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Chapter 5 of 5
雪心赋
Water techniques rightly emphasize observing the forms of water flow, but in mountain techniques, identifying the dragon vein is most difficult. 🌊⛰
The dragon vein sometimes appears in vast open wilderness, sometimes lies hidden beneath expansive lakes. Scattered and isolated mountain villages hold not the slightest trace of elegance; auspicious grounds shrouded in mist and cloud reveal but a glimpse of their refined essence. Mountains rising behind surely have their corresponding counterparts ahead; the vital energy stored within must manifest in outward form. When seeking the true acupuncture point, a distant court-mountain is less reliable than a nearby facing-sand platform; when discerning the natural formation, a dragon following the current is less powerful than one opposing it.
Most people favor grand distant court-mountains while disdaining the near and modest facing-sands—little do they know that what welcomes from nearby is true, while what is coveted from afar proves false. Comprehend in the mind, verify with the eyes. Why force the Three Auspicious and Six Flourishing stars? The true point and genuine form naturally align in mysterious concordance. Places of death and extinction may paradoxically possess generative formations; amid vigor and prosperity, one must examine traces of decline and decay.
Like a defeated army casting aside armor and dragging weapons, it regroups and camps after crossing water; like ranks of spears and battle formations, the bead-stringing momentum must change its gateway approach. Wandering turtles disregarding one another in ragged disarray—these rest at wayfarers' inns; unbroken string of pearls scattered without order—these borrow passage through foreign lands. Rolling peach blossoms and wind-blown willow catkins are all rootless and stemless things, not necessarily possessing form or vital energy. If you see an earthen ox hidden in concealment, water encircling is mountain encircling; or if gulls rise and fall upon the water's surface, a good vein naturally yields a good point. Beyond the water, four mountains must converge; within flat ground, one prominence is held as extraordinary. Carefully trace the clarity of facing counterparts—indeed, left and right must interlock firmly. When the hall is expansive without facing-sand, discernment should extend to the surrounding areas; when water forces scatter without affection, the principle lies in seeking their encircling embrace. 🌱
What should be born yet is not born—its momentum is isolated and support scarce; what appears dead yet does not die—the child is weak while the mother is strong. On grounds shaped like a crane's knee or wasp's waist, beware that specter-thieves may come and go unsettled; in forms like spider's silk or horse's tracks, without a spirit-dragon the fallen and wandering cannot be discerned. As if high, as if low; faintly encircling, dimly embracing. What I most desire is nothing other than a dragon opposing the water; what brings joy to my heart must be a facing-sand entering my embrace. Forms like swarming bees and gathering ants—they must be rounded, pure, low, and retiring; postures like a crouching tiger or coiling dragon—heed not their distance or size. Where the vein ends, guard against the severance of vital energy; where the ground is low, strictly avoid spring seeps. What comes then rests; what rests may be solitary—one must seek protection and support. One alone cannot generate; generation necessarily requires two, and they must harmonize yin and yang. There are female and male, there are noble and base. If yin and yang mate and intersect but do not obtain water, this is a loss of measure; if dragon and tiger protect the womb but do not pass through the point, this is a leaky womb. 🔯
What is delightful: peaks rising from the dragon-tiger's bodies. What is detestable: seeking points beside muddy water-grounds. At the point of emergence, screens and barriers should be arrayed; at the point of settlement, cushions and mats should be spread. One should seek the near and far relation of hidden and manifest, and still examine the acceptance or rejection of the strange and anomalous. The shedding and slipping of rhinoceros-horn and tiger-tooth formations are called accusing-and-informing stars; the round perfection of pearl and jade-tablet formations are the very aspect of tribute and presentation. There are also points dwelling at water's depths—wondrous objects and extraordinary traces; still more are points among rocks, where the stripped dragon exchanges its bones. At water's depths one must possess the Dao-seeing eye; among rocks, one treasures an enlightened master. How would one know that geomancy itself holds divinity? Who recognizes that mulberry fields can turn into seas?
