I Ching - Hexagrams

Tony Crisp

{short description of image}

Hexagram Fifty Three

Chien (Pro: Jee-en) - Tenacity

The tree growing upon the mountain survives amidst the rocks. It grows slowly.

The mild survives with the powerful. The young woman marries an established man.

The hexagram is represented by a tree growing on a mountain. The mountain is something that doesn’t change quickly, like the established social order. The tree is like a person surviving and perhaps spreading influence within the social order. To do so one must find a place one can grow and put down roots, in the sense of establishing oneself in connections and work. Then one must slowly develop connections and weight.

This is also about the relationship between something or someone powerful or established, and something mild and growing. It is a good relationship if the growing or less established finds a way or persevering in embedding themselves in what already exists. This is why it suggests marriage.

The firm and established, by its very nature cannot change or adapt as easily as that which is growing. But the two can relate very well and have a lot to offer each other. And this applies to people or work, or companies, anything where the large and the small, the established and growing are brought together.

Key words: The growing develops amidst the established. Relationship is well founded .

The Moving Lines

1. Like a wild goose instinctively and methodically moving toward its goal, movement is made toward the objective. Mistakes are made through inexperience, but his is not serious. Fly on. There is movement toward a relationship.

2. Like a wild goose finding a safe landing, a situation of reasonable plenty has been secured. But remember the journey continues. Share your gains.

3. The wild goose meets bad weather in its flight. This through pushing on too rashly. It is wise to join with others for mutual aid. It would be a poor marriage starting from here. A parting arises out of such difficulties.

4. Although not what you dream of, you can survive in this situation. There may be cause to be careful of your footing however. But it helps to accept reality.

5. The wild goose moves to a higher place. Your efforts are bringing reward, but it is lonely and may bring misjudgement. A period of sterility will pass.

6. The wild goose flies to the clouds. The goal that was set is being reached successfully. From your life others will gain an example of success.

Hexagram Fifty Four

Kuei Mei (Pro: Gway May) - Fertility or Readiness

The image of this hexagram is a young woman becoming a concubine for an established male. This was acceptable in China, but nevertheless required great tact and discipline to deal with well.

Spontaneous attraction between the sexes is a fundamental force in all nature. We may be fortunate and experience this in a married state. But whether within marriage or out of it, the power of it must be handled with wisdom for it to bring any lasting happiness.

The difficulties arise from the enormous instinctive energies and emotions connected with the attraction. These can cause great personal pain, and positive and negative passions.

It is therefore wise to recognise the dangers, the wonders, the basic reasons for such attraction - reproduction - and the side of it that is transitory. For spontaneous love, by its very nature, may not last long. Armed with such insights one may ride its currents with less turbulence.

The hexagram also signifies any relationships between someone in an established situation, and someone approaching with less advantage. It must be remembered by the less advantaged person that even in their lesser position they have the power of attraction and a definite role. There is a reciprocal relationship, not one of subservience. If the forces active in the attraction can be handled, then the way is less turbulent. Being secondary does not mean being of no account.

Key words: Attraction. Love within limiting circumstances. The end of girlhood or childhood. The cycle of life through the seasons.

The Moving Lines

1.Even though things are not as you would like them, you are still capable of doing what you want. You can still find satisfaction. Second place is not out of the running.

2.Love may not be returned, or it may die and flow elsewhere. If this is about relationship, the good times are not at hand, but do not let your own light of love die.

3.Although painful, sometimes one has less to offer than others. If one is unable to command the love and respect wanted from others, one must not stop respecting oneself.

4.Offers have been rejected and perhaps there has been anxiety that the right situation or relationship will not arrive. But it is not too late. What you sought is now at hand.

5.Our inner quality may not be reflected in our outer circumstance. It is a great skill to shine in the role one has found in love or life.

6.Despite appearing to have the necessary qualities, nothing becomes fruitful in this query. Like boiled rice, it has the same shape but no growth occurs.

Hexagram Fifty Five

Fêng (Pro: Fêng; vowel so short as to be almost non-existent) - Fullness

When the sun reaches its zenith there is fullness, followed by a slow decline. All things are working together and a peak is reached. This is the sign of abundance, when endeavours reach their zenith and things long aimed for now achieve success.

Abundance arises from the mixture of clarity and movement. Therefore it is important to direct the process with ones clearest insights. Move with this high tide and be powerful. Do not be sad that it will pass. What is happening still brings lasting rewards, even though the high tide passes.

Whatever the query, the sun shines on it. Do not hesitate to use the period of peak influence and energy while it lasts. It cannot help but fade due to its brightness.

This may be the highest point of your climb in connection with this query. So there may be a sense of sadness when the natural changes bring a decline. Therefore be happy NOW! Let your light shine and this in itself, because of the response to present actions will bring continuing reward.

Because of the power in the present query, there is the energy to resolve problems that have been awaiting decisions and responses. If this were in regard to a law suit, then issues are heard and penalties given. So there is a culmination now, a response to past actions.

Key words: Abundance arrives. Do not hold back. With its energy fly as high as is possible before gravity pulls you back.

The Moving Lines

1. Clarity of mind seeing a clear goal is meeting energy in performance. Time spent in the meeting is not wasted. Now great things can be done.

2. Group politics and intrigues prevent the one who leads from recognising the person of powerful action. To force the issue through would only bring a negative response. Best to endure in the clear insights until they are recognised. Then, good fortune.

3. With too many pulling in different directions, no leadership is possible, and no action sustained. Breaking ones arm would not restrain one more. No personal blame.

4. The obstruction of others is lessening. Now let the one with energy and enthusiasm meet the one with ideas and wisdom. Joy in good fortune.

5. Bering able to lead through taking wise counsel brings blessings and fame. The power of ones own strength is augmented by others.

6. Striving too hard for dominance and success has led only to a chasm opening, splitting a family. Striving for too much one loses the greatest treasure.

Books - Stories - Poems - Articles/Features - Links - One Stop Shop - Home