Increase to Blocked

[redarmada]

I asked Yi, "What can I expect from X in the near future?"
This is a sort of question which I have been striving not to ask the Yi, because it's the kind of thing that I can't necessarily have any motive influence or personal involvement in, and because it smacks of demanding an answer from the future- but all rules should be bent, sometimes.

I received Hexagram 42, Increase, changing lines 1 and 4:
"Fruitful to accomplish great things/make great beginnings", "Walk in the center, notify the prince- he follows"
The relating Hexagram is 12, Blocked.
I feel that Hexagram 12 is pretty obvious to me, because of obstructing (emotional) distance and tension between X and I. So while I was at first alarmed to think that I should expect an Increase in the Blockage, I think it's more like that coming out of the Block there is Increase. I wonder mostly in regards to line 4- what is it saying? One must speak up to the prince, obviously, but moving in the center- does this mean gaining central attention from the person I must speak to? Or does it mean walking the narrow path between extremes?
Any thoughts on H42 - 12?

 

[Tim K]

I find it very amusing that Wilhelm writes about hex 42 the following:
The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the strong lowest line of the upper trigram has sunk down and taken its place under the lower trigram. This conception also expresses the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based. To rule truly is to serve.

Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth.

So basically you've got to hex 42 from hex 12
And now you have lines 1 and 4, that go back in time, to reverse 42 to 12 again.

I think if you engage in contact with him, you will get to a standstill again.

About line 4 (James Legge):
Shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed.
It says the prince will follow your advice, not you.

Wilhelm's commentary:
It is important that there should be men who mediate between leaders and followers. These should be disinterested people, especially in times of increase, since the benefit is to spread from the leader to the people. Nothing of this benefit should be held back in a selfish way; it should really reach those for whom it is intended.

Or does it mean walking the narrow path between extremes?

Yes, between rich and poor, in the middle.

 

[bradford]

If you are thinking of Hexagram 12 as being about Obstructing or Blockage you are using sources who don't understand the meaning of the Hexagram. You need translations and sources with better insight.