Feb 08 22
Eight of Wands
35. Progress
44. Coming to Meet
We were wondering about the importance of beauty in everyday life…
Darkness (literally and metaphorically) is a situation of lack — lack of detail and lack of information; it is often a sequence that goes from disorientation to a reduction of effort by way of fatigue. Light on the other hand is (literally and metaphorically) a scenario of revealing, of awareness, of clarity — thus of energization. Beauty can be thought of this way, as light — vague in substance but a revealer of the positive aspects of our situation. Light and beauty often get short shrift because they are insubstantial in volume and form. But when wondering about their importance just ask, what is life without the possibility of beauty and the clarity of light? It is confused and bleak. Don’t overanalyze it, always orient yourself towards the beauty of the light.
This week we pulled the Eight of Wands; a card intimating positive growth — movement in a desired direction with momentum. The main thing is to make sure that you meet this energy with proper poise — don’t squander the boon by being lazy; engage and harness it. And like don’t be a sore winner.
Our first hexagram this week is #35, Progress. Offered here is a theory of the proper relation between a powerful leader and an individual of lower command but of great talent and influence: the dynamic person of lower rank must have “enough clarity of vision not to abuse their great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of the ruler. The ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, and showers presents on the great personage, and invites them continually to their court.” This centralizing of the “clarity of vision” is also related to the rising of the sun over the earth: “the light of the sun as it rises over the earth is by nature clear. The higher the sun rises, the more it emerges from the dark mists, spreading the pristine purity of its rays over an ever widening area. The real nature of humanity is likewise originally good, but it becomes clouded by contact with earthly things and therefore needs purification before it can shine forth in its native clarity.” There were three changes this week, of which the specific notes are: develop firm and correct principles, there is no shame in needing others to succeed, and be gentle and reserved within progress.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #44, Coming to Meet. The I Ching is consistent in saying that in order for things to happen appropriately, there must be no forcing, coercing or impatience — the time must be right. This hexagram continues the council talking specifically about people coming together: “coming together must be free of dishonest ulterior motives, otherwise harm will result.” That is, when it comes to mergers nothing can be left to chance; a cleansing of personal bias and a conscientious analysis of the particulars is wanted at every step.
Darkness (literally and metaphorically) is a situation of lack — lack of detail and lack of information; it is often a sequence that goes from disorientation to a reduction of effort by way of fatigue. Light on the other hand is (literally and metaphorically) a scenario of revealing, of awareness, of clarity — thus of energization. Beauty can be thought of this way, as light — vague in substance but a revealer of the positive aspects of our situation. Light and beauty often get short shrift because they are insubstantial in volume and form. But when wondering about their importance just ask, what is life without the possibility of beauty and the clarity of light? It is confused and bleak. Don’t overanalyze it, always orient yourself towards the beauty of the light.
This week we pulled the Eight of Wands; a card intimating positive growth — movement in a desired direction with momentum. The main thing is to make sure that you meet this energy with proper poise — don’t squander the boon by being lazy; engage and harness it. And like don’t be a sore winner.
Our first hexagram this week is #35, Progress. Offered here is a theory of the proper relation between a powerful leader and an individual of lower command but of great talent and influence: the dynamic person of lower rank must have “enough clarity of vision not to abuse their great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of the ruler. The ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, and showers presents on the great personage, and invites them continually to their court.” This centralizing of the “clarity of vision” is also related to the rising of the sun over the earth: “the light of the sun as it rises over the earth is by nature clear. The higher the sun rises, the more it emerges from the dark mists, spreading the pristine purity of its rays over an ever widening area. The real nature of humanity is likewise originally good, but it becomes clouded by contact with earthly things and therefore needs purification before it can shine forth in its native clarity.” There were three changes this week, of which the specific notes are: develop firm and correct principles, there is no shame in needing others to succeed, and be gentle and reserved within progress.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #44, Coming to Meet. The I Ching is consistent in saying that in order for things to happen appropriately, there must be no forcing, coercing or impatience — the time must be right. This hexagram continues the council talking specifically about people coming together: “coming together must be free of dishonest ulterior motives, otherwise harm will result.” That is, when it comes to mergers nothing can be left to chance; a cleansing of personal bias and a conscientious analysis of the particulars is wanted at every step.