This week all our feelings and feelers are pointing towards the idea of restraint. For this period consider taking a few steps back, as to really get an impression of what proper measure is for your varied endeavors — both in pressure applied and amount of attention. Remember rewards and fruits come with the right conditions — not by overdoing.

(Like figure out how to pay attention and not pay attention.)


This week we pulled the Empress card, reversed. When upright the energy is what you want: the nurturing power that engenders all creativity. When the Empress comes reversed (as it is here) smothering comes to mind; a flame is lit then extinguished, the spark plug and the fuel are too close and short out. Perhaps put some distance between yourself and your external affairs this week. Have a light touch… Watch peripherally from a distance…

Our one and only hexagram this week (there were no changes) is #60, Limitation. An expression that we oft paraphrase is: there is no meaning without limitation. It is quite a deep notion and can be applied in varied ways. One of our favorite phrases from #60 furthers the concept sagely: “If a person should seek to impose galling limitations upon their own nature, it would be injurious. And if one goes too far in imposing limitations on others, they would rebel. Therefore it is necessary to set limits even upon limitation.” That last part, the “it is necessary to set limits even upon limitation” part that we really enjoy. It’s not just a basic notion of like keeping things in balance, but like keeping one’s balance in balance.