Daily Divination

A Year Of Silence In Review

2010-09-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Did you notice I haven't posted in the last year? I know some people have at least for a moment viewed some of my posts from last year. I put plenty of effort into it for an extended time without finding a formula that really connected with anyone to afford any kind of return at all. I don't mind having a hobby, but more than that is needed at present. Further, I kept noticing that too much of my personal circumstances ended up in the posts -- given the nature of how I came up with these divinations, that couldn't be avoided.

But it just became too dispiriting to give of myself in such a personal way and receive no feedback. Feedback is free, people! At some point, no one wants to continue talking to the void. At least, it didn't answer back! And so far as a dialogue with the I Ching goes, I have continued to do so, as I have for extended periods going back to the late 1970s. Do you want to know what it is saying now? Ask.

Joy: Double Your Pleasure

2009-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

Joy shows Tui, the Lake, Joy, doubled. There are no changing lines. Usually no changing lines means self-examination is needed to discover what hindrances or blockages prevent you from experiencing the best energy available now during the time of Joy. That sounds OK to me -- bring it on!

Influence: A Day Of Empty Chatter!

2009-12-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Influence shows the Mountain, Ken, under the Lake, Tui. It is the meeting of the youngest son and youngest daughter. Influence is like going out on a date, meeting someone new. It is a weak and impermanent force.

The sixth line changing shows a weak line in a weak place trying to influence others by chattering. It has no force or substance behind its empty words. Thus neither good nor bad fortune is implied from such an inconsequential force.

Retreat results. It shows Heaven rising up and mounting away from the Mountain.

Pushing Upward To Preponderance Of The Small

2009-12-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Pushing Upward shows the tree, or more likely an acorn or seed, that is pushing upward through the Earth. It is a time of advancement.

The second line tells us that if we are sincere even a humble or small offering brings good fortune. The fifth line shows that our work will be rewarded with praise and fame that lasts beyond time.

Preponderance Of The Small results; it is the inverse of yesterday's Inner Truth. Imagery of birds predominates and a message can be expected to come on wings. It generally recommends giving preponderance in our behavior to thrift, humility and mourning. This hexagram speaks well to our time.

Holding Together To Natural Response: Ask Again; Inner Truth

2009-12-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

Holding Together is the reverse of Possession In Great Measure, from yesterday. Here, one solitary strong line holds five weak, evil lines together. It is an inherently weaker position. The image suggests a comb holding hair together. The fifth line shows the ruler hunting -- beaters were used on three sides; the game that came in to view was fairly taken; the game also had a chance to escape from the fourth side where there was no beater. The idea here is that we hold together with those who freely choose our company and let those who do not desire our company to depart.

Inner Truth is the Great Li formed by doubling each line of Li: two strong, two weak then two strong at the top. It indicates dependability. Inner Truth says that criminal cases should be discussed to delay executions. This hexagram indicates a time when we have built up inner truth to such a degree that we can move pigs and fishes, that is, lower life forms, including our own animal nature. The fifth line, which shows a cock crowing to heaven, indicates misfortune. The cock wants to fly up to heaven but is stuck on earth. Everyone hears its cries and that draws misfortune to it. To avoid misfortune, silence would be best.

The Creative To Possession In Great Measure

2009-12-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

(Yet another recent divination suggestive of financial gain -- there are, of course, additional meanings of a more spiritual nature, such as that the higher self needs to assist a struggling lower self, which can be accomplished by 'dispensing wealth downward.')

The Creative is the most powerful hexagram. It is the source of the life energy and all that moves the individual beings in the universe.

Here, the fifth line, which is also the ruler, reads: 'flying dragon in the heavens; it furthers one to see the great man.' A dragon flying in heaven is seen by all creatures. It indicates that our power has reached a stage that we confer with heavenly beings and can help all who encounter us.

Possession In Great Measure shows Fire, Li, in Heaven, Ch'ien. Fire in Heaven, like a meteor shooting across the sky, is highly visible. Supreme success is indicated, the most positive judgement given in the I Ching. It shows the union of clarity and power. The weak fifth line is able to hold the tremendous power of the other five strong lines due to its modesty.

The Family: Balanced Income And Expenses Brings Good Fortune

2009-12-03T06:35:00.000-08:00

The Family 37 shows Wind, above, coming forth from Fire, below. It is a simple hexagram that recommends following the character of a well-run and ordered family. In this way, good fortune is indicated. The fourth line changing indicates that a balance between income and expenditures brings good fortune to the family.

Fellowship With Men 13 is the result. It shows someone leaving the family and entering the broader social world where they find people of like feeling and friendship. The image shows a campfire flaming up toward heaven.

