Why can’t I find a job? 37.5.6.>36

[grace heart]

Hello everyone, hope the New Year is treating you well.

Having bid my goodbyes to Yi only yesterday (I was getting waaay co-dependent!), then receiving yet another thanks-but-no-thanks job application reply today, I had to come back and ask, ‘Seriously, Yi, why can’t I find a job?’

It’s not even as if I’m choosey: I've been applying for minimum wage part-time work, like barista, admin sec, gallery invigilator and shop assistant. Got good references, too. And still no jobs, not even one interview. So I’m thinking there must be something else at play here, a lesson, perhaps. Some of you who have so kindly shone light on my recent queries might recall that I’m a writer - one of those people who have to write no matter what, yet are prone to go on a bit of a self-destructive strike if no one buys their books - ha! I’ve even looked into a possibility to make a more sustainable living as a writer by taking the MFA in Creative Writing, then teach, only to discover that that’s actually not a given (never trust a brochure!). Plus, they were not too kin on accommodating an indie writer with no official academic references - and I’m only stating this because it fits in with this sense that I am not fitting in anywhere at all at the moment. The evidence? 20+ “rejections” in the last month or so, including a couple from literary agents.

Now, I always got on with hexagram 37. And those lines are pretty lovable, too.

Line 5
The king enters his own home.
Do not worry. Good fortune.

(LiSe talks about “own clan”. Is there a possibility of me actually finding my home, my clan? I have spent a lifetime in the wilderness, and kind of fancy coming home. Whatever that means).

Line 6
With truth and confidence like authority.
In the end, good fortune.

(LiSe again: "...mix the good with some down-to-earth common sense...” Which I believe is exactly what I’m trying to do).

But then 36. I know we’re not supposed to have favourites here, and 36 is the exactly the opposite of my favourite, second only to the dreaded 54. Hate those two! But I digress: what I’d like to know is how on earth would you interpret the seeming “positivity” (I know, I know...) and home-coming of 37.5.6. with putting on the act of 36?

The very idea of having to pretend in order to survive, well I really don’t know if I can do that any more. Could Yi be telling me that I might need to?

Thank you for reading, and any thoughts you might like to share.

 

[Lavalamp]

Maybe 36 means - as your context - you are aiming low. "Hiding your light" for whatever reason. Hiding your truth, that you have been wounded. So if you are going to do that... Well 37 is "Family". A lot of low paying jobs are in Mom and Pop enterprises.

37.5 - This about the King approaching his family, mutual affection, building a home. Maybe you need to work somewhere you really *want* to work, maybe apply in person, rather than just submit your resume online or something.

37.6 - This points to truthfulness and sincerity and being the path to good fortune. Maybe you need to tell them why you want to work there for such crappy money at a job you may be overqualified for.
If you are rebuilding telling them that might help, not hurt.

- LL

 

[my_key]

Why can’t I find a job? 37.5.6.>36

Hex 37- Good practice in this Hex is connect with people with your words and to go back to things that really support you and ring true for you.

line 5- look carefully inside at what you are doing and how you are approaching things. Are you acting from the heart? When inside and outside are aligned you'll find your way.
line 6- the right changes are already a work in progress for you and you have the right tools and skill set to impress others

Hex 36: Sometimes our desires, fears and moods hold us back - and with good reason. Working through these tough phases helps us to see things more clearly. A context of one step forward and two steps back.

Good Luck

 

[Liselle]

It's hard to tell whether this reading is advice for what to do, or, a direct answer to your question, "why can't I find a job?".

Yi usually answers questions directly, but not always. So you might want to give some thought to both. What could those lines mean as advice, and what could they mean as reasons you can't find a job? (Could be some of both, possibly, just to make this even easier uch

That seems hard to understand when "The reasons you can't find a job" are two lovely-sounding things. But maybe give it some long hard thought from that angle?

Think about the answers as answers, in sentences (good advice from Hilary):

"The reason I can't find a job is because the king enters his own home - do not worry - good fortune."

"The reason I can't find a job is because with truth and confidence like authority, in the end, good fortune."

In the first one, think about what a "king" is (what a king represents), who the king might be, what the "king's home" could represent, and what "the king enters his own home" might mean. Why is the king entering his home? Was he or she out of it to begin with? Is the king you? Is it someone else, prospective employers or whoever? Or is the line like a newspaper headline, talking to the citizens? "Don't worry, everyone! The king is home now!" Could something like that apply to your situation?

Just to brainstorm a couple examples (I really have no idea what Yi is trying to tell you) -

If the king is you, replace "king" with "I" in the sentences (good advice from Trojina, a long-time member here): "I can't find a job because I'm in my own home and/or I'm not worrying." (That doesn't seem to make sense because you certainly seem worried - it's just an example of ways to think about it. Although could there be any sense in which being inside some sort of "home" is hurting your chances? You do seem to have applied for a wide variety of jobs, so maybe "variety" per se isn't it...)

If the king is prospective employers: "I can't find a job because they are hiring people 'in their own homes' (people they already know?), so they don't have to worry about applications from outsiders." (That might make some sense sometimes, but again it's just an example.)

If you can, look back at your previous readings about jobs, to see if you've gotten hexagram 37 or 36 before (either primary or relating), or if this 37 > 36 reading adds to a conversation you've been having with Yi (rather than thinking about it entirely in isolation). Also maybe some of the prior readings will sound different to you with the passage of time...reviewing is a good thing...

 

[Trojina]

If the king is you, replace "king" with "I" in the sentences (good advice from Trojina, a long-time member here): "I can't find a job because I'm in my own home and/or I'm not worrying." (That doesn't seem to make sense because you certainly seem worried - it's just an example of ways to think about it.

No, no I have never suggested replacing 'king' with 'I'. All I suggested is replacing noble one' in the Image with one's own name so one can see the advice more clearly. Maybe you recall somewhere I said that about I and king but I don't

I don't like 'why' questions, they aren't much use - but now I am here I will look at question


At a glance I'd say you aren't getting these jobs because you are the authority in your life, recognise your authority. Your authority would be wounded by taking jobs that do not make space for your kinghood. To put it another way perhaps these jobs are 'beneath' you.

Now I know you have to earn money and I know one isn't meant to think that way and indeed you don't think that way, you don't think these jobs are beneath you but they are because you do much much better.


You could try applying for better jobs ? The dimming of the light in 36 is perhaps you being willing, well, to hide your light.


Wherever you are more in your own sphere, that is where to look for work. The 'king is in his own home' shows someone at ease, manging their sphere, having authority in it. Is


I wondered if you have considered advisory work of some kind, or work where you can share knowledge and experience ? Or I wonder if home is where you 'work' right now, where you belong ?


This reading is not suggesting you go beyond your comfort zone, it's asking you to see to utilize your gifts and see where you are most at ease, where you are most naturally comfortable in working. That might be under your own roof in your own sphere or it might be in your own sphere in work you've done before.

It might also refer to money arising from home and family in that money doesn't just circulate through work it passes along in property and such or in moving or in....

and I’m only stating this because it fits in with this sense that I am not fitting in anywhere at all at the moment.

How strange then that you receive an answer showing you so well at home. The 36 makes me wonder if you have trouble believing in your own status in your life in some sense ? You make the home, you are it - you aren't in the role of needing to fit into other people's homes (using home as a metaphor here) into other people's ways, you can make it your self, where you are - put your crown on

 

[Trojina]

Another thought is it might indicate you creating the job, advertising your services in something. That way you remain in charge of your own environment by creating your own role.

 

[Liselle]

No, no I have never suggested replacing 'king' with 'I'. All I suggested is replacing noble one' in the Image with one's own name so one can see the advice more clearly. Maybe you recall somewhere I said that about I and king but I don't

Oh dear. Sorry, Trojina, I was mixed up. I knew you'd said something like that but yes, it was "noble one" in the Image.

