Hexagram 03

Hexagram 03-- Difficulty at the Beginning

Thunder over Water

Before a great vision can become reality there may be difficulty. Before a person begins a great endeavor, they may encounter chaos. As a new plant breaks the ground with great difficulty, foreshadowing the huge tree, so must we sometimes push against difficulty in bringing forth dreams.

"Out of Chaos, Brilliant Stars Are Born"

Moving to Date

Unchanging -

10/12/05 Top Line - You have lost your perspective. You can no longer see your initial difficulties realistically nor can you find your way out. this is disgraceful and will cause you much regret. It is best to begin again (42) - 10 of Swords

51
26 8/5/98
10/12/05 Fifth Line
You will find it difficult to grant the favors people expect of you. In this situation, careful behavior leads to success in minor affairs. Any attempt to deal with major issues at this time will not succeed. Just put your nose to the grindstone. This is a time to work diligently and conscientiously. (24)

51 8/5/98
10/12/05 Fourth Line
An unusual opportunity is about to arise. It may involve some embarrassment in the beginning, but the opportunity must be seized. To accept help in a difficult situation is no disgrace. Try to assess everything properly and give others time to learn that you are trustworthy.

10/12/05 Third Line - You can sense the difficulties that lie ahead in your path. if you nevertheless plunge into the forest of obstacles without an experienced guide you will surely lose your way. Such egotism and vanity brings unrelenting humiliation. A wiser man will alter his goals here. (63)

Second Line -Confusion and difficulty mount and decisions become impossible to allow yourself to accept help will create a hindering obligation. therefore it is best to wait until the situation returns to normal before you continue your pursuits (60)

Bottom line

Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers one to appoint helpers.

Wednesday, August 05, 1998

Question: Is there any real possibility of managing the ELM project?

Difficulty at the beginning. The birth of anything - including any new venture or relationship - is an entry into the realm of the unknown. At the same time, new things seem to be rushing upon you, and confusion can easily take over. But chaos is a powerful force if you harness it properly. Just don't rush things. Do not let events overwhelm you. Stay calm and persevering, but do take the first step. And get whatever help you can. Challenges lie ahead. Gain strength; find courage. Like a new born fawn, the opportunity for rapid development is real, but only by being determined can the fawn rise to its feet and survive to grow to full stature. Keep going despite difficulties and you will find the success you desire. Your primary challenge is maintaining personal clarity. Avoid lunging at solutions; wait until a good course of action becomes clear. Do not start a new venture before thinking it through. A careless step in the beginning can easily cause events to get out of control later. Enlist the aid of experienced people.

Moving to Hexagram #51 - Shocking

Update - Monday February 1, 1999

The project I was working on never really got of the ground. It died a slow death and I left in November. I think now (in February) it's finally been officially buried. There wasn't really anything shocking or unexpected about its demise. The odds always favored failure. I think in this case the reading should be interpreted as the changing lines having significance rather than the hexagram it turns into. Of course it could also be considered shocking that two months after I left this project I was offered an absolutely plum assignment. I also believe that if I hadn't had this assignment I wouldn't have succeeded in the second assignment

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Question: Asked about what the I-ching could tell me about my Hilton Head solar return.

Moving to	Date
		Unchanging -
	10/12/05	Top Line - You have lost your perspective. You can no longer see your initial difficulties realistically nor can you find your way out. this is disgraceful and will cause you much regret. It is best to begin again (42) - 10 of Swords
51 26	8/5/98 10/12/05	Fifth Line You will find it difficult to grant the favors people expect of you. In this situation, careful behavior leads to success in minor affairs. Any attempt to deal with major issues at this time will not succeed. Just put your nose to the grindstone. This is a time to work diligently and conscientiously. (24)
51	8/5/98 10/12/05	Fourth Line An unusual opportunity is about to arise. It may involve some embarrassment in the beginning, but the opportunity must be seized. To accept help in a difficult situation is no disgrace. Try to assess everything properly and give others time to learn that you are trustworthy.
	10/12/05	Third Line - You can sense the difficulties that lie ahead in your path. if you nevertheless plunge into the forest of obstacles without an experienced guide you will surely lose your way. Such egotism and vanity brings unrelenting humiliation. A wiser man will alter his goals here. (63)
		Second Line -Confusion and difficulty mount and decisions become impossible to allow yourself to accept help will create a hindering obligation. therefore it is best to wait until the situation returns to normal before you continue your pursuits (60)
		Bottom line