This collection of Yijing (I Ching) Hexagrams is made up of hexagrams being cast weekly, each Sunday, throughout 2021. The description for each week's drawing appears alongside the main hexagram, along with changing lines (if any) and transformations. For further exploration, sometimes blog articles or PDF files containing notes on symbolism, Traditional Chinese Philosophy, history or other intuitive comparisons are included. I encourage those interested to add their own perceptive impressions or use familiar sources of their own, as well. I introduce my favorite Yijing interpretations/sources, both online and in print only as a resource for those who are interested in deeper study of the oracle.
My goal is to offer readers a way to learn about this ancient divination system by focusing on one general reading weekly for personal development using the energies and cycles of time described by each Hexagram drawn. The question I pose to the oracle each week is the same, "What can we know about the prevalent energies of this week that can be helpful to us?" This is so individuals can intuit and apply their own conclusions, obviously unique to their circumstances. I do not intend these to be any kind of prophetic announcements or any form of fortune telling; the Yijing has been and is used in this way, but many scholars and sages point out that it not the best use of the oracle. In my experience the accuracy of the descriptions in any reading I cast can offer astonishing insights and observations, even down to details of time, phase of the moon or particulars of a personal issue, but still, its power, for me, is in the metaphors that inspire me to remember that no matter how different the modern world is from the ancient, the nature of the human condition remains constant as do cycles and seasons throughout our universe. Personally, I use it to guide spiritual development and to further my own understanding of Daoism, which I am now studying. I hope this is useful for anyone paying these writings any attention and I welcome questions, comments, and discussion so we can all enrich each other as we find our own ways back to Source.
Alfred Huang's translation of the I Ching sums up a fine way to use the oracle in his comments about Hexagram 17: Sui/Following:
A noblewoman consulted the I Ching about a possible marriage partner and the answer was Sui. The person casting the oracle told her this was very auspicious to accept the offer, because it indicated the four great virtues of yuan, heng, li, and zhen, plus compatability of intiating and response. "Nevertheless, the woman said, 'I have none of those four virtues. My situation is not compatible with the gua." She preferred to wait for another opportunity. The lady's decision exemplifies the way one should use the I Ching. It is not simply a matter of blindly following the oracle, but rather of understanding your place within the situation. (Huang, p. 165)
Ref: The Complete I Ching, The Definitive Translation by Daoist Master, Alfred Huang. Inner Traditions. One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 05767. www.InnerTraditions.com.
October 10th through October 16th, 2021
Referenced from Huang, “The Complete I Ching”, pp. 56-65.
3- Zhun/ Beginning
Aspects: Kan- Cloud (Water) over Zhen- Thunder. According to Master Huang, the word in the I Ching for this hexagram is pronounced Zhun only in the I Ching; in all other cases, it is pronounced “tun”, which means something like a gathering, or a warehouse. For Zhun, the pictograph shows a symbol of a new blade of grass sprouting through the ground, with a deep root. Huang also changes the term Kan from water to cloud; when placed above the term thunder, it symbolizes the time right before a great rain. Heavy rains can be detrimental for new growth. It symbolizes difficulty for “a newly born being.” (57), but the sprout has a strong root (its life force- yang) and is able to gather abundance (strength from the nourishing earth- yin). The energy of this hexagram is like the life force latent in the form of a seed that that has a “wholehearted will to grow up in adversity”, even surviving the harshness of winter to be birthed in the following spring.
This reminds me of Rumi’s poem that ends, "Don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots down there are riotous." This is one conclusion that the ancient Chinese observed as well, that even though all looks dead in the winter, deep down, the earth is resting, gathering, and preparing to give birth and rebirth. This is one of six hexagrams that are bestowed with the concepts of yuan, heng, li, and zhen (along with 1-Qian, 2-Kun, 63- Ji ji, and 64- Wei ji, which might be interpreted as the beginning and the ending of a cycle). Of the other two, 3-Zhun represents growth; and the other- 17- Sui, represents following or flourishing). Yuan is origin/ initiating; heng represents prosperous and smooth; li is favorable/ beneficial; and zhen means steadfast and righteous (or upright). These four ideas can indicate the seasons (see Huang, pp, 22-23)- how things originate, develop, mature, and decline. Only six of the hexagrams indicate the auspicious combination of all four together.
Laozi, Daodejing, Chapter 42 (Red Pine’s translation):
“The Tao gives birth to one/ one gives birth to two/ two gives birth to three/ three gives birth to ten thousand things/ ten thousand things with yin at their backs/ yang in their embrace/ and breath between for harmony/ what the world hates/ to be orphaned, widowed, or destitute/ kings use for their titles/ thus some gain by losing/ others lose by gaining/ what others teach/ I teach, too/ tyrants never choose their deaths/ this becomes my teacher.” (84)
As the year winds down into winter after our autumn equinox, this seems a fitting hexagram to draw. When staring into the darkness, where all seems hopeless and harsh, Zhun is remembering the faith of the mustard seed, the route of the seasons, the Way of the world, human nature- all cycles which have beginnings and endings. Whether your tyrant is an inner one, a troubling emotional process, a personality trait, or a political bully, if that one does not embrace humility and harmony, no matter how much is gained by those who live to “win at all costs”, what one gains most of is ill will, which is a loss.
There are no changing lines for this week’s reading-
References:
Alfred Huang’s “The Complete I Ching: 10th Anniversary Edition”, Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767. 2010. www.InnerTradtions.com
“Lao-Tzu’s TaoTeChing,” translated by Red Pine, with selected commentaries from the past 2000 years.
Copper Canyon Press, Port Townsend, Washington. 2009,
3- Zhun/ Beginning
Aspects: Kan- Cloud (Water) over Zhen- Thunder. According to Master Huang, the word in the I Ching for this hexagram is pronounced Zhun only in the I Ching; in all other cases, it is pronounced “tun”, which means something like a gathering, or a warehouse. For Zhun, the pictograph shows a symbol of a new blade of grass sprouting through the ground, with a deep root. Huang also changes the term Kan from water to cloud; when placed above the term thunder, it symbolizes the time right before a great rain. Heavy rains can be detrimental for new growth. It symbolizes difficulty for “a newly born being.” (57), but the sprout has a strong root (its life force- yang) and is able to gather abundance (strength from the nourishing earth- yin). The energy of this hexagram is like the life force latent in the form of a seed that that has a “wholehearted will to grow up in adversity”, even surviving the harshness of winter to be birthed in the following spring.
This reminds me of Rumi’s poem that ends, "Don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots down there are riotous." This is one conclusion that the ancient Chinese observed as well, that even though all looks dead in the winter, deep down, the earth is resting, gathering, and preparing to give birth and rebirth. This is one of six hexagrams that are bestowed with the concepts of yuan, heng, li, and zhen (along with 1-Qian, 2-Kun, 63- Ji ji, and 64- Wei ji, which might be interpreted as the beginning and the ending of a cycle). Of the other two, 3-Zhun represents growth; and the other- 17- Sui, represents following or flourishing). Yuan is origin/ initiating; heng represents prosperous and smooth; li is favorable/ beneficial; and zhen means steadfast and righteous (or upright). These four ideas can indicate the seasons (see Huang, pp, 22-23)- how things originate, develop, mature, and decline. Only six of the hexagrams indicate the auspicious combination of all four together.
Laozi, Daodejing, Chapter 42 (Red Pine’s translation):
“The Tao gives birth to one/ one gives birth to two/ two gives birth to three/ three gives birth to ten thousand things/ ten thousand things with yin at their backs/ yang in their embrace/ and breath between for harmony/ what the world hates/ to be orphaned, widowed, or destitute/ kings use for their titles/ thus some gain by losing/ others lose by gaining/ what others teach/ I teach, too/ tyrants never choose their deaths/ this becomes my teacher.” (84)
As the year winds down into winter after our autumn equinox, this seems a fitting hexagram to draw. When staring into the darkness, where all seems hopeless and harsh, Zhun is remembering the faith of the mustard seed, the route of the seasons, the Way of the world, human nature- all cycles which have beginnings and endings. Whether your tyrant is an inner one, a troubling emotional process, a personality trait, or a political bully, if that one does not embrace humility and harmony, no matter how much is gained by those who live to “win at all costs”, what one gains most of is ill will, which is a loss.
There are no changing lines for this week’s reading-
References:
Alfred Huang’s “The Complete I Ching: 10th Anniversary Edition”, Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767. 2010. www.InnerTradtions.com
“Lao-Tzu’s TaoTeChing,” translated by Red Pine, with selected commentaries from the past 2000 years.
Copper Canyon Press, Port Townsend, Washington. 2009,
October 3rd through October 6th, 2021
2- Kun, Responding/changing line 5; to 8- Bi- Union
“After Heaven and Earth have come into existence, the myriad beings are produced.” (39)
Line 5: the lower garment referred to is the quality of humility (last week’s theme); the color of the Earth element is yellow and while Qian is the initiator, Earth is the responder. Yellow is also the color associated with the “Middle Way”- moderation,
“This line indicates that the time to send an expedition against the Tyrant of Shang was near. The Duke of Zhou and King Wu realized that humility should not be dealt with as a strategy. It should become one’s nature.”
“There is a story related to this line. There was a lord named Nan Gua, who plotted against the kind. He performed a divination and obtained this gua. He was very happy that the text said, “A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune.” He was certain that he would meet with success. Nevertheless, a duke admonished him, “Dear Lord, it must be a faithful and truthful action to be auspicious. Otherwise, it will fail.” (46) The idea of the Golden Mean, associated with the Earth element is the perfect integration of elements that manifest because there is no excess or deficiency. Everything is just right; deviating off that path is to set oneself up to fail.
Related to the month of November
8- Bi/ Union
“Bi is the inverse of the preceding gua, Shi, Multitude…” The multitude is contained of the people. “in a multitude, there must be a bond of union…” (97)
Water over Earth/ also associated with the month of May
Mutual Gua is 23- Falling Away, which often refers to the time period right before the new moon; which is 3 days from the drawing of this week’s hexagram.
When water is contained in the earth, the earth becomes marshy, too soft; when it is on top of the Earth is can flow. In ancient times, a king who wanted harmony in the state empowered the subordinate leaders by allowing them some freedom, without losing their loyalty. “Those willing to come, he welcomed. Those who did not want to join, he let go. Later on those minority clans joined Ken Wen’s revolution against the Tyrant of Shang.”
Line 5:
This is the host of the gua, meaning it’s the line that best fulfills the theme. It’s the only yang line in the hexagram and is in the most beneficial position, so the other lines represent people who want to have influence and unity with the leadership. (100) “Seeking union by force never works. Only with sincerity, with love and caring, will people come around of their own volition.”
“After Heaven and Earth have come into existence, the myriad beings are produced.” (39)
Line 5: the lower garment referred to is the quality of humility (last week’s theme); the color of the Earth element is yellow and while Qian is the initiator, Earth is the responder. Yellow is also the color associated with the “Middle Way”- moderation,
“This line indicates that the time to send an expedition against the Tyrant of Shang was near. The Duke of Zhou and King Wu realized that humility should not be dealt with as a strategy. It should become one’s nature.”
“There is a story related to this line. There was a lord named Nan Gua, who plotted against the kind. He performed a divination and obtained this gua. He was very happy that the text said, “A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune.” He was certain that he would meet with success. Nevertheless, a duke admonished him, “Dear Lord, it must be a faithful and truthful action to be auspicious. Otherwise, it will fail.” (46) The idea of the Golden Mean, associated with the Earth element is the perfect integration of elements that manifest because there is no excess or deficiency. Everything is just right; deviating off that path is to set oneself up to fail.
Related to the month of November
8- Bi/ Union
“Bi is the inverse of the preceding gua, Shi, Multitude…” The multitude is contained of the people. “in a multitude, there must be a bond of union…” (97)
Water over Earth/ also associated with the month of May
Mutual Gua is 23- Falling Away, which often refers to the time period right before the new moon; which is 3 days from the drawing of this week’s hexagram.
When water is contained in the earth, the earth becomes marshy, too soft; when it is on top of the Earth is can flow. In ancient times, a king who wanted harmony in the state empowered the subordinate leaders by allowing them some freedom, without losing their loyalty. “Those willing to come, he welcomed. Those who did not want to join, he let go. Later on those minority clans joined Ken Wen’s revolution against the Tyrant of Shang.”
Line 5:
This is the host of the gua, meaning it’s the line that best fulfills the theme. It’s the only yang line in the hexagram and is in the most beneficial position, so the other lines represent people who want to have influence and unity with the leadership. (100) “Seeking union by force never works. Only with sincerity, with love and caring, will people come around of their own volition.”
September 26th through October 2nd, 2021
15-Qian/Modesty, changing line 5, to
39-Jian/Obstruction
15- Qian-
Huang explains that 15 modesty is the next step of the previous two hexagrams- 13 (harmony- related to love/ tong ren-同人- means fellowship/harmony among people) and 14 (great harvest – related to contentment/ da you- 大有) and 15 (Qian/humility- 谦- being willing to concede/share the floor, rather than dominate; also, being open to the influence of one higher.) the three together produce 16- Enthusiasm/ Delight.
So what can it mean in the context of energies upcoming for the week?
“…this one should have the sense of lack of pride and self-importance.” (150)
Continuing through the influence of the Fall Equinox theme of balance, according to Master Huang, the ideograph representing 15/ Humbleness shows a picture of a modest person “equally dividing something”- citing Confucius’ commentary that “The superior person decreases what is excessive and increases what is scarce. He weighs things and makes them balance.” Thus, “This is the true meaning of Humbleness. When the two parts of the ideograph are combined, they indicate that the act of weighing things and making them balance should be expressed and manifested in one’s daily life.”
Earth above Mountain- something as mighty as a mountain under the earth, instead of towering above it. The bottom gua, the mountain represents stillness and the inner state of things- inner stillness; and the outer gua (above) is earth, ideally representing an outward appearance of gentle power. So, restraining one’s ego and being gentle towards others is featured in the hexagram; the ancient Chinese regarded humility to be one of the highest virtues.
Line 5: (153)- all the lines in this hexagram are auspicious. “To them, humbling oneself did not mean to act negatively by holding oneself back. Instead, one should act positively by doing something with other people cooperatively and harmoniously. The key is to respect people and treat them equally. Only in this way can true peace and harmony be established in a community.”
(154) “She does not influence people by wealth, but by virtue, and so, with the support of other people can still carry out great achievements . The Yao Text says, “Favorable to engage in subjugation. Nothing is unfavorable.” This shows the power of being honorable and humble.” [subjugation, as in conquest, or overthrowing the tyrant; stilling the more ego based mentalities within yourself, or in the case of a government, restraining those who would take over to the detriment of everyone else.]
Line 3 is about: 1 yang line in the midst of 5 yins: “He is able to toil and still be humble; inevitably he will win the support of the people, and things will end in good fortune.” (154)
Related to the twelfth lunar month- January
With line 5 changing, the situation described transforms to the hexagram to 39- Hardship, or Obstruction. Allowing such equal treatment can create hardship or lack of movement because of so many different influences or voices. But this is not an insurmountable problem, as 39-Jian will show.
39- Jian/ Hardship
Kan over Gen (Water over Mountain)- the leadership is in the dangerous position, but the servants are safe, so success depends on virtuous leadership.
The word Jian originally referred to a lame person, difficulty in walking. Stephen Karcher calls this hexagram “Limping”. The hardship referred to is misunderstanding due to a diversity of influences or voices. [in this ideograph, there is a person with two bundles of grass, as opposed to 15, where there is a person with two stalks of wheat, divided evenly; perhaps wheat is food, but the grass is used for bedding/ resting, specifically to resist the cold- the picture of feet/crutches can represent “cold feet” making it difficult to walk.]
(321) “Climbing a mountain and crossing a river are arduous undertakings… if it is not the right time to overcome hardship, one should keep still. Keeping still does not mean giving up [the next hexagram, 40/Relief, is the complement to our original hexagram, 15]. It is just yielding to the situation and waiting for a more auspicious time.”
“Fifth nine. Great hardship. Friends come. Great hardship. Friends come. Rely on the virtue of the central” (323)
Just about the time when things look the bleakest, friendly people come to help out, due to the character of the leader.
