The second chapter of the theory of the interaction between the body and the vital essence

Using divination to assess the situation of a traveler abroad: encountering vitality indicates smooth and swift progress; encountering decline and being hindered suggests disaster abroad. Frequent disturbances in Zhen indicate instability, while many obstacles in Gen suggest hindrances. Kan signifies dangers and difficulties, and Dui represents disputes.

The dwelling occupies the fourth position

Kan: debauchery, blackness, jealousy, luxury

Visit number 14

Qian: upright and long

In the pursuit of wealth, the essence is paramount, while the application serves as the means to wealth. When the essence overcomes the application, wealth is attained; when the application overcomes the essence, wealth is lost. The essence nurtures the application, leading to concerns over the depletion of wealth; conversely, the application nurtures the essence, bringing joy from the increase of wealth. When the essence and application are in harmony, benefits and satisfaction are achieved. To determine the day of acquiring wealth, one must ascertain the hexagram of the nurturing essence. To know the day of financial loss, one must ascertain the hexagram of the overcoming essence.

In the context of divination regarding household matters, the essence is prioritized over the function. When the essence supports the function, the household is often auspicious; conversely, if the function undermines the essence, the household tends to be inauspicious. The essence generates the function, leading to waste or stability against theft. If there is a hexagram representing the essence, it should be interpreted based on the previous chapters concerning human affairs.

Those engaged in dietary and personnel matters belong to the categories of all things within the first eight trigrams

In marriage, the physical aspect is paramount; the body serves as the foundation for marriage. When the physical aspect is prioritized, marriage is likely to succeed, or one may gain from the union. Conversely, if the physical aspect is secondary, marriage may face difficulties, or one may suffer losses due to the union. If the body overcomes the purpose, success is possible but may be delayed; if the purpose overcomes the body, success is unattainable and may even be detrimental. A harmonious balance between the body and purpose leads to a favorable marriage.

The official lawsuit occupies the seventeenth position

The name ranks ninth

In the context of occupying a dwelling, the body is of primary importance, serving as the foundation of the residence. When the body overcomes the use, it is auspicious to reside there; conversely, if the use overcomes the body, it is inauspicious. When the body nourishes the use, it signifies a decline in wealth; if the use nourishes the body, it indicates prosperity for the household. When the body and use are in harmonious balance, stability naturally ensues

In seeking strategy, the essence is paramount, while the application serves the purpose of the strategy. When the essence overcomes the application, the strategy may be achieved, but it will take time. Conversely, if the application overcomes the essence, the strategy will not succeed, and may even be detrimental. Application gives rise to essence. Without strategy, success may still be attained; however, when essence gives rise to application, there may be many strategies but few realizations. A harmonious balance between essence and application leads to satisfactory strategies.

In the realm of appearances, the essence is paramount, serving as the foundation for what is perceived. When the essence overcomes the function, it becomes visible; however, when the function overcomes the essence, it remains unseen. The essence gives rise to the function, which is difficult to perceive, and even when perceived, it offers no benefit; conversely, when the function gives rise to the essence, it becomes visible, and its perception yields rewards. The harmony between essence and function allows for a joyful encounter.

In terms of celestial timing, without distinguishing between body and function, one should comprehensively observe all hexagrams and meticulously analyze the five elements. Li predominantly signifies clear weather, while Kan indicates rain. Kun represents darkness and gloom, and Qian signifies brightness and clarity. When Zhen is prevalent, it suggests thunder in spring and summer; when Xun is prevalent, it indicates strong winds throughout the seasons; when Gen is prevalent, prolonged rain will eventually clear; and when Dui is prevalent, it may not rain but will still be overcast. According to the *Diagram* and *Book*, in summer, if Li is abundant and Kan is absent, it leads to severe drought and scorching heat. In winter, if Kan is abundant and Li is absent, it results in drifting rain and snow.

The body is the primary consideration for a grave, which serves as the tomb. When the body overcomes the use, the burial is auspicious; when the use overcomes the body, the burial is inauspicious. The body generates the use, leading to a decline in the main fortune of the burial; the use generates the body, resulting in the flourishing of the main fortune, benefiting the descendants. When the body and use are in harmony, it constitutes an auspicious site. It is highly suitable for burial, leading to prosperity in the burial.

The above is the secret of the use of the body, beginning with the eighteen chapters of divination examples, to demonstrate the principles for future scholars. However, the multitude of affairs is certainly not limited to just these eighteen divinations! Yet, these eighteen divinations are the most critical among significant matters, and one can extrapolate from them by analogy.