 

[Trojina]

I'll forgive you

 

[grace heart]

37.6 - This points to truthfulness and sincerity and being the path to good fortune. Maybe you need to tell them why you want to work there for such crappy money at a job you may be overqualified for.
If you are rebuilding telling them that might help, not hurt.

- LL

Thank you, LL. A few days ago, I threw down the first draft for the angsty essey on marginalised authors, titled Let Them Eat Words. The next day I thought, "Well that was dramatic!", and decided not to go back to it... but now I just might.

And, out of curiosity, what do you mean by "If you are rebuilding telling them that might help, not hurt"? I thought rebuilding was an interesting word choice.

 

[grace heart]

Why can’t I find a job? 37.5.6.>36

Hex 37- Good practice in this Hex is connect with people with your words and to go back to things that really support you and ring true for you.

Hex 36: Sometimes our desires, fears and moods hold us back - and with good reason. Working through these tough phases helps us to see things more clearly. A context of one step forward and two steps back.

Good Luck

Thanks, my_key, you're spot on. Running around (literally and metaphorically) like a blueass fly, indiscriminately applying for random jobs and the first literary agents placed in front of me does put me in a bad MOOD. Puts me clear off writing, too. Certainly not the first time my best intentions hold me back.

 

[grace heart]

Think about the answers as answers, in sentences (good advice from Hilary):

"The reason I can't find a job is because the king enters his own home - do not worry - good fortune."

"The reason I can't find a job is because with truth and confidence like authority, in the end, good fortune."

If you can, look back at your previous readings about jobs, to see if you've gotten hexagram 37 or 36 before (either primary or relating), or if this 37 > 36 reading adds to a conversation you've been having with Yi (rather than thinking about it entirely in isolation). Also maybe some of the prior readings will sound different to you with the passage of time...reviewing is a good thing...

Oooh, I love this “using answers as answers” idea, thanks Liselle (and Hilary)!

I have emailed most of the reading to myself ever since I first got the call from Yi. And lo and behold, I do have plenty of 37 and 36 readings (never recorded this combination, though) - used to get them during the toxic/intoxicating five-year relationship that almost cost me everything but, in the end, made me shine my light brighter than ever before. Yey Yi!

 

[grace heart]

No, no I have never suggested replacing 'king' with 'I'. All I suggested is replacing noble one' in the Image with one's own name so one can see the advice more clearly. Maybe you recall somewhere I said that about I and king but I don't

I don't like 'why' questions, they aren't much use - but now I am here I will look at question


At a glance I'd say you aren't getting these jobs because you are the authority in your life, recognise your authority. Your authority would be wounded by taking jobs that do not make space for your kinghood. To put it another way perhaps these jobs are 'beneath' you.

Now I know you have to earn money and I know one isn't meant to think that way and indeed you don't think that way, you don't think these jobs are beneath you but they are because you do much much better.

It's true! I could! Thank you for saying it, because I couldn't.

I do believe we must go with our talents, with the easy, with the destined. Most people don’t or can’t, or simply find it impossible to, because our society wasn’t designed to support individual talent, quite the opposite. So, in my case, it took me a long time to dare believing and acting on my talent, and I still feel that I lack the fundamental faith to make it work for me. This lack of faith causes much conflict and doubt. It also causes me to go for the lowest paid job I can find. I would like this to change.

Which brings me to my next question, if I may: could 36 ever be interpreted as the sign of divine intervention, the presence of the ultimate light torch, here to help you find the hidden brightness?

This comes purely from this picture I get inside my head; my actual head is saying wtf.

 

[grace heart]

Wherever you are more in your own sphere, that is where to look for work. The 'king is in his own home' shows someone at ease, manging their sphere, having authority in it.

Yep.

