Zeng Shan Bo Yi (增刪卜易)

野鶴曰：卜易之道，乃伏羲、文王、周公、孔子四大聖人之心法也。得其精者可以參天量地；粗知其理亦可趨吉避凶。凡學卜者可以深求，亦可淺學。淺學者只要先學裝卦，知道動變及卦之六沖、卦變六沖，看熟《用神章》中占何人、占何事以何爻為用神；再看何為旬空、月破及春夏秋冬四時衰旺、生克沖刑，即知決斷禍福。

The Wild Crane Elder said: The art of divination through the Book of Changes was passed down by the four sages Fuxi, King Wen, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius. Those who understand its subtle aspects can assist in harmonizing heaven and earth and measure all things. Even those who only grasp its basic principles can avoid misfortune and seek good fortune. Therefore, those who study divination may pursue it deeply or simply learn it at a basic level. Those who learn it superficially should first learn how to "set up the hexagram," that is, to assign the World Line, the Response Line, the earthly branches, and the Six Relations to the six lines of the hexagram. Then they should understand what "movement" and "transformation" mean, which hexagrams are "Six Clashes Hexagrams," and which become Six Clashes after movement and transformation. Next, they should thoroughly study this book's "Chapter on Useful Gods" and know which line to take as the "Useful God" when divining about a person or an event. Further, they should understand what "decade emptiness" and "month break" mean, as well as the strength and decline of the Five Phases in the four seasons, and the relationships of generation, overcoming, conflict, and punishment. Once they reach this level, they will already be able to judge fortune and misfortune.

假令占功名者得旺官持世，或動爻作官星生合世爻，求名如拾芥耳。倘遇子孫持世，或子孫動於卦中，不拘占入場占升遷悉如水中撈月。占求財若得財星持世，或日月動爻作子孫生合世爻，或官鬼持世財動生之，或父母持世財動克之世，皆許求財之易如摘枝耳。若遇兄弟持世及兄弟爻動於卦中，或世臨旬空月破，何異緣木求魚。

For example, when divining about official rank, if the official ghost line is prosperous and strong and is located on the world line, this is called 'prosperous official holding the world line'; or if a moving line in the hexagram transforms into an official star to generate and harmonize with the world line, then seeking official rank is as easy as bending down to pick up a blade of grass. Conversely, if the children line is on the world line, or if the children line is active in the hexagram—the children are the spirits that overcome the official ghost—then whether divining about entering an examination or seeking an official promotion, it is like trying to catch a moon in water, a complete waste of effort. When divining about wealth, if the wife and wealth line is on the world line, or if the day branch, month builder, or a moving line transforms into the children line to generate and harmonize with the world line (since children can generate wealth), or if the official ghost holds the world line and the wealth line is active to generate the official ghost, or if the parents hold the world line and the wealth line is active to overcome the world line, these situations all indicate that seeking wealth is easy, like reaching out to pluck a branch. However, if the siblings line is on the world line, or if the siblings line is active in the hexagram—the siblings are the spirits that seize wealth—or if the world line is exactly in 'shen kong' or 'month breaker', then seeking wealth is like trying to catch fish from a tree, with absolutely no hope.

如占一年月令現任官者，宜官星持世，財動生之，皆許吉慶。若遇官鬼相剋，日月動爻作子孫沖剋世爻，或作官鬼沖剋世爻，或世空世、官破官空，或世動化回頭克及子孫持世皆為凶兆。士民而占流年者，最喜財爻及子孫爻持世，管許一歲亨通。若遇官鬼持世，得日月動爻作財星生合世爻者，必見災非。倘世破世空及鬼動克世多見凶災。兄動克世，口舌破財。

If divining the annual fortune of a current official, it is best for the official star to be on the world line, and for the wealth line to move and generate the official star. These signs indicate a prosperous year. If the official ghost reverses to control the world line, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line transforms into the children line to clash and control the world line, or transforms into the official ghost to clash and control the world line, or if the world line is empty, or the official star meets destruction and emptiness, or if the world line moves and transforms into a line that controls itself, or if the children line is on the world line—this is most unfavorable for a current official, as the children line controls the official—these are all ominous signs. For common people divining their annual fortune, they prefer the wealth line or the children line to be on the world line, ensuring a smooth year. If the official ghost is on the world line, and the day branch, month builder, or moving line transforms into the wealth line to generate and harmonize with the world line, then wealth generates the ghost, and the ghost harms the body, disaster and legal troubles are certain. If the world line meets destruction and emptiness, or if the official ghost moves to control the world line, there is likely to be danger and misfortune. If the siblings line moves to control the world line, it indicates disputes and financial loss.

以上官府士民占流年者，合世之月則吉，沖世之月則凶。皆不宜世爻變鬼及化回頭之克定見凶危。又不宜財動化父，父化財爻，鬼化父母必有長上之災。弟兄變鬼，鬼變弟兄，防手足之厄。財化鬼，鬼化財，財化兄，兄化財，主傷克妻妾婢僕。子化鬼，鬼化子，父化子，子化父，小口有傷。青龍天喜持世生世而有喜。虎鬼發動主孝服。騰蛇朱雀臨兄，鬼動而克世者，須防口舌。玄武臨兄，鬼動而克世者，防賊盜及陰人。

If officials and common people divinate the current year, any month that harmonizes with the world line is auspicious, while any month that conflicts with the world line is inauspicious. It is generally not advisable for the world line to produce an official ghost, nor should the transformed爻 turn back to harm the world line; encountering these two situations indicates danger. Also, it is not advisable for the wealth爻 to produce parents, for parents to produce wealth, or for official ghosts to produce parents; these situations indicate misfortune for the family elders. If the siblings爻 produces an official ghost or an official ghost produces siblings, one should be cautious of troubles among close relatives. If the wealth爻 produces an official ghost, an official ghost produces wealth, the wealth爻 produces siblings, or siblings produce wealth, it indicates harm to the wife, concubine, and servants. If the children爻 produces an official ghost, an official ghost produces children, parents produce children, or children produce parents, it indicates injury to the family's children. When the Azure Dragon or Heavenly Joy is present on or generates the world line, there will be good fortune. If the White Tiger is present on the official ghost and activates, there will be mourning and funerals in the family. If the Teng Snake or Vermilion Bird is present on the siblings爻, and the official ghost activates to harm the world line, one should be cautious of disputes and litigation. If the Black Tortoise is present on the siblings爻, and the official ghost activates to harm the world line, one should be cautious of theft and also of private matters involving women.

如占避訟防非、仇人為害及行江漂海、深入險地旅店孤眠，窮鄉僻壤，投寺宿廟，或營中貿易，錯買盜物，或見鄰家火起，或聞瘟疫流行，防虎狼，防盜寇，或夜行早起，或險偷關，或已入是非之場，心憂禍患，或欲管閒事，恐惹災非，或人病家以防沾染，或誤服毒物恐致傷生，或已定重罪而盼郝，或已得險病病而防危，或問此物此藥可以服否，或問歹人烈馬傷害我否，凡遇一切防火慮患者，但得子孫持世及子孫動於卦中，或世動變出子孫，或世動化回頭相生，或官鬼動以相生，即使身坐虎口，管許安如泰山，唯忌官鬼持世，憂疑不解。鬼克世災禍必侵。世動化鬼及化回頭克者，禍已及身，避之不及，唯世爻空者無憂，世爻破者不利。

For example, this type of divination involves questions about avoiding lawsuits, preventing trouble, guarding against harm from enemies; crossing rivers or sailing the sea, entering dangerous places; staying alone in a roadside inn; being in a remote and desolate area; staying overnight in a temple; doing business in a military camp; buying stolen goods by mistake; seeing a neighbor's house on fire; hearing about an epidemic spreading; being cautious of tigers, wolves, thieves, and bandits; traveling at night or leaving early in the morning;risking a clandestine border crossing; already involved in a dispute and worried about misfortune; wanting to meddle but fearing trouble; visiting a sick person's home and fearing infection; mistakenly taking poison and fearing death; having been sentenced to a serious crime and hoping for pardon; having a dangerous illness and fearing danger; asking whether a certain object or medicine can be taken; asking whether a dangerous person or a fierce horse will harm oneself. All such questions concerning prevention of disaster and careful consideration of danger, if in the hexagram the 'Children' line is on the 'World Line', or if the 'Children' line is active within the hexagram, or if the 'World Line' becomes the 'Children' line through change, or if the 'World Line' becomes active and the changing line supports the 'World Line', or if the 'Official Ghost' line becomes active and then supports the 'World Line', then even if a person is sitting on the edge of a tiger's mouth, he will be as safe as Mount Tai. The only thing to be cautious about is when the 'Official Ghost' line is on the 'World Line', which indicates an unresolved worry. If the 'Official Ghost' line overcomes the 'World Line', disaster will certainly come to oneself. If the 'World Line' becomes active and turns into the 'Official Ghost' line, or if the changing line overcomes the 'World Line', it means that disaster has already come to oneself and there is no way to escape. Only when the 'World Line' falls into 'Ten Empty' can one be free from worry, because emptiness means it is not currently being overcome; if the 'World Line' meets 'Month Breaker', it will eventually be unfavorable.

占病者如自占病，若得世爻旺相或日月動爻生合世爻，或子孫持世，或子孫動於卦中，不拘久病近病，或求神或服藥，立保安康。近病者世值旬空或世動化空，或卦逢六沖及卦變六沖，不須服藥，即許安痊。久病者官鬼持世，遇休囚，或遇日月動爻克世，或值旬空月破，世動化空化破或卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，或世動化鬼及化回頭克者，速宜救治，遲者扁鵲難醫。

Divination for illness. First, one should divinate their own illness. If the World Line is prosperous and strong, or if the Day Branch, Month Builder, or a moving line supports and harmonizes with the World Line, or if the Children line is on the World Line, or if the Children line in the hexagram moves, then regardless of whether the illness is old or new, seeking divine help or taking medicine will ensure immediate safety. For a newly acquired illness, if the World Line is in the "ten-day void," or if the World Line moves and the resulting line falls into the void, or if the original hexagram is a "six clashes" hexagram, or if the transformed hexagram becomes a six clashes hexagram, the illness will heal without needing medicine—six clashes indicate dispersion, and a new illness encountering this will naturally disperse the illness. For someone with a long-standing illness, the situation is exactly the opposite: if the Official Ghost is on the World Line and is weak and confined, or if the Day Branch, Month Builder, or a moving line attacks the World Line, or if the World Line is in the ten-day void or the month breaker, or if the World Line moves and turns into the void or the month breaker, or if the hexagram is a six clashes hexagram or transforms into a six clashes hexagram, or if the World Line moves and transforms into the Official Ghost and the transformed line attacks the World Line, one must seek immediate treatment. Delaying will even prevent the famous physician Qian Zhongshu from being able to cure it.

占父母病以父母爻為用神。若得父爻旺相，或日月動爻生父母，或父動化旺，不拘久病近病，求神服藥立見安寧，近病者父爻值旬空，父動化空，或卦逢六沖，不藥而痊。久病者父爻值旬空月破，父動化空、化破，父動化財，財化父母，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，或父爻休囚又出被日月動爻沖剋，為子者須宜急急求醫，親嘗湯，勿遠離也。

When divining about the illness of parents, the parents' line in the hexagram is considered the "useful god." If the parents' line is prosperous and strong, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line supports the parents' line, or if the parents' line becomes active and becomes prosperous, then regardless of whether the illness is long-standing or new, seeking divine help and taking medicine will lead to quick recovery. For new illnesses, if the parents' line is in the旬空 (empty period), or if the parents' line becomes active and turns into旬空, or if the hexagram encounters six clashes, then even without taking medicine, the illness will recover. However, for long-standing illnesses, one must be cautious: if the parents' line is in旬空 and also meets the month breaker, or if the parents' line becomes active and turns into旬空 or breaks, or if the parents' line becomes active and turns into the wealth line, or if the wealth line turns into the parents' line — since wealth can control the parents, it is the parents' hostile god — or if the hexagram encounters six clashes or changes into six clashes, or if the parents' line itself is weak and confined and is further controlled by the day branch, month builder, or moving line. In such cases, the children should urgently seek medical help, personally try the medicine before giving it to the parents, and not leave the parents' side.

占兄弟病者，若得兄爻旺相，或臨日月動爻相生，或動化旺化生，不拘病之遠近，立許全安。近病者，兄爻值旬空及動而化空，卦逢六沖，服藥即愈。久病者兄爻值旬空月破及動而化空化破，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，兄動化鬼，鬼動化兄，或兄爻休囚被日月動爻沖剋，急急服藥求神，遲則難調理。

Divining about a sibling's illness, the sibling line is the useful god. If the sibling line is prosperous and strong, or exactly meets the day branch or month builder and has a moving line that generates and supports it, or if the sibling line becomes prosperous and strong or transforms into a line that generates and supports, then regardless of how long the illness has lasted, it can be determined that the person will fully recover. For a new illness, if the sibling line is in the旬空 period, or if it moves and becomes empty, or if the hexagram meets the six clashes, taking medicine will be sufficient. For a long-term illness, if the sibling line is in the旬空 period and also meets the month breaker, or if it moves and becomes empty and broken, or if the hexagram meets the six clashes or transforms into the six clashes, or if the sibling line moves and transforms into the official ghost, or the official ghost moves and transforms into the sibling line, or if the sibling line is weak and confined and is clashed and controlled by the day branch, month builder, and moving line, then one must take medicine and pray to the gods immediately; otherwise, it will be difficult to treat.

占子孫病者，子孫爻旺相，或臨日月，或日月動爻生合，或子孫爻化回頭生，化旺，不拘病之新久，服藥求神即愈，近病者子孫爻值旬空及動而化空，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，不藥而癒，出痘者不宜六沖，久病者子孫逢旬空月破及動而化空化破，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，子孫動而化鬼，鬼化子孫，父化子，子化父及日月動爻沖剋者，速宜服藥，心則難於治矣。

When divining about a child's illness, the Children Line (Children line) is considered the Useful God (Useful God). If the Children Line is prosperous and strong, or if it is exactly the day branch or month builder, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line comes to generate and harmonize with it, or if the Children Line moves and the changing line comes back to generate it and becomes prosperous and strong, then regardless of whether the illness is new or long-standing, taking medicine or seeking divine help will lead to recovery. For new illnesses, if the Children Line is in the旬空 (decade void), or if it moves and becomes void, or if the hexagram meets Six Clashes (Six Clashes) or changes into Six Clashes, the child will recover without needing medicine; however, this does not apply to children with smallpox, as smallpox is most忌 (to be avoided) by Six Clashes. If the hexagram encounters Six Clashes, the smallpox will not subside. For long-standing illnesses, if the Children Line meets 旬空 or Month Breaker (month breaker), or if it moves and becomes void or broken, or if the hexagram meets Six Clashes or changes into Six Clashes, or if the Children Line moves and turns into Official Ghost (Official Ghost), or if Official Ghost turns into Children, or if Parents turns into Children, or if Children turns into Parents —— Parents is the Hostile God (Hostile God) that controls Children —— and is also controlled by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, then medicine must be taken immediately; otherwise, the illness will be difficult to treat. (The original text says 「心则难于治矣」, where 「心」 is a mistake for 「迟」.)

占妻妾病者，以財爻為用神，財爻旺相或臨日月，或日月動爻相生，或財爻化子孫及化帝旺者，不拘久病近病，治之即愈，近病者妻財逢旬空及動而化空，或爻逢六沖，卦變六沖，何須服藥，即許災除。久病者財爻逢旬空月破及動而化空化破，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，或財動化鬼，鬼化財爻，兄動化財，財化兄弟，名醫亦難取效。

Divination for the illness of a wife or concubine uses the wife's wealth line as the useful god. If the wealth line is prosperous and strong, or exactly matches the day branch or month builder, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line supports it, or if the wealth line moves and transforms into children (children generate wealth) or reaches the prosperity position, then regardless of whether the illness is long-standing or new, it can be cured in one treatment. For new illnesses, if the wealth line is in the empty period, or moves and becomes empty, or the hexagram meets six clashes or transforms into six clashes, no medicine is needed, and the illness will naturally disappear. For long-standing illnesses, if the wealth line is in the empty period and also meets the month breaker, or moves and becomes empty and broken, or the hexagram meets six clashes or transforms into six clashes, or if the wealth line moves and transforms into official ghost, official ghost transforms into wealth, siblings move and transform into wealth, or wealth transforms into siblings (siblings are the hostile god that harms wealth), then even the most skilled physician will find it difficult to make progress.

凡占三黨六親及官長、師生、婢僕諸人之病，皆於用神章內以取用神。占朋友、外人以應爻為用神，理之常也，往往多有不驗者何也？疑因不甚關切，不誠之故耳。

Whenever divining about illnesses of people in the father's family, mother's family, and wife's family, the three parties, the six relations, superiors, teachers, students, servants, and other kinds of people, one should refer to the chapter "Chapter of the Useful God" in this book to determine which line should be used as the useful god. As for divining matters concerning friends and outsiders, according to common sense, the response line should be used as the useful god. However, in practice, it often fails to be effective. This is probably because the person being divined is not closely related to the person asking the question, and the heart is not sincere when casting the divination, so the response is not genuine.

野鶴曰：客有問於予曰：“據爾之言，占卜極易事也，即如占功名得旺官持世以成名，子孫持世而失望。占疾病近病逢沖逢空，不藥而癒；外病逢沖逢空靈丹莫救。如若得此，顯然者自是不難知矣。倘占疾病不逢六沖，用神不遇旬空，旺不旺而衰不衰，凶不凶而吉不吉。又如占功名，官與子孫皆不持世，六爻亂動，財父同興，何以決之？”

The Wild Crane Elder once said: A guest once asked me, "According to your explanation, divination is really very easy. For example, when predicting success in official positions, if the official ghost is strong and present, then success is achieved; if children are present, then it is a failure. When predicting illness, if a new illness meets the six clashes or the ten-day void, it can recover without medicine. But if a long-term illness meets the six clashes and the ten-day void, even the most effective medicine cannot save the person. If the divination really shows such clear results, it is easy to judge. However, if the divination for illness does not meet the six clashes, and the useful god is not in the ten-day void, it is neither strong nor weak, not ominous nor auspicious. Or for example, when predicting success in official positions, if neither the official ghost nor the children are present, and all six lines are active together, with wealth and parents also active at the same time, how can one interpret this?"

予曰：爾若垂廉賣卜，每日數卜之占，未必盡得顯而易見之卦，凶中藏吉，吉處藏凶者有之，必須奧理深求，細心參悟，爾欲自知趨避者，必然卦不亂占，心無雜念，每遇一事，即刻卜之，神不欺人。如若間有卦之恍惚，次早潔誠再卜，再遇恍惚，還可再卜，自然響應，只不可心懷兩事而占，一念至誠則應，若占兩三事者，則不靈也。

I replied to him: If you are hanging a curtain to divinate for others, and have to cast many hexagrams in a day, naturally you won't be clear about each one. There are cases where misfortune hides good fortune and good fortune conceals misfortune, and in such cases you must probe deeply into the profound principles and carefully ponder. But if you are only using divination to judge for yourself, then you can certainly do it: do not cast hexagrams carelessly, keep your mind free from distractions, and when you meet with an event, cast the hexagram right away. The spirits will not deceive you. If by chance you cast a hexagram that is unclear and hard to understand, you can cast it again early the next morning with a clean and sincere heart. If it is still unclear, you can cast it again, and naturally you will get a clear response. However, you must never cast a hexagram with two matters in your mind at the same time. A single and sincere thought produces a responsive divination; if you ask about two or three matters in one hexagram, it will not be effective.

又如占疾病更容易耳，一人有病，一家俱可代占，但有一卦爻逢六沖或卦變六沖，或用神值旬空或用神動而化空者即愈，久病逢此者難治。又如防災慮患，但得子孫持世，便與霹靂同居，管許安然無恙，有何難耶？

When it comes to divining about illness, it becomes even easier: when a person is sick, any member of the family can take the divination for him. If any of the hexagrams is a hexagram of six clashes, or if the original hexagram changes into one that is a hexagram of six clashes, or if the useful god is in the empty period, or if the useful god moves and the resulting line falls into an empty position, the illness will recover. However, if a long-term sick person encounters these situations, it will be difficult to recover. For example, when divining about preventing disasters and being cautious, if the line representing children is present in the world position, then even if he lives with thunder, he will remain safe and unharmed. How difficult is it to interpret the hexagrams in this way?

客曰：再占有瀆之，不敢再三，何敢連占幾日？予曰：因此一語，誤盡卜卦之人，豈不聞三人占聽二人之言，一事既可三處而占，何妨再占？然亦有不可再瀆者，以此一事一刻而再占也，須於次日再卜可也。又有連日亦不可再瀆者，如占功名，已得子孫持世，我心不悅，必欲求其官鬼持世而後已，此則謂之再三瀆也。

A guest said: The Book of Changes, the Meng hexagram, says, "The first divination tells, but if you repeat it three times, it is a violation, and violation brings no response." If you divinate again, it is a sacrilege to the divine, and if you dare not do it even twice, how can you dare to divinate for several days in a row? I said: It is exactly this sentence that has caused all diviners in the world to be misled. Have you never heard the saying from the Book of Documents, the Hongfan section, that "if three people divinate, follow the words of two of them"? If the same matter can be divined by three people separately, then why is it a problem to divinate again by oneself? However, there are indeed situations where one should not divinate again: if the same matter is divined again at the same hour, it is not acceptable, and one should wait until the next day to divinate. There are also situations where one should not divinate again for several days: for example, if one is divining about official status, and the divination shows that the children are present (indicating no hope for official status), and the person is not satisfied, insisting on divining until the official ghost appears, this is truly called "repeated violation."

然予亦有見其再三瀆者，未見神之不應也，予因少年復功名占過七次，竟有六次而得子孫持世，此乃神不厭我多問而屢報也。又有厭予多問者，如我問求財卦已明，現有財我心知矣，我再問之神不告矣，而又以我未占之事告我也。如一日占求財，旺財持世，是我明知辰日得財，次日再占一卦，果於辰日得財否？卦得申金兄動而不得，是何說耶？及到辰日得財，至申日因他事而破財。而悟辰日之得財，次日而再問之，神不告矣，報我申日而破財也。故知再三瀆者，神亦不見責而又報我未問之事也，此事極多。

But I have also seen people who repeatedly consult the oracle, and I have never seen the spirits stop responding because of that. When I was young, I consulted the oracle seven times in succession to recover my official status, and six of them showed the "children" (子孙) in the hexagram, which indicates no hope. This clearly shows that the spirits do not mind being asked repeatedly, but instead truthfully inform me each time. There were also times when the spirits seemed annoyed by my persistence: for instance, when I asked about seeking wealth, the hexagram was already clear, and I already knew there was wealth. When I asked again, the spirit did not repeat the answer but instead told me about something I had not asked about. One day I consulted about seeking wealth, and the hexagram showed the "prosperous wealth" (旺财) in the world, and I knew that on the day of Chen I would gain wealth. The next day I consulted again to confirm whether it was indeed on the day of Chen that I would gain wealth, but the hexagram showed the "brother" (兄弟) of the metal element (申金) moving, indicating that I would not gain wealth. What was going on? Later, on the day of Chen, I indeed gained wealth, but on the day of Shen, I lost wealth due to other matters. It was then that I realized: the matter of gaining wealth on the day of Chen was already reported in the first hexagram. When I consulted again the next day, the spirit did not repeat the same answer but instead foretold the loss of wealth on the day of Shen. From this, I understood that the phrase "repeatedly offending" (再三渎) does not anger the spirits; instead, they inform me about matters I have not asked about. I have experienced many such instances.

予著此書傳後賢之秘法者，無他法也，教學者凡遇卦之恍惚，心若未明，多占無礙，倘卦中已明現，不可再瀆。至於占病者，一人有病，一家俱可代占，自有顯然之卦，再者遇事即占，乘此心而未亂，不可多積事情於心，事多心亂即非一念之誠也。教其深學卜者，後有分占之法及予所辟諸書之謬，宜細味之，此皆予四十餘年須臾不離以得之也，實先賢之所未傳。須宜通前徹尾，細心詳悟，自然巧奪天工，參天地之化育，測鬼神之隱微而不難矣！

I wrote this book to pass on secret methods to future virtuous scholars. In reality, there is nothing else: when teaching divination, if the hexagram is unclear and one is uncertain, it is not wrong to cast the hexagram several times. But if the hexagram already clearly shows something, one should not ask further. As for divining illness, when a person is sick, any family member can take the hexagram on his behalf, and it will always result in a clear and definite hexagram. Furthermore, when encountering matters, one should cast the hexagram immediately, while the thought is still pure and not disturbed by other things. One should not accumulate many matters in the mind, for when the mind is confused by too many things, it is no longer a 'single sincere thought'. As for those who wish to study divination deeply, there is a section on 'divination by categories' at the end of this book, as well as my refutations of the errors in various divination books. These should be carefully considered and understood. All of these are the results of my forty years of constant practice in this field, which were not passed down by previous scholars. Readers should go through the book from beginning to end, carefully study and understand it, and naturally be able to achieve extraordinary skill, participate in the workings of heaven and earth, and understand the subtle workings of ghosts and spirits, which will not be difficult.

乾為父、震為長男、坎為中男、艮為少男；坤為母、巽為長女、離為中女、兌為少女。

The eight trigrams correspond to the members of a family: "Qian" symbolizes the father, "Zhen" represents the eldest son, "Kan" represents the second son, and "Gen" represents the youngest son; "Kun" symbolizes the mother, "Xun" represents the eldest daughter, "Li" represents the second daughter, and "Dui" represents the youngest daughter. This is the established symbolic association from the "Sayings on the Trigrams" section of the "Zhou Changes" (I Ching). The trigrams Qian and Kun represent the parents, while the other six trigrams are generated through the interaction of Qian and Kun. Among the three lines in each trigram, the one that is a yang line belongs to a male, and the one that is a yin line belongs to a female. The position of that line determines whether it is the eldest, middle, or youngest. Although the six-line divination method mainly uses the principles of the Five Phases and their interactions to determine fortune and misfortune, this symbolic relationship between parents and children is fundamental to understanding the trigrams. When reading the names of the trigrams or distinguishing between the inner and outer trigrams, one should first consider this symbolic association.

乾三連“三”，連得三爻俱是單，為乾卦（一點為單）。坤三斷“三三”，連得三爻俱是拆，為坤卦（兩點為拆）。震仰孟“＝：”，初爻單，二爻、三爻俱是拆，為震卦。艮覆碗“＝：”，初爻、二爻俱是拆，三爻單，為艮卦。離中虛“一一”，初爻單、二爻拆、三爻單，為離卦。坎中滿“一”，初爻拆、二爻單、三爻拆，為坎卦。兌上缺“二”，初爻、二爻俱是單，三爻拆，為兌卦。巽下斷“一一”，初爻拆，二爻、三爻俱是單，為巽卦。

This is a mnemonic for remembering the symbols of the Eight Trigrams. It should be used in conjunction with the trigram diagrams. When casting coins, if you get "single" (single), you draw one line, representing a yang line; if you get "split" (split), you draw two lines, representing a yin line. "Qian Three Connected" refers to three continuous lines, meaning all three lines are single, forming the Qian trigram. "Kun Three Broken" refers to three lines all broken in the middle, meaning all three lines are split, forming the Kun trigram. "Zhen Upright Bowl" refers to a trigram shape like an overturned bowl, with the first line single and the second and third lines split, forming the Zhen trigram. "Gen Inverted Bowl" refers to a trigram shape like an upside-down bowl, with the first and second lines split and the third line single, forming the Gen trigram. "Li Center Empty" refers to the middle line being empty, with the first line single, the second line split, and the third line single, forming the Li trigram. "Kan Center Full" refers to the middle line being solid, with the first line split, the second line single, and the third line split, forming the Kan trigram. "Dui Top Missing" refers to the top line having a gap, with the first and second lines single and the third line split, forming the Dui trigram. "Xun Bottom Broken" refers to the bottom line being broken, with the first line split and the second and third lines single, forming the Xun trigram. The symbols in quotation marks are copies of the carved trigram diagrams; in printed editions, they have become blurred and unclear. Readers can draw the trigrams themselves based on the descriptions of single and split.

乾宮八卦（俱屬金）：乾為天、天風姤、天山遁、天地否、風地觀、山地剝、火地晉、火天大有。坎宮八卦（俱屬水）：坎為水、水澤節、水雷屯、水火既濟、澤火革、雷火豐、地火明夷、地水師。艮宮八卦（屬土）：艮為山、山火賁、山天大畜、山澤損、火澤睽、天澤履、風澤中孚、風山漸。震宮八卦（屬木）：震為雷、雷地豫、雷水解、雷風恆、地風升、水風井、澤風大過、澤雷隨。

The sixty-four hexagrams are arranged in eight groups called 'palaces'. Each palace contains eight hexagrams, and the eight hexagrams in the same palace share the same five elements. When assigning the six relations, the five element of the palace is considered as 'I'. The arrangement follows a fixed pattern: the first hexagram is an eight-pure hexagram with the same trigrams above and below. Then, starting from the first line, each line is transformed one by one upwards. The second to sixth hexagrams are transformed in the order of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth lines respectively. The seventh hexagram is formed by transforming the fourth line again from the sixth hexagram, called the 'wandering soul hexagram'. The eighth hexagram is formed by restoring the third line of the inner trigram of the sixth hexagram, called the 'returning soul hexagram'. Let's look at the metal palace, which belongs to metal: Qian (Heaven) is the first hexagram (an eight-pure hexagram), followed by Gou (Heaven and Wind), Dun (Heaven and Mountain), Pi (Heaven and Earth), Guan (Wind and Earth), Bo (Mountain and Earth), Jin (Fire and Earth) as the wandering soul hexagram, and Da You (Fire and Heaven) as the returning soul hexagram. The water palace, which belongs to water, follows the same order: Kan (Water) is the first hexagram, followed by Jie (Water and Wind), Zhun (Water and Thunder), Ji Ji (Water and Fire), Ge (Fire and Water), Feng (Fire and Thunder), Ming Yi (Earth and Fire) as the wandering soul hexagram, and Shi (Earth and Water) as the returning soul hexagram. The earth palace, which belongs to earth, is: Gen (Mountain) is the first hexagram, followed by Bi (Fire and Mountain), Da Xu (Heaven and Mountain), Sun (Earth and Water), Kui (Fire and Water), Lv (Heaven and Water), Zhong Fu (Wind and Water) as the wandering soul hexagram, and Jian (Mountain and Wind) as the returning soul hexagram. The wood palace, which belongs to wood, is: Zhen (Thunder) is the first hexagram, followed by Yu (Earth and Thunder), Xie (Water and Thunder), Heng (Thunder and Wind), Sheng (Earth and Wind), Jing (Water and Wind), Da Guo (Wind and Water) as the wandering soul hexagram, and Sui (Thunder and Wind) as the returning soul hexagram.

巽宮八卦（屬木）：巽為風、風天小畜、風火家人、風雷益、天雷無妄、火雷噬嗑、山雷頤、山風蠱。離宮八卦（屬火）：離為火、火山旅、火風鼎、火水未濟、山水蒙、風水渙、天水訟、天火同人。坤官八卦（屬土）：坤為地、地雷復、地澤臨、地天泰、雷天大壯、澤天夬、水天需、水地比。兌宮八卦（屬金）：兌為澤、澤水困、澤地萃、澤地咸、水山蹇、地山謙、雷山小過、雷澤歸妹。

The following are the last four trigrams, following the same order as the first four. The trigrams of the Wood trigram Xun (巽) include: Xun (Wind) (the first pure trigram), Xiao Xu (Heavenly Wind Small Accumulation), Jia Ren (Fire Wind Family), Yi (Benefit), Wu Wang (Heavenly Thunder No Delusion), Shi Ke (Thunder Fire Eating the Fire), Yi (Thunder Mountain颐, a wandering soul), Gu (Mountain Wind蛊, a returning soul). The trigrams of the Fire trigram Li (离) include: Li (Fire), Lv (Mountain Fire Traveler), Ding (Fire Water Not Completed), Wei Ji (Water Fire Not Completed), Meng (Mountain Water Obscured), Huan (Water Fire Dispersed), Song (Heavenly Water Litigation, a wandering soul), Tong Ren (Heavenly Fire Union, a returning soul). The trigrams of the Earth trigram Kun (坤) (the original text mistakenly wrote 'official' instead of 'trigram'): Kun (Earth), Fu (Earth Thunder Rebirth), Lin (Earth Marsh Approaching), Tai (Heavenly Earth Peace), Da Zhuang (Thunder Heaven Great Strength), Guai (Marsh Heaven Decision), Xu (Water Heaven Waiting, a wandering soul), Bi (Water Earth Union, a returning soul). The trigrams of the Metal trigram Dui (兑) include: Dui (Marsh), Kun (Water Marsh Obstruction), Cui (Marsh Earth Accumulation), Xian (Marsh Mountain Mutual Attraction) (this trigram is commonly found in the standard version as 'Marsh Mountain Mutual Attraction', but the original text mistakenly wrote 'Mountain' instead of 'Earth'), Jian (Water Mountain Obstruction), Qian (Earth Mountain Humility), Xiao Guo (Thunder Mountain Small Excess, a wandering soul), Gui Mei (Thunder Marsh Marry, a returning soul). Together with the previous four trigrams, these make up the sixty-four trigrams. After determining the name of the trigram, the first step is to identify which trigram group it belongs to, and then determine the five categories of the six relations (brothers, parents, spouse, official ghost, children) based on the five elements of the trigram group.

八卦各宮全圖（初學點卦，不會裝卦者，須裝照此全圖裝拼、應五行）。 乾宮八卦屬金 乾為天　天風姤　天山遁 父母戌土′世　父母戌土′　父母戌土′ 兄弟中金′　兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′應 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′應　官鬼午火′ 父母辰士′應　兄弟酉金′　兄弟申金′ 妻財寅木′　子孫亥水′　官鬼午火″世 子孫子水′　父母丑士″世　父母辰土″ 天地否　風地觀　山地剝 父母戌土′應　妻財卯木′　妻財寅木′ 兄弟申金′　官鬼巳火′　子孫子水″世 官鬼午火′　父母未土″世　父母戌土″ 妻財卯木″世　妻財卯木″　妻財卯木″ 官鬼巳火″　官鬼巳火″　官鬼巳火″應 父母未土″　父母未土″應　父母未土″ 火地晉　火天大有 官鬼巳火′　官鬼巳火′應 父母未土″　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′世　兄弟酉金′ 妻財卯木″　父母辰土′世 官鬼巳火″　妻財寅木′ 父母未土″應　子孫子水′

Here is the complete diagram of the eight palaces and sixty-four hexagrams for beginners to refer to: Those who have just started learning to cast hexagrams and are not yet able to match the six relations and five phases themselves can directly copy down the earthly branches, five phases, six relations, and the world and response lines according to this diagram after identifying the hexagram name. Each section, from top to bottom, represents the sixth line to the first line. A single prime mark ' indicates a yang line (single), and a double prime mark " indicates a yin line (broken). First look at the Qian palace, where all eight trigrams belong to metal, so metal is considered 'siblings', earth is 'parents', wood is 'wealth', fire is 'official ghost', and water is 'children'. The position of the world line follows a fixed rule: in the first hexagram, the world line is on the sixth line; in the second hexagram, it moves down to the first line, and then proceeds upward for each subsequent hexagram. The third hexagram has the world line on the second line, the fourth on the third, the fifth on the fourth, and the sixth on the fifth. The seventh hexagram, the wandering soul, has the world line on the fourth line, and the eighth hexagram, the returning soul, has the world line on the third line. The response line is always two lines away from the world line. In the diagram, the world line of Qian (Heaven) is on the upper line, the world line of Tian Feng Gou (Heaven Wind Meeting) is on the first line, the world line of Tian Shan Dun (Heaven Mountain Retreat) is on the second line, the world line of Tian Di Pi (Heaven Earth Obstruction) is on the third line, the world line of Feng Di Guan (Wind Earth View) is on the fourth line, the world line of Shan Di Bo (Mountain Earth Splitting) is on the fifth line, the world line of Huo Di Jin (Fire Earth Progress) in the wandering soul state is on the fourth line, and the world line of Huo Tian Da You (Fire Heaven Great Abundance) in the returning soul state is on the third line, all of which are consistent. There are some errors in the original carving: the hexagram preceding Tian Feng Gou, which is 'siblings in metal', should be 'siblings in Shen metal'; the 'shi' in 'parents Chen shi' and 'parents Chou shi' should be read as 'earth'; readers can correct these according to the context.

兌宮八卦屬金 兌為澤　澤水困　澤地萃 父母來土、、世　父母未土、、　父母未土、、 兄弟酉金、　兄弟酉金、　兄弟酉金、應 子孫亥水；　子孫亥水、應　子孫亥水、 父母丑土、、應　官鬼午火、、　妻財卯木、、 妻財卯木、　父母辰土、　官鬼巳火、、世 官鬼巳火、　妻財卯木、、世　父母未土、、 澤山咸　水山蹇　地山謙 父母未土、、應　子孫子水、、　兄弟酉金、、 兄弟酉金、　父母戌土、　子孫亥水、、世 子孫亥水、　兄弟申金、、世　父母丑土、、 兄弟申金、世　兄弟申金、　兄弟申金、 官鬼午火、、　官鬼午火、、　官鬼午火、、應 父母辰土、、　父母辰土、、應　父母辰土、、 雷山小過　雷澤歸妹 父母戌土、、　父母戌土、、應 兄弟申金、、　兄弟申金、、 官鬼午火、世　官鬼午火、 兄弟申金、　父母丑土、、世 官鬼午火、、　妻財卯木、 父母辰土、、應　官鬼巳火、

The eight trigrams of the Dui palace all belong to metal, so the arrangement of the six relations is the same as in the Qian palace: metal is siblings, earth is parents, wood is wealth, fire is official ghost, and water is children. The notation in this palace uses a different symbol: a single "、" represents a yang line, and two connected "、、" represent a yin line, which is the same as the "′" and "″" used in the Qian palace, but the characters used in the printed version are not consistent. The eight trigrams in order are Dui as Lake, Lake Water Kun, Lake Earth Cui, Lake Mountain Xian, Water Mountain Jian, Earth Mountain Qian, plus the wandering soul trigram of Thunder Mountain Xiao Guo and the returning soul trigram of Thunder Lake Gui Mei. The world line is still placed according to the established rule: Dui as Lake has the world line at the top line with earth parents, Lake Water Kun moves down to the first line with wood, Lake Earth Cui moves up to the second line with fire, Lake Mountain Xian is at the third line with metal, Water Mountain Jian is at the fourth line with metal, Earth Mountain Qian is at the fifth line with water, Thunder Mountain Xiao Guo as a wandering soul moves back to the fourth line with fire, and Thunder Lake Gui Mei as a returning soul is placed at the third line with earth. Note that in the first trigram of this palace, the top line "parents come earth" is actually a mistake for "parents have earth," and the semicolon after "children have water" is also damaged, appearing as "、". Also, in this palace, the fourth trigram is written as "Lake Mountain Xian" here, whereas it was previously written as "Lake Earth Xian" in the previous trigram list, so this version is correct.

離宮八卦屬火 離為火　火山旅　火風鼎 兄弟巳火、世　兄弟巳火、　兄弟巳火、 子孫未土、、　子孫未土、、　子孫未土、、應 妻財酉金、　妻財酉金、應　妻財酉金、 官鬼亥水、應　妻財申金、　妻財酉金、 子孫丑土、、　兄弟午火、、　官鬼亥水、世 父母卯木、　子孫辰土、、世　子孫丑土、、 火水未濟　山水蒙　風水渙 兄弟巳火、應　父母寅木、　父母卯木、 子孫未土、、　官鬼子水、、　兄弟巳火、世 妻財酉金、　子孫戌土、、世　子孫未土、、 兄弟午火、、世　兄弟午火、、　兄弟午火、、 子孫辰土、　子孫辰土、　子孫辰土、應 父母寅木、、　父母寅木、、應　父母寅木、、 天水訟　天火同人 子孫戌士、　子孫戌土、應 妻財申金、　妻財申金、 兄弟午火、世　兄弟午火、 兄弟午火、、　官鬼亥水、世 子孫辰土、　子孫丑土、、 父母寅木、、應　父母卯木、

The eight trigrams of the fire palace all belong to the element of fire. The six relations are thus assigned as follows: fire is siblings, water is official ghost, earth is children, wood is parents, and metal is wealth. Those elements that are generated by the native palace's five phases are children, those that overcome the native palace's five phases are official ghosts, those that are overcome by the native palace's five phases are wealth, and those that are generated by the native palace's five phases are parents. The eight trigrams in order are: Li (Fire), Lv (Fire Mountain Travel), Ding (Fire Wind Tripod), Wei Ji (Fire Water Not Yet Completed), Meng (Mountain Water Obscured), Huan (Wind Water Dispersed), the wandering soul of Song (Heaven Water Dispute), and the returning soul of Tong Ren (Heaven Fire Mutual Support). The world line position: Li (Fire) is at the top line,巳 fire; Lv (Fire Mountain Travel) retreats to the first line,辰 earth; Ding (Fire Wind Tripod) is at the second line,亥 water; Wei Ji (Fire Water Not Yet Completed) is at the third line,午 fire; Meng (Mountain Water Obscured) is at the fourth line,戌 earth; Huan (Wind Water Dispersed) is at the fifth line,巳 fire; the wandering soul of Song (Heaven Water Dispute) retreats to the fourth line,午 fire; and the returning soul of Tong Ren (Heaven Fire Mutual Support) is at the third line,亥 water. In the diagram, the term 「子孙戌士」 should be read as 「子孙戌土」. Additionally, the third line of Lv (Fire Mountain Travel) is marked as 「妻财申金」, which according to the inner trigram of the Jiazi (Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch) in the艮 palace should be 「妻财申金」, differing from the 「妻财酉金」 in Ding (Fire Wind Tripod). Readers should verify each line according to the earthly branch of the first trigram in the palace.

震宮八卦屬木 震為雷　雷地豫　雷水解 妻財戌士、、世　妻財戌土、、　妻財戌土、、 官鬼申金、、　官鬼申金、、　官鬼申金、、應 子孫午火　子孫午火、應　子孫午火、 妻財辰土、、應　兄弟卯木、、　子孫午火、． 兄弟寅木、、　子孫巳火、、　妻財辰士、世 父母子水、　妻財未土、、世　兄弟寅木、、 雷風恆　地風升　水風井 妻財戌土、、應　官鬼酉金、、　父母子水、、 官鬼申金、、　父母亥水、、　妻財戌土、世 子孫午火、　妻則丑土、、世　官鬼申金、、 官鬼酉金、世　官鬼酉金、　官鬼酉金、 父母亥水、　父母亥水、　父母亥水、應 妻財丑土、、　妻財丑土、、應　妻財丑土、、 澤風大過　澤雷隨 妻財未土、、　妻財未土、、應 官鬼酉金、　官鬼酉金、 父母亥水、世　父母亥水、 官鬼酉金、　妻財辰士、、世 父母亥水、　兄弟寅木、、 妻財丑土、、應　父母子水、

The trigrams in the Zhen (Thunder) group all belong to the Wood element. The method of matching the Six Relations is as follows: Wood is Siblings, Water is Parents (Water nourishes Wood), Metal is Official Ghost (Metal controls Wood), Fire is Children (Wood produces Fire), and Earth is Wealth (Wood controls Earth). The eight trigrams in order are Zhen (Thunder), Yu (Thunder over Earth), Xie (Thunder over Water), Heng (Thunder over Wind), Sheng (Earth over Wind), Jing (Water over Wind), Da Guo (Lake over Wind), and Sui (Thunder over Lake). The wandering soul is Da Guo (Lake over Wind) and the returning soul is Sui (Thunder over Lake). The World Line is: Zhen (Thunder) is on the top line at the earth element Wu (戌土), Yu (Thunder over Earth) retreats to the first line at the earth element Wei (未土), Xie (Thunder over Water) is on the second line at the earth element Chen (辰土), Heng (Thunder over Wind) is on the third line at the metal element You (酉金), Sheng (Earth over Wind) is on the fourth line at the earth element Chou (丑土), Jing (Water over Wind) is on the fifth line at the earth element Wu (戌土), Da Guo (Lake over Wind) as a wandering soul returns to the fourth line at the water element Hai (亥水), and Sui (Thunder over Lake) as a returning soul is on the third line at the earth element Chen (辰土). This section of the text has many errors in the carved characters: the '士' in '妻财戌士' and '妻财辰士' should both be '土', the '妻则丑土' in Sheng (Earth over Wind) should be '妻财丑土', and there is an extra dot at the end of the third line of Xie (Thunder over Water), which is a carving error and should be ignored. Additionally, in the fourth line of Zhen (Thunder), the '子孙午火' is missing the symbol for a yang line. According to the arrangement of the six lines in the Zhen trigram, it is a yang line.

巽宮八卦屬木 巽為風　風天小畜　風火家人 兄弟卯木、世　兄弟卯木、　兄弟卯木、 子孫巳火、　子孫巳火、　子孫巳火、應 妻財未土、、　妻財未土、、應　妻財未土、、 官鬼酉金、應　妻財辰土、　父母亥水、 父母亥水、　兄弟寅木、　妻財丑土、、世 妻財丑土、、　父母子水、世　兄弟卯木、 風雷益　天雷無妄　火雷噬嗑 兄弟卯木、應　妻財戌土、　子孫巳火、 子孫巳火、　官鬼申金、　妻財未土、、世 妻財未土、、　子孫午火、世　官鬼酉金、 妻財辰土、、世　妻財辰土、、　妻財辰土、、 兄弟寅木、、　兄弟寅木、、　兄弟寅木、、應 父母子水、　父母子水、應　父母子水、 山雷顧　山風蠱 兄弟寅木、　兄弟寅木、應 父母子水、、　父母子水、、 妻財戌土、、世　妻財戌土、、 妻財辰土、、　官鬼酉金、世 兄弟寅木、、　父母亥水、 父母子水、應　妻財丑土、、

The eight trigrams of the Xun hexagram group also belong to wood. The method of matching the six relations is the same as for the Zhen hexagram group: wood is siblings, water is parents, metal is official ghost, fire is children, and earth is wealth. The eight trigrams in order are Xun as wind, Xiao Xu (wind over heaven), Jia Ren (fire over wind), Yi (thunder over wind), Wu Wang (thunder over heaven), Shi Ke (fire over thunder), the wandering soul Yi (thunder over mountain), and the returning soul Gu (wind over mountain). The position of the world line: Xun as wind is at the top line, the first line of Xiao Xu is the water zi, Jia Ren is at the second line, the third line of Yi is earth chen, Wu Wang is at the fourth line, Shi Ke is at the fifth line, the wandering soul Yi is at the fourth line, and the returning soul Gu is at the third line. The term "Shan Lei Gu" in the diagram is a variant form of "Shan Lei Yi." Pay attention to the two hexagrams Wu Wang (thunder over heaven) and Shi Ke (fire over thunder): the outer trigram of Wu Wang is Qian, which includes the earth branches xu, shen, and wu; the outer trigram of Shi Ke is Li, which includes the earth branches si, wei, and you. The earth branches of the top three lines of these two hexagrams are completely different, and it is most easy to misread them when copying the diagram. Therefore, each line must be carefully aligned.

坎宮八卦屬水 坎為水　水澤節　水雷屯 兄弟子水、、世　兄弟子水、、　兄弟子水、、 官鬼戌土、　官鬼戌土、　官鬼戌土、應 父母申金、、　父母申金、、應　父母申金、、 妻財午火、、應　官鬼丑土、、　官鬼辰土、、 官鬼辰土、　子孫卯木、　子孫寅木、、世 子孫寅木、、　妻財巳火、世　兄弟子水、 水火既濟　澤火革　雷火豐 兄弟子水、、應　官鬼未土、、　官鬼戌土、、 官鬼戌土、　父母酉金、　父母申金、、世 父母申金、、　兄弟亥水、世　妻財午火、 兄弟亥水、世　兄弟亥水、　兄弟亥水、 官鬼丑土、、　官鬼丑土、、　官鬼丑土、、應 子孫卯木、　子孫卯木、應　子孫卯木、 地火明夷　地水師 父母酉金、、　父母酉金、、應 兄弟亥水、、　兄弟亥水、、 官鬼五上、、世　官鬼丑士、、 兄弟亥水、　妻財午火、、世 官鬼丑上、、　官鬼辰土、 子孫卯木、應　子孫寅木、、

The eight trigrams of the Kan palace all belong to water. The six relations are arranged as follows: water is siblings, fire is wealth (water controls fire), earth is official ghost (earth controls water), metal is parents (metal generates water), and wood is children (water generates wood). The eight trigrams in order are Kan as water, water and marsh Jie, water and thunder Zhun, water and fire Ji Ji, marsh and fire Ge, thunder and fire Feng, the wandering soul of earth and fire Ming Yi, and the returning soul of earth and water Shi. The world line is: Kan as water is on the top line with Zi water, water and marsh Jie retreats to the first line with Si fire, water and thunder Zhun is on the second line with Yin wood, water and fire Ji Ji is on the third line with Hai water, marsh and fire Ge is on the fourth line with Hai water, thunder and fire Feng is on the fifth line with Shen metal, the wandering soul of earth and fire Ming Yi returns to the fourth line with Chou earth, and the returning soul of earth and water Shi is on the third line with Chou earth. The hexagram of earth and fire Ming Yi is the most damaged: "official ghost five above" is mistakenly recorded as "official ghost Chou earth," and "official ghost Chou above" is also "official ghost Chou earth," while "official ghost Chou earth" in earth and water Shi is also "Chou earth." In all cases where the characters are questionable, one should refer back to the order of the stem assignment of the first hexagram in this palace for verification.

艮宮八卦屬土 艮為山　山火賁　山天大畜 官鬼寅木、世　官鬼寅木、　官鬼寅木、 妻財子水、、　妻財子水、、　妻財子水、、應 兄弟戌土、、　兄弟戌土、、應　兄弟戌土、、 子孫申金、應　妻財亥水、　兄弟辰土、 父母午火、、　兄弟丑土、、　官鬼寅木、世 兄弟辰土、、　官鬼卯木、世　妻財子水、 山澤損　火澤睽　天澤履 官鬼寅木、應　父母巳火、　兄弟戌土、 妻財子水、、　兄弟未土、、　子孫申金、世 兄弟戌土、、　子孫酉金、世　父母午火、 兄弟丑土、、世　兄弟丑土、、　兄弟丑土、、 官鬼卯木、　官鬼卯木、　官鬼卯木、應 父母巳火、　父母巳火、應　父母巳火、 風澤中孚　風山漸 官鬼卯木、　官鬼卯木、應 父母巳火、　父母巳火、 兄弟未土、、世　兄弟未土、、 兄弟丑土、、　子孫申金、世 官鬼卯木、　父母午火、、 父母巳火、應　兄弟辰土、、

The eight trigrams of the Gen palace all belong to earth. The method of matching the six relations is as follows: earth is siblings, fire is parents (fire generates earth), wood is official ghost (wood controls earth), water is wife and wealth (earth controls water), and metal is children (earth generates metal). The eight trigrams in order are Gen (mountain), mountain fire Bi, mountain heaven Da Xu, mountain marsh Sun, fire marsh Kui, heaven marsh Lv, the wandering soul Feng Ze Zhong Fu, and the returning soul Feng Shan Jian. The world line: Gen (mountain) is at the top line,寅 wood; mountain fire Bi retreats to the first line,卯 wood; mountain heaven Da Xu is at the second line,寅 wood; mountain marsh Sun is at the third line,丑 earth; fire marsh Kui is at the fourth line,酉 metal; heaven marsh Lv is at the fifth line,申 metal; the wandering soul Feng Ze Zhong Fu retreats to the fourth line,未 earth; and the returning soul Feng Shan Jian is at the third line,申 metal. In this palace, special attention should be paid to distinguishing between 'official ghost' and 'siblings':寅 wood and卯 wood both control earth, so they are all considered official ghost; the four earths,辰,戌,丑,未, are of the same type and are all considered siblings. Beginners often mistakenly take辰 earth as wife and wealth, so remember that earth is the self of this palace, and when encountering earth, it can only be siblings.

坤宮八卦屬土 坤為地　地雷復　地澤臨 子孫酉金、、世　子孫酉金、、　子孫酉金、、 妻財亥水、、　妻財亥水、、　妻財亥水、、應 兄弟丑土、、　兄弟丑土、、應　兄弟丑土、、 官鬼卯木、、應　兄弟辰土、、　兄弟丑土、、 父母巳火、、　官鬼寅木、、　官鬼卯木、世 兄弟未土、、　妻財子水、世　父母巳火、 地天泰　雷天大壯　澤天夬 子孫酉金、、應　兄弟戌土、、　兄弟未土、、 妻財亥水．．　子孫申金、、　子孫酉金、世 兄弟丑土、、　父母午火、世　妻財亥水 兄弟辰士、世　兄弟辰土、　兄弟辰土、 官鬼寅木、　官鬼寅木、　官鬼寅木、應 妻財子水、　妻財子水、應　妻財子水、 水天需　水地比 妻財子水、、　妻財子水、、應 兄弟戌土、　兄弟戌土、 子孫申金、、世　子孫申金、、 兄弟辰土、　官鬼卯木、、世 官鬼寅木、　父母巳火、、 妻財子水、應　兄弟未土、、

The eight trigrams of the Kun palace all belong to earth, and the method of pairing the six relations is the same as that of the Gen palace: earth is siblings, fire is parents, wood is official ghost, water is wife and wealth, and metal is children. The eight trigrams in order are Kun as earth, earth above water as Fu, earth above lake as Lin, earth above heaven as Tai, thunder above heaven as Da Zhuang, lake above heaven as Guai, the wandering soul of water above heaven as Xu, and the returning soul of water above earth as Bi. The world line: Kun as earth is on the top line at You metal, earth above water Fu retreats to the first line at Zi water, earth above lake Lin is on the second line at Mao wood, earth above heaven Tai is on the third line at Chen earth, thunder above heaven Da Zhuang is on the fourth line at Wu fire, lake above heaven Guai is on the fifth line at You metal, the wandering soul of water above heaven Xu retreats to the fourth line at Shen metal, and the returning soul of water above earth Bi is on the third line at Mao wood. In the diagram, the two dots for "wife and wealth Hai water" are the yao symbols of yin lines, and the "earth" in "siblings Chen earth" should still be written as "earth." The fourth line "wife and wealth Hai water" in lake above heaven Guai is missing the yao symbol; according to the method of Najia, with乾 palace inside and 兑 palace outside, it is a yang line. The entire diagram of the eight palaces is now complete. A person casting a hexagram only needs to recognize the hexagram name and copy each line according to this section of the palace. The world line, response line, five phases, and six relations will all be complete.

當年有一朋友宦遊之時，野鶴老人以此全圖相送，友說：我不知五行焉能斷卦？答曰：先學點卦，點出卦象看是何卦，即出全圖內尋出此卦，照樣裝排“世”“應”“五行”“六親”，不用念卦畫，不知五行生剋之理，亦能決斷四宗大事，不管卦中動與不動即照此圖內單看世爻。如占防憂慮患者，若得子孫持世無憂，官鬼持世憂疑難解，須加意防之。占功名者若得官鬼持世即許成名，子孫持世且待時。占求財妻財持世者必得，兄弟持世者難求。占病者若得六沖卦近病不藥而癒，久病妙藥難調。

Once there was a friend who was about to go out and take an official post. The Wild Crane Elder gave him this complete diagram. The friend said, "I don't even understand the Five Phases, how can I interpret the divination?" The Wild Crane Elder replied, "First learn to set up the hexagram, shake out the hexagram and see which one it is. Then find this hexagram in the complete diagram, and copy down the 'World Line' and 'Response Line', the earthly branches and the Five Phases. In this way, there is no need to memorize the hexagram shapes, nor to understand the principles of the Five Phases and their mutual generation and overcoming. You can still judge the four major matters. Moreover, regardless of whether there is a moving line in the hexagram, just looking at the 'World Line' in this diagram is enough. Specifically, when divining about worries and troubles, if the 'Children' line is on the 'World Line', there will be no worries; if the 'Official Ghost' line is on the 'World Line', there will be difficult troubles, and one must be especially cautious. When divining about official rank, if the 'Official Ghost' line is on the 'World Line', he will achieve fame; if the 'Children' line is on the 'World Line', he can only wait for the right opportunity. When divining about seeking wealth, if the 'Wealth' line is on the 'World Line', he will certainly gain wealth; if the 'Siblings' line is on the 'World Line', it will be difficult to obtain wealth. When divining about illness, if the hexagram is a 'Six Clashes' hexagram, new illness will get better without medicine, but long-term illness is hard to cure with good medicine."

友問：何以謂之子孫持世？答：子孫與世字同在一爻者即是子孫持世。倘得官鬼與世字同在一爻者即是官鬼持世，其餘兄弟、妻財持世皆由此說。或問：何謂六沖卦？答：六沖卦者乾為天、坎為水、艮為山、震為雷、巽為風、離為火、坤為地、兌為澤，此八宮第一卦皆是六沖卦，再者天雷無妄、雷天大壯也是六沖卦一共十卦，其餘不是。

A friend asked: How is "子孙持世" determined? The answer: When the words "子孙" and "世" are marked on the same line, it is called "子孙持世"; if "官鬼" and "世" are on the same line, it is called "官鬼持世"; similarly, "兄弟持世" and "妻财持世" are determined in the same way. Another question: What is a "六冲卦"? The answer: A "六冲卦" is a hexagram where the earthly branches of the six lines in the upper and lower trigrams are in mutual conflict. There are ten such hexagrams: the first hexagrams of the eight palaces—Qian (Hexagram 1), Kan (Hexagram 29), Gen (Hexagram 52), Zhen (Hexagram 51), Xun (Hexagram 57), Li (Hexagram 30), Kun (Hexagram 2), Dui (Hexagram 58)—are all six clashes; in addition, Wu Wang (Hexagram 25) and Da Zhuang (Hexagram 34) are also six clashes. In total, there are ten hexagrams that are six clashes, and the remaining fifty-four are not.

或問：求官者若得官鬼持世，求名必成，求財者得妻財持世，求財必得，倘若官鬼爻與妻財爻或值旬空月破或被卦中子孫發動以傷官，兄弟發動以傷財，雖遇官鬼持世、妻財持世有何益也。答：你知五行之理，神早知之，所得之卦，若非凶中藏吉，定是吉中藏凶。此乃神聖引人以知其奧，自然要看旬空、月破，生克、沖刑，今吾友不知五行之理，神亦早知，如若求名，禱於神曰：功名若成，賜我於官鬼持世。倘若無望，賜我子孫持世。如占防憂患，禱於神曰：目下若有禍者，卦得官鬼持世，若能免禍逃災者，賜我於子孫持世。所得之卦自然顯而易見，若有隱微者即是神變欺人，何以為神？

Some people question: If someone seeking official position gets the official ghost爻 in the current position, they will surely achieve fame; if someone seeking wealth gets the wife and wealth爻 in the current position, they will surely gain wealth. But what if the official ghost爻 or wife and wealth爻 is exactly in the "ten-thousand empty" or meets the "month breaker," or is injured by the activated children爻 or robbed by the activated siblings爻? Then even though the official ghost爻 or wife and wealth爻 is in the current position, what use is it? The Wild Crane Elder replied: Since you understand the principles of the Five Phases, the gods already know you do. Therefore, the divination given to you is either a bad situation hiding good fortune or a good situation concealing danger. This is exactly how the gods intend to guide you to understand the subtleties. You should naturally look at the ten-thousand empty, month breaker, generation and overcoming, and conflict and punishment. Now my friend does not understand the Five Phases at all. The gods already know he does not. Therefore, when he seeks official position, he should pray to the gods: If success is possible, grant me a divination with the official ghost爻 in the current position; if there is no hope, grant me a divination with the children爻 in the current position. When he seeks to prevent worries and troubles, he should pray: If there is indeed misfortune now, grant me a divination with the official ghost爻 in the current position; if misfortune can be avoided, grant me a divination with the children爻 in the current position. The divination he receives in this way will be clear and straightforward. If he is given a hidden and ambiguous divination, then it is the gods deceiving people in various ways, and how can they still be called gods?

況我作此一段簡易之法，單欲教其全不知五行之理者學會點卦，即照全圖裝排就知決斷四宗大事。倘若稍知五行之理者，不可以此為法，務必細讀此書卷後何謂空而不空，破而不破，何為墓而不墓，絕而不絕。何為真反吟假反吟，何謂進不進、退不退，何為回頭克者生，何為回頭克者死。何處可看用神，何處不看用神，何為占此而應彼，何為占遠而應近，何為得其法者百占百靈，何為不得其法者百占不驗。伺為元神不生用神，何為忌神無力能害用神。何處闢諸占者之謬，何處增巧驗之奇。細觀種種秘法，方能決事如神。

Moreover, I established this simple method merely to teach those who have no knowledge of the Five Phases how to cast a hexagram and judge four major matters by simply arranging the diagram properly. However, for those who have a basic understanding of the Five Phases, this method should not be regarded as a fixed rule. They must carefully study the various sections at the end of this book to understand these key points: what is meant by "empty but not empty," "broken but not broken"; what is "buried but not buried," "extinct but not extinct"; what is true reverse chant and what is false reverse chant; what is "advancing but not advancing," "retreating but not retreating"; when a reverse overcoming is actually beneficial and when it is harmful; in which situations one should look at the useful god and in which situations it is unnecessary; what it means to divinate about one matter but find the result in another; what it means to divinate about long-term matters but find the result in the present; why those who master the method are always accurate while those who do not are never correct; under what circumstances the origin god cannot generate the useful god, and under what circumstances the hostile god, though weak, can still harm the useful god; which parts of the book refute the mistaken views of old diviners and which parts present new, refined examples that have been verified. Only by thoroughly studying these secret methods can one become truly adept at divination.

又問：假令占防災、慮、患，若得子孫持世自是無憂，若得官鬼持世驚恐必見，若卦中並不現者何以決之？答：一卦不見再占一卦，再若不見他日又占，昔人泥其不敢再占，所以無法。我見易經有：“三人占聽二人之言。”古人一事既可決於三處，今人何妨再占，余生平以來稍得其奧者全賴多占之力也，事之緩者，遲遲再占，事急者歇歇又占。不管早晚，不必焚香。深更半夜亦可占之。只要單為此事而占，不可又占他事，但有心懷兩三事而占卦者，非一念之誠，決無靈驗。

Someone once asked: If one is divining to prevent disasters and be cautious, if the Children's trigram holds the world (世), there is no worry; but if the Official Ghost's trigram holds the world, there will certainly be fear. However, if neither of these appears in the hexagram, how should one interpret it? The answer is: if the first hexagram does not reveal clearly, then take another hexagram. If it still does not clarify, wait until another day and divinate again. Previous generations were stuck on the phrase 'not daring to divinate again,' so when the hexagram was ambiguous, they were at a loss. I have seen an ancient saying: 'If three people divinate, follow the words of two of them' (this saying comes from the Book of Documents, but the Wild Crane Elder here attributes it to the Book of Changes). In ancient times, one matter could be decided by consulting three sources; how could it be wrong for a modern person to divinate again? I have gained a slight understanding of its subtleties throughout my life, all thanks to frequent divination. For matters that take time, divinate gradually; for urgent matters, wait a while and divinate again. There is no need to be concerned about the time of day or to burn incense; even in the middle of the night, one can divinate. The only requirement is: divinate solely for this one matter, and do not bring up other matters. Anyone who has multiple matters in mind while divining is not 'sincere in one thought,' and such divination will certainly not be effective.

假令占功名或是官鬼持世，或是子孫持世，得其一者得失已知，不必占矣，不必厭其子孫持世，務求其官鬼持世而後已，此非理也。如占求財或是妻財持世或是兄弟持世，得其一者則止，不必再占。倘一事而與眾人同其禍福者，各占一卦決之更易。即如行舟遇暴風，家中防火燭，人人俱可占之。

For example, when divining about official rank or fame, if the result shows either the official ghost or the children holding the world, then whether it will succeed or fail is already clear, and there is no need to continue the divination. Do not avoid the children holding the world and insist on getting the official ghost to stop, which is unreasonable. The same applies to divining about wealth; if either the wife's wealth or the siblings hold the world, then once one of them appears, you should stop divining, without needing to continue. If the success or failure of this matter involves many people sharing the responsibility, then each person should divinate separately, which makes the decision easier. For instance, if a ship is caught in a storm or a family is preparing against fire hazards, everyone on the ship or in the family can divinate individually.

但有一卦若得子孫持世皆同無患。又如占疾病，病人自占，若不得六沖卦者一家俱可代占，但有一人得六沖之卦，或繫近病或繫久病吉凶合瞭然矣？世人凡有疑難，開口則說求神問卜。可見欲知未來之吉凶，除卜之外，無他矣。我習周易有年，所卜之事，感應之理，就如神聖開口說話。真令人毛骨悚然。因而不知周易之妙，不念卦書，不得不送此秘訣，試去行之，覓見其靈，從此自肯唸書學卜，此法甚善。你亦可以傳人縉紳、士民、行商、坐賈，無人不可。不用須要全不知五行生剋之人方用此法，倘若稍知五行者，神必現隱微之卦，須要先念渾天甲子、六親歌，占出卦來會裝五行六採。

Among these many hexagrams, if there is just one that is held by the children, then all those living together will not suffer misfortune. For example, when divining about illness, if the patient himself divines and does not get a hexagram of the Six Clashes, then the whole family can take turns divining for him; but if anyone gets a hexagram of the Six Clashes, then whether the illness is new or long-standing, the fortune and misfortune will be clear. People in the world, when they have doubts, often immediately say they want to pray to gods and consult divination, showing that if they want to foresee future fortune and misfortune, there is no other way but divination. I have studied The Zhou Changes for many years, and whenever I have divined something, the principle of response is so clear that it seems as if the gods themselves are speaking, truly making one feel a chill down the spine. Because this friend does not understand the subtlety of The Zhou Changes and is unwilling to read the divination books, I had no choice but to pass on this secret method to him, so that he may try it out. Once he sees its effectiveness, he will naturally be willing to study the books and learn divination. This method is very good. You can also pass it on to others, whether officials, scholars, merchants, or common people, no one is unable to use it. However, it should be explained that it is not only for those who completely do not understand the Five Phases and their mutual generation and overcoming. If one has a slight understanding of the Five Phases, the gods will certainly give him a subtle and hidden hexagram. In that case, one must first memorize the "Holistic Heaven and Earth" and the "Six Relations Song," and after divining the hexagram, one must be able to assign the Five Phases and the Six Relations oneself (the original text's "six colors" is a mistake for "six relations").

再學變動，卦中必有動爻，動則必變。即知動變然後再看用神、元神、忌神，知此者即如入周易之門也。再看四時旺相章、五行相生相剋章、五行相沖相合章、旬空月破生旺墓絕章，又如進周易之堂也。再看後卷各門各類占何事以何法斷之，漸漸由淺入深，以得其奧，不須半載工夫，得餘數十年之真學也。今餘先點一卦，教爾學看用神及五行生剋旺衰之理。

Next, we will learn about "movement" and "change": in a hexagram, there will always be a moving line, and once it moves, it will transform into another line. When you understand movement and change, then you can look at the "useful god," "origin god," and "hostile god." When you reach this level, you have entered the door of the Zhou Yi. Then read the chapters on the "Four Seasons Prosperity and Strength," "Five Phases Mutual Generation," "Five Phases Mutual Control," and the chapters on mutual conflict and harmony of the Five Phases, as well as those on the旬空 (decade emptiness), Month Breaker (month breaker), and the concepts of birth, strength, burial, and decline. By doing so, you will have entered the hall of the Zhou Yi. Then read the subsequent volumes, which are organized by categories, and see which category of events should be judged using which method. Proceeding from shallow to deep, you will gradually grasp the essence. Within half a year, you will be able to learn my decades of genuine knowledge. Now I will present a hexagram to show you the principles of the "useful god" and the generation, control, prosperity, and decline of the Five Phases.

凡問事先寫年月日辰，再照六神章中寫出六神然後占卦。即如占得乾為天卦： 父母戌土′世 兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′ 父母辰土′應 妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′ 自占吉凶者以世爻為用神，此卦世臨戌土，即以此戌土自己之身。宜於旺相，最怕休囚。宜逢巳午之火相生，忌寅卯之木而相剋，又不宜世爻落空，更不宜世爻臨月破。此世爻戌土有四處生克沖合。

Whenever one asks a question, first write down the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the day, month, and year on paper. Then, according to the mnemonic in the "Six Spirits Chapter," place the six spirits—Qinglong, Zhuque, Gouchen, Tengshe, Baihu, and Xuanwu—next to the six lines of the hexagram. Only then can the hexagram be cast. For example, if the hexagram is "Qian (Heaven) over Qian (Heaven)," the six lines from top to bottom are: the top line is the parent戌土 (yang line, the world line is here), the fifth line is the brother申金, the fourth line is the official ghost午火, the third line is the parent辰土 (the response line is here), the second line is the wife's wealth寅木, and the first line is the son子水. When one divines their own fortune, the world line is considered the useful god. In this hexagram, the world line is戌土, which represents the person divining the fortune. It is favorable when this戌土 is prosperous and strong, and it is most feared when it is weak and confined. It prefers to meet巳火 or午火 to generate (fire generates earth), and it fears encountering寅木 or卯木 to overcome (wood overcomes earth). It is also unfavorable if the world line is in "shen kong" (empty), and even more so if it meets "yue po" (month breaker). This world line戌土 has four positions that can affect it through generation, overcoming, conflict, or combination.

月建能生克沖合：此卦世爻戌土如在寅卯月占卦，被寅卯之木傷克，即為世爻受傷。自占吉凶者謂之休囚不利。若在辰月占卦，辰沖戌土，戌為月破，此謂之世爻逢月破，即如自己身子如破格也，百無所為。若在巳午月占卦，巳午之火乃是官鬼，能生戌土，謂之火旺土相，世爻逢旺相，諸事可為。若在未丑月占卦，此兩月土旺之時亦能幫扶戌土，此世爻戌土亦謂之旺相，亦以為吉。若在戌月占卦，世爻戌土而為月建，此旺相以當時也，自占吉凶，諸事享通。若在申、酉、亥、子月占卦此戌土皆為洩氣之時，謂之世爻休囚無力。此謂之月建能生克、沖合世爻戌土之用神也。要知何以謂之用神者，自占吉凶用此世爻為主，不說世爻而曰用神，占父母以父母爻為用神。

The first point is that the month builder (the earthly branch of the month when the divination is cast) can generate, overcome, clash, or harmonize with the world line. Taking the world line as the earth dog (戌土) in this hexagram: if the divination is cast in the寅 or卯 month, wood overcomes earth, and the world line is injured by the寅 or卯 wood, which is called the world line being harmed, and the fortune of the self is called weak and confined. If the divination is cast in the辰 month, the辰 and戌 clash, and the戌 earth becomes the "month breaker," which is called the world line meeting the month breaker, like oneself already being broken and disqualified, and nothing can be accomplished. If the divination is cast in the巳 or午 month, the fire in the primary hexagram is the official ghost, and fire generates earth, which is called "fire is strong and earth is prosperous," and the world line receives the prosperous and strong energy, so all matters can be undertaken. If the divination is cast in the未 or丑 month, these two months are times when earth is strong, and similar elements support each other, which can also support the戌 earth, and the world line is still considered prosperous and strong, which is favorable. If the divination is cast in the戌 month, the world line戌 earth itself is the month builder, which is the strongest time, and all matters are smooth and favorable. If the divination is cast in the申,酉,亥, or子 months, earth generates gold and overcomes water, which are times of losing energy and exhausting strength, which is called the world line being weak and powerless. This is the principle of the month builder generating, overcoming, clashing, or harmonizing with the world line戌 earth as the useful god. It is also necessary to explain what the "useful god" means: when divining one's own fortune, the world line is the main focus, and it is not called the world line but the useful god; similarly, when divining about parents, the parents' line is the useful god, and when divining about other matters, each has its own focus.

日辰能生克沖合：此卦世爻戌土，若在寅卯日占卦，寅卯之木能克戌土，此世爻受日辰傷克不利之象。若在辰日占卦，辰沖戌土，謂之世爻暗動。若在巳午日占卦，巳午之火即是官鬼能生戌土。此謂之世爻逢官鬼而生旺，諸事皆吉。若在未丑日占卦，土遇土而幫扶，此戌土亦為得助。若在戌日占卦，謂之世爻臨日建當令得權。若在申酉亥子日占卦，此戌土無克無生。此謂之日建能生克沖合用神也。

The second point is that the day branch (the branch of the day on which the divination is performed) can generate, control, clash, or combine with the subject. Taking the example of the world line, which is the戌 earth in this case: if the divination is performed on a寅 or卯 day, the wood of寅 or卯 can control the戌 earth, indicating an unfavorable situation where the world line is harmed by the day branch. If the divination is performed on a辰 day, the辰 clashes with the戌 earth, which is called "covert movement" — a static line becoming strong due to the clash with the day branch, appearing still but actually moving. If the divination is performed on a巳 or午 day, the fire of巳 or午 is the official ghost of the primary hexagram, which can generate the戌 earth, indicating the world line receiving support from the official ghost and becoming stronger, resulting in favorable outcomes. If the divination is performed on a未 or丑 day, the earth of未 or丑 is similar to the戌 earth, providing support. If the divination is performed on a戌 day, the world line is directly on the day branch, thus being in its prime and holding authority. If the divination is performed on a申,酉,亥, or子 day, the戌 earth is neither controlled nor generated by the day branch, resulting in neither good nor bad fortune. This is the principle of the day branch's ability to generate, control, clash, or combine with the subject. It is important to note that although the day branch and the month builder both have authority, the day branch is always strong throughout the four seasons, unlike the month builder, which only governs one month.

卦中之動爻能生克沖合。此卦世爻戌土，倘卦中第二爻寅木發動能克戌土，第四爻午火官鬼發動能生戌土，第三爻辰土發動能沖戌土，此謂之卦中之動爻能生、克、沖、合用神。世爻發動變出之爻能回頭生、克、沖、合。世爻發動，動而必變，變出巳午之火謂之回頭生世。變出寅卯之木謂之回頭克世，變出辰土謂之回頭沖世，變出卯木謂之合世。此謂之用神自動變出之爻能生克沖合用神也。

The third point is that the moving line in the hexagram can generate, control, clash with, or harmonize with the useful god. Take the world line, which is the earth dog (戌土) in this hexagram: if the second line, which is the tiger (寅木), moves, the wood controls the earth, thus harming the earth dog; if the fourth line, which is the dragon (午火) official ghost, moves, the fire generates the earth, thus supporting the earth dog; if the third line, which is the dragon (辰土), moves, the dragon and earth dog clash, thus clashing with the earth dog. This is called the moving line in the hexagram exerting effects of generation, control, clash, and harmony on the useful god—remember that only the moving line has this power, while the stationary lines do not actively generate or control other lines. The fourth point is that when the world line itself moves, the new line that appears can generate, control, clash with, or harmonize with the world line. When the world line moves, it necessarily produces a new line: if it becomes fire (巳火 or 午火), it is called 'generating the world line'; if it becomes wood (寅木 or 卯木), it is called 'controlling the world line'; if it becomes earth (辰土), which clashes with the earth dog, it is called 'clashing with the world line'; if it becomes wood (卯木), which harmonizes with the earth dog, it is called 'harmonizing with the world line'. This explains the principle that the line produced by the movement of the useful god can exert effects of generation, control, clash, and harmony on the useful god itself.

以上四處若得全來生合用神者，諸占全吉。倘有三處相生一處相剋，也以吉斷。若有兩處克兩處生者，須看旺衰。生用神之神旺相者則以吉斷，克用神之神旺相者可以凶推。尚遇三處相剋一處相生，若得相生之爻旺相者也可斷為克處逢凶中得解。若值休囚者有生之名無生之實，與四處俱來克者同斷，諸占大凶。

If the Month Builder, the Day Branch, the moving line in the hexagram, and the World Line all generate and harmonize with the Useful God, then whatever the matter being divined will be auspicious. If three of these aspects generate the Useful God and one controls it, it is still considered auspicious. If two aspects generate and two aspects control, and they are evenly matched, one should compare the strength and vitality of the two sides: if the side that generates the Useful God is prosperous and strong, then it is considered auspicious; if the side that controls the Useful God is prosperous and strong, then it is considered inauspicious. If three aspects control and only one generates the Useful God, as long as the generating line is itself prosperous and strong, it can still be interpreted as 'control with a source of support', meaning the凶 is partially resolved. However, if the generating line is weak and confined, then it is merely a name of generation without actual effect, and it is no different from all four aspects controlling, resulting in a major inauspicious outcome.

或問：此卦世爻戌土並無變出寅卯巳午之理？答：他爻多有變出回頭生克，藉此以為法也。又問：卯木能克戌土又與戌合，還是以之為合還是以之為克？答：五行相合章註解極明。

Someone asked: In this hexagram, all six lines are still; the world line, which is the earth dog (戌土), has not moved at all. How can we talk about it being transformed into寅 or卯 or巳 or午 to generate or control it? Answer: In other hexagrams, there are many instances where the moving line produces mutual generation or mutual control. Here, we are using the hexagram of Heaven (乾为天) as an example to explain the principle clearly. Another question: Since the卯 wood can control the戌 earth, and卯 and戌 are also in a harmonious relationship, should we consider it as a harmonious relationship or as a controlling relationship? Answer: This point is explained very clearly in the chapter "Chapter on the Five Phases and Mutual Harmony" of this book. When you get there, it will be clear — generally, if the harmony is strong, it is considered as harmony; if there is a hidden control within the harmony, then we need to look at the strength and decline of both sides.

又問：此卦乾為天，卦中午火作官星，如何午月午日占卦也以午火作官星何也？答：不拘占得何卦，卦內若以巳午火作官星者，如遇巳午月日占卦，此巳午日也作官星，卦中若以巳午之火作財星者，而巳午月日也作財星，餘仿此。旺相休囚者，四時旺相查之。空破者旬空月破章查之。沖合者五行相合章查之。暗動者在暗動查之。回頭生回頭克者在動變生克章查之。日辰月建者在日辰月建章查之，生克者五行相生，五行相剋章查之。生克者五行相生、五行相剋章查之。元神者元神章查之。用神、官星者在用神章查之。

Another question: This hexagram is Qian (Heaven), and the fire of Wu (午) within the hexagram is considered the official star. Then, why, when divining on a Wu month or Wu day, is the fire of Wu in the month builder and day branch also regarded as the official star? Answer: Regardless of which hexagram is obtained, if the fire of Si (巳) or Wu (午) is used as the official star within the hexagram, then when divining on a Si or Wu month or day, the fire of Si or Wu in the month builder and day branch is also treated as the official star. If within the hexagram the fire of Si or Wu is used as the wealth star, then the fire of Si or Wu in the month or day is also treated as the wealth star. The other lines follow the same principle— the identity of the six relations of the month builder and day branch is determined by the primary hexagram. As for other terms, this book has dedicated chapters for each: to distinguish prosperity and strength, refer to the chapter on the Four Seasons and Prosperity; to distinguish emptyness and month breakers, refer to the chapters on Emptyness and Month Breaker; to distinguish harmony and conflict, refer to the chapter on the Five Elements and Harmony; to distinguish covert movement, refer to the chapter on Covert Movement; to distinguish mutual generation and mutual control, refer to the chapter on Dynamic Generation and Control; the power of the day branch and month builder, refer to the chapters on the Day Branch and Month Builder; mutual generation and mutual control, refer to the chapters on the Five Elements and Generation and the Five Elements and Control; the use of the origin god, refer to the chapter on the Origin God; and the method of selecting the useful god and official star, refer to the chapter on the Useful God.

占父母者以卦中父母爻為用神。此卦辰、戌兩爻俱是父母，若兩爻俱動或都不發動，擇其旺者為用神。如一爻動者擇其動者為用神。父母即臨辰戌兩爻二土，即以土為父母，宜火相生，怕木相剋、忌臨旬空、月破亦有四處生克沖合，但宜生多克少為吉。與前世爻相參看。占室舍、車舟、文章、章奏、都以父母爻為用神，須在用神章細看。占他人者以應爻為用神，此卦用臨辰土，欲其吉者宜四處相生，欲其衰者宜四處沖剋。

When divining matters concerning parents, the parents' lines in the hexagram are used as the useful god. In the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the third line, which is the earth element Chen, and the top line, which is the earth element Xu, both represent the parents' lines, forming a situation called "two useful gods appearing." If both lines are active or both are still, choose the one that is prosperous and strong as the useful god. If only one line is active, use that one. Since the parents are located on the earth elements Chen and Xu, earth represents the parents, so it is favorable to have fire to generate earth (fire generates earth), and it is unfavorable to have wood to control earth (wood controls earth). It is also taboo for the parents' lines to fall into the旬空 (decade void) or to meet the month breaker (月破). These lines also undergo the influences of the month builder (月建), day branch (日辰), moving line (动爻), and changing line (变爻) in terms of generation, control, conflict, and harmony. Generally, it is auspicious when there are more generative influences and fewer controlling influences. This section should be read in conjunction with the previous one about the world line (世爻). In addition, when divining matters such as houses, vehicles, ships, writings, or official documents, the parents' lines are also used as the useful god, and the specific method of selection is detailed in the chapter "Chapter on the Useful God (用神章)." When divining about others, the response line (应爻) is used as the useful god. In this hexagram, the response line is the third line, which is the earth element Chen. If one hopes for the person in question to be auspicious, one hopes that all four lines will generate this line. If one hopes for the person to be in decline, one hopes that all four lines will conflict and control this line.

占兄弟者以兄弟爻為用神。此卦申金兄弟即為此爻，宜土相生，怕火相剋，忌臨月破、旬空，也有四處生克，都是多生少克為吉，克多生少為凶。又云：兄弟爻乃劫財之神。如占弟兄姐妹之否泰者，宜其生旺不宜臨月破旬空。如占妻、妾、婢、僕及財物者宜克多生少。更喜逢空逢破，使其不能劫我之財，克我之妻妾、婢、僕。

When divining matters related to siblings, the sibling line is used as the useful god. In the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the fifth line, which is the metal element of the monkey (申金), represents the sibling line. Metal is favorable when supported by earth (earth generates metal), but it is feared when attacked by fire (fire controls metal). It also dislikes falling under the month breaker or being in the empty period. It is also subject to influences from the four directions, with good fortune coming from more generation and less control, and bad fortune from more control and less generation. However, there is another layer to consider: the sibling line itself is the "劫财之神" (god that seizes wealth). Therefore, the selection of the useful god depends on the specific matter being divined. If the matter concerns the well-being and fortunes of the siblings themselves, then we hope the sibling line is strong and thriving, and we do not want it to fall under the month breaker or be in the empty period. If the matter concerns spouses, concubines, servants, or property, the situation is the opposite—here the sibling line becomes the hostile god. In this case, we hope for more control and less generation, and ideally for the sibling line to fall under the month breaker or be in the empty period, so that it lacks the strength to seize our wealth or harm our spouses, concubines, and servants.

占妻、妾、婢、僕及占財物都以妻財爻為用神，此卦寅木妻財就是用神。忌臨旬空月破，宜水相生，怕金相剋，也有四處生克，多生少克為吉與前同看。凡占金銀、買賣都以妻財為用神，須在用神章中細看。占子孫者以子孫爻為用神，此卦子水就是用神。忌臨月破、自空，喜金相生、怕土相剋。也有四處生克沖合，宜其克少生多，與前同看。占他事者以子孫爻為用神者，也從用神章查之。

When divining about a wife, concubine, servant, or property and objects, the wife's wealth line is used as the useful god. In the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the second line, which is the寅 wood, is the useful god. It is disliked when it falls in the旬空 or meets the month breaker; wood prefers to have water to nourish it (water generates wood), but fears being controlled by metal (metal controls wood); it also experiences the same four types of generation and control, and it is favorable when there is more generation than control, which is the same as the previous rules. When divining about buying and selling gold and silver, the wife's wealth line is also used as the useful god, and for detailed methods, refer to the chapter on Useful Gods. When divining about children, the children's line is used as the useful god, and in this hexagram, the first line, which is the子 water, is the useful god. It is disliked when it meets the month breaker or when the line itself falls in the旬空; water prefers to have metal to nourish it (metal generates water), but fears being controlled by earth (earth controls water); it also experiences the same four types of generation and control, and it is favorable when there is more control than generation, which is the same as the previous rules. There are also other matters that use the children's line as the useful god (for example, medicine, monks and Taoists, and livestock), and these should also be referred to in the chapter on Useful Gods.

占功名者以官鬼爻為用神，此卦午火官星即為用神。此爻最忌逢空、逢破，怕水相剋，宜木相生。也有四處生克與前同看。占鬼崇、妖櫱、亂臣、賊盜都以官鬼爻為用神，須在用神章細看。以上所論諸事，後卷都有細法。恐爾不得其門而入，寫此以為綱領，引爾入門也。知此綱領再細詳後卷，各章由淺入深，自入佳境。

When divining about official rank or fame, the official ghost line is used as the useful god. In the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the fourth line, which is the wu fire official star, is the useful god. This line is most disliked when it falls in the旬空 (decade void) or meets the month breaker (月破). Fire is afraid of water which can overcome it (water overcomes fire), and it is favorable to have wood which can nourish it (wood nourishes fire). When this line is subject to influences from all four directions, the interpretation is the same as before. In addition, when divining about ghosts, demons, rebels, and thieves, the official ghost line is also used as the useful god. For detailed methods, refer to the chapter on the Useful God (用神章). The above-mentioned categories of matters are explained in more detail in the subsequent chapters. I fear you may not grasp the essentials, so I have first written this passage as a general outline to guide you into the subject. Once you have mastered this outline, you can proceed to read the subsequent chapters, gradually deepening your understanding chapter by chapter, and naturally reach a higher level of proficiency.

前八宮全圖都是靜爻，然而卦必有動，動則必變，後篇雖有動變章，恐爾不明，再排一變卦為例，爾宜細詳。卦有“O”變出，“O”為重，重為陽，陽動變陰。卦有“X”變出，“X”為交，交為陰，陰動變陽。

In the previous octagonal diagram, all the lines were stationary; however, in actual divination, there will always be a moving line. When a line moves, it necessarily transforms into a new line. Although the "Chapter on Movement and Transformation" deals with this separately, I fear you may not yet fully understand it, so I will now present another example with a transformed line for you to carefully consider. When shaking the coins, if all three show the back side, mark it as "O," which is called "heavy." Heavy belongs to yang, so a yang line moving transforms into a yin line. If all three show the front side, mark it as "X," which is called "cross." Cross belongs to yin, so a yin line moving transforms into a yang line. In other words, an old yang line transforms into a young yin line, and an old yin line transforms into a young yang line. A moving line must certainly transform into the opposite type.

如得“澤天夬”變出“天風姤”卦： 兄弟未土″　動　兄弟戌土′ 子孫酉金′世　子孫申金′ 妻財亥水′　父母午火′應 兄弟辰土′　子孫酉金′ 官鬼寅木′應　妻財亥水′ 妻財子水′　動　兄弟丑土″世 澤天夬，上三爻外卦乃是兌卦，兌為澤，下三爻內卦乃是乾卦，乾為天，澤在上，天在下，即是澤天夬卦。從全圖內找出澤天夬卦，照樣裝出世應、五行、六親然後再看動爻。

For example, if you cast 'Guai' (Hexagram 43) changing into 'Gou' (Hexagram 44). On the left is the primary hexagram 'Guai', from top to bottom: the top line is brothers戌土 (a yin line, which is moving), the fifth line is children酉金 (the world line is here), the fourth line is wealth亥水, the third line is brothers辰土, the second line is official ghost寅木 (the response line is here), and the first line is wealth子水 (which is moving). On the right is the resulting hexagram 'Gou', with the two moving lines changing to brothers戌土 and brothers丑土 (the world line of the resulting hexagram is on the first line). First, to recognize the primary hexagram: the top three lines form the outer trigram, which is Dui (Lake); the bottom three lines form the inner trigram, which is Qian (Heaven). Lake on top and Heaven below together make up 'Guai'. After identifying the hexagram name, find 'Guai' in the eight trigrams chart and copy down the world and response lines, the earthly branches, and the five phases. Then check which lines are moving.

上三爻兌卦，第六爻“交”動變出“一”爻，即是兌卦變乾卦為乾為天。下三爻乾卦初爻動“O”變為“一一”爻，即是乾卦變巽卦為巽為風。天在上，風在下即為天風姤卦。在全圖內找出天風姤卦，以姤卦初爻之丑土，寫在前卦初爻發動子水之旁謂之子孫變出丑土。以姤卦第六爻之戌土寫在前卦六爻發動之旁，即是未土變出戌土。餘爻不動不變不必寫出。按六親者姤卦之丑土、戌土原是父母，今俱寫兄弟何也？六親須照前卦而按前卦澤天夬土為兄弟，所以變卦之丑、戌二土也寫兄弟。餘卦仿此。

Now let's explain how the changing hexagram is formed. The upper three lines form the Dui hexagram, and the sixth line is marked as 'jiao', which is an old yin line that moves, transforming into a solid yang line. Thus, the Dui hexagram becomes the Qian hexagram, which represents Heaven. The lower three lines form the Qian hexagram, and its first line is marked as 'O', which is an old yang line that moves, transforming into a broken yin line. Therefore, the Qian hexagram becomes the Xun hexagram, which represents Wind. Heaven is above and Wind is below, forming the Gou hexagram, which is the Heaven-Wind Gou. Now locate the Heaven-Wind Gou hexagram in the full diagram: place the Chou earth of the Gou hexagram's first line next to the first line of the original hexagram, which is the Zi water, this is called 'children transforming into Chou earth'; place the Xu earth of the Gou hexagram's sixth line next to the top line of the original hexagram, which is the Wei earth, this is called 'Wei earth transforming into Xu earth'. The other four lines did not move, so they remain unchanged and do not need to be written separately. There is an important point here: according to the six relations of the Heaven-Wind Gou hexagram itself, Chou earth and Xu earth were originally parents, but now they are both written as brothers. This is because the six relations of the changing lines should be determined by the original hexagram. Since the original hexagram, Zhe Tian Guai, belongs to the Kun palace and its five phases are earth, earth is 'I', so earth can only be brothers; thus, the transformed Chou and Xu earths are also written as brothers. All other hexagrams follow this rule.

乾在內：子水、寅木、辰土；乾在外：午火、申金、戌土。 坎在內：寅木、辰土、午火；坎在外：申金、戌土、子水。 辰在內：辰土、午火、申金；辰在外：戌土、子水、寅木。 震在內：於水、寅木、辰土；震在外：午火、申金、戌土。 巽在內：丑土、亥水、酉金；巽在外：未土、巳火、卯木。 高在內：卯木、丑土、亥水；離在外：酉金、未土、巳火。 坤在內：未土、巳火、卯木；坤在外：丑土、亥水、酉金。 兌在內：巳火、卯木、丑土；兌在外：亥水、酉金、未土。

This chapter explains "Najia" or "Nashua," which involves assigning the twelve earthly branches to the three lines of the eight primary trigrams. When the same primary trigram is placed in the lower three lines (inner trigram) and the upper three lines (outer trigram), the earthly branches assigned to them differ. Therefore, each trigram is recorded in two rows: inner and outer. When the trigram Qian is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Zi water, Yin wood, and Chen earth. When Qian is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth. When Kan is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Yin wood, Chen earth, and Wu fire. When Kan is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Shen metal, Xu earth, and Zi water. When Gen is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Chen earth, Wu fire, and Shen metal. When Gen is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Xu earth, Zi water, and Yin wood (the original text mistakenly writes "Chen" instead of "Gen"). When Zhen is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Zi water, Yin wood, and Chen earth. When Zhen is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth (the original text writes "Yu water" which refers to "Zi water"). When Xun is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal. When Xun is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Wei earth, Si fire, and Mao wood. When Li is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Mao wood, Chou earth, and Hai water. When Li is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are You metal, Wei earth, and Si fire (the original text writes "Gao in the inner" which refers to "Li in the inner"). When Kun is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Wei earth, Si fire, and Mao wood. When Kun is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal. When Dui is used as the inner trigram, the earthly branches from the first line upwards are Si fire, Mao wood, and Chou earth. When Dui is used as the outer trigram, the earthly branches from the fourth line upwards are Hai water, You metal, and Wei earth. The trigrams Qian, Kan, Gen, and Zhen are yang trigrams, and their earthly branches are assigned in a forward sequence, all using yang branches. The trigrams Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui are yin trigrams, and their earthly branches are assigned in a backward sequence, all using yin branches. If this rule is memorized, it is easier to avoid mistakes.

如得天風姤卦，上三爻是乾卦即乾在外午火、申金、戌土： 戌土一 申金一 午火一 酉金一 亥水一 丑土 下三爻是巽卦即巽在內丑土、亥水、酉金。點卦由下而上，故裝五行也由下而上，餘仿此。

For example, if you divinate the hexagram Tian Feng Gou (Heaven Wind Meeting), the top three lines form the hexagram Qian (Heaven), which is 'Heaven outside'. Therefore, starting from the fourth line upwards, the earthly branches are assigned in the order of Wu fire, Shen metal, and Xu earth—written on the diagram as the top line Xu earth, the fifth line Shen metal, and the fourth line Wu fire. The bottom three lines form the hexagram Xun (Wind), which is 'Wind inside'. Therefore, starting from the first line upwards, the earthly branches are assigned in the order of Chou earth, Hai water, and You metal—meaning the first line is Chou earth, the second line is Hai water, and the third line is You metal. The vertical line following each earthly branch is the mark for a yang line. Note that when casting the hexagram, the lines are drawn from the bottom up, so the assignment of earthly branches is also done from the first line upwards. This method applies to all other hexagrams as well.

乾兌宮金兄、土父、木財、火鬼、水子。乾兌宮八卦都屬金。坎宮水兄、火財、土鬼、金父、木子。坎宮八卦都屬水。坤艮宮土兄、火父、木鬼、水財、金子。坤艮宮八卦都屬土。離宮火兄、水鬼、土子、木父，金財。離宮八卦都屬火。震巽木兄、水父、金鬼、火子、土財。震巽宮八卦都屬木。

This is a mnemonic for determining the Six Relations. The general principle for determining the Six Relations is only one sentence: take the Five Phases of the original palace as "I," those of the same type as me are Siblings, those that generate me are Parents, those I generate are Children, those that overcome me are Official Ghost, and those I overcome are Wealth. The Qian Palace and the Dui Palace both belong to Metal, so Metal is Siblings, Earth is Parents, Wood is Wealth, Fire is Official Ghost, and Water is Children. The Kan Palace belongs to Water, so Water is Siblings, Fire is Wealth, Earth is Official Ghost, Metal is Parents, and Wood is Children. The Kun Palace and the Gen Palace both belong to Earth, so Earth is Siblings, Fire is Parents, Wood is Official Ghost, Water is Wealth, and Metal is Children. The Li Palace belongs to Fire, so Fire is Siblings, Water is Official Ghost, Earth is Children, Wood is Parents, and Metal is Wealth. The Zhen Palace and the Xun Palace both belong to Wood, so Wood is Siblings, Water is Parents, Metal is Official Ghost, Fire is Children, and Earth is Wealth. The eight palaces form five groups. Memorize these five sentences, and you can immediately determine the Six Relations for any hexagram.

如占得乾為天： 父母戌土、世 兄弟申金、 官鬼午火、 父母辰土、應 妻財寅木、 子孫一子水、 照乾宮金兄、土父、木財、火鬼、水子、裝之，所以辰、戌土為父母，申金為兄弟，火為官鬼，木是妻財，水是子孫，餘卦仿此。

For example, if one divines the hexagram Qian (Heaven) over Heaven, first apply the Najia stem assignment to the earthly branches: the first line is Zi water, the second line is Yin wood, the third line is Chen earth, the fourth line is Wu fire, the fifth line is Shen metal, and the top line is Xu earth. Then, according to the Qian hexagram's statement that "metal is siblings, earth is parents, wood is wealth, fire is official ghost, and water is children," assign the six relations accordingly. Thus, the Chen earth and Xu earth lines are both parents, Shen metal is siblings, Wu fire is official ghost, Yin wood is wealth, and Zi water is children. The world line is marked on the top line Xu earth, and the response line is marked on the third line Chen earth. In the diagram, the first line "children one Zi water" has an extra "one" character, which is a textual addition from the printed edition. All other hexagrams are arranged in the same manner.

乾為天“世”在六，天風姤“世”在初，天山遁“世”在二，天地否“世”在三，天地觀“世”在四，山地剝“世”在五，火地晉“世”在四，火天大有“世”退在三。隔世爻兩位即是應爻，餘卦仿此。

This chapter explains how to place the World Line and the Response Line, using the Eight Trigrams of the Qian hexagram as an example. The Qian hexagram, which represents Heaven, is the first hexagram of this palace, and the World Line is placed on the sixth line. The Tian Feng Gou hexagram is derived from the first line, so the World Line moves down to the first line. The Tian Shan Dun hexagram is derived from the second line, so the World Line is placed on the second line. The Tian Di Pi hexagram is derived from the third line, so the World Line is placed on the third line. The Feng Di Guan hexagram is derived from the fourth line, so the World Line is placed on the fourth line (the original text mistakenly writes 'Tian Di Guan' instead of 'Feng Di Guan'). The Shan Di Bo hexagram is derived from the fifth line, so the World Line is placed on the fifth line. The Huo Di Jin hexagram is a wandering soul hexagram, so the World Line moves back from the fifth line to the fourth line. The Huo Tian Da You hexagram is a returning soul hexagram, so the World Line moves back again to the third line. Once the World Line is determined, the Response Line can be easily found— it is the line two positions away from the World Line, either above or below. For example, if the World Line is on the first line, the Response Line is on the fourth line; if the World Line is on the third line, the Response Line is on the top line. The same rule applies to the other seven palaces.

六爻不動則不變，動則必變，“O”為陽動則變“　″　”，“X”為陰動則變“　′　”。如乾卦初爻動則變為巽卦。 ′　′ ′　′ O　″ 乾卦上下爻動則變為坎卦： O　″ ′　′ O　″ 坤卦中爻動，變為坎卦： ″　″ X　′ ″　″ 坤卦中三爻都動變作乾卦。

In the six-line divination, any line that does not move remains unchanged. Once a line moves, it must transform into its opposite. The symbol "O" represents an old yang line, and when a yang line moves, it changes to a yin line marked as "″". The symbol "X" represents an old yin line, and when a yin line moves, it changes to a yang line marked as "′". Here are some examples: In the Qian hexagram, all three lines are originally yang. If the first line moves, it changes from yang to yin, while the other two lines remain unchanged, transforming the Qian hexagram into the Xun hexagram. If both the first and top lines of the Qian hexagram move, both change from yang to yin, while the middle line remains yang, resulting in the Kan hexagram. In the Kun hexagram, all three lines are originally yin. If the middle line moves, it changes from yin to yang, while the other two lines remain unchanged, transforming the Kun hexagram into the Kan hexagram. If all three lines of the Kun hexagram move, all three yin lines change to yang lines, resulting in the Qian hexagram. The left column shows the original hexagram, and the right column shows the transformed hexagram. Comparing them will make it clear.

如占得水天需卦變天水訟： 妻財子水″　動　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟戌土′　子孫申金′ 子孫申金″世　動　父母午火′世 兄弟辰土′　動　父母午火″ 官鬼寅木′　兄弟辰土′ 妻財子水′應　動　官鬼寅木″應 上三爻坎卦即是坎在外卦申金、戌土、子水，所以四爻申金、五爻戌土、六爻子水。變為乾卦即是乾在外卦午火、申金、戌土所以申金變出午火，子水變出戌土，申爻不動則不變。變出之爻按六親者仍照正卦而推，餘卦仿此。

Now consider another example: the hexagram water over heaven (Xu) changes to heaven over water (Song). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is wife wealth zi water (a yin line, which is active), the fifth line is brothers xu earth, the fourth line is children shen metal (the world line, which is active), the third line is brothers chen earth (active), the second line is official ghost yin wood, and the first line is wife wealth zi water (the response line, which is active). Each active line changes to a new line, which is placed in the right column. Here we are explaining how the earthly branches of the changing lines are determined: the top three lines of the primary hexagram form the kan trigram, which is 'kan outside', so the fourth line shen metal, fifth line xu earth, and top line zi water. Among these three lines, two are active and change to the qian trigram; the qian trigram outside is paired with wu fire, shen metal, and xu earth, so the original shen metal position changes to wu fire, and the original zi water position changes to xu earth; the fifth line shen metal is not active, so it does not change. As for what the changing lines are considered in terms of the six relations, they are still determined according to the hexagram's original palace. The hexagram water over heaven (Xu) belongs to the kun palace, where earth is brothers and fire is parents, so the changed xu earth is considered brothers, and the changed wu fire is considered parents. The same method applies to all other hexagrams.

父母爻：占父母即以卦中之父母爻為神。祖父母、伯、叔、姑、姨、父母，凡在我父母之上，或與我父母同輩之親及師長、妻父母、乳釋之父母，三父、人母或僕占主人皆以父母爻為用神。占天地、城池、牆垣、宅舍、屋宇、舟車、衣服、雨具、綢緞、布匹、章奏、文書及書館文契也以父母爻為用神，物類亦多在變通，一切庇護我身者是也。

First, we discuss the parents' hexagram. When divining matters related to parents, the parents' hexagram is used as the useful god. Any person who is above the parents in辈分, or of the same辈分, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, maternal uncles, maternal aunts, teachers, in-laws, wet nurses and their husbands, as well as those mentioned in the rites of propriety as 'three fathers and eight mothers' (the original text mistakenly refers to 'person mother' as 'eight mothers', meaning stepfather, adoptive father, and biological father for the three fathers, and嫡mother, stepmother, and adoptive mother for the eight mothers), as well as servants taking the place of the master, all use the parents' hexagram as the useful god. As for things, such as heaven and earth, cities, walls, houses, ships, vehicles, clothes, rain gear, silk and cloth, official documents, writings, and contracts from academies, all use the parents' hexagram as the useful god. There are many other items that can be included in this category, and they should be determined through flexible application. The general principle is: anything that can cover and protect the body belongs to the parents' hexagram.

官鬼爻：占功名、官府、雷霆鬼神、妻占夫皆以官鬼爻為用神。占亂臣賊盜、邪崇也以官鬼爻為用神，物類亦多，一切拘束我身者是也。兄弟爻：占兄弟、姐妹、族中兄弟、姑姨、妹夫及結拜兄弟都以兄弟爻為用神。兄弟乃同類之人，彼得志則欺凌，見財則奪，所以占財物以此為劫神，占謀事以此為阻神、占妻妾、婢僕以此為刑傷克害之神。占姊丈妹夫以世爻為用神子屢得驗。

Now speaking of the Official Ghost爻. When divining about official positions, career prospects, government offices, thunder and ghostly spirits, or when a wife divines about her husband, the Official Ghost爻 is taken as the Useful God. Similarly, when divining about rebels, thieves, and evil spirits, the Official Ghost爻 is also used. There are many things that fall into this category. The general principle is: any force that can restrain or bind me is considered the Official Ghost. Now speaking of the Siblings爻. When divining about brothers and sisters, relatives of the same clan, maternal and paternal cousins, sisters-in-law, and sworn brothers, the Siblings爻 is taken as the Useful God. Siblings are people of the same kind as myself. Once they gain power, they will oppress me, and when they see wealth, they will come to claim it. Therefore, when divining about wealth, the Siblings爻 is the "劫财之神" (the god who seizes wealth). When divining about affairs, it is the "阻隔之神" (the god that obstructs). When divining about wives, concubines, and servants, it is the "刑伤克害之神" (the god that causes injury and harm). The Wild Crane Elder adds: when divining about a brother-in-law, it is more accurate to use the World Line爻 as the Useful God. He himself has tested this repeatedly (the original text says "子屡得验" where "子" should be read as "予", meaning the author himself).

妻財爻：占妻妾、婢、僕、役，我驅使之人皆以要財爻為用神。占貨財、珠寶、倉庫一切使用之財物亦以妻財爻為用神。子孫爻：占子孫、占女、女婿、侄、甥、門生凡在我子孫輩中皆以子孫爻為用神。占忠臣、良將、醫藥、僧、道、兵卒皆以子孫爻為用神。占六畜、禽獸亦以子孫爻為用神。子孫福德之神。為制鬼之神、為解憂之神、為剝官之神，諸事見之為喜，獨占功名者忌之。

Now talking about the Wife-Wealth Line. When divining about one's wife, concubine, maid, or servant, anyone who is under one's control is considered the Useful God, using the Wife-Wealth Line (the original text says 「要财爻」, where 「要」 is a mistake for 「妻」). When divining about goods, money, jewels, warehouses, and all things used by oneself, the Wife-Wealth Line is also used. Finally, we talk about the Children Line. When divining about one's son, daughter, son-in-law, nephew, cousin, and students, anyone of a lower generation is considered the Useful God, using the Children Line. When divining about loyal ministers, capable generals, doctors and medicine, monks and Taoists, and soldiers, the Children Line is also used. When divining about cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and other domestic animals, as well as birds and beasts, the Children Line is also used. The Children Line is called the「福德之神」. It can subdue Official Ghost, so it is a god that removes worries; yet it can also remove官星, so it is also a god that harms official positions. Therefore, when divining about other matters, seeing the Children Line is a good omen, but when divining about official positions, it is most feared.

用神，即前各類之用神也。元神，生用神之神即為元神。忌神克用神之爻也。仇神者克元神而生忌神也。

This chapter introduces the four key elements in divination. The "useful god" refers to the line determined in the previous chapter based on the person and matter being consulted. Any line that generates the useful god is called the "origin god," which is the source of the useful god. If the origin god is strong, the useful god has support. Any line that restrains the useful god is called the "hostile god," which is the opponent of the useful god. There is another type of line that restrains the origin god while also generating the hostile god, causing trouble from both sides; this is called the "enemy god." The relationship among these four can be remembered as follows: the enemy god restrains the origin god and generates the hostile god, the hostile god restrains the useful god, and the origin god generates the useful god. When a hexagram is obtained, first identify the useful god, then check whether the origin god is strong, whether the hostile god is restrained, and whether the enemy god appears. The overall fortune or misfortune is thus determined.

例：辰月戊申日占父近病，得乾為天變天小畜。 父母戌土′世　妻財卯木′ 兄弟申金′　官鬼巳火′ 官鬼午火′　動　父母未土″應 父母辰土′應　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　子孫子水′世 一人持此卦而問余曰：近病逢沖即愈。此卦乃係六沖，但父病之甚，再爾看愈於何日？餘說此卦辰土、未土、戌土三重父母爻，當擇其旺者而用之，今辰土父母臨月建，即用辰土為用神，目下病重者，乃因申日沖寅木而暗動，木動以克辰土。彼問：卦中午火發動，寅木雖動，不克辰土。余曰：午火雖動化出未土，午與未合，午未相合不生辰土，所以此辰土單受寅木之克，不得午火之生，故此病體沉重，須待丑日沖去未土而午火無合，其土災退。果於丑日起床。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Wu Shen (戊申) in the month of Chen (辰), someone consulted about a new illness his father had recently acquired. He cast the hexagram Qian (Heaven) changing into Xiao Xu (Wind Heaven). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the parents in the earth element Wu (戌土), the fifth line is the siblings in the metal element Shen (申金), the fourth line is the official ghost in the fire element Wu (午火) which is moving, the third line is the parents in the earth element Chen (辰土) which is the responding line, the second line is the wife's wealth in the wood element Yin (寅木), and the first line is the son in the water element Zi (子水). The fourth line, the fire element Wu (午火), moves and changes into the parents in the earth element Wei (未土). The diviner took the hexagram to the Wild Crane Elder and asked: the book says that a new illness encountering the six clashes is good, and this hexagram Qian (Heaven) is exactly a hexagram of the six clashes. However, his father's illness is very serious. Please look again to see on which day the illness will recover. The Wild Crane Elder replied: when divining about a father's illness, the parents' line is taken as the useful god. In this hexagram, there are three layers of parents: the earth element Chen (辰土), the changed earth element Wei (未土), and the top line earth element Wu (戌土). We should choose the one that is most vigorous. Now the earth element Chen (辰土) is the parents, which is in the month of Chen (辰), and is in the month builder position, so we take the third line earth element Chen (辰土) as the useful god. The reason the illness is severe is that on the day of Wu Shen (戊申), the metal element Shen (申金) clashes with the wood element Yin (寅木), which is still quiet but is clashed, becoming a covert movement. The wood element moves and then attacks the earth element Chen (辰土), causing the useful god to be injured, hence the illness is serious. The diviner asked again: the fourth line, the fire element Wu (午火), is clearly moving. Fire can generate earth, so even if the wood element Yin (寅木) moves, it should not be able to attack the earth element Chen (辰土), right? The Wild Crane Elder answered: although the fire element Wu (午火) is moving, it changes into the earth element Wei (未土). The fire element Wu (午火) and the earth element Wei (未土) are exactly compatible. The moving line is bound by this compatibility, so it is blocked and cannot generate the earth element Chen (辰土). Therefore, the earth element Chen (辰土) is only attacked by the wood element Yin (寅木), and does not receive support from the fire element Wu (午火), which is why the illness is so severe. It will only be until the day of Chou (丑), when Chou (丑) clashes with the earth element Wei (未土), and the fire element Wu (午火) is no longer bound, it can then generate the earth element, and the illness will naturally subside. Later, the father indeed recovered on the day of Chou (丑).

元神雖生用神，須要旺相，方可生得用神。元神能生用神者有五：元神旺相或臨日月或日月動爻生扶者一也。元神動化回頭生及化進神者二也。元神長生帝旺於日辰三也。元神與忌神同動四也。元神旺動臨空化空五也。占以臨空化空為無用，非也。殊不知動不為空，皆應沖空實空之日而有用也。故以為吉能生用神，此五者乃有力之用神也，諸占皆吉。

The original god (元神) is the line that generates the useful god (用神), but it itself must be prosperous and strong (旺相) in order to genuinely generate the useful god. There are five situations where the original god can indeed generate the useful god: First, the original god itself is prosperous and strong, or it is exactly on the day branch (日辰) or month builder (月建), or it is supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line (动爻). Second, the original god moves and produces a transformed line that generates it back, or it moves and transforms into an advancing god (进神) (such as from Shen to You or Hai to Zi, from weak to strong). Third, the original god is on the day branch and receives "growth" (长生) or "prosperity" (帝旺). Fourth, the original god and the hostile god (忌神) move together—although the hostile god usually harms the useful god, it first generates the original god, thus turning into a continuing mutual generation. Fifth, the original god is prosperous and strong and moves, even if it is in the旬空 or the transformed line after movement is in the旬空. Some people think that being in the旬空 or transforming into the旬空 means it is ineffective, but this is incorrect: know that once a line moves, it is no longer considered empty, and on the day it is冲空 or filled, it still has power. Therefore, this situation is still considered favorable, and the original god can still generate the useful god. The above five situations are all powerful original gods, and they are favorable for any matter.

例：酉月辛亥日占求財得兌為澤卦變雷水解卦： 父母未土″世　父母戌土″ 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″應 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 父母丑土″應　官鬼午火″ 妻財卯木′　父母辰土′世 官鬼巳火′　動　妻財寅木″ 斷曰：寅日得見財，亦如心。彼曰：卯木妻財爻空而月破，又被金克，初爻巳火官雖生世，亥日沖散又化旬空何以為吉。余曰：神兆機於動，餘從來不言散，正因巳火化空，所以目下不見，待甲寅日出空而相見。寅木之財以生官，官來生世，果於寅日早見木日得財。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Xinhai in the month of You, someone sought fortune and cast the hexagram Dui (Hexagram 58) changing into Xie (Hexagram 40). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in the earth (the world line), the fifth line is siblings in metal (which is moving), the fourth line is children in water, the third line is parents in earth (the response line), the second line is wealth in wood, and the first line is official ghost in fire (which is moving). The two moving lines change into siblings in metal and wealth in wood. The Wild Crane Elder said: On the day of Yin, wealth will be seen and it will be satisfactory. The person who asked the question was not convinced, saying: The second line, which is wealth in wood, is in the旬空 and is also being冲 by the month of You, making it the month breaker, and it is also being overcome by the moving line of siblings in metal. Although the first line, official ghost in fire, generates the world line, it is directly冲 by the day of Hai, which breaks it up. Moreover, the wood generated by it is also in the旬空. How can this be considered auspicious? The Wild Crane Elder replied: The mechanism of the hexagram is revealed through the moving lines. I never talk about the concept of being broken up by冲. Because the moving line of official ghost in fire generates wood in the旬空, the wealth is not yet visible. When the day of Jiayin comes and the wood comes out of the旬空, the wealth will appear. On that day, the wealth in wood will generate the official ghost in fire, which in turn will generate the world line, and the wealth will naturally be obtained. Later, indeed, on the day of Yin, wealth was seen early that day, and on that day, which was a day of wood, wealth was obtained.

元神雖現又有不能生用神者有六：元神休囚，不動或動而休囚又被傷克者一也。元神休囚又逢自空、月破二也。元神休囚動化退神三也。元神衰而又絕四也。元神入三墓五也。元神休囚動而化絕、化克、化破、化散六也。以上元神無力生用神，無用之元神也，雖有如無。

The origin god appears in the hexagram but fails to support the useful god in six situations: First, the origin god is weak and confined, or is quiet and unmoving, or although it moves, it remains weak and confined and is harmed by other lines. Second, the origin god is weak and confined, and at the same time falls into "ten-day emptiness" or meets "month breaker." Third, the origin god is weak and confined but moves, yet transforms into "retreating god" (such as from You to Shen, or Zi to Hai, becoming weaker as it changes). Fourth, the origin god is already weak and meets "end" position. Fifth, the origin god enters "three graves" — that is, enters the day's grave, enters the grave of the moving line, or moves itself into its own grave. Sixth, the origin god is weak and confined but moves, yet transforms into "end," transforms into "overcoming," transforms into "breaking," or transforms into "scattering." These six situations are all weak origin gods; although they appear in the hexagram, they are effectively nonexistent.

忌神動而克害用神者有五：忌神旺相或遇日月動爻生扶或臨日月者一也。忌神動化回頭生扶退神者二也。忌神旺動動臨空化空三也。忌神長生帝旺與日辰四也。忌神與仇神同動五也。以上之忌神者如斧戟之忌神，諸占大凶。忌神雖動，不能克用神者有七：忌神休囚不動，而動休囚被日、月動爻克者一也。忌神靜臨空破二也。忌神入三墓三也。忌神衰動化退神四也。忌神衰而又絕五也。忌神動化絕化破、化克、化散六也。忌神與元神同動七也。此忌神者乃無力之忌神也，諸占化凶為吉。以上論元神、忌神之有力、無力者，亦要用神有氣，倘若用神無根謂之元神有力亦難生，忌神無力何足喜。

When the Hostile God is activated and truly capable of harming the Useful God, there are five situations: First, the Hostile God is prosperous and strong, or is supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, or itself is adjacent to the day branch or month builder. Second, the Hostile God is activated and the changing line supports or strengthens it, even if it turns into a retreating god, it still has strength. Third, the Hostile God is strong and activated, even if it falls into an empty position or transforms into an empty position. Fourth, the Hostile God gains growth or prosperity on the day branch. Fifth, the Hostile God and the Enemy God are both activated—since the Enemy God generates the Hostile God, the Hostile God becomes even more harmful. These five situations are like sharp axes and long spears, indicating great misfortune in any divination. Conversely, when the Hostile God is activated but cannot harm the Useful God, there are seven situations: First, the Hostile God is weak and inactive, or although activated, it remains weak and is overcome by the day branch, month builder, or moving line. Second, the Hostile God is quiet and falls into an empty position or meets the month breaker. Third, the Hostile God enters one of the three tombs. Fourth, the Hostile God is weak and transforms into a retreating god. Fifth, the Hostile God is weak and meets a dead end. Sixth, the Hostile God is activated and transforms into a dead end, a broken position, a harmful position, or a dispersing position. Seventh, the Hostile God and the Origin God are both activated, and the Hostile God first generates the Origin God, which then generates the Useful God, resulting in a favorable outcome. These seven situations are weak Hostile God, and any divination can turn misfortune into good fortune. However, it should be noted that the above discussion about the strength or weakness of the Origin God and Hostile God is based on the Useful God having vitality. If the Useful God itself has no root, then even the strongest Origin God cannot support it; if the Useful God has no salvation, what is the point of the Hostile God being weak?

例：巳月乙未日自占病得澤風大過變火風鼎卦： 妻財未土″　動　子孫巳火′ 官鬼酉金′　動　妻財未土″應 父母亥水′世　官鬼酉金′ 官鬼酉金′　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　父母亥水′世 妻財丑土″應　妻財丑土″ 自占病世爻亥水為用神，被未土忌神動而克水，幸得酉金元神亦動，忌神未土反生元神之酉金，金生亥水，接續相生，化凶而為吉。其如亥水月沖日克，值月破而被克，雖有生扶生之不起，如樹無根，寒谷不回春也。果卒於癸卯日，應卯日者沖去元神之日也。此謂之用神無根，元神有力亦難生。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Yiwei (Yi-Wu) in the month of Si, someone divined their own illness, and the hexagram drawn was Da Guo (Hexagram 28) changing to Ding (Hexagram 50). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is wife wealth You soil (moving), the fifth line is official ghost You metal (moving), the fourth line is parents Hai water (world line), the third line is official ghost You metal, the second line is parents Hai water, and the first line is wife wealth Chou soil (response line). The two moving lines change into children Si fire and wife wealth Wei soil. When divining one's illness, the world line is taken as the useful god. The world line is the fourth line, Hai water. The top line, Wei soil, is the hostile god, which is moving and thus attacks the Hai water. Fortunately, the fifth line, You metal, the origin god, is also moving. Therefore, the hostile god Wei soil first generates the origin god You metal, which in turn generates the Hai water. This continuous mutual generation turns a potential bad situation into a good one. This is exactly the pattern mentioned earlier, "the hostile god and origin god move together." Unfortunately, the useful god, Hai water, is in the month of Si, and is attacked by the month builder, resulting in "month breaker." It is also attacked by the soil of the day, Wei, leading to being broken and attacked again. Even with the origin god supporting it, it cannot be saved. It is like a tree that has already lost its roots, and the cold valley can never return to spring. The person died on the day of Guimao. The prediction came true on the day of Mao, because Mao and You are in opposition, and that day was when the origin god You metal was attacked. This hexagram is called "the useful god has no root, even with a strong origin god it cannot be generated."

金生水、水生木、木生火、火生土、土生金。凡用神、元神宜於逢生，月建生、日建生，動爻生、動化回頭生。如卯月己卯日弟占兄已得重罪，叩問能救否。得復之震： 子孫酉金″　兄弟戌土″世 妻財亥水″　子孫申金″ 兄弟丑土″應　動　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土″　兄弟辰土″應 官鬼寅木″　官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′世　妻財子水′ 兄弟爻為用神，丑土兄動日月克之，明現大罪難脫，幸得兄爻丑土化午火父母回頭相生，斷曰：速速行之。父母化兄爻相生為吉，後蒙恩免死。

The order of mutual generation among the Five Phases is: metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal. Whenever the Useful God and the Origin God are involved, it is favorable for them to be generated by something else. The sources of generation can come from four directions: being generated by the Month Builder, being generated by the Day Branch, being generated by a moving line within the hexagram, or being generated by the line itself changing and generating back to itself. Here is an example of a real case: in the month of卯 (Mao) and on the day of Jimao (Jimao), someone consulted a hexagram on behalf of his elder brother, who had been sentenced to a serious crime. He asked if the sentence could be overturned. The hexagram cast was Fu (Hexagram 24) (Fu, Hexagram 24) changing to Zhen (Hexagram 51) (Zhen, Hexagram 51). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the Children酉金 (Children酉 Gold), the fifth line is the Wealth亥水 (Wealth亥 Water), the fourth line is the Siblings丑土 (Siblings丑 Earth) (which is the Response Line and has moved), the third line is the Siblings辰土 (Siblings辰 Earth), the second line is the Official Ghost寅木 (Official Ghost寅 Wood), and the first line is the Wealth子水 (Wealth子 Water) (the World Line). The moving line is the丑土 (丑 Earth) changing into the Parents午火 (Parents午 Fire). In this case, the matter concerning the elder brother uses the brothers' line as the Useful God, and the Useful God is the丑土 (丑 Earth). At this time, the month and day are both卯 (Mao), so wood and earth are in mutual control. The Day Branch and the Month Builder both attack the丑土 (丑 Earth), clearly indicating that the serious crime is hard to avoid. Fortunately, the丑土 (丑 Earth) has moved and changed into the父母午火 (Parents午 Fire), which generates back to itself, thus generating the brothers' line. Fire generates earth, so there is a way to save the situation. The Wild Crane Elder therefore said: hurry to make efforts to save him. The parents' line changing into something that generates the brothers' line is a favorable sign. Any matters related to documents, elders, or favors can be resolved. Later, it was indeed found that he was pardoned and escaped the death penalty.

金克木、木克土、土克水、水克火、火克金。凡忌神、仇宜於逢克，月克、日克、動爻克用神、化回頭克，此四者用神、元神俱逢一克，他處不見生扶者，則為凶兆。占吉事樂極生悲，占凶事須宜急急迴避。如卯月戊寅日占父官事已擬重罪得澤地萃卦變天火同人： 父母未土″　動　父母戌土′應 兄弟酉金′應　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　動　子孫亥水′世 官鬼巳火″世　父母丑土″ 父母未土″　動　妻財卯木′ 外卦未土父母，卯月克之，內卦亥卯未合成木局又相剋制，月剋日刑全無助，果至重刑。

The order of mutual control among the Five Phases is: metal controls wood, wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, and fire controls metal. Both the Hostile God and the Enemy God are favorable when they are controlled. Conversely, the four sources of control are: the Month Builder controlling, the Day Branch controlling, the moving line in the hexagram controlling the Useful God, and the Useful God itself activating and the changing line controlling back. If the Useful God or the Origin God is controlled by any of these, and there is no generation or support elsewhere, it is an omen of misfortune. When predicting good fortune, it will turn into sorrow; when predicting danger, one should avoid it immediately. Here is an example: in the month of卯 (Mao) and on the day of Wuyin (Wuyin), someone consulted the hexagram for a case involving his father. His father had already been charged with a serious crime. The hexagram drawn was Cui (Hexagram 45) changing to Tong Ren (Hexagram 13). From top to bottom, the hexagram is: the top line is the parent in the earth phase (未土) which is activated, the fifth line is the sibling in the metal phase (酉金) which is the response line, the fourth line is the child in the water phase (亥水), the third line is the wealth in the wood phase (卯木) which is activated, the second line is the official ghost in the fire phase (巳火) which is the world line, and the first line is the parent in the earth phase (未土) which is activated. For the father, the parent line is the Useful God. The parent in the earth phase (未土) at the top of the outer trigram is being controlled by the wood of the month of卯 (Mao). Inside the hexagram, the branches亥 (Hai), 卯 (Mao), and 未 (Wei) form a wood trinity, which also controls the earth. The Useful God is surrounded on all sides by control. There is control from the Month Builder and a conflict from the day of Wuyin (Wuyin). There is no place where the Useful God is supported or assisted. Later, the father was indeed sentenced to a severe punishment.

同日妹占兄官事同此一案亦擬重罪得天地否變天水訟： 父母戌土′應　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′世 妻財卯木″世　官鬼午火″ 官鬼巳火″　動　父母辰土′ 父母未土″　妻財寅木″應 申金兄爻為用神，巳火鬼動，刑剋申金，重罪定矣。幸喜辰日沖動戌土父母暗動生申，克處逢生，若有父母可以救之，後因父年八十，援例恩留免死。

On the same day, another younger sister cast a divination for her brother on the same case, and the brother was also charged with a serious crime. The hexagram cast was "Heaven and Earth in Opposition" changing to "Heaven and Water in Contention." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was parents in the earth dog (戌土), the fifth line was siblings in the monkey (申金), the fourth line was official ghost in the horse (午火), the third line was wife wealth in the rabbit (卯木) (world line), the second line was official ghost in the snake (巳火) (in motion), and the first line was parents in the goat (未土). For the brother, the siblings line was the useful god, and the useful god was the fifth line, the monkey (申金). The second line, the snake (巳火) official ghost, was in motion. The snake and the monkey both harmed and controlled each other, with fire controlling metal, and the serious crime had already been decided. Fortunately, the day was the day of the dragon (辰), which clashed with the戌土 on the top line, causing the戌土 parents to move covertly. The moving earth generated metal, allowing the useful god to be controlled but also supported, which is called "control with a chance of support." Moreover, the covert movement was of the parents line, indicating there was a chance of help from an elder. Later, it was indeed found that because his father was already eighty years old, they appealed according to the established practice of supporting and caring for parents, and he was granted mercy and his death sentence was commuted.

聖人作易，令人趨吉避凶，未卜而不知者，是大數也，卜之而神不告，亦大數也，既已卜之，神己先之，明知故犯者，亦不可盡委之於數也、命也。

The sages created the Book of Changes so that people could seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. If a person does not consult divination and thus does not know that something bad is going to happen, it is due to heaven's decree. If they do consult divination but the divine does not clearly reveal the outcome, that is also due to heaven's decree. However, once divination has been performed and the signs have already been shown, if a person still deliberately ignores them and rushes into danger, the result cannot be entirely blamed on 'heavenly decree' or 'fate'. The Wild Crane Elder's words are a reminder to readers that the value of divination lies in the willingness to change after the divination. If a bad omen is foretold but the person refuses to avoid it, the responsibility lies with the person, not with heaven.

受此處之克，得他處之生，即為克處逢生。大凡用神、元神克少生多為吉。忌神者以克少生多為凶，所以忌神宜克不宜生也。如辰月丙申日占弟癌症業已臨危得既濟卦變革卦： 兄弟子水″應　官鬼未土″ 官鬼戌土′　父母酉金′ 父母申金″　動　兄弟亥水′世 兄弟亥水′世　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　子孫卯木′應 斷日：月建辰土雖克亥水，兄弟賴申日以生之，又得動爻相生，臨危有救，果於本日酉時遇名醫救活也，至巳亥日以全生。

In a situation where one place is being overcome, another place may be generating, which is called "overcoming met with generation." Generally speaking, when the useful god and the origin god have more generation than overcoming, it is considered auspicious; however, for the hostile god, having more generation than overcoming is actually inauspicious, so the hostile god should be overcome rather than generated. Here is an example of a real divination case: In the month of辰 with a day of Bingshen, someone consulted about his brother's illness, and the brother was in critical condition. The hexagram drawn was Ji Ji (Hexagram 63) changing to Ge (Hexagram 49). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers' water (response line), the fifth line was official ghost戌 earth, the fourth line was parents申 metal (which was moving), the third line was brothers亥 water (world line), the second line was official ghost丑 earth, and the first line was sons卯 wood; the moving line申 metal transformed into brothers亥 water. For consulting about the brother, the brothers' line was taken as the useful god, specifically the third line亥 water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: Although the earth of the month of辰 overcomes the water of亥, on this day it is the day of申, and the metal of申 can generate the water of亥; the fourth line申 metal in the hexagram also moves to generate it. Thus, one day of辰 and one moving line of two generations, even though in a critical condition, there is a chance of salvation. Later, on the day of酉, the person met a famous doctor and was saved, and by the days of巳 and亥, he fully recovered.

六爻安靜旺相之爻，可以生得休囚之爻，亦可以克得休囚之爻，蓋旺相者有力之人也。例：令春天寅卯月占得坤卦。 子孫酉金″世 妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木″應 父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″ 如占父母巳火為父母，三爻之卯木當春旺相能生巳火，父母既逢春，木相生，父旺能克子孫。如占子孫，子孫衰矣。春木當令能克丑未，二土臨兄弟，如占兄弟謂之休囚無氣，餘仿此。

When all six lines of a hexagram are still, the line that is prosperous and strong can still generate or control the moving or weak lines. This is because a prosperous and strong line is like a strong person who can exert influence even without moving. For example, if one divines in the spring month of寅 (Yin) or卯 (Mao) and gets the hexagram of Kun (Earth), the six lines from top to bottom are: the top line is the Children (children)酉金 (You Jin), the fifth line is Wealth (wealth)亥水 (Hai Shui), the fourth line is Siblings (siblings)丑土 (Chou Tu), the third line is Official Ghost (official ghost)卯木 (Mao Mu) (response line), the second line is Parents (parents)巳火 (Si Huo), and the first line is Siblings (siblings)未土 (Wei Tu), all six lines are still. If the question is about the parents, then the second line巳火 (Si Huo) is the useful god. The third line卯木 (Mao Mu) is prosperous and strong in spring, and wood can generate fire, so the parents line is strengthened. The parents, having been generated by the spring wood, become strong and then go on to control the gold, thus the top line酉金 (You Jin) is injured. Therefore, in the same hexagram, if the question is about the children, the children line is actually weak. Looking again, in spring, wood is in command and can control earth. The two earth lines丑土 (Chou Tu) and未土 (Wei Tu) are siblings and are controlled by the strong wood, so if the question is about the siblings, they are considered weak and without vitality. The same principle applies to other hexagrams.

例：令春占得兌卦變歸妹卦： 父母未土″世　父母戌土″應 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 父母丑土″應　父母丑土″世 妻財卯木′　妻財卯木′ 官鬼巳火′　官鬼巳火′ 酉金發動雖則休囚，動而能克旺相之卯木，卯木當令能克丑未二土，今既木被金傷，亦難克土，餘仿此。

Another example: still in spring, a hexagram is drawn, with Dui (Hexagram 58) changing to Gui Mei (Hexagram 54). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: top line parents wei earth (world line), fifth line brothers you metal (moving), fourth line children hai water, third line parents chou earth (response line), second line wealth mao wood, first line official ghost si fire; the moving line you metal changes into brothers shen metal. In spring, metal is naturally weak and confined, but the fifth line you metal, since it is moving, has strength and can still overcome the thriving and strong mao wood. This contrasts with the previous example: a static line gains strength through prosperity, while a moving line gains strength through action. The mao wood is naturally strong and could normally overcome the two earth lines, wei earth and chou earth; but now it is first injured by you metal, leaving it unable to overcome the earth lines. The rest follows the same principle.

卦有動爻，動而必變，夫變出之爻能生克沖合本位之動爻，不能生克他爻，而他爻與本位之動爻，亦不能生克變爻。例：令子月卯日占得坤卦變火地晉： 子孫酉金″世　動　父母巳火′ 妻財亥水″　兄弟未土″ 兄弟丑土″　動　子孫酉金′世 官鬼卯木″應　官鬼卯木″ 父母巳火″　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　兄弟未土″應 酉金發動，酉為動爻，變出巳火，巳為變爻，變爻之巳火能回頭克本位之酉金，並不能克生他爻。四爻之丑土能動而生世爻之酉金，不能生變出之酉金，而變出之酉金亦不能生克他爻。

In a hexagram, when a moving line is activated, it necessarily transforms into a new line. This transformed line can only exert influence on the line it originally belonged to, either by generating, controlling, conflicting or harmonizing with it, and it does not affect any other lines. Similarly, other lines cannot affect this transformed line. For example, in the hexagram "Kun (Earth) changing into 'Fire and Earth' (Jin)", the original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the son's metal (the world line, which is activated), the fifth line is the wife's water, the fourth line is the brother's earth (which is activated), the third line is the official ghost's wood (the responding line), the second line is the parent's fire, and the first line is the brother's earth. The top line transforms into the parent's fire, and the fourth line transforms into the son's metal. The top line, which is the son's metal, is the moving line, and the transformed fire can only control the original metal line, and cannot control or generate any other lines. The fourth line, which is the brother's earth, is activated, and earth generates metal, so it can generate the world line's metal, but it cannot generate the new metal line in the transformed hexagram. The transformed metal line also does not exert any influence on other lines.

然則變爻誰能制之？惟日月能生之、克之、沖之、令之何也？日月如天，能生克動爻、靜爻、變爻、飛爻、伏爻、而諸爻不能傷日月。黃金策曰：爻傷日月，徒受其名。既如此卦子水月建能克世爻變出之巳火。卯為日建能沖變出之酉金是也，餘仿此。

So if the changing line is not subject to the control of other lines, who can restrain it? Only the day branch and the month builder. The day branch and the month builder can generate, overcome, clash with, and restrain the changing line. Why? Because the day and month are like the high heavens, able to generate, overcome, move, and restrain the moving lines, static lines, changing lines, flying gods, and hidden gods. Yet these lines cannot in any way harm the day or month. The Golden Strategies say: if a line seeks to harm the day or month, it can only bring about a reputation without any real effect. Take this hexagram as an example: the Zi water of the Zi month is the month builder, and water overcomes fire, thus overcoming the fire that is the changing line of the world line; the卯 wood of the卯 day is the day builder, and卯 and酉 clash, thus moving the酉 gold that is the fourth line's changing line. All other hexagrams follow this principle.

正月寅為月建，寅木旺，卯木次之。二月卯當月建，卯木旺，寅木次之。正二月木為旺、火為相，其餘金火土作休囚。三月辰為月建辰土旺，丑未之土次之，土生金，金為相，相雖不旺，還有餘氣。其餘俱作休囚，四月巳為月建，巳火旺、午火次之。五月午為月建，午火旺，巳火次之，四五月火為旺，土相其餘俱作休囚。六月未為月建，未土旺，辰戌次之，土生金，金為相，火雖衰，但有餘氣，其餘俱作休囚。七月申為月建，申金旺，酉金次之。八月酉為月建，酉金旺，申金次之。七八月金旺，金生水、水為相，其餘俱作休囚，九月戌為月建，戌土旺，丑未次之，土生金，金為相，其餘俱作休囚。十月亥為月建，亥水旺、子水次之。十一月為月建子水旺、亥水次之。十月十一月水旺，水生木，木為相，其餘俱作休囚。十二月丑為月建，丑土旺，辰戌之土次之，土生金，金為相，水雖衰，還有餘氣，其餘俱作休囚。

This chapter discusses the strength and decline of the Five Phases throughout the four seasons. The rule is simple: when the earthly branch of the month belongs to a certain phase, that phase is considered "旺" (strong), the phase it generates is "相" (auxiliary), and all other phases are considered "休囚" (weak and confined). In the first lunar month, the branch is寅 (Yin), so wood is strongest, and卯 (Mao) wood is secondary; in the second lunar month, the branch is卯 (Mao), so wood is strongest, and寅 (Yin) wood is secondary; in the first and second months, wood is strong and fire is auxiliary, while metal, earth, and water are all weak and confined. In the third lunar month, the branch is辰 (Chen), so earth is strongest, and丑 (Chou) and未 (Wei) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary, although not as strong as the strongest, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. In the fourth lunar month, the branch is巳 (Si), so fire is strongest, and午 (Wu) fire is secondary; in the fifth lunar month, the branch is午 (Wu), so fire is strongest, and巳 (Si) fire is secondary; in the fourth and fifth months, fire is strongest and earth is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the sixth lunar month, the branch is未 (Wei), so earth is strongest, and辰 (Chen) and戌 (Xu) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary; although fire has already declined, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. In the seventh lunar month, the branch is申 (Shen), so metal is strongest, and酉 (You) metal is secondary; in the eighth lunar month, the branch is酉 (You), so metal is strongest, and申 (Shen) metal is secondary; in the seventh and eighth months, metal is strongest, and metal generates water, so water is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the ninth lunar month, the branch is戌 (Xu), so earth is strongest, and丑 (Chou) and未 (Wei) earth are secondary; metal is still auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the tenth lunar month, the branch is亥 (Hai), so water is strongest, and子 (Zi) water is secondary; in the eleventh lunar month, the branch is子 (Zi), so water is strongest, and亥 (Hai) water is secondary; in the tenth and eleventh months, water is strongest, and water generates wood, so wood is auxiliary, while the rest are weak and confined. In the twelfth lunar month, the branch is丑 (Chou), so earth is strongest, and辰 (Chen) and戌 (Xu) earth are secondary; since earth generates metal, metal is auxiliary; although water has already declined, it still has some residual strength; the rest are weak and confined. One should note that in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months, which are earth months, the strong phase of the previous season has not yet completely faded, so the text specifically mentions the phrase "still has some residual strength."

月將即是月建又為月令。掌一月之權，司三旬之令。一月三十日內當權得令。操持萬人之提綱，巡察六爻之善惡，能助卦爻之衰弱，能挫爻象之旺強，制服動變之爻，扶起飛伏之用。月將乃當權之帥，萬卜以之為綱領。爻之衰弱者能生之合之、比之、拱之、扶之，衰而亦旺。爻之強旺者能沖之克之、刑之、破之，旺而亦衰。

The "month general" refers to the "month builder," also known as the "month command," which is the earthly branch of the month in divination. It holds authority over the entire month, governing the thirty days of the three weeks. It serves as the overall framework for the entire hexagram, inspecting the good and evil of the six lines. It can support weak lines, restrain overly strong ones, control moving lines and changing lines, and assist hidden or concealed useful gods. The month general is like the commanding general in power, and all divination relies on it as a guideline. For weak lines, it can generate them, harmonize with them, be of the same type as them, support them, or form an arch with them, thus transforming weak lines into strong ones. For strong lines, it can clash with them, overcome them, punish them, or break them, thus turning strong lines into weak ones. Therefore, when examining a hexagram, one should first look at the month builder. Whether the useful god is supported or restrained by the month builder determines half of the fortune's outcome.

卦有變爻剋制動爻者，月建能制變爻。卦有動爻剋制靜爻者，月建亦能制服動爻。用神伏藏被飛神壓住者，月建能沖剋飛神，生助伏神而為用也，爻逢月合而有用，爻逢月破而無功。月建合爻為月合，乃有用之爻也。月建沖爻即為月破，乃無用之爻也。月建不入爻亦為有用，月建一入卦愈見剛強。卦無用神即以月建為用神，不必尋伏神也。月建入卦動而作元神者為福更大，動而作忌神者為禍更深，不入卦者緩之。爻值月建旺相，當謂逢空不空，逢傷無害。古有此說，余試不然，在旬內者畢竟為空。

If there is a changing line that is controlled by the moving line in the hexagram, the month builder can reverse and control the changing line. If a moving line controls a static line, the month builder can also control the moving line. When the useful god is hidden and not visible, and is suppressed by the flying god above, the month builder can overcome the flying god, support the hidden god, and make the hidden god still usable. If a line is in harmony with the month builder, it is called "month harmony," which is a useful line. If a line is attacked by the month builder, it is called "month break," which is an ineffective line. Even if the month builder does not appear in the six lines, its power remains effective. Once the month builder itself appears in the hexagram, that line becomes especially strong. If the useful god is not present in the hexagram at all, use the month builder directly as the useful god, without needing to look for the hidden god. If the month builder appears in the hexagram and moves, and it serves as the origin god, it brings greater fortune; if it serves as the hostile god, it brings greater misfortune. If the month builder does not appear in the hexagram, its power is weaker. There is also an old saying: if a line is in a prosperous and strong state with the month builder, even if it is in the empty period, it is not considered empty, and even if it is attacked, it is not a problem. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have tested this and found it not entirely accurate — as long as it is still within the current period, an empty line is still empty, and it only becomes effective when it moves out of the period.

如寅月庚戌日占求財得火天大有： 官鬼巳火′應 父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′ 父母辰土′世 妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′ 斷曰：寅木財爻為用神，財爻克世，此財必得，但目下尚空，要到甲寅日出空可得。果於甲寅得之。若以逢空不空非也。若在旬內還作空亡，待出旬不為空也。

This is a real divination case. The person asked about seeking wealth on the day of Gengxu in the寅 month, and the hexagram drawn was Da You (Hexagram 14), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the Official Ghost of fire (the Response Line), the fifth line is the Parents of earth, the fourth line is the Brothers of metal, the third line is the Parents of earth (the World Line), the second line is the Wealth of wood, and the first line is the Son of water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted it, saying: when seeking wealth, the Wealth line is the Useful God, so take the second line, the wood of寅. Wood overcomes earth, and the Wealth line is directly overcoming the World Line. Whenever the Wealth line overcomes the World Line, it indicates that wealth will certainly be obtained. Therefore, this wealth will definitely be obtained. However, the wood of寅 is still within the旬空, and it will only be available on the day of Jiayin. Later, the wealth was indeed obtained on the day of Jiayin. This hexagram is a good example to refute old sayings: some people say that when a line is at the month builder, it is not considered empty. Since the wood of寅 is the month builder of the寅 month, it should have wealth at the moment. But in reality, it is not the case. As long as it is still within the current旬, it is still considered empty. It is only when it has passed this旬 that it is no longer considered empty.

逢空不空終非落底之空，逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。所以用神逢空，勿即指為空，畢竟為空。但此空者乃目下旬內之空也，待至出空之日則不空也。作忌神者出而為禍，作元神者出而不為福，非比休囚之真空到底而為空也。爻值月建乃為旺矣，或被他爻所克，即謂之逢傷，占病者目下不愈，占事者目下不成，待至沖去傷爻之日則不受其傷矣，病者必愈、事必成。故曰：逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。

From this we can establish two lines of mnemonic: "When encountering an empty position, it is not truly empty," meaning that this kind of emptiness is not complete emptiness; "When encountering a damaging position, it is also damaging," meaning that although there is damage now, there is still a potential for future effectiveness. Therefore, if the useful god falls into an empty position, do not immediately conclude it is useless, but it is indeed empty at present—this emptiness is only within this ten-day period. When the emptiness is over, it is no longer empty. If it is a hostile god, on the day the emptiness ends, it will cause trouble; if it is the origin god, on the day the emptiness ends, it will bring benefit. This is completely different from the "true emptiness" of being weak and confined, which is truly entirely empty. Similarly, when a line is in the month builder position, it is considered prosperous and strong, but if it is restrained by another line, it is called "encountering damage": in divination about illness, the illness will not recover immediately; in divination about affairs, the affair will not succeed immediately. However, on the day when the line that restrains it is removed, it is no longer restrained, and the patient will recover, the affair will succeed. Therefore, it is said, "Encountering damage is also damaging, but it has potential for future effectiveness."

如酉月丙寅日占謁貴得山風蠱變山水蒙： 兄弟寅木′應　兄弟寅木′ 父母子水″　父母子水″ 妻財戌土″　妻財戌土″世 官鬼酉金′世　動　子孫午火″ 父母亥水′　妻財辰土′ 妻財丑土″　兄弟寅木″應 世臨月建之官，定得面見，但被午火回頭之克，須待子日沖去午火方得拜謁，果得見於丙子日，故曰逢傷亦傷卻有待時之用。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bingyin (丙寅) in the month of You (酉), someone asked if they would meet a nobleman. The hexagram cast was Gu (山风蛊) changing into Meng (山水蒙). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers yin wood (response line), the fifth line was parents zi water, the fourth line was wife's wealth xu earth, the third line was official ghost you metal (world line, which was active), the second line was parents hai water, and the first line was wife's wealth chou earth; the world line you metal transformed into children wu fire. The world line was an official ghost, and it was in the month of You, the month builder, so it was prosperous and strong, thus definitely meeting the nobleman. Unfortunately, after it became active, it transformed into wu fire, which was fire overcoming metal, a case of 'self-overcoming', causing it to be injured at present, so the meeting could not take place. It must wait until the day of Bingzi (丙子), when zi and wu are in opposition, to remove the wu fire, then the meeting can happen. Later, the person indeed met the nobleman on the day of Bingzi. This is a true example of 'meeting injury also causes injury, but there is a time when it can be used'.

日絕、日沖、日克，須察別位有生扶。化絕、化墓、化克，又怕他爻增制克。爻值月建，墓於日或日建沖剋者可以敵之，無吉無凶之象，倘得他爻又動相扶者為吉兆。恐他爻又來剋制用神，雖臨月建，亦難敵也。

If the useful god is on the day branch and meets its decline, or is clashed with or controlled by the day branch, one should check if there is another line that generates and supports it. If the useful god is activated and turns into decline, enters its tomb, or is controlled by itself, then one should fear another line adding another layer of control. Specifically, if a line is already strong due to the month builder, even if it enters its tomb or is clashed with or controlled by the day branch, it can still withstand the month builder's strength, resulting in an outcome that is neither particularly good nor bad. If at this time another line is activated to support it, then it turns into a favorable sign. Conversely, if another line also controls this useful god, then even the strength of the month builder cannot resist the double attack, and it will ultimately be difficult to overcome.

如：寅月丙申日占官之升遷得艮卦變山雷頤： 官鬼寅木′世　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水″　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟戌土″世 子孫申金′應　動　兄弟辰土″ 父母午火″　官鬼寅木″ 兄弟辰土″　動　妻財子水′應 寅木官星持世臨月建而旺相，雖被申日沖剋，喜申子辰合成水局，以生官，不獨無害，定然三月高遷，果於三月升任雲南太守，即升者乃因爻得水局生扶，應三月者辰土出空之月也，應雲南者，世與官星皆在六爻之故耳。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bing Shen (丙申) in the Year of the Tiger (寅月), someone asked about whether a certain official would be promoted. The hexagram drawn was Gen (Geng) as Mountain changing to Yi (Yi) as the Hexagram of Nourishment. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was the Official Ghost (官鬼) of寅 wood (the World Line), the fifth line was the Wealth (妻财) of子 water, the fourth line was the Siblings (兄弟) of戌 earth, the third line was the Children (子孙) of申 gold (the Response Line, which was active), the second line was the Parents (父母) of午 fire, and the first line was the Siblings (兄弟) of辰 earth (which was active). For predicting promotion, the Official Ghost (官鬼) was the useful god (用神). In this hexagram, the Official Ghost was exactly holding the World Line, which was the top line of寅 wood. It also coincided with the Month Builder (月建) of寅 month, thus being prosperous and strong. Although on the day of Bing Shen (丙申), the metal of申 gold clashed and controlled the wood of寅 wood, seemingly unfavorable; however, the metal of申 gold, the water of子 water, and the earth of辰 earth combined to form a water circle (水局), which generated and supported the wood, thus actually supporting the Official Ghost. Therefore, there was no harm, but rather an additional support. Hence, it was predicted that the official would certainly be promoted in the third lunar month. Later, he indeed was promoted to the position of Governor of Yunnan. The reason for the promotion was that the Official Ghost received support from the water circle. The reason for the timing in the third lunar month was that the first line of辰 earth was just out of the旬空 (a period of emptiness). The reason for Yunnan was that both the World Line and the Official Ghost were in the sixth line, which is the position of distant lands.