In divination for names, the essence is paramount, while the function serves as the name. When the essence overcomes the function, the name can be established, albeit slowly. Conversely, when the function overcomes the essence, the name cannot be established. The essence generates the function, but the name cannot be attained, or it may lead to loss due to the name. The function generates the essence, making the name easier to establish, or it may lead to gain due to the name. The essence and function should be harmonized, reflecting the significance of achievements and names. To discern the day of name establishment, one must examine the hexagram's energy related to the essence. To determine the place of responsibility, one must decide based on the changing hexagram's direction. If there is no hexagram that overcomes the essence, the name can be easily established; one should merely observe the sequence of the hexagram's essence to determine the date. If divination is conducted while in office, it is most undesirable to encounter a hexagram that overcomes the essence. If such a hexagram appears, it indicates potential misfortune in office; lightly, it may result in reprimand from superiors, and severely, it may lead to demotion or retirement. The date should be assessed based on the energy of the hexagram that overcomes the essence, interrupting the sequence of the eight trigrams.

The location of lost items is determined by the changing hexagrams. If the change is to Qian, then search in the northwest, perhaps in pavilions or towers, near metals and stones, within round vessels, or in elevated places. If the changing hexagram is Kun, then search in the southwest, perhaps in fields, granaries, places of harvest, earth cellars, or within square or clay vessels. If it is Zhen, then look in the east, perhaps in mountains and forests, within thickets, near bells and drums, in bustling markets, or along major roads. If it is Xun, then search in the southeast, perhaps in mountains and forests, in temples, in vegetable gardens, among boats, or within wooden vessels. If it is Kan, then search in the north, often hidden by water or in streams, wells, or ditches, or among wines.

Xun: Sparse and few in development, with an ugly and greedy heart

In the realm of food and drink, the body is paramount, serving as the foundation for sustenance. When the body is nourished, the food and drink will be abundant; however, if the body is not well-nourished, it becomes difficult to obtain sustenance. If the body suppresses the means of nourishment, then there will be obstacles to food and drink; conversely, if the means of nourishment suppress the body, then sustenance will be plentiful. When the body and means of nourishment are in harmony, food and drink will be sufficient. Furthermore, within the hexagrams, the presence of Kan indicates the availability of wine, while the presence of Dui signifies food. Without Kan and Dui, there will be no harmonious texts or records. Dui and Kan nourish the body, leading to indulgence in food and drink. To discern what one is consuming, one may infer from the food and drink. To ascertain who is present at the table, one may deduce from the interactions of the hexagrams. Without Kan and Dui, there will be no harmonious texts or records. Dui and Kan nourish the body, leading to indulgence in food and drink. To discern what one is consuming, one may infer from the food and drink. To ascertain who is present at the table, one may deduce from the interactions of the hexagrams.

In matters of personnel, one should use the overall principles to determine auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. If there is a hexagram representing life, one should examine what auspicious elements are present in the previous chapter's eight hexagrams related to life; likewise, one should consider what inauspicious elements are indicated by the hexagram representing overcoming, as seen in the previous chapter. If there are no life or overcoming elements, one should cease interpretation of the original hexagram.

Human resources rank second

In the case of lost items, the essence is paramount, while the usage is secondary. When the essence overcomes the usage, it may be sought after and eventually recovered; however, when the usage overcomes the essence, it cannot be pursued. The essence gives rise to usage, making the item difficult to find; conversely, when usage gives rise to essence, the item is easily located. When the essence and usage are in harmony, the item will not be lost.

Gen: The color yellow is abundant and skillful

If the hexagram contains the hexagram of the body overcoming the use, as well as the hexagram of the body generating the use, then there will be wealth; this hexagram indicates the day wealth will be seen. If the hexagram contains the hexagram of overcoming the body, as well as the hexagram of the body generating the use, then it will result in financial loss; this hexagram indicates the day of financial loss.

In terms of travel, the essence is paramount, while the application serves as a means to that end. When the essence governs the application, it can be effectively utilized, leading to abundant gains wherever one goes. Conversely, if the application dominates the essence, misfortune may ensue. The essence generates the application, but travel may incur losses; the application generates the essence, resulting in unexpected wealth. When the essence and application are in harmony, travel proceeds smoothly and swiftly.

The essence is primary, while the function serves the essence. When the essence overcomes the function, the return of the traveler is delayed; when the function overcomes the essence, the traveler does not return. The essence generates the function, yet the traveler has not returned; the function generates the essence, and the traveler returns immediately. When the essence and function are in harmony, the return is imminent.

