Justice and The Empress

Sense and Sensibility or Logic and Emotions -- A powerful woman. A patroness. Or an Amazon warrior princess.

A photo showing only a corner (bottom right) of the Devil's Tea Table in New Jersey just across the Delaware River from New Hope, Pennsylvania. It is a beautiful place I visited a number of times when I lived in Philadelphia. It turns out there are many Devil's Tea Tables in the United States; They were formed as the Ice Age glaciers melted and imbedded rocks came to rest on other rocks. Anyway, I couldn't figure out where the Devil's Country was, it is one of the harder to understand phrases in the I Ching and is found in today's divination.

Before Completion: Caution and Shock Lead To A Wish Granted

Before Completion (or Before The End) 64 is the last hexagram in the I Ching. It is to indicate that the book ends with unfinished tasks to further suggest the continuation of the way. Here Li, fire and clarity, flames upward and K'an, water and danger, sink downward, thus leading to separation of the trigrams. Once separated, they can be united. This is alluded to in the judgment when it indicates that the superior person should separate things at this time. It also says that relying too much on your own strength runs the risk of 'getting ones' tail wet,'  as in when a fox crosses a frozen stream that could give way if proper care is not taken. If this happens, completion does not come.

The second line indicates braking ones' wheels. Taking extra caution furthers the chance of success for crossing the water and bringing matters to completion. This is associated with good fortune. The fourth line says that the devil's country is disciplined and this leads to three years of rewards. Again, good fortune is indicated. (Maybe the Devil's Country is a place like mid-1800s U.S. where private firefighters fought over who would put out your fire (and get paid) while your house burned down.)

The resulting hexagram is Splitting Apart 23. It indicates a time when the good withdraw to heaven and the evil are destroyed. It also suggests a time when sleep is disturbed.

The Emperor and Wheel of Fortune

A strong person acting beyond their limits. Danger in a fight. Welcome advice for the strong from the stronger.

The Abyss: Heart-Felt Sincerity Leads To Success

The Abysmal 29 is formed by doubling of K'an, water, the abyss and the heart, among other meanings. The image says that the superior person should carry on the business of teaching. The judgment says that those who have sincerity can become successful. The heart is mentioned because it is one of the meanings of K'an. Unchanging it could mean successive encounters with danger one situation after another. Only by holding to virtue and a pure heart can one overcome the repeated dangers.

Strength and Judgment: Seen Any Show-Offs Today?

An extrovert, a center of attention who is exciting and makes others feel more alert and happy by their presence.

Galling Limitation Lead To Something New; Insight Results

Limitation 61 shows kan, water and danger, above and tui, lake and joy, below. Kan can also mean a thief and tui can also mean speech or the mouth. Joyous in passing through danger is one meaning. It also refers to the limitation of time into discrete periods -- the hexagram specifically mentions the calendar divided into months so that order comes to agriculture and planning for things appropriate to their season. The division of land into parcels is another division spoken of that in this case leads to harmony amongst people. Limitation suggests the means to good government and the division of society to bring balance to consumption and production. A warning is given not to persist in galling limitation because it is a path that comes to its end. The ruler in the fifth place has the means to bring limitation to conclusion thus forestalling the end. More good government. (snark)

The changing sixth line shows the end of limitation. It is a weak line and cannot use force to attain its will without experiencing galling or humiliation. Misfortune can be avoided and remorse disappear once a new direction is taken.

Inner Truth or Insight 61 results. It shows the power of truth to influence people at a distance.

Art and The Star: A Spectator Of Life

This combination of trumps means being a spectator of events. It means being cut off from or unable to contact your inner self. Difficulty in self awareness. It could be like being at a concert -- click on Shock below -- that is it.

Shock Spurs Action, Great Power Results

The Arousing 51, also called Shock or Thunder, is composed of Chen doubled. It means beginning and arising. Terror comes and spreads fear far and wide but the superior person is calm inside and can attend to every detail without distraction as a tumultuous storm rages around. The superior person feels fear and trembling nonetheless and uses it for self examination. 

