Six domestic animals

道形萬物，理總歸於一心；易盡三才，占豐遺乎六畜？惟能精以察之，自得明而著矣。（凡占六畜，專以財福為主，不可依諸家以分宮本命斷推，蓋本命分宮，古人為家宅內看吉凶，故立此例。今人不究其理，雖止占一物，亦以分宮斷之，則失其旨，學者詳之。）

The Way is manifested above all things, and its principles ultimately converge into one mind. The Yi Classic exhausts the three elements of heaven, earth, and humanity, and its scope of divination is so broad that how could it possibly overlook domestic animals? As long as one can carefully observe and examine, the truth will naturally become clear. When divining about domestic animals, one should specifically focus on the "wife and wealth" and "sons and descendants" lines, and not follow the old method of using the division of palace positions and the person's own birth year for interpretation. The concept of dividing palace positions and birth years was originally established by ancient diviners when predicting the fortune of a family home, to examine various aspects of fortune and misfortune within the family. Modern people do not investigate the origin of this method, yet even when divining about a single animal, they still apply the palace division method, thereby losing the original meaning. Scholars should clearly discern this.

命在福神，若遇興隆須長養；（禽蟲六畜之命皆屬子孫，旺相有氣不空，必然長養易大；休囚墓絕決然不濟。若不上卦或落空亡，未買勿置，已蓄勿蓄。）利歸財位，如逢囚死定輕微。（大抵此占惟牛馬為力，其他為利，然力與利同歸財爻，最怕休囚死絕去後財利必薄，雖力氣亦不多，旺相不空方為大吉。）

The lives of livestock depend on the fortune god of descendants. If descendants are prosperous and strong, it is easy to raise the animals. The lives of birds, insects, and domestic animals are all governed by the descendant爻. If the descendant is prosperous and strong with vitality and not in empty void, it is certain that the animals will be easy to raise. If the descendant is weak and confined or falls into the墓 or绝, then the animals will certainly not be raised well. If the descendant is not in the upper trigram or falls into empty void, then do not buy animals, and if already raising them, do not need to add more. Profit comes from the wife's wealth position. If the wealth爻 meets囚 or死, the profit will be minimal. Generally speaking, in this area, cattle and horses are judged by their strength, while other livestock are judged by profit. Both strength and profit are related to the wealth爻. The most feared situation is when the wealth爻 is weak, confined, dead, or in绝. Then future profits will be thin, and even the strength will be insufficient. If the wealth爻 is prosperous and strong without falling into empty void, it is a great blessing.

二者不可相無，一般皆宜出現。（無福則難養，無財則利少。財福不空俱出現，禽蟲六畜總相宜。）財旺福衰，雖瘦弱而善走；財空福動，縱遲鈍而可觀。（凡占牛馬，子孫爻旺相主肥，休囚主瘦，動則強健輕跳，必有可觀。財爻旺相，則主有力，又主善走，後亦有益；休囚則無力而不善走，亦不濟。財若空亡，愈見遲鈍不濟。）

Wealth and happiness are both essential, and it is most favorable for both to appear in the hexagram. Without descendants, it is difficult to sustain; without wife wealth, profits are limited. If both wealth and happiness are present and not in an empty state, then regardless of birds, insects, or domestic animals, they are all suitable. If the wealth爻 is strong but the descendants are weak, the livestock may be thin but still agile. If the wealth爻 is empty but the descendants are active, although slow, it is still acceptable. When divining about cattle and horses: strong and prosperous descendants indicate fat and healthy animals; weak and confined descendants indicate thinness; if the descendants are activated, they are strong and quick, definitely impressive. If the wealth爻 is strong and prosperous, it indicates strength and speed, and there will be future benefits; if the wealth爻 is weak and confined, it indicates lack of strength and slow movement, making it useless; if the wealth爻 falls into an empty state, it becomes even more sluggish and ineffective.

財若空亡，雖利暫時無遠力；（財爻發動，亦是善走之象，但不宜化入空亡，則主有頭無尾，先勤後惰，必無久遠之力。若財爻旺空動空，又是用不兩全之象，非無長力，如牛則善車戽，不善犁耙，馬善疾行，不善緩行類。）福臨刑害，若非齾鼻定凋肥。（子孫爻帶自刑或化敗病等爻，其畜主有破相，如凋齾穿蹄，破脊單照類。）

If the wealth hexagram falls into kongwang, there may be some small profit at first, but there is no lasting strength. When the wealth hexagram is active, it indicates movement, but it is not suitable for it to transform into kongwang; once it transforms into kongwang, there will be a beginning without an end, starting with diligence and then laziness, and certainly no lasting strength. If the wealth hexagram is strong but empty, or active but empty, this indicates that the usefulness cannot be fully realized. It is not that there is no lasting strength, for example, a cow can pull a cart and draw water, but it is not good at plowing and harrowing; a horse is good at running fast, but not at slow movement. If the sons hexagram is afflicted by punishment and harm, the livestock will either have a broken nose or some kind of injury. If the sons hexagram carries self-punishment, or transforms into bathing or illness hexagrams, the livestock will have some kind of disfigurement, such as a split lip, missing nose, split hooves, broken back, or only having one eye.

相合相生必主調良且善；相沖相剋，定然頑劣不馴。（子孫生合世爻，六畜馴善於我有益；若來刑沖剋害，必主性劣不馴。如牛則縮車縮犁，馬則前失後失類。）要知蹄足身形，須看臨持八卦；欲別青黃白黑，須參生克六神。（乾為頭，坎為耳，震為前足，艮為後足，巽為腰，離為目，坤為腹，兌為口。青龍色青，白虎色白，朱雀赤，玄武黑，勾陳螣蛇色黃。凡占以子孫所臨為本身顏色，以他動來生克者，斷別處有異色。如子孫臨玄武在乾宮，而被坤宮動克之，乃是黑身黃足；若被艮宮白虎動克，可言黃身白足，他仿此。凡克處多於生處，衰處少於旺處，自宜通變。）

The descendants (representing livestock) harmonizing and generating with the world line indicate that the animals will be docile and kind; if they clash or control the world line, the animals will be stubborn and difficult to manage. If the descendants generate and harmonize with the world line, the livestock will be gentle and beneficial; if the descendants punish or clash with the world line, the animals will be stubborn and uncooperative, like a bull pulling a cart that hesitates or a horse losing its footing in front or behind. To determine the animal's hooves and body shape, look at the trigram it is associated with; to discern its color, refer to the six spirits and their generating or controlling relationships. The eight trigrams correspond to body parts: Qian represents the head, Kan represents the ears, Zhen represents the front legs, Gen represents the back legs, Xun represents the waist, Li represents the eyes, Kun represents the abdomen, and Dui represents the mouth. The six spirits correspond to colors: "Qinglong" is green, "Baihu" is white, "Zhuque" is red, "Xuanwu" is black, and "Gouchen" and "Tengshe" are yellow. When divining, determine the animal's base color based on the six spirits associated with the descendants, then examine which line is moving to generate or control it, to identify any additional colors. For example, if the descendants are associated with Xuanwu and located in the Qian trigram, and are controlled by a moving line from the Kun trigram, the animal will have a black body and yellow legs; if controlled by a moving line from the Gen trigram's Baihu, it will have a yellow body and white legs, and so on. Generally, the areas that are controlled will have more mixed colors than the areas that are generated, and the areas that are weak will have fewer colors than the areas that are strong and prosperous, so one must be flexible and adaptable.

陰陽有雌雄牝牡之分，（鳥曰雌雄，獸曰牝牡，以子孫屬陰屬陽。如陽爻子孫，占牛為牡牛，占馬為牡馬，騾叫牡騾類。）胎養為駒犢羔雛之類。（馬子曰駒，牛子曰犢，羊子曰羔，雞鴨子曰雛。凡遇子孫在胎養爻上，必是此類。若以口齒，長生是三齒，冠帶四齒，帝旺是斬齊口，墓庫則老矣。）

The yao (lines) differentiate yin and yang, which correspond to the male and female distinctions in animals. Birds are referred to as male and female, while beasts are called male and female, and this classification depends on whether the子孙 (offspring) line is yin or yang. The子孙 line is a yang yao; if it represents a cow, it indicates a male cow; if it represents a horse, it indicates a male horse; if it represents a mule, it indicates a male mule, and so on. If the子孙 line falls on the胎 (fetus) or养 (nurturing) position, it refers to young animals such as foals, calves, lambs, and chicks. The young of a horse is called a驹, of a cow a犊, of a sheep a羔, and of chickens and ducks a雏; whenever the子孙 line falls on the胎爻 or养爻, it indicates such young animals. If we look at the teeth, the position of the子孙 line determines the age: if it falls onGrowth (growth), it indicates three teeth; if it falls onCapping (capping), it indicates four teeth; if it falls onProsperity (prosperity), it indicates fully developed teeth; and if it falls onStorage (storage), it indicates an old animal.

