Introduction: The Stealth and Evolution of Energy
In the previous chapters, we learned how to quantify the prosperity and decline of a line. However, in practice, readers often face this confusion: Why is there no progress even though the Functional Spirit is prosperous? Or why did the Restricting Spirit move but cause no actual harm?
This is often because you have overlooked the "State of Existence" of the energy. The concepts of Void (Energy Stealth), Advance/Retreat Spirits (Trends of Evolution), and Sheng-Wang-Mu-Jue (The Life Cycle of Energy) are the keys to solving these high-level problems.
Section 1: The Ten-Day Void (Xun Kong) —— The Art of Distinguishing Real and Fake
"Xun Kong" is also known as the "Empty Void." Ancient methods for discussing it were extremely tedious, including "True Void, Fake Void, Moving Void, Clashed Void," etc. According to the "Xun Kong Chapter 26," Wild Crane Elder simplified this into core practical logic through real-world experience.
1. Definition and Principle
There are ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches. When paired, two Branches are left "vacant" in every ten-day period (Xun).
Jia-Zi Xun: Xu and Hai are Void.
Jia-Xu Xun: Shen and You are Void.
Jia-Shen Xun: Wu and Wei are Void.
Jia-Wu Xun: Chen and Si are Void.
Jia-Chen Xun: Yin and Mao are Void.
Jia-Yin Xun: Zi and Chou are Void.
2. Deep Analysis: Criteria for "Empty but Not Empty"
The records clearly state that not all Voids represent "total disappearance." The following are considered "Not Void":
Movement is Not Void: If a line moves, it is not considered void because it has already generated energy fluctuations.
Assistance from the Day is Not Void: If the Day Master generates or supports the void line.
Moving and Changing into Void is Not Void: Though the Changed line is void, the original Moving line still has energy.
Hidden but Prosperous is Not Void.
The True "Vacuum" (Zhen Kong): Wild Crane emphasizes that only when an element is in its "Death/Extinction" season (e.g., Earth in Spring, Metal in Summer, Wood in Autumn, Fire in Winter) AND falls into Void, is it a "True Void" that is completely useless.
3. Practical Significance (Seeking Auspiciousness and Avoiding Harm)
Avoiding Harm through Void: When divining about disasters, lawsuits, or illness, if the "Officials/Ghosts" or "Restricting Spirit" falls into Void, it means the calamity will not arrive for now. This is called "Security through Avoiding Void."
Void Waiting for Use: When divining for wealth or success, if the "Functional Spirit" is Void, it means the timing is not yet ripe. One must wait until the "End of the Xun" (after the ten days pass) or the "Day of Clashing the Void" to succeed.
Section 2: Advance and Retreat Spirits —— Predicting Long-Term Trends
When a line moves and produces a Changed Line of the same Five Element, it creates an "Advance" or "Retreat." This is key to judging the durability and scale of a matter.
1. Definitions
Advance Spirit (Jin Shen): Energy evolves forward. E.g., Hai to Zi, Yin to Mao, Si to Wu, Shen to You, and in Earth: Chou to Chen, Chen to Wei, Wei to Xu.
Retreat Spirit (Tui Shen): Energy shrinks backward. E.g., Zi to Hai, Mao to Yin, Wu to Si, You to Shen, and in Earth: Xu to Wei, Wei to Chen, Chen to Chou.
2. Deep Analysis: Four Practical Levels of Advance/Retreat
"Advance and Retreat Spirits Chapter 29" quantifies them as follows:
Level 1: Advancing with Momentum. Both Moving and Changed lines are prosperous (e.g., Wood in Spring). Energy is infinite; the matter progresses rapidly and expands in scale.
Level 2: Advancing while Waiting for Timing. The lines are currently weak (suppressed by the season), but as long as the foundation is there, they will still advance once the prosperous season arrives (e.g., Wood moving from Spring to Summer).
Level 3: Non-Advance Advance. If either the Moving or Changed line is in Void or Broken, one must wait until the day they are "Filled" to exert force.
Core Golden Rule:
Transforming into Advance Spirit: Even if there are current obstacles, the matter will eventually achieve great success.
Transforming into Retreat Spirit: Even if it looks powerful now, it will eventually wither, shrink, and fail. When divining illness, a "Retreating Original Spirit" means the life force is gradually fading.
Section 3: Sheng-Wang-Mu-Jue —— Practical Use of Life Cycles
The "Twelve Stages of Life" describe energy from birth to death and storage. Wild Crane Elder corrected this for practical use.