The second line changing is a weak line in a weak place and is therefore correct so the external danger it faces, here expressed as losing one's possessions and climbing nine hills in pursuit, resolves on its own when the time changes again. The third line is a weak line in a strong place thus it is not up to the challenges of its position. Shock makes this line distraught and spurs it to action thus it escapes misfortune. It is not strong enough to act on its own and needs the power of the strong first line to spur it into action.

Power of the Great 34 shows power coupled with movement. See below, July 20, for a recent divination of this hexagram complete with photo of cave dwelling (which is part of the meaning). It suggests improvement in material circumstances.

Darkening Of The Light: A Good Attitude Saves The Day; A Bad One Brings Disaster

Here is a really lovely story about a 5-year-old girl that raised through donations and collecting cans nearly $4,000 to feed the homeless in San Francisco. A good attitude in adversity can work wonders.

Darkening Of The Light 36 shows the light sunk into the earth. The earth is said to injure the light and many of the lines speak of injury. This time calls for hiding one's light, to avoid standing out and thus avoiding injury. It is a time when evil has power over the good.

The second line changing indicates injury in the left thigh but is associated with good fortune. This line takes the right attitude and holds to the rules of the universe, thus earning its good fortune. The sixth line is at the height of evil and is the first one rooted out when times change. This line did not follow the rules of the universe and injured others so that while it attained the heights of heaven where it could influence and help others, its misdeeds cause it to be cast down into the earth. I think this hexagram and its changing lines is a message about how to deal with adversity and how a proper attitude can bring good fortune out of misfortune.

The Taming Power Of The Great 26 results. It shows heaven and power within and the mountain and keeping still without. Keeping power still, taming power, brings 'great correctness' and recommends not eating at home so that people of worth can be nourished. It also says that virtue is renewed daily at this time. This time recommends reading about the sayings of antiquity and the deeds of the past or history which will strengthen virtue.

                                                                            Mark Morford: God Is Not Your Bitch

Can't I ever catch a break?  Even economist Paul Krugman is getting into the divination businesss! How to compete with a Nobel laureate? Hmmm... 

A Bad Fate Turns Good Suddenly Then Increase Environmental Awareness

                      Maybe a superhero like Ultraman can suddenly spring us from a bad fate?

Approach 19 means power coming up from below. It means becoming great. Approach refers to the spring time with increased light and growth. Contemplation 20 is the opposite and shows the light retreating to heaven and refers to the fall. 

The first line refers to joint approach. That is, it is called in by the weaker line above to help it. Thus the two lines approach together, jointly. It has the will the the second line lacks. The second line is a strong line in a weak place, thus the weakness spoken of above. Despite this weakness it has the power to counteract a bad fate even if it has already taken hold through strong movement upwards. It is the lowest, energetic line of the nuclear trigram Chen, thunder and movement. Some think the Unites States can avoid the fate of Japan in the '90s when they had similar problems due to finances. Who knows?

Natural Response 2 is the resulting hexagram. It means the earth, the receptive and the mother. It also means be more open to your environment.

Classic Cartoon

Difficulty At The Beginning Says Find Helpers; Contemplation Results

Fairies are a kind of helper -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed in fairies because when these photos were made no one had heard of Photoshop.

Difficulty At The Beginning 3 refers to problems that arise when starting something new and its image suggests birth. It is said to work supreme success and recommends appointing helpers. It is not a time to go it alone -- you do not possess the strength to complete the tasks ahead without help. Clouds and Thunder, the image of this hexagram, indicates that order is brought out of confusion. It is like sorting out the strings of a silk skein: to be useful one string must be pulled out of the profusion of strings in the skein.

The first line says to appoint helpers. It indicates hesitation and hindrance but encourages perseverance. The second line says an opportunity to make connections offers itself and must be seized. It is necessary to be humble and overcome feelings of pride or reserve. The fifth line says that we are in a time when our good works are thwarted by others. We must not give up but work in hiding so in time we can gradually accomplish our goal. Help!  Here is how to ask for help.

