Liu Yao Yong Shen (六爻用神) - Use God in Six Lines

What is the Use God (用神)?

Yong Shen (用神), translated as "Use God," "Focus," or "Subject," is the most important concept in Liu Yao (Six Lines) divination. It represents the main focus of the reading, the subject or concern that the question is about.

How to Identify the Use God

1. Based on Question Type

The question determines the Use God:

• Wealth Question
• Wealth (妻财) is Use God
• Career Question
• Official (官鬼) is Use God
• Family Question
• Parents (父母) is Use God
• Travel Question
• Journey (兄弟) is Use God

2. Common Question Types

• Career/Job
• Use God = Official (官鬼)
• Finance/Wealth
• Use God = Wealth (妻财)
• Marriage
• Use God = Spouse (妻财 for women, 官鬼 for men)
• Health
• Use God = Self (世) or body part
• Study
• Use God = Parents (父母)

3. Finding the Use God

• Locate Position
• Find where Use God appears
• Note Strength
• How strong it is
• Check Condition
• Is it auspicious or inauspicious?

Supporting and Opposing Elements

1. Supporting Elements

• Parents (父母)
• Supports all elements
• Brothers (兄弟)
• Supports siblings and travel

2. Producing Elements

• Children (子孙)
• Produces output and joy
• Wealth (妻财)
• Produces wealth

3. Controlling Elements

• Official (官鬼)
• Controls and challenges
• Harmful Elements
• Need to be controlled

Interpretation Guidelines

1. Assess the Use God

• Strength
• Is it strong or weak?
• Condition
• Auspicious or inauspicious?
• Position
• Where is it located?

2. Analyze Relationships

• Support
• What supports the Use God?
• Harm
• What harms the Use God?
• Balance
• Is there harmony?

3. Predict Outcome

• Favorable
• Strong, supported Use God = good outcome
• Unfavorable
• Weak, harmed Use God = challenging outcome
• Mixed
• Balanced situation

Practical Applications

Understanding the Use God helps with:

• Focus
• Knowing what to analyze
• Prediction
• Predicting outcomes
• Guidance
• Providing advice
• Timing
• When events will occur

Important Considerations

When identifying the Use God:

• Question is Key
• Always start with the question
• Accurate Identification
• Correct Use God is essential
• Consider All
• Look at entire reading
• Experience
• Practice improves skill

Conclusion

The Use God (用神) is the fundamental focus in Liu Yao divination. Correctly identifying and analyzing the Use God is essential for accurate readings and meaningful guidance.