Your understanding and experience of 27.6

[Lakewater]

I get lines in 27 quite a bit. And for many years the Yi has highlighted the 6th line, probably why it keeps coming up, but I still struggle with it, line 1 I think I got a handle on, 2 some guesses but no real idea, 3 I have some general idea now, 4 I've got, 5 is fuzzy but getting there, 6 no clue or rather no clue in anyway I can actualise, on here I've read stuff about cannibals, vampires, trail-blazing and self-employment, I guess what I'm looking for is people's experiences with the line but also their views and thoughts in the hope that something will click or I'll be able to really get a handle on it and get for all these years what the Yi is trying to get me to understand/do.

 

[Lakewater]

Like I got 27.1

"Instead of getting this oracle, person, thing to do the thing, you could just do the thing yourself"

It's a positive line to get.

Anyway that's been my code for it as per my experience but I don't think I truly got a handle on it until the threads below,

Grace says:

I Just Don’t Know What To Do

Maybe I ought to take up a loan and study something for 3 years, something that comes easily anyway, like photography... and write on the side. And work, of course...

Then a year later she worked, wrote a book then got a loan and applied for a 3 year course in photography

Liselle says:

"Where is the folder?"

Then she looked for the folder and found that "it was exactly where it was supposed to be. It wasn't one iota out of place."

It's Trojina's comment that illuminated it for me, Grace already had her answer of what to do, Liselle already had the location of her folder. They already had what they asked for. They have a magic tortoise. The magic tortoise to get it.

So what about this 6th line, I've been getting it for many years now, I'm not Grace (I've also had that same reading a few times), just still here punching out 27.6. (and sometimes miserably the fan Yao, as well as the other lines but I care less about them)

 

[magenta_cloud]

I just got 27.6 for the best strategy for a relationship.
27 speaks of nourishment — not just food but how do we nourish things? What nourishes us? Many times I get this hexagram when I need to be careful with my words (as though they have a restorative or destructive power) and the sources of nourishment I look to (reading a book or scrolling, for example).

What truly nourishes you and how can that be a source of nourishment for others?

I could write a list of the things that truly nourish me: sunflower seed butter, poetry, being held & holding, words of affirmation, 8 hours of sleep a night, etc…

And then the things that scratch an itch, or are neutral, or need vigilance/temperance… and then of course the things that absolutely do not nourish me.

With line 6 I feel like the I-Ching is throwing it back on us. How can we live in greater alignment with that true nourishment & in turn share it - live it - embody it.

I imagine asking a truly wise person a superficial or ignorant question and how that truly wise person would not respond “that’s dumb” or “here’s your strategy” (lol at myself) but they would say, “what has nourished you? You will find your answer in that.” Or, even deeper: “what is the source of your nourishment? Will you take the journey - cross the water - face danger - to return (hexagram 24) to yourself & reclaim the source of nourishment ?”
From that return, your intuition will guide—

TLDR - feed your soul.

 

[Lakewater]

I've had a look around the forum for this hexagram to see if there are any patterns:

Used by bosses but appreciated by co-workers

'The other woman' asked to be friends with married man

Someone to be friends to an ex that acts like they are still together

Someone being burned out from their job wanting a more suitable job

Someone not getting a job they applied for where they previously worked

In one thread
Break up from a codependent relationship
A relationship with someone not committing

An intimate between friends and lovers relationship

Asking what more to do before moving out of codependent mother's home

A mother with a son with drug addiction

Wanting to know why their (partner?) is being distant

For someone taking care of business home and self before things get worse

A hot and cold love interest that querent has an arguement with

Repeated 27.6 some for corresponding with inmates

Someone losing libido

Leaving a very good job they have exhausted all possibilities with and are bored of

 

[Lakewater]

IC+ 27 is labelled 'hungering'. it covers the 'new', the infrastructure and what furnishings to use (and that includes brain food)

The 24-ness of 27 covers what 27 begins with, keeps coming back to, and that is described by XOR-ing line 1 to give us 23.

