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Friday, September 30, 2011
No. 8, Union / Holding Together, Line 6:
"He finds no head for holding together. Misfortune."
Union
is not always the right thing --- it depends entirely on the "rightness" of what
you are in Union with.
Huang translates this
line as: "Seeking union with those not having taken the first step. Nothing can be completed."
Are you Holding Together with fixed
beliefs or customs that no longer serve you? Or a family, friends or mate that are
not compatible with where you want to go and what you want to do?
"By . . . involving yourself in details that have nothing whatsoever to do with the development of your own principles,
you detach yourself from the very foundation of your original aims. Misfortune."
[Wing]
Not sure what all this means ---
for you, personally? The Yi advises a future of . . . Tomorrow: "Contemplation."
Thursday, September 29, 2011
No. 8, Union / Holding Together:
"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."
The essence of the message: Seeking
Union with others brings good fortune. "The individual human spirit is nourished by a sense
of connectedness to the whole of human awareness." [Wing]
The Yi directs us to "inquire of the oracle once again." Is the Union
that presents itself what you really want? Are you prepared to take a leadership
role? If you are, there is "no blame" in stepping forward.
If you are not, don't volunteer, "for anyone
attempting the task without a real calling for it only makes confusion worse than if no union at all had taken place."
[Wilhelm]
Do not hesitate too long. If
you lag behind, you will meet with misfortune.
The Yi sent but one changing line, Line 6 . . .
Tomorrow:
"He finds no head for holding together."
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
No. 60, Limitation /
Restraint:
"Limitation. Success.
Galling limitation must not be persevered in."
Remember the "How to
be a No-Limit Person" and "You Can Have It All" self-help books?
Not true, says the Yi. This future
reading reminds us: the idea that there
are "no limits" is simply false. Changing Line 2 told us: now
is the time to be the grown-up, and not to indulge the childishness in others. That includes learning to live within
your Limitations.
"In order to make genuine progress in
any direction, we must first give some definition to our path." [Marshall]
As the Cheshire Cat said in Alice in Wonderland:
"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there." You need to limit
yourself to one path to reach your desired destination.
But don't overdo setting limits
for yourself. Too much restriction will cause you to rebel.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
No. 17, Following / Adaptability, Line 4:
"Following creates success.
Perseverance
brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings
clarity. How could there be blame in this?"
Success
may bring all kinds of followers, including those who are looking mainly for advantage for themselves.
Their flattery can
become addictive. If you are not careful, soon you will be working to maintain that
applause --- not working toward your true goal.
Be clear about what you want. Don't let the agendas of others take over.
Adapting can bring you success, but you can lose your way
trying to keep the attention of others.
Tomorrow: "Limitations
are troublesome, but they are effective."
Monday, September 26, 2011
No. 17, Following / Adaptability, Line 2:
"If one clings to the little boy,
One loses the strong man."
You will need to "follow" or "adapt to" those
around you, as explained in the main message, BUT . . . if you follow or adapt to that which is weak or inferior, you will lose that which is beneficial.
Do you enable --- or even
encourage --- childish qualities? Indulging yourself or others is not the way to build
the strong Following you will need to accomplish your goals.
The Yi's message on how you should Adapt is straightforward: Be the grown-up. You
will need this strength . . .
Tomorrow: " . . . you
can lose your way trying to keep the attention of others."
Sunday, September 25, 2011
No. 17, Following / Adaptability:
"Following
has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers. No blame."
Upon receiving
this hexagram, the question arises: Is this telling me to follow someone else? Or is it
telling me how to obtain a Following?
The answer is : Both. "If one wants to lead, one must first learn to
be led." [Huang]
You have
something you want to accomplish; but you can't do it by yourself. You will need to develop a Following -
people who will endorse and support your actions.
"Rid yourself of old prejudices and opinions that may be controlling your behavior and holding
you back. If your goals and principles are not consonant with those of your society, then you must
make an adjustment in yourself." [Wing]
"It is essential now to quietly accept the way things are. This does
not mean that you endorse or celebrate current circumstances, just that you do not resist them. Acceptance is
the most fundamental principle in the philosophy of the I Ching." [Walker]
There is "no blame" in following this course now.
In fact, it will bring you "supreme success." But the process will not be easy . . .
Tomorrow: "If one clings to the little
boy, one loses the strong man."
Saturday, September 24, 2011
No. 26, The Taming Power of the Great / Potential Energy / Restraint:
"The Taming Power
of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water."
Ambitious, long-term
goals will soon be favored. A storehouse of energy will be available to you, if you
heed the advice of the main message, and Wait for the time to be right.. Proceed with confidence
- even if your goal is not always clearly in sight.
This potential - your virtues, talents and insights - are
not meant to nourish you alone.
Share your
inner truth with others. This is your "Heaven within the mountain." This
is what will bring you good fortune.
Under
these circumstances, "even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed."
[Wilhelm]
Friday, September 23, 2011
No. 5, Waiting
/ Needing / Calculated Inaction, Line 6:
"One falls into the pit.
Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune."
The Waiting
is over. The danger inherent in the situation is here. There seems to be no way out.
Then an unexpected
element presents itself. It is not what you planned, and not what you wanted, but . . .
"help arrives if you recognize it." [Wing]
"At first one cannot be sure of its meaning: is it rescue or is it destruction?
A person in this situation must keep his mind alert and not withdraw into himself with a sulky gesture of
refusal, but must greet the new turn with respect. Thus he ultimately escapes the danger, and all goes well."
[Wilhelm]
This brings
to mind an episode in my past that fits this scenario perfectly: I lost a job, and had to take a job that was not what
I planned, and not what I wanted. To my surprise, I found it fascinating and even invigorating (even though it remained
incredibly low-paying). Eight months later, an opportunity presented itself that allowed me to get back into my own
field.
"Even happy turns
of fortune often come in a form that at first seems strange to us." [Wilhelm]
Tomorrow: Finding "Heaven within the mountain."
Thursday, September 22, 2011
No. 5, Waiting
/ Needing / Calculated Inaction, Line 5:
"Waiting at meat and drink.
Perseverance brings good fortune."
The Yi has already informed us that "A period of Calculated Waiting must pass before the cosmos
can address itself to your needs." [Wing]
This
line says: There's no reason not to enjoy yourself while you wait. "One in this
situation is most safe." [Huang]
"We must know how to enjoy the moment without being deflected from the goal . . ."
[Wilhelm]
Feel like you need to do something . . . right now? The Yi says, "Give it a rest."
"It is
not possible to achieve everything all at once." [Wilhelm] Dangerous conditions will return soon
enough . . .
Tomorrow: "Three
uninvited guests arrive . . ."
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
No. 5, Waiting
/ Needing / Calculated Inaction:
"Waiting. If you are sincere,
You have light and success. Perseverance
brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water."
"A time of important change in your life, You have reached
a critical point, and there soon have to be some major alterations to both your circumstances and direction."
[Marshall]
But
. . . "A period of Calculated Waiting must pass before the cosmos can address itself
to your needs. Many areas are undergoing significant change." [Wing]
The Image of this hexagram is of clouds rising
up to heaven. "When clouds rise in the sky, it is a sign that it will rain. There is nothing to do but
wait until the rain falls. It is the same in life when destiny is at work. We should not worry
and seek to shape the future by interfering in things before the time is ripe." [Wilhelm]
We
received this hexagram not long ago, on Aug. 24, with changing lines 1 and 3 --- advice on the beginning of
the situation. This time it arrived with changing lines 5 and 6, meaning the situation is progressing . . .
Tomorrow: " . . . it is not possible to achieve everything all at once."
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
No. 36, Darkening of the Light:
"Darkening of the Light. In adversity
It furthers one to be persevering."
"A man of dark nature is
in a position of authority and brings harm." [Wilhelm]
Huang calls this hexagram Brilliance Injured; Legg called it Intelligence
Wounded. "It is both useless and dangerous to expound your convictions,
. . . you will only invite further difficulties." [Wing]
You are the "bright light" in this situation, but for a time, you will need to keep your
light hidden to survive the adversity.
"In a time such as this, it is wise to adopt a stance of outer disengagement and
inner perseverance. Step aside, yield, let go, allow people and events to pass without attachment."
[Walker]
This is the future of Return/The Turning Point. You have a destination that is far more important than any current difficulty. Don't
be a target for someone else's animosity. Keep a low profile, and continue on your journey.
Monday, September 19, 2011
No. 24, Return / The Turning Point, Line 3:
"Repeated return. Danger. No blame."
"This position indicates
the type of person who is constantly vacillating because of the imagined advantages of other paths."
[Wing]
The Turning Point is subtle,
like the winter solstice. The "danger" here is that you may slip back into old patterns
that simply are not going to work anymore. Or you may become impatient and, unable to see
what lies ahead, keep changing course in search of a quicker reward.
Is this fatal? Probably not. It's "mostly an annoyance to
all concerned." [Wing] But it's certainly no help, either.
Focus instead on the admonition of the main message that "Movement is just at its beginning; therefore it must be strengthened by rest . . ." You
will need it, because the future holds . . .
Tomorrow:
"Darkening of the light."
Sunday, September 18, 2011
No. 24, Return / The Turning Point:
"Return. Success. Going out
and coming in without error. Friends come without blame. To and fro goes the way. On the seventh day comes return. It furthers one to have somewhere to go."
"Receiving this hexagram is a sign that you have reached a turning point."
[Wilhelm]
We received this hexagram
as a future message less than a week ago. Then we received Before Completion, the
last hexagram in the I Ching, heralding the ending of one cycle and the beginning of another, including the changing line
"The new time has arrived, and with it good fortune." Today we receive The Turning Point again.
Do you think the Yi is trying to tell us
something? "This
moment is akin to the winter solstice: the greatest darkness is past, and the light
is beginning to return." [Walker]
This hexagram heralds new possibilities, but
don't expect them to appear tomorrow. "Movement is just at its beginning; therefore it must be strengthened
by rest, so that it will not be dissipated by being used prematurely. . . . The return to health after
illness, the return of understanding after an estrangement; everything must be treated tenderly
and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering." [Wilhelm]
We received one changing line which points to a possible difficulty in moving forward . . .
Tomorrow: "Repeated return. Danger."
Saturday, September 17, 2011
No. 25. Innocence / The Unexpected /
Integrity:
"Innocence. Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. If someone is not as he should be, He has misfortune, And it does not further him To undertake anything."
Yesterday's line told us "The new time has arrived, and with it good fortune."
Today's is the future reading, and it tells us we must meet the future with Innocence and Integrity.
"It is critical that do you do
not try to engineer or force this change. . . . The only way to handle the moment is to let your best
instincts show you the way forward." [Marshall]
Note: Not everything that is instinctive is good
. . . "only that which is right and in accord with the will of heaven." [Wilhelm]
The world is constantly
changing in ways you could not have foreseen. Your life partner leaves you or dies. The job you studied
and trained for no longer exists. An accident or illness knocks you back to square one.
"You are advised now stop looking forward and backward, to abandon your
ambitions, to disengage from judgments and critical thinking." [Walker]
In short: Don't try to force coming events into your old patterns.
"Be prepared for a surprising turn of events. What occurs will stimulate new ideas, even if at
first this seems unnerving or full of complications." [Wing]
Friday, September 16, 2011
No. 64, Before Completion / Not Yet Fulfilled, Line
5:
"Perseverance brings good fortune. No remorse. The light of the superior man is true. Good fortune."
By heeding the advice in Lines 1 and 2 of Before Completion --- holding back until the time is
right, exercising caution, and building inner strength --- you will reach Line 5: "The new time has arrived,
and with it good fortune." [Wilhelm]
Like the little fox of the main
message, you will have crossed the ice without getting your tail in the water.
You need have "no
remorse" over what was left behind. This the last hexagram of the I Ching, indicating the closing
of one natural life cycle, and the beginning of another.
"And just as the
sun shines forth in redoubled beauty after rain, or as a forest grows more freshly green from charred ruins
after a fire, so the new era appears all the more glorious by contrast
with the misery of the old." [Wilhelm]
Prepare to meet this new era with . . .
Tomorrow: "Innocence."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
No. 64, Before Completion / Not Yet Fulfilled, Line
2:
"He brakes his wheels. Perseverance brings good fortune."
The time for vigorous action has not yet arrived.
You are moving into a new cycle, but the Yi has advised caution
in this state of transition Before Completion.
This line says that you could move forward, but the wiser choice is to hold back --- for the
present --- and develop your own strength.
" . . . [O]ur persistence must be in the form of determination to halt now and proceed
later." [Blofeld]
It will be worth it . . .
Tomorrow: "The new time
has arrived, and with it good fortune."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
No. 64, Before Completion / Not Yet Fulfilled, Line
1:
"He gets his tail in the water. Humiliating."
The main message urged caution in this time Before Completion. Line 1 suggests that
you are inclined to ignore the Yi's advice.
" . . . [T]here is a fine line between bravely and carefully moving forward and foolishly getting in
over one's head." [Huang]
Do you feel an urge to forge ahead in the situation that concerns
you the most? The Yi says: Tread carefully. You are on thin
ice.
"In such a time it
is wise to spare ourselves the opprobrium of failure by holding back." [Wilhelm] And this
state of affairs will continue . . .
Tomorrow: "He
brakes his wheels."
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
No. 64, Before Completion / Not Yet Fulfilled:
“Before Completion. Success.
But if the little fox, after nearly
completing the crossing,
Gets his tail in the water.
There is nothing that would further."
This hexagram is the last hexagram in the I Ching, but it does not
signal an end. It describes "the condition before transition."
[The Image]
Yesterday's message said that such a Turning
Point is coming. Receiving Before Completion means: Be careful!
You're not there yet.
". . . [I]t could suggest that you are not prepared to see clearly what must be
done and take the final steps into the future. . . . All aspects of life and human affairs
must come to an end and begin anew." [Wing]
Are you a "word" person or a "numbers" person? Those who
say the I Ching predicts the world will end in 2012 base their theory on a complex analysis of the "numbers" involved.
The "words," however, send another message entirely: " . . . there is nothing final about
it; the cycle of change continues, passing from H.64 onto the first hexagram, and so on eternally."
[Blofeld]
How
do you complete this crossing successfully? We received three changing lines to guide us . . .
Tomorrow:
"He gets his tail in the water."
Monday, September 12, 2011
No. 24, Return / The Turning Point:
"Return.
Success. Going out and coming in without error. Friends
come without blame. To and fro goes the way. On the seventh day comes
return. It furthers one to have somewhere to go."
"After a time of decay comes the turning point." [Wilhelm]
The next step --- the future of The Marrying Maiden --- will be a return of the light, like the
winter solstice.
"The old will
be discarded and the new introduced." [Wilhelm] This includes relationships. The Yi says:
Don't feel guilty about discarding the "old" and welcoming the "new." It is merely a part of
the natural progression of things.
"Movement and willingness to move are conjoined; . . . [implying that] this activity is in accord
with the movement of heaven." [Blofeld]
This hexagram
heralds new possibilities, but don't jump in too fast.
"Movement is just at
its beginning; therefore it must be strengthened by rest, so that it will not be dissipated by being used
prematurely. . . . The return to health after illness, the return of understanding after
an estrangement; everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering."