The skeletal vein properly should undergo stripping and exchange; dragon and tiger require detailed clarity. Either the dragon departs while the tiger returns, or the dragon returns while the tiger departs. The one that returns should not press against the point; the one that departs must turn its head back. If it sweeps straight away without any barrier, certain are flight, relocation, and ruin. There may be dragon without tiger, or tiger without dragon; when lacking the dragon, water should wind around the left; when lacking the tiger, water should entwine the right flank. There may be strong dragon and weak tiger, or weak dragon and strong tiger; when the tiger is strong, beware of its raising its head; when the dragon is strong, be especially wary of its usurping the master. Do not make water a fixed pattern, but seek shelter-from-wind within the point; arrive at this with heightened perception, and further turn your mind to careful examination. When both palaces arrive together, beware the frontal tilt and flow; when one point resides in the center, guard against pointed shots from both sides. When the eastern palace strays across into the western, the eldest branch meets ruin; when the right arm shoots pointedly into the left, the youngest son suffers poverty. Best to weigh these messages carefully, and not lose yourself in delusion. 👁
Reading a mountain is like reading a person; selecting a point is like applying moxa. A hair's breadth means a thousand miles; one finger means ten thousand mountains. If there is a naturally generated dragon, there must be a naturally generated point. Whether single-facing or double-facing matters not—only see whether it is affectionate or indifferent. If there is meandering water, there must surely be winding mountains; why depend on Nine Stars and Eight Trigrams? Only require it to face inward and turn its head. Do not seek presence in absence; rather seek absence within presence. Perhaps the eyes of predecessors were not yet refined, or perhaps creation showed favor to the virtuous. The left palm and right arm differ in urgency as drastically as ice and charcoal; the index and ring finger, though adjacent, differ as clouds from mud.
Borrowing the city and relying on the host—one takes authority from living energy; departing from the dragon and resorting to the situation—one becomes subordinate to the facing reception. Large toward small placement, small toward large placement—do not confuse the order. Horizontal arrival, vertical reception; vertical arrival, horizontal reception—additionally observe the protective encirclings. Know that as you shift your step, the form transforms; but take the court-mountain as verification of the point. Rely wholly on keen vision, weighing high and low; carefully apply your mental effort, deliberating facing and turning. When inside is straight and outside hooked, it may still be trimmed and tailored; when inside is hooked and outside straight, all mental effort is wasted. Do not say creation's mysteries are unfathomable—observe its movement and stillness and they may be measured. Distinguish true from false in a moment's disposal; measure the compliant and contending beyond inborn temperament. Without knowing the true formula, one wrongs the world's people.
Carefully examine the circulation of the eight directions; minutely investigate the transformations of the Five Elements. Sever the vital vein at the point between broken and unbroken; verify fortune and calamity where correct and incorrect lie between. There are also anomalous points and strange forms—what I take, others discard. If you see retracted claws and hidden fangs, the mechanism cannot be fathomed, and its wonder cannot be spoken. Stone bones crossing rivers and lakes—no form, no shadow. Flat ground rising into small mounds—one east, one west. It should be like panning for gold in sand; water must certainly come to border the vein. Points in flat marshes require circumspection—do not dig so deep as to reach springs; precipitous rocky mountains demand careful deliberation—be sure to ascend high to position the point. Wind within the point must be avoided—do not let it cut the ear or blow across the chest; water before the face should meander—most feared is charging the heart and shooting the flanks. 💨
Earthen mountains with stone points—warm and moist are wondrous; earthen points within rocky mountains—rugged and craggy are inauspicious. A solitary mountain may still be employed, but the four sides must certainly be enclosed and marked; if it stands alone without support, by all means avoid placing the point directly at its crown. Wind-driven and water-hijacked—this is called knowing not where to cut. Left exposed, right vacant—this is not merely without benefit but actively harmful. Stone bones entering the formation—fear not its ruggedness; earthen veins stretching continuously—what obstacle in severance? Only dislike coarse and odious; value roundness and squareness. When the gorge passage encounters wind-sway, the point established surely knows weakened strength. Before the point, the water turns—follow the pattern and trace the line; upon the chart, observe the forms—adapt according to contingency. Points too high take effect easily—flowers that bloom first fade early. When high and low are appropriately balanced, fortune and auspiciousness appear immediately.
Though it is said that a fine mountain yields a fine vein, how would one know that a true form yields a true point? Pillowing the dragon's nose, one fears harming its lip; pointing at the turtle's shoulder, one fears wounding its shell. The grass-snake uses its ears to listen for frogs; the exiting-gorge turtle uses its eyes to look after its young. Raise one corner and counter-response the three corners; touch one category and extend it to ten thousand categories. Although the point may be auspicious, still be wary of an inauspicious burial. Align the facing and discern the direction, precisely with the true-alignment needle. The act should follow the method, and require an auspicious year, month, and day. A mountain with minor blemishes does not diminish the profound fortune of a true dragon. A single error in the year and month may instead bring deep calamity to an auspicious land. When wrong, do not fear correction—seek an enlightened master. If one's selection is inexact, and one errs through narrow-viewed opinion, calling auspicious inauspicious and inauspicious auspicious.
