The Method for Determining the Hexagram Body by Month

陰世則從午月起，陽世還從子月生，欲得識其卦中意，從初數至世方真。卦身之爻為所占事之主，若無卦身則串無頭緒，倘卦身有傷，其事難成矣。

The method of securing the "month hexagram body" is as follows: first determine whether the world line is a yin line or a yang line. If the world line is a yin line, start counting from the month of午 (May); if it is a yang line, start counting from the month of子 (January). The counting begins at the first line, with each line representing one month, and the count proceeds upward until it reaches the line where the world line is located. The month branch that falls on this line becomes the hexagram body. For example, if the world line is on the third line and is a yang line, count from the first line as子 (January), second line as丑 (February), third line as寅 (March), so the hexagram body is寅 (March). The hexagram body line represents the main focus of the matter being divined. If the hexagram body cannot be found in the hexagram, the matter lacks clarity and direction. If the hexagram body is being冲 (conflicted),克 (overcome), or falls空亡 (empty), the matter will have difficulty in achieving success.

申子辰會成水局，巳酉丑會成金局，寅午戍會成火局，亥卯未會成木局。

When three branches come together, they form a complete set, which has much greater power than a single line: if the branches of Shen, Zi, and Chen are all present, they form a Water formation; if the branches of Si, You, and Chou are all present, they form a Metal formation; if the branches of Yin, Wu, and Xu are all present, they form a Fire formation; if the branches of Hai, Mao, and Wei are all present, they form a Wood formation. The middle branch of each formation (Zi, You, Wu, Mao) is the strong god of that formation. The first branch is the position of growth, and the last branch is the position of storage. If in a hexagram all three lines are active and form a complete set, the corresponding element will suddenly gain strength. If only two lines are active, it must wait for the third branch to be completed by the day branch or the month builder, or until that branch is the day branch, to form a complete set, and the matter will then occur at that time.

長生、沐浴、官帶、臨官、帝旺、衰、病、死、墓、絕、胎、養。假如火長生在寅，從寅上起順行，卯上沐浴，辰上官帶，依次順行；木長生在亥，從亥上起，餘可類推：金長生……，火長生……。

The twelve earthly branches represent the twelve stages of the movement of the Five Phases, from birth to decline and rebirth, in a fixed order: growth, bathing, capping, officialdom, prosperity, decline, illness, death, burial, isolation, conception, and nourishment. When using this system, arrange the twelve earthly branches in order on the palm. For example, the long life of fire is in the寅 position, so starting from寅, the sequence is:寅 for growth,卯 for bathing,辰 for capping,巳 for officialdom,午 for prosperity,未 for decline,申 for illness,酉 for death,戌 for burial,亥 for isolation,子 for conception, and丑 for nourishment. The long life of wood is in亥, so starting from亥, the sequence follows similarly. The long life of metal is in巳, while water and earth share the long life in申. When interpreting a divination, check where the useful god falls in relation to the day branch and the month builder. If it falls in growth, officialdom, or prosperity, it has strength. If it falls in decline, illness, death, burial, or isolation, it is weak. If it falls in burial, it needs the day of opposition to open it before it can manifest.

甲祿在寅乙祿卯，丙戊在巳丁己午，庚祿在申辛祿酉，壬祿在亥癸祿子。申子辰年馬居寅，寅午戌年馬在申，巳酉丑年馬在亥，亥卯位年馬居巳。

This song first refers to the "Lushen" (Wealth God) and then to the "Yimash" (Post Horse). The Lushen is determined by the Day Stem (or Year Stem): Jia's Lushen is in寅, Yi's is in卯, Bing and Wu's are both in巳, Ding and Ji's are both in午, Geng's is in申, Xin's is in酉, Ren's is in亥, and Gui's is in子. The Lushen represents the most vigorous position of the inherent energy, associated with salary and sustenance. The Yimash is determined by the Triple Harmony of the Year Branch (or Day Branch). It takes the long life position of the branch that forms the harmony: the water triple harmony (Shen-Zi-Chen) has its Yimash in寅, the fire triple harmony (Yin-Wu-Xu) has its Yimash in申, the metal triple harmony (Si-You-Chou) has its Yimash in亥, and the wood triple harmony (Hai-Mao-Wei) has its Yimash in巳. The Yimash signifies movement, travel, and going out, and it is most important when predicting the whereabouts of people or travel.

天干　甲　乙　丙　丁　戊　己　庚　辛　壬　癸 祿　　寅　卯　巳　午　巳　午　申　酉　亥　子 地支　子　丑　寅　卯　辰　巳　午　未　申　酉　戌　亥 馬　　寅　亥　申　巳　寅　亥　申　巳　寅　亥　申　巳 凡卜家宅終身者，從本人本命上起亦是。

The two columns present a对照 table for禄 and马, making it easier to look up. The first column lists the禄 for each of the ten heavenly stems: Jia's禄 is寅, Yi's禄 is卯, Bing's禄 is巳, Ding's禄 is午, Wu's禄 is巳, Ji's禄 is午, Geng's禄 is申, Xin's禄 is酉, Ren's禄 is亥, Gui's禄 is子. The second column lists the马 for each of the twelve earthly branches: for a year or day of Zi, the马 is寅; for Chou, it is亥; for Yin, it is申; for Mao, it is巳; for Chen, it is寅; for Si, it is亥; for Wu, it is申; for Wei, it is巳; for Shen, it is寅; for You, it is亥; for Xu, it is申; for Hai, it is巳. It can be seen that Shen-Zi-Chen all have马 in寅, Yin-Wu-Xu all have马 in申, Si-You-Chou all have马 in亥, and Hai-Mao-Wei all have马 in巳, which agrees with the mnemonic verse. The last sentence provides an additional method: when divining about a family home or one's entire life, which concerns one's whole life, the禄 and马 can also be determined from the questioner's own birth year's heavenly stem and earthly branch, not necessarily relying solely on the day's earthly branch.

