Obstacles Give Way To Gradual Progress

Obstruction (or Obstacles) 39 is the inverse of Deliverance 40. Obstacles shows Ken, mountain, keeping still (meditating), below and Kan, water, danger, above. The obstacles indicated arise in our outer lives but may have inner causes. That is why the wise person will pause and meditate to search out inner causes of obstacles. If these exist, it won't matter what we do in the outer world to combat our obstacles until the inner obstructions are addressed.

The sixth line, as is usual, represents the Sage, who due to age and wisdom has withdrawn from the world's everyday affairs. When obstructions arise, the Sage is tempted to escape into the great beyond to avoid them. Here, the Sage's way is blocked: (s)he must return to address the world's problems. The Sage must find the Great One in the fifth place and help to set the world right.

Gradual Progress 46 results. It combines the same inner trigram, Ken, mountain and keeping still (meditating), as above with Sun, a tree, wind, and gentle penetration, above. Gradual Progress probably seems slow to people today. The imperceptible, slow growth of a tree on a mountain might take a long time to show improvement. However, it makes for a pretty image, suitable for a landscape painting.

Innocence: Channel The Inner Baby To Succeed

Innocence 25 shows movement within and power without.  Chen, thunder, the eldest son, is within and Chien, heaven, the father is without. It indicates a time to examine motives and values to assure yourself they are good and innocent to achieve the best effects. If you proceed from contrived or less than honorable intentions, the Universe will probably thwart your designs. That is why a baby-like innocent approach will succeed -- you may be able to see things with fresh eyes. With no changing lines a sense of the unexpected is amplified.

Deliverance: Time To Rid Yourself Of Negative Influences

Deliverance 40 shows Chen, Thunder, movement, above, and Kan, Water, danger, below. Deliverance shows moving away from danger.

The top three lines changing all refer to eliminating negative influences. Some may be internal like bad habits of mind but the top one refers to some great enemy. There is a chance to eliminate this enemy that has not arisen for a long time. Make the best of the opportunity given.

The resulting hexagram is Folly 4. After achieving Deliverance, a new time comes where you may have a lot to learn.

Stagnation or Standstill

Stagnation or Standstill 12 is the inverse of Peace 11. The difference lies in the relative positions of Heaven and Earth. Heaven rises; Earth sinks down. So when Heaven is below Earth, the two meet up, and there is union and happiness, and all beings in the universe prosper. When Heaven is above Earth, Heaven continues to rise upward and Earth continues to sink down, and there is disunion, disharmony, and all beings do not prosper. With no changing lines, Standstill means whatever disunion or disharmony you experience today is likely to continue for some time.

Peace: 'Sod It,' Says Humpty Dumpty; Then Do The Dishes

Peace 11 is composed of Earth, Kun, above and Chien, Heaven, below giving the simple meaning of heaven on earth. 

The first line changing mentions that when grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. That is, this first line is linked to the fourth line and advances with it. Thus, 'Sod it,' in the above headline, though the apparent meaning has nothing to do with the conventional meaning of that expression. (Another interpretation is that helping those in need will meet with good fortune.) The sixth line changing shows the earth, which represents the evil force, at the height of its power, and so extended that it falls down, like an unstable wall. Thus, the image of Humpty Dumpty, above. (Another interpretation is that external material circumstances are in decline and nothing can be done about it.)

Finally, these changes result in Work On What Has Been Spoiled (By The Father) 18. One of its images is that of worms in a bowl. It is kind of like someone inviting you to a party, you are told your contribution is to clean up afterwards, and when you get there the party is over but you still are obligated to clean up. Thus, after the changes above, it is time to do the dishes. This hexagram seems kind of unpleasant on the surface but is actually rather good. It is like until now the Universe has given you a series of impossible tasks and then finally the Universe gives you a problem amenable to work. It gives a sense of control over destiny when problems can be solved.

Taming Power of the Small: A Day For A Manicure

It is as if you possessed the strength and desire to accomplish your goals today but an external small detail prevents you from taking any action. This detail might be hidden from you. Nonetheless you are prevented from affecting the world except in small, personal ways. So that is why I say get a manicure or hair cut: that is something that can be accomplished. It is also suggested that working on the Self, refining inner impulses and desires, can also be done. Today's hexagram is without changing lines suggesting that today's goals may be out of reach a long time. It is the inverse of two day's ago, Treading, 10.

