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Chapter 4 of 30
奇门遁甲秘笈大全
This volume focuses on three core divination systems: the Response and Correspondence of the Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces, the Response and Correspondence of the Ten Heavenly Stems, and the Response and Correspondence of the Eight Gates. The so-called "Ke Ying" (response and correspondence) refers to the resonant relationship between external omens and internal vital energy—when a particular marvel, omen, gate, or star enters the configuration, Heaven and Earth will manifest specific scenes, human events, or sounds as verification, from which one can infer auspicious or inauspicious trends and the proximity or distance of the fulfillment period.
The Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces section describes in detail the external manifestations and subsequent fortunes when the three marvels—Yi (乙), Bing (丙), and Ding (丁)—fall into the eight palaces (Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui). The core logic lies in: each marvel carries specific Five Elements and symbolism (Yi is yin wood, Bing is yang fire, Ding is yin fire), and upon entering different palaces, generates patterns of mutual production, restraint, and transformation, thereby triggering life events at different levels—whether acquiring wealth, bearing sons, obtaining contracts, or encountering misfortune.
The Ten Heavenly Stems Response section bestows upon the Six Jia through the Six Gui their respective titles and attributes (such as Six Jia named "Heavenly Fortune," Six Geng named "Heavenly Punishment"), and distinguishes between the distinct types of people and scenes manifested on yang days versus yin days. This system transforms the Heavenly Stems from abstract Five Elements symbols into characters with temperament, official duties, and imagery, making divination more vivid and tangible.
The Eight Gates Response section uses the three gates of Kai (Opening), Xiu (Resting), and Sheng (Birth) as examples, with each gate containing five structural layers: summary verse poem, Q&A for clarification, still-state response, moving-state response, and personal destiny divination. The Kai Gate, associated with metal and dwelling in Qian, serves as the Heavenly Gate and the beginning of all things regenerating; the Xiu Gate, associated with water and dwelling in Kan, serves as the Treasure Vase Palace and the gate where one yang returns; the Sheng Gate, associated with earth and dwelling in Gen, serves as the gate of Three Yangs Initiating Prosperity and the arising of benevolent virtue. All three gates are auspicious, yet each has its favorable and unfavorable circumstances and distinct characteristics of verification.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Qian 🌤 Someone arrives wearing yellow clothing, or someone passes by carrying money—this is the verification. Within the following sixty days, one shall gain property from a family associated with the shang sound (metal), bringing great prosperity.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Kan 🌊 Someone arrives wearing black clothing, or the sound of drums is heard—this is the verification. Wealth shall be obtained within seven days thereafter.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Gen ⛰ Someone arrives wearing white clothing, or carrying bundled items, or someone comes with fish netted in a trap—this is the verification. Within one year, the household shall gain new members; if someone delivers poultry to the door, it is greatly auspicious.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Zhen 🌱 A fisherman or hunter arrives, accompanied by two children—this is the verification. Within seven days thereafter, treasures shall be acquired; if one hears of a death due to childbirth in the east, great prosperity shall follow.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Xun 🌬 A person in white clothing rides past on horseback, or children are playing and frolicking—this is the verification. Within three years, a noble son shall be born, and property shall be gained from the east; if one hears of a fire at an eastern household, or someone who has hanged themselves, great prosperity is certain.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Li 🔥 Someone arrives wearing patterned clothing—this is the verification. Within thirty days, windfall wealth shall be acquired; if one hears of someone in the east who has committed suicide with a blade, great prosperity is certain.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Kun 🌾 Three to five people arrive—this is the verification. Within seven days, windfall wealth shall be gained, and within sixty days, written documents and contracts shall be acquired; if one hears thunder or the sounds of cattle and livestock in the south, great prosperity follows.