1. The Five Elements Life Cycle (Practical Version)
"Sheng Wang Mu Jue Chapter 26" states that one only needs to focus on four stages: Birth (Sheng), Prosperity (Wang), Tomb (Mu), and Extinction (Jue).
Metal: Birth in Si, Prosperity in You, Tomb in Chou, Extinction in Yin.
Wood: Birth in Hai, Prosperity in Mao, Tomb in Wei, Extinction in Shen.
Fire: Birth in Yin, Prosperity in Wu, Tomb in Xu, Extinction in Hai.
Water/Earth: Birth in Shen, Prosperity in Zi, Tomb in Chen, Extinction in Si.
2. Deep Analysis: The Debate on Earth's Birth in Shen
Ancient methods suggested "Earth is Born in Yin." However, Wild Crane Elder and the commentators agree: "Earth is Born in Shen, Prospers in Zi, and enters the Tomb in Chen."
Evidence: By observing the weather, Earth energy (clouds, mist) often appears on Shen days and is strongest on Zi days. Therefore, follow the rule "Water and Earth share the same palace."
3. The "Image" vs. "Logic" of the Life Cycle
Logic (Success/Failure): Functional Spirit meeting Birth or Prosperity is auspicious; meeting Tomb or Extinction without support is ominous.
Image (Details): The stages are often used to describe "What it looks like."
Entering Tomb: Does not necessarily mean death; it means "Coma, hospitalization, being imprisoned, or being hidden."
Birth (Long Sheng): Represents something "new and steady-flowing."
Section Ten: Practical Case Analysis
Case 1: The Illusion of a Non-Advancing Advance Spirit
Background: Someone divines if they can obtain an official post. Hexagram Da Tong to Qian.
Analysis: Child Xu Earth moves and changes into Wei Earth. The Child line restricts Officials. Xu moving usually restricts the post. However, Xu changing to Wei is a "Retreat Spirit."
Logic: Though the Child line moved to restrict the post, because it is "Retreating," the obstructive force is weakening. He was still able to get the post in the "Chen Year" when Xu was clashed open. This shows that a Retreat Spirit can dissipate negative energy.
Case 2: Turnaround in the Void
Background: Shen Month, Xin-Hai Day. Divining for wealth. Hexagram Dui to Jie.
Analysis: Wealth Mao Wood is restricted by the Month (Shen) and is Monthly Broken and in Void.
Old View: Broken and Void Wealth line equals no money.
Logic: Wild Crane Elder said that although it is currently broken and void, "The divine omen is triggered by movement." The Changed line Si Fire (Official) generates the World. On the "Jia-Yin Day" when the Void is filled, the money will arrive.
Conclusion: He obtained the wealth on the Yin day. This proves "Void is just a state, not a final loss."
Case 3: Following the Ghost into the Tomb and the Timing of Clashing Open
Background: Shen Month, Ji-Chou Day. Divining own illness. World line follows the Official into the Tomb (Day Tomb).
Analysis: Entering the tomb means the person is in a state of lethargy/coma.
Logic: The World line is prosperous in the Month (Shen), so this tomb is a "Fake Tomb." On the "Wei Day" when Chou Earth (the tomb) is clashed open, the person will wake up.
Conclusion: He recovered without medicine on the Wei day. This fits the rule: "All three types of Tombs must be clashed open."
Section 5: Practical "Fact-Checking" Notes
Distinguish True and Fake Void:
Prosperous, moving, supported, or clashed Voids are "Fake Voids" and are useful once the ten days pass.
Weak, restricted, rootless, or changing into Extinction Voids are "True Voids" and are useless until the end.
The "Boundaries" of Advance/Retreat:
Advance Spirit means expansion and longevity (good for wealth and fame).
Retreat Spirit means shrinking and ending (good for avoiding disaster, lawsuits, or ending an illness).
Flexible Use of the Tomb:
Entering the tomb is like being put in a safe. If an Auspicious Spirit enters the tomb, it's a minor flaw that needs clashing to work. If an Ominous Spirit enters the tomb, it's a great thing as the fire is temporarily put out.
Conclusion of Chapter 5
Void, Advance/Retreat, and Life Cycle stages constitute the "Dynamic Coordinates" of Liu Yao. If the Month and Day are the "Body" of a matter, these states are the "Function" or "Behavior." We must not judge "nothingness" just because we see Void, nor "death" just because we see Tomb.
Next Chapter Preview: "Chapter 6: Dynamic Evolution: Moving Lines, Changed Lines, and the Causal Logic of Return Generation/Restriction." We will explore how "Movement triggers Change" and how Changed lines can fundamentally turn the tide!
