58.4.6>61

[altrum]

I asked the I Ching: What do I need to work on in the short term to develop positive masculinity for myself?

I should tell you that I am a woman, feel I have "held on" through some pretty tough times in my life, can be very determined and strong in certain circumstances (usually emergencies), but often come across as passive and easy to manipulate (though not usually the case) and lack determination and decisiveness in many areas of my life including everday ones.
I've now come to a point of being fed up of merely "surviving" and realise I need to give myself a break and take a more determined and active stand with others but especially with myself, i.e. make more room for my masculine side.

I get that I am being encouraged in this aim but can't make out what aspects I should be concentrating on.

Thanks for any insights!

 

[willowfox]

Perhaps you need a role model to emulate, as you can learn to be more assertive by copying someone else's behaviour. So, it suggests that you look for someone with the qualities that you want to have, study them, and take what you consider that you need from them.

Like a martial artist, you take the good points of another fighter and use them to your benefit by continual practice.

 

[meng]

Interesting, since all the trigrams in your reading represent the youngest girl (three times) and the eldest, most influential woman (once).

What this says to me is that your answer is not in developing masculine traits but rather learning to integrate both the young and mature feminine traits. Theoretically, a lake is easy to influence (young girl), and wind is she who influences. In 61, wind blows over the lake, causing her to move the water. Think of that a stirring your emotions, wishes, feelings. This is a powerful force, this subtle self control.

If the Yi added in masculine features of heaven, thunder, abyss or mountain, then they could be applied to your answer. Those are all firm and determined attributes. Wind and organic lake are soft and moving attributes.

What do you think?