In Financial Dire Straights.. 63.3

[ariel13]

Hi all,

I am really in a pickle financially right now. I am teaching a couple of classes this spring, which is very low paying. And every freelance job I have had that is open to working with my school schedule has not needed help, and every other one I have applied for has fallen through or backed off when they learned about my scheduling limitations. I am really at my wits end. I feel like I keep getting discouraging readings but am also not sure how to word questions regarding the problems, because the question is not so much if I'll get a new job but maybe if an old one will hire me but regardless the real issue is money, not opportunity. Tons of people want to hire me, but the timing has been off.

Anyway, I asked "what is my financial future for the next month?" and received 63.3. I'm thinking this is encouraging. Like maybe it is saying I will conquer the problem?

Incidentally, I just received an encouraging response from a job application as I was typing this. I just continue to worry, because like I said things keep falling through or not working out.

I'd appreciate your insights and any encouragement you can pull out of this hex for me lol

:bows:
Jen

 

[mulberry]

Hey Jen! I'm so sorry to hear you're in tough straits. Freelancing is such a double-edged sword.

In 63, something's already happened, or been decided. You're already across the river, you're already in too deep to double back. It often shows up for me when something's already been decided (for better or worse) and now I have to work out the pesky details. It also shows up when deep down, I know what I have to do, or what an outcome will be, but I'm in denial in some way. Does any of that resonate?

Line 3:

"The high ancestor subdues the Demon Country.
Three years go round, and he masters it.
Small people are of no use."

So, you asked for a picture of your financial future, not advice on how to improve it...but there's some advice embedded in this line anyway. "Small people are of no use," makes me think that you're going to have be very discerning about who you work with. Yi seems to be throwing your situation back at you and saying that these little jobs cobbled together ("small people") aren't working. Now, what is the "Demon Country" and how do you subdue it? This part is harder to interpret, but I do think "self-discipline" is a big part of it. And maybe being a bit more ruthless in how you organize and dispense your time. Teaching classes has some prestige, and looks good on a resume, but if it so low paid (and I know it is) and means not being able to do other, more lucrative things...then something is out of balance and you need to make hard choices. It's going to take awhile (this "three years" business), but in the background there's that sense of new beginnings coming from it, which are, of course, always a bit fraught in the transition (63.3 changes into 3).

Practically speaking, and honing just in on the "financial picture" and the "next month" part, I'd focus on the "small people" advice. Whoever the "small people" are (could be parts of yourself, though I lean towards thinking it's these itty bitty jobs strung together), they aren't useful right now. Maybe this means trying to get out of at least one of the teaching slots and working towards consolidating the many small jobs into one more stable one?

Best of luck!

 

[rosada]

I find that when people discover the I Ching their lives start to change and the typical situations that come up in daily living can no longer be seen or the problems resolved, in the old ways. You have to look at your experience from a much broader perspective. The answer you received to your question here about your finances says to me that first of all you have to calm your fears. Earth is the demon's country and when we are under the demon's power we get caught up in earthly reasoning and limitations and forget we are spirit having an earthly experience. Life is an adventure story we're making up to amuse ourselves and our friends in spirit. So looking at the hexagram from this perspective..

63.3" The high ancestor subdues the Demon Country."
Your higher self has conquered the material world.

"Three years go round and he masters it."
You have not yet full grasped the significance of having this higher power or how to access it. The problems you have now are to force you to take your focus off you being the one responsible to figure out a solution and to turn you to asking your higher self to take over and solve things for you.
Perhaps you will be confronted with various situations this month that first cause you to feel restricted by your schedule and other worldly concerns or just feeling your problems are "dire".. By using prayer, speaking to your ancestor, your higher self, you witness changes and come to know that you have access to a power higher than the material level.

"Small people are of no use." Only God can help us. Also, think big!

Hexagram 3 talks about difficulties being resolved because people work on situations together. There is a lot of back and forth and experimentation. Trying a little of this and then a little of that. You may get income from a variety of sources or find yourself looking for new work and by trying a lot of things you get a clearer idea of what you'd really like to be doing.

