Introduction: Calculation is the Foundation; Timing is the Divine Mark
In the practice of Liu Yao prediction, the most common question asked by a diviner is: "When will it happen?"
According to the profound discourse in the "General Notes on Fulfillment Dates for All Categories (Chapter 26)," the judgment of timing (Ying Qi) is not based on guesswork but on a rigorous logic of "finding the symmetry point in space-time." Wild Crane Elder believed that divine omens manifest in movement, and movement must have a response. Once a hexagram displays a signal of success or failure, cosmic energy seeks the most compatible "trigger point" for the result to manifest.
Many beginners can accurately predict success or failure but repeatedly fail at timing. This chapter will combine the "General Notes on Timing" from the source text with modern corrections from the "New Commentaries" to break down the ten core rules for locking in the fulfillment date.
Section 1: The Underlying Logic of Timing —— The Transition Between Movement and Stillness
The first step in judging timing is to distinguish whether the Functional Spirit (Yong Shen) in the hexagram is "Dynamic" or "Static."
1. Stillness: Encountering Value (Zhi) or Clash (Chong)
If the Functional Spirit is still (not moving) in the hexagram, its occurrence usually has two possibilities:
Encountering Value (Feng Zhi): For example, if the Functional Spirit is Zi Water and it is still, it will be fulfilled on a "Zi Day" or in a "Zi Month." This represents the energy accumulating until the moment the entity itself is "on duty," causing it to manifest naturally.
Encountering Clash (Feng Chong): If the Zi Water line is still, it sometimes responds on a "Wu Day" or in a "Wu Month." This is because a "Clash" can stimulate and trigger the still energy. In the records, this is called "Stillness creating a Clash."
2. Movement: Encountering Value (Zhi) or Combination (He)
If the Functional Spirit moves, it represents energy that has already overflowed. The rules for its timing are as follows:
Encountering Value: The day or month represented by the Earthly Branch of the moving line itself.
Encountering Combination: This is one of the most refined theories in Zeng Shan Bu Yi. A moving line represents running and instability. To make a matter finally "freeze" or settle, a power of "Combination" is needed to tie it down or "pull in the net." For example, if Zi Water moves, it responds at the time of "Chou" (day or month) when it is combined.
Section 2: The Repair Period of the Three Flaws —— Void, Break, and Tomb
In the chapters on "Ten-Day Void," "Monthly Break," and "Following the Ghost into the Tomb," the records detail how timing is calculated when the Functional Spirit is in an "abnormal state." This is essentially looking for the "time required to repair the flaw."
1. Timing of the Ten-Day Void (Xun Kong): Clashing vs. Filling
The "Xun Kong Chapter" points out that when a Functional Spirit is void, it should not be seen as permanently vanished, but rather one must see when it is "Not Void."
The Day of Clashing the Void: For example, in the Jia-Zi Xun (ten-day period), Xu and Hai are void. If the Functional Spirit is Xu, and it meets a "Chen Day" which clashes with it, this is called "Clashing the Void makes it Real," and there will be a response on that day.
The Day of Filling the Void (Shi Kong): Wait until the ten-day period passes and the "Xu Day" itself arrives. When the entity itself appears, the matter will occur. In the records, this is called "The day of exiting the Xun is not void."
2. Timing of the Monthly Break (Yue Po): Filling vs. Combining
When a Functional Spirit is clashed by the Month Commander, it is called a Monthly Break. This represents damaged energy. The timing usually falls on:
The Day of Filling (Tian Shi): For example, if divining in the 1st month (Yin) and the Functional Spirit is Shen Metal (Monthly Break), wait until a "Shen Day" or "Shen Month." When the energy of the Functional Spirit's body is strongest, the break is repaired.
The Day of Combination (Feng He): If the Shen Metal line is in Monthly Break and meets a "Si Day" which combines with it, the combination gathers the energy, preventing the broken line from remaining scattered. The records state: "A Monthly Break loves to encounter Filling or Combination."
3. Timing of Entering the Tomb (Ru Mu): The Period of Clashing Open
This is the focus of the "Following the Ghost into the Tomb Chapter." A Functional Spirit entering the tomb represents being stored or imprisoned.
Responding on the Day of Clashing the Tomb: For example, if the Functional Spirit belongs to Fire, its tomb is in Xu. One must wait for a "Chen Day" to clash open this "safe" (Xu Earth) before the power of Fire can be released. The records say: "The three types of tombs all require clashing open."