23 covers removing chaff from wheat, stripping back to basics and bringing out the 'true' perspective - all reflecting the overall focus on pruning (preparation for future development), quality control etc. Combined with the 27 focus on infrastructure brings out the need for being careful what you take in.

The generic form of 27 covers this focus on infrastructure and so its use in Xoring with other hexagrams to identify the 'infrastructure' of such, the 27-ness of such.

the 27-ness of 27 is 02 - covers the realm of potentials where 27 is one of many. (any hexagram XORed with itself will give us the pool of potentials as represented by 02)

the 07-ness relates to Xoring line position 2. and so the properties of 07 expressed through 27 are described by analogy to 41. How does 27 express uniforming? through a focus on concentration, distillation (and so more focus on quality control)

The 15-ness of 27 relates to Xoring line position 3 and so the properties of 15 expressed through 27 are described by analogy to 22. The levelling out of 15 is expressed in 27 by a focus on external appearance, gloss over, facade - the characteristics of 22.

The 16-ness of 27 relates to Xoring line position 4 and so the properties of 16 expressed through 27 as described by analogy to 21. Thus a focus on foresight, planning, expectations etc is expressed through laying down rules, problem solving. Set down rules at the beginning and all follows.

The 08-ness of 27 relates to Xoring line position 5 and so the properties of 08 expressed through 27 as described by analogy to 42. The focus here is on 'passive' leadership, how does the 'court' behave and the focus here is on augmentation, the quality control focus on the new 'lifts' things.

The 23-ness of 27 related to Xoring line position 6 and so the properties of 23 expressed through 27 as described by analogy to 24. the focus here on returning, coming back to the 'true' path and in so doing 'prune'.

The six line focus on hexagrams cover 6 of the 64 aspects of 27 derivable from XORing.

The trigrams show us:

Mountain in UPPER - that covers discernment (if it was lower then it would cover block/stop/self-restraint. when we put it in upper so these traits are doubled and made proactive - we USE blockage to our benefit in the form of discernment - we gain strength/value from our suffering)

Thunder in LOWER - that covers new moments, enlightenment (Even if 'crap' - enlightenment is not some universal 'good' in that it covers the 'a-ha' that is found later to be false)

The focus overall is on quality control of the 'new' and so being wary about what you put into your body, how you fill-in the infrastructure. There will therefore be a STRONG focus on issues of rejection.

27 pairs with 24 and its focus on a beginning that includes 'new' as it does a return to the 'true' path (AGAIN a focus on quality but here it is unconditional, in 27 we get conditional, picky even of 'general' quality as we focus on the particular)

Since we are setting down foundations, infrastructure, it is essential that we put into that infrastructure 'quality' stuff, else it is a waste of time and energy.

I would suggest that, the Duke of Chou (or whatever committee came up with the comments!) being aware of the association of the 'negative' with yin and the issues of quality control would bring out issues of rejection (emotionally rejection is one of the emotions associated with yin-foundation meanings, whereas acceptance is associated with yang-foundation meanings)

If we analyse the line orderings we have a yang line (acceptance) followed by four yin lines (rejection) and a final yang line (acceptance). As such we open to acceptance, reject most offerings to finally 'close' on a good one.

Just for a little visual inspiration...

L

Thanks for weighing in everyone, it's been useful. This bit by Chris turned out to make the most sense to me:




It made the most sense because it encapsulates the idea in 27's main text, that of giving attention to your search for something substantial to nourish yourself on. Like Chris says, that's as much a matter of discerning what *not* to take in as it is a matter of knowing what's good to eat.

This also helps me with the 27/28 pair. Up until now, I've seen the continuum between them to be one of dealing with 'what's beyond' - 27 in the sense of taking what's beyond you into you, and 28 in the sense of moving beyond the present critical mass. Now, I'm thinking there might be a quality vs quantity issue in these two hexagrams - 27 is concerned with the quality of the nourishment and 28 is concerned with a quantity issue (the critical mass thing I mentioned just now).

Cheers, all.

Well, that would reflect the stripping away of 23, for sure.

So, this would be an example of a sixth line that expressed the highest meaning of the hex overall? It's more blessed to give than to receive, in other words?

