Introduction: Movement is the Forerunner of the Divine Omen
In the world of Liu Yao, if a "Still Hexagram" is a freeze-frame photograph, then a "Moving Hexagram" is a movie in progress. The records clearly state: "The divine omen manifests in movement." In a hexagram, if all six lines are still, we only observe the generation and restriction of the Month and Day on the Functional Spirit. However, as soon as a line moves (appears as "Heavy O" or "Interset X"), it represents a qualitative leap in the matter.
The Moving Line is the Cause, and the Changed Line is the Effect. The Moving Line represents the start and the development process, while the Changed Line represents the final destination and outcome. By mastering movement and the logic of Return Generation/Restriction, you master the core code for "turning the tide" in prediction.
Section 1: Core Definitions and Logical Framework
Based on the "Moving and Changing Chapter 7" and "Generation and Restriction of Movement Chapter 15," the essence of movement is the transformation of energy.
1. Movement Triggers Change: Transformation from Old to Young
When casting the hexagram, when we obtain "Three Tails (○, Old Yang)" or "Three Heads (×, Old Yin)," these positions will move.
Old Yang (○): Reaches its limit and must change into a Yin line.
Old Yin (×): Reaches its limit and must change into a Yang line. The new line produced by this change is called the "Changed Line" (Bian Yao). The Changed Line exerts a powerful counter-force on its original Moving Line. In Zeng Shan Bu Yi, this force is given the highest priority in judgment.
2. Hierarchy of Power: Moving vs. Still
The records provide a vivid analogy in "Stillness and Movement Chapter 14":
Moving Line: Like a "person walking," it has the initiative to attack or assist others.
Still Line: Like a "person sitting or lying down," although it has prosperity or decline, it can only passively accept the treatment of the Month, Day, and Moving Lines.
Practical Golden Rule: A Moving Line can restrict a Still Line. Even if the Still Line is prosperous, it can hardly withstand the force of an active line. This is because the Moving Line condenses the intense energy of the information field at the moment of divination.
Section 2: The Ultimate Verdict of Causality —— Return Generation and Return Restriction
This is the most impactful and highly verified core law in Zeng Shan Bu Yi. Wild Crane Elder discovered that the power of a Changed Line to generate or restrict its original Moving Line is often greater than the influence of the Month Commander or Day Master.
1. Return Generation (Huitou Sheng): Twice the Result with Half the Effort
When a line moves and the resulting Changed Line is an element that generates it (e.g., Wood moves and produces Water; Water returns to generate Wood).
Practical Imagery: This represents gaining unexpected momentum during the process, or a situation that looked difficult initially but eventually succeeds due to a certain turning point.
Deep Analysis: Even if the Moving Line is "Resting or Trapped" by the Month and Day, as long as it can "Transform into Return Generation," its roots are not destroyed, and the matter will eventually succeed.
2. Return Restriction (Huitou Ke): Failure at the Verge of Success
When a line moves and the resulting Changed Line is an element that restricts it (e.g., Metal moves and produces Fire; Fire returns to restrict Metal).
Practical Imagery: This is an extremely ominous sign. It represents a matter that starts well or looks lively in the process, but eventually collapses due to internal reasons or hidden changes.
Deep Analysis: Return Restriction is internal energy depletion and self-destruction. Wild Crane Elder emphasized: "Regardless of the prosperity of the Functional Spirit, any transformation into Return Restriction is judged as Ominous." This means even if you have great strength now (prosperous in Month/Day), as long as the outcome is Return Restriction, it will all come to nothing.
Section 3: The Lifecycle and Movement
In "Sheng Wang Mu Jue Chapter 26," the evolutionary states of Moving Lines are categorized, forming the depth of prediction alongside Return Generation/Restriction.
1. Transforming into Birth (Chang Sheng) and Prosperity (Di Wang)
Meaning: The Moving Line produces its own stage of "Birth."
Practical Use: This represents a continuous flow of energy. In wealth prediction, it means long-term profit; in illness, it means the life force is recovering.
2. Transforming into Tomb (Mu) and Extinction (Jue)
Transforming into Tomb: The line produces its own storage/tomb. This represents a stalemate, a person in a coma, or restricted freedom (imprisonment, hospitalization).
Transforming into Extinction: The line produces its own stage of extinction, representing the total exhaustion of energy.
Deep Analysis: According to the commentaries, the fortune of "Transforming into Tomb/Extinction" depends on the prosperity of the original Moving Line. If prosperous, a Tomb may just be temporary storage; if weak, it is total demise.
Section 4: Four Important Boundaries of the System (Authority Logic)
These are key points from "Generation, Restriction, Clash, and Combination of Movement Chapter 15" that beginners often confuse.
Changed Lines have Absolute Power over their Parent Moving Line: A Changed Line can generate, restrict, clash, or combine with the specific line that produced it.