The fifth line indicates a leadership that is harmonious with subordinates (the second line represents the loyal subject to a king. Line 5 represents the king who in this instance is amid darkness and danger-Kan. The subordinate is in the middle of the mountain stillness, waiting for the right time to act on behalf of the king. Water is derived from Earth and in the Yi jing, also the direction of the Southwest- auspicious/ Mountain dominates Earth and represents the northeast- inauspicious for friendly relations.
Associated with the eleventh month of the lunar year- December
39-Jian/Obstruction
15- Qian-
Huang explains that 15 modesty is the next step of the previous two hexagrams- 13 (harmony- related to love/ tong ren-同人- means fellowship/harmony among people) and 14 (great harvest – related to contentment/ da you- 大有) and 15 (Qian/humility- 谦- being willing to concede/share the floor, rather than dominate; also, being open to the influence of one higher.) the three together produce 16- Enthusiasm/ Delight.
So what can it mean in the context of energies upcoming for the week?
“…this one should have the sense of lack of pride and self-importance.” (150)
Continuing through the influence of the Fall Equinox theme of balance, according to Master Huang, the ideograph representing 15/ Humbleness shows a picture of a modest person “equally dividing something”- citing Confucius’ commentary that “The superior person decreases what is excessive and increases what is scarce. He weighs things and makes them balance.” Thus, “This is the true meaning of Humbleness. When the two parts of the ideograph are combined, they indicate that the act of weighing things and making them balance should be expressed and manifested in one’s daily life.”
Earth above Mountain- something as mighty as a mountain under the earth, instead of towering above it. The bottom gua, the mountain represents stillness and the inner state of things- inner stillness; and the outer gua (above) is earth, ideally representing an outward appearance of gentle power. So, restraining one’s ego and being gentle towards others is featured in the hexagram; the ancient Chinese regarded humility to be one of the highest virtues.
Line 5: (153)- all the lines in this hexagram are auspicious. “To them, humbling oneself did not mean to act negatively by holding oneself back. Instead, one should act positively by doing something with other people cooperatively and harmoniously. The key is to respect people and treat them equally. Only in this way can true peace and harmony be established in a community.”
(154) “She does not influence people by wealth, but by virtue, and so, with the support of other people can still carry out great achievements . The Yao Text says, “Favorable to engage in subjugation. Nothing is unfavorable.” This shows the power of being honorable and humble.” [subjugation, as in conquest, or overthrowing the tyrant; stilling the more ego based mentalities within yourself, or in the case of a government, restraining those who would take over to the detriment of everyone else.]
Line 3 is about: 1 yang line in the midst of 5 yins: “He is able to toil and still be humble; inevitably he will win the support of the people, and things will end in good fortune.” (154)
Related to the twelfth lunar month- January
With line 5 changing, the situation described transforms to the hexagram to 39- Hardship, or Obstruction. Allowing such equal treatment can create hardship or lack of movement because of so many different influences or voices. But this is not an insurmountable problem, as 39-Jian will show.
39- Jian/ Hardship
Kan over Gen (Water over Mountain)- the leadership is in the dangerous position, but the servants are safe, so success depends on virtuous leadership.
The word Jian originally referred to a lame person, difficulty in walking. Stephen Karcher calls this hexagram “Limping”. The hardship referred to is misunderstanding due to a diversity of influences or voices. [in this ideograph, there is a person with two bundles of grass, as opposed to 15, where there is a person with two stalks of wheat, divided evenly; perhaps wheat is food, but the grass is used for bedding/ resting, specifically to resist the cold- the picture of feet/crutches can represent “cold feet” making it difficult to walk.]
(321) “Climbing a mountain and crossing a river are arduous undertakings… if it is not the right time to overcome hardship, one should keep still. Keeping still does not mean giving up [the next hexagram, 40/Relief, is the complement to our original hexagram, 15]. It is just yielding to the situation and waiting for a more auspicious time.”
“Fifth nine. Great hardship. Friends come. Great hardship. Friends come. Rely on the virtue of the central” (323)
Just about the time when things look the bleakest, friendly people come to help out, due to the character of the leader.
The fifth line indicates a leadership that is harmonious with subordinates (the second line represents the loyal subject to a king. Line 5 represents the king who in this instance is amid darkness and danger-Kan. The subordinate is in the middle of the mountain stillness, waiting for the right time to act on behalf of the king. Water is derived from Earth and in the Yi jing, also the direction of the Southwest- auspicious/ Mountain dominates Earth and represents the northeast- inauspicious for friendly relations.
Associated with the eleventh month of the lunar year- December
September 19th through 25th, 2025
2 - Kun/ Responding, or Receptive
Earth over Earth
This is one of the 12 tidal gua and represents the 10th month of the lunar calendar November.
“The significance of Qian is to explore natural phenomena, the Tao of Heaven. The significance of Kun is to explore the social phenomena, the Tao of Humanity. The Tao of Heaven is initiation, the Tao of Humanity is submission and responding. As a human being, one has to be submissive to Heaven and be responsive to Heaven’s Will.” (38, Huang)
“Kun acts harmoniously with Qian for the completion of Creation; thus, Kun is responsive to Qian’s creative action.” (39)
“One of the commentaries says, “Yin is the most submissive, when put in motion, it is strong and firm. Yin is the most quiet and still; when taking action, it is able to reach a definite goal.
How can this be? Yin is gentle but not weak. It is submissive, without necessarily giving up its initiative. Yin receives Yang qualities by nurturing the Yang.”
(43-4)
Four qualities of Yin: yielding, submissive, central, and correct.
The advice is: if one follows a self-calculated course, things will not go well; but following another’s wise guidance will result in success. The Tao of the subordinate; the sage follows the Tao of Heaven to establish the Tao of Humanity.
A sage’s attitude is ideally one of serving, being of service, or being centered squarely as a servant of humanity through following the will of Heaven.
Though sages in some cultures might be highly placed in society, his/her “place” is in the midst of this offering to others, listening, teaching, and understanding wisdom from that vantage and guidance.
Off the cuff nerd moment:
Also, as we have two celestial events happening this week- the Full Moon on the 20th and the Fall Equinox on the 22nd, I think this has two other aspects worth noting:
From 5 Element Theory: Fall/ Lungs/ Letting Go/ Direction associated: West- the sacred direction of birth/rebirth; in the turning of the directions- South and Southwest and West- this is the place of humanity- doing, being, and making friends. “Following, obtains a master. / Favorable in the southwest; Gets friends. In the northeast: Lose Friends. Be composed and content. Being steadfast and upright: Good Fortune.” (p 41). Huang explains that Southwest in this hexagram refers to the arrangement of the bagua, where Earth is in the Southwest position; opposite this in the East direction is Mountain and Thunder in the North is Heaven and Water. The positions in the South and West correspond to the yin members of the household, whereas the Northeast to the yang members, emphasizing receptive, rather than initiating actions.
Numerological- the 2nd Equinox of the year, on the 22nd solar day of the month; 15th day of the lunar cycle (6= 1+5, reduces to 2); on full moon on solar day 20 and the reading for this time is 2- K’un. Two is the number of polarity, two forces united, but moving in opposite directions, as opposed to duality which are two separated but related things.
Equinoxes are balance points (square, straight), to the solstices, which as I take it are the height of fuller Yang (not pure yang) and fuller Yin (not pure yin). Spring is called lesser yang – yang is rising/waxing; and Fall is lesser yin- yin is rising/ yang is waning. The solstices at Summer and Winter are Greater yang and Greater Yin, respectively.
Full moon- indicates that Yin and Yang Qi are equally “full” in the body, so cultivation is about regulating these energies – balancing them or keeping them in harmony. This includes the types of movements that encourage equal and balanced movement rhythm and ascending/ descending actions; breathing patterns that focus on inhaling and exhaling the same amount (i.e., inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts), and mental focus on images that lead Qi in and out of the body in an equal and balanced way to regulate the energetic fields.
Reference:
The Complete I Ching, 10th Anniversary Edition, Taoist Master Alfred Huang. 2010.
Earth over Earth
This is one of the 12 tidal gua and represents the 10th month of the lunar calendar November.
“The significance of Qian is to explore natural phenomena, the Tao of Heaven. The significance of Kun is to explore the social phenomena, the Tao of Humanity. The Tao of Heaven is initiation, the Tao of Humanity is submission and responding. As a human being, one has to be submissive to Heaven and be responsive to Heaven’s Will.” (38, Huang)
“Kun acts harmoniously with Qian for the completion of Creation; thus, Kun is responsive to Qian’s creative action.” (39)
“One of the commentaries says, “Yin is the most submissive, when put in motion, it is strong and firm. Yin is the most quiet and still; when taking action, it is able to reach a definite goal.
How can this be? Yin is gentle but not weak. It is submissive, without necessarily giving up its initiative. Yin receives Yang qualities by nurturing the Yang.”
(43-4)
Four qualities of Yin: yielding, submissive, central, and correct.
The advice is: if one follows a self-calculated course, things will not go well; but following another’s wise guidance will result in success. The Tao of the subordinate; the sage follows the Tao of Heaven to establish the Tao of Humanity.
A sage’s attitude is ideally one of serving, being of service, or being centered squarely as a servant of humanity through following the will of Heaven.
Though sages in some cultures might be highly placed in society, his/her “place” is in the midst of this offering to others, listening, teaching, and understanding wisdom from that vantage and guidance.
Off the cuff nerd moment:
Also, as we have two celestial events happening this week- the Full Moon on the 20th and the Fall Equinox on the 22nd, I think this has two other aspects worth noting:
From 5 Element Theory: Fall/ Lungs/ Letting Go/ Direction associated: West- the sacred direction of birth/rebirth; in the turning of the directions- South and Southwest and West- this is the place of humanity- doing, being, and making friends. “Following, obtains a master. / Favorable in the southwest; Gets friends. In the northeast: Lose Friends. Be composed and content. Being steadfast and upright: Good Fortune.” (p 41). Huang explains that Southwest in this hexagram refers to the arrangement of the bagua, where Earth is in the Southwest position; opposite this in the East direction is Mountain and Thunder in the North is Heaven and Water. The positions in the South and West correspond to the yin members of the household, whereas the Northeast to the yang members, emphasizing receptive, rather than initiating actions.
Numerological- the 2nd Equinox of the year, on the 22nd solar day of the month; 15th day of the lunar cycle (6= 1+5, reduces to 2); on full moon on solar day 20 and the reading for this time is 2- K’un. Two is the number of polarity, two forces united, but moving in opposite directions, as opposed to duality which are two separated but related things.
Equinoxes are balance points (square, straight), to the solstices, which as I take it are the height of fuller Yang (not pure yang) and fuller Yin (not pure yin). Spring is called lesser yang – yang is rising/waxing; and Fall is lesser yin- yin is rising/ yang is waning. The solstices at Summer and Winter are Greater yang and Greater Yin, respectively.
Full moon- indicates that Yin and Yang Qi are equally “full” in the body, so cultivation is about regulating these energies – balancing them or keeping them in harmony. This includes the types of movements that encourage equal and balanced movement rhythm and ascending/ descending actions; breathing patterns that focus on inhaling and exhaling the same amount (i.e., inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts), and mental focus on images that lead Qi in and out of the body in an equal and balanced way to regulate the energetic fields.
Reference:
The Complete I Ching, 10th Anniversary Edition, Taoist Master Alfred Huang. 2010.
September 12th through 18th, 2021
20: Guan/ Watching (Contemplation), changing line 5
Transforms to 23: Bo/ Falling Away (Stripping/ Skinning)
Main text for interpretation, “The Complete I Ching: 10th Anniversary Edition”, by Daoist Master Alfred Huang.
20: Guan/ Watching
[whole text: Huang, pp. 185-191]
After 19, Approaching, the next step, 20 is Watching. Approaching carries a meaning of becoming great. “…requires careful attention.” So, watching follows. Alfred Huang, in explaining the evolution of the ideograph (pictured to the side) explains that it “shows a bird and a human watching attentively with their eyes wide open.”
The last time I drew 19 in a reading was at the last new moon on August 8th. This is interesting to me in terms of the full reading for this week. 19- Lin is associated with the 12th lunar month, January. In that reading, the line that was changing had to do with a leader’s beginning influence being felt, one whose will is to act in the correct way after winning power from a tyrant. There is an ominous seeming line in Lin about something coming to an end in the eighth month. But- I think in the context of the current reading, we are seeing the ending, perhaps once and for all, of a bad influence.
Gua:
Wind (Xun) over the Earth (Kun)- invisible influence (like authority) flowing out to all corners of the Earth. The general advice is directed to those who make the edicts, who have this kind of authority- whether the sovereign (Heart/Mind) or the actual political leaders/bosses. Exercise caution in the way you speak; someone is always watching, absorbing, and enacting your words. This includes on a personal level the way you do self-talk. Your very cells hear your inner conversations- watch what you say there; think about what you’d like to see manifest in the world.
“In China, a Taoist temple is termed Tao Guan; literally it is a ‘place for watching the Tao.’ The esoteric secret of Taoist meditation is watching- watching the breath, or the flowing of energy, or nothing.” Staying alert, a wooden fish. Wooden fish symbolism- a wooden block in the shape of a fish is struck on the beats of Daoist prayers. Huang explains the symbol was chosen because fish never close their eyes, so this is a reminder to stay awake, aware. This gua is also tied to Guan Yin- Avalokiteshvara- who watches over humanity. The Immortal, Guan Yin hears the cry of humanity suffering and responds.
From a leadership perspective: people should always watch the virtue of a leader; likewise, a leader should be sensitive to the issues of morality, justice, and above all, endeavor to embody/manifest these qualities to the people. This influence flows like the air does- everywhere- to every corner.
Changing line 5 to Falling Away: This line represents one of high virtue who can watch people’s responses to what he/she says and determine if the words were right or wrong. “In ancient China, such watching and introspection concerning one’s own words and deeds were regarded as one of the highest virtues of a ruler or a sage. The message of this gua is that by watching another’s response, one can come to know oneself.” (191) This line is the host of the gua.
This hexagram represents the eighth month of the lunar year: September, which we are indeed in.
23: Bo *Po*/ Peeling/ Splitting Apart/ Falling Away
[Whole description in Huang, pp. 206-211]
Mountain (Gen) over Earth (Kun): Speaks of a situation that is like a mountain that has a landslide. The mountain cannot stand on a foundation that is not strong enough to support it. This gua is also about waxing and waning- when one increases, the other decreases. “When evil runs rampant, it is sure to affect what is good and correct. In the course of history many great empires have decayed and fallen away.” (209) The only fruit that remains uneaten is the virtue held by those who hold it and can carry it into the next cycle of waxing.
FYI: next full moon is September 20; next new moon is October 6th- this Bo relates to the month of October.
Master Huang says when the term “bo” is pronounced “bao”, it means shelling or peeling which is how many translators interpret it (stripping, skinning, etc). When the term Bo is pronounced “bo” it means decay or something falling away; when it is applied to a mountain, it means a landslide. In human societies, it signifies decline; the falling of a moral standard/ or social system. (p. 206)
“When adornment (the hexagram before Bo) becomes excessive, beauty comes to an end. Thus, after adorning come falling away.” (206) This reminded me of Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Landslide”- “When you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills, well the landslide will bring me down.” This happens in the natural world with or without human intervention. Huang points out that there is a connotation in the ideograph of carving; so, falling away can refer to the making of a carving- deliberate removing of parts of a structure to make something new. It pictures a knife on the right, a sound on the left. At some point, the picture took on the meaning King Wen’s sword, which he named “Lu” (meaning a piece of carved wood). King Wen led the rebellion that defeated the Shang tyrant, but for several months still had to deal with rebels who supported the tyrant, but eventually through his virtuous example, his willingness to represent not only good and right, but also all the people meant he was eventually able to establish a new dynasty.
On the evil ones: With the yin lines advancing, only one strong yang remains- “…this is enough to cause the moral degeneration of the yang.” (207) So their influence has still been felt and is still a danger- but a waning one.
General advice: “Act in accordance with the situation and keep still. / Contemplating the image, the superior person comprehends the alternation of increase and decrease, also the alternation of fullness and emptiness. It is the Tao of Heaven.” (207)
Commentary: Mountain erodes close to the Earth. / An image of decaying and Falling Away. / In correspondence with this, / That which is above becomes benevolent to those below/ As if building houses on solid foundations.”