身生子胎，必是受胎之六畜；（如占牛子孫在胎爻上，必童牛自生；子孫在胎爻上，則是牛有胎，原非童牛也；化出胎爻或子孫沖胎，動於卦中者亦然；子化子，則是子母牛也。）福臨鬼墓，須知有病於一身。（福臨鬼墓，畜必有病。如臨病爻或被鬼爻沖剋，皆主有病也。）

If the hexagram body goes to the position of the child's birth (胎爻), it indicates that the animal is already pregnant. For example, if you are divining about a cow and the child's position falls on the birth position, it means the cow is already pregnant, not a young cow that has not yet given birth. If another birth position is formed in the hexagram, or if the child's position moves to clash with the birth position, the interpretation remains the same. If the child also forms another child position, it indicates two cows, one mother and one child. If the child's position is on the grave of the official ghost, it means the animal is sick. If the child's position is on the grave of the ghost, the animal is certainly ill; if it is on the sickness position, or if it is clashed by the official ghost, it also indicates illness.

父動有傷，子絕則徒勞碌；（父母發動，必傷用神，必有損失。更遇子孫墓絕無氣，必主死亡，雖能牧養，亦徒勞碌。得子孫在空避之地,方為吉。）兄興不長，財空則反生扶。（兄弟發動，六畜不長。若得財值空爻，不受傷克，則反生扶子孫，其畜必然易養，利亦不失。）

If the parents'爻 moves, there will be injury; if the descendants fall into a dead position, even the effort in raising livestock is in vain. When the parents'爻 moves, it necessarily harms the useful god, and livestock will surely suffer loss. If at the same time the descendants fall into a墓 or绝 position without vitality, it will surely lead to death. Even if one puts in effort to raise the livestock, it will be in vain. Only if the descendants are hiding in the empty position (空亡) to avoid danger, it will be auspicious. If the brothers'爻 moves, the livestock will not grow well. However, if the wealth爻 falls into the empty position, the brothers will turn to support the descendants. When the brothers'爻 moves, the livestock will not grow. But if the wealth爻 happens to fall into the empty position without being harmed or attacked, the brothers have no wealth to seize, and instead they will support the descendants. In this case, the livestock will be easy to raise, and the benefits will not be lost.

世若空傷，到底終須失望；（世爻無故自空，必不稱意，大象若凶，則有大難。）鬼如發動，從來弗克如心。（鬼爻發動，占畜大忌，或六畜自有疾病，或因事而起禍端，日後必不如願，詳具於下。）逢金生旺，當慮齧人；值土交重，須憂病染。（金鬼發動，有蹼脾之患，若克世爻必難觸犯，亦且傷人；木鬼發動，主有草結之病，若在外卦，毛色不善，更加螣蛇，必有惡毛旋螺，有礙相法；水鬼發動，主有寒病，如激心黃瀉薄糞之類；火鬼發動，必主畏熱，或有熱結病類；土鬼發動，須防瘟病類。或曰鬼在初爻足有病；在二爻臀髀有病；三爻腰股有病；四爻前脾背脊有病；五爻頭項峰領有病；六爻頭上有病。若在震坎二宮，上橋下水，皆宜仔細。）

If the world line falls into the empty position and is harmed, in the end one will be left disappointed. If the world line falls into the empty position without cause, it is certain that things will not go as desired; even if the overall卦 is very凶, there will be great difficulties. If the official ghost is activated, there will never be anything that goes smoothly. The activation of the official ghost is a major concern for livestock: either the livestock itself is sick, or there will be trouble caused by some event, and in the future, things will certainly not go as intended, as detailed below. If the official ghost belongs to metal and is in a favorable and strong position, one should be concerned about it biting people. If the official ghost belongs to earth and is activated repeatedly, one should worry about contracting an epidemic disease. If the metal ghost is activated, there may be hoof diseases. If it also harms the world line, this animal should not be touched, and it may even injure people. If the wood ghost is activated, it indicates a disease related to grassy growths. If the wood ghost is in the outer trigram, the animal's coat will be poor, and if combined with the 'Teng Sha' element, there will be harmful hairs or twisted hairs, which will interfere with the method of judging the animal's appearance. If the water ghost is activated, it indicates a cold disease, such as a feeling of cold in the chest and loose yellow diarrhea. If the fire ghost is activated, it indicates a fear of heat or the development of heat-related diseases. If the earth ghost is activated, one should be cautious of epidemics. There is another way of dividing according to the position of the line: if the official ghost is in the first line, there is a disease in the feet; in the second line, in the hips and buttocks; in the third line, in the waist and legs; in the fourth line, in the front legs and back; in the fifth line, in the neck and shoulder area; and in the sixth line, in the head. If the official ghost falls in the trigrams of Zhen or Kan, one should be especially careful when crossing bridges or going into water.

官加蛇雀，必因成訟成驚；（日帶螣蛇發動，異日此畜必有怪異驚駭，若臨朱雀，必因此致口舌爭訟，臨玄武防偷盜，臨白虎防跌撲，如七月乙巳日，因雞瘟卜得噬嗑之頤卦，日辰並起子孫，果應不死，後因夜啼而妻病作。予初不知，及後八月收養蜜蜂，壬寅日卜得屯之坤卦，兄鬼發動，卦無財凶不必言，未半日，群蜂滿身攢聚，驚惶無措，因驗之。乃知前者螣蛇鬼動，而雞夜鳴，今亦螣蛇鬼動，而致此異也。況孟月四爻，仲月五爻，正臨怪爻發動，所以然也。自後屢驗皆應，始知螣蛇真怪異之神也。）福變兄財，可驗食粗食細。（子孫化出兄弟，主口嬌食細；化出財爻，主食粗口雜。）

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 combination of official ghost and "Teng Sha" and "Zhu Que" indicates that a problem will certainly arise from this animal, leading to legal trouble or being startled. If the official ghost is accompanied by Teng Sha and is activated, there will certainly be strange and terrifying events involving this animal in the future. If it is accompanied by Zhu Que, it will certainly bring about disputes and arguments. If it is accompanied by Xuan Wu, one must be cautious of theft. If it is accompanied by Bai Hu, one must be cautious of falls or accidents. For example, on the day of Yisi in the seventh month, a divination was made due to a chicken plague, resulting in the hexagram "Shi He" changing to "Yi." The day branch was in conjunction with the sons and was supported, and indeed the chickens did not die. However, later in the night, the chickens called out, and the wife subsequently fell ill. I did not understand the cause at first. In the eighth month, when raising bees, on the day of Renyin, the hexagram "Zun" changed to "Kun." The brothers and official ghosts were activated, and there was no wealth in the hexagram, so the danger was evident. Within half a day, the bees gathered all over the body, causing people to be in a state of panic. After this experience, I finally understood that the previous case was due to the activation of Teng Sha and official ghost causing the chickens to cry at night, and this case was also due to the activation of Teng Sha and official ghost causing such strange occurrences. Moreover, in the first month, the strange line is in the fourth line, and in the second month, it is in the fifth line. These are exactly the lines that are activated, hence such occurrences happen. After repeated trials and verifications, I finally realized that Teng Sha is indeed the deity governing strange occurrences. If the sons change into brothers or wife's wealth, it can be used to determine whether they eat refined or coarse food: if the sons change into brothers, it indicates a picky eater who only eats fine food; if they change into wealth lines, it indicates a person who eats coarsely and eats anything.

財連兄弟，乃芻豢之失時；（子化兄，是口嬌不食；財化兄乃人之豢養失時，以致飢餓，非不食也。）子化父母，必勞心之太過。（子孫發動，其畜必良。若化父回頭來克，又是人不愛惜，過勞力以致其傷。）福連官鬼，須防竊取之人；鬼化子孫，恐是盜來之畜。（子孫化鬼，畜其日後必被人盜去，否則必主病死；若官化子，則主其畜是人盜來者。生世合世必有利益；沖世克世必受其累。然必卦中原無子孫方可斷。）

The wife's wealth is connected to the brothers, indicating that the timing of feeding is wrong. The sons and daughters transforming into brothers suggests that the animal is picky and refuses to eat. When the wife's wealth transforms into brothers, it means the person is not feeding the animal on time, thus starving it, not because the animal refuses to eat. When the sons and daughters transform into parents, it indicates that the animal is being overworked. When the sons and daughters are active, the animal is naturally good; but if it transforms into parents and then turns back to harm, it means the owner is not caring enough and overworking it, leading to its exhaustion. When the sons and daughters are connected to the officials and ghosts, one should beware of theft. If the officials and ghosts transform into sons and daughters, it suggests that the animal was stolen. When the sons and daughters transform into officials and ghosts, the animal will surely be stolen or will certainly die from illness. Conversely, if the officials and ghosts transform into sons and daughters, it indicates that the animal was stolen from someone else. If the animal is harmonious with the world, it may bring some benefit; but if it conflicts with the world, it will cause trouble. However, this interpretation is only valid if the hexagram originally does not contain the sons and daughters.

官兄交變，難逃口舌之相侵；（卦中兄動變鬼鬼變兄，或二爻俱動，必因此畜而有是非口舌。若文書亦動，必然成訟，世爻入墓，恐有牢獄拘禁之禍。）日月並刑，豈免死亡於不測。（月建日辰動爻帶殺俱來，刑剋子孫而無救者，必死，要知何故而死，以刑剋子孫者斷。如金為蹼脾死，木為草膨死，水為寒凍死，土為瘟病死。如鵝鴨等則丑為牛踏，寅為鷹搏，申為狐竊，戌為犬咬死類。若被世爻刑剋，則是人自傷之死也。）

The official ghost and the brother爻 interact and transform into each other, leading inevitably to disputes and verbal conflicts. If the brother爻 moves and transforms into the official ghost, or the official ghost moves and transforms into the brother爻, or both lines move at the same time, it is certain that this animal will cause trouble and disputes. If the document line also moves, a lawsuit is sure to follow. If the world line is also in a墓, there may be the danger of imprisonment. If both the day branch and the month builder come to刑 the animal, how can it escape a sudden death? If the month builder, day branch, and moving line all carryInauspicious Sha and刑克 the子孙, with no one to rescue, the animal will surely die. To know the cause of its death, look at which type of line is刑克 the子孙: if it is metal, it dies from hoof and spleen disease; if it is wood, it dies from overeating grass; if it is water, it dies from cold; if it is earth, it dies from plague. If the divination is about geese or ducks, then the丑 indicates being trampled by a cow, the寅 indicates being taken by an eagle, the申 indicates being taken by a fox, and the戌 indicates being bitten by a dog. If it is the world line that刑克 it, then it is the owner who caused its death.

若占置買，亦宜福動生身；（凡占置買六畜，子孫發動，出產必多，要來生合世爻，必然好買易成；與世沖剋，定難置買。應爻空亡，則無主人。應爻生合世爻而子孫或空或伏者，牙人與我最相契，而無畜可買也。兄鬼發動不惟買之不利，且有禍患不宜買之。）若問利時，最怕妻興化絕。（財爻出現，不空有氣，持世生合，世不受傷克不變兄鬼，即為有利；若不出現，或落空亡，或化死墓絕空，或被兄克弟劫，皆主不利。）

If divining about buying livestock, the子孙 (offspring line) should also be activated to generate the hexagram body. When divining about buying animals, the activation of the子孙 line indicates a plentiful supply. If it further generates and harmonizes with the world line, it definitely means a good purchase and an easy transaction. If it clashes and controls the world line, buying will certainly be difficult. If the response line falls into kongwang (void), there will be no seller to be found. If the response line generates and harmonizes with the world line, but the子孙 line falls into kongwang or is hidden, this means that the broker and I are very compatible, but unfortunately there is no livestock to buy. If the brothers or officials and ghosts are activated, it will not only be unprofitable to buy but will also bring misfortune, and purchasing is not advisable. If asking about profit, the most feared situation is when the wealth line is activated and transforms into the绝 (decline) position. If the wealth line appears in the hexagram, it does not fall into kongwang, has vitality, holds the world line or generates and harmonizes with it, and the world line is not harmed or controlled, then it is favorable. If the wealth line does not appear, or falls into kongwang, or transforms into death, tomb, decline, or void, or is controlled and taken away by brothers, it indicates unfavorable outcomes.

或賭或斗，皆宜世旺財興；（北人好鬥鵪鶉、雞、羊，南人好鬥促織、黃頭鳥。凡占此要世爻有氣克應，子孫發動，即是我勝，世雖不克、得月建日辰動爻，刑剋應爻亦勝；若世被應克，子孫空伏，官鬼發動，日月動爻反來刑剋，是他勝；最怕父母帶殺旺動，則禽蟲有鬥死之患。財爻持世生合皆吉。兄鬼持世是我輸。世應比和，六爻安靜，子孫空伏，賭斗不成。世應俱空，亦賭不成。）或獵或漁，總怕應空福絕。（凡占漁獵，要應生世，世克應，子孫生財，便主有得；若應爻空亡，子孫受克，或臨死絕，必然空出空回，無所獲也。鬼爻旺動克世，須防猛獸害人。兄弟發動，雖有不多。得子孫動臨身世則吉。）

Whether it is gambling or fighting insects or birds, it is favorable for the World Line to be prosperous and strong, and the Wealth Line to be active. Northerners like to fight quails, roosters, and sheep, while southerners like to fight crickets and yellow-headed birds. When divining such matters, if the World Line has strength and can overcome the Response Line, and the descendants are active, then I will win. Even if the World Line cannot overcome the Response Line, as long as the Month Builder, Day Branch, or a moving line go to刑克 the Response Line, it is still a win. If the World Line is instead overcome by the Response Line, and the descendants are empty or hidden, while the officials and ghosts are active, and the day and month lines along with the moving lines go back to刑克 me, then the opponent will win. Most dangerous is when the parents are accompanied byInauspicious Sha that are strong and active, for the birds and insects may die in the fight. If the Wealth Line holds the World Line or comes to generate and harmonize with it, it is auspicious. If the Brothers or Officials and Ghosts hold the World Line, then I will lose. If the World and Response Lines are harmonious, and the six lines are quiet with the descendants empty and hidden, then the gambling or fighting will not happen. If both the World and Response Lines are empty, it is also impossible to gamble or fight. As for hunting and fishing, it is always feared that the Response Line is empty or the descendants are in death. When divining hunting and fishing, if the Response Line generates the World Line, the World Line overcomes the Response Line, and the descendants generate the Wealth Line, then there will be a gain. If the Response Line is empty, the descendants are overcome, or they are in death, then one will go out empty-handed and return empty-handed, with nothing gained. If the Officials and Ghosts are strong and active and come to overcome the World Line, one must beware of being injured by fierce animals. If the Brothers are active, even if there is some gain, it will not be much. If the descendants are active and are on the World Line, then it is auspicious.

乳抱者宜胎福生旺而無傷；（凡占畜養、母豬、羊及抱雞鴨鵝卵類，要胎福二爻生旺不受刑剋，便無損失；若自空或帶鬼必難生育；化空絕化鬼，則主後有損；旺空一半無事；福旺財空，雛出好而利輕。）醫治者要父官衰絕而有制。（六畜有病占醫治療，要子孫旺相，有氣不落空亡，不遭刑剋而父母官鬼休囚墓絕，或雖動而有制，不死。若子孫無故自空。或化死墓空絕，或化官鬼，或父母帶殺乘旺動克，皆不能救，雖用醫治亦必死。應爻空亡及被世克者，醫必不來。）

Divination regarding the rearing of young animals, such as nursing or hatching, should focus on the胎爻 (fetus line) and子孙 (offspring line) being prosperous and strong without being harmed. When divining about the breeding of sows, ewes, or poultry such as chickens, ducks, and geese incubating eggs, both the胎爻 and福爻 (blessing line) should be prosperous and strong without being subjected to punishment or conflict. Otherwise, there will be losses. If these two lines are empty by themselves or accompanied by官鬼 (official ghost), it will be difficult to have offspring. If they transform into empty or terminal states, or produce官鬼, there will certainly be damage in the future. If the line is prosperous but empty, then half of the cases will be fine. If the子孙 is prosperous but the财爻 (wealth line) is empty, then the young will be born well, but the profit will be limited. When divining about medical treatment, the parents and官鬼 should be weak and terminal, while being restrained. When divining the treatment of sick livestock, the子孙 should be prosperous and strong, not empty, and not subjected to punishment or conflict, while the parents and官鬼 should be weak and terminal, or even if they are active, they should be restrained by other lines. Then the livestock will not die. If the子孙 is empty without reason, or transforms into death, tomb, empty, or terminal states, or produces官鬼, or the parents are accompanied byInauspicious Sha (evil killing) and are active and strong to attack, then it cannot be saved, even with treatment, the animal will surely die. If theResponse Line (response line) is empty or is attacked by theWorld Line (world line), then the veterinary doctor cannot be called in.

書讀五車，固欲致身於廊廟；胸藏萬卷，肯甘遁跡於丘園。要相國家當詳易卦，父爻旺相，文成擲地金聲；鬼位興隆，家報泥金喜捷。（凡占功名，以父為文章，鬼為官職，二者一卦之主，缺一則不成。若父爻旺相，文章必佳；官鬼得地，功名有望。古人及第，以泥金灼字附家書以報，謂之喜信，故借引之，非以鬼為音信也。讀是篇者，勿以辭害義可也。）

Reading five carriages of books was originally to enter the court; with thousands of volumes in one's chest, how could one be content to live in the mountains? To assist the country, one must carefully examine the Yi hexagrams. If the "parents" line is prosperous and strong, the written article will have the weight of gold and stone upon hitting the ground; if the "official ghost" position is flourishing, the family will receive a joyful message written in golden mud. In divination regarding official rank, the "parents" represents the written article, and the "official ghost" represents the official position. These two are the main elements of the hexagram; lacking either one makes it incomplete. If the parent line is prosperous and strong, the article will certainly be excellent; if the official ghost is in a favorable position, there is hope for official rank. In ancient times, after passing the examination, people used golden mud to write messages and send them with family letters to report good news, called a joyful message. Therefore, here it is used metaphorically, not taking the official ghost as a message. Those who read this passage should not be misled by the words.

財若交重，休望青錢中選；福如發動，難期金榜題名。（財福二爻，凡占皆喜見之，惟卜功名反為惡殺，蓋財能克父，子能克鬼故也，但宜休囚安靜則吉，當權發動決無成望。）

If the wife's wealth and the official wealth are both activated, one should not expect success as reliable as copper coins; if the descendants are activated, it is difficult to hope for success in the imperial examination. The wealth and fortune lines are generally welcomed in other divinations, but in matters of official rank they become harmful influences, because the wife's wealth can overcome the parents and the descendants can overcome the officials. These two lines are only auspicious when they are weak and inactive; once they become active and powerful, success in official rank is impossible.

兄弟同經，乃奪標之惡客；（五行同類者為兄弟，求名見之，乃是與我同經之人。若不上卦，或落空亡死絕大象遇吉者，必中魁首；如發動或月建日辰俱帶兄弟，則同經者多必能奪我之標，不得中矣，縱大象可成，名亦落後。）日辰輔德，實勸駕之良朋。（日辰為卜卦之主，能成事亦能壞事。如父母官鬼無氣，事必難成，若得日辰扶起剋制惡殺，仍舊有望，故曰輔德。或世爻衰靜，得日辰生合，或世爻空亡，得日辰沖實，主其人必不上前求名，而有親友勸其進取，或資助盤費，輔其前往求名也。）

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) Glossary: Month Builder = Yuejian World Line = Shi Yao Upper Trigram = Shang Gua Day Branch = Ri Chen Generate and Harmonise = Sheng He Five Phases = Wu Xing Kongwang = Empty Wasteland Brothers represent competitors who are in the same field as me, and they are harmful guests who seek to take the top position. If the Five Phases and the World Line are of the same type, then it is Brothers. When Brothers appear in a divination for seeking official rank, it indicates competitors who are studying the same subject and are in the same field. If Brothers are not in the Upper Trigram, or if they fall into Empty Wasteland or Dead and Absolute positions, and the overall image of the divination is favorable, then one will certainly win the top position. However, if Brothers are activated, or if the Month Builder and Day Branch both include Brothers, it indicates many competitors in the same field, and they will certainly take my position, causing me to fail the exam. Even if the overall image is favorable, my rank will still be lower. If the Day Branch supports my virtue, it is a good friend who encourages me to proceed. The Day Branch is the main element of the divination, capable of both success and failure. For example, if Parents and Officials are weak, the matter is difficult to succeed, but if the Day Branch supports them and controls the harmful forces, there is still hope, which is called supporting virtue. Another example is when the World Line is weak and still, and the Day Branch generates and harmonises with it, or when the World Line falls into Empty Wasteland but the Day Branch conflicts and solidifies it, this indicates that the person is originally unwilling to seek fame, but is encouraged by friends or receives financial support to go forward and take the exam.

兩用相沖，題目生疏而不熟；（求名卦以官父為用爻，喜合而不喜沖，若見兩官兩父相沖，主出題生澀不熟也。）六爻競發，功名恍惚以難成。（占官六爻皆喜安靜，只要父母官鬼有氣不空，月建日辰不來傷克則吉，如有一爻發動，便不順利，且如財動則傷父，子動則傷官，兄動則他人有所先，鬼動則事體有變，父動則文不純正。凡動則有變，變出之爻又有死墓空絕刑剋等爻，皆為破敗，故凡亂動，卦不必仔細推究，其不吉大概可知矣。）

When two useful gods clash, the questions asked will be obscure and unfamiliar. For a divination concerning fame, the official ghost and the parent are considered the useful lines; they are preferred to be harmonious rather than conflicting. If two official ghosts or two parents mutually clash, it indicates that the questions will be difficult and unfamiliar, as they have not been thoroughly studied. If all six lines are active, the success in fame will be uncertain and difficult to achieve. For divination concerning official positions, it is best if all six lines are quiet. As long as the parent and official ghost lines have vitality and are not empty, and the month builder and day branch do not harm or suppress them, it is auspicious. If any one line is active, it will lead to difficulties: if wealth moves, it harms the parent; if the child moves, it harms the official ghost; if the brother moves, it means being preempted by others; if the ghost moves, it indicates changes in the matter; if the parent moves, it suggests that the writings are not pure. Any active line will change, and if the changed line falls into death, burial, emptiness, decline, or is accompanied by punishment and suppression, it is a sign of failure. Therefore, whenever a divination shows all six lines in motion, there is no need to examine it in detail; one can generally know it is inauspicious.

月克文書，程式背而不中；（父旺不空，動爻日辰又不沖剋，其文字字錦繡；若遇兄弟刑沖，文章陳腐無鮮麗之句；妻財傷克，必多破綻；子孫刑害，乃是弄巧成拙；不宜月建沖剋，其文自行已意，必不中試官之程式也。凡帶父刑害敗病等爻，及化出者，其文皆有敗破，不能錄取。）世傷官鬼，仕路窒而不通。（世乃求名之人，大忌財福臨之，必難稱意。若持官鬼或得官鬼生合，方有指望；若臨子孫剋制官鬼，是仕路未通，徒去求謀無濟也。）

When the month builder (月建) harms the official (父母), the written work will deviate from the proper format and not be selected. If the official is prosperous and strong without falling into emptiness, and the moving line does not clash or control the day branch (日辰), then the writing will be exquisite word by word. If brothers (兄弟) clash or clash and control, the writing will be stale and lack fresh expressions. If the wife's wealth (妻财) harms, there will be many flaws in the writing. If the descendants (子孙) clash and harm, it will be a case of trying too hard and failing. It is most undesirable for the month builder to clash with the official, as the writing will be overly self-centered and not conform to the examiner's format. If the official is accompanied by lines of punishment, harm, bathing, or illness, or if these lines are derived from them, the writing will have flaws and will not be accepted. If the world line (世爻) is harmed or controls the official, the official career will be blocked. The world line represents the person seeking fame, and it is most undesirable for wife's wealth or descendants to be present on it, as it will be difficult to achieve one's goals. If the world line is accompanied by the official or receives support from the official, there is hope. If the world line is accompanied by descendants and controls the official, the official career is not yet open, and all efforts will be in vain.

妻財助鬼父爻空，可圖僥倖；（父母空亡，名不可望，若得財爻發動，生扶鬼爻有氣，其事僥倖可成，然須子孫安靜，則可許，蓋財不嫌發動者，以文書在空故也。）福德變官身位合，亦忝科名。（卦無官鬼，若得子孫發動，變出官鬼，生合世身，事亦有成，然須得文書，有氣無損則吉。此二條名雖有望，皆不可許其高中魁甲，蓋以卦象不出自然故也。）

The wife's wealth goes to support the official ghost, while the parents' line falls into kongwang. It is still possible to achieve something. The parents falling into kongwang indicate no hope for official rank; however, if the wealth line becomes active and supports the official ghost, giving it strength, the matter might still succeed, but only if the sons' line remains quiet. At this time, the movement of the wealth line is not considered bad, because the documents have already fallen into kongwang, and the wealth line has no parent to restrain it. If the sons' line transforms into the official ghost and harmonizes with the hexagram body, it can still be considered as obtaining an official rank. If the hexagram originally does not have the official ghost, and the sons' line becomes active and transforms into the official ghost to harmonize with the world line and hexagram body, the matter can still succeed; however, it is still required that the documents have strength and are not damaged. Although these two possibilities offer some hope, they cannot be allowed to result in winning the top rank, because the hexagram is not naturally formed.

出現無情，難遂青雲之志；（卦中官父俱全，固是吉兆，若不臨持身世，或不生合世身，或被世爻沖剋，或被日月破壞，或臨死墓空絕，皆謂無情，雖在卦中，與我無益，所以難遂青雲之志也。）伏藏有用，終辭白屋之人。（官父不全，功名難望，但看所伏者有用無用斷之。如飛神不遇沖開，伏神不遇提起，謂之無用，決主不成；若飛神沖剋得開，伏神提挈得起謂之有用，終是可成。若得月建提起最吉，日辰次之，動爻又次之，更得伏上飛爻在空，尤妙。）

The useful god may appear but remains indifferent to me, making it difficult to achieve lofty aspirations. Although the official ghost and parents are all present in the hexagram, which is a good omen, if they do not affect the world line or do not generate and harmonize with the world line, or if they are instead clashed with or controlled by the world line, or if they are destroyed by the day branch or the month branch, or if they fall into death, tomb, void, or extinction, this is called being indifferent. Although they are present in the hexagram, they are of no benefit to me, so my lofty aspirations remain unfulfilled. The useful god may be hidden but still be useful, and this person will eventually leave the humble background. If the official ghost and parents are not all present, official titles are unlikely, and we must look at the hidden line. If the flying god is not opened by a clash and the hidden god is not lifted, it is called useless, and official titles will certainly not be achieved. If the flying god is clashed and opened, and the hidden god is lifted, it is called useful, and eventually success will be achieved. Raising the hidden god is most favorable with the month builder, then the day branch, then the moving line; if the flying line that covers the hidden god happens to fall into void, it is even better.

