Hexegram #54

[oxtraces]

I'm at the Marrying Maiden, Hexegram #54, certainly a lull in activity, is it telling me I'm a loser?
I'm waiting it out and will move on later.

 

[icastes]

54 warns you of violating social conventions and proper social order. You must reform yourself or else face misfortune.

 

[elias]

I must disagree. 54 is a cautionary tale about what happens when you too slavishly follow the social order -- marrying because it is the social norm, rather than joining into a relationship founded on mutual respect.

Lines 1 & 2 show one locked into inferior positions because she gave herself away lightly in the socially prescribed manner, but nevertheless making the best of a difficult situation.

Line 3 shows a brash young woman who's younger sister is preferred. (Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew come to mind). Hopefully, the lesson of this humiliation will have a salutory effect.

Line 4: waiting and waiting and waiting, beyond the socially expected time. Seemingly always the bridesmaid...

Line 5: the wait is over -- a fulfilling relationship on the proper terms. Though the bride is perhaps no longer a spring chicken, her time spent in self-development has its reward.

Line 6: Marrying too late; locked into a loveless, unproductive situation. Plenty of time to regret missed opportunities.

The overall lesson is to be true to oneself rather than following The Rules. Nevertheless, even youthful errors can turn out well.

 

[bradford]

I'm at the Marrying Maiden, Hexegram #54, certainly a lull in activity, is it telling me I'm a loser?
I'm waiting it out and will move on later.

Since Gua 54 warns of haste and shortsighted or precipitous action, I think that waiting it out to move on later is a pretty good way to follow the Yi's advice. That's not being a loser. From the Da Xiang:
The noble young one uses enduring ends
to understand the ephemeral

 

[chingching]

Also, what Hilary writes about 54:

In practice, men and women alike who receive this hexagram find themselves drawn through changes that are quite beyond their control. Perhaps they feel dwarfed by the powers surrounding them, or 'out of the loop'.

full article:
http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/learn/gua/hexagrams/hexagram54.php

I think bradford's quote from the Da Xiang puts it best. Also this is echoed in what Lise writes about 54's image:

Whatever you do, "be" what you do, live in its center. It is the advice of the old Indian: if you want to hunt deer, then become a deer and live in the forest.

http://www.yijing.nl/i_ching/hex_49-64/hex_e_54.htm

as a way of using enduring ends... 'living in the centre' to understand things that last for a short time, like hunting the deer which once you catch it you eat etc. and then you need to hunt another.

Anyway i just thought I pop in some interesting links for you look at whilst you wait it out

 

[chingching]

also just stumbled upon this in hilary's blog:

Above the lake, there is thunder. The Marrying Maiden.
A noble one through ever-flowing endings
Knows what wears out.’

She gets a clear understanding of what cannot last, what is brittle and susceptible to wearing out, by sensing the quality of flow that complete things have.

from
http://onlineclarity.co.uk/answers/2009/12/18/stirring-the-lake/