How will the situation evolve?

[freimuth]

I asked the I Ching about a difficult situation I am going through and I got 36.5.6 (turning into 37). Will this mean that the obstacles can be overcome and that in the meantime I have to struggle to keep an even mind? Thanks for any advice.

 

[rosada]

I’m not following your interpretation. Can you say a bit more?

 

[freimuth]

How will it evolve? 36.5.6

Dear Rosada,
I read for line 36.5 in Wilhelm "Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers". This suggests to me that the difficult situation will persist for a while and that I have to hold my ground in the meantime. Line 6 may suggest that the difficulty will reach a pitch and then subside. Is this correct? Or do I have to read line 5 and 6 together, that is the situation is already as bad as it can be and that I have to persevere for a while? Thanks!

 

[rosada]

Ah. Thank you. I was unclear about “needing to struggle.” I don’t see a struggle here, more like advice to not over react, not go charging in. The lines say the truth will come out and it may not be a clear “right” and “wrong” situation - you may be being advised to consider that ultimately it is important to keep the “family” together. Of course that may feel like a struggle but it doesn’t have to be...

 

[moss elk]

I asked the I Ching about a difficult situation I am going through and I got 36.5.6 (turning into 37).

Just curious,
is this about an affair?
(without some details, it is near impossible to understand)

 

[Trojina]

Ah. Thank you. I was unclear about “needing to struggle.” I don’t see a struggle here, more like advice to not over react, not go charging in. The lines say the truth will come out and it may not be a clear “right” and “wrong” situation - you may be being advised to consider that ultimately it is important to keep the “family” together. Of course that may feel like a struggle but it doesn’t have to be...

I wondered if you were mistakenly looking at 35.6 which looks more like your advice, than 36.5. and 36.6 which don't even mention charging.

 

[freimuth]

Evolution 36.5.6

Dear Moss Elk, this is not an affair. It is a situation at work where someone who wields power could potentially harm me by making public some information he holds. Does it answer your question? Thank you.

 

[Freedda]

The overall idea of Hex. 36 is to intentionally obscure one's light, perhaps to hide your talents or thoughts, or strengths or weaknesses - until there's a better time to present or use them.

It's more a tactical retreat, not a defeat; it's saving resources for when you need them (like banking a fire and closing the damper, so that flame and fuel last through the night). Another name for it is "Enshrouding Oneself."

The back story of Line 36.5 reinforces this: Chi (or Ji) was a Zhou-era prince who - as the story goes - feigned madness in order to survive the reign of his tyrant nephew. So, a tale of how hiding oneself (or one's light or true self) can serve us.

Line 36.6 - it seems to me to be a reminder that we all end up the same way in the end, and maybe to keep this in perspective when dealing with your situation. It's like Don Juan's advice to use death as an advisor. To put the situation in perspective; in it's proper place within your life.

37 - Family Matters - how this fits is a bit unclear to me. Perhaps its a reminder that whatever this conflict is could be a family dynamic playing itself out: (the cruelty of an older brother; control by mother; etc.) - which might help to put it in perspective.

Or, perhaps to treat this situation as if you were dealing with a family member: this can have a madness all its own, and maybe not seem like such good advice - but I often find that we'll stick things out to the end (and hopefully a resolution) with a family member where we wouldn't with someone else - just that it will push all our buttons and family assocations along the way!

And perhaps ... another name I've seen for this hex. is 'Organizing for the Long Term' which might itself suggest the best way to approach this situation (and seems to go along with the advice of 36.6).

Best, David.

 

[freimuth]

Dear David, many thanks. I think "37" may refer to the organization I belong to, because if I should come to grief, the organization would be harmed as well. In fact my intention would be to take some steps to concoct a preventative plan of action with my boss.

 

[Freedda]

... I think "37" may refer to the organization I belong to, because if I should come to grief, the organization would be harmed as well.

I like your insight about it. I didn't know the details, but I can certainly see that an organization or group of people could be 'family' and not just another individual.

The text of 37, 'Rewarding the woman's persistence,' or, 'a woman's constancy is fruitful' fits very well (regardless of your sex or gender) with your intention to take steps to prevent your organization (i.e. family) from harm.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing, David.

 

[rosada]

36 - 37 Just realized Thanksgiving is coming up in here in the USA - the day of the year when the whole country must fein madness to put up with our crazy relatives!!!

Maybe this is saying if you can just persevere through Thanksgiving your situation or understanding will evolve and things will be not so crazy. Soon you'll see all the different pieces of your life working as one, life a family! Even if there are upsets and you have to conceal your loyalties, soon you will know it's all working together for the greater good! Persevere, Mom!

Trojina, I was getting my ideas from 36.5.6. I was particularly thinking how 36.5 suggests the dark times will soon be over - like 36.5 is an as yet unborn baby sensing it's time to be born is coming and then 36.6 seems to be a warning that when the time to come out of hiding arrives not to be too disruptive about it. Like don't jump out of the womb saying "I'v been eavesdropping on you guys for 9 months and now you are all sooo busted!". Continue to be play it cool.
Interesting 36.6 actually leads to the second hexagram 37 The family, so leaving the hiding place, the womb, and coming out in the Family. So remember you're still with the same people? Group? So situation evolving with gaining greater insight about the group but with a reminder/warning these people are going to be around for some time so best not to be too assertive. That was my thinking about 36.6 being a warning about not charging in.