甲戊（庚）兼牛羊，乙己鼠猴鄉，丙丁豬雞位，壬癸兔蛇藏，六辛逢馬虎，此是貴人方。

This song explains how to find "Tianyi Guiren" (Heavenly Nobleman), using the Day Stem as the main reference. The two branches obtained are the positions where the Nobleman is located. For Jia day and Wu day and Geng day, the Nobleman is in Chou (ox) and Wei (sheep); for Yi day and Ji day, the Nobleman is in Zi (rat) and Shen (monkey); for Bing day and Ding day, the Nobleman is in Hai (pig) and You (rooster); for Ren day and Gui day, the Nobleman is in Mao (rabbit) and Si (snake); for Xin day, the Nobleman is in Wu (horse) and Yin (tiger). If the Nobleman is on the Useful God or the World Line, it indicates turning danger into safety and receiving help from others, especially beneficial for seeking fame, meeting officials, or making plans. However, Wang's later text "Differentiating the Mistakes of Guiren and Lu Ma" specifically discusses this, pointing out that divination should still focus on the Five Phases' generation and overcoming, and should not rely solely on divine symbols. Scholars can compare both sections to understand the proper balance.

六刑：寅刑巳，巳刑申，丑戌相刑未並臻；子刑卯，卯刑子，辰午酉亥自相刑。六害：六害子未不堪親，丑害午兮寅巳真，卯害辰兮申害亥，酉戍相穿轉見深。

The first part discusses punishments. The trigram寅 (Yin) is punished by巳 (Si), and巳 (Si) is punished by申 (Shen), and申 (Shen) is punished by寅 (Yin), and this group is called "Punishment of Ingratitude." The trigram丑 (Chou) is punished by戌 (Xu), and戌 (Xu) is punished by未 (Wei), and未 (Wei) is punished by丑 (Chou), and this group is called "Punishment of Overbearing Power." The song says "丑戌相刑未并臻," meaning that three trigrams together cause a heavier punishment. The trigram子 (Zi) is punished by卯 (Mao), and卯 (Mao) is punished by子 (Zi), and this mutual punishment is called "Punishment of Impropriety." The trigrams辰 (Chen),午 (Wu),酉 (You), and亥 (Hai) each punish themselves when they meet their own trigrams, and this is called "Self-Punishment." The second part discusses harm, also called "Piercing." Zi (Zi) and Wei (Wei) harm each other and are most incompatible; Chou (Chou) harms Wu (Wu), Yin (Yin) harms Si (Si); Mao (Mao) harms Chen (Chen), Shen (Shen) harms Hai (Hai); You (You) and Xu (Xu) pierce each other, and this harm is especially severe. When the useful god is punished or harmed by the day branch, month builder, or moving line in divination, events will certainly have complications, and there will be resentment and illness. However, if the punishing or harming trigram is the hostile god, it is actually a good thing.

乾為馬，坤為牛，震為龍，巽為雞，坎為豕，離為雉，艮為狗，兌為羊。

This passage refers to the animals associated with the Eight Trigrams, taken from the "Commentary on the Diagrams" of the "Zhou Yi" (I Ching). These are used in divination to represent domestic animals, lost items, and objects encountered by travelers. Specifically: Qian (Heaven) corresponds to the horse, Kun (Earth) to the ox, Zhen (Thunder) to the dragon, Xun (Wind) to the chicken, Kan (Water) to the pig, Li (Fire) to the wild chicken, Gen (Mountain) to the dog, and Dui (Lake) to the sheep. For example, if a divination about a lost animal results in the Kun trigram with the wife's wealth爻 activated, one should consider the ox; if the Dui trigram is involved, then the sheep should be considered.

八宮諸身：乾為首，坤為腹，震為足，巽為股，坎為耳，離為目，艮為手，兌為口。

This passage explains the correspondence between the Eight Trigrams and the human body parts, as recorded in the "Say卦传." It is used to determine the location of illness in divination: Qian (Heaven) corresponds to the head, Kun (Earth) to the abdomen, Zhen (Thunder) to the feet, Xun (Wind) to the thighs, Kan (Water) to the ears, Li (Fire) to the eyes, Gen (Mountain) to the hands, and Dui (Lake) to the mouth. When diagnosing illness, first check where the official ghost爻 is located in the hexagram and its position. Then combine it with the Five Phases' corresponding organs. The location of the illness can then be roughly determined. For example, if the official ghost belongs to wood and is in the Zhen hexagram, consider the feet and liver and gallbladder. If the official ghost is in the Li hexagram and associated with fire, consider eye diseases and heart fire.