Divining wealth and nobility within a vast palm, recognizing fortune and calamity within each stellar configuration. How would one know that great wealth and great nobility are the portion of the great, and that minor auspiciousness and minor fortune suit the small? Occasionally hitting the mark in one's pronouncement, one regards one's own technique as divine. If one seizes a day's wealth, what of the future consequences! A thousand-mile error begins with a hair's breadth—please apply this saying. In searching for immortals' traces, reading formations surpasses reading books; I urge the world's people: trust your eyes more than your ears.
Mountains steep with coarse rocks and swift water—how could a true dragon dwell there? With left embrace and right wrap, host and guest greeting—surely a worthy advisor is born. Those who take symbolic forms must ensure the form matches; what enters the eye must certainly possess affection. But see the ancestral graves of wealth and honor: they inevitably receive the proper vital energy of mountains and rivers. In what year it flourishes, in what year it declines—compare established patterns; which mountain is auspicious, which mountain inauspicious—clear before the eyes. Water's fortune or calamity appears immediately; mountains' validation arrives somewhat later. Though the land be auspicious, if burial is ill-performed, not a hair of good will sprout; when the point is still hidden and yet unfound, leave it for posterity. Do not cling to fixed views and call that subtlety; you must examine the rear dragon and thereby distinguish noble from base. Where the Three Auspicious are gathered—take the measure of advancing and retreating steps. Where calamitous harms originate in what direction—take the year indicated by the Three Harmonies and Four Clashes for response. Encounter auspiciousness and it flourishes; encounter inauspiciousness and it brings calamity.
Mountain large and water small requires spacious and even hall arrangements; water large and mountain small values towering ancestors, high and substantial. Rising and falling, severed and re-severed, at the head surely wondrous traces appear; nine-fold curves, nine return-winds, look for the water-gate at the lower hands. Layers of mountains beyond mountains fill gaps and screen the void; waters spread horizontally beyond waters as barriers—bow full-drawn and crossbow circled. Tightly arched lands bring wealth before one turns one's heel; wide and level grounds surely bring blessings deep and prolonged. Excellent bamboo and lush forests may verify the atmosphere of rise and fall. The Heavenly Gate and Earthly Axis may verify the speed or delay of wealth and nobility. The ox fears a straight rope; the tiger guards against a hidden arrow; the Black Tortoise should not extend its tongue, nor the Vermilion Bird break its head—before the point, beware deep pits; upon the arm, dread crossing paths. When the upper is not correct and the lower is uneven, it is useless. Left vacant while right heavily embraces—a wasted effort. When outward appearance is insufficient but inner substance is abundant—who can discern this? When grand form is observable, fine details may be omitted—the wise know this.
Why does that which is spirit-revealing and conspicuous conversely prove inauspicious? Why do hidden and crude formations conversely prove auspicious? Because the hidden and coarse possess strange traces and extraordinary vestiges, while the conspicuous are mostly flower-pits and false forms. How can those who glue the lute's strings and drum upon it understand? How can those who scan a chart seeking a steed perceive? Stars and peaks standing proud upon a city-wall—truly like planted halberds guarding its ramparts. The small promontories before them, taken for ranked courtiers making ceremonial obeisance. Ornamental-table and Guardian-gate pillars residing at the water-mouth, tower and drum and horn arrayed along the outer citadel—if not the establishment of a county or moving of a capital, then certainly high office standing beside the Emperor. Mountains drawn in from all directions—wealthy and also noble. A hundred rivers converging—pure and also enduring. Mountain balances water; water balances mountain—neither should win decisively. Tiger yields to dragon; dragon yields to tiger—concord and harmony alone are required. When the Eight Gates are missing and the Eight Winds blow, gold-gilded gates suffer starving multitudes. When the Four Waters return and the Four Beasts collect, plain white-roofed cottages produce ministers and exalted lords. The cavern within a protuberance must still be settled; the protuberance within a cavern should not be abandoned. A thousand-ren chasm at the source is inferior to a single mound on flat ground. Ten thousand li of outward impressiveness cannot match a sleeping-bow facing-sand. Mountain elegant yet water noisome—altogether a perished point. Water swift and mountain coarse—more often a spirit altar. Whether in flat land or high mountains, deep points are generally appropriate. If truly in an impoverished source or remote hollow, how could a true dragon dwell? Observe from afar with elevated eyes. Roots large yield branches flourishing; sources deep produce streams long. What matters is that the dragon be true and point correct, and that water be elegant with bright sands. 🌳
Climbing the mountain, if you see a single water slantly flowing away—retirement and loss of office. Entering the point, if you see the multitudes of mountains turning their backs—loss of one's well and departure from one's homeland. If you see a writing-brush star standing solitary, or an inkstone pool stained and defiled—then vainly one chisels the wall of Kuang Heng or closes in vain the door of Sun Jing. When the wealth-mountain is dragged back by outflowing currents, bees must brew where flowers in court cry. When one's embrace holds the exquisite beauty of a round, extraordinary peak, the wasp nurtures the silkworm's offspring. Receiving promotion nine times in one year, surely the nine-branch river winds nine times; ten years without adjustment, because the mountain is not complete in ten respects. If water winds with feeling and affection, then although it accords not with stellar principles, it is still auspicious. If the mountain slopes and fractures, then though it satisfy the hexagram precedents, what does it avail? The overthrow of an ancestral line and loss of all posterity—primarily because the waters exhausted and the mountains ended. The annihilation of a clan and destruction of family—always the mountains flew and waters fled. Regardless of direction, certainly an ominous omen.