Yi Marvel Arriving at Dui ⚙ Three to five young women arrive, or flocks of crows and magpies fly in—this is the verification. Within three or thirty days, wealth from a family associated with the jue sound (wood) shall be gained, bringing great prosperity; or cattle and horses are born in the household, bringing unexpected fortune.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Qian 🌤 A person wrapped in clothing arrives, or flocks of crows and magpies fly in—this is the verification. Within one month, a widow's property and written contracts shall be acquired; if one hears of a childbirth in the south, prosperity flourishes.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Kan 🌊 A blind person arrives, and birds fly in from the north—this is the verification. Within one hundred days or one year, wealth shall be generated through matters involving water and fire, bringing great riches.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Gen ⛰ Someone arrives wearing blue clothing, a child is crying, or a boy holds copper or iron implements—this is the verification. Within seven days, treasures shall be acquired, and within one year, a white horse shall be obtained, bringing prosperity and flourishing.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Zhen 🌱 A military officer arrives carrying weapons; if thunder or drum sounds occur in spring, this is the verification. Within ten days, ancient bronze vessels shall be acquired, and within one year, a noble son shall be born; if dragons and thunder stir in the north, great prosperity is certain.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Xun 🌬 The sounds of drums, singing, and music are heard—this is the verification. Within seven days, someone wearing patterned clothing arrives, and the household gains windfall wealth; if one hears of a great startling event in the south, unexpected prosperity is certain.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Li 🔥 Pairs of yellow birds fly in—this is the verification. Within one, seven, or sixty days, profits from field property on ridges and mounds, as well as sericulture, shall be gained, bringing prosperity and flourishing.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Kun 🌾 Someone arrives wearing black clothing, or crows and magpies call in the south—this is the verification. Within two to seven days, wealth from southern people shall be gained, or within one year, cattle, sheep, and properties of households without heirs shall be acquired, bringing great prosperity. If drum sounds are heard in the east, it is even more auspicious.
Bing Marvel Arriving at Dui ⚙ Someone arrives holding a staff and wine vessel, carrying a small child in arms—this is the verification. Subsequently, sounds of drums and music follow; within seven days, wealth shall be gained, and within one year, human resources and properties from the Kun and Gen directions shall be acquired, bringing great prosperity.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Qian 🌤 Someone arrives holding a blade, or leads a horse past—this is the verification. Within two, seven, or seventy days, wealth shall be gained through earthworks and construction, bringing great prosperity.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Kan 🌊 Someone arrives carrying a small child in his arms, clouds and rain rise in the south, and black birds fly in from the west—this is the verification. Within one hundred days, there shall be celebrations of marriage, bringing great auspiciousness.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Gen ⛰ Someone arrives playing with a child teasing a dog—this is the verification. Within seven or seventy days, living creatures of yellow and black color shall be acquired; within half a year, family members and land deeds shall be gained, bringing prosperity and flourishing.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Zhen 🌱 Two women arrive wearing blue clothing, or a married couple arrives together, or black and white birds fly in from the south—this is the verification. Within seventy days, yellow and white livestock shall be acquired, bringing great prosperity.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Xun 🌬 A child rides past on horseback, clouds rise in the south, and rain falls in the north—this is the verification. However, within one year thereafter, someone shall drown, or a woman shall die in childbirth—inauspicious.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Li 🔥 A lame person or a blind person arrives, and a child rides past on horseback—this is the verification. Within seventy days, wealth shall be generated through fire-related matters, bringing prosperity and flourishing.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Kun 🌾 A woman arrives wearing blue clothing, walking together with monks or Daoists, or a black ox pulls a cart past—this is the verification. Within seventy days, wealth shall be lost due to water-related matters, leading to ruin and decline.
Ding Marvel Arriving at Dui ⚙ Someone arrives carrying documents and register books, or someone drives cattle, sheep, and deer past—this is the verification. Within sixty days, field and property assets shall be acquired, bringing wealth and prosperity.
The core logic of the Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces response system lies in holistic universal resonance: Qimen Dunjia holds that information between Heaven and Earth does not exist in isolation, but rather transmits signals to perceptive individuals through specific "external-response" phenomena. The three marvels—Yi, Bing, and Ding—each possess their essential nature and symbolism: Yi is yin wood, governing gentleness and growth; Bing is yang fire, governing brilliance and ardor; Ding is yin fire, governing refinement and agility. When the Three Marvels enter the palaces, they generate production, restraint, and transformation with the Five Elements attributes of the palaces, thereby determining the levels of fortune and the directions of verification.
The key principles can be summarized as: production and flourishing bring fortune, restraint and imprisonment bring misfortune, entering the tomb brings stagnation, and reversal brings transformation. For example, when the Yi Marvel arrives at Qian (metal), Yi wood is restrained by metal, yet the original text states "great prosperity." This is because the Qian palace embodies the stems Jia and Ren; metal in motion generates water, and water generates Yi wood, creating a passage-through pattern. This dialectical thinking of "growth within restraint" is precisely where the sophistication of the Qimen system lies.