月建克身當被責，（月建為考試官，若在身爻發動，刑剋世爻，而官父失時者，必遭杖責；若化子孫必遭斥逐；若化兄弟，廩膳生最忌之，輕則革糧，重則追罰。）財如生世必幫糧。（卦中父母避空，而財爻發動，生合世爻者，必有幫糧之喜。月建帶財化財，或官化財生合世爻，皆吉。大抵廩生小試最不宜兄弟發動。或臨卦身世爻，或臨日辰月建，皆是革糧之兆，財爻無故自空亦然。若得財臨身世，或伏世下，雖不稱情，糧必如舊。）

The month builder is attacking the hexagram body, indicating that the examinee will face punishment on the examination day. The month builder represents the chief examiner; if it acts on the hexagram body and harms the world line, and if the official ghost and parents are not in their proper season, the person will certainly be punished with a cane. If the month builder transforms into a son, the examinee will be expelled and sent away; if it transforms into a brother, this is the most unfavorable situation for a廪膳生, leading to the revocation of the grain allowance at the very least, and possibly even confiscation of property. If the wealth爻 supports the world line, the examinee will certainly receive an increase in the grain allowance. If the parents are hiding in the empty void and the wealth爻 acts to support and harmonize with the world line, there will be good news of an increased grain allowance. If the month builder brings wealth and transforms into wealth, or if the official ghost transforms into wealth and supports the world line, these are favorable signs. Generally, a廪生 should take the small examination, and it is most unfavorable for the brother爻 to be active. If the brother爻 is on the hexagram body, the world line, or the day branch, or the month builder, it is a sign of losing the grain allowance. If the wealth爻 falls into the empty void without reason, it is also a sign of losing the grain allowance. If the wealth爻 is on the body or the world line, or is hidden beneath the world line, although it is not very satisfactory, the grain allowance will remain the same.

父官三合相逢，連科及第；（卦有可成之象，而又有三合爻動，會成官鬼局者，必主連科第，大吉之兆；會成父局亦吉；會成財福二局不利，會成兄弟局者，惟廩生忌之，餘皆無損益。）龍虎二爻俱動，一舉成名。（青龍白虎俱在卦中，動來生合世爻，必中魁選，若持官父或持身世尤妙，此固非理，但借虎榜之象耳，然亦有驗。）

If the parents and official ghosts meet the triple harmony, they can achieve successive success in the imperial examinations. If the hexagram originally shows a favorable omen and the third line combines with others to form an official ghost group, it will certainly indicate consecutive success in the exams, which is a great auspicious sign; if it forms a parents group, it is also favorable; if it forms a wife wealth or sons group, it is unfavorable; if it forms a brothers group, it only affects those who are merely registered scholars, while others are neither harmed nor benefited. When both the azure dragon and white tiger lines are activated, one can achieve fame at once. If both the azure dragon and white tiger are present in the hexagram and activate to harmonize with the world line, one will certainly be selected as the top scholar; if they hold the official ghost, parents, or the self and world lines, it is even better. This reasoning may not make sense in theory, but it is merely using the imagery of the imperial examination's tiger list. However, it has indeed proven to be accurate.

殺化生身之鬼，恐發青衣；（占官以子孫為殺，乘旺發動必遭斥退，若得本宮官鬼伏在世下，或卦身持鬼，或子孫自化鬼爻生世，終不脫白無過降青衣而已。卦有財動合住子孫，可用此財謀干庶復舊職。）歲加有氣之官，終登黃甲。（太歲乃天子之爻，凡占功名，最喜見之。若臨鬼爻是人臣面君之象，更得生旺有氣，必然名姓高標。）

TheInauspicious Sha produces an official ghost that comes to life and may only be reduced to a common servant. When predicting official positions, the子孙 represents theInauspicious Sha; if it is strong and active, it will certainly result in dismissal. However, if the official ghost is hidden beneath the world line, or if the hexagram body holds the official ghost, or if the子孙 itself transforms into the official ghost to support the world line, then one cannot escape being a common servant, but only as a low-ranking servant. At this time, if the wealth line is active and combines with the子孙, one can use this wealth to bribe and possibly regain the old position. If the sovereign (太岁) is combined with an official ghost that has strength, one can eventually achieve a high rank. The sovereign is the line representing the emperor; in divination regarding official titles, it is most favorable to see it. If the sovereign is combined with the official ghost, it signifies a minister approaching the emperor. If it is strong and has vitality, one's name will certainly be prominently listed on the examination list.

病阻試期，無故空臨於世位；（動爻日辰不傷世爻，而世爻自落空亡者，謂無故自空，大凶之兆。試前占去不成，強去終不利，輕則病，重則死。如在本宮內卦，在家即病；在三四爻，出門病；在五爻，途中病；在六爻，到考處病；在應爻又屬他宮，則臨考有病，不得入試。若試後占其事，必不成大象，吉名成身喪。）喜添場屋，有青龍合於身爻。（青龍主喜慶事，若大象既吉，更得龍動來生合世身，必然別有喜事並臨，不但成名而已。若空動為虛喜。）

Because of illness, the examination date was postponed, and the World Line fell into Kongwang without cause. The moving line and the day branch did not harm the World Line, yet the World Line fell into Kongwang on its own, which is called self-induced Kongwang, a very ominous sign. If this is divined before the examination, then one cannot go; even if one tries to go, it will ultimately be unfavorable, leading to minor illness or, in severe cases, death. According to the position of the lines: if the World Line is in the inner trigram of its own palace, then illness occurs at home; if in the third or fourth lines, illness occurs upon leaving home; if in the fifth line, illness occurs on the way; if in the sixth line, illness occurs at the examination site; if in the Response Line and belonging to another palace, then one collapses before the examination and cannot enter the site. If this is divined after the examination, then it will also certainly not succeed; even if the overall situation is favorable, it will result in success in official matters but death of the person. If joy is added to the examination site, it is when the Azure Dragon and the Hexagram Body are in harmony. The Azure Dragon signifies joyful matters; if the overall situation of the hexagram is favorable and the Azure Dragon is activated to generate and harmonize with the World Line, there will certainly be other joyful events occurring at the same time, not just passing the examination. However, if the Azure Dragon is empty and moving, it will only result in empty joy.

財伏逢空，行糧必乏；（六爻無財，本宮伏財又居空地，其人必乏路費，若世爻更在衰弱之鄉，則是貧窮之士。如逢月建日辰動爻生合扶助，必得親友資其費用。若得應爻動來生合，多是妻家看覷周全。）身興變鬼，來試方成。（卦遇不成之兆，而得卦身或世爻變出官鬼有氣，而本宮父母不壞者，今雖未成，下次必然中試也。）

The hidden wealth line is in an empty position, indicating a definite lack of funds for travel. In the six lines of the hexagram, there is no wealth line, and the hidden wealth line falls in an empty position, meaning the person will certainly lack money for the journey. If the world line is also weak, then this person is poor. If the month builder, day branch, or moving line generates and harmonises with it, the person will surely receive financial help from friends and relatives. If the response line moves to generate and harmonise with it, it is mostly the wife's family that will support the person. If the hexagram body becomes active and transforms into a ghost line, the person will pass the examination next time. Although the hexagram already shows a sign of failure, as long as the hexagram body or the world line transforms into a ghost line with vitality, and the parents line of the hexagram is not damaged, then although the person does not pass this time, they will certainly pass the next examination.

卦值六沖，此去難題雁塔；爻逢六合，這回必佔鰲頭。（凡事遇合則聚，逢沖則散，故占功名得六沖卦必難求，六合卦必易得也。然大體須以衰旺動靜參之，不可執滯。）父旺官衰，可惜劉賁之下第；父衰官旺，堪嗟張奭之登科。（父母官鬼皆要有氣無損，然後可成，若父雖旺相，官鬼空亡或不上卦，是其人文字雖好，奈命無官星，亦不能中，如劉賁之錦繡文章，竟不登第也。若父雖衰弱，得官爻旺動扶起文書，是其人文字雖平常，而命中官星發現，可許有成，如張奭之文章，雖欠精美反登高第也。若官旺父空，決至下第。）

When the trigram forms a Six Clashes, this journey will be difficult to achieve success in the雁塔 (a metaphor for official examination); when the trigram forms a Six Harmony, this time one is sure to be the top scorer. In general, when things meet a harmonious condition, they gather and succeed, but when they meet a clash, they scatter and fail. Therefore, if one gets a Six Clashes trigram in divination for official rank, it is difficult to achieve success, but if one gets a Six Harmony trigram, it is easy to succeed. However, in general, one must still refer to the state of prosperity and decline, and the condition of movement and stillness, and not stick to one rule. If the parents (representing the person's origin or family) are strong but the official ghost (representing authority or examination) is weak, it is unfortunate like Liu Kui who failed the examination. If the parents are weak but the official ghost is strong, it is regrettable like Zhang Shi who unexpectedly passed the examination. Both parents and official ghost must have strength without damage, then official rank can be achieved. Even if the parents are strong, if the official ghost falls into Kongwang (a void) or is not in the trigram, then although the person's writings are good, there is no official star in his fate, so he will not pass the examination — this is the reason why Liu Kui, a Tang poet, wrote a brilliant essay but failed the examination. Conversely, if the parents are weak but the official ghost is strong and active, supporting the documents (writings), then although the writings are ordinary, the official star appears in his fate, and he may succeed — this is the reason why Zhang Shi, a Tang poet, had ordinary writings but passed the examination. If the official ghost is strong but the parents fall into Kongwang, then he will definitely fail.

應合日生，必資鶚薦，動傷日克，還守雞窗。（父官死絕，名必不成，若應爻動爻或月建日辰扶起官鬼，必須浼人推薦或用財禮買求，方許有成。若遇月日動變傷克，縱然官爻有氣，亦是難求。）世動化空用旺，則豹變翻成蝶夢；（求名以官父用爻，若得旺相不遭刑剋，必中科第；如遇世爻發動變入死墓空絕，恐名成後不能享福。游魂卦死於途中，歸魂卦到家而死，墓絕是太歲逾年而死也。）

The Response Line comes to join, and the Day Branch comes to generate, which surely indicates reliance on someone's recommendation; if the Moving Line harms and the Day Branch controls, then one must still study hard by the window. If the parents and official ghost lines fall into death or decay, success in official rank is certain to fail. If the Response Line, Moving Line, or Month Builder and Day Branch support the official ghost line, then one must rely on recommendations or spend money to make things go smoothly to achieve success. If the Month Builder, Day Branch, or Changing Line harms or controls, then even if the official line has some strength, it is still difficult to achieve. If the World Line moves and changes into Kongwang while the Useful God is strong, then the tiger transforms into a literary figure, but it turns out to be a dream of a butterfly. For seeking official rank, the official ghost and parents are the Useful Lines. If they are prosperous and not harmed or controlled, one will surely pass the exams. However, if the World Line moves and changes into death, tomb, Kongwang, or decay, then one might obtain official rank but not enjoy the benefits: the wandering soul hexagram indicates death on the way, the returning soul hexagram indicates death upon returning home, and falling into tomb or decay means death after the New Year or during the year of the superior power.

身官化鬼月扶，則鵬程連步蟾宮。（卦身為萬事之體，功名尤宜看之，最怕臨財臨福，便不容易，如得官父臨之，必有成望。更若出現發動又化官爻，而得月建生合者，大吉之兆，必主聯科及第，非特京省一捷而已。）更詳本主之爻神，方論其人之命運。（本主者，求名本人之主爻也。自占固以世爻論，若代占則看是何人，如子侄求名看子，朋友看兄類。此爻最怕化出忌殺，雖大吉象未可易許，其餘世爻同看，如此搜索吉凶，自然應驗。）雖賦數言，總論窮居之得失；再將八卦，重推致用之吉凶。

The hexagram body's official ghost again transforms into official ghost, and with the month builder supporting it, this indicates a long journey with great success, advancing step by step to the moon palace. The hexagram body is the main subject of all matters, especially when predicting success in official positions, it is especially important to examine it. It is most feared if it is accompanied by wife wealth or descendants, as this makes success difficult. If official ghosts or parents are present on the hexagram body, success is certain. If the hexagram body appears and moves, transforming again into official ghost, and the month builder supports and harmonizes with it, this is a great auspicious sign, indicating continuous success in examinations, not just passing one local or provincial exam. One must also carefully examine the main subject's爻, in order to judge this person's fate. The main subject refers to the main爻 of the person seeking official position: if one is consulting for oneself, the world line is used; if consulting for someone else, one must look at the person in question— for a son or nephew seeking official position, the descendants'爻 is used; for a friend seeking official position, the brothers'爻 is used, and so on. This爻 is most feared if it transforms into a hostile god orInauspicious Sha, even if the overall situation is very auspicious, one should not easily promise success. The rest is examined in the same way as the world line. By carefully searching for auspicious and inauspicious signs, one can naturally achieve accurate results. The above, although only a few lines of赋文, has explained the gains and losses of a person of humble origin. Below, we will use the eight trigrams to re-examine the actual applications of auspicious and inauspicious signs.

為國求賢，治國之本；致身輔相，祿養為先。旺相妻財，必得千鍾之粟；（未仕求名，不要財爻；已仕貴人，要見財爻。蓋有爵必有祿，未有無俸而得官者。故凡占官員得此爻旺相，俸祿必多；休囚定然微薄。卦中無財或落空亡，未得俸祿；財動逢沖，任後因事減俸，或日辰月建沖財而刑害世爻及官爻者，恐有停俸罷職之患。）

Seeking virtuous talents for the state is the fundamental aspect of governing a country; serving the sovereign and assisting the ruler must first have a salary for sustenance. When the "wife and wealth" element is prosperous and strong, one will certainly receive a generous salary of a thousand measures of grain. Those who have not yet entered officialdom and are seeking fame and status should not focus on the wealth element; however, those who have already taken office should see the wealth element—because having an official rank implies having a salary, and there has never been a case of holding an office without receiving a salary. Therefore, when divining about officials, if the wealth element is prosperous and strong, the salary will be abundant; if it is weak and confined, the salary will be meager. If the divination lacks the wealth element or if the wealth element falls into kongwang, it indicates that the salary has not yet been received. If the wealth element is activated and meets a clash, it suggests that after taking office, the salary may be reduced due to some affairs. If the day branch and month builder clash and control the wealth element, and also punish and harm the world line and the official element, there is likely to be a risk of having the salary stopped or being dismissed from office.

興隆官鬼，定居一品之尊。（鬼為官爵，旺相有氣，官高爵大；休囚死絕官小職卑，發動生合世爻或得月建日辰生扶，必有升擢遠播都下；安靜不動而被月建日辰克害者，或世爻刑沖剋害者，必無聲名聞望。）

The "Official Ghost" is flourishing, indicating a high official rank. The "Official Ghost" represents official titles; when it is prosperous and strong, the official rank is high and the status is prominent, but when it is weak and confined, the official rank is low and the position is humble. If it activates to generate and harmonize with the World Line, or receives support from the Month Builder or Day Branch, there will certainly be promotion and the reputation will reach the capital. Conversely, if it remains quiet and is harmed by the Month Builder or Day Branch, or is punished and controlled by the World Line, then the person will certainly have no reputation or influence.

子若交重，當慮剝官削職；（子孫乃傷官之殺，最喜空亡墓絕，尤宜安靜受制則吉。若在卦中發動，所謀必不遂意，未仕則不能除選；已仕則有奪官褫職之禍。鬼爻更若無氣，必至除名落籍，非但貶責降罰而已也。）兄如發動，須防減俸除糧。（兄弟乃劫財之神，空亡不上卦或臨死絕安靜則吉。若發動，未免費財，多招誹謗，俸祿亦不稱意，更與子孫同發或就化子孫，必有除糧減俸之事也。持世臨身皆不利。）

If the子孙 (offspring) and the 兄弟 (brothers) both become active in the divination, one should be cautious of losing official position or being dismissed from office. 子孙 represents aInauspicious Sha (malevolent force) that harms the 官鬼 (official ghost), and when predicting official positions, it is most favorable if it falls into Kongwang (void) or 墓绝 (grave and end). It is especially good if it is quiet and controlled by others. If 子孙 becomes active in the hexagram, the endeavors will not be satisfactory: those who have not yet obtained an official position will not be selected, while those already in office may face the loss of their position or dismissal. If the 官鬼 also lacks vitality, the result may be more severe, such as being removed from the official records, not just punishment or demotion. If 兄弟 becomes active, one should beware of reduced salary or loss of food allowance. 兄弟 is a god that seizes the wealth line, and it is favorable if it falls into Kongwang, does not appear in the hexagram, or is quiet and in a dead or exhausted state. If 兄弟 becomes active, there will inevitably be financial loss and much slander, and the salary will not be satisfactory. If it activates at the same time as 子孙, or if it generates 子孙 itself, there will certainly be issues with reduced salary or loss of food allowance. If 兄弟 holds the world line or is present on the person's side, it is unfavorable.

父母空亡，休望差除宣敕；（父母為印緩文書、誥牒宣敕、奏疏表章，卦中不可無，宜旺不宜衰，扶世最吉。若持太歲有氣生合世爻，主有朝廷宣召；如加月建，多是敕制及上司獎勵之類；最怕沖空化空，則多不實；衰靜空亡，必無宣敕亦無差除；卦無父母休望遷選。）官爻隱伏，莫思爵位升遷。（官爻為占官之象，若得臨持身世，或來生合世爻，不受月建日辰沖剋者，凡有謀望必然稱意；若不上卦，或落空亡，雖出現墓絕無氣及受剋制，皆不如意，世身沖剋亦凶。）

The parents falling into Kongwang mean one should not expect any official appointment. Parents represent official documents, imperial edicts, and memorials, and they are essential in the hexagram. They should be strong rather than weak, and if they support the world line, it is most auspicious. If the parents are connected to the year's stem and have strength, and they generate or harmonize with the world line, it indicates a royal summons. If they are added by the month builder, it is likely an imperial edict or a reward from superiors. The worst situation is when the parents are in conflict or fall into Kongwang, which usually means the matter will not materialize. If the parents are weak and fall into Kongwang, there will be neither an edict nor an appointment. If there are no parents in the hexagram at all, there is no hope of promotion or selection. If the official ghost is hidden and not present, there is no expectation of promotion. The official ghost is the main symbol for official positions. If it is on the self or the world line, or if it generates or harmonizes with the world line and is not conflicting with the month builder or the day branch, then any endeavor will be successful. If the official ghost is not present in the hexagram or falls into Kongwang, even if it appears but is in a state of decline, burial, or lack of strength and is controlled by other elements, it will not be successful. If the official ghost conflicts with the world line or the hexagram body, it will also be dangerous.

