The Golden Strategies · Fourteen, Sericulture and Silk Farming

既言種植，合論蠶桑。採飼辛勤，只為絲綿而養育；吉凶眩惑，因憑卜筮於蓍龜。蠶桑一占，諸家皆忌坎宮之卦；意以坎象屬水，故也。殊不知育蠶，惟以春季，何忌之有？凡占蠶，當以財福為主，不須以卦宮論。

The previous section has already discussed planting crops in the fields, and now we should discuss raising silkworms and planting mulberry trees. Collecting mulberry leaves to feed silkworms is very hard work, and all this effort is only to draw silk for making cotton. In the process, the fortune and misfortune are hard to distinguish, so people consult a divination using yarrow stalks and turtle shells. In the past, when people divined about silkworms, they all avoided the Kan trigram, because the Kan trigram belongs to water, and cold water is said to harm silkworms. But they don't realize that raising silkworms is only done in spring, so why should they avoid it? When divining about silkworms, one should focus on the "wife's wealth" and "children" lines, rather than using the trigram's palace for judgment.

初論火爻，得地則蠶苗必利；凡占蠶，必看火爻者，蠶為蜀女所化，故也。昔蜀人殺馬，曝皮於庭，忽掩其女飛去掛於桑上，遂化為蠶。食葉作繭，後人取其繭為絲，遂傳其種。塑女像以祀之，名馬頭娘，即是蠶也。故諸家皆取巳午爻為蠶命。卦無火爻，蠶必不旺；出現發動，乃為吉兆。更臨財福，或持身世，大吉之兆也。

When divining about silkworms, one should first consider the fire element. If the fire element is in its season and has a strong position, the silkworms will certainly thrive. When divining about silkworms, one must always look for the fire element, because it is said that silkworms were transformed from a woman in Shu. In ancient times, a man in Shu killed a horse and hung its skin in the courtyard. The skin suddenly rolled up and wrapped around the man's daughter, flying away and hanging on a mulberry tree, transforming into silkworms. The silkworms ate mulberry leaves to form cocoons, and later people took the cocoons to spin silk. Thus, the silkworms were passed down in this way. People made images of the woman to worship her, calling her the "Horse-Head Mother," referring to the goddess of silkworms. Therefore, every family takes the "Si" and "Wu" fire elements as the inherent destiny of silkworms. If the hexagram does not contain a fire element, the silkworms will certainly not thrive. If the fire element appears and becomes active, it is a good omen. If it also coincides with the "wife's wealth" or "children," or if it is held by the hexagram body or the world line, it is a great omen.

次尋水位，當權則寒溼多災。大抵蠶性喜幹惡溼，喜熱惡寒，自蟻至繭皆然。故育之者，則有火倉之制。推卜易書，不離此義。所以占蠶遇水爻當權發動，必有寒溼之病，其蠶必難旺盛。若或空伏死絕皆凶。可依此斷。

After observing the fire line, one should then look for the water line. If the water line is in its season and holds authority, the silkworms will suffer from cold and damp diseases. Generally, silkworms like dryness and dislike dampness, they like warmth and dislike cold, from the moment they are born as larvae until they spin their cocoons. Therefore, silkworm farmers set up fire warehouses to keep warm. The Book of Divination also follows this principle. Therefore, if the water line is in authority and active in a divination about silkworms, the silkworms will certainly suffer from cold and damp diseases and will not thrive. As for the fire line being empty, hidden, or in a dead state, these are also ominous signs, and can be judged accordingly.

福德要興，更喜日辰扶助；子孫為蠶命，卦中用神也。有氣發動，蠶必興旺。更得日辰動爻生扶合助，大吉之兆。雖有鬼爻，亦不妨害。古人云：有人制殺，雖動無妨。惟怕父母，及日辰刑傷，蠶必有損。又子孫宜臨火土二爻，木爻次之，大忌金水爻。

The "Fortune Virtue" should be prosperous and preferably supported by the Day Branch. "Children" is the inherent destiny of the silkworm and also the Useful God of this hexagram; since it has strength and is activated, the silkworms will certainly thrive. With further support from the Day Branch and the Moving Line, it is a most auspicious sign. Even if "Official Ghost" appears in the hexagram, it will not cause any harm. As the ancients said: as long as someone can control theInauspicious Sha (evil spirits), even if they are activated, there is no harm. What is feared is when the "Parents" line and the Day Branch harm or injure, which would certainly cause damage to the silkworms. In addition, "Children" is most favorable when it is associated with fire or earth lines, next best with wood lines, and most unfavorable when associated with metal or water lines.

妻財怕絕，尤嫌動象刑沖。占蠶以財為絲綿、桑葉。凡遇休囚死絕，或日辰動爻刑沖剋害，利必微薄。更若子孫衰空不動，必無好繭，亦無好絲，又主葉缺。須得生旺有氣，不受傷克。大吉。

The "wife and wealth"爻 is most afraid of being in a dead position, especially when it is punished or clashed by a moving line. In fortune telling about silkworms, the "wife and wealth"爻 represents silk and mulberry leaves. If it falls in a weak or dead position, or is punished or clashed by the day branch or a moving line, the profit will certainly be small. If further more, the "children"爻 is weak, empty, and not activated, then it will result in poor cocoons and poor silk, and also indicate a shortage of mulberry leaves. Only when the "wife and wealth"爻 is strong and healthy, and not harmed or controlled, is it considered very auspicious.

兄弟扶身，葉費而絲還微薄；兄弟發動，必主多費桑葉，又主其年葉貴。克世傷世，必然缺飼，異日作繭必薄，絲綿必少。最不宜持世發動，縱財爻旺相，亦不稱心。父母持世，心勞而蠶必難為。父母傷子，蠶必難為，不易養育。須看五行，則知有何傷損，當依官鬼同斷。若臨身世，雖或安靜，亦非佳兆。然父母又勞勤之神。衰靜空亡制伏，庶幾蠶苗不勞自旺。否則必費收拾，倍加勤勞，然後可望三分。雖日月不宜值之。

The 'Siblings'爻 supports the Hexagram Body, resulting in a lot of桑叶 being consumed but little silk produced. The 'Parents'爻 holds the World Line, leading to much worry without good results in raising silkworms. When the 'Siblings'爻 moves, it indicates excessive consumption of桑叶 and high prices for leaves that year. If it harms or injures the World Line, there will be insufficient leaves for feeding, leading to thin cocoons and little silk. It is especially unfavorable for the 'Siblings'爻 to hold the World Line and move, as even if the wealth爻 is prosperous, one cannot achieve satisfaction. Regarding the 'Parents'爻, if it harms the 'Children'爻, raising silkworms becomes difficult and unsuccessful. One must examine its Five Phases attributes to determine the specific damage, using the same method as with the 'Official Ghost'. If the 'Parents'爻 is located on the Hexagram Body or the World Line, even if it is still, it is not a good omen. However, the 'Parents'爻 is also a god of diligence: if it is weak, still, vacant, or restrained, the silkworms may thrive without much effort. Otherwise, one must work hard and manage carefully, but the harvest will only be about a third. In summary, this爻 should not be present on the day builder or month builder.

五行如遇官爻，必遭傷損；官鬼發動屬金，蠶必多食桑葉；或有霧露沖絕，以致蠶多僵死。屬木，桑葉必費；或門窗不謹，蠶冒風寒，以致落簇變蛹之類。屬水，須防鼠耗；或食溼葉，以致蠶瀉；或火倉不熱，以致寒溼相承，蠶苗遲長。屬火克世，須防火災；不然則是火倉太熱，不通風氣；或曬照閃爍，以致蠶眠遲起慢，頭黃難脫之病。屬土及鬼，寒暖失宜，飼葉不勻，眠起不齊；或分抬遲緩，以致蠶沙發熱蒸傷。若鬼臨太歲，當有常例未還。日辰帶鬼沖剋世爻，或日辰值鬼發動，或太歲動變鬼爻，或世持官鬼；皆有願心，祈之則吉。

Among the Five Phases, if the "Official Ghost" line appears, the silkworms will certainly suffer damage. The specific nature of the damage depends on the Five Phase of the ghost line. If the ghost line is of the metal phase, the silkworms will eat an excessive amount of mulberry leaves, or be attacked by fog and dew, leading to a large number of dead silkworms. If the ghost line is of the wood phase, the mulberry leaves will be consumed in large quantities, or the windows and doors are not properly closed, causing the silkworms to catch a cold and thus fall into clusters to spin their cocoons. If the ghost line is of the water phase, one should be cautious of mice damaging the silkworms, or the silkworms eating damp leaves leading to diarrhea, or the mulberry warehouse not being warm enough, resulting in cold and damp conditions that prevent the silkworms from growing properly. If the ghost line is of the fire phase and it overcomes the world line, one should be careful of fires; otherwise, it may be due to the mulberry warehouse being too hot, poor ventilation in the house, or bright sunlight causing the silkworms to delay their molting and emerge slowly, with yellowish hairs and difficulty shedding their skins. If the ghost line is of the earth phase, it may be due to improper temperature control, uneven feeding of leaves, irregular molting and emerging, or delaying the transfer of silkworms between reeds, leading to overheating and scalding the silkworms. In addition, if the ghost line coincides with the year's master, it indicates that the previous year's vows have not been fulfilled. If the day branch is in conflict with the world line or is the ghost line itself, or if the day branch is the ghost line and is active, or if the year's master is active and transforms into a ghost line, or if the world line holds the official ghost line, these situations all indicate that there are unfulfilled vows. Fulfilling the vows will bring good fortune.

一卦皆無鬼殺，方始亨佳。占蠶以初爻為蠶種。臨財福，蠶種必好，蟻出必齊；臨死絕，必不齊；臨父母，一半出；臨鬼死絕處，已變亦不能出。二爻臨鬼下，蟻得必難長盛，雖已黑其頭，亦有損害；臨父母亦然。若動而化出，則頭眠起後有損。三爻臨鬼，停眠時有損；若三爻得吉神生扶，二爻遇凶殺剋制者，始雖不旺，至此日則盛。

In a hexagram, if there is no "Official Ghost" which represents harmful influences, then the silkworm cultivation will be prosperous and complete. When divining about silkworms, the first line represents the silkworm eggs. If it is located on "Wealth" and "Children," the silkworm eggs are of good quality, and the larvae will emerge neatly. If it is located on a dead or extinct position, the larvae will not emerge neatly. If it is located on "Parents," only half of them will emerge. If it is located on "Official Ghost" and also on a dead or extinct position, even if the eggs have changed color, they will not hatch. If the second line is below the "Official Ghost" line, the larvae will have difficulty thriving, even if their heads have turned black, there will still be damage. If this line is located on "Parents," it will be the same. If this line becomes active and transforms into "Official Ghost," then after the first molt, there will be damage. If the third line is on "Official Ghost," there will be damage during the period of rest between molts. However, if the third line is supported by auspicious spirits and the harmful influences on the second line are restrained, then although the silkworms may not thrive at first, they will eventually become prosperous at this stage.

四爻臨鬼，蠶女入眠，必多損失；無故自空，前功俱廢；臨財化空，食加而葉缺。五爻臨鬼上，箔有損；鬼帶水爻，簇汗；鬼帶木爻，必多遊走；鬼帶土爻，必多腐爛；鬼帶金爻，白僵死；鬼帶火爻，繭必輕薄。六爻臨鬼，絲必難織，蟻必難出。以上六爻，須當互看，大抵皆怕空絕，皆要財福，皆忌官父持克。

The fourth line encountering the official ghost indicates that when the silkworms are about to enter their major sleep, there will be significant losses. If this line is empty without cause, all previous efforts are wasted. If it encounters the wealth line and changes into emptiness, the silkworms will consume a lot more mulberry leaves, but the supply of mulberry leaves will not keep up. The fifth line encountering the official ghost indicates problems with the silk reeling frame. If the official ghost carries a water line, the mulberry leaves on the frame will become damp and sweaty; if it carries a wood line, the silkworms will scatter and move around; if it carries a soil line, there will be a lot of rot; if it carries a metal line, the silkworms will turn white and die; if it carries a fire line, the cocoons formed will be thin and weak. The sixth line encountering the official ghost indicates that the silk will be difficult to weave and the silkworms will not emerge in full. The above six lines should be viewed in relation to each other. Generally, they all fear emptiness and decline, and they should have the wealth and children lines. They should avoid the official ghost and parents lines that dominate and harm.

日主沖身，切忌穢人入室；世身遇日辰相沖，或應爻動克，須防穢汙人帶魘入室，觸犯蠶花，以致變壞。世帶水土動沖子孫，乃蠶婦自身不潔，非他觸也。世爻合應，必然汙婦臨蠶。世爻為養蠶婦。墓庫老年婦；胎養長生，少年女子；臨太歲財爻，必是慣家；臨子孫，必然精制。臨兄，老年懶飼。臨父母，雖多辛勤，然恐多傷蠶苗。臨官鬼，蠶姑必有病。世爻無故自空，或化死墓絕空，蠶姑當有大難；不然，必懶於抬飼。若帶自刑，身亦病。臨胎化胎，必有孕。日辰相沖，將及分娩。若與鬼爻應爻，及日辰作合者，蠶婦必與外人有情。遇有沖剋，其事已露。世在陽宮，又臨陽爻，是蠶主淫亂，非蠶婦也。

If the day branch clashes and controls the hexagram body, one must beware of unclean people entering the silkworm chamber; if the world line and response line are in harmony, it indicates that an unclean woman is near the silkworm rearing frame. If the world line and hexagram body are in conflict with the day branch, or if the response line acts to control them, one should be cautious of dirty people bringing bad energy into the house, which may offend the silkworm deity and cause the silkworms to become spoiled. If the world line itself carries water or earth elements and acts to clash with the 'children' line, this indicates that the woman rearing the silkworms herself is unclean, not outsiders causing the problem. The world line represents the woman rearing the silkworms: if it is on the storage position, it indicates an old woman; if it is on the fetal, nurturing, or growth positions, it indicates a young woman. If it is also on the year position and the wealth line, it indicates an experienced silkworm rearer; if it is on the 'children' line, her skills are refined; if it is on the 'siblings' line, she is old and lazy in feeding the silkworms; if it is on the 'parents' line, although she is diligent, she fears harming the silkworms; if it is on the 'official ghost' line, the silkworm rearer is certainly ill. If the world line is empty without cause, or changes into the dead, storage, end, or empty positions, the silkworm rearer will face great difficulties, or she will certainly be lazy in lifting the rearing frame to feed the silkworms. If it carries self-punishment, the person herself is ill. If the world line is on the fetal line and changes into the fetal line again, the woman is certainly pregnant; if the day branch then clashes with it, she is about to give birth. If the world line forms a harmony with the ghost line, response line, or day branch, the silkworm rearer must have an affair with outsiders; if there is also a clash and control, the affair has already been exposed. As for the world line being in a yang palace and also on a yang line, this indicates that the silkworm owner is immoral, not the silkworm rearer's fault.