Contemplation 20 results. It refers to the time of Contemplation that occurs between the libation and sacrifice. If one is sincere and reverential in Contemplation, awe inspiring effects are possible. It also refers to a time when the king sent people out to survey the land and offer instruction to those in need of it.

Might As Well Party: Waiting Continues; Gossip At A Party? Unheard Of!

Waiting 5 occurs again today. It says to eat and drink, basically have a party, because it is not time to take serious action about any significant matters. 

The second line says that we wait in sand and gossip comes but it does not do any damage. What good is a party without gossip? Please see The Women -- a great Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer movie with lots of gossip. Or Jezebel with Bette Davis. Anyway, more waiting is in store. Make sure any dresses you wear are the right color for the occasion -- or suffer Bette Davis' fate of social ostracism.

After The End 63 results. It indicates that only small things can be done. It refers to a period of refinement when things start out at their best and can only decline unless action is taken at a later, appropriate time. This is what happened to Norma Shearer's character Mary Haines in The Women.

The Small Preponderates Then Gather Together

The Preponderance of the Small 62 indicates that attention to small matters are necessary. Seemingly insignificant details could turn out to be very important.

The third line indicates misfortune in that someone may sneak up from behind and hit us. Caution and vigilance are recommended. The fourth line says that we remain constantly persevering but do not take action. It is a time of extreme danger when we really want to take action to get out of the situation but the time requires restraint -- the time for taking action has not yet come. The fifth line is the ruler of the hexagram and indicates a prince shoots someone who is hiding in a cave and that there are dense clouds without rain: this line means that a prince is born who can set the world right but does not have the means to do so alone. He needs helpers who are people of real achievement who are hidden at present. People give off light -- so maybe they aren't so hard to find after all, even in a cave?

The result is Holding Together 8. It indicates a need to hit the right moment to join in with others and that the ruler bestows fiefs and kingdoms at this time.

Obstruction Recommends Coming Three Times, Leads To Fellowship With Men or Friendship

Obstruction shows Water gathering on the Mountain

Obstruction 39 has not come up since this blog started over two months ago; its inverse, Deliverance 40, has. Obstruction shows the opposite situation to Youthful Folly 4. Here, one sees danger and holds still, which is a sign of wisdom. This is because Kan, danger, water and obstruction, is the upper or outer trigram, and Ken, mountain, keeping still, is the lower or inner trigram. The lower nuclear trigram is Li, light or clarity, hence the ability to see the danger. 'Coming' and 'Going' relate to the structure of individual hexagrams. Here, almost all the lines recommend 'coming,' which means to meditate or concern ourselves with inner states or stay close to home because danger is in the outer trigram, where the focus of 'going' is obstructed. Whatever question or concern you have today, the answer lies within.

The resulting hexagram is Fellowship With Men 13, which I sometimes call 'Friendship.' It has the image of a campfire flaming up towards heaven around which a group of people have assembled.

Breakthrough Warns Of The Beginning; The Great Preponderates

Walter Cronkite -- Still At Work?

Breakthrough 43 came on June 26 and July 15 -- have a look. It is today's hexagram, too. It means conflict between good and evil and requires fortitude and diligence to defeat the evil tyrant in the sixth place. It recommends speaking in public like a court room to make the truth known. It also recommends for the rich at the top to dispense wealth downward just as rain falls from the heavens. It is the inverse of Splitting Apart 23 where darkness and evil mount up to drive out the remaining light bringing ruin to all but those at the top. Here the good mounts up from below to drive out the evil at the top which brings good fortune.

The first line, as is often the case, means the toes. At the beginning of the time yet not central it doesn't usually have good fortune. When the first line changes it usually means acting too soon -- that is the meaning here. Just as yesterday, this line indicates that the time for action has not arrived yet. Unlike yesterday, there is no indication that obstacles will be removed, only the warning to stop before acting too soon.