世應當中兩間爻，忌神發動莫相交，元辰與用當中動，生世扶身事事高。

The two yao between the world line and the response line are called "jian yao," representing intermediaries such as matchmakers, go-betweens, or persons handling the matter, as well as obstacles in between. When examining the jian yao, the principle is: if the jian yao has aHostile God (hostile god) that moves, one should avoid dealing with the intermediary, as the matter will be obstructed by him. If the jian yao has aOrigin God (origin god) orUseful God (useful god) that moves, and it supports the world line and strengthens the hexagram body, then everything will go smoothly, and the intermediary will actually be helpful. When divining about marriage, look at the matchmaker; when divining about business transactions, look at the broker; when divining about lawsuits, look at the mediator. In all these cases, one should first examine these two lines.

甲己之年丙作首，乙庚之歲戊為頭，丙辛之位從庚上，丁壬壬位順行流，戊癸之年何方法，甲寅之上好追求。

This is a mnemonic for determining the stem of the first lunar month based on the heavenly stem of the year. After determining the first month, the remaining months can be sequentially arranged according to the sixty-jiazi cycle (with the earthly branches fixed: the first month is built on寅, the second on卯, and so on until the twelfth month, which is built on丑). For years starting with Jia or Ji, the first month is Bingyin; for years starting with Yi or Geng, the first month is Wuyin; for years starting with Bing or Xin, the first month is Gengyin; for years starting with Ding or Ren, the first month is Rennyin; for years starting with Wu or Gui, the first month is Jiayin. For example, if this year starts with Yi, the first month is Wuyin, the second is Jimao, the third is Gengchen, and so on. The month builder is the first measure for assessing the strength and decline of yao in divination, so it is essential to accurately determine the month builder before casting the hexagram.

甲己還加甲，乙庚丙作初，丙辛從戊起，丁壬庚子居，戊癸何方法，壬子是順行。

This is a mnemonic for determining the heavenly stem of the hour during the first hour (子时) based on the day stem. Once the stem for 子时 is determined, the remaining hours follow in sequence through the sixty-jiazi cycle (with the earthly branches fixed as 子, 丑, 寅, 卯, etc.). For 甲日 and 己日, 子时 is Jiazi; for 乙日 and 庚日, 子时 is Bingzi; for 丙日 and 辛日, 子时 is Wuzi; for 丁日 and 壬日, 子时 is Gengzi; for 戊日 and 癸日, 子时 is Renzi. For example, if today is 丙日, then 子时 is Wuzi, 丑时 is Jichou, 寅时 is Gengyin, and so on. When predicting specific times, this method is used.

正九五更二點徹，二八五更四點歇，三七平光是寅時，四六日出寅無別，五月日高三丈地，十月十二四更二，仲冬才到四更初，便是寅時君須記。

In ancient times, there were no clocks, and the twelve hours of a day were determined by the sky's appearance. The time of the first hour,寅时, was used as the basis for determining the other hours (once寅时 was fixed, the rest could be calculated in order). This song gives the celestial phenomena for the寅时 according to each month: in the first and ninth months, it is at the second watch, two points; in the second and eighth months, it is until the fourth watch, four points; in the third and seventh months, when the sky is just beginning to brighten, that is寅时; in the fourth and sixth months, when the sun comes up, that is寅时, the same as the previous two months; in the fifth month, when days are longer, the寅时 has already reached when the sun is three feet high; in the tenth and twelfth months, it is at the second watch, two points; in the eleventh month (the middle of winter), when nights are longest, only at the beginning of the fourth watch is it寅时. When using this to cast a divination, one must calculate according to this method, and not treat all months the same.

易爻不妄成，神爻豈亂發。體象或既成，無者形憂色。始須論用神，次必看原神。三合會用吉，祿馬最為良。爻動始為定，次者論空亡。六沖主沖並，刑剋俱主傷。

The lines in a hexagram do not form without purpose; the lines indicated by the spirits also do not act randomly. Whatever is shaken out must have its own meaning. Once the hexagram is arranged, if the six relations that should be present are missing, the hexagram itself carries a sense of sorrow. When interpreting a hexagram, first consider the "useful god," which represents the matter being asked about in the hexagram. Then look at the "origin god," which supports the useful god. If the three harmonies form a complete set and this set also supports the useful god, it is favorable. If further supported by the禄神 (favorable god) and thePost Horse (post horse), it is even better. The moving line is the decisive factor in determining success or failure, so first determine the moving line, then check if it falls into the "ten empty" period. If there is a six clash, it indicates dispersion, agitation, and sudden movement. If there are punishments or conflicts, they indicate damage.

世應俱發動，必然有改張。龍動家有喜，虎動主有喪。勾陳朱雀動，田土與文章。財動憂尊長，父動損兒郎。子動男人滯，兄動女人殃。出行宜世動，歸魂不出疆。用動值三合，行人立回莊。占宅財龍旺，豪富冠一鄉。父母爻興旺，為官至侯王。福神若持世，官訟定無妨。勾陳克玄武，捕賊不須忙。

The World Line and the Response Line both moving indicate that the matter will change midway. The Azure Dragon moving signifies joy in the family; the White Tiger moving indicates a funeral. The Gou Chen moving relates to land and property, while the Vermilion Bird moving relates to documents and writings. The Wealth Line moving indicates concern for elders (as wealth overcomes parents), and the Parents Line moving is unfavorable for children (as parents overcome children). The Children Line moving indicates obstacles for a man seeking fame or official position (as children overcome officials); the Brothers Line moving indicates misfortune for the wife and female relatives (as brothers overcome wealth). For travel, it is favorable if the World Line moves. If the returning soul hexagram appears, the person will not leave the country. If the Useful God moves and forms a triple harmony, the traveler will return immediately. For a house, if the Wealth Line is strong and accompanied by the Azure Dragon, it indicates great wealth surpassing the whole village. If the Parents Line is strong, it indicates the possibility of holding high official positions such as marquis, duke, or king. If the Children Line (the God of Fortune) holds the World Line, there will be no obstacles in legal disputes. If Gou Chen overcomes Xuan Wu, there is no need to worry about catching thieves, as the thieves will be caught on their own.

父病嫌財殺，財興母不長。無鬼病難療，鬼旺主發狂。請看考鬼歷，禱謝得安康。占婚兼克用，占產看陰陽。若要問風水，三四世吉昌。長生墓絕訣，卦卦要審詳。萬千言不盡，略舉其大綱，分別各有類，無物不包藏。

Divination for the illness of parents is most dangerous when the wealth hexagram is afflicted by a killer (the wealth hexagram overcoming the parents hexagram). If the wealth hexagram is strong, the mother's lifespan is difficult to prolong. When divining illness, if the hexagram has no official ghost, the illness is hard to cure — because without the official ghost, there is no indication of the illness, and medicine cannot be applied. If the official ghost is too strong, the illness becomes severe and the patient may go mad. In such cases, one can consult books like "Ghost Calendar" to determine which god or ghost is causing the trouble, pray and apologize, and then attain health. When divining marriage, one must also check if there is a hexagram that overcomes the useful god. When divining childbirth, one must determine the gender based on the yin and yang of the hexagram. If asking about the fortune of a tomb or house, a hexagram of the third or fourth generation is auspicious. The principles of long life, entering the tomb, and reaching the end in the twelve long life stages must be carefully examined in each hexagram. This principle is too vast to explain in detail here; it is only a general outline. Each category has its own classification, and there is no matter in the world that is not included in the hexagram.

子動生財，不宜父擺，兄動克財，子動能解。財動生鬼，切忌兄搖，子動克鬼，財動能消。父動生兄，忌財相剋，鬼動克兄，父動能洩。鬼動巽入，忌子交重，財動克父，鬼動能中。兄動生子，忌鬼搖揚，父動克子，兄動無妨。

The "Su Jin Fu" specializes in explaining the mutual generation and control among three lines: one line should generate the useful deity, while another line comes to control it; at this time, if there is a third line in the middle, it can resolve the conflict. If the children line moves to generate the wealth line, it is feared that the parents line also moves (as the parents line controls the children line, cutting off the path of wealth); if the siblings line moves to control the wealth line, the children line moving can resolve it—because the siblings line sees the children line and will generate the children line instead of controlling the wealth line. If the wealth line moves to generate the official ghost line, the most feared is the siblings line moving (as the siblings line controls the wealth line, cutting off the path of the official ghost); if the children line moves to control the official ghost line, the wealth line moving can resolve it—because the children line sees the wealth line and will generate the wealth line instead of controlling the official ghost. If the parents line moves to generate the siblings line, it is feared that the wealth line controls the parents line; if the official ghost line moves to control the siblings line, the parents line moving can release the official ghost's energy and transform it into generating the siblings line. If the official ghost line moves to generate the parents line, it is feared that the children line moves strongly; if the wealth line moves to control the parents line, the official ghost line moving can mediate and transform it. If the siblings line moves to generate the children line, it is feared that the official ghost line moves strongly; if the parents line moves to control the children line, as long as the siblings line moves together, the parents' energy will be directed to generate the siblings line, and the children line will not be a problem.

子興克鬼，父動無妨，若然兄動，鬼必遭傷。財興克父，兄動無憂，若然子動，父命難留。父動克子，財動無事，若是鬼興，其子必死。鬼興克兄，子動可救，財若交重，兄弟不久。兄興克財，鬼興無礙，若是父興，財遭克害。

In reverse, when the official ghost is strong and the subject is weak, the children's trigram attacking the official ghost is beneficial, but if the parents also move to attack the children, the official ghost is not harmed. However, if the siblings move together, the siblings weaken the parents' strength and then support the children, causing the official ghost to be injured. When the wife's wealth trigram attacks the parents, if the siblings also move, the siblings are born from the parents and then support the wife's wealth. Otherwise, the siblings are born from the parents, and the parents have the siblings to release their strength, so they are not exhausted, thus the parents are safe. But if the children move together, the children support the wife's wealth, and the parents' strength is lost. When the parents attack the children, if the wife's wealth also moves to attack the parents, the children are not harmed. However, if the official ghost moves together, the official ghost supports the parents, doubling their strength, so the children must die. When the official ghost attacks the siblings, if the children move together to attack the official ghost, the siblings are saved. However, if the wife's wealth moves together, the wife's wealth supports the official ghost, and the siblings will not last long. When the siblings attack the wife's wealth, even if the official ghost moves together, it is not a problem (since the official ghost attacks the siblings, which actually protects the wealth). However, if the parents move together, the parents support the siblings, and the wife's wealth will be attacked.

