Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Kūn-Qián, Earth-Heaven

    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation?
  Kūn. She is the embracing mother and the place one calls home, one's territory, family or friends, anyone who acts her way. She is nurturing, receiving, and focused on results. One obtains good fortune. The Earth trigram is like a womb, rich in possibilities, she can nurture things into concrete existence, like a crop, creatures, money, tangible resources, return on investment, but also love and trust.
  She accepts everything, organic or inorganic, and works with it. Proceeds it, nourishes it, and arranges all creatures and objects around each other.
  Many of her creations will perish, many will thrive, but the earth goes on. She has no empty spaces, no end or start, no goal or limit. She is strict and that way creates a balance which restores itself over and over. Things which strive to be perfect. Living creatures seeking health, water free to run, and sunshine free to enter. But even the darkest places she fills with organic and inorganic creations. She traps the water and makes it available for her creations.
  土命 Tǔ Mìng, earth name/destiny: born in an earth year or having a local or popular name - a lasting link to Earth.

  What is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
  Qián. Its Qi is powerful and energetic; it refers to wealth and glory, leadership and taking charge. The laws of Heaven give life its power, endurance and creativity. Qián provides the substrate that gives all things structure and meaning. Qian deals with the mental or intangible.
  Heaven regulates the time and following it gives you the right timing. Look up at the North pole and you will see the entire cosmos turning around it, everything moves according to Heaven's law. Heaven brings the seasonal rains, which benefit all. A person, team or venture with Heaven can reason and judge well and they are known for their strong, powerful appearance.
  天命 tiānmìng, mandate of heaven; destiny; fate; one's life span.
  乾元 qiányuán beginning of creation.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Kūn activates Qián, there are many opportunities for those with a good heart and a strong character. Heaven does not listen to doubt or selfish intentions and the Earth has her own ways of punishment. But the one who has love and respect for both heaven and earth finds friendships and open roads that are closed to others.
  What you meet will have the quality of what you are, what you achieve will have the power of your mind, and joy or sadness depend on your own judgment. But with the help of Heaven, you can ask the Earth for assistance. In the spring of the year, of your life or your days you can celebrate her and make your hopes and wishes clear, and focus on them. Support her in summer and autumn to complete your ideals.

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.
变上为艮也, 地起于山自下而上, 有积小成高之势。
无伐善,无施劳,万民服而事业盛也。
  When the top line changes it activates Gen: the mountain. The earth rises at the mountain from below to above; it is the power of height (attainment) by accumulating small successes.
No boasting of good qualities, no boasting of merits; all people obey and enterprises flourish.

  When the top line of Earth changes, it activates Gěn. The earth becoming an elevated mountain is a positive image of goodness rising and becoming visible. Both Kun and Gěn are what they are and do what they do, they never think about change, but they are the two huge forces that give life its beginning, its space and its endurance. Both relentless in their own way.
  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.

    The timing of this change of the initiative:
   春生夏长, 畅茂条达, 富有之象也。
  秋得则万物告成, 升虽不足, 而内实有余。
  冬得之则草木凋零, 随毁随誉, 骤落骤荣, 旋消旋长, 而聚散无常。
  Spring begins and summer grows, lush and unfettered, rich indeed is its sight.
  When autumn is reached things are completed. Though from the outside not enough, (there is) within however certainly enough.
  When winter is reached the crop withers. Slander and praise follow one another, time after time degradation is followed by fame, and increase and decrease turn their circle. Meeting and parting are irregular.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
变初六为震, 为雷, 雷出地中, 奋达疾速, 威声
三三远赫, 有寒木生春之意, 万汇咸亨, 品物流行, 发荣茂盛, 无适不宜。
 When the bottom line changes, Kun activates Zhen, thunder comes from the earth. It comes energetically and quickly. Its prestige extends far and wide.
  Earth with Thunder is a great tree that benefits others. It can grow by depleting the Earth, but by growing, everything else can benefit from it. It is like resistant trees, cold and bare in winter, but announcing spring early (metaphor for high moral integrity).
  Everything on earth is effortless, all living beings spread out, fame abounds. There is nothing that would not be appropriate.

