The Orthodox Method of Divination

title = 卜筮正宗| author = 王洪緒| times = 清朝| year = 1904| notes = 清刻本（[http://read.nlc.cn/allSearch/searchDetail?searchType=&showType=1&indexName=data_892&fid=GBZX0301013045 中國國家圖書館館藏]）| next = ../卷01自古卜筮之說，莫神於左氏春秋紫陽。朱子謂三代如太卜太筮職有專官，故其業精而其應神，後世既廢其官，而占驗之，書亦不傳，故鮮有神而明之者。然近代如黃金策諸篇，始有以窮夫陰陽之閫、造化之機緘，但其間詮解未諦宗之，占驗者未能無訛，以致有傳書而古人之精意不必與之盡傳。苟有好學深思神明其故者，不難自爲其書，以與之發微闡幽也。

The chapter of "From Antiquity," states that divination is most profound in the *Zuo Zhuan*, citing Zhu Xi's view that official specialists maintained precision and accuracy during the Three Dynasties, but later neglect led to a loss of authentic knowledge; although recent works like *Huangjin Ce* attempt to uncover cosmic secrets, their interpretations contain errors that obscure ancient intentions. The passage further declares that if one studies diligently and reflects deeply on these principles, they can independently compose authoritative texts to clarify hidden truths for future readers.

For a reader today This classical text provides historical context on the decline of specialized divinatory practices and critiques existing interpretive works for their inaccuracies; it offers a scholarly invitation for diligent students to reconstruct authentic methods through careful study rather than relying on flawed transmissions.

English translation by Eastern Lens, from the revised daizhige Chinese classics corpus. The original Chinese is published alongside it for verification.

林屋王山人垂簾於吳郡之東，偏與余居密，邇有疑輒往叩焉，奇驗不爽如燭照，數計遠近咸頌之爲神，而山人辭其名不受，曰：「吾有所受之也，新安楊廣含先生吾師之，所授占驗一冊爲坊刻羣書所未及比，年以來增益芟薙编成卷帙。」付之梨枣，余序之曰：「夫聖賢言理，不言數而大易，實爲卜筮之書所設吉凶，悔吝可以前知者，以數測而實以理斷也。今山人之書具在其精搜妙驗，固爲數之獨神，而苟非貫徹於陰陽變化五行生剋之理，亦何以爲數學哉。故是書爲言數之書，而實言理之書也。是以極深研幾，雖古卜筮之神而明之者亦何以加焉。」時歲冬十月，吳郡張景崧書於蓉江草堂。

Mr. Lin of Wu Jun lived in seclusion eastward there and shared a close residence with me; whenever I harbored doubts, I would go to inquire, receiving astonishing verifications as accurate as the light of a candle. Countless calculations regarding distances earned universal acclaim declaring him divine, yet he refused to accept this title, stating: "I received my knowledge from Master Yang Guanghan of Xin'an; the volume containing his prognostications and examinations is a printed work unmatched in common collections, which I have supplemented and revised over recent years into this compilation." I entrusted it to printing and added this preface: "Sages speak of principle rather than number, yet the Great Yi, intended for divination, allows foreknowledge of fortune and misfortune because numbers measure the patterns while principles determine the outcome. This book showcases refined examinations and miracles; though its numerical insights are unique, without a deep grasp of the principles governing yin-yang changes and five-element generating-overriding dynamics, it cannot qualify as a mathematical text. Thus, while this is a book on numbers, it truly speaks of principles, offering profound research into subtleties unmatched even by ancient divine seers." This inscription was written in the tenth month of winter by Zhang Jingsong at Rongjiang Studio, Wu Jun.

For a reader today This passage introduces an annotated collection of divination methods attributed to Lin, emphasizing that accurate prediction relies on understanding cosmic principles rather than mystical powers. It offers a historical account of scholarly transmission without making claims about future events or providing actionable guidance for personal decision-making.

English translation by Eastern Lens, from the revised daizhige Chinese classics corpus. The original Chinese is published alongside it for verification.