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scorpyon46

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I first ran across reference to the I Ching in The Alchemy of Healing by Edward Whitmont, M.D. My curiosity piqued, I experimented online while awaiting a copy of W-B via interlibrary loan.

My first hexagram startled me with its accuracy and relevance. Gradually, I began using the I Ching more often and regularly sought the insights offered for various issues in my life. The I Ching helped me bridge the transition to independence after 32 years of marriage, kept me sane through menopause, and guided me in a new relationship.

After a hiatus of several months, I've decided to begin consulting the I Ching again, starting over in an attempt to lay a solid foundation for greater understanding of the hexagrams and their meaning. An online search led me to Clarity and the I Ching Community. I've read past newsletters, downloaded articles, had an email reading, and signed up for the online course.

This morning I decided to request a daily hexagram, trusting the I Ching to move me along at a pace that will deepen my understanding of Yi and its relevance to my life.

I cast Hex.53.1>37 & 64. I gleaned the following, using W-B and A Huang:

53: Developing Gradually
1. Image: a slowly-developing tree w/deep roots
2. Step-by-step development
3. Avoid hasty action or undue influence
4. Outer form proceeds from inner calm
5. Perseverance

Line 1:
1. Lonely being starting on a new path
2. W/o assistance, steps slowed by hesitancy
3. Expect criticism, difficulties that will
4. Rein in hastiness, ensuring progress

#37 Household
1. Warmth, harmony
2. Anticipate & make provision for trouble

#64 Not Yet Fulfilled
1. Beginning a new cycle
2. Situation difficult
3. Promise of success
4. Order from disorder

Interestingly, this hexagram seems to address two separate issues; a note in the margin of my W-B indicates I received 53.1 in August, 2001, in response to a query about the on-again, off-again communication with my adult son, a concern once again in the last couple of weeks.

Comments and/or additional insights greatly appreciated as I learn how to deepen my understanding of how to interpret a hexagram.

Barbara
 
C

candid

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Welcome, Barbara. I like your interpretation very much.

37 is an interesting hex. in that the picture of family extends beyond the trigrams. It's a fun concept to work with, seeing each of three sons and daughters, plus the mother and father, all which makes up the family. Coming to know these different family members in yourself becomes quite an interesting adventure. Knowing this also helps to establish order within the inner family.
 

scorpyon46

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Thank you, Candid...

I noticed the correlation you mentioned, but other than a general application, couldn't see a more specific insight.

Having a deep interest in human behavior, I am interested to see if there's a way to analyze a relationship to build a hexagram reflecting the dynamics of that relationship, similar to the way Mick Frankel evaluates an organization to produce a hexagram. Perhaps 37 might provide the framework for such an approach...or has somebody already done it?

Barbara
 
C

candid

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Barbara,

I think any such organization of a relationship would be fluid and moving. But no matter what state or transition the relationship was in, it could still be reflected through the same four male and four female archetypes of the trigrams. In fact, no oracle feature is necessary to do this. All it requires is the recognition of these trigrams, active at a given time, to determine which principles were at work in a given relationship.
 
C

candid

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For example, and I'm just brainstorming with you here, let?s say the woman is in a playful and irresponsible mood. The man is being stubborn and practical. She is being Tui while he is being Ken, a picture of the youngest daughter and youngest son. Tui over Ken is 31, influence and wooing. Ken over Tui is 41, decrease. The couple can then decide which should be on top, so to speak. Or, they can compromise: she decreases her indiscretion, he decreases his stubbornness. Let the wooing begin!
 

scorpyon46

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I appreciate the example...the only problem is, I don't have enough knowledge yet to recognize hexagrams in this way...so many hexagrams, so little time!

Barbara
 
C

candid

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Barbara, I've done a little preliminary work on this. Nothing groundbreaking, but a simple breakout which I've called the family of Yi. I could send it to you if you'd like.
 

scorpyon46

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How generous! I'd love to review your material. If it's not too lengthy, feel free to send it to me via my screen name at hotmail.com. Otherwise, I'll need to get my default address to you.

Barbara
 

RindaR

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Candid,

I'd love to have a copy of this too, are you willing to post it here? I know you've shared a little of it here and there in Clarity threads, and think it would be awesome to see it all in one place.

Rinda
 

hilary

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Could I turn it into a 'glossy' pdf and offer it for download from here? That would make a lot of people happy.
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(See?)
 

hilary

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Barbara, I also like your 'gleanings' very much. Sounds like Yi welcoming you into an ever more fulfilling relationship. I may be one of those with 'words' best ignored here, but there is a chance you may find the daily reading is information overload - I do. If you do find this, try weekly instead.
 
C

candid

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Either/or. But perhaps Hilary would volunteer to drop the trigram symbols into the text on the pdf? ...grin... let me know, ok? Otherwise I'll just post it here.

There's so much more to be said than what I've included. It just never got done.
 
C

candid

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An excerpt:


1. The Father is The Creative-Heaven. He is the primal positive Yang. He is spirit and thought. He uses time as a means to create and to bring into creation.


2. The Mother is The Receptive-Earth. She is the primal negative Yin. She is earth, spatial and body. She receives The Father?s spirit and gives birth to everything, including the first born of who is:


3. The Eldest Son is Lightening-Thunder. He is electricity. He is the energy which comes from Heaven and Earth. He manifests his Father?s creative force and energy. He is what the ancients envisioned as the dragon. He is what a Christian sees as Jesus.


4. The Second Son is Abysmal-Water. He is the heart and soul locked within the body. He is light locked within darkness. He is brave but can also be reckless.


5. The Third Son is Still-Mountain. He is a man you can lean on. He gives stillness to the heart and soul and overcomes adversity in quiet strength. He is meditation.


6. The First Daughter is Gentle-Wind. She is the wind which penetrates and shapes mountains, over time. She breaks up intrigues which shun the light of day. She is also wood, as roots which forge ahead with perseverance.


7. The Second Daughter is Clinging-Fire She clings to her fuel and source, and becomes the light of nature?s radiance. Fire flames upward but clings to what is below.



8. The Third Daughter is The Joyess-Lake. She is joy and also melancholy. She is emotions and sociability.

Here, in the symbols of I Ching, each trigram is a member of the hierarchy, demonstrated as The Family. If each member of the Family works for the good of the whole, each individual is cared for and grows. Each individual member of the Family is true to their own nature. They are a part of something greater than themselves, but they each retain their true nature. One does not decrease themselves in order to increase the other.

Let me emphasize the point more directly. If one is to imagine building a governmental body, a family, or any effective organization using the I Ching principles as their blueprint, they must design it to meet both primary needs: The collective need of the people and the individual need of the worker. When common people work for the welfare of the government, this is called, 41= Decrease, in I Ching speak. The government prospers at the decrease of the people. On the other side of the coin, for every individual to work solely for their own increase is to ignore the needs of the government, who are stewards to meet the real needs of the people they serve.
 

hilary

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Happy to drop trigram images in, any time. Though people will get it more quickly if you post it here, too.
 
C

candid

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Recognizing each member is really what makes each image come alive. I'll throw an example or two out here to demonstrate.

Do you know this fiery redhead? She's strong willed, smart and beautiful, and she knows it. She stands out in a crowd, radiant and clear.

Do you know this man? He lives on the edge. He doesn?t know the meaning of fear, and if you follow him you could find yourself in danger.

What kind of relationship might this be?
Li (fire) over Kan (water) = 64
Kan over Li = 63

This is a fast, hot relationship, and it stands to end soon after it begins. There would need to be augmentations in personalities in order to endure.

Just a winged example.
 
C

candid

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Hilary, that's ok. It's old work, and minimal. But the idea of applying it to relationships now has me a little fired up about it again. Give me some time with it. If something worthwhile develops I'll email it to you to work with.

Of course, if anyone else wants to play around with it, please be my guest.
 
C

candid

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Another example of application:

A woman has been in a marriage for 20 years. During this time she was always expected to behave with dignity, she never let her hair down. As the eldest daughter she had great responsibility, and it fell to her to be the example to her younger sisters.

Now in later years she becomes sad and mourns. The weight of her responsibility weighing heavily on her shoulders. This responsible woman becomes sad and depressed, with no idea why.

What member of the family does she need, to experience renewal? My answer is: Tui. This woman needs to discover and bring life to the youngest daughter within her. She needs to be silly and irresponsible. She needs a new dress and stuff girls do for themselves.

Tui over Sun = 28
Sun over Tui = 61

Sounds like a makeover to me. Renewal.
 
C

candid

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One more:

Over time a salesman has become complacent. His old accounts hang in there with him but they?re not very excited either. Attrition slowly dwindles his account list and he falls into a deep slump.

This of course is Ken, the plodder. He?s as reliable as the sunrise, and is a creature of routine.

His sales manager is at her wit?s end. He?s a nice guy but she needs someone more ambitious in that position to achieve higher goals.

