Plum Blossom Divination
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Plum Blossom Divination is an ancient Chinese calculation method based on the Yi Jing 易經.
There is a famous Chinese saying, “When you talk about Cao Cao 曹操, Cao Cao is at your door.” Cao Cao was the notorious prime minister of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms era.
Sometimes when you think of a distant friend for no reason, then the telephone rings and you are just surprised to find that this distant friend is calling.
The ancient Chinese believed that the Cosmos is a big Taiji while every other thing is a small Taiji. Different Taiji may or may not be in phase. Those that are in phase may resound with each other. That is why some seemingly random and unrelated things can happen at almost the same time. Modern scientists call this Synchronicity.
Synchronicity is the basis of divination. It is a way the Universe is sending a message to human kind.
There are two ways the Universe uses to send a message to us. One is to let us know something before it happens. It is sent by letting our attention be drawn to some strange events or phenomena. The other is to reply to our inquiry. Some diviners can interpret the message by intuition. This requires special blessing from Heaven to have such ability. For most people, a systematic method can be used. The ability can be acquired by practice.
Mei Hua Yi Shu (Plum Blossom Divination) is a name that broadly covers any systematic method that can be used. In all these methods, the trigrams and hexagrams are used. Some methods do not require the knowledge of the Yijing text. Others may use the Yijing text.
It is not which method is better. It is who is a better diviner.
A good diviner is one who is sincere, knowledgeable, inspirational, logical and compassionate.
Before the Yijing was written, the concept of Yi already existed. It might not exist in the mind of people. It might just be floating in the Universe waiting to be picked up by someone living on earth. Therefore, the text of the Yijing is not involved in the Xian Tian Method. It involves only the idea of trigrams and hexagrams and interaction of the qi carried by the trigrams. The interaction determines the fate of something or someone. This is called the Ding Shu 定數 or the “determinate number” which means the “numerical value of the fate function”.
Hou Tian Method is to use the established Zhou Yi to interpret the hexagrams. The interpretation is guided by the author(s) of the Zhou Yi and Confucian annotation as in the Ten Wings.
Xian Tian Method is natural. Hou Tian Method is artificial. Each method has its merits.
It is said that Shao Kang Jie 邵康節 (1011-1077), who was also known as Shao Yong 邵雍, discovered Plum Blossom Yi Divination 梅花易數 during the Song Dynasty.
The story goes like this: Shao studied the Yi Jing for many years, but never was satisfied with his achievement. One day he found a note in a ceramic pillow when it broke.
This note stated the exact time the pillow would break. Shao finally traced the note to an old man, but found that the old man had recently died. However, the old man’s son was instructed by his father before his death that someone would come to the door at that exact time, and that he should give the visitor (Shao) the old man’s copy of the Yi Jing.
Shao found that the old man had marked up and annotated the book. In this way, Shao received the Plum Blossom methods (Liu, 1979).
The Plum Blossom methods do not require the use of coins, yarrow stalks, dice, tortoise shells, or any other object as a tool to derive a Gua. Instead, the use the mind, images, and numbers. Many things are taken as omens: anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small; something or someone coming from a certain direction, birds fighting, a girl falling out of a tree, a strange expression on someone’s face, or the time and date. These are all the things that can be translated into Gua and analyzed.
Predictions may be made on any topic or for any subject. For example, a patient can be diagnosed using the Plum Blossom methods.
A doctor could use it on a difficult case, when there is a change in the patient’s condition, or even when the patient first calls to make an appointment. While it may appear to have some level of accuracy, it is best used in conjunction with more conventional methods of diagnosis.
Gua 卦
A three-lined or six-lined diagram made up of solid Yyang) and broken (Yin) lines. Often translated as Trigram or hexagram. In Chinese, there is no distinction, except by the context.
Line (爻 Yao)
There are three lines in a single-Gua (Trigram) and six lines in a double-Gua (hexagram). Yang Lines are solid (⚊). Yin Lines are broken (⚋).
Body Gua (體卦 Ti)
"Ti" literally means "Body, the state of a substance, form." It is the Gua that represents me or my body (the Subject of the Divination). It is the still, or unTransformed Gua; it has no changing lines.
Application Gua (用卦 Yong)
"Yong" literally means, "Use, employ, apply." It is the Gua that represents the activity’s beginning. It is the Original Gua that contains the changing line.
Original Gua (本卦 Ben)
Is the Original Double-Gua, containing the Body Gua and the Application Gua.
Mutual Gua (互卦 Hu)
"Hu" literally means "Mutual, each other, reciprocal." It is the Gua that represents the activity’s process or course, or the course of treatment when looking at an illness. There are two Mutual Gua. One is formed by lines 2, 3, and 4 of the Original Double-Gua. The other is formed by lines 3, 4, and 5 of the Original Double-Gua. The Body Mutual Gua contains two lines from the Body Gua. The Application Mutual Gua contains two lines from the Application Gua.
Transformed Gua (變卦 Bian)
"Bian" literally means "change, become different, become, transform, alter." It is the Gua that represents the activity’s end. It is the new Gua that is formed by changing the line in the Application Gua. A second meaning of "Bian Gua" is the Double-Gua formed by the Body Gua and the Transformed Gua. In other words, it is the Original Gua after the changing line has been changed.