Darkening Of The Light

Darkening of the Light, 36, shows the light, Li, buried under the earth, Kun. It indicates that the light is injured by being buried. Generally a painful hexagram except that it also indicates night, a time of rest. (Yesterday also recommended rest.) It points to a time that is a familiar trope in science fiction that in reality is an experience fairly commonly held by the severely mentally ill. Like 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers,' you may find yourself utterly isolated with no one who shares your point of view. To express yourself now would invite calamity. Go along to get along. Do not abandon your beliefs but wait for times to change and the danger to pass. It might be a very long wait -- you may be in a very limited position, try to accept fate, you are still on the right path. 'Sure, I hear voices' or 'I have seen UFOs' or 'Yeah, I've been to Hogwarts' are things to keep to yourself. Just kidding. Sort of.

Treading: If You Are Weak, Don't Use Your Power

Treading 10 shows a weak, inner self, symbolized by Tui, the youngest daughter and Joy, encountering the strong, symbolized by the outer trigram Chien, Heaven and the father. Chien is given the further symbol of the tiger. Thus this hexagram shows a weak, young girl treading on the tail of a tiger. The tiger should attack, one would think, but it does not, because of the smallness and weakness of the youngest daughter. As noted in older readings, it could be that the young, joyful daughter displayed proper manners so that the tiger did not feel it necessary to punish her. This gives the general sense I mention elsewhere: social tensions and encounters with superiors go better when good manners are brought to bear.

The third line changing indicates that a one-eyed man can see but without adequate clarity and a lame man can tread but not with confidence -- pressing on leads the tiger to bite. This indicates a situation when our powers are weakened and yet we feel it necessary to press forward. In our weakened state this can only lead to disaster. If such self sacrifice is on behalf of the higher self it might be acceptable but in most circumstances it is best to rest and regain ones' power before pressing ahead. More waiting, in other words.

Chien, heaven 1, is the resulting hexagram. It shows heaven doubled. Creativity is represented. What you do now will lay a foundation for further growth and energy for a long time. So take care of the beginning as all the future circumstances can be found in the seed.

Dispersion and Reuniting: The Need For Bloodshed Disperses, Our Kin Are Drawn Away From Danger

Dispersion or Reuniting 59 has a double, contrary meaning of both dispersion, the breaking up of danger by the wind, and bringing back together things in disunity, that is, reuniting what is separate or alienated. 

The sixth line indicates dispersion of the blood which means that through the action of wind the need for bloodshed is avoided. This also means that our actions help not only ourselves but our extended family with whom we have bonds of kinship.

The resulting hexagram is Kan, Danger or the Abyss, 29. It can mean new opportunities.

Work On What Has Been Spoiled (or Decay): Small Correction, Still Time Of Holding Still

Conflict: Inner Struggles Result In Spiritual Maturity But A Bad Time Now

Conflict 6 with no changing lines. Conflict consists of chien, heaven and strength, above and kan, water, danger and cunning below. Strength combined with cunning results in conflict. With no changing lines it indicates that the universe has sounded a resounding 'No!' to everything you have considered doing, or thought or dreamed about. How distressing! Everyone around you has different perspectives than you and won't see your side of things so it is best to keep quiet unless you relish humiliating experiences. Perhaps like the French philosopher Rousseau, you enjoy public displays of nudity and being spanked in public. That seems doubtful -- but a cheerily strange and highly improbable prediction for you. 

Another aspect of this time would be that the conflict we experience is internal and of a spiritual nature -- kind of like a struggle for someone's soul, a popular theme in literature and the arts for hundreds of years. While the battles rage on, less than nothing is to be expected or accomplished -- like a holding pattern over an airport that seems to drag on to eternity.

The Emperor and The Hierophant: Inner and Outer Powers Unite To Influence

The Emperor represents Aries and is restrictive, practical, opinionated and paternal. It can lead to materialism. Represents external power like of a government. The Hierophant represents Taurus and is matter on the one hand and represents spiritual power like a priest or pope. Stubborn, dogmatic, strong willed but possessed of deep intuition and faith. In combination there is the suggestion of an attempt to influence or persuade others to their point of view.

A Pennies-From-Heaven Cloud Burst Leads To Return

Resoluteness or Breakthrough 43 is the inverse of yesterday's hexagram. It shows the five light lines mounting up from below to push out the remaining evil, dark line in the sixth position. The Lake risen up to Heaven indicates a cloud burst dispensing liquid wealth to those below. It shows strength and joy. This hexagram refers to the time when written documents were first used to govern. Joy also means speaking thus the judgment indicates it is a time to announce the truth in the king's court. Eliminating the evil ruler at the top is difficult as strength is required but violent means will not succeed. Apparently, using the right, truthful words is sufficient for success.

