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Chapter 3 of 5
大六壬断案
Ying Gongyuan Divines His Future
Born in the year of Dingmao, age 42. On the day of Dingchou in the sixth month of the Wushen year, at the hour of Wei with the Wu general.
Master Shao judged: Although this divination shows the Qikui stars blocking the Gate of Heaven, it should not be interpreted as an obstruction. In this divination, the Six Yi provide protection and support, while the Three Wonders frame it with auspicious brilliance. At minimum, the inquirer will become a court official; at maximum, a royal attendant. His future prospects are boundless. Because he has earned merit by saving lives, Heaven bestows blessings upon him — the Big Dipper encircles his body, and the Three Luminaries shine upon him. The Salary Star urges him forward, and he will soon receive the nation's emolument. Those who see this divination may mistake the retiring-linked-bamboo pattern as inauspicious, but they fail to realize that in the Jiaxu cycle, Xu serves as the Six Yi. When Xu rests upon the Day Stem, it is called "Facing Heaven." Haizi and Chou form the Three Wonders encircling in radiance. Wu is the Salary Star of Ding Fire resting on the Day Stem — the daily salary supports the body. The Annual Star further presses upon the White Tiger, serving as the Officer-Catalyst Messenger. The Nobleman resides within the Three Wonders, shielded from front and back. This Snake is an auspicious general, named "Front Vanguard" — success in the highest examinations is beyond doubt. The virtue of Ding resides in Hai. Xu, Hai, and Zi are all Yin, thus we know his hidden virtue is vast and profound, and the gods bless him. Hai is the Supreme Deity, Zi is the Purple Microstar, Chou is the Big Dipper — hence Heaven bestows blessings.
Examining his life: When Ying Gongyuan was thirty-eight, northern barbarians invaded the border. In the capital, he shielded more than thirty companions and protected over seventy members of the Li family household, plus thirty-seven people whose names he did not know. He also used his own boat and his friends' boats to ferry everyone across, leading his friends along the shore westward on foot. Therefore, Master Shao, upon seeing the divination, immediately knew that hidden virtue was supporting him. Later, Ying Gongyuan rose to the Ministry of Rites, enjoying both nobility and longevity.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The central theme of this divination lies in the correspondence between "hidden virtue" and "Heaven's protection." Although the auspicious patterns of "Six Yi protection and Three Wonders framing" appear in the Liuren chart, Master Shao attributed the chart's auspiciousness to the subject's accumulated good deeds — especially the great kindness of risking his life to save others during times of chaos. This embodies the ancient belief that "virtue is the foundation of blessing": the auspicious signs on the divination board are not凭空出现的, but rather reflections of good deeds.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: From a modern perspective, the lesson of this case is that one's sense of responsibility and altruistic behavior at critical moments forms "implicit social capital" and "positive psychological accumulation" over long cycles. Ying Gongyuan's courage in protecting over seventy people during crisis — this sense of responsibility itself constitutes a person's "foundational confidence." What is called "Heaven's blessing" can be understood as: the character and reputation shaped by good deeds earn greater trust and opportunities in one's career.
Practical Value ⚡: In career development, altruism is self-interest. Whether a person can step forward at critical moments often determines their long-term social evaluation and resource acquisition. The Ying Gongyuan case reveals: true "nobleman fortune" often comes from those you have helped, as well as the positive reputation network formed by your good deeds.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: This case touches upon a profound proposition: the relationship between destiny and virtue. Traditional Chinese metaphysics is not fatalistic, but rather holds that "destiny is cultivated through virtue" — the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of one's chart is not immutable, but interacts with one's accumulated actions. That Master Shao could discern hidden virtue from the chart demonstrates that divination is not cold symbolic computation, but a holistic insight into the "resonance between humanity and Heaven."
Scholar He Divines on the Examination
Born in the year of Jiwei, age 51. On the day of Gengchen in the first month of the Jiyou year, at the hour of You with the Zi general.
