cheiron
December 31st, 2003, 06:58 PM
The Wanderer ? Just a Tale
-----------------------------------------------------------
I.
Long ago in a country not yet called China was a grey wandering figure who people often shunned. They called him Wanderer.
They could see Wanderer was not a tramp, but this one had no obvious family and somehow did not seem to fit in with normal important things like making money and raising a strong family.
What was worse he would sometimes say or do something small and all hell would come loose!
The Wanderer ?changed? situations and people with little words and deeds. Even worse those people often prosperred in some odd way afterwards! It is most definitely not right, not right at all.
?We don?t want change we want stability and predictability! We want a big harvest every year and more fat babies, good obedient wives and no bad neighbours.? They would shout this as they drove him from the village.
Actually what most wanted was their neighbour?s wealth (or their wives or husbands) and no wars or damnable Wanderers who interrupted their plans of how to get it. New ideas and understandings... hah!
So many, but not all, shunned the Wanderer as he passed through their villages.
What few knew was how Wanderer got to be this strange and exotic figure.
--------------------------------------------------------
II.
In the terrible year of Hx55 there had been a great war - a revolution! The first ever revolution known. The horrible tyrant Shang was overthrown by the Great King Wu son of of Noble Wise Wen who had planned it all.
That was a ?weird?1 time? unusual things? scary things. Wu?s revolutionary army was encamped on the Feng river ford. He had sent envoys ahead to tell people not to fight and that he was coming to fulfil the dynasty not to destroy it. Now theres political manoeuvring for you!
They explained how the Mandate to rule which is given by the Jade Emperor in heaven could actually be withdrawn by him as well! This was such a new idea the scribes had invented the Word, Ko ? Revolution? and we do not like new words either!
But the great Wise Wen died? and his son Lord Wu went into the mourning hut for the start of his ?more than two years mourning in isolation?? Well that was right and proper but it was the last thing that was!
We had no warning ? It was a fine mid-day all was peaceful.. and, Ming me! The sun was attacked by the Black Crow who covered it and made it dark. We could see the stars at mid-day! People shot arrows at it and we all banged our pots to scare it away? If it had eaten the sun it would have been dark for ever! We were all terrified.
Later the wise ones explained that this was the sign of the Jade Emperor giving the Mandate to Rule to another one! Every thing went topsy-turvy.., and a war about to start? it was a frightening time.
But more happens than is known at times like this... other things get changed too.
King Wu didn?t even stay in the mourning hut!!! He said the Mandate was his and he was going to go and liberate his throne.
We saw them march through the village? a terrible sight? leading the way were the drummers? their drums smeared with blood as they pounded the dull march beat? behind them was a strong carriage heavily guarded with the best Noble Warriors? In it was the Wise Noble Wen?s body? They hadn?t even buried him! Here was his spirit leading the dreadful march against the evil tyrant Shang.
Well, after the great battle and much feasting the great tide of warriors and tents dissipated from the plain? like a sea withdrawing? Some say that there was just one grey figure left behind and this one stood there pondering for many days. Others say that in that terrible moment of the darkening Sun he appeared from no-where? born out of that tense moment from nothing. Yet others say he was only a soldier who somehow was left behind after the demobilisation?
There were many such as that who never quite fitted in and didn?t go home after that earth shaking time, somehow they did not fit anymore?. I have even heard said that this one was actually the Great Nomad War God? Wang Hei himself? a spirit wandering in search of his lost sheep? and in his wake people become greatly empowered and conflict ensues? great change?
But this Wanderer was so quiet and thoughtful, so unassuming, how could this have been him?
-----------------------------------------------------------
III.
Let me tell you a little of what Wanderer was like and if you like a riddle perk up and pay heed.
He had bright fiery eyes that seem to glow. Some say he could see through walls and knew what was going to happen before it did! He certainly seemed to penetrate you with those eyes!
But there was an ?underneath? to this one? very strong and still? like a mountain? enduring, nothing could wear this one down quickly.
And like a mountain there was a sense that this one was a gateway to the other side and knew of the dark places where the spirits and ghosts dwell. Wanderer was mysterious!
He did not argue even when people wrong him? he merely walked away.
He visited our Shaman once. They talked quietly for a whole day and a night.
