Chong’er’s divination, Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu, shows how early diviners read the main hexagram and the changing hexagram.

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II. Understanding Six Lines Divination

Part 2.6. Constancy and Regret

In I Ching divination, the terms Constancy and Regret have two technical meanings.

For a static hexagram, the inner trigram is called the Constancy trigram, while the outer trigram is called the Regret trigram. In this structure, the inner trigram represents the main side of the matter, usually the self or the querent. The outer trigram represents the other side, usually the opposite party, the external condition, or the object being asked about.

For a hexagram with active lines, the main hexagram is called the Constancy hexagram, while the transformed hexagram is called the Regret hexagram. The main hexagram represents the present state of the matter. The transformed hexagram represents the result or later development after transformation.

In other words, when the divination produces a static hexagram, Constancy and Regret refer to the inner and outer trigrams. When the divination produces a transformed hexagram, they refer to the main hexagram and the transformed hexagram.

This is why early divination records sometimes use expressions such as:

Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu.

This means that the Constancy hexagram is Zhun, while the Regret hexagram is Yu. In modern terms, this is Zhun changing to Yu.

To make this rule clearer, let us look at one of the most famous historical I Ching divination cases: Case 84: Spring and Autumn (Jin), Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State, 3. Zhun to 16. Yu, from Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》).

This case was not an ordinary private divination. It concerned Prince Chong’er’s return to the state of Jin and his future political destiny. Later, Chong’er became Duke Wen of Jin, one of the great hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period. For this reason, the case was studied and discussed by generations of Chinese literati and Yijing scholars.

Below is the full case analysis.

Case 84: Spring and Autumn (Jin) — Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State — 3. Zhun to 16. Yu

In 636 BCE, before returning to Jin, Prince Chong’er performed a divination and said, “Is there still the state of Jin?” {this is the formula by which the divination was ordered}. He obtained “Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu.”

All were “eight” [2] {(Wei Zhao’s note says) Zhen in Zhun is constancy, in Yu is regret. “Eight” means the two yin lines of constancy and regret were static; therefore the lines “all were eight” and had done nothing}. The divination scribes interpreted it, and all said, “Not auspicious. Closed and not communicating [3], the lines do nothing” {Zhen signifies movement; when movement meets Kan, Kan signifies pit and obstruction, so it is blocked and not open, and nothing can be accomplished}.

Sikong (Minister of Works) Jizi said, “Auspicious. In the Zhouyi both say ‘benefit or advantage in appointing marquises’ {in Zhun the Initial-Nine says ‘benefit or advantage in appointing marquises’; in Yu the Great Image says ‘Benefit or advantage in appointing marquises and mobilizing the army’ [4]}. If there were not the state of Jin to assist the royal house, how could one appoint marquises? I ordered the divination saying: ‘Is there still the state of Jin?’ The divination told me ‘benefit or advantage in appointing marquises’, which is the business of gaining the state. What greater good could there be!”

Zhen is the chariot {in the Yi, Kun is the great carriage [5] and Zhen is thunder; now we call it a chariot, and even an old chariot still moves, its sound resembling thunder, thus it is a small chariot; according to the Zuo Commentary, Xin Liao said “Zhen is the earthen cart following horses,” which likewise takes Zhen as a vehicle; the image of the Zhen resembles a cart, and a cart is a moving thing, which accords with Zhen as movement}, Kan is water, Kun is earth, Zhun is thickness [6], and Yu is delight [7].

The chariot is arrayed within and without, and it is taught by compliance [8] {the chariot is Zhen; “arrayed” means everywhere; everywhere within and without means within Zhun there is Zhen and outside Yu there is also Zhen; Kun is compliance, with Kun inside Yu, and lines two to four of Zhun are also Kun}. Springs and sources supply it {supply means resources; lines three to five of Zhun and lines two to four of Yu all show the image of Gen; the top of Zhun is Kan, and lines three to five of Yu are also Kan; Gen is mountain and Kan is water; water on the mountain is springs and sources that flow without exhaustion}. The earth is thick and enjoys its fruits; if there were not the state of Jin, how could one bear this {both Zhun and Yu contain Kun; double Kun is thickness; Yu signifies delight}.

