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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  49. Skinning (gé). RevolutionAdvise
All changes have their time. If something old prevents going forward, it is necessary to give it up without regret. Learn how to get rid of unnecessary time burdens, but you do not accidentally mix up the 'ballast' to what is truly valuable.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Revolution. On your own day you are believed. Supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Remorse disappears.
The Image
Fire in the lake: The image of Revolution. Thus the superior man sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear.
- Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow.
- When one's own day comes, one may create revolution. Starting brings good fortune. No blame.
- Starting brings misfortune. Perseverance brings danger. When talk of revolution has gone the rounds three times, one may commit himself, and men will believe him.
- Remorse disappears. Men believe him. Changing the form of government brings good fortune.
- The great man changes like a tiger. Even before he questions the oracle he is believed.
- The superior man changes like a panther. The inferior man molts in the face. Starting brings misfortune. To remain persevering brings good fortune.
Prediction
It's time of inevitable change, internal degeneration and the beginning of new things. Base everything on the inner truth and experience of spiritual quests of the recent times. Show firmness. There is no place for regret and sorrow for past mistakes. Look ahead. Even if you return to the old case, look for a new approach, and then you will get the desired result. There are big changes in personal affairs: breaking old love affairs for a new love relationship.
The Chinese character for this hexagram means in its original sense an
animal's pelt, which is changed in the course of the year by molting. From
this word is carried over to apply to the "moltings" in political life, the great
revolutions connected with changes of governments.
The two trigrams making up the hexagram are the same two that appear in
K'uei, OPPOSITION (38), that is, the two younger daughters, Li and Tui. But
while there the elder of the two daughters is above, and what results is
essentially only an opposition of tendencies, here the younger daughter is
above. The influences are in actual conflict, and the forces combat each other
like fire and water (lake), each trying to destroy the other. Hence the idea of
revolution.
THE JUDGMENT
Political revolutions are extremely grave matters. They should be undertaken
only under stress of direst necessity, when there is no other way out. Not
everyone is called to this task, but only the man who has the confidence of
the people, and even he only when the time is ripe. He must then proceed in
the right way, so that he gladdens the people and, by enlightening them,
prevents excesses. Furthermore, he must be quite free of selfish aims and
must really relieve the need of the people. Only then does he have nothing to
regret.
Times change, and with them their demands. Thus the seasons change in
the course of the year. In the world cycle also there are spring and autumn in
the life of peoples and nations, and these call for social transformations.
THE IMAGE
Fire below and the lake above combat and destroy each other. So too in the
course of the year a combat takes place between the forces of light and the
forces of darkness, eventuating in the revolution of the seasons, and man is
able to adjust himself in advance to the demands of the different times.
1
Changes ought to be undertaken only when there is nothing else to be done.
Therefore at first the utmost restraint is necessary. One must becomes firm in
one's mind, control oneself-yellow is the color of the means, and the cow is
the symbol of docility-and refrain from doing anything for the time being,
because any premature offensive will bring evil results.
2
When we have tried in every other way to bring about reforms, but without
success, revolution becomes necessary. But such a thoroughgoing upheaval
must be carefully prepared. There must be available a man who has the
requisite abilities and who possesses public confidence. To such a man we
may well turn. This brings good fortune and is not a mistake. The first thing
to be considered is our inner attitude toward the new condition that will
inevitably come. We have to go out to meet it, as it were. Only in this way
can it be prepared for.
3
When change is necessary, there are two mistakes to be avoided. One lies in
excessive haste and ruthlessness, which bring disaster. The other lies in
excessive hesitation and conservatism, which are also dangerous. Not every
demand for change in the existing order should be heeded. On the other
hand, repeated and well-founded complaints should not fail of a hearing.
When talk of change has come to one's ears three times, and has been
pondered well, he may believe and acquiesce in it. Then he will meet with
belief and will accomplish something.
4
Radical changes require adequate authority. A man must have inner strength
as well as influential position. What he does must correspond with a higher
truth and must not spring from arbitrary or petty motives; then it brings great
good fortune. If a revolution is not founded on such inner truth, the results
are bad, and it has no success. For in the end men will support only those
undertakings which they feel instinctively to be just.
5
A tigerskin, with its highly visible black stripes on a yellow ground, shows its
distinct pattern from afar. It is the same with a revolution brought about by a
great man: large, clear guiding lines become visible, understandable to
everyone. Therefore he need not first consult the oracle, for he wins the
spontaneous support of the people.
6
After the large and fundamental problems are settled, certain minor reforms,
and elaborations of these, are necessary. These detailed reforms may be
likened to the equally distinct but relatively small marks of the panther's coat.
As a consequence, a change also takes place among the inferior people. In
conformity with the new order, they likewise "molt". This molting, it is true,
does not go very deep, but that is not to be expected. We must be satisfied
with the attainable. If we should go too far and try to achieve too much, it
would lead to unrest and misfortune. For the object of a great revolution is
the attainment of clarified, secure conditions ensuring a general stabilization
on the basis of what is possible at the moment.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationAll changes and the rearrangements happening around of you now, will end; yes so it is successful, that results will surpass all your expectations. You now are not assured of yourselves, but new prospects come nearer, and you again we shall find belief in. Probably, your plans will change, and you will go there where before and did not gather. Now to you very much carries in game.