Good luck!

 

[rosada]

I find that when people discover the I Ching their lives start to change and the typical situations that come up in daily living can no longer be seen or the problems resolved, in the old ways. You have to look at your experience from a much broader perspective. The answer you received to your question here about your finances says to me that first of all you have to calm your fears. Earth is the demon's country and when we are under the demon's power we get caught up in earthly reasoning and limitations and forget we are spirit having an earthly experience. Life is an adventure story we're making up to amuse ourselves and our friends in spirit. So looking at the hexagram from this perspective..

63.3" The high ancestor subdues the Demon Country."
Your higher self has conquered the material world.

"Three years go round and he masters it."
You have not yet full grasped the significance of having this higher power or how to access it. The problems you have now are to force you to take your focus off you being the one responsible to figure out a solution and to turn you to asking your higher self to take over and solve things for you.
Perhaps you will be confronted with various situations this month that first cause you to feel restricted by your schedule and other worldly concerns or just feeling your problems are "dire".. By using prayer, speaking to your ancestor, your higher self, you witness changes and come to know that you have access to a power higher than the material level.

"Small people are of no use." Only God can help us. Also, think big!

Hexagram 3 talks about difficulties being resolved because people work on situations together. There is a lot of back and forth and experimentation. Trying a little of this and then a little of that. You may get income from a variety of sources or find yourself looking for new work and by trying a lot of things you get a clearer idea of what you'd really like to be doing.

Good luck!

 

[Liselle]

My quick guess is that the line's saying you will patch this up during the month, but it might well be a rough month until that happens.

Is this financial insecurity something that happens to you again and again? And then again? Because I get the impression that's what "Demon Country" is like - the demons keep coming back.

It says that after "three years" the demon country will be conquered, but I'm a bit worried about the time spans involved in this - you asked about the next month, and your reading answers with a reference to "three years". Time spans in the I Ching are not literal, but, elsewhere, the I Ching contains references also to "three days" and "ten days," and "three years" is longer than those, relatively speaking. So I wonder if, when you ask about the next month, the reading means this will drag out for most of the month? (I'd love for that not to be true, of course - time periods really can't be taken literally.)

[Added right before clicking submit: maybe if you started working on this a while ago, maybe the "three year clock" started then, and is therefore almost over? Does that make any sense? In other words, maybe the three years aren't starting when you cast the reading. Yi might be looking back to when you started trying to put jobs together. I hope! ]

Bradford Hatcher, in his book Yijing Volume 1, says in part:

Stories don't tell the smell of the blood, or the pain of a sword in the belly, but to understand the lessons, some of that urgency felt then will need to be recaptured.

[If you don't already have his book and want to download it as a pdf - it's blessedly free of charge - either click this link for an immediate download:
http://hermetica.info/Yijing-One.zip
or go to his website's home page at http://hermetica.info, scroll about a quarter of the way down, below the row of asterisks, and download it yourself.]

I think what Bradford might mean (partially) is that if you go through this over and over again, every time you successfully conquer it (manage to fix things so you have a decent income), do you sort of say "phew!" and "forget" how painful and difficult it was, whenever it's "settled" for a while? (I personally recognize this habit, not always about finances, and it's not a helpful one.) Because unfortunately it's not actually "settled" for more than a brief time, and then here it is again, causing you this kind of trouble?

Of course I don't know if any of this is even true for you. I've had this line, but not in really pithy ways where I can wrap the experiences up with bows and say here's what happened and how it turned out, and so here's what the line "means".

But I wonder if, at some point when this immediate crisis is over, you might need a different sort of solution so it doesn't keep happening again and again? Of course with jobs and the job market being as they are, that might be easy to say and impossible to do. Maybe it's just a description of the way things are.

