[Mermaid]

If you go to the edit menu on the tool bar, you can select and copy. You can right click to paste on this site, or press Ctrl V

Hmm, V, can't find anything online to say that the changing lines are more important than the hexagram.

[Trustandlove]

OK, I tried this -- I tried asking "How should I use the IChing?"

I got: 

Cast Hexagram:

23 - Twenty-Three
Po / Splitting Apart

The weight of the Mountain presses down upon a weak foundation of Earth:
The Superior Person will use this time of oppression to attend to the needs of those less fortunate.

Any action would be ill-timed.
Stand fast.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is a situation easily mistaken for Stagnation (Hexagram 12) or Revolution (Hexagram 49).
It just depends on which side you're on.
During a time of Stagnation, human worms invade to feed on the decay.
During a time of Revolution, oppression is being overthrown.
But in this situation, oppressors are violently seizing power.
Pay special heed when you receive this hexagram, because the oracle is often warning you of a situation of which you are totally unaware.
You are about to be blindsided.

No changing lines, so no transformed hex. 

The "original text" reads: 

THE JUDGEMENT

SPLITTING APART. It does not further one
To go anywhere.

This pictures a time when inferior people are pushing forward and are about to crowd out the few remaining strong and superior men. Under these circumstances, which are due to the time, it is not favourable for the superior man to undertake anything.
The right behaviour in such adverse times is to be deduced from the images and their attributes. The lower trigram stands for the earth, whose attributes are docility and devotion. The upper trigram stands for the mountain, whose attribute is stillness. This suggests that one should submit to the bad time and remain quiet. For it is a question not of man's doing but of time conditions, which, according to the laws of heaven, show an alternation of increase and decrease, fullness and emptiness. It is impossible to counteract these conditions of the time. Hence it is not cowardice but wisdom to submit and avoid action.

Mermaid, Voyager, others -- your interpretation?  Did I just get told off for using this in the wrong way?  Or does it mean not to use it?   Or what???

I don't like the "you are about to be blindsided" bit; but as I asked how I should use this, how does that apply?  It would all seem to apply to the general MLC situation, but in this case I didn't mean to ask about that. 


I think this is why I've avoided things like this; it gets me worrying and over-analysing; both the things that get in my way most (the obstacle???) in this mlc mess and elsewhere. 

I feel like I've been warned several times to "do nothing"; now I'm wondering if that meant not having any interaction with my H at all, that I shouldn't have asked him to stay with the kids, all sorts of things.   

I also seem to be being warned of facing "overwhelming odds" to which I'm not equal, that kind of thing.  As this should be internal rather than external, what on earth can that mean??

[StillStanding]

It's very likely that phrasing a question in a difficult manner will yield a difficult-to-interpret result. I don't know how useful of an answer you will get from "what color shirt should I wear today?"

You might look at your response along these lines:

"Being blindsided" and "Hence it is not cowardice but wisdom to submit and avoid action" could mean that you may receive an unexpected response from consulting the I Ching, or maybe something unexpected will occur and the I Ching will be encourage you to do nothing when it seems that you should take some kind of action.

I try to phrase my questions along the lines of "What should I do to influence the chance of a particular outcome?" or "What should my attitude be about some development in my situation?" As silly as it sounds, it seems that the more general the question then the more useful the answer seems to be.

[leftylulu]

Here's mine for the question I asked: What should I do when I am angry with myself?
I felt this was a great reading.


26 - Twenty-Six

Ta Ch'u / Recharging Power

Heaven's motherlode waits within the Mountain:
The Superior Person mines deep into history's wealth of wisdom and deeds, charging his character with timeless strength.

Persevere.
Drawing sustenance from these sources creates good fortune.
Then you may cross to the far shore.


SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There are important precedents in this situation.
Others have trodden this Path before you, overcoming the same obstacles facing you now, and making crucial decisions at the same crossroads.
Study their journals, watch for their trail markings.
Gain inspiration and wisdom from the heroes and learn from the mistakes of those who chose a sidepath.
All were Seekers, explorers whose daring mapped a course you can follow.
The words and deeds of the finest can imbue you with the courage necessary to face what lies before you.

Changing Lines:

There is One Changing Line.

 
Hexagram Twenty-Six/Line Six:

In harmony with the will of Heaven, your strength is irresistible.
 
 
11 - Eleven

T'ai / Peace

Heaven and Earth embrace, giving birth to Peace.
The Superior Person serves as midwife, presenting the newborn gift to the people.

The small depart; the great approach.
Success.
Good fortune.


SITUATION ANALYSIS:

It doesn't get any better than this.
Everything is in harmony, all obstacles are cleared from your Path, anything you could ask for is right at hand.
This is the Elysian Fields, the Garden of Eden.
The only thing wrong with Peace is that it, too, must change.
Whether you are in this state of harmony now or it is predicted for your future, recognize it as your greatest opportunity to build your resources against less harmonious times.

