confused: 18 to 44 relationship reading?

[velvetsea]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and would be very grateful with any assistance in interpreting what this reading means.

I'm in the early stages of a relationship with a guy that really captivates me but the relationship isn't really progressing, as we're both recovering from break ups and being somewhat cautious.

I asked the i ching for guidance and it gave me 18 with moving lines in the 4th and 5th place, changing to 44.
In Sarah Dening's "The Everyday I-Ching" 18 is "Dealing with Decay" and 44 is "A Meeting of Opposites."

The moving lines in 18 sounded like a sort of call to action, that if I remain hesitant and passive, things will just fizzle and end. But what does it mean that I got 44? All I can really gather from the explanation of 44 is warning of seduction, danger, and betrayal, (i.e. "you're doomed, run away"...?)

So what am I supposed to do? Let go of patterns of fear from the past (as 18 suggests) and revive it into something wonderful? Or should I hold back and remain ever cautious and suspicious (44 says "watch out")? The two sort of seem to cancel each other out.

Thanks for your thoughts or input,
-V

 

[elias]

A complicated reading... The traditional title for 18 is "Work on What has Been Spoiled" and the image is of a bowl of worms...

Six in the fourth place means:
Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father.
in continuing one sees humiliation.

This shows the situation of someone too weak to take measures against decay that has its roots in the past and is just beginning to manifest itself. It is allowed to run its course. If this continues, humiliation will result.

Six in the fifth place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
One meets with praise.

An individual is confronted with corruption originating from neglect in former times. He lacks the power to ward it off alone, but with able helpers he can at least bring about a thorough reform, if he cannot create a new beginning, and this also is praiseworthy.

You seem to have a good understanding of these. It sounds like there are some old issues to be addressed here. Passivity and neglecting to address problems in the past may be what led to the break-downs, so some action in yourself needs to be taken to set things right.

Be mindful that the fourth line indicates a future that may be, rather than one that must be. The fifth line shows one getting help from others -- which does not preclude your guy

Hex 44: Coming to Meet --

The rise of the inferior element is pictured here in the image of a bold girl who lightly surrenders herself and thus seizes power. This would not be possible if the strong and light-giving element had not in turn come halfway. The inferior thing seems so harmless and inviting that a man delights in it; it looks so small and weak that he imagines he may dally with it and come to no harm.

The inferior man rises only because the superior man does not regard him as dangerous and so lends him power. If he were resisted from the first, he could never gain influence.

The time of COMING TO MEET is important in still another way. Although as a general rule the weak should not come to meet the strong, there are times when this has great significance. When heaven and earth come to meet each other, all creatures prosper; when a prince and his official come to meet each other, the world is put in order. It is necessary for elements predestined to be joined and mutually dependent to come to meet one another halfway. But the coming together must be free of dishonest ulterior motives, otherwise harm will result.

A difficult hex to wrap your head around -- beware of attractive, seductive, bright and shiny things, or of taking the easy route to what you want. On the other hand, there is the potential for a very productive and creative relationship once the problems are sorted out and addressed.

Take a good look at the lessons of the past, and move cautiously (and patiently) in the present... (Caution does not equal suspicion.)