 

[rosada]

The third position is the top line of the bottom hexagram and it's often one that refers to problems. It's the place of transition from lower to higher. Going from the practical physical world to the mental or non-physical. So it often requires a leap of faith, conquering fear. Hexagram 63 describes the end of a cycle and particularly line 3 points to this being of time of completion and bringing things to order. some phase is ending and it's scary because you do not yet recognize where your new path is opening. So you may have money worries cropping up around you this month as you intuitively sense the old sources are no longer resonating with who you are. This is natural but look at these events as a spiritual challenge, do not allow doubt or fear to disturb your field. Affirm that you are a child of God and watch for the next chapter or your life story to begin.

 

[moss elk]

This line is a picture of a hard won battle over a barbarian clan or region, in which small people, as oppossed to great or people of merit, will be of no use. You've got to attack this problem with all your strength and it takes a while.

It's not about gods and devils, the spirit world or anything else. It is very mundane. Sorry Rosada.

 

[rosada]

No need to be sorry. We have had different experiences.

 

[Liselle]

Hybrid? I agree with M.E. that this is very mundane and requires hard practical work, but on Rosada's side, it's impossible to do all that, to fight demon country, without a fighting spirit, so anything that will maintain your spirit and ward off depression and so forth will be important.

 

[rosada]

My experience with 63.3 has been that the material issues that come up at this time are particularly difficult because beyond the very real practical matters involved, they also activate disturbing emotional responses. Thus the need to have an income becomes more than just a matter of bookkeeping and more a crisis of faith and so along with the need to handle the earthly challenge there is frequently a heightened awareness of where we’re at in terms of being able to handle our fear of the unknown. By stepping up to the plate and dealing with the physical world material problem we not only are able to create order, we also gain mastery over our inner demons. I think this is why we are warned that the battle will take 3 years. Demons are not defeated in one brave gesture. Faith takes time to develop.

 

[rosada]

My experience with 63.3 has been that the material issues that come up at this time are particularly difficult because beyond the very real practical matters involved, they also activate disturbing emotional responses. Thus the need to have an income becomes more than just a matter of bookkeeping and more a crisis of faith and so along with the need to handle the earthly challenge there is frequently a heightened awareness of where we’re at in terms of being able to handle our fear of the unknown. By stepping up to the plate and dealing with the physical world material problem we not only are able to create order, we also gain mastery over our inner demons. I think this is why we are warned that the battle will take 3 years. Demons are not defeated in one brave gesture. Faith takes time to develop.

 

[Liselle]

I should frame that and hang it on the wall, Rosada. :bows:

 

[moss elk]

No need to be sorry. We have had different experiences.

...but on Rosada's side...

It is Rosada's gracefulness,
as displayed here,
that lets us know she is on all of our sides,
and why we are on hers.

:bows:

 

[ariel13]

Hi all,

Wow. I stepped away from this thread for a little, and you all kept it going!! Thank you so much for your insights!

To be honest after reading Mulberry's initial response and gauging my own reaction, I really needed to take a step back. I got very upset. I realized how upset I am about this (just as you said Rosada– emotional reaction) and almost wondered if I should have posted about it at all. Because Mulberry's response was fine, and I over-reacted to it badly. I had to delete my post.

But to respond to part of what you said, Mulberry– I just want to say that I reacted badly, because I didn't like this thing about "something already being decided" lol. I was just initially like what?? Because that is really impossible with freelance. I'm signed up with a bunch of companies (not small people– big agencies) as a matter of fact, and there is no way that they have all decided they won't need me for the next 5 weeks and in fact they have said otherwise. I'm just untrusting right now because of the way the last couple of months have gone... But also, no there is no way that I can leave a teaching job in the middle of the semester etc. And as for discipline, I think I've been pretty disciplined– applying to things and emailing people almost everyday.. there could be something in that about me being disciplined with finances though. I'm already not going out, and actually I cancelled several monthly subscriptions, and I actually decided to handwash my clothes today instead of the laundromat. I applied for public assistance also, although that has been delayed by an error in my application. Doh. So anyway, I do think there is some validity to some of your insights but think some of them just don't exactly apply. I don't know about that "small people" thing. Yes, I've had a few individual clients biting here and there who won't pay as much, but at this point money is money. None of them have panned out anyway though. I don't know what else small people could be about...