Beauty is difficult to offend

The transaction accounts for eleven

Seeking counsel occupies the eighth position

In the context of marriage, the body represents the family being occupied, while the use represents the family being married into. When the body hexagram is strong, the household's entrance is prosperous; when the use hexagram is strong, the other family's resources are abundant. If the body is born, then the principles of marriage are attained; if the body and use are in harmony, then both parties will complement each other, undoubtedly forming a good match

At the edge of vinegar, or in the land of fish salt. If one departs, seek in the south, or between the kitchen and the stove, or beside the furnace, or at the bright window, or in the empty room, or beside the documents, or in the place of smoke and fire. If one is in the northeast, seek in the mountains and forests, or near the roadside, or beside the rocks, or in the hidden earth holes. If one is in the west, seek by the marsh, or within the broken walls and fences, or in the abandoned wells and missing ponds.

Pedestrians occupy the thirteenth position

Timing is of utmost importance

Again asked: "How does the second line move?" It is said: "It transforms into the water of Kan, which signifies the leakage of the body and the failure of metal. When metal enters the water region, it mutually reveals Xun and Li, representing the wind and fire that fan the furnace, all indicating the overcoming of the body. Further observe how the external circumstances at the time of divination respond, which symbolizes the burning of corpses and books, leading to a certain conclusion of death. By analyzing through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the reasoning becomes clearer." It is also said: "When the third line moves, Kun transforms into Gen earth, both indicating the nurturing of the body, regardless of the mutual hexagrams, it is undoubtedly auspicious." It is further stated: "When the fourth line moves, Qian transforms into Xun wood, both metal and wood have the significance of overcoming the body, mutual auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. Wood has the meaning of carrying corpses, while metal suggests bricks and coffins. This is a definite deduction, a certain principle." It is also said: "When the fifth line moves, Qian transforms into Li, which can indeed nurture the body, and the mutual transformations both nurture the body, making it undoubtedly auspicious. By analyzing through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the reasoning becomes clearer." It is reiterated: "When the third line moves, Kun transforms into Gen earth, both indicating the nurturing of the body, regardless of the mutual hexagrams, it is undoubtedly auspicious." It is further stated: "When the fourth line moves, Qian transforms into Xun wood, both metal and wood have the significance of overcoming the body, mutual auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. Wood has the meaning of carrying corpses, while metal suggests bricks and coffins. This is a definite deduction, a certain principle." It is also said: "When the fifth line moves, Qian transforms into Li, which can indeed nurture the body, and the mutual transformations both nurture the body, making it undoubtedly auspicious. If there are further auspicious signs, it becomes even more auspicious. The conclusion is clear." It is also said: "When the sixth line moves, Qian transforms into Dui, which can leak the body, mutually revealing Xun and Gen, one inauspicious and one auspicious, indicating that the illness is not necessarily fatal but must be dangerous. It is also advisable to observe the auspicious and inauspicious signs; if auspicious, it is said to be auspicious, if inauspicious, it is said to be inauspicious. This conclusion is very clear. The conclusions for the other hexagrams follow this pattern, thus the heart is easily verified without exception."

Production ranks sixth

Exchange: Tall and Long, Joyful Speech, White

Departure: Short red, character is not common

In official litigation, the essence is paramount, while the application serves as a counterpart to the litigation. The essence hexagram should be strong, while the application hexagram should be weak. The essence should generate the application, rather than the other way around. It is advisable for the essence to nurture the application, rather than to overpower it. Therefore, if the essence overcomes the application, one has already triumphed; if the application overcomes the essence, one has been defeated. The essence generating the application does not imply a loss of principle, or it may be due to a loss in official matters; the application generating the essence does not merely indicate a gain in principle, or it may be due to a benefit from the litigation. When the essence and application are in harmony, official litigation is most auspicious. This is not only about the strength of support but also embodies the principle of mutual harmony. The essence generating the application does not imply a loss of principle, or it may be due to a loss in official matters; the application generating the essence does not merely indicate a gain in principle, or it may be due to a benefit from the litigation. When the essence and application are in harmony, official litigation is most auspicious. This is not only about the strength of support but also embodies the principle of mutual harmony.

Diet occupies the seventh position

Occupying production, with the body as the mother, and the use as the offspring. Both body and use should ideally thrive, not decline. They should support each other, not oppose. If the body overcomes the use, it is detrimental to the offspring; if the use overcomes the body, it is detrimental to the mother. If the body overcomes the use while the use hexagram is weak, the offspring will be difficult to complete; if the use overcomes the body while the body hexagram is weak, the mother will be difficult to protect. The use generates the body, benefiting the mother; the body generates the use, benefiting the offspring. When the body and use are in harmony, reproduction is smooth and swift. If one wishes to discern the gender, when the yin and yang hexagrams support each other, one should observe the odd or even nature of the individuals on the left and right to verify. If one wishes to determine the date and time, one should refer to the energy numbers of the use hexagram for resolution. The so-called energy numbers of the hexagram refer to identifying what constitutes the use hexagram, in accordance with the sequence of the eight trigrams.