Engender (生 Sheng)
Often translated as "Produce" or "Generate." The element that nourishes the element in question. Wood engenders Fire. Fire engenders Earth. Earth engenders Metal. Metal engenders Water. Water engenders Wood. Engendering weakens the feeding element and strengthens the element that is being fed.
Restrain (剋 Ke)
Often translated as "Control" or "Dominate." The element that puts pressure on another element. Wood restrains Earth. Earth restrains Water. Water restrains Fire. Fire restrains Metal. Metal restrains Wood. Restraining weakens the element that is putting on the pressure a little, and weakens the element receiving the pressure a lot.
Same Element (比和 Bi He)
Literal translation of this term is difficult, but it means that two things correspond to the same element. This makes that element stronger.
Gua Qi 卦氣
The effect of the Season or Month on the Body, Application, Mutual, and Transformed Gua, based on the Five Elements. There are two basic types of Gua Qi: Prospering and Declining.
Prosper (旺 Wang)
The element of the Season or Month is the Same as or Engenders the Gua in question. It is an Auspicious state for the Body Gua. Prospering is Auspicious for the Application, Mutual, and Transformed Gua if they help the Body Gua. If they hurt the Body Gua, it is Inauspicious for them to prosper. Secondarily, prospering can also refer to the Body Gua when it is engendered by the other Gua.
Decline (衰 Shuai)
The element of the season or month restrains the Gua in question, or the Gua Engenders the season or month. Decline is Inauspicious for the Body Gua.
Decline is a better state for the Application, Mutual, and Transformed Gua if they injure the Body Gua. That way they are not strong enough to do much damage.
If the Gua Restrains the Season or Month, it is also slightly Declining, but this situation is really mixed: the Gua that is restraining is in control of the situation, so it is not too harmful. However, it needs to expend Qi to maintain control, so it is slightly weakened.
Secondarily, decline can also refer to the Body Gua when it is restrained by Other Gua.
When a divination is about something good, first find out whether there is a trigram generating the Ti Gua. If there is a trigram generating the Ti Gua, then the good things will come quickly.
If it is the Yong Gua generating Ti Gua, the good things will come in no time. If it is the Hu Gua generating Ti Gua, the good things will come gradually. If it is the Bian Gua generating Ti Gua, the good thing will come eventually.
If the Ti Gua is generated and controlled at the same time, there will be obstruction. Qian controls Ti Gua, obstruction is for 1 day. Dui means 2 days, Li 3 days, Zhen 4 days, Xun 5 days, Kan 6 days, Gen 7 days and Kun 8 days.
When a divination is about something bad, and there is a trigram generating the Ti Gua, then there is rescue and it is harmless. The time when help comes depends on the trigram that generates the Ti Gua (Qian=l day, Dui=2 days, etc.).
If a gua is obtained from observing natural phenomena, people and object, then Outer Gua in motion will indicate quick (good or bad) results while Outer Gua stationary will have no indication.
When the diviner sits still in doing divination, the result will be slow.
When the diviner walks in doing divination, the result is fast.
When the diviner runs in doing divination, the result is very fast.
When the diviner stands up in doing divination, the result will not be fast or slow.
To do divination, it is important to understand the theory of motion and stillness. The theory covers what is normal and what is modified.
Yang moves and yin stays still. One moves and one stays still. This is normal.
One moves with a hundred staying still is modified theory.
When all in the world is moving, I observe quietly and use stillness to respond to the many changes. The whole world is changing with one affecting another in an endless sequence, I remain unmoved to observe objectively.
For divination, if there is no movement, there is nothing to divine. If there is nothing bothering you, there is nothing to divine.
When the image is fortunate, the gua is fortunate. If the image is unfortunate, the gua is also unfortunate.
If the divination is done in a quiet room, then there is no need to examine the Outer and Inner Gua. The Outer Gua does not represent anything that is moving and therefore there is no need to consider this aspect.
For example:
Qian Line 1: Submerged dragon. Don’t take action, [something in water]
Qian Line 2: Dragon appears in the field, [something from the field]
Qian Line 4: Dragon springs into the depth, [something under deep water]
Qian Line 5: Dragon flies up the sky. [something from the sky]
Kun Line 5: Yellow garment. Fortunate, [yellow garment]
If the line text does not suggest any object, then see what the trigrams represent.
Yong Gua generates Ti Gua - edible things and valuable things in generalTi Gua is the focus. It can determine whether it is stiff or soft.
Yong Gua is used to determine whether it is useful or useless.
When Ti generates Yong, the object is square, circular, crooked or straight, and it can be used.
When Yong generates Ti, the object is edible. Yong Gua, Hu Gua and Bian Gua are used to determine the color and the number.
Use the colors of the elements and use Qian 1, Dui 2, Li 3 etc. Double trigram means 2 kinds of objects.
When there is one trigram that is most abundant among the Ti Gua, Yong Gua, Hu Gua and Bian Gua, then this trigram will be the focus. If there are much more yang lines than yin lines, then the object is stiff. If there are much more yin lines than yang lines, then the object is soft.
When the moving line is the 5th or 6th line, the object can probably fly.
Since the moving line is most important, the Bian Gua will have a strong indication of what the object is.
The trigrams in Hu Gua are also to be examined. The strength of gua qi with reference to the season of divination gives more details.
In divination about the feng shui of a house, Ti and Yong represent the occupants and the house respectively. Ti ke Yong indicates the home is fortunate for the people.
