THE LIVING I CHING - HEXAGRAM ONE. MODERN EMPIRICAL TEXT AND LINK TO THE TRADITION

 

Hexagram 1. STEEL GATE 

The door is locked

A guard sleeps outside

Do not awaken the guard

Great self discipline

Brings food fortune

Small matters may be undertaken 

Traditional Text

When you encounter Hexagram 1, you'll likely face a significant challenge - a physical barrier or a person who creates problems for you. This obstacle can be quite formidable. However, in many cases, it's wise to acknowledge that some doors are closed and move on. Instead of trying to push forward, you should avoid getting involved and conserve your energy.

For small matters, this hexagram is unlikely to have a significant impact. However, for initial success, it's beneficial to approach the gate without trying to enter. This allows you to gauge whether it's worth pursuing further. If you do attempt to enter, however, be prepared for the guardian to respond by closing and locking the gate.

To navigate this situation effectively, stay calm and resolute while observing the situation closely. If you sense a blockage, slowly retreat without making a scene or escalating the situation. However, if someone is intruding into your space without permission, you may need to be more forceful in defending your boundaries. Remember that this is not about aggression, but about asserting your right to set limits. The three unbroken lines at the top of this hexagram represent a locked gate, signifying that wisdom may not be easily accessible at this time. This could be a reminder to approach wisdom with patience and persistence, rather than trying to force your way in. 

Be aware that there is a sinister side to this hexagram. As it is pure yang, it has a tendency to flip over to pure yin, often resulting in illness or collapse. This is always caused by over-stimulation leading to exhaustion. To avoid this, be mindful of your bodily and mental limitations, and learn to balance your energy wisely. Know your body, know your mind, and improve your self-discipline. Although this is often a challenging hexagram, if you follow these guidelines you will receive consistent good fortune in the long run.

Line 1 

Hidden barrier

Wait and see

This line suggests that initial progress may be smooth and successful, but eventually, issues arise, and further advancement becomes impossible. It's essential to recognize this limit and adjust one's approach before things deteriorate.. You may move ahead as far as you can, but stop in good time before you push too far and awaken the guardian. 

Line two 

Guard yourself

Avoid if possible

If not act strongly

Beware of something, or someone that enters your life. Guard yourself: Avoid confrontation if possible, but when faced with a challenging situation, stand firm and assertive and do not back down easily; the chances are that you will prevail if you act like this. However, if you cannot master the situation, then you will have to take evasive action. Dig deep and find the true strength of your strong character. Try to be unwavering in your resolve to navigate even the most trying circumstances.

Line 3 

Unstable and restless

You have energy and wish to progress

Yet, every avenue you pursue turns out to be a dead end

Calm yourself and do not waste your resources

"Right now, your enthusiasm and motivation may be met with frustration and disappointment. Every door you open leads to a dead end, and it's natural to feel restless and impatient. But don't let that energy go to waste! Take a deep breath, calm down, and refocus on your personal agenda. Make steady progress, even if it's slow. This too shall pass, and the right path will reveal itself in due time."   

 

Line 4  

The guard sleeps

Some progress can be made

But before it awakes and the door closes

Not dangerous, but maybe disheartening

While you're making some headway right now, be aware that this progress won't last forever. You'll eventually reach a point where you can't go any further, but don't let that discourage you. Take the lessons from your journey so far and be prepared to pivot when the time comes. Remember that every ending marks a new beginning, and new opportunities will arise from the ashes of what's been laid to rest. 

   

Line 5  

Disappointment

Someone or something is coming into your life

This may seem hopeful, but the result will be disappointment

"Be cautious when new opportunities or relationships arise. They may seem promising at first, but beware of hidden limitations or unforeseen consequences. Keep your expectations in check and focus on building a solid foundation for the future. Remember that even the most exciting developments can lead to disappointment, so stay grounded and prepared for any outcome. 

Line 6  

Don’t push your luck!

You have gone too far

Stop before it is too late

You may have been doing well with something and wish to take it as far as you can. Unlike the other lines though there is no room for maneuver as you have already pushed a bit too far and the guard is about to wake up. You need to constrain your efforts right away.   

This is a powerful warning not to push further ahead with just the present. You may make yourself sick, injure yourself or get into an unnecessary quarrel. Putting the brakes on now, just for a while will save a whole heap of trouble.

I Ching six coin prediction system

 

The six coin prediction system

I found this in the “Complete I Ching” by Daoist Master Alfred Huang. 

