What's his dirty little secret? 18.3.6 > 7

[HiddenLord]

Asking about a professional acquaintance. He has an opaque personality. I find that he doesn't respond socially in ways that you'd expect of someone with a fair amount of professional success, regardless of how introverted or extroverted they may be. There's something off about him, basically, and I'm prying with this question.

What's his dirty little secret? 18.3.6 > 7

I think the answer points to some kind of amoral or shameful act, perhaps guilt for it, or not. He works in the media and has contact with governmental figures of high rank. I think this answer could speak of colluding with unsavory types of people.

Or, more broadly, it could say that the way that he acts in the world / his ambition (7) is driven by dubious moral and ethical considerations (18). Perhaps a great selfishness or transactional attitude towards others.

For those who read tarot as well, I originally asked this question with that medium, and the answer was:
4 of Cups - Chariot - Justice

 

[marybluesky]

Hello;

18.3 says small shame but no great mistake, and 18.6 is about someone who does his own business regardless of the superiors' expectations.

This can be describing him, or inviting you to let go of his little shame & do your job.

 

[ontheroad]

My impression of both the Yi and Tarot reads are that he's unwell and he's trying to recover as best he can to get back to a state of balance.

 

[Hans_K]

When I interpret the answer not from the question but the situation, I come to a very different interpretation.

H18.3.6 <> H7
H18 is the hexagram of fixing things that are wrong or no longer applicable are.
The text of the Image of H18 advises:

Thus the superior person stirs up the people
And nourishes their virtue.

H7 is the hexagram of organisation and discipline.
The Image text of H7 says:

Thus the superior person marshals his forces through
generosity to the common people.

Both Images depict someone who makes a positive commitment to others, highlighting the positive aspects of the other.

Trigram Wind turns into Water through the moving yin line at the 3rd position.
This is about focusing on unimportant details and invasion of privacy. Here, inner decisions are made based on a self-created reality. Water's advice is to look at your inner motivation, source of these ideas and let go of them.
Trigram Mountain turns into Earth through the moving line at the 6th position.
This is about sticking to your own truth, stubbornness and being more focused on the goal than the consequences. Here one is in danger of losing touch with others or the environment. Earth gives the advice to be open to others and to nurture and support them.

The nuclear hexagram of H18 is H54. This is the hexagram of crossing a boundary that is irrevocable. (The youngest daughter who is married off in H54 is given a subordinate role in the new family to which she has to adapt and she cannot return to her own family).
To avoid crossing a boundary that is irrevocable, it is necessary to work on that what is corrupt.

As I see it, the Yi is not answering your question but an opinion on the situation in which the question was asked.
This is not about the colleague but is advice to you.

This would be my interpretation. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest

 

[HiddenLord]

Thank you for the responses thus far. I regret phrasing it so salaciously on the post title... I think I was just having fun with it and wanted people to read this post. But I don't know if I think the Yi is giving me advice in this case. It's always wise to consider that it is, of course, as I know that some say that the Yi doesn't pry into the minds of other people. It reflects our own state back to us. So I respect that viewpoint and consider the advice given as something to contemplate.

I would love to read more responses considering that this is an actual assessment of him, however. My intentions are not to lord anything over him or feel a degree of superiority. I guess I just want to understand him, and since he doesn't speak to me, I thought I'd try this.

 

[Hans_K]

I would love to read more responses considering that this is an actual assessment of him, however. My intentions are not to lord anything over him or feel a degree of superiority.

But is that morally correct?
How would you like it if someone based on all kinds of prejudices draws rather negative conclusions about you based on the answer of an oracle, whose interpretation of the answer remains to be seen.

Your prejudices about this person

He has an opaque personality. I find that he doesn't respond socially in ways that you'd expect of someone with a fair amount of professional success, regardless of how introverted or extroverted they may be. There's something off about him, basically,

The incredibly negative conclusions you draw about this person based on your prejudices

I think the answer points to some kind of amoral or shameful act, perhaps guilt for it, or not. He works in the media and has contact with governmental figures of high rank. I think this answer could speak of colluding with unsavory types of people.

Or, more broadly, it could say that the way that he acts in the world / his ambition (7) is driven by dubious moral and ethical considerations (18). Perhaps a great selfishness or transactional attitude towards others.

Don't you yourself think thit goes way too far and is morally reprehensible. Again what if it were about you?

I honestly don't believe the Yi answers your question, doesn't reveal the person's "dirty little secrets", but figuratively give you a slap on the wrist not to cross a certain line and work on yourself.
Would you want others to find out about your "dirty little secrets" or other private matters through an oracle?

I guess I just want to understand him, and since he doesn't speak to me, I thought I'd try this.

Ever heard of No is No?
If someone doesn't want to talk to you, doesn't want to reveal his secrets to you, you have to respect that.

 

[HiddenLord]

Ever heard of No is No?
If someone doesn't want to talk to you, doesn't want to reveal his secrets to you, you have to respect that.

Well, I respected it by giving him his space. However, my mind is allowed to do what it wants. I can wonder about him and ask the oracle if I so please, and then decipher if any of it is bullshit or if it means something. I tend to disagree with the divination ethical police. Someone is allowed to ask whatever the hell they want about my own demons. There's a miniscule chance that any reading would be accurately read and understood. I would not be phased by the attempt. Divination is mysterious and fun to think about; drawing any kind of strong assumption based on a reading is a fool's choice.

