Conversation and experiences with Hexagram 40, Line 2

[mholden1969]

Good afternoon,

I have received hexagram 40, line 2 quite frequently for different inquiries.

One kills three foxes in the field
And receives a yellow arrow.
Perseverance brings good fortune.

Now, it sounds like an affirmation, but I am not sure if it has actually played out that way for me.

Is the more correct translation of it "IF you dispel these problems, you will receive good fortune?"

I would love to know your experiences on this line.

 

[ernobe]

The line signifies a situation where one has found something ( the golden arrows ) the worth of which is beyond ones' ability to properly estimate.

 

[Trojina]

From what I have heard it often signifies dealing with harmful or underhand tactics or situations successfully. So if you have had this repeatedly for various questions I'd take it that you are taking effective measures against something, perhaps within yourself or perhaps in the outer world that has been harmful through deceit. I have head of this line exposing actual deceit and fraud.

It is possible you wouldn't see the immediate positive effects of this because you won't always be aware of what the foxes were.

 

[mholden1969]

Very interesting.

I received it when asking about a large spider that somehow found its way in my house, and wanting to know if it would still be there (having not seen it for at least a week).
"What do I need to know about the spider?"
Several weeks later, still no sign.

Also about a girl who I thought might have liked me, something like,
"Would I be able to have a relationship with her?"
That didn't work out!!

 

[Liselle]

I got 40.2 > 16 once when I was considering doing something in an elusive, guileful, wily way. I worried that if I did the thing straightforwardly, I'd meet with resistance and ridicule and the endeavor would never get off the ground, even though I thought there was a good chance of success in the long run. I did the reading and thought 40.2 was confirming all that.

But developments developed, and I probably did other readings, and I have update notes from four months later pointing out that in fact I did do the thing openly. I did not get the scathing responses I feared, and it worked out just fine.

 

[Alwayschanging]

I got this line once pertaining to my work situation. A lot of the people there turned out to be snakes. In retrospect it seemed to be a warning to tread lightly and stick to truth to guide me.

 

[mholden1969]

I wonder if it's almost a "relax, kid, everything's going to be ok" kind of line/follow the path you think is right.
Should add that I have not seen that gigantic spider since, so I wonder if it was saying "Don't worry, that spider will not get you."

 

[knotxx]

I have had it in both senses. I've had it mean "bingo, you shot that fox: some sneaky thing hurting you--be it deceit/spider or a misapprehension/unskillful thinking--is over and all is well." But I've also had it mean something like "come on: deep inside you know that's a delusion."

- At end of long series about money worries, I suddenly realized "man, I am very fixy" 40.2-16 (there was nothing to fix, I was just anxious)

- What's my responsibility to do with getting my publisher to hurry up and read the manuscript she's delayed on so long? 40.2-16 (there was absolutely nothing I could do, of course)

- Most important to hear about [award I wanted to win] 40.2-16 (and I knew instantly (and correctly) that it was a delusion)

- Let my cat's disease take its course (the vet had given him a month to live) ? 40.2-16 [he lived another year]

In all of these I was operating under some delusion (or the vet was, in that case), for good or ill.

 

[bradford]

Flow (psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)
Applications suggested by Csíkszentmihályi versus other practitioners
Only Csíkszentmihályi seems to have published suggestions for extrinsic applications of the flow concept, such as design methods for playgrounds to elicit the flow experience. Other practitioners of Csíkszentmihályi's flow concept focus on intrinsic applications, such as spirituality, performance improvement, or self-help.

 

[Tohpol]

I wonder if it's almost a "relax, kid, everything's going to be ok" kind of line/follow the path you think is right. Should add that I have not seen that gigantic spider since, so I wonder if it was saying "Don't worry, that spider will not get you."

I think that's more aligned to the meaning in line 1.

In line 2 I'd go with Trojina's summary - there is usually an image of the situation as it is - something not quite right but liberation from it is possible. I've often had this line for negative influences which are not immediately apparent within a given situation or issues within ourselves that need to be addressed.

With the spider that may mean, yes, it's still there and you need to get the pest controller in there...Or, it may refer to the need to address your fear of spiders...(Unless you live in the tropics and it's the bird-eating variety!)

 

[Tohpol]

Flow (psychology) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)
Applications suggested by Csíkszentmihályi versus other practitioners
Only Csíkszentmihályi seems to have published suggestions for extrinsic applications of the flow concept, such as design methods for playgrounds to elicit the flow experience. Other practitioners of Csíkszentmihályi's flow concept focus on intrinsic applications, such as spirituality, performance improvement, or self-help.

Csíkszentmihályi's work is fascinating. He also has a later book dealing with Creativity in this context:

http://tinyurl.com/gtc3wa7

 

[mholden1969]

Reading this is making me watch my step again!!

But yes, I like what you all are saying. I've found it to be such an open answer, but mentioning things such as "this is something that needs to be addressed" or the image of flow help to clear things up.
Or the notion that something was "taken care of".

 

[tubinluv]

Knot: I have had it in both senses. I've had it mean "bingo, you shot that fox: some sneaky thing hurting you--be it deceit/spider or a misapprehension/unskillful thinking--is over and all is well." But I've also had it mean something like "come on: deep inside you know that's a delusion."

Sorry, I don't know how to post the comments written by someone, so I just cut and paste...
I've been trying to rent out my place for the past few months but there was no catch. I asked in August if I was able to rent out my place this month and got 40.2>16. I was happy about the answer, but up until now, there's still no interest and the realtor even called me and advised that I needed to do work on the house because it's not that "attractive". I'm puzzled by this line and saw the post by Knot and perhaps this line has another meaning "come on: deep inside you know that's a delusion." as he had pointed out. I see members and a few senior members providing comments in this thread and wonder what your thoughts are.

 

[balata]

I know this thread is old but I just had an experience with 40.2>16 that I would like to share. I have been working for several weeks on a research project, and I like to work at the library sometimes because I can focus better. So, this morning as I was trying to decide whether or not I should write at home at the library, I asked "what if I went to the library today?" I interpreted the answer (40.2>16) to mean that things are not exactly as I imagine, to let go of the research/writing. I could not, however, understand what else needed my attention. Then I remembered that I had some laundry to do that I had been postponing for a few days already. And this is what the three foxes were for me: While sorting out the clothes I noticed that some needed to be washed by hand, others could go to the washing machine and a couple of pieces required dry cleaning. It is when I was coming back from the dry cleaner, having already done the hand wash and put everything else in the washer that I realized what the YI was saying. Doing the laundry took the best of my morning, in the afternoon I do consulting work, therefore no research or writing for me today (hex 16).

 

[lucuma]

Hi
I was wondering how would you interpret 40.2 to 16 as an advice regarding how to act towards another person?

 

[Liselle]

Hi Lucuma... if this is a reading you'd like help with, may I move it to its own thread in Shared Readings? You can post a link back to here if this thread is important background.

 

[lucuma]

Hi Lucuma... if this is a reading you'd like help with, may I move it to its own thread in Shared Readings? You can post a link back to here if this thread is important background.

No, I just wanted to see if people had any experiences with this line playing out as an advice on how to act.
Thanks anyway,

 

[kestrelw1ngs]

Reopening this discussion after drawing this line, along with 40.1. it's a matter I don't want to give more energy through a shared readings post. Emotion is making it difficult to distinguish the nature of the delusion, or if it's reassurance I settled the matter.

But some discussion on the position of the foxes would be helpful...
And what the Golden arrow is in relation to them.

I know foxes symbolize deceit. In this situation I have been accused of lying about things that are a matter of emotional experience & perspective, or a difference in definition, not facts.

For instance, someone saying "I love you" and another person saying "no you don't." Calling bluffs comes to mind.

 

[mholden1969]

Reopening this discussion after drawing this line, along with 40.1. it's a matter I don't want to give more energy through a shared readings post. Emotion is making it difficult to distinguish the nature of the delusion, or if it's reassurance I settled the matter.

But some discussion on the position of the foxes would be helpful...
And what the Golden arrow is in relation to them.

I know foxes symbolize deceit. In this situation I have been accused of lying about things that are a matter of emotional experience & perspective, or a difference in definition, not facts.

For instance, someone saying "I love you" and another person saying "no you don't." Calling bluffs comes to mind.

The golden arrow is acquired following the capture of the three foxes.

Legge says the three foxes represent inferior men; capturing them results in good fortune.