Preponderance of the Great 28 results. It means a flood -- the Lake risen above the Trees. It also means care for the dead. (This is a meaning that can be found in standard I Ching translations but is seldom emphasized -- I choose to because it is easy and effective  -- it is such a valuable suggestion I hope you will try it -- light a candle, put out some flowers, a glass of water and ask your ancestors to help you.) Walter Cronkite hasn't given up work just because he has passed. And while this link is intended to be humorous, my intention is serious.

Great Power Used Wisely Leads To A New, Permanent Situation

Above: A Modern Cave Dwelling; The Transition Away From Caves To Buildings Is A Symbol Of Today's Hexagram, Great Power

Great Power 34 is composed of Chen, thunder and movement, above and Ch'ien, heaven and power below. It means that movement is supported by the power of heaven, thus 'Great Power.' It refers to the second month of the year, mid April to mid May in our calendar, when Thunder arises from the ground and mounts toward Heaven. It is also said that when power befalls someone it must be coupled with justice so as not to be abused. This hexagram has for an image the ridge pole that holds up a roof and signifies the construction of buildings and movement away from cave living. (Although millions of Chinese still live in caves and there are some definite advantages to cave living in reduced heating and cooling costs.) For this meaning the upper two broken yin lines mean wind and rain falling on the four lower yang whole, strong lines. A second meaning is of a goat where the two upper yin lines represent the horns.

Today, three lines, the first, fourth and fifth change. The first line indicates that taking action before the right moment brings failure -- so be patient if things start more slowly than you would want. The fourth line is the ruler of the hexagram and thus more important than the other lines -- it indicates that all obstacles melt away and one can bear Great Power, just as a wagon's axle bears the weight of a vehicle allowing it to go forward. The fifth line refers to the goat image above and suggests that a time has come when old obstinate ways can be let go with ease. 

The Well 48 results which refers to the establishment of an enduring situation. My guess is that the Great Power unleashed above leads to a new business or job or some such that has the power to endure.

Oh No! 'The Chinese' bought The Onion! Is nothing sacred? I guess we know who has the Great Power now. I knew it was all over for the U.S. when Mr. Tudball hired this secretary sometime around 1975. Mrs. Wiggins perhaps needed to leave the cave for a sacred building?

Inner Truth: True Hearts Ring Together; Increase Follows

Inner Truth 61 means having the power of truth whereby what we say can move even obstinate, dumb creatures such as 'pigs and fishes.' It is the great Li formed by doubling each of the lines of that trigram and thus has its general meanings of clarity, light and truth. Above is Sun, wind and gentle penetration, and below is Tui, lake and joy. If only Obama had this ability, he might find it easier to get Health Care Reform!

The second line changing says that 'a crane calling in the shade; its young answer it.' The idea here is that if you possess Inner Truth you can stay at home in your room and those of like mind will still hear and respond to you. That is pretty incredible! This is not a forced, contrived ability but expresses itself spontaneously and without forethought. It is a little like the phenomenon of a ringing bell that causes other bells to ring (and ring) in sympathy, hence the title I gave above.

Increase 42 results. It says that now is a good time to undertake something as the power of growth and development is possible. It recommends imitating the good we see in others.

After The End: Something Lost Returns On Its Own; Waiting Results

After The End 63 shows perfect order that cannot change except to become less ordered. It shows Li, fire, clarity, below and Kan, water, danger and the abyss, above. It has the potential for great energy just as a kettle of water over a fire produces steam. Fire and Water can destroy each other, however, so extra attention is required to prevent collapse that would result from Water boiling over, extinguishing the Fire, or too high a flame that boils away all the Water.

The second line shows that a veil has been lost from the carriage. In ancient times, one did not ride in a carriage without a veil to protect the identity of the person riding. Losing the veil indicates exposure to danger. This line is central and corresponds with the fifth line so no real harm comes and after the full cycle of change, here indicated as seven days, the veil returns to us on its own. An alternative meaning is having an unexpected, unwanted, yet temporary, spotlight on you.

