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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
"Begin your endeavors . . ."
No. 19, Approach / Growth, Line 1:
"Joint approach . Perseverance brings good fortune."
"Begin
your endeavors in the company of those who share your enthusiasm." [Wing]
The Yi is saying:
You can grow in your desired direction, but not by yourself. Huang translates this line as "Responsively
approaching." Your relationships are of prime importance to your further Growth.
"Receiving this line can inform a person who
has failed to achieve his goal, that he has been employing the wrong helpers: the collective ego's
techniques and conventional ways of doing things." [Anthony & Moog]
Finding the right helpers --- those who "share your
enthusiasm" and are ready to discard the "conventional ways of doing things" --- will lead to .
. .
Tomorrow: "The
Army / Collective Force"
Monday, January 30, 2012
"Approach has supreme success"
No. 19, Approach / Growth:
"Approach has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
When the eighth month comes,
There will be misfortune."
In the time of Approach, the I Ching informs us, " . . . the superior man is
inexhaustible in his will to teach, and without limits in his tolerance and protection of
the people." "If you have been waiting for an opportune moment to put forth a new
idea or to maneuver yourself into a better position, the time has come. " [Wing]
Use this "inexhaustible will" to shine your light as far as it will reach.
You have something important to share. We will see how crucial this is
in the single changing line we received, and the future message.
Tomorrow:
"Joint approach. Good fortune."
Sunday, January 29, 2012
"an unavoidable
time of adversity . . ."
No. 47, Oppression / Exhaustion:
"Oppression. Success. Perseverance.
The great man brings about good fortune.
No
blame.
When one has something to say.
It is not believed."
The
future of Deliverance/Relief moves into an "unavoidable time of adversity - a time of oppression
and exhaustion. None of us escapes such moments; they are simply part of living." [Walker]
"We often receive this hexagram when we feel tired. The oppressiveness of doubt exhausts
our inner resources. If the situation is not corrected, it may even lead to physical illness." [Anthony]
But . . the possibility of success is there, if you can identify what
is pulling you down, and separate yourself from it.
"A feeling of despair or depression is a sign that you are holding a false belief.
Root out and remove this idea or attitude. This will allow the creative to eliminate the oppression."
[Walker]
What false belief are you clinging to? Is it something you believe you should or must do?
Or something you believe you can't do?
"Thus everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men." [Wilhelm]
Don't waste your breath trying to convince someone you're right and they're wrong ---it will exhaust
you.
"There is real hope in the depths of darkness, though. It is through this kind of adversity
that you will come to define yourself and your values." [Marshall]
Saturday, January 28, 2012
You're not going to win the lottery, but . . .
No.
40, Deliverance / Relief, Line 5:
"If
only the superior man can deliver himself, It brings good fortune. Thus he proves to inferior men that he is in earnest."
The I Ching has predicted your Deliverance,
but Line 5 says: Don't expect a deus ex machina.
(Deus ex machina, Latin for "god out
of the machine," is a plot device whereby a problem is suddenly solved with the unexpected intervention
of some new event, character, ability, or object.)
This
Deliverance depends on you. "Times of deliverance
demand inner resolve. Inferior people
cannot be driven off by prohibitions or any external means. If one desires to be rid of them, he must first
break completely with them in his own mind; . . . .." [Wilhelm]
This is not easy, even for the strongest
of us. As Michael Corleone said in The Godfather, Part III: "Just when I thought I was out
. . . they pull me back in!"
Don't
let others "pull you back in." This struggle with "inferior people" will continue
. . .
Tomorrow:
"Thus everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men."
Friday, January 27, 2012
Deliverance!
No. 40, Deliverance / Relief /
Liberation:
"Deliverance.
The southwest furthers. If
there is no longer anything where one has to go, Return brings good fortune. If there is still something where one has to go, Hastening brings good fortune."
Deliverance from a long-standing difficulty is beginning. This Relief comes, not from an
external source, but from a change in the way you look at things.
Think of
your difficulties as a big rock blocking your path. As long as you claw and push at it, it continues
to frustrate you. If, however, you change your direction, a whole new world of possibilities
presents itself.
"This should be done without delay and
with no show of emotionalism. There is no reason to dwell petulantly upon the past or glory in your
new-found Liberation. . . . And, once you finally dispense with emotional ruts or resentments
from former times, you will have an excellent opportunity for personal advancement."
