48.5 > 46 - The Well - Came up twice!

[kathryncake]

I'm pretty amazed by getting 48 in response to two questions today, it sort of blew my mind and made me think I should really trust the reading. I have a bit of a sceptical outlook and am finding it hard to put readings into practice. I guess the I-Ching could be fed up with all my constant questions about my career!

Firstly I asked (using the coins) 'What would be the outcome if I quite my job in order to do internships in creative things?' (probably not the best question ever)

I got 48.5 - 46. This seems fairly positive? But I have to admit I'm scared of this direction and not being able to make enough money to survive. So I asked again 'Will I be successful enough to support myself if follow this creative career path?' (I did this online). I got 48.1.2.5 > 36

What am I being told by adding the extra changing lines? What is 36 trying to say, that I'll have to go through hardship for a while and hide my creativity? Any advice would be very appreciated... I'm amazed at getting 48 twice in a row and think I must take something from it... just not sure what!

 

[firerabbit]

Hi kathryn,

Well, here's my two cents. I've been working with the I Ching fairly regularly for maybe two and a half years. It is often quite amazing, and especially at first, when readings seem to synchronize and mirror our thoughts and feelings. I really like Stephen Karcher's translation and have found it extremely thorough and an immense help (it can be great to check out a number of translations, too), so I've referenced his version a few times below.

Here are some words he associates with 48- The Well: 'communicate, interact; the underlying structure, the network; source of life-water needed by all, welling up from the depths; the common people, common needs and strength; the site of creative transformation'

So here I think we see the emphasis on something innate within you that comes welling up (your creativity? your need for a change, or what you feel you can offer?), and also the need to communicate this. I think line 5, which appears in both of your readings, is a good omen. Karcher's advice on the direction of this line is: 'Make the effort. If you let yourself be led, you can realise your hidden potential. The situation is already changing.' The resulting Hexagram 46--Ascending is also encouraging; here are the words Karcher associates with 46: 'make the effort, don't worry;climb the mountain step by step;...intervene at a crucial moment'.

With the second query about making enough money... well, sometimes a follow up question helps elucidate, but sometimes it can complicate, especially when making it a yes or no question!

If I had to explain the first two (not-so-auspicious) lines of your second question, I'd say that they hint that your thinking on the issue needs to change or evolve. Perhaps it indicates old, muddled ways of thinking on the issue, and that you need to re-imagine it, lest you get stuck without the opportunity to share what you have to offer. Karcher's commentary on 48, line 2 thus follows: 'This means no associates or friends. The sources of life and order are not taken care of. Each seeks his own gain. There is no container. His time to change. Direction: Re-imagine the situation'

And again with the 2nd question, line 5 shows there is a well-spring to draw from; use it!

With Hexagram 36, you may be right in that there will be challenges at the start, but aren't there always when we set out on a new task or venture?

SO, I think overall your readings bode well, just don't get ahead of yourself.Take it step by step. Talking it over with some people you know and trust would likely be helpful. This way you can talk it out, search your own feelings on where you'd like to go and what you'd like to do, and perhaps gain some good advice, ideas, or support. There's good water in your well, it's just about finding how you can share it. If you're doing what you really wanna do, I bet the money will soon follow . Good luck!

fr

 

[kathryncake]

Wow. Thanks for such an insightful reply and for thinking about my dithering questions so much. I really appreciate it.

I think I really need to work on posing better questions - it didn't even click that the second one required a yes/no answer!

I keep getting the message from the I-Ching that I need to wait, need to take things step by step, which is great, but I still feel very stuck and frustrated. They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step but I'm not sure what direction to take that step in. Maybe this is a wake-up call to start anywhere.

I got the sense that that the second set of less auspicious lines indicated that if I didn't make a move my creativity would dry up like an old well... I know I need to do something, but don't know what.

Right, time to think of a better question Thank you again, you have great insight, I am finding my readings tricky but feel like there's so much there to explore...