Hex 54 and desperate straits

[Lankey]

Today I consulted the Yi about my desperate situation. I've just left college, my income is minute and I am simply not getting enough money to meet my parent's demands for rent. I am trying really hard to find a job, sending resumes and applications left right and centre, and nothing seems to be paying off. Lately I have been feeling so worthless, and like such a failure. I can't stop crying and I frequently contemplate taking my own life.

I desperately need guidance. I asked the Yi "What can I do to regain the will to live" and received 54.1.2.3.4 > 15. It almost feels like encouragement. All of the lines talk about how bad everything is and there seems to be no suggestion that anything is going to change for the better. Am I missing something?

 

[kash]

I am sorry you are having such a bad time. This does seem like an encouraging reading though. You're obviously having a bad time now, the lines seem to be telling you how to deal with the compromising situation you're in. The first line talks about still making progress even though you are hindered. The 2nd, it depends on who you ask. It might mean remaining faithful to your cause even though you are discouraged, but I've also seen it referring to not be overly ambitious. The third line I think means either doing what you need to do to survive within your current circumstances or accepting your status and not being overly ambitious. The 4th can mean remaining true to yourself until the situation changes. Hexagram 15 is a good one. All its lines are good lines. It's very much a keep on keeping on hexagram.

Looking at this, it seems to be that you are on the right track, but your situation is making you doubt yourself. I think it's telling you to accept that as a recent college leaver you're in a relatively lowly position right now, to accept it, to keep on making progress and looking for work, accepting the fact that it not be perfect work, but more a sort of right now job, to get you out of financial hardship. Maybe also asking your parents to support you during this difficult time, but above all to remain true to yourself, believing things will change. They always do. That's the whole point of the I Ching.

 

[mirian]

Dear lankey,

For a start, I think that you should seek help and support straight away. If you go to your ex-college they will have a list of organisations that provide support at no cost and you will have someone to talk to right now.

As for your reading, there is nothing negative there and the prospects of improvement are actually good. 54.1.2.3.4 >> 15 is just saying that at the moment you are in a position with not much choices and power to change things. But this is all temporary. It is just asking you to you accept that there are moments in life that we are put in that sort of position. And even with not a lot of power you can still do your part (even if it seems small) to make things better. And your reading is already saying that in the end you will find what you need (job, place to live...) and you will feel that your efforts have paid off.

Take care :bows:

 

[bamboo]

This is an excellent reading for the proper attitude to take to regain your will to live.

Having just graduated college, you are necessarily in that compromising position of having to find work and your way in life (Line 1). You are not alone in that, every college grad feels similarly. Don't be so hard on yourself! A one-eyed man represents someone who doesn't see the whole picture yet but can still move forward nevertheless. Line 4 is an excellent omen for finding the right match at the right time, even if it appears delayed right now. Ditto what Mirian and Kash both say!

Line 15 emphasizes that you be humble (accepting of your temporary plight), have integrity and simply see this through. BTW, because so many lines in 54 change, you are already well on your way. Hex 54 is one I often see as representing the child turning into the adult. Don't quit before the miracle.