 

[grace heart]

How strange then that you receive an answer showing you so well at home. The 36 makes me wonder if you have trouble believing in your own status in your life in some sense ? You make the home, you are it - you aren't in the role of needing to fit into other people's homes (using home as a metaphor here) into other people's ways, you can make it your self, where you are - put your crown on

Well this is just lovely. I do not need or want to fit into other people's homes any more! I can indeed make it for myself; perhaps all I needed was a little push into realising this, and a little patience. Thanks Trojina... and as for the crown, well I've never been so tempted to get a tattoo.

 

[Trojina]

Which brings me to my next question, if I may: could 36 ever be interpreted as the sign of divine intervention, the presence of the ultimate light torch, here to help you find the hidden brightness?

This comes purely from this picture I get inside my head; my actual head is saying wtf.

Yes, it could be seen like that and in particular because of the picture you got inside your head. 36 times can be very special IMO the times where one gets closest to Yi, closest to really connecting because it's so dark outside. Dark outside in that you aren't seen or known for who you are but the light knows, your light knows and cannot be extinguished and it burns all the more brightly because of the darkness which hides it. It can be your secret light. Sometimes you have to go into the dark to find it.

If I were you I would hold to that image in your head because it feeds what's going on in your 37.

 

[Lavalamp]

Thank you, LL. A few days ago, I threw down the first draft for the angsty essey on marginalised authors, titled Let Them Eat Words. The next day I thought, "Well that was dramatic!", and decided not to go back to it... but now I just might.

And, out of curiosity, what do you mean by "If you are rebuilding telling them that might help, not hurt"? I thought rebuilding was an interesting word choice.

You asked why you were not getting hired.
In the context of 36 - hiding your light, or wounded brightness which I take to mean your so far fruitless job search - the Yi pointed to a relationship of affection with a King, and the importance of sincerity (truthfulness and dignity, trustworthiness.)
You yourself had commented that you were "tired of pretending." That's very 36, hiding your light.
Why aim low for a job? Well whatever your reason, perhaps being more open about it might foster the kind of connection the Yi is suggesting would help you in this situation.
That's what I meant by "if you're rebuilding" - whatever your reasons is for taking a job beneath your talents, rebuilding or whatever - perhaps being more open and less self protective would move in the direction the Yi seems to point at.
I think the Yi is saying you need to connect on a very sincere, truthful, earnest level with potential employers.

- LL

 

[Liselle]

That's what I meant by "if you're rebuilding" - whatever your reasons is for taking a job beneath your talents, rebuilding or whatever - perhaps being more open and less self protective would move in the direction the Yi seems to point at.

Following on, could there be any way it might help to hide your light a little more? (If you really still want one of these jobs.)

Obviously I don't know what's on your resume, but if it's full of writing-type things, maybe it would help to de-emphasize that and emphasize other work experience, so employers have some evidence you'd fit in ("pretending in order to fit in" being an aspect of 36 as you mentioned earlier)?

That's also coming a little bit from the "reverse sequence" of 37 > 36 - taking a step backwards, moving from "king in her own home" to "hiding brightness"? (But if there's a word more wishy-washy than "speculation," please use it to describe this idea...)

 

[grace heart]

Following on, could there be any way it might help to hide your light a little more? (If you really still want one of these jobs.)

Obviously I don't know what's on your resume, but if it's full of writing-type things, maybe it would help to de-emphasize that and emphasize other work experience, so employers have some evidence you'd fit in ("pretending in order to fit in" being an aspect of 36 as you mentioned earlier)?

That's also coming a little bit from the "reverse sequence" of 37 > 36 - taking a step backwards, moving from "king in her own home" to "hiding brightness"? (But if there's a word more wishy-washy than "speculation," please use it to describe this idea...)

Yes... Divine intervention aside, I have more or less made up my mind not to rock the boat too much at the moment, meaning seek as little changes as possible, get the best job I can around here and write another novel, but different and more ambitious than the ones that came before... So I’ll need all the stability I can get.

By the way, hexagram 36 means well, but it doesn't always work. Some people/ groups are like bloodhounds, they can smell the difference a mile off, no matter how well you disguise it, or how good an actress. In my experience, it works best in emergencies and only for as long as absolutely necessary.