Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

  Kăn-Zhen, Water-Thunder
    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation? Kan. It is the dark place where things are born, the roots of a tree, the seeds of inspiration, but also of death, ends and hiding. It is the basis, the bottom of a well or pit, a depression or sunken place, a covered trap in the ground. Kan cannot rise up but has great endurance and depth. Kan represents the Earth.
  Kan follows his own road, even though he is easily influenced for a short time. He is uncertain and doubts himself yet takes risks and does not shy away from danger. His endurance makes him extraordinarily strong, but his insecurity can cause fears, depression or instability.
  Harness Kăn's strength in a fluent and easy way, circumventing opposition rather than fighting it. Kan is streetwise, knowing nothing and yet knowing all one needs to survive. The way of water is the way to overcome obstacles and relentlessly follow one's Dao.

  What is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
  Zhèn. It is the plow, its power is to refreshen fields or minds, it brings wrong actions or decay to the surface and dissolves fears and doubts. Its image is Thunder, it wakes up seeds and cleans the air with its electricity. It is impulsive and can be insensitive and destructive, but those qualities also help to loosen suffocating ties or views. Zhèn cuts away the old and opens the space for the new.
  Zhèn focuses on the short term and sets things in motion. It is the most energetic trigram, it knows no limits and knows no detours. It has difficulty in reaching a conclusion, it is the trigram of the beginning, the first action, the first spark and quick results – for better or for worse, lighting an insight - or a raging forest fire.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Kan enters Zhen, there is movement during danger. Often movement puts one out of danger, but neither Kan nor Zhen offer rest. You need a solid foundation and helpers to find your balance and security again. Since nothing is certain now, there are opportunities to explore new places and space for new seeds to germinate. Zhen opens up a new world of possibilities, and Kan puts in the hard work to exploit them. Together they cause the supreme freedom of tension, fears or rules.

General info about the trigram oracle: the lines, the origin, and more

The initiative

    
The top line (Heaven-line) shows the change of the focus or initiative.

  The top line is generally where the initiative comes from, but here it is yin, both in- and outside. It might be that you asked about a matter where the initiative or action doesn’t come from you. Yin is compliant and absorbing and occasionally accepts too easily, but it keeps the excess of dominance and lack of empathy of the Heaven-line in balance. A yin Heaven-line may bring rain: blessings – concrete sustainable solutions.
  Yin will reinforce you to process ideas and projects and to continue working on them. Yin is not aiming for success but for a job well done. It is nurturing and attractive, but there will be no output yet, for the time being your plans ask input, like ideas, energy, maybe money, and keep doing so for the time being.

When plans include the work, they will thrive.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.
变初爻为兑, 水入泽中, 内塞不流, 终难远大,
  When the first line changes, Kan actives Dui. Water enters the Lake which is the source of the flow of water, but if it is plugged up the water cannot flow; completion is difficult and far away.

  When Kan's yin bottom line activates yang, Kan activates Dui, the Lake or Marsh. As long as yin reigns, thirst won't be a problem, but yang is as dry as can be. With this change, Water and Lake prove their worth when there is no rain and people and animals are thirsty. Duì collects the water and Kan can make it flow, but often there are obstacles, and Dui's supply is not endless, the water can run out, so use it wisely. The way a community manages its water supply is significant for its level of culture.
  General: The bottom line is the subject, the 'field' where you find the cause and in which you pour the resources for your initiative: space, material, problems or opportunities, helpers and other people or food for thought.
  Your subject is yang, but entering a situation of yin potential. After collecting the material for concrete results, it is now the task or time to display them and then prosperity will gather. The subject will reveal itself, shining and giving joy.
  If things don't meet expectations, this is the right time to get new inspiration. Usually, yang at the bottom is positive, there is a balance between yang and yin.