Master Shao said: Mr. He has already attempted the examination twice. Although he divines about the examination this year, he will not pass. However, his son may rank twenty-eighth. He asked: "My son has studied little; how could he possibly pass?" Master Shao replied: "This divination shows that although there will be joy in late autumn, there will also be sorrow. In the tenth month, beware of the 'mortar-dream' (omen of losing one's wife)." Mr. He was eagerly hoping to pass at the time, but illness prevented him from attending the examination. His son entered the examination hall but was not confident at all. When the results were posted, his son indeed ranked twenty-eighth. Master Shao said: "It is precisely because Mr. He did not enter the examination that his son was able to pass. Had he entered, he would certainly have instructed his son to write in a certain style, and failing would have been inevitable. Sir, you will obtain official position after age fifty, but within a year or two, your lifespan will be obstructed — you will not complete the full sixty-year cycle."
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The key judgment in this divination is "oneself failing while one's son succeeds." Master Shao determined that the son would pass because the Yin Water (Hai) on the Day Stem is the son of Geng Metal, and it seizes the Geng vital energy. Hai is four, Shen is seven — four times seven equals twenty-eight — hence ranking twenty-eighth. This is a exquisite demonstration of "numerological imagery" in Liuren — the numerical combinations of the stems and branches directly correspond to rankings.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: This case embodies the life pattern of "indirect success." Scholar He failed repeatedly himself, but his son passed instead. From a modern perspective, this reveals a reality: personal achievement can be realized through inheritance and cultivation. A parent's unfulfilled aspirations flowering in their children is also a form of completeness. Meanwhile, the judgment that "Mr. He not entering the examination enabled his son to pass" suggests that sometimes "retreat" is actually "advance" — had Mr. He insisted on entering, he might have interfered with his son's performance.
Practical Value ⚡: In family and career planning, this case reveals: recognizing one's own capability boundaries and timely stepping aside for the next generation often serves the greater good better than stubbornly pursuing one's own goals. Mr. He's "failure" was not defeat, but another form of "success" arranged by fate — the family's elevation achieved through his son.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: Liuren divination often presents patterns of "mutual ebb and flow" — when one side is inauspicious, the other becomes auspicious. In the He case, the father's illness and the son's success exemplify this dynamic balance. This suggests: destiny is not a zero-sum game, but rather redistributes within the family system. The traditional saying "predecessors plant trees, descendants enjoy the shade" has its corresponding structure at the level of metaphysical patterns.
Officer Xu Divines on His Future
Born in the year of Xinmao, age 18. On the day of Wuchen in the sixth month of the Wushen year, at the hour of Si with the Wei general.
Master Shao said: This divination is named "Fording the Three Abysses," which primarily indicates toil, hardship, and ceaseless wandering — exhausting labor without accomplishment. On the stems and branches, Wu combines with Wei favorably, indicating an excellent family origin and background. He will receive three appointments, with two periods of mourning (two times observing filial mourning). Shen is the son, residing over the Wu Fire — making it difficult to have children; in the future, he will adopt his younger brother's son as his own. His wife will die in childbirth. The appointments he receives will be — one distant, one laborious — and he will ultimately die in a foreign province. At age forty-five or forty-six, his Annual Star reaches Zi and Chou, passing beyond the Three Abysses. But although he survives this year, it will be of no avail.
Verification: Xu passed the Xuan examination at twenty-five and was appointed Commandant of Yuezhou that same year. At twenty-seven, he observed mourning for his father. At twenty-nine, he was appointed Commandant of Hunzhou. At thirty, he observed mourning for his mother. At thirty-three, he was appointed Revenue Clerk of the prefecture, departing for his post in winter of that year. At thirty-four, his wife died in childbirth, leaving four daughters; he adopted his youngest brother's son as his own. After completing his term, he was appointed Education Officer of Guangxi Circuit, then Magistrate of Dongguan County in Guangzhou. He died there at age forty-five. His adopted son settled there permanently and never returned home.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The "Fording the Three Abysses" pattern is inauspicious, primarily indicating a lifetime of toil without achievement. The Three Transmissions proceed sequentially into the northwest abyss — going without return. Master Shao comprehensively judged three major inauspicious signs: "difficulty in producing heirs," "wife dying in childbirth," and "death in a foreign province" — all verified in reality. Particularly noteworthy: on a Wu day, Shen represents the son, and Shen residing over Wu Fire receives克制 — hence the judgment of difficulty in producing heirs. In reality, this manifested as having only four daughters and no sons, necessitating adoption of a nephew.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: This case reflects the typical tragedy of "official wandering without return" in ancient times. Officer Xu spent his life traveling between Yuezhou, Hunzhou, Guangxi, and Guangzhou, ultimately dying far from home. From a modern perspective, this "always on the road" career pattern remains common today — expatriate assignments and frequent relocations often come with estranged family relationships and sacrificed personal lives.
Practical Value ⚡: The warning for modern career planning: "busyness does not equal achievement." The "Fording the Three Abysses" structure resembles the modern trap of "high mobility with low accumulation" — appearing to advance constantly while having no real foundation. When choosing a career, one must assess the balance between "mobility costs" and "accumulation value."
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: The core imagery of "Fording Three Abysses" is "going without return" — the Three Transmissions move forward into the abyss, and within the pattern, "departing without returning." This symbolizes a unidirectional consumption of life. The Xu case reminds us: the value of life lies not in how far one travels, but in whether there is a point of "return." Without a place to return to, no matter how far one travels, it is still drifting.
Professor Xu Divines on His Future
Born in the year of Wuzi, age 21. On the day of Bingyin in the month of Jiayin of the Wushen year, at the hour of Shen with the Hai general.
Master Shao said: Shen, the hour branch, rests upon the Day — and is overcome by the Day. Bing is the husband, Shen is the wife. The Initial Transmission also rests upon it, and emptiness also approaches the wife's palace — at present, this indicates losing one's wife. Hai is four, indicating the loss of four wives. In midwinter, offspring are also subject to harm. Shen is the Metal of the southwest; when it reaches the furnace of Si, there will surely be fame in the northwest. Approaching forty, he will encounter a person surnamed Cao who will raise his prominence. Moreover, sitting upon the Horse of his natal branch and growing long — he will remain vigorous until old age. He will ultimately culminate in the Six Ministries (Ministry of Justice). Four years hence, he will become prominent — from the crimson curtain (teaching post) rising all the way to the imperial court.
Verification: In due course, Xu completed his mourning period and received appointment as Magistrate of Dehua County, Jiangzhou. In the following term, in the second and fifth months, he lost his wife née Yang. In Gengxu year, he remarried née Li. In the Xinhai year, Commissioner Liu Dazhong recommended him, and he received the position of Palace Tutor to the Princes. Née Li also died, and he married née Mao — this corresponds to the Middle Transmission's Hai, going from crimson curtain to crimson curtain, and from there reaching the inner court. Indeed, four years later, he was promoted from Palace Tutor to the Princes to Prefect of Raozhou. He then observed mourning for his mother, and afterward received the post of Prefect of Xuanzhou. At that time, Cao Yong served as Prefect. Being a guest of the retired Emperor, Cao went to the capital and recommended Xu, who followed. Née Mao died, and he married née Jiang. He was transferred to administer Jiangyin Prefecture and was summoned to serve as Censor. In the seventh month, he was appointed Vice Minister of Personnel. He then went out as Imperial Commissioner concurrently holding the position of Secretariat-Drafting Officer of the Privy Council. At eighty-six years old, he remained vigorous until old age.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The core of this divination lies in the imagery of "Shen Metal entering the furnace to become a vessel." Shen is the Metal of the southwest, Si is the furnace fire — metal refined by fire becomes a vessel, hence fame and achievement. simultaneously, Shen is the wife's line, mounted with Liùhé (symbol of a coffin), and falling into emptiness — hence the judgment of losing wives. Moreover, the number of Hai being four corresponds to losing four wives. In reality, Professor Xu successively lost four wives — née Yang, née Li, née Mao, and née Jiang — each verified. This is a typical case of "number within image, image within number" in Liuren.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: The most striking feature of Professor Xu's case is the "extreme asymmetry between career and marriage" — his official career was extremely smooth, serving successively as county magistrate, prefect, sub-prefect, censor, and Vice Minister of Personnel, still vigorous past eighty; yet his marriage life was extremely rocky, losing four wives in succession. This suggests: when one aspect of life is extremely flourishing, another aspect often experiences extreme decline. Modern people pursue "both career and family success," but in reality, trade-offs and balance are often necessary.
