1. Protecting the Livelihood
Section 17 addresses the protection of Livestock (六畜, Liuchu). In traditional rural communities, protecting animals (pigs, cows, chickens) from plague, theft, and spiritual attacks was a primary duty of the local practitioner. This section also introduces methods for dealing with the Nine Liang Stars (九良星) — a set of malevolent wandering stars that cause sudden ailments like Red Eye (conjunctivitis) and skin inflammation.
2. The Nine Liang Star: The Celestial Fire (九良星法)
The Nine Liang Star (九良星) is a mobile Sha Star (煞星). If its current position is disturbed (through construction or repair), it results in Celestial Fire (inflammation). The most common symptom is Red Eye (赤眼) — sudden, severe eye pain and swelling.
Daily Position Rhyme (逐日佔方位口訣):
- Zi Day: Center (子日佔中宮)
- Chou Day: Kitchen (丑日佔廚中)
- Yin Day: Northeast (寅日佔艮方)
- Mao Day: East (卯日佔門前)
- Chen Day: Hall (辰日佔堂上)
- Si Day: Doorway (巳日佔門外)
The Red Eye Talisman (赤眼符) is used to cool the celestial fire. It is typically written as a Flower Character or a paper talisman, empowered, and washed into Fa Water to treat the inflammation or protect the livestock pens.