Waiting 5 results. It recommends enjoying yourself in eating and drinking, passing the time in pleasure, while destiny works its way. We should not interfere with destiny by taking action at this time but waiting until the time is right. The image says that clouds gather in heaven but no rain has come. The time is right when the rain begins. (This hexagram reminds me of the trump pair of The High Priestess and The Chariot: easy and enjoyable times in a protected place; safety and privacy.)

Duration: Don't Worry, Be Happy; Leads To The Cauldron

Duration 32 shows the eldest son, Chen, thunder and movement, above Sun, eldest daughter, wind and gentle penetration. Both wind and thunder are ephemeral yet they strengthen each other and symbolize the enduring relationship of marriage.

The sixth line indicates restless anxiety. It leads to misfortune because this activity leads to nothing. Glenn Beck gives me restless anxiety -- but this smash up is funny. My take: Don't worry, be happy, but that might be harder to do than usual. This situation reminds me of the Worry card, the 5 of discs, wherein nervous Mercury is found in plodding Taurus in the Mars-ruled 5th Sephiroth Geburah -- which all means a buzzing, anxious energy that can't go anywhere productive.

The resulting hexagram is the Cauldron 50. It represents cooking and civilization and is composed of Sun below, wood, and Li, fire and clarity, above.  'New Scientist' article: foods really don't have accurate calories listed (surprise!) -- it depends in part on how hard to digest the food is, basically, the softer, easier to chew it is, the more calories are absorbed but the absolute calories labeled is based on burning the food not digestibility.

Holding Together To Natural Response: Ask Again

Holding Together 8 is composed of four yin lines, a fifth yang line and a yin line at the top. It shows how the strong, central ruler in the fifth line can pull up the four lower yin lines. (The sixth line has gone above the ruler, forgoing his help.)  The image says that the ruler bestows kingdoms and fiefs during this time. We are meant to be with those who choose to be with us and let those who do not seek our company to go on their way.

The fifth line is the ruler of the hexagram and elaborates on the point above. It describes the way royalty hunted in ancient China so that animals had a route to escape and not be killed and only those that 'volunteered' were killed. The idea is as above: associate only with those that choose to associate with us and let those go who wish it. We will have the right companions.

The result is Natural Response 2 composed of six yin lines. It says to try to be more connected to your environment. Open your mind and heart to the world so you can behave more in keeping with the demands of the time.

As indicated by Holding Together, a second divination was done to see if I had 'sublimity, constancy and perseverance.' It gave back Treading or Conduct 10 with the third and fourth lines changing -- I took it to mean that there was inner and outer weakness impeding things. Although the general meaning suggests daring 'to tread on the tiger's tail.'

Breakthrough Says Listen To Good Counsel If You Can; Waiting Results

Breakthrough 43 shows the light mounting upward to push out the remaining dark line at the top. It means also to be resolute in the face of evil -- don't stop pushing it out just at it appears to be vanquished. The image is of the lake risen up to heaven indicating a major cloudburst. To avoid flooding, it is recommended that those at the top share their wealth with those below. The judgment recommends announcing matters before the king and one's city but not to resort to arms to remove the obstructing, oppressive one at the top. (This reminds me most of recent news articles about progress on Healthcare Reform -- it looks more likely to succeed but it is no time to slag off just as victory nears.)

The fourth line says that we are not listening to the good counsel we have received and try to obstinately push forward. If we would only listen we would not have to force matters and our problems would be solved easily. Unfortunately, this line indicates we are just not capable of listening at this time.

The resulting hexagram is Waiting 5. This hexagram means that clouds are gathering together in the sky but there is inadequate moisture to bring rain. It is as if the prospect for a drought were ending indicated by Breakthrough above and it just fizzled out into dry clouds so that there is no relief from the drought conditions. (I used to live in Hawaii in the '70s and was amazed to read recently that they have had years of drought. Here in California we have had drought conditions for years, too.) (Even New York has a kind of drought -- just found this on Huffpost.)