Line 5: (208) Fifth six. / A string of fish. / Favors them as if favoring court ladies. / In the end, no fault.”
Line 5 may or may not add anything to the meaning, but here goes:
This is like a queen who is “leading the four court ladies, one after another like a school of fish, showing their submissiveness and loyalty to the king” (210) There was an ancient protocol regulating sex with the king- on the night of the full moon the queen served the king in bed. Before that, a court lady would sleep with him, from lowest rank to highest one each night, until the moon was full. After that, the order would reverse. “This line represents a new situation. Evil forces no longer cause decay to the upright. On the contrary, they approach and show their submissiveness. After darkness comes the dawn.”
So, perhaps we are seeing a situation where conditions are decaying and about to fall apart in the old guard, but the new guard is a little hampered by old rules. In the end, the factors that caused the delay cease and desist, and instead begin to work in one’s favor. This could be described as a time where it seems darkest just before the day breaks.
Transforms to 23: Bo/ Falling Away (Stripping/ Skinning)
Main text for interpretation, “The Complete I Ching: 10th Anniversary Edition”, by Daoist Master Alfred Huang.
20: Guan/ Watching
[whole text: Huang, pp. 185-191]
After 19, Approaching, the next step, 20 is Watching. Approaching carries a meaning of becoming great. “…requires careful attention.” So, watching follows. Alfred Huang, in explaining the evolution of the ideograph (pictured to the side) explains that it “shows a bird and a human watching attentively with their eyes wide open.”
The last time I drew 19 in a reading was at the last new moon on August 8th. This is interesting to me in terms of the full reading for this week. 19- Lin is associated with the 12th lunar month, January. In that reading, the line that was changing had to do with a leader’s beginning influence being felt, one whose will is to act in the correct way after winning power from a tyrant. There is an ominous seeming line in Lin about something coming to an end in the eighth month. But- I think in the context of the current reading, we are seeing the ending, perhaps once and for all, of a bad influence.
Gua:
Wind (Xun) over the Earth (Kun)- invisible influence (like authority) flowing out to all corners of the Earth. The general advice is directed to those who make the edicts, who have this kind of authority- whether the sovereign (Heart/Mind) or the actual political leaders/bosses. Exercise caution in the way you speak; someone is always watching, absorbing, and enacting your words. This includes on a personal level the way you do self-talk. Your very cells hear your inner conversations- watch what you say there; think about what you’d like to see manifest in the world.
“In China, a Taoist temple is termed Tao Guan; literally it is a ‘place for watching the Tao.’ The esoteric secret of Taoist meditation is watching- watching the breath, or the flowing of energy, or nothing.” Staying alert, a wooden fish. Wooden fish symbolism- a wooden block in the shape of a fish is struck on the beats of Daoist prayers. Huang explains the symbol was chosen because fish never close their eyes, so this is a reminder to stay awake, aware. This gua is also tied to Guan Yin- Avalokiteshvara- who watches over humanity. The Immortal, Guan Yin hears the cry of humanity suffering and responds.
From a leadership perspective: people should always watch the virtue of a leader; likewise, a leader should be sensitive to the issues of morality, justice, and above all, endeavor to embody/manifest these qualities to the people. This influence flows like the air does- everywhere- to every corner.
Changing line 5 to Falling Away: This line represents one of high virtue who can watch people’s responses to what he/she says and determine if the words were right or wrong. “In ancient China, such watching and introspection concerning one’s own words and deeds were regarded as one of the highest virtues of a ruler or a sage. The message of this gua is that by watching another’s response, one can come to know oneself.” (191) This line is the host of the gua.
This hexagram represents the eighth month of the lunar year: September, which we are indeed in.
23: Bo *Po*/ Peeling/ Splitting Apart/ Falling Away
[Whole description in Huang, pp. 206-211]
Mountain (Gen) over Earth (Kun): Speaks of a situation that is like a mountain that has a landslide. The mountain cannot stand on a foundation that is not strong enough to support it. This gua is also about waxing and waning- when one increases, the other decreases. “When evil runs rampant, it is sure to affect what is good and correct. In the course of history many great empires have decayed and fallen away.” (209) The only fruit that remains uneaten is the virtue held by those who hold it and can carry it into the next cycle of waxing.
FYI: next full moon is September 20; next new moon is October 6th- this Bo relates to the month of October.
Master Huang says when the term “bo” is pronounced “bao”, it means shelling or peeling which is how many translators interpret it (stripping, skinning, etc). When the term Bo is pronounced “bo” it means decay or something falling away; when it is applied to a mountain, it means a landslide. In human societies, it signifies decline; the falling of a moral standard/ or social system. (p. 206)
“When adornment (the hexagram before Bo) becomes excessive, beauty comes to an end. Thus, after adorning come falling away.” (206) This reminded me of Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Landslide”- “When you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills, well the landslide will bring me down.” This happens in the natural world with or without human intervention. Huang points out that there is a connotation in the ideograph of carving; so, falling away can refer to the making of a carving- deliberate removing of parts of a structure to make something new. It pictures a knife on the right, a sound on the left. At some point, the picture took on the meaning King Wen’s sword, which he named “Lu” (meaning a piece of carved wood). King Wen led the rebellion that defeated the Shang tyrant, but for several months still had to deal with rebels who supported the tyrant, but eventually through his virtuous example, his willingness to represent not only good and right, but also all the people meant he was eventually able to establish a new dynasty.
On the evil ones: With the yin lines advancing, only one strong yang remains- “…this is enough to cause the moral degeneration of the yang.” (207) So their influence has still been felt and is still a danger- but a waning one.
General advice: “Act in accordance with the situation and keep still. / Contemplating the image, the superior person comprehends the alternation of increase and decrease, also the alternation of fullness and emptiness. It is the Tao of Heaven.” (207)
Commentary: Mountain erodes close to the Earth. / An image of decaying and Falling Away. / In correspondence with this, / That which is above becomes benevolent to those below/ As if building houses on solid foundations.”
Line 5: (208) Fifth six. / A string of fish. / Favors them as if favoring court ladies. / In the end, no fault.”
Line 5 may or may not add anything to the meaning, but here goes:
This is like a queen who is “leading the four court ladies, one after another like a school of fish, showing their submissiveness and loyalty to the king” (210) There was an ancient protocol regulating sex with the king- on the night of the full moon the queen served the king in bed. Before that, a court lady would sleep with him, from lowest rank to highest one each night, until the moon was full. After that, the order would reverse. “This line represents a new situation. Evil forces no longer cause decay to the upright. On the contrary, they approach and show their submissiveness. After darkness comes the dawn.”
So, perhaps we are seeing a situation where conditions are decaying and about to fall apart in the old guard, but the new guard is a little hampered by old rules. In the end, the factors that caused the delay cease and desist, and instead begin to work in one’s favor. This could be described as a time where it seems darkest just before the day breaks.
September 5th through 12th, 2021
61- Zhong fu/ Inner Truth
changing lines 1, 5
4- Meng/ Youthful Inexperience
Notes from Li Se's Oracle of the Moon
changing lines 1, 5
4- Meng/ Youthful Inexperience
Notes from Li Se's Oracle of the Moon
August 29th through September 4th, 2021
55- Feng/ Abundance
changing lines 3 and 6
Transformed:
17- Sui/ Following
the reading for this period is themed on abundance, with the lines that represent the limit of inner landscape (3) and the limit of outer landscape (6) both changing; the resulting hexagram is the theme of following or gaining one. It all looks promising for good fortune. We move the world by changing our perspectives on it.
In terms of weather, this coming week the effects of hurricane Ida will be reverberating across the Southern United States and considering it is a category 4 storm, its impact on Louisiana and the Gulf coasts of Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida might be devastating. As I write, comfortably from Tennessee, even we will expect some fall out in the form of heavy and flooding rain and storms coming our way in the next few days. Fun times…
Upshot, as much as I am loathe to embrace the trendy buzzwords of superficial new age positivity (bleck- sorry, not sorry), it is at least true that your inner world determines your perception of the outer world. Your state of abundance depends on how well you can seek out, and with loving care, tend to the places within your heart/mind that hinder your access to who you really are- i.e., your original spirit- your good old soul. Your inner thoughts are part of a polarized balance with the outer world; indeed, the opposite hexagram for this reading is 18- work on what has been spoiled (remedying) with its theme of purging poisonous that can ruin everything- hostilities, will to do harm, ill will, casting of curses, etc. Yield and let the world do what it does. Your task is know who you are and how you will act, no matter what else is happening. I have a teacher who says, “If you cannot do Qigong in the middle of a hurricane without losing your concentration, you aren’t doing it right.” Hat tip, JMichael- this is so true.
See more on my blog post for this week, where I will attempt to tie together August's readings which seem to me to follow the seasonal changes at this time of year in an uncanny flow.
changing lines 3 and 6
Transformed:
17- Sui/ Following
the reading for this period is themed on abundance, with the lines that represent the limit of inner landscape (3) and the limit of outer landscape (6) both changing; the resulting hexagram is the theme of following or gaining one. It all looks promising for good fortune. We move the world by changing our perspectives on it.
In terms of weather, this coming week the effects of hurricane Ida will be reverberating across the Southern United States and considering it is a category 4 storm, its impact on Louisiana and the Gulf coasts of Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida might be devastating. As I write, comfortably from Tennessee, even we will expect some fall out in the form of heavy and flooding rain and storms coming our way in the next few days. Fun times…
Upshot, as much as I am loathe to embrace the trendy buzzwords of superficial new age positivity (bleck- sorry, not sorry), it is at least true that your inner world determines your perception of the outer world. Your state of abundance depends on how well you can seek out, and with loving care, tend to the places within your heart/mind that hinder your access to who you really are- i.e., your original spirit- your good old soul. Your inner thoughts are part of a polarized balance with the outer world; indeed, the opposite hexagram for this reading is 18- work on what has been spoiled (remedying) with its theme of purging poisonous that can ruin everything- hostilities, will to do harm, ill will, casting of curses, etc. Yield and let the world do what it does. Your task is know who you are and how you will act, no matter what else is happening. I have a teacher who says, “If you cannot do Qigong in the middle of a hurricane without losing your concentration, you aren’t doing it right.” Hat tip, JMichael- this is so true.
See more on my blog post for this week, where I will attempt to tie together August's readings which seem to me to follow the seasonal changes at this time of year in an uncanny flow.
August 22nd through 28th, 2021
21- Shi he/ Biting Through (Eradicating)
Changing lines 1,2
64- Wei ji/Not Yet Fulfilled
"Close the mouth to bite" or removing the obstruction to the teeth is biting through.
Administering justice by removing the obstacles to it. Criminal cases, crime and punishments. Can also point to an unfair situation where because of backbiting, gossip, or slander, someone is kept from coming together with his/her destiny, or together in harmony with community.
The lines describe the severity of the crime, and the appropriate punishment.
Line 1 describes someone who was led astray by bad influences, but can still change course for the better.
Line 2 describes one in a higher position than the person in the 1st; he should have known better. Punishment might involve what we call in America, "sticking his nose in it", to make the point more vivid.
64- Wei Ji- Not Yet Fulfilled
This indicates a fresh cycle beginning, despite the name "not yet fulfilled". A new cycle is always contained in the ending of the previous one. So we could hope that because perpetrators have been caught and punished, a new era may begin.
Changing lines 1,2
64- Wei ji/Not Yet Fulfilled
"Close the mouth to bite" or removing the obstruction to the teeth is biting through.
Administering justice by removing the obstacles to it. Criminal cases, crime and punishments. Can also point to an unfair situation where because of backbiting, gossip, or slander, someone is kept from coming together with his/her destiny, or together in harmony with community.
The lines describe the severity of the crime, and the appropriate punishment.
Line 1 describes someone who was led astray by bad influences, but can still change course for the better.
Line 2 describes one in a higher position than the person in the 1st; he should have known better. Punishment might involve what we call in America, "sticking his nose in it", to make the point more vivid.
64- Wei Ji- Not Yet Fulfilled
This indicates a fresh cycle beginning, despite the name "not yet fulfilled". A new cycle is always contained in the ending of the previous one. So we could hope that because perpetrators have been caught and punished, a new era may begin.
August 15th through August 21st, 2021
Hexagram:
15- Modesty/ Humbleness
No Changes
I have decided to write about this one in my blog entry for the week. There were too many interesting connections with it to confine in this small space.
See link!
15- Modesty/ Humbleness
No Changes
I have decided to write about this one in my blog entry for the week. There were too many interesting connections with it to confine in this small space.
See link!
August 8th through 14th, 2021
19, changing line 1 to 7
August 1st through 7th, 2021
7- Shi The multitude,
changing lines 2 and 6 to:
23- Bo- Splitting Apart
changing lines 2 and 6 to:
23- Bo- Splitting Apart
July 25th through July 31st, 2021
47- Kun- Exhausting (Oppression), changing line 6;
transformation: 6- Sung- Contention (Conflict)
Master Huang On
47/ Kun: (pp. 374-5)
"When growing upward goes on without stopping, surely one will become exhausted. Thus, after Growing Upward (hexagram 46), Exhausting follows."
Decision: Exhausting/ Prosperous and smooth. / Being steadfast and upright. Great person: good fortune. / No fault. / There are words / Not believed.
Commentary on the
Decision:
Exhausting. The firm is covered. / Facing danger, still be joyous. In an exhausting situation one does not lose his prosperity and smoothness; Only the superior person is able to do it. / Being steadfast and upright. Only the great person possesses these traits. In will bring about good fortune because he is firm and central. / There are words not believed. He who considers the words important falls into exhaustion.
Line 6 text: Exhausted with creeping vines, and also danger and perplexity. Saying, “Moving: regret.” Probably repenting, then moving forward: good fortune. (377)
The theme has to do with water being drained away or energy, resources drying up, which is an exhausting situation- but also a time to step back, renew, recommit to virtue, and wait for better conditions. As Master Huang says, “In the spirit of the I Ching, an extremely exhausting situation bears the seeds of great regeneration. The sage accepts every situation with faith and ease. Not many people understand and believe this truth.” (375). He makes an analogy of the kinds of struggles that come for people with few financial resources and the enormous pressure and struggle that places on one’s survival. “A man with no money is like a fish with no water.” (378) He points out that merely complaining without seeking a cause or a solution only worsens the conditions, but truly virtuous people will concern themselves with higher causes. If one is going to be exhausted, might as well be in the pursuit of worthy goals.
Month: October
(from 377):
The image of the gua (gua is a term for the a trigram- two gua stacked make the hexagram; the image he refers to is: the element of Lake (dui) situated on top of the image of Kun- Abyss, or Water) suggests that the yin forces overwhelm the yang, but the yang will not be overcome. The virtuous and the wise might fall into a destitute situation, but it is only a temporary condition. Because they know how to practice self-examination, and to regret and repent, they always learn something from their former errors. The little fellows might be successful and prosperous for a time, but they will surely end up destitute. They refuse to understand the law of cause and effect- one who damages other will eventually damage oneself. “
(378):
King Wen suffered hardships in his efforts to liberate the people from the Tyrant of Shang; one of these was in the beginning it was hard to convince the Shang’s subjects that they needed to be liberated- they didn’t believe him, or they didn’t believe it was possible to defeat their oppressors or that King Wen had the new mandate of Heaven. He performed a certain ritual to demonstrate his sincerity and his right to claim leadership. This turned the tide and his revolution was successful.
6-Song- Contention
“In Chinese, Song means to dispute, to demand justice, or to bring a case to the court because there is contention…This gua is the inverse of the preceding gua, Needing (hexagram 5). (81) Needing, scrambling for food, contention is certain to arise. Thus, after Needing, Contention follows.” For the purposes of interpretation, Huang speaks of the upper trigram, Heaven flowing upward, and the lower one, Water, flowing downward- their natures move a away from each other due to conflict. Here Water is symbolic for danger and mean intention (devious, cruel hearted) and Heaven symbolizes strong, resolute character. But the solution is not obvious- the talk of courts of law indicates that the middle ground is the only place from which a reasonable solution (conducive to community) can be reached.