Yong ke Ti indicates the house will bring misfortune to the people.
Ti sheng Yong indicates that the house is not good for wealth.
Yong sheng Ti indicates that the house is prosperous.
Ti sheng Yong indicates that the marriage is beneficial to the spouse.
Yong sheng Ti indicates that the marriage is beneficial to the person.
Ti and Yong parallel indicates that the marriage is fortunate.
Ti ke Yong indicates late marriage.
Yong ke Ti indicates the marriage is unfavorable.
If Yong gua is Qian, it means that the future spouse is healthy and honorable.
Kun gua indicates someone not good looking with a big belly.
Kan gua indicates a jealous and extravagant person.
Li gua indicates a flamboyant person.
Zhen gua indicates a gorgeous and proud person.
Xun gua indicates a greedy person with thin hair.
Gen gua indicates a skilful person.
Dui gua indicates a humorous and joyful person.
The time for the gua that generates the body to be timely will be the time for getting money. The time for the gua that controls the body to be timely will be the time for losing money. The same idea can be extended to the gua that is generated by the body and the gua that the body controls.
There are two aspects to Plum Blossom Divination: special methods of deriving a set of Gua for divination and special methods of interpreting this set of Gua.
A. Terminology: First, the Plum Blossom terminology must be introduced.
Note that the term Gua 卦 can refer to a three-line diagram (Trigram or Sngle-Gua) or a six-line diagram (hexagram or double-Gua).
Let us assume that we have already used some method to set up a double-Gua with a changing line. This is called the Original Gua 本卦 Ben Gua. The Original Gua consists of two Single-Gua: the Body Gua and the Application Gua.
The Body Gua (體卦 Ti Gua) is the Single-Gua in the Original Gua that represents the subject of the divination. Ti 體 literally means "Body, the state of a substance, form." It is the still or untransformed Gua, so it appears in both the Original Gua and the changed double-Gua, (Transformed Gua).
When asking about health or illness, it represents the patient.
The Application Gua (用卦 Yong Gua) is the Single-Gua that represents the activity, specially the beginning of an activity. Yong 用 literally means "Use, Employ, Apply, Function." It is the Single-Gua in the Original Gua that contains the changing line. When asking about health or illness, it represents the disease.
The Original Gua contains the Body Gua and the Application Gua. Either the upper or the lower Gua can be the Body Gua and the other will always be the Application Gua, depending on where the changing line falls.
The Changing Line (變爻 Bian Yao) is the line that represents some activity or change in the situation. If it is Originally Yin, it transforms to Yang and vice versa. In the Plum Blossom methods, there is only one changing line.
After the changing line transforms to its opposite, a second Double-Gua is made, called the Transformed Gua (變卦 Bian Gua). "Bian" literally means "Change, Become Different, Become, Transform, Alter." The term "Bian Gua" is also used for the Single-Gua with the changing line after it has been transformed. So the "Transformed Gua" may refer to the changed Single-Gua or the changed Double-Gua. The Transformed Gua is represents the end of the activity. In divination of disease, it is the outcome of the illness.
There is an additional type of Gua: The Mutual Gua (互卦 Hu Gua) represents the Activity’s process or course, or the course of treatment when looking at an illness.
Hu 互 literally means "Mutual, Each Other, Reciprocal."
There are two Mutual Gua. One is formed by lines 2, 3, and 4 of the original Double-Gua. The other is formed by lines 3, 4, and 5 of the original Double-Gua. The Body Mutual Gua contains two lines from the Body Gua. The Application Mutual Gua contains two lines from the Application Gua.
While the numbers and names of the Double-Gua are included in the above examples, they are not necessary in Plum Blossom Divination. We do not need to identify the Double-Gua nor read their associated text. Interpretation is based on the Single-Gua, their associated elements, and the season or month in which the divination takes place.
Body and Application are essential concepts. Body is form or substance and Application is how it is used. Body is pre-heaven, and function is post-heaven. Body is simple and function is complex. Body is the car you drive and function is the road you drive it on.
The timber is the Body, and the finished furniture uses it (Application).
In Plum Blossom Divination, the Body Gua represents the Host; it is me, it is the subject of the divination. The Application Gua, Mutual Gua, and Transformed Gua are all guests; they are the other. Therefore, the Mutual Gua and Transformed Gua are all classified as falling within the Application Gua. This is one reason why Body is said to be simple and single, while the Application is multiple and complex.
| Body Gua | Application |
|---|---|
| Stillness | Movement |
| Host | Guest |
| Me | Other Person |
| My Body | Activity |
| Illness | |
| Simple | Complex |
| Single | Multiple |
Determining the condition of the Body Gua is of primary importance as it represents the condition of the patient. Anything that makes the Body Gua stronger helps the patient. Anything that makes it weaker injures the patient.
Since the Body Gua represents the patient himself, it is important that the other Gua support it. This makes the patient stronger and healthier. This is why it is auspicious for the Application Gua (including the Mutual Gua and Transformed Gua) to engender or be the same element as the Body Gua; the results of treatment will be satisfactory or the patient will recover spontaneously. For example, if the patient is represented by a Body Gua that is wood, another wood Gua or a water Gua brings benefit to the patient.
If the Application, Mutual, or Transformed Gua restrain the Body Gua, it puts more stress and pressure on the patient, so it is an Inauspicious sign. For example, if the patient is represented by a Body Gua that is wood, a metal Gua is not favorable.
