I Ching - Hexagrams

Tony Crisp

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Hexagram Thirty Two

Hêng (Pro: Hêng; vowel so short as to be almost non-existent) - Lasting Union

That which endures acknowledges and uses the power of change. Endurance arises when one thing compensates another in a moving balance. One may be active and the other passive - one growing and the other nurturing. The yielding and the firm are here working harmoniously together. Staying on this course leads to success.

What exists at present can survive the changing events of the seasons. The subject of the enquiry has the power to survive changes and endure if there is the ability to change within an unswerving goal.

Wisdom suggests having such a goal or direction to guide through endings and beginnings. In fact it is advantageous to undertake any new plans or projects at this time.

Seek awareness of that which endures throughout the variety of seasons. Link with this for extended existence. Stay on course and there can be no regrets. The winds of change will exert pressure, but you can stand firm. This relates to the ability to sustain a relationship too.

At the heart of this enquiry lies a lot of power and creativity. Perhaps this expresses as the ability to stimulate or revivify. This power exists within a situation of receptivity and support. This is what gives it the possibility of enduring.

Key words: Surviving changes in life means being in harmony with fundamental realities of relationship

The Moving Lines.

1.First love is not usually the one that lasts. What is enduring takes time to build and grow. Patience has been lacking in this enquiry.

2.Grand ideas and plans are of little account without the external power to make them real. This may lead to an excess through the desire to express. Restraint avoids excess and remorse.

3.Through being tossed by the waves of hopes and fears you may meet with unforeseen disgrace. Inconsistency leaves others unsettled.

4.Going about things the wrong way, whether in work or love, leads one to dissatisfaction and restlessness. This is like shopping for fruit at the clothes market.

5.Sticking rigidly to an ideal creates tension in oneself and others. True endurance arises from love and enthusiasm rather than inflexible rules.

6.The amount of energy expended does not automatically link with the amount of reward. Frantic activity does not mean success. The action must be effective. Stand still and review.

Hexagram Thirty Three

Tun (Pro: Doon; but with a short vowel as in book) - Yielding

When something is thrown into the air, there is a point where it starts to fall again. Every successful endeavour must reach a point where there is a resistance to its climb. Better then to yield rather than fight to ascend while the fall continues.

As summer ends nature begins to conserve its energies. Plants draw all their essence into seeds or bulbs waiting for the new impulse. So in this issue it is useful to recognise that expansion has ended and gather ones essential force ready for a countermove when constructive.

The hexagram also suggests something creative and projective or expressive, meeting something immovable and resistant to change. Therefore it might be necessary to yield, or create a balancing of power through small adjustments to the situation. The bull-fighter always appears to retreat, yet is the victor.

In relationships this may signify a lack of communication arising from very different temperaments and goals. Without understanding withdrawal occurs. But this might be avoided by understanding each others position and needs.

There is certainly the need to gather the fruits of past endeavour and, like grapes pressed into wine, withdraw the essence to store for future use.

No great changes are necessary or indicated. Rather persist in caring for the details of the situation. This is the way to succeed in this issue.

Key words: Recognise the difference of the opposing forces. Avoid confrontation. Rather move aside in a planned yielding.

The Moving Lines.

1.Retreating with the opposition on your tail is not an advantage. By all means pull back, but not too far. No aims can be furthered at this point. Keep still.

2.The situation has been thoroughly constrained. But you still maintain strength in some fashion. Through persevering in small ways, the goal can still be reached.

3.The necessary withdrawal is halted by others. By incorporating the delaying factor or people into the plan, one can then continue the retreat.

4.If your spirit is strong, yielding is no defeat, in fact good can come of it. For those who lack self assurance, yielding is felt as defeat.

5.Clearly seeing it as an advantage to retreat, and timing it correctly, there is no misfortune attached to withdrawal. Remain in this position of strength.

6.Certainty lends power to this yielding. With such expertise there is only advantage in the withdrawal.

Hexagram Thirty Four

Ta Chuang (Pro: Dah Jwung; with the vowel as in ‘Hung’) - Manifest Power

When many wide connections exist with great inner ability and power there arises extraordinary brilliance. This quality may awe those less gifted or having fewer connections. Its force shakes the world and brings changes.

Understanding its workings can lead to deep insight into the nature of things. Certainly persistence in this direction will bring great reward.

This is an indication of great influence wielded at the moment. It is a power arising from aligning yourself with real activities in the world and in people. In this sense you have developed connections and insights others have not. If this is used well, great success can follow. If it is used merely to manipulate and to enlarge oneself egotistically, the power will fade.

To a great extent this power is that of being able to get things going, to give something life that existed but was not expressing its potential. This allied with strength in getting things done externally form the brilliant possibility of this query.

Nevertheless, great power can often be expressed at the wrong time or place, or in an opposition that does not resolve. In such cases the power comes to nought. Therefore care must be taken to express the power through channels and in directions which will enable it to succeed.

Key words: Creative power flows into the world, enlivening and changing. Direct its flow with care.

The Moving Lines.

1.To have power in your toes only is not enough. You need more than a firm foothold to make headway even with confidence. Do no push forward now lest your resources are soon exhausted.

2.There is sufficient reason to push forward in what you want. The situation is right, so persist. Don’t let your exuberance run away with you though.

3.Overconfidence or pugnaciousness now may cause serious entanglements difficult to extricate oneself from. Refrain from such advance. Move when there are no hindrances.

4.Removing obstacles quietly and persistently opens the way ahead. There is power for the journey. Good fortune.

5.Old habits of being like a goat butting its way through difficulties are not useful now. Drop them. The way is opening ahead.

6.Unreasoning effort to advance leads only to entanglement in more barriers. Neither advance nor retreat is possible. Composure will lead to good fortune.

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