The Chinese word "Shen" is constructed from two roots: On the left, it is "shi" which denotes fire sacrifice; On the right it is "shen" which has "tian" in the middle (i.e. a field) and a vertical stroke through it which is longer below it and shorter above it. To my opinion, this denotes the upper field of elixir.
Therefore, the nature of the spirit is a fire at the upper field of elixir which is namely the primordial spirit . This concept is analogous to the immolation of Purusha as described in Rig Veda X.7.6 (90).
Celestial spirits are namely gods and deities. Some terrestrial and ancestral spirits are also offered as gods. As gods can perform miraculous things, in modern Chinese, "Shen" also carry the meaning of magical or miraculous.
From an impersonalized point of view, deities are aspects of Natural Law. Everything happening in creation is governed by Natural Law. So, knowing the functioning of Natural Law, one can divine like a god. So, as a verb, "Shen" means the ability to foretell like a god.
Also, in the "I-Ching", it is said, "Yin and Yang not measured is called Shen" . In this context, "Shen" refers to wakefulness, which exist at the gap between silence and dynamism in each successive step of transformation, because in the gaps exist the absolute spirit.