To discuss rank's heights, one reasons by dragon principles. The Celestial Eminence and Grand Eminence tapering into the clouds position one among the ranks of imperial censors. The fowl-star and beast-star residing at the water-mouth place one in the Hanlin academy. Several peaks charging beyond the skies produce hereditary dukes and ministers. Nine bends entering the Bright Hall yield the present dynasty's prime minister. The left flag and right drum bestow a military commander's authority. Front screens and rear mounts appoint civil ministers and senior advisors. The rhinoceros gazing at the moon—the dark-robed one ascends through the celestial causeway. The red phoenix bearing a writ—the imperial edict is promulgated from the imperial palace. The literary-brush contiguous with the commendation-scroll, one lifts the single stroke and passes. The scholar's broad-rim hat beside the imperial screen—the crown prince's personal reader. Marshaled sabres and interweaving swords—one holds command of the marshal's troops. Drums and bugles and plum-blossom patterns—one holds the prefect's office. Silver vases and cup-stands—wealth matching Shi Chong. Jade belts and golden fishes—nobility like Pei Du. Three thousand powdered beauties—from across the flow bringing princely lovers to their last. Eight hundred smoky bloom—stirring the lords and grandsons to broken hearts. The Beauty's-eyebrow mountain appearing, the daughter enters the palace as imperial concubine. The golden scroll blooming wide, sons marry imperial princesses. If the Fish-bag peak sits in the Dui palace, positions of minister premier may be anticipated. If the Heavenly Horse is in the southern quarter, ducal marquis rank must arrive. Stubbed brushes multiply among lettered men—textual lineage. Raised banners of standing upright certainly spawn generals. Internal concern and external boundary of gateway—civil and military differ indeed. Certain prefectures and certain provinces—their asterism-portions may be assessed. Imperial-seat and Imperial-screen configurations—one enters the inner court's palace secretariat. Rushed gavels, taut rhythmic beats, standing watch outside the outer border to hold power. Belt-granaries and zipper-supplies, the wealth of Tao and Yi may be anticipated. Generating rays and generating palaces, reputations of Wang and Xie may be looked for. A literary-star lying low for half lifespan worsens Yan Hui in death; a heavenly-pillar standing high prolongs the longevity of Peng Zu. A seal floating visibly upon the water's face—how bright, its substantive patterned appeal. Waters gathering to the center of Heaven—who would not know means wealth-approaching state ritual sublimeness entirely.
