49. Ko / Revolution (Molting)

rosada · Nov 17, 2008

49. Ko / Revolution (Molting)
__ __
_____ above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
_____
_____
__ __ below LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
_____

The Chinese character for this hexagram means in its original sense an animal's pelt, which is changed in the course of the year by molting. From this the word is carried over to apply to the "moltings" in political life, the great revolutions connected with changes of government.

The two trigrams making up the hexagram are the same two that appear in K'uei, OPPOSITION (38), that is, the two younger daughters, Li and Tui. But while there the elder of the two daughters is above, and what results is essentially only an opposition of tendencies, here the younger daughter is above. The influences are in actual conflict, and the forces combat each other like fire and water (lake), each trying to destroy the other. Hence the idea of revolution.

meng · Nov 17, 2008

I was on a job site up in the Hualapai, when this doe elk moseyed her way through the property. I grabbed my camera and pursued the statuesque beauty in her transitional state of molting, but stopped short when she stopped and gave me this look over her shoulder. I figured I was close enough, maybe too close, so I took the shot and backed off. She casually went on her way. You can see the bare skin on her sides, actually pink from rubbing against trees to aid the molting process.

Sparhawk · Nov 17, 2008

rosada · Nov 17, 2008

The ruler of the hexagram is the nine in the fifth place, for a man must be in an honored place in order to have the authority to bring about a revolution. One who is central and correct is able to bring out all the good of such a revolution. therefore it is said of this line: "The great man changes like a tiger."

THE SEQUENCE
The setup of a well must necessarily be revolutionized in the course of time. Hense there follows the hexagram of REVOLUTION.

A well must be cleaned from time to time or it will become clogged with mud. Therefore the hexagram Ching, THE WELL, which means a permanent setup, is followed by the hexagram of REVOLUTION, showing the need of changes in long established institutions, in order to keep them from stagnating.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
REVOLUTION means removal of that which is antiquated.

The hexagram is so constructed that the influences of the two primary trigrams are in opposition; hence a revolution develops inevitably. Fire (li), below is quickened by the nuclear trigram Sun, meaning wind or wood. The upper nuclear trigram Ch'ien provides the necessary firmness. The entire movement of the hexagram is directed upward.

ravenstar · Nov 17, 2008

sparhawk said:

I love this picture sparhawk. It reminds me of Vulcan/Hephaestus whose wisdom came from a long and painful process. He descended into the underworld where he let go of a good deal of bitterness, resentment and anger. Hephaestus apparently did not have a happy childhood....apparently he was a dwarf with crooked feet. He was thrown from Mount Olympus and found brooding in the underworld. He tried to be cretaive but was blocked by his own negative emotions. His deformity made him feel he had nothing to offer.

In the underworld he found a few women friends for he was a feminine spirit. But his anger against his mother blocked his creativity. He had to let her go and stop blaming her. It was Dionysius who had compassion for Hephaestus and tricked him into an altered state of consciousness to give him a change of heart. Dionysius then took Hephaestus back to Mount Olympus (heights of awareness). Hephaestus awoke and felt all his negative emotions gone. From then on, Hephaestus made beautiful artistic objects for the gods and godesses as well as Achilles shield which is described by Homer in the Iliad.

Just wanted to add, that our unconscious mind can throw our conscious mind into total disarray. But it also can create a transformation from which a new understanding can develop. If we could appreciate this force and not fight against it, it would be beneficial in the long run, but not a painless one.

ravenstar

ravenstar · Nov 18, 2008

I'd like to share what is written in a book by Sams and Carson that comes with Medicine Cards. This is an animal or totem deck and in it is the totem of Snake......

This is just part of what was written....

"The transmutation of the life-death-rebirth cycle is exemplified by the shedding of Snake's skin. It is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation, and that those things which might be experienced as poison can be eaten, ingested, integrated, and transmuted if one has the proper state ofmind. Thoth, the Atlantean who later returned as Hermes and was the father of alchemy, used the symbology of two snakes intertwining around a sword to represent healing. Complete understanding and acceptance of the male and female within each organism creates a melding of the two into one, thereby producing divine energy.

