the Month Pillar’s Five Elements are functional and aided by auspicious stars, one will gain a harmonious religious community and praise from peers. If the Month Pillar is afflicted by clashes or conflicts and carries killing energy, there will be discord among peers and alienation within the religious community; if further accompanied by 大耗 (Great Loss), one may face牵连 (entanglement or牵连).
If the Day Pillar is afflicted by clashes or conflicts and carries killing energy, one will struggle to receive alms and live a wandering, unstable life. If the Hour Pillar is afflicted by clashes or conflicts and carries killing energy, there will be few disciples, a life of poverty and solitude, and inadequate religious assets.
The destiny of monks and Taoists should also be balanced: if the destiny contains 印星 (Seal Star), one can hold authority and command respect; if there is 丧门 (Funeral Gate) ahead and 吊客 (Mourning Guest) behind, it indicates ascetic practices that harm the body. If there is 华盖 (Noble Canopy) alongside noble stars, 三奇 (Three奇) with harmonious Qi of the Five Elements, or self-decaying 🔥 Fire and 🌳 Wood, it signifies clarity of purpose, nobility, and detachment from worldly concerns. If further accompanied by 干鬼 (Dry Ghost), 倒食 (Reverse Eating), 学堂 (Academic Star), 🌊 Metal, and 💧 Water, it indicates literary talent and wisdom; if the destiny is overly flourishing, there will be strong desires for fame and wealth, and if further accompanied by malignant stars, one will eventually return to secular life. If noble stars, Three奇, Noble Canopy, mutually generating Five Elements, or夹贵 (noble support) appear in a state of decay or extinction, or if there are two characters of 🌊 Metal, 💧 Water, 🔥 Fire, or 🌳 Wood, it signifies profound understanding of the Dao, innate wisdom, aversion to clutter, diligent spiritual progress, and a life free of obstacles.
Distinguishing between monk and Taoist destinies: those with many 四杀 (Four Killings) become monks; those with many 四孟 (Four孟: Yin, Shen, Si, Hai) become Taoists; those with abundant 💧 Water become Taoists; those with abundant 🔥 Fire become monks; those with flourishing Five Elements become Taoists; those with decaying or extinct Five Elements become monks.
Luò Lùzǐ said: Embracing Buddhism (释) is cultivating stability in the 离宫 (Li Palace, Fire), while embracing Taoism (道) is seeking mystery in the 水府 (Water Mansion).
If a道德 (Daoist) destiny shows mutual conquest among the Five Elements, 六害 (Six Harms), loneliness, widowhood, penalties, or clashes, and includes 元辰 (Origin Chen), 羊刃 (Yang Blade), or 劫杀 (Robbery Killing), it indicates a庸愚 (mediocre and foolish) person seeking profit. If further accompanied by 咸池 (Salty Pool), it signifies indulgence in wine and lust, cunning schemes for wealth, and an short-lived commitment to the Dao.
The destiny of monks and Taoists is opposite to that of ordinary people: when annual运势 (fortune) encounters 丧门 (Funeral Gate), 吊客 (Mourning Guest), loneliness, widowhood, or伏返 (hidden returns), ordinary people experience哭泣丧祸 (crying and misfortunes), while monks and Taoists encounter opportunities for ordination, bestowal of robes, or appointment as abbots.
道德 (Daoist) destinies greatly忌讳 (dread) 咸池 (Salty Pool), as it is unfavorable for Daoist practice throughout life, often leading to entanglement in wine, lust, and private scandals. When annual运势 (fortune) encounters it, there will be frequent illnesses and financial losses; if the Five Elements lack energy, it often results in death. (From the Zhú Shén Jīng)
【建命杀】Jiàn Mìng Shā, also known as破祖 (Ancestor Breaker): Derived when the branch and stem of the birth month are the same as the太岁 (Year Lord), e.g.,甲戌年甲戌月 (Jia-Xu year and Jia-Xu month). It indicates loss of ancestral heritage, many obstructions, and likely becoming a monk or Taoist. (From Sān Mìng Qián)
If both孤 (Loneliness) and寡 (Widowhood) are present, one becomes a monk (圆顶, shaved head); if亡 (Death) and劫 (Robbery) combine with刑 (Penalty), one becomes a Taoist (羽衣, feathered robe). (From Hú Zhōng Zǐ)
【平头羊刃缁黄应】Píng Tóu Yáng Rèn Zī Huáng Yìng:平头 (even heads, e.g.,甲乙丙丁壬己) combined with羊刃 (Yang Blade), and further afflicted with六害 (Six Harms),空亡 (Empty Death), lack of energy,孤辰 (Lonely辰), or寡宿 (Widow宿), often indicates the destiny of a monk or Taoist. (From Chén Zhī Yuán Suǐ)
If长生贵人 (Long-Life Nobleman) enters孤寡 (Loneliness/Widowhood), one will certainly become a monk; if禄马三元 (Lu Ma San Yuan) enters食神 (Eating God), one will have authority and reputation as a robe-wearing cleric. If penalties or clashes enter四墓 (Four Tombs), disciples will leave the mountain; if休败 (decay) penalties, clashes, or空寡 (empty loneliness/widowhood) occur, one will face legal penalties for life. Regardless of Yin-Yang or逆顺 (reverse/forward) cycles, this applies to both genders; if it does not harm children or penalize the husband, it certainly indicates a nun. (From Zhí Dào Gē)
孤辰 (Lonely辰),寡宿 (Widow宿), and华盖 (Noble Canopy) meeting空亡 (Empty Death) indicates either a Taoist or a monk. (From Yǐn Mí Fù)
If both parents’ stars show loneliness, and there is no禄 (Lu) in the四孟 (Four孟), with辰戌丑未 (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) additionally present, one will likely become a Taoist or monk. If四孟仲季 (the four孟, mid, and季 months) are the same, and三合六合 (Three Harmonies or Six Harmonies) appear, one is certainly a monk or Taoist. (From Guǐ Gǔ Yào Jué)
If the destiny contains三六合 (Three or Six Harmonies), noble people damaging seals and clashing, or华盖 (Noble Canopy) with空亡 (Empty Death), those with noble energy cannot be considered noble; they are often destined to be九流 (low-status) monks or Taoists. Hence the saying: “Monks have four clashes; Taoists have three harmonies.” An ancient poem states: “Those born with three harmonies in辰戌时 (Chen or Xu hours) will certainly be monks without doubt; if华盖 (Noble Canopy) further arrives with tombs,丰隆 (abundant) possessions and purple robes are assured.”
If the destiny emphasizes branches and stems and further carries空亡 (Empty Death), it indicates an elder with mental and spiritual strength.
