Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Zhen-Qian, Thunder-Heaven
    

  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?
 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 Thunder turns into Heaven perseverance and belief in your ideal can turn this into a new beginning or a new life. Seeds become flowers that will create fruit and new seeds. Do not try to force their growth and do not regret their loss. Try not to harvest in the spring or sow in the fall. Moving with things as they are and also finding or creating the time and place where things move with you, gives power to your actions. The universe assists those who listen to its movements.

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.

  The bottom line is stationary yang. This line is the subject, or the ‘field’ where you pour in or find both the cause and the means for your initiative: space, material, helpers or other people, even food for thought. It is the line of the earth, of resources and realization. It is a 'receiving' line, the earth needs food to develop things.
  Here she is yang, she does not absorb or concretize, she is giving. Things look interesting and bright and give back. What you want to achieve inspires you, but take care not to deplete resources. Things will gain clarity but it is not yet a time of concrete results.
  Yang at the bottom line brings balance between yin and yang. Its light penetrates the undefined power of the earth-line, it inspires yin to make its imaginings grow, and it gives each creature or plan or venture its rightful structure.

Enjoy the now and its possibilities.

THE OUTCOME

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
变中爻为兑,为泽,雷泽交施,
When the middle line changes, it activates Dui, which activates rain. Thunder and rain work together.
  (施 is harmonious cooperation: image of a flag, "following the wind")

  Thunder brings out Lake's feature of beneficial rain and Lake makes Thunder's work bloom. Together they create beauty.
  Zhen can be too energetic and impulsive. It is the trigram of germination and preparations, not of concrete results, and occasionally it may become no more than lush blossoms, beautiful to behold but distracting from the essence. But too much work and duties can cause unhappiness.
  Lake's tender, persuasive care can cause Thunder's seedlings to grow into viable plants and other creatures. Small beginnings growing into generations of life, one after the other in endless scuccession.
  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.

  春夏振动, 兹息之有赖而万象直遂。
  秋则雷泽以济枯槁, 而秋阳不得暴物。
  冬则雷泽失令, 而万类憔悴。
  In spring and summer, thunder rumbles. Relying on propagation, everything on earth reaches its goal so directly.
  In autumn, thunder and rain become exhausted because they have reached their limit, yet the autumn sun cannot harm the creatures.
  In winter, thunder and rain lose command, and all living things are in decline.

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 stationary 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: the initiative is clear and strong, this is a good time to develop visions and plans, pouring in creativity, efforts and enthusiasm.

  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, is lacking here or not needed. Yang remains Yang.
  Advice or help for the outcome: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade.

  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