According to Master Huang, it is a traditional method employed by ordinary folk who use the I Ching by themselves. The widely known three coin method being more suited to the kind of long range predictions given by professional fortune tellers. Short predictions are valuable, because the distant future is determined by how you act in the short term. Make each passing day, week and month pass successfully and your life will evolve safely and surely. If the future really was scripted in advance there would be little point in knowing what will happen as it is unavoidable. The aim of the I Ching is to improve your life through a series of stages. 

You will need: six coins with clear ‘head and tails’ markings. The coins must all be of the same size, but must be slightly different in appearance. If you cannot find such a coin, you may simply polish one of the other coins. 

You will also need a pen and paper, or a computer to make a note of your question and the I Ching’s answer. 

Think of your question. “What will be the result if I….”, is the kind of question formula you might find helpful. Write the question and pick up the coins. Shake well, and place on the table. Form into a straight vertical line. Check each coin starting from the bottom. If the coin is a head, then draw an unbroken line. If it is a tail, draw a broken line.

The ‘odd’ coin (bronze) marks the line that gives the advice. If it is a broken line mark it with a cross. If it is a solid line, mark it with a circle. When you have completed your drawing, turn to the key below. 

Make your drawing as in the diagram. Check the three top lines of your drawing and find them on the top row. In this case, the top trigram (three lines), is Sun. The lower trigram is Chen. Note where they intersect and you will see it is hexagram 42. 

In your Ebook, look up hexagram 42 in the contents. Click the link and then read the text for the hexagram and then for line one.   

Hexagram 42  Increase

Decrease is followed by increase

The harbinger of good fortune

There are good prospects 

The time to advance comes soon

Be sure you are ready

Line 1

Surprise, surprise!

A harbinger of positive change

Good for starting new things

Be determined, be prepared

Follow the same process with other hexagram. The top three lines are now Ken and the bottom Tui which means this hexagram is 41 and line is number 4. You can look this up in the same way as before. Note: these hexagrams are examples, in real predictions there is only one hexagram and one advice line. 

Random generators

You can use these to make predictions. Just ask for a number between one and sixty four and then one between one and six. Then you will have the number of the hexagram and the line. I have tried and it does work, though I prefer something more tactile. I would use it only if coins were not available myself.  

Random Generator

Hexagram 1. Outcome stories

 

Hexagram 1:

Line 2. 

Crazy Neighbour 

 

“I had been staying in a small, pleasant expat resort. There was a guy called George from California living there too. I knew him a bit; he seemed nice enough, but he was a bit crazy—sort of bipolar crazy. This didn’t seem to be too serious, though. When he told me he was moving into the bungalow next to mine, I casually asked I Ching about it.

Then he moved in, and things got very strange indeed. He started having massive quarrels on his own. I thought he was raving at someone on the phone at first. Then I realised he was fighting with his Alexa robot player. He yelled vile expletives and threatened to call its supervisors. He accused it of defrauding him and breaching the contract, and this went on for hours. It was getting late, and I went to try to calm him down, and that seemed to work, but later, in the small hours, he started again! This time, when I went over to talk to him, he started attacking me verbally, saying the same things he had said to Alexa.

The final straw came when he threatened to call the police on me, and as I am a weed smoker living in a country with harsh penalties, I took this seriously. He had gone too far, and I got very angry and lectured him harshly on his deplorable behaviour. He was shocked by my vehemence and did quiet down for some days. He did get angry with me one more time, and I was even firmer with him. I am a teacher and I know how to really give a good dressing down. Things were a bit strained for a while, and then we went back to normal neighbourly relations. I think I did him a favour, as if he carried on with that kind of behaviour, he would have ended up in an asylum. As it is, he is living peacefully. The trick was giving him a profound shock completely by surprise.” 

 

Line 5 

The Lady Gaslights

 

“One evening I was training in a field nearby. After I finished, I saw some people sitting around and looking happy. I said hello and seeing they had guitar I offered to play a song. I played some of my songs which have good choruses and soon they were singing along enthusiastically. The guy had a good voice and we got some good harmonies going. 

The party consisted of an attractive woman and with what I assumed was her partner and a kid of about ten. It turned out they had just moved into a rental right by the entrance to the field. After a good session we parted on excellent terms. I asked I Ching about them when I got home.

The next morning the lady came out and enthusiastically invited me in for tea. We had a nice chat and all seemed well, a little too well perhaps. We decided to link up on whatsapp, but I didn’t have details with me. Next morning I brought over my  phone to make the link. She met me at the gate but did not invite me in, we made the link and then she said something strange. “I hope you will pop in on me sometimes, but mostly I won’t want to see you”. I said OK its up to you, I won’t just pop in, and if you want to chat just give me a wave. She seemed a bit put out by this. 

