April 26th, 2020

I prefaced the reading by writing down the things that prompted my consulting the Oracle.

Corona virus, massive unemployment, Ariel creating a "brand," chaos, Trump incompetent, nearly finished with Curriculum Vitae, getting ready, many deals pending. 

The last time I drew this hexagram #64, the very last hexagram called Wei Chi/ Before Completion  was New Year's Eve 2007. This is a follow up to drawing #54 the Marrying Maiden which has to do with my marriage.  


_______
___  ___      Above  Li     The Clinging, flame.
_______
                       64                                                        Wei Chi/ Before Completion
___   ___
________   Below K'an   The abysmal, water
___    ___


This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram are in relation to those in the lower. However, they are not yet in their places. While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winter's stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of  Changes comes to its close.

THE JUDGMENT

Before completion. Success.
But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
Gets its 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 a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China.  His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who as yet not 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 prerequistes for 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.


...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 the 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 hexagram depicts the transition from P'i, Standstill(12)  to T'ai, Peace(11)...There is hope for success."

When I was born the Sun was trine to Pluto within three celestial minutes of orbit. The meaning of this aspect is to "Restore order from chaos."  The Oracle reading is clear:  "The task is nothing less than leading the world out of confusion back to order."

Amen*
*"So be it."