Psychic Readings from The
Psychic Internet often feature images drawn from the
I Ching Oracle. To offer supplementary
information about these images for our clients,
and for the public, we have provided this archive
of brief articles.
For general information on
the I Ching Oracle, click here.
The
abstract images of the I Ching Oracle (usually
called "hexagrams") symbolize all of
the related and interacting aspects of reality.
In the following excerpts from actual Psychic Readings, the images of the I Ching
are discussed.
Click here for links to all
of the images.
The Gentle
The image
of The Gentle is literally a description of the
element that the Chinese called Wind. You know
how traditional science divided the elements into
such categories as Earth, Air, Fire, Water.
Depending on the culture, different elements were
emphasized. The Chinese had a place for an
element they called Wind. And, the image of The
Gentle also describes the gradual growth of wood
in the earth. In both associations, the idea of
gentleness suggests gradual growth, and the
invisible power of air in motion. Possibly the
ancients may have known that air in motion is
really little particles of various kinds of gas
moving through the atmosphere, for in the
Judgment verse associated with the image of The
Gentle, the oracle says, “Success through
what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere
to go. It furthers one to see the great
man.”
We know that whole landscapes can be
worn down and transported to the sea through the
eroding influence of the minute particles that
make up the wind. The key idea involved in this
process is persistence. But I will quote the
great commentator, Richard Wilhlem, to give you a
broader picture of the meaning conveyed by the
ideas implicit to the image of The Gentle. He
builds on an alternate translation of the name of
the image of The Gentle, i.e.
“Penetration,” and he says,
“Penetration produces gradual and
inconspicuous effects. It should be effected not
by an act of violation but by influence that
never lapses. Results of this kind are less
striking to the eye than those won by surprise
attack, but they are more enduring and more
complete. If one would produce such effects, one
must have a clearly defined goal, for only when
the penetrating influence works always in the
same direction can the object be attained. Small
strength can achieve its purpose only by
subordinating itself to an eminent man who is
capable of creating order.”
The idea of a “clearly defined
goal,” may be taken quite literally, while
the idea of “an eminent man” may be
more loosely understood. It often implies that
one should subordinate one’s behavior to an
eminent ideal, or to one’s conception of the
Deity. We do not happen to see the presence
around you of any one personal individual, any
particular man, who would properly receive your
subordination, but it is possible that the oracle
is alerting you to his presence even though we
can not confirm his presence from a purely
psychic point of view.
In the first of the verses that has
been highlighted specifically by today’s
Reading from the image of The Gentle, the oracle
says, “In advancing and retreating, the
perseverance of a warrior furthers.” This
verse clearly acknowledges the various setbacks
that you have experienced in recent times, as
well as the continued progress that you have
continued to make under challenging
circumstances. Once again, Wilhelm’s
commentary may be helpful to you. He says,
“Inborn gentleness is often carried to the
point of indecisiveness. One does not feel strong
enough to advance resolutely. A thousand doubts
crop up; one is, however, not minded to withdraw
but drifts indecisively to and fro. In such a
situation, a military decisiveness is the proper
thing, so that one resolutely does what order
demands. Resolute discipline is far better than
irresolute license.”
And in the second of the verses that
has been highlighted specifically by today’s
Reading from the image of The Gentle, the oracle
says, “Remorse vanishes. During the hunt
three kinds of game are caught.”
It is clear to us that the response
of the I Ching Oracle for this Reading pertains
principally to your professional and
entrepreneurial concerns. However, this verse
casts something of a broader light on the whole
issue, as, once again, Wilhelm indicates so well
in his commentary. He says, “When a
responsible position and accumulated experience
lead one to combine innate modesty with energetic
action, great success is assured. The three kinds
of animals referred to served for offerings to
the gods, for feasting guests, and for everyday
consumption. When the catch answered all three
purposes, the hunt was considered especially
successful.”
The keywords to keep in mind as you
work on your various endeavors during the coming
year are persistence, gradual progress, modesty,
smallness, energetic action, and Divine Creative
Power. These things will lead you to the great
success portended by this Reading.
More on The
Gentle
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