The Mysteries of Qimen Dunjia, Part 8: Subject and Object

Lecture Ten: Host and Guest

In Qimen, it is essential to distinguish between the host and the guest. Some configurations favor the guest, while others favor the host. Only by clearly identifying host and guest can you apply Qimen correctly; otherwise, you may head in the wrong direction and end up with results contrary to your intent.

So what exactly defines the guest and the host? In terms of information, the one who takes action is the guest, while the one who remains still is the host. In terms of sequence, whoever acts first is the guest, and whoever acts later is the host. In terms of attitude, the proactive and assertive party is the guest, while the passive and defensive party is the host. For example, if Party A is searching for someone, interviewing, selecting generals, or recruiting soldiers, then Party A is the guest and the others are the host; conversely, if someone comes to seek me out, that person is the guest and I am the host. In warfare, initiating an attack is the role of the guest, while defending is the role of the host. When a location is attacked, the city, stronghold, or troops under attack are considered the host. In terms of active and passive domains, a newly opened market is the guest, while an established market is the host. The Heavenly Plate represents the guest, while the Earthly Plate represents the host.

Whether a situation favors the guest or the host depends on the specific Heavenly Stems and configurations, as well as the Five Elements relationships on the Heavenly and Earthly Plates. During the five Yang stems (Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu), it is advantageous to act as the guest—favoring offensive operations in war, raising flags, beating drums, and displaying power; in daily life, it is suitable for traveling, seeking wealth, starting a new job, moving, marrying, or beginning construction—all auspicious activities. Conversely, during the five Yin stems (Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui), it is beneficial to act as the host; military strategy should remain still and concealed, and in daily life it is generally unfavorable to take action. Thus, the Song of the Fisherman says: “If you see the Three Wonders during the five Yang stems, act as the guest and be strong; if you suddenly encounter the five Yin positions, act as the host and be cautious.” Likewise, White Tiger Rampant and Soaring Serpent are unfavorable for the host but favorable for the guest. The Fuyin configuration calls for stillness—let the enemy enter your encirclement before you move—which is a host strategy. Azure Dragon Escaping is also inauspicious, but it does not harm the host, suggesting the host should act second; taking the initiative will likely lead to defeat. In terms of active and passive domains, if the Tianying Star is paired with the Kan Palace—where the palace overcomes the star and water overcomes fire—water becomes the host, favoring the host. Tianpeng paired with the Kun and Gen Palaces, and Tianren paired with the Zhen and Xun Palaces, are all cases where the palace overcomes the star, favoring the host.

If Tianpeng is paired with the Li Palace in the ninth position; if Tianxin and Tianzhu are paired with Li in the third and with Xun in the fourth positions; if Tianren and Tianqin are paired with Kan in the first position; if Tianchong and Tianfu are paired with Kun in the second and with Gen in the eighth positions; and if Tianying is paired with Qian in the sixth and with Dui in the seventh positions—these are all cases where the star overcomes the palace, favoring the guest. In addition, consider timing and controlling relationships. If the time aligns with the favorable element of the host or guest (favorable to the host when the date corresponds to the host’s element; favorable to the guest when it corresponds to the guest’s element), and clouds of the corresponding color drift in from the relevant direction, the favored side can win a great victory.

For example, if Tianpeng is paired with the Li Palace in the ninth position, and the timing is a Hai day in the eleventh lunar month, with dark clouds coming from the north, the guest is sure to win a great victory. Conversely, if Tianchong is paired with the Qian Palace in the sixth position, and the timing is around the Mid-Autumn Festival, with heavy white clouds coming from the northwest, the guest is sure to suffer a major defeat. When using Qimen, first distinguish host and guest. After determining the situation, assess whether the relevant direction favors the host or the guest. If, at that time and in that direction, it favors the host, act as the “host” and remain still; if it favors the guest, act as the “guest” and take the initiative. Judging auspiciousness from the host’s perspective: if the guest supports the host, the outcome will be satisfactory and highly beneficial. If the host supports the guest, resources will be wasted and goals delayed. When host and guest are balanced, actions proceed smoothly. If the guest overcomes the host, endeavors will likely fail, and seeking good fortune may invite misfortune. If the host overcomes the guest, many matters may turn into empty joys.

Take the example of visiting someone. After determining the situation, the direction of movement on the Earthly Plate represents the person being visited, while the star on the Heavenly Plate represents the seeker. If the Heavenly and Earthly Plates are in harmony (for instance, Tianfu in the Zhen Palace in the third position), you are certain to meet the person. If that palace also has auspicious doors, you will not only be received but warmly welcomed. If the Earthly Plate palace overcomes the Heavenly Plate star—such as the Earthly Plate being the Zhen Palace in the third position while the Heavenly Plate is Rui, Qin, or Ren—or if the Earthly Plate’s Heavenly Stem overcomes the Heavenly Plate’s Heavenly Stem, or if the Earthly Plate’s Earthly Branch falls into the Heavenly Plate’s tomb phase, it indicates the person is indeed present but unwilling to meet.

If the Earthly Plate’s Earthly Branch falls into the void, it indicates the person is not present, making a meeting impossible. Furthermore, if someone has scheduled a visit with you, you can use Qimen to assess the agreed time. After determining the situation, the direction of the Heavenly Plate star represents the visitor (the guest), while the Earthly Plate represents the host (yourself). If auspicious doors align and the Heavenly Plate star supports the Earthly Plate star, this person will be beneficial to you and can be received. If the Heavenly Plate star overcomes the Earthly Plate star, and there are also inauspicious doors or configurations, you should avoid meeting this person.