The Wanderer had seemingly slipped away in the grey dawn? unseen grey in grey.
We asked the Shaman about him and the Shaman had just smiled and stayed silent, before burning some incense and going into a trance for the rest of the 10 day week!
Some say he had been to the Barbarian Western borders?He must have learned much from his travels! Those wild borders are so dangerous? event the Emperor?s patrols suffer great losses and they are heavily armed ? there must have been a connection to some great spirit in this grey one. It made me uncomfortable.
They called him Wanderer but he seemed to walk with a strong purpose? This one was an enigma and I think that only Wanderer knew the answer to this riddle, the purpose of his being and what he sought.
-----------------------------------------------------------
IV.
In the Inn one night Old Hsiao Kuo, the Merchant, was telling the gossip from his travels. He?s 62! and knows an awful lot.
Actually he?s a bit of a smuggler? he keeps a fairly low profile and slips past the check points?But they loose a few arrows off in his direction from time to time! ?But they?ve not caught me yet!? He said, rubbing a bump on the back of his head.
Anyway a few of us bought some jugs of wine and we all settled down to hear his tales and then to ask him questions about what was going here and there.
He was telling us how the shoe maker of Chia Jen had been getting a terrible time from his wife. He said that she never let him go out, cooked food only when she felt like it; argued with him endlessly; and then, when he was really mad, she just laughed in his face! More, the children joined in laughing too! Such loss of face is unbelievable!? It got so bad the Local Judge had to come and sort it out.
We all shuddered and wondered which of us might get a tongue lashing if we stayed out too late tonight. Young Meng is sure to be told off by his master, yet again? but he does ask the most stupid questions even when he has already been told! He is sure to get the aloof treatment at least. He?ll learn? one day.
Actually the Children have a little joke at his great expense, ?What is the sound of one hand clapping?? They cry after the young monk in the street. Then they shout, ?Meng slapping his own head? Then they all shout, Doh! Doh! Doh! As they run away. Meng does not like it at all but he can never catch them.
Hsiao Kuo continued to tell us how he managed to get the last lot of wine past the Emperor?s Tax Man? It was dawn and he was taking it over the moors? He said ?moving quietly like Wanderer? ?
Well that was it! We told him what had happened with the Shaman last year and we wanted to know all he could tell of this ones travels.
He said he actually knew of Wanderers travel up in the Wild Western Borders!
Can you believe it Hsiao Kuo had been there too? many years ago he said with a wink.
Here is the tale he told.
--------------------------------------------------------
V.
?Whatever had happened to Wanderer no-one really knows? but it must be to do with the Darkening of the Sun and it must have changed him and caused him to split off from others? He started to travel and soon ended up in the wild border region. Many strange things happen there and who can understand them!
One night he had arrived at an Inn? Wherever he had been it had made him very tired and dirty? After he had finished his supper a young monk approached and they talked for many hours by the fire? No-one could hear what was said but the young monk was clearly impressed and he announced that he was going to travel with Wanderer on the journey. Wanderer said nothing but seemed pleased.
But that night there was trouble. They continued to talk and something must have been said. The next thing anyone knew was that Wanderer jumped to his feet and started shouting at the young monk? I have never seen such a terrible rage! He threw things around and knocked over a table, the lamp fell to the floor and broke? burning oil everywhere.
The Inn was burned to the ground and the young helpful monk ran off screaming. I had to sleep in the stable, me, in a stable! I hope there was no resting place for him that night too!
Well, some weeks later in the Garrison town I saw Wanderer again. Amazing? He was dressed in fine clothes and was carrying a symbolic axe of authority. It turns out that the Emperors local senior official needed a man of Wanderers learning and ability and he had assigned Wanderer to an high office.
Well this wandering one did not look happy! In fact you have never seen such a fortunate one look so glum. The thing was he just did not fit in there. Though he did his work well and was respected, it was somehow wrong for him.
Then one day there was mayhem as the Senior Officials men sought high and low for the Grey One? Wanderer had slipped away in the night without a word to anyone. He was an odd one that wanderer? unsettled, always moving around like he was looking for something.
Weeks later I was trying to sell some silk to a great Shaman and Mystic up in the high Northeastern mountains. Ohh, (he shiverred) those weird mountains dividing Earth from the Demon lands.