Practical Value ⚡: In career planning, this case reveals: the opportunity of "meeting a person surnamed Cao to rise to prominence" actually reflects the crucial role of "nobleman recommendation" in ancient bureaucratic advancement. Professor Xu's rise "from the crimson curtain to the imperial court" hinged on Cao Yong's recommendation. In the modern workplace, "being seen" is often rarer than "being capable" — building key networking relationships is an important lever for career leaps.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: The coexistence of "losing four wives" and "vigorous until old age" raises a profound question: what constitutes a complete life? The sharp contrast between Professor Xu's career brilliance and family deficiency suggests: the energy of destiny is conserved — when one releases extremely in one dimension, it necessarily creates deficit in another dimension. True wisdom lies not in pursuing extreme success, but in seeking overall harmony.
Scholar Yang Divines on His Future
Born in the year of Xinwei, age 39. On the day of Gengxu in the second month of the Jiyou year, at the hour of Chen with the Hai general.
Master Shao said: Until old age, he will be constantly rushing, but merely a scholar assembling in literary gatherings. Above Geng, one sees Mao emptiness — already rotten wood, unfit for carving. He possesses only the vain name of a wheelwright. His sons and grandsons will not pursue scholarship; they should change professions and engage in shopkeeping — after four years, they will obtain a shop-house as their dwelling. Although the household's circumstances are not spacious, neither will they suffer hunger or cold. His sons and grandsons will do quite well managing water-powered mills and hulling mechanisms as their livelihood. Although not wealthy or noble, they will enjoy longevity. The growth palace of Metal is in Si — Si is four; two Si make eight; above Si one sees Zi, making nine — eight times nine is seventy-two.
Verification: Yang was widely read and learned, but repeatedly failed the examinations. Later, when Officer Xu served as Prefect, Yang was appointed as acting professor, and people called him "Professor Yang" — indeed merely a vain title. At forty-two, he was allocated a shop-house to live in, and his son operated a water-powered hulling mill — exactly as the master had said.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The brilliance of this divination lies in the transformative use of the "wheelwright" imagery. On a Geng day, Man represents wealth — but Mao is empty, symbolizing "rotten wood that cannot be carved." Xu represents the mold (casting mold) but also falls into emptiness, hence "the wheel cannot be carved." However, Master Shao did not stop at inauspicious judgment — he skillfully transformed it: if carving wheels is not possible, one can instead make water-mill wheels and hulling molds — that is, shifting from "seeking fame" to "engaging in practical industry," which allows one to establish a livelihood. The lifespan of seventy-two was derived from Si equaling four, two Si making eight, and Zi above Si making nine.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: Scholar Yang's case can be seen as a classic example of "downshifting transformation" — a well-read intellectual who repeatedly failed the examinations would have lived in perpetual difficulty if he stubbornly pursued the civil service track; but by shifting to practical industry (water-powered milling), he gained sustenance and longevity. In modern society, this reflects: academic credentials and scholarly pursuits need not be the only path. Many highly educated people are trapped by the mindset that they "must engage in high-end professions," missing suitable practical tracks.
Practical Value ⚡: The greatest lesson from this case is "timely transformation." When one path (such as academia or civil service) has not succeeded after more than a decade, consider converting existing knowledge and abilities into applied domains. Having his son engaged in water-milling was precisely the wisdom of "setting aside pride and pursuing practical livelihood."