子受暗沖，每遇分抬須仔細；子孫為蠶身。出現不動，而被動爻日辰暗沖者，主分抬時不加仔細，蠶多傷損。蓋沖福之爻不遇父母官鬼，非吉神故也。動而逢沖，蠶多遊走。無沖然後為吉。

"Children" are secretly affected by a clash, and one must be especially careful whenever separating the silk worms. "Children" represent the body of the silk worm. When they appear in the hexagram but remain still, they are secretly impacted by a moving line or the day branch. This indicates that during the process of separating the worms, one's actions are careless, leading to injury of many worms. The line that clashes with "Children," even if it is not "Parents" or "Official Ghost," is ultimately not a favorable deity. If "Children" themselves initiate action and also encounter a clash, it signifies that the worms scatter and disappear. Only in the absence of a clash is it considered favorable.

財逢傷克，凡占物價必騰增。凡占葉價貴賤，但看財爻。若遇動爻日辰相剋，去後必然葉貴。或財空亡，或衰無氣，或化入死墓空絕，皆主葉貴。若財爻旺相，兄弟不動，則葉必賤。凡遇兄弟發動，葉必不敷。

The wealth line is harmed or restrained, and whenever prices are divined, they will certainly rise. To determine the price of mulberry leaves, simply observe the wealth line: if it is restrained by the moving line or the day branch, the price of leaves will definitely increase. If the wealth line falls into an empty position, is weak and lacks vitality, or transforms into death, mourning, emptiness, or decline, it also indicates that the price of leaves will rise. Conversely, if the wealth line is prosperous and strong and the siblings line does not activate, the price of leaves will definitely be low. Whenever the siblings line activates, there will certainly be a shortage of mulberry leaves.

兄弟值空亡，絲番白雪；凡遇財福旺相，豐稔可推。然有兄弟父母官鬼，亦難許為吉兆。必得三者死絕空伏不動，方成大吉之象。則蠶無所傷，利有所望，而絲亦好也。卦身臨巳午，繭積黃金。巳午臨身，蠶命得地，更會財福，大吉之卦。世爻臨之亦好。

The "Siblings" line falls into the empty position, and the silk spun is as white as snow; the Hexagram Body is accompanied by the "Si" and "Wu" fire lines, and the cocoons formed are as valuable as gold. Whenever the "Wealth" and "Children" lines are prosperous and strong, it can be known that the silkworm harvest will be abundant. However, if the卦 still contains "Siblings," "Parents," and "Official Ghost" lines, it cannot be considered a good omen. Only when these three lines are all dead, empty, and hidden without being active, can it be considered a great auspicious sign. In that case, the silkworms will not be harmed, the benefits will be hopeful, and the quality of the silk will be good. The "Si" and "Wu" lines are the true destiny of the silkworm. If they are on the Hexagram Body, it means the silkworm's destiny is favorable. If they also combine with "Wealth" and "Children," it is a very auspicious hexagram. If they are on the World Line, it is also a good sign.

父動化財，不枉許多勤苦；父動克子，本非吉兆；若化財爻，則主辛勤，終有成望。化子亦吉。父化父，廣養薄收；父化官，徒自辛勤，必多傷損。父化兄，兄化父，鬼化父，財化兄，日後必賤。財化鬼，子化官，先吉後凶。如蠶雖旺，入箔則多變爛類。兄化兄，則主折本。

The Parents爻 moves and transforms into the Wealth爻, indicating that all the previous hardships were not in vain. Although the Parents爻 normally restrains the Children爻 and is not a good omen, if it transforms into the Wealth爻, it suggests that despite the effort, there will eventually be a reward. If the Parents爻 transforms into the Children爻, it is also a good sign. If the Parents爻 transforms into itself, it means there will be much cultivation but little harvest. If the Parents爻 transforms into the Official Ghost爻, it indicates that the effort will be in vain, with significant losses. If the Parents爻 transforms into the Siblings爻, or the Siblings爻 transforms into the Parents爻, or the Official Ghost爻 transforms into the Parents爻, or the Wealth爻 transforms into the Siblings爻, then the price of silk will definitely drop. If the Wealth爻 transforms into the Official Ghost爻, or the Children爻 transforms into the Official Ghost爻, it indicates a good start followed by misfortune, like silkworms appearing strong but most dying when they are placed on the silk frame. As for the Siblings爻 transforming into itself, it indicates a loss and financial loss.

官興變福，亦遭幾度虛驚。官鬼發動，必有損耗。若化子孫，庶幾無事；亦有虛驚。鬼化財，雖損有收；父化財，亦然。兄化財，多費桑葉則有利。子化子，蠶不旺；財化財，絲必薄；子化財，財化子，則稱心也。大抵子孫太過，財爻無氣，多養少收。子孫旺相，財爻太多，多收少價。子孫死絕，財爻太旺，葉多蠶少。財爻死絕，子孫太旺，蠶多葉少。若官父兄重疊太過，反不妨也。

When the "Official Ghost" moves and transforms into "Fortune Virtue," although there is no major problem, one is still likely to experience some anxiety. When the "Ghost" hexagram moves, there is sure to be some loss. If it transforms into "Children," it is generally unlikely that anything serious will happen, but the anxiety is still unavoidable. When "Official Ghost" transforms into "Wealth," although there is some loss, there will still be a harvest; the same applies when "Parents" transform into "Wealth." When "Siblings" transform into "Wealth," although there is more consumption of mulberry leaves, it will ultimately be beneficial. When "Children" transform into "Children," the silkworms will not be productive; when "Wealth" transforms into "Wealth," the silk will be thin. When "Children" transform into "Wealth" or "Wealth" transforms into "Children," everything will go smoothly. In general: if "Children" are too strong and the "Wealth" hexagram is weak, it means more is raised than is harvested; if "Children" are strong and "Wealth" is excessive, it means more is harvested but cannot be sold at a good price; if "Children" are weak and "Wealth" is strong, it means there are many leaves but few silkworms; if "Wealth" is weak and "Children" are strong, it means there are many silkworms but few leaves. As for cases where "Official Ghost," "Parents," and "Siblings" overlap too much, it is actually not a problem.

卦出乾宮，若養夏蠶偏吉利；乾兌宮卦，子孫屬水。其性皆逆，春蠶必難興旺，故利夏蠶。蓋春與夏不同。春蠶怕冷，大忌水爻；夏蠶要涼，不忌水爻。春蠶若冷，多病難養；夏蠶若涼，少病易旺。所以，夏蠶宜子孫屬水。

The hexagram appears in the Qian Palace. If one is raising summer silkworms, it is actually favorable. The hexagrams in the Qian and Dui Palaces have the "Children" line belonging to water. Water is contrary to the nature of silkworms, so spring silkworms will certainly struggle. Therefore, it is only beneficial for raising summer silkworms. This is because the conditions in spring and summer are different: spring silkworms fear cold and particularly dislike the water line; summer silkworms require coolness and do not mind the water line. Spring silkworms suffering from cold become sick and hard to raise; summer silkworms benefiting from coolness are less sick and easier to raise. Therefore, raising summer silkworms is actually suitable for the "Children" line belonging to water.

母居刑地，如言蠶室定崩摧。蠶房以父母論。生旺有氣，修治整齊；死絕刑害，崩損破敗。帶水自刑，蠶室必漏。水化父，父化水，皆作前斷。看臨何爻，便知何時有雨。如在初爻，生蟻時，多被陰雨傷蠶。餘仿此。

The "Parents" line falling in a place of punishment indicates that the蚕室 will definitely collapse and become damaged. The蚕房 is viewed through the "Parents" line: if it is strong and flourishing, the house is well maintained; if it is dead and exhausted and also suffers punishment and harm, the house will collapse and become ruined. If it is accompanied by water and also suffers self-punishment, the蚕室 will definitely leak. If water transforms into "Parents" or "Parents" transforms into water, the interpretation is the same as above. Then look at which line it is on to determine when it will rain: for example, if it is on the first line, it means that the silkworm eggs are often harmed by rain during the hatching period. The rest can be interpreted in a similar way.

蠶繭獻功，三合會財福而旺相；卦宮定位，六爻隨動靜以推詳。卦有三合，最怕會成父、兄、官局，大為不利。蓋會起之爻，不論四時，皆為有氣；以被二爻扶持，故也。旺相遇之，其勢愈甚。故占蠶，得三合財福二局，大吉之兆。更若凶殺有制，可作十分吉斷。

To achieve great success in silk production, the triple harmony formation must be formed with "wife wealth" and "children" and be prosperous and strong. Once the hexagram's palace is determined, the six lines should be analyzed one by one according to their movement and stillness. The appearance of a triple harmony formation in the hexagram is most dangerous if it forms the "parents" formation, the "siblings" formation, or the "official ghost" formation, which is highly unfavorable. Because the lines involved in the formation, regardless of the season, are considered to have vitality, as they are supported by the other two lines in the same formation. If the formation itself is also prosperous and strong, its power becomes even greater. Therefore, if the hexagram shows a triple harmony formation of "wife wealth" or "children," it is a great omen of good fortune. If the hexagram also has harmful elements that are restrained, it can be interpreted as an extremely favorable outcome.

道形萬物，理總歸於一心；易盡三才，占豈遺乎六畜？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，雖只占一物，亦以分宮斷之，則失其旨。學者詳之。

The great Dao generates all things, and its principles ultimately converge upon the mind; the Book of Changes can fully comprehend the ways of heaven, earth, and humanity, so how could divination miss the six domestic animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, dogs, and pigs? As long as one carefully examines and investigates, everything will become clear. When divining about domestic animals, one should focus specifically on the "wife's wealth" and "children" lines, and not follow the methods of different schools, using the division of palaces and personal destiny to interpret. This system of dividing palaces and matching with personal destiny was established by ancients to observe the fortune and misfortune within a household; nowadays, people do not pursue its original meaning. Even when divining about a single animal, they use the palace division to make a judgment, thus losing the original intent. Those who study the Book of Changes should carefully distinguish between these approaches.

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，其他為利而占。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 native animals' destiny is connected to the "Fushen" or "Zi Sun"爻, which represents children. If this爻 is prosperous and strong, the livestock will be well raised and grow large. The benefits of livestock are associated with the "Qi Cai"爻, which represents wealth. If this爻 falls into a weak and confined state, the returns will be minimal. All birds, insects, and livestock are governed by the "Zi Sun"爻. If this爻 is prosperous, strong, and not empty, the livestock will be easy to raise and grow well. If it is weak, buried, or in a state of decline, it is certain that the livestock will not be well raised. If the "Zi Sun"爻 does not appear in the hexagram or falls into an empty state, then do not buy livestock that have not been purchased yet, and stop raising those already owned. As for the wealth爻: when divining about cattle and horses, it is mainly for their labor, while for other livestock, it is for their profit. However, both labor and profit are connected to the wealth爻. The wealth爻 most fears being weak, confined, or in a state of decline, as this will result in thin profits and limited labor. Only when the wealth爻 is prosperous and not empty is it considered 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。

The "Wife's Wealth" and "Children" lines are both essential and must both appear in the hexagram. Without the "Children" line, it is difficult to sustain; without the "Wife's Wealth" line, profits will be small. If both lines are present and not empty, then whether it is birds, insects, or domestic animals, everything will be suitable. If wealth is strong but fortune is weak, the livestock may be thin but fast. If wealth is empty but fortune is active, even if they are slow, they can still be acceptable. When divining about cattle and horses, a strong and prosperous "Children" line indicates fatness, while a weak and confined "Children" line indicates thinness. If the "Children" line is activated, it signifies strength and agility, which is definitely favorable. A strong and prosperous "Wife's Wealth" line indicates strength and skill in movement, and will be beneficial in the future. A weak and confined "Wife's Wealth" line indicates lack of strength and inability to move, making it useless. If the "Wife's Wealth" line falls into emptiness, it becomes even more sluggish and useless.

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 an empty position, the livestock may be useful for a short time but lacks long-term strength. If the children hexagram is afflicted by punishment and harm, the livestock will either have a broken nose and missing teeth or lose weight and become weak. Although the wealth hexagram's movement indicates good mobility, it is not advisable for it to transform into an empty position, which would result in a beginning without an end, initial diligence followed by laziness, and an inability to sustain long-term effort. If the wealth hexagram is strong but falls into an empty position, or moves into an empty position, this indicates a situation where usefulness cannot be fully realized, but it does not mean there is absolutely no long-term strength. For example, a cow may be good at pulling carts and drawing water, but not at plowing and harrowing fields; a horse may be good at running quickly, but not at slow movement. As for the children hexagram with self-punishment or transforming into hexagrams like 'failure' or 'illness', the livestock will suffer from physical deformities, such as a split lip, missing teeth, cracked hooves, broken back, or loss of vision in 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 'Children' hexagram and the World Line mutually generate and harmonise, indicating that livestock will certainly be well-behaved and gentle; if they clash or control each other, the animals will certainly be stubborn and difficult to manage. When the 'Children' hexagram generates and harmonises with the World Line, the six domestic animals will be obedient and beneficial to the master; if it comes to punish or clash with the World Line, it will certainly indicate a stubborn and uncontrollable nature, such as a cow pulling a cart or plowing fields but pulling back unwillingly, or a horse losing its footing in front or behind. To know where the animal's hooves, feet, or body shape may be different, one must look at which trigram it is located in; to determine its color, one must refer to the relationships of the Six Spirits. The Eight Trigrams correspond to body parts: Heaven represents the head, Water represents the ears, Thunder represents the front legs, Mountain represents the back legs, Wind represents the waist, Fire represents the eyes, Earth represents the abdomen, and Lake represents the mouth. The Six Spirits correspond to colors: Azure Dragon is blue, White Tiger is white, Vermilion Bird is red, Black Tortoise is black, Gou Chen and Teng Sha are yellow. In divination, the color of the animal is determined by the Six Spirit it is associated with, and the other colors are determined by the hexagram that generates or controls it. For example, if the 'Children' hexagram is associated with 'Black Tortoise' and is located in the Heaven trigram, and is controlled by a moving hexagram from the Earth trigram, then the animal will have a black body and yellow legs; if it is controlled by a moving hexagram from the Mountain trigram with 'White Tiger', then it will have a yellow body and white legs. The rest can be inferred in the same way. 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 mixed colors than the areas that are prosperous and strong, so one should be flexible and adaptable.

陰陽有雌雄牝牡之分；馬曰雌雄，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，騾為叫騾類。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 trigrams differentiate yin and yang, which determines whether an animal is male or female; when the trigram is in the stage of fetal development, the divination usually refers to young animals such as foals, calves, lambs, and chicks. For horses, the terms 'male' and 'female' are used, while for other animals, 'female' and 'male' are used, depending on whether the 'children' trigram is yin or yang. If the 'children' trigram is a yang trigram, then it indicates a male animal: a male cow, a male horse, or a male mule. For young animals, a horse's young is called a foal, a cow's young is called a calf, a sheep's young is called a lamb, and a chicken or duck's young is called a chick. If the 'children' trigram falls on the 'fetus' or 'nurturing' positions, the divination will definitely refer to these young animals. To determine the age by teeth, 'growth' corresponds to three teeth, 'capping' corresponds to four teeth, 'prosperity' corresponds to fully grown teeth, and when it falls on '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。

The Hexagram Body generates "Children" and "Children" sits on the胎爻, meaning the animal being divined is definitely pregnant; when "Fortune Virtue" is located on the ghost's墓库, it indicates the animal is full of illness. For example, if divining a cow, and "Children" is on the胎爻, it means a young calf that has not yet matured; but if "Children" is generated by itself and sits on the胎爻, it means the cow is already pregnant, not a calf. If the hexagram changes to show the胎爻, or if "Children" moves to clash with the胎爻, it is also interpreted as pregnancy. If "Children" changes into another "Children," it means the cow is with a calf. When "Children" is on the墓库 of "Official Ghost," the animal is certainly sick; if it is on the "Disease"爻 or is clashed by the ghost爻, 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。

The "Parents" moving cause injury, and the "Children" arriving at a dead end, leading to a complete waste of effort in raising livestock; the "Siblings" moving cause the livestock to grow poorly, but if the wealth hexagram happens to fall into an empty position, it instead supports the "Children." When the "Parents" move, they certainly injure the useful god, resulting in livestock loss; if it also meets the "Children" entering the tomb and being at a dead end, with no strength, then they will die, and even with careful raising, it is all in vain; only when the "Children" fall into empty or avoiding positions is it considered auspicious. The "Siblings" moving cause the livestock to grow poorly; but if the wealth hexagram is exactly an empty hexagram and not harmed or restrained, it no longer consumes the "Children," instead supporting the "Children," making the livestock easy to raise and ensuring the profit is not 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。

If the world line falls into an empty position and is also harmed, in the end one will inevitably feel disappointed; once the official ghost is activated, things will never go as desired. If the world line is empty without cause, the matter will certainly not meet one's wishes; if the overall situation of the hex is ominous, then great difficulties are sure to come. As for the activation of the official ghost, it is particularly bad for livestock: either the animal itself falls ill, or the animal causes trouble, leading to failure in the end. The specific distinctions are detailed below.

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。世爻更絕，必被傷人。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，有礙相水法。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。

The "Official Ghost" belongs to metal and encounters a favorable and strong position, so one should be worried about animals biting people; if the "Official Ghost" belongs to earth and is repeatedly activated, one should be concerned about the spread of epidemics. If the metal ghost is activated, the animals may have foot or claw problems; if it is able to overcome the World Line, the animal will not be able to harm; if the World Line is in a state of decline, it will certainly be bitten. If the wood ghost is activated, it indicates a disease related to the accumulation of grass in the stomach; if it is in the Outer Trigram, the animal's fur is poor, and if combined with "Teng Snake," it will develop bad fur and spiral growth, which will interfere with the method of raising animals. If the water ghost is activated, it indicates a cold condition, such as a cold feeling in the chest and loose yellow diarrhea. If the fire ghost is activated, the animals will definitely fear heat or suffer from heat-related diseases. If the earth ghost is activated, one should be cautious of epidemics. Another interpretation is based on the position of the line: if the ghost is in the first line, there is a problem with the feet; in the second line, the hips and legs; in the third line, the waist and hips; in the fourth line, the front legs and back; in the fifth line, the head, neck, and shoulder; and in the sixth line, the top of the head. If the ghost falls in the Zhen or Kan trigrams, 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。

The combination of "Official Ghost" with "Tengshe" and "Zhuqiu" indicates that this animal will certainly cause lawsuits and alarm. If the day branch carries "Tengshe" and becomes active, later this animal will surely bring strange and frightening events. If it is accompanied by "Zhuqiu," it will certainly lead to verbal disputes and lawsuits. If it is accompanied by "Xuanwu," one should beware of theft. If it is accompanied by "Baihu," one should be cautious of falling or getting injured. Here is a personal example: On the day of Yisi in the seventh month, due to avian influenza, a divination was made using the hexagram "Shike" changing to "Yi," and the day branch was accompanied by "Zi Sun." Indeed, the chickens did not die. Later, the chickens began to crow at night, followed by my wife falling ill. I did not understand the cause at first. In the eighth month, when I decided to keep bees, on the day of Renyin, I divined using the hexagram "Zun" changing to "Kun." The hexagram showed "Xiongdi" and "Guan Gui" becoming active, with no wealth in the hexagram, indicating danger. Within half a day, a swarm of bees gathered on the person, causing great panic. Through these two instances, I came to understand that the previous occurrence was due to "Tengshe" ghost moving causing the chickens to crow at night, and this time also due to "Tengshe" ghost moving causing such strange events. Moreover, in the first month, the strange line is in the fourth line, and in the second month, the strange line is in the fifth line. Since the strange line was active, this is why such things happened. Since then, this method has been repeatedly tested and verified, and I have come to understand that "Tengshe" is indeed the deity governing strange and unusual events.

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。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。

"Children" transforming into "Siblings" or "Wealth" can indicate whether the animal eats fine food or coarse food. If "Children" transforms into "Siblings," it suggests the animal has a picky mouth and only eats fine feed. If "Children" transforms into "Wealth," it indicates the animal eats a variety of coarse feed. When "Wealth" is connected to "Siblings," it means the animal was fed at the wrong time. If "Children" transforms into "Siblings," it means the animal is picky and won't eat. If "Wealth" transforms into "Siblings," it means the person feeding the animal did not do so at the proper time, leaving the animal hungry, not because it refuses to eat. If "Children" transforms into "Parents," it means the animal is overworked. When "Children" is activated, the animal is naturally a good one; but if it transforms into "Parents" and comes back to harm, it means the person does not cherish the animal and overuses it, leading to injury.

福連官鬼，須防竊取之人；鬼化子孫，恐是盜來之畜。子孫化鬼，其畜日後必然被人盜去，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。

"Children" connected with "Official Ghost" indicates one should be cautious of someone stealing; when "Official Ghost" transforms into "Children," the animal is likely stolen by someone else. If "Children" transforms into "Official Ghost," the animal is sure to be stolen later, or else it will certainly die from illness. Conversely, if "Official Ghost" transforms into "Children," it suggests the animal was stolen and then resold. If the transformed line supports the world or harmonizes with it, the owner may still gain some benefit; but if it conflicts with or harms the world, it will bring trouble. However, this interpretation is only valid if the original hexagram does not contain the "Children" line.

