A Year Of Silence In Review

Did you notice I haven't posted in the last year? I know some people have at least for a moment viewed some of my posts from last year. I put plenty of effort into it for an extended time without finding a formula that really connected with anyone to afford any kind of return at all. I don't mind having a hobby, but more than that is needed at present. Further, I kept noticing that too much of my personal circumstances ended up in the posts -- given the nature of how I came up with these divinations, that couldn't be avoided.

But it just became too dispiriting to give of myself in such a personal way and receive no feedback. Feedback is free, people! At some point, no one wants to continue talking to the void. At least, it didn't answer back! And so far as a dialogue with the I Ching goes, I have continued to do so, as I have for extended periods going back to the late 1970s. Do you want to know what it is saying now? Ask.

Joy: Double Your Pleasure

Joy shows Tui, the Lake, Joy, doubled. There are no changing lines. Usually no changing lines means self-examination is needed to discover what hindrances or blockages prevent you from experiencing the best energy available now during the time of Joy. That sounds OK to me -- bring it on!

Influence: A Day Of Empty Chatter!

Influence shows the Mountain, Ken, under the Lake, Tui. It is the meeting of the youngest son and youngest daughter. Influence is like going out on a date, meeting someone new. It is a weak and impermanent force.

The sixth line changing shows a weak line in a weak place trying to influence others by chattering. It has no force or substance behind its empty words. Thus neither good nor bad fortune is implied from such an inconsequential force.

Retreat results. It shows Heaven rising up and mounting away from the Mountain.

Pushing Upward To Preponderance Of The Small

Pushing Upward shows the tree, or more likely an acorn or seed, that is pushing upward through the Earth. It is a time of advancement.

The second line tells us that if we are sincere even a humble or small offering brings good fortune. The fifth line shows that our work will be rewarded with praise and fame that lasts beyond time.

Preponderance Of The Small results; it is the inverse of yesterday's Inner Truth. Imagery of birds predominates and a message can be expected to come on wings. It generally recommends giving preponderance in our behavior to thrift, humility and mourning. This hexagram speaks well to our time.

Holding Together To Natural Response: Ask Again; Inner Truth

Holding Together is the reverse of Possession In Great Measure, from yesterday. Here, one solitary strong line holds five weak, evil lines together. It is an inherently weaker position. The image suggests a comb holding hair together. The fifth line shows the ruler hunting -- beaters were used on three sides; the game that came in to view was fairly taken; the game also had a chance to escape from the fourth side where there was no beater. The idea here is that we hold together with those who freely choose our company and let those who do not desire our company to depart.

Inner Truth is the Great Li formed by doubling each line of Li: two strong, two weak then two strong at the top. It indicates dependability. Inner Truth says that criminal cases should be discussed to delay executions. This hexagram indicates a time when we have built up inner truth to such a degree that we can move pigs and fishes, that is, lower life forms, including our own animal nature. The fifth line, which shows a cock crowing to heaven, indicates misfortune. The cock wants to fly up to heaven but is stuck on earth. Everyone hears its cries and that draws misfortune to it. To avoid misfortune, silence would be best.

The Creative To Possession In Great Measure

(Yet another recent divination suggestive of financial gain -- there are, of course, additional meanings of a more spiritual nature, such as that the higher self needs to assist a struggling lower self, which can be accomplished by 'dispensing wealth downward.')

The Creative is the most powerful hexagram. It is the source of the life energy and all that moves the individual beings in the universe.

Here, the fifth line, which is also the ruler, reads: 'flying dragon in the heavens; it furthers one to see the great man.' A dragon flying in heaven is seen by all creatures. It indicates that our power has reached a stage that we confer with heavenly beings and can help all who encounter us.

Possession In Great Measure shows Fire, Li, in Heaven, Ch'ien. Fire in Heaven, like a meteor shooting across the sky, is highly visible. Supreme success is indicated, the most positive judgement given in the I Ching. It shows the union of clarity and power. The weak fifth line is able to hold the tremendous power of the other five strong lines due to its modesty.

The Family: Balanced Income And Expenses Brings Good Fortune

The Family 37 shows Wind, above, coming forth from Fire, below. It is a simple hexagram that recommends following the character of a well-run and ordered family. In this way, good fortune is indicated. The fourth line changing indicates that a balance between income and expenditures brings good fortune to the family.

Fellowship With Men 13 is the result. It shows someone leaving the family and entering the broader social world where they find people of like feeling and friendship. The image shows a campfire flaming up toward heaven.