Decreasing Faults And Finding A Companion Leads To Possession In Great Measure

Decrease 41 refers to the beginning of flowering. It counsels decreasing anger and controlling instincts. It also recommends making a small sacrifice: the lower sacrifices something to the higher, which is the overall image of this hexagram.

The third line says that if we are alone we will find a companion but if we are in a group of three, one companion will depart. The fourth line says that if we decrease our faults others will move swiftly towards us to help. 

Possession In Great Measure 14 results. The image is of the sun in heaven. It means the triumph of good and suppression of evil. It also means gain or 'things falling to ones' lot.'

Inhibited Force To Work On What Has Spoiled

Taming Power Of The Great 26 shows a synergistic combination of Ken, mountain, keeping still, above and Chien, heaven, great power below. That is, stillness holding back the great power of the universe, the creative. Sounds suspiciously bomb like, but apparently that is not the meaning. It does mean a damming up and holding still of forces, a holding back from action. Like other hexagrams that have similar circumstances, like Waiting 5, the hexagram has a secondary meaning of nourishing.

The first line indicates that taking action now would lead to danger. The danger is from the fourth line which with the fifth line holds back the three lower yang lines. Because it is the first line it doesn't mind being held back so much so I would it isn't that hard to avoid danger. 

Work On What Has Been Spoiled 18 is the resulting hexagram. Its symbol is a bowl with worms breading in it. Ewww! It is composed of Sun, gentleness and the wind, which blows low on the mountain, above, which means keeping still. The idea is that decay has set in due to negligence or laziness but it can be counteracted with work. It is considered a good hexagram in that it implies correcting things that need it. It could mean getting a job, for instance. Or cleaning out a closet or attic. Maybe even clearing the air with someone close to you where misunderstandings have arisen. The Torchwood Mini-series: some great reviews. (Its starts on BBC America next Monday at 8pm.) if you squint a little you might see what this has to do with Work On What Has Been Spoiled. This is much closer to the mark but I only just found it.

Way down in the blog somewhere I linked to a cool documentary about time -- it was on the Science Channel this evening and there was a bit that struck me in regards to this divination -- it showed how modern physicists were able to determine that the day varies, sometimes fast, others slow, due to the effect of the winds blowing on the mountains! Cool!

Darkening Of The Light

A somber hexagram for today: Darkening of the Light 36. It shows the light, sun, or clarity beneath the earth, buried, if you will. It says that the light is injured in this hexagram. With no changing lines it indicates an ongoing need to hide ones' light from the masses of people to avoid being injured by them. Each line has for many centuries been associated with the successful actions of princes who were confronted with tyrants. One hid in the countryside, another pretended to be mad, yet another fled to exile in a distant land. Times when evil predominates do come to an end and progress will return. Hide yourself appropriately so you will be ready once the situation improves.

Revolution: Are You Ready? It May Be OK To Wait And Prepare

Revolution 49 comes up again. This time it says now is the time to take action. Revolution can mean many things. It can mean the revolution of the seasons. 'Removing what is antiquated' is the simplest meaning. It comes after the Well 48. The Well refers to a permanent situation. Revolution is placed after it because over time a well will become full of mud and will need to be renovated. It is composed of Tui, lake, joy and the youngest sister, above and Li, light, clarity and the middle sister below. This indicates the characteristic of a successful revolution: it must be based on truth and justice, as suggested by Li, and rouse people to joyful feelings, as suggested by Tui. 

The second line changing says that the time for Revolution is near. It is in the middle of clarity so sees things clearly; it has relation to the prince in the fifth line so it has the potential to command the authority to accomplish its goals. 'Action brings success.' The fourth line says, 'Remorse disappears. He Is Believed. Changing The Form Of Government Brings Good Fortune.' The potential displayed in the second line has reached the point where action can bring success.

