Tai's Forest (Sixty-fourth Forest of the Tai Hexagram)

泰之中孚：同本異葉，樂仁正德。東鄰慕義，來興我國。

From the same root but with varied branches, it delights in benevolence and uprightness. The people from the east admire righteousness and come to bring prosperity to our country. This forest is highly auspicious, signifying trustworthiness spreading far and wide, with people from all directions coming to join.

泰之小過：桃李花實，累累日息。長大成熟，甘美可食，為我利福。

Peach and plum trees bear flowers and fruits, connected in clusters, growing increasingly abundant day by day. As they grow and mature, they become sweet and edible, becoming my benefit and fortune. This grove is auspicious, indicating the accumulation of small gains into great ones, gradually achieving benefits.

泰之既濟：重瞳四乳，聰明順理。無隱不形，微視千里。災害不作，君子集聚。

He was born with an unusual appearance, including double pupils and four breasts. It is said that Shun had double pupils and King Wen had four breasts, indicating their wisdom and ability to follow the right course. Hidden matters become evident, and subtle observations can reach a thousand miles. Misfortune does not arise, and gentlemen gather together. This forest is auspicious, indicating clarity in affairs and the assembly of virtuous men.

泰之未濟：實沈參墟，以義討尤。次止結盟，以成霸功。

Shi Shen resided in the region of the constellation Shen, as recorded in the "Zuo Zhuan · Zhao Gong Year 1," which states that Shi Shen was a deity of the constellation Shen and governed the area corresponding to the state of Jin. He used righteousness to punish wrongdoing. He stationed his troops and formed alliances, achieving the accomplishments of a hegemon. This is Lin Ji. Although the hexagram "Wei Ji" indicates that the undertaking is not yet completed, ultimately, by upholding justice and forming alliances, success will be achieved.

否之否：秦為虎狼，與晉爭強，併吞其國，號曰始皇。

The state of Qin was as fierce as a tiger or wolf, competing fiercely with the three Jin states. In the end, it conquered the six states, and its ruler was known as the First Emperor. This divination text indicates a ruler who is strong and aggressive, seizing power through force. In a time of blockage and hardship, strength is valued above all, and this is not a favorable omen for the benevolent.

否之乾：江河淮濟，天之奧府，眾利所聚。可以饒有，樂我君子。

The four great rivers, Jiang, He, Huai, and Ji, are the hidden treasuries of Heaven, where many benefits converge. They can bring about abundance and prosperity, bringing joy to the virtuous. This forest is very auspicious, indicating a wide gathering of wealth and resources that are inexhaustible.

否之坤：天之所災，凶不可居。轉徙獲福，留止危憂。

Where heaven sends calamity, it is dangerous and unfit to stay. Moving to another place brings good fortune, while remaining in place brings danger and worry. This forest indicates a place to avoid, suitable for migration rather than staying.

否之屯：名成德就，項領不試。景公耋老，尼父逝去。

His reputation is established and his virtue is complete, yet he is like a fat horse kept only for his neck, not used for pulling a carriage. King Jing of Qi is already old, and Confucius has passed away. This person is talented but not recognized, and the opportunity has already been missed.

否之蒙：持善避患，福祿長存。雖有豺虎，不能危患。

By upholding the virtuous path, one can avoid calamities and preserve blessings and official rank for a long time. Even if there are fierce beasts like tigers and wolves, they cannot cause harm. This forest is auspicious, indicating protection through virtue and avoiding misfortune, with integrity ensuring safety even in darkness.

否之需：避患東西，反入禍門。糟糠不足，憂動我心。

He ran east and west to avoid calamity, yet ended up entering the gate of misfortune. Even coarse food was not enough to eat, and worries disturbed my mind. This forest is凶, indicating that avoiding disaster leads to disaster and that there is insufficient food and clothing.

否之訟：珪璧琮璋，執贄見王。百里甯戚，應聘齊秦。

Holding jade objects such as the bi, zhu, cong, and zhang as gifts for an audience with the king, one presents oneself. Bai Li Xi and Ning Qi, two virtuous men, respectively sought positions in the states of Qin and Qi. This forest, known as Lin Ji, signifies the meeting of virtuous men and the success of their petitions.