Zhen is thunder and also a chariot; Kan is toil [9] and also the multitude {in the Yi, Kun is the multitude, and Kan is water, and water also belongs to the category of the many}. The inner governs thunder and chariot {the inner acts as the master}, while the upper esteems water and the multitude {the images of Kan lie above, therefore above are water and the multitude (people)}. The chariots display the martial power of Zhen {to spread awe; the resounding of the chariots signifies might}, and the multitude compliantly takes on culture {Kun is the multitude (people), the earth, and culture; the image possesses civil virtue and is where the multitude (people) turn}.

With civil and martial both complete, to the utmost of thickness, therefore it is called Zhun {Zhun is thickness}. Its statement says: “Origin, smoothness, Benefit or Advantage, Constancy. Do not use to have a direction to go. Benefit or Advantage in appointing marquises.” [10] {this is the hexagram statement; “smoothness” means access, “constancy” means correctness, “direction” means where, and “to go” means to proceed; do not use it to go somewhere, but for the gentleman there is benefit in appointing marquises and in moving the army}.

Governed by Zhen, Thunder, the eldest, therefore it says “Origin” {the inner serves as the ruler; Zhen is the eldest son and is Thunder; Thunder signifies the feudal lords, hence “Origin.” “Origin” means “the chief of the good” [11]}. Being many (multitude) yet compliant is commendable, therefore it says “Smoothness.” Within there is Zhen thunder, therefore it says “benefit in constancy” {within Zhun there is Zhen; Jia the Chamberlain said: “By Zhen moving it there is benefit; by a lord making the state correct there is constancy; benefit is the harmony of righteousness, and constancy is the trunk of affairs”}.

With the chariots above and water below, there is surely overlordship [12] {the chariot is Zhen and Kan is water; when the chariot moves there is awe above, and when the water moves there is compliance below, therefore one knows it is surely overlordship}. Small matters do not succeed, it is blocked, therefore it says “do not use to have a direction to go” {blocked, for Zhen’s movement meets Kan and Kan is peril and obstruction; therefore “do not use to have a direction to go”}; it is the action of a single man {a single man, for Zhen by one drawing obtains the male}. The people are compliant and there is martial majesty, therefore it says “Benefit or Advantage in appointing marquises.”

Kun is the mother and Zhen is the eldest son; when the mother is aged and the son is strong, therefore it is called Yu. Its statement says “mobilizing the army,” which means to dwell in joy and to manifest awe {to dwell in joy because the mother is within; to manifest awe because Zhen is without; dwelling in joy brings benefit or advantage in appointing marquises, and manifesting awe brings benefit or advantage in mobilizing the army}. These two are the hexagrams by which one gains the state.

Annotation: This passage uses the hexagram statements of the two hexagrams and also infers their mutual bodies; “Origin, smoothness, Benefit or Advantage, Constancy. Do not use to have a direction to go. Benefit or Advantage in appointing marquises” is the Zhun hexagram statement; “benefit or advantage in appointing marquises and mobilizing the army” is the Yu hexagram statement; yet Wei’s note that cites “benefit or advantage in appointing marquises” from Zhun’s Initial-Nine does not accord. The Shasui Divination Method (《沙随筮法》) says: Duke Wen of Jin divined Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu [13], with the first, fourth, and fifth lines active; the Initial-Nine without position yet gaining the people [14] is the image of Chong’er being outside. In Yu, the nine at the fourth is the one whom the many yin follow [15]; Zhen signifies the lords and Kun the land, which is the image of Chong’er gaining the state. The text says, “Friends gather like a clasp holding hair together” [16]. A clasp orders the hair to adorn the head, which is the image of leading the lords to honor the Zhou [17], and the Tuan Commentary [18] says “benefit or advantage in mobilizing the army,” which is the image of achieving hegemony in a single battle.

[Annotation from the Translator]

[1] Source: This case is cited from Discourses of the States: Discourses of Jin (Guoyu, Jin Yu, 《国语·晋语》).

See also Appendix I: Explaining Yi Images in the Zuo Commentary and the Discourses of the States, Case 169: Spring and Autumn — Discourses of the States: Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State — 3. Zhun to 16. Yu.

