Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Gěn-Duì, Mountain-Lake

    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation? 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 is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
  Duì. Its image is the marsh, it is the source of the flow of water and the flow of persuasive words. It is the trigram of gaining fame and fortune, but only when ambition has no hold. One needs balance between one’s own wishes and the rules of right conduct.
  Dui means 'open' or 'to open'. The words of Duì are compelling, persuasive, they open the minds of others.
  Duì is the spirit of pure autumn, which is a good time for results but not for the start of something new. Like the autumn harvest time, Dui is contained within borders, it has limits. It has variable beginnings but a definite end. If you need to finish something, then do it now.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Gěn changes to Duì, the individual encounters the deep sense of connection with friends or family or, on a larger scale, humanity. This sense of belonging brings rest to the soul. But it also brings frustration and the feeling of being a victim of another or of larger powers.
  There is the openness that connects with the spirits and intrigues others, apparent as the skill of reaching out. But there is also the individual who is true to his own values and has to protect himself against the demands of society and the ruthlesness and greed of a large part of humanity.
  When exchange with others and staying true to yourself can both give in to reality and respect the needs of each other, they will find the right balance.

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.
变上为坤, 舍崇高而从卑下, 脱崎岖而履平坦, 土命逢之, 温厚和平, 成始成终。
When the top line changes it activates Kun. Following from a high place to a low place; leave the rough terrain and follow the level path. Whoever has an affinity to Earth will find it and be successful from beginning to end.
(affinity to earth: Tu Ming, earth name/destiny, born in an earth year or having a local or popular name - a lasting link to Earth.)

  The mountain is strong but unmoving, Earth with her natural power of growth brings the chance of returning to life. She opens up Gěn's severity and shows which emotions are healthy and which are harmful, so Gěn can relax. A strong and also easy character is the way to success.
  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.

    The timing of this change of the initiative:
   春夏土膏肥厚, 生物荣华。盖山中地, 地中山, 正类谦尊而光, 卑而不可逾, 无往不利也。
  In spring and summer the earth is fertile and provides abundant food; all living things are glorious and resplendent. Thus: If the mountain is in the midst of the earth, or the earth in the midst of the mountain, then the upright man is humble and spreading light; modest and not overstepping boundaries, successful in everything attempted.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
变下为离, 日出于山巅为朝, 为旦, 主人升上三三近贵, 洞晓明彳散, 高下瞻仰, 福禄兼备。
When the lower line changes it activates Li. It is the sun rising over the mountain top; it is the morning, the dawn. This person is climbing to an influential position and has a clear insight; high and low behold him with high regard. Happiness and wealth will be his.

  When the bottom line changes from yin to yang, Gěn activates Lí, the sun rises over the mountain range and shines its light on the valley. Everything starts a new day of life, greeting the sun and soaking in the energy and health its rays bring down. The world looks bright and new, the morningdew sparkles and the crisp air invites for coming out and starting something great.
  General: The bottom line is the subject, the 'field' where you find the cause and in which you pour the resources for your initiative: space, material, problems or opportunities, helpers and other people or food for thought.
  Your subject is yang, but entering a situation of yin potential. After collecting the material for concrete results, it is now the task or time to display them and then prosperity will gather. The subject will reveal itself, shining and giving joy.
  If things don't meet expectations, this is the right time to get new inspiration. Usually, yang at the bottom is positive, there is a balance between yang and yin.

    The timing of this change of the subject:
  夏秋酷烈, 山水焦损。
  春冬融暖, 山水舒畅。
  In summer and autumn ruthless and violent, the mountain forests burn and are damaged.
  In spring and winter comfortably warm, the mountain forests are pleasant and carefree.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
  变中爻为巽, 风生岩谷, 山虚石出, 居高多险, 任重多危・
When the middle line changes it activates Xùn. The wind blows over the rocks and valleys. From mountain hollows rocks tumble out. High residence has many risks, those who hold important positions experience many imminent dangers.

  When the middle line of Mountain changes to yang, he activates Xun, the Wind. The mountain gets his inherently impressive image. Absorbing and processing his surroundings, he is an inspiring and giving leader. His influence will spread and he will earn respect and admiration. It is the power of a strong character, being true to oneself and to others. Able to overcome fear, greed and anything that keeps one from greatness. This is not an easy line and rules or past experience will not apply. It is a time of hidden danger. You will need willpower and persistence.
  General: When yin meets yang, it is time to follow up on your inspirations, to give a structure to visions or to share them. Performing the work turns into providing leadership. Others ask your advice or expect direction. The focus is on moving forward, showing results, enjoying what has been accomplished. You can energize and initiate, reconcile ideas and reality.
  The outcome changes from absorbing efforts or resources to giving back. You will need focus for what you do and the freedom to see chances and flow along with them. Use intuition and quick reactions; strict rules close off many opportunities.

The timing of this change of the outcome:
  春夏生蠹, 秋冬损物, 不如天风和时为美也。
   Spring and summer bring forth destructive things;
  Autumn and winter bring reduction of things.
  It is not as good as when the wind and time were in harmony.

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 Yin: this is a good time to work on ideas. Usually, yin at the top is very positive, there is balance between yang and yin, ideas and their possibilities to become reality.

  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 Yang: the subject is clear and generous and responds to the initiative. Usually yang at the bottom is positive, there is balance between yang and yin.

  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 activated Yang: if you need increase, this is a great line. Your efforts will show results. Occasionally not of the concrete kind, but joy and satisfaction are valuable as well.

  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: Kun, Earth, with her ability to nurture and concretize.
  Advice or help for the subject: Li, Fire, with her power to discern and create order.
  Advice or help for the outcome: Xun, Wind, with her power to choose and influence.
  But when things are not satisfying, it might be that one or more helpers don't help enough - or try too hard. Or maybe you don't listen carefully enough.

  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