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Thursday, December 31, 2009
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 3 says that your "well" is in good shape - your "waters" are not muddy.
Meaning: You have the abilities, the talents, and the clarity of mind that are necessary.
But . . . you are not using them.
This is unfortunate, both for yourself,
and for others. If you were to follow your true path in life - and act in accordance with your true nature - it
would benefit everyone around you.
What's in your "well?"
We'll look at what you need to do with what you've got, tomorrow, in Line 4.
9:18 am est
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
No.48, The Well:
“The Well. The town may be changed,
but the well
cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water And the rope does not go all the way, Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune."
The Well signals
a time in life when you need to "dig deep."
It is likely that you are not acting in accordance with your true
nature. Meeting the many demands of daily life has taken you away from your path.
The Well is
the Yi's reminder that surface circumstances may change, but the truth of each life is there, unchanging. However, you will
have to seek it conscientiously.
In your search for answers, lower your bucket all the way down. Don't just skim the surface. And take
time and care drawing the wisdom out. Grabbing for a quick-fix answer will bring misfortune.
"The Well
represents the I Ching as a source of universal truth and nourishment. Its water is available to all who come to it."
[Anthony]
"The I Ching has survived countless civilizations for thousands of years for a simple reason: it is an inexhaustible
source of spiritual nourishment. If you approach it sincerely, without mistrust or frivolity, it will guide you through
every difficult hour with unimpeachable wisdom." [Walker]
To guide you in this process, the Yi offers three changing
lines, Lines 3, 4 and 5. We start with Line 3 tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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."
The situation brought about by Enthusiasm will require a Future
of attention to small details.
The energy available to you now may have you "flying high." You are impatient to reach your goal, and
feel that one last big push will put you over the top. The Yi advises against it.
This is your Icarus moment - trying to fly too high will cause you to crash and burn. The most successful outcome
will be obtained by making small, steady steps in the right direction.
What small steps can you take, while remaining firmly grounded, in the direction of your "great
good fortune?"
Monday, December 28, 2009
Enthusiasm, Line 3:
"Enthusiasm that looks upward creates remorse.
Hesitation brings remorse."
Looking to someone more powerful to direct your conduct is a mistake.
Seize the moment yourself, or you'll regret it.
Energy is surrounding
you, but you are waiting for someone else to give you your cue to act. You feel you need the agreement of, or some sort of
"permission" from, another. Wrong. This isn't about them. It's about you.
"You can still save yourself. Move." [Wing]
Sunday, December 27, 2009
No. 16, Enthusiasm:
"Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers.
And to set armies marching."
We received Enthusiasm not
long ago, on Dec. 11. Receiving it again, so soon, means that a great deal of energy, and the support of others,
are still available to you.
Did you "seek to analyze the essential nature of the moment," as the R.L. Wing interpretation
suggested? "If you can grasp the direction of the tendencies around you, you can parallel them and accomplish
great deeds."
Recognizing "the
essential nature of the moment" is what the I Ching is all about. Focus on the situation that concerns you the
most, and plug it into the "current" that Wilhelm describes. This will align you with the flow of
the Universe.
Line 3, the changing
line we received this time, tells you flat out what's stopping you from making the most of this advantageous situation.
We'll look at it tomorrow.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
No. 55, Abundance:
"Abundance
has success.
The king attains abundance.
Be not sad.
Be like the sun at midday."
Can you rid
yourself of the "wrong opinion or attitude" the Yi talked about yesterday in the changing line? Or
that bad habit or character weakness? Or that person who is leading others in the wrong direction?
If you can, you will attain Abundance. Circumstances will reach their zenith, "like the sun at midday." It
will be, as the movie title says, "As Good As It Gets."
The Yi cautions you to be mindful of the transitory nature of all things. The sun rises, reaches its zenith, and then begins
its descent. What goes up must come down. "Be not sad" that the good times can't last forever.
Accept it, and make the most of it.
