A Choice: 55.4 > 36

[isacosmo]

Hello, I've been following this forum for a whole year. I've joined in for eventual help a few days ago. I thought it'd take a bit longer to ask for help, but it turned out that I needed it sooner!
Here's the story:
Last year, I've been summoned for a work at a church, along with other professionals. In short (very short), I surprisingly made a deep connection with the local Catholic priest (he is around my age). Nothing happened on purpose, just that he followed the works whenever he could, and talked to everyone, me including. But one day we did talk a lot (you know how priests study many subjects, and some live abroad for education etc. This one studied in Italy). And, aye, "there's the rub": I got deeply attached to him, and he was striken as well. It is not that these things can't happen to the Cath. priests. They do. But, as much as I know, some usually pass through it, and keep up with their mission, and put a lid over human love.
Naturally, after the big click happened, he seldom came checking the working site, and we (me specially, Im terribly shy in such awkward situations) rarely approached. Anyway, after some time, the work ended for me, and I left. During a couple of Sundays after the work ended, I was driven to attend his masses (I'm a Catholic). I couldnt stay away. Eventually, tho, I understood I shld stop going... But this is another story.

Since it all started, I have been using I Ching for support, and clarification. I learned a lot here in the Clarity Forum.

Thing is: many months after last time, this last Sunday I felt oddly anxious, unsettled, really weird. It came to me that I could ask the Oracle if I should attend to the Sunday mass. And I consulted the I:
What is IC's judgment if I drop by the church today? The IC surprised me with a reply : Hex. 16.3.4.5 > 39, which I took as: you've been lazy not doing anything (not going to the church since eons). Its time to move these feet, "eat the cake!".
I panicked at the response, so I insisted:
What is IC's judgment about me going over to him? Hex. 42.4 > 25. "Your inner source radiates out towards great achievements." (LiSe) And other questions... (What will happen if I go? Hex. 1uc...)

So I did go last Sunday.
[....Trying hard to make it short...]
Thing is: it happened that the Sunday Sermon was about the so-called "Marriage at Cana" (Book of John for Christians). During his lecture, he talked about Jesus' miracle, but brought some points, and I put here those which lingered:
- the Love of God
- the importance of marriage shown in this story of Cana (the first miracle performed by Christ justly during a wedding)
- the love inside family, which is a chosen thing, something one decides. As opposed to the Love of God.

Next day, Monday, I asked the IChing some things: What to understand from my going to the church? Hexagram 40uc Liberation. I was increasingly anxious, and very upset because of the whole crazy situation, and the fact that I am dying with the hope that finally he will Decide to leave the Church so that we can be together as family.

Finally I decided to go straight to the point, and asked :

"For F*'s sake, what is his Choice?! "

Answer: hex. 55.4>36

I need help interpreting this answer (I know we shldt ask about other ppl's things, but...).

I have been trying to figure this out by myself. I came out with this:
---- The IC is actually addressing me here telling me that I am so angry (plz check F word above) that I can't see the 'good' before me. I have took 'good' to meaning that he has chosen the family love.


Sorry for long story, but I hope this will do as context. And I sincerely thank you people for a clear-headed feedback on this.
Best to you all..​

 

[kestrelw1ngs]

Not quite clear what your question is. Are you hoping this priest would choose a personal love connection with you over his role?

Having 42.4>25, the resulting hex of innocence seems to suggest chastity/no sex/or maybe a naive perspective?


I have seen 55.4 come up often when accepting or pursuing "second best" or a situation where the other person is not quite available...55 there is something "hidden" or unseen in your situation, an eclipse of some kind. resulting hex 36 is Wounded Brightness, suggesting maybe what is hidden or needs to be hidden is someone's light. Maybe that he is choosing to keep that 'light' of connection you found together, hidden.

i find it interesting that 42.4 mentions a radiating inner source while the 55.4>36 is sort of like something comes between that brightness and the outside world. One following the other: putting one's candle under a bushel or what ever the biblical parable says, comes to mind.

with 40 uc, for me this has never meant anything other than "let it go, you are free" almost like a wind comes along and takes whatever I had been clinging to, but its a relief...

a beautiful set of readings, if melancholy, in my interpretation

 

[isacosmo]

Not quite clear what your question is. Are you hoping this priest would choose a personal love connection with you over his role?

Thank you kestrelw1ngs, loved your interpretation albite suggesting me this may be a "dissolving" situation. I'm ok with that! I respect him so much, I can cope with his decision whatever it may be.

Having 42.4>25, the resulting hex of innocence seems to suggest chastity/no sex/or maybe a naive perspective?

Yes, exactly. After all, I was going to be on a mass with a man I am in love with. I needed total "lights out". Chastity. And, just for illustration, there were a couple of girls beside me dressed as if for a night party, and, at a moment during the mass service, one of them, a red haired, threw her hair from one side to the other very conspicuously. That's what I think the IChing was telling me not to do...