If that's the case, then Hex 27 is really weird, cuz one line is about wanting nourishment that you've already got (27.1), four lines are about *not* nourishing yourself on something (27.2 thru 27.5), and one line is about nourishing others (27.6). And the main text is about the search for something substantial to nourish yourself on.

Where's the actual nourishment? lol

For me, it's not a matter of light and dark, two sides of the same coin. For me, the source is beyond me or above me, and the way to it is found within me. Direct attention inward in the right way, with the right attitude and preparation, with the right support and guidance, and you find the door to the source, just like the kids find their way into Narnia via the wardrobe.

I always come across this thread whenever I feel unsure about 27. I know this is an older thread, but I have to say thank you to Bradford for his brilliant interpretation of 27 and particularly how he related it to line 6.

The casting came up for me one time when I was feeling particularly hurt emotionally. I had given notice at a previous place of employment. The administrator called me into her office and basicly cast me aside so easily. It was a job in which I worked much harder than I was being paid for and aside from feeling used, I felt very unappreciated.

I asked the Yijing why I felt so upset over this, I received 27.6>24. While I was so busy with feeling hurt,I forgot how much my coworkers looked up to me and knew they could always count on me to be supportive on a professional and personal level. My coworkers reflected the kindness and dedication I shared with them and that made all the difference to me.

That resulting 24 confirmed that returning to my own path was the right way to go. I left with great knowledge for my future and I made some really great friends.

... And then I didn't feel bad for a second longer.:bows:

H27 is Thunder under Mountain.
This is the hexagram of feedback. Feedback is the result of input and output. This hexagram represents input and output as a complete cycle. The lower trigram Thunder is associated with the beginning of spring and the upper trigram Mountain is associated with the end of winter, in other words, the cycle of sowing, growing, bearing fruit, harvesting, resting, etc.
H27 shows that the choices made now have an effect that last a whole cycle, so be careful (what you sow in spring, you will eat in winter).
The line at the 6th position is a moving yang line in trigram Mountain.
This is the end of the cycle but this line wants action where no more action is needed because the show is over, so to speak. All that is possible is to look back, conclude and draw conclusions. At the same time, it is time to prepare for a new beginning > H24.
In H24 it is the life force (Thunder) in the Earth that allows the seed to germinate. The beginning of a new cycle.

Hopefully the above interpretation gives some more insight into the recurrence of H27.6.

As always, take what resonates and leave the rest

Just posting some interesting thoughts I picked up in my travels around the forum

 

[Lakewater]

I asked Yi what is it trying to tell me when it gives me 27.6 and got hexagram 62.5

Wilhelm/Baynes: Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave.

 

[Lakewater]

Asking about using a service to que up and automatically share posts (allowing the 2nd line cos it's Hilary)

Someone that also got 27.6 and 62.5

 

[Lakewater]

So far I'm getting the sense of

Trying something new that nourishes others

Using discernment to identify quality ways of nourishing

Cycles of sowing and reaping, thinking long-term

Mountain and 24 being in touch with your inner self and own path

 

[Lakewater]

I just got 27.6 for the best strategy for a relationship.
27 speaks of nourishment — not just food but how do we nourish things? What nourishes us? Many times I get this hexagram when I need to be careful with my words (as though they have a restorative or destructive power) and the sources of nourishment I look to (reading a book or scrolling, for example).

What truly nourishes you and how can that be a source of nourishment for others?

I could write a list of the things that truly nourish me: sunflower seed butter, poetry, being held & holding, words of affirmation, 8 hours of sleep a night, etc…

And then the things that scratch an itch, or are neutral, or need vigilance/temperance… and then of course the things that absolutely do not nourish me.

With line 6 I feel like the I-Ching is throwing it back on us. How can we live in greater alignment with that true nourishment & in turn share it - live it - embody it.

I imagine asking a truly wise person a superficial or ignorant question and how that truly wise person would not respond “that’s dumb” or “here’s your strategy” (lol at myself) but they would say, “what has nourished you? You will find your answer in that.” Or, even deeper: “what is the source of your nourishment? Will you take the journey - cross the water - face danger - to return (hexagram 24) to yourself & reclaim the source of nourishment ?”
From that return, your intuition will guide—

TLDR - feed your soul.

