Auspicious & Inauspicious Qimen Formations

The song says: 'Life Gate with Six Bing combining Six Ding — this is Heaven Concealment, self-evidently clear.' The classic states: upper plate Six Bing, middle plate Life Gate (Sheng Men), lower plate Six Ding. Life Gate combines with Six Bing — the Moon Wonder — descending to superimpose upon the heavenly Six Ding. At this time one obtains the concealment of the moon's brilliance; however, one must not violate wonder-tombs or gate-oppression. Its qi ascends: internally it corresponds to the heart, externally it governs the body, below it pours into the heart-mind. It is called the 'Mysterious Pearl' (Xuanzhu). Those who can listen and cultivate it ascend to heaven. When there is a matter, call the Jade Maiden's divine name Dingmao and go forth — the spirit will follow and protect you.

In this direction one may claim the authority of kings and lords, hold audience with the sovereign, give thanks to heaven, venerate spirits, and seek blessings. It is supremely favorable for military campaigns — the enemy will submit of their own accord. Submitting memorials, presenting strategies, seeking office, advancing in rank, cultivating oneself, hiding one's traces, eliminating evil, removing calamity, commerce, travel — all affairs are auspicious. Marriage, entering a new residence, and going to and from this direction are greatly auspicious.

The song says: 'Open Gate with Six Yi combining Six Ji — Earth Concealment is simply this.' The classic states: upper plate Six Yi, middle plate Open Gate (Kai Men), lower plate Six Ji. Open Gate combines with Six Yi — the Sun Wonder — descending to the earthly Six Ji. At this time one obtains the concealment of the sun's essence. Its qi is yellow; internally it corresponds to the spleen, externally it corresponds to the physical form; it responds to any invocation. It is also called the 'Yellow Dame' and 'Golden Duke.' Those who can cultivate it join the ranks of the Southern Palace immortals. When there is a matter, call the Jade Maiden of the current Jia-cycle and incant as before — the protection and efficacy are great. For Ji is the Earthly Door; obtaining the sun's essence to cover it, this direction allows: concealing and resting sharp troops, establishing stockades and camps, building offices and storehouses, constructing walls, securing borders, opening altars, cultivating the Way, seeking immortality, vanishing without trace, sallying forth to attack cities, achieving complete victory — all affairs are greatly auspicious.

The song says: 'Rest Gate with Six Ding together with Taiyin — to seek Man Concealment, look within this.' The classic states: upper plate Six Ding, middle plate Rest Gate (Xiu Men), lower plate Taiyin. Rest Gate combines with Six Ding — the Star Wonder — descending to superimpose upon Taiyin's position. One obtains the concealment of the star's essence. Its qi is blue-black; internally it corresponds to the kidneys, externally it governs ears and eyes. It is called the 'Elixir of Returning Yang'; those who cultivate it enjoy long life in this world. When going out on a matter, call the Jade Maiden of the current Jia-cycle and incant as before. In this direction one may: select worthy men, seek fierce commanders, hide one's form and preserve one's person, commune with spirits in dreams, receive the Way and achieve success, persuade enemies, reconcile feuds, lie hidden, present strategies, plan marriages, increase household members, harmonize trade — profits tenfold.

The song says: 'Bing superimposed on Jia — Bird Falls into Its Nest. Advancing in flight, one gains ground; clouds and dragons gather.' Lord and minister feast with joy; all actions are appropriate. At this time, striking from Life toward Death, one matches ten thousand; in a hundred battles, a hundred victories — regardless of Yang or Yin Sequence. At this time deploying troops, setting up camp, traveling far — all affairs are auspicious. It benefits the noble; it is inauspicious for the petty. This means the heavenly plate's Bing Wonder is superimposed on the earthly plate's current hour Jia-cycle head.

The song says: 'Jia superimposed on Bing — Dragon Turns Its Head.' Regardless of Yang or Yin Sequence, obtaining this layout — and moreover combining it with wonder-gate supreme auspiciousness — even without an auspicious gate, one may still proceed. It is favorable for seeing great persons, deploying troops, benefiting the visiting army, projecting might across ten thousand li. Striking from Life toward Death, one matches ten thousand; all affairs are auspicious.

