28.3.5 to 40

[rabbit]

For the past 3 years I have been feeling very stuck - both in work and romance. I feel the energy and need - and actively make moves - to change in order to move on from this stuckness but still it persists. I asked "how can I create more opportunities in my life?" and received 18.1.3 moving to 41. This I understood as the need for me to work to reduce long-standing problems - particularly in relation to my father? - and to try to stop repeating patterns. I then asked "what are the issues I need to work on?" and received 28.3.5 moving to 40. Perhaps something to do with being over-ambitious??? I'm pretty new to the iching and am flumoxed! Any help with the reading would be really appreciated! Thank you!

 

[maverickcc]

You have lack of fortune especially during last year. Hex 18 says that your stuck is because you are forced to do sth out of your own willings. To create more opportunities, you should not only think about the relations to your father, but also the one that constraint you.

Hex 28 says you have put too much pressure on yourself. You should put some non-important down and focus on the things you really care about.

For the past 3 years I have been feeling very stuck - both in work and romance. I feel the energy and need - and actively make moves - to change in order to move on from this stuckness but still it persists. I asked "how can I create more opportunities in my life?" and received 18.1.3 moving to 41. This I understood as the need for me to work to reduce long-standing problems - particularly in relation to my father? - and to try to stop repeating patterns. I then asked "what are the issues I need to work on?" and received 28.3.5 moving to 40. Perhaps something to do with being over-ambitious??? I'm pretty new to the iching and am flumoxed! Any help with the reading would be really appreciated! Thank you!

 

[jazzcat]

Hello Rabbit. I'm new here too, and so haven't as of yet given my thoughts on other people's questions because I believe the more senior members here are way more in tune and their answers more helpful. That being said, I'm starting to feel like a leech, just asking questions and accepting advice from those with more experience, so to break that feeling, I offer this humble opinion. It's the first time I've tried this on someone else's reading so take what I write with a large grain of salt, as I may be off the mark.

Among the questions you asked and the hexagrams and changing lines you received, I seemed to see a consistent appearance of being true to oneself. I'm basing this off of LiSe's site, by the way, which you should check out if you haven't already, as I've found it to be most helpful. http://www.yijing.nl/i_ching/

In 18, there is mention of ridding oneself of "alien influences embedded in one's soul". In your case, 18 lead to 41 which also talks about getting rid of conditioning in all its forms and daring to be your naked self. So - in answer to your first question, how can you create more opportunities in your life, perhaps what Yi is saying is "Stop trying to be someone you're not and stop living up to other people's expectations, rather, live up to your own and be who you are." Kinda like what Polonius said to Laertes "This above all else: to thine own self be true."

Your next question: "What are the issues I need to work on?" brought up 28, which talks about accepting where one is in life. Actually, more than accepting, embracing it. It gives old age as an example, but perhaps that can be extended to other things if old age is not a concern of yours. The changing line 3 says "If you believe you are weak, old or failing, then you will make it true." So, basically, what do you need to work on? Before you improve or change your situation, you have to start believing that you have it in you to do so. Stop thinking that you're doomed or stuck in a rut. Finally, 40 talks about being free from guilt, because guilt makes you do things that other people prescribe. See? Again, there's this thread of "Do what YOU want, not what others expect of you."

Anyhow, that's what I got from it. I've been getting a lot of hexagrams with similar sentiment, and I can tell you that for me, it is sage advice, because I work so hard to please others, I sometimes end up not being myself. If you're like me in that, then maybe this will speak to you.

Hope there is something of value in this.

Jazzy

 

[answeredquestions]

For the past 3 years I have been feeling very stuck - both in work and romance. I feel the energy and need - and actively make moves - to change in order to move on from this stuckness but still it persists. I asked "how can I create more opportunities in my life?" and received 18.1.3 moving to 41. This I understood as the need for me to work to reduce long-standing problems - particularly in relation to my father? - and to try to stop repeating patterns. I then asked "what are the issues I need to work on?" and received 28.3.5 moving to 40. Perhaps something to do with being over-ambitious??? I'm pretty new to the iching and am flumoxed! Any help with the reading would be really appreciated! Thank you!

Hi Rabbit - Welcome to the community...

18's character shows a bowl with worms in the bottom of it and the hexagram, if you commit to bettering yourself, is a way to help remove the worms. Hence Wilhelm's name for the hexagram is Work on What has been Spoiled.

41 is overall about giving an offering. Giving something up. Letting something go. Decreasing something you have as an offering. It is possibly even speaking of decreasing selfish desires. The hexagram is composed of Lake (Below) Mountain (Above). The mountain gives one strong line to the lake and the lake gives one weak line to the mountain above.

18.1 and .3 both speak of the father. This can be looked at literly, or it can be looked at as inheritance (do to 41), or it could be looked at as just ancestors, not just Fathers. The "Father" lines seem to state that something needs to be nipped in the bud, where the "Mother" line (that you did not receive), needs a more gentle emotional approach.

The overall feel that I get is simply you need to reduce something that is causing you to feel stuck. Remove it, or give something away. I am not sure if this something is an emotional or physical thing, if it is money, or if it is a job itself... but it is something maybe worth giving to someone else as an offering. That would be a way of clearing out the decay that is holding you back from opportunity.

On a side note: 18 for me has been sometimes mental. It is a way of thinking, about whatever I am casting about, that is currupt that is within me. It could help to really really look at your job and your romance and get to the bottom of the problems. First just figure out the problems. Then solve.

Make lists of the possibilities of the issues, then figure out which issues are the main issues. Do not skip out on the idea that the problem could be yourself. Usually lines 1, 2, and 3 are about yourself needing changes. Do not underestimate the power of your mind in the matter. And since 41 was to follow, maybe try and think about how giving or letting go might be connected to your issue.

It is hard to know without the background of your situation which only you know. I hope these ideas have helped. Please tell us how things are going.

 

[answeredquestions]

Here is some stuff regarding your 28.3.5>40 reading...

Hexagram 28 shows something with "too much" in the middle. This could mean, something in excess, To the point of harming the structure or it toppling over. The hexagram is sort of stress itself or a picture of carrying something too great. 28's overall idea is "too much". If you apply that to your other reading, I would say 41's getting rid of something combined with 28's "too much" shows a picture of your situation and possibly is pointing you towards what to do. (To get rid of what is in excess??)

I recently have been thinking of a specific senario when thinking of 28. A flood occurs and there is a lady standing in the water.. her stuff floating down the street/stream. All of the things that she possessed were washed away. They are not important. It is almost a relief. And also what is really important to her, her family, they are safe and were not harmed by the flood. Getting rid of, or stripping down.. it has it's benefits. It shows you what really matters. Her standing strong and looking around is also important. She is soaking in what is really important. She feels it.

So because you asked "what are the issues I need to work on?" - Maybe if you think, "what is in excess in my life?" - no matter how strange it is, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Maybe that is the issue that can be worked on. It could be anything. It could be thinking too much about something, or possibly built up emotions. It could be money or ANYTHING. Only you know what it is.

28.3 is a picture of, from Hilary's commentary,

Collapse under stress. Traditionally said to fall because of a lack of support.

Lack of support could be also symbolic or more meaningful that we think sometimes. Are your decisions being backed etc could be one way of looking at it.


28.5 is a fascinating line. It is a picture of an old tree, but despite it's age, it still produces flowers. It wears itself out because of this flowering (associated with beauty rather than productive growth). This line to me, it is a sort of devotion to the wrong thing. This is just my take! But it seems to be a final PUSH of energy towards making something beautiful occur without realizing that it is causing a very stressfull situation or at least not helping. It only worsens it. This line makes me want to cry and reach out to the individual that is trying so hard. It also makes me want to say, you don't have to put on that tux tonight, babe, let's just stay in.


40 is not too reveiling as far as WHAT to work on. The Yi has a way of making you figure things out for yourself sometimes ... but with all seriousness, 40 raises a question of whether or not to act.

Wilhelm:

DELIVERANCE. The southwest furthers.
If there is no longer anything where one has to go,
Return brings good fortune.
If there is still something where one has to go,
Hastening brings good fortune.

I like what LiSe says:

Freedom is to be innocent.
Guilt is the most massive prison wall there is. It makes you do, think and be what others prescribe.
If you think yourself something should be done, then do it. If not, then don’t – and don’t let anyone point at you and make a feeling of guilt in you. And never do that yourself. Making guilt is a crime against life.
Stay free and leave free.

Honestly, all of this simply makes me think that something needs to be released, hence deliverance, because there is excess and it is creating stress, hence 28.
Maybe someone passed away leaving you something. (Just vibes). Of maybe Yi is just saying you will need to release ... that is the issue that needs worked on. :bows:

I hope some of these images and ideas help out.

 

[rabbit]

Wow! Thank you so much maverickcc, jazzcat and (doubly) answeredquestions for your time, thoughts and generosity of spirit in helping to interpret my readings ! jazzcat - I feel specially honoured to be the recipient of your first (excellent - so clear, thoughtful and full) public reading. Maverickcc your suggestion that there might be a constraining relationship in my life made some sense and answeredquestions idea that I need to give something up (possibly my job) seems perhaps to tie in with this. I really enjoy my job and don't want to move on but financially have to and - reminded by jazzcat - know that the role's perhaps not really 'me' - a sense that on some level I'm not being true to myself by staying. Perhaps that's related to the excess, or strain and straining that answeredequestion referred to - also the idea that I'm trying to make something work that just won't ....But then...thinking of answeredquestions wonderful 28 scenario, this job allows me to the emotional and actual time enjoy the things that matter most to me....Lots to ponder on and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions but many, many thanks for now!

 

[answeredquestions]

Good luck Rabbit!

 

[rabbit]

Thank you answeredquestions!

 

[butterfly spider]

I have been thinking of guilt - like a rabbit on the table or a parrot on the shoulder. If I am guilty then let things collapse fall apart - like an earthquake. Strangely dreamt of being trapped in rubble on Friday might - oppressed and suffocated

In an oppressive situation one should actually do nothing - until the time is right. Feeling uncomfortable and guilty do not help in the letting go of situations and emotions that are not yours to carry.

Hex 28 to 40 a sums up my situation as described quite beautifully.
I think that the I Ching is so spot on here I asked how should I feel and got this casting

On another thread I quoted
Self hood is in the walking away love is in the letting go

Guilt - even unfounded does not help and creates an unstable tower. I saw a photo of a tower in Nepal with all the poor souls injured .....Trojina you mentioned guilt - and I feel like writimg down all the bad things I have done in my life. Being nasty to my autistic brother - stealing pick and mix from Woolworths lying to my friend about her husband finding £20 on the tube and keeping it. ...
I am guilty of being over enthusiastic - of making light of awful things and of not listening.
I am guilty of wanting my children to do well of getting cross when they failed and of not trying harder to understand how they really felt. I feel guilty at not being able to plaster deep wounds and make things better. I M guilty of having little patience and of wanting results ...

I think that guilt is something that we need to relinquish. Hex 28-40 ...
Carrying too much shopping carrying too much carrying too much guilt causes collapse

We are all only human and do what is best at the time and in the situation we find ourselves. Like the donkey and the salt we need to be careful of over burden of carrying too much

Xx


Xx

 

[Trojina]

Agreed. Guilt isn't useful to carry around...it's only useful initially for understanding.

Also bear in mind we cannot see all the hidden factors in why anything happens. Sometimes one might feel guilty when actually one is way over estimating one's role in how something turned out. Hexagram 15 is a reminder that it isn't all about us. I think we don't even fully know, can't know, the extent of our actions. Can't know how far they reach. So as you say we just have to do what we know how to do at the time.

Also time and culture very much shape what behaviours are even seen as right or wrong. Not so long ago it was considered perfectly okay to beat children any time one felt like it. Now it's swung the other way and one often may not even reprimand them without being disapproved of.

I've noticed this when I have had dreams/visions of living in other eras. When living in those other eras one takes on the collective mind set. If human sacrifice is considered okay by society then it is acceptable to the individual. We are always part of a larger history/culture etc etc.


Attitudes to parenting changes as often as attitudes to diet. It can be confusing.

Yi can be helpful with feelings like guilt. I think it can offer perspective. A few times when I've thought I'd not handled something well my answer would show a whole different angle on it..show factors I hadn't thought of.

You can always take your own feelings to Yi to find help with them.

 

[butterfly spider]

Thank you. I am guilty if not listening and also forging ahead with my own ideas.
I rarely cast about my feelings - but then I rarely look at feelings - I am more into action. My children said I never listened to what they were truly feeling ....

I have just cast 54 to 42 for how my feelings of guilt can have a positive effect in the present situation
Will ruminate on this

 

[Trojina]

Previous readings have shown you need to stop thinking in terms of what impact you can have on the situation. if indeed you are part of her problem then you need to stay out her way enough for her to work it out. Remember you had 53.6 in one reading.

So forget your impact on the situation, and start dealing with your own feelings. You can't deal with your own feelings via her and if you try to she hits you. The clearest way she has to say 'get out of my space' in her current condition.

So the question here is not about your feelings but how your feelings can have an impact ? Don't even seek to do that. Maybe you should have a counsellor or something to talk to about this ? I think you do need more than Yi in working through all these issues, I really do. it sounds like there are all sorts of things you have to come to terms with within yourself and your past, as well as how you cope with her condition. Helping yourself in the end is the best way to help her. Not to keep rushing down there, but to stop, reflect on what you are doing.

For fresh readings it is better to start your own thread as it can get confusing..People tend to see the first poster as still here when in fact they departed years ago

 

[butterfly spider]

The I Ching is a wonderful piece of artwork and mathematical calculation. What I like is that it is free open to anyone and useful. It does not judge or condemn and offers advise - it is open to interpretation and a certain amount of intuition. Counselling on the other hand has much to do with the individual counsellor - their interpretation their take in the situation. I work with many such people some good some mediocre and some
Just plain dreadful. Psychologists who think they know psychiatrists who themselves need sorting - all are experts - but like the interpretations on this site are just that

If you are lucky enough to be offered counselling on the NHS it would be for 6 sessions of 50 minutes. Fine but what then?

The I Ching has been very supportive to me for many years and since finding this site I have come to appreciate just how magnificent it is. Sadly the more I learn the less I know - rather like doing a Geography Masters - GCSE A level Undergrad Postgrad - until the extent of ones lack of knowledge becomes more obvious

Hex 28 and the original question and interpretation are possibly more useful toe right now than 5 sessions of counselling with an 8 month waiting list
Xx

 

[butterfly spider]

And of course your wonderful support Trojina
X

 

[Trojina]

You had 28.3 which shows not enough support. I don't think this forum can offer you enough support. There are support groups for families of people with bipolar http://www.bipolaruk.org.uk/self-help-group-map.html

You may have already gone there.....but I think you should go on seeking support. Google...keep looking