Deliverance Then Consider The Advice Of Others

Deliverance 40 indicates movement away from danger. Movement is the upper trigram and Danger is the lower trigram. This hexagram says that this is a time when burdens are eased. Circumstances improve. We should forgive the mistakes and misdeeds of others. It is also a time to finish our tasks quickly, go home and rest. The second line says that we should look closely at the nature of the evil doers we encounter to use just the right amount and kind of force to eliminate them. These evil ones are said to use flattery to corrupt the ruler (sounds like lobbyists or congress critters). The third line says that if we come into comfortable circumstances we need to disguise our wealth to prevent robbers from stealing what we have gained. Basically, keeping up your old appearances from a humbler time will prevent robbers from noticing you. Finally, the fifth line says to be a strong person and bring deliverance for yourself if others are weak around you and do not seek deliverance for themselves. Don't let the weakness of others keep you from taking the right action. This is an instance of a kind of deliverance.

The resulting hexagram is Influence 31. It is the opposite of Duration 32. Where Duration refers to long-standing relationships, Influence refers to casual encounters and seduction. It also says to be humble and free to accept good advice. It recommends letting others approach us and to receive them with joy. Hmm....

Toyah Wilcox was one of my favorites in the early '80s. I first heard this in 1981 on Urgh! A Music War. I think it expresses in music some of what is meant by Deliverance and Influence. (I used it also a long time ago as having watery and fiery characters in the two parts of the song -- it can mean more than one thing; the I Ching does.)