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Bushi Zhengzong · The Orthodox Tradition of Divination
Golden Counsels · Boats and Brothel Households
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
Boats and Ships
In divining the purchase of a boat, judge as for a boat household.
The Six Relations holding Self allow one to infer whether it is new or old. Ghost lines moving and occupying their positions reveal where its structural defects lie.
The first and second lines represent the forward hold and should hold Wealth and Blessing. The fifth and sixth represent the stern steering area and should avoid Officer and Brothers.
Parents is the helmsman and should not suffer injury or Control. Dragon is the stern: how could Void or Penalty be suitable?
Soaring Snake distinguishes the strength of the ropes and cables. White Tiger concerns the smooth working of sails and mast.
If the crossing lines are all favorable and do not injure Body, one may travel the four seas without obstruction.
Reading note: The supplied text says crossing lines; the parallel classical transcription has all six lines. Its wording is retained.
The Brothel Household
Those who make their living in houses of flowers and willows are called prostitutes or courtesans. To discern blessing and misfortune at their subtle beginnings, one uses yarrow stalks and tortoise shells. They establish themselves in flower streets and dwell in willow lanes.
The crowds outside the door are pleasure-seeking young men. Those gathered before the windows are beauties skilled in singing and dancing.
To obtain peace, Self must be free of Clash and Control. To obtain satisfaction, Response must generate and support.
A Six Clashes hexagram means vainly welcoming people who come and go. Lines in Six Combinations mean guests happily linger morning and evening.
Wealth in Void threatens the fall of the money tree. Officer at Tomb or Extinction leaves the pleasure-seeking patron unable to linger.
Wife and Wealth and Officer and Ghost cannot do without one another. Wealth, Ghost, Parents, Brothers and Descendants should all remain still.
Ghost Sha injuring Body brings fears of fire, robbery or official disaster. The day Clashing with Parents means the dwelling will be changed.
Brothers at a crossing or heavy line means spending the purse empty. Descendants hidden means accompanying guests with a furrowed brow.
Wealth changing into Blessing means a prostitute leaves the household to enter respectable life. Officer at a place of Penalty means a person with a serious disease comes to the door.
The Avoided Spirit moving while weak and in Void means idle disputes and troublesome talk. Wealth active and controlling Self means money and profit, but also alarm and worry.
To infer in detail through these subtle principles is indeed worth gold that cannot replace it.
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