No. 22,  Grace:

"Grace has success.
In small matters
It is favorable to undertake something."

       "Grace is a person's natural state of harmony and unity with the Cosmos."  [Anthony and Moog]  

       Consider the possibility that the "small matter" the Yi wants you to undertake is your own fulfillment:  bringing your uniqueness successfully into expression.
   
        What is truly, creatively, naturally and simply You?  Are you doing, or being, that now? What small step can you take in that direction?

        Tomorrow:  The relationship between beard and chin. 

No. 12,  Stagnation / Standstill:

"Standstill. Evil people do not further
The perseverance of the superior man.
The great departs; the small approaches."

    The future of The Preponderance of the Small is  . . .  more "small."

     This is probably the result of influences that are beyond your control.  As Brian Browne Walker says, "It is an inescapable fact of life that inferior influences sometimes prevail."

    It could also be your own inner refusal to face facts that is bringing you to a Standstill.  If you won't acknowledge and accept the realities of the time, you will remain stuck.

     Analyze the situation that is frustrating you right now.  Is there really anything you can do to change it?

     The Image advises, "Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth in order to escape the difficulties."   Focus on a purely personal interest, or perhaps a spiritual practice. This is a time to "hide [your] worth and withdraw into seclusion."  [Wilhelm]

No. 62,  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.

     Tomorrow:  " . . . the small approaches."

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 right 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?" 
 
     The Yi's final word of caution, Line 6, tomorrow:  "He passes him by . . . "

No. 62:  Preponderance of the Small  /  Conscientiousness,  Line 3:

"If one is not extremely careful,
Somebody may come up from behind and strike him.
Misfortune."

      The Yi says:  Watch your back!

       The main message and changing lines are all about not overextending yourself in this time of Progress.  Line 3 says:  Self-confidence is dangerous if it blinds you to reality. 

        As Henry Kissinger famously said, "Even paranoids have real enemies."  

        There are external sources that are indeed hostile to you and your plans.   Be alert and be prepared.

      Tomorrow:  "Dense clouds."

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."

    To remain Joyous and make Progress, you will need to go slow at first.  This hexagram is composed of Thunder over Mountain, indicating a storm.  To survive it, the wise "bird" stays near its nest.

      After the last two messages, indicating good fortune for the indefinite future, you may feel you can go all out for what you want.  The Yi advises against it.

      The most successful outcome will be obtained by making small, steady steps in the right direction.  

      Chris Marshall's interpretation sums it up:   "The best approach at the moment is to keep your head down and apply yourself to details."

     The Yi has three changing lines of specific advice on how to weather this storm, Lines 3, 5 and 6.   Tomorrow:  "If one is not extremely careful  . . . "

No. 35,   Progress:

"Progress. The powerful prince
Is honored with horses in large numbers.
In a single day he is granted audience three times."

No. 14,  Possession in Great Measure  /  Great Harvest:

"Possession in Great Measure.
Supreme success."

     IF you cease seeking your Nourishment from others, or from the "donuts" of life, and seek, instead, a higher purpose, the future is Possession in Great Measure.  Supreme success!

     Wealth alone is not "supreme success" in Eastern philosophies.  In the world view of the I Ching, a Great Harvest is being able to realize your true self, pursue your true goals, and develop harmonious relationships.  This reading says that the future is a favorable time for all aspects of your life.  
 
     The Image adds :  "Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good,  and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven."   
 
     Devoting yourself to a greater purpose ensures success.

No. 27,  Nourishing,  Line 4:

"Turning to the summit
For the provision of nourishment
Brings good fortune.
Spying about with sharp eyes
Like a tiger with insatiable craving.
No blame."

     When you turn to higher things for the provision of your nourishment, good fortune will ensue.

     In pursuit of this higher purpose, you may become like the tiger:  constantly on the lookout,  and ready to pounce, on anyone or anything that will further your plan.

     Since you are working not for yourself, "but for the good of all, there is no wrong in such zeal."  [Wilhelm]

     Tomorrow:  The future of this reading;  Possession in Great Measure.

No. 27,  Nourishing,  Line 3: 

"Turning away from nourishment. 
Perseverance brings misfortune. 
Do not act thus for ten years. 
Nothing serves to further." 
 
     "Mad pursuit of pleasure for the gratification of the senses never brings one to the goal."  [Wilhelm] 
 
     Be honest:  Are you trying to fill yourself up with the "donuts" of life, instead of the whole-grain bran muffins? 
 
     Doesn't matter how many donuts you eat - they won't provide you with the sustenance you need.  
 
     Tomorrow, Line 4 explains the right way to get your "nourishment," one that "brings good fortune" and "no blame."  

No. 27, Nourishing,  Line 2: 

"Turning to the summit for nourishment,
Deviating from the path
To seek nourishment from the hill.
Continuing to do this brings misfortune."

