Hexagram 42.1.6 to Hexagram 8...Hmmm?

[bonnieta]

I would appreciate any help or insight in understanding the Oracle's answer to my question:
How will our relationship evolve over the next year?
Answer received:
Hexagram 42 Increase, changing lines 1 and 6 to Hexagram 8 Holding Together (Union)

This question pertains to a relationship that has gone through significant changes over the last few years, following a break up and a process of change to the present state of friendship.I have consulted the I Ching over this period and have made personal changes with less ego involvement, more trust in the process, waiting, small steps, following, more Yin, persevering with trust in myself and participating in the relationship as it exists in a less fulfilling form. Neither of us has had a new relationship or are actively dating. We see each other regularly as platonic friends and continue to enjoy each other's company but there is no promise of anything more and we live our lives quite independently. It does not satisfy my wish for a companion or life partner in our present form, and sometimes I question whether my effort to stay in this contact with my former partner is a good choice.

Receiving hex 42 Increase changing to Union seemed positive for continued positive individual growth possibly leading to healing of this relationship, perhaps a future Union, but I found the line 6 concerning regarding a lack of constancy and misfortune.

Thanks for any help in interpretation.

Hex 42
INCREASE. It furthers one
to undertake something.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
THE IMAGE
Wind and thunder: the image of INCREASE.
Thus the superior man, if
he sees good, he imitates it.
If he has faults, he rids himself of them.

Line 1 It furthers one to accomplish great deeds.
Supreme good fortune. No blame.

Line 6 He brings increase to no one, indeed, someone even strikes him.
He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.

Hex 8
THE JUDGMENT
HOLDING TOGETHER brings good fortune.
Inquire of the oracle once again
Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
Then there is no blame.
Those who are uncertain gradually join.
Whoever come too late
Meets with misfortune.

 

[meng]

Hi Bonnieta,

I don't know if my pov on 42 will be of much help, but here it is.

While 41 offers a sacrifice of the individual for the sake of a collective, in 42 it is the individual who, you might say "swells up". But this doesn't just happen of itself, such as a season change, it also happens as a direct result of the return on an investment. (if he sees good, he invests, and if he sees bad, he withdraws). It's capitalism in a nutshell. As you sow, you reap.

I'd interpret this in your case as "look out for #1", i.e. you and yours.

But the danger is that we may overlook giving back to those who rely on us for their increase. There's a karmic tithing principle involved with increase. If you don't return it, you get cut off from your source. 8

This brings h8 into focus. The meeting and holding with border lords isn't the same as the meeting and holding with family. They're people with whom you hope to mutually stand by, but that includes a healthy amount of self interest to all concerned.

 

[bonnieta]

Thank you for your response meng. It is helpful. I could see Increase, as an evolvement in each us in a process of increase, self-development and making choices about level of investment in the relationship, serving self-interest and balance with (hopefully) an exchange with the investment that increasing each other? Maybe the caution is both parties give, as well as receive the increase, and both are benefit from the exchange. This would support "holding together" or union. Without the balance of interest in self and the other then there are problems..