卷下

Overall Paraphrase

I. The Nine Stars and Eight Doors: Corresponding Responses

This section outlines the general patterns of auspicious and inauspicious configurations in Qi Men Dun Jia. The next chapter will focus on a deeper examination of these auspicious and inauspicious patterns. Here, we first establish these as conceptual memory points. The following are the basic corresponding responses when each star is placed upon the eight doors:

Tian Peng Star Added to the Eight Doors

Tian Rui Star Added to the Eight Doors

Tian Chong Star Added to the Eight Doors

Tian Fu Star Added to the Eight Doors

Tian Qin Star Added to the Eight Doors

Tian Xin Star Added to the Eight Doors

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II. The Eight Doors: Responses in Motion and in Stillness

Sheng Men (Door of Life)

Response in Motion (Verified by distance in li and signs along the way)

Response in Stillness (The inner result of the matter)

Jing Men (Door of Prospect)

Response in Motion

Response in Stillness

Kai Men (Door of Opening)

Response in Motion

Response in Stillness

Xiu Men (Door of Rest)

Response in Motion

Response in Stillness

Du Men (Door of Seclusion)

Response in Motion

Response in Stillness

Jing Men (Door of Alarm)

Response in Motion

Response in Stillness

Shang Men (Door of Injury)

Response in Motion

| Door over Door | Distance in Li | Response Imagery | |---|---|---|---| | Injury Door over Opening Door | 6 li or 16 li | A craftsman holding a staff, two pigs fighting, one craftsman | | Injury Door over Resting Door | 1 li or 11 li | Encounter a craftsman, an official handling affairs, a woman in black clothing | | Injury Door over Growing Door | 8 li or 18 li | Encounter a skilled craftsman holding a staff, an official singing | | Injury Door over Injury Door | 3 li or 13 li | Encounter a craftsman holding a staff, followed by an official | | Injury Door over Blocking Door | 4 li or 14 li | Encounter an official and a craftsman felling trees, and a woman carrying a child passing by | | Injury Door over Scenery Door | 9 li or 19 li | Encounter a pregnant woman in colored clothing, or an official riding a mule passing by | | Injury Door over Death Door | 2 li or 12 li | Encounter a skilled craftsman holding a stick or a filial son weeping | | Injury Door over Surprising Door | 7 li or 17 li | Encounter a craftsman's household staff driving livestock, and a woman leading a child coming in response |

Static Response

Death Door

Dynamic Response

Static Response

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III. Auspicious Patterns in Qimen Dunjia

[Translator's Note] In the original text, "Moon Wonder Opposing the Army" and "Sun and Moon Advancing Together" share the same condition (Bing over Yi), yet one is inauspicious and the other auspicious; the interpretation should depend on the overall coordination of Door, Spirit, and Palace.

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IV. Inauspicious Patterns in Qimen Dunjia

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V. Host-Guest Differentiation and Rotating Plate Application

Qimen Dunjia observes changing variables, so the placement of forecasted matters is also in flux, yet within change there is stillness — that is the pattern. Study the preceding chapters thoroughly; do not lightly give up. Those who master it can turn their hand to summon clouds and overturn rain, but very few learn it, because very few can transcend themselves.

Because some patterns favor the guest and some favor the host, only by distinguishing host from guest can Qimen be correctly applied; otherwise, one may go in the opposite direction and matters will backfire.

Determining Host and Guest:

• In terms of movement and stillness: The mover is the guest; the still one is the host.
• In terms of sequence: The one who moves first is the guest; the one who moves later is the host.
• In terms of attitude: Proactive and aggressive is the guest; passive, defensive, and entrenched is the host.
• For example, if A goes to seek out, visit, select generals, or recruit troops, then A is the guest and the other party is the host; if someone comes to seek me, they are the guest and I am the host.
• In warfare: the one launching the attack is the guest, the one defending is the host; when attacking and pacifying a place, the city, stronghold, or troops being attacked are the host.
• Regarding the rotating plate: The Heavenly Plate is the guest, the Earthly Plate is the host. The Heavenly Plate Palace represents the guest, and the Earthly Plate Palace represents the host. Whether a location favors the guest or the host depends on the specific Hour Stem, the specific pattern, and the Five Element generation/overcoming relationship between the Heavenly Plate and Earthly Plate.

Five Yang Hours and Five Yin Hours:

• Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu are the five yang hours, favoring acting as guest. In war, one should launch offensives, wave banners and beat drums to show off might; in daily life, one should travel far, seek wealth, take office, relocate, marry, and begin construction — all matters are auspicious.
• Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui are the five yin hours, favoring acting as host. Militarily, one should hold troops still and remain deeply hidden; in daily life, all matters are unsuitable; do not make any moves.

The "Song of the Misty Wave Old Fisherman" says: "If you see the Three Wonders in the five yang hours, it is fitting to be the guest with self-strength; should you suddenly encounter the five yin positions, it is fitting to be the host and plan carefully."

Patterns and Host-Guest:

• "White Tiger Running Wild" and "Crawling Snake Coiling" both are unfavorable for being host, favoring being guest.
• The Recumbent Chant pattern calls for holding troops still, allowing the enemy to enter one's encirclement before moving — this too is being host.
• "Azure Dragon Fleeing" is also an inauspicious pattern, but it does not harm the host; one should act as host and move later; taking the initiative to attack will surely result in a great defeat.

Star-Palace Generation and Overcoming:

• For example, Heavenly Eagle Star over Kan Palace: the Palace overcomes the Star, water overcomes fire; water is the host, thus favoring the host.
• Heavenly Canopy over Kun and Gen Palaces, Heavenly Gentry over Zhen and Xun Palaces — all are cases of Palace overcoming Star, favoring the host.
• If Heavenly Canopy over Li Nine Palace, Heavenly Heart and Heavenly Pillar over Li Three and Xun Four Palaces, Heavenly Gentry and Heavenly Fowl over Kan One Palace, Heavenly Rush and Heavenly Assistance over Kun Two and Gen Eight Palaces, Heavenly Eagle over Qian Six and Dui Seven Palaces — all are Star overcoming Palace, all favoring the guest.

Simultaneously, one must connect with time and response omens. If the time coincides with a month or day whose Five Element matches the favorable direction (favoring host, coincide with the host side's element month/day; favoring guest, the guest side's element month/day), and corresponding colored clouds flow from the corresponding direction, the favored side can win greatly.

For example, Heavenly Canopy over Li Nine Palace, coinciding with the time of the eleventh month, Hai Day, with black clouds coming from the north, the guest side will surely win greatly. Another example: Heavenly Rush over Qian Six Palace, during the mid-autumn season, with thick white clouds in the northwest, the guest side will surely suffer a great defeat.

To use Qimen, one must first distinguish host and guest. After the chart is established, examine whether the relevant direction favors host or guest. If at this time and in this direction it favors the host, our side must be the "host" and hold troops still; if it favors the guest, our side must be the "guest" and take initiative.

Determining Generation and Overcoming Relations:

• If the guest generates the host, everything is fulfilling and satisfying, bringing substantial gains.
• If the host generates the guest, there will be depletion and loss, with matters delayed and hard to complete.
• If host and guest are in harmony, all actions and reclusions go smoothly.
• If the guest overcomes the host, all matters fail and are hard to complete; seeking good fortune instead invites disaster.
• If the host overcomes the guest, many matters will also turn out to be empty joy.

Example of Visiting Someone:

Take visiting someone as an example: after establishing the chart, the Earthly Plate at the direction of travel represents the person being visited, and the Heavenly Plate star in that palace represents the visitor. If the Heavenly and Earthly plates are in harmony (such as Heavenly Assistance over Zhen Three Palace), one will surely see that person. If this palace also obtains a Wonder and a Door, not only will one be received, but one will also be warmly entertained.

If the Earth Plate palace overcomes the Heavenly Plate star—for instance, the Earth Plate is in Zhen Three Palace and the Heavenly Plate holds Rui, Qin, or Ren—or if the Earth Plate's Heavenly Stem overcomes the Heavenly Plate's Heavenly Stem, or if the Earth Plate's Earthly Branch is the Tomb Vault of the Heavenly Plate, then this means the person is present but unwilling to receive you. If the Earth Plate's Earthly Branch falls into the Void according to the day stem, then this person is truly absent, and of course it is impossible to meet them.

Another example: someone has scheduled a time to visit you. According to the agreed time, you cast a Qi Men divination. After the board is set, the star on the Heavenly Plate in the direction from which they come represents the visitor, the guest; the Earth Plate represents the host, yourself. If it meets an auspicious gate and the Heavenly Plate star generates the Earth Plate star, this person's coming is beneficial to you and you may receive them. If the Heavenly Plate star overcomes the Earth Plate star, and it also encounters an inauspicious gate or pattern, then this person should not be received.

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VI. Vernacular Translation of the Ten Stems Mutual Overcome Song Formula

Original author: Zhuge Liang. Interpretive annotator: Master Zi Wu.

Among the three traditional metaphysical arts, both Liu Ren and Dun Jia layout mimic the rotation of Heaven and Earth. Liu Ren emphasizes the Earthly Branches, while Dun Jia emphasizes the Heavenly Stems. In Dun Jia, the Heavenly Stems of the Earth Plate are attached to Earth's stillness; the Heavenly Stems of the Heavenly Plate are suspended in Heaven's dynamic motion. When Heaven and Earth interact, changes arise; when the Ten Stems converge, mutual responses manifest. Supplemented by the Eight Gates, Nine Stars, and Eight Spirits, one can discourse on self-other, object-self, and affair-self relationships, and perceive the Way of the Supreme Ultimate, Yin-Yang, and the Three Powers. Therefore, no practitioner of Dun Jia fails to emphasize the mutual responses of the Ten Stems. However, the teachings are diverse and quite difficult to memorize. Hence, this song formula was composed to summarize the essentials.

[Translator's Note] The following song formula proceeds in the order of Heavenly Plate stem added to Earth Plate stem. "Jia" and "Wu" are treated the same.

Wu Stem Adding Upon

Yi Stem Adding Upon

Bing Stem Adding Upon

Ding Stem Adding Upon

Ji Stem Adding Upon

Geng Stem Adding Upon

Xin Stem Adding Upon

Ren Stem Adding Upon

Gui Stem Adding Upon

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VII. Various Methods of Qi Men Divination

In Qi Men divination of objects, the Three Wonders and Six Instruments represent the beginning of an affair, the Nine Stars represent its middle process, and the Eight Gates represent its final outcome. For example, when I go to find someone, I am the guest, he is the host—because in all matters, the mover is the guest and the still one is the host; the one who initiates action first is the guest. In divination, host and guest are distinguished as follows: the star falling on the Heavenly Plate represents the other party, the guest; the star falling on the Earth Plate represents me, the host. For example, the Qian Six Palace lies in the northwest; the Heavenly Plate holds Gui, the Earth Plate holds Geng; Heavenly Plate Gui is the guest, Earth Plate Geng is the host; if the host generates the guest, the guest acting first is more advantageous.

If he comes to visit me, he moves and is the guest, and I am still and am the host. The star falling on the Heavenly Plate represents him, the guest; the star falling on the Earth Plate represents me, the host. For example, Zhen Three Palace lies in the east; the Heavenly Plate holds Gui, the Earth Plate holds Geng; Geng belongs to Metal, Gui belongs to Water; Metal generates Water, indicating I generate him—the guest benefits, and I do not. Another example: Li Nine Palace; the Heavenly Plate holds Geng, the Earth Plate holds Gui; Geng belongs to Metal, Gui belongs to Water; Metal generates Water, indicating he generates me—I benefit, and he does not.

In Qi Men timing, there is sequence in time and distinction between host and guest. Inferring from the mutual positions of others and self: generally, the Wonder Spirit responds to the beginning of things, the Star to the middle of affairs, and the Gate to the end of affairs. Following this order in detailed analysis, nothing fails to prove accurate like a spirit. If I go to seek someone out, I am the guest and he is the host; the Heavenly Plate star represents me, and the Earth Plate star represents him. If he comes to seek me, he is the guest and I am the host; the Heavenly Plate star represents him and the Earth Plate star represents me. See whether he comes to generate me, or I go to generate him: if he generates me, I benefit; if I generate him, the other benefits; if he overcomes me, I suffer loss; if I overcome him, he suffers loss.

Also, on a yang day in a yang hour, the Heavenly Plate star represents me, and on a yin day in a yin hour, the Earth Plate star represents him; when they are equal, there is neither gain nor loss. If there are people, objects, movement, or stillness, take the star occupying the direction of that quadrant into the palace. Then take the gate of the proper hour into the Central Palace to determine the person. Then look at the Central Palace's natal palace to see which star and which gate fill it solidly. Or infer according to categories such as Officer Ghost, Parent, Brother, Son/Grandson, or Wife/Child. If the palace that fills it solidly generates the natal palace or natal star, it is beneficial; if it overcomes the Central Palace, natal palace, or natal star, it is harmful and should be avoided. Then use the hour stem added to the Central Palace—in yang Dun, arrange in forward order; in yin Dun, in reverse order—and one must head toward a direction that obtains both the Wonder and an auspicious gate to take refuge.

Lost Property Divination:

The day stem's palace represents the loser, and the hour stem's palace represents the lost object; infer according to their respective categories. If the hour stem's palace rides vigorous qi and generates the day stem's palace, the item will be recovered; if in repeated/doubled pattern, it will also be recovered; if it falls into a Void, Tomb, Extinction, or absolute palace, it will not be recovered.

Correspondence of Objects to the Nine Palaces:

For the above, if it has vitality it is a living thing; if it lacks vitality, it is a dead, imprisoned, discarded, or old thing.

Divining the Auspiciousness of Land and Water Travel

Use the palaces occupied by the Xiu (Rest) and Jing (Scenery) gates to distinguish water and land routes respectively. If the Xiu gate falls into the Void and the combined Heaven and Earth plates show the Three Wonders riding together, the water route is auspicious. If the Jing gate has the Three Wonders, the land route is auspicious. For boat travel, beware of the Azure Dragon Fleeing and White Tiger Raging patterns, which indicate storms; the Coiled Serpent Writhes indicate disaster; Rosefinch Plunges into the River indicate drowning. Also take the Shang (Hurt) gate as the boat: if the Shang gate is added to the Xiu gate, the boat floats smoothly; if the Xiu gate is added to the Shang gate, the boat travels underwater, indicating sinking. The Jing gate represents the land route; also take the Shang gate as the horse or cart. Beware of White Metal Entering Blazing Fire, which indicates thieves; Blazing Fire Entering White, which indicates fire and alarm; and Dark Warrior with Tian Peng, which indicates robbery. For the water route, beware of the Jing gate coming to overcome it, fearing damage to the boat; the Gen palace without water is unfavorable. For the land route, if the Xiu gate is added to the Jing gate it indicates mud and difficulties in travel. If either of the two gates enters the Tomb, it indicates barriers at passes and bridges, making movement difficult.

Divining the Urgency of Legal Summons

Take the hour stem as myself, the day stem as the presiding official, Ding as the official document, and the Direct Envoy as the bailiff. If the Direct Talisman overcomes the Tian乙 palace (here Tian乙 refers to the hour stem—the celestial hour stem being Tian乙), and Ding falls in an inner area, the summons is slow. If the Direct Talisman palace overcomes the Tian乙 palace and the Direct Envoy falls in an outer area, the summons is urgent; if Punishment is also present, the intent is extremely hostile; the Three Wonders indicate utmost benevolence. If there is mutual generation, the bailiff and the official are pleased to meet with each other; if mutual overcoming, they meet in anger. Also, see Geng as the Heavenly Prison: if it falls into two Xiu or Qiu palaces, the case concludes; if it is in prosperity or prime, it cannot conclude.

Divining the Rise and Fall of River Water

Decide by the Tian Peng star and the Xiu (Rest) gate. If the Xiu gate rides prosperous or vital qi and obtains the Three Wonders, even if the water rises, it will not reach flood stage. If the Xiu gate rides prosperous qi but encounters the Geng pattern, it indicates the river will be blocked, overflow, and surge. If it further includes Jiachen Ren with the Coiled Serpent, this indicates a demonic dragon stirring the waters to cause harm. If the Xiu gate falls in palaces Two, Five, or Eight, water is overcome by earth, indicating the flood will immediately subside or there is no water at all. If the Xiu gate does not ride the Geng pattern or Jiachen Ren, even if the water rises fully, it will not breach the banks.

Divining Whether the Fetus is Male or Female

Take the Tian Rui star of the Kun palace as the mother and the Heavenly Plate star approaching the Kun palace as the fetus. A yang star indicates a male fetus; a yin star indicates a female fetus. Only the Tian Qin star indicates twins: a yang stem is a male, a yin stem is a female.

Divining the Truth or Falsity of News

Decide by the Jing (Scenery) gate and the Rosefinch spirit. If the Jing gate rides prosperous or vital qi and also obtains the Three Wonders, the news is genuine. If the Jing gate is Xiu-qiu, does not obtain the Three Wonders, and rides Rosefinch, it is false news and should not be heeded. If the Jing gate falls into the Void or Tomb and carries Rosefinch, it is only roadside gossip, or words of slander and fabrication, and is even less credible.

Divining When the Sick Will Recover

Take the patient's day stem (the day stem of the Eight Characters natal chart) as the main focus, the Tian Rui star as the illness spirit, and the Sheng (Birth) and Si (Death) gates as determinants of life and death. If the day stem falls in the Birth gate, the patient will not die; if it obtains the Death gate, recovery is difficult. Take the Heavenly Plate as the day stem; if the day stem also falls into Xiu-qiu and encounters an inauspicious star pattern, death is certain. The remaining six gates indicate prolonged illness. The day when the Tian Rui star is discarded or extinct is the recovery date. In divining a daughter's illness, if the hour stem enters the Tomb, death is certain without doubt.

Divining Selling Goods to Seek Profit

Take the Direct Talisman Jiazi Wu as self, Tian乙 as the person selling the goods, and the broker as the intermediary. If the Tian乙 palace rides a Wonderful Gate with auspicious pattern and comes to generate the Direct Talisman's palace, the goods can be sold. If they are equal, selling is likewise harmless; if the contrary, it definitely cannot be sold, and selling will certainly incur loss. Also, look at the landing palace: if it generates the Tian乙 landing palace, this indicates the broker and the goods seller are mutually favorable and auspicious. If the Direct Talisman and Jiazi Wu palaces show connection, it indicates the broker and the goods owner are of one mind. If it enters the Tomb or falls into a Void palace, there must be treacherous and deceptive dealings present, and it must not be sold.

Divining the Character of the Boat Owner

Take the Zhen Three Palace as the boat owner and the star obtained on the Heavenly Plate as the character of the boat owner. If the Zhen Three Palace holds the Tian Fu star, Tian Xin star, or Tian Qin star, it is supremely auspicious; Tian Chong and Tian Ren stars are moderately auspicious—the boatman is a good person. If it holds the Tian Ying, Tian Rui, or Tian Peng stars, it is greatly inauspicious and one should not board the boat.

Divining Investment in Trade for Profit

Using the Day Stem's landing position as the cargo owner, the Hour Stem's landing position as the cargo, the Jia-Zi-Wu landing position as capital, and the Birth Gate's landing position as interest. If the Day Stem's landing position generates the Hour Stem's landing position, it indicates the owner is attached to the goods and unwilling to let them go. If the Hour Stem's landing position generates the Day Stem's landing position, it indicates the goods are attached to the owner and cannot be released. Further examine: if the Hour Stem's landing position generates the Jia-Zi-Wu and Birth Gate landing positions, there will be profit; if it restricts them, there will be no profit. If the Hour Stem's landing position carries an ominous spirit or inauspicious pattern that attacks or restricts the Day Stem's palace, it indicates losses. Only when the Day Stem's landing position restricts the Hour Stem's landing position—though one wishes to sell quickly—will the goods sell very slowly. If the Hour Stem's landing position restricts the Day Stem's landing position, the goods will sell quickly.

Divination on Relocation Auspiciousness

Use the Nine Stars and Nine Palaces to determine directions and assess feasibility. If a direction holds the Three Wonders and the Three Auspicious Gates, and at that time the Heavenly Qín Star is encountered—auspicious in all four seasons—or the Heavenly Fǔ Star brings great fortune in spring and summer, or the Heavenly Xīn Star brings great benefit in autumn and winter, all other stars are inauspicious. Divination is conducted according to the time of arrival, observing which star serves as the Heavenly Cycle to determine the outcome. This is based on the person's time of arrival for divination, unlike the Six-Ren method which uses a predetermined divination hour.

Divination on Partnership for Profit

Let the Day Stem's landing position represent the self, and the Hour Stem's landing position represent the partner. If the Hour Stem carries an auspicious door or pattern and generates the Day Stem's landing position, the partnership benefits me. If the Day Stem carries an auspicious door or pattern and generates the Hour Stem's landing position, it benefits the other party. If the two palaces are in harmony, it indicates a fair partnership free of suspicion. If the Hour Stem's landing position carries an ominous spirit or inauspicious pattern that attacks or restricts the Day Stem's, it is unfavorable. In addition, observe whether the Birth Gate generates or restricts the self: a hundred consultations will not err.