There is a woman on a beach… There is a woman on a beach with no shoes… There is a woman on a beach with no shoes; and she is holding what looks like a long, blue broom handle… There is a woman on a beach with no shoes; and she is holding what looks like a long, blue broom handle. The woman is not human… There is a woman on a beach with no shoes; and she is holding what looks like a long, blue broom handle. The woman is not human. The woman is an antique vapor… At certain times when reading you can catch a glimpse of how odd our circumstance is. That is, simply by skimming our eyes over a series of glyphs we can produce an image and a story. Even with scant information the story/image doesn’t float in pieces in a void like a jigsaw puzzle in space; it kind of remains patiently abstract and kind of fully-formed, vague but still believable — which when said like that sounds wholly unbelievable. How can an image really be patiently abstract? But it can and does. As well, the image and story are neurologically weightless and not really neurologically locatable (brain mapping and droll Jacob Moleschott-like materialism notwithstanding). On one hand it’s very fun and curious, but on the other perhaps unsettling — we are very ok with very little information. Our varied powers of interpolation are legion whether that be conceptually as evinced with the shadowy story above, or as experienced in our general visual field (blindspots), or in the sense we have of ourselves in a larger whole. And what of the “the woman is not human” and “the woman is an antique vapor” parts? Yes, even near nonsense is not impossible for us to imagine. Metaphors? Science fiction? Whatever is left undefined will eventually resolve itself? Right?

Image: Matt Mullican
 

This week we pulled the “Five of Cups.” This card indicates the presence of lamentation, but not of the abject sort. That is, the mournfulness pointed to, has an element that is self created or indulgent. It is not that something bad hasn’t happened, it’s just that all is not lost. So if there is to be advice attached to this card, it would be something like: pick up the pieces, determine what can be salvaged and walk toward a larger goal.
        Our first hexagram, which we partner with our tarot to describe (or further detail) the current situation, is #21 (Biting Through). This hexagram contains 4 changes; this means there is going to be some movement this week (not necessarily instability, but there could be a fair amount of variation as relates to the following reading). The image here is of criminality and law — crime and punishment. It is important to remember here (with these I Ching construals) that the symbols/subjects (here crime and punishment) do not necessarily refer to the political world one lives in, but are related to the different parts of the self. Yes? So, this hexagram calls for a genuine reckoning of your “crimes.” That is evaluate what you’ve done to harm (yourself or others) by way of taking the easy, cheap and/or meretricious way — then mete out your own punishment with self reflective bravery. It should result in the softening of a blockage — leading to flow. Stay with it.
        Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #18 (Decay, Work on what has been spoiled). The discussion here is of corruption and rot, the importance of removing it and how to do so. There are specifics: Tuesday through Thursday stir up the mud and uncleanliness of your mind with an attitude of self-pride/self-love; and see who the “culprits” are (perhaps even write them down). Friday through Sunday, perform nutritive tasks (hike or take long walks, eat delicious-beautiful-nutritive foods, etc.) to take any power away from the base or unscrupulous imps of your personality. Monday enjoy your new strength.
        Our extraction: A quote from the second hexagram is a good summary of all three parts of the oracle this week: “What has been spoiled through one’s fault can be made good again through one’s work. It is not immutable fate…” Be courageous this week with your self analysis; admit your errors and make good on them. And remember true bravery comes from love — and there is no more important person to love than yourself.