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- To the Heads side, we associate the
value 3. This represents the yang
or positive principle.
- To the Tails side, we
associate the value 2. This represents the yin
or negative principle.
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The old (moving)
lines are called “changing” lines because they change into
their opposite values. When these lines appear (and often times they do
not),
we have what is called a “moving hexagram.” This means one or more
lines
in the hexagram are 6’s (Old Yin) or 9’s (Old Yang). For these
hexagrams,
we draw a second hexagram next to the first one, replacing all old yin
lines
with young yangs, and replacing all old yangs with young yins.
For example, the following may represent a typical
reading:
Initial
Hexagram: Moving
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Second
Hexagram: Resolved
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Line 6 = 8 (Young Yin) |
|
8 (Young Yin) |
Line 5 = 9 (Old Yang) |
 |
8 (Young Yin) |
Line 4 = 7 (Young Yang) |
|
7 (Young Yang) |
| Line 3 = 8 (Young Yin) |
|
8 (Young Yin) |
Line 2 = 6 (Old Yin) |
|
7 (Young Yang) |
| Line 1 = 7 (Young Yang) |
|
7 (Young Yang) |
Once you have your hexagrams, you can look them up with the following chart:
CLICK THE CHART FOR THE WILHELM/BAYNES TRANSLATION OF THE YIJING
Then
read the “judgment,” “image,” and any changing “lines” for the initial
hexagram, as well as the “judgment” and “image” of the second hexagram:
I. Initial Hexagram
Following (#17)
The
Judgment
Following has supreme
success.
Perseverance furthers. No
blame.
In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule he must first learn
to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the
joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow
him.
If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy
or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance,
which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement
can lead to evil consequences, hence the added
stipulation, “Perseverence futhers” — that is, consistency in doing right — together with “No blame.” Just as we should not ask
others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only
under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a
following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea;
this is why the appended judgment is favorable.
The
Image
Thunder in the
middle of the lake:
The image of Following.
Thus the superior
man at nightfall
Goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
In the autumn electricity withdraws into the earth again and
rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the
lake that serves as the image — thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of
adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image.
Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates time of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all
day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No
situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does
not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.
The
Lines
Six in the second
place means:
If one clings to the little boy,
One loses the strong man.
In friendships and close relationships an individual
must make a careful choice. He surrounds himself either with good
or with bad company; he cannot have both at once. If he throws
himself away on unworthy friends he loses connection with people of
intellectual power who could further him in the good.
Nine in
the fifth place means:
Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Every man must have something he follows--something that serves him as a lodestar. He who follows with
conviction the beautiful and the good may feel himself strengthened by this
saying. |
II.
Second Hexagram
The Marrying
Maiden (#54)
The
Judgment
Undertakings bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further.
A girl who is taken into the family, but not as the
chief wife, must behave with special caution and reserve. She must
not take it upon herself to supplant the mistress of the house,
for that would mean disorder and lead to untenable
relationships.
The same is true
of all voluntary relationships between human beings. While legally regulated relationships
evince a fixed connection between duties and rights,
relationsips based on personal inclination depend in the long run entirely on tactful reserve.
Affection as the essential
principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance in all relationships in the world.
For the union of heaven and earth is the origin of the whole of
nature. Among human beings likewise, spontaneous affection is
the all-inclusive principle of union.
The
Image
Thunder over the lake:
The image of THE MARRYING MAIDEN.
Thus the superior man
Understands the transitory
In the light of the eternity of the end.
Thunder stirs the water of the lake, which follows it
in shimmering waves. This symbolizes the girl who follows the man of
her choice. But every relationship between individuals bears within it
the danger that wrong turns may be taken, leading to endless
misunderstandings and disagreements. Therefore it is necessary
constantly to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to
drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may
determine. If on the other hand a man fixes his mind on an end that
endures, he will suceed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer
relationships of people.
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