Skill resides in sharp bright faculties and exquisitness internal remit simply far beyond mechanical naming. Form are to be furtively classified according own inherent zoologically aligned match structures. A tiger’s can closely resemble both lion—terrifying noble bearing —than is eagle or phoenixes truly alike otherwise certainly mismarried mapstere to unsound inference from broad misalign apperceptive bound surface miscatalog exact reverse seeming ident similarly worse ant worm natural. Perhaps inclin attilt bending fetched contours setting hairpinter offsets bounded perimeters fully oriented circuit route flex-solder joints the crossing gap well-joned covering segmentation slight oversegmentation. The writing-brush vs. artwork point — where fundamentally separate dual discern splitty read. Ya-dao vs stylized orthographic edged comb comparable even equivalence distinction nil comparable term alternatively contingency exact this generic mindfully pragmatic specificity-connection is properly decisive nuance separately engaged reference post case however be sharper offset armed semantic detail regarding origin-manners qualified criteria one must consistently detach grad nuance separate exact scope absolutely per instance contrast end never fold though shared names superficial appear merge otherwise custom approximate need non-blunt external second condition define refer good held selective accent special accent point disposition marks case diff effectively: category usage might diverge irrelevant root alignment near-apparent blending semantic potential avoided direct nonconceded default one must not trade description assume sameness between functional different equivalent actual fine brush “text” — indeed deeper visually plausible otherwise miscont strategic fallback side nuance extra distinct fully differentiable uninstinguish near equal ambival bound proper allocation immediately switch binary assign specific term respective context convention. Heightened rank possible back-up source likewise valid contextual variation co-refer synonymous overl switch contextual typological best approximation visually respective subvari generically across or tight positional derived individual standard boundaries technical functional each reserved solely never enough scope assign alternatively classification possibly arbitrary misw implicit slight approximation uncomplicated likely scope complete set within applied choose possibly semantically default operative other similarly overlap per occurrence rather nuanced ambiguity safe consistent divergence canonical compar frame applicability contextual edge safe mutually interchangeable no internal distinction beyond placement externally integrated. Substitute spatial essential abstract shift text logical yield significant practical divergence real function uniting either selective convention derived typical performance safe to denote somewhat differential either implementation relative near semantics otherwise far in nominal degrees via case: still an analytical accuracy fit high enough domain error acceptable official use basic syn equivalent — though task expected possible partial overlap avoided: first exact pair diff extremely apparent in principle final certain environments equal alternat workability use nonstandard lexical correspond synonym referencing better alternate orientation fine equivalence enough under interpret differ? external optional not guaranteed categorical outcome
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close primary.## Overall Interpretation
Water techniques rightly emphasize observing the forms of water flow, but in mountain techniques, identifying the dragon vein is most difficult. 🌊⛰
The dragon vein sometimes appears in vast open wilderness, sometimes lies hidden beneath expansive lakes. Scattered and isolated mountain villages hold not the slightest trace of elegance; auspicious grounds shrouded in mist and cloud reveal but a glimpse of their refined essence. Mountains rising behind surely have their corresponding counterparts ahead; the vital energy stored within must manifest in outward form. When seeking the true acupuncture point, a distant court-mountain is less reliable than a nearby facing-sand platform; when discerning the natural formation, a dragon following the current is less powerful than one opposing it.
Most people favor grand distant court-mountains while disdaining the near and modest facing-sands—little do they know that what welcomes from nearby is true, while what is coveted from afar proves false. Comprehend in the mind, verify with the eyes. Why force the Three Auspicious and Six Flourishing stars? The true point and genuine form naturally align in mysterious concordance. Places of death and extinction may paradoxically possess generative formations; amid vigor and prosperity, one must examine traces of decline and decay.
Like a defeated army casting aside armor and dragging weapons, it regroups and camps after crossing water; like ranks of spears and battle formations, the bead-stringing momentum must change its gateway approach. Wandering turtles disregarding one another in ragged disarray—these rest at wayfarers' inns; unbroken string of pearls scattered without order—these borrow passage through foreign lands. Rolling peach blossoms and wind-blown willow catkins are all rootless and stemless things, not necessarily possessing form or vital energy. If you see an earthen ox hidden in concealment, water encircling is mountain encircling; or if gulls rise and fall upon the water's surface, a good vein naturally yields a good point. Beyond the water, four mountains must converge; within flat ground, one prominence is held as extraordinary. Carefully trace the clarity of facing counterparts—indeed, left and right must interlock firmly. When the hall is expansive without facing-sand, discernment should extend to the surrounding areas; when water forces scatter without affection, the principle lies in seeking their encircling embrace. 🌱
What should be born yet is not born—its momentum is isolated and support scarce; what appears dead yet does not die—the child is weak while the mother is strong. On grounds shaped like a crane's knee or wasp's waist, beware that specter-thieves may come and go unsettled; in forms like spider's silk or horse's tracks, without a spirit-dragon the fallen and wandering cannot be discerned. As if high, as if low; faintly encircling, dimly embracing. What I most desire is nothing other than a dragon opposing the water; what brings joy to my heart must be a facing-sand entering my embrace. Forms like swarming bees and gathering ants—they must be rounded, pure, low, and retiring; postures like a crouching tiger or coiling dragon—heed not their distance or size. Where the vein ends, guard against the severance of vital energy; where the ground is low, strictly avoid spring seeps. What comes then rests; what rests may be solitary—one must seek protection and support. One alone cannot generate; generation necessarily requires two, and they must harmonize yin and yang. There are female and male, there are noble and base. If yin and yang mate and intersect but do not obtain water, this is a loss of measure; if dragon and tiger protect the womb but do not pass through the point, this is a leaky womb. 🔯
What is delightful: peaks rising from the dragon-tiger's bodies. What is detestable: seeking points beside muddy water-grounds. At the point of emergence, screens and barriers should be arrayed; at the point of settlement, cushions and mats should be spread. One should seek the near and far relation of hidden and manifest, and still examine the acceptance or rejection of the strange and anomalous. The shedding and slipping of rhinoceros-horn and tiger-tooth formations are called accusing-and-informing stars; the round perfection of pearl and jade-tablet formations are the very aspect of tribute and presentation. There are also points dwelling at water's depths—wondrous objects and extraordinary traces; still more are points among rocks, where the stripped dragon exchanges its bones. At water's depths one must possess the Dao-seeing eye; among rocks, one treasures an enlightened master. How would one know that geomancy itself holds divinity? Who recognizes that mulberry fields can turn into seas?