       You are looking to someone or something else to provide your physical or psychological needs.  This is a mistake.

     "Cosmic nourishment comes through a person's inner truth . . ."  [Anthony and Moog]

       Are you expecting someone else to support you - or make you happy?  In doing so, you are "deviating from your path."

        The Yi is warning you: Continuing this dependency will bring misfortune.

         Tomorrow:  "Turning away from nourishment."

No. 27,  Nourishing :

"The Corners of the Mouth. 
Perseverance brings good fortune. 
Pay heed to the providing of nourishment 
And to what a man seeks 
To fill his own mouth with." 
     
      Now is the time to pay attention to what you put in your mouth - and in your mind.

     Writing down everything you eat can be a great wake-up call.

     But have you ever tried keeping track of what you put in your mind?  Sure, you can identify the empty calories in watching  America's Got Talent.  But what about your own negative, self-defeating thoughts?

     What and how we think is part of what we "feed" our mind. See if you can keep a diary, just for a day, of what you put in your mind.   The Yi has three changing lines of advice on that.
 
     Tomorrow:  "Deviating from the path."

No. 10,  Treading  /  Conduct:

"Treading. Treading upon the tail of the tiger.

It does not bite the man. Success." 

No. 61,  Inner Truth,  Line 4: 

"The moon nearly at full. 
The team horse goes astray. 
No blame." 
 
     You have not yet reached your full potential - the realization of your Inner Truth.

     Right now,  you are in danger of losing your direction.  Some part of you is being lured toward an easier, quicker answer.

      Cut loose anything that is pulling you off your path.  Then there will be "no blame." 

No. 61,  Inner Truth:

"Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers."
    
      You are still The Wanderer, on a journey across "the great water" to find and live your Inner Truth.

     Huang translates the name of this hexagram as "Innermost Sincerity."  Blofeld named it "Inward Confidence."  Huang explains that "pigs and fishes" were considered small offerings in ancient Chinese rituals, offered only when times were hard. 

     However, when you offer what you have, no matter how Modest (yesterday's reading), with Innermost Sincerity and Confidence, you will be rewarded with good fortune.

     Tomorrow:  "The moon nearly at the full."

No. 15,  Modesty:
:
“Modesty creates success.
The superior man carries things through.”
 
             To move past the Injury to your Brilliance, you will need to proceed with Modesty.
 
            The time is not yet right to seek or receive recognition for your efforts.
 
            For now, focus on completing what you have begun. Success will follow naturally.

No. 36.  Brilliance Injured,  Line 1:

Brilliance injured during flight.
He lowers his wings.
The superior man does not eat for three days
on his wanderings.
But he has somewhere to go.
The host has occasion to gossip about him.

     "Brilliance injured during flight." Since our previous main message was Retreat, receiving this line indicates you are going to be attacked before your Retreat is complete. You should withdraw from the conflict.

       If you expect others to be happy for you, you will be sadly disappointed.  When you quit the rat race, the other rats don't like it.  

      This will cause you some hardship - you will not "eat for three days" on your "wanderings." (Remember? The future of Retreat was The Wanderer.)

     However, you have "somewhere to go" - a higher, more important purpose.  Ignore the petty grumbling of others.

No. 36,   Brilliance Injured:

"Brilliance Injured.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright in hardship."

       What Brilliance is being injured?  Yours.

      Wilhelm called this hexagram "Darkening of the Light;"  Legg,  "Intelligence Wounded." 

       You are the bright light in this situation, but you are going to have to keep that light hidden in order to survive the adversity.

      We received Changing Line 1, which gives some rather complex advice on how you, as the Wanderer (our previous hexagram), should proceed.  We'll look at that tomorrow.

No. 56,  The Wanderer:

“The Wanderer. Success through smallness.

Perseverance brings good fortune

To the wanderer."

            For the Yi, “traveling” is more a fluid state of mind than a physical journey from place to place.  But one may well include the other.

            This is the future of Retreat.  You are in a state of transition, moving into "territory" that is unfamiliar.  In such times, it is wise to take small steps until you understand the forces that are at play.

           
            The 1854 Joseph Legg translation describes The Wanderer as "carrying with him his means of livelihood and provided with good and trusty servants." 

            
            Meaning:   Your success is not dependent on any particular location or set of circumstances.  You have within you all that is necessary. Letting your inner truth be visible will attract support, no matter where you are.

No. 33,  Retreat,  Line 5:

"Friendly retreat.  Perseverance brings good fortune."

    
      If you withdraw early, before the battlelines are drawn, you can retreat in friendliness.

    
      However, "absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations."  [Wilhelm]

    
     Smile, wave . . . and be on your way.