[Wing]
What "rock" is blocking your path? The I
Ching sends a single changing line . . .
Tomorrow:
" . . . only the superior man can deliver himself."
Thursday, January 26, 2012
You will be separating
. . .
No. 23, Splitting Apart:
"Splitting Apart. It does not further one
To go anywhere."
You will be
separating from some life circumstance or relationship. Blofeld calls this hexagram
Peeling Off. Huang calls it Falling Away.
Whatever. The bottom line: This
is not a situation you can hold together.
The future, Splitting
Apart, is "a time when inferior people are pushing forward." [Wilhelm]
In broader terms, "There exists now an abundance of incompetent persons in positions of authority
. . ." [Wing]
Sound like where you work? Or live?
"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, and this is the time when you must face the decline and the inevitable end. This is definitely not a good
moment to undertake any new venture." [Marshall]
What to do? The Yi says: "Your best course is
to wait out the difficult times and protect yourself . . . " [Wing]
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Good news! You are not "the young fool"
No. 4, Youthful Folly / Inexperience, Line 2:
"To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune. Taking a maiden as a wife: Good fortune. The son is able to sustain the family."
Good news: Receiving this line suggests that
you are not "the young fool" the Yi has been talking about.
Rather, the I Ching is advising you how to deal
with those around you who are Inexperienced.
"The message of this line is that dealing with different
persons or situations requires different ways of responding." [Huang]
"The person
in this position has indeed developed in himself a true appreciation of humanity in all of its folly and beauty.
Such a person can lead others with wisdom, compassion, and inspiration, and attain all the
success attributed to the great and wise historical leaders." [Wing]
"Be gentle with the immature." [Blofeld]
This wisdom and compassion will serve
you well in the future, which involves . . .
Tomorrow: "Splitting
apart."
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
"Immaturity. Good fortune!"
No. 4,
Youthful Folly / Inexperience / Childhood:
"Youthful
folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool; The young fool seeks me. At first I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes,
I give him no information. Perseverance furthers."
We have now
received the same main message two times in a row --- right before and right after the start of the lunar
New Year, this year being Gung Hay Fat Choy --- the year of The Water Dragon.
The Image of Youthful
Folly/Inexperience is a spring at the foot of a mountain. "Water is something that of necessity flows
on. When the spring gushes forth, it doesn't know at first where it will go.
But its steady flow fills the deep place, and success is attained." [Wilhelm]
At the beginning of this new year, you don't
know where you will go. "Immaturity.
Good fortune!" [Blofeld]
Are you
entering a new relationship, or a new job or position of authority?
The I Ching says: Do not insist on certainty of the outcome before you move forward.
We received a different, single changing line this
time . . .
Tomorrow: "To bear with fools in kindliness
brings good fortune."
Monday, January 23, 2012
Do you feel under attack?
No. 7, The Army / Collective Force:
"The Army. The army
needs perseverance
And a strong man. Good fortune without blame."
We received The Army not long ago, on Jan. 16, as the main message. Receiving it
again so soon, this time as the future of Youthful Folly/Inexperience,
means there is still a need to heed its advice.
"The Army is a guide to proper conduct in the face of adversity." [Walker]
" . . .[W]e
must interpret this hexagram symbolically in the sense that life is a battle." [Blofeld]
"A person may also receive this hexagram . . . when he is under attack
by fears initiated by his own ego." [Anthony & Moog]
What "adversity" is facing
you right now? Do you feel "under attack" from others? You need to align
yourself with people who share your values and goals, and face this adversity as a Collective
Force.
If the adversity is your own fears, what you need most is to be clear about what you want
and where you want to go. You need "the unity and strength of conviction that lead to victory."
[Wilhelm]
"Good fortune without blame" will follow.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
"He who will not heed will be made to feel."
No. 4, Youthful Folly / Inexperience, Line 6:
"In punishing folly
It does not further one
To commit transgressions.
The only thing that furthers
Is to prevent transgressions."
In your Inexperience, you may head down the wrong path. As the main message said, you
are not ignorant, nor stupid, You are only Inexperienced.
The I
Ching says: Don't make a big deal out of mistakes --- your own, or someone else's.
All
that is necessary is that you acknowledge what went wrong, and learn the lesson it presents.
Stubbornly
insisting on a course of action that has been shown to be detrimental will lead to the real punishment: "He
who will not heed will be made to feel." [Wilhelm]
(When someone writes "A Hip-Hop I Ching," this line will be the Yi saying, "You feel me?")