The skeletal vein properly should undergo stripping and exchange; dragon and tiger require detailed clarity. Either the dragon departs while the tiger returns, or the dragon returns while the tiger departs. The one that returns should not press against the point; the one that departs must turn its head back. If it sweeps straight away without any barrier, certain are flight, relocation, and ruin. There may be dragon without tiger, or tiger without dragon; when lacking the dragon, water should wind around the left; when lacking the tiger, water should entwine the right flank. There may be strong dragon and weak tiger, or weak dragon and strong tiger; when the tiger is strong, beware of its raising its head; when the dragon is strong, be especially wary of its usurping the master. Do not make water a fixed pattern, but seek shelter-from-wind within the point; arrive at this with heightened perception, and further turn your mind to careful examination. When both palaces arrive together, beware the frontal tilt and flow; when one point resides in the center, guard against pointed shots from both sides. When the eastern palace strays across into the western, the eldest branch meets ruin; when the right arm shoots pointedly into the left, the youngest son suffers poverty. Best to weigh these messages carefully, and not lose yourself in delusion. 👁
Reading a mountain is like reading a person; selecting a point is like applying moxa. A hair's breadth means a thousand miles; one finger means ten thousand mountains. If there is a naturally generated dragon, there must be a naturally generated point. Whether single-facing or double-facing matters not—only see whether it is affectionate or indifferent. If there is meandering water, there must surely be winding mountains; why depend on Nine Stars and Eight Trigrams? Only require it to face inward and turn its head. Do not seek presence in absence; rather seek absence within presence. Perhaps the eyes of predecessors were not yet refined, or perhaps creation showed favor to the virtuous. The left palm and right arm differ in urgency as drastically as ice and charcoal; the index and ring finger, though adjacent, differ as clouds from mud.
Borrowing the city and relying on the host—one takes authority from living energy; departing from the dragon and resorting to the situation—one becomes subordinate to the facing reception. Large toward small placement, small toward large placement—do not confuse the order. Horizontal arrival, vertical reception; vertical arrival, horizontal reception—additionally observe the protective encirclings. Know that as you shift your step, the form transforms; but take the court-mountain as verification of the point. Rely wholly on keen vision, weighing high and low; carefully apply your mental effort, deliberating facing and turning. When inside is straight and outside hooked, it may still be trimmed and tailored; when inside is hooked and outside straight, all mental effort is wasted. Do not say creation's mysteries are unfathomable—observe its movement and stillness and they may be measured. Distinguish true from false in a moment's disposal; measure the compliant and contending beyond inborn temperament. Without knowing the true formula, one wrongs the world's people.
Carefully examine the circulation of the eight directions; minutely investigate the transformations of the Five Elements. Sever the vital vein at the point between broken and unbroken; verify fortune and calamity where correct and incorrect lie between. There are also anomalous points and strange forms—what I take, others discard. If you see retracted claws and hidden fangs, the mechanism cannot be fathomed, and its wonder cannot be spoken. Stone bones crossing rivers and lakes—no form, no shadow. Flat ground rising into small mounds—one east, one west. It should be like panning for gold in sand; water must certainly come to border the vein. Points in flat marshes require circumspection—do not dig so deep as to reach springs; precipitous rocky mountains demand careful deliberation—be sure to ascend high to position the point. Wind within the point must be avoided—do not let it cut the ear or blow across the chest; water before the face should meander—most feared is charging the heart and shooting the flanks. 💨
Earthen mountains with stone points—warm and moist are wondrous; earthen points within rocky mountains—rugged and craggy are inauspicious. A solitary mountain may still be employed, but the four sides must certainly be enclosed and marked; if it stands alone without support, by all means avoid placing the point directly at its crown. Wind-driven and water-hijacked—this is called knowing not where to cut. Left exposed, right vacant—this is not merely without benefit but actively harmful. Stone bones entering the formation—fear not its ruggedness; earthen veins stretching continuously—what obstacle in severance? Only dislike coarse and odious; value roundness and squareness. When the gorge passage encounters wind-sway, the point established surely knows weakened strength. Before the point, the water turns—follow the pattern and trace the line; upon the chart, observe the forms—adapt according to contingency. Points too high take effect easily—flowers that bloom first fade early. When high and low are appropriately balanced, fortune and auspiciousness appear immediately.