"The inherent message
of this hexagram is to make hay while the sun shines and enjoy your good fortune while it lasts." [Marshall]
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Clinging / Fire / Synergy, Line 6:
"The
king uses him to march forth and chastise.
Then it is best to kill the leaders
And take captive the followers. No
blame."
This time of interdependence will not be without
its difficulties. Someone in this association is headed in the wrong direction, and will have to be removed. By force, if
necessary. Those who have been following him can then be welcomed back into the group.
Or, this line may be telling you that, on a personal, internal level, you have a wrong opinion or attitude - or a bad habit
or character weakness - that is leading you astray. You must rid yourself of it entirely. Half measures won't work.
(Keep this in mind when you're making your New Year's resolutions!)
Either way, don't blame
yourself. It's what needs to be done.
If you can do this, the future looks very bright,
indeed. We'll see what that is tomorrow.
11:21 am est
Thursday, December 24, 2009
No. 30, The Clinging / Fire / Synergy:
"The Clinging. Perseverance furthers.
It brings success.
Care of the cow brings good fortune."
This is one of the eight double-sign hexagrams; Fire over Fire. While it symbolizes The
Clinging - flames clinging to the wood that fuels it - this hexagram also embodies light and brightness, as explained
in The Image: "That which is bright rises twice: The image of Fire. Thus the great man,
by perpetuating this brightness, illumines the four quarters of the world."
R.L. Wing calls this hexagram Synergy: "When
two elements approach each other in such a way that the scope of what they can achieve together far surpasses the total of
what they could achieve separately, they are acting with Synergy."
Examine your present situation. In what endeavor would cooperation
and interdependence take you farther than your efforts alone?
We
had one changing line, Line 6, which contains a somewhat severe caveat. We'll look at it tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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."
The Turning Point,
our future message, is said to be "like the first day after winter solstice." And today is . . .
the second day after winter solstice. (At least for those of you in the northern hemisphere.)
Now is the start of the "natural," Cosmic
New Year (not the arbitrary, man-made date of Jan. 1). Things are headed toward greater light, but they still have a
long way to go.
The old will be discarded and the
new introduced, with the focus on "introduced." This new, improved situation still has to develop, slowly,
over a long period of time.
Return / The Turning Point is formed from the
trigram Earth over the trigram Thunder. It signifies a change of life energy (Thunder) stirring
from deep within the Earth. Wilhelm notes, "Everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning,
so that the Return may lead to a flowering."
The Yi advises
you to keep your focus on the small steps that will get you past The Arousing / Shock that was the main message.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Arousing / Shock, Line 4:
"Shock
is mired."
No advice or warnings
here.
Just an explanation of the current situation:
You are stuck in resistance to events you do not control. All effort seems to suck you in deeper. If you've ever tried
to get your car out of deep snow or mud, you know that sometimes, the harder you try, the deeper the hole you dig for yourself.
Right now, struggling is not the answer. You must wait for circumstances
to improve. But don't just sit there in a funk. Be alert, so you can act when the way out appears.
The future of this reading is in concert with the Cosmos. We'll look at it tomorrow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
No.
51, The Arousing / Shock:
“Shock brings success.
Shock comes --- oh, oh! Laughing words --- ha, ha! The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice."
We received Shock as a future message on Dec. 10. Receiving
it now as the main message means it's here. It may well involve the Decrease the Yi warned us about yesterday.
This Shock brings success - if you meet it appropriately.
"The proper response to shocking or disturbing
events is to quiet your ego's demand for an immediate solution, open your mind, and accept that what is happening has come
to teach you a specific and necessary lesson." [Walker]
Hold on to your higher values. This allows
you to come through shocking events to the success waiting beyond.
We have one changing line, Line 4, which explains which aspect of this situation is
most difficult, and how you should handle it.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
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."
What goes up
must come down. And The Taming Power of the Great will eventually turn into Decrease.
"Decrease does not under all circumstances mean something bad. Increase
and decrease come in their own time. What matters is to understand the time and not try to cover up poverty with empty pretense."