If these Gua drain the Body Gua, it also weakens the patient and is a bad omen. Treatment is not likely to be effective and the disease may worsen. For example, if the patient is represented by a Body Gua that is Wood, a Fire Gua is Inauspicious.
If the Body Gua restrains the Application Gua or the others, it is considered half- auspicious and half-inauspicious. This is because the Body Gua is still in charge of the relationship, but it takes effort to restrain someone or something else. It is good to win a struggle but better not to struggle at all. Recovery is possible but the treatment may not be smooth or may have setbacks. For example, if the patient is represented by a Body Gua that is Wood, an Earth Gua is half-auspicious and half-inauspicious.
| Month | Branch | Element | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 寅 Yin | Wood 木 | 春木 Spring Wood |
| 2nd | 卯 Mao | Wood 木 | |
| 3rd | 辰 Chen | Earth 土 | |
| 4th | 巳 Si | Fire 火 | 夏火 Summer Fire |
| 5th | 午 Wu | Fire 火 | |
| 6th | 未 Wei | Earth 土 | |
| 7th | 申 Shen | Metal 金 | 秋金 Autumn Metal |
| 8th | 酉 You | Metal 金 | |
| 9th | 戌 Xu | Earth 土 | |
| 10th | 亥 Hai | Water 水 | 冬水 Winter Water |
| 11th | 子 Zi | Water 水 | |
| 12th | 丑 Chou | Earth 土 |
There are two basic types of Gua Qi: Prospering 旺 Wang and Declining 衰 Shuai.
Prospering means the element of the Season or Month is the same as or Engenders the Gua in question. It is an auspicious state for the Body Gua because the patient is then strong. Prospering is Auspicious for the Application, Mutual, and Transformed Gua if they help the Body Gua. If they hurt the Body Gua, it is Inauspicious for them to prosper because then they can do more damage.
Declining is when the element of the Season or Month Restrains the Gua in question, or the Gua Engenders the Season or Month. It is Inauspicious for the Body Gua to decline because the patient is in a weakened state. However, Declining improves the status of the Application, Mutual, and Transformed Gua if they injure the Body Gua. That way they are not strong enough to do much damage. But if these Gua help the Body Gua and are also declining, they cannot give a lot of help.
If a Gua Restrains the Element of the Month or Season, it is neither prospering nor declining. You can consider this a more or less neutral condition: not too good, not too bad.
To know the condition of a disease, whether there will be recovery or if it will worsen, you should observe the declining and prospering of the Body Gua (representing the patient) and the various Application Gua (representing the condition of the disease pattern and the success of treatment).
If the Body Gua is Restrained by Another Gua, we can check further to see if good fortune is hidden in the situation and the patient can be saved.
If it is the season of whatever element engenders the Body Gua, then the Season drains the Qi of the Gua that restrains the Body Gua. For example, take a Body Gua of Kan Water being Restrained by a Transformed Gua of Gen Earth.
If this occurs during the autumn, the Metal Season, then, the Metal of Autumn drains the Earth of Gen, and supports the Water of Kan. Even if Metal Gua such as Dui or Qian are not present, the season supports the Body Gua and mitigates the situation.
However, if the Body Gua is firmly restrained, and the restraining Gua are prospering, this is a very serious situation.
For instance, a Body Gua of Kan Water with a Transformed Gua of Gen Earth and the Application Gua and Mutual Gua also support the Earth Element. In addition, the Month is Chen, Wei, Xu, or Chou (the Earth Months). In this case, the prognosis would be very poor. The disease condition worsens and the patient cannot be cured or rescued.
1. Sequence: Activities have a beginning, middle, and an end. You can arrange the timing into four stages according to the Application Gua, the two Mutual Gua, and Transformed Gua. Judgment can be made about the course of the activity (or treatment) over time:
The Body Gua is me. The Application Gua is the beginning of the activity. The Mutual Gua is the course or process of the activity. The Transformed Gua is the conclusion of the activity. If the Application Gua and the Mutual Gua are auspicious, but the Transformed Gua is Inauspicious, the activity is Auspicious in the beginning, but turns out to be Inauspicious later. If the Application Gua is inauspicious, but the Mutual Gua and the Transformed Gua are Auspicious, the activity is inauspicious in the beginning, but becomes auspicious later.
The Application Gua becomes the two Mutual Gua and the Mutual Gua become the Transformed Gua. It is likely the body Mutual Gua precedes the Application Mutual Gua, but it is best to be flexible in your interpretation. In any case, it is most important that the Transformed Gua is favorable as this is the final outcome; even if the course of treatment is not smooth, at least the patient is likely to recover in the end.
If the two Mutual Gua and the Application Gua are all unfavorable for the Body Gua, and only the Transformed Gua is good, perhaps you should consider whether a different treatment plan than the one you had in mind would bring a smoother and quicker resolution.
2. Pacing: You can also observe whether the person asking is walking, standing, sitting, or lying down to calculate the speed of the response. If the sum obtained above is 24, and the person who is asking is seated, you can infer the response in 24 Days, 24 Hours, or 24 Minutes.
If the person asking is standing at the time of the divination, the response will be quicker. Based on two-thirds of the sum, you can estimate 16 Days, 16 Hours, or 16 Minutes.
If the person is walking, then the response is even faster. Based on one-half of the sum, estimate 12 days, 12 hours, or 12 minutes.