Section 3: Timing for the Trend of Advance/Retreat Spirits
When a Moving line transforms into an Advance or Retreat Spirit, the judgment of timing must consider the "Point of Evolutionary Completion."
1. Timing of Transforming into Advance Spirit
For example, if Shen moves and transforms into You, this represents energy increasing.
Value Timing: Responding on a "Shen Day" or "You Day."
Combination Timing: Responding on a "Si Day" (combines with Shen) or a "Chen Day" (combines with You).
Deep Analysis: If predicting an auspicious matter, transforming into an Advance Spirit represents expansion in scale; the fulfillment is usually faster than expected.
2. Timing of Transforming into Retreat Spirit
For example, if You moves and transforms into Shen, this represents energy withering.
Date of Invalidation: Responding at the time the Functional Spirit is combined and "cannot retreat," or at the time the energy is completely exhausted. The records point out that transforming into a Retreat Spirit mostly indicates an ominous outcome, and its timing is usually the "Day of Decline and Extinction."
Section 4: Structural Timing —— Triple Union and Six Combinations/Clashes
When a structural combination appears in the hexagram, timing depends on when the overall "Stability" is broken or achieved.
1. Triple Union: "Waiting for the Missing Piece" (Xu Yi Dai Yong)
This is the most amazing timing rule in Zeng Shan Bu Yi.
Definition: Shen and Zi move in the hexagram, but the "Chen" character is missing.
Timing: This matter will definitely happen on a "Chen Day" or in a "Chen Month." This is because as soon as "Chen" appears, the Shen-Zi-Chen Triple Water Union is immediately established, and the energy explodes instantly.
2. Combined needs Clashed; Clashed needs Combined
Combined needs Clashed (He Chu Feng Chong): If the hexagram is Six Combinations or the Functional Spirit is combined/tied down, the timing is usually at the time the "Combination is Clashed Open." This is called "Being tied down requires clashing."
Clashed needs Combined (Chong Chu Feng He): If the hexagram is Six Clashes, representing a scattered and unstable matter, the timing is usually when the "Functional Spirit is Combined." This is called "Setting the frame requires combination."
Section 5: Extreme Balance —— Overly Prosperous vs. Exhausted
The records in the "Taboos of Timing Chapter" mention two special energy extremes:
1. The Overly Prosperous: Creating a Tomb or Clash
If the energy of the Functional Spirit is too strong (supported by Month/Day and also moving), this is called "A full vessel spills" (Qi Man Ze Qing).
Timing: Counter-intuitively, it responds at the time the Functional Spirit "Enters the Tomb" or "Encounters a Clash." Just like a fully inflated balloon, energy only transforms when it hits a needle (Clash) or is put in a box (Tomb).
2. The Exhausted: Encountering Birth or Avoiding Prosperity
If the Functional Spirit is extremely weak and without energy, the matter will not happen immediately.
Timing: One must wait for the "Time of Birth and Prosperity." For example, if a Wood line is exhausted, wait until the "Spring Season" or the "Hai/Zi Water Months" when Wood is generated. The commentary points out: "If the image is extremely weak, the time of generation is also useless," unless it has roots; otherwise, one must wait for a turn in luck.
Section 6: Practical Case Analysis —— Precision Demonstrations of Spatio-Temporal Positioning
Case 1: Triple Union Official Bureau Generating the Response; judging that he definitely will not obtain it.
Background: Shen Month, Ji-Hai Day. Divining if he can get a certain post. Hexagram Sheng to Jie.
Analysis: In the hexagram, Si and You move, forming a "Si-You-Chou" Triple Metal (Official) Union with the Month Commander's Chou.
Logic: The Metal Union generates the "Response Line" (the other person), not the "World Line" (himself).
Timing Judgment: The Official generates the other person; the matter is obvious. The records state: "If the Official generates the Response, he will certainly not get it." This is a "Qualitative Judgment" that doesn't require timing, but if discussing when the other person will get it, it would be the day the Metal Union is filled.
Case 2: The Convergence of Monthly Break and Dark Movement (Commentary Case)
Background: Mao Month, Ding-You Day. Divining house Feng Shui. Hexagram Sui.