From a contemporary perspective, the "external response" system of the Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces is essentially a decision-support tool for observing the environment and capturing signals. The ancients incorporated everyday people, events, and objects—clothing colors, animal behaviors, natural sounds—into a symbolic system for judging timing and fortune. Its reasonable core lies in: reminding decision-makers to pay attention to subtle changes in their environment.
For example, "someone arrives wearing white clothing" in the ancient context may correspond to imagery of austerity and contraction; today, it could be analogized as: when you are about to launch a project, have you noticed certain signals in interpersonal interactions, shifts in team atmosphere, or subtle turns in the market environment? These "external responses" are not mystical forces that determine fortune, but rather triggers that prompt you to examine your environment more keenly. [Translator's note: A conservative translation approach is adopted here—not equating external responses with karma or causal retribution, but understanding them as an environmental observation framework established by the ancients.]
The numbers for fulfillment periods (seven days, sixty days, one year, etc.) also deserve renewed understanding. These numbers derive from Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch cycles and Five Elements numerology, and should not be mechanically applied in modern practice. A more reasonable attitude is to regard them as references for time windows—they indicate that matters progress at different paces, some suited for short-term decisions, others requiring medium- and long-term planning.
The Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces system can be transformed into the following practical methods in modern life:
Environmental scanning before decisions: When facing important choices (signing contracts, investing, relocating, partnering), you can consciously observe recurring signals around you in the near term—such as repeatedly encountering certain types of people, animals, or weather changes. These seemingly coincidental phenomena may be projections of your subconscious comprehensive assessment of the environment onto the conscious level. Record them, compare with decision outcomes for review, and gradually build your own "external response dictionary."
Project management thinking for fulfillment periods: The time markers in the original text such as "seven days," "sixty days," and "one year" can be transformed into milestone settings for project management. Short-term verifications (seven days) correspond to tasks requiring rapid feedback; medium-term verifications (sixty days) correspond to phase-based achievements; long-term verifications (one year) correspond to achievement of strategic goals. Transform the fulfillment-period framework in divination into verifiable time checkpoints, using the "hypothesize—act—review" methodology to test their validity.
Real-world mapping of Five Elements attributes: The Yi Marvel, belonging to yin wood, can correspond to culture, education, design, and soft management fields; the Bing Marvel, belonging to yang fire, corresponds to technology, energy, branding, and communications; the Ding Marvel, belonging to yin fire, corresponds to fine craftsmanship, data processing, and customer service. The fortune of "Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces" can be understood in real terms as: whether your core competencies (the marvel) match the current environmental field (the palace). If matched, efforts yield twice the results with half the effort; if mismatched, the opposite occurs.
The profound philosophical implication of the Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces is the unity of "Heaven-Human Resonance" and the "Window of Opportunity." The ancients believed that all things in Heaven and Earth are composed of qi (vital energy), and the rise and fall of human affairs follow the same rhythms as natural changes. The reason the Three Marvels entering the palaces can portend fortune and misfortune is that the "qi" carried by the marvels and omina resonates or interferes with the qi field of the palace positions, and this fluctuation of qi first manifests in the environment as various omens.
This is consistent with the Chinese philosophical concept of "seeing the great from the subtle." The Yi Zhuan states: "To know the incipient is indeed divine! The incipient is the subtle beginning of movement, the first visible sign of fortune." The responses of the Three Marvels Arriving at the Palaces are precisely a concretization of "the incipient"—it teaches people to foresee the direction of major trends from tiny omens. In the modern context, this wisdom reminds us: before any major change fully manifests, it will leave traces at the margins. True decisiveness is the ability to capture trends from details when information is still incomplete.
