The Simplest Finger-Counting Method to Assess Your Luck

Zhuge Horse-Front Divination is a quick method, traditionally attributed to Zhuge Liang, for judging good or bad fortune during military campaigns. It’s simple enough to calculate in seconds—even on horseback—hence the name. Also known as Xiao Liu Ren, it’s a streamlined form derived from Qimen Dunjia, offering an easy approach to divination. In everyday life, when you face a situation or have a strong intuition, you can make a quick calculation to see whether the outcome looks favorable or unfavorable.

The specific method (calculation steps) is as follows: first, decide what you want to predict. Then silently choose one of the twelve Earthly Branches (Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai). Next, use the current lunar month, lunar date, and your chosen Earthly Branch for the calculation. Starting from Da An (as shown in the image), count counterclockwise. The position you land on for the month becomes the starting point for counting the date; the position you land on for the date becomes the starting point for counting the Earthly Branch. The final position reached for your selected Earthly Branch is the result of the Horse-Front Divination.

Note: Da An, Su Xi, and Xiao Ji are considered auspicious; Liu Lian, Chi Kou, and Kong Wang are considered inauspicious.

For example: How can you predict tomorrow’s travel situation?

• First, silently select an Earthly Branch, such as "Shen." Today’s lunar date is the first day of the seventh month, so starting from Da An, count counterclockwise to seven (month): Da An - Liu Lian - Su Xi - Chi Kou - Xiao Ji - Kong Wang - Da An.
• Then, for the date "one," start from Da An and count counterclockwise to Liu Lian.
• Using Liu Lian as the starting point, count counterclockwise from "Zi" to "Shen" (your selected Earthly Branch, the ninth position). You will land on Chi Kou. Chi Kou is your result, indicating an unfavorable outcome.

Note: It’s best to use the lunar calendar for timing; the solar (Gregorian) calendar is also acceptable, but accuracy may be lower. The chosen time (Earthly Branch) can be either the time of divination or the departure time; ideally, use your actual planned departure time.