Jan 19 21
The Sun (reversed)
51. The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
60. Limitation
Petite Reading
The first basic truth: you are a limited creature in an unlimited universe. To live bogged down by this truth is a waste of time, but it is nevertheless a brutal fact. Strive for a life of amiable warmth and brightness, constantly trying to eschew deception — remembering that the biggest trickery (the biggest cloud over your brightness) is believing you are without limits. It is no easy task to set the wave form (crest and trough) of ecstasy and sadness — but the struggle to have authority over this rhythm is the only real way to live. (Suffice it to say though, that you should spend most of your time in the middle of these two peaks; whilst always remembering, without hills and valleys life is flat and featureless).
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the Sun card in reversed aspect. The symbolism of the Sun (when upright) is of course obvious: clarity by way of illumination and life giving warmth. When the symbology is upended it points to a kind of doldrum, the states of ineffectuality and vagueness. Something like positive realism and joyful indulgence is the way forward here. Identify what you love and what is best about yourself and pull it out into the gleaming sun. Forgive yourself your petty deceptions and send the accountant of your soul on a lovely vacation. When you are ready to experience clarity and joy do not allow for half measures, blast yourself with acceptance and joy.
Our first hexagram, which we partner with our tarot to describe (or further detail) the current situation, is #51, The Arousing (Shock, Thunder). This hexagram contained three changes, so expect some variation this week. The discussion here torques around the subject of fear and trembling and how the acceptance (and respect) for these larger violently impersonal forces of the cosmos, are the only foundation for a proper life. Take the subject of “death” as an example, the ending of our own life and of those all around us is shocking — a gut wrenchingly sad circumstance; but if you don’t let the truth of death in, you are apt to lead a life bereft of seriousness and perhaps of little importance to yourself or others. Another way, life is petty without accepting terror. Really facing the terror brings vitality to living. The specific notes about the changes this week encourage absolute acceptance of losses (don’t fight to get out of the raging waters, just stay afloat) discourage extremes and stay centered.
The second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the aforementioned challenges (or the changes) is #60, Limitation. The language of some hexagrams is more straightforward than others. With these we find it lovely to share direct quotes with only a little added commentary. The discourse here centers around the reality of setting boundaries or limits in a universe of infinite/inexhaustible possibilities. “Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective” though “it is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” “The individual attains significance as a free spirit only by surrounding themself with these limitations and by determining for themself what their duty is.” Then further, there is beautiful symbology in the employment of the analogy of a limited lake and endless water: “A lake is something limited. Water is inexhaustible. A lake can contain only a definite amount of the infinite quantity of water; this is its peculiarity. In human life too the individual achieves significance through discrimination and the setting of limits.”
The first basic truth: you are a limited creature in an unlimited universe. To live bogged down by this truth is a waste of time, but it is nevertheless a brutal fact. Strive for a life of amiable warmth and brightness, constantly trying to eschew deception — remembering that the biggest trickery (the biggest cloud over your brightness) is believing you are without limits. It is no easy task to set the wave form (crest and trough) of ecstasy and sadness — but the struggle to have authority over this rhythm is the only real way to live. (Suffice it to say though, that you should spend most of your time in the middle of these two peaks; whilst always remembering, without hills and valleys life is flat and featureless).
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the Sun card in reversed aspect. The symbolism of the Sun (when upright) is of course obvious: clarity by way of illumination and life giving warmth. When the symbology is upended it points to a kind of doldrum, the states of ineffectuality and vagueness. Something like positive realism and joyful indulgence is the way forward here. Identify what you love and what is best about yourself and pull it out into the gleaming sun. Forgive yourself your petty deceptions and send the accountant of your soul on a lovely vacation. When you are ready to experience clarity and joy do not allow for half measures, blast yourself with acceptance and joy.
Our first hexagram, which we partner with our tarot to describe (or further detail) the current situation, is #51, The Arousing (Shock, Thunder). This hexagram contained three changes, so expect some variation this week. The discussion here torques around the subject of fear and trembling and how the acceptance (and respect) for these larger violently impersonal forces of the cosmos, are the only foundation for a proper life. Take the subject of “death” as an example, the ending of our own life and of those all around us is shocking — a gut wrenchingly sad circumstance; but if you don’t let the truth of death in, you are apt to lead a life bereft of seriousness and perhaps of little importance to yourself or others. Another way, life is petty without accepting terror. Really facing the terror brings vitality to living. The specific notes about the changes this week encourage absolute acceptance of losses (don’t fight to get out of the raging waters, just stay afloat) discourage extremes and stay centered.
The second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the aforementioned challenges (or the changes) is #60, Limitation. The language of some hexagrams is more straightforward than others. With these we find it lovely to share direct quotes with only a little added commentary. The discourse here centers around the reality of setting boundaries or limits in a universe of infinite/inexhaustible possibilities. “Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective” though “it is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” “The individual attains significance as a free spirit only by surrounding themself with these limitations and by determining for themself what their duty is.” Then further, there is beautiful symbology in the employment of the analogy of a limited lake and endless water: “A lake is something limited. Water is inexhaustible. A lake can contain only a definite amount of the infinite quantity of water; this is its peculiarity. In human life too the individual achieves significance through discrimination and the setting of limits.”