Help! How to read conflicting lines? 8.3.4 > 31

[veavea]

Help!

I am trying to write a book and have an agent. I sent her the preliminary chapter of the book I'm working on and asked Yi: will she come back to me favourably based on the work I've done? I asked because I've got other pressing issues and want to know if it's even useful for me to concentrate on the book or whether I need to address other concerns right now - I'm a bit conflicted and stressed and finding it hard to concentrate on writing.

8.3.4 > 31

Confusing!! Line 3 says I am seeking union with the wrong people, while line 4 seems to say otherwise - or perhaps it means my current agent is not the right one for me, but if I try someone else I will have more success?

 

[peter2610]

Try to learn to read the lines in a non-literal manner. "Seeking union with the wrong people" could mean that you're asking the wrong type of question or involving yourself in an area that should not concern you. Try to broaden your interpretations as much as possible and then observe carefully to see if any of them hit the mark. If you can develop your ability with this your interpretive skills will grow steadily.

Having said all that, there is a literal interpretation that could fit appropriately: Line 3 is telling you that your agent is not suitable for your work and Line 4 is urging you to have faith "outwardly" - in areas that you are yet to discover from which a suitable opening could appear.

 

[veavea]

Thanks for this.

I asked further: should I seek elsewhere to publish my book?

48.5 > 46

Maybe I just need to carry on doing the work in the meantime - the previous reading suggesting I was seeking union too soon or, as you say, 'asking the wrong type of question' - before the work is even completed?

Edit: actually I've now concluded that where I'm wrong is in seeking anyone outside myself to 'fix' the situation or 'approve' of my work at this preliminary stage - I have everything I need to succeed. I think?

 

[peter2610]

Hex 48 is used by the I Ching to refer to itself. With 48,5 the I Ching is answering "Should I seek elsewhere..." by referring you back to its previous answer 8,3,4>31, particularly 4th yin where it advised you to have faith "outwardly". It is now urging you to drink its words and be aware that you could well find the help you seek if you search through a broader range of options. I wouldn't dismiss the offer you've received, just keep it on the back-burner whist you search through further possibilities.

 

[mholden1969]

I agree with peter2610.

However, I am not sure exactly what it was you were asking- were you wondering whether she would like the book, or if she is the right agent to promote the book?

48.5-46 could definitely be saying what peter2610 says (Anthony on hexagram 48, line 5: "It is not enough to have the water of the well; to be of use we must drink it."). However, it could also be saying that your publisher is a perfectly appropriate "Well" and that you must actually give yourself a chance to be "nourished" by her insights first.

My advice would, once again, be what peter2610 says- don't give up on this publisher, but do keep your options open.

 

[veavea]

Thanks both, I actually asked if she would come back to me favourably on the work so far completed - so I hadn't asked whether she was the right agent. Maybe the conflicting lines were pointing out that it wasn't a very useful question on my part - driven by numerous conflicting motives?! Mostly anxiety over whether the work was good, anxiety because I've not written much this week, and - well, just general anxiety!

 

[mholden1969]

I've found 8.3 to refer to anxiety as well.
Remember, "non-people" can mean the complexes and emotions within your mind.
It can also refer to following an illusion.

 

[butterfly spider]

Please dont take my advise at all - it is just an addition to the useful replies above.

Whenever I have got this line it is like I am being told to use what I already know to be right. Almost - why are you bothering me when You know the answer to this. It has also come up about a situation where I know that someone is not right, not up to the job. In your position, with my experiences and the casting, I would almost certainly look at widening my net on this one.

 

[butterfly spider]

the anxiety is caused by my lack of faith in my own convictions on someone usually on this reading

 

[Trojina]

Also 8.3 can mean systems not people. The line says 'seeking union with non people' well I've had this show up for trying to connect with admin systems. We are people but more and more we have to connect with non people in daily life, ie telephone answering systems, automatic emails, bidding systems online....all these kinds of things. But being human in some ways we still treat and feel these things as other humans even though they are not. It's a bit like how when a cat looks in the mirror it thinks there is another cat. In a cat's I Ching this would be a cat trying to unite with a non cat.

One time I was placed in a queuing system online to bid on a property. I had 8.3 about it I think because the computer had put me in the queue, there was no person that had done it, it was automatic. In my head I was thinking 'will my bid win, will they put me through' but actually there was no 'they' just a system.

You can get this line for all things non human but this doesn't mean they are 'wrong'. 'Wrong people' is just one translation, 'non people' is far more accurate IMO. One time someone here cast 8.3 about a cat, trying to connect with a cat perhaps. Well we can try but they aren't human.

In terms of your question I'd be thinking about whether your work is being held in a system until she gets to look at it ?

It can mean you are trying to connect with those not of your kind also of course but there is actually no judgment in this line, it's neutral. In my experience it doesn't mean the people are bad it's just they aren't meeting you at a human level. This can be because to them you aren't human but a cog in a machine or work to be 'dealt with' or just someone who really is not like you to the extent you don't share your humanity with them. This isn't always as bad as it sounds.