Historical Background:

During the mid-Spring and Autumn period, the state of Jin was destabilized by the Li Ji affair: Crown Prince Shensheng died, and the princes Chong’er and Yiwu went into exile. Yiwu later returned with Qin support to become Duke Hui of Jin, while Chong’er spent roughly nineteen years wandering among Di, Qi, Cao, Song, Zheng, Chu, and Qin. When Duke Hui died, his son Duke Huai briefly took the throne amid factional turmoil. In 636 BCE, Qin’s Duke Mu backed Chong’er with troops and a marriage alliance and prepared to escort him east. On the eve of his return, Chong’er divined, asking “Is there still the state of Jin?” He obtained Zhun (Difficulty at the Beginning) to Yu (Enthusiasm). Court diviners judged the result inauspicious, calling it “closed and not communicating,” but Sikong Jizi cited the Tuan Commentarys: “benefit in appointing marquises” and “benefit in appointing marquises and mobilizing the army,” to read it as favorable to gaining the state. Chong’er entered Jin, became Duke Wen in 636 BCE, reformed the government, and in 632 BCE won the Battle of Chengpu against Chu, attaining hegemony. The episode is recorded in Discourses of the States: “Jin Yu” and is a classic case of using the Yi (I Ching) to guide major political action.

[2] All were eight: the ancients offered many explanations of this phrase, and many seem unconvincing; modern scholars also find it hard to resolve. The doubt may be left open for later study.

This explanation can also be referenced in Volume One, Divination Rituals; Part 2, Detailed Explanation of the Divination Procedure, [Annotation from the Translator], [5].

Dividing by four (to represent the Four Symbols), a single line (yao 爻) is thus determined:

· 36 ÷ 4 = 9 (this is the number of old yang, represented by “O”);

· 32 ÷ 4 = 8 (this is the number of young yin, represented by “ — ”);

· 28 ÷ 4 = 7 (this is the number of young yang, represented by “ — ”);

· 24 ÷ 4 = 6 (this is the number of old yin, represented by “X”).

[3] Closed and not communicating: in Zhun, Zhen is below Kan; in Yu, Zhen is above Kun. Zhen is a chariot, Kan is peril, Kun is earth. The change from Zhun to Yu places the chariot above the earth and beneath danger, forming an image of impeded movement, hence the diviners said “closed and not communicating.”

[4] “Benefit or advantage in appointing marquises and mobilizing the army” is the Hexagram statement of Yu, not the Image (Xiang Commentary). It means it is suitable to enfeoff marquises and to use troops in warfare.

[5] Kun is the great carriage: Shuo Gua says Kun “is the great carriage,” therefore Kun is taken as a great cart.

[6] Zhun is thickness: Zhun’s basic sense is the sprouting of plants. It commonly extends to the ideas of fullness and accumulation, and from fullness and accumulation it further extends to thickness.

[7] Yu is delight: the hexagram Yu carries the meanings of ease and enjoyment.

[8] Taught by compliance: the inner trigram of Yu is Kun, and in Zhun the mutual body from the second to the fourth lines is also Kun. Since Kun signifies compliance, it is said that it is taught by compliance.

[9] Kan is toil: this is not stated in Shuo Gua. Kan is water, and water flows without cease, so it may by extension signify toil.

[10] “Origin, Smoothness, Benefit, Constancy. Do not use to have a place to go. Benefit in appointing marquises.” The sense is: from the start things go smoothly; it is fitting to keep to correctness; do not set out to go anywhere; it is advantageous to establish marquises. That is, for a person in peril it is not suitable to go forth, while for a ruler in peril it is advantageous to establish marquises.

[11] “Origin” means “the chief of the good”: together with “therefore it is called Smoothness, a gathering of what is commendable,” “Benefit is the harmony of righteousness,” and “Constancy is the trunk of affairs,” these quotations come from Qian, Wenyan. The passage says: “‘Origin’ is the chief of the good; ‘Smoothness’ is the gathering of what is commendable; ‘Benefit’ is the harmony of righteousness; ‘Constancy’ is the trunk of affairs.” This means Origin is the head of all virtues, Smoothness is the convergence of the fine, Benefit is fitness and balance, and Constancy is the root of doing. Only when a gentleman practices these four virtues can he hold fast and accomplish his work. This also supports the claim that Chong’er could gain the state.

