I Ching - Hexagrams

Tony Crisp

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Hexagram Forty One

Sun (Pro: Soon; but with a short vowel, as in ‘Book’) - Decrease

Circumstances have led to a major dwindling in your fortune.

The hexagram shows this as having arisen out of the relationship between something or someone stubborn and unyielding, and a someone or something passionate and giving. The unyielding takes unrestrainedly, and the passionate is self sacrificing to the point of deprivation.

If these points are understood they can be righted in some measure. Or one can draw from them reward other than a material one. This is because such decreases present the opportunity to discover resources not previously called into action. For instance fears and worries must be met lest they overwhelm one, and changes must be navigated. These are skills useful when increase reasserts itself.

For a while at least there may be a need to live with greater simplicity through having less resources, whether emotional or material. Continue to care for others, even if this means some sacrifice. Being able to live simply is a great boon.

This period of decrease follows one of gain or increase. It is a natural flow in the rhythm of life. If there can be an accordance with this by letting go of what is ready to drop away, less difficulty will arise. Do not let thoughts of failure or bitterness enter at this period, as it will pass.

If this enquiry is about relationship, the decrease is in the amount of passion or togetherness. But love itself has not disappeared. The season of intimacy has passed for a while.

Key words: Decrease calls us to live with greater simplicity. Inner resources are called upon. With restraint the winter passes without mishap.

The Moving Lines

1.Helping or being helped without display is a great boon. But receiving help from those less fortunate than ourselves must be done with care, lest we exhaust their reserves.

2.In helping others do not depart from your own principles or deprive yourself. Misfortune could otherwise follow. But persist in what is good for reward to follow.

3.Two’s company, three’s a crowd. In such a triangle one will leave. Perhaps it will be you. If so, be assured you will not walk alone for long.

4.By dealing with the afflictions or personal faults besetting you, happiness can follow. Those who are ready to help then come forward with healing and without obligation.

5.Fortune follows you and pours out riches or gifts from others. Take what is offered with honest gratitude. Success is upon you, accept it.

6. Success can follow if others are not exploited. It will be rewarding now to aim for some goal. Support will arise, and your gains be of benefit to many.

Hexagram Forty Two

I (Pro: Yee) - Increase

Now is the time to receive, whether from within oneself or from the world.

The road is straight leading to unexpected rewards. Extend, dare the new, make the journey. There are no hurdles to cross in your progress. As in Spring, it is now time to sow seeds.

The increase arises out of a situation where the powerful relate to others in a giving and creative way. People are willing to give of themselves, or of their resources.

When there is such accord between the powerful and a body of people, the enormous co-operation makes even difficult projects possible to accomplish. Because of this tide of influence it is good to go forward on any important undertaking, especially where it depends upon the goodwill of others or of the influence of lucky circumstances or coincidence.

It is appropriate to observe ones own negative traits and weed them out during this positive period, to imitate the good we see in others.

If this enquiry relates to relationship, receive the love that is freely given without looking for hidden motives.

Key words: Increase and harmonious relationships.

The Moving Lines

1.The flood tide of good fortune is running high for you now. Take advantage and undertake important endeavours. Others will willingly support you, giving of themselves generously.

2.Everything conspires to make your plans materialise. This has arisen from past actions. It is imperative not to let this richness lead to becoming careless.

3.What is usually a misfortune has given opportunity to benefit greatly. This should not give rise to guilt, as long as action has arisen from sincerity. This will bring authority and public acclaim.

4.There is the possibility of becoming an intermediary. This is a recognition of your trustworthiness and ability to remain impartial. This is an excellent opportunity. Do not reject it.

5.As a benefactor you are now in a position to give and support. Do so without asking questions or doubting. What you seek now becomes a reality.

6. Through withholding from generosity to those who needed it, you have evoked irritation and may incur criticism

Hexagram Forty Three

Kuai (Pro: Gwy; rhymes with ‘Buy’) - Emerging

There has been a threat or opposition, perhaps for a long time, but this is being resolved. Nevertheless there is still the need for care. Emerging from difficulties, even if well under way, must still be done with orderliness.

Some of the obstacles that recently beset this issue have gone. Like a river bursting a log jam, blockages have been removed. However, some obstacles, as people or inner difficulties still remain.

The hexagram holds in it the suggestion of not fighting these evils head on. This only gives them power. Like a debilitating urge we try to repress, it gains strength. One should therefore let the arising power of life that caused the breakthrough, carry us onwards to positive growth. This brings the negative into highlight, revealing its foundations and removing them. Its energy then flows into balance.

Explain the situation to those who give support, but no need to explain all. Trust the protection they can give. Avoid violence, despite the temptation and be generous with those who are allies.

With determination and use of resources a breakthrough can now be made. Plans can go forward after long restraint. It is important in this issue to allow benefits or riches to flow downwards. Otherwise a serious tension once more threatens.

Key words: Breakthrough followed by establishing the emergence. Do not fight evil - let the power of renewal take its place. Riches should flow downward.

The Moving Lines

1.It is not helpful to start something with a great fanfare only to fail in its accomplishment. Assess your strength realistically before advancing.

2.There is still danger, but if you are aware of this and prepared, there can be no difficulty. Oppositions can then be dealt with. Cautious optimism.

3.Perseverance despite the misjudgement of others is vital. To deal with evil for the sake of good may leave one seen as part of the evil. Find strength in your own inner truth.

4.Despite humiliating obstacles you have still not learnt from the experience. If only you would drop the crazy drive onwards this pain could end. Perhaps you constantly believe you are right.

5.Removing ‘weeds’ - the negative hindrances or people - from this issue is a never ending task. But there is no other option than to keep going resolutely.

6.Through relaxing defences too soon there has been unexpected misfortune. This has come through not pressing on to completion. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

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