If the question is asked in a moving car, this is really a fast response. Based on one-third of the sum, infer 8 Days, 8 Hours, or 8 Minutes.
If the person asking is lying down, then based on the sum you can double it or increase it by one-third or two-thirds. So a sum of 24 can be increased to 32, 40, or 48. The change is completed by 32, 40, or 48 Days, Hours, or Minutes.
Another source says that if the person who asked was standing, use this number as Hours, Days, Month, Years, etc. If walking, divide it by two because time is moving fast. If sitting, multiply it by two, because time is slowed down.
When do you use Days or Hours or Minutes? It is inferred by ordinary logic based on the type of activity. For example, a sprained ankle might take 10 to 30 Days to heal.
In pregnancy, the maximum response time is nine Months, so you can usually infer a range of three to nine Months. If the person is about to give birth, and the delivery time is near, then infer the range of 3 or 4 Days or perhaps 3 or 4 Hours.
If someone suffers a stomach upset, it might resolve in 1 to 3 Days.
If it is a common cold, it may take 7 to 14 Days.
by Kan Water, and also because wood strengthens the Body Gua, Li Fire, which represents the patient.
Therefore, in addition to whatever herbs, acupuncture, etc. prescribed by the doctor, the patient can also be told to travel east or southeast (Wood Directions).
Perhaps even sleeping in the East or Southeast of the House or with the head in those directions would be beneficial. Herbal treatment is especially effective, as most herbs relate to the Wood element. The disease should also improve in the springtime.
乾 Qian as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the head, face, forehead, chest, lungs, and bones. Illnesses include diseases of the head and face, achy pain of the sinews and bones, cold or heat in the upper jiao, coughing up blood, and external injuries.
* If Li restrains the Body Gua: burns or scalds, high fever, high blood pressure, wind stroke, and illness of the blood.
* Remedies related to Gen or Kun engendering the Body Gua: go to the Southwest or Northeast to diagnose and treat, use medicine appropriate to the condition of the patient (especially those made from Metal or stone), the Earth Months are beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Gen corresponds to 内關 Nei Guan. In linggui bafa, Kun corresponds to 照海 Zhao Hai. In feiteng bafa, Kun corresponds to 申脈 ShenMai.
兌 Dui as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the mouth, large intestine, lungs, tongue, lips, saliva, and throat. Illnesses include diseases of the mouth, tongue, throat, teeth, or lungs; asthma, phlegm, toxin stroke, injury to the sinews or bones, and external injuries.
* If Li restrains the Body Gua: poisoning including food poisoning, toxin stroke, burns or scalds, mania, raving.
* Remedies related to Gen or Kun engendering the Body Gua: go to the Southwest or Northeast to diagnose and treat, use medicine appropriate to the condition of the patient (especially those made from Metal or stone), the Earth Months are beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Gen corresponds to 内關 NeiGuan. In linggui bafa, Kun corresponds to 照海 ZhaoHai. In feiteng bafa, Kun corresponds to 申脈 ShenMai.
離 Li as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the eyes, heart, small intestine, upper jiao, or blood. Illnesses include diseases of the eyes, heart, or blood; fever, burns, mania, high blood pressure, and wind stroke.
* If Kan restrains the Body Gua: wind stroke, the brain fills with blood, impoverished blood, wasting of the blood, essence-spirit (mind) in a trance.
* Remedies related to Zhen or Xun engendering the Body Gua: go to the East or Southeast to diagnose and treat; use warm nourishing prescriptions; herbal medicine prescriptions; Spring is beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Zhen corresponds to 外關 WaiGuan. In linggui bafa, Xun corresponds to 臨泣 LinQi. In feiteng bafa, Xun corresponds to 後谿 HouXi.
震 Zhen as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the feet, legs, liver, gall bladder, hands, sinews, or eyes. Illnesses include external injury of the hands or feet, liver or gall bladder disease, achy pain of the sinews and bones, broken bones, or fright wind.
* If Qian or Dui restrains the Body Gua: external injury of the hands or feet, broken bones, vehicle misfortune, and achy pain of the sinews and bones.
* Remedies related to Kan engendering the Body Gua: go to the North to diagnose and treat, use appropriate cooling and freeing medicine, Winter is beneficial. In linggui bafa, Kan corresponds to 申脈 ShenMai. In feiteng bafa, Kan corresponds to 臨 泣 LinQi.
巽 Xun as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the thighs, hips, eyes, liver, gall bladder, hair, or hands. Illnesses include wind-damp achy pain, wind stroke, gastrointestinal distention, external injury of the hands or feet, or wind evils.
* If Qian or Dui restrains the Body Gua: external injury of the hands or feet, broken bones, vehicle misfortune, and achy pain of the sinews and bones.
* Remedies related to Kan engendering the Body Gua: go to the North to diagnose and treat, use appropriate cooling and freeing medicine, Winter is beneficial. In linggui bafa, kan corresponds to 申脈 ShenMai. In feiteng bafa, kan corresponds to 臨 泣 LinQi.
坎 Kan as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the kidneys, urinary bladder, urinary tract, breasts, blood, or ears. Illnesses include women’s diseases, diseases of the ear, heart, blood, kidneys, urinary tract, stones, vacuity cold, difficult delivery, infertility, or syphilis.
* If Gen or Kun restrains the Body Gua: infertility, syphilis, ear diseases, difficult delivery, uterine cancer.
