How to make the most of 2019 - 15.4.5.6>33

[bluejay]

"How can I make 2019 into a good year?"

I realise this is a vague question, and so I expected a vague answer.

I received hex 15, Modesty.
Changing lines 4, 5, and 6.
Becoming hex 33, Retreat.

Could anyone help me interpret, or give me some insight into this received answer?

 

[bluejay]

A bit of elaboration;

I had a tough year in 2018. Bouts of depression, a general lack of purpose, and trouble with finding gainful employment. But I've spent the better part of December on self-care - getting to grips with my whirring mind, working on eating better foods and strengthening my body. I've always believed in the power of the yijing to bring into awareness the potentials of change, present and future. And so I asked in what way I can continue down the path of positive change for the coming year.


My current ideas:

"Modesty. Can bring fulfilment. The ideal person has completion."
My mind has been drawn to the idea of completion. I've always struggled to finish what I start. There is a possibility I will regress from my current motivation to move in a positive direction, reverting back to my old habits. This would be less than ideal. Fulfilment to me is feeling whole, literally feeling full. At the end of a meal you are full, content with what has been eaten, and with that the meal is complete. But the cycle begins anew with the digestion of the meal, the new hunger, and the next meal. Nevertheless, fulfilment and success comes from completing what is started. But how? The yijing seems to be saying: "stay modest, even a great mountain was once hidden in the ground".

Line 4: "Nothing but fruitful, if you're sincere and modest."
A continuation of the message - be sincere and modest and your path may reach maturity, your fruit may ripen, your grain may reach harvest.
However I wonder where the analysis goes from here. To hex 62, Crossing over in small ways, and following the next line (5) on from there? Or continuing with the line statements in the original hex 15, Modesty?

Line 5 (Modesty): "Not enriched by your neighbours. Fruitful to make use of invading and conquering. Then nothing but fruitful."
I currently live with my younger brother. We moved in together at the very beginning of last year. He is not the greatest of influences, and desires a much different lifestyle to me. So I fully relate to not being enriched by a neighbour. My relationship with him is not enriching, and in many ways has been quite detrimental. However the next lines are confusing. Invading and conquering are acts of war. Is the yijing recommending war against one's neighbours? Somehow this seems counter to the message of modesty, for war is never the product of modest means. I fail to see how this would be a fruitful endeavour...

Line 6 (Modesty):
"Modesty aloud. Fruitful to make use of a mobilising army. Invade the city and country."
The final line continues the war theme. But here I see a slight difference. Rather than attacking a neighbour, here the yijing recommends attacking one's own city, which I see as a metaphor for myself. How this plays out I'm not sure. I'm also not sure what modesty aloud may mean. Modesty bringing actions that are then noticed for their own sake?

Second hexagram: 33 "Retreat. Can bring fulfilment. Small fruit in taking the divination through its course."
I take this as a good omen. Firstly there is a repetition of potential fulfilment from the initial hexagram statement. And though the year may not bring large juicy fruit for me to gloat over, it may bring small wins, which are wins nonetheless. Even so the hexagram name "Retreat" has me wondering. How good could the year really turn out to be if the yijing recommends retreating?

 

[rosada]

Well, just jumping on what you have said about these hexagrams, perhaps your first consideration for the new year should be about whether you want to continue having your brother for a housemate or is it time to Retreat from that arrangement? Or at least re-negotiate it.

 

[bluejay]

Well, just jumping on what you have said about these hexagrams, perhaps your first consideration for the new year should be about whether you want to continue having your brother for a housemate or is it time to Retreat from that arrangement? Or at least re-negotiate it.

A very good point. Definitely something that will happen over the course of this year. But at the moment, I just can't afford to move. It's cheap sharing rent with my brother...

 

[bluejay]

Another interesting thing I've noticed about this received answer--

Lines 4, 5, and 6 all change. That means the entire top trigram is changed, leaving the bottom trigram as 'mountain'. The top trigram goes from 'earth' > 'thunder' > 'lake' > 'heaven'. Any thoughts on that?

 

[rosada]

The fact that it is the upper trigram that changes makes me think the significant events will be in your spiritual world, like change in your goals or perspective rather than in your physical world . So interesting you note you do not have the physical tool - money - to just up and move. So it seems the changes will have to be in your head: “ You can’t change everyone so you might as well change yourself.” That’s just my take on it. Someone else may have another idea.

But if the three upper changing lines ar indicating an attitude adjustment on your part I read it like this: 15.4 Recognize that you are a role model.
15.5 Don’t be pulled off course by what your brother is doing. (Maybe keep the shared space clean and in good orde? Do this “modestly” without criticizing?)
15.6 Wharever it is that irritates you about him, seek to cleanse it from your own behavior. Be the change you would like to see in the world.

 

[bluejay]

The fact that it is the upper trigram that changes makes me think the significant events will be in your spiritual world, like change in your goals or perspective rather than in your physical world .

It's interesting you say that. I always thought the lower trigram signified the 'inner' worlds, while the upper trigram symbolised the 'outer' worlds of shared reality. (Disclaimer: I'm a novice at consulting and interpreting the yijing, so that comes wholly from what I've read on the internet and a handful of books)

Even so, what you think makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[starflower]

Hi bluejay! I actually kind of like the war theme in your reading. That in itself is like encouragement to keep the fighting spirit alive.

15.4 seems to be a reminder that yin energy is as important as yang when it comes to winning life's battles. Strength and fighting skills are all good, but you also need modesty, humility, willingness to seek trustworthy advice or help from others when you need, etc.
15.5 concerns the enemies or opponents without (financial problems, difficult relationships, bad weather lol, any negative circumstances you have to deal with day in and day out) while 15.6 suggests enemies within like old habits, anger, self-pity, any negative emotional states that keep you from staying motivated and reaching your goals (I can relate to this a lot, lol).
33 suggests taking a break from our battles from time to time in order plan new strategies and recover our strength for the next advance.

Best wishes for the new year!

 

[bluejay]

I've also thought of another interesting perspective. Hex 15, which is often translated as modesty or humility, literally combines the character for 'speech' or 'speaking' with the character for 'bringing together' or 'connecting'. I haven't yet found a good English word to properly encapsulate that, but I'm coming to understand it as an authentic and communicative state of being that is shared with others - giving space for others to speak their truth while at the same time holding to one's own. Together, we can fill in the parts that others are missing or lacking with advice and personal experience, allowing us to all find success in time. That's where the meaning of humility comes in, for without the ability to give space and listen to others this isn't possible.

On the other hand, hex 33 is present. There the character is a combination of 'movement' with the image of a pig destined for the slaughterhouse. That paints a vivid picture of trying to get away, finding a safe space to be, 'withdrawing' or 'retreating' from the world. This is quite a contrast to hex 15 and the shared experience it describes. But perhaps that's the idea - strike a balance between the social benefits of working together honestly, and a need for alone time to rest and rejuvenate.


My guess is that the lines then show how to strike that balance. (Thanks for your insight starflower, it's given me a lot to ponder!)