本支皆言生剋制化之克，以明凶中藏吉，吉內藏凶耳。如金動本生水，也得火動則制金，而金不能生水矣。如火動可克金，也得水動則制火，而火不能傷金矣。如金逢火動則受克，也得土動則火貪生於土，忘克於金，名為貪生忘克，金反吉也。如火動克金而土爻安靜，更逢木動，木助火克金，必凶也。學者宜按五行生剋制化推之，吉凶瞭然矣。

This passage is Wang Hongxu's commentary on the "Su Jin Fu." The above statements all discuss the concept of "killing" within the framework of the Five Phases' generation, control, and transformation. The intention is to illustrate that among evils there are hidden blessings, and among blessings there are hidden evils; one should not look only at the surface. For example, metal usually generates water, but if fire also arises, fire controls metal, and thus metal cannot generate water. Another example: fire can kill metal, but if water also arises, water controls fire, and thus fire cannot harm metal. Another case: when metal meets active fire, it should be controlled, but if the earth element is also active, fire will prefer to generate earth instead of killing metal, forgetting its original function of controlling metal. This is called "preferring to generate rather than to kill," and metal thus turns into a favorable situation. Conversely, if fire is active and controls metal, but the earth element remains inactive, and another wood element is active, wood will assist fire, making the fire stronger, and metal will suffer great misfortune. Scholars should analyze the Five Phases' generation, control, and transformation step by step, and the good and bad outcomes will become clear at a glance.

世爻旺相最為強，作事亨通大吉昌，謀望諸般皆遂意，用神生合妙難量，旬空月破達非吉，克害刑沖遇不良。

The World Line represents the person seeking divination. It is most important for the World Line to be prosperous and strong. If the World Line is prosperous and strong, the person's spirit is vigorous, affairs proceed smoothly, and great fortune is achieved. Whatever they seek, everything goes well. If the Useful God supports and harmonizes with the World Line, the benefits are endless. Conversely, if the World Line falls into the旬空 (decade void) and also meets the Month Breaker, even if there seems to be something, it is not auspicious. If the Day Branch or the Moving Line harms, injures, or conflicts with the World Line, all encountered situations will be unsmooth.

父母持世主身勞，求嗣妾眾也難招，官動財旺宜赴試，財搖謀利莫心焦，占身財動無賢婦，又恐區區壽不高。

The parents' hexagram holds the world position, indicating personal toil and worry. It is most unfavorable for seeking offspring—parents overcome children, so even with many wives and concubines, it is difficult to have sons. If the official ghost moves and wealth is strong (officials generate parents, wealth generates officials, and this continues up to the world position), it is most suitable to take an exam. If wealth moves and the matter concerns profit-making, there is no need to worry excessively: although wealth overcomes parents, it is actually beneficial for seeking wealth. However, if the hexagram concerns oneself, and wealth moves, it overcomes the parents in the world position, indicating the household lacks a virtuous wife and also fearing a shortened lifespan.

子身持世事無憂，求名切忌坐當頭，避亂許安失可得，官訟從今了便休，有生無克諸般吉，有克無生反見愁。

The Children line holds the World line, and there is little worry in all matters. The Children represent the deity of fortune and virtue, capable of removing calamities and controlling ghosts. However, it is most inauspicious for seeking official rank or fame if the Children line is in the World position, because the Children line overcomes the Official Ghost line, thus cutting off the path to official success beforehand. If one is avoiding war or disaster, the Children line in the World position promises safety; lost items can be recovered; and legal disputes can be resolved. As long as there is a line that supports the Children line in the World position and no line that overcomes it, everything will be favorable. If there are only lines that overcome the Children line and none that support it, then one should worry.

鬼爻持世事難安，占身不病也遭官，財物時時憂失脫，功名最喜世當權，入墓愁疑無散日，逢沖轉禍變成歡。

The Official Ghost line holds the world position, causing instability in all affairs. When divining about oneself, it indicates either illness or legal troubles. In terms of wealth, there is constant worry about loss or theft. However, this situation is most favorable for seeking official positions—since the Official Ghost is the deity of official rank, its presence in the world position signifies authority and proper position. If the Official Ghost in the world position also enters the storage, there will be no end to worries and uncertainties. At this time, if the day branch or moving line comes to break the storage, misfortune can be turned into good fortune.

財爻持世益財榮，兄若交重不可逢，更遇子孫明暗動，利身克父喪文風，求官問訟宜財托，動變兄官萬事凶。

The Wealth line is in the current position, which is beneficial for wealth and brings prestige. The greatest danger is when the Siblings line is strongly activated. Siblings are the thieves of wealth; once they move, wealth is scattered. If the Children line is clearly activated or covertly activated (covert activation refers to a static line being stirred by the day branch), the Children will generate wealth, which is beneficial for oneself, but the Children also fail to support documents, as wealth overcomes the Parents, indicating damage to academic achievements and literary fortune. When seeking official positions or involved in legal matters, one should use wealth to seek help from others (wealth generates the Official Ghost). However, if the Wealth line is activated and transforms into the Siblings or Official Ghost lines, then all things become ominous.