| Heavenly Stem | Title | Attributes | Yang Day Verification | Yin Day Verification | Fulfillment Period & Fortune |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Jia (甲) | Heavenly Fortune | Heavenly virtue, abundant nobility | A man in blue clothing arrives | — | Salary and emolument gained within three days, auspicious |
| Six Yi (乙) | Peng Star / Heavenly Worthy | Suitable for monks, Daoists, and various artisans | A male noble arrives | A monk or Daoist arrives | Glorious and auspicious events within eight or eighty days, auspicious |
| Six Bing (丙) | Heavenly Might | Flying dragon appears in red and white | A person riding a red or white horse, wearing blue clothing, arrives | — | Treasures and written contracts gained within seven or seventy days |
| Six Ding (丁) | Jade Maiden | The Jade Maiden loves graceful appearance | An adult woman arrives | A young maiden arrives | Ancient vessels acquired within twenty-seven days |
| Six Wu (戊) | Heavenly Martial | Flags, spears, gongs and drums | Sounds of gongs and drums | Sounds of singing | Military person's wealth gained within the year |
| Six Ji (己) | Earth Portal | Yellow clothing, white clothing | A man in yellow clothing arrives | A woman in white clothing arrives, or a man and woman walk together | A distant relative arrives within fifty days |
| Six Geng (庚) | Heavenly Punishment / Heavenly Prison | Mourning attire, soldiers and officials | A soldier or official arrives | A person in mourning attire arrives | Documents and official matters within forty-nine days |
| Six Xin (辛) | Heavenly Court | Birds flying, crows circling | A person in white clothing | Flying birds | Wealth gained through disputes, mediators, or intermediaries within the year |
| Six Ren (壬) | Heavenly Prison | Thunder, lightning, rain and snow | A person in black clothing | A person in white clothing | New household members acquired within the year |
| Six Gui (癸) | Heavenly Concealment / Heavenly Net | Pregnant woman, joyous return | A fisherman or hunter | A pregnant woman | Bronze mirror obtained within sixty days |
The Response and Correspondence Method of the Ten Heavenly Stems personifies the ten Heavenly Stems, bestowing upon each a title, official function, and imagery. This naming is by no means arbitrary—each title encapsulates the core temperament and divination points of that Heavenly Stem:
The distinction between yang days and yin days embodies the Qimen system's meticulous grasp of the waxing and waning of yin and yang qi. On yang days, qi floats outward, and verifications tend to manifest through dynamic figures (men, soldiers and officials, fishermen and hunters); on yin days, qi is withdrawn inward, and verifications tend to belong to subtle imagery (women, monks and Daoists, pregnant women, flying birds).
The modern value of the Ten Heavenly Stems Response method lies not in memorizing specific verifications like "one meets a person in mourning clothing on a Six Geng day," but in its provision of a symbolized framework for categorizing personality types. Each Heavenly Stem's "title" and "attribute" is essentially a description of a different type of energy field:
In today's interpersonal interactions and team management, this classification can help us quickly identify the dominant energy type of the current environment, thereby adopting matching communication and cooperation strategies.
Decision Timing Selection: The auspicious or inauspicious attributes of the Ten Heavenly Stems' Ke-Ying (mutual overcoming responses) can serve as a reference for filtering action timing. On days of Tianfu (Jia), Tianxian (Yi), and Yunü (Ding), matters of cooperation, contract signing, and cultural affairs are favored; on days of Tianwei (Bing) and Tianwu (Wu), matters of competition, tackling difficulties, and execution are favored; on the day of Tianxing (Geng), one should handle legal documents and official dealings with caution. This is not superstition, but rather using ancient rhythms to regulate one's own pace of action.
Team Role Configuration: Connecting the personified traits of the Ten Heavenly Stems with modern team role theories reveals interesting correspondences: Liu Jia resembles the decision-maker, Liu Yi the advisor, Liu Bing the marketer, Liu Ding the designer/planner, Liu Wu the project manager, Liu Ji the logistics supporter, Liu Geng the legal auditor, Liu Xin the public relations specialist, Liu Ren the external liaison, and Liu Gui the R&D reserve. If a team can activate the corresponding "Heavenly Stem energy" at different stages, its operations will run more smoothly.
The profound philosophy underlying the Ten Heavenly Stems' Ke-Ying method is the idea of "matching name and reality" and "unity of image and number". Ancient thinkers believed that the "names" of all things were not arbitrary labels, but rather condensed expressions of their "reality". The reason Liu Jia is named "Tianfu" (Heavenly Fortune) is that Jia wood corresponds in the seasonal cycle to spring, when all things are born, and in direction to the east, where the sun rises — its "reality" indeed lies at the beginning of fortune and virtue. The name is the key to understanding the essence of the Heavenly Stem, not a mere decoration.