Detail: The 5th line Parents Wei Earth is in "Monthly Break," but is generated by the Day Master "You Metal" (Note: refer to the source logic on the weight of Generation/Restriction).
Logic: The 5th line is the road; Monthly Break represents a damaged road surface. However, the Day "You" and Wei Earth are not in a clash, but interact through structure.
Conclusion: Judge it as being in a "State of Repair." The timing is on the "Day of Valuing the Break" (filling it) or "Combination." This shows that Monthly Break doesn't mean destruction, but the "Starting Point of Repair."
Case 3: Advance/Retreat Spirit and the End of Longevity (Deep Commentary)
Background: Xu Month, Ji-Mao Day. Divining for mother's longevity. Hexagram Tong Ren to Jie.
Analysis: Parents Mao Wood is valued by the Day Master and looks extremely prosperous. However, it is not ideal that the World line Wei Earth transforms into a Retreat Spirit, and the Parents line also has signs of retreating.
Timing Logic: Wei Earth retreating represents the failure of essence and blood. When? The records judge "The 5th Month."
Reason: Although the 5th Month (Wu) generates Fire, for Wei Earth (World), it is the time the "Wu-Wei Combination" of the retreating spirit is clashed open, or the energy is exhausted. She died in the 5th Month.
Section 7: Deep Analysis —— The "Distant vs. Near" Method of Timing
After studying the records, I have summarized a golden rule for determining time units (Year, Month, Day, Hour), which is clearly marked in the "General Notes on Timing":
Distant matters are determined by Year and Month: Such as predicting lifelong fate, multi-year projects, or major lawsuits.
Near matters respond in Days and Hours: Such as predicting a traveler's arrival today, current illness, or short-term trades.
Predicting the Distant but Responding Near; Predicting the Near but Responding Distant: This is a miraculous "Information Displacement."
If you predict a long-term matter, but the hexagram shows "Filling the Void" by a Day clash, the matter will break out early.
If you predict an urgent matter, but the hexagram shows Monthly Break or Entering the Tomb, the matter will be significantly delayed.
Section 8: The Four Taboos of Timing Judgment (Practical Warning)
Based on the text, I have compiled the following errors that must never be committed:
Prohibit being Rigid (Ke Zhou Qiu Jian): The records point out that some people obsess over Earthly Branches while ignoring that "The divine omen manifests in movement." If the hexagram is unclear, Wild Crane's advice is: "Divine again; do not judge recklessly."
Prohibit Ignoring Subjective Intent: Timing is related to the diviner's thought. If someone asks "Can I get this money tomorrow," the hexagram might only show the fortune for tomorrow, not the long term.
Prohibit Ignoring the General Omen: If the hexagram is a major omen of failure (Retreating, Extinction, Six Clashes changing to Six Clashes), searching for a timing is actually finding the "Time the disaster occurs," not success.
Prohibit Obsessing over Mystical Stars: Never say "It will move on the Post Horse day." If the Functional Spirit is combined or in the tomb, even with a Horse, it is a "Lame Horse."
Section 9: High-Level Practical Summary (Logic Map)
To help you quickly index during a real divination, remember these timing formulas:
Prosperous Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Value or Combination.
Weak Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Birth/Prosperity or Value.
Restricted Functional Spirit: Responds when the Restricting Spirit is clashed away or subdued.
Void Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Exiting the Void, Filling, or Clashing.
Broken Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Filling or Combination.
Combined Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Clashing or Striking.
Tomb Functional Spirit: Responds at the time of Clashing Open the Tomb.
Hidden Functional Spirit: Responds when it Appears or when the Flying Spirit is Clashed Open.
Conclusion of Chapter 9
Judging timing is a "synchronization of watches" between the diviner and cosmic energy. Zeng Shan Bu Yi teaches us that time is not linear but composed of "Energy Nodes." When you learn to observe the flaws, the leeway, the combinations, and the movements in a hexagram, time is no longer a secret to you.
Having mastered timing, you now possess all the technical foundations of a professional Liu Yao diviner. In the following chapters, we will enter "Thematic Predictions," applying these theories to concrete life issues such as wealth, career, romance, and health.
Next Chapter Preview: "Chapter 10: The Flow of Wealth: Thematic Predictions for Business Investment, Trade, and Modern Financial Management." We will analyze why "Brothers holding the World" doesn't always mean losing money, and why "Prosperous Wealth with Void Fortune" might be an ominous sign!