Well blow me, there was Wanderer.
How did he get there?!
Some say he shot a pheasant with one arrow as a gift of introduction to the Shaman. 'Even this great shaman would be pleased, and impressed at such a thing.' They said.
It did not ring true to me? What would a Great Shaman want with a dead bird shot with one arrow? it might have made a good introduction to the local hunters over a flask of wine in the inn? but no I thinki the Shaman would think him a little odd turning up with that.
Though it is traditional for merchants to give gifts on ariving at great houses... I do that all the time. I have even known a warrior Marshall give tea as an introduction... Brilliant tactition that one and a Demon's fury when he get's going... Looses a lot of men in wild forays though... and he said he took tea indeed... people are complicated and odd things happen. But the Grey one is no merchant and no Marshall either!
So I asked around a bit? Got a Monk a little rather drunk and found that this was just a story put about to keep the truth secret!
We all know how secretive Shamans are! Always talking about one thing when they really mean another? pah! They make my head spin!
It turns out that Wanderer, with one single brilliant thought, had captured a knowing of a secret understanding? a bright enlightening secret? Shaman stuff! It was this that had connected him so firmly to the Great One!
I never did get that Shaman to buy any silk ? he threw me out and said it was shabby and dull! What do Shamans know anyway! They got the harvest sacrifice wrong last year and then when it was bad they muttered some incantation about the ?Awaited time when they would conjure up the birth of Science?? Another Demon which I am sure will do little good! They can never control them and havoc always follows the good they do... I wish they would be more cautious.
Things didn?t end there though, oh, no. If that Wanderer had just kept to the middle of the way and enjoyed the great blessings the Shaman had bestowed on him, well then he would have been set up for life? and probably for the time afterward too, I don?t doubt.
He was even given a Mandate too you know. A special purpose and the power to ?do and be? with it? Can you imagine what you could do with such a gift? Fantastic.
But Oh, yes this one blew it! Burning Inns and scaring away helpers were now small fry to him. Indeed!
Apparently the Grey one overreached himself? became cocky and powerful. One day in some great shamanistic ritual the Grey one was throwing fire everywhere like some great Demon? He was laughing out loud at the terrible forces he wielded and he burned the whole temple to the ground! Living quarters as well? the young monks ran about twittering like singed chickens. What a sight!
Apparently the Grey one just stood there in shock... with tears running down his cheeks... They say he really lost it, but he was not a bad man. He did the only thing he could do... again he melded into the grey dawn and was gone.
Well I continued on my travels, buying and selling and as is the way of it I got more news as I went along.
It was said that Wanderer was no longer wandering but had set up home somewhere as a Confucian advisor and was taking great care to keep matters carefully measured and in their right place. Him! Mr Arson himself!
Apparently the local Prince of Chieh had found that such good order as he brought with his careful and measured ways, was helping the whole fiefdom to ?tick along like a clock.'..."
--------------------------------------------------------
Time to go home I thought... Probably in trouble with the wife anyway now...
Well I suppose such things as can happen high in the North Eastern mountains can change someone a lot? but that much?
As I walked home I realised that we would not see Wanderer again? That time had finished... Was I sad? I think so. Having a 'Wanderer arround makes things a little more intresting. Maybe if another like that comes along I will buy a flask of wine to share and ask a few questions about their travels... Such a one has travelled far and learned much? must have been very interesting, but very difficult?
Maybe they will tell me how to get rich... Now that is important. I resolved there and then that I would buy such a one wine... hmmm, yes... Rich is good.
And what was it that Hsiao Kuo had said at the end?
Friendly Demon! What in earths name is 'Clock'!
I bet it?s some get rich quick gimmic that damned merchant Hsiao Kuo is going to try to get us to buy at the Harvest Ritual? He?s always after making money!
When the Emporer 'Gave the Calendar' I think he missed that old rogue of an uncivilized pig... Clocks! - He has no sense of the season!
--------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1 - See the roots of the word weird A Saxon word encompassing the idea of ?word? and something supernatural? try saying it with a Germanic accent on a dark windy night in a wood and you get the idea http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/happy.gif
Thanks to informants and inspirers:
Stephen Marshall, ?The Mandate of Heaven? Colombia Univ. Press 1983
Stephen Karcher, ?Total I Ching? Time Warner 2003
-----------------------------------------------------------
I.