This mode of thinking, where "the name expresses the reality," still offers inspiration in modern society: when we name a project, a team, or a product, the name itself shapes its energy field and others' perception of it. A good name makes the name a natural expression of inner quality.
Summary Poem 📜
When the Opening Gate receives its radiant shine, servants, cattle, and sheep return within a hundred days. Wealth, marriage, and land all come in, the household prospers with abundant assets. Industries attract those of the Shang tone to send, and in Si, You, and Chou years people will surely arrive. Descendants inherit blessings and receive many honors, adorned in purple robes and golden belts, bathed in imperial grace they return.
Paraphrase: When the Opening Gate enters the formation with its radiance, servants, cattle, and sheep are obtained within a hundred days. Wealth, marriage, and land all yield returns; the household flourishes and assets are abundant. Someone of the Shang tone (surnamed Jin/Metal) delivers industries, and in Si, You, and Chou years, noble visitors will surely come. Descendants inherit the family's blessings and receive many honors, wearing purple robes and golden belts, returning bathed in imperial favor.
Q&A Clarification ❓
Question: The Opening Gate belongs to Metal, which is inherently the killing breath of heaven and earth, the time when all things come to an end. Why is it instead called an auspicious gate?
Master Qu's Answer: The Metal of the Opening Gate is indeed the time when all things wither and are extinguished, yet one fails to realize that after all things are extinguished, there lies the opportunity for rebirth. The Opening Gate resides in the Qian palace, where Qian conceals Hai, and Qian contains Jia and Ren. When Metal moves, Water is generated; when Water is generated, all things flourish. Hence, the Opening Gate is the initial gate that nourishes and gives birth to all things, and it is also the Gate of Heaven, therefore it is auspicious.
If the Opening Gate combines with the Yi Wonder, it is called Heavenly Escape (Tian Dun), protected by the essence of the sun; combined with the Bing Wonder, it receives protection from the essence of the moon; combined with the Ding Wonder, it receives protection from the Great Yin (Taiyin). For all plans and undertakings, one should act with proper justification and legitimate means — conducting public affairs in this manner brings all blessings and prosperity. If one engages in secret or shady dealings, one will surely be exposed by others and suffer misfortune instead.
The Opening Gate in the Qian and Dui palaces is in the phase of mutual support (Xiang Qi); entering the Kan palace it is in the phase of prosperity (Wang Qi) — Metal and Water generate each other, like a mother caring for her child, hence auspicious. When traveling four li or forty li, one sees pigs, rats, and similar creatures; at sixty li, one encounters noble people with carriages and horses, and occasions of drinking and dining.
In the Gen palace it enters the tomb; in the Zhen palace it is oppressed (also the four energies); in the Xun palace it is Fan Yin (reversal); in the Li palace Metal is overcome by Fire — all are inauspicious. For those traveling through the Opening Gate, meeting a noble person on horseback at thirty li is auspicious; seeing pigs and horses with wine and food at forty li is auspicious. When the Yi Wonder faces the Opening Gate, one sees a noble person in red clothing; when the Bing Wonder faces it, one sees an elderly person with a staff; when the Ding Wonder faces it, one sees people carrying bamboo, wood, and similar items — all are auspicious.