[StillStanding]

I threw another one for the heck of it: "How should I act when dealing with my wife?"

Cast Hexagram:
28 - Twenty-Eight
Ta Kuo / Critical Mass

The Flood rises above the tallest Tree:
Amidst a rising tide of human folly, the Superior Person retires to higher ground, renouncing his world without looking back.

Any direction is better than where you now stand.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Several high-priority concerns demand immediate attention.
All are crucial.
None will be denied.
Yet some demand the denial of others.
Like two atoms seeking to occupy the same space, these irresistible forces and immovable objects threaten to ignite a cataclysm that could irreversibly alter your world.
This is no time for fatal heroics.
You are at Ground Point Zero.
Remove yourself from this situation without delay.
Find sanctuary.
Later you may deal with these concerns on your own terms, from a position of strength.

Changing Lines:
There are Two Changing Lines.
An Old Yang for Line 4
An Old Yin for Line 6
The Old Yin prevails.

Hexagram Twenty-Eight/Line Six:
Fording the flooded stream, he disappears beneath the rushing waters and never resurfaces.
Misfortune through no fault of his own.

Transformed Hexagram:
57 - Fifty-Seven
Sun / The Penetrating Wind

Wind follows upon wind, wandering the earth, penetrating gently but persistently:
The Superior Person expands his influence by reaffirming his decisions and carrying out his promises.

Small, persistent, focused effort brings success.
Seek advice from someone you respect.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Gentle persuasion is the key in this instance.
Though the words are soft, their speaker must be firm, calm and confident.
Gentle words are worthless if spoken with trepidation.
Wordless influence by example is also effective in this situation.
All persuasion should be almost unfelt, yet consistent and persistent.
Ask for feedback from someone you know to be an effective persuader.

[StillStanding]

Some more info from the website:

Changing Lines transform into their polar opposite during the course of your consultation.
When there are more than one lines changing, there is a problem in interpretation; if these lines are contradictory, which one to choose?
At IChingOnline we have chosen to apply a set of rules to determine the one changing line that prevails.
Although this set of rules is old and widespread, it is just one of many methods that can be found to handle this delicate issue.
Consider it a guideline, which is not 100% compelling.

So, no matter how many lines are changing (if any), according to our method, only ONE of them applies to your question.
The following rules determine which one.

There are seven possibilities for the number of changing lines:

0. There are no Changing Lines. Read only the Cast Hexagram.

1. There is one Changing Line. Consult this changing line.

2. There are two Changing Lines. If both lines are Six (Old Yin) or Nine (Old Yang), the Upper Line applies. If one is Six and the other Nine, the Six prevails.

3. There are three Changing Lines. The middle line counts.

4. There are four Changing Lines. Read the upper NON-changing line.

5. There are five Changing Lines. Read the only NON-changing line.

6. All lines are Changing. Only the Transformed Hexagram applies.
With two exceptions: If all lines are Six or all lines are Nine, read both Cast Hexagram and Transformed Hexagram.

[Trustandlove]

Well, I like the possibility that "getting blindsided" could mean getting an unexpected response from the IChing -- that certainly was the case with that reply.  I was literally shocked to see what came up. 

I am a very literal person, so possibly have more trouble than most looking at obscure things like this where there are many interpretations.....  and I worry, so nebulous things can send my off on a worry/anxiety cycle. 

[Mermaid]

The iChing should be used as a positive tool to reflect on our own behaviour. If you see it as a predictive tool, you are more likely to set off your anxiety cycle. I get anxious too, but I look at the iChing as a guide to MY behaviour. I find it comforting, because really it doesn't tell us what we don't know, just what we don't want to see.

The last thing to remember about the iChing is that it reflects the inevitable cycles of life. Everything changes; we need to embrace change in ourselves and others, come to tolerance and understanding, and it makes it easier then to face difficulties. These too shall pass.

[StillStanding]

My question: "What attitude should I adopt for the next couple of weeks?"

Cast Hexagram:
46 - Forty-Six
Shêng / Upward Mobility

Beneath the Soil, the Seedling pushes upward toward the light:
To preserve his integrity, the Superior Person contents himself with small gains that eventually lead to great accomplishment.

Supreme Success.
Have no doubts.
Seek guidance from someone you respect.
A constant move toward greater clarity will bring reward.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are progressing, rising inch-by-inch toward certain success.
What makes this assured is your refusal to tilt headlong toward your goal, slamming into obstacles and going mad with frustration.
You have a clear map before you of the steps necessary to reach your objective.
With faithful patience and a careful conservation of personal energy and resources, you will run this long, slow distance.

No changing lines, so no transformed hex.

[Trustandlove]

Now that really says it clearly!