Changed Lines Cannot Affect Other Lines: This is the biggest difference between Zeng Shan Bu Yi and other schools. The power of a Changed Line is "internalized"—it is only responsible for the "Mother Line" that birthed it. It does not go out to generate or restrict other moving or still lines in the hexagram.
The Month and Day can Control Changed Lines: Although Changed Lines are powerful, they still submit to the Month and Day. If a Changed Line is clashed and broken by the Month Commander, it loses its ability to generate or restrict.
Other Lines Cannot Control Changed Lines: Other moving lines in the hexagram cannot exert force on a Changed Line. This establishes the independence of the "Moving-Changed Pair."
Section 5: Deep Case Perspectives
Case 1: The Fatal Impact of Return Restriction (Career of an Elder)
Hexagram: Mao Month, Xin-Si Day. Divining for an elder's career. Hexagram Liang (Wood) to Qian (Metal).
Logic: Liang Wood changing to Qian Metal is a classic "Return Restriction."
Deep Commentary: Usually, an elder's career uses the Parents line, but Wild Crane Elder showed superb intuition here. He viewed the transformation of the hexagram body itself as an "Extinction Hexagram." He didn't even need to look at the specific Functional Spirit because the foundation had collapsed.
Conclusion: He predicted "his life will not last long." The elder died in the 7th Month of the same year. This proves the destructive power of Return Restriction in matters of longevity or major decisions.
Case 2: Double Benefit of Advance Spirit and Return Generation (Promotion)
Hexagram: Wei Month, Jia-Wu Day. Divining for promotion. Hexagram Guai to Da Zhuang.
Logic: The World line is extremely prosperous (on the Day Master), and Official stars appear twice. One Official star transforms into an Advance Spirit and moves to generate the World.
Deep Commentary: This hexagram represents "Going and then Returning." Because the Official is prosperous and advancing, despite brief "Fan Yin" (instability), the promotion is inevitable.
Result: Within ten years, he was transferred twice and promoted once.
Case 3: Movement in Modern Illness Prediction
Background: Someone divines their own illness. Hexagram Tong Ren to Ji.
Logic: Official Hai Water holds the World position (the illness). Wealth Shen Metal moves to generate the Official. This is "Assisting the Ghost to Harm the Body." However, Shen Metal transforms into Child Wei Earth (Return Generation).
Commentary: This involves "Sequential Generation." Wei Earth generates Shen Metal, and Shen Metal generates Hai Water. It looks like it is strengthening the illness. However, because the Child line (medicine/doctor) is useful, it means medical intervention is possible.
Conclusion: He recovered the next day. The reason was the Functional Spirit was void, waiting for the day of filling to receive generation.
Section 6: Deep Analysis —— The "Time-Space Gap" in Movement
I have提炼 a crucial tip: distinguishing the generation in the process from the restriction in the result. Sometimes, a "Restricting Spirit" moves to generate the "Original Spirit," which then generates the "Functional Spirit." This is called "Continuous Generation" (Lianhuan Xiangsheng).
Phenomenon: The Restricting Spirit that wanted to harm you is forced to generate the Original Spirit because the Original Spirit is also moving. It cannot bypass the chain to restrict you.
Modern Analogy: Like a colleague (Restricting Spirit) who wants to push you out, but because the boss (Original Spirit) is present, he has to cooperate with your work to look good.
Standard: As long as the chain is not broken (no void or broken lines), this movement is auspicious.
Section 7: Guide to Avoiding Return Restriction
Wild Crane Elder mentioned that the purpose of the I Ching is to help people avoid disaster. If you divina a Return Restriction, what can you do?
Observe the Source: If a "Fire Ghost" returns to restrict, guard against fire, fever, or lawsuits. If a "Water Ghost" returns, guard against water accidents or cardiovascular issues.
Space Shift: If the restricting spirit is in the inner hexagram, travel abroad to avoid it; if in the outer hexagram, stay home.
Section 8: High-Level Practical Summary
Movement is the Start, Change is the End: The moving line is the beginning; the changed line is the destination.
Priority: Return Generation/Restriction is the "Supreme Judge" of fortune.
Trend Judgment: Advance Spirit (expansion), Retreat Spirit (diminishing), Return Generation (support), Return Restriction (collapse).
Environment: If a Changed Line meets a "Monthly Break" or "Ten-day Void," its power is temporarily frozen until the day of filling.
Conclusion of Chapter 6
Movement and Return Generation/Restriction are the key steps from "Static Analysis" to "Dynamic Simulation." It explains why destiny is not fixed. Through the Moving Line, we see the turning point; through the Changed Line, we see the result.
Next Chapter Preview: "Chapter 7: Structural Tension: Six Combinations, Six Clashes, and Triple Union Frameworks." We will analyze why some illnesses "heal upon a clash" while some partnerships "dissolve upon a combination!"