否之師：揚水潛鑿，使石潔白。衣素表朱，遊戲皋沃。得君所願，心志娛樂。

Rushing water secretly erodes the stone, washing it white. Wearing plain clothes and a red outer robe, they enjoy themselves in the fertile land by the water. They have obtained the wish approved by the superior, and their hearts are joyful. This forest is auspicious, indicating hardship and refinement leading to being used, and fulfilling their wishes.

否之比：官爵相保，居之無咎。求免不得，使伯悔恨。

Official position and titles are maintained, with a peaceful and faultless position. One wishes to resign but cannot, causing the elder brother to regret. This forest ruler's position cannot be abandoned; occupying it brings peace, while forcefully retreating leads to regret.

否之小畜：載車無褌，裸裎出門。小兒作笑，君為憂患。

A cart is fully loaded yet there are no pants to wear, and one goes out naked. Children laugh, while the gentleman feels distressed. This indicates that the owner has possessions but they are of no use, lacking proper form and thus causing disgrace.

否之履：把珠入口，為我利寶。得吾所有，欣然嘉喜。

Putting a pearl in my mouth, it becomes my treasure. I obtain something that rightfully belongs to me, and I am delighted. This forest is auspicious, indicating the need to guard my treasure and cherish it, and to walk in accordance with my due place.

否之泰：行不如止，直不如曲，進不如退，可以安吉。

Action is better than movement; directness is better than circuitousness; advancement is better than retreat, in order to achieve safety and auspiciousness. This forest's master indicates that turning from decline to prosperity entirely depends on knowing when to retreat. The master of retreat and defense will eventually attain security.

否之同人：眾鬼瓦聚，中有大怪，九身無頭。魂驚魄去，不可以居。

Numerous ghosts gathered like tiles, among them a great monster with nine bodies but no head. The souls dispersed and the spirits scattered, making it impossible to stay here. This forest is extremely凶, attracting a gathering of evil spirits. The beings present are not of the same kind.

否之大有：家給人足，頌聲並作。四夷賓服，干戈囊閣。

Every household is prosperous and every person is well-off, with songs of praise echoing everywhere. The surrounding barbarian tribes are respectful and obedient, and weapons are stored away in bags and placed on high shelves. This is a great auspicious sign, indicating universal peace and great success.

否之謙：人面鬼口，長舌如斧。斫破瑚璉，殷商絕祀。

A human face, a ghost's mouth, with a long and sharp tongue like axes and halberds. It cuts through treasures like the瑚琏 used in ancestral worship, causing the Shang dynasty to cease its worship. This is a great凶 omen, indicating slanderous tongues that destroy the clan, bringing calamity upon the ancestral temple.

否之豫：南山之峻，真人所在。德配唐虞，天命為子。保佑飲享，身受大慶。

The southern mountain is high and steep, where the true person resides. His virtue can be compared to Tang Yao and Yu Shun, receiving the mandate of heaven to become emperor. He is protected by divine spirits, enjoying their blessings, and himself experiences great joy and prosperity. This forest is highly auspicious, indicating high virtue and receiving the mandate, being prepared for great blessings.

否之隨：春桃生花，季女宜家。受福多年，男為邦君。

In spring, peach trees bloom, and a young maiden is suitable for marriage, as mentioned in the "Book of Songs · Zhou Nan · Tao Yao." This signifies enjoying happiness for many years, and the son born from this union will become a ruler of a state. This grove is highly auspicious, indicating timely marriage, and the descendants will attain high status.

否之蠱：鴟鴞破斧，沖人危殆。賴其忠德，轉禍為福，傾危復立。

The owl destroys its nest, and axes damage the wood, alluding to the two poems "Chi Xiao" and "Pu Ju" from the "Book of Songs," which recount the story of Duke Zhou's eastern campaign. A young king is in a perilous situation. Thanks to Duke Zhou's loyalty and virtue, misfortune is turned into blessing, and the precarious situation is restored. This owner is in danger but regains stability, relying on loyal ministers to rectify the chaos.

否之臨：猿墮高木，不踒手足。保我金玉，還歸其室。

A monkey fell from a high tree but did not twist its limbs. It preserved its gold and jade and returned to its room. This forest is auspicious, indicating a fall without injury and loss regained.

否之觀：天之奧隅，堯舜所居。可以存身，保我邦家。

In a secluded corner of heaven lies the place where Yao and Shun resided. Here one can preserve life and safeguard one's country. This forest is auspicious, indicating the choice of a suitable place for settlement and attaining the right position through proper observation.

否之噬嗑：伯蹇叔盲，足痛難行。終日至暮，不離家鄉。

The elder brother is lame, the younger brother is blind, and his feet ache making it difficult to walk. From morning till night, he has never left his hometown. This forest owner is incomplete and obstructed, unable to take even a single step, indicating an image of being bitten and blocked.

否之賁：日月相望，光明盛昌。三聖茂功，仁德大隆。

The sun and moon are far apart yet facing each other, their brightness reaching its peak. Three sages have flourishing achievements and great virtue. This forest is highly auspicious, indicating prominent cultural achievements and flourishing virtue and accomplishments.

否之剝：桃李花實，累累日息。長大成就，甘美可食。

Peach and plum trees bear flowers and fruits, connected in clusters, growing increasingly abundant day by day. As they mature, they become sweet and edible. This grove is auspicious. Even during a time of decline, vitality continues, indicating gradual harvests.

否之復：入和出明，動作有光。運轉休息，所為允康。

When at home, one is harmonious and gentle; when going out, one is clear-sighted and discerning, with every action shining with brightness. The operations and rest are in proper balance, and all actions are indeed safe and healthy. This is a great auspicious sign, indicating that active and static aspects are in harmony, and returning to the right path.

否之無妄：陰衰老極，陽見其德。履離載光，天下昭明。功業不長，蝦蟆代王。

When the Yin energy is exhausted to its extreme, the Yang energy manifests its virtue. Following the brightness of Li (Fire), it carries the radiance, and the world becomes clearly bright. Unfortunately, the achievements cannot last long, and the toad replaces the king, symbolizing a lunar eclipse that obscures the light. This forest first shines brightly and then becomes dark, indicating that prosperity turns into decline.

否之大畜：行役未已，新事復起。姬姜勞苦，不得休止。

The duties of the officials are not yet completed, and new troubles have arisen. The noble ladies of the Ji and Jiang clans are also exhausted and unable to rest. This forest owner has accumulated matters leading to burdens, working hard but unable to cease.

否之頤：狐鳴室北，飢無所食。困於空丘，莫與同力。

A fox is howling in the north of the house, hungry and unable to find food. It is trapped in an empty hill, with no one to help it. This forest is ominous, indicating isolation and lack of sustenance, with no means of seeking help.

否之大過：雄聖伏名，人匿麟遠。走鳳飛北，擾亂未息。

Valiant and outstanding sages have concealed their reputations, and virtuous men have withdrawn. The qilin have vanished, and the phoenix has flown northward, causing unrest that has not ceased. This forest signifies that virtuous people are all hidden away and the age of chaos remains unended.

否之坎：病貧望幸，使伯行販。開牢擇羊，多得大牂。

He was both sick and poor, hoping for luck, so he sent his eldest brother out to trade. He opened the pen to select sheep, choosing many fat ewes. The forest owner, seeking profit inpredicament, succeeded and found a way to survive amidst danger.

否之離：翕翕＃＃，隕墜崩顛。滅其令名，長沒不存。

There are many voices speaking in confusion, all following the crowd, and the original text here is missing characters, leading to a collapse and downfall. It destroyed his good reputation, which has remained buried and forgotten for a long time. This forest is凶 (evil), indicating that those who follow power will die quickly, and both reputation and integrity will be lost.

否之咸：華薄實槁，衣敝入絡。女工不成，絲布如玉。

The flowers are sparse and withered, the fruits dry and shriveled, the clothes tattered and reduced to coarse fibers. Needlework cannot be completed, silk is expensive like jade. This indicates that the household lacks resources and has no results, due to lack of response.

否之恆：溫山松柏，常茂不落。鸞鳳所庇，得其歡樂。

The pine and cypress trees in the warm mountain are evergreen throughout the four seasons without falling. The luanfeng find shelter here and each enjoys its own happiness. This forest is highly auspicious, indicating enduring stability and providing support for the virtuous.

否之遁：失持毋教，嘉偶出走。傫如失老，如喪家狗。

Losing virtue and without guidance, a good spouse also leaves home. One becomes despondent like an old man who has lost his master, like a stray dog without a home. This is from the "Records of the Grand Historian: The Family of Confucius." This is a凶 sign, indicating loss of virtue and spouse, with no place to return to.

否之大壯：太乙駕騮，從天上來。徵我季叔，封為魯侯。

The Supreme Emperor rode a red horse and descended from heaven. He summoned my family's younger uncle and appointed him as the Duke of Lu. This forest is highly auspicious, indicating the descent of heavenly mandate and sudden rise to prominence.

否之晉：雙鳧俱飛，欲歸稻池。徑涉萑澤，為矢所射，傷我胸臆。

Two wild geese flew up together, intending to return to the rice field pond. They took a path through the reed marsh, but were shot by an arrow, wounding my chest. This forest is dangerous, indicating harm encountered on the way forward and injury upon returning.

否之明夷：深坑復平，天下安寧。意娛心樂，賴福長生。

The deep pit has been filled in again, and the world is at peace. The mind is joyful and happy, relying on blessings for a long and prosperous life. This forest is auspicious, indicating that dangerous situations are resolved, and from extreme darkness it turns into brightness.

否之家人：俱為天民，雲過我西。風伯雨師，與我無恩。

They are all people born from heaven, yet the clouds pass only from my west. The Wind God and the Rain God have given me no favor. This forest receives uneven rain and dew, and my home gains no benefit from it.

否之睽：野鳥山鵲，來集六博。三梟四散，主人勝客。

Wild birds and magpies fly and gather on the six-dice board game. Three pieces of the枭 (jiao) are in a favorable position, scattering the opponent's pieces, so the host wins over the guest. Six-dice is an ancient game, and the one who captures the枭 wins. This forest is auspicious, indicating the host controls the guest, and amidst discord, victory is achieved.

否之蹇：北陰司寒，堅冰不溫。凌人惰殆，大雹為災。

In the north, the yin energy dominates and brings severe cold, with hard ice unwilling to warm up. The officials in charge of ice, called "ling ren," are lazy and neglect their duties. The Zhou Li mentions "ling ren" as the official responsible for managing ice. Therefore, large hailstorms cause disasters. This is a sign of calamity, indicating the failure of duties and the subsequent occurrence of natural disasters.

否之解：伊伯致仕，去桀耕野。執順以待，反和無咎。

I Yin refused to hold office, left King Jie of Xia, and plowed the fields in the countryside. He held to the principle of following the right path and waited for the right opportunity, eventually returning to harmony without any mistakes. This is a favorable omen, indicating the need to withdraw from active pursuits and wait for the right time, as difficulties will be resolved in their own way.

否之損：秋風牽手，相提笑語。伯歌季舞，燕樂以喜。

In the autumn wind, walking hand in hand, they support each other and laugh and talk. The elder brother sings, the younger brother dances. The banquet is joyful and happy. This forest is auspicious, indicating harmony among siblings. Although there is mention of loss, there is actually benefit within.

否之益：徙巢去家，南過白馬。東西受福，與母相得。

Moved from the old dwelling to a new place, traveling south through the land of White Horse. Both east and west receive blessings, and reunite with the mother, getting along well. This forest is auspicious, indicating a beneficial move and reunion with relatives.

否之夬：鳥飛跌破，兩兩相和。不併四肢，但去莫疑。

A bird falls and gets injured while flying, with pairs mutually harmonizing. Since it cannot gather all limbs to move together, it is better to leave without hesitation. This forest signifies something incomplete and difficult to unite; decisively departing is actually the wise choice.

否之姤：三年生狗，以戌為母。荊夷上侵，姬伯出走。

A dog born after three years has the戌 as its mother, since戌 is the dog in the twelve earthly branches. The Jiangchu Yi people launched an attack upwards, and the Duke of Ji surname fled abroad. This forest is凶, indicating encounters with strange creatures and external threats pressing upon the ruler.

否之萃：破筐敝莒，棄損於道。壞落穿敗，不復所實。

Broken baskets and damaged containers were discarded on the road. They were broken and had holes, unable to hold anything anymore. This forest is ominous, indicating that objects are wasted and scattered, gathering but unable to contain anything.

否之升：結紐得解，憂不為禍。食利仙家，受福安坐。

A knot that has been tied and then broken will be undone, and worries will not lead to misfortune. Enjoying the benefits of a divine being, one sits in peace and receives blessings. This is a favorable omen, indicating the resolution of troubles and the attainment of success without effort.

否之困：白日揚光，雷車避藏。雲雨不行，各自還鄉。

The sun's light is very strong, and the chariot of the Thunder God retreats and hides. Clouds and rain cannot be deployed, and they return to their original places. This forest is dominated by excessive yang and retreating yin, unable to provide nourishment, suffering from a lack of rain.

否之井：杜口結舌，心中怫鬱。去災生患，無所告冤。

Unable to speak, the tongue is tied, the heart is troubled and distressed. Old calamities have just passed, but new troubles arise. Wronged yet unable to seek justice. This indicates a dangerous forest, with communication channels blocked, like a well blocked and unable to obtain water.

否之革：齎貝贖狸，不聽我辭。繫於虎髯，牽不得來。

Taking goods to redeem the cat, but the other party does not listen to my arguments. The cat is tied to the tiger's whiskers, and no matter how I try to lead it, I cannot get it to move. The owner of this forest seeks something but is controlled by the strong. Though he wishes to change things, he is unable to do so.

否之鼎：持鶴抱子，見蛇何咎。室家俱在，不失其所。

Holding a qianjia bird in hand and embracing a young child, encountering a snake brings no fault. The family is complete and does not lose its place of safety. This is a favorable forest, indicating protection and care, with no misfortune encountered in danger.

否之震：逐兔山西，利走入門。賴我仁德，獲為我福。

In Shanxi chasing a wild rabbit, the benefit comes to me by myself entering the door. Relying on my benevolence, all that I gain becomes my blessing. This forest is auspicious, gaining profit actively and receiving blessings through great virtue.

否之艮：興役不休，與民爭時。牛生五趾，行危為憂。

Great construction projects continue without rest, competing with the people for farming time. A strange omen of a cow with five toes appears. The actions are dangerous and cause worry. This is a凶林, indicating violation of the proper time and disturbance of the people, with妖异 as a warning. It is advisable to stop and not act.

否之漸：春栗夏梨，少鮮稀有。斗千石萬，貴不可求。

In spring, chestnuts and in summer, pears are fresh and rare. A dou is worth a thousand, a shi is worth ten thousand, and they are so expensive that they are hard to obtain. This grove has scarce goods and high prices, making desired items difficult to acquire.

否之歸妹：悲號北行，失其長兄。伯仲不幸，骸骨散王。

A mournful cry is heard, heading north, having lost the elder brother. The elder brother and the second brother meet an unfortunate fate, their bodies scattered along the road. This forest is extremely凶, leading to the loss of family members and no place to return to.

否之豐：賦斂重數，政為民賊。杼軸空盡，家去其室。

Taxes and levies are both heavy and frequent, and government orders have become the root of harm to the people. The silk threads on the loom are exhausted, as mentioned in the "Small Odes · Great East" of the "Classic of Poetry" "the loom is empty." People can only abandon their houses and flee. This is a great凶 (misfortune), indicating arbitrary and excessive taxation, which appears prosperous but is actually empty.

否之旅：履服自敵，殃咎並列，憂不能笑。

The person is at odds with others, and calamities and misfortunes come one after another. Worry and sorrow prevent laughter. This is a凶 (fate of misfortune), indicating self-created enemies, and misfortunes multiply during travel.