Two unchanging hexagrams - 29 and 54

[watergoddess1]

I've been asked to help put together what seems to be a very big project. For someone starting out, it appears to be a great opportunity... almost too good to be true. BUT at the moment - it's a mess that needs sorting out.

I asked the Yi.

What should I expect to happen with this project?

I got 29 unchanging as an answer.

And then I asked "would this be beneficial to my career?"

I got 54 unchanging!!


At the moment I take this to mean: It's going to be f****** difficult (which I know it is)... and to expect no support whatsoever.

But would you interpret the 54 as somewhat reasonably positive answer? Or do you think it means that I'd barely benefit at all in reality?

It will take a month of my time and I'm at this stage in my life where time is especially precious regarding career choices.

Any views would be really appreciated.

 

[Olga Super Star]

Hi!
I'm no i ching expert but 54 happened a lot to me years ago. And it was rarely positive.

54 in my experience = an environment full of rules and hierarchies, and what I want is doing no good to me and is limiting my life
54= because of our unfulfilled desires we remain trapped in a negative situation with negative relationship and so on

 

[watergoddess1]

Thanks Olga - I appreciate your input

 

[hsin]

#29 seems to depict a gamble, a risk, of your time and creative energy. difficult, surely, but the question i would ask myself would be "is the potential reward worth the risk?" the doubling of the trigram water points to mystery and the unknown, which are often the gateways of unsuspected potential.

considering your follow-up question, which was answered by #54 -- i view this hexagram as the interaction of its constituent trigrams: Joy Within and Surprise Without. To me, this depicts your following your sense of wonder and joy in life, pursuing a deepening of how you experience the source of inner contentment and collaborative endeavors. While that is going on inside, it meets with high energy and excitement in unexpected, unforeseen, external events. Both trigrams represent high passions (represented in the hexagram interpretation, i believe, as choosing true passion over conventional roles) and the success they bring.

All the Best

 

[jzy369]

If I got 29, I would extract pro-active recommendations as: (1) get used to dealing with multiple obstacles (so they will not be obstacles for me in the future); (2) learning to leverage off obstacles for defensive purpose (e.g., scare off competition, fend off predators...);

If I got 54, I would avoid near-term wishful thinking. I do see the "joy within" hsin raised. But I would use rational thinking to make sure this is indeed the kind of joy that is worthy of my pursuit at this time of my career, because such joy is susceptible to many "uncontrollabes" and "unforseen" from outside.

Yi has no absolute forever good or forever bad. Same thing can be looked at from different perspectives, just like my 29 interpretation is more positive than "it is f****** difficult". Yi always advocate people to gain wisdom through various life experiences. Some of my "not-so-wise" career moves turned out to be the most beneficial lessons of my life.

 

[rosada]

What should I expect?
29. If you have success in your heart everything you do succeeds.
The hexagram seems to affirm your concern that things are chaotic but promises that if you have a strong sense of direction ultimately the result will be positive. Like being in the ocean but knowing if you stay calm you will float and eventually be washed to shore.

Would this be beneficial to my career?
54. The Marrying Maiden comes into a situation where she has no status or authority but eventually can find a comfortable station where she can survive. It could describe a position where you start at the bottom and must work your way to the top. However, because you did not receive any change lines this may mean nothing changes and your career does not benefit.

I do not see these hexagrams as encouraging you to take on the project particularly. Rather they seem to be describing what the situation is and thus they allow you to consider whether given these conditions - a situation fraught with difficulties that will only be successful because you have a strong inner vision - you still want to go forward.

I hope you will give us feedback!
Rosada

 

[anemos]

And then I asked "would this be beneficial to my career?"

I got 54 unchanging!!

I was asked today " isn't it this position as degrading ?"
I said "yes, but times are diffucult and sometimes you have to start from low"

 

[butterfly spider]

29 means that what you think you are expecting does not materialise - 54 is what you experience from this point. 29 unchanging means that you really need to want what you are trying to achieve.

 

[rosada]

I find it useful to look at the sequence of the hexagrams to understand their meanings. If we back track a bit to the earlier hexes we can get a clearer idea of what 29 is all about:

16. Great feeling of enthusiasm! Hire some help and get the show on the road! Music! Prizes! Holiday cheer! Invite everyone, dead or alive!

17.Okay, kick up a rumpus but don't lose the compass. The party was a fabulous success but now it's over and it's time for bed.

18. Auugh, the morning after the night before. Things got a little out of hand but nothing a bit of elbow greece can't fix. Make a plan and get your peeps motivated. Keep updating the plan.

19. Progress makes perfect. Keep at it but beware the focus may not last. Meanwhile do all you can to share what you know and help whoever you can.

20. Look how far you've come. Learn from those who have gone even farther.

21. Note what problems need to be handled. Look at how problems were handled in the past with clear laws and defined penalties.

