There were "old" features in your gua (hexagram). It means that you have two hexagrams. The first one — is something that the Book tells you at the moment, the second is something it warns you about. |
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  46. Ascending (shēng). Pushing UpwardAdvise
When a person moves forward, the soul can not remain on its place. Let accumulation of treasures of the soul is outstripping the growth of material profit.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Pushing Upward has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: The image of Pushing Upward. Thus the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.
- Pushing upward that meets with confidence brings great good fortune.
- If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.
- One pushes upward into an empty city.
- The king offers him Mount Ch'i. Good fortune. No blame.
- Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.
- Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
Prediction
It is time of development and progress. The direction is correct. Learn how to properly dispose of the results of your work, and do not regret the inevitable losses. All difficulties are temporary. Beware satiety. Pay more attention to spiritual growth.
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K'un, means the
earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood in the earth grows upward. In
contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is
associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward
through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with
success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on
expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent-direct rise
from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
THE JUDGMENT
The pushing upward of the good elements encounters no obstruction and is
therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made
possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual
is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to
see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is
assured. But he must set to work, for activity (this is the meaning of "the
south") brings good fortune.
THE IMAGE
Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth
grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too the superior man is
devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
1
This situation at the beginning of ascent. Just as wood draws strength for its
upward push from the root, which in itself is in the lowest place, so the
power to rise comes from this low and obscure station. But there is a spiritual
affinity with the rulers above, and this solidarity creates the confidence
needed to accomplish something.
2
Here a strong man is presupposed. It is true that he does not fit in with his
environment, inasmuch as he is too brusque and pays too little attention to
form. But as he is upright in character, he meets with response, and his lack
of outward form does no harm. Here uprightness is the outcome of sound
qualities of character, whereas in the corresponding line of the preceding
hexagram it is the result of innate humility.
3
All obstructions that generally block progress fall away here. Things proceed
with remarkable ease. Unhesitatingly one follows this road, in order to profit
by one's success. Seen from without, everything seems to be in the best of
order. However, no promise of good fortune is added. It is a question how
long such unobstructed success can last. But it is wise not to yield to such
misgivings, because they only inhibit one's power. Instead, the point is to
profit by the propitiousness of time.
4
Mount Ch'i is in the western China, the homeland of King Wên, whose son,
the Duke of Chou, added the words to the individual lines. The
pronouncement takes us back to a time when the Chou dynasty was coming
into power. At that time King Wên introduced his illustrious helpers to the
god of his native mountain, and they received their places in the halls of the
ancestors by the side of the ruler. This indicates a stage in which pushing
upward attains its goal. One acquires fame in the sight of gods and men, is
received into the circle of those who foster the spiritual life of the nation, and
thereby attains a significance that endures beyond time.
5
When a man is advancing farther and farther, it is important for him not to
become intoxicated by success. Precisely when he experiences great success it
is necessary to remain sober and not to try to skip any stages; he must go on
slowly, step by step, as though hesitant. Only such calm, steady progress,
overleaping nothing, leads to the goal.
6
He who pushes upward blindly deludes himself. He knows only advance,
not retreat. But this means exhaustion. In such a case it is important to be
constantly mindful that one must be conscientious and consistent and must
remain so. Only thus does one become free of blind impulse, which is always
harmful.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationTo what you so aspired also to that have given so many forces and energy, soon at last it will be executed, will give positive result. Remains very little, gather with forces and work it is a little more, as persistently and honesty, as before. Now to you is better to operate resolutely and safely, rather than to be hidden and passively to wait. Rely on intuition and common sense, and your desire then it will for certain be executed. Those ideas and ideas which now come to to you mind, most likely will bring to you success and in your financial affairs.
  16. Providing-For (yù). EnthusiasmAdvise
If time and circumstances favor you, do not create difficulties artificially. Be able to comply with the measure, even in joy.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers and to set armies marching.
The Image
Thunder comes resounding out of the earth: The image of Enthusiasm. Thus the ancient kings made music in order to honor merit, and offered it with splendor to the Supreme Deity, inviting their ancestors to be present.
- Enthusiasm that expresses itself Brings misfortune.
- Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings good fortune.
- Enthusiasm that looks upward creates remorse. Hesitation brings remorse.
- The source of enthusiasm. He achieves great things. Doubt not. You gather friends around you as a hair clasp gathers the hair.
- Persistently ill, and still does not die.
- Deluded enthusiasm. But if after completion one changes, there is no blame.
Prediction
It is start of a new cycle of development. It is time of activity, creativity, willingness to act due to free rush instead of pressure of circumstances. A feeling of joy is everywhere. Learn how to curb you in order to freedom does not become a tyranny; otherwise it will give rise to chaos. Be honest, kind, fair and do not indulge pride. Move to a clear road; do not go in all directions at once. Do not hurry time. Enjoying your life, remember moderation.