* Remedies related to Qian or Dui engendering the Body Gua: go to the Northwest to diagnose and treat, use appropriate cool acrid freeing medicine, acupuncture, Autumn and Winter are beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Qian corresponds to 公孫 gongsun. In both linggui bafa, Dui corresponds to 後谿 HouXi. In feiteng bafa, Dui corresponds to 照海 ZhaoHai.
艮 Gen as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the hands, fingers, spine, ribs, nose, spleen, or stomach. Illnesses include illnesses of the hands, fingers, spleen, stomach; stones, swellings and tumors, cancer, sore-toxins.
* If Zhen or Xun restrains the Body Gua: gall bladder and liver illness, poor digestion, abdominal distention, wind pain.
* Remedies related to li engendering the Body Gua: go to the South to diagnose and treat, use appropriate warming and harmonizing medicine, hot medicines, Summer is beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Li corresponds to 列缺 LieQue.
坤 Kun as the Body Gua:
Body parts include the belly, spleen, stomach, flesh, intestines, uterus, or reproductive organs. Illnesses include diseases of the intestines or stomach, poor digestion, infertility, women’s diseases, uterine cancer.
* If zhen or Xun restrains the Body Gua: gall bladder and liver illness, poor digestion, abdominal distention, wind pain.
* Remedies related to Li engendering the Body Gua: go to the South to diagnose and treat, use appropriate warming and harmonizing medicine, hot medicines, Summer is beneficial. In both linggui bafa and feiteng bafa, Li corresponds to 列缺 LieQue.
The Heavens are the source of creative energy. They are that which is unchanging Truth. They are also the empty canvas upon which we paint the stories of our lives. It is best to approach heaven open to the truth without making up stories to lull the fears. The central line represents the core of heaven.
The outer lines can either mean the outer limits of heaven or that part of heaven closest to the earth, depending on how the lines connect with other aspects of the hexagram. This trigram is also represented as Force and its symbol is the Dragon. This spirit is a dynamic shape changer. It symbolizes creative strength. In the family it is the Father. On the body it is the head. Its colour is white. The qualities represented by this trigram are active, creative, strength, power, ruling, and reason.
Heaven Implications
Sky, Ice, Hailstone.
Earth Implications
Northwest, Capitol City, Huge Building, High and Dry Land.
Human Implications
Father, Head of State, Government Officer, Honorable Man, Famous People, Teacher, Elder.
Body Parts
Head, Bone, Spine, Lungs.
Sickness
Head and Face Injury, Lung Disease, Spine, Tendon or Bone Disorder.
Human Nature
Strong, Vibrant, Daterminate, Subjective, Brave.
Animals
Horse, Elephant, Lion, Swan.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Gold, Pearl, Round Objects, Crown, Mirror, Rigid Objects, Woody Fruit.
Housing
Northwest Facing House, Hall and Terrace, Public Washroom, Skyscraper, Motel.
Food
Horse Meat, Preserved Meat, Liver and Lungs, Bony Parts, Head, Woody Fruits, Spicy Food.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the Northwest, to Metropolis, May, Jul, Divination Negative.
Lost and Found
Northwest, Public Place, Iside a round container, High and dry land.
Numbers
1, 4, 9
The Fire Trigram represents inner sight, inner light, or insight. Like the Sun it shines on earth. However, as the Sun is often obscured by storm clouds, one's inner sight is often obscured by doubts, second guessing, and dark thoughts. On a stormy day we might think that the sun has stopped shining, but it really hasn't. In the same way your inner light continues to shine no matter what darkness the conscious mind brings into your life.
This trigram is also presented as Radiance, the spirit of fire, light, warmth and magical awareness. It can give one the power to illuminate, understand and articulate. It holds things together in a subtle fashion, as the weak inner line holds the two strong outer lines of the trigram. In the family it is the Middle Daughter. On the body it is the eye. Its colour is orange. Its qualities are bright, elegant, beautiful, intelligent, clinging, and agitated.
Heaven Implications
Sun, Lightning, Rainbow, Colorful Clouds.
Earth Implications
South, Hot and Dry Places, Places Facing the Sun, Kitchen, Stove, Fireplace.
Human Implications
Middle Daughter, Sight-Impaired People, People in Armor, Debater, Student.
Body Parts
Eyes, Heart, Blood Pressure, Brain.
Sickness
Eye Disease, Heart Disease, Anxiety, Abnormal Blood Pressure.
Human Nature
Intelligent, Knowledgeable, Humble, Faniciful, Glamorous.
Animals
Pheasant, Tortoise, Turtle, Clam, Crab.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Armor, Writing, Fire, Hot and Dry Objects.
Housing
South Facing House, Bright House, Bright Room.
Food
Pheasant Meat, Barbecued Food, Fried Food, Dried Food.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the South, beware of stroke, traffic rule violation, unsuitable to go by sea.
Lost and Found
South, Hot and dry places, Places facing the sun, Kitchen, Stove, Fireplace.
Numbers
3, 2, 7
The earth is the receptive, or feminine principal which is penetrated by the creative principal of Heaven. All heavenly potential is birthed on the earth. The secrets of life may be found in following the cycles and rhythms of Mother Earth. If one follows the cycles and rhythms of nature than one will know intuitively when to rest and when to be active. Earth's relationship with Heaven is an extremely intimate, but temporary one. Just as a child sooner or later matures and lets go of the mother, so one ultimately leaves the earth and rises to heaven. The earth trigram may be seen as a metaphor for the human body.
