41. Loss and Reduction does not have to be that way??

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Hexagram 41

By: James Byrd

I.The Oracle 

A. Hexagram forty- one is Sun or Diminishing. Another interpretation is Decrease. The lower trigram is Dui: open, swamp or forest. The upper trigram is Gen: bound or mountain.      

   

B. The Judgment

   1. Decrease combined with sincerity 
       Brings about supreme good fortune
       Without blame. One may be persevering in this. 
   2. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out?
       One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.

C. The Image

  1. At the foot of the mountain, the lake:
      a) The image of Decrease.
      b) Thus the superior man controls his anger
           And restrains his instincts.

II. My interpretation 

A. "Diminishing"

There is as noted by this hexagram loss, given the situation as it is. According to the conditions of the time, it is fitting that the strong should be diminished, and that of the weak be strengthened. With this we are seeking equilibrium which will create harmony and freedom from errors, and above all, the superior man should without whim, curb his desires and restrain his wrath.

One man walking alone is good, because if one meets two others along the way there will be communications problems when it comes time to make crucial decisions on the furtherance of the way. One walking alone will not so much create doubt about his correctness and which way to proceed.

Again, three men come, one goes and find friends of his own liking, people who have no reservations about his motives, albeit, if three friends did arrive, where he went, there will be cause for doubt due to the complexity of their friendships. Not unlike the Three Wise Men.

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References Byrd, James (2018) "The Future" Huang, Kerson, and Rosemary (1987). I Ching
Karcher, S. and Ritesema, R. (1995). I Ching: The Classic Chinese Oracle of Change [The First Complete Translation with Concordance]
Legge, James (2012). The I Ching: The Book of Changes (Sacred Books of China: The Book of Changes)
Reifler, S. (1974) I Ching: The World's Oldest and Most Revered System of Fortune Telling
Van Over, R. (1971), I Ching
Wilhelm, R., and Baynes. C.F. (1967). The I Ching, or, Book of Changes (Bollingen Series XIX)
Wilhelm, Hellmut and Richard Wilhelm (1995). Understanding the I Ching

#mycal8

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