Rosada:

I think you are truly spot on about all of this! And I really appreciate this quote:

I find that when people discover the I Ching their lives start to change and the typical situations that come up in daily living can no longer be seen or the problems resolved, in the old ways. You have to look at your experience from a much broader perspective. The answer you received to your question here about your finances says to me that first of all you have to calm your fears. Earth is the demon's country and when we are under the demon's power we get caught up in earthly reasoning and limitations and forget we are spirit having an earthly experience. Life is an adventure story we're making up to amuse ourselves and our friends in spirit. So looking at the hexagram from this perspective..

My ego and earthly fears are all tied up in this. My self worth and my belief in my capabilities and all of this stuff. So I'm truly just hanging around in the demon country or something. It's silly. I am endlessly worrying and fretting– and rightfully so, because this is obviously a stressful situation, but I have tons of opportunities. And I really think I need to fortify my attitude and try to focus on the good, because doubt and fear do not make abundance materialize that is for sure!

I love this idea you have about 63 being about completing things and how my old ways of surviving may not fit with who I am anymore and a new path opening. I think that is actually very true. Most of the old clients I am talking about tend to use me almost more as production. But now I'm even more experienced, and I've been teaching and have reminded myself that I'm actually a leader and an intellectual with far more knowledge than those income sources have been giving me credit for. Also, I am even more of an established artist in my own rite now, and the last thing I really need is to be doing someone else's work.. I think you are right that a lot of my anxiety is rooted in the fact that a new path is unfolding for me right now, but I'm really unsure as to what it is... hence the fear and worry.

And seriously thank you so much for your post, because to be honest I walked away with a different attitude immediately after reading it. And it was almost instantaneous that right after reading it I had an old client contact me about a potential freelance job, and also an old friend contacted me about a full time job (which would be a much higher level than what I have currently been doing) AND one of the jobs I applied to online responded, and I have moved to the next round for consideration. This job could actually be potentially a very good fit, because it would be doing design in a senior position for an artist's studio– where I would have a flexible schedule but could learn more about running my own studio– which would be fabulous. Both are much more aligned to who I am now! The solution isn't final but is on its way!!

By using prayer, speaking to your ancestor, your higher self, you witness changes and come to know that you have access to a power higher than the material level.

This is beautiful. And such a synchronous response. Do you know that when I had my interview for public assistance the interview asked me if I pray? And I said A LOT MORE LATELY! lol But actually I have been. Praying. But I know I can do more. I do know that I am capable of manifesting through meditation and prayer. But I have to be really focused and unpreturbed by the outside world...my fears.. the demon country. It takes a lot of mental discipline, but I can do it. And I haven't been lately. So time to refocus my energies, instead of crying, wringing my hands and obsessively applying for things!

"Small people are of no use." Only God can help us. Also, think big!

Hexagram 3 talks about difficulties being resolved because people work on situations together. There is a lot of back and forth and experimentation. Trying a little of this and then a little of that. You may get income from a variety of sources or find yourself looking for new work and by trying a lot of things you get a clearer idea of what you'd really like to be doing.

I love this too. That the opposite of the small people is God. And yes, I should try to think big. I do foresee this month may be that way.. a lot of different income sources. That's how things have been going for a few months, lots of unexpected new clients and sources of money. In fact the only reason I am "ok" financial for the next few weeks is because I sold some paintings to an old friend a few weeks ago, which is pretty unusual for me. I usually only sell work through galleries.. I haven't really sold on my own before. So that is new.

Anyway, overall I just feel your reading was really spot on and encouraging. Thank you so much for your insight. It is very intuitive and affirming.

Thanks to everyone else too. But I do think Rosada gets the cookie today!!

I will let you guys know how things play out!!!

All the best!

:bows:

Jen

 

[Liselle]

I am very glad that some of these things are actually moving along and might pan out soon, and that a couple of them sound like really good jobs. Phew. (If it's not too premature to say "phew".)

