hopes for writing career...gone?

[inbfri]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new with the IC, and had a "disturbing" reading that really blew all the wind out of "my sails"...
I dedicate a lot to learning on writing (courses, books, actual book sketches etc), with a big dream to someday publish something worthy. I asked the IC "do I have the potential to become a great writer", and recived 11.6>>26. to my understanding, the answer is plainly "NO". I then asked "should I give up on my dream of becoming a writer" and got 51.1>>16. standstill, don't do anything. or perhaps another "NO"?
I'm confused. can anyone share a better insight here?

appreciate it!!!:bows:
inbfri.

 

[Tohpol]

I don't think it's plainly "No" in this regard. From the little I know about the Yi, it doesn't really work that way. You might be a writer some day, sometime, but right now maybe you're going about it the wrong way or perhaps your destiny lies elsewhere? Either way, it certainly seems as if you're trying too hard. Ease up. Take some time out. Be at peace. Balance is the key word here and you may be quite far from that right now.

The Yi is seems to be talking very directly to you with the second answer: "should I give up on my dream of becoming a writer" and got 51.1>>16.

This could be referring to the shock you felt from the first question. Yi is saying to take stock and step back a bit. Through taking a wider view on this writing quest a deeper awareness about yourself generally can emerge. The transition hex is 16 enthusiasm - but correctly applied. It doesn't necessarily mean "no" at all.

But it does seem as if the I Ching has given you a little slap of sorts - whoah there - cool down!

One more thing - beware the ego - which in my experience Mother Yi goes for like a laser light. You said:
"do I have the potential to become a great writer?"

What is most important to you: the kudos of a "great" writer or to be able to right well and to get published? The latter is very difficult as you know. Moreover, what is more important becoming published or truly enjoying the creative act? This can sometimes be eclipsed by the ideal that may be unrealistic. When you are doing what you love and doing it well without anticipation then things generally flow one's way, if indeed that path is truly yours to take.

So, get back to writing and dispense with the idea of greatness - it's all nonsense. Just write as well as you can and hone your "voice". Then you will see. You not old are you? So, you have time.


Topal

 

[Trojina]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new with the IC, and had a "disturbing" reading that really blew all the wind out of "my sails"...
I dedicate a lot to learning on writing (courses, books, actual book sketches etc), with a big dream to someday publish something worthy. I asked the IC "do I have the potential to become a great writer", and recived 11.6>>26. to my understanding, the answer is plainly "NO". I then asked "should I give up on my dream of becoming a writer" and got 51.1>>16. standstill, don't do anything. or perhaps another "NO"?
I'm confused. can anyone share a better insight here?

appreciate it!!!:bows:
inbfri.

Agree with what Topal said. Also I might take 11.6 as pointing out you have quite enough on your plate right now without thinking ahead that far. In 11.6 your defences are down, its no time to go to war. So its not saying 'no' but 'you really have more than enough to contend with at the moment'

51.1 dosn't mean standstill ? A shock you'll get over, possibly the shock of the last answer lol.

Also agree with Topal about ego stuff here. whats a 'great writer' ? Do you mean a published one ? Why do you think its either preordained or not ? Does seem you have more than enough to do right now anyway

 

[mudpie]

You not old are you?


Topal

God forbid!

 

[mudpie]

what i see in that reading is that when your defenses are allowed to crumble, that which Great Accumulated can come forth.

"The group ... takes Neo to the apartment of the Oracle.... She tells Neo that he has "the gift", but that he is waiting for something, perhaps the next life. Neo interprets from this that he is not "the One". "

 

[inbfri]

Topal, Listener and trojan, a BIG THANK YOU!

all that you said make sense to me. I guess I was under the impression that IC answers more in the "yes" or "no" realm, and the little nuances you brought up made me think that the meaning can go a whole lot further than just go ahead or stop what you are doing. I especially loved the insight on being "shocked" by the first answer - totally right (I was...). interesting enough, I have a lot going on because of my Job, which basically leaves me with very little time to work on my writing habits, so that could also be the "ease up" call, as topal said.
Re the ego, it's also interesting (I really need to find more words to use here...), because I didn't write the question with that emphasis in mind, but on the potential part. great to me = published, but also inspiring, which is what I strive to be able to do, but I agree that the creative part should be more important. thank you listener, for quoting the MATRIX, if I get it right - don't rush to interpert it is not what you hope for.
sooo... a big thanks again for your time, that was very helpful!
:bows:
BTW - no, I'm not old

 

[Tony_L]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new with the IC, and had a "disturbing" reading that really blew all the wind out of "my sails"...
I dedicate a lot to learning on writing (courses, books, actual book sketches etc), with a big dream to someday publish something worthy. I asked the IC "do I have the potential to become a great writer", and recived 11.6>>26. to my understanding, the answer is plainly "NO". I then asked "should I give up on my dream of becoming a writer" and got 51.1>>16. standstill, don't do anything. or perhaps another "NO"?
inbfri.

11.6 > 26: 泰 T'AI / PEACE > 大 畜 TA CH'U / THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT
Overall the names of the hexagrams convey a positive image. 26 has to do with holding firmly to great creative powers and storing them up.

The Yi may have taken your question literally, "do I have the potential to become a great writer?." You did not specify what you mean by a "great writer." Perhaps you had in mind Shakespeare or Dante or someone of that calibre.
Wilhelm translates 11.6 as

"The wall falls back into the moat.
Use no army now.
Make your commands known within your own town.
Perseverance brings humiliation."​

Is it possible that the Yi is responding to your fantasy of becoming another Shakespeare and responding that perseverance in this particular fantasy brings humiliation? This would not mean that you could not become a fine writer who contributes something to society "within your own town." If you can go back and recall what you had in mind about the meaning of a "great writer" at the time of the question, then the 11.6 response may be clearer.

It seems to me that 26 as a relating hexagram would be excellent for an aspiring writer - an inner store of immense creativity waiting to be tapped.

Take care,

Tony