3 to 24 & 63 via Yarrow Stalks

[battyboy12]

I recently have done a few I Ching readings in the last couple of months. I used the Yarrow Stalk method. I wanted to ask about two of them on how I can interpret the readings.

As a science student, I am constantly trying to come up with theories related to my field. I recently read an email from a professor concerning one such theory of mine {which involved demography, history and statistics/probability theory}. He agreed with my theory and said it was valid. To double check myself, I consulted the I Ching, which I cast via yarrow stalks {by the by, I just learned how to do this method last month!}.

The original hexagram I got was 3 {Zhun/ Difficulty at the beginning} with one changing line on the 5th line turning it into 24 {Fu, Turning Back}. I read the Yao text stating the "beginning of one's abundance" and the commentary saying "One's Brilliance is not yet recognized". Does anyone know what this could mean? I have been pondering this theory of mine in my studies for years.

The other reading I have done occurred much earlier than the one above, before I contacted the professor. I asked the I Ching, "How correct am I assuming my Theory {I stated the exact situation, but I won't bore you} is true?" It was one of the first Yarrow Stalk divinations I performed. I got only one hexagram, no moving lines. The hexagram was 63 {Ji Ji, Completion}. I took it as a sign that my theory was likely correct and in harmony with the universe, but, I DID grow restless- feeling uncertain later on {this hexagram warns it begins auspiciously and ends in disorder}. What does anyone here think in regards to my situation? Should I have had faith in my theory from the start?

 

[rosada]

I read these hexagrams as meaning you are on to something but your theory may evolve or need to be tweeked a bit. Hexagram 3.5 describes situations that are not resolved with one definitive move. Consider that Hexagram 3 follows hex.1 the Initiator and hex 2. the Receiver. It's as if to say that when one tries to combine initiation with receptivity it leads to confusion - like everybody talking and nobody listening. So the lines of hex 3 describe how we negotiate the talking and the listening so as to bring order out of the confusion.
3.1 At the start of confusion a cry for help!
3.2 Too much help - someone tries to take over the whole project.
3.3 Not enough help - lost without guidance.
3.4 An advisor who can give help.
3.5 Just as an Initiator and a Receiver go back and forth, the learner and the advisor work together to resolve confusion not in one giant leap but through small steps tackling the issues one at a time.
3.6 One problem solved, two billion more to go. Auuugh.

I think it's interesting that you asked about a theory and hexagram 3 seems to be about solving problems theoretically, but it leads to hexagram 4. 1 where the Fool must eventually test his theories in the real world. Maybe you are being advised that your theory makes sense as far as it goes and now it's time to create some sort of real world test.

 

[battyboy12]

Call me crazy, but I think you're right on maybe that my theory is correct fundamentally but needs to be refined. I even considered this when I first got the hexagram/s. I did consult a computer scientist {and several other experts, mostly bio-statisticians} earlier on my theory and they said my idea holds true, within certain parameters- they all said the overall end result is positive but the exact percentage remains unknown as of now and can only be generalized with limited information. Any comments?