Standstill

I have been a student of the I Ching for roughly forty years. It is a fascinating book, both as a divination instrument and a book of wisdom. I used to use the yarrow stalks but now cast my pennies on the rare occasions that I consult it. I have a million stories regarding the incredible synchronistic portents it has offered me in my life but will spare you at present. I think it is the most fascinating book that has ever been scribed. Thank you, Fu Hsi.

I thought about it last night, wondering what it might offer regarding my ongoing health issues, and just pulled out my torn and threadbare Wilhelm edition. I threw the following hexagram - Standstill (with no changing lines) - not necessarily one that gives cause for a lot of joy but possibly an indicator of the success of this weekend's financial endeavor in Pasadena. A portent of a long hard slog. We shall see.

12. P'i / Standstill [Stagnation]

above CH'IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
below K'UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH

This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh month (August-September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is setting in.

THE JUDGMENT

STANDSTILL. Evil people do not further
The perseverance of the superior man.
The great departs; the small approaches.

Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent; the way of superior people is one the decline. But the superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.

THE IMAGE

Heaven and earth do not unite:
The image of STANDSTILL.
Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth
In order to escape the difficulties.
He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.

When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. Therefore the superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances; he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.


Sometimes a rotten reading can be much more helpful than the sages blowing smoke up your ass. Perhaps one day the hexagram will invert into it's predecessor, Tai - Peace. One thing it does teach us is that life keeps on moving.