Making a course correction, however, will put you back on the path to . . .
Tomorrow: "Good
fortune without blame."
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Are you . . . Inexperienced?
No. 4,
Youthful Folly / Inexperience / Childhood:
"Youthful
folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool; The young fool seeks me. At first I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes,
I give him no information. Perseverance furthers."
"The situation
you have now reached is one that you have not come across before, and you are unsure of how to proceed."
[Marshall]
You
are Inexperienced --- as in Childhood. This is a good thing. As Blofeld translates it: "Immaturity. Good fortune!"
Good fortune, because you are free
to learn as a child would. Mistakes and falls are to be expected.
Are you entering a new relationship, or
a new job or position of authority?
Don't expect the I Ching --- or any human teacher --- to provide
you with all the answers you want, right now. And don't keep asking the same
questions, just because you don't like the answers you're getting.
The biggest danger here is that you will ignore the lesson the Yi is trying to teach you . . .
Tomorrow: "He who will not heed will be made to feel."
Friday, January 20, 2012
"You are sincere and are being obstructed."
No.
6, Conflict:
"Conflict. You are sincere
And are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see
the great man. It does not further one to cross the great water."
A major obstacle
stands in the way of getting where you want to go: Conflict.
We received this hexagram without changing lines, meaning: This is a fundamental
problem, not likely to go away with just the passage of time. Also, there is no particular course
of action you can take that will help you "win."
"It matters not whether the confrontation is between competing values in one's own
mind, or with another person. The only remedy is to disengage from the problem and
return to quiet contemplation of what is correct." [Walker]
"You may be facing a major disillusionment in your life . . .
You will have to reconsider your premise more realistically. The need for an inner adjustment
yielding a more harmonious outlook is indicated." [Wing]
What Conflict is keeping you in a state of agitation?
Now is not the time for open confrontation. The I Ching says: Let it rest.
Detach.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"Enthusiasm. . . . set armies marching."
No. 16, Enthusiasm:
"Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers
And to
set armies marching."
The main message was The
Army. This future message, Enthusiasm, says: Get ready to set that Army marching!
"This denotes a time of enormous enthusiasm and
inspirational creativity." [Marshall]
"During this time you should seek to analyze the essential nature of the moment. If you
can grasp the innate direction of the tendencies around you, you can parallel them and accomplish great deeds."
[Wing]
Recognizing "the essential nature of the moment" is what the I Ching
is all about.
Do you have a new idea or an innovative
way of doing things? The Yi says: Share it with others. Enthusiasm signals
a time of consensus (The Army) combined with energy.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
". . . no blame in retreating"
No. 7,
The Army / Collective Force, Line 4:
"The
army retreats. No blame."
Even with the Collective Force behind you, you are not going to win every battle.
The Yi reminds you: You
are in this for the long haul. Be realistic.
There is no blame in retreating and conserving your energy
to fight another day. In fact, it leads to a future of . . .
Tomorrow:
"Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers and set armies marching."
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
"In the midst of the army . . ."
No.
7, The Army / Collective Force, Line 2:
"In
the midst of the army. Good fortune. No blame. The king bestows a triple decoration."
The person who leads from the midst of his Army --- not isolated
at the top --- will find good fortune.
Whatever
Collective Force you are a part of, the key to success will be maintaining communication and understanding with
all parts.
Did you identify the most important "adversity" you are
facing? By keeping in touch with everything that is happening, you will find yourself at the center.
For this, you will be honored and advanced.
If it is an inner adversity, your own fears, delving into all aspects and exploring them
will bring you the clarity you need to move forward.
The I Ching reminds you, however, that an Army is there to fight a war, not just a single battle.
There will be ups and downs . . .
Tomorrow: "The army retreats.
No blame."
Monday, January 16, 2012
" . . . a guide to proper conduct in the face of
adversity."
No. 7, The Army / Collective Force:
"The Army. The army needs perseverance And a strong man. Good fortune without blame." "The Army is a guide to proper conduct in the face of adversity." [Walker]
" . . .[W]e must
interpret this hexagram symbolically in the sense that life is a battle." [Blofeld] "A person may also receive this hexagram . . . when he is under attack by fears
initiated by his own ego." [Anthony & Moog]
What
"adversity" is facing you right now? Do you feel "under attack" from
others? You need to align yourself with people who share your values and goals, and
face this adversity as a Collective Force.