Wealth occupies the tenth position

There are also discussions of spirits and deities, which, although not easy to comprehend, cannot be dismissed as irrelevant to the concept of the easy path. Let us analyze this logically. If a hexagram has a dominating body, it can be used to measure its spirits and deities. The Qian hexagram represents the deity of the northwest, or the ghost of weapons, or the ghost of relatives, or the deity of the land and water, or those who violate boundaries, or unclaimed hauntings. The Zhen hexagram indicates the deity of the east, or the deity beneath the trees, or various monsters, or influences that appear at times. The Xun hexagram signifies the ghost of the southeast, or those who hang themselves, or fatal shackles. The Kan hexagram pertains to the ghost of the north, or the deity by the water, or those who drown, or the ghost of blood diseases. The Li hexagram relates to the ghost of the south, or those who perish from heat-related illnesses. The Gen hexagram corresponds to the deity of the northeast, or the hauntings of mountains and forests, or the ghost of mountain spirits, or the ghost of those who die by beheading. Hexagrams that do not have a dominating body need not be discussed.

In matters of personnel, one must carefully observe the relationship between the essence and the function. The essence hexagram is the principal, while the function hexagram is the subordinate. It is unfavorable for the function to overpower the essence, whereas it is auspicious for the essence to dominate the function. When the function nourishes the essence, there is joy in progress; however, when the essence nourishes the function, there is the risk of loss. A harmonious relationship between essence and function is conducive to favorable outcomes. Furthermore, one should closely examine the inter-hexagrams and changing hexagrams to determine fortune and misfortune; additionally, one should investigate the cycles of prosperity and decline to clarify auspicious and inauspicious signs.

Marriage ranks fifth

In the case of diseases, the body is regarded as the patient, and the symptoms are considered as the manifestations of the illness. The body hexagram should be strong rather than weak; it should encounter growth rather than be subjected to restraint. The symptoms should nurture the body rather than restrain it. If the body restrains the symptoms, the illness is likely to stabilize; if the body nurtures the symptoms, recovery is difficult. If the body restrains the symptoms, do not expect favorable outcomes from medication; if the symptoms restrain the body, even medication will be ineffective. If the body encounters restraint but is still strong, there is still some hope. If the body meets restraint and becomes weaker, there is no chance of survival. To know if there is hope amidst misfortune, one must look for the hexagram that nurtures the body. If the symptoms nurture the body, recovery will be delayed; if the body nurtures the symptoms, recovery will be immediate. If the body encounters restraint but is still strong, there is still some hope. If the body meets restraint and becomes weaker, there is no chance of survival. To know if there is hope amidst misfortune, one must look for the hexagram that nurtures the body. If the symptoms nurture the body, recovery will be delayed; if the body nurtures the symptoms, recovery will be immediate. When the body and symptoms are in harmony, the illness is likely to stabilize. If one wishes to determine the day of peace, the primary hexagram should be consulted. If one wishes to assess the period of danger, the hexagram that restrains the body should be determined. When discussing the matter of medicine, one should refer to the hexagram that nurtures the body. For instance, if the Li hexagram nurtures the body, warm medicine should be taken; if the Kan hexagram nurtures the body, cold medicine should be taken, such as the Gen warming supplements; while the Qian and Dui hexagrams correspond to cooling medicines.

Kun: ugly in appearance, with a large belly and a yellowish complexion

Disease ranks sixteenth

Inquiring again about Qian above and Kun below, how to interpret illness, Yao Fu said: "When the first line moves with Qian above and Kun below, it signifies the essence of life. It transforms into Zhen (thunder) representing wood, and the mutual presence of Xun (wind) and Gen (mountain) both signify generation. This is called instability; upon encountering the day of regeneration, one will recover"

Travel ranks twelfth

The residence ranks third

In transactions, the essence is paramount, while the utility serves as the means to wealth. When the essence overcomes the utility, wealth is attained; when the utility overcomes the essence, success is not achieved. The essence generates utility, yet success is difficult, often due to losses in transactions. Conversely, when utility generates essence, success is assured, and wealth will certainly follow. A harmonious balance between essence and utility facilitates success.

In travel, it is advisable to take advantage of favorable conditions. The primary hexagrams should be those that promote vitality. The hexagrams Qian and Zhen are associated with action, while Kun and Gen are linked to stillness. Xun is suitable for travel by boat, and Li is appropriate for land travel. Kan may hinder progress, while Dui signifies disputes.

The lost item is ranked fifteenth

The grave occupies the eighteenth position