I Ching - Hexagrams

Tony Crisp

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Hexagram Eighteen

Ku (Pro: Goo) - Salvaging

When things are not renewed by living movement, deterioration or decay may result. Understanding the causes of such deterioration can lead to its removal. What was decaying can then be salvaged, leading to growth. The decaying can become manure for what springs from it.

The turning point brings opportunity to make changes, to bring in the new, as you move with the tide of things. It is right. With the changes taking place one can sweep away what was amiss with the past. Let it go.

The way of life laid down by your family may no longer be valid. Take up the challenge of being responsible for your own actions as the old order decays.

When the old has finally decayed there will be a period of waiting, as when the sun reaches the shortest day in mid-winter, days elapse before the delivery to longer days assures itself.

Now strength can be used to reshape things that would have been difficult while the old order held sway. But first take stock and clear away the debris of the old. As this is done care must be taken to clearly understand the cause of the present decline. Then when this understanding is employed in action, carefully check the results as they arise.

It is a good season to face difficulties, take journeys or move into new projects. Good fortune attends this.

Key words: Salvaging from the old and crumbling what still has life for the present.

The Moving Lines

2.One can no longer do as ones father did, or as was right in past traditions. That would not be fitting as the old dies. There are always risks in change, so take care. With such awareness all will go well.

1.The mistakes ones mother made are part of ones life and feelings now. Correct them may be painful. One must not act too harshly in this, but take responsibility what exists.

1.There may be some pain in accepting responsibility for the mistakes of our forebears. But the way ahead leads out of difficulty.

1.Not recognising where our forebears made mistakes would be to fall into the same errors. Now is the time to recognise and correct them.

1.Righting what was left undone by our forebears will bring good fortune. Taking this responsibility leads to acceptance and help by the community.

1.Withdrawal from the world is only honourable if it is not out of fears. Life then empowers you with its strength to achieve the meeting with Self.

Hexagram Nineteen

Lin (Pro: Lin) - Coming Together.

When winter cold recedes the buds swell but do not yet open. So in this enquiry the buds are ready to open. Great opportunity is involved.

In human affairs it shows a coming together of youth and experience, as might happen if a mature woman and young girl met with warmth. In business it would be the meeting with something of great potential which was not yet stimulated into expression. Or perhaps when an approach has been made by an influential client.

The influence is one of peace when there can be a relaxed meeting of people and things that could not converge in the past. Work with this and encourage the process of convergence without too much interference.

When two things approach each other, be they people or objects, the potential of the meeting must be dealt with carefully if it is to be satisfying. So one must work in this period to make use of its potential.

There is much giving and receiving here. The wise teach and the students receive.

But the seasons roll and what is in bloom now will fade in autumn. Have eyes seeing beyond the moment. Plan for the time when there is less abundant opportunity.

Key words: Wisdom and strength meet youth and fertility. Take care in tending the growth.

The Moving Lines

1. There is a coming together. Things converge bringing good fortune. Meet with others to work in conscientious co-operation.

2. Allowing things and people to work together brings good fortune. Remember that seasons roll while receiving many benefits.

3. Success may lead to relaxing the quality of ones approach. This is unfortunate. Regret for the mistake erases it.

4. Great success arises when ability is recognised by one in power. Nothing will stand in t the way of this recognition and its outcome.

5. Patient shrewdness draws together a group of great ability. The work can now proceed without limiting interference.

6. The sage approaches offering the treasure of experience. It is great good fortune to receive it.

Hexagram Twenty

Kuan (Pro: Gwun; rhymes with ‘Fun’, ‘Done’) - Encompassing Vision

Standing upon a mountain one can see the path one took to reach this moment. In view too are the paths one can take to walk onwards.

A position to make judgements and to see clearly has been reached. To achieve this level of insight is both a great honour and an expression of personal achievement. Much that was not clear before is now understandable.

Detachment is also involved. For if one were wholly lost in sense impressions and worldly goals, ones awareness would never have been freed enough to capture this wider view.

There is now revealed much of the laws of nature and the ways of human life that others cannot see, like the man on a high rock being able to observe where animals go to drink.

A position of attainment has be reached, but the work of establishing oneself in that position is still to take place. Thus the sacrifice of endeavour must be made.

Observe the way of things and absorb what is seen. The truth you learn and live will meet with honour and will flow out to influence others, simply by your existence. Your life is an example to others. Live it with care.

Key words: Let your vision become your way of life. Thus will the vision enter the lives of others.

The Moving Lines

1. Do not approach your vision as if you were a carefree child. It needs mature strength to understand and live it.

2. Do not restrain your vision of things by limited attitudes. Seek the global view possible by moving beyond personal boundaries.

3. By learning from an overview of our own life, we can more clearly judge when is the right time to advance or retreat. This smoothes the changes of life.

4. Such a vision encompasses the hidden working of a whole nation. Such vision must be honoured, and given opportunity to act.

5. To be a leader one must observe ones relations with others. Self awareness is the greatest of teachers. It shapes a new future. None are wounded by such a life.

6. When vision leaps the boundaries of ones own ego, it contemplates the face of the deep. The path of liberation is then seen. Complete self-acceptance.

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