I have seen 55.4 come up often when accepting or pursuing "second best" or a situation where the other person is not quite available...55 there is something "hidden" or unseen in your situation, an eclipse of some kind. resulting hex 36 is Wounded Brightness, suggesting maybe what is hidden or needs to be hidden is someone's light. Maybe that he is choosing to keep that 'light' of connection you found together, hidden.

I see how 55.4 can connect to my question about him. There is abundance ( 55 ) hidden (36). But there is the North Star and a helper and there is good fortune. If nothing else, and if it is indeed about his choice, then theres good fortune at the end anyway.

EDIT: I found this about a 55.4 cast. I think you confounded 55 with 54 here, yes? I mean, the "secnd best" thing.

i find it interesting that 42.4 mentions a radiating inner source while the 55.4>36 is sort of like something comes between that brightness and the outside world. One following the other: putting one's candle under a bushel or what ever the biblical parable says, comes to mind.

with 40 uc, for me this has never meant anything other than "let it go, you are free" almost like a wind comes along and takes whatever I had been clinging to, but its a relief...

a beautiful set of readings, if melancholy, in my interpretation

Yes, I noticed the hex. 40uc. Liberation, letting it go. I remember I asked if I should resume Sunday masses, but IC replied with hex. 8.3 > 39. "The people in the environment of your inquiry are not right for you at this time. Avoid too intimate an association with the group while maintaining an outward sociability. Appearing committed to these people could darken your reputation later on" (Wing)

Thank you again for helping me with these. I will try to make smth out of this with clarity of mind.
It is indeed melancholy, but the way I see it, Id rather see the situation as it is, as I absolutely run from illusions.
All the best for you!

 

[redoleander]

What is IC's judgment if I drop by the church today?

Hex. 16.3.4.5 > 39

It’s interesting, I do see how this made you think to go, although to me it doesn’t looking encouraging or your overall desire. But I think that’s ok, ultimately, it’s not saying that’s a catastrophe. I personally read this as you having your moment, it passing, and now you holding onto this (persevering, not dying of line 5) but I think that’s just the excitement and intensity of 16. 39 is needing to go another way. Line 4 to me implies being one of many friends of his. Like this is more of a group or social connection at this point.

What is IC's judgment about me going over to him? Hex. 42.4 > 25

This seems encouraging but 25 resulting is interesting here. It is encouraging you to do what you need to do. But ultimately I think maybe it’s about accepting the connection for what it is, one that is not very entangled. You can gain or lose something in moving the city I think. Notifying the prince and he follows could seem promising but I think it could also simply be him following your lead in being friendly, or you doing something out of the ordinary.

Could it even be about Jesus? Son of God, so a prince in a sense?

What to understand from my going to the church? Hexagram 40uc

To me, this affirms the above. You are free, you can go another way, maybe the message was showing you that you want marriage or love or family or connection. So this desire you have for the priest, even though there is nothing wrong with it and you felt in a particular moment something mutual, will be ultimately unsatisfying and unable to give you that. I think the answers seem to add up to letting go and going another way, or accepting this is the nature of the connection. (Even 16.3 can mean the timing is off/doesn’t work, I think)

I asked if I should resume Sunday masses, 8.3 > 39

Only to seek union with God, not with people, and not with him.

For F*'s sake, what is his Choice?! " hex. 55.4>36

This answer is truly incredible. God. His choice is God. “Meeting your hidden lord”. He is following his star that he has chosen.

 

[isacosmo]

redoleander, thank you for your feedback. I'm on my way to lean over it!

 

[Ana Maria]

I asked if I should resume Sunday masses, 8.3 > 39

Only to seek union with God, not with people, and not with him.

For F*'s sake, what is his Choice?! " hex. 55.4>36

This answer is truly incredible. God. His choice is God. “Meeting your hidden lord”. He is following his star that he has chosen.

Isa, I'm not sure I understand the "fullness" of your situation (I use the word fullness purposely bc it describes one aspect of h55). But I have experiences of these 2 castings that I can share.

8.3 zhi. 39 is crystal clear: do not seek union with the wrong people or situations (people who'd harm you or at least not favour you, situations that would stir up bad feelings, make you uncomfortable, places that bring up discomfort or dissonance in your guts.) For communion, since we talk here about church, you must have something in "common" with whatever or whomever seeks to unite and engage. Does this ring a bell for you?

h55 shows the fullness of the blazing sun at midday that can blind or be eclipsed and it also speaks about the grand vision and common resources needed to conquer new territory. Now, 55 (Feng) refers to an actual eclipse and star constellation and to the conquest of land and some historical figures in China, if my memory serves me well. h36 is about hidden clarity and often hiding one's light for self-protection. The framing of h55.4 > 36 indicates an abundance of eclipsed or obscured light in (or despite) a context of prosperity, material or otherwise. Bc you asked the question for a person other than yourself, it's hard to know what this means or how it applies. Redoleander's take is quite interesting.