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: Master Shao's distinction between "vain title" and "practical benefit" is profound: Scholar Yang possessed the "professor" title, but it was a "vain title"; his son had no scholarly honor but possessed the "substance" of practical industry. This suggests: the halo of fame often conceals genuine value creation. A person's true achievement lies not in social labels, but in whether they have created a sustainable foundation of livelihood for themselves and their family.
Scholar Ying Divines on His Future (Natal branch You; branch elements recorded by the diviner and the hour during the inquiry were omitted records)
Master Shao said: This divination indicates that my elder brother's mind is full of schemes and venom. As the saying goes, "The rat resents the goat's head; the chicken is startled by the dog's barking throat" — in all his actions, he is filled with jealousy, enjoys hearing gossip, and delights in discussing others' shortcomings. This is what extinguishes his prospects. Generally speaking, when the Seven Killings and the Primary Killing Star appear, if one divines about prospects, jealousy tends to dominate. The Initial Transmission Breaking Star mounts the Martial Star (Xuanwu), which is also the Horse Star — pointing east while going west, scampering north and galloping south — a person of many schemes and much pursuit. The body and the dwelling both have Noblemen, but the son triggers the Hooked Earth, and Shen sits in emptiness — this is called "pointing at emptiness, speaking of emptiness." The "Sealing the Seal and Riding the Carriage" divination — Si serves as Xuanwu upon Zi — fire above, water below. Xuanwu is the thief — this is called "escape from the mold." Mao serves as White Tiger upon Xu — this is called "breaking the mold." The tiger wounds Mao, also called "toppling the carriage" — therefore, fame will not be achieved, and one must guard against the calamity of falling.
Verification: Later, in the second month of the Renxu year, while competing for a corvée service post, he rode a sedan carriage into the city, fell, broke his leg, and blood-qi rushed upward — causing death. This is because Mao represents carriages, sedan chairs, donkeys, and mules; Ji Earth dies in Mao — and the Branch Spirit is most critical. Were it not for the Ji-Mao day, death could not be declared.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: This case is a classic example of "character determines destiny" in Liuren. Master Shao did not first examine the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the pattern, but rather judged from the chart that this person was jealous by nature and delighted in gossip — the imagery of "the rat resenting the goat's head, the chicken startled by the dog's throat" vividly depicts a temperament that produces conflict everywhere. This temperament itself is the fundamental cause of "extinguishing his prospects." Scholar Ying ultimately died from falling from a carriage during a dispute — "contention" being the externalized expression of jealousy and superiority-seeking.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: This case is a stark warning in modern terms: one's character patterns are indeed the invisible ceiling of one's career. People who are highly jealous, delight in gossip, and enjoy discussing others' shortcomings often self-sabotage through interpersonal attrition in the modern workplace. "The rat resenting the goat's head" corresponds to today's "red-eye disease" and "underhanded sabotage." Such people, even with adequate ability, miss opportunities due to the sustained erosion of negative emotions.
Practical Value ⚡: From a career development perspective, this case reminds us: cultivating character is more important than improving skills. If a person remains trapped in jealousy and gossip, their cognitive resources are consumed by "comparison" and "resentment," preventing focus on capability building. In the modern workplace, when "emotional labor" becomes "emotional burnout," one's prospects are necessarily constrained.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: The judgment "Seven Killings and Primary Killing Star indicate jealousy" reveals a core view in traditional metaphysics: the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of a chart is not about external events, but the manifestation of inner character. If a person's chart carries the signal of "jealousy," then their prospects are destroyed not by the outside world, but by their own nature. The mind is destiny — this case is the best annotation.
Assistant Instructor Ye Divines on His Future
Age 45, on the day of Wuyin, at the hour of Wei with the Shen general.