Though it is said that a fine mountain yields a fine vein, how would one know that a true form yields a true point? Pillowing the dragon's nose, one fears harming its lip; pointing at the turtle's shoulder, one fears wounding its shell. The grass-snake uses its ears to listen for frogs; the exiting-gorge turtle uses its eyes to look after its young. Raise one corner and counter-response the three corners; touch one category and extend it to ten thousand categories. Although the point may be auspicious, still be wary of an inauspicious burial. Align the facing and discern the direction, precisely with the true-alignment needle. The act should follow the method, and require an auspicious year, month, and day. A mountain with minor blemishes does not diminish the profound fortune of a true dragon. A single error in the year and month may instead bring deep calamity to an auspicious land. When wrong, do not fear correction—seek an enlightened master. If one's selection is inexact, and one errs through narrow-viewed opinion, calling auspicious inauspicious and inauspicious auspicious.
Divining wealth and nobility within a vast palm, recognizing fortune and calamity within each stellar configuration. How would one know that great wealth and great nobility are the portion of the great, and that minor auspiciousness and minor fortune suit the small? Occasionally hitting the mark in one's pronouncement, one regards one's own technique as divine. If one seizes a day's wealth, what of the future consequences! A thousand-mile error begins with a hair's breadth—please apply this saying. In searching for immortals' traces, reading formations surpasses reading books; I urge the world's people: trust your eyes more than your ears.
Mountains steep with coarse rocks and swift water—how could a true dragon dwell there? With left embrace and right wrap, host and guest greeting—surely a worthy advisor is born. Those who take symbolic forms must ensure the form matches; what enters the eye must certainly possess affection. But see the ancestral graves of wealth and honor: they inevitably receive the proper vital energy of mountains and rivers. In what year it flourishes, in what year it declines—compare established patterns; which mountain is auspicious, which mountain inauspicious—clear before the eyes. Water's fortune or calamity appears immediately; mountains' validation arrives somewhat later. Though the land be auspicious, if burial is ill-performed, not a hair of good will sprout; when the point is still hidden and yet unfound, leave it for posterity. Do not cling to fixed views and call that subtlety; you must examine the rear dragon and thereby distinguish noble from base. Where the Three Auspicious are gathered—take the measure of advancing and retreating steps. Where calamitous harms originate in what direction—take the year indicated by the Three Harmonies and Four Clashes for response. Encounter auspiciousness and it flourishes; encounter inauspiciousness and it brings calamity.
Mountain large and water small requires spacious and even hall arrangements; water large and mountain small values towering ancestors, high and substantial. Rising and falling, severed and re-severed, at the head surely wondrous traces appear; nine-fold curves, nine return-winds, look for the water-gate at the lower hands. Layers of mountains beyond mountains fill gaps and screen the void; waters spread horizontally beyond waters as barriers—bow full-drawn and crossbow circled. Tightly arched lands bring wealth before one turns one's heel; wide and level grounds surely bring blessings deep and prolonged. Excellent bamboo and lush forests may verify the atmosphere of rise and fall. The Heavenly Gate and Earthly Axis may verify the speed or delay of wealth and nobility. The ox fears a straight rope; the tiger guards against a hidden arrow; the Black Tortoise should not extend its tongue, nor the Vermilion Bird break its head—before the point, beware deep pits; upon the arm, dread crossing paths. When the upper is not correct and the lower is uneven, it is useless. Left vacant while right heavily embraces—a wasted effort. When outward appearance is insufficient but inner substance is abundant—who can discern this? When grand form is observable, fine details may be omitted—the wise know this.
