[Mermaid]

I asked: "What do I need to do for H to come back?" The iChing told me this:
Pi / Grace
 Fire illuminates the base of the Mountain: The Superior Person realizes he has not the wisdom to move the course of the world, except by attending to each day's affairs as they come.  Success in small matters. This is a good time to begin something.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
 The emphasis now is on form, not function -- on the sizzle and not the steak. The environment around you is not one of depth, and you are appreciated now for your image, not your essence. You perfectly fill a role, and no one is seeing the genuine you. Still, you are being listened to and watched. Use this influence to further your goals as much as possible. Even if you don't feel understood, you can perhaps connect with a few isolated hearts. Relax and enjoy the attention.
There are Four Changing Lines. Read the Upper NON-changing Line. Hexagram Twenty-Two/Line Six: Faultless grace is simple and pure.
64 - Sixty-Four Wei Chi / The End In Sight
 Fire ascends above the Water: The Superior Person examines the nature of things and keeps each in its proper place.  Too anxious the young fox gets his tail wet, just as he completes his crossing. To attain success, be like the man and not like the fox.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Resist the rush to completion. Anticipation of fulfilment may callous you before you have fully absorbed the lessons of the journey. The endpoint of this Quest will only prove to be the threshold for another. You are short steps from Mastery on this plane, yet you stride toward Ignorance of the challenges lying beyond. Savour this accomplishment. Fully Become. Take full possession of your world before embarking to discover the next one. That voyage begins soon enough, and you will reminisce about this one. These are the Good Old Days.

[justasking]

Well I couldn't resist this any longer and finally succumbed. I had never heard of this previously. I asked other questions but the inevitable!

Question
Will my husband and I be reconciled?

Answer

Hexogram 13 Social Mechanism

Heaven reflects the flame of clarity:
The superior person analyzes the various levels and working parts of
The social structure and uses them to advantage.
Success if you keep to your course.
You may pass to the other shore.

Situation analysis;

This is a matter of positioning … not only yourself, but others as well.
There are niches to be filled, potentials to be realised, right livelihoods to be found.
You are not building a new organisation, but shoring up an existing infrastructure.
It’s worth the effort, because it will provide union, community, and an ironclad alliance.

[StillStanding]

I found this interesting on the I Ching Online site:

Decision-Making
The great Chinese warrior, Sun Tzu was heavily influenced by the I Ching when he wrote his brilliant Art of War, 2500 years ago.
Yet he would not let his officers consult the oracle when mapping strategy.
Why?
Because his lieutenants had fallen into the same trap that threatens anyone who uses the I Ching -- they began to use it for fortune-telling.
They would look for omens.
They would cast the coins to ask what direction to march, and read only the symbolic direction.
They were not tapping their own deeper knowledge with the tool.

Do not fall into this trap.
This is not a Ouija board.
There is no magic here.
This is a great psychological tool, if properly used.
Don't get lazy and ask it to lead you.
Hope that it keeps challenging you to reach for the grain of truth within the ambiguity of its symbols.
After a long consultation with the I Ching Online, you will emerge confident in the decision you have reached.
When trying to reach a decision, ask the oracle hard questions.
Are you right in your position?
What are the most likely consequences of each direction that might be taken?
What is the ethical choice?
What might be lost besides the obvious?
Where is your adversary most vulnerable?
What is the path of least resistance?
Is the prize worth the pain?
Are there unconsidered alternatives?

Mermaid said it before; this is better used as a tool for helping to discern the proper mindset or attitude to have approaching an issue, rather than for fortune telling, i.e., you'll get more meaningful results if you ask "how should I act around my spouse to improve interaction between us?" rather than "when will my spouse come out of MLC?"

[StillStanding]

My question for today is: "How should I feel about the rough times we've had this morning?" (We got into an argument over petty stuff earlier.)

Cast Hexagram:
20 - Twenty  Kuan / Contemplation

The gentle Wind roams the Earth:
The Superior Person expands his sphere of influence as he expands his awareness.
Deeply devoted to his pursuit of clarity and wisdom, he is unconscious of the inspiring, positive example he is setting for others to emulate.

You have cleansed yourself; now stand ready to make your humble, devout offering.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The situation marks a rising to new heights.
As you climb for a better view of the panorama, you make yourself more conspicuous to those below.
This hexagram is also known as the Watchtower, because the shape formed by its lines resembles the ancient guardposts manned by Chinese soldiers.
These towers were placed on mountainsides to give a better vantage point.
To those below, the watchtowers served as landmarks to help them find their way.
The quality of your search for clarity in this situation serves as such a guidepost for others along the Way.