The upper line of the trigram symbolizes outward behaviour, The lower lines represent the inner being or the roots of one's past. This trigram is also represented as the Field; the womb that gives birth to all things. As a spirit it is nourishing and yielding. In the family it is the Mother. On the body it is belly. Its colour is black. Its qualitities are passive, reactive, nurturing, devoted, flexible, sustaining.
Heaven Implications
Dark Clouds, Fog, Frost.
Earth Implications
Southwest, Fields, Villages, Plain Level Land.
Human Implications
Mother, Farmer, Old Woman, Pregnant Woman.
Body Parts
Belly, Spleen, Stomach, Flesh.
Sickness
Digestive System Trouble, Spleen and Stomach Disease, Skin Disease, Fatigue, Illusion.
Human Nature
Motherly, Stable, Receptive, Miserly, Indecisive.
Animals
Ox, Mare, Domostic Poultry.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Grains, Soft Objects, Square Objects, Cloth, Wagon, Earthen Ware.
Housing
Southwest Facing House, Farmhouse, Warehouse.
Food
Beef, Wild Life, Underground Part of Plant, Cereals, Something Sweet.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the Southwest, beware of stomach trouble, avoid long trips.
Lost and Found
Southwest, Fields, Basement, Warehouse, Plain level land.
Numbers
8, 5, 10
Water is the cycle of life. Rain falls from heaven to feed the streams and rivers that run to the sea where the sun evaporates it back into the air to form rain clouds and the cycle begins anew. The strong line in the centre of the trigram represents heaven or the sun which transforms salty sea water into life giving rain. Water represents fertility and growth since without if crops fail and famine ensues. This trigram can also signify dark rainclouds depending on its position. Dark clouds block the sun as dark thoughts block wisdom.
The Water trigram can represent a deep pool of knowledge and indicates growth in wisdom as well as in life. This trigram is also presented as the Gorge, or the spirit of rushing water. It dissolves things, carries them forward and cannot be stopped as rushing water cannot be stopped. This spirit gives one energy to take risks, to focus energy, and to overcome obstacles. In the family it is the middle son. On the body it is the ear. Its colour is blue. Its qualities are, abysmal, cunning, difficult, profound, instinctual, wise.
Heaven Implications
Moon, Rain, Snow, Dew, Frost.
Earth Implications
North, Lakes, Rivers, Stream, Ditch, Wells, Toilet, Wet Land.
Human Implications
Middle Son, Fisherman, Sailor, Thief.
Body Parts
Ear, Blood, Uterus, Kidney, Urinary Bladder.
Sickness
Ear Disease, Blood Disease, Kidney, Urinary Bladder Disorder, Uterus Disease, Diarthea.
Human Nature
Drifting, Soft Outside but Stern Inside, Sociable, Mean and Calculating.
Animals
Pig, Fish, Seafood, Fox, Water Habitat.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Wine Container, Water Equipment, Liquor, Salt.
Housing
North Facing House, House Near Water, Wet Place in the house.
Food
Pork, Seafood, Cold Cut Wine, Soup, Fruit with a Stone.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the North, by Sea favorable, Unfavorable for Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei Months.
Lost and Found
North, Lakes, Rivers, Stream, Ditch, Wells, Toilet, Wet Land.
Numbers
1, 6
The wind blows from Heaven as indicated by the strong upper lines of this trigram. The weak lower line may indicate speaking or the spoken word. Wind symbolizes breath, a very important aspect in most eastern spiritual and philosophical traditions. Breath means life. One's breath indicates one's state. When one is agitated the breath is shallow and rapid. When one is calm the breath is deep and rhythmical. Conscious breathing exercises puts one in tune with the infinite depths of heaven. The Wind symbolizes as well, thinking and speaking. Depending on other aspects of the hexagram, the Wind may indicate strong inner calm, or outer agitation. In Chinese Medicine, Wind carries pathogenic agents into the body.
Wind itself is relatively harmless but it may carry with it stronger pathogenic agents. Once inside the body if it has no way of excape, it may rush around inside the body causing disharmony. In a like manner Wind carries good or ill upon the earth. The spirit of the wind is subtle, gentle and beautiful, and brings things to maturity. It is associated with marriage, and presides over a new house. In the family it is the First Daughter. On the body it is thigh. Its colour is green. Its qualities are gentle, flexible, influential, obedient, insightful, yielding.
Heaven Implications
Wind.
Earth Implications
Southeast, Luxuriant Vegetation, Orchards.
Human Implications
Elder Daughter, Business People, Nun.
Body Parts
Buttocks, Knuckles, Tendon, Breath.
Sickness
Flu, Rheumatism, Intestinal Trouble, Pain.
Human Nature
Capable, Enduring, Realistic, Amicable, Peaceful.
Animals
Chicken, Wild Bird.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Plumb Line, Rope, Smell, Bamboo, Feather, Sail.
Housing
Southeast Facing House, House in the Woods.
Food
Chicken Meat, Bird Meat, Sour Fruit.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the Southeast, beware of flu.
Lost and Found
Southeast, in the forest, Orchards, Vehicles.