Static Responses (Gate-plus-Gate Static Divinations)
| Combination | Auspicious/Inauspicious | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Kai + Kai | Auspicious | Indicates noble people, treasures, and financial joy |
| Kai + Xiu | Greatly Auspicious | Seeing noble people and financial joy; opening shops and trade brings great profit |
| Kai + Sheng | Auspicious | Seeing noble people, wishes and plans all fulfilled |
| Kai + Shang | Inauspicious | Changes, alterations, and moves are all unfavorable |
| Kai + Du | Slightly Inauspicious | Loss, theft, and matters of printing documents are unfavorable |
| Kai + Jing | Slightly Inauspicious | Seeing noble people, but matters involving documents are unfavorable |
| Kai + Si | Inauspicious then Auspicious | Legal disputes and worries — first worry, then joy |
| Kai + Jing (Xia) | Inauspicious | All matters unfavorable |
Static Responses (Opening Gate plus Heavenly Stem)
| Combination | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Kai + Jia Wu | Both wealth and fame obtained |
| Kai + Yi | Small wealth may be sought |
| Kai + Bing | Noble person, official seal and rank |
| Kai + Ding | News from afar will surely arrive |
| Kai + Ji | Affairs unsettled and uncertain |
| Kai + Geng | Road disputes and litigation; plans diverge in two directions |
| Kai + Xin | A woman on the road |
| Kai + Ren | Loss on a distant journey |
| Kai + Gui | A woman loses wealth — slightly inauspicious |
Dynamic Responses (Travel Omen Scenes)
| Combination | Distance | Omen |
|---|---|---|
| Kai + Kai | Six li, sixteen li | Encounter a noble person and people engaged in fighting |
| Kai + Xiu | One li, eleven li | Encounter four-legged animals fighting, a woman in black clothing, and scholars discussing fame and rank |
| Kai + Sheng | Eight li, eighteen li | Encounter a woman and four-legged creatures, or men discussing property disputes and wealth |
| Kai + Shang | Three li, thirteen li | Encounter a craftsman holding a wooden staff, or a woman with a carriage |
| Kai + Du | Four li, fourteen li | Encounter a man singing urgently, or monks and Taoists passing by |
| Kai + Jing | Nine li, nineteen li | Encounter a noble person on horseback, or someone holding documents |
| Kai + Si | Two li, twelve li | Encounter an elderly person weeping, or earth being dug for burial |
| Kai + Jing (Xia) | Seven li, seventeen li | Encounter siblings walking together |
Prognosis for One's Life: Those with Metal or Water destinies are fortunate and beneficial; Earth destinies are stable; Fire and Wood destinies indicate litigation, illness, and financial loss — unfavorable.
Additional Verse: "Meetings with officials find reason, affairs bring joy; seeking people, one finds them; greatly favorable for superiors; seeking wealth will surely succeed; the sick recover easily; traveling finds companions; those who have departed will return; trade and shop openings, moves and relocations bring joy; visiting the noble brings benefit; construction gains safety; all matters are auspicious, nothing is not clearly understood."
Summary Poem 📜
The Resting Gate is best for accumulating wealth and resources; cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep come on their own. On outer days, marriage is fulfilled in the south; promotion and advancement reach the京城 towers. The property of those of the Yu tone (Water surnames) is surely acquired; the household rests in peace, with water bringing no disaster.
Paraphrase: The Resting Gate is most favorable for accumulating wealth and resources; cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep arrive uninvited. In future days, marriage is fulfilled in the south; promotion and advancement reach positions in the capital's towers. The property of those of the Yu tone (Water surname) will surely be acquired; the household dwells in peace, with water causing no harm.
Q&A Clarification ❓
Question: The Resting Gate belongs to Water, which kills without exception — the cold of frost and snow, the pure Yin energy, the essence of the Dark Warrior (Xuanwu), where the three lights do not shine and ghosts and evils reside. Why is it instead called auspicious?
Master Qu's Answer: The Water of the Resting Gate is indeed a place of utmost Yin, but it actually corresponds to the Palace of the Water Vase (Treasure Vessel, Zi position). When water serves as the life-giving energy for all things, they flourish outwardly; when water serves as death energy, they retreat to their roots and store their essence within. The Zi position is the beginning of the return of one Yang, where grass and trees begin to stir — it is precisely the gate of returning to the origin and restoring the source, hence it is auspicious.
When the Resting Gate combines with the Ding Wonder, with the Great Yin below, it is called Human Escape (Ren Dun), protected by the essence of the stars, and all affairs are auspicious. It prospers in the Zhen palace, is in mutual support in the Kan palace, and is born in the Qian and Dui palaces — all auspicious; the Kun, Gen, and Central palaces are overcome by Earth, the Xun palace enters the tomb, the Li palace is in Fan Yin — all unfavorable.
The Resting Gate is suitable for visiting noble people and matters of harmony and unity; all affairs are auspicious. When traveling fifty li, seeing snakes, rats, and black creatures in water serves as the omen.
