Loading...
Chapter 66 of 131
Zeng Shan Bu Yi — Revised I Ching Divination
Wealth Stars and Official Stars must both be prosperous; Descendants and Brothers lines must not be unstable or wavering. 🌱 The power of growth needs to be solid. If the Self line is weak or the Wealth line is empty, it is better to remain content with one’s current situation; if the Official line is empty or the Self line is damaged, it is wise to yield the opportunity to others. Using the Wealth line to seek gains is similar to relying on established precedents.
A weak Self line entering the tomb with the Ghost, the Self line moving and transforming into restraint or a Ghost, or Descendants or Brothers holding the Self line—seeking an official position or assignment under such conditions is like walking into a trap. 🕸️
This chapter also applies to divinations related to audiences with the emperor, submitting petitions, offering strategies, or submitting memorials and impeachments (Chapter 62). All divinations involving documents should follow these principles.
If the Parents line is strong and holds the Self line, it is favorable to have the support of the Sun, Moon, Year Lord, or the Fifth Line. The Parents line represents documents and memorials; if it holds the Self line or forms a harmony with it, the memorial will undoubtedly be approved. If it further receives support from the Year Lord, Sun, Moon, or moving lines, its acceptance is certain. 📜
If the Brothers line is adjacent to the Self line, it is favorable if the Parents line transforms auspiciously and forms a harmony. If Brothers hold the Self line, and the Sun and Moon support it, or if the Self line or Parents line moves and transforms auspiciously, or if the Self line transforms into Parents that support it, these signs indicate that the document will please the emperor and lead to recognition.
If the Wealth line holds the Self line, it may disrupt the document. If the Wealth line holds the Self line or is active, it can restrain and break the document, making the memorial futile. However, if the Parents line holds the Self line and both Wealth and Official lines are active, it is favorable because Wealth generates Officials, and Officials generate the Self. 💰→👑→Self
If the Descendants line, the God of Blessing, is adjacent to the Self line, it may prevent penalties. Descendants restrain Officials, so for officials submitting memorials, it is unfavorable to see this line. If it holds the Self line or is active, the consequences may range from light penalties to dismissal. For those without official positions submitting memorials, the intention must be considered: if seeking fame, its presence will hinder success; if fearing disaster, its presence will avert it. ⚖️
If the Self line is empty or broken, it is difficult to reverse fate. If the Self line is in旬空,月破,临绝化绝, or enters the three tombs, the memorial will not be approved, and it is wise to recognize this early. If the Self line moves and transforms ominously, or if the Sun, Moon, Year Lord, or moving lines clash with or restrain the Self line, not only will it be difficult to reverse fate, but unforeseen disasters may also occur. ⚠️
If the Descendants line is active and adjacent to the Self line, it has the power to break barriers. Earlier, it was said that Descendants moving to restrain Officials is unfavorable, but here, Descendants holding the Self line is favorable because the scale of the matter matters: for officials who anticipate their proposals may not be approved, the worst outcome is dismissal; but for those submitting memorials criticizing high officials or advising the emperor, if approved, their names will be immortalized, while rejection may bring disaster. Thus, Descendants holding the Self line ensures safety. Ancient texts considered Descendants active in the Qian Palace as auspicious, but this is not entirely accurate. Descendants act as controllers of Ghosts and bringers of blessings, not limited to the Qian Palace. For example:
In the巳年巳月丁卯日, a divination was made about submitting a memorial of impeachment, resulting in the Lü卦. The lines were: Brothers巳火′, Descendants未土″, Wife Wealth酉金′ Response, Wife Wealth申金′, Brothers午火″, Descendants辰土″ Self. The querent asked: "I wish to impeach a powerful official but fear his entrenched influence may harm me." The response: "His influence is deeply rooted (Response line酉金 is in its长生 in巳年巳月), but now it is restrained by the Year and Month and clashes with the卯日, leaving it wounded beyond recovery. His power will decline from now on." When asked if there would be harm to the querent, the response was: "With Descendants holding the Self line, what harm could there be?" The memorial was indeed approved, and the official’s power was broken. 🛡️
It is most unfavorable if the Official line restrains the Self line, especially if supported by Wealth activating the Ghost. If the Official Ghost restrains the Self line, it is already an ominous sign; if Wealth moves to support the Ghost, disaster is inevitable. If the Self line moves and transforms into a Ghost, transforms into restraint, enters the tomb with the Ghost, the hexagram is in fan yin, the hexagram transforms into exhaustion, or the Self line is clashed with or restrained, unless the matter is of great importance, it is urgent to stop. 🚫