Changing Lines:
There are Three Changing Lines.
The Middle Line applies.

Hexagram Twenty/Line Four:
Observe the leader firsthand to decide the worthiness of the cause.

Transformed Hexagram:
47 - Forty-Seven  K'un / Exhaustion

A Dead Sea, its Waters spent eons ago, more deadly than the desert surrounding it:
The Superior Person will stake his life and fortune on what he deeply believes.

Triumph belongs to those who endure.
Trial and tribulation can hone exceptional character to a razor edge that slices deftly through every challenge.
Action prevails where words will fail.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is the realm of the Shaman.
You have exhausted every alternative, spent yourself completely, taxed body and mind beyond your former limits.
Survival and salvation lie beyond your reach now.
Only transcendence to a new existence -- a higher plane of being -- will see you through.
The Old You is just a dry husk.
You can't return to it.
Metamorphosis is the only grace offered.
You can only return to your homeland as a New You.

[Love being on higher grounds]

Thanks Mermaid!

for the advice with this...is much more useful now!

hugs,
L

[Storm Rider]

Still Standing,

Interesting that Sun Tzu was into I Ching, although I guess not unexpected! I love The Art of War, it is such an insightful book about how people deal with conflict. Its lessons apply just as much to working through every day life events, as well as battle strategies. I can definitely see the similarities between both teachings.

Very interesting that Sun Tzu banned I Ching before battles for those reasons.

[Mermaid]

What is the best attitude to take to my H this week?

Walls meant to protect have instead separated and isolated.
Your defences have kept you apart from those whom you most need to touch.
Whatever the reason for discord between you, it is time to lay down your arms.
Dispel the inflexible demands and fears of the Mind so that you may reunite in the Heart.
If you have begrudged, forgive.
If you have torn down, repair.
If you have injured, heal.
If you have judged, pardon.
If you have grasped, let go.

[/color]

[Trustandlove]

OK, I finally investigated....

I asked "Can I influence his decision?"

I got:

Cast Hexagram:

7 - Seven

Shih / Recruiting Allies

Deep Water beneath the Earth's surface:
Untapped resources are available.
The Superior Person nourishes and instructs the people, building a loyal, disciplined following.
Good fortune.
No mistakes if you follow a course led by experience.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You must gain support from others.
Find a way to make others want to see your objectives met as badly as you want it.
How can they profit from the attainment of this goal?
Can you command confidence that you are just the person that can bring this plan to fruition?




Transformed Hexagram:

31 - Thirty-One
Hsien / Attraction

The joyous Lake is cradled by the tranquil Mountain:
The Superior Person takes great satisfaction in encouraging others along their journey.
He draws them to him with his welcoming nature and genuine interest.

Supreme success.
This course leads to marriage.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is no greater natural law in the Cosmos than Attraction.
From the magnetic pull of an atom's nucleus to the centrifugal force that spirals a galaxy, the face of the universe is shaped by Attraction.
On a human scale, it is Attraction that fuels procreation and furthers our species.
Yet it is also Attraction that spawns greed and covetousness, threatening our extinction.
Attraction is the underlying force of the situation in question.
You are refined or debased by the objects of your desire.
What gravitational pull are you now under?
Around what sphere of influence do you circle?
Can you use your own ability to attract?

and the transformed hexagram:

Transformed Hexagram:

31 - Thirty-One
Hsien / Attraction

The joyous Lake is cradled by the tranquil Mountain:
The Superior Person takes great satisfaction in encouraging others along their journey.
He draws them to him with his welcoming nature and genuine interest.

Supreme success.
This course leads to marriage.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is no greater natural law in the Cosmos than Attraction.
From the magnetic pull of an atom's nucleus to the centrifugal force that spirals a galaxy, the face of the universe is shaped by Attraction.
On a human scale, it is Attraction that fuels procreation and furthers our species.
Yet it is also Attraction that spawns greed and covetousness, threatening our extinction.
Attraction is the underlying force of the situation in question.
You are refined or debased by the objects of your desire.
What gravitational pull are you now under?
Around what sphere of influence do you circle?
Can you use your own ability to attract?


Trouble is, I didn't read the changing lines, then looked at the instructions again, and then of course the original bit was gone -- it doesn't get saved online.   so I don't know what those were or weren't. 

I then made what was probably a mistake, and asked the question again.  I got a different answer, which I didn't copy and save, but it was sort of along the same lines, saying that I had to nurture another along his journey; and the transformed hex said that it wasn't my journey, but another's, and that I had to "take comfort in becoming a fond memory"; to grasp, but not possess -- to let go. 