Long ago in a country not yet called China was a grey wandering figure who people often shunned. They called him Wanderer.
They could see Wanderer was not a tramp, but this one had no obvious family and somehow did not seem to fit in with normal important things like making money and raising a strong family.
What was worse he would sometimes say or do something small and all hell would come loose!
The Wanderer ?changed? situations and people with little words and deeds. Even worse those people often prosperred in some odd way afterwards! It is most definitely not right, not right at all.
?We don?t want change we want stability and predictability! We want a big harvest every year and more fat babies, good obedient wives and no bad neighbours.? They would shout this as they drove him from the village.
Actually what most wanted was their neighbour?s wealth (or their wives or husbands) and no wars or damnable Wanderers who interrupted their plans of how to get it. New ideas and understandings... hah!
So many, but not all, shunned the Wanderer as he passed through their villages.
What few knew was how Wanderer got to be this strange and exotic figure.
--------------------------------------------------------
II.
In the terrible year of Hx55 there had been a great war - a revolution! The first ever revolution known. The horrible tyrant Shang was overthrown by the Great King Wu son of of Noble Wise Wen who had planned it all.
That was a ?weird?1 time? unusual things? scary things. Wu?s revolutionary army was encamped on the Feng river ford. He had sent envoys ahead to tell people not to fight and that he was coming to fulfil the dynasty not to destroy it. Now theres political manoeuvring for you!
They explained how the Mandate to rule which is given by the Jade Emperor in heaven could actually be withdrawn by him as well! This was such a new idea the scribes had invented the Word, Ko ? Revolution? and we do not like new words either!
But the great Wise Wen died? and his son Lord Wu went into the mourning hut for the start of his ?more than two years mourning in isolation?? Well that was right and proper but it was the last thing that was!
We had no warning ? It was a fine mid-day all was peaceful.. and, Ming me! The sun was attacked by the Black Crow who covered it and made it dark. We could see the stars at mid-day! People shot arrows at it and we all banged our pots to scare it away? If it had eaten the sun it would have been dark for ever! We were all terrified.
Later the wise ones explained that this was the sign of the Jade Emperor giving the Mandate to Rule to another one! Every thing went topsy-turvy.., and a war about to start? it was a frightening time.
But more happens than is known at times like this... other things get changed too.
King Wu didn?t even stay in the mourning hut!!! He said the Mandate was his and he was going to go and liberate his throne.
We saw them march through the village? a terrible sight? leading the way were the drummers? their drums smeared with blood as they pounded the dull march beat? behind them was a strong carriage heavily guarded with the best Noble Warriors? In it was the Wise Noble Wen?s body? They hadn?t even buried him! Here was his spirit leading the dreadful march against the evil tyrant Shang.
Well, after the great battle and much feasting the great tide of warriors and tents dissipated from the plain? like a sea withdrawing? Some say that there was just one grey figure left behind and this one stood there pondering for many days. Others say that in that terrible moment of the darkening Sun he appeared from no-where? born out of that tense moment from nothing. Yet others say he was only a soldier who somehow was left behind after the demobilisation?
There were many such as that who never quite fitted in and didn?t go home after that earth shaking time, somehow they did not fit anymore?. I have even heard said that this one was actually the Great Nomad War God? Wang Hei himself? a spirit wandering in search of his lost sheep? and in his wake people become greatly empowered and conflict ensues? great change?
But this Wanderer was so quiet and thoughtful, so unassuming, how could this have been him?
-----------------------------------------------------------
III.
Let me tell you a little of what Wanderer was like and if you like a riddle perk up and pay heed.
He had bright fiery eyes that seem to glow. Some say he could see through walls and knew what was going to happen before it did! He certainly seemed to penetrate you with those eyes!
But there was an ?underneath? to this one? very strong and still? like a mountain? enduring, nothing could wear this one down quickly.
And like a mountain there was a sense that this one was a gateway to the other side and knew of the dark places where the spirits and ghosts dwell. Wanderer was mysterious!
He did not argue even when people wrong him? he merely walked away.
He visited our Shaman once. They talked quietly for a whole day and a night.
The Wanderer had seemingly slipped away in the grey dawn? unseen grey in grey.