 

[Freedda]

... Interesting 36.6 actually leads to the second hexagram 37 The family, so ...

Rosada, I am curious what you mean by "leads into"?

Is it that 36.6 is the last line in 36 which then - in sequence - would 'lead' to 37? Similar to how 1.6 leads to 2, or 62.6 leads to 63? Or is it something else?

Best, David.

 

[rosada]

Yes.

 

[Trojina]

Trojina, I was getting my ideas from 36.5.6. I was particularly thinking how 36.5 suggests the dark times will soon be over - like 36.5 is an as yet unborn baby sensing it's time to be born is coming and then 36.6 seems to be a warning that when the time to come out of hiding arrives not to be too disruptive about it. Like don't jump out of the womb saying "I'v been eavesdropping on you guys for 9 months and now you are all sooo busted!". Continue to be play it cool.
Interesting 36.6 actually leads to the second hexagram 37 The family, so leaving the hiding place, the womb, and coming out in the Family. So remember you're still with the same people? Group? So situation evolving with gaining greater insight about the group but with a reminder/warning these people are going to be around for some time so best not to be too assertive. That was my thinking about 36.6 being a warning about not charging in.

Thanks for explaining, though your reasoning seems to me a long way from what the line says

'Not bright, dark.
At first rises up to heaven,
Later enters into the earth.'

 

[rosada]

What do you think of this as a proverb to be connected with 36.6:
"Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it"?

[Your wish]...At first rises up to heaven.
[where it gestates until it....]
Later enters the earth.

So while you were Hiding Your Light, you wished and hoped and prayed to be able to come forth as you truly are and lo, your prayers are answered but you are cautioned that as you are emerging remember that you might want to go into hiding again so be cautious, don't burst out too brightly at first.

 

[Trojina]

I asked the I Ching about a difficult situation I am going through and I got 36.5.6 (turning into 37). Will this mean that the obstacles can be overcome and that in the meantime I have to struggle to keep an even mind? Thanks for any advice.

I think it says that you have to hide your light, keep your truth to yourself for a while (36.5) and that there will be a total shift where whoever is oppressed or hurt will find the dark forces that have held them back will naturally be overthrown (line 6)

37 is the context of the cast which is perhaps the organisation or workplace family you are in. Ah I see you already said that.

I find in 36.6 one is able to see the highest and the lowest in a situation in a very short time frame, even simultaneously, and it is the end of hiding because what was hidden comes to light.


So for you it could mean what you want to hide will come to light if it is in any way wrong or immoral for it to be hidden. But I am presuming it isn't in which case the forces that oppress you can just be flipped over, reversed. There's an inevitability to the line IMO so I'd think forces were already in action so to speak.

rosada
What do you think of this as a proverb to be connected with 36.6:
"Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it"?

[Your wish]...At first rises up to heaven.
[where it gestates until it....]
Later enters the earth.

So while you were Hiding Your Light, you wished and hoped and prayed to be able to come forth as you truly are and lo, your prayers are answered but you are cautioned that as you are emerging remember that you might want to go into hiding again so be cautious, don't burst out too brightly at first.

I don't exactly see a caution. I guess I could see it as 'how the mighty have fallen' or 'pride comes before a fall', the idea that things can flip very quickly.

 

[moss elk]

What do you think of this as a proverb to be connected with 36.6:
"Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it"?

I think it is terrible.

How about the nursery rhyme:
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the kings horses
and all the kings men
couldn't put Humpty together again

 

[freimuth]

What was hidden was in no way immoral but from the admin point of view was irregular. Thank you.

 

[freimuth]

What was hidden was in no way immoral but from the admin point of view was irregular (my fault!). However, if the organization (37) wants to, it can be corrected post factum and be regularized. Thanks to all for the precious advice.

 

[rosada]

Further thought about 36.6 - Noticing how 35. is Light then 36. is Dark and then at 36.5 is rising up to Light again but at 36.6 Light falls back into Dark. Maybe 36.6 can be usefully seen as a caution to notice there maybe a recurring cycle going on here.
37. Family could refer to "Family" as being the people you fall back on.

 

[rosada]

Further thought about 36.6 - Noticing how 35. is Light then 36. is Dark and then at 36.5 is rising up to Light again but at 36.6 Light falls back into Dark. Maybe 36.6 can be usefully seen as a caution to notice there maybe a recurring cycle going on here.
37. Family could refer to "Family" as being the people you fall back on.

 

[freimuth]

36.6 does not sound so auspicious to me, whereas 37 is usually a positive hexagram. Could this mean that I need to rely on the "Family" to get things sorted out?

 

[moss elk]

36.6 does not sound so auspicious to me, whereas 37 is usually a positive hexagram. Could this mean that I need to rely on the "Family" to get things sorted out?

It means something comes crashing down...
A house of cards... the jig is up...

 

[Trojina]

36.6 does not sound so auspicious to me, whereas 37 is usually a positive hexagram. Could this mean that I need to rely on the "Family" to get things sorted out?

There is no such thing as a 'positive' or 'negative' hexagram

I'd say what happens will happen in accordance with what is right and just whatever that many be.