This medicine teaches you on a personal level that you are a universal being. Through accepting all aspects of your life, you can bring about the transmutation of the fire medicine. This fire energy, when functioning on the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation, and physical vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation, resolution, and dreams. On the mental plane it becomes intellect, power, charisma, and leadership. When this Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane, it becomes wisdom, understanding, wholeness, and connection to the Great Spirit. If you have chosen this symbol, there is a need within you to transmute some thought, action or desire so that wholeness may be achieved. This is heavy magic, but remember, magic is no more than a change in consciousness. Become the magician or the enchangress: transmute the energy and accept the power of the fire."

ravenstar

charly · Nov 18, 2008

ravenstar said:
I love this picture sparhawk. It reminds me of Vulcan/Hephaestus whose wisdom came from a long and painful process... Just wanted to add, that our unconscious mind can throw our conscious mind into total disarray. But it also can create a transformation from which a new understanding can develop. If we could appreciate this force and not fight against it, it would be beneficial in the long run, but not a painless one.

Janice:
I like this classic conection with the YI. H.49 is composed with INNER FIRE and OUTER QUIET-WATER, the elements used in the iron forge. Of course, to add WIND is also important, but see the character 革ge2 depicting a stretched animal skin mening leather / sking, more specific...

Noun: (1) Animal hides without hair, (2) A musical instrument made of leather, spec. a drum. (3) A surname.
Verb: Remove, get rid of, dismiss, change, reform
Adj.: critical, dangerous
Words: 革命 [ge2ming4] revoloution
From Lin Yutang dictionary
at: http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/cgi-bin/agrep-lindict?query=%ad%b2&category=wholerecord

Of the most importance in the forge is a tool made with animal skin, a blower like this:

From:http://www.wwmag.net/blacksmith.htm

Is H.49 about revolts or revolutions but also about blacksmith, the hard work over the strong iron? Maby the society? Maybe ourselves?

Yours,

Charly

charly · Nov 18, 2008

ravenstar said:
I'd like to share what is written in a book by Sams and Carson that comes with Medicine Cards. This is an animal or totem deck and in it is the totem of Snake......

Hi, Janice:

Thanks for the quote on the snake, Hermes and the magic.

Maybe I found the SNAKE from whom the quote speaks.

Twice in H.49 is written 已日 yi3 ri4. The first character depicts something like a 2-fase cycle, meaning:
已 yi3 means already / then / afterwards / too / too much, in this sense Blofeld translated 已日 as «before the day»

This 已 is maybe interchangeable with two other characters:

己 ji3 self / oneself, similar in shape, holds the Wilhelm/Baynes translation as «your own day»
巳 si 6th of the 12 terrestrial branches, 9 to 11 morning hours, maybe a SNAKE is maybe in the base of Kunst «sacrifice day» or Kerson Huang's «day of the public gathering»

Time ago I translated the second as ARRIVED DAY or WHEN THE DAY ARRIVES, sometimes in the sense of «it's the moment», sometimes as «night passed, morning will not last too much», «already time for jumping from the bed».

NOW I'M WONDERING IF IT IS NOT THE «DAY OF THE SNAKE»

From: http://www.chineseetymology.org/Cha...aspx?characterInput=巳&submitButton1=Etymology

Yours,

Charly

ravenstar · Nov 19, 2008

charly said:
I like this classic conection with the YI. H.49 is composed with INNER FIRE and OUTER QUIET-WATER, the elements used in the iron forge. Of course, to add WIND is also important, but see the character 革ge2 depicting a stretched animal skin mening leather / sking, more specific...

Of the most importance in the forge is a tool made with animal skin, a blower like this:

From:http://www.wwmag.net/blacksmith.htm

Is H.49 about revolts or revolutions but also about blacksmith, the hard work over the strong iron? Maby the society? Maybe ourselves?

Yours,

Charly

Hi Charly,

I see your in the same dilemma as me.....as you said could it be 'The Day of The Snake"

Intersting tool that animal skin!

To look at your question.....

charly said:
Is H.49 about revolts or revolutions but also about blacksmith, the hard work over the strong iron? Maby the society? Maybe ourselves?

What of nuclear energy? It stirs up an activity within the structure and relationship of atoms and their components. And what of Spiritual energy...us it any different? We have been told for years now that humanity is entering a new consciousness, a transformative shift.....and that we must awaken to it. And it doesn't just happen. We must forge the path ourselves, to understand how we arrived at that better place and what we had to go through to get there. Plus we need knowledge, wisdom and the maturity to know how to sustain it.

