This surely represents the "Yin & Yang"...

[pdparsons]

...and of course we know they're both part of the same whole, but it is this sort of "answer" from Yi that really tires the mind of the newer student:

Hexagram 44 (6 in the first place), changing to Hexagram 1. My initial interpretation puts these two hexagrams at opposite ends of the spectrum, and causes me to wonder: does Yi say that I should not "marry" this business entity in question (H. 44) and if not I'll enjoy great and good things from some OTHER venture(H. 1) later, OR that I could work with this "dangerous maiden" business entity while being extremely cautious of improprieties (mine or theirs) (H44) and THEN I'll be enlightened and prosperous (H1) by having done so... my circular thinking is wearing me out! I have to go lay down, now. (lol)

(or perhaps I've missed something else in the interpretation, alltogether.)

PDP

[rinda]

What was your question??

Rinda

[pdparsons]

My question is subtly poised in the second paragraph of my little "rant", though now I realize it indeed wasn't obvious. Basically, I'm asking how a more learned student of the Yi might handle receiving such seemingly (to me, anyway) diametrically opposed hexagrams as H 44 changing (6 in first place) to H 1. I realize that it must be typical of much of the mystery of the thing, but if I can get various opinions, perhaps I can further my own interpretive skills. My question to Yi was: "Is XYZ Company worthy of all of my marketing efforts?" (I'm a consultant in the nutraceuticals/natural medicine field, and I'm seeking guidance from the Yi regarding various lines... one of which will receive more of a full-time effort from me. Therefore, I asked this exact same question about several different companies, in order to "sort and discard", as seemed advisable.)

Thanks in advance for your interest in helping!

PDP

[dobro]

""Is XYZ Company worthy of all of my marketing efforts?"

A: 44.1

The answer to your question is contained in the symbolism of 44.1. The first line of 44.1 talks about putting the brakes on forward movement in this situation. The second line more or less says that in the context of putting the brakes on forward movement, carrying out what you think is right is fortunate. The other lines talk about how if you choose to proceed with forward movement in this situation, you will see misfortunate, just as if your good luck got tangled up and went lame.

So, apply the symbolism to the situation you outlined in your question. The forward movement in that is your marketing efforts, right? So in the context of your question, 44.1 is saying something like: "Whoa! Put the brakes on that! Cuz if you proceed, it's bad luck for you."

That reading is pretty straightforward. I can apply the Yi's symbolism to a situation pretty well sometimes, but I'm less skillful at what some people call the intuitive stuff and what some people call the psychic stuff and what I call 'reading the questioner'. So if you want a deeper interpretation than the one I've given here, you'll have to find another reader.

[rinda]

Spot on, Dobro! ...and, in my opinion, your answer provides just the right amount of depth, it fits the question. One could see the whole Yi Ching as commentary on Yin and Yang, if that was what was wanted.

Rinda

[pdparsons]

Thank you, both, for your commentary... I agree with Dobro's take on this, and, indeed had not overlooked the possibly strong message in changing line 1... it was the resulting hexagram #1 that seems "out of place" in contrast with the original #44. I initially took #1 to suggest something positive occuring if I DID put the brakes upon the proposition in question... sort of like Yi saying, "and if you do put the brakes on this situation, you will find something better, ultimately, anyway."...

Is this line of reasoning in interpretation of the resultant H1 amateurish, or sound? Again, this is a learning time for me regarding use of the Yi.

[dobro]

"I initially took #1 to suggest something positive occuring if I DID put the brakes upon the proposition in question... sort of like Yi saying, "and if you do put the brakes on this situation, you will find something better, ultimately, anyway."

I see no reason why that might not be a really useful way to look at 44.1, which suggests to me that looking at the relating hexagram in the way you did was a good approach for you in this case. When it comes to interpreting what you draw from the Yi, there are many different approaches that people use, but probably the key is to find one that works for you. I think you did that in this case, you found a way to look at the relating hex in a way that yielded real meaning for you.

[bruce_g]

Sometimes, being in an unseemly tight spot leaves a creative alternative open.

A friend received this same reading last night (44.1-1) and asked if I’d help sort it out.

Briefly, he had his vehicle in the shop for repair or replacement of an oil pump. In order to get at the part in question they had to remove the entire engine block. After doing this they told him it wasn’t worth repairing, but they will offer him $400 for the vehicle, as is. Or, he would pay them $400 and tow the vehicle away to his place. So now he’s stuck with a decision to be clear of the vehicle and walk away with $400, or be stuck with a non-running vehicle and owing them $400. A nice scam or seduction attempt by the repair shop.

His creative solution is, to tow the vehicle back to his place, then sell it. Blue book on it is around $4,800. It’s a “loaded” truck in beautiful condition. Even with the not-running but fixable engine in truck bed, he could get $2,800 for it, easily, pay off the $400 to the shop, and net $2,400 to keep (he already has another car). It's more work (hex. 1 is tireless) and a bit of a hassle, but it beats being eaten by a pig.

44.1-1 always includes an opportunity. Just not the one which has been offered so as to provide easy relief.

[philippa]

Sometimes, being in an unseemly tight spot leaves a creative alternative open.

... content snipped ...

44.1-1 always includes an opportunity. Just not the one which has been offered so as to provide easy relief.

This is absolutely brilliant! I think this is a good "counter-example" to the other post on 44. In this case, "勿用取女" (one should not marry such a woman) is about figuring out what part of the situation represents the strong woman and not be completely passive about it.

Philippa