[12] Surely overlordship: “overlordship” (伯) interchanges with “to moor” (泊) in early usage. In Zhun, Zhen is below and Kan is above; Zhen is the cart and Kan is water, giving the image of a Zhen cart moored in Kan water. Hence the text later says “small matters do not succeed,” for obstruction must be present.

[13] Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu: For the discussion of this pair of hexagrams, see Case 84: Jin — Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State — 3. Zhun to 16. Yu, and Case 169: Spring and Autumn — Discourses of the States: Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State — 3. Zhun to 16. Yu.

[14] The Initial-Nine without position yet gaining the people: the first line is the line of the “original officer,” occupying the very lowest place of the hexagram and signifying the common people, which images Chong’er being outside and out of office yet winning the people.

[15] The nine at the fourth is the one whom the many yin follow: in Yu only the fourth line is yang while the other five are yin, so the nine at the fourth is the one whom the yin masses follow and who leads the whole hexagram.

[16] “Friends gather like a clasp holding hair together”: Yu Hexagram, Nine-Four line statement.

[17] It evokes the hegemon’s role: a powerful lord rallying vassal states to uphold the Zhou king, convene alliances, enforce rites, coordinate campaigns, and restore order, legitimizing collective action under Zhou authority and stabilizing interstate politics in the Spring and Autumn era.

[18] It should be the Hexagram Statement of Yu here.

This case shows why Constancy and Regret should not be understood merely as ordinary words such as “firmness” and “regret.” In early I Ching divination, they are structural terms.

In a static hexagram, Constancy and Regret distinguish the inner and outer trigrams. In a transformed hexagram, they distinguish the main hexagram and the transformed hexagram. This allows the diviner to read both the present condition and the later result.

The phrase Constancy Zhun, Regret Yu therefore preserves an early divination framework: Zhun represents the original state, while Yu represents the transformed result. Through this framework, the divination is not read as a single isolated hexagram, but as a movement from one state to another.

This is also why historical cases are so important. They show how the I Ching was actually used in real political, military, and personal decisions, not merely as an abstract philosophical text.

For readers who wish to compare this case with the pre-Han image-number method and another textual tradition, please refer to Case 169: Spring and Autumn, Discourses of the States: Chong’er Divines for Gaining the State, 3. Zhun to 16. Yu, also included in Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》).

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I Ching Divination Basics is a practical English-language series on Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, updated two to three times per week. Each post turns one core idea into something you can apply in a real reading. Expect clear terminology, short explanations, worked mini-examples, and quick exercises. We move from concepts to verified practice, one cast at a time.

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Time of divination: May 5, 2026.
Stem and branch time: X F month, VI D day (void: J and K).

As the June Gaokao period in China was approaching, a mother asked how her child would perform in this year’s college entrance examination. She obtained Bi to Cui.

Judgment: This hexagram is a fairly typical example of proxy divination. Generally speaking, proxy divination is more accurate when the diviner is someone closely related to the person concerned, especially in common situations such as parents divining for children or spouses divining for one another.

In proxy divination, there are usually two angles for determining the significator. One is to determine it according to the relationship between the proxy querent and the person concerned. In this case, since the mother was asking about her child, the descendants line represents the child. However, in matters involving study, examinations, grades, and admission, the parents line should still be taken as the primary significator, because it is directly related to documents, learning, and academic results. The other angle is to take the host line as representing the person being asked about. If the proxy querent and the person concerned are very close, and the hexagram structure itself supports this correspondence, then the host line may also represent the child. Which angle should be adopted in the end must still be judged according to the actual situation and the structure of the hexagram.

This can also be explained by a principle stated in “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored” (Zengshan Buyi, 《增删卜易》): “For proxy divination, one should observe the significator god.” This sentence clearly expresses the methodological point that in proxy divination, the focus of judgment should fall on the significator that truly represents the person and the matter being asked about, rather than mechanically remaining on the proxy querent alone.

