59. Divination about incoming affection

思慮未起，鬼神莫知；不由乎我，更由乎誰？

When a thought has not yet arisen, not even ghosts and spirits can know about it; but once the thought arises, the hexagram responds accordingly. This mechanism is not elsewhere, but entirely within the mind of the person making the divination—without me, who else could it be?

夫易本無八卦，只有乾坤，本無乾坤，只有太易(太極)，太易者，在天為日月，在地為水火，在人為耳目。煉其耳而耳自聰，修其目而目自明。易曰：聖人以此洗心，退藏於密。

Going to the root, the Book of Changes originally did not have the Eight Trigrams; it had only the Trigrams of Heaven and Earth. Going even further back, even Heaven and Earth did not exist; there was only the "Tai Yi," which is the Taiji. The Tai Yi manifests as the sun and moon in the heavens, as water and fire on the earth, and as the ears and eyes on a human body. By refining the ears, hearing becomes clear naturally; by cultivating the eyes, vision becomes clear naturally. The Zhou Changes, Great Treatise says: the sage uses this principle to purify his mind, and after completing a task, he retreats into secrecy.

先達人事，後敷卦爻；人事亨通，卦爻自曉。

Before interpreting the divination, one must first thoroughly understand human affairs and principles, and then arrange the hexagrams and lines accordingly. If the principles of human affairs are clear, the meaning of the hexagrams and lines will naturally become evident. After all, hexagrams are merely reflections of human affairs. Focusing solely on the lines without understanding human affairs will inevitably lead to inaccurate interpretations.

真喜合宅母，必問孕事。 隔角克青龍，無氣動是死事。 鬼伏臨酉沖宅長本命，主官非牢獄公事。 玄武臨門勾陳動，是失脫事。 世應合五爻、水土動，風水事。 卦內克鬼、沖全生財，犯刀砧六畜事。

If the true禄 and Heavenly Joy are combined on the mother line of the dwelling, the person is certainly asking about pregnancy. If the corner煞 is attacking the Azure Dragon, and the Azure Dragon has no strength but is activated, it is about death and loss. If the Official Ghost is hidden and is on the酉 position, and it goes to冲 the main line of the family's main person, it indicates legal troubles and imprisonment. If the Black Tortoise is on the gate line and the Gou Chen is activated, it is about theft and escape. If the World and Response lines are combined with the fifth line, and the water line and earth line are activated, it is about风水 matters. If there is a line in the hexagram that克 the Official Ghost, and the conflicting positions all fall on the position of wealth, it is about conflicting with the knife砧煞 and injuring livestock.

天財帶天火，必占失火事。 怪合見月鬼，為驚恐怪異事。 喪車臨怪動，人口死不明事。 鬼克沖基，為宅不安事。 鬼克沖基或合太歲，為起造事。 祿馬合月鬼動，占謀望事。

When the Heavenly Wealth Star is accompanied by the Heavenly Fire Evil, the person is certainly involved in a fire-related incident. When the Strange God combines with the Month Builder Ghost, it indicates a query about fear and strange occurrences. When the Funeral Coach Evil is present on the Strange God and becomes active, it refers to a situation where someone in the family dies under mysterious circumstances. When the Official Ghost conflicts with the foundation of the house, it indicates instability in the residence. When the Official Ghost conflicts with the foundation and combines with the Year God, it refers to the commencement of construction. When the禄神 (Lucky God), Post Horse, and the Month Builder Ghost combine and become active, it indicates matters of seeking success and planning.

卦內驛馬旺克門，問出門事。 遷移臨旺沖動，問移居事。 月鬼陰喜動，為婦人妊怪事。 世應和合、祿馬帶財，問代某謀事。 文書乘朱動五爻重隔角，為代名告狀事。 時鬼動沖人口，問住宅不安事。

When the Post Horse is prosperous and strong and overcomes the gate line, it refers to asking about traveling far away. When the Migration Evil is present and strong and is disturbed, it refers to asking about moving house or relocating. When the Month Builder's Official Ghost and the joyful spirit of the Yin are both activated, it refers to asking about a woman's pregnancy and abnormalities in the womb. When the World and Response lines are harmonious and the禄 and Horse carry wealth, it refers to asking about helping someone with affairs. When the文书 line is occupied by the Vermilion Bird and is heavily overlapped by the隔角 evil on the fifth line, it refers to asking about representing someone in a lawsuit. When the current Official Ghost is activated and conflicts with the population line, it refers to asking about instability in the residence.