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 "Siblings" interact and change, inevitably causing disputes and conflicts. If both the day builder and month builder come to harm the "Siblings," the livestock will certainly meet an unexpected death. In the hexagram, if the "Siblings" move and transform into the "Official Ghost," or the "Official Ghost" transforms into the "Siblings," or both lines move simultaneously, it is definitely due to the livestock causing trouble and disputes. If the "Parents" line, which represents documents, also moves, then a lawsuit is certain. If the world line falls into a tomb, there may be the danger of imprisonment. As for when the month builder, day builder, and moving line all carry harmful influences, and they all harm the "Children" line without any support, the livestock will certainly die. To find out the cause of death, look at what element is harming the "Children" line: if it is metal, the livestock dies from hoof or claw disease; if it is wood, from bloating after eating grass; if it is water, from cold; if it is earth, from epidemic disease. If the subject is geese or ducks, then "Chou" means being trampled by a cow, "Yin" means being caught by an eagle, "Shen" means being carried off by a fox, and "Xu" means being bitten by a dog. If it is harmed by the world line, then the owner is responsible for the 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, it is favorable for the "Children" line to be activated and to generate the World Line; if asking about future profits, the worst fear is for the "Wealth" line to be activated but then to transform into a dead position. In all cases of buying livestock, if the "Children" line is activated, it indicates that there are many animals available for sale; if it generates and harmonizes with the World Line, the purchase will be satisfactory and the transaction will be smooth; if it clashes and controls the World Line, buying will certainly be difficult. If the Response Line is empty, there will be no seller; if the Response Line generates and harmonizes with the World Line but the "Children" line is empty or hidden, it means that the broker is very compatible with the person, but there are no animals available for purchase. If the "Siblings" or "Official Ghost" lines are activated, buying is not beneficial and may bring trouble, so it is not advisable to buy. As for the Wealth line: if it appears and is not empty, has vitality, supports the World Line, and generates and harmonizes with it, and the World Line is not harmed or controlled, and does not transform into "Siblings" or "Official Ghost," then it is favorable. Conversely, if the Wealth line does not appear, or is empty, or transforms into death, tomb, dead, empty, or is controlled by "Siblings," 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。凡遇占此，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。

Whenever people bet on animal fights, it is favorable for the World Line to be prosperous and strong, and the Wealth Line to be flourishing. Northerners enjoy fighting quails, roosters, and sheep, while southerners enjoy fighting crickets and yellow-headed birds. When divining such matters, if the World Line has strength and overcomes the Response Line, and the "Children" line is activated, then our side will win. Even if the World Line overcomes the Response Line but it is not activated, yet if the Month Builder, Day Branch, or a moving line goes to刑克 the Response Line, we still win. If the World Line is instead overcome by the Response Line, and the "Children" line is empty and hidden, while the "Official Ghost" line is activated, and the Day and Month lines along with moving lines go to刑克 our side, then the opponent will win. The most dangerous situation is when the "Parents" line is activated withInauspicious Sha and is prosperous and strong, which indicates that the fighting animals may die on the spot. If the Wealth Line holds the World Line or comes to generate and harmonize with it, it is auspicious. If the "Siblings" or "Official Ghost" lines hold the World Line, then we lose. If both the World and Response lines have harmonious elements, all six lines are quiet, and the "Children" line is empty and hidden, then the fight will not happen. If both the World and Response lines are empty, it is also the case that the fight will not happen.

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 hunting or fishing, one always fears that the Response Line falls empty and the "Children" line is in a state of decline. When divining about hunting or fishing, if the Response Line generates the World Line, the World Line overcomes the Response Line, and the "Children" line generates the Wealth Line, then there will be a successful harvest. If the Response Line falls empty, the "Children" line is overcome or falls in a dead or declining state, then one will leave empty-handed and return empty-handed, gaining nothing. If the "Official Ghost" is prosperous and strong and moves to overcome the World Line, one should also beware of being injured by fierce animals. If the "Siblings" move, even if there is some gain, it will not be much. If the "Children" line moves and is located on the Hexagram Body or the World Line, then it will be 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，則生後有損。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，或雖動而有制伏，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 birth, nursing, hatching, and carrying of young animals should have the "Tao" line and "Zi Sun" line prosperous and strong without being harmed. When divining the treatment of livestock, the "Fu Su" and "Guan Gui" lines should be weak or restrained. For divination concerning the breeding of sows, ewes, and the hatching of chicken, duck, and goose eggs, both the "Tao" and "Fu" lines should be prosperous and strong, not subjected to harm or punishment. If these two lines are empty or accompanied by "Guan Gui," it is certain that there will be difficulty in reproduction. If they transform into empty, absolute decline, or produce "Guan Gui," there will be losses even after birth. If they are strong but fall into emptiness, there may still be half a chance of no problems. If "Zi Sun" is strong but the "Cai" line is empty, the young may be healthy but the profit will be limited. Regarding the treatment of sick livestock, if animals are sick and seeking medical help, the "Zi Sun" line should be prosperous and strong, not empty, not subjected to punishment, while the "Fu Su" and "Guan Gui" lines should be weak, buried, or in absolute decline, or although active, they should be restrained. The livestock will then survive. If "Zi Sun" is empty without reason, or transforms into death, burial, emptiness, or absolute decline, or produces "Guan Gui," or if "Fu Su" is accompanied byInauspicious Sha (malevolent killing) and is active and strong to harm, the animal will not be saved, even if a doctor is called in, it is certain that the animal will die. If the "Ying" line is empty or is harmed by the "Shi" line, the doctor will not come at all.

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。士人及第，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。

Having read five carts' worth of books, I originally intended to enter the court; with myriad volumes of knowledge in my chest, how could I be content to hide in the mountains and fields? To see if I can assist the country, one should carefully examine the divination hexagrams of the "Book of Changes." When the "Parents" line is prosperous and strong, the written article will be as resounding as gold and stone; when the "Official Ghost" line is flourishing, the family will receive news of success written in golden ink. In divination concerning official rank, the "Parents" line represents the written article, and the "Official Ghost" line represents the official position. These two lines are the main elements of the hexagram; lacking either one makes the divination incomplete. If the "Parents" line is prosperous and strong, the article will certainly be excellent; if the "Official Ghost" line is in a favorable position, there is hope for official rank. In ancient times, scholars who passed the examination would use golden ink to write the news and send it home with their family letters, called "joyful messages." The literary passage merely borrows this historical reference and does not mean to interpret the "Official Ghost" line as the message itself. Those who read this passage should not let the wording obscure the original meaning.

財若交重，休望青錢之中選；福如發動，難期金榜之題名。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。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。

If the 'Wealth' trigram appears twice and becomes active, do not expect success as certain as copper coins falling from a height; if the 'Children' trigram becomes active, it is difficult to achieve success in the imperial examination. The 'Wealth' and 'Children' trigrams are favorable in other matters, but when it comes to matters of official rank, they become harmful. This is because wealth can overcome the 'Parents' trigram, which represents scholarly achievement, and children can overcome the 'Official Ghost' trigram, which represents official position. These two trigrams are only auspicious when they are weak and inactive; once they become active and dominant, there is no hope of achieving fame. As for the 'Siblings' trigram, it is the one that shares the same Five Phases as the Useful God. When it appears in a divination for matters of official rank, it represents fellow candidates studying the same classics. If it does not appear in the trigram, or if it falls in an empty, dead, or exhausted position, and the overall situation of the hexagram is favorable, then one is certain to rank first. However, if it becomes active, or if both the Month Builder and the Day Branch carry the 'Siblings' trigram, then there are many competitors studying the same classics, and one is sure to lose the position, failing the examination. Even if the overall situation is still favorable, the rank will be behind.

