Sep 22 26
Five of Cups
55. Abundance [Fullness]
36. Darkening of the Light
36. Darkening of the Light
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 “G.G.”: I’m so tired — like emotionally and physically — but mostly emotionally. I know people have had it much, much worse in much, much worse times, but nevertheless...
Oracle reply: Do not trust your sadness; that is, since no aspect or thing is complete unto itself, what is in view at any given time is an illusion. Sadness is a fundamental property of happiness, and vice versa. See more sadness in happiness and more happiness in sadness.
This doesn’t mean that certain times aren’t unfavorable (or worse). You just have to struggle to keep the larger picture in view. It is the saving perspective.
Complete Reading:
This week we pulled the Five of Cups. The implication here is that the sadness you feel is, itself, incomplete; that is, you were incomplete before you even felt sad. Therefore, the sadness is not trustworthy. What is in view makes everything else out of view, but not less real or relevant.
Our first hexagram this week is #55, Abundance (Fullness). A “condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.” If bounty is to be maintained at all, it will only be when internal clarity is coupled with energetic action; perhaps call this vigilance. It is also implied that a proper/light attitude toward the ebb and flow of good fortune is important (being “a person who is inwardly free of sorrow and care”). That is, when things are bad, keep an eye out for opportunities to encourage more favorable circumstances; and when times are good, take full advantage of them, knowing they won’t last.
There was one change this week of which the specific note is: the clarity pointed to above, that which must accompany energetic action, for abundance to be achieved, is currently, critical. That is, focus on smart thinking (don’t be indulgent in garbage/cheap thoughts — for example).
Our second hexagram is #36, Darkening of the Light. Darkness, because it is a condition inherently lacking clarity (and detail), should foster caution — that is, in situations of murky indeterminacy (maybe even hostile ones) it is often best to wait for more favorable circumstances to perform important actions. “In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved” — that is, in certain personally unfavorable periods “it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behavior. In such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being duped.” Also, in times of darkness, it is best to follow one’s duties (as opposed to being improvisational with topical matters).
- You were incomplete before you even felt sad, therefore, the sadness is not trustworthy.
- A light attitude toward the ebb and flow of good fortune is important.
- Try hard not to be indulgent in cheap thoughts; they are ruinous.
- “One should let many things pass, without being duped.”
- In times of darkness, it is best to follow one’s duties (as opposed to being improvisational with topical matters).
Question from “G.G.”: I’m so tired — like emotionally and physically — but mostly emotionally. I know people have had it much, much worse in much, much worse times, but nevertheless...
Oracle reply: Do not trust your sadness; that is, since no aspect or thing is complete unto itself, what is in view at any given time is an illusion. Sadness is a fundamental property of happiness, and vice versa. See more sadness in happiness and more happiness in sadness.
This doesn’t mean that certain times aren’t unfavorable (or worse). You just have to struggle to keep the larger picture in view. It is the saving perspective.
Complete Reading:
This week we pulled the Five of Cups. The implication here is that the sadness you feel is, itself, incomplete; that is, you were incomplete before you even felt sad. Therefore, the sadness is not trustworthy. What is in view makes everything else out of view, but not less real or relevant.
Our first hexagram this week is #55, Abundance (Fullness). A “condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.” If bounty is to be maintained at all, it will only be when internal clarity is coupled with energetic action; perhaps call this vigilance. It is also implied that a proper/light attitude toward the ebb and flow of good fortune is important (being “a person who is inwardly free of sorrow and care”). That is, when things are bad, keep an eye out for opportunities to encourage more favorable circumstances; and when times are good, take full advantage of them, knowing they won’t last.
There was one change this week of which the specific note is: the clarity pointed to above, that which must accompany energetic action, for abundance to be achieved, is currently, critical. That is, focus on smart thinking (don’t be indulgent in garbage/cheap thoughts — for example).
Our second hexagram is #36, Darkening of the Light. Darkness, because it is a condition inherently lacking clarity (and detail), should foster caution — that is, in situations of murky indeterminacy (maybe even hostile ones) it is often best to wait for more favorable circumstances to perform important actions. “In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved” — that is, in certain personally unfavorable periods “it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behavior. In such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being duped.” Also, in times of darkness, it is best to follow one’s duties (as opposed to being improvisational with topical matters).