月建生身，當際風雲之會；歲君合世，必承雨露之恩。（太歲乃人君之象，月建是執政之官。若得生合世身爻，必有好處；惟怕沖剋世身，必遭貶謫。如月建扶出官爻世爻者，必是風憲之職；太歲加父母扶出官鬼及世爻者，必有天恩，更得日下生旺之地尤美，衰絕逢空無用。）

The month builder generates the hexagram body, which is a time of meeting of winds and clouds; the sovereign year and the world line are in harmony, indicating receiving the grace of the sovereign. The sovereign year represents the sovereign, and the month builder represents the official in power: if they generate and harmonize with the world line and the hexagram body, there will be benefits; however, if they clash and control the world line and the hexagram body, there may be demotion. If the month builder supports the official line and the world line, the person will hold a position of oversight; if the sovereign year combines with the parents to support the official ghost and the world line, the person will receive heavenly grace; if it falls in a place of birth and strength, it is even better. If they are weak, dying, or empty, then they are not effective.

世動逢空，官居不久；（未任者卦中世動，必無京官牧守；若是出巡之職，反為順利。已任遇之官居不久，更遇日辰動爻相沖，必不久任政事。）身空無救，命盡當危。（世爻無故自空，不拘已任未任，必有大難，甚至死亡。若欲求謀幹事，則主不成。）

The world line moves and meets the empty, this official position won't last long. Those who haven't yet taken office, if the world line moves in the hexagram, will not be appointed as central government officials or local governors; however, if they are on a temporary assignment outside, they will proceed smoothly. Those already in office who encounter a moving world line meeting the empty, their position will not last; if further met by the day branch or moving line conflicting, they will certainly not be able to hold the position for long and will have to resign. If the hexagram body falls into the empty without rescue, their lifespan is over, and their situation becomes dangerous. If the world line falls into the empty without cause, whether or not they are already in office, they will certainly face great difficulties, possibly even death; if they intend to do something, it will all fail.

鬼化福沖當代職，（出巡官宜鬼爻發動，牧守官宜鬼爻安靜。若鬼動化子，必有別官代職，不然亦被他人所先也；子動化鬼，則先難後易，或先凶後吉，官福皆動，亦主有官替代。）財臨虎動必丁憂。（凡占官不可無財，亦不可發動。若鬼爻有氣而得財動扶起，必須用財謀干，方得升遷。若父母衰弱而遇此爻，加臨白虎旺動者，必有丁憂之事，財化子，子化財，或財臨世動，或子動而父母無故自空者，皆主丁憂。）

The official ghost transforms into descendants and then comes to clash, indicating that someone will take over the position. Officials who are on official tours should have the official ghost activated, while officials who govern and manage the people should have the official ghost quiet. If the official ghost moves and transforms into descendants, there must be another official coming to replace the position, otherwise it will be taken by someone else first; if the descendants move and transform into the official ghost, it will be difficult at first but easy later, dangerous at first but fortunate later. If both the official ghost and descendants move, it also indicates that someone will come to replace the position. If the wealth爻 is accompanied by the White Tiger and activates, there will certainly be a mourning event for a parent. In all divinations concerning official positions, there should not be a lack of the wealth爻, but it is also not advisable for it to activate. If the official ghost has strength and the wealth爻 activates to support it, then one must spend money to bribe and be promoted. If the parents are weak and encounter the wealth爻 accompanied by the active and strong White Tiger, there will certainly be the death of a parent, leading to mourning and mourning period. In addition, if wealth transforms into descendants, or descendants transform into wealth, or if the wealth爻 is accompanied by the world爻 and activates, or if the descendants activate while the parents are unexpectedly empty, all these indicate mourning events.

日辰沖剋，定然誹謗之多招；（日辰刑沖剋世，必招誹謗，依五類推之。如帶兄弟，因貪賄賂或徵科太急；帶財爻，因無調度或財賦不起；帶子孫，嗜酒好遊怠於政事；帶父母，因事繁劇不能料理；帶官鬼，非酷刑則同僚不和。以上皆招誹謗，聲名必不能振。若得世臨月建，雖有誹謗，不能為害。）鬼殺傷身，因見災殃之不免。（官鬼發動生世爻為用神，傷克世爻為鬼殺。用神扶世，必有進取；鬼殺傷身，必有凶禍，以化出六親斷之，如化子有貶謫之憂，化財有陰人之禍，化兄主失財，化父憂小口類。以上不然，則自身決有災病，得世爻空避不妨。）

The day branch clashes and controls, which will certainly bring about much slander. If the day branch is punished or clashes with the world line, it will surely cause public criticism. Then, according to the five categories of the six relations, we can determine the cause: if the day branch is accompanied by brothers, it is due to bribery or excessive tax collection; if accompanied by wife and wealth, it is due to financial difficulties or failure to collect taxes; if accompanied by descendants, it is due to excessive drinking and traveling, leading to neglect of duties; if accompanied by parents, it is due to heavy official work that cannot be managed; if accompanied by officials and ghosts, it is either due to excessive use of punishment or conflicts with colleagues. These situations will all lead to slander and damage to reputation. If the world line is exactly at the month builder, although slander may occur, it will not harm him. If the official and ghost causes harm to the hexagram body, disaster is inevitable. If the official and ghost is activated and generates the world line, it is called the useful god; if activated and harms or controls the world line, it is called ghost killing. If the useful god supports the world line, there will be advancement; if ghost killing harms the body, there will be misfortune. The specific event depends on the six relations it transforms into: transforming into descendants indicates the risk of demotion, transforming into wife and wealth indicates trouble with women, transforming into brothers indicates financial loss, and transforming into parents indicates concern for young people. If it is not any of these, then it must be due to personal illness; as long as the world line is properly placed in the kongwang position to avoid it, there will be no problem.

兄爻化鬼無情，同僚不協；（兄弟為僚屬之官，卦中鬼動化出兄弟，沖剋世爻，主同僚不和，或兄弟化鬼，刑沖剋害，或兄帶三刑六害，傷世皆然，世克兄爻，是我欺他而不和也。）太歲加刑不順，貶責難逃。（太歲出現，動傷世爻，必遭貶責。更加刑害虎蛇等殺，必有鎖扭擒拿之辱。世爻入墓必受囚繫，得動爻日辰有救，庶幾無事。但怕化出子孫，罪終不免，月建同看。）

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) White Tiger = White Tiger Month Builder = Month Builder World Line = World Line Moving Line = Moving Line Day Branch = Day Branch Three Punishments = Three Punishments Punishment and Clash = Punishment and Clash Punishment and Harm = Punishment and Harm Clash and Control = Clash and Control Brothers transform into officials and spirits but show no mercy towards me, leading to discord among colleagues. Brothers represent colleagues and subordinates; if the official and spirit line moves and transforms into brothers to clash and control the world line, it indicates discord among colleagues. Alternatively, if brothers transform into officials and spirits with punishment and clash, or if brothers bring three punishments and six harms to injure the world line, the interpretation remains the same. If it is the world line that controls brothers, then I am oppressing my colleagues and causing discord. If the sovereign star also brings punishment and is not favorable, dismissal is inevitable. If the sovereign star appears in the hexagram and moves to injure the world line, one will certainly face dismissal. If it is further combined with punishment and harm along with White Tiger and Boa Snake, one will surely suffer disgrace and be taken into custody. If the world line is buried, one will be imprisoned; unless rescued by a moving line or the day branch, one will be in trouble. One should fear that it transforms into descendants, for the guilt will eventually be unavoidable. The interpretation of the month builder is the same as that of the sovereign star.

卦靜世空，退休之兆；身空殺動，避禍之徵。（凡遇世爻空亡，未任未有選期；已任若六爻安靜，月日歲君傷克而遇之，乃是休官改政之象。若鬼爻發動，月日歲君傷克而遇之者，是避禍脫災之兆。卦靜日沖，欲歸而不放；殺動日合，欲避而不能。）身邊伏鬼若非空，頭上烏紗不脫。（凡遇凶兆或得鬼爻臨身持世，或本宮鬼伏世下，雖見責罰，官職猶在，若不臨持身世，或不伏於世下，或雖伏仍遇空亡者，必革官帶為民，非止罪責。）

When the hexagram is still and the world line falls into kongwang, it indicates a sign of retirement; when the hexagram body falls into kongwang and malevolent forces are activated, it indicates a sign of avoiding misfortune. Whenever the world line falls into kongwang: for those who have not yet taken office, the appointed time is not yet determined; for those who have already taken office, if all six lines are quiet and the month builder, day branch, and year ruler come to harm or control the world line, it indicates a sign of resigning and changing occupation. If at this time the official ghost is activated and the month builder, day branch, and year ruler also come to harm or control, it indicates a sign of avoiding misfortune and escaping disaster. If the hexagram is originally quiet but the day branch comes to clash, it indicates a desire to resign but not being allowed to do so; if malevolent forces are activated and the day branch comes to join, it indicates a desire to avoid but being unable to escape. Any official ghost hidden within the hexagram, as long as it does not fall into kongwang, will not be removed from office. Whenever encountering ominous signs, if the official ghost is present on the person or holds the world line, or if the official ghost of the original palace is hidden beneath the world line, then even though one is punished, the official position remains. If the official ghost is not present on the person or world line, nor is it hidden beneath the world line, or if it is hidden but falls into kongwang, then one will certainly be dismissed from office and become a commoner, not just suffering punishment.