Waiting 5 is the resulting hexagram.  It could mean that there is some intermediate task to accomplish in between the potential for success of the second line and actually taking action. It indicates a time when clouds gather together in the heaven but rain has not yet started. It also sounds a lot like what appears to have happened the last few months since Obama was elected: people thought at last things would change, the power and will to change was apparent, but then it fizzled and we are told to wait -- How Soon Is Now?

Meditation Helps Us Keep Silent At The Right Time So In The End We Find Our Way

Over many months a pattern of hexagrams counseling meditation and contemplation have emerged. As I only started the blog less than two months ago, take my word for it. Today Keeping Still or The Mountain, 52, with the fifth line changing, was given. Keeping Still says just that -- each of the lines refers to the effects of keeping different parts of the body still in meditation. It is a good idea to meditate if you can. (I have not been meditating as I once did and the spirits are clearly trying to coax me back to it. I will have to listen.) Anyway, it is good for just about anybody. The hexagram says that we should rest and keep still. It shows a tension between keeping still and activity -- the component trigrams are mountain, keeping still, within and without. In other words, Twin Peaks! (One of the few hexagrams where the inner and outer trigrams do not relate to each other.) The nuclear trigrams indicate a force pulling apart with chen, thunder and movement, in the upper nuclear trigram, and kan, danger and water, in the lower nuclear trigram. Chen moves upward and Kan moves downward. 

The fifth line says that we hold our jaw still. It says that if we are in danger and not adequate to the task we might be inclined to talk freely. This makes our situation worse. If we can restrain our speech, our situation may improve. 

The resulting hexagram is Gradual Progress, 53. Its meanings include marriage and the regulation of behavior through mores or codes of conduct. The eldest daughter Sun, tree,  is above the youngest son, Ken, mountain. The image of a tree on a mountain suggests slow but sure progress. Such trees do not grow quickly. But they are pleasing to view.

Forward or Backward? It Is Your Choice; Someone Knows The Secrets of Success -- Is It You?

Contemplation 20 with third and fourth lines changing to Retreat 33. Here Contemplation is said to 'partly give and partly take.'  (This is also said of Approach 19 and Increase 41 and Decrease 42) The image says that 'wind blows over the surface of the earth,' that the prince contemplates the people (which is 'partly taking') and then gives the people the information, education or direction they need (which is 'partly giving').  

The third line says that we have the power of self-knowledge and that we no longer need to look outside ourselves for images. We may be in a mood to examine our lives. This ability gives us a choice: we can choose to go forward or to go back. It is our decision -- the evaluation we make of our own images and experiences will help us choose. No praise or blame is attributed to whatever decision we make. The fourth line says that someone -- perhaps it is one of us -- has a special understanding of how the world works and how to make a success of our lives. We need to identify this person and give them the means they need to allow success to blossom. If it is referring to one of us, it says that a superior needs to recognize this ability and they have the responsibility to give us the means to bring success.

These changes lead to Retreat 33. It shows heaven, light and power retreating up and away from the mountain, which, bound to earth, cannot follow. It suggests a decision to renounce the world or the unworkable part of our current lives and withdraw. It is the nature of this particular time and need not be lamented. There is a theme in the I Ching that recurs regarding the way people should interact. In particular it deals with the interactions of the superior man with the world. It is important for the superior man to maintain his dignity by not going more than halfway in meeting others. If people we encounter try to make us extend ourselves beyond the bounds of what is right for us, the proper thing to do is to withdraw. This gives them the opportunity to correct themselves and we can interact with them once they relate to us equally.

Technical Difficulties End

Well after waiting the specified 5 days, Apple called me and I was able to pick up my Imac. It is like new and has all the latest Imac gadgets so I am happy. Yaaaay! Now to catch up on the divinations...

