Brand new here... Hex 24 with two changing lines

[tidalwave]

Hi!

I am brand new to this forum and a total newbie to the I Ching. I am completely just a beginner. Armed with 3 pennies and the Richard Wilhelm/Cary Baynes translation of The Book of Changes. I'm not even sure if I'm doing the changing lines properly, so please let me know.

Quick backstory on me: I have been unemployed for a couple of years, underemployed for several years before that. Prior to that, I was actually on the fast track to career achievement (in my 20s, excellent education, budding fashion career). Almost 8 years later, I'm starting from square one, having just moved back home to the big city after almost 5 years away in a much smaller town. I have been living off of family money, which will not sustain me forever. I'm incredibly daunted by rejoining the workforce, let alone not knowing which field to enter as I have a lot of different skills.
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So.. that's my background. I asked What path I should follow so that I can earn a good living and provide for myself happily? I received Hex 24 The Turning Point, except the 1st line had the circle, and the 6th line had the X. So I believe that would transform the hexagram into 23 Splitting Apart.

I'm really not sure if I should interpret the original hex or the changing hex or just the changing lines?

I decided to focus on the original hex and the changing lines therein, so here is my interpretation:

The hexagram is about a turning point, with darkness past. So maybe my dark years are behind me. The first changing line says "Return from a short distance. No need for remorse. Great good fortune." So I'd take that to be, hey it's ok you dropped out of society for a while. You're back now and that's all that matters.

As for line 6, which is more troubling, "Missing the return. Misfortune from within and without." So I'm not sure if I should see this as a cautionary tale or something? Like it's telling me that I must ACT right away?!

As far as answering my original question of what to do, the concept of "returning" tells me that I should just join the fashion industry again, because that's where I was when I left.

I really don't know! I find the I Ching fascinating because it is so cryptic.

 

[ginnie]

24.6::"Missing the return. Misfortune from within and without." So I'm not sure if I should see this as a cautionary tale or something? Like it's telling me that I must ACT right away?!

Yes, I think you need to see this line as advising you not to take a wrong turn at this point in your life. I have gotten this line a few times and usually the I Ching means something very specific. The time frame might be tight or it might mean you can take your time for awhile. You see, the I Ching is aware of the opportunities that are out there in the world, where you might fit in well. If I were you, I'd ask a follow-up question about returning to the fashion industry specifically, so that you make sure you're on the right track.

 

[tidalwave]

Thank you for your response! So I either have time or I don't... hmm!!

I actually did ask what it would be like to return to fashion, if it would be a successful and happiness inducing enterprising for me, and I got 6 Conflict. So I took that as a "not really." Would you interpret it like that too?

The weird thing is, I actually asked the question about whether fashion was right for me first, before the question I initially posted about. I got 6 Conflict so then I decided to cast a wider net and ask what path I should be on. That's when I got 24 Returning. I'm not sure what to make of this!

 

[goddessliss]

I feel this reading is saying that you'd be returning to fashion because it's a means to an ends rather than what makes you happy. Hex 23 - looks like you gotta sort something out before you can settle into something concrete.

 

[tidalwave]

Hex 23 Splitting Apart... it kind of reminds me of The Tower in Tarot.

 

[rosada]

I like Ginnie's comment that the IC already "knows" what opportunities are out there for you. I find it helpful when consulting the IC to address my questions to my "Future Self" as in, "Future Self, you already know where I'm heading and what obstacles and opportunities lie ahead?"

24.5 is about being totally honest about admitting past mistakes.
24.6 is about the misfortune that comes from missing the opportunity to admit past mistakes. So I agree with Liss that it looks like you have a chance to now sort something out. Maybe you are being advised review the various decisions that led to where you are now, recognize what you did right and where you dropped the ball.

23. Splitting Apart encourages you that you have an opportunity now to Split Apart from 22. Graceful fantasies take a new more practical approach.