兄弟持世莫求財，官興須慮禍將來，朱雀井臨防口舌，如搖必定損妻財，夬母相生身有壽，化官化鬼有奇災。

The World Line is occupied by the Siblings爻, so one should not seek wealth — the Siblings are naturally the gods that consume wealth, and having them on the World Line means wealth is first taken by oneself. If the Official Ghost爻 is also strong, one should beware of misfortune coming suddenly (as the Official Ghost is overcoming the Siblings, and this is directly attacking the World Line). If the Siblings爻 on the World Line also carries the Vermilion Bird, one should be cautious of disputes and arguments; once the Siblings爻 moves, it will certainly cause damage to the wife's wealth. If the Parents爻 (originally '夬母', meaning Parents) generates with the Siblings on the World Line, it indicates longevity for oneself. However, if the Siblings爻 on the World Line moves and transforms into the Official Ghost爻, there will be unexpected calamities.

世應相生則吉，世應相剋則凶，世應比和事卻中，作事謀為可用。應動他人反變，應空他意難同，世空世動我心傭，只恐自家懶動。

The World Line represents me, and the Response Line represents the other party or the external situation. When these two lines interact, we can see whether the outcome is favorable or not. If the World Line and the Response Line mutually generate each other, the matter is auspicious. If they mutually control each other, the matter is ominous. If the Five Phases of the World Line and the Response Line are the same and they are harmonious, the matter is in a middle ground and can still be handled. If the Response Line is active, it indicates that the other party is indecisive. If the Response Line falls into an empty position, it suggests that the other party does not agree with me and the discussion is not going well. If the World Line falls into an empty position or if the World Line itself is active, it indicates that I am indecisive and lazy (the character '佣' is the same as '慵'). I should be afraid that the matter will fail due to my own lack of action. When divining about business transactions, partnerships, marriages, or lawsuits, keep these four lines in mind, and you will know which side to focus on.

身臨福德不見官，所憂必竟變成歡，目前凶事終須吉，緊急還來漸漸寬。身臨原用與青龍，定期喜事入門中，若逢驛馬身爻動，出路求謀事事通。身爻切忌入空亡，作事難成且守常，刑傷破絕皆為忌，勸君安分守家邦。

The hexagram body represents the matter being divined itself; its condition is most important. If the hexagram body falls on the children (fortune virtue)爻 and the hexagram does not contain official ghost, what is feared will eventually turn into joy, and current misfortunes will ultimately become good fortune, and urgent situations will gradually ease. If the hexagram body falls on the origin god or the useful god, and is accompanied by the azure dragon, it indicates certain good news will arrive. If the hexagram body爻 coincides with the post horse and is active, then matters concerning going out and seeking opportunities will all be smooth. Conversely, the hexagram body should most avoid falling into empty亡; once it falls into empty亡, things will be difficult to achieve, and one can only stick to the old way. If the hexagram body is harmed by刑, injured, meets the month breaker, or is in a desolate place, these are all unfavorable conditions; it is advisable to be content with the current situation and not to act recklessly.

伏克飛神為出暴，飛來克伏反傷身，伏去生飛名洩氣，飛來生伏得長生，爻逢伏克飛無事，用見飛傷伏不寧，飛伏不和為助伏，藏出現審來因。

In a hexagram, the six relations that are missing are obtained from the first hexagram of the same palace, and these are called "hidden gods." The hexagram line that covers the hidden god is called "flying god." The relationship between the flying god and the hidden god determines whether the hidden god can emerge. If the hidden god overcomes the flying god, the hidden god has strength to break through the suppression, called "sudden emergence," and the matter can succeed. If the flying god overcomes the hidden god, the hidden god is suppressed and suffers damage, making the matter difficult to succeed. If the hidden god generates the flying god, its own energy is drained, called "energy leakage," which is not effective. If the flying god generates the hidden god, the hidden god receives nourishment, called "flying god generates hidden god for growth," and it can emerge once it is guided. Therefore, when a line encounters a hidden god overcoming a flying god, there is no problem. However, if the useful god's position encounters a flying god harming the hidden god, the hidden god becomes unstable. When there is disharmony between the flying and hidden gods, we should also check if other lines support the hidden god. In summary, whether the hidden god is hidden or emerges and whether it can respond to events depends on its origin—examining the relationships and conflicts between the flying and hidden gods, checking if the day or month supports them, and seeing if there is a day that breaks the flying god.

易卦陰陽在變通，五行生剋妙無窮，時人須辨陰陽理，神煞休將定吉凶。

The principles of the Yi hexagrams are entirely based on the transformation of yin and yang. The subtle applications of the Five Phases (Wu Xing) are endless. Those who study the Yi today should clarify the principles of yin and yang and generation and overcoming, rather than rely on a collection of divine and auspicious signs to determine fortune and misfortune. This is the central position of the entire book: Wang Hongxu later dedicates several chapters to refute the theories of heavenly doctor, nobleman,禄马, and personal destiny. The root of this lies in these four sentences—divine and auspicious signs can only add a little color to the hexagram, but what ultimately determines success or failure is always the generation and overcoming of the Five Phases and the strength or decline of the hexagram.

