Squirrels in the roof

[kts]

Sometimes I Ching is amazing in its literalness! I 've got a problem with squirrels getting into the roof space. I've been hearing pattering footsteps above my head in the middle of the night. I thought I could see where they had been getting in, and called in a roofing firm to secure some loose tiles, just a couple of weeks ago, thinking I'd checked that there were no squirrels currently in the loft. This past week, they have found another way in and built a nest. I put the problem to I Ching. It obligingly gave me #35, line 4(!) (translated in Blofeld as 'squirrel-like progress'),and line 6, leading to #2. I then asked, "Should I ask the roofing firm to come back?" producing an answer #35 (again), line 1, leading to #21. I'm a bit puzzled by the answer to "What should I do about the problem?". This was answered by #25, line 2, leading to #10. I don't understand the relevance of this line - I don't really see how you can tackle a problem like this without expecting to solve it - or am I reading hexagram 25 all wrong?

 

[yellowknife]

Don't have the expertise to know quite what to make of it-
but I did just want to say that Karcher gives one of the meanings of 25 as "purification from plague" (poor little cute furry squirrels..feels mean to call them a plague..but then, they're not in my roof so that's easy to say!)

Line 2 says "disentangling" but the commentary says "this is not the time or place to start something. If you realise what this means your plans will bring you success"

I can't think why it wouldn't be a good time to start removing squirrels- 35,1 also seems to suggest the building firm would have some initial difficulty if they came back...but success in the end.

Might they have bred already and have little baby squirrels hidden in the eaves...but then decide to move on of their own accord? 25,2 does have an air of the unexpected and gradual solution about it...

One question- 35,6 would make me want to ask if the squirrels really are a problem that needs to be solved immediately...the line talks about looking to internal problems first before tackling external ones. Is your house in general too noisy? Do you have an irrational dislike of squirrels? Could you be sleeping better?

I'll shut up now, as I may be exposing my ignorance of both the I Ching and squirrel habits. Good luck anyway.

 

[demitramn]

Hi Kts,
i'm thinking that hx35 comes up to indicate that you or someone comfortable with, or suited to handling matters up high on a roof, needs to go back up there

for starters, spread around some natural substance (re: hx25) such as mothballs inside the space to keep the squirrels at bay and then, if necessary, have someone come and secure all loosened roof tiles so that any pesky and persistent, not to mention resourceful, squirrels that return don't find any opportunity to gain entry again. remember, if any roof tiles are even slightly loose, they're a direct invitation to any squirrel worth his salt to set to work and "create" new openings

good luck!

Demitra

p.s. i absolutely adore squirrels myself and so i am pretty much in agreement with Wolverine on this matter. so please! check and make sure that there are no squirrels left behind if you do decide to evict them from their present quarters

 

[martin]

Yes, I would be careful, because they could have babies already. Perhaps that is the meaning of 25.2 (there are babies without any effort from your side).
And hexagram 10 warns against treading on the tail of the .. err .. squirrel!