Reconnecting with partner - 24 > 4 and then 4 > 2

[Ana Maria]

Hello clarity community! This is my first post, though I've been following the blog for a long while

I'm having quite a lot of trouble figuring out a business partnership situation. So I asked IC what is the scope for reconnecting with Melanie to which I got 24.1.2.6>4. I then asked to pls clarify what this "return to my path" (Dao) meant (I know 24 occurs for partnership Qs but often means on one's own) and I got 4.2.6>2. Applying the FanYao approach I can see that the emphasis on lines 4.2. and 4.6 as "context-solutions" (from 24.2.6.) and I know that 4 is nuclear to 24, which makes it look like a deep, solid meaning answer. It's just that these 2 hexagrams are a complete puzzle to me and I have not idea how to interpret bottom x top lines in multiple line readings or the seemingly contradictory meanings they hold. I also asked one quick clarifying (or solidifier) question "if I reconnect to Melanie, what will be the outcome?" as these tend to work best. I got 33.5>56.

Here's the background and context for these Qs (for those who'd like to read):
M and I started building a collaborative project together several years ago and it a took a while for things to pick up steam. When we finally launched it, the pandemic hit us hard and the business landscape did not look good at all. We had some cashflow but not enough to keep everything going as planned, plus there was not enought to be done to justify a new project that we had in the works. In the meantime, I also started realizing my partner's tendency toward gossip, taking control, wanting to be on top and frontstage, trust issues and a few stories about how previously failed partnerships were about "problem collaborators". All of these were little red flags that started accumulating. Oh, and M is another 2 branches of business so she has a handful of other partnerships and projects to fall back on than I do - more resources and staff as well. When I confronted her with some issues about why I was being paid less than market average and so on, there was a lot of evasion, and I confess that the communication between us has never been super clear - a sense of concealment and distrust that may be based in intuition or pure paranoia or both... I think I then acted defensive when talked about how we could move forward together and we had a sort of fall out (I lost my patience with not being treated/seen as a partner on equal terms, she actually told me that I'm just another employee) and I also got a credit line approved (unexpectedly) to start up my own solo-preneur thing. I thought this was the right way to go as I'm often too giving and afraid of shining on my own and M also told me that it was the right thing for to do but we didn't talked properly to the point I had to insist on a proper chat. So I've been trying to pursue this new road and all the way I've been thinking about the partnership route, mostly bc we work well together and did a quick one-off investment that had a great return. This person is a bit older and senior and her advice has come in handy when mixed with my youthful folly intuition and I think we got together bc we're both in a "foreign" land of sorts as we're very different people.

The main issue for me now is whether it is worth pursuing this connection or reconnection however limited (or limiting?) it might be or better for me to drop it and move fwd on my own. It feels like a life changing decision for reasons I don't get and I'm super confused. I'm also feeling disturbed and sad (possibly feeling regret too) about this whole thing, wondering if I made a big mess out of it and could have simply tried to wait and see where things would go. Or maybe just combining a bit of the partnership and solo work to see what works best. whatever the way fwd, we'll have to figure our intellectual property and dividend-shares. I sense a difficult negotation coming up.

Could you please help me interpret this thread of answers? Is it telling me to (?):
1. return to (follow) my own road (24) and save my own bacon (33) from some foolish action or entanglement (4) that I can't see clearly yet [or]
2. telling me to return to what was (the partnership) (24) and not be a lonely fool (4) bc I'm a wanderer in need of a guide (56/43.3)? [or]
3. this is one of those tough lessons that I'll have to experience and figure out on my own (without IC or external guidance)

Thanks *a lot* for reading this post!!!!!
It's a tough time we're all going through and I appreciate having your input. I will def follow up with outcome!

 

[marybluesky]

Hello;

based on all the readings I'd say you may reconnect, but it won't last and you'll have to go your own way in the end.

 

[diamanda]

Hi Ana Mari,

what is the scope for reconnecting with Melanie 24.1.2.6 > 4
I'm not sure what you mean by 'scope' here. The answer advises to back off, otherwise there's catastrophe and immaturity/stupidity/malice ahead.

pls clarify what this "return to my path" (Dao) meant 4.2.6 > 2
You're inexperienced but you can take matters in your hands and lead partnerships yourself. When you come in contact with harmful fools, protect yourself. Do not keep harmful fools in your life.

if I reconnect to Melanie, what will be the outcome? 33.5 > 56
Not much. One of you will in the end politely decline.

 

[Ana Maria]

Thank you Mary Blue and Diamanda! It's so generous of you, I'm truly grateful.

I do sense an impending moment of danger/harm (nothing serious but still) and our parting ways to become solo-preneurs.

A quick update to this thread: I found out that our account (for regular drafts and payments) is completely empty. The fact that we worked with limited funds helps explains this situation, or most of it. There's also the fact that M would rather have me working as another employee than as a business partner. She could have invested a bit more at the beginning (I invested over time, a bit naively) even though she had (and has kept) the upper hand when it comes to finances and resources. I don't know why (yet) but she kept me on a tight leash to the point where I felt sidelined. Now the accountant says we can't bill anything coz nothing's left. This may be *it*.

So I asked IC about what to do in this scenario and I got 30.2 >14 and about how to behave (as in relate/engage with her) in order to deal with this situation and I got 16.2.4.5 > 29. Got confused again with the 3-line reading as l4 speaks of friendly togetherness (or sticking together) in a context of impending danger (or collapse). The brightness x great power confused me too: does it symbolize me or my posture? Or does it advise me to act strongly and cheerfully?
Any insights?

Thank you so much!!!!!
Mari

 

[diamanda]

what to do in this scenario 30.2 > 14
A bright and clear departure, and/or a departure of money. What can you do really? Like you said, the account is empty.

how to behave (as in relate/engage with her) in order to deal with this situation 16.2.4.5 > 29
Her instability, charm, and sick heart will constantly create the same danger for you.

I would personally accept my losses and never have anything to do with her again.

 

[Ana Maria]

Thank you Diamanda. I didn’t forget to answer but I did want to let some time pass and come back here to update you. I think you were right. Not much in there to hold on to. Also the feeling that is better to not have anything to do with this person.

 

[Ana Maria]

Updates on this thread and my personal readings: this partnership did not go far and stopped short of any advancement. As suggested by the community members, there could have been a slim chance of reconnecting but all my efforts and advances were declined so we parted ways. Actually, I should note that these "efforts" may have tipped things over and even further in that direction. If I would have just withdrawn, kept quiet and nearly invisible, I would have attracted less resistance and hatred, or malice as Diamant put it. In sum, the interpretations for the above hexagrams were very much on point. Combinations of hex. like 24, 33, 4, meant exactly what their judgements say.