卦遇六爻安靜，當看用與日辰。日辰克用及相刑，作事宜當謹慎；更在世應推究，忌神切莫加臨；世應臨用及原神，作事斷然昌盛。

In a hexagram where none of the lines are moving, there are no moving lines to consider, so attention should be focused entirely on the useful god and the day branch. If the day branch overcomes the useful god or forms a conflicting relationship with it, then matters should be approached with extra caution. Further examination should be made of the world line and the response line: the world and response lines must not be occupied by the hostile god. If the world line and the response line are exactly occupied by the useful god or the origin god, then the matter being dealt with will certainly proceed smoothly and prosperously. Although a still hexagram may seem to have no issues, its fortune and misfortune depend entirely on the relationship between the day branch and the useful god, whether it is overcoming or being overcome, as well as the six relations occupied by the world and response lines.

六爻亂動事難明，須向宮中看用神，用若休囚遭克害，須知此事費精神。

When all six lines are moving in disorder, the situation becomes complicated and hard to understand. In such cases, one should focus the mind and look for the useful god within the original palace. Grasping this single line as the main factor is essential. If the useful god is in a weak and confined state, and is further harmed or restrained by the day branch and the moving line, then it indicates that a great deal of effort will be required. Even if the matter is accomplished, it will involve much hardship and difficulty. When the hexagram shows disorderly movement, there is no need to follow each line individually. Instead, one should simply determine whether the useful god line is strong or weak, and whether it is being assisted or harmed. The decision will then become clear.

看卦先須看忌神，忌神宜靜不宜興，忌神急要逢傷克，若遇生扶用受刑。

The "忌神" is the line that directly harms the "用神." When interpreting a hexagram, the first thing to identify is the "忌神": ideally, it should remain quiet and unmoving. Once it moves, it directly attacks the "用神." Therefore, the key for the "忌神" is that it itself is injured or restrained—when another line restrains the "忌神," the "用神" is safe. However, if the "忌神" instead receives support from the "日辰," "月建," or "动爻," its strength increases, and it then harms the "用神," causing problems in the hexagram. When interpreting a hexagram, first determine the "用神," then identify the "忌神." By comparing these two lines, half of the outcome is already clear.

原神發動志揚揚，用伏藏兮也不妨，須要生扶兼旺相，最嫌化克及逢傷。

The "Original God" is the yao that generates the "Useful God." When the Original God is activated, its energy is strong and vigorous. Even if the Useful God is hidden and not visible, it is not a problem—having the Original God ensures that the Useful God will eventually be brought out. However, the Original God itself must also be strong: it needs support from the day branch and month builder to generate and sustain it, and it must be in a prosperous and strong state to truly generate the Useful God. The most dangerous situation is when the Original God is activated but transforms into a yao that controls itself (a回头克), or when it is attacked and damaged by other yao in the hexagram; in such cases, the Original God is preoccupied with its own survival and cannot generate the Useful God.

正卦如無變又無，就將首卦六親攻，動爻生用終須吉，若遇交重克用凶。

The desired one of the six relations is not present in the primary hexagram or the resulting hexagram; this is called "the useful god does not appear in the hexagram." When encountering such a situation, one should look for that six relation in the first hexagram of the same trigram (the eight pure hexagrams) at the same line position, and treat it as the hidden god for interpretation. After determining it, one still follows the usual method: if a moving line in the hexagram generates this useful god, it is ultimately favorable; if there are overlapping or intersecting lines that move to overcome it, it will be unfavorable. This is the general principle for selecting the hidden god throughout the entire text. The following section "Hexagram Lines and Their Images, and the Rules for Determining Flying and Hidden Gods and the Hexagram Body" lists for each hexagram which line of the first hexagram to take the hidden god from.

發動逢沖不謂空，靜空遇克卻為空，忌神最喜逢空吉，用與原神不可空。春土夏金秋樹木，三冬逢火是真空，旬空又值真空象，再遇爻傷到底空。

Distinguishing between true and false旬空 depends on the situation. Although a line may fall within the旬空, if it is active itself or is activated by the day branch (冲空则实), it cannot be considered empty. Conversely, if a quiet line that is already empty is further harmed by being克伤, then it is truly empty. The rule of application is: theHostile God most benefits from falling into旬空, as it cannot cause harm when empty, which is good; theUseful God andOrigin God must never fall into旬空, as once they are empty, the matter has no foundation. What is meant by「vacuum」? A soil line in spring, a metal line in summer, a wood line in autumn, and a fire line in winter—these are elements that are either being overcome by the current season's energy or are extremely weak. These elements have no inherent strength, and if they also fall into旬空, they become a true vacuum. When a line is already in旬空 and is at a time when it has no strength, and is further attacked by other lines, it becomes completely empty and has no chance to emerge.

用爻發動在宮中，縱值休囚亦不凶，更得生扶兼旺相，管教作事永亨通。

When the useful god appears in the hexagram and initiates action, it indicates that the matter has a chance of success: even if it is in a weak and confined state, it is not considered凶 (unfavorable), because movement allows for change and the possibility of finding a way forward. If it also receives support from the day branch and the month builder, and itself is in a prosperous and strong condition, then the matter will certainly proceed smoothly. This principle is in direct contrast to the previous statement that "the hostile god should remain still." The useful god should be active, while the hostile god should remain still; the main criteria of the Orthodox Tradition of Divination largely depend on these two statements.

父動當頭克子孫，病人無藥主昏沉，姻親子息應難得，買賣勞心利不存，觀望行人書信動，論官下狀理先分，士人科舉登金榜，失物逃亡要訴論。

The parents' hexagram moves first, and the main thing is to overcome the children's hexagram. In divination about illness, the children's hexagram represents the gods of medicine; if it is overcome, there will be no medicine available, and the patient will be confused and unconscious. In divination about marriage and children, it is difficult to have offspring. In business, one will work hard without profit (the children's hexagram represents the source of wealth; if the source is cut off, wealth will dry up). However, if another hexagram is involved, it becomes a good omen: if one is waiting for a traveler, the parents' hexagram represents news, and once it moves, a letter will arrive. In a lawsuit, the parents' hexagram represents documents; once it moves, the issue will be clarified quickly. For a scholar taking an imperial examination, the parents' hexagram is the god of documents, and once it moves, it indicates success in the examination. As for lost items or escaped people, one must go to court to find them.

子孫發動傷官鬼，占病求醫身便痊，行人買賣身康泰，婚姻喜美是前緣，產婦當生子易養，詞訟私和不到官，謁貴求名休進用，勸君守分聽乎天。

When the son's hexagram moves, the first thing is the injury to the official ghost. In divination about illness, the official ghost represents the root of the illness; when the son's hexagram moves, it removes the root of the illness, and seeking medical treatment will lead to recovery. In divination about a traveler or business, everything will be safe and prosperous. In divination about marriage, it indicates a happy and harmonious previous life connection. In divination about childbirth, the child will be healthy and well cared for. In legal matters, private reconciliation is possible, and there is no need to go to court. However, this is not suitable for seeking to meet a nobleman or striving for official rank, because the official ghost represents official rank, and the movement of the son's hexagram will first weaken the official rank. Therefore, it is advised to be content with one's circumstances, accept fate, and not to force things.

官鬼從來克兄弟，婚姻未就生擬滯，病困門庭禍崇來，耕種蠶桑皆不利，出外逃亡定見災，詞訟官非有囚繫，買賣財輕賭博輸，失脫難尋多闇昧。

The Official Ghost line is active, and its nature is to overcome siblings. In a divination about marriage, the matter will be delayed and encounter obstacles along the way; in a divination about the family home, illness will hinder the household and misfortunes will follow one after another; farming, planting, raising silkworms, and spinning silk will all be unsmooth; when going out or searching for a runaway person, disaster is certain; in legal matters, there is a risk of imprisonment; in business, profits will be thin, and gambling will certainly result in loss; lost items will be difficult to find, and there are often hidden and unclear circumstances involved. Among all the matters related to the Official Ghost, only asking about official positions or names is favorable, while other matters are mostly associated with worries, doubts, illness, and misfortune. This is its inherent nature.

財爻發動克文書，應舉求名總是虛，將本經營為大吉，親姻如意藥無虞，行人在外身將動，產婦求財身脫除，失物靜安家未出，病人傷胃更傷脾。

The wife and wealth hexagram is active. Its nature is to overcome the parents and documents. If one seeks examination or official rank, the parents being overcome leads to everything being in vain. However, if one uses capital to engage in business, it is very auspicious. Marriage will be satisfactory. Seeking medical treatment and taking medicine will not be a problem (wealth can generate officials, and officials represent illness, but when wealth is strong, the effect of medicine can be achieved, hence there is no worry). If predicting the movement of a person, the movement of the wife and wealth hexagram indicates that the person is outside and will soon return. If predicting childbirth, the movement of the wife and wealth hexagram indicates a smooth delivery and the possibility of gaining wealth. If predicting lost items, a quiet wife and wealth hexagram indicates that the item is still at home and has not left. If predicting illness, one should be cautious: the wife and wealth hexagram belongs to earth and is active when it is the right time, which most severely harms the spleen and stomach. The patient is likely to have damage to the spleen and stomach.

兄弟交重克了財，病人難愈未離災，應舉奪標為忌客，官非陰賊耗錢財，若帶吉神為有助，出路行人便未來，貨物經商消折本，買婢求妻事不諧。

If the siblings' hexagram is repeatedly activated, its inherent nature is to overcome the wealth hexagram. When divining about illness, wealth represents medical expenses and also the vital energy of the spleen and stomach. If it is overcome, the illness is difficult to recover from and misfortune has not yet passed. For those seeking to pass an examination and win the top rank, siblings represent competitors, making them an obstructive "taboo guest." In legal matters, it indicates someone is secretly interfering, causing unnecessary expenses. However, if siblings are accompanied by auspicious deities such as the Azure Dragon or the Nobleman, they can become helpful, indicating assistance from others. When divining about a traveler away from home, the activation of siblings suggests the person will not return soon. For those engaged in trade or business, it indicates losses and reduced profits. If one is trying to buy a servant or marry, the matters are likely to not go smoothly.