Jan 04 22
Two of Swords
54. The Marrying Maiden
14. Possession in Great Measure
The world is absolutely teeming with forceful people who dislike subtlety and actual critical thinking — but little good has come of one-dimensional, surface treatments of matters. What are ambitious people of scrutiny and careful diagnostics to do? Well… Don’t get enclosed by indecision, keep subtle notes but don’t get bogged down. Keep focus on larger ends; don’t be scared or distracted in the short term — bullies (or bullying ideas) often lose their strength over time. Your whole goal should be “strength within and clarity and culture without” all “expressed in a graceful and controlled way.”
This week we pulled the Two of Swords. There is discomfort and there will be discomfort. A choice has manifested but one where either outcome won’t feel great. Avoidance of making a choice is unwise (indecision). Though, we feel there is some positivity here due to the presence of the moon; the resolution, though painful or uncomfortable, may bring wisdom just not with fanfare or immediacy, but subtly and over time.
Our first hexagram this week is #54, The Marrying Maiden. Here we have commentary on the success of relationships — that is, the situation where two different beings come together for the long term and the general difficulties that can follow. First and foremost, relationships involve people who are wholly different entities (of totally differing origins, etc.). This fact is what causes most strain in pairings — when the incommensurate parts of individuals meet. To lessen such conflict (born of unbridgeable variance) it is recommended “to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may determine. If on the other hand a person fixes their mind on an end that endures, they will succeed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer relationships of people.” There were two changes this week, of which the specific notes are: one may not succeed in ways that are typical (but methods of success needn’t always be typical) and nothing good comes from being perfunctory.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #14, Possession in Great Measure. “Possession in great measure is determined by fate and accords with the time…” It is accomplished by the “virtue of unselfish modesty.” It is best when one has “strength within” and “clarity and culture without.” This is the appropriate type of power, and must be expressed in a “graceful and controlled way.” “This brings supreme success and wealth.”
This week we pulled the Two of Swords. There is discomfort and there will be discomfort. A choice has manifested but one where either outcome won’t feel great. Avoidance of making a choice is unwise (indecision). Though, we feel there is some positivity here due to the presence of the moon; the resolution, though painful or uncomfortable, may bring wisdom just not with fanfare or immediacy, but subtly and over time.
Our first hexagram this week is #54, The Marrying Maiden. Here we have commentary on the success of relationships — that is, the situation where two different beings come together for the long term and the general difficulties that can follow. First and foremost, relationships involve people who are wholly different entities (of totally differing origins, etc.). This fact is what causes most strain in pairings — when the incommensurate parts of individuals meet. To lessen such conflict (born of unbridgeable variance) it is recommended “to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may determine. If on the other hand a person fixes their mind on an end that endures, they will succeed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer relationships of people.” There were two changes this week, of which the specific notes are: one may not succeed in ways that are typical (but methods of success needn’t always be typical) and nothing good comes from being perfunctory.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #14, Possession in Great Measure. “Possession in great measure is determined by fate and accords with the time…” It is accomplished by the “virtue of unselfish modesty.” It is best when one has “strength within” and “clarity and culture without.” This is the appropriate type of power, and must be expressed in a “graceful and controlled way.” “This brings supreme success and wealth.”