來意俱不上封，憑變斷之，重主過去，交主未來。

If the original intention of the person is not shown in the hexagram, then use the changing lines to interpret: "Chong" indicates an old yang line about to change, representing something that has already passed; "Jiao" indicates an old yin line about to change, representing something that has not yet arrived.

假如木旺能克土，若遇休囚火便生，旺相能生禍與福，休囚受制不能行。

For example, when wood is prosperous and strong, it can overcome earth; but if wood is weak and confined, it can only give rise to fire and exhaust its own energy. In summary, only when the Five Phases are prosperous and strong can they produce good or bad fortune; when they are weak and confined, they are controlled by others and cannot exert any influence.

金四九，木三八，水一六，火二七，土五十。 酉四申九，寅三卯八，子一亥六，巳二午七，辰戌五，丑未十。

The Five Phases each correspond to numbers of generation: metal corresponds to four and nine, wood to three and eight, water to one and six, fire to two and seven, and earth to five and ten. These numbers are distributed among the twelve Earthly Branches as follows: You (酉) is four, Shen (申) is nine, Yin (寅) is three, Mao (卯) is eight, Zi (子) is one, Hai (亥) is six, Si (巳) is two, Wu (午) is seven, Chen (辰) and Xu (戌) are both five, and Chou (丑) and Wei (未) are both ten. When calculating in divination, such as counting items, steps, or measurements, these numbers are used for calculation.

以日配用，四象誰勝？若無象用，姓字何證？

Divining a person's surname involves matching the stem and branch of the divination day with the useful爻. Then, examine the inner trigram, outer trigram, nuclear trigram, and resulting hexagram to determine which image is most vigorous and dominant. The dominant image is taken as the main one. If there is no suitable image or useful god in the hexagram, the surname cannot be verified.

卦之克字，以日配用爻，兼內外互卦，正化體象，取勝為主，然後合成字象。

To use the hexagram to deduce a character, one should pair the day branch with the lines of the hexagram, and also consider the inner trigram, outer trigram, and nuclear hexagram, as well as the primary hexagram and resulting hexagram's symbolic meanings. Choose the dominant image among them as the main one, then combine several images to form the shape of a character.

如甲乙日占賊姓得純艮卦土爻體見寅，寅屬木，木鬼配甲乙日，亦屬木，三體相兼，為林字姓也。他仿此。

For example, if on a Jia or Yi day one divines the surname of a thief and obtains the pure Gen hexagram, the Gen palace belongs to earth, and the爻 body shows Yin, which belongs to wood. This wooden official ghost is compatible with the Jia or Yi day, as Jia and Yi also belong to wood. When the three aspects are combined, two instances of wood appear together, forming the surname "Lin." Other examples can be inferred in the same way.

但以干配姓，以支配合，以納音配字，取象度量，盡其妙理，當慎思之。

In summary, the heavenly stems are used to match surnames, the earthly branches to determine the components, and the nayin sound element to match the character shapes. When taking symbolic meanings, there should be proper proportion and careful consideration, thoroughly exploring the subtle principles involved. One should think carefully before making a conclusion.

乾為圓象、為點、為馬、為金、玉、言旁、為頭。 坎為雨頭、為點水，為水目，為小，弓旁為內實外虛屈曲之象。 艮為橫畫、為口、手，為門、人，為己、田，為山、水。易旁，上尖下大，上實下虛。 震為木象，為二七、為竹、木，為立畫。偏拔、上大下尖、下虛上實。

The trigram Qian represents a circular form, a dot, a horse, metal and jade, the radical "yan" (言), and the shape of the head. The trigram Kan represents the rain radical, three drops of water, the character "shui" (水) and "mu" (目), small characters, and the radical "gong" (弓); in terms of character shape, it is solid inside and hollow outside, with a winding and coiling appearance. The trigram Gen represents horizontal strokes, the character "kou" (口) and "shou" (手), the character "men" (门) and "ren" (人), the character "ji" (己) and "tian" (田), the character "shan" (山) and "shui" (水), and the radical "yi" (易); in terms of character shape, it is sharp at the top and wide at the bottom, solid at the top and hollow at the bottom. The trigram Zhen represents the form of a tree, the numbers two and seven, the radicals "zhu" (竹) and "mu" (木), vertical strokes and the sweeping strokes of radicals; in terms of character shape, it is wide at the top and sharp at the bottom, hollow at the bottom and solid at the top.

