Relating vs Resulting

[peace]

Hi everyone:

I hope you all got some meaningful information from I Ching for 2006!

I've spent alot of time this week reading past threads - and....now I'm more confused and have more questions.

Is there a book or something one of you has written that specifically talks about how to "read" the second hexagram, vis a vie the first?

I can get the gist of it - but very superfically.
For example, I got 8 with 5 changing lines (wow - never had that many change) and it changed to 32.

I read the overall as - hold it together and build some constancy, continuity, etc.

I read the changing lines. I then did the step method (8 to 8.2 to 29 to 29.3 to 48 to 48.4 to 28 to 28.5 to 32).

I'm not really asking for an opinion about the reading, as I'm just using it as an example.

I need a process or some way to deal with all the information.

I got alot out of all of it - and found it interesting. But....I don't have a clue what I was doing, did I get a meaningful reading, what relates to what, what results to what relates to what, etc.

Do you all use a specific approach? I almost think that I have too much information and don't know what to do with it.

And..what is a result if...what is now, what is only an option, etc.

Thanks,
Rosalie

 

[bradford_h]

Hi Rosalie-
I personally use the Transitional Hexagrams and read only the intermediate line texts, not the intermediate hexagrams. It's fewer texts to read that way.
But I read the string of texts like they were Tarot cards and make a little story out of them. The last text in the series, the Zhi Gua, is the direction I'm headed as the story ends, but not necessarily the destination I will reach.
That said, Resultant is still a better translation of "Zhi" here than Relating. It's a very complex little word though and can mean a lot of things depending on context.

 

[peace]

Thanks Bradford.
That's basically what I do -
I don't know Tarot cards, never had them done for me - but I do make a story out of the I Ching.
Using the transitional hexagrams, the story definitely has more to it.

However, I get a 2nd hexagram such as 45 - and I'm stomped.
Usually, there's enough wisdom between Wilheim, Huang and you to have alot to think about and I don't even deal too much with the question if it's too difficult to make all the connections.

Thanks,
Rosalie

 

[bruce]

Hi Rosalie,

I wouldn't be too overly concerned with "the right way", beyond the primary text, change lines and relating hex. text. If at some point you want to expand into more complex systems, you always can. It's what works best for you that matters. Some people want to see every possible moving part, though that can at times be very confusing, unless you know what proportions to apply what and where. Some, like myself, prefer things condensed, simple and directly to the point. With your sincerity, you'll find the way that's best for you.

 

[hilary]

The glory of working with this oracle is that there's always more to a reading. The snag with this can indeed be that too much to think about means not much energy left over for doing anything.

There are simple ways to put first and second hexagram together to find sense. Expect to find something of yourself in the second one: what you're aiming for, looking towards, or dreading; your motivation, what it's really all about for you... I know this sounds like a lot of possibilities, but in practice it's generally quite easy to find the connection.

And doing exactly what you did with 8 and 32, putting the two hexagrams together in a sentence that feels natural to you, also works very well.

Can't post this without including a plug. My I Ching Course has a lesson on relating hexagrams and how they relate. And has a guarantee so you can always download it all and then get your money back if you feel like it. Erm, insert catchy slogan here.

 

[bruce]

erm,

Rhythm of Change

A concise course in I Ching, by Hilary Barrett

heh..