We asked the Shaman about him and the Shaman had just smiled and stayed silent, before burning some incense and going into a trance for the rest of the 10 day week!
Some say he had been to the Barbarian Western borders?He must have learned much from his travels! Those wild borders are so dangerous? event the Emperor?s patrols suffer great losses and they are heavily armed ? there must have been a connection to some great spirit in this grey one. It made me uncomfortable.
They called him Wanderer but he seemed to walk with a strong purpose? This one was an enigma and I think that only Wanderer knew the answer to this riddle, the purpose of his being and what he sought.
-----------------------------------------------------------
IV.
In the Inn one night Old Hsiao Kuo, the Merchant, was telling the gossip from his travels. He?s 62! and knows an awful lot.
Actually he?s a bit of a smuggler? he keeps a fairly low profile and slips past the check points?But they loose a few arrows off in his direction from time to time! ?But they?ve not caught me yet!? He said, rubbing a bump on the back of his head.
Anyway a few of us bought some jugs of wine and we all settled down to hear his tales and then to ask him questions about what was going here and there.
He was telling us how the shoe maker of Chia Jen had been getting a terrible time from his wife. He said that she never let him go out, cooked food only when she felt like it; argued with him endlessly; and then, when he was really mad, she just laughed in his face! More, the children joined in laughing too! Such loss of face is unbelievable!? It got so bad the Local Judge had to come and sort it out.
We all shuddered and wondered which of us might get a tongue lashing if we stayed out too late tonight. Young Meng is sure to be told off by his master, yet again? but he does ask the most stupid questions even when he has already been told! He is sure to get the aloof treatment at least. He?ll learn? one day.
Actually the Children have a little joke at his great expense, ?What is the sound of one hand clapping?? They cry after the young monk in the street. Then they shout, ?Meng slapping his own head? Then they all shout, Doh! Doh! Doh! As they run away. Meng does not like it at all but he can never catch them.
Hsiao Kuo continued to tell us how he managed to get the last lot of wine past the Emperor?s Tax Man? It was dawn and he was taking it over the moors? He said ?moving quietly like Wanderer? ?
Well that was it! We told him what had happened with the Shaman last year and we wanted to know all he could tell of this ones travels.
He said he actually knew of Wanderers travel up in the Wild Western Borders!
Can you believe it Hsiao Kuo had been there too? many years ago he said with a wink.
Here is the tale he told.
--------------------------------------------------------
V.
?Whatever had happened to Wanderer no-one really knows? but it must be to do with the Darkening of the Sun and it must have changed him and caused him to split off from others? He started to travel and soon ended up in the wild border region. Many strange things happen there and who can understand them!
One night he had arrived at an Inn? Wherever he had been it had made him very tired and dirty? After he had finished his supper a young monk approached and they talked for many hours by the fire? No-one could hear what was said but the young monk was clearly impressed and he announced that he was going to travel with Wanderer on the journey. Wanderer said nothing but seemed pleased.
But that night there was trouble. They continued to talk and something must have been said. The next thing anyone knew was that Wanderer jumped to his feet and started shouting at the young monk? I have never seen such a terrible rage! He threw things around and knocked over a table, the lamp fell to the floor and broke? burning oil everywhere.
The Inn was burned to the ground and the young helpful monk ran off screaming. I had to sleep in the stable, me, in a stable! I hope there was no resting place for him that night too!
Well, some weeks later in the Garrison town I saw Wanderer again. Amazing? He was dressed in fine clothes and was carrying a symbolic axe of authority. It turns out that the Emperors local senior official needed a man of Wanderers learning and ability and he had assigned Wanderer to an high office.
Well this wandering one did not look happy! In fact you have never seen such a fortunate one look so glum. The thing was he just did not fit in there. Though he did his work well and was respected, it was somehow wrong for him.
Then one day there was mayhem as the Senior Officials men sought high and low for the Grey One? Wanderer had slipped away in the night without a word to anyone. He was an odd one that wanderer? unsettled, always moving around like he was looking for something.
Weeks later I was trying to sell some silk to a great Shaman and Mystic up in the high Northeastern mountains. Ohh, (he shiverred) those weird mountains dividing Earth from the Demon lands.
Well blow me, there was Wanderer.
