stepping back to see the field - Hexagram 7 unchanging

[yinwithjim]

For quite some time I have been seeking help from Yi in the decision of going back to school. Most of my posts have centered around going back to graduate school to complete a PhD, where to go, and if I would have the finances to do it. I am older and a PhD and it's length of study is a tough choice. In addition I have my 2 aged parents to take care of. Recently the idea of a local nursing school degree and it's shorter time for completion and benefits of good wages after became an alternative. Why am I considering any of this? I have been out of the mainstream work world for a little over 20 years due to some personal issues. Sure I'm older but not too old to go back to work and the work I did in the past wasn't fulfilling and the part-time work I have done recently isn't going to sustain me into my later years. Thus, I have considered going back to school to jump-start a new career so to speak.

Liselle our wonderful moderator picked up on the fact that I have been looking at this idea of school and career and instead asking Yi directly about nursing school which I did early this morning (link below) - she suggested a general/umbrella question.

new career possibility 35.1.2.4 changing to 41

I have been struggling with the idea of going back to school - where and what kind of program. Complicating matters is the care of my aging parents and my not so young age. One possibility is stay local and go to nursing school - a profession that suits me as it is caring for others. The...

www.onlineclarity.co.uk

I struggle with "the question" maybe more than the interpretation.

So, after a bit I came up with, "what should I do about going back to school for a new career?" and received Hexagram 7 uc, Shih.

Legge - Discipline and Wilhelm The Army? Firm correctness and perseverance - leading to good fortune without blame?

Are the masses - the army(water within the earth..the parts of me?), in this instance my skills and personality?

More reading revealed that Shih is more about integrity overall and not pertaining to a certain situation or phase in the life path.

Now more than ever I could really use the experience of all here.

 

[redoleander]

Forgive me if this is incorrect, I could be confused, but I think you received 7.2 once, yes? In a reading about using your degree to start working as a therapist? If I’m confused about that let me know! Regardless, I think that 7 here might be about a similar theme, to dedicate yourself to something manageable and be very disciplined, give it your all, then move on to the next step at the right time and so forth. Methodical and dedicated. Perhaps it means grieving a particular vision of the path but that also enables you to seize what is genuinely available to you. Maybe you’re carrying around some old concerns (like that you haven’t done enough and have something to prove) that now are like corpses you can let go (like in the lines). It could be clouding your vision to think in those terms. How can you be mindful of those “corpses” so you can dedicate yourself fully to a task (like in 7.2) which maybe is what you’re desiring — immersion in something meaningful. Don’t wait for outside permission and worry less about what it looks like to others (Line 5). Real dedication will have its own reward.

 

[dfreed]

what should I do about going back to school for a new career? and received Hexagram 7 UC,

The judgement for Hex. 7 is, Omen of good fortune for an older man (or woman). No harm will come. (based on trans. by S. Field)

This seems very positive and quite fitting. One association with an army or militia is based on the trigrams (three line figures): you have an underground resource available to you, trigram Water below; and so 'all' you need to do is make some decisions, get organized, and then gather the proper tools and people to dig down to find it - it's like "marshalling your forces", as you would an army or militia! And you need be "down-to-Earth" about how you go about this.

You've already explored some (many?) options using the Yi. Without being critical, I get the sense that something is holding you back - perhaps you have some fear (understandably) over making such a big change late in life, and this is making you passive or indecisive about making a decision.

So ... perhaps being practical and "down-to-Earth" is what you need to do right now: for example (only), you could create a 'list' - where you compare the good, positive, challenging, difficult, etc. aspects of a few of your top picks: the cost, ease of taking care of your parents; time to complete your degree; would you have to relocate or not ....

Another practical tip would be to visit a few of the schools, ask to sit in on courses; or visit different jobs and do 'informational interviews' with people in the various fields you might like to work in - and you could add this info. into the mix as you compare options.

Stepping away from the Yi's advice for a moment, I think at some point you are going to need to make a decision and go for it - perhaps trusting that you've made the best choice you can, but also knowing there are no 'perfect' choices. Or not.

I hope that's of some use to you.
D

 

[Liselle]

Wonder if the reading's suggesting you clarify your goal/ objective/ mission? Armies always have those, and Hilary often says unchanging readings can act as punctuation. "The Army...!" (for instance, "Focus!") or "The Army...?" ("The Army... for what objective?" or something.)

It's also interesting the oracle says "Mature people, good fortune," when a salient aspect of this is that you're older than most students. Don't know what to make of that, though.

 

[redoleander]

Yes, I forgot to say that, “mature people, good fortune” is so auspicious! I agree about the pointed focus for Hex 7 UC. it’s a bit of a mixed blessing because I think it also says that without a central mission it will be hard to make much happen since you have this feeling of being in battle, in a way. But with a focus you can achieve it. I think it’s encouragement! You might be doubting yourself too much.

 

[yinwithjim]

Forgive me if this is incorrect, I could be confused, but I think you received 7.2 once, yes? In a reading about using your degree to start working at a therapist? If I’m confused about that let me know! Regardless, I think that 7 here might be about a similar theme, to dedicate yourself to something manageable and be very disciplined, give it your all, then move on to the next step at the right time and so forth. Methodical and dedicated. Perhaps it means grieving a particular vision of the path but that also enables you to seize what is genuinely available to you. Maybe you’re carrying around some old concerns (like that you haven’t done enough and have something to prove) that how are like corpses you can let go (like in the lines). It could be clouding your vision to think in the those terms. How can you be mindful of those “corpses” so you can dedicate yourself fully to a task (like in 7.2) which maybe is what you’re desiring, that immersion in something meaningful. Don’t wait for outside permission and worry less about what it looks like to others. Real dedication will have its own reward.

I want to ask Yi - "what is my next step"098

Yes, I forgot to say that, “mature people, good fortune” is so auspicious! I agree about the pointed focus for Hex 7 UC. it’s a bit of a mixed blessing because I think it also says that without a central mission it will be hard to make much happen since you have this feeling of being in battle, in a way. But with a focus you can achieve it. I think it’s encouragement! You might be doubting yourself too much.

doubt - even in later life has always plagued me - and fear as well - based on several decades of not so good decisions - maybe a question to Yi about what is keeping me in this endless cycle of doubt?