Yi Jing - The Book of Changes

The eight trigrams which together create the 64 hexagrams of the Yi Jing, or Book of Changes

I returned to Xi’an with a feeling of release. Finally I can take it slow and stop rushing about from one city to another. Having written a speech about taking time to BE instead of constantly DOING I ought to be ready for this.

My consultation of the Yi Jing produced hexagram # 49 – Ko.  The divination (arrived at by the casting of three Chinese coins in six separate throws) seems quite apt for my situation. I asked about the value and duration of my continuing stay in Xi'an. This produced the hexagram 'Ko',  "It has to be done at the right time, when the old is on the point of breaking, and the new has the possibility to grow. Like the snake sheds his skin at the exact right moment." Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished.  There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct, then the occasion for repentance will disappear.

The moving line shows my making changes after some time has passed. This action will be fortunate and will contain no errors. Two daughters live together with their minds fixed on different objects. The image is the waters of a marsh with a fire beneath, or in the midst of it. Lake above, fire below reminds us that each can extinguish the other. Timing appears to be crucial, (patience), but the prognosis for the change to come is for admiration. When the change has been made faith will be accorded to it.

My interpretation of this is that fire keeps me moving, visiting different places, teaching and learning, rushing about. The lake is simply calm, reflecting what surrounds her, still and beautiful.  Today when I landed in Xi’an with a desire to slow down I invoked the lake.  Neither can ultimately prevail for both are legitimate daughters with their own natural characteristics.  The play between the two cannot remain static, however, because each affects the other greatly. The lake can put out the fire.  The fire can dry up the lake.  Their very proximity is inherently dynamic.  After a period of time change is bound to result.

"Then answered Arthur slowly from the barge:
'The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And god fulfills himself in many ways
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world."

From La Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Mallory