No. 62, Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness:

"Preponderance of the Small.  Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune."

     Does this message look familiar?  It should.   We received it on April 22, with three changing lines.  Now we have received it again - this time, without changing lines.

    
     The I Ching is a divination device that forms a pattern reflecting the forces at work in the Universe at a particular point in time. This pattern is Thunder over Mountain, indicating a storm.  Receiving it again, so soon, means this situation is still in play.  Without changing lines, it is likely to remain the predominant influence for an extended period of time.

    
     What situation concerns you the most?  Keep making small, steady steps in the right direction. 

    
     This will lead you toward your "great good fortune."

Innocence / The Unexpected, Line 2:

"If one does not count the harvest while plowing,
Nor on the use of the ground while clearing it,
It furthers one to undertake something."

     Have you adopted the "vending machine" view of life?   You want to know exactly what you're getting out, before you put something in?  Line 2 reminds us:  Life doesn't work like that.

     You were advised to meet a coming change with Innocence. Line 2 adds: Don't demand to be sure of the outcome before beginning in a new direction.

     As E. L. Doctorow said about the process of writing a novel: "It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."

No. 25, Innocence / The Unexpected: 

"Innocence. Supreme success. 
Perseverance furthers. 
If someone is not as he should be,  
He has misfortune, 
And it does not further him 
To undertake something." 
 
     Change is coming your way from an Unexpected direction.   
 
     Much of the change we experience is predictable - morning to night, summer to winter, good times followed by lean times.  Much of life - and The Book of Changes - is devoted to recognizing these inevitable changes and preparing for them. 
 
     This change, however, will be different. That's why you need to meet it with Innocence.  No plotting, no planning, no goal setting. 
 
     Are you "stuck" on how to deal with a particular issue?  "Examine your motives. They will be the cause of your problems."  [Wing]

      When this change presents itself, you need to meet it with an open, unstructured, and most importantly, unselfish attitude.  That will result in "supreme success."

     Tomorrow: Line 2:  "If one does not count on the harvest . . . "

 No. 13,   Fellowship with Others:

Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness,  Line 6:

"He passes him by, not meeting him.
The flying bird leaves him.
Misfortune.
This means bad luck and injury."

       Yesterday's line told of locating a wise person who would help you.  This line tells what will happen if you are in such a hurry that you rush right past him.

      Or, in a larger sense, it may be that you are missing the point of a lesson that life is trying to teach you.  How many times have you "flown" right past the warning signs, convinced that things will turn out better,  only to find yourself in the same situation you wanted to leave behind?

       Keep your steps small and conscientiously apply yourself, as the main message advises. Go slow enough to recognize the value of what others have to offer.  In this way, you will avoid misfortune, bad luck and injury.

     Working with others will continue to be important to your success, as we will see when we look at the future reading tomorrow.

Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness,  Line 5: 

"Dense clouds, 
No rain from our western territory. 
The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave." 
 
      You have plenty of potential, but it is not being put to use - yet.   
 
     That is as it should be, for now.  The situation is not one in which you can "go it alone."  "In such times a man must seek out helpers with whose aid he can carry out the task."  [Wilhelm] 
 
     These wise helpers may have "retired," having retreated from the daily contentiousness of life, but their wisdom is just what you need. 
 
     "Through such modesty the right man is found, and the exceptional task is carried out in spite of all difficulties."  [Wilhelm] 
 
     Who can you find to help you with your "exceptional task?" 
 
     We'll look at the Yi's final word of caution, Line 6, tomorrow.

Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness,  Line 1:

"The bird meets with misfortune through flying."

     Do you feel you are ready to "spread your wings" and take off on your own?  Line 1 comes to caution you:  The time is not yet right.

     Some sort of storm controls your environment at present.  It might be an emotional storm caused by someone close to you, or it may just be rapidly changing events. Whatever the cause, this is not of your making, nor can you influence it, any more than you can exert influence over the weather. 

     For now, content yourself with small actions that keep your position secure. Feather your own nest.

     The Yi has more to tell you about how to weather this storm. We'll look at Line 5 tomorrow.

No. 62, Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness:
 

No. 32,  Duration:

"Duration. Success. No blame.
Perseverance furthers.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go."

