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Chapter 52 of 102
Shen Feng Tong Kao — Comprehensive Study of Destiny
The "Virtue Pattern" (福德格) in Shenfeng Tongkao refers to a destiny analysis framework based on specific Day Pillars (the combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches on the birth day). It primarily involves five Yin Stems (Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, Wood) paired with the Earthly Branches Si, You, and Chou. These patterns emphasize the balance of the Five Elements and the avoidance of clashes to determine one's life fortune, nobility, and misfortunes. In a modern interpretation, we contextualize this within contemporary society, viewing it as a form of traditional cultural wisdom for reflecting on personal traits and life trends rather than as an absolute prediction.
Yin Earth Pattern: When the Day Pillar is Ji-Si, Ji-Chou, or Ji-You, if the Four Pillars lack Fire or Earth elements such as Bing, Ding, Yin, Wu, or Xu, it indicates nobility 🌟. If the Si-You-Chou combination forms a Three-Harmony Metal局, it signifies even greater nobility. However, encountering Yin, Wu, or Xu in the major or yearly cycles may lead to a decline in official luck, financial loss, or even disputes and conflicts. Avoid clashes, breaks, or harms.
Poem: Yin Earth meets Snake, Rooster, and Ox, named Virtue, hailed as Pi Xiu. If Fire invades and breaks it, fame and fortune may vanish in an instant.
(Paraphrase: Yin Earth Day Pillar paired with Si, You, or Chou is called the Virtue Pattern, symbolizing blessings. But if Fire elements clash and break it, fame and fortune may dissipate quickly.)
Yin Fire Pattern: When the Day Pillar is Ding-Si, Ding-You, or Ding-Chou, if the Four Pillars have strong Wealth and Officer Stars, it indicates a noble pattern. Avoid clashes. If the major cycle reaches Mao and there are no other Earthly Branches combining with You (e.g., Chen-You combination or Shen-Si combination), wealth and official luck may decline.
Poem: Yin Fire aligns with Si, You, and Chou, born in You month, life may be short. Fame and fortune face ups and downs, loss and extravagance lead to diminished blessings.
(Paraphrase: Yin Fire Day Pillar paired with Si, You, or Chou, especially if born in You month, may bring a shorter lifespan, fluctuating fame and fortune, and financial loss due to extravagance, resulting in poor blessings.)
Yin Water Pattern: When the Day Pillar is Gui-Si, Gui-You, or Gui-Chou, it resembles the "Flying Heaven禄马" pattern. If the month branch is Si, it is called "Moon Facing the Wind," and Chou distantly combines with the Wu Earth in Si to form the Officer Star. However, if the Si character appears and is "filled" (i.e., the Si branch already exists in the Earthly Branches), it may lead to repeated failures, much like a container that is full and cannot hold more.
Poem: Gui-Si and Gui-You, Moon Facing the Wind, fame and material gains delayed, efforts in vain. Success is hard to expect, gains and losses come and go swiftly.
(Paraphrase: Yin Water Day Pillar with Moon Facing the Wind brings delayed fame and empty efforts, with success elusive and outcomes fleeting.)
Yin Metal Pattern: When the Day Pillar is Xin-Si, Xin-You, or Xin-Chou, if the Four Pillars have strong Ding Fire or Yin, Wu, or Xu elements, life may be financially challenging. If the Si-You-Chou combination forms a Three-Harmony Metal局, it is an excellent pattern. Encountering Bing or Ding Fire can transform into the Officer Star, similarly in major cycles. Meeting the Yin branch is auspicious, as Yin is the Heavenly Yi Nobleman.
Poem: Xin-Si, Rooster, and Ox form three cycles, combining into a Metal局 for full blessings and nobility. If Ding Fire, Yin, Wu, or Xu appear, life’s comforts will be hard-earned.
(Paraphrase: Yin Metal Day Pillar with the Three-Harmony Metal局 brings full blessings, but encountering Fire elements leads to a life of hardship.)
Yin Wood Pattern: When the Day Pillar is Yi-Si, Yi-You, or Yi-Chou, it is not advisable to be born in the sixth month (Chou month, the Wood库 month), as Yi Wood is Yin Wood, and it is under the strong Metal influence of You and Chou. Metal克 Wood, representing a lower element overcoming a higher one, which is inauspicious. Other months may allow for different pattern interpretations.
Poem: Yin Wood paired with Chou, You, and Snake, born in the sixth month brings silent sighs. Official rank and blessings are short-lived, even talent is not worth boasting.
(Paraphrase: Yin Wood Day Pillar with Chou, You, or Si, especially if born in the sixth month, brings sighs and sorrows, short-lived official blessings, and unrecognized talent.)
Yuanyuan补充: Those born in the eighth month were originally said to have short lives, but this was later changed to the sixth month. Both can be referenced.
The "Virtue Pattern" centers on the balance of the Five Elements’ generation and克制 and the harmony or clash of Earthly Branches: when Yin Stems (Ji, Ding, Gui, Xin, Yi) combine with specific Earthly Branches (Si, You, Chou), conflicting elements (e.g., Fire克 Metal, Metal克 Wood) must be avoided to preserve "Virtue" (blessings and moral integrity). This reflects the ancient mindset of using natural elements to analogize life’s fortunes, emphasizing harmony and risk avoidance.
In modern society, these patterns can be interpreted as interactions between personal traits and the environment:
These are not fixed destinies but reminders to focus on strengths and weaknesses, integrating modern psychology and career planning for self-improvement.
The "Virtue Pattern" embodies Daoist principles of Yin-Yang balance: all things generate and克制 each other, and fortunes arise from imbalance. From a modern perspective, this encourages pursuing inner and outer harmony rather than blindly seeking "noble patterns." Life’s successes and failures are like the emptiness or fullness of a container—leaving space allows for new opportunities, resonating with modern minimalist life philosophy.
Please translate the above content into English, maintaining the original format and structure.