Hexagram 58 to 40 - about depression

[Samgirl]

Dear friends, I am learning to analyze readings and would like your input in regards thisspecific reading. First I asked why I am drepressed and got 29.2.4.6 moving to 12... As per my interpretation I saw that my depression might be caused for something I might be overlooking, something wrong that I am doing, I have been unable to deal with so I've lost my way, and stagnant.

Then I asked to the I Ching what is making me feel depressed and I've got 58.1.5 moving to 40.

It has been quite confusing to me interpret this reading -perhaps because of I am totally lost -as 29.6 seems to tell me... My interpretation is quite negative in any case.

Would you be able to shed some light on this? I would really like to understand what is happening to me so I can free myself from this low feelings.

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Trojina]

Dear friends, I am learning to analyze readings and would like your input in regards thisspecific reading. First I asked why I am drepressed and got 29.2.4.6 moving to 12... As per my interpretation I saw that my depression might be caused for something I might be overlooking, something wrong that I am doing, I have been unable to deal with so I've lost my way, and stagnant.

Then I asked to the I Ching what is making me feel depressed and I've got 58.1.5 moving to 40.

It has been quite confusing to me interpret this reading -perhaps because of I am totally lost -as 29.6 seems to tell me... My interpretation is quite negative in any case.

Would you be able to shed some light on this? I would really like to understand what is happening to me so I can free myself from this low feelings.

Thank you so much in advance.

I associate 29 with danger, vitality, immediacy, risk and not knowing the way forward because each time the danger comes its a danger not known before. My instinct about the reading is something to with the whole risk aspect of life not being experienced or lived (12). How safe do you play things might be something to ask yourself ? Thats only a quick impression. Others will probably see other facets of it.

Another (opposite) way of looking at 29 to 12 could be perhaps you have been subject to many repeated trials in your life lately and its worn you out. As if your danger response which keeps us very alive and alert has become numbed by repeated dangers so you don't feel anything much anymore (12 depression).


With the second question 58 to 40 - I see joy (58) released (40) . I notice sometimes with questions like this the Yi answers in the positive so to speak rather than describe the negative state you feel your self to be in - it seems to say to me 'release your joy' as if joy were there to be released so though you asked "why am i depressed" the Yi answers "whats happened to your joy ?"... as if depression is simply joy not there.

I think sometimes depression can come from feeling very removed from life. I've noticed sometimes a shock or fear reaction sometimes releases me from a depression immediately...thats weird maybe its just me, but when I'm really low I seem to attract pretty hair raising incidents while driving etc..weird the sudden adrenalin rush seems to shake off the depression. I don't do that deliberately i might add, lol. Next time maybe I should just go on a big dipper ride or something. I'm thinking in this vein purely because of your 29... Nevertheless like my second thought on 29 to 12 I guess sustained exposure to what you feel as danger could have a numbing 12 like effect ?

As its your mind i can't say for sure how you can relate to these answers. 29 to 12 danger/stagnation and 58 to 40 joy/release certainly seem very relevant to the issue you are asking about.

I hope you get more responses for this as my take is quite impressionistic here. I'll be interested to see how others read it

 

[Tohpol]

"why I am drepressed and got 29.2.4.6 moving to 12... "

Hm. I'll have a go. 29 for me is about new territory and the unknown. it's a learning curve or a "lesson" for growth right down there in the pit. Depression in some circles, is considered a huge stepping stone to greater awareness should you be able to extricate yourself from that pit. Easy to say of course...(I'm assuming you are indeed depressed and not just sad and fed up. Either way, what a bummer).