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。

The day branch supports the virtue of the useful god, which is like a good friend encouraging someone to take the exam. The day branch is the main element of a hexagram, capable of achieving success or causing failure. For example, if both the parents and official ghost are weak, the matter is originally difficult to succeed; but if the day branch supports them, and restrains the harmful forces, there is still hope, so it is called "supporting virtue." Alternatively, if the world line is weak and quiet but receives support and harmony from the day branch, or if the world line is empty but the day branch activates it, this indicates that the person originally had no intention of seeking fame and fortune, but friends or relatives encourage him to strive forward, or provide financial support for his journey, helping him go to 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 exam questions will be obscure and unfamiliar; when all six lines are active, success in official matters will be uncertain and difficult to achieve. For a divination concerning fame, the lines of "Official Ghost" and "Parents" are considered useful lines, and they prefer to be harmonious rather than conflicting. If two "Official Ghost" lines or two "Parents" lines conflict with each other, it indicates that the exam questions will be unfamiliar and difficult. When divining about official matters, it is best for all six lines to be quiet. As long as the "Parents" and "Official Ghost" lines have strength and are not empty, and the Month Builder and Day Branch do not harm or suppress them, it is auspicious. If any line becomes active, the matter will not proceed smoothly: if the Wealth line becomes active, it harms the "Parents" line representing the written work; if the "Children" line becomes active, it harms the "Official Ghost" line representing official position; if the "Siblings" line becomes active, others will act before you; if the "Official Ghost" line becomes active, there will be unexpected changes; if the "Parents" line becomes active, the written work will be impure. Any activity brings change, and if the changed line falls into death, tomb, emptiness, decline, or is accompanied by punishment and suppression, it indicates a bad omen. Therefore, when encountering a chaotic and active divination, there is no need for detailed analysis; 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。

The Month Builder is in conflict with the document line, leading to articles that deviate from the proper format and result in failure. If the World Line is in opposition to the Official Ghost, the official career will be blocked. If the Parents are prosperous and strong without being empty, and the moving line and Day Branch do not clash or conflict with them, the article will be full of elegant expressions. If the Siblings clash or conflict, the article will be stale and lack fresh, vivid sentences. If the Wealth line conflicts, the article will have many flaws. If the Children clash or harm, the writing will be counterproductive. It is especially unfavorable if the Month Builder clashes with the document line, leading to articles that are overly self-centered and not in line with the prescribed format of the examiners. Any Parents line that carries or transforms into lines of punishment, harm, failure, or illness will result in flawed writing and prevent acceptance. Regarding the World Line, which represents the person seeking fame, it is most unfavorable if the Wealth or Children lines are present, as this will lead to unfulfilled aspirations. If it holds the Official Ghost or is supported by the Official Ghost through generation or harmony, there is hope. If it is the Children line opposing the Official Ghost, then the official career is blocked, 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 wealth line goes to generate and support the official ghost line, while the parents line happens to be empty. Therefore, there is still a chance for success in official matters. The fortune virtue line transforms into the official ghost line and also harmonizes with the hexagram body, allowing for a weak but possible achievement in official rank. The parents line being empty originally means that fame is out of reach; however, if the wife wealth line is activated to generate and support, and the official ghost line has strength, the matter may still succeed by chance—provided the children line remains quiet. The reason why the wife wealth line being activated is not considered a problem now is because the official document line is already empty, so the wife wealth line has no parent to restrain it. If the original hexagram does not contain the official ghost line, but the children line is activated and transforms into the official ghost line to generate and harmonize with the world line and hexagram body, the matter can still succeed, but it still requires the official document line to have strength and not be damaged. Although these two situations suggest a possibility for official success, they cannot be allowed to result in the top rank, because the hexagram does not arise naturally.

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，或被月日破壞，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 show no affection towards me, making it difficult to achieve lofty aspirations; the useful god may be hidden but still be usable, eventually enabling me to rise above humble origins. In the hexagram, if both the official ghost and parent lines are present, it is a favorable omen; however, if they are not located on the hexagram body or the world line, or if they do not generate or harmonize with the world line or the hexagram body, or if they are instead clashed with or controlled by the world line, or if they are disrupted by the month builder or the day branch, or if they are in the positions of death, tomb, void, or destruction, these are called "unfeeling." Although they appear in the hexagram, they offer no benefit to me, so lofty aspirations remain unfulfilled. Conversely, when the official ghost and parent lines are not fully present, official positions are naturally difficult to attain. However, one must examine whether the hidden line is useful or not: if the flying god is not broken by a clash and the hidden god is not lifted up, it is called "useless" and success is certain to be impossible; if the flying god can be broken by a clash and the hidden god can be lifted up, it is called "useful" and eventual success is possible. Lifting up the hidden god with the month builder is most favorable, followed by the day branch, then the moving line; if the flying line covering the hidden god happens to be empty, it is even more favorable.

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 harms the Hexagram Body, indicating that a candidate taking an exam will face punishment; if the Wealth爻 supports the World Line, he will certainly receive a grant of grain. The Month Builder represents the chief examiner; if it acts on the Hexagram Body and harms the World Line, and both the Official Ghost and Parents are not in their proper season, he will certainly be beaten with a stick. If it transforms into the Children, he will be expelled; if it transforms into the Siblings, it is most unfavorable for those receiving grain rations, and he may lose his grain grant, or even be fined. Conversely, if the Parents are in the empty place, and the Wealth爻 supports and harmonizes with the World Line, he will certainly be promoted and receive more grain. If the Month Builder brings wealth and transforms into wealth, or if the Official Ghost transforms into the Wealth爻 to support and harmonize with the World Line, these are all favorable. Generally, for a廪生 taking a minor examination, it is most unfavorable for the Siblings to be active; whether they are on the Hexagram Body or the World Line, or on the Day Branch or the Month Builder, it is a sign of losing the grain grant. If the Wealth爻 is empty without cause, it is the same. If the Wealth爻 is on the Hexagram Body or the World Line, or hidden beneath the World Line, the situation may not be entirely satisfactory, but the grain grant will still remain.

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，必主連科及第，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，但借龍虎榜之象耳。然亦有驗。

The 'Parents' and 'Official Ghost' lines form a Triple Harmony, indicating consecutive success in exams; the 'Azure Dragon' and 'White Tiger' lines both being activated signify achieving fame at once. If the hexagram originally contains a favorable image and the third line is activated to form the 'Official Ghost' structure, it definitely indicates consecutive examination success, which is a great auspicious sign; forming the 'Parents' structure is also favorable; forming the 'Wealth' or 'Children' structure is unfavorable; forming the 'Siblings' structure only affects those who are merely廪生, causing no harm or benefit to others. As for the 'Azure Dragon' and 'White Tiger' both being activated to harmonize with the World Line, it definitely indicates winning the top position in the examination; if they also hold the 'Official Ghost' or 'Parents' lines, or hold the Hexagram Body and World Line, it is even more favorable. This principle has no particular meaning, it is merely using the imagery of the 'Dragon and Tiger List', yet it has proven to be quite 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，可用資財謀幹，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。

AInauspicious Sha transforms into an official ghost that can generate the world line, which may only result in being demoted to a servant; if the sovereign year is combined with a vital official ghost, one will eventually achieve the imperial examination success. In divination for official rank, the children represent theInauspicious Sha, and if it is strong and active, one will certainly be dismissed; however, if the official ghost in the native hexagram is hidden beneath the world line, or if the hexagram body holds the official ghost, or if the children themselves transform into a ghost爻 to generate the world line, then one will not lose the official rank and become a commoner, but only be demoted to a servant. If the wealth爻 is active and combines with the children, one can use money to influence and plan, possibly restoring the original official rank. As for the sovereign year, it is the爻 of the emperor, and in divination for official rank, it is most favorable to see it: if it is combined with a ghost爻, it represents a minister facing the emperor; further supported by vitality and strength, one's name will certainly stand out at the top.

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。

Because of illness, the examination date was postponed, and the "empty" (空亡) appeared without cause on the World Line. Neither the moving line nor the day branch harmed the World Line, but the World Line itself fell into the "empty" position, which is called "self-emptying without reason" (无故自空), a sign of great misfortune. If this was divined before the examination: this trip cannot be made, and even if one tries to go, it will ultimately be unfavorable; at the very least, illness will result, and at the worst, death may occur. Then, according to the position of the line, one can determine where the illness is: if the World Line is within the inner trigram, the illness occurs at home; if it is on the third or fourth line, the illness occurs when going out; if it is on the fifth line, the illness occurs on the way; if it is on the sixth line, the illness occurs upon reaching the examination site; if it is on the Response Line and belongs to another trigram, the illness occurs at the time of the examination, and the person cannot enter the examination hall. If this was divined after the examination: this matter will certainly not succeed; even if the whole hexagram shows favorable signs, it would mean that the official position is obtained but the person dies.

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，不但名成而已。若空動為虛喜。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。

In the examination hall, there is an added joy, as the "Azure Dragon" comes to harmonize with the hexagram body. The "Azure Dragon" signifies joyful matters: since the overall situation of the hexagram is auspicious, and the "Azure Dragon" moves to generate and harmonize with the world line and hexagram body, there will certainly be another joyous event accompanying the success, not merely the attainment of official rank. However, if it moves and meets an empty position, it will be just empty joy. On the contrary, if the wealth line is hidden and falls into an empty position, the expenses for the journey will certainly be lacking: there is no wealth line in the six lines, and the hidden wealth of the native's own hexagram is also in an empty position, meaning the person will lack travel funds. If the world line is still in a weak position, then the person is poor. If the month builder, day branch, or moving line comes to generate and harmonize with it, there will certainly be assistance from relatives. If the response line moves to generate and harmonize with it, it is mostly that the wife's family will take care of everything.

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。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。

When the hexagram body moves and transforms into "Official Ghost," one must wait until the next examination to achieve success. The hexagram already shows signs of failure, but if the hexagram body or the world line transforms into a "Official Ghost" with vitality, and the "Parents" line in the same trigram remains undamaged, then although this attempt may fail, the next one is certain to succeed. If the hexagram encounters six clashes, this time it will be difficult to achieve recognition; if the lines encounter six harmonies, this time it will certainly result in success. In general, when things meet harmony, they gather, but when they meet clashes, they scatter. Therefore, when predicting success in exams and the hexagram shows six clashes, it is difficult to achieve success, but when it shows six harmonies, it is easy to achieve success. However, overall, one must also consider the strength, weakness, movement, and stillness of the useful god, and not rigidly adhere to one method without flexibility.

父旺官衰，可惜劉蕢之下第；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。如劉蕢之錦繡文章，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，決至下第也。

The Parents are strong while the Official Ghost is weak, which is regrettable, like Liu Kui of the Tang dynasty, who had excellent writing skills but failed to pass the imperial examination. The Parents are weak while the Official Ghost is strong, which is also lamentable, like Zhang Shi, who had average writing skills but succeeded in the examination. Both the Parents and the Official Ghost must have strength without loss in order to achieve official rank. If the Parents are strong but the Official Ghost is empty or not in the trigram, then the person's writing may be good, but due to lack of official stars in destiny, he will not pass the examination—just like Liu Kui, who wrote exquisite articles but ultimately failed to be appointed. If the Parents are weak but the Official Ghost is strong and activates to support the document line, then the person's writing may be ordinary, but his official star is revealed, and he may succeed—just like Zhang Shi, whose writing was not outstanding but still passed the examination. However, if the Official Ghost is strong while the Parents are empty, then it is certain that he will fail the examination.

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。

If the Response Line harmonizes with each other and the Day Branch generates support, one will certainly receive a recommendation from others; but if the Moving Line harms and the Day Branch overcomes, one can only return to study hard in the study. If both Parents and Official Ghost are dead and exhausted, success in officialdom is certain to be impossible; but if the Response Line or Moving Line, or the Month Builder and Day Branch support the Official Ghost, then one must seek recommendations or offer gifts to achieve success. However, if the Month Builder, Day Branch, or Moving Line and Changing Line harm or overcome, even if the Official Line has strength, it will still be difficult to achieve success. As for the World Line moving and changing into emptiness while the Useful God remains prosperous and strong, this is the glory of a tiger transforming into a civil servant, which turns into a spring dream of a butterfly. For seeking officialdom, the Official Ghost and Parents are the Useful Lines; if they are prosperous and not harmed by punishment, one will certainly pass the examination. But if the World Line moves and changes into death, tomb, emptiness, or exhaustion, one may not enjoy the success for long: if one gets the Dead Soul Hex, one will die on the way; if one gets the Returning Soul Hex, one will die upon returning home; if the tomb or exhaustion is exactly where the year god is, one will die after a year.

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" is activated and transforms into another "official ghost," and then receives support from the month builder. This is a sign of great success, ascending continuously to the moon palace and winning the laurel. The hexagram body is the main subject of all matters, especially when predicting success in official examinations. It is most feared when it is accompanied by "wealth" or "children," as this indicates difficulty in achieving success. If it is accompanied by "official ghost" or "parents," there is certainly hope for fame. If the hexagram body appears and is activated, transforms into an official element, and receives support from the month builder through generation and harmony, this is a most auspicious sign, indicating continuous success in examinations, not just winning in the capital or provincial exams. In addition, one should carefully examine the "main subject" of this爻. The "main subject" refers to the main element representing the person seeking fame. When one is consulting for oneself, the world line is the main element. When consulting for others, one should look at the person in question. For example, if consulting for a son or nephew, one should look at the "children" element; if consulting for a friend, one should look at the "siblings" element. This element is most feared if it transforms into aHostile God orInauspicious Sha, as even if the overall hexagram is favorable, one should not easily promise success. The rest should still be considered together with the world line. By examining layer by layer in this way, the fortune and misfortune will naturally manifest. The above, though only a few words, has explained the gains and losses of a poor scholar seeking official success. Below, we will use the eight trigrams to re-examine the auspicious and inauspicious outcomes in practical application.