Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Zhèn-Gěn, Thunder-Mountain
    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation? Zhèn. It is the plow, its power is to refreshen fields or minds, it brings wrong actions or decay to the surface and dissolves fears and doubts. Its image is Thunder, it wakes up seeds and cleans the air with its electricity. It is impulsive and can be insensitive and destructive, but those qualities also help to loosen suffocating ties or views. Zhèn cuts away the old and opens the space for the new.
  Zhèn focuses on the short term and sets things in motion. It is the most energetic trigram, it knows no limits and knows no detours. It has difficulty in reaching a conclusion, it is the trigram of the beginning, the first action, the first spark and quick results – for better or for worse, lighting an insight - or a raging forest fire.

  What is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
 Gěn or Mountain. He is high but does not boast, is strong but does not force anyone. Gen may be grumpy or a recluse but has a good heart and cares. Gěn is about individuality, staying true to yourself even when it is difficult and giving in would solve problems. Gěn stands high above the valley below and seems aloof, but the mountain shelters and feeds the valley, makes the clouds release their water and sends it down to the vegetation and all creatures at its foot.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Zhèn becomes Gěn, there is thunder in the mountains, long far rumbling. Mountain tames Thunder's impulsiveness, but together their voices reach far. When those two forces support you, your actions become powerful and focused. You often act behind the scenes, but that does not diminish their impact. You consider influences that others find not important, too small or vague, and that adds subtlety to your strategy.

General info about the trigram oracle: the lines, the origin, and more

The initiative

    
The top line (Heaven-line) shows the change of the focus or initiative.
变上为离，为火，乃雷散日出，晦极生明，主人三三 器识高迁，鉴察深远。
When the top line changes Thunder activates Li, activates Fire. The thunder dispels and the day begins. When the night has reached its climax, the light is born. The talents and knowledge of this person are (三三 repeatedly) great and intricately linked, his discernment is profound and critical.

  When the initiative of Thunder changes, it activates Fire. When the sun warms the air, Thunder hands its power over to the sun. Fire consumes Thunder's energy and tames its initiative and decisiveness. Now the power of insight and making order goes together with the power of decisive change, it becomes possible to make huge improvements. It increases perseverance to do what one must do, even when everyone disagrees, and to do what one wants to do, even when it is very difficult.
  General: when a yang initiative joins the yin potential of surroundings or a time, its clear and strong ideas will stand out by their own merit. Yang can initiate the change that ensures that ideas and the work which has been done so far gain clarity and structure. This is a good time to develop visions and plans with creativity and enthusiasm. To put energy into your projects and to show them. Now you have the power to ward off evil or insecurity, a power that is part of yang.
  Yang brings inspiration and joy, but yang also means that you have to put in effort or money in what you aim for, it can drain your resources, but decisions can be made; progress or new ideas can be shown.

   春天雷奋口和, 万类发生。
  冬天雷隐日暖, 温饱自足. 凡事称意。
  In spring, the thunder brings out the harmonious (power) of the sun; all things come to life.
  In summer and autumn, thunder makes the sun fierce; things are diminished and much is burned, that which gives pleasure leads to sadness; amidst the good are defects.
  In winter, Thunder shields the sun's heat; satiated and with more than enough, all things are satisfied and fulfilled.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
变下为坤, 为地, 雷人地中, 雨泽不施也, 必致饥荒。
主人无识, 萧索乖戾, 中生多阻。
  The bottom (line) activates Kūn, activates earth. Shocks in the earth, no rain will fall in the marsh, it will lead to a poor harvest. There is no hesitation; the determination is reckless. There will be powerful people who are ignorant, indifferent, and non-conforming. One encounters much resistance in one's life.

  When Zhèn activates Kūn, Thunder goes to the Earth; roots grow strong and grounded; they have a firm position. It is the creative movement of body and mind: intuition, anticipation, telling a story or having a vision, playing, dancing, music. Artists call it being in the flow or zone.
  But success does not come quickly. If you hold on to your values and stick to the essence, you can energize and initiate, reconcile ideas and reality. But if you forget the roots, there is no good source. Then you use it selfishly or superficially and it will end in empty promises or boasting.
  General: yin initiative in yang potential will need perseverance. Everything around seems too bright, too overbearing. Don't try to compete, but make use of what presents itself to you. When the time is yang, it offers many opportunities and resources, brilliant ideas, but few concrete results. Yin's power is to absorb and then to create from what she gathered.
  You are a good organizer, you oversee the work and inspire others while working hard yourself. You can turn visionary ideas into viable plans.
  Yin at the top line brings the rain: blessings.

  秋冬得宜, 春夏不利。
  In autumn and winter appropriate,
  In spring and summer unfavorable.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.

  The middle line indicates the result. It is unchanging yin, this project will stay attractive, but also continue to absorb efforts, knowledge or resources, because its developing stage is not finished and not all possibilities have been explored. It still needs input and keeps doing so for the time being. It is too early to decide about a final direction, there will be no output yet.
  But yin is the one who can bring about concrete results. Yin stays in the background and does the work. It is nurturing, defusing crises, monitoring the process, building up and rounding out.
  This is the 'man' line, it can also be about you yourself, not only what you do.

Love for the work dissolves the effort.

Overview of the lines.
Activating (when the second is different) or stationary (when they are similar)

  An activated Yang line is generally bright and giving.Yang is great for enthusiasm and spreading joy or success, but don’t expect solid results.
  An activated Yin line generally does the work. Yin absorbs and converts resources into tangible results. It brings peace and a sense of security.

  The initiative (top line or Heaven line) is the intention or focus. Your ideas, plans, or what you want, or something that happens and you want to influence it or use its possibilities.
  In this answer the line is activated Yang: the initiative is clear and strong, this is a good time to develop visions and plans, pouring in creativity, efforts and enthusiasm.

  The subject (bottom line or Earth line) is the 'reality' of your question or the ‘field’ of action. A situation or person, resources, materials, facts.
  In this answer the line is activated Yin: it is too early for clear results; more work is needed. This line is the most difficult to influence, she is careful and follows her own decisions, but she is the one who turns resources into concrete results.

  The outcome (middle line or Man Line) is what you or others or fate cause to happen 'between Heaven and Earth'. It is the outcome of this question. It can be physical or mental or both. If this is a yes/no question, then yang means yes, yin means no. Both can be good or bad, depending on the question.
  In this answer the line is stationary Yin: a good line if you need decrease or concreteness, but not for shining results. More work is needed, but your dedication will not be wasted.

  The three helpers
  Each line, active or at rest, summons one of the 8 trigrams as a Helper.

  For an activated line: telling you what you need - or about a problem area or something to avoid.
  For a stationary line: this is what you already have or do or what you don't need. Often we just need a reminder of our abilities. Or it could be what you wish or fear - but will not happen.
  Active lines are the helpers to change things, they listen to intentions, which can come from you, surroundings, or fate. Stationary helpers are part of the core meaning, they are your soul talking, but they also see the impossibilities. They reinforce the overall power of a reading. >

  Advice or help for the initiative: Li, Fire, with her power to discern and create order.
  Advice or help for the subject: Kun, Earth, with her ability to nurture and concretize .
  Advice or help for the outcome: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.

  This oracle is NOT according to the Neigua Chuwaili, a chapter of the Heluo Lishu, which is meant to be read and used in Chinese astrology. I found beautiful texts about the trigrams in the Neigua Chuwaili and borrowed them for this trigram oracle. For those who are interested in the Heluo Lishu see the course by Harmen Mesker.
  Many translations from "Yijing astrologie" by Harmen Mesker (Dutch).
  For divining with trigrams, see the video by Tin Yat Dragon