Following / Adaptability,  Line 6:

No. 17,  Following / Adaptability:

"Following has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.  No blame."

    The core idea of this hexagram is, as Wilhelm puts it:  " In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself.  If a man would rule he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him."

No. 1, The Creative:

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

    The future of Innocence is Creativity, the power to make things happen.

    Yesterday's line advised that, in spite of undeserved misfortune,    ". . . an innocent posture should not be abandoned, for it can reveal new ways of dealing with problems."

     If you are able to follow that advice, the Universe will come to your aid with sublimely successful Creativity.

     "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

Innocence  /  The Unexpected,  Line 2:

"Undeserved misfortune.
The cow that was tethered by someone
Is the wanderer's gain, the citizen's loss."

    This time of The Unexpected will include some misfortune.  It is useless to worry; it is in no way your fault, nor is it under your control.

     An example of  an undeserved misfortune is losing your job in this time of economic downturn.  It is not the result of anything you have or haven't done.  It's more like a game of musical chairs, and a large number of chairs have disappeared, all at once.

     The Yi's advice?  The Wilhelm translation puts it this way:  "In all transactions, . . . we must accommodate ourselves to the demands of the time."

     R.L. Wing adds:  ". . . an innocent posture should not be abandoned, for it can reveal new ways of dealing with problems."

     This "posture" becomes important when we look at the future of this reading tomorrow.  (And it's a good one!)

Innocence  /  The Unexpected,  Line 2:

No. 60, Limitation:

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

     As you come out of Oppression/Exhaustion, you will have to live within your Limitations.

    As recent events have shown,  the idea that there are "no limits" is simply false. Everything has a limit, and to ignore these natural limits results in disaster.

    If your energy is returning, this hexagram may come as a caution against letting yourself be overwhelmed by possibilities. You must channel your energies appropriately.

    But you should not be too strict with yourself.  Limitations that are too limiting are just self-defeating.

................................

Oppression  /  Exhaustion,  Line 4:

"He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage.
Humiliation, but the end is reached."

      You need assistance.   It is likely you are too proud to ask for it from those who are "lower" than you.
   
     You will be humbled anyway, but eventually you'll reach your goal.

     We'll look at the future tomorrow.

Oppression  /  Exhaustion,  Line 1:

"One sits oppressed under a bare tree
And strays into a gloomy valley.
For three years one sees nothing."

      Your problem is not totally beyond your control.  You have "strayed into" this gloomy valley.

      You will stay there for a long time if you don't take some action.

     You are not trapped.  You walked into this  -  you can walk out.

     The Yi has one more specific piece of advice, Line 4.  We'll look at this tomorrow.

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."

      "It is an unavoidable time of adversity - a time of oppression and exhaustion. None of us escapes such moments; they are simply part of living."  [Brian Browne Walker]
 
     A situation in which you have made a big personal investment has run its course. Your first and most important task at this time is to acknowledge and accept this.

    There are two changing lines, Lines 1 and 4. Hopefully, they will tell us more about how to weather this time of Exhaustion.

 

     Tomorrow we'll look at the future of Grace.

 

     They also remind us that the greatest beauty of form is the simplicity of nature.

     What is truly, creatively, naturally and simply You?  Are you doing, or being, that now?

     We received one changing line, Line 1, which will give us additional insight on how we should pursue this Grace.  We'll look at that tomorrow.

 

No. 38,   Opposition  /  Contradiction:

"Opposition. In small matters, good fortune."

     The future of Biting Through is Opposition. The Yi advises that you take the sort of small steps that will not provoke a strong response. 

    Carol Anthony explains:  "This hexagram is synonymous with misunderstanding.  If we are in a situation in opposition to someone, frontal attacks, or wooing them, will not resolve it.  . . .  We must simply go on our own way in dignity, and depend on the power of truth to gently penetrate and remove the barriers."

 

No. 21,  Biting Through:

"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."

     This future reading continues the message the Yi has been sending for weeks:  What is most important now is your relationships with others.

      However, the Yi advises you to ask sincerely whether you are up to the tasks of leadership.  If the answer is yes,  proceed.

      This reading also points out that common experience is what binds people together.  Those who have been together "from the beginning" will always be closer.

 

The Receptive,  Line 5:

"A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune."
    
      This Line is not advice to head for Victoria's Secret.
   
      Rather, it means:   Do not flaunt your brightness or virtue.  Let your finer qualities be your underpinnings. 

      Do  your good work behind the scenes.  This will bring supreme good fortune.

 

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."
    
      This hexagram is a sign that now is the time for you to take a supportive role.  Trying to lead will take you in the wrong direction.