In the modern context, the Gaokao (高考) is the university entrance examination in China, and for many students it is the most important examination of their lives. It is usually taken at the end of high school, and the score directly affects what level of university a student may enter. For this reason, it is far more than an ordinary examination, and is closely tied to educational path, school tier, and future opportunities. From the perspective of traditional hexagram interpretation, this kind of matter can be understood under the broader category of fame, study, and examination results. Similar methods of judgment can also be applied to other examinations in which score, admission, advancement, or ranking are the main outcome, such as high school entrance examinations, graduate entrance examinations, and other selection processes mainly based on total score and admission result.

The host line aligned with officials and ghosts and was prosperous and strong, showing strong ability and self-management: The host line represents the person being asked about. In this hexagram, the third line officials and ghosts, D wood, held the host position. On the D day, it received support from the daily branch and was prosperous and strong. This shows that the child’s own ability was strong. Aligning with officials and ghosts also indicates that during this period of Gaokao preparation, the child’s self-management and self-discipline had become noticeably stronger, allowing the child to enter examination mode quite effectively….

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  Eighteen key questions with case-based explanations for confident judgment.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 1 of 2”
  Yarrow-stalk casting, core principles, and a structured way to read classical divination cases with confidence.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 2 of 2”
  Deeper case work and advanced interpretive frameworks, designed to sharpen judgment through extended historical examples.
  → Amazon US
• “Fire Pearl Forest (Huo Zhu Lin 火珠林): A Classical Text on Six Lines Divination”
  Technical essentials favored by practitioners, clear structure for application.
  → Amazon US
• “Undersea Eye (Haidi Yan 海底眼): The Core Principles of Six Lines Divination”
  Core principles that train pattern recognition and timing in real casts.
  → Amazon US
• “Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (Yi Donglin 易洞林)”
  Includes Donglin Secret Manual (洞林秘诀), Guo Shi Donglin (郭氏洞林), and Zhouyi Donglin (周易洞林).
  → Amazon US
• “Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (Chan Ao Ge Zhang 阐奥歌章)”
  A concise classic that clarifies core judgments and shows how to turn short verses into usable guidance.
  → Amazon US
• “Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination”
  Includes Mysterious and Subtle Discourse (Tong Xuan Miao Lun 通玄妙论) and Celestial Mysteries Ode (Tian Xuan Fu 天玄赋), organized for quick reference in real readings.
  → Amazon US

Why Translating Six Lines Divination Is Knowledge Engineering, Not Language Conversion — A Translation Methodology Essay

I’ve published a new translation methodology essay on Academia.edu: “Translating I Ching Divination Is Knowledge Engineering, Not Language Conversion.”

It discusses why translating the classical Chinese Six Lines Divination system requires systematic terminology design, symbolic replacement, case reasoning preservation, and cross-textual verification — not just linguistic conversion.

Read the full text here: https://www.ichingstream.com/methodology/

#IChing #IChingDivination #SixLinesDivination #ChineseDivination #TranslationMethodology #ClassicalChinese #Zhouyi #DivinationStudies

Further reading and Courses: English Editions of I Ching Divination Classics

• I Ching Divination Foundations Course
  A beginner-friendly course on Six Lines divination, Wen Wang Gua, and Na Jia. Pre-sale. Expected release begins in July 2026.
  → Enroll in the Founding Cohort
• “The I Ching Divination Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Six Lines Divination (Wen Wang Gua) with Clear Answers and Real-World Decisions”
  A practical, method-focused guide to the mainstream traditions of Chinese I Ching divination, synthesized from classical sources and modern practice.
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: A Practical Study Roadmap: A Simplified Guide to the Na Jia Method (Wen Wang Gua), Based on I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易)”
  A practice-first roadmap for setting up charts, learning the core workflow, and building timing-aware judgment with a simplified, beginner-friendly structure.
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 1 (Vols. 1 to 2)”
  Foundations for Six Lines (Liu Yao), Wen Wang Gua, and the Na Jia Method. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 2 (Vols. 3 to 4)”
  Advanced rules with worked cases, practical checklists for real readings. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 1 of 2 (Vols. 1 to 4)”
  Classic framework and methods, including the Golden Strategy and core disputes.
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 2 of 2 (Vols. 5 to 7)”
  Eighteen key questions with case-based explanations for confident judgment.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 1 of 2”
  Yarrow-stalk casting, core principles, and a structured way to read classical divination cases with confidence.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 2 of 2”
  Deeper case work and advanced interpretive frameworks, designed to sharpen judgment through extended historical examples.
  → Amazon US
• “Fire Pearl Forest (Huo Zhu Lin 火珠林): A Classical Text on Six Lines Divination”
  Technical essentials favored by practitioners, clear structure for application.
  → Amazon US
• “Undersea Eye (Haidi Yan 海底眼): The Core Principles of Six Lines Divination”
  Core principles that train pattern recognition and timing in real casts.
  → Amazon US
• “Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (Yi Donglin 易洞林)”
  Includes Donglin Secret Manual (洞林秘诀), Guo Shi Donglin (郭氏洞林), and Zhouyi Donglin (周易洞林).
  → Amazon US
• “Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (Chan Ao Ge Zhang 阐奥歌章)”
  A concise classic that clarifies core judgments and shows how to turn short verses into usable guidance.
  → Amazon US
• “Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination”
  Includes Mysterious and Subtle Discourse (Tong Xuan Miao Lun 通玄妙论) and Celestial Mysteries Ode (Tian Xuan Fu 天玄赋), organized for quick reference in real readings.
  → Amazon US