Static Responses (Gate-plus-Gate Static Divinations)
| Combination | Auspicious/Inauspicious | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Xiu + Xiu | Auspicious | Seeking wealth, adding household members, visiting the noble are auspicious; audiences with superiors and construction are greatly favorable |
| Xiu + Sheng | Auspicious | Obtaining a woman's wealth and connections with the noble; plans respond after delay |
| Xiu + Shang | Inauspicious | Auspicious for superiors and celebrations, but seeking wealth yields nothing; relatives dividing property brings changes — unfavorable |
| Xiu + Du | Inauspicious | Financial loss; lost items hard to find |
| Xiu + Jing | Slightly Inauspicious | Seeking documents, seals, and letters brings no result; instead invites disputes and gossip |
| Xiu + Si | Inauspicious | Seeking documents, seals, litigation matters, or monks and Taoists traveling afar — unfavorable; divination for illness is inauspicious |
| Xiu + Jing (Xia) | Inauspicious | Loss of wealth brings disaster; illness and fright; financial loss is unfavorable |
| Xiu + Kai | Greatly Auspicious | Opening shops, seeing the noble, seeking wealth, and celebrations all favorable |
Static Responses (Resting Gate plus Heavenly Stem)
| Combination | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Xiu + Jia Wu | Wealth and goods harmoniously obtained |
| Xiu + Yi | Seeking heavy things fails; seeking light things succeeds |
| Xiu + Bing | Documents harmony and celebratory affairs |
| Xiu + Ding | All litigation comes to rest |
| Xiu + Ji | Obscure and unsettled; auspicious afterwards |
| Xiu + Geng | Document disputes and litigation; later reconciled |
| Xiu + Xin | Illness heals slowly; lost items not recovered |
| Xiu + Ren | A woman involved in litigation and entanglement |
| Xiu + Gui | A woman involved in litigation and entanglement |
Dynamic Responses (Travel Omen Scenes)
| Combination | Distance | Omen |
|---|---|---|
| Xiu + Xiu | One li, eleven li | Encounter a couple in black-green clothing singing |
| Xiu + Sheng | Eight li, eighteen li | Encounter a woman scattering black earth and yellow objects, or an official in black |
| Xiu + Shang | Three li, thirteen li | Encounter craftsmen carrying wooden staffs, or officials in black |
| Xiu + Du | Four li, fourteen li | Encounter a woman in black-green clothing leading a child, walking and singing |
| Xiu + Jing | Nine li, nineteen li | Encounter an official in black riding a mule or horse |
| Xiu + Si | Two li, twelve li | Encounter people in mourning clothes weeping, accompanied by someone in green |
| Xiu + Jing (Xia) | Seven li, seventeen li | Encounter a person in black stamping feet, a woman leading a child |
| Xiu + Kai | Six li, sixteen li | Encounter people fighting, sighing, and animals locked in combat |
Prognosis for One's Life: Wood destinies are greatly favorable; Metal destinies suffer loss and depletion; Earth destinies face disaster and illness; Fire destinies are greatly inauspicious. Those born in the year, month, day, or hour of Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Si, Wu, Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei are unfavorable.
Summary Poem 📜
When the Growing Gate faces auspicious stars, people and wealth prosper, each fulfilling their wishes. In Zi and Chou years, in the third and seventh months, cattle, sheep, saddles, and horses enter the courtyard. Silkworms, grain, and silk thread are all abundant; sons in purple and red hold fame in the capital. From the south, trade news and land come in; descendants' rank and emolument reach the ranks of ministers.
Paraphrase: When the Growing Gate faces auspicious stars, both people and wealth flourish, each obtaining their wishes. In Zi and Chou years, in the third and seventh months, cattle, sheep, saddles, and horses enter the courtyard. Silkworms, grain, and silk are all abundant; sons dressed in purple and red hold fame throughout the capital. From the south, commercial news brings gains in land; descendants' rank and emolument reach the level of high ministers.
Q&A Clarification ❓
Question: The Growing Gate belongs to Gen Earth, the direction of Lesser Yang. Why is it called the gate of ultimate auspiciousness?
Master Qu's Answer: Gen corresponds to the Yin position. Heaven opens at Zi, Earth is established at Chou, and Humanity is founded at Yin. When the heavenly circulation reaches this point, all three Yangs are complete, and the opening of prosperity begins from here, with all things coming to life. Yang returns and the energy revolves; the heaven and earth's love of life extends broadly to all things, and the Way of Benevolence is born from this — hence it is the gate of ultimate auspiciousness.
