Aug 05 25
Ten of Swords
20. Contemplation
1. The Creative
These first few lines are the general aphoristic returns for the week. They are raw and uninterpreted; there to use how you’d like. (The specific readings follow.)
Question from “L.I.R.R.”: We have a massively strong impulse towards union — the desire to transcendentally identify with and to be identified with people, ideas, interiors, people, or any external “objects” that we love/desire — though we know that real fusion is ultimately impossible (this type of desire being an action causing agent rather then anything tangible or able to be possessed). What is a healthy relation to the carrot on the stick?
Oracle reply: Yes, transcendental union is impossible — it is doomed to come up short always. But that is our lot as humans, to live in a state of Desire (and fear of failing again).
But the artist and creative person (and some sincere leaders) fail for us. That is, show us the way to manage defeat and desire — through public perseverance in passion and love.
Failure isn’t failure if persistence never ends.
Hopefully, you, dear questioner, are such a person.
Complete Reading:
This week we pulled the Ten of Swords. The situation has reached an unequivocal end; whatever the original intention (or momentum) was, it has failed. This happens sometimes. It is best not to pretend otherwise.
Our first hexagram this week is #20, Contemplation. This hexagram utilizes two meanings for a single symbol — the first regards the importance of having a broad view, as from a high tower (metaphorically speaking, to be broadly informed). The second points to the act of being seen, as in a tower where a holy person can be seen, contemplating (separate from the fray). It is a kind of statement about leading by example — that is, if you are in possession of rare, wide experience/education (spirituality, politics, science, self-control) it behooves you to be seen; to be a visible example.
There were four changes this week of which the specific notes are: a narrow view may be fine for a house cat but for a person in the world it is a disaster, “self knowledge does not mean preoccupation with one’s own thoughts; rather, it means concern about the effects one creates” and a person who knows how to make things flourish should be treated as a special guest.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is 1, The Creative. As we have indicated before this first hexagram is the ultimate statement of the I Ching — like a parent to all others. “The first hexagram is made up of six unbroken lines. These unbroken lines stand for the primal power, which is light–giving, active, strong, and of the spirit. The hexagram is consistently strong in character, and since it is without weakness, its essence is power or energy.” “When an individual draws this oracle, it means that success will come to them from the primal depths of the universe and that everything depends upon them seeking their happiness (and that of others) in one way only, that is, by perseverance in what is right...” What is “right” is NOT being right (such a state is impossible), what is right is PURSUING WHAT IS RIGHT, always.
- A failure has occurred, an end — best not to pretend otherwise.
- If you are committed to the good, do not hide it; let your noble process be visible so as to influence.
- A narrow view is fine for a house cat but for a person, out in the world, it is a disaster.
- Self knowledge is an outward energy, as in an effect.
- A person who knows how to make things flourish should receive special treatment, like a guest.
- What is right is not being right (for that is impossible) but pursuing what is right, always. (This is the superior person’s life task.)
- Failure isn’t failure if the persistence never ends.
Question from “L.I.R.R.”: We have a massively strong impulse towards union — the desire to transcendentally identify with and to be identified with people, ideas, interiors, people, or any external “objects” that we love/desire — though we know that real fusion is ultimately impossible (this type of desire being an action causing agent rather then anything tangible or able to be possessed). What is a healthy relation to the carrot on the stick?
Oracle reply: Yes, transcendental union is impossible — it is doomed to come up short always. But that is our lot as humans, to live in a state of Desire (and fear of failing again).
But the artist and creative person (and some sincere leaders) fail for us. That is, show us the way to manage defeat and desire — through public perseverance in passion and love.
Failure isn’t failure if persistence never ends.
Hopefully, you, dear questioner, are such a person.
Complete Reading:
This week we pulled the Ten of Swords. The situation has reached an unequivocal end; whatever the original intention (or momentum) was, it has failed. This happens sometimes. It is best not to pretend otherwise.
Our first hexagram this week is #20, Contemplation. This hexagram utilizes two meanings for a single symbol — the first regards the importance of having a broad view, as from a high tower (metaphorically speaking, to be broadly informed). The second points to the act of being seen, as in a tower where a holy person can be seen, contemplating (separate from the fray). It is a kind of statement about leading by example — that is, if you are in possession of rare, wide experience/education (spirituality, politics, science, self-control) it behooves you to be seen; to be a visible example.
There were four changes this week of which the specific notes are: a narrow view may be fine for a house cat but for a person in the world it is a disaster, “self knowledge does not mean preoccupation with one’s own thoughts; rather, it means concern about the effects one creates” and a person who knows how to make things flourish should be treated as a special guest.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is 1, The Creative. As we have indicated before this first hexagram is the ultimate statement of the I Ching — like a parent to all others. “The first hexagram is made up of six unbroken lines. These unbroken lines stand for the primal power, which is light–giving, active, strong, and of the spirit. The hexagram is consistently strong in character, and since it is without weakness, its essence is power or energy.” “When an individual draws this oracle, it means that success will come to them from the primal depths of the universe and that everything depends upon them seeking their happiness (and that of others) in one way only, that is, by perseverance in what is right...” What is “right” is NOT being right (such a state is impossible), what is right is PURSUING WHAT IS RIGHT, always.