Peace: Heaven On Earth

2009-12-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

Peace 11 shows Heaven on Earth. It is one of the most positive hexagrams in the I Ching. It represents a time when those with riches disperse them to those who need them. The fourth line shows that a rich, superior person flutters down to join those below in a modest way because of inner ties between them, there is trust so the superior person can have confidence in his actions. The fifth line also shows the rich, superior man, here giving his daughter, a princess, to someone of lower rank to marry. The ruler instructs his daughter not to be conceited or troublesome but to listen and follow the husband -- she gets no privileges due to her status as a princess in her husband's home.

Breakthrough 43 shows the Lake risen up to Heaven. It indicates that speech, a symbol of the Lake, must be given in the court of the king. It also indicates that it is a time when the good can have justice over the evil. A contrary part of this hexagram's meaning indicates that the time is dangerous just as a cloud heavy with water can drown the land below if not dispersed gently. This event is applied to the rich man who must dispense his wealth to others to prevent evil from occurring.

Retreat To The Flying Bird: To Abandon The World Or Stay And Fight -- Either Choice Is OK

2009-12-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

Modesty, the last divination prior to my break, was a good place to end. It meant hidden power -- not posting more divination blogs is in a way to hide my power, at any rate. Today's divination is in some ways the opposite of Modesty. Whereas Modesty indicates hidden power and humility, Retreat indicates the desire and yearning of the Earth for Heaven -- an impossible, unquenchable and extravagant desire. On another level, it indicates the action of Heaven when evil, the two lower lines, mount upward: Heaven retreats beyond the reach of the Earth. Heaven cannot be reached from the Earth; reaching the highest earthly summit still leaves one on Earth. Only those under the sway of delusion think that they can buy a stairway to Heaven.

Retreat shows a time when, as mentioned above, evil mounts upward. The superior man, that is anyone who studies the Changes, sees the character of the time and withdraws strategically. Retreat comes easily in this case because it can be done, as in the fifth line, cheerfully and in the case of the sixth line, very easily because there is no inner attachment to the evil lower lines.

The resulting hexagram is 'Preponderance of the Small' or 'The Flying Bird.' This hexagram shows an exceptional time when our way to influence the world is weakened but we possess reserves of inner strength. Caution, thrift and correct feeling for others is the recommended attitude. A bird may bring a message.

Preponderance Of The Small: Extreme Caution Today

2009-10-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

Preponderance Of The Small 62 shows Thunder, Chen, on the Mountain, Ken. It recommends generally reverence, bereavement and thrift, as appropriate, in one's dealings with the world. It is a time when only small things can be done -- no big matters should be begun. At this time humility is rewarded. Kind of like in Slum Dog Millionaire.

The fourth line changing says to use extreme caution to avoid difficulties.

Modesty or Humility 16 is the resulting hexagram. It shows the Mountain hidden under the Earth.

Increase: Love Of The Good Brings Others To Help; Withdrawal Leads To Misfotune

2009-10-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Increase shows how someone with a lot of possessions can increase others by sharing them. This is a meritorious thing to do.

The second line says that one is possessed of such strength of character that no number of divinations can oppose the assistance you receive. The sixth line show someone who has withdrawn from the world and does not try to increase others. This behavior is contrary to the character of the time and leads to attack and misfortune. It is very important to do what you can to help others.

Limitation 60 results, showing the limits that seasons and other cyclical phenomenon place on time and also has the image of fences that define and limit space.

Holding Together Again! What Is The Message? Combo Of Listening To Inner, Higher Guidance and Humility?

2009-10-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

Holding Together 8 was obtained again today. See the two recent readings below. When the same hexagram comes up repeatedly, there is an important message that I haven't gotten yet. When I do, I will certainly share it. The general meaning of this hexagram is that the strong fifth line is able to hold the other lines with it -- the weak lines can obtain what they need from this strong line. Due to their nature and relationships with the fifth line, only the first, second and fourth lines are able to benefit.

The first line, also obtained recently, indicates that despite its lack of relationship to the fifth line, it receives help nonetheless because of its humility and good character. The second line has the relationship of correspondence to the fifth line. Thus it receives help directly and openly. The line says that the nature of this help is a kind of inner guidance from a higher authority. You need to stay true to this inner light or guide to achieve the most good.

The resulting hexagram is Limitation 60 indicating the limitation of the seasons and calendar on time. It counsels not to persevere in galling limitation. That means if you are in an untenable situation where severe limitations cause shame or humiliation, you need to take action to leave that situation. The trigrams show joyfulness in passing through danger, which is a guide to the nature of the time and how to pass through it.

Innocence: Misfortune Comes From Pushing Ahead When Timing Is Off

2009-10-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Innocence 25 shows Chen, the eldest son and movement, within and Ch'ien, the father and Heaven, without. It indicates a time when sincerity is important to have good fortune. If someone is false, they will have misfortune. So examine your attitude if you are able.

The sixth line indicates misfortune that comes because we try to force matters -- we are at a time when progress can no longer be made and we need to wait quietly for times to change to avoid misfortune. This line indicates that it may be hard to prevent oneself from acting inappropriately.

Following 17 results indicating joy in movement. It says to stay indoors and rest at nightfall. It also says that to have others follow you requires that you be adaptable and capable of following others.

Holding Together Again! This Time Leading To Duration

2009-10-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Holding Together 8 was received yesterday, too! That must mean it is of extra importance. Holding Together, like all hexagrams, has many meanings, which is part of what makes the I Ching confusing at first glance. Take the sword and slice away until something fits, I say. That is also why even though I am doing this small act in West Hollywood, it could apply to most anyone in any situation. At least that is my intention. Anyway, this hexagram speaks generally of knowing and holding on to those social connections that give richness and meaning to life. It also speaks of problems that arise from holding on to relationships that are wrong for us, forgoing the good fortune of better society, and of missing our opportunity to hold together.

The first line only is changing today. Without looking it up, I would surmise it is not fortunate like the second, fourth and fifth lines. It is weak in a strong place which would give it some moderation. But it comes too soon and is not connected to the fifth line that is the only one capable of bestowing the necessary resources. Well I looked it up and I am not too far off the mark -- however, the predominant meaning comes from the moderation spoken of above. This line represents truth, loyalty and sincerity that in its humble, lowly position has the strength to attract good fortune from without. Moderation and humility allow this line to attract good fortune even when there are no inner ties to one so disposed to help as the second and fourth lines suggest.

The resulting hexagram is Duration 32. It shows a solid, long lasting relationship, like a marriage, that endures stormy weather. Bad weather is suggested by Thunder below and Water above.

Holding Together Leads To Temptation

2009-10-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Holding Together 8 shows one strong line in the fifth position with five other weak lines around it. It is compared to a comb that when used hold the hairs together. The five weak lines have different qualities of holding together with the strong person in the fifth position. This hexagram speaks of the importance of holding together at the right time. If one waits past the time for holding together misfortune comes.

Today the second, third, fourth and sixth lines change. The second and fourth line have inner ties to the fifth line and receive the help and good fortune the fifth line is able to give. The third line has misfortune because it holds to another weak line instead of the fifth line that has the power to give it what it wants. The sixth line has missed the time for holding together with the fifth line and receives the misfortune mentioned in the judgment.

Temptation or Coming To Meet is the result. It shows a weak evil line entering from below that takes power over everything if indulged.

Today's hexagram seems to mirror the news regarding the health care plan in Congress. AHIP is not holding together, for whatever reason, while others like Jane at firedoglake indicate marshaling together, holding together, of progressives.

Fire or The Clinging: Rebirth Leads To Supreme Good Fortune

2009-10-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Fire or The Clinging 30 shows Li, the sun, fire and clarity, doubled. It refers to day succeeding day and I believe refers to reincarnation. The judgement says that 'the bright rises twice.' The hexagram also speaks of caring for cows. Cows are a symbol of docility and the meaning here is that be following the guidance of nature we are able to find our place in the world.

The second line indicates the supreme good fortune of yellow light. This line refers to the noonday sun. Yellow is the Chinese color symbol for adhering to the mean. Following the mean was considered the highest good. The ancient Greeks also highly praised following a life of moderation. It indicates that a period of the highest in culture.

Possession in Great Measure 14 is the resulting hexagram. It shows the sun high in the sky. It indicates financial good fortune. Perhaps buy a lottery ticket today? Or perhaps financial matters take a turn for great improvement. On SNL last night, Barack Obama won the Powerball lottery after buying his first

ticket! Coincidence?

Following: Keep Inner Firmness, Give Up Immature Ways

2009-10-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

Following shows Chen, movement, under Tui, joyousness. These trigrams refer to the sunset and sunrise with nighttime in between. It also refers to the dark time of the year, the period of time between the fall and spring equinoxes -- where we have been since the third week of September. It recommends rest and following natural impulses. It also refers to the invention of the wheeled cart which when yoked to an ox allowed for distant travel and communication. It says we could attract a following among our social circle and to do that requires we follow natural rules appropriate to us.