The song says: 'There are also Three Wonders roaming among the Six Instruments — this is called the Jade Maiden Guarding the Gate. For clandestine and harmonizing affairs, look to this alone.' The Three Wonders roaming the Six Instruments means the heavenly Yi, Bing, and Ding roaming among the six instruments Jiazi-Wu, Jiaxu-Ji, Jiashen-Geng, Jiawu-Xin, Jiachen-Ren, and Jiayin-Gui. 'Jade Maiden Guards the Gate' means Ding is the Jade Maiden, and she meets the Celestial Unity Directing Envoy's gate.

The song says: 'When Three Wonders obtain their envoy, they are truly effective; when Six Jia encounter them, the benefit is no small matter. Horse meets Dog; Bing meets Rat and Monkey; the Six Ding Jade Maiden rides Dragon and Tiger.' Jiaxu and Jiawu: Yi is the envoy. Jiazi and Jiashen: Bing is the envoy. Jiachen and Jiayin: Ding is the envoy. The principle: Jia-wood fears Geng-metal — therefore the Three Wonders function as they do.

The song says: 'Heavenly Six Bing combines with Nine Heavens, further combining with Life Gate — this is Spirit Concealment.' The Bing Wonder with Life Gate descends to superimpose upon the Nine Heavens position, obtaining the concealment of divine spirits. In this direction one may: worship divine spirits, employ sacred arts, draw on the ground and set up counters, pace the Phoenix, construct altar grounds, engrave spirit images, subdue demons and dark forces — it naturally commands awe and submission. Further favorable for: attacking the undefended, secret plotting, subtle stratagems, marvelous establishment of foundations, building and renovating temples, sculpting and painting spirit images to answer the spirit's season.

The song says: 'Heavenly Six Yi combines with Nine Earths at Block Gate — take this as Ghost Concealment.' The Ding Wonder with Rest Gate descending to the Nine Earths position; also Yi Wonder with Open Gate descending to Nine Earths — obtaining the concealment of ghostly spirits in hiding. In this direction one may: probe enemy plans, raid camps, assault stockades, set ambushes, attack the undefended, secretly observe movements, employ deception and false documents, raise the dead, commemorate the orphaned, rely on minimal skill — awaiting the ghost's response.

The song says: 'Heavenly Six Yi combines with the three [auspicious] gates descending to the Xun palace — this is Wind Concealment.' Also: when the Bing Wonder and Open Gate combine, descending to the Xun palace without violating tomb or oppression, one obtains the numinous wonder of sailing before a favorable wind. In this direction one may: silently inhale wind and clouds, exhale whistling incantations, pray for whirlwinds, command the troops to listen attentively. When the Bing Wonder and Open Gate combine descending to the Kun palace, it is further suitable for: worshipping the Wind Earl and Rain Master, beating war drums, erecting banners — awaiting the wind's response.

The song says: 'Heavenly Six Yi combines with Six Xin at the three auspicious gates — take this as Cloud Concealment.' When Yi Wonder and Open Gate combine descending to the Kun palace without violating tomb or oppression, one obtains the concealment of clouds. When Yi Wonder and Open Gate combine descending upon Six Xin, this direction allows: silently inhaling wind and clouds, the whistle of armor sounding far and wide, recording great deeds of archery, commanding the troops to look upward — also favorable for praying for rain to aid agriculture, establishing and manufacturing military equipment, awaiting the cloud's response.

The song says: 'The Sun Wonder (Yi) combines with Rest Gate at the Kan palace — this is Dragon Concealment; clouds rise from it.' When the Yi Wonder and Rest Gate combine descending upon Six Gui or at Kan, one obtains the dragon's concealment. In this direction: worship dragon spirits, pray for rain, conduct naval warfare, rehearse enemy strategies, survey river surfaces, guard river crossings, train in water combat, secretly deploy stratagems, shift boats and change direction, launch vessels, build water containers, worship spirits, fill embankments, dam rivers, repair bridges, dig wells — awaiting the dragon's response.

The song says: 'Heavenly Six Yi combines with Six Xin, Rest reaching Gen — Tiger Concealment Gate.' Also: Yi Wonder with Life Gate superimposed on Six Xin, obtaining the tiger's concealment. One version says: Xin Instrument combines with Life at Gen. In this direction: pacify and recruit, set ambushes, intercept and strike, assess critical passes, hold dangerous terrain, defend, establish mountain fortresses, manage strategic passes, guard against hazards, repair ramparts — awaiting the tiger's response.