If the adversity is your own
fears, what you need most is to be clear about what you want and where you want to go. You need "the
unity and strength of conviction that lead to victory." [Wilhelm]
The Yi sent two changing
lines to guide us, Lines 2 and 4.
Tomorrow:
"In the midst of his army . . ."
Sunday, January 15, 2012
"Not eating at home brings good fortune"
No.
26. The Taming Power of the Great / Potential Energy:
"The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross
the great water."
If you
respond properly to the Decrease of the main message, the future holds a storehouse of
Potential Energy.
"Not
eating at home brings good fortune" does not mean it's time to head for Applebees.
It means that this will be the time to take your virtues out and share them with others.
"Since the worthy are honored,
. . . it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one's bread by entering upon public office.
Such a [wo]man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great and difficult undertakings,
such as crossing the great water, succeed." [Wilhelm]
Is a leadership role open to you? "The time is suitable . . . because
to do so now would be to accord with heaven's will." [Blofeld]
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A threesome won't work . . .
No. 41. Decrease,
Line 3:
"When three people journey together, Their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, He finds a companion."
The thing you may most need to Decrease is: your intimate relationships.
"When there are three
people together, jealousy arises. One of them will have to go."
[Wilhelm]
Are you trying to
maintain an intimate relationship with more than one person? Or, does your "significant
other" have another "significant other?"
The Yi says: In the long run, it just won't work. In
your heart of hearts, you probably already know that. But you don't want to be the one who makes the break.
The I Ching offers some
small consolation and encouragement to follow your own path, even if you must go it alone:
It is easier to find a new companion if you are not already attached to another.
In fact, a larger, leadership role
may be the "relationship" awaiting you, as we will see in our future message . . .
Tomorrow: " . . . but rather to earn one's bread by entering upon public office."
Friday, January 13, 2012
The "ancient Chinese secret" to prosperity?
No. 41,
Decrease :
"Decrease combined with sincerity
Brings about supreme good fortune
Without
blame.
One may be persevering in this.
It furthers one to undertake something.
How is this to be carried out?
One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice."
Yes, this is the same message
--- Decrease --- we received yesterday. No, I was not just too lazy to throw the coins again. The I Ching
sent it again as the main message, with a single changing line.
"Increase and decrease come
in their own time. What matters here is to understand the time and not try to cover
up poverty with empty pretenses."[Wilhelm]
"King Wen tried to promote prosperity.
On one hand, he began to levy taxes from the people, and, on the other, he instructed people how to profit
and practice economy. To set an example, he performed a grand ceremony, but used just two bamboo trays
instead of the traditional eight, offering a very simple sacrifice with truthfulness and sincerity." [Huang]
Raising
taxes, combined with economy. The "ancient Chinese secret" to prosperity. Perhaps the
world economies should take note.
There is also a personal, even intimate, application
of this message, as we will see . . . Tomorrow: "When three people journey together . . ."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
"Decrease combined with sincerity . . ."
No. 41, Decrease:
"Decrease combined
with sincerity
Brings about supreme good fortune
Without blame.
One may be persevering in this.
It furthers
one to undertake something.
How is this to be carried out?
One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice."
"Decrease does not under all circumstances mean something bad." [Wilhelm]
On
the contrary, this future message says that Decrease --- combined with your sincerity --- brings about
"supreme good fortune without blame."
The main message, Nourishing, advised
being watchful of what you put in your mouth, and in your mind. Are you indulging
in "empty calories" in either of these areas?
Be realistic about what you can do and what you can have.
"If you are prepared and can simplify your affairs, you can ride out this period safely. You will
have to make cutbacks. Pretending to the outside world that nothing has changed will make you seem
very foolish." [Marshall]
This Decrease may well be the gateway to something new and
better. "Just as Alice had to shrink herself to enter Wonderland, we must shrink our view
of ourselves to gain partnership with the higher powers." [Anthony]
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
"Deviating from the path . . ."
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."
Are
you depending too much on someone else to support you, or make decisions for you?
You need to stay on your own path. Don't
be mistaken, thinking it will easier to get what you need from those "above" you.
"It is like seeking nourishment from a hill while staying on the
plain; not realistic. It is better to be independent." [Huang]
Strengthen your own resources --- inner
and outer --- because the future holds a time of . . .
Tomorrow:
"Decrease"
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"Pay heed . . ."
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."