The second line changing indicates a cry of alarm but there is nothing to fear because one has found the middle way. The third line shows a situation where one is associated with the evil tyrant at the top and even though your intentions are good you are mistakenly lumped together with the evil tyrant. This situation passes on its own with patience. The fourth line indicates that we are obstinate and do not listen to the good advice we are given and try to forge ahead through strength of will yet we do not have the power to accomplish our desires. Finally, the fifth line indicates that evil needs to be rooted out just as weeds are removed from a garden.

The resulting hexagram is Return 24. It is one of the most positive hexagrams. It shows an improvement in our character. After experiencing misfortune as the result of splitting from our path, light returns to our situation as we correct ourselves and return to our path.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Skip to here if you want to bypass lots of I Ching technicalities. You may recall that Resoluteness 43 occurred on June 26. With so many changing lines, the entire nuclear part of the hexagram, there is a sense of an inner revolution. Holding firm inside has led to a number of bumps and unfortunate turns but we have held steady. Evil is eliminated and light, power and direction return. If you have experienced any blockages in personal, work or other life situations, this would be a time for them to give way. 

Of course, you could just let Billie Holiday tell you herself. 

The Hermit and Justice: Frustration Or Creativity?

Hermit and Justice indicate the possibility of frustration. The Hermit's Virgo energy is all over the details and can't leave anything alone as it strives for perfection. Justice's Libra adds further analytical detail. Yet despite this possibility it could be a good time for artistic or even scientific work of high creativity to occur. Details could prove so interesting they lead to distraction.

Sometimes destroying everything can be creative -- like this great Ladytron song!

Coming To Meet or Temptation: Indulgence Leads To Trouble

Coming To Meet or Temptation 44 shows wind blowing under heaven. Thus the image says that the king, represented by heaven, Chien, above, disseminates commands to the four corners, through the action of Sun, wind. It also indicates a time when the inferior, evil element introduces itself at the bottom. This gives the judgement, 'The maiden is powerful. Do not marry her.' This is an indication of a temptation that insinuates itself at the bottom of our awareness and may appear small and weak. It has the power to completely takeover and eliminate the good if it is indulged and given power. There are no changing lines so the suggestion is that small, seemingly pleasurable things we might encounter or harbor in our thoughts, if given power, will cause great harm in time. The I Ching almost always counsels caution.

Cool photos from District 9, coming out on August 14 -- I think I might be tempted to go see it. Has best buzz on anything I have heard about all summer.

There is another, contrary meaning for this hexagram. When heaven and earth are destined to meet, great things are possible. It depends on each keeping to its proper sphere. This has a cosmic significance that I will leave to your imagination to divine. Well, Okay, here is one possibility: a communication from a spirit guide or ancestor would be an example of heaven and earth meeting. Another way of putting it would be to use the language of Christian mystics who speak of a marriage with God. On another track, here is an example of heaven meeting Jupiter. And I couldn't resist this set of computer-rendered illustrations showing how it might look for a massive type 1A supernova explosion. That would be an example of how earth is made in the heavens: from hydrogen, helium and lithium all the heavier elements vital to earthly life are made.

Judgment and The Sun: Play To Win

A time to play to win. A loss now will be long lasting. So will a victory.

Innocence: Don't Let Undeserved Misfortune Get You Down; It Will Pass

Innocence shows Chien, heaven and the creative, above and Chen, thunder and arousing, below: outer power coupled with inner movement. The spring is the time when thunder rolls under heaven. It brings forth new growth that in its original condition attains a child-like state of Innocence. It symbolizes the good ruler who cultivates and helps those below to prosper.

Come here, here, cow, miss lovely moo cow! (An attempt to charm a wandering cow to follow me home)

The third line changing says that someone by chance wanders by a cow we have tethered and takes it. Our loss is other's gain. It is a form of undeserved misfortune. We are counseled to hold to the state of Innocence as it comports with the time and we will emerge from this time in the proper frame of mind to take further action.  (The I Ching is full of such picturesque language that generally does not mean what it appears to. Since very few own cows anymore, it has a more general meaning that does apply.) This sounds like undeserved misfortune -- $675,000 fine for downloading 30 songs.

Fellowship With Men or Friendship 13 results. It shows a fire burning up towards heaven around which a group of people gather. It is a good time to socialize away from home.