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Chapter 45 of 131
Zeng Shan Bu Yi — Revised I Ching Divination
Overall Interpretation
When divining the longevity of parents or grandparents, they should be inquired about separately. The traditional method uses yang lines to represent the father and yin lines for the mother, but I believe one need not rigidly adhere to this form.
If the Parent Line is in a state of prosperity, supported by the Sun and Moon or moving lines, or even transforming auspiciously, it often indicates long life and good health 🌿. If the Parent Line is in a state of decline but not afflicted by penalties, clashes, restrictions, or harms, it may suggest a peaceful old age despite potential illnesses. However, if it is both declining and afflicted by penalties, clashes, restrictions, or harms, or suppressed by the Sun, Moon, or moving lines, or even transforming inauspiciously, it is advisable to fulfill filial duties and cherish time with them early on.
The ancients distinguished parents using yang and yin lines, but in practice, flexibility is key. The hexagram system is a complex symbolic language that requires analysis within specific contexts. The prosperity or decline of the Parent Line symbolizes the foundation of health, while penalties, clashes, restrictions, or harms indicate potential risks. However, rigid conclusions should be avoided, and the overall hexagram and real-world conditions must be considered.
Divination is not just about prediction but also a reflection on filial piety and familial love. The auspicious or inauspicious signs remind us to cherish the present, fulfill filial duties promptly, and not passively await fate.
Case One: Divining father's longevity on Chou Month, Gengzi Day, obtaining the Gou Hexagram
The Use God is the Chou Earth of the Month, prosperous on the Day and harmonized with the Day, symbolizing a solid foundation, health, and longevity 🌳. It was later verified that his father remained healthy for decades.
Case Two: Divining mother's longevity on the same day, obtaining the Dazhuang to Sheng Hexagram
The moving noon fire Parent Line was clashed by the Day, and the moving first-line water came to restrict it. However, as the water transformed into Chou Earth, it became temporarily harmonized and did not restrict the fire. It was predicted to guard against clashes in the Zi Year, which indeed came to pass years later in the Bingzi Year when his mother passed away.
This illustrates the principle of "harmony forgetting restriction" and shows that divination timelines can extend far into the future.
Case Three: Divining father's illness on You Month, Yisi Day, obtaining the Huan to Qian Hexagram
The moving Parent Line of Yin Wood transformed into an Official Ghost. The Use God was restricted by the Month and not supported by the Day, and it also transformed into an empty clash. The original judgment predicted the father's misfortune, but it manifested as the mother's passing. This suggests that the symbolism of yin and yang lines may have subtle correspondences, with a yin Parent Line transforming into a ghost possibly indicating disaster for the mother.
Case Four: Divining father's longevity on Si Month, Yiyou Day, obtaining the Xun to Gou Hexagram
The Parent Line of Hai Water was broken in the Month and harmed by the Wei Earth. The Original God of Mao Wood was too weak to control the Earth. It was predicted that his father would not live long, and indeed, he passed away in the Winter Solstice month of the same year. The timing corresponded to the Zi Month, which clashed away the Original God of Noon Fire, allowing the Restrictive God of Wei Earth to harm the Use God.
Case Five: Divining grandmother's longevity on Mao Month, Bingyin Day, obtaining the Zhongfu Hexagram
The Parent Line of Si Fire was supported by the Sun and Moon, indicating long life. Later, due to filial actions and sincerity, she survived a critical phlegm blockage with timely treatment and lived another thirteen years. This illustrates 🔁 how human behavior and sincerity can alter the trends shown by the hexagram.
Case Six: Divining grandmother's longevity on Chou Month, Gengzi Day, obtaining the Guimei to Zhen Hexagram
The Parent Line of Chou Earth in the hexagram was aligned with the Month and supported by the hidden movement of Noon Fire. Although the moving Mao Wood came to restrict it, it transformed and retreated, suggesting a chance of rescue. The family mistakenly believed she had passed away, but after administering alum water, she revived and lived another thirteen years. This further proves the effectiveness of the "hidden movement supporting the Use God" and "harmony forgetting restriction" mechanisms and emphasizes that one should not lightly conclude life or death but strive to do their best.
Related Concepts:
Further Reading:
Modern Research:
Contemporary Yijing scholars believe that longevity divination should not be viewed as predetermined but as a reminder to prioritize health management and familial care. Hexagram analysis can be integrated with modern medical knowledge, advocating for a balanced approach to scientific health preservation and timely filial piety.
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