 

A few more days went by, and then she waved me in. We sat and talked but it was not the same, she was more distant and distracted, the tea she offered was cold and no biscuits. Since then she has never spoken to me. None of this matters, but the interesting thing is, why did she change from overly friendly to pretty unfriendly? We didn’t talk about anything contentious and I have no idea, but it certainly was an attempt to gaslight me.”

Hexagram 41 Ilustrated with a real life story. Complete with modern empirical text and tradition text

 

Hexagram 41 Decrease

Decreasing vices

Increases virtues

Decreasing expense

Promotes wealth

Altruistic action s favorable

This hexagram and the next, ‘Increase’ are a pair and lead into each other. When something increases, eventually it reaches maximum and then decreases. The same is true the other way around, once something has decreased sufficiently it must increase once more. Understanding how increase and decrease work is clearly very important. In order to increase, one must sometimes decrease. Most of our affairs are like this, we always have to balance what we take with what we give. 

This hexagram provides a clear lesson in the importance of context. Decreasing oneself for the benefit of others is favorable if one plans acts of a charitable nature. If you are planning a business however, this hexagram means you will likely lose money. If the business is strong and you wish it to maintain this, then a period of loss to obtain, or retain your market may be beneficial. However, if you are starting a new venture or have low funds, giving more than you take may bankrupt you. 

Traditional Text

 

Line 1

Decrease leads to increase

Actions taken now can be moderately successful. 

Line 2

Decreasing yourself to benefit others

Brings good fortune

This is an excellent line if one wishes to help others. Your efforts will be much appreciated and this may lead to future opportunities. You must be sincere for this to work though. If secretly while feigning altruism, one pursues a hidden personal agenda then this will come to nothing and your sacrifice will be worthless. 

Line 3

Decrease leads to increase

One should be active

This line is active and you can get a lot of small matters out of the way. Decreasing your problems will increase your potential. 

Line 4 

No success at present

Try later

There may be a delay here, or something cannot get done. Take time to clean up loose ends while you wait. 

Line 5

No great progress 

At this time

Again not much can be achieved. Find useful things to do while you wait. 

Line 6 

Minor matters prove difficult

Sometimes the pure of heart win big

Things generally will not work as you wish them to. The problems are not huge, and can be sorted out later. This is a good line for someone who will give everything to achieve a noble goal. 

Mariana’s Volunteer Job 2023 

question:  “Will my volunteer job in Cambodia be fun?”

Outcome: 

Mariana “Ohh my trip is going great! The volunteers are amazing and the job is nice. Food is great as well. Not jetlagued anymore so finally sleeping great jaja. Everything worked out with the ferry and the shuttle, all smooth.

Hi Justin!  Oh yes more easy.

It went great! It was lovely, I stayed for a month. The job was great and all the people was very special and lovely. I spended my birthday in there and they bought me a cake and took me for breaky and made my day very special even when I don't like birthdays. Just left on the 4th actually.

It was a very special time that a 100% I will remember forever. Made a lot of friends and even plans for the future to visit each other in other parts of the world.

Everything is going wonderfully”  

I Ching Short Prediction text

Hex 41, line 2  Decreasing 

Decreasing vice

Increases  virtues

Decreasing expense

Promotes wealth

Altruistic action s favorable

Line 2

Decreasing yourself to benefit others

Brings good fortune

This is an excellent line if one wishes to help others. Your efforts will be much appreciated and this may lead to future opportunities. You must be sincere for this to work though. If secretly while feigning altruism, one pursues a hidden personal agenda then this will come to nothing and your sacrifice will be worthless. 

Traditional text

THE JUDGMENT

     DECREASE combined with sincerity

     Brings about supreme good fortune

     Without blame.

     One may be persevering in this.

     It furthers one to undertake something.

    Nine in the second place means:

    Perseverance furthers.

    To undertake something brings misfortune.

    Without decreasing oneself,

    One is able to bring increase to others.

Comparing the I Ching Short Prediction with the Traditional I Ching. 

We see that the meaning is basically the same. However the traditional line text states, “Undertakings bring misfortune” which is not correct for this question. What it really means is that actions not in harmony with the meaning of hexagram will meet with misfortune. So, if someone had asked about starting a for profit enterprise this would meet with failure. This is also confusing because the ‘judgment’ text says “It furthers one to undertake something.” This is a common problem with the traditional text, each line of text  can have a meaning independent from the phrases above and below. In this case, “  Perseverance furthers.” refers to everyday matters that should be continued as usual.   “It furthers one to undertake something.” means actions in harmony with the hexagram will be successful and “To undertake something brings misfortune.” means it is not good for business. The last two lines “Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others”, give the most favorable advice.