睽
GUA 38 · KUI
ESTRANGEMENT
Overall Image (大象)
The flame rises, the lake descends
Estrangement
The noble young one, accordingly, associates, and yet is unique▼
Overall Image (大象)
The flame rises, the lake descends
Estrangement
The noble young one, accordingly, associates, and yet is unique
Fire and water move in different directions. The mystic must stretch to name them one thing. Unity needs reflection. Things like to move and grow according to their natures. More often than not, this will mean moving and growing apart. Existence means to stand out. Evolution’s direction is out and away; if it had a goal it would not be to make things the same. Even within a species, the normal growth is apart. But if growth itself grows distances, then maturity learns to cross distances, not to erase them. The sage likes comparing, seeing the similar and families. But he also sees limits to this, so within his closest of fellowships he retains his singular nature.
Main Judgment (Estrangement) (卦辞)
In ordinary matters, promising▼
Main Judgment (Estrangement) (卦辞)
In ordinary matters, promising
When things do not seem to be coming together, it is only our cosmos expanding. We focus then on small, nearby things that are coming apart somewhat less quickly. If we begin with the small and the ordinary, such as working on who we are, we can keep our goals attainable. The others will go where they must and do what they will. The distance between our points of view must increase, but this is how we come to know depth. Diversification is life, while forces working to make all things conform weaken the health of the system. Even the novice on mystical paths has a sense that all things are at one and connected. But many get the idea that this means all things are the same, that they dissolve in some general soup, and that no self ever existed. The simpletons say that religions all say the same thing. What good does that do? Selves do exist, they just aren’t all that important or real. And yet to have one that works is one truly marvelous thing. Before your birth and after your death are vast, perfect times for perfecting your oneness with the oneness of being. Between is a short time to be and to dare, to articulate self and identity, and then go out exploring.
Key Words (关键词)
Divergence, dissociation, disparity, dissonance, dissention, discord, contradiction▼
Key Words (关键词)
Divergence, dissociation, disparity, dissonance, dissention, discord, contradiction
Polarization, parting of ways, ambivalence, tension, stress; odd, crafty, perverse Uniqueness, diversity, contrast, standing out, sticking out, separation, strangeness To stare, squint as if disbelieving, be astonished; individual nature, distinctiveness Separateness, aloneness, alienation, incongruity; to stand alone, agree to disagree Detachment, isolation, aloneness; emphasis, articulation, stress as in highlighting
Structure & Connections
Structure Class
Gen-Dui Family
This classification indicates the hexagram's role in the 12 Sovereign Cycle (Earthly Branches) or its structural family.
Astrology
note:Venus in Fire
planet:Venus
element:Fire
Tarot
card:Seven of Wands
suit:Wands
Qabalah
note:Netzach in Atziluth
sphere:Netzach
The Lines
11st • YangRegrets pass
The missing horse
Should not be pursued: it returns on its own
Upon seeing the worst in others
Simply avoid mistakes▼
1
1st • YangRegrets pass
The missing horse
Should not be pursued: it returns on its own
Upon seeing the worst in others
Simply avoid mistakes
38.1x Seeing the worst (in) others:
In order to avoid mistakes
The horse gets edgy and bolts, but the farmer will keep to his task. When night falls the horse returns on his own and gets fed. To feed the horse is to meet him halfway. He can keep his unbroken spirit this way and gets to know the neighborhood better. To best prepare to live your own life, first prepare to let the others live theirs. Beings, given sufficient patience and time, will find an appropriate order, and still keep that spark which makes each unique. Even the wrongness in beings will serve us when this is allowed to stand out. Evil is a part of this world of men, just as a treacherous footing is a part of the world of earth. One does not go far fearing this, nor does one level the earth, though many may try. We may seek instead to know where we stand, and if this is not any good then we move. Respect for what is might even save lives.
22nd • YangMeeting with the leader in the alley
Not wrong▼
2
2nd • YangMeeting with the leader in the alley
Not wrong
38.2x Meeting with the leader in the alley:
Still not off the path
He meets with his leader in secret, to formulate plans for success in small matters. The permit was too hard to get. In times of strife and estrangement, trust is renamed conspiracy. When the law says that three make a riot, then two make an excellent quorum. If the people could vote on this plan, the critics would tear it apart. They hear as they will, each to his delusion, so a court is convened with all critics absent, in the shadows of this quiet alley. They cut across the protocols; they cut through all of the crap. No, these two are not following rules. If they did they would add to the pressures to make things the same and unchanging, which is nothing less than the cause behind all of this tension. Breaking free to be just yourself is the way past this problem. Minds will find ways to meet, and these smaller movements add up.