The strong line in the fourth place, that of the leading official, meets with
response and obedience from all the other lines, which are all weak. The
attribute of the upper trigram, Chên, is movement; the attributes of K'un, the
lower, are obedience and devotion. This begins a movement that meets with
devotion and therefore inspires enthusiasm, carrying all with it. Of great
importance, furthermore, is the law of movement along the line of least
resistance, which in this hexagram is enunciated as the law for natural events
and for human life.
THE JUDGMENT
The time of ENTHUSIASM derives from the fact that there is at hand an
eminent man who is in sympathy with the spirit of the people and acts in
accord with it. Hence he finds universal and willing obedience. To arouse
enthusiasm it is necessary for a man to adjust himself and his ordinances to
the character of those whom he has to lead. The inviolability of natural laws
rests on this principle of movement along the line of least resistance. Theses
laws are not forces external to things but represent the harmony of
movement immanent in them. That is why the celestial bodies do not
deviate from their orbits and why all events in nature occur with fixed
regularity. It is the same with human society: only such laws are rooted in
popular sentiment can be enforced, while laws violating this sentiment
merely arouse resentment.
Again, it is enthusiasm that enables us to install helpers for the completion
of an undertaking without fear of secret opposition. It is enthusiasm too that
can unify mass movements, as in war, so that they achieve victory.
THE IMAGE
When, at the beginning of summer, thunder - electrical energy - comes
rushing forth from the earth again, and the first thunderstorm refreshes
nature, a prolonged state of tension is resolved. Joy and relief make
themselves felt. So too, music has power to ease tension within the heart and
to loosen the grip of obscure emotions. The enthusiasm of the heart
expresses itself involuntarily in a burst of song, in dance and rhythmic
movement of the body. From immemorial times the inspiring effect of the
invisible sound that moves all hearts, and draws them together, has mystified
mankind.
Rulers have made use of this natural taste for music; they elevated and
regulated it. Music was looked upon as something serious and holy, designed
to purify the feelings of men. It fell to music to glorify the virtues of heroes
and thus to construct a bridge to the world of the unseen. In the temple men
drew near to God with music and pantomimes (out of this later the theater
developed). Religious feeling for the Creator of the world was united with
the most sacred of human feelings, that of reverence for the ancestors. The
ancestors were invited to these divine services as guests of the Ruler of
Heaven and as representatives of humanity in the higher regions. This
uniting of the human past with the Divinity in solemn moments of
religious inspiration established the bond between God and man. The ruler
who revered the Divinity in revering his ancestors became thereby the Son of
Heaven, in whom the heavenly and the earthly world met in mystical
contact.
These ideas are the final summation of Chinese culture. Confucius has said
of the great sacrifice at which these rites were performed: "He who could
wholly comprehend this sacrifice could rule the world as though it were
spinning on his hand."
1
A man in an inferior position has aristocratic connections about which he
boasts enthusiastically. This arrogance inevitably invites misfortune.
Enthusiasm should never be an egotistic emotion; it is justified only when it
is a general feeling that unites one with others.
2
This describes a person who does not allow himself to be misled by any
illusions. While others are letting themselves be dazzled by enthusiasm, he
recognizes with perfect clarity the first signs of the time. Thus he neither
flatters those above nor neglects those beneath him; he is as firm as a rock.
When the first sign of discord appears, he knows the right moment for
withdrawing and does not delay even for a day. Perseverance in such conduct
will bring good fortune. Confucius says about this line:
To know the seeds, that is divine indeed. In his association with those above
him, the superior man does not flatter. In his association with those beneath
him, he is not arrogant. For he knows the seeds. The seeds are the first
imperceptible beginning of movement, the first trace of good fortune (or
misfortune) that shows itself. The superior man perceives the seeds and
immediately takes actin. He does not wait even a whole day. In the Book of
Changes it is said: "Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings
good fortune."
3
This line is the opposite of the preceding one: the latter bespeaks self-reliance,
while here there is enthusiastic looking up to a leader. If a man hesitates too
long, this also will bring remorse. The right moment for approach must be
seized: only then will he do the right thing.
4
This describes a man who is able to awaken enthusiasm through his own
sureness and freedom from hesitation. He attracts people because he has no
doubts and is wholly sincere. Owing to his confidence in them he wins their
enthusiastic co-operation and attains success. Just as a clasp draws the hair
together and hold it, so he draws man together by the support he gives them.
5
Here enthusiasm is obstructed. A man is under constant pressure, which
prevents him from breathing freely. However, this pressure has its
advantage--it prevents him from consuming his powers in empty
enthusiasm. Thus constant pressure can actually serve to keep one alive.
6
It is a bad thing for a man to let himself be deluded by enthusiasm. But if this
delusion has run its course, and he is still capable of changing, then he is
freed of error. A sober awakening from false enthusiasm is quite possible and
very favorable.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationYour sun already ascends; as long you waited success, and here now it is absolutely close. Now time has to different hobbies - do not take a great interest in them without a measure. The success will soon come to you; be ready to it. And in realization of your plans, and even in game you will be accompanied with success. In any way it is impossible to be petty and mercantile, going on a way of success. But also it is not necessary to spend more that receive. Wait a little - and your desires will be executed.
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary