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Bushi Zhengzong · The Orthodox Tradition of Divination
Useful, Source, and Avoided Spirits
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Verse on the Avoided Spirit
In reading a hexagram, first examine the Avoided Spirit.
It should be still and should not rise.
It urgently needs to meet injury and control;
if it receives generation and support, the Useful suffers penalty.
Verse on the Source Spirit
When the Source Spirit moves, its purpose rises high.
Even if the Useful is hidden, there is no harm.
It needs generation and support, together with flourishing or supported strength.
It most dislikes transforming into control or meeting injury.
Formula for the Useful Spirit Not Appearing in the Hexagram
If absent from the original hexagram and absent from the changed one,
examine the Six Relations of the palace's first hexagram.
A moving line generating the Useful must finally be favorable.
Crossing or heavy lines controlling the Useful are unfavorable.
Formula for the Useful Spirit in the Void
Moving and meeting Clash is not called empty.
Still and empty, encountering control, is truly empty.
The Avoided Spirit most welcomes the Void: it is favorable.
Useful and Source Spirits must not be empty.
Earth in spring, Metal in summer, Wood in autumn,
and Fire met in the three winter months are true emptiness.
If Cycle Void also meets the image of true emptiness,
and the line is injured as well, it is empty to the end.
Formula for the Useful Spirit Moving
When the Useful line moves within the palace,
even resting or imprisoned is not unfavorable.
If it also receives generation and support and flourishes,
undertakings are assured lasting success.
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