Feb 21 23
The Emperor (reversed)
5. Waiting (Nourishment)
43. Break-through (Resoluteness)
These first few lines are the general aphoristic returns for the week. They are raw and uninterpreted; there to use how you’d like. (The specific readings follow.)
This period has some serious warnings regarding patience and exhaustion — it seems that precision, as far as goals, effort and energy, is wanted. Reason is going to be the guide; that is, the measuring of behavior according to self knowledge is the most important thing (as opposed to simply letting a project, partner or some other external voice, guide action). This is neither the time of the hermit nor the partier.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the The Emperor (reversed). In both positions (upright and reversed) The Emperor points to issues of discipline and control — both discipline and control have positive and negative aspects. When employed correctly they provide the reasonable and rational structure which most (if not all) good is built upon. When overdone they can result in sterility, inflexibility and/or burn out. Be careful of the latter this period.
Our first hexagram this week is #5, Waiting (Nourishment). “Strength in the face of danger does not plunge ahead but bides its time, whereas weakness in the face of danger grows agitated and has not the patience to wait.” “Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune.” When “one is faced with a danger that has to be overcome… weakness and impatience can do nothing.” “We should not worry and seek to shape the future by interfering in things before the time is ripe. We should quietly fortify the body with food and drink and the mind with gladness and good cheer. Fate comes when it will, and thus we are ready.” There was one change this week, of which the specific note is: there is a sincere danger which lies out of one’s control, but the situation can be made worse or better, depending solely on one’s self control.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #43, Break-Through (Resoluteness). Here, a few contingent images — a sequence illustrating the release of tensions (both good and disastrous): a cloud filling to the brink with water, yielding to a welcome downpour, but resulting in a river swelling and breaking its banks. A release of tension has occurred or is imminent. It is implied that the tensions here are that of reason and passion, incompatible forces; of the two passion is the more damaging. Passion or “flood” can only be controlled by reasoned, meticulous and ongoing supervision (as it is with engineering and devices such as levees).
- be careful not to over perform discipline and/or control
- sterility and/or burn out is possible
- perseverance brings good fortune
- patience and composure are of utmost importance
- do not act until the time is ripe
- one’s passion must be held in check by one’s reason
This period has some serious warnings regarding patience and exhaustion — it seems that precision, as far as goals, effort and energy, is wanted. Reason is going to be the guide; that is, the measuring of behavior according to self knowledge is the most important thing (as opposed to simply letting a project, partner or some other external voice, guide action). This is neither the time of the hermit nor the partier.
Complete Reading
This week we pulled the The Emperor (reversed). In both positions (upright and reversed) The Emperor points to issues of discipline and control — both discipline and control have positive and negative aspects. When employed correctly they provide the reasonable and rational structure which most (if not all) good is built upon. When overdone they can result in sterility, inflexibility and/or burn out. Be careful of the latter this period.
Our first hexagram this week is #5, Waiting (Nourishment). “Strength in the face of danger does not plunge ahead but bides its time, whereas weakness in the face of danger grows agitated and has not the patience to wait.” “Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune.” When “one is faced with a danger that has to be overcome… weakness and impatience can do nothing.” “We should not worry and seek to shape the future by interfering in things before the time is ripe. We should quietly fortify the body with food and drink and the mind with gladness and good cheer. Fate comes when it will, and thus we are ready.” There was one change this week, of which the specific note is: there is a sincere danger which lies out of one’s control, but the situation can be made worse or better, depending solely on one’s self control.
Our second hexagram, the one that suggests how best to meet the challenges (or the changes) is #43, Break-Through (Resoluteness). Here, a few contingent images — a sequence illustrating the release of tensions (both good and disastrous): a cloud filling to the brink with water, yielding to a welcome downpour, but resulting in a river swelling and breaking its banks. A release of tension has occurred or is imminent. It is implied that the tensions here are that of reason and passion, incompatible forces; of the two passion is the more damaging. Passion or “flood” can only be controlled by reasoned, meticulous and ongoing supervision (as it is with engineering and devices such as levees).