Arrogance Leads To Loss; Stay Close To Earth; Pay Attention To Details

Preponderanc of the Small 62

Technical Difficulties Continue

My Imac is still in the shop until Wednesday or the end of this week. Kind of pathetic, huh? I am using my Blackberry to make posts for the next few days. It doesn't let me make comments and I can't figure out how to post links. It is a fairly new Curve model and I find it harder to use and slower than my old Treo 650. I am considering a new Iphone or Pre or G1.

Difficulty At The Beginning to Holding Together

Difficulty At The Beginning 3 is about birth. It contains the eldest son (chin) on the inside and danger (kan) on the outside.

The first line changes. It is a ruler of the hexagram and carries the same general advice as the hexagram as a whole. At the beginning it is a good idea to pause, carefully evaluate your circumstances, and find others to help you overcome obstacles and dangers.

Gathering Together 8 has the earth, kun, inside, that is devoted, and kun, water, danger, and the heart, on the outside. It symbolizes the strong ruler that gathers together others around it 'like a clasp gathering hair.' It repeats and amplifies the general message from the changing line above: look for helpers.

Difficulty At The Beginning to Holding Together

Difficulty At The Beginning 3 is about birth. It contains the eldest son (chin) on the inside and danger (kan) on the outside.

The first line changes. It is a ruler of the hexagram and carries the same general advice as the hexagram as a whole. At the beginning it is a good idea to pause, carefully evaluate your circumstances, and find helpers to help you overcome obstacles and dangers.

Gathering Together 8 has the earth, kun, inside, that is devoted, and kun, water, danger, and the heart, on the outside. It symbolizes the strong ruler that gathers together others around it 'like a clasp gathering hair.' It repeats and amplifies the general message from the changing line above: look for helpers.

Grace and Adornment: Through Meditation We Remain Unaffected By Circumstances

Grace or Adornment 22 shows Li, light and clarity, below, shining upwards to illuminate Ken, mountain and keeping still. This suggests meditation: clarity within and keeping still without. There are additional meanings related to cosmic matters of form, energy and time. It is a time for small matters and the conclusion of affairs but does not have the strength or structure to engage in new matters. It is a feeble light that illumines the mountain.


The third line says that we are under the influence of wine or drink. Constant perseverance is needed so as not to become swamped by this feeling, pleasurable though it might be. The fourth line is hard to understand; it speaks of a winged horse that comes to us through a window. "He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time." It means that we are in doubt -- that is appropriate to our place and time.

Biting Through 21 results. It refers to the marketplace, high noon, and the carrying out of criminal penalties. It means making a definite decision -- the end of doubt.

P.S. Apple was great: I am getting a new hard drive even though Applecare expired a few days earlier! Talk about timing! Things will return to normal in a few days.

Influence or Wooing

Influence or Wooing 31 occurs with no changing lines. It means to accept the influences of others and to recognize and take good advice when we receive it. It encourages us to be open to others. Lake or Joy on Mountain or Keeping Still composes this hexagram. It might also be good for a casual encounter. Fireworks might be seen in more than just a 4th of July parade. Have fun!

Sorry... Experiencing Technical Difficulty

Divination is a funny business. A lot of time you only fool yourself. Two days ago, I threw the coins, as I do. (I did use the yarrow stalk method for a number of years and may do so again.) Anyway, that morning I threw Splitting Apart 23 with no changing lines -- I decided it was too much of a downer so I threw another one which I posted June 30. That one did come true in some personal ways I do not wish to share. But as you may recall, Splitting Apart has occurred several times in the last few weeks. It means in some way that things break down. And that is exactly what happenned to my Imac! I bought it about three years ago - it was one of the early Intel models. I downloaded Safari 4 as prompted by the Autoupdate software three or four days ago and it seems to have destabilized the MacOS. At first I just had to turn the Imac on and off but later on the morning of June 30 it would not load the MacOS at all. Splitting Apart hit my Imac! So now I get the frustration of making an appointment at the Apple Store at the Grove. I guess now I get to experience the haughty side of Apple.