33rd • YangSeeing a wagon held up
Its oxen restrained
Its occupant’s head shaved and nose cut off
Regardless of beginning, there will be an end▼
3
3rd • YangSeeing a wagon held up
Its oxen restrained
Its occupant’s head shaved and nose cut off
Regardless of beginning, there will be an end
38.3x Seeing the wagon held up:
The place (was) not appropriate
* Regardless of beginning, there will be an end:
Finding firmness
He loads his fancy wagon with goods and takes the scenic back roads. But a gang from some sub-species of man descends on him from above. The bandits’ dreams come true. They drag his wagon into the bushes and do unspeakable things to his oxen. Sated with this they spoil his clothes, shave his head and then cut off his nose. And vanish with the plunder and spoils. In return for the chance to have all this fun, for cheering them up and making their day, they let him escape with his life. Such a low beginning to have such a half-decent end! It almost seems like charity now. Life must be all that he needed. Of course this act is of evil, even if these bandits did have issues with mothers and fathers. No relative ethic will make it make sense. This is a study in contrast and irreconcilable difference. When intolerable it will be changed.
44th • YangEstranged and alone
Meeting someone unique
Exchanging confidences
The distress
Is no longer wrong▼
4
4th • YangEstranged and alone
Meeting someone unique
Exchanging confidences
The distress
Is no longer wrong
38.4x Exchanging confidences, nothing (is) wrong:
The aims (are) carried out
He belongs to the smallest group possible, as alone as he might ever be. Repelled to the edge of this strange situation, he works his way further outward. As some of the dust and smoke clears away he notes that another is fleeing as well. Here now are your two or more gathered, two lonely souls haunting the margin, on a newly found common ground. Call this alliance, coalition, support group or church, one equally lonely friend can turn the whole thing around. The periphery of madness becomes the vanguard of sanity, a perilous position becomes an exciting frontier, the two odd ones out can get even. Results such as this can redeem the original problem. Unity in diversity is the making of common cause on the higher levels of being. Cohesion and convergence might not be the general rule, but we’ll take it when we can get it.
55th • Yang(Fan Yao* 10.5: decisive steps, persistence is stressful)
Regrets pass
Their kind* eats tender flesh
In continuing on, where is the harm?▼
5
5th • Yang(Fan Yao* 10.5: decisive steps, persistence is stressful)
Regrets pass
Their kind* eats tender flesh
In continuing on, where is the harm?
38.5x Their kind eats tender flesh:
Moving on will have (its) rewards
The tiger is surely enough unlike you to accomplish some of the things you cannot. And you don’t need more sets of skills that are just like your own. This one would make a great ally, or an enemy for your enemy. But unless you are able to find or make common cause, you might want to give him wide margins, to allow for your errors, such as looking so much like his food. He has not been a kindred spirit for many millions of years, although he did help your ancestors when they needed to learn to run faster. Divergence is not a diversion to mess with. You might even try to relate from somewhere way over there, closer to the familiar, and to beings who speak in more similar tongues. And yet your basic idea is good: diversity is most useful, not a problem to solve. And only from self can other be loved or respected.
6Top • YangEstranged and alone
Watching a hog, covered with muck
Once a wagon transporting demons
At first stringing that bow
But later unstringing the bow
It is not an adversary but a marital suitor
In going, greet the rain
After this, all is well▼
6
Top • YangEstranged and alone
Watching a hog, covered with muck
Once a wagon transporting demons
At first stringing that bow
But later unstringing the bow
It is not an adversary but a marital suitor
In going, greet the rain
After this, all is well
38.6x Greeting the rain holds promise:
A multitude (of) doubts disappear
In such a perfect sympathy with this spirit of alienation, he watches this poorly-lit road on a dark and drizzling day. But as clouds grow darker they also get closer to getting rid of their rain. Things grow exceedingly spooky and the visions grow more bizarre. The tension builds to a palpable state, not just in the string of his longbow. The known and the familiar will set the mind at ease, while the unknown and strange wake us up. Oddness, newness and stress rouse us into creative perceptions, so that we might imagine the worst and so avoid it. The weirdness on parade here is like the darkness of the clouds: when the mood grows too thick it will dump. Drizzling rain becomes genial, cleansing rain; even the mud is delightful. This ought to be a relief. To see devils in a fiancé this soon is too much: this is supposed to stay a surprise.
Reference in Original Text & Resources
This content is derived from Bradford Hatcher's THE BOOK OF CHANGES: Yijing, Word By Word.
Original text for Hexagram 38 begins on Page 288-296.
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