Gua Shen

In methods that use it, the Hexagram Body gives the matter another point of reference. Self locates the querent’s side, the selected relationship identifies the subject, and the Body locates a calculated branch within the chart. Its line, relationship and connections are then examined. These are distinct roles rather than interchangeable labels.

Here Gua Shen means the Month Hexagram Body. Bu Shi Zheng Zong starts with Zi at the bottom line for a yang Self Line, or Wu for a yin Self Line. Advance through the branch sequence until reaching the Self Line’s position; that branch is the Month Hexagram Body.

For Self at line three, a yang line gives Zi–Chou–Yin, so the body is Yin; a yin line gives Wu–Wei–Shen, so it is Shen. Finding that branch among the primary chart’s six Najia branches is called present; no match is absent. Record the calculated branch separately from the Self position.

Constructed example: yang Self at line three gives Yin as Body. Locate Yin and identify its relationship. In a money question, a Yin Wealth line would place Body and the selected subject together; examine that line’s strength and movement. A Yin Parents line would instead give a different reference from the money focus.

Present means the branch was found in the primary chart. Absent means that particular reference is missing. The selected relationship, Self/Other, calendar and moving lines retain their own analytical roles.