    The timing of this change of the subject:
  春夏则为霜为泽, 自盈自满, 横流充溢, 四海有利, 必成败是非, 或先难后易, 先忧后喜。
  三秋冬不利,
  In spring and summer incessant rain (favors). All creatures thrive and abundant flooding benefits the whole land. There will be success and failure, good things and bad things, or things are first difficult and later easy, first worry and later joy.
  In autumn and winter not favorable.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
  变中为坤, 水人地中, 防浸渗之乖・ 有壅塞不通之兆, 万事有始无终, 而无快变顺适之利。
   When the middle line changes Kan activates Kun. Water penetrates the earth which prevents it from seeping away. It is an omen of accumulation and obstruction; everything has a beginning but no end, there is no effortless and easy gain.

  When the yang middle line of Water activates yin, it activates the Earth. When Kan meets Kun, water follows the relief of the land; it flows downhill without retreating, moving around or over every resistance. The water is not free, the Earth decides where it will flow. The place of birth, mental or physical, influences people more than they realize.
  General: When yang meets yin, its shine will decrease, but now things will proceed in a more tangible way. Resources will be used to create concrete results. Things change from giving to absorbing, from ideas and inspiration to processing, from overviewing to being part of the work. And if there are problems, a decrease can be what you need.
  It can also mean that it is time to pass the reins to your guts and intuition instead of your head.

  The timing of this change of the outcome:
  夏暄干不利, 水人得此, 多夭折, 秋冬合理。
  变上为巽, 水气乘风, 飘逸高远, 类多润泽。 春夏为露, 滋助长养。
  秋为湛露. 凋零万物. 施毒害人, 而人多怨谤； 冬为霜露, 主人艰辛劳苦者也。
  In spring and summer it is hot and dry; this is unfavorable.
  If a Water person gets this then it means that many things (for him) come to a premature end.
  In autumn and winter it is appropriate, because the earth prevents the water from seeping away.

Overview of the lines.
Activating (when the second is different) or stationary (when they are similar)

  An activated Yang line is generally bright and giving.Yang is great for enthusiasm and spreading joy or success, but don’t expect solid results.
  An activated Yin line generally does the work. Yin absorbs and converts resources into tangible results. It brings peace and a sense of security.

  The initiative (top line or Heaven line) is the intention or focus. Your ideas, plans, or what you want, or something that happens and you want to influence it or use its possibilities.
   In this answer the line is stationary Yin: this is a good time to work on ideas. Usually, yin at the top is very positive, there is balance between yang and yin, ideas and their possibilities to become reality.

  The subject (bottom line or Earth line) is the 'reality' of your question or the ‘field’ of action. A situation or person, resources, materials, facts.
  In this answer the line is activated Yang: the subject is clear and generous and responds to the initiative. Usually yang at the bottom is positive, there is balance between yang and yin.

  The outcome (middle line or Man Line) is what you or others or fate cause to happen 'between Heaven and Earth'. It is the outcome of this question. It can be physical or mental or both. If this is a yes/no question, then yang means yes, yin means no. Both can be good or bad, depending on the question.
  In this answer the line is activated Yin: a good line if you need decrease or concreteness, but not for shining results. More work is needed, but your dedication will not be wasted.

  The three helpers
  Each line, active or at rest, summons one of the 8 trigrams as a Helper.

  For an activated line: telling you what you need - or about a problem area or something to avoid.
  For a stationary line: this is what you already have or do or what you don't need. Often we just need a reminder of our abilities. Or it could be what you wish or fear - but will not happen.
  Active lines are the helpers to change things, they listen to intentions, which can come from you, surroundings, or fate. Stationary helpers are part of the core meaning, they are your soul talking, but they also see the impossibilities. They reinforce the overall power of a reading.

  Advice or help for the initiative: Xun, Wind, with her power to choose and influence, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice or help for the subject: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice or help for the outcome: Kun, Earth, with her ability to nurture and concretize
  But when things are not satisfying, it might be that one or more helpers don't help enough - or try too hard. Or maybe you don't listen carefully enough.

  This oracle is NOT according to the Neigua Chuwaili, a chapter of the Heluo Lishu, which is meant to be read and used in Chinese astrology. I found beautiful texts about the trigrams in the Neigua Chuwaili and borrowed them for this trigram oracle. For those who are interested in the Heluo Lishu see the course by Harmen Mesker.
  Many translations from "Yijing astrologie" by Harmen Mesker (Dutch).
  For divining with trigrams, see the video by Tin Yat Dragon