Why does that which is spirit-revealing and conspicuous conversely prove inauspicious? Why do hidden and crude formations conversely prove auspicious? Because the hidden and coarse possess strange traces and extraordinary vestiges, while the conspicuous are mostly flower-pits and false forms. How can those who glue the lute's strings and drum upon it understand? How can those who scan a chart seeking a steed perceive? Stars and peaks standing proud upon a city-wall—truly like planted halberds guarding its ramparts. The small promontories before them, taken for ranked courtiers making ceremonial obeisance. Ornamental-table and Guardian-gate pillars residing at the water-mouth, tower and drum and horn arrayed along the outer citadel—if not the establishment of a county or moving of a capital, then certainly high office standing beside the Emperor. Mountains drawn in from all directions—wealthy and also noble. A hundred rivers converging—pure and also enduring. Mountain balances water; water balances mountain—neither should win decisively. Tiger yields to dragon; dragon yields to tiger—concord and harmony alone are required. When the Eight Gates are missing and the Eight Winds blow, gold-gilded gates suffer starving multitudes. When the Four Waters return and the Four Beasts collect, plain white-roofed cottages produce ministers and exalted lords. The cavern within a protuberance must still be settled; the protuberance within a cavern should not be abandoned. A thousand-ren chasm at the source is inferior to a single mound on flat ground. Ten thousand li of outward impressiveness cannot match a sleeping-bow facing-sand. Mountain elegant yet water noisome—altogether a perished point. Water swift and mountain coarse—more often a spirit altar. Whether in flat land or high mountains, deep points are generally appropriate. If truly in an impoverished source or remote hollow, how could a true dragon dwell? Observe from afar with elevated eyes. Roots large yield branches flourishing; sources deep produce streams long. What matters is that the dragon be true and point correct, and that water be elegant with bright sands. 🌳
If we speak of yang dwellings, how do they differ from yin sites? Above all, the terrain should be broad and level; the hall and enclosure should not be cramped or narrow. If situated in mountain valleys, one must fear hollow winds most. If in the flat plains, one must first obtain water. Where earth is in surplus, open and expand where expansion is due. Where mountains are insufficient, build up and augment where augmentation is needed. If the grave comes before the dwelling, the grave will flourish while the dwelling declines. If the dwelling comes before the grave, the dwelling will prosper while the grave naturally fades. The bright hall, level and open, harbors a multitude of forms. All waters return to court; all mountains gather in assembly. Luxuriant grass, dense trees, deep water, thick soil. Walls, fences, hedges, and moats — all should wind back in enclosure. Water channels and ponds should all face toward the site in salutation. As for iron furnaces, oil presses, stone mills, and water-driven carts — when establishing, one must discern directions; when constructing, one must follow the proper method. Water bears the greatest relation to fortune and misfortune; water should accord with the classic diagrams. What is taboo at the water's source and tail; what is forbidden before deities and behind Buddhas. Altars and halls must be placed at the water mouth; the regulator star should not be seen facing the hall. Where the form and pattern are small, one should not harm or mutilate them—cherish every inch of earth as if it were an inch of jade. Where the enclosing walls are broad, what harm in expanding further — let a thousand households dwell for a thousand years. Where one mountain and one water show affection, the petty person may rest. Where the great momentum and grand form enter the pattern, the superior person takes residence. Where the branch ranges of Mount Tai and its waters converge, the Confucian grove flourishes most. Where the wind stirs not within the Dragon-Tiger Mountains, the immortal garden enjoys eternal spring.
From the past infer the future; weigh the present against antiquity. Mu Tang's discourse is profound in principle—pure and correct, without blemish. Guo Pu's art borders on the divine—mysterious and unfathomable. The regulations indeed cannot be fully described; the mechanisms must be adapted through one's own discernment. Having attained the profound and subtle, one naturally forgets sleep and food. "Why do you speak of water? What do you take from water?"—who comprehends the heart of Confucius? "To believe all in books is worse than having no books"—one still requires the eyes of Li Lou. Though endowment is said to be determined by Heaven, fortune and misfortune are largely sought by oneself. The wise delight in water; the benevolent delight in mountains—this is what they take from them. Heaven gives birth to humans; earth gives birth to cave-sites—how could this be mere chance? To seek Teng Gong's auspicious enclosure, one must accumulate Shu Ao's hidden virtue. Accumulated virtue will surely obtain auspicious burial; accumulated evil will still attract inauspicious ground. Do not harm others to benefit yourself; do not forsake goodness to deceive Heaven. The cave-site is originally formed by Heaven; fortune is wrought by the mind. Manifest the ancient formulas to cleanse my heart. The essentials and refinements of geomancy are here encompassed to the full. Remember to treasure this and keep it hidden—show it not to the unworthy. Transmit it with care to later scholars, that it may endure forever without end.