  5. Attending (xū). WaitingAdvise
Keep calm being in involuntary failure. Try to see no inauspicious where there is no it.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Waiting. If you are sincere, you have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
The Image
Clouds rise up to heaven: The image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer.
- Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
- Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
- Waiting in the mud brings about the arrival of the enemy.
- Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
- Waiting at meat and drink. Perseverance brings good fortune.
- One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Prediction
Show trust to the situation. Any event should ripen. Preparatory self-control and patience are needed. There are no trifles in life. Listen to news – quite unexpectedly dropped word can help solve the problem. Do not get bored, be who you are, no rash actions, do not act haphazardly. Be attentive to unexpected guests – they are not accidental. Know how to relax, enjoy your life, have good time, enjoy good food and beverages, but be moderate. You will soon get the desired, the situation will be harmonious.
All beings have need of nourishment from above. But the gift of food comes
in its own time, and for this one must wait. This hexagram shows the clouds
in the heavens, giving rain to refresh all that grows and to provide mankind
with food and drink. The rain will come in its own time. We cannot make it
come; we have to wait for it. The idea of waiting is further suggested by the
attributes of the two trigrams--strength within, danger in from. 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.
THE JUDGMENT
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 and bestows power to cross the
great water. One is faced with a danger that has to be overcome. Weakness
and impatience can do nothing. Only a strong man can stand up to his fate,
for his inner security enables him to endure to the end. This strength shows
itself in uncompromising truthfulness [with himself]. It is only when we
have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self-
deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the
path to success may be recognized. This recognition must be followed by
resolute and persevering action. For only the man who goes to meet his fate
resolutely is equipped to deal with it adequately. Then he will be able to cross
the great water--that is to say, he will be capable of making the necessary
decision and of surmounting the danger.
THE IMAGE
When clouds rise in the sky, it is a sign that it will rain. There is nothing to
do but to wait until after the rain falls. It is the same in life when destiny is at
work. 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.
1
The danger is not yet close. One is still waiting on the open plain.
Conditions are still simple, yet there is a feeling of something impending.
One must continue to lead a regular life as long as possible. Only in this way
does one guard against a premature waste of strength, keep free of blame and
error that would become a source of weakness later on.
2
The danger gradually comes closer. Sand is near the bank of the river, and
the water means danger. Disagreements crop up. General unrest can easily
develop in such times, and we lay the blame on one another. He who stays
calm will succeed in making things go well in the end. Slander will be
silenced if we do not gratify it with injured retorts.
3
Mud is no place for waiting, since it is already being washed by the water of
the stream. Instead of having gathered strength to cross the stream at one try,
one has made a premature start that has got him no farther than the muddy
bank. Such an unfavorable position invites enemies from without, who
naturally take advantage of it. Caution and a sense of the seriousness of the
situation are all that can keep one from injury.
4
The situation is extremely dangerous. IT is of utmost gravity now--a matter
of life and death. Bloodshed seems imminent. There is no going forward or
backward; we are cut off as if in a pit. Now we must simply stand fast and let
fate take its course. This composure, which keeps us from aggravating the
trouble by anything we might do, is the only way of getting out of the
dangerous pit.
5
Even in the midst of danger there come intervals of peace when things go
relatively well. If we possess enough inner strength, we shall take advantage
of these intervals to fortify ourselves for renewed struggle. We must know
how to enjoy the moment without being deflected from the goal, for
perseverance is needed to remain victorious.
This is true in public life as well; it is not possible to achieve everything all
at once. The height of wisdom is to allow people enough recreation to
quicken pleasure in their work until the task is completed. Herein lies the
secret of the whole hexagram. It differs from Chin OBSTRUCTION (39), in
the fact that in this instance, while waiting, we are sure of our cause and
therefore do not lose the serenity born of inner cheerfulness.
6
The waiting is over; the danger can no longer be averted. One falls into the
pit and must yield to the inevitable. Everything seems to have been in vain.
But precisely in this extremity things take an unforeseen turn. Without a
move on one's own part, there is outside intervention. At first one cannot be
sure of its meaning: is it rescue or is it destruction? A person in this
situation must keep his mind alert and not withdraw into himself with a
sulky gesture of refusal, but must greet the new turn with respect. Thus he
ultimately escapes the danger, and all goes well. Even happy turns of fortune
often come in a form that at first seems strange to us.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationNow time to wait and gather with forces, they will soon be necessary for you, and is very fast-when there will come spring, the snow will thaw, and flowers again will blossom. Haste and impatience in acts now can harm only. It is necessary to suffer still a little, month two, a certain person who will assist you yet is not how you and do not wait. And if you resolutely and vigorously will occupy in planning of the further actions the help and support will come even more quickly. You can feel an inclination to the person who is more senior than you. Try to find out the interest to him not too. If you will purposefully operate and circumspectly enough, your desire will be executed.
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary