8.5.6 to 23

[River1980]

I asked if X loves me?

I think its saying to let things evolve naturally but I am not sure what 23 - stripping away can mean. Does it mean I should strip away from him or be true to myself? I am not sure. Can anyone give me more insight into this reading, thank you

 

[Tohpol]

8.5.6>23

H.8 is about holding together or union within.

Line 5 is about letting people come to you that naturally gravitate in your direction. No coercion is necessary.

Line 6 talks about unity lacking either within yourself or in the external world. Some kind of discipline in your thoughts and emotions is necessary to get back on track.

The background hexagram is 23 which is about stripping away, splitting apart which may mean the relationship or unproductive thoughts and emotions regarding this issue.

 

[River1980]

Thank you, this makes sense.

 

[precision grace]

Hi, I am not sure if this will be helpful (or if even it is accurate, so please take with a grain of salt) but I was contemplating your answer here in light of the actual question you asked and thought to myself how strange it was that there were both the elements of uniting and of separating within the answer. Stripping away hexagram in particular is difficult to fit around the idea of uniting two separate pieces - clearly some sort of cutting away of non essentials has to happen or has happened - but why is it juxtaposed against such clearly explicit statement of getting that which is due you (it's how I see 8.5) and even the 8.6 which is seeking union without clarity about what we are seeking the union with - is about union nevertheless.

Anyhow. After that long preamble - what struck me finally as the answer is that this seems like a very apt description of a situation when we are in love with someone or something that is not good/right for us. So perhaps, the answer is - Yes, X loves you, but also realise you are not right for them.

(hope I am wrong about this for your sake, but just thought I'd share this perspective in case it is at all useful)

PS Oh gosh, I just saw I interpreted another reading of yours with basically the same result
http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/friends/showthread.php?20051-hex-38-2-3-to-30

 

[River1980]

Thank you this all makes sense

 

[rosada]

23. is the image of a mountain shooting up so that it appears to be on a very narrow base. The feeling is of a situation where not enough is known, we don't have a broad enough base of experience to go too far in this situation. 8.5 certainly suggests an interest, but there is a feeling of concern about being boxed in. 8.6 reminds us that eventually we are all independent and may go our separate ways.
So in answer to your yes-or-no question I think the I Ching is telling you that your friend's attitude is that there is an interest but it's not founded on a broad base of experience and may not last. Probably just saying it's too soon to talk of love or commitment.
Try asking a question that is not yes-or-no such as, "Describe our relationship."

 

[River1980]

Thank you for your insights and suggestion.