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Chapter 44 of 131
Zeng Shan Bu Yi — Revised I Ching Divination
Wild Crane said: The sages created the Book of Changes 🌿 with the original intention of guiding people toward auspiciousness and away from misfortune. If auspiciousness cannot be pursued and misfortune cannot be avoided, what purpose would the sages have in writing it? And what use would divination be for people? Some say that annual disasters and monthly misfortunes can be avoided, but how can major life-and-death events be evaded? I believe: Those who die of natural causes need not deliberately avoid death, even if methods exist. For instance, when Master Kangjie (Shao Yong) was on his deathbed, he asked his disciples to prepare for his bathing and changing of clothes. His disciples wept and asked: "Master, why not perform rituals to the gods or practice fasting to prolong your life?" The master smiled and replied: "I am not afraid of being laughed at by the Cheng brothers, but becoming an immortal is actually not difficult." Thus, it is said: There are times when avoidance is possible but not chosen. However, if divination indicates a risk of death by drowning 🌊, stay away from rivers; if it indicates death by punishment ⚖️, do not break the law—this is how misfortune can be transformed into auspiciousness.
Once in Hankou, on a Mao month, Renyin day, someone asked if they could successfully collect a debt. The hexagram obtained was Yi (Increase) transforming into Zhongfu (Inner Truth).
Hexagram details: The responding line is Brother Mao Wood, with Quiet lines of Descendant Si Fire and Wife Wealth Wei Earth. The worldly line is Wife Wealth Chen Earth, but it is void. Brother Yin Wood moves and transforms into an advancing Mao Wood, attacking the worldly line. Father Zi Water is quiet.
This person intended to cross the river to collect a debt. Due to repeated failures, they considered confronting the debtor and asked if they would gain wealth and whether it would lead to trouble. I examined the hexagram and saw that during the Chen hour of the same day, the worldly line would exit its void state but be attacked and harmed by the daily and monthly moving lines, indicating a life-threatening risk. I invited them to stay for breakfast, suggesting that it would not be too late to go after this hour. They insisted on leaving, but I earnestly persuaded them to stay. After the meal, they went to the riverbank but suddenly ran back to thank me for saving their life. When asked why, they said: "This morning, four large ferries were crossing the river when a sudden storm 🌪️ capsized them all. The river was filled with bodies. If you hadn’t strongly urged me to stay, I would certainly have died." I said: "According to the hexagram, there was originally no chance of survival. It must be due to your virtue. What功劳 do I have? Isn’t this an example of avoiding misfortune and attaining auspiciousness?"
Most feared is the Official Ghost line holding the worldly position.
In all divinations about preventing disasters, if the worldly line is attacked, it is inauspicious, especially if the Official Ghost attacks the worldly line, which is even more ominous. A Fire Ghost indicates a need to guard against fire 🔥; a Wood Ghost warns of harm from wooden objects; a Water Ghost attacking the worldly line suggests a risk of drowning 🌊; an Earth Ghost harming the body warns of collapsing walls ⛰️; a Metal Ghost indicates danger from knives or swords. A White Tiger or Black Tortoise临近 Ghost signifies theft, robbery, or conflict; a Serpent or Vermilion Bird indicates lawsuits or fire; a Hooked Array suggests land disputes or imprisonment. Although the Azure Dragon is an auspicious spirit, if it attacks the worldly line, it turns ominous, potentially indicating death due to indulgence in wine or women, or hidden misfortune within joy.
After analyzing the Five Elements and Six Spirits, combine this with the Eight Trigrams: Qian and Dui, belonging to Metal, relate to temple injuries or punishments; Kan and Dui, belonging to Water, relate to water disasters—avoid bows and crossbows; Li relates to fire or harm from crabs and turtles; Zhen involves risks related to boats and vehicles; Xun warns against deceit by women. Kun and Gen relate to郊野山林 (suburban forests and mountains), also warning against诱惑 by the elderly or children. These situations require flexible interpretation.
For example, on a Chou month, Wuzi day, someone dreamed of washing blood off their body in a river and performed a divination, obtaining Yi (Increase) transforming into Zhongfu (Inner Truth).
The hexagram details were similar to the previous case.
I said: "Blood represents wealth; washing it away indicates financial loss. The Black Tortoise moves and transforms into an advancing spirit attacking both the worldly line and wealth, suggesting not only financial loss but also physical harm from wooden objects. The Xun palace belongs to Wood, and Wood moving to attack the worldly line means you must guard against harm from wood."
They asked how to avoid it. I said: "The worldly line and the Wood line are both in the inner trigram. Going外出 can help avoid it. Xun represents young women—do not be贪婪 by them."
When asked about the timing, I said: "After the spring begins, you can avoid it."
They were reluctant to travel far due to the approaching New Year. As a result, on a Hai day in the first month, while staying at his concubine’s residence, robbers broke in, stealing all his possessions and injuring him with wooden objects. If he had not stayed with the young woman or had climbed over a wall to escape, he might have avoided injury.
Only suitable is the Descendant line holding the worldly position.
Divinations about dream omens, crossing oceans or rivers,冒险偷关 (risky ventures), preventing plague or illness, accidental poisoning, distant neighbor fires, guarding against harm from others, seeking refuge, theft, night travel, staying at inns, entering mountains, extortion by enemies, already being convicted, entering dangerous places, and all other worries, doubts, or fears are best with the Descendant line holding the worldly position or the福神 (auspicious spirit) moving. The ancient method says: As long as the Descendant is prosperous and moving, unexpected disasters turn to dust.
For example, on a Wu month, Dinghai day, a divination about a dream where a former husband called and she followed. The hexagram showed the worldly line Hai Water临近 the day but attacked by Earth. It was interpreted that there would be a disaster in winter. Indeed, in September, she developed postpartum consumption and died in December.
Another example: on a Xu month, Wushen day, a divination about a dream where her mother called and she followed. The hexagram obtained was Jian (Gradual Progress) with the Descendant holding the worldly position, and there was no misfortune.
Juezi said: Although the Descendant holding the worldly position is auspicious, if it is broken by the month, there will be no worry after the month; if it is void within the旬, there will be no worry after the旬. Before exiting, it is all false alarms.
For example, on a Si month, Gengchen day, a divination about preventing disaster, obtaining Guai (Resolution) with the Descendant You Metal holding the worldly position but void. The matter remained unresolved, causing worry all day.
On乙酉 day, another divination was performed, obtaining Wuwang (Innocence) with the Descendant午 Fire worldly void. The matter was反复.
On己酉 day, a divination was performed, obtaining Jie (Limitation) transforming into Kan, with the worldly line Si Fire transforming into Yin Wood Descendant void, but the hexagram encountered六冲. It was interpreted that the matter would resolve on Jiayin day, which proved accurate.
If the attacking element is in the inner trigram and the worldly line is in the outer trigram, it is suitable to avoid by going out.
If the attacking spirit is in the inner trigram and moves to attack the worldly line, it is suitable to avoid by going out; if the attacking spirit is in the outer trigram and moves to attack the worldly line, it is suitable to avoid by staying home.
As stated in the Travel Chapter: If there is an official on the road, do not go out; if there is a ghost in the home, do not stay home.
For example, on a Wei month, Bingzi day, a divination about servants causing trouble, obtaining Xie (Release) transforming into Zhen, with the worldly line临近 Chen Earth attacked by Yin Wood. It was interpreted that the matter would be exposed in July when Wood is exhausted, and it was suitable to avoid by going out. Indeed, after staying at a villa for half a month, two servants fled, and a woman revealed that they had intended to harm their master.
Avoid disaster by heading to the direction that generates the worldly line; approach auspiciousness by going to the place of the福神.
For avoiding soldiers, thieves, plague, or disputes, it is suitable to avoid by heading to the direction that generates the worldly line or the Descendant direction. If the Descendant moves, it is all auspicious.
For example, on a Si month, Wuchen day, a divination about preventing流动士兵 (roaming soldiers), obtaining Lin (Approach) transforming into Kui, with the Descendant You Metal forming a combination that overcame the worldly ghost. They were not alarmed during the chaos.
On a Si month, Bingxu day, a divination about avoiding chaos, obtaining Qian (Heaven) transforming into Dayou, with the Brother moving indicating financial loss, but午 Fire generating the worldly line. It was auspicious to avoid by heading south. Indeed, the thieves came from the north and burned the village.
If the worldly line encounters generation or support, it signifies a natural death at old age; if the body suffers attack or harm, analyze in detail according to the Five Elements.
In divinations about lifelong outcomes, if the worldly line is strong or receives generation and transforms auspiciously, it indicates a good end. If the worldly line suffers attack, punishment, or冲, use the Five Elements to determine illness: Fire attacking Metal indicates lung disease; Earth punishing Water indicates kidney disease; Water attacking Fire indicates heart disease; Metal attacking Wood indicates liver disease; Wood prosperous with punishment or冲 indicates spleen and stomach weakness; injuries to the intestines or waist are due to the仇神 moving alone. Combine with the Six Spirits: Serpent indicates heart palpitations or shock; Azure Dragon indicates wine or women; Hooked Array indicates swelling; Vermilion Bird indicates madness; White Tiger indicates blood disasters; Black Tortoise indicates anger or frustration.
A White Tiger or Black Tortoise Metal Ghost warns against theft, robbery, or conflict; a Water Ghost with Azure Dragon or Black Tortoise warns of dangers from rivers, lakes, or wells; a Serpent or Vermilion Bird Wood Ghost indicates involvement in official punishments or fire; a Serpent Wood suggests hanging; a Hooked Array Earth Ghost indicates imprisonment. There are countless ways to die, and the hexagram reveals details.
【New Commentary】: This is a general method of interpretation and should not be applied rigidly. It is common for the仇神 moving alone to not necessarily indicate injury to the intestines or waist; there are cases of hanging, poisoning, drowning, car accidents, or illness. Flexibility is required.
For example, on a Wei month, Guihai day, a divination to determine what crime would be sentenced, obtaining Zhongfu (Inner Truth) transforming into Lin, with a Wood Ghost临近 White Tiger indicating hanging. However, the worldly line临近 the monthly build, and the Ghost was回头克 (turned back and attacked). After反复, the sentence was changed to life imprisonment.
The core of Yijing studies is "approaching auspiciousness and avoiding misfortune," emphasizing proactive decision-making over passive acceptance of fate. Through divination, risks are foreseen, and avoidance actions are taken to transform misfortune into auspiciousness. The Descendant line represents the福神 (auspicious spirit) and protective force; when holding the worldly position or moving, it often turns danger into safety.