Fu

morning fog, santa margarita river

24 - Return - Fu - The Turning Point

the trigram above – K’UN – the Receptive, Earth

the trigram below – CHEN – the Arousing, Thunder

Thunder within the earth:
The image of THE TURNING POINT.
Thus the kings of antiquity closed the passes
At the time of solstice.
Merchants and strangers did not go about,
And the ruler
Did not travel through the provinces.
The winter solstice has always been celebrated in China as the resting time of the year – a custom that survives in the time of rest observed at the new year. In winter the life energy, symbolized by thunder, the Arousing, is still underground. Movement is just at its beginning; therefore it must be strengthened by rest, so that it will not be dissipated by being used prematurely. This principle, i.e., of allowing energy that is renewing itself to be reinforced by rest, applies to all similar situations. The return of health after illness, the return of understanding after an estrangement: everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering.

Wilhelm edition - I Ching, Translated by Cary Baynes
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I have to admit that my brain feels a bit fried. My last literary push of 2010 has sort of drained my batteries. Frankly I am a bit sick of my own voice. I think that I will tip toe into the new year and sort of see what happens... Any of you that want to contribute, please feel free, expect my own output to be a bit spotty. I know, I have said that before...