Overwhelmed. Are my readings ominous?

[leighl]

I did three readings this week and think that will be enough for right now... They all seem so ominous to me.

Most recently, I asked Yi to give me insight into my living situation, specifically with my new (possibly temporary) roommate in the city I just moved to 2 weeks ago. I drew 48.2 > 39.
The Well. Moving the city, not moving the well.

‘Limping. Fruitful in the southwest,
Not fruitful in the northeast.

I moved to a city in the north from the southwest, and the area code of my hometown is in order in the numbers of the hexagrams. Seeing these numbers gave me a little shock and they feel meaningful. The image of the cracked jug doesn't seem to be giving me an action. Is this reading advising me to go home? Did I make a bad choice moving here? I felt that I was in a deep rut there and want to experience something different.

Another question I asked this week was, "How would this job affect my life?" I've been called for an interview on Thursday and am not necessarily excited by this particular job, but I need to start working. Is this a poorly worded question? The resulting hexagram was 33.4.5>52. Now I am wondering if I'm being advised to retreat from this possible job opportunity or if the affect of this job would be a type of retreat from...maybe distraction?

I'm starting to think I am not practiced enough to ask the I Ching questions. All this in conjunction with my very first question "What do I need to know now?" resulting in 36.3>24... I'm overwhelmed, especially because it all seems so ominous and I'm in such a transitional, uncertain time. The names of all the hexagrams seem to have a relationship to each other too (Brightness Hidden, Returning, Retreat, Stilling,The Well, Limping). I'm asking for insight into my readings but also maybe some advice on how to be better at interpreting them? Should I stop asking questions for awhile?

 

[diamanda]

Hi leighd,

We only truly learn by constantly practising, so I'd say keep asking questions whenever you feel the urge. In my experience, the more vague the question, the more vague the answer. For example, when you ask for "insight" into your living situation, and on top of that you add a clause like 'especially your possibly temporary roommate', it becomes more difficult to figure out which part of your question the answer refers to.

48.2 to 39 doesn't sound that good about your living situation. If it refers to the house itself, it might mean plumbing issues. If it refers to you, you might run into financial problems. If it refers to your roommate, it's not going to work out between you. However, no need to panic - practical problems occur all the time to everyone and most can be overcome.

How would this job affect your life - that is assuming that you'll definitely get this job? Perhaps you should ask this question once you've got a concrete job offer (with 33.4 they might not offer you this particular one).

As about 36.3 to 24, it's a positive answer. You said you lived south and now went north. 36.3 says you managed to find out what was wrong in the south. It advises not to expect drastic results soon, but to go about your business in an easy-going manner (24). So i think you did well to move away from the south. IMO "what do i need to know" is too vague a question though.

 

[leighl]

Thanks for writing diamanda. I was having a momentary freak out but found your response really helpful, especially since I've been going along with the flow and sort of shook myself out of that with these questions. I think I will wait for any concrete job offer and will ask much more specific questions.

Thanks again!

 

[ginnie]

I drew 48.2 > 39.

To me this simply means you really don't have any associates at the new location. You are all alone.

"How would this job affect my life?" 33.4.5>52. Now I am wondering if I'm being advised to retreat from this possible job opportunity or if the effect of this job would be a type of retreat from...maybe distraction?

You may be right in your interpretations. I'm not sure. The I Ching could also be advising you to retreat from asking this question, as you are upset in general.

I'm starting to think I am not practiced enough to ask the I Ching questions. All this in conjunction with my very first question "What do I need to know now?" resulting in 36.3>24...

Yes, it does sound ominous but actually it is a very good response. You have gained the upper hand, leighd, even though it doesn't feel that way.

I have to say that you have noticed something that is very true about the I Ching. A lot of its language is rather alarmist and frightening. Only with practice, as Diamanda said, do we learn to ignore the dire language and see the good advice that is being offered to us. If I were you, I would do a short meditation each time before casting the I Ching, to settle the emotions and to formulate a good question. When the question comes straight from your heart, it can happen that you will sense the I Ching in a new way, as if it was your good and trusted friend, there to assist you in your time of need. Over time, the meanings of the lines will become clearer; you will understand them instantly. Do use some of the resources here at OnlineClarity, and you will see that confusion and uncertainty about readings is not something you alone are suffering! But it's a wonderful feeling when you get that sense that the I Ching is speaking directly to you and your concerns in a helpful way.

 

[loverofknowledge]

Hi, If your first question refers to living with your new roommate, then it indicates that there's an obstacle (39), which is impeding the flow in your life (48.2). The hexagram 48 is quite apt, since you have just moved. It reminds you that though you've moved in city, you haven't moved the Well (which is the source of bounty in your life). You carry that Well within you wherever you go.
Your living situation may need to be repaired but your life itself (and your move) are not necessarily adversely impacted in the longer run.
About the job, you asked about the affect the job would have on your life. So, how much sense does it make, to consider that the job itself might bring stillness as a result of withdrawal from normal activities. Is the job situated in the mountains? Just wondering...
36.3 to 24: what do I need to know now? The reply suggests that you've been through an ordeal and that you've done very good work. You've taken the chief captive , i.e. you've conducted some important business that has eliminated a source of pain and distress in your life. Now, your life is opening (hexagram 24) into new adventures, new relationships, and a return to the source of who you are. Good things are on the way.

 

[leighl]

Thanks so much, ginnie. Your response made me feel better and has already been true. Between the responses here and turning the reading over in my mind for a few days, I am much more clear on my situation. Waiting to hear about the job was good advice and echoed to me verbatim by my father. I'm glad you pointed out the dire language of the I Ching as well. Somehow it seems less frightening after acknowledging that... at least for now.

 

[leighl]

Your living situation may need to be repaired but your life itself (and your move) are not necessarily adversely impacted in the longer run.
About the job, you asked about the affect the job would have on your life. So, how much sense does it make, to consider that the job itself might bring stillness as a result of withdrawal from normal activities. Is the job situated in the mountains? Just wondering...

Hey loverofknowledge, thanks for your insight into my reading. I've been reading my hexagrams the way onlineclarity taught me-- the resulting hexagram is "what it's about for you." This is the way I read 33.4.5 >52. I have been seeking/practicing stillness in my life without work for several months, so I was thinking that I am operating from a place of relative stillness now and Retreat was my answer. Anyway, your comment about the job being situated in the mountains made me laugh. As soon as I spoke with the recruiter yesterday, I got a very strong sense to retreat from this job. It seems so obvious now.