Commentary on the Decision:
Contention. Strength is above, danger below. Danger with strength produces contention. / Facing contention be faithful and confident. / Truth is blocked. Be cautious. Midpoint: good fortune. The firm comes and attains the central place. / End: misfortune. It is better not to let contention happen. / Favorable to see the great person; the central and correct is honored. Unfavorable to cross great rivers; this would lead one to the abyss.” (82)
(84) Line 6: “Top Nine: Probably a leather belt is given with honor. By the end of the morning- thrice taken away. To obtain distinction through contention is not worthy of respect.”
“If one is fond of contention, evil awaits.”
Line six represents a situation where contention is taken to its extreme, with the advice that those who rely on conflict for their success will not be able to maintain it because there will always be someone else who can snatch it away in the same manner. (87)
Better to accept one’s current position and offer service to a higher cause (develop in virtue).
Month: April
You can purchase Master Huang's book, "The Complete I Ching" by following the link below.
transformation: 6- Sung- Contention (Conflict)
Master Huang On
47/ Kun: (pp. 374-5)
"When growing upward goes on without stopping, surely one will become exhausted. Thus, after Growing Upward (hexagram 46), Exhausting follows."
Decision: Exhausting/ Prosperous and smooth. / Being steadfast and upright. Great person: good fortune. / No fault. / There are words / Not believed.
Commentary on the
Decision:
Exhausting. The firm is covered. / Facing danger, still be joyous. In an exhausting situation one does not lose his prosperity and smoothness; Only the superior person is able to do it. / Being steadfast and upright. Only the great person possesses these traits. In will bring about good fortune because he is firm and central. / There are words not believed. He who considers the words important falls into exhaustion.
Line 6 text: Exhausted with creeping vines, and also danger and perplexity. Saying, “Moving: regret.” Probably repenting, then moving forward: good fortune. (377)
The theme has to do with water being drained away or energy, resources drying up, which is an exhausting situation- but also a time to step back, renew, recommit to virtue, and wait for better conditions. As Master Huang says, “In the spirit of the I Ching, an extremely exhausting situation bears the seeds of great regeneration. The sage accepts every situation with faith and ease. Not many people understand and believe this truth.” (375). He makes an analogy of the kinds of struggles that come for people with few financial resources and the enormous pressure and struggle that places on one’s survival. “A man with no money is like a fish with no water.” (378) He points out that merely complaining without seeking a cause or a solution only worsens the conditions, but truly virtuous people will concern themselves with higher causes. If one is going to be exhausted, might as well be in the pursuit of worthy goals.
Month: October
(from 377):
The image of the gua (gua is a term for the a trigram- two gua stacked make the hexagram; the image he refers to is: the element of Lake (dui) situated on top of the image of Kun- Abyss, or Water) suggests that the yin forces overwhelm the yang, but the yang will not be overcome. The virtuous and the wise might fall into a destitute situation, but it is only a temporary condition. Because they know how to practice self-examination, and to regret and repent, they always learn something from their former errors. The little fellows might be successful and prosperous for a time, but they will surely end up destitute. They refuse to understand the law of cause and effect- one who damages other will eventually damage oneself. “
(378):
King Wen suffered hardships in his efforts to liberate the people from the Tyrant of Shang; one of these was in the beginning it was hard to convince the Shang’s subjects that they needed to be liberated- they didn’t believe him, or they didn’t believe it was possible to defeat their oppressors or that King Wen had the new mandate of Heaven. He performed a certain ritual to demonstrate his sincerity and his right to claim leadership. This turned the tide and his revolution was successful.
6-Song- Contention
“In Chinese, Song means to dispute, to demand justice, or to bring a case to the court because there is contention…This gua is the inverse of the preceding gua, Needing (hexagram 5). (81) Needing, scrambling for food, contention is certain to arise. Thus, after Needing, Contention follows.” For the purposes of interpretation, Huang speaks of the upper trigram, Heaven flowing upward, and the lower one, Water, flowing downward- their natures move a away from each other due to conflict. Here Water is symbolic for danger and mean intention (devious, cruel hearted) and Heaven symbolizes strong, resolute character. But the solution is not obvious- the talk of courts of law indicates that the middle ground is the only place from which a reasonable solution (conducive to community) can be reached.
Commentary on the Decision:
Contention. Strength is above, danger below. Danger with strength produces contention. / Facing contention be faithful and confident. / Truth is blocked. Be cautious. Midpoint: good fortune. The firm comes and attains the central place. / End: misfortune. It is better not to let contention happen. / Favorable to see the great person; the central and correct is honored. Unfavorable to cross great rivers; this would lead one to the abyss.” (82)
(84) Line 6: “Top Nine: Probably a leather belt is given with honor. By the end of the morning- thrice taken away. To obtain distinction through contention is not worthy of respect.”
“If one is fond of contention, evil awaits.”
Line six represents a situation where contention is taken to its extreme, with the advice that those who rely on conflict for their success will not be able to maintain it because there will always be someone else who can snatch it away in the same manner. (87)
Better to accept one’s current position and offer service to a higher cause (develop in virtue).
Month: April
You can purchase Master Huang's book, "The Complete I Ching" by following the link below.
July 18th through July 24th, 2021
9- xiao chu /Taming Power of the small, changing lines 3,5 to
41- sun/Decrease
Weight placed on line 5: If you are sincere and loyally attached, you are rich in your neighbor. Changes to 26- da chu-Taming Power of the great
(line 3: The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes) (changes to 61- Zhong fu- Inner truth)
**Nuclear hexagrams: 24- Fu// Return and
For 9 = 38- Kui- Diversity
For 41 = Fu-Return**
We haven’t really discussed this aspect of a reading this year, so rather than blather on about the original hexagram I thought this would be a good time to consider it. Lucky you! (haha). Using the meanings of the nuclear hexagrams is not practiced by everyone and many Yijing enthusiasts/experts do not consider them important. But, factoring in the nuance of “inner” dynamics present in each hexagram, I have found there is often an added layer that does give some insight, provided the reading is pertinent to me personally somehow (sometimes, it isn’t).
Nuclear hexagrams are described as the inner tension of the reading. In this particular reading, one way to interpret this is: the idea of opposing forces that are present in diversity or diverging influences give way to the idea of starting over (the return in hexagram 24 alludes to the new moon).
According to Master Huang, the original meaning of Kui was “eyes do not look at each other” (p. 313) as in not seeing eye to eye. Though diversity has other connotations, i.e., inclusive, but different perspectives, the tone of this meaning is more along the oppositional forces that diversity can bring, and Kui is labelled “Opposition” by other translators (Wilhelm and Blofield, for example). Commentary of Kui is along the lines of seeking common ground on major issues, while keeping individual differences on small matters. Out of diversity, then, a chance for a fresh start; or, oppositional forces come head to head like a natural cycle. Given the changing lines for Hex. 9, line 3 indicates that husband and wife are not working together, so their vehicle breaks, causing embarrassment; and line 5 (favored), indicates that keeping to sincerity and loyalty, you can bring together the group of household in a neighborhood (a much less selfish pursuit than keeping an individual household together).
You can derive these hexagrams through a simple process- leaving out the first (bottom) line, and the last (top) line, record the second, third and fourth lines to come up with the lower trigram; then record the third, fourth, and fifth to come up with the upper trigram.
Other factors:
Opposite hexagram:
31- Wooing (influencing)
King Wen sequence:
10- Treading (Conduct) Lu, changing lines 3 and 5 to 14- Da Yu- Possession in Great Measure
Master Huang lists associated months for each hexagram in his book that may or may not apply to the reading for this week, but might also be interesting to note:
9=May.
41- August
26-September (the transformation of is only the favored line were considered)
31- June
10—July; 14- June
24- December
38-January
I recently created an I Ching journal that is published and now for sale on Amazon- it is structured for one reading a week to journal about with a monthly summary. This allows you to collect a year's worth of weekly readings all in the same place! No more backs of envelopes, random post-it notes, or other places to record (and lose) the thread. Of course, I never do that (again, haha). I hope you will consider a purchase for your own records! Thank you!
41- sun/Decrease
Weight placed on line 5: If you are sincere and loyally attached, you are rich in your neighbor. Changes to 26- da chu-Taming Power of the great
(line 3: The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes) (changes to 61- Zhong fu- Inner truth)
**Nuclear hexagrams: 24- Fu// Return and
For 9 = 38- Kui- Diversity
For 41 = Fu-Return**
We haven’t really discussed this aspect of a reading this year, so rather than blather on about the original hexagram I thought this would be a good time to consider it. Lucky you! (haha). Using the meanings of the nuclear hexagrams is not practiced by everyone and many Yijing enthusiasts/experts do not consider them important. But, factoring in the nuance of “inner” dynamics present in each hexagram, I have found there is often an added layer that does give some insight, provided the reading is pertinent to me personally somehow (sometimes, it isn’t).
Nuclear hexagrams are described as the inner tension of the reading. In this particular reading, one way to interpret this is: the idea of opposing forces that are present in diversity or diverging influences give way to the idea of starting over (the return in hexagram 24 alludes to the new moon).
According to Master Huang, the original meaning of Kui was “eyes do not look at each other” (p. 313) as in not seeing eye to eye. Though diversity has other connotations, i.e., inclusive, but different perspectives, the tone of this meaning is more along the oppositional forces that diversity can bring, and Kui is labelled “Opposition” by other translators (Wilhelm and Blofield, for example). Commentary of Kui is along the lines of seeking common ground on major issues, while keeping individual differences on small matters. Out of diversity, then, a chance for a fresh start; or, oppositional forces come head to head like a natural cycle. Given the changing lines for Hex. 9, line 3 indicates that husband and wife are not working together, so their vehicle breaks, causing embarrassment; and line 5 (favored), indicates that keeping to sincerity and loyalty, you can bring together the group of household in a neighborhood (a much less selfish pursuit than keeping an individual household together).
You can derive these hexagrams through a simple process- leaving out the first (bottom) line, and the last (top) line, record the second, third and fourth lines to come up with the lower trigram; then record the third, fourth, and fifth to come up with the upper trigram.
Other factors:
Opposite hexagram:
31- Wooing (influencing)
King Wen sequence:
10- Treading (Conduct) Lu, changing lines 3 and 5 to 14- Da Yu- Possession in Great Measure
Master Huang lists associated months for each hexagram in his book that may or may not apply to the reading for this week, but might also be interesting to note:
9=May.
41- August
26-September (the transformation of is only the favored line were considered)
31- June
10—July; 14- June
24- December
38-January
I recently created an I Ching journal that is published and now for sale on Amazon- it is structured for one reading a week to journal about with a monthly summary. This allows you to collect a year's worth of weekly readings all in the same place! No more backs of envelopes, random post-it notes, or other places to record (and lose) the thread. Of course, I never do that (again, haha). I hope you will consider a purchase for your own records! Thank you!
July 11th through July 17th, 2021
23 Po/ Falling Away
changing line 6
24 Fu Turning Back
Earlier in the year, this hexagram was drawn (January 31 through February 6) and at that time, we looked at it’s meaning as “Splitting Apart”. Interestingly, the lines that were changing in that week included line 6, which changed for this week as well.
I want to add some more nuance by using Huang’s preferred term “Falling Away”.
changing line 6
24 Fu Turning Back
Earlier in the year, this hexagram was drawn (January 31 through February 6) and at that time, we looked at it’s meaning as “Splitting Apart”. Interestingly, the lines that were changing in that week included line 6, which changed for this week as well.
I want to add some more nuance by using Huang’s preferred term “Falling Away”.
July 4th through July 10th, 2021
40- Jie Relief, or Liberation
changing line 2,
Transformaiton:
39: Jian Hardship, or Obstruction
[Changing line 2 produces 48- Jing- The well/ Replenishing
changing line 2,
Transformaiton:
39: Jian Hardship, or Obstruction
[Changing line 2 produces 48- Jing- The well/ Replenishing
June 27th through July 3rd. 2021
52: Gen (Mountain doubled): Keeping Still
Changing lines 5 and 6
39: Jian: Hardship
Just for a change of pace, this week's resource will be: Wisdom's Way: The Christian I Ching, by Roger Sessions.
To illustrate the meaning of "Keeping Still", he uses the story of Jesus calming the storm to the the amazement of his terrified disciples. "What are you afraid of, oh ye of little faith." (Matthew 8: 23-27)
Here was the teacher resting the midst of a great storm, his fearful disciples wake him and he had the presence of mind to immediately calm the storm. Sessions says, "There is a time to understand that the nature of calmness is to be calm when it is called for and the nature of movement is to move when movement is called for. Now is that time."
Line 5 seems to be advising one to stop talking, that their talking is a problem. However, according to Sessions and other I Ching scholars, this line is really about knowing when to speak and when to be silent. Speech is not a problem when it is done at the right time, in the right way.
Line 6: This is a line about a person who has mastered stillness and can stay centered in all situations without being thrown to and fro by the tumults of stress and life. This one can have major influence.
39- Hardship/ Obstruction
The story Sessions uses for this hexagram is about the miracle "Parting of the Red Sea". The Egyptians, regretting letting the Isrealites go and losing their slave workforce, pursue Moses and his people. He stops the story just before the parting of the sea to convey the sudden panic the people felt being stuck between a hostile army and an enormous sea. This is another challenge of faith- Sessions says, "There is a time to understand obstruction as a challenge that can and should be overcome." Like the disciples in the storm- there is a definite need for faith in the situation. Of course, those who have read the story know that God gave Moses the power to part the sea and the Israelites escaped, but the Pharoah's army was swallowed up in the sea when the tried to follow.
Line 5: This is a call to action- sometimes you cannot go around, ignore, or avoid hardship- it's best at this time to damn the torpedoes and go on in. Be open to inner wisdom to know what to do.
Line 6: This line shows a sage who has attained a level of wisdom, perhaps even enlightenment and has rid him or herself of the world's pettiness and cruelty. Yet, at this very time the world of people is, we are, engaged in several hardships and problems. This person does not have permission to ignore the world in which he/she is a part or to shirk human responsibility. It is a call to spiritual people to bring their wisdom and stand centered in it without detaching or using spiritual gifts to bypass cleaning up the muck and messy parts (i.e., only positive emotions allowed, otherwise you're a "hater"). None of us is too good to get our hands dirty. Non-attachment is not the same as detachment.
Changing lines 5 and 6
39: Jian: Hardship
Just for a change of pace, this week's resource will be: Wisdom's Way: The Christian I Ching, by Roger Sessions.
To illustrate the meaning of "Keeping Still", he uses the story of Jesus calming the storm to the the amazement of his terrified disciples. "What are you afraid of, oh ye of little faith." (Matthew 8: 23-27)
Here was the teacher resting the midst of a great storm, his fearful disciples wake him and he had the presence of mind to immediately calm the storm. Sessions says, "There is a time to understand that the nature of calmness is to be calm when it is called for and the nature of movement is to move when movement is called for. Now is that time."
Line 5 seems to be advising one to stop talking, that their talking is a problem. However, according to Sessions and other I Ching scholars, this line is really about knowing when to speak and when to be silent. Speech is not a problem when it is done at the right time, in the right way.
Line 6: This is a line about a person who has mastered stillness and can stay centered in all situations without being thrown to and fro by the tumults of stress and life. This one can have major influence.
39- Hardship/ Obstruction
The story Sessions uses for this hexagram is about the miracle "Parting of the Red Sea". The Egyptians, regretting letting the Isrealites go and losing their slave workforce, pursue Moses and his people. He stops the story just before the parting of the sea to convey the sudden panic the people felt being stuck between a hostile army and an enormous sea. This is another challenge of faith- Sessions says, "There is a time to understand obstruction as a challenge that can and should be overcome." Like the disciples in the storm- there is a definite need for faith in the situation. Of course, those who have read the story know that God gave Moses the power to part the sea and the Israelites escaped, but the Pharoah's army was swallowed up in the sea when the tried to follow.
Line 5: This is a call to action- sometimes you cannot go around, ignore, or avoid hardship- it's best at this time to damn the torpedoes and go on in. Be open to inner wisdom to know what to do.
Line 6: This line shows a sage who has attained a level of wisdom, perhaps even enlightenment and has rid him or herself of the world's pettiness and cruelty. Yet, at this very time the world of people is, we are, engaged in several hardships and problems. This person does not have permission to ignore the world in which he/she is a part or to shirk human responsibility. It is a call to spiritual people to bring their wisdom and stand centered in it without detaching or using spiritual gifts to bypass cleaning up the muck and messy parts (i.e., only positive emotions allowed, otherwise you're a "hater"). None of us is too good to get our hands dirty. Non-attachment is not the same as detachment.