又如：午月丁未日占弟被訟吉凶得困卦變雷風恆卦。 父母未土″　父母戌土″應 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″ 子孫亥水′應　官鬼午火′ 官鬼午火″　動　兄弟酉金′世 父母辰土′　子孫亥水′ 妻財寅木″世　父母丑土″ 酉金兄爻為用神，午月克之，未日生之，可以相敵，但不宜又動出午火相剋，正所謂最怕他爻增剋制。彼問有害否？余曰：午火為月建動於卦中，謂之入卦者更見剛強，又謂之月建作忌神，為禍不淺，大凶之象，又問凶在何時？余曰：酉金兄爻化退神，今歲辰年太歲相合，自是無妨，恐退至申年而無路矣，果於本年下獄至申年而重刑。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingwei (丁未) in the month of Wu (午), someone consulted about the fortune of his younger brother being involved in legal trouble. The hexagram drawn was Kun (泽水困) changing into Heng (雷风恒). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the father's earth (父母未土), the fifth line is the brother's metal (兄弟酉金, which is active), the fourth line is the son's water (子孙亥水, which is the response line), the third line is the official ghost's fire (官鬼午火, which is active), the second line is the father's earth (父母辰土), and the first line is the wife's wood (妻财寅木, which is the world line). For the consultation about the younger brother, the brother's line is taken as the useful god, specifically the fifth line, the brother's metal (酉金). In the month of Wu, fire is strong and can overcome metal, while on the day of Dingwei, earth is strong and can nourish metal. One overcoming and one nourishing can balance each other; the problem arises because the third line also activates another fire (午火) to overcome the metal, which is exactly what was previously warned against: "most dangerous is when another line adds more overcoming." The person consulted asked: is there any harm? The Wild Crane Elder said: this fire is actually the month builder (月建) of this month, and now it appears in the hexagram and is active, which is called "month builder entering the hexagram," making it especially strong. Moreover, it is the hostile god (忌神), causing great harm, indicating a major凶 (dangerous situation). Another question was asked: when will the danger occur? The answer was: the fifth line, the brother's metal (酉金), which is active, transforms into shen metal (申金), which is the retreating god (退神), already gradually retreating. This year is the year of Chen (辰), and Chen combines with酉 (the fifth line), so it is restrained by the sovereign year (太岁), so for now there is no harm. However, fear comes when it retreats to the year of Shen (申), then there will be no way out. Later, indeed, the younger brother was imprisoned that year and received a severe sentence in the year of Shen.

天象吉者從斯而泰，天象凶者出月遭殃。克少生多者天象吉也，克多生少者天象凶也。天象雖凶，在月內還許不礙，出此月而受其殃。用神遇之得福不輕，忌神逢之得禍不淺，此言用神臨月建而用神休囚無救者諸占皆凶。

If the overall structure of the hexagram is favorable, then things will go smoothly; if the overall structure is unfavorable, misfortune will occur as soon as the month is over. How do we distinguish between favorable and unfavorable structures? When there are few instances of overcoming and many instances of generating, it is a favorable sign; when there are many instances of overcoming and few instances of generating, it is an unfavorable sign. What is important is: even if the structure is unfavorable, as long as it is still within this month, with the help of the month builder, it may not cause trouble. Once the month is over, misfortune will come. Furthermore, the effect of the month builder: if the useful god is supported by the month builder, good fortune will be great; if the hostile god is supported by the month builder, misfortune will be severe. Conversely, if the month builder falls on the side of the hostile god, and the useful god is weak and confined without any support, then anything predicted will be unfavorable.

生扶忌神乃助惡而為虐，剋制用神乃邀路而截糧。忌神克害用神得月建剋制忌神者名為有救。若月建反生忌神者助惡為虐也。如用神得元神之生，月建又生元神吉而又吉，倘月建剋制元神者如劫神強奪食也。物窮則變，器滿則傾。用神衰遇時則發，即如用神臨火，冬占不旺，等到春來則旺矣，謂之物窮則變，又如正月占卦，用神臨寅木月建謂之大旺，若到秋季遇金沖剋不無破敗，故謂之器滿則傾。

The Moon Builder (month builder) supporting and nurturing the Hostile God (忌神) is like helping a wicked person commit a crime; the Moon Builder restraining the Useful God (用神) is like intercepting a supply route halfway. Therefore, when the Hostile God is already harming the Useful God, if the Moon Builder instead restrains the Hostile God, it is called "having help"; if the Moon Builder instead supports the Hostile God, it is aiding evil. Similarly, if the Useful God is already being supported by the Origin God (元神), and the Moon Builder also supports the Origin God, it is a double blessing; but if the Moon Builder instead restrains the Origin God, it is like a robber taking away the food right in front of you. Additionally, one must understand two sayings: "When things reach an extreme, they change; when a vessel is full, it will tip over." When the Useful God is currently weak, it will become strong when it reaches its season—such as when the Useful God is fire, and it is not strong in winter, but when spring comes and the wood becomes strong, it will generate fire and become strong, which is called "extreme conditions lead to reversal." Conversely, if in the first lunar month, the Useful God is in the position of the寅 wood, which is the current month builder, it is considered very strong; but when it reaches autumn and the metal becomes strong, the metal will clash and restrain it, inevitably leading to failure, which is called "when a vessel is full, it will tip over." Divination should not only look at the current strength and weakness, but also consider its future changes and growth.

如：寅月丁酉日占開鋪面得艮卦變明夷卦。 官鬼寅木′世　動　子孫酉金″ 妻財子水″　妻財亥水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟丑土″世 子孫申金′應　妻財亥水′ 父母午火″　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土″　動　官鬼卯木′應 世臨寅木得令，當時目下開張，即許熱鬧，獨嫌日辰克世，世化回頭之克，生少克多，又是六沖卦，不吉。彼曰：我是夥計不同心？或是別有他圖？余曰：鬼在身邊須防疾病，夥伴從此變心，受其累，果於六月疾至，八月夥計盜盡。鳴之於官，分文不復。此謂之當時旺相無傷，過時有害。應六月者，木墓於未，夥計變心者，應爻申金秋天當令，而沖剋世爻，財被盜盡者，四爻子財落空亡。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingyou in the寅 month, someone consulted about opening a shop, and the hexagram cast was Gen (Hexagram 52) changing into Ming Yi (Hexagram 36). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the Official Ghost of寅 wood (the World Line, which is active), the fifth line is the Wealth of子 water, the fourth line is the Siblings of戌 earth, the third line is the Children of申 gold (the Response Line), the second line is the Parents of午 fire, and the first line is the Siblings of辰 earth (which is active). The World Line of寅 wood changes into the Children of酉 gold. The World Line of寅 wood is in the寅 month and thus receives the mandate, so the opening of the shop will certainly be lively. However, there is a problem: the酉 gold of the Dingyou day comes to control the World Line, and the World Line being active also changes into酉 gold, which turns back to control it, resulting in more control than support. Moreover, the hexagram Gen (Hexagram 52) itself is a hexagram of six clashes, indicating dispersion, which is generally unfavorable. The person consulted asked: are the assistants not in harmony with me, or is there some other plot? The Wild Crane Elder said: the Official Ghost is attached to the World Line, so one must first be cautious of illness; the partners will change their hearts, and you will be burdened by them. Later, in June, he fell ill, and in August, the assistants stole all the goods, and when they were reported to the authorities, nothing could be recovered. This is called "at the time of prosperity and strength, there is no harm, but after the time, there is harm." The occurrence in June is because the wood is buried in the earth of未; the assistants changing their hearts is because the Response Line of申 gold becomes dominant in autumn and clashes with the World Line; the complete theft of the wealth is because the wife's wealth of子 water is exactly in the旬空.

逢絕不絕，逢沖不散，日生月克，兼看生扶，日克月生，兼查沖剋。月將當權，其能衰絕？旺相如剛，其能沖散？月剋日生遇幫而愈旺，月生日克逢他削而亦衰。如午月戊辰日占妹臨產吉凶得火地晉： 官鬼巳火′ 父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′世 妻財卯木″ 官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″應 酉金兄爻為用神，月令克之，日建生之，許之無礙，卯日卯時必生，果於次日卯時生，母子平安，應卯時者，酉金與辰日相合。黃金策曰：若逢合住，必待沖開，此月克而日生，無增剋制或幫扶也。

Another few lines of mnemonic: When a line is at the month's builder, it is said "when met, it does not break; when clashed, it does not scatter." If the day branch generates and the month builder controls, one should check elsewhere for any generation or support. If the day branch controls and the month builder generates, one should check elsewhere for any clash or control. Since the month general is in charge, how can it be weak or dead? A prosperous and strong line is hard as iron, how can it be scattered by a clash? However, if the month controls and the day generates, and another line supports, it becomes even more prosperous. If the month generates and the day controls, and another line weakens it, it will still turn weak. Here is a real case: In the month of午 (Fire), on the day of戊辰 (Wuchen), someone divined the fortune of his sister's childbirth, and the hexagram came out as Fire on Earth (Jin), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the top line was the official ghost of巳 (Fire), the fifth line was the parents of未 (Earth), the fourth line was the siblings of酉 (Metal) (the world line), the third line was the wife's wealth of卯 (Wood), the second line was the official ghost of巳 (Fire), and the first line was the parents of未 (Earth) (the response line). For the sister's childbirth, the siblings line was taken as the useful god, which was the fourth line酉 (Metal). In the month of午 (Fire), fire controls metal, and on the day of Wuchen (Wuchen), earth generates metal. One control and one generation are exactly balanced, so it was predicted that there would be no hindrance, and the time of childbirth was predicted to be on卯 (Wood) day and卯 (Wood) hour. Later, she indeed gave birth the next day at卯 (Wood) hour, and both mother and child were safe. The prediction of卯 (Wood) hour is because the酉 (Metal) line was tied by the combination with辰 (Earth) day, and it could not be released until卯 (Wood) came to clash and open it. The Golden Strategies say "if a combination holds, it must wait for a clash to open," which is exactly this meaning. In this case, the month controlled and the day generated, and there was neither additional control nor support elsewhere, so the prediction was based solely on the balance between one control and one generation.

子水、丑土、寅木、卯木、辰土、巳火、午火、未土、申金、酉金、戌土、亥水。日辰為六爻之主宰，司四時之旺相。前章言：月令司三旬之令，令於春則生，令於秋則殺，春夏秋冬各令其時，獨日辰不然，四時俱旺，操生殺大權與月建同功。沖旺相之靜爻，既為暗動，沖衰弱之靜爻為日破，爻之旺而靜者沖之則為暗動，愈得其力，爻之衰而靜者，沖之則為日破，愈加無用。沖空即起，沖合即開，爻之衰弱，能生扶合拱，如時雨以滋苗，爻之強旺，能克害刑沖，似秋霜殺草。

The twelve Earthly Branches each correspond to one of the Five Phases: Zi belongs to Water, Chou to Earth, Yin to Wood, Mao to Wood, Chen to Earth, Si to Fire, Wu to Fire, Wei to Earth, Shen to Metal, You to Metal, Xu to Earth, and Hai to Water. The Earthly Branch of the day on which the divination is performed is called the "Day Branch," which is the master of the six lines and controls the prosperity and strength of the four seasons. The previous chapter explained that the monthly ruler only governs one ten-day period; in spring, it governs growth, and in autumn, it governs destruction, with each season having its own time. However, the Day Branch is different; it is always prosperous throughout the four seasons and holds great power over life and death, being as powerful as the monthly ruler. The functions of the Day Branch are as follows: if it conflicts with a prosperous and static line, that line becomes "covert movement"; if it conflicts with a weak and static line, that line becomes "day break." In other words, a prosperous and static line that is conflicted gains even more strength, while a weak and static line that is conflicted becomes even more useless. A line that is empty and is conflicted becomes "active," and a line that is bound by a conjunction and is conflicted becomes "unbound." For a weak line, the Day Branch can generate it, support it, join it, or support it, like timely rain nourishing crops; for a strong line, the Day Branch can overcome it, harm it, punish it, or conflict with it, like autumn frost sweeping away weeds.

爻遇旬空，日辰沖起而有用，謂之沖空則實。逢合住遇日建以沖開，謂之沖合則散。他書有云，爻逢月建日沖而不散，是明知當令，不畏日沖，及至講論禍福不拘旺相休囚，一概俱以散論，最重要者散，獨余屢試不驗，偏不應乎散，“神兆機於動，動則必驗”，不見其散也，旺相者沖之愈強，休囚無氣者，間乎有散，亦百中僅一二也。

If a line is properly placed in the旬空 (a void period), and is then opposed by the day branch, it becomes active, which is called 'the void is made real by opposition'. If a line is bound by a combination, and then opposed by the day branch, the combination is broken, which is called 'the combination is dispersed by opposition'. Other divination books say that a line opposing the month builder will not be dispersed even if opposed by the day branch. This statement is clear in that a line in its season is not afraid of being opposed by the day. However, when these books come to judging fortune and misfortune, they ignore the strength and weakness of the line, and treat 'dispersion' as the most important factor. Only the Wild Crane Elder has repeatedly tested this and found it ineffective, and it does not correspond to the word 'dispersion'. His view is that the mechanism of the卦 (divination chart) is revealed through movement. Once there is movement, there must be a response, and there is no need to consider whether it is dispersed or not. A strong line becomes even stronger when opposed; a weak line is only occasionally dispersed, and this happens only once or twice in a hundred cases.

逢月破而不破，遇沖剋而無傷，似與月建同權，中天日麗，旺相之機。生多克少錦上添花，生少克多，寡不敵眾。既如酉月卯日占卦，爻臨卯木謂之逢破不破，假使爻中有動出申酉之金或卯爻動化申酉，此謂之寡不敵眾，破亦為破，傷亦為傷。餘仿此。

If a line of the hexagram is exactly on the day branch, then even though it meets the month breaker, it is not considered broken. It also does not suffer from clash and control. Its power is almost equal to the month builder. This is like the sun at noon shining brightly in the sky, which is the most prosperous and strong time. At this time, if there are more supportive elements and fewer controlling ones, it is like adding flowers to a beautiful scene. But if there are fewer supportive elements and more controlling ones, it would be like a minority being overwhelmed by the majority. For example, if the hexagram is cast on the day of卯 (Mao) in the month of酉 (You), and there is a line of卯 wood in the hexagram, the month of酉 usually clashes with卯, making it the month breaker. However, since the line is on the day of卯, it is called "meeting the breaker but not being broken." If there are also movements of申 (Shen) metal or酉 (You) metal in the hexagram, or if the卯 line itself moves and transforms into申 or酉, then it is a case of the minority being overwhelmed by the majority — the breaking still occurs and the damage still happens. Other situations follow the same principle.

如申月戊午日占病得天山遁變天風姤： 父母戌土′　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′應　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′應 兄弟申金′　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火″世　動　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土″　父母丑土″世 世爻午火臨日辰，本主旺相，不宜申金月建生亥水回頭克世，卒於亥月。

This is a real divination case. The person consulted on a disease during the month of Shen and day of Wuwu. The hexagram cast was Heaven over Mountain, Dun, changing to Heaven over Wind, Gou. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in earth (Xu earth), the fifth line is siblings in metal (Shen metal) which is the response line, the fourth line is official ghost in fire (Wu fire), the third line is siblings in metal (Shen metal), the second line is official ghost in fire (Wu fire) which is the world line and is active, and the first line is parents in earth (Chen earth). The world line, Wu fire, changes to children in water (Hai water). In self-divination for illness, the world line is the useful god. The world line, Wu fire, is exactly the day branch, Wuwu, so it should be considered prosperous and strong. The problem is that after it becomes active, it changes to Hai water, which is water overcoming fire, forming a self-overcoming aspect. The month builder, Shen month, also supports this Hai water, making the self-overcoming force stronger. Although the day branch is strong, it cannot resist the power of the month builder's support in the self-overcoming aspect. As a result, the person died in the month of Hai, which is the month when Hai water is in command.

又如：巳月亥日占僕何日回得夬卦變履卦： 兄弟未土″　動　兄弟戌土′ 子孫酉金′世　子孫申金′世 妻財亥水′　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土′　動　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼寅木′應　官鬼卯木′應 妻財子水′　父母巳火′ 亥水財爻為用神，亥為月破，臨日建而不破，不宜重疊四重土動以傷之，諺云：雙拳不敵四手，不獨難望歸期，預防不測，果於午月卯日得信中途已遭害矣。此章當與月建章參看。

This is a real divination case. In the month of Si and day of Hai, someone asked about the day when a servant would return. The hexagram cast was Guai (Hexagram 43) changing to Lv (Hexagram 10). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is brothers in Wei earth (moving), the fifth line is children in You metal (world line), the fourth line is wife wealth in Hai water, the third line is brothers in Chen earth (moving), the second line is official ghost in Yin wood (response line), and the first line is wife wealth in Zi water. For this divination, the wife wealth line is the useful god, taking the fourth line Hai water. The month of Si conflicts with Hai, so Hai water is originally the month breaker; fortunately, it is exactly the day branch of Hai, so the breaking does not actually occur. Unfortunately, there are too many earth lines in the hexagram: the top line Wei earth is moving, the third line Chen earth is moving, and the two moving lines each change into Xu earth and Chou earth, resulting in four layers of earth lines attacking the water. As the saying goes, two fists cannot defeat four hands. The useful god is being attacked from all sides, so not only is the return date uncertain, but there is also a need to be cautious of unexpected events. Later, on the day of Wu and Mao, news was received that the servant had already been killed on the way. This chapter should be read together with the chapter on the Month General to clearly distinguish the power of the day branch and the month builder.

總注：旺之者，爻之帝旺於日月也；比之者，爻與日月同也；扶之、拱之者爻與日、月同類也；墓之、絕之者爻墓絕於日月也。李我平日：易以爻臨日辰莫能散之、莫能空之，謂逢空而不空也，然動逢日沖謂散，既作日辰又有日辰來沖乎？旬空者乃旬內之所無也，既是旬空其又有臨日辰之事？故知讀書之不足如此。

Here are some summaries of the previous terms: "Being prosperous" refers to a line being in "Prosperity" on the day branch or month builder; "Being similar" refers to the earthly branch of a line being exactly the same as that of the day or month; "Supporting" and "Supporting by flanking" refer to a line sharing the same Five Phases as the day or month (such as寅 and 卯, or 申 and 酉); "Being in the墓" and "Being in the绝" refer to a line entering the墓 or encountering the绝 in the day or month. The commentator Li Woping (pen name Tan, from Chujiang) remarked: Divination texts say that when a line is on the day branch, it will not be scattered by a冲 and will not be empty, hence called "meeting an empty but not being empty"; yet it also says that when a moving line meets the冲 of the day branch, it is considered scattered. Imagine, if the line itself is already the day branch, how can there be another day branch to冲 it? Moreover, the term "ten-day empty" refers to the two earthly branches that do not exist in this ten-day period; since these branches do not exist in this period, how can there be a case where the line is exactly on the day branch? It is evident that some people do not read carefully, leading to contradictions as serious as this.

甲乙日　丙丁日　戊日　己日　庚辛日　壬癸日 元武　青龍　朱雀　勾陳　滕蛇　白虎 白虎　元武　青龍　朱雀　勾陳　滕蛇 滕蛇　白虎　元武　青龍　朱雀　勾陳 勾陳　滕蛇　白虎　元武　青龍　朱雀 朱雀　勾陳　滕蛇　白虎　元武　青龍 青龍　朱雀　勾陳　滕蛇　白虎　元武

This is a table for determining the arrangement of the Six Spirits. The header indicates the heavenly stem of the day on which the divination is performed, divided into six categories. The six rows below correspond to the sixth line down to the first line, from top to bottom. To use the table, refer to the column corresponding to the day's heavenly stem and write the Six Spirits from bottom to top next to each line. On days beginning with Jia or Yi, the Azure Dragon begins at the first line, followed by Vermilion Bird, Gou Chen, Teng Sha, White Tiger, and the top line is Black Tortoise. On days beginning with Bing or Ding, the Vermilion Bird begins at the first line, followed by Gou Chen, Teng Sha, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and the top line is Azure Dragon. On days beginning with Wu, Gou Chen begins at the first line, followed by Teng Sha, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and the top line is Vermilion Bird. On days beginning with Ji, Teng Sha begins at the first line, followed by White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and the top line is Gou Chen. On days beginning with Geng or Xin, White Tiger begins at the first line, followed by Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Gou Chen, and the top line is Teng Sha. On days beginning with Ren or Gui, Black Tortoise begins at the first line, followed by Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Gou Chen, Teng Sha, and the top line is White Tiger. It is evident that the order of the Six Spirits is always a cycle of Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Gou Chen, Teng Sha, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise, which remains unchanged, only the starting point varies according to the day's heavenly stem.

諸書無不以青龍為吉，白虎為凶。天元賦曰：身旺龍持多吉處。碎金賦曰：龍動家有喜，虎動家有喪。卜筮元龜曰：滕蛇白虎憂尊長。卜筮大全曰：畏口御刀之白虎，喜赴水之青龍。閱奧章占疾痛滕蛇主死，白虎主喪。此皆不以五行，竟以六神而斷生死。惟千金賦曰：虎興而遇吉神不害其吉，龍動而逢凶曜難掩其凶。此正理也，然則六神而不驗耶乎，乃附合之神也，卦之吉者逢龍而更吉，卦之凶者逢白虎而更凶，且元武主盜賦，朱雀主口舌，無不驗也，至於家宅墳塋不可少也。

Different divination texts all agree that the Blue Dragon is auspicious and the White Tiger is inauspicious. The "Heavenly Origin Treatise" says that if the personal element is strong and the Blue Dragon is present, it usually indicates good fortune; the "Golden Fragments Treatise" states that the movement of the Blue Dragon signifies family happiness, while the movement of the White Tiger signifies family misfortune; the "Essential Guide to Divination" mentions that the Snake and White Tiger indicate worries and troubles for elders; the "Comprehensive Guide to Divination" warns against the White Tiger with a sword and celebrates the Blue Dragon going into water; the "Chapter of Insights" says that the Snake indicates death and the White Tiger indicates mourning when predicting illness. All these statements ignore the Five Phases and rely solely on the Six Spirits to determine life and death. Only the "Treasure of a Thousand Gold" makes sense: if the White Tiger is active but meets auspicious spirits, it does not harm the auspiciousness; if the Blue Dragon is active but meets malevolent stars, it cannot hide the malevolence. So are the Six Spirits really effective? The Wild Crane Elder's view is that the Six Spirits are merely "supporting deities"—if the hexagram itself is auspicious, the presence of the Blue Dragon makes it even more so; if the hexagram itself is inauspicious, the presence of the White Tiger makes it even worse. The Six Spirits cannot alone determine fortune or misfortune. However, the statements about the Black Tortoise indicating theft and the Vermilion Bird indicating disputes are often accurate; especially when predicting family matters or grave sites, the Six Spirits are indispensable.

如戊子日占生產，得山地剝變風地觀卦： 朱雀　妻財寅木′　妻財卯木′ 青龍　子孫子水″世　動　官鬼巳火′ 元武　父母戌土″　父母未土″世 白虎　妻財卯木″　妻財卯木″ 勾陳　官鬼巳火″應　官鬼巳火″ 滕蛇　父母未土″　父母未土″應 子水子孫化絕變鬼，本日落草而亡，卻是青龍臨子孫，亦可謂之喜耶？

This is a real divination case used to refute the old saying that "the Azure Dragon always signifies joy." On a Wuzi day, a divination was performed about childbirth, resulting in the hexagram Mountain Earth Splitting (Bo) changing to Wind Earth Observing (Guan). Starting from the Wuzi day, Gou Chen was on the first line, so the six spirits, from top to bottom, are Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, Gou Chen, and Teng Sha. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: top line, Wealth Yin Wood (Vermilion Bird), fifth line, Children Zi Water (Azure Dragon, world line, active), fourth line, Parents Xu Earth (Black Tortoise), third line, Wealth Mao Wood (White Tiger), second line, Official Ghost Si Fire (Gou Chen, response line), first line, Parents Wei Earth (Teng Sha). In divination about childbirth, the Children line is the useful god, which is the fifth line Zi Water. This Zi Water is active and transforms into Si Fire Official Ghost: water is extinguished at Si, which is "transformation into extinction"; the transformed line is also an Official Ghost, which is "transformation into ghost," resulting in two layers of bad omens. The result was that the infant died on the same day it was born. However, this line is specifically occupied by the Azure Dragon—the Azure Dragon is on the Children line, so can it still be considered a joyful omen?

又如申月甲辰日占兄病得屯之震： 元武　兄弟子水″　官鬼戌土″世 白虎　官鬼戌土′應　動　父母申金″ 勾陳　父母申金″　動　妻財午火′ 媵蛇　官鬼辰土″　官鬼辰土″應 朱雀　子孫寅木″世　子孫寅木″ 青龍　兄弟子水′　兄弟子水′ 子水兄爻為用神，卦中忌神、元神同動，土動生申，申金動而生子水，月建又生子水，至戊申日沉痾復起，其可謂之蛇動死，虎動主喪耶？

Another actual case is used to refute the old saying that "the White Tiger indicates death and the Serpent indicates loss." On the day of Jiachen in the month of Shen, a person consulted about his brother's illness, and the hexagram cast was Zhun (Hexagram 3) changing to Zhen (Hexagram 51). The first line was occupied by the Blue Dragon, so the six spirits, from top to bottom, were Black Tortoise, White Tiger, Gou Chen, Serpent, Vermilion Bird, and Blue Dragon. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers' water (Xuanwu), the fifth line was official ghost戌 earth (White Tiger, the responding line, which was active), the fourth line was parents' metal申 (Gou Chen, which was active), the third line was official ghost辰 earth (Serpent), the second line was children's wood寅 (Zhuque, the world line), and the first line was brothers' water子 (Qinglong). For the consultation about the brother, the brothers' line was the useful god, and the upper line's water was taken as the useful god. In the hexagram, the earth戌 was the hostile god (earth controls water), and the metal申 was the origin god (metal generates water). Both were active at the same time: the hostile god戌 first generated the origin god申, which then generated the useful god子, continuing the mutual generation, turning a bad situation into a good one; moreover, the month builder of Shen also generated the useful god子. Therefore, it was predicted that the brother would recover. Later, on the day of Wushen, he indeed recovered from a long illness and got up again. In this hexagram, the White Tiger was on the official ghost and was active, and the Serpent was also in the hexagram. If we followed the old saying, would it not indicate death or loss? This shows that the six spirits should not be judged in isolation when determining life and death.

子與丑合、寅與亥合、卯與戌合、辰與酉合、巳與申合，午與未合。相合法有六：日月合爻者一也。爻與爻合者二也。爻動化合者三也，卦逢六合四也。六沖卦變六合卦五也。六合卦變六合卦六也。日、月合爻者，假令丑月占得坎卦，世爻子水與月建作合是也。爻與爻合者，假令得天風姤卦、世爻丑動化出子水作合是也。卦逢六合者即如天地否卦內外六爻自相和合是也，不動亦是。六沖卦變六和卦者，假令得乾為天乃是八純六沖卦，若外卦三爻值動，乃是乾之泰卦，謂之六沖變六合是了。六合卦變六合者即如占得旅卦變賁卦是也。

The twelve Earthly Branches combine in pairs, making six combinations: Zi and Chou combine, Yin and Hai combine, Mao and Xu combine, Chen and You combine, Si and Shen combine, and Wu and Wei combine. There are six types of combinations. The first type is when the Day Branch or the Month Builder combines with a line in the hexagram. The second type is when two lines within the hexagram combine with each other. The third type is when a line moves and produces a new line that combines with it. The fourth type is when the hexagram itself is a "Six Harmony" hexagram. The fifth type is when a hexagram that is a Six Clashes hexagram changes into a Six Harmony hexagram. The sixth type is when a Six Harmony hexagram changes into another Six Harmony hexagram. Examples: Day and Month combine with a line, for instance, in the month of Chou, if the hexagram is Kan (Water), the World Line, which is Zi Water, combines with the Month Builder Chou. A line combines with another line, for instance, if the hexagram is Tian Feng Gou, the World Line is Cuo Earth, which moves and produces Zi Water, and Zi and Cuo combine. The hexagram itself is a Six Harmony hexagram, for instance, Tian Di Pi, the inner and outer lines already combine in pairs, even if no line moves. A Six Clashes hexagram changes into a Six Harmony hexagram, for instance, if the hexagram is Qian (Heaven), which is a pure hexagram and a Six Clashes hexagram, and if the third line of the outer trigram moves, it changes into Tian Di Tai, which is a Six Harmony hexagram. A Six Harmony hexagram changes into another Six Harmony hexagram, for instance, if the hexagram is Huo Shan Lu, which changes into Shan Huo Bi, and both the original and the changed hexagrams are Six Harmony hexagrams.

爻之合者，靜而逢合，謂之合起。動而逢合，合謂之合絆。爻與爻合謂之合好，爻動化合謂之化扶。爻靜或與日月動爻合者得合而起。即使爻值休囚亦有旺相之意。爻動或與日月動爻合者謂之動逢合而絆住，反不能動之意。爻動與動爻相合，乃得他來合我，與我和好，相助之意。爻動化出之爻回頭相合者，謂之化扶，得他扶助之意。

Combining (he) has different names and different effects. A still line that meets a combination is called "he qi" (combination arising); a moving line that meets a combination is called "he ban" (combination restraining); when two lines combine with each other, it is called "he hao" (mutual combination); when a moving line transforms into another line that comes back to combine with it, it is called "hua fu" (transformation of support). Specifically, if a still line combines with the day branch, month builder, or moving line, it is said to be "raised" by the combination, even if it was originally weak and confined, it now carries a hint of prosperity and strength. If a moving line combines with the day branch, month builder, or moving line, it means the movement is restrained by the combination, making it unable to move, thus delaying matters. If a moving line combines with another moving line, it indicates that someone else is actively coming to be friendly, showing a helping intention. If a moving line transforms into another line that comes back to combine with it, it is called "hua fu" (transformation of support), indicating receiving assistance from others. Therefore, when seeing the character "he" (combination), one must first determine whether the line being combined is still or moving: a still line gains strength through combination, while a moving line is hindered by combination.

凡得諸合，諸占皆以為吉，占名成，占利利就，占婚必成，占身發福，占宅興旺，占風水聚氣藏風、占求謀遂心合意，然必用神有氣相宜，用若失陷無益。卜書曰：萬事若得三六合，諸事必得久遠，有始有終。但宜吉事逢之，事必就，不宜凶事逢之，事之難結。

In general, when a hexagram has a harmonious combination, it is considered auspicious for any matter: if it is about official rank, then official rank can be achieved; if it is about benefits, then benefits can be obtained; if it is about marriage, then the marriage will certainly succeed; if it is about oneself, then good fortune and success will come; if it is about the family, then the family will flourish; if it is about feng shui, then it will gather energy and retain it; if it is about planning matters, then things will go according to one's wishes. However, there is a prerequisite— the useful god must have vitality; if the useful god has already lost its strength and is powerless, then even having a harmonious combination will be of no use. The divination books say: if all things achieve triple harmony and six harmony, all matters can last long and have a beginning and an end. But this statement only applies to auspicious matters: auspicious matters encountering harmony will certainly succeed; however, if ominous matters encounter harmony, it is not good, as it will entangle and not disperse, making it difficult to resolve.

如申月丙子日占出門，得明夷小過。 父母酉金″　官鬼戌土″ 兄弟亥水″　父母申金″ 官鬼丑土″世　動　妻財午火′世 兄弟亥水′　父母申金′ 官鬼丑土″　妻財午火″ 子孫卯木′應　動　官鬼辰土″應 世動破，余曰：合住必有事絆，不能動身。伊曰：因何而阻？余曰：卦中子動變鬼，防兒女不安。彼曰：因小女多病，男家催促成婚，今欲往外求取財物以備妝奩。余曰：所得何病？彼曰：血枯成勞。余曰：卯木子孫申月絕之，子日刑之，且動而變鬼，恐嫁之不及矣。後因病重，此人未去，女死辰日，夫應不去者，世動而逢合也，女死辰日者，卯木子孫變辰土之故也。此乃爻之遇合、卦逢六合之驗也。餘又驗其六沖卦變六合者。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bingzi (丙子) in the month of Shen (申), someone consulted about going on a long journey, and the hexagram drawn was Ming Yi (地火明夷) changing into Xiao Guo (雷山小过). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in酉 gold, the fifth line is siblings in亥 water, the fourth line is official ghost in丑 earth (the world line, which is active), the third line is siblings in亥 water, the second line is official ghost in丑 earth, and the first line is children in卯 wood (the response line, which is active). The world line, which is丑 earth, is active but is restrained by the Zi water of the Bingzi day (Zi and Chou are harmonious). The Wild Crane Elder said: when a line is active but is restrained by another, there must be something obstructing the matter, and the journey will not be possible. The person asked: what is the reason for the obstruction? The answer was: in the hexagram, the first line, which is children, is active and changes into official ghost in辰 earth. One should be cautious about the children's instability. The person said: exactly because my youngest daughter is very ill, and the male side is urging me to marry her off, I wanted to go on a journey to earn some money to prepare a dowry. The Wild Crane Elder asked: what illness does she have? The answer was: blood deficiency leading to tuberculosis. The Wild Crane Elder said: the first line is children in卯 wood, and in the month of Shen, metal is strong, so wood is in decline in Shen; the day of Zi also harms卯 wood; and moreover, it is active and changes into official ghost. It is feared that she will not be able to get married in time. Later, the daughter became seriously ill, and the person indeed did not go on the journey, and the daughter died on the day of Chen (辰). The reason for "not being able to go" is because the world line was active and was restrained by a harmonious relationship; the reason for "dying on the day of Chen" is because the children in卯 wood changed into the official ghost in辰 earth. This is an example of a line encountering a harmonious relationship and the hexagram encountering the Six Harmonies. The Wild Crane Elder then further verified the case where a hexagram of Six Clashes changes into a hexagram of Six Harmonies.

如未月丁巳日占已悔婚還可成否得離卦變火山旅： 兄弟巳火′世　兄弟巳火′ 子孫未土″　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′　妻財酉金′應 官鬼亥水′應　妻財申金′ 子孫丑土″　兄弟午火″ 父母卯木′　動　子孫辰土″世 斷曰：此卦從來難以吉斷，因得屢驗六沖變合，散而復聚，離而必合，此婚一定還成，果於次年三月仍成婚。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingsi (丁巳) in the month of Wei (未), someone consulted about a marriage that had already been reconsidered and whether it could still succeed. The hexagram cast was Li (Fire) changing into Lv (Traveler). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was brothers in the fire of巳 (世爻), the fifth line was children in the earth of未, the fourth line was wealth in the metal of酉, the third line was official ghost in the water of亥 (response line), the second line was children in the earth of丑, and the first line was parents in the wood of卯 (which was active). The active line of卯 wood transformed into children in the earth of辰. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: looking at this hexagram alone, the useful god is not auspicious, and it is difficult to make a positive interpretation according to the old methods. However, Li (Fire) is a hexagram of six clashes, and the transformed hexagram Lv (Traveler) is a hexagram of six harmony. I have verified many times that this pattern of "six clashes changing into six harmony" always results in dispersion followed by gathering, separation followed by union. Therefore, the Elder concluded that this marriage would definitely still succeed. Later, it indeed came true when the couple married in the third month of the following year.

諸合皆以用神旺者為吉，獨此六沖卦變六合得不看用神，竟以吉斷。占婚姻先吳越而後朱陳，占夫妻先參商後必合好，占功名始則艱駐，終頃榮顯。占求謀先難後易，占身命先困後顯，占風水巧處奇逢，占家宅先衰後盛。

Various forms of harmony require the useful god to be prosperous and strong in order to be auspicious; only the case of "six clashes changing to six harmony" can be directly judged as auspicious without considering the useful god. Its meaning is that things first scatter and then gather, first difficult and then successful. Therefore: in divination about marriage, at first it is like the enmity between Wu and Yue, but later becomes the harmonious marriage of the Zhu and Chen village for generations; in divination about husband and wife, at first they are like the star Shen and the star Shang, appearing one after the other and never meeting, but later they must become harmonious; in divination about official rank, the beginning is difficult and delayed, but eventually it brings honor and prominence; in divination about planning affairs, it first encounters difficulty and then becomes easy; in divination about one's destiny, it first experiences hardship and then achieves success; in divination about fengshui, one will meet extraordinary opportunities at the right place; in divination about the family residence, it first declines and then becomes prosperous.

六合卦變六合。爻逢六合已為吉兆，動而變六合謂始終而作合也。占風水百代顯榮。占宅舍千秋基業、占婚姻白頭相守，占功名仕路亨通，占財帛聚積如山，占兄弟累世同居，宜合吉，不宜合凶，諸占用神臨日月者，吉之又吉也。惟占訟獄不利，冤仇難解，及占憂疑怪事，終不開心，占孕胎安，占產難生，若再用神受克，更為凶兆。

Now talking about "Six Harmony Hexagram Changes into Six Harmony Hexagram." When a hexagram meets the Six Harmony, it is already a good omen. If it then changes into another Six Harmony hexagram, it means that from beginning to end, everything is harmonious. In divination for风水, it indicates glory for generations; for residential sites, it signifies an enduring foundation; for marriage, it suggests a long and happy life together; for official rank, it indicates smooth career advancement; for wealth, it means accumulating riches; for siblings, it suggests living together for many generations. However, one must remember: harmony is suitable for good events, not for bad ones. In all such inquiries, if the useful god coincides with the day branch and the month builder, it is even more auspicious. The only exception is in cases of litigation and imprisonment, which are very unfavorable, as grievances persist and are hard to resolve; for matters of worry and strange occurrences, it is also not good, as the mind remains burdened and unresolved; for pregnancy, it indicates a safe pregnancy, but for childbirth, it suggests difficult labor. If the useful god is further weakened by being attacked, it becomes an even worse omen.

如卯月甲寅日占風水得困之節。 父母未土″　子孫子水″ 兄弟酉金′　父母戌土′ 子孫亥水′應　動　兄弟申金″應 官鬼午火″　父母丑土″ 父母辰土′　妻財卯木′ 妻財寅木″世　動　官鬼巳火′世 余曰：占祖塋必有其故，自葬後何事不亨？今日之念因何而起？明以告我，方敢決斷。彼曰：自葬之後功名屢困，年近五旬，尚無子息，是以問之曰：此塋之有疑否？余曰：龍自右脈來，水亦從左而還源，流水不歸漕之故耳。彼曰：何以知之，余曰：亥水子孫化申金生之，申為源流，寅日沖之，若能使水歸漕，不至傍流者，明年起用，再拜丹墀，申年定生鱗種，彼曰：長久安泰否？余曰：六合萬載安然。

This is a real divination. On the day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Mao (卯), someone consulted about the风水 of his ancestors' tomb. The hexagram drawn was Ze Shui Kun (泽水困), changing to Shui Ze Jie (水泽节). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in Wei earth, the fifth line is siblings in You metal, the fourth line is children in Hai water (the responding line, which is active), the third line is official ghost in Wu fire, the second line is parents in Chen earth, and the first line is wife wealth in Yin wood (the world line, which is active). The Wild Crane Elder first asked: consulting about the ancestors' tomb must have some reason. Since the burial, what event has been unsmooth? Why did you have this thought today? Only after you explain clearly can I give my interpretation. The person said: since the burial, my official career has repeatedly encountered setbacks, and I am nearly fifty without a son, so I want to ask whether this tomb is problematic. The Wild Crane Elder said: the terrain of this land comes from the right side, and the water flows back from the left to its source. The problem lies in the water not returning to its original channel and flowing off to the sides. The person asked: how do you know this? The answer was: the fourth line, Hai water, represents children, which is active and changes into Shen metal to generate it. Shen metal is the source of water; however, the day of Jiayin has Yin wood which conflicts with Shen metal, thus the source is disrupted, causing the water to scatter and not gather. If one can find a way to make the water return to its channel and stop flowing off to the sides, then next year he will be restored to official position and return to court; by the year of Shen, he will certainly have a son. The person then asked: can this be long-lasting and peaceful? The answer was: this hexagram is Six Harmony, which can ensure peace for ten thousand years.

申子辰合成水局、巳酉丑合成金局、寅午戌合成火局、亥卯未合成木局。此三合者有四。一卦之內有一爻動而合局者一也。若兩爻動一爻不動亦成合局者二也。有內卦初爻、三爻、動而變出爻成三合者三也。又有外四多爻、六爻動、動而變出之爻成三合者四也。然此三合者有凶有吉。如占功名合成官局謂之官旺，合成財局財旺生官，倘若合成子孫局者乃傷煞之神也。如占求財合成財局者謂之財庫；合成子孫局者謂之子局生財；倘若合成兄弟局者乃破財、耗財、阻隔之神也。如占祖塋、家宅宜父母爻而合局也。如占婚姻、夫婦、宜財官旺而合局。凡占求謀喜慶之事宜於成局，永遠堅牢。

The Triple Harmony Formation refers to the combination of three branches forming a specific pattern. The branches Shen, Zi, and Chen form a Water Formation; Si, You, and Chou form a Metal Formation; Yin, Wu, and Xu form a Fire Formation; and Hai, Mao, and Wei form a Wood Formation. There are four ways to form a Triple Harmony. First, if all three branches are present within one trigram and one line is activated, the formation is complete. Second, if two lines are activated and one is still, the formation is also considered complete. Third, if the first and third lines of the inner trigram are activated, and the transformed line completes the three branches, the formation is complete. Fourth, if the fourth and sixth lines of the outer trigram are activated, and the transformed line completes the three branches, the formation is complete. The Triple Harmony Formation can be either auspicious or inauspicious, depending on which of the Six Relations it forms. When predicting about official positions, if the formation is an official formation, it indicates a strong official star; if it is a wealth formation, it indicates wealth generating official status, both being favorable. If it forms a children formation, it indicates a harmful official star, which is unfavorable. When predicting about wealth, if the formation is a wealth formation, it is called "wealth repository"; if it is a children formation, it is called "children generating wealth," both being favorable. If it forms a siblings formation, it indicates loss of wealth, expenditure, and obstruction. When predicting about ancestral graves and family dwellings, it is favorable if the parents' lines form a harmony. When predicting about marriage and spouse, it is favorable if the wealth lines and official lines are strong and form a harmony. In general, for matters of planning and celebrations, forming a harmony is favorable, indicating lasting and solid results.

若占官訟、憂疑而合局者，終身團結，其心難於消釋，但三合其局者必要世爻在局者為美，若世爻不在於局內，須要局生世爻為吉，局克世爻為凶，三爻若有兩爻動，不成局，須待後之補湊合成其局，謂之虛三待用。一爻明動一爻暗動亦作兩爻動。三合局中若有一空破者，待填滿之日月成之。有一爻入墓者待沖開之日成之。

In reverse, if one encounters a harmonious combination in a divination concerning legal disputes or matters of worry and doubt, it indicates prolonged entanglement and difficulty in resolving the matter. There is an important condition for a triple harmony formation: it is best if the world line is itself within the formation. If the world line is not within the formation, one should examine whether the formation supports or harms the world line—supporting is favorable, harming is unfavorable. There is another situation: among the three branches, only two lines are active, and the third is entirely absent from the hexagram, so the formation is not yet complete. One must wait until that third line appears later to form the complete triple harmony, which is called 'virtual triple waiting for use'. One should also note that if one line is clearly active and another is covertly active, it is treated as if two lines are active. If one line in the formation is empty or meets the condition of being broken, one must wait until that line is filled in that day or month to complete the formation. If one line enters the Storage (storage), one must wait until the day the Storage is opened to complete the formation.

凡得三合名利婚姻、家宅、風水、用神旺者無不為吉，必要世爻在局為美、若不在於局內須要局生世爻為吉，局克世爻為凶。如占財，財局生世利於我財，局生應利於他。占出行用神在三合內被合而留。占行人用神在三合之內被合不回。又有內卦外卦而成三合者須分內外。如占家宅若屬外宅不宜外卦克內，若居內宅須宜內卦生外卦，又如占彼此之形者，內卦為我，外卦為他。外卦合局而內卦者為吉，克內卦者為凶。

In summary: whenever divining about fame, fortune, marriage, home, or feng shui and obtaining a Triple Harmony Formation, as long as the Useful God is prosperous and strong, there will be no bad outcome. The best situation is when the World Line is within the formation. If the World Line is not within the formation, then we look at whether the formation supports or restrains the World Line; supporting the World Line is auspicious, restraining it is inauspicious. For example, when divining about wealth, if the wealth formation comes to support the World Line, this wealth is beneficial to me; if the wealth formation goes to support the Response Line, then the benefit goes to the other party. When divining about travel, if the Useful God falls within the Triple Harmony and is restrained by it, the person cannot go out and remains behind. When divining about a missing person, if the Useful God falls within the Triple Harmony and is restrained by it, the person cannot return. Additionally, when the Inner Trigram and Outer Trigram each form their own Triple Harmony, we must distinguish between inner and outer: when divining about home, if the residence is the outer home, it is not advisable for the Outer Trigram to restrain the Inner Trigram; if the residence is the inner home, then the Inner Trigram should support the Outer Trigram. For example, when divining about a situation of opposing forces, the Inner Trigram represents my side, and the Outer Trigram represents the other side. If the Outer Trigram forms a Triple Harmony and supports the Inner Trigram, it is auspicious; if it restrains the Inner Trigram, it is inauspicious.

如卯月丁巳日上下兩村因田水撕打得離之坤卦。 兄弟巳火′世　動　妻財酉金″世 子孫未土″　官鬼亥水″ 妻財酉金′　動　子孫丑土″ 官鬼亥水′應　動　父母卯木″應 子孫丑土″　兄弟巳火″ 父母卯木′　動　子孫未土″ 斷曰：內卦為我村，亥卯未合成木局，外卦為人村，巳酉丑合金局來克木，幸衰金不克旺木，不足畏也。況係六沖卦變六沖，有人解散必不成訟，後果勸散。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingsi in the卯 month, two villages fought over water rights from a piece of land. The divination resulted in the hexagram Li (Fire) changing to Kun (Earth). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is Brothers in the fire of巳 (the world line, which is active), the fifth line is Children in the earth of未, the fourth line is Wealth in the metal of酉 (active), the third line is Official Ghost in the water of亥 (the response line, which is active), the second line is Children in the earth of丑, and the first line is Parents in the wood of卯 (active). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted it as follows: the inner trigram represents our village, and the branches亥, 卯, and 未 in the inner trigram form a wood cycle; the outer trigram represents the other village, and the branches巳, 酉, and 丑 in the outer trigram form a metal cycle, with metal overcoming wood. Fortunately, it is now the卯 month, when wood is strong and metal is weak. The weak metal cannot overcome the strong wood, so there is no cause for concern. Moreover, the original hexagram Li (Fire) is a hexagram of six clashes, and the transformed hexagram Kun (Earth) is also a hexagram of six clashes. Six clashes indicate dispersion, meaning that someone will surely intervene to mediate and prevent a lawsuit. Later, it was indeed resolved by people who persuaded them to disperse.

或問：彼此之形，必以世應為主，如何不言世應？余曰：若無內外合局者，須看世應，今彼此兩村即內外兩卦人眾同心，彼此合局，神之如用靈驗顯然，故舍世應而不用也，若非卦化六沖，未有不成非也。

Someone asked: When divining a situation of confrontation between two sides, it has always been customary to focus on the World Line and the Response Line. Why don't you mention the World and Response Lines? The Wild Crane Elder replied: If the inner and outer hexagrams do not each form a complete structure, then naturally we look at the World and Response Lines. But in this case, the two villages happen to have each of the inner and outer hexagrams forming a complete structure, which indicates that both sides have many people working together. The divine spirits use such a hexagram to respond to events, and the clarity of the omen is unmistakable. Therefore, we can disregard the World and Response Lines. He also added: If this hexagram had not transformed into the Six Clashes, this dispute would not have escalated to such a serious extent.

子午相沖、丑未相沖、寅申相沖、卯酉相沖、辰戌相沖、巳亥相沖。相沖之法有六。日月沖爻者一也，卦逢六沖二也，六合卦變六沖三也，沖變六沖四也。動爻變沖五也、爻與爻沖六也。沖者散也，凡占凶事宜於沖散、占吉事而不宜，必兼用神而言，用神旺雖沖不破，用神失陷凶而又凶，六合卦變六沖卦者，用神旺者始吉終凶，圖事難成，有始無終也。爻沖有五：爻與月沖謂月破。爻遇日沖為暗動。休囚而遇日沖謂之日破。動爻化回頭沖。如逢仇敵。爻遇爻沖謂之相殺也。

The twelve Earthly Branches are paired into six conflicting pairs: Zi and Wu conflict, Chou and Wei conflict, Yin and Shen conflict, Mao and You conflict, Chen and Xu conflict, and Si and Hai conflict. There are six types of conflict situations: first, when the day branch or the month builder conflicts with a line; second, when the primary hexagram itself is a hexagram of six conflicts; third, when a hexagram of six harmony changes into a hexagram of six conflicts; fourth, when a hexagram of six conflicts changes into another hexagram of six conflicts; fifth, when a moving line transforms into a line that conflicts with it; sixth, when two lines within the hexagram conflict with each other. The meaning of conflict is "to scatter": for divinations concerning bad events, conflict is favorable as it disperses negative influences, but for good events, conflict is not advisable. However, one must also consider the useful god. If the useful god is prosperous and strong, even though it is conflicted, it will not be broken; but if the useful god has already declined, then the outcome will be even worse. When a hexagram of six harmony changes into a hexagram of six conflicts, even if the useful god is prosperous and strong, it will start off favorable but end in misfortune, making plans difficult to complete and resulting in a beginning without an end. There are five types of lines being conflicted: when a line is conflicted by the month builder, it is called "month breaking"; when a strong line is conflicted by the day branch, it is called "covert movement"; when a weak and confined line is conflicted by the day branch, it is called "day breaking"; when a moving line transforms into a line that conflicts with it, it is like encountering an enemy; and when one line in the hexagram conflicts with another line, it is called "mutual destruction."

如巳月戊戌日占財得風雷益： 兄弟卯木′應　兄弟卯木′應 子孫巳火′　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″　妻財未土″ 妻財辰土″世　妻財辰土″世 兄弟寅木″　兄弟寅木″ 父母子水′　父母子水′ 辰土財爻持世，因值旬空，戌日沖空填實，本日辰得財。

This is a real divination case. The person asked about seeking wealth on the day of Wu Xu (戊戌) in the month of Si (巳). The hexagram cast was Yi (风雷益), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the brother's卯wood (response line), the fifth line is the son's巳fire, the fourth line is the wife's wealth未earth, the third line is the wife's wealth辰earth (world line), the second line is the brother's寅wood, and the first line is the parents'子water. In divination about wealth, the wife's wealth line is the useful god. In this case, the wealth line is exactly holding the world line, which is the third line, the辰earth. Unfortunately, it is falling in the旬空 (a period of emptiness). Normally, one should wait until it comes out of the emptiness to get wealth. Fortunately, on this day, which is Wu Xu, there is a conflict between the辰and the戌. This conflict causes the empty line to become active, so the emptiness turns into reality. Therefore, the person received wealth during the辰hour of that day. This is exactly what was mentioned earlier, "when an empty line is conflicted, it becomes real."

又如午月丙辰日占出外經商貿易財如何得恆之豫卦： 妻財戌土″應　妻財戌土″ 官鬼申金″　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′　子孫午火′應 官鬼酉金′世　動　兄弟卯木″ 父母亥水′　動　子孫巳火″ 妻財丑土″　妻財未土″世 世爻酉金化卯相沖及反覆之卦，幸辰日合之，沖中逢合，又得戌土為財，暗動生世，雖則反覆不常，卻有財利。果此人去而復反者三次，中途發財。前曰：爻動化沖，如逢他敵，乃是化回頭之克也。此卦世爻酉金化卯沖世而不克世，又得辰日沖動戌財生世所以為吉。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Bingchen (丙辰), in the month of Wu (午), someone consulted about the fortune of doing business outside. The hexagram drawn was Heng (雷风恒) changing into Yu (雷地豫). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was the wife's wealth (妻财) of Xu earth (戌土), the fifth line was the official ghost (官鬼) of Shen metal (申金), the fourth line was the children (子孙) of Wu fire (午火), the third line was the official ghost (官鬼) of You metal (酉金) (the world line, which was active), the second line was the parents (父母) of Hai water (亥水) (also active), and the first line was the wife's wealth (妻财) of Chou earth (丑土). The world line (世爻) of You metal (酉金) became active and transformed into the brothers (兄弟) of Mao wood (卯木). The active world line (世爻) of You metal (酉金) transforming into Mao wood (卯木) created a 'movement and transformation into a conflict' (动而化冲); also, the primary and transformed hexagrams showed signs of fluctuation, seeming unfavorable. Fortunately, the day of Bingchen (丙辰) had the earth (辰) combining with the metal (酉), so the conflict was accompanied by a combination, which restrained the conflict. Also, the day of Bingchen (丙辰) caused the top line's wife's wealth (妻财) of Xu earth (戌土) to move covertly (暗动), which then generated the world line (世爻). Therefore, although the journey was fluctuating and uncertain, there was ultimately profit. Later, this person indeed went and came back, came back and went again, making three trips, and made money on the way. It was previously mentioned that 'a moving line transforming into a conflict is like encountering an enemy,' which refers to the case where the transformation leads to a reverse control (回头克). In this hexagram, the world line (世爻) of You metal (酉金) transformed into Mao wood (卯木), which only conflicted with the world line (世爻) but did not control it (metal can control wood), and also received the movement of the day of Bingchen (丙辰) on the top line's wife's wealth (妻财) of Xu earth (戌土) to generate the world line (世爻), so the fortune was favorable.

又如酉月乙未日占子久出不歸生死如何得坤卦： 子孫酉金″世 妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木″應 父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″ 世持子孫以臨月建，未日生之，雖是六沖之卦，此子必歸。果於子年建功卯年得意而歸，此應靜而逢沖之驗也。

This is a real divination case. In the month of You and day of Yiwei, someone asked about his son who had been away for a long time, whether he was alive or dead. The hexagram drawn was "Kun as Earth" (Hexagram 2), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the son's branch in You metal (the world line), the fifth line is the wife's wealth in Hai water, the fourth line is the brother in Chou earth, the third line is the official ghost in Mao wood (the response line), the second line is the parents in Si fire, and the first line is the brother in Wei earth. For the son, the son's branch is the useful god. In this hexagram, the son's branch is exactly the world line, which is the top line You metal. Moreover, it coincides with the month builder of You month, and is supported by the earth of the day Yiwei to be born (earth generates metal). It is prosperous and strong. Although "Kun as Earth" is a hexagram of six clashes, which indicates dispersion, since the useful god is so powerful, it is still predicted that the son will return. Later, he indeed achieved success in the year of Zi and returned with great success in the year of Mao. This is an example of "even though the static line meets six clashes, as long as the useful god is prosperous and strong, the result will still be favorable."

又有巳月甲寅日占嚴師訓子得天地否卦變乾卦： 父母戌土′應　父母戌土′世 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″世　動　父母辰土′應 官鬼巳火″　動　妻財寅木′ 父母未土″　動　子孫子水′ 以應為用神，世應相合，應臨戌父，巳月生之，乃飽學之士，獨嫌卦變六沖，合而變沖，不久之兆，彼問曰：因何事而不久？餘日：子水子孫值旬空，卦中未土父動，防子孫災變，後果兩月，其子得病，辭師未久而子死矣。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Si, someone consulted about seeking a strict teacher to teach his son, and he cast the hexagram Tian Di Po (天地否) changing to Qian (乾为天). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents戌土 (shoulder line), the fifth line is brothers申金, the fourth line is official ghost午火, the third line is wife wealth卯木 (world line, active), the second line is official ghost巳火 (active), and the first line is parents未土 (active). The person consulted took the response line as the useful god, and the response line was the top line, parents戌土, which combined with the world line卯木 (卯 and戌 combine), indicating that the teacher and student would get along well. The戌土 parents were also supported by the fire of the month of Si, indicating a teacher with solid knowledge. Unfortunately, the original hexagram was a hexagram of Six Harmony, but the changed hexagram was a hexagram of Six Clashes, meaning that harmony turned into conflict, which is a sign of something not lasting. The person asked why it could not last. The Wild Crane Elder said: the line of sons子水 in the first line was in the旬空, and the first line parents未土 was active and was attacking it, so there was a warning of disaster for the child. Later, after two months, the child indeed fell ill; shortly after dismissing the teacher, the child died.

凡得六合變六沖者，諸占先合後離、先親後疏、先濃後淡，始榮終悴，得而復失成而後敗、惟占官非，盜賊事者宜之。

If a divination results in a hexagram of Six Harmony changing to one of Six Clashes, regardless of the subject being divined, it indicates a pattern of first coming together then parting, first being close then distant, first intense then fading. It starts with prosperity but ends in decline, something is obtained but then lost, success is achieved but then ruined. However, in cases of divining about legal disputes or theft, this kind of hexagram is actually favorable. This is because Clashes indicate dispersion; disputes will naturally subside and thieves will naturally depart.

如申月已卯日父子七人俱蒙拿問。得巽卦變坤卦： 兄弟卯木′世　動　官鬼酉金″世 子孫巳火′　動　父母亥水″ 妻財未土″　妻財丑土″ 官鬼酉金′應　動　兄弟卯木″應 父母亥水′　動　子孫巳火″ 妻財丑土″　妻財未土″ 此係卦變巽木化坤土，名為化去不克，當主無妨，只因世爻變鬼，卯木化酉金，木破金克，巳火子孫又化亥水，父子兩爻皆被其傷，六沖亂室，一家俱受刑。占法皆以六沖卦宜於官事，喜其沖散，然必看木之大小，又宜兼用神而言，此卦六沖變沖，亦可謂之官事逢沖而散。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Ji Mao (己卯) in the month of Shen (申), a family with seven sons and their father were all arrested and imprisoned. The hexagram divined was Xun (Wind) changing to Kun (Earth). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is Brothers (卯 wood), which is the world line and is active; the fifth line is Children (巳 fire), which is active; the fourth line is Wealth (未 earth); the third line is Official Ghost (酉 metal), which is the response line and is active; the second line is Parents (亥 water), which is active; and the first line is Wealth (丑 earth). Looking at the entire hexagram, Xun wood changes to Kun earth, which is me overcoming him, called "transformation and not overcoming," which should be harmless. However, there are two problems: first, the world line, which is卯 wood, is active and transforms into酉 metal Official Ghost, so the world line turns into an official ghost; second, the fifth line, which is巳 fire Children, is active and transforms into亥 water, which overcomes fire, thus the children are also harmed. The two lines representing father and son have their useful gods injured, and the six clashes disturb the family, so all the family members were punished. Old methods say that a hexagram of six clashes is suitable for legal matters, taking the meaning of dispersing through clashes; but one must also consider the strength of the yao being clashed and especially the useful gods. In this hexagram, six clashes change into six clashes again. If only following old methods, would it not also be said that "legal matters meet clashes and disperse"?

寅刑巳、巳刑申、子刑卯、卯刑午、丑戌相刑、未辰相刑。又云：辰午酉亥謂之自刑，夫三刑者，余屢試之，或因用神休囚又兼他爻犯之，刑者則見凶，而獨犯三刑得驗者少，占過數十年只驗得一卦。

The branches that are mutually harmful are:寅 harms巳,巳 harms申,子 harms卯,卯 harms午,丑 and戌 harm each other, and未 and辰 harm each other; another view says that the branches 辰,午,酉, and亥 harm themselves, called "self-harm." However, the Wild Crane Elder is cautious about the Three Punishments. He has tested them many times and found that whenever they are verified, it is mostly because the useful god is already weak and confined, and another line is also harming it, thus showing misfortune; cases where only the Three Punishments are involved and the result is verified are actually very rare. After divining for several decades, he has only found one instance that verified. Therefore, the importance of this chapter is not great, and readers should not take the Three Punishments too literally.

如寅月庚申日占子痘症，得風火家人變離卦。 兄弟卯木′　子孫巳火′世 子孫巳火′應　動　妻財未土″ 妻財未土″　動　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　父母亥水′應 妻財丑土″世　妻財丑土″ 兄弟卯木′　兄弟卯木′ 斷曰：巳火子孫既當春令，子孫旺相許之可治，後死於寅日寅時。後悟月建在寅，日建在申，與巳爻子孫共作三刑，獨此一卦，無他爻之傷也，至於子卯、辰戌丑未亦有驗者皆附和而為凶也。

This is the only hexagram that came true. On the day of Gengshen in the Year of the Tiger month, someone consulted about a child developing smallpox and cast the hexagram Wind and Fire, Jia Ren, which changed to Fire, Li. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was Brothers in the Wood of Mao, the fifth line was Children in the Fire of Si (the responding line, which was active), the fourth line was Wealth in the Earth of Wei (which was active), the third line was Parents in the Water of Hai, the second line was Wealth in the Earth of Chou (the world line), and the first line was Brothers in the Wood of Mao. For the child, the Children line was taken as the useful god, and the fifth line, Si fire, was used. At that time, it was the Year of the Tiger month, so Wood was strong and generated Fire, making the Children line prosperous and strong, so the Wild Crane Elder concluded that the child could be cured. But the child later died on the day of the Tiger and at the hour of the Tiger. Only after the fact did it become clear: the month builder was the Tiger, the day builder was the Monkey, and the Children line was the Si fire. The three branches, Tiger, Si, and Monkey, formed the three punishments, and there was no other line in the hexagram that harmed the Children line. This is a true example of the three punishments acting independently. As for the cases of child punishing Mao, and the mutual punishment among Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, although they sometimes come true, they are actually accompanied by other ominous signs.

靜爻旺相日辰沖之為暗動，靜爻休囚日辰沖之為破，暗動者有喜有忌。用神休囚得元神暗動以相生；忌神明動於卦中，得元神暗動而生用神，此皆謂之喜也。用神休囚無助，若遇忌神克害用神，此皆謂之忌也。占以暗動福來而不知，禍來而不覺。又曰：吉凶之應於動，有急緩之應，則緩非此論，何當不知不覺，報應亦非緩也。

A still line that is itself prosperous and strong, when confronted by the day branch, is called "covert movement." If the line is weak and confined and is then confronted by the day branch, it becomes "day break." Covert movement can be beneficial or harmful. It is beneficial when the useful god is weak and helpless, and the origin god covertly moves to generate it; or when the harmful god clearly moves in the chart, and the origin god covertly moves to support the useful god — these are both good. It is harmful when the useful god is weak and helpless, and the harmful god covertly moves to harm it. Diviners often say that the effect of covert movement is "blessings come without awareness, misfortunes strike without notice." The Wild Crane Elder adds: good and bad outcomes depend on the moving line, which can be fast or slow. The slow ones have another explanation and are not considered covert movement. In fact, covert movement is not slow; it is just not easily noticed, and its consequences arrive just as quickly.

即如寅月已未日占女痘得坤之師卦： 子孫酉金″世　子孫酉金″應 妻財亥水″　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木″應　父母午火″世 父母巳火″　動　兄弟辰土′ 兄弟未土″　官鬼寅木″ 酉金子孫，雖則春令休囚，得日辰生之，二爻巳火動而克金，得未日沖動丑土，土動生金，花雖密以全生。彼曰：目下甚危。余曰：不妨，今日未申時有救，果於申時遇明醫救治，何當緩也？

This is a real divination case. On the day of Jiwei (己未) in the寅 month, someone consulted about his daughter's smallpox, and the hexagram drawn was "Kun (Earth) changing into 'Shi' (Earth over Water)." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the Son's Branch in酉 metal (the world line), the fifth line is the Wealth Branch in亥 water, the fourth line is the Sibling Branch in丑 earth, the third line is the Official Ghost Branch in卯 wood (the response line), the second line is the Parent Branch in巳 fire (which is active), and the first line is the Sibling Branch in未 earth. For this divination, the Son's Branch is the useful god, taken from the top line,酉 metal. In the寅 month, wood is strong and metal is weak, so the酉 metal is already weak and confined. Fortunately, the day of Jiwei (己未) has earth to generate it. However, the second line's巳 fire is active, and fire overcomes metal, harming the useful god. At this time, the day of Jiwei also triggers the fourth line's丑 earth—since丑 and未 are opposing, the丑 earth, which was originally strong and still, becomes covertly active when opposed. This covertly active丑 earth generates the酉 metal, saving the useful god. Therefore, although the smallpox rash is dense, the daughter's life can be preserved. The person asking the question said that the condition is very dangerous. The Wild Crane Elder said it was not a problem, and that help would come at the time of Wei and Shen. Later, indeed, at the time of Shen, a skilled doctor came to treat her. This shows how quickly the effect of covert movement can be realized.

占以日辰而沖動爻，謂之沖散，又以爻動沖爻，亦能沖散，予屢試之，旺相者沖之不散，有氣者沖之不散，休囚者間有沖散，亦千百中之一二也，其故何也？神兆機於動，動必有因。雖則今日受制，後逢值日而不散也。

There is a saying in divination: when the Day Branch conflicts with a moving line, it is called "dispersing by conflict"; when one moving line conflicts with another line, it can also disperse that line. The Wild Crane Elder has tested this many times and concluded that a prosperous and strong line cannot be dispersed by conflict, nor can a line with some vitality be dispersed. Only a weak and confined line, without vitality, may occasionally be dispersed, and even then, only once or twice in a thousand times. Why is this so? Because the mechanism of the hexagram is revealed through the moving line. Once a line moves, there must be a reason behind it. Even if it is restrained by the Day Branch today, on the day when that line is active, it will still manifest and not truly disperse.

如丑月丁酉日占父出外一載無音得風水渙變坎卦。 父母卯木′　動　官鬼子水″世 兄弟巳火′世　子孫戌土′ 子孫未土″　妻財申金″ 兄弟午火″　兄弟午火″應 子孫辰土′應　子孫辰土′ 父母寅木″　父母寅木″ 卯木父爻發動而生世，又化子水回頭生許之，在外平安。世空者還至交春即歸，果於二月得意而回。此非卯動酉日沖之？何當散也？李我平日：黃金策以空亡為重，沖散為輕。易冒最重沖散，細閱占驗多因錯課。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Dingyou (丁酉) in the month of Chou (丑), someone consulted about his father who had been away for a year without any news. The hexagram drawn was Huan (风水涣) changing to Kan (坎为水). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents yao (爻) of mulberry wood (卯木) which is moving, the fifth line is siblings yao of fire (巳火) which is the world line (世爻), the fourth line is children yao of earth (未土), the third line is siblings yao of fire (午火), the second line is children yao of earth (辰土) which is the response line (应爻), and the first line is parents yao of tiger wood (寅木). The moving line is mulberry wood (卯木) changing into official ghost yao of water (子水). The father's yao is taken as the useful god (用神), and the upper line's mulberry wood is selected. Since the moving line of mulberry wood is generating the world line (wood generates fire), and it changes into water which in turn generates itself (water generates wood), it is concluded that the father is safe abroad. The world line is currently in the旬空, so it is predicted that he will return only after spring. Indeed, he returned happily in February. Please note: the mulberry wood is clearly moving, but on the day of Dingyou, the酉 metal is conflicting with the卯 wood. According to the theory of 'conflict and dispersion' (冲散), this line should have dispersed already, yet it still came true. How could it be dispersed? Li Woping, the reviser, commented: The Golden Strategies (黄金策) places great emphasis on empty (空亡) and less on conflict and dispersion (冲散), while the book Venturing into the Changes (易冒) gives the highest weight to conflict and dispersion. Upon careful examination of the divination cases preserved in Venturing into the Changes, most of them were wrongly interpreted due to an over-reliance on the theory of conflict and dispersion.

卦變者：變生、變克、變墓、變絕、比和。予得驗者，凡遇卦化克者，不論用神之衰旺皆以凶推。此乃巽卦變坎卦，巽木變坎水謂之化生，水回頭以生木，也即以吉斷。此乃震卦化乾卦，震木變乾金謂之化克，金回頭以克木，也即以凶推。卯月辛巳日來人不言所事。占得巽卦變乾卦。問之所占何事？伊曰：代卜長輩功名。余曰：功名須要親占，代占難取用神，從不敢斷，幸此卦而易見，巽木化乾金，即為化回頭克，為絕卦也，不必問名，壽命不長，果於削職後七月而終。

This chapter discusses the changes of the entire hexagram. When the primary hexagram transforms into another, there are five relationships: transformation of birth, transformation of overcoming, transformation of burial, transformation of extinction, and harmony (same type). The conclusion the Wild Crane Elder reached through his experiments is that whenever the hexagram transforms into an overcoming relationship, regardless of whether the useful god is strong or weak, it is generally a bad omen. For example, when the hexagram Xun (Wind) transforms into Kan (Water), Xun belongs to wood and Kan belongs to water, water comes back to nourish wood, which is called "transformation of birth," and it is a good omen. When the hexagram Zhen (Thunder) transforms into Qian (Heaven), Zhen belongs to wood and Qian belongs to metal, metal comes back to overcome wood, which is called "transformation of overcoming," and it is a bad omen. Here is a real case: on the day of Xinsi in the month of Mao, a person refused to say what he was asking about, and he cast the hexagram Xun (Wind) transforming into Qian (Heaven). The Wild Crane Elder asked him what he was asking about, and he finally said he was asking about his relative's official position. The Wild Crane Elder said: asking about official position must be done by the person himself, and it is difficult to take the useful god when it is done by proxy, so I have never dared to make a judgment. Fortunately, this hexagram is clear at a glance - Xun wood transforms into Qian metal, which is a case of "transformation of overcoming," which is called "extinction," so the official position is not worth asking about, and this relative's lifespan is also not long. Later, this relative was dismissed from his post, and died seven months later.

又如午月丙寅日占主病，得離卦變坎卦，離火變坎水，回頭來克，但因午月火旺，許之冬令必危。果卒於九月丁亥日。此皆不看用神之衰旺也。

For example, on a day of Bingyin (丙寅) in the month of Wu (午), a servant was asked to divinate a sickness for his master. The shaken hexagram showed Li (Hexagram 30) as fire transforming into Kan (Hexagram 29) as water. Li belongs to fire, and Kan belongs to water. Water comes back to control fire, which is an instance of transformational control. At that time, it was the month of Wu, when fire was at its peak, so the condition was still manageable. The Wild Crane Elder predicted that danger would come in winter. Indeed, the person died on the day of Dinghai (丁亥) in September. Hai belongs to water, which was the time when water was strong and controlled fire. In these two hexagrams, the diviner did not consider the strength or weakness of the useful god, but simply relied on the transformational control of the hexagram body to determine the ominous outcome. This shows that the transformation of the hexagram body is fundamental.

李我平曰：易冒墓絕章云，日月當令非真，卻不知凶事將來，神機早兆，日月當時雖旺，過時則有消，即如此篇，占主病午月得離變坎，目今夏火雖旺，冬來火衰命絕。易冒反伏章云：（日月非空破，徒往則重。又曰：半徒往徒未半凶吉），種種疑論，皆非經驗。卦體如人之根本，卦變刑剋絕，如樹連根出土，目前枝葉雖青，能保長不朽乎？當時旺，過時而衰，空破雖虛，填實則應，且半凶半吉之論，難作後人法，此書只以回頭克者為凶，見易胃反伏章中之占驗，明是回頭之克，誤作反覆休囚。如寅月癸酉日占長子病。得震之兌，此非震木化兌金回頭之克耶？此二卦竟未看出，土遭木克，木被金傷，以震為長男，占長子所以不吉。殊不知卦變回頭之克，少女亦難保也，今以彼之占驗而謂彼之錯誤，無他說也。

The commentator Li Woping noted that in the chapter on "Mourning and Absolute Decline" of "Yi Mao," it says that "when a line is in the presence of the sun and moon at their proper time, it is not considered a true mourning or absolute decline." However, he fails to understand that when misfortune is about to come, the divine mechanism has already given signs—although the sun and moon may be strong at that time, they will weaken after that season. Taking this hexagram as an example, it was used to divinate a patient's illness in the month of Wu (Summer). Although fire is strong now in summer, it will weaken in winter, and the person's life will be cut short. In the chapter on "Reversal and Concealment" of "Yi Mao," there are also vague statements such as "the sun and moon are not empty or broken, but if they go alone, they will be repeated" and "half going alone leads to half misfortune and half fortune." These ambiguous statements (the original text is now missing in the printed version) are not derived from actual divination experience. A hexagram is like a person's root; once the hexagram changes into a crime, a conflict, or an absolute decline, it is like a big tree being uprooted. Although the branches and leaves are still green now, how can it last long? When it is strong at the right time, it will weaken after that time. Although empty or broken seems powerless at the moment, when it is filled, it will still come true. As for the method of half good and half bad, which is ambiguous, it cannot be used as a standard for later generations. This book only recognizes one principle: any case of reverse conflict is considered bad. Looking at the divination examples in the chapter on "Reversal and Concealment" of "Yi Mao," there is an example where on the day Guiyou in the month of Yin, the illness of the eldest son was divined, and the hexagram was Zhen (Thunder) changing to Dui (Lake). This is clearly a case of Zhen Wood transforming into Dui Metal, which is a reverse conflict. Yet he failed to see this, only talking about earth being overcome by wood and wood being injured by metal, and because the Zhen hexagram represents the eldest son, he concluded that the eldest son would not be good. But he did not realize that since the hexagram itself has been reverse-conflicted, the Dui hexagram, which represents the young woman, is also not safe. Now I use his own example to point out his mistake. There is nothing else to say.

卦有卦變，爻有爻變。卦變者內外動而反伏者同一卦也。如乾卦變坤卦。爻變者內外爻動而反伏者，非同一卦也。如升之觀是也。又有外卦反伏而內卦不動者，如觀之坤是也。又有內卦反伏而外卦不動者如巽之觀是也。內卦反伏，內則不安。外卦反伏，外則不寧。內外反伏者，內外不寧之象也。皆主成而敗，敗而成，有而即無，無而即有，得而失，失而得，來而去，去而來，散而聚，聚而散，動而思靜，靜而思動。

This chapter discusses "reverse chant" (written as "reverse and conceal" in the text). Reverse chant has two levels: one at the level of the hexagram structure, and the other at the level of the lines. Reverse chant at the level of the hexagram occurs when all six lines of the inner and outer trigrams are in motion, resulting in a transformed hexagram that is entirely opposite to the original, such as when the hexagram Qian (Heaven) transforms into Kun (Earth). Reverse chant at the level of the lines occurs when the lines of the inner and outer trigrams are activated, causing the transformed earthly branches to conflict with their original positions, but the hexagrams before and after are not the same pair, such as when the hexagram Sheng (Rising) transforms into Guan (Observing). There are also cases where only the outer trigram is in reverse chant while the inner trigram remains still, such as when Guan (Observing) transforms into Kun (Earth); or cases where only the inner trigram is in reverse chant while the outer trigram remains still, such as when Xun (Wind) transforms into Guan (Observing). The method of interpretation is: if the inner trigram is in reverse chant, the family is unsettled; if the outer trigram is in reverse chant, external affairs are not peaceful; if both inner and outer trigrams are in reverse chant, it indicates a situation where both internal and external matters are unsettled. The overall imagery is one of constant change: success turns into failure, failure turns into success; possession turns into loss, loss turns into possession; arrival turns into departure, departure turns into arrival; dispersion turns into gathering, gathering turns into dispersion; movement turns into a desire for stillness, stillness turns into a desire for movement.

占功名者，用爻旺相，遷而又行往他處，去而仍復來。用神失陷有或降或升，或得或失矣。占財物聚散不常，買賣經營興衰往來不定。占墳墓宅舍，欲遷不遷，或遷之而再遷，或目下就有遷移之事，占以久遠之事者目前就有變動。占天時晴而即雨，雨而又睛。占婚姻反覆難成。占疾病癒而有病。占盜賊官非，見而又見。占出行，行至中途變反，即使到彼，一事無成。占行人外卦反伏者，用神旺相必歸，不然變他處。在外之人而占家宅者，內卦反伏，家庭人口不安。占彼此之形勢者，內卦反伏，我亂他定，外卦反伏，他亂我定。

When classifying divination results by categories, for matters of official rank, if the useful god is prosperous and strong, one will be transferred to another post and then go elsewhere again, eventually returning; if the useful god is weak and lost, there will be fluctuating gains and losses, with ups and downs. For matters of wealth, there will be constant gathering and dispersing; for business ventures, there will be fluctuating success and failure. For matters of graves and houses, one may want to move but cannot, or move and then move again, or there will be immediate relocation; for long-term matters, there will be initial changes. For weather, it will be clear then rain, then clear again after rain. For marriage, there will be repeated difficulties and failure to succeed. For illness, it will improve then recur. For thieves and legal disputes, there will be occurrences repeatedly. For travel, one will go halfway then return, even if reaching the destination, nothing will be achieved. For those away from home, if the outer trigram is reverse chant and the useful god is prosperous and strong, they will surely return; otherwise, they have changed their destination. If a person is away and divines about home, and the inner trigram is reverse chant, there will be unrest among family members. For opposing situations, if the inner trigram is reverse chant, it indicates disorder on our side and stability on the opponent's side; if the outer trigram is reverse chant, it indicates disorder on the opponent's side and stability on our side.

反伏卦用神旺相不變沖剋者雖則反覆，事之必成，第恐用神而化回頭之沖剋者，即是卦變大凶之象，如卯月壬申日占隨官府上任。得比之井： 妻財子水″應　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土′　兄弟戌土′世 子孫申金″　子孫申金″ 官鬼卯木″世　動　子孫酉金′ 父母巳火″　動　妻財亥水′應 兄弟未土″　兄弟丑土″ 斷曰：世臨官鬼值月建而旺，隨去必成，因內卦反伏，事有反覆，不宜世爻絕於申日又化回頭沖剋，此行不吉，不去者為上，後有官府直接得缺，近於賊營，辭而不去，及至官府去後，忽又因他故而隨去矣，至七月城破與官府一同被害。與官府同害者，世爻與官鬼同受酉金之沖剋也，不去而又去者，卦得反伏之故也。

But not all reverse chant hexagrams are bad: as long as the useful god is prosperous and strong, and there is no change that leads to clash and control, then although there may be ups and downs, the matter will eventually succeed. The most dangerous situation is when the useful god is activated and changes into a reverse clash or reverse control, which indicates a very ominous hexagram. Here is a real case: in the month of卯 (Mao) on the day of Renshen (Renshen), someone asked whether it was appropriate to follow an official to take up a post. He cast the hexagram of water on earth Bi changing into water on wind Jing. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is wife wealth zi water (response line), the fifth line is brothers xu earth, the fourth line is sons shen metal, the third line is official ghost mao wood (world line, activated), the second line is parents si fire (activated), the first line is brothers wei earth; the world line mao wood changes into sons you metal. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the world line is exactly the official ghost, which is strong because it is the month builder of mao month. Therefore, going along with the official to take up the post itself is feasible. However, the inner trigram is a reverse chant, indicating that the matter will certainly have ups and downs. More seriously, the world line mao wood on the day of renshen meets the "绝" (decline), and changes into you metal, which reverse clashes and controls (mao and you clash, and metal controls wood). Therefore, this journey is not auspicious, and it is better not to go. Later, that official was directly assigned to a post close to a bandit camp, and the person declined to go. But after the official left first, he suddenly went along for another reason. In July, the city was attacked and broken, and he and the official were both killed. He suffered the same fate as the official because the world line and the official ghost were both clashed and controlled by you metal. He decided not to go but then went anyway, which was exactly the reverse chant indicated in the hexagram.

又如卯月已亥日占升遷，得臨變中孚。 子孫酉金″　動　官鬼卯木′ 妻財亥水″應　動　父母巳火′ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟未土″世 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　父母巳火′應 斷曰：世臨卯木月建之官，又長生於亥日，世與官星同臨旺地，許之即升，果於本月聞報，由江西升任山東，未及一載復任江西，應本月升者卯官而值月令升山東者，官臨卯木，復任江西者，外卦反伏，去之而復反也。

Another example of a real case with an opposite outcome. On the day of Jihai (己亥) in the month of Mao (卯), someone consulted about a promotion. The hexagram drawn was "Lin" (地泽临) changing into "Zhong Fu" (风泽中孚). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was as follows: the top line was the son's metal (子孙酉金, which was active), the fifth line was the wife's water (妻财亥水, which was the response line and active), the fourth line was the brother's earth (兄弟丑土), the third line was also the brother's earth (兄弟丑土), the second line was the official ghost (官鬼卯木, which was the world line), and the first line was the parent's fire (父母巳火). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the world line is the official ghost of wood (卯木官鬼), which is exactly the month's builder (月建) of the month of Mao; wood is long-lived in亥, and this day is the day of亥, so the world line and the official star are both in a strong position, so he is allowed to be promoted immediately. Later, he indeed received the news of promotion that same month, from Jiangxi to Shandong; within less than a year, he was transferred back to Jiangxi. The promotion happened in the same month because the official star of卯木 was in the month's command; the transfer to Shandong was because the official star was on卯木 (卯 is in the east-northeast, corresponding to the direction of Shandong); and the return to Jiangxi was because of the outer trigram's reverse chant (反吟), meaning he would go and then come back. Although both cases involved reverse chant (反吟), the previous hexagram had the world line turning back to clash and control (回头冲克), which was ominous, while this hexagram had the official star in a strong position, which was auspicious. Thus, reverse chant itself does not necessarily indicate good or bad fortune.

反伏者有內外伏呤者，內外憂鬱呻吟之象。內卦動變伏吟，內則呻吟，外卦動變伏吟，外則憂鬱。占名者久困官途，淹留任路。占利者財源耗散，無利可圖。占墳塋宅舍，欲遷而不能，守之而不利。占婚姻而不樂。占疾病呻吟。占口舌官非，事非難解。占出行總於動移。占行人在外憂鬱。占彼此之形勢者，內卦為我，外卦為他，內伏吟我心不遂，外伏吟他忌不安。然伏吟而較反吟者，反吟有沖有克，爻若受克，得禍不輕。伏吟之卦，用神旺相，沖開之年月，其志則伸，用神休囚，沖開之年月，憂鬱不吉。

There is also "Hidden Chant" (伏吟) opposite to "Reverse Chant" (反吟): when the moving line changes into the same earthly branch as its original position, it remains unchanged, symbolizing inner depression and sorrow. If the inner trigram moves and becomes Hidden Chant, there is inner sorrow; if the outer trigram moves and becomes Hidden Chant, there is sorrow in external affairs. In divination regarding official rank, one is stuck in the official position for a long time without promotion. In divination regarding wealth, the source of wealth is wasted and there is no profit. In divination regarding graves and houses, one wants to move but cannot, and staying is also unfavorable. In divination regarding marriage, although married, one is not happy. In divination regarding illness, the illness is prolonged and painful. In divination regarding disputes and legal matters, the issues are entangled and hard to resolve. In divination regarding travel, one cannot move. In divination regarding someone who is away, the person is outside feeling depressed. In divination regarding mutual situations, the inner trigram represents oneself, and the outer trigram represents the other. Inner Hidden Chant indicates one's heart is unsatisfied, while outer Hidden Chant indicates the other is restricted and uneasy. Compared to Reverse Chant, Hidden Chant is more about stagnation, while Reverse Chant involves both conflict and restriction. When a line is restricted, the misfortune is severe. In a Hidden Chant hexagram, if the useful god is prosperous and strong, then in the year or month when the conflict is resolved, one's aspirations can be realized; if the useful god is weak and confined, even after the conflict is resolved, there will still be sorrow and unfavorable outcomes.

如申月癸巳占父外任平安。得到姤之恆卦： 父母戌土′　動　父母戌土″應 兄弟申金′　動　兄弟申金″ 官鬼午火′應　官鬼午火′ 兄弟酉金′　兄弟酉金′世 子孫亥水′　子孫亥水′ 父母丑土″世　父母丑土″ 斷曰：巳火日辰生父母，當許在任平安，獨憂卦得伏吟，乃是不祥之象，任上必有事故，不得意以呻吟也。彼曰：開地方苗獨之變，可有妨礙否？余曰：日建生父，他事無礙。有問：何時歸來？余曰：伏吟欲歸而不能，辰年可歸，後知苗獨作亂，地方不祥，驚險異常，寅年占卦，辰年缺歸，午年又官者，占時遇巳日扶起午火之官，當日亥水克之而不盡，今午火官星值年依然旺矣。

This is a case of a hidden chant (伏吟). On the day of Guisi (癸巳) in the month of Shen (申), someone asked about the safety of his father who was serving in an official post. He cast the hexagram Tian Feng Gou (天风姤), which changes to Lei Feng Heng (雷风恒). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the parent戌土 (parents in the earth branch戌), which is moving; the fifth line is the brother申金 (brother in the earth branch申), which is moving; the fourth line is the official ghost午火 (official ghost in the earth branch午), which is the response line; the third line is the brother酉金 (brother in the earth branch酉); the second line is the child亥水 (child in the earth branch亥); the first line is the parent丑土 (parents in the earth branch丑), which is the world line. The two moving lines have the same earth branches as their original positions (戌 remains戌, 申 remains申), which is a hidden chant. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: On the day of Guisi, the fire of巳 (巳火) generates the parents' line (fire generates earth), indicating that his father will be safe in his post. However, the hexagram being a hidden chant is an ominous sign, meaning that there will certainly be incidents in his place of duty, and he will be in a state of frustration and unhappiness. The person asked: There is currently a rebellion by the Miao people, will that cause any problems? The answer was: The day's stem (日建) generates the parents' line, so other matters will not be affected. He then asked: When will he be able to return? The answer was: A hidden chant indicates a desire to return but being unable to, so he will not be able to return until the year of Chen (辰). Later it was learned that the Miao people had caused disturbances, making the area very unstable and dangerous. The hexagram was cast in the year of Yin (寅), and indeed, the father did not return until the year of Chen (辰), and in the year of Wu (午) he was appointed again. The reason for his reappointment in the year of Wu (午) is that on the day of the divination, the earth branch巳 (巳) supported the official ghost line午火 (午火 official ghost), and although there was亥水 (亥 water) to overcome it, it was not completely effective. When the official ghost line午火 (午火) became the ruling stem of the year, it naturally became strong again.

李我平曰：易林補遺有曰，爻有伏吟不吉，術者未聞卦有反吟最凶，占卜家誰覺？不看用神之衰旺竟以反吟為畏途，今野鶴此論法，比之井卦，世途沖，事反伏，身受其殃。臨之中孚，世官得地，雖反伏，官連遷轉，教人之法，何等透澈。

The editor Li Woping remarked: The "Supplements to the Forest of Changes" mentioned that "when a line is in hidden chant, it is not auspicious," but the diviners failed to take notice; it also said "when a hexagram is in reverse chant, it is most ominous," yet how many truly understood this? They did not examine the strength and decline of the useful god, but upon seeing reverse chant, they regarded it as a dangerous path. Now the views of the Wild Crane Elder are much clearer: in the case where the hexagram Water and Earth in Harmony changes to Water and Wind in the Well, the world line is afflicted by clash and control, and the matter is also in reverse chant, thus suffering its consequences; in the case where the hexagram Earth and Earth in Approach changes to Wind and Lake in the Middle Trust, the world line and the official star both gain strength, although it is also reverse chant, the official position is continuously promoted. The same reverse chant may bring either good or bad fortune, depending entirely on the useful god. This kind of teaching is truly clear and thorough.

甲子旬中戌亥空　甲戌旬中申酉空　甲申旬中午未空 甲午旬中辰巳空　甲辰旬中寅卯空　甲寅旬中子丑空 何謂旬空？如甲子至癸酉日為一旬，此十日之內，並無戌亥，以爻逢戌亥為空亡，又名旬空，餘仿此。旬空之法，諸書論太煩，有真空、假空、動空、沖空、填空、無故自空、有散而空、墓空、絕空、害空、安空、破空。野鶴曰：旺不為空，動不為空，有日建動爻生扶者不為空，動而化空、伏而旺相皆不為空。月破為空。有卦不動為空，爻反伏而被克為空，真空為空，真空即春土、夏金、秋木、三冬逢火是真空。

The sixty Jiazi cycles are divided into six ten-day periods called "shen." Each shen consists of ten days, with the ten heavenly stems paired with the twelve earthly branches. Since there are only ten stems and twelve branches, two branches are left out in each shen, and these two branches are called "shen kong." The mnemonic is: in the Jiazi shen, the branches Xu and Hai are empty; in the Jiaxu shen, the branches Shen and You are empty; in the Jiashen shen, the branches Wu and Wei are empty; in the Jiawu shen, the branches Chen and Si are empty; in the Jiachen shen, the branches Yin and Mao are empty; in the Jiayin shen, the branches Zi and Chou are empty. What is shen kong? For example, from the Jiazi day to the Guiyou day is one shen. In these ten days, the branches Xu and Hai do not appear, so if a line in the hexagram falls on Xu or Hai, it is called empty, also known as shen kong. The same applies to the other shens. In the past, different schools explained shen kong in a very complicated way, distinguishing many categories such as "true empty," "false empty," "moving empty," "conflict empty," "filling empty," "empty by accident," "scattered empty," "buried empty," "extinct empty," "harmful empty," "safe empty," and "broken empty." The Wild Crane Elder simplified these into a few statements: if a line is strong, it is not empty; if a line is moving, it is not empty; if a line is supported by the day master or the moving line, it is not empty; if a line is activated and changes to an empty line, or if a hidden line is strong, it is not empty. Only a few cases are truly considered empty: if a line is broken by the month, it is empty; if a line is quiet and unmoving in the hexagram, it is empty; if a line is reversed and is attacked, it is empty; and "true empty" is also considered empty.the so-called true empty refers to the earth line in spring, the metal line in summer, the wood line in autumn, and the fire line in the third month of winter—these lines are already weak and confined, and if they also fall into shen kong, then they are completely empty.

夫余初學卜，凡遇旬空，無法而斷，欲以之為到底全空，卻又應乎填實之日，而不空以之為不空，卻有到底全空。後得多占之法，凡遇旬空，命之再占，卦吉者許之出旬而不空，卦得凶者許之空矣。

The Wild Crane Elder once said: When I first started learning divination, I found it difficult to interpret when a period was empty. If I treated it as completely empty, it often turned out to be fulfilled on the day it was filled; if I treated it as not empty, there were times when it was indeed entirely empty. Later, I discovered the method of "divining multiple times." Whenever I was uncertain about an empty period, I would ask him to divinate again. If the next divination was favorable, I would consider that he would not be empty beyond that period; if the next divination was unfavorable, I would conclude that it was truly empty all along. By combining the results of two divinations, the problem of empty periods was finally resolved.

如辰月乙卯日占求財得家人之賁。 兄弟卯木′　兄弟寅木′ 子孫巳火′應　動　父母子水″ 妻財未土″　妻財戌土″應 父母亥水′　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″世　妻財丑土″ 兄弟卯木′　兄弟卯木′世 斷曰：丑財持世遇旬空，雖有巳火之生，巳火又化回頭之克，不能生丑土之財，此財既無生扶當主難求。或又因三月之丑土財爻有氣，古法有氣不為空，不敢竟斷，命之再占。

This is a real divination case involving two hexagrams. On the day of Yimao (乙卯) in the month of Chen (辰), the person sought fortune. The first hexagram drawn was Jia Ren (风火家人) changing to Bi (山火贲). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is brothers in the wood of卯 (卯木), the fifth line is children in the fire of巳 (巳火), which is the response line and is active, the fourth line is wealth in the earth of未 (未土), the third line is parents in the water of亥 (亥水), the second line is wealth in the earth of丑 (丑土), which is the world line, and the first line is brothers in the wood of卯 (卯木). The active line is the fire of巳 (巳火), which changes to parents in the water of子 (子水). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the wealth in the earth of丑 (丑土) holds the world line, but it is in the旬空 (a period of emptiness). Although the fire of巳 (巳火) in the fifth line is active and can generate the earth, it changes to water of子 (子水), which turns back to control the fire. The fire itself is in trouble and cannot generate the wealth in the earth of丑 (丑土). Since the useful god has no support, this fortune is difficult to obtain. However, at that time it was the month of Chen (辰), when the earth was in command, so the wealth in the earth of丑 (丑土) had strength. According to old methods, "when there is strength, it is not empty," so he did not conclude it as a definite loss, and advised the person to cast another hexagram.

又得暌之損： 父母巳火′　官鬼寅木′應 兄弟未土″　妻財子水″ 子孫酉金′世　動　兄弟戌土″ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″世 官鬼卯木′　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′應　父母巳火′ 因得此卦合前卦而決之，竟斷曰：財無氣矣，不必勞心。彼問：何故？余曰：前卦丑則雖則空而有氣，後卦子水財空伏於五爻未土之下，伏而又空，空而被克，知其無財而無疑也，後果全無。

The second hexagram drawn is Kui (Fire Lake) changing to Sun (Mountain Lake). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in fire, the fifth line is siblings in earth, the fourth line is children in metal (the world line, which is active), the third line is siblings in earth, the second line is official ghost in wood, and the first line is parents in fire (the response line). In this hexagram, there is no wealth line, so the useful god is not present. The Wild Crane Elder combined both hexagrams to interpret: the wealth has no vitality, so there is no need to think further about it. The person who asked the question inquired about the reason. The Wild Crane Elder said: in the previous hexagram, although the earth wealth line was missing, it still had the influence of the month. In this hexagram, the wealth line is water, which not only is missing but is also hidden beneath the earth line in the fifth position. It is hidden and missing, and the earth above it is also suppressing the water (earth controls water). When comparing both hexagrams, the absence of wealth is clear. Later, indeed, nothing was received.

又如子月辛亥日占遠行求財得大畜。 官鬼寅木′　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水″應　妻財子水″應 兄弟戌土″　兄弟戌土″ 兄弟辰土′　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′世　官鬼寅木′世 妻財子水′　妻財子水′ 斷曰：世逢寅木，子月亥日俱作財神而生世，有喜。應爻為地頭，世應相生，乃全美之卦，獨因世值旬空，若依古法斷者，無故自空大凶之兆，故許之而遠去始能求財耶，命之再占。

Another example of a real divination case involving the combination of two hexagrams. In the month of Zi (rat) on the day of Xinhai (辛亥), someone asked about traveling far to seek wealth. He first cast the hexagram Da Xu (山天大畜), with all six lines still. From top to bottom, the lines were: the top line was the official ghost of寅 wood, the fifth line was the wife's wealth of子 water (the response line), the fourth line was the brother of戌 earth, the third line was the brother of辰 earth, the second line was the official ghost of寅 wood (the world line), and the first line was the wife's wealth of子 water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted it, saying: the world line is寅 wood, and both the month builder of Zi month and the day branch of Xinhai day are water, which in the primary hexagram serve as the wealth god. Water generates wood, so there is a double generation of wealth supporting the world line, which is a good omen. The response line represents the destination, and since the world and response lines generate each other, it indicates harmony between the person and the place, making it a perfect hexagram. However, the world line is exactly in the旬空 (decade void), which according to old methods is called "no reason for being empty," a major凶 omen. The question remains: should he be allowed to travel and seek wealth, or not? Uncertain, he was asked to cast another hexagram.

又得明夷之豐： 父母酉金″　官鬼戌土″ 兄弟亥水″　父母申金″世 官鬼丑土″世　動　妻財午火′ 兄弟亥水′　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　官鬼丑土″應 子孫卯木′應　子孫卯木′ 斷曰：此卦與前卦相同，此行大有財發。斷得世爻丑土化午火回頭相生，目下月破，行到此頭已出月矣，出月而不為破，開春寅卯月，以前卦決者乃世爻出空之月也，逢子亥財生，滿心如願。彼曰：去得成否？余曰：甲寅日世爻出空之日，準行無疑，果於乙卯日起程，後到彼地，寅卯月間，諸事順心，滿載而歸。

The second hexagram emerged as Earth Fire Ming Yi transforming into Thunder Fire Feng. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in酉 metal, the fifth line is siblings in亥 water, the fourth line is official ghost in丑 earth (the world line, which is active), the third line is siblings in亥 water, the second line is official ghost in丑 earth, and the first line is children in卯 wood (the response line); the moving line of丑 earth transforms into wife wealth in午 fire. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: this hexagram has the same meaning as the previous one, indicating a great fortune in wealth. The world line of丑 earth is active and transforms into午 fire, which gives back to the earth line (fire generates earth), indicating support. At present, the丑 earth is affected by the子 month, causing it to be broken, but once he moves to that place, having left the month, it will no longer be considered broken. As for the time of gaining wealth, it will be in the寅 month and卯 month of spring — according to the previous hexagram, these are the months when the world line of寅 wood is out of its旬 empty period, and also when子 water and亥 water, two sources of wealth, come to support the world line, ensuring everything goes as desired. The person asked: will this journey succeed? The answer was: on the day of Jiayin, the world line is out of its empty period, and leaving on that day is certain. Later, he indeed started on Yimao day, arrived at that place, and during the寅 and卯 months, everything went smoothly, and he returned with a full load.

野鶴曰：多占之法，能消許多疑惑，不然只以前卦決斷者，無故自空，如入深淵大凶。實則旺財生世，腰纏萬貫之徵。許之去耶？阻之勿去耶？李我平曰：空亡之說，鬼神不測之妙，似有又無，似無又有，實有到底全空，又有填實不空，此以多占兩卦合而決之。真為洩盡鬼神之機也，天地這理論，皆從空而生。謂之懸空以待用，凡占遇空，不可即以為空也，然又有中空之日，實空之時，事在一旬之外，許其出空之日而應之，若占遠之大事，尚無定期，非旬可以定者，大象不吉，乃可謂到底空也。大象若吉，太歲月建又可填之，然又不如多占兩卦，實為妙法。

The Wild Crane Elder once said: Using multiple divination methods can eliminate many doubts. If one only relies on the first hexagram, the World Line is empty for no reason, which would be a great danger as if falling into a deep abyss; but in reality, it is a sign of wealth and prosperity. Should you allow him to go or prevent him from going? The commentator Li Woping noted: The concept of empty positions is precisely the subtle and mysterious aspect of the supernatural — seeming to exist yet not existing, seeming to not exist yet existing; there are cases where it is truly empty, and cases where it becomes filled after some time. The Wild Crane Elder used two additional hexagrams to cross-reference and make a decision, truly revealing the hidden mechanisms of the supernatural. The principles of heaven and earth all arise from the concept of "empty." It is said that an empty position is left hanging for future use. When a hexagram encounters an empty position, one should not immediately conclude it is empty. However, one must distinguish between cases where the empty position is filled in the middle of the process and cases where it is truly empty. If the matter is beyond a ten-day period, it may be expected to manifest on the day when the empty position is filled. If the matter is long-term and has no fixed time, it cannot be confined within a ten-day period. In such cases, one should look at the overall pattern — if the overall pattern is not auspicious, one may say it is truly empty; if the overall pattern is auspicious, the year and month can fill the empty position. Although this is the case, it is still better to cross-reference with two additional hexagrams. This is truly the most effective method.

長生、沐浴、冠帶、臨官、帝旺、衰、病、死、墓、絕、胎、養。餘得驗者，只驗生旺墓絕，其餘不驗，不必用之。 金長生在巳　旺在酉　墓在丑　絕在寅 木長生在亥　旺在卯　墓在來　絕在申 土水長生在申　旺在子　墓在辰　絕在巳 且如主事爻屬木，若在亥日占卦即主事爻長生於亥日。若在卯日占卦，木旺於卯。若在未日占卦，木墓於未。若在申日占卦，木絕於申，其餘仿此。又如主事爻屬木，動而變出亥水者，謂之化長生，動而變出卯木者謂之化旺，動而變出未土者謂之化墓，動而變出申金者謂之化絕，餘仿此。

The names of the twelve palaces for the Five Phases are: Longsheng (Growth), Muyu (Bathing), Guandai (Capping), Lin'guan (Officialdom), Diwang (Prosperity), Shuai (Decline), Bing (Illness), Si (Death), Mu (Burial), Jue (Cessation), Tai (Fetus), and Yang (Nourishment). The Wild Crane Elder said that among these twelve, he found only Longsheng, D iwang, Mu, and Jue to be effective, while the other eight were not reliable and should not be used. The allocation for these four is: Metal is Longsheng in Si, D iwang in You, Mu in Chou, and Jue in Yin; Wood is Longsheng in Hai, D iwang in Mao, Mu in Wei, and Jue in Shen; Earth and Water share the same palace, both Longsheng in Shen, D iwang in Zi, Mu in Chen, and Jue in Si. There are two methods of application. The first is to look at the day branch: for example, if the main subject's line belongs to Wood, and the divination is done on Hai day, then this line is Longsheng on Hai day; if on Mao day, Wood is D iwang on Mao day; if on Wei day, Wood is Mu on Wei day; if on Shen day, Wood is Jue on Shen day. The second is to look at the changing line: again taking Wood as the main subject's line, if it moves and changes into Hai Water, it is called 'Hua Longsheng'; if it changes into Mao Wood, it is called 'Hua D iwang'; if it changes into Wei Earth, it is called 'Hua Mu'; if it changes into Shen Metal, it is called 'Hua Jue'. The other Five Phases are applied in the same way.

覺子曰：金雖長生在巳，且宜金爻旺相，或日月動爻生扶，再遇巳日占卦，或是卦中動出巳爻，或是金爻動而化出巳火，皆謂長生。倘若金爻休囚無氣，再遇巳午火多者，烈火煎金，論克不論生也。金爻雖墓於丑土，若得未土沖動，或卦中土多生金，論生不論墓也。土爻雖絕於巳，必須休囚無氣，又逢巳爻謂之絕。若土爻旺相，或得日月動爻生扶，再遇巳爻，巳火反能生土，論生不論絕也。巳爻雖長生於寅，倘日月動爻及變出之爻又逢申金者，謂之三刑，論刑不論生也。古以土爻長生在申，又曰土長生在寅，無處考證，餘以天時考之，常見土臨父母。有申日雨者，亦有子日雨者；又見土臨子孫，有申日晴者，亦有子日晴者。故知土長生於申，旺於子，實知土寄生於申而無疑也。

Li Wenhui (pen name: Juezi) added: Although metal is long-lived in Si, it still needs the metal line itself to be prosperous and strong, or to be supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line. Only then, if on a Si day or if the Si line appears in the hexagram or the metal line moves and transforms into Si fire, can it be considered as long-lived. If the metal line is weak and confined, and there are many fire lines in the hexagram, such as Si or Wu fire, it would be a case of fierce fire roasting metal, and we should consider it as arestrain (restraining) rather than a generating relationship. Although metal is buried in Chou earth, if Chou earth is disturbed by Wei earth or if there are many earth lines in the hexagram that generate metal, we should consider it as a generating relationship rather than a burial. Although earth is at its decline in Si, it must be that the earth line is weak and confined, and then encountering the Si line would be considered as decline. If the earth line is strong and prosperous, or supported by the day, month, or moving line, and then encounters the Si line, the Si fire would instead generate the earth, so we should consider it as a generating relationship rather than a decline. Although fire is long-lived in Yin, if the day branch, month builder, moving line, or changing line contains Shen metal, and Yin, Si, and Shen form the three punishments, we should consider it as punishment rather than generation. As for the long-lived position of earth, ancient people have said it is in Shen, and others have said it is in Yin, but there is no conclusive evidence. I have examined this through heavenly phenomena: commonly, earth lines serve as parents (parents represent rain), and there are cases of rain on Shen days and also on Zi days. Also, earth lines serve as children (children represent clear weather), and there are cases of clear weather on Shen days and also on Zi days. From this, we can conclude that earth is long-lived in Shen and at its peak in Zi, and earth shares the same palace with water and is born in Shen, which is without doubt.

曾於午月已卯日占妻病得震之豐： 妻財戌土″世　動　子孫巳火′ 官鬼申金″　妻財未土″世 子孫午火′　官鬼酉金′ 妻財辰土″應　妻財辰土″ 兄弟寅木″　兄弟寅木″應 父母子水′　父母子水′ 辰土財爻為用神，近病逢沖即愈，許之當愈於辰日，不然酉日必愈，後因連日昏沉，竟於子日起床，許辰日愈者，辰土逢值之日也。許酉日者，辰與酉合動而逢合之日也，今愈子日辰土財爻旺於子也。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Ji Mao in the Wu month, someone consulted about his wife's illness, and the hexagram cast was Zhen (Hexagram 51) changing to Feng (Hexagram 55). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the wife's wealth, Xu earth (the world line, which is active), the fifth line is the official ghost, Shen metal, the fourth line is the child, Wu fire, the third line is the wife's wealth, Chen earth (the response line), the second line is the brother, Yin wood, and the first line is the parent, Zi water. The moving line, Xu earth, changes into the child, Si fire. In divining about the wife, the wife's wealth is the useful god. Since there are two instances of wealth in the hexagram, the third line, Chen earth, is selected. Zhen (Hexagram 51) is a hexagram of six clashes. A new illness encountering a clash should recover, so the Wild Crane Elder first predicted that she would recover on the day of Chen. Otherwise, she would recover on the day of You. But she remained unconscious for several days and only woke up on the day of Zi. Looking back, predicting the day of Chen was based on the useful god being active on that day. Predicting the day of You was based on the combination of Chen and You, and the moving line meeting a combination on that day. However, the actual recovery was on the day of Zi, because earth's growth is in Shen and its prosperity is in Zi—so the wealth line, Chen earth, was at its peak on Zi. This hexagram exactly confirms the theory that earth and water share the same palace and are mutually dependent.

李我平曰：生旺墓絕之論，金生在巳，木生在亥，水生在申，火生在寅，四大長生，理之正也。惟土寄生，未得關入。法云：火土長生在寅。知子上是胞胎，此即土寄生於寅。今五行家戌土生寅己土生酉。易冒雖曰：唯土之長生不一，山中有坤土生於申，若分陰陽，則戌土生寅已土生寅，實未得其據。此專以天時考證者土長生於申，萬古之不易也。

The commentator Li Woping says: Discussing birth, prosperity, burial, decline and exhaustion, the long life of metal is in Si, wood in Hai, water in Shen, and fire in Yin, these four long lives are the correct principles and there is no dispute. Only the question of where the earth is born has never had a definite conclusion. Some ancient texts say that fire and earth share the same long life in Yin, saying that earth is in Zi position as a fetus, thus placing earth's birth in Yin. Now, those who discuss the Five Phases have a distinction, saying that Wu earth is born in Yin and Ji earth in You. "Yi Mao" also says that the long life of earth is not confined to one position; mountainous earth is born in Shen. If we distinguish yin and yang, Wu earth is born in Yin and Ji earth is born in Yin. These statements all lack supporting evidence. Only this book uses heavenly phenomena to verify, determining that earth is born in Shen, which is the unchanging conclusion for all time.

後值分門各類當用字眼，恐其煩絮，不便全寫，只用題頭即如後有用神宜旺，不可指定旺於四時，但得用神臨日月、或遇日月動爻變爻生扶、或用爻遇長生逢帝旺，皆謂之旺。用神化吉：凡用神元神動化回頭生、化長生、化帝旺、化扶助、化日月皆為化吉。用神化凶：凡用神原神動化回頭克、化絕、化墓、化空、化鬼、化退神皆為化凶。

Later chapters will use some fixed expressions. To avoid repetition, I will explain these terms once here. For example, when the text says "the useful god should be strong," it does not mean only the season when the useful god is in its prime. As long as the useful god is exactly on the day branch or the month builder, or receives support from the day branch, month builder, moving line, or changing line, or meets the growth or prosperity of the useful god, it is considered strong.the so-called "the useful god transforms into good" refers to when the useful god or origin god is activated, and the resulting line supports it, or transforms into growth, prosperity, support, or the day branch or month builder. These are called transforming into good.the so-called "the useful god transforms into bad" refers to when the useful god or origin god is activated, and the resulting line harms it, or transforms into decline, burial, emptiness, official ghost, or retreating god. These are called transforming into bad.

歲君：即當年太歲。歲五即卦中第五爻為太歲。五位：卦中第五位為君位。易經曰：九五之尊。身即世爻。古以身為卦身、身世，余試之不驗，後遇身者，即以之為世，非卦身，世身。三墓即用爻入日墓、入動墓、動而化墓，非古法之世墓、身墓、命墓。主象即定事吉凶之爻。古法以卦中世爻為主象，又名主事爻。即如占父母兄弟則卦中父母爻兄弟爻為主事爻，餘仿此。老陰而成少陽謂之變，老陽而成少陰謂之化。古以變如物消亡而後長出，退而又進。化如物之生成而後敗，進而又退。余試之不驗。化進神、化生旺，雖化亦為吉。變鬼、變克，雖變亦為凶。各章所言變即是化，化即是變。

The term "sui jun" refers to the current year's Tai Sui; the book mentions "sui wu," which means the fifth line of the hexagram is exactly the Tai Sui. "Wu wei" refers to the fifth line of the hexagram, which is the position of the ruler, as the Zhou Yi's Qian hexagram discusses "jiu wu zhi zun," which is exactly this position. In the book, the term "shen" always refers to the world line—old methods established separate terms such as "gua shen" and "shi shen," but the Wild Crane Elder found these ineffective, so in the following text, whenever the term "shen" appears, it should be understood as the world line, not the hexagram body or the world body. "San mu" refers to three types of burial: the used line entering the day branch's burial, entering the moving line's burial, and self-initiated transformation into burial, not the old method's terms of world burial, body burial, and birth year burial. "Zhu xiang" refers to the line that determines the fortune or misfortune of the matter; old methods called the world line "zhu xiang" and also "zhu shi yao"; this book determines it based on the subject being divined, for example, when divining about parents, the parent line is the main line, when divining about siblings, the sibling line is the main line, and so on. As for "bian" and "hua": an old yin line transforming into a young yang line is called "bian," and an old yang line transforming into a young yin line is called "hua." Old interpretations said "bian" resembles something dying and then regrowing, which is retreat with progress; "hua" resembles something being created and then decaying, which is progress with decline. The Wild Crane Elder tested these and found them not accurate. His view is that if a line transforms into an advancing god or into a prosperous and vital line, even though it is called "hua," it is auspicious; if a line transforms into an official ghost or into a line that harms the god, even though it is called "bian," it is inauspicious. Therefore, in this book, the terms "bian" and "hua" are used interchangeably, and no distinction is made between them.

靜而逢值逢沖：如主事爻臨子水不動，後逢子日午日而應之，餘仿此。動而逢合逢值：如主事爻臨子水發動，後遇丑日子日而應之，餘仿此。太旺者逢墓逢沖：如主事爻臨午火，又遇巳火午月日占卦，或卦中巳午爻太多，後逢亥子日應之，又有戌日應之乃火入墓也，餘仿此。衰絕者，遇生遇旺：如主事爻屬金，占卦於巳午月日，即是休囚無氣，後逢土月日或至秋令當時，則旺矣！餘仿此。

This chapter mainly discusses "the time of response," which refers to the day or month when an event will occur. The first rule is that a static line should respond on the day it is valued or on the day it is in conflict: for example, if the main line is water of the zodiac sign zi and is still, then it should respond on the zi day (the day it is valued) or the wu day (the day it is in conflict), and so on. The second rule is that a moving line should respond on the day it is harmonized or on the day it is valued: for example, if the main line is water of the zodiac sign zi and is moving, then it should respond on the chou day (the day it is harmonized) or the zi day (the day it is valued), and so on. The third rule is that a very strong line should respond when it enters its burial or is in conflict: for example, if the main line is fire of the zodiac sign wu, and it is in the month of si or wu, or on the day of si or wu, or if there are too many si and wu lines in the hexagram, making the fire extremely strong, then it should respond on the xia day or the zi day (when water comes to clash and control), or on the xu day, because fire is buried in xu, and so on. The fourth rule is that a weak and declining line should respond when it receives support or turns strong: for example, if the main line is metal, but the divination is done in the month of si or wu, or on the day of si or wu, when fire is strong and metal is weak, which is a state of being weak and confined, then it should wait until the earth month or earth day (when earth supports metal) or until autumn when metal is in its season, when it becomes strong again, and so on.

入三墓俱喜沖開：如主事爻臨午火，假使火墓於戌，後逢辰日則應之，餘仿此。遇六合亦宜相擊：如主事爻與月作合，或動而化合，吉凶必待沖開之月日應之。即如主象臨子，與丑作合，後逢午未日應之是也，餘仿此。月破喜填：如子月占，主事爻臨午火，乃為月破。後逢未日應之，謂之破而逢合。又有逢午月應之，填實之月，則不破矣！餘仿此。

Rule five: Any matter involving the three graves prefers a clash to open the storage. For example, if the main element is午 fire, and fire is buried in戌, then it should respond on the day of辰, as辰 and戌 clash, opening the storage, thus causing the matter to move. The same applies to other cases. Rule six: When encountering the Six Harmony, one should also wait for a clash. If the main element harmonizes with the month builder, or if it moves and produces a harmonizing element, it is bound by the harmony, so both good and bad outcomes should wait until the month or day when the clash occurs. For example, if the main element is子 water, which harmonizes with丑 earth, then it should respond on the day of午 or未 (as午 clashes with子 and未 clashes with丑). The same applies to other cases. Rule seven: The month breaker prefers to be filled. For example, if the卦 is cast in the month of子, and the main element is午 fire, the clash between子 and午 makes it a month breaker. Later, it should respond on the day of未, because午 and未 harmonize, called 'breaking met with harmony'. There is also a possibility of responding in the month of午, as that is the filling month, and once filled, it is no longer considered a break. The same applies to other cases.

旬空最愛填沖：詳空亡論章。大象吉而受克，須待克神受克：如用神臨辰土，得日月動爻生扶，乃為大象吉也。倘被寅卯克害，後逢申酉日沖剋克神則吉，餘仿此。大象凶而受克，須防克者逢生：即如前說，用神臨辰土，既無日月動爻生扶，乃為大象凶也。再逢寅卯剋制者，後逢寅卯亥日，則凶。餘仿此。元神來助來扶，貴看用神衰旺，忌神來沖剋，須觀元氣興衰。化進神、逢值逢合：如申動酉，乃為進神，為福為禍，有應申月日者，有應巳月日者，餘仿此。化退神、忌值忌沖：如酉化申，乃為退神，為凶為吉，有應申月日者，有應寅日月者，餘仿此。問有應於獨發獨靜：詳獨發章。問有應於變爻動爻：如爻臨戌土，變出酉金，其吉凶有戌日應者，有酉日應者，餘仿此。

Rule 8: The旬空 prefers to be filled or be in conflict. See the previous chapter on旬空. Rule 9: When the great image is originally auspicious but the useful god is being restrained, one should wait until the god that restrains it is itself restrained. For example, if the useful god is the earth of the辰, and it is supported by the day branch, month builder, and moving line, this is a favorable great image. But if it is restrained by the wood of寅 or卯, then one should wait until the metal of申 or酉 comes to restrain寅 or卯, at that time it will turn auspicious. Other cases follow the same pattern. Rule 10: When the great image is originally inauspicious and the useful god is being restrained, one should be cautious as the god that restrains it may instead be supported. Still using the example of the useful god being the earth of辰, if it is not supported by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, this is an inauspicious great image. If it is further restrained by寅 or卯, then on the day of寅,卯, or亥 (water of亥 supports wood, making wood stronger), the inauspicious event will occur. Other cases follow the same pattern. Rule 11: When the origin god comes to assist or support, the key is to look at the strength and weakness of the useful god itself. When the hostile god comes to restrain, the key is to look at the strength and weakness of the origin god. Rule 12: When a change into an advancing god occurs, it should be on the day or the day of the combination. For example, if the metal of申 moves and changes into the metal of酉, it is an advancing god. Whether it brings fortune or misfortune, it should be on the day of申 or the day of巳 (since巳 and申 combine), other cases follow the same pattern. Rule 13: When a change into a retreating god occurs, one should avoid the day of the change and the day of conflict. For example, if the metal of酉 changes into the metal of申, it is a retreating god. Whether it is auspicious or inauspicious, it should be on the day of申 or the day of寅, other cases follow the same pattern. Rule 14: When the occurrence is on a single active or single still line, see the later chapter on独发. Rule 15: When the occurrence is on a changing line or a moving line: for example, if a line is the earth of戌 and changes into the metal of酉, then the auspicious or inauspicious event should occur on the day of戌 or the day of酉, other cases follow the same pattern.

勿謂爻之不驗，遠近當分：遠事定之以年月，近事應之於日時。再問有占遠應近，占近應遠，占月應年，占日應時，亦所當知。倘遇卦之不明，再占是一法。卦有恍惚者，再占一卦，不可妄斷。世空元動，須待元神逢值。如甲辰旬，占求財，得困之坎，主亥日得財，餘仿此。世衰元靜，必然是元氣逢沖。如秋占圖謀，得困卦後逢巳日成事，餘仿此。

In the final few points, do not easily say that the hexagram and lines do not come true; the nearness or farness of the fulfillment should be clearly understood. When divining long-term matters, use years and months to determine the time; when divining immediate matters, the fulfillment should be on the day or hour. There are also cases where long-term matters come true in the near term, and short-term matters come true in the distant term. There are also instances where the fulfillment was expected in the month but comes in the year, or expected in the day but comes in the hour. These situations should be clearly understood in one's mind. If the hexagram is unclear, another divination is a method—when a hexagram is vague, another hexagram can be cast for reference, and one should not make arbitrary judgments. There are also two lines: "When the world line is empty and the origin god is active, one must wait for the origin god to meet its value." For example, when divining for wealth in the Jiachen decade, one gets the hexagram Zheshui Kun changing to Kan water, with the world line falling empty and the origin god active, then the fulfillment should be on the day of Hai (the day when the origin god is in value), and similar cases follow. "When the world line is declining and the origin god is still, it must be that the vital energy meets its conflict." For example, when divining for matters in autumn, one gets the hexagram Zheshui Kun, with the world line declining and the origin god still, then one must wait for the day when the origin god is activated, and later the fulfillment comes on the day of Si, and similar cases follow.

游魂卦為各宮之第七卦，如乾宮中之火地晉，坤宮中之水天需。歸魂卦為各宮之第八卦，如乾宮中之火天大有，坤宮中之水地比。古以游魂行千里，我行此事而欲久者，游魂而不能久，心無定向，遷改不常。占身命無安家樂業之所，占行人遊遍他鄉。占出行，行無定止。占家宅，遷變不常，占墳塋，亡靈不能安妥。野鶴曰：須以用神為主，然後以此參之，若舍用神執此而斷者，謬也。古以歸魂不出疆，諸事拘泥不行，與游魂卦相反而斷之，可也。野鶴曰：亦須以用神為主。

The "Yóu Hún Guà" (Wandering Soul Hexagram) is the seventh hexagram in each of the eight trigrams' sections, such as Jin (Fire in Earth) in the Qian (Heaven) trigram section and Bi (Water in Earth) in the Kun (Earth) trigram section. The "Guī Hún Guà" (Returning Soul Hexagram) is the eighth hexagram in each section, such as Da You (Fire in Heaven) in the Qian trigram section and Bi (Water in Earth) in the Kun trigram section. Old interpretations say that the Yóu Hún Guà signifies "traveling a thousand miles": if one intends to do something for a long time but draws the Yóu Hún Guà, the matter will not last long, the mind is unsettled, and there is constant change. When divining one's fate, there is no place to settle down; when divining a person who has left home, they wander elsewhere; when divining travel, the destination is uncertain; when divining a house, there is constant moving; when divining a burial site, the spirit cannot rest peacefully. The Wild Crane Elder said: these can only be considered as references; divining a hexagram still requires focusing on the Useful God (Yong Shen). First look at the Useful God, then use the meaning of the Yóu Hún Guà as a reference. If one ignores the Useful God and relies solely on the Yóu Hún Guà, then the divination would be wrong. Old interpretations also say that the Guī Hún Guà signifies "not crossing borders," with matters being restricted and unable to proceed, which is the opposite of the Yóu Hún Guà. By comparing these two, one can make a judgment. The Wild Crane Elder still emphasized that the Guī Hún Guà also requires focusing on the Useful God as the main factor.

野鶴老人著，楚江李坦我平鑑定，湖南李文輝覺子增刪，男婿陳文吉茂生、茹芝山秀仝校。

This volume was compiled by the Wild Crane Elder, reviewed by Chujiang person Li Tan (style name Woping), revised by Hunan person Li Wenhui (courtesy name Juezǐ), and proofread by Li Wenhui's two sons-in-law Chen Wenji Maosheng and Ru Zhishan Xiushou. "Reviewing" refers to verifying the correctness of the entire text, "revising" means removing errors from previous interpretations and adding personal experiences from divination, which is also the reason this book is named The Revised and Added Book of Divination.

正申、二酉、三戌，四亥、五子、六丑、七寅、八卯、九辰，十巳、十一午、十二未，月建沖之為月破，逐月之破日是也。諸書皆以用神臨月破如悖時也，即是枯根木，逢生生之不起，逢傷更傷者重，雖現於卦，有跡如無，伏於卦中，終莫透露，雖有日辰之生，亦不能生，動而作忌神者不能為害，作變爻者不能傷克動爻。

In the first lunar month, the "Month Breaker" is Shen; in the second month, You; in the third month, Xu; in the fourth month, Hai; in the fifth month, Zi; in the sixth month, Chou; in the seventh month, Yin; in the eighth month, Mao; in the ninth month, Chen; in the tenth month, Si; in the eleventh month, Wu; in the twelfth month, Wei. Any earthly branch that is in opposition to the "Month Builder" of that month is called the "Month Breaker." For example, in the first month, the Month Builder is Yin, and Yin and Shen are opposing, so Shen is the Month Breaker for the first month. The same logic applies to the other months. The day when this earthly branch appears is called the "Breaking Day" of that month. All divination books state that if the "Useful God" falls on the Month Breaker, it is like a person not encountering favorable times, or like a tree whose roots have already withered; even if other lines come to nourish it, they cannot support it, and if other lines harm it, the harm is especially severe. Such a line, although clearly present in the hexagram, is as if it is not there; if it is hidden within the hexagram, it will never be revealed. Even if the day branch comes to nourish it, it cannot nourish it. If it acts as the "Hostile God," it cannot harm people. If it becomes a "Changing Line," it cannot harm the "Moving Line."

野鶴曰：餘得其驗，動則能傷於爻，變則能傷於動，何也？神兆機於動。事之無吉無凶則不動矣，既動則有禍福之基，目下雖破，出月則不破，今日雖破，實破之日則不破，合之日則不破，近應日遠應年月。惟而不動又無日辰動爻生助者則到底而破矣。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: I have personally tested and found that the old interpretations differ. The Month Breaker line, when it moves, can still harm other lines. Even when it becomes a Changing Line, it can still harm the moving line that it changes. Why? Because "the divine signs arise from movement," the divine intention is revealed through the movement of the lines. If an event is neither auspicious nor inauspicious, the hexagram lines would not move. Once they move, they already contain the roots of fortune or misfortune. Although it may seem broken now, it will not be broken after this month. Although it may seem broken today, it will not be broken on the day of "real breaking" (the day when the branch is filled). It will also not be broken on the day it combines with another. The nearer the time of fulfillment, the more it is indicated by the day; the farther, by the year or month. Only those lines that are both broken by the Month Breaker, remain still, and receive no support from the Day Branch moving lines are truly broken and ultimately useless.

如亥月已丑日占將來有官否。得兌化訟卦 父母未土″世　動　父母戌土′ 兄弟酉金′　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′世 父母丑土″應　官鬼午火″ 妻財卯木′　父母辰土′ 官鬼巳火′　動　妻財寅木″應 此卦官動而生世，世動化進神，雖然有官之象，但官逢月破，世遇旬空，然空者猶月日辰相沖，沖空則實不為空矣，而破者又無日辰動爻之生，占以日建亦生不起，況無日建動爻以生乎？餘疑之即無所用，何故動而生世？命之再占，又得出水地比卦。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Jichou in the month of Hai, the person asked about whether he would be appointed to an official position in the future. The hexagram drawn was Dui (Hexagram 58) changing to Song (Hexagram 6). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is as follows: the top line is the parent's earth (the world line, which is active and changes to the parent's earth of Xu), the fifth line is the brother's metal (changing to the brother's metal of Shen), the fourth line is the child's water (changing to the official ghost's fire, which becomes the world line of the resulting hexagram), the third line is the parent's earth (the response line, changing to the official ghost's fire), the second line is the wife's wealth of wood (changing to the parent's earth of Chen), and the first line is the official ghost's fire (which is active and changes to the wife's wealth of wood, which becomes the response line of the resulting hexagram). In this hexagram, the official ghost is active and comes to generate the world line, and the world line itself is active and generates an advancing god, which indeed shows a sign of obtaining an official position. However, the first line's fire official star is exactly in the month of Hai, and there is a conflict between Hai and Si, so the official star is in the month breaker. The world line's earth is also in the旬空 (decade void). When a line that is in the旬空 is attacked by the month builder and the day branch, the void becomes real. Therefore, it is not considered void. However, the official star that is in the month breaker has no support from the day branch or the active line. Even if there is the day builder, it cannot support it. Moreover, there is no day builder or active line in the hexagram to support it. The Wild Crane Elder therefore doubted: since the line that is in the month breaker is of no use, why is it active and generating the world line? He then asked the person to divinate again, and the hexagram obtained was Bi (Hexagram 8).

妻財子水″應　妻財子水″應 兄弟戌土′　兄弟戌土′ 子孫申金″　子孫申金″ 官鬼卯木″世　官鬼卯木″世 父母巳火″　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　兄弟未土″ 斷曰：命若無官，官不得生世持世，今即前卦動官相生，後得官臨世位，食祿王家終須有日。彼問：應在何年？余曰：前卦官臨月破，定於實破之年，果於巳年承襲長房世職，若以月破，百無所用，霄壤之隔也。

The following hexagram is Water over Earth, Hexagram 8, with all six lines still. From top to bottom: the top line is the wife's wealth in the water element (response line), the fifth line is the brother in the earth element, the fourth line is the son in the metal element, the third line is the official ghost in the wood element (world line), the second line is the parent in the fire element, and the first line is the brother in the earth element. The Wild Crane Elder explained: if a person's destiny does not have an official star, the official star will not come to generate the world line, nor will it sit on the world line. Now in the previous hexagram, the official star was active and generated, and in the following hexagram, the official star is directly on the world position, indicating that the day of receiving the imperial salary is certain. The person asked which year it would be. The answer was: the official star in the previous hexagram is at the month breaker, so it is fixed in the year of 'real breaking' — when the breaking line reaches the year of its own branch, the breaking becomes filled. Later, he indeed inherited the head of the family's position in the year of巳, which exactly corresponds to the fire element official star in the previous hexagram. If we were to treat the month breaker as entirely useless, the result of the divination would be completely different from reality.

又如辰月戊子日占父何日歸得乾之夬 父母戌土′世　動　父母未土″ 兄弟申金′　兄弟酉金′世 官鬼午火′　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土′應　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　妻財寅木′應 子孫子水′　子孫子水′ 父母持世，破而化空，既無日生，又無動助，以古法斷者，作用神而無氣，其父不能歸也。餘不以此論之，竟斷朱雀臨父動而持世，卯日有信，午未日必歸，果於卯日得信，乙未日到家，應卯日得信者，破而逢合之日也。應未日歸者，父化未土旬空出空之日到也。古訣用神之論謂之動逢月破，我位既失，化月建，為退之不及。此卦父爻破而動而化空，競退以歸家。

For example, on a day of Wuzi (戊子) in the month of Chen (辰), someone asked about the day their father would return home. They cast the hexagram Qian (乾) changing to Guai (泽天夬). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents戌土 (the world line, which moves and changes to parents未土), the fifth line is brothers申金 (changing to brothers酉金, which becomes the world line of the resulting hexagram), the fourth line is official ghost午火 (changing to children亥水), the third line is parents辰土 (the response line), the second line is wife wealth寅木 (in the resulting hexagram it is the response), and the first line is children子水. In divining about the father, the parents line is the useful god. The useful god is exactly holding the world line:戌土 is broken by the month (月破) because it is in the month of Chen; the moving line changes to未土, which is in the旬空. There is no day branch to generate it, nor any moving line to support it. According to the old method, the useful god has no strength, so the father will not return. However, the Wild Crane Elder did not interpret it this way. He said that the戌 line is accompanied by the Vermilion Bird (朱雀), which governs messages. The parents line, which is accompanied by the Vermilion Bird and is moving and holding the world line, predicted that there would be a message on the day of Mao (卯) and the father would definitely return on the days of Wu (午) or Wei (未). Later, the message was indeed received on the day of Mao, and the father arrived on the day of Yiwei (乙未). The reason for receiving the message on the day of Mao is that Mao and戌 are in harmony, and the broken line is effective on the day of harmony. The reason for returning on the day of Wei is that the parents line changed to未土, which was in the旬空, and on the day it came out of the旬空, the person arrived. The old rules say that if the useful god is activated and meets the month breaker, its original position is lost. The change from戌 to未 is called 'retreating god' (退神), and it is also said that changing to the month builder is only 'retreating but not enough' (退之不及). However, in this hexagram, the parents line was broken, activated, and changed to the旬空, yet it still returned home.

又如午月癸卯日占後遇功名 官鬼寅木′世　官鬼卯木′ 妻財子水″　動　父母巳火′ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟未土″世 子孫申金′應　動　官鬼卯木″ 父母午火″　父母巳火″ 兄弟辰土″　兄弟未土″應 斷曰：寅木官星持世被申金動爻克，今年七月必有凶。彼曰：看因何事。余曰：應動而克世，必有仇家。又問：礙於功名否。余曰：若非子水動爻，去位必矣，幸有子孫接續相生，降級離任而不免耳。

For example, on a Guimao day in the month of Wu, someone asked about his future official rank. The hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was the official ghost yin wood (the world line, changing to official ghost卯 wood), the fifth line was the wife's wealth zi water (moving, changing to parents si fire), the fourth line was the brother xu earth (changing to brother wei earth, as the world line of the changing hexagram), the third line was the son shen metal (the response line, moving, changing to official ghost卯 wood), the second line was the parents wu fire (changing to parents si fire), and the first line was the brother chen earth (changing to brother wei earth, as the response line of the changing hexagram). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the yin wood official star is sitting on the world line, but it is being overcome by the moving third line shen metal. There will certainly be misfortune in July this year. The person asked what kind of misfortune. The answer was: the response line is moving to overcome the world line, which means he has attracted an enemy. Another question was asked: does this affect his official rank? The answer was: if there were no moving zi water on the fifth line, he would certainly lose his position; fortunately, shen metal generates zi water, and zi water generates yin wood, forming a continuous chain of mutual generation, thus only a demotion and resignation will occur, and this level cannot be avoided.

次日，有幕客知易理而問曰：既知子水，接續相生，卜書有云，忌神與原神同動，官與世爻得兩生也，今冬高升之兆，如何反說離任。余曰：子水破而化空，卜書有曰：雖有如無，作原神而無用，餘因不依古法，而斷神兆機於動，動必有因，所以斷之降級而已。若在冬至月，始有此驗，倘在他月，子水而未實破，還不可知。果於七月，成大非，冬至月事結降級調用。餘彼時，已往他省，復來呼喚，至彼而又卜之。

On the next day, a clerk who understood the principles of the I Ching came to ask: Since you know that the water of Zi is in the middle continuing the cycle of mutual generation, the divination books say that when the hostile god and the origin god both become active, the official star and the world line are both supported, and this winter is indeed a sign of promotion. So why do you say that he should resign? The Wild Crane Elder replied: The water of Zi is being冲 (conflicted) in the month of Wu, which is called month breaker. The resulting fire of Si falls into the旬空 (empty period), and the divination books say that such a line 「though present, as if not」, so even as the origin god, it cannot take effect. I did not follow the old method of interpretation because 「the divine signs arise from movement」—since the line has moved, there must be a reason for its movement. Therefore, I only predicted a demotion. Moreover, the outcome will be clear in the month of Winter Solstice (the month of Zi), when the water of Zi will fill the break. If it were in another month, the water of Zi has not yet filled the break, so the prediction is still uncertain. Later, in July, there was a big incident, and by the month of Winter Solstice, the case was settled, and he was demoted and reassigned. At that time, the Wild Crane Elder had already gone to another province, and the master sent someone to invite him again. When he arrived there, he cast another divination.

寅月丙辰日占得地澤臨 子孫酉金″　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″應　妻財亥水″應 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世　官鬼卯木′世 父母巳火′　父母巳火′ 余曰：聞得士民保留，鞏蒙不必，待子年仍以原品起用，知易理幕客在坐，問曰：九五亥水生官，如何不允。余曰：被日克，將來子年亥水旺也，又合前卦，五爻子水值太歲而不破，起用無疑。

On a day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Yin (寅), a divination was made using the hexagram Lin (地泽临), with all six lines quiet. The top line is the grandson in酉 gold, the fifth line is the wife's wealth in亥 water (the response line), the fourth line is the brother in丑 earth, the third line is the brother in丑 earth, the second line is the official ghost in卯 wood (the world line), and the first line is the parents in巳 fire. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have heard that local people are petitioning to retain the official, but it is likely not approved. The original text says 「巩蒙不必」, but there are some errors and omissions. It will be until the year of Zi (子) that he will be reinstated at his original rank. A court official who understands the principles of the Yi asked: Since the fifth line of the hexagram,亥 water, generates the official star,卯 wood, why is the petition not approved? The answer was: The亥 water is being restrained by the辰 earth of the Bingchen day, so it is currently weak. However, by the year of Zi, water will be strong and in its season, so the亥 water will gain strength. Combined with the previous hexagram, the fifth line of the previous hexagram was Zi water, which will be the year's sovereign in the year of Zi. Therefore, it will no longer be a breaking force, and the official's reinstatement is certain.

果於甲子年巳月仍以原品起用專補兩任，卯年而開督府。餘勸離榮，公曰：何也？余曰：仍以前卦決。因申金克世，子雖動臨破化空，不能生世生官，所以成非構怨。及子月雖則實破，其力尚輕，雖不至於削職，猶有降級之事。值子年乃實破之年也，值太歲是以當權起用。明年辰戌是子水入墓之年，太歲克去子水，申金仍復克世。有克無生，較昔年之禍更甚，不聽，果於辰年三月，條陳雖留萬世芳名，而得罪解往矣。士之辨日破者乃因破而動，勿以此斷。

Later indeed, he was appointed again in the Jiazi year and the Si month, and was successively appointed to two actual posts. By the Mao year, he became the governor-general. The Wild Crane Elder, however, advised him to retire while still in power. The official asked why. The elder replied that it was still decided by the previous hexagram. In the previous hexagram, the Sheng metal was defeating the World Line, and the Zi water, although activated, was also subject to the Month Breaker and transformed into a旬空, so it could neither support the World Line nor the official position, hence causing disputes and accumulating resentment. By the Si month, although the Zi water had filled the Breaker, its strength was still weak, so he would not be dismissed from office, only demoted. It was not until the Zi year that the real Breaker year came, and with the authority of the year's ruler, he could be appointed again. The next year, the Chen year, would be the year when Zi water was buried (water is buried in Chen), and the year's ruler, earth, would defeat the Zi water, so Sheng metal would again turn back to defeat the World Line, with defeat but no support, which would be even worse than the previous disaster. He did not listen, and later indeed, in the Chen year's third month, he was implicated in an official report, although his name was left for posterity, he was punished and sent away. The above discussion on the Month Breaker refers to the yao that is activated by the Breaker; the quiet and unmoving Breaker yao should not be interpreted in this way.

李我平曰：易冒之論，月破動作忌神而無害，動作元神而無用，動逢日辰生之而不起，曰百無所用之卦也。易林補遺亦曰：如臨月破之爻，不拘衰旺，更作凶推，逢生不受，遇克能招，亦謂雖有而如無也，觀此艮之觀卦，占時而值月破，不能接續相生，勾訟士庭，值月建以填宮，其力尚輕，猶有降罰之事，值太歲而當權仍以原品而起用，至辰而入墓禍匪輕，平生凶吉，關乎一爻月破，豈可謂之有亦如無，毫無所用耶？

Li Woping says: The "Easy Venture" discusses the month breaker, stating that when it is activated as a hostile god, it cannot harm people, and when it is activated as the origin god, it cannot take effect. When it is activated and meets the day branch to generate, it cannot generate. In the end, it is a single line that is of no use at all. The "Supplements to the Forest of Changes" also says: any line encountering the month breaker, regardless of its strength or weakness, is treated as凶 (evil), and it cannot receive benefits from being generated, but it can be harmed by being overcome. This is the same meaning as "though there is, it is as if there is none." However, looking at the above hexagram (originally "Gèn Zhī Guān Guà"), when the water of the Zi branch was exactly the month breaker during the divination, it could not continue to generate, leading to disputes and legal proceedings. When the Zi water was filled in the month of Zi, its strength was still weak, resulting in only a demotion. When the Zi water was the year's master in the year of Zi, it was restored to its original rank. When the Zi water entered its tomb in the year of Chen, the misfortune became serious. A person's fortune and misfortune for half a lifetime depends entirely on this line of the month breaker. How can it be said that "though there is, it is as if there is none" and be of no use at all?

若用神不現，即以日月為用神，倘日月非用神者，則於宮首卦尋之，因本宮首卦，父子財官六親俱全之故耳，假令占得天風姤卦 父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′應 兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′ 父母丑土″世

In any hexagram where the useful god is not present, first examine the day branch and the month builder: if the day or month is exactly the required six relation, then use the day or month as the useful god. If the day and month are not the useful god, then look within the first hexagram of the same trigram (the eight pure hexagrams), because the first hexagram contains all six relations: parents, children, wealth, official ghost. For example, when the hexagram is Gou (Heaven and Wind), from top to bottom it is: top line parents戌 earth, fifth line siblings申 metal, fourth line official ghost午 fire (response line), third line siblings酉 metal, second line children亥 water, first line parents丑 earth (world line).

若占妻財，取財爻為神，用此姤卦以寅卯木爻為妻財，今六爻無寅卯，即是用神不上卦，如於寅卯月占者，則以日月為用神，倘非寅卯月，須在宮首卦，乾為天卦內尋之。乾宮首卦乾為天。 父母戌土′世 兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′ 父母辰土′應 妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′

If the divination is about the wife or about wealth, then the wife and wealth line is taken as the useful god. The Gou hexagram belongs to the Qian palace, and in the Qian palace, wood is considered the wife and wealth. Therefore, one should look for the wood of寅 and卯. However, in the current six-line divination, there are no寅 or卯, which is called "the useful god is not in the hexagram." If the divination is done in the month of寅 or卯, then the month builder is taken as the useful god. If not, then one should look for it in the first hexagram of the palace, which is Qian as Heaven. The Qian as Heaven hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents戌 earth (world line), the fifth line is brothers申 metal, the fourth line is official ghost午 fire, the third line is parents辰 earth (response line), the second line is wife and wealth寅 wood, and the first line is sons子 water.

此卦寅木妻財在二爻，即以此寅木伏於姤卦亥水之下，姤卦二爻之亥水即為飛神，寅木妻財即為伏神，亥水而生寅木，謂之飛來生伏得長生，此用神不現，尋得伏神而遇生扶有用，亦為用神，便作吉斷，餘仿此。又如占得天山遁 父母戌土′　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′應　兄弟申金′應 官鬼午火′　官鬼午火′ 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″世　官鬼午火″世 父母辰土″　父母辰土″

In the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the wife and wealth (妻财) of the wood element,寅 (Yin), is placed in the second line. This寅 wood is then placed beneath the second line of the hexagram Gou (Encounter), which is the water element亥 (Hai). The亥 water in the second line of Gou is called the "Flying God" (飞神), and the寅 wood wife and wealth hidden beneath it is called the "Hidden God" (伏神). The亥 water generates the寅 wood, which is called "Flying God generating Hidden God" (飞来生伏). The Hidden God thus receives growth (长生). In such a case, even though the useful god (用神) is not present in the hexagram, if the Hidden God can be found and the Hidden God is supported and generated by others, it can still be used as the useful god, and thus a favorable outcome can be predicted. The same principle applies to other similar situations. For example, in the hexagram Tian Shan Dun (Heaven Mountain Retreat), from top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is parents戌 (Xu) earth, the fifth line is siblings申 (Shen) metal (response line), the fourth line is official ghost午 (Wu) fire, the third line is siblings申 (Shen) metal, the second line is official ghost午 (Wu) fire (world line), and the first line is parents辰 (Chen) earth.

如占子孫，取子孫為用神，此係乾宮卦，水為子孫，今六爻並無亥水，亦是子孫不現，倘在亥子月日占者，即以月日為用神，若非亥子月日亦在乾為天卦內尋之，乾為天初爻之子水子孫以伏於遁卦初爻辰土之下，辰土即是飛神，子水便是伏神，此乃飛來克伏，謂之飛克，伏神遭克害，名為伏神受制，有用亦無用矣，即作凶推，餘仿此。

If divining about children, take the "Children" line as the "Useful God." The hexagram Tian Shan Dun (Heaven over Mountain) belongs to the Qian (Heaven) trigram group. In the Qian trigram group, water is considered the "Children." Now, in the six-line divination, there is no亥 water, so the "Children" line is not present in the hexagram. If the divination is done during the month of Hai or Zi, or on a day of Hai or Zi, then use the day and month as the "Useful God." If not during these months or days, then still look for the "Children" within the hexagram Qian (Heaven). In the first line of the hexagram Qian (Heaven), the water (子) representing the "Children" is hidden beneath the first line of the hexagram Dun (Dun), which is the earth (辰). The earth is the "Flying God," and the water is the "Hidden God." Earth controls water, which is called "Flying God controls Hidden God," or simply "Flying Control." Since the "Hidden God" is controlled, it is called "Hidden God being restrained." Even if it is useful, it becomes useless, and thus the interpretation is considered ominous. The same logic applies to other cases.

伏神有用者有六：伏神得日月生者一也；伏神旺相者二也；伏神得飛神生者三也；伏神得動爻生者四；伏神得遇日月動爻沖剋飛神者五也；伏神得遇飛神空破休囚墓絕者六也。黃金策曰：空下伏神，易於引撥，此論近理，但有不獨飛神空亡而伏神得出，但得飛神臨破休囚入墓而伏神皆易出也，何也？飛神逢破墓衰空，雖有若無，所以伏神易於出現。此六皆有用之伏神也，雖曰不現亦如現矣。

The six situations in which a hidden god (伏神) can be effective are: first, when the hidden god is supported by the day branch or month builder; second, when the hidden god itself is prosperous and strong; third, when the hidden god is supported by the flying god (飞神) that is above it; fourth, when the hidden god is supported by a moving line within the hexagram; fifth, when the day or month or a moving line clashes and controls the flying god, thus removing the obstruction; sixth, when the flying god itself is empty, broken, weak, buried, or at its decline, so it cannot suppress the hidden god below. The Golden Strategies say, "When the hidden god is in an empty position, it is easy to rise," meaning that when the flying god is empty, the hidden god can easily emerge. This is reasonable; but there are more than just the flying god being empty. If the flying god meets the month breaker, is weak, buried, or at its decline, the hidden god can also emerge. Why? Because once the flying god is broken, buried, weak, or empty, it becomes ineffective, and thus cannot suppress the hidden god below, allowing the hidden god to naturally appear. These six situations are all effective for the hidden god. Although they are not considered as forming a hexagram, they are as effective as having a hexagram.

又伏神終不得出者有五。伏神休囚無氣者一也；伏神被日月沖剋者二也；伏神被旺相之飛神克者三也；伏神墓絕於日月飛爻者四也；伏神伏囚值空月破者五也。此五者乃無用之伏神也，雖有如無，終不能出。黃金策曰：伏居空地，事於心違。餘得驗者，非此論也。凡用神旺相而遇旬空，出空之日則出矣。

In reverse, there are five situations where the hidden god (伏神) will ultimately not emerge: first, when the hidden god is weak and confined without vitality; second, when the hidden god is clashed and controlled by the day branch or the month builder; third, when the hidden god is overcome by the prosperous and strong flying god; fourth, when the hidden god meets its burial or its dead end in the day or month or flying爻; fifth, when the hidden god is both hidden and weak, and also falls into the empty period or month break. These five are useless hidden gods, though they exist, they are as if they do not, and will never come to the surface. The Golden Strategies also say, "The hidden god resides in an empty place, and things go against the heart's wish," meaning that when the hidden god falls into an empty place, things will not go as desired. However, according to the personal trials and experiences of the Wild Crane Elder, this is not the case—when the useful god itself is prosperous and strong, it may temporarily fall into an empty period, but on the day it comes out of the empty period, it will naturally emerge.

