Starting a two-year study program: 18.2 -> 52

[deepstillwater]

Hi!

I thought it interesting that only recently someone else through a 18.2 as well, although on a different topic.

I've been working overseas for a year now, and due to the global recession have not been able to find a job in my profession. I have a job (which I am very grateful for!) but it is very very dull, and draining. I've been doing an online course in Graphic Design, which I've found to be a wonderful inspiring thing in my days... indeed at high school I excelled at art, but I didn't continue with it. I felt I needed a "real" job, whatever that is.

I am considering returning home and taking on a two year course at university in Graphic Design, and I asked the I ching "What if I took the two-year diploma at x?"

I got 18.2 changing to 52, which has made me reflect on my career decisions as a young person (I was very concerned about money due to my own difficult childhood... I thought art was a risk).

I can see that the course would be in many ways a re-enlivening thing, that I would discover a way forward with my career (which I desire so desperately given my current job circumstances). Given, perhaps, if I can reflect upon my own emotions towards wanting success and achievement (line 2)?

Changing to 52, perhaps I will find peace finally with my career.... or the happiness to keep still and stop moving (which I have done many many times since leaving home at 17... it's been hard for me not to move for work or to seek out something better for my life).

Does anyone have an insight?

 

[willowfox]

Look at line 18.2, it says that mistakes due to wrong thinking now need and should be corrected. You made a wrong choice years ago and now this would be a fine time to correct it, therefore just concentrate on achieving your goal.

Study time has come again.

 

[schastlivchik]

As Willowfox says, your answer seems to be in support of you going back to school.

Looking at the Final hexagram first, the inner and outer trigrams are both the same (Mountain) and lend support and stability to each other, which suggests that in the end you will feel settled and have no need of wishful thinking. Compare that with your First Hexagram, which shows inner Wind (restless) in direct conflict with the outer stillness of Mountain. Your inner and outer situations are in conflict, and your desire to go back to school is your inner guidance prompting you in the direction of what would make you happy. The message of 18.2 reinforces this through its theme of correcting, getting back on track in a way.

Just make sure that you plan well and are not impulsive.

best wishes,
Schastlivchik

 

[deepstillwater]

Thank you both, that has been of great, great help to me.

I will (indeed must) plan well to go back to school.
And I do feel a sense of relief after the answer, although of course I am anxious that I am up to the challenge and mindful that I will have a lot of work to do.

I asked the I ching "How should I best prepare for the two year design course" and I got the reply
24. 1 5 -> 8. So I am imagining that preparations should include rest (as I am desperately tired from the trials of my work) and allowing the right time to come around (which relates to not acting rashly and waiting for my visa to expire before going home to study, giving me time to save and rest).

When I consulted the I Ching about doing the online graphic design course (which I started not long after the winter solstice and a whole period where I saw emotionally and environmentally the return of hope) I received the hexagram 24.1 -> 2, so again the theme of returning to the path.

 

[willowfox]

Basically it suggests get yourself home and throw in your application for university quickly.

What country are you now in? Visa expiring?

Strange as I studied graphic design and didn't like it, but passed a couple of exams before I moved on.

 

[deepstillwater]

Really?! I should get home now?

But that is almost impossible... my partner has a very well paying job here (we are in the UK) and has started on a contract here that does not finish for 11 months. That times almost perfectly with the end of my visa for the UK, so we thought we could both return home to Australia then. Plus I need to finish preparing my portfolio for my university application (which is something the online course is aiding with).

While my experience in the UK has not been great, his has been fantastic... He has been supportive as much as possible. I could not leave him, and he would need to stay.

I fear it actually is impossible to return before then... more is the tragedy

 

[deepstillwater]

Sorry, I'm quite confused.
I thought Hexagram 24 advises the return should not be hurried, but done with engagement and purpose. I know Hexagram 8 warns against the folly of being too late, that it is better to be in the thick of it. These are two seemingly contrary statements.

 

[willowfox]

Don't worry as I didn't mean to drop everything and rush off this minute, what I meant was the quicker you organize everything and get to work the better otherwise if you wait and wait then other "things" may just get in the way and your ambition will then never fly.