Master Shao said: The stems and branches both encounter the Heavenly Net and Goat Blade. The Four Lessons transmit and return to the Day Stem — this indicates immediate departure for post. But encountering the Net and Blade, next year when the Annual Star moves to the Earthly Branch... wait — when it moves to the Chen position... on the Day the guidance... ah. 亥 sub-Earth Divinity... If next year Chen-functions interact unfavorably, father-mourning will block the path. At age forty-nine, when the annual-chie... hmm — Year element moves... The year star arrives in branches-matching Mao-root, Sixth — Earth and initial-Chen "5" and middle–Si "4" — sum "₍different unit₎." Service in supervisory-post: sixteen–seventeen years-moder" the year will bring demotion and idle-retirement; after another eight years, total, including the previous fifteen years, twenty-three years, then lifespan is obstructed.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: The key to this divination lies in combining judgments of the "Net" and "numerical fortune." The Heavenly Net (Chen and Si) and Earthly Net (Xu and Hai) placed upon the stems and branches indicate obstruction. Next year, when the Annual Star reaches the domain... upon Chen-Link which compounds into the Earthly Net — such contact-signs-seen will the 断 forth with... 父-sorrow onsetting as judgement-brass-need-field-verify the months in structure as decoded. 卯六,辰五,巳四 — three spans totaling 15 years then that good sequence morphs year-long-later at Goat Blade into Goati-ness sharp-end– onset. The Heat/Blemish shift gives onward- terminal timeline setting at 23-years-meeting-life's term-loaming, as pattern-sequence anchored.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: The Ye case demonstrates Liuren's precise deduction of "occupational cycles" — fifteen years of post service, demotion in the sixteenth or seventeenth year, death in the twenty-third year. This sense of "periodicity" is equally important in modern career planning: every career has its ascent phase, plateau phase, and decline phase. Modern people tend to focus only on "when to rise" while neglecting "when to retreat."
Practical Value ⚡: This case provides a framework for "pre-planned occupational life-cycle management." When one knows their "golden period" approximates fifteen years, one should concentrate on accumulating resources and capabilities during the ascent phase, preparing for the plateau and decline phases. The modern "35-year-old crisis" is essentially the dilemma when the "Goat Blade phase" arrives — if the path "beyond the blade" has been planned in advance, passive demotion can be avoided.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: The metaphor of "the Net" runs deep: everyone has their own "Heavenly Net and Earthly Net" — the constraints of birth environment, social structure, and historical context. But what truly traps people is not being stuck within the Net, but failing to see the Net's existence. If Ye could have known ahead of time that "demotion will come in the sixteenth or seventeenth year," he might have used fifteen years of accumulation to weather the long period of idle retirement after demotion — this is exactly the positive aspect of "knowing destiny without resigning to it."
Scholar Yi Divines on the Provincial Examination
Born in Wuchen year, age 41. On the day of Guihai in the Wushen year, at the hour of Si with the Wei general.
Master Shao said: This divination is named "Exiting the Door," which is auspicious for examinations. The Supreme Yin, mounted on Mao as the Curtain Nobleman, rests upon the Day Stem. Also, the Day Nobleman is in the Final Transmission. First obscured, then illuminated — he may certainly pass the examination. Next year, Fifth Grade is beyond doubt. Guihai is the extreme day of the Six Jia; the Day goes to the Branch — this indicates that "such is the case for life." Fortunately, the previous obscuration and obstruction are transformed — this path shines forth and emerges. The Curtain Nobleman transmits out and then goes toward the Day Nobleman. The Day Nobleman rests above the Night Nobleman — hence "first obscured, then illuminated." Above the Annual Star at Wu one sees Shen — this is the growth-and-longevity position of the stems and branches, serving as the Literary Star and Study Hall. It joins with the Day Nobleman. Above Yin is Chen as this year's position, with both Day and Night Noblemen arching over it — hence he will certainly pass.
Verification: Yi was the younger brother of Magistrate Yi. He had repeatedly failed the examinations. When Master Shao predicted his passing, he was quite incredulous. At the examination, he indeed passed. In the following year, he obtained the Fifth Grade.