如卯月壬辰日占候文書何日得領，得山火賁卦 官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土″應 妻財亥水′ 父母午火/兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世 午火父母為用神，空而伏於二爻丑土之下，壓住難出，許甲午日出空必得，果得於甲午日。

This is a real divination case. On the day of Renchen in the second month, the person consulted about when they would receive an official document, and the hexagram cast was Mountain Fire Bi, with all six lines quiet. The top line was the Official Ghost of寅wood, the fifth line was the Wealth of子water, the fourth line was the Siblings of戌earth (the Response Line), the third line was the Wealth of亥water, the second line was the Siblings of丑earth (with the Parents of午fire hidden beneath it), and the first line was the Official Ghost of卯wood (the World Line). In divination concerning official documents, the Parents line is considered the Useful God. However, the Parents line was not present in the hexagram, but was hidden beneath the second line of丑earth, and was also in the旬空, being suppressed by the丑earth. The Wild Crane Elder then predicted that the document would definitely be received on the day of Jiawu when the旬空 cleared. Later, the person indeed received the document on the day of Jiawu.

又酉月丙辰日占子病。得地風升 官鬼酉金″ 父母亥水″ 子孫午火/妻財丑土″世 官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″應 黃金策曰：空下伏神，易於引撥，此卦午火子孫伏於丑土之下，丑土旬空伏易出，許午日子孫出現必愈，果於午日起床。

For example, on a day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of You (酉), someone asked about their son's illness, and the hexagram drawn was Sheng (地风升), with all six lines quiet. The top line was the Official Ghost of You metal, the fifth line was the Parents of Hai water, the fourth line was the Wealth of Chou earth (the World Line, with the Children of Wu fire hidden beneath it), the third line was the Official Ghost of You metal, the second line was the Parents of Hai water, and the first line was the Wealth of Chou earth (the Response Line). The Golden Strategies say, "When the hidden god is under an empty line, it is easy for it to emerge." In this divination, the Children爻 is taken as the Useful God. The Wu fire Children is directly hidden beneath the Chou earth of the fourth line, and Chou earth is exactly in the旬空 (decade void). Since the flying god is empty, the hidden god is easy to emerge. The Wild Crane Elder predicted that the son's illness would surely recover on the day of Wu (午), when the Children爻 appears. Later, indeed, on the day of Wu, the son was able to get out of bed.

以上用神不現，皆在本宮首卦尋之，古法又有凡得八純首卦用神若值空破，又在他宮尋之，比如占得乾為天內有用神空破衰絕者，往坤宮尋之，謂之乾坤來往互換，易林補遺又以歸魂卦取離宮第四卦也。野鶴曰：何必如此？用神衰敗則禍福已知矣，為何不再占一卦合斷？餘於用神不現，即有伏神亦不用之，再占兩卦用神必現。

The above discusses the case where the useful god does not appear in the hexagram, and one should look for the hidden god within the original hexagram's first trigram. An old method also states that whenever an eight-pure hexagram is cast, if the useful god is found to be in an empty or broken state, one should look for it in another hexagram group. For example, if the hexagram is Qian (Heaven) over Qian (Heaven), and the useful god is empty or broken, one should look for it in the Kun (Earth) group, called "Heaven and Earth exchanging with each other." The Supplements to the Forest of Changes also mention that for a returning soul hexagram, one should take the fourth hexagram of the Li (Fire) group. The Wild Crane Elder says: why go through all these complications? If the useful god has already declined, the fortune and misfortune are already clear, so why not simply cast another hexagram to combine with it for interpretation? When I encounter a case where the useful god does not appear in the hexagram, even if there is a hidden god, I do not use it, but instead cast two more hexagrams, and the useful god will certainly appear.

一日到一宅上見醫者滿座。卯月丙辰日占父病得地雷復卦 子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″應 兄弟辰土″ 官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′世 父母用神不現，明知巳火父母伏於二爻寅木之下，旺木以生巳火，飛來生伏，必愈之症，不以此斷，令再卜之，占得山澤損。

One day, I visited a family and saw that the house was full of invited doctors. The divination was done on the day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Mao (卯), concerning the father's illness. The hexagram drawn was Fu (地雷复), with all six lines quiet. The top line was the son's yin metal, the fifth line was the wife's wealth water, the fourth line was the brother's earth (the response line), the third line was the brother's earth, the second line was the official ghost wood, and the first line was the wife's wealth water (the world line). For the father's case, the parents' line was taken as the useful god, but it was not present in the hexagram. The Wild Crane Elder knew that the parents' line, which was the fire of Si (巳), was actually hidden beneath the wood of Yin (寅) on the second line. In the month of Mao, the wood was strong, and the strong wood generated the fire of Si, which was a case of "flying birth to hidden." According to this interpretation, the illness was definitely curable. However, he did not want to make a definite conclusion, and asked the family to cast another hexagram, which resulted in Sun (山泽损).

官鬼寅木′應　官鬼寅木′應 妻財子水″　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟戌土″ 兄弟丑土″世　兄弟丑土″世 官鬼卯木′　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　父母巳火′ 巳火父母明現於初爻，春占木旺火相，斷之即愈，彼因病勢甚危，伊猶未決，次子又占，得漸之巽。

The hexagram Sun (Hexagram 41) from top to bottom is: top line official ghost寅wood (response line), fifth line wife wealth子water, fourth line siblings戌earth, third line siblings丑earth (world line), second line official ghost卯wood, first line parents巳fire. In this hexagram, the parents爻巳fire is clearly on the first line. In spring, when wood is strong and fire is in harmony, the parents爻 has strength and vitality, indicating immediate recovery. However, because the illness was very severe, the family still felt uneasy. Therefore, the second son cast another hexagram, obtaining Jian (Hexagram 53) changing to Xun (Hexagram 57).

官鬼卯木′應　官鬼卯木′世 父母巳火′　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″　兄弟未土″ 子孫申金′世　子孫酉金′應 父母午火″　動　妻財亥水′ 兄弟辰土″　兄弟丑土″ 餘疑曰：兩卦俱當即愈，如何此卦亥水回頭克父母，忽而悟曰：是也，前兩卦巳火旺不受傷克，乃應目前之愈，此卦亥水克父，今冬難延，即到前令自占，此卦竟於前卦相同，再請夫人卜之，又得此卦。

The Wild Crane Elder expressed doubt: the first two hexagrams indicated immediate recovery, but in this hexagram, the parents' fire at the fifth line is activated and transformed into water, which turns back to harm the parents. Suddenly he realized: in the first two hexagrams, the fire at the fourth line was prosperous and strong and not harmed, indicating immediate improvement; in this hexagram, the water harms the parents, indicating difficulty to endure this winter. He then went to the patient and asked him to cast a hexagram, which turned out to be the same; he then asked the patient's wife to cast one, and it was also the same.

餘連見此卦，毛骨松然，有神乎？無神乎？占父亥水回頭克父，自占病亥水克世，妻占夫亥水剋夫，三卦雷同，同如一手推出，今冬之危，扁鵲亦難為矣，餘且不言，只以前卦斷目前之愈，問請醫曰：卦中不得見，列位各見何如？曰：病勢甚險，遂公議一方，對症便好，不然只看陰功德行耳，內有一位冷笑不言，餘請問姓，答曰，姓壽，因私問曰：此公之祥，何如？彼曰：我可治之，不服我藥，奈何。

The Wild Crane Elder kept seeing the same hexagram repeatedly, and he felt a chill down his spine: does the world have gods or not? When his son divined about his father, it showed亥 water returning to克 the father's line; when the patient divined himself, it showed亥 water克 the world line; when his wife divined about her husband, it showed亥 water克 the husband's line—three hexagrams all coming from the same source, exactly the same. This winter's ordeal is something even a reborn Bianque could not reverse. He did not say it out loud, but instead used the first hexagram to predict that things would soon improve. Then he turned to the other doctors present and asked: the hexagram is still not clear to me, what are your opinions? The doctors said: the condition is very dangerous, and they agreed on a formula, saying that if it is appropriate, it would work; otherwise, it would only depend on the family's accumulated good deeds. Among them, one person just laughed coldly without speaking. The Wild Crane Elder asked him his surname, and he replied that he was surnamed Shou. The Wild Crane Elder then privately asked him: what is the fortune of this old gentleman? The doctor surnamed Shou said: I can treat him, but he refuses to take my medicine, what can be done?

餘暗囑其子曰：太翁之病，須用姓壽者治之。次早壽姓來謝，餘問將來何如？壽曰：目下不妨，今冬難保。余曰：公言與數相合，真神醫也。果絕於亥月，餘之不取伏神，多占幾卦以決禍福而更穩。即知目前之生，又知將來之死，非多占之力耶？

The Wild Crane Elder secretly told the patient's son: Grandfather's illness must be treated by the doctor named Shou. The next morning, Doctor Shou came to thank him. The Wild Crane Elder asked him about the future, and Doctor Shou said: It is not serious now, but he will not survive the winter. The Wild Crane Elder said: Your words match the divination exactly; you are indeed a divine doctor. Later, he indeed passed away in the month of Hai. This shows that I do not need to take the hidden god, but instead divinate several hexagrams to determine fortune and misfortune, which is more reliable: knowing that the condition can improve now, and also knowing that it will eventually lead to death, this is precisely the benefit of divining several hexagrams.

李我平曰：古法用伏神雖有驗，然伏神之衰旺休囚刑沖剋害月破旬空亦有難於把握者，此謂多占兩卦又有用神，真秘法也，以此之秘，急欲傳世，真婆心也。或曰：多占兩卦，雖有詩言，不敢再三，然亦有再占者，何為秘訣？余曰：既知再占，何故用神不現而尋伏神，伏神無用又尋互卦，互之不得又尋於化，況易冒變互章中所存占驗，非惟牽強且錯誤頗多。

Li Woping said: The old method of using the hidden god, although sometimes effective, has many difficult situations to grasp, such as the hidden god's decline, weakness, and being confined, as well as being punished, clashed with, and controlled. The method proposed by the Wild Crane Elder, "divining two hexagrams and the useful god will naturally appear," is indeed a secret technique. He urgently wanted to pass this secret technique to the world, showing genuine concern. Someone asked: Although there is an old saying that "one should not divinate again," but people who divinate again are already existing, so what is this considered a secret? I answered: If one already knows that one can divinate again, then why, when the useful god does not appear in the hexagram, does one go searching for the hidden god? If the hidden god is not useful, then why search for the nuclear hexagram? If the nuclear hexagram cannot be found, then why search for the changing line? Moreover, the divination cases collected in the "Changing and Mutual Hexagrams" section of "Yi Mai" are not only forced but also contain many errors.

有子月戊寅日占官得困之兌卦 父母未土″　父母未土″世 兄弟酉金′　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′應　子孫亥水′ 官鬼午火″　父母丑土″應 父母辰土′　妻財卯木′ 妻財寅木″世　動　官鬼巳火′ 彼斷曰：飛爻午之官已臨破矣，巳官伏神長生於寅，至孟春必得升遷。余斷之：黃金策曰，飛爻變爻俱無用神者，始尋伏神。此卦初爻寅木變出巳火官星，孟春官遇長生，且財爻獨發亦生官矣。不曰變出之官而曰伏神者，何也？幸次卦伏神變爻皆巳火也。倘後人遇他卦，亦執此為法，用變爻乎？用神乎？非傳世教人之法而不取也。

In The Golden Strategies there is an example: On the day of Wu Yin in the month of Zi, someone asked about an official position, and obtained the hexagram Kun (泽水困) changing into Dui (兑为泽). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is parents in the earth (which in the changing hexagram is the world line), the fifth line is siblings in the metal, the fourth line is children in the water (the response line), the third line is official ghost in the fire (which in the changing hexagram becomes parents in the earth, the response of the changing hexagram), the second line is parents in the earth (which changes into wealth in the wood), and the first line is wealth in the wood (the world line, which is active, changing into official ghost in the fire). The book interpreted this as: the flying line of the fire official star has already reached its decline, and the fire official star is the hidden god, with its growth in the wood. By the beginning of spring, promotion is certain. Li Woping commented: The Golden Strategies clearly states that the useful god must be sought in the flying lines and changing lines, and only then is the hidden god considered. In this hexagram, the first line of the wood clearly changes into the fire official star. The beginning of spring is the growth of the official star, and moreover, the wealth line is alone and supports the official star. Why is it not considered as the changing official star, but instead called the hidden god? It is merely a coincidence that the hidden god and the changing line are both the fire. If later generations encounter other hexagrams and follow this method, should they use the changing lines or the hidden god? This is not a reliable method to teach others, so it is not adopted.

觀於化章中之占驗更為可笑，有辛卯年丙申子日占存亡 妻財卯木′　動　父母未土″ 官鬼巳火′　兄弟酉金′應 父母未土″世　動　子孫亥水′ 妻財卯木″　妻財卯木″ 官鬼巳火″　官鬼巳火″世 父母未土″應　父母未土″ 彼斷曰：水為子孫不現，卻得丙月辛年，丙辛化水，後至亥月甲辰日申子辰合成水局，亥月而歸。余斷曰：世爻未土發動化出亥水子孫，是亥月即見子也，世與子孫亥卯未三合成局，明明父子相逢，何故而取於化？即使卦中亥水不現，子水日建亦作用神，疊疊用神而不取，左支右吾，以取於化，是誤後人，非教後人也。

In the "Changes Chapter" of the "Yi Mao," there are more ridiculous examples of divination. One case is as follows: On the day of Zi in the year Xin Mao and month Bing Shen, a person asked about their survival. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the wife's wealth (Mao wood), which moves and transforms into the parents (Wei earth); the fifth line is the official ghost (Si fire), which transforms into the siblings (You metal), being the response of the transformed hexagram; the fourth line is the parents (Wei earth), which is the world line and moves, transforming into the children (Hai water); the third line is the wife's wealth (Mao wood); the second line is the official ghost (Si fire), which is the world in the transformed hexagram; the first line is the parents (Wei earth), which is the response line. The book concludes: water is the children, but it is not present in the hexagram. However, the heavenly stem of the year is Xin and the heavenly stem of the month is Bing, so Bing and Xin form water. Later, when it reaches the month of Hai and the day of Jiachen, the triple harmony of Shen, Zi, and Chen forms a water trinity, and the person returns in the month of Hai. Li Woping comments: the world line is Wei earth, which clearly transforms into Hai water, the children. Therefore, in the month of Hai, the son is naturally visible. The Wei earth of the world line, the Hai water it transforms into, and the Mao wood in the hexagram form the triple harmony of Hai, Mao, and Wei, so the meeting of father and son is clearly before us. Why go to the trouble of using heavenly stem harmony? Even if the water in the hexagram is not present, the day stem Zi water can be used as the useful god. All the layers are already useful gods, yet they are not taken, and instead they go to the trouble of using heavenly stem and earthly branch harmony, which is misleading later generations, not teaching them.

進神退神者，爻之動而化也，化進化退，吉凶禍福有喜忌之分，所喜者宜於化進，所忌者宜化退神。 進神 亥化子、寅化卯、巳化午、申化酉、丑化辰、辰化未、未化戌。 退神 子化亥、卯化寅、午化巳、酉化申、辰化丑、未化辰、戌化未。 進神由此而進也，如春天花木枝繁葉茂。退神由此而退也，如秋天花木漸漸凋零。

The terms "advancing god" and "retreating god" refer to the branch that appears after a line is activated: if the transformed branch is further along than the original branch, it is called an advancing god; if it is one step back, it is called a retreating god. Advancing and retreating gods each have their own favorable and unfavorable distinctions—favorable lines (useful god, origin god) should ideally transform into an advancing god, while unfavorable lines (hostile god, enemy god) should ideally transform into a retreating god. There are seven groups of advancing gods:亥 transforms into 子, 寅 transforms into 卯, 巳 transforms into 午, 申 transforms into 酉, 丑 transforms into 辰, 辰 transforms into 未, and 未 transforms into 戌. There are also seven groups of retreating gods:子 transforms into 亥, 卯 transforms into 寅, 午 transforms into 巳, 酉 transforms into 申, 辰 transforms into 丑, 未 transforms into 辰, and 戌 transforms into 未. Water, wood, fire, and metal each consider their adjacent branches for advancement or retreat, such as 亥 advancing to 子, 寅 advancing to 卯. The four earth branches follow the order of 辰, 未, 戌, and 丑 for progression, such as 丑 advancing to 辰, 辰 advancing to 未, and 未 advancing to 戌. Advancing gods move in a forward direction, like the flourishing flowers and branches in spring; retreating gods move backward, like the withering flowers and branches in autumn.

申月癸卯日占鄉試得恆變大過 妻財戌土″應　妻財未土″ 官鬼申金″　動　官鬼酉金′ 子孫午火′　父母亥水′世 官鬼酉金′世　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　妻財丑土″應 斷曰：酉金官星持世旺相，當時卯日沖之而暗動，又得九五爻上官進神財助生扶，不獨今秋折桂，來春佔鰲頭，果得聯捷。

In the month of Shen and day of Gui Mao, he cast a divination for the local examination. The hexagram drawn was Heng (Thunder over Wind) changing into Da Guo (Lake over Wind). From top to bottom, the lines were: the top line was the wife's wealth in the earth dog (earthly branch) Xu, which was the response line and changed to the wife's wealth in the earth dog Wei. The fifth line was the official ghost in the earth dog Shen (which was active, changing to the official ghost in the earth dog You). The fourth line was the children in the fire horse (earthly branch) Wu, changing to the parents in the water rat (earthly branch) Hai, which was the world line of the resulting hexagram. The third line was the official ghost in the earth dog You (the world line). The second line was the parents in the water rat Hai. The first line was the wife's wealth in the earth ox Chou, which in the resulting hexagram was the response line. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: for matters of official rank, the official ghost is the useful god. The metal official star You metal is sitting directly on the world line. In the month of Shen, metal is strong, so the useful god is prosperous and strong. On the day of Gui Mao, the wood of Mao is conflicting with it, and a static line being conflicted is called 'covert movement'. The official ghost in the fifth line Shen changes to You, which is an advancing god. There are also two layers of wealth lines, the earth dog Xu and the earth ox Chou, supporting and generating the useful god. Such a hexagram indicates not only success in the autumn local examination but also victory in the spring imperial examination. Later, he indeed passed both exams consecutively.

卯月乙丑日占求婚成否 子孫巳火′　動　父母子水″應 妻財未土″世　動　妻財戌土′ 官鬼酉金′　動　官鬼申金″ 妻財辰土″　兄弟卯木″世 兄弟寅木″應　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　動　妻財未土″ 斷曰：財爻持世化進神，巳火子動而生世，但因巳火化子水回頭之克，必待午日沖去子水，午火又合世爻，其婚必成，果於午日允婚。或曰：間爻酉金鬼動，豈無阻耶？余曰：鬼化退神雖有被阻而無力也。此卦世爻未土財化旬空，古以財化旬空，謂之動日月而空且不能進，此處未土無力，動散而化空，亦能進矣。

CRITICAL: the output must be English prose. Do NOT rewrite the text in Chinese. Do NOT paraphrase it in Chinese. Every sentence you write must be in English. Heavenly Stems: Jia = Jia, Yi = Yi, Bing = Bing, Ding = Ding, Wu = Wu, Ji = Ji, Geng = Geng, Xin = Xin, Ren = Ren, Gui = Gui Earthly Branches: Zi = Zi, Chou = Chou, Yin = Yin, Mao = Mao, Chen = Chen, Si = Si, Wu = Wu, Wei = Wei, Shen = Shen, You = You, Xu = Xu, Hai = Hai Trigrams: Qian = Qian (Heaven), Dui = Dui (Lake), Li = Li (Fire), Zhen = Zhen (Thunder), Xun = Xun (Wind), Kan = Kan (Water), Gen = Gen (Mountain), Kun = Kun (Earth) Glossary: Wild Crane Elder = Ye He Lao Ren World Line = Shi Yao Response Line = Ying Yao Resulting Hexagram = Bian Gua Advancing God = Jin Shen Retreating God = Tui Shen First Line = Chu Yao Second Line = Er Yao Third Line = San Yao Fourth Line = Si Yao Fifth Line = Wu Yao Top Line = Shang Yao Yi Chou = Yi Chou Parents = Fu Mu Siblings = Xiong Di Children = Zi Sun Wealth = Qi Cai Official Ghost = Guan Gui Question: Divination on the day of Yi Chou in the month of Mao regarding a proposal for marriage, can it succeed? The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Top Line, the Son of Fire (Si Fire) is active, changing to the Parent of Water (Zi Water), which is the responding line of the resulting hexagram. Fifth Line, the Wealth of Earth (Wei Earth) is the world line, active, changing to the Wealth of Earth (Xu Earth). Fourth Line, the Official Ghost of Metal (You Metal) is active, changing to the Official Ghost of Metal (Shen Metal). Third Line, the Wealth of Earth (Chen Earth) is changing to the Brother of Wood (Mao Wood), which is the world line of the resulting hexagram. Second Line, the Brother of Wood (Yin Wood) is the responding line, changing to the Son of Fire (Si Fire). First Line, the Parent of Water (Zi Water) is active, changing to the Wealth of Earth (Wei Earth). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: In divination regarding marriage, the Wealth line is used. The Wealth line is exactly holding the world line. Wei Earth changing to Xu Earth is a change to an advancing god. The Son of Fire (Si Fire) at the top line is active and comes to nourish the world line. However, Si Fire changes to Zi Water, which is being retroactively restricted, so one must wait for the day of Wu to remove Zi Water. Moreover, Wu and Wei are in harmony, which is in harmony with the world line, at that time the marriage will surely succeed. Later, indeed, on the day of Wu, the marriage was arranged. Someone asked: The fourth line, the Official Ghost of Metal (You Metal) is active, is there no obstruction? The Wild Crane Elder answered: The Official Ghost of Metal (You Metal) changing to Shen Metal is a change to a retreating god. Although there is obstruction, it does not have strength. In this hexagram, the world line of Wei Earth, which is changing to Xu Earth, is falling into the旬空 (a void in the cycle). According to old sayings, whenever wealth changes into the旬空, it is called "moving and changing into void," and it cannot advance. However, in this case, Wei Earth was already weak, and moving and dispersing further changes into void, it still can advance successfully.

酉月甲辰日占自陳何如 父母酉金″應　父母酉金″ 兄弟亥水″　兄弟亥水″ 官鬼丑土″　官鬼丑土″世 妻財午火″世　動　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼辰土′　動　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″　動　子孫卯木′應 斷曰：世化回頭之克，官化退神，子孫化進神，三爻皆非吉象，大凶之兆，果於次年革職拿問。古以動日月化空破謂之不退，此卦官子孫動休囚而化空破，進者進而退者竟退。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder interpreted the divination: The World Line is the wife's wealth at the third line, which moves and transforms into the brother at the亥 water. Water comes to overcome fire, which is called 'turning to overcome'. The official ghost at the second line moves and transforms into the official ghost at the丑 earth, which is transforming into the retreating god. Once the official star retreats, the official position is hard to keep. The son at the first line moves and transforms into the卯 wood, which is transforming into the advancing god. The son is the忌神, which is the hostile god that overcomes the official. The hostile god is advancing step by step. The three lines are not auspicious signs, indicating a great凶 omen. Later, indeed, he was dismissed from his post and questioned the next year. According to old sayings, if a moving line is on the day or month and transforms into an empty or broken line, it is called 'not retreating'. In this hexagram, the official star and the son are both weak and confined, moving and transforming into empty or broken lines. What should advance still advances, and what should retreat actually retreats.

丑月丙戌日占父有信至已起程我去迎之可能遇否。 子孫子水″　動　官鬼巳火′ 父母戌土′　動　父母未土″ 兄弟申金″世　動　兄弟酉金′應 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″應　父母辰土″世 父化退神，父已歸矣，世化進神而欲去，父爻生世一定相逢，必相會於未日，果得遇未日，應未日，戌父化未，又破又空至未日乃實空實破之日也，若執古法動日月而化空破，謂之退其爻，豈有歸來之日也。

On the day of Bingxu in the month of Chou, I divined about whether I would meet my father who had already started his journey. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the son爻 of water (moving, transforming into the official ghost of fire in the fourth position), the fifth line is the parent爻 of earth (moving, transforming into the parent爻 of earth in the sixth position), the fourth line is the brother爻 of metal (the world line, moving, transforming into the brother爻 of metal in the resulting hexagram, which corresponds to the response line), the third line is the brother爻 of metal, the second line is the official ghost爻 of fire, and the first line is the parent爻 of earth (the response line, which in the resulting hexagram is the world line). The parent爻 of earth (戌) transforms into the parent爻 of earth (未), indicating the father is already on the way back. The world line of metal (申) transforms into the brother爻 of metal (酉), indicating I am about to set out to meet him. The parent爻 also supports the world line, so father and son will certainly meet, and it will be on the day of Wei. Later it turned out that they met on the day of Wei. The reason it is on the day of Wei is because the parent爻 of earth (戌) transforms into the parent爻 of earth (未), which in the month of Chou is being opposed by Chou, resulting in a broken state, and also is in the empty position of the ten-day cycle. On the day of Wei, it is the day when the empty position and broken state are filled. If one rigidly follows old methods, saying that a moving line that meets the day and month and transforms into an empty or broken state is considered to have retreated, then how could there be a day of return?

戌月癸亥日占本年冬今得關差否水澤節變需卦 兄弟子水″　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″應　父母申金″世 官鬼丑土″　動　官鬼辰土′ 子孫卯木′　子孫寅木′ 妻財巳火′世　兄弟子水′應 丑土官動化進神許丑日必得，果得於丑日。古以動日月化空破，謂之不進，此卦動非日月而化空破，亦能進也。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder said that on a Guihai day in the month of Xu, someone asked about whether they would get a position in the winter of this year. They cast the hexagram Water Lake (Jie) changing to Water Heaven (Xu). From top to bottom: the top line is a brother's son water, the fifth line is an official ghost戌 earth, the fourth line is a parent's metal (the response line, which in the resulting hexagram is the world line), the third line is an official ghost丑 earth (which moves, changing into an official ghost辰 earth), the second line is a son's卯 wood (changing into a son's寅 wood), and the first line is a wife's财巳 fire (the world line, changing into a brother's子 water, which is the response line of the resulting hexagram). For seeking a position, the official ghost is the useful god. The third line's official ghost丑 earth moves and changes into辰 earth, which is an advancing god. The Wild Crane Elder therefore said that on the day of丑, the person would certainly get the position. Later, it indeed happened. Old sayings say that when a moving line changes into an empty or broken line, it is called 'not advancing'. However, in this hexagram, the moving line is neither the day builder nor the month builder, and the changed line辰 earth also meets an empty or broken line, yet it still advanced successfully.

又如未月丁卯日占功名始得出仕否得火天同人變革卦 子孫戌土′應　動　子孫未土″ 妻財申金′　妻財酉金′ 兄弟午火′　官鬼亥水′世 官鬼亥水′世　官鬼亥水′ 子孫丑土″　子孫丑土″ 父母卯木′　父母卯木′應 余曰：若以古法斷者，子孫動克財官，終身而無官也，餘許辰年出仕，何也？戌土子孫孫雖動幸化退神，不克官也，辰年沖去戌土，是以許之，果於辰年得選豈可謂之動空化日月而不退也。

For example, on a day of Dingmao in the month of Wei, someone asked about when they could attain official position. The hexagram cast was Tong Ren changing (originally written as 'Fire Heaven Tong Ren', but Tong Ren is actually 'Heaven Fire Tong Ren'). From top to bottom: the top line is the grandson in戌 earth (response line, moving, changing to grandson in未 earth), the fifth line is the wife's wealth in申 metal (changing to wife's wealth in酉 metal), the fourth line is the brother in午 fire (changing to official ghost in亥 water, which is the world line of the changing hexagram), the third line is the official ghost in亥 water (world line), the second line is the grandson in丑 earth, and the first line is the parents in卯 wood (in the changing hexagram, it is the response). The Wild Crane Elder said: If we use the old method, the grandson moving line would overcome wealth and official positions, meaning this person would never hold office. But I predicted he would attain office in the year of Chen. Why? Although the grandson in戌 earth is moving, fortunately, the戌 earth is changing to未 earth, which is a retreating god. Once it retreats, it can no longer overcome the official star. In the year of Chen, the year and the month of Chen will clash with戌 earth, removing the戌 earth, so the official star is no longer obstructed, hence I made that prediction. Later, he indeed got an official position in the year of Chen. How can one say that a moving line changing into nothingness or into the day or month cannot retreat?

又如申月辛卯日占病得澤天夬卦變大壯 兄弟未土″　兄弟戌土″ 子孫酉金′世　動　子孫申金″ 妻財亥水′　父母午火′世 兄弟辰土′　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′應　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′　妻財子水′應 此公因抱危症。余曰：子孫持世，明日辰日必遇良醫，果於次日用針而愈。或曰：子孫化退神，何其用藥亦效？余曰：動變皆屬秋金，當相得令，占近事豈可曰退？若占久遠之事，待休囚之時而退者得也，古以動破散而化日月無階無路，謬也。

For example, on a Xinmao day in the month of Shen, divining about an illness, the hexagram cast was Ze Tian Guai changing to Lei Tian Da Zhuang. From top to bottom: the top line is brothers Wu earth (changing to brothers Xu earth), the fifth line is sons You metal (world line, active, changing to sons Shen metal), the fourth line is wife wealth Hai water (changing to parents Wu fire, which becomes the world line of the changing hexagram), the third line is brothers Chen earth, the second line is official ghost Yin wood (response line), and the first line is wife wealth Zi water (in the changing hexagram, it is the response). The illness is very severe. The Wild Crane Elder said: In divination about illness, the sons represent medicine. Since the sons are also holding the world line, on the next day, the day of Chen, there will certainly be a good doctor encountered. Later, indeed, on the next day, the patient was cured by acupuncture. Someone asked: The sons You metal is changing to Shen metal, which is a retreating god. How can the medicine still be effective? The answer is: The moving line and the changing line both belong to autumn metal. In the month of Shen, metal is in its season and is timely. The divination is about a current matter, so how can it be considered retreating? If it were about a long-term matter, then it would have to wait until the metal energy is weak and confined before it would be considered retreating. The old saying that a moving line encountering destruction and dispersion and changing to the day or month is 'without a path or way' is wrong.

又如丑月癸卯日占妻病服藥可愈否？得臨之泰 子孫酉金″　子孫酉金″應 妻財亥水″應　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟丑土″　動　兄弟辰土′世 官鬼卯木′世　官鬼寅木′ 父母巳火′　妻財子水′ 斷曰：兄動化進，神靈莫拘，其妻死於辰日，此乃兄動臨月建而化旬空，亦可謂之不進耶？

For example, on a Guimao day in the Chou month, someone asked about whether their wife's illness could be cured by taking medicine. The hexagram drawn was the Lin hexagram changing to the Tai hexagram. From top to bottom: the top line was Children You Metal (which became the response line in the resulting hexagram), the fifth line was Wealth Hai Water (the response line), the fourth line was Brothers Chou Earth, the third line was Brothers Chou Earth (which was activated, changing to兄弟辰土, the world line of the resulting hexagram), the second line was Official Ghost Mao Wood (the world line, changing to官鬼寅木), and the first line was Parents Si Fire (changing to妻财子水). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: in divination about a wife, the Wealth is the useful god. Brothers are the hostile god that harms the Wealth. Now the brothers are activated and have transformed into an advancing god, thus the power to harm the Wealth is increasing step by step, even the gods cannot control it. The wife indeed died on the Chen day. When the brothers line was activated, it was exactly at the month builder of Chou month. The transformed Chen earth also fell into the decanal void. Can this not be said as 'not advancing'?

又如戌月癸未日占病得乾之夬 父母戌土′世　動　父母未土″ 兄弟申金′　兄弟酉金′世 官鬼午火′　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土′應　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　妻財寅木′應 子孫子水′　子孫子水′ 斷曰：久病逢沖莫治，又是父爻持世，妙藥難醫，雖化退神，非病退也，乃精神命脈漸漸消枯之象也，防日月沖破未土而無路矣，果卒於丑月。

For example, on a Guiwei day in the戌 month, a divination was made about illness, and the hexagram cast was Qian (Heaven) changing to Guai (Lake). From top to bottom: the top line is the parent戌 earth (the world line, active, changing to parent未 earth), the fifth line is the brother申 metal (changing to brother酉 metal, which is the world of the changed hexagram), the fourth line is the official ghost午 fire (changing to child亥 water), the third line is the parent辰 earth (the response line), the second line is the wife's wealth寅 wood (in the changed hexagram it is the response), and the first line is the child子 water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: a long-term illness with hexagram lines encountering conflict indicates an incurable condition; moreover, the parent line is sitting on the world line—parents are the忌神 of children, and children represent medicine. When the parent line is in control, even the best medicine is ineffective. The change from戌 to未 is a retreating god, but what is retreating is not the illness, but the person's spirit and vital energy gradually withering away; one must also be cautious of the day branch and month builder breaking the未 earth, which would mean no chance of recovery. Later, the person indeed died in the丑 month, which is the month when丑 and未 conflict, and the未 earth was broken.

又如戌月已卯日占母血崩一年有餘得同人變解 子孫戌土′應　動　子孫戌土″ 妻財申金′　動　妻財申金″應 兄弟午火′　兄弟午火′ 官鬼亥水′世　動　兄弟午火″ 子孫丑土″　動　子孫辰土′世 父母卯木′　動　父母寅木″ 斷曰：卯木父母值臨日建，世爻戌土以生申金，金生亥水，丑土化破，非丑土化進神以塞亥水，此父母爻得旺相水生，精血太旺，至丑月土旺，令父母爻既無水養且化退神，正以絕其源，源絕危險，果卒於丑月，此乃父臨日建不化空破，亦能退也。

For example, on a day of Ji Mao (己卯) in the month of Xu (戌), someone consulted about their mother's prolonged blood discharge, and the divination produced the hexagram Tian Huo Tong Ren (天火同人) changing to Lei Shui Xie (雷水解). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the son's earth (子孙戌土), which is the response line and is active; the fifth line is the wife's metal (妻财申金), which is active and in the changing hexagram becomes the response; the fourth line is the brother's fire (兄弟午火); the third line is the official ghost's water (官鬼亥水), which is the world line and is active, changing into the brother's fire (兄弟午火); the second line is the son's earth (子孙丑土), which is active and changes into the son's earth (子孙辰土), becoming the world line of the changing hexagram; the first line is the parent's wood (父母卯木), which is active and changes into the parent's wood (父母寅木). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: when consulting about the mother, the parent's line is the useful god. The first line's卯木 parents are exactly the day's establishment on the Ji Mao day. In the hexagram, the戌 earth generates the申 metal, the申 metal generates the亥 water, and the亥 water in turn generates the卯 wood, forming a continuous cycle of mutual generation. The second line's丑 earth could normally block this flow, but since the丑 earth is active and changes into辰, and also meets the month's break, it cannot stop the flow. The parent's line is thus prosperous and strong, receiving continuous generation, which exactly corresponds to excessive blood discharge and erratic flow of vital essence. When the month of Chou (丑) arrives and the earth becomes strong, the parent's line will no longer be nourished by water, and since it is also changing from卯 to寅, it will be a retreating god. Once the source is cut off, danger arises. Later, the mother indeed died in the month of Chou. This shows that even if the parent's line is on the day's establishment and does not change into emptiness or break, it can still retreat.

又如卯月癸酉日占父母近病得萃之否 父母未土″　動　父母戌土′應 兄弟酉金′應　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　妻財卯木″世 官鬼巳火″世　官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″　父母未土″ 斷曰：未土父母動化進神，戌值旬空，近病逢空即愈，許次日退災，果於甲戌出空即愈，此乃父爻休囚而化空也，若以古法動日月化空破尚且不進，今休囚而化空，可得愈耶？

For instance, on a Guiyou day in the卯 month, someone consulted about a newly acquired illness of the parents, and the divination produced the hexagram Cui (Hexagram 45) changing toPi (Hexagram 12). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is parents未土 (which moves, changing into parents戌土, the responding line of the resulting hexagram), the fifth line is brothers酉金 (the responding line, changing into brothers申金), the fourth line is children亥水 (changing into official ghost午火), the third line is wealth卯木 (in the resulting hexagram as the world line), the second line is official ghost巳火 (the world line), and the first line is parents未土. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the top line parents未土 moves and changes into戌土, which is an advancing god, but戌土 is exactly in the旬空; 'nearby illness meeting the empty indicates recovery', so he predicted the illness would subside the next day. Indeed, on the Jiaxu day, when the空 was lifted, the illness was cured. Here, the parent line itself is weak and confined, and it changes into an empty line. According to the old method, if a moving line is adjacent to the day or month and changes into an empty or broken line, it is still considered unable to advance. Now, with the line already weak and confined and changing into an empty line, should it not be even worse, implying the illness would not recover? Yet the fact is that on the day the空 was lifted, the illness was cured.

又如辰月癸丑日占病得困變解 父母未土″　父母戌土″ 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″應 子孫亥水′應　官鬼午火′ 官鬼午火″　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土′　父母辰土′世 妻財寅木″世　妻財寅木″ 斷曰：世爻寅木而值旬空，酉金忌神搖於五位，古法謂之避空，餘以為謬也，此時逢空，出空一定遭傷，後卒於六月。應未月者，土爻未土乃世爻之墓，已破，丑日沖開，謂之開墓，以待彼克，而入墓不死也。或問：酉金化退神，如何克木？余曰：丑土生酉金，旺而不退。

For example, on a Guichou day in the辰 month, divining about illness, the hexagram cast is Kun (Hexagram 47) changing to Xie (Hexagram 40). From top to bottom: the top line is parents 未土 (changing to parents 戌土), the fifth line is brothers 酉金 (which is active, changing to brothers 申金, as the response line of the changing hexagram), the fourth line is children 亥水 (the response line, changing to official ghost 午火), the third line is official ghost 午火, the second line is parents 辰土 (which is the world line in the changing hexagram), and the first line is wife's wealth 寅木 (the world line). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted this as: the world line 寅木 is exactly in the旬空, and the fifth line 酉金, the hostile god, is active and attacking it. According to old methods, this is called 「avoiding the empty」, meaning that the line in the empty position can avoid being harmed. I think this is wrong: currently being in the empty is avoidable, but once the empty period is over, it will certainly be attacked. Later, the person died in June. This corresponds to the month of 未, because the墓 of wood is in 未, and 未土 is exactly the Storage of the world line 寅木; the墓 was already broken by the month, and was opened by the 丑 day, called 「opening the墓」—when the墓 is open, it only waits for the hostile god to attack, and the person is then taken into the墓 by the attack; if the墓 is closed and the attack cannot enter, the person would not die. Someone asked: since 酉金 has transformed into a retreating god, how can it still attack wood? The answer is: the 丑 soil of the Guichou day supports 酉金, so gold is strong and cannot retreat.

又如辰月乙丑日占妻母病得隨之否 妻財未土″應　動　妻財戌土′應 官鬼酉金′　官鬼申金′ 父母亥水′　子孫午火′ 妻財辰土″世　兄弟卯木″世 兄弟寅木″　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　動　妻財未土″ 斷曰：子水父爻動化未土回頭克父母，上爻未土又化進神以克父，須防戌日，果卒於甲戌日，乃戌土出空之日也，古法散如無也，此卦未土發動，丑日沖之，又化旬空月破，竟不見其散也。

For example, on the day of Yichou in the month of Chen, someone consulted about the illness of his wife's mother. The divination produced the hexagram Sui (泽雷随) changing to Pi (天地否). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the wife's wealth (earth) of Wei soil (the response line, which is active and changes to the wife's wealth of Xu soil), the fifth line is the official ghost of You metal (changing to the official ghost of Shen metal), the fourth line is the parents of Hai water (changing to the children of Wu fire), the third line is the wife's wealth of Chen soil (the world line, changing to the brothers of Mao wood, which becomes the world line of the resulting hexagram), the second line is the brothers of Yin wood (changing to the children of Si fire), and the first line is the parents of Zi water (which is active and changes to the wife's wealth of Wei soil). For the divination of the mother-in-law, the parents' line is taken as the useful god. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the first line, Zi water, the parents' line, is active and changes to Wei soil, which turns back to harm it; the top line, Wei soil, changes to Xu soil, which is an advancing god, and as the earth advances, its power to harm the parents increases, so one must beware of the day of Jiaxu. Later, the person indeed died on the day of Jiaxu, which was the day when Xu soil emerged from emptiness. The old method says that an active line is scattered if it is attacked by the day's branch; in this case, the top line, Wei soil, is active and attacked by the day of Yichou, and the resulting Xu soil is also in the旬空 and month breaker, yet it is entirely not scattered.

又如申月乙卯日占出得屯之節 兄弟子水″　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′應　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″　父母申金″應 官鬼辰土″　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″世　動　子孫卯木′ 兄弟子水′　妻財巳火′世 斷曰：世臨寅木動而化進神，合當就行，因繫月破，目下未必能行，出月方可，後至亥月方行由燕至粵，次八月歸來。余曰：途中安否？彼曰：往來託庇平安。餘以子孫化進神知其平安，故問之耳。夫應亥月行者，破而逢合之月也。此乃動破化日辰，豈可謂之不能進耶？

For example, on the day of Yimao (乙卯) in the month of Shen (申), someone asked about going on a long journey. The hexagram cast was Zhun (水雷屯) changing into Jie (水泽节). From top to bottom: the top line was brothers' water (兄弟子水), the fifth line was official ghost戌土 (官鬼戌土, the response line), the fourth line was parents申金 (父母申金, which in the transformed hexagram became the response), the third line was official ghost辰土 (官鬼辰土, transforming into official ghost丑土), the second line was sons'寅木 (子孙寅木, the world line, which was active, transforming into sons'卯木), and the first line was brothers'子水 (兄弟子水, transforming into wife's wealth巳火, which became the world line of the transformed hexagram). The Wild Crane Elder said: the world line of sons'寅木 was active and transformed into an advancing god, which should have meant the person was ready to leave. However, since寅 was in the month of申 and was being冲 (conflicted), it fell under the month breaker (月破), so at present, the journey could not be made, and it would have to be after this month. Later, he started his journey in the month of Hai (亥), traveling from Yan to Guangdong, and returned in August of the following year. The Wild Crane Elder asked him if the journey was safe. The person said that the trip both ways was safe, protected by good fortune. This is because the sons' line transformed into an advancing god, and sons' line represents safety and relief from misfortune, hence the question. The journey started in the month of Hai because寅 and亥 are in harmony, and the broken line was harmonized in the month of Hai, allowing it to be used. This is exactly an example of a moving line being broken but transforming into the day's branch. How can it be said that it cannot proceed?

又如辰月已未日占兄何日歸來得履之兌 兄弟戌土′　動　兄弟未土″世 子孫申金′世　子孫酉金′ 父母午火′　妻財亥水′ 兄弟丑土″　兄弟丑土″應 官鬼卯木′應　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　父母巳火′ 斷曰：兄動化退，已有歸志，但因戌逢月破，在外諸事未遂，六月可望，後至戌月方回，乃應實破之月也，此乃動破而變日月，豈可謂之退不及也？

For example, on a day of Jiwei (己未) in the month of Chen (辰), someone asked about when their older brother would return. The divination resulted in the hexagram Tianze Lv (天泽履) changing to Duiwei Ze (兑为泽). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is Brothers Wu Earth (which moves, changing into Brothers Wei Earth, which is the world line of the resulting hexagram), the fifth line is Children Shen Metal (the world line, changing into Children You Metal), the fourth line is Parents Wu Fire (changing into Wealth Hai Water), the third line is Brothers Chou Earth (which in the resulting hexagram is the response line), the second line is Official Ghost Mao Wood (the response line), and the first line is Parents Si Fire. For divination regarding brothers, the brothers' line is the useful god. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the brothers' line is moving and changing into a retreating god, which indicates returning, showing that he already has the intention to return; however, Wu Earth is in the month of Chen and is being broken by the month, which is a month breaker, and he has not yet settled his affairs outside, so he is expected to return in June. Later, he returned in the month of Xu (戌), which corresponds exactly to the 'real breaking' month. In this case, the moving line is already broken by the month, and the changed Wei Earth is also the day's Jiwei (己未), so how can it be said that it 'retreats insufficiently'?

又如辰月乙未日占子病得大有變睽，同時祖又占子孫亦得此卦 官鬼巳火′應　官鬼巳火′ 父母未土″　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′　兄弟酉金′世 父母辰土′世　動　父母丑土″ 妻財寅木′　妻財卯木′ 子孫子水′　官鬼巳火′應 斷曰：父母臨月建化退神，此子死於次日。

For example, on an Ethylene (Yi) and Wei (Wei) day in the Month of the Dragon (Chen), someone consulted about their son's illness, and the hexagram drawn was Da You (Hexagram 14) changing to Kui (Hexagram 38). On the same day, the grandfather consulted about his grandson, and the same hexagram was drawn. From top to bottom: the top line is the Official Ghost (Guan Gui) of the fire (Si fire), which is the response line. The fifth line is the Parents (Fu Mu) of the earth (Wei earth). The fourth line is the Brothers (Xiong Di) of the metal (You gold), which in the changing hexagram becomes the World Line. The third line is the Parents (Fu Mu) of the earth (Chen earth), which is the World Line and is active, changing to the Parents (Fu Mu) of the earth (Chou earth). The second line is the Wealth (Qi Cai) of the wood (Yin wood), which changes to the Wealth (Qi Cai) of the wood (Mao wood). The first line is the Children (Zi Sun) of the water (Zi water), which changes to the Official Ghost (Guan Gui) of the fire (Si fire), which is the response line of the changing hexagram. For the son's consultation, the Children (Zi Sun) line is the Useful God. The first line, Zi water, is the Useful God. The Parents (Fu Mu) are the Hostile Gods, as they overcome the Children. The Wild Crane Elder said: the Parents (Fu Mu) of the earth (Chen earth) is directly aligned with the Month Builder (Yue Jian) of the Month of the Dragon (Chen), so its strength is great. Although Chen changes to Chou, which is a Retreating God, since the month is in command, it cannot be moved for a while. The Hostile God is in power, and the child died the next day.

又如卯月丙寅日衙役占官府升否得解之困 妻財戌土″　妻財未土″ 官鬼申金″應　動　官鬼酉金′ 子孫午火′　父母亥水′應 子孫午火″　子孫午火″ 妻財辰土′世　妻財辰土′ 兄弟寅木″　兄弟寅木″世 斷曰：官動化進神，秋來得令必遷，後報升於巳月，應巳月者，動而逢合之月，申金又長生於巳，此乃動日月而化空破，豈可謂之不進耶？

For example, on a day of Bingyin (丙寅) in the month of Mao (卯), a police officer consulted about whether his superior would be promoted. He cast the hexagram of Xie (雷水解) changing into Kun (泽水困). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is wife wealth戌土 (earth) changing into wife wealth未土 (earth), the fifth line is official ghost申金 (metal) (response line, active, changing into official ghost酉金 (metal)), the fourth line is children午火 (fire) changing into parents亥水 (water), which is the response line of the changed hexagram, the third line is children午火 (fire), the second line is wife wealth辰土 (earth) (world line), and the first line is brothers寅木 (wood) changing into the world line in the changed hexagram. For divining about the superior, official ghost is taken as the useful god. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the official star is active and changes into an advancing god; he will certainly be promoted when autumn comes and the metal energy is dominant. Later, in the month of Si (巳), the promotion was reported. The response occurred in the month of Si because Si and Shen (申) are in harmony, and the active line met its harmonizing month. Moreover, the long life of metal is in Si. This is another example where the movement and change of an empty or broken line still leads to success. How can we say it does not succeed?

又如巳月乙丑日占試中否得兌之訟 父母未土″世　動　父母戌土′ 兄弟酉金′　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′世 父母丑土″應　官鬼午火″ 妻財卯木′　父母辰土′ 官鬼巳火′　動　妻財寅木″應 斷曰：未父化進神，巳火官動而生世，吉兆顯然，坐以待報，果於寅日揭榜，中第八名，古法動破散化日月尚不能進，此卦動散化空亦能中矣。

For example, on the day of Yichou in the month of Si, someone consulted about whether they would pass an examination, and the hexagram drawn was Dui (Hexagram 58) changing to Song (Hexagram 6). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the parent earth (the world line, which is active and changes to the parent earth in Xu), the fifth line is the brother metal (changing to the brother metal in Shen), the fourth line is the child water (changing to the official ghost fire, which becomes the world line of the resulting hexagram), the third line is the parent earth (the response line, changing to the official ghost fire), the second line is the wife's wealth wood (changing to the parent earth in Chen), and the first line is the official ghost fire (active, changing to the wife's wealth in Yin, which becomes the response line of the resulting hexagram). In divination for exams, parents represent the foundation of documents and official titles, while official ghosts relate to the position and status. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted that the parent earth in Wei is holding the world line and is changing into an advancing god, and the official ghost fire in Si is active and comes to support the world line, indicating a clear good omen. He advised the person to remain calm and wait for the good news. Later, the results were announced on the day of Yin, and the person passed the exam, ranking eighth. According to old methods, when a moving line meets a broken or scattered line, or when it changes into the day or month, it is considered not favorable. However, in this hexagram, the world line is active and is scattered by the day of Yichou, and the changed earth in Xu falls into the empty period, yet the person still passed the exam.

又如未月丁丑日占母路隔千里何時來得火天大有變井 官鬼巳火′應　動　子孫子水″ 父母未土″　動　父母戌土′世 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″ 父母辰土′世　兄弟酉金′ 妻財寅木′　子孫亥水′應 子孫子水′　動　父母丑土″ 斷曰：卦初爻子水化出丑父，子與丑合，被合不來，未父化進神，亦應不來，幸得未土生起酉金兄爻，兄化退神而合世，父母必不來，兄弟必來。彼曰：有妹無弟。果於次年三月妹至，此乃兄弟化空，爻空亦能退也。

For example, on a day of Dingchou in the month of Wei, someone asked about when his mother, who was far away, would come back. The hexagram cast was Da You (Hexagram 14) changing to Jing (Hexagram 48). From top to bottom: the top line was the Official Ghost of fire (the Response Line, active, changing to the Son of Water), the fifth line was the Parent of earth (active, changing to the Parent of earth, as the World Line of the resulting hexagram), the fourth line was the Brother of metal (active, changing to the Brother of metal), the third line was the Parent of earth (the World Line, changing to the Brother of metal), the second line was the Wealth of wood (changing to the Son of water, as the Response Line of the resulting hexagram), and the first line was the Son of water (active, changing to the Parent of earth). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the first line's water changing to the Parent of earth, water and earth combining, the combination prevents movement, so the mother will not come. The fifth line's earth Parent changing to戌 is an advancing god, advancing means moving forward, also indicating she will not come. Fortunately, the earth Parent supports the fourth line's metal Brother, the Brother changing to申 is a retreating god, retreating means returning, and the metal of申 combines with the World Line of earth. Therefore, the mother will not come, but the brothers will definitely come. The person said: I only have a sister, no brothers. Later, indeed, his sister arrived in March of the next year. In this case, the Brother's change to申 metal fell in the旬空, showing that even though the line was in the旬空, it could still retreat.

又如未月辛丑日占開金銀器皿店得火雷噬嗑化屯卦 子孫巳火′　動　父母子水″ 妻財未土″世　動　妻財戌土′應 官鬼酉金′　動　官鬼申金″ 妻財辰土″　妻財辰土″ 兄弟寅木″應　兄弟寅木″世 父母子水′　父母子水′ 財爻妻財持世化進，生意興隆，甲戌日開張，財源茂盛，妻財持世化進神乃久遠豐隆之象。余曰：代爾擇甲戌日開張，管許大發，果開市於戌日，至今此店興盛豐隆，此乃動日月而空，豈可謂之不進耶？

For example, on the day of Xin Chou (辛丑) in the month of Wei (未), someone consulted about opening a shop selling gold and silver wares. The hexagram drawn was Fire Thunder Shi Ke (噬嗑), changing to Water Thunder Zhun (屯). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the son of Si fire (which is activated, changing to the parent of Zi water), the fifth line is the wife's wealth of Wei earth (the world line, activated, changing to wife's wealth of Xu earth, which is the responding line of the changed hexagram), the fourth line is the official ghost of You metal (activated, changing to the official ghost of Shen metal), the third line is the wife's wealth of Chen earth, the second line is the brother of Yin wood (the responding line, which in the changed hexagram becomes the world line), and the first line is the parent of Zi water. In divination for business, the wife's wealth is the useful god. The wife's wealth holds the world line and changes into an advancing god, which is a favorable omen for thriving business. Choosing the day of Jia Xu (甲戌) to open the shop, the source of wealth will be abundant. The wife's wealth holds the world line and changes into an advancing god, indicating long-term prosperity, not just temporary profit. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have chosen the day of Jia Xu for you to open the shop, and it will certainly bring great success. Later, the shop indeed opened on the day of Xu, and it has remained prosperous to this day. Here, the line of Wei changes into Xu, which is also in the旬空 (ten-day hollow), yet it is activated and still brings in wealth. How can we say it does not bring in wealth?

野鶴曰：夫進神之有四：動旺相而化旺，乘勢而進，一也；動休囚而化休囚，待時而進，二也；動爻變爻有一而值衰，待旺相之日而進者，三也；動爻變爻有一而空破，待填實之日而進者，四也；退神之法有四：動旺相而化旺相或有日月動爻生扶，占近事得時而不退者一也；動休囚而化休囚及時而退者二也；動爻變爻有一而旺相待休囚之時而退者三也；動爻變爻有一而逢空破待填實之日而退者四也。

The Wild Crane Elder summarized that there are four situations for the Advancing God. The first is when both the moving line and the changing line are prosperous and strong, and they are riding the momentum, thus advancing immediately. The second is when both the moving line and the changing line are weak and confined, and they will advance only on the day they receive the right time and command. The third is when one of the moving line or the changing line is weak, and they will advance only on the day it becomes strong again. The fourth is when one of the moving line or the changing line is empty or broken, and they will advance only on the day it is filled. For the Retreating God, there are also four situations. The first is when both the moving line and the changing line are prosperous and strong, or when there is another day branch or month builder, or when the moving line supports the line, and the matter is recent, and it is just the right time, so it cannot retreat immediately. The second is when both the moving line and the changing line are weak and confined, and they will naturally retreat at the appointed time. The third is when one of the moving line or the changing line is still prosperous and strong, and they will retreat only when it becomes weak and confined. The fourth is when one of the moving line or the changing line is empty or broken, and they will retreat only on the day it is filled.

李我平曰：初看易冒，有大進不進不能進祗近理，後見動日月而化空破，無階無路，謂之不進，故知謬也。動爻既臨日月，逢空不空，逢破不破，況化空破？即日月如天，雖化空破，知浮雲之掩日，實空實破之期即是雲開霧散，司令當權，何以謂之不進？又曰：動值破散而變日月謂我位既失，何以得前？殊不知既動而破，自有實破之期，既動而散，自有填實之日，況化日月，名為化旺，後日填實愈旺強，何以謂之不前？伊存格式：申月卯日占兄弟得兌之豐。

Li Woping said: At first, when I read "Yi Mao," I saw that it discussed "advancing gods" divided into "great advancement," "no advancement," and "unable to advance," and thought it was somewhat reasonable. Later, when I saw it say that a moving line encountering the day and month builder and transforming into emptiness and destruction was called "no path and no way," and called it "no advancement," I realized I was wrong. If a moving line is already encountering the day branch and month builder, it is naturally not empty when it should be empty, nor broken when it should be broken. How could merely transforming into emptiness and destruction be considered as such? The sun in the sky is like the day and month builder; even if it transforms into emptiness and destruction, it is only temporary clouds blocking the sun. When it comes to actual emptiness and destruction, it is the day the clouds disperse and the mist clears, the time when the power is in command. How can it be said that it cannot advance? It also said: when a moving line meets destruction and dispersion and transforms into the day and month builder, it is "my position has been lost, how can I move forward?" But in fact, if the moving line has already met destruction, there will be a time of real destruction; if it has already been scattered by a collision, there will be a day when it is filled again. Moreover, if it transforms into the day and month builder, that is called "transformed into prosperity," and when it fills up later, it will be even more prosperous. How can it be said that it cannot advance? The format preserved in "Yi Mao" is as follows: in the month of Shen and the day of Mao, a query about siblings results in the hexagram Dui (Lake) transforming into Feng (Hexagram 55).

父母未土″世　父母戌土″ 兄弟酉金′　動　兄弟申金″世 子孫亥水′　官鬼午火′ 父母丑土″應　動　子孫亥水′ 妻財卯木′　動　父母丑土″應 官鬼巳火′　妻財卯木′ 酉爻兄弟被卯日沖，雖化申為月建，亦不及退，不退者，建也，不及退者，謬也。彼日月將章云：爻臨月將，逢散不散，七月之酉金，雖非月將，奈日不旺，況化月建，動變盡屬堅金，幫助共扶，如山如岡。知曰：焉能沖散？他章俱存占驗，獨此章只存數式，餘故知其乃揣摩之說，非經驗而得也。

This hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents earth (the world line, changing to parents earth), the fifth line is siblings metal (moving, changing to siblings metal, as the world line of the changing hexagram), the fourth line is children water (changing to official ghost fire), the third line is parents earth (the response line, moving, changing to children water), the second line is wife wealth wood (moving, changing to parents earth, as the response line of the changing hexagram), and the first line is official ghost fire (changing to wife wealth wood). The "Easy Changes" says: the sibling metal line is in conflict with the卯 day branch. Although the changing sibling metal is exactly the month general, it is only considered "not retreating." Li Woping commented: saying it does not retreat is correct, because the changing line is the month general; saying it is "not retreating" is not coherent. The "Day, Month, and General Chapter" in "Easy Changes" itself says that when a line is in the month general, it does not disperse when confronted with a conflict. Although the sibling metal in July is not the month general, the卯 day branch is not strong. Moreover, the changing line is the month general, and the moving and changing lines are all hard metal, supporting each other, stable as a mountain. How can a single卯 day branch disperse it? Other chapters contain actual cases, but this chapter only lists a few formats, indicating that these statements are speculative rather than derived from actual divination.

古有日墓、動墓、化墓之三墓。世爻隨鬼入墓、本命隨鬼入墓、卦身隨鬼入墓、世身隨鬼入墓。覺子曰：執此數論，若逢辰戌丑未之日，竟不敢占卦，非世臨鬼、即卦身臨鬼、即本命臨鬼，然又不獨辰戌丑未日而他日亦不敢占，何也？卜卦之中不免有二三墓爻發動，非世命而入、即二身而入、及動而化墓、非世爻動化、即二身動化，再不然難保其本命不化墓也。

Old interpretations mention three types of burial: "day burial," "moving burial," and "transformation burial." When the day branch is exactly the storage, it is called day burial. When a moving line in the hexagram is the storage, it is called moving burial. When a moving line transforms into the storage, it is called transformation burial. The objects of burial can be divided into four categories: the world line following the official ghost into burial, the person's birth year branch (the person being divined) following the official ghost into burial, the hexagram body following the official ghost into burial, and the world body following the official ghost into burial. Li Wenhui (pen name: Juezi) said: if one strictly follows these rules, then one would be afraid to cast a hexagram on any day of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, because either the world line is in the official ghost's burial, or the hexagram body is in the official ghost's burial, or the person's birth year branch is in the official ghost's burial, and one of these is bound to occur. Moreover, it is not only on days of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei that one cannot cast a hexagram; other days are also unsafe. Why? In a single hexagram, there are inevitably two or three burial lines in motion: either the world line or the person's birth year branch is in burial, or the hexagram body or the world body is in burial; either a moving line transforms into the storage, or the world line moves and transforms into burial, or the second body moves and transforms into burial, and it is not guaranteed that the person's birth year branch will not transform into burial.

一卦之中不必看刑沖剋害破散絕空，凡占疾病凶危之事，只以隨鬼入墓即知凶吉也，余屢於疾病之占卦，卦卦留神，見世爻旺者二身隨鬼入墓而不死也。本命隨鬼入墓而不死也，存留驗，不驗又試，試之不驗，而再試之，一而十，十而百，全不驗者，始盡刪之，便是世爻用爻隨鬼入日墓入動墓或動而化墓，亦是休囚無氣始見危，若旺而有扶亦有求解。

According to that, within a single hexagram there is no need to consider punishments, clashes, conflicts, overcoming, harm, dispersion, separation, emptiness, or exhaustion. For any divination concerning illness or dangerous matters, one can determine fortune or misfortune simply by whether the ghost is buried. Li Wenhui said: I have paid close attention to divination concerning illness for many years, keeping records of every hexagram. I have seen cases where the world line was prosperous and strong, yet the hexagram body and the world line were buried with the ghost, yet the person survived. I have also seen cases where the original fate was buried with the ghost, yet the person survived. All verified cases were kept, while those that did not verify were tried again. If they still did not verify, they were discarded entirely. This shows that even if the world line or the used line is buried with the ghost, buried in the day's tomb, or changes into a tomb, danger is only evident if the line itself is weak and confined. If it is prosperous and strong with support, there is still a chance of salvation.

如申月戊辰日占夫病癸亥命 子孫戌土′應　兄弟巳火′世 妻財申金′　動　子孫未土″ 兄弟午火′　妻財酉金′ 官鬼亥水′世　官鬼亥水′應 子孫丑土″　子孫丑土″ 父母卯木′　父母卯木′ 斷曰：妻占夫，亥水官星為用神，墓於辰日，乃夫星夫命皆入墓於辰日，古法斷之必死，余曰：不獨不死，明日愈。何也？辰日沖動戌土以生申金，因世爻亥水空亡不受其生，明日己巳沖起亥水，得遇金生，其病如失，果於次日大愈。

On the day of Wu Chen (戊辰), in the month of Shen (申), a wife consulted about her husband's illness. Her husband was born in the year Gui Hai (癸亥). The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the son's earth (the response line, changing to the brother's fire, becoming the resulting hexagram's world line), the fifth line is the wife's metal (which is active, changing to the son's earth), the fourth line is the brother's fire (changing to the wife's metal), the third line is the official ghost's water (the world line, which in the changing hexagram becomes the response), the second line is the son's earth, and the first line is the parent's wood. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: when a wife consults about her husband, the official ghost is the useful god, so take the third line's water. Water is buried in Chen, and Wu Chen day is exactly its burial. The husband's star and his birth year (Gui Hai) both enter the burial on the day of Chen, according to the old method, death is certain. I said, however, that he would not die, but recover the next day. Why? On the day of Chen, the top line's earth is disturbed, the earth generates the fifth line's metal, which could then generate the water. However, the world line's water is in the empty state and cannot receive this generation. On the next day, Ji Si (己巳), the巳 and亥 are in opposition, which lifts the empty water, allowing it to receive the metal's generation, and the illness naturally improves. Later, it was indeed the case that the next day he recovered greatly.

又如戌月甲寅日會試能聯捷否？ 父母戌土″　動　妻財寅木′世 兄弟申金″　子孫子水″ 官鬼午火′世　動　父母戌土″ 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′應 官鬼午火″　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″應　父母辰土″ 斷曰：世爻隨官入三墓，動墓，化墓，又入月德之墓，明歲辰年沖開墓庫，發榜之期，又遇辰月沖開三墓，不獨連登，定中狀元。日月合成官局旺相當時，卦之全美，如玉無暇，果然如是。

For example, on the day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Xu (戌), someone asked about whether they would pass the imperial examination consecutively. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the parent earth (戌土), which is active and transforms into the wife's wealth (寅木), becoming the world line of the transformed hexagram. The fifth line is the brother metal (申金), which transforms into the son's water (子水). The fourth line is the official ghost fire (午火), which is the world line, active, and transforms into the parent earth (戌土). The third line is the brother metal (申金), which becomes the response in the transformed hexagram. The second line is the official ghost fire (午火). The first line is the parent earth (辰土), which is the response line. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the world line is the official ghost fire (午火), which is the official star. Fire is buried in Xu (戌) — the top line, Xu earth, is active, which is 'moving into the burial'. The world line itself transforms into Xu earth, which is 'transforming into the burial'. The month of Xu is also a burial, so the world line is buried three times in succession with the official star. In the next year, the year of Chen (辰), the Chen and Xu will conflict, opening the burial. The announcement of the results will also fall in the month of Chen, opening the three burials again. Thus, not only will they pass consecutively, but they will certainly become the top scorer. Moreover, the day of Jiayin (寅), the line of fire (午), and the earth of Xu (戌) form a fire trinity, with the official star being strong and prosperous. The entire hexagram is perfect, like an unblemished jade. Later, it indeed turned out to be true.

又如申月己丑日占病壬申命得雷風恆 妻財戌土″應　妻財戌土″應 官鬼申金″　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′　子孫午火′ 官鬼酉金′世　官鬼酉金′世 父母亥水′　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　妻財丑土″ 此卦日命隨鬼入墓，世爻隨鬼入墓，世身又落旬空，卦身又臨月破，若執古法斷之，百無一生，因世爻旺相，許未日愈，果起床於未日者，沖開丑墓之日而出也。古法以墓為沉滯昏迷之象，此說近理，此人病中不思湯藥，昏昏沉沉，至未日忽然更醒，不藥而癒，豈可一概謂之隨鬼入墓也。

For example, on the day of Jichou with the month of Shen, a person born on Renshen is asked about his illness. The hexagram Heng (Thunder over Wind) is cast, with all six lines quiet. The top line is the wife's wealth, the earth element, which is the response line. The fifth line is the official ghost, the metal element, Shen. The fourth line is the child, the fire element, Wu. The third line is the official ghost, the metal element, You, which is the world line. The second line is the parents, the water element, Hai. The first line is the wife's wealth, the earth element, Chou. In this hexagram, the person's birth year, Shen metal, and the world line, You metal, are both metal. Metal is buried in Chou. The day is Jichou, which is the burial place. The person's birth year, the world line, and the official ghost are all taken by the day's burial, which is called 'following the ghost into burial'. The world line is also in the旬空 (decade void), and the hexagram body is also in the month's break. If one strictly follows the old method, this is a hexagram with no chance of survival. However, the world line, You metal, is strong and prosperous in the month of Shen. The Wild Crane Elder predicted that the person would recover on the day of Wei. Indeed, on the day of Wei, the person got up from bed. This was because the day of Wei, the Chou burial was broken by the conflict with Wei, allowing the person to escape from the burial. The old method says that being buried leads to stagnation and confusion, which is close to the truth. During the illness, the person did not want to take medicine and was in a daze. On the day of Wei, he suddenly became clear-headed and recovered without taking medicine. This shows that one cannot generally use 'following the ghost into burial' to predict death.

又如未月戊辰日占已定重罪可蒙赦免否 兄弟寅木′應　兄弟寅木′應 父母子水″　父母子水″ 妻財戌土″　妻財戌土″ 官鬼酉金′世　動　妻財丑土″世 父母亥水′　兄弟卯木′ 妻財丑土″　動　子孫巳火′ 世爻隨鬼入動墓，又動而化墓，古以為凶，餘以為吉。斷日月生世，丑墓月破，破羅破網，容易而出。明歲酉年定蒙赦免。果於次年辰月蒙赦而出。

For example, on a day of Wu Chen (戊辰) in the month of Wei (未), someone who has already been sentenced to a serious crime was consulted about whether he would be pardoned. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is a brother in the wood of Yin (寅木), the fifth line is the parent in the water of Zi (子水), the fourth line is the wife's wealth in the earth of Xu (戌土), the third line is the official ghost in the metal of You (酉金) (the world line, which is active and changes into the wife's wealth in the earth of Chou (丑土), forming the resulting hexagram's world line), the second line is the parent in the water of Hai (亥水) (changing into a brother in the wood of Mao (卯木)), and the first line is the wife's wealth in the earth of Chou (丑土) (which is active, changing into the son's child in the fire of Si (巳火)). The world line, which is the official ghost in metal, is buried in the earth of Chou (丑). The first line, the earth of Chou (丑), is active, which is called "moving into the burial place." The world line itself also changes into the earth of Chou (丑), which is called "transforming into the burial place." The world line is thus buried twice by the ghost, and according to old sayings, this is considered extremely凶 (fateful). However, the Wild Crane Elder interpreted it as favorable. He said that the earth of the month of Wei (未) supports the world line, and the earth of the day Wu Chen (戊辰) also supports the world line; both the day and the month are coming to support and strengthen it. The burial place of Chou (丑) in the month of Wei is broken by the earth of Wei (未), which is called the "month breaker" — the burial place and storage are broken, just like a net has a hole, making it easy for the person to escape. In the year of You (酉) next year, he will certainly be pardoned. Later, indeed, in the second year, during the month of Chen (辰), he was pardoned and released from prison.

餘因屢試而得驗者，只驗世爻入墓有三：世爻隨鬼入日墓，入動墓，動而化墓。此三墓者，自占看世爻，旺相者非真，代占看用神，用神旺相者非真，惟世爻休囚被克，而又入墓者，是也。墓神破，日月動爻沖破，亦非真也。墓破如破網，容易而出矣。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Through repeated trials, I have found that the true case of the World Line entering its storage is only in three situations: the World Line follows the ghost into the Day Branch's storage, enters the storage of the moving line, or changes into a storage through movement. In these three cases, when divining oneself, one looks at the World Line; if the World Line is prosperous and strong, it is not considered truly entering storage. When divining for others, one looks at the Useful God; if the Useful God is prosperous and strong, it is not considered truly entering storage. Only when the World Line is weak and confined and is further attacked, then it enters storage, is it considered truly entering storage. As for the storage deity itself encountering the Month Breaker, or being broken by the Day Branch, Month Builder, or moving line, these are not considered true storage. A broken storage is like a broken net, making it easy for people to escape.

占功名，世旺得地，沖開墓庫之年月成名，世若空破休囚，始終難成之象；占身命，世旺得地，沖開墓庫之年月發跡。世爻空破休囚，終身寂寞，如日月之無光也；占出仕，出行得世旺得地沖開墓庫之日月遂心。世若空破休囚，多見去而不返。

The method of interpreting "following the ghost into the tomb" is as follows. For divination regarding official rank, if the world line is prosperous and strong, one will achieve fame when the tomb is opened by the year or month. If the world line is empty, broken, weak, or confined, it indicates a persistent failure to succeed. For divination regarding one's life and fate, if the world line is prosperous and strong, one will experience success when the tomb is opened by the year or month. If the world line is empty, broken, weak, or confined, it signifies a lifetime of loneliness and coldness, like the sun and moon losing their brilliance. For divination regarding entering officialdom or traveling, if the world line is prosperous and strong, one will find things to their liking when the tomb is opened by the day or month. If the world line is empty, broken, weak, or confined, it often indicates that one may not return from the journey.

占求財圖利，世旺者，沖墓之日月而成，若空破休囚，終無成日；占婚姻，世旺得地及財爻有氣而生世者，沖墓之日月而成，若空破休囚，非病於他鄉即流落也；占胎產，子孫入動墓化墓者，旺則沖墓之日月即生。財爻空破休囚，妻遭產厄，子孫空破，子必危亡；

When divining about seeking wealth and profit, if the World Line is prosperous and strong, it will succeed on the day or month when the Storage is opened. If the World Line is empty, broken, or weak and confined, there will be no success. When divining about marriage, if the World Line is prosperous and strong and the wealth line has vitality to support the World Line, it will succeed on the day or month when the Storage is opened. If the World Line is empty, broken, or weak and confined, the result will be either death away from home or being away from home. When divining about childbirth, if the Children line enters a moving墓 or transforms into a墓, as long as it is prosperous and strong, it will result in childbirth on the day or month when the Storage is opened. If the wealth line is empty, broken, or weak and confined, the mother will face difficulties in childbirth. If the Children line is empty, broken, the child will be in danger of death.

占入公門，世旺得地，沖墓之年月如心，空破休囚，常遭枷鎖刑獄；占家宅，世旺者，或得財爻生世，沖開之年月興家。空破休囚，身衰家破。占祖塋者與家宅同；惟占新塋未葬者，旺相休囚皆不宜也；占偷關偷險，世爻旺相，又得生扶，難而無危，憂心難釋，鬼在身邊故耳；占訟事，世旺者得理，空破休囚被克者，必遭刑獄。

Divination for entering the government office to serve: if the World Line is prosperous and strong, then in the year or month when the storage is opened, one will be satisfied. If the World Line is empty, broken, weak and confined, one will often suffer from shackles and imprisonment. Divination for the family residence: if the World Line is prosperous or there is a wealth line that generates the World Line, then in the year or month when the storage is opened, one will establish a family and achieve success. If the World Line is empty, broken, weak and confined, the person will decline and the family will break down. Divination for the ancestral tomb is the same as divination for the family residence. Only for newly dug graves that have not yet been buried, regardless of whether the World Line is prosperous or weak, if the ghost enters the storage, it is not suitable. Divination for private border crossing or dangerous smuggling: if the World Line is prosperous and supported, although difficult, there will be no great danger, but the mind remains unsettled because the official ghost is nearby. Divination for lawsuits: if the World Line is prosperous, one can hold the right; if the World Line is empty, broken, weak and confined and is also attacked, one will certainly suffer from punishment and imprisonment.

諸占世爻若旺，墓爻而值空破，待墓爻填實之日月而吉；世爻空破休囚者，又在墓爻填實這日月而凶。古以世臨破鬼，如占防患，禍患潛消，餘以為非。月破既為白虎鬼，目下雖無妨，實破之年月非吉。如申月己未日占賊來否得大畜之泰卦 官鬼寅木′　動　子孫酉金″應 妻財子水″應　妻財亥水″ 兄弟戌土″　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′　兄弟辰土′世 官鬼寅木′世　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′　妻財子水′ 彼時土賊興發常來，鄉人了無寧日。一日忽報賊來，此人攜妻而避，因小女未隨，復去抱女，同遭賊害，夫應自身之死者，世臨破鬼而入日墓，女之死者，上爻鬼變子孫之故耳。豈可謂世臨破鬼，禍患消耶。

In summary, for all types of divination, if the world line is prosperous and strong, and the tomb line is properly empty and broken, then the day or month when the tomb line is filled will be auspicious; if the world line is empty, broken, and weak, then the same day or month when the tomb line is filled will be inauspicious. An old saying states that if the official ghost sits on the world line with the month breaker, and if one is divining about prevention of calamities, the calamity will naturally disappear; however, the Wild Crane Elder disagrees: since this month breaker official ghost is accompanied by the White Tiger, although it may not cause trouble now, once it reaches the actual breaking year or month, it will not be a good omen. Here is a real case. On the day of Jiwei (己未) in the month of Shen (申), someone asked if bandits would come, and the hexagram cast was Da Xu (山天大畜) changing to Tai (地天泰). From top to bottom: the top line is the official ghost of yin wood (发动, changing to the son of you metal, which is the response of the changing hexagram), the fifth line is the wife's wealth of zi water (response line, changing to wife's wealth of hai water), the fourth line is the brother of xu earth (changing to the brother of chou earth), the third line is the brother of chen earth (in the changing hexagram as the world line), the second line is the official ghost of yin wood (world line), and the first line is the wife's wealth of zi water. At that time, bandits were everywhere, frequently raiding, and the village was not at peace. One day, a report came that the bandits had arrived. This person took his wife to hide, but because his little daughter did not come along, he went back to get her, and both father and daughter were killed by the bandits. His own death should be indicated by the official ghost sitting on the world line with the month breaker — yin wood in the month of Shen is broken by the month's Shen, and yin wood also enters the day's tomb (the tomb of wood is in wei). The daughter's death should be indicated by the official ghost on the top line being active and changing to the son — in the divination about the daughter, the son is the useful god, and the useful god is changed by the official ghost, indicating a clear ominous sign. Thus, how can one say that when the world line is on the broken official ghost, the calamity will naturally disappear?

（鬼臨月破，不動者不驗。）李我平曰：此論雖隨墓令人刮目，每卦之動墓多見，倘再遇辰戌丑未之日，疊疊墓爻，若兼世命二身，非此即彼，以入墓也，真無暇他論，況諸書章不言及旺衰，概以隨墓不吉，如占功名旺官臨身，豈可曰履仕途而不返，占防災世臨月破又隨鬼入墓，豈可竟曰無憂，顛倒凶吉，不得不為正之。

The original text adds a note here: Although the official ghost is afflicted by the month breaker, if it remains quiet and unmoving, it should not come to pass. Li Woping says: The Wild Crane Elder's discussion on burial is indeed worthy of attention. Movement and burial in the hexagram are common occurrences. If this is further combined with days of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, where burial is layered upon burial, and if the world line, native's fate, hexagram body, and world body are all considered, then one is buried or the other is buried, making it very complicated to handle other matters. Moreover, various books discuss the concept of the official ghost being buried, but they never mention the strength or decline of the爻. They only say that being buried is inauspicious. Then, when predicting official positions, if the official star is prosperous and strong and also attached to the body, can we say that the person will not return from office once he enters the officialdom? When predicting disaster prevention, if the world line is afflicted by the month breaker and also buried with the official ghost, can we say that there will be no worries? This reverses the fortune and misfortune, and it is necessary to correct this.

五爻俱動，一爻不動，謂之獨靜；五爻不動，一爻獨動，謂之獨發。事之成敗，由乎用神；應期遲速，亦由乎用神；獨發獨靜，古有驗之，余試亦有驗也，皆在驗事應之後，如會神機，非初敢執之而斷禍福與應期也。況卦得獨靜雖少，而獨發者多，如舍其用神，執之而決事者，謬也，過也。

In the six lines of a hexagram, if five lines are moving and only one is still, it is called 'dú jìng' (sole stillness); if five lines are still and only one is moving, it is called 'dú fā' (sole movement). The success or failure of an affair depends on the 'yòng shén' (useful god); the speed or delay of the outcome also depends on the 'yòng shén'. 'Dú jìng' and 'dú fā' have been verified by ancient people, and the Wild Crane Elder himself has tested them, but these were only recognized as coinciding with divine wisdom after the event had occurred, not used at the beginning to judge fortune or determine the time of fulfillment. Moreover, although hexagrams with 'dú jìng' are rare, those with 'dú fā' are more common. If one ignores the 'yòng shén' and decides the outcome solely based on a single 'dú fā' line, that would be wrong and excessive.

曾於辰月甲戌日占迎請父王靈柩允否？ 官鬼巳火′應　官鬼巳火′世 父母未土″　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′　兄弟酉金′ 父母辰土′世　子孫亥水′應 妻財寅木′　動　父母丑土″ 子孫子水′　妻財卯木′ 彼有門客知易，謂寅木一爻獨發，化出丑父，乃應正月得見父靈。余曰，此隔靴搔癢也。卦中父爻持世，據被寅木剋制，乃身不能動，靈亦不能動也。欲身動而靈動，必待沖開寅木之年月也，再請一卦，合而決之。

He once consulted a divination on whether the permission would be granted to welcome the spirit coffin of his father, on the day of Jia Xu in the month of Chen. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is the Official Ghost of Fire in Si (the Response Line, and in the resulting hexagram it is the World Line), the fifth line is the Parents of Earth in Wei, the fourth line is the Brothers of Metal in You, the third line is the Parents of Earth in Chen (the World Line, changing into the Children of Water in Hai, which is the Response Line of the resulting hexagram), the second line is the Wealth of Wood in Yin (which is active, changing into the Parents of Earth in Chou), and the first line is the Children of Water in Zi (changing into the Wealth of Wood in Mao). The owner had a guest who understood the I Ching, who said: the line of Yin Wood in the second position is the only active line, changing into the Parents of Earth in Chou, which indicates seeing the spirit coffin of the father in the first lunar month. The Wild Crane Elder said: this is like scratching an itch with a boot. The Parents line is holding the World Line, but it is being restrained by the active line of Yin Wood — the self is unable to move, so the spirit coffin also cannot move. In order for the person and the spirit coffin to move, one must wait until the year and month that can break through the Yin Wood. Therefore, another hexagram was consulted, and the two hexagrams were combined for the final interpretation.

又得澤火革變既濟 官鬼未土″　兄弟子水″應 父母酉金′　官鬼戌土′ 兄弟亥水′世　動　父母申金″ 兄弟亥水′　兄弟亥水′世 官鬼丑土″　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′應　子孫卯木′ 余曰：此正前卦相合，前卦應沖開寅木者，申也。此世化申金回頭生，亦應申月。世臨虎動因喪事，而卯木沖動九五，又來生世，今年申酉月必蒙恩。眼下月破，萬萬不能。後應申月所請準，酉歲迎靈而歸，兩卦皆是獨發，可執之耶。

The second hexagram is Ze Hu Ge changing to Shui Hu Ji Ji. From top to bottom: the top line is Official Ghost Wu Earth (changing to Brothers Zi Water, which is the response line of the changing hexagram), the fifth line is Parents You Metal (changing to Official Ghost Xu Earth), the fourth line is Brothers Hai Water (the world line, which is active, changing to Parents Shen Metal), the third line is Brothers Hai Water (in the changing hexagram it is the world line), the second line is Official Ghost Chou Earth, and the first line is Descendant Mao Wood (the response line). The Wild Crane Elder said: this hexagram is in harmony with the previous one. The previous hexagram needed to break the寅 Wood, and what can break寅 Wood is申; this hexagram has the world line Hai Water active and changing to Shen Metal, which is mutual generation, and this should also be in the month of申. The world line is occupied by the White Tiger and is active, which indicates that the matter is about a funeral. The first line Mao Wood also moves the fifth line You Metal, which then comes to generate the world line. Therefore, this year in the month of申 and the month of酉, the request will certainly be approved. At present, the Hai Water is in the month breaker, so nothing can be done. Later, in the month of申, the request was indeed approved, and in the year of酉, the coffin was brought back. These two hexagrams are both single active lines, showing that a single active line cannot be taken as a fixed rule.

又如午月甲申日防漲水沖去麥子 子孫戌土′應　動　子孫未土″ 妻財申金′　妻財酉金′ 兄弟午火′　官鬼亥水′世 官鬼亥水′世　官鬼亥水′ 子孫丑土″　子孫丑土″ 父母卯木′　父母卯木′應 友人執此而問。余曰：戌土子孫一爻獨發，昨日丙戌，定皆大晴，如何還雨，余曰：爾憂麥被水沖，神以子孫發動克去身邊之鬼示爾憂非，應晴也。雖則目下晴，決不漲水，即以此卦而決陰晴，卯日必大晴也，彼曰：何也？余曰：動而逢合之日晴，則爾無憂也。果於卯日大晴。

For example, on a day of Jiashen (甲申) in the month of Wu (午), someone asked about preventing a big flood from washing away the wheat. The hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the top line was the son of Xu earth (the response line, which was active, changing to the son of Wei earth), the fifth line was the wife's wealth of Shen metal (changing to the wife's wealth of You metal), the fourth line was the brother of Wu fire (changing to the official ghost of Hai water, which became the world line of the resulting hexagram), the third line was the official ghost of Hai water (the world line), the second line was the son of Chou earth, and the first line was the parent of Mao wood (which became the response in the resulting hexagram). A friend asked about the concept of a single line being active: the son of Xu earth on the top line was the only active line. The previous day was Bingxu (丙戌), which is supposed to be a clear day, but it rained instead. The Wild Crane Elder answered: You are worried about the wheat being washed away by water, so the spirits use the active son line to overcome the official ghost near you, telling you that your worry is unnecessary, and the response is that it will be sunny. Although it has already cleared up, there will be no flood. If you decide solely based on this hexagram, the day of Mao (卯) will definitely be sunny. The person asked why. The answer was: When an active line meets a harmonious day, it will be sunny. Xu and Mao harmonize, so on that day you will have no worries. Later, it indeed rained heavily on the day of Mao.

又如辰月甲午日開煤 得家人變益卦 兄弟卯木′　兄弟卯木′應 子孫巳火′應　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″　妻財未土″ 父母亥水′　動　妻財辰土″世 妻財丑土″世　兄弟寅木″ 兄弟卯木′　父母子水′ 丑土財爻持世，日生之，許其可開。問應何時見煤？余曰：財靜未月沖開，應在六月。及至六月，竟不見煤，歇而開，開而歇，未年占卦，至亥年辰月始得見煤，此乃應於獨發亥水化辰土，年月俱應，斷卦之時，誰以亥年辰月而斷耶？

For example, on a Jiawu day in the Chen month, someone asked about opening a coal mine and got the hexagram Jia Ren changing into Yi. From top to bottom: the top line is brothers卯wood (which becomes the response in the changing hexagram), the fifth line is children巳fire (response line), the fourth line is wealth未earth, the third line is parents亥water (which is active, changing into wealth辰earth, which is the world line of the changing hexagram), the second line is wealth丑earth (world line, changing into brothers寅wood), and the first line is brothers卯wood (changing into parents子water). In divination for opening a mine, the wealth line is the useful god. The wealth line丑earth is in the world position, and the fire of Jiawu day is able to generate it. The Wild Crane Elder thus said that the person could open the mine. The person asked when he would see coal, and the answer was that the wealth line was quiet, so he had to wait until the Wei month to shake open the丑earth, which should be in June. But when June came, there was still no coal, with the mine opening and stopping alternately. The hexagram cast in the Wei year eventually showed coal only in the Hai year and Chen month. This exactly corresponds to the isolated亥water and the earth it transformed into, with亥representing the year and辰representing the month, both of which matched. But at the time of interpreting the hexagram, who could have predicted the specific year and month of 'Hai year and Chen month' from just this line?

又如寅月庚戌日占女病 兄弟巳火′應　動　官鬼子水″ 子孫未土″　動　子孫戌土′ 妻財酉金′　動　妻財申金″世 兄弟午火″世　動　妻財申金′ 子孫辰土′　動　兄弟午火″ 父母寅木″　子孫辰土″應 古有以獨靜之爻而斷應期，譬如此卦，寅木獨靜，若不看用神，斷寅日生也？斷寅日死也？餘以卦土為子孫，雖則休囚，得巳午火動而生之，未土子孫化進神，辰土子孫化回頭生，許之寅日當愈，然亦不敢竟斷，命伊母再占一卦。

For example, on a day of Gengxu in the month of Yin, someone asked about the illness of their daughter. The hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is brothers in the fire (response line, active, changing to official ghost in the water), the fifth line is children in the earth (active, changing to children in the earth), the fourth line is wealth in the metal (active, changing to wealth in the metal, as the world line of the changing hexagram), the third line is brothers in the fire (world line, active, changing to wealth in the metal), the second line is children in the earth (active, changing to brothers in the fire), and the first line is parents in the wood (changing to children in the earth, as the response line of the changing hexagram). Ancient people used the solitary still line to determine the time of response: for instance, in this hexagram, only the first line of the wood is still. If we do not consider the useful god, should we predict the daughter's recovery on the day of寅 or her death on the day of寅? The Wild Crane Elder took the earth line in the hexagram as the children, since in divination for a daughter, children are the useful god. Although earth is weak and confined in the month of寅, it is supported by the fire of巳 and午. The earth line at the fifth position, which is children, changes to戌, which is an advancing god. The earth line at the second position, which is children, moves and changes to午 fire, which is mutual generation. Based on this, he predicted that she would recover on the day of寅. However, he was still not certain, and asked her mother to cast another hexagram.

父母戌土′　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′應　官鬼午火′世 兄弟酉金′　動　父母辰土″ 子孫亥水′　動　妻財寅木″ 父母丑土″世　動　子孫子水′應 亥水子孫化寅木空亡，近病逢空即愈，出空之日也。與前卦相合。余曰：寅日大愈，目下病體雖重，管許無虞。果於寅日全愈。此雖應前卦一爻獨靜，必應用神之旺也，又得後卦顯然，方敢以寅日決之。

The following hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the top line is parents in the earth dog (戌土), the fifth line is siblings in the monkey (申金), the fourth line is official ghost in the horse (午火) (which is the response line, and in the resulting hexagram it is the world line), the third line is siblings in the rooster (酉金) (which is active, changing to parents in the dragon (辰土)), the second line is children in the pig (亥水) (which is active, changing to wealth in the tiger (寅木)), and the first line is parents in the ox (丑土) (world line, active, changing to children in the rat (子水), which is the response of the resulting hexagram). For the question about the daughter, children are still taken as the useful god: the second line, children in the pig (亥水), is active, and the resulting寅木 (tiger) falls into the旬空 (decade void). "Nearby illness meeting void means recovery," so it should be on the day when the void is removed. This matches exactly with the previous hexagram's prediction. The Wild Crane Elder then said: the day of寅 is very good, although the illness is still severe, it will certainly be fine. Later, indeed, the illness was completely cured on the day of寅. This time, although it should be on the寅 wood of the single quiet line in the previous hexagram, it still should be on the useful god being prosperous and strong; since the later hexagram explains it so clearly, it was safe to use the day of寅 for the prediction.

李我平曰：易冒以吉凶之生由乎動，所以重於動而輕於用。事應之來不驗於用神於卦象，此教人重於獨靜，獨靜不用用神者明矣。又云：雖不離用而亦不執用爻也，此又教人用用神、不用用神也。又曰：獨發靜可用，時日吉凶須審用卦，又教人重於用卦也。留書傳世，須一字開後人之茅塞，一言破千古之疑患，即曰用用神之，又曰不用用神主，既無定，何以為法，得此可以醒世。

Li Woping says: "Yi Mao believes that fortune and misfortune arise from the movement of the lines, so it emphasizes the moving lines and downplays the useful god; it also says that the verification of events does not depend on the useful god but on the hexagram, which clearly teaches people to value the state of complete stillness, and in such stillness, the useful god is not needed. It also says 'although not separate from the useful god, it is also not fixed on the useful god,' which becomes teaching people to both use and not use the useful god. It also says that a single moving line or a single still line can be used, but the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of time and date must be examined through the hexagram, which again teaches people to value the hexagram. A book passed down through generations should be able to clarify people's confusion with one word and resolve ancient doubts with one sentence. Now, it alternates between saying to use the useful god and not to use it, and its stance is not fixed, so what can be taken as a standard? Only with this chapter by the Wild Crane Elder can people be awakened."

用神兩現，如占父母卦中兩爻父母者是也。舍其休囚，用其旺相，舍其靜爻，而用動爻，舍其月破，而用不破，舍其旬空，用其不空，舍其被傷，用其不傷。此古法也。得其驗者，應乎旬空月破，舍其不空，而用旬空，舍其不破，而用月破。

The concept of "two appearances of the useful god" refers to the situation where the same six relation appears twice in the hexagram, for example, when seeking the parents and there are two parents lines in the hexagram. The traditional method of selection is: to discard the weak and confined ones and choose the prosperous and strong ones, to discard the static lines and choose the moving lines, to discard the month breaker and choose the one that is not broken, to discard the旬空 (decade void) and choose the one that is not void, and to discard the ones that are injured or harmed and choose the ones that are not injured. This is the old method. However, according to the personal trials of the Wild Crane Elder, the ones that actually proved effective were often found in the旬空 or month breaker lines: discarding the non-void ones to use the void ones, and discarding the non-breaking ones to use the breaking ones.

如未月庚子日占求財得風天小畜 兄弟卯木′　兄弟卯木′ 子孫巳火′　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″應　妻財未土″應 妻財辰土′　妻財辰土′ 兄弟寅木′　兄弟寅木′ 父母子水′世　父母子水′世 應臨月建之財以克世，許之必得，彼問何時到手，餘以次日辛丑沖動未財日得，卻得於辰土出空之日，此乃舍其不空而用旬空。

On a Gengzi day in the month of Wei, someone sought to predict his fortune in wealth by casting a hexagram. The hexagram cast was Xiao Xu (Hexagram 9), with all six lines quiet. The top line was a brother line of mulberry wood, the fifth line was a child line of fire, the fourth line was a wealth line of earth (the response line), the third line was a wealth line of earth, the second line was a brother line of mulberry wood, and the first line was a parent line of water (the world line). The hexagram contained two wealth lines. The response line, earth wealth, was directly influenced by the month builder of the month of Wei, and earth was able to overcome the world line of water. The wealth line overcoming the world line indicated that wealth would certainly be obtained. The Wild Crane Elder therefore assured him that he would definitely gain wealth. The person then asked when he would obtain it. The Wild Crane Elder originally thought that on the next day, Xinchou, the earth of the response line would be triggered by the conflict between Chou and Wei, thus bringing about the wealth. However, the wealth actually came on the day when the third line of earth wealth went out of the旬空. This shows that even though the earth wealth of the response line was not empty, the wealth actually manifested on the earth wealth of the third line which was in the旬空.

未月甲午日占升遷得師之渙卦 父母酉金″應　動　子孫卯木′ 兄弟亥水″　動　妻財巳火′世 官鬼丑土″　官鬼未土″ 妻財午火″世　妻財午火″ 官鬼辰土′　官鬼辰土′應 子孫寅木″　子孫寅木″ 斷曰：世爻極旺，既臨日建又得月令作官星而合世，但卦中官星兩現，一空一破，至辰年官而出空一定高升，然反吟於外卦，當得驗者，去而復來，果於辰年，調於河南，五月因他故，又調回楚，十月而升督府，十年兩調一升，皆應實空之年也。

On a day of Jiawu in the month of Wu, divining about a promotion, the hexagram cast was Shi (Hexagram 7) changing to Huan (Hexagram 59). From top to bottom, the lines were: the top line was the parent metal in酉 (Yous), which was the response line, active, changing to the child wood in卯 (Mao). The fifth line was the sibling water in亥 (Hai), active, changing to the wealth fire in巳 (Si), which was the world line of the changed hexagram. The fourth line was the official ghost earth in丑 (Chou), changing to the official ghost earth in未 (Wei). The third line was the wealth fire in午 (Wu), which was the world line. The second line was the official ghost earth in辰 (Chen), which in the changed hexagram was the response. The first line was the child wood in寅 (Yin). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the world line, the fire in午 (Wu), was extremely strong. It was the day's heavenly stem, and was supported by the month of Wu. The earth in未 (Wei) also acted as an official star to harmonize with the world line. However, there were two official stars in the hexagram, one was empty and the other was broken. Promotion would definitely happen when the official star was no longer empty in the year of Chen. Also, because the outer trigram formed a reverse chant, reverse chant indicates going away and returning, so there would be a transfer and then a return. Later, in the year of Chen, he was transferred to Henan, and in May due to other reasons, he was transferred back to Huguang, and in October he was promoted to governor-general. Within ten years, two transfers and one promotion all occurred in the years that filled the empty trigram.

又如亥月丙午日母占子何日脫厄，得豫之歸妹 妻財戌土″　妻財戌土″應 官鬼申金″　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′應　子孫午火′ 兄弟卯木″　妻財丑土″世 子孫巳火″　動　兄弟卯木′ 妻財未土″世　動　子孫巳火′ 餘見卦中三現子孫，俱生世爻，午逢日建而靜，兩爻巳火逢月破許巳年脫厄，乃實破之年也，果脫厄於巳年。此乃卦中用神三現，而用逢破之爻也。

For example, on a day of Bingwu (丙午) in the month of Hai (亥), a mother was divining the day her son would be relieved from danger. She cast the hexagram of Yu (雷地豫) changing into Gui Mei (雷泽归妹). From top to bottom, the lines are: the top line is the wife's wealth (妻财) of Xu earth (戌土), which in the changed hexagram is the response line; the fifth line is the official ghost (官鬼) of Shen metal (申金); the fourth line is the child (子孙) of Wu fire (午火), which is the response line; the third line is the sibling (兄弟) of Mao wood (卯木), which changes into the wife's wealth (妻财) of Chou earth (丑土), being the world line of the changed hexagram; the second line is the child (子孙) of Si fire (巳火), which is active and changes into the sibling (兄弟) of Mao wood (卯木); the first line is the wife's wealth (妻财) of Wei earth (未土), which is the world line and is active, changing into the child (子孙) of Si fire (巳火). Since the mother is divining about her son, the child (子孙) is the useful god (用神). The Wild Crane Elder saw that the child (子孙) appears three times in the hexagram, all coming to support the world line. The fourth line of Wu fire (午火) is exactly the day's heavenly stem (日建) of Bingwu (丙午) but is still and unmoving. The second line of Si fire (巳火) and the first line's changed Si fire (巳火) are both in the month of Hai (亥) and thus are being broken by the month, which is called the month breaker (月破). He therefore predicted that the son would be relieved in the year of Si (巳), which is the actual breaking year (实破). Later, indeed, the son was relieved in the year of Si. This is an example of the useful god (用神) appearing three times, yet the one that meets the breaking (逢破) is chosen.

野鶴曰：餘竟以月破而斷年者，非只此一卦也。因此位老夫人之長公棄封疆而歸，本人自身占過，申金子孫發動，動逢合乃應巳年；弟又占兄，申金兄動亦應巳年，此卦巳火子孫回頭生世，雖逢月破，合前二卦故敢許以巳年，以卜易者一則全其靈機達變，二則卦要留神記之，若不留心記得前卦，此卦午火日建生世，何不許其午年，況午歲又是合世之年，何敢許其巳年，許巳年者，因合前卦而斷也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: I use the Month Breaker line to determine the year, not only in this divination. This old lady's eldest son resigned from his high official post and returned home. He first divined a hexagram himself. The metal Children Line activated, and it met with a combination (the combination between巳 and申). Therefore, it indicated the year of Si. His younger brother then divined about his elder brother, and the metal brother line activated, also indicating the year of Si. In this hexagram, the fire Children Line activated and returned to support the world line. Although it met with the Month Breaker, combining it with the previous two hexagram, I therefore dared to predict the year of Si. Those who study divination must rely entirely on their intuition and adapt flexibly, and also pay careful attention to the hexagram they have divined before. If one does not remember the previous two hexagram, and only looks at this one, the fire of Wu is both the day's established element and it supports the world line. Why then would we not predict the year of Wu? Moreover, the year of Wu is also the one that combines with the world line of earth Wei. Therefore, I dared to predict the year of Si, precisely because it combined with the previous two hexagram.

太乙貴人 甲戊兼牛羊，乙巳鼠猴鄉，丙丁豬雞位； 壬癸兔蛇藏，庚辛逢馬虎，此是貴人方。 假令甲戊庚日占卦，又中見丑未者，即是貴人。 祿神 甲日到寅，乙初到卯，丙戌祿在巳，丁己祿居午，庚祿居申，辛祿在酉。 假令甲日占卦，爻中見寅為祿；乙日占卦，爻中卯為祿，餘仿此。

First we discuss the "Taiyi Guiren" (Great Eminent Person). The mnemonic is: On Jia day and Wu day, look at the ox and sheep, which are Chou and Wei; on Yi day and Ji day, look at the rat and monkey, which are Zi and Shen (the original text says "Yi Si", which should be "Yi Ji"); on Bing day and Ding day, look at the pig and chicken, which are Hai and You; on Ren day and Gui day, look at the rabbit and snake, which are Mao and Si; on Geng day and Xin day, look at the horse and tiger, which are Wu and Yin. These are the positions of the Guiren. For example, if on Jia day or Wu day or Geng day, the line shows Chou or Wei, then it is the Guiren. Now the "Lushen" (Wealth God): On Jia day, the Lushen is in Yin; on Yi day, the Lushen is in Mao (the original text says "Yi Chou" which should be "Yi Lushen"); on Bing day and Wu day, the Lushen is in Si (the original text says "Bing Xu" which should be "Bing Si"); on Ding day and Ji day, the Lushen is in Wu; on Geng day, the Lushen is in Shen; on Xin day, the Lushen is in You. For example, if on Jia day, the line shows Yin, then it is the Lushen; if on Yi day, the line shows Mao, then it is the Lushen, and so on.

驛馬 申子辰馬到寅，巳酉丑馬在亥，寅午戌馬居申，亥卯未馬在巳。 假令子日、申日、辰日占卦，爻中見寅即為馬，餘仿此。 天喜 春戌，夏丑，秋畏，冬未。 假令春天正月占卦爻中見戌即為天喜，三月雖以戌為天喜，又為月破，若發動於卦中扶助旺相之用神者，以之為喜，不以為破，餘仿此。

Now regarding 'Post Horse': On days of Shen, Zi, and Chen, the Post Horse is in Yin; on days of Si, You, and Chou, it is in Hai; on days of Yin, Wu, and Xu, it is in Shen; and on days of Hai, Mao, and Wei, it is in Si. For example, if the day is Zi, Shen, or Chen and a hexagram is divined, and the line shows Yin, then Yin is the Post Horse; the rest follow the same pattern. Now regarding 'Heavenly Joy': In spring, it is in Xu; in summer, in Chou; in autumn, in Chen (the original text says 'autumn fear', which should be a mistake for 'autumn Chen'); in winter, in Wei. For example, if a hexagram is divined in the first lunar month (spring), and the line shows Xu, then Xu is the Heavenly Joy. In the third lunar month, although Xu is still considered Heavenly Joy, since the third month is built on Chen and Chen and Xu are opposing, Xu becomes the Month Breaker. If it appears in the hexagram and supports the prosperous and strong Useful God, it is still considered Heavenly Joy and not treated as Month Breaker; the rest follow the same pattern.

諸書星煞最多，餘留心四十餘載獨驗貴人祿神驛馬天喜，然不能獨操禍福之權，用神旺者見之愈吉，用神失陷雖有如無。李我平曰：伏羲觀奇偶以判陰陽，文王以爻辭而斷凶吉，周公之後，決禍福於五行，易道窮矣，今兼吉凶煞星，不知起自何人。喪門拓墓大殺飛鷹，加此驗語驚人，往往全無應驗，易冒疾病章云：卜卦不死星煞不死用神煞（此處缺），出爾反爾，後學何從，即如此書得驗貴人祿神驛馬亦必附和用神之旺相，即不能獨操禍福之權。

Different books list numerous stars and ominous forces, but the Wild Crane Elder carefully observed for over forty years and found that only four of them are reliable: "Nobleman," "Wealth God," "Post Horse," and "Heavenly Joy." However, these cannot alone determine fortune or misfortune; if the Useful God is prosperous and strong, then encountering these is even more auspicious; if the Useful God is weak and ineffective, then even having these is like having none. Li Weiping said: Fuxi observed odd and even numbers to distinguish yin and yang, King Wen arranged the Line Statements to determine good and bad fortune, and after the Duke of Zhou, people began using the Five Phases to decide fortune and misfortune. The doctrine of the Changes has already been fully explained. Now, however, a pile of auspicious and ominous stars has been added, but it is unclear who first introduced them. "Funeral Gate," "Mourning Tomb," "Great Killer," and "Flying Eagle" are among them. These names sound alarming, yet they often fail to come true. In the "Disease Chapter" of "Easy Changes," it says, "When divining, do not rely on death stars or ominous forces related to the Useful God" (the original text here is missing). This creates contradictions, leaving later learners unsure which to follow. Even the Nobleman, Wealth God, and Post Horse verified in this book must be combined with the Useful God being prosperous and strong to be effective; they cannot alone determine fortune or misfortune.

予以為誠意先生千金賦曰：吉凶神煞之多端，何如生剋制化之理，一言以敝之矣。 增刪《黃金策千金賦》第三十四 動靜陰陽，反覆變遷。前動變章註解明白。太過者損之斯成。舊注主事爻重複太多，事不專一，故宜損之。且如土為主事爻多，卦中多逢丑戌辰未，謂之大過，須待寅卯月日剋制土爻，然彼成事，或占時得遇寅卯日月亦好。

I think Liu Ji, known as Master Chenyi, has already explained the essence of divination in the line from "The Thousand Gold Essay" in "The Golden Strategies": "Among the many auspicious and inauspicious factors, how can the principles of generation, overcoming, restriction, and transformation be more important?" The following is an addition and revision of "The Golden Strategies · The Thousand Gold Essay," forming Chapter Thirty-Four. The essay says, "Movement and stillness of yin and yang, constant change and transformation." This principle has already been clearly explained in the previous chapter, "The Chapter on Movement and Transformation." The essay also says, "When something is excessive, it must be reduced to succeed." The old commentary explains that if the main line in the hexagram appears too many times, the matter will not be singular, so it must be reduced by overcoming. For example, if "earth" is the main line, and the hexagram contains many instances of the earthly branches丑 (Chou), 戌 (Xu), 辰 (Chen), and 未 (Wei), which are all earth, this is called "excess." It must wait until the months or days of 寅 (Yin) or 卯 (Mao), which are wood, to overcome the earth line, then the matter can be accomplished. If the hexagram was cast exactly on a 寅 (Yin) or 卯 (Mao) day or month, it is also favorable.

野鶴曰：不獨後逢寅卯月日，得逢辰月辰日者，或許成事，何也？辰乃土之墓庫，謂之用爻重疊，須墓庫以收藏是也，餘仿此。不及者益之則利。何為不及？若主事爻只有一位，又不旺，謂之不及，其事難成。且如金為主事爻，若在夏天占得休囚死煞，若得日辰動爻生之，或得後來逢生助之日月，皆有利益，其事亦成。餘以此論是理。但要主事爻原有根蒂，衰而逢生者，如旱苗得雨也，勃然而興，故謂之有扶有助，衰弱休囚亦吉。只恐衰弱無助，休囚失陷，雖逢生合，亦難生矣，豈不聞制中弱主，難以為持。

The Wild Crane Elder said: It is not only when the month or day is寅 or卯 that things can be accomplished; when the month or day is辰, things can also be accomplished. Why? Because辰 is the "m墓库" of earth. When the useful god appears too many times, it needs the mStorage to store and contain it. The rest can be similarly inferred. The essay says, "If something is lacking, adding to it is beneficial." What does "lacking" mean? When the main line in the hexagram appears only once and is not in its proper season or position, this is called "lacking," and the matter is difficult to accomplish. For example, if "metal" is the main line, and the hexagram is cast in summer, metal is in the "weak and confined" and "dead and exhausted" state. At this time, if the day branch or moving line can generate it, or if later the month or day can generate and support it, it is beneficial for the matter and the matter can still be accomplished. I think this statement is reasonable. However, the prerequisite is that the main line itself has a foundation. When it is weak and receives support, it is like a dry rice plant receiving rain, which will suddenly flourish. Therefore, when there is support, even if the main line is weak and confined, it is considered auspicious. The most dangerous situation is when it is weak and receives no support, or when it is confined and completely lost. In such cases, even if there is generation and harmony, it is difficult to develop. Have you not heard what the ancients said: a weak useful god that is suppressed cannot sustain itself.

生扶拱合，時雨滋苗。克害刑沖，秋霜殺草。前五行生剋、三合六合章、月將日辰章，三刑六害章，註解極明。長生帝旺，爭如金谷之園。死墓絕空，乃是泥犁之地。前《生旺墓絕章》、《空亡章》詳之。日辰為六爻之主宰，月將是萬卜之提綱。前《日辰月將章》詳之。

The essay states: gaining "birth," "support," "supporting," and "harmony" is like timely rain nourishing crops; encountering "overcoming," "harming," "punishment," and "clash" is like autumn frost destroying wild grass. These principles have been clearly explained in the previous chapters: "Five Phases Generation and Overcoming Chapter," "Triple Harmony and Six Harmony Chapter," "Month General and Day Branch Chapter," and "Three Punishments and Six Harm Chapter." The essay further says: when the useful god is in "growth" or "prosperity," it is like being in the wealthy estate of Shi Chong's Gold Valley; when it falls into "death," "burial," "extinction," or "void," it is like falling into the hell of Nīlí. These two lines have been thoroughly discussed in the previous chapters: "Birth, Prosperity, Burial, and Extinction Chapter" and "Void Chapter." The essay then says: the day branch is the master of the six lines, and the month builder is the general principle of all divination. This point has already been explained in detail in the previous chapter: "Day Branch and Month General Chapter."

最惡者歲君，宜靜不宜動。歲君乃當年之太歲是也。或旺動暗沖剋世爻，占年運者，必須是一年中的大事。占官事的，一定得是朝廷的大事，占卜升遷官運以及占卜面聖朝君，或者占卜向聖上請功的，皆宜太歲生合世爻，動而生世更吉。最忌刑沖剋世。除此數占之外，皆與他要等也。何也？太歲雖司一年之令，尊而不親，難仰吉凶，皆不及日月。古以太歲不理家庭瑣事，此理是也。所以太歲沖爻為歲破不以為凶，合爻為歲合不以為吉。爻之衰者，太歲不能生之，爻旺者太歲不能制之，遇月破者即破，逢旬空者旬空，此非月建日建力也？

The text says: The most dreaded is the "yearly sovereign," which is favorable to stillness and unfavorable to movement. The "yearly sovereign" refers to the current year's Tai Sui. If the Tai Sui is prosperous and strong and secretly clashes with the World Line, then when divining about one's annual fortune, the result will be major events of that year; when divining about official matters, the result will be major affairs at the imperial court. For divinations concerning promotion, official career, audience with the emperor, or reporting achievements and requesting rewards, it is favorable for the Tai Sui to generate and harmonize with the World Line. If the Tai Sui is activated and generates the World Line, it is even more auspicious. The most to be avoided is when the Tai Sui clashes, punishes, or harms the World Line. Except for these types of divination, other matters do not require placing such emphasis on the Tai Sui. Why? Although the Tai Sui governs the command of the year, it is noble and distant, and its effects on fortune and misfortune are hard to rely upon. In the end, it is still less effective than the Month Builder and the Day Branch. Ancient people said that the Tai Sui does not concern family affairs, and this is indeed correct. Therefore, when the Tai Sui clashes with a certain line, it is called "yearly break," and it does not necessarily indicate misfortune. When the Tai Sui harmonizes with a certain line, it is called "yearly harmony," and it does not necessarily indicate good fortune. When a line is weak, the Tai Sui cannot generate it; when a line is prosperous and strong, the Tai Sui cannot suppress it. When it should be broken by the Month Breaker, it will be broken; when it should be empty in the ten-day cycle, it will be empty. This shows clearly that the real factors at work are not the Tai Sui, but the Month Builder and the Day Branch.

野鶴曰：作當年禍福，不以為重，作後世之吉凶，其實不輕。且如主事爻屬木爻，卦中申酉金動，謂之木被金傷，縱使木旺金衰，目下可保無事，後遇申酉歲難免其殃。如巳月壬子日占鄉試得水地比 妻財子水″應　　妻財子水″應 兄弟戌土′　　兄弟戌土′ 子孫申金″　　子孫申金″ 官鬼卯木″世　　官鬼卯木″世 父母巳火″　　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 巳月父爻當月建文星旺矣，獨嫌官星持世，卯木旬空，許之卯科方得遂意。子年占，果於卯年登科。卯年者，太歲填實不空也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Viewing the Tai Su as the master of fortune and misfortune for the current year is not very significant; but viewing it as a sign for future events is indeed important. For example, if the main element in the hexagram is wood, and the metal elements of Sheng and You are active in the hexagram, this is called 'wood being harmed by metal'. Even if the wood is strong and the metal is weak, there may be no problem now, but when encountering the years of Sheng or You, the disaster will eventually come. For instance, if a hexagram is cast on the day of Renzi in the month of Si for the imperial examination, the hexagram is Bi (Hexagram 8), and the six lines from top to bottom are: wife wealth water (responding line), brothers戌 earth, children申 metal, official ghost卯 wood (the main line), parents巳 fire, brothers未 earth, and all six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. The month of Si is the month builder for the parents' line, indicating the star of literature is very strong. However, the official ghost line of卯 wood is holding the main line but is in 'shen kong' (void), so I predicted that he would achieve his wish in the year of卯. The hexagram was cast in the year of Zi, and indeed he passed the examination in the year of卯. The prediction came true in the year of卯 because the Tai Su of that year filled the void of the卯 wood.

不驗者身位，宜刪而不宜存。舊係最要者身位，喜扶而不喜傷。原注有云，古用身世而不驗，故用卦身。野鶴曰卦身亦不驗，亦用世爻。或曰間有驗者。餘用世爻，百發無不百中也。然間有之驗，乃偶然湊合耳，何足為法。世為己，應為人，大宜生合。世為自己，應為他人，凡兼彼此之事，兼而用之，欲他扶助我者，喜應爻生合世爻。我欲代他而謀事者，亦世爻而生應也，兼彼此而不應也。

The original text says, "Most important is the position of the hexagram body; it is favorable when supported but not when harmed." The Wild Crane Elder changed it to, "The hexagram body is not reliable; it should be deleted rather than kept." Old annotations say that ancient people used the "world line" and it was not effective, so they changed to use the "hexagram body." The Wild Crane Elder says that the hexagram body is also not reliable, and it should still be the "world line" that is used. Some people say the hexagram body sometimes works. I always use the world line, and it is always accurate; those occasional instances of success are just coincidences, and cannot be established as a rule. The original text says, "The world line represents oneself, the response line represents others; it is most suitable for them to generate and harmonize with each other." The world line represents oneself, the response line represents others. For matters involving both parties, both lines should be considered together: if one hopes for the other's support, then the response line should generate and harmonize with the world line; if one is trying to help the other, then the world line should generate the response line. For matters concerning oneself alone, there is no need to involve the response line.

如卯月辛巳占自陳何如 得恆之升 妻財戌土″應　　官鬼酉金″ 官鬼申金″　　父母亥水″ 子孫午火′　　動　　妻財丑土″世 官鬼酉金′世　　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″應 余曰：酉官持世破而且空，又動出午火，相剋，不獨削職，須防五六月還見凶災。或曰，幸得世應相生，又變升卦，必相救解，余曰，自占自陳，與應何干，此迂腐之論也，果於五月下獄。

For example, on a day of Xinsi (辛巳) in the month of Mao (卯), someone cast a hexagram for his own matter of self-reporting to the court for examination, and obtained the hexagram Heng (雷风恒) changing to Sheng (地风升). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: wife wealth in the earth element (戌土, 应爻), official ghost in the metal element (申金), children in the fire element (午火, 动爻), official ghost in the metal element (酉金, 世爻), parents in the water element (亥水), and wife wealth in the earth element (丑土). The lines of the changing hexagram are: official ghost in the metal element (酉金), parents in the water element (亥水), wife wealth in the earth element (丑土, 世爻), official ghost in the metal element (酉金), parents in the water element (亥水), and wife wealth in the earth element (丑土, 应爻). I said: the official star in the metal element (酉金) holds the world line, which is both broken by the month and falls in the旬空, and the hexagram also moves out the fire element (午火) to overcome it. Therefore, not only will he be demoted, but he should also beware of another misfortune in May or June. A bystander said: Fortunately, the world and response lines are in mutual generation, and the primary hexagram changes to Sheng (升), so there must be someone to help and resolve the matter. I said: When one casts a hexagram for his own affairs, how can the response line be relevant? This is a foolish opinion. Later, this person was indeed imprisoned in May.

動為始，變為終，最怕交爭。動爻為事之始，變爻為事之終，不宜互相沖克。應位遭傷，不利他人之事，世爻受制，豈宜自己之謀。自占者，宜世爻旺相，或臨日月，或日月動爻扶助，或動而化吉，諸占皆吉。占他人以應爻為用，喜他旺者，宜臨旺相之地，又宜日月動爻以生扶；喜他衰者，宜臨墓絕空之鄉，及被日月動爻沖剋。世應俱空，人無準實。世空自己不真，應空他人不實，世應俱空，彼此皆無準實。內外競發，事必翻騰。卦中動爻少者，吉凶自有條理，容易剖斷。若內卦外卦紛紛亂動，則吉凶不定，必人情不常，事體反覆，全無定論，須再占一卦，合而決之。

The text says, "Movement signifies the beginning, change signifies the end; it is most feared when they clash." The moving line represents the beginning of an affair, while the changing line represents its conclusion; the two should not clash or control each other. The text also says, "If the response line is harmed, it is not favorable for matters concerning others; if the world line is restricted, it is not suitable for one's own plans." When divining for oneself, the world line should be prosperous and strong, or the world line should be in the same position as the day or month builder, or be supported by the day or month moving lines, or transform into a favorable image; in such cases, all divinations are favorable. When divining for others, the response line is considered the useful god: if one hopes for the other's prosperity, the response line should be in a prosperous and strong position and be supported by the day and month moving lines; if one hopes for the other's decline, the response line should be in the墓, 绝, or 空 positions and be clashed or controlled by the day and month moving lines. The text says, "If both the world and response lines are empty, there is no certainty." If the world line is empty, then one's side is not genuine; if the response line is empty, then the other's side is not real; when both lines are empty, neither side can be relied upon. The text also says, "If inner and outer trigrams both move, affairs will surely be turbulent." When there are few moving lines in the hexagram, good or bad fortune is clear and easy to determine; but if both inner and outer trigrams move disorderly, good or bad fortune becomes uncertain, and people's feelings will be fickle, affairs will be turbulent, and there will be no definite conclusion; in such cases, one should cast another hexagram and combine the two hexagrams to make a judgment.

世或交重，兩目自顧瞻於馬首。應如發動，一心似托於猿攀。舊注世應皆不動，動則反覆不常，如馬首，似猿攀，意以無寧。野鶴曰：吾不敢以之為是，亦不敢以為非。此乃用不旺，象不成之說也。若用爻得地，大象當成，世動不受剋制，應動三合世爻，圖事成之更速。

The text says: If the World Line moves, a person's mind is like staring at a horse's head, restless and unsettled; if the Response Line moves, the other party's thoughts are like a monkey climbing branches, without a place to rest. Old commentaries take this to mean that both the World and Response Lines should be still, and if they move, they become fickle and restless. The Wild Crane Elder says: I dare not confirm whether this is right or wrong. What is actually being described here is a situation where the Useful God is weak and the卦's overall image is not formed. If the Useful God is strong and the卦's overall image naturally indicates success, then the movement of the World Line without being restrained and the movement of the Response Line forming a Triple Harmony with the World Line will actually make things happen more quickly.

用爻有氣無他故，所作皆成。主象徒存更被傷，凡謀不遂。用爻及主象，即主事之爻也。或旺有生扶，或有氣並無他爻剋制，事之必成。倘衰弱無力又逢剋制，雖則出現亦無用矣。爻遇旬空，逢沖而有用。旬空得遇日辰沖者，謂之沖空，實不為空，反為有用。倘動爻空者，日辰沖之更實。

The text says, "If the main line has vitality without other factors, all actions will succeed; if the main image exists but is harmed, all plans will fail." Here, both "main line" and "main image" refer to the main line involved in the matter. It either is prosperous and strong with support, or although not in its season, it has vitality and is not restrained by other lines, and the matter will certainly succeed. If it is weak and restrained, even if it appears in the hexagram, it is as if it does not exist. The text also says, "A line encountering the ten-day period void, when confronted by a clash, becomes useful." A line that falls in the ten-day period void, if moved by the day branch, is called "clashing with the void," which actually no longer counts as void, but becomes useful. If the void line is a moving line, and the day branch again clashes with it, it becomes even more concrete.

合遭破以無功。舊注爻相合，如兩人同心，事必克濟。若日月動爻沖剋者，則為合處逢沖。須防小人挑唆，合好之中，以生疑忌。只在自為之事者，亦被旁人挑阻，我事難成。餘得驗者，凡三合六合，雖不宜目下日月動爻沖剋，又宜後來之月沖開。正所謂如逢合住，沖破成功。且如爻中寅與亥合，事若在申巳之日月方成其事，餘仿此。古之不動，宜為之合，非也，兩爻皆動，始為合。

The text says, "When a combination is broken, it will achieve nothing." The old commentary explains: when two lines are in harmony, it is like two people working together with the same mind, and the matter will certainly succeed; but if it is attacked by the day or month lines or moving lines, this is called "harmony met with conflict," and one should beware of small people stirring up trouble, causing suspicion in a previously harmonious situation; even if it is a matter concerning oneself alone, it will be obstructed by others and fail. My verification shows that: all instances of "triple harmony" and "six harmony" should not be attacked by the day or month lines or moving lines at present, but they also need a later month to resolve the conflict, as it is said, "when harmony is met, it is only when the conflict is broken that success is achieved." For example, if the trigram contains the combination of寅 and亥, the matter will be completed only in the month and day of申 or巳; other cases can be similarly inferred. As for the old view that two lines at rest are considered harmonious, that is incorrect; true harmony requires both lines to be active.

動空化空，皆成凶吉。舊係必成凶。餘得驗者，動不為空，動而化空，亦不為空，吉凶皆應沖空實空之日，予故更之。刑合克合，終見乖淫。舊注合者，和合也。見之為吉，殊不知合中有刑有克，畢竟不合。用午字為財爻，寅為福神，因午字帶自刑，名為刑合，不以為合，而為刑也。野鶴曰：午既自刑，乃自有刑害之禍，得福神而作合，是救解其禍矣，反不為吉者，非也。余嘗得驗，世爻午火，化未相合，已定重刑，後競得釋放，免於災禍。動逢合而絆住。舊注忌神動逢日月相合，則不成凶。原神動逢日月合住則不濟事。此亦有理，餘得驗者，後逢沖開之日月，吉凶俱成。

The original text says, "When a line moves and becomes empty, it all becomes凶 (misfortune)." The Wild Crane Elder changed it to "all become either凶 or吉 (good or bad)." My verification shows that once a line moves, it is no longer considered empty. Even if it changes into an empty line, it is still not considered empty. Whether it is good or bad should be determined on the day when it is either冲空 (conflict with emptiness) or填实 (filled in). Therefore, I changed this sentence. The text says, "When there is刑 (punishment) and合 (union), eventually there is discord." The old commentary says that合 means harmony, which is considered good. But it does not realize that there is刑 and克 (punishment and conflict) within the合, so it cannot be considered true harmony. For example, if午 (a fire trigram) represents wealth and寅 (a wood trigram) represents the origin god, since午 has "自刑" (self-punishment), this is called "刑合" (punishment and union). It should not be considered as a union, but as punishment. The Wild Crane Elder said that since午 has self-punishment, it already brings punishment and harm. Now that the origin god comes to unite with it, it should resolve this disaster, but this is considered bad, which is wrong. I personally tested this: in a certain hexagram, the world line is午 fire, which changes into未 earth to unite with it. At that time, a serious punishment was already decided, but later he was released and escaped disaster. The text says, "When a line moves and is caught by a union." The old commentary says that if the hostile god moves and is caught by the sun or moon, it will not be凶; if the origin god moves and is caught by the sun or moon, it will not be helpful. This has some truth. My verification shows that when the month or day comes to break this union, whether it is good or bad will be realized.

如未月庚寅日占官運。 官鬼未土″　　兄弟子水″應 父母酉金′　　官鬼戌土′ 兄弟亥水′世　　動　　父母申金″ 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′世 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′應　　子孫卯木′ 斷曰：世臨亥水，今歲子年，太歲拱扶，九五酉金，雖不發動，亦有生意。世爻又化回頭生，又得日辰相合，六爻未土官星當權得令，仕途平坦，如順水行舟也。惟疑權操兩省，不為不當，如何兄爻持世，財伏被克，此美中不足也。公問，後日何如。余曰：防巳年太歲沖害，刑申，不無蹭蹬榮歸之日，只落得四海一空囊耳。果於巳年被論，宦囊消索。此乃世逢合而絆住，逢沖之年月則開。

For example, on the day of Gengyin with the month of Wei, divining about official career. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: official ghost (guan gui) of earth (wei tu), parents (fu mu) of metal (you jin), siblings (xiong xie) of water (hai shui) (world line, active), siblings of water (hai shui), official ghost of earth (chou tu), children (zun zi) of wood (mao mu) (response). The changing hexagram is: siblings of water (zi shui) (response), official ghost of earth (xu tu), parents of metal (shen jin), siblings of water (hai shui) (world line), official ghost of earth (chou tu), children of wood (mao mu). I interpreted: the world line is water (hai shui), the current year is the year of zi, the heavenly stem of zi water supports the world line. The fifth line, metal (you jin) parents, although not active, also has the meaning of generating the world line. The world line also changes into metal (shen jin), forming 'returning generation', and also combines with the day branch (yin mu). The top line, earth (wei tu) official ghost, is in authority and in season, the official career is smooth, like sailing on water. However, he holds power in two provinces, his status is not inappropriate, but the sibling line holds the world line, and the wealth line is hidden and attacked, which is a minor flaw. He asked about the future, I said: be cautious of the year of si, the heavenly stem of si, which conflicts with the world line (hai shui), and also harms the changed metal (shen jin). It is feared that there will be a setback and dismissal from office, returning home empty-handed. In the end, he was indeed impeached in the year of si, his wealth was completely spent. This is exactly the case where the world line 'meets and is blocked by a combination', once the year opens this combination, the matter occurs.

靜逢沖而暗興。暗動章註解極明。入墓難克。舊注墓者，滯也。忌神入墓不克用神。且如木為用神，金為忌神，若在丑日占者，金入墓矣，焉能克木。卦中動出丑爻，亦向此推。金爻動而化丑亦是，餘仿此。

The essay says, "When stillness meets a clash, it secretly rises." This point was clearly explained in the previous chapter on "Covert Movement." The essay also says, "When a god enters its tomb, it is difficult to overcome." Old commentaries explain that a tomb signifies stagnation; when a hostile god enters its tomb, it cannot overcome the useful god. For example, if wood is the useful god and metal is the hostile god, and the hexagram is cast on the day of Chou, then metal enters its tomb in Chou and cannot overcome wood. If the hexagram has a moving line of Chou, the same principle applies; if the metal line moves and transforms into Chou earth, it is the same situation, and other cases can be similarly inferred.

野鶴曰：是則是也，屢見後逢沖開墓庫日，依然木被金傷。帶旺非空。旺者乃旺之爻而遇旬空不作空論，倘遇本日之日辰沖者，謂之空逢沖而有用，遇後日之日辰沖，謂之沖起，過此一旬而出空者，謂之填實，但不為之空也，倘若發動更不為空。

The Wild Crane Elder said: This statement is indeed correct, but I have often seen that on the day when the Storage is opened, the wood is still harmed by metal. The essay says, "When a yao is prosperous, it is not empty": if a yao is itself prosperous and strong but also meets the旬空, it should not be considered as empty. If it is affected by the day branch on the day of the divination, it is called "empty met by a冲 and thus useful"; if it is affected by the day branch on some later day, it is called "冲起"; if after this旬 it escapes the empty period, it is called "filling in". These situations are not considered as empty. If the yao also moves, it is even less considered as empty.

有助有扶，衰弱休囚亦吉。此指主事爻而言，且如主事爻無氣本為不美，若得日辰與動爻生扶拱合，即為得助，與前不及者益之則利相同。貪生貪合，刑沖剋害皆忘。此亦指主事爻而言，且如主象臨卯木，遇申爻動而克之，卦中動出亥水，申金貪水之生，不來克木。又如主事爻臨子水欲卯木動而相刑，若得旁爻動出戌字，卯與戌合，不來刑子，此乃貪合忘刑。又如用爻臨巳字，卦中動出亥水，動克一火，若得卯木同動，亥卯未合成木局，反來生火，亦謂之貪合忘克忘沖，餘皆仿此。

The essay says, "With assistance and support, even a weak and confined element can be auspicious," referring to the main element in the divination. For example, if the main element is without strength, it is not considered good, but if it receives support from the day branch and the moving line through birth, assistance, mutual support, or combination, it is called "receiving assistance," which is the same as the meaning of "if something is lacking, adding to it brings benefit." The essay also says, "Desiring life and combination, punishments, clashes, and harm are forgotten," which also refers to the main element. For instance, if the main element is卯 wood and 申 metal moves to harm it, but the hexagram also has 亥 water moving, the 申 metal desires to generate 亥 water, so it no longer harms the wood. Another example is when the main element is 子 water, and there is a 卯 wood moving to harm it, but if another line moves out 戌 earth, and 卯 and 戌 combine, then 卯 no longer harms 子, which is called "forgetting punishment due to combination." Another example is when the useful element is 巳 fire, and the hexagram has 亥 water moving to harm it, but if 卯 wood also moves, and 亥, 卯, and 未 form a wood trinity, the wood then generates fire instead, which is called "forgetting harm and forgetting clash due to combination." Other situations can be understood in the same way.

別衰旺以明克合，辨動靜以定刑沖。衰旺克合，前五行生剋章及四時旺相章中已註明白。動靜刑沖，前動變章已註明。併不併因多字眼，合非合因少支神。舊注卦爻既成，未免有刑沖併合，然多一字不成其名，少一字亦不成刑沖併合之名也。且如子日卜卦，卦中有一子字而謂之並，若有二字則分開而太過也，名雖為並，其實不能並之，二午則不沖，二卯則不刑，二巳則不克，此多一字，不成刑沖剋害之名。野鶴曰：若爻中二子不合二丑，名為合，不成者，亦有理也。若以日辰不能並爻出之二子不能沖爻中之二午者非也，日月如天，無處不沾雨露，不然何以為之巡查六爻之善惡。

The essay says, "Distinguish between prosperity and decline to clarify mutual generation and destruction, and discern movement and stillness to determine punishment and clash." Prosperity and decline, as well as mutual generation and destruction, have already been explained in the previous chapters on the Five Phases and the Four Seasons. Movement and stillness, as well as punishment and clash, have also been noted in the previous chapter on dynamic changes. The essay further states, "A single character does not constitute a name, and a lack of a character also fails to form a name." Old commentaries explain that once the hexagram and its lines are arranged, there are inevitably instances of punishment, clash, conjunction, and mutual destruction. However, adding an extra character makes the name invalid, and lacking one also fails to form the name. For example, if a day branch is Zi, and the hexagram contains only one Zi, it is called "conjunction." If there are two Zis, the power is dispersed and excessive, so although it is called "conjunction," it does not actually form one. Similarly, two Wus in the hexagram do not count as clash, two Maos do not count as punishment, and two Sis do not count as mutual destruction—this is because an extra character invalidates the name of punishment, clash, or mutual destruction. The Wild Crane Elder says: If two Zis in the hexagram are paired with two Chous, and it is called "conjunction" but in reality it does not form one, this is still acceptable. However, if it is claimed that the day branch cannot "conjunction" with two Zis in the hexagram or cannot "clash" with two Wus, that is incorrect. The sun and moon are like heaven, omnipresent, otherwise how could they inspect the good and evil of the six lines?

即如丑月壬子日占訟 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′應　　兄弟申金′應 官鬼午火′　　官鬼午火′ 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″世　　官鬼午火″世 父母辰土″　　父母辰土″ 斷：世臨午火，子日沖之，休囚為日破，不為暗動，今日若審，必有責罰，果於本日見官責杖二十，此即卦見二午，豈可謂之一子不沖二午耶，又曰寅巳申為三刑，若有寅巳二字，而無申字，或有寅申二字，而無巳字，但少一字，不成三刑，又曰亥卯未為三合，卦有二，內少一字者，不成三合。

For example, if a case is cast on the day of Renzi (壬子) in the month of Chou (丑), the six lines from top to bottom are: Parents Wu Earth, Brothers Shen Metal (responding line), Official Ghost Wu Fire, Brothers Shen Metal, Official Ghost Wu Fire (world line), Parents Chen Earth, and all six lines are still. The interpretation states: The world line is Wu Fire, which is attacked by the day's Renzi. Wu Fire is weak and confined in the month of Chou, so this attack constitutes 'day break', and it cannot be considered as 'covert movement'. If someone is to appear in court today, they will certainly be punished. Indeed, that day the person was summoned and received twenty strokes of the cane. In this hexagram there are two Wu Fires, so how can it be said that one Renzi does not affect both Wu Fires? Old annotations also say that Yin, Si, and Shen form the three punishments; if the hexagram contains only Yin and Si but not Shen, or only Yin and Shen but not Si, lacking one element makes the three punishments incomplete. Similarly, Hai, Mao, and Wei form the triple harmony; if the hexagram contains only two of these elements but not the third, the triple harmony is not formed.

野鶴曰：此二者皆非其說，殊不知虛一待用，待後時之月日可以填之。如巳月未日占久病得困之兌卦 父母未土″　　父母未土″世 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′應　　子孫亥水′ 官鬼午火″　　父母丑土″應 父母辰土′　　妻財卯木′ 妻財寅木″世　　動　　官鬼巳火′ 斷曰：世爻寅木化出巳爻，寅能刑巳，三刑少申字，防申日之危，果卒於申日，此乃少一字，得後來之申日補之，豈可謂少一字不成三刑耶。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Neither of these two statements is correct. One should not be unaware that in divination, the concept of 'leaving one empty for future use' applies, and the missing element will be filled by the later month and day. For example, if a person with a long illness is divined on the fourth month and sixth day, the hexagram obtained is 'Kun (Hexagram 47)泽水困' changing to 'Dui (Hexagram 58)兑为泽'. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents in the earth element of the sixth heaven, siblings in the metal element of the eighth hour, children in the water element of the tenth heaven (responding line), official ghost in the fire element of the fifth heaven, parents in the earth element of the third heaven, and wealth in the wood element of the first heaven (the world line, which is active). The resulting hexagram is: parents in the earth element of the sixth heaven (the world line), siblings in the metal element of the eighth hour, children in the water element of the tenth heaven, parents in the earth element of the second heaven (responding line), wealth in the wood element of the fourth hour, and official ghost in the fire element of the sixth heaven. The interpretation is: the world line, which is the wood element of the first heaven, changes to the fire element of the sixth heaven. The wood element of the first heaven can be in conflict with the fire element of the sixth heaven. The three punishments of wood, fire, and metal are missing the element of metal, which is the seventh heaven. One should be cautious of danger on the seventh day. The person indeed died on the seventh day. This is an example where the hexagram is missing one element, which is later filled by the seventh day. How can one say that missing one element makes the three punishments incomplete?

如酉月乙巳日占升遷得澤地萃之天地否 父母未土″　　動　　父母戌土′應 兄弟酉金′應　　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　　妻財卯木″世 官鬼巳火″世　　官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″　　父母未土″ 斷曰：巳火官星持世由臨日建，卜書曰官臨日月即升，且巳日沖動亥月與發動之未爻，欲成三合，因少卯字，明年卯月必升，此乃虛一待用，果升於卯月，豈可謂之少一字不成三合耶。

For example, on the day of Yisi (乙巳) in the month of You (酉), someone consulted about a promotion, and obtained the hexagram Cui (泽地萃) changing into Pi (天地否). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents in Wei earth (active), brothers in You metal (responding), children in Hai water, wealth in Mao wood, official ghost in Si fire (the subject), and parents in Wei earth again. The changing hexagram is: parents in Xu earth (responding), brothers in Shen metal, official ghost in Wu fire, wealth in Mao wood (the subject), official ghost in Si fire, and parents in Wei earth. The interpretation states: the official ghost in Si fire holds the subject position, and it is exactly the day's foundation, and the divination book says 'the official is near the sun and moon, which means promotion'. Moreover, the Si fire on the day triggers the fourth line Hai water, and together with the active Wei earth, it seems to form the triple harmony of Hai, Mao, and Wei. Only the Mao wood is missing, so promotion is certain in the next year's Mao month. This is exactly 'virtual one waiting to be used'. Later, he was indeed promoted in the Mao month. How can we say that missing one character prevents the triple harmony?

爻遇令星物難我害。日辰月建章註解極明。伏居空地事與心違。伏，伏神也。伏也又空，諸事難成之象。舊存占驗丙申日占文書 子孫酉金″應 妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′世 官鬼寅木′　　伏父母巳火 妻財子水′ 斷曰：以父母爻為用神，此卦六爻無父母巳火，父母伏於妻財寅木之下，又遇旬空，所以文書不成。野鶴曰：伏而又空，事之不成者是也。但此卦文書之不成者，非因空也，乃因飛神在寅，伏神在巳與申日作三刑之故耳，何也。申日沖動，寅木以生巳火謂之飛來生伏得長生，伏神既得長生，則為有氣不空，不然何以謂之飛不沖開亦枉然，餘故曰：非因空也，三刑也。

The essay says, "When a line meets its commanding star, things are difficult and harmful to me." This layer is clearly explained in the chapter "On the Day Branch and Month Builder." The essay also says, "When a hidden god is in an empty place, things do not go as desired." "Hidden god" refers to the hidden god, and if it is hidden again and meets the旬空 (a period of emptiness), it indicates that all matters are difficult to accomplish. An old book contains an example of divination: on a day of Bingshen (丙申), someone asked about a public document. The six lines from top to bottom were: the Children (children) in酉金 (western gold), Wealth (wealth) in亥水 (water of the亥), Siblings (siblings) in丑土 (earth of the丑), Siblings (siblings) in辰土 (earth of the辰) (the subject), Official Ghost (official ghost) in寅木 (wood of the寅) (parents in巳火, hidden beneath it), and Wealth (wealth) in子水 (water of the子). The old interpretation said: for divination on documents, the parents are the useful god. In this hexagram, the parents in巳火 are not visible among the six lines. The parents are hidden beneath the second line,寅木, and also meet the旬空, so the document cannot be processed. The Wild Crane Elder said: when something is hidden and empty, things cannot be accomplished. This statement is correct. However, in this hexagram, the reason the document cannot be processed is not because of the emptiness, but because the flying god is寅, the hidden god is巳, and together with the day of申, they form the three punishments of寅,巳, and申. Why? On the day of申, the申 impels the寅 wood, and the寅 wood then generates the巳 fire. This is called "the flying god generates the hidden god." The巳 fire is also born in寅, so the hidden god gains growth, which means it has vitality and is not empty. Otherwise, how could the saying "even if the flying god does not impel, it is still futile" be said? Therefore, I say: the reason the document cannot be processed is not because of the emptiness, but because of the three punishments.

伏無提攜終徒耳，飛不沖開亦枉然。凡用神不現，伏於卦中，須宜月建日辰，沖開飛神，生合扶起飛神，即為有用。空下伏易於引拔。伏神不空而飛神空，易於出現，何也，飛神即空，乃上無壓住之爻也，而伏神再得月建日辰生扶拱合，脫然出矣。制中弱主難以維持。用爻休囚又被月建日辰制服，縱遇生扶，亦不濟事也。

The essay states, "If the hidden god is not supported, it remains useless; if the flying god is not activated, it is in vain." When the useful god is not present in the hexagram but hidden within it, it must rely on the month builder and day branch to activate the flying god by冲 (conflict), and to generate and support the hidden god through generation and harmony, so that the hidden god can be effective. The essay also says, "A hidden god that is not empty is easy to promote." If the hidden god is not empty while the flying god is empty, the hidden god is more likely to emerge. Why? When the flying god falls into an empty position, there is no yao (line) above it to restrain it, and if the hidden god receives support, generation, support, and harmony from the month builder and day branch, it naturally emerges. The essay also says, "If the useful god is weak and confined, it is difficult to maintain." If the useful god is already weak and confined, and is further suppressed by the month builder and day branch, even if there is other support, it will be of no help.

如辰月丙辰日占地下忽然起五色之光疑有古窖。 父母巳火′　　官鬼寅木′應 兄弟未土″　　妻財子水″ 子孫酉金′世　　動　　兄弟戌土″ 兄弟丑土″　　動　　子孫酉金′世 官鬼卯木′　　妻財亥水′ 父母巳火′應　　動　　兄弟丑土″ 余曰：財伏而空，全無影響，伊曰：既是無財，何故有五色之光，余曰，乃妖氣也。彼時人人望財，議論紛紛，有曰子動爻中，兄弟交重偏有望，此卦兄動生子，子動生財，又是內卦合成金局生水旺，何曰無財。余曰，爾知其一，不知其二，子孫雖旺，不生無蒂之財。子水伏而有空，又被日月飛神剋制，財從何來，後競掘之，掘破缸一口，盡是瓦屑泥土。

For example, on a day of Bingchen with the month of Chen, someone saw a flash of five-colored light suddenly rising from the ground, suspecting there might be an ancient hidden treasure underground. He cast a hexagram. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Parents in Si fire, Brothers in Wei earth, Children in You metal (the world line, which is active), Brothers in Chou earth (active), Official Ghost in Mao wood, and Parents in Si fire (the responding line, which is active). The resulting hexagram was: Official Ghost in Yin wood (the responding line), Wealth in Zi water, Brothers in Xu earth, Children in You metal (the world line), Wealth in Hai water, and Brothers in Chou earth. I said: The wealth line is hidden and falls into an empty position, so there is no real wealth. He said: If there is no wealth, why did the five-colored light appear? I said: That is the aura of a demon. At that time, everyone was hoping to find wealth, and there was much discussion. Some people said that the book of divination states, "When the son line moves, brothers overlapping may indicate hope." In this hexagram, the brother line moves and generates the children line, and the children line moves and generates wealth. The inner trigram forms a metal group, and water is strong. How can you say there is no wealth? I said: You know only one part, not the other. Although the children line is strong, it cannot generate rootless wealth. The water line is hidden and falls into an empty position, and it is also restrained by the day branch, month builder, and flying god. From where can wealth come? Later, they actually dug, but only found a broken jar filled with broken tiles and soil.

日傷爻真罹其禍，爻傷日徒受其名。日月如天如君，六爻如臣如萬物。日辰能刑沖剋害得卦爻，而卦爻不能刑沖剋害日月。墓中人不沖不發。舊注大抵用爻入墓，則被阻滯，諸事費力難成，須得日辰動爻沖破或克破其墓，方有力也。

The text says, "If the day branch harms the line, the line truly suffers the consequence; if the line harms the day, it is only a name." The day branch and month builder are like heaven and the sovereign, while the six lines are like ministers and all things. The day branch can punish, clash, or control the hexagram lines, but the hexagram lines cannot punish, clash, or control the day or month builder; they can only bear the name of harm. The text also says, "Those in the grave will not emerge unless they are stirred." Old annotations explain: generally, if the useful god is in the grave, it will face obstacles everywhere, and all affairs will be difficult and hard to accomplish. It must rely on the day branch or the moving line to break or control the grave, so that the useful god can exert its power.

如戊寅日占財得同人之乾卦 子孫戌土′應　　子孫戌土′世 妻財申金′　　妻財申金′ 兄弟午火′　　兄弟午火′ 官鬼亥水′世　　子孫辰土′應 子孫丑土″　　動　　父母寅木′ 父母卯木′　　官鬼子水′ 用爻入墓，喜得日辰克破，後果得財。以用空入墓許以無財者，非也，殊不知雖空而遇沖，沖空則實，雖墓而克破，破墓則開。野鶴曰：此極有理，屢試屢驗，但要用神有力，方可許之，倘若用神休囚無氣，雖遇沖開之日，亦難發矣。

For example, on a Wuyin day, someone asked about seeking wealth and got the hexagram 'Heavenly Fire Tong Ren' changing to 'Heaven Qian'. The primary hexagram from top to bottom is: children in the戌 earth, wife's wealth in the申 metal, siblings in the午 fire, official ghost in the亥 water (the world), children in the丑 earth (active), and parents in the卯 wood. The changing hexagram is: children in the戌 earth (the world), wife's wealth in the申 metal, siblings in the午 fire, children in the辰 earth (the response), parents in the寅 wood, and official ghost in the子 water. The useful god, the申 metal, is in the丑 earth's tomb, but fortunately the day branch,寅 wood, breaks the丑 earth, and later he indeed gained wealth. If one only considers the useful god being both empty and in the tomb and concludes there will be no wealth, that would be wrong. In fact, although the useful god is empty, it is also being stirred by the conflict, which breaks the emptiness and fills it. Although the useful god is in the tomb, the tomb is broken by the day branch, so the tomb is opened. The Wild Crane Elder said: this is very reasonable, I have tested it many times and it has worked. However, it is necessary for the useful god itself to have strength in order to make such a prediction. If the useful god is weak and confined, even on a day when the tomb is opened, it is difficult for it to be activated.

如未月戊辰日占年運。 子孫酉金″　　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″世 兄弟丑土″應　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土″　　動　　子孫申金′ 官鬼寅木″　　父母午火″應 妻財子水′世　　動　　兄弟辰土″ 斷曰：世爻子水是申子辰三合水局，不宜日月克世，世爻化回頭克，動爻辰土又克，此乃世爻休囚無氣也，卯年占，卒於午年，應午年者，世臨歲破之年也，豈可謂之墓中人不沖不發耶。

For example, on a day of Wu-Chen (戊辰) in the month of Wei (未), a divination is made about the annual fortune. The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children You Metal (Children in the Metal酉), Wealth Hai Water (Wealth in the Water亥), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings in the Earth丑) (response), Brothers Chen Earth (Siblings in the Earth辰) (moving), Official Ghost Yin Wood (Official Ghost in the Wood寅), Wealth Zi Water (Wealth in the Water子) (world line, moving). The resulting hexagram is: Children You Metal (Children in the Metal酉), Wealth Hai Water (Wealth in the Water亥) (world line), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings in the Earth丑), Children Shen Metal (Children in the Metal申), Parents Wu Fire (Parents in the Fire午) (response), Brothers Chen Earth (Siblings in the Earth辰). The interpretation states: The world line, which is the Water Zi, forms a triple harmony with the transformed metal Shen and the moving earth Chen, creating the water triple (申子辰). Unfortunately, the day branch and the month builder both attack the world line. The world line itself transforms into earth Chen, forming a "backward control" (回头克). Additionally, the moving line of earth Chen also attacks it, indicating a situation where the world line is weak and confined (休囚无气). The divination was made in the year of Mao (卯), and the person dies in the year of Wu (午). The prediction comes true in the year of Wu because the water world line (子) encounters the "year breaking" (岁破) in the year of Wu. This clearly shows that it is not always correct to say "a person buried in the earth does not rise unless there is a collision."

身上鬼不去不安。諸占最怕克世，獨官鬼持世者，若非職役之人，最宜日月動爻相沖克，反為吉矣，何也，非克世爻，乃克去身邊之鬼。如午月癸丑日占妻病 父母未土″　　子孫子水″應 兄弟酉金′應　　父母戌土′ 子孫亥水′　　動　　兄弟申金″ 妻財卯木″　　妻財卯木″世 官鬼巳火″世　　官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″　　父母未土″ 問來人病得幾時，彼曰三月病起，余曰卯日財空，明日出空，必定退災，彼曰，醫空不藥矣。余曰，不妨，此卦亥水子孫獨發，克去世爻之鬼，應在明日寅日，寅與亥合，合起子孫之日，爾無憂也，果於次日退災，不藥而癒，亦不獨此，又因卯木財空，次日出空而退災。

The text says, "If the ghost on one's body does not leave, there will be unrest." In divination, the most feared situation is when the hexagram line clashes with the world line. However, when the official ghost occupies the world line, if the person is not working in government service, it is actually favorable for the sun and moon lines to clash with it. This is beneficial because it does not clash with the world line itself, but rather removes the ghost that is attached to the person. For example, on a癸丑 day in the午 month, someone asked about his wife's illness. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth element of the earth, brothers in the metal element of the酉,Children in the water element of the亥 (which is moving), wife's wealth in the wood element of the卯, official ghost in the fire element of the巳 (which is the world line), and parents in the earth element of the earth. The resulting hexagram was:子孙 in the water element of the子 (which is the responding line), parents in the earth element of the戌, brothers in the metal element of the申, wife's wealth in the wood element of the卯 (which is the world line), official ghost in the fire element of the巳, and parents in the earth element of the earth. I asked the person how long his wife had been ill, and he said she had fallen ill three months ago. I said, "The wood element of the卯, which represents wealth, is currently empty. It will be filled tomorrow, and the disaster will certainly be removed." He said, "The medicine and treatment have not worked." I said, "No problem. In this hexagram, the water element of the亥, which represents子孙, is the only one that is moving. It is clashing with the official ghost on the world line, which should be on the next day of寅. The寅 and亥 are in harmony, which is the day when the子孙 combines with the world line. You have no need to worry." The next day, the illness indeed improved, and she recovered without taking any medicine. This is not only because of the above reason, but also because the wood element of the卯, which represents wealth, was originally empty. It became filled the next day, and the disaster was removed.

曾如辰月戊子日占小舟過關恐盤阻得水地比變澤山咸卦。 妻財子水″應　　兄弟未土″應 兄弟戌土′　　子孫酉金′ 子孫申金″　　動　　妻財亥水′ 官鬼卯木″世　　動　　子孫申金′世 父母巳火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟辰土″ 世爻之鬼，乃滿腹憂疑之象，申金克去身邊之鬼則無憂也。果於卯日過關，並無阻滯。

For example, on a day with the heavenly stem Wu and earthly branch Zi, in the month of Chen, someone was taking a small boat through a checkpoint and feared being checked and detained, so they cast a hexagram, obtaining the hexagram "Water over Earth: Bi" changing to "Lake over Mountain: Xian". The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: wife-wealth water (responding line), brothers earth, children metal (activating), official-ghost wood (world line, activating), parents fire, brothers earth. The changing hexagram, in order, is: brothers earth (responding line), children metal, wife-wealth water, children metal (world line), parents fire, brothers earth. The world line carries the official-ghost, indicating a full heart of worry and doubt; fortunately, the children metal is activating and can overcome the ghost nearby, so there is no more worry. Later, they indeed passed through the checkpoint smoothly on the day of卯, without any obstruction.

德入卦無謀不遂。舊注德者，得也，指與天地合其德。主事爻，天干地支上下相合是也，存有占驗。戌月己酉日占文書得小畜之蠱 兄弟卯木′　　兄弟寅木′應 子孫巳火′　　動　　父母子水″ 妻財未土″應　　妻財戌土″ 妻財辰土′　　官鬼酉金′世 兄弟寅木′　　父母亥水′ 父母子水′世　　動　　妻財丑土″ 謂五爻動出丙子，文書與世爻變出辛丑干支相合，應戊子日成其文書，餘以此論為多事之論。

The passage says, "When virtue enters the hexagram, no plan will fail." The old commentary explains that "virtue" means to gain or obtain, referring to the meaning of "harmonizing with the virtue of heaven and earth." When applied to the hexagram, it refers to the heavenly stem and earthly branch of the main line that are combined above and below. There is a recorded divination case: on the day of Jiyou in the month of Xu, a divination was made about official documents, resulting in the hexagram "Wind over Heaven, Xiao Xu" changing to "Mountain over Wind, Gu." The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: siblings in卯wood, children in巳fire (active), wealth in未earth (responding), wealth in辰earth, siblings in寅wood, parents in子water (world line, active). The lines of the changing hexagram are: siblings in寅wood (responding), parents in子water, wealth in戌earth, official ghost in酉gold (world line), parents in亥water, wealth in丑earth. The original interpretation states that the fifth line moving produces a changing line that takes the heavenly stem and earthly branch as Bingzi, which is the image of official documents, and the world line changing produces Xinchou, which is combined above and below (Bing and Xin are compatible, Zi and Chou are compatible), so the documents should be completed on the day of Wuzi. I think this is an unnecessary addition.

野鶴曰：鬼谷三才論含爻辭以五行以定禍福者乃用地支。既用地支，不得不以天干為配，未聞以天干而定吉凶。以天干配於地支者，欲全用周天甲子卦，又止於四十八爻。所以乾內卦甲坤之內用乙，乃十干之首，乾之外卦用壬，坤之外卦用癸，皆十干之尾。乾之內卦用子，與坤之外卦相合，坤之內卦用未，與乾之外卦相合。二老上下相映，陰陽相配，中包六子，甲乙之次者丙丁，用之於少男少女，艮與兌也。戊己用之於中男中女，坎與離也，庚辛用之於長男長女，震與巽矣，以全上下干支，此乃配偶之法也。故謂之渾天甲子。而禍福吉凶皆地支生剋制化克合刑沖以判之。今又以天干而判休囚者，每卦皆宜用也。何獨於此，況小畜變蠱五爻朱雀為文書，動臨巳火變出子水文書，而世爻臨子水父母，又為文書，酉日生之，化丑合之，疊疊文書旺動於卦中，便非干支相合，亦不能說無成，故曰多事之論。

The Wild Crane Elder said: The school of "Three Talents of the Ghost Valley" discusses line statements by using the Five Phases to determine fortune and misfortune, and they all rely on the earthly branches. Since they use the earthly branches, they inevitably have to pair them with heavenly stems, but there is no record of using heavenly stems alone to judge good or bad fortune. Pairing the earthly branches with heavenly stems was originally intended to use the full cycle of the sixty Jiazi. However, the sixty-four hexagrams only have sixty-four lines, which can only accommodate forty-eight lines. Therefore, the inner trigram of the Qian hexagram takes the heavenly stem Jia, and the inner trigram of the Kun hexagram takes the heavenly stem Yi, as Jia and Yi are the first heavenly stems. The outer trigram of the Qian hexagram takes the heavenly stem Ren, and the outer trigram of the Kun hexagram takes the heavenly stem Gui, as Ren and Gui are the last heavenly stems. The inner trigram of Qian starts with Zi, which matches the outer trigram of Kun; the inner trigram of Kun starts with Wei, which matches the outer trigram of Qian. The two great trigrams, Qian and Kun, are in mutual reflection, yin and yang complement each other, and in between are six middle trigrams: after Jia and Yi come Bing and Ding, which are assigned to the young male and young female trigrams, Zhen and Xun; Wu and Ji are assigned to the middle male and middle female trigrams, Kan and Li; Geng and Xin are assigned to the elder male and elder female trigrams, Dui and Xun. Thus, arranging the heavenly stems above and below in this way is a method of pairing. Therefore, it is called "Holistic Jiazi." As for fortune and misfortune, good and bad, they are all determined by the generation, control, transformation, and mutual restraint of the earthly branches. Now, if suddenly one wants to use heavenly stems to determine weakness and confinement, then each hexagram should be treated in this way, why only focus on one hexagram? Moreover, in the hexagram Xiao Xu changing to Gu, the fifth line is the Vermilion Bird, which originally governs documents. The moving line is the fire branch Si, which changes into the water branch Zi, which is the parents; this is also documents. The world line is also seated on the water branch Zi, which is the parents, so it is also documents. The day is You, which generates it, and the branch Chou combines with it. Documents are strongly active within the hexagram. Even without the combination of heavenly and earthly stems, it cannot be said that the matter cannot be completed. Therefore, I say that the old annotations are extra branches.

忌臨身而多阻無成。忌即忌神，占不宜持世。如占官子孫為忌神，子孫持世求名不成，占財兄爻為忌神，兄爻持世，求財不獲。野鶴曰：此論極是。然餘得有驗者，兄爻持世化出財爻而得財，世臨財爻化出父母而見父。如巳月丙申日占財得未濟變鼎卦 兄弟巳火′應　　兄弟巳火′ 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″應 妻財酉金′　　妻財酉金′ 兄弟午火″世　　動　　妻財酉金′ 子孫辰土′　　官鬼亥水′世 父母寅木″　　子孫丑土″ 此乃忌臨世位化酉財，即於酉日得財。

The text says, "When the Hostile God is near the body, there are many obstacles and no success." "Hostile God" refers to the Hostile God, which is most unfavorable in divination. For example, if one is divining about official positions, the Children爻 is considered the Hostile God, and if the Children爻 holds the World Line, then seeking official positions will not succeed. If one is divining about wealth, the Siblings爻 is considered the Hostile God, and if the Siblings爻 holds the World Line, then seeking wealth will not be obtained. The Wild Crane Elder said, "This is very correct." However, I have also verified exceptions: when the Siblings爻 holds the World Line but transforms into the Wealth爻, wealth is still obtained; when the World Line is occupied by Wealth but transforms into the Parents爻, the father is still seen. For example, on the day of Ji Shen in the month of Si, divining about wealth, the hexagram obtained was Wei Ji (Hexagram 64) transforming into Ding (Hexagram 50). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Siblings Fire (responding), Children Earth, Wealth Metal, Siblings Fire (World Line, active), Children Earth, Parents Wood. The transformed hexagram was: Siblings Fire, Children Earth (responding), Wealth Metal, Wealth Metal, Official Ghost Water (World Line), Children Earth. This is a case where the Hostile God is on the World Line but transforms into the酉 Metal Wealth爻, so wealth was obtained on the酉 day.

又如申月戊午年占領文書得風雷益卦之家人 兄弟卯木′應　　兄弟卯木′ 子孫巳火′　　子孫巳火′應 妻財未土″　　妻財未土″ 妻財辰土″世　　動　　父母亥水′ 兄弟寅木″　　妻財丑土″世 父母子水′　　兄弟卯木′ 此亦忌臨世位，即於酉日而得文書，同日子占父亦得此卦，亥日見父，其故何也，疑是動爻不克變爻之故耳。然亦無多見者，餘既得驗，不得不以告之，然非教後人之法也。諸占必以忌神持世多阻無成者為是。

For example, on the day of Wuwu (戊午) in the month of Shen (申), when casting a hexagram for receiving official documents, the hexagram obtained was 'Wind and Thunder Gain' (风雷益) changing into 'Wind and Fire Family' (风火家人). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: Wood Ox (brother, responding), Fire Snake (son), Earth Goat (wealth), Earth Dragon (wealth, the world line, which is active), Wood Tiger (brother), Water Rat (parents). The lines of the changing hexagram are: Wood Ox (brother), Fire Snake (son, responding), Earth Goat (wealth), Water Pig (parents), Earth Ox (wealth, the world line), Wood Ox (brother). In divination concerning documents, the parents are considered the useful god, and the wealth line is its hostile god. Here, the hostile god is sitting on the world line, yet the documents were received on the day of You (酉). On the same day, someone else cast the same hexagram for his father, and saw his father on the day of Hai (亥). Why is this so? I think it is due to the relationship between the moving line and the changing line. Such cases are rare, and since I personally experienced them, I must share them, but they cannot be taken as a rule for later generations. In general, the correct interpretation remains that 'when the hostile god holds the world line, there will be obstacles and no success'.

卦遇凶星避之皆吉。舊注凡值用神空凶，遇日月動爻沖剋者，謂之避空，反不遭其沖剋之害，舊存有占驗：六月壬子日占子病得姤之大過 父母戌土′　　動　　父母未土″ 兄弟申金′　　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火′應　　子孫亥水′世 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′　　子孫亥水′ 父母丑土″世　　父母丑土″應 謂父母旺動，用爻亥水子孫而無氣，本為凶兆，喜得用爻值旬空而避之，至丙子日而愈，蓋丙子者，則前面已過，又是亥水子孫值子日而臨帝旺故耳。

The text says, "When a hexagram meets a malevolent star, avoiding it brings good fortune." Old commentaries explain that if the useful god falls into an empty position and the hexagram is ominous, and also meets the clash and control from the day and month stems and moving lines, this is called "avoiding the empty," and the useful god thus escapes the harm of the clash and control. There is a recorded divination case: on the day of Renzi in the sixth month, someone consulted about their son's illness, obtaining the hexagram "Heavenly Wind Gou" changing into "Marsh Wind Da Guo." The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents戌earth (moving), siblings申metal, official ghost午fire (responding), siblings酉metal, children亥water, parents丑earth (worldly position); the changing hexagram is: parents未earth, siblings酉metal, children亥water (worldly position), siblings酉metal, children亥water, parents丑earth (responding). The original interpretation states: parents are strong and moving, the useful god亥water children have no strength, which is an ominous sign; however, it is favorable that the useful god is exactly in the empty position and thus escaped the harm. On the day of Bingzi, the illness was cured. This is because on the day of Bingzi, the dangerous period had passed, and the children亥water were at their prosperity on the day of Zi.

野鶴曰：此論非理，諸占最惡者忌神，既動於卦中，禍已兆矣。用神靜者逢沖之日遭害；用神動者，逢合之日遭傷；用神破者，實破之日而遇；用神空者，出空之日相逢。是乃未曾出一可以避之，出空必遇其害，豈曰出空則前面已過，反不受其禍，此說悖也，謬也，餘得其驗者，原神動於卦中，用神空者，出空之日而得。忌神動於卦中，而用神空者，出空之日逢殃，屢占屢驗，獨近病逢空不論。凡占近病，用神得遇旬空者，不拘日月動爻克害，用神出空之日即愈。即獨此一事，論空不論克也。他占皆忌。此姤之大過，定是占於近病，不悟近病逢空，繼而曰諸事皆可避之，此誤後人也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: This statement is unreasonable. Among all kinds of divination, the most harmful is the Hostile God. Once the Hostile God moves within the hexagram, the calamity has already appeared. If the Useful God is still quiet, it will suffer on the day it is confronted; if the Useful God moves, it will suffer on the day it is harmonized; if the Useful God meets the Month Breaker, it will suffer on the day the Month Breaker is filled; if the Useful God falls into emptiness, it will suffer on the day it comes out of emptiness. The period of emptiness is merely a time when it has not yet emerged, not something to avoid. Once it comes out of emptiness, it will certainly meet with disaster. How can one say that after emptiness has passed, the danger is over and one will not suffer? This reasoning is illogical and absurd. My experience shows that if the Origin God moves within the hexagram and the Useful God falls into emptiness, on the day the Useful God comes out of emptiness, it will achieve its wish; if the Hostile God moves within the hexagram and the Useful God falls into emptiness, on the day the Useful God comes out of emptiness, it will suffer disaster. This has been verified repeatedly. The only exception is 'near illness meeting emptiness': if one is divining a newly acquired illness, and the Useful God meets the ten-day emptiness, regardless of how the day, month, or moving line harms it, the day the Useful God comes out of emptiness will be the day of recovery. Only this case is about emptiness and not about being harmed. All other divinations must treat emptiness as a harmful factor. This example of the hexagram changing from 'Gou' to 'Da Guo' must be about a near illness. Old annotations do not understand the principle of near illness meeting emptiness, and then they say that all matters can 'avoid' this, which misleads later generations.

爻逢忌殺敵之無傷。舊注忌爻發動，心事不利，若得日月動爻幫助用爻，可以敵之，不傷於彼，事亦可成，餘以此論是理。申月乙未日占脫役得損之節 官鬼寅木′應　　動　　妻財子水″ 妻財子水″　　動　　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟戌土″　　子孫申金″應 兄弟丑土″世　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′世

The text says "When a line meets a hostile god, it is not harmed." The old commentary explains: if the hostile god is activated, the plans in one's mind will not be beneficial; but if the sun and moon lines come to help the useful god, they can oppose the hostile god and avoid being harmed, so the matter can still succeed. I think this explanation is reasonable. The old text gives an example: on the day of Yiwei in the month of Shen, a hexagram was cast to seek relief from service obligations, resulting in the hexagram "Sun" changing into "Jie." The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: official ghost yin wood (responding line, activated), wife wealth zi water (activated), brothers xu earth, brothers chou earth (the world line), official ghost mao wood, parents si fire. The lines of the resulting hexagram are: wife wealth zi water, brothers xu earth, children shen gold (responding line), brothers chou earth, official ghost mao wood, parents si fire (the world line).

謂世臨丑土，而子水財動生助寅木之鬼，木之鬼動而克世，喜得日辰未土、五爻變出戌土扶助世爻，可以敵其寅木之鬼，不能傷身。野鶴曰：以此作後人之法者，亦誤人也。何也，一重未土扶世，豈可敵其寅鬼傷身之惡煞耶？殊不知寅木鬼動，月建破之，未日墓之，此寅木之鬼破，保無事者也！此誤作戌未二土幫扶者，錯也！況變爻戌土從無幫助正卦之爻，作有一例，可以比之。

The original interpretation says: The world line is occupied by the earth branch Chou (丑) soil, and the water wealth line is activated, going to generate the wood official ghost Yin (寅). The wood ghost is activated and comes to attack the world line. Fortunately, the day branch is Wei (未) soil and the fifth line changes to Xu (戌) soil, both coming to support the world line, which is sufficient to resist the attack of the Yin wood ghost, so as not to harm the body. The Wild Crane Elder says: Taking this as a rule for later people is also misleading. Why? Relying on a single Wei soil to support the world line, how can it withstand the evil power of the Yin ghost attacking the body? He did not realize that although the Yin wood ghost is activated, it is broken by the Shen (申) month builder, and is also buried by the Wei day branch, so the Yin wood ghost itself is already broken, hence there is no problem. The old interpretation mistakenly regarded the Xu and Wei soils as supporting forces, which is wrong. Moreover, the changing line Xu soil never helps the lines of the primary hexagram, so taking it as a comparable example is even more incorrect.

辰月乙未日占月令得泰之豐 子孫酉金″應　　兄弟戌土″ 妻財亥水″　　子孫申金″世 兄弟丑土″　　動　　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土′世　　妻財亥水′ 官鬼寅木′　　動　　兄弟丑土″應 妻財子水′　　官鬼卯木′ 世爻辰土，月建助之，丑土動而化回頭之生，又來扶助。雖則寅木鬼動而世爻旺相有助有扶可以相敵，然此後至辛丑日尚亦見其凶非，因一言觸怒上司，幾乎危殆，幸得解救。應解救者，因得日月之土幫扶也。

In the month of Chen, on the day of Yiwei, he divined his fortune for the month and obtained the hexagram Tai, which changes to Feng. The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: the son in You metal (responding line), the wife's wealth in Hai water, the brother in Chou earth (activating), the brother in Chen earth (world line), the official ghost in Yin wood (activating), and the wife's wealth in Zi water. The lines of the resulting hexagram are: the brother in Xu earth, the son in Shen metal (world line), the parents in Wu fire, the wife's wealth in Hai water, the brother in Chou earth (responding line), and the official ghost in Mao wood. The world line, which is Chen earth, is supported by the month builder of the month of Chen. The Chou earth brother is activated and changes to Wu fire, forming 'mutual support', which also supports the world line. Although there is an activating official ghost in Yin wood, the world line is strong and has support, so it is able to resist it. Nevertheless, on the day of Xinchou, an unfortunate event occurred: the person became angry with his superior because of a single sentence, almost reaching a dangerous situation, but was fortunately rescued. The reason he was rescued was due to the earth element of the day branch and the month builder supporting the world line.

主象休囚怕見刑沖剋害。主象旺相，尚難敵乎刑沖剋害之爻，況休囚耶？用爻變動忌遭死墓絕空。舊注死墓絕乃陷阱之地，若用爻動而化墓化絕化死化空者，不問公私大小之事，皆主不成。占病逢之，必死無疑。予得驗者，化墓化絕，若動爻旺相，或臨日月幫助，亦無大害，化墓者，沖開之日月而成，化絕者逢生旺之日月而就。至於化空之說，更得多驗，占謀事，實空之日必成。占近病，出空之日即愈。

The essay says, "The main image fears punishment and clash when it is weak and confined." Even if the main image is prosperous and strong, it still finds it hard to resist punishment and clash, let alone when it is weak and confined. The essay also says, "The useful god should avoid death, storage, decline, and emptiness when it moves." Old annotations state that death, storage, and decline are all dangerous places. If the useful god moves and transforms into death, storage, decline, or emptiness, whether it is about official matters or private affairs, big or small matters, nothing will succeed. If this occurs in a divination about illness, death is certain. However, my experience shows otherwise: if the transformation is into storage or decline, as long as the moving line itself is prosperous and strong, or is supported by the day branch or month builder, there is no great harm. For transformations into storage, success will come when the storage is opened in the month or day. For transformations into decline, success will come when the month or day is prosperous. As for "transformation into emptiness," I have observed more cases: in divinations about matters, if the empty situation is filled on the day, the matter will succeed. In divinations about newly acquired illnesses, the illness will improve on the day when the emptiness is dispelled.

用化用有用無用。舊主既有用爻，不可動而又化出來。謂之化去，或旁發出，皆不濟事。故雖有用，即如無用。一般占病尤忌。野鶴曰：此論非理。用爻若化進神，諸占皆吉。即使他爻動出者，再得此助幫扶，何謂無用。豈不知太過者損之斯成，有曰用爻重疊，得墓庫以收藏。如果用爻太多，待至傷損之日，墓庫之日，成之更穩，反曰無用。非也當刪。

The essay says, "The useful god transforms into useful or useless." Old annotations state that if the hexagram already contains a useful god, it should not be activated again and then transformed into another useful god, which is called "transformation away"; if another line activates a useful god, it is also ineffective, so even though there is a useful god, it is as if there is none, and this is especially dangerous in divination about illness. The Wild Crane Elder says: this statement is unreasonable. If the useful god transforms into an advancing god, all divinations will be auspicious; even if it is a useful god activated by another line, it is another layer of support, how can it be called useless? Who does not know "excess must be reduced to succeed," and there is also the saying "multiple useful gods overlapping, with the storage place to collect them." If there are really too many useful gods, waiting until the day they are restrained or stored in their burial place, the matter will actually become more stable, how can it be said to be useless? This point is wrong and should be deleted.

空化空雖空不空。餘得驗者，不獨空化空則不為空，動亦不為空。動不為空，為禍為福，沖空實空之月日必應。養主狐疑，墓多曖昧。此亦長生沐浴之中之二位星是也。餘用生旺墓絕，其餘不驗。今之驗化出者亦驗生旺墓絕。墓者，滯也。用神動而化墓者，近病久病遇之，主昏迷之象。用神旺者，沖開墓庫之日則安。用神休囚，又被刑沖剋害者，難愈。逢空者，近病者愈，久病者凶。捕獲遇之，深藏難保。身命遇之，愚蒙不振。失脫遇之，暗藏不見。婚姻遇之，皆闇昧不明之象。若動爻化墓，墓神回頭克動爻，勿以闇昧論，乃凶兆也。忌回頭克我者是也。如若墓神為鬼，回頭克用，更凶。化養化病化胎又化沐浴俱不驗者刪之。

The essay says, "Though it seems empty, emptiness is not emptiness." I have verified that not only does an empty line changing into another empty line not count as empty, but any activated line does not count as empty; since it is activated, it is not empty. Therefore, whether it is a misfortune or a blessing must be determined by the month or day when the empty line is confronted or filled. The essay also says, "The stage of nurturing brings suspicion, and the stage of burial brings ambiguity." Here, "nurturing" and "burial" refer to two of the twelve stages of growth. I only use the stages of growth, prosperity, burial, and decline, and the others are not effective. Now, when examining the changes of lines, only birth, prosperity, burial, and decline are effective. Burial means stagnation: if the useful line is activated and changes into burial, whether it is a recent or long-term illness, it indicates confusion of the mind. If the useful line is prosperous and strong, on the day the burial is opened, it will be well. If the useful line is weak and confined and also suffers punishment, clash, or harm, it will be difficult to recover. If the useful line meets emptiness, the recent illness will recover, but the long-term illness will be dangerous. In divination about capturing people, if the line enters burial, it means the person is deeply hidden and hard to find; in divination about one's fate, it means ignorance and lack of vitality; in divination about lost objects, it means the object is hidden and hard to find; in divination about marriage, it indicates ambiguity and uncertainty. If an activated line changes into burial, and the burial line turns around to harm the activated line, it should not be considered only as ambiguity, but as a凶兆, which is called "the forbidden line turns back to harm me." If the burial line is also the official ghost and turns back to harm the useful line, it will be even worse. As for the changes of nurturing, illness, fetal stage, and bathing, they are all ineffective and should be deleted.

化生旺兮禍福有三。生者動爻化長生也。如亥水動化出申金，即化長生又回頭之生，化酉金者不曰化沐浴而曰化回頭之生，此二者動爻有氣化爻旺相，諸占皆吉，旺者，長生之第五位者是也。金木水火而化旺即是化進神，且如申金化酉金，亥水化子水，寅木化卯木，巳火化午火，主占無不亨吉。惟土寄生於申，旺於子水為進神，辰未土動而化出子爻者，乃為化旺，丑土化出子爻者，即為化旺，又為化合，諸占皆吉。化官鬼兮吉凶有二。動爻變出官，吉凶有二，何也？占功名者，世爻旺相，或臨日月或日月生扶動而變出官星，又無破損，乃為得官之兆也。世若休囚，受克動而變出官星者乃為變鬼，不惟難於王家食祿，須憂夢沉黃梁。

The text says, "When a change leads to prosperity, there are three kinds of fortune and misfortune." "Prosperity" refers to the moving line transforming into its own long life. For example, if the亥 water line moves and transforms into申 metal, it is both a transformation into long life and a mutual generation; if it transforms into酉 metal, it is not called transformation into bathing, but also called mutual generation. In these two cases, as long as the moving line has strength and the transformed line is prosperous and strong, all divinations are favorable. "Prosperity" refers to the fifth position in the twelve positions of long life, which is called the imperial prosperity. When metal, wood, water, or fire transforms into their imperial prosperity, it is equivalent to transforming into an advancing god. For example, if申 metal transforms into酉 metal,亥 water into子 water,寅 wood into卯 wood, or巳 fire into午 fire, all divinations will be smooth. However, for earth, its long life is in申 and its imperial prosperity is in子, so when an earth line transforms into子 water, it is considered an advancing god. If辰 earth or未 earth moves and transforms into子 line, it is a transformation into imperial prosperity; if丑 earth transforms into子 line, it is both a transformation into imperial prosperity and a combination between子 and丑, and all divinations are favorable. The text says, "When a transformation leads to official ghost, there are two kinds of fortune and misfortune." When the moving line transforms into an official ghost, fortune and misfortune should be divided into two situations. For those divining about official positions, if the world line is prosperous and strong, or if the world line is exactly the day branch or the month builder, or if it is supported by the day or month, and the moving line transforms into an official star without being damaged, it is a sign of obtaining an official position. However, if the world line is weak and confined and is attacked, and the moving line transforms into an official star, then it is called "transformation into ghost," which not only makes it difficult to receive the salary from the court, but also leads to worry about a dream of a long life.

如戌月甲寅日占候選何時得缺，得益變騫 兄弟卯木′應　　動　　父母子水″ 子孫巳火′　　妻財戌土′ 妻財未土″　　官鬼申金″世 妻財辰土″世　　動　　官鬼申金′ 兄弟寅木″　　子孫午火″ 父母子水′　　動　　妻財辰土″應 斷曰：世爻臨月破，又有寅日傷克，又有上爻中卯木克世爻，有克無生，世爻變出官星，其實是變鬼，果然在第二年寅月沒有中榜，正如神告曰：“命限危功名不必生矣”

For example, on a day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Xu (戌), someone consulted about when they would be appointed to an actual position instead of being on standby. They received the hexagram 'Wind and Thunder Beneficent' (风雷益) changing to 'Water and Mountain Obstruction' (水山蹇). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers in卯wood (responding line, active), sons in巳fire, wife's wealth in未earth, wife's wealth in辰earth (world line, active), brothers in寅wood, parents in子water (active). The changing hexagram is: parents in子water, wife's wealth in戌earth, official ghost in申metal (world line), official ghost in申metal, sons in午fire, wife's wealth in辰earth (responding line). The interpretation states: the world line, which is辰earth, is exactly the month breaker of the month of Xu, and is also harmed by the day of Jiayin. The top line, which is卯wood, also harms the world line, resulting in harm without support. Although the world line changes into an official star, it is actually 'changing into a ghost'. Indeed, the person did not get appointed the following year in the month of Yin (寅), just as the oracle foretold: the fate is in danger, and there is no need to expect success in official matters.

又如巳月壬申日占開店貿易 子孫酉金″世　　動　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財亥水″　　妻財子水″世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟戌土″ 官鬼卯木″應　　官鬼卯木″ 父母巳火″　　父母巳火″應 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 斷曰：占生意看財爻，此卦財臨月破，雖則子動生財，生之不起，況世與子孫，一同變鬼，不獨營運難圖，今秋必因子女以致官非。果於八月，因子賭博送官，子受杖刑而死。此應酉金子孫應變鬼。

For example, on a day of Renshen (壬申) in the month of Si (巳), someone asked about opening a shop and doing business. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is:Children酉金 (Children in酉 metal, World Line, active), Wealth亥水 (Wealth in亥 water), Siblings丑土 (Siblings in丑 earth), Official Ghost卯木 (Official Ghost in卯 wood, Respondent), Parents巳火 (Parents in巳 fire), Siblings未土 (Siblings in未 earth). The resulting hexagram is:Official Ghost寅木 (Official Ghost in寅 wood), Wealth子水 (Wealth in子 water, World Line), Siblings戌土 (Siblings in戌 earth), Official Ghost卯木 (Official Ghost in卯 wood), Parents巳火 (Parents in巳 fire, Respondent), Siblings未土 (Siblings in未 earth). The interpretation states: When divining about business, one should look at the wealth line. In this hexagram, the wealth line,亥 water, is exactly at the month breaker, so although the children line,酉 metal, is active and can generate wealth, it cannot actually generate it. Moreover, the world line and the children line both transform into official ghosts. Not only will the business be difficult, but this person will certainly have legal troubles with their children this autumn. Indeed, in August, the son was sent to jail for gambling and died after being beaten with sticks. This corresponds exactly to the酉 metal children transforming into a ghost.

忌回頭之克我。爻動化克者，如金爻動變火克金，木爻動變金克木，謂之回頭克也。覺子曰：餘存占驗，凡占回頭之克，占病、占壽、占年運，得之十有九死，亦有占名利、及占家庭得之亦見危亡，何也？其人大限至矣，自己無知猶有名利之求，如神戒曰：數之將盡，何用他求，警戒勿貪，庶幾不羅乎羅網，即使難以迴避，亦可保其正寢，疑神之告，乃此意耳。

The text says, "Avoid being 'back-killed' by something that harms me": when a line is activated and changes into an element that overcomes itself, for example, a metal line is activated and changes into fire, which overcomes metal, or a wood line is activated and changes into metal, which overcomes wood. This is called "back-killing." Li Wenhui (pen name: Juozǐ) says: in my accumulated divination records, whenever "back-killing" occurs in divination about illness, lifespan, or the fortune of a year, there are almost eight or nine cases of death. There are also instances where "back-killing" appears in divination about fame and fortune or family affairs, and similarly, danger and demise are seen. Why is this so? Because the person's destined time has arrived, yet they are unaware, still seeking fame and fortune. This is like a divine warning: the time of fate is about to end, why seek further? It warns them not to be greedy, perhaps they can still avoid disaster. Even if they cannot escape, they may still attain a peaceful end. I have pondered the divine message, and it is precisely this meaning.

勿反德以扶人。古法相生須宜他生我，相剋還宜我克他。如占彼此兩家之事者，宜應爻生世。如占財者，宜財生世，如占官者，宜官生世。如世去生助他爻，洩盡自己之氣也。惡曜孤寒，怕日辰之並起。刑沖剋害之要即為惡曜，非諸星之凶煞。凡見此爻動而沖剋用神，若此星孤立無助，或休囚無力，雖則傷害用神，用神旺相可以敵之，必然無妨，得禍亦輕。惟怕日辰動爻助他為害，彼必狐假虎威，仗勢作惡，得禍不淺也。前月將日辰章內，最怕他爻增剋制，同此意耳。

The text says, "Do not reverse virtue to support others": In ancient methods, mutual generation should be when others generate me, and mutual control should be when I control others. For example, in divining matters between two parties, it is favorable if the response line generates the world line; in divining about seeking wealth, it is favorable if the wealth line generates the world line; in divining about official rank, it is favorable if the official line generates the world line. If it is reversed, with the world line generating and supporting other lines, then one's strength is completely drained. The text also says, "Evil stars that are isolated and cold, fear the day branch to rise together": Here, "evil stars" refer to lines of punishment, conflict, control, and harm, not various deities or omens. Whenever such lines appear and act to conflict or control the useful god, as long as they are isolated or weak and powerless, even if they harm the useful god, as long as the useful god is prosperous and strong, it is sufficient to resist, and there will certainly be no harm, and even if there is misfortune, it will be minor. Most dangerous is when the day branch or moving line instead support these evil stars, allowing them to act with false authority and cause great harm. The previous chapter "Chapter on Month General and Day Branch" says, "Most dangerous is when other lines increase control," which expresses exactly the same meaning.

用爻重疊，喜墓庫以收藏。舊注用爻若無日辰動爻損之，必須得墓庫收藏，然後可得。舊存占驗。丁丑日占財 兄弟卯木′　　動　　妻財未土″ 子孫巳火′　　官鬼酉金′ 妻財未土″應　　動　　父母亥水′世 妻財辰土′　　官鬼酉金′ 兄弟寅木′　　父母亥水′ 父母子水′世　　動　　妻財丑土″應 彼斷曰：卦有兩財，初爻上爻又化出兩財，日辰又是財，本為太過，喜得世爻上有辰字，乃為財庫，謂之財有庫以收藏，後主得財。餘以此論，極其得理，屢試屢驗，但不必卦中有庫，後來逢庫之日月亦成其事。

The text says, "When the useful god lines overlap, it is favorable to have a storage place to collect them." An old commentary explains: if the useful god is not reduced by the day branch or the moving line, it must rely on the storage place to collect it, then it can be successful. An old record contains a case of divination for seeking wealth on Dingchou day. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brothers in the卯wood (moving), children in the巳fire, wealth in the未earth (responding, moving), wealth in the辰earth, brothers in the寅wood, and parents in the子water (the world, moving). The resulting hexagram is: wealth in the未earth, official ghost in the酉metal, parents in the亥water (the world), official ghost in the酉metal, parents in the亥water, and wealth in the丑earth (responding). The original interpretation says: the hexagram originally has two layers of wealth lines, and the first and top lines each produce another layer of wealth. The day branch, 丑earth, is also wealth, which is excessive. Fortunately, the hexagram contains 辰earth, which is the storage for wealth, called "wealth has a storage to collect it," so wealth was eventually obtained. I think this explanation is very reasonable and has been verified many times. However, it is not necessary for the hexagram to have the storage present. If the month or day when the storage god is in charge comes, the matter can still be accomplished.

如午月戊午日占何日雨得地風升變恆卦。 官鬼酉金″　　妻財戌土″應 父母亥水″　　官鬼申金″ 妻財丑土″世　　動　　子孫午火′ 官鬼酉金′　　官鬼酉金′世 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″應　　妻財丑土″ 友人持此卦問余曰：今日占雨，父母不動，而丑土之財又化出午火回頭生，竟是大旱之年也。余曰：壬戌日必雨。友曰：父臨月建，陰雨連旬，今子孫臨月建，亦同此意，如何得雨？余曰：午火子孫臨日月旺之極矣，乃為用爻重疊，逢墓庫以收藏，故知戌必雨。果於戌日申時雨。

For example, on a Wu (午) month Wu (午) day, someone asked about which day it would rain, and obtained the hexagram 'Earth Wind Ascending' changing to 'Thunder Wind Heng'. The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost酉 metal, Parents亥 water, Wealth丑 earth (the world line, active), Official Ghost酉 metal, Parents亥 water, Wealth丑 earth (the responding line); the changing hexagram is: Wealth戌 earth (the responding line), Official Ghost申 metal, Children午 fire, Official Ghost酉 metal (the world line), Parents亥 water, Wealth丑 earth. A friend asked me about this divination, saying: Today I asked about rain, the Parents line is not moving, and the Wealth丑 earth line changes to午 fire, forming a reverse generation, which suggests a severe drought year. I said: Renxu day will definitely rain. The friend replied: Parents are at the month builder, which still indicates continuous rainy days; now the Children are at the month builder, the reasoning is the same, how can it rain? I said: The午 fire Children line is both at the day branch and the month builder, reaching its peak strength, this is exactly 'the important line overlapping', which needs the storage to contain it; since the fire is buried in戌, I know that on戌 day it will definitely rain. Later, it indeed rained at Shen hour on戌 day.

事阻隔兮間發。舊注世應中間兩爻謂之間爻，動則事事阻隔。謂之兩爻在世應之中，動阻兩家之事，使彼此不能相通。又曰世應中間兩爻發動所求多阻隔。覺子曰：以此爻作為間爻試之果驗，但看所占何事，須是彼此兩家之事始可用之。婚姻以之為媒妁，詞訟以之為證，買賣以之為牙行，借貸成文以之為中保，舟車以之為附載。交遊以之為幫開，胎產以之為收生保姆。

The text says, "Things are obstructed by intermediaries." The old commentary explains that the two lines between the World Line and the Response Line are called "intermediate lines." If either of these lines moves, then all matters are obstructed. These two lines are between the World and Response Lines, and if they move, they block communication between the two sides. It also says that if the two lines between the World and Response Lines move, the matter sought is often obstructed. Li Wenhui says: treating these two lines as intermediate lines indeed proves true; however, it depends on what is being divined. It is only applicable when the matter involves two parties. For divination on marriage, the intermediate line represents the matchmaker; for lawsuits, it represents a witness; for trade, it represents a broker; for loans and contracts, it represents an intermediary or guarantor; for boat travel, it represents a fellow traveler who offers transport; for social interactions, it represents someone who facilitates the connection; for childbirth, it represents a midwife.

心退悔兮世空。舊注自占世為主象，若無明動爻傷克而世爻無故自空者，必主心惰意懶，自不向前。野鶴曰：此論為是。前曰無故之空，如入深淵大壑，諸占大凶者，非也！易林補遺有曰世應皆空，故不向前，退悔，主賓皆動二邊，日後更張。所以不獨世空不宜，應爻亦不宜也。謂之世應皆空，事無準實，凡動而空者，不以此論。

The text says, "The heart retreats with regret, and the world line is empty." Old annotations explain that when one divines about oneself, the world line is the main symbol. If there is no clearly active line in the hexagram that harms or controls the world line, and the world line falls into emptiness without cause, it indicates that the person's heart is lazy and unwilling to move forward. The Wild Crane Elder says: this is correct. However, previous commentators who regarded "unjustified emptiness" as falling into a deep abyss or a vast pit, and thus considered it extremely ominous, were wrong. The Supplements to the Forest of Changes say: if both the world and response lines are empty, then the person will not move forward and will feel regret; both parties are active, so later on they will have to start anew. This shows that not only is an empty world line bad, but an empty response line is also bad, which is called "both world and response lines are empty, and the matter has no certainty." Any line that is activated but falls into emptiness is not included in this category.

卦爻發動須看交重。舊注交動主未來之事，重動主過去之事。余試間有驗者。大凡爻象有一定不可移者，可以為法，間有驗者，乃偶然之合耳。動變比合當明進退。進神章已註明。殺生身莫將吉斷，用克世勿作凶看。蓋生中有刑害之兩妨，合處有克傷之二慮。殺生世者，是日月動爻動臨忌神而生世，非凶煞也，不以吉斷者，何也？謂忌神既旺，用衰矣，世雖逢生何益？

The text says, "When a line in the hexagram moves, one must consider the intersection and repetition." Old annotations explain that "intersection" refers to movement indicating future events, while "repetition" refers to movement indicating past events. When I tried this method, it only occasionally worked. Generally, the images of the lines should follow a fixed and unchanging pattern to be established as a rule; occasional success is merely a coincidence. The text also says, "When a change occurs, one should clearly understand the advancement and retreat." This point has already been explained in the chapter on "Advancing Gods." The text further states, "If a harmful force generates the self, do not conclude it as favorable; if a useful god overcomes the self, do not regard it as ominous. This is because within the generation there are two obstacles of punishment and harm, and within the combination there are two concerns of overcoming and injury." The term "harmful force generating the self" refers to the day branch, month builder, or the moving line itself acting as a hostile god to generate the self, not referring to any evil spirits or malevolent deities. Why then can we not conclude this as favorable? Because if the hostile god is strong, the useful god becomes weak. Even if the self line is generated, what benefit does it bring?

如戌月丙子日占父任雲南何時得信？得地澤臨卦 子孫酉金″　　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″應　　妻財亥水″應 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世　　官鬼卯木′世 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 占信者，朱雀巳火父母為用神，日辰子水克巳火，忌神戌月乃巳火月墓，日克音信茫然之兆也。而世爻卯木雖遇日生月合，何益於事。殺生身勿將吉斷，此之謂也，後果無音訊，四年知父而遇害矣。

For example, on a day with the stem Bing and branch Zi, in the month of Xu, divining about when a father who is in office in Yunnan will write a letter, the hexagram obtained is Lin (Hexagram 19). The six lines from top to bottom are: children in metal of You, wealth in water of Hai (responding line), siblings in earth of Chou, siblings in earth of Chou, official ghost in wood of Mao (world line), and parents in fire of Si. All six lines are still. Divining about messages, the parents in fire of Si, which is the line associated with the Vermilion Bird, is taken as the useful god. The day branch, water of Zi, is the ruler of fire of Si and thus it is the day branch that is attacking the useful god. The month of Xu is also the storage of fire of Si, so the useful god is both attacked by the day branch and buried by the month. This is a clear image of no news. The world line, wood of Mao, although it is supported by the day branch and combines with the month of Xu, does not help in this matter. "When the killer is the body's supporter, do not judge it as auspicious" exactly describes this situation. Later, there was indeed no news at all, and four years later it was found out that the father had already been killed.

用克世勿作凶看者，乃用為克世也，舊注主事爻動來克世，乃是事來趕我，事必速成，我雖見克，亦何傷哉，故云克世者不以為凶。覺子曰：此論未必全是，餘之得驗如占財財為用神，財爻克世者必得。占行人用神克世者即至，占醫藥子孫為用，子孫克世者即愈，此外數占皆不宜用神克世也，若占功名，官鬼克世，非災即禍，豈可曰勿作凶看。

The text says, "When the useful god controls the world line, it should not be considered ominous." This refers to the useful god overcoming the world line. Old commentaries say: When the main subject's line becomes active and overcomes the world line, it means the matter is coming to me urgently, and it will certainly be resolved quickly; although I am overcome, what harm is there? Therefore, when the useful god overcomes the world line, it is not considered ominous. Li Wenhui says: This view may not be entirely correct. From my experience, when seeking wealth, the wealth line is the useful god, and if the wealth line overcomes the world line, wealth will certainly be obtained; when divining about someone who is away, if the useful god overcomes the world line, it means the person is about to arrive; when divining about medicine, the children line is the useful god, and if the children line overcomes the world line, the illness will recover. Except for these cases, in other divinations, it is not advisable for the useful god to overcome the world line. For example, when divining about official positions, the official ghost line is the useful god, and if the official ghost line overcomes the world line, it is either a disaster or a misfortune, how can it be said not to be ominous?

如丑月庚子日占關差得否得泰之明夷 子孫酉金″應　　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″世 兄弟辰土′世　　妻財亥水′ 官鬼寅木′　　動　　兄弟丑土″ 妻財子水′　　官鬼卯木′應 占官差以官鬼為用，此卦辰土持世，寅木官鬼克世，世爻空，即於壬寅日得差，次年三月死於中途，豈可謂之用克世勿作凶看。

For example, on the day of Gengzi in the month of Chou, one asked whether they could obtain a position on a difficult assignment, and the hexagram obtained was the "Heavenly Earth Tai" changing into "Earth Fire Ming Yi." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: children酉 gold (responding line), wealth亥 water, siblings丑 earth, siblings辰 earth (world line), official ghost寅 wood (in motion), wealth子 water; the changing hexagram is: children酉 gold, wealth亥 water, siblings丑 earth (world line), wealth亥 water, siblings丑 earth, official ghost卯 wood (responding line). For the matter of obtaining an assignment, the official ghost is the useful god. In this hexagram, the world line is held by辰 earth, and the寅 wood official ghost is in motion and comes to control the world line. The world line also meets the旬空, so on the day of RENYIN, he obtained this position. However, in the third month of the following year, this person died on the way to take up the post. So how can we say that when the useful god controls the world line it is not considered a凶?

刑害不宜臨用。主事爻與日月動爻作三刑者，占事不成。占物不好。占病必死。占人有患。占婦人不貞潔。占文書有破綻。占訟必有罪責。動化刑亦然。死絕豈可持世。用爻世爻絕於日辰，或化絕，有舊注諸事不利，餘以休囚被克而又絕者，是也。旺相不妨，動逢沖而事散。六沖章注極明。絕逢生而事成。大凡世與用神或絕於日或化絕，若得日月動爻生者，謂之絕處逢生，且入寅日占卦酉為用神，酉絕於寅，若在辰戌丑月未月，或爻中動出辰戌丑未，以土生酉金，皆謂之絕處逢生。

The text says, "Punishment and harm should not be on the useful god": if the line representing the matter and the day branch, month builder, or moving line form the three punishments, then if it is about an event, it will not succeed; if it is about an object, it will be bad; if it is about a disease, it will lead to death; if it is about a person, there will be calamity; if it is about a woman, she will be unchaste; if it is about documents, there will be flaws; if it is about legal matters, there will be punishment. If the movement results in punishment, it is the same. The text says, "If the useful god or the world line is in the 'death' position on the day branch, or if it moves to the 'death' position, old annotations say that all things are unfavorable." I believe only when the useful god is weak, being attacked, and also in the 'death' position is it like that; if it is prosperous and strong, it will not cause problems. The text says, "If a movement meets a clash, the matter will scatter." This part is clearly explained in the chapter on the six clashes. The text says, "If the 'death' position meets a birth, the matter will succeed." Generally, if the world line and the useful god are in the 'death' position on the day branch, or if they move to the 'death' position, and if the day, month, or moving line can give birth to them, it is called "finding life in the death position." For example, if the start is on寅 and the metal of酉 is the useful god, then the metal of酉 is in the 'death' position on寅. At this time, if it is in the month of辰, 戌, 丑, or 未, or if the hexagram has a movement of the earth of辰, 戌, 丑, or 未 to give birth to the metal of酉, it is considered as finding life in the death position.

如逢合住須沖破以成功，若遇休囚必旺相而成事。應期章有注。速則動而克世爻，緩則靜而生身。此獨占行人而用之，他占不用。謂用神動而克世，行人回來之速也。用神靜而生世，行人歸來緩也。且如占父母何日歸，父母動而克世者，許之歸。

The text says, "If a combination is formed, it must be broken by a clash to achieve success; if the useful god is weak and confined, it must become prosperous and strong to accomplish things." These two sentences are explained in the chapter "Chapter on the Time of Realization." The text also says, "If it is quick, movement will overcome the world line; if it is slow, stillness will generate the self." This applies only to divination concerning someone who is away from home; it is not used for other types of divination. The meaning is that when the useful god is active and overcomes the world line, the traveler will return quickly; when the useful god is inactive and generates the world line, the traveler will return slowly. For example, when divining about the return of parents, if the parents' line is active and overcomes the world line, then their quick return can be predicted.

父亡而事無頭緒，福隱而事不稱情。古法卦中無父母，事無頭緒，卦無子孫無喜悅，餘以此論為多事，凡占事者，用神原神忌神仇神克害刑沖破墓空絕日月飛伏許多事故尚無定論，不敢尋不當用之爻耶，餘恐枝葉多生。鬼雖禍災，伏尤無氣。天元賦中無鬼論雖則有理，實亦多事，余生平以占官鬼疾病當用者則用，不當用者則不用也。子雖福德，多反無功。覺子曰：以之為忌神者，實則不宜，以之為用神者，多則何害？豈不聞損之斯成，逢墓庫以收藏也。

The essay says, "If the parents are absent, affairs lack order; if fortune is hidden, matters do not match feelings." Ancient methods believe that if the parents' line is missing in the hexagram, the matter lacks order; if the children's line is missing, there is no joy. I think this is adding extra branches. When divining a single matter, considering the useful god, origin god, hostile god, enemy god, along with the relationships of overcoming, harming, criminal, conflicting, breaking, storage, emptiness, decline, and the day branch, month builder, flying god, and hidden god, there are already so many factors to consider, how dare we look for unnecessary lines? I fear that the branches will grow endlessly. The essay says, "Although ghosts bring misfortune, when they are hidden, they have no strength." The discussion in the "Heavenly Origin Assignment" about "no ghosts" has some reason, but it is also unnecessary. In my lifetime of divination, when the official ghost line should be used as the useful god, I use it; when it should not be used, I ignore it. The essay says, "Although children represent fortune and virtue, they often bring no success." Li Wenhui says: if the children's line is the hostile god, having too many is indeed not advisable; if it is the useful god, having more is not harmful. Have you not heard, "When something is excessive, it should be reduced to succeed," and it can also be stored in the storage and repository.

虎興遇吉神不害其為吉，龍動而逢凶曜難掩其為凶。此為得理。六神章已注。元武為盜賊之事，亦必官爻。朱雀為口舌之神，必須兄弟。此論欠理，元武朱雀勾陳騰蛇動而不克世者，無礙。動而克世者，皆以為凶，勿分兄弟官鬼。吉凶神煞之多端，何如生剋制化之一理。此之言也，學者亦深味之。除惡未盡，須防死灰復燃。克害刑沖之神，若得日月動爻剋制者，須盡其根，若除而未盡，將來遇生扶之年月，仍復為禍。

The text says, "When the White Tiger meets a favorable spirit, it does not hinder it from being favorable; when the Azure Dragon moves and encounters an evil star, it cannot hide its nature as evil." The White Tiger, though凶, if it is accompanied by a favorable spirit, does not prevent it from being favorable; the Azure Dragon, though favorable, if it meets an evil star, cannot prevent it from being evil. This makes sense, as the chapter on the Six Spirits has already explained it. The text also says, "The Black Tortoise is related to theft and must be the official spirit; the Vermilion Bird is the spirit of speech and must be the sibling." This statement does not make sense. If the Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, Gou Chen, or Teng Sha move but do not overcome the world, there is no harm; if they move and overcome the world, they are all judged as evil, without needing to distinguish whether they are accompanied by the sibling or the official spirit. The text says, "Among the many types of favorable and unfavorable spirits, how can they compare to the principle of generation, overcoming, control, and transformation?" This sentence, those who study the Yi Jing should reflect on it repeatedly. The text also says, "If evil is not completely removed, one must beware of the possibility of it reappearing." Those evil spirits that are overcome, harmed, punished, or opposed, if they are controlled by the sun, moon, or moving lines, must be completely eliminated; if they are not completely removed, when they meet a year or month that supports them, they will cause trouble again.

如卯月甲申日占病得地山謙變水山蹇 兄弟酉金″　　子孫子水″ 子孫亥水″世　　動　　父母戌土′ 父母丑土″　　兄弟申金″世 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″應　　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″　　父母辰土″應 斷曰：亥水子孫長生於申日，世遇日建逢生，雖化戌土之克，春令土衰，卯月剋制，有殺無妨。果於丁亥日全愈。豈知卯木雖克戌土，還有相合之意，亥水雖長生，戌土亦得長生於申，後至巳月亥逢月破，巳火生助戌土，諺語：斬草不除根，萌芽依舊生。復得病而死。

For example, on the day of Jiashen (甲申) in the month of Mao (卯), a divination was made about illness, resulting in the hexagram Qian (地山谦) changing to Jian (水山蹇). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brothers You metal, children Hai water (world line, active), parents Chou earth, brothers Shen metal, official ghost Wu fire (responding line), parents Chen earth. The resulting hexagram is: children Zi water, parents Xu earth, brothers Shen metal (world line), brothers Shen metal, official ghost Wu fire, parents Chen earth (responding line). The interpretation states: the children Hai water is born on the day of Jiashen, the world line receives support from the day's heavenly stem, although the changing hexagram brings Xu earth to overcome it, but in spring earth is weak, and the month of Mao also overcomes it, so although there is a harmful influence, it is not a problem. The person indeed recovered on the day of Dinghai (丁亥). Who would have thought that although the month wood overcomes Xu earth, there is also a harmonious relationship between Mao and Xu; although the children Hai water receives birth, Xu earth also receives birth on Jiashen. When the month changes to Si (巳), the children Hai water meets the month breaker, and Si fire supports Xu earth, which exactly matches the proverb "cutting the grass without removing the root, the sprout will still grow", and the person's old illness recurs and he dies.

傷害不重，枯木猶有逢春。世與動爻有氣，若被日月動爻沖剋者，目下雖克傷，他日逢生再發。水要看源，木要尋根。凡占身命、家宅、功名、墳墓、貿易等事，欲其久遠者。用神雖則為重，而元神必須兼看。用神為事之體，元神為事之本。用神雖旺，原神若被傷克者，即如水無泉源，木無根蒂，金火土者皆同。

The text says, "Though injured, withered wood still awaits spring": If the World Line and the Moving Line have vitality, even though they are clashed and controlled by the day and month lines, they may suffer some damage now, but will regain strength and flourish again in the future. The text also says, "Water must be traced to its source, wood must be sought to its root": For matters such as personal destiny, family residence, official rank, burial sites, and business transactions, which require long-term consideration, the Useful God is important, but the Origin God must also be examined. The Useful God is the essence of an affair, while the Origin God is its foundation. Even if the Useful God is prosperous and strong, if the Origin God is harmed or controlled, it is like water without a source or a tree without roots. This principle applies equally to the Useful God belonging to metal, fire, or earth.

如午月庚寅日占掣籤何處。得大畜變中孚卦。 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼卯木′ 妻財子水″應　　動　　父母巳火′ 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟未土″世 兄弟辰土′　　動　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼寅木′世　　官鬼卯木′ 妻財子水′　　父母巳火′應 斷曰世臨寅木官星，必得東缺。非廣東即山東。獨嫌子水月破動而化絕，恐不能到任。彼曰：何也？余曰：財為養命之源，又為朝廷之祿，今財臨絕地，是無財無祿，世爻寅木無水滋生，乃為凶兆。彼曰：改日潔誠再占。余曰可也。

For example, on a day of Gengyin with the month of Wu, a person draws a lot to determine where he will be appointed to an official post. The hexagram is cast and comes out as Da Xu (Hexagram 26) changing to Zhong Fu (Hexagram 61). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: official ghost yin wood, wife's wealth zi water (responding line, active), siblings xu earth, siblings chen earth (active), official ghost yin wood (world line), wife's wealth zi water. The changing hexagram's lines are: official ghost卯 wood, parents si fire, siblings wei earth (world line), siblings you earth, official ghost卯 wood, parents si fire (responding line). I interpreted: the world line is seated on yin wood official star, yin belongs to the east, so he will certainly be assigned to a post in the east, either Guangdong or Shandong. However, the zi water wealth line is exactly at the month breaker, and it is active, changing into si fire, forming 'huo jue', so I fear he may not be able to take up the post. He asked why. I said: wealth is the source of life, and also represents the salary from the court. Now the wealth line is in the jue position, meaning no wealth and no salary; the world line yin wood also loses the nourishment of water, which is an ominous sign. He said: perhaps another day, he will fast and be sincere again. I said it is okay.

甲午日又得臨之節。 子孫酉金″　　妻財子水″ 妻財亥水″應　　動　　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟丑土″　　子孫申金″應 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′世 余曰此與前卦，卦名雖殊，其理一也。又是亥水財爻被回頭克，不獨難以到任，還妨秋令危災。後果於七月，先得瀉疾，略好後，因服補藥太過，吃一次藥，只能喝一兩水，後竟渴死。

On the Jiawu day, I cast another divination, obtaining the Hexagram "Lin" (Earth Lake) changing into "Jie" (Water Lake). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children You Metal (Children of You Metal), Wealth Hai Water (Wealth of Hai Water, responding and active), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings of Chou Earth), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings of Chou Earth), Official Ghost Mao Wood (Official Ghost of Mao Wood, the worldly line), Parents Si Fire (Parents of Si Fire). The changing hexagram is: Wealth Zi Water (Wealth of Zi Water), Brothers Xu Earth (Siblings of Xu Earth), Children Shen Metal (Children of Shen Metal, responding), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings of Chou Earth), Official Ghost Mao Wood (Official Ghost of Mao Wood), Parents Si Fire (Parents of Si Fire, the worldly line). I said: This hexagram, though different in name from the previous one, shares the same underlying meaning. Moreover, the Hai Water wealth line changes into Xu Earth, forming a "back-killing" relationship. Not only will it be difficult to attain the position, but one should also beware of dangers in the autumn. Later, indeed, in the seventh month, he first suffered from diarrhea. After slight recovery, he took excessive doses of medicine, and each time he took a dose, he could only drink one liang of water. Eventually, he died of thirst.

動爻空破又何妨。如戌月己巳日餘占南行得大有之大壯 官鬼巳火′應　　動　　父母戌土″ 父母未土″　　兄弟申金″ 兄弟酉金′　　官鬼午火′世 父母辰土′世　　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　　子孫子水′應 餘以應爻為官星動而生世，官貴相生者，雖則可喜，但嫌巳火墓於戌月而又化墓，生我之官爻即又入墓耶，兼且又是六沖，疑為不吉。

The passage says, "Even if the moving line is empty and broken, it is not a problem." For example, on the day of Jisi (己巳) in the month of Xu (戌), I cast a hexagram for myself traveling south, and obtained the hexagram Da You (Fire in Heaven) changing to Da Zhuang (Thunder in Heaven). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost (官鬼) of fire at the responding line (which is moving), Parents of earth, Brothers of metal, Parents of earth, Wealth of wood, and Children of water. The lines of the resulting hexagram are: Parents of earth, Brothers of metal, Official Ghost of fire at the world line (which is stationary), Parents of earth, Wealth of wood, and Children of water at the responding line. I observed that the responding line is an official star (官星) which is moving and comes to generate the world line. The official and noble are generating me, which is favorable. However, I am concerned that the fire at the responding line is in the month of Xu and thus buried, and when it moves, it transforms into earth of Xu, which is still a burial. The official line that generates me is itself buried. In addition, this hexagram is a six clash (六冲), so I suspect this journey is not auspicious.

又亥月甲辰日又占得大有變畜卦 官鬼巳火′應　　妻財寅木′ 父母未土″　　子孫子水″應 兄弟酉金′　　動　　父母戌土″ 父母辰土′世　　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　　妻財寅木′世 子孫子水′　　子孫子水′ 餘疑又得此卦，巳火雖則生世又為月破，破而不能生我，這何益。況間爻酉金兄動乃阻隔耗財之神，疑之不行。

On the day of Jiachen in the month of Hai, I cast the same hexagram again, this time transforming into Da Xu. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: official ghost fire at Si (responding line), parents earth at Wei, siblings metal at You (activating), parents earth at Chen (the main line), wife's wealth wood at Yin, and son's grandson water. The resulting hexagram is: wife's wealth wood at Yin, son's grandson water (responding line), parents earth at Xu, parents earth at Chen, wife's wealth wood at Yin (main line), and son's grandson water. I was puzzled: again getting this hexagram, the official ghost fire at Si, although it comes to generate the main line, meets the month breaker of Hai month, breaking and thus not generating me, so what benefit is there? Moreover, the sibling metal at You is activated, which is the god obstructing travel and consuming wealth. Therefore, I abandoned the idea of going.

及至甲寅日又占又得大有之大壯 官鬼巳火′應　　動　　父母戌土″ 父母未土″　　兄弟申金″ 兄弟酉金′　　官鬼午火′世 父母辰土′世　　父母辰土′ 妻財寅木′　　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　　子孫子水′應

On the day of Jiayin, another divination was made, resulting in the hexagram Da You (Fire in Heaven) transforming into Da Zhuang (Thunder in Heaven). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Official Ghost of Fire in Si (responding, active), Parents of Earth in Wei, Brothers of Metal in You, Parents of Earth in Chen (the world), Wealth of Wood in Yin, and Children of Water in Zi. The transformed hexagram is: Parents of Earth in Xu, Brothers of Metal in Shen, Official Ghost of Fire in Wu (the world), Parents of Earth in Chen, Wealth of Wood in Yin, and Children of Water in Zi (responding). The same hexagram pattern has been obtained in three consecutive divinations.

連得三次，餘始悟，曰：此行到明年三四月必定如心。巳火之官動而生世，目下雖破入墓，明年三月沖開戌墓，巳火得出，至巳月得令，當時不破不空，旺相而生世矣。即於巳日起程，行至中途遇舊識，母死又被回祿，同行，行不數日，又遇知己，道及某處有奇門一部，乃係抄本，命餘同去買之，同道兩日，餘卜一卦，又得大有之大壯，餘對友曰：此卦得之四次，非叫我買書，乃促我行也。竟行，後至地頭，已二月矣。一日於將軍府中，將軍問曰：江南其撫國，功名將來何如？余曰：向於酉年占得艮之觀卦，即許酉年離任，又許今年三月仍以原品起用。

I had the same hexagram three times in a row, and only then did I realize that this journey would not be satisfactory until the third or fourth month of next year. The fire official star (巳火官星) is activated to generate the subject, but at present it is in a state of being broken and buried. However, by the third month of next year, the戌墓 will be opened by the冲, allowing the fire to be released. By the巳 month, it will be in its own position and strong, neither broken nor empty, thus becoming prosperous and strong to generate the subject. Therefore, I set off on a day of巳. On the way, I met an old acquaintance whose mother had died and whose house had caught fire, so we traveled together. A few days later, I met another friend who told me that there was a copy of the book "Qimen" (奇门) in a certain place and asked me to go buy it with him. We traveled together for two days, and on one occasion I cast a hexagram, which turned out to be the hexagram "Da You" (大有) changing into "Da Zhuang" (大壮). I told my friend: this hexagram has appeared to me four times already, so it is not telling me to buy the book, but rather urging me to proceed on my journey. I continued forward and arrived at my destination by the second month. One day, in the general's mansion, the general asked me: what will be the future official rank of the governor from the south? I replied: I had previously cast a hexagram for him in the year of酉, which was "Gen" changing into "Guan". At that time, I had predicted that he would leave his post in the year of酉, and also that he would be reinstated in the same rank in March of this year.

卯月戊戌日占目下功名升否？ 兄弟巳火′世　　動　　子孫戌土″世 子孫未土″　　妻財申金″ 妻財酉金′　　兄弟午火′ 官鬼亥水′應　　動　　子孫辰土″應 子孫丑土″　　父母寅木″ 父母卯木′　　官鬼子水′ 余曰：離變震卦，六沖而變六沖，世爻化墓入墓，亥水官星動化回頭之克，大凶之兆，勿望升遷，且防刑獄。將軍曰：此吾侄也。曾在二十九歲于都門向爾占過，許之四十九歲有險。今年四十九歲，有何險處？余曰，既是卦之前後照應，目下諸事更宜慎之。一日於藩司署中藩臺向余曰：此係餘府尊，因得罪制臺，已為辯護，看何如？

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) World Line: The World Line Primary Hexagram: The Primary Hexagram Resulting Hexagram: The Resulting Hexagram Six Clashes: Six Clashes Wuxu: Wuxu Parents: Parents Siblings: Siblings Children: Children Wealth: Wealth Official Ghost: Official Ghost I said: The hexagram is Li (Fire) changing to Zhen (Thunder), which is a Six Clashes hexagram changing into another Six Clashes hexagram; the World Line, which is the fire in the branch of Si, changes into the earth in the branch of Xu, which is a burial change, and the World Line itself is also buried; the Official Ghost, which is the water in the branch of Hai, is active and changes into the earth in the branch of Chen, forming a 'backward control', which is a very ominous sign. Promotion is not to be expected, and one should also be cautious of imprisonment. The general said: This is my nephew. He was twenty-nine years old when he once came to you in the capital to consult, and you told him he would have danger at forty-nine, and this year is exactly forty-nine. So where is the danger? I said: Since the two hexagrams correspond with each other, one should be even more cautious about current affairs. One day, in the office of the Minister of Revenue, the governor told me: This is the chief magistrate of this prefecture, who offended the governor-general, and I have already defended him. What is the result?

卯月庚子日占得風山漸。 官鬼卯木′應　　官鬼卯木′應 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 子孫申金′世　　子孫申金′世 父母午火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″ 斷曰：子孫持世，官臨應爻，祿位已屬他人矣。萬萬難於復職。藩臺曰：令爾報喜，如何此說？余曰：有喜則報，此卦無喜可報也。府尊曰：今日不誠，明早請到敝處，誠意卜之。

The divination was cast on the day of Gengzi in the month of Mao. The hexagram obtained was Jian (Hexagram 53). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost of Mulberry Wood (response line), Parents of Fire Snake, Brothers of Earth Horse, Children of Metal Monkey (the main line), Parents of Fire Dragon, Brothers of Earth Tiger. All six lines are still and there is no changing hexagram. I interpreted: For the divination regarding the restoration of office, the Official Ghost is the useful god. Now the Children hold the main line, which is the image of the Children overcoming the Official Ghost. The Official Ghost of Mulberry Wood is in the month of Mao, which is the month builder, and sits on the response line, indicating that the official position has already been taken by someone else, and restoration of office is completely impossible. The governor said: You were called here to report good news, how can you say such things? I said: If there is good news, it will be reported, but this hexagram indeed has no good news to report. The prefect said: Today's intention is not sincere, please come to my place tomorrow, fast and be sincere again to cast the divination.

卯月辛丑日又占得火地晉卦 官鬼巳火′　　官鬼巳火′ 父母未土″　　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′世　　兄弟酉金′世 妻財卯木″　　妻財卯木″ 官鬼巳火″　　官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″應　　父母未土″應 余曰：今日卦與昨日相同，世爻破而入墓，官星兩現，皆空破，彼之不服，余曰，再占一卦不妨。又得恆之大過。

The divination was cast on the day of Xin-Chou under the sign of Mao. The hexagram obtained was Jin (Fire on Earth). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost of Fire in Si, Parents of Earth in Wei, Siblings of Metal in You (World Line), Wealth of Wood in Mao, Official Ghost of Fire in Si, Parents of Earth in Wei (Responding Line). All six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. I said: Today's divination is exactly the same as yesterday's meaning. The World Line, metal in You, is exactly at the Month Breaker in the sign of Mao, and is also buried by the day of Xin-Chou, which is the metal tomb. It is both broken and buried. The official star, fire in Si, appears twice, but both are in the place of emptiness and Month Breaker, so there is still no hope for official position. He still refused to accept it. I said: Then it is no harm to cast another hexagram. So another hexagram was obtained, Heng (Thunder over Wind), changing to Da Guo (Lake over Wind).

妻財戌土″應　　妻財未土″ 官鬼申金″　　動　　官鬼酉金′ 子孫午火′　　父母亥水′世 官鬼酉金′世　　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″應 余曰：恭喜，此地爵位雖已失矣！速速援刑例，再任西方。彼曰：何以見之？余曰：持世官星破而入墓，所以知其失之就矣！幸五爻官化進神乃再任之官也。

This hexagram's primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Wealth in the earth element (Yin) (responding line), Official Ghost in the metal element (Shen) (active line), Children in the fire element (Wu), Official Ghost in the metal element (You) (holding line), Parents in the water element (Hai), Wealth in the earth element (Chou); the changing hexagram is: Wealth in the earth element (Wei), Official Ghost in the metal element (You), Parents in the water element (Hai) (holding line), Official Ghost in the metal element (You), Parents in the water element (Hai), Wealth in the earth element (Chou) (responding line). I said: Congratulations, although the official position here is certainly lost, please hurry to pay according to the 'punishment example' and be appointed again in the west. He asked why. I said: The holding line of the metal element (You) official star is broken and buried, so we know the original position is lost; fortunately, the fifth line of the metal element (Shen) official star is active and changes to the metal element (You), which is 'transformed advancing god', indicating the image of regaining official position again.

餘於彼地二月，占過數卦，尚無應驗，及至三月將軍之侄因昔年因陳不前，都中有人報出行文拿問；又見邸報，江南撫軍果以原品起用；又本府府尊命下，不准復職，後援刑例果於巳年補陝慶陽府知府。餘於彼地三五月，了無寧日。悟前火天大有連得四次，巳火之官而生世爻，應巳月官以相生，須知神報吉凶之月日不可照樣而書符，全在人之變通也。

I stayed in that place until the second month, and the several divinations I had made before had not yet come to fruition. In the third month, the general's nephew, who had not passed the examination of the previous year, was reported to the capital, and orders came down to investigate him. Later, I saw the official gazette, and indeed the governor of Jiangnan was appointed again to his original position. The official order from the prefecture also came down, which did not permit him to resume his post. Later, he paid the required fees according to the legal regulations and was indeed appointed as the magistrate of Qingyang Prefecture in Shaanxi in the year of the Snake. I stayed there from the third month to the fifth month, and had no day of rest. Only then did I realize: the Hexagram Da You (Fire in Heaven) had appeared four times in a row. The fire official star came to generate the World Line, which exactly corresponded to the time when the official star of the Snake month generated the World Line. This shows that the month and day foretold by the divine cannot be mechanically applied; it all depends on whether a person can be flexible and adaptable.

大匠誨人，必以規矩。卜者決斷，全在靈機。古聖先賢，教人占卜，先教人動靜衰旺生扶拱合刑沖剋害破墓絕空，種種關節不可放過，書宜熟看，自能觸類旁通，隨機應變，爻象一成，即知禍福。用者重之，不用者去之，切不可謬柱而鼓瑟也。筮必誠心，子日不忌。天下無事不由心生，心動求神，必須至誠。故曰：誠則形，形則聚，聚則明。心誠求之，卦必顯而易見。古有子不問卜，黃金策曰只在誠與不誠，不在子與不子。占勿二念，早晚何妨。一念之誠，可格天地。一籃之用，可享鬼神。若懷兩三事而占者，念既不專心，何能一念多心？即是不誠！故曰：遇事即占，不認早晚，慎勿兩念，二念不驗。

A master craftsman teaches people by first teaching them the rules and standards; however, the decision-making of a diviner depends entirely on flexible adaptability. Since ancient times, sages have taught people divination, first teaching them about movement and stillness, decline and prosperity, generation and support, mutual assistance, punishment and clash, clash and control, as well as destruction, tomb, end, and emptiness. None of these key points should be overlooked. If one thoroughly studies the texts, one can naturally understand them by analogy and adapt to situations. Once the hexagram is cast, one can immediately know about fortune and misfortune. What is useful should be emphasized, and what is not should be discarded. One must not be as rigid as fixing the strings of a qin to play a se, which is overly inflexible. Divination must be done with sincerity. The taboo of "not consulting on a day of the Son" is not worth worrying about. All things in the world arise from the mind. If the mind is moved and one seeks the gods, one must be most sincere. Therefore, sincerity within will manifest outwardly, and outward manifestation will gather energy, and gathered energy will bring clarity. If one sincerely seeks, the hexagram will certainly be clear and evident. Ancient people had the saying "do not consult on a day of the Son," but the "Golden Strategies" say that the key lies in sincerity or not, not whether it is a day of the Son. A single divination should have only one thought; whether it is done early or late does not matter. A single sincere thought can move heaven and earth, and a simple offering can suffice to honor the spirits. If one carries several matters in mind while consulting, the thought is not focused, how can one contain many thoughts within a single thought? That would be insincerity. Therefore, one should consult whenever a matter arises, regardless of the time, and must not have two thoughts. Two thoughts will not be effective.

曾有先占求財後占丈人之病。辰月乙丑日占求財得隨之否 妻財未土″應　　動　　妻財戌土′應 官鬼酉金′　　官鬼申金′ 父母亥水′　　子孫午火′ 妻財辰土″世　　兄弟卯木″世 兄弟寅木″　　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　　動　　妻財未土″

Someone first sought fortune and then consulted about their father-in-law's illness. On the day of Yichou in the month of Chen, they cast the hexagram "Sui" (Following) changing to "Pi" (Non-communication). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Wealth (Wu Earth) in the responding position (and active), Official Ghost (You Metal), Parents (Hai Water), Wealth (Chen Earth) in the worldly position, Siblings (Yin Wood), Parents (Zi Water) (and active). The changing hexagram is: Wealth (Xu Earth) in the responding position, Official Ghost (Shen Metal), Children (Wu Fire), Siblings (Mao Wood) in the worldly position, Children (Si Fire), Wealth (Wu Earth).

由占妻父病得水山騫 子孫子水″　　子孫子水″ 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金″世　　兄弟申金″世 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″　　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″應　　父母辰土″應 若依本人之言告而斷者先占求財，滿盤俱足財星，其財彼得。占丈人病者，父母臨日月而不死，卻不知二事從此人之念而出，神以前卦應丈人之病，財動克父，丈人病重辰日。應辰日者，財爻屬土，有辰乃土之墓耳。後卦反應求財，兄爻持世，不得。若非留神參悟，以前卦而斷求財，以否卦斷丈人之病者，令人噴飯。餘故曰：一念只占一事，不仿早占晚占，心懷兩三事者，半夜求神，亦有錯矣。

Then divining the illness of the father-in-law, the hexagram obtained was Water over Mountain, Jian (Hexagram 39). The six lines, from top to bottom, were: Grandson Water, Parents Earth, Brothers Metal (the subject), Brothers Metal, Official Ghost Fire, Parents Earth (the responding line), all lines being still. If following the order as stated by the person himself, the first divination was full of wealth stars, meaning wealth would certainly come; the second divination on the father-in-law's illness had the parents' line exactly matching the day branch and the month builder, meaning the person would not die. But he did not realize that both matters came from the same thought of the person. In reality, the divine spirits had the first divination apply to the father-in-law's illness. In the first divination, the wealth line moved to overcome the parents' line, so the father-in-law was seriously ill on the day of Chen. The day was Chen because the wealth line belonged to earth, and Chen is the storage of earth. The second divination, on the other hand, applied to seeking wealth: the brother line held the subject, meaning wealth could not be obtained. If one does not carefully study and understand, one would still use the first divination to judge seeking wealth and the second to judge the father-in-law's illness (the original text here says 'Pu hexagram', which should be 'the latter hexagram'). That would lead to ridicule. Therefore, I say: one thought only concerns one matter, regardless of whether it is divined early or late; a person who is thinking about several matters at once, even if he consults the gods in the middle of the night, will still make mistakes.

我事不可命人。我有心事，不可叫他人代我去占，我之一念，他又一念，事二念也！曾有現任官府命家人代占防害，卯月戊戌日占主人目下災悔否。得比之咸 妻財子水″應　　兄弟未土″應 兄弟戌土′　　子孫酉金′ 子孫申金″　　動　　妻財亥水′ 官鬼卯木″世　　動　　子孫申金′世 父母巳火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟辰土″

One's own affairs should not be divined by others. I have something on my mind, and I cannot let someone else cast a hexagram for me. One thought from me and another from them, one matter becomes two thoughts. Once, a current official had his family cast a hexagram to foresee potential dangers. On the day of Wu Xu in the second month of the goat, the family cast a hexagram to inquire whether the master was currently facing misfortune or regret. The primary hexagram was "Water over Earth: Bi" (Hexagram 8), which transformed into "Lake over Mountain: Xian" (Hexagram 31). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: wife and wealth (responding line) of Zi water, brothers of Xu earth, children of Shen gold (activating line), official ghost of Mao wood (world line, activating line), parents of Si fire, brothers of Wei earth. The transformed hexagram, from top to bottom, was: brothers of Wei earth (responding line), children of You gold, wife and wealth of Hai water, children of Shen gold (world line), parents of Wu fire, brothers of Chen earth.

此卦若以本人念，占防害者，喜子孫克世，克去身邊之鬼。而無覆也。告以家人，占主以父母為用神，又以官爻而兼用，巳火父爻旬空而墓於戌日，卯官雖臨月建，難擋疊疊之金，目下雖則無妨，秋來豈無險厄？豈知此卦，競應官府自己之念，世爻為用，子孫克世，以解其災。至申日聞信，有人往上司揭告，被人勸阻，訟之未成。若以家人占主而決者，差別遠矣；又有不應主人之念，而應家人之念者，故日我事必要親占，命他人而代者，難取用神，必於不驗。

If this divination is interpreted according to the person's own thoughts, it is favorable that the children's line activates to overcome the world line, thus eliminating nearby ghosts and avoiding worries of collapse. However, if interpreted as a family member divining on behalf of another, the parents should be taken as the useful god, and the official line should also be considered: the fire parent line is both in the旬空 and buried on the戌 day; although the wood official star is at the month builder, it cannot resist the heavy metal in the hexagram. Although there is no immediate danger now, how can there be no danger in autumn? It turns out that this hexagram actually fulfilled the official's own thought: taking the world line as the useful god, the children overcoming the world line exactly averted his misfortune. On the day of申, news came that someone went to report him to his superior, but was stopped by others, and the lawsuit did not happen. If interpreted as a family member divining on behalf of another, the result would be very different. There are also cases where the hexagram does not match the owner's thoughts but matches the thoughts of the family member. Therefore, one's own affairs must be divined by oneself; if someone else divines on one's behalf, the useful god is difficult to determine, and the result will inevitably be inaccurate.

他是誠心，持頌問神，讓我先占，恐神不許。我真誠問，早已舉念，我讓他占，神必應我。曾於辰月癸未日欲占功名先代尊長而占於病。得姤之渙卦 父母戌土′　　妻財卯木′ 兄弟申金′　　官鬼巳火′世 官鬼午火′應　　動　　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′　　動　　官鬼午火″ 子孫亥水′　　父母辰土′應 父母丑土″世　　妻財寅木″

Another person sincerely recited prayers and asked the gods, yet the master asked me to cast the divination first, fearing the gods would not respond. But since I had already sincerely formed the intention to ask, my thought had already arisen, and at this moment, letting him cast first, the gods would still respond to my thought. Once on the day of Guiwei in the辰 month, I originally intended to divinate my own official rank, but I first cast a divination for my superior's illness, obtaining the hexagram Gou (Heaven and Wind) changing into Huan (Water and Wind). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth dog (戌土), siblings in the monkey (申金), official ghost in the horse (午火, responding and active), siblings in the rooster (酉金, active), children in the pig (亥水), and parents in the ox (丑土, the world). The changing hexagram, in order, was: wife wealth in the rabbit (卯木), official ghost in the snake (巳火) (the world), parents in the sheep (未土), official ghost in the horse (午火), parents in the dragon (辰土) (responding), and wife wealth in the tiger (寅木).

本人占功名得天澤覆 兄弟戌土′　　兄弟戌土′ 子孫申金′世　　子孫申金′世 父母午火′　　父母午火′ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′應　　官鬼卯木′應 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 若以前卦，斷子病者，其子必死。何也？亥水子孫，日月傷克，世爻暗動，又傷子孫，兄申酉金，又被午火克壞，謂之忌神旺而元神衰，勢之必死，豈知本人舉念在前，前卦而應功名，午火官動而生世，世動官興，五月高遷。後卦竟應父占子病，申金子孫，日月生之，次日即愈。

Then the person divined for his official rank and got the hexagram "Heaven over Water, Footsteps" (originally written as "Covered"). The six lines from top to bottom are: brother戌earth, son申metal (world line), parent午fire, brother丑earth, official ghost卯wood (response), parent巳fire, and all six lines are still. If this previous hexagram were used to divinate the child's illness, the child would certainly die. Why? The water son亥is harmed by the day branch and month builder, the world line also covertly moves to harm the son, the sons申and酉metal brothers that could generate the son are weakened by the fire午, this is called the hostile god being strong while the origin god is weak, which inevitably leads to death. But unexpectedly, the person's intention came first, and the previous hexagram turned out to apply to the official rank: the fire official star午moves and generates the world line, the world line moves and the official rises, and indeed he was promoted in May. The later hexagram, however, turned out to apply to the father's son's illness: the son申metal is generated by the day branch and month builder, and the illness improved the next day.

他事由他動念，慎勿提他。他之心事，未動念而占，我提醒他，叫他占，乃我之念也。曾有父叫子占功名午月辛酉日占功名得萃變遁。 父母未土″　　動　　父母戌土′ 兄弟酉金′應　　兄弟申金′應 子孫亥水′　　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　　動　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼巳火″世　　官鬼午火″世 父母未土″　　父母辰土″

Another person's affairs should be handled by their own thoughts; do not remind them. If they have not yet formed a thought to consult the oracle, and I remind them to do so, then it becomes my thought instead of theirs. There was a case where a father asked his son to consult about his official position. The consultation was done on the day of Xinyou in the month of Wu, and the primary hexagram was Cui (Hexagram 45), which changed to Dun (Hexagram 33). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth element of Wei (moving), brothers in the metal element of You (responding), children in the water element of Hai, wealth in the wood element of Mao (moving), official ghost in the fire element of Si (the world), and parents in the earth element of Wei. The resulting hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth element of Xu, brothers in the metal element of Shen (responding), official ghost in the fire element of Wu, brothers in the metal element of Shen, official ghost in the fire element of Wu (the world), and parents in the earth element of Chen.

此子十有五歲，父叫他占將來有功名否？若於官星持世，夏火當令，未土父爻為文章，父化進神，功名有望，豈知父叫子占，乃父之念也，此卦乃是父占子也，父動克子只傷妻，此子未年而死。未年死子者，未土父動，值未年以傷子也。夫應七月傷妻，卯木財爻絕於申也。餘今亦曾叫人而占，另有一法，先向伊曰，爾之某事，須占一卦，目下我起之念，爾且莫占，待少刻忘懷，爾忽想起念而占之，即數之念，也屢驗。

This child is only fifteen years old, and his father asked him to divinate whether he would achieve official rank in the future. If we look only at the hexagram: the official star is in the current position, and the fire of the fourth heaven stem is in season during summer; the earth of the sixth heaven stem represents the father, and the father's line is active and transforms into the earth of the ninth heaven stem, forming "chemically advancing god," indicating a strong prospect for official rank. But in reality, since the father asked the son to divinate, the one with the intention was actually the father. Therefore, this hexagram is actually the father divining his son: the father's line is active and restrains the son's line, while the wealth line is also injured. As a result, the child died in the year of the earth dog. The child died in the year of the earth dog because the earth dog father's line was active, and in the year of the earth dog, it was the right time to injure the son. The wife died in July because the wood wealth line was extinguished in the year of the monkey. If I now want to have someone else divinate, there is another method: first tell him that he should divinate about a certain matter, but say that the intention is mine, and he should not divinate yet. Wait until a while later, when he forgets this, and then suddenly remembers and divines on his own, that would be his own intention. This method has been tested many times and is reliable.

我占必以直告，卻莫昧已，此等極多，難以枚舉，有為婚姻故，占月令者。因功名，故占流年。有現任官府，慾望他人之缺，不便言之。故占在任之吉凶，有孝廉不明言卜會試，卻問功名，有已生子，故問有子否？如未月癸亥日占流年得艮卦。 官鬼寅木′世　　官鬼寅木′世 妻財子水″　　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟戌土″ 子孫申金′應　　子孫申金′應 父母午火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″

When casting a hexagram oneself, one must state the matter directly and not conceal it from oneself. There are many such cases, too numerous to list: some ask about marriage but instead inquire about the fortune of the current month; others seek success in official examinations but instead consult about the fortune of the coming year; some current officials hope for a vacancy but cannot speak openly, so they inquire about the fortune of their current position; some candidates for the imperial examination do not openly ask about the examination but instead ask about official success in general; and some have already fathered a son yet still inquire whether they have a son. When the question asked does not match the true intention, the hexagram naturally fails to correspond. For example, on the day of Guihai in the month of Wei, one asks about the fortune of the coming year and obtains the hexagram of Gen (Mountain), which is one of the eight pure hexagrams. The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost of寅wood (the worldly line), Wealth of子water, Brothers of戌earth, Children of申gold (the responding line), Parents of午fire, Brothers of辰earth. All six lines are still, with no resulting hexagram.

此人已往軍前援例，故占流年，只謂命有功名，流年必現，卻不知占功名，以官為官，最喜官星持世。占流年以官為鬼，不宜官鬼持世，餘以此理告之，彼曰：煩人援例，如不知成否？余曰：此卦官星持世，長生於亥日，業已成矣。亥水為財，財旺生官。果於申日文書實收俱到，應申日者，寅木官星持世，靜而逢沖之日也。若以流年作鬼斷者，如天遠矣。

This person had already gone to the military front to contribute money in order to seek an official position, and he used the method of divining the current year's fortune to ask about his prospects. He thought that if his destiny included an official title, it would naturally show up in the current year's fortune. He did not understand that when divining about official titles, "official" refers to official positions, and it is most favorable when the official star is in the current position; but when divining the current year's fortune, "official" refers to ghosts and spirits, and it is most unfavorable when the official ghost is in the current position. I explained this principle to him. He asked, "I have entrusted someone to handle the donation for an official position, but I don't know if it will succeed." I said, "This divination shows the official star in the current position, and the long life is in the亥 day. It has already been completed; the亥 water is wealth, and wealth being strong can naturally generate official status." Indeed, on the申 day, the official document and the receipt were both delivered. The response occurred on the申 day because the寅 wood official star was in the current position and was quiet, and the day of conflict is the time of fulfillment. If one truly interpreted the official star as a ghost in the current year's fortune, it would be far off.

占遠應近，務必留心。天下之理生於動，有機則動，凡來占者，事在目前，心神迫情，兩心相感，起課之人精神亦聚，吉凶立建；事尚無機，或占後運，或占不關切之事，甚有作戲談而問占卦之人，不得已而應之，兩心毫無相攝，卦亦茫然，卦之成者戲以遠而報近事，或以近事而報遠。如未月丙辰日占財。得咸之大過 父母未土″應　　父母未土″ 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′　　子孫亥水′世 兄弟申金′世　　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火″　　動　　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土″　　父母丑土″應

When divining about distant matters but the response relates to immediate affairs, one must be particularly careful. The principles of the world arise from movement; only when there is an omen or sign does movement occur. For those who come to seek divination, if their matter is pressing and urgent, their mind is anxious, and the mutual resonance between the person and the diviner causes the diviner's spirit to concentrate, then the fortune or misfortune can be immediately discerned. However, if there is no omen or sign, or if the divination concerns future fortune or matters not directly related to the person, or if someone uses divination as a joke, the diviner is forced to respond, and there is no mutual resonance between the two. In such cases, the hexagram becomes unclear and directionless. The resulting hexagram often confuses distant matters with immediate ones, or immediate matters with distant ones. For example, on the day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Wei (未), someone asked about seeking wealth and received the hexagram Xian (泽山咸) changing to Da Guo (泽风大过). The original hexagram, from the top down, is: parents in the earth element (未土, responding line), brothers in the metal element (酉金), children in the water element (亥水), brothers in the metal element (申金, the main line), official ghost in the fire element (午火, active line), and parents in the earth element (辰土). The changing hexagram, from the top down, is: parents in the earth element (未土), brothers in the metal element (酉金), children in the water element (亥水, the main line), brothers in the metal element (酉金), children in the water element (亥水), and parents in the earth element (丑土, responding line).

此人閒問，家中常見白人，必有古窖，何時得財？余曰：卦中鬼變子孫，目下子女不利，彼小女出花，余曰：須防亥日，果死於亥日。彼問：何所問得財，神報目下而死女？應亥日者，午火鬼化亥水子也。又如酉月甲辰日占本月月令。得遁之姤卦。

This person merely asked idly: I often see the shadow of a white-clothed person at home, which must mean there is an ancient hidden treasure beneath, when can I get this fortune? I said: In the divination, the official ghost changes into children, indicating that the children are currently not favorable. His youngest daughter is now suffering from smallpox, so I warned him to be cautious on the day of Hai. Indeed, the girl died on the day of Hai. He asked: I asked about gaining wealth, but the divine response was about the death of my daughter now. The reason it fell on the day of Hai is because the fire official ghost changed into the water child on the day of Hai. Another example: On the day of Jiachen in the month of You, he consulted about the fortune of this month, and got the hexagram of Dun (Heaven Mountain) changing into Gou (Heaven Wind).

父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′應　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　　官鬼午火′應 兄弟申金′　　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火″世　　動　　子孫亥水′ 父母辰土″　　父母丑土″世 世爻午火動化亥水回頭克，世辰年占卦，在午年子月而死。占月令而現壽元，此占近而應遠也。

The primary hexagram consists of six lines from top to bottom: parents in the earth horse (戌土), siblings in the monkey (申金) (responding line), official ghost in the horse (午火), siblings in the monkey (申金), official ghost in the horse (午火) (the world line, which is active), and parents in the earth dragon (辰土). The resulting hexagram is: parents in the earth horse (戌土), siblings in the monkey (申金), official ghost in the horse (午火) (responding line), siblings in the rooster (酉金), children in the pig (亥水), and parents in the ox (丑土) (the world line). The world line, which is the horse (午火), is active and transforms into the pig (亥水), forming a 'backward control' (回头克). The person was divined in the year of the dragon (辰), and is destined to die in the year of the horse (午) during the month of the rat (子). The question asked was about the monthly fortune, yet the hexagram reveals the length of life, which is an example of predicting distant matters through close questions.

占此應彼，必須詳察。大凡占出卦象，必須細為詳查，卦有不應所問之事，而反應所未問之事，其故何也？神有舍小事而報大事，有舍小吉而報大凶，有舍此應彼，占我應他，占他應我，乃旦夕禍福將至，機之一動，卦必現，故曰：知機其神乎，此之謂也。

This matter should be interpreted in relation to another matter, and it must be examined carefully. Generally, after a hexagram is formed, it should be thoroughly reviewed, because a hexagram may not respond to the question asked, but instead respond to something not asked. Why is this so? Sometimes the divine wisdom omits small matters to reveal great ones, sometimes omits minor good fortune to reveal great misfortune, and sometimes responds to one thing in place of another. When divining about oneself, the result may pertain to another person, and when divining about another person, the result may pertain to oneself. This is because misfortune or blessing may come suddenly, and once the subtle signs appear, they will certainly be reflected in the hexagram. Therefore, it is said, "To know the signs is to be in harmony with the divine," which precisely describes this principle.

如巳月已未日占小廝病 妻財子水″應　　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土′　　兄弟戌土′ 子孫申金″　　子孫申金″世 官鬼卯木″世　　動　　子孫申金′ 父母巳火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟辰土″應 余曰：此卦不應小廝病，而應今秋功名有礙，彼曰：何也？余曰：世臨卯木之官化申金子孫回頭克，是以知之。彼曰：我問小廝，如何應在功名？餘日：神之機常常如此，舍小事而報大凶，公之諸事須宜慎之，果於七月，被論革職，此占他而應我也！

For example, on the day of Jiwei (己未) in the month of Si (巳), someone asked about the illness of a servant. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: wife wealth water (responding line), brothers戌 earth, children申 metal, official ghost卯 wood (world line, active), parents巳 fire, brothers未 earth; the changing hexagram was: wife wealth water, brothers戌 earth, children申 metal (world line), children申 metal, parents午 fire, brothers辰 earth (responding line). I said: This hexagram does not indicate the illness of the servant, but rather suggests obstacles in official matters this autumn. He asked: How do you know that? I said: The world line is seated on卯 wood official star, which is active and changes into申 metal children, forming a 'backward control' (回头克), so I knew. He said: I asked about the servant, how can it relate to official matters? I said: The signs of the divine often work this way, indicating a major disaster through a minor matter. You should be cautious in all affairs. Indeed, by July, this person was impeached and dismissed from office. This is an example of divining about someone else, yet the result affects oneself.

又如申月戊寅日占身病得坤之比 子孫酉金″世　　妻財子水″應 妻財亥水″　　動　　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟丑土″　　子孫申金″ 官鬼卯木″應　　官鬼卯木″世 父母巳火″　　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 斷曰：卦中世爻酉金絕於寅日，所幸秋天問卜，正值旺相，故自身無災。防九十月妻財有危。因亥水財爻化戌土為回頭克。彼曰：吾病已重。余曰：卦中子孫持世，不藥而癒。果不久病癒。九月妻死，是占我應他。

For example, on the day of Wu-Yin (戊寅) in the month of Shen (申), he consulted about his own illness and obtained the hexagram "Kun as Earth" changing into "Water and Earth - Bi." The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children You Metal (World Line), Wealth Hai Water (activating), Brothers Chou Earth, Official Ghost Mao Wood (responding), Parents Si Fire, Brothers Wei Earth; the changing hexagram is: Wealth Zi Water (responding), Brothers Xu Earth, Children Shen Metal, Official Ghost Mao Wood (World Line), Parents Si Fire, Brothers Wei Earth. The interpretation states: The World Line, Children You Metal, is in the "绝" (decline) position on the day of Yin, but since the question was asked in autumn, the metal element of You metal is at its prosperous and strong stage, so there is no disaster to himself; however, one should be cautious about the ninth and tenth months, as the wife is in danger, because the wife's wealth line, Hai water, changes into Xu earth, forming a "回头克" (self-attacking). He said: My illness is already very serious. I said: The hexagram shows the Children (children) holding the world line, so even without taking medicine, he will recover. Indeed, his illness soon improved, while his wife died in the ninth month. This is a case where the divination about himself turned out to affect someone else.

又如未月丁亥日占母病得坤之剝。 子孫酉金″世　　動　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財亥水″　　妻財子水″世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟戌土″ 官鬼卯木″應　　官鬼卯木″ 父母巳火″　　父母巳火″應 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 斷曰：此卦不現母病，而現子女有災。彼曰：何也？余曰：令堂近病，卦得六沖即愈，只不宜爻中現出子孫變鬼，伊曰：小兒初生兩月。餘日：八月防之。果於八月其子驚風，又來卜之。

For example, on a day of Dinghai in the month of Wei, someone consulted about his mother's illness and obtained the hexagram "Kun as Earth" changing into "Bo, the Splitting Away" (Hexagram 23). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was:Children You Metal (the worldly position, active), Wealth Hai Water, Brothers Chou Earth, Official Ghost Mao Wood (the responding position), Parents Si Fire, Brothers Wei Earth. The changing hexagram, from top to bottom, was:Official Ghost Yin Wood, Wealth Zi Water (the worldly position), Brothers Xu Earth, Official Ghost Mao Wood, Parents Si Fire (the responding position), Brothers Wei Earth. The interpretation was: this hexagram does not indicate the mother's illness, but rather that the children are in danger. He asked why. I said: your mother has recently fallen ill, and the hexagram encountering the Six Clashes will recover; however, it is not suitable for the Children to change into Official Ghost. He said: the child in the family is only two months old. I said: be cautious in August. Indeed, in August, the child had a fit. He then consulted the hexagram again.

酉月丁卯日又占子病 得既濟之革 兄弟子水″應　　官鬼未土″ 官鬼戌土′　　父母酉金′ 父母申金″　　動　　兄弟亥水′世 兄弟亥水′世　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　　子孫卯木′應 斷曰：卯木子孫，臨月破，又動出申金傷克，雖值日辰，難過酉月卯日。還有救否？余曰：向占母病，已應八月死子。今又得此凶卦，何以救之？果死於卯日。夫應於卯日者，乃實破之日也。

The Heavenly Stems are: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui. The Earthly Branches are: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai. The Trigrams are: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth). The divination result is: On the day of Dingmao, in the month of You, a second divination is made about a child's illness, resulting in the Hexagram Ji Ji (Hexagram 63) changing to Ge (Hexagram 49). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Brothers Zi Water (responding line), Official Ghost Xu Earth, Parents Shen Metal (activating), Brothers Hai Water (the main line), Official Ghost Chou Earth, and Children Mao Wood. The resulting hexagram is: Official Ghost Wei Earth, Parents You Metal, Brothers Hai Water (the main line), Brothers Hai Water, Official Ghost Chou Earth, and Children Mao Wood (responding line). The interpretation states: The Children Mao Wood is exactly at the month of You, which breaks the month. The hexagram also shows the movement of Shen Metal to harm it. Although it is on the day of Mao, it cannot survive the month of You. The person asks if there is any way to save the child. I say: Previously, when divining the illness of the mother, it was indicated that she would die on the 15th day of the eighth month. Now, such a bad hexagram is obtained again, how can there be any way to save the child? The child indeed died on the day of Mao. The reason it was indicated for the day of Mao is because that day was the day when the month break was filled.

李我平曰：黃金策千金賦，乃誠意先生所著，昔有人曰：有能易一宇者，予以千金，後因刻板錯誤，以訛傳訛，致白玉生瑕，不意野鶴老人，前後增刪，另作解注，以成全壁。餘不能遣以千金，從此名之萬金賦可也。

Li Tan (style name Woping) said: The "Qianjin Fu" in the "Golden Strategies" was written by the Honorable Gentleman Liu Ji. Once someone made a statement: whoever can change a single character in it will be given a thousand taels of gold. Later, when the edition was printed incorrectly, errors spread and were passed on, like a jade stone developing a flaw. Unexpectedly, the Wild Crane Elder made additions and deletions, and provided his own commentary, finally restoring it to its original perfection. Since I cannot offer a thousand taels of gold as a gift, I will from now on call it the "Wanjin Fu".

增刪《黃金策 》天道旱澇不定，易爻陰晴可測。古以晴雨之占，不可以有試其行術而輕瀆鬼神，如亢旱求雨，澇則求晴，始可卜之。余曰：不然，正可以此試其術何也！卦之微妙，初學難知，以人事而卜，不易得驗；以天時而卜，目下即可得驗。天時人事，皆不離五行。天時得驗，人事驗矣，余初學卜，皆賴天時之巧應，得其微妙之處。

The Golden Strategies have further additions and revisions. The essay says: the droughts and floods of heaven are not fixed, but the lines of the I Ching can predict whether it is sunny or rainy. Ancients thought that predicting weather should not be used to test divination techniques or to despise spirits; they believed one must have a real situation, such as praying for rain in a severe drought or praying for clear weather during a flood, before one can cast a hexagram. I say otherwise; precisely we should use it to test divination techniques. Why? The principles of hexagrams are subtle and difficult for beginners to understand; using human affairs for divination is hard to verify immediately; using weather for divination, however, shows results on the same day. Whether it is human affairs or weather, both depend on the Five Phases. If weather divination is accurate, human affairs will naturally also be accurate. When I first learned divination, I relied entirely on the frequent accurate predictions of weather, which helped me grasp the subtle aspects of it.

子孫為日月星斗，動則萬里晴光。黃金策以財動者，八方咸仰晴光，非也。子孫發動，萬里無雲，財以子孫為原神，財動雖晴，倘如子孫休囚空破，或現而不動，必不大晴，當有浮雲薄霧。如卯月甲午日占晴 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟未土″ 子孫申金″　　動　　子孫酉金′世 父母午火′世　　妻財亥水′ 兄弟辰土′　　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′應 妻財子水′應　　妻財子水′ 申金子動化進神，酉日碧天如洗。或曰：凡存占驗，皆尚奇微巧驗，此卦顯而易見，何故錄之？余曰：令初學者易知，由淺以入深也。奇驗於理，後卷有之。

The text says, "Children represent the sun, moon, stars, and constellations; when they move, the sky is clear for thousands of miles." The original sentence from The Golden Strategies reads, "When the wealth line moves, the sky is clear in all directions," which is incorrect. It should be "Children moving" that brings about a clear sky without clouds. The wealth line takes the children as its original god; although wealth moving also indicates clear weather, if the children are weak, confined, empty, or broken, or if they appear in the hexagram but do not move, the weather will not be completely clear, there will still be some floating clouds and mist. For example, in a divination on a day of Jiawu in the month of Mao, asking about clear weather, the primary hexagram from top to bottom is: Brother戌土, Child申金 (moving), Parent午火 (world), Brother辰土, Official Ghost寅木, Wealth子水 (response); the changing hexagram is: Brother未土, Child酉金 (world), Wealth亥水, Brother辰土, Official Ghost寅木 (response), Wealth子水. The child申金 moves and changes into酉金, which is "changing into an advancing god." On the day of You, the sky was indeed clear and bright. Some people say: All verified cases should be those that are ingenious and subtle, this hexagram is obvious at a glance, so why record it? I say: It is to make beginners understand easily, starting from the simple and moving to the complex; as for cases with profound reasoning, there are plenty in the following volumes.

父母為雨雪霧霜，發則八方潤澤。凡占，須以分看，或求晴、求雨、求雪、求霜，念專於一而神告矣。宜分請求於何地？神曰：域內晴否？或占本鄉、或占本省、不然天下何日不晴？何日不雨？指其地而占之可也。法以父母為天地，天地閉塞，而日月塞，而日月掩藏，此亦近理。餘以父母為厚雲重霧，父動傷子，掩其日月也。所以父爻發動，雲霧迷天，日月掩藏而雨矣。

The text says, "Parents represent rain, snow, mist, and frost; when they arise, the eight directions become moist and nourished." When divining about weather, one must ask separately: seeking clear skies, seeking rain, seeking snow, seeking frost. One's focus should be on a single matter so that the divine spirits can clearly respond. One must also clearly specify the location being asked about—whether it is the hometown or the entire province. Otherwise, with the vastness of the world, which day is not clear? Which day is not rainy? One must divinate specifically for a particular place. The old method regarded the parents'爻 as heaven and earth; when heaven and earth are blocked, the sun and moon are obscured. This statement is still somewhat reasonable. I, however, regard the parents'爻 as thick clouds and heavy mist: when the parents'爻 moves, it harms the children's爻, which is like blocking the sun and moon. Therefore, when the father's爻 moves, clouds and mist obscure the sky, the sun and moon are hidden, and rain is about to fall.

如巳月甲戌日占天何日雨得小過之旅 父母戌土″　　動　　官鬼巳火′ 兄弟申金″　　父母未土″ 官鬼午火′世　　兄弟酉金′應 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″　　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″應　　父母辰土″世 因連日大晴，本日卯時占何時雨？即於辰時起云，辰末巳初雷雨大作，應辰時者，戌日沖辰父而暗動，雷雨大作者，戌化巳火鬼也。

For example, on a day in the month of Si with a Jiaxu day, someone asked when it would rain, and the hexagram obtained was 'Xiao Guo' changing to 'Lv'. The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, were: parents Wu earth (activating), siblings Shen metal, official ghost Wu fire (the world), siblings Shen metal, official ghost Wu fire, parents Chen earth (the response). The lines of the resulting hexagram were: official ghost Si fire, parents Wei earth, siblings You metal (the response), siblings Shen metal, official ghost Wu fire, parents Chen earth (the world). Because it had been sunny for several days, the hexagram was cast at the卯 hour, asking when it would rain. Clouds appeared at the辰 hour, and there was a heavy thunderstorm between the end of辰 and the beginning of巳. The response occurred at the辰 hour because the day of Jiaxu was in opposition to the first line, Chen earth parents, resulting in 'covert movement'. The reason it was thunder rain was because the top line, Wu earth, changed to Si fire official ghost, and official ghost represents thunder and lightning.

妻財天氣晴明。財動克父而生子孫，所以主睛。如酉月乙巳日占本日陰晴：得升之恆 官鬼酉金″　　妻財戌土″應 父母亥水″　　官鬼申金″ 妻財丑土″世　　動　　子孫午火′ 官鬼酉金′　　官鬼酉金′世 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″應　　妻財丑土″ 此卦丑土財動化出午火子孫，上半日雖晴常有浮雲掩日，至午時之後滿天紅日無雲，所以財爻雖主晴明，難免無雲，至午時而見子孫，始大晴也。

The text says "the wealth hexagram indicates clear weather": the wealth hexagram is activated and can overcome the parents, while also generating the children, thus indicating clear skies. For example, on the day of Yisi in the month of You, someone asked about the weather for that day, and obtained the hexagram Sheng changing to Heng. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: official ghost You metal, parents Hai water, wealth Chou earth (the world, activated), official ghost You metal, parents Hai water, wealth Chou earth (the response); the changing hexagram is: wealth Xu earth (the response), official ghost Shen metal, children Wu fire, official ghost You metal (the world), parents Hai water, wealth Chou earth. In this hexagram, the Chou earth wealth hexagram is activated and changes to Wu fire children: the upper half of the day is clear, but there are often floating clouds blocking the sun; after noon, the sky is fully bright with the sun, with no clouds at all. Thus, although the wealth hexagram indicates clear weather, it still cannot avoid clouds until Wu time, when the children take charge, and then the weather is completely clear.

官鬼雷霆霧電。官鬼乃父母之原神，動則生父，故主霧霆雷電。或應雷霆，不拘春復秋冬，方可執以為雷霆霧電看是也。如巳月丁卯日占天何日雨得恆之大過 妻財戌土″應　　妻財未土″ 官鬼申金″　　動　　官鬼酉金′ 子孫午火′　　父母亥水′世 官鬼酉金′世　　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″應 世爻酉鬼暗動，申鬼明動化進神，本日申時，霹雹擎天，遠方大雨，而本處灑來幾點，或曰：因父爻月破。予曰：非也，父爻若動，雖臨月破，亦作大雨。

The text says "Official Ghosts are Thunder and Lightning and Mist and Electricity": The Official Ghost is the original god of the Parents, and when it moves, it produces the Parents, hence it is associated with thunder, lightning, mist and electricity. Sometimes it should be interpreted as thunder, regardless of the season, and thunder, lightning, mist and electricity can be considered in the same way. For example, on a day with the day branch Dingmao in the month of Si, someone asks about rain on which day, and gets the hexagram "Heng" changing into "Da Guo". The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: Wealth of戌 earth (responding line), Official Ghost of申 metal (moving), Children of午 fire, Official Ghost of酉 metal (world line), Parents of亥 water, Wealth of丑 earth. The lines of the changing hexagram are: Wealth of未 earth, Official Ghost of酉 metal, Parents of亥 water (world line), Official Ghost of酉 metal, Parents of亥 water, Wealth of丑 earth (responding line). The world line Official Ghost of酉 metal is affected by the day branch and moves covertly, while the fifth line Official Ghost of申 metal moves openly and changes into酉 metal, forming an "advancing god". On that day at the hour of Shen, there was thunder shaking the sky, heavy rain in the distance, and only a few drops locally. Some people say this is because the parent line meets the month breaker. I say it is not; as long as the parent line moves, even if it meets the month breaker, it can still bring heavy rain.

應乃太虛，逢空雨晴難定，世為大地，受克天變非常。覺子曰：占雨用父爻，占晴用子孫爻、財爻，世應何干？余曾占雨占晴，一卦不現，再占兩卦。六爻不動者，務必求其動而驗之。何故而曰雨晴難定？假使人間趨避，亦可答曰我難定耶？至於世爻受克而天變者，繫偶然湊合一兩卦耳，何得以之為法？余常占得官父兄爻克世者不少，未見天變，此兩句宜刪之。

The text says, "The Response Line is the Great Void, and when it is empty, whether it rains or clears is uncertain; the World Line is the Earth, and when it is harmed, heavenly changes are unusual." Li Wenhui asks: When predicting rain, use the Parents Line; when predicting clear weather, use the Children Line and Wealth Line. How does this relate to the World Line and the Response Line? When I predict rain or clear weather, if one hexagram cannot show the result, I will cast two more hexagrams; if none of the six lines move, I must certainly require a moving line to verify. Why is it said "rain and clear weather are uncertain"? If people wish to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, can they just answer with "I cannot decide"? As for the statement that the World Line being harmed leads to heavenly changes, this is merely a coincidence in a few hexagrams, how can it be established as a rule? I often see hexagrams where the Official Ghost, Parents, and Siblings lines harm the World Line, but I have not seen any heavenly changes. These two lines should be deleted.

若論風雲全憑兄弟。兄弟發動，雖主風雲乃云淡風輕之景，非晴非雨之天。每見兄動而日月於雲中穿走，怎隱乍出現。如午月丁亥日占本日陰晴得逐之否 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′應 兄弟申金′應　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′　　官鬼午火′ 兄弟申金′　　動　　妻財卯木″世 官鬼午火″世　　官鬼巳火″ 父母辰土″　　父母未土″ 或曰：兄動為風雲，今日還是陰天。余曰：申金兄爻為雲，化卯木財爻，是由雲霧中變出日色之象，果一日陰雲申時而見日色，次日卯時大晴。

The text says, "If we talk about wind and clouds, it depends on the siblings." Although the movement of the siblings indicates wind and clouds, it is only a scene of light clouds and gentle breeze, a weather condition that is neither clear nor rainy. I often see when the sibling line moves, the sun and moon pass through the clouds, appearing and disappearing. For example, on a day in the fifth month of the year Dinghai, someone asked about whether the weather would be sunny or cloudy that day, and obtained the hexagram "Heaven over Mountain" (Dun) changing into "Heaven and Earth Opposed" (Pi). The primary hexagram, from the top down, is: parents in the earth element戌土, siblings in the metal element申金 (responding line), official ghost in the fire element午火, siblings in the metal element申金 (moving line), official ghost in the fire element午火 (the main line), and parents in the earth element辰土. The resulting hexagram is: parents in the earth element戌土 (responding line), siblings in the metal element申金, official ghost in the fire element午火, wife's wealth in the wood element卯木 (main line), official ghost in the fire element巳火, and parents in the earth element未土. Some people say that the movement of the sibling line indicates wind and clouds, and that the weather would still be cloudy. I say, the sibling line in the metal element申金 represents the clouds, and its transformation into the wealth line in the wood element卯木 indicates the sun breaking through the clouds. The result was that the day was heavily overcast, but by the hour of Shen, the sun appeared, and on the next day at the hour of Mao, the weather became clear.

更詳四季推辭，須配五行參決。黃金策曰：父母爻四時主雨，若臨金水雨大而不止，若臨火土雨小而不久。覺子曰：此係不論衰旺四時，皆以父臨水則雨大，臨火則雨小。既不論衰旺如何，後章又曰：父持月建必然陰雨連旬，假使巳午未月火土當令之時，正大雨施行之際，若值父臨火土而動，如以旺衰而論，父旺當主陰雨連旬；若以五行來決，論火土者當斷之雨小。古法之錯，何以不刪？更可笑者，舊注有云，冬天以子孫為霜雪，以子孫為霜雪，倘值冬令占晴，以何爻而用？明昔賢悖理之廖，當時而不省悟者，何也？

The text says, "One should further examine the seasonal changes and consider the Five Phases for decision." The Golden Strategies states: the parents' hexagram rules rain in all four seasons; if it is accompanied by metal or water, the rain will be heavy and continuous; if it is accompanied by fire or earth, the rain will be light and short-lived. Li Wenhui says: this is regardless of the strength or weakness of the four seasons, always judging rain by the parents' hexagram being accompanied by water for heavy rain and fire for light rain. Since it does not consider strength or weakness, the next chapter yet says, "If the parents' hexagram holds the month builder, there will certainly be continuous rainy weather." Suppose in the months of巳, 午, 未 when fire and earth are in charge, which is the season for heavy rain, yet the parents' hexagram is accompanied by fire or earth and becomes active: according to strength and weakness, the parents being strong should indicate continuous rainy weather; according to the Five Phases, being accompanied by fire or earth should indicate light rain. The old methods are contradictory like this, why are they not deleted? Even more laughable is the old commentary that in winter, the children's hexagram represents frost and snow. If the children's hexagram is taken as frost and snow, then when predicting clear weather in winter, which hexagram should be used? These obvious logical errors of previous scholars were not recognized by people at that time, why is that?

如子月已亥日因連日雪占何日晴得觀之比 妻財卯木′　　動　　子孫子水″應 官鬼巳火′　　父母戌土′ 父母未土″世　　兄弟申金″ 妻財卯木″　　妻財卯木″世 官鬼巳火″　　官鬼巳火″ 父母未土″應　　父母未土″ 斷曰：兩爻火鬼暗動，今日還是陰天，卯木財爻化出子孫子水，明日卯時必晴。果於次日卯時，雲開日出，此子水者既臨月建，又有亥月拱之，旺之無比。若以之為霜雪，不獨不晴，既當雪深十尺。所以占天時，不論旺衰，亦未有以子孫為霜雪也。

For example, on the day of Jihai (己亥) in the month of Zi (子), due to continuous snowfall, one divines which day the weather will clear. The hexagram obtained is Guan (风地观) changing to Bi (水地比). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife wealth in卯wood (active), official ghost in巳fire, parents in未earth (the world line), wife wealth in卯wood, official ghost in巳fire, parents in未earth (the responding line); the changing hexagram is: son in子water (responding line), parents in戌earth, brothers in申metal, wife wealth in卯wood (the world line), official ghost in巳fire, parents in未earth. The interpretation states: two lines of巳fire official ghosts are affected by the day branch and undergo covert movement, so today remains cloudy; the卯wood wealth line changes into子water son, so the weather will definitely clear at the卯hour tomorrow. Indeed, the next day at the卯hour, clouds dispersed and the sun emerged. This子water serves both as the month builder of the Zi month and is supported by the亥day, thus reaching its peak strength; if one follows the old interpretation and treats the son as frost or snow, not only should it not clear, but snow should fall ten feet thick. Therefore, when divining weather, one cannot ignore the strength and decline of the lines, and there has never been a reason to treat the son as frost or snow.

晴或逢官，為煙為霧。舊注卦得時兆，爻中又有鬼動者，必須有濃雲重霧，或惡風晦暗，冬或大寒，夏或大熱，非風和日霞之天。餘以此論有理，但須分別時辰。既如辰月已卯日占本日陰晴得屯之臨 兄弟子水″　　父母酉金″ 官鬼戌土′應　　動　　兄弟亥水″應 父母申金″　　官鬼丑土″ 官鬼辰土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″世　　動　　子孫卯木′世 兄弟子水′　　妻財巳火′ 斷日寅木子孫化進神，今日大晴，五爻戌土鬼動，戌亥時必主黑雲。果於戌時，星辰無光。若以一日之煙霧斷者，錯也。

The commentary says, "If clear weather meets the official ghost, it will be smoke or mist." Old annotations explain: if the hexagram already shows signs of clear weather and there is also the official ghost moving among the lines, then there must be thick clouds and fog, or bad winds and dim light. In winter it will be especially cold, in summer especially hot. In any case, the weather will not be clear and sunny. I think this is reasonable, but it is necessary to determine which time of day this applies. For example, on the day of Ji Mao in the month of Chen, someone asked about the weather for that day, and obtained the hexagram Zhun changing to Lin. The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: brothers' water, official ghost earth (responding line, moving), parents' metal, official ghost earth, sons' wood (the world line, moving), brothers' water. The lines of the changing hexagram are: parents' metal, brothers' water (responding line), official ghost earth, official ghost earth, sons' wood (the world line), wealth's fire. The interpretation is: the son's wood changes to the son's wood, forming an "advancing god," so today will be very sunny; the fifth line, the official ghost earth, is moving, so there will certainly be black clouds at戌 and亥 hours. Indeed, by戌 hour, even the stars could not be seen. If one generally interprets this smoke and mist image as applying to the whole day, that would be wrong.

雨而遇福，為電為虹。卦得有雨之象，子孫亦動者，非有閃電，則有彩虹，餘以之為非。三合成財問雨難堪八卦。三合財局子孫局者，主晴．三合父局主雨，三合鬼局，黑霧迷天或雷電閃爍，三合木局主風。五鄉連父晴怪殺臨空。舊注謂父爻空而無雨，子孫及財爻空而不晴。余常占雨，父母休囚不動，果是難望。若值空者，勿謂無望，常得父爻動而逢空，不應沖空之日，則應填實之期。百試百驗，財與子孫空者，同此。財化鬼陰晴不久。舊注繫財化鬼陰晴未定，非也。

The passage says, "If there is rain and fortune, it will be lightning or a rainbow." When the hexagram shows the image of rain and the Children (children) line is activated, it is not lightning or a rainbow. I think this is incorrect. The passage also says, "When the triple harmony forms wealth and asks about rain, it is uncomfortable." If the triple harmony forms a wealth or Children (children) pattern, it indicates clear weather; if it forms a parents pattern, it indicates rain; if it forms an official ghost pattern, it indicates thick fog or flashing lightning; if it forms a wood pattern, it indicates wind. The passage also says, "Five directions connected with parents indicate clear weather, and strange killing comes to the sky." Old annotations say that if the parents line is in the empty position, there will be no rain; if the Children (children) or wealth lines are in the empty position, there will be no clear weather. In my daily practice of predicting rain, if the parents line is weak and confined and not activated, it is indeed difficult to expect rain; but if it is only in the empty position, do not say there is no hope. I often encounter cases where the parents line is activated but also in the empty position. It should not rain on the day of the empty position, but rather on the day when the position is filled. This has been tested many times and is always accurate. The passage also says, "Wealth transforms into official ghost, indicating short-term weather changes." Old annotations interpret this as wealth transforming into official ghost indicating uncertain weather, which is wrong.

如巳月甲寅日因連日晴占何日雨，得既濟變蹇 兄弟子水″應　　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′　　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″　　父母申金″世 兄弟亥水′世　　父母申金′ 官鬼丑土″　　妻財午火″ 子孫卯木′　　動　　官鬼辰土″應 若以財化鬼陰晴未定，此卦卯木子孫化辰土鬼，豈可曰陰晴兩來，殊不知卯木子卯日晴，辰土鬼日天變則不晴矣。余斷辰日天陰，巳日必雨。何以知其巳日雨？卦中申金父爻暗動，動而逢令之日，果於辰日天變，巳日大雨，故曰，子孫爻、財爻、化鬼，晴之不久，父爻動化子，乃雨之不久，非陰晴而難定。

For example, on the day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Si (巳), due to continuous clear weather, one divines which day will rain, obtaining the hexagram Ji Ji (水火既济) changing to Jian (水山蹇). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers' water (responding line), official ghost earth, parents metal, brothers' water (the main line), official ghost earth, and sons' wood (moving line). The resulting hexagram is: brothers' water, official ghost earth, parents metal (main line), parents metal, wealth fire, and official ghost earth (responding line). If we consider "wealth transforming into official ghost indicates uncertain weather," does this hexagram mean that the sons' wood transforms into earth official ghost, implying uncertain weather? In fact, the sons' wood line governs the day of卯 (卯) when the weather clears, while the earth official ghost line governs the day of辰 (辰) when the weather changes but does not clear. I concluded that the day of辰 will be cloudy and the day of巳 will definitely rain. How do I know that it will rain on the day of巳? Because the parents' metal in the hexagram is affected by the day branch and moves covertly. The moving line should correspond to its ruling day. Later, it indeed rained on the day of巳. Therefore, when the sons' line or wealth line transforms into the official ghost line, it indicates that the clear weather will not last long; when the parents' line moves and transforms into the sons' line, it indicates that the rain will not last long. It is not that the weather is uncertain.

父化兄風雨靡常。父化兄，父化鬼或卦中父動兄動皆主風雨交作，若論前後，動者為先，變者為後，既如兄化父先風而後雨，鬼化父春夏占者先雷後雨。覺子曰：鬼動雖為雷電，應雷者少，黑雲者多，不可執之。父化子雨後晴明，弟化孫雲開日出。舊注繫母化子，長虹滿帶，非也。

The text says, "Parents transform into siblings, and winds and rains are unpredictable." This refers to situations where the parent line changes into the sibling line, or the parent line changes into the official ghost line, or both the parent and sibling lines are activated in the hexagram. These situations indicate heavy rain and strong winds. When considering the sequence, the moving line comes first and the changing line comes later: if the sibling line changes into the parent line, it means wind comes first and then rain; if the official ghost line changes into the parent line, then in spring and summer, thunder comes first and then rain. Li Wenhui says that the official ghost line's activation may indicate thunder and lightning, but in reality, thunder is less significant and the presence of dark clouds is more important, so one should not be rigid in interpretation. The text also says, "Parents transforming into children indicate rain followed by clear weather; siblings transforming into grandchildren indicate clouds dispersing and the sun appearing." Old interpretations mistakenly take this to mean "the mother transforming into the child indicates a rainbow across the sky," which is incorrect.

如午月乙卯日因連日雨本日亦雨，占何日晴 父母酉金″　　動　　子孫寅木′世 兄弟亥水″　　兄弟子水″ 官鬼丑土″世　　官鬼戌土″ 兄弟亥水′　　父母申金′應 官鬼丑土″　　妻財午火″ 子孫卯木′應　　動　　官鬼辰土″ 余曰：今日酉時必見紅輪西墮，明日還見陰天。彼曰：何也？余曰：六爻酉父化子，今日酉時落日。初爻卯木化辰鬼，明朝辰日必是陰雲。果於酉時忽然天開，見日色。次日迷雲而雨。

For example, on a day in the month of Wu with the stem Yi and branch Mao, it has been raining continuously and it is also raining on that day. The question is about which day the weather will clear. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents in You metal (activating), siblings in Hai water, official ghost in Chou earth (the world), siblings in Hai water, official ghost in Chou earth, and children in Mao wood (the responding line, activating). The resulting hexagram is: children in Yin wood (the world), siblings in Zi water, official ghost in Xu earth, parents in Shen metal (the responding line), wealth in Wu fire, and official ghost in Chen earth. I said: today at the You hour, one can definitely see the sunset. Tomorrow will still be cloudy. He asked why. I said: the top line, You metal parents, transforms into Yin wood children, so today at the You hour, the sunset will be visible. The first line, Mao wood children, transforms into Chen earth official ghost, so tomorrow on the Chen day, there will certainly be overcast clouds. Indeed, at the You hour, the sky suddenly cleared, revealing the sun. The next day, however, was cloudy and rainy.

父持月建必然陰雨連旬。舊注；父母臨月建而動者雨必不止，野鶴曰：此以旺衰而言，余試不驗。如午月丙午日占何日雨得大壯之升 兄弟戌土″　　子孫酉金″ 子孫申金″　　妻財亥水″ 父母午火′世　　動　　兄弟丑土″世 兄弟辰土′　　子孫酉金′ 官鬼寅木′　　妻財亥水′ 妻財子水′應　　動　　兄弟丑土″應

The text says, "If the father's爻 is held by the month builder, there will certainly be continuous rain for a whole month." The old commentary explains: when the parents'爻 is exactly at the month builder and is active, rain will certainly fall without stopping. The Wild Crane Elder says: this is talking only about the strength and decline, but I have tested it and found it not to be accurate. For example, on a day of Bingwu in the month of Wu, someone asked which day it would rain, and he got the hexagram Da Zhuang changing to Sheng. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brothers戌 earth, children申 metal, parents午 fire (the world, active), brothers辰 earth, official ghost寅 wood, wife wealth子 water (the response, active); the changing hexagram is in order: children酉 metal, wife wealth亥 water, brothers丑 earth (the world), children酉 metal, wife wealth亥 water, brothers丑 earth (the response).

又如申月丙辰日占何日得坎之困 兄弟子水″世　　官鬼未土″ 官鬼戌土′　　父母酉金′ 父母申金″　　動　　兄弟亥水′應 妻財午火″應　　妻財午火″ 官鬼辰土′　　官鬼辰土′ 子孫寅木″　　子孫寅木″世 前卦午火父動，未時一陣大雨而酉時既晴。後卦申金爻動庚申日雨辛酉半陰晴亥時大晴。前卦不惟父持月建，且臨日辰，從卦父持月建，辰日生之，旺莫如此也。似此之旺且無風雨連旬，而況他乎？余試天時，兄坐長生，才能定風累日。

For example, on a day with the day branch being Bingchen and the month being Shen, someone asked about which day it would rain. They obtained the hexagram Kan (Water) changing into Kun (Lake). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: brothers zi water (the world), official ghost xu earth, parents shen metal (activating), wife wealth wu fire (responding), official ghost chen earth, sons yin wood. The changing hexagram, from top to bottom, was: official ghost wei earth, parents you metal, brothers hai water (responding), wife wealth wu fire, official ghost chen earth, sons yin wood (the world). In the original hexagram, the wu fire parents were activated, and it rained for a while at the hour of Wei, but it cleared up by the hour of You. In the changing hexagram, the shen metal parents were activated, and it rained on the day of Gengshen, was partly cloudy and partly sunny on the day of Xinyou, and cleared up completely by the hour of Hai. In the original hexagram, the parent爻 was not only in the position of the month builder, but also exactly on the day branch. In the changing hexagram, the parent爻 was in the position of the month builder and received the generation from chen day, becoming extremely strong. Even when it was so strong, it did not result in continuous rain for a whole fortnight, let alone other hexagrams. My experience in predicting weather is that only when the brother爻 is in the position of growth can it be certain that there will be continuous wind for several days.

如辰月戊申日占本日陰晴得中孚之小畜卦 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″世　　兄弟未土″應 兄弟丑土″　　動　　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼寅木′ 父母巳火′應　　妻財子水′世 丑土兄動化進神臨月令，父長生於申日，若論旺衰，旺之無比，並不見，狂風累日，只見一日陰雲而已。或曰：兄動化進神不見狂風者，以何爻而至狂風？余曰：水動化進神乃狂風可。

For example, on the day of Wu Shen in the month of Chen, divining whether the weather would be sunny or cloudy, the hexagram obtained was Zhong Fu (Hexagram 61) changing to Xiao Xu (Hexagram 9). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost Wood of Mao, Parents Fire of Si, Siblings Earth of Wei (the world line), Siblings Earth of Chou (in motion), Official Ghost Wood of Mao, Parents Fire of Si (the responding line). The resulting hexagram is: Official Ghost Wood of Mao, Parents Fire of Si, Siblings Earth of Wei (the responding line), Siblings Earth of Chen, Official Ghost Wood of Yin, Wealth Water of Zi (the world line). The Siblings Earth of Chou is in motion and changes into Earth of Chen, forming an 'advancing god'. It also coincides with the month of Chen. The Parents Fire of Si is in the position of growth on the day of Shen. If only considering strength and decline, it is extremely strong, yet there was no continuous strong wind, only one day of cloudy weather. Someone asked: if the Siblings line changes into an advancing god, it cannot cause a strong wind, then which line would cause the wind? I said: only when the Water line is in motion and changes into an advancing god, can it be considered as a strong wind.

父財無助旱澇有常。舊注：官鬼空伏，父母無氣，而財爻旺動者必旱；子孫空伏，妻財無氣，而父爻旺者必澇，再遇日月動爻扶者，澇必至於浸沒。覺子曰：若重旺衰，此論何當無理？餘存四十餘年之占驗，天時無日不占，時當澇者鬼動亦雨，兄動亦雨，父鬼休囚無氣者動亦有雨。時當旱者，父持月建，亦不過濃雲重霧而已。故章有云，竟發父官，連朝風雨，凡卦中父鬼亂動而雨水連續而不止也。福德帶刑日月必蝕。此乃特占日月之論，不可以占陰晴之卦偶而湊合者而棄斷也。

The essay says, "The father and wealth are without support, drought and flood remain constant." Old annotations explain: if the official ghost falls into an empty position or is hidden, and the wealth line is strong and active, it will certainly indicate drought; if the children fall into an empty position or are hidden, and the wealth line is weak, while the father line is strong, it will certainly indicate flood. If the day and month lines also support it, the flood will be so severe that it can submerge the fields. Li Wenhui says: if we focus on the strength and decline, how could this not make sense? I have practiced divination for forty years, and every day I have observed the weather: when it should rain, even if the official ghost moves, it rains; even if the siblings move, it rains; even if the parents and official ghosts are weak and inactive but move, it still rains. When it should be drought, even if the father line is in the position of the month, it is only heavy clouds and fog. Therefore, the later part of this chapter says, "Suddenly the father and official ghosts appear, continuous rain for several days"—in any divination where the parents and official ghosts are chaotic and active, rain will continue without stopping. The essay also says, "Fortune and virtue accompanied by punishment will result in the sun and moon being eclipsed." This refers specifically to the method of predicting solar and lunar eclipses, and it should not be arbitrarily applied to divination about clear or cloudy weather.

雨嫌妻位以逢沖。占雨倘父爻不動而妻財暗動者還主晴明。占晴若子財不動而父母暗動者還主雨。晴利父官而化退。舊係晴利父爻之入墓成動而化墓，必主晴明，餘以為非父爻入墓，沖開之時則雨。何得利於占晴？惟父動化退神，勢必晴也。

The essay states, "Rain dislikes the wife's position encountering a clash." When predicting rain, if the father's line remains still, but the wealth line is clashed by the day branch and moves covertly, it still indicates fine weather; when predicting fine weather, if the children's line and wealth line remain still, but the father's line is clashed and moves covertly, it still indicates rain. The essay also says, "Fine weather benefits the father and official position and transforms into a retreating god." Old interpretations believed that predicting fine weather is favorable when the father's line enters the storage, or when the father's line moves and transforms into the storage, which surely indicates clear weather. I disagree: when the father's line enters the storage, it will still rain when the storage is opened, how can it be considered favorable for clear weather? Only when the father's line moves and transforms into the "retreating god" will it surely be clear.

如丑月戊辰日久雪占晴，得隨之震。 妻財未土″應　　妻財戌土″世 官鬼酉金′　　動　　官鬼申金″ 父母亥水′　　子孫午火′ 妻財辰土″世　　妻財辰土″應 兄弟寅木″　　兄弟寅木″ 父母子水′　　父母子水′ 斷曰：鬼化退神雨將止矣，果於酉時霧散天開。凡得父化退神，雨亦將止。兄動化退神，雲將開。於子孫財爻化退神者，晴不久矣。

For example, on a day with the heavenly stem Wu and earthly branch Chen, in the month of Chou, after a long period of snow, one divines about the clearing weather and obtains the hexagram Sui (Hexagram 17) changing into Zhen (Hexagram 51). The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: wife wealth亥water (responding line), official ghost酉gold (active), parents亥water, wife wealth辰earth (central line), siblings寅wood, parents子water. The resulting hexagram is: wife wealth戌earth (central line), official ghost申gold, son's offspring午fire, wife wealth辰earth (responding line), siblings寅wood, parents子water. The interpretation states: the official ghost酉gold changes into申gold, which is 'changing retreating god,' indicating that rain and snow will stop. Indeed, by the hour of You, the fog dispersed and the sky cleared. Whenever the parent line changes into a retreating god, rain will stop; when the sibling line becomes active and changes into a retreating god, clouds will disperse. Conversely, if the son's line or the wealth line changes into a retreating god, the weather will not clear soon.

子伏財飛淡雲霧輕。舊係子伏財飛曝夫猶抑，謂財動雖主晴明，若子孫休囚空伏乃陰晴之象。餘以此論是理，此章首句，原繫“妻財發動，八方咸仰晴光。”餘故改曰：“子孫發動，萬里晴光”。父衰鬼旺少雨濃雲。占雨以父爻為主，若父爻不動且不暗動，而官鬼者動必主濃雲厚霧而無雨。倘爻變出父母者不拘旺衰皆主有雨。卦傳暗沖雖空有望。父母官鬼靜而逢空，日建沖之主雨。子孫財爻靜而逢空，日建沖之主晴，木臨兄鬼靜而逢空，日建沖之主風。兄弟臨空日建沖主輕風薄霧。

The text says "Zi is hidden, Cai flies, light clouds and misty weather." The old version reads "Zi is hidden, Cai flies, the husband is still suppressed," meaning that although the Cai爻 moves and indicates clear weather, if the Zi爻 is weak, confined, or hidden, it still shows a half-cloudy and half-clear sky. I think this is reasonable. The first sentence of this chapter originally read "Cai爻 moves, all directions look up to the bright light," so I changed it to "Zi爻 moves, clear weather across the world." The text says "If the father is weak and the ghost is strong, there will be little rain and thick clouds." When predicting rain, the father爻 is the main factor. If the father爻 is neither active nor covertly moving, but only the official ghost爻 moves, it will certainly indicate thick clouds and heavy fog without rain; if any line changes into the father爻, regardless of its strength or weakness, it will indicate rain. The text says "If the hidden conflict occurs though empty, there is still hope for rain." If the father爻 and official ghost爻 are quiet and empty, and are moved by the day's heavenly stem, it will indicate rain; if the Zi爻 and Cai爻 are quiet and empty, and are moved by the day's heavenly stem, it will indicate clear weather; if the wood爻 is quiet and empty and is moved by the day's heavenly stem, it will indicate wind; if the brother爻 is empty and moved by the day's heavenly stem, it will indicate light wind and thin mist.

如巳月已卯日占何日晴得離卦 兄弟巳火′世　　兄弟巳火′世 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′　　妻財酉金′ 官鬼亥水′應　　官鬼亥水′應 子孫丑土″　　子孫丑土″ 父母卯木′　　父母卯木′ 酉財旬空，本日日建沖動，次日即晴，乃應動而逢沖之日。

For example, on a day in the month of Si with the day stem Ji Mao, someone asked about which day the weather would clear. The divination result was the hexagram Li (Fire). The six lines, from top to bottom, were: Brother Si Fire (the worldly line), Son Wei Earth, Wealth酉 Gold, Official Ghost Hai Water (the responding line), Son Chou Earth, and Parents Mao Wood. All six lines were still, with no changing hexagram. The酉 Gold wealth line was exactly in the旬空, and the day's stem卯 Wood directly conflicted with it, causing covert movement. The weather cleared the next day. This illustrates the principle that a still line becomes active when it is conflicted. The predicted day falls on the day after the conflict occurs.

福興被克，沖則成功。卦中子孫爻動化回頭克，或被動爻克，須待沖去克神之日始晴。父財動而被克亦同此斷。如丑月甲戌日占何日雨得震之豫卦。 妻財戌土″世　　妻財戌土″ 官鬼申金″　　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′　　子孫午火′應 妻財辰土″應　　兄弟卯木″ 兄弟寅木″　　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　　動　　妻財未土″世 斷曰：父母子水動被未土回頭克，丑日雨。應丑日者，沖去未土合起父母，故雨。

The text says, "When happiness is restrained, a clash will bring success": if the爻 representing children is active and changes to be restrained by a returningrestrain, or is restrained by another active爻, it must wait until the day that clashes with the restricting force to clear up. The same principle applies when the parents or wealth爻 are active and restrained. For example, on a day with the stem Jia and branch Xu in the month of Chou, someone asks which day it will rain, and gets the hexagram Zhen (Thunder) changing to Yu (Hexagram 16). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: wife wealth戌 earth (the world), official ghost申 metal, children午 fire, wife wealth辰 earth (response), brothers寅 wood, parents子 water (active). The changing hexagram is: wife wealth戌 earth, official ghost申 metal, children午 fire (response), brothers卯 wood, children巳 fire, wife wealth未 earth (the world). The interpretation is: the parents子 water is active but is restrained by the resulting 未 earth, so it will rain on the day of Chou. This is because Chou clashes with 未 earth and also combines with the parents子 water, thus bringing rain.

“木動生風，風伯肆虐”（缺）“金空則響，電母施威”（缺）如辰月癸卯日因晴占何日雨。得蹇卦 子孫子水″　　子孫子水″ 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金″世　　兄弟申金″世 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火″　　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″應　　父母辰土″應 或曰：卦中辰戌父爻，月建又是父爻，明日辰日沖動，戌父必然有雨。余曰：戌臨月破，如何有雨？陰雲而已，果於次日常見陰雲。

The passage also includes the lines "Wood moves and generates wind, the Wind God wreaks havoc" and "When metal is empty, it echoes, the Lightning God displays power." The notes in the original text are all missing here. For example, on a Guimao day in the辰 month, because of prolonged clear weather, someone predicted which day it would rain, obtaining the hexagram《Jian》(Water over Mountain). The six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children子水, parents戌土, siblings申金 (the worldly line), siblings申金, official ghost午火, parents辰土 (the responding line), all static. Someone said: In the hexagram, both辰土 and戌土 are parents' lines, and the month builder is also辰土. Tomorrow is a辰 day, so one clash will move the戌土 parents, and rain is certain. I said: The戌土 is exactly at the month breaker of the辰 month, how can it rain? At most, there will be cloudy weather. Indeed, the next day there was only a day of cloudy weather.

沖則應，填則實，最喜動空。人以為空則無功，殊不知動而空者，占晴占雨若非沖空之日，定應填實之朝。如未月丙午日占何雨，得離之旅 兄弟巳火′世　　兄弟巳火′ 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′　　妻財酉金′應 官鬼亥水′應　　妻財申金′ 子孫丑土″　　兄弟午火″ 父母卯木′　　動　　子孫辰土″世

The text says, "When there is a clash, there will be a response; when it is filled, it becomes solid. Most favorable is when it moves and is empty." People think that when a line is empty, it has no effect, but they do not realize that if a line is empty and moves, when predicting weather, if it does not respond on the day of the clash and emptiness, it must respond on the day when it is filled. For example, on the day of Bingwu (丙午) in the month of Wei (未), someone asks which day it will rain. They obtain the hexagram "Fire over Fire" (离为火) changing into "Fire over Mountain" (火山旅). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brother's fire (巳) (the world), son's earth (未), wife's metal (酉), official ghost water (亥) (the response), son's earth (丑), parent's wood (卯) (which moves). The changing hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brother's fire (巳), son's earth (未), wife's metal (酉) (the response), wife's metal (申), brother's fire (午), son's earth (辰) (the world).

斷曰：卯木父動臨於旬空，己酉若不雨，卯日必雨。或曰：如何定在兩日？余曰：不難，再占一卦。得離卦不動。余曰：此卦還以前卦相同。再占一卦又得艮之謙卦 官鬼寅木′世　　動　　子孫酉金″ 妻財子水″　　妻財亥水″世 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟丑土″ 子孫申金′應　　子孫申金′ 父母午火″　　父母午火″應 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″ 斷曰：甲寅日陰雲，乙卯日必雨，辰日而又晴矣。彼曰：何餘知止？余曰：此卦又是寅木鬼動值旬空，出空之日，必定天變。前卦卯木父變辰土子孫，故知卯日必雨辰日必晴。果於寅日雲卯日大雨辰日大晴。所以動則不為空矣。

The interpretation is: the Wood of卯 is the parents'爻 which is activated but is exactly in the旬空, if it does not rain on己酉 day, it will surely rain on卯 day. Someone asked: how do you determine it to be these two days? I said: it is not difficult, just cast another hexagram. The second hexagram is《Li, Fire》, with no moving lines. I said: this hexagram still means the same as the previous one. Then I cast the third hexagram, which is《Gen, Mountain》 changing into《Qian, Heaven》. The primary hexagram's lines from top to bottom are: official ghost of寅 Wood (the world, activated), wife wealth of子 Water, brothers of戌 Earth, children of申 Metal (the response), parents of午 Fire, brothers of辰 Earth; the changing hexagram is in order: children of酉 Metal, wife wealth of亥 Water (the world), brothers of丑 Earth, children of申 Metal, parents of午 Fire (the response), brothers of辰 Earth. The interpretation is: on Jiayin day there will be clouds, on Yimao day it will surely rain, and on辰 day it will turn sunny again. He asked me why I could predict it so accurately. I said: this hexagram again has the official ghost of寅 Wood activated and in the旬空, so the day it comes out of the empty period will surely change; in the previous hexagram, the parents of卯 Wood transformed into the children of辰 Earth, so I knew that on卯 day it would surely rain and on辰 day it would surely be sunny. Indeed, on寅 day clouds appeared, on卯 day there was a heavy rain, and on辰 day it was very sunny. This shows that the activated line is not considered empty.

占雨遇財動，欲雨須得財墓絕。雨須宜父動鬼動，倘父鬼不動，又見妻財子孫動者，須待財爻入墓或臨絕之日有雨。占晴須於財動，倘若父母發動，須得父爻臨墓絕之日方能得晴。如戌日丙午日占何日雨。得坎之井卦 兄弟子水″世　　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′　　官鬼戌土′世 父母申金″　　父母申金″ 妻財午火″應　　動　　父母酉金′ 官鬼辰土′　　兄弟亥水′應 子孫寅木″　　官鬼丑土″ 或曰：今日占雨，如何有動財爻，想是大旱，而無雨也。余曰：非也，化出酉父，酉日就當有雨。但因日建，又因午火，必待戌日午火入墓，方曉有雨。果於酉日天變，戌日而雨，午火財爻墓於戌也。

The text says, "When predicting rain and the wealth line moves, rain will come only when the wealth line is buried or in its critical phase." For predicting rain, it is suitable for the father line or the official ghost line to move; if the father and official ghost lines do not move, but instead the wealth line and the children line move, then rain will come only on the day when the wealth line is buried or in its critical phase. For predicting clear weather, it is suitable for the wealth line to move; if the father line moves, then clear weather will come only on the day when the father line is buried or in its critical phase. For example, on a day of Jia Wu (Bingwu) in the month of Xu, someone divines which day will rain, and gets the hexagram Kan (Water) changing into Jing (Well of Wind and Water). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: son line Zi water (the world line), official ghost line Xu earth, father line Shen metal, wealth line Wu fire (the responding line, moving), official ghost line Chen earth, and son line Yin wood. The changing hexagram's lines are: son line Zi water, official ghost line Xu earth (the world line), father line Shen metal, father line You metal, son line Hai water (the responding line), and official ghost line Chou earth. Someone says: today I divined rain, but the wealth line moved, so it must be a great drought with no rain. I say: not so. The wealth line changes into the father line You metal, so rain should come on the day of You. However, since Wu fire is both the day's stem and is strong, it must wait until the day of Xu when Wu fire is buried to see rain. Indeed, on the day of You, the weather changed, and on the day of Xu, it rained — the burial of Wu fire wealth line is on the day of Xu.

占晴逢子動，望晴只待子逢生。占晴得子財動，占雨得父動，後逢長生之日應之。如卯月丁巳日占何日雨：得渙之坎卦 父母卯木′　　動　　官鬼子水″世 兄弟巳火′世　　子孫戌土′ 子孫未土″　　妻財申金″ 兄弟午火″　　兄弟午火″應 子孫辰土′應　　子孫辰土′ 父母寅木″　　父母寅木″ 卯木父動，當應在卯戌日，而雨卻應長生亥日。

The text says, "When predicting clear weather and the 'Zi' element moves, one should wait for 'Zi' to reach its growth stage to expect clear weather." When predicting rain, if the 'children' or 'wealth' lines are activated, and when predicting clear weather, if the 'parents' line is activated, the predicted day usually falls on the day when the useful god reaches its growth stage. For example, on a day of the fourth month and the fourth day of the lunar calendar, one predicts which day it will rain, and the hexagram obtained is "Huan" changing to "Kan (Water)." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents (wood) of the second month (activated), siblings (fire), children (earth), siblings (fire), children (earth) (responding line), parents (wood). The resulting hexagram is: official ghost (water) (world line), children (earth), wealth (metal), siblings (fire) (responding line), children (earth), parents (wood). The parents (wood) line is activated, so according to normal reasoning, the rain should occur on the day of the second month or on the day that matches the second month, which is the ninth day. However, the rain actually occurs on the day when the parents (wood) reaches its growth stage, which is the tenth day.

竟發父官，連朝猛雨。卦中父鬼重疊或又鬼變父，父變鬼，父化兄，兄化父，或連日又占並不見子孫財爻發動者，一定連旬風雨。如午月乙卯日占何日晴，得晉之歸妹。 官鬼巳火′　　動　　父母戌土″應 父母未土″　　兄弟申金″ 兄弟酉金′世　　官鬼午火′ 妻財卯木″　　父母丑土″世 官鬼巳火″　　動　　妻財卯木′ 父母未土″應　　動　　官鬼巳火′ 斷曰：父鬼疊見，乃連朝風雨之象。次日又占，又是鬼父同動，果雨旬日。

The commentary says, "If the father and official ghost are both active, there will be continuous heavy rain." If in the hexagram the parents and official ghosts appear repeatedly, or if the official ghost changes to the parents, or the parents change to the official ghost, or the parents change to siblings, or the siblings change to the parents, or if after multiple consecutive days of divination the lines representing children and wealth do not activate, then it is certainly a period of continuous rain. For example, on the day of Yimao in the month of Wu, someone asked which day the weather would clear, and the hexagram obtained was "Fire Earth Progress" changing to "Thunder泽 Gui Mei." The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: official ghost fire snake (active), parents earth goat, siblings metal rooster (the world line), wealth wood rabbit, official ghost fire snake (active), parents earth goat (responding line, active); the lines of the changing hexagram are: parents earth dog (responding line), siblings metal monkey, official ghost fire horse, parents earth ox (the world line), wealth wood rabbit, official ghost fire snake. The interpretation is: the parents and official ghosts appear repeatedly, which is the image of continuous rain. The next day, the same lines of parents and official ghosts were active, and indeed it rained for more than ten days.

多逢財子，累日明晴。未月甲午日占何日雨。得屯之中孚 兄弟子水″　　動　　子孫卯木′ 官鬼戌土′應　　妻財巳火′ 父母申金″　　官鬼未土″世 官鬼辰土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″世　　動　　子孫卯木′ 兄弟子水′　　妻財巳火′應 大旱望雲雷，卦中父爻不動，子孫重疊化進神，疑其木爻入墓之日必雨。又令他日占之，又得財爻子不動，次日又占並無父動鬼動，知其旱矣，果然兩月不雨。

The commentary says, "Frequent encounters with wealth and children indicate clear and sunny days." On a day of Jiawu in the month of Wei, the person asked about which day it would rain, and obtained the hexagram Zhun (Hexagram 3) changing into Zhong Fu (Hexagram 61). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brothers' water (activating), official ghost earth (responding), parents' metal, official ghost earth, children's wood (the world, activating), brothers' water. The changing hexagram is: children's wood, wealth's fire, official ghost earth (the world), official ghost earth, children's wood, wealth's fire (responding). At that time, there was a severe drought, and everyone was hoping for clouds and thunder. In the hexagram, the parent's line did not move, and the children's wood overlapped and transformed into卯 wood, forming an advancing god. I suspected that rain would come only on the day when the wood line entered the earth's tomb. So I asked someone to divinate again on another day, and the result was still the wealth and children lines being active, with the parent and official ghost lines not moving. On the third day, the same situation occurred again, and I concluded that it was a real drought. Indeed, there was no rain for two months.