🎉Thank you all for your support, and thank you for your patience. We know many of you have been waiting for this.

You can subscribe to the Substack case study column here: https://wenwanggua.substack.com/

Over the course of this year, we plan to publish around 110 to 120 case analyses, with about 100 of them available to paid subscribers.

A yearly subscription to the Substack column is 159.99 USD, and all subscribers will also receive complimentary access at the end of the year to the annual collected casebook on ichingstream.com. While the Substack column will publish around 110 to 120 case studies over the course of the year, the annual collected edition will include approximately 150 case studies in total, with additional cases beyond the subscription archive. This collected edition will also be available separately on our website for 179.99 USD, which means that a yearly subscription gives you both the ongoing column and a larger 150 case collected edition at no extra cost.

Thank you again for reading, subscribing, and supporting this work.❤️

Column intro

I Ching Divination Basics is a practical English-language series on Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, updated two to three times per week. Each post turns one core idea into something you can apply in a real reading. Expect clear terminology, short explanations, worked mini-examples, and quick exercises. We move from concepts to verified practice, one cast at a time.

If you would like more formal notes and reference-style materials, you can also browse my Academia page.

For study resources, the English-language Chinese Perpetual/Lunar Calendar, and professional casting tools, visit ichingstream.com.

Disclaimer:
All personal information in this case study has been anonymized or omitted. This case study is provided for learning and reference only. It is not intended as medical, veterinary, legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

Time of divination: September 20, 2024.

Stem and branch time: K month, IV M day (void: G and H).

A female querent asked whether she could find a boyfriend that year. She obtained Kun.

Judgment: In a woman’s relationship divination, the officials and ghosts line is taken as the significator. In this hexagram, the host line representing the woman herself was in a very good state, coinciding with the monthly command K and being in the states of prosperous and supportive. This shows that she was relatively confident at the time and also full of expectation about finding a partner. However, the host line descendants line K metal both clashed and overcame the significator officials and ghosts line D wood, which at the same time was also the corresponding line, forming the relationship of both clash and overcoming. This suggests that in relationship matters the woman had very high standards toward men, and in communication might easily come across as rather sharp in speech or somewhat strong in attitude, perhaps without fully realizing it herself….

If this case study interested you, I publish more practical I Ching divination case studies, timing analysis, and deeper applied notes on my Substack.

That is where I share ongoing research, real-life examples, and more advanced materials for serious readers.

Read more on Substack: substack.com/@ichingstream

Further reading and Courses: English Editions of I Ching Divination Classics

• Your First Book：“I Ching Divination: A Practical Study Roadmap: A Simplified Guide to the Na Jia Method (Wen Wang Gua), Based on I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易)”
  A practice-first roadmap for setting up charts, learning the core workflow, and building timing-aware judgment with a simplified, beginner-friendly structure.
  → Amazon US
• I Ching Divination Foundations Course
  A beginner-friendly course on Six Lines divination, Wen Wang Gua, and Na Jia. Pre-sale. Expected release begins in July 2026.
  → Enroll in the Founding Cohort
• “The I Ching Divination Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Six Lines Divination (Wen Wang Gua) with Clear Answers and Real-World Decisions”
  A practical, method-focused guide to the mainstream traditions of Chinese I Ching divination, synthesized from classical sources and modern practice.
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 1 (Vols. 1 to 2)”
  Foundations for Six Lines (Liu Yao), Wen Wang Gua, and the Na Jia Method. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 2 (Vols. 3 to 4)”
  Advanced rules with worked cases, practical checklists for real readings. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 1 of 2 (Vols. 1 to 4)”
  Classic framework and methods, including the Golden Strategy and core disputes.
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 2 of 2 (Vols. 5 to 7)”
  Eighteen key questions with case-based explanations for confident judgment.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 1 of 2”
  Yarrow-stalk casting, core principles, and a structured way to read classical divination cases with confidence.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 2 of 2”
  Deeper case work and advanced interpretive frameworks, designed to sharpen judgment through extended historical examples.
  → Amazon US
• “Fire Pearl Forest (Huo Zhu Lin 火珠林): A Classical Text on Six Lines Divination”
  Technical essentials favored by practitioners, clear structure for application.
  → Amazon US
• “Undersea Eye (Haidi Yan 海底眼): The Core Principles of Six Lines Divination”
  Core principles that train pattern recognition and timing in real casts.
  → Amazon US
• “Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (Yi Donglin 易洞林)”
  Includes Donglin Secret Manual (洞林秘诀), Guo Shi Donglin (郭氏洞林), and Zhouyi Donglin (周易洞林).
  → Amazon US
• “Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (Chan Ao Ge Zhang 阐奥歌章)”
  A concise classic that clarifies core judgments and shows how to turn short verses into usable guidance.
  → Amazon US
• “Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination”
  Includes Mysterious and Subtle Discourse (Tong Xuan Miao Lun 通玄妙论) and Celestial Mysteries Ode (Tian Xuan Fu 天玄赋), organized for quick reference in real readings.
  → Amazon US

🎉Thank you all for your support, and thank you for your patience. We know many of you have been waiting for this.

You can subscribe to the Substack case study column here: https://wenwanggua.substack.com/

Over the course of this year, we plan to publish around 110 to 120 case analyses, with about 100 of them available to paid subscribers.

A yearly subscription to the Substack column is 159.99 USD, and all subscribers will also receive complimentary access at the end of the year to the annual collected casebook on ichingstream.com. While the Substack column will publish around 110 to 120 case studies over the course of the year, the annual collected edition will include approximately 150 case studies in total, with additional cases beyond the subscription archive. This collected edition will also be available separately on our website for 179.99 USD, which means that a yearly subscription gives you both the ongoing column and a larger 150 case collected edition at no extra cost.

Thank you again for reading, subscribing, and supporting this work.❤️

Column intro

I Ching Divination Basics is a practical English-language series on Six Lines Divination (Liu Yao) and Wen Wang Gua, updated two to three times per week. Each post turns one core idea into something you can apply in a real reading. Expect clear terminology, short explanations, worked mini-examples, and quick exercises. We move from concepts to verified practice, one cast at a time.

If you would like more formal notes and reference-style materials, you can also browse my Academia page.

For study resources, the English-language Chinese Perpetual/Lunar Calendar, and professional casting tools, visit ichingstream.com.

Disclaimer:
All personal information in this case study has been anonymized or omitted. This case study is provided for learning and reference only. It is not intended as medical, veterinary, legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

Time of divination: May 13, 2025, at 10:43 AM.

Stem and branch time: II F year, VIII F month, IX G day (void: J and K), II F hour.

A female querent asked, “Will this deal succeed?” The matter concerned signing a business contract. She obtained Tai to Qian.

Judgment: In matters concerning wealth or closing a deal, the wife and wealth line is usually taken as the significator, while the siblings line symbolizes competition and loss of wealth, and is often treated as an obstacle god. Generally speaking, siblings holding the host position and being active is often not considered favorable. At the same time, a Six Compatibles hexagram transforming into a Six Clashes hexagram is also often understood as first favorable and then unfavorable. However, hexagram interpretation cannot rely on formulas mechanically, and must still be judged through the structure of the whole hexagram. This case is a very typical counterexample.

The querent’s own state was strong, with the host line prosperous and supportive: The host line representing the querent herself was the siblings line, E earth, in the third line. In the VIII F month and on the IX G day, E earth received full generation and support from the fire of both the monthly branch and the daily branch, so its own state was very prosperous and supportive. This shows that the querent herself had strong ability, execution, and confidence in this matter, rather than being in a weak or hesitant state.

The querent’s desire was strong, with the host line generating the corresponding line: The host line E earth generated the corresponding line K metal, forming the structure of host generating corresponding. This directly reflected that the querent herself attached great importance to this deal and was also very proactive. Her subjective intention was very strong, and she was willing to invest effort in bringing the matter about. This exactly echoed the prosperous and supportive state of the host line described above.

The matter itself had support, as the corresponding line transformed into return generation: The corresponding line representing the matter in question was the descendants line, K metal, in the top line. This line was active and transformed into siblings L earth. Since earth generates metal in the Five Elements, this is called transforming into return generation in hexagram interpretation. It shows that the deal itself had vitality and would receive continuing support afterward. In other words, the matter was not dead, but had the power to keep moving forward……

If this case study interested you, I publish more practical I Ching divination case studies, timing analysis, and deeper applied notes on my Substack.

That is where I share ongoing research, real-life examples, and more advanced materials for serious readers.

Read more on Substack: substack.com/@ichingstream

Further reading and Courses: English Editions of I Ching Divination Classics

• Your First Book：“I Ching Divination: A Practical Study Roadmap: A Simplified Guide to the Na Jia Method (Wen Wang Gua), Based on I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易)”
  A practice-first roadmap for setting up charts, learning the core workflow, and building timing-aware judgment with a simplified, beginner-friendly structure.
  → Amazon US
• I Ching Divination Foundations Course
  A beginner-friendly course on Six Lines divination, Wen Wang Gua, and Na Jia. Pre-sale. Expected release begins in July 2026.
  → Enroll in the Founding Cohort
• “The I Ching Divination Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Six Lines Divination (Wen Wang Gua) with Clear Answers and Real-World Decisions”
  A practical, method-focused guide to the mainstream traditions of Chinese I Ching divination, synthesized from classical sources and modern practice.
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 1 (Vols. 1 to 2)”
  Foundations for Six Lines (Liu Yao), Wen Wang Gua, and the Na Jia Method. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “I Ching Divination: Complete and Restored (Zengshan Buyi 增删卜易), Part 2 (Vols. 3 to 4)”
  Advanced rules with worked cases, practical checklists for real readings. 460+ case studies (Part 1 & 2)
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 1 of 2 (Vols. 1 to 4)”
  Classic framework and methods, including the Golden Strategy and core disputes.
  → Amazon US
• “The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (Bushi Zhengzong 卜筮正宗), Book 2 of 2 (Vols. 5 to 7)”
  Eighteen key questions with case-based explanations for confident judgment.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 1 of 2”
  Yarrow-stalk casting, core principles, and a structured way to read classical divination cases with confidence.
  → Amazon US
• “Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (Zhouyi Gushi Kao, 《周易古筮考》) English Edition, Book 2 of 2”
  Deeper case work and advanced interpretive frameworks, designed to sharpen judgment through extended historical examples.
  → Amazon US
• “Fire Pearl Forest (Huo Zhu Lin 火珠林): A Classical Text on Six Lines Divination”
  Technical essentials favored by practitioners, clear structure for application.
  → Amazon US
• “Undersea Eye (Haidi Yan 海底眼): The Core Principles of Six Lines Divination”
  Core principles that train pattern recognition and timing in real casts.
  → Amazon US
• “Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (Yi Donglin 易洞林)”
  Includes Donglin Secret Manual (洞林秘诀), Guo Shi Donglin (郭氏洞林), and Zhouyi Donglin (周易洞林).
  → Amazon US
• “Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (Chan Ao Ge Zhang 阐奥歌章)”
  A concise classic that clarifies core judgments and shows how to turn short verses into usable guidance.
  → Amazon US
• “Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination”
  Includes Mysterious and Subtle Discourse (Tong Xuan Miao Lun 通玄妙论) and Celestial Mysteries Ode (Tian Xuan Fu 天玄赋), organized for quick reference in real readings.
  → Amazon US