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Bushi Zhengzong · The Orthodox Tradition of Divination
Eighteen Discussions · Generation, Control, Advance, Retreat and Verification
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16. Discussion of Meeting Generation amid Extinction and Meeting Generation amid Control
Metal meets Extinction at Yin; Wood at Shen; Water and Earth at Si; Fire at Hai.
For example, when divining on a Yin day, a Metal line meets Extinction at Yin. If an Earth line in the hexagram moves to generate it, this is meeting generation amid Extinction.
When divining on a Shen day, a Wood line meets Extinction at Shen. If a Water line in the hexagram moves to generate it, this is meeting generation amid Extinction.
When divining on a Si day, a Water line meets Extinction at Si. If a Metal line in the hexagram moves to generate it, this is meeting generation amid Extinction.
When divining on a Hai day, a Fire line meets Extinction at Hai. If a Wood line in the hexagram moves to generate it, this is meeting generation amid Extinction.
Only in divining on a Si day does an Earth line meet Extinction at Si, yet if the Month Commander generates, supports or assists it as a like influence, the Earth line is not called extinct: it is called receiving generation from the day.
If Earth changes forth into Si and the day and month provide assistance as like influences, do not call it changing into Extinction; it is generation turning back upon the original line. If the day and month restrain Earth, however, it meets Extinction in the day, and its changed line is a transformation into Extinction.
Reading note: The contrast preserves the source's two statements about Earth at Si and its own day-generation terminology, without substituting a different life-stage rule.
For example, divining on a You day, a Yin line is controlled. If a Water line in the hexagram moves to generate it, this is meeting generation amid control. Apply the other examples by analogy.
In general, meeting generation is like a cold valley meeting spring; meeting generation amid control is seeing good fortune after misfortune.
17. Discussion of Changing Forth into Advancing and Retreating Spirits
In a hexagram, Hai changing into Zi, Chou into Chen, Yin into Mao, Chen into Wei, Si into Wu, Wei into Xu, Shen into You and Xu into Chou are Advancing Spirits. An Advancing Spirit doubles the force of good or ill.
In a hexagram, Zi changing into Hai, Xu into Wei, You into Shen, Wei into Chen, Wu into Si, Chen into Chou, Mao into Yin and Chou into Xu are Retreating Spirits. A Retreating Spirit gradually reduces the force of good or ill.
18. Discussion of Hexagrams That Are Verified and Those That Are Not
When people ask about a hexagram, only utmost sincerity can reach the spirits. Therefore fast and observe restraint, carefully designate one matter, announce it before the spirits, and then divine.
Investigate the principles of the Useful, Source, Avoided and Hostile Spirits; movement, stillness, generation, control, combination, clash and change; transformation, Cycle Void, Month Break, Month Commander and day. Nothing then fails to be verified.
If the diviner does not examine the questioner’s original intention and makes a reckless judgment, the reasoning does not connect, and the result is not verified.
If several matters are asked about together, the reckoning is not established, and the result is not verified.
Reading note: “Not established” retains the supplied 不建, without substituting a different technical condition.
For matters of deceit, robbery or illicit sexual conduct, Heaven does not allow them, and the result is not verified.
If one casually divines merely because it is convenient, without any sincerity or reverence, the result is not verified.
When divining on another’s behalf, first explain the precise relationship. Only then can the Useful Spirit be distinguished according to closeness or distance, seniority or juniority, so that the divination may be verified without error.
For example, if a servant comes on the master’s behalf, use the Parents line as the Useful Spirit. Some people now consider their own dignity, do not tell the truth, and pretend to be relatives. This causes a mistaken Useful Spirit. Even a favorable indication is of no benefit, and the result is not verified.
Or the person wishing to divine is sincere and reverent but is prevented by other matters and sends someone instead. If that intermediary is not sincere, the result is not verified.
Or one divines about a matter today and again tomorrow, or one person casts four or five hexagrams in succession. This is repeated importunity, so no answer is given, and the result is not verified.
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