Jun 16 20
Three of Swords
48. The Well
43. Break-through (Resoluteness)
This week we drew the “The Three of Swords” (aka, “The Lord of Sorrow” in Crowlian parlance — known simply as “Sorrow” in the more standard versions). This card points to Misery (writ large) — abject pain and suffering; this is not mere melancholia, but ruinous discord/disunion.
Our first hexagram, which we partner with our tarot to describe (or further detail) the current situation, is #48 “The Well.” Here are coupled two metaphors, that of a tree and roots seeking water alongside the image of a bucket reaching for the spring at the depths of a well. It is intimated that these are apt symbols for a fundamental course of action: to get universal nourishment one must go deep. This of course might seem an oversimplification if it weren’t for the accompanying and wholly accurate admonishment: if one doesn’t pursue the profounder depths one will “remain fixed in convention.”
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #43 “Break-through (Resoluteness)“. We apologize for the length of the following quotation; it just feels too relevant to abridge: “Even if only one inferior person is occupying a ruling position in a city, they are able to oppress superior people. Even a single passion still lurking in the heart has power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side—therefore fight without quarter is necessary if the good is to prevail.” “In a resolute struggle of the good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed. First, resolution must be based on a union of strength and friendliness. Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil must under all circumstances be openly discredited. Nor must our own passions and shortcomings be glossed over. Third, the struggle must not be carried on directly by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it the favor of fighting against it blow for blow, we lose in the end because thus we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion. Therefore it is important to begin at home, to be on guard in our own persons against the faults we have branded. In this way, finding no opponent, the sharp edges of the weapons of evil become dulled. For the same reasons we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we wrestle with them, they continue victorious. Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.”
Our extraction: We are in the thick of a genuine misery. The degree of one’s shallowness is the measure of one’s convention — convention does not remove misery, it is defined by it. “The best way to fight evil (and its subsequent misery) is to make energetic progress in the good.” If we fight against evil “blow for blow, we lose… because… we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion.” As it is said elsewhere in the I Ching, it is best to persist without haste and without rest.
Our first hexagram, which we partner with our tarot to describe (or further detail) the current situation, is #48 “The Well.” Here are coupled two metaphors, that of a tree and roots seeking water alongside the image of a bucket reaching for the spring at the depths of a well. It is intimated that these are apt symbols for a fundamental course of action: to get universal nourishment one must go deep. This of course might seem an oversimplification if it weren’t for the accompanying and wholly accurate admonishment: if one doesn’t pursue the profounder depths one will “remain fixed in convention.”
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #43 “Break-through (Resoluteness)“. We apologize for the length of the following quotation; it just feels too relevant to abridge: “Even if only one inferior person is occupying a ruling position in a city, they are able to oppress superior people. Even a single passion still lurking in the heart has power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side—therefore fight without quarter is necessary if the good is to prevail.” “In a resolute struggle of the good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed. First, resolution must be based on a union of strength and friendliness. Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil must under all circumstances be openly discredited. Nor must our own passions and shortcomings be glossed over. Third, the struggle must not be carried on directly by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it the favor of fighting against it blow for blow, we lose in the end because thus we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion. Therefore it is important to begin at home, to be on guard in our own persons against the faults we have branded. In this way, finding no opponent, the sharp edges of the weapons of evil become dulled. For the same reasons we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we wrestle with them, they continue victorious. Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.”
Our extraction: We are in the thick of a genuine misery. The degree of one’s shallowness is the measure of one’s convention — convention does not remove misery, it is defined by it. “The best way to fight evil (and its subsequent misery) is to make energetic progress in the good.” If we fight against evil “blow for blow, we lose… because… we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion.” As it is said elsewhere in the I Ching, it is best to persist without haste and without rest.