If the Year Lord or Fifth Line supports the Self line, be cautious of restraints; if the Sixth Line is unstable, it is better not to proceed. The Year Lord must be in a line to support the Self line; if it is not in a line, it cannot support the Self line. For example, in the Year of Zi, the hexagram must have a Zi line. The Fifth Line supporting the Self line is auspicious, but be cautious of restraints, emptiness, weakness, breakage, or exhaustion, as there may be support in name but not in reality. For example:
In申月戊辰日, a divination was made about submitting a petition, resulting in Zhong Fu transforming into Sun. The lines were: Official Ghost卯木′, Parents巳火○→Wife Wealth子水, Brothers未土″ Self, Brothers丑土″, Official Ghost卯木′, Parents巳火′ Response. The interpretation: "The Fifth Line巳火 supports the Self line, but巳火 is restrained. This petition should be abandoned." When asked if there would be harm, the response was: "巳火 cannot support the Self line, but it does not restrain the Self line either. There will be neither harm nor benefit." The petition was indeed not approved. 📉
Yehe said: For those submitting petitions or memorials, if the goal is to promote benefits, eliminate harms, and benefit the nation, one should dedicate oneself to the country without hesitation, even at the risk of personal danger. Why bother with divination? However, if the matter is trivial, driven by personal grudges, or ambiguous, it is essential to ensure that the Self line and Parents line are free from clashes, restraints, or breakages, and that they are supported by the Year, Fifth Line, Sun, or Moon. If the lines are chaotically active, the用神 and元神 are neither strong nor weak, there is more restraint than support, or the Sixth Line is unstable, it is better to stop. Words once spoken can bring disaster—be cautious! 🤔
If Parents are strong and Officials generate them, one may be granted titles; if strong Officials hold the Self line, one may rise rapidly. If strong Parents hold the Self line and Officials move to generate them, or if strong Officials hold the Self line and are supported by the Sun or Moon, officials will gain promotions, scholars will rise to high positions, and ordinary people will experience sudden elevation. ☁️↑
Yehe said: Interpreting hexagrams heavily depends on the querent’s intention. The motives can vary—acting for others or oneself, seeking revenge, preserving one’s position, pursuing wealth, avoiding losses, or defending subordinates. The specifics depend on the situation and require flexibility. When commoners or scholars submit petitions, even if out of loyalty to the country, some may also be seeking fame. If Officials are strong but Parents are not, it may still indicate grants of titles or positions, as the initial intention was to gain office, and the document is merely a means to an end. Thus, Officials are emphasized over Parents.
If the intention is fame, avoid Descendants moving; if the intention is profit, avoid Brothers adjacent to the Self line. For example:
In午月丙辰日, a divination was made about submitting a document to clear one’s name and preserve one’s position, resulting in Da Zhuang transforming into Guai. The lines were: Brothers戌土″, Descendants申金×→Descendants酉金, Parents午火′ Self, Brothers辰土′, Official Ghost寅木′, Wife Wealth子水′ Response. Parents holding the Self line and the Moon representing documents are extremely strong, but Descendants moving harm the Official. In the seventh or eighth month, when申金 gains strength, the position will be lost. Indeed, the higher authorities recommended retention, but it was not approved, and the position was lost in August. This was for fame, so strong Parents were of no benefit. Another example:
In卯月辛丑日, a divination was made about submitting a document to request reimbursement, resulting in Song transforming into Lü. The lines were: Descendants戌土′, Wife Wealth申金′, Brothers午火′ Self, Brothers午火″, Descendants辰土′, Parents寅木×→Brothers巳火. Although strong Parents generate the Self line, Brothers hold the Self line. The higher authorities will approve the document, but the wealth will ultimately be lost. The request was indeed not approved. 💸
Divinations about preventing impeachment, worrying about evaluations, or dealing with unresolved cases: If the Self line is strong and Officials are revered, worries will melt away; if strong Officials hold the Self line, joy will light up the face. If the Self line and Official Star are strong, what is there to worry about? If they are further supported by the Sun, Moon, or moving lines, or if the Self line or Official line is in the Sun or Moon, or moves and transforms auspiciously, there is no need to fear impeachment, unresolved cases, or evaluations—instead, one may be recognized for excellence. This applies to all cases with strong Officials. For example:
