3 to 2, 5 to 11

[tess]

Someone has recently gotten in contact with me after a long silence and I'm not sure how to respond so I asked the I Ching "What is the proper course of action to take in response to this person's message?" The answer was 3.1.5 to 2.

Line 1 of hexagram 3 talks about finding help so I asked "Who/what will be a helper to me in my situation with this person?" I got 5.5 to 11.

I'm thinking there's more to it than getting drunk but I'm having trouble getting past the food references in this line.

 

[Trojina]

Someone has recently gotten in contact with me after a long silence and I'm not sure how to respond so I asked the I Ching "What is the proper course of action to take in response to this person's message?" The answer was 3.1.5 to 2.

Line 1 of hexagram 3 talks about finding help so I asked "Who/what will be a helper to me in my situation with this person?" I got 5.5 to 11.

I'm thinking there's more to it than getting drunk but I'm having trouble getting past the food references in this line.

With regard to your first question my impression is theres no great moves to be made here. I think hex 2 here signifies the response itself..it is the question, your response is following the lead of the person initiating contact...but as regards how to respond hex 3 shows its pretty hard for you to know, its like theres no goalposts, no clear idea of whats expected. 3.1 shows it actually feels quite difficult for you to respond because its all a bit confusing so it might be an idea to talk it through with other friends and as you are doing here. 3.5 brings little benefits, nothing outstanding, in communicatin i guess that would be pleasantries exchanged etc rather than deep connection. Going back to hex 2 theres the idea of response, of you following this persons lead, and the 3.1.5 makes me think your best option is to keep things fairly open, not expecting much, possibly responding at the same pitch as the persons initial communication ? I'm also wondering if there as aspect of helping perhaps expected by this person or if thats why they contacted you, sometimes the Yi addresses a question you haven't directly asks that is more pertinent.

Re 5.5 asking who to help you...well it seems the people you like to hang out and eat and drink with...or very often this line simply means 'chill the solutions will come in time, meanwhile get drunk '

 

[alev]

Hi Tess,

I read your reading as 3.1 is showing you your hesitation in responding to the message and seems to be advising you to not act arrogant for whatever reason. I guess the message is to not be awful to this person, just be kind and humble.
3.5 is really interesting here because I wonder if it applies to you or the person who messaged you. It talks about someone being in a position where their good intentions are not seen and understood by others, other people misinterpret this person's actions and intentions. I think it could refer to the person who sent you the message, maybe you do not see they really have good intentions and mean well? Or maybe this person will take your response to the message the wrong way and you will be the one who is misunderstood. Either way, the line seems to caution against any forceful action.
I agree with Trojan on the resulting hex 2, being receptive to the person and following their lead
and also with 5.5 to 11...i couldn't agree more!