財空鬼動，聲名振而囊篋空虛。（凡得官鬼動來生合世爻，日月動變又無沖剋者，為官必有聲名聞望。更得財爻生扶合助，有氣不空，則既會做官，又會賺錢，內實貪賂，外不喪名。若財爻或空或伏或臨死絕，則主聲名雖有，賄賂卻無也。）官旺父衰，職任高而衙門冷落。（父母旺相衙門必大，休囚衙門必小。若官旺父衰，又非小去處，乃是冷落閒靜衙門，蓋官旺則職高故也。官衰父旺，則主職雖卑微，卻在大衙門中治政。官父俱衰，職卑衙小，必非風憲之地。）

The wealth line falls empty while the official ghost line becomes active, indicating a loud reputation but empty pockets. Whenever the official ghost line becomes active and generates or harmonizes with the world line, and the day branch, month builder, and changing line do not clash or control, one will certainly have a good reputation in officialdom. If further supported by the wealth line generating and supporting the world line, with vitality and not falling empty, then one will both hold an official position and gain wealth, secretly accepting bribes while maintaining a good public image. If the wealth line falls empty, is hidden, or is in a dead or exhausted state, then there is only a loud reputation but no actual income from bribes. When the official ghost line is strong but the parents line is weak, it indicates a high position but a quiet and inactive office. When the parents line is strong, the office is large; when weak, the office is small. If the official ghost line is strong and the parents line is weak, it is not a small place, but rather a quiet and peaceful office, because a strong official ghost line indicates a high position. Conversely, if the official ghost line is weak and the parents line is strong, then although the position is low, one works in a large office. If both the official and parents lines are weak, then the position is low and the office is small, and it is certainly not a place of strict law enforcement.

職居風憲，皆因月值官爻；（大抵官鬼旺相，不臨月建，定非風憲之職；若臨月建又得扶出世爻，決是風憲之任，必非府縣官也。更在日下生旺之地，尤為風憲。如帶刑爻，多是鎮守邊陲之職，或掌兵權，或居刑部，在外亦是司刑之職。）官在貳司，只為鬼臨旁位。（鬼在世應爻上，或帶月建日辰者，必是掌印正官；若被世合或在旁爻，則是佐貳之職。六爻無鬼而動爻有化出者，亦然。）

One holds a position in the wind and law, because the month builder coincides with the official ghost. Generally, although the official ghost is prosperous and strong, if it does not coincide with the month builder, it is certainly not a position in the wind and law; if it coincides with the month builder and supports the world line, then it must be a position in the imperial censors' office, definitely not a position in a prefecture or county. If it is further located in a place of birth and prosperity, it is even more so a position in the wind and law. If it carries a penal line, it is mostly a position of garrison command, or holding military power, or serving in the Ministry of Punishment; even if serving outside, it is a position involving penal duties. The official rank is only at the deputy level, because the official ghost is located in an auxiliary line. If the official ghost is on the world line or response line, or accompanied by the month builder or day branch, it must be a principal official holding the seal; if it is only combined with the world line or located in an auxiliary line, it is a deputy or secondary position. Even if the official ghost is not originally present in the six lines but is generated by a moving line, it is still judged in the same way.

撫綏百姓，兄動則難化愚頑；（凡任牧民之職，要財爻旺而不動，父母扶而不空，必是豐富地方；財爻空絕，父爻受制，則地瘠民貧。父母動臨世上，政必繁劇。兄弟持世，財賦不起。日帶兄爻沖剋世爻，手下人必要侮文弄法，壞我政事。若兄在旁爻動來沖剋，則主頑民難治。兄化子，子化兄而刑剋世身，恐有下民訟我之兆。更若世應沖剋，與鄉宦亦多不睦。）巡察四方，路空則多憂驚險。（欽差出巡或封王採木，皆怕世應逢空。若路爻空之卦，主途中驚險。世在五爻自空，須防身死於外，有沖剋則不然。凡遇世在五爻動及游魂卦世動者，皆是出巡之職。）

Calming the people, if brothers move, it will be difficult to reform the stubborn and ignorant. For officials who govern the people, if the wealth line is strong and not moving, and the parents support without falling into emptiness, it must be a prosperous place; if the wealth line falls into emptiness or decline, and the parents are restrained, it is a place of poor land and impoverished people. If the parents move and are on the world line, government affairs will certainly be burdensome; if brothers hold the world line, taxes will not be collected. If the day branch brings brothers to clash with the world line, the subordinate officials will surely resort to legal trickery and ruin my governance; if brothers on the adjacent line move to clash, it indicates difficult and unruly people. If brothers transform into descendants and descendants transform into brothers while they clash with the world line, there may be signs of people accusing me; if the world and response lines also clash, there will be much discord with local gentry. When touring the four directions, if the line representing the roads falls into emptiness, there will be much worry and danger. When an imperial envoy travels or is ordered to confer titles or procure timber, they fear that the world and response lines meet emptiness. If the line representing the roads falls into emptiness, it indicates danger on the way; if the world line is on the fifth line and empties without cause, one must beware of death away from home, but if it has another clash, this is not the case. Whenever the world line is on the fifth line and moves, or when the ghost line is active and the world line moves, it indicates a position of touring outside.

出征剿捕，福德興而寇賊殲亡；（凡在將帥之職，或征討之官，平居卜問不宜子孫發動，主有降調貶責；亦不宜應動克世，主有不測變故。若歲君月建沖動官鬼，或世爻，主有敕命征討之事，如臨敵卜問則喜。子孫發動，必成剿捕之功，更得歲君月建生合，仍有升賞。官鬼不作爵位，當作賊寇論之，世克應亦吉。）鎮守邊陲，卦爻靜而華夷安泰。（鎮守地方，不拘文官武職，皆宜六爻安靜，世應生合比和，日辰月建不相沖克，則鼾睡邊庭，安然無警，世應空亡亦吉。若遇官鬼發動，世應沖剋，必多侵擾，宜通變斷之。）

When sending troops to suppress bandits, if the descendants (representing offspring or descendants) are prosperous, they can successfully eliminate the bandits. For those holding military positions or responsible for campaigns, it is not advisable for the descendants to be activated on ordinary days, as this indicates a possible demotion or punishment. Similarly, if the response line (representing the opposing force or response) is activated and attacks the world line (representing the main subject or ruler), this suggests unexpected changes. If the heavenly stem (too shi) or month builder (yue jian) activates the official ghost (representing authority or military force) or the world line, it indicates an imperial decree for military action. However, when casting a divination during an actual battle, it is favorable to see the descendants activated, ensuring success in the suppression. If the heavenly stem and month builder also generate and harmonize with the situation, there will be rewards and promotions. At this time, the official ghost should not be viewed as a title of honor but as bandits. It is also favorable for the world line to attack the response line. For those defending the borders, if all six lines are quiet, both inside and outside will be peaceful. Officials in charge of a region, whether civil or military, should prefer quiet lines, with the world and response lines generating, harmonizing, or being in harmony with each other, and the day branch and month builder not conflicting or attacking. In such cases, they can rest securely in the border region without worry. If the world and response lines fall into kongwang, it is also favorable. However, if the official ghost is activated and the world and response lines conflict, there will be more disturbances on the border, and the interpretation should be adjusted according to the hexagram.

奏陳諫諍，那堪太歲刑沖；（凡欲奏對、陳疏、上章、諫諍及赴昭面君類，皆忌動沖剋太歲，亦忌刑剋世爻。若太歲月建生合世爻，必見詳允，一來沖剋，須防不測之禍。歲君衰靜不帶刑害虎蛇，主不見取用，非有大害。動空化空，亦是虛驚，或有制伏沖散合住，必得大臣申救。應動沖剋世爻，更防人奏劾。）僧道醫官，豈可文書發動？（僧道醫官及陰陽官，皆要子孫出現有氣不空為吉。父母發動必有災悔。父帶太歲月建日辰，則非身有災病，乃外來禍也。子孫自空，亦有大難，然子孫只宜安靜，官鬼不宜空伏，雖兩全，仔細為妙。）但隨職分以推詳，可識仕途之否泰。

When making a petition or giving advice to the emperor, one must be careful not to have a moving line that clashes or controls the Tai Sui (year stem). Such actions are to be avoided in matters like presenting memorials, submitting petitions, or being summoned to court. If the Tai Sui and the month builder generate and harmonize with the world line, the memorial will be approved. However, if they clash or control it, unexpected troubles may arise. If the Tai Sui is weak and quiet, and does not bring punishment or harm, or is not accompanied by the White Tiger or the Snake, then the memorial may not be accepted, but there will be no major harm. If the Tai Sui moves but falls into an empty position or transforms into an empty one, it will only cause a false alarm. If there is another force that controls, disperses, or harmonizes with it, then officials must intervene to save the situation. If the response line moves to clash with the world line, one should also be cautious of someone filing a complaint. Monks, Taoist priests, and physicians cannot tolerate the movement of the document line. Officials related to monks, Taoists, physicians, and divination must have descendants that are active, strong, and not empty. If the parents line moves, there will be disaster or regret. If the parents line is accompanied by the Tai Sui, the month builder, or the day branch, then the trouble is not from within but from outside. If the descendants line is empty without cause, there will be great difficulties. In summary, these types of officials should have descendants that are calm and stable, while official ghosts should not be empty or hidden. Even if both are present, one should still examine carefully. As long as one considers according to their own duties, they can clearly see the smoothness or obstacles in their official career.