The time now requires
attention to what you put in your mouth --- and in your mind.
The I Ching, as the original binary system,* reminds you: GIGO --- Garbage In, Garbage Out.
To evaluate the true nature of another, look to his interests.
What does he "seek to fill his own mouth with?" Or more importantly, his mind? This
will tell you more than listening to what he says.
Our single changing line, Line 2, points
to what may be the crux of the problem . . .
Tomorrow: "Deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill."
..............................................................................
*From Wikipedia: "In his article Explication de l'Arithmétique
Binaire (1703) Gottfried Leibniz writes that he has found in the hexagrams a base for claiming the
universality of the binary numeral system. He takes the layout of the combinatorial exercise found in the hexagrams to represent
binary sequences, so that ¦¦¦¦¦¦ would correspond to the binary sequence 000000
and ¦¦¦¦¦| would be 000001, and so forth."
There is
a wealth of information on this concept on the web. Search "I Ching" and "binary" and prepare to be overwhelmed.
Monday, January 9, 2012
"One must have a clearly defined goal . . ."
No. 57, The Gentle / Penetrating
Wind:
“The Gentle. Success through what is
small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man."
The future holds "Success
through what is small." The main message was Work on
What Has been Spoiled/Decay/Repair, and you were advised to give serious thought as to what the Decay was, and
time and effort in the Repair.
This future message says: You must be clear about this. "[O]ne
must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence works always
in the same direction can the object be obtained." [Wilhelm]
Do you have a "clearly defined
goal" for 2012, that all-important "somewhere to go?" Hold to that, and keep all
your efforts moving --- in small, steady steps --- in that direction.
"Go
confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." [Henry
David Thoreau]
Sunday, January 8, 2012
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father
. . . "
No. 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay / Repair, Line 5:
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One
meets with praise."
The Decay that you need to Repair has its roots in the past.
"Assuming responsibility for the mistakes of our fathers
will win us praise." [Blofeld] You are not the cause of this sorry state
of affairs, but if things are going to get better, you need to be the one to "set
it right."
This
line points to a belief or attitude, a way of doing things, that you have accepted,
but is, in fact, counterproductive --- a source of Decay. The possibilities of what this may mean in your life are truly endless.
That's why the main message prescribed "three full days," i.e., a long time of serious consideration,
"understanding the defect."
The I
Ching says: Do not think you have to continue a wrong path of action, just because that's the
way it has always been done in the past.
You will "meet with praise" if you start working on the correction. The main message said
this will require "a steady application of attention to the matter," and this will continue
into the future . . .
Tomorrow: "The Gentle. Success
through what is small."
Saturday, January 7, 2012
"Before the starting point . . ."
No. 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay / Repair:
"Work
on What Has Been Spoiled
Has supreme success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Before the starting
point, three days.
After the starting point, three days."
The best way to take advantage of The Turning Point and the "benevolent forces surrounding
you" described in the last two messages is by Working on What Has Been Spoiled.
"Stop and think about it. Your problems may seem
to be overwhelming; things may seem to be out of hand. Yet the hexagram Repair bodes great success.
. . . " [Wing]
You are
again encouraged to "cross the great water," but don't just run out and jump
in.
The I Ching cautions
you: Take some serious time to consider where you have been,
and where you are going.
"You are advised to spend three full days in understanding the defect, another day resolving
to remove it, and three more days watching carefully to insure that it does not return. This steady
application of attention to the matter is the gentle wind that clears the air." [Walker] (Remember this
when we look at the future reading.)
Our single changing line, Line 5, should help you identify the "defect" . .
.
Tomorrow: "Setting right what has been spoiled by the
father."
Friday, January 6, 2012
"Because of the
intensity of benevolent forces surrounding you . . ."
No. 42, Increase:
"Increase. It furthers one
To undertake something.
It furthers one to cross the great water."
If you greet The Turning Point appropriately
--- that is, you work for a "higher" purpose, and you don't remain stuck
in fighting old battles --- it leads to a future of Increase.
This is your cue to take the plunge into
a new direction.. Your progress will be relatively easy.
"Because of the intensity of the benevolent forces surrounding you,
you are presented with an excellent opportunity for self-improvement. Whether you would like to break
old habits or foster new and useful disciplines, there now exists the proper alignment
of forces for beneficial results." [Wing]
The Image says: "Thus the superior man: If he sees good, he imitates it; If he has faults,
he rids himself of them."