  This line activates Thunder's yang, surrounded by Earth's yin. Yin absorbs material, efforts and resources to make things grow. With Thunder's energy and stimulation, everything will start to shine, to give back, but yang can also deplete itself, like the tree in autumn. You need to save your strength or refuel now and then and return in a new spring.
  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:
  春分以后, 夏至以前, 得之尤佳, 或为宰辅, 或为宪台, 名位禄寿之兼隆。
  冬而得此,遇而不遇,举动必乖,恐成灾管,盖雷行失令违时,则不利矣。
  Spring-summer: For those who get this after the vernal equinox (21/3) but before the Summer Solstice (21/6), this is especially good. He may become prime minister or imperial censor. His position and fame know luck, a doubly long and prosperous life.
  Summer-autumn: after the solstice opportunities diminish steadily. Take care not to give up, small steps are still possible. Outside, there may not be much luck, inside it is important to stay true to your principles. Don’t allow others to use you against your own wellbeing.
  In winter, when not getting the opportunities you need, your activities are in danger of being different from what is appropriate; fear leads to disasters. Retreat from action, because this is the movement of Thunder that loses its power by going against the season, which is unfavorable.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
  变六二为坎, 为水, 夫坤为致役,变坎为劳, 是地本平宁, 而忽为崎岖险峻, 任重不堪, 安中伏危之象。
下怀万邦, 上承天宠。
When the second six changes it activates Kan, the water. It begins with Kun, which activates battle (strategy and fight), and it changes into Kan which activates labor (work and input). It is the earth, by nature flat, which suddenly becomes rough and steep, as if it carries a heavy load that it cannot hold. It is the image of danger, hidden in the midst of calm.
  Down below he grants favors to all feudal states, up above he is granted the favor of heaven.

  When you have the drive to show, but you are in yin surroundings, it will bring visible increase but also insecurity and danger. Don't forget the background or the inside of what looks so perfect. Yin is the foundation, without its support, yang has no substance. Like Water, you have to navigate through rough terrain, fill in what seems impossible, rise above and over obstacles, while also inspiring everyone who has anything to do with your venture. Then they will follow your courage and trust your judgment.
  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:
  春夏之时, 土被阳气而内攻, 浮虚陷害而怨生, 恩中必有崩毁之乖。
  秋得水而退, 土气不浮, 可谓少亨, 疑非大安, 尤防不测之咎, 惟不致伤耳。
  冬得水干, 培植焦熬, 终多费力, 不若无之, 终为美也。
  冬至以后, 是谓化工, 主劳役凋败之余, 有偶然横发之机。
  Spring and Summer: At the time of spring and summer, the earth is attacked from within by Yang Qi, it is eroded into emptiness and slandered, and so injustice arises, goodness collapses.
  Autumn: In autumn the water recedes, the Qi of the earth is no longer eroded, this can be called a small improvement. Probably no great peace, protect yourself above all from misfortune caused by unexpected events, only then will you remain free from injury.
  In the Winter the water dries up and the drought grows; at the end much effort will have to be made, but if that effort is there, the end will definitely be beautiful.
  After the winter solstice it is called Hua Gong. Water is at home in this season, the last vestiges of necessary labor disappear, and there is the spontaneity and freedom of nature.

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 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: Gen, Mountain with his constancy, his ability to make things endure
  Advice or help for the subject: Zhen, Thunder with his energy and stimulation and quick actions
  Advice or help for the outcome: Kan, Water, with his direction and focus, his courage to take risks and his talent to give things shape
  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.

  When all lines change, the trigram changes to its complementary trigram.
  Yang on its own is giving, bright, assertive and strong and has no trouble inspiring others. But it is prone to deplete itself, it is relentless. When yin meets yang, he shows her work to everyone.
  In this change, all levels find this counterpart of yang. Things change from absorbing to shining, from tangible reality with its limits to infinite possibilities. You can now show the results you got.

  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