No. 33,  Retreat

"Retreat.  Success.
In what is small, perseverance furthers."

     "Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance, not angrily but with reserve."  [Wilhelm]

     You need to withdraw from a situation that is of no benefit to you.  This is likely a relationship in which there is currently some contention, an on-going argument that never seems to get resolved.

     Receiving this hexagram is the Yi's way of telling you:  It's not going to get any better.  Move on now, while you can do it gracefully.

     "This is done with determined detachment:  Cut off the lines of communication, become self-sufficient, withdraw intellectually and emotionally."  [Wing]

     Tomorrow, Line 5:  "Friendly" retreat.

No. 40, Deliverance: 

“Deliverance. The southwest furthers.

If there is no longer anything where one has to go,

Return brings good fortune.

It there is still something where one has to go,

Hastening brings good fortune."

    
     The future of Potential Energy/Restraint is Deliverance.  " . . . [A] refreshing sense of liberation replaces anxieties."  [Wing]   You are channeling your energy into creativity.

      
      As Wing advises," [D]ispense with emotional ruts and resentments."   In modern parlance, you will achieve closure.  

     
        If there is something you still need to do - for example - ending a relationship, quitting a job - do it now.  It won't be as bad as you feared.  In fact, it will be a Deliverance.

No. 26, The Taming Power of the Great, Potential Energy, Restraint, Line 6: 

"One attains the way of heaven.  Success." 
 
     This series of readings is the I Ching equivalent of the movie Groundhog Day.  As long as the Bill Murray character reacted to the events around him in the same way, the day repeated, over and over.  Only when he changed (and quit being a jerk) was he able to move on.

     As long as our focus was on the same, traditional interpretation, the advice kept repeating. When we look at a slightly different interpretation - yesterday's Line 4 - and view the Potential Energy as anger, and the Restraint as channeling that energy into creative action, we receive Line 6:

     "This line refers to Cosmic energy that was transformed and stored through restraining it, and which has been put to use through the person who has been treated unjustly, in a spontaneous reaction. "Heaven" . . . refers to the Cosmic Consciousness, which supports the reaction, giving it the success mentioned." [Anthony and Moog]

     Don't just blunt your sense of outrage. Use it to Create. That course of action is divinely favored.  In the Creative, you "attain the way of heaven." 

No. 26,  The Taming Power of the Great  /  Potential Energy  /  Restraint,   Line 4:

"The headboard of a young bull. 
Great good fortune." 

       "The young bull is a metaphor for an inexperienced person whose anger has been transformed into creative energy and stored up, but which now presses to be released." [Anthony and Moog]

     This is a new interpretation of this line for us - we have received this changing line twice before in recent weeks, and have focused on the danger aspect.  On both of those occasions, the future reading was  . . . The Creative.

     Are you angry, upset, frustrated, about to explode over some aspect of the situation you find yourself in?  The Yi is saying: Don't strike out at the cause of your anger.  Channel that energy Creatively.

     "The headboard is a metaphor for the restraint he needs to put on this energy, which would otherwise by seized by the ego and create harm.  Great good fortune, or Cosmic Harmony, will result from the restraint."  [Anthony and Moog]

     Write.  Paint.  Dance.  Saw, hammer and nail.  Cook.  (Kneading bread dough is a tension reliever.)  Sing.  Put your Potential Energy into something creative.

     We will see what happens in Line 6, tomorrow.

No. 1, The Creative:

"The Creative works sublime success,
Furthering through perseverance."

    The future of The Taming Power of the Great is Creativity, the power to make new things happen.

     "The time is exceptional in terms of inspiration, energy and will. . . .   The force of this time is the primal directive that propels us into our destinies, regardless of what our reasoning or recalcitrant minds may think." [R.L. Wing] 

     Creativity will not come as a bolt out of the blue that suddenly propels you to the heights. You will need to apply the appropriate perseverance.

     "Because he sees with great clarity causes and effects, he completes the six steps at the right time and mounts toward heaven on them at the right time, as though on six dragons."  [Wilhelm] 

      What will you do with your Creativity?

No. 26,  The Taming Power of the Great  /  Potential Energy  /  Restraint,   Line 4:

"The headboard of a young bull. 
Great good fortune." 

      Early cultures fastened boards across the foreheads of young bulls to blunt their horns as they grew, making them less dangerous.

      Realize that as your power grows, equally strong forces may develop to oppose you.  Take steps now to blunt their development.

     Since this is the second time we have received this line in a month, perhaps we should look at this from a slightly different perspective:  Are you the young bull who needs to have its horns blunted?

     As your strengths develop, don't view them as potential weapons.  Restraint and properly channeled Potential Energy are the keys to your "great good fortune."

     Tomorrow:  "The tusks of a gelded boar."