巽為甘頭、為揵服、為長舉，為絞絲，上長下短，為下點。 離為日旁，外實內虛、為中、為戈、為日、為心、為火。 坤為橫畫、為土、為方、為木旁。 兌為金、為日、為鉤、為八字、為巫、為微細。

The character for Xun (Wind) takes the head of the character "甘" (sweet), the shape of characters like "揵" (to press) and "服" (to wear), long strokes that are raised upwards, and the radical "绞丝" (a twisted thread). In terms of shape, it is long on top and short at the bottom, with a dot at the bottom. The character for Li (Fire) takes the radical "日" (sun), a shape that is solid outside and hollow inside, and characters like "中" (center), "戈" (a spear), "日" (sun), "心" (heart), and "火" (fire). The character for Kun (Earth) takes horizontal strokes, the character "土" (earth), a square and upright shape, and the radical "木" (tree). The character for Dui (Lake) takes the radical "金" (metal), the character "日" (sun), the hook stroke, the character "八" (eight), the character "巫" (witch), and small details.

甲為木、為田、為日、為方圓、為有腳、為果頭。 乙為草頭、為反文、為弓、為曲。 丙為火、為撇、為捺、上尖下大。 丁為一、為鉤、為未出頭字。 戊為土、為戈、為中開之類。

Jia takes characters with the wood radical, the field radical, and the sun radical, takes characters with a square shape containing a circle, takes characters with a foot component, and takes characters with a fruit radical. Yi takes characters with the grass radical, takes characters with the reversed writing component, takes the bow radical, and takes characters with curved strokes. Bing takes characters with the fire radical, takes characters with a hook stroke and a spreading stroke, and takes characters with a pointed top and a wide bottom. Ding takes characters with a single stroke, takes characters with a hook stroke, and takes characters with strokes that do not extend beyond the character. Wu takes characters with the soil radical, takes characters with the halberd radical, and takes characters with an open middle shape.

己為挑土、為半口、為巳頭、為曲。 庚為金、為庚。 辛為金旁、為辛。 壬為水、為曲、為壬字。 癸為水、為水旁、為雙頭。

Ji takes the soil radical, takes half of the mouth character, takes the head of the Si character, and takes a curved stroke. Geng takes the metal character, and directly takes the Geng character. Xin takes the metal radical, and directly takes the Xin character. Ren takes the water character, takes a curved stroke, and directly takes the Ren character. Gui takes the water character, takes the three dots radical, and takes the character shape with two heads side by side.

子為水旁、子旁、為鼠。 丑為土、為丑、為橫畫、為牛。 寅為木、為山、為宗、為寅字、為虎。 卯為木、為安頭、為卯字、為免。 辰為土、為艮字、為長意、為龍。 巳為火旁、為巳字、為屈曲、為蛇。

The character 子 takes the radical three water points and the character 子, belonging to the rat. The character 丑 takes the earth radical, the character 丑, and a horizontal stroke, belonging to the ox. The character 寅 takes the wood radical, the character 山, the character 宗, and the character 寅, belonging to the tiger. The character 卯 takes the wood radical, the head of the character 安, and the character 卯, belonging to the rabbit. The character 辰 takes the earth radical, the character 艮, and the meaning of length, belonging to the dragon. The character 巳 takes the fire radical and the character 巳, taking the shape of a bend, belonging to the snake.

午為火、為日、為幹字、為不字、為矢字頭、為馬。 未為土、為來字、為多畫、為木旁、為羊。 申為金、為車旁、為猴。 酉為金、為而旁、為目旁、為堅洞旁、為雞。 戌為土、為戌字、為成字、為犬。 亥為水、為絞絲、為豬。

The character for午 takes the fire character, the sun character, the dry character, the not character, and the head of the arrow character, belonging to the horse. The character for未 takes the earth character, the come character, takes the character with more strokes, takes the wood radical, belonging to the sheep. The character for申 takes the metal character and the carriage radical, belonging to the monkey. The character for酉 takes the metal character, the while radical, the eye radical, and radicals similar to vertical hole, belonging to the rooster. The character for戌 takes the earth character, the戌 character, and the success character, belonging to the dog. The character for亥 takes the water character and the silk radical, belonging to the pig.

水為點水、為曲、為一六數。 火為火旁、為上尖下闊、為二七數。 木為木旁、為步頭、為竹頭、為人、十字象、為三八數。 金為金旁、為合字、為橫畫，為四九數。 土為土旁、為橫畫，為五十數。

For those belonging to the Water element, use the radical of water, curved strokes, and the numbers one and six. For those belonging to the Fire element, use the radical of fire, characters with a pointed top and wide bottom, and the numbers two and seven. For those belonging to the Wood element, use the radical of wood, the step radical, the bamboo radical, the person radical, and the cross radical, and the numbers three and eight. For those belonging to the Metal element, use the radical of metal, the combined radical, horizontal strokes, and the numbers four and nine. For those belonging to the Earth element, use the radical of earth and horizontal strokes, and the numbers five and ten.

假如乙丑年辛巳月丁酉日丁未時占得乾之離卦： 正卦乾 變卦離 父母 戌 世 官鬼 巳 青龍 兄弟 ○ 申 父母 未 玄武 官鬼 午 兄弟 酉 白虎 父母 辰 應 子孫 亥 螣蛇 妻財 ○ 寅 父母 丑 勾陳 子孫 子 妻財 卯 朱雀

Here is a complete example. In the year Yichou, month Xinsi, day Dingyou, hour Dingwei, the hexagram Qian is drawn, changing to Li. The original hexagram is Qian, and the changing hexagram is Li. The six lines are arranged from top to bottom as follows. The top line, Upper Nine Renshu, in the Qian trigram represents parents, holding the position of the world, and changes to the line Jisi of the Li hexagram, which represents official ghost, paired with the Azure Dragon. The fifth line, Nine in the Fifth Renshen, represents siblings, drawn as a repeated line and activated, changing to Jiwei, representing parents, paired with the Black Tortoise. The fourth line, Nine in the Fourth Renwu, represents official ghost, changing to Jiyou, representing siblings, paired with the White Tiger. The third line, Jiachen, representing parents, is in the responding position, changing to Jihai, representing children, paired with the Snake. The second line, Jiayin, representing wealth, is also drawn as a repeated line and activated, changing to Jichou, representing parents, paired with Gou Chen. The first line, Jiayin, representing children, changes to Jimao, representing wealth, paired with the Vermilion Bird. This hexagram will be interpreted in ten sections.

（1）占來情 以心易敷於有易封，我觸以幹祿之機甚吉，反施乾之九五“飛龍在天，利見大人”，而下兆有“見龍在田”，統思卦象，乾健化離，“出涕沱若，戚磋若，吉”、“黃離，元吉”，復以六親法，卦中多者取來情，惟此印綬爻多，即知來者占求官也。

First, determine what the person is asking about. Use the method of spreading the mind to the already formed hexagram: I perceive a sign indicating the opportunity for seeking official position, which is very auspicious. Reflecting on the hexagram Qian, the line nine in the fifth, 'A dragon in the sky, advantageous to see a great man,' and below it the line nine in the second, 'A dragon in the field,' indicates a favorable omen. Observing the entire hexagram, the strong and vigorous quality of Qian transforms into Li, which has the phrase 'flowing tears like torrents, sorrowful lamentations, but auspicious' and 'the yellow Li, originally auspicious.' Using the method of the Six Relations, identify which type of line is most numerous in the hexagram and take that as the meaning; in this hexagram, the line of the official's seal and parents is most numerous, indicating that the person is consulting about seeking an official position.

