Oracle for the Week of 3.25.24
“All great nations spend peacetime preparing for the day war breaks out.”
― Tim Marshall
WEI CHI
Before Completion
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_____________ Ɵ ______________
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This hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winter’s stagnation into the fruitful time of summer.
THE JUDGMENT
BEFORE COMPLETION. Success.
But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
Gets his tail in the water,
There is nothing that would further.
The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of the fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safer spots. A young fox who has as yet acquired this caution goes ahead boldly and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times “before completion,” deliberation and caution are the prerequisite of success.
THE IMAGE
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.
When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have their desired effect, and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.
THE LINES
Nine in the fourth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune
Remorse disappears..
Shock, thus to discipline the Devil’s Country.
For three years, great realms are awarded.
Now is the time of struggle. This transition must be completed. We must make ourselves strong in resolution; this brings good fortune. All misgivings that might arise at such great times of struggle must be silenced. It is a question of a fierce battle to break and to discipline the Devil’s Country, the force of decadence. But the struggle also has its reward. Now is the time to lay the foundation of power and mastery for the future.
(See below for the specific line’s significance and how to interpret it.)
SIGNIFICANCE OF SPECIFIC LINES DETERMINES
ITS STATUS AND FUNCTION IN A HEXAGRAM
LINE 1
Lines one and two are of the earth’s domain.
Line 1 represents an ordinary intellectual or a commoner.
In present times, it is perceived as the people.
At the position difficult to understand: as it just arrives at a hexagram, what will happen later is unknown at this point.
In this case the line is also the hexagram’s constituting ruler, ▢ —. In this case the line is also the hexagram’s constituting ruler. Unable to help the ruler because he lacks ability and goodness of character the line is resolutely to be cast out.
LINE 2
Lines one and two are of the earth’s domain.
Line 2 represents the courtier of the duke, or a domestic official, or a low ranking official
In present times, it is interpreted as the elite of civilians.
At the position for starting action: it possesses the principle of moderation. It is ready for the assigned mission, but what it can do is still limited.
LINE 3
Lines three and four are of the human domain.
Line three represents the feudal lord, i.e., the duke.
In present times, it is interpreted as a civilian leader.
The line is at a position full of ill omens, but it teems with ambition and is very active.
LINE 4
Lines three and four are of the human domain.
Line four represents the courtier of the king, or the official of the central government, or a high-ranking official.
In present times, it can be interpreted as the official.
At a position full of fear it stays next to the king and acts as a courtier
Its mode of conduct is at a position of resting, as it just arrives at the upper trigram after a hard march.
LINE 5
Lines five and six are of the heavenly domain.
Line five represents the king
In present times, it can be interpreted as the president
It is at the core of a hexagram and possesses the principle of moderation; or at the peak of a hexagram where the line reaches its full development.
LINE 6
Lines five and six are of the heavenly domain.
At the top position: the shrine, line six is the symbol of a clan or dynasty. Or is some cases, position six refers to a very honored position, but without title, power, responsibility or obligation.
In present times, it may be interpreted as the country, or a retired official.
Its characteristic is easy to understand. It is at the end of a hexagram, what has happened at each phase is known to it.
Mode of conduct: At the top and end, the mission of the hexagram is going to be completed, and its norm is about to change.
In this case the line is also the hexagram’s constituting ruler, . Unable to help the ruler because he lacks ability and goodness of character the line is resolutely to be cast out.