[Wilhelm]
Sunday, September 11, 2011
No. 54, The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate / An Untenable
Situation, Line 4:
"The marrying maiden draws out the allotted time. A
late marriage comes in due course."
"It may appear that the world is passing you by as you wait, but your reward for maintaining
your principles is on its way." [Wing]
You're not happy with the possibilities that currently present themselves. This is likely in the realm of an intimate
personal connection, but it could be any type of relationship. How many people do you know who are
"married" to their job?
The
Yi is telling you: Don't commit yourself to something that you know is not what you want.
The fulfilling alliance you seek is out there, and you will find it.
"The message of this line is that when one plans an important undertaking, one should
carefully consider all the possibilities and take no hasty action." [Huang]
Tomorrow: "After a time of decay comes a turning point."
Saturday, September 10, 2011
No. 54, The Marrying Maiden / An Untenable Situation, Line 2:
“A one-eyed man who
is able to see. The perseverance of a solitary man furthers."
You
are partially blinded in some way --- you don't have another "eye" to help you see things
in perspective.
The second part of this line suggests that you are also isolated.
The Yi is saying: Don't let your desire for companionship, comfort, or security lead you into An
Untenable Situation.
You are tempted to "turn a blind eye" to
reality, but be honest with yourself --- and others. Continue on your path, even if you
must go it alone. Eventually you will be rewarded . . .
Tomorrow: "A
late marriage comes in due course."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
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 small steps only now. A restraining force is at work; a
great leap forward is not possible.
Is this an unfavorable
situation? Not at all. Potential - like the moisture in the clouds - is there.
Use this time to prepare. Then you can make the most of the "rain" when it does come.
This is the future of our main message, The Gentle, Penetrating Wind. The Image here is much
the same, "the wind blowing across the heavens." [Blofeld] As our single changing line advised,
keep moving steadily, like the wind.
"It
is also a metaphor for the individual path of destiny that is begun by taking these first small steps.
Entry onto this path often begins with the gift of love to two people." [Anthony & Moog]
Be prepared to accept this gift.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
No. 57,
The Gentle / Penetrating Wind /
Divi Divi Tree, Line 1:
“In advancing and retreating, The perseverance of a warrior
furthers."
"Inborn gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness." [Wilhelm]
Receiving this changing line ---
and only this changing line --- suggests that "we have doubts about our own intentions."
[Blofeld]
Gentleness and humbleness are valued
in the I Ching, BUT . . . that does not mean letting obstacles slow you down, or make you reconsider the
value of your path.
The true
warrior is not hacking and slashing at his enemy every minute. The winning strategy includes preparation, training,
advance, and perhaps a strategic retreat.
"Do not be indecisive and perplexed. If you drift about with an undisciplined attitude, nothing
can be influenced. Make a decision and stick to it." [Wing]
Tomorrow: "The Taming Power of the Small has success."
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
No. 57,
The Gentle / Penetrating Wind /
Divi Divi Tree:
“The Gentle. Success through what
is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man."
On the island of Aruba, divi divi
trees look like giant hands, with their fingers all pointing in the same direction. That's because the
wind blows steadily, and always in the same trajectory, from one side of the island to the other. Tour guides like to
tell you that you can't get lost on Aruba: just follow the divi divi trees, whose branches
all point toward the safer, more populated shore.
Do you have clearly in mind the shore you want to reach? The Yi advises you to keep all your efforts moving --- gently--- along that course.
"The wind that changes direction often, even a powerful one, will disperse nothing --- it only stirs things up.
The wind that causes real changes is the one that blows consistently in the same direction." [Walker]
Is a relationship developing
that you would like to speed up? Don't work yourself up into hurricane strength. "Sweeping gestures
and emphatic declarations will only create distance." [Wing]
Our single changing line indicates, however, that the problem lies in another direction . . .
Tomorrow: "Inborn gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness."
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