Hostile line (Chou Shen)

By definition, the Hostile line is the line that controls away the Source line of the Target line.

The nature of a moving Hostile line

In its nature, a moving Hostile line makes the matter become one with neither head nor tail: if the Target line is Prosperous there is success at present but it cannot last; if it is the Hostile line of a person, the person referred to will be discouraged, weary of life and without motivation; and if the question is about someone's illness, they will surely die, from exhaustion. The usual timing of a moving Hostile line in these cases also differs from other situations in this: here the timing lies at the timing of the Target line and not at the Hostile line. Besides, in the case where the Hostile line moves and the Target line moves as well, this Hostile line is lost and is not counted in that way, because the Hostile line is controlled away by the Target line.

A moving Hostile line in relation to the Self line

With the Self line, a moving Hostile line of the Target line gives five corresponding cases:

• Generates the Self line: in this case the Opposing line sits on the Self line, and since the Self line is generated, the line that generates it counts as a factor helping oneself. Specifically here, the Opposing line on the Self line means one is going the wrong way oneself, and the Hostile line generating the Self line means someone is egging one on and leading one astray; if the Target line is Prosperous then the work being aimed at has potential, but because of keeping bad company and going the wrong way the matter asked about fails
• Sits on the Self line: in this case the Self line falls on the Hostile line, and is therefore controlled by the Target line, which certainly reports pressure and weariness with the matter asked about; what one is doing cannot last either, and it comes from oneself
• Drains the Self line: in this case the Target line generates the Self line, that is, one drains oneself into the Hostile factor, which is surely trusting the wrong person, leading from there to losing capital or having capital seized — take note
• Is the Hostile line of the Self line: in this case the Self line falls on the Target line, so one becomes obsessed with the matter asked about; along with that, the factors that make up the Hostile line are the cause of one's weariness, dejection and loss of vitality, and the cause of the matter having neither head nor tail. If it is done only once one may push on, but on a long road one must change, to avoid a regrettable outcome, because the moving Hostile line controls the Source line of the Self line and will surely leave one more and more exhausted
• Controls the Self line: in this case the Self line falls on the Source line, so one also wishes the matter done, but one is directly controlled, which is surely dangerous for oneself, so one's own safety should also be taken seriously. The moment the danger to oneself arises is the timing of the moving Hostile line; for how to determine it and how to avoid it, see again the entry: Remedies in the old Six Lines

As a special case, with examinations and papers a moving Hostile line certainly spoils the matter, whether on the Self line or on the Target line. Take note.

See also

• Single moving line — a moving Source, Target or Opposing line
• Draining line, Source line, Opposing line
• Target line — the Five Roles
• Self line — the Self line falling on the Hostile line