I have long term financial problems. I asked "what is my best approach to solving my financial problems?" I received hexagram 15 with changing lines 3 and 6 moving to 23.

Line 15.3 says that you need to devote yourself to working, anything that pays you money and remember that no job is beneath you if you wish to solve your financial problems.

Line 15.6 is about self discipline, because if you can't control your own money then how are you going to solve your financial issues? So, thrift begins at home with you, so you now need to watch your expenditure real closely for waste and unnecessary spending.

Hex 23 suggests you will have to suffer for quite a while until you have yourself sorted out and back on the road to recovery.

As a first step towards finding new sources of income I was considering sending my resume to a temp agency called "Creative Circle". As a reading for this possibility I got hexagram 20.1 changing to 42. I guess that looks like it might be a waste of time. I feel that much of my financial crisis has been due to putting time, energy and money into projects that are not profitable in the end. I fear this may be one of those ideas.

15.3.6 > 23 Suggests to me that as you get your life stye more in tune with your finances you may find you do have to give some things up. Simplify > Give up unnecessary expenses. Like Alice in Wonderland, when you get small you find the next door.

Also 23 encourages broadening one's base and taking care of others. Shift your thinking from, "I'm stressed because this milk is overpriced," to "I'm glad I'm able to support this worthy grocery store

I don't think 20.1 > 42 says anything negative about the employment agency, only that you need to look into it more to know which jobs would be good and which not.

Best wishes,
rosada

Taking the question a step further I asked, "would the oracle advise me to file for bankruptcy as a way to solve my financial problems?" I recieved hexagram 21 with changing lines 4 and 5 resulting in hexagram 42 (again). thanks for any and all insight.

Good Plan

Dana: It looks like your best plan so far, filing for bankruptcy.

The Thomas McCleary translation says of fifth line moving in H21: "The attainment of the Middle Way, the path of balance in the center. . . . The fifth is in a strong position, and the fourth assists with strength. This is finding yellow gold."

H21 is the hexagram about taking legal action. At first it will seem like you're not getting anywhere. You'll need to be persistent. At first the situation will look more gloomy than it actually is. But everything will become easier as you go along. Remember to be careful and all will go well.

Regarding your previous hexagrams, I think the ones around H20 mean that what you were thinking about was unrealistic. I think the ones around H15 meant that you needed to change your ideas and speak with other people before beginning anything new.

#15.6 says to focus on a plan and gather your forces around that plan. Filing for bankruptcy will be a way you can conserve your assets and other resources. Good luck with it, Dana

I think 23 would qualify as symbolizing bankruptcy.
r.

danadanadana said:

Taking the question a step further I asked, "would the oracle advise me to file for bankruptcy as a way to solve my financial problems?" I received hexagram 21 with changing lines 4 and 5 resulting in hexagram 42

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Not a good plan at all!

Filing for bankruptcy is considered the easy way out but the lines are suggesting that you stay and fight.
Line 21.4 says do not deviate from the correct path that you must take in order to sort out your financial woes, to just keep persevering no matter how tough it is, then you will succeed in the end.

Line 21.5 says that it is your responsibility to do the right thing here and therefore becareful not to make a mistake now that will have repercussions in the years to come.

Hex 42 examine your spending habits as they need to be changed., and by declaring bankruptcy, you only benefit yourself and Hex 42 is about the benefit that you can provide to others.

I see a big difference in the interpretations for this reading! Now I am becoming evermore confused.

Some reasons for my current financial crisis: I have not been paid by clients, I have been through a recent divorce, bankruptcy may help me to force these people (ex-partners) to settle financial dealings with me. I see that there are a lot of references to legal matters in hexagram 21.

I have never seen myself as the type of person who would declare bankruptcy before now.

danadanadana said:

Some reasons for my current financial crisis: I have not been paid by clients, I have been through a recent divorce, bankruptcy may help me to force these people (ex-partners) to settle financial dealings with me. I see that there are a lot of references to legal matters in hexagram 21.

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You are quite right about legal matters and Hex 21 but also taking these non paying clients and others to court could also serve to get your money, plus expenses.

Yes, going to court one way or another does seem the way out for Dana. She needs to talk all this over with someone knowledgeable about such matters. Maybe her accountant, the numbers cruncher. Maybe a lawyer. How much could be recouped if all the deadbeats pay up? Would it be enough to pay the outstanding bills and keep the business afloat?

Lines 4 and 5 moving in hex 21 both refer to "steadfastness," keeping at it. At first it will seem difficult, but this will get easier later.

It's hard for us, the diviners here at Clarity, to hit the nail right on its head, Dana, because we don't actually know you or your business. You would do well to consult someone about the law as it pertains to your situation. Seeking legal remedies does seem to be indicated for you.

This reading has been extremely helpful to me already. I have found some direction out of dark confusion. I appreciate the different styles of the readers here. Willow Fox made me think hard about my attitudes towards bankruptcy. Just realizing that I need professional financial and legal help is a big step forward. Thanks for all your helpful comments.

rosada said:

I think 23 would qualify as symbolizing bankruptcy.
r.

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Or it could qualify as meaning that she has reached the limit of what she can do all alone.

She really needs to link up with other people who can help her. Along the lines we were discussing on another thread the other day, Rosada . . . about the deeper meaning of H23. There are indications in these hexagrams that she needs to allow herself to be led, rather than thinking she has to initiate every action alone. Also, it might be helpful for DanaDana to realize when to do something and when to do nothing; that is, make time to just talk with the people who know about these things and gather more info.

Her first answer says yes she needs to do this and that, but Hex 23 suggests that for the moment her luck is not so hot and therefore it is more a stationary period while she works out what she should do and then thinks how to carry it out. So, she isn't going to get the money just yet as this spell of bad luck needs to break, but rest assured that it will.
So, now is a time of preparation for the battle ahead.

First Question: How should I approach financial problems - Hex 15 to Hex 23
The overall context of Hex 15 is telling you to be modest in your thoughts and assumptions - don't project ideas and outcomes by negative thinking that might not happen - to assume the role of the Tao is immodest. Line 3 is telling you that a modest person follows the Tao without preconceived ideas as it unfolds events (the line resultant for this is Hex 2 K'un - devoted following, flexibility). Line 6 is telling you to impose self-discipline in keeping your thoughts and emotions under control (Line resultant - Hex 52 Ken - Keeping Still) The overall resultant from your two moving lines - Hex 23 Peeling - is telling you to beware of allowing negative assumptions to erode your stability, to keep faith with the path of non-action.
Second Question - Filing for Bankruptcy - Hex 21 Shih Ho to Hex 42
The overall context of Hex 21 is that you have not penetrated to the true principles involved -your thinking direction is wrong and hence you are receiving a reprimand. Line 4 is telling you that the problem is a long-standing one and will require sustained and determined effort, but it will eventually be overcome (Line resultant - Hex 27 Corners of the Mouth - beware of how you nourish yourself with wrong assumptions - don't let your Magic Tortoise go!) Line 5 is telling you to take a balanced middle way through your present difficulties (Line resultant - Hex 25 Wu Wang - success is achieved with intuitive certainty) The overall resultant from both moving lines - Hex 42 I - is telling you that your overall position in the Tao is one of Increase - events will unfold to help.
Third Question - job agency - Hex 20 Kuan to Hex 42
The overall context of Hex 20 Kuan is telling you to re-assess your perspective/attitude. Line 1 is telling you that you that you are looking only at the superficial, short-term appearance of the situation - the resultant Hex 42 is again telling you that your overall position is, in fact, one of increase. This is a 'protocol' answer; the I Ching is not addressing your question directly, rather it is addressing the more important issue of your perspective. Only by implication is it telling you that you don't need to pursue this course of action.
Peter2610

Firmer Measures

peter2610 said:

Second Question - Filing for Bankruptcy - Hex 21 Shih Ho to Hex 42
The overall context of Hex 21 is that you have not penetrated to the true principles involved -your thinking direction is wrong and hence you are receiving a reprimand. Line 4 is telling you that the problem is a long-standing one and will require sustained and determined effort, but it will eventually be overcome (Line resultant - Hex 27 Corners of the Mouth - beware of how you nourish yourself with wrong assumptions - don't let your Magic Tortoise go!) Line 5 is telling you to take a balanced middle way through your present difficulties (Line resultant - Hex 25 Wu Wang - success is achieved with intuitive certainty) The overall resultant from both moving lines - Hex 42 I - is telling you that your overall position in the Tao is one of Increase - events will unfold to help.
Peter2610

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The H42 could be saying that her overall position in the Tao is one of increase -- or it could be saying that that is her wish, her goal. As a diviner, I get more accurate results seeing the second hexagram as indicating her relationship to her own question, not the outcome or sure result.

Surely as a diviner you have gotten a second hexagram that never turned into a result? The second hexagram can even be the context, or the reason the question is being asked. She desires to be benefited, aided.

H21 is the picture of an open mouth, like H27, but something is stuck between the upper jaw and the lower jaw so that the mouth cannot close. Whatever this obstacle is must be bitten through decisively. The basic message of H21, therefore, is Biting Through whatever (or whomever) is causing the problem. In this case, with lines 4 and 5 moving, I have no reason to think that DanaDana is being reprimanded.

That is why people sometimes have to take their issues through the courts: because some people just won't listen unless they are taken to court. In other words, a certain amount of firmness is necessary in her situation. She may need to rely on the long arm of the law to help her get what is due to her from some of these nonpaying clients of hers, for example.

Alternatively, she might have to take firmer measures to let her creditors know that she expects to be paid. For example, she can take her largest creditor out to lunch, look him right in the eye, and tell him about her own expenses. So when does he plan to pay what he owes her company? Would he like to draw up a payment agreement? These could be the dishes she serves him for dessert!

Line 4 moving says she acquires the bronze arrow. That's like coming upon buried treasure. This is a very good thing, not a reprimand or punishment. This is the best thing that can happen in H21. The upper jaw and the lower jaw re-connect. In other words, she regains the ability to earn her livelihood (H27).

Also, line 5 moving says she acquires bronze and gold. That is like coming upon riches; wealth, in other words.

Should I file for bankruptcy?

No! But you ginnie were the one that recommended she take declare bankruptcy it was me who said no way.

Bankruptcy is the standard way to protect one's assets and nobody wants the wolf devouring all that they have accumulated over their years of hard work.

It's true that the credit rating may suffer for a fixed number of years when one declares bankruptcy, but one walks away with one's accumulated assets intact.

People used to feel ashamed of taking this route. But as we know, so many have done this, and does anybody really feel ashamed of declaring bankruptcy anymore? It is one way the law can protect a person who is in financial trouble. I wouldn't rule it out. I would look into it further.

DanaDana needs to consult with people who know her and her business, which I do not. When she gets the name of a person for example, she can ask the I Ching if this will be a good person to help her. She can use the I Ching every step of the way. The I Ching can be her constant guide and companion, but she also needs a financial or legal advisor at this point.