64.2.4.5>20 Should I contact him?

[pamelavaris]

I asked the IChing what would happen if I contacted an old flame, someone I shared a strong connection with many many years ago...but neither of us acted upon it to enter a relationship. We're in different countries now, but I have lately been dealing with the all-too-nagging "what if". I received 64.2.4.5>20. My interpretation (focusing on changing line 4) is that it may be a lukewarm response that could evolve over time into something positive. Lines 2 and 5 seem positive. Any thoughts? Or is the hexagram 64 just telling me to wait and not do this now? Thank you!

 

[pamelavaris]

What does it take to get a response here? I see another similar (well same) question posted after mine having received replies already . I realize I could make this more interesting with more details. But as a deeply private person, I find even anonymously posting such private matters difficult. I see hexagram 64 as telling me to to just let things unfold naturally. Are the changing lines telling me anything different?

 

[Sifaka]

I would take this as favourable and positive; I tend to place more importance on the lines and the 2nd hex than the first hex itself. Sure, hex 64 doesn’t sound good re. your query but I believe the lines overrule the hex. (Other people may disagree, but when a line or lines contradict the hexagram they are a component of, what’s a person to do?)

If you pay attention to all 3 moving lines, maybe as offering advice in chronological order, I would read 2 as suggesting you wait a while before making contact (no idea why; maybe the other person is busy with something at the moment and would be unable to respond?)

4 to me is encouraging you to go ahead - there will be ‘reward’ and ‘no regrets’ at pursuing this course of action - but again, ‘3 years’ suggests it will take some time to get this reward.

This encouragement is confirmed by line 5 - ‘good fortune’!

Really I think this is a most favourable throw and personally I’d be pleased if I’d received it; my only doubt is about the second hex, 20 (I’ve never been quite sure how to interpret this one. As with many/all(?) of us, I expect, despite 35 years’ use of the Yi I am still learning the ‘meaning’ of certain hexagrams. It was only a few days ago that I gained a new insight into 29... I asked on here and don’t think anyone replied, well not immediately anyway, which just threw me back onto my own resources).

At a guess / as a hunch I’d say hex 20 in your situation suggests that re-establishing contact with this old flame would just be the first stage of a long process - initiating a series of events or recommencing a dialogue / conversation with them. Again, this links up with the time delay and advice to be persistent and patient in the lines.

Good luck if you do decide to contact them! Let us know how it goes.

 

[pamelavaris]

Thanks so much, Sifaka. Your advice pretty much matches what I felt - initially anyway, before I started overthinking and rationalising. I think I will wait a while (not sure how long the 'while' will be, maybe something will tell me when it's the right time) before I contact him. And of course, I will also need to muster the courage to take this step. I don't really mind that it may take a while to get the reward. Given the intensity that this had (all those years ago), I think going slow to see what it means is something I'd like as well. I will get back here to let you know how things play out. Thanks again!