凡交会下种之时,古云宜择吉日良时,天德月德,及干支旺相,当避丙丁之说,顾以仓
猝之顷,亦安得择而后行,似属迂远,不足凭也。然惟天日睛明,光风霁月,时和气爽,及
情思清宁,精神闲裕之况,则随行随止,不待择而人人可办,于斯得子,非惟少疾,而必且
聪慧贤明,胎元禀赋,实基于此。至有不知避忌者,犯天地之晦冥,则受愚蠢迷蒙之气;犯
日月星辰之薄蚀,则受残缺刑克之气;犯雷霆风雨之惨暴,则受狠恶惊狂之气;犯不阴不阳
、倏热倏寒之变幻,则受奸险诡诈之气。故气盈则盈,乘之则多寿;气缩则缩,犯之则多夭
。顾人生六合之内,凡生长壮老已,何非受气于生成?而知愚贤不肖,又孰非禀质于天地?此
感兆元始之大本,苟思造命而赞化育,则当以此为首务。
干道成男,坤道成女,此固生成之至道,然亦何以见之,亦何以用之?盖乾坤不用,用
在坎离,坎离之用,阴阳而已。夫离本居阳,何以为女?以阳之中而阴之初也。坎本居阴,
何以为男?以阴之中而阳之初也。盖中者盛于上,盛者必渐消;初者生于下,生者必渐长。
故阳生于坎,从左而渐升,升则为阳而就明;阴生于离,从右而渐降,降则为阴而就晦,此
即阴阳之用也。而千变万化,莫不由之。由之推展,则凡冬至夏至,一岁之阴阳也;子东午
西,一日之阴阳也;有节有中,月令之阴阳也;或明或晦,时气之阴阳也;节前节后,消长
之阴阳也;月光潮汛,盈虚之阴阳也。再以及人,则老夫女妻,阴若胜矣,有颠之倒之之妙
;彼强此弱,阳亦在也,有操之纵之之权,顾无往而非阴阳之用也。知之而从阳避阴,则干
道成男;不知而背阳向阴,则坤道成女矣。明眼人其鉴而悟之,笔有难于尽意也。
When the time for sexual intercourse and conception arrives, ancient texts state that one should select auspicious days and favorable hours, such as those blessed by Tiande (Heavenly Virtue) and Yuede (Lunar Virtue), and when the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are in a prosperous phase, while avoiding Bing-Ding days (days associated with Fire). However, considering the urgency of the moment, how can one possibly delay action to select a day? This seems pedantic and remote, and thus insufficient as a reliable basis. Nevertheless, only when the weather is clear and bright, the wind is gentle and the moon is serene, the climate is mild and refreshing, and the mind is tranquil and the spirit is leisurely, can intercourse be conducted at any time without needing to select a specific date, which is achievable by everyone. Conception under such conditions yields offspring who not only suffer fewer illnesses but are also destined to be intelligent, virtuous, and wise; the prenatal endowment of the fetus is fundamentally established here. Conversely, those who fail to observe these precautions may encounter the dimness of heaven and earth, thereby receiving qi of stupidity and confusion; they may encounter the eclipse of the sun, moon, or stars, thereby receiving qi of incompleteness and conflict; they may encounter the brutality of thunderstorms and rain, thereby receiving qi of ferocity and madness; they may encounter the fluctuations of unbalanced yin-yang and sudden shifts between heat and cold, thereby receiving qi of treachery and deceit. Therefore, when qi is abundant, conceiving during this time leads to longevity; when qi is contracted, offending this time leads to premature death. Since human life exists within the six directions of the universe, every stage from growth to maturity, old age, and death is derived from the qi of creation. Furthermore, whether one is wise or foolish, virtuous or unworthy, all stem from the constitution endowed by heaven and earth. This is the fundamental principle of sensing the origin of existence. If one wishes to shape destiny and assist in the creative process of nature, this must be the primary concern.
The Dao of Qian (Heaven) forms males, and the Dao of Kun (Earth) forms females; this is indeed the supreme principle of generation. However, how is this manifested, and how is it applied? Generally, Qian and Kun do not act directly; their function lies in Kan (Water) and Li (Fire). The function of Kan and Li is simply Yin and Yang. Li originally belongs to Yang, yet why does it represent females? Because it represents the initial emergence of Yin within Yang. Kan originally belongs to Yin, yet why does it represent males? Because it represents the initial emergence of Yang within Yin. The middle phase is vigorous, and what is vigorous must gradually decline; the initial phase is generative, and what is generative must gradually grow. Thus, Yang arises from Kan, ascending from the left, becoming Yang and moving toward brightness; Yin arises from Li, descending from the right, becoming Yin and moving toward darkness. This is the application of Yin and Yang. All transformations arise from this. Extending this logic: Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice represent the Yin-Yang of a year; Zi (East) and Wu (West) represent the Yin-Yang of a day; Jieqi (Solar Terms) and Zhongqi (Mid-terms) represent the Yin-Yang of monthly commands; clarity and darkness represent the Yin-Yang of seasonal Qi; before and after solar terms represent the Yin-Yang of waxing and waning; the phases of the moon and tides represent the Yin-Yang of fullness and emptiness. Applying this to humans: In a marriage between an older husband and younger wife, Yin may seem dominant, yet there is a subtle power of inversion; where one is strong and the other weak, Yang is still present, exercising control and flexibility. Ultimately, nowhere is there not the application of Yin and Yang. Understanding this allows one to follow Yang and avoid Yin, resulting in the formation of a male (Qian Dao Cheng Nan); failing to understand leads one to turn away from Yang and toward Yin, resulting in the formation of a female (Kun Dao Cheng Nu). Those with clear insight should reflect upon and comprehend this; words are insufficient to fully convey its meaning.