coin toss

Last night I tossed the coins (shiny pennies, in my case) for a New Year hexagram. This is what came up. There were no changing lines.

  46.  Shêng - Pushing Upward

  -- --
  -- --        above     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
  -- --
  -----
  -----        below     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
  -- --

  Pushing Upward has supreme success.
  One must see the great man.
  Fear not.
  Departure toward the south
  Brings good fortune.

  Within the earth, wood grows:
  The image of Pushing Upward.
  Thus the superior man of devoted character
  Heaps up small things
  In order to achieve something high and great.

It is a time when great progress can be made through effort of will. However, it is essential that all your activity be characterized by humility, conscientiousness, and adaptability. Progress as a tree does, bending around obstacles rather than confronting them, pushing upward steadily but gently.

There is nothing to be feared from others now. Feel free to ask for help from those who are in a position to give it. Be neither subservient nor forceful with those you encounter; simply meet everyone with tolerance and gentle goodwill. Those who look for the good in others find it there.

If fears or doubts intrude, remain quietly focused on the activity at hand. Cultivate inner independence and trust the leadership of the Sage. The time is ripe for progress if you put forth an effort that is innocent, sincere, and balanced.

From The IChing or Book of Changes translated by Brian Browne Walker.


Happy New Year, friends.