22. Of course the superior man knows such graceful diplomacy this only works for clearing up current affairs. He wouldn't dare try to decide real controversial issues in this way.

23. Indeed, at this point it doesn't further anyone to go anywhere. Just try to maintain your position - be nice to those whom you depend on.

24. Okay, so time passes, people and events come and go, it would be good to have somewhere to go but who can figure it all out? Best to step back from it all and regroup.

25. The Innocent one is so naive and gullible he doesn't know what he should do and he has all sorts of misfortunes and it just doesn't further him to undertake anything. Fortunately there were kings of old who rich in virtue and in harmony with the time, fostered and nourished all beings (maybe they left notes?)

26. So the young soul acquaints himself with their words and deeds in order to strengthen his own character thereby. Thus supported, he doesn't stay home but goes out into the world to gain his own experience.

27. He's learned enough from his studies to know to watch what others say and do while being careful about voicing his own opinions.

28. But eventually he reaches the breaking point and can't keep still any longer. He is unconcerned even if he stands alone and has to renounce the world!

29. Indeed, he has faith that even if things are abysmal, if he has success in his heart whatever he does will succeed. Like flowing water he knows he will eventually reach his goal if he stays true to his inner guidance. Indeed, he is a role model for us all.

This trial leads to 30. where the superior man's inner guidance, confidence, is now so strong and true it illuminates the entire world!

Thus by looking at the sequence of the hexagrams we come to see that while a 29. experience may appear dangerous or doomed from the outside, it need not turn out that way if the superior man remains clear. Indeed, it seems to be a necessary rite of passage. Perhaps when we get this hexagram we should think "Keep calm and carry on" or just "Don't panic!!!"

The lines of 29 also give some insight:

The first line always describes a situation before we get into it, or the doorway we enter that leads to the situation. So 29.1 says we usually get into trouble because we ignore the warning signs until it's too late - like a swimmer unaware he's gone too deep or too far from shore.

29.2 Realizing his error the wise swimmer doesn't exhaust himself fighting the tide but instead strives just to not be swept out to sea.

29.3 Even this may be too hard so the swimmer just treads water, hoping he won't drown.

29.4 This line seems to describe some sort of miracle. "Vessels simply handed through the window." What window? Where did that come from? Is our sailor delusional by now? Has some goddess taken pity on him or perhaps a piece of driftwood floats by? Or maybe just some inspiring thought from within his own mind has given the swimmer the strength to carry on? Or how about he passes out and has this lovely dream while meanwhile his body floats to shore? (I think of the song The Green Green Grass of Home) Who cares, something comes along and there's no blame in accepting help..

29.5 The help offered is not a complete rescue but if the swimmer stays calm and goes with the flow, not stressing, eventually the tide changes and carries him close enough so he can swim to shore. (So here you still have to go through something but you're feeling a lot better about it.)

29.6 Now the sixth line describes the situation once the main event has passed. So even though he is out of The Abysmal, he hasn't left The Abysmal - the swimmer still has to shake off any residual fear from the whole experience. If the swimmer doesn't recognize that he was able to save himself and have confidence (and go on to hex 30 where his confidence illuminates the entire world) he may now carry a fear of water with him for the rest of his life. He may become stuck, a prisoner in his own mind.

So all in all, 29 discribes a challenge - maybe a problem you got yourself into cause you weren't paying attention but there is the possibility of coming through it successfully if we don't let the outer world intimidate us and rob us of our inner guidance.

Rosada

p.s. I should add that even with all my efforts to put a positive spin on this hexagram I personally would not choose to put myself in a 29 situation unless I had great confidence I knew what I was doing.

 

[watergoddess1]

Wow some incredible replies - it's been a few days since I checked back on here. I need to read it all carefully!!!!! ))

 

[watergoddess1]

Hsin - I like how you describe 29 as a gamble and the questions about potential one should ask. Also your interpretation of 54 is interesting - I'd never thought of it that way )

 

[watergoddess1]

jzy369,

You’re absolutely right - it’s all about perspective. Also, the times that Yi has made not such rosy predications for me, I still learned a lot from the experiences. So I hear what you’re saying.

rosada!

Thank you - a very clear interpretation. I feel that you’re right about 54. The fact it’s unchanging speaks for itself.

And wow - the longer post you made is great!! It’s funny when you look at all the other hexagrams - it makes you put 29 into perspective. Actually - looking at 30 is very uplifting!

anemos - Yes sometimes you do have to start from low. That’s why I’m considering this opportunity - but what Rosada said about the unchanging hexagram is probably true.

ethelandbertie

Thanks - l like how you related expectations with materialisation - I guess one has to always manage expectations.

Guys, thanks for all your time and effort on this thread. I will let you know what happens