I think you have understood the line and there is a lot of good advise in your post.

I will try and tinker with what you have said in my own life and see what happens, if I make any breakthroughs with this casting.

The only thing left is to work out what nourishes me!

 

[Lakewater]

I am just typing out the questions for reference @magenta_cloud

What truly nourishes you and how can that be a source of nourishment for others

How can you live in greater alignment with that true nourishment and in turn share it

What is the source of your nourishment, will you take the journey to return to yourself and reclaim the source of nourishment

 

[Lakewater]

Feeling down for a moment got it again today as per usual

 

[Lakewater]

Got it again today as usual

 

[Lakewater]

Got it again today as is the norm

 

[Lakewater]

I am now toying with an idea about this cast that has started to grow in my mind (especially after looking at some of the cases above) and although I am dominating this thread I am hoping someone might chime in.

Wilhelm: The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.

Could it be that the querant is the source of nourishment for others and that this is dangerous not necessarily because of dependency issues but because of proximity and THAT is why there is counsel to cross the great river. In other words there is implicit in the line the advise to nourish others from a distance. I asked Yi if I had understood something or was on the right track and got: 57.4: Regrets go away. Catching three kinds of game in the hunt (Lise).

 

[Lakewater]

I asked for a tarot card to help me understand the line and got Death reversed

 

[Lakewater]

Today I got it again (maybe I'll stop posting these as it's been a recurring cast for sometime now)

 

[hilary]

I cast this one in December as my reading for the year. I had a couple of good 'illustrations' of it over the following weeks. One was on Christmas Day, when I was volunteering at a local meal for people who would otherwise be alone. At dinner, I was sitting opposite a woman who was blind and had such a severe tremor that she needed help eating, so I ended up kneeling by her chair and feeding her one spoonful at a time. She was good company, and this was very, very good fortune.

Danger? Well, her son had brought her - a big, awkward man, who seemed to have not much clue how to look after his mum. He was friendly, commented that I was better at this than he was, and asked for my phone number so I could maybe give him some lessons. Vague warning sirens sounded, and I didn't give him my number.

(Stories like this normally end up in WikiWing, in great numbers. I think you are slightly trying to reinvent a WikiWing-wheel here and should probably join!)

 

[Lakewater]

I cast this one in December as my reading for the year. I had a couple of good 'illustrations' of it over the following weeks. One was on Christmas Day, when I was volunteering at a local meal for people who would otherwise be alone. At dinner, I was sitting opposite a woman who was blind and had such a severe tremor that she needed help eating, so I ended up kneeling by her chair and feeding her one spoonful at a time. She was good company, and this was very, very good fortune.

Danger? Well, her son had brought her - a big, awkward man, who seemed to have not much clue how to look after his mum. He was friendly, commented that I was better at this than he was, and asked for my phone number so I could maybe give him some lessons. Vague warning sirens sounded, and I didn't give him my number.

(Stories like this normally end up in WikiWing, in great numbers. I think you are slightly trying to reinvent a WikiWing-wheel here and should probably join!)

Thank you Hilary, I tried to sign up to wiki wing when I first made this account but I couldn't get it to work (I tried both PayPal and card), after casting I decided to shelve the idea for a later date. I might try again and see how it goes. I can definitely see the danger loud and clear in your example!

 

[Piasa]

this is dangerous not necessarily because of dependency issues but because of proximity and THAT is why there is counsel to cross the great river. In other words there is implicit in the line the advise to nourish others from a distance.

This is such a profound insight. I can see where it's relevant in a 27.1.6 cast I got somewhat recently regarding a friendship I have that involves a lot of head-butting and reasserting of boundaries.

She's a difficult person for me to be friends with because of this, but at the same time she is loyal, trustworthy, thoughtful and shares similar values. I respect how she has handles adversity and is always improving emotionally. I think it's a net-positive relationship (my feelings about it fluctuate ). We became as close as we are pretty much because we are similar age and live relatively close to one another.

How I interpreted my reading is 27.1: I have the power to manage the friendship successfully if I remember not to relinquish my nature; 27.6 without boundaries: she takes too much. I think the change to hexagram 2 and Kun as endlessly nourishing -- well, if someone is taking nourishment from me that is a byproduct of my nature, that is symbiosis. The problem only comes in if they are taking beyond my set boundaries, or if I am too available.

 

[Piasa]

Got it again today as usual

Curious if you are asking about the same area of life, or if you are getting this from many different directions?

 

[Lakewater]

How I interpreted my reading is 27.1: I have the power to manage the friendship successfully if I remember not to relinquish my nature; 27.6 without boundaries: she takes too much. I think the change to hexagram 2 and Kun as endlessly nourishing -- well, if someone is taking nourishment from me that is a byproduct of my nature, that is symbiosis. The problem only comes in if they are taking beyond my set boundaries, or if I am too available.

It sounds like a delicate balancing act, it reminds me a little of 63, and a bit of 60, but it does say good fortune I'm guessing especially if you are aware of the danger, how would you interpret the line 'cross the great river' in your relationship?

 

[Lakewater]

Curious if you are asking about the same area of life, or if you are getting this from many different directions?

Completely different areas of life

 

[Piasa]

Completely different areas of life

I'm wondering if this is about a natural inclination of generosity in some area of one's life that is too open to exploitation. Like upper trigram Gen normally provides the boundary, but with 27.6 that boundary is breached and it becomes too much (28). Changing line to 24: Thunder is buried, it has lost its voice. 24's image is about conserving one's energy.

Fan yao 24.6 has manifested for me as being too quick to burn a bridge / ending something impulsively (maybe due to lack understanding/communication). So that implies 27.6 is the opposite... too hesitant to end something? Knowing there is a problem and not promptly doing something to rectify it?

Qian yao 27.1: I might be reaching here but I see 27.1 as being MY fault, Zhen means the onus is on me to act/initiate. Does that mean in 27.6 the onus is on me to Gen stop?

 

[Piasa]

Additional thought:

I'm wondering if this is about a natural inclination of generosity in some area of one's life that is too open to exploitation. Like upper trigram Gen normally provides the boundary, but with 27.6 that boundary is breached and it becomes too much (28). Changing line to 24: Thunder is buried, it has lost its voice. 24's image is about conserving one's energy.

Nuance, the other party is relying too heavily on you for their well-being: perhaps they are the qian yao 27.1 and the onus is on them to use their own faculties to nourish themselves. But since they are not doing this (they are at fault), in 27.6 the onus is on you to prevent them exploiting your generosity (for your protection).

Maybe the good fortune is also for them, if this prevention spurs them to action to provide nourishment for themselves? Which is why the other person (27.1) benefits from you 23 stripping away your support, and 27.6 benefits you by necessitating 24 coming back to yourself to recover (I like that LiSe terms 24 as Recovering).

It sounds like a delicate balancing act, it reminds me a little of 63, and a bit of 60, but it does say good fortune I'm guessing especially if you are aware of the danger, how would you interpret the line 'cross the great river' in your relationship?

Crossing the river in my example has been setting hard boundaries and reinforcing with consequences, being confrontational, withholding information, and being strategically unavailable when I need to be. So.. not an easy friendship to handle, but a safe way to practice these skills and we both benefit.

 

[Lakewater]

I have nothing to add, I think you've made a ton of beautiful connections for taking away and working with.

2 being nourishing and nurturing and how that relates to 27's concern for appropriate giving of nourishment.

Gen 27.6's Yang line disappearing signaling a boundary breached
And Gen meaning to stop (nourishment provision/6th line to others)

Zhen 27.1's Yang line disappearing signaling an action not initiated
And Zhen meaning to start (nourishment provision/1st line to self)

27.1 you have your own spirit tortoise so support is stripped away so you can rely on/use it

27.6 you are the source of nourishment so you come back to yourself in order to recover it

I'm just summarising what you're saying but it is helping getting the reading clearer in my own mind.