 

[susieq777]

My experience with 63.3 has been that the material issues that come up at this time are particularly difficult because beyond the very real practical matters involved, they also activate disturbing emotional responses. Thus the need to have an income becomes more than just a matter of bookkeeping and more a crisis of faith and so along with the need to handle the earthly challenge there is frequently a heightened awareness of where we’re at in terms of being able to handle our fear of the unknown. By stepping up to the plate and dealing with the physical world material problem we not only are able to create order, we also gain mastery over our inner demons. I think this is why we are warned that the battle will take 3 years. Demons are not defeated in one brave gesture. Faith takes time to develop.

Rosada, thank you for this. It really clarified further my own 63.3 I received yesterday. My father is in hospital after having a stroke five months ago and possibly may not last a lot longer. I am housebound because of my chronic illness and attempted to go visit him a few days ago. I was simply too ill to go and had to cancel.

I asked for advice about going to visit him this week and got 63.3. Your post really resonated with my re the emotional component. My illness means that any stress floors me and exacerbates my symptoms. My relationship with my father is reasonable now, ffriendly enough I guess considering how it was as a child and teenager. We are not close. He was cold, emotionless and psychologically traumatising when I was growing up. Some people would not be in a relationship at all in my situation but I decided years ago to try and take the high road and forgive him for whatever it was that made him so incapable of being a good dad.

The problem with my illness is that it affects my nervous system and can really exacerbate my emotional response and on bad days I find it hard being around people at all. And so whatever gains I have made in terms of being able to not be triggered by him can go right out the window. I simply cannot go see him for what may be the last time unless I have a certain level of physical composure so i can maintain my emotional composure.

I have been taking a new drug that may possibly help my symptoms improve. The chances of improving over the next week or two are minimal but I think I had this in mind when asking this question.

For me, this felt like an acknowledgement of the difficulty of this situation, but also an encouragement to try and chill about this stressful situation, that keeping as light as possible without descending into hardcore stress will only do me good and will maybe even contribute towards my symptoms abating enough that a visit to him will be difficult but possible.

I've also in the last week made a commitment to myself that looking after myself must be my first priority even though convention says I should be rushing to visit my dad. I know my situation and how a visit to him when I'm not able to could send me backwards for months. It's a hard situation to remain committed to myself in this instance with the risk of appearing uncaring (my illness is not well understood) but this is what I must do to maintain my own self respect.

I don't know if all of this sheds any more light on 63.3 but just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[ariel13]

I can't believe I never updated this thread!

Well I am going to update it now! Funny enough, because I am in a similar situation! hahaha!!! And I just got THE EXACT SAME READING. Ahh the devil's domain indeed!

Just to update though, right around 2 weeks after this original reading I got a freelance job that I kept for 8 months. I also had other freelance clients in addition to the job and the teaching. I made a lot of money! I was also completely exhausted, it was really too much. But hey I did well enough for myself, and the money flowed in for a while. ompom:

Going back and reading this and remembering the outcome is making me feel a lot better right now, because as I said I'm in a similar situation. I had several interviews this week, and I am worried they won't pan out as I was having a hard time reading the interviewers' reactions. But I have a couple more irons in the fire, and I think at least 2 of the jobs are still a possibility (I heard back from one). Another one was just crazy. I went through a phone interview, then 3 rounds in person. I was there for almost 3 hours! And it was all going great until the last interviewer. I just feel like he totally threw me curve balls that made no sense. It was confusing, and I left feeling a little dejected. I did send them thank you notes anyway. That was only two days ago, and I haven't heard back. So I'm really unsure about the outcome..

It's so interesting to go back and read the responses where some of you are referring to the idea that this is something I keep having to "repeat." This is very true. Everytime I have been freelance it has gone like this, and it seems like no matter how much money I put aside it seems to correspond exactly with me being down to the last of it before something comes through. I'm really tired of this cycle, so I am applying for full time stuff now.

Anyway, my question today was whether I would get one of the jobs I interviewed for this week. There were four. I feel like this is telling me it may take a little longer than expected (already has), but that I will conquer the devil's domain again! I feel really good about this reading.

Anyway, as I said I just wanted to finally update for anyone who stumbles upon this!

Thanks to everyone for their help! :bows: