Sep 20 22
Seven of Wands
18. Work on what has been spoiled [Decay]
50. The Caldron
Since we humans actually know very little — we, like the generations that preceded us, will be standing (at least partially) in the eventual mists of our current illusions. We ask the oracle if there is any advice regarding dealing with our own and other’s poor predictive abilities.
Illusions are like spells; they require shaking to be broken. To be effectual for any length of time (in this case, for a healthy future) the shaking must be caused by truth and its subsequent beauty.
All spells/stagnations have their genesis in the past. One breaks the spell of the past by individual reflection first — then when ready and steady the findings can be brought to the group for larger agitation. Truth is watered down in a crowd, but it is only through groups that large change can be achieved — so it is important that groups be made up of individuals that are bound by the light of their own findings. Groups not touched by a unity of individual truths are merely like grotesque corporations (Phillip Morris, Enron, Facebook, etc.).
This week we pulled the Seven of Wands. This is a card related to defending, not just fighting. Your enemy is not singular — a group has gathered to take you down; why this is the case, only you can answer. Take heart though, you have some serious advantages — and success is not at all impossible if you stick to what you are good at.
Our first hexagram this week is #18, Work On What Has Been Spoiled (Decay). There is stagnation. There is corruption. They could be caused by guilt or shame or depression or any other contaminant. There is need to begin again. This is initiated by stirring/drumming up all the good aspects of life (partaking in that which brings one healthy joy and casting out all that is degrading and gross). Then, regularizing these beautiful aspects of life into an oft tended rhythm. The result should be a certain durable tranquility. There was one change this week, of which the specific note is: decay has roots in the past; let it run its course only once.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #50, The Caldron. Whenever we encounter this hexagram, we are thoroughly moved; the exposition/metaphor is just so lovely. The image here is of a cauldron that holds nourishment to feed a large group of people. But the emphasis is not on the ingredients in it or the iron that constructs it, but of the rain and sun. The far, far off sun and the rain (fickle or persistent as it may be) are what truly make the caldron’s nourishment possible. As the degree to which wood delivers a robust flame, depends upon the strength of the relation of the tree and its environment — the sun and rain being the foundational elements of this production. The I Ching states that this cumulative image represents the need for religion, that is, the group/societal reverence of god — and that it is only with such religious unity that a society can thrive. It is important to note that the I Ching was written at least 2,000-3,000 years ago in the antiquity of China. Here in 2022 things are somewhat different. Though we don’t feel it is religion or the worship of some sort of god that is important for successful societies — we do feel that shared group reverence for an ideal of something like Love, combined with a shared group awe and respect of the world and the cosmos, is fundamental for societal blossoming.
Illusions are like spells; they require shaking to be broken. To be effectual for any length of time (in this case, for a healthy future) the shaking must be caused by truth and its subsequent beauty.
All spells/stagnations have their genesis in the past. One breaks the spell of the past by individual reflection first — then when ready and steady the findings can be brought to the group for larger agitation. Truth is watered down in a crowd, but it is only through groups that large change can be achieved — so it is important that groups be made up of individuals that are bound by the light of their own findings. Groups not touched by a unity of individual truths are merely like grotesque corporations (Phillip Morris, Enron, Facebook, etc.).
This week we pulled the Seven of Wands. This is a card related to defending, not just fighting. Your enemy is not singular — a group has gathered to take you down; why this is the case, only you can answer. Take heart though, you have some serious advantages — and success is not at all impossible if you stick to what you are good at.
Our first hexagram this week is #18, Work On What Has Been Spoiled (Decay). There is stagnation. There is corruption. They could be caused by guilt or shame or depression or any other contaminant. There is need to begin again. This is initiated by stirring/drumming up all the good aspects of life (partaking in that which brings one healthy joy and casting out all that is degrading and gross). Then, regularizing these beautiful aspects of life into an oft tended rhythm. The result should be a certain durable tranquility. There was one change this week, of which the specific note is: decay has roots in the past; let it run its course only once.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #50, The Caldron. Whenever we encounter this hexagram, we are thoroughly moved; the exposition/metaphor is just so lovely. The image here is of a cauldron that holds nourishment to feed a large group of people. But the emphasis is not on the ingredients in it or the iron that constructs it, but of the rain and sun. The far, far off sun and the rain (fickle or persistent as it may be) are what truly make the caldron’s nourishment possible. As the degree to which wood delivers a robust flame, depends upon the strength of the relation of the tree and its environment — the sun and rain being the foundational elements of this production. The I Ching states that this cumulative image represents the need for religion, that is, the group/societal reverence of god — and that it is only with such religious unity that a society can thrive. It is important to note that the I Ching was written at least 2,000-3,000 years ago in the antiquity of China. Here in 2022 things are somewhat different. Though we don’t feel it is religion or the worship of some sort of god that is important for successful societies — we do feel that shared group reverence for an ideal of something like Love, combined with a shared group awe and respect of the world and the cosmos, is fundamental for societal blossoming.