Soak up those "benevolent forces" and "cross the great water."
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Yi says, "Hurry! This offer won't last long!"
No. 24.
Return / The Turning Point, Line 6:
"Missing
the return. Misfortune. Misfortune from within and without. If armies are set marching in this way, One will in the end suffer
a great defeat, Disastrous for the ruler of the country. For ten years It will not be possible to attack again."
This "window of opportunity"
--- The Turning Point --- will not remain open to you forever.
"The misfortune has its inner
cause in a wrong attitude toward the world. The misfortune coming upon him from without results from
this wrong attitude. What is pictured here is blind obstinacy and the judgment that is visited upon
it." [Wilhelm]
The Yi is saying: A new way is open to you. If you ignore this opportunity for change, and insist
instead on continuing to fight old battles to the bitter end, it will end in a "great defeat."
Not just everyday, garden-variety misfortune, but "disastrous" --- for ten years!
What Turning Point is facing
you, right now? If you devote yourself to "some high purpose" and do "not take
shelter in trivial excuses," as the Yi has previously advised, the future will be one of . . .
Tomorrow: "Increase."
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
"When the time for return has come . . ."
No.
24, Return / The Turning Point, Line 5:
"Noblehearted
return. No remorse."
"Returning for some high purpose --- no regret!" [Blofeld]
"When the time for return has come, a man should not
take shelter in trivial excuses . . ." [Wilhelm]
Do you look at the change you need and want to
make, but tell yourself, "It's too hard." "It will take too long." "I don't have the
time." "It will take money." "My boyfriend/husband/wife/girlfriend/mother won't like it."
"I don't know where to begin."
This is a Turning Point. The flow of the Universe is with you to make a positive change. Don't
squander this opportunity. As you will see from Line 6, the biggest danger here is
. . .
Tomorrow: "Missing the return. Misfortune."
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Turning Point arrives . . .
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."
Do you deserve a
break --- a little down time, a rest? The I Ching thinks so.
This Turning Point
is likened to the winter solstice: The time of increasing darkness has passed. Increasing light begins to return.
"The old is discarded and the new is introduced"
[Wilhelm] in a totally natural way.
The Image says "Thus the kings of antiquity closed
the passes at the time of solstice. Merchants and strangers did not go about."
Where I
live, near the southern San Juan Mountains, "closing the passes" is a common occurence. There is only
one highway through these high mountain passes, and when the snow is too deep or conditions are too dangerous, they literally
close the gates. Any business you have on the other side of the pass will have to wait.
You stay where you are until things improve.
"This principle . . . of allowing energy that is renewing itself
to be reinforced by rest, applies to all similar situations. The return to health after illness,
the return of understanding after an estrangement . . . " [Wilhelm]
The light is returning, but in its own time. Don't rush things. Rest
and gather your strength.
The biggest danger here? That you won't recognize
this Turning Point . . .
Tomorrow: "When the time for
return has come . . ."
Monday, January 2, 2012
"Biting Through has success."
No.
21, Biting Through:
“Biting Through has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered." "There are times to avoid confrontations, to sublimate deep feelings, or to retreat and
await a more opportune moment for action. This is not one of those times."
[R.L. Wing] This is the future of Progress. "This
picture indicates an obstruction in one's daily life that would affect union and harmony
among people." [Huang]
"Whenever unity cannot be established, the obstruction is due to a talebearer and traitor
who is interfering and blocking the way." [Wilhelm]
This "traitor" may
be a false belief you are holding; something you believe you "should" or "must" do that
is really someone else's rule, possibly instilled in you in childhood.
Whatever
the cause, trouble will arise that cannot be pushed aside or circumvented. Tackle this one head-on,
and you will have success.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
"If one meets with no confidence . . ."
No.
35, Progress, Line 1:
"Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain
calm. No mistake."
You and the Universe are ready to "put your good ideas to use" (yesterday's
main message), but here at the very beginning, those around you are not going to be
on board.
If you announce grand plans or intentions, expect
to be greeted with some buzz kill. People will always be more than happy to point out to you 10 reasons
why what you want to do won't work.
The Yi says: Don't let this stop you.
And don't get angry about it.
This is about you and your
plans. Don't make validation or support from others a requirement before you even get started.
It ain't gonna happen.
You're on the right track.
There
remains at least one significant obstacle to your Progress . . .
Tomorrow: "Biting through has success."
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