So, it seems you are in the "Dark night of the Soul" but it is certainly not all dark. So line 2: There's light down there but you have to begin digging carefully and methodically. Don't panic and get into the circular thoughts of "I should be like this.." or "I should be like that." Forget it. This dark period may be perfectly natural cycle. The trick is not to stay longer in the pit than is necessary. So, step by step - organize. Structure and find your way way to deal with it. Help will be forthcoming as Line 4 suggests. You mustn't be proud or self-conscious and think that you can handle this alone or that it'll just go away - it won't you gotta make the effort and in the correct way. My gut feeling is this is a delicate thing and you have to get the balance between being gentle with yourself and also recognising your stubbornness - the latter might not be so apparent to you. The transitional hex reiterates this cycle of stagnation and in combination with 6 means you might have to ride it out for a while.

So, why are you depressed? You are in a pit. You are blocked. Something's not working, and you need help. Ok.

The cause?

"...what is making me feel depressed and I've got 58.1.5 moving to 40."

I saw this a lot with myself last year and I've seen it here increasingly. 58 is a pretty lovely hex - full of joy and positivity - but some of the lines are real doozies. In my own view they can really show you why joy isn't flourishing in your life and how to find it. Line 1 is a bit like this partnered with 29. I think it might be saying: Look. You don't need others to bolster your energy reserves and give you your sense of self. You have to begin that accumulation of energy within first. It has to start with you. Then the energy at all levels will return and with it some contentment. Start small and work up. But don't - double-don't - depend on others to provide you with that self esteem or requisite energy boost.

So, 58.1 is saying why you're in this state and that actually you have what you need.

The other reason for your negative state may again be due to the reliance on the exclusive interchange (rather than exchange ) of others to supplement your energy base. Hence the deficit.
line 5 In my view, talks about going for the super-sensual pleasures - pretty superficial stuff that doesn't actually fulfill you in the end. It might be jumping into bed with that girl or guy from work or going on a drinking spree or stuffing face with a double-layer chocolate cake etc. These aren't wrong. But you know at some point they are going to be detrimental to you at a deep level. Can you see the line? Do you cross it? Do you know when to step back? Or conversely, it may illustrate your wish for these things when in fact they are all pretty illusory and ultimately very unfulfilling.

40 says release yourself from this line of thinking and the tension and blockage it's causing.

Perhaps it's a real opportunity to be a better you with some reorganising going on while you're in that pit. I think what the Yi is saying is that you are really rather wonderful as you are. You only have to convince yourself of it.

Bon courage,

Topal

 

[Tohpol]

I think sometimes depression can come from feeling very removed from life. I've noticed sometimes a shock or fear reaction sometimes releases me from a depression immediately...thats weird maybe its just me, but when I'm really low I seem to attract pretty hair raising incidents while driving etc..weird the sudden adrenalin rush seems to shake off the depression. I don't do that deliberately i might add, lol. Next time maybe I should just go on a big dipper ride or something. I'm thinking in this vein purely because of your 29... Nevertheless like my second thought on 29 to 12 I guess sustained exposure to what you feel as danger could have a numbing 12 like effect ?

(image of Trojan renting the movie Crash lol)

That's very interesting. I've heard that depression - depending on the severity, clinical or mild etc. - is very much a chemical imbalance and/or a deep-seated and unresolved blockage of anger. Either way, when there are chemicals flowing which induce a low, maybe andrenalin is like the rapids that wash away that imbalance however temporary. Which is also true of exercise which increases the endorphin release. Mind you didn't they used to use electro-convulsive therapy for manic depression? A case of overkill I think. You took away the depression and just about everything else with it.

I just found this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7234303.stm
I've been saying it all along!

Topal

 

[Samgirl]

Thank you so much...! Both answers have been extremely helpful to me... I finally get it! I can see myself perfectly in the Yi responses now, and I can see its advice -thank to you both.

Not long ago I have decided to go through whatever I needed to go through, in order to reveal to myself that what I have been concealing to myself since I was a child to the present time... I knew it could be hard but I also understood that it was the only way to free myself from my own demons. I feel I am going through this path, however, it seems that my demons can take charge and making me forget what is all about in this situation.

Thank you again for this insight... it's wonderful to be able to share and help each other in this way. You are surely my line 4 from hex 29!