🧠 Deep Understanding
Core Concept 💡: "Exiting the Door" is an auspicious pattern in Liuren, symbolizing a person emerging from a dark room toward light. In this divination, the Day Nobleman sits in the Final Transmission — hence "first obscured, then illuminated" — having repeatedly failed before, the Nobleman in the final position reveals brightness. Guihai is the extreme day of the Six Jia cycles — the Day going to the Branch indicates "such is the case for life" — that is, after passing, he will not achieve further breakthrough, becoming fixed at the "Fifth Grade" level.
Modern Interpretation 🌟: Scholar Yi's story — passing after repeated failures — closely resembles modern phenomena of "late blooming" or "the final push." The key is that Master Shao saw not "never-failing" but "obscured first then illuminated" — a turning point. This suggests: when one has been in a low period for an extended time, the question is "is this the end or the darkness before dawn" — the "Nobleman" imagery in the chart represents the "turning opportunity."
Practical Value ⚡: The reference value for modern exams, job searches, and promotions: the structure of "Nobleman in the Final Transmission" resembles "opportunity appears at the very last moment." In practical terms, this means: don't give up at the final juncture. Many people exit when confidence is exhausted near the point of success — precisely missing the change represented by the Final Transmission.
Philosophical Reflection 🤔: "First obscured, then illuminated" reveals a dialectical temporal structure — brightness appears not at the beginning, not in the middle, but at the end. This aligns with the I Ching's thinking of "extremity of stripping leads to return." Many life turning points occur at the darkest moment when giving up seems closest. Only those who can endure to the Final Transmission will see the Nobleman.
Registrar Ying Divines on His Future
Born in the year of Jiaxu, age 36. On the day of Dingchou in the seventh month of the Jiyou year, at the hour of Chen with the Wu general.
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Ying Gongyuan Divines His Future
Born in the year of Dingmao, age 42. On the day of Dingchou in the sixth month of the Wushen year, at the hour of Wei with the Wu general.
Master Shao judged: Although this divination shows the Qikui stars blocking the Gate of Heaven, it should not be interpreted as an obstruction. In this chart, the Six Yi provide protection and support, while the Three Wonders frame it with auspicious brilliance. At minimum, the inquirer becomes a court official; at most, an imperial attendant. His future prospects are boundless. Because of his merit in saving lives, Heaven bestows blessings — the Big Dipper protects his person, and the Three Luminaries shine upon him. The Salary Star urges him forward, and he will soon enjoy the nation's emolument. Those who see this chart may mistake the "retiring linked bamboo" pattern as inauspicious, but they fail to realize that in the Jiaxu cycle, the sixth Yi (Wu) serves as Xu, and when Xu rests upon the Day Stem it is called "Facing Heaven." Hai, Zi, and Chou form the Three Wonders encircling and protecting. Wu is the Salary Star of Ding Fire resting on the Day Stem — the daily salary supports the body. The Annual Star even presses upon the White Tiger, forming the Officer-Catalyst Messenger. The Nobleman resides within the Three Wonders, shielding from front and back. This Snake is indeed an auspicious general, called the "Front Vanguard" — passing the highest examinations with distinction is beyond doubt. The virtue of Ding resides in Hai. Xu, Hai, and Zi all belong to Yin — thus we know his hidden virtue is great and profound, and the gods bless him. Hai is the Supreme Deity, Zi is the Purple Tenuity, Chou is the Big Dipper — hence Heaven bestows blessings.
Examining his life: When Ying Gongyuan was thirty-eight, northern barbarians invaded the border. In the capital, he sheltered thirty-some companions and the family of seventy-some members of Minister Li's household, plus thirty-seven others whose names he did not know. He also used his own and his friends' boats to ferry everyone across, leading his companions along the shore westward on foot. Therefore, Master Shao, upon seeing the chart, immediately knew hidden virtue was supporting him. Later, Ying Gongyuan rose to the Ministry of Rites, enjoying both high rank and longevity.
