Apr 19 22
Seven of Swords (reversed)
61. Inner Truth
60. The Abysmal (Water)
The magnetic north of one’s inner compass is constantly being compromised by the pull of larger external magnetic forces. It is not to say that the orientation of one’s own compass is infallible (and needs further remove for proper functioning) just that there is a disorienting generalness to outside forces to keep in mind whilst establishing one’s bearings.
Since we are as much inclined to self deceive as we are to being deluded by others, it is important to be vigilant both on your ramparts as well as within your inner temple. 🤔 That is, proper positioning can never be achieved by only rooting out your internal biases — for once you have righted your own distortions you will have to possess enough energy and wisdom to contend with other’s prejudices towards you (and the things that affect you).
Ultimately there is no solution…
However… if you develop a sort of transcendental sympathy — a sympathy toward the complexity of ALL causality, in ALL directions — a firm kindness towards yourself and the world at large will result.
This week we pulled the Seven of Swords, reversed. It is worth noting that this is the same card (and same reversed orientation) that came up in our previous oracle. We find this relatively significant as the card has such a strange, almost ambiguous meaning. It seems to imply that the deceit implied by the card is not abating. Here is the reading from last week: “With this card, it’s hard to say whether the upright or reversed orientation is the more favorable; we are inclined towards saying that it’s the reversed position that is better. Either way the card intimates that a deception is underfoot, but the deceit is no longer hidden. The main thing to articulate is whether you are deceiving yourself or is it external? The point is that you know — just say it.”
Our first hexagram this week is #61, Inner Truth. Here, a beautiful suggestion of what is needed for proper accord between the self and the external world. “An egg is hollow. The light giving power must work to quicken it from outside, but there must be a germ of life within, if life is to be awakened. (Far–reaching speculations can be linked with these ideas).” The implication is of having an ebb and flow between hierarchies (internal or otherwise): “gentleness and forbearance toward dependents” and a “joyousness in obeying one’s superiors.” If this is confusing it is all about a kind of transcendental sympathy, a vigilant and constant attempt at understanding: “only when a bond is based on what is right, on steadfastness, will it remain so firm that it triumphs over everything… thus the superior person, when obliged to judge the mistakes of others, tries to penetrate their minds with understanding, in order to gain a sympathetic appreciation of their circumstances.” There was one change this week, of which the specific notes are: it is in the doing where all is revealed — do not rely on words and theories — get involved.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #60, Limitation, The Abysmal (Water). Haha(!): “It is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” To be sure the hexagram begins by extolling the need and wisdom of setting boundaries: “Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective. If we live economically in normal times, we are prepared for times of want. To be sparing saves us from humiliation. Limitations are also indispensable in the regulation of world conditions. In nature there are fixed limits for summer and winter, day and night, and these limits give the year its meaning. In the same way, economy, by setting fixed limits upon expenditures, acts to preserve property and prevent injury to the people.” It’s just very fun (and wise) that the exposition on the shrewdness of restraint ends with the line that we opened with: “It is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” So yeah, restrain yourself but not to a point where you have lost your core definition and purpose…
Since we are as much inclined to self deceive as we are to being deluded by others, it is important to be vigilant both on your ramparts as well as within your inner temple. 🤔 That is, proper positioning can never be achieved by only rooting out your internal biases — for once you have righted your own distortions you will have to possess enough energy and wisdom to contend with other’s prejudices towards you (and the things that affect you).
Ultimately there is no solution…
However… if you develop a sort of transcendental sympathy — a sympathy toward the complexity of ALL causality, in ALL directions — a firm kindness towards yourself and the world at large will result.
This week we pulled the Seven of Swords, reversed. It is worth noting that this is the same card (and same reversed orientation) that came up in our previous oracle. We find this relatively significant as the card has such a strange, almost ambiguous meaning. It seems to imply that the deceit implied by the card is not abating. Here is the reading from last week: “With this card, it’s hard to say whether the upright or reversed orientation is the more favorable; we are inclined towards saying that it’s the reversed position that is better. Either way the card intimates that a deception is underfoot, but the deceit is no longer hidden. The main thing to articulate is whether you are deceiving yourself or is it external? The point is that you know — just say it.”
Our first hexagram this week is #61, Inner Truth. Here, a beautiful suggestion of what is needed for proper accord between the self and the external world. “An egg is hollow. The light giving power must work to quicken it from outside, but there must be a germ of life within, if life is to be awakened. (Far–reaching speculations can be linked with these ideas).” The implication is of having an ebb and flow between hierarchies (internal or otherwise): “gentleness and forbearance toward dependents” and a “joyousness in obeying one’s superiors.” If this is confusing it is all about a kind of transcendental sympathy, a vigilant and constant attempt at understanding: “only when a bond is based on what is right, on steadfastness, will it remain so firm that it triumphs over everything… thus the superior person, when obliged to judge the mistakes of others, tries to penetrate their minds with understanding, in order to gain a sympathetic appreciation of their circumstances.” There was one change this week, of which the specific notes are: it is in the doing where all is revealed — do not rely on words and theories — get involved.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #60, Limitation, The Abysmal (Water). Haha(!): “It is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” To be sure the hexagram begins by extolling the need and wisdom of setting boundaries: “Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective. If we live economically in normal times, we are prepared for times of want. To be sparing saves us from humiliation. Limitations are also indispensable in the regulation of world conditions. In nature there are fixed limits for summer and winter, day and night, and these limits give the year its meaning. In the same way, economy, by setting fixed limits upon expenditures, acts to preserve property and prevent injury to the people.” It’s just very fun (and wise) that the exposition on the shrewdness of restraint ends with the line that we opened with: “It is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” So yeah, restrain yourself but not to a point where you have lost your core definition and purpose…