"Xi'an" and Yi's answer: 10.6 to 58

[Hutchi]

I'm considering a move to Xi'an and received lake over lake! Very auspicous... where is the lesson though. I hear Xi'an can be a challenging place to live for a nature lover like myself... like any modern city... but that it's culturally off the charts.

 

[Liselle]

It might help people interpret better if you tell us exactly what your question was (or if your question was something like, "Xi'an?" - just presenting it to Yi for comment - what was mostly in your mind when you cast).

For instance there's a difference between "What would it be like for me if I move there?" and "Advice for moving there?" The former is asking for a description; the latter could be more like you're asking Yi how to move there successfully.

 

[my_key]

I'm considering a move to Xi'an and received lake over lake! Very auspicous... where is the lesson though. I hear Xi'an can be a challenging place to live for a nature lover like myself... like any modern city... but that it's culturally off the charts.

One good place to look for the 'lesson' in any consultation is within the Image. Measuring the approach you are holding with that advocated for the junzi can be enlightening. Another possibility for a 'lesson' is held within the embrace of the nuclear hexagram (Hex 37). Yet another hiding place for a 'lesson' is in the changing lines. 10.6 speaks to the sage within you and calls for reflection of your past steps or how previous activity relates to current.

There is certainly ample opportunity in this reading for the learning of an auspicious lesson, should you desire to go in search of it.

Good Luck

 

[Hutchi]

It might help people interpret better if you tell us exactly what your question was (or if your question was something like, "Xi'an?" - just presenting it to Yi for comment - what was mostly in your mind when you cast).

For instance there's a difference between "What would it be like for me if I move there?" and "Advice for moving there?" The former is asking for a description; the latter could be more like you're asking Yi how to move there successfully.

Mostly I want to learn something about the place. So it was sort of open ended?

 

[Liselle]

Then it might mean it will be like following closely behind a tiger. Something powerful that you hope to draw inspiration from, and possibly protection. Nothing dares attack a tiger, so if you're near one, nothing will attack you, either.

But you do have to stay safe from the tiger. Tigers are scary. If you step on it's tail, you're likely to get killed. You need skill to stay close to a tiger without annoying it.

10.6 in practice often seems to mean something like, "If it works, it works." I've seen it when someone proposes to do something risky, and seems heedless of why it might not be a good idea. But - I guess - they have enough experience to figure it'll be okay.

It also literally talks about ancestors and footprints, a track record. Do you have family or other ties to that area? Have you been there before?

 

[Hutchi]

One good place to look for the 'lesson' in any consultation is within the Image. Measuring the approach you are holding with that advocated for the junzi can be enlightening. Another possibility for a 'lesson' is held within the embrace of the nuclear hexagram (Hex 37). Yet another hiding place for a 'lesson' is in the changing lines. 10.6 speaks to the sage within you and calls for reflection of your past steps or how previous activity relates to current.

There is certainly ample opportunity in this reading for the learning of an auspicious lesson, should you desire to go in search of it.

Good Luck

Wow... the nuclear hexagram is a revelation in this context. Thanks for that. I've yet to get into reading the nuclear hexagrams... this was the first time I've done that. Hilary's essay on Hex 37 is beautiful...

 

[Hutchi]

Brilliant interpretation Liselle and helpful indeed, it really rings true. Thank you

 

[Liselle]

Well...you do have to figure out what the tiger and the risk might be, and then scale it appropriately. You won't be literally killed and eaten. (We hope.) It's just the reading's not quite a wholehearted, unreserved endorsement.

However the 10.6 examples I'm personally familiar with have turned out okay, at least as far as I know. I've been the outside observer in them - I've been the one raising my eyebrow and thinking, "You're doing what? You can't do that, there are rules!" But it seems the person knew enough about it - about the metaphorical tiger and its behavior - to figure it'd be okay.

 

[Hutchi]

Thanks Liselle for further explanation. I've since signed a three year contract in Xi'an. It is indeed a risk - the reward depends on my ability to finish out the three years, something I've struggled to do over the years. The last time I kept a job for this long was from 2007 to 2011. My employer has made it clear that not only will I forfeit aspects of our agreement if I bail, but that they won't give me a reference. Furthermore there are obvious risks with travelling at the present time of uncertainty in the world. I do have a connection to Xi'an through cousins who lived there for six years and I've worked in China before (Beijing), on that occasion, my time there was cut short by the pandemic.