     Duration is advice on how to deal with the changes Enthusiasm has brought about.

      Duration does not mean standing still. It is about maintaining your principles in the face of changing events and conditions.  You will be moving ahead, in your own direction (as advised in the changing lines), which may leave some others behind, but there is no blame in that.

     "Heavenly bodies exemplify duration." [Wilhelm]  Clouds come and go, the earth turns and our perspective changes, but the sun's light continues, unchanging.

      As Brian Browne Walker explains it, "Receiving this hexagram is an encouragement to endure, to move ahead by abiding in what is true and correct." 

Enthusiasm,  Line 2:

"Firm as a rock. Not a whole day.
Perseverance brings good fortune."

     This surge of Enthusiasm that the Universe is providing is meant for you and your plans.  Look again at yesterday's main message:  You are to "install helpers" and "set armies marching."  This line comes to tell you that now is not the time to "go with the flow."

      Do not let yourself be swept up in the enthusiasms of others. Remain "firm as a rock" about what you want and where you are going.

     We are all part of many different groups - family, work, school, organizations, neighborhoods.  Is one these is going in a direction that does not further your plans?  Don't waste another day.  Depart immediately.

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No. 61,  Inner Truth:

"Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers."
    
      This future reading explains what will happen as you drink from the pure water of The Well of your Inner Truth.

     Others may not readily accept the "new you."  Pigs and fishes were thought to be the very dimmest of animals. But one's Inner Truth is so powerful, it will eventually influence even the most stubborn of creatures.

     We received Inner Truth, also as a future reading, not long ago.  Receiving it again is a reminder: the "pigs and fishes" in your life won't see this new light right away.  But if you continue to speak to others from your own Inner Truth, you will accomplish great things.

The Well, Line 6: 

"One draws from the well 
Without hindrance. 
It is dependable. 
Supreme good fortune." 
 
      At the end of this process - when you have lowered your bucket all the way down to the source - there will be nothing to stop you from getting all that you need. 
 
     "The Well represents the I Ching as a source of universal truth and nourishment ."  [Anthony]  This source is inexhaustible and dependable.  
 
     This will bring you "supreme good fortune."  We'll see what form that takes when we look at the future reading, tomorrow. 

“The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it.

This is my heart's sorrow,

For one might draw from it.

If the king were clear-minded,

Good fortune might be enjoyed in common."

       Line 1 said you need to avoid distractions and focus on who and what you really are.

      
   Line 3 says that this process will be a success.  You will be clear, and you will be ready, willing and able to contribute, but others will not realize it.

     Under these circumstances, you will need to seek recognition.  This is not ego-driven self-promotion.  It will be necessary for the common good.

     How can you best share your clarity?

     Tomorrow we look at the final stage of the process, Line 6.

The Well,  Line 1:

"One does not drink the mud of the well.
No animals come to an old well."

     Line 1 is a word of caution:  In this process of reaching down deep in your Well, the mind can easily become preoccupied with trivialities and side issues that "muddy the waters."

     Do not be distracted.  Keep reaching until you find the wellspring, the source that is clear and fresh. 

    Also, you cannot attract others with ideas that are stagnant.

   
     What side issues are clouding up your waters?

    
     Tomorrow we look at the next challenge in making full use of The Well.

No.48, The Well:

“The Well.  The town may be changed,
But the well cannot be changed.
It neither decreases nor increases.
They come and go and draw from the well.
If one gets down almost to the water
And the rope does not go all the way,
Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune."
    
      The Well signals a time in life when you need to "dig deep."

       It is likely that you are not acting in accordance with your true nature.   Meeting the many demands of daily life has taken you away from your path.

     The Well is the Yi's reminder that surface circumstances may change, but the truth of each life is there, unchanging. However, you will have to seek it conscientiously.

     In your search for answers, lower your bucket all the way down.  Don't just skim the surface.  And take time and care drawing the wisdom out.  Grabbing for a quick-fix answer will bring misfortune.
   