 

[Trojina]

You won't find out his secrets or whatever you are trying to find it this way, it is just guesswork and so not sure where it gets you. I cannot see it as 'fun' to be guessing someone's 'dirty secret' as you put it. It's actually involving us in making aspersions in an unpleasant way on someone we don't know.

I'd think 18.6 here is possibly a nice way of saying 'mind your own business'. It is a pretty unpleasant question.

 

[rosada]

18. Work on what has been spoiled.
Great choice for asking about hidden flaws!

18.3
He does not have a strong role model so,,.
18.6
He is truly a self-made man.

These lines make me wonder if he did not have a father around or perhaps his nature was very different from the family he was born into. Anyway, seems if he’s a bit socially inept it could be he hasn’t had a lot of socialization. But that doesn’t make him a bad guy - could be he simply has interests that are out of the ordinary. Show him the I Ching!
7. The Army.
I wonder if he would prefer to fade into the background like a nondescript soldier? Or perhaps it means he likes to be in control of his world and thus avoids unnecessary contact?

p.s. Note the Image for 18 says the superior person rouses the people and nourishes their virtues. So accentuate the positive!

 

[Liselle]

I think strife could probably have been avoided by getting at the matter in a different way that might have accomplished the same thing. For instance, state your problem - "I'm having trouble with this person" (or whatever description fits) - and ask Yi for advice about it. It's not impossible you'd get a little insight along with the advice.

That probably wouldn't have rubbed people the wrong way. Fun or playful questions are fine, but about playful topics, and this isn't one, and it's not even a playful question, it's pretty mean-spirited. It's also offputting to hear you phrased it "salaciously" to attract forum attention. Ugh.

Maybe even expressing genuine frustration (e.g. "What the #%&^ is going on?") might have been better than building in a nasty assumption that might not be true. Heaven knows I haven't always been 100% high-minded in my questions

 

[marybluesky]

I tend to disagree with the divination ethical police. Someone is allowed to ask whatever the hell they want about my own demons.

I agree.

We use divination to know what is hidden.

I see nothing immoral in asking about others' thoughts, feelings and intentions. Even by making assumptions. We do make assumptions anyway even without knowing it.

As for this reading, if we consider it as a description of your coworker, 18.3 indicates no great mistake. It simply says that there's not any big secret behind gis behaviour. Some annoying things, yes, but not a big deal. 18.6 says this man prioritises his own way and values rather than what's expected by outer elements such as society. Isn't it his very unconformity that you dislike?? The I Ching says it's just his way of being, nothing out of bad intention.

Doesn't seem like a bad person to me.

PS: in my first regular job I wasn't like at first simply because I didn't behave as my coworkers expected. Things like not showing my family photos or complimenting their children. While it's OK for me to do such things I just am not used to do them, it simply doesn't come to my mind, in particular before getting closer to people.

As the time passed I tried to show more of my self and many coworkers started to like me.

During my last day in that work place when I was saying goodbye to others one told me that she had a bad feeling about me at first then she changed her opinion.

 

[Liselle]

On the other hand, Mary has come up with a perfectly plausible interpretation of your answer.

I don't think it's incompatible with how some of the rest of us reacted, though, since if it's right, Yi did pretty much turn your assumption on its head.

Maybe that's where hexagram 7 comes in - you being rather needlessly aggressive about getting an answer, both from Yi and on the forum. We here really do not need or want competitions to see who can post the most attention-grabbing / shocking question and thread title. As you're finding out, it can get in the way.

 

[HiddenLord]

I guess I'm supposed to respond to the people who didn't enjoy this post, and I can only say that I cede your territory to you and won't return. I will first, however, respond to the people whose insights I found interesting.

 

[HiddenLord]

18. Work on what has been spoiled.
Great choice for asking about hidden flaws!

18.3
He does not have a strong role model so,,.
18.6
He is truly a self-made man.

These lines make me wonder if he did not have a father around or perhaps his nature was very different from the family he was born into. Anyway, seems if he’s a bit socially inept it could be he hasn’t had a lot of socialization. But that doesn’t make him a bad guy - could be he simply has interests that are out of the ordinary. Show him the I Ching!
7. The Army.
I wonder if he would prefer to fade into the background like a nondescript soldier? Or perhaps it means he likes to be in control of his world and thus avoids unnecessary contact?

p.s. Note the Image for 18 says the superior person rouses the people and nourishes their virtues. So accentuate the positive!

I think this was spot on. I know that he comes from a very big family and has taken a different path and immigrated. I'm also aware that he seems to have worked very hard to get to where he is and didn't have financial support. I think the part about 7 that resonates is more about being in control and avoiding unnecessary contact, your second interpretation. Thank you!

 

[VeronicaV]

I guess I'm supposed to respond to the people who didn't enjoy this post, and I can only say that I cede your territory to you and won't return. I will first, however, respond to the people whose insights I found interesting.

This makes me sad - to see you go. I personally loved the title and clicked on it because of that. Scrolled past everything else. It was a very entertaining read as well - how fun, to speculate. I feel like that's a normal thing to do and it's perfectly fine to ask Yi anything your heart desires and then post. Also, all of the detailed details and explanations are so deep, but I personally love the one liners that are simple and to the point, thank you always Rosada!