When the Growing Gate combines with the Yi Wonder, with the Nine Earths below, it is called Earth Escape (Di Dun), protected by the essence of the sun — auspicious. Combined with the Bing Wonder, it receives protection from the essence of the moon, forming Heavenly Escape. Combined with the Ding Wonder, it receives protection from the essence of the stars, forming Human Escape. All affairs are greatly auspicious.
The Growing Gate is suitable for assuming office, construction, marriage, seeking wealth, and raising livestock — all greatly auspicious. When traveling sixty li, one sees noble people with carriages and horses — auspicious. In the Qian and Dui palaces it is prosperous; in the Central palace it is in mutual support; in the Kan palace it is oppressed; in the Zhen palace it is overcome by Wood; in the Xun palace it enters the tomb — all unfavorable. Born in the Li palace — auspicious.
Static Responses (Gate-plus-Gate Static Divinations)
| Combination | Auspicious/Inauspicious | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Sheng + Sheng | Auspicious | Distant travel and seeking property are auspicious |
| Sheng + Shang | Inauspicious | Changes among relatives and friends; the road is unfavorable |
| Sheng + Du | Inauspicious | Secret plots; a woman loses wealth — unfavorable |
| Sheng + Jing | Inauspicious then Auspicious | A woman and young ones are unsettled, and document matters; auspicious afterwards |
| Sheng + Si | Inauspicious | Land and property litigation; the matter is hard to resolve |
| Sheng + Jing (Xia) | Inauspicious then Auspicious | Elders involved in property disputes and litigation; lingering illness heals slowly; auspicious afterwards |
| Sheng + Kai | Auspicious | Seeing noble people; seeking wealth brings great gain |
| Sheng + Xiu | Auspicious | Seeking wealth and profit in a woman's domain — auspicious |
Static Responses (Growing Gate plus Heavenly Stem)
| Combination | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Sheng + Jia Wu | Marriage, seeking wealth, and visiting the noble are all auspicious |
| Sheng + Yi | A woman's childbirth is delayed — auspicious |
| Sheng + Bing | Noble person, official seal, marriage, letters, and celebratory affairs |
| Sheng + Ding | Litigation and marriage, profit, and travel — greatly auspicious |
| Sheng + Ji | Receiving support from a noble person — auspicious |
| Sheng + Geng | Property disputes, bankruptcy — unfavorable |
| Sheng + Xin | Official matters, a woman's illness in childbirth — auspicious afterwards |
| Sheng + Ren | Lost valuables recovered afterward; thieves easily captured |
| Sheng + Gui | Marriage does not succeed; all other matters are auspicious |
Dynamic Responses (Travel Omen Scenes)
For those traveling through the Growing Gate, at eight li or eighteen li they encounter noble people with carriages and horses, or officials and people in black. When the Yi Wonder faces, they see a rabbit, or two rats biting each other. When the Bing Wonder faces, they see a sick person's feet, or two people arguing over money. When the Ding Wonder faces, they see fishermen and hunters. This direction is greatly favorable — all affairs benefit.
| Combination | Distance | Omen |
|---|---|---|
| Sheng + Sheng | Eight li, eighteen li | Encounter a noble person in red-purple clothing |
| Sheng + Shang | Three li, thirteen li | Encounter officials holding staffs, or people mounding earth and planting trees |
| Sheng + Du | Four li, fourteen li | Encounter people carrying colored items, walking and singing, with long sighs |
| Sheng + Jing | Nine li, nineteen li | Encounter a noble person's carriage with many followers |
| Sheng + Si | Two li, twelve li | Encounter people in mourning clothing weeping |
| Sheng + Jing (Xia) | Seven li, seventeen li | Encounter people driving livestock and someone speaking of litigation |
| Sheng + Kai | Six li, sixteen li | Encounter noble people's carriages and a snake biting a pig |
| Sheng + Xiu | One li, eleven li | Encounter people in black and people carrying money |
Fortune Assessment: Those with Fire, Earth, or Metal destinies will find great benefit. Those with Water or Wood destinies will face adversity, with many hardships and calamities. Avoid those born in years, months, days, or hours of Jia, Yi, Yin, or Mao, as they will be disadvantaged. Those with Ren or Gui destinies shall suffer from swelling and edema — inauspicious.