The third line says that to secure the allegiance of a strong man it is necessary to let go of the boy. What is meant is that we have a choice to follow a path towards maturity and strength or that of childish immaturity. I think most people would want to get on with life. The strong one ahead of us has the power to give us what we seek. Letting go of the boy below is necessary to obtain what we seek. What is essential is to stay on our path and not deviate from it.

Revolution results. This hexagram refers to the revolution of the seasons and other cyclic changes as well as political revolution. This is a time when what is worn out, useless or outmoded can be discarded. Maybe clean out a closet?

Temptations Kept In Check Lead To The Creative

2009-10-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Temptation or Coming to Meet 44 shows Ch'ien, heaven, strength and the creative, above and Sun, wind, gentleness and wood, below. There is one weak line at the first place with five strong lines above it. The strong lines see this small weak line below and are tempted not to take it seriously and indulge it. If they do this, the weak line can take their power from them.

The first weak line indicates the source of the temptation. Because it is at the beginning, its true nature is more clearly seen, and there is an opportunity to take the necessary action thereby preventing the empowerment of evil. By taking corrective action right away, the evil power is starved. It is not destroyed, however, and if fed will become strong and cause harm.

The Creative 1 is the resulting hexagram. It shows Ch'ien, heaven, doubled and is composed of six strong lines. It is a time of great strength when much can be accomplished. Dispense with distractions. You may find yourself at the center of attention or the leader of your peers.

It is easy to indulge desires for war and conquest and hard to find peace. Indulging in baser instincts leads to evil, without doubt. Maybe this line refers to President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win. He has kept evil in check and may liberate a time of great creativity. Not only that, the prize comes near the beginning of his presidency just as today's line is at the beginning of Temptation.

Conflict: Winning At All Cost Leads To Regret; Letting Go Of Impossible Conflict Brings Peace

2009-10-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

Conflict 6 shows cunning (K'an, water and danger) within and strength (Ch'ien, heaven) without. When cunning and strength combine, there is sure to be conflict. Conflict also describes a lawyer well.

This hexagram is organized around the fifth line that acts as the judge in the cases brought by the other five lines. The fourth line has the strength and will to engage in conflict with the judge but after some time realizes that he has no legitimate argument with anyone and so lets go of conflict and attains peace. The sixth line exceeds the mean by carrying on conflict until the bitter end. Its win comes with a price that may be difficult to bear.

These changes result in Danger 29 and usually indicates a new opportunity approaches.

Difficulty At The Beginning: Accept Help Only From The Right Source To Remain True To Yourself

2009-10-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

Difficulty At The Beginning 3 indicates birth. It shows the eldest son, Chen, Movement, below and the middle son, K'an, Water and Danger, above. It is a fairly straightforward hexagram indicating how to deal with new situations and circumstances. At the beginning, it is important to be cautious. The hexagram not undertaking anything at this time but to find helpers to deal with any difficulties encountered.

The second line changing is difficult to understand. As best as I can tell, it indicates that we will be offered help from an unexpected and ultimately inappropriate source. We may be tempted to accept any help we find in difficulty but if we cannot wait we will do harm to our inner being. We must wait for a complete cycle of time to transpire, the hexagram calls this a period of ten years, when our right and true companion will be able to help us.

The resulting hexagram is Limitation 60. If we stay true to our path we will continue in difficulty, forgoing the easy comfort offered us. That is a limitation, without doubt.

Darkening Of The Light to Nourishing

2009-10-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Darkening of the Light 36 shows Li, the sun, sunken into the earth. It correlates with the Western idea of the dark night of the soul. Here an evil tyrant in the sixth place injures all who are on the side of good and light.

The third line shows that the tyrant is captured. The abuses that occurred during the tyrant's reign were of long standing and it would be unwise to act too swiftly in their removal. Careful consideration is recommended in making reforms. The sixth line shows the tyrant at the height of power, injuring the followers of the good, below. Once the tyrant appears to triumph over the good and light his reign naturally ends as his power derived from those he opposed.

Nourishing 27 is the resulting hexagram. After winning the battle over the evil tyrant, it is time for a great meal. Also, to continue in the way of good, examine one's thoughts as they indicate the nourishment provided the soul.

The Cauldron: God Secures Fate; The Sage Imparts Wisdom We Can Hear

2009-10-04T12:10:00.001-07:00

The Cauldron 50 shows Li, fire, above Sun, wood. It indicates the earliest iron vessels created by the Chinese in which food was cooked. Cooking was considered the essential activity that led to civilization. Attached to this hexagram is the advice that great good fortune comes from the consolidation of one's fate.