Numbers
5, 3, 8
This trigram represents balance. Both in the way the moon receives light from the sun and reflects it to the earth and in the way a marsh is a balanced ecology. Too much or too little water and it becomes a hostile environment for its denizens. The moon has a profound affect on the earth and particularly on water. Tides are governed by the moon's rotation about the Earth. The moon, it is said, awakens sexual desires which elevates the physical over the spiritual. There is the connection between the full moon and insanity. The word lunacy comes from the french word for moon. In many practices the full moon is a very powerful time of the month. In many ways this trigram represents what is veiled or hidden. This is often taken to mean heaven which is hidden from us by our own physical nature.
The Marsh also has the imagery of veiled and hidden things beneath the turbid, murky surface. This Trigram also represents the spirit of open water; the vapours that rise from lakes, ponds, and marshes and in many commentaries is seen as representing friendly, stimulating and even joyous human exchange. In the family it is the Youngest Daughter. On the body it is the mouth. Its colour is red. Its qualities are jouyous, pleasing, tender, gossipy, soft, and open.
Heaven Implications
New Moon, Stars, Soaking Rain.
Earth Implications
West, Marsh, Alkaline Land, Broken Mountain.
Human Implications
Young Girl, Concubine, Singer, Artist, Witch, Broker, Interpreter.
Body Parts
Mouth, Tongue, Teeth, Esophagus, Saliva.
Sickness
Respiratory System Disorder, Oral Disease, Loss of Appetite.
Human Nature
Joyful, Gourmet, Elegant Taste, Long-Winded, Gossiping, Slandering.
Animals
Sheep, Aquatic Life in Marsh.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Golden Knife, Brass Musical Instrument, Garbage.
Housing
West Facing House, House near a Swamp, Rundown House.
Food
Mutton, Food from the Lake, Spicy Food.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the West, beware of gossip and argument.
Lost and Found
West, Marsh, Alcaline land, Broken mountain.
Numbers
2, 4, 9
The upper weak lines of this trigram represent the movement of the thunder and the strong lower or heavenly line is its invisible, often unknown source. All terrestrial and celestial bodies are in continuous motion. One cannot always determine what the idea is behind an action. The thunder may represent the continuous motion of the human heart, or the force that is driving the moon and the earth on their unfaltering courses. The upward movement of the thunder may also indicate the inner energy that powers the development of a being's ideas and ideals. This is much like the struggle of a germinating seed that sprouts in the soil (or inner being), breaks through the surface or into the outside world and grows upward in the direction of the sun.
The sun represents clear insight and having an overview, so the upward direction of the thunder can imply an attempt to develop these qualities in the inner being, which naturally has this drive for completion. Zhen is the Thunder spirit who bursts forth to arouse and excite, and bring things out of hiding. It can give one the energy to undertake difficult tasks. In the family it is the First Son. On the body it is the foot. Its colour is yellow. Its qualities are: forceful, angry, energetic, growth, restless, passionate.
Heaven Implications
Thunder.
Earth Implications
East, Big Tree, Noisy Place, Highway, Forest, Market.
Human Implications
Elder Son, Laborer, Employee, Manager.
Body Parts
Liver, Legs, Hair on the Head, Toes, Vocal Cord.
Sickness
Feet and Leg Injury, Liver Disease, Nervous Breakdown.
Human Nature
Mobile, Initiative, Anger, Shocking, Complaining.
Animals
Dragon, Snake, all Reptiles.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Bamboo, Wooden Musical Instrument.
Housing
East Facing House, House in the Woods, Rerrace.
Food
Leg of Animal, Chicken Feet, Meat of Wild Animal, Fish, Liver.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the East, beware of burst tires.
Lost and Found
East, in the woods, Noisy place, Highway, Market
Numbers
4, 3, 8
The mountain is a place for solitary retreat. The top of the mountain is the interface between heaven and earth. Rainwater collecting on the mountain top is seen as creating a deep reservoir of knowledge and wisdom. The mountain itself is a solid, impassive, and imposing presence. It symbolizes stability, and a sense of trustworthiness. It is also a challenge. In Chinese philosophy, longevity tends to equal wisdom.
The mountain therefore would be seen as a place of longevity and great wisdom. One often climbs the mountain to receive enlightenment. The Mountain symbolizes that things are coming to a conclusion. Time for recap and evaluation. In the family it is the Youngest Son. On the body it is the hand. Its colour is violet. Its qualities are quiet, calms, still, obstinate, earnest, tough.
Heaven Implications
Clouds, Mist, Mountain Wind.
Earth Implications
Northeast, Slope, Hills and Walls, Path on Mountain, Graves, Doors.
Human Implications
Young Son, Miner, Hermit, Gambler.
Body Parts
Back, Nose, Fingers, Big Bone.
Sickness
Sickness of the Nose, Fingers, Attention Deficiensy, Spleen and Stomach Disorder.
Human Nature
Stoppage, Indeterminate, Indecisive, Batrayal.
Animals
Tiger, Dog, Rat, Cat, Wild Beast.
Plants and Stationary Objects
Stones, Soil, Melons, Fruits, Monastery.
Housing
Northeast Facing House, House Near Rocks, House Near the Road.
Food
Wild Life, Underground Part of Plant.
Trips
Suitable for traveling to the Northeast, Beware of traffic jam due to accident.
Lost and Found
Northeast, Slope, Hills and walls, Path on mountain, Graves, Doors.
Numbers
7, 5, 10
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