How did he get there?!
Some say he shot a pheasant with one arrow as a gift of introduction to the Shaman. 'Even this great shaman would be pleased, and impressed at such a thing.' They said.
It did not ring true to me? What would a Great Shaman want with a dead bird shot with one arrow? it might have made a good introduction to the local hunters over a flask of wine in the inn? but no I thinki the Shaman would think him a little odd turning up with that.
Though it is traditional for merchants to give gifts on ariving at great houses... I do that all the time. I have even known a warrior Marshall give tea as an introduction... Brilliant tactition that one and a Demon's fury when he get's going... Looses a lot of men in wild forays though... and he said he took tea indeed... people are complicated and odd things happen. But the Grey one is no merchant and no Marshall either!
So I asked around a bit? Got a Monk a little rather drunk and found that this was just a story put about to keep the truth secret!
We all know how secretive Shamans are! Always talking about one thing when they really mean another? pah! They make my head spin!
It turns out that Wanderer, with one single brilliant thought, had captured a knowing of a secret understanding? a bright enlightening secret? Shaman stuff! It was this that had connected him so firmly to the Great One!
I never did get that Shaman to buy any silk ? he threw me out and said it was shabby and dull! What do Shamans know anyway! They got the harvest sacrifice wrong last year and then when it was bad they muttered some incantation about the ?Awaited time when they would conjure up the birth of Science?? Another Demon which I am sure will do little good! They can never control them and havoc always follows the good they do... I wish they would be more cautious.
Things didn?t end there though, oh, no. If that Wanderer had just kept to the middle of the way and enjoyed the great blessings the Shaman had bestowed on him, well then he would have been set up for life? and probably for the time afterward too, I don?t doubt.
He was even given a Mandate too you know. A special purpose and the power to ?do and be? with it? Can you imagine what you could do with such a gift? Fantastic.
But Oh, yes this one blew it! Burning Inns and scaring away helpers were now small fry to him. Indeed!
Apparently the Grey one overreached himself? became cocky and powerful. One day in some great shamanistic ritual the Grey one was throwing fire everywhere like some great Demon? He was laughing out loud at the terrible forces he wielded and he burned the whole temple to the ground! Living quarters as well? the young monks ran about twittering like singed chickens. What a sight!
Apparently the Grey one just stood there in shock... with tears running down his cheeks... They say he really lost it, but he was not a bad man. He did the only thing he could do... again he melded into the grey dawn and was gone.
Well I continued on my travels, buying and selling and as is the way of it I got more news as I went along.
It was said that Wanderer was no longer wandering but had set up home somewhere as a Confucian advisor and was taking great care to keep matters carefully measured and in their right place. Him! Mr Arson himself!
Apparently the local Prince of Chieh had found that such good order as he brought with his careful and measured ways, was helping the whole fiefdom to ?tick along like a clock.'..."
--------------------------------------------------------
Time to go home I thought... Probably in trouble with the wife anyway now...
Well I suppose such things as can happen high in the North Eastern mountains can change someone a lot? but that much?
As I walked home I realised that we would not see Wanderer again? That time had finished... Was I sad? I think so. Having a 'Wanderer arround makes things a little more intresting. Maybe if another like that comes along I will buy a flask of wine to share and ask a few questions about their travels... Such a one has travelled far and learned much? must have been very interesting, but very difficult?
Maybe they will tell me how to get rich... Now that is important. I resolved there and then that I would buy such a one wine... hmmm, yes... Rich is good.
And what was it that Hsiao Kuo had said at the end?
Friendly Demon! What in earths name is 'Clock'!
I bet it?s some get rich quick gimmic that damned merchant Hsiao Kuo is going to try to get us to buy at the Harvest Ritual? He?s always after making money!
When the Emporer 'Gave the Calendar' I think he missed that old rogue of an uncivilized pig... Clocks! - He has no sense of the season!
--------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1 - See the roots of the word weird A Saxon word encompassing the idea of ?word? and something supernatural? try saying it with a Germanic accent on a dark windy night in a wood and you get the idea http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/happy.gif
Thanks to informants and inspirers:
Stephen Marshall, ?The Mandate of Heaven? Colombia Univ. Press 1983
Stephen Karcher, ?Total I Ching? Time Warner 2003