We've all had sudden spontaneous enlightenment.....but it is rare for that experience to last. It seems to fade after a few days leaving us feeling empty and longing......maybe because we were attuned or empowered to a breakthrough which was not inetgrated or strong enough to sustain. To make it last we have to anchor its qualities within ourselves, through our choices, actions and attentiveness. But this takes time and work.

As far as revolts, revolutions, we seen them happen time and time again. People born in the mid 50's to 70's were born with Neptune in Scorpio. It emphasized depth and insight, 'real emotions, sexuality and power. All of these became explosively intense. There were intense struggles to peoples value systems and these struggles reached explosive proportions in large groups....unions were corrupted, there were protests at universities, a rapid expansion on drugs in medicine as well as drugs on the streets. Groups not only got in touch with themselves but with their 'collective power'.

Spirituality began to be explored intensely during this time as well as deep self-revelations. As well, there was a simmering at the core of the 'Church" which caused a 'boil over'.

And what of a Hurricane, World War 1 and 11? The Great Depression? The Vietnam War? AIDS?

When AIDS was first recognized, no one hardly paid attention....after all it was contained....it was with an minority. We saw no public risk. But it moved with such a force, such an impact, we were blown away at the rapidness this disease savaged the world. Our perception of it changed and as it did, scientists and researchers the world over began the actual work of research, experimentation and treatment. There was and still is a lot of work to be done in this area.

I could be wrong, but this is how I understand the YI. H.49. It begins as a stirring, a breeze, like a hurricane, then builds with such intensity until its force bears down on us.....then it slowly begins to fade, the winds slow down and it passes on.

Best regards,

Janice

frank_r · Nov 19, 2008

charly said:
[*]巳 si 6th of the 12 terrestrial branches, 9 to 11 morning hours, maybe a SNAKE is maybe in the base of Kunst «sacrifice day» or Kerson Huang's «day of the public gathering»
[/LIST]

Hello Charly,

the 6th branch has to do with trigram fire and with the spleen . The time from 9 till 11 in the morning is the best time of the day to studie. Which is the influence of the spleen and study/rationality belongs also to trigram fire.

charly said:
[*]己 ji3 self / oneself, similar in shape, holds the Wilhelm/Baynes translation as «your own day»

This is the sign for the 6th stem, the one which also has to do with trigram fire and the spleen.

The difference between the stems and branches are that the stems are connected with the Pre-Heaven sequence and the branches are connected with the Post-heaven sequence and with the Lo Shu diagram.

Heaxagram 49 is the path between trigram water and earth if you look to the duograms. This is the same technique used in 48 what was the road between trigram thunder and thunder.
Trigram water to trigram earth is also the first step in the Lo Shu. The connection in the wood element the one between Galbladder and liver.

So in the text there is a referal to the Pre-Heaven situation and the connection in the Post Heaven situation is that of the Wood phase.

Frank

rosada · Nov 19, 2008

THE JUDGEMENT

REVOLUTION. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.

Political revolutions are extremely grave matters. They should be undertaken only under stress of direst necessity, when there is no other way out. Not everyone is called to this task, but only the man who has the confidence of the people, and even he only when the time is ripe, He must then proceed in the right way, so that he gladdens the people and, by enlightening them, prevents excesses. Furthermore, he must be quite free of selfish aims and must really relieve the need of the people. Only then does he have nothing to regret.
Times change, and with them their demands. Thus the seasons change in the course of the year. In the world cycle also there are spring and autumn in the life of peoples and nations, and these call for social transformations.
-Wilhelm

tuckchang · Nov 19, 2008

charly said:
Twice in H.49 is written 已日 yi3 ri4. The first character depicts something like a 2-fase cycle, meaning:
已 yi3 means already / then / afterwards / too / too much, in this sense Blofeld translated 已日 as «before the day»

This 已 is maybe interchangeable with two other characters:

己 ji3 self / oneself, similar in shape, holds the Wilhelm/Baynes translation as «your own day»

巳 si 6th of the 12 terrestrial branches, 9 to 11 morning hours, maybe a SNAKE is maybe in the base of Kunst «sacrifice day» or Kerson Huang's «day of the public gathering»
Charly

I would like to add:
The conventional Chinese text is printed in 已 (Yi) 日; however已 (Yi), 己 (Ji) and巳 (Si) all are used to explain the text in different writings.
已 Yi: already, herein已 (Yi) 日suggests the date that people have already understood the signification of revolution or reform, or get used to it.
己 Ji: the 6th code of the ten Heavenly Stems used to designate years, months, days in combination with the twelve Earthly Stems, herein signifies ‘right after the first half’, which also suggests carrying out revolution or reform after people realize its necessity or people become confidence in it after the first half.
巳 Si: the sixth code of the twelve Earth Branches, herein signifies ‘shortly before the first half’.
In fact all three characters signify a date, just a matter of when.