    "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]   Don't want to go there?  Me neither.

      The Yi is advising you to be Receptive,  not an unthinking follower.

       There was only one changing line with this hexagram.  We'll look at Line 5 tomorrow.

No. 7,  The Army:

 

"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." [Brian Browne Walker]

     So - there is some adversity awaiting as you try to Disperse the hard feelings that are keeping people apart. Be guided by the Yi's advice, as translated by James Legg in 1854:

    "The rules, it is said, are two-fold  -  first, that the war be for a righteous end; and second, that the manner of conducting it, especially at the outset, be right."

    In other words, be sure your efforts are for something truly worthwhile, then go about it in an honest and honorable way.

 

  Dispersion  /  Reuniting,  Line 6:

"He dissolves his blood.
Departing, keeping at a distance, going out,
Is without blame."

         If you focus on "bloody" thinking - keeping the fight going - you will lose in the end.

         The Yi advises that you disperse these feelings, and distance yourself from the continuing contention. 

         You may have to exit the situation altogether.  There is no blame in that.

          We'll look at the future of this situation tomorrow.

Dispersion  /  Reuniting,  Line 5:

"His loud cries are as dissolving as sweat.
Dissolution!  A king abides without blame."

           "Just as an illness reaches its crisis in a dissolving sweat, so a great and stimulating idea is a true salvation in times of general deadlock."  Wilhelm/Baynes translation. 

     Remember how the Yi advised, just a few days ago, that being "on the fence" was a good place to be, because you couldn't take sides?  Well, apparently that state of affairs has deteriorated to "general deadlock."

     Receiving this line indicates that "a great and stimulating idea" could be necessary for you to break up and dissolve the hard attitudes that are hurting your relationship. 

     Do you have a "great and stimulating idea?"  Can you get one?
 

     Tomorrow we'll look at Line 6.

No. 59,    Dispersion  /  Reuniting:

"Dispersion.  Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers."

       Relationships continue to be of concern. This signals a time when the Dispersion of hard attitudes or set ways of thinking will bring about Reuniting with family, friends, or social groups.

    To bring this about, the Yi advises participating in a "common enterprise or celebration." The older texts suggest that this be a religious ceremony or sacred rite of some sort.   Modern texts suggest only that it be a common enterprise, undertaken for the common good, setting aside the consideration of "what's in it for me."

    Whose hard attitude needs dispersing  -  yours?  or someone else's?

    Two changing lines -  5 and 6 - were received with this main message.  They will give us some additional guidance on what and how to Disperse.

 

No. 53, Development / Gradual Progress:

"Development. The maiden
Is given in marriage.
Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers."

     What is the future of your Fellowship with Others?  Development. You will make progress, but not quickly.

    Brian Browne Walker explains it this way:  "While we often desire rapid progress  -  we want to change someone's mind today, achieve all our goals immediately  -  sooner or later we must come to understand that the only lasting progress is gradual progress."

    "This message comes to urge you accept this fact and adjust you attitude and actions accordingly."

 

Fellowship with Others, Line 4:

"He climbs up on his wall; he cannot attack.
Good fortune."

      There is some difference of opinion in your milieu that could affect your relationship. Are you undecided as to which side to join?

    There is a third choice - staying "above the battle."  From that position, you will neither "win" nor "lose."  That will be your good fortune, because in this way you will maintain your Fellowship.

    We'll look at the future of this message tomorrow.

 

Fellowship with Others, Line 1:

"Fellowship with men at the gate.
No blame."

     You have a relationship that is just beginning - you are at the "gate," before the journey has begun.

     Do you have a part of yourself that you hesitate to share?   For this Fellowship to work, you need to be open and honest, right from the start. 

      Being forthright in the early days of the relationship may make both parties uncomfortable. Don't worry - it's the right thing to do.

      The Yi has more specific advice on this relationship in Line 4, which we'll look at tomorrow.

 

No. 13, Fellowship with Others:

"Fellowship with men in the open.
Success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
The perseverance of the superior man furthers."

    Your relationships with others remain of prime importance.  (Yesterday's hexagram was Union / Holding Together.)

    The first requirement for success is that relationships be open and honest.  If you have reservations, or unspoken agendas, your connections to others will not work.

     Individual concerns should be put aside. Focus on universal goals, those that benefit everyone. That is where your greatest success will be realized.

    We received two changing lines, Lines 1 and 4.    We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.

 

The Well,  Line 3:

“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 2 said you have superior qualities, but are neglecting them. Line 3 suggests that you will progress, and will be ready, willing and able to contribute, but others will not realize it.

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

     Tomorrow we look at the future of this message.