No. 2,  The Receptive:

"The Receptive brings about sublime success.
Furthering through the perseverance of a mare.
If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead,
He goes astray;
But if he follows, he finds guidance.
It is favorable to find friends in the west and south,
To forgo friends in the east and north.
Quiet perseverance brings good fortune."
    
       Now is the time for you to seek a supportive role.  Trying to lead will take you in the wrong direction. Being Receptive instead brings "sublime success."

    "The east symbolizes the place where a man receives orders from his master, and the north where he reports on what he has done."  [Wilhelm]  The Yi says:  Don't go there. You need to be Receptive,  but not an unthinking follower.

     Is there a situation where you are just itching to take over and straighten things out?  Take a deep breath, and see if there isn't some other, more Receptive way you can approach it.

       There was only one changing line with this hexagram.  We'll look at Line 2 tomorrow.

No. 28,   Preponderance of the Great:

"Preponderance of the Great.
The ridgepole sags to the breaking point.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
Success."

    "The pressures of the moment are enormous, and there is a temptation to flee  . . ."   [Walker]

       The Image says, "The lake rises above the trees:   . . . Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted."

         We received this hexagram without changing lines, indicating that these pressures will be at work for the indefinite future.  

         The Yi is reminding us that  we, as individuals, have little or no control over the larger forces at work. What we can do, as The Image suggests, is decide on the course of action that is best for us, personally, and follow it.  If the rest of the world doesn't like it, that's too bad.  

    Do you have "somewhere to go?"  Success lies in moving in that direction, even if you must begin the journey alone.

      Once you have formed your hexagram, you can go to http://www.pantherwebworks.com/I_Ching/ to access the Wilhelm translation.

Peace,

Susan Lee

No. 8  Union  /  Holding Together:

"Seeking union.
Good fortune.
Examine the divination:
Sublimely persevering, steadfast and upright.
No fault.
Restless factions just coming.
Lagging behind: misfortune."

       By sending us the same message and changing line twice, one right after the other, the Yi is directing us to "Examine the divination."

     Perhaps I over-analyzed by suggesting that receiving Union on Labor Day meant you should join a labor union.  Luckily, the Yi is not going to hold it against me:  "No fault."

      The essence of the message remains the same:  Seeking union with others brings good fortune.

     Who are you meant to join?  Do not hesitate too long.  "Restless factions" are just now entering the picture.  If you lag behind, you will meet with misfortune.

No. 3,  Beginning,  Line 1:

"Lingering and considering.
Favorable to abide in being steadfast and upright.
Favorable to establish feudal lords."

     Huang translates this line as "Lingering and considering," rather than "Hesitation and hindrance," as translated by Wilhelm. (Having received exactly the same hexagram and changing line, one right after the other, we are looking at them from a slightly different perspective the second time through.

     "This place requires one to linger and consider.  The timing is significant.  Although there is difficulty ahead, it is a crucial time to start a new enterprise.  In this situation, persevering is critical."  [Huang]

     Think you may have some trouble "establishing feudal lords?"  Don't worry.  Huang informs us that this is an ancient Chinese expression that means "seeking support."

Tomorrow:  "Examine the divination."

No. 3,  Beginning:

"The beginning of a tiny sprout.
Sublimely prosperous and smooth.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Do not act lightly."
     
     Today we received exactly the same hexagram as we did three days ago:  No. 3, with Changing Line 1, leading to No. 8.

    
     There are two possibilities here:  One, someone who needs to heed this message is not paying attention; or two, we are not giving it quite the right interpretation.  I will try to remedy that by using the Huang translation instead of the usual Wilhelm translation

    
      Huang translates this message as simply Beginning, removing the emphasis on Difficulty. The Yi wants you to accept that anything new will seem difficult at first.  That's just the nature of growth.

    
     What you are starting has the promise of supreme success:   " . . [T]he newly born being possesses a strong and healthy root, gathering an abundance of life force for its growth."  [Huang]

    
      This will be a natural process that you shouldn't over-analyze. Look for friends who can help and support you.

     What are you Beginning?
 

Tomorrow:  "Lingering and considering"

"Holding together brings good fortune.
Inquire of the oracle once again
Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
Then there is no blame.
Those who are uncertain gradually join.
Whoever comes too late
Meets with misfortune."

      Here in the U.S., as we celebrate Labor Day, the Yi sends us the hexagram Union.  

     
      "Holding together brings good fortune."  So  - if you have the opportunity to join a labor union, do it.  It can only improve your position.  If you are asked to take a position of responsibility, and you are up to the task,  go ahead.

        
      Do not hesitate too long.  Common experience is what binds people together. 

No. 3,  Difficulty at the Beginning,  Line 1:

"Hesitation and hindrance.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
It furthers one to appoint helpers."

     At the beginning of something new, you may hesitate.  Perhaps you do not yet see clearly where you are headed.  Perhaps you do not feel up to the task that lies before you.

     "The person needs to discover and eliminate the mistaken beliefs he holds about his true nature, which are the hindrances mentioned."  [Anthony and Moog]

     Don't insist on knowing the outcome before you begin, and don't insist on doing everything yourself.  Keep taking those small steps.

No. 3,  Difficulty at the Beginning:

"Difficulty at the beginning works supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Nothing should be undertaken.
It furthers one to appoint helpers."
      
     You are at the very start of something that has the promise of supreme success:   " . . [T]he newly born being possesses a strong and healthy root, gathering an abundance of life force for its growth."  [Huang]

     Times of growth are seldom easy.  "Accept and bear with the discomfort of chaos without attempting to push it away.  Allow it to clear of its own accord."  [Walker]

     This will be a natural process that you shouldn't over-analyze. Look for friends who can help and support you.

     What are you Beginning?

No. 9, The Taming Power of the Small  /  Restraint:

"The Taming Power of the Small 
Has success. 
Dense clouds, no rain from our western region. 

     Take only small steps  now.  There is a restraining force at work that will not allow a great leap forward.

      "We should avoid ambition to make progress as this exerts a negative presure on people. It also indicates that we do not trust our path  . . .  This doubt is communicated to others.  Give people the space they need to discover for themselves where their paths lie."  [Anthony]

     This future of Grace is not an unfavorable situation. Potential - like the moisture in the clouds - is there. Use this time to be prepared to make the most of it, when it does come.

No. 22,  Grace,  Line 5: 

"Grace in the hills and gardens. 
The roll of silk is meager and small. 
Humiliation, but in the end good fortune." 
 
     This line "emphasizes one's true nature," according to Taoist Master Alfred Huang. 
 
     "Hills and gardens" were the home of hermits in ancient China, yet in this line we find "the supreme place of a queen who adorns only with a bundle of silk." 
 
     Do you feel that your efforts are not important or grand enough?  Not so, says the Yi. 
 
     "  . . . your internal desires and sincere feelings of friendliness are all that truly matter.  Your worth will be recognized and you will meet with good fortune."  [Wing]

Tomorrow:  Staying on the "small" path.

No. 22, Grace,  Line 2:

"Lends grace to the beard on his chin."

           You may indulge in some adornment - like growing a fine beard.

     But do not get so caught up in creating a graceful form that you forget or neglect the true content of what you are creating.

     A common example of this would be planning a wedding.  People often spend months, and even years, planning the "perfect" event, while the relationship itself receives little attention.

      "If you pay more attention to the vessel than to what it contains, you will entirely miss the meaning of this moment."  [Wing]

     Tomorrow:  "The roll of silk is meager  . . ."