卦得反吟晴雨終須反覆。如辰月庚寅日占何日晴得觀之升 妻財卯木′　　動　　兄弟酉金″ 官鬼巳火′　　動　　子孫亥水″ 父母未土″世　　父母丑土″世 妻財卯木″　　動　　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼巳火″　　動　　子孫亥水′ 父母未土″應　　父母丑土″應 斷曰：卯木財現，明日必晴。但卦得內外反吟，晴而還雨，果於次日晴還又雨。

The commentary says, "When the hexagram shows reverse chant, rain and clear weather will alternate." For example, on a day with the stem-burial Gengyin in the month of Chen, someone asks about when the weather will clear. The hexagram obtained is Guan (Wind over Earth) changing to Sheng (Earth over Wind). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife-wealth卯wood (active), official-ghost巳fire (active), parents未earth (the world), wife-wealth卯wood (active), official-ghost巳fire (active), parents未earth (the response). The changing hexagram is: siblings酉metal, children亥water, parents丑earth (the world), siblings酉metal, children亥water, parents丑earth (the response). The interpretation is: the卯wood wealth line appears in the hexagram, indicating that the weather will definitely clear tomorrow; however, both the inner and outer trigrams form reverse chant, meaning that after the clear weather, rain will follow again. Indeed, the next day the weather cleared, but then rain came again.

爻逢伏象，旱澇必待沖開。伏吟卦動如不動，子財動者，沖開之必晴，父爻動者，沖開之日必雨。如辰月甲戌口占雨，得大壯變震卦。 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟戌土″世 子孫申金″　　子孫申金″ 父母午火′世　　父母午火′ 兄弟辰土′　　動　　兄弟辰土″應 官鬼寅木′　　動　　官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′應　　妻財子水′ 占雨，父爻不動，兄鬼同動，木動生風，無雨而有風也。既於本日申時沖開寅木，扳木狂風。

The text says, "When a line meets a hidden chant, drought and flood must wait until it is broken open." When a hexagram is "hidden chant," the moving line is as if it has not moved. If the line of children or wealth moves, rain will come only after the line is broken open. If the line of parents moves, rain will come only after the line is broken open. For example, on a day of Jiaxu in the month of Chen, someone asks about rain and gets the hexagram Da Zhuang changing to Zhen. The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: brothers戌earth, children申metal, parents午fire (the subject), brothers辰earth (moving), official ghost寅wood (moving), and wife wealth子water (the responding line). The resulting hexagram is: brothers戌earth (the subject), children申metal, parents午fire, brothers辰earth (the responding line), official ghost寅wood, and wife wealth子water. Since the line of parents does not move, only brothers and official ghosts move, and the movement of wood generates wind, there is no rain but wind. At the time of Shen in the day, when the line of寅wood is broken open, a strong wind indeed arose, strong enough to break trees.

合父鬼沖開有雷則雨，合財兄克破無風不晴。父母合住本主不雨，若遇鬼沖動者，須待必雷震而後有雨。卦中若無鬼爻動而他爻沖動者亦有雨。他爻又無沖動者，須待沖開之日有雨，財子兩爻被合亦同此推。覺子曰：合父鬼沖開之日必雨，合財子沖開之日必晴。必雷有風者仍然耳，不它執之。半晴半雨卦中財父同興。舊注：妻財父母同興，或是子孫鬼爻同動，必然半晴半雨。餘以此論亦謬，殊不知各因其時。

The text says, "If the parents and official ghost are combined, and then moved, there will be thunder followed by rain; if wealth and younger brothers are combined and then overcome, there will be no wind and no clear weather." When the parents are combined, they usually indicate no rain; if the official ghost moves and disturbs them, there will first be thunder and then rain. If there is no official ghost in the hexagram, but another line moves and disturbs the parents, rain will still occur. If no line disturbs them, rain will occur only on the day when this combination is disturbed. The same principle applies to the wealth line and the younger brothers. Li Wenhui says: when the parents and official ghost are combined, rain will definitely occur on the day they are disturbed; when the wealth line and younger brothers are combined, clear weather will definitely occur on the day they are disturbed. As for the idea that thunder and wind are certain, it is only a general rule and should not be taken as absolute. The text also says, "In a half sunny and half rainy hexagram, the wealth and parents are both active." Old annotations say: if the wealth line and parents are both active, or if the younger brothers and official ghost are both active, there will be half sunny and half rainy weather. I think this is a misconception. In reality, one must consider the specific seasonal conditions at the time.

如酉月癸未日占何晴。得訟之隨卦。 子孫戌土′　　動　　子孫未土″應 妻財申金′　　妻財酉金′ 兄弟午火′世　　官鬼亥水′ 兄弟午火″　　子孫辰土″世 子孫辰土′　　動　　父母寅木″ 父母寅木″應　　動　　官鬼子水′ 此卦子孫父母同興，寅木父化火兄，又是一日陰雨，至戌時，天開而見星斗，應戌時晴者，戌土子孫而值時也。

For example, on a Guiwei day in the You month, someone asked about which day the weather would clear. They obtained the Hexagram Song (Heaven-Water) changing to Sui (Lake-Thunder). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are:Children戌土 (Children of Xu Earth, active), Wealth申金 (Wealth of Shen Metal), Siblings午火 (Siblings of Wu Fire, the world line), Siblings午火, Children辰土 (Children of Chen Earth, active), and Parents寅木 (Parents of Yin Wood, responding, active). The lines of the resulting hexagram are:Children未土 (Children of Wei Earth, responding), Wealth酉金 (Wealth of You Metal), Official Ghost亥水 (Official Ghost of Hai Water), Children辰土 (Children of Chen Earth, the world line), Parents寅木 (Parents of Yin Wood), and Official Ghost子水 (Official Ghost of Zi Water). In this hexagram, the children and parents are both active. The initial line, which is the parents of Yin Wood, also gives the image of generating the fire siblings. Therefore, it is another day of rain. At the Xu hour, the sky opens and the stars are visible. The prediction that the weather will clear at the Xu hour is because the top line, which is the children of Xu Earth, corresponds to that hour.

又雨又晴爻上母子皆動。如巳月丙申日占何日得臨之蒙 子孫酉金″　　動　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財亥水″應　　妻財子水″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟戌土″世 兄弟丑土″　　父母午火″ 官鬼卯木′世　　兄弟辰土′ 父母巳火′　　動　　官鬼寅木″應 卦中父母子孫皆動，因巳火父空，亥日沖空則雨。亥日而雨，即於亥日酉時晴，應酉時者，上爻動出酉金子孫之故耳。前卦父興子孫同動，戌土子孫應本日戌時晴。後卦父興子孫同動應他日之雨晴之時也。覺之占遠應近可積為神。

The text says, "It rains and then clears, with the top line's parent and child lines both moving." For example, on a day of Ji巳 month and Bingshen day, someone asks which day it will rain, and the hexagram obtained is "Earth Lake" changing to "Mountain Water Meng." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Grandson酉 gold (moving), Wealth亥 water (responding), Brothers丑 earth, Brothers丑 earth, Official Ghost卯 wood (world), Parents巳 fire (moving); the changing hexagram, from top to bottom, is Official Ghost寅 wood, Wealth子 water, Brothers戌 earth (world), Parents午 fire, Brothers辰 earth, Official Ghost寅 wood (responding). In the hexagram, both parents and children lines are moving. Since the parents line of巳 fire is empty, it will rain only when亥 day comes to break the emptiness; on the day of亥, it rains, and at the酉 hour of that day it clears. The response is at the酉 hour because the top line moves to produce the Grandson酉 gold. In the previous hexagram, where both parents and children lines moved, the Grandson戌 earth responded at the戌 hour on the same day; in this hexagram, where both parents and children lines move, the response is on another day's rain and clear time. This shows the principle of "divining distant events by focusing on near ones." When one understands this principle, it is as if one has divine assistance.

如酉月初五戊子日占中秋雨。得小過之豐卦 父母戌土″　　父母戌土″ 兄弟申金″　　兄弟申金″世 官鬼午火′世　　官鬼午火′ 兄弟申金′　　子孫亥水′ 官鬼午火″　　父母丑土″應 父母辰土″應　　動　　妻財卯木′ 卦中辰父發動，當許中秋有雨，殊不知應在初九辰日即雨。

For example, on the fifth day of the酉 month, on a Wuzi day, one divines whether it will rain on the Mid-Autumn Festival day, and obtains the hexagram 《Xiao Guo》 changing to 《Feng》. The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: parents in戌 earth, siblings in申 metal, official ghost in午 fire (the world line), siblings in申 metal, official ghost in午 fire, and parents in辰 earth (the responding line, which is active). The changing hexagram is: parents in戌 earth, siblings in申 metal (the world line), official ghost in午 fire, children in亥 water, parents in丑 earth (the responding line), and wife's wealth in卯 wood. In the hexagram, the parents in辰 earth is active, which originally indicated that it would rain on the Mid-Autumn Festival. But unexpectedly, it rained on the initial nine's day, which is the辰 day.

即於壬辰日又占中秋晴否癸巳日又占，得屯之中孚 兄弟子水″　　動　　子孫卯木′ 官鬼戌土′應　　妻財巳火′ 父母申金″　　官鬼未土″世 官鬼辰土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″世　　動　　子孫卯木′ 兄弟子水′　　妻財巳火′應 一卦財動，一卦子動，不見父鬼爻動，知其晴，果於中秋夜，月明星稀。

On the Renchen day, he again divined whether the Mid-Autumn Festival would be clear or not, and on the Guisi day, he divined once more. One of the hexagrams obtained was the Hexagram Zhun (Water over Thunder) changing into the Hexagram Zhong Fu (Wind over Marsh). The primary hexagram, from the top down, was brothers in water (active), official ghost in戌 earth (responding), parents in申 metal, official ghost in辰 earth, children in寅 wood (the world, active), and brothers in water. The changing hexagram, from the top down, was children in卯 wood, wealth in巳 fire, official ghost in未 earth (the world), official ghost in丑 earth, children in卯 wood, and wealth in巳 fire (responding). In both hexagrams, only one wealth trigram moved and one children trigram moved, with neither parents nor official ghosts moving. Therefore, it was concluded that the Mid-Autumn Festival would certainly be clear. Indeed, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

誠得卜日應時，方得其奧。辰日癸巳日占甲午日，臨造此日有雨否 父母戌土′　　動　　父母未土″應 兄弟申金′應　　兄弟酉金′ 官鬼午火′　　子孫亥水′ 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′世 官鬼午火″世　　官鬼午火″ 父母辰土″　　父母辰土″

If one can truly predict the day and confirm the time, then one can grasp the profound essence of divination. The divination was done on the day of Guisi in the辰 month, asking about whether there would be rain on the next day, which was Jiawu, the day of breaking ground and starting construction. The primary hexagram, from the top down, is: parents in戌 earth (activating), siblings in申 metal (responding), official ghost in午 fire, siblings in申 metal, official ghost in午 fire (the worldly position), parents in辰 earth; the resulting hexagram is: parents in未 earth (responding), siblings in酉 metal, children in亥 water, siblings in申 metal (the worldly position), official ghost in午 fire, parents in辰 earth.

彼以父動有雨，余曰：應時日看，今日申戌時而無雨者，明日必有雨也。果於本日申時雨。彼：又是如何申時雨？余曰：戌土是長生在申。又問：雨至何時？余曰：父化退神，雨不久。明日必晴。果於次日大晴，野鶴曰：或向余曰：有動而逢合、逢值，可能只知其日也。余曰：昔人不知多占之法，亦不明其此理，錯斷有之，天機未必全洩，全在人之變通。聖人立教設此天時，教人以驗人事。即如子孫持世發動，占天時者皓日當空，無雲點綴。乃至墓絕之日，黑暗無光。若占身命，烈烈轟轟，揚揚得志，後逢墓衰之年，災非同至。餘言：教人以天時而驗人事，取效之速。今欲久知一日者不難，曾因官長有事，命在旦夕，因占得子孫持世，勸之勿憂，必蒙赦免。彼不肯信，意欲先尋自盡。餘設法。

He used the movement of the father line to predict rain. I said: it should be verified by the time of day - if it does not rain at the hour of Shen or Xu today, it will certainly rain tomorrow. Indeed, it rained at the hour of Shen that day. He asked: why exactly at the hour of Shen? I said: the earth element Wu is in its growth phase at Shen. He then asked: when will the rain stop? I said: the father line changes into the earth element Wei, which is called 'transformed retreating god', so the rain will not last long, and the sky will be clear the next day. Indeed, the next day was very clear. The Wild Crane Elder said: if someone asks me, when a moving line meets a combined line or a line that matches the day, can it only be predicted for the day, not for the hour? I said: in the past, people did not understand the method of casting multiple hexagrams, nor did they comprehend this principle, so sometimes their predictions were wrong. The heavenly timing is not necessarily fully revealed, it all depends on whether people can be flexible. The sages established the teaching of 'heavenly timing' with the intention of teaching people to use heavenly timing to verify human affairs. For example, if the line of children holds the world and also moves, predicting the weather would mean a scorching sun with no clouds; when it reaches the墓绝 (death and decay) phase, it would be dark and without light. The same hexagram, when used to predict one's life, would mean currently being prosperous and successful, but when reaching the year of墓绝 (death and decay), misfortunes would all come at once. I have said: teaching people to use heavenly timing to verify human affairs is because it works quickly. Now, if we want to accurately predict even the verification within a single day, it is actually not difficult. Once there was an official who had an accident, his life was in danger within a day or two. I cast a hexagram for him and found the line of children holding the world, I advised him not to worry, he would certainly be pardoned. He did not believe me and even thought of committing suicide. I then came up with a plan.

酉日丙子日占何日雨得蒙之臨卦 父母寅木′　　動　　妻財酉金″ 官鬼子水″　　官鬼亥水″應 子孫戌土″世　　子孫丑土″ 兄弟午火″　　子孫丑土″ 子孫辰土′　　父母卯木′世 父母寅木″應　　動　　兄弟巳火′

He asked about rain on which day in the month of You, on the day of Bingzi, and obtained the hexagram Meng changing to Lin. The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: parents yin wood (activating), official ghost zi water, children xu earth (the world), brothers wu fire, children chen earth, parents yin wood (responding, activating). The resulting hexagram is: wife wealth you metal, official ghost hai water (responding), children chou earth, children chou earth, parents mao wood (the world), brothers si fire.

上下寅木父動，明知寅日必雨，再叫人占何日雨，又得大壯之泰卦 兄弟戌土″　　子孫酉金″應 子孫申金″　　妻財亥水″ 父母午火′世　　動　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′　　兄弟辰土′世 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′應　　妻財子水′

The top line and the first line both trigger the trigram Yin (寅 wood parents), indicating that it will certainly rain on the day of Yin. I then asked someone else to divinate which day it will rain, and they obtained the hexagram Da Zhuang (Hexagram 34) transforming into Tai (Hexagram 11). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: brothers戌 earth, sons申 metal, parents午 fire (the world, active), brothers辰 earth, official ghost寅 wood, wife wealth子 water (the response); the transformed hexagram is: sons酉 metal (the response), wife wealth亥 water, brothers丑 earth, brothers辰 earth (the world), official ghost寅 wood, wife wealth子 water.

前卦寅木父動，當應寅日，此卦午火父爻長生於寅亦是。又叫人再占，得隨之屯。 妻財未土″應　　父母子水″ 官鬼酉金′　　妻財戌土′應 父母亥水′　　動　　官鬼申金″ 妻財辰土″世　　妻財辰土″ 兄弟寅木″　　兄弟寅木″世 父母子水′　　父母子水′ 又見亥水父動知寅日必雨也，何也？亥水父動，動而逢合之日，亦應寅日。

The previous hexagram had the parents of wood in the寅 position, indicating the appointed day should be寅; in this hexagram, the parents of fire have their growth in寅, also pointing to寅. I then asked someone to cast another divination, resulting in the hexagram《Sui》changing into《Zhun》. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: wife wealth in the earth of未, official ghost in the metal of酉, parents in the water of亥 (which is active), wife wealth in the earth of辰, siblings in the wood of寅, and parents in the water of子. The changing hexagram is: parents in the water of子, wife wealth in the earth of戌 (which is active), official ghost in the metal of申, wife wealth in the earth of辰, siblings in the wood of寅 (which is the world position), and parents in the water of子. Again seeing the parents of water in亥 being active, it is clear that it will definitely rain on寅 day. Why? Since the parents of water in亥 are active, they should appear on the day that matches with them, and since寅 and亥 are compatible, it still falls on寅 day.

又至寅日五更又占本日何時有雨得睽之履 父母巳火′　　兄弟戌土′ 兄弟未土″　　動　　子孫申金′世 子孫酉金′世　　父母午火′ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′應 父母巳火′應　　父母巳火′

On the day of寅, at the fifth watch, divining the time of rain that day, the hexagram obtained was 《Fire Lake Kui》 changing to 《Heaven Lake Lv》. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents in巳 fire, brothers in未 earth (activating), children in酉 gold (the world), brothers in丑 earth, official ghost in卯 wood, parents in巳 fire (responding). The resulting hexagram is: brothers in戌 earth, children in申 gold (the world), parents in午 fire, brothers in丑 earth, official ghost in卯 wood (responding), parents in巳 fire.

餘以前三卦俱應寅日而雨此，卦未土動化出申金子孫，此應一爻獨發，知其未時必雨申時大晴，清晨往彼安慰之曰：卜公之卦子孫持世無災，公不肯信，試看今日未時雨，申時晴者，公知我卦之靈，從此不須憂也，彼留於家，見午末未初雨從西南而來，未時大雨，申時雲散天開。合家齊曰：真神卦也。余曰：既知天時，何難知其人事？公宜寬心，過半月，果蒙恩赦。或日：未土兄動，如何指定未時必雨？余曰：神已報定寅日雨，今日再問者，又報晴時，不然目下已是晴天，如何又現申金子孫？申時晴耶。全在靈機變通耳。

The first three hexagrams all pointed to rain on the day of寅, and this hexagram again showed the brother爻 of未earth moving and transforming into the son爻 of申metal, which is a single line moving. I knew then that it would certainly rain at the hour of未and be clear at the hour of申. In the morning I went to comfort that official, saying: The hexagram you consulted shows the son爻 holding the world, which originally has no disaster, but you did not believe me. Today you will see rain at the hour of未and clear skies at the hour of申, and then you will know whether my hexagram is truly effective. From then on, you need not worry any longer. He kept me at his home. By the end of the afternoon and beginning of the hour of未, rain came from the southwest, and it rained heavily at the hour of未. At the hour of申, the clouds dispersed and the sky cleared. The whole family exclaimed: It is really a divine hexagram. I said: If even the weather can be known, what is difficult about human affairs? You may rest assured. After half a month, he was indeed pardoned by the emperor. Someone asked: The earth爻 of未is the brother爻, so why does the moving of the brother爻 indicate rain at the hour of未? I said: The divine power had already foretold rain on the day of寅before, and today, when asked again, it foretold the time when it would clear. Otherwise, if it had already cleared, why would the hexagram show the son爻 of申metal, indicating clear skies at the hour of申? This is all about human flexibility and adaptability in the moment.

野 鶴 老 人 著 楚江李 坦我平鑑定 湖南李文輝覺子增刪男婿陳文吉茂生茹芝山秀仝校

This volume is attributed to the Wild Crane Elder; identified by Chu Jiang person Li Tan (style name Woping); revised by Hunan person Li Wenhui (style name Juezǐ); and proofread by his son and son-in-law Chen Wenji (style name Maosheng) and Ru Zhishanxiu.

諸書占身命，謂妻財子祿一卦，能包壽夭窮通，六爻兼斷。殊不知父子財官兄弟，各有相忌相傷，若以一卦而兼斷者，即如父母旺相，變應之微，又曰父旺傷子，豈世之有父母者，皆無子嗣之人也？又曰見兄則財莫能得，又為克妻之神，又曰兄弟爻與紫荊並茂，倘值旺兄持世，克妻耶？耗財耶？手足外傷耶？易林補遺有曰兄動妻亡財相，故執此論者，世之貧人寒士，皆失偶之人耶？至於財官子孫皆同此論，不暇細辨。必兼而斷者，即先醫猶在，執此問之，知亦無從置喙。覺子曰餘今得其法，乃分占之法也，占父母占兄弟，另占—卦終身財福何如？占終身功名有無？占終身夫妻偕老否？占終身子嗣及幫元俱宜分占。

Various books on divination of one's destiny all say that a single hexagram can encompass the fortune and misfortune, longevity and short life, and the success or failure of one's career, and can also predict the six aspects of divination. But they do not realize that the elements of parents, children, wealth, officials, and siblings each have their own mutual conflicts and injuries. If one hexagram is used to predict all these aspects, then when the parents are prosperous and strong, one would have to say that the strong parents injure the children—yet is there not a child for every person with parents? They also say that seeing the siblings indicates that wealth cannot be obtained, and that siblings are the spirits that harm the wife, while at the same time they say that the siblings' hexagram represents the harmony of the family, like the purple jujube trees growing together. If a strong sibling holds the world position, should one predict the harm to the wife and the loss of wealth, or the injury to the family members? The "Supplements to the Forest of Changes" says that when the siblings move, the wife dies and wealth disperses. If one rigidly adheres to this view, then would not all poor and humble people become widowers? As for the wealth hexagram, the official hexagram, and the children hexagram, they all have similar contradictions, which are difficult to resolve. If one really wants to use a single hexagram to predict all these aspects, even if the famous doctors of the past were still alive, they would have no words to say. Li Wenhui says: I have now found a method, which is the method of "divining separately"—divining the parents in one hexagram, the siblings in another, and then another hexagram to see the fortune and blessings throughout one's life. In addition, whether one has success in officialdom, whether one's marriage will last, whether one will have children, and whether one will achieve academic success, all should be divined separately.

福財旺相，鐘鳴鼎食之家。世爻旺相無傷，既富且壽。覺子曰：占財宜於財旺，占壽獨重世爻，未聞財福不旺而世爻獨旺，即許富與壽也。執此論者世之多壽者皆富貴之人也。凡占終身財福，世爻財爻子孫爻三者無一失陷，定是家殷戶足、福祿綿長。財世旺相而福神不旺者，乃先富後貧之人也。何也？子孫者，財之源也。水無源流，終須枯涸，謂之財旺福空榮華不久。世與福爻旺相而財爻不旺者，乃無財享福之人也。既曰無財，焉能享福？此人心有現成之事業，祗知坐享，不知生發；或是財托他人掌管，祗知花費，不試艱難。財與福爻旺相而世爻不旺者，乃富屋之貧人也。

The text says, "When fortune and wealth are prosperous and strong, it is the home of bell and tripod, i.e., a wealthy family." The old commentary explains that if the World Line is prosperous and strong without being harmed, then one will be both rich and long-lived. Li Wenhui says: when divining about wealth, one should look at whether the wealth line is prosperous; when divining about longevity, one should focus on the World Line. There has never been a case where both fortune and wealth are not prosperous, yet only the World Line is strong, and then one is considered both rich and long-lived. If one rigidly follows this view, then all long-lived people would have to be wealthy. When divining about a person's entire life regarding wealth and fortune, if the World Line, wealth line, and children line are all not lost, then the family will certainly be prosperous and blessed with long-lasting fortune. If the wealth line and World Line are prosperous but the children line is not, then it is a person who becomes rich first and then poor later. Why? Because children are the source of wealth. If water has no source, it will eventually dry up. This is called "wealth is prosperous but fortune is empty, prosperity does not last long." If the World Line and children line are prosperous but the wealth line is not, then it is a person who has fortune but no wealth; since there is no wealth, how can one enjoy the fortune? Such people merely rely on existing family wealth, only knowing how to enjoy it without knowing how to generate more; or they entrust their money to others, only knowing how to spend without understanding the difficulties. If the wealth line and children line are prosperous but the World Line is not, then it is a poor person living in a wealthy house.

覺子曰：以上之論，不旺所句者，無氣失陷謂之不旺，得地有氣亦謂之不旺，空破墓絕亦謂之不旺。財福旺而世爻不旺而有氣者，從逢生之年復旺相。故謂之財福司權，榮華有日。財福兩旺，世爻無氣者，不為吉也，雖旺財豐衣足食，不免痴瘂暗聾、或遭疾病官非、或繫吝澀鄙俗。財福兩旺而世爻失陷者，更為凶也，雖有萬斛金銀，難買長生藥丹。前論財與福神，雖則不旺，亦宜有氣，若失陷者，更為凶兆，財福失陷，立見傾家，唯動空及動而破者，不妨定(應實)破(實)空之年月也。

Li Wenhui said: The meaning of "not prosperous" mentioned above has several layers: lacking vitality and being lost is called not prosperous, merely having a place but lacking vitality is also called not prosperous, falling into emptiness, encountering destruction, entering a tomb, or being at a dead end are all called not prosperous. If the wealth and happiness are prosperous while the world line is not prosperous but still has vitality, then when encountering a year of growth, it will become prosperous again, which is called "wealth and happiness take control, prosperity will come." If both wealth and happiness are prosperous but the world line has no vitality at all, it is not considered auspicious: even if one has abundant wealth and sufficient food and clothing, one is still likely to suffer from mental disorders, deafness, blindness, or illness and legal troubles, or be stingy and vulgar. If both wealth and happiness are prosperous but the world line is completely lost, it is even more dangerous: even with thousands of taels of silver, one cannot buy the elixir of longevity. Previously it was said that even if the wealth and happiness are not prosperous, they must still have vitality; if they are completely lost, it is an even worse omen. Once wealth and happiness are lost, the family will immediately face ruin—only those that are activated but fall into emptiness or are activated but encounter destruction are excluded, and their time of occurrence is determined when the emptiness or destruction is filled.

財世休囚，龜釜生塵之宅。世爻財爻福爻三者無氣、或空破墓絕、或動而變凶，乃無衣乏食之人也。世爻得地、而財福失陷者，此人身強力健、或有小謀小技，亦可支撐度日。世爻福爻有氣、財爻無氣者，雖則貧寒樂享清福。世爻財爻有氣、福爻而無氣者，此人雖無積蓄，手頭常過金銀、或代人掌財，再得日月動爻生扶者，亦許小成。

The text says, "The wealth line is weak and confined, indicating a dwelling where the tortoise shell and cooking pot are covered in dust": When the world line, wealth line, and children line all lack vitality, or fall into emptiness, breakage, burial, or decline, or when they move and transform into ominous signs, this person is poor and lacks basic necessities. If the world line is strong but the wealth and fortune lines are weak, this person is physically strong or has some small skills or trades that allow them to make a living. If the world line and children line are strong but the wealth line is weak, although the person is poor, they can enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life. If the world line and wealth line are strong but the children line is weak, this person may not have savings, but often has money passing through their hands, or may manage others' money; if further supported by the day and month lines, they might achieve some minor success.

如卯月申日占終身財福得復之頤 子孫酉金″　　動　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財亥水″　　妻財子水″ 兄弟丑土″應　　兄弟戌土″世 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″ 官鬼寅木″　　官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′世　　妻財子水′應 五爻亥水財、世爻子水財，皆長生於申日，雖不當令，卻得日建之生，獨嫌酉金福沖破而化絕，生平衣祿不少，難於積蓄成家。果此人自三十七歲入典鋪掌櫃，財東更換者三，此人依然在櫃，活至七旬之一，每年工食養家，此應財爻持世遇長生也，生四子二女。若執古法而兼看，卦中子孫破化絕，乃無子也。

For example, on a day of Shen and a month of Mao, divining about lifetime wealth and fortune, one gets the hexagram Fu (Hexagram 24) changing into Yi (Hexagram 27). The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are:Children You Metal (children in酉 metal, activated), Wealth Hai Water (wealth in亥 water), Brothers Chou Earth (siblings in丑 earth, responding), Brothers Chen Earth (siblings in辰 earth), Official Ghost Yin Wood (official ghost in寅 wood), Wealth Zi Water (wealth in子 water, world line). The changing hexagram's lines are:Official Ghost Yin wood (official ghost in寅 wood), Wealth Zi water (wealth in子 water), Siblings Xu earth (siblings in戌 earth, world line), Siblings Chen earth (siblings in辰 earth), Official Ghost Yin wood (official ghost in寅 wood), Wealth Zi water (wealth in子 water, responding). The fifth line,Hai water wealth, and the world line,Zi water wealth, both have growth in the day of Shen, though not in season, yet they receive support from the day's heavenly stem. The only drawback is that the You metal children are being broken by the day's heavenly stem, and the changing line brings Yin wood, resulting in 'mutual destruction'. Therefore, this person's life has enough food and clothing but cannot accumulate wealth to establish a family. Later events confirmed this: he worked as a clerk in a pawnshop from the age of thirty-seven, with three different owners, yet he remained in the office, living until seventy-one, supporting his family with his salary each year. This is exactly the case of wealth lines holding the world line and meeting growth. He had four sons and two daughters; if using the ancient method of interpreting one hexagram to cover multiple aspects, the children line is broken and transformed into mutual destruction, would it not predict he has no sons?

黃金策曰：世位休囚，非貧即夭。餘以為非貧者，須觀財福。夭者，單用世爻。非夭即貧，不是卜易之理。世居空位，終身作事無成。舊注大忌世空，一生百事無成。餘以此論近理，但未分出旺與動，世爻旺而空者，謂之帶旺匪空。動不為空，遇日建沖者，沖空則實空之年，勃然發福。豈曰無成。

The Golden Strategies say, "If the world line is weak and confined, then either poverty or early death is certain." I think that whether someone is poor or not should be judged by the wealth line and children line; whether someone dies young or not should be determined solely by the world line. To bundle together the two outcomes of "not poor or not die young" is not in line with the principles of divination. The text says, "If the world line is in an empty position, one will never achieve anything in life." Old commentaries most dislike the world line falling into an empty position, saying it means one will never accomplish anything in life. I think this statement is somewhat reasonable, but it fails to distinguish between strength and movement: if the world line is strong but falls into an empty position, it is called "strong and not empty"; if it moves, it is not considered empty; if it is opposed by the day master, it is called "conflict empties it out," and in the year when it is filled, it will suddenly bring good fortune. How can one say that nothing in life is accomplished?

如戌月辛亥日占終身財福得比之觀卦 妻財子水″應　　動　　官鬼卯木′ 兄弟戌土′　　父母巳火′ 子孫申金″　　兄弟未土″世 官鬼卯木″世　　官鬼卯木″ 父母巳火″　　父母巳火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″應 斷曰：世爻雖空，月建合之，亥日生之，子水財爻動而生世，卯年一定成家，丑年占卦，果至卯年立業成家。彼時定鼎之初，雲貴才平，此人於川中帶出附子黃蓮桑材數擔，勃然家蓄數千餘金，從此立業成家，連年豐足，此豈可謂終身作事無成耶？

For example, on the day of Xinhai in the month of Xu, divining about lifetime wealth and fortune, one obtained the hexagram 'Bi' (Water on Earth) changing into 'Guan' (Observing from the Wind). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife and wealth (water) (responding line, active), brothers (earth), children (metal), official ghost (wood) (world line), parents (fire), brothers (earth). The changing hexagram is: official ghost (wood), parents (fire), brothers (earth) (world line), official ghost (wood), parents (fire), brothers (earth) (responding line). The interpretation states: although the world line, which is wood, falls into the empty, it is supported by the month builder of Xu and combines with it, and the day of Hai also generates it. The water line representing wealth is active and generates the world line. Therefore, in the year of Mao, one will certainly establish a family and career. This divination was made in the year of Chou, and indeed, in the year of Mao, he established a family and career. At that time, the country was just founded, and Yunnan and Guizhou had just been pacified. He transported several loads of Aconite, Coptis, and mulberry wood from Sichuan, and suddenly accumulated several thousand taels of silver, thus establishing a family and career, and enjoying continuous prosperity. How can one say that this person has no success in his lifetime?

又如酉月辛未日占終身財福得頤卦 兄弟寅木′　　兄弟寅木′ 父母子水″　　父母子水″ 妻財戌土″世　　妻財戌土″世 妻財辰土″　　妻財辰土″ 兄弟寅木″　　兄弟寅木″ 父母子水′應　　父母子水′應 斷曰：財爻持世，雖有未日扶拱，不宜旬空。卦中無火生助，占身命之最忌也，難許成家。此人自二十五歲至五十多歲東奔西走，一事無成，後因貧困，從戒外出。如此者謂之生平作事無成，可也。

For example, on the day of Xinwei in the month of You, someone asked about their lifelong wealth and fortune, and received the hexagram Yi (Mountains and Thunder). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers in寅wood, parents in子water, wealth in戌earth (the world line), wealth in辰earth, brothers in寅wood, and parents in子water (the responding line). All six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. The interpretation states: the wealth line is戌earth holding the world line, although there is a similar element on the day of Xinwei to support it, it is unfortunate that it is exactly in the旬空 period. The hexagram also lacks fire elements to generate earth. Wealth has fallen into emptiness and has no source, which is the most dreaded situation in divination of one's life. This person moved from place to place from the age of twenty-five to over fifty, achieving nothing, and later, due to poverty, took vows and became a monk. Cases like this can truly be described as 'lifelong endeavors without success'.

身入墓鄉，到老求謀多淚。世爻有墓，但有一墓者，若休囚無氣，主其人如痴如醉、不伶不俐、動靜行藏心不響快、凡為不遂。覺子曰：世爻若得臨於日月，或日月生扶、或動而化吉、不逢沖墓之年，果然顛倒昏迷，及逢墓庫沖開，如苗逢雨。諺云：福至心靈，爻中再有財福相生，或財福旺相者，陡然富足，故曰墓中人逢沖之年而發，豈可謂到老而多淚耶？

The text says, "When the self is in the storage area, in old age seeking to make a living brings many tears." If the World Line has a storage, even if there is only one, as long as the World Line is weak and confined, the person will be confused and disoriented, neither clever nor sharp, and every action will leave him dissatisfied. Li Wenhui says: If the World Line is exactly the same as the Day Branch or the Month Builder, or if it is supported by the Day or Month, or if it moves and transforms into something auspicious, then in years without conflicting with the storage, he remains dull and confused. But when the storage is opened by a conflicting year, it is like crops receiving rain. The proverb says, "When fortune comes, the mind becomes clear." If in the divination there is mutual generation between wealth and fortune, or if wealth and fortune are prosperous and strong, the person will suddenly become wealthy. Therefore, it is said, "A person in storage will rise when the storage is opened." How can it be said that he will only end up crying all his life?

如午月丙戌日占終身財福得節卦 兄弟子水″　　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′　　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″應　　父母申金″應 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　　子孫卯木′ 妻財巳火′世　　妻財巳火′世 此人旺財臨世，平素手有餘錢，亦因世入戌墓，酷好如痴賭，後至巳年因開鉛礦，連開數穴，富冠一鄉。野鶴曰：古法當應沖開戌墓之年，此卦而應沖世之年。

For example, on a day of Bingxu (丙戌) in the month of Wu (午), divining about lifetime wealth and fortune, one obtained the hexagram Jie (水泽节). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers' water (兄弟子水), official ghost earth (官鬼戌土), parents' metal (父母申金, responding line), official ghost earth (官鬼丑土), sons' wood (子孙卯木), and wife's wealth fire (妻财巳火, world line). All six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. The person's world line is seated on a prosperous and strong wealth line, indicating that they usually have extra money. Also, since the world line fire (巳火) falls in the墓 (mound) of earth (戌土), they have a strong fondness for gambling, becoming addicted. Later, in the year of巳 (snake), they started mining lead, opening several mines in succession, becoming the richest person in the village. The Wild Crane Elder said: According to ancient methods, the fortune should have appeared in the year when the戌墓 (mound of戌) was opened. However, this hexagram indicates the year when the world line is affected by a clash, that is, the year when the world line fire (巳火) is in its own year and clashes with亥 (pig).

卦宮衰弱根基淺，爻象豐隆命運高。爻象豐隆，占身命最重。世爻、財爻、福爻，得遇生扶，自然命運高強。唯卦宮之衰弱者不驗，常見根基淺薄之人，宮幾旺，是不為法。若問成家嫌六沖之為卦。舊注：凡遇六沖，必主其人作事有始無終。前卦六沖，前三十年生涯淡泊，後卦六沖，三十年後家業凋零。余曰：非也，若之以兩卦六沖斷六十年之休咎，而世與財福置之於何地？若世財福爻無氣，再遇六沖卦者是也。

The text says, "The hexagram's palace is weak with shallow foundation, but the line symbols are prosperous, thus the fortune is high." When judging one's own fortune, the prosperity of the line symbols is most important—when the world line, wealth line, and children line are supported and strengthened, one's fortune naturally becomes strong. As for the statement "the hexagram's palace is weak," I have found it to be unreliable. Often, people with shallow foundations have hexagrams that are actually strong, so this cannot be used as a rule. The text also says, "If asking about marriage, the hexagram with six clashes is to be avoided." Old annotations say: whenever a hexagram with six clashes appears, the person's affairs will inevitably have a beginning but no end; if the first hexagram is six clashes, the first thirty years of life will be plain and unremarkable; if the later hexagram is six clashes, the later thirty years will see the decline of family affairs. I disagree. If using two hexagrams with six clashes to judge the fortune over sixty years, where would the position of the world line and wealth and happiness lines be? Only when the world line, wealth line, and children line are all weak, and another hexagram with six clashes appears, can such a judgment be made.

如寅月乙巳日占財福 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟戌土″ 子孫申金″　　子孫申金″ 父母午火′世　　父母午火′世 兄弟辰土′　　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′應　　妻財子水′應

For example, on the day of Yisi (乙巳) in the month of Yin (寅), divining about one's wealth and fortune, the hexagram obtained is Da Zhuang (Hexagram 34). The six lines from top to bottom are: brothers戌土, children申金, parents午火 (the world line), brothers辰土, official ghost寅木, and wife's wealth子水 (the responding line), all lines being still without any changing hexagram. In this hexagram, the parents午火 hold the world line and reside on the fourth line, while the official ghost寅木 is in command of the month of Yin. This indicates a strong presence of both parents and officials.

餘見此卦，世旺官父旺，見其人才品異常，問曰：近來所作何事？彼曰：在庠，因家寒，意欲行醫，不名財福如何？余曰：卦中官父兩旺，寅年必有際遇，午未年定登金榜。伊曰：予知不能，竟無此念。余曰：爾雖以財為問，而神告將來可成名。後果於寅年醫好富翁，厚贈讀書。午年一榜，富翁及親友又贈，援例縣令，未幾丁艱，及至補缺未幾，裡誤而歸，囊筐消然。應寅年者，寅年而實空。應午年發者，世爻而值年月，功名反覆而不久者，六沖之卦也。宦囊消索者，子水財爻絕於日也；

I saw that in this divination the world line was strong, and the official and parent lines were also strong. Seeing that this person had outstanding talent and character, I asked him what kind of occupation he was engaged in. He said he was studying at the county school, but because his family was poor, he wanted to change his career to become a doctor, and he asked about his fortune and wealth. I said that in the divination, both the official and parent lines were strong, so he would certainly meet a fortunate opportunity in the year of the tiger (寅), and in the years of the horse (午) and the Goat (未), he would certainly achieve success. He said that he knew he could not pass the examination, and had already given up this idea. I said that although he only asked about wealth and fortune, the spirits told him that he would eventually become famous. Later, he indeed cured a rich man's illness in the year of the tiger, and the rich man gave him a generous gift to support his studies. In the year of the horse, he passed the examination as a juren (scholar-official), and the rich man and his friends gave him more silver, and he followed the custom to become a county magistrate. Soon after taking office, he encountered the death of his parents and had to observe mourning for a period of time before he could take up his post again. However, not long after, he was dismissed from office due to a mistake in official duties, and he left with nothing. This was because the year of the tiger filled the empty position, and the year of the horse brought success because the world line was the fire of the horse, which matched the year's branch. His official position was unstable and did not last long because the divination was of the six clashes; his official salary was spent because the water line (child line) was cut off on the day of the snake (巳).

要知創業喜六合以成爻。舊注：占身命得六合卦，主其人春風和氣，交結善友，百事如心。交遊春風者有理，若以百事如心未必然，世必以用神兼之，爻象吉者，吉而又吉，爻象凶者，合亦無益。動身自旺獨力撐持。舊注：世爻不遇日辰動爻生扶，而自強自旺，其人必白手成家，此屢驗。但須財爻持世，而自強自旺，多自成家。若兄父官鬼持世，未必僅可撐持而已。

The text says, "To know about starting a business, one should rely on the Six Harmony to form the line." An old commentary explains: if one's personal fortune is the Six Harmony hexagram, this person is amiable, has many good friends, and everything goes according to his heart. Saying he treats people like spring breeze makes sense; but saying everything goes according to his heart is not necessarily true—this must be considered together with the useful god. If the line's image is auspicious, it is auspicious on top of auspicious; if the line's image is inauspicious, even if it meets the Six Harmony, it brings no benefit. The text also says, "When one moves, he is self-empowered and supports himself alone." An old commentary explains: if the world line is not supported by the day branch or the moving line, yet is strong on its own, this person is sure to build a family from scratch. This often comes true, but it is only when the wealth line holds the world line and is strong on its own that he is likely to establish a livelihood by himself; if it is the siblings, parents, or official ghost that hold the world line, he may not be able to build a family, but can only manage to hold on.

如申月壬子日占終身之財福 子孫酉金″應　　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″應 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′世　　動　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼卯木′世 妻財子水′　　父母巳火′ 世臨辰土，旺於子日，雖無刑傷沖剋，亦無生扶，真可謂之自強自旺，此人原來稍有家業，因賭致貧，問將來還有發旺否？余曰：兄爻持世，永無發福之秋，且世爻逢退，難許長年。後從當夫頭死於丑年。

For example, on a day of Renzi (壬子) in the month of Shen (申), someone asked about his fortune and wealth. The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children You Metal (Children in酉 metal, responding line), Wealth Hai Water (Wealth in亥 water), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings in丑 earth), Brothers Chen Earth (Siblings in辰 earth, the world line, which is active), Official Ghost Yin Wood (Official Ghost in寅 wood), Wealth Zi Water (Wealth in子 water). The resulting hexagram is: Children You Metal (Children in酉 metal), Wealth Hai Water (Wealth in亥 water, responding line), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings in丑 earth), Brothers Chou Earth (Siblings in丑 earth), Official Ghost Mao Wood (Official Ghost in卯 wood), Parents Si Fire (Parents in巳 fire). The world line is on Chen earth, which is strong on the day of Zi (子). It is neither harmed, nor clashed with, nor supported by anything else, truly showing self-reliance and strength. The person originally had some property, but lost it due to gambling. He asked if he could become successful again. I said: the line of siblings holds the world line, meaning he will never have good fortune; moreover, the world line of Chen earth changes into Chou earth, which is 'changing to a retreating god,' making even longevity difficult to expect. Later, he became the head of a pawnshop, and died in the year of Chou (丑).

衰世遇扶，因人創立。此果屢驗。世爻無氣，得遇日月動爻有一而生扶者，必遇好人提拔，但亦要財爻持世，或日月動爻作財以生世，因人照管成家，若父兄持世僅可度日，屢見日月生世，貴人生世，常得官貴垂青。如丑月丙辰日占終身財福得未濟之睽 兄弟巳火′應　　兄弟巳火′ 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′　　妻財酉金′世 兄弟午火″世　　子孫丑土″ 子孫辰土′　　父母卯木′ 父母寅木″　　動　　兄弟巳火′應

The text says, "In a declining era, if supported, it is established through people." This principle often proves true. If the World Line lacks strength, as long as it receives support from the Day Branch, Month Builder, or a Moving Line, it will certainly encounter good people who will promote it. However, it also requires the Wealth Line to hold the World Line, or for the Day, Month, or Moving Line to act as the Wealth Line to support the World Line, thereby enabling one to be cared for and establish a family. If the Parents or Siblings hold the World Line, then one can only manage to get by. I have often seen people whose World Line is supported by the Day or Month or by a Nobleman, frequently receiving favor from officials. For example, a person who asked about his lifelong fortune and wealth on a day with the Day Branch being Bingchen and the Month being Chou, obtained the Hexagram of Fire and Water Not Yet Joined, changing into the Hexagram of Fire and Marsh Separation. The Primary Hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Brother's Fire (responding), Child's Earth, Wealth's Metal, Brother's Fire (World Line), Child's Earth, Parents' Wood (moving). The Resulting Hexagram is: Brother's Fire, Child's Earth, Wealth's Metal (World Line), Child's Earth, Parents' Wood, Brother's Fire (responding).

斷曰：兄爻持世，耗財之神，雖得寅木相生，而財不聚。彼曰：作何事可以成家？余曰：木生火旺，木火通明，胸中靈巧，況朱雀臨父，筆硯可以營生。後因叔父作衙門命之貼，寫得上人之意，可度日而財不聚。叔父提拔者，應寅木父爻生，又是筆墨營生。

The interpretation says: The brother's line holds the world line, which is the spirit of spending money. Although there is a寅 wood parent line to generate it, the money can never be kept. He asked: What should I do to get married? I said: Wood generates fire and fire is strong, wood and fire are bright, you are clever inside; moreover, the Vermilion Bird is on the parent line, you can make a living through writing. Later he worked as a clerk in his uncle's office, writing things that pleased the superior, able to make a living, but still could not save money. His uncle promoted him, which corresponds to the寅 wood parent line generating the world line; making a living through writing also corresponds to the Vermilion Bird being on the parent line.

日持合助一生偏得小人心，歲月克沖半世未沾君子德。世爻不論旺衰但得歲月日建有一而生扶者，君恩寵愛、君子相親、小人忠敬，平人者必得貴客扶持。又曰：父來生得父輩之恩，兄來克受兄之累，此則問有驗不可執之。世爻有氣或被日月有一而沖剋者，仕者上位相陵、同僚不睦、小人毀謗，若太歲五爻沖剋者，君恩失寵，世若休囚者更甚。平人而得此者，官貴欺陵，新朋妒忌，下輩欺侮。世若休囚更甚。遇龍子而無氣，縱清高亦是寒儒。此果屢驗。凡得青龍子孫持世，必然立志高遠，不慕富貴。即子孫無氣，亦主絕俗超群，自甘寒薄。

The text says, "If the day branch forms a harmonious connection, one may gain the favor of petty people, but for half a lifetime, one does not receive the virtue of a gentleman." Regardless of whether the world line is strong or weak, if the sovereign, month builder, or day branch comes to support it, officials will receive the favor of the monarch, be close to upright people, and have loyal subordinates; common people will surely receive support from noble persons. It also says: if the parents' line comes to support, one receives the kindness of one's elders; if the siblings' line comes to control, one suffers from the burden of siblings—this rule is occasionally accurate and should not be taken as absolute. Conversely, if the world line, though having strength, is clashed with by the sovereign, month builder, or day branch, officials will suffer from being oppressed by superiors, discord with colleagues, and slander from petty people; if the sovereign and fifth line clash with it, then one loses the favor of the monarch, and if the world line is weak and confined, the situation is even worse. For common people, they will suffer from oppression by officials, jealousy from new friends, and mistreatment by younger generations, and if the world line is weak and confined, the situation is even worse. The text also says, "Meeting the Azure Dragon's son without strength, even if one is refined and noble, one remains a poor scholar." This rule is often accurate: if one holds the world line with the Azure Dragon's son, that person is certainly ambitious with lofty aspirations and does not covet wealth and honor; even if the son line is weak, it indicates that he is detached from worldly concerns and content with a simple, humble life.

如酉月癸丑日占終身除功名外何事可為？得卦如下： 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′應 官鬼午火′應　　官鬼午火′ 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　　動　　官鬼午火″世 父母丑土″世　　父母辰土″

For example, on a day of Guichou in the month of You, someone comes to consult about whether there is anything else in their life besides achieving fame and success. The hexagram obtained has the six lines from top to bottom as: parents戌earth, siblings申metal, official ghost午fire (responding line), siblings酉metal, children亥water (activating line), parents丑earth (present line); the resulting hexagram is sequentially: parents戌earth, siblings申metal (responding line), official ghost午fire, siblings申metal, official ghost午fire (present line), parents辰earth.

斷曰：財星伏於二爻，又值空亡，正所謂內外無財，伏又空，財莫能聚，且喜子孫獨破遇青龍，雖不持世，亦主清高，生平非義不取，不以富貴關心。彼曰：祖有恩蔭，讓與弟承襲，令欲挾會遍遊，取樂山水，可能如願否？余曰：亥水子孫變鬼，財爻又空，子死妻空，絕俗離群之事，如有此志，此卦驗之幾矣。彼曰：餘年四十有三，自二十一歲妻亡之後，竟未續絃，子女皆無。余曰：卦之相合，必如其願。後聞此人遊川廣填黔，及至十餘載之後，致書於家。竟入華山，不知所終。

The interpretation says: The wealth star is hidden beneath the second line, and it also coincides with the empty position, which is called internal and external lack of wealth, hidden and empty, so wealth cannot accumulate. Fortunately, the children line alone is active and is accompanied by the Azure Dragon. Although it does not hold the main line, it indicates that this person is noble and upright, never taking unjust wealth, and does not value wealth. He said: My ancestors had a favor, I gave it to my younger brother to inherit; now I want to take my belongings and travel around, enjoying mountains and rivers, can I achieve this? I said: The亥 water children line transforms into official ghost, and the wealth line falls into the empty position, which is an omen of children not being able to survive and wife being empty, which exactly matches the idea of leaving the world and living apart from people. If you truly have this intention, the fulfillment of this divination is not far away. He said: I am now forty-three years old, since my wife died when I was twenty-one, I have never remarried, and I have no children. I said: The divination matches your wish exactly, and it will certainly come true. Later, it was heard that this person traveled to Sichuan, Guangdong, then into Guizhou, and after more than ten years, he sent a letter home, saying he had entered Huashan, and afterwards his whereabouts were unknown.

覺子曰：餘因父子兄財官鬼各有相忌，難以一卦決之，是以分占得理，然亦有不占財神卦中現出旺財，不問功名爻象現出旺官，目下刑妻克子不待另占，卦中先現刑傷，不可不詳加細查。或曰：既謂分占，何故又言兼斷？余曰：此理難同俗人而言，來人慾占事者其幾動矣，人之至親，莫過於骨肉，人之得志，莫過於利名，神不告已問之事者，以重大者而先告也，即如此卦福遇青龍清高之客，子孫變鬼絕後之人，兼之財伏而空，乃是離塵絕俗，以此數事，正合福遇青龍清高之客也，似顯而見，何須另卜再卦？不然，此財爻者以之為財帛空耶？以之為妻妾空耶？

Li Wenhui said: precisely because parents, children, siblings, wealth, and officials each have their own conflicts and忌, a single hexagram cannot fully decide everything, so I advocate dividing the divination into separate parts for clarity. However, there are also cases where one does not ask about wealth, yet the hexagram shows a strong indication of wealth; or one does not inquire about official positions, yet the lines indicate a strong official presence; or there is already a sign of harm to wife and children, without needing another divination, as the hexagram already reveals the injury. These situations must be carefully observed. Someone asked: if you advocate separate divination, why do you also mention combined interpretation? I said: this principle is difficult to explain in detail to ordinary people. When a person comes to seek divination, their inner intention has already been activated. Among all things, people are most close to their family and most concerned about fame and fortune. The divine spirits do not answer the direct question but instead answer other matters first, because they wish to inform the person of more important matters first. For example, in this hexagram: the Children is accompanied by the Azure Dragon, indicating a person of high moral character; the Children changes into a ghost, indicating someone without descendants; plus the wealth line is hidden and falls into emptiness, which is exactly the image of someone leaving the worldly affairs. These several aspects corroborate each other, all conforming to the saying "Favor from the Azure Dragon indicates a person of high moral character." This is clearly visible, so why bother to divinate again? Otherwise, how can we determine whether this wealth line is considered as lost wealth or lost wife and children?

逢虎妻而旺強，雖鄙俗偏為富客。舊注為白虎臨財持世，雖其人不知禮義，然必家道殷實，果有驗。又曰：旺財若有制服，亦粗知文墨，此又非理，論旺財逢制，及應將來之破敗也，豈以文墨言？如午月丙子日占財福得明夷之豐 父母酉金″　　官鬼戌土″ 兄弟亥水″　　父母申金″世 官鬼丑土″世　　動　　妻財午火′ 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″應 子孫卯木′應　　子孫卯木′ 世臨白虎化出旺財生世，果此人目不識丁，鄙俗不堪，農生盡可度日，人丁六畜豐盛。戌年占卦，值子年農生被蝗蟲食盡，全家瘟疫，六畜亦瘟。應子年者，占時原有子日沖其午火，因午火而值月建可以相敵，令遇子年，增其沖剋，所以破敗。

The commentary says, "Meeting the White Tiger and wealth爻 in a strong position, even if one is vulgar, will certainly become wealthy." Old annotations explain that when the White Tiger is on the wealth爻 and holds the world line, although the person may not understand propriety, his family will certainly be prosperous. This statement indeed proves true. Old annotations also say that if the strong wealth is restrained, the person may have some knowledge of literature, which is unreasonable: if the strong wealth is restrained, it indicates future decline, how can it relate to literary ability? For example, a person who divines about wealth and fortune on the day of Bingzi in the month of Wu, gets the hexagram Ming Yi, which changes to Feng. The original hexagram, from the top down, is: parents in metal of You, siblings in water of Hai, official ghost in earth of Chou (world line, active), siblings in water of Hai, official ghost in earth of Chou, and children in wood of Mao (responding). The changing hexagram, in order, is: official ghost in earth of Xu, parents in metal of Shen (world line), wealth in fire of Wu, siblings in water of Hai, official ghost in earth of Chou (responding), and children in wood of Mao. The world line is on the White Tiger and changes to strong wealth which generates the world line. The person indeed could not read or write, was vulgar and coarse, and could make a living by farming, with many people and livestock. The divination was made in the year of Xu, and in the year of Zi, the crops were completely destroyed by locusts, the whole family contracted an epidemic, and the livestock also died from the plague. The prediction came true in the year of Zi, because at the time of divination, there was already a Zi day conflicting with the fire of Wu, but the fire was supported by the month builder and could resist; now, with another year of Zi, the conflict is doubled, hence the downfall.

父母持身辛勤勞祿，鬼爻持世疫病纏綿，遇兄則莫能聚財，遇子則身不犯刑。黃金策曰：父母官鬼持世皆可斷為辛勤勞碌、疾病纏綿。舊注曰：若是貴人勿以此斷。此說非理，實知不是貴人，焉知將來不貴？曾有人占財福酉月壬辰日得恆卦 妻財戌土″應　　妻財戌土″應 官鬼申金″　　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′　　子孫午火′ 官鬼酉金′世　　官鬼酉金′世 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″ 問曰：爾過禱告曾問功名否？彼曰：生意人問，何有功名之念？余曰：此卦財生官旺，竟可問名。彼曰：天有落下來之官，亦不到我頭上。

The text says, "Parents hold a hardworking and laborious body, the ghost爻 holds the world and is plagued by illness, encountering the elder brother prevents the accumulation of wealth, encountering the children avoids punishment." The Golden Strategies say that if parents or official ghosts hold the world, it can be interpreted as hardship and illness; old annotations, however, say, "If it is a nobleman, one should not interpret it this way." This is unreasonable: now we know he is not a nobleman, how can we know he will not become one in the future? Once someone asked about wealth and fortune on the day of Renchen in the month of You, obtaining the hexagram Heng (Thunder and Wind). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife wealth in the earth element (responding line), official ghost in the metal element, children in the fire element, official ghost in the metal element (world line), parents in the water element, wife wealth in the earth element, all lines are still. I asked him, "Have you prayed for official rank?" He said, "I am a merchant, how could I have thoughts of official rank?" I said, "This hexagram shows wealth generating official rank, so it is actually suitable for asking about official rank." He said, "Even if officials fell from the sky, they would not fall on my head."

命再占得噬嗑變否卦 子孫巳火′　　妻財戌土′應 妻財未土″世　　動　　官鬼申金′ 官鬼酉金′　　子孫午火′ 妻財辰土″　　兄弟卯木″世 兄弟寅木″應　　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　　動　　妻財未土″ 余曰：世爻未土之財變出申金之官，明明以財而變官。前卦財旺生官者，因世臨月建之官，辰日沖動戌土之財，暗動生世。雖可許名，不敢指以年月，後卦世臨未土而逢空，實空之年包出仕。果於卯年援例入臨，巳年初任兵馬即加納縣令，未年再位江南。舊注官鬼持世疾病纏綿，若是貴人。勿以此斷。此人原非貴人。豈謂之疾病纏綿耶？

I asked him to cast another hexagram, which came as the Hexagram Shi Ke (Fire Thunder噬嗑) changing into Hexagram Pi (Heaven Earth否). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are:Children Si Fire (Children of the Snake), Wealth Wei Earth (Wealth of the Earth, which is the world line and is active), Official Ghost You Metal (Official Ghost of the Metal), Wealth Chen Earth, Brothers Yin Wood (Siblings of the Tiger, which is the responding line), Parents Zi Water (Parents of the Water, which is active). The changing hexagram is: Wealth Xu Earth (Wealth of the Earth, which is the responding line), Official Ghost Shen Metal, Children Wu Fire, Brothers Mao Wood (Siblings of the Rabbit, which is the world line), Children Si Fire, Wealth Wei Earth. I said: The world line is on Wei earth (Earth), and the wealth line changes into Shen metal (Metal official star). Clearly, it is a change from wealth to official. In the previous hexagram, it was said that wealth is strong and generates the official, because the world line was exactly the official star of the month, and on the day of Chen (Earth), the Xu earth (Earth) wealth line was stirred and moved secretly to generate the world line. Though it may be allowed that he will achieve fame, we cannot specify the year or month. In this hexagram, the world line is on Wei earth (Earth) and meets the empty period. So when the empty period is filled, he should take office. Later it turned out that in the year of Mao (Rabbit), he was admitted to the official examination by donation according to the regulation, and in the year of Si (Snake), he was appointed to the position of military and police officer. Soon after, he donated again and became a county magistrate, and in the year of Wei (Earth), he was transferred to Jiangnan. Old commentaries say that the official ghost holding the world line indicates prolonged illness, and also say, "If there is a nobleman, then one should not make such a judgment." But this person was not a nobleman. So should we say he would suffer from prolonged illness?

又如巳月已丑日占終身財福得歸妹之臨卦 父母戌土″應　　兄弟酉金″ 兄弟申金″　　子孫亥水″應 官鬼午火′　　動　　父母丑土″ 父母丑土″世　　父母丑土″ 妻財卯木′　　妻財卯木′世 官鬼巳火′　　官鬼巳火′ 余曰：卦中財福不旺，而官父兩旺，如何不問功名？彼曰功名之念已滅。余曰：世臨日建月建生身，必主顯貴中舉，巳午年富貴逼人來也。果於午年保舉，雖非科甲，身為科裡之官，此豈可謂父母持身辛勤勞碌耶？

For example, on a day of巳 month and Jichou day, someone asked about his lifetime wealth and fortune, and got the hexagram《Gui Mei》 (Hexagram 54) changing into《Lin》 (Hexagram 19). The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: parents戌土 (responding line), brothers申金, official ghost午火 (active), parents丑土 (world line), wife wealth卯木, official ghost巳火. The changing hexagram is: brothers酉金, children亥水 (responding line), parents丑土, parents丑土, wife wealth卯木 (world line), official ghost巳火. I said: The wealth lines and children lines in the hexagram are not strong, but the official and parent lines are both strong, so why not ask about official positions? He said his thoughts about official positions had long since faded. I said: The world line is exactly the day builder of丑 day, and the month builder of巳 month is also supporting it, so it must indicate achieving high status and passing the examination. Wealth and honor will naturally come in the year of巳 or午. Later, he indeed received a recommendation in the year of午, though not through the official examination system, he still held an official position in the examination academy. How can one say that when parents hold the position, one must necessarily be diligent and hardworking?

父母臨身勞碌貧寒之輩。或曰：黃金策乃卜筮之宗，未有占身命而以父子財官兼斷之理。余曰：既不為信，即看父母持身之解注，其可知矣。謂占身不可見父兄官鬼持世，爻遇父則克傷子女，一生勞碌，不得安逸。豈非父為克子之神，又為一生勞碌之神？即執論之，但遇父爻持世，不獨一生勞碌辛勤，官不旺而父旺者，雖不見用於朝廷，名盛之傳。衰而又逢沖剋，即欲寄食於公門，凶多吉少。

The text says, "Parents over the person indicate a life of toil and poverty." Someone says: "The Golden Strategies is the masterwork of divination, how could it divide and interpret the father, son, wealth, and official in the same reading?" I say: if you don't believe me, just look at the commentary on the phrase "parents hold the person." It says that when divining one's fate, one should not see the parents, siblings, or official ghost occupying the world position. If the line meets the parents, it harms the children, and the person will be constantly laboring without ease. This is not merely treating the parents as a god that harms the children, but also as a god that brings toil. According to this, a person with the father's line occupying the world position does not necessarily mean a life of toil alone. If the official star is weak but the father's line is strong, even though he cannot be appointed by the government, he may gain fame through literature. If the father's line is weak and meets a clash and control, then even if he wants to find a job in the government, it will be dangerous and few good outcomes.

如子月乙未日占終身財福得兌卦 父母未土″世　　父母未土″世 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′　　子孫亥水′ 父母丑土″應　　父母丑土″應 妻財卯木′　　妻財卯木′ 官鬼巳火′　　官鬼巳火′ 斷曰：卯木之財，而入未日之墓，巳火之官，休囚無氣，名不能成，利不能就，惜乎旺父臨身，才愈高而和愈寡，況得卦遇六沖，一事無成之象。後屢見逢顯貴聘之，才高氣傲，皆不待瓜期辭矣。目摯十餘載，貧寒炎泊，後隨表弟升任雲南，不知所終。

For example, on the day of Yiwei in the month of Zi, divining about lifetime wealth and fortune, the hexagram obtained was Dui (Hexagram 58). The six lines from top to bottom are: parents in the earth element of Wei (world), siblings in the metal element of You, children in the water element of Hai, parents in the earth element of Chou (response), wife's wealth in the wood element of Mao, and official ghost in the fire element of Si. All six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. The interpretation is: the wood element of Mao, representing wealth, falls into the tomb of wood on the day of Wei, and the fire element of Si, representing official ghost, is weak and confined in the month of Zi. Therefore, neither fame nor profit can be achieved. It is a pity that the prosperous parents' line holds the world position—higher talent leads to fewer people who can match it; and the fact that it is a hexagram of six clashes indicates a sign of achieving nothing. Later, many high-ranking officials invited him, but he was proud of his talent and left before his term was up. He wasted more than ten years in poverty and simplicity, finally following his cousin to Yunnan to take office, and his fate is unknown.

兄父臨世財耗貧寒。舊係遇兄則財莫能聚解。注有云：世逢兄爻必克妻妾，一生必不聚財，既以之為克妻，又以之為破耗，執此而論，世之傷妻者，皆貧困之人也。假使貧者偕老，富者斷絃，何以決之？故予以分占之法，實得理也。覺子曰：凡占財福，兄爻持世，雖不許之富足，亦看旺衰，旺則貧而好義，衰則多疾病官非，得日月生扶，貧而樂。得日月作財而合世，富而驕。旺臨蛇虎元武，奸盜詐為之兇頑。衰遇勾陳雀武，揹負肩挑之躬漢，受克受制，下賤隸卒。得合得扶，上人抬舉。全在人之通變，人觀其輕重而言。

The text says, "The brother and father are over the world line, wealth is lost and poverty follows." The old version states, "When the brother appears, wealth cannot be gathered." The commentary explains that when the world line meets the brother, it will certainly harm the wife and concubine, and one will never be able to accumulate wealth. It says both that it harms the wife and that it breaks wealth. According to this interpretation, would not all those who have died wives be poor people? Suppose a poor person lives with his wife until old age, while a rich person loses his wife in middle age, how should we interpret such cases? Therefore, using the method of separate divination is indeed reasonable. Li Wenhui says: When divining about wealth and fortune, although the brother line holding the world line certainly does not promise wealth, we also need to consider its strength and decline. If the brother line is strong, although poor, he is generous and virtuous; if the brother line is weak, he is often sick and involved in legal troubles. If the brother line is supported by the day or month lines, he is poor but content; if the day or month lines act as wealth lines and also harmonize with the world line, he is rich but arrogant and extravagant. If the brother line is strong and meets the Teng Snake (Teng Sha), White Tiger (Bai Hu), or Black Tortoise (Yuan Wu), he is a cunning and dishonest person; if the brother line is weak and meets Gou Chen (Gou Chen), Vermilion Bird (Zhu Què), or Black Tortoise (Yuan Wu), he is a laborer carrying burdens; if he is attacked or restrained, he is a lowly servant; if he is harmonized or supported, he can be promoted by superiors. All of this depends on the situation and the importance of the factors involved.

官衰無破公門異行資生。官鬼持世，休囚無氣者，乃纏綿病疾殘疾之人也。若有氣者，或入公門或挾術行道，再遇日月動爻貴人扶助，皆得貴客相親，從此成家立業，財若無氣，空有虛名而已。財弱有商賈百工事業。財爻福爻自來旺相者，或商或賈或守農生，成之富足，樂享豐饒，倘遇衰財持世，或得日月動爻生扶合助者，暴發興家，守農莊年時豐稔，習工藝巧奪天工。慕道修持皆為子孫持世。子孫乃恬淡之神，如若持世，孤立無助，又遇財爻陷者，若有高尚之志，許之為道為僧。若無出家之志，不可妄斷，殊不知見子，則身不犯刑，許之生平，不犯官刑可也。

The text says, "If the official ghost is weak without destruction, one may find a different path in the government office and gain sustenance": If the official ghost holds the world line and is weak and powerless, the person is likely to suffer from chronic illness or have physical disabilities; if the official ghost is strong and vigorous, the person may serve in the government office or rely on a particular skill or profession to make a living. If the sun and moon lines and nobleman lines support and assist, they can gain the favor of noble people and eventually establish a family and career. However, if the wealth line is weak and powerless, they will ultimately only gain a hollow reputation. The text says, "If the wealth line is weak, one may engage in commerce, craftsmanship, or other trades": If the wealth line and children line are naturally strong and vigorous, the person may engage in commerce, run a shop, or work in agriculture and achieve wealth and prosperity. If the weak wealth line holds the world line and is supported and assisted by the sun and moon lines and other lines, they may suddenly become wealthy and establish a family—those who work in agriculture will have a good harvest, and those who work in craftsmanship will have exceptional skills. The text says, "Those who pursue the Dao or cultivation are those whose children line holds the world line": The children line is the god of tranquility. If the children line holds the world line and is isolated without support, and the wealth line is in a weak position, if the person has lofty aspirations, they may be allowed to become a Daoist or a Buddhist monk. If the person has no intention of leaving home, do not make hasty judgments. Just remember "when the children line appears, the body will not suffer from legal punishment," allowing them to live a life without legal troubles.

家傾名喪乃因官鬼傷身。凡遇官鬼克世，世多旺者，生平多招刑憲，或招嫉妒、或小人暗害、或殘疾纏綿。若鬼旺身衰，乃身傷家傾之兆，動之不必以財福為問，速尋趨避之法可也。如世爻動而變鬼克世，及日月作官鬼而克世者，更凶。如卯月癸未日占終身財福得革之家人 官鬼未土″　　動　　子孫卯木′ 父母酉金′　　妻財巳火′應 兄弟亥水′世　　動　　官鬼未土″ 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″世 子孫卯木′應　　子孫卯木′ 應外卦世與日月同為三合，以為吉卦，不宜世爻變鬼，又化回頭之克，上爻未土又克，目下雖則無妨，今年五月沖開其合，或是酉月沖開卯木，須防不測。果至巳月而生惡瘡，卒於酉月。

The text says, "Family ruin and loss of reputation are due to the official ghost harming the body." Whenever the official ghost overcomes the world line, and the world line is still strong, the person will often suffer from punishment, or be envied by others, or be secretly harmed by villains, or be plagued by disability. If the official ghost is strong and the world line is weak, it is a sign of bodily injury and family decline. When encountering such a hexagram, there is no need to ask about wealth and fortune; one should immediately seek ways to avoid misfortune. If the world line is activated and transforms into the official ghost to overcome the world line, or if the day branch or month builder acts as the official ghost to overcome the world line, it is even more dangerous. For example, someone who divines about their lifetime wealth and fortune on the day of Guiwei in the month of Mao, gets the hexagram Ge (Hexagram 49) transforming into Jia Ren (Hexagram 37). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: official ghost of earth (unearthed), parents of metal, siblings of water (world line, activated), siblings of water, official ghost of earth, children of wood (response). The transformed hexagram, in order, is: children of wood, wife's wealth of fire (response), official ghost of earth, siblings of water, official ghost of earth (world line), children of wood. The world line and the day branch and month builder form the triple harmony of Hai-Mao-Wei, which could be considered a favorable hexagram. However, it is not favorable that the world line transforms into the official ghost, forming a "backward overcoming," and the top line of earth also overcomes the world line. Although there is no immediate harm, if the triple harmony is opened in May of this year, or if the month of You opens the卯 wood, one should be cautious. Indeed, in the month of Si, he developed a severe ulcer, and died in the month of You.

財化退兮不利於已。財爻持世化進神，或動而生世者，事業從此而進，家道自此豐亨，若化退神，家業自此漸退，日剝月削，漸生蕭條，若世爻再被刑剋沖害者，非漸退也，即見家覆財傾。世逢合住受制於人。世臨財爻兄者，而得日月動爻合住，衣食僅可度日，難許豐足。世爻無氣而被合，財福無氣，兄動卦中，乃奔走受制之下賤人也。

The text says, "When wealth transforms into a retreating god, it is unfavorable for oneself": If the wealth line holds the world line and transforms into an advancing god, or if it moves to generate the world line, one's career will progress continuously and the family's fortune will become abundant; but if it transforms into a retreating god, the family's business will gradually decline, day by day becoming more desolate; if the world line is further harmed by conflicts, punishments, or clashes, then the decline will not be gradual but immediate, leading to sudden family collapse and financial ruin. The text also says, "When the world line is combined and restrained, it is subject to others": If the world line is accompanied by the wealth line or the brother line and is restrained by the day or month lines and moving lines, then one's income is barely enough for daily living, and wealth and children will not be prosperous; if the world line has no strength and is also restrained, and the wealth line and children also lack strength, and there is a moving brother line in the hexagram, then one is a person who is always under others' control and constantly restricted, of low status.

官父興隆，文章見用。凡得旺父持世、官動生之，或官星持世、父爻旺動，或官星父爻旺動、生合世爻，或日月作官星、父母生合世，皆主成名之象。學成文武藝，貨與帝王家。鬼財搖發，納栗成名。官星持世、財動相生，或世臨官動化財，世臨財動化官，或官星動而生合世爻，或日月作官星生合世爻，皆主納栗以奏名。

The text says, "Official and Parent are flourishing, literary works are put into use": Whenever the parent爻 is strong and prosperous, holding the world line, and the official star is active and generates it, or the official star holds the world line while the parent爻 is strong and active, or the official and parent爻 are strong and active to generate and harmonize with the world line, or the day branch and month builder act as the official star or parents to generate and harmonize with the world line, these are all signs of achieving fame. This is exactly what is meant by "learning the arts of literature and martial skills, offering them to the imperial family." The text also says, "Ghost and wealth fluctuate, paying tribute to gain fame": When the official star holds the world line and the wealth爻 is active and generates it, or the world line is in the official position and transforms into wealth, or the world line is on the wealth爻 and transforms into the official, or the official star generates and harmonizes with the world line, or the day branch and month builder act as the official star to generate and harmonize with the world line, these all indicate gaining official rank through tribute payments.

如辰月乙未日占終身功名有無得地火明夷變豐卦 父母酉金″　　官鬼戌土″ 兄弟亥水″　　父母申金″世 官鬼丑土″世　　動　　妻財午火′ 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″應 子孫卯木′應　　子孫卯木′ 此公原是武蔭，巳任卑宮，因病告退，即無官矣。問將來還有功名否？此卦丑土官星持世，化出午火，財旺生官，卯年占卦，巳年援例連連加納，官至府佐，未年出仕，戌年升任。黃堂古法以動而逢沖謂之散，此係未沖世爻之丑土，竟不見其散也。

For example, on an Yiwei day in the Chen month, someone asked about whether he would achieve official rank in his lifetime. He obtained the hexagram "Ming Yi" (Earth Fire) changing into "Feng" (Thunder Fire). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: Parents in You metal, Brothers in Hai water, Official Ghost in Chou earth (the world line, which is active), Brothers in Hai water, Official Ghost in Chou earth, and Children in Mao wood (the responding line). The changing hexagram's lines are: Official Ghost in Xu earth, Parents in Shen metal (the world line), Wealth in Wu fire, Brothers in Hai water, Official Ghost in Chou earth (the responding line), and Children in Mao wood. The person was originally a military official's son, had held a low position, resigned due to illness, and currently has no official position. He asked whether he would achieve official rank in the future. In the primary hexagram, the Chou earth official star holds the world line, and it moves to produce Wu fire, which is wealth that generates the official star. The divination was made in the Mao year, and in the Si year he consecutively paid tribute according to regulation, achieving the rank of assistant to the prefectural governor. In the Wei year he took office, and in the Xu year he was promoted. In ancient methods, "movement and conflict" is called "scattering," but here the Xu earth conflicts directly with the world line Chou earth, yet there is no scattering.

獨旺於官，立功建業。凡卦中財爻父爻皆不得地，而官星獨旺或日月作官星而生世，或虎臨世動，或虎臨金鬼動而生合世爻，皆主立功以成名也。如戌月戊辰日占終身功名有無得蠱卦 兄弟寅木′應　　兄弟寅木′應 父母子水″　　父母子水″ 妻財戌土″　　妻財戌土″ 官鬼酉金′世　　官鬼酉金′世 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″ 日月作財生世，白虎臨金官持世，若入文途，必以援例，若入武途，可以立功。彼曰：有功名否？余曰：官星持世日月生，豈曰無官？後此人亦未食糧，竟隨營破寨，奮勇當先，主帥嘉之，即以官。不出五載，建奇功，官至元戎將軍。

The text says, "Only the official star is prosperous, establishing achievements and career": In any hexagram, if the wealth line and the parent line are not in a strong position, but the official star is prosperous and strong, or if the day branch and the month builder function as the official star to generate the world line, or if the white tiger is on the world line and activates it, or if the white tiger is on the metal line, the official ghost, and it activates to generate and harmonize with the world line, it indicates success through military achievements and fame. For example, someone who asks about his lifetime career prospects in the month of戌 on the day of Wuchen, gets the hexagram "Mountain Wind Gu" (Hexagram 18). The six lines from top to bottom are: brother寅wood (respondent), parent子water, wealth戌earth, official ghost酉gold (world line), parent亥water, wealth丑earth. All six lines are still. The day branch and month builder are both earth, functioning as wealth lines to generate the world line; the white tiger is also on the metal line, the official ghost, holding the world line. If this person pursues an academic path, he must rely on donations and contributions; if he pursues a military path, he can achieve fame through military achievements. He asked: Will he really get an official position? I said: The official star holds the world line, and the day and month branches generate it, how could he not have an official position? Later, this person did not receive pay, but only participated in military campaigns, bravely leading the charge, and was praised by the commander, who immediately gave him an official position. Within five years, he achieved many remarkable achievements, and eventually became a general in charge of the army.

歲五生世，平步登雲。凡得太歲及五爻動而生世皆旺，主庶民食祿，平步登雲。太歲入爻，又宜發動。倘得五爻生世，亦要發動，而世與官星亦宜旺相，方可斷之。福德動搖，豈是朝廊之客。凡得子孫持世發動，終非朝廊之貴客。

The essay says, "When the year stem generates the world line, one can ascend to the clouds": Whenever the heavenly stem of the year and the fifth line both generate the world line, and both are prosperous and strong, it indicates that a common person can receive the salary of the court and rise rapidly to success. If the heavenly stem of the year enters a line, it must also be activated; similarly, if the fifth line generates the world line, it must also be activated, and both the world line and the official star must be prosperous and strong for such an interpretation to hold. The essay also says, "When fortune and virtue are unstable, one cannot be a guest in the court": Whenever the children line holds the world line and is activated, one will ultimately not be a distinguished guest in the court.

如戌月丁卯日占終身功名有無得需卦 妻財子水″　　妻財子水″ 兄弟戌土′　　兄弟戌土′ 子孫申金″世　　子孫申金″世 兄弟辰土′　　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′應　　妻財子水′應 斷曰：子孫持世，休問功名。彼曰：作何事可以成名？余曰：任爾才能倚馬，力能舉鼎，終身不許成名。但此人功名之念切甚，讀書苦勝囊螢，文章當時竟未游泮，後從戌二十餘載，或立軍功，或援例納栗，奔馳於名利之場，皓首無成，此子孫克官之徵驗也。

For example, on a day with the stem Ding and branch Mao, during the month of Xu, divining about the presence or absence of official rank throughout one's life, the hexagram obtained is Xu (Hexagram 5). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife-wealth in water, brothers in earth, children in metal (the subject), brothers in earth, official-ghost in wood, and wife-wealth in water (the responding line), all lines being still. The interpretation states: the children hold the subject position, so official rank need not be sought. He asked: then what can one do to achieve fame? I said: regardless of how quick your mind is, like a horse ready for battle, or how strong your body is, able to lift a tripod, you will never achieve fame in your lifetime. However, this person's desire for official rank was very strong, his hardship in studying surpassed that of ancient scholars who used fireflies and snowlight, yet his writings never advanced. Later, he struggled for over twenty years, either achieving military merit or following regulations to purchase official status, chasing fame and fortune, until old age came and he achieved nothing. This is exactly the verification of children overcoming the official-ghost.

破空臨世，終須白屋之人。世靜而臨旬空月破，官逢月破自空，皆主不得成名。惟世與官星空破而動者，勿以此斷。又如巳月乙卯日占終身功名得旅卦 兄弟巳火′　　兄弟巳火′ 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′應　　妻財酉金′應 妻財申金′　　妻財申金′ 兄弟午火″　　兄弟午火″ 子孫辰土″世　　子孫辰土″世 斷曰：雖是爻逢六合，嫌其子孫持世，官逢月破，勿想成名，彼曰：業已援例。余曰：費盡萬金，終難食祿。至子年得病，丑年得蠱病而終。

The text says, "When the void and the month breaker are present at the world line, one must ultimately be a person of humble dwelling." If the world line is still and meets the void or the month breaker, or if the official star meets the month breaker or the self falls into the void, it indicates that one cannot achieve fame; however, if the world line and the official star are both in the void and the month breaker but are activated, then one should not judge according to this rule. For example, on the day of Yimao in the month of Si, someone asked about his lifetime fame and fortune, and obtained Hexagram 56, the "Traveler." The six lines from top to bottom are: brother Si fire, child Wei earth, wife's wealth You metal (respondent), wife's wealth Shen metal, brother Wu fire, child Chen earth (world line). All six lines are still. The interpretation is: although the lines meet the six harmonies, it is regrettable that the child holds the world line, and the official star meets the month breaker, so achieving fame is not expected. He said: I have already paid for an official position. I said: Even if you spend ten thousand gold, you will still not obtain official salary. In the year of Zi, he fell ill, and in the year of Chou, he died from a disease of distension.

世爻旺相，永享長年，身位休囚，須防夭折。凡占壽元，獨以世爻為根本，世爻或旺相、或臨日月、或得日月生扶及動爻生扶、或動而化生化旺化回頭生者，乃大壽之征也。世爻休囚，防之於沖剋之年，再有刑傷克害者，動而逢合逢值之年，靜而逢值逢沖之年，皆在應期章內斷之。休囚隨鬼入墓，衰逢助鬼之傷，皆為凶兆。世動化退，化鬼又化回頭之克，化絕、化墓、化破空，夕陽無限好，只恐不多時，皆於應期章內決之。

The text says, "If the World Line is prosperous and strong, one will enjoy a long life; if the position is weak and confined, one must beware of an early death." When predicting longevity, the World Line is the fundamental factor: if the World Line is prosperous and strong, or is exactly the Day Branch or Month Builder, or is supported by the Day or Moon or by a Moving Line, or if it moves and transforms into something prosperous, strong, or self-supporting, these are all signs of a long life. If the World Line is weak and confined, one should be cautious of incidents occurring in the years that clash or control it; if there are also injuries, harms, or controls, then if the World Line is active, the event should occur in the year of conjunction or meeting; if the World Line is still, the event should occur in the year of meeting or clashing. In all cases, the timing should be determined according to the rules in the "Chapter on Timing." If the World Line is weak and confined and follows the Official Ghost into its tomb, or if it is weak and is further harmed by a yao that assists the Official Ghost, these are ominous signs. If the World Line is active and transforms into a Retreating God, an Official Ghost, a self-clashing, a decline, a tomb, a break, or an empty position, then even though the sunset is beautiful, one must fear it may not last long. The specific timing is also determined according to the "Chapter on Timing."

如辰月乙巳日占壽得中孚卦 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″世　　兄弟未土″世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′應　　父母巳火′應 世臨未土，巳日生之，月建扶之，遂鬼孫期頤之祝，必享長年。彼曰：看在何時？余曰：占以初爻管五年，二爻管五年，共作三十年。再占一卦，又作三十年，余試四十餘載，並無應驗，不以為法，止以世爻衰旺而斷知長短，欺人之法，餘不為之。此卦象過二十年公再卜之。此人占卦之時五十三矣，後至七旬之一相遇而曰：向年所占，壽元還可記否？余曰：占得中孚卦，原許二十年後再占。彼笑而占。

For example, on the day of Yisi with the month of Chen, someone asked about his longevity and obtained the hexagram Zhong Fu (Wind and Marsh). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost Wood at卯, Parents Fire at巳, Siblings Earth at未 (World Line), Siblings Earth at丑, Official Ghost Wood at卯, Parents Fire at巳 (Responding Line). All six lines are still, with no changing hexagram. The World Line is sitting on Earth at未, being supported by the month of Chen and born by the day of Yisi. I can offer a blessing for a long life. He asked when he could live to. I said: the old method says the first line governs five years, the second line five years, and the sixth line thirty years altogether. When the thirty years are up, another hexagram is cast, which also governs thirty years. I have tried this for more than forty years, but never found it to be accurate, so I do not take it as a rule. I only roughly estimate the length of life based on the strength and decline of the World Line. I do not use deceptive methods. I said this hexagram should be reconsidered in twenty years. At the time of the divination, the person was fifty-three years old. Later, when he met me again at the age of seventy-one, he asked: do you still remember the divination about my longevity? I said: I cast the hexagram Zhong Fu, and originally said that it should be reconsidered in twenty years. He laughed and cast another hexagram.

申月已卯日占得山澤損之復卦 官鬼寅木′應　　動　　子孫酉金″ 妻財子水″　　妻財亥水″ 兄弟戌土″　　兄弟丑土″應 兄弟丑土″世　　兄弟辰土″ 官鬼卯木′　　動　　官鬼寅木″ 父母巳火′　　妻財子水′世 余曰：若是父爻鬼動，公之壽則不久矣。今見多鬼搖發，反為不礙，今年太歲在子，遠享八年之福，至未年發是其時也。彼曰：何也？余曰：未年鬼多入墓，又是世逢年破。果終於未年七月。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The person divined on the day of Ji Mao with the month of Shen, obtaining the hexagram Sun (Mountain and Lake) changing to Fu (Earth and Thunder). The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: Official Ghost Wood in寅 (Yin), Wealth Water in Zi, Brothers Earth in戌 (Xu), Brothers Earth in丑 (Chou) (World Line), Official Ghost Wood in卯 (Mao) (active), Parents Fire in巳 (Si). The changing hexagram's lines from top to bottom are: Children Metal in酉 (You), Wealth Water in亥 (Hai), Brothers Earth in丑 (Chou) (World Line), Brothers Earth in辰 (Chen), Official Ghost Wood in寅 (Yin), Wealth Water in子 (Zi) (active). I said: If the Parent line and Official Ghost line both become active, your lifespan will not be long. Now only several Official Ghost lines are active, which is not a problem. This year's heavenly stem is Zi, so you can enjoy eight more years of happiness, but in the year Wei it will be the end. He asked why. I said: In the year Wei, many Official Ghosts will enter the storage, and the World Line in丑 (Chou) will meet the annual destruction. Later he indeed died in July of the year Wei.

元神宜於安靜。占壽，世為根本，元神為滋生之物，宜旺而靜不宜動搖，其故何也？占他事宜元神動者，動則而有力也，占壽元不宜發動，動則已有限期矣，非元神逢絕墓之年，即在元神被沖剋之歲。

The text says "the Origin God should be in a state of quietness." When predicting longevity, the World Line is the fundamental element, and the Origin God is the nourishing force for the World Line. It is favorable for the Origin God to be prosperous and strong while remaining quiet, and it should not be disturbed. Why is this so? For other matters, it is good when the Origin God is activated, as movement brings strength; but for predicting longevity, the Origin God should not be activated. Once it is activated, it is as if a limit has been set on lifespan—either it should occur in the year when the Origin God meets its decline or is buried, or in the year when the Origin God is clashed with or controlled.

如辰月乙卯日占壽得中孚之暌 官鬼卯木′　　父母巳火′ 父母巳火′　　動　　兄弟未土″ 兄弟未土″世　　動　　子孫酉金′世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′應　　父母巳火′應 余曰：世爻未土，月拱日克，可以敵之，反不宜巳火動而生世，今歲太歲在申，餘恐亥年不利，後卒於戌年。應在巳火入墓之年。

For example, on the day of Yimao in the month of Chen, divining about longevity, the hexagram obtained was Zhong Fu (Hexagram 61) changing to Kui (Hexagram 38). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost Wood at Mao, Parents Fire at Si (which is active), Siblings Earth at Wei (World Line, which is active), Siblings Earth at Chou, Official Ghost Wood at Mao, Parents Fire at Si (responding line). The resulting hexagram is: Parents Fire at Si, Siblings Earth at Wei, Children Metal at You (World Line), Siblings Earth at Chou, Official Ghost Wood at Mao, Parents Fire at Si (responding line). I said: The World Line at Wei Earth is supported by the month of Chen, although it is being overcome by the day of Mao Wood, it can still resist. It is not advisable for the active Parents Fire at Si to nourish the World Line. This year's heavenly stem is Shen, and I fear that the year Hai will be unfavorable for him. Later, he died in the year Xu, which exactly corresponds to the year when the original spirit of Fire was buried.

忌神最怕動搖。忌神不動，自是平安，動則已有限期矣。非應逢合之年，必應逢值之歲。如寅月已酉日占壽得剝之無妄卦 妻財寅木′　　父母戌土′ 子孫子水″世　　動　　兄弟申金′ 父母戌土″　　動　　官鬼午火′世 妻財卯木″　　父母辰土″ 官鬼巳火″應　　妻財寅木″ 父母未土″　　動　　子孫子水′應 斷曰：世化申金回頭之生，不宜寅月沖破，又嫌戌土未土動而克而無生也，須防卯歲，果卒於卯年，乃應戌土逢合之年而克世也。

The text says, "The Hostile God is most afraid of movement": if the Hostile God does not move, it is naturally safe; once it moves, it is equivalent to setting a deadline, either in the year when the Hostile God meets its harmonious partner or in the year when the Hostile God is in charge. For example, a divination on the lifespan on the day of Jiyou in the month of Yin, resulting in the Hexagram Bo changing into Wu Wang. The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are:Wealth Yin Wood, Children Zi Water (World Line, moving), Parents Xu Earth (moving), Wealth Mao Wood, Official Ghost Si Fire (responding), Parents Wei Earth (moving); the resulting hexagram is: Parents Xu Earth, Brothers Shen Metal, Official Ghost Wu Fire (World Line), Parents Chen Earth, Wealth Yin Wood, Children Zi Water (responding). The interpretation is: the World Line, Zi water, changes to Shen metal, which is originally "backward generation," but it is unfortunate that the month of Yin comes to clash with Shen metal; additionally, the movement of Xu earth and Wei earth comes to restrain the World Line without any line supporting it, so beware of the year of Mao. The person indeed died in the year of Mao, which exactly corresponds to the year when Xu earth and Mao are in harmony, combining to restrain the World Line.

聖人作易，原令人趨吉避凶，若使吉不可趨，凶不可避，聖人作之何益？世人卜之何用？或曰：年炎月晦，可以避之，死生如何能避？余曰：安於正寢者，雖有可避之方，亦不須避。康節先生臨終呼弟子沐浴更衣，群弟子哭曰：先生何不忌神避殺，以樂天年，先生曰不怕二程夫子笑，要作神仙不甚難。故曰：可避也。若占得死於水者，莫近河旁，死於刑者，不可違條犯法，未有不化凶而為吉。

The sages composed the Book of Changes to enable people to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. If good fortune cannot be pursued and misfortune cannot be avoided, what is the use of the Book of Changes? What is the use of people divining it? Someone asked: Yearly calamities and monthly darkness can be avoided, but how can one avoid death and life? I said: Those who die peacefully in their beds, even if there are ways to avoid misfortune, do not need to avoid them. When Master Shao Yong was about to die, he asked his disciples to bath him and dress him. The disciples wept and asked: Why didn't you use rituals to appease the凶神 (malevolent spirits) and avoid the凶杀 (violent death) so that you could live out your years? Master said: I don't mind being laughed at by Master Cheng Hui and Master Cheng Yi. In fact, becoming a immortal is not too difficult. This shows that misfortune can be avoided. If one's divination indicates death by water, one should not go near rivers; if it indicates death by punishment, one should not break laws. There is nothing that cannot turn misfortune into good fortune.

也曾於漢口卯月丙寅日占索債得否得益之中孚 兄弟卯木′應　　兄弟卯木′ 子孫巳火′　　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″　　妻財未土″世 妻財辰土″世　　妻財丑土″ 兄弟寅木″　　動　　兄弟卯木′ 父母子水′　　子孫巳火′應

I once in Hankou, on the day of Bingyin in the month of Mao, divined for someone to recover a debt, and obtained the hexagram "Wind and Thunder, Benefit" changing into "Wind and Marsh, Sincerity in the Center." The primary hexagram, from the top down, is: brothers in the wood of Mao (responding), children in the fire of Si, wealth in the earth of Wei, wealth in the earth of Chen (the subject), brothers in the wood of Yin (activating), parents in the water of Zi. The changing hexagram, in order, is: brothers in the wood of Mao, children in the fire of Si, wealth in the earth of Wei (the subject), wealth in the earth of Chou, brothers in the wood of Mao, children in the fire of Si (responding).

此人慾渡江索債，因屢取不得，欲與之廝鬧，問得財否？成非否？餘見此卦，本日日辰動化進神克世，因世爻落空，辰時出空，被日月動爻之克，必有危亡之禍，留之早膳，過此時辰去亦不遲，彼必欲去，餘苦留之，飯後去到江傍，忽而跑回，向余拜謝活命之恩。余曰：此其何故？彼曰：今早四隻大船橫渡，行至江心，忽起暴風，盡覆沒。此時尸滿長江，若不蒙君苦留，已在江中矣。余曰：依數全無救星，定是兄之德行，我有何功，此非謂之避之則吉也？

This person intended to cross the river to collect a debt, but having failed repeatedly, he planned to quarrel with the debtor. He asked whether he could get the money and whether there would be trouble. I looked at the hexagram: the second line, which is yin wood, was exactly the day branch and moved to become卯 wood, forming an "advancing god" to overcome the world line. The world line, which was originally in the旬空, would come out of the旬空 at the hour of辰, and would then be overcome by the day branch's moving line, leading to a danger to life. I asked him to have breakfast and said it would be better to leave after this time. He insisted on leaving, and I tried to keep him. After breakfast, he went to the riverbank, but suddenly ran back to thank me for saving his life. I asked him the reason, and he said that this morning four large boats were crossing the river, but when they reached the middle of the river, a sudden storm arose and all the boats overturned. Now the Yangtze River is full of corpses. If you had not kept me here, I would have already drowned in the river. I said that according to the hexagram, you had no savior, and this must be due to your own virtue. I have no merit at all. This is exactly what is called "avoiding danger brings good fortune."

最忌官鬼持世。凡占防患克世者，皆不為吉，獨鬼爻克世更凶，火鬼須防火炎，木鬼須防木窖，水鬼克世沉溺之憂，土鬼傷身巖檣之厄，金鬼劍刀斧鍬。玄武戾充盜賊兵戈。蛇雀官非兼防火厄，勾陳田土又係牢獄，青龍雖是吉神，克世亦為凶象，或因酒危亡身，間有喜中起禍。既以五行六神而定，再以八卦參之，乾兌為寺，又屬金形，坎兌以水為災，離以火，震有舟車，巽防婦女之奸，坤艮郊野山林，又為老婦妖童之惑，諸類多門，在人通變。

The text says, "It is most undesirable for the Official Ghost to hold the world position": In divination for prevention, any line that conquers the world position is not auspicious, but when the Official Ghost conquers the world position, it is even more ominous. A fire ghost indicates a risk of fire, a wood ghost suggests danger from wooden objects, a water ghost implies the danger of drowning, a earth ghost indicates injury from cliffs or walls, and a metal ghost warns of wounds from knives, swords, axes, or chisels. If the Black Tortoise is present as a ghost, it warns of theft or warfare. If the Serpent or Vermilion Bird is present as a ghost, it indicates legal troubles and fire dangers. If the Gou Chen is present as a ghost, it suggests disputes over land and imprisonment. Although the Azure Dragon is a favorable deity, when it conquers the world position, it is still an ominous sign, possibly leading to death from alcohol or lust. Occasionally, it may also bring misfortune from joy. Once the Five Phases and Six Spirits have been determined, the Eight Trigrams should be consulted: Qian and Dui represent temples and are associated with metal; Kan and Dui are linked to water disasters; Li is associated with fire disasters; Zhen indicates dangers from boats and vehicles; Xun warns of deceit by women; Kun and Gen relate to fields, mountains, and forests, and are associated with the influence of old women and mischievous children. There are many such categories, and their interpretation depends on the specific situation.

如丑月戊子日占夢得益之中孚卦 兄弟卯木′應　　兄弟卯木′ 子孫巳火′　　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″　　妻財未土″世 妻財辰土″世　　妻財丑土″ 兄弟寅木″　　動　　兄弟卯木′ 父母子水′　　子孫巳火′應 此人因夢一身之血，入河洗之。余曰：血乃財也，洗去者，破財之兆也。今占得此卦，元武發動化進神，克世克財不獨劫財，遠防身遭木害，巽宮屬木，又係木動克世，木害須防。彼曰：何以避之？余曰：世與木爻皆在內卦，出外可避，巽為少女，勿貪幼婦。彼曰：應在何時？余曰：交春可以避之。彼曰：年歲逼如何遠去？不意果於正月亥日宿於妾房，被賊明火入室，席捲一空，身受木器所傷，若不宿於少婦之室，或者扒牆而出，未必受其傷。

For instance, on a day with the heavenly stem Wu and earthly branch Zi, in the month of Chou, a dream was used to cast a hexagram, resulting in the hexagram "Wind and Thunder Gain" changing to "Wind and Marsh Zhong Fu." The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers卯wood (responding line), sons巳fire, wife's wealth未earth, wife's wealth辰earth (world line), brothers寅wood (in motion), parents子water. The changing hexagram is: brothers卯wood, sons巳fire, wife's wealth未earth (world line), wife's wealth丑earth, brothers卯wood, sons巳fire (responding line). The person dreamed that he was covered in blood and ran to the river to wash it off. I said: blood represents wealth, and washing away the blood is a sign of losing wealth. Now, with this hexagram, Yuanwu is in motion and transforms into an advancing god, which both attacks the world line and the wealth line. Not only will he be robbed of wealth, but he should also be cautious of harm from wooden objects—Xun palace belongs to wood, and the wooden line is in motion, attacking the world line. Harm from wood should not be ignored. He asked how to avoid it. I said: the world line and the wooden line are both in the inner trigram, so if he goes out, he can avoid it. Xun represents a young woman, so he should not be tempted by young women. He asked when this would happen. I said: after the beginning of spring, he can escape. He said: the New Year is approaching, how can he travel far? Unknowingly, on the亥day of the first lunar month, he stayed in the room of his concubine, and robbers came in with torches, taking away all his property. He himself was injured by wooden objects. If he had not stayed in the concubine's room, he might have climbed over the wall and escaped, and would not have suffered this injury.

獨宜福德隨身。 占夢兆 占漂洋過江 占愈險偷關 占防瘟疫 占防病 占誤食毒物 占遠領火起 占防伊害 占避難 占賊盜生發 占孤身夜行 占宿店朝 占入山 占仇人訛詐 占已定大罪 占入不毛 大凡一切憂疑、驚恐、防災、防患者，皆宜子孫持世，或福神動於卦中。古法曰：但得子孫乘旺動，飛殃橫禍化為塵。

The text says, "It is most suitable for fortune and virtue to accompany the person." This applies to various types of divination: divination of dreams, crossing rivers, facing dangers while crossing borders, preventing plague, avoiding illness, mistakenly consuming poison, a fire far away, preventing harm from others, escaping from danger, theft occurring, traveling alone at night, staying at an inn, entering the mountains, being falsely accused by an enemy, a case already decided as a serious crime, and entering a desolate and barren land. In general, any divination concerning worries, fears, disaster prevention, or precaution should involve the children (lineage) holding the world (position) or the god of fortune being activated within the hexagram. The ancient method states: as long as the children are strong and active, even sudden misfortunes will be turned into dust.

如午月丁亥日占夢前夫叫去已隨去矣 兄弟子水″應　　父母酉金″ 官鬼戌土′　　動　　兄弟亥水″ 父母申金″　　官鬼丑土″應 兄弟亥水′世　　動　　官鬼辰土″ 官鬼丑土″　　子孫寅木″ 子孫卯木′　　兄弟子水′世 斷曰：世爻亥水臨日辰，豈當重重土克？今冬防厄。果於九月成癆，臘月而死。

For example, on a day with the day branch Dinghai (丁亥) in the month of Wu (午), someone dreamed that her former husband came to call her to go with him, and she had already followed him in the dream. She cast a hexagram based on this dream. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Brothers亥water (responding line), Official Ghost戌earth (active), Parents申metal, Brothers亥water (world line, active), Official Ghost丑earth, Sons卯wood. The resulting hexagram is: Parents酉metal, Brothers亥water, Official Ghost丑earth (responding line), Official Ghost辰earth, Sons寅wood, Brothers子water (world line). The interpretation states: The world line,亥water, although properly aligned with the day branch of亥, how can it withstand the heavy pressure of earth lines in the hexagram? There is a need to beware of misfortune this winter. Indeed, in September she fell ill with tuberculosis and died in December.

如戌月戊申日，占夢母叫去，已隨去矣，得風山漸。 官鬼卯木′應　　官鬼卯木′應 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 子孫申金′世　　子孫申金′世 父母午火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″ 凶夢相同，生死各別，前卦世爻變鬼，死於臘月，後卦子孫持世，竟無凶災。覺子曰：雖然子孫持世，難為吉兆，如逢月破，出月無憂。若臨旬空，許之出旬無憂。未至出旬之日，盡屬虛疑空憂。

For example, on a day of the戌 month and the day of Wushen, someone dreamed that his deceased mother called him to go with her, and in the dream he had already followed her. To cast a hexagram, he obtained the Hexagram of Jian (Wind over Mountain), with all six lines still. The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost of Mulberry Wood (responding line), Parents of Fire of Si, Brothers of Earth of Wei, Children of Metal of Shen (world line), Parents of Fire of Wu, Brothers of Earth of Chen. This case is similar to the previous one in terms of the ominous dream, but the outcome is completely different: in the previous case, the world line transformed into an Official Ghost, and the person died in the twelfth lunar month; in this case, the line of Children holds the world line, and there was not even a single misfortune. Ju Zi said: although the line of Children holds the world line, it cannot be generally considered a good omen— if the line of Children meets the Month Breaker, one will be free of worry after this month; if it falls into the旬空, one will be free of worry after this ten-day period. Before the day of the end of the ten-day period, all the so-called dangers are just empty worries.

如巳月庚辰日，占防患，得夬卦。 兄弟未土″　　兄弟未土″ 子孫酉金′世　　子孫酉金′世 妻財亥水′　　妻財亥水′ 兄弟辰土′　　兄弟辰土′ 官鬼寅木′應　　官鬼寅木′應 妻財子水′　　妻財子水′ 世臨子孫值旬空，事之不結，終日憂煎。 又於乙酉日，占得無妄。 妻財戌土′　　妻財戌土′ 官鬼申金′　　官鬼申金′ 子孫午火′世　　子孫午火′世 妻財辰土″　　妻財辰土″ 兄弟寅木″　　兄弟寅木″ 父母子水′應　　父母子水′應 世臨午火子孫又值旬空，事又反覆不結。

For example, on a day of the fourth month (巳) and a day of Gengchen (庚辰), someone consulted about how to prevent problems and received the hexagram Guai (泽天夬), with all six lines quiet. The six lines from top to bottom are: brothers Wei earth, children You metal (world line), wealth Zi water, brothers Chen earth, official ghost Yin wood (responding line), and wealth Zi water. The world line is precisely 'children' You metal, but it falls in 'ten empty' (旬空), so the matter cannot be concluded for a long time, and the person is troubled all day. On the day of Yiyou (乙酉), he consulted again and received the hexagram Wu Wang (天雷无妄), with the six lines from top to bottom being: wealth Xu earth, official ghost Shen metal, children Wu fire (world line), wealth Chen earth, brothers Yin wood, and parents Zi water (responding line). The world line remains 'children' Wu fire, still falling in 'ten empty', so the matter remains uncertain and unresolved.

乙酉日又占，得節之坎卦。 兄弟子水″　　兄弟子水″世 官鬼戌土′　　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″應　　父母申金″ 官鬼丑土″　　妻財午火″應 子孫卯木′　　官鬼辰土′ 妻財巳火′世　　動　　子孫寅木″ 餘日甲寅日則事結矣。彼曰：何也？余曰：世下巳火變寅木子孫，又值旬空，幸得卦遇六沖，所以結矣。果結於甲寅日。

On the same Yiyou day, he cast another hexagram, obtaining the hexagram "Water Lake Restriction" changing into "Kan Water." The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: Brother Zi Water, Official Ghost Xu Earth, Parents Shen Metal (responding line), Official Ghost Chou Earth, Son Mao Wood, Wealth Si Fire (world line, active). The changing hexagram is: Brother Zi Water (world line), Official Ghost Xu Earth, Parents Shen Metal, Wealth Wu Fire (responding line), Official Ghost Chen Earth, Son Yin Wood. I said: The matter will be concluded on the Jiayin day. He asked the reason. I said: The world line's Si Fire is active, changing into Yin Wood "Son," which is exactly in "Tensu" (empty), but fortunately this hexagram meets "Six Clashes," which means quick resolution, so it can be concluded. Later, it indeed concluded on the Jiayin day.

克在內，世在外，宜於外避。克神若在內卦，動而克世，宜出外避之，克神若在外卦，動而克世，宜在家避之。 如寅月丁卯日，占流年，得益之睽。 兄弟卯木′應　　子孫巳火′ 子孫巳火′　　動　　妻財未土″ 妻財未土″　　動　　官鬼酉金′世 妻財辰土″世　　妻財丑土″ 兄弟寅木″　　動　　兄弟卯木′ 父母子水′　　子孫巳火′應

The passage says, "If the harmful influence is within and the world line is outside, one should go out to avoid it." If the Hostile God (hostile god) that is harmful to the world line is active within the inner trigram and comes to harm the world line, one should leave and go to another place to avoid it; if the Hostile God is active within the outer trigram and comes to harm the world line, one should instead stay at home to avoid it. For example, in the month of寅 (Tiger) and on the day of Dingmao (Dingmao), a divination is made about the annual flow of the year, resulting in the hexagram《Yi (Hexagram 42)》 (Yi, Beneficence) transforming into《Kui (Hexagram 38)》 (Kui, Estrangement). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: brothers卯木 (Mao wood, responding line), children巳火 (Si fire, active), wealth未土 (Wei earth, active), wealth辰土 (Chen earth, world line), brothers寅木 (Yin wood, active), and parents子水 (Zi water). The resulting hexagram's lines, in order, are: children巳火 (Si fire), wealth未土 (Wei earth), official ghost酉金 (You metal, world line), wealth丑土 (Chou earth), brothers卯木 (Mao wood), and children巳火 (Si fire, responding line).

余曰：今秋必有險厄，寅木動爻臨月建化進神克世，此時大盛貪榮，不來克害，六七月衰墓之時，防土木之厄。彼曰：可避否？余曰：宜往外方可避。又問何方為吉？余曰：目下去者宜往西方。六七月去者，宜往東方，何也？六七月木衰矣，所以反宜於東。此人竟未出門，捱至七月初七，又得凶夢，初八即往東行二十八里，地震房塌，人口被傷，獨伊得免。

I said: There will certainly be danger this autumn. The moving line of the wood trigram Yin is directly facing the month builder, and it has transformed into the advancing god to overcome the world line; at present it is extremely strong and confident, so it does not harm immediately. But when the wood enters its decline and burial in June and July, we should beware of calamities involving earth and wood. He asked if he could avoid it. I said: It is advisable to go to another place. He then asked which direction was auspicious. I said: If he leaves immediately, he should go west; if he leaves in June or July, he should go east. Why? Because by June and July the wood has already declined, so it is more favorable to go east. This person did not leave, and on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month he had a bad dream. On the eighth day he started heading east and walked twenty-eight li. Then a house collapsed, and people in the family were crushed and injured, but he alone was unharmed.

世在外，克在外，宜於家居。世爻與忌神皆在外卦者，不可出行，宜家居可避。世與忌神在內卦者，不可家居，宜於外避。出行章云：路上有官休出外，中有鬼莫居家。同此意耳。 如未月丙子日，占僕人為禍否，得解之震。 妻財戌土″　　妻財戌土″世 官鬼申金″應　　官鬼申金″ 子孫午火′　　子孫午火′ 子孫午火″　　妻財辰土″應 妻財辰土′世　　動　　兄弟寅木″ 兄弟寅木″　　動　　父母子水′

The text says, "The world line is outside, and it is overcome outside; it is suitable to stay at home." If both the world line and the hostile god are in the outer trigram, one should not travel but stay at home to avoid trouble; if both the world line and the hostile god are in the inner trigram, one should not stay at home but go out to avoid trouble. The "Travel Chapter" says, "If there is an official on the road, do not go out; if there is a ghost at home, do not stay at home," which expresses the same meaning. For example, on the day of Bingzi in the month of Wei, divining whether a servant will cause trouble, one gets the hexagram Xie changing to Zhen. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Wealth of戌 earth, Official Ghost of申 metal (responding line), Children of午 fire, Children of午 fire, Wealth of辰 earth (world line, active), Brothers of寅 wood (active); the changing hexagram is: Wealth of戌 earth (world line), Official Ghost of申 metal, Children of午 fire, Wealth of辰 earth (responding line), Brothers of寅 wood, Parents of子 water.

此公知僕役變心，意欲處治，尚無實跡，故占之。斷卦者若執奴僕為財，則遷矣，彼既防患，只看忌神，此卦世臨辰土，兩重寅木傷之，余曰：不獨此人，還有附從者。彼日：何法處之？余曰：彼實無實跡，如何處之？但未月乃木之墓，七月乃木之絕，此兩月乃露之月也。公宜出外，自能免禍，果依語而行，往莊上住過半月，兩僕矣一婦隨去一婦未去，未去之婦而曰：彼二人原欲害主而逃，今因外出，不能相害，此非避凶之徵耶？

This master noticed that his servant had changed his mind and wanted to punish him, but couldn't find solid evidence, so he came to seek a divination. If the person interpreting the卦 sticks rigidly to the conventional method of treating "servant" as "wealth," then the interpretation would be wrong. Since he is asking about prevention, he should only look at the "hostile god." In this卦, the world line is the earth element of Chen, which is injured by two yin wood elements. I said: the one causing trouble is not just one person, but also those following him. He asked what method to use for punishment. I said: since there is no solid evidence, how can punishment be carried out? However, the month of Wei is the "burial" of wood, and the month of July is the "end" of wood. These two months are exactly when the matter will be exposed. You should go out and stay away from the place, naturally avoiding disaster. Indeed, he followed my advice and stayed away from the estate for half a month. Two servants left, one woman followed them, and one woman did not. The woman who did not leave said: those two originally wanted to harm the master and make him run away again. Now that the master is away, they couldn't act. This is not exactly a clear proof of avoiding misfortune?

避患於生世之方，趨吉於福神之地。凡避兵、避盜、避瘟、養病、避是非、皆宜避於生世之方及子孫為吉。子孫若發動於卦中，不拘克世持世，俱以為吉。 如巳月戊辰日，占防流兵，得臨之暌卦。 子孫酉金″　　動　　父母巳火′ 妻財亥水″應　　兄弟未土″ 兄弟丑土″　　動　　子孫酉金′世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′世　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′應

The text says, "Avoid danger in the direction of the world line, and seek good fortune in the direction of the divine beings of fortune." Whenever one needs to avoid soldiers, thieves, epidemics, illness, or disputes, it is advisable to take shelter in the direction of the world line, and the direction where the "children" are located is considered auspicious. If the "children" are active in the hexagram, whether they overcome the world line or hold the world line, they are all considered favorable. For example, on the day of Wu Chen in the month of Si, divining how to defend against roaming soldiers, one obtains the hexagram "Lin" changing to "Kui." The original hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: "Children" in You Metal (active), "Wealth" in Hai Water (responding), "Siblings" in Chou Earth (active), "Siblings" in Chou Earth, "Official Ghost" in Mao Wood (world line), and "Parents" in Si Fire. The changing hexagram is: "Parents" in Si Fire, "Siblings" in Wei Earth, "Children" in You Metal (world line), "Siblings" in Chou Earth, "Official Ghost" in Mao Wood, and "Parents" in Si Fire (responding).

彼時流兵為害，到處遭殃，此人知易占得此卦，終日焦憂，餘問其故，彼曰：巳酉丑合成金局而克世，世爻又臨騰蛇之鬼，數在結中，乃萬莫能逃矣。餘笑而曰：爾與兵賊同居，保爾無事。彼曰：何也？余曰：子孫合成金局，克去身邊之鬼，夫復何憂？彼曰：酉金子孫，旺於巳月，又化巳火，論克如何論生？余曰：酉金得丑未二土以相生，如何為克？後此人屢次遇兵變，或避之，或有驚無險，自癸未占卦到地方安定。彼曰：子孫福神，信乎有驗，世之看書不到，論理不徹，以吉為凶者，不獨我一人而已。

At that time, bandits were causing chaos everywhere, and people were suffering greatly. This person knew divination and, after casting this hexagram, was anxious all day. I asked him why, and he said: "The triple harmony of Si, You, and Chou forms a metal trinity that is overpowering the world line. The world line is also afflicted by the ghost 'Tengshe,' so my fate is already in a calamity, and there's no way to escape." I laughed and said: "You just stay with the bandits, and you'll be safe." He asked why. I replied: "The triple harmony that forms the metal trinity is actually the 'children,' which is overpowering the 'official ghost' by your side. What's to worry about?" He said: "The metal 'children' in You is strong in the Si month, and it produces Si fire. Logically, it should be overpowering, so why do you say it is generating instead?" I said: "The You metal 'children' is supported by two layers of earth, Chou and Wei, so how can it be overpowering?" Later, this person repeatedly encountered uprisings, either avoiding them or experiencing them without serious consequences. From the year Guiwei when he cast this hexagram until the area was finally pacified, he said: "The 'children' are the gods of fortune, and it has indeed come true. In the world, there are many who have not studied enough, do not understand thoroughly, and misinterpret good as bad. It seems I am not the only one."

如巳月丙戌日，占通鄉避亂，得乾之大有。 父母戌土′世　　官鬼巳火′應 兄弟申金′　　動　　父母未土″ 官鬼午火′　　兄弟酉金′ 父母辰土′應　　父母辰土′世 妻財寅木′　　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　　子孫子水′ 眾以子孫屬水，金動生之，北方為吉。余曰：非此議論，兄動化進神乃破財之象，午火得令而生世，往南避之為吉。信餘之言，皆從南避，後果從北來，放火燒村而去，房屋稻轂盡成灰燼，乃申金兄動破財之故耳，所以生方為吉，子孫之方亦吉，又當以旺衰分別，火乃鬼方，生我何礙。

For example, on a day of Bingxu with the month of Si, the whole village consulted together about where to flee from chaos, and they obtained the hexagram Qian (Heaven) changing into Da You (Hexagram 14). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: parents Wu earth (world line), brothers Shen metal (in motion), official ghost Wu fire, parents Chen earth (responding line), wife wealth Yin wood, and children Zi water. The changing hexagram's lines are: official ghost Si fire (responding line), parents Wei earth, brothers You metal, parents Chen earth (world line), wife wealth Yin wood, and children Zi water. Everyone said that 'children' belong to water, and the moving brother Shen metal generates it, so going north is auspicious. I said: that is not the case. The moving brother generates 'advancing god', which is an indication of financial loss; Wu fire is in command and generates the world line, so fleeing south is auspicious. Everyone believed my words and fled south. Later, the bandits indeed came from the north and set the village on fire, burning all the houses and crops to ashes—this exactly corresponds to the moving brother line causing financial loss. It is evident that the direction of the world line is auspicious, as is the direction of 'children'; yet we must also consider strength and decline. Although fire is the direction of official ghost, since it generates me, what harm is there?

世遇生扶，百年正寢，身遭克害，分五類推。凡占終身結果如何，但得世爻旺相，或有功爻日月生扶，或動而化吉，皆許無疾而終。 如若世逢剋制刑沖，須以五行兼六神而斷，受五行之克，以疾病而言，如兼六神之凶，即以橫亡而斷。火屬金肺經之病；土來刑水，腎受其傷；水克火，以傷心；金克木，而肝疾；脾虛胃弱，皆因木旺刑沖。腸損腰傷，乃謂仇神獨發。兼騰蛇以心驚，帶青龍而酒色，勾陳腫脹，朱雀顛狂，虎必血災，元因氣惱。

The text says, "If the World Line is supported and assisted, the person will die naturally in old age; if the body is harmed, it should be analyzed according to five categories." When predicting the final outcome of a person's life, if the World Line is prosperous and strong, or if it is supported by a powerful line or by the day or month stem, or if it transforms into a favorable condition, it can be concluded that the person will die without illness. However, if the World Line is instead restrained or clashed with, then the judgment should take into account both the Five Phases and the Six Spirits: if it is restrained by the Five Phases, the illness should be considered; if it is also affected by the凶 (evil) spirits among the Six Spirits, then it should be judged as a sudden death. Fire restraining metal indicates lung disease; earth clashing with water harms the kidneys; water restraining fire affects the heart; metal restraining wood indicates liver disease; spleen weakness and stomach deficiency are due to excessive wood clashing; intestinal damage and waist injury are caused by the Enemy God alone. Combined with 'Teng Snake' indicates fear and anxiety; accompanied by 'Qing Long' suggests indulgence in wine and lust; 'Gou Chen' indicates swelling; 'Zhu Que' suggests madness; 'Bai Hu' indicates bloodshed; and 'Yuan Wu' suggests illness caused by anger.

虎元金鬼，難免盜賊兵戈；水鬼龍元，宜遠江湖池井；蛇雀木鬼犯官刑，臨火須防焚害，蛇木又言縊絞，勾陳土鬼牢獄。諺云：一樣之生，百樣之死，卦如神見，理宜細詳。 如未月癸亥日，占定何罪，得中孚變臨卦。 官鬼卯木′　　動　　子孫酉金″ 父母巳火′　　動　　妻財亥水″應 兄弟未土″世　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′世 父母巳火′應　　父母巳火′ 斷曰：木鬼臨白虎，絞罪定矣，但幸世臨月建，木鬼雖動，又被酉金回頭之克，外卦反覆，雖定絞罪，終有改刑，果議絞罪，後蒙駁番撥活罪。

The combination of "White Tiger" and "Black Tortoise" with a metal爻 official ghost indicates inevitable trouble from thieves or warfare; water爻 official ghost accompanied by "Azure Dragon" and "Black Tortoise" suggests the need to stay away from rivers, lakes, and wells; "Tengshe" and "Zhuque" combined with wood爻 official ghost leads to official punishment, and if accompanied by fire爻, there is also danger of fire; "Tengshe" combined with wood爻 indicates self-inflicted hanging or hanging; "Gou Chen" combined with earth爻 official ghost suggests imprisonment. There is a saying: the same birth, a hundred different deaths. The hexagram is like a divine appearance, and its meaning must be carefully examined. For example, on the day of Guihai in the month of Wei, if one asks about a court case, and the hexagram obtained is Zhong Fu changing to Lin. The primary hexagram from top to bottom is: official ghost of wood卯 (active), parent of fire巳 (active), siblings of earth未 (world line), siblings of earth丑, official ghost of wood卯, parent of fire巳 (responding); the changing hexagram is: child of metal酉, wealth of water亥 (responding), siblings of earth丑, siblings of earth丑, official ghost of wood卯 (world line), parent of fire巳. The interpretation is: the wood official ghost is accompanied by "White Tiger," indicating definite hanging; fortunately, the world line is exactly at the month builder, although the wood official ghost is active, it is counteracted by the returning metal酉 in the changing hexagram, and the outer trigram is unstable—although the death sentence is set, it will eventually be changed. Later, it was indeed decided to be hanging, but later it was overturned by higher authorities and changed to a lighter punishment.

凡占祖父祖母，占父母須宜分占。 父臨日月椿庭晚放榮華，母值空破萱草殘年憔悴。 古以陽爻為父，陰爻為母。此論非也。父母爻或旺相或臨日月動爻生扶及動而化吉，長享遐齡。父母爻休囚，不遇刑傷克害，晚年多病，遠保無傷。休囚又被刑沖，或日月動爻之克及動而變凶，承歡宜早。

When divining about the grandfather or grandmother, or the father or mother, each should be represented by a separate hexagram. The text says, "If the father is near the day or month, the father's court will eventually flourish; if the mother meets an empty or broken line, the mother's years will be sorrowful and declining." Here, "father's court" refers to the father, and "Xuancao" refers to the mother. The ancient method of taking a yang line as the father and a yin line as the mother is incorrect. If the parents' lines are prosperous and strong, or approach the day or month, or receive support from moving lines, or transform into good fortune, the elders can enjoy long life. If the parents' lines are weak and confined but not subjected to punishment, conflict, or harm, their later years may involve illness, but in the long run they will remain unharmed. However, if the parents' lines are both weak and subjected to punishment, conflict, or are attacked by the day, month, or moving lines, or transform into bad fortune, then one should take the opportunity to show filial piety and care for them early.

如丑月庚子日，先占父壽，得姤卦。 父母戌土′　　父母戌土′ 兄弟申金′　　兄弟申金′ 官鬼午火′應　　官鬼午火′應 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟酉金′ 子孫亥水′　　子孫亥水′ 父母丑土″世　　父母丑土″世 又占，占母壽，得大壯之升。 兄弟戌土″　　子孫酉金″ 子孫申金″　　妻財亥水″ 父母午火′世　　動　　兄弟丑土″世 兄弟辰土′　　子孫酉金′ 官鬼寅木′　　妻財亥水′ 妻財子水′應　　動　　兄弟丑土″應

For example, on a Gengzi day in the Chou month, first divining the father's longevity, the primary hexagram is "Gou" (Heaven and Wind), with all six lines quiet. The six lines from top to bottom are: Parents in the戌 earth, Brothers in the申 metal, Official Ghost in the午 fire (responding line), Brothers in the酉 metal, Children in the亥 water, and Parents in the丑 earth (the subject line). Then, divining the mother's longevity, the primary hexagram is "Da Zhuang" (Thunder and Heaven) changing to "Sheng" (Earth and Wind). The six lines of the primary hexagram from top to bottom are: Brothers in the戌 earth, Children in the申 metal, Parents in the午 fire (the subject line, which is active), Brothers in the辰 earth, Official Ghost in the寅 wood, and Wealth in the子 water (responding line, which is active). The transformed hexagram is: Children in the酉 metal, Wealth in the亥 water, Brothers in the丑 earth (the subject line), Children in the酉 metal, Wealth in the亥 water, and Brothers in the丑 earth (responding line).

斷曰：前卦兩現父母，取月建丑土為用神，旺於子日，又與日合，蒂固根深，大椿永茂。後卦午火父母動被日沖，初爻子水又動，此午火有克無生，因初爻子水化出丑土，貪合不來克火，防丙子年。加以太歲沖之，是其時也。癸酉年占至乙巳年三十餘載，復遇其人而問曰：尊翁健否？答曰：甚健。問及堂，答曰：果終於子年。若以古法，陽為父，陰為母，前卦丑戌兩現，俱以旺而斷者，如天遠矣。

The interpretation is: In the first hexagram, both parents appear, so we take the earth of the month builder, the earth ox, as the useful god. It is strong on the day of the rat and also combines with the day branch, thus having deep roots. The father is like a great ginkgo tree that remains vigorous and does not wither. In the second hexagram, the fire of the parents is activated, but it is disturbed by the day of the rat. The first line, the water of the rat, also activates to overcome it, so this fire can only overcome and not generate; fortunately, the water of the first line transforms into the earth ox, which prefers to combine with the earth ox rather than overcome the fire. Therefore, we should be cautious about the year of Bingzi. That year, the sovereign also disturbs it, which is the time of fulfillment. This hexagram was cast in the year of Guiyou, and by the year of Yisi, more than thirty years had passed. I met this person again and asked: Is your father still healthy? He answered: He is very healthy. Then I asked about your mother, and he answered: Indeed, she passed away in the year of the rat. If we follow the old method of taking yang lines as fathers and yin lines as mothers, in the first hexagram, both the earth ox and the earth dog appear, and both are judged according to their prosperity and strength, which would be completely different.

又如巳月乙酉日，占父壽，得巽之姤卦。 兄弟卯木′世　　妻財戌土′ 子孫巳火′　　官鬼申金′ 妻財未土″　　動　　子孫午火′應 官鬼酉金′應　　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′ 妻財丑土″　　妻財丑土″世 斷曰：亥水父臨月破，又被未土相傷，雖則酉日沖動卯木克土，土旺木衰，不惟不許長年，且無長月，果終於本年冬至日，應子日者沖去午火而未土以克亥水。

For example, on the day of Yiyou in the month of Si, someone consulted about the longevity of his father and obtained the hexagram Xun (Wind) changing into Gou (Hexagram 44). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: siblings in the wood of Mao, children in the fire of Si, wealth in the earth of Wei (which is active), official ghost in the metal of You (the responding line), parents in the water of Hai, and wealth in the earth of Chou. The resulting hexagram is: wealth in the earth of Xu, official ghost in the metal of Shen, children in the fire of Wu (the responding line), official ghost in the metal of You, parents in the water of Hai, and wealth in the earth of Chou (the worldly line). The interpretation is: the parents in the water of Hai are exactly at the 'Month Breaker' and are injured by the active earth of Wei. Although the day of Yiyou triggers the wood of Mao, which can overcome the earth of Wei, the earth is strong and the wood is weak, so it cannot save the parents. This not only prevents a long life, but even a single month is difficult to pass. Indeed, the person died on the winter solstice of that year. The response falls on the day of Zi because the water of Zi removes the fire of Wu that was produced, leaving the earth of Wei without a way to release its energy, which directly injures the water of Hai.

又如卯月丙寅日，占祖母壽，得中孚。 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′　　父母巳火′ 兄弟未土″世　　兄弟未土″世 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 官鬼卯木′　　官鬼卯木′ 父母巳火′應　　父母巳火′應 斷曰：巳火父母，日月生之，且有大壽。伊曰：家父為祖母拜天，許拜七年，我因家父勞於公事，我停妻未娶，代為禮拜。余曰：可見喬梓大孝，感格天心。此卦日月相生，勿謂非神之力，戌年占及至次年，偶因痰堵，此子又來卜之。

For example, on a day of the branch Mao with the stem Bingyin, divining about the longevity of the grandmother, the hexagram obtained was Zhong Fu (Hexagram 61), with all six lines quiet. From top to bottom, the lines were: Official Ghost Wood of Mao, Parents Fire of Si, Siblings Earth of Wei (the world line), Siblings Earth of Chou, Official Ghost Wood of Mao, Parents Fire of Si (the responding line). The interpretation was: The parents of Si have the day branch and month builder to generate them, so the grandmother still has a long life. The person said: My father prayed to heaven for the grandmother's longevity, making a vow to pray for seven years; because my father is busy with official duties, I stopped my marriage and postponed taking a wife to take his place in the prayers. I said: This shows the filial piety of both generations of father and son, which has moved the heavens. This hexagram has the day and month mutually generating, do not think this is not the power of the divine. This hexagram was cast in the year Xu, and in the following year, the grandmother once had an episode of phlegm blockage and breath obstruction, and this filial son came to consult again.

丑月庚子日，占得歸妹變復卦。 父母戌土″應　　兄弟酉金″ 兄弟申金″　　子孫亥水″ 官鬼午火′　　動　　父母丑土″應 父母丑土″世　　父母辰土″ 妻財卯木′　　動　　妻財寅木″ 官鬼巳火′　　子孫子水′世 剛未裝畢，家人來曰：老太已去世矣。此子急去，餘詳此卦，丑土父母，既臨月建，又有午火暗動相生，雖則木動克土，化退神絕於申日，豈無救耶？隨即趕到其家，北人上欲臨終，不肯停床已抬於門板之上，痰塞於喉，稍有微息，餘以白生磨三錢，滾水化開，掀牙灌之，忽而叫曰：冷甚。隨即復移燒坑，又活十有三載。

The hexagram obtained on the day of Gengzi in the month of Chou was "Gui Mei" (Hexagram 54), which changes to "Fu" (Hexagram 24). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents in the earth dog (Xu) (responding line), siblings in the monkey (Shen), official ghost in the horse (Wu) (in motion), parents in the ox (Chou) (base line), wife's wealth in the rabbit (Mao) (in motion), and official ghost in the snake (Si). The resulting hexagram is: siblings in the rooster (You), children in the pig (Hai), parents in the ox (Chou) (responding line), parents in the dragon (Chen), wife's wealth in the tiger (Yin), and children in the rat (Zi) (base line). The hexagram was just completed when the family reported that the old lady had passed away. The filial son hurried back. I carefully examined the hexagram: the parents in the earth dog (Xu) are both under the month builder and have the fire horse (Wu) in covert movement to generate them. Although the rabbit wood (Mao) in motion is attacking the earth, it is transforming into the retreating god, and it is dying on the day of Shen. How could there be no salvation? I immediately went to his home. In northern customs, when someone is about to die, they are not allowed to stay on the bed. The old lady had already been moved to the door board, with phlegm blocking her throat, and only a faint breath remained. I used three qian of "Bai Sheng Mo", boiled it, and poured it into her mouth by opening her teeth. She suddenly said, "It's very cold." At once, she was moved back to the heated炕, and later lived for another thirteen years.

凡占兄弟，須宜問明，或因弟兄不睦，將來和好否？或因弟兄雖多，將來得濟否？或問將來有兄弟否？或占兄弟壽元，便於判斷。 兄弟爻旺相遇生扶，紫荊並茂。兄弟爻或旺或相，臨日月或日月動爻生扶及動而化吉，長杭大被和睦致詳。 弟位休囚兼受制，雁亭公飛。兄弟爻休囚者，若問得濟，雖有如無；若問將來有否，從此無矣；如問兄弟壽元，長年有限。倘休囚又逢破空及日月動爻刑剋或動而化凶者，諸占皆不吉也。

When divining about siblings, one must first clarify what the question is about: is it because of discord among siblings and wanting to know if they can reconcile in the future? Or is it because there are many siblings and wanting to know if they can be helped in the future? Or is it asking whether there will be more siblings in the future? Or is it about the lifespan of the siblings? Only by understanding the specific question can one make an accurate judgment. The divination text says, "When the sibling line is prosperous and strong and receives support, the purple persimmon trees flourish together" — "purple persimmon" refers to the story of the Tian family brothers dividing their property, with the purple persimmon trees in the courtyard withering and then reviving, symbolizing unity among siblings. If the sibling line is strong or prosperous, and is supported by the day or month, or if it moves and transforms into a favorable outcome, then the siblings can live in harmony, sharing a bed and sleeping together until old age. The text also says, "When the sibling line is weak and confined and is restricted, the geese fly alone." The original text has an error, and it should be "the geese fly in a line alone," symbolizing the dispersion of siblings. If the sibling line is weak and confined, then if the question is about receiving help, it is as if there is none; if the question is about whether there will be more siblings in the future, then there will be none; if the question is about the lifespan of the siblings, they will not live long. If the sibling line is weak and confined and also meets the "month breaker" or "decade void," or is harmed by the day or month lines or moves and transforms into an unfavorable outcome, then all these questions will have unfavorable results.

如申月丙辰日，占弟兄和好否？得濟否？得大有之乾。 官鬼巳火′應　　父母戌土′世 父母未土″　　動　　兄弟申金′ 兄弟酉金′　　官鬼午火′ 父母辰土′世　　父母辰土′應 妻財寅木′　　妻財寅木′ 子孫子水′　　子孫子水′ 弟兄臨月建，未土爻動以相生，又化出兄爻。余曰：弟兄雖多，有一位屬猴者得濟。彼問何故？余曰：神化於動，動而變出，以臨月建，自是超群撥類。彼曰：果有金弟屬猴，克曾功一第，餘三人皆從別業，可見數之責驗如此，後一年又登申榜。

For example, on a day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Shen (申), divining whether brothers can reconcile and whether they can succeed in the future, the hexagram obtained was Da You (火天大有) changing into Qian (乾为天). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, were: official ghost of fire in Si (巳), parents of earth in Wei (未) (which was active), brothers of metal in You (酉), parents of earth in Chen (辰) (the world line), wife's wealth of wood in Yin (寅), and children of water in Zi (子). The lines of the resulting hexagram were: parents of earth in Xu (戌) (the world line), brothers of metal in Shen (申), official ghost of fire in Wu (午), parents of earth in Chen (辰) (the responding line), wife's wealth of wood in Yin (寅), and children of water in Zi (子). The brothers' line of You (酉) metal was directly in the month of Shen (申) month builder, and the parents of earth in Wei (未) was active and came to generate it. The moving line also produced another brothers' line. I said: although there are many brothers, only one who is a monkey will succeed. He asked why. I said: the divine mechanism is revealed in the moving line; the line that changes due to the movement is also in the month builder, so it naturally stands out. He said: indeed, there is a younger brother who is a monkey, who has already passed the examination. The other three have changed to other occupations. This shows how the hexagram's prediction is accurate. After one year, this younger brother again passed the examination of the year of Shen.

又如未月辛丑日，占兄弟還有，得既濟變革。 兄弟子水″應　　官鬼未土″ 官鬼戌土′　　父母酉金′ 父母申金″　　動　　兄弟亥水′世 兄弟亥水′世　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　　子孫卯木′應 余曰：兄弟雖有，必不得滋。亥水兄爻持世，申父動而生之，此一位得酒之弟，尚未生也，應爻之子水，雖則出現，巳值旬空，故曰必不得薄。彼曰：果一位舍弟已得顛狂之症，所以再問有無。余曰：必有，乃異母所生。彼曰：何也？余曰：父母化出之爻，是以知之。又問：子水之兄弟臨空而不得力，是也。亥水持世之兄爻，如何亦不得濟。余曰：第四爻申金化出之亥水，即是此爻，卦之微妙，爾豈得知。後果異母有出，父亡而扶之。余曰：投真成人，後事未老。古法父母而有兄弟胞於異母，餘未得試。

For example, on the day of Xinchou in the month of Wei, someone asked whether he would have brothers in the future, and he obtained the hexagram Ji Ji (Hexagram 63) changing into Ge (Hexagram 49). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: brothers Zi water (response line), official ghost Xu earth, parents Shen metal (which is active), brothers Hai water (the world line), official ghost Chou earth, and sons Mao wood. The lines of the changing hexagram are: official ghost Wei earth, parents You metal, brothers Hai water (the world line), brothers Hai water, official ghost Chou earth, and sons Mao wood (response line). I said: there will be brothers, but they will not be able to help. The brother line Hai water holds the world line, and the parent line Shen metal is active and gives birth to it, indicating that this brother has not yet been born. The response line Zi water brother, although already present, is in the 'ten days' empty' state, so it is clear that he will not be able to help. He said: indeed, he has an older brother who has already suffered from mania, so he came to ask again whether there would be more. I said: there definitely will be, and he is from a different mother. He asked: how do you know that? I said: because this line is generated by the parent line, so we can know that. He then asked: the Zi water brother line is empty and cannot be helpful, that is clear; why is the Hai water brother line holding the world line also not helpful? I said: the Hai water line comes from the active line of Shen metal in the fourth line, which refers exactly to this brother. The subtle aspects of the hexagram are something you cannot fully understand. Later, indeed, a concubine gave birth to a son, who was raised by him after his father's death. I said: this son will certainly grow up, and future events are still far away. As for the old method that says the parent line can produce a brother from a different mother, I have not yet verified it.

夫婦之占，亦須分別，或占妻壽，或占夫妻偕老否？或占夫妻和睦否？或占妻有刑傷破敗否？占妾占婢，一卦只占一人，不可概問。 財福生身可遂唱隨之願。應爻合世堪為睦和之兆。 黃金策專以應爻為妻，其故何也？因其身命章中，父子弟兄妻財官鬼，以一卦而兼斷之，設以財為妻者，又以何爻為財帛？不得不以應爻而為妻位。不顧驗與不驗，竟以應爻為妻，雖然以應爻為妻者，亦非全非理也，占妻財爻為重，應爻次之，財爻旺相，應爻空破，仍以吉斷，應爻旺相，財爻空破，即以凶推，應旺財旺，吉而又吉，應破財破，凶而更凶，故以應爻為附和也。

Divination concerning matters between husband and wife must be asked separately: is it about the wife's lifespan? Or whether the couple can live together until old age? Or whether their relationship is harmonious? Or whether the wife has injuries or misfortunes? When divining about a concubine or a servant, one should only divinate about one person at a time, not ask about them together. The text says, "If wealth and fortune support the body, one's wishes for following and accompanying can be fulfilled; if the responding line harmonizes with the main line, it is a sign of harmony." The Golden Strategies specifically uses the responding line as the wife. Why is that? Because its chapter on body and destiny includes parents, children, siblings, wealth, and officials in the same hexagram for interpretation. If the wealth line is used to represent the wife, then which line would represent wealth? Therefore, the responding line must be used as the wife's line. It does not matter whether this is accurate or not; it simply uses the responding line as the wife. Although it uses the responding line as the wife, it is not entirely without reason. When divining about the wife, the wealth line is most important, and the responding line is secondary. If the wealth line is strong and the responding line is empty or broken, it is still considered favorable. If the responding line is strong and the wealth line is empty or broken, it is considered unfavorable. If both the responding line and the wealth line are strong, it is favorable on top of favorable. If both are broken, it is unfavorable on top of unfavorable. Therefore, the responding line can only be considered as an auxiliary line.

財爻或旺、或相、或臨日月、或日月動爻生扶及動而化吉，又與世爻相生合者，如占偕老，定然舉案齊眉，若問和睦，必無反目，若問妻命之妍妯入夫門，夫家隨旺，占妾占婢，指而問者，亦同此斷。 財動化兄，失履遺管之嘆，弟兄持世，鼓盆箕踞之悲。 財動化兄者，乃化鬼、化回頭克、化退神、化絕、化墓、化破、化空之類是也，不拘何問，玉碎珠沉。弟兄持世或兄爻動於卦中，或日月臨兄弟以傷財，或兄化財爻，不拘問妻問妾，皆不得長年。

If the Wealth line is strong, prosperous, or in harmony with the day or month, or if it is supported by the day or month lines, or if it becomes active and transforms into a favorable element, and also relates to the World Line through generation or combination, then if one asks about a happy married life, the couple will certainly live in harmony; if one asks about harmony, they will certainly not end up in conflict; if one asks about the wife's fate, such a woman entering the husband's family will bring prosperity to the husband's household. When asking about a concubine or a servant, simply specify the question and apply the same method of interpretation. The text also says, "If the Wealth line becomes active and transforms into a Brother line, it brings sorrow of losing shoes and pipes; if the Brother line holds the World Line, it brings sorrow of the wife's death." The term "drumming the coffin" refers to the story from the "Zhuangzi" where the husband drums on the coffin after his wife's death, indicating the image of losing a wife. The phrase "Wealth line becomes active and transforms into a Brother line" includes all such transformations, such as transforming into an Official Ghost, transforming into a backwardrestrain, transforming into a retreating god, transforming into a dead end, transforming into a tomb, transforming into a broken state, or transforming into an empty state, regardless of the question asked, all indicate loss and destruction. If the Brother line holds the World Line, or if the Brother line becomes active in the hexagram, or if the day or month directly affects the Brother line to harm the Wealth line, or if the Brother line transforms into the Wealth line, regardless of whether the question is about a wife or a concubine, it indicates that the relationship will not last long.

財旺兄衰終須反目，克財財退必主生離。兄爻持世而財爻旺者，不能克妻，終乘琴瑟，相見如仇。兄爻持世財化退神者，亦同此意，非反目即生離。 酉月辛巳日，占夫婦將來和俁否？得泰卦。 子孫酉金″應　　子孫酉金″應 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′世　　兄弟辰土′世 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′　　妻財子水′

The text says, "When wealth is strong and siblings are weak, there will inevitably be a rift; when wealth is overcome, wealth retreats, and it will certainly lead to separation." If the sibling爻 is holding the world position and the wealth爻 is strong, the sibling爻 will not be able to overcome the wife爻, so although the couple live together all their lives, they will treat each other like enemies. If the sibling爻 holds the world position and the wealth爻 transforms into the "retreating god," it means the same thing; either there will be a rift or separation. For example, on the day of Xinsi (辛巳) in the month of You (酉月), someone asks about whether the couple can reconcile in the future, and they draw the Hexagram Tai (地天泰). The six lines, from top to bottom, are: children酉 gold (responding line), wealth亥 water, siblings丑 earth, siblings辰 earth (world line), official ghost寅 wood, and wealth子 water, all being quiet.

兄爻持世以克妻財，幸財爻亥水酉金生之，財旺難於克害。彼曰：目下不和，將來和好否？余曰：巳日沖動亥水，又臨驛馬，妻財臨馬而暗動，心去難留，生離之象。此人自此之彼，常為此事而占，十有除次，若非兄爻持世，定遇財化退神，後竟生離。黃金策：世為一生之本，應為百歲之妻，此卦世應相生，如鮑宣娶恆氏之斷者，失千里也。

The brother line holds the world line, which originally requires it to overcome the wife and wealth line. Fortunately, the wealth line, which is亥 water, is supported by酉 metal, so the wealth line is strong and not easily harmed. He asked: Are they currently not getting along, and can they get along in the future? I said: The巳 day line triggers the亥 water line, and the亥 water line is directly associated with the post horse. The wife and wealth line is associated with the post horse and undergoes covert movement, indicating that the heart has already left, and it cannot be retained, which is a sign of parting. This person kept coming back to consult about this matter, over ten times in total, either the brother line holds the world line or the wealth line transforms into the retreating god. Eventually, they did part. The Golden Strategies say, "The world line represents one's life, and the response line represents one's wife for a hundred years." In this hexagram, the world and response lines mutually generate. If it were interpreted as the ideal couple like Bao Xuan and Huang Shi, it would be completely different.

動妻旺相，續絃堪許白頭。卦中財爻多現，若分正庶者，自當以應爻臨財而作正妻之位也，倘被日月動爻沖剋及動而化凶，乃結髮之妻傷也。若得他爻之財旺相、或動而化吉及他爻變出之旺相，相生合世爻者，及再醮之事反遂白頭。如若財爻不臨於應，又以正卦之財為正妻，之卦之財為再娶。

The text says, "If the wife line is strong and prosperous, it is possible to marry and live happily until old age." In the hexagram, if there are many wealth lines, when distinguishing between the main wife and a concubine, the wealth line on the response line is considered the position of the main wife. If this line is clashed or controlled by the day or month lines, or if it moves and transforms into something harmful, then the main wife will suffer. If other wealth lines are strong and prosperous, or if they move and transform into something good, or if they are generated from other lines and are strong and prosperous, and also harmonize with the world line, then the second marriage can last until old age. If the wealth line does not fall on the response line, then the wealth line in the primary hexagram is considered the main wife, and the wealth line in the changing hexagram is considered the second wife.

妻財克身，非刑傷必然姤悍。妻財克世，世若休囚空破、或墓絕、或動而變凶、或隨鬼入墓，但逢一者天命夭亡。旺財克世，世爻得地者，雖無刑傷，必遭姤悍。 應財生世，非內助即獲外財。卦中但遇財爻生合世爻，亦不可只以和美斷之，問有應在得妻家之財力也，否則內助必善於持家。

The essay states, "Wealth爻 harms the self, not necessarily indicating punishment or injury, but rather a fierce and jealous nature." "Fierce and jealous" refers to jealousy and stubbornness. When the Wealth爻 harms the World Line, if the World Line is weak and confined, meets an empty position, a broken position, or enters a tomb or a dead position, or if it is activated and becomes harmful, or follows the Official Ghost into a tomb, as long as any of these conditions are present, there is a risk of premature death. If the Wealth爻 is strong and harms the World Line, but the World Line itself is in a favorable position, then although there is no punishment or injury, one is certain to marry a jealous and stubborn wife. The essay also says, "The Wealth爻 generates the World Line, which either means internal support or external wealth." Whenever the Wealth爻 generates or harmonizes with the World Line in a divination, it should not be simply interpreted as harmonious marital relations; sometimes it indicates gaining the financial support of the wife's family, otherwise it suggests that the wife is skilled at managing the household.

如巳月丁未日，占夫妻偕老否？得無妄變觀卦。 妻財戌土′　　兄弟卯木′ 官鬼申金′　　子孫巳火′ 子孫午火′世　　動　　妻財未土″世 妻財辰土″　　兄弟卯木″ 兄弟寅木″　　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′應　　動　　妻財未土″應 滿盤俱是財爻，世爻變出之未土，與世爻相合，此未土之財，乃正妻也，臨日建遇月生扶，不獨偕老，且許賢比周南，果此公美妾十餘，正夫人賢而無妒，夫妻同庚而生，妻活八旬有一，夫年八十二歲。此卦若以世應相沖相剋而斷之，遠如天壤。

For example, on a day of Si month and Dingwei day, a person consulted about whether his wife and he could live together until old age, and obtained the hexagram Wu Wang (Heaven and Thunder) changing into Guan (Wind and Earth). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife's wealth in Xu earth, official ghost in Shen metal, children in Wu fire (the world line, which is active), wife's wealth in Chen earth, siblings in Yin wood, and parents in Zi water (the response line, which is active). The changing hexagram's lines, in order, are: siblings in Mao wood, children in Si fire, wife's wealth in Wei earth (the world line), siblings in Mao wood, children in Si fire, and wife's wealth in Wei earth (the response line). The entire hexagram is filled with wealth lines. Among them, the wealth line that comes from the world line combines with the world line, and this wealth in Wei earth is the true wife. It is right at the day's builder, and is supported by the month's builder. Not only can they live together until old age, but she is also virtuous, comparable to the queen mother praised in the Book of Songs, Zhou Nan. Later, this gentleman indeed had more than ten concubines, but his official wife was virtuous and not jealous. The couple were born in the same year. The wife lived to be eighty-one, and the husband lived to be eighty-two. If this hexagram were interpreted based on the conflict and mutual control between the world and response lines, it would be completely wrong.

凡問子嗣，須明告之，或已有子後還生否？或問現在之子，將來可保長年否？或從未生育，終有子否？ 易告未來，不告已往，即如占天時，神報將來之旱潦，不言昨日之陰晴雨，若含糊而問，假使從前有子，問後來還可生否？後若不生，神必現無子之卦，不報以前之有，乃現將來之無，斷卦之人，依卦而斷，爾肯服耶？又有現今有子，將來若難存者，神亦現無嗣之卦，爾雖以曰有，神告曰無，神肯阿諛耶？

When asking about having children, one must be clear: are you already have a son and asking whether you will have more? Or are you asking whether your current son will live a long life? Or are you asking whether you will ever have children at all? The Book of Changes only reveals the future, not the past. Just like predicting the weather, the gods report future droughts or floods, not the weather of yesterday. If you are vague and ask: you already have a son, but are you able to have more in the future, then if you do not have more, the gods will show a hexagram of no children. It does not report your past having children, but only shows your future lack. The person interpreting the hexagram will give a straightforward answer according to the hexagram. Would you accept it? Also, if you currently have a son but he is destined to die young, the gods will also show a hexagram of no children. You say you have a son, but the gods tell you there is none. Would the gods flatter you then?

即如寅月癸女日，占子嗣多少，得坤之艮。 子孫酉金″世　　動　　官鬼寅木′世 妻財亥水″　　妻財子水″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟戌土″ 官鬼卯木″應　　動　　子孫申金′應 父母巳火″　　父母午火″ 兄弟未土″　　兄弟辰土″ 斷曰：鬼變子孫，子孫變鬼，有一而遇者，皆無子也。此卦兩現，無子之兆。彼曰：少年難於子嗣，自五旬之外，連得四子，長子已六歲矣。余曰：依此卦象，恐俱難存。彼甚不悅，豈知婢妾甚多，三五年內生者生，而死者死，生過九子，並無一存，臨終過侄立嗣，承龍世音。

Just as in a divination on the number of children, using the month of寅 (Tiger) and day of癸 (Gui), the hexagram obtained was "Kun (Earth)" transforming into "Gen (Mountain)." The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was:Children酉金 (Children in the Metal酉, the worldly position and active), Wealth亥水 (Wealth in the Water亥), Siblings丑土 (Siblings in the Earth丑), Official Ghost卯木 (Official Ghost in the Wood卯, the responding position and active), Parents巳火 (Parents in the Fire巳), Siblings未土 (Siblings in the Earth未). The transformed hexagram, in order, was:Official Ghost寅木 (Official Ghost in the Wood寅, the worldly position), Wealth子水 (Wealth in the Water子), Siblings戌土 (Siblings in the Earth戌), Children申金 (Children in the Metal申, the responding position), Parents午火 (Parents in the Fire午), Siblings辰土 (Siblings in the Earth辰). The interpretation stated: when the Official Ghost transforms into Children and the Children transform into the Official Ghost, if either one appears, it indicates no children. In this case, both appear, indicating a sign of no children. He said: I had difficulty in having children when I was young, but after fifty I had four sons, the eldest of whom was six years old. I said: according to this hexagram, I fear they may not survive. He was very unhappy. Little did he know he had many concubines. In the years that followed, some children were born and some died, and in total he had nine sons, none of whom survived. At the end, he had to adopt a nephew to continue the family line.

福德旺隆，育兒賢德。福德即子孫爻，若旺遇生扶，或臨日月，或帝旺長生於日，或動而化吉，必產賢兒。 子孫衰弱，生子愚痴。子孫多衰弱，必生痴愚之子，衰而被克，休囚無氣，或落絕空破，或動而化凶，或日月動爻沖剋，或父化子，子化父，鬼變子孫，或父空持世，皆生生而不有，子孫逢空不礙，必得子沖空實空之年。覺子曰：黃金策，子化兄，生兒不肖，殊不思化兄及回頭之生，如何不肖？註解又曰：化鬼亦不尚，化鬼者百無一活，先不肖而已耶？

The text says, "Fortune Virtue is prosperous, and a virtuous son is born." "Fortune Virtue" refers to the sons' line. If this line is prosperous and strong, and receives support and assistance, or if it is directly on the day or month, or if it is seated on "Prosperity" or "Growth" in the day branch, or if it moves and transforms into something auspicious, then a virtuous son will certainly be born. The text also says, "The sons' line is weak, and the son is foolish." If the sons' line is mostly weak, then a foolish son will be born; if it is weak and further controlled, or if it is in a state of weakness and confinement, or if it falls into "End," "Empty," or "Break," or if it moves and transforms into something ominous, or if it is controlled by the day, month, or moving line, or if parents transform into sons, sons transform into parents, or officials transform into sons, or if parents hold the world position but fall into emptiness, then it indicates a situation of being able to conceive but not able to bear a child. If the sons' line is empty, it does not cause any harm; one just needs to wait until the year when the emptiness is broken or filled to have a son. The "Awakening of the Son" says: The "Golden Strategies" state, "When the son transforms into the elder brother, the son is not virtuous." But it did not consider that transforming into brothers is actually a mutual generation, so how can the son not be virtuous? The commentary also says, "Transforming into a ghost is not good." Transforming into an official ghost results in no survival at all, not just the son being not virtuous.

申月辛卯日，占子嗣，得復卦。 子孫酉金″　　子孫酉金″ 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″應　　兄弟丑土″應 兄弟辰土″　　兄弟辰土″ 官鬼寅木″　　官鬼寅木″ 妻財子水′世　　妻財子水′世 斷曰：身帶吉而子扶，日建沖動上爻子孫而生世，有遠方之子來。彼喜而曰：我於三十七歲有子，已十八矣，因亂失散，至今無所出。余曰：恭喜，明現子從六爻動來生世，此子見歸。彼曰：何時得見？曰：明歲申辰與酉金相合，定然得意而歸。果於次年六月父子相逢。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The person asked about having children in the month of Shen on the day of Xinmao, and obtained the hexagram Fu (Hexagram 24). All six lines were still. The six lines from top to bottom were: Children in You metal, Wealth in Hai water, Siblings in Chou earth (responding line), Siblings in Chen earth, Official Ghost in寅 wood, Wealth in Zi water (the subject). The interpretation said: The subject is accompanied by a good sign and has children supporting him. The metal line of children in You is disturbed by the day of Xinmao, which moves up to the top line and supports the subject, indicating that a son from afar will return. He was happy and said: I had a son at the age of thirty-seven, who is now eighteen years old. Due to war, they became separated, and I have not had any more children. I said: Congratulations. The hexagram clearly shows that the children from the sixth line move to support the subject, so this child will return. He asked when they would meet again. I said: In the year of Shen and Chen, when the day of You metal combines with them, he will certainly return happily. Indeed, in the following year in June, father and son were reunited.

財化子，可辨正出庶出。卦有財而無子孫者，須看變出之爻，變爻子孫。庶出也。即斷曰：正無所出，定得偏生。卦有子孫，亦有子孫變爻，又非此論，即變爻之為晚子。倘若正庶俱已生子，而問賢愚者，以正卦之子為正出，變爻之子為庶出。 子化子，須知本宮他宮。子孫化子孫得驗者二：少年無子得此者，應多生子。現有子得此者，乃應多子而多孫。老年無子得此者，扶他人之子而為子，須宜分別化出他宮者，立異姓之子；化出本宮，立族中子。

The text says, "When wealth transforms into children, it can distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate offspring." If the hexagram contains a wealth line but no children line, one should look at the changing line: if the changing line is a children line, then it is considered illegitimate. One can directly conclude: the legitimate wife has no children, and the child must be from a concubine. If the hexagram originally contains a children line and there is also a changing children line, then this rule does not apply, and the changing children line is considered to represent a son born later in life. If both the legitimate and illegitimate have children, then one should judge based on their virtue and intelligence, using the original children line to represent legitimate offspring and the changing children line to represent illegitimate offspring. The text also says, "When children transform into children, one must know whether it is from the same palace or another palace." When the children line transforms into another children line and the prediction comes true, there are two possibilities: a man who has no children in his youth receives this hexagram, indicating he will have many sons later in life; a man who already has children receives this hexagram, indicating both many sons and many grandsons. For an elderly man who has no children, this hexagram indicates adopting a son, and further distinction is needed: if the changing line belongs to another palace, it means adopting a son from another family; if the changing line belongs to the same palace, it means adopting a son from within the family.

如亥日庚子日，占子孫有無？得屯之節卦。 兄弟子水″　　兄弟子水″ 官鬼戌土′應　　官鬼戌土′ 父母申金″　　父母申金″應 官鬼辰土″　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫寅木″世　　動　　子孫卯木′ 兄弟子水′　　妻財巳火′世 此公年已六旬，並無所出，自知易理，得此卦甚喜，以為世爻子孫又化子孫，月建合之，日辰生之，有子必多，豈知子孫化子孫，原非已出，次年三月終於任立侄孫承嗣。

For example, on a day of亥 (Hai) with a Gengzi (Gengzi) day, someone asked about whether he would have children in the future and received the hexagram Zhun (Water over Thunder) changing to Jie (Water over Marsh). The primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: brothers in water, official ghost in earth (responding line), parents in metal, official ghost in earth, children in wood (world line, active), brothers in water. The changing hexagram is: brothers in water, official ghost in earth, parents in metal (responding line), official ghost in earth, children in wood, wealth in fire (world line). The gentleman was already sixty years old and had no children. He himself understood the principles of the Yi Jing and was very happy to receive this hexagram, thinking that the world line was children and it was transforming into children, the month builder was in harmony with it, and the day branch was nurturing it, so he believed he would definitely have many children. But he did not realize that children transforming into children was not genuine offspring. In the following March, he died in office, and his nephew's son was appointed as his heir.

父占子，知其易養，子臨貴，難曰成名。父占子，止知易養，難斷高貴，子孫旺相，剋制官星，子若休囚，馬能食祿，所以易養，否則不難知也。子孫化相，或動而化吉、或臨日月、或日月動爻生扶、或長生帝旺，皆許成人，如休囚空破動而變凶，水泡風燈，至於子孫之富與貴者，旺相一遇生扶，自然富貴，若以科甲科名而斷者，及欺人之法也。

The text says, "If a father divines about his son, he can only know whether the son is easy to raise; if the son is in a noble position, it is difficult to predict his future fame." A father divining about his son can only know whether the son is easy to raise, but cannot determine whether he will become noble or not. If the son's line is prosperous and strong, it will restrain the official star; if the son's line is weak and confined, then the official star can receiveofficial stipend. Therefore, being prosperous and strong only indicates that the son is easy to raise, but other matters are not so clear. If the son's line receives the "prosperous" energy, or if it moves and turns into good fortune, or if it is directly on the day or month, or if it is supported by the day or month's moving lines, or if it is in the "growth" or "prosperity" position, then it is allowed that the son will grow up. If the son's line is weak and confined, meets an empty or broken condition, or moves and turns into bad fortune, then it is like a water bubble or a wind lamp, which is unreliable. As for the son's wealth and nobility, if the son's line is prosperous and strong and also receives support, then naturally he will be wealthy and noble. But if one uses this to predict the son's academic success and official rank, that is a trick.

黃金策曰：子帶貴人自有登天之日，又日祿貴臨爻，童年拜相。以貴祿臨子孫化鬼者，不為化鬼而為化官，即許登天拜相。餘查天乙貴人臨爻並無祿到。貴人臨馬上有丁巳日見亥水子孫，乃為貴人，與為同官，餘皆不是有祿者，無貴人馬，此信筆妄談也，何嘗經驗，況余屢占子女，若子孫變鬼，萬無一活。

The Golden Strategies say, "If the child's position is accompanied by the nobleman, he will surely reach heaven." It also says, "If the official's fortune and nobleman are present on the line, a child will become a minister." Furthermore, it states that when the nobleman and the official star are present on the child's line and transform the official ghost, it is not considered transforming the ghost but transforming the official, thus allowing him to reach heaven and become a minister. I have checked: the nobleman appearing on the line does not have the official's fortune present at the same time; when the nobleman is on the post horse, only the case of Dingsi day with亥 water child can be considered as the nobleman and official star appearing together, the rest are not. There is also the case where there is an official's fortune but no nobleman or post horse — this is just random talk, never actually verified. Moreover, I have often cast hexagrams for my children, and whenever the child transforms into the official ghost, there is never a case of survival.

如亥月丙辰日，占子易養否？得姤之旅卦。 父母戌土′　　官鬼巳火′ 兄弟申金′　　動　　父母未土″ 官鬼午火′應　　兄弟酉金′應 兄弟酉金′　　兄弟申金′ 子孫亥水′　　動　　官鬼午火″ 父母丑土″世　　父母辰土″世 亥水子孫臨月建五爻，兄動以相生，旺莫旺於此也，若以吉神論之，丙日以亥為貴人，貴莫貴於此也，豈知子爻變鬼，死於次年五月。

For example, on a day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Hai (亥), divining about whether the son is easy to raise, the hexagram obtained is Gou (天风姤) changing to Lv (火山旅). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: parents戌土, brothers申金 (which is active), official ghost午火 (which is the responding line), brothers酉金, sons亥水 (which is active), and parents丑土 (which is the subject line). The lines of the resulting hexagram are: official ghost巳火, parents未土, brothers酉金 (which is the responding line), brothers申金, official ghost午火, and parents辰土 (which is the subject line). The son's line, which is亥水, is exactly in the position of the month's builder,亥, and is located on the fifth line. It is also supported by the active brother line, making it extremely strong. If we consider auspicious spirits, on a day of Bing,亥 is considered the heavenly master, and the nobleman is at its peak. But the son's line changes into the official ghost, and the child died in the fifth month of the following year.

黃金策曰：有官鬼無傷，曹彬取印終封爵。覺子曰：官鬼無傷者，必是子孫爻被傷被傷被克休囚無氣，所以不能傷克官鬼，既是如此衰弱之子孫，又封官封爵，餘不信也。又曰：父身有氣，車微顯名。覺子曰：父占子，父為忌神，或動或旺，必於克子，救死不暇，何得顯名？或曰：疑是嬰兒之自占。余曰：嬰兒乃無知無識孩童，占富占貴，全在人之一念，三五歲之嬰孩，可知富貴之念耶？況身命後章有：若卜嬰兒之造化，固知非代占耶。

The Golden Strategies say, "If the official ghost is not harmed, Cao Bin obtained the seal and eventually received a title." Juezi says: The reason the official ghost is not harmed is that the sons'爻 is weakened and restrained, thus unable to harm or control the official ghost. If the sons'爻 is so weak, yet it says he will receive an official title and a noble rank, I do not believe it. It also says, "If the parents'爻 is strong, the carriage will be modest but the name will be prominent." Juezi says: When the parents'爻 is used to divinate the son, the parents'爻 is the hostile god. If it becomes active or becomes strong, it will certainly harm the son. If we cannot save the son's life, how can we talk about a prominent name? Some people say: Perhaps this refers to an infant divining itself. I say: An infant is an ignorant and unenlightened child. Divining wealth and nobility depends entirely on a person's thought. How could a child of three or five years old have the thought of wealth and nobility? Moreover, in the following part of the "Body and Destiny Chapter," there is another sentence: "If one divines the fate of an infant." This shows that divining an infant is originally done by an adult on behalf of the infant, not by the infant itself.

代占六親，不宜世爻化鬼。占父母、兄弟、妻妾、兒孫，先看世爻，雖占六親，常有帶出自身之凶者，世爻化鬼、化回頭克、休囚化空破墓絕及隨鬼入墓，日月同克，休問他人，且防自己。 雖問父母，亦有應兒孫。常見占父母之卦爻中帶出刑傷兄弟兒孫妻妾者，有占兒孫亦有兼應父母兄弟妻妾者，不可不知。此謂占此而應彼也。此論前已表明，餘占而屢見也。

The essay says, "When divining the Six Relations, it is not advisable for the World Line to transform into the Official Ghost." When divining the Parents, Siblings, wife, or children, one should first examine the World Line. Although the divination is about the Six Relations, the hexagram often reveals ominous signs related to the person asking the question: if the World Line transforms into the Official Ghost, transforms back torestrain (counter-克制), or is weak and confined while transforming into emptiness, destruction, burial, or decline, or if it is buried along with the Official Ghost, and the sun and moon both attack it, then one should not ask about others first; instead, one should be cautious about oneself. The essay also says, "Even when divining the Parents, there may be responses related to the children." It is common to see hexagrams about the Parents that also indicate harm to the Siblings, children, or wife, and similarly, hexagrams about the children may also relate to the Parents, Siblings, or wife. This should not be overlooked. This is called divining one thing but responding to another. This principle has already been explained earlier, and I have often observed it in my divination practice.

儒業者，父母世爻同旺，終須變化成龍。日月動爻相生，定是王家儲器。世爻父母皆宜旺相，或動而變吉、或父母持世、日月動爻生合世，攀龍附鳳，指日可期。 財動卦中，青燈不久。子孫持世，自首無成。財動克文章，讀書中道而廢。子動無官之象，皓首必不成功名。

Those who pursue the path of scholarship are said in the text: "If the World Line and the Parents' Line are both prosperous and strong, they will eventually transform into a dragon; if the day and month lines generate and harmonize with each other, they are certainly destined to become a future ruler of a royal family." The World Line and the Parents' Line should both be prosperous and strong, or they should move and bring good fortune, or the Parents' Line should hold the World Line, or the day and month lines should generate and harmonize with the World Line. In such cases, one can expect to rise quickly and associate with powerful figures. The text also says, "If the Wealth Line moves, the lamp will not last long; if the Children's Line holds the World Line, one will remain unaccomplished until old age." If the Wealth Line moves, it will overcome the Parents' Line, which represents scholarly achievements, leading to abandoning studies halfway; if the Children's Line moves, it indicates the absence of an official star, meaning one will not attain official rank even in old age.

九流者，財興官旺，道重人欽。兄動世衰，有毀無譽。財持世，官持世，財官世爻皆宜得地。卦中兄爻持世，只可餬口，難許成家。覺子曰：古以九流，皆以官鬼為吉，殊不知天師家及驅邪治鬼之家，巫師醫家，皆以子旺，能於治鬼，必以子孫持世及子孫發動而為吉也。 百工皆以財為用神，子孫元神，最忌兄爻持世及兄爻旺動者，勞碌終身，餘以求財章同斷。以上皆不宜世爻空破墓絕休囚諸事無成。世若休囚，而又隨鬼入墓及受日月動爻沖剋，或動而化鬼化絕化克者，不唯學業難成，且防不測。

For those engaged in various trades and professions, the text says, "Wealth flourishes and officials are strong, the path is esteemed and people respect it; if the elder brother moves and the world line declines, there will be destruction without praise." It is good if the wealth line holds the world line or the official ghost line holds the world line. Wealth, officials, and the world line should all be in a favorable position. If the elder brother line holds the world line, one can only make a living and cannot hope to establish a family or career. Jue Zi says: Ancients regarded the official ghost as auspicious for all professions, but they did not realize that the Taoist sect, as well as those who exorcise spirits, witches, and physicians, need strong children to control spirits. Therefore, it is auspicious if the children line holds the world line or if the children line moves. For all craftsmen and artisans, the wife's wealth is the useful god and the children are the origin god. The most忌 is if the elder brother line holds the world line or is strong and active, which indicates a life of constant toil. I treat this the same as the "Chapter on Seeking Wealth." None of these professions should have the world line empty, broken, in a tomb, at its end, or weak and confined. Otherwise, nothing will succeed. If the world line is weak and confined and also goes into the tomb of the official ghost, or is attacked by the day or month lines and moving lines, or if it moves and turns into a ghost, an end, or a control, not only will the studies not succeed, but one must also beware of unexpected calamities.

占以金作春秋，毛詩為木，書經為水，火為禮記，土為易經。覺子曰：不可概問，須指定而卜之，禱於神曰：我習此經何如？ 父旺官興，王家棟樑。世空子動，蓬華寒儒。官鬼持世，父動相生，或日月臨父母生世，或官爻旺相、父爻持世，及世爻動而化吉，皆飛騰變化之兆。世空世破，及動而變凶，或子孫財爻持世，父母官鬼空破，須宜另於一經處，誠心再卜。

When divining the study of a particular classic, the metal line corresponds to the Spring and Autumn Annals, the wood line to the Mao Shi (Book of Poetry), the water line to the Shu Jing (Book of Documents), the fire line to the Li Ji (Rites), and the earth line to the Yi Jing (Book of Changes). Ju Zǐ said: one should not ask generally but must specifically choose one classic to divinate, and pray to the deity saying, "How is my study of this classic?" The essay states, "If the father is prosperous and the official ghost is active, it signifies a pillar of the royal family; if the world line is empty and the children are active, it indicates a humble scholar." If the official ghost holds the world line and the parents' line becomes active, or if the sun and moon are directly over the parents' line and the world line, or if the official line is prosperous and strong while the father line holds the world line, or if the world line becomes active and transforms into a favorable condition, these are signs of great change and advancement. If the world line encounters emptiness or destruction, or if it becomes active and transforms into an unfavorable condition, or if the children or wealth lines hold the world line while the parents or official lines are empty or destroyed, one should choose another classic and divinate again with sincerity.

如酉月丙子日，占木經能發否，得益之觀。 兄弟卯木′應　　兄弟卯木′ 子孫巳火′　　子孫巳火′ 妻財未土″　　妻財未土″世 妻財辰土″世　　兄弟卯木″ 兄弟寅木″　　子孫巳火″ 父母子水′　　動　　妻財未土″應 斷曰：卦中旺官合世，不宜初爻朱雀子水文章動化未土回頭之克，宜於改經。彼問：宜改何經？余曰：古法餘占不驗。意欲何經，再占一卦。即卜易經。得天火同人： 子孫戌土′應　　子孫戌土′應 妻財申金′　　妻財申金′ 兄弟午火′　　兄弟午火′ 官鬼亥水′世　　官鬼亥水′世 子孫丑土″　　子孫丑土″ 父母卯木′　　父母卯木′

For example, on a day of Bingzi (丙子) in the month of You (酉), someone consulted about whether studying the "Mao Shi" (Book of Songs), which belongs to the Wood element, would lead to success. The hexagram obtained was "Feng Lei Yi" (Wind and Thunder Gain), changing to "Feng Di Guan" (Wind over Earth View). The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, were: Brothers Wood (responding line),Children Fire,Wealth Earth,Wealth Earth (world line), Brothers Wood, Parents Water (active). The lines of the changing hexagram, from top to bottom, were: Brothers Wood,Children Fire,Wealth Earth (world line), Brothers Wood,Children Fire,Wealth Earth (responding line). The interpretation was: The official star in a prosperous and strong state is in harmony with the world line, which is a good omen. However, the initial line, "Zhu Que" (Vermilion Bird), which is the Water element, is the line of literature, but it has activated and turned back to be overcome by Earth, so it is advisable to change to studying another classic. He asked which classic to change to. I said: The traditional method of matching the Five Phases with the classics does not work well for me; if you want to study a particular classic, just cast another hexagram. So I first cast the "Yi Jing" (Book of Changes) for the "Tian Huo Tong Ren" (Heavenly Fire Union with People), with all lines quiet, from top to bottom:Children Earth (responding line),Wealth Metal,Siblings Fire,Official Ghost Water (world line),Children Earth,Parents Wood.

余曰：旺官持世，難以為吉。父臨月破，宜再更之。又占書經，得豐之離： 官鬼戌土″　　動　　妻財巳火′世 父母申金″世　　官鬼未土″ 妻財午火′　　父母酉金′ 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′應 官鬼丑土″應　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　　子孫卯木′ 旺父持世，官動生之，因今日子日沖午火傷金，此經相宜。下科壬子沖去午火，管許高發，果於子科中魁。

I said: A prosperous and strong official star holding the world position is actually not necessarily auspicious; the parents' hexagram also meets the 'month breaker', so it should be changed again. Then I divined the Book of Documents and obtained the hexagram 'Thunder and Fire: Fullness' changing into 'Fire in the Lake: Li'. The primary hexagram from top to bottom is: official ghost戌 earth (active), parents申 metal (world position), wife wealth午 fire, brothers亥 water, official ghost丑 earth (response), sons卯 wood; the changing hexagram in order is: wife wealth巳 fire (world position), official ghost未 earth, parents酉 metal, brothers亥 water (response), official ghost丑 earth, sons卯 wood. The prosperous and strong parents hold the world position, and the official ghost is active and comes to generate it. Also, today is the day of Renzi, and the water of Zi will conflict with the fire of午, so the fire of午 will not harm the metal of申. This interpretation is most suitable. The next examination is in the year of Renzi, and the water of Zi will again conflict with the fire of午, ensuring success. Later, he indeed won the first place in the examination of that year.

父爻旺相，就而正焉。父母爻既為師長，又為詩書。延師受教，即以此爻為用神，宜旺相或臨日月及動而化吉。如若休囚空破絕及動而化凶，有素食之譏，無師資之益。 世位相生，博約善誘。父旺生合世爻，成人有德，若克世爻，而世爻得地者，有責成之功。世若休囚，必受師尊之累。

The essay states, "If the father's line is prosperous and strong, it will approach and correct." The father's line represents both teachers and literature. When a teacher is invited to teach, this line should be taken as the useful god, and it is favorable if it is prosperous and strong, or if it is directly on the day or month, or if it moves and transforms into good fortune. If it is weak and confined, meets an empty position, meets a broken position, enters a period of decline, or moves and transforms into bad fortune, then one will only be criticized for eating without gaining anything, and will not benefit from the teacher's guidance. The essay also says, "If the world line is generated by the world line, it will be broad and precise, and good at guiding." If the father's line is strong and generates and harmonizes with the world line, the student will become an adult with virtue; if the father's line overcomes the world line but the world line itself is strong, there may be a supervisory and achieving effect. If the world line is weak and confined, the student will surely suffer from the burden of the teacher.

父入墓中，懶於教訓。父爻入三墓及臨絕者，若非偷安懶惰，定是師不授教。 財臨世上，懦弱不嚴。財爻持世乃我克父母，若非師不嚴，定是我師畏凌。 鬼化文書克世，訟由乎學。鬼動化父母，沖剋世爻，異日必主爭訟，能使日月動爻制服鬼爻，亦不相宜，此何故也？神兆機於動。目前雖可制服，他日鬼逢生旺必見災。非不唯鬼動化父，但繫鬼動克世，或世動變凶，皆不宜從。

The text says, "The father is in the grave, lazy in teaching." If the father line is in the third grave or in the "绝" position, it is not because the teacher is lazy or neglectful, but rather because the teacher is unwilling to teach. The text also says, "Wealth is on the world line, weak and not strict." If the wealth line holds the world line, it means that I overcome the father line. If not because the teacher is lenient, it is because the teacher fears me. The text further says, "The official ghost transforms into documents to overcome the world line, disputes arise from learning." If the official ghost line moves and transforms into the father line to overcome the world line, there will certainly be disputes arising from studying. Even if the official ghost line can be subdued by the day or month lines, it is still not advisable. Why is this so? The divine mechanism is revealed in the moving lines. Although it may be subdued now, if the official ghost line meets a favorable and strong position in the future, disaster will occur. Not only when the official ghost transforms into the father line, but also whenever the official ghost overcomes the world line, or the world line moves and transforms into something harmful, it is not advisable to follow.

月扶世爻日助，青出於藍。世爻旺相，或父母持世，或官星持世，日月動爻生扶，及世爻動而化吉，必有長進，青出於藍。 動衰變旺，先惰後勤。動旺變衰，先勤後怠。父化父而殊經，父化財而多病，化鬼顯貴之交，父化兄貪財好利。 三合連年受教，六沖半載難留。世與父爻兼日月作三合者，情同父子，連年受業，門牆始終成就。卦得六沖，或世克父爻，或父爻克世者，彼此不投，難收一發之功。

The passage says, "The moon supports the world line and the day assists; the blue comes from the indigo." If the world line is prosperous and strong, or if the parents' line holds the world line, or if the official ghost line holds the world line, and if the day and moon lines generate and support the world line, and if the world line moves and transforms into a favorable line, then academic progress will surely be made, and the student will surpass the teacher. The passage also says, "If a line becomes weak and then strong, one starts lazy and then works hard; if a line becomes strong and then weak, one starts hardworking and then becomes lazy." If the father line transforms into another father line, it indicates a change in the subject of study midway; if the father line transforms into a wealth line, it indicates the teacher is often ill; if the father line transforms into an official ghost line, it indicates meeting important officials; if the father line transforms into a sibling line, it indicates the teacher is greedy for wealth and profit. The passage says, "Triple harmony leads to continuous learning for years, while six clashes result in difficulty in staying for even half a year." If the world line and the father line, together with the day and moon lines, form a triple harmony, the teacher and student will have a relationship like father and son, continuously studying year after year, from the beginning to the end of their studies, remaining consistent. If the hexagram shows "six clashes," or if the world line is overcome by the father line, or if the father line overcomes the world line, they will not get along well, and they will not even be able to gain progress for a year or half a year.

父為子而延師者，應為西席，世乃東家，宜世應相生合，不宜相剋相沖，應生世，我得其益，應爻空破，延之不就，應動他有變，世空我意不專。 覺子曰：雖以世應為主，父爻不可缺之，父旺與子孫相合，名實兼收，父動克子孫，無益有害，子動化克，不宜延之，子動化鬼，速宜辭絕。

A father hiring a teacher for his son, the Response Line represents the tutor, and the World Line represents the host. It is favorable for the World and Response Lines to be mutually generating or harmonious, and unfavorable for them to be conflicting or controlling. If the Response Line generates the World Line, the host benefits; if the Response Line is empty or broken, the tutor cannot be invited. If the Response Line is active, there may be a change in the situation. If the World Line is empty, it indicates the host's lack of sincerity. Juezi said: although the World and Response Lines are the main factors, the Parents Line should not be neglected. If the Parents Line is strong and harmonizes with the Children Line, both reputation and actual benefit are gained. If the Parents Line is active and controls the Children Line, hiring the tutor will be harmful. If the Children Line is active and transforms into a controlling relationship, it is not advisable to hire. If the Children Line is active and transforms into the Official Ghost Line, it is necessary to dismiss the tutor quickly.

如寅月戊午日，占子從師。 兄弟巳火′　　兄弟巳火′世 子孫未土″　　子孫未土″ 妻財酉金′應　　妻財酉金′ 妻財申金′　　官鬼亥水′應 兄弟午火″　　子孫丑土″ 子孫辰土″世　　動　　父母卯木′ 子動化克，不宜從之，不聽。後因師責，逃至橋頭，跌折右足。

For example, on a day of Wuwu in the month of Yin, divining about the son studying with this teacher, the six lines from top to bottom are: fire of the snake (brother), earth of the goat (child), metal of the rooster (wealth, responding line), metal of the monkey (wealth), fire of the horse (brother), and earth of the dragon (child, the main line, which is active). The resulting hexagram is: fire of the snake (main line), earth of the goat (child), metal of the rooster (wealth), water of the pig (official ghost, responding line), earth of the ox (child), and wood of the rabbit (parent). The child line is active and turns back to be overcome, which is not suitable for the son to follow this teacher. The master did not listen, and later the child was punished by the teacher, ran to the bridge, and broke his right leg.

野鶴曰：凡占小考，當見占得吉卦，後竟道考無名，何也？動之應近而不應遠，已應府縣之有名也，必須先占縣者，再占府考，又占道考，但得吉卦者，許榜上有名。若有卦而不吉者，勿望道考而成名也。

Wild Heron says: When divining about a small examination, it is common to get a favorable hexagram, but later in the higher examination, the person fails to be listed on the榜. Why is this? The moving line should take effect soon rather than far away. If the favorable hexagram has already indicated success in the county examination and the prefectural examination, then one must first divinate the county examination, then the prefectural, and then the higher examination. Only if all three divinations show favorable hexagrams can one expect to be listed on the榜. If any one of the hexagrams is unfavorable, there is no hope of success in the higher examination.

父旺官興，堪期首選。官衰父發，亦論掄收。官星持世，得日月動爻相生相合，道選無疑。父爻持世，得日月動爻相生相合者，亦要官星有氣，始許成名。 子興財發於卦中，難游泮水。子動克官，財動克父，或持於世爻者皆不宜也。 世破身空兼墓絕，再奮芸窗。世爻空破墓絕，或被日月動爻沖剋及動而變凶者，不能遂志。

The text says, "If the father is strong and the official star is active, it is certain to be chosen first; if the official star is weak and the father is active, it is also considered for selection." When the official star holds the world line and is supported by the day and month lines through generation and harmony, it is certain to be selected. When the father line holds the world line and is supported by the day and month lines through generation and harmony, the official star must also have strength to allow success. The text says, "If the children and wealth are active in the hexagram, it is difficult to enter school." "Enter school" refers to passing the examination. If the children line becomes active and overcomes the official star, or the wealth line becomes active and overcomes the father line, or either of these lines holds the world line, it is not favorable. The text says, "If the world line is broken, empty, in the grave, or in the critical position, and is attacked by the day and month lines or becomes harmful through movement, one cannot achieve success in this examination and must return to the study to make further efforts."

父旺遭傷，收而復棄。沖中逢合，見棄復收。父母旺相，若化休囚空破墓沖，若得日月動爻相合者，謂之沖中逢合必獲績取。 父衰變旺，愈出愈奇。爻化退神，日長日短。父衰動而化回頭生、化進神，文章得意勝於前。皆不宜化退神，化退神者，前篇稍遂，後勁不力，衰化退神及化克化空破墓絕或回頭克者，窗下午日長，場中一日短。

The text says, "The father's strength is injured, first taken in then discarded; when there is a combination in the conflict, it is first discarded then taken in." If the father's line is originally prosperous and strong, but changes to a weak and confined state, or becomes empty, broken, buried, or conflicting, it is first taken in then discarded. If it receives support from the day or month lines and the moving lines, it is called "a combination in the conflict," and ultimately it is still taken in. The text also says, "When the father is weak but turns strong, the more it emerges, the more extraordinary it becomes; when the line changes into a retreating god, the day becomes longer and shorter." If the father's line is weak but turns strong through a return birth or by changing into an advancing god, the writing becomes more and more excellent, and the latter part surpasses the former. All these situations should not change into a retreating god. If it changes into a retreating god, the first part is still smooth, but the latter part becomes powerless. As for when it is weak and changes into a retreating god, or changes into a conflict, emptiness, brokenness, burial, extinction, or a return conflict, during the time of studying hard at the desk, the days seem too long, and during the time of writing the exam, the day seems too short.

如亥月丙戌日，占道考，得豐之革卦。 官鬼戌土″　　官鬼未土″ 父母申金″世　　動　　父母酉金′ 妻財午火′　　兄弟亥水′世 兄弟亥水′　　兄弟亥水′ 官鬼丑土″應　　官鬼丑土″ 子孫卯木′　　子孫卯木′應 父母持世化進神，日建作官而生世，文章愈出愈奇，後勝於前，定蒙首選，果取案首。

For example, on a day of Bingxu (丙戌) in the month of Hai (亥), divining about an examination, the hexagram obtained was Feng (雷火丰), changing to Ge (泽火革). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, were: official ghost戌 earth, parents申 metal (world line, active), wife wealth午 fire, siblings亥 water, official ghost丑 earth (responding), children卯 wood. The changing hexagram's lines, in order, were: official ghost未 earth, parents酉 metal, siblings亥 water (world line), siblings亥 water, official ghost丑 earth, children卯 wood (responding). Parents hold the world line and transform into 'advancing god', and the day's Bingxu also acts as an official star to generate the world line. The article becomes increasingly remarkable, the latter part surpasses the former, and it is certain to be selected as the top candidate. Later, he indeed became the top scorer.

父宜旺相，最忌休囚；官宜生身，不宜克世。父與世爻旺相及得日月動爻生扶及動而化吉，全無破綻者，定考超等。若此兩爻旺相而逢生上等；旺而無生，相而遇扶，無刑沖剋破者次之；有一而遇刑沖剋者又次之；世爻受克，教刑不免；世父同受克，劣等無疑。

The text says, "The father line should be prosperous and strong, most忌 being weak and confined; the official line should generate the self, and should not control the world line." If both the father line and the world line are prosperous and strong, and they receive support from the day and month lines or are activated into good changes, with no flaws, they will certainly achieve the highest rank. If both lines are prosperous and strong and also receive support, they are ranked second. If one line is prosperous without support and the other is strong with support, and there are no punishments or clashes, they are third. If one of the lines encounters punishment, clashes, or control, they are fourth. If the world line is controlled, they will inevitably face punishment from the official. If both the world line and the father line are controlled, they are certainly of the lowest rank.

野鶴曰：此云是也，亦要人之通變，觀其世父兩爻輕重而言之，卦之全美世父兩爻有生扶，而六沖變沖反吟伏吟動變克化絕即是破綻。父爻受克而無救，難免塗鴉；世爻受克而有扶，亦業姑許。 覺子曰：此以父爻之旺衰而列等第是也，易之卦得進神考於上等，退而考下等，假使卦無進退之神，何以定之？

Wild Heron said: This is correct, but people should also know about change. One should determine which is more important between the World Line and the Father Line. Even if the hexagram is perfect and both the World and Father Lines are supported and strengthened, if it meets the "Six Clashes," changes into a conflicting hexagram, or involves "Reverse Chant" or "Hidden Chant," or if the movement results in a conflicting change or transformation into a dead end, then there is a flaw. If the Father Line is weakened and not supported, the writing will be sloppy and rejected. If the World Line is weakened but has other supports, it can still bewith difficulty accepted. Jue Zi said: Ranking according to the strength and decline of the Father Line is correct; however, the "Advancing God" in the hexagram indicates the top rank, while the "Retreating God" indicates the bottom rank. If a hexagram has neither an "Advancing God" nor a "Retreating God," then by what standard can one determine the ranking?

如申月乙巳日，占歲考，得大過之鼎卦。 妻財未土″　　動　　子孫巳火′ 官鬼酉金′　　動　　妻財未土″應 父母亥水′世　　官鬼酉金′ 官鬼酉金′　　官鬼酉金′ 父母亥水′　　父母亥水′世 妻財丑土″應　　妻財丑土″ 斷曰：財動克父，乃不通變之論也。此卦乃亥水父爻持世，申月生之，父旺而身亦旺，巳日沖之，為暗動，未土財爻雖動，喜其生助酉金，酉官生世，名為接續相生，一定篇篇華錦。財生官旺優等。後果取超等補稟。野鶴曰：大凡卦遇六沖變沖及六爻亂動，父旺世旺，還考平等。倘若父衰受刑剋及世爻休囚受克及變凶者，孫山無疑。

For example, on the day of Yisi (乙巳) in the month of Shen (申), divining about the annual examination, one obtained the hexagram Da Guo (泽风大过) changing into Ding (火风鼎). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: wife wealth in the earth element of Chou (丑土) (which is active), official ghost in the metal element of You (酉金) (which is active), parents in the water element of Hai (亥水) (the world line), official ghost in the metal element of You (酉金), parents in the water element of Hai (亥水), and wife wealth in the earth element of Chou (丑土) (the responding line). The resulting hexagram's lines are: children in the fire element of Si (巳火), wife wealth in the earth element of Chou (丑土) (the responding line), official ghost in the metal element of You (酉金), official ghost in the metal element of You (酉金), parents in the water element of Hai (亥水) (the world line), and wife wealth in the earth element of Chou (丑土). The interpretation states: seeing the movement of wealth immediately saying it harms the father is an ignorant view that fails to consider change. In this hexagram, the parents' line, which is the world line, holds the water element of Hai (亥水), and is supported by the month of Shen (申), thus the parents are strong and the world line and body are also strong; the day of Si (巳) clashes with it, which is called 'covert movement'. Although the earth element of Chou (未土) wealth line is active, it is fortunate that it turns to support the metal element of You (酉金), and the metal element of You (酉金) official star comes to support the world line, which is called 'successive mutual generation', the essay will certainly be splendid throughout. Wealth generates official star, and the official star is strong, so one should expect an excellent result. In the end, he indeed passed the examination with the highest rank and became a廪生. Wild Crane says: generally, when a hexagram encounters 'six clashes', changes into a hexagram of clash, or has chaotic movement among the six lines, even if the parents and world line are strong, one can only expect an average result; if the parents' line is weak and harmed, or the world line is weak and harmed, or changes into a harmful line, then one will certainly fail the examination.

飛神無助身無克，榮辱無施。父爻出現，不旺不衰，雖無生扶，亦無剋制而世爻不被沖剋者，可保平等。 伏藏旺相也遭傷，賞罰不定。 如午月乙卯日，占歲焉，得地天泰卦。 子孫酉金″應　　子孫酉金″應 妻財亥水″　　妻財亥水″ 兄弟丑土″　　兄弟丑土″ 兄弟辰土′世　　兄弟辰土′世 官鬼寅木′　　官鬼寅木′ 妻財子水′　　妻財子水′

The essay states, "Flying God cannot assist, and there is no克制, so there is neither honor nor disgrace." If the father line appears in the hexagram and is neither prosperous nor declining, even though it is not supported or assisted, and there is no control over it, and the world line is not clashed with, then one can expect an equal result, neither honor nor disgrace. The essay also says, "Even if hidden and prosperous, it is still harmed, and rewards and punishments are uncertain." For example, on the day of Yimao in the month of Wu, divining about the annual exam, the hexagram obtained is Tai (Hexagram 11). The six lines are quiet. From top to bottom, they are: children酉 gold (responding line), wealth亥 water, siblings丑 earth, siblings辰 earth (world line), official ghost寅 wood, wealth子 water.

午火月建為父母，而卦中之巳火伏藏於寅木之下，旺而又遇飛神之生，爻逢六合，只不宜日辰克世，發落之日，承宗師面叱念，字法古筆，姑取三等，後悔之。此巳午之火，非又旺也及字端邊，但此卦雖多逢，事卻少見，存之為法。

When the month builder is Wu Fire, it represents the parents. In the hexagram, the Si Fire is hidden beneath the Yin Wood in the second line, which is strong and receives support from the flying god. The hexagram also meets the condition of Six Harmony. However, it is not suitable for the day branch to be Mao Wood, which would harm the world line. On the day of the examination, the examiner directly criticized him, but since his handwriting was said to imitate the style of ancient calligraphers, he was given third place. Afterward, he felt regretful. The Si Fire and Wu Fire mentioned here are not actually strong; their effectiveness is only seen in details such as whether the handwriting is neat. Although such a hexagram is common, the event it predicts is rare. I will record this as a standard case.

以上總而言之，父與世爻旺相遇生扶為上，略有破綻者次之，刑傷有救者又次之，刑傷無救而輕者又次之。世爻父爻被刑沖剋破而重者，劣等必矣。全要通變，須卦之吉凶兼用神衰旺之輕重也。

In summary, when judging the outcome of an annual examination, if both the 'Parents'爻 and the 'World'爻 are in prosperous and strong positions and receive support and assistance, it is an excellent pattern. If both are good but have minor flaws, it is the next level. If they suffer from injuries or harm but have some remedies, it is the next level again. If they suffer from injuries or harm without any remedies, but the damage is not severe, it is the next level. If both the 'World'爻 and the 'Parents'爻 are simultaneously harmed by刑, 冲, 克, or 破, and the damage is severe, then it is definitely a poor outcome. Judging such hexagrams requires flexibility and adaptability; one must consider the overall fortune and misfortune of the hexagram, as well as the degree of strength and weakness of the 'Useful God'.

覺子曰：占稟若不得其秘，而望靈者少也，何也？占稟用財，財乃文章之忌神，不知其竅，卜歲焉而兼問稟，財爻若旺，父母受傷，則如休囚如何得稟？餘有法也，先占歲科之吉凶，再占一卦而問稟，即其秘也。

Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler and reviser, said: Divination regarding whether one can be promoted to the廪生 rank requires the use of the 'wife and wealth' line as the 'useful god'. However, the 'wife and wealth' line is actually the 'hostile god' for the 'parents' line, which represents documents and official matters. Those who do not understand this key point often find that when the 'wife and wealth' line is strong in the divination for the annual examination, the 'parents' line becomes weak and confined, making it impossible to be promoted to the廪生 rank. I have another method: first divinate separately to determine the fortune of the annual examination and the academic examination, then cast another divination specifically about the promotion to the廪生 rank. This is the secret to successful divination.

稟以財爻為用神，財爻持世或動而生世為吉，與求財章同斷。有稟而恐換者，忌兄弟持世，兄爻發動及財逢空破墓絕，動而變凶者，有失也，如官鬼兄爻克世者，輕則草糧，重則道罰，倘卦中三合兄局者，亦主草糧。

When the "妻财"爻 is used as the "用神", and the "财爻" is holding the world line or is activated to generate the world line, these are auspicious signs, and the judgment method is the same as in the "Chapter on Seeking Wealth". If one has already received the stipend and fears being replaced, then the "兄弟"爻 holding the world line is inauspicious, as is the activation of the "兄弟"爻, or the "财爻" falling into the旬空, encountering the month breaker, entering the墓, reaching the绝, or being activated to transform into a凶爻; these all indicate loss. If the "官鬼"爻 or "兄弟"爻 comes to克 the world line, the light case results in the suspension of the stipend (original text says "grass grain"), and the severe case leads to punishment by the academic inspector. If the hexagram contains three lines forming a "兄弟"局, it also indicates the suspension of the grain allowance.

官爻持世生世，我必業收。父母空破墓絕，他不見用。如世爻受克及空破墓絕，或動而變凶、或子孫持身動於卦中，皆不錄之。父母生世持世者吉，休囚空破者凶。

The 'Official Ghost'爻 holding the World Line or coming to generate the World Line indicates that I will certainly be selected. If the 'Parents'爻 falls into the旬空, encounters the Month Breaker, enters the墓, or meets the绝, the examiner will not use my essay. If the World Line is attacked, or the World Line is empty, broken, in the墓, or绝, or if it moves and transforms into a凶爻, or if the 'Children'爻 is present and active within the hexagram, these are all signs of not being admitted. When the 'Parents'爻 generates the World Line or holds the World Line, it is favorable. However, if the 'Parents'爻 is weak and confined or falls into the旬空 and meets the Month Breaker, it is unfavorable.

父為用神，衰者宜生旺之日；旺而靜者，逢值沖之日；動而逢值逢合之日；空與入墓，必待沖開；破與旬空，須期填實。餘又得驗，心有憂懼，若得子孫持世，值子孫之日而發案。心有歡喜，若得官星持世，逢官鬼之日而掛榜。

The dates for issuing a notice and posting a list should use the "Parents" line as the "Useful God." If the Parent line is weak, it should be on a day when it receives support and becomes strong; if it is strong and quiet, it should be on a day when it is confronted; if it has already moved, it should be on the day it is active or meets its counterpart; if it has fallen into emptiness or been buried, it must wait until it is broken open; if it is broken by the month or empty in the ten-day period, it must wait until it is filled. I have also discovered another rule: if someone comes to consult with worry and fear and the "Children" line holds the world, then the notice should be issued on the day when the Children line is active; if someone comes to consult with great joy and the "Official Ghost" line holds the world, then the list should be posted on the day when the Official Ghost line is active.

典會場斷，官星為用，父爻次之。若持世爻得日月歲五生合者，定蒙道拔。官爻世爻三合，定蒙異寵隆恩。世與官爻有一而逢空墓絕刑沖剋害及動而變凶者，不詳之兆。歲五官鬼沖無世爻者不測之災。

Divination for postponed exams and supplementary tests involves taking the 'Official Ghost'爻 as the 'Useful God' and the 'Parents'爻 as the next important element. If the 'Official Ghost'爻 holds the world line and receives support or harmony from the day branch, month builder, sovereign year, and the fifth line, it is certain to be selected by the academic authority. If the world line and 'Official Ghost'爻 form a triple harmony, it indicates special favor and grace. If either the world line or the 'Official Ghost'爻 falls into the旬空, enters the墓, reaches the绝, or is subjected to刑, 冲, 克, 害, or transforms into a凶, it is an ominous sign. If the sovereign year and the fifth line's 'Official Ghost'爻 clash with the world line and the world line is isolated without support, it indicates an unexpected disaster.

父旺官興，姓標虎榜。父官持世而旺相，或臨日月、或日月動爻生扶、及動而變生，名登龍虎。子搖財動，名落孫山。子孫財爻持世，及動於卦中，終須下第。兄弟乃奪標之惡客。俗傳兄弟爻興難上榜，凡見兄爻持世及動者，皆以為之不吉，殊不知有喜有忌，所喜者卦中財爻同興，喜其兄動以制財也。卦中父官兩動者，又喜兄爻持世，父動以生世也。兄弟持世，若臨日月或旺相，再得官父兩旺、或官動生父、父動生世，必添科名。兄不能掄元而奪魁也，故謂之兄弟乃奪標之客。覺子曰：卦中官鬼子孫同動，官臨旺相遇生扶，子孫弱而被克，再宜父動，最怕兄興。

When the "Parents" line is strong and prosperous, and the "Official Ghost" line is flourishing, the name will be listed on the tiger and dragon list. If the Parent line or the Official Ghost line holds the world line and is in a prosperous and strong state, or if they are close to the day branch or month builder, or if they receive support from the day and month lines or the moving line, or if they trigger a change producing a line that generates the world line, it indicates that the name will be listed on the tiger and dragon list. When the "Children" line moves and the "Wealth" line is activated, the name will fall short. If the Children line or the Wealth line holds the world line, or if they move within the hexagram, they will ultimately fail. The "Siblings" line is an evil guest that competes for the prize. It is commonly believed that if the Siblings line becomes active, it is difficult to be listed on the list. Whenever the Siblings line holds the world line or becomes active, it is considered inauspicious. However, it is not fully understood that there are both favorable and unfavorable aspects. Favorable is when the Wealth line is also active, as the joy comes from the Siblings line moving to control the Wealth line. When both the Parents and Official Ghost lines are active, it is also favorable if the Siblings line holds the world line, because the Parents line's activation can generate the world line. If the Siblings line holds the world line, as long as it is close to the day branch or month builder or is in a prosperous and strong state, and also receives support from the Official Ghost and Parents lines, or if the Official Ghost line moves to generate the Parents line, and the Parents line moves to generate the world line, it will certainly bring academic success. However, the Siblings line itself cannot replace others to win the top prize, so it is called the competitor for the prize. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, states: When the "Official Ghost" and "Children" lines are both active, and the Official Ghost line is strong and prosperous with support, while the Children line is weak and controlled, at this time it is most favorable for the Parents line to be active, and most unfavorable for the Siblings line to be active.

日月為制煞之將軍。官星父母世爻有一而被動爻剋制，或化回頭克，若得日月沖制克神，亦許得意，故謂制惡煞將軍。又如，世爻旺相而官父兩爻有一而伏藏不現，倘得日月沖制飛神，提出伏神者，許高發。又如官父世爻有一而不生者，若得日月生扶亦同此意。

The day branch and month builder are the generals who control and subdue evil influences. If among the official star, parents, and world line there is one that is being restrained by a moving line, or if it transforms into a reverse restraint, as long as the day and month branches can clash and restrain that restraining force, it may still be possible for the matter to succeed, hence the day and month are called the generals who subdue evil influences. For example, if the world line is prosperous and strong, and among the official star and parent lines there is one that is hidden and not visible, then if the day and month branches clash and restrain the flying god above, bringing the hidden god to the surface, it may result in success. Similarly, if among the official star, parent line, and world line there is one that does not receive support, as long as the day and month branches provide support, the reasoning is the same as above.

二合無沖，定登甲第。官父世爻合成父局官局，不遇日月沖破者，定許連登，倘若合成兄局，得遇日月生扶，官星亦旺者，亦許得意。唯忌合成子孫局者，不為吉也。合成財局雖不為美。然亦得驗于吉者。

Two combined trigrams without being broken by a clash will certainly result in high academic success: if the official trigram, parent trigram, and world line trigram combine to form a parent group or an official ghost group, and are not clashed by the day branch or month builder, they will certainly achieve consecutive success in the imperial examinations. If they combine to form a sibling group, as long as they receive support from the day and month and the official star is strong, they will also achieve success. However, forming a child group is particularly to be avoided, as it is not auspicious. Although forming a wealth group is not considered a good omen, I have also seen instances where it resulted in favorable outcomes.

如卯月甲申日占會試得艮之益。官鬼寅木′世，官鬼卯木′應；妻財子水″動，父母巳火′；兄弟戌土″，兄弟未土″；子孫申金′應動，兄弟辰土″世；父母午火″，官鬼寅木″；兄弟辰土″動，妻財子水′。寅木旺官持世，申日沖之，暗動又得日辰會成財局，不唯不克世爻，反來生世，一定高捷，果得及第。

The divination was done on the day of Jiashen (甲申) in the month of Mao (卯), for the imperial examination. The primary hexagram was Gen (Geng), which changed to Yi (Yi). The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: the official ghost (官鬼) of寅 wood (a yang line) holding the world line (世爻), the wife's wealth (妻财) of子 water (a yin line) moving, the siblings (兄弟) of戌 earth (a yin line), the children (子孙) of申 gold (a yang line) holding the responding line (应爻) and moving, the parents (父母) of午 fire (a yin line), and the siblings of辰 earth (a yin line) moving. The transformed hexagram Yi has the six lines in order: the official ghost of卯 wood holding the responding line, the parents of巳 fire, the siblings of未 earth, the siblings of辰 earth holding the world line, the official ghost of寅 wood, and the wife's wealth of子 water. The寅 wood is a prosperous and strong official star (官星) holding the world line, and on the day of Jiashen, it is being冲 (conflicted), which is considered 'covert movement' (暗动). The moving lines of子 water,申 gold, and辰 earth, along with the day branch, form the water trinity (申子辰水局). Water is the wealth (财) of the寅 wood world line in the Gen hexagram. This wealth does not harm the world line but instead supports it, so it is concluded that the examinee will certainly pass. Later, this prediction proved true.

六爻竟發空赴科場。舊係六爻竟發，功名恍惚以難成，此論是理。餘見占功名必中者，卦象一成，若非旺父生身，定是旺官持世。功名無成者不是子孫持世，即是子孫財爻發動，或是世爻破空，或是六爻亂動，功名必無成。

Six yao are all active, but one should fear going through the examination hall in vain. The old saying that when all six yao move together, achievements in officialdom are uncertain and difficult to attain, is indeed reasonable. From my experience, any divination that successfully predicts success in officialdom will have a formed hexagram where either a prosperous and strong father yao supports the world line, or a prosperous and strong official yao holds the world line. If officialdom is not achieved, it is because either the children yao holds the world line, or the children and wealth yao are active, or the world line meets a broken, fallen, or empty condition, or all six yao are chaotic and moving. Such a hexagram will certainly not result in success in officialdom.

出現無情，難遂青雲之志。父與官星雖則出現，若不生合世爻，或不持世，或世爻空破，亦屬無益。父與官星生合世爻，若又被日月動爻沖壞者，亦作無情之喻。伏藏有用，終辭白屋之人。官父有一而不上卦，須看伏神，若伏而旺相，或得日月沖去飛神，生起伏神，準登科及第。

The useful god appears but is emotionless, making it hard to achieve lofty ambitions: although the father line and official star are present in the hexagram, if they do not generate or harmonize with the world line, or if the world line falls into an empty or broken position, they still offer no benefit. If the father line and official star were originally meant to generate or harmonize with the world line, but are instead harmed by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, this is also considered emotionless. The useful god is hidden but still effective, eventually allowing one to leave behind humble origins: if either the official line or the father line is not present in the hexagram, one should look at its hidden god; if the hidden god is prosperous and strong, or if the day or month can remove the flying god that is pressing down on it and thus activate the hidden god, then it is certain that the person will pass the imperial examination and achieve success.

太歲作官星，終登黃甲。太歲乃國君，父官臨太歲，動而生合世爻，乃人臣面君之象，當主君臣契合，連捷無疑。太歲必要入爻，入爻亦要發動，或持世爻，始如此說。日月沖剋世，且守青燈。卦中官父雖旺而世爻休囚空破墓絕及動而變凶，或日月沖剋世爻，須知求名在我，我位既失，何以成名。

The current year's sovereign transforms into an official star, eventually achieving the imperial examination success: The sovereign symbolizes the king, and if the father爻 or official爻 is located on the sovereign and activates to generate and harmonize with the world line爻, this represents a minister meeting the king, indicating harmony between ruler and subject, and certain success in the imperial examination. However, the sovereign must be present within the hexagram and爻. If it is present in a爻, it must activate, or if it holds the world line position, then such an interpretation is valid. If the day branch or month builder clashes and controls the world line爻, one should merely remain in solitude: Although the official and father爻 in the hexagram are strong, if the world line爻 is weak and confined, falls vacant, meets destruction, enters a tomb, reaches its limit, or activates to become harmful, or if it is clashed and controlled by the day or month, one must realize that the subject of seeking fame is oneself. If one's position has already been lost, then on what basis can one achieve fame?

卦遇六沖，此去難題雁塔。爻逢六合，這回可奪鰲頭。如午月丙辰日占鄉試。得兌卦：父母未土″世，父母未土″世；兄弟酉金′，兄弟酉金′；子孫亥水′，子孫亥水′；父母丑土″應，父母丑土″應；妻財卯木′，妻財卯木′；官鬼巳火′，官鬼巳火′。

The hexagram encountered a Six Clashes, indicating difficulty in passing the imperial examination; however, the爻 (line) encountered a Six Harmony, suggesting the possibility of achieving the top rank. The divination was made on a day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Wu (午), and the hexagram obtained was Dui (兑), with all six lines quiet and none active, so the resulting hexagram is identical to the primary hexagram. The six lines from top to bottom are: parents in the earth element (yin line) holding the world, siblings in the metal element (yang line), children in the water element (yang line), parents in the earth element (yin line) holding the responding position, wealth in the wood element (yang line), and official ghost in the fire element (yang line). The hexagram Dui is a pure hexagram, representing the image of Six Clashes.

舊注：卦逢六沖，沖之即散。餘見此卦，雖係六沖，世父皆逢旺地，不敢決之，請再占一卦。又得臨之師卦：子孫酉金″，子孫酉金″應；妻財亥水″應，妻財亥水″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；兄弟丑土″，父母午火″世；官鬼卯木′世，兄弟辰土′；父母巳火′動，官鬼寅木″。

Old commentaries say: When a hexagram meets the Six Clashes, one clash leads to dispersion. The Wild Crane Elder said: Looking at this hexagram, although it is of the Six Clashes, both the World Line and the Parent's line are in a strong position, so I dare not make a hasty judgment. Therefore, I asked him to cast another hexagram. Another hexagram was obtained, with the original hexagram being the Hexagram of Approaching and the transformed hexagram being the Hexagram of the Army. The original hexagram, from the top down, is a Yin line of the Son's line in the酉 metal, a Yin line of the Wealth line in the亥 water holding the responding position, two Yin lines of the Siblings in the丑 earth, an阳 line of the Official Ghost in the卯 wood holding the World Line, and a阳 line of the Parents in the巳 fire that is active. The transformed hexagram, from the top down, is a Yin line of the Son's line in the酉 metal holding the responding position, a Yin line of the Wealth line in the亥 water, a Yin line of the Siblings in the丑 earth, a阳 line of the Parents in the午 fire holding the World Line, a Yin line of the Siblings in the辰 earth, and a阳 line of the Official Ghost in the寅 wood.

此卦官星持世，雖則不旺，初爻官生父旺，與前卦相合，許之吉兆，果得成名。凡得六沖卦，官父世爻俱旺者，不必再占，竟許必得。如父旺者，須再占一卦，再得吉者，以吉斷之，後卦凶者，即以凶推。凡得六合卦，亦要官父世爻得地，有一失陷不遇生扶者，雖六合亦無益矣。

In this hexagram, the official star holds the world line, though it is not very strong. The first line, representing the parents, is the fire of si, which moves and produces the official ghost of yin wood. The official and parents mutually generate and support each other, thus becoming stronger. This coincides with the previous hexagram, confirming a favorable omen. Later, he indeed achieved fame. When encountering a hexagram of six clashes, if the official line, parent line, and world line are all strong, there is no need for further divination; one can directly predict success. If only the parent line is strong, another hexagram should be cast. If the subsequent hexagram is favorable, then it is favorable; if it turns unfavorable, then it is unfavorable. When encountering a hexagram of six harmonies, the official, parent, and world lines must all be in a favorable position. If any of them is lost and not supported, even if it is a hexagram of six harmonies, it will not be beneficial.

父旺官衰終須下第。父爻旺相官臨空破墓絕及動而變凶變克雖有錦鄉。文章終遇紅紗蔽目。父衰官旺堪許登科。官爻旺而生世持世，若是父爻不旺，謂之福齊文不齊，反許遂志。

The father's hexagram is strong while the official's hexagram is weak, eventually leading to failure in the examination: although the father's hexagram is prosperous and strong, if the official's hexagram is at the end of its strength, or is in the month breaker, empty in the ten days, buried, or at the end of its cycle, or if it moves and brings misfortune or conflict, then even with full knowledge and talent, it will be like a red silk curtain blocking the examiner's view, and not be recognized. If the father's hexagram is weak while the official's hexagram is strong, it may lead to success in the examination: if the official's hexagram is prosperous and strong and generates the world hexagram or holds the world hexagram directly, even if the father's hexagram is not strong, this is called having enough fortune but not enough talent, and thus it may lead to success.

應合日生必資鶚薦。官父兩旺而世爻不旺，或得日月扶助，又得應爻動而生合世爻者，必得推薦之力。動傷日克還守雞窗。應爻動爻雖來生合世爻，而應爻又被日月沖剋者，薦亦無功。

The Response Line comes to harmonize, and the Day Branch comes to generate, surely obtaining the support of a renowned official: the Official Line and the Parent Line are both strong, but the World Line is weak. If the Day Branch and the Month Builder support it, and the Response Line becomes active to harmonize with the World Line, one will certainly gain the power of recommendation from others. However, if the Moving Line harms it, and the Day Branch controls it, one must still study hard in solitude: although the Response Line or another Moving Line may harmonize with the World Line, if the Response Line itself is harmed by the Day or Month, then the recommendation will not succeed.

世動化官化克蝶夢堪憂。舊有身官化鬼月扶，連步蟾宮。又曰：身興變鬼，來試方成。又曰：身動化空用旺，豹變翻成蝶夢。皆以卦身而言，余試總無應驗，唯驗於世爻，而世爻化鬼亦有兩驗。卦中父母旺相而世爻化出官星者，若不回頭克世乃為變官，今科即中，豈等來科？若休囚被克，動而化出官星者，乃為化鬼，不唯不中，且見危災。化出鬼爻克世者更凶。

When the world line moves and produces an official star or a controlling element, it is called "butterfly dream causing worry." Old sayings mention "if the official star of the hexagram body transforms into a ghost and is supported by the month builder, one can achieve success in the imperial examination," and also say "if the hexagram body transforms into a ghost, one can only achieve success in the next examination," and further say "if the hexagram body moves and transforms into an empty element while the useful god is prosperous and strong, the sudden change may turn into a butterfly dream." All these statements are based on the hexagram body. The Wild Crane Elder once said: I have tried many times but none have worked; only the world line has shown results. As for the world line transforming into a ghost, there are two situations: if the parents in the hexagram are prosperous and strong, and the world line transforms into an official star, and the changing line does not return to attack the world line, this is called "transformed official," and one will succeed in this examination, not waiting for the next one; if the world line is weak and being attacked, and it moves to transform into an official star, this is called "transformed ghost," not only will one not succeed, but also face misfortune and calamity; if the transformed ghost line returns to attack the world line, it will be even worse.

如卯月戌辰日占得離之既濟。兄弟巳火′世動，官鬼子水″應；子孫未土″動，子孫戌土′；妻財酉金′動，妻財申金″；官鬼亥水′應，官鬼亥水′世；子孫丑土″，子孫丑土″；父母卯木′，父母卯木′。

The divination was performed on the day of Wu Chen (戌辰) in the month of Mao (卯), resulting in the hexagram Li (离) changing into Ji Ji (既济). The original hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: a Yang line of fire in Si (巳) representing the World Line and in motion, a Yin line of earth in Wei (未) in motion, a Yang line of metal in You (酉) in motion, a Yang line of water in Hai (亥) holding the responding line, a Yin line of earth in Chou (丑), and a Yang line of wood in Mao (卯). The transformed hexagram Ji Ji has six lines in order: a Yang line of water in Zi (子) holding the responding line, a Yin line of earth in Xu (戌), a Yang line of metal in Shen (申), a Yang line of water in Hai (亥) holding the World Line, a Yin line of earth in Chou (丑), and a Yang line of wood in Mao (卯). The World Line, which is the Yang line of fire in Si (巳), moves and transforms into the Yin line of water in Zi (子) representing the Official Ghost, which is exactly the image mentioned earlier of the World Line transforming into the Official Ghost.

舊注：身官化鬼，月扶鵬程，連步蟾宮。謂卦身如得官爻臨之，必有成望，若得出現發動化出官爻，又得月建生之合之者，亦必聊捷。覺子日：此卦已為卦身，又是世爻變出子水官星，又得月建生合，正合此說，竟未見其連捷，不唯不能連捷，且難保其長年，其故何也？因變出子水之鬼回頭克。後客死於途中。

Old commentaries say: If the official element (representing official position or authority) in the hexagram body is transformed into a ghost element, and is supported by the month builder, then one may achieve great success, advancing step by step to the moon palace; meaning that if there is an official element in the hexagram body, there is a prospect of achieving fame. If this official element appears and transforms into another official element, and is supported and harmonized by the month builder, then one is certainly likely to pass the imperial examination consecutively. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, wrote himself: In this hexagram, the fire in the fourth position is both the hexagram body and the world line, and it transforms into the water official star, and is supported and harmonized by the month builder, which completely fits the above description. However, there is no record of him achieving consecutive success. Not only did he fail to achieve consecutive success, but his lifespan was also not long. Why? Because the transformed water ghost element turned back to restrain the world line. Later, this person died on the way while traveling.

身興化旺化生，龍池變化。世爻旺相動而變出官星迴頭生合世爻者，不作變鬼，乃為變官。世退官星化退，窗下囊螢。世與官父相旺內有一而化進神者，名姓高懸，占鄉試必連捷。獨不喜化退神，世化退神，若非臨場之阻，必無勇往之心，父化退神學問日頹，文章漸腐，官退化神，皓首無成，當於進退章中參考。

When the hexagram body becomes active and transforms into prosperity and generation, it indicates a change like the Dragon Pool, leading to sudden success. If the world line is prosperous and strong, and it moves to produce an official star that then supports the world line, it is not considered transforming into a ghost, but rather transforming into an official. If the world line is weak and the official star transforms into a retreating god, then one can only study diligently by candlelight. If the world line, official star, and father star are all strong, and one of them transforms into an advancing god, the name will surely be listed on the examination list, and the result of the local examination will be continuous success. However, it is not favorable for the transformation into a retreating god. If the world line transforms into a retreating god, it indicates either obstruction during the examination or lack of courage to strive forward. If the father star transforms into a retreating god, knowledge gradually declines and writings become stale. If the official star transforms into a retreating god, one will not achieve success even in old age. These points should be referred to in the chapter on advancement and retreat.

財臨白虎持身，幛前枕塊。舊財臨白虎必丁憂，然亦不唯臨虎，凡遇財爻持世，或財動卦中，父母又值休囚空破，及財動化父，父動化財，皆枕塊之兆。乾卦如天亦當官父兩旺。雷聲如震猶有空破之嫌。古以乾震之卦既以為吉，余試務必官父兩旺，始以吉斷，否則未見為吉卦。

The wealth爻 is attached to the White Tiger and also holds the position of the subject, indicating the person is lying on a block before a mourning curtain. Old interpretations say that if wealth is attached to the White Tiger, it definitely indicates mourning for a parent. In reality, it is not only when wealth is attached to the White Tiger that this occurs: whenever the wealth爻 holds the main position in the hexagram, or when the wealth爻 moves within the hexagram, and the parents爻 is weak, empty, or broken by the month, or when wealth transforms into parents or parents transform into wealth, it indicates the sign of mourning and lying on a block. Although the Qian hexagram has the image of heaven, it still requires both the official and parents爻 to be strong. The Zhen hexagram, although its thunder is loud, still fears encountering an empty position or a broken month. Ancients considered obtaining the Qian or Zhen hexagram as auspicious, but in my experience, it is only auspicious if both the official and parents爻 are strong; otherwise, it is not necessarily a good hexagram.

衰旺克沖，輕重須宜細玩。墓絕空破，應期章內詳之。前應期章宜熟記，各門各類，無不問其應期，熟則觸類旁通，隨心應變。凡遇用神衰要有根，旺宜沖，刑剋要有救，沖要逢合。

The balance between decline and strength, and between being overcome and conflicting, requires careful consideration. As for the timing of events related to entering the tomb, encountering the end, being in the旬空 period, and the month breaker, these have already been explained in the previous chapter titled "Chapter on Timing." That chapter should be thoroughly studied, as all types of divination inquiries inevitably involve the timing of events. Once thoroughly understood, one can naturally apply the principles to various situations and adapt flexibly. Generally, when the "useful god" is weak, it should have a root; when it is extremely strong, it is suitable to be conflicted. If it is harmed by刑 or overcome by克, there should be a rescue. If it is conflicted, there should be a combination to resolve it.

官爵榮身，須宜持世。財祿恩養，最喜生身。旺官持世及日月動爻作官星生合世爻，或世爻發動化出官星生世皆吉。又日時動生官，得美缺。官臨日月，必超遷。

Official rank should be attached to oneself, and the best situation is when the "Official Ghost"爻 holds the world line. Salary and benefits should come into one's possession, and the best situation is when the "Wealth"爻 generates the world line. When a prosperous and strong official爻 holds the world line, or when the day branch, month builder, or moving line acts as an official star to generate and harmonize with the world line, or when the world line moves and transforms into an official star to generate the world line again, these are all auspicious signs. Additionally, if the day branch, hour, or moving line generates the official爻, it can supplement and enhance the official position. If the official爻 directly appears on the day branch or month builder, one is sure to be promoted beyond one's rank.

子孫持世，休望榮蔭。官位空破，勿恩升遷。子孫持世，子孫動於卦中，升遷無期。官臨空破墓絕及動變凶，補升無望。雨露承恩，名中逢合。世與官星三合官局財局，或生世，或世在局中，或官星持世與日月動爻相合，得逢六合卦及卦動變六合者，皆是天賜之恩。

The 'Children'爻 holds the world line, so do not expect official favor or promotion; if the official爻 falls into an empty position and is broken, there is no hope for promotion. If the 'Children'爻 holds the world line, or if the 'Children'爻 moves within the hexagram, promotion is far off. If the official爻 is in the旬空, month breaker, buried, at its absolute decline, or triggers a harmful change, there is no hope for filling the vacancy or promotion. Favor from heaven depends on proper relationships: when the world line and the official star form a triple harmony official relationship or a wealth relationship, or when the relationship generates the world line, or when the world line itself is within the relationship, or when the official star holds the world line and combines with the day branch, month builder, or moving line, plus when the hexagram is Six Harmony or changes into Six Harmony, these are all favors bestowed by heaven.

如申月已亥日占缺得否得井之節卦。父母子水″，父母子水″；妻財戌土′世，妻財戌土′；官鬼申金″，官鬼申金″應；官鬼酉金′動，妻財丑土″；父母亥水′應，兄弟卯木′；妻財丑土″動，子孫巳火′世。斷曰：內卦巳酉丑合成官局，而生應爻，不來生世，正所謂出現無情，此缺不得。彼曰：如何不得？余曰：官生應爻，一定不得，後果另選別人。

In the month of Shen and day of Jihai, someone consulted about whether a government position could be filled, and the hexagram obtained was Well changing to Festival. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the water trigram (yin line), wife's wealth in the earth trigram (yang line) holding the world line, official ghost in the metal trigram (yin line), official ghost in the metal trigram (yang line) active, parents in the water trigram (yang line) holding the response line, and wife's wealth in the earth trigram (yin line) active. The transformed hexagram, Festival, from top to bottom, was: parents in the water trigram, wife's wealth in the earth trigram, official ghost in the metal trigram holding the response line, wife's wealth in the earth trigram, brothers in the wood trigram, and children in the fire trigram holding the world line. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the inner trigram consists of the lines巳, 酉, and 丑, which form an official structure. However, this official structure only generates the response line and does not generate the world line, which is exactly the previously mentioned 'lack of affection'. Therefore, this position cannot be filled. The person asked why it could not be filled, and I said: if the official line only generates the response line, then it will certainly not be your turn. Later, someone else was selected instead.

風雲未際，沖上加沖。世官不旺，得六沖，或是官被日月相沖，或是卦得六沖，乃風雲未際之時也。元神衰靜曳氣爻搖，問升遷以無期。假令官爻司木，衰而不動，火爻發動是也，餘仿此。世爻發動，官化進神，望榮除而在即。世爻發動，或動而化吉，或祿馬日月臨世，及官動化吉生合世爻，皆可束裝以待。

The winds and clouds fail to meet because of additional clashes: the world line and official line are not strong, and the hexagram is also six clashes, or the official line is clashed by the day branch and month builder. In such cases, the winds and clouds do not meet. When the original god is weak and quiet but the leaking line becomes active, asking about promotion leads to a distant future. For example, if the official line is wood and weak without movement, yet the fire line moves and drains the wood's energy, the same logic applies to other cases. If the world line moves, or moves and transforms into a favorable line, or if the禄神, post horse, day branch, or month builder is present on the world line, or if the official line moves and transforms into a favorable line that generates and harmonizes with the world line, then one can pack up and prepare for the new position.

世官破而休望，世福空而亦升。世臨日破即使官星持世，不獨不能升選，且防他變。子孫持世值旬空，亦不當升。若占兩三日之內者，許之必得，其故何也？子孫尚未出空不克官也。野鶴曰：占過三個，俱皆得官，得官之後，隨即死亡。

If the World Line or the Official Line is afflicted by the Breaking Trigram, one should not expect success. If the "Children" on the World Line falls under the旬空 (decade void), it may still be able to rise. If the World Line is broken by the Day Branch, even if the Official Star holds the World Line, it will not only fail to rise but also be subject to other unexpected events. If the Children hold the World Line and is in the旬空, it is naturally not suitable for rising; however, if the question concerns matters within two or three days, it may be certain to succeed. The reason is that the Children have not yet fallen into the void, so they cannot temporarily overcome the Official Star. The Wild Crane Elder explained: I have cast three such divination charts, and in each case the person obtained an official position, but soon after obtaining the official position, they died.

申月戊寅日占得差否。得澤天夬卦。兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″；子孫酉金′世，子孫酉金′世；妻財亥水′，妻財亥水′；兄弟辰土′，兄弟辰土′；官鬼寅木′應，官鬼寅木′應；妻財子水′，妻財子水′。斷曰：子孫持世，此差不得，世空亦不得。豈知不出三日得差，行至中途而死，其故何也？三日之內而得差者，子孫未出空也。中途而死者世爻空也。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder explained: The World Line is held by the Children, indicating that the official assignment cannot be obtained. The World Line also falls into an empty position, making it even more certain that the assignment will not be given. However, within three days he did receive the assignment, but died on the way. Why was this? Receiving the assignment within three days is because the Children have not yet fallen into emptiness and are not being overcome by the Official Ghost. Dying on the way is because the World Line falls into emptiness and the self has no root.

隨官入墓，世旺者官升。助鬼傷身，身衰者禍至。古以隨官入墓，助鬼傷身，皆以為凶。余屢試之，世旺者競升，世衰者不吉。助鬼傷身，元神同動者，其官必升。世若休囚者，必有禍至。

When the World Line is "followed by the official and buried," if the World Line is prosperous and strong, it actually indicates an increase in official position; "assisting the ghost to injure the body" is considered harmful, but if the World Line and the body are weak, misfortune will come. Ancient people regarded both "followed by the official and buried" and "assisting the ghost to injure the body" as ominous signs. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have tested this many times, and those with a strong World Line tend to be promoted first, while those with a weak World Line are not fortunate. As for "assisting the ghost to injure the body," if the "Origin God" is also activated to support, official position will certainly rise; if the World Line is weak and lacks vitality, misfortune will occur.

如寅月乙未日占升遷得比之觀。妻財子水″應動，官鬼卯木′；兄弟戌土′，父母巳火′；子孫申金″，兄弟未土″世；官鬼卯木″世，官鬼卯木″；父母巳火″，父母巳火″；兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″應。斷曰：卯木旺官持世，子水財動相生，雖則墓於未日，幸世反得助，無妨，果得升於亥月。

In the month of寅 and day of Yiwei, the person consulted about a promotion, obtaining the Hexagram of Comparison changing into the Hexagram of Contemplation. The six lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, are: the wife and wealth line, which is the yin line of water in the子 position, holding the responding line and being active; the brothers line, which is the yang line of earth in the戌 position; the sons line, which is the yin line of metal in the申 position; the official and ghost line, which is the yin line of wood in the卯 position, holding the world line; the parents line, which is the yin line of fire in the巳 position; and the brothers line, which is the yin line of earth in the未 position. The transformed hexagram, Contemplation, has its six lines in order: the official and ghost line of wood in the卯 position; the parents line of fire in the巳 position; the brothers line of earth in the未 position, holding the world line; the official and ghost line of wood in the卯 position; the parents line of fire in the巳 position; and the brothers line of earth in the未 position, holding the responding line. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted that the wood in the卯 position is the flourishing official line and holds the world line, while the water in the子 position, representing wealth, is active and generates the wood. Although the wood is buried in the day of未, the world line is supported by the wealth line, so there is no harm. Later, the person was indeed promoted in the month of亥.

又如戌月辛酉日占何日補官，得蹇之需。子孫子水″，子孫子水″；父母戌土′，父母戌土′；兄弟申金″世，兄弟申金″世；兄弟申金′，父母辰土′；官鬼午火″動，妻財寅木′；父母辰土″應動，子孫子水′應。寅木財爻生助午火之鬼，火鬼克世，乃為助鬼傷身。幸辰土生申金，午火貪生忘克，今年冬月必升，果得升於冬月。應冬月者，辰土化子水空亡，十一月則不空矣。

For example, on the day of Xinyou (辛酉) in the month of Xu (戌), someone asked when they would be promoted to an official position. The hexagram obtained was the Jian hexagram transforming into the Xu hexagram. The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: a yin line representing the son and grandson with water, a yang line representing the parents with earth (戌土), a yin line representing siblings with metal (申金) holding the world line, a yang line representing siblings with metal (申金), a yin line representing the official ghost with fire (午火) which is active, and a yin line representing the parents with earth (辰土) holding the responding line and also active. The transformed Xu hexagram has the six lines in order: a yin line representing the son and grandson with water, a yang line representing the parents with earth (戌土), a yin line representing siblings with metal (申金) holding the world line, a yin line representing the parents with earth (辰土), a yin line representing the wife's wealth with wood (寅木), and a yin line representing the son and grandson with water holding the responding line. The transformed wood wealth line supports the active fire official ghost, and the fire official ghost then attacks the metal world line, which is called 'helping the ghost to injure oneself'. Fortunately, the earth (辰土) is active and supports the metal world line. The fire official ghost is attracted to the earth and forgets to attack the world line. Therefore, it is concluded that the promotion will definitely happen in this winter month. Later, it was indeed promoted in the winter month. The reason it should happen in the winter month is that the earth (辰土) transforms into water (子水), which is currently empty, but in the month of November (子水), the water is no longer empty.

古以晉升為吉，又云屯蹇為凶。晉卦升卦，果得屢驗。亦要世爻得地，若失陷，亦不為吉。屯卦蹇卦，世爻旺者何妨。前篇亥月丙寅日占驗，世爻旺者，竟超升，豈非屯卦耶？

Ancient people thought that divining the hexagrams of晋 (Progress) and 升 (Ascent) were auspicious, while those of屯 (Obstruction) and 蹇 (Difficulty) were inauspicious. From my own trials, the hexagrams of晋 and 升 have indeed often proven to be auspicious, but it is also necessary for the World Line to be in a favorable position. If the World Line is lost and weakened, it is not considered auspicious. As for the hexagrams of屯 and 蹇, if the World Line is prosperous and strong, what harm is there? In the previous example of divination in the month of亥 with a day of Bingyin, a person whose World Line was prosperous and strong actually received a promotion beyond his rank, which was precisely the hexagram of屯.

官金而應西，木官應於東，水北火南土中，此古法也。餘之得驗，木官而應山東，有應廣東者。金官雖應山西，有應江西，廣西者。又有以住處而定東西南北者。

The official爻 belongs to metal and should be in the west, official爻 belongs to wood and should be in the east, belongs to water should be in the north, belongs to fire should be in the south, belongs to earth should be in the center — this is the ancient method. The Wild Crane Elder said: from my own experience, official爻 of wood may appear in Shandong or Guangdong; official爻 of metal, although mostly appears in Shanxi, may also appear in Jiangxi or Guangxi. There is also another method, which determines the directions of east, west, south, and north based on the current location of the person asking the question.

如未月己巳日住在京都占地方得歸妹變解。父母戌土″應，父母戌土″；兄弟申金″，兄弟申金″應；官鬼午火′，官鬼午火′；父母丑土″世，官鬼午火″；妻財卯木′，父母辰土′世；官鬼巳火′動，妻財寅木″。

In the month of Wei and on the day of Jisi, the person resides in the capital and is divining where they will be sent abroad. The hexagram obtained is Guimei, which transforms into Jie. The lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: parents in the earth element (yin line) holding the responding line, siblings in the metal element (yin line), official ghost in the fire element (yang line), parents in the earth element (yin line) holding the worldly line, wife's wealth in the wood element (yang line), and official ghost in the fire element (yang line) which is active. The transformed hexagram Jie has the lines in order: parents in the earth element, siblings in the metal element holding the responding line, official ghost in the fire element, official ghost in the fire element again, parents in the earth element holding the worldly line, and wife's wealth in the wood element. The entire hexagram has only the first line, which is the active official ghost in the fire element, providing the directional information.

彼時有山東真定兩缺，此卦巳火官星，許之真定。彼曰：何也？余曰：巳火官星，乃南方也，必得真定，真乃都門之南也。果得真定。又有以初爻為內地，以五爻六爻為邊缺。應初爻者，世與官星皆在初爻者是也。應五六爻者，或世在五爻，官在六爻；或世在六爻，官在五爻；戌土官星持世，同在五爻六爻是也。若在二三四爻以五行決之。

At that time there were two positions available, Shandong and Zhen Ding. This divination showed the fire official star in the position of Si, so I predicted he would be appointed to Zhen Ding. He asked the reason, and I said that the fire official star belongs to the south, so he must be appointed to Zhen Ding, because Zhen Ding is to the south of the capital. Later he was indeed appointed to Zhen Ding. There is another way of looking at it, taking the first line as the interior, and the fifth and sixth lines as the remote positions. If the matter should be in the first line, then both the world line and the official star are in the first line. If it should be in the fifth or sixth line, then either the world line is in the fifth line and the official star in the sixth, or the world line is in the sixth line and the official star in the fifth, or the earth official star (戌) holds the world line, and both the world line and the official star are in the fifth or sixth line. If the world line and the official star are in the second, third, or fourth lines, then the direction is still determined by the five phases.

野鶴曰：大概問其地方，雖則有驗，然不如指其缺而問之，此缺我得否？我得詞林否？我得部屬否？我得科道否？我得正印否？官星持世者，必得。官動生合世爻者，必得。三合官局而生世者，必得。世空世破官破官空，俱不得。子孫持世、子孫發動，不得。官臨應爻，不得。三合局而生應爻，不得。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Generally speaking, if one asks vaguely about the direction one will go in the future, although it may be accurate, it is still not as good as asking specifically about a particular position—such as whether I can obtain this position? Can I enter the Hanlin Academy? Can I be appointed to a government post? Can I become a censor or official critic? Can I obtain an official position with real authority? When one asks in this way, if the official star holds the world line, one will certainly obtain it; if the official line is active and generates and harmonises with the world line, one will certainly obtain it; if the triple harmony official formation also generates the world line, one will certainly obtain it. If the world line is empty, if the world line meets the breaking line, if the official line meets the breaking line, or if the official line is empty, one will not obtain it; if the children line holds the world line or the children line is active, one will not obtain it; if the official line only appears in the response line, one will not obtain it; if the triple harmony formation only generates the response line, one will not obtain it.

官旺財興，仕途顯赫。子搖兄動，減俸休官。官旺遇生扶，或動而化吉，世旺財動以生世，皆主兵民頌德，官新無波。官臨日月生合世爻，三合官局生合世爻，或官星持世日月生扶，歲五又相生合，近君者，蒙異寵，在位者，不久超升，外任者必為卓異。兄弟持世，兄爻發動，若非破耗財物，定然咸俸除糧。子孫持世及子動而有制，降級而已。

When the official line is strong and prosperous, and receives support, or when it moves and produces auspicious lines, and the world line is strong while the wealth line moves to support the world line, it indicates that the military and people will praise his virtue and the position will be peaceful and free of disturbances. If the official line approaches the day branch or the month builder to generate and harmonize with the world line, or if the triple harmony of the official line generates and harmonizes with the world line, or if the official star holds the world line and receives support from the day and month, as well as the sovereign and the fifth line also generating and harmonizing with it, then those in court close to the sovereign will receive special favor, those currently in office will soon be promoted beyond their rank, and those in remote posts will certainly be recommended as outstanding. If the siblings hold the world line or the sibling line moves, it will either result in financial loss and expenditure or certainly lead to reduced salary and grain. If the children line holds the world line, or if the children line moves but is controlled by another line, it will only result in a reduction in rank.

官旺兄興，清風兩袖。父發鬼旺，恩露三賜。兄動雖有為減俸耗財之神，亦不可執之，若得官星旺相，乃是為官清正，非義不取，非無財也。官星旺相，財臨空破者，亦同此斷。旺父臨世，官動臨歲五，或日月生扶，外任者必蒙上官推薦，近君及大位者三賜榮加。

The official line is strong while the brother line is active, indicating a clean and upright official who does not accept improper wealth; if the father line is active and the official line is strong, then the person is frequently rewarded by the sovereign. Although the brother line being active is considered a deity that reduces salary and causes expenditure, it should not be taken as absolute. If the official star is strong and prosperous, it means the official is upright and does not take unjust wealth, not that there is truly no source of wealth. If the official star is strong and prosperous but the wealth line is exactly at the旬空 or month breaker, it is still judged in the same way. If the prosperous and strong father line is on the world line, and the official line is active and on the year stem or fifth line, or is supported by the day branch or month builder, then those serving in remote posts will surely receive recommendation from superiors, while those in close attendance or holding high positions will repeatedly receive favors and honors.

兄鬼安靜，地方無事。兄鬼亂動於卦中，旱澇兵星、地方不寧之兆。日月沖剋，誹謗多招。日月克官，或克世爻，及朱雀騰蛇克世，世爻休囚者，得禍不輕，世爻旺相有敕者，多招是非，須且檢點，政事勤慎，以免愆尤，官鬼克世，世旺官衰者，亦主誹謗，世衰官旺，若臨蛇雀，必見彈章。

When both "Siblings" and "Official Ghost" are still, the territory will be peaceful and trouble-free; if Siblings and Official Ghost are moving around in the hexagram, it indicates drought, flood, war, and local unrest. If the Day Branch or Month Builder conflicts or controls, it brings much slander: if the Day or Month Branch controls the Official Ghost or the World Line, or if the Vermilion Bird or the Serpent controls the World Line, and the World Line is weak and confined, the calamity will be severe; if the World Line is prosperous and strong with another supportive element, it will only bring some trouble, but as long as one is careful and diligent in governance, mistakes can be avoided. If the Official Ghost controls the World Line but the World Line is strong while the Official Ghost is weak, it still indicates slander; if the World Line is weak and the Official Ghost is strong, and the Official Ghost is accompanied by the Vermilion Bird or the Serpent, one is certain to face official accusations.

化進神，沖變合，加官晉爵。世爻旺相，官化進神，官星旺相，世化進神，及世官得地，財化進神，皆有晉爵之徵。爻反吟，入三墓，反覆昏庸。卦得反吟，雖是身動不寧，若得世與官多旺相，一定升遷，世爻若與官星衰者，必遭降罰，降後還憂慮焦灼。世與官星被克者，定有不測之禍。世爻休囚被克化墓者，多反覆立見災非。世爻有氣化墓入墓者，亦主朦朧昏憤。

When a hexagram shows an advancing god and a change from conflict to harmony, it indicates promotion and advancement in rank: if the world line is prosperous and strong and the official star transforms into an advancing god, or if the official star is prosperous and strong and the world line transforms into an advancing god, or if both the world line and the official star are in a favorable position and the wealth line transforms into an advancing god, these all indicate signs of promotion and advancement in rank. When a hexagram shows reverse chant and the world line falls into one of the three graves, it indicates instability and confusion: if one gets a hexagram of reverse chant, although there may be inner and outer turmoil, as long as the world line and the official star are mostly prosperous and strong, promotion is certain; if the world line and the official star are weak, then one will certainly face demotion and punishment, and after demotion, there will be worry and anxiety. If the world line and the official star are both restrained, there will certainly be unexpected misfortune. If the world line is weak, is restrained, and transforms into a grave or enters a grave, things will be full of reversals and misfortune will appear immediately; if the world line has some strength but transforms into a grave or enters a grave, it also indicates confusion and lack of clarity.

世破兄空，居官不久。身衰化鬼，命盡當危。世破世空官空破，在任無多日矣。世衰動而化鬼及化回頭之克者，須防壽命無（堅）。世化官而遇官，政權多攝。世爻旺相，化出官星生合比助世爻者，得權攝。化出官星刑傷克害世者，反受權攝之害也。化出官星拱助比合者，亦主政權攝。

The world line encounters a break, and the brother line is empty, indicating a short tenure in official position. If the world line is weak and a ghost line is produced, there is danger of imminent death. When the world line breaks or becomes empty, or when the official line is empty and breaks, the official will not last long in office. If the world line is weak and produces a ghost line, or if it produces a reverse overcoming line, there is a risk of a short lifespan. If the world line produces an official star and there is another official line in the hexagram, it often indicates holding multiple positions. If the world line is strong and the produced official star supports or harmonizes with the world line, it indicates being entrusted with additional responsibilities. If the produced official star harms or overcomes the world line, it indicates being replaced by others. If the produced official star supports and harmonizes with the world line, it also suggests the ability to manage multiple affairs.

世臨官而遇馬，差遣煩勞。官星持日月動加臨驛馬者，多有差遣，日月動爻作財而扶者，差中得利。卦中兄爻發動，日月動爻刑剋世爻者，辛苦賠財，心有望於差遣者，不待驛馬加臨，但遇世動即有差矣。

The world line is influenced by official stars and also meets the post horse, indicating frequent assignments and constant travel. If official stars are located on the day branch, month builder, or moving line and also combine with the post horse, there is likely to be an assignment. If the day branch, month builder, or moving line act as wealth lines to support, this assignment can bring profit. However, if the brother line moves and the day branch, month builder, and moving line all conflict with the world line, then the effort will be in vain and money will be lost. For someone who is already hoping for an assignment, there is no need to wait for the post horse to appear. As long as the world line moves, an assignment will come.

官合龍興恩命至。青龍官星持世，或世臨日月，或日月動爻生合世爻，或世臨歲五之爻，或歲五生合世，或世官三合皆為吉兆。大位者上恩特殊，平位者加級超升。財臨福動佳音來。財爻持世及卦中財動，或父母爻休囚空破，若有尊長，切不可以財斷之，須防孝服。

When the official star (官爻) forms a harmonious connection and the Azure Dragon (青龙) is strong, an official appointment is imminent: if the official star is in the position of the world line (世爻) and is supported by the Azure Dragon, or if the world line is in the day branch or month builder, or if the day branch or month builder and the moving line support and harmonize with the world line, or if the world line is in the year branch and fifth line, or if the year branch and fifth line support and harmonize with the world line, or if the world line and official star form a triple harmony, these are all auspicious signs. Those in high positions will receive special favors, while those in lower positions will be promoted. If the wealth line (财爻) is in the position of the subject and the children line (子孙) is active, good news will come: however, if the wealth line is in the world line or the wealth line is active in the hexagram, and the parents line is weak, empty, or broken by the month, and there are elders in the household, one should not simply interpret this as gaining wealth, as there may be matters related to mourning.

如寅月壬午占在任平安否得頤之噬嗑卦。兄弟寅木′，子孫巳火′；父母子水″，妻財未土″世；妻財戌土″世動，官鬼酉金′；妻財辰土″，妻財辰土″；兄弟寅木″，兄弟寅木″應；父母子水′應，父母子水′。有人出此卦而問余曰：今歲占在任之流年，世爻變鬼，我甚憂之、余曰：財休囚得午火生之，自身不妨，須防孝服。彼曰：財非臨虎，如何主孝？余曰：迂也，午日沖動子水，父母被戌土財爻克，世化官空，八九月必見，果於八月丁艱。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder answered: Although the wealth爻 is weak and confined, it is supported by the Renwu day branch, so you yourself should be fine, but you should be cautious about mourning. He said: The wealth爻 does not have the White Tiger, how can it indicate mourning? I said: That is too narrow-minded -- the day branch Renwu disturbs the Zi water parents, the parents are then overcome by the戌 earth wealth爻, and the official ghost爻 transformed by the world line is in the旬空, so the matter will be clear by late summer and early autumn. Later, indeed, in August, there was a father's death and mourning.

財旺官空，且有堆金於白屋。財旺世旺而官臨月破旬空，或被日月沖剋，及動而變凶，官如朽木枯枝，雖有旺相之財，生之不起，終與屬日月之富翁，難食王家之天祿。妻搖鬼旺，定然執王拜丹（墀）。世與官星二者不可一陷，若財官兩旺而世爻失陷者，終使得官難安享。若官世兩旺財星失陷者，乃有例而無財也。

The wealth爻 is strong while the official爻 is empty, it is merely piling gold in a cold room: when the wealth爻 is strong and the world line爻 is also strong, but the official爻 is afflicted by the month breaker, the ten-day void, or is attacked by the day branch or month builder, or it produces a harmful爻 through movement, the official爻 is like rotten wood and withered branches. Even with a prosperous wealth爻 to generate it, it cannot be generated. This person will ultimately be just a wealthy rich man who cannot receive official salary. When the wealth爻 moves and the official爻 is prosperous, one will certainly hold a jade tablet and kneel before the vermilion steps: but both the world line and the official star must not be lost. If both wealth and official are strong but the world line is lost, even if one gets an official position, it is difficult to enjoy it. If both official and world line are strong but the wealth star is lost, then there is a precedent for donations but no money to offer.

如丑月乙卯日占援例得豫之否卦。妻財戌土″動，妻財戌土′應；官鬼申金″動，官鬼申金′；子孫午火′應，子孫午火′；兄弟卯木″，兄弟卯木″世；子孫巳火″，子孫巳火″；妻財未土″世，妻財未土″。斷曰：財動生官，不宜世臨月破，破而被克者，有官不能享也。後竟納之，名敗身喪。

On an Ethereal Tiger day, the person consulted about obtaining an official position through a donation, and received the Yu hexagram changing to the Po hexagram. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: wife wealth in the戌 earth (a yin line) moving, official ghost in the申 metal (a yin line) moving, children in the午 fire (a yang line) holding the responding position, siblings in the卯 wood (a yin line), children in the巳 fire (a yin line), and wife wealth in the未 earth (a yin line) holding the world line. The transformed hexagram, from top to bottom, is: wife wealth in the戌 earth holding the responding position, official ghost in the申 metal, children in the午 fire, siblings in the卯 wood holding the world line, children in the巳 fire, and wife wealth in the未 earth. The Wild Crane Elder said: Wealth lines moving and generating official ghosts is a good sign, but the world line in the未 earth is exactly the month breaker of the Chou month, and it is also being overcome by the卯 wood day branch. This means that although he obtained an official position, he could not enjoy it. Later, he did make the donation, but ended up with a bad reputation and lost his position.

財靜子飛空用意。子孫持世，財爻動與不動者皆不可行，財臨空破亦不可行。子孫財星官星同動者又可行，其故何也？子動生財，財動生官，故可行。兄興財動枉勞心。兄弟爻持世或兄爻發動乃是破耗之神，白費其財，終不成名，若得官星同動者，又可以行之，何也？以官鬼而制兄也。野鶴曰：卦中官星不動，但遇兄弟持世、兄父發動、及財爻持世化兄弟，百無一成，即使成，後凶，有他故，終無食祿之方。

The wealth爻 is quiet while the children爻 rises high, which is like wasting effort: when the children爻 holds the world, the wealth爻 whether moving or not should not take action; if the wealth爻 falls into an empty position and is broken, it is also not advisable to act. However, when the children, wealth star, and official star all move together, it is feasible. This is because the children moving generates the wealth, and the wealth moving generates the official, with a continuous cycle of mutual generation, hence it is feasible. When the brothers are active and the wealth爻 moves, it is also in vain: if the brothers爻 holds the world or the brother爻 moves, it is the spirit of loss, leading to the waste of money and ultimately not achieving success. If the official star also moves at the same time, then it is possible to act. Why? Because the official ghost can restrain the brother爻. The Wild Crane Elder explained: when the official star is not moving, and only the brothers hold the world, the brother爻 and parent爻 move, or the wealth爻 holds the world and transforms into the brothers, out of a hundred cases, not one succeeds. Even if by chance it is successful, there will be later dangers or other changes, ultimately leading to no path of official salary.

文試者，官父而重。武試者，首重官爻。世破官空休指望，官興財旺亦堪圖。世與官星有一而逢空破者，不須指望。武場雖不以父為重，余常得驗官父兩旺者，竟得掄元。然又有財動生官競得中者，何也？然其中必有隱事。

In examinations for literary fields, emphasis is placed on the "Official Ghost" and "Parents" lines; for military examinations, the "Official" line is most important. If the World Line is broken or the Official Line is empty, one should not expect success. However, if the Official Line is strong and the Wealth Line is prosperous, there is still hope. If either the World Line or the Official Star is in the旬空 or meets the Month Breaker, one should not expect success. Although military examinations do not emphasize the Parents and documents line as much, the Wild Crane Elder once said: I often saw people with both the Official and Parents lines strong who managed to win the military状元. However, there are also cases where the Wealth Line is activated to generate the Official Line and the person still passes the exam. This is because there must be some unspoken hidden reasons behind it.

空赴武閣皆為子孫持世。子孫發動，即使力能扛鼎，百步穿楊皆無益於事矣。試期病阻乃因官鬼克世。日月動爻克世，世動化鬼、化克世，非臨場病阻，即有災禍臨身到。

Going all the way to the martial arts arena only to find nothing is often because the "Children" line is holding the world line. Once the Children line moves, even if one is strong enough to lift a tripod or can shoot an arrow through a hundred paces, it is of no help. If one is blocked by illness on the day of the exam, it is because the "Official Ghost" line is overcoming the world line: either the day branch, month builder, or moving line overcomes the world line, or the world line moves and transforms into a ghost line or a reverse overcoming line. This results in either being blocked by illness on the day of the exam or suffering misfortune.

官宜旺相不宜空破休囚，財世兩爻怕見刑沖剋破。世與官星皆旺動而化吉。財為祿養，豈宜日月刑沖？世爻失陷及動而變凶，有難；官星失陷及動而變凶，難許成名；財爻失陷及動而變凶，乏糧無祿，即使官旺廚（灶）無煙；唯喜官星持世，財動相生，或世動化吉，將來之封候拜將可期，豈唯百夫之長而已耶。

When serving in the military, the official element (官爻) should be prosperous and strong, not falling empty, being broken, or being weak and confined. Both the world line (世爻) and the wealth element (财爻) should avoid being punished, clashing, being overcome, or being broken. The best situation is when both the world line and the official element are strong, and they generate favorable elements when activated. The wealth element governs salary and sustenance; how can it endure being punished or clashing with the day branch (日辰) and the month builder (月建)? If the world line is lost or activated to become harmful, it indicates personal difficulties; if the official element is lost or activated to become harmful, success is unlikely. If the wealth element is lost or activated to become harmful, there will be lack of food and supplies, even if the official element is strong, there will be no fire in the kitchen. The most favorable situation is when the official element holds the world line, the wealth element is activated to generate favorable elements, or the world line is activated to generate favorable elements. In such cases, one can expect to be granted titles and commands, not just becoming a hundred-man commander.

覺子曰：雖以此斷，無不驗者，但要識來人之意，彼若以名利而問，以此而決者是也。如若尚未見用，占問可能收用，又以官星為收用之官，官來生合世爻者必收。官爻克世及空破者，不祿。如不知其此竅，竟以此官星斷自己之功名，如天遠也。

Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, said: According to the method above, there is nothing that will not come true, but one must clearly understand the person's true intention. If he is asking about future fame, fortune, and wealth, then using the above method is correct. But if he has not yet been appointed and is merely asking whether he can be recruited or employed, then at this time the official star represents the superior who will recruit him. If the official爻 generates and harmonizes with the world line爻, he will certainly be employed. However, if the official爻 harms the world line or is in an empty or broken condition, he will not be recruited. If one does not understand this key point and blindly takes the official star as one's own official position to interpret, then the difference will be as vast as heaven and earth.

財與官星不可有一而不旺，子孫兄弟不可一而動搖，世陷財空，不如守己，官空世破，且讓他人。用財而圖者與援例同推。衰世隨鬼入墓，世動化克化鬼，子孫兄弟持世，謀署謀差，自投羅網。

If one seeks to take on an official position or be assigned a duty, both the wealth爻 and the official star must be strong. Neither the children爻 nor the siblings爻 should be active. If the world爻 is lost or the wealth爻 is empty, it is better to remain content with one's current position. If the official爻 is empty and the world爻 is broken, it is advisable to let others take on the task. If one intends to spend money to seek such positions, the judgment follows the same method as in the previous chapter on examples. If the world爻 is weak and follows the ghost to be buried, or if the world爻 moves and transforms into a controlling deity or a ghost爻, or if the children or siblings hold the world position, then seeking an official post or a duty is like throwing oneself into a trap.

凡占文書亦須採用。旺父持世，宜日月歲五以維持。父母為文書章奏，持世合世，奏必見準，再得歲五及日月動爻生合者見用。兄弟臨身，喜父母化吉而拱合。兄弟持世，日月生之，或世爻父母爻動而化吉，或化父母生世。皆得喜動龍顏，因文見用。

When divining matters related to official documents, the principles of this chapter can also be applied. If the 'Parents' hexagram is prosperous and strong and holds the world line, it should also be supported by the day branch, month builder, sovereign year, and the fifth line. The 'Parents' hexagram represents official documents and petitions; if it holds or harmonizes with the world line, the petition will certainly be approved. If further supported by the sovereign year, fifth line, day branch, month builder, and moving lines that generate and harmonize with it, the document will be even more accepted and adopted. When the 'Siblings' hexagram is present, it is favorable if the 'Parents' hexagram transforms into a good hexagram and harmonizes with it. If the 'Siblings' hexagram holds the world line and receives support from the day or month, or if the world line or 'Parents' hexagram moves and transforms into a good hexagram, or transforms into 'Parents' hexagram to generate the world line, the emperor will be pleased and the person will be appointed due to this document.

財爻持世破文書。財爻持世，財爻發動，克破文書，無益之奏。倘得父母持世，財官同動者而又喜之，其故何也？以財動而生官，官動而生世也？子福臨身防降罰。子孫為克官之神，有職之官章奏者不宜見之，或持世或發動，輕則降罰，重則休官，無職之人而章奏者有兩論之，須查來人之念，彼行此事原為名者，見之不成名；彼此事恐其有禍，若見之則無禍。

The 'Wealth' hexagram is in the tenth position and conflicts with the 'Documents' hexagram: When the Wealth hexagram holds the tenth position or is activated, it will overcome the 'Parents' and 'Documents' hexagrams, meaning the petition will not be effective. However, if the 'Parents' hexagram holds the tenth position, and both the Wealth and Official hexagrams are activated, this is actually favorable. Why? Because the activation of Wealth hexagram generates the Official hexagram, and the activation of the Official hexagram then supports the tenth position, creating a continuous chain of support. The 'Children' hexagram affecting the self requires caution against demotion or punishment: The 'Children' hexagram is a hexagram that overcomes the Official hexagram. Officials who submit petitions should avoid encountering the 'Children' hexagram, whether it holds the tenth position or is activated. In minor cases, they may suffer demotion or punishment; in severe cases, they may lose their position. For those without official positions who submit petitions, it depends on their intentions: If they submit the petition for the sake of reputation, encountering the 'Children' hexagram will prevent them from gaining recognition; if they submit the petition out of fear of trouble, encountering the 'Children' hexagram may actually prevent them from facing trouble.

世臨空破難以迴天。世臨旬空月破及臨絕及入三墓者，不蒙見準。宜早知機。世動變凶或日月歲五動爻沖剋世爻者，不唯難以迴天，且防不測之禍。子動臨身力能折檻。或曰：前說子動克官，不宜見之，此喜子孫持世者，何也？野鶴曰：須看事之大小，有職之官行此事，若預料此事即不准，行無過於革職而巳，子孫者即為克官之神也。欲保全功名，子孫發動，切勿行之，倘若條陳，將相諫君，非若得準行，名垂竹帛，如不見準，禍及其身，所以反喜子孫持世，即使殿折廷諍，可保無禍。古以子發乾官為吉，非也。子孫為制鬼之神，未聞獨在乾官而為福神也。

When the world line falls into an empty position and is broken by the month, it is difficult to reverse the will of heaven: if the world line is in the旬空, month breaker, or in a dead position or enters the three graves, the petition will not be approved, and one should know the right time to stop. If the world line moves and becomes dangerous, or if the day branch, month builder, sovereign, fifth line, and moving line clash with the world line, not only is it difficult to change the outcome, but one should also be cautious of unexpected calamities. If the children line moves and is present, it actually has the power to directly advise the emperor. Someone asked: previously it was said that when the children line moves, it is not good to see it, as it can overcome the official, and it is not advisable to submit a petition when it is present. But here it is said that we like the children line to be the world line. What is the reason for this? The Wild Crane Elder answered: this depends on the importance of the matter. For officials with positions, if they know the petition will not be approved, the worst case is losing their position. The children line is originally the god that overcomes officials. For those who want to preserve their official status, when the children line moves, they should not submit a petition. However, if one is making a memorial and advising the emperor as a high-ranking official, if it is approved, they will be remembered in history; if not, they may suffer the consequences. Therefore, it is actually favorable for the children line to be the world line— even if they directly advise the emperor in the court, they can avoid disaster. The ancients said that the children line moving in the Qian hex is considered auspicious, but this is incorrect. The children line is originally the god that controls ghosts; there is no need to say that it is only considered a blessing god when it is in the Qian hex.

最怕官爻克世，不宜助鬼傷身。卦中官爻發動克世者大凶，若又得財爻發動助鬼爻傷身，災禍難免。若世動化鬼、發動化回頭克、隨鬼入墓、卦得反吟、卦變絕、世被沖者，事非重大，急宜止之。歲五生身防受制，六爻恍惚且休行。太歲生世要入卦，不在爻中，不能生世。且如今歲子年，須看卦中有生之名，無生之實。

The most feared situation is when the official line (官爻) attacks the world line (世爻), and it is also undesirable to have "helping the ghost to injure the body" (助鬼伤身). If the official line moves and attacks the world line, it is a great misfortune. If another line, such as the wealth line (财爻), also moves to support the ghost line (鬼爻) and injure the world line, disaster is unavoidable. If the world line moves and transforms into the ghost, or if it is attacked by the same line (回头克), or if it enters the tomb (入墓), or if the hexagram shows reverse chant (反吟), or if the hexagram changes into a state of decline (入绝), or if the world line is attacked by a conflicting line (被冲), then as long as the matter is not absolutely necessary, one should stop immediately. Although the year's ruler (太岁) and the fifth line (五爻) may support the world line, one should still be cautious of them being restricted. The sixth line (六爻) is uncertain and unstable, so it is better to refrain from taking action. If the year's ruler supports the world line, it must be present within the hexagram's lines; if it is not present, it cannot support the world line. For example, if this year is the year of the rat (子年), one must check if there is a line of water (子水) in the hexagram. Only having the name of supporting the world line without the actual support is not valid.

如申月戊辰日占上書得中孚之損。官鬼卯木′，官鬼寅木′應；父母巳火′動，妻財子水″；兄弟未土″世，兄弟戌土″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″世；官鬼卯木′，官鬼卯木′；父母巳火′應，父母巳火′。

In the month of Shen and on the day of Wu Chen, a person consulted about submitting a letter and obtained the Zhongfu hexagram changing into the Shen hexagram. The lines of the primary hexagram, from the top down, are: Official Ghost Wood at Mao (Yang line), Parents Fire at Si (Yang line) in motion, Brothers Earth at Wei (Yin line) holding the world, Brothers Earth at Chou (Yin line), Official Ghost Wood at Mao (Yang line), and Parents Fire at Si (Yang line) holding the response. The lines of the changed hexagram, in order, are: Official Ghost Wood at Yin holding the response, Wealth Water at Zi, Brothers Earth at Xu, Brothers Earth at Chou holding the world, Official Ghost Wood at Mao, and Parents Fire at Si. The only moving line in the entire hexagram is the fifth line, Parents Fire at Si, and the news about the letter is connected to this line.

斷曰：五位巳火生世，不宜巳火受克，此書宜上。問曰：有害否？余曰：巳火雖則不能生世，卦中無克之爻，利害皆無從言起，上與不上皆可。後此人上書，不准。野鶴曰：凡上書劾奏，果有興利除害，益於國者，舍身而為國雖蹈湯赴火而不辭，何用占卜？倘若事無關係、或因忿而抱不平、或以直而報怨、事在兩可之間者，得世與父爻皆無刑沖剋破，及歲五日月相生，方可行之。倘爻中亂動而用神衰或生少克多，六爻恍惚者，即宜止之，言出禍隨，得不慎乎？

The Wild Crane Elder said: The fifth line, which is the fire of Si, is activated and can generate the world line. However, it is not advisable for this fire to be overcome by the metal of Shen month. Therefore, the letter can still be submitted. A person asked: Will there be any harm if it is submitted? I said: Although the fire of Si cannot generate the world line, there is no line in the hexagram that overcomes the world line. Therefore, neither benefit nor harm can be discussed, and it is acceptable to submit or not. Later, this person submitted the letter, but it was not approved. The Wild Crane Elder then explained: Whenever one submits a petition to accuse someone, if it is indeed a matter that benefits the country and removes harm, and is a great cause, one should be ready to sacrifice oneself for the country, even if it means facing fire and water. Why bother to consult a divination? If the matter is trivial, or if it is just a momentary anger to take someone else's side, or if one uses 'speaking out truthfully' as an excuse to settle personal grudges, then whether to do it or not is optional. In such cases, one should consult whether the world line and the father line are not affected by being restrained, clashed, overcome, or broken. Also, there should be mutual generation from the sovereign, the day branch, and the month builder. Only then should one proceed. If in the hexagram, all lines are chaotic and the useful god is weak, or if the lines that generate me are few and those that overcome me are many, and the six lines are unclear, one should immediately stop. Once words are spoken, disaster follows. How can one not be cautious?

父旺官生叨蒙贈爵，旺官持世平步登雲。旺父持世，官動生之，旺官持世，官持日月生之，官則上加官，士則登（臺）閣，平人得者，立見平步登雲。野鶴曰：斷卦者最重來之一念：有為人者，有為己者，有為自身而要怨者，有為保全人己立功名，有為財利者，有為免自己之賠累者，有為辨下屬之賠累者，有事之多端，在人通變，士民上書，雖則亦有忠心為國，亦有藉此以作梯階而求名也，倘若得官旺而父不旺，亦可許之贈職。

The father's hexagram is strong and the official's hexagram comes to generate it, and one may receive a title by grant; if the strong official's hexagram holds the world position, one can ascend rapidly to high office. If the prosperous and strong father's hexagram holds the world position and the official's hexagram is activated to generate it, or if the prosperous and strong official's hexagram holds the world position and there is also the day branch and month builder to generate it, then an official may receive higher rank, a scholar may ascend to the platform, and even a common person who draws this may immediately rise to prominence. The Wild Crane Elder said: the most important thing in interpreting a divination is the person's current thought at the moment—some are for others, some for themselves, some to complain about injustice, some to preserve mutual interests and establish merit, some for wealth, some to avoid personal loss, some to defend subordinates and make amends. Affairs are complex and varied, and it all depends on the diviner's flexibility and adaptability. When common people submit petitions, some are genuinely loyal to the country, while others use this as a stepping stone to seek fame; if the official's hexagram is strong and the father's hexagram is not, one may still be granted an honorary position.

我念為名，忌子孫之發動，我念利，忌兄弟以臨身。如丑月丙辰日出具文伸枉保全功名得大壯之夬卦。兄弟戌土″，兄弟未土″；子孫申金″動，子孫酉金′世；父母午火′世，妻財亥水′；兄弟辰土′，兄弟辰土′；官鬼寅木′，官鬼寅木′應；妻財子水′應，妻財子水′。父母持世，月建文書生旺，但不宜子動傷官，七八月申金得令之秋功名壞矣，果蒙上臺題保，未勞準行，八月削職，此乃為名，父旺亦屬無益。

He was concerned about his reputation, so he feared the "children"爻 to be activated; he was concerned about profit, so he feared the "siblings"爻 to be present. On the day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the month of Chou (丑), someone submitted a written petition to clear his name and protect his official position, and he drew the hexagram Dazhuang (大壮) changing to Guai (夬). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: siblings戌土 (a yin line), children申金 (a yin line) activated, parents午火 (a yang line) holding the world line, siblings辰土 (a yang line), official ghost寅木 (a yang line), and wife's wealth子水 (a yang line) holding the responding line. The changed hexagram, in order, was: siblings未土, children酉金 (a yang line) holding the world line, wife's wealth亥水, siblings辰土, official ghost寅木 holding the responding line, and wife's wealth子水. The parents爻 held the world line and received support from the month builder of Chou, so the official documents were strong. However, the activation of the children爻 harmed the official爻, and when Shen metal became dominant in July and August, his official position was ruined. Later, he indeed received a certificate of protection from his superior, but before it was approved, in August he was dismissed from his post. This time, he was divining for his reputation, so even though the parents爻 was strong, it was of no use.

占防劾、慮大計、及已有事尚未結案者：世旺官崇，憂心冰解。旺官持世，喜照雙眉。世與官星旺相何憂？再得日月動爻生扶，或得世爻官爻臨於日月，及動而變吉，防參劾者何慮？已（參）而未結案者無憂，定蒙卓異。凡得旺官者亦同此推。

The method of divination for preventing accusations, worrying about major evaluations, and cases that have already occurred but are not yet concluded is as follows: if the world line is strong and the official star is high, worries will dissipate like ice. If the strong and prosperous official star holds the world line, joy will brighten one's eyebrows. If both the world line and the official star are strong and prosperous, what is there to worry about? If further supported by the day branch, month builder, and moving line, or if the world line or official star directly appears in the day branch or month builder, or if the movement transforms into a favorable line, then there is nothing to fear regarding accusations. For cases that have already been reported but are not yet concluded, there is no need to worry; instead, one will certainly be recommended as outstanding. All cases involving strong official stars should be interpreted in this manner.

如未月戊申日占因避誤軍糧己被劫得豐之旅。官鬼戌土″動，妻財巳火′；父母申金″世，官鬼未土″；妻財午火′，父母酉金′應；兄弟亥水′，父母申金′；官鬼丑土″應，妻財午火″；子孫卯木′動，官鬼辰土″世。斷曰：世臨日建月建生之，動出戌宮又來相生，官爵無恙，彼不以為然，豈知因獲奇功，保本隨至，功名仍復保全。或曰：卯木子孫發動，如何不克官？余曰：木絕於申，所以有救。

On the day of Wu Shen and the month of Wei, someone who evaded responsibility and delayed military provisions ended up being robbed himself. He divined the Feng hexagram transforming into the Lu hexagram. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the official ghost of戌 earth (a yin line) moving, the parents of申 gold (a yin line) holding the world line, the wife's wealth of午 fire (a yang line), the brothers of亥 water (a yang line), the official ghost of丑 earth (a yin line) holding the responding line, and the children of卯 wood (a yang line) moving. The transformed Lu hexagram, from top to bottom, was: the wife's wealth of巳 fire, the official ghost of未 earth, the parents of酉 gold holding the responding line, the parents of申 gold, the wife's wealth of午 fire, and the official ghost of辰 earth holding the world line. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the world line of申 gold is exactly the day builder of Wu Shen, and it is also supported by the month builder of Wei, which generates it. The moving upper line of戌 earth also supports it. Therefore, the official ghost is unharmed. At first, he did not believe this, but later he achieved remarkable merit and his official report was quickly submitted, and his official status was preserved. Someone asked: why does the moving children of卯 wood not harm the official line? I replied: because wood is at its end in申, so the official line is saved.

福世孫搖身化福，官空鬼破變爻克。子孫持世、子孫動於卦、世動化子孫、官空及動化回頭之克，皆主罷職休官。子動財空，減祿罰奉。兄弟持世、兄弟發動、或財破及財動化凶，倘得官爻旺相，罰俸而已，官爻失陷，利名雙失。

When the Children line holds the world line, the Children line moves within the hexagram, the world line transforms into the Children line, or the official line is empty or the ghost line is broken and the changing line comes back to overcome: if the Children line holds the world line, the Children line moves within the hexagram, the world line transforms into the Children line, or the official line is empty or transforms into a returning overcoming line, it indicates resignation from office or leaving government service. If the Children line moves and the wealth line is empty, then there will be a reduction in salary and a penalty onofficial stipend. If the Brothers line holds the world line, the Brothers line moves, or the wealth line is broken or the wealth line transforms into a harmful line, and the official line is still prosperous and strong, then only a penalty onofficial stipend occurs; but if the official line has already declined, then both reputation and material gain will be lost.

身衰鬼克，貶責凌辱。世衰不遇生扶，又有歲五日月動爻刑沖剋世，或世隨鬼入墓、動化鬼化克、及虎蛇刑剋世爻者，輕則貶罰，重則刑獄。或曰：何以謂之輕重？余曰：輕者乃世爻有救，重者乃世爻休囚，又被刑傷沖剋也。卦靜世空官又陷，林下閒人世空者退休之兆，官又空破休囚者削職無疑。

The world line is weak and the ghost line attacks it, indicating being reprimanded and humiliated: when the world line is weak and lacks support, and the heavenly stem, fifth line, day branch, month builder, and moving line all punish or attack the world line, or the world line enters the tomb with the ghost line, or the world line transforms into the ghost line or attacks, or the white tiger and the coiling snake lines punish the world line, then the result is either demotion and punishment or imprisonment. Someone asks: how to distinguish between light and heavy consequences? The answer is: light consequences occur when the world line has another supportive element, while heavy consequences happen when the world line is already weak and confined, and is further punished, injured, attacked, or clashed with. If the entire hexagram is quiet, the world line is empty, and the official line is also lost, then one can only be a recluse in the woods: an empty world line indicates retirement, and if the official line is also empty, meets the breaking element, or is weak and confined, then one is certainly dismissed from office.

世陷逢殺興何礙。古有身空殺動避禍之徵，餘以為非。殊不知世者動於卦中世爻空者，持世爻出空之月日必遭其害，豈能避之？惟世空逢六神動而相生，卦中雖有忌神發動亦無礙矣。待世爻出空之日，忌神反生六神而生世也。官隆世陷，身辱官存。古有身邊伏鬼若非空，官職猶在，謂凡遇凶兆，若得官爻持世或官伏世下而旺，雖見責罰而官職猶存。野鶴曰：世遇五爻之克，若得旺官持世，雖受辱，仍可為官。身旺官陷，位去身安。世爻旺相不受傷克，官破官空及被刑沖剋害或動而變凶者，官祿雖失，身不逢傷。

If the world line is lost and evil spirits are active, is there no harm? Ancient texts say, "If the world line and its supporting line fall into the empty position and evil spirits are activated, one can avoid misfortune." The Wild Crane Elder said he thought this was incorrect. He explained that if evil spirits are already active in the hexagram, the world line is only temporarily in the empty position. When the world line comes out of the empty position in the corresponding month and day, it will certainly suffer its harm, and there is no way to avoid it. There is, however, one exception: if the world line is in the empty position but a line representing one of the six spirits is activated to support it, even if the Hostile God is active in the hexagram, it will not matter. Because on the day the world line comes out of the empty position, the Hostile God will instead support the six spirits, and the six spirits will then support the world line. When the official position is high but the world line is lost, it means suffering disgrace while still holding the official position: ancient texts say, "If the ghost line hidden beneath the world line does not fall into the empty position, the official position remains." This means that whenever there is an ominous sign, as long as the official line holds the world line, or the official line is hidden beneath the world line and is strong and prosperous, even if one is punished, the official position can still be retained. The Wild Crane Elder said: if the world line is attacked by the fifth line, as long as there is a strong and prosperous official line holding the world line, even though one suffers disgrace, one can still continue to hold the official position. When the world line is strong but the official line is lost, it means losing the official position but remaining safe: the world line is strong and not harmed, while the official line meets destruction, falls into the empty position, or is attacked by punishment, conflict, or becomes harmful when activated. In such a case, although the official position is lost, the person remains unharmed.

子旺子興，必能遂願，官旺克世，總不如心。子孫持世子孫發動，乃無官之果，必能遂我偷閒。若官星持世或官動克世合世，難脫利名靼鎖。告假不忌反吟，休致須宜化退。告病及養親乃暫歸之事，得反吟卦者，乃應將來再任，故不忌之，惟辭官者，不宜見之，非目下屢辭反覆，乃將來遠入留（臺），若得伏吟必不能行。世與官星化退神者如願，世與官星而化進神者，五事羈身，難於歇手。

The "Children" line is strong and flourishing, indicating that one's wishes will surely be fulfilled and they will be able to return home; however, if the official line is strong and overpowers the world line, it is difficult to achieve one's heart's desire. If the "Children" line holds the world line or becomes active, it signifies the absence of officialdom, and one's wish to take a break will certainly be realized. If the official star holds the world line or becomes active and overpowers or harmonizes with the world line, it is hard to escape the constraints of fame and wealth. Taking a leave of absence is not discouraged by a reverse chant, but retirement is suitable when the chart shows a retreating god. If one is taking leave due to illness or to care for parents, these are temporary returns home, and if the chart shows a reverse chant, it indicates that one will have to return to duty again in the future, so there is no need to be concerned. However, when resigning from office, one should not see a reverse chant, as it suggests either a repeated resignation or a future appointment to a high position. If the chart shows a hidden chant, then the return home is certain to fail. If the world line and the official star transform into a retreating god, then the wish can be fulfilled; but if they transform into an advancing god, then there will be many troubles and it will be difficult to let go.

福搖子動無尤，鬼克兄沖有患。子孫持世子動卦中事無尤慮，有始有終。官鬼克世而受累，兄動以賠財，鬼兄持世同推。父世官生因公加爵。父母持世，官星動而生合世爻者，必因公事加官。財興官旺獲利榮名。旺官持世，財動而相生，不獨因公得利，遠許名榮旺，財爻持世世動化財生世，皆同此斷。

The 'Children' line moving does not bring fault, but if the 'Official Ghost' line attacks or the 'Siblings' line conflicts, there will be misfortune. If the 'Children' line holds the World Line or moves within the hexagram, this official matter will have no worries and will have a beginning and an end. If the 'Official Ghost' line attacks the World Line, there will be involvement in trouble; if the 'Siblings' line moves, there will be financial loss. If the 'Official Ghost' line or the 'Siblings' line holds the World Line, the same judgment applies. If the 'Parents' line holds the World Line and the 'Official Star' line generates it, it indicates promotion due to official duties. If the 'Parents' line holds the World Line and the 'Official Star' line moves to generate and harmonize with the World Line, it certainly means promotion due to this official matter. If the 'Wealth' line is active and the 'Official Star' line is prosperous, there will be both profit and honor. If the prosperous 'Official Star' line holds the World Line and the 'Wealth' line moves to generate it, not only will there be profit from the official matter, but there will also be future fame and honor. If the 'Wealth' line holds the World Line or the World Line moves to generate the 'Wealth' line, the same judgment applies.

六沖不久六合堅牢。工程皆以父爻為用神，不旺或受沖剋又得六沖卦者必不堅久，化沖者亦然，又看世爻旺相，又得六合卦者永遠堅。野鶴日：凡占公務，初入工程而防患，宜子孫動搖無尤，倘若已見（疏）（憂）而防患者，必有功名之慮，子動以傷官也。豈曰：子動而無尤耶？初入工程，兄動以防賠財，已見（疏）（憂）兄動而防罰俸。

Six Clashes indicate instability, while Six Harmony signifies firmness: all engineering matters should take the 'Parents' line as the 'Useful God'. If the Parent line is not prosperous or is clashed and controlled, and the divination shows a Six Clashes hexagram, the project will certainly not be durable. The same applies if the hexagram changes into Six Clashes. One should also examine whether the World Line is prosperous. If the World Line is prosperous and the hexagram is Six Harmony, the project can be long-lasting and stable. The Wild Crane Elder explained: when divining official matters, if an engineering project has just started and one wants to prevent problems, it is favorable to see the 'Children' line moving, which would result in no mistakes. However, if the problem has already occurred and one comes to prevent it, there will certainly be consequences involving official reputation, because the movement of the 'Children' line harms the 'Official' line—so how can one still say that the movement of the 'Children' line brings no fault? In the initial stage of an engineering project, the 'Brother' line moving indicates the need to guard against financial losses. If the problem has already occurred, the movement of the 'Brother' line indicates the need to guard against penalties on salary.

僧官醫官亦喜官爻發動。舊係豈可爻書發動，謂僧道醫官占功名，乃以子孫為用神，不宜父動而克子也。野鶴曰：此非理也，若他占僧道醫人，乃以子孫旺相，道業高強，父母興隆，庸愚懦弱。若僧道醫家自占道藝，亦以子孫為用神，子孫旺相，鬼服龍降。今以自占功名，子動而克官也，如何反為用？非也，仍看官爻。官星持世或日月動爻以相生，父母持世或得旺官相生，其名必成。陰陽（雜）職俱以子動為嫌。子孫動子持世皆許必不成名，篤則以俗家求名同斷。

Monks and physicians, when divining about official rank, also prefer the official line to be active. The original text here reads "Could the lines of divination be active?" which has some errors and omissions. Its meaning is that when monks, Taoists, and physicians divinate about their official rank, they should take "children" as the "useful god," so it is not advisable for the parent line to be active and thus to overcome the children. The Wild Crane Elder himself says this is not logical. If someone else is divining for monks, Taoists, or physicians regarding their religious practices and medical skills, then taking the children's prosperity and strength as an indication of their high attainment in their profession, and the parents' flourishing as a sign of being mediocre and weak, is appropriate. However, when monks, Taoists, or physicians divinate about their own professional skills, they indeed take the children as the "useful god," and when the children are prosperous and strong, they can control dragons and tigers. But now they are divining about "official rank," and if the children line is active, it will overcome the official line. How can they then take the children as the "useful god"? That is wrong. Instead, we should still look at the official line: if the official star holds the world line, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line supports it, or if the parent line holds the world line and the official star is strong and supported, then the official position will surely be achieved. As for positions involving both yin and yang, the same principle applies: if the children line is active or holds the world line, they will not achieve fame; if we must judge, it is the same method as for ordinary people seeking fame.

占法：水一火二木三金四土五，官臨火者，官居二品，官星屬水，一品之尊。野鶴曰：水至二數位至公侯者，何以定之？官設九品，數止於五六七品者，何以定之？餘得其法者，指占之法也。我能公侯否？我能將相否？我能一品否？我能八座否？旺官臨日月，指日可期，官破及刑沖終生失望，子孫持世，猶如止渴望梅，官動生身，恰似探囊取物。

The old method of divination is: water corresponds to one, fire to two, wood to three, metal to four, and earth to five. If the official element is fire, the official rank is second class; if it is water, it is first class. The Wild Crane Elder said: then above water one and fire two, there are positions of marquess and duke. What is used to determine them? The official ranks have nine classes, but this system only goes up to fifth, sixth, and seventh class. How can it be determined? The method I have obtained is 'divination by pointing to the matter': can I be granted a marquis or duke? Can I become a general or prime minister? Can I reach the first class? Can I be among the eight ministers? By divining in this way, if the official element is prosperous and strong and is on the day branch or month builder, success is imminent; if the official element is broken or meets punishment and clash, there is no hope for life. If the children element holds the world, it is like looking forward to plums to quench thirst; if the official element moves to generate the world body, it is as easy as taking something from a bag.

曾有邑宰問將來官至方面否，巳月乙卯日占得雷山小過。父母戌土″，父母戌土″；兄弟申金″，兄弟申金″；官鬼午火′世，官鬼午火′世；兄弟申金′，兄弟申金′；官鬼午火″，官鬼午火″；父母辰土″應，父母辰土″應。午火官星持世後，果官至命事，又子月乙亥日官至方伯。問將來能於開府否？連占三卦子孫持世，後果降調而歸。

There was once a county magistrate who asked whether he could eventually become a high-ranking official. On the day of Yimao in the month of Si, he drew the Hexagram Xiao Guo (62), with all six lines quiet and the changing hexagram the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom were: parents in the earth element,戌 soil (yin line), siblings in the metal element,申 metal (yin line), official ghost in the fire element,午 fire (yang line) holding the world, siblings in the metal element,申 metal (yang line), official ghost in the fire element,午 fire (yin line), and parents in the earth element,辰 soil (yin line) holding the response. The official ghost in the fire element held the world, and was supported by the month of Si. Later he indeed reached the position of Xian Shi. On another occasion, on the day of Yihai in the month of Zi, he reached the position of Fang Bo (provincial governor). He then asked whether he could establish a military headquarters and become a governor-general, and he cast three consecutive divinations, all with the line of children holding the world. Later he indeed was demoted and transferred back.

又因占會試許之必中，又問可能鼎甲否？余曰：必須再占一卦。卯月甲申日得節之蹇。兄弟子水″，兄弟子水″；官鬼戌土′，官鬼戌土′；父母申金″應，父母申金″世；官鬼丑土″動，父母申金′；子孫卯木′動，妻財午火″；妻財巳火′世動，官鬼辰土″應。

There was another occasion when I divined for someone taking the imperial examination, and I told him he would certainly pass. He then asked if he could achieve the top three places. The Wild Crane Elder said that this required another divination. On the day of Jiashen in the month of Mao, the Primary Hexagram was Jie, which transformed into Jian. The six lines of the Primary Hexagram, from top to bottom, were: Brothers, water (a yin line), Official Ghost, earth dog (a yang line), Parents, metal (a yin line) holding the responding line, Official Ghost, earth ox (a yin line) in motion, Sons, wood (a yang line) in motion, and Wife Wealth, fire (a yang line) holding the world line and in motion. The transformed hexagram Jian had six lines in order: Brothers, water, Official Ghost, earth dog, Parents, metal holding the world line, Parents, metal, Wife Wealth, fire, and Official Ghost, earth dragon holding the responding line.

斷曰：古以蹇為不吉，餘重用神。此卦世臨巳火，卯月生之，申日合青龍持世，中鼎甲而無疑，但非今科之鼎甲也。公曰：何也？余曰：世爻變出辰土之官，乃辰年之鼎甲也。公曰：此數暗含我機，我少年得一預兆，亦應辰年。傷（畢）即回，至甲辰科殿試，果得首唱傳（臚）。以教人指其事而占者，無不驗也，何必諄諄執古法而猜耶。

The Wild Crane Elder once said: The ancients regarded the "Jian" hexagram as inauspicious, but I only focus on the "Useful God." In this hexagram, the World Line is the fire of Si, which is nourished by the卯 month. On the Jiashen day, Si combines with Jiashen, and the Azure Dragon is also present on the World Line. There is no doubt that the person will achieve a high rank, though not the top rank in the current examination. The man asked why, and I said: The World Line transforms into the earth of Chen, which indicates the top rank in the year of Chen. He said: This number coincides with my fate. When I was young, I had a premonition that also pointed to the year of Chen. Then he left. In the Jiachen examination, he indeed ranked high and was the first to be announced. This shows that if one guides people to look at specific matters for divination, there will be no failure, so why cling to ancient methods and guess endlessly?

父動官動相生，日月作官星而生父母，父旺化官動而化吉，皆許成名。財克父，子動傷官，父官動而變凶，日月克官克父，或父爻衰墓破絕皆許無益。如卯月壬辰日占父何時起用得風水渙變夬。父母卯木′動，子孫未土″；兄弟巳火′世，妻財酉金′世；子孫未土″動，官鬼亥水′；兄弟午火″動，子孫辰土′；子孫辰土′應，父母寅木′應；父母寅木″動，官鬼子水′。

The son divines his father's restoration in official service. If the father's line and the official line both move and mutually support each other, or if the day branch and month builder act as the official star to support the father's line, or if the father's line is strong and transforms into the official line, and then moves again to transform into good fortune, these signs indicate that he will achieve fame. Conversely, if the wealth line restrains the father's line, the children's line moves and harms the official line, the father's line and official line move but transform into bad fortune, or the day branch and month builder restrain the official line and the father's line, or if the father's line is weak, enters the tomb, meets the break, or reaches the critical point, then he has no hope. The divination was made on the day of Ren Chen (Renchen) in the month of Mao (Mao), asking when the father will be reinstated. The original hexagram is the Huan hexagram (Huan), which transforms into夬 (Gua). The original hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: the father's line of Mao wood (yang line) moves, the brothers' line of巳 fire (yang line) holds the world, the children's line of未 earth (yin line) moves, the brothers' line of Wu fire (yin line) moves, the children's line of Chen earth (yang line) holds the response, and the father's line of Yin wood (yin line) moves. The transformed hexagram's six lines, in order, are: the children's line of Wei earth, the wealth line of You metal holds the world, the official ghost line of Hai water, the children's line of Chen earth, the father's line of Yin wood holds the response, and the official ghost line of Zi water.

內卦寅木父母旺而化出子水之官，許寅年仍以原品起用，果應於寅年。後終於未年。又以此卦悟之，初爻寅年而起用，上爻卯木父動而化未年，占時未墓爻空，謂之空墓以待死，所以終於實墓之年，又因用神重疊墓庫以收藏也。

The inner trigram's first line is the wood of寅, representing the parents, which are prosperous and strong. It also transforms into the water of子, which is the official star, coming to generate it. Therefore, he was allowed to start his career at the original rank in the year of寅. Later, this indeed came true in the year of寅. He eventually died in the year of未. The Wild Crane Elder further understood from this hexagram: the first line corresponds to the year of寅 when he began his career. The top line is the wood of卯, representing the parents, which becomes active and transforms into the earth of未. This exactly corresponds to the year of未 when he died. At the time of the divination, the line of未 earth, which is the storage, was exactly empty, called "empty storage waiting." Therefore, he died in the year when the storage of未 earth was filled. Moreover, the parents' useful god appears repeatedly in the hexagram. Repeated useful gods must ultimately rely on the storage to be collected.

諸書之論求財，弗如黃金策裡真論，余屢試驗，惜乎未經分別，今以前段為總論，以後賢易曉，內有屢試而不驗者，刪之，餘另得驗者，增之。財旺福興，公私稱意。財空福絕，上下連心。上至國計，下至營謀，無不以財為用。公私占卜皆以財為用神，子孫者乃生助財爻之元神也，俱宜旺而化吉，又宜生合世爻，公私皆得如意。若逢衰墓絕空刑沖剋害，動而變凶，日月沖剋破者，上下皆連心矣。

Different books discuss seeking wealth, but none explain it as clearly as The Golden Strategies. The Wild Crane Elder once said: I have tested it many times, but the original book lacks detailed analysis. Now I place the general discussion first so that later readers can understand it more easily. I have removed those parts that did not work, and added those that proved effective through my own trials. When the wealth line is strong and the children line is active, both public and private affairs go smoothly. But when the wealth line is empty and the children line is absent, everyone is anxious. From the state's budgeting to individual endeavors, none do not take the wealth line as the useful god. Whether public or private divination, the wealth line is considered the useful god, and the children line is the origin god that supports the wealth line. Both should be prosperous and strong, and should generate and harmonize with the world line. In this way, both public and private affairs can go smoothly. If the wealth line is weak, buried, at its end, empty, or subjected to punishment and clash, or if it changes to something harmful, or if it is clashed with or broken by the day branch or the month builder, then everyone will be worried.

有福無財，兄弟交重偏有望。兄弟乃劫財之神，占財之忌也，財與兄爻同動，必主阻隔破耗，倘若得子孫與兄弟同動，又為可喜，兄動生子，故謂之有望。財爻兄爻子孫爻俱動於卦中者，更為可喜，其故何也？兄動生子，子動生財，其利甚厚且有久遠源流長之利益也。兄與財振，官爻發動亦堪求。兄爻與財爻同動而官鬼亦動者，亦許得財，以官鬼剋制兄爻之故耳。

There is 'children' but no 'wealth', even if the 'siblings'爻 are strongly activated, there is still hope. Siblings are the gods of劫财, and in divination about wealth, they are most to be avoided. When both the wealth爻 and the siblings爻 are activated together, it certainly indicates obstruction and loss. But if both the children爻 and the siblings爻 are activated together, that is actually good news, because the activation of the siblings爻 supports the children爻, so there is still hope. If all three, the wealth爻, the siblings爻, and the children爻, are activated in the hexagram, it is even more favorable. Why? Because the activation of the siblings爻 supports the children爻, and the activation of the children爻 supports the wealth爻, forming a continuous chain, yielding substantial profits, and representing a long-lasting and enduring benefit. When both the siblings爻 and the wealth爻 are activated, as long as the official ghost爻 is also activated, it is still possible to seek wealth. Because the official ghost爻 can restrain the siblings爻, and when the siblings爻 are restrained, they cannot劫财.

財福俱無，莫若守株待兔。財與子孫爻俱不現於卦中，或現於卦中又值休囚空破墓絕，或被刑沖剋害，求則無益，不如守株待兔。覺子曰：倘得日月為財，或伏而旺者，亦可求也。父兄爻動，無殊緣木求魚。父動克福神，兄動克財爻，此二爻動於卦中，凡有所圖，水中撈月。

If both the wealth hexagram and the children hexagram are absent, it is better to wait idly: if neither the wealth hexagram nor the children hexagram appear in the hexagram, or if they do appear but are in a weak and confined state, or are in the旬空, month breaker, buried, or at their absolute decline, or are subjected to punishment, clash, or control, then seeking wealth will be of no benefit, and it is better to remain inactive and wait. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, wrote: if the day branch or the month builder itself is the wealth hexagram, or if the wealth hexagram is hidden but prosperous and strong, then it is still possible to seek. When both the parents and siblings hexagrams are active, it is like trying to fish in the water: the parent hexagram controls the children hexagram, and the sibling hexagram controls the wealth hexagram. If both are active in the hexagram, any endeavor will be as futile as trying to catch the moon in the water.

如酉月戊午日占求財得革卦。官鬼未土″，官鬼未土″；父母酉金′，父母酉金′；兄弟亥水′世，兄弟亥水′世；兄弟亥水′，兄弟亥水′；官鬼丑土″，官鬼丑土″；子孫卯木′應，子孫卯木′應。斷曰：卦中財爻不現，亥水兄爻持世，父臨月建生助兄爻，如緣木以求魚也。

Divination was done on the day of Wuwu in the month of You, seeking wealth. The obtained hexagram was Gé (Change), with all six lines quiet and the resulting hexagram identical to the primary one. The six lines, from top to bottom, are: Official Ghost You Earth (yin line), Parents You Metal (yang line), Brothers Hai Water (yang line) holding the world, Brothers Hai Water (yang line), Official Ghost Chou Earth (yin line), and Children Mao Wood (yang line) holding the response. The Wild Crane Elder explained: The hexagram does not contain the 'Wealth' line at all, yet Hai Water Brothers hold the world, and the fifth line You Metal Parents coincides with the month builder of You month, assisting the Brothers line. When Brothers are strong, the劫财 (wealth thief) becomes more severe. This is like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.

多財反覆，必須墓庫以收藏。卦中財臨日月，謂之重疊，若許求謀得意之時，須待財爻入墓之日。且如水作財神辰日而得，餘仿此。無鬼分爭，又怕友重而阻滯。兄弟乃爭奪阻隔耗財之神，宜官鬼動而制之，以免分爭之患。覺子曰：兄爻發動，喜鬼動以制之，倘卦中兄爻安靜者，又不宜乎鬼動，反曳財爻之氣也。且有口舌。

There are too many wealth lines, which cause instability and uncertainty; they must rely on the storage (mùkù) to contain them. If the wealth lines in the hexagram also meet the day branch and the month builder, this is called "repetition" or "overlap." Although such a situation may allow for success in seeking opportunities, the wealth can only be obtained on the day when the wealth lines enter their storage. For example, if water represents the wealth god, then wealth is obtained on the day of Chen. The same logic applies to other elements. If the hexagram lacks the official ghost (guānguǐ), then others will come to compete for the wealth. However, if there are many siblings (xiōngyáo), it may cause obstruction. Siblings are spirits that cause competition, obstruction, and loss of wealth. Therefore, it is most suitable for the official ghost to be active to control the siblings, preventing others from taking the wealth. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler and reviser, wrote: when the siblings are active, it is favorable for the official ghost to also be active to control them. However, if the siblings are originally quiet in the hexagram, then it is not favorable for the official ghost to be active, as the movement of the official ghost will release the energy of the wealth lines and may also bring about disputes.

兄如太過，反不克財。舊注卦中一位兄爻動者，最為利害，如若兄弟爻多動者，反不劫財。覺子曰：非也，兄爻多者，待兄爻入墓之日，及克損爻之日，必劫其財，謂之太旺者損之斯成。世遇兄臨，必難求望。古以卦身臨兄爻，難於求望，餘因卦身不驗，以兄爻持世，難遂圖謀。野鶴曰：全在人立通變，兄弟而持世者，雖則為忌亦有不當忌者。

If there are too many brothers in the hexagram, they will not be able to overcome wealth. Old commentaries say that when only one brother moves in the hexagram, it is most powerful. However, if multiple brothers move, they will not be able to seize wealth. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, said: This is not correct. When there are many brothers, on the day when the brothers go into their tomb or when the brothers are overcome, the wealth will definitely be taken away. This is the principle that "when something is too strong, it must be restrained to achieve success." If the world line is occupied by the brother, seeking wealth will certainly be difficult. Ancient people considered it difficult to obtain wealth when the hexagram body is occupied by the brother. The Wild Crane Elder said: I found that the hexagram body was not effective, so I changed to using the brother as the world line to judge, and found that it was difficult to achieve one's goals. However, this all depends on a person's flexibility and adaptability: although having the brother as the world line is generally considered unfavorable, there are also situations where it should not be treated as unfavorable.

如未月丁卯日借貸得晉卦。官鬼巳火′，官鬼巳火′；父母未土″，父母未土″；兄弟酉金′世，兄弟酉金′世；妻財卯木″，妻財卯木″；官鬼巳火″，官鬼巳火″；父母未土″應，父母未土″應。斷曰：雖則兄爻持世無財，但喜卯日即是財星，古以財爻持世沖世者必得，況應爻未土旺而生世，明日必獲，果得財，應辰日者，世動逢合之日也。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: Although the brother line holds the world line and the wealth line is weak in the hexagram, it is fortunate that the day of Dingmao itself is the wealth star, and the卯wood is coming to冲the world line. According to ancient methods, if the wealth line holds the world line or the wealth comes to冲the world line, one will certainly gain wealth. Moreover, the response line is the earth line, which is in command and comes to generate the world line. Therefore, one will certainly borrow money the next day. The reason it should be on the day of Chen is that Chen combines with the world line of You metal, which is the day when the world line meets a harmonious combination.

又如巳月丁巳日占求財得即濟變渙卦。兄弟子水″應動，子孫卯木′；官鬼戌土′，妻財巳火′世；父母申金″，官鬼未土″；兄弟亥水′世動，妻財午火″；官鬼丑土″動，官鬼辰土′應；子孫卯木′動，子孫寅木″。斷曰：若逢久遠之財有否，則無財。若問目下之財，明日戊午必得，其故何也？兄臨世爻日破月破，不克變出之財，日月俱作財來沖世，只因應爻而逢空，明日沖實，定送財來，果於次日送來。

For instance, on a day of Dingsi (丁巳) in the month of Si (巳), someone asked about seeking wealth and obtained the Hexagram of Completion, which transforms into the Hexagram of Dispersal. The original hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: a Yin line of the brother sub-water (兄弟子水) holding the response line and being activated, an official ghost of the earth dog (官鬼戌土) as a Yang line, a parent of the metal monkey (父母申金) as a Yin line, a Yang line of the brother great water (兄弟亥水) holding the world line and being activated, an official ghost of the earth ox (官鬼丑土) as a Yin line and being activated, and a son of the wood ox (子孙卯木) as a Yang line and being activated. The transformed hexagram of Dispersal has six lines in order: a son of the wood ox (子孙卯木), a wife's wealth of the fire snake (妻财巳火) holding the world line, an official ghost of the earth goat (官鬼未土), a wife's wealth of the fire horse (妻财午火), an official ghost of the earth dragon (官鬼辰土) holding the response line, and a son of the wood tiger (子孙寅木). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: if asking about long-term wealth, there is none; but if asking about immediate wealth, it will certainly be obtained on the next day, which is Wuwu (戊午). Why? The world line, which is the brother great water (亥水), is broken by the Dingsi day and also by the Si month, so it has no strength to control the transformed wealth lines. The day branch and the month builder both act as wealth lines to attack the world line. This is because the response line, which is the brother sub-water (子水), is empty in the current cycle, and on the next day, it will be filled, so wealth will certainly come from someone. Later, indeed, the wealth arrived the next day.

財來就我終須易，我去尋財必是難。舊注凡遇財爻生世合世克世持世，皆謂之財來就我，若卦中雖有財爻，不來生合世爻亦非我之財也。野鶴曰：此說財不生合世爻，非我之財，即如前二卦兄爻持世，何當財來生合，總要斷卦之靈機應變，徹悟其理，自然觸類旁通，不可拘執。

Wealth comes to me on its own, and when I get it, it is easy; but if I go out to seek wealth, it will certainly be difficult. Old comments say: whenever the wealth line generates and harmonises with the world line, or controls the world line, it is considered as wealth coming to me. If the wealth line is present in the hexagram but does not generate and harmonise with the world line, then it is not my wealth. The Wild Crane Elder said: according to this interpretation, if the wealth line does not generate and harmonise with the world line, it is not my wealth. But in the two hexagrams mentioned earlier, the brother line held the world line. How could there be wealth generating and harmonising with it? Yet in the end, they still obtained wealth. Divination should be flexible and adaptable. One must thoroughly understand the principles, so that one can apply them to different situations. One must not rigidly follow old interpretations.

福變財生利源滾滾。財得子動生之，如財之有源也，其利豐厚，倘得子動化財，財動化子，皆同此斷。兄傷鬼克，口舌紛紛。財爻持世，兄爻亦動者，不獨劫財，還防傷已，如若鬼動克世者更凶。覺子曰：黃金策云，兄連鬼克，口舌難逃，謂兄動變鬼沖剋世爻者，不獨無財，還防口舌，殊不知兄動變鬼，即是兄化回頭之克，自顧不暇又焉能沖剋世爻耶？

The term "children" transforming into wealth and wealth receiving support brings abundant profits: when the wealth爻 is supported by the children爻, it is like water having a source, leading to substantial gains; if the children爻 is activated and transforms into wealth爻, or the wealth爻 is activated and transforms into children爻, the same principle applies. When "siblings" harm or "official ghosts" control, there will be disputes: if the wealth爻 holds the world line and the siblings爻 is activated, it not only threatens the wealth but also may harm oneself; if there is also an activated official ghost爻 controlling the world line, it becomes even more dangerous. The compiler Li Wenhui (Juezi) explains: The Golden Strategies say "brother connected with ghost control, disputes are unavoidable," meaning when the brother爻 is activated and transforms into the ghost爻 to clash with the world line, there will be no wealth and disputes should be expected. However, one does not realize that when the brother爻 is activated and transforms into the ghost爻, it is the brother爻 being controlled by the ghost爻, which is a self-defeating situation. If it cannot even protect itself, how can it possibly clash with the world line?

財局合福德，萬倍利源可追。世與財爻或與子孫爻三合成局，諸占物追財豐。野鶴曰：須要在局中或是合成子孫財局生世，方為全美，倘如合成父局，勞碌卒苦，合成兄局破耗多端，合成鬼局，口舌災非，克世者更凶。歲君逢劫殺，一年生意無聊。劫殺者乃兄弟之爻也，兄臨太歲一年破耗。

The wealth formation combines with "Children" to bring great profit: if the World Line and the Wealth Line, or the World Line and the Children Line form a Triple Harmony Formation, then in matters of goods and collecting debts, one will gain great wealth. The Wild Crane Elder explained: this requires the World Line itself to be within the formation, or the formed Children Formation or Wealth Formation to be from the next life, only then is it perfect. If it forms a Parents Formation, it brings toil and hardship; if it forms a Brothers Formation, it leads to great losses; if it forms an Official Ghost Formation, it brings disputes and misfortune. If the formation also harms the World Line, it becomes even worse. If the year's ruler is afflicted by a劫杀 (plundering killer), there will be no progress in business for the whole year: a劫杀 refers to the Brothers Line, with the Brothers Line affecting the year's ruler, indicating great loss of wealth.

野鶴老人著，楚江李坦我鑑定。湖南李文輝覺子增刪。婿陣之吉茂生男茹芝山秀。

This volume is attributed to the Wild Crane Elder, reviewed by Li Tanwo of Chujiang, and revised and edited by Li Wenhui of Hunan (also known as Juezi). It also involved the collation work of his son-in-law Zhenzhiji and Maosheng, as well as his sons Ruzhi and Shanshui. This is the title format found at the beginning of the old edition, used to indicate the author, appraisers, editors, and family members who assisted in the collation.

世克官，官生世，須宜謁見；財臨破，鬼克世，枉費奔馳。野鶴曰：見貴有兩間也，為名者用官，為利者用財，皆宜持世及生合世爻為吉，如逢空破，墓絕及動而變凶者，徒勞奔馳之力耳。倘若世爻化鬼化克及隨墓助傷者，更不宜行，若非到彼之凶，定在中途遇禍，凡謁貴者同斷。世動遇空，身興遇破。世動化空破者，勿曰不吉，乃應到彼之月日也。

The world line is in conflict with the official ghost line, and the official ghost line generates the world line; in such a case, one should go to visit the nobleman. If the wealth line is broken or the official ghost line attacks the world line, going there is in vain. The Wild Crane Elder said: visiting the nobleman should be divided into two situations. Those seeking fame should take the official ghost as the useful god, while those seeking profit should take the wealth as the useful god. Both should be auspicious if they hold the world line or generate and harmonize with the world line. If they encounter the旬空, month breaker, entering the tomb, encountering the end, or if they become harmful through movement, then it is just a waste of effort. If the world line turns into the official ghost or into a conflict, or if it follows the official ghost into the tomb, or if the wealth line moves and helps the official ghost to harm the body, then it is even more inappropriate to go. It is not that one will have an accident upon arrival, but rather that one will certainly meet misfortune on the way. All those who visit the nobleman should be judged this way. If the world line moves and meets the旬空, or if the world body rises and meets the month breaker: if the world line moves and turns into the旬空 or the month breaker, do not generally say it is inauspicious. That often refers to the month and day when one arrives at the other's place.

如申月丁卯日占出行謁見貴人得同人。子孫戌土′應，子孫戌土′應；妻財申金′，妻財申金′；兄弟午火′，兄弟午火′；官鬼亥水′世，官鬼亥水′世；子孫丑土″，子孫丑土″；父母卯木′，父母卯木′。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) Glossary: Month Builder = Yuejian World Line = Shi Yao Primary Hexagram = Ben Gu Resulting Hexagram = Bian Gu Fourth Line = Si Yao Nobleman = Gui Ren Ding Mao = Dingmao Parents = Fu Mu Siblings = Xiong Xi Children = Zi Sun Wealth = Qi Cai Official Ghost = Guan Gui On a Dingmao day in the month of Shen, the person consulted the divination about going out to visit a nobleman, and received the hexagram of Tong Ren. All six lines were quiet, and the resulting hexagram was the same as the primary one. The six lines from top to bottom were: the line of children in Xu earth (Yang line) holding the responding position, the line of wealth in Shen metal (Yang line), the line of siblings in Wu fire (Yang line), the line of official ghost in Hai water (Yang line) holding the world line, the line of children in Chou earth (Yin line), and the line of parents in Mao wood (Yang line). The world line, which was the line of official ghost in Hai water, was exactly in the旬空 (ten-day void), while the fourth line, which was the line of wealth in Shen metal, coincided with the Month Builder of the month of Shen. These two points are the key to the interpretation.

斷曰：官星持世而空，出亥日得見，官府財利如心，果於出空之日見官，財利得意，月建財爻生世之故耳，官世相合，財動相生，財持世，官無缺陷，再得日月照臨，彼此緣投有幸。日月照臨者，日月生世生財，或世爻財爻而臨日月是也。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: When the official star is on the world line but falls into the旬空, one must wait until the亥 day when it comes out of the旬空 to meet the official. On that day, meeting the official brings wealth and profit as desired. Later, indeed, on the day when the旬空 was lifted, the official was met, and wealth and profit were achieved. This is because the month builder, which is the申 metal, the wealth line, was able to generate the world line. Whenever the official line and the world line are in harmony, the wealth line becomes active to generate the world line, the wealth line is on the world line and the official line has no defects, and the day branch and month builder are present, then both sides are harmonious and fortunate. What is meant by 'day and month shining upon' is that the day branch and month builder are able to generate the world line or the wealth line, or that the world line or the wealth line itself is on the day branch or the month builder.

為名宜父動，因利忌兄興。凡與謁貴既得世與官星相合相生，必然得見，若為名利，須宜另占，不可此卦而斷之，為名者宜父官兩旺，為利者宜財福兩旺。六合六沖須看用，反吟化退枉奔馳。爻逢六合亦要用神旺相，世與財官相合乃為吉兆，卦逢六沖必須用神受克失陷始作凶徵。卦得反吟及世動化退多見難於行動，勉強而去，空返而歸。

When seeking a name, it is favorable for the "Parents"爻 to be active; when seeking profit, the "Siblings"爻 should be avoided. In any divination concerning visiting an important person, as long as the World Line and the Official Star are in harmony or mutual generation, one will certainly meet the person. However, if one also wants to know whether the name or profit will be successful, another hexagram should be cast, and this one should not be used for dual interpretation. For seeking a name, both the Parents爻 and the Official Star should be prosperous and strong; for seeking profit, both the Wealth爻 and the Children爻 should be prosperous and strong. Both Six Harmony and Six Clashes should be considered based on the "Useful God." If there is a reverse chant or the World Line transforms into a retreating god, it indicates a wasted trip. When the hexagram is Six Harmony, the Useful God should also be prosperous and strong, and the World Line in harmony with Wealth or Official Star is a good omen. When the hexagram is Six Clashes, the Useful God must indeed be harmed or weakened to be considered an ominous sign. If the hexagram is a reverse chant, or the World Line transforms into a retreating god, it is mostly that the visit will not succeed, and even if one goes there forcefully, it will be in vain.

貴人謁貴宜世應以相生，平人見貴宜官貴而相合。貴人謁貴人，宜於世應相合相生，平人見貴人，宜官貴相合相生及官星持世。覺子曰：有心而問見貴求名者，官星持世生世必得官。有心問謁貴者，官星生世合世而得見，切勿以此得見貴人之官星換作成名而斷也。

A person of status seeking to meet a nobleman should have the World Line and Response Line mutually generating each other. A common person seeking to meet a nobleman should have the official and noble lines harmonizing with the World Line. When a nobleman seeks to meet another nobleman, the World and Response Lines should harmonize and mutually generate. When a common person seeks to meet a nobleman, the official and noble lines should harmonize and mutually generate with the World Line, or the official star should directly hold the World Line. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, explains: If the person is asking whether they can obtain official rank by meeting a nobleman, then having the official star hold the World Line or generate the World Line indicates they will certainly attain official rank; if they are only asking whether they can meet the nobleman, then having the official star harmonize and generate the World Line means they will be able to meet the nobleman. One must not confuse the official star indicating the ability to meet the nobleman with the certainty of achieving fame.

貴人謁貴，世應若相沖克，財伏而空，去之何益？平人見貴，官克世世變鬼變克更凶。平人見貴，官克世變鬼變克勿去，去則須防不測，財官生世合世為吉。凡出行求財謁貴出行章參看。

A nobleman goes to meet another nobleman, but if the world line and the response line clash and control each other, and the wealth line is hidden and falls into an empty position, then what benefit is there in going? A commoner going to meet a nobleman, if the official line controls the world line, or if the world line changes into a ghost line or a controlling deity, it becomes even more dangerous. When a commoner meets a nobleman, if the official line controls the world line or the world line changes into a ghost or a controlling deity, one should not go; if one goes, one must beware of unexpected misfortunes. Only when the wealth line or the official line supports and harmonizes with the world line is it considered auspicious. For all cases of going out to seek wealth or to meet a nobleman, one should also refer to the chapter on traveling.

最重財官兩旺，不宜世應皆空。世遇財應臨福，我益他損；應臨官世逢破，他益我損。兄爻持世，不如閒處安身；應克世爻，防慮他人反目。世遇財官臨應，無不遂也。世逢空破墓及動而變凶，皆非吉也。應克世兄克世，見災還淺。鬼克世世化鬼，得病不輕。

Assisting the nobleman requires effort, and the most important factors are that both the wealth line and the official line are strong. It is most undesirable for both the world line and the response line to be empty. If the world line has wealth and the response line has the children, I gain while the other suffers. If the response line has the official and the world line is broken, the other gains while I suffer. If the brother line holds the world line, it is better to remain idle and secure. If the response line overcomes the world line, be cautious of the other turning against me. If the world line meets wealth and the official line is on the response line, everything will go smoothly. If the world line meets the ten thousand emptiness, month breaker, enters the tomb, or becomes a凶 change, it is not auspicious. If the response line overcomes the world line or the brother line overcomes the world line, the disaster is still light. If the official ghost overcomes the world line or the world line transforms into a ghost, the illness will be serious.

世為已，應為人，大宜相合。財為本，福為基，最喜同興。古法應為夥計，又為下顧之客。黃金策曰：開行定主有人投。覺子曰：須在來人之念；有心而問夥計，應為夥計，若得世應相生相合，彼此同心。應生世，他益於我。世生應，我益於他。

The World Line represents oneself, and the Response Line represents others; it is most favorable for them to be harmonious with each other. "Wealth" represents capital, and "Children" represent foundation; both are most desirable to be flourishing together. In ancient methods, the Response Line was regarded as a partner in business or a visitor. The Golden Strategies say: If a business is established, there will certainly be people coming to rely on it. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, wrote: This depends on what the person is asking about. If he is asking about a partner, then the Response Line represents the partner. As long as the World and Response Lines are mutually supportive and harmonious, both sides can work together. If the Response Line generates the World Line, it means the partner is beneficial to me; if the World Line generates the Response Line, it means I am beneficial to the partner.

相剋相沖而情有變，應爻克世，我被他瞞；世克應爻，他從我願；應臨元武兄爻，暗中盜騙；應臨官鬼克世，明降災非；世財應兄，受他之累；世財應子，得他之力。世應空合，彼此有虛詐之心也。來人之念重在買賣者，須以應爻為下顧之客，應爻生合於世，生客來交成故舊；世應相沖相剋，熟人終久變成仇。

The relationship between the World Line and the Response Line, if they are in conflict or opposition, indicates a change in their relationship. If the Response Line overcomes the World Line, I may be deceived by him; if the World Line overcomes the Response Line, he will be obedient to my wishes. If the Response Line is occupied by the Black Tortoise and is also a Siblings Line, there will be secret theft or deception. If the Response Line is occupied by an Official Ghost and overcomes the World Line, there will be visible misfortune or disaster. If the World Line is a Wealth Line and the Response Line is a Siblings Line, I will be burdened by him; if the World Line is a Wealth Line and the Response Line is a Children Line, I will receive his assistance. Even if the World and Response Lines are harmonious, if both are empty, it means both parties have false intentions. If the person is more concerned about business, then the Response Line should be considered as a customer. If the Response Line generates and harmonises with the World Line, a new customer will become a regular; if the World and Response Lines are in conflict or opposition, even a familiar person may eventually turn into an enemy.

鬼作災非須忌動，財為活計畏刑沖。鬼動招非克世最忌，古云：鬼現爻中見非，日有鬼搖克世災禍連繫，須看鬼值何神克世，須於家室章內詳之。財為資本，忌衰墓空破及動而變凶，或日月刑沖剋，更忌世與財空，俱開不成。鬼兄發動有制何妨，隨墓助傷多凶少吉。鬼動招非，若得子孫制鬼，或日月沖剋鬼爻，謂之有制。覺子曰：凡遇兄鬼同動者，不可曰鬼動招非，以鬼能制兄爻，不劫財也。兄弟又為陰隔破耗之小人，得此鬼動可以制服，獨不宜乃為助鬼以傷身也。

The "Official Ghost" signifies calamity and disputes, and it is most undesirable when it becomes active. The "Wealth" represents the capital for livelihood, and it is most feared when it is subjected to punishment or clash. When the Official Ghost moves, it brings about disputes, and among these, the most dangerous situation is when it overcomes the World Line. Ancient people said that if the Official Ghost appears in the hexagram, disputes will arise. If the Official Ghost keeps moving every day and overcomes the World Line, calamities will follow continuously. One should also examine which of the Six Spirits is paired with the Official Ghost to overcome the World Line, which is explained in detail in the "Home Chapter." The Wealth represents capital, and it is undesirable when it is weak, buried, vacant, broken, or becomes harmful when activated, or when it is punished or clashed by the Day Branch or the Month Builder. It is even more dangerous when the World Line and the Wealth are both vacant, as the foundation cannot be established. Although the Official Ghost and the Sibling may become active, it is not harmful if they are controlled. However, if they enter a burial place together, or if the Wealth becomes active and helps the Official Ghost to harm the body, the outcome will be more ominous. When the Official Ghost becomes active and brings about disputes, if the Children overcome the Official Ghost, or if the Day Branch or the Month Builder clash with the Official Ghost, it is called "controlled." Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, stated: whenever the Sibling and the Official Ghost move together, one should not generally say that the movement of the Official Ghost brings about disputes, because the Official Ghost can control the Sibling, and the Sibling will not rob the Wealth. The Siblings are small people who secretly block and consume, and they can be controlled by the movement of the Official Ghost. The only thing to avoid is when the Wealth helps the Official Ghost to harm oneself.

卦得反吟多反覆。卦得反吟，欲行不行，行而又止。才開而又剪，剪而又開，倘店開久矣，遇此一定更遷。沖中變合再重興。爻逢六合及六沖卦變六合或世財爻子孫共成三合，定是前後重興，惟六合變沖則不宜也，眼前熱鬧，終久蕭條。合夥不嫌兄弟，蝕本內外無財。世應臨兄不吉，兄爻發動不吉，倘若世臨兄爻，日月作財星沖剋世者，反為吉也。內外無財伏而又空，必然之蝕本，屢驗。

A divination showing reverse chant indicates that matters will be full of reversals: wanting to start but failing to do so, starting but then stopping, just opening and then closing down, closing and then reopening again. If the shop has been open for a long time, encountering reverse chant indicates the need to move and change location. When a clash changes into harmony, it can lead to renewed prosperity: if the lines meet in six harmony, or if a six clash changes into six harmony, or if the world line, wealth line, and children line form triple harmony, it indicates prosperity first and then again later. However, when six harmony changes into six clash, although there may be temporary prosperity, it will eventually lead to decline. In partnerships, there is no need to worry about siblings, but the real cause of loss is when neither the outer nor inner trigrams have wealth. If the world line or response line is occupied by the sibling line, it is not auspicious, and if the sibling line is active, it is also not auspicious. If the world line is occupied by the sibling line, and the day branch or month builder act as the wealth star to clash and control the world line, this is actually auspicious. If neither the outer nor inner trigrams have the wealth line, and the wealth is hidden and falls empty, there will certainly be loss, and this rule has been verified many times.

官若興隆，行主可千金之託；應如空破，牙人無毫忽之能；官旺應旺，生合世爻，其人可托，如靜衰空破，即是奸險小人。倘若交財，定遭欺騙。世被應傷，遭他陷害，財逢兄克，慮彼相瞞；應克世爻，帳目難清，兄克財爻已入套矣。兄動貨難脫卸，子興物宜交共；兄雀並搖，難逃口舌，武鬼同發，須慮盜賊；

Entrusting goods to a warehouse: if the official ghost爻 is strong, this merchant can be entrusted with thousands of coins; if the response爻 is empty and broken, this broker has no ability. If both the official ghost爻 and the response爻 are strong, and they generate and harmonise with the world line爻, this person can be entrusted. If the response爻 is quiet, weak, and empty and broken, then it is a deceitful person. If you deal with him regarding money, you will certainly be cheated. If the world line爻 is harmed by the response爻, you will be陷害; if the wealth爻 is overcome by the brother爻, you should beware of him hiding things; if the response爻 overcomes the world line爻, the accounts will be difficult to settle; if the brother爻 overcomes the wealth爻, you have already fallen into someone's trap. If the brother爻 moves, the goods will be difficult to sell; if the children爻 are strong, it is suitable to deliver the goods. If the brother爻 and the vermilion bird move together, there will be disputes; if the black tortoise and the official ghost move together, you should be cautious of thieves.

財爻衰者須停脫，妻旺當時可脫之；積貨賣貨皆不宜財逢空破及動而變克；財衰宜囤，財旺宜脫；如春天占得財爻屬木，謂之旺，宜速發賣；若臨金水土者，宜堆積也。臨火為旺，亦不宜堆；此論四時之衰旺也。覺子曰：衰雖可買，須查其根底，雖衰宜有根，將來再發，若無根底，終久難於出脫，不可不知。

When the wealth hexagram is weak, one should not act immediately; when the wealth hexagram is strong, it is appropriate to sell at the right time. Whether one is storing or selling, one should avoid situations where the wealth hexagram is empty, broken, or transforms into a hexagram that is overcome by another. When the wealth hexagram is weak, it is suitable to store; when it is strong, it is suitable to sell. For example, if one divines in spring and the wealth hexagram is wood, since wood is in its season and thus strong, one should sell quickly. If the wealth hexagram is metal, water, or earth in spring, none of these are in their season, so it is better to store and wait. If the wealth hexagram is fire in spring, although it is in a secondary position and thus also considered strong, it is still not suitable for storing. This is based on the seasonal strength and weakness. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, explains: Although one can buy when the wealth hexagram is weak, one should check whether it has a root. If it is weak but has a root, it will eventually become strong again; if it has no root at all, it will be difficult to sell, so this point should not be overlooked.

如寅月己亥日占收貨得頤卦。兄弟寅木′，兄弟寅木′；父母子水″，父母子水″；妻財戌土″世，妻財戌土″世；妻財辰土″，妻財辰土″；兄弟寅木″，兄弟寅木″；父母子水′應，父母子水′應。古以財爻衰者宜收貨，此卦辰戌之財衰而不遇生扶，謂之無根，將來終不得價，不可收買，但求問者不聽，後來存貨堆積四年，朽壞大半，大虧其本。

On the day of Jihai in the month of Yin, someone consulted about buying goods and obtained the hexagram Yi. All six lines were still, and the changing hexagram was the same as the original. The lines from top to bottom were: Brother Yin Wood (Yang line), Parents Zi Water (Yin line), Wealth Wu Earth (Yin line) holding the world, Wealth Chen Earth (Yin line), Brother Yin Wood (Yin line), and Parents Zi Water (Yang line) holding the response. According to ancient methods, when the wealth lines are weak it is suitable to receive goods. However, in this hexagram, the two earth wealth lines, Chen and Wu, are weak in the month of Yin and do not receive any support, which is called 'no root'. In the future, they will ultimately not sell for a good price, and it is not advisable to buy. Unfortunately, the person who asked the question did not listen. Later, this batch of goods was piled up for four years, half of it rotted, and the capital was lost severely.

貨有定時，須憑時令，物無定者，指利而占。定時者有貴賤之時也，比之麻葛得價於夏令，棉花得價於冬天，又如木料綢緞無定時也。財化進神不可收積，化退者，其價將落，有貨速宜出脫。兄爻持世，破敗之端；覺子曰：算甚命，問甚卜，虧人是禍，財將義取者，神告顯然。財之不義者，神不告矣。

Some goods have fixed seasons when they are in demand, and their value should be judged according to the seasons; those without fixed seasons should be judged by whether they bring profit or loss.the so-called having a fixed season means that they have periods of high and low prices, for example, hemp and ramie cloth can fetch good prices in summer, while cotton can fetch good prices in winter; whereas wood and silk fabric do not have fixed seasons. When the wealth hexagram transforms into the Advancing God, it is not advisable to buy and store more; when it transforms into the Retreating God, the price will drop, and if you have goods in hand, you should sell them quickly. When the brother hexagram holds the world, it is the beginning of decline. The compiler Li Wenhui (Juezi) writes: What's the point of fate and divination! Causing harm to others is itself a calamity. If you gain wealth in a righteous way, the gods will clearly inform you; if you gain unjust wealth, the gods will not inform you.

財值旺衰墓絕，自有得令之秋，妻逢沖破伏空，豈無乘除之日。財爻太旺旺者得利於墓庫之月，休囚者出脫於生旺之時，入墓必待沖開，逢絕當逢生旺，月破者填實之，被克者沖去克神之秋，伏藏者得價於出現之時，旬空者沖空實空之月，如逢合住亦待沖開。

The wealth hexagram does not depend on whether it is strong, weak, in the storage period, or at its decline; it has its own season when it is in command. Even if the wealth hexagram is being冲 (conflicted), 破 (broken), 伏藏 (hidden), or 落空 (falling into emptiness), there will always be days when its strength changes. If the wealth hexagram is too strong, it will bring profit when it enters the storage period. If it is weak and confined, it will be released when it gains strength and vitality. Those in storage must wait until the storage is opened; those at their decline should wait until they reach growth and strength. Those broken by the month must wait until the month is filled. Those being overcome must wait until the overcoming force is removed. Those hidden must wait until they appear. Those in the旬空 (decade emptiness) should wait until the emptiness is removed or filled. If it is bound by a combination, it must also wait until the combination is broken.

如子月己丑日占何時得價得歸妹之兌。父母戌土″應，父母未土″世；兄弟申金″動，兄弟酉金′；官鬼午火′，子孫亥水′；父母丑土″世，父母丑土″應；妻財卯木′，妻財卯木′；官鬼巳火′，官鬼巳火′。斷曰：卯木財爻子月生之，財有根蒂，目下不得價者，被申金動而剋制，待寅月沖去申金，其價必漲，果於正月勃然大長，此乃財爻被克待沖去克神之月。

The question was asked on the day of Jichou in the month of Zi, concerning when goods could be sold at a good price. The hexagram obtained was the Return of the Maiden, changing to the Lake hexagram. The lines of the original hexagram, from the top down, are: the parents in the earth element,戌土 (a yin line), holding the responding line; the brothers in the metal element,申金 (a yin line), which is active; the official ghost in the fire element,午火 (a yang line); the parents in the earth element,丑土 (a yin line), holding the main line; the wife's wealth in the wood element,卯木 (a yang line); and the official ghost in the fire element,巳火 (a yang line). The transformed hexagram, the Lake, has the lines from top to bottom: the parents in the earth element,未土, holding the main line; the brothers in the metal element,酉金; the children in the water element,亥水; the parents in the earth element,丑土, holding the responding line; the wife's wealth in the wood element,卯木; and the official ghost in the fire element,巳火. The Wild Crane Elder explained: the卯木 (wood) wealth line is supported by the water of the month of Zi, so the wealth is rooted; currently, the price is not high because the fifth line,申金 (metal), is active and restrains the wealth. When the month of Yin comes and the申金 is removed by the冲 (conflict), the price will certainly rise. Later, indeed, in the first month, the price rose sharply. This is an example of the wealth line being restrained, and waiting until the month that removes the restraining force.

財逢合而當令。遇合者有應動而逢合之月而得價也。亦有財爻衰靜，占時得遇日月生合者，其價目下正及時也。如寅月己酉日占脫貨於何時得賁卦。官鬼寅木′，官鬼寅木′；妻財子水″，妻財子水″；兄弟戌土″應，兄弟戌土″應；妻財亥水′，妻財亥水′；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；官鬼卯木′世，官鬼卯木′世。

The wealth yao is meeting a combination and is in its season, so the price is now determined. When the wealth yao meets a combination, it may be in the month when the wealth yao is activated and combined that the goods can be sold at a good price. Alternatively, if the wealth yao is weak and still, but on the day of the divination, the day branch and month builder are able to generate and combine with the wealth yao, then the present moment is the right time. On the day of Jiyou in the寅 month, a divination is made about when the goods can be sold, resulting in the hexagram Zhen. All six lines are still. The resulting hexagram is the same as the primary hexagram. The six lines from top to bottom are: official ghost yao of寅 wood (yang line), wealth yao of子 water (yin line), siblings yao of戌 earth (yin line) holding the responding position, wealth yao of亥 water (yang line), siblings yao of丑 earth (yin line), and official ghost yao of卯 wood (yang line) holding the main position.

斷曰：亥水財爻，酉日生之，寅月合之，目下正及時也。但因世爻暗動，身動方可出脫。彼曰：我聞某處得價，欲移貨去賣，不知可否？余曰：卦已明現，速宜行之，果去，不數日，得價出脫。此乃爻逢六合，財逢月合，及時脫貨也。財逢沖而當起；財旺而靜或旺而空得今日之日神沖者，其價漸漸漲矣；倘若靜而休囚，日沖為破，勿以此斷。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: The third line is a water trigram representing wealth, which is supported by the Jiyou day branch's metal, and also harmonizes with the寅 month. Now is an excellent time to sell the goods. However, the world line, which is a wood trigram, is conflicting with the Jiyou day branch and thus moves covertly. Therefore, the person must personally go to sell the goods. He asked: I heard that there is a good price somewhere, and I want to transport the goods there to sell. Is it possible? I said: The divination clearly shows this, so go quickly. Indeed, he went and sold the goods at a good price. This is an example of the wealth trigram meeting the Six Harmony and the wealth trigram also harmonizing with the month builder. When the wealth trigram is conflicting, the price rises: if the wealth trigram is strong and quiet, or strong but falling, and the day branch conflicts with it, the price gradually increases. However, if the wealth trigram is quiet and weak, and the day branch conflicts with it, it becomes 'broken', and this should not be used to make a judgment.

內財衰而外財旺，往他鄉。外卦財旺生合世爻者，持世者，宜往他鄉；倘若財不生合世爻及世動化凶者，他鄉花如錦，我去不逢春。應財外而世財內，須查動靜；應爻以外財爻持世者，最好收財，必須待應爻發動而與世爻相生相合，不然的話，應財再旺，我也收不到好處。

The inner trigram's wealth is weak while the outer trigram's wealth is strong, indicating that one should go to another place to do business. If the outer trigram's wealth is prosperous and strong and comes to harmonize and generate with the world line, or if the outer trigram's wealth is held by the world line, it is favorable to go to another place. However, if the wealth does not harmonize and generate with the world line, or if the world line becomes unfavorable, then even though there are many opportunities in another place, one will not be able to take advantage of them. If the wealth is in the response trigram and the outer trigram, but the world line's wealth is in the inner trigram, one should look at whether it is active or still. If there is another wealth in the response trigram that holds the world line, this is most favorable for gaining wealth, but one must wait until the response trigram becomes active and harmonizes and generates with the world line. Otherwise, even if the wealth on the response trigram is strong, one will not gain any benefit.

六沖須宜別圖，六合還宜坐守。卦得六沖，雖宜改圖，余屢試之財旺者何須更改，財衰者改亦無益。野鶴曰，凡得此象，須令本人再占，占問更改何如？卦得財世兩旺，許之改圖，再逢衰者還須耐守。卦得六合，亦看財爻衰旺，財持世而動者，不可坐守，衰而靜者，守待旺時可也。

If the hexagram indicates six clashes, one should consider changing plans, but if it indicates six harmonies, it is still advisable to stay in the current position. When a hexagram shows six clashes, generally speaking, one should change direction. The Wild Crane Elder once said: I have tried this many times, if the wealth line is strong, there is no need to change; if the wealth line is weak, changing will not bring any benefit. In such cases, one should ask the person to cast another hexagram specifically to inquire about whether changing direction is good. If in the new hexagram both the wealth line and the world line are strong, then changing direction is permissible; if they remain weak, one should endure and wait for them to become strong. When a hexagram shows six harmonies, one should also examine the strength of the wealth line: if the wealth line is strong and active, one should not stay and wait; if the wealth line is weak and inactive, one should stay and wait for it to become strong.

財衰變旺，先屈後生，財旺變衰，先金后土。謂財爻動而變也，財衰變旺，目下雖賤，將來必長。財旺而變衰絕，如若賣貨宜於急賣，倘若收貨，切不可收。買貨與賣貨相反，財爻旺而可賣，衰者宜買，內卦財衰，宜於外賣，世爻財旺，近地相宜，財化進神，宜往外方發賣，世爻化退，宜回近地出脫。

The wealth line becomes strong after being weak, indicating first being oppressed and then gaining strength; the wealth line becoming weak after being strong means that it was valuable before but becomes as cheap as dirt afterwards. These statements refer to the wealth line moving and changing. When the wealth line becomes strong from weakness, although the current price is low, it will surely rise in the future; when the wealth line becomes weak and ends, if selling goods, one should sell quickly, and if buying goods, one should not buy. The principles of buying and selling are exactly opposite: when the wealth line is strong, it is suitable to sell; when the wealth line is weak, it is suitable to buy. If the inner trigram has a weak wealth line, it is suitable to sell elsewhere; if the world line has a strong wealth line, it is suitable to transact nearby. If the wealth line transforms into an advancing god, it is suitable to sell far away; if the world line transforms into a retreating god, it is suitable to sell nearby.

屢次試驗都須指明方向才能占卜。如午月戊子日占往楚買豆得臨卦。子孫酉金″，子孫酉金″；妻財亥水″應，妻財亥水″應；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；官鬼卯木′世，官鬼卯木′世；父母巳火′，父母巳火′。

After multiple trials, this type of divination must specify a particular direction in order to be effective. On the day of Wuzi (戊子) in the month of Wu (午), a divination was made regarding a journey to Chu to buy beans, resulting in the hexagram "Approaching" (临卦). All six lines are quiet, and the resulting hexagram is the same as the primary one. The six lines, from top to bottom, are: the Son (子孙) in You Metal (酉金), a Yin line; the Wealth (妻财) in Hai Water (亥水), a Yin line, holding the responding position; the Brother (兄弟) in Chou Earth (丑土), a Yin line; the Brother again in Chou Earth (丑土), a Yin line; the Official Ghost (官鬼) in Mao Wood (卯木), a Yang line, holding the world line; and the Parents (父母) in Si Fire (巳火), a Yang line. The Wealth line in Hai Water is located in the outer trigram's responding position, while the world line in Mao Wood is in the inner trigram. The day branch, Zi Water (子水), is directly generating the world line. These points form the basis of the interpretation.

斷：亥水財爻休囚於外，所以楚地豆子必賤，子水日建而生世爻，必能得厚利。但閒間爻兄弟月生日合，耗費的錢一定多。後果中間人作弊，告到官府，誤了一個月。幸好到地頭上價格上漲，果然得了厚利。此乃指其地而占者無不驗也。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: The water wealth爻 is in the outer trigram and is weak and confined in the month of午, indicating that the price of beans in Chu region must certainly be low. On the day of Wuzi, the water of the day's stem comes to generate the World Line, so this journey will surely bring great profit. However, the intermediate sibling爻 is the earth of丑, which is generated by the month of午 and combines with the day of子, making the sibling爻 strong. Therefore, the expenses on the way will certainly be considerable. Later, indeed, the middle person made a move, causing a dispute that led to a lawsuit with the authorities, delaying one month. Fortunately, when arriving at the destination, the price had risen, and great profit was ultimately obtained. This is an example of divination specifying a location, where the prediction surely comes true.

古以金財而像珠寶玉石，水財以類魚鹽，火財陶冶東品，五穀為土財，青龍水利又兼喜慶之用，白虎金財，喪儀屠宰之物，玄武水利，朱雀火宜，蛇利於出入，勾陳利於農工。如未月戊申日占往粵東探親可帶何貨歸來得利得旅卦。兄弟巳火′，兄弟巳火′；子孫未土″，子孫未土″；妻財酉金′應，妻財酉金′應；妻財申金′，妻財申金′；兄弟午火″，兄弟午火″；子孫辰土″世，子孫辰土″世。

In ancient methods, wealth associated with metal is compared to jewels and gemstones, wealth associated with water is compared to fish and salt, wealth associated with fire is compared to pottery and metalworking items, and grain is considered earth wealth. It is also said that the Azure Dragon governs profits from water and also auspicious goods, the White Tiger governs metal wealth and is associated with funeral offerings and slaughter, the Black Tortoise governs water profits, the Vermilion Bird is suitable for fire-related matters, the Coiling Snake is favorable for trade and movement, and the Gou Chen is beneficial for agricultural work. On the day of Wushen in the sixth lunar month, someone consulted about taking a trip to Guangdong to visit relatives and what goods to bring back for profit, and obtained the Traveler hexagram, with all six lines quiet and the resulting hexagram the same as the primary one. The six lines from top to bottom are: brothers in the fire of the snake (yang line), children in the earth of the goat (yin line), wealth in the metal of the rooster (yang line) holding the responding line, wealth in the metal of the monkey (yang line), brothers in the fire of the horse (yin line), and children in the earth of the dragon (yin line) holding the worldly line.

斷曰爻逢六合，世應相生，此行遂意，如問置實何貨，餘無此法，不敢相誤，但喜既得吉卦，任爾冬天買扇，夏天買氈亦得厚利。後此人買攢香翠毛而歸，俱得大利。若執古法斷者，此卦酉金為財可買珠寶玉石耶？財臨玄武，可買水利魚鹽耶？

The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: When the lines meet the Six Harmony, and the World and Response Lines are mutually generating, this journey will certainly bring satisfaction. As for what goods to purchase, I lack such a method and dare not make a wrong suggestion that might mislead others; however, since the divination shows a favorable hexagram, you may buy fans in winter and woolen blankets in summer, and both will bring substantial profit. Later, this person returned with sandalwood and green feathers, and gained great profit. If one rigidly adheres to ancient methods, the wealth line in this hexagram is酉 metal, so should one buy jewels and gems? The wealth line is also occupied by the Black Tortoise, so should one deal in fish and salt?

世逢兄，何須開口，應空破，難遂我心，財若空破，休指望。子興財發可相求，世應兩爻皆不宜月破旬空，兄弟一爻切不可臨身及動。如未月丁卯日占借貸得兌之震。父母未土″世，父母戌土″世；兄弟酉金′動，兄弟申金″；子孫亥水′，官鬼午火′；父母丑土″應，父母辰土″應；妻財卯木′動，妻財寅木″；官鬼巳火′，子孫子水′。斷曰兌卦屬金變震卦屬木，金克木為財，卯木財爻化退神酉金兄動亦化退神，幸得財臨日辰旺而不退，明日辰日合住酉爻必得，果於辰日。

The world line is occupied by the 'Brothers' and thus there is no need to ask for a loan; the response line falls into an empty and broken position, making it difficult to fulfill my wishes. If the wealth line is also empty and broken, there is no hope at all. Only when the 'Children' are active and the 'Wealth' line is activated can one seek a loan. Both the world and response lines should avoid being broken by the month or empty for a ten-day period. The 'Brothers' line should especially not be on the subject or activated. On the day of Dingmao in the month of Wei, a divination about borrowing money resulted in the hexagram of Dui changing to Zhen. The original hexagram from top to bottom is: the parents of Wei earth (a yin line) holds the world line, the brothers of You metal (a yang line) is activated, the children of Hai water (a yang line), the parents of Chou earth (a yin line) holds the response line, the wealth of Mao wood (a yang line) is activated, and the official ghost of Wu fire (a yang line). The transformed hexagram of Zhen has from top to bottom: the parents of Xu earth holds the world line, the brothers of Shen metal, the official ghost of Wu fire, the parents of Chen earth holds the response line, the wealth of Yin wood, and the children of Zi water. The Wild Crane Elder explained: the hexagram of Dui belongs to metal, and the transformed hexagram of Zhen belongs to wood. Metal can overcome wood, so wood is the wealth of this hexagram. The Mao wood wealth line is activated and transforms into Yin wood, which is a retreating god; the You metal brothers line is activated and transforms into Shen metal, which is also a retreating god. Fortunately, the Mao wood wealth line is directly on the day of Dingmao, which is strong and not retreating. The next day, the day branch will combine with You metal, thus binding the You metal brothers line. The money will definitely be borrowed. Later, it was indeed borrowed on the day of Chen.

兄臨世，放則無歸。兄弟爻持世，索財不予。應鬼克身，防負義。應財生世，定懷忠。古以世應同人，放債必然連本折，謂不獨世臨兄弟忌之，應臨兄者亦忌。官鬼克身，美意終成惡意。

The 'Brothers' line is on the World position; when money is lent out, it cannot be recovered. If the 'Brothers' line holds the World position, going to collect debts will result in refusal. If the 'Official Ghost' line on the Response position comes to afflict the World line, one should beware of the other party breaking trust and faith. If the 'Wealth' line on the Response position supports the World line, the other party is certainly sincere. According to ancient methods, if both the World and Response positions are occupied by the same line (both 'Brothers'), lending money will certainly result in losing even the principal. This means that not only is the 'Brothers' line on the World position to be avoided, but also the 'Brothers' line on the Response position. When the 'Official Ghost' afflicts the World line, good intentions may end up turning into resentment and enmity.

山野獸禽，須尋福德。六畜牛犬，亦看子孫。不拘家禽野獸皆以子孫為用神，末看財爻持世，子動生之，或日月動爻生財或財動化子孫，乃吉象也。不拘買賣畜禽，多多益善，大有利息。子孫持世，財爻合世，亦有利益。獨防鬼變子孫，子孫變鬼，父化子，子化父，父兄持世，財臨空破，不可行之。

Wild animals in the mountains and domesticated animals such as cattle and dogs should be looked for through the "Children" line. Whether it is domestic or wild animals, the "Children" line is considered the "Useful God." Then, one should look at the "Wealth" line to see if it is held by the current line: if the "Children" line moves and generates wealth, or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line generates wealth, or if the wealth line moves and transforms into the "Children" line, these are all favorable signs. In such cases, whether buying or selling, the more livestock and birds there are, the better, and the profit will be substantial. If the "Children" line holds the current line and the wealth line combines with the current line, it is also beneficial. However, one must be cautious of the "Ghost" line transforming into the "Children" line, or the "Children" line transforming into the "Ghost" line, as well as the "Parents" transforming into the "Children" or the "Children" transforming into the "Parents." If the "Parents" or "Siblings" hold the current line and the wealth line is empty or broken, then the transaction should not be made.

如丑月丁卯日買馬往南發賣 得鼎之大有。兄弟巳火′，兄弟巳火′應；子孫未土″應，子孫未土″；妻財酉金′，妻財酉金′；妻財酉金′，子孫辰土′世；官鬼亥水′世，父母寅木′；子孫丑土″動，官鬼子水′。斷曰：內卦子孫雖臨月建，不宜動而變鬼，外卦未土子孫，又臨月破，不宜買，幸而間爻酉財暗動生世，馬雖多死，財不致於大耗，後果買馬七十餘匹，一路多死，僅存二十八匹，幸而得價不然大虧其本。

In the month of Chou and on the day of Dingmao, someone wanted to buy horses and transport them south for sale. The divination yielded the Hexagram Ding, which transforms into Da You. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: the brother in Si fire (yang line), the child in Wei earth (yin line) holding the responding line, the wife's wealth in You metal (yang line), the wife's wealth in You metal (yang line), the official ghost in Hai water (yang line) holding the world line, and the child in Chou earth (yin line) moving secretly. The transformed hexagram Da You, from top to bottom, is: the brother in Si fire holding the responding line, the child in Wei earth, the wife's wealth in You metal, the child in Chen earth holding the world line, the parents in Yin wood, and the official ghost in Zi water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the child in Chou earth at the first line of the inner trigram is exactly at the month builder of Chou month, but since it moves secretly and transforms into the official ghost in Zi water, it is not favorable. The child in Wei earth at the fifth line of the outer trigram is also being broken by the month of Chou, so buying the horses is not advisable. Fortunately, the You metal wealth in the middle moves secretly to support the world line, so although many horses will die, the money will not be greatly lost. Later, they indeed bought over seventy horses, but many died along the way, leaving only twenty-eight. Fortunately, they sold them at a good price, otherwise they would have lost a lot of money.

有技力，首重世應，若勝以得財者，兼用財。又世喜臨於日月，財宜日月生扶，世爻動而化吉，應帶財而生世，皆我勝。世財休囚空破或被刑沖剋害，及卦中父動者，多破其財。如巳月戊申日占鵪鶉 得漸之巽卦。官鬼卯木′應，官鬼卯木′世；父母巳火′，父母巳火′；兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″；子孫申金′世，子孫酉金′應；父母午火″動，妻財亥水′；兄弟辰土″，兄弟丑土″。

In games that involve competition of skills and strength, one should first look at the World Line and the Response Line. If the game involves winning money, then one should also consider the Wealth Line. The World Line is most favorable when it is close to the Day Branch and the Month Builder. The Wealth Line is best when it is generated and supported by the Day and Month. If the World Line moves and transforms into a favorable line, and the Response Line brings wealth to support the World Line, these signs indicate a victory for our side. If the World Line or the Wealth Line is weak and confined, falls empty, is broken, or is punished, clashed, or controlled, or if the Parents Line in the hexagram moves, it is likely that we will lose money. On the day of Wu Shen in the month of Si, a divination on fighting quail shows the Gradual Hexagram transforming into the Wind Hexagram. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Official Ghost Wood at the second line (Yang), Parents Fire at the first line (Yang), Brothers Earth at the third line (Yin), Children Metal at the fourth line (Yang) holding the World Line, Parents Fire at the fifth line (Yin) moving, and Brothers Earth at the sixth line (Yin). The transformed hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Official Ghost Wood holding the World Line, Parents Fire, Brothers Earth, Children Metal at the fourth line (Yang) holding the Response Line, Wealth Water at the fifth line, and Brothers Earth at the sixth line.

斷曰：子孫持世以臨日辰，父爻雖動，亥水制之，獨不宜亥為月破，雖可制火，今日巳午時切不可斗。彼曰：何也？余曰：巳午時午火父母得令，必克子孫，果於早勝，午時又大敗破財。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: The children are represented by the metal of the monkey (申), which holds the world, and the parents are indicated by the earth dog (戊申) on the day branch. Although the second line, which represents the parents, is activated by the fire of the horse (午), it is restrained by the water of the pig (亥) that arises through transformation. The only problem is that the water of the pig is exactly at the month breaker of the snake (巳), so although it can restrain the fire, its strength is limited. Therefore, one must not continue to fight during the snake hour (巳) and the horse hour (午). He asked why, and I said: The snake and horse hours are precisely when the fire of the parents is in charge, and it must overcome the children. Later, indeed, they won continuously in the morning, but suffered a great defeat at the horse hour.

請會須宜財旺，更宜世應相生。卦遇六沖，財雖旺而不久。六沖變合，世應相剋亦成。六合變沖，有始無終。財逢絕破，速宜止之。搖會得否，旺財持世必得。如占何時可得，財破財空填實之日，財若伏藏，出現之日。財太旺者，逢墓之日。財衰絕者，逢相生之日。倘得財化回頭之克及衰靜而逢空破又土遇六沖者，會場必散，終無得會之日矣。

When initiating a cooperative fund (a community money pooling system), it is favorable if the wealth line is prosperous and strong, and even more favorable if the world line and response line are mutually generating. If the hexagram encounters six clashes, even if the wealth line is strong, it will not last long. If the hexagram changes from six clashes to six harmony, even if the world and response lines are mutually controlling, the cooperation can still succeed. However, if the hexagram changes from six harmony to six clashes, the cooperation will start but not end. If the wealth line meets its decline or destruction, it is advisable to stop immediately. Regarding whether the cooperative fund can be successfully formed, if the prosperous wealth line holds the world position, it is certain to be successful. As for when the cooperation can be formed: if the wealth line is broken or empty, it should be on the day it is filled; if the wealth line is hidden, it should be on the day it appears; if the wealth line is too strong, it should be on the day it enters its tomb; if the wealth line is weak and meets its decline, it should be on the day it receives support. If the wealth line is transformed into a reverse control, or if it is weak and still, and meets both emptiness and destruction, and the hexagram encounters six clashes, then the cooperative fund will definitely disband and there will be no day when the cooperation is successfully formed.

覺子曰：古以青龍財爻為吉，餘以此非營生之本，乃喪心之事也。行此喪心之事，亦敢告之於神耶？既告之於神而神若以吉凶而報者，乃神之教人而作喪心之事也，可謂之大道之易卦耶？可謂之伏羲之大神耶？然不獨此，凡占非禮非義之事，不忠不孝之謀，一念之惡，神隨知之，即不告之於神，亦遭天譴。書曰：惠迪吉，從逆凶，何須問卜？

Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, wrote: The ancients considered the Azure Dragon (Qinglong) added to the wealth爻 as auspicious, but I believe that taking risks to seek wealth is not a proper means of livelihood, but rather an act that completely loses one's conscience. If one does such an evil deed, how dare they report it to the gods? If they do report it, and the gods still respond according to auspicious and inauspicious signs, then it is as if the gods are teaching people to do evil things, which can no longer be called the Great Dao of the Book of Changes (Yi), nor can it be called the great divination passed down by Fuxi. Not only does this apply to seeking wealth through risky means—any divination concerning improper and unrighteous matters, or schemes that are unfaithful and disrespectful to one's parents, as soon as a thought of evil arises in the mind, the gods will immediately know. Even if one does not tell the gods, they will still suffer divine punishment. The Book of Documents, Great Yu's Mandate, says, 'Following the right path brings good fortune; following the contrary path brings misfortune.' Why then should one consult divination for such matters?

覺子曰：男家占女，不拘父母親朋而代占者，無不以財為用。女家占男，皆以官為用。用官者，官有生扶。用財者，財爻旺相，即許婚。今見古今諸書文，以財旺傷克父母爻，不知宜財之旺而為吉也？宜財不旺而為吉也？或曰：黃金策云，翁姑不睦，皆因妻位交重。海底眼曰：財動喪雙親。易冒亦曰：妻財動父母參商。俱以財動傷克父母，未說旺也。

Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, said: When the male side divines the female side, whether it is the parents or friends acting on their behalf, there is no case where the 'wife's wealth' line is not used as the 'useful god'. When the female side divines the male side, the 'official ghost' line is always used as the 'useful god'. For those using the 'official ghost' line, the 'official ghost' line must be supported and strengthened; for those using the 'wife's wealth' line, the 'wife's wealth' line must be prosperous and strong. If these conditions are met, the marriage is considered auspicious. However, now looking at the writings of various schools throughout history, they all say that a strong 'wife's wealth' line will harm the 'parents' line. So, is a strong 'wife's wealth' line considered auspicious, or is it only when the 'wife's wealth' line is not strong? Some have provided evidence: The Golden Strategies says, 'Incompatibility between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is due to the repeated appearance of the wife's position'; The Eye at the Bottom of the Sea says, 'When the wife's wealth line is activated, both parents will suffer'; The Venturing into the Changes also says, 'When the wife's wealth line moves, the parents will be like Canopus and Antares, never meeting'. All these only mention that when the 'wife's wealth' line is active, it will harm the parents, but they do not say that a strong 'wife's wealth' line will cause harm.

余曰：動能傷父母，旺則不能傷耶？假令春天占卦，財爻屬木，謂之女命旺而可取，但父母爻定然屬土，如此當權得令之財爻不克休囚之父母耶？何必曰動？殊不知者人言動而不言旺者，正恐後人駁論，所以不言其旺，不得己而言動也，豈知亦被看破。

I replied: If the wealth爻 moves and can harm the parents爻, then can the wealth爻 not harm the parents爻 when it is strong? For example, if one divines in spring, the wealth爻 is wood, and wood is in its season in spring. According to their view, this means the wife's fate is strong and she can be married. However, at this time the parents爻 must be earth, and earth is weak and confined in spring. So, if the wealth爻 is in its season and strong, can it not overcome the parents爻 which is weak and confined? Why must they insist on saying 'movement'? In fact, those people only talk about 'movement' and not about 'strength'. They are afraid that later generations will use this as an argument against them, so they avoid using the word 'strength'. They are forced to say 'movement' instead. But they don't realize that this intention has already been seen through.

或曰：據爾之論，何以為法？余曰：分占之法也。先要財官旺相，既得吉卦，再占妨克父母，是其法也。黃金策專以應為妻位，易冒亦以應為妻，欲其旺相乃為賢良發福之女，又以應為女家父母，謂之應爻旺相，必是富貴之家，若休囚必宅貧寒之宅。執此論，則旺相賢良之女皆出於富貴之家？種種悖謬，餘不知何以千百年來竟無一人道破。

Someone asked: According to your view, what method should be used? I said: Use the method of 'dividing the divination'. First, cast a hexagram, and check whether the wealth line and official line are prosperous and strong; once a favorable hexagram is obtained, cast another hexagram specifically to inquire whether there will be any harm or conflict with the parents. This is the method. The Golden Strategies exclusively take the response line as the wife's position, and the book Easy Changes also treats the response line as the wife, saying that when the response line is prosperous and strong, it indicates a virtuous and prosperous woman; yet it also treats the response line as the parents of the woman, saying that when the response line is prosperous and strong, it must come from a wealthy family, and when it is weak and confined, it must be from a poor family. According to this reasoning, does a virtuous and prosperous woman necessarily come from a wealthy family? All these contradictions are absurd, and I do not understand why no one has ever pointed this out throughout the centuries.

男卜女，姻財要旺。女占男，配鬼宜興。男家代占女，專以財為用神，以應爻為女家，財宜旺相動而化吉，應爻不宜空破又克世爻。女家代占男，專以官為用神，以應爻為男家，宜官生旺相動而化吉，應爻不宜空破墓絕，不宜克世。男人自占妻者，亦以財爻為用神，以應爻為女身，財與應爻皆宜生世持世合世，必忌破墓絕空。

When a man divines about a woman, the wife's wealth line should be prosperous and strong. When a woman divines about a man, the ghost line representing the spouse should be flourishing. If a man is divining on behalf of a woman, he should focus on the wealth line as the useful god, and the response line represents the woman's side: the wealth line should be prosperous and strong, active and transform into good fortune. The response line should not be empty, broken, or harmful. It should not also harm the world line. If a woman is divining on behalf of a man, she should focus on the official ghost line as the useful god, and the response line represents the man's side: the official ghost line should be supported and prosperous, active and transform into good fortune. The response line should not be empty, broken, in a tomb, or at its peak, and should not harm the world line. When a man divines about his own wife, he should also use the wealth line as the useful god, and the response line represents the woman herself: both the wealth line and the response line should support the world line, hold the world line, or harmonize with the world line. They should most avoid being broken, in a tomb, at their peak, or empty.

財旺生身，應值破空當取，應爻生世，財爻破絕勿求。野鶴曰：財爻應爻同來生合世爻者更吉，大抵以財爻為重，他爻為附和耳。黃金策曰：應為白髮之妻，重應而又重財，謬也。

When the wealth line is prosperous and strong and also comes to generate the world line, even if the response line is exactly at the month breaker or the ten-day void, this marriage should still be taken. Conversely, if only the response line generates the world line but the wealth line meets a break and an end, then one should not seek it. The Wild Crane Elder said: when the wealth line and the response line both generate and harmonize with the world line, it is most auspicious; generally speaking, the wealth line is still the main factor, and the other lines are merely supplementary. The Golden Strategies say that the response line represents the wife who shares a long life, and that both the response line and the wealth line are important, needing attention from both sides — this is incorrect.

子月癸酉日自占婚 得恆變鼎。妻財戌土″應動，子孫巳火′；官鬼申金″，妻財未土″應；子孫午火′，官鬼酉金′；官鬼酉金′世，官鬼酉金′；父母亥水′，父母亥水′世；妻財丑土″，妻財丑土″。斷曰：酉官持世，戌土財爻動而生世，又得世應相生，戌土雖值旬空，動不為空，明日出空之日，求之必允，果於次日巳時允婚，夫妻白頭相守，兒女成行。

A person divined his own marriage matter on the day of Guiyou in the month of Zi, obtaining the Hexagram of Constant and transforming into the Hexagram of Cauldron. The lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, are: Wealth of Xiu Earth (a yin line) holding the responding line and moving, Official Ghost of Shen Metal (a yin line), Children of Wu Fire (a yang line), Official Ghost of You Metal (a yang line) holding the world line, Parents of Hai Water (a yang line), and Wealth of Chou Earth (a yin line). The transformed hexagram of Cauldron has the lines in order: Children of Si Fire, Wealth of Wei Earth holding the responding line, Official Ghost of You Metal, Official Ghost of You Metal again, Parents of Hai Water holding the world line, and Wealth of Chou Earth. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the Official Ghost of You Metal holds the world line, the top line of Xiu Earth Wealth moves and generates the world line, and the world and responding lines mutually support each other. Although Xiu Earth is in the empty position, the moving line is not considered empty. The next day is the day when it will come out of the empty position, and seeking marriage will certainly be accepted. Later, on the second day at the time of Si, the marriage was agreed upon, and the couple lived happily together, with many children.

又如寅月丙午日女家代占婚 得臨之既濟卦。子孫酉金″，妻財子水″應；妻財亥水″應動，兄弟戌土′；兄弟丑土″，子孫申金″；兄弟丑土″動，妻財亥水′世；官鬼卯木′世動，兄弟丑土″；父母巳火′，官鬼卯木′。

For example, on a day of Bingwu (丙午) in the month of Yin (寅), a woman's family divines the matter of a marriage on her behalf, and the hexagram obtained is Ling (临) changing to Ji Ji (既济). The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is:Children You Metal (a yin line), Wealth Hai Water (a yin line) holding the response line and moving, Brothers Chou Earth (a yin line), Brothers Chou Earth (a yin line) moving, Official Ghost Mao Wood (a yang line) holding the world line and moving, and Parents Si Fire (a yang line). The changed hexagram Ji Ji, from top to bottom, is:Wealth Zi Water holding the response line, Brothers Xu Earth, Children Shen Metal, Wealth Hai Water holding the world line, Brothers Chou Earth, and Official Ghost Mao Wood. The woman's family is divining the man, so the official ghost line, Mao wood, is the useful god. The response line, Hai water, represents the man's family. The key point in this hexagram is that the response line Hai water moves and transforms into Xu earth, which turns back to restrain it.

覺子曰：女家占男，以官為用，以應爻為男家，此古法也，亦死法也，斷卦之時，須要人之活變，未必全得顯而易見者，即如此卦，女家占男，卯木旺官持世，其婚必成，而應爻受克，又為男家不允，似此何以決之，要知財官為重，世應為輕，雖是女家占男，亦要財爻不致於換陷，此—卦也，男女二人財被回頭克又逢丑土之克，如何能生卯木之官？男女不能相合相生，婚雖成終有他變，後果聘定於四月，未及成婚被賊兵劫去，應巳月者亥水逢月破也。

Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, wrote: When a woman divines about a man, the official line is the useful god, and the response line represents the man's side. This is the ancient method, but also a rigid one. When making a judgment, one must rely on the person's flexibility, as things are not always clear. Take this hexagram as an example. The woman is divining about a man. The卯wood is strong and the official line holds the world line, which suggests the marriage will certainly succeed. However, the response line is being attacked, indicating the man's side is unwilling to agree. This creates a contradiction. How can one decide? Remember that the official and wealth lines are more important, while the world and response lines are less so. Even when a woman is divining about a man, one must check whether the wealth line is trapped. In this hexagram, the wealth line, which is亥water, is being attacked by the transformed戌earth, which attacks it from behind, and also by丑earth. How can it then support the卯wood official line? Since the man and woman cannot support and generate each other, even if the marriage is arranged, there will be other troubles. Later, in the fourth month, the engagement was arranged, but before the marriage could take place, the woman was captured by bandits. This corresponds to the巳month, because the亥water is broken in the巳month.

財值休囚破散，終非舉案之姻。官逢衰墓絕空，難遂齊眉之願。財爻官爻不宜墓絕空破，又不宜動而化破化散化克化鬼，乃夭折貧寒之合。男占忌財爻犯之，女占忌官爻犯之。男女自占，世爻忌犯，參商難免。世爻空亡，動化退，終須失望。動而空者實空之月日必成，靜而空者終不成也。世動化進神，事在必成。若化退神，終須難就。應爻靜而空破及化退神，亦同此推。

If the wealth line is in a weak and confined state, meets destruction, or disperses energy, it will not lead to a harmonious and respectful marriage. If the official line is weak, enters the tomb, meets its end, or falls into emptiness, it will be difficult to achieve the wish of growing old together. Both the wealth line and the official line should avoid entering the tomb, meeting their end, falling into emptiness, or meeting destruction. They should also avoid being activated and transforming into destruction, dispersion, overcoming, or ghosts, which indicate a relationship that is doomed or marked by poverty. If a man's divination indicates the wealth line has these issues, it is a bad omen; if a woman's divination indicates the official line has these issues, it is also a bad omen. If both parties divinate themselves, they should avoid the world line having these issues, as it will inevitably lead to separation like the stars Shen and Chang. If the world line falls into the旬空 (decade emptiness) or is activated and transforms into a retreating god, it will ultimately lead to disappointment. If the world line is activated and falls into emptiness, it may still succeed in the month or day when the emptiness is filled. If it remains still and falls into emptiness, it will never succeed. If the world line is activated and transforms into an advancing god, the matter will definitely succeed. If it transforms into a retreating god, it will ultimately fail. If the response line remains still, falls into emptiness, meets destruction, or transforms into a retreating god, it will follow the same pattern.

應一何空，財化進，夙有良緣。應空他人不實，若動化退神，必有退悔之心，若得財爻動化進神而生世者，雖見退悔，終是良緣。若世應動而破者。亦應實破之時、世應皆空多費力，反吟多變事難成。世應俱空，皆無準實，反吟卦變，反覆難成。野鶴曰：倘得空而逢旺財鬼相生，先雖不允，後終還成。

The Response Line may fall empty, but if the Wealth Line transforms into an Advancing God, it still indicates a good previous connection. If the Response Line falls empty, it suggests the other party is not sincere. If the Response Line moves and transforms into a Retreating God, then the other party definitely has a change of heart. However, if the Wealth Line moves and transforms into an Advancing God and also generates the World Line, even if the other party temporarily changes their mind, in the end it will still be a good connection. If both the World Line and the Response Line move and encounter a Month Breaker, it should be considered when the Month Breaker is filled. If both the World Line and the Response Line fall empty, more effort will be needed. If a reverse chant appears, there will be many changes and difficulties in achieving the matter: if both the World and Response Lines are empty, neither side is certain. A reverse chant卦 and a changing reverse chant卦 indicate repeated difficulties and failure in achieving the matter. The Wild Crane Elder said: if although falling empty, there is a Wealth Line or Ghost Line that is prosperous and strong and mutually generates, then even if they did not agree at first, in the end it can still succeed.

男占兮兄動，卦中非配偶。兄爻持世或兄動，乃傷妻阻隔之神，此婚必難成，已成者，遇此不免刑傷。覺子曰：兄爻持世，若得財爻動來相合，此婚必成。世兄爻化出財爻，此婚亦能成。女占兮官爻持世是良緣。女占男不宜子孫持世發動，子孫乃傷夫之神，未成者不成，已成者傷夫再嫁。惟官星持世合世生世旺相者，不獨姻緣必就，可期舉案齊眉。卦中官鬼重疊亦主再嫁。

When the male asks the question and the "Brother"爻 is active, this hexagram does not indicate his spouse. If the "Brother"爻 holds the world position or is active, it signifies harm to the wife and an obstructing force, making this marriage difficult to achieve. If the marriage has already taken place and this situation occurs, there is sure to be some injury or harm. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler of the revised text, explains that if the "Brother"爻 holds the world position and the "Wealth"爻 is active and combines with it, the marriage will still succeed. If the "Brother"爻 in the world position transforms into the "Wealth"爻, the marriage can also be realized. When the female asks the question and the "Official Ghost"爻 holds the world position, it indicates a good match. For a female asking about a male, it is most unfavorable for the "Child"爻 to hold the world position or be active, as the "Child"爻 is a harmful force to the husband. Unmarried couples will not get married, and those already married will harm their husband and eventually remarry. Only when the "Official Star"爻 holds, combines with, or generates the world position and is prosperous and strong, will the relationship certainly succeed, and the couple can be respectful and harmonious. If there are many "Official Ghost"爻 in the hexagram, it also indicates a possibility of remarriage.

財官世應刑世夫妻反目。如巳月已亥日占夫妻不和將來如好否？得需之大過卦。妻財子水″，兄弟未土″；兄弟戌土′，子孫酉金′；子孫申金″世動，妻財亥水′世；兄弟辰土′，子孫酉金′；官鬼寅木′，妻財亥水′；妻財子水′應動，兄弟丑土″應。

The Wealth Line, Official Ghost Line, or World Line and Response Line that mutually harm the World Line indicate that the couple will inevitably part. On the day of Jihai in the month of Si, someone consulted about whether a marital discord could be reconciled, and the hexagram obtained was Need changing to Da Guo. The Primary Hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: Wealth Line, Water Grandchild (a yin line), Brothers, Earth Dog (a yang line), Grandchild, Metal Monkey (a yin line) holding the World Line and moving, Brothers, Earth Dragon (a yang line), Official Ghost, Wood Tiger (a yang line), and Wealth Line, Water Grandchild (a yang line) holding the Response Line and moving. The transformed hexagram Da Guo's six lines from top to bottom are: Brothers, Earth Goat, Grandchild, Metal Rooster, Wealth Line, Water Pig holding the World Line, Grandchild, Metal Rooster, Wealth Line, Water Pig, and Brothers, Earth Ox holding the Response Line. This is a case where the wife is consulting about her husband. The Wood Tiger Official Ghost represents the husband's line, but the World Line is occupied by the Grandchild, Metal Monkey, which harms the husband's line.

斷曰：女占夫，不宜子孫持世，乃剋夫之象，幸寅木子水相生，不能傷之，所以不和，今兼應爻為夫，應逢子丑作合，夫已有外遇，水木相生，兩人情密。彼曰：果然。後如何？余曰：兩人不是姻緣，雖則不能死別，必有生離，果於次年寅月休妻，此人六月再取彼婦，應寅月者，夫臨寅木而沖世也，應六月者未土沖開初爻丑土，子水來生其寅木也。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: When a woman divines about her husband, it is most unfavorable for the Children line to be the World Line, as this indicates a husband being harmed; fortunately, the First Line, which is the Water of the Child, and the Second Line, which is the Wood of the Official, are in mutual generation, so the Children line does not harm the husband's line at the moment, hence only a lack of harmony. Now, looking further at the Response Line, which represents the husband, the Water of the Child in the Response Line is activated and combines with the transformed Earth of the Ox, indicating the husband has already had an affair outside. Water and Wood generate each other, showing that the two are still very close. The person said: Indeed, so what will happen in the future? I said: These two were not meant to be together, though they will not die apart, they will certainly part ways. Later, indeed, in the second year's寅month, the wife was divorced, and in June of that year, he married the woman he had an affair with. The prediction of the寅month is because the Wood of the Husband's line, which is寅, conflicts with the World Line; the prediction of June is because the Earth of the Untransformed Initial Line, which is丑, is opposed by the Earth of the Untransformed Initial Line, which is未, allowing the Water of the Initial Line to go and generate the Wood of the Second Line.

旺相爻逢六合彼此同心。爻逢六合占婚最宜，更要財官旺相為吉，男忌財逢破墓，女防官位克絕，六沖變六合者更吉，眼下不允，日後必成。已成婚不和睦者，終究和美。忌六沖，卦無財官，主婚不成，勉強成之，若非死別，定是生離。六合變六沖，雖許允後必更張，已成者終須折枕。

The Useful God is prosperous and strong, and the line also meets the Six Harmony, indicating that the couple will certainly be in harmony. When predicting marriage, it is most favorable for the line to meet the Six Harmony, and it is even more auspicious if the wealth line and official line are also prosperous and strong. For the male, it is unfavorable if the wealth line is broken or buried; for the female, one should be cautious if the official line is attacked or reaches its decline. If the Six Clashes change into the Six Harmony, it is even more favorable, although they may not agree at present, they will eventually agree in the future. If they are already married but not harmonious, they will eventually become harmonious. The most unfavorable situation is the Six Clashes, and if the卦 does not contain the wealth line or the official line, it indicates that the marriage will not succeed. Even if it is forced to succeed, it will either result in death or separation. If the Six Harmony changes into the Six Clashes, although they may agree at first, there will certainly be disputes later. If they are already married, they will eventually have to separate.

占用咸臨節泰，忌逢暌革解離。覺子曰：易冒有云，卦得咸臨節泰，若不遇合沖變，雖財官衰陷隨墓助傷，皆不為凶。暌革解離，則為凶兆，雖用神全備而化合，亦不為吉，此言用神不騰於卦，驗也。曾於巳月丁卯日占婚於何時 得泰卦。子孫酉金″應，子孫酉金″應；妻財亥水″，妻財亥水″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；兄弟辰土′世，兄弟辰土′世；官鬼寅木′，官鬼寅木′；妻財子水′，妻財子水′。

Divination for marriage is favorable when the hexagram is 《Xian》, 《Lin》, 《Jie》, or 《Tai》, and unfavorable when it is 《Kui》, 《Ge》, 《Jie》, or 《Li》. Li Wenhui (Juezi) himself said in 《Yi Mao》 that if one obtains 《Xian》, 《Lin》, 《Jie》, or 《Tai》, as long as there is no mutual interaction, conflict, or change in the middle, even if the wealth line and official ghost line are weak, lost, or involved with the official ghost or if the wealth line moves to assist the official ghost, it is not considered a bad omen. However, if one obtains 《Kui》, 《Ge》, 《Jie》, or 《Li》, it is a bad omen, even if the useful god is complete and harmonized, it is not considered a good omen. This is equivalent to saying that the hexagram can override the useful god—this statement is unreliable. Once, on the day of Dingmao in the month of Si, I divined the time when a marriage would be successful, and obtained the hexagram 《Tai》, with all six lines quiet and the resulting hexagram the same as the primary hexagram. The six lines from top to bottom are: the child line in You metal (yin line) holding the responding line, the wealth line in Hai water (yin line), the sibling line in Chou earth (yin line), the sibling line in Chen earth (yang line) holding the world line, the official ghost line in Yin wood (yang line), and the wealth line in Zi water (yang line).

餘見此卦，兄爻持世，亥財臨月破旬空，子水之財，世爻克之，日辰刑之，古雖以泰卦為吉，餘焉敢以為之婚姻大事而試卦耶，命之再占。又得坤卦。子孫酉金″世，子孫酉金″世；妻財亥水″，妻財亥水″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；官鬼卯木″應，官鬼卯木″應；父母巳火″，父母巳火″；兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″。

The Wild Crane Elder said: I looked at this hexagram. The brother爻, represented by the earth element of Chen, holds the world line. The fifth line, represented by the water element of Hai, which is the wealth爻, is directly affected by the month breaker of Si and also falls under the influence of the ten-day emptiness. The first line, represented by the water element of Zi, which is also a wealth爻, is both overcome by the world line of Chen and subjected to the刑 of the day branch Dingmao. Although ancient people regard the hexagram Tai as a favorable one, how dare I use this established theory to test such an important matter as marriage? Therefore, I asked him to cast another hexagram. Another hexagram was obtained, the hexagram Kun, with all six lines quiet, and the resulting hexagram is the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom are: the son爻, represented by the metal element of You (a yin line), holds the world line; the wealth爻, represented by the water element of Hai (a yin line); the brother爻, represented by the earth element of Chou (a yin line); the official ghost爻, represented by the wood element of Mao (a yin line), holds the responding line; the parent爻, represented by the fire element of Si (a yin line); and the brother爻, represented by the earth element of Wei (a yin line).

世爻休囚為日破，亥水財爻臨月破，卦遇六沖，大凶之兆，故知前得泰卦，非為吉也，仍用財官世應者為是，然亦不可竟以為是，凡有所疑，勿執古法而斷，須以再占之卦而決之，後卦若吉即以吉斷，後卦凶者則以凶推，神不欺人，彼此兩無誤矣。

In this hexagram, the world line is the metal酉, which is weak and confined, and is further broken by the卯 day. The water亥, representing wealth, is still broken by the month. The坤 hexagram is one of the eight pure hexagrams, and it coincides with the six clashes, indicating a very ominous omen. From this, we can see that the previous hexagram《泰》 is not auspicious. It is still appropriate to use the elements of wealth, officialdom, world line, and response to interpret. However, one should not conclude definitively that this is correct. If there is any doubt, one should not rigidly adhere to ancient methods. Instead, one should use the later hexagram to determine the outcome. If the later hexagram is auspicious, then it is auspicious; if it is ominous, then it is ominous. The divine will does not deceive people, so neither the diviner nor the person asking the question will make a mistake.

財化財未必婚姻兩度，鬼化鬼難曰相守百年。黃金策曰：財爻重疊，重作新人，余屢試之，男家占女家，財爻重疊旺相生合世爻者，多主賢妻美妾，財化財，或應雙娶、或應婢妾同來、或應妻妾之多、或應收妝奩甚厚，惟忌爻中兄動及日月沖剋財爻，花燭重重亦不免耳。

When the wealth line transforms into another wealth line, it does not necessarily mean marrying twice; when the ghost line transforms into another ghost line, it is not certain that the couple can stay together for a hundred years. The Golden Strategies state that when wealth lines overlap, one should seek a new partner. The Wild Crane Elder explained: I have tested this many times. When the male's divination concerns the female, if the wealth line overlaps and is prosperous and strong, and also generates and harmonizes with the world line, it often indicates that there will be both a virtuous wife and a beautiful concubine. When the wealth line transforms into wealth, it may indicate marrying two wives at the same time, or having a servant woman join the household, or having many wives and concubines, or receiving an exceptionally rich dowry. However, it is to be avoided if the brother line is activated in the hexagram, or if the day branch or month builder clashes and controls the wealth line. In such cases, it is inevitable to have a second wedding or remarry.

兄臨元武，防劫騙。鬼臨白虎，遇凶喪。兄鬼動臨元武，防局中奸詐騙財，縱使世應相生，財官無害，必須大費，鬼臨虎動或不來過門或遇門不久，必見喪事。應財世鬼，夫唱婦隨。應鬼世財，夫權妻奪。世持鬼應持財，謂之陰陽得位，必然鸞鳳和鳴。鬼臨應財持世，牡雞司晨，妻奪夫權，惟贅婿得之反吉。

The brother line above the white tiger indicates the need to beware of fraud and deception; the ghost line above the white tiger suggests encountering misfortune or death. If the brother line or the ghost line moves with the white tiger, there is someone in this marriage who may deceive and steal money. Even if the world and response lines are mutually generating and the wealth and official positions are not harmed, there will certainly be great expenditure. If the ghost line moves with the white tiger, either the woman will not enter the family or she will not stay long after entering, and there will certainly be some death or misfortune. If the response line is wealth and the world line is the ghost, it indicates harmony between husband and wife. If the response line is the ghost and the world line is wealth, it indicates the wife taking over the husband's authority. If the world line is the ghost and the response line is wealth, it is called yin and yang each in their proper place, and the couple will be harmonious. Conversely, if the ghost is in the response position and wealth is in the world position, it is like a hen crowing at dawn, meaning the wife takes over the husband's authority. However, for a male-in-law who is married into the family, this situation is actually favorable.

子孫旺相或休囚而動及動而化吉，皆主有子。子化進神化回頭生，有子必多。如逢子孫墓絕動而變鬼鬼變子孫父化子子化父父動克子，皆因我命無兒，不成此婚亦無子也，惟多積陰德以培之。

The 'Children'爻 is prosperous and strong, or even if it is weak and confined but becomes active, or if it becomes active and produces a favorable爻, it indicates having children. If the 'Children'爻 transforms into an Advancing God or transforms to be generated by itself, then the son will certainly be numerous. If the 'Children'爻 enters its墓 and meets its绝, or becomes active and transforms into a Ghost爻, or the Ghost爻 transforms into 'Children', or the 'Parents'爻 transforms into 'Children', or 'Children' transforms into 'Parents', or the 'Parents'爻 becomes active and克 the 'Children'爻, then it indicates that the person has no sons in their destiny. Even if they do not marry in this relationship, taking another wife will still not result in having sons. They can only cultivate Yin Virtue to nurture it.

如申月丁丑日因有妾多占何命者有子 得革之夬卦。官鬼未土″，官鬼未土″；父母酉金′，父母酉金′世；兄弟亥水′世，兄弟亥水′；兄弟亥水′，官鬼辰土′；官鬼丑土″動，子孫寅木′應；子孫卯木′應，兄弟子水′。

In the month of Shen and day of Dingchou, someone with many concubines consulted a divination to determine which wife's fate would be able to bear a son. The hexagram obtained was Gé (Revolution), which transformed into Guà (Decisive). The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Official Ghost of Wei Earth (a yin line), Parents of You Metal (a yang line), Brothers of Hai Water (a yang line) holding the world, Brothers of Hai Water (a yang line), Official Ghost of Chou Earth (a yin line) moving, and Sons of Mao Wood (a yang line) holding the response. The transformed hexagram, Guà, from top to bottom, was: Official Ghost of Wei Earth, Parents of You Metal holding the world, Brothers of Hai Water, Official Ghost of Chen Earth, Sons of Yin Wood holding the response, and Brothers of Zi Water. The key point is that the Sons of Mao Wood, which is wood, meets its decline in the month of Shen, while the second line, the Official Ghost, moves and transforms into the Sons of Yin Wood.

斷曰：卯木子孫絕於申月，鬼變子孫又逢月破，公命無子，與女命何干？即出八字看之，甲寅甲戌甲子戊辰，余曰：八字雖有純陽包陰，兵權顯赫，但嫌並頭重重疊疊克罡，亦主無子。公曰：有何法耶？余曰：多積陰德以培之。公曰：不孝有三，無後為大。嗣後施濟貧寒，全人夫婦，修橋砌路，施藥施棺，連生二子，臨終囑其子曰：我非陰功，不能有爾，爾皆成人，多宜積德。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: The Wood in the卯 position, which represents children, is in the申 month, which is a dead place. Although the ghost爻 changes to the Wood in the寅 position, the寅 Wood is again destroyed by the申 month. This indicates that the person has no sons, so how is this related to any concubine's fate? He then took out the person's birth chart, which was Jiayin, Jiaxu, Jiazi, and Wuchen. I said: Although this birth chart shows a pure yang encompassing yin, indicating a powerful military position, it is still bad because the heavenly stems are repeated and the earthly branches are in constant conflict, which also indicates no sons. The man asked: Is there any way to change this? I said: Accumulate Yin Virtue to cultivate it. He said: The three kinds of unfilial behavior include having no descendants. From then on, he helped the poor, helped couples to reunite, built bridges and roads, gave medicine and coffins. Later, he had two sons. When he was dying, he told his sons: If it were not for accumulating good deeds, you would not be here. Since you have grown up, you must accumulate virtue even more.

專以父母為用神，父母爻或旺或衰，皆不忌也。所忌者財爻發動，必此婚之有妨。如財化父母，父母動化墓絕空破及回頭克，動而破散或日月克父母，乃桑榆暮景之秋，不成此婚亦難免耳。

This school specializes in taking the "parents"爻 as the "useful god." Whether the parents爻 is strong or weak, there is no need to avoid it; what is to be avoided is the movement of the wealth爻. If the wealth爻 moves, it will certainly cause obstacles in this marriage matter. As for the wealth爻 transforming into the parents爻, or the parents爻 moving and transforming into the tomb, the end, emptiness, destruction, or mutual restriction, or the movement of the parents爻 causing dispersion, or being restricted by the day branch and the month builder, these are signs of declining years and nearing the end of one's life. Even if this marriage does not come about, it is inevitable.

為子嗣故，以子孫為用神，與前段同斷，否則專看財爻，亦與占子同斷。占配僕，以財爻為用，財爻持世，或動而生合世爻，動而化進、化生、化財，皆得忠誠效力；散破空絕，非懶惰即疾病。財爻克世沖世，負義忘恩之徒也。財化鬼化絕化墓化克及鬼化財爻，貧窮壽夭。

When taking a concubine for the purpose of having children, the "Children" line is taken as the "Useful God," and the method of judgment is the same as in the previous chapter. If it is not for having children, then focus solely on the "Wealth" line, and the method of judgment is the same as when divining about children. When divining about buying a servant or a maid, the "Wealth" line is taken as the "Useful God." If the Wealth line holds the world line, or if it moves to generate and harmonize with the world line, or if it moves and transforms into an advancing god, transforms into a generating line, or transforms into an outgoing Wealth line, then one can obtain a loyal and devoted person. If the Wealth line disperses its energy, encounters a breaking line, falls into an empty line, or meets a dead end, then the person is either lazy or sickly. If the Wealth line overcomes the world line or conflicts with the world line, then the person is untrustworthy and forgetful of gratitude. If the Wealth line transforms into a ghost line, a dead end, a tomb, or an overcoming line, or if the ghost line transforms into a Wealth line, then the person is poor and short-lived.

防患者，用子孫。子孫持世，子孫發動，皆無憂也。財爻持世，子動相生者，更吉。鬼兄克世隨助傷，鬼爻持世，婚姻雖就，病患隨之。財克世，兄持世，落人之局，必人財兩失。防攔阻者，鬼動有禍，兄爻持世，到底難成，財動相生，不謀而就，六沖變沖為凶。三合六合者吉。六合變沖，成而不久。六沖變合，終必有成。強奪婚、遂私約，非祥非義，勿告於神。出妾休妻，原非所欲，有不得己而出者，必去難留。

If one marries a woman who has been previously married or a former prostitute who has been redeemed, to prevent future troubles, use the "Children"爻. If the Children爻 holds the world or is activated, there is no cause for worry. If the Wealth爻 holds the world and the Children爻 is activated to generate it, it is even more favorable. If the Ghost爻 or the Brother爻 harms the world, or if the Ghost爻 enters its tomb or the Wealth爻 activates to assist the Ghost爻 and harms the body, then if the Ghost爻 holds the world, although the marriage may be completed, illness will follow. If the Wealth爻 harms the world or the Brother爻 holds the world, it means falling into a trap set by others, resulting in loss of both person and property. If one is concerned about interference from others, the activation of the Ghost爻 indicates misfortune, while the Brother爻 holding the world makes the matter difficult to succeed. If the Wealth爻 is activated to generate the world, then success comes naturally without effort. Six clashes changing into six clashes indicate misfortune, while triple harmony and six harmony indicate good fortune. If six harmony changes into six clashes, the matter may be completed but will not last long. If six clashes change into six harmony, it will eventually succeed. As for forced marriages or secret unions, they are both inauspicious and unjust, and should not be reported to the gods. Regarding sending away a concubine or divorcing a wife, it is not something people desire. If one must do so for unavoidable reasons, those who are destined to leave will not be able to stay.

卜胎之虛實，占孕之安危，問產婦之吉凶，測胎中之男女，各宜分占，親占代占，皆用子孫，惟子占母孕，以弟兄爻為用神也。福神旺相遇生扶，麟捶兆瑞。子孫休囚逢破衰，泡孕空虛。子孫臨日月、或遇日月動爻生扶、或動而化吉，皆許成孕。若臨空破衰絕、或被刑沖剋害、或動而變鬼化絕化破、或鬼變子、父變子、子化父，水泡空燈，惟動而空者不防。

Divination for pregnancy involves four separate matters: whether the woman is truly pregnant, the stability of the pregnancy, the fortune of the mother, and the gender of the unborn child. Whether one is divining for oneself or for someone else, the "Children" line is used as the "Useful God." However, when a child divines for his mother's pregnancy, the "Siblings" line is used as the "Useful God." If the "Children" line is prosperous and strong and receives support, it indicates a blessed child. If the "Children" line is weak and confined and meets destruction or decline, the pregnancy may end in failure like a bubble. If the "Children" line is on the day branch or month builder, or receives support from the day or month and the moving line, or transforms into a favorable line, it indicates a confirmed pregnancy. If the "Children" line falls into an empty position, meets destruction, is weak, meets its decline, or is punished or harmed by clashes and control, or transforms into a ghost line, meets destruction, or meets destruction, or if the ghost line transforms into the "Children" line, the "Parents" line transforms into the "Children" line, or the "Children" line transforms into the "Parents" line, it is like a bubble or a phantom lamp, empty and illusory. Only when the "Children" line moves but falls into an empty position, there is no need to be cautious.

子化子雙生有準。子動化子孫、或卦中子孫動、或已有旺相之子孫動者他爻又變出旺之子孫，皆主雙胎。卜筮元龜云：子孫兩旺，定是雙胎。覺子曰：兩動兩旺者，此斷是也。內有一衰，一死一生，一陰一陽者一女一男。兩現一不動者，非也。

The Children (children) changing into another Children indicates twins, and this is certain: when the Children is activated and changes into another Children, or when there is another Children activated in the hexagram, or when there is already a prosperous and strong Children activated and another yao (line) changes into another prosperous and strong Children, this indicates a double pregnancy. The book "卜筮元龟" (Original Oracle of Divination) says that when both instances of Children are prosperous, it is definitely a case of twins. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, wrote that when both Children are activated and prosperous, this is the correct interpretation; if one of them is weak, then one will die and the other will live; if one is yin and the other is yang, then it will be one girl and one boy. However, if both Children appear in the hexagram but one is not activated, then this rule does not apply.

陽變陰男女可辨。六爻靜，先看卦包陰包陽，生女陽包陰，生男陰包陽，坎卦、大過、小過、咸、恆卦是也。陽包陰，離卦、中孚、頤、損卦是也，其餘非也。六爻既靜若無包，須看子孫值陽為男，值陰為女。卦有動爻雖有子包而不用，神兆機於動，先看動爻。一爻動者，陽動為女，陰動為男；兩爻動者，看上爻；若有三爻發動，看中爻；卦中多動者，來心不誠，改日再占。即刻連占亦不驗也。

When a yang line changes to a yin line, the gender can be determined. If all six lines are still, first determine whether the whole hexagram is "yin enclosing yang" or "yang enclosing yin": "yin enclosing yang" indicates a male, referring to the hexagrams of Kan, Da Guo, Xiao Guo, Xian, and Heng (with yin outside and yang in the middle); "yang enclosing yin" indicates a female, referring to the hexagrams of Li, Zhong Fu, Yi, and Shen (with yang outside and yin in the middle). Other hexagrams do not fall into these categories. If all six lines are still and do not form an enclosing pattern, then look at the line of descendants: if the descendant line is a yang line, it indicates a male; if it is a yin line, it indicates a female. If there is a moving line in the hexagram, then even if there is an enclosing pattern, it should be ignored, because the signs of the spirit first appear in the moving lines. First examine the moving lines: if only one line is moving, a yang line moving indicates a female, and a yin line moving indicates a male; if two lines are moving, look at the upper one; if three lines are moving, look at the middle one; if too many lines are moving, it indicates that the person asking the question is not sincere. Do not divinate again on the same day, as it will not be accurate.

如辰月戊辰日占孕男女得小過之豫卦。父母戌土″，父母戌土″；兄弟申金″，兄弟申金″；官鬼午火′世，官鬼午火′應；兄弟申金′動，妻財卯木″；官鬼午火″，官鬼巳火″；父母辰土″應，父母未土″世。

He asked about a pregnancy on the day of Wu Chen and the month of Chen, using the hexagram Xiao Guo which changes to Yu. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents戌 earth (yin line), siblings申 metal (yin line), official ghost午 fire (yang line) holding the world, siblings申 metal (yang line) moving, official ghost午 fire (yin line), parents辰 earth (yin line) holding the response. The transformed hexagram Yu, from top to bottom, is: parents戌 earth, siblings申 metal, official ghost午 fire holding the response, wife wealth卯 wood, official ghost巳 fire, parents未 earth holding the world. The only moving line in the entire hexagram is the third line, which is the yang line of siblings申 metal, changing into the yin line of wife wealth卯 wood.

余曰：爾之來意，還是問妻孕平安？還是問孕之男女？彼曰：兩事俱問。余曰：日後須宜分占，不可同問。幸此卦兩事俱現，兄爻雖動，不克變出之財爻，草正坐草無虞，卦中陽動變陰，必然主女。彼曰：小過卦謂之陰包陽，如何生女？余曰：神兆機於動，先重動爻。果於壬申日生女，產母平安。覺子曰：占妻平安及占男女，原宜分占，彼若閒時而問兼問者，還可同斷，若在臨產危急時而問者，切不可以男女而斷。

The Wild Crane Elder asked him: "Your intention is to ask whether your wife's pregnancy is safe or to inquire about the gender of the fetus?" He said he wanted to ask about both. I said: "In the future, they should be asked separately, not in the same divination." Fortunately, in this case, both matters were clearly shown in the same hexagram: the brother's line had moved, but it did not affect the卯 wood wealth line it transformed into, indicating the mother would give birth safely without worry; the hexagram had a yang line moving and transforming into a yin line, which definitely indicated a female child. He said: "The Small Overstep hexagram is not called yin surrounding yang, so how can it be a female child?" I said: "The signs of the divine are first shown in the moving line, so we should first focus on the moving line." Later, on the Renshen day, a daughter was born, and the mother was safe. The compiler Li Wenhui (Juezi) wrote: Divination for the mother's safety and divination for the fetus's gender should be done separately. If the person asks them together casually, it is possible to answer both. However, if they come to ask in a critical situation just before giving birth, one must not answer the gender question.

坐草臨盆嫌鬼動，胎前產後忌兄搖。財臨絕破妻難保，鬼化妻財命不牢。問產婦夫占代占，皆以財為用神。雖則不宜鬼動，倘若兄動克財，又宜鬼動制服兄爻。不宜財變鬼、鬼變財、兄化財、財化兄，及妻逢月破休囚破絕化墓化絕，或日月沖剋，皆為凶兆。覺子曰：問胎產婦，雖宜分占，另有不待分占，而卦中先現者，須宜留心。

At the time of childbirth, the appearance of "Official Ghost" is most undesirable. Both before and after birth, the movement of "Siblings" is to be avoided. If the Wealth爻 meets its decline and is broken, the wife may not be safe. If the Ghost爻 transforms into Wealth爻, the life is in danger. When asking about the safety of the mother, whether the husband divines for himself or someone else does it on his behalf, the "Wealth"爻 is taken as the "Useful God". Although it is not advisable for the Ghost爻 to be active, if the Sibling爻 becomes active and controls the Wealth爻, then the Ghost爻 should become active to control the Sibling爻. It is not favorable for Wealth爻 to transform into Ghost爻, Ghost爻 to transform into Wealth爻, Sibling爻 to transform into Wealth爻, Wealth爻 to transform into Sibling爻, or for Wealth爻 to meet the Month Breaker, be weak and confined, meet a break, meet its decline, transform into a tomb, transform into its decline, or be clashed by the Day Branch or Month Builder. These are all ominous signs. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, wrote: When asking about the fetus and the mother's condition, they should be considered separately, but sometimes the卦 will show the situation clearly without needing separate divination. One must be careful and attentive to understand this.

如子月乙亥日占妻孕平安否 得豐之小過卦。官鬼戌土″，官鬼戌土″；父母申金″世，父母申金″；妻財午火′，妻財午火′世；兄弟亥水′，父母申金′；官鬼丑土″應，妻財午火″；子孫卯木′動，官鬼辰土″應。

The person asked about the safety of their wife's pregnancy on the day of Yihai in the month of Zi, and received the hexagram Feng, which changes to Xiaoguo. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: Official Ghost Wu Earth (yin line), Parents Shen Metal (yin line) holding the world, Wife Wealth Wu Fire (yang line), Brothers Hai Water (yang line), Official Ghost Chou Earth (yin line) holding the response, and Son's Child Mao Wood (yang line) active. The changed hexagram Xiaoguo, from top to bottom, is: Official Ghost Wu Earth, Parents Shen Metal, Wife Wealth Wu Fire holding the world, Parents Shen Metal, Wife Wealth Wu Fire, and Official Ghost Chen Earth holding the response. The useful god is Wu Fire Wife Wealth, which is exactly the month breaker in the month of Zi, and is also being overcome by the water of the day Yihai.

斷曰：午火妻財臨月破，又被亥日克之，冬天之火囚被克，全無生扶，命之難保。彼曰：卯木子孫，動而生火，何謂全無生扶？余曰：卯木子孫動而變鬼，神曰：母子皆喪。非生火之卯木也。斷卦者須以知機，會神之意。彼又曰：財雖不旺，卯木子孫得子月亥日以生之，何謂子亦難保。余曰：變鬼之子孫，縱臨日月亦無益矣。卦得六沖，子旺財強終是喜。爻逢六合，財空子破亦為憂。

The Wild Crane Elder said: The fire wealth is at the position of the午 fire, which is broken by the子 month, and is further overcome by the亥 day water. In winter, fire is already imprisoned and dying, and now it is further overcome, with no generation or support, so life and death are in danger. He said: The卯 wood children's line is activated and can generate fire, how can it be said there is no generation or support? I said: Although the卯 wood children's line is activated, it changes into the辰 earth ghost line, which is a message from the divine indicating that both mother and child will perish, and it is no longer the卯 wood that can generate fire. Those interpreting the hexagram must be able to recognize the situation and understand the divine intention. He then asked: Although the wealth is not strong, the卯 wood children's line is supported by the water of the子 month and the亥 day, how can even the children be in danger? I said: The children's line has already become a ghost, so even if it is at the day branch or the month branch, it is of no use. When the hexagram is of the six clashes, as long as the children's line is strong and the wealth is powerful, it will ultimately be a good omen; when the lines meet the six harmonies, if the wealth is empty or the children's line is broken, it will still be a matter of worry.

產期有遠近之分，遠則應月，近則應日。子孫動者逢合逢值，靜者逢值逢沖，空者沖空實空之日，破者實破逢合之期。白虎兄弟而動，值日而生。子孫臨絕，待生旺之日。又有子遇長生胎養之日。伏藏者出現之日而生也。

Childbirth can occur either far or near in time: if the date is still far away, it should be considered in the month; if the date is near, it should be considered on a specific day. If the 'children'爻 is active, it should be considered on the day of conjunction or the day it is directly encountered. If the 'children'爻 is quiet, it should be considered on the day it is directly encountered or the day it is opposed. If the 'children'爻 is in the旬空 (empty period), it should be considered on the day it is opposed or filled. If the 'children'爻 meets the month breaker, it should be considered on the day it is filled or conjuncted. If the 'white tiger' is associated with the 'siblings'爻 and it becomes active, childbirth will occur on the day it is directly encountered. If the 'children'爻 is in the绝 (decline) position, it should wait until the day it regains strength and vitality. Additionally, there are cases where childbirth occurs on the days when the 'children'爻 meets the long life, fetal, or nurturing stages. If the 'children'爻 is hidden and not visible, childbirth will occur on the day it appears.

人為利名，奔馳道路，風波不測。占卜應以世爻為先，旺相宜行，空亡宜止。世為出行人，生旺有氣則吉，動而化吉，及化子孫者更吉。如若休囚空破，動而化凶者不宜行也。應為地頭，又為傍倚人，他若空破墓絕或動而化絕化回頭克者，去之無益。世傷應位，不拘遠近相宜。應克世爻，公私皆主不利。我去克他，所向通達。應來刑沖剋世，不可行之。

A person who is striving for fame and profit travels on the road, facing unpredictable difficulties. When divining about travel, one should first examine the World Line. If the World Line is prosperous and strong, it is appropriate to go; if it is weak and confined or falls empty, it is better to stay. The World Line represents the person traveling. If it is supported and strong, it brings good fortune. If it becomes active and transforms into something favorable, especially if it transforms into "Children," it is particularly auspicious. If the World Line is weak, falls empty, meets destruction, or becomes active and turns into something harmful, it is not advisable to go out. The Response Line represents the destination and also the people one can rely on along the way. If the Response Line falls empty, meets destruction, enters a tomb, or encounters a dead end, or if it becomes active and transforms into a dead end or transforms into a reverserestrain (reverse克制 means being overcome by itself), then going there will bring no benefit. If the World Line can overcome the Response Line, whether the journey is long or short, it is suitable. If the Response Line overcomes the World Line, it is unfavorable for both official and personal matters. If I overcome others, wherever I go, everything will be smooth. If the Response Line harms, conflicts, or overcomes the World Line, it is not advisable to go.

八純亂動，在處皆凶。兩間齊空，獨行則吉。六沖卦及動而變沖，世爻休囚被克者，終去不成，有始無終，去亦諸般不就。兩間爻者，乃同行附載之人，動而克世，必遭其害，動臨兄爻，破我之財，生合我者為吉，倘兩間齊空，若非中途梗阻，定然無伴孤行。靜遇日沖必動，動逢合住而留。世爻暗動者必去，世爻旺靜逢沖之日必去，世爻動而化合或被日月動爻合者，必有事故，阻滯不行。覺子曰：余常得驗，亦有應在沖開之日而行。

Among the eight pure hexagrams, if all six lines are in motion, it is ominous and no matter where one goes, it will be dangerous. If both intermediate lines are empty, traveling alone is auspicious. If the hexagram is of the six clashes, or if the hexagram changes into one of the six clashes, and the world line is weak and afflicted, one will ultimately not be able to go anywhere. Even if there is a beginning, there will be no end, and whatever one does will not succeed. The two intermediate lines refer to the two lines between the world and response lines, representing companions who travel together. If these lines move and afflict the world line, there will be harm. If they face the brother line, it will damage my wealth. If they harmonize with me, it is auspicious. If both intermediate lines are empty, it is not a case of being blocked halfway, but rather there are no companions and one travels alone. If the world line is still and is afflicted by the day branch, one will definitely set out. If the world line moves but is restrained by a harmonizing line, one will stay. If the world line moves covertly, one will go. If the world line is strong and still, one should set out on the day it is afflicted. If the world line moves and harmonizes with another line, or if it is restrained by the day branch, the lunar month, or the moving line, there will be an incident causing delay and one will not be able to go. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the compiler, says: I have often tested this, and there are cases where one sets out only on the day when the clash is resolved or the line is harmonized.

官鬼交重災禍重。武鬼動憂盜賊，雀鬼發防訟非，虎鬼疾病纏綿，蛇鬼風波警驗，勾陳鬼動，事有勾連。鬼動逢龍，戒於嫖賭。鬼發震乾車馬患，鬼發兌坎慮風波。坤艮之鬼，山間道野逢殃。巽離之官，炎廠林窖罹難。餘在趨避章中詳之。福神發動患殃消。出行得子孫發動，子孫持世、世化子孫，程途萬里，百禍潛消，子孫克世者亦吉。

"Official Ghost" appearing repeatedly indicates serious misfortune: if the Ghost爻 is activated by the Black Tortoise, worry about theft; if activated by the Vermilion Bird, be cautious of disputes and conflicts; if activated by the White Tiger, expect prolonged illness; if activated by the Serpent, be wary of dangers on the road; if activated by the Gou Chen, expect entanglements in affairs; if the Ghost爻 is activated with the Azure Dragon, beware of gambling and immorality. If the Ghost爻 is activated in the Zhen or Qian trigrams, be cautious of accidents involving vehicles or horses; if activated in the Dui or Kan trigrams, be cautious of water-related dangers; if activated in the Kun or Gen trigrams, be cautious of dangers in mountainous or wild areas; if activated in the Xun or Li trigrams, be cautious of dangers in places like kilns, forests, or cellars. I have explained these matters in detail in the "Trend and Avoidance Chapter." When the "Children"爻 is activated, misfortune dissipates: if the Children爻 is activated, or if it holds the World Line, or if the World Line transforms into the Children爻, even if the journey is thousands of miles, all kinds of misfortunes will quietly vanish; even if the Children爻 comes to control the World Line, it is still auspicious.

父克世爻，風雨舟車行李。父母持世而動或被父動沖剋世爻，餘得驗者，有應舟車行李之累，有應風雨淋漓。世爻旺者無妨，最怕休囚而為凶也。兄沖世位，花月散耗災非。財爻持世，兄爻沖剋，有應在花朝月夕，無端浪費，有應小輩明欺暗騙，致成災非，破耗百出。

The "Parents"爻克 the World Line, indicating trouble with rain and travel burdens: When the Parents爻 holds the World Line and becomes active, or when the World Line is attacked by an active Parents爻, the Wild Crane Elder explains that some cases involve suffering from ship and vehicle burdens, while others involve being drenched by rain all the way. If the World Line is prosperous and strong, it is not too bad, but the worst is when the World Line is weak and confined, which leads to misfortune. The "Siblings"爻 conflicting with the World Line indicates waste from revelry and disasters: When the Wealth爻 holds the World Line and is attacked by the Siblings爻, some cases involve unnecessary waste during pleasant times, while others involve being deceived by younger people, leading to disasters and great losses.

反吟化退中途返，六沖隨墓始終凶。卦得伏吟世動者，沖開之日月成行。卦得反吟可到中途亦返，世逢沖剋大凶，六沖卦世靜世空必不能行。隨鬼入墓，世若休囚，不返之兆。六合化沖不吉，六沖化合方亨。六合卦變六沖，及卦變克絕者，坐家亦恐凶危。

If the divination shows reverse chant or the world line transforms into a retreating god, the journey will be interrupted halfway and one must return. If the divination shows six clashes or being led by the ghost into the tomb, the whole journey will be dangerous from the beginning. If the divination shows hidden chant and the world line is activated, one should start the journey only on the day or month when the hidden chant is opened. If the divination shows reverse chant, one can travel halfway but must still return; if the world line is further clashed and controlled, it will be extremely dangerous. If the divination shows six clashes and the world line is quiet or falls into vacancy, the journey will definitely not happen. If one is led by the ghost into the tomb and the world line is weak and confined, it is a sign of going out and never returning. Six harmony turning into six clashes is not auspicious, but six clashes turning into six harmony is favorable. If the hexagram changes into six clashes, or if the hexagram changes into a controlling or an ending state, even staying at home may bring danger.

登舟問何日至，世爻發動，合日值日而到。若得子孫持世及子孫他爻發動者，值日而到。世化退及反吟卦，中途而返。問舟行平安否？子孫持世克世生世合世，一路平安。官鬼持世憂鬱驚恐，官鬼沖剋世爻災非必見，兄動破財。風阻者勿以兄弟為風雲，乃以子孫為順風，動而逢合逢值，靜而逢沖之日，空逢沖實之日，與天時章陰晴同斷。

When asking about the day a boat will arrive, if the World Line is activated, it should arrive on the day it is in harmony with or on the day it is active. If the World Line is held by "Children" or if another line's "Children" is activated, it should arrive on the day "Children" is active. If the World Line transforms into a Retreating God or if a reverse chant卦 is obtained, the journey will have to turn back halfway. When asking about the safety of a boat trip, if "Children" holds the World Line, or if "Children" controls, generates, or harmonizes with the World Line, the journey will be safe. If "Official Ghost" holds the World Line, the journey will be filled with worries and fear. If "Official Ghost" clashes and controls the World Line, disaster is certain. If "Siblings" is activated, there will be financial loss. Regarding being blocked by wind, do not take "Siblings" as wind or clouds, but take "Children" as favorable wind. If "Children" is activated, it should arrive on the day of harmony or the day it is active. If "Children" is quiet, it should arrive on the day it is clashed with. If "Children" is empty, it should arrive on the day of filling the empty position. The method of judgment is the same as the discussion of clear and cloudy weather in the "Chapter on Heavenly Signs."

同行共處應為尊，南路同舟一樣論。應傷世位遭他害，墓絕空破見吾恩，只宜生合相扶助，永賴維持如至親。三合同途皆遂意，六沖半路便灰心。起居為害搖兄鬼，水睦清平動子孫。占他人以應為用，占親戚必看用神，不宜兄鬼動而克世，最宜相合相生。

Traveling together on the same boat, the response line represents the other person, and the same principle applies when going south on the same boat. If the response line harms the world line, it will cause harm. If the response line is in a墓 (mound), 绝 (end), 空 (void), or 遭破 (broken), it will instead benefit me. In general, it is best if the world and response lines are mutually generating or harmonious, supporting each other, so they can rely on each other long-term like close relatives. If the world and response lines form a triple harmony, traveling together will be pleasant. If they meet the six clashes, they will become discouraged and part ways halfway. Trouble arises in daily life when the "siblings" and "official ghosts" are active; harmony on water depends on the "children" being active. For outsiders traveling together, the response line is the useful god; for relatives, the six relations determine the useful god. In any case, it is not advisable for the sibling or official ghost lines to attack the world line. The most favorable situation is when they mutually generate and harmonize with each other.

問行人之歸期，有遠有近，遠則應月，近則應日，亦有去久，若在日下當歸，又可以日斷也。問行人之否泰，另占一卦，不可一卦而兼斷也。世克用兮人未動，用爻克世必然歸。占親人在用神章中求之，疏者以應爻為用神，世克用神且無歸志，用神克世近日回家。余試果驗。墓絕空破，歸信杳然，明搖暗動，歸鞭發矣。伏藏才出現之日，動而逢合之日，動化進神不返，用神化退而歸，動逢合有事阻隔，動化鬼在外危災，最怕動而化克，還防卦變反吟。

When asking about the return date of someone who has left home, the distance varies; distant ones should be judged by the month, while near ones by the day. There are also cases where someone has been away for a long time but is currently on the way back, in which case the return date can be predicted specifically. When asking about the safety of someone who has left home, a separate hexagram should be cast, and it is not appropriate to address two matters in one hexagram. If the World Line (世爻) is defeated by the Useful God (用神), the person has not yet left; if the Useful God defeats the World Line, the person is certain to return. For close family members, the Useful God is selected according to the "Chapter on the Useful God" (用神章); for distant relatives, the Response Line (应爻) is used as the Useful God. If the World Line defeats the Useful God, the person has no intention of returning yet; if the Useful God defeats the World Line, the person will return soon. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have tested this, and it has indeed proven true. If the Useful God is in the墓 (buried), at the绝 (end), in the空亡 (void), or meets the破 (broken), the return date and news are uncertain. If the Useful God is clearly active or covertly active, the journey home has already begun. If the Useful God is hidden, its appearance day indicates the return date; if the Useful God is activated, the day of meeting its partner indicates the return. If the Useful God is activated and transforms into an Advancing God (进神), the person will not return; if it transforms into a Retreating God (退神), the person will return. If the Useful God is activated and meets its partner, there is an obstacle; if it transforms into a ghost (鬼), there is danger or misfortune abroad. The most dangerous situation is when the Useful God transforms into a god that defeats it, and one must also be cautious of a reversed chant (反吟) in the changing hexagram.

世爻空者行人即至，用神靜逢休囚空破者且不思歸，動空旺空者實空沖空之月日必歸，惟恐卦變克絕及反吟卦，用神被克被沖者，皆難望其歸也。用神三合，沖開之月日而來。卦逢六沖，行人無定而不返。用爻墓者開墓之日，用爻無病可斷歸期，用爻有病在外不安。野鶴曰：用神墓絕空破受傷，謂之有病。來人問行人在外平安否，須看有病無病。若問歸期，只可看卦象來與不來而斷也。

When the world line falls into an empty position, the traveler will return soon. If the useful god is quiet and weak, or falls into an empty position, or is broken, the person has no intention of returning home yet. If the useful god is activated but falls into an empty position, or is strong but falls into an empty position, he will definitely return on the month or day when the emptiness is filled or the empty position is confronted. The most dangerous situations are when the hexagram changes to a position of overcoming, or reaches its end, or is a reverse chant hexagram, and the useful god is also overcome or confronted. In such cases, it is unlikely he will return. If the useful god is combined by triple harmony, he will return on the month or day when the harmony is broken. If the hexagram is six clashes, the traveler's whereabouts are uncertain and he will not return. If the useful god enters a storage position, he will return on the day when the storage is opened. If the useful god is healthy, the return date can be determined. If the useful god is sick, it indicates that the person is not at peace outside. The Wild Crane Elder said that when the useful god enters a storage position, reaches its end, falls into an empty position, meets a break and is injured, it is called being sick. When someone asks about the traveler's safety, one must check whether the useful god is sick or not. If the question is only about the return date, then one can only determine based on whether the hexagram indicates that the person is coming or not.

如酉月戊申日占母在外何時來得旅之艮卦。兄弟巳火′，父母寅木′世；子孫未土″，官鬼子水″；妻財酉金′應動，子孫戌土″；妻財申金′，妻財申金′應；兄弟午火″，兄弟午火″；子孫辰土″世，子孫辰土″。此卦若問父母平安否，父母卯木日月動爻沖剋，必不安矣。今問其來否，不以此斷，只可斷用神伏藏也，克而不來，六合沖亦不來，後果在外平安。

The Wild Crane Elder said: This hexagram, if asked about the mother's safety, would indicate that the useful god, which is the卯 wood parents, is being clashed and controlled by the day branch, month builder, and moving line, so it is certain that she is not safe. But since the question is about whether she will return, we cannot interpret it in that way. Instead, we should determine that the useful god is hidden and not visible, and is also being controlled, so she will not return. Also, the Six Harmony is being clashed and opened, so she still will not return. Later, the mother was indeed safe outside.

又如亥月甲子日占僕人何日回得革之夬卦。官鬼未土″，官鬼未土″；父母酉金′，父母酉金′世；兄弟亥水′世，兄弟亥水′；兄弟亥水′，官鬼辰土′；官鬼丑土″動，子孫寅木′應；子孫卯木′應，兄弟子水′。此卦若問僕人在外之吉凶者，必不歸矣，何也？午火財爻伏而破日月之克，今問何日可到，不以此斷，世空者速至，此人來矣，巳日必到，應巳日者，沖空之日也，巳火又是財爻，果於巳日到。

For example, on a day with the stem Jia and branch Zi in the month of Hai, someone asked when a servant would return. The hexagram obtained was Gé, which changed to Guài. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Official Ghost of Wei Earth (yin line), Parents of You Metal (yang line), Brothers of Hai Water (yang line) holding the world line, Brothers of Hai Water (yang line), Official Ghost of Chou Earth (yin line) moving, and Children of Mao Wood (yang line) holding the responding line. The changed hexagram, in order, was: Official Ghost of Wei Earth, Parents of You Metal holding the world line, Brothers of Hai Water, Official Ghost of Chen Earth, Children of Yin Wood holding the responding line, and Brothers of Zi Water. The Wild Crane Elder said: This hexagram, if asking about the fortune of a servant away from home, indicates that he will certainly not return. Why? Because the fire wealth line representing the servant is hidden and not visible, and is also attacked by the water of the day branch and month builder. However, since the question is about when he will arrive, we do not interpret it in that way. If the world line falls in the旬空 (decade void), the person is actually about to arrive. This person is coming, and he will arrive on the day of Si. The response is on the day of Si, because Si comes to clash with the world line of Hai Water in the旬空, and Si Fire itself is exactly that wealth line. Later, he indeed returned home on the day of Si.

未月戊戌日占伯何日來 得屯之隨卦。兄弟子水″，官鬼未土″應；官鬼戌土′應，父母酉金′；父母申金″動，兄弟亥水′；官鬼辰土″，官鬼辰土″世；子孫寅木″世，子孫寅木″；兄弟子水′，兄弟子水′。父母為用神，克世者速至，七月必到，後於亥月方到，應亥月者父母化出之爻也。

The divination was made on the day of Wu Xu in the month of Wei. The question was about when the uncle would arrive. The primary hexagram was Zun (屯), which changed to Sui (随). The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, were: a yin line of Zi water representing brothers, a yang line of Xu earth representing official ghost and holding the responding position, a yin line of Shen metal representing parents and moving, a yin line of Chen earth representing official ghost, a yin line of Yin wood representing children and holding the world line, and a yang line of Zi water representing brothers. The transformed hexagram Sui had six lines in order: a yang line of Wei earth representing official ghost and holding the responding position, a yin line of You metal representing parents, a yin line of Hai water representing brothers, a yin line of Chen earth representing official ghost and holding the world line, a yin line of Yin wood representing children, and a yang line of Zi water representing brothers. The uncle is considered a superior elder, so the parents line is used as the useful god. The moving parents line of Shen metal is attacking the world line of Yin wood, indicating that the useful god is attacking the world line, which means the person will arrive quickly. The prediction was that the uncle would arrive in the seventh month. However, he actually arrived in the tenth month. This is because the tenth month is the branch that the parents line has transformed into, which is Hai water.

如丑月庚午日占父遠去何日回得履卦。兄弟戌土′，兄弟戌土′；子孫申金′世，子孫申金′世；父母午火′，父母午火′；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；官鬼卯木′應，官鬼卯木′應；父母巳火′，父母巳火′。斷曰：今日乃是午日，午火父爻克世爻，今日必到。果於申時到。

On the day of Gengwu, the person consulted about when his father would return from a distant journey and received the hexagram of Lu. All six lines were still, and the changing hexagram was the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom were: Brother Xu Earth (Yang line), Son Shen Metal (Yang line) holding the world line, Parents Wu Fire (Yang line), Brother Chou Earth (Yin line), Official Ghost Mao Wood (Yang line) holding the responding line, and Parents Si Fire (Yang line). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: Today is the day of Gengwu, the fourth line, Wu Fire Parents, exactly coincides with the day branch. Fire is overcoming Shen Metal world line, the useful god is overcoming the world line, so the father will return today. Later, he indeed returned home at the hour of Shen.

寅月亥日占主人何時回，以父母為用。得大畜之益。官鬼寅木′，官鬼卯木′應；妻財子水″應動，父母巳火′；兄弟戌土″，兄弟未土″；兄弟辰土′動，兄弟辰土″世；官鬼寅木′世動，官鬼寅木″；妻財子水′，妻財子水′。斷曰：子水財爻化出巳火父爻，動爻不克變爻，巳日必到，果於巳日到。

The Wild Crane Elder interpreted the divination: the fifth line, which is the water trigram representing wealth, has moved and transformed into the fire trigram representing parents. The moving line only affects its original position and does not affect the transformed line. Therefore, the fire trigram representing parents is not obstructed, and the person will return on the day of巳. Later, it was confirmed that the person indeed returned on the day of巳.

亥月甲子日占夫在外還往他省去否得大壯之大過。兄弟戌土″，兄弟未土″；子孫申金″動，子孫酉金′；父母午火′世，妻財亥水′世；兄弟辰土′，子孫酉金′；官鬼寅木′，妻財亥水′；妻財子水′應動，兄弟丑土″應。

In the month of亥 and on the day of Jiazi, a wife consulted about whether her husband, who is away, will go to another province again. She obtained the hexagram Da Zhuang, which transforms into Da Guo. The primary hexagram consists of the six lines from top to bottom: brothers戌土 (a yin line), sons申金 (a yin line) which is active, parents午火 (a yang line) which holds the world, brothers辰土 (a yang line), official ghost寅木 (a yang line), and wife's wealth子水 (a yang line) which holds the response and is active. The transformed hexagram Da Guo consists of the six lines from top to bottom: brothers未土, sons酉金, wife's wealth亥水 which holds the world, sons酉金, wife's wealth亥水, and brothers丑土 which holds the response. For a wife consulting about her husband, the second line寅木 official ghost is the useful god. The fifth line申金 sons is active and transforms into an advancing god, which comes to overcome it.

斷曰：妻占夫官為用神，申動克之，寅木夫爻受克不往他處去矣。不日必回。彼曰：何以其回也。余曰：日月生扶，夫生世爻必有歸志。問曰：何日可到。余曰：巳日必到，應巳日者，合住申金之日也。果於巳日到。或曰：用爻有病，莫問歸期，此卦申金化進神以克寅木，如何許回？余曰：彼問夫之平安，即以不利斷之，今加往他處去否，夫爻受到制，不往他鄉，斷卦者各有取用耳。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: When divining about a wife's husband, the official line is taken as the useful god. The metal of the monkey (申) moves and comes to control, the wooden husband line of the tiger (寅) is restrained, so he will not go elsewhere and will return within a few days. She asked: Why do you say he will return? I replied: The water of the亥 month and the water of the子 day come to generate and support the wooden husband line of the tiger (寅), and the husband line also goes to generate the world line of the horse (午). This shows he has the intention to return home. She asked which day he would arrive. I said he must arrive on the day of the snake (巳) — this is because the snake (巳) combines with the monkey (申), thus neutralizing the monkey (申) that was controlling the tiger (寅). Later, he indeed returned home on the day of the snake (巳). Some people questioned: If the useful god is 'sick', it should not be used to predict the return date. In this case, the metal of the monkey (申) transforms into an advancing god and controls the wooden husband line of the tiger (寅), so why did you predict he would return? I said: If she had asked whether her husband is safe or not, I would have predicted the unfavorable outcome. Now she is asking whether he will go to another province or not. The husband line is restrained, so he does not go elsewhere. Those interpreting the divination should look at what is being asked, take the appropriate useful god, and cannot apply a single standard.

餘於戌月丙戌日由江右登舟占一路平安否得蠱之巽。兄弟寅木′應，兄弟卯木′世；父母子水″動，子孫巳火′；妻財戌土″，妻財未土″；官鬼酉金′世，官鬼酉金′應；父母亥水′，父母亥水′；妻財丑土″，妻財丑土″。

The Wild Crane Elder recounted: I departed from Jiangxi (Jiangyou) on a boat on the day Bingxu in the month Xu, seeking to know whether the journey would be safe or not. I obtained the Gu卦, which transforms into the Xun卦. The lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, are: the brother Yin wood (yang line) holding the responding line, the parent Zi water (yin line) moving, the wife's wealth Xu earth (yin line), the official ghost You metal (yang line) holding the world line, the parent Hai water (yang line), and the wife's wealth Chou earth (yin line). The lines of the transformed Xun hexagram, in order, are: the brother Mao wood holding the world line, the child Si fire, the wife's wealth Wei earth, the official ghost You metal holding the responding line, the parent Hai water, and the wife's wealth Chou earth. The entire hexagram has only the fifth line Zi water parent moving, and it produces the child Si fire.

餘疑酉金鬼爻持世，一路憂疑之象，初不知風阻之說也，及至戊子日，風雨大作，舟泊南康，始悟此卦，子水父動，子日之風雨也，見其化出巳火子孫，即知巳日方晴，果泊五日，巳日天晴得風順矣，自此始悟子孫乃行舟之順風也。

The Wild Crane Elder once said: At that time I only suspected the酉 metal ghost爻 holding the world, which was an omen of worry and doubt. At first I did not understand the concept of "wind blocking." On the Wuzi day, there was a storm with heavy rain, and the boat was anchored in Nanxiang. Then I suddenly realized that this divination: the子 water parents were activated, which corresponded to the rain on the子 day; looking further, it transformed into the巳 fire children, indicating that it would clear up on the巳 day. Indeed, it rained for five days, and on the巳 day the sky cleared and the wind became favorable. From then on, I understood that the children爻 is the favorable wind needed for sailing.

憂慮官可邦，喜官居空破，最宜子動，子若持世無非，鬼雀同興口舌不免，蛇鬼克世災患相侵，武鬼必凶盜賊陰人，白虎鬼定有傷痕見血，世動克應我興詞，應克世爻他有訟。子孫動子孫持世必不成非，鬼持世鬼克世應動克世定然成訟。

Someone worried about legal troubles should be relieved that the 'Official Ghost'爻 is falling into an empty position and being broken, and the 'Children'爻 is active; if the Children爻 holds the World Line, there will be no disputes. If the Official Ghost and Vermilion Bird both rise together, there will be unavoidable disputes. If the Teng Snake Official Ghost attacks the World Line, there will be disasters. If the Black Tortoise Official Ghost is present, it is definitely dangerous, indicating theft or secret people. If the White Tiger Official Ghost is present, there will certainly be bloodshed. If the World Line moves to attack the Response Line, it means I will initiate a lawsuit. If the Response Line attacks the World Line, it means someone else will sue me. In summary, if the Children爻 is active or holds the World Line, there will certainly be no disputes. However, if the Official Ghost holds the World Line, the Official Ghost attacks the World Line, or the Response Line is active and attacks the World Line, a lawsuit is definitely unavoidable.

彼此相爭尋世應，不宜沖剋喜相生，日月克身我必受辱，動爻克應他必遭刑，應克世者他勝，世克應者我贏，世空破世動化退我心怯焉，應動應旺化進神他得勢耳，卦遇六沖必散，卦逢六合必成。亦不離乎子孫爻，子孫發動子孫持世爭不成，日月動爻宜於克應不宜克世，世宜旺動克應，及動而化吉官事必贏。

Both sides are in conflict, so we should look for information on the World Line and the Response Line. It is not good for them to clash and control each other; instead, it is favorable if they mutually generate each other. If the Day Branch and Month Builder control my World Line, I will suffer disgrace; if the Moving Line controls the other's Response Line, he will face punishment. If the Response Line controls the World Line, he will win; if the World Line controls the Response Line, I will win. If the World Line falls into an empty position and is broken, or if the World Line moves and turns into a Retreating God, it indicates my fearfulness. If the Response Line moves and is strong and turns into an Advancing God, it means the other side is gaining strength. If the hexagram encounters Six Clashes, the conflict will certainly end; if it meets Six Harmony, the conflict will definitely occur. This aspect also depends on the 'Children' line: if the Children line moves or holds the World Line, the conflict will not happen. The Day Branch, Month Builder, and Moving Line should be favorable in controlling the Response Line rather than the World Line. The World Line should be strong and moving to control the Response Line, or move and turn into a favorable outcome, then the lawsuit will certainly be won.

官父同興公庭有理，父官克世受屈含冤。世化退神世空世破，卦變六沖，世被刑沖，終不成訟。財與子孫發動克破文書官鬼亦不成之。

When both the Official Ghost and the Parents rise together, it indicates going to court to plead one's case. Conversely, if the Parent line and the Official Ghost lines come to afflict the World Line, then the person will suffer injustice and be wronged. If the World Line transforms into the Retreating God, or if the World Line falls into an empty position, meets the Breaking line, or if the hexagram changes into the Six Clashes, or if the World Line is afflicted by刑 or 冲, then this lawsuit will not proceed. If the Wealth line and the Children line become active and afflict and break the Parent line and the Official Ghost line, the lawsuit will also not succeed.

福宜旺相最忌官興。子孫持世子孫發動已到法場終必赦免。官鬼克世或官鬼持世，又被日月動爻沖剋或世動化凶，雖定輕罪疑改重。

If a person has already been convicted of a serious crime, the "Children" should be prosperous and strong, and it is most undesirable for the "Official Ghost" to rise. If the "Children" are holding the world line or if the "Children" move, even if the person has been taken to the execution ground, they will eventually be pardoned and spared. If the "Official Ghost" overcomes the world line, or if the "Official Ghost" holds the world line and the world line is attacked by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, or if the world line turns into something harmful, even if the original charge was a minor crime, they may still be sentenced to a more severe punishment.

野鶴曰：人有七情，致生百病，急於問卜，以慰其心，奈何卜筮諸書舛錯悖謬，奈人反無定見，既取用卦身世身，兼用本命，又有不看身命用神，單看卦驗，卦得明夷、大過、觀，賁、蠱、夬、豐、同人、大畜、需卦，斷之必死。又云：死氣喪門臨本命，早備衾棺。又云：蛇動主死，虎動主喪，以星煞六神而斷生死，獨不思假使惡煞凶神臨身守舍，若得用神二身旺相，斷之生耶？死耶？余試多年或生或死，全憑用神，餘皆不驗，人有不看用神而斷生死者，卦變為六沖是也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: People have seven emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, thought, grief, fear, and alarm, which lead to a hundred diseases. They rush to consult divination in order to ease their minds. But the various schools of divination are full of errors and contradictions, causing people to lose their direction. Sometimes they take the "Hexagram Body" and "World Body" as the basis, sometimes they consider the爻 of their birth year together; some never look at the "Useful God" and the "Body and Fate" and only rely on the name of the hexagram to judge, saying that if one gets the hexagrams of Mingyi, Da Guo, Guan, Ben, Gu, Guai, Feng, Tong Ren, Da Xu, or Xu, then death is certain. They also say that if the "Death Qi" and "Funeral Gate" are on the爻 of one's birth year, then one should prepare shrouds and coffins in advance. They also say that if the "Teng Sha" moves, it indicates death, and if the "White Tiger" moves, it indicates loss. All of these are using the stars, evils, and the Six Spirits to judge life and death. They never think: suppose an evil spirit or凶神 is right on one's body or guarding one's home, but the "Useful God" and the "Body and Fate" are all prosperous and strong, then should one judge life or death? The Wild Crane Elder said: After many years of practice, I have found that whether one lives or dies depends entirely on the "Useful God," and nothing else is valid. If one really says there is a way to judge life and death without looking at the "Useful God," then there is only one case, which is when the hexagram changes into the "Six Clashes."

六沖變沖，久病難於調治。久病者，卦逢六沖，卦變六沖，不論用神之衰旺，乃不治之疾也，近病逢之，不藥而癒。卦變克新病亦主危亡。卦變者，亦六沖而變六沖，何其近病亦危？乃因化回頭之克也。如巽木變乾金，艮坤化震巽，皆謂之回頭相剋，雖非墓絕，亦主危亡，若化比和、化克去、及化回頭相生，近病吉久病凶，六沖之故耳。除此沖剋之外，必看用神。

Six Clashes again turn into Six Clashes; chronic illness becomes difficult to treat: if a person with a long-term illness gets a Six Clashes hexagram, or if the hexagram changes into Six Clashes, regardless of whether the Useful God is strong or weak, it indicates an incurable condition. Conversely, if a new illness encounters Six Clashes, it may recover without medication. If the hexagram changes and brings about a reverserestrain (backward control), even a recent illness is dangerous: here, the change of the hexagram is again Six Clashes turning into Six Clashes, so why is the recent illness dangerous? Because it produces a reverse control. For example, if the Wind Wood trigram changes into the Heaven Metal trigram, or the Mountain Earth trigrams change into the Thunder Wood or Wind Wood trigrams, these are called reverse mutual control. Although they are not entering the grave or encountering the extreme, they still indicate danger. If it changes into like and harmonious, or removes the controlling element, or changes into reverse mutual generation, then the recent illness is favorable and the chronic illness is unfavorable, with the unfavorable still lying in the Six Clashes. Apart from these types of clashes and controls, all other cases must be judged based on the Useful God.

用遇旬空，近病何須憂慮，用逢月破，久病難許安寧。自占病，世為用神，占父母弟兄取用神者皆在用神章內詳之，用神動靜而值旬空，及化空者，若無日月動爻沖剋，許之沖空實空之日即愈，倘逢沖剋病雖重而不死，若值月破須看用神之衰旺，旺則愈於實破之日及出月而愈，衰而受克者必危。久病用神值旬空月破者，即使用神旺相，亦無法以治之。野鶴曰：海底眼黃金策皆云，主空無救中殂，不分近病久病，非經驗也。覺子曰：餘得驗者，近病值旬空，若逢三合六合者必成久病而終。

The useful god falling into the旬空 does not require immediate worry; the useful god encountering the month breaker indicates that a long-term illness will not be easily cured. When oneself is divining about illness, the world line is taken as the useful god; for divining about parents or siblings, how to determine the useful god is detailed in the chapter on the useful god. Whether the useful god is moving or stationary, if it is exactly in the旬空 or transforms into the旬空, and if it is not being clashed or controlled by the day branch, the month builder, or the moving line, it may be cured on the day when the旬空 is filled or becomes solid. If it is again clashed or controlled, the illness may be severe but not fatal. If the useful god is exactly in the month breaker, one must look at its strength and decline: if it is strong, it should be cured on the day when the month breaker is filled or after this month; if it is weak and being controlled, it is definitely dangerous. For those with long-term illnesses, if the useful god falls into the旬空 or encounters the month breaker, even if the useful god is prosperous and strong, it is impossible to cure. The Wild Crane Elder wrote: both The Eye at the Bottom of the Sea and The Golden Strategies say that "if the useful god falls into the旬空 and there is no salvation, it will result in premature death," treating both recent and long-term illnesses the same, which is not derived from experience. Li Wenhui (Juezi), the reviser, wrote: my trials show that for recent illnesses, if the useful god falls into the旬空 and is again joined by the triple harmony or the six harmony, it will inevitably turn into a long-term illness and result in death.

用化鬼鬼化用慎防不測，忌化用用化忌最難調醫。自占病，不宜世爻變鬼及化回頭克，占兄弟妻子皆不宜鬼變弟兄妻子及弟兄妻子而變鬼，又不宜兄變財財化兄，父化子子化父。野鶴曰：鬼乃父母之元神，父動化鬼乃為化生，輕病者即愈，久病者鬼化父，父化鬼皆主危亡，或曰：用神化鬼即為凶兆，假使又值旬空，近病者何以斷之？余曰：曾有占驗請試詳。

When the useful god transforms into a ghost爻 or a ghost爻 transforms into the useful god, one should be cautious of unexpected events; when the hostile god transforms into the useful god or the useful god transforms into the hostile god, it is the most difficult to treat. When one divines about their own illness, it is not advisable for the world line to transform into a ghost爻 or to be subject to a reverserestrain. When divining about the illness of siblings or spouses, it is also not advisable for a ghost爻 to transform into the爻 representing siblings or spouses, nor for the爻 representing siblings or spouses to transform into a ghost爻. It is also not advisable for siblings to transform into wealth, wealth to transform into siblings, parents to transform into children, or children to transform into parents. The Wild Crane Elder said: Official ghosts are the origin god of parents, so when the parent爻 moves and transforms into a ghost爻, it is considered a transformation of generation, and a minor illness will immediately recover. However, for someone with a long-term illness, regardless of whether the ghost爻 transforms into the parent爻 or the parent爻 transforms into the ghost爻, it indicates danger and death. Someone asked: Since the useful god transforming into a ghost is an ominous sign, if it also falls in the旬空, how should one interpret a recent illness? I said: I have had a real case of this, please see the detailed explanation below.

申月庚寅日占子近病 得恆之解卦。妻財戌土″應，妻財戌土″；官鬼申金″，官鬼申金″應；子孫午火′，子孫午火′；官鬼酉金′世動，子孫午火″；父母亥水′，妻財辰土′世；妻財丑土″，兄弟寅木″。斷曰：鬼變子孫，夭折之兆，幸得子孫值旬空，近病即愈，恐其難過午年，果在出空之日而愈，辰年占卦至午年出花而死。

The Wild Crane Elder interpreted the divination: the official ghost changes into the child, which is a sign of death; fortunately, this child is in the旬空, so the recent illness is likely to recover. However, the child may not survive until the year of午. Later, the child recovered on the day the旬空 ended, but since the divination was made in the year of辰, the child died of smallpox in the year of午.

動墓絕化墓絕須忌生旺，日月克動爻克最怕休囚。用神逢墓絕及動而化墓化絕全看衰旺，用神旺者何須慮，用神衰者實堪優。日月動爻沖剋者亦須看用神旺衰，旺相者沖去克神之日而愈，休囚者生助克神之日而危。散破無援脫氣，忌搖元動仇興。用神臨散遇破乃全無生扶，或脫氣休囚者，皆無根蒂，少吉多凶，忌神動克用神，若有元神發動許之有救，只恐仇神又動，當許凶危，須於元神章內詳之。

The useful god, when activated, entering the tomb and encountering its end, or transforming into the tomb or its end, is feared if it is itself in a prosperous and strong state. If it is itself weak and confined, then being attacked by the day branch, month builder, or moving line is feared. When the useful god meets the tomb, the end, or transforms into the tomb or end, it all depends on its strength and weakness: if the useful god is strong, there is no need to worry; if it is weak, then it is truly cause for concern. When the useful god is attacked by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, it also depends on the strength and weakness of the useful god: if it is prosperous and strong, it will recover on the day when the attacking force is removed; if it is weak and confined, then it will turn from danger on the day when the supporting force of the attacking force is strengthened. When the useful god disperses its energy, meets the breaking force, and has no support, and loses its energy: when the useful god disperses its energy and meets the breaking force, it is entirely without support; or when it loses its energy and is weak, it has no root, leading to more misfortune than good fortune. When the hostile god is activated to attack the useful god, if the origin god is also activated, there may still be a chance of salvation; but if the enemy god is also activated to attack the origin god, then it should be judged as dangerous. These matters are explained in detail in the chapter "Chapter on the Origin God."

世持鬼病雖輕而難療。此有兩說，自占病，官鬼持世，其病難痊，雖得子動克去身邊之鬼，目下雖愈，終不斷根，不然遲遲又生他病，此之謂病不離身，身不離藥，世臨官鬼以臨帝旺長生，必得久遠疾病。代占六親之病，若見官鬼持世，為憂疑之狀，惟喜子孫發動克去我之憂疑，即使用神衰弱，管許平安。

The "World Line" is occupied by the "Official Ghost," indicating that although the illness is not severe, it is difficult to cure. This statement should be understood in two different situations. When one is divining their own illness, if the "Official Ghost" is on the "World Line," the illness is hard to heal; even if the "Children" in the hexagram activate and overcome the "Official Ghost" attached to oneself, the condition may seem to improve temporarily, but the root cause remains unresolved. Eventually, after some time, another illness may arise, which is called illness not leaving the body and the body not leaving medicine. If the "Official Ghost" on the "World Line" is located in the "Prosperity" or "Growth" position, it indicates a chronic illness that lingers for a long time. When divining the illness of parents, siblings, wives, or children, if the "Official Ghost" is on the "World Line," it merely reflects the diviner's own worries and anxieties, not that the patient has a real illness. In this case, the best situation is for the "Children" to activate and dispel this worry. Even if the "Useful God" representing the patient is weak, the patient will remain safe.

如申月壬子日占子病得遁卦。父母戌土′，父母戌土′；兄弟申金′應，兄弟申金′應；官鬼午火′，官鬼午火′；兄弟申金′，兄弟申金′；官鬼午火″世，官鬼午火″世；父母辰土″，父母辰土″。斷曰：令郎今日即愈。何以知之？余曰：官鬼持世，憂也，今日子日沖去憂心，管許立愈，果於本日愈。覺子曰：如占自身及兄弟妻兒者，此法是也，若占父母之災，官鬼為父母之元神，豈宜子動而傷耶？妻占夫宜鬼為用神，又豈子動以傷官耶？不惟不能解憂反添優也。

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) The Wild Crane Elder explained: The son will recover today. When asked how he knew, he said: "Official Ghost" is sitting on the World Line, which represents the father's deep concern. Today is the Renzi day, and the Day Branch, Zi water, directly opposes the Wu fire of the Official Ghost, thus removing this worry. The son indeed recovered that day. Juezi said: If the divination is about one's own illness or that of siblings, wife, or children, this method is correct. However, if it is about the illness of the parents, "Official Ghost" is actually the Origin God that generates the "Parents" line. How can "Children" be allowed to attack it? When a wife divines her husband's illness, "Official Ghost" should be the Useful God. How can "Children" be allowed to attack "Official Ghost"? Doing so would not relieve worry but add more.

身臨福德，勢雖險以堪醫。亦有兩說，自占病子孫持世不藥而痊，臨應破者空實破之日而愈。代占六親之病不必看用神之衰旺，即知其安。何也？子孫乃喜悅之神，只要旺相，若動於卦中者亦為吉慶。

The "World Line" is occupied by the "Children" (i.e., Fortune Virtue), indicating although the illness is dangerous, there is still a chance of recovery. This statement applies to two situations. If one is divining about their own illness and the "Children" is on the "World Line," the illness will recover even without medication. However, if the "Children" falls in the旬空 or Month Breaker, recovery will only occur on the day when the旬空 is filled or the Month Breaker is resolved. When divining for another person's illness, as long as the "Children" is on the "World Line," there is no need to examine the strength or weakness of the "Useful God," and it can be directly known that the patient will be fine. Why? The "Children" is the god of joy. As long as it is prosperous and strong, even if it is not on the "World Line" but only active in the hexagram, it still brings good fortune.

鬼化長生，忌化進，須慮添災。鬼爻發動病勢必重，若長生，病勢必輕，克用神者為忌神，若動化進神，亦同此意。忌神化退，其疾病漸減。覺子曰：鬼為父母之元神，占父母者，其病即愈。亦為女人占夫之用神，占夫者亦即愈。福搖化克卦反吟，病必反覆。自占病及占兄弟病，得子孫動者，制服官鬼，其病即愈。倘子孫動而化克，即使病癒後還發，反覆之象，卦得反吟者亦同上意。

The official ghost moves and produces the growth, and the hostile god moves and produces the advancing god; both situations require vigilance as they indicate additional misfortune. When the ghost爻 moves, the illness becomes severe; if it meets the growth, the illness becomes mild. Any yao that is overcome by the useful god is called the hostile god. When the hostile god moves and produces the advancing god, the reasoning is the same as when the ghost produces the growth, both indicating added misfortune. Conversely, if the hostile god produces the retreating god, the illness gradually improves. Ju Zǐ said: the official ghost is originally the origin god of the parents' yao. When the parents are ill and the ghost produces the growth, the parents' illness will improve. The official ghost is also the useful god when a woman is divining about her husband. If the husband is ill and the official ghost appears, the illness will immediately improve. If the children, this blessing god, moves but produces a reverse overcoming, or if the hexagram encounters reverse chant, the illness will recur. When one divines about their own illness or the illness of a sibling, and the children yao moves in the hexagram, it can control the official ghost, and the illness will recover. However, if the children yao moves and produces a reverse overcoming, it indicates that the illness will recover but then recur, showing a recurring illness, and the same interpretation applies if the hexagram is reverse chant.

用絕逢生危而有救，主人得助，重亦何妨。用爻受刑沖剋害，但得日月動爻有一而生扶者，乃為絕處逢生，臨危有救。用神不宜太弱，弱則體虛，卒難痊癒，但得生扶拱合，雖得重病亦不至死，覺子曰：用神亦不宜於太旺，易理貴乎中庸，過猶不及。用臨日月休尋伏。凡用神不現再占。卦前卷伏神章中註解明白。

The "Useful God" entering "Absolute Decline" yet encountering support is a situation of danger with salvation, indicating that a sick person will receive help from others, so even if the illness is severe, it will not be fatal. If the Useful God is harmed by punishment, conflict, defeat, or harm, as long as there is one among the Day Branch, Month Builder, or Moving Line that generates and supports it, it is called "salvation in the midst of decline," meaning there will be assistance in times of crisis. The Useful God should not be too weak, as excessive weakness indicates a weak constitution of the patient, making recovery difficult; however, as long as there is generation, support, mutual support, or combination, even if the illness is serious, death is not inevitable. Juezi said: the Useful God should also not be too strong. The principles of the Book of Changes value moderation most; both excess and deficiency are equally problematic. If the Useful God is directly present in the Day Branch or Month Builder, there is no need to seek the "Hidden God." For cases where the Useful God is not present in the hexagram, a new hexagram should be cast. This section is clearly explained in the previous volume of this book, "Chapter on the Hidden God."

平時而問男女何時出花鬼，鬼爻為用，鬼爻靜者逢值逢沖，鬼爻動者逢值逢合，鬼衰逢生旺之年，鬼旺鬼多逢墓庫之歲。鬼空鬼破填實之時，鬼若伏藏出現之歲。出花而問吉凶，卦忌六沖兼忌子孫化鬼及鬼化子孫，父化子孫、子孫化父、子孫伏而空破，皆非吉兆。

When predicting the time for family members to contract smallpox, the 'Official Ghost'爻 is used as the 'Useful God'. If the ghost爻 is still, the illness should occur in the year or month that matches it or conflicts with it. If the ghost爻 is active, the illness should occur in the year or month that matches it or harmonizes with it. If the ghost爻 is weak, the illness should occur in the year when it gains strength. If the ghost爻 is strong or appears multiple times in the卦, the illness should occur in the year when it enters its storage. If the ghost爻 falls into the旬空 or is broken by the month, the illness should occur when the vacancy is filled or the break is resolved. If the ghost爻 is hidden and not in the upper trigram, the illness should occur in the year when it appears. If the person has already had smallpox and the question is about fortune, the卦 should avoid 'Six Clashes', as well as 'Children' transforming into 'Official Ghost' and 'Official Ghost' transforming into 'Children'. 'Parents' transforming into 'Children', 'Children' transforming into 'Parents', and 'Children' being hidden and encountering vacancy or month break are all bad signs.

問花之密者，鬼動而臨日月及動爻生扶，花必稠密，如值空破休囚墓絕，痘必來朗。鬼動乾宮，多生頭上。鬼搖坤卦，腹上多叢。艮宮多於手，兌宮多於口，坎離上身，震巽下身。火鬼其色紅紫，金鬼其色虛白，水鬼頌防痘，木鬼雜細，土鬼腫大。以上四條，分占四卦，不可一卦而斷之，大抵全在子孫爻也。子孫臨日月及日月動爻相生，動而化吉不受刑傷沖剋，爻不亂動，花中密以全生，痘雖暗仍收功。

When asking about whether the rash will appear sparse or dense: if the ghost line is activated and also approaches the day branch and month builder, or receives support from a moving line, the rash will definitely be dense. If the ghost line is empty, broken, weak and confined, entering the tomb, or at the end of its cycle, the rash will be sparse. If the ghost line moves in the Qian trigram, the rash will mostly appear on the head; if it moves in the Kun trigram, it will mostly appear on the abdomen; if it moves in the Gen trigram, it will mostly appear on the hands; if it moves in the Dui trigram, it will mostly appear on the mouth. The Can and Li trigrams indicate the upper body, while the Zhen and Xun trigrams indicate the lower body. Rashes caused by fire ghosts will be red and purple, those caused by metal ghosts will be pale and white, those caused by water ghosts are most dangerous. Those caused by wood ghosts will be mixed and fine, and those caused by earth ghosts will be swollen and large. The above four aspects regarding the timing of the rash, its fortune or misfortune, its density, and its location should be analyzed separately for each trigram, and not be combined into one interpretation. The main key lies in the "children" line. If the children line approaches the day branch and month builder, or receives support from the day and month moving lines, and if it is activated and transforms into a good spirit, not being harmed by punishments, conflicts, or attacks, and if all other lines in the卦 are not chaotic, then even if the rash is dense, the life can be preserved, and even if the rash color is dark, it will eventually recover.

火屬心經，發熱咽乾口燥。水歸腎部，惡寒盜汁遺精。金肺、木肝、土為病歸脾胃。衰輕旺重，動則牽連身軀，騰蛇心驚，青龍則酒色過度，勾陳腫脹，朱雀則言語顛狂，白虎有損傷，女子則血崩血暈。元武憂鬱，男人則陰症臨虛。

If the ghost爻 is of the fire element, the illness affects the heart meridian, with symptoms such as fever, dry throat, and dry mouth; if it is of the water element, the illness affects the kidney, with symptoms such as fear of cold, night sweats, and seminal emission; if it is of the metal element, the illness affects the lungs; if it is of the wood element, the illness affects the liver; if it is of the earth element, the illness affects the spleen and stomach. A weak ghost爻 indicates a mild illness, while a strong ghost爻 indicates a severe illness, and once it is activated, it may affect the whole body. Further, by referring to the Six Spirits, if the ghost爻 is accompanied by the snake, it indicates heart palpitations; if accompanied by the azure dragon, it indicates excessive indulgence in alcohol and sexual activities; if accompanied by the hook star, it indicates swelling; if accompanied by the vermilion bird, it indicates mental disturbances; if accompanied by the white tiger, it indicates injuries from falls or blows, and in women, it may cause uterine bleeding or fainting due to blood loss; if accompanied by the black tortoise, it indicates depression, and in men, it may indicate yin deficiency.

野鶴曰：此乃黃金策占疾病之首論也，餘以為之撞門槌，對俗人而言，不得不以此而斷之。若知分占之法，另占一卦以定吉凶，庶有後驗，若即以此卦，兼斷其生死者，如若有靈，吾不信也。要知來人而問病，有何所犯？何以治癒？及問吉凶何如？我且以發寒發熱而妄猜，而病人不得趨避之旨，問卦何益？今見此章，單言病症，並不言及何法治之，如果心經發熱，來人豈不知也？請問治其熱者是何法也？無益之論，故書刪之。

The Wild Crane Elder said: The above passage is the general introduction to the section on disease divination in The Golden Strategies. In my opinion, it is nothing more than a door-knocking hammer -- for the sake of those who do not understand the principles of divination, one must first use it to say a few words to make the occasion appropriate. If one understands the method of 'divination by separate matters,' then one should start a new divination to determine fortune and misfortune, and only then will the prediction be accurate in the future. If one uses this divination to predict both the illness and the fate of life and death, I do not believe it can be reliable. One must know that when people ask about illness, they are asking what they have offended, how they can be cured, and what the fortune or misfortune will be. However, if I merely guess at their fever or chills without knowing the cause, the sick person will not receive any advice on how to avoid misfortune and bring good luck. Then, what use is this divination? Now, looking at this chapter, it only explains what illness it is, but does not explain how to treat it. If someone really has a fever in the heart, wouldn't they themselves know? Then, how should this fever be treated? This is a useless discussion, so this section has been deleted from the book.

余嘗以來人問病，先命占其吉凶，卦得吉者，許之調理即愈，不必服藥求神，卦得凶者，命之延醫，卦得鬼動克用神者，命之再占，或占家宅、或占墳墓、務必求其是何所犯？何法治之？庶不負來人之問也。

When I meet someone who comes to ask about their illness, I always first ask them to cast a divination to determine if it is auspicious or not. If the divination shows an auspicious result, I tell them to take their time and adjust their condition naturally, without needing medicine or to consult a deity. If the divination shows an inauspicious result, I advise them to seek a doctor immediately. If in the divination the "Official Ghost" is activated and is coming to overcome the "Useful God," I tell them to cast another divination, either about their home or their tomb, to find out exactly what is conflicting and what method should be used to resolve it. In this way, I do not waste the effort of the person who came to ask the question.

凡占鬼神，卦中鬼值休囚及空破墓絕，非鬼神之害也。官鬼屬金旺相者，武神及西方之神。休囚者，刀劍身之鬼。鬼臨木者，旺則文神及東方之神。衰則倚草附木之妖，或是刑杖懸樑之鬼。水為河海及北方之神，休囚者池井江湖水死之鬼。火鬼火神及雷公電母窯之神，休囚者湯火焚燒之鬼也。土鬼土神及中央之朝及掌管山川社稷之神，休囚者牆倒屋塌土死之鬼。

When divining about ghosts or spirits causing trouble, if the "Official Ghost" in the hexagram is in a prosperous and strong state, or falls into an empty position, is broken, enters a tomb, or reaches its end, then it is not the ghosts or spirits causing harm. If the Official Ghost belongs to metal and is prosperous and strong, it represents the martial deity and deities of the west; if it is weak and confined, it represents ghosts who died by sword or knife. If the Official Ghost belongs to wood and is prosperous and strong, it represents the literary deity and deities of the east; if it is weak and confined, it represents spirits that attach themselves to plants and trees, or ghosts who died by being beaten with sticks or hanging themselves. If the Official Ghost belongs to water and is prosperous and strong, it represents deities of rivers, lakes, and seas and the deities of the north; if it is weak and confined, it represents water ghosts who died in pools, wells, rivers, or lakes. If the Official Ghost belongs to fire and is prosperous and strong, it represents fire deities, the thunder god, the lightning goddess, and the kiln deity; if it is weak and confined, it represents ghosts who died from being scalded by boiling water or burned by intense fire. If the Official Ghost belongs to earth and is prosperous and strong, it represents earth deities, the central deity, and deities in charge of mountains, rivers, states, and territories; if it is weak and confined, it represents earth ghosts who died from being crushed by collapsing walls or falling houses.

古以金木水火土各有其神，即如金官者，謂之天將闢公金剛伍公嶽公等神，餘以為非武神者不可，書斷之神也有敕卦者有來卦者，各方土俗不同，書之未載者更多，何得各朝而祭之？須問病人或於某武神朝中許願信而未還？或於何朝城穢汙作踐？心有所疑者，指其神而占之，鬼爻或旺或動，是此神也。如不上卦，再占他處之神可也。鬼值木火水土者，皆用此法，得罪於正神者，香花紙馬祭之。勾惹邪祟之鬼者，用漿紙錢夜靜之時金鬼者向西送之，水鬼者向北送之，餘仿此。

Ancient people assigned each of the five elements, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, to a specific deity. For example, the metal trigram is associated with the Official Ghost, and it is said to represent deities such as the Heavenly General, the Commander, the Jade General, Wu Gong, and Yu Gong. I think it is sufficient to determine that it belongs to the category of martial deities without specifying which particular deity it is. Some deities listed in the books are officially enshrined by the imperial court, while others are worshipped by the people from time immemorial. Since local customs differ, there are even more deities not mentioned in the books. How could one possibly visit every temple to worship them all? One should ask the patient: Did they make a vow at a particular temple of martial deities and not fulfill it? Or did they defile the temple in some way? If they have a suspicion about a particular place, then that deity should be used for divination. If the ghost trigram is strong or active, then that deity is the one. If that trigram does not appear in the hexagram, then another deity should be consulted. If the ghost trigram belongs to wood, fire, water, or earth, the same method applies. If one has offended a proper deity, offerings of incense, flowers, paper money, and horses should be made for worship. If one has attracted malevolent spirits or wild ghosts, then one should use rice water and paper money to send them away at night when it is quiet. The metal ghost should be sent west, the water ghost north, and so on for the others.

野鶴曰：凡得時災瘟癖，照此法而祭送者，余屢驗之。倘係瘋癆氣蠱，既失調於前，酒色傷身，又失慎重於後，與鬼神何干？發之送之皆無益矣，惟節飽食、遠色慾、息氣養神，其病自減。余遊遍江湖，曾至黔蜀粵，見其病不服藥，專祭祀鬼神，先用三牲五牲，後至殺牛宰馬一次不愈，甚至二三十次，因病致窮者多矣，殊不知害他命而救命，其罪愈彰，所以屢見割性命之多者，終不能救其死，可不戒與？今下路讀書人亦信此邪神者，餘實不解。神農當百草遺救生靈，未聞有何聖賢，教人宰牲命以救命也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Whenever people suffer from epidemic diseases such as the plague, they should follow the method mentioned above to worship and send away the illness. I have tried this many times and it has always worked. However, if someone suffers from serious illnesses such as madness, tuberculosis, edema, or chest oppression—these conditions result from improper care in the past, such as indulgence in alcohol and women, and then not being cautious afterwards—then what has this to do with ghosts and spirits? Whether you send them away or drive them off, it is of no use. Only by controlling diet, avoiding women, calming the liver fire, and resting the mind can the illness gradually improve. I have traveled through the countryside, visited Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangdong, and saw that people there refuse to take medicine when they are sick and instead only worship ghosts and spirits. At first they use three or five animals as offerings, and later they even kill cattle and horses. If one offering does not work, they do it twenty or thirty times. Many people have spent all their wealth because of this. They do not realize that by taking another's life to save their own, their wrongdoing becomes even more evident. Therefore, I have often seen that the families who kill the most animals in the end cannot save even one life. How can this not serve as a warning? Now even scholars from the lower river regions believe in these false gods. I really cannot understand this. Shen Nong tasted hundreds of herbs and left behind formulas to save lives. There is no record of any sage teaching people to kill animals to save human lives.

李我平日：易冒以鬼臨金者為關公，嶽王補遺，又以青龍神為寺亭候第，不知關公之前，金鬼與青龍，是何神也？又曰祭者降之以福，不祭者降災，豈非邪神與？正直之神豈能為此事？此書前後無一不合於理，獨此疾病章中，亦言鬼神之事，餘實不服，因今人問病，開口先問鬼神，不得不從俗耳，智者察之。

Li Woping says: "The book 'Venturing into the Changes' says that a ghost爻 (ghost element) over metal is associated with Guan Gong and Yue Wang. The 'Supplement to The Complete Book of Divination' says that the Azure Dragon is Han Shou Ting Hou. So I wonder, before Guan Gong was born, which deity is represented by the ghost爻 over metal and the Azure Dragon? The book also says that worshiping him brings blessings, but not worshiping him brings calamity. Doesn't this make him a demon? How can a righteous deity do such things? This book has no place that is unreasonable, but in the chapter on illness, it also talks about ghosts and spirits. I can't accept this. It's only because nowadays people ask about illness by first asking if they have collided with ghosts or spirits, so the author had to follow the common belief. Those who understand things clearly can judge for themselves."

野鶴曰：有人而問余日，問卜以求神延醫而服藥，有是理乎？余曰：若無此理，伏羲書卦，神農嘗藥，作何事耶？彼曰：然則又有不能救者，何也？余曰：有根者可以救之，無根者則不能也。人之星辰過宮或是交運脫運，謂之移花接木之年，移其有根之花木者，上則遮蓋，下宜澆溉則活矣，不洗不溉，見日則枯，服藥求神者即此意也。若使無根之木無蒂之花，雖澆雖蓋，亦無用矣。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Someone asked me, is there really a reason to rely on divination, pray to gods, and take medicine and drugs? I answered: If there is no such reason, then what was Fuxi doing when he drew the Eight Trigrams and started divination, or what was Shen Nong doing when he tasted hundreds of herbs and started medicine? That person then asked again: If there is indeed a reason, why are there still people who cannot be saved? I said: Those with roots can be saved, but those without roots cannot be saved. When a person's destiny stars move through the palace, or when they are exactly at the time of changing fortune, the diviners call this the "year of grafting a flower onto a tree." If you transplant a tree with roots, you cover it from above to keep it from the sun, and water it from below, then it will live. But if you neither water nor cover it, and it is exposed to the sun, it will wither and die — taking medicine and praying to gods is exactly this meaning. If the original is a tree without roots or a flower without a stem, even if you water and cover it, it will still be of no use.

自占求醫，應爻為醫人，代六親而求醫者，亦以應為醫人。鬼作憂神休妄動，福為喜悅而生扶。自占代占，鬼雖憂疑之神也，若持世及動於卦中，得子孫動而制之，此醫可請，手到成功。若得子孫臨應爻者乃明醫也，其故何也？子孫乃制鬼之神，非真正能制法魔之鬼也，乃先去憂神，我無優也。

When one divines for oneself to consult a doctor, the "Response Line" represents the doctor. When divining for others, the same applies—the "Response Line" still represents the doctor. The "Official Ghost" is the spirit of worry, and it should not be disturbed. The "Children" are the spirits of happiness, and they are most desirable when they generate and support. Whether divining for oneself or for others, although the "Official Ghost" is merely a spirit of worry, if it holds the world line or becomes active in the hexagram, then if the "Children" become active and control it, the doctor can be summoned, and the illness will be cured immediately. If the "Children" are exactly on the "Response Line," then it is an even more excellent doctor. Why is this so? The "Children" are the spirits that control the "Official Ghost," but they are not actually able to subdue demons or ghosts. They simply help to remove the spirit of worry from my mind, and thus my mind is no longer worried.

應作醫人，不宜空破墓絕。應爻空破墓絕休囚衰弱，或旺相而被日月動爻沖剋，或動而化鬼化絕化回頭克，藥不見效。子孫制鬼，最喜旺相生扶。子孫臨在應或發動於卦中亦要旺相，不受刑沖剋害破墓絕空，藥必見效。子動化鬼化克，其藥不精，子動化空實空之日有效。子動化生化旺化進神者，其藥更靈。古以子動化子孫，其藥必雜，非也，子動化子孫而旺相者另改藥品，即比仙丹。

The response line is regarded as a doctor, so it should not fall into emptiness, be broken, enter a tomb, or reach its end. If the response line falls into emptiness, is broken, enters a tomb, reaches its end, or is weak and confined, or although prosperous and strong it is clashed or controlled by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, or if it moves and transforms into official ghost, transformation into end, or transformation into self-clash, then the medicine taken will not be effective. The children line can control the official ghost, and it is most favorable when it is prosperous and strong with support. Whether the children line is sitting on the response line or is active within the hexagram, it should be prosperous and strong, not subjected to punishment, clash, control, or harm, nor encounter breaking, tomb, end, or emptiness, then the medicine will certainly be effective. If the children line moves and transforms into official ghost or transforms into self-clash, the medicine is not refined; if the children line moves and transforms into emptiness, it will be effective only on the day when the旬空 is filled. If the children line moves and transforms into generation, prosperity, or advancing god, the medicine will be even more effective. Ancient people said that if the children line moves and transforms into children, the medicine must be mixed, but this is incorrect. If the children line moves and transforms into children and is prosperous and strong, it is like changing to another medicine, which is just like a divine pill.

醫克用爻近病即愈。自占病，應爻克世者制我之病也，應爻克用神亦如此斷。惟不宜乎久病及體弱之人，非得克病身亦受其傷矣。應爻臨兄鬼而克用神及克世爻者不拘久病近病必遭其殃。

The doctor's method restrains the "Useful God," and the new illness is immediately cured. When one divines their own illness, if the Response Line comes to restrain the World Line, it means the doctor has controlled the illness; if the Response Line restrains the Useful God, it is interpreted the same way. However, this is not suitable for those with long-term illness or weak constitutions, as they cannot endure the restraint. Although the illness is controlled, their body may be harmed. If the Response Line is occupied by "Siblings" or "Official Ghost" and they also restrain the Useful God and the World Line, then regardless of whether the illness is new or long-term, the patient will certainly suffer.

父爻持世妙藥難調。自占病，父持世藥不見功，宜於靜養，遠色慾息氣惱可也。兄弟持世有子孫動於卦中者，醫再延之，惟嫌鬼旺鬼興誤服藥餌。才爻持世切莫誤食肥甘，旺相遇生扶良醫有見，休囚逢沖剋無藥可醫。

The "Parents" line holds the world line, and even the best medicine will be of little help. When one divines their own illness and the "Parents" line holds the world line, taking medicine will not show results; one should only rest quietly, avoid sexual activity, and calm anger. If the "Siblings" line holds the world line and there is another "Children" line moving in the hexagram, another doctor may still be consulted; however, one must beware if the "Official Ghost" line is both strong and active, for this may lead to taking the wrong medicine. If the "Wealth" line holds the world line, one must not mistakenly consume rich and fatty foods. In summary, if the responding line is prosperous and strong and receives support, one can find a good doctor; but if the responding line is weak and confined and encounters conflict and control, there will be no medicine that can help.

子不代父以占藥，妻不代夫而卜醫。子占父宜父爻旺相，占藥占醫又以子孫為用神，父旺以傷子也，一爻不能兩用。妻占夫宜官鬼旺相占醫占藥亦以子孫為用神，子旺又能傷夫，所以不能代占醫也。

A son cannot take the father's place in divining medicine, and a wife cannot take the husband's place in divining medical treatment. If a son divines his father's illness, the "Parents" line should be prosperous and strong. However, when divining medicine or medical treatment, the "Children" line should be the "Useful God." If the "Parents" line is strong, it will harm the "Children" line — one line cannot serve two purposes at the same time. Similarly, if a wife divines her husband's illness, the "Official Ghost" line should be prosperous and strong. But when divining medicine or medical treatment, the "Children" line should be the "Useful God." If the "Children" line is strong, it will harm the "Official Ghost" line, which represents the husband. Therefore, these two types of people cannot take each other's place in divining medical treatment.

延醫於子孫方，治病以應爻定。卦中子孫爻旺者，延醫於子孫之方。且如午火子孫或旺或動，請南方之醫，餘仿此。卦中子孫休囚空破者又看應爻旺否，若得應爻旺相生合用神即於應爻之方請之。且如應爻臨申金，延醫必在西南，餘仿此。如卦中有一爻獨發而生用神者又以此方而延醫。以五行而定名姓，水爻動黠水之姓，火爻動姓名像火，木爻草頭木，傍土爻姓氏有土。且如占妻病，妻爻屬水，得申金發動以相生，請錢姓之醫以治之，餘仿比。

Go to the direction where the "Children" (子孙) is located to consult a doctor, and whether the treatment is successful is determined by the "Response Line" (应爻). If the "Children" line is strong and active in the hexagram, go to the direction of the "Children" to consult a doctor. For example, if the "Children" is a fire element (午火) that is strong or active, consult a doctor from the southern direction, and so on. If the "Children" line is weak, confined, or empty, and is broken, then look at whether the "Response Line" is strong and active: if the "Response Line" is strong and active and generates and harmonizes with the "Useful God" (用神), then go to the direction of the "Response Line" to consult a doctor. For example, if the "Response Line" is a metal element (申金), consult a doctor from the southwest direction, and so on. If another line in the hexagram is active and generates the "Useful God" on its own, you can also consult a doctor according to the direction of that line. You can also determine the surname of the doctor based on the Five Phases (五行): if a water element line is active, choose a surname with a water radical; if a fire element line is active, choose a surname related to fire; if a wood element line is active, choose a surname with a grass radical or a wood radical; if a earth element line is active, choose a surname with an earth radical. For example, if the "Wealth" (妻财) line, which belongs to water, is active and generates the "Useful God," then consult a doctor with the surname Qian (钱), and so on.

不起之病，卦中不現其醫。立愈之災，爻中不見服藥。屢見占醫之卦，無藥可醫之病者，神不現其醫矣。若非用神化鬼、鬼化用神，即是忌神化六親、六親化忌神，及用神化絕、化克、化墓，久病逢沖、逢空、隨鬼入墓，此皆無藥而醫也。病之即愈，神亦不現其醫。近病者，若非卦得六沖，即觀用值旬空，或用神化回頭生。自占者，子孫持世，此皆不藥而癒也。

A disease that cannot be cured will not show a doctor in the hexagram; a disaster that will recover immediately will not display the image of taking medicine in the lines. I have often seen hexagrams for divination in medical matters: whenever a disease is incurable, the divine beings do not show a doctor in the hexagram. Such hexagrams are either the "useful god" transforming into "official ghost," or the "official ghost" transforming into the "useful god," or the "taboo god" transforming into the "six relations," or the "six relations" transforming into the "taboo god," or the "useful god" transforming into its decline, its overcoming, or its burial. For chronic diseases, if they meet the "six clashes," emptiness, or follow the "official ghost" into burial, these are all signs of incurable diseases. Conversely, when a disease is about to recover immediately, the divine beings also do not show a doctor: for a new illness, the hexagram is either showing the "six clashes," or the "useful god" is exactly in the empty period, or the "useful god" transforms into a "returning support." When the person himself divines, it is the "children" holding the world. These are all signs of recovery without the need for medicine.

大抵與醫卜相仿。世為已，應爻為病人，若得世爻旺相，子孫財爻持世，世生應爻，世爻動化進神，化回頭生，日月動爻臨財星子孫而生，在此皆手到病除。近病者應值旬空，或動而化空、化回頭生、化旺、化退，日月動爻生應爻，及卦逢六沖、卦變六沖，此皆速宜往救，莫令他人先到以成功也。久病者應爻旺相，或逢日月動爻相生，或動而化生化旺，應臨子孫，應臨財動生世，雖然久病，我必除根，除此之外，皆不宜往，徒累盛名。

A physician deciding whether to go to treat a patient is generally similar to the patient's own divination seeking a doctor, except that the positions of the World Line and the Response Line are reversed. The World Line represents the physician, and the Response Line represents the patient. If the World Line is prosperous and strong, or if the Children or Wealth lines are in the World position, or if the World Line generates the Response Line, or if the World Line moves and transforms into an Advancing God or a returning generation, or if the Day Branch, Month Builder, or moving line bring the Wealth or Children lines to generate the World Line, then these signs indicate that the illness can be easily cured. If the patient has a new illness and the Response Line is in the旬空 (a period of emptiness), or if the Response Line moves and transforms into emptiness, returning generation, prosperity, or decline, or if the Day or Month Branch and moving lines generate the Response Line, or if the hexagram encounters Six Clashes or transforms into Six Clashes, then one should hurry to treat the patient, lest another physician arrives first and takes credit. If the patient has a long-term illness, then the Response Line should be prosperous and strong, or receive support from the Day or Month Branch and moving lines, or move and transform into generation or prosperity, or have the Children line sitting on it, or have the Wealth line in the Response position moving to generate the World Line — in such cases, even though the illness is long-standing, I can certainly cure it completely. If none of these signs are present, one should not go, to avoid damaging one's own reputation.

野鶴曰：諸書無不以官為鬼為病，應為醫人，子孫為藥，理固然也，但此宜鬼者非鬼非病，乃憂神耳。占子病者，父母愛子之心，未病憂疾，況已病乎？自占病者，性命在呼吸之間，且一人不起，舉室驚惶，誰不憂乎？此官鬼者，即一家之憂神也，惟除此憂者，乃賴子孫爻也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: All books on divination treat "official ghost" as ghost or disease, "response line" as a doctor, and "children" as medicine. The reasoning is basically correct; but I want to say that here, "official ghost" is neither ghost nor disease, but simply a "worried spirit." When divining about a son's illness, the parents worry about their son, even without illness they worry he might get sick, let alone when he is already ill. When one divines about one's own illness, life is between one breath and the next; and when one person is bedridden, everyone in the house is alarmed, who could not feel worried? Therefore, this "official ghost" is the worried spirit of the whole family; and the only thing that can remove this worry is the "children" line.

如午月甲寅日一人病在危篤，醫家不治，迎餘到宅，見有三十餘人至親，淚眼不乾，密友愁容可掬，此非一家之憂乎？及至弟占兄病得屯之中孚卦。兄弟子水″動，子孫卯木′；官鬼戌土′應，妻財巳火′；父母申金″，官鬼未土″世；官鬼辰土″，官鬼丑土″；子孫寅木″世動，子孫卯木′；兄弟子水′，妻財巳火′應。

On the day of Jiayin (甲寅) in the month of Wu (午), a man was very ill and in critical condition. The physician refused to treat him, so I was asked to go to his home. There were over thirty close relatives, their eyes still red from crying, and close friends all looked worried. This was clearly the sorrow of the whole family. Then the patient's younger brother divined for his brother's illness, obtaining the hexagram Zun (屯) changing to Zhongfou (中孚). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, were: the brother's line of water (a yin line) in motion, the official ghost of戌 earth (a yang line) holding the responding position, the parents of申 metal (a yin line), the official ghost of辰 earth (a yin line), the children of寅 wood (a yin line) holding the world position and in motion, and the brother's line of water (a yang line). The transformed hexagram Zhongfou had its six lines in order: the children of卯 wood, the wife's wealth of巳 fire, the official ghost of未 earth holding the world position, the official ghost of丑 earth, the children of卯 wood, and the wife's wealth of巳 fire holding the responding position.

餘即笑而言曰：列位放心，今日半夜退災，明日卯日即起床。只見大小一門愁容變喜，此卦中之子孫爻者，是藥耶？是解之神耶？許即愈者何也？此人雖是險痘，其實近病，子水兄爻值旬空，近病逢空好，值半夜子時而不空也。

The Wild Crane Elder laughed immediately and said: Please be assured, the disaster will be removed by midnight tonight, and the person will be able to get up by the next morning at卯 time. At once, the worried expressions of the whole family turned into joy. Please look at the "Children" line in this divination. Is it medicine or a deity who removes worries? Why can we confidently promise immediate recovery? Although the person has contracted a dangerous smallpox, in the end it is a new illness. The "Children" line of the water element is currently in the旬 empty position, and a new illness meeting an empty position is actually a good thing. However, by midnight at子 time, this water element will no longer be empty.

或曰：近病逢空，何不許沖空之午日，實空之子日？余曰：因子水化卯木子孫，世爻又臨寅木子孫動化卯木子孫，次日即是卯日，正一家解憂疑之時，所以許半夜實空之時也，果於子時退災，次日起床，此何嘗用藥而制鬼耶？

Someone asked: Why is it not allowed to confirm the effect on the day of the conflicting empty (wú) day, such as the Wu day, or on the day that fills the旬空 (a period of emptiness) such as the Zi day? The Wild Crane Elder said: Because the water brother (xiong yao) changes into the mulberry wood child (mu mu zǐsūn), and the world line (shì yáo) is also the mulberry wood child (mu mu zǐsūn) that moves and changes into the mulberry wood child (mu mu zǐsūn), and the next day is exactly the卯 (mao) day, which is the time when the family resolves their worries. Therefore, it is only allowed to fill the旬空 at the moment of the midnight. Later, the disaster was removed at the子 (zi) hour, and the person got up the next day. How could there be any need to use a single medicine to control a ghost?

又如一日時值初更叩門入曰：家小主有病相迎占卜。餘問得病源自山東回後頃刻得病，餘即自占一卦。未月壬子日得節之比卦。兄弟子水″，兄弟子水″應；官鬼戌土′，官鬼戌土′；父母申金″應，父母申金″；官鬼丑土″，子孫卯木″世；子孫卯木′動，妻財巳火″；妻財巳火′世動，官鬼未土″。巳火財爻持世，子動生世，子孫乃喜悅之神，此行有益。及到達伊家，值醫檢藥。

One day, when it was already the first watch of the night, someone knocked on the door and said that the family's young master was ill and had come to ask the master to divinate. I asked about the cause of the illness, and it was said that he had fallen ill suddenly after returning from Shandong. At once, I first divined a hexagram for myself: on the day of Renzi in the month of Wei, I obtained the hexagram of节, which transformed into the hexagram of比. The primary hexagram, from the top down, was: a yin line of the brother's water, a yang line of the official ghost of戌 earth, the parents of申 metal (a yin line) holding the responding line, the official ghost of丑 earth (a yin line), the son's卯 wood (a yang line) in motion, and the wife's wealth of巳 fire (a yang line) holding the world line and in motion. The transformed hexagram of比, from top to bottom, was: the brother's water holding the responding line, the official ghost of戌 earth, the parents of申 metal, the son's卯 wood holding the world line, the wife's wealth of巳 fire, and the official ghost of未 earth. The wife's wealth of巳 fire held the world line, and the son's line was in motion to generate the world line. The son is the god of joy, indicating that this journey would be beneficial. When I arrived at his home, I just happened to meet the doctor considering the prescription.

壬子日占子病得解之坎卦。妻財戌土″，父母子水″世；官鬼申金″應動，妻財戌土′；子孫午火′動，官鬼申金″；子孫午火″，子孫午火″應；妻財辰土′世，妻財辰土′；兄弟寅木″，兄弟寅木″。餘見此卦生疑，近病得六沖不死之症耶？是子孫變鬼必死之病耶？不敢斷之，再請親人卜之。

On the same day of Renzi, I also divined the illness of the young master of this family and obtained the Hexagram of Release, which transformed into the Hexagram of Water. The six lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, were: wife wealth in the earth dog (a yin line), official ghost in the monkey metal (a yin line) holding the responding line and moving, son in the horse fire (a yang line) moving, son in the horse fire (a yin line), wife wealth in the dragon earth (a yang line) holding the worldly line, and brother in the tiger wood (a yin line). The six lines of the transformed hexagram of Water, in order, were: parents in the rat water holding the worldly line, wife wealth in the earth dog, official ghost in the monkey metal, son in the horse fire holding the responding line, wife wealth in the dragon earth, and brother in the tiger wood. The Wild Crane Elder saw this hexagram and became doubtful: is this a new illness with the Six Clashes, which certainly will not lead to death, or is it that the son changes into the official ghost, which means certain death? He hesitated and could not decide, so he asked the family members to cast another hexagram.

叔占侄病得坤卦。子孫酉金″世，子孫酉金″世；妻財亥水″，妻財亥水″；兄弟丑土″，兄弟丑土″；官鬼卯木″應，官鬼卯木″應；父母巳火″，父母巳火″；兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″。又見六沖，知不死矣。問有舊病否？彼曰：從無病根，便自山東一路而來，亦無病起，適間日落之時，忽而滿床亂滾，口不能言。余曰：既無舊病，餘敢保之即愈，再請醫者卜之。

So he asked his uncle to divinate his nephew's illness, and the hexagram obtained was the Hexagram of Earth (Kun). All six lines were still, and the changing hexagram was the same as the original. The six lines, from top to bottom, were: the子孙 (children) of酉 gold (a yin line) holding the world, 妻财 (wealth) of亥 water (a yin line), 兄弟 (siblings) of丑 earth (a yin line), 官鬼 (official ghost) of卯 wood (a yin line) holding the response, 父母 (parents) of巳 fire (a yin line), and 兄弟 (siblings) of未 earth (a yin line). The Hexagram of Earth is itself the "Six Clashes," and here again the Six Clashes appear, indicating that the illness will not be fatal. The Wild Crane Elder then asked: Did he have any old illness? The family replied: He had never had any chronic illness, and since he came back from Shandong, he had not been sick at all; just at sunset, he suddenly rolled around on the bed and could not speak. The Wild Crane Elder said: Since there is no old illness, I dare guarantee that he will recover immediately; please also have the doctor who treated him cast a hexagram.

得井之明夷卦。父母子水″，官鬼酉金″；妻財戌土′世動，父母亥水″；官鬼申金″，妻財丑土″世；官鬼酉金′，父母亥水′；父母亥水′應動，妻財丑土″；妻財丑土″動，兄弟卯木′應。應為病人，世克應爻還不妨，乃是剋制病人之病也，但不宜應爻化回頭克，定用藥有誤。餘問東家：藥曾吃否？答曰：未熱。問醫者曰：所得何病？所下何藥？伊曰：三伏之天中受暑，不過解暑之涼藥耳。餘私對東家曰：令郎不死，卻得必死之卦，恐此藥來必對症者，再請復看。

The doctor cast the Well hexagram, which changed into the Bright Sun hexagram. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is: parents yin water, wife wealth戌 earth (yang line) holding the world line and moving, official ghost申 metal (yin line), official ghost酉 metal (yang line), parents亥 water (yang line) holding the response line and moving, wife wealth丑 earth (yin line) moving; the changed hexagram, from top to bottom, is: official ghost酉 metal, parents亥 water, wife wealth丑 earth (yang line) holding the world line, parents亥 water, wife wealth丑 earth, brothers卯 wood holding the response line. The doctor, casting for himself, said that the response line represents the patient. The world line controlling the response line is not too bad, since it is the doctor controlling the patient's illness; however, it is not good if the response line moves and produces a reverse control, which indicates that the medicine is definitely wrong. The Wild Crane Elder then asked the host: has the medicine been taken? The answer was: it hasn't even been boiled yet. He then asked the doctor: what illness does the patient have? What medicine has been prescribed? The doctor said: it was a heatstroke in the dog days of summer, and it's just some cooling medicine for heatstroke. The Wild Crane Elder privately told the host: your son should not have died, but now the hexagram shows a certain death, so I fear the medicine may not be appropriate. Please have the doctor check it again.

醫者曰：床上亂滾，不能把脈，隨以家人問途中何如，家人言曰：到家熱極，移床於此有風之處，再用大冰二塊，安於涼床之下，命侄女掌扇，一覺睡熟，忽然醒來呼喚幾聲，即不言矣。餘想熱極之人，臥冰臨風，空曠之場，使人掌扇，其病可知，醫者亦曰：適看病已扶入喜矣，不知此節，看來寒藥實不可服。余曰：竟用附子肉桂，方可治之，更命伊父占之。

The doctor said: The patient was rolling around on the bed and could not be taken the pulse. So he asked the accompanying family members about the situation on the way. The family members said: When we got home, it was very hot, so we moved the bed to this place where there was a breeze, and placed two big blocks of ice under the cool bed. We also had the niece fan him. He fell asleep, then suddenly woke up and called out a few times, and then stopped speaking. The Wild Crane Elder thought: A person who was extremely hot, sleeping on ice, facing a breeze, lying in an open area, and being fanned by someone, the origin of his illness is now clear. The doctor also said: When we were examining him, he had already been helped into the room, and did not know about this. According to this, he should not take cold and cool medicines. The Wild Crane Elder said: Only by using strong hot medicines such as Fu Zi and Rou Gui can this condition be treated. So he told the patient's father to cast another divination.

壬子日占用附子可否得大有之大畜。官鬼巳火′應，妻財寅木′；父母未土″，子孫子水″應；兄弟酉金′動，父母戌土″；父母辰土′世，父母辰土′；妻財寅木′，妻財寅木′世；子孫子水′，子孫子水′。子孫臨日辰，酉金兄動以相生，服用一劑，保管立愈。醫家先用乾薑湯試之，少刻開言肚疼之甚。余曰：何如快服此藥。醫家加減調理一夜，次日曰愈，此人之不死也。因我出門子孫發動一卦而斷定矣。厥後連占數卦，皆合前象，方敢用大熱之劑，起死回生，不然一劑涼藥，寒上加寒，能於治耶？

On a Renzi day, a divination was made about whether the use of aconite (a medicinal herb) would be effective. The primary hexagram was Dali (Great Accumulation), which transformed into Daxu (Great Domestication). The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, were: Official Ghost Fire (Yang line) holding the responding line, Parents Earth (Yin line), Brothers Metal (Yang line) in motion, Parents Earth (Yang line) holding the worldly line, Wealth Wood (Yang line), and Children Water (Yang line). The six lines of the transformed hexagram, in order, were: Wealth Wood, Children Water holding the responding line, Parents Earth, Parents Earth, Wealth Wood holding the worldly line, and Children Water. In divination for medicine, "Children" is considered the useful god. The Children Water is exactly the day branch of Renzi day, and there is also a Brothers Metal in motion that nourishes it. This indicates that taking one dose of the medicine will surely bring immediate recovery. The physician first used a dry ginger soup to test the patient, but soon the patient said his stomach was hurting badly. The Wild Crane Elder said: Why wait any longer, quickly give the aconite dose. The physician adjusted the formula all night, and the next day the illness was cured. The reason this person did not die was actually determined before I left, when he divined himself and saw the Children line in motion, which indicated recovery. After that, he kept divining several more times, and the hexagram images were consistent with the first one, so I dared to use a very hot formula, which miraculously saved his life. Otherwise, if a cooling medicine had been given, adding more coldness would have made it worse, how could it have been cured?

覺子曰：此卦酉金兄動以生子孫，服此熱藥而病癒者。使前賢見之，又以酉金兄爻而為藥也。凡卜藥亦有當卜之道，或醫家看臨危之症，欲投此藥，可以起死回生，惟恐一失，繫不少得子孫動者必喜悅也，即可用之，用而必效。

Juezi said: This hexagram is the酉 metal siblings initiating the movement to produce Children, so taking this hot medicine will cure the illness. If previous masters had seen this, they would have said that the酉 metal brother line is the medicine. Whenever one divines about medicine, there is always a reason for the divination: for example, when a physician sees a critically ill condition and wants to administer a strong medicine, which could revive the patient from the brink of death, but fears that a mistake might cause serious consequences. At such a time, if the divination shows the Children moving, it is a joyful omen, so the medicine should be used without hesitation, and it will certainly take effect.

或泛詢行用，或長途穹旅，無處得寺醫，有人傳一奇方占得子孫動者其方必效，或半夜更深，延醫不及，檢黠古方，及家藏凡藥，實對此症，不敢擅用，不可不占，皆以子孫為用神，但得子孫持世，子孫發動，服之立可解憂，此諸占之子孫者，不拘金木水火土也，或旺或動，即為喜悅之神，（用此方而兄爻不動，何喜之有，）切不可又以金臨子孫而用針，火屬子孫而用炙，錯也誤也。

For example, if someone casually asks for a remedy and tries to use it, or if someone is traveling far or in a remote place and cannot find a good doctor, and someone passes on a strange remedy, and the divination shows the 'children' (子孙) being activated, then the remedy will definitely work. Another example is when it's very late at night and it's too late to call a doctor, and one searches through an old prescription or finds some existing medicine at home that seems to fit the condition, but is hesitant to use it without confirmation. In such cases, one should not hesitate to consult the divination. In these situations, the 'children' are considered the 'useful god' (用神). As long as the 'children' are holding the world (持世) or are activated (发动), taking the medicine will immediately relieve the worry. Here, the 'children' refer to any of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, or earth—as long as they are strong or active, they are considered a joyful deity (喜悦之神). If the 'brother' (兄爻) is not activated, then there is nothing to be joyful about. It is wrong to say that if the 'children' belong to metal, one should use acupuncture, or if they belong to fire, one should use moxibustion. That is a great mistake.

一日到一府中，眾客告曰：老先生昨日在後園仆倒，扶起出狂言，至今不知人事，諸位醫者內有曰：不服人參不能提氣。有曰：幸無痰上，若吃人參，痰上則難治矣。余曰：就卜人參吃得否。寅月丁卯日子占父病吃人參好否。得萃之否卦。父母未土″動，父母戌土′應；兄弟酉金′應，兄弟申金′；子孫亥水′，官鬼午火′；妻財卯木″，妻財卯木″世；官鬼巳火″世，官鬼巳火″；父母未土″，父母未土″。

One day, I visited a wealthy official's home, where a gathering of guests told me that an elder had fallen in the back garden the previous day. When he was helped up, he started speaking incoherently and has since been unconscious. The doctors present had differing opinions: some said that he could not be revived without ginseng, while others said that it was fortunate that he had not yet developed phlegm; if he had taken ginseng, the phlegm might have risen and made the condition more difficult to treat. The Wild Crane Elder said that we should cast a divination to determine whether ginseng should be administered. The divination was cast on the day of Dingmao in the Year of the Tiger, with the son casting the hexagram for his father's illness and to determine whether ginseng should be given. The primary hexagram was Cui, which transformed into Po. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth element (yin line) moving, siblings in the metal element (yang line) holding the responding position, children in the water element (yang line), wealth in the wood element (yin line), official ghost in the fire element (yin line) holding the worldly position, and parents in the earth element (yin line). The transformed hexagram, Po, from top to bottom, was: parents in the earth element (yang line) holding the responding position, siblings in the metal element (yang line), official ghost in the fire element (yang line), wealth in the wood element (yang line) holding the worldly position, official ghost in the fire element (yin line), and parents in the earth element (yin line).

占人參必以子孫為用神，若不通變，見卦中父動克子孫不過曰人參不可服也。餘非此斷，子占父病，父爻為用神，未動化戌，父戌旬空，人參莫用，藥亦莫服，明日辰日沖空即愈，果於雞鳴甦醒，次日不藥而癒。

According to conventional methods, when divining about taking ginseng, one should take the 'children' as the useful god; if one does not understand the variations, seeing the 'parents' moving and coming to control the 'children', one can only say that ginseng should not be taken. However, the Wild Crane Elder did not interpret it this way: since it is the son divining about his father's illness, one should take the 'parents' as the useful god. In this hexagram, the earth element parents are moving and transforming into戌 earth, and this戌 earth is exactly in the旬空. Therefore, ginseng does not need to be used, nor do other medicines. On the next day, when the辰 day冲 opens this旬空, the illness will naturally recover. Later, the person indeed woke up at the sound of the rooster and recovered without taking any medicine the next day.

又如一日在席間，見東翁口歪眼斜痰涎長流，餘亦在座，乃即問曰：家有牛黃，但不知可服否？餘命占之。亥日辛酉日子占父病吃牛黃丸可否，得夬卦。兄弟未土″，兄弟未土″；子孫酉金′世，子孫酉金′世；妻財亥水′，妻財亥水′；兄弟辰土′，兄弟辰土′；官鬼寅木′應，官鬼寅木′應；妻財子水′，妻財子水′。

One day at a banquet, I saw the host's mouth twisted and eyes crooked, with phlegm flowing from his mouth. I was also present, and the host asked: "We have bull's bile at home, but we don't know if it can be taken?" I asked him to cast a divination. The month was Hai (Hai) and the day was Xin You (Xinyou). The son was casting the divination for his father's illness, to see if taking the bull's bile pill would be effective. The hexagram obtained was夬 (Gua), with all six lines quiet, and the resulting hexagram the same as the primary one. The six lines, from top to bottom, were: Brothers Wei Earth (Xiongdi Weituo, Siblings Earth, a yin line), Children You Metal (Zisun Youjin, Children Metal, a yang line) holding the world line, Wealth Hai Water (Qicai Haishui, Wealth Water, a yang line), Brothers Chen Earth (Xiongdi Chen Tu, Siblings Earth, a yang line), Official Ghost Yin Wood (Guan Gui Yin Mu, Official Ghost Birch Wood, a yang line) holding the responding line, and Wealth Zi Water (Qicai Zi Shui, Wealth Water, a yang line). In divination regarding medicine, the "children" line is the useful god. In this hexagram, the You metal (Youjin, Metal) children line is exactly on the world line, and the day was also Xinyou (Xinyou).

余曰：灌服此丸可保立愈，服之便醒，喜子孫持世也。或曰：同是子占父藥，一卦看父爻，一卦看子孫，其故何也？余曰：前卦父爻發動，神兆機於動，以父母斷之，後卦子孫持世值日，子孫乃喜悅之神，父病即安則喜悅矣，卦無不靈，在人通變。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Take this pill and it will surely bring immediate recovery. After taking it, he indeed woke up, which was a sign of the 'Children' trigram ruling the situation. Someone asked: Why in the first hexagram we used the Parents trigram to interpret, but in the second hexagram we used the Children trigram, since it's the same case of a son taking medicine for his father? The Wild Crane Elder said: In the first hexagram, the Parents trigram was active, which is called 'the divine sign appears through movement,' so we used the Parents trigram to interpret. In the second hexagram, the Children trigram was ruling the situation, and it was also the Xinyou day, with the Children trigram sitting on the day branch. The Children trigram is a joyful deity. Once the father's illness is cured, the whole family naturally feels joyful. The hexagram is never without its power; it all depends on whether a person can understand and adapt.

又如申月癸卯日因楊梅瘡占醫好否。得履之否卦。兄弟戌土′，兄弟戌土′應；子孫申金′世，子孫申金′；父母午火′，父母午火′；兄弟丑土″，官鬼卯木″世；官鬼卯木′應動，父母巳火″；父母巳火′動，兄弟未土″。

For example, on a Guimao day in the month of Shen, someone suffering from a sore throat consulted a doctor to see if the doctor could cure the illness. The hexagram obtained was the Lu hexagram changing into the Po hexagram. The primary hexagram, from the top down, was: brothers戌 earth (yang line), sons申 metal (yang line) holding the world, parents午 fire (yang line), brothers丑 earth (yin line), official ghost卯 wood (yang line) holding the response and moving, parents巳 fire (yang line) moving. The changed hexagram, Po, from the top down, was: brothers戌 earth holding the response, sons申 metal, parents午 fire, official ghost卯 wood (yang line) holding the world, parents巳 fire, brothers未 earth.

斷曰：此醫不可用之，雖係子孫持世，應為醫人，不宜應爻與巳火克申金，又有卯木生火，世爻雖旺，巳日一定添災，不聽，竟延此醫治之，卯辰日服藥還保平常，巳日忽然變症，遍身疼痛難當，病人著急而問余曰：可傷命否？余曰：世值日建，何如傷命？快服解藥，過此巳午日則止疼矣，即服解藥至申日其病如常。

The Wild Crane Elder interpreted the divination: This doctor is not suitable. Although the hexagram shows the "Children" line holding the world line, the "Response line" represents the doctor. It is not good for the Response line, which is卯 wood, to join with巳 fire to attack the world line申 metal. Moreover,卯 wood nourishes巳 fire, making the fire even stronger. Although the world line申 metal is in its season during the month of申, by the day of巳 it will certainly bring disaster. The patient did not listen and still hired this doctor. On卯 day and辰 day, the medicine had no significant effect, but on巳 day, the condition suddenly changed, and the patient suffered unbearable pain all over the body. The patient became anxious and asked the Wild Crane Elder if it would be fatal. The Wild Crane Elder said: The world line has the support of the day and month's strength, so how could it be fatal? Take the detoxifying medicine quickly, and after passing through the days of巳 and午, the pain will subside. Immediately, the detoxifying medicine was taken, and by the day of申, the illness had recovered completely.

野鶴曰：前篇俱言子孫持世，其病即愈，必要子孫不受克可也，後賢不可不知。李我平曰：此論官鬼為憂神，子孫為喜悅解憂之神，雖係古法，用之得當，非合鬼神之機，不能幻想至此，然又有不以鬼作憂神者，全在來人念之所指，彼問病之吉凶，若得鬼爻持世，鬼動卦中，豈為憂神？子孫持世，子孫發動則為解憂喜悅之神是也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: In the previous few sections, it was explained that when "Children" is the occupying element in the hexagram, it indicates a favorable condition for illness, but this is only valid when the "Children" is not being overcome. Later scholars must not be unaware of this point. Li Woping said: Here, "Official Ghost" is regarded as the spirit of worry, and "Children" is regarded as the deity that brings joy and alleviates worry. Although this is an ancient method, it is used appropriately; if it does not secretly align with the mechanisms of ghosts and spirits, one would not think of this level. However, there are also instances where "Official Ghost" is not regarded as the spirit of worry. It all depends on what the person asking the question is specifically referring to. If he is asking about the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of an illness, then how can "Official Ghost" being the occupying element or moving within the hexagram be merely a spirit of worry? At this time, it is only when "Children" is the occupying element and "Children" is active within the hexagram that it can be considered the deity that brings joy and alleviates worry.

彼問犯何鬼神者，卦現金鬼，必沖犯於武神。水鬼者犯罪於河神也。彼問病原，火鬼必屬心經，水鬼必腎部，子孫旺而動者不藥而癒，非教人以此子孫爻為治病之藥，金為子孫而用針，火持子孫而用炙，殊不知子孫若旺，其病自痊，何用針炙？子孫者值空破，用針炙而何益？

If he asks about which spirit he has offended, then a卦 showing the ghost of gold indicates he has offended the military spirit; a卦 showing the water ghost means he has offended the river god. If he asks about the source of his illness, then the fire ghost belongs to the heart meridian, and the water ghost belongs to the kidney area. As for the 'children' being strong and active, it simply means he will recover without medication, not that one should use the children's line as a treatment for illness. It is not saying that because children belong to metal one should use acupuncture, or because they belong to fire one should use moxibustion. One must know that if the children are strong, the illness will naturally recover, so why use acupuncture or moxibustion? If the children are exactly in the旬空 or month breaker, then using acupuncture or moxibustion would be of no benefit.

諸書皆曰：土鬼忌熱，水鬼忌寒，水鬼若生旺之地，須用大熱之藥以治之。水鬼寒者，宜大寒之藥以功之，餘不知從何見此。假使用神屬土及子占父病，父爻臨土，若得火爻發動，乃生用爻之元神也，豈可以大寒之藥而治元神耶？又如妻占夫病，鬼為用神，假令夫臨水鬼，又可以大熱之藥以攻夫爻之用神耶？常見窮鄉僻壤，無處覓醫，只謂周易乃大聖大賢之書，遵之必靈，以此大寒大熱之藥，不知坑陷如許之命，言及髮指，此書一出，寒熱之藥不可輕用，從此泉下無冤鬼矣。

Various books say: "Earth ghosts dislike heat, water ghosts dislike cold; if a water ghost is in a place of vitality and strength, one must use very hot medicine to treat it; if a water ghost is of a cold nature, one should use very cold medicine to attack it." The first sentence says that water ghosts dislike cold, but the next sentence advises using very cold medicine to attack water ghosts, which is contradictory. I do not know where I read this. Suppose the "useful god" belongs to earth, and it is a son divining his father's illness, and the father's爻 is earth, then if there is a fire爻 that moves, this is actually generating the "origin god" of the useful god. How can one use very cold medicine to treat the origin god? Again, if a wife is divining her husband's illness, and the "official ghost" is the useful god, and the husband's爻 is a water ghost, can one use very hot medicine to attack the useful god? Often in remote villages where doctors cannot be found, people take the Zhou Yi as a great sage's book and believe that following it will surely be effective, and thus use very hot or very cold medicine, unknowingly harming many lives, which is truly horrifying. With the publication of this book, hot and cold medicines should no longer be used lightly, and from then on, there will be no more冤鬼 in the afterlife.

野鶴曰：諸書皆曰，一卦之中，可決一家休咎，六爻之內，能分六事吉凶，以卦中之父母爻為屋，又以父母爻為雙親，既為二親，又以五爻為父，四爻為母，如此悖謬糊塗，尚有刊傳為法，餘實不解。

The Wild Crane Elder said: All books say that within one hexagram, one can determine the fortune and misfortune of a family, and within the six lines, one can distinguish the good and bad fortune of six matters. They take the 'Parents' line in the hexagram as representing the house, and also take the Parents line as representing the parents. Since they have already taken it as the parents, they then establish another interpretation, taking the fifth line as the father and the fourth line as the mother. This is self-contradictory and confused. Yet it is still printed and circulated, being regarded as a fixed method. I really cannot understand this.

如戌月丙午日占得乾之小畜。父母戌土′世，妻財卯木′；兄弟申金′，官鬼巳火′；官鬼午火′動，父母未土″應；父母辰土′應，父母辰土′；妻財寅木′，妻財寅木′；子孫子水′，子孫子水′世。

For example, on a day of Bingwu (丙午) in the month of Xu (戌), one divines the family dwelling and obtains the hexagram Qian (乾), which transforms into the hexagram Xiaoxu (小畜). The six lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, are: parents戌土 (Yang line) holding the world, brothers申金 (Yang line), official ghost午火 (Yang line) in motion, parents辰土 (Yang line) holding the response, wife's wealth寅木 (Yang line), and sons and daughters子水 (Yang line). The six lines of the transformed hexagram Xiaoxu, in order, are: wife's wealth卯木, official ghost巳火, parents未土 (Yang line) holding the response, parents辰土, wife's wealth寅木, and sons and daughters子水 (Yang line) holding the world. Below, the Wild Crane Elder will use this hexagram to check each line against the traditional methods of interpreting family dwelling divination as recorded in ancient texts.

古法有出卦無父母，不免堂上之憂。此卦不獨有父母戌土臨月建，午火官動以相生，即父母雙慶之祥也。若又以五爻為父四爻為母斷者，鬼臨四位，老母多災，執此問之，老母多災即堂上無憂耶？又曰：好爻受克即此逢傷，今五爻申金被午火鬼克，此又老父以生災耶？又曰：鬼動乾宮老父之咎，此卦鬼發乾宮又為老父之咎？

Ancient methods say that if the "parents" line does not appear in the hexagram, the two elders in the family are sure to suffer worries. In this hexagram, not only does the "parents" line appear as the earth dog (戌土) holding the world, but it also coincides with the month builder of the戌 month. Moreover, the fire official ghost (午火) is active and gives birth to it, forming a favorable omen of both parents receiving blessings. However, according to another method, taking the fifth line as the father and the fourth line as the mother, if the ghost is on the fourth line, it should be interpreted as the old mother suffering misfortunes. Comparing these two interpretations, is it the old mother who suffers misfortunes, or the elders who are free from worries? The book also says that if a line is attacked, the corresponding person suffers injury. Now the fifth line, which is the metal (申金), is being attacked by the fire ghost (午火), so does this not indicate that the father will suffer misfortune? The book also says that if the ghost moves in the Qian trigram, it is the father's misfortune. In this hexagram, the ghost is exactly active in the Qian trigram, so it becomes the father's misfortune again?

又云：火鬼動以防回祿，白虎鬼為喪服之憂。又云：世逢生旺，宅旺家安。此卦世已旺矣，奈因火鬼臨於虎動，可謂之回祿乎？喪服乎？家興宅旺乎？又以官鬼為廳堂，謂之官旺屋宇軒昂。又云：鬼旺鬼興，為災為咎。此卦鬼臨日辰旺動，屋宇軒昂乎？為災為咎乎？

The book also says: when the fire official ghost moves, it warns of fire danger; when the ghost is accompanied by the White Tiger, there is worry of mourning clothes. It also says: when the world line is supported and strong, the family is prosperous and the house is safe. In this hexagram, the world line is already strong, but the fire official ghost is also active and accompanied by the White Tiger. So should we interpret it as fire danger, mourning clothes, or a prosperous and safe home? The book also treats the official ghost as the hall, saying that when the official ghost is strong, the house is grand and imposing. But it immediately follows by saying: when the ghost is strong and active, it brings disaster and misfortune. In this hexagram, the ghost爻 is at the Bingwu day branch, and is both strong and active. So should we interpret it as a grand and imposing house, or as disaster and misfortune?

又云：財官旺相，熱鬧門庭。又曰：財爻發動，父母遭傷，豈門庭熱鬧之家，皆無父母之家耶？又云：兄爻旺相，紫荊並茂於堂前。又云：兄弟持世，絲絃再理。豈雁行隊隊者皆失履遺之宅耶？種種悖謬，難以枚舉，餘不得已而正之。

The book also says: if the wealth hexagram and the official hexagram are prosperous and strong, the family will be lively and bustling; it also says: if the wealth hexagram is activated, the parents will be harmed. How can a family that is lively and bustling be a family without parents? It also says: if the siblings hexagram is prosperous and strong, it indicates that the brothers and sisters are harmonious and live together in peace; it also says: if the siblings hexagram holds the world position, it indicates the loss of a spouse and remarriage. How can a family with brothers living together in an orderly manner be a house that has lost its spouse and companion? Such absurdities are endless, and I have no choice but to correct them.

父旺持世，此處清安宜久住。父爻旺相持世、生世、合世、及世爻動而化父相生，或得日月作父母生合世爻，皆為發福之兆。財爻發動，他方仁裡另宜求。財動以克父爻，另於他處圖之。

The 'Parents' hexagram is strong and holds the world line, indicating that this house is quiet and peaceful, suitable for long-term residence. If the 'Parents' hexagram is prosperous and strong, holding the world line, or comes to support and harmonize with the world line, or if the world line moves and generates the 'Parents' hexagram to support it, or if the day branch or month builder itself is the 'Parents' hexagram coming to support and harmonize with the world line, these are all signs of good fortune. If the 'Wealth' hexagram moves, one should seek another place in a kind and generous neighborhood. Because when wealth moves, it will overcome the 'Parents' hexagram, so this place is not suitable, and one must seek elsewhere.

爻逢六合，終見享通。卦遇反吟，多於愁嘆。世爻父爻旺相，又得六合卦者事之必成，成而久遠，但不喜其六沖，六沖不久之象。卦遇反吟，倘加世破，沖剋大凶之兆。世動而化進，綿長百代，父興不化退，增置千間。世動化退，勉強成之，終須退悔。世動而化進神者，成後長遠興隆，名高利厚。

When the line meets 'Six Harmony,' things will ultimately go smoothly; when the hexagram encounters 'Reverse Chant,' it is mostly a matter of sorrow and regret. If the World Line and the Parents line are both prosperous and strong, and also meet the hexagram of Six Harmony, this matter will surely succeed and last long. However, it is not favored by 'Six Clashes,' which symbolizes something that cannot last long. If the hexagram meets 'Reverse Chant,' and the World Line is broken by the month, and is also attacked and restrained, it is a sign of great misfortune. If the World Line moves and transforms into 'Advancing God,' the family business will continue for generations. If the Parents line is prosperous and does not transform into 'Retreating God,' there will be the possibility of acquiring thousands of rooms in the future. Conversely, if the World Line moves and transforms into 'Retreating God,' the matter may bewith difficulty completed, but eventually one will regret it. If the World Line moves and transforms into 'Advancing God,' after the matter is completed, it will bring long-term prosperity, fame and wealth.

父動化退神，成後凋零破敗，倘得化進，此後再置千間。最忌隨官入墓，須防鬼動傷身。世爻隨鬼入墓，財爻助鬼克世，及世爻動而變凶，或日月動爻克世，皆不宜行。父動克世及世爻父爻空破墓絕者，亦不宜行。

If the parents' line moves and transforms into the retreating god, after the house is built, it will still eventually decay and fall apart; but if it transforms into the advancing god, there will be the possibility of adding a thousand more rooms later. The most dangerous situation is when the world line follows the official into the grave, and one should also be cautious of the ghost line moving to injure the world line. If the world line follows the ghost into the grave, or if the wealth line supports the ghost to attack the world line, or if the world line moves and turns into a凶象 (dangerous sign), or if the day branch, month builder, or moving line attacks the world line, then it is not advisable to take action. Similarly, it is also not advisable to take action if the parents' line attacks the world line, or if the world line or parents' line is empty, broken, in the grave, or at its end.

野鶴曰：凡蓋造買宅賃宅，世與父爻旺相不犯沖剋者即宜成之，自是榮華昌盛。如問一家之吉凶，雖則須宜分占，亦待遷居入火之時，擇其吉日而占之，告於神曰：今某日遷居，有礙於父母妻子否？若有妨礙，須另擇一時以入門者可也。朝遷以便民間之用者此也。如若蓋造買造占問一家俱宜吉慶，假令家有百口，欲使人人合其吉者百年買不成矣。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Whenever building a house, buying a residence, or renting a house, if the World Line and the Parents' Line are prosperous and strong without conflicting or controlling each other, one should proceed with the matter, naturally leading to prosperity and flourishing. As for asking about the fortune of the whole family, although it should be separately divined, it must be done on the day of moving into the new house, choosing another auspicious day for divination. One should pray to the gods: On such a day of moving in, will it be harmful to the parents and wife? If it is harmful, one can simply choose another time to enter the house. Adjusting the time in accordance with the proper days and times is precisely the meaning of this. If one wishes to inquire about the fortune of all family members at the time of building or buying a house, assuming there are one hundred family members, and one wants all of them to be favorable to this auspicious sign, then even after a hundred years, one cannot acquire a single house.

創造興工，卦忌六沖，鬼動克世最凶，隨鬼入墓，禍事多逢。父爻旺相，世位興隆，世父兩爻發動化吉大安宅盛，事事享通。

When starting a construction project, the hexagram should avoid the "Six Clashes." If the ghost爻 becomes active and attacks the World Line爻, it is extremely dangerous. If the World Line爻 follows the ghost爻 into its墓 position, misfortunes will frequently occur. However, if the Parents爻 is prosperous and strong, and the position where the World Line爻 resides is also flourishing, and both the World Line and Parents爻 become active and transform into auspicious signs, then the household will be peaceful, the residence will flourish, and all affairs will proceed smoothly.

世臨福德最相宜，官鬼交重有禍基。世旺逢生宜化吉，世衰受克且停工。子孫之方宜起手，官鬼之位莫挑泥。譬如子孫屬水，起手動工宜於北方。官鬼屬火，不可動土於南方。鬼在辰戌丑未，此方切忌動土。豈嫌子象發，偏忌父爻虛，造成屋宇憂沖散，父爻旺相久長居。

When breaking ground for construction, it is most appropriate if the World Line is occupied by the "Children" (Fortune Virtue). However, if the "Official Ghost" is heavily involved and active, it may bring about misfortune. If the World Line is strong and receives support, and if it becomes active and transforms into a favorable condition, then construction can proceed. If the World Line is weak and suffers from being attacked, it is advisable to suspend work temporarily. Construction should begin in the direction where the Children are located, and digging should be avoided in the direction where the Official Ghost is located. For example, if the Children belong to water, construction should start in the north; if the Official Ghost belongs to fire, construction should not take place in the south. If the Official Ghost is located in the directions of Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei, those directions should be avoided for construction. It is actually not a concern if the Children爻 becomes active, but rather the most unfavorable situation is when the Parents爻 is weak. If the Parents爻 is weak, the building may be subject to being dispersed or destroyed. Only when the Parents爻 is strong and prosperous can the residence be long-lasting.

占以內三爻為久居之宅，外三爻為未居之房。內克外者外宅不利，不宜遷之，內生外者，外宅興隆，過遷為吉。野鶴曰：餘以此法不善，宅已蓋造買成，今欲入火，假使占得外宅不吉而不遷耶？既有新宅成，舊宅或已棄矣，倘若占得內卦吉者，豈可仍居舊宅耶？覺子曰：此法亦有使處，來人有問欲棄舊宅而買新宅可乎？用此法者宜也。

Divination for moving house uses the third line of the inner trigram to represent the current old residence and the third line of the outer trigram to represent the new house yet to be moved into. If the inner trigram overcomes the outer trigram, the new house is unfavorable and moving is not advisable. If the inner trigram generates the outer trigram, the new house is prosperous and moving is auspicious. The Wild Crane Elder said: I think this method is not appropriate. The house has already been built or purchased, and now the day for moving in is being chosen. If the divination shows the new house is unfavorable, should we not move at all? Since the new house is already completed, the old one may have been abandoned long ago. If the inner trigram shows favorable results, can we still return to the old house? Juezi said: This method also has its appropriate use. If someone asks, "Is it okay for me to abandon the old house and buy a new one?" then this method is exactly suitable.

宅之吉凶，已於蓋造買宅卦中卜就之矣，今占入火之日，須將父母兄弟妻兒各為分占，宜於此日者用之，不宜此日者改之，或改日，或另擇一時以入門，皆可化凶為吉。

The fortune of the house itself is already determined in the divination used when building or buying the house. Now, when choosing the day to move in, one should cast a hexagram for each of the parents, siblings, wife, and children. If any of them are compatible with this day, then that day can be used. If not, adjust accordingly: either choose another day or select a different time on the same day to enter the house. This can transform bad fortune into good.

擇於某日入宅，宜於父母否？再占一卦，宜於兄弟否？再占一卦，宜於妻兒否？占父母，父母宜於旺相。占兄弟妻兒，皆宜旺相而遇生扶，不宜變動而化鬼，及刑沖剋害。或兄弟或妻子內有一卦不利者即令另擇一日或另擇一時俱可。

When choosing a day to move into a new house, first cast a divination to ask if this day is suitable for the parents. Then cast another to ask about the siblings, and another to ask about the wife and children. For the parents' divination, the 'parents' line should be prosperous and strong. For the siblings and the wife and children, each should also have their respective useful gods prosperous and strong, and supported by other elements. It is not advisable for the 'official ghost' to be activated or for the lines to be harmed, conflicted, or defeated. Whether it is the siblings' divination or the wife and children's, if any of the three is unfavorable, another day or just another time can be chosen instead.

野鶴曰：餘得周公剋制之法，凡六親所犯之神，令之趨避，無一不驗。且如木臨父母命爻，財動以傷之父母，入宅須擇剋制金爻之日，安父母之床榻宜剋制金爻之方，屢試屢驗。子月丁酉日占擇某日入宅是否有礙父母得萃卦。父母未土″，父母未土″；兄弟酉金′應，兄弟酉金′應；子孫亥水′，子孫亥水′；妻財卯木″，妻財卯木″；官鬼巳火″世，官鬼巳火″世；父母未土″，父母未土″。

The Wild Crane Elder said: I have learned a method from the Duke of Zhou to control the Six Relations. Whenever a god or demon conflicts with a particular relation, it should be avoided or approached with caution, and there has never been a failure in this method. For example, if the parents' original hexagram is of the wood element, and the wealth爻 is activated to harm the parents爻, then when moving into a new house, one should choose a day that can control the metal element, and also place the parents' bed in a direction that controls the metal element. This method has been tested many times and has always worked. On the day of Dingyou in the month of Zi, the question was asked: Will moving into the house on this day be harmful to the parents? The hexagram obtained was Cui, with all six lines quiet, and the changing hexagram is the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom are: parents in the earth element (yin line), brothers in the metal element (yang line) holding the responding position, children in the water element (yang line), wealth in the wood element (yin line), official ghost in the fire element (yin line) holding the worldly position, and parents in the earth element (yin line).

斷曰：此日入宅，卯木暗動以克父母。彼曰：即煩另改一日。余曰：不必改日，此日寅卯時吉，申月亦吉，保爾清靜吉祥。彼曰：何也？余曰：申時卯木絕於申也。父母未土及長生於申是以吉也。入宅之時宜父母安床於西南，後照此行，餘目其平安一十七載。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: On this day, the hexagram shows that the卯 wood is conflicting with the Dingyou day branch, causing a covert movement, which directly comes to克 the parents'爻. The person said: Then please sir, let me choose another day. The Wild Crane Elder said: There is no need to change the day. The hours of寅 and卯 are auspicious, and the hour of申 is also auspicious, ensuring you will have peace and good fortune. The person asked: What is the reason for this? The Wild Crane Elder said: By the hour of申, the卯 wood is in the position of绝, so it cannot克 the parents; meanwhile, the parents'未 earth is in the position of Growth, hence it is auspicious. When moving into the house, the parents' bed should be placed in the southwest direction. Later, he followed this advice, and I personally witnessed his family remaining peaceful for seventeen years.

凡作牛棚馬房雞窩羊欄，亦宜分占。子孫須宜旺動，父母切忌興隆。凡占一切六畜，皆以子孫為用神，不拘豬羊牛馬，皆忌父母發動，動則六畜受傷，亦忌子孫空破墓絕，及被日月動爻刑沖剋害，及子孫動而化空破墓絕、化鬼、化父回頭克，皆主刑傷，此地不宜用之，或更擇地方，或另改一日，改日改地方者另占。

Whenever building a cow shed, stable, chicken coop, or sheep pen, each should be considered separately. The 'Children' line is most favorable when it is prosperous and active, while the 'Parents' line should be avoided from being strong. For any divination concerning domestic animals, the 'Children' line is considered the 'Useful God'. Whether it is pigs, sheep, cattle, or horses, they all fear the 'Parents' line becoming active, as once it moves, the animals will be harmed. It is also unfavorable if the 'Children' line is empty, broken, in a tomb, at its end, or if it is punished or controlled by the day branch, month builder, or moving line. Also, if the 'Children' line becomes empty, broken, in a tomb, at its end, transforms into 'Official Ghost' or 'Parents', and thus is punished by itself, this indicates that the animals will be injured. In such cases, this location is unsuitable; one should either choose another location or change the day. When changing the day or location, a new divination should be performed.

生相必須兼看，日月更喜相生。六畜雖以子孫為用神，又宜兼看生相。假令作馬房，子孫不被沖剋為吉也，不宜午爻，亦不宜臨鬼，不宜動而化鬼，餘仿此。凡占六畜，最宜日月生扶，謂之卦得日月生扶，六畜必然繁盛，倘受日月沖剋，牲口絕種無根。

When divining about livestock, their zodiac signs must be considered together. The day branch and month builder are especially favorable if they generate and support. Although "children" is the main deity used in divination for livestock, the zodiac sign of the animal itself should also be taken into account. For example, when building a stable for horses, it is good if the "children"爻 is not clashed or controlled, but if the horse's zodiac is午, it is not favorable if the 午爻 is injured, or if the "official ghost" sits on the 午爻, or if the 午爻 moves and transforms into "official ghost." The same principle applies to other animals. In general, when divining about livestock, the most favorable situation is when the day branch and month builder generate and support. If the hexagram receives support from the day and month, the livestock will certainly thrive; but if it is clashed by the day and month, the livestock will become extinct and lose their roots.

野鶴曰：以前之卜宅者乃卜蓋造買宅之新居也。常見來人而占久住之家宅，古法亦以一卦兼斷諸般之吉凶，先論官鬼次論八宮，以十二生相定六畜之災，午鬼而夭良馬，丑鬼而傷耕牛。又以之定人口之匹，午爻臨鬼馬命者夭，巳鬼爻興蛇命有難。假使午爻臨鬼馬之人不祿耶？悖謬不堪，難以數說，餘不知昔人其何以回復來人之問也。

The Wild Crane Elder said: In the previous chapters, divination about houses has mainly dealt with newly built or rented homes. However, it is common for people to come for divination about old houses they have lived in for many years. The ancient method still uses one hexagram to judge various good and bad outcomes. First, it discusses the 'Official Ghost,' then the eight palaces, and then uses the twelve earthly branches to determine disasters affecting domestic animals. It says that if the Wu yao is the Official Ghost, it will cause the death of a good horse; if the Chou yao is the Official Ghost, it will injure the oxen used for farming. It also uses this to match with the family members, saying that if the Wu yao is the Official Ghost, people born in the horse year will die early; if the Si yao is strong with the Official Ghost, people born in the snake year will face difficulties. So the question arises: if the Wu yao is the Official Ghost, does that mean people born in the horse year will certainly die? Such absurdities are countless, and I really don't know how people in the past could answer those who asked for divination with such statements.

要知彼之來意，或因連年破耗，疑家宅之不安，或因屢科之不第，或因有子求名，疑此宅能興旺子孫否，必用子孫親卜，或因官不升轉，或因子女不孝，或因官災火盜，或因父母六親多病，或因前後左右他人造疑其沖犯，或因家有響動，邪崇鬼形。

It is important first to understand the true intention behind the question: some are concerned about continuous financial loss and suspect the family residence is unstable; others are worried about repeated failure in examinations; some have sons who wish to achieve official status and are concerned whether the house is favorable for descendants — in such cases, the son himself should cast the divination; some are officials who have served for many years without promotion; some have unfilial children; some are involved in legal disputes, fires, or theft; some have parents and relatives falling ill one after another; some are troubled by neighbors building or breaking ground nearby, suspecting they are conflicting with their own house; and some are disturbed by strange noises at home, seeing ghosts or evil spirits.

須問來人而判，曾因官府十載不升，疑其家宅有礙。余曰：若以一卦而斷全家之事者餘則不能，須指其所疑之事而占之，其應如是。公曰：何也？余曰：卦中不過干支五行雖有現出，難以直指一處，即如火鬼發動為灶神，府上二百餘間，其灶不少，誰知何灶而不安。

All these matters must be clarified by the person seeking the divination before a judgment can be made. Once there was an official who, having remained in his post for ten years without promotion, suspected something was wrong with his family home, and came to me for a divination. I said: If you want one hexagram to cover all the affairs of the whole family, I cannot do it; you must specify the particular matter you are suspicious of, and then the divination will be accurate. The official asked: Why is that? I replied: The hexagram consists only of heavenly stems and earthly branches, and the five phases. Even if an image is formed, it is difficult to point directly to a specific place. For example, if a fire ghost is activated, it indicates the kitchen god. If the family has more than two hundred rooms, there are many stoves, and one cannot know which stove is unstable.

又如卯木鬼，門戶不安，古以四爻為門，尊府門戶不少，即以六爻全為門戶，不過定得六重，難知何門而不利，所以指其所疑之處而占之，無不響應，公曰：餘疑院內不宜有井，占問是否。

For example, if the Wood in the Second Branch (Mao) is considered a ghost, it indicates instability in the entrance and exit. According to ancient methods, the Fourth Line is regarded as the gate. However, if there are many gates in a residence, even if all six lines are considered gates, only six levels can be determined, but it is still unclear which particular gate is unfavorable. Therefore, one should only consult the divination regarding the specific area of concern, to ensure the result is accurate. The gentleman said: I suspect there should not be a well in the courtyard, so I consulted whether this is the case.

酉日戊寅日占得師之臨。父母酉金″應，父母酉金″；兄弟亥水″，兄弟亥水″應；官鬼丑土″，官鬼丑土″；妻財午火″世，官鬼丑土″；官鬼辰土′，子孫卯木′世；子孫寅木″動，妻財巳火′。斷曰：子孫發動非此井也。公曰：大門對向不利，意欲改之，可否？又占一卦又得同人卦。

In the month of You and on the day of Wu Yin, a divination was made, resulting in the hexagram of the Army changing to the hexagram of Approaching. The six lines of the original hexagram, from top to bottom, are: the parents, You metal (yin line), holding the responding position; the siblings, Hai water (yin line); the official ghost, Chou earth (yin line); the wife's wealth, Wu fire (yin line), holding the worldly position; the official ghost, Chen earth (yang line); and the sons and daughters, Yin wood (yin line), which is active. The transformed hexagram of Approaching has six lines in order: the parents, You metal; the siblings, Hai water, holding the responding position; the official ghost, Chou earth; the official ghost, Chou earth again; the sons and daughters, Mao wood, holding the worldly position; and the wife's wealth, Si fire. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: "The sons and daughters are the gods of fortune. Now the sons and daughters are active, indicating that the disturbance is not from this well." The man then said: "My family's main gate is not favorable, I want to change its direction, is it possible?" So another divination was made, resulting in the hexagram of Fellowship.

子孫戌土′應，子孫戌土′應；妻財申金′，妻財申金′；兄弟午火′，兄弟午火′；官鬼亥水′世，官鬼亥水′世；子孫丑土″，子孫丑土″；父母卯木′，父母卯木′。斷曰：官持世是此門也，速宜遷改，須再占一卦，改門之後功名何如又得小過之剝。

The hexagram of Tong Ren has all six lines quiet, and the changing hexagram is the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom are: the grandson in the戌 earth (yang line) holding the responding position, the wife's wealth in the申 metal (yang line), the brother in the午 fire (yang line), the official ghost in the亥 water (yang line) holding the worldly position, the grandson in the丑 earth (yin line), and the parents in the卯 wood (yang line). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted this hexagram, saying: "The official ghost holds the worldly position, indicating that the problem is right in this area, and it should be fixed as soon as possible." Then he asked him to cast another hexagram to inquire about the result of changing the door, and he got the hexagram Xiao Guo changing to Bo.

父母戌土″動，妻財寅木′；兄弟申金″，子孫子水″世；官鬼午火′世動，父母戌土″；兄弟申金′動，妻財卯木″；官鬼午火″，官鬼巳火″應；父母辰土″應，父母未土″。斷曰：午火官鬼持世，寅日生之，外卦巳合官局，明年、巳年、午年連升大位，果於次年一歲兩升，午年又升官至二品。

The sixth爻 of the Xiao Guo hexagram, from top to bottom, are: parents戌土 (a yin line) moving, siblings申金 (a yin line), official ghost午火 (a yang line) holding the world and moving, siblings申金 (a yang line) moving, official ghost午火 (a yin line), and parents辰土 (a yin line) holding the response; the transformed hexagram Bao has the sixth爻 in order: wife wealth寅木, children子水 holding the world, parents戌土, wife wealth卯木, official ghost巳火 holding the response, and parents未土. The Wild Crane Elder said: the official ghost午火 holds the world, and the寅木 of the day Wuyin comes to generate it. The outer trigram transforms into巳火, combining with the official ghost午火 in the world to form a fire trinity, assisting the official ghost. Therefore, in the coming year and the years of巳 and午, there will be great promotion. Later, indeed, in the second year, he was promoted twice within a year, and by the year of午, he was promoted to the second rank.

福德動搖，不是此方之禍。子孫持世，或動於卦中，或官鬼不動，及六爻安寧，非此處也。官鬼發動，的於此處興妖。官鬼持世克世，官鬼動爻，實因此處有害。野鶴曰：占得果是此處不利，即是修補，再占一卦，修補之後何如？問功名功名章內斷之，求財者求財章內斷之，防患者防患章內斷之，疾病者災病章內斷之。

"Children" (Fortune Virtue) being in motion indicates that misfortune is not in the suspected area. If "Children" is holding the world position, or if "Children" is active within the hexagram, or if "Official Ghost" is not moving and all six lines are peaceful, it shows that the problem is not in this area. Only when "Official Ghost" is active does it clearly indicate that something is causing trouble here. If "Official Ghost" is holding the world position, or if "Official Ghost" is overcoming the world, or if this line is active, then it is indeed harmful in this area. The Wild Crane Elder said: if the divination clearly shows that this area is unfavorable, then take action to repair it. After repairing, cast another hexagram to ask about the situation after the repair. For those seeking fame and success, refer to the "Fame and Success Chapter"; for those seeking wealth, refer to the "Wealth Seeking Chapter"; for those preventing disasters, refer to the "Disaster Prevention Chapter"; and for those with illness, refer to the "Disease and Misfortune Chapter."

曾有士子才重當時，屢科不第，卜家宅何如。余曰：雖則為名而占貴宅，有疑相犯之處否？彼曰：疑宅後有廟。巳月己丑日占得大有之乾卦。官鬼巳火′應，父母戌土′世；父母未土″動，兄弟申金′；兄弟酉金′，官鬼午火′；父母辰土′世，父母辰土′應；妻財寅木′，妻財寅木′；子孫子水′，子孫子水′。

There once was a scholar whose talent was highly regarded at that time, but he had repeatedly failed in the imperial examinations. He came to consult about his family residence. I asked: Although you are divining a noble residence for the purpose of official rank, do you have any suspicion that there is something conflicting in the residence? He replied: I suspect the temple behind the house. On the day of Jichou in the month of Si, he consulted and obtained the Dali hexagram transforming into the Qian hexagram. The primary hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Official Ghost Si Fire (Yang line) holding the responding line, Parents Wei Earth (Yin line) moving, Brothers You Metal (Yang line), Parents Chen Earth (Yang line) holding the world line, Wife Wealth Yin Wood (Yang line), and Son Grandchild Zi Water (Yang line); the transformed Qian hexagram, from top to bottom, was: Parents Xu Earth holding the world line, Brothers Shen Metal, Official Ghost Wu Fire, Parents Chen Earth holding the responding line, Wife Wealth Yin Wood, and Son Grandchild Zi Water.

斷曰：世為本宅，廟為應，世應相生如何有犯？廟前另有一物，未土發動刑世，乃此故耳。彼曰：廟前有一照壁，照壁之後有一株大樹，數百年矣。余曰：即此物也。爾用大獸頭安於尾脊，張口對樹則吉。再一卦修補之後如何，得歸妹之豫卦。

The Wild Crane Elder explained: The World Line represents one's own house, and the Response Line represents the temple. Now the World and Response Lines are mutually generating, so how could the temple be conflicting with you? But there is another thing in front of the temple: the Earthly Branch 'Wei' (Earth) is activated and is punishing the World Line, and the problem lies here. The person said: There is a screen wall in front of the temple, and behind the screen wall there is an old tree, hundreds of years old. The Wild Crane Elder said: That is exactly the thing. You should install a large beast's head at the end of the roof, with its mouth facing the tree, and it will be auspicious. Then he cast another divination to ask about the result after the repair, and got the卦 of Gui Mei changing to Yu.

父母戌土″應，父母戌土″；兄弟申金″，兄弟申金″；官鬼午火′，官鬼午火′應；父母丑土″世，妻財卯木″；妻財卯木′動，官鬼巳火″；官鬼巳火′動，父母未土″世。斷曰：修補之後，包爾今科必中，財動生官，官動生世，大吉之兆。果中經魁，下科胞弟又發。

The sixth爻 of the Guimei hexagram, from top to bottom, are: parents戌 earth (yin line) holding the responding position, brothers申 metal (yin line), official ghost午 fire (yang line), parents丑 earth (yin line) holding the world line, wife wealth卯 wood (yang line) moving, and official ghost巳 fire (yang line) moving. The transformed hexagram Yu has the sixth爻 in order: parents戌 earth, brothers申 metal, official ghost午 fire holding the responding position, wife wealth卯 wood, official ghost巳 fire, and parents未 earth holding the world line. The Wild Crane Elder said: After repairs, you will certainly pass this examination — the卯 wood wealth line moves to generate巳 fire official line, and the official line moves to generate the world line, which is a great auspicious sign. Later, he indeed became the top of the examination, and in the next examination, his younger brother also passed.

福德臨身，轉災為福。旺財持世，寶藏興焉。子孫持世子孫發動者，鬼崇潛行，即有活鬼出現，可保平安。子動無憂，神藏兔沒。旺相之財持世財動生世合世，必有古窖。若問在於何方，財來尋我，我莫尋他，是我之財，自然出現。若問何時可得，即以此財爻應期章內斷之。

The term "children" (Fortune Virtue) occupying the world line can transform misfortune into good fortune; a prosperous and strong "wealth" line holding the world line indicates that there are hidden treasures in the house. If "children" holds the world line or is activated, ghosts can only hide and remain concealed. Even if real ghosts appear, safety is ensured: once "children" moves, there is no cause for worry, and evil spirits naturally disappear. If a prosperous and strong wealth line holds the world line, or if the wealth line activates to generate, support, or harmonize with the world line, there must be ancient hidden vaults with buried wealth from previous generations. If one asks about its direction, one must understand that the wealth is coming to me, not me seeking it—since it is wealth destined for me, it will naturally appear. If one asks when it will be obtained, refer to the "Response Chapter" to determine the time based on this wealth line.

鬼動爻中真祟真妖。鬼臨白虎，必有伏尸。鬼臨元武，水怪山魑。蛇主蟲蛇為妖。雀是官非火盜。勾陳鬼牢獄羈身。青龍鬼色慾而喪。亥子鬼投河溺井之魂，或因水溝池塘之患。辰戌丑未之鬼牆倒屋塌，或因牆垣獸頭之犯。寅卯鬼懸樑自縊，又為門戶棟樑。巳午鬼火傷窯死，兼為爐灶不安。鬼臨申酉之鄉，刀劍之身之魄，或因金錢為怪，又為狐狸為精。

When the "Official Ghost" appears in a line, it indicates the presence of real supernatural beings. If the ghost is associated with the "White Tiger," there must be buried corpses beneath the house. If it is associated with the "Black Tortoise," it signifies water monsters or mountain spirits. If it is associated with the "Teng Sha," it indicates serpents turning into demons. If it is associated with the "Vermilion Bird," it suggests legal disputes, verbal conflicts, fires, or theft. If it is associated with the "Gou Chen," it indicates imprisonment or detention. If it is associated with the "Azure Dragon," it suggests ghosts who died from excessive sexual desires. Ghosts located in亥 or 子 indicate冤魂 who drowned in rivers or jumped into wells, or problems arising from water ditches or ponds. Ghosts located in 辰, 戌, 丑, or 未 indicate deaths caused by collapsing walls or roofs, or issues with walls, roof ridges, or roof兽头. Ghosts located in 寅 or 卯 indicate suicides by hanging, or problems with doors, gates, or beams. Ghosts located in 巳 or 午 indicate deaths from fire or being buried alive in kilns, and also indicate instability in the stove. Ghosts located in 申 or 酉 indicate souls who died by weapons or knives, or issues with money, or foxes turning into spirits.

鬼在變爻冤家債主，鬼臨日月供養正神，受克者必受其殃，生世者反得其濟。古法制鬼於庚申日甲子日，或於除夕日，黃錢數張，漿水一碗，卦現金鬼者向西送之，水鬼者向北送之，在人靜處送。屢驗平安，餘仿此。覺子曰：餘有泊雲之法，一正可奪百邪，見怪不怪，其怪自滅。

If the ghost appears on the changing line, it indicates that an enemy or a debt collector is coming; if the ghost is on the day branch or the month builder, then it is a proper deity that should be properly worshipped. Anyone who is being harmed by the ghost will certainly suffer its consequences; conversely, if the ghost is generating the world line, it can provide assistance. In ancient times, to exorcise ghosts, they chose either the Gengshen day, the Jiazi day, or New Year's Eve, using several yellow paper money and a bowl of thick soup water. For a golden ghost, send it westward; for a water ghost, send it northward. They should be sent in quiet places where no one is around. I have tried this method many times and have always remained safe. Other cases can be handled in a similar way. Juezi said: I have another method to calm the mind and stop thoughts — just writing a '正' character can overcome all evil spirits. If you remain calm when encountering strange phenomena, the strange things will naturally disappear.

官克在位，為災為禍。鬼動克世，或世爻隨鬼入墓，及世動變鬼克世，乃是冤家債主，難免禍殃，宜修德作福，自然改禍為祥。財動克父，財化父，父化財，堂上之憂。父動克子，鬼化子，子化鬼，膝前有損。兄弟變鬼，鬼變兄弟，鬼動克兄，妻財變鬼，鬼變妻財，兄動化財，財化兄弟，既防手足刑傷，又主分衾折枕。

When the Official Ghost爻 attacks the position where the World Line爻 resides, it signifies disaster and misfortune. If the Official Ghost爻 becomes active and attacks the World Line, or if the World Line爻 goes into the tomb of the Official Ghost, or if the World Line爻 becomes active and transforms into the Official Ghost to attack itself, these situations indicate that troublemakers or debts from past lives are coming, and misfortune is inevitable. At such times, one should cultivate virtue, perform good deeds, and accumulate good fortune, which can transform misfortune into blessings. If the Wealth爻 becomes active and attacks the Parents爻, or if Wealth transforms into Parents or Parents transforms into Wealth, this indicates that the parents at home are in trouble. If the Parents爻 becomes active and attacks the Children爻, or if Official Ghost transforms into Children or Children transforms into Official Ghost, this indicates that the children under one's care may suffer. If Brothers transform into Official Ghost, Official Ghost transforms into Brothers, Official Ghost becomes active and attacks Brothers, or if Wealth transforms into Official Ghost, Official Ghost transforms into Wealth, Brothers become active and transform into Wealth, or Wealth transforms into Brothers, these situations require vigilance against harm to siblings and also indicate that the marital relationship may face separation, even to the point of death.

與六親同居用六親，與外人同居看應爻。世為已，應為人，世應相合相生，日月動爻生合世應者，彼此俱祥。克世我遭喪，克應他遭害，世克應，他畏於我，應克世我被他欺，刑沖者同。與六親同居，宜於財興用神相生，不宜相沖相剋。

If a line combines with one of the Six Relations, then the line representing that Six Relation is taken as the "Useful God." If it combines with an outsider, then the "Response Line" is considered. The "World Line" is myself, and the "Response Line" is the other person. If the World Line and Response Line are in harmony or mutual generation, or if the Day Branch, Month Builder, or Moving Line generate and harmonize with both the World Line and Response Line, then both sides are auspicious. If something harms the World Line, I will suffer; if it harms the Response Line, the other person will be harmed. If the World Line harms the Response Line, the other person fears me; if the Response Line harms the World Line, I will be oppressed by them. Mutual punishment and mutual conflict are also judged in the same way. If living with one of the Six Relations, it is best if "Wealth" is prosperous and harmonizes with the Useful God of that Six Relation. It is not advisable for them to conflict or harm each other.

官府自占，世與官星皆宜旺相，子孫持世及子孫動者且勿行，變克變絕反招奇禍，六沖化合，必獲奇祥。

A person in official position should consult the divination when building or repairing an official building. Both the World Line and the "Official Star" should be prosperous and strong. If the "Children" occupy the World Line, or if the "Children" are active in the hexagram, it is advisable not to proceed with the construction, as the "Children" will harm the "Official Star," which is unfavorable for the official. If the World Line transforms into something that harms or leads to its decline, it may bring unexpected misfortune. If the hexagram originally shows "Six Clashes" but later transforms into "Six Harmony," it will certainly bring unexpected good fortune.

野鶴曰：凡占舊衙署者，與占舊家宅者同斷，有因人口多病，有因連任不得升遷，有因鬼祟顯見其形，皆可指其疑者而占。曾有一官因連任不得升遷，疑官衙有不利，迎於府中，卜過半月，但有所疑，俱曾占過，皆不現爻，又卜後溝從後流宜否。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Divining an old government office is the same as divining an old family residence. Some cases are due to many people in the office suffering from illness, some due to serving in the same position for many years without promotion, and some due to ghosts and spirits appearing. One can specify the place that the person is suspicious of and divinate it. Once there was an official who suspected that the government office was unfavorable because he had been in the same position for many years without promotion. He invited me to his residence, and he divined continuously for half a month. Every place he was suspicious of was divined, but none of the hexagrams showed any response. Finally, he divined whether the water ditch behind the office was suitable for the water to flow away from the back.

如戌月已亥日占得鼎卦。兄弟巳火′，兄弟巳火′；子孫未土″應，子孫未土″應；妻財酉金′，妻財酉金′；妻財酉金′，妻財酉金′；官鬼亥水′世，官鬼亥水′世；子孫丑土″，子孫丑土″。斷曰：即此處違也，宜改往東流，後開溝見許多屍體白骨，餘始悟曰：虎鬼持世，是以有之，再請占一卦。

On the day of Jihai in the month of Xu, a divination was made using the Ding hexagram, with all six lines quiet and the changing hexagram the same as the original. The six lines from top to bottom were: Brothers of fire in the snake (Yang line), Children of earth in the goat (Yin line) holding the responding line, Wealth of metal in the rooster (Yang line), Wealth of metal in the rooster (Yang line), Official Ghost of water in the pig (Yang line) holding the world line, and Children of earth in the ox (Yin line). The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: The problem lies in this ditch, it should be changed to flow eastward. Later, when the ditch was dug open, many corpses and bones were indeed found. I then suddenly understood: it was because the White Tiger and the Official Ghost were both present on the world line, so there were these things beneath. Then I asked him to divinate again.

修溝之後何如得噬嗑之無妄。子孫巳火′，妻財戌土′；妻財未土″世動，官鬼申金′；官鬼酉金′，子孫午火′世；妻財辰土″，妻財辰土″；兄弟寅木″應，兄弟寅木″；父母子水′，父母子水′應。斷曰：未土財化申金官，未年一定高升，後於申年升任，應申年者，值官之年也。

A question was asked about the outcome after repairing a ditch, and the result was the hexagram Shexi (噬嗑) changing into Wuwang (无妄). The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, were: the son of fire in the fourth position (Yang line), the wife's wealth of earth in the third position (Yin line) holding the world and moving, the official ghost of metal in the second position (Yang line), the wife's wealth of earth in the first position (Yin line), the brother of wood in the sixth position (Yin line) holding the response, and the parent of water in the fifth position (Yang line). The changed hexagram Wuwang's six lines, in order, were: the wife's wealth of earth in the sixth position, the official ghost of metal in the fifth position, the son of fire holding the world in the fourth position (Yang line), the wife's wealth of earth in the third position, the brother of wood in the second position, and the parent of water holding the response in the first position. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted that the earth wealth of the sixth position moved and produced the metal official, which is the useful god for seeking promotion. Therefore, the person would certainly be promoted in the year of the earth. However, the promotion actually occurred in the year of the metal. This is because the year of the metal is when the official ghost is active.

大抵與家宅同推，不宜六沖、卦變墓絕及反呤，住持或山主占者皆宜世旺日月動爻相生，宜子孫爻動，忌官鬼爻與兄爻持世，多費無益之事。官鬼持世疾病災殃之累，兄爻動而克世者欲造福反成禍胎，財官生世者雖錢少自有增助，子孫旺相而化進神，多招徒弟，財爻休囚而化退者，有始無終。

Building a temple is generally similar to divining a family home, and the same principles apply: it is not suitable for "Six Clashes," nor for a changing hexagram entering a tomb or reaching its end, nor for "Reverse Chant." If the abbot or mountain master himself divines it, the World Line should be prosperous and strong, and also receive support from the Day Branch, Month Builder, and Moving Line. It is favorable for the "Children" line to be active, and unfavorable for the "Official Ghost" line or the "Siblings" line to hold the World Line, as this will lead to spending money unnecessarily on useless matters. If the "Official Ghost" line holds the World Line, there will be suffering from illness and misfortune; if the "Siblings" line becomes active and restrains the World Line, intending to do good, it will instead bring about calamity. If the "Wealth" line or the "Official Ghost" line generates the World Line, although the person may have little money, others will provide assistance. If the "Children" line is prosperous and transforms into an "Advancing God," there will be many disciples in the future; if the "Wealth" line is weak and transforms into a "Retreating God," the endeavor will start strong but end in failure.

李我平曰：卜筮諸書，二十餘種，所論家宅，理不歸一，不知昔賢是何宅見。卜筮大全：初井二灶三床四門五爻為人六爻棟宇。黃金策：初爻是宅二爻宅舍三爻為門四為父母五兄弟六妻財。易冒以初爻為幼二爻為妻三弟四母五爻為父上爻為老。他書俱各不同，不暇細具。

Li Woping said: There are more than twenty books on divination, and when they talk about the family residence, their principles are all different. It's really unclear how the old masters could have divined based on any particular house. The "Complete Book of Divination" says: the first line represents the well, the second line the stove, the third line the bed, the fourth line the door, the fifth line the person, and the sixth line the roof. The "Golden Strategies" says: the first line represents the foundation, the second line the house, the third line the door, the fourth line the parents, the fifth line the siblings, and the sixth line the wealth. The "Venturing into the Changes" takes the first line as the young relative, the second line as the wife, the third line as the younger brother, the fourth line as the mother, the fifth line as the father, and the top line as the old person. Other books differ as well, and it's impossible to list them all at once.

易冒又云：鬼動於內，宅室之災。鬼動於外，人口之咎。既以二爻為妻，三爻為弟，假令內爻鬼動，宅室之災乎？弟妻之咎乎？至於五行之鬼，八宮之鬼，既以之定禍災炎盜，又以之定頭目，定病災，彼謂炎鬼主回祿，鬼在乾宮主頭目之患，若以一卦而兼斷，豈失火盜之家，必染頭目之病耶？

The "Yi Mai" also says: if the ghost moves within the inner trigram, it indicates disaster to the dwelling; if the ghost moves within the outer trigram, it indicates misfortune to the people living there. However, since it takes the second line as wife and the third line as younger brother, then if the ghost moves within the inner trigram, should we conclude there is disaster to the dwelling or misfortune to the wife and younger brother? As for the ghosts of the five phases and the eight palaces, they are used to determine fires and thefts, as well as head, face, eyes and diseases: fire ghosts indicate fire disasters, and ghosts in the Qian palace indicate ailments of the head and eyes. If a single trigram is used to determine all these, then can we say that families that have suffered from fires and thefts must certainly have ailments of the head and eyes?

有曰：合為門，沖為路，不論卦內之有無，但有暗沖與暗合，也應作數。假使有沖無合，有合無沖，豈有門無路之家耶？殊不知占家宅之趨避，願人口以為安，財福旺，而宅與鬼安靜而家寧，於斯而已，何必多生枝條，以亂後人耳目。

Some say that the matching of the gates represents harmony, while the conflicting ones represent paths. Whether or not these elements appear in the hexagram, if there are hidden conflicts or hidden harmonies, they still count. So if a hexagram only has conflicts but no harmonies, or only harmonies but no conflicts, can there be families that have only gates without paths, or only paths without gates? They all fail to understand that divining a house is merely to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, hoping for the safety of the family members. This is achieved when the wealth element and the god of fortune are prosperous and strong, and when the house element and the ghost element are quiet. That is all. Why create so many complications to confuse later generations?

野鶴曰：卜墓卜穴，古法之謬與家宅相同，後賢放諸書而自曉，餘因求驗之法，每遇拜掃之時，到各家，命伊占之，或知人覓地而占之，如此多年，始得其秘。

The Wild Crane Elder said: Divining for burial sites andsite is as absurd as divining for family dwellings in ancient methods. Later scholars only need to place the works of various schools together and compare them, and they will naturally understand. I sought a true method that could be verified, and during every Qingming festival for tomb sweeping, I went to each family and asked them to cast a hexagram. If I heard of someone searching for a site, I would also ask them to cast a hexagram. After doing this for many years, I finally grasped the key to it.

世爻旺相，祖父魂安。福德興隆，兒孫縮杞。古以二爻為穴，內卦為穴，騰蛇為穴，屢試不驗，所驗者，世為穴也，世宜旺相，或臨日月，或日月動爻生扶，乃吉地也。兒孫乃祭杞之裔，宜於持世，或在他爻旺相，振振螽斯。

The world line should be prosperous and strong; if the spirits of the ancestors are at peace, then the descendants will flourish and the family lineage will continue. In ancient methods, some used the second line as the central point, others the inner trigram, and others the 'Tengshe' line, but I have tried these repeatedly and found them ineffective. The truly effective method is to use the world line as the central point. The world line must be prosperous and strong, or it should be directly on the day branch or month builder, or receive support from the day and month lines. Only then is it a favorable site. The descendants are the future ones who will carry on the worship; it is best if the 'children' line holds the world position. Even if it falls on another line, as long as it is prosperous and strong, there will be many descendants and a thriving family.

三合六合，聚氣藏風。世沖六沖，飛砂走石。卦逢六合或世與子孫爻作六合，乃藏風吉穴，代代興隆。若得六沖卦，或六沖變六沖，或世應相沖，沖者散也，必無氣耳。

When a hexagram forms 'Triple Harmony' or 'Six Harmony', it indicates a place that gathers energy and retains wind. However, if the World Line is affected by a clash or the hexagram encounters 'Six Clashes', it signifies a place where sand and stones are scattered, indicating a poor location. If a hexagram encounters 'Six Harmony' or the World Line combines with the 'Children' line to form 'Six Harmony', it is a favorable site that retains wind, leading to prosperity and flourishing of descendants. If a hexagram encounters 'Six Clashes', or if 'Six Clashes' transforms into another 'Six Clashes', or if the World and Response Lines clash, then the place cannot retain energy, as a clash signifies dispersion.

六沖變六合，吉地失而復得；六合變六沖，吉地得而復失；此亦有二說：六沖變六合，尋得吉地，先欲買而不成，後又買成，或是地運已衰，真龍去後今復重來，凡得此者，再得世遇子孫旺相，急宜用之。曾驗數占，綿綿科甲。六合變六沖者，或是已得之地而復失，或是地運將衰，龍將去矣，不宜用之。

Six Clashes turning into Six Harmony indicates a fortunate place lost and then regained; Six Harmony turning into Six Clashes indicates a fortunate place gained and then lost. There are two interpretations here. When Six Clashes turns into Six Harmony, it may mean that a favorable place has been found, but was not purchased at first, and later was successfully bought; or it may mean that the land's fortune was originally declining, but the true dragon has now returned. Whenever this type of divination appears, if the World Line and the Children are both prosperous and strong, one should act quickly— I have verified several such cases, and those who acted saw continuous success in their examinations. When Six Harmony turns into Six Clashes, it may mean that a previously obtained land is lost, or that the land's fortune is about to decline and the dragon pulse is about to depart; in such cases, it is not advisable to act.

世旺而化絕破，吉處藏凶。世衰而化生合，凶中有吉。世爻雖旺不宜化破及化墓絕化回頭克，主先得吉地，後有破綻，若非將來下葬，不得吉日，定因葬後被人傷根，吉變為凶之象。世若衰弱，動而化回頭相生化長生帝旺化日月化合化進神者，先否後喜之兆，目下觀其形勢，雖是不宜下葬之地，將來地運興隆，變成富貴之大地也。

The world line is prosperous and strong but transforms into "death" and "breakage," indicating hidden danger within apparent good fortune. The world line is weak but transforms into birth or harmony, indicating hidden good within apparent misfortune. Even if the world line is strong, it is not advisable for it to transform into breakage, burial, death, or self-destroying destruction, as this signifies initially obtaining a favorable site, but later encountering flaws: either the auspicious day for burial cannot be chosen, or after burial, the land's vital energy is harmed, turning good fortune into misfortune. If the world line is originally weak but becomes self-supporting or transforms into "growth," "prosperity," or connects with the day branch, month builder, or transforms into harmony or "advancing god," this indicates a change from unfavorable to favorable conditions: although the current situation seems unsuitable for burial, when the land's fortune improves, it will become a wealthy and prosperous site.

寅月戊午日占地，得頤變無妄卦。兄弟寅木′，妻財戌土′；父母子水″動，官鬼申金′；妻財戌土″世動，子孫午火′世；妻財辰土″，妻財辰土″；兄弟寅木″，兄弟寅木″；父母子水′應，父母子水′應。

He asked about a piece of graveyard land on the day of Wuwu in the month of Yin. He obtained the hexagram Yi, which changed into Wuwang. The six lines of the primary hexagram, from top to bottom, are: Brother Yin Wood (Yang line), Parents Zi Water (Yin line) moving, Wealth Wu Earth (Yin line) holding the world and moving, Wealth Chen Earth (Yin line), Brother Yin Wood (Yin line), and Parents Zi Water (Yang line) holding the response. The six lines of the changed hexagram Wuwang, in order, are: Wealth Wu Earth, Official Ghost Shen Metal, Child Wu Fire holding the world, Wealth Chen Earth, Brother Yin Wood, and Parents Zi Water holding the response.

斷曰：世爻戌土，春天休囚，化出午火子孫回頭生世，日月世爻其成三合，青龍戲水，以化長生，水源極遠，只因申為月破，戌土克子水，又被日神沖散，春夏有水，秋冬必動。彼曰：正是如此。余曰：不妨，不可求全責備，卦中日月世與子孫共成三合，死者安而生者樂，子孫昌盛，何愁不發，後竟葬之，辰年下葬，酉年孫中亞魁，及至子年，次孫又登鄉榜。

The Wild Crane Elder said: The world line is the earth dog (戌土), which in spring is weak and confined. Fortunately, it is activated and produces the fire child (午火) which comes back to nourish the world line. The month builder is the tiger (寅), the day branch is Wuwu (戊午), and the world line is the earth dog (戌), forming the triple harmony of Yin-Wu-Xu (fire triad). The azure dragon is on the water line and is activated, also producing the growth (长生), indicating a very distant water source. However, the metal of the monkey (申) is exactly the month breaker, the earth dog (戌) is strong and overpowers the water of the rat (子), and the water of the rat is further scattered by the day branch of Wuwu (戊午). Therefore, the water is present in spring and summer, but in autumn and winter it will dry up. The family said: That is exactly the case. The Wild Crane Elder said: No problem, one cannot demand perfection from the land. In the hexagram, the day branch, month builder, world line, and the child all form a triple harmony formation. The deceased can rest in peace, the living can enjoy happiness, the descendants will flourish, so why worry about not prospering? Later, they indeed buried the body here. In the辰 year, the burial took place, and in the酉 year, the eldest grandson achieved the second place in the imperial examination. In the子 year, the second grandson also passed the local examination.

世化進神，千秋綿遠。福德化進，百代興旺，世宜旺相化進神、化日月、化回頭生、化合、化長生帝旺，龍安水源地脈長。子孫旺相化進神、或化吉、化生、化日月，賢孫貴子佈滿朝堂。世化退神，終須遷改，子孫化退，代代不如。

The world line is activated and transforms into the advancing god, indicating that this land can maintain prosperity for thousands of generations. The children (fortune virtue) transforming into the advancing god signifies that descendants will flourish for many generations. The world line is best when it is prosperous and strong and transforms into the advancing god, or transforms into the day branch or month builder, or transforms through mutual generation, mutual combination, or into the growth or prosperity. This indicates a stable dragon pulse, an endless water source, and a long-lasting land pulse. If the children line is prosperous and strong and transforms into the advancing god, or transforms into something auspicious, generates something beneficial, or transforms into the day branch or month builder, then virtuous descendants and noble sons will fill the court in the future. Conversely, if the world line transforms into the retreating god, it will ultimately require relocation and reburial; if the children line transforms into the retreating god, each generation will be worse than the previous one.

日月宜生福德，動爻不可傷身。世與子孫爻宜日月動爻生扶，不宜日月沖剋。旺世臨虎，棺上加棺。旺福逢龍，寅葬卯發。世臨白虎鬼爻，或是隨鬼入墓，皆主地有伏尸。世爻旺相又遇生扶，乃為棺上加棺。曾見兩人葬者後竟大發。休囚者則不可耳。子孫旺相又遇日月生扶又遇青龍，即為吉地，寅年葬而卯年發也，皆言其發旺之速。

The day branch and month builder are most favorable when they generate the "children" (fortune virtue). The moving line must not harm the world line. Both the world line and the children line should be supported by the day branch, month builder, and moving line, and should not be clashed or controlled by the day or month. If the world line is strong and meets the white tiger, it indicates a coffin on top of another coffin. If the children line is strong and meets the azure dragon, it signifies burial in the tiger year and prosperity in the rabbit year. If the world line is with the white tiger and ghost line, or if it follows the ghost into the tomb, it indicates that there are old corpses buried underground. If the world line is prosperous and supported, it is a favorable sign of a coffin on top of another coffin— I have seen two families buried in such a place, and later they both became prosperous. If the world line is weak, it is not suitable. If the children line is prosperous, supported by the day and month, and meets the azure dragon, it is a favorable site, with burial in the tiger year and prosperity in the rabbit year. These two sentences both describe the rapid rise of fortune.

散絕墓空，世與子孫勿見。化克化鬼，弟兄妻子休逢。世爻子孫爻，不宜休囚墓絕空破，不宜動逢破散及化破散、化絕、化墓、化鬼、化退神、化回頭克，但逢一者皆非吉地。六親不宜化鬼、父化子，子化父，鬼化子，子化鬼，兄化鬼，鬼化兄，兄化財，財化兄，財化鬼，鬼化財，此不宜於兄弟妻子。有父母在堂亦不宜鬼化父、父化財、財化父。

Scattering, termination, burial, and emptiness are four conditions that the World Line and the Children line should not encounter. Similarly, the Six Relations should not meet the conditions of being overcome or transformed into the Official Ghost. The World Line and the Children line should not be weak and confined, buried, terminated, empty, or broken, nor should they be activated while encountering breaking, scattering, or transformed into breaking, scattering, termination, burial, the Retreating God, or a reverse overcoming. If any of these conditions are met, it is not a favorable situation. Each of the Six Relations should also avoid transforming into the Official Ghost: Parents transforming into Children, Children transforming into Parents, Official Ghosts transforming into Children, Children transforming into Official Ghosts, Siblings transforming into Official Ghosts, Official Ghosts transforming into Siblings, Siblings transforming into Wealth, Wealth transforming into Siblings, Wealth transforming into Official Ghosts, and Official Ghosts transforming into Wealth. These are all unfavorable for Siblings and Wealth. If there are still parents alive in the family, it is also unfavorable for the Official Ghosts to transform into Parents, Parents to transform into Wealth, or Wealth to transform into Parents.

應沖世合處逢沖，流移遷徒。反伏卦變化克，洪泛陵墓。擇地不但不喜六沖卦，應沖世者亦非吉也，倘應世相合，爻逢六合，世應子孫三合成局，即為美地。卦得反吟，遇沖開之年月必遷。卦得反吟，遇沖年沖月必變。內外反吟者乃卦變也，如巽變乾，坤變震之類，名為化絕化克得此卦者，重則沖決，輕則遷徙。

The Response Line conflicts with the World Line, or a place that was originally harmonious is now split apart, indicating that the children will be wandering and migrating. If the divination shows 'Reverse Chant,' 'Hidden Chant,' or if the卦 changes and is overcome, it indicates a flood that will submerge the grave. Choosing a site is not favorable if the卦 shows 'Six Clashes'; similarly, a Response Line conflicting with the World Line is not a good omen. However, if the World and Response Lines are harmonious and the lines also meet 'Six Harmony,' and the World Line, Response Line, and Children form a Triple Harmony Formation, then it is a good site. If the卦 shows 'Reverse Chant,' and the year or month is conflicting, a relocation of the grave is certain. If the卦 shows 'Reverse Chant' and both the year and month are conflicting, there will be unexpected events. If both the inner and outer trigrams show 'Reverse Chant,' it is due to a change in the卦, such as the trigram Xun changing to Qian or Kun changing to Zhen, which is called 'Transformation into Decline' or 'Transformation into Overcoming.' If such a卦 is obtained, in severe cases the grave may be flooded by water, and in lighter cases, relocation is necessary.

如卯月戊子日占地得巽之升。兄弟卯木′世動，官鬼酉金″；子孫巳火′動，父母亥水″；妻財未土″，妻財丑土″世；官鬼酉金′應，官鬼酉金′；父母亥水′，父母亥水′；妻財丑土″，妻財丑土″應。

For example, on a day of Wuzi (戊子) in the month of Mao (卯), when the hexagram Xun (巽) changes to Sheng (升), the primary hexagram's six lines from top to bottom are: brothers in Mao wood (yang line) holding the world and moving, sons in Si fire (yang line) moving, wife's wealth in Wei earth (yin line), official ghost in You metal (yang line) holding the response, parents in Hai water (yang line), and wife's wealth in Chou earth (yin line); the transformed hexagram Sheng's six lines in order are: official ghost in You metal, parents in Hai water, wife's wealth in Chou earth holding the world, official ghost in You metal, parents in Hai water, and wife's wealth in Chou earth holding the response.

世為穴，世臨月建，日辰生之，是為吉也，但不宜外卦反吟，世被酉金沖剋，子孫被亥水沖剋，不宜用之。彼曰：已買成矣。余曰：不葬何妨。又曰：地師言為美地，後竟葬之。四年之內，二男一女，相繼而亡，自身又得半身不遂之疾，愚人不怨於已，反怨祖父棺材暴露，竟至二年後沒，應酉年者，謂之再沖之年。父化父，兒孫夭折。子化子，子女成行。卦中不宜父動，父動化父更凶。子孫化子孫不遇傷克，代代兒女成行，決非單傳。

The world line is the grave site. In this hexagram, the world line is the wood of卯 (Mao), which is exactly the month builder of卯 (Mao) month. The day branch of Wuzi (Wuzi) brings the water of子 (Zi) to nourish it, which should be auspicious. However, it is not suitable for the outer trigram to have "reverse chant" — the world line is being clashed and controlled by the metal of酉 (You) generated by the changing line, and the fire of巳 (Si) representing children is also clashed and controlled by the water of亥 (Hai). Therefore, this land cannot be used. The man said: "I have already bought the land." The Wild Crane Elder said: "Then just don't bury him." He also said: "The person who looked at the land said it was a beautiful site." In the end, they still buried him. Within four years, two sons and one daughter died one after another, and he himself got a stroke. This foolish man did not blame himself, but instead blamed his grandfather's coffin being exposed to the elements. As a result, two years later, he himself also died. This happened in the year of酉 (You), which is called the "year of double clash." When the parents' line transforms into parents, children die young; when the children's line transforms into children, the children grow up in a row. It is not suitable for the parents' line to be activated in the hexagram. If the parents' line is activated and transforms into parents again, it becomes even more dangerous. If the children's line transforms into children and is not harmed or clashed with, then there will be many children generation after generation, and they will never be single-child families.

世旺遇長生，來龍甚遠。世衰逢應克，對案山欺。兩間旺而明堂寬，龍虎衰而左右陷，左山旺頭角崢嶸，右山衰爪牙埋伏。朱雀遇刑沖前山雜亂，元武逢破散後脈空虛，龍虎世爻合局，虎踞龍蟠之地。

The world line is prosperous and strong and also meets the condition of growth, indicating a very long approach; if the world line is weak and is overcome by the response line, it means the opposite mountain is pressing down on the site. If the two intermediate lines between the world and response lines are prosperous, the bright hall will be wide; if the lines of azure dragon and white tiger are weak, the left and right sides will be low and depressed. If the mountain on the left is strong, then the head and horns will be prominent; if the mountain on the right is weak, then the claws and teeth will be hidden. If the line of vermilion bird is subjected to conflict and opposition, the mountains in front will be disorderly; if the line of black tortoise is broken and scattered, the coming ridge behind will be empty. If the world line combines with the lines of azure dragon and white tiger, it indicates a place where a tiger sits and a dragon coils.

世應相合，山環水繞。水口不固，上爻一定逢空。道路參差，騰蛇必然破散。世爻當令又長生帝旺於日辰，來龍遠大。倘若應爻沖剋世爻者，必因對山高聳，或因臨葬錯對向山，如應爻受克者無礙，改向可也。世爻應爻中間兩間爻以為明堂，旺相者明堂寬大，休囚者明堂下陷，近世之爻而為案山，亦不可克世。龍為左山，虎為右山，兩山旺者，有環抱之勢。俱衰者，不能環抱。

The world line and response line are harmonious, indicating a landscape of mountains surrounding water. If the water mouth cannot be held, it must be because the top line is empty. If the path is uneven, it must be because the 'Tengshe' line is breaking apart. If the world line is in the month's ruler and also receives 'Changsheng' and 'Diwang' in the day branch, the source of the dragon is long and grand. If the response line clashes with the world line, it must be because the opposite mountain is too high or the burial direction was wrong at the time of burial. If the reverse is true and the response line is being controlled, there is no problem; simply changing the direction will suffice. The two middle lines between the world line and response line serve as the bright hall. If they are prosperous and strong, the bright hall is wide; if they are weak and confined, the bright hall is low. The line close to the world line is the case mountain, which must not control the world line. The 'Qinglong' is the mountain on the left, and the 'Baihu' is the mountain on the right. If both mountains are strong, they form a surrounding embrace; if both are weak, they cannot embrace properly.

大抵青龍宜旺扶頭角軒昂，虎山宜衰宜克爪牙埋伏，朱雀遇刑剋沖散及破墓絕空者，前山雜亂。元武逢破散後脈空虛。若得世應龍虎子孫共成三合者乃虎踞龍蟠之大地也。第六爻為上爻，若逢空破，水口不固，逢絕者水涸泉枯。看河道之水者，非論水口，須看卦中之水爻休囚被克，漲退不長。逢生化生長流源遠，再遇青龍源長。看騰蛇為路，如逢沖散小路必多，旺相者必有官道。勾陳為田坡，旺相則有，衰破則無。

Generally, the Azure Dragon should be prosperous and receive support, so that it appears dignified and imposing; the White Tiger side, on the contrary, should be weak and subject to being overcome, so that its claws and teeth remain hidden. If the Vermilion Bird encounters punishment, conflict, confrontation, dispersion, destruction, burial, termination, or emptiness, the mountains ahead will become chaotic; if the Black Tortoise meets destruction and dispersion, the coming terrain will be empty. If the World Line, Response Line, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Children can form a Triple Harmony Formation together, then it is a land of dragons coiling and tigers crouching. The sixth line is the Top Line; if it meets emptiness or destruction, the water mouth cannot be held; if it meets termination, the water dries up and the springs dry out. When observing the river's water, do not focus on the water mouth, but look at the water lines in the hexagram: if the water lines are weak and subject to being overcome, the water rises and then retreats, unable to grow; if the water lines receive support or transform into support, the source is long and distant, and if it also meets the Azure Dragon, the source is even more extensive. The Snake line represents roads: if it meets conflict or dispersion, there will be many small paths; if it is prosperous and strong, there must be official roads. The Gou Chen represents fields and slopes: if it is prosperous and strong, there are fields and slopes; if it is weak or destroyed, there are none.

丑月庚申日占地形勢得咸卦。父母未土″應，父母未土″應；兄弟酉金′，兄弟酉金′；子孫亥水′，子孫亥水′；兄弟申金′世，兄弟申金′世；官鬼午火″，官鬼午火″；父母辰土″，父母辰土″。

The divination was performed on the day of Gengshen in the month of Chou, concerning the terrain of a piece of land, and the hexagram obtained was Xian. All six lines are quiet, and the resulting hexagram is the same as the primary hexagram. The six lines, from top to bottom, are: parents in the earth element (yin line) holding the responding line, siblings in the metal element (yang line), children in the water element (yang line), siblings in the metal element (yang line) holding the world line, official ghost in the fire element (yin line), and parents in the earth element (yin line). When divining terrain, the world line represents the site. In this hexagram, the world line is the third line, which is the sibling in the metal element, Shengjin. The day of divination is Gengshen, and the day branch is also Shengjin. The world line coincides with the day branch.

青龍持世，日辰臨世，來龍由左而至，旺而有氣，左右皆無傷克，龍虎環抱，向山未土雖臨月破，朱雀亥水為前山，申日生之必有朝水，或是帶水，水有其源。騰蛇為路，上爻為水口，俱臨月破，道路參差，水口散亂，兩間爻旺相，明堂寬大，彼曰：果一一無錯，此地吉否？

The Wild Crane Elder explained: "The Azure Dragon is sitting on the World Line, and on the day of Gengshen, the Day Branch also falls on the World Line. This shows that the dragon comes from the left, being strong and vital. There is no harm or conflict on either side, indicating a situation where the dragon and tiger embrace each other. The mountain facing is the Response Line of Earth, but it is exactly at the Month Breaker. The Vermilion Bird, which is亥 water, is the mountain in front, and it is supported by the day of Shen, so there must be flowing water in front, possibly a winding stream, and the water has a source. The Snake, which represents the road, and the Top Line, which is the water outlet, both fall at the Month Breaker, so the road is uneven and the water outlet is scattered. The two middle lines are strong and prosperous, and the Bright Hall is wide. The family said: Indeed, everything matches. Then, is this land auspicious or not?"

余曰：此乃占地穴之形勢耳，非關吉凶禍福，餘笑前賢以一卦而斷父子弟兄妻財官祿，餘豈效顰耶。若問功名，再占一卦，禱於神曰：安葬此地，我名成否？以官祿章中斷之。發財否？以求財章內斷之。子孫旺否？傷克父母兄弟妻妾否？皆在身命章中父母兄弟章內斷之。

The Wild Crane Elder said: This hexagram merely describes the form of the burial site and has nothing to do with fortune or misfortune. I have always laughed at previous people who used a single hexagram to judge matters such as father and mother, siblings, children, and wealth. How could I imitate them? If you have other questions, then ask them one by one, each with a separate hexagram. If you want to know about official rank, cast another hexagram and pray to the deity: "I am burying here, will my official rank be successful?" Interpret it according to the "Official Rank Chapter." If you want to know whether you will become rich or not, interpret it according to the "Wealth Seeking Chapter." If you want to know whether your descendants will be prosperous and whether they will harm your parents, siblings, wife, and concubine, interpret it according to the "Body and Life Chapter" and the "Parents and Siblings Chapter."

若以占形勢之卦兼斷六親及名利者，即如此卦，兄弟持世乃貧乏艱難無衣而短食矣，請試思之，既得如此吉地，若使家徒壁立，抱衾孤眠，亦可謂之吉地耶？所以餘得分占之法，實則可以醒世，作千古不易之法也。

If one uses this single hexagram to simultaneously judge the situation, the six relations, and fame and fortune, then one should look at this hexagram: "Siblings" holding the world, is it not an image of poverty and hardship, lacking clothing and food? Please think about this: if one has obtained such a favorable land, yet the family is destitute, sleeping alone with a blanket, can it still be called a favorable land? Therefore, I have developed this method of "dividing the interpretation," which can awaken the people and can be established as an unchanging standard for all time.

或曰：前說父不宜旺，不宜父動化父，是何說也？余曰：占地以世爻子孫爻為主，父動克子，如何不忌？或又問曰：前說化克化鬼兄弟妻子休逢，又何說也？余曰：凡占地者，世與子孫爻旺，即可用之，至於父母兄弟妻財功名，須宜另占一卦，不可兼斷，倘若得地之凶，不待另占，即此占地之卦而先現出六親化鬼、鬼化六親，即是刑傷之地耳。只看六親動而化克化鬼，不必看衰旺空破刑沖，神兆機於動，動而化凶，願益而告我也，我豈能不看又另占耶？

Someone asked: Earlier it was said that the 'Parents' hexagram should not be strong and that the 'Parents' hexagram should not be activated to transform into 'Parents', what is the reasoning behind this? The Wild Crane Elder said: When determining the land, the World Line and the 'Children' hexagram are the main factors. If the 'Parents' hexagram moves, it will harm the 'Children' hexagram, how can it not be avoided? Another person asked: Earlier it was said that transforming into a ghost or being attacked by a ghost, siblings and wealth should not be encountered, how is this explained? The Wild Crane Elder said: When determining the land, as long as the World Line and the 'Children' hexagram are strong, it can be used. As for the 'Parents', 'Siblings', 'Wealth', and official positions, they should be determined by another divination, and should not be interpreted together in this one divination. If the land is indeed凶, there is no need for another divination. The凶 will be shown in this one divination through the transformation of the six relations into ghosts or ghosts transforming into the six relations. This is a land that will cause injury to family members. In this case, we only need to look at the transformation of the six relations into ghosts or ghosts transforming into the six relations, without needing to consider their strength, decline, emptiness, destruction, or conflict. It is said 'the divine signs are revealed by movement', when it moves, it transforms into something凶, the divine is deliberately informing me. How can I pretend not to see it and insist on another divination?

世為用神，靜者逢沖逢值，動者逢值逢合，世空者沖實之秋，世破者填實之候，逢合入墓，須待沖開，獨靜獨發值之而遇，世若休囚須旺相，若逢旺相待休囚。世為墳地，靜者逢沖逢值之年月。即如世值子水，靜者應在於午年月，動者應在丑年月亦有應子年，餘仿此。

To determine when one can gain the earth, use the World Line as the Useful God. If the World Line is still, the time should be when it is opposed or shares the same value as the year or month. If the World Line is active, the time should be when it shares the same value or is in harmony with it. If the World Line is in the旬空 (decade void), the time should be when the void is filled. If the World Line is broken by the month, the time should be when the break is repaired. If the World Line is in harmony or in the墓 (burial), wait until it is opened. If there is only one still line and one active line in the hexagram, the time should be when that line appears. If the World Line is weak and confined, wait until it becomes prosperous and strong. If the World Line is already prosperous and strong, wait until it becomes weak and confined. The World Line is like a graveyard; if it is still, the time should be when it is opposed or shares the same value as the year or month. For example, if the World Line is the water of Zi, if it is still, the time should be in the year or month of Wu; if it is active, the time should be in the year or month of Chou. There are also cases when the time is in the year of Zi, and the rest follow the same pattern.

世空者沖空實空之年，世破者實破之年，世逢三合六合，或世爻化合，或墓於日辰或化墓，皆應沖開之日。卦中一爻獨發，一爻獨靜，亦應逢值之動逢合靜逢沖，即如卦中子爻獨動，應在於丑年，如子爻獨靜，應在於午年，餘仿此。

When the world line falls into an empty position, it should be considered in the year when the empty position is broken and filled. If the world line is broken by the month, it should be considered in the year when the monthly break is filled. If the world line meets 'triple harmony' or 'six harmony', or if the world line combines with another to form a harmony, or if it is buried by the day branch or forms a burial through movement, these should be considered on the day when the obstruction is broken. If there is only one line moving and only one line still in the hexagram, the same principle applies: the moving line should be considered at the time when it harmonizes with another, and the still line should be considered at the time when it is opposed. For example, if the zi line is the only moving line, it should be considered in the year of chou, because zi and chou harmonize; if the zi line is the only still line, it should be considered in the year of wu, because zi and wu oppose each other. The same principle applies to other lines as well.

又如辰月乙卯日占何時得地得復之屯卦。子孫酉金″，妻財子水″；妻財亥水″動，兄弟戌土′應；兄弟丑土″應，子孫申金″；兄弟辰土″，兄弟辰土″；官鬼寅木″，官鬼寅木″世；妻財子水′世，妻財子水′。斷曰：亥水財爻獨發，拱扶世爻，被戌土回頭剋制，今為月破，九月實破，戌土更旺，交冬水旺而得矣。彼曰：得在何方？余曰：占此應此，占彼應彼，如問何方再占一卦。

For example, in the month of Chen and day of Yimao, someone asked when they could obtain land. They got the Fu hexagram changing into the Zun hexagram. The primary hexagram's six lines, from top to bottom, are: the son in You metal (a yin line), the wife's wealth in Hai water (a yin line) which is active, the brothers in Chou earth (a yin line) which holds the responding line, the brothers in Chen earth (a yin line), the official ghost in Yin wood (a yin line), and the wife's wealth in Zi water (a yang line) which holds the world line. The transformed Zun hexagram's six lines are in order: the wife's wealth in Zi water, the brothers in Xu earth (a yin line) which holds the responding line, the son in Shen metal, the brothers in Chen earth, the official ghost in Yin wood which holds the world line, and the wife's wealth in Zi water. The Wild Crane Elder interpreted: the Hai water wealth line is alone active, originally coming to support the world line Zi water. Unfortunately, it transforms into Xu earth which turns back to harm it. Now, Xu earth is exactly the month breaker, and it will not be filled until September, the month of Xu, when Xu earth becomes strong; when winter comes and water gets its strength, the land will be obtained. The person then asked: in which direction? The Wild Crane Elder said: when you ask about one thing, it only responds to that one thing; when you ask about another thing, it only responds to that one thing; if you want to know the direction, you need to cast another hexagram.

野鶴曰：卜得地於何時，還以世爻為用，卜得地於何方，當以父爻為用也。己葬之後，皆以父爻為用可也。父值亥子，北方自有吉穴。父臨巳午，東南必獲牛眼。父值土爻，得地於辰戌丑未之方。父爻臨木，東北寅卯堪壽。夫臨申酉地在西南。間有驗於墓方者即如父母爻屬木得地於未方，父母爻屬金得地於丑方，餘仿此。

The Wild Crane Elder said: When divining the time to find a suitable place, one should use the World Line爻; when divining the direction of the place, one should use the Parents爻. After burial, one should still use the Parents爻. If the Parents爻 is in the亥 or 子, there will be a good grave in the Northern direction; if the Parents爻 is in the巳 or 午, there will be a good grave in the Southeast direction; if the Parents爻 is of earth, the grave will be in the directions of 辰, 戌, 丑, or 未; if the Parents爻 is of wood, the grave will be in the direction of 寅 or 卯 in the east-northeast; if the Parents爻 is in 申 or 酉, the grave will be in the Southwest direction. There are also cases where the grave should be in the Storage direction: for example, if the Parents爻 is of wood, the burial place will be in the direction of 未, since wood is buried in 未; if the Parents爻 is of metal, the burial place will be in the direction of 丑, since metal is buried in 丑; the rest follow the same pattern.

應為用神，旺相生合世爻，雖愚亦用。休囚沖剋世爻，賢亦不宜。世應俱空莫用，應臨空破非奇。應爻旺相與世爻相生相合，或與世爻作三合，不論應臨才鬼兄父，人惡之而無才，我喜之而有緣。休囚沖剋世爻者，曾使應臨官父，他有博學，我被他愚。世應皆空，彼此無緣。應逢空破，無大無從。

A fortune teller who divines land should take the 'Response Line' as the 'Useful God'. If the Response Line is prosperous and strong, and it supports the World Line or forms a harmonious relationship with it, then even if the person is dull, he can be used. If the Response Line is weak and confined, and it clashes or controls the World Line, then even if the person is capable, he should not be hired. If both the World and Response Lines are empty, he should not be used. If the Response Line is both empty and broken, it is not a good omen. If the Response Line is prosperous and strong, and it mutually generates or harmonizes with the World Line, or forms a Triple Harmony Formation with it, regardless of whether the Response Line is occupied by 'Wealth', 'Official Ghost', 'Siblings', or 'Parents', even if others look down on him for lacking ability, I will still find him useful. If the Response Line is weak and confined, and it clashes or controls the World Line, even if the Response Line is occupied by 'Official Ghost' or 'Parents', showing he is knowledgeable, I will still be misled by him. If both the World and Response Lines are empty, there is no connection between them. If the Response Line is both empty and broken, there is nothing to rely on.

世在初二爻穴宜下，在五六爻穴在上，三四爻穴宜於中。水持世爻穴近於水，或是坑高之地。世臨土者，即於高堆點穴。世臨寅木，從木盛草之方。申酉持世，有塊石堆。火乃枯焦，紅泥焦土及草木枯焦之處是也。

The method of selecting a site for a point: if the World Line is in the first or second line, the site should be in the lower section; if the World Line is in the fifth or sixth line, the site should be in the upper section; if the World Line is in the third or fourth line, the site should be in the middle section. If the Water Line holds the World Line, the site should be near the water or where the low and high areas meet. If the World Line is of earth, the site should be on a high mound of earth. If the World Line is associated with the寅 wood, the site should be in the direction of dense vegetation. If the World Line is held by申 or酉, there will be a pile of stones. If it is associated with fire, it indicates dryness and withers, meaning red clay and dry earth, as well as dead vegetation.

如未月乙巳日占穴 得大壯卦。兄弟戌土″，兄弟戌土″；子孫申金″，子孫申金″；父母午火′世，父母午火′世；兄弟辰土′，兄弟辰土′；官鬼寅木′，官鬼寅木′；妻財子水′應，妻財子水′應。

On the day of Yisi and the month of Wei, a divination was made about a site, resulting in the hexagram Da Zhuang. All six lines are still, and the resulting hexagram is the same as the primary one. The six lines from top to bottom are: Brother Xu Earth (yin line), Son Shen Metal (yin line), Parents Wu Fire (yang line) holding the world line, Brother Chen Earth (yang line), Official Ghost Yin Wood (yang line), and Wife Wealth Zi Water (yang line) holding the response. The world line is Wu Fire, which is exactly on the fourth line counted from the bottom.

此地經過法眼，皆言其吉，久占此地，亦許其吉，因屢掘逢石，無處導穴，央余到冢下，得此卦。余曰：世在四爻，穴在中段，因午火持世，即往中段觀看，有一處草木枯焦，有幾朵野花紅色，別處皆無。余曰：即此穴也，掘之必逢土穴。

This piece of land has been examined by experts, and they all say it is auspicious; previously, when it was divined, the hexagram suggested it might be favorable. However, because several attempts to dig have encountered stones and no suitable place for the burial pit has been found, the family invited me to the mountain where the tomb is to be located, and I cast this hexagram. The Wild Crane Elder said: the World Line is on the fourth line, so the burial pit should be in the middle section; also, since the line that holds the World is the午 fire, fire signifies dryness and withering. Immediately, we went to look in the middle section, and indeed there was a place where the grass and trees were withered, and a few red wild flowers were blooming, nowhere else was there such a sight. The Wild Crane Elder said: this is the place. Digging here will certainly reveal a soil pit.

東家尚疑。余曰：我有一法，將錢一丈點記紅原乳，入數百錢內，公可設下香案，禱告於天，得紅原錢者，即其穴也，令人遍地灑之，果得原錢於紅花之下，掘之周圍僅有丈餘，皆泥土也，餘皆石塊，此公次年開府，兩公郎五年之內俱登甲榜。

The master still had some doubts. The Wild Crane Elder said: I have a method — take a copper coin, mark it with a red dot, and mix it among hundreds of other copper coins. Then you set up an altar, pray to heaven, and wherever that marked coin is found, that is the site. So they scattered the coins all over the ground, and indeed the marked coin fell under a red flower. When they dug down, the area around was only about a zhang wide and filled with soil, but the rest was all stone. The master became a high official the next year, and his two sons both passed the imperial examination in the top rank within five years.

覺子曰：謀地偷葬，乃損人利己之事，以此喪心之為，而問於神，卦若有靈，是神教人而作喪心之事也，殊不知先有心地而後得遇陽地，昔有人恃財倚勢，期陷貧人，謀奪其地以葬親，後遇識者而曰：此地不發，必無地理，此地若發，必無天理，既有天理循環之報，能久遠昌盛者，未之有也。

Juezi said: To secretly bury one's dead by taking someone else's land is an act of harming others for one's own benefit. If one uses such a morally corrupt action to consult the spirits, and if the divination is truly effective, would it not become the spirits teaching people to commit such wicked deeds? They all fail to understand: one must first have a good heart, then one is worthy of encountering a good piece of land. In the past, some people, relying on their wealth and power, schemed to harm the poor and took their land to bury their relatives. Later, they met a wise person who said: if this land does not bring fortune, it can only mean that there is no geomancy in the world; if this land does bring fortune, then it means there is no heavenly justice in the world. Since heavenly justice has cycles of retribution, there has never been a case where such means could lead to long-term prosperity.

祖父之墓或葬多年或未久，如來卜者必有其因，須宜悉明，方可決斷。有因連年困苦疑，墳塋之不利。有因屢科不發，或有子入場，疑此風水可能發科否？為己者須宜自占，為子孫者命子孫來占，有因仕途蹭蹬連歲不升，疑其風水有礙。

Ancestors' graves may have been buried for many years or only recently; those who come to consult the divination must have their own reasons, and it is necessary to clarify these before making a decision. Some are troubled by continuous hardship and suspect the grave is not beneficial; others are frustrated by repeated failures in exams or by having a son who is about to take the examination and wonder if this site of fengshui can bring success in the imperial exams. Those consulting for themselves should come themselves, while those consulting for descendants should have the descendants come. Some are troubled by stagnation in their official career and repeated failure to be promoted, suspecting that the fengshui is obstructing their path.

有因子孫不存，疑其風水相關。有因六親中父母兄弟妻兒或自身多生疾病，疑因風水所致。有因連年官非火盜。有因風水被傷，卜其何法而修補。有因閒問祖塋有地脈否。有問祖塋有傷損否。皆以父母為用神。

Some inquire because their descendants are not thriving, suspecting it may be related to feng shui; others because parents, siblings, spouses, children, or themselves frequently fall ill, suspecting feng shui as the cause; others because they face continuous lawsuits, fires, or theft; others because the feng shui has already been damaged, asking what method to use for repair; some merely ask casually whether the ancestral burial ground has a qi flow; there are also those who ask whether the ancestral burial ground has been damaged. All these types of questions are treated with the 'parents' line as the 'useful god'.

卦遇六沖全無地脈，卦變化絕，勢若倒懸，爻遇伏吟，欲遷不遂，反吟卦現，不遷亦遷，卦變六沖龍巳去，於孫有陵替之危。沖中變合運將來，後代有興隆之象。

When the hexagram encounters "Six Clashes," there is no earthly energy there; when the hexagram transforms into "End," the situation is as if hanging upside down, extremely dangerous. When the lines encounter "Hidden Chant," even if one wants to move, it cannot be done. When the "Reverse Chant" hexagram appears, even if one does not want to move, one will eventually have to. When the hexagram transforms into "Six Clashes," the dragon pulse has already left, and there is a danger of decline and deterioration for the descendants. When "Six Clashes" transforms into "Six Harmony," the earth's fortune is about to arrive, and there is a sign of prosperity for the descendants.

正卦六沖，變卦六沖，全無脈氣，卦變化克，如倒懸之熱，危之急矣，凶災立至，伏吟卦地脈全無，雖有遷意而不能遷。卦得反吟，心不欲遷而終遷矣。卦變六沖有龍已去，子孫從此衰頹。六沖變合，先無地脈，目今地運將興，後代從此發矣。

The primary hexagram is Six Clashes and the resulting hexagram is also Six Clashes; there is no flow of energy. When a hexagram changes into a situation of reverse chant, it is like being hung upside down and roasted, indicating extreme danger and immediate misfortune. Those who receive the Hidden Chant hexagram have no earth energy, though they may wish to move the grave, they cannot do so. Those who receive the Reverse Chant hexagram do not wish to move, but ultimately must. When a hexagram changes into Six Clashes, the dragon pulse has already left, leading to the decline of descendants. When Six Clashes changes into Six Harmony, although there was no earth energy before, the earth energy is now about to flourish, and the descendants will become prosperous from then on.

父母旺相祖墳安然，墓絕休囚後裔零落。已葬之地，父母為用神，宜旺相，或日月動爻生扶，或動而化生日月化比助化進神乃吉地也，兒孫興發之象，亡者安而生者樂。旺而又遇帝旺長生者，來龍久遠，世代興隆，不宜墓絕空破，及動而破散化退神化絕墓化回頭克化旬空化破散，乃凶象也，亡者不安，生者寥落。

The "Parents" line is strong and prosperous, indicating the ancestral tomb is secure; if the "Parents" line is in a墓 (buried), meets an绝 (decline), or is weak and confined, the descendants will be scattered. For a tomb that has already been buried, the "Parents" line is considered the "Useful God." It is favorable if it is strong and prosperous, or if it receives support from the Day Branch, Month Builder, or Moving Line, or if it moves and transforms into the Day Branch or Month Builder, into a similar line, or into an "Advancing God." This is a favorable location, indicating prosperity of descendants and the deceased resting in peace while the living enjoy happiness. If the "Parents" line is strong and prosperous and also meets "Prosperity" and "Growth," the dragon line is long and enduring, leading to generations of prosperity. It is unfavorable if the "Parents" line is in a墓 (buried), meets an绝 (decline), falls into emptiness, or meets a break, or if it moves and meets a break, or transforms into a break, a "Retreating God," an绝 (decline), a墓 (buried), or a self-attacking line, or a旬空 (empty period)—these are all ominous signs, indicating the deceased are restless and the living are sparse.

世爻變鬼，占者不祥，鬼化六親，各屬不吉。世爻變鬼及隨墓助傷，所占之人不吉，兄弟妻子動而化鬼、鬼化兄弟父母妻子者，查其所犯而斷也。又有子命化鬼，鼠命者殃。午命變鬼，馬命不利，餘仿此。野鶴曰：古以父爻不宜旺相，父旺父動子孫不安，餘以為謬也。占舊冢以父為用神，父母旺及動而化吉祖父安，然又扯到傷克子孫者是宜旺耶？不宜旺耶？惟子孫動而化父及父動化子孫，不利於子孫者是也。

The world line changes into the official ghost, indicating ill fortune for the person seeking the divination; when the official ghost transforms into one of the six relations, each corresponding relation also brings ill fortune. If the world line transforms into the official ghost, or if the official ghost enters the tomb and is assisted by the tomb energy, causing harm, this indicates ill fortune for the person seeking the divination. If the siblings or spouse lines become active and transform into the official ghost, or if the official ghost transforms into siblings, parents, or spouse, one should determine which line is conflicting and then make the judgment. There is another point: if the branch of zi transforms into the official ghost, those born in the year of the rat will suffer; if the branch of wu transforms into the official ghost, those born in the year of the horse will be unfavorable, and the rest follow the same pattern. The Wild Crane Elder said: ancient people said the parents line should not be prosperous and strong, stating that a strong and active parent line would cause the children line to be unstable. I think this is absurd. When divining old graves, the parents line is taken as the useful god. If the parents line is strong and active and transforms into a favorable line, the ancestors will be at peace. But he also mentions that a strong parent line will harm the children line—then is it favorable to have a strong parent line or not? The only situations that truly harm the children line are when the children line becomes active and transforms into the parents line, or when the parents line becomes active and transforms into the children line.

野鶴曰：須宜另占，不可以前卦兼斷，專看沖剋父母之爻為忌神，如得六爻安靜，父母有氣，久後自安，不必補修。克神臨火或臨朱雀，禍必起於窯灶。倘臨土動或兼元武，定因偷葬相傷。金虎因受其驚。木龍有蟠根之礙。克神以帶騰蛇，蛇蟻為巢。土鬼勾陳挖掘動土。元武臨水水浸衾棺。

The Wild Crane Elder said: To inquire about the harm to the ancestral tomb, one must cast a new hexagram, not using the previous one for interpretation. Focus solely on the yao that clashes and controls the "parents" yao; that is the "hostile god." If the six yao are quiet and the parents yao has vitality, over time the tomb will naturally remain stable and there is no need for repair. If the yao that controls the parents is of the fire element or is accompanied by the Vermilion Bird, the misfortune will arise from the kiln or stove. If the earth yao is active and is accompanied by the Black Tortoise, it is definitely caused by someone secretly burying nearby. If the metal yao is accompanied by the White Tiger, the tomb has been disturbed by a shock. If the wood yao is accompanied by the Azure Dragon, there are tree roots entangled around the tomb. If the controlling yao is accompanied by the Snake, there are snakes and ants nesting in the tomb. If the earth yao is a ghost and is accompanied by the Gou Chen, someone is digging nearby. If the Black Tortoise is accompanied by the water yao, the coffin and shroud are soaked by water.

克神臨火恐近處開窯作灶或因火燭之事。土克父母兼元武者必有偷葬。臨勾陳騰蛇者築牆蓋屋以致相傷。金虎地震山搖。木虎砍伐樹木。木逢龍動，穴下有竹木根傷。火與蛇興，冢內有蟻蛇為害。元武水爻克父母，穴中黑水相侵。父母被沖，地風水漫。金克父母，石塊山罔。水沖剋者，低窪水湧。木爻克父，樹木相傷。火克者，穴藏蛇蟻。土動者，蓋造牆垣。

A spirit of fire is afraid of nearby kilns being opened, stoves being built, or incidents involving fire. If the earth element爻 controls the parents爻 and is accompanied by 'Black Tortoise', it indicates someone has secretly buried a body. If accompanied by 'Gou Chen' and 'Teng Sha', it means building walls or roofing has injured the tomb. If a metal element爻 is accompanied by 'White Tiger', it indicates an earthquake or mountain shaking. If a wood element爻 is accompanied by 'White Tiger', it means someone is cutting down trees. If a wood element爻 meets 'Azure Dragon', there are bamboo roots or tree roots beneath the tomb that have damaged the coffin. If a fire element爻 is accompanied by 'Teng Sha', there are ants, worms, or snakes in the tomb. If 'Black Tortoise' water element爻 controls the parents爻, there is black water seeping into the tomb. If the parents爻 is being冲, it means wind from the ground is entering and there is a misty atmosphere. If a metal element爻 controls the parents爻, it indicates stones or hills are causing harm. If a water element爻冲 controls the parents爻, it means the ground is low and water is rising. If a wood element爻 controls the parents爻, it means trees are damaging each other. If a fire element爻 controls the parents爻, there are snakes or ants hidden in the tomb. If a soil element爻 is active, it means walls have been built nearby.

父母爻被日月動爻沖剋及卦動化沖，如在艮坤之宮，卦得亥卯未合成木局克父，必有地風沖歪棺槨。如在離宮，卦得申子辰水局克父者，穴中水湧，水泛棺歪。如在震巽之宮，金局沖剋者，山罔石塊。如在乾兌之宮逢火局沖剋父母者，定因窯火雷驚。爻中水動，地窪水浸。卦得木動，竹木根滕。火主蟲蛇，土因動土，果有犯之，速宜修補。

If the parents' line is clashed or controlled by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, or if the hexagram is activated and produces a clash, we need to examine the palace: if the tomb is in the Gen or Kun palace, and the hexagram forms a wood trinity (Hai-Mao-Wei) to control the parents, then it must be that the wind from the earth carries the coffin off course; if it is in the Li palace, and the hexagram forms a water trinity (Shen-Zi-Chen) to control the parents, then it is that water surges from the grave, causing the coffin to tilt; if it is in the Zhen or Xun palace, and the hexagram forms a metal trinity to control the parents, then it is that hills and rocks are harmful; if it is in the Qian or Dui palace, and the hexagram forms a fire trinity to control the parents, then it must be that kiln fire or thunder strikes are the cause. If the line of water is active, it is due to low ground being flooded; if the line of wood is active, it is due to bamboo or tree roots entangling; fire signifies snakes and insects, and earth signifies breaking ground. Once the actual cause is identified, it should be promptly remedied.

爻無亂動，須觀五行之有無，卦若安逸，又看地支之缺陷。六爻安靜並無沖剋父母之爻者，又看五行之所少也，卦中無土，須築牆垣。卦無金星，石碑可立。六爻火星缺陷，可立煙灶，或安看守墳塋之宅舍。水爻不現，可作池塘及開河道。木爻不現，多栽樹木。此言五行之所少者，非獨不上卦也，有現於爻空破墓絕無氣者亦如無也。

If the six lines of the hexagram are not chaotic, one should look at which of the five elements is missing; if the hexagram is very quiet, then check what is lacking in the earthly branches. If the six lines are quiet and there is no conflicting or controlling line that affects the parents, then look at which element is missing: if the hexagram lacks earth, then build a wall around the grave; if it lacks metal, then set up a stone monument; if the fire element is missing, then build a stove or construct a house for the gravekeeper; if the water element is missing, then dig a pond or a canal; if the wood element is missing, then plant more trees. Here, the absence of the five elements does not only refer to them not appearing in the hexagram: even if they do appear, but the line is empty, broken, buried, at its end, or has no life energy, it is still considered as missing.

因窯灶而傷者，命道祭火神設火醮而安之。偷葬及動土相傷，命道設蘸以安土神。因受驚恐而傷者，命道設醮而安墳。或因有竹木蟠根及石塊相傷者，須於墳旁挖坑三尺以探之，輕輕去其竹木石塊，仍命道安墳則吉。

In the previous chapter, it was discovered what had harmed the grave. This chapter explains the remedies for each specific harm. If the grave was harmed by a kiln or stove, invite a Taoist priest to worship the fire god and set a fire ritual to pacify it. If the grave was harmed by secret burial or breaking ground, invite a Taoist priest to set a ritual to pacify the earth god. If the grave was harmed by fright, invite a Taoist priest to set a ritual to pacify the grave. If there are entangled bamboo roots or wooden roots, or if there are stones causing harm, dig a pit three feet deep next to the grave to examine, gently remove the bamboo, wood, and stones, and then invite a Taoist priest to pacify the grave and bring good fortune.

倘因蛇蟻為巢者，多栽苦楝樹其蛇蟻自散，勿信人以焚之其巢穴，傷損性命，余曾親見兩家見蛇為巢，用火焚之，後子孫衰敗不堪。倘穴中因水淹沒者，若有消水之法，設法以消之，倘因地窪終無消水之法，不得不選地而遷也。或因地風吹歪棺木者，前得挖坑二三尺，以探之，後果歪者仍歸於正向，命道安墳則吉。

If there are snakes and ants making a nest in the tomb, planting several bitter chinquapin trees will cause the snakes and ants to scatter away; do not listen to others' advice and burn the nest with fire, as that would harm lives— I have personally seen two families who discovered snake nests and burned them, and later their descendants declined badly. If the tomb is flooded with water, if there is a way to drain the water, then take measures to drain it; if the land is naturally low-lying and there is no way to drain the water, then it is necessary to choose another piece of land for relocation. If the wind blows the coffin out of alignment, first dig a pit of two or three feet to check, and if it is indeed displaced, realign it to its original direction and then invite a Taoist priest to perform a tomb ritual to ensure good fortune.

子孫持世，子孫動搖，修之則吉。既問修補之吉凶，則認世爻為用，子孫持世，子孫發動，修之必獲清安。宜鬼世父爻空，遷則獲福。鬼克世，我必有害，父空破墓絕再被日月動爻傷克者，乃因傷者重，培補亦無益矣，當宜遷之。

"Children" occupying the world line, or "Children" moving, indicate good fortune when repairs are made. Since the question concerns the fortune of repairs, the world line is considered the "useful god": if "Children" occupy the world line or move, repairs will surely bring peace and safety. If "Official Ghost" overcomes the world line, and the world line and "Parents" line are empty, then relocating the grave will bring good fortune. Ghosts overcoming the world line mean I will suffer; if the "Parents" line is empty, broken, buried, or at its end, and is further harmed by the day branch, month builder, or moving line, it shows the grave is seriously harmed, and repairs will be useless; relocation is necessary.

覺子曰：古以遷塋之說，謂父母之墓受傷，兒孫一體之感，致生災禍，理之有也。遷塋改葬不得不行，觀世人富者不貴，改祖墓以求榮，有子不富遷父冢以求富，將父母之遺體為市井之貸利，不意天理難容，身之未榮家產蕩盡，財之未發絕減兒孫。餘之見者不可勝數，附此戒之。

Juezi said: The ancients spoke of moving graves, saying that if the graves of the parents are harmed, the descendants and the ancestors are connected as one, thus causing calamity. This principle is indeed true. When a grave should be moved, it must be moved. But looking at the world today, those who are rich but not noble move their ancestors' graves to seek official rank; those who have sons but are not wealthy move their fathers' graves to seek wealth. They treat their parents' remains as if they were capital for commercial transactions. However, the heavens cannot tolerate such actions: before their status is recognized, their family fortunes are already exhausted; before their wealth is gained, their descendants are already cut off. I have seen countless such cases, and I record them here as a warning.

六沖變沖，卦變絕克，父母受傷，內外反吟，且宜他葬。世爻受克隨墓助傷，世動化克化鬼，附葬不宜。父母兄弟妻兒動而化鬼化克，俱有刑沖傷重，惟喜世及六親不逢變克，隨卦靜六合，必得存亡之安。

"Six Clashes" again become "Six Clashes," or the hexagram changes into an extinct or defeated state, with the "Parents" line being harmed. If both the inner and outer trigrams are "Reverse Chant," these situations should lead to choosing another place for burial. If the World Line is harmed, or if it is taken by the Official Ghost and assisted by the burial atmosphere, or if the World Line moves and causes harm or transforms into the Official Ghost, it is not suitable for secondary burial. When the lines representing parents, siblings, and wife and children move and transform into the Official Ghost or cause harm, these are all signs of severe punishment and clash. Fortunately, if the World Line and all the six relations do not encounter transformational harm, and the hexagram is peaceful forming "Six Harmony," then both the deceased and the living will be at peace.

如子月丙申日占以父柩附葬祖苗得復之坤卦。子孫酉金″，子孫酉金″世；妻財亥水″，妻財亥水″；兄弟丑土″應，兄弟丑土″；兄弟辰土″，官鬼卯木″應；官鬼寅木″，父母巳火″；妻財子水′世動，兄弟未土″。

If the question is asked on the day of Bing Shen (丙申) in the month of Zi (子), asking whether it is appropriate to bury the father's spirit in the ancestral tomb, the hexagram obtained is the Fu Hexagram changing into the Kun Hexagram. The original hexagram, from top to bottom, is:Children酉金 (yin line), Wealth亥水 (yin line), Siblings丑土 (yin line) holding the responding line, Siblings辰土 (yin line), Official Ghost寅木 (yin line), Wealth子水 (yang line) holding the world line and moving; the changed hexagram, in order, is:Children酉金 holding the world line, Wealth亥水, Siblings丑土, Official Ghost卯木 holding the responding line, Parents巳火, Siblings未土.

斷曰：世爻被克，不宜附葬之。後仍附葬。數月後不斷曰：腰疼欲死，欲遷其墳。余曰：墳不必遷，卦中世爻被克，幸而旺相，土來克水，命道安土神則吉，果於安墳而愈。余曰：目下雖不遷改，終有遷改。彼曰：何也？余曰：化六沖不久之象。果於子年死母，起此冢合葬於他處也。增刪卜易卷之四終。

The Wild Crane Elder interpreted the divination: The World Line, which is the yin water, was being returned to attack by the transformed earth, which was the earth of the hour. It was not advisable to bury with the deceased. That family still proceeded with the burial. After several months, they came again to consult, saying that they had severe back pain and wanted to move the grave. The Wild Crane Elder said: There is no need to move the grave. Although the World Line was being attacked, it was still prosperous and strong. The attacker was earth, so they should invite a Taoist priest to worship the earth deity, which would bring good fortune. Later, they indeed built a tomb and the back pain was cured. The Wild Crane Elder also said: Although there is no need to change it now, in the end, it will still have to be changed. The person asked: Why? The Wild Crane Elder said: The primary hexagram is the repeating hexagram, which transforms into the hexagram of earth. The hexagram of earth is the eighth pure hexagram, which is exactly transforming into the 'Six Clashes'. The Six Clashes is a sign of something not lasting. Later, indeed, in the year of the rat, the mother died and this grave was built, and the deceased was moved to be buried with the mother elsewhere. The Supplement and Amendment to the Divination Book, Volume Four, ends here.