An obstruction stands in your way. (It is worth noting that “obstruction” is different than something like a random eruption or shock — this is an obstacle that can be seen.)

Do not spend your energies trying to forcibly remove the barrier. Retreating or relinquishing has much dignity and much opportunity for learning — in fact one would not improve if they never withdrew to take stock.

99.999999...% of energies that swirl around us, within us and even animate us are more powerful than us. Working with them is the key. Perhaps take time this week to reflect on this notion.

(It is also worth noting that some people have an easier time accepting things than others — this week’s admonishment is particularly significant to those that have difficulty accepting fixed truths.)



This week we pulled the Queen of Wands reversed. The suite of wands deals with Energy writ large: animation, passion, bravery, the vitality needed to start and pursue goals but also rage, jealousy and myopic focus. Queen cards represent the inward facing, self-knowing aspect of any suite. And reversals are not necessarily opposites but more like entrenched versions of a card’s meaning. So all together, there is indication that the way you are thinking about your vital energies is a bit overdetermined; that is, be careful this period of over-doing, over-participating, or over-controlling. Move through the fair simply looking at all that comes into your field of vision.

Our first hexagram this week is #63, After Completion. Personally this hexagram really speaks to us. It severely cautions against relaxing when a certain order has been reached. “Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil.” We have this problem perpetually; we often treat goals like they are something that will take care of themselves after they are achieved — but this is very, very dumb. A goal should only exist to service a life responsibly and lovingly led, not something to vacation after. To paraphrase a notable phrase: the price of transformation is eternal vigilance… And yeah it will be tiring (that’s where personal management comes in)… There was one change this week, of which the specific note is: with dignity go against the crowd’s invariable tendency to overdetermine and overcorrect — a crowd doesn’t possess the ability to get things right, rather only to have great momentum — a crowd touches the world with concrete gloves — only individuals and small teams/groups touch situations with direct flesh.

Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #39, Obstruction. “Here an individual is confronted by obstacles that cannot be overcome directly. In such a situation it is wise to pause in view of the danger and to retreat. However, this is merely a preparation for overcoming the obstructions. One must join forces with friends of like mind and put themself under the leadership of a person equal to the situation: then one will succeed in removing the obstacles. This requires the will to persevere just when one apparently must do something that leads away from their goal. This unswerving inner purpose brings good fortune in the end. An obstruction that lasts only for a time is useful for self–development. This is the value of adversity…” “Difficulties and obstructions throw a person back upon themself. While the inferior person seeks to put the blame on other persons, bewailing their fate, the superior person seeks the error within themself, and through this introspection the external obstacle becomes for them an occasion for inner enrichment and education.”