Jan 09 24
Page of Pentacles (reversed)
47. Oppression (Exhaustion)
19. Approach
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.)
“M.S.” asks: To base new beginnings on foundations that are possibly cosmically arbitrary, could be considered pointless. But cosmic arbitrariness, from a human vantage point, is at least a significant part of the situation. And, arbitrary or not, we are all entrenched in a dynamic that, though as said may ultimately be impossible to glean a meta purpose from, the smaller vortices of the larger dynamic (call this earth’s situation) certainly have a durable way about them. A way that we heed, or suffer very real consequences.
Keeping all this in mind, any advice if one wants to access some sort of reinvigoration (new year or not)?
Within the lead up to your question, there is a perceptible positive energy, a clear passion for articulation. However, there is also much that sounds something like cosmic fatalism; that is, you are being very casual about very heavy observations. Before addressing your question be careful that you are not being dishonest about how such offhand meaninglessness might be affecting you — like with the very question you are asking.
Reinvigoration is not a trick. No proverb or advice alone will catalyze positive excitement. Darker views should not be brushed off, but considered — a body is an interplay of systems that want relative balance (though this can widely differ from individual to individual, our systems do not like being overtaxed in any single direction — call this balance). Therefore it is wise to consider what began, or pushes, these serious thoughts. It is clear that you draw power from these proclamations, but make sure these expressions are not blocking you from the vigor and vim which are required for the “reinvigoration” of which you seek.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled The Page of Pentacles (reversed). When upright the intimation is of an ambitious student — conscientiousness, long term thinking, mindful — when reversed, as it is here, the diligence has turned towards prodigality. Try to avoid overly ambitious plans as they are apt to devolve into compensatory indulgence.
Our first hexagram this week is #47, Oppression (Exhaustion). “Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right person... In such times there is nothing a person can do but acquiesce to their fate and remain true to themself. This concerns the deepest stratum of being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.” Deep acceptance of the larger “Situation/Circumstance” is of ultimate importance. That, coupled with a constant relationship with what has formed you (that is, lead to present motion). If times are not in your favor, try not to lose relation to yourself — you are the one who knows most about yourself. You are like a sailor on the sea of yourself, if you pretend the conditions are other than they are, and ignore, or are lazy about them, you risk getting seriously lost or drowning — metaphorically speaking of course.
There were three changes this week, of which the specific note is: using external means rather than those that are inward facing to address troubles will result in a dangerous/painful gloominess,
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #19. Approach. Symbolically, as well as literally, the difficulty of Winter can be mitigated by the understanding that Spring will eventually arrive. And even further, we know that the arrival of Spring portends the eventual return of Winter difficulties. This hexagram is a transcendental push for planning — it is foolish (and just soooo counterproductive) to constantly allow oneself to be caught off guard by difficulties that have experienced many times over. “If we meet evil before it becomes reality—before it has even begun to stir—we can master it.” Joyfully prepare!!
- Avoid overly ambitious plans as they are apt to devolve into compensatory indulgence.
- Strive for a realism regarding the general (the larger “Situation”) and the specific (your unique situation).
- You are the sailor of yourself.
- It is foolish and painful to allow oneself to be caught off guard by difficulties experienced many times over.
“M.S.” asks: To base new beginnings on foundations that are possibly cosmically arbitrary, could be considered pointless. But cosmic arbitrariness, from a human vantage point, is at least a significant part of the situation. And, arbitrary or not, we are all entrenched in a dynamic that, though as said may ultimately be impossible to glean a meta purpose from, the smaller vortices of the larger dynamic (call this earth’s situation) certainly have a durable way about them. A way that we heed, or suffer very real consequences.
Keeping all this in mind, any advice if one wants to access some sort of reinvigoration (new year or not)?
Within the lead up to your question, there is a perceptible positive energy, a clear passion for articulation. However, there is also much that sounds something like cosmic fatalism; that is, you are being very casual about very heavy observations. Before addressing your question be careful that you are not being dishonest about how such offhand meaninglessness might be affecting you — like with the very question you are asking.
Reinvigoration is not a trick. No proverb or advice alone will catalyze positive excitement. Darker views should not be brushed off, but considered — a body is an interplay of systems that want relative balance (though this can widely differ from individual to individual, our systems do not like being overtaxed in any single direction — call this balance). Therefore it is wise to consider what began, or pushes, these serious thoughts. It is clear that you draw power from these proclamations, but make sure these expressions are not blocking you from the vigor and vim which are required for the “reinvigoration” of which you seek.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled The Page of Pentacles (reversed). When upright the intimation is of an ambitious student — conscientiousness, long term thinking, mindful — when reversed, as it is here, the diligence has turned towards prodigality. Try to avoid overly ambitious plans as they are apt to devolve into compensatory indulgence.
Our first hexagram this week is #47, Oppression (Exhaustion). “Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right person... In such times there is nothing a person can do but acquiesce to their fate and remain true to themself. This concerns the deepest stratum of being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.” Deep acceptance of the larger “Situation/Circumstance” is of ultimate importance. That, coupled with a constant relationship with what has formed you (that is, lead to present motion). If times are not in your favor, try not to lose relation to yourself — you are the one who knows most about yourself. You are like a sailor on the sea of yourself, if you pretend the conditions are other than they are, and ignore, or are lazy about them, you risk getting seriously lost or drowning — metaphorically speaking of course.
There were three changes this week, of which the specific note is: using external means rather than those that are inward facing to address troubles will result in a dangerous/painful gloominess,
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #19. Approach. Symbolically, as well as literally, the difficulty of Winter can be mitigated by the understanding that Spring will eventually arrive. And even further, we know that the arrival of Spring portends the eventual return of Winter difficulties. This hexagram is a transcendental push for planning — it is foolish (and just soooo counterproductive) to constantly allow oneself to be caught off guard by difficulties that have experienced many times over. “If we meet evil before it becomes reality—before it has even begun to stir—we can master it.” Joyfully prepare!!