In未月戊申日, a divination was made about being impeached for delaying military supplies, resulting in Feng transforming into Lü. The lines were: Official Ghost戌土×→Wife Wealth巳火, Parents申金″ Self, Wife Wealth午火′, Brothers亥水′, Official Ghost丑土″ Response, Descendants卯木○→Official Ghost辰土. Interpretation: "The Self line is supported by the Day, and the Month supports it. The moving戌官 also generates it. The official position is safe." Others doubted this, but indeed, due to a remarkable achievement, a recommendation followed, and the position was preserved. Some asked: "Why didn’t the moving卯木 Descendants restrain the Official?" The answer: "木 is exhausted in申, so there was rescue." 【New Interpretation】: Descendants were distracted by harmony and forgot to restrain, and also fell into emptiness, which is another reason the position was not lost. 🛡️
If Descendants hold the Self line, Descendants move, the Self line transforms into Descendants, the Official is broken or empty, or transforms into restraint, these indicate dismissal from office. For example:
In寅月丁巳日, a divination was made about worrying evaluations, resulting in Lü transforming into Ming Yi. The lines were: Brothers巳火○→Wife Wealth酉金, Descendants未土″, Wife Wealth酉金○ Response→Descendants丑土, Wife Wealth申金′, Brothers午火″, Descendants辰土× Self→Parents卯木. This person was known for misconduct and relied on connections, disbelieving in divination. The interpretation: "Descendants hold the Self line, and although transforming into restraint, the Self line is also restrained. The external卦巳酉丑 forms a metal局 generating the伏官, but it is useless." Indeed, the position was lost. 📉
If Descendants move and Wealth is empty, it may result reduced salary or fines. If Brothers hold the Self line, Brothers move, Wealth is broken or empty, or Wealth moves and transforms ominously, but the Official line is strong, it may only lead to fines; if the Official line is weak, both profit and fame will be lost. 💰↓
If the Self line is weak and the Ghost restrains it, it may lead to demotion or humiliation. If the Self line is weak without support, and further restrained by the Year, Fifth Line, Sun, Moon, or moving lines, or if the Official moves to restrain the Self line, the Self line enters the tomb with the Ghost, the Self line moves and transforms into a Ghost or restraint, or the Tiger or Snake restrains the Self line, the consequences may range from light penalties to heavy punishments or imprisonment. Some ask: "How to determine severity?" The answer: "Light if the Self line has rescue; heavy if the Self line is weak and further injured." 【New Interpretation】: The六神 must be considered:临白虎 often indicates illness, injury, or execution;临螣蛇 or勾陈 often indicates imprisonment;临朱雀 indicates legal disputes or gossip. ⚖️
If the hexagram is calm, the Self line is empty, and the Official is weak, one will inevitably become a retiree in the woods. An empty Self line indicates retirement; if the Official is also empty, broken, or weak, dismissal is certain. 🌳
If the Self line is weak but receives support, how can harm prevail? Ancient texts said that an empty Self line with active忌神 is a sign of avoiding disaster, but this is incorrect. If忌神 is active and the Self line is empty, when the Self line exits emptiness, harm will inevitably occur. How can it be avoided? Only if the Self line is empty but supported by active元神, even if忌神 is active, there is no harm. When the Self line exits emptiness,忌神 will instead generate元神, which generates the Self. 🔄
If the Official is strong but the Self line is weak, the person may be humiliated but the position remains. Ancient texts said that if a Ghost is hidden near the Self line but not empty, the position remains. In cases of ominous signs, if the Official line holds the Self line or is hidden under it and strong, although penalties may occur, the position remains. Yehe said: If the Self line is restrained by the Fifth Line, but strong Officials hold the Self line, although humiliated, one remains in office. For example:
In丑月戊辰日, a divination was made about preventing impeachment, resulting in Jing transforming into Zhong Fu. The lines were: Parents子水×→Brothers卯木, Wife Wealth戌土′ Self, Official Ghost申金″, Official Ghost酉金○→Wife Wealth丑土, Parents亥水′ Response, Wife Wealth丑土×→Descendants巳火. Interpretation: "This hexagram is unusual. The Self line is empty but clashed by the Day, so not empty. The Self line is not restrained but暗动. Although there may be no impeachment, I fear you will leave your position." The querent asked: "If no impeachment, why leave the position?" The answer: "The Self line暗动 indicates inevitable change. The internal卦巳酉丑 forms an Official局 generating the Response line, so I know the position will go to another." Indeed, due to downsizing, a superior appointed another official to the position, and the querent was recalled to the capital for reassignment. This is a rare occurrence—those who understand the signs are truly divine! 🎭
If the Self line is strong but the Official is weak, the position may be lost but the person remains safe. If the Self line is strong and uninjured, but the Official is broken, empty, restrained, harmed, or moves and transforms ominously, although the official position is lost, the person is not harmed. 🛡️