The sixth line changing indicates that the ting, the sacred iron cooking vessel described in this hexagram, bears rings of jade. The Chinese valued jade more than gold, at least according to this hexagram. It indicates that the sage acts with the will of God to impart information and guidance to us that we are capable of understanding and using to help ourselves. Jade symbolizes this wisdom as it is hard but has a soft luster suggesting that we are able to receive this help in the best way we can. This is opposed to the possibility that the sage speaks to us from such a high enlightenment that we are unable to understand him.

Duration 32 is the resulting hexagram. It indicates an enduring, productive relationship between us and the sage, capable of weathering the storms and trials of fate.

Gradual Progress Becomes Wanderer

2009-10-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Gradual Progress shows a tree, Sun, growing on a mountain, Chen. Trees growing on mountains grow slowly due to poor soil conditions; however, they can be seen far and wide. The trigrams also mean Keeping Still within and Gentle Penetration above, thus suggesting a phase of meditation where thoughts can penetrate external matters with understanding.

A second meaning of Gradual Progress concerns the steps and protocols by which a woman is introduced to a man, leading to marriage. It has the more generalized meaning related to the way societal norms are preserved and how gradual, step-wise development is required in these situations. Related to this meaning, all the lines refer to the behavior of the wild goose, as this bird symbolized marital fidelity in Chinese culture because it was believed to be monogamous and did not take another mate when its first mate died.

The fourth line refers to a goose that settles into a tree branch. The goose is not designed to live in a tree and thus the tree is not its natural resting place. But sometimes necessity arises and the discerning goose can find a flat branch that allows it a foothold. The general meaning is that there are times when we have to make do with difficult situations but that we may have the good fortune to find a temporary situation that allows us to continue on. The fifth line shows the goose approaching the summit of a mountain. It also refers to a woman who is not able to bear children for three years. Near the summit, it is possible we become isolated. This is due to someone near us whose lies spoken to someone we are dependent on poisons our relations with them. In time the lies are revealed and we are able to renew our connection to the important persons in our lives. Thus good fortune results in the end.

The Wanderer is the resulting hexagram and shows the action of Fire on the Mountain. Such a fire burns the fuel available to it and moves on not settling anywhere. The judgment admonishes us to make lawsuits and punishments brief and quickly decided matters whenever possible. It also recommends careful and thoughtful interactions with those we encounter on our wandering because we are in danger and vulnerable during a time when we have no home.

No One Drinks From A Muddy Well

2009-10-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

The Well 48 refers to those fundamental and unchanging social structures developed by mankind since the dawn of time that provide sustenance to the community and individual. This hexagram grows gradually more positive as the lines mount from the first to the sixth. In the first line, the well is unusable and bereft of water; in the middle lines the well is being repaired; in the top line the well is repaired and free for the community to use.

The first line changing indicates that no one drinks from a muddy well. This indicates that the well has no water. The text further reflects that a man who dwells in swampy lowlands becomes muddy. No one seeks out such a person and in time he is forgotten. In part this refers to an abandonment of inner development.

Waiting 5 shows Ch'ien, heaven, strength below and K'an, Water and danger above. It indicates a time when eating and drinking are suitable pastimes while awaiting the moment for activity. In reference to the Well and first changing line, it suggests that someone who has given up self-development can nonetheless enjoy the physical pleasures of life. That is fortunate as other doors have been closed.

There Are Times When Withdrawing From The World Is The Best Course Of Action

2009-10-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Work On What Has Been Spoiled (by the Father) or Decay 18 sounds kind of unpleasant but it isn't. The image for this hexagram is a bowl with worms in it. However, the meaning intended is that when things have been ruined, we have a chance to correct them, setting ourselves and the world right. All that is required is work. It is a favorable circumstance when fate gives us problems that can be solved with our own labor.

The sixth line shows the action of the sage during the time of Decay. The sixth line has a few standard meanings: when favorable, it indicates the action of the sage, who has risen above the action indicated by the hexagram. A less favorable common meaning is that one has missed the time to act, one is too late. Here is one of the best, if kind of sad, meanings for a sixth line. The time of Decay is one where the world can be saved through effort. The sage, however, is beyond doing anything actual in the world. The sage retreats from the world where he is obligated to help humanity through his activity in the spirit world.

This change leads to Preponderance of the Great 28. On the one hand it indicates an exceptional time of disaster, like a flood. It also indicates that taking care of the dead, symbolized by the four great lines surrounded by two weak lines, like four coffins in the earth, is the best way to answer the demands of such a time. Here is a sad but relevant Huffpost article: "Cities Across The Nation Too Poor To Bury Their Dead."