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Chapter 53 of 131
Zeng Shan Bu Yi — Revised I Ching Divination
Overall Interpretation
A strong Parent Line and an active Official Line indicate a high chance of being selected as the top candidate. Even if the Official Line is weak but the Parent Line is active, one may still be selected. If the Official Line holds the World Line and receives support or harmony from the Day Branch, Month Builder, or moving lines, top selection is assured. If the Parent Line holds the World Line and is supported or harmonized by the Day Branch, Month Builder, or moving lines, the Official Line must still show vitality for success and fame to be expected.
If the Offspring Line or Wealth Line is active in the hexagram, it will be difficult to pass the exam and gain admission. The Offspring Line's activity restrains the Official Line, while the Wealth Line's activity restrains the Parent Line. If either of these lines holds the World Line, it is an unfavorable sign.
New Commentary: The internal logic is reasonable and credible.
Example: On the day of Jihai in the month of Chen, a woman asked about an exam and obtained the Yu Hexagram changing to the Bo Hexagram.
Although the Official Line received support from the Month Builder and the Parent Line was assisted by the Day Branch, the Offspring and Wealth Lines were active in the hexagram, making it difficult to pass the exam. The result confirmed failure.
If the World Line is void, month-broken, entombed, or in exhaustion, one must redouble efforts and study diligently. If the World Line is void, broken, entombed, exhausted, or impacted by clashes from the Day, Month, or moving lines, or if it moves and transforms unfavorably, it will be difficult to achieve one's aspirations.
New Commentary: The analysis is reasonable.
Example: On the day of Gengwu in the month of Hai, a man asked about an exam and obtained the Jing Hexagram changing to the Xun Hexagram.
The Official Line was weak and restrained by the Day Branch, and the World Line was void. It was difficult to pass the exam, and the result confirmed this.
If the Parent Line is strong but damaged, one may be accepted but later give up; if it is clashed but harmonized, one may be accepted after initially being rejected. If the Parent Line is strong but transforms into weakness, voidness, brokenness, entombment, exhaustion, or is restrained or clashed, it indicates initial success followed by abandonment. If the World Line or Parent Line is moving and clashed but harmonized by the Day, Month, or moving lines, it is called "harmony within clash," ensuring continued acceptance.
If the Parent Line transforms from weak to strong, performance will improve with each exam; if it transforms into a retreating spirit, stamina will be lacking. If the Parent Line is weak but moves and transforms into strength, receives generative transformation, or advances, the exam papers will improve over time. However, it is unfavorable to transform into a retreating spirit. If strong but transforming into retreat, the initial performance may be good but stamina lacking; if weak and transforming into retreat, restraint, voidness, brokenness, entombment, exhaustion, or restraint upon transformation, it indicates long preparation but poor exam performance.
Example: On the day of Bingxu in the month of Hai, an exam was divined, and the Feng Hexagram changing to the Ge Hexagram was obtained:
The Parent Line holding the World Line transformed into an advancing spirit, and the Day Builder acted as an Official Star to generate the World Line. The exam papers improved remarkably, later surpassing the earlier ones, ensuring top selection. The result confirmed this.
Another example: On the day of Renzǐ in the month of Mao, an exam was divined, and the Xiao Xu Hexagram was obtained:
The Parent Line (Zi Water) was adjacent to the Day Builder, and a strong Parent Line held the World Line, indicating excellent exam papers. However, the Official Star (You Metal) was month-broken and hidden. Fortunately, Chen Earth acted as the flying line, and the brokenness was harmonized. If the exam was held in the third month, success was assured. The exam was indeed taken in the third month, and the candidate was accepted.
Another example: On the day of Dingsi in the month of Chen, it was divined whether a retake would lead to acceptance. The Ge Hexagram changing to the Ji Ji Hexagram was obtained:
The World Line (Hai Water) was restrained by the month and clashed by the day, but fortunately, it transformed into generative energy. Retaking the exam would undoubtedly lead to acceptance. The result confirmed this. The earlier statement, "a weak Parent transforming into strength is auspicious," was validated in this example.
Embedded chart
| Pillars | Year | Month | Day | Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Gods | 劫财 | 偏财 | Self (F) | 正官 |
| Stem | 戊 | 癸 | 己 | 甲 |
| Branch | 辰 | 亥 | 亥 | 子 |
| Hidden Stems | 戊劫乙杀癸才 | 壬财甲官 | 壬财甲官 | 癸才 |
| Stage | 衰 | 胎 | 胎 | 绝 |
Embedded chart
| Pillars | Year | Month | Day | Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Gods | 正财 | 正官 | Self (M) | 七杀 |
| Stem | 乙 | 丁 | 庚 | 丙 |
| Branch | 亥 | 亥 | 午 | 子 |
| Hidden Stems | 壬食甲才 | 壬食甲才 | 丁官己印 | 癸伤 |
| Stage | 病 | 病 | 沐浴 | 死 |
Traditional divination for exams regards the Parent Line as representing exam papers and the Official Line as representing rankings and official fortune. If both lines are strong and supportive, exam fortune is favorable. If they are restrained by the Offspring or Wealth Lines, or if the World Line is void, broken, entombed, or exhausted, it is generally unfavorable.
The Parent Line can be seen as preparation and accumulated strength 📚, while the Official Line represents on-the-spot opportunities and evaluator recognition 🏆. The activity of Wealth or Offspring Lines causing restraint is akin to interference from financial pressure, a playful mindset (Offspring restraining Official), or practical matters (Wealth restraining Parent) affecting preparation and performance. A void or broken World Line resembles lack of confidence, poor state, or inadequate external conditions.
Divination does not determine fate but reveals trends and energy states. Even if the hexagram is unfavorable, effort and strategy adjustments can transform crises. Emphasis on "dynamic change"—the movement and transformation of lines象征转机—echoes the positive belief that "hard work pays off, and humans can overcome fate."