[Wilhelm]
In fact, Decrease may be a very good
thing indeed, if you change your focus to what truly matters, and abandon that which is frivolous or unnecessary.
"Just as Alice had to shrink herself to enter Wonderland, we must shrink our view of ourselves
to gain partnership with the higher powers." [Walker]
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Taming Power of the Great, Line 3:
"A
good horse that follows others.
Awareness of danger,
With perseverance, furthers.
Practice chariot driving
and armed defense daily.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go."
"The way opens; the hindrance has been cleared away." [Wilhelm]
Whatever is stopping you will eventually disappear. In this next stage, you will be able to progress, but: you must:
1. Remain aware of the dangers;
2. Actively work on the skills that will keep you moving forward;
and
3. Keep your defenses up.
What "dangers" await you in the situation
that concerns you most, and what "armed defense" can you practice?
How's your "chariot driving?"
Friday, December 18, 2009
No. 26, 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."
"This
hexagram denotes a time of a storehouse of power and energy being available to you." [Marshall]
Think of this energy as gunpowder. If you light a little gunpowder, you'll
get a nice flash and some sizzle, and then it will be gone. If you contain and control it in the barrel of a gun, however,
you can use it to hit a target. Translation: You may need steely strength and determination to make full
use of this energy.
"Not eating at home brings good fortune"
means you should be sharing this energy with others, not consuming it all yourself.
However,
you have my personal permission - if not the Yi's - to take this hexagram as a sign that you should eat out this evening.
No harm in an excuse to escape cooking and the kitchen every once in awhile.
There are precautions you should take during this time of Potential Energy, and the Yi outlines
a couple of them in Line 3. (Ask yourself - are your chariot driving skills up to par?)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
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."
Does this message look familiar? It
should - we received it, without changing lines, just three days ago. Now we have received it again, as the future of Difficulty
at the Beginning.
This is the Yi's way of saying, "Pay attention." : What is most important
now is your relationships with others.
Are you being asked to take a leadership role?
Is that really what you want to do? If the answer is yes, proceed.
Are
you hesitating about joining with others in a new enterprise? 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.
If you wait too long, you may be shut out.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Difficulty at the Beginning, Line 1:
"Hesitation
and hinderance.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
It furthers one to appoint helpers."
It is likely you will meet an obstacle at the beginning of your new enterprise.
It is also likely that this will come in the form of uncertainty about how you should proceed.
At this stage - Line 1 being the beginning of the Beginning - don't feel you have to forge ahead. Difficulty
at the Beginning is "a phase of growth, and growing pains are in abundance." [Wing] Keep in mind,
however, that beyond this difficulty lies "supreme success."
The Yi repeats,
from yesterday's main message: "It furthers one to appoint helpers." Your first focus needs to
be reaching out and gathering support.
We'll look at where this situation is going, the
Future message, tomorrow.
10:05 am est
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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."
A new process of natural growth is underway, but just because it is "natural" does not mean that it will
be easy. "When it is a man's fate to undertake new beginnings, everything is still unformed, dark." [Wilhelm]
In other words, you are just at the very start of something that has the promise of supreme
success. You need to go slow for now. "Accept and bear with the discomfort of chaos without attempting to
push it away. Allow it to clear of its own accord." [Walker] Look for friends who can help and support
you.
What is this "new beginning"
for you?
Our one changing line, Line 1, tells us what we
need to focus on in this difficult time. We'll look at that tomorrow.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
No. 35, Progress:
"Progress. The powerful prince
Is honored with horses
in large numbers.
In a single day he is granted audience three times."
The future will
be a time of rapid and relatively easy progress. " . . . [G]ranted audience three times" means that those in authority
will be listening to what you have to say. If you are creative, people will view your work or read your words with sincere
interest.
Progress
is a combination of the elements of Li, fire or light, over Earth: the image of the sun rising over the earth, with ever-increasing light. "The same
is true of us: the extent to which we progress is determined by how far we distance ourselves from inferior influences."
[Walker]
Progress
may be on the outer, or inner, plane. “For the individual person, progress always
proceeds in the direction of fulfilling his destiny, which is to give expression to his uniqueness.” [Anthony and Moog] .....................
6:19 pm est
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Enthusiasm, Line 6:
"Deluded enthusiasm.
But if after completion one changes,
There is no blame."
Have you thrown yourself whole-heartedly into a situation or relationship, only to hit a dead end? This is
disappointing, sometimes even devastating. What do you do now?
As Les Brown, the motivational speaker, says "If you want to keep on getting what you're getting . . . keep on doing
what you're doing."
But if you don't want to "keep on getting what
you're getting" - if you can look back at the situation honestly and change accordingly - then
there is no blame in this for you. You can move forward, taking full advantage of the Enthusiasm the Universe
has to offer.
It is hard to give up on a dream, especially if you cling to the delusion
that you are always responsible for the outcome of every situation. The Yi is telling you: You're not. But if
you want your next endeavor to be better, you need to change.
The future holds Progress.
We'll look at that tomorrow.
5:42 pm est
Friday, December 11, 2009
No. 16, Enthusiasm:
"Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers.
And to set armies marching."
Enthusiasm signals a time when a
great deal of energy, and the support of others, will be available to you.
R.L. Wing advises: "During this time you should seek to analyze the essential nature of the moment. If you
can grasp the direction of the tendencies around you, you can parallel them and accomplish great deeds."
Recognizing "the essential nature of the moment" is what
the I Ching is all about. Focus on the situation that concerns you the most, and plug it into the "current"
that Wilhelm describes. This will align you with the flow of the Universe.
The Yi has one cautionary note for us, Line 6, which we'll look at tomorrow.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
No.
51, The Arousing / Shock:
“Shock brings success.
Shock comes --- oh, oh! Laughing words --- ha, ha! The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he does not let fall the sacrificial
spoon and chalice."
In the future of Biting Through, a
Shock is coming. Before you say, "Oh, no!" keep in mind: the first thing the Yi tells us about
this shock is that it brings success.
"The proper response to shocking or disturbing events is to quiet your ego's
demand for an immediate solution, open your mind, and accept that what is happening has come to teach you a specific and necessary
lesson." [Walker]
"The severity of the
shock corresponds to the degree needed to wake the person up." [Anthony/Moog]
What's it going to take to wake you up? Prepare now to learn the lesson the Shock is trying to teach you.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Biting Through / Reform, Line 3:
"Bites
on old dried meat
And strikes on something poisonous.
Slight humiliation. No blame."
"The matter at issue is an old one . . . and in dealing with it difficulties arise."
[Wilhelm]
What "old dried meat" do you need to Bite Through?
The Yi is warning you: "This old meat is spoiled."
Don't keep chewing
on it - spit it out and move on. "You lack sufficient power and authority to bring about Reform. Your
attempts meet with indifference, and you may feel humiliated at your ineffective actions." [Wing] However,
you have done your best - there is "no blame" in this for you.
The
future doesn't get any easier. We'll look at that tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
No.
21, Biting Through / Reform:
"Biting Through has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered."
A major, even radical Reform is needed.
"There could not be a more appropriate time to examine your character and determine
the extent to which any delusions, rationalizations, or habits have usurped control of your judgment." [R.L. Wing]
Did you make the Split advised in the last hexagram? Or did you
tell yourself that the group of friends, or job, or relationship is "not that bad" or that "she'll
change" or "I can't leave now?" Are you protecting someone from the consequences of their own actions?
We don't want to look closely at our delusions and rationalizations - that's why we developed them in the first place! But
the Yi is stating, flat out, that you need to face up them, and do what it takes to Bite
Through. You will not be able to make real progress on your path until you do.
Tomorrow we look at Changing Line 3, which tells us what we are going to have to Bite Through.
Monday, December 7, 2009
No. 32, Duration:
"Duration. Success. No blame.
Perseverance furthers.
It furthers one to have somewhere to
go."
Duration is advice on how to proceed once you have weathered the Splitting Apart.
The Image says, "Thus the superior man stands firm and does not change his direction."
Duration
does not, however, mean standing still. It means maintaining your principles in the face of changing events and
conditions. "No blame" indicates that you will likely encounter some opposition and criticism for this.
Don't pay any attention to it.
"Receiving this hexagram is an
encouragement to endure, to move ahead by abiding in what is true and correct." [Walker]
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Splitting Apart, Line 6:
"There is a large
fruit still uneaten.
The superior man receives a carriage.
The house of the inferior man is split apart."
With this final line, the Splitting Apart ends. The
seed of good, with much to nurture it, survives.
If you have met this extremely difficult
time in the right way, the virtuous way, your progress will resume. In fact, you will be aided and supported by the
Universe.
"But the inferior man's wickedness is visited upon himself. His house is
split apart. A law of nature is at work here. Evil is not destructive to the good alone but inevitably destroys itself as
well." [Wilhelm]
Tomorrow we look at the future.
10:12 am est
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Splitting Apart, Line 4:
“The bed is split up to the skin.
Misfortune.”
You will reach a time in this situation where the Splitting Apart cannot be forestalled
or prevented.
The split will occur, and it
will not be pleasant.
Realizing in advance that this is inevitable should help you accept it. There is really nothing
else you can do, although, as Line 3 pointed out, it will be better if you make the split of your own accord.
But it's not the end of the story. We received Line 6, and we'll look at that tomorrow.
1:29 pm est
Friday, December 4, 2009
Splitting Apart, Line 3:
"He
splits with them. No blame."
You are tied by societal
conventions - like family, or school - or by voluntary association - like a workplace or political party - to negative, inferior
influences.
As the main message indicated, these inferior influences are on the rise,
and there is nothing you can do to stop their growing power in this time of Splitting Apart.
The one and only thing you can do is: Break away. Separate yourself from them.
The situation may be essential and fundamental, as indicated in yesterday's line, and you need to take this advice very seriously.
Or it may be something as simple as an annual holiday gathering.
Do you have family or job-related parties that you dread because they always seem to end up in fights, or with someone making
an utter fool of themselves?
The Yi's advice: This year, just don't go there.
Others will complain, of course. Don't let it bother you.
This situation has
more chapters to play out. We'll look at where it's going tomorrow in Line 4.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Splitting Apart, Line 2:
"The bed is
split at the edge.
Those who persevere are destroyed.
Misfortune."
There are situations when perseverance is not advised. This is one of them.
Have you identified the sphere of your life where things are Splitting Apart? You are in the early stages at
this point, so it may not yet be painfully obvious.
Receiving
this line is a warning: Do not "keep on keepin' on" out of inertia or a misplaced sense of loyalty. It will end
in your destruction.
Line 3 has advice on what course of action you should be
taking. We'll look at that tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
No. 23, Splitting Apart:
"Splitting Apart. It does not further one
To go anywhere."
You have places you want to go, and things you want to accomplish. Better put them on hold for now,
because, in the world around you, things are Splitting Apart.
"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." [Marshall]
Or - your own doubts and fears may be causing you to Split Apart from
your true path. If you leave this inner truth, you will be wasting your time attempting anything.
The Yi recognizes what a difficult situation this is, and has provided us with specific advice in changing lines
2, 3, 4 and 6. We look at Line 2 tomorrow, which tells us what happens to those who persevere under these circumstances.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
No. 31, Influence:
"Influence.
Success.
Perseverance furthers.
To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune."
A major Influence will be entering your life. You are advised to be open to this Influence, relating
to it with the Modesty urged by the main message.
The Image
says, "Thus the superior man encourages people to approach him by his readiness to receive them."
Joining with this Influence in a serious,
long-term commitment will bring success.
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