I personally prefer 己 (Ji) 日, mainly referring to the text of the hexagram Gu (18): three days before Jia 甲 (i.e. the beginning) and three days after Jia. Jia 甲 is the first code of the Heavenly Stems.

I interpret the hexagram text: Ge (reform or revolution) becomes sincere & trustworthy after the day of Ji (i.e. after the first half). Great and smooth progress; it is advantageous (or appropriate) to persist. Regret will be gone. My explanation is: It takes time to change the way that people used to live; reform (or revolution) will only be accepted and believed by people after a period of time. Once reform (or revolution) wins the trust of the people, it will progress greatly and smoothly. One should persist in reform (or revolution); after long-standing malpractices are removed and new measures are carried out, regret will be gone.
My interpretation of line 2: To carry out Ge (reform or revolution) after the day of Ji (i.e. the first half); it is auspicious to undertake a venture; no calamity (or fault). My explanation: After a period of time to prove the necessity of reform and to prepare for reform at position 1, it is auspicious to undertake aggressive action, and one can be free from calamity if correct actions are taken timely, i.e. after aggressive action becomes auspicious, one can be free from calamity.

From the viewpoint of the hexagram, line 4, the line right after the bottom trigram, is the only line which doesn’t stay at its right position and requires being reformed. From the viewpoint of the bottom trigram, line 2 is at its middle position and the position ready to take action. The bottom trigram is the stage before reform (or revolution) is carried out and the upper trigram is the stage at which the reform (or the revolution) is being carried out or accomplished.

Regards
Tuck :bows:

Sparhawk · Nov 19, 2008

That was a nice explanation, Tuck. It is good to read about those textual nuances from a native Chinese speaker.

charly · Nov 19, 2008

tuckchang said:
... The conventional Chinese text is printed in 已 (Yi) 日; however已 (Yi), 己 (Ji) and巳 (Si) all are used to explain the text in different writings...
已 Yi: already...
己 Ji: ... ‘right after the first half’...
巳 Si: ... ‘shortly before the first half’.
In fact all three characters signify a date, just a matter of when.

I personally prefer 己 (Ji) 日...

Tuck:

I prefer 已 Yi: already mainly because we don't need to make permutations, and «if the day is already arrived...» conserve the UNCERTAINTY from wich you speak.

But the SNAKE has so powerful symbolism ... Don't you see the snake anywhere among the three characters ? If your were still literate but more PRIMITIVE?

The DAY OF THE SNAKE give me something about the feeling of IMMINENCY, the moment JUST BEFORE the snake breaks the egg, also something ominous like the RETURN of old defeated GODS (or goddesses, like snakes), the emergence of the UNCONSCIOUS. All ingredients of revolts, like confidence.

A day that we don't know with accuracy but that certainly will arrive.

Yours,

Charly

charly · Nov 19, 2008

frank_r said:
Hello Charly,

the 6th branch has to do with trigram fire and with the spleen. The time from 9 till 11 in the morning is the best time of the day to studie. Which is the influence of the spleen and study/rationality belongs also to trigram fire.
...

Hi, Frank:

Your posts are too specialized for my understanding, but for me 9 till 11 is indeed the best time for study, when I use to do my little surveys on the chinese YI !

Best regards,

Charly

rosada · Nov 19, 2008

I'm getting insights comparing
The Fool and Revolution

charly · Nov 19, 2008

rosada said:
REVOLUTION. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.
-Wilhelm

Ros:

chinese characters, pinyin, usual meanings, WILHELM/BAYNES:

革 ge2: leather / remove / REVOLUTION

已 yi3: already / to stop / then / afterwards / [ON YOUR] OWN (1)
日 ri4: day / sun / date / DAY
乃 nai3: thus / so / then / only / [YOU] ARE (2)
孚 fu2: trust / sincere // captive / capture / BELIEVED (3)

元 yuan2: primary / first / SUPREME
亨 heng1: prosperous/ feast / sacrifice / SUCCESS

利 li4: advantage / benefit / profitable / FURTHERING [THROUGH]
貞 zhen1: omen / divination / perseverance / PERSEVERANCE

悔 hui3: regret / remorse / REMORSE
亡 wang2: to die / to perish / DISAPPEARS

Temporary -not too literal- rendition:

STRIPPING → REVOLT
to unmask some things, to unwrap hidden weapons
to fight with bare fists
to make a revolt

HIGH MOON THEN CATCH !
«X» day then «Y» (1)
It's the Day, then act
take the weapons, catch the enemies
make the revolt
time for freeing the dog / s

FIRST FEAST
the 1st. time that you will can celebrate
the main festivity
the begining of a new calendar / a new dynasty

PROFITABLE OMEN
let it be with profit for the people

REMORSE DISAPPEARS
when the way of revolt is taken there is no return, no regrets
when the decision is taken, doubts disappear

Maybe H.49 is not only about revolutions, peasant revolts, inner changes, maybe it's about the time for catching the weapons or something else.

From: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0016MLIKM/thedigitalbit-20

Yours,

Charly

____________________
(1) Maybe Wilhelm read here another character, unknown, say «X», the marked hour, almost 12, «High Noon» → remember Gary Cooper's film

(2) Of course, the YI always speaks to us, but...

(3) modernists say that 孚 fu means war captive, maybe it's also a verb to capture, to catch, maybe to trust, say «Y». The character depicts a HAND over a BABY, somebody see a CLAW instead of a hand. May be CATCH THE KIDS, CATCH THE LITTLE THAT YOU HAVE, THE MAIN.

el_2 · Nov 20, 2008

I'd like to add a newbie's perspective although I wouldn't have thought I'd do so in the memorizing threads.

Hex 49 is the hexagram I've been studying lately because I got it with moving lines as an answer twice recently and because the questions were of a more personal nature - the personal development sort of thing.

Just to add emphasis to something I'm sure you people already know: I believe that a vital element of the hexagram is faith or trust or even self-confidence. Actually, the first time I got hex 49 was when I specifically asked if I lacked faith - not in respect of a particular person or situation but in regard to (my) life in general.

Now, faith or trust is strongly intertwined with timing in this hexagram. It would seem from the Judgement that faith isn't the foundation of any kind of revolution at least not at the beginning. Rather as revolutionary change takes off and proceeds faith is achieved and that furthers the cause of revolutionary change. I haven't yet been able to study the hexagram in detail and it is a nice synchronicity for me that I can do so along with this memorizing thread. I'm particularly interested in the way faith and timing combine in each of the moving lines. I feel this is certainly a basic theme in the hexagram.

el_2

P.S. The second time I got 49 with moving lines, the question was something like "Help! Tell me something soothing" (a time when the chips are really down). So you see why I focus on this aspect of change.

meng · Nov 20, 2008

I like Tuck's use of "aggressive action".

it is auspicious to undertake aggressive action, and one can be free from calamity if correct actions are taken timely, i.e. after aggressive action becomes auspicious, one can be free from calamity.

meng · Nov 20, 2008

"Don't rock the boat. Don't upset the apple cart. Don't make waves."

This is what 49 is designed to stir up or end completely. The next cycle can't begin until the present one ends. If you are not aggressive enough, you will delay or forgo completely the opportunity to evolve.

rosada · Nov 20, 2008

COMMENTARY ON THE DECISION

REVOLUTION. Water and fire subdue each other. Two daughters dwell together, but their views bar mutual understanding. This means revolution.
"On your own day you are believed": one brings about a revolution and in doing so is trusted.
Enlightenment, and thereby joyousness: you create great success through justice.
If in a revolution one hits upon the right thing, "remorse disappears."
Heaven and earth bring about revolution, and the four seasons complete themselves thereby.
T'ang and Wu brought about political revolution because they were submissive toward heaven and in accord with men.
The time of REVOLUTION is truly great.

Molting depends on fixed laws: it is prepared in advance. The same is true of political revolutions. The expression "on your own day" points - as in the case of the hexagram Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED (18) - to one of the ten cyclic signs, These ten cyclic signs are: (1) Chia, (2) I, (3) Ping, (4) Ting, (5) Wu, (6) Chi, (7) Keng, (8) Hsin, (9) Jen, (10) Kuei. As noted earlier in connection with the hexagram 18, the eighth of these signs, Hsin [metal, autumn], has also the secondary meaning of renewal, and the seventh, Keng, means change. Now the sign before Keng is Chi, hence it is on the day before the change takes place that one is believed (therefore the rendering "your own day": chi also means "own"). If the cyclic signs are combined with the eight trigrams as correlated with the cardinal points in the Sequence of Later Heaven [Inner-World Arrangement], it will be found that K'un stands for Chi - which means earth - in the southwest, midway between Tui in the west and Li in the south, that is, between the two trigrams that combat and subdue each other. The earth in the middle balances their influences, so that the clarity of fire (Li) and the joyousness of water (Tui) can manifest themselves separately. Hence the need of enlightenment and joyousness in gaining the popular confidence necessary for a revolution.
As revolutions in nature take place according to fixed laws and thus give rise to the cycle of the year, so political revolutions - these can become necessary at times for doing away with a state of decay - must follow definite laws. First, one must be able to await the right moment. Second, one must proceed in the right way, so that one will have the sympathy of the people and so that excesses will be avoided, Third, one must be correct and entirely free of all selfish motives. Fourth, the change must answer a real need. This was the character of the great revolutions brought about in the past by the rulers T'ang and Wu.
-Wilhelm

frank_r · Nov 20, 2008

charly said:
Hi, Frank:

Your posts are too specialized for my understanding, but for me 9 till 11 is indeed the best time for study, when I use to do my little surveys on the chinese YI !

Best regards,

Charly

Hello Charly,

I really like your posts it is always good to know the translation of the text.
And when you are interested in some new erea's of the Yi I can always explain. If not that's also ok of course.

All the best Frank

charly · Nov 20, 2008

frank_r said:
... I really like your posts it is always good to know the translation of the text. And when you are interested in some new erea's of the Yi I can always explain. If not that's also ok of course...

Hi, Frank:

Thanks, very much. I also read all your posts with much interest, but little can I comment because my background is not enough.

About my translations are always temporary and changing. I like some viewpoints of «modernists», not the whole. I believe that the traditional approach is maybe better applied to the wings than to the ZhouYi.

The core text could be more understandable through a literal almost word by word that through the traditional approaches, much times biased because ideological reasons, philosophical or political.

Best regards,

Charly

Tohpol · Nov 20, 2008

frank_r said:
Hello Charly,

I really like your posts it is always good to know the translation of the text.
And when you are interested in some new erea's of the Yi I can always explain. If not that's also ok of course.

All the best Frank

Yes, I agree! Charly's posts are always very rich and informative. Lots of detail. I always look forward to them.

As to the Hexagram, I think it's so fitting that we've arrived at 49 Revolution where we are at the beginning of the potential for the dissolution of major control systems. It's going to be a very difficult time next year beyond (to say the least) but at least this time of change is finally occurring.

Here's the commentary from Michael Graeme's take on 49:

(101110) (49)
Revolution / Change
Regarding how a change for the better now becomes possible

Keywords:
Moving on, Change, Transformation, Preparation, Renewal, Reform, Renovation, Divestment, Clearing out, Spring Clean, Obsolescence, Outmoded forms, Outdated
Institutions, Overturn, Overthrow, Rejuvenate, Revolution.

Correctly drawing upon a source of inner wisdom we are able to correct our attitude so that a revolution in our thinking becomes possible. Therefore, after The Well comes Revolution.

If we can achieve a state of inner balance, regardless of the circumstances, be they good or bad, then we have brought about a revolution in our outlook on life. Though our worldly circumstances do work things out for the best. Establishing this attitude of trust, this absolute reliance on the workings of the unknown, is the first stage in bringing about the changes we require.
________

Topal

rosada · Nov 20, 2008

I'm comparing hexagram 4. Youthful Folly to 49. Revolution:

4. Youthful Folly
---
- -
- -
- -
---
- -
Youthful Folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool;
the young fool seeks me.
At first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
If he importunes, I give him no information.
Perseverance furthers.

49. Revolution
- -
---
---
---
- -
---
Revolution. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.

The Fool looks outside himself for the answer, the Great Man is his own answer.

rosada · Nov 21, 2008

THE IMAGE

Fire in the lake: the image of REVOLUTION.
Thus the superior man
Sets the calendar in order
And makes the seasons clear.

Fire below and the lake above combat and destroy each other. So too in the course of the year a combat takes place between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, eventuating in the revolution of the seasons. Man masters these changes in nature by noting their regularity and marking off the passage of time accordingly. In this way order and clarity appear in the apparently chaotic changes of the seasons, and man is able to adjust himself in advance to the demands of the different times.

Fire in the lake causes a revolution. The water puts out the fire, and the fire makes the water evaporate. Arrangement of the calendar is suggested by Tui, which means a MAGICIAN, a calendar maker. Making clear is suggested by Li, whose attribute is clarity.
-Wilhelm

rosada · Nov 21, 2008

I note that in the Tarot we have The Fool and it's opposite The Magician and here in the I Ching we have 4. The Fool and in discussing its opposite 49. Wilhelm mentions a Magician.

Also looking at the comment on the image of Fool,
"Thus the superior man fosters his character
By thoroughness in all that he does."
This suggests to me a feeling that when one is starting out, you want to read all the instructions carefully, get everything unpacked before you start trying to assemble. But at some point I guess you decide, "Enough already. I've seen enough, now I can start predicting the pattern." 49. Revolution supposedly means "change" but the word also means the cycle is repeating, revolving, going around for a second time. So the image for Revolution,
"Thus the superior man
Sets the calendar in order
And makes the seasons clear."
Anyway, I think we're seeing here that The Fool is seeing life's cycle as being unique, one of a kind, first time ever, where as in Revolution the superior man is recognizing a pattern.

The lines show the attitudes of one who is doing something for the first time and one who has lifetimes of past experience:
4.1 The fetters should be removed - the fool just jumps in to see what will happen.
49.1 Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow - the experienced soul knows to approach a new situation with extreme gentleness and care.
4.2 The son is capable of taking charge of the household - the fool can continue what the former leader set up.
49.2 When one's own day comes one may create revolution - the experienced soul can start where the last leader left off, but will then go in his own direction.
4.3 A maiden loses possession of herself - a fool can't maintain his own point of view.
49.3 Talk of revolution goes around three times - an experienced soul can consider all possibilities before committing.
4.4 Entangled folly brings humiliation - the fool has no inner center of gravity and loses his direction.
49.4 Men believe him. Changing the form of government brings good fortune - the experienced soul has an inner truth that guides him.
4.5 Childlike folly brings good fortune - the fool who knows he is a fool and asks questions will be helped.
49.5 Even before he questions the oracle he is believed - the experienced soul who knows he knows and does not need to ask will likewise be supported.
4.6 The only thing that furthers is to prevent transgressions - if the fool just asks questions he will not get further answers.
49.6 The inferior man molts in the face - the experienced person knows not to expect more than what is possible.

rosada · Nov 22, 2008

49.1
Nine at the beginning means:
Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow.

Changes ought to be undertaken only when there is nothing else to be done. Therefore at first utmost restraint is necessary. One must become firm in one's mind, control oneself - yellow is the color of the mean, and the cow is the symbol of docility - and refrain from doing anything for the time being, because any premature offensive will bring evil results.
-Wilhelm

Trojina · Nov 22, 2008

"Yellow is the colour of the mean"

what does that mean

ravenstar · Nov 22, 2008

trojan said:
"Yellow is the colour of the mean" what does that mean

The Chinese believed that before heaven and earth was created there was chaos. They called this chaos a yellow tint which was symbolized by the color of an egg yolk. Then it changed, becoming left/right, light/dark, up/down, male/female/ yin/yang - in other words the pair of opposites. The struggle is in maintaining a 'balance' between these two forces.

It is about seeing nature, your nature, another's nature as well as the nature of the world. There is an old saying in Chinese Medicine that says "If one folllows yin-yang and the four seasons, one will never suffer from diseases. Going against them, there comes catastrophe." True health comes when we follow the rules of nature.

I'm sure Frank can expand on this for us .

ravenstar

49. Ko / Revolution (Molting)

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