The changing lines said that a strong person helps another on his horse (or with his horse?).  So again, nurturing another. 

so similar, but contradictory at the same time. 

I know asking the same question twice  isn't a good idea. 

[Trustandlove]

Goodness, I hope this isn't going to become a new obsession.....  I've been reading more, understand that one shouldn't "test" the IChing, so I asked a question that was suggested; I realise also that it may apply to all of us:

I asked "Am I right in my position?"

This is what I got: 

Cast Hexagram:

39 - Thirty-Nine
Chien / Obstacle

Ominous roiling in the Crater Lake atop the Volcano:
When meeting an impasse, the Superior Person turns his gaze within, and views the obstacle from a new perspective.

Offer your opponent nothing to resist.
Let a sage guide you in this.
Good fortune lies along this course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The Obstacle lies in obstinance.
An insistence on only one way of proceeding has brought things to an impasse.
You may either continue banging your head with irresistible force against this immovable object, or you might step back and survey this situation from a fresh perspective.
Which is immobile here -- the obstruction or your attitude?


Changing Lines:

There is One Changing Line.

Hexagram Thirty-Nine/Line Four:

Advance alone against insurmountable odds, or remain in place, gathering strength and allies.


Transformed Hexagram:

31 - Thirty-One
Hsien / Attraction

The joyous Lake is cradled by the tranquil Mountain:
The Superior Person takes great satisfaction in encouraging others along their journey.
He draws them to him with his welcoming nature and genuine interest.

Supreme success.
This course leads to marriage.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is no greater natural law in the Cosmos than Attraction.
From the magnetic pull of an atom's nucleus to the centrifugal force that spirals a galaxy, the face of the universe is shaped by Attraction.
On a human scale, it is Attraction that fuels procreation and furthers our species.
Yet it is also Attraction that spawns greed and covetousness, threatening our extinction.
Attraction is the underlying force of the situation in question.
You are refined or debased by the objects of your desire.
What gravitational pull are you now under?
Around what sphere of influence do you circle?
Can you use your own ability to attract?


Upper Trigram:
K'an / Water
Image: Water, Clouds, Rain, Spring, Pit, Chasm.
Qualities: Dangerous, Difficult, Profound, Anxious, Deep, Mysterious, Damned, Persistent, Persevering, Flexible, Melancholy, Pervasive, Protean, Mobile, Fluid, Driving.
Direction: North.
Family Member: Middle Son.
Body Part: Ear.
Season: Midwinter.
Time of Day: Midnight.
Animal: Pig.
Color: Scarlet.
Element: Wood.
Miscellaneous: Ditches, Ambush, Bent and Straightened, Bow, Wheel, Sick Heart, Earache, Blood, Stumbling Horse, Wrecked Chariot, Moon, Thieves, Hardwood, Toil.

Lower Trigram:
Kên / Mountain
Image: Mountain.
Qualities: Tranquil, Immobile, Still, Perverse, Waiting, Patient, Calm, Stubborn, Inert, Methodical, Eternal.
Direction: Northeast.
Family Member: Youngest Son.
Body Part: Hand.
Season: Late Winter.
Time of Day: Dawn.
Animal: Dog.
Color: Emerald Green.
Element: Stone.
Miscellaneous: Byway, Mountain Path, Pebbles, Doorway, Opening, Gateway, Seed of Fruit, Eunuch, Watchman, Doorkeeper, Fingers, Rat, Black-billed Bird, Gnarled Tree.

I copied all the trigram things as well, although I don't understand those particularly -- perhaps others here with more experience do. 

At any rate, I thought the lines about viewing the obstacle from a new perspective, and is it the obstacle or the attitude that is immobile were particularly worth pondering on. 

Any thoughts?  Mermaid and Voyager, I know you use these more....

[Mermaid]

Your first question seemed to have such a clear answer.

"Can I influence his decision?"

The answer: recruiting allies with more experience. Your forum, perhaps? This changes to "attraction". This is where you become a magnet to draw your H back. It doesn't need to be immediate, but what you do should attract him naturally. It's another way of saying "pave the way".

Your second question seems clear, but needs some thinking about.

  "Am I right in my position?"

It told you that there is an obstacle, something within you that needs to change; some stubborness in your attitude about only doing things one way. Again, it is suggesting a wise person can help you see what it is. Your changing lines talk about recruiting allies (this forum again??) If you remove this it will lead to attraction.