Third十八: Whether One's Lifetime Will Have Merit and Fame

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 ofWuchen, 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:妻财寅木, 子孙子水 (World Line, moving), 父母戌土 (moving), 妻财卯木, 官鬼巳火 (responding), 父母未土 (moving); the resulting hexagram is: 父母戌土, 兄弟申金, 官鬼午火 (World Line), 父母辰土, 妻财寅木, 子孙子水 (responding). The interpretation is: the World Line, 子水, changes to 申金, which is originally "backward generation," but it is unfortunate that the month of Yin comes to clash with 申金; additionally, the movement of 戌土 and 未土 comes to restrain the World Line without any line supporting it, so beware of the year of卯. The person indeed died in the year of卯, which exactly corresponds to the year when 戌土 and 卯 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 ofWushen, 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 theHostile 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 theHostile 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 ofDingmao (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.