（2）占家宅 卦中兩重父母，及年與時兩重，初夏占，其土絕，當知其屋舊象，可存四重或二重房。其三爻甲辰之屋在內，卻乃日旬空，兼以“君子終日乾乾，夕惕若，厲無咎”，離之九三“日昃之離”，此一重非言壞則火焚。

Second, divining about the family residence. The hexagram contains two sets of parent lines, and there is another set on the year branch and another on the hour branch, making a total of four sets. This hexagram is cast in early summer, when earth is in its dying phase, indicating that these houses are already old, and there are probably four courtyards or two courtyards remaining. Among them, the third line Jiachen falls within the inner trigram, but it also lies in the旬空 of the day branch. Combined with the meaning of the line Nine in the Third of the Qian trigram, "The superior man is diligent day and night, cautious at night, and though in danger, there is no blame," and the line Nine in the Third of the Li trigram, "The sun is declining," this courtyard is either going to collapse or be destroyed by fire.

其上九壬戌之屋，高值青龍修舊之星，可住，奈九二甲寅財動青龍，修中有克，乾之上九“亢龍有悔”離之上九“有嘉折首”，兼以鬼庫在戌，歲君丑刑戌，此屋必因女人或財事破毀。只有年時及化離丑未四屋零屋沖散復成之象，此卦化出已未及占時丁未生扶，易辭又吉，後能復成無妨。

The uppermost line nine, which is Renxu, indicates that the place where one enters the house is elevated. It also coincides with the Azure Dragon, which is the star governing the repair of old houses. However, despite this, the situation is not favorable. The second line nine, Jiayin, which represents the wealth element, is activated, and although the Azure Dragon is present, the repair process involves some harm. This is further compounded by the meaning of the line "The elevated dragon brings regret" from the Qian hexagram's uppermost line and "A good head is broken" from the Li hexagram's uppermost line. Additionally, the position of the ghost's repository is at Xu, and the Tai sui Yichou is also in conflict with Xu. Therefore, this house is destined to be damaged due to matters related to women or wealth. Only the branches of the year and the hour, along with the places indicated by the changing hexagram Li containing the elements Chou and Wei, remain. These represent a situation where the structure is first scattered and then reassembled. The changing hexagram is Jiwei, and the time of the divination is Dingwei, which mutually support each other. The oracle's meaning is auspicious, so the house can be rebuilt in the future, and there is no great problem.

（3）占夫妻 寅木發動，及申金兄弟爻動，初夏木病金生，主克木，數三當減，則二個吉。 （4）占子 初又甲子水，初夏水絕，主一個吉。 （5）占婚姻 兄動克妻，財動傷翁，不吉。

Third, divining about the spouse. The second line, nine in the second, which is the wood of yin, the wealth line, is activated, and the fifth line, nine in the fifth, which is the metal of shen, the siblings line, is also activated. The wood of xia is in the sickly place, while the metal is in a position of strength and can therefore overcome the wood. The number of wood is three, and when it is overcome, it should be reduced, leaving two, which is auspicious. Fourth, divining about offspring. The first line, jiazi, belongs to water, and the water of xia is in the place of decline. The number of water is one, so it indicates only one son is auspicious. Fifth, divining about marriage. When the siblings line is activated, it will overcome the wife, and when the wealth line is activated, it will harm the parents-in-law, so this marriage is inauspicious.

（6）占大小限 五歲行一爻，初從世爻起，陽順陰逆，此卦世在上九，五歲至世，青龍持世，為喜中小滯。六歲至十歲行初九，逢福德，吉。十一至十五行九二，甲寅動克世，命在須臾。

Sixth, divining major and minor limits. Each five years progresses one line, starting from the world line. If the world line is yang, it proceeds in order; if yin, it proceeds in reverse. In this hexagram, the world line is on the upper nine. From one to five years, the world line is on the world line, with the azure dragon holding the world line, indicating joy with slight obstruction. From six to ten years, the line moves to the initial nine, which is the children's fortune virtue line, indicating good fortune. From eleven to fifteen years, the line moves to the second nine, which is the jia yin wealth line, activating to overcome the world line, putting life and death in the span of a moment.

（7）占求官 易辭本吉，但甲寅財動傷文書，壬申兄動有阻，直待午火官，辰土印綬年可求。 （8）占求財 九二財動、求之必有；九五比肩爻動，阻而未得。

Seventh, divining for seeking official position. The line statements of the Qian and Li hexagrams are originally auspicious, but the Jia Yin wealth line is activated and harms the documents, and the Ren Shen siblings line is activated, causing further obstruction; one must wait until the year when the Wu fire official star and Chen earth official star are in charge, then the official position can be obtained. Eighth, divining for seeking wealth. The Jia Yin wealth line is activated, so wealth is certainly obtainable; however, the Ren Shen siblings line is also activated, causing obstruction in the middle, so the wealth will not be obtained immediately.

