Oct 25 22
Queen of Swords
45. Gathering Together [Massing]
62. Preponderance of the Small
This week “Matthew A.” asks the oracle:
“How to sustain the magic of creative discovery while introducing the structure of recurring presentation?”
Perhaps there is an overdetermined logic innate in the question. It could be said that a spirit akin to the Queen of Swords (hidden, deep rationality) is pushing you to think that “creative discovery” is antithetical to “recurring presentation.” It seems less that joyful breakthroughs and repetition are separate states but more like you are lacking a certain modesty of spirit (this is not an insult). ALL aspects of your creative practice and self should be fueled by a unified commitment to personally understood joy. A shift towards more meaningful (magical) regular work will have to be introduced slowly — with a force of constant, personal commitment. At first the change may feel petty and even sad, but if you are serious and give it time you will be a powerhouse, nay a wizard of discovery and joy.
This week we pulled the Queen of Swords. In tarot the suite of Swords carries a connection to all that is logical/rational within us — both good and bad (a clear sword cuts both ways). Queens represent power that is real but not overt; that is, deep control but from behind the surface. So in combination, the appearance of the Queen of Swords encourages one to think about some aspect of life influenced by hidden rationality. Are you working on a relationship or a project that seems overfed by a concealed but strong logic? Make sure to ping evenly with exterior and interior understanding(s) — one way is too relation-less.
Our first hexagram this week is #45, Gathering Together (Massing). It is only through a large group, collected by a mutually pious spirit that great works are achieved. A person of a thoroughly selfless spirit (that is, a genuine concern for the wellbeing of the many) is required to lead and gather such groups. However there is always a danger with large groups, that if selfishness starts to dominate, a whole lotta damage is caused. There were two changes this week, of which the specific notes are: it is sometimes humiliating to join a desired group but aligning yourself genuinely with the leader will yield positive results over time; also, in group settings develop an “unswerving devotion to duty” this will dispel distrust and inspire good faith.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #62, Preponderance of the Small. To be superlative is the most difficult thing. (“Superlative” here, meaning being admirable to oneself and useful to the greater good.) So yeah, being a great person means fixing to a long-term dignified goal — which will mean being steady in an unsteady world; such a person will at times look silly (or worse to the outside world). But this is the only path of a superlative human. “Thus the superior person… must always fix their eyes more closely and more directly on duty than the ordinary person, even though this might make their behavior seem petty to the outside world. The superior person is exceptionally conscientious of their actions… In all their personal expenditures they are extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the person of the masses, all this makes them stand out as exceptional. But the essential significance of their attitude lies in the fact that in external matters they are always on the side of modesty.
“How to sustain the magic of creative discovery while introducing the structure of recurring presentation?”
Perhaps there is an overdetermined logic innate in the question. It could be said that a spirit akin to the Queen of Swords (hidden, deep rationality) is pushing you to think that “creative discovery” is antithetical to “recurring presentation.” It seems less that joyful breakthroughs and repetition are separate states but more like you are lacking a certain modesty of spirit (this is not an insult). ALL aspects of your creative practice and self should be fueled by a unified commitment to personally understood joy. A shift towards more meaningful (magical) regular work will have to be introduced slowly — with a force of constant, personal commitment. At first the change may feel petty and even sad, but if you are serious and give it time you will be a powerhouse, nay a wizard of discovery and joy.
This week we pulled the Queen of Swords. In tarot the suite of Swords carries a connection to all that is logical/rational within us — both good and bad (a clear sword cuts both ways). Queens represent power that is real but not overt; that is, deep control but from behind the surface. So in combination, the appearance of the Queen of Swords encourages one to think about some aspect of life influenced by hidden rationality. Are you working on a relationship or a project that seems overfed by a concealed but strong logic? Make sure to ping evenly with exterior and interior understanding(s) — one way is too relation-less.
Our first hexagram this week is #45, Gathering Together (Massing). It is only through a large group, collected by a mutually pious spirit that great works are achieved. A person of a thoroughly selfless spirit (that is, a genuine concern for the wellbeing of the many) is required to lead and gather such groups. However there is always a danger with large groups, that if selfishness starts to dominate, a whole lotta damage is caused. There were two changes this week, of which the specific notes are: it is sometimes humiliating to join a desired group but aligning yourself genuinely with the leader will yield positive results over time; also, in group settings develop an “unswerving devotion to duty” this will dispel distrust and inspire good faith.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #62, Preponderance of the Small. To be superlative is the most difficult thing. (“Superlative” here, meaning being admirable to oneself and useful to the greater good.) So yeah, being a great person means fixing to a long-term dignified goal — which will mean being steady in an unsteady world; such a person will at times look silly (or worse to the outside world). But this is the only path of a superlative human. “Thus the superior person… must always fix their eyes more closely and more directly on duty than the ordinary person, even though this might make their behavior seem petty to the outside world. The superior person is exceptionally conscientious of their actions… In all their personal expenditures they are extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the person of the masses, all this makes them stand out as exceptional. But the essential significance of their attitude lies in the fact that in external matters they are always on the side of modesty.