My experience is that this line (4th is the line of the minister) suggests that one can attract those who are of like mind or that one may cross paths with someone, unexpectedly, perhaps of a different or higher rank, who proves to have a useful resource (if not for you, then for the person you asked about). Concrete examples: a senior colleague/mentor, a future landlord, a spiritual guide.

Hope this resonates.

 

[isacosmo]

Bc you asked the question for a person other than yourself, it's harder to know what this means or how it applies. Redoleander's take is quite interesting.

Hello Ana Maria
This is the tricky thing about asking about someone else. I know.
I am adding your feedback to my musings. Will give my re-feedback to you and redoleander soon.
Thank you very much

 

[isacosmo]

What to understand from my going to the church? Hexagram 40uc

To me, this affirms the above. You are free, you can go another way, maybe the message was showing you that you want marriage or love or family or connection. So this desire you have for the priest, even though there is nothing wrong with it and you felt in a particular moment something mutual, will be ultimately unsatisfying and unable to give you that. I think the answers seem to add up to letting go and going another way, or accepting this is the nature of the connection. (Even 16.3 can mean the timing is off/doesn’t work, I think)

Thank you for your feedback!
Those 'church casts' are very interesting, because they really address the context of going to a place where there is a connection restricted to the concept of the place -- a church. He was there, but that's all. There, before the altar, that is all there is to it. And I should see it as is.

For F*'s sake, what is his Choice?! " hex. 55.4>36

This answer is truly incredible. God. His choice is God. “Meeting your hidden lord”. He is following his star that he has chosen.

I have had literal experiences both with I Ching and tarot which really are surprising to say the least! Indeed the 'hidden lord' could be the literal response that the Book gives me.
But there is the non-literal part of the oracle as well: the Yi lord is a known enemy who, in that instance, is welcomed as help. Although all seems highly improbable for one to feel safe (the thick curtains, the Yi lord), there is good fortune.

 

[Liselle]

the Yi lord is a known enemy who, in that instance, is welcomed as a help.

I could easily see his thought process being that he felt something for you (in other words, you're not inventing that), but he's committed to the priesthood and so sees this as a way to strengthen his faith.

 

[isacosmo]

Isa, I'm not sure I understand the "fullness" of your situation (I use the word fullness purposely bc it describes one aspect of h55). But I have experiences of these 2 castings that I can share.

8.3 zhi. 39 is crystal clear: do not seek union with the wrong people or situations (people who'd harm you or at least not favour you, situations that would stir up bad feelings, make you uncomfortable, places that bring up discomfort or dissonance in your guts.) For communion, since we talk here about church, you must have something in "common" with whatever or whomever seeks to unite and engage. Does this ring a bell for you?

You bet it does! I myself, when I asked the 'resume' question, did not feel I should go... not even wanted to. Totally unconfortable. And, being whom he is, there is no uniting after all. Oh well.

h55 shows the fullness of the blazing sun at midday that can blind or be eclipsed and it also speaks about the grand vision and common resources needed to conquer new territory. Now, 55 (Feng) refers to an actual eclipse and star constellation and to the conquest of land and some historical figures in China, if my memory serves me well. h36 is about hidden clarity and often hiding one's light for self-protection. The framing of h55.4 > 36 indicates an abundance of eclipsed or obscured light in (or despite) a context of prosperity, material or otherwise. Bc you asked the question for a person other than yourself, it's hard to know what this means or how it applies. Redoleander's take is quite interesting.

My experience is that this line (4th is the line of the minister) suggests that one can attract those who are of like mind or that one may cross paths with someone, unexpectedly, perhaps of a different or higher rank, who proves to have a useful resource (if not for you, then for the person you asked about). Concrete examples: a senior colleague/mentor, a future landlord, a spiritual guide.

Hope this resonates.

This was very tricky. I shouldn't have asked it like that... But anyway, according to tradition, the Yi lord is an enemy, whom it is fortunate to associate with. It says in J. Dekorne: "Ordinarily one would not expect to take action when in the dark about the situation in question, but here action is advised in order to dispel the darkness.". My situation is stark darkness about his decision (or 'choice', if I use the word he used at the closing of the sermon). So I asked. But I cant correlate this with the situation. Is it about my anger, or is it about him? Drat.
Ill update my musings here later. I got a back pain of course ;-) out of stress.

 

[isacosmo]

I could easily see his thought process being that he felt something for you (in other words, you're not inventing that), but he's committed to the priesthood and so sees this as a way to strengthen his faith.

Ops, Liselle. Thank you for this thought of yours. I am trying to 'write' down all these feedback from you ppl.
Thanks so much.