In the early hours of January 31st the third day of Chinese New Year one consulted the Zhouyi whether 2006 will be a good year for me. Only when I opened the journal to record down the question did one realize that it had been eight months since I last asked the Yi about something. The last consultation on June 8th was to find out the reasons for the expulsion of a Northern Patriarch of Quanzhen. And Yi’s answer was posted in the blog, with my Daoist friend’s blessings, two days later.
For my annual hexagrams, the Yi likes to give simple and straightforward answers. And the oracle for this year sounds better than the last. It came in the form of Hexagram 42 Yi / Increase with three moving lines; the bottom, the fifth and the top, which change the hexagram to Hexagram 2 Kun / The Receptive.
Hexagram 42 is made up of three yang and three yin lines. In this oracle, all three yang lines by coincidence changed into yin lines thereby forming Kun which comprised of six yin lines. Whether it was because one has used the yarrow for the consultation and consequently created a bias for changing yang lines over yin lines or was it just synchronicity, one leaves it to the scholars to deliberate. We move forward to explore the oracle and the changing lines.
42 The Judgment: Increase. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.
“Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. When people are thus devoted to their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed. Therefore in such times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing forth living beings. The time of Increase does not endure; therefore it must be utilized while it lasts.”
Wind and thunder: the image of Increase. Thus the Junzi if he sees good, he imitates it; if he has faults, he rids himself of them.
(Nine at the beginning means: It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.)
Nine in the fifth place means: If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.
(Nine at the top means: He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.)
2 The Judgment: The Receptive brings about sublime success, furthering through the perseverance of a mare. If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead, he goes astray; but if he follows, he finds guidance. It is favorable to find friends in the west and south, to forego friends in the east and north. Quiet perseverance brings good fortune. [W/B]
The oracle depicts a year of challenge and sacrifice ahead for the increase of those below. Supreme good fortune could be achieved even with major undertakings such as crossing the great water. Meanwhile just like the Junzi, one continues to learn the good and discards the bad to become free of evil. In addition the Yi reminds me to continue cultivating the cardinal virtues. It is favorable to find friends in the west and south. I like the sound of that as the Americas and Europe are to the west of Malaysia with Singapore, Australia and NZ in the south where most readers come from. Also take note of the time of the Receptive (Nov- Dec), it could be significant around then.
In accordance to the interpretation rule for three lines of change, we can either take the judgment of Yi / Increase, or the middle moving line that is the fifth line in this oracle, as the prognostication. Either way, it seems good for both you and me?
However if you ever find that one brings increase to no one in this blog this year, please give me a knock on the head to help me improve to avoid misfortune.
Shortly after this divination, one asked the Yi for a revelation on a heaven’s secret relating to dark forces. Let me ponder on it and fully explain the oracle to my family before any one else gets to hear about the secret.
Hope you enjoy the reading.
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