June 20th through 26th, 2021
30- Li- Brightness Doubled [sometimes The Clinging Fire]
Changing lines: 1 & 4
Transformation:
52- Gen- Keeping Still
A timely drawing, as "Li", the hexagram represents the time of the Summer Solstice, which is today, 6-20-21. Rather than go through a whole discussion of the meanings of this hexagram, I want to share a Facebook post about the importance of this time, from the group "Purple Cloud Institute":
"The Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern hemisphere are occurring on 21st June 2021, or close to this date depending on which time zone you live in.
The solstices are extremely important dates in China, despite China’s vast use of the Lunar Calendar, also referred to as the Farmer’s Calendar [nong li 农历]. In summary, the Chinese year is divided into 24 Seasonal Nodes or Solar Terms [jie qi 节气]. This system includes eight cadences, the two solstices, the two equinoxes and the beginnings [li 立] of the four seasons [1], known as Eight Nodes [ba jie 八节]. To break it down, the winter solstice, on a day to day basis, corresponds to midnight, the summer solstice to midday and the two equinoxes to the twilights occurring at dusk and dawn. The solstices and the equinoxes could also be likened to the four cardinal directions of the compass, i.e. South, North, West and East, as well as the four Earthly Branches of Zi [子], Wu [午], Mao [卯] and You [酉]. The corresponding two-hour time slots of 5-7am, 11am-1pm, 5-7pm and 11pm-1am are fixed intervals during which scriptures are sung in Daoist temples, for instance the Morning Scripture [zao ke 早课] is recited and chanted at Mao-time [5-7am].”
Re: the transformation to 52- Gen (of course, my reading was not their subject, but synchronistic as far as I am concerned):
“Our teacher and abbot of the Five Immortals Temple, Li Shifu, described the eight cadences as special windows and portals, when Yin and Yang are in dynamic exchange and their powers can be harnessed through meditation and the cultivation of stillness.” Facebook post, 6-20-21: Purple Cloud Institute, on the summer solstice.
Visit 5 Immortals Temple website, linked below, or "Like" the Purple Cloud Institute on FB!
Happiest of Father's Day to all you papas out there.
Changing lines: 1 & 4
Transformation:
52- Gen- Keeping Still
A timely drawing, as "Li", the hexagram represents the time of the Summer Solstice, which is today, 6-20-21. Rather than go through a whole discussion of the meanings of this hexagram, I want to share a Facebook post about the importance of this time, from the group "Purple Cloud Institute":
"The Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern hemisphere are occurring on 21st June 2021, or close to this date depending on which time zone you live in.
The solstices are extremely important dates in China, despite China’s vast use of the Lunar Calendar, also referred to as the Farmer’s Calendar [nong li 农历]. In summary, the Chinese year is divided into 24 Seasonal Nodes or Solar Terms [jie qi 节气]. This system includes eight cadences, the two solstices, the two equinoxes and the beginnings [li 立] of the four seasons [1], known as Eight Nodes [ba jie 八节]. To break it down, the winter solstice, on a day to day basis, corresponds to midnight, the summer solstice to midday and the two equinoxes to the twilights occurring at dusk and dawn. The solstices and the equinoxes could also be likened to the four cardinal directions of the compass, i.e. South, North, West and East, as well as the four Earthly Branches of Zi [子], Wu [午], Mao [卯] and You [酉]. The corresponding two-hour time slots of 5-7am, 11am-1pm, 5-7pm and 11pm-1am are fixed intervals during which scriptures are sung in Daoist temples, for instance the Morning Scripture [zao ke 早课] is recited and chanted at Mao-time [5-7am].”
Re: the transformation to 52- Gen (of course, my reading was not their subject, but synchronistic as far as I am concerned):
“Our teacher and abbot of the Five Immortals Temple, Li Shifu, described the eight cadences as special windows and portals, when Yin and Yang are in dynamic exchange and their powers can be harnessed through meditation and the cultivation of stillness.” Facebook post, 6-20-21: Purple Cloud Institute, on the summer solstice.
Visit 5 Immortals Temple website, linked below, or "Like" the Purple Cloud Institute on FB!
Happiest of Father's Day to all you papas out there.
June 13th through 19th, 2021
17- Sui/ Following
changing lines: 2,6
Transformed: 10- Lu/ Fullfillment (in some translations- Treading):
This is about how to follow and how to gain a following. Mutual support that is courteous, respectful, open, and sincere leads to good fortune. Also an attitude of service, joy, and being able to accept things as they are in order to flow well with them- being adaptable and receptive to wise counsel.
"Choosing to follow good influences brings supreme success. You may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but by frequently adjusting your sails, you can arrive at your destination with a joy that inspires others to follow you." See link below for full text.
Line 2: Be discerning in whom you allow to influence you.
Line 6: This is the ultimate, or the far end of following- mutual support between a follower and a sage. The support is based on real service to Divine outcomes. Finding a supporter who can truly help.
Hexagram 10: Lu: Fulfillment.
Well, just the name says it all. But this is the word that is often translated as treading- as in on the tail of a tiger who may bite you. So understanding the difference in power and position and by using good humor, joy, and sincerity, one can maintain the mutually beneficial arrangement.
changing lines: 2,6
Transformed: 10- Lu/ Fullfillment (in some translations- Treading):
This is about how to follow and how to gain a following. Mutual support that is courteous, respectful, open, and sincere leads to good fortune. Also an attitude of service, joy, and being able to accept things as they are in order to flow well with them- being adaptable and receptive to wise counsel.
"Choosing to follow good influences brings supreme success. You may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but by frequently adjusting your sails, you can arrive at your destination with a joy that inspires others to follow you." See link below for full text.
Line 2: Be discerning in whom you allow to influence you.
Line 6: This is the ultimate, or the far end of following- mutual support between a follower and a sage. The support is based on real service to Divine outcomes. Finding a supporter who can truly help.
Hexagram 10: Lu: Fulfillment.
Well, just the name says it all. But this is the word that is often translated as treading- as in on the tail of a tiger who may bite you. So understanding the difference in power and position and by using good humor, joy, and sincerity, one can maintain the mutually beneficial arrangement.
June 6th through June 12th, 2021
55- Feng: Abundance. Changing line 2, to:
34- Da Zhuang: Great Strength (this was the hexagram for last week)
Each hexagram follows another, like a progression or evolution of the idea before it. The hexagram before abundance, called “The Marrying Maiden”, carries the theme of a woman courting for marriage- someone looking for a place to belong. When that is accomplished, “Those who can find a home surely will reap abundance.” The original drawing or ideograph representing Feng is a picture of beans cooking on a pot, plenty to reap and eat a sure sign of “flourishing and abundance.” The trigrams are situation with Thunder above and Fire below; here action follows thought and command. Everything is moving forward and on time. But there is a warning throughout the various lines that this energy cannot go into excess. So, this good time can have a somber aspect. Following the course of nature, abundance is an extreme form of excess and like the waxing and waning moon, or the sun at high noon, it immediate begins to turn to its opposite. The advice it seems would be to treasure the time and use the riches, whatever form they take, well and with careful planning to weather the time of decline.
“Abundance. Prosperous and smooth. The king reaches this point. Be like the sun at noon.”
“Commentary on the Symbol: Thunder and lightening come together. An image of Abundance. In correspondence with this, the superior person decides lawsuits with clarity and carries out punishment with exactness.”
(all quotes, Huang, pp. 433-4)
Line 2: “Abundant his screen. The sun is at noon; polestar can be seen. Going forward brings a suspicious illness. There is sincerity and truthfulness to inspire good fortune. There is sincerity and truthfulness to inspire. Truthfulness and sincerity sprout from his will.” (p 435)
A pause here- what could this mysterious illness be about? Huang explains in part with a comparison to a solar eclipse. (guess what, there is a solar eclipse coming on June 10, 2021- during the period covered in this reading- Ooo! Ahhh!) Also:
“One’s intelligence is obscured by another’s ignorance. Following him, the latter will be suspected and envied. Since the second line is a broken line, there is an opening in the middle, symbolizing an open heart and humility. When the line alternates to a solid line, it symbolizes truthfulness. Thus, the Yao Text recommends truthfulness and sincerity.” (p. 437)
The line does change to solid, giving us the hexagram “Great Strength”, an aim that follows a theme of its previous hexagram, named “Retreat”, which gives the idea of pulling or holding back to maintain safety or gather strength, even when it seems like one is moving in the wrong direction to meet a goal.
“Decision: Great Strength. Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Commentary on the Symbol: Thunder above Heaven. An image of Great Strength. In correspondence with this, the superior person does not act contrary to courtesy. “(p 288) Huang says of this hexagram that it is one of the tidal gua, meaning it can represent a time period as well as an idea. It stands for the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which would have been mid-March to mid-April this year. Perhaps this was the starting point of these energies, or maybe what is started now will culminate by next March/April. But, given that last week's hexagram was 34, I am leaning toward the former option.
History:
King Wen was generous with his abundance and his kindness toward the people, but the cruelty of the Tyrant of Shang left a heavy curtain of darkness which could only be lifted by Wen's continued alleviation of suffering and hardship.
May none of us be the ignorant one who obscures our own intelligence or that of another by covering their light or outshining with ego. I hope for plenty to go around and for the wisdom to use it not only for one’s own benefit, but also for the benefit of all others connected through family, community, world, destiny, and fate. Have fun, play well, work hard, and most of all be kind and act from the center with love.
As I have for the last several weeks, I relied, with gratitude, on Master Alfred Huang's interpretations for the hexagrams: "The Complete I Ching" (10th Anniversary Edition).
34- Da Zhuang: Great Strength (this was the hexagram for last week)
Each hexagram follows another, like a progression or evolution of the idea before it. The hexagram before abundance, called “The Marrying Maiden”, carries the theme of a woman courting for marriage- someone looking for a place to belong. When that is accomplished, “Those who can find a home surely will reap abundance.” The original drawing or ideograph representing Feng is a picture of beans cooking on a pot, plenty to reap and eat a sure sign of “flourishing and abundance.” The trigrams are situation with Thunder above and Fire below; here action follows thought and command. Everything is moving forward and on time. But there is a warning throughout the various lines that this energy cannot go into excess. So, this good time can have a somber aspect. Following the course of nature, abundance is an extreme form of excess and like the waxing and waning moon, or the sun at high noon, it immediate begins to turn to its opposite. The advice it seems would be to treasure the time and use the riches, whatever form they take, well and with careful planning to weather the time of decline.
“Abundance. Prosperous and smooth. The king reaches this point. Be like the sun at noon.”
“Commentary on the Symbol: Thunder and lightening come together. An image of Abundance. In correspondence with this, the superior person decides lawsuits with clarity and carries out punishment with exactness.”
(all quotes, Huang, pp. 433-4)
Line 2: “Abundant his screen. The sun is at noon; polestar can be seen. Going forward brings a suspicious illness. There is sincerity and truthfulness to inspire good fortune. There is sincerity and truthfulness to inspire. Truthfulness and sincerity sprout from his will.” (p 435)
A pause here- what could this mysterious illness be about? Huang explains in part with a comparison to a solar eclipse. (guess what, there is a solar eclipse coming on June 10, 2021- during the period covered in this reading- Ooo! Ahhh!) Also:
“One’s intelligence is obscured by another’s ignorance. Following him, the latter will be suspected and envied. Since the second line is a broken line, there is an opening in the middle, symbolizing an open heart and humility. When the line alternates to a solid line, it symbolizes truthfulness. Thus, the Yao Text recommends truthfulness and sincerity.” (p. 437)
The line does change to solid, giving us the hexagram “Great Strength”, an aim that follows a theme of its previous hexagram, named “Retreat”, which gives the idea of pulling or holding back to maintain safety or gather strength, even when it seems like one is moving in the wrong direction to meet a goal.
“Decision: Great Strength. Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Commentary on the Symbol: Thunder above Heaven. An image of Great Strength. In correspondence with this, the superior person does not act contrary to courtesy. “(p 288) Huang says of this hexagram that it is one of the tidal gua, meaning it can represent a time period as well as an idea. It stands for the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which would have been mid-March to mid-April this year. Perhaps this was the starting point of these energies, or maybe what is started now will culminate by next March/April. But, given that last week's hexagram was 34, I am leaning toward the former option.
History:
King Wen was generous with his abundance and his kindness toward the people, but the cruelty of the Tyrant of Shang left a heavy curtain of darkness which could only be lifted by Wen's continued alleviation of suffering and hardship.
May none of us be the ignorant one who obscures our own intelligence or that of another by covering their light or outshining with ego. I hope for plenty to go around and for the wisdom to use it not only for one’s own benefit, but also for the benefit of all others connected through family, community, world, destiny, and fate. Have fun, play well, work hard, and most of all be kind and act from the center with love.
As I have for the last several weeks, I relied, with gratitude, on Master Alfred Huang's interpretations for the hexagrams: "The Complete I Ching" (10th Anniversary Edition).
May 30th through June 5th, 2021
34 Da Zhuang- Great Strength, with changing lines 1 and 2
Thunder over Heaven- when Thunder (motion) is issued by Heaven (strength) the power is enormously strong, sometimes too strong to withstand. This hexagram becomes a lesson in how to exert power in the best way.
The first line seems a warning to not overdo it; Line 1: Initial nine, Strengthening the forward (big) toes, moving forward: misfortune. Be sincere and truthful- Great strength at the toes. It certainly leads to failure. This may be a warning not to press forward in haste because the timing is still not right; or not to use too much force at the beginning of a project or transition from one way of life to another. Things are still developing and the foundation is not yet strong enough to support what is being forwarded. Huang (p. 291): “Parading one’s strength and striving to outshine others brings about misfortune.” If this were the only line changing, it leads to 32- Heng, Duration. In this case, I wouldn’t think duration would be good, especially if what endures is misfortune.
Second line seems a better path:
Line 2: Second nine, Being steadfast and upright: Good fortune. Good fortune of the second nine. It is at the central place. (Compatible with the fifth line, yang under yin); although the yang at the second place indicates something not in the right place (a yang line in a yin placement), it shows also that it is compatible with the yin in the fifth place, its natural complement in the hexagram, so, there can be balance. If this were the only line changing, it leads to 55 Abundance. If a person acts without an over show of strength- practices constraint, things will go very well. If leadership remains responsive to the people and the people act with courtesy in respect of the leadership, things will go very well.
Transformed hexagram is:
62 Xiao Guo- Small Exceeding This was the opposite hexagram to last week's 61- Zhong fu and the logical "next step" from it.
Thunder as motion, and Mountain as the highest point on Earth (not Heaven). So we did not reach heaven, but the top of a mountain is a great vantage point, nonetheless. From here, perhaps we can see the way to move the mountains of injustice and cruelty that has characterized the world political and power stage until now, when it has been almost toppled. I had a distinctly political feeling from this reading, but it could apply to any situation regarding a change in power dynamics.
62: Xiao Guo- Little Exceeding
Thunder over Mountain
“insufficiency is better than excess” and “A flying bird cannot fly all the time.” (Huang p. 482)
Initial six: this leads to abundance. The line description talks about not over reaching. The problem isn’t wanting to aim high, it’s going beyond the goal- not exercising constraint. Be honest about what you want to achieve and don’t go beyond it.
Second six leads to long lasting: the fifth line represents the grandmother. In ancient Chinese social structure, women are subordinate to men; this is a way of looking at the relationships among people- little to big; citizen to government, administers to kings; kings to the Divine, the Divine to the Dao. In this patriarchal view, the grandmother is the representative of the grandfather (patriarch), so the assumption from this might be something like, even if the one you want to ultimately connect with is not available, keep your eyes open to alternate possibilities and people who may still help you achieve your aim.
From another perspective, we live in a time that the Divine Feminine- the Universal Mother- has been almost obscured and seems nonexistent. Yet, without Her, none of this would exist. Perhaps not a bad or a "lowly" associate at all.
Huang provides a history from the time of King Wen:
King Wen in shutting down the insurrection of the Shang dynasty (the tyrant) loyalists knew he couldn’t just blast them off the face of the earth because that kind of excess would backfire politically and would be pointlessly cruel. King Zhou indicates that during a time of gathering strength, “…people tend to become opinionated and run wild. Conquering the inferior merely by using strength would not assure success.”
This is a time like that.
Opinion coming next:
It seems around the world, there is no country in the world that is free, figuratively or literally, of fire right now because of the overindulgence of those who are greedy for money, power, and who display with pride their wrongheaded selfishness, even weaponizing weaker minded people with the same addled arrogance. Leadership everywhere has been completely inadequate and shameful in its shamelessness. How do we put out these fires without burning ourselves? How do we tend to guarding life and being-the world around us? Maybe a clue is in this reading. We contain the more dangerous elements of a fire, but otherwise, like all evil, it shows itself brightly, then it burns itself out. That may seem like the smaller thing, but for now enough. Perhaps when the regular people see it for what it is, they will turn away from it and come back to their sense of community and shared goals.
For more reading, see Master Alfred Huang's book, "The Complete I Ching". Da Zhuang is described on pages 287-292; Xiao Guo on pages 477-484.
Thunder over Heaven- when Thunder (motion) is issued by Heaven (strength) the power is enormously strong, sometimes too strong to withstand. This hexagram becomes a lesson in how to exert power in the best way.
The first line seems a warning to not overdo it; Line 1: Initial nine, Strengthening the forward (big) toes, moving forward: misfortune. Be sincere and truthful- Great strength at the toes. It certainly leads to failure. This may be a warning not to press forward in haste because the timing is still not right; or not to use too much force at the beginning of a project or transition from one way of life to another. Things are still developing and the foundation is not yet strong enough to support what is being forwarded. Huang (p. 291): “Parading one’s strength and striving to outshine others brings about misfortune.” If this were the only line changing, it leads to 32- Heng, Duration. In this case, I wouldn’t think duration would be good, especially if what endures is misfortune.
Second line seems a better path:
Line 2: Second nine, Being steadfast and upright: Good fortune. Good fortune of the second nine. It is at the central place. (Compatible with the fifth line, yang under yin); although the yang at the second place indicates something not in the right place (a yang line in a yin placement), it shows also that it is compatible with the yin in the fifth place, its natural complement in the hexagram, so, there can be balance. If this were the only line changing, it leads to 55 Abundance. If a person acts without an over show of strength- practices constraint, things will go very well. If leadership remains responsive to the people and the people act with courtesy in respect of the leadership, things will go very well.
Transformed hexagram is:
62 Xiao Guo- Small Exceeding This was the opposite hexagram to last week's 61- Zhong fu and the logical "next step" from it.
Thunder as motion, and Mountain as the highest point on Earth (not Heaven). So we did not reach heaven, but the top of a mountain is a great vantage point, nonetheless. From here, perhaps we can see the way to move the mountains of injustice and cruelty that has characterized the world political and power stage until now, when it has been almost toppled. I had a distinctly political feeling from this reading, but it could apply to any situation regarding a change in power dynamics.
62: Xiao Guo- Little Exceeding
Thunder over Mountain
“insufficiency is better than excess” and “A flying bird cannot fly all the time.” (Huang p. 482)
Initial six: this leads to abundance. The line description talks about not over reaching. The problem isn’t wanting to aim high, it’s going beyond the goal- not exercising constraint. Be honest about what you want to achieve and don’t go beyond it.
Second six leads to long lasting: the fifth line represents the grandmother. In ancient Chinese social structure, women are subordinate to men; this is a way of looking at the relationships among people- little to big; citizen to government, administers to kings; kings to the Divine, the Divine to the Dao. In this patriarchal view, the grandmother is the representative of the grandfather (patriarch), so the assumption from this might be something like, even if the one you want to ultimately connect with is not available, keep your eyes open to alternate possibilities and people who may still help you achieve your aim.
From another perspective, we live in a time that the Divine Feminine- the Universal Mother- has been almost obscured and seems nonexistent. Yet, without Her, none of this would exist. Perhaps not a bad or a "lowly" associate at all.
Huang provides a history from the time of King Wen:
King Wen in shutting down the insurrection of the Shang dynasty (the tyrant) loyalists knew he couldn’t just blast them off the face of the earth because that kind of excess would backfire politically and would be pointlessly cruel. King Zhou indicates that during a time of gathering strength, “…people tend to become opinionated and run wild. Conquering the inferior merely by using strength would not assure success.”
This is a time like that.
Opinion coming next:
It seems around the world, there is no country in the world that is free, figuratively or literally, of fire right now because of the overindulgence of those who are greedy for money, power, and who display with pride their wrongheaded selfishness, even weaponizing weaker minded people with the same addled arrogance. Leadership everywhere has been completely inadequate and shameful in its shamelessness. How do we put out these fires without burning ourselves? How do we tend to guarding life and being-the world around us? Maybe a clue is in this reading. We contain the more dangerous elements of a fire, but otherwise, like all evil, it shows itself brightly, then it burns itself out. That may seem like the smaller thing, but for now enough. Perhaps when the regular people see it for what it is, they will turn away from it and come back to their sense of community and shared goals.
For more reading, see Master Alfred Huang's book, "The Complete I Ching". Da Zhuang is described on pages 287-292; Xiao Guo on pages 477-484.
May 23rd through May 29, 2021
Oracle Cast today:
Hexagram 61 (no changing lines): Zhong fu- Inner Truth. Huang translates it as: Innermost Sincerity; Zhong as in “center” or “hit the mark” and Fu as sincerity (Wood), confidence (Water), honesty (Fire), reliability (Metal), and trustworthiness (Earth). (see p. 470)
This brings good fortune-
Nuclear trigrams make:
27 Nourishment
Opposite hexagram is:
62 Xiao Kuo is Preponderance of the Small; Huang: "Little Exceeding" (p. 477) because "xiao" means small or little; guo can mean many things- to exceed, pass, beyond the limit, fault, mistake, etc. He further outlines that there is a chance of being overly sincere and trustworthy, in that it may lead to taking on too many things to handle and some things might go horribly wrong. "Fu" also means “hen”; “The flying bird leaves a message/ not appropriate to ascend/ appropriate to descend. Great Good Fortune."
This is understanding your place and fulfilling your role without apology or resentment, no matter what is being done or how small (or large) the task.
Maybe, it is as it is for the bird that feels for and finds the airstream that makes the journey easier. Staying in the right place can lead to good fortune, too.
On a whim, I decided to play a game- opening the first book I saw on my desk to the pages corresponding to the hexagram numbers. Here is the result, from Jeff Brown's "Grounded Spirituality", a book I have just bought, but not yet read. I was thrilled that the title on page 61 was:
"Arriving Full Circle (And Then Some)" !!!!!
“As I stepped more fully into the shadow light of reality, I accepted the focus of my quest was misguided. In the same way as my quest for something called enlightenment became a quest for something I now call enrealment, my quest for a spiritual life had now become a full-on quest for humanness. That is, the real question was not longer, “What is spirituality?” The real question was, “What does it mean to truly be human?”
Also-
“We can either move toward separation or we can move toward integration..."
(p. 62): “In the heart of the madness, on the rockiest of trails, in the most imperfect of psyches, I have found a path to call my own. It isn’t a pristine or a peaceful path, not one without obstacles, but it is truly mine."
This made me think about how it's true- we need all the little details that help us or trip us up- they are catalysts to transformation.
Page 27- corresponding to the concept of Nourishment, is the catalyst between the two. Part one of this book is how Brown came to understand his spiritual quest and why it didn't seem to be working; he had been studying the work of Eckhart Tolle.
He understood that the so-called enlightenment experience described by Tolle was not the goal- it was merely the starting point of releasing mental and emotional baggage- the 10,000 things broken loose (flock of birds!); but they still must fall, dissolve, release- fly away for healing to be done. The oneness experience merely opens the door, but we still have to walk in (or fall, if you will). There is still a need to get at all of the deep roots that kept them anchored into the psyche.
A few days ago, trying to work out a lecture, I had a small insight about Dao; for what it's worth, here it is because I think it applies to this reading:
I had an insight about Qigong practice that made the concept of the Dao seem much more vivid to me that I’d like to share. We are living amid a swarming, moving, living universe and a swarming, moving, universe is alive inside the confines of our skin at the same time. A major part of the project of doing Qigong is to get the two universes to sync up. This is the task of finding the Dao, erasing the lines and paradoxically, falling in line.
More coming in my next web post.
Hexagram 61 (no changing lines): Zhong fu- Inner Truth. Huang translates it as: Innermost Sincerity; Zhong as in “center” or “hit the mark” and Fu as sincerity (Wood), confidence (Water), honesty (Fire), reliability (Metal), and trustworthiness (Earth). (see p. 470)
This brings good fortune-
Nuclear trigrams make:
27 Nourishment
Opposite hexagram is:
62 Xiao Kuo is Preponderance of the Small; Huang: "Little Exceeding" (p. 477) because "xiao" means small or little; guo can mean many things- to exceed, pass, beyond the limit, fault, mistake, etc. He further outlines that there is a chance of being overly sincere and trustworthy, in that it may lead to taking on too many things to handle and some things might go horribly wrong. "Fu" also means “hen”; “The flying bird leaves a message/ not appropriate to ascend/ appropriate to descend. Great Good Fortune."
This is understanding your place and fulfilling your role without apology or resentment, no matter what is being done or how small (or large) the task.
Maybe, it is as it is for the bird that feels for and finds the airstream that makes the journey easier. Staying in the right place can lead to good fortune, too.
On a whim, I decided to play a game- opening the first book I saw on my desk to the pages corresponding to the hexagram numbers. Here is the result, from Jeff Brown's "Grounded Spirituality", a book I have just bought, but not yet read. I was thrilled that the title on page 61 was:
"Arriving Full Circle (And Then Some)" !!!!!
“As I stepped more fully into the shadow light of reality, I accepted the focus of my quest was misguided. In the same way as my quest for something called enlightenment became a quest for something I now call enrealment, my quest for a spiritual life had now become a full-on quest for humanness. That is, the real question was not longer, “What is spirituality?” The real question was, “What does it mean to truly be human?”
Also-
“We can either move toward separation or we can move toward integration..."
(p. 62): “In the heart of the madness, on the rockiest of trails, in the most imperfect of psyches, I have found a path to call my own. It isn’t a pristine or a peaceful path, not one without obstacles, but it is truly mine."
This made me think about how it's true- we need all the little details that help us or trip us up- they are catalysts to transformation.
Page 27- corresponding to the concept of Nourishment, is the catalyst between the two. Part one of this book is how Brown came to understand his spiritual quest and why it didn't seem to be working; he had been studying the work of Eckhart Tolle.
He understood that the so-called enlightenment experience described by Tolle was not the goal- it was merely the starting point of releasing mental and emotional baggage- the 10,000 things broken loose (flock of birds!); but they still must fall, dissolve, release- fly away for healing to be done. The oneness experience merely opens the door, but we still have to walk in (or fall, if you will). There is still a need to get at all of the deep roots that kept them anchored into the psyche.
A few days ago, trying to work out a lecture, I had a small insight about Dao; for what it's worth, here it is because I think it applies to this reading:
I had an insight about Qigong practice that made the concept of the Dao seem much more vivid to me that I’d like to share. We are living amid a swarming, moving, living universe and a swarming, moving, universe is alive inside the confines of our skin at the same time. A major part of the project of doing Qigong is to get the two universes to sync up. This is the task of finding the Dao, erasing the lines and paradoxically, falling in line.
More coming in my next web post.
May 16th through May22nd, 2021
Hexagram 4: Meng- Childhood/ sometimes translated as Youthful Folly Gen-Mountain over Kan- Stream
changing line 5:
"An ignorant is being enlightened. Good fortune.
Hexagram 59: Dispersing
Xun- Wind over Kan- Water
In the maturing process, of course, childhood (inexperience) is a phase of develop after infancy (newly born). Master Huang shows the development of the word Meng, which during ancient times in China referred both to an easy to grow, quickly spreading vine; and a covering of such vines on the roof of a house. Later, meng came to mean wisdom, as well, and also education, as in qi meng- which means educating a child. "Thus Meng symbolizes the ignorant, the innocent, or the child, because wisdom is not yet uncovered." (p. 66) Education is like finding and exposing the hidden brilliance of a person. Because of the way the "Decision" is worded, it also seems a caution to not antagonize the teacher with disrespectful or repeated questions.
[I have drawn this hexagram a few times when I needed to be experiencing, not trying to divine an answer to the same question I have asked]
The changing fifth line shows "...a favorable condition for one who is about to undergo change", because as it transforms, the conditions change from dubious, or dangerous weather to auspicious. (p. 72- Huang) The good weather brings about a "Dispersal", where wisdom can scatter, spread out, and influence a wider area. The fifth line of Dispersal reads: "This line is a continuation of the previous line (4), which discussed avoiding a selfish bond in order to promote the unity of people. This line focuses on dispersing one's own wealth to induce a flourishing prosperity of the whole community." (p. 463, Huang)
Text: "The Complete I Ching", (10th Anniversary Edition), by Taoist Master Alfred Huang. Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 05767. 2010. www.InnerTraditions.com
changing line 5:
"An ignorant is being enlightened. Good fortune.
Hexagram 59: Dispersing
Xun- Wind over Kan- Water
In the maturing process, of course, childhood (inexperience) is a phase of develop after infancy (newly born). Master Huang shows the development of the word Meng, which during ancient times in China referred both to an easy to grow, quickly spreading vine; and a covering of such vines on the roof of a house. Later, meng came to mean wisdom, as well, and also education, as in qi meng- which means educating a child. "Thus Meng symbolizes the ignorant, the innocent, or the child, because wisdom is not yet uncovered." (p. 66) Education is like finding and exposing the hidden brilliance of a person. Because of the way the "Decision" is worded, it also seems a caution to not antagonize the teacher with disrespectful or repeated questions.
[I have drawn this hexagram a few times when I needed to be experiencing, not trying to divine an answer to the same question I have asked]
The changing fifth line shows "...a favorable condition for one who is about to undergo change", because as it transforms, the conditions change from dubious, or dangerous weather to auspicious. (p. 72- Huang) The good weather brings about a "Dispersal", where wisdom can scatter, spread out, and influence a wider area. The fifth line of Dispersal reads: "This line is a continuation of the previous line (4), which discussed avoiding a selfish bond in order to promote the unity of people. This line focuses on dispersing one's own wealth to induce a flourishing prosperity of the whole community." (p. 463, Huang)
Text: "The Complete I Ching", (10th Anniversary Edition), by Taoist Master Alfred Huang. Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 05767. 2010. www.InnerTraditions.com
May 9th through May 15, 2021
13- Tong Ren: Fellowship
(Seeking Harmony)
Master Huang (p. 135):
"Tong Ren teaches that the wise classify people according to their natures, not for the purpose of treating them differently, but to seek common ground...The ancient Chinese dreamed day and night that the world would belong to the majority and the government would serve the common interest of its countrymen."
Since this is Mother's Day, what a fitting oracle message:
"Helped are those whose every act is a prayer for harmony in the Universe,
for they are the restorers of balance to our planet." Alice Walker
Blessings to all who are mothers, all who have motherly hearts, and all who nurture the living world; as we all come from the one sacred mother, our home, the Earth. With great peace, love and gratitude.
(Seeking Harmony)
Master Huang (p. 135):
"Tong Ren teaches that the wise classify people according to their natures, not for the purpose of treating them differently, but to seek common ground...The ancient Chinese dreamed day and night that the world would belong to the majority and the government would serve the common interest of its countrymen."
Since this is Mother's Day, what a fitting oracle message:
"Helped are those whose every act is a prayer for harmony in the Universe,
for they are the restorers of balance to our planet." Alice Walker
Blessings to all who are mothers, all who have motherly hearts, and all who nurture the living world; as we all come from the one sacred mother, our home, the Earth. With great peace, love and gratitude.
May 2nd through May 8th, 2021
Hexagram 44- Gou: Coming to Meet/ Encountering
I was struck first off that this hexagram came about on May 2- this is the day after Beltane in 2021, and its festivals honoring the sacred marriage of the Green Man (Oak King) and the Goddess of Spring, where among several other traditions, there were distinct sexual activities that ranged from innocent courting/ matchmaking to overtly sexual encounters. Although these traditions are tamed in modern day pagan rituals, the originals are described by several scholars and practitioners as having been focused on the whole of fertility- humans, in or out of wedlock, whose families secure the future, as well as fertility of the land.
According to Huang and other scholars, this is one of three hexagrams that addresses the subject by using a sexual analogy to describe the situation at hand. Of course, the meaning for individuals could be as varied as an opportunity for an actual illicit affair or sexual encounter of some kind, or a seductive opportunity where it isn’t obvious what, if any, benefit can be drawn. But, in King Wen’s situation, it became a way of talking about what to do as a leader when it becomes apparent that there is a potential traitor or charismatic troublemaker trying to worm into the power circle, or who is influencing people in the outer communities, far from the seat of government.
4 of the lines were changing: 3,4,5, & 6; the transformed hexagram is
7- Shi/ the Multitude, sometimes called the Army
In context of the reading, I take this to mean that leadership sensitive to the needs of all the mulititude is superior to leadership among factions that seek only their interests.
Notes coming soon and will be linked for those interested!!
I was struck first off that this hexagram came about on May 2- this is the day after Beltane in 2021, and its festivals honoring the sacred marriage of the Green Man (Oak King) and the Goddess of Spring, where among several other traditions, there were distinct sexual activities that ranged from innocent courting/ matchmaking to overtly sexual encounters. Although these traditions are tamed in modern day pagan rituals, the originals are described by several scholars and practitioners as having been focused on the whole of fertility- humans, in or out of wedlock, whose families secure the future, as well as fertility of the land.
According to Huang and other scholars, this is one of three hexagrams that addresses the subject by using a sexual analogy to describe the situation at hand. Of course, the meaning for individuals could be as varied as an opportunity for an actual illicit affair or sexual encounter of some kind, or a seductive opportunity where it isn’t obvious what, if any, benefit can be drawn. But, in King Wen’s situation, it became a way of talking about what to do as a leader when it becomes apparent that there is a potential traitor or charismatic troublemaker trying to worm into the power circle, or who is influencing people in the outer communities, far from the seat of government.
4 of the lines were changing: 3,4,5, & 6; the transformed hexagram is
7- Shi/ the Multitude, sometimes called the Army
In context of the reading, I take this to mean that leadership sensitive to the needs of all the mulititude is superior to leadership among factions that seek only their interests.
Notes coming soon and will be linked for those interested!!
April 25th through May 1, 2021
Hexagram 39- Jian/ Obstruction, Hardship, or Limping
Changing line 5, transforming to:
Hexagram 15: Modesty/ Humility
On 39:
Stephen Karcher interprets this one as “Limping”- “You confront many obstacles and feel afflicted, but the major obstacle is the way you are thinking. See the situation in a new way.” (In the Family Way)
Line 5 indicates that in the worst times, help comes
Transforming hardship to modesty, or humility, one of the three treasures Lao Tzu speaks of in Verse 67, Dao de jing.
On humility:
Is it:
To be in awe of the small, insignificant power one wields in respect to the overwhelmingly incomprehensible, sometimes terrible, and often wonderful way of things?
Or-
Is it:
Knowing how to set aside the ego for the common good?
Not that I know the answer to those questions- but there is more in the notes below.
Changing line 5, transforming to:
Hexagram 15: Modesty/ Humility
On 39:
Stephen Karcher interprets this one as “Limping”- “You confront many obstacles and feel afflicted, but the major obstacle is the way you are thinking. See the situation in a new way.” (In the Family Way)
Line 5 indicates that in the worst times, help comes
Transforming hardship to modesty, or humility, one of the three treasures Lao Tzu speaks of in Verse 67, Dao de jing.
On humility:
Is it:
To be in awe of the small, insignificant power one wields in respect to the overwhelmingly incomprehensible, sometimes terrible, and often wonderful way of things?
Or-
Is it:
Knowing how to set aside the ego for the common good?
Not that I know the answer to those questions- but there is more in the notes below.
April 18th through April 24th
30- Li- Fire/ Brightness
changing lines 4&5 to:
37- Jia Ren/ Family or Household
changing lines 4&5 to:
37- Jia Ren/ Family or Household
April 11 through April 17
Hexagram 19- Approaching
Changing Line 1
Hexagram 7 Army/ Multitude
Notes and link coming soon-
This is, like last week's casting, another hexagram that, according to Master Huang contains the virtues of yuan, heng, li, and zhen, making it a "very special gua" and "absolutely auspicious" (p. 179).
Commentary:
"Earth above the Lake.
An image of approaching.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person is willing to teach inexhautibly
An in his tolerance, protect the people without limit. (Huang, p. 180).
Changing Line 1
Hexagram 7 Army/ Multitude
Notes and link coming soon-
This is, like last week's casting, another hexagram that, according to Master Huang contains the virtues of yuan, heng, li, and zhen, making it a "very special gua" and "absolutely auspicious" (p. 179).
Commentary:
"Earth above the Lake.
An image of approaching.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person is willing to teach inexhautibly
An in his tolerance, protect the people without limit. (Huang, p. 180).
April 4 through April 10
17- Sui- Following
Dui/Lake above (Joy)
Zhen/Thunder below (Movement)
Alfred Huang considers this hexagram to be a very special one because it contains the four virtues of yuan, heng, li, and zhen. In the context of Joy, it could mean moving forward with joy, or joy following movement. The advice in the lines appears to be various way to influence people to follow.
See: "The Complete I Ching: The Definitive Translation" by Taoist Master Alfred Huang, (10th Anniversary Edition), pp. 164-170 for his complete chapter on this hexagram
or, jump to:
Wilhelm/Baynes online edition, linked below.
Dui/Lake above (Joy)
Zhen/Thunder below (Movement)
Alfred Huang considers this hexagram to be a very special one because it contains the four virtues of yuan, heng, li, and zhen. In the context of Joy, it could mean moving forward with joy, or joy following movement. The advice in the lines appears to be various way to influence people to follow.
See: "The Complete I Ching: The Definitive Translation" by Taoist Master Alfred Huang, (10th Anniversary Edition), pp. 164-170 for his complete chapter on this hexagram
or, jump to:
Wilhelm/Baynes online edition, linked below.
March 28th through April 3
22-Bi: Grace/ Beauty/ Elegance
Lower trigram= Fire
Upper trigram= Mountain
The feel is about grace and beauty- ornaments of something important that lend it elegance but are not the thing itself. There is a limit to the power of artifice and when it is not used with tact and reserve, it become gaudy and loses value. While the symbols of power are beautiful, they are not the power itself. One way to look at the advice here is to not be distracted by what is only appearance. Or, that this is a time of grace after darkness, like the Tower and Star in many tarot decks. Link below is to this hexagram's description from Wilhelm/Baynes online.
It's opposite hexagram is:
43- Guai= Breakthrough:
Lower trigram: Qian=Heaven
Upper trigram:
Dui= Lake
This can be about being conferred the right to speak. In contrast to Bi, it may be an advice to not confuse being given a privilege (adornment) with having a natural right (mandate- the "talking stick") It is interestingly linked to the third lunar month- April/May, when the power of the dark is receding. One source describes it, "On the other hand, applied to human conditions, it refers to the time when inferior people gradually begin to disappear. Their influence is on the wane; as a result of resolute action, a change in conditions occurs, a break–through." See #43 from the key in the link below.
Lower trigram= Fire
Upper trigram= Mountain
The feel is about grace and beauty- ornaments of something important that lend it elegance but are not the thing itself. There is a limit to the power of artifice and when it is not used with tact and reserve, it become gaudy and loses value. While the symbols of power are beautiful, they are not the power itself. One way to look at the advice here is to not be distracted by what is only appearance. Or, that this is a time of grace after darkness, like the Tower and Star in many tarot decks. Link below is to this hexagram's description from Wilhelm/Baynes online.
It's opposite hexagram is:
43- Guai= Breakthrough:
Lower trigram: Qian=Heaven
Upper trigram:
Dui= Lake
This can be about being conferred the right to speak. In contrast to Bi, it may be an advice to not confuse being given a privilege (adornment) with having a natural right (mandate- the "talking stick") It is interestingly linked to the third lunar month- April/May, when the power of the dark is receding. One source describes it, "On the other hand, applied to human conditions, it refers to the time when inferior people gradually begin to disappear. Their influence is on the wane; as a result of resolute action, a change in conditions occurs, a break–through." See #43 from the key in the link below.
March 21 through March 27 2021
54- Guai Mei/The Marrying Maiden or Careful Affection
Changing lines: 1 & 2
Should you follow your head or your heart?
Here is a mirrored statement to consider: want what you have, to have what you want.
This is about the kind of energy that charges secretive relationships among people who are affiliated by official roles- the Wilhelm-Baynes interpretation for 54- Guai Mai compares them with a woman who marries as the second wife, or an official who has a low rank, but a sincere friendship with a prince. Each must maintain decorum although the friendships have true affection and are more intimate, i.e., each may be endeared to the husband or the prince, but officially cannot show it or use it to gain privilege or favor.
Changes to:
16- Enthusiasm:
“Enthusiasm, in a personal relationship or in a group, generates special electricity.” (DF 16)
See more in the PDF notes:
March 7th through March 13th 2021
This week's hexagram was already cast before I woke up to begin the day- it was the first post I saw that morning on a Facebook page entry of a group I follow: The Taoist I Ching,
www.taoistiching.org contact: wsell4466@gmail.com
Hexagram 50- The Cauldron, is on one level about using the body as a cooking pot for what is really important- the True Spirit in sync with Universal Law.
It's opposite is the concept in hexagram 49- Revolution (also the idea of moulting fur or skin) which is at least about overthrowing what is no longer working, replacing the structure of life with a new appearance.
The nuclear trigrams make up the hexagram, 43-Guai-
Breakthrough which carries a meaning of having a critical insight on the one hand, and having the conferred authority to speak it.
Follow the link for a deeper description of the Cauldron as a metaphysical, alchemical process.
www.taoistiching.org contact: wsell4466@gmail.com
Hexagram 50- The Cauldron, is on one level about using the body as a cooking pot for what is really important- the True Spirit in sync with Universal Law.
It's opposite is the concept in hexagram 49- Revolution (also the idea of moulting fur or skin) which is at least about overthrowing what is no longer working, replacing the structure of life with a new appearance.
The nuclear trigrams make up the hexagram, 43-Guai-
Breakthrough which carries a meaning of having a critical insight on the one hand, and having the conferred authority to speak it.
Follow the link for a deeper description of the Cauldron as a metaphysical, alchemical process.
February 28 through March 6 2021
The Oracle Cast:
Hexagram 5, Xū= waiting, or nourished while waiting
changing lines 4 & 6 transforms to
Hexagram 1, Qián =
The Creative
“Qián moves, firmness. A noble one owing to his own strength never ceases.” LiSe (1)
Waiting with the proper attitude brings blessings and benefit. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” – adapted from Robert Burns poem, “To a Mouse”.
Consider more by following the link to the PDF file.
Hexagram 5, Xū= waiting, or nourished while waiting
changing lines 4 & 6 transforms to
Hexagram 1, Qián =
The Creative
“Qián moves, firmness. A noble one owing to his own strength never ceases.” LiSe (1)
Waiting with the proper attitude brings blessings and benefit. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” – adapted from Robert Burns poem, “To a Mouse”.
Consider more by following the link to the PDF file.
February 21 through 26, 2021
27: 6 (Yi- Corners of the Mouth- Providing Nourishment) with changing line 6; to 24 (Fu- Return – the Turning Point)
This seems to be about a regular course of events, i.e., the movement indicated by the phases of the moon- we are now embarking on the first quarter of that phase going towards the full moon, which is indeed on the 27th of February. 27 to 24 seems to outline the nourishing of spiritual development- using the idea of “food” a post heaven way of nourishment to bring about the return of the real, true spirit. This course is juxtaposed with its opposite energy: 44- Gou, Coming to Meet (what Lise calls “birthing”_ the idea of a chance encounter that rivets the attention, like sexual temptation, or a courtship that includes attraction, but will not lead to a marriage- a liaison or a tryst- is it worth it?; following it, one can risk certainty of the “good”, but it can also lead to going beyond the routine and creating something new.
Follow the link for more:
This seems to be about a regular course of events, i.e., the movement indicated by the phases of the moon- we are now embarking on the first quarter of that phase going towards the full moon, which is indeed on the 27th of February. 27 to 24 seems to outline the nourishing of spiritual development- using the idea of “food” a post heaven way of nourishment to bring about the return of the real, true spirit. This course is juxtaposed with its opposite energy: 44- Gou, Coming to Meet (what Lise calls “birthing”_ the idea of a chance encounter that rivets the attention, like sexual temptation, or a courtship that includes attraction, but will not lead to a marriage- a liaison or a tryst- is it worth it?; following it, one can risk certainty of the “good”, but it can also lead to going beyond the routine and creating something new.
Follow the link for more:
February 14 through 20
36- Darkening Light, line 5 to 63- After Completion:
A lot of information packed into this reading.
Check out the blog article linked here to delve in!
A lot of information packed into this reading.
Check out the blog article linked here to delve in!
February 7th through 13th, 2021
#56: The Traveler/Wanderer is the Yin phase of its Yang compliment: 55- Abundance/ Fullness, this
can indicate the turn of seasons or the concept of the creative movement of Yin and Yang being such
that one becomes the other- when conditions are full, transformation naturally happens. One thing
follows on another. At the time I’m doing this reading, the small signs of spring are becoming noticeable
all around. The branches on my favorite little dogwood tree are suddenly laden, almost bursting with
buds, not yet ready to open. The grasses in the neighborhood are just now showing a bit greener and
one of my friends recently posted a picture of the first yellow crocus to bloom in her yard. It’s still
extremely cold, yet the inevitability of one season following upon the other in harmonious, universal patterns, is obvious- the same, no matter what the world of humans is up to. Read more by following the link:
can indicate the turn of seasons or the concept of the creative movement of Yin and Yang being such
that one becomes the other- when conditions are full, transformation naturally happens. One thing
follows on another. At the time I’m doing this reading, the small signs of spring are becoming noticeable
all around. The branches on my favorite little dogwood tree are suddenly laden, almost bursting with
buds, not yet ready to open. The grasses in the neighborhood are just now showing a bit greener and
one of my friends recently posted a picture of the first yellow crocus to bloom in her yard. It’s still
extremely cold, yet the inevitability of one season following upon the other in harmonious, universal patterns, is obvious- the same, no matter what the world of humans is up to. Read more by following the link:
January 31 through February 6, 2021
24 "Fu"- Return,
changing lines 1 and 6, transforms to
23- Splitting Apart
"At its simplest- we have energies that are like right after the new moon; just a sliver of returning light. It is a time of hope after darkness has pushed out the light but has not extinguished it; it come back on a cycle. However, the light is still fragile and has to be cultivated and tended to or the dark forces can prevail again."
Read more by tapping link:
changing lines 1 and 6, transforms to
23- Splitting Apart
"At its simplest- we have energies that are like right after the new moon; just a sliver of returning light. It is a time of hope after darkness has pushed out the light but has not extinguished it; it come back on a cycle. However, the light is still fragile and has to be cultivated and tended to or the dark forces can prevail again."
Read more by tapping link:
January 24 through 30 2021
56- Lu- Soujourner/Traveller with change in line 1; transforming to
30: Li- Fire (Clinging Fire)
To learn about this reading, click the link below.
30: Li- Fire (Clinging Fire)
To learn about this reading, click the link below.
January 17-23, 2021
1- Qian- The Creative (God/ Dao/ Source), with changing lines: 1,3,4
transforms to
59- Huan-Dispersion (The Flood)
The way I am reading this is:
Heavenly creative vitality manifest as powerful Wind, or, Heaven's Will enacted through a force like the Wind blowing across the Waters. Maybe psychic revelations.
The energies of the coming week may demonstrate the power of the proverbial “winds of change”. These are necessary (maybe karmic) changes that have been in the works for a while (this is furthering and perseverance in one sense). On a more personal level, the virtuous one or noble cause, due to innate, Heavenly strength, keeps going (this is furthering and perseverance in another sense). The full promises of justice, peace and love can only be enacted in the Divine way and in synchronicity with sacred timing. When the Divine speaks, it is enacted with the sweeping force of the natural Wind. You can brace yourself, but you may not know how everything will settle once the gale is over. In the meantime, this reading offers a bird's eye view of the possibilities.
Heavenly effects on the sacred fields of the body- highest mind/self; human/ temporal Heart/mind (personality) and the personality’s effects on the body’s health and processes all have a hand in who we are and what we do. The human temple (through which the Divine, or the higher self also speaks) is ready to be approached; it is traditional to make an offering, even if you feel unready, blown apart, or blown away. Decide what within yourself you should let go of- if you can, let go of energies, people or situations that trigger hatefulness, spite, division, and attitudes of superiority within you. Get down to the work you are destined for, especially that work that unites toward a common goal.
Lines:
I learned originally that the lines of the original hexagram were the only important ones, but I have found in practice, sometimes the lines of the transformed hexagram apply as well, though not always. I have combined the two in this interpretation, because they do seem related to each other.
1) Hidden Dragon- do not act (timing)// “He brings help with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.” (recovering from mistakes)
It would have been nice for many of the problems that exist to have been handled before they became this big, since this is the best way to resolve a problem. The human mind conceives of an idea to exert power, but it isn’t yet a reality. The problem here is not having confidence about being ready or not feeling powerful enough to make change. It is also that the proper time has not been until now, and these are major changes that are being considered. Knowing timing is as important as knowing what to do and how to do it.
3) “All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall, his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame." (focus on real self not social self) // “He dissolves his 'self'. No remorse.” (removing blinders)
Something new is forming that is inspirational within and there is an indication that it is inspiring others, too. Maybe you notice that you are seeming to have an influence on other people- don’t be distracted by that ego. Stay on point- remember that this is a time of Divine Creation in which you are playing a part and work on the ways your own inner barriers have created walls that keep others outside. Yes, this is a type of self-sacrifice, but it is worth it.
4) “Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.” (role- attitude) // “He dissolves his bond with his group. Supreme good fortune. Dispersion leads in turn to accumulation. This is something that ordinary men do not think of." (releasing ties that bind, mentally or communally)
Wavering over the depths gives me a vision of a bird flying over the scenery and trying to decide from the exalted view where, or if, to land. It’s good to pause, because despite all you can see, it isn’t easy to know where or how to be. Decisions need to be made related to the outer world- fearlessness is required, which will be difficult. Listen for the inner voice as you act- do you stay private and do your work as a sage, or will you be public as a follower, an influential leader/ hero? Either is good, both are not possible at this moment and if you choose carelessly or in a cowardly way, you may make the wrong choice, even though paradoxically- there isn’t a wrong choice. You may have to give up alliances that are serving your personal interests right now for something that is bigger than all of you together. Doing this takes courage, insight and will to action that is very uncommon, but to achieve unity of common cause it is perhaps the most important thing you could examine and do.
Interpretation Sources selected for this week:
(all available online and referenced below): Wilhelm-Baynes (from the Virtual Yarrow Stalks- Russell Cotrell); LiSe (Yijing) and Roger Sessions (The Christian I Ching):
Description:
1- The Creative: “The Creative works sublime success, furthering through perseverance.”
[Lise: Creation. Eminent (expansion) Harvest (divination) “The great image says: Qian moves. A noble one owing to his own strength never ceases.]
[CIC: Genesis 1:1-3- God declares “Let there be light” Also, “…a wind from God swept over the face of the waters; the earth was a formless void/ darkness covered the face of the deep…” Ultimate creative (pure creative energy) the Ground of all that is; space and time are “…themselves only manifestations of its creativity. Time to create great works, draw on the strength of God; deliver on God’s promise of justice, peace and love; persevere, anticipate success.”]
Changing Lines
(Qian/ The Creative):
1) “Hidden dragon, do not act.” (The Virtual Yarrow Stalks)
[Lise: Heaven turns to Wind (idea in the mind or inner world)- “The most important part of any action is knowing when the time says not to act.”]
[CIC: a hidden force concealed, but true to its nature/calling; not a time to worry about conventional definitions of success; patience is called for- knowing that God’s work happens in God’s timing and the time is coming.]
3) “All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall, his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame."
[Lise: Heaven turns into Fire (inspiration in inner world): “Whatever one shows or does or even thinks should be genuinely and truly himself. One oneself appearing is shining. Associate with people of value, good and bad are both contagious.”]
[CIC: “… indicates a new sphere of influence. Fame is increasing, and people come with hopeful hearts…One must not be seduced by Ego (that is fed by popular adoration, ambition, desire for power) Stay focused, centered, and open to guidance from wisdom. No worries- good things are going to be accomplished- stay on point.]
4) “Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.”
[Lise: Heaven turns to Wind (into the outer world)- Somehow capering over the abyss. Without fault. Trigram Heaven turns into Wind. Fearlessness can accomplish miracles. As soon as a stuntman feels fear, he is in danger. Fearlessness is the core of the hero...Hex.1.4 is about what fearlessness accomplishes.”]
[CIC: A moment of choice where either choice could be right. Public hero or Private holy (sage). Listen for the quiet voice of wisdom to determine which one.]
Changing Lines- Huan/ Dispersion (fan yao- which are not always considered in a reading- I always read these, but with caution, as they may not apply)
1) “He brings help with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.”
[Lise: Auspicious. Much better than solving problems once they happen is dissolving them before they get a chance to happen. Stay within the scope of your abilities,” as trying to go beyond, “…is the main reason for things to go wrong.”]
[CIC: The best time for dispersal is in the beginning before problems begin to manifest. Misunderstandings and mistrust should decisively disperse right away.]
3) “He dissolves his 'self'. No remorse.”
[Lise: Do not get hooked to what you represent; that is the wrong way of believing in yourself, because it is believing through others’ eyes.”]
[CIC: This describes a time past which the work of dispersal is difficult- rational thought is no longer possible. It is a time when personal desires should be set aside; remove any internal barriers that you have created against others. Self-sacrifice of this magnitude is necessary to achieve this goal.]
4) “He dissolves his bond with his group. Supreme good fortune. Dispersion leads in turn to accumulation. This is something that ordinary men do not think of.”
[Lise: Disperse one’s group, great auspiciousness. Dispersion finds accumulation. Common people would never think of this. When a group (or your inner group of ideas) has no strict rules or borders, no dogmas, it is open for many people and for creativity. Trust others to take responsibility themselves, and reckon with their way of thinking, then existing contacts will improve, and many new contacts are made possible.”]
[CIC: The recommendation of this line is to disperse the short sided- interests and alliances that help in the short term in favor of those that are geared to the long term. This requires impeccable self-knowledge and the ability to discern beyond short term interests. Not many people can do this, but it’s necessary to achieve the unity of common cause.]
January 10-16, 2021
#23- Splitting Apart; also Stripping
Look at each trigram:
Mountain over Earth – “the high ones make their house peaceful by generosity to the low ones” [the mountain depends on the earth]
Earth below means (you- your inner self): receive and nurture (either giving or receiving); survival and conditions every creature must accept
Mountain above means (others or the outer world, either as it is, or how you are perceiving or being influenced by it): you may not see yourself as big as a mountain, but you do have a solid presence and definite borders (boundaries); keep at bay that which is smaller or not worthy of you (whether other people or your own actions/reactions); be firm, but also generous.
Balanced mountain: You may feel held back right now, but you can use this time to accomplish something valuable- you can give or receive trust and security; watch out for being too stubborn or rigid in your demands (or there are people around you who are this way)
This combination can also indicate the difficulty of having to make hard decisions; letting go so that the future can unfold
Splitting apart is not about speaking out- it is about tending to your own fields, cutting away anything that does not serve, including stripping away obstacles to the truth- examine things to find out why they aren’t working
Things are murky, reality unsure, intrigues and rumors abound. It is the time of illusion, mistrust, deceptions. When you find yourself in such a predicament, it’s okay to step back, hold back and hold on to what gives you solace- what is secure to examine the situation. Be discreet with your words and communication (discretion is the better part of…) This can be a painful time of disillusionment and is generally not a good time to take on something bold; also, don’t jump to conclusions, but do trust your gut. This week’s reading did not include any changing lines, but I am posting the line descriptions from Divination Foundation’s website (paraphrased- see the link for verbatim) for this hexagram to illustrate the themes of Bo, especially considering last week’s events at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Lines:
1-Slander and intrigue- rats scurrying, undermining the foundation of a house; movement provides fuel for inferior forces at work. (Advice: be patient and brave)
2- Rise of troublesome people continues; no help; angry mobs; (Advice: safeguard by bolting your door; don’t be stubborn, stay away and protect yourself)
3- It might be the time to end old relationships that don’t serve your highest good or exert undo negativity. One way to do it is to make known who you are loyal to despite opposition- even if it ends some relationships, it is the right thing to do (Advice: follow the change that is necessary for growth)
4- If things have not been good for you, know that suffering will pass. This very well might be the bottom of barrel, but things won’t get any worse.
5- What is inferior will ultimately weaken, especially as the forces of deception must yield to the superior force of truth. The tide is turning and when it does, those who have waited for this outcome will prevail. (Advice: rally support for your position)
6- The time of disintegrating influence is coming to a close; negative forces have expended themselves- in an attempt to destroy good, the evil ultimately destroy themselves. The decay leftover will nourish the seeds of growth. (Advice: use the fresh energy of hope to nourish your growth)
Interesting take using Christian perspectives and scriptures:
https://christianiching.org/hexagram23
“He [King Nebuchadnezzar] burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down...The bronze pillars that were in the house of the Lord, as well as the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the Lord, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried the bronze to Babylon. They took away the pots, the shovels, the snuffers, the dishes for incense, and all the bronze vessels used in the temple service, as well as the firepans and the basins. What was made of gold the captain of the guard took away for the gold, and what was made of silver, for the silver. —2 Kings 25:8–15
Meaning is like what happened during the destruction of Solomon’s temple.
Look at each trigram:
Mountain over Earth – “the high ones make their house peaceful by generosity to the low ones” [the mountain depends on the earth]
Earth below means (you- your inner self): receive and nurture (either giving or receiving); survival and conditions every creature must accept
Mountain above means (others or the outer world, either as it is, or how you are perceiving or being influenced by it): you may not see yourself as big as a mountain, but you do have a solid presence and definite borders (boundaries); keep at bay that which is smaller or not worthy of you (whether other people or your own actions/reactions); be firm, but also generous.
Balanced mountain: You may feel held back right now, but you can use this time to accomplish something valuable- you can give or receive trust and security; watch out for being too stubborn or rigid in your demands (or there are people around you who are this way)
This combination can also indicate the difficulty of having to make hard decisions; letting go so that the future can unfold
Splitting apart is not about speaking out- it is about tending to your own fields, cutting away anything that does not serve, including stripping away obstacles to the truth- examine things to find out why they aren’t working
Things are murky, reality unsure, intrigues and rumors abound. It is the time of illusion, mistrust, deceptions. When you find yourself in such a predicament, it’s okay to step back, hold back and hold on to what gives you solace- what is secure to examine the situation. Be discreet with your words and communication (discretion is the better part of…) This can be a painful time of disillusionment and is generally not a good time to take on something bold; also, don’t jump to conclusions, but do trust your gut. This week’s reading did not include any changing lines, but I am posting the line descriptions from Divination Foundation’s website (paraphrased- see the link for verbatim) for this hexagram to illustrate the themes of Bo, especially considering last week’s events at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Lines:
1-Slander and intrigue- rats scurrying, undermining the foundation of a house; movement provides fuel for inferior forces at work. (Advice: be patient and brave)
2- Rise of troublesome people continues; no help; angry mobs; (Advice: safeguard by bolting your door; don’t be stubborn, stay away and protect yourself)
3- It might be the time to end old relationships that don’t serve your highest good or exert undo negativity. One way to do it is to make known who you are loyal to despite opposition- even if it ends some relationships, it is the right thing to do (Advice: follow the change that is necessary for growth)
4- If things have not been good for you, know that suffering will pass. This very well might be the bottom of barrel, but things won’t get any worse.
5- What is inferior will ultimately weaken, especially as the forces of deception must yield to the superior force of truth. The tide is turning and when it does, those who have waited for this outcome will prevail. (Advice: rally support for your position)
6- The time of disintegrating influence is coming to a close; negative forces have expended themselves- in an attempt to destroy good, the evil ultimately destroy themselves. The decay leftover will nourish the seeds of growth. (Advice: use the fresh energy of hope to nourish your growth)
Interesting take using Christian perspectives and scriptures:
https://christianiching.org/hexagram23
“He [King Nebuchadnezzar] burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down...The bronze pillars that were in the house of the Lord, as well as the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the Lord, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried the bronze to Babylon. They took away the pots, the shovels, the snuffers, the dishes for incense, and all the bronze vessels used in the temple service, as well as the firepans and the basins. What was made of gold the captain of the guard took away for the gold, and what was made of silver, for the silver. —2 Kings 25:8–15
Meaning is like what happened during the destruction of Solomon’s temple.
January 3-9, 2021
For this week's reading, my source is the Divination Foundation’s (DF) I Ching- linked below. Their explanations are modern, short and sweet; also accurate in terms of pertaining well to the situation that you have questioned the oracle about.
Hexagram #36: Ming Yi
Kun (Earth) over Li (Fire)- some titles given this hexagram are: Hiding Brightness, Injury to Light, Concealment of Light, Darkening of the Light
Idea: forces of darkness have hidden the light, or it is time to conceal your light in the face of darkness; or sometimes simply the timing is at night or at a darker time of year. Or, all three, as happened when I drew this hexagram, it was wintertime- January 4, 2020 at the beginning of a tumultuous week politically, during a pandemic when we have all been required to isolate.
Interpretation paraphrased from D. F:
“When the light goes down, it may be wise to become invisible. Imagine fresh darkness, the period just after sunset or after a fire has gone out. There is still much activity left over from the light of day, and movements in the outer world are at their most dangerous. Even the smallest sound, the faintest glow of light, can attract unwanted attention now.
When the darkness of stupidity reigns in human affairs, it is best to keep your brilliance “hidden under a bushel basket.” Let your thoughts and efforts be quiet, self-contained, and protected, as much as possible, from harmful influences.
Don’t let yourself be swept along on the current of conventional wisdom when too many dangerous uncertainties exist. Try not to become too depressed or anxious; this period, too, shall pass. Just endure it for now and preserve your self-confidence, while remaining cooperative and flexible. The time to assert yourself will come. Avoid looking too far ahead if you have not yet achieved your goals—that will only stimulate feelings of regret or longing, eating away your inner strength.”
Now is the time to be cautious and reserved. Control yourself. Do not needlessly stimulate forces of opposition. During dark, unsettled periods, it is best to step gingerly around the sleeping dogs.”
Hexagram #36: Ming Yi
Kun (Earth) over Li (Fire)- some titles given this hexagram are: Hiding Brightness, Injury to Light, Concealment of Light, Darkening of the Light
Idea: forces of darkness have hidden the light, or it is time to conceal your light in the face of darkness; or sometimes simply the timing is at night or at a darker time of year. Or, all three, as happened when I drew this hexagram, it was wintertime- January 4, 2020 at the beginning of a tumultuous week politically, during a pandemic when we have all been required to isolate.
Interpretation paraphrased from D. F:
“When the light goes down, it may be wise to become invisible. Imagine fresh darkness, the period just after sunset or after a fire has gone out. There is still much activity left over from the light of day, and movements in the outer world are at their most dangerous. Even the smallest sound, the faintest glow of light, can attract unwanted attention now.
When the darkness of stupidity reigns in human affairs, it is best to keep your brilliance “hidden under a bushel basket.” Let your thoughts and efforts be quiet, self-contained, and protected, as much as possible, from harmful influences.
Don’t let yourself be swept along on the current of conventional wisdom when too many dangerous uncertainties exist. Try not to become too depressed or anxious; this period, too, shall pass. Just endure it for now and preserve your self-confidence, while remaining cooperative and flexible. The time to assert yourself will come. Avoid looking too far ahead if you have not yet achieved your goals—that will only stimulate feelings of regret or longing, eating away your inner strength.”
Now is the time to be cautious and reserved. Control yourself. Do not needlessly stimulate forces of opposition. During dark, unsettled periods, it is best to step gingerly around the sleeping dogs.”