She enlists Chen.

Chen over Ken = 62
Ken over Chen = 27

Motivation.
 

scorpyon46

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I appreciate the additional examples...they and your foundation work provide food for thought.

Regarding the fiery redhead/fearless man...an image of two flaming beings shooting through deep space came to mind....

Barbara

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C

candid

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You got it. A straw comet.

If you become familiar with these persons within yourself, adjustments become natural. It creates a sense of order within your family. When in balance or harmony, each is encouraged to grow true to its nature. And each contributes to the whole family.
 

scorpyon46

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Candid, in yet another manifestation of synchronicity, Riseman's Understanding the I Ching arrived in yesterday's mail. As I scanned his approach, I grasped what you posited yesterday in response to my initial message.

This morning I sat down with Riseman's book to take another look at yesterday's hexagram. I gleaned insights into my relationship that reinforced the amazing way the oracle can hold relevance on several levels at the same time.

Hex 53.1
Tree/Mountain = Eldest daughter/youngest son
Tree must establish roots in the thin soil of Mountain to ensure stability.

Marriage of a maiden
Auspicious
Perseverance is beneficial

Chien favorable for affairs developing step-by-step.

Line 1: Wild Goose = fidelity to one mate
Man starting a demanding journey
He will make mistakes that will prove good for him.

Hex 37: (looking at corresponding line 1)
Mountain/Tree = Youngest Son/Eldest Daughter
Woman's perseverance benefits
Relationship built on her devotion/loyalty
Man reflects outward strength of relationship
His words must be based on substance
His conduct must support his words.

Hex 64:
Fire/Water = Middle Daughter/Middle Son
Irreconcilable
Potentially hostile situation
Requires unifying force/interest to continue

Comments:
I am an Eldest Daughter, he a Youngest Son;
the trigrams do reflect our personalities.

There is a great deal of give-and-take overall in the relationship, thus we take turns being "on top," encouraging and supporting one another to grow into a full realization of our individuality.

Hex 64 seems to indicate our relationship will last only if we share a common interest. We do share such a unifying factor; I am cautiously hopeful for the future.

Hilary, this experience caused me to take your advice and draw a new hexagram on a weekly basis, allowing me several days to probe the hexagram from several angles. I suspect such an approach will provide richer insights into the I Ching.

As alway, comments appreciated!

I have several used I Ching books on order...I'm curious to see if another arrives today, thus directing tomorrow's insights...

Barbara
 
C

candid

Guest
Barbara,

Very cool that it's connecting with you.

BTW, while I respect Hilary's weekly approach I see no reason to create such limits. True, it can serve to confuse if one doesn't allow enough time/room for a reading to expand into its fully intended meaning, but there is often more than one meaningful question someone has in a week's time. It's a matter of what works best for you. But I believe especially at the beginning of the learning curve when interest and enthusiasm is high, there is opportunity to explore at a more frequent pace.

In this case Hilary is being a mountain while I'm being water. Youngest and middle sons.

Hilary = water over mountain, 39. Not tackling obstructions forcefully, patiently waits.

Candid = mountain over water, 4. Hopelessly curious, impetuously moving ahead.

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scorpyon46

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Candid,

Hilary's suggestion actually eliminates the limits I would have imposed by studying a new hexagram on a daily basis.

Your counter-suggestion, however, encourages me to be open to a new hexagram when the situation warrants.

There!

Everybody happy now?

LOL

Barbara
 

Sparhawk

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<BLOCKQUOTE><HR SIZE=0><!-Quote-!><FONT SIZE=1>Quote:</FONT>

Hilary = water over mountain, 39. Not tackling obstructions forcefully, patiently waits.

Candid = mountain over water, 4. Hopelessly curious, impetuously moving ahead.<!-/Quote-!><HR SIZE=0></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can't help it! When I see an hexagram I see three distinct hexagrams and four trigrams. It is never as simple as the obvious Top and Bottom trigrams... The above two hexagrams have a very different inner structure.

Not to stir any trouble or anything but I'd take an exception if I was classified as a 39... I'd duel Candid at 20 feet with a "SuperSoaker" water gun... LOL
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Luis
 
C

candid

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Luis, hopefully Hilary is past ever being offended by anything I'd say. And really, 39 doesn't describe her, it only describes how her approach differs from my approach.

But you make a good point. With the 12 various hexagram models you and she would derive from a single reading, one reading per week is all you'd have time for!

Touché, Senior!
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