Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Duì-Kan, Lake-Water
    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation? 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 is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
 Kan. It is the dark place where things are born, the roots of a tree, the seeds of inspiration, but also of death, ends and hiding. It is the basis, the bottom of a well or pit, a depression or sunken place, a covered trap in the ground. Kan cannot rise up but has great endurance and depth. Kan represents the Earth.
  Kan follows his own road, even though he is easily influenced for a short time. He is uncertain and doubts himself yet takes risks and does not shy away from danger. His endurance makes him extraordinarily strong, but his insecurity can cause fears, depression or instability.
  Harness Kăn's strength in a fluent and easy way, circumventing opposition rather than fighting it. Kan is streetwise, knowing nothing and yet knowing all one needs to survive. The way of water is the way to overcome obstacles and relentlessly follow one's Dao.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Dui activates Kan, it collects the water and traps it. This can be dangerous, water must be able to move freely in a natural way, contained it can get stale or break out and cause problems.
  Only a strong person can accept being trapped and adapt to its reality, and still succeed by making every action powerful and essential while taking care not to show too much of himself. It is the only way to survive lean years, bad regimes, or severe cold when there is no opportunity to leave for a better future.

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.

  The top line is generally where the initiative comes from, but here it is yin, both in- and outside. It might be that you asked about a matter where the initiative or action doesn’t come from you. Yin is compliant and absorbing and occasionally accepts too easily, but it keeps the excess of dominance and lack of empathy of the Heaven-line in balance. A yin Heaven-line may bring rain: blessings – concrete sustainable solutions.
  Yin will reinforce you to process ideas and projects and to continue working on them. Yin is not aiming for success but for a job well done. It is nurturing and attractive, but there will be no output yet, for the time being your plans ask input, like ideas, energy, maybe money, and keep doing so for the time being.

When plans include the work, they will thrive.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
初九变为坎, 坎为三三水, 名谓积水而成, 坎陷天泽, 交施于坎水, 川流盈溢, 所至俱宜, 物物得利。
  When the bottom line of Dui changes it activates Kan, a pit that collects water. It is called accumulated water and also achievement. Kan is a hole that catches the rainwater (also the emperor's favor) and together with the moving water of Kan the flow of rivers is abundant. The result is as it should be, everything benefits.

  When Dui changes to Kan, yang's stubbornness dissolves and its insecurity and its tendancy to depression take over. Now the benefit of Water's intuition and relentlessness becomes clear. Even in dire situations, Water never stops searching for a way out. He is an excellent fighter, fast and cunning. He needs to be free, he is the protector of all living creatures.
  General: What you ask about is yin. It aligns with the Earth-line, but the potential in these surroundings or this time is yang. You want (or will) come closer to concrete realizations, but problems also become real. All this is not really easy amidst yang. Yang can be overbearing, through influence or force, so you need to hold on to what you really want, and yet not to force anything.
  Examine when the work can proceed and when it must be held back. Who can participate in your project and who would hinder it. Your project absorbs more energy and resources, and these should be used wisely. Listen to the Earth.

    The timing of this change of the subject:
  春得此象,雨泽霏霏,万物滋荣,富贵可期,人多拔萃。
  夏得此象, 长养有功, 荣舒万汇, 人生多遇, 不苛不贪, 富则金帛盈室, 贵则宗庙之卫。
  秋得此象, 水泽交加, 禾穗双成, 人生值此, 得民之情, 庆流后裔。
  冬得此象, 水泽相交, 民物空虚, 兹非广惠。
  When spring receives this image the rain falls lavishly, everything grows abundantly; fame and wealth can be expected. This person stands out above the crowd.
  If summer gets this image it means merit through nurturing, raising. His fame reaches the whole world. He achieves much in his life, is meticulous and not greedy; his wealth fills the whole room, his prestige protects the government.
  When autumn takes on this image water and rain act together; the ears of grains grow in double quantity. This person will experience this in his life; he receives the affection of the people and can rejoice in a long line of offspring.
  When winter receives this image, water and rain mingle; the people and things are unreal. At this time one does not spread benevolence.

The Outcome

    

  The middle line shows the result. It is stationary yang, there will not be any increase or decrease, but still action and output. Yang is inspiring, but it is too early to expect concrete results. The middle line is the 'man' line, it can also be about you yourself, not only what you do.
  If this project does not need a concrete solution, yang can be very positive. It will continue to inspire and bring joy and brightness. Even if it stays unsubstantial in a material sense, it can improve the lives of people, like movies, holidays, love or a guiding star. But stay within limits, yang brings increase, but without yin it is prone to deplete itself, it is relentless and tends to be too cold or to strive too much. Plans may be too theoretical or even illusionary. If you are aware of this and rein it in, yang brings the joy of inspiration, plans, and visions.

Inspire yourself and your surroundings.

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.
  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.
  In this answer the line is stationary 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 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 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:Qian, Heaven, with his severe structure and his timing, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice or help for the subject:Kan, Water, with his direction and focus, his courage to take risks and his talent to give things shape.
  Advice or help for the outcome: Zhen, Thunder with his energy and stimulation and quick actions

  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