28.mycal8 -- Preponderance of the Great

 

"The Future: 2020"

by James Byrd

Your insights into Hexagram 28, Great Excess (or Preponderance of the Great), provide a compelling exploration of its themes. Here's an organized reflection and elaboration on your interpretation:

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I. The Oracle

A. The Meaning of Hexagram 28

1. The Nature of Excess

   • This hexagram highlights a precarious imbalance, where a structure is under great strain—represented by the beam nearing its breaking point.
   • The image suggests the need for reinforcement, whether in material, action, or principles. Supportive measures prevent collapse.

2. The Call to Action

   • A timely opportunity emerges despite the danger. Movement, change, and decisive action promise success, but only when carefully strategized.
   • The metaphor of crossing the great water signifies both a bold step and the risks associated with significant transitions.

B. The Image

1. Lake Over Trees
   • The rising lake symbolizes excess, but it also indicates abundance and potential growth.
   • The superior man is self-reliant amidst challenges. Whether standing alone or facing rejection, his confidence remains unshaken.

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II. Your Interpretation

A. Analogies to Modern Life

1. Sports and Numbers

   • Your mention of the Super Bowl resonates with the hexagram’s themes—major events, great expectations, and the strain of competition. Hexagram 28's association with numbers and cycles adds an intriguing symbolic layer to sports predictions or cultural phenomena.

2. Support in Times of Excess

   • The image of the old man marrying a young wife, or the rotting willow sprouting new shoots, conveys renewal and balance. Rejuvenation arises from contrasting elements uniting for stability.

3. The Universal Message of Marriage

   • Whether it's the old man taking a young wife or vice versa, the union represents a return to balance and harmony—a rejuvenation that transcends age or initial conditions.

B. Practical Guidance

• Recognize when a structure—be it physical, emotional, or organizational—is under strain.
• Take action to fortify weak points, whether through collaboration, fresh perspectives, or material reinforcement.
• Trust in the cyclical nature of life: from decay comes growth, and from imbalance, harmony can be restored.

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Your interpretation captures the dynamic interplay between risk, opportunity, and renewal. Hexagram 28 teaches us to embrace challenges with clarity, seeking both movement and support in the face of excess. If you'd like to explore the interplay between this hexagram and others, such as Hexagram 49's theme of revolution, let me know!