Complete Compendium of Five-Star and Three-Fate Astrology, Volume 1

...counting to Si Snake. To continue the example: if born in the fourth month at the Yin Tiger hour, one counts forward to the Wu Horse position where the sequence ends. Then, starting from the Wei Goat position, count Zi, Chou, Yin—reaching the Xu Dog position. This Xu is the location of the Palace of Destiny. This method does not consider the "Stems" The celestial part of the date of the birth year or day, but relies solely on the birth month and hour.

If calculating based on the stars according to the Canon of a Hundred Hits original: "Bai Zhong Jing," a divination manual, find the palace where the Tai Xin Great Joy; a star associated with Venus or auspicious timing resides. Start the count of Zi Rat, Chou Ox, and Yin Tiger from the Wu Horse position; counting to You Rooster determines the location of the Palace of Destiny. Follow this calculation, and you will never fail.

○ The Melodic Elements of the Five Elements

Metal Wood Water Fire Earth

People today use the sequence of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth as their model. Is this not perhaps due to a misreading of the character for "Water" as "Wood" in the Physiognomy of Water? This error has persisted to this day without correction. How can we know this?

The sequence "Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth" describes the cycle of mutual generation The process by which elements create one another, e.g., Water nourishes Wood that forms the beginning of all things. However, the Book of Yu original: "Yu Shu," a section of the ancient Book of Documents speaks of "Water, Fire, Metal, Wood, Earth," which refers to the cycle of mutual overcoming The process by which elements control one another, e.g., Water extinguishes Fire that marks the completion of things.

The legendary Da Nao The mythical minister to the Yellow Emperor said to have invented the sexagenary calendar arranged the Jia-Zi The 60-year cycle of Stems and Branches in an intricate, woven pattern. As for the Five Elements mentioned in the Great Plan original: "Hong Fan," an influential philosophical text within the Book of Documents—First is Water, Second is Fire, Third is Metal, Fourth is Wood, Fifth is Earth—these are mnemonics for Harmonic Adjustment original: "Tiao Xie," the practice of balancing cosmic and political forces. That they have been recorded in a reversed or erroneous order is now beyond doubt.