（9）占疾病 壬午火鬼，正值九四爻，火鬼主熱，若占父母，九二木財發動必傷。幸九五金動制之；其病可痊，但牽連末脫。 （10）占行人歸期 本應甲寅日到，因兄動有阻，遇旬方來。

Ninth, divining illness. The Renwu fire ghost is on the fourth line, and the fire ghost indicates a fever. If the divination is about the parents' illness, the nine in the second line, which is the wood wealth, will surely harm the parents. Fortunately, the nine in the fifth line, which is the metal monkey, is activated and can overcome the wood, thus controlling the wealth line. Therefore, the illness can still be cured, but the connection is not yet cut off, and it cannot be completely removed at once. Tenth, divining the return of a traveler. The traveler should arrive on Jiayin day, but because the siblings line is activated and causes obstruction, he will arrive only after ten days.

易道逐心，出於混元；大道逐性，出於神仙。

The principles of the Book of Changes respond to human thoughts and intentions, originating from the primordial qi of chaos before differentiation; the great way follows human nature and attains the realm of immortality.

易本逐心，天地合體，陰陽假神，出於混元。一得一失，皆在日月盈虧，一離一合，皆從無而立有，故易本逐心，人靈神輔，顯明在乎信，吉凶在乎人。

The Yi Jing is originally responsive to the mind: heaven and earth unite as one, yin and yang operate through the divine, and everything originates from the primordial chaos. Gains and losses in human life are reflected in the waxing and waning of the sun and moon; partings and unions all arise from the emergence of being from non-being. Therefore, the Yi Jing is fundamentally responsive to the mind: the human spirit comes first, and the divine is merely an auxiliary; whether the hexagrams can be revealed depends entirely on the sincerity and faith of the person divining; and whether fortune or misfortune arises, it all depends on the person themselves.

或問：易道逐心何也？答曰：必要至虛至靈，以誠信為主。凡占卜，存心道性，不可一毫私念起於中。取用象在乎果決，不要狐疑，妙處當以心會神頌，有不可言傳者也。如此則神靈輔助，隨吾取舍而用之，自然靈驗矣。故曰易道逐心。

Someone asked: What does "Easy Dao follows the mind" mean? The answer is: The person performing divination must be extremely empty-minded and highly sensitive, with sincerity as the foundation. When casting a hexagram and seeking divination, one must maintain a pure heart and uphold the nature of the Dao, without any private thoughts in the mind. In selecting the hexagram and its imagery, one must be decisive and resolute, without hesitation. The subtleties should be understood by the mind and silently recited by the spirit; some aspects cannot be conveyed through words. If one can do this, the spirits will naturally assist, responding to one's choices and actions, thus being effective. Therefore, it is said "Easy Dao follows the mind."

又曰：麻衣六親，各有為主，以世、應、日、月、飛、伏、動、靜，曉此道理，刻期而應。復以克、合、刑、害、墓、旺、空、沖，知此八宗，與神奧通。

It is also said that the method of the Six Relations passed down by Master Hemp-Robe indicates that each relation has its own specific context in which it takes effect. When combined with the eight factors of the world, the response, the day, the month, flying stars, hidden stars, movement, and stillness, one can thoroughly understand this principle and thus accurately determine the time and see the results. In addition, one must also use the eight elements of overcoming, joining, punishment, harm, tomb, strength, emptiness, and opposition to deduce. When one thoroughly understands these eight aspects, one will be in harmony with the profound mysteries of the divine.

吉凶只在面前決，禍福無勞日後知。從此敢開天地口，老夫非是愛吟詩。

Good and ill are evident right before our eyes, requiring immediate decision. Misfortune and blessing do not have to wait until later to be known. From this point on, I dare to speak on behalf of heaven and earth. Old man, I am not merely fond of composing poetry. These four lines are Shao Yong expressing his confidence in the speed and accuracy of his divination. The entire book ends with this passage.