Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Xùn-Qián, Wind-Heaven

   

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation?
   Xùn, 'Choosing', the character xun is a table with tokens or seals and a pair of hands. Her attribute is Wind. She is the master of inspiration. She is good at communicating and spreading rumors, news, ideas, orders or goods. The officer who spreads the wishes of the sovereign. She is patient and precise, good at detailed work. She can penetrate and influence physically and mentally. Wind can bring a mood or atmosphere which is clearly felt. Wind can also spread disease, but her absence can cause decay.
  'Xùn' means counting, choosing or being chosen. It is giving or having a direction, a purpose, a 'seal' or mandate. It can be in the way fate does, a path that can hardly be avoided: "your number is up". Being chosen is stronger than the freedom of choosing. It also works in physical ways, defining 'what you are' and the urge to grow into it and live and multiply it.
  Like water always follows gravity, the wind follows air pressure, answering the 'atmosphere', which makes her stronger and more persistent than moving toward a goal.
  Your intuition will have a stronger influence on your road than your mind, even though Wind also relates to thoughts. Thoughts follow the decisions of the heart. Wind follows the voice of the Earth, the voice of life.

  What is the subject, intention or hope of your question? And what is your power in this?
  Qián. His image is Heaven, his ideogram is sunrise, his Qi is powerful and energetic. Qián refers to wealth and glory, leadership and taking charge. His laws give life its power, endurance and creativity. Qián provides the substrate that gives all things structure and meaning - or simply the structure they follow, from the laws of 'All that is' right down to the daily groove. Qián deals with the mental or intangible, regulates the time and following it gives you the right timing. Look up at the Pole Star and you will see the entire cosmos turning around it, everything moves according to Heaven's law. A person, team or venture with Heaven can reason and judge well and they are known for their strong, powerful appearance. As long as they don't get stuck in mindless habits or rigid beliefs.
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, what can you truly do, or what will fate unfold in this situation?
  When Xùn, Wind, activates Qián, Heaven, Wind blows high in Heaven, dispersing the clouds. Heaven is Xùn's home, the safe space where she can play and run within Heaven's laws, not overturning anything. Life becomes gentle and calm.
   The wind carries the fates of all creatures. When she flies high in Heaven, there is a distance from problems and distractions that creates space for all beings to follow their individual destination and find their bliss. The inner meeting of Xùn and Qián is your mandate: when the nature of your character aligns with the law of Heaven.
   Wind is the voice of the Earth and a daughter of Heaven. When she is everywhere, your best chances are to align with her. She demands that you observe the origin of all laws, of the universal structure. Then she will listen and give you what you need.

  Xùn and Qián are the 'origin' of hexagram 9. First trigram is the upper trigram (called '悔 huǐ, regret' or 'consult': the problem that makes you consult the oracle). Second trigram is the lower or inner trigram (called '真 zhēn, true': the answer of the oracle for this situation: the advice how to deal with it).

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 stationary yang. A yang initiative, entering a yang world, fits right in. Both are clear and inspiring, full of plans. Even when other things change, you will remain giving, pouring ideas, efforts or money into this situation. Yang brings and spreads ideas with a good basic structure, It is the master of good timing and planning, but not of finding a final solution or concrete results.
  Stay within limits, Yang is also prone to deplete itself. It is relentless, and it can focus so intensely on mental images that they can turn into air castles or delusions. Yin is necessary for concrete results but not before the planning is right, too early can be disastrous, no matter the quality of your ideas or how determined you are.

Yang has the talent to enjoy the road
before reaching any destination.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
巽卦。 变初爻为乾, 风收云静, 廖廓一清。
风恬浪静.人物繁华, 风尘不动, 日月昭明, 星辰荣耀, 尊卑永荫, 始终太平。
Xun gua. The change of the bottom line activates Heaven. The wind silently drifts the clouds together, making the far-reaching sky pure and clean.
The wind is a light and agile breeze; man and matter thrive. The wind doesn't stir the dust; sun and moon shine bright; the stars sparkle.
There is no distinction between high and low. From beginning to end there is peace and harmony.

   When Xun around you activates your Qián, Wind blows high in Heaven. One can follow one's conscience and dedicate oneself joyfully to one's duties.
  The wind carries with it your hopes and intentions and Heaven gives them power - this is your 'Heaven's Highway', your Dao (Tao), your mandate, your true destiny, whatever you call it. If you attune yourself to Heaven in the things you do or gather, by copying its persistence and obeying its rules, Heaven will sustain you and your life will be rewarding and true. Reaching goals is temporary, the meaning of life is to live it and make it worthwhile.
  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. But here you also meet your problems, fears, hopes and expectations.
  The subject is yang, but your question means you are 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, it will grow brighter and give joy.
  If things don't meet expectations, this is the right time to get new inspiration. Usually, yang at the bottom is positive, you find a balance between yang and yin that will help your efforts, or pave the way to finish your work, making it visible.

   The 'Timing' of this change of the subject:
  春暖夏炎，
  三三 秋爽冬温，四时俱美，万物咸亨，吉无不利。
  风恬浪静.人物繁华，风尘不动，日月昭明，星辰荣耀，尊卑永荫，始终太平。
  In spring warm and in summer hot;
  Usually in autumn cool and bright; in winter mild; so it is good in all seasons. Everything goes smoothly for all beings; auspicious without exceptions.

The outcome

    
The middle line (human or self-line) shows 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 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.
Activated (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, for structure, but don’t expect solid results.
  An activated Yin line generally does the work. Yin's creativity absorbs and converts resources into tangible results. It brings peace, beauty, 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 stationary 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 or 'not yet'. 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. Often not of the concrete kind, but joy, satisfaction and structure have their own value.

    About the 3 lines of the trigrams and the spirit 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 or what is lacking at the moment. They reinforce the overall power of a reading.
  Helper for the initiative: Kan, Water, with his direction and focus, his courage to take risks and his talent to give things shape, is lacking here or not needed. Yang remains Yang.
  Helper for the subject: Qian, Heaven, with his severe structure and his timing.
  Helper for the outcome: Gen, Mountain with his constancy, his ability to make things endure, is lacking here or not needed. Yang remains Yang.
  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. But 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.
  See also "Yijing astrologie" by Harmen Mesker (Dutch). The guide to calculating your birth hexagram.
  For divining with trigrams, see the video by Tin Yat Dragon