      "The Well represents the I Ching as a source of universal truth and nourishment.  Its water is available to all who come to it."  [Anthony] 
     
      "The I Ching has survived countless civilizations for thousands of years for a simple reason:  it is an inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment.  If you approach it sincerely, without mistrust or frivolity, it will guide you through every difficult hour with unimpeachable wisdom."  [Walker]
     
      The Yi offers three changing lines, Lines 1, 3 and 6, to assist us in this process.  We start with Line 1 tomorrow. 

     Can you start today taking small steps on your own path? 

     Tomorrow we'll look at the future of Grace.

No. 49,  Revolution  /  Renewal  /  Changing:

“Revolution. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance
Remorse disappears."

     If you've been thinking that now is the time to make a change, you're right.

     What's more, others will listen - and believe you! -  bringing about "supreme success."   Regrets over the past will disappear.

   . This hexagram presents an image of the dark of winter being overcome by the light of spring.  This will happen naturally, like the change of seasons.  But there is work to be done: your own personal "spring cleaning."   Clear away the old, dead patterns of the past, and allow the new, vigorous growth to appear.

     We received this hexagram without changing lines, indicating that this change is not something you will be able to influence, or steer in a different direction.  Go with it, wholeheartedly.

       What area of your life is crying out for this kind of change?

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No. 61,  Inner Truth:

"Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers."
    
      To live comfortably and find success within your Limitations, you must first find, and acknowledge, your Inner Truth.

      This is an echo of the line we discussed on April 3, which indicated that, "At some point soon, you will come 'out of the closet' in some respect.  This may not be by your own actions. Don't let that bother you.  There is nothing to fear from letting others see you as you really are."

      As a future message, this hexagram is informing you that others may not readily accept the "new you."  Pigs and fishes were thought to be the very dimmest of animals. But one's Inner Truth is so powerful, it will eventually influence even the most stubborn of creatures.

     If you speak to others from your own inner truth, you will accomplish great things.

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No. 60, Limitation: 

"Limitation. Success. 
Galling limitation must not be persevered in." 

     The I Ching has indicated that a "new era" is on its way. This hexagram comes as a caution against the "irrational exuberance" that may accompany such times. Or it may be a warning not to let yourself be overwhelmed by the array of possibilities that are now available to you.

      Channeling  your energy appropriately is the key. The idea that there are "no limits" is simply false. Everything has a limit, and to ignore these natural limits results in disaster.

     The key here is to be governed by natural limits - not those imposed by others. Do not be too strict with yourself.  Limitations that are too limiting are just self-defeating.

      A diet is a good example. You will have success if you limit your intake reasonably. If your diet is too strict, you are setting yourself up for failure.

     We received one changing line, Line 6, which further advises against "galling limitation."  We'll look at that tomorrow.

After Completion,  Line 2:

"The woman loses the curtain of her carriage.
Do not run after it;
On the seventh day you will get it."

     In ancient China, women of high rank traveled in curtained carriages; it was not proper to be exposed to public view.

     At some point soon, you will come "out of the closet" in some respect.  This may not be by your own actions. Don't let that bother you.  There is nothing to fear from letting others see you as you really are.

     "When the six stages of the hexagram have passed, the new era dawns. That which is a man's own cannot be permanently lost. It comes to him of its own accord. He need only be able to wait."  [Wilhelm]

      How you wait will be the key, as we will see when we look at the future hexagram  - Waiting - tomorrow.

No. 23,   Splitting Apart:

"Splitting Apart. It does not further one
To go anywhere."

    The future of Influence is Splitting Apart.  The Image gives us some insight on what this may mean:

"The mountain rests on the earth:
The Image of Splitting Apart.
Thus those above can ensure their position
Only by giving generously to those below."

     In the context of a situation of new Influence, where you have been cautioned to move slowly, Splitting Apart means that you should not try to vault to the top by yourself.

     Yes, you will be moving up in the world.  An inevitable separation will take place.  "It is quite clear that in some sphere of your life, a phase is coming to a close.  All things have their rise and fall, . . ."  [Marshall]

    But what's the old saying?  "Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down."  The Yi suggests that you will be able to remain in your elevated position only by being generous with those you leave behind.

     Or - it may be that your own doubts and fears about this new Influence are causing you to Split Apart from your true path.  If you leave this inner truth, you will be wasting your time attempting anything.