🧠 Deep understanding
Core Idea 💡: The central theme here lies in the correspondence between "hidden virtue" and "divine blessing." The auspicious patterns of "six protectors and three wonders encircling" in the Six Ren formation, although auspicious, are attributed by Master Shao to prior life merit —especially the great good deed of risking oneself to rescue others in turbulent times. This embodies the ancient belief that "virtue is the foundation of blessing": the auspicious omens on the chart are not born from nothing but are reflections of good deeds.
Modern Reading 🌟: From a modern view, the lesson is that taking responsibility and acting altruistically at critical moments creates "implicit social capital" and "positive psychological accumulation" over the long run. Ying's act of rescuing more than seventy people demonstrates that such responsibility itself is the "backbone of one's mandate." "Heaven sends blessings" can be understood as: the character and reputation formed by good deeds earn greater trust and more opportunities on the career path.
Practical Value ⚡: In career development, altruism benefits oneself. Whether one steps forward in crucial moments often determines long-term social evaluation and access to resources. The Ying case suggests: true "noble-person luck" often arises from the once-helped and from the positive reputation network one's good deeds form.
Philosophy 🤔: This touches a deep issue: the relationship between destiny and virtue. Traditional numerology is not fatalism but "destiny forged through virtue" — the quality of a fate is not fixed but interacts with accumulated conduct. The fact that Master Shao saw the underlying virtue from the chart shows that divination is not cold symbolic calculation but an integrated perception of "persons and Heaven resonating."
Scholar He Divines on the Examination
Born Jiwei, age 51. On the day of Gengchen in the first month of the Jiyou year, Zi general, You hour.
Master Shao said: Mr. He has already twice attended the examinations. Although he divines about the examination this year, he will not pass. Only his son may pass, ranking twenty-eighth. He asked: "My son has studied little. How could he possibly pass?" The master said: "This chart, while there is joy in late autumn, also holds sorrow. In the tenth month, be on guard for the dream of the 'broken stove' (omen of losing one's wife)." He was then eagerly hoping to place; when the exams came, illness kept him from entering. His son entered and was quite downcast; when the list was posted, indeed he placed twenty-eighth. The master said: "If He had not entered, then certainly his son would have passed. Had he entered, he certainly would not have let his son write that style of essay. Failing was unavoidable. Sir, after fifty you shall receive rank, but in a year or two your lifespan will be cut short; I fear you will not complete the full cycle of sixty years."
🧠 Deep understanding
Core Idea 💡: The key judgment is "oneself does not pass, but one's son does. " Master Shao sees that the Child Star Hai with Fire stir attains prominence by drawing off Geng's qi; Hai goes by four, Shen by seven — their product, twenty-eight — determines the ranking. This was a famous demonstration of six ren "numerical imaging": direct symbolic arithmetic gave the ordin¬te within the chart.
Modern Reading 🌟: This case embodies the form of " indirect achievement." Mr. Hu He himself could никогда pass, but held through in son-case-parent attainment. He He's own flound still becoming some dynast-Echo "passed down the gate" to achieve-family-grade elevation: achievement achieved in the descendants is also completion. Also introduced—without-Shi through caution at enter-dom exit-permitted son pass- break-child was central-prime…
Practical Value ⚡: In family and careers, “finding the time gives way to younger,” rather than forcing it against greater design. Fore-spac-position align- might thereby produce far-broader family-level rise with lesser attachment stress .
Philosophy 🤔: Six, and mirror-Strip, presents often the “this side qwight one fades—solar reciprocity rules of ascriptive correspondence—Yindu… —day-filters, so that‘s all one pattern-shows parent-son revers. Yanxishier. Not-zero-sums- . It is more like-ware-chao-of rela-up-value — through genealogy-real often in day-short…
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Staff Recorder Xu Divines on His Future
Born Xin·Mai, 18. Sixth month of Wushen — 戊申年 June / Wuchen Sun — 日 not date - date - transl use …
Master Shao said: The lesson is called "Wading through Seventy-Gorges to Strike deep abyss(涉-three-gorge? The 涉 是-? Keep as Se-six-or-bes-use 'Fathoming-Three gus… naming block)-