33.5 to 56

[River1980]

I asked what insights I ching could give me regarding work. I feel it's reflecting my thoughts back at me because I feel like I want retreat from work and take less work on. I feel like I want to do something else. any other interpretations are most welcome.

 

[Liselle]

33.5
"Friendly retreat.
Perseverance brings good fortune." (Wilhelm-Baynes)

This reading does seem encouraging about withdrawl, but since it's such a big step to take (are you talking about quitting your job?), maybe try not to conclude anything too quickly.

For one thing, you should probably make sure common sense agrees, or whether it agrees right now. The reading seems favorable in general, but it's not necessarily saying do it this instant. You'll still have to eat and pay bills while on this retreat or journey (the relating hexagram 56, Wandering). Make sure you'll be able to do that.

Also, it's tempting to get a favorable-sounding reading to a question like that and conclude only that, "The Yi said I should do this!" But, the reading might be addressing an aspect other than the simple decision of do it or don't do it. In this case, consider that it could be advising you on how to do it - telling you to make sure your retreat is "friendly" (Wilhelm). LiSe Heyboer uses the word "praised" there, Hilary translates it as "praiseworthy," and Bradford Hatcher uses the word "commendable."

Applying that to real life, it might mean to conduct your retreat so that you're leaving on friendly terms (don't burn any bridges), and in a way that's praiseworthy, such as tying up loose ends, making sure your work is in good shape, helping to train a replacement...whatever you can do so that your leaving is worthy of praise (by your bosses, your clients, your co-workers.)

The reading might also warn that this won't be entirely smooth sailing. The second sentence begins with words like "perseverance" (Wilhelm), "constancy" (Hilary), "determination" (LiSe Heyboer), and "persistence" (Bradford Hatcher) - those things might be necessary! And the relating hexagram - the background of the situation, how you'll relate to it - refers to a journey or wandering, which might mean it'll be a while before you get where you want to be. Make sure to consider things like that.

 

[Liselle]

I should have done this before answering, but I looked back at some of your previous threads just a little bit and noticed that you work in your family's business. The same considerations about this reading probably still apply, maybe even moreso since you probably want to stay on extra good terms with your family.

There was also this thread from last December, where you were asking about self-sufficiency and financial independence:

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/friends/showthread.php?19647-26-6-to-11&highlight=

"Not eating at home, good fortune.
Fruitful to cross the great river."

Finding out that you work in a family business, I had to chuckle . Combined with this reading, it seems "not eating at home" means not making your living in your family's business.

I think the same caveats apply, though - "eating at home" (working in a family business) probably has the benefit of security. Maybe not happiness or fulfillment - you've said you're not happy there - but it is probably safe and secure. Outside employment may have noticeably less of that. I do think the Yi is encouraging you, but it doesn't hurt to prepare for the downside.

One thing which might help--- readings don't live in a vacuum. If you do a work-related reading in December, and another one in May (possibly other ones in between), there's a good chance they're related (unless of course things have changed a lot in the meantime, but in this case it sounds like you're still asking about the same thing). You might want to collect all the readings you've done lately about your work situation, and compile them into one document so you can look at them all at once. Read through it like a story. It might make more sense that way, and you may see connections you'd missed before.

We here on the forum can't really do that. Trojina pointed out to me recently that we ought to try (as I said, I should have made an effort to look at your previous threads before answering this one), but we are still going to know much less than you do. We don't see every reading you've ever done on the subject. We have only limited time for studying any one person's posts. We only know what you write down for us - we don't know anything else, any context, and you do. It is really important to look at what people say on the forum through the lens of what you know about your own life. Make sure it makes sense to you before acting on it .

 

[River1980]

Thank you Lise - this has been very helpful