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Bushi Zhengzong · The Orthodox Tradition of Divination
Eighteen Questions · Repeating Chant
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
Question Six: Does the ill fortune of Repeating Chant differ in severity?
Answer: Repeating Chant is an image of depression and groaning. In the inner hexagram it is unfavorable inside; in the outer, unfavorable outside. All questions bring dissatisfaction: movement is like not moving, with distress and groaning.
For reputation, it means long obstruction in an official career and delayed advancement. For profit, principal and gain are depleted. For graves and dwellings, one wants to move but cannot, while staying is unfavorable. Chronic illness brings groaning; marriage is hard to conclude; official cases become entangled; travel is obstructed. Asked about a traveler, it threatens unhappiness abroad. Asked about the two sides’ positions, inner means my wishes are unfulfilled; outer means the other person’s mind is unsettled.
To ask about good and ill, investigate the Useful Spirit’s Generation and Control. To know blessing and misfortune, examine the Useful and Avoided Spirits under Repeating Chant.
Divination: Troops are arriving; where should the whole family take refuge? Divination: Is a father safe at his official post?
Hexagram: Heaven over Thunder, Wu Wang, changing to Thunder over Heaven, Da Zhuang. Hexagram: Heaven over Wind, Gou, changing to Thunder over Wind, Heng.
Palace: Xun Wood. Cycle Void: Zi, Chou. Missing line: [no entry supplied]. Palace: Qian Metal. Cycle Void: Chen, Si. Missing line: [no entry supplied].
Six Beasts; Self/Response; hexagram.
Line; Qian.
Branch; Six Spirits; stems and branches; Six Spirits; Hidden.
Spirit; Hexagram Body; Day.
Chen; Month Commander; Tai Sui; Six Beasts; Self/Response; hexagram.
Line; stems and branches; Six Spirits; stems and branches; Six Spirits; Hidden.
Spirit; Hexagram Body; day designation; Month Commander; Tai Sui.
Dark Warrior; Ｏ; Xu Wealth; Xu Wealth; Yi; Shen. Dark Warrior; Ｏ; Xu Parents; Xu Parents; Jia; Shen.
White Tiger; Ｏ; Shen Officer; Shen Officer; Mao. White Tiger; Ｏ; Shen Brothers; Shen Brothers; Wu.
Soaring Snake; Self; Wu Descendants. Soaring Snake; Response; Wu Officer.
Gouchen; Ｘ; Chen Wealth; Chen Wealth. Gouchen; You Brothers.
Vermilion Bird; Ｘ; Yin Brothers; Yin Brothers. Vermilion Bird; Hai Descendants; Yin Wealth.
Green Dragon; Response; Zi Parents. Green Dragon; Self; Chou Parents.
Repeating Chant inside and outside means unresolved distress. Fortunately Wu Fire Descendants at Self represents oneself, and Zi Water Parents at Response represents the parents. The Month Commander generates Response, and the day generates Self. Both are still, so the parents and questioner are safe. But Yin Wood Brothers has Repeating Chant and Month Break: the brothers face disaster.
He asked, “My parents are at a relative’s home to the west; are they safe?” I answered, “The west belongs to Metal and generates and supports Parents. There is absolutely no need for worry. You should take refuge to the east: eastern Wood can generate Fire. Let brothers, wife and servants all go with you. Descendants holds Self, so safety can be assured.” He returned and took the family east. Later he reported that all were safe, except that his younger brother, anxious about their parents, went to visit them and was killed halfway.
Judgment: The objection is Repeating Chant in the outer hexagram. There must be an incident at his post, leaving him no choice but to groan. He asked, “Will the local Dong uprising cause harm?” The answer continued, “Repeating Chant means wishing to return but being unable. In Chen month next year things will settle, his post will be abolished, and in Wu month he will receive another appointment.” Chen month corresponded to abolition because Xu Parents had Repeating Chant and also met Break. Wu month corresponded to reappointment because the day’s Officer star assisted and generated the Useful Spirit, gaining its season and becoming strong.
Reading note: The supplied local-uprising question and following answer are retained without importing the additional exchange in the parallel. The supplied 裁決 is read as 裁缺, abolition of the post, as stated later in this source and in the classical parallel.
Divination: While away, a traveler asks whether those at home are safe. Divination: Is the wife safe at home?
Reading note: The supplied 眾中 is read through the parallel 家中, at home, matching the ensuing judgment.
Hexagram: Heaven over Thunder, Wu Wang, changing to Qian as Heaven. Hexagram: Thunder over Earth, Yu, changing to Heaven over Earth, Pi.
Palace: Xun Wood. Cycle Void: Zi, Chou. Missing line: [no entry supplied]. Palace: Zhen Wood. Cycle Void: [no branches supplied]. Missing line: [no entry supplied].
Six Beasts; Self/Response; hexagram.
Line; Qian.
Branch; Six Spirits; stems and branches; Six Spirits; Hidden.
Spirit; Hexagram Body; Day.
Chen; Month Commander; Tai Sui; Six Beasts; Self/Response; hexagram.
Line; stems and branches; Six Spirits; stems and branches; Six Spirits; Hidden.
Spirit; Hexagram Body; day designation; Month Commander; Tai Sui.
Dark Warrior; Xu Wealth; Yi; Yin. Ｘ; Xu Wealth; Xu Wealth; Mao; Yin.
White Tiger; Shen Officer; Mao. Ｘ; Shen Officer; Shen Officer.
Soaring Snake; Self; Wu Descendants. Response; Wu Descendants.
Gouchen; Ｘ; Chen Wealth; Chen Wealth. Mao Brothers.
Vermilion Bird; Ｘ; Yin Brothers; Yin Brothers. Si Descendants.
Green Dragon; Response; Zi Parents. Self; Wei Wealth; Zi Parents.
Judgment: The inner hexagram is the home and already has Repeating Chant. I fear a change bringing groaning and distress. He asked, “What affair does this indicate?” I answered, “Yin month and Mao day jointly control Chen Earth Wealth. It probably concerns wife, concubines or servants.”
Judgment: Xu Earth Wealth also has Repeating Chant and is controlled by month and day. Your wife must face great disaster. He asked, “When will it occur?” I answered, “The day combines with Xu. Although Yin and Mao both control it at present, safety can be promised for now. When Chen month arrives, Repeating Chant also meets the month’s Clash: escape will be difficult.” His wife died in the third month.
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