Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Zhèn-Kan, Thunder-Water

    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation? 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 is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
 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.

  Zhèn meets Kan. The development of seeds is often held back by cold or fear, but Kan moistens the seeds and Zhèn makes them germinate. When Thunder shakes the water up, it evaporates into mist, clouds and rain. Every spring and in every new start, Thunder and Water together create a new cycle of life. Without them there will sequels to the old but very few new creations.
  When Zhèn meets Kăn, Thunder has access to the formlessness and dare of Water. Then Zhèn moves without any restriction.

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.
变下为坤, 为地, 雷人地中, 雨泽不施也, 必致饥荒。
主人无识, 萧索乖戾, 中生多阻。
  The bottom (line) activates Kūn, activates earth. Shocks in the earth, no rain will fall in the marsh, it will lead to a poor harvest. There is no hesitation; the determination is reckless. There will be powerful people who are ignorant, indifferent, and non-conforming. One encounters much resistance in one's life.

  When Zhèn activates Kūn, Thunder goes to the Earth; roots grow strong and grounded; they have a firm position. It is the creative movement of body and mind: intuition, anticipation, telling a story or having a vision, playing, dancing, music. Artists call it being in the flow or zone.
  But success does not come quickly. If you hold on to your values and stick to the essence, you can energize and initiate, reconcile ideas and reality. But if you forget the roots, there is no good source. Then you use it selfishly or superficially and it will end in empty promises or boasting.
  General: What you ask about is yin. It aligns with the Earth-line, but the potential in these surroundings or this time is yang. You want (or will) come closer to concrete realizations, but problems also become real. All this is not really easy amidst yang. Yang can be overbearing, through influence or force, so you need to hold on to what you really want, and yet not to force anything.
  Examine when the work can proceed and when it must be held back. Who can participate in your project and who would hinder it. Your project absorbs more energy and resources, and these should be used wisely. Listen to the Earth.

  秋冬得宜, 春夏不利。
  In autumn and winter appropriate,
  In spring and summer unfavorable.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
变中爻为兑,为泽,雷泽交施,
When the middle line changes, it activates Dui, which activates rain. Thunder and rain work together.
  (施 is harmonious cooperation: image of a flag, "following the wind")

  Thunder brings out Lake's feature of beneficial rain and Lake makes Thunder's work bloom. Together they create beauty.
  Zhen can be too energetic and impulsive. It is the trigram of germination and preparations, not of concrete results, and occasionally it may become no more than lush blossoms, beautiful to behold but distracting from the essence. But too much work and duties can cause unhappiness.
  Lake's tender, persuasive care can cause Thunder's seedlings to grow into viable plants and other creatures. Small beginnings growing into generations of life, one after the other in endless scuccession.
  General: When yin meets yang, it is time to follow up on your inspirations, to give a structure to visions or to share them. Performing the work turns into providing leadership. Others ask your advice or expect direction. The focus is on moving forward, showing results, enjoying what has been accomplished. You can energize and initiate, reconcile ideas and reality.
  The outcome changes from absorbing efforts or resources to giving back. You will need focus for what you do and the freedom to see chances and flow along with them. Use intuition and quick reactions; strict rules close off many opportunities.

  春夏振动, 兹息之有赖而万象直遂。
  秋则雷泽以济枯槁, 而秋阳不得暴物。
  冬则雷泽失令, 而万类憔悴。
  In spring and summer, thunder rumbles. Relying on propagation, everything on earth reaches its goal so directly.
  In autumn, thunder and rain become exhausted because they have reached their limit, yet the autumn sun cannot harm the creatures.
  In winter, thunder and rain lose command, and all living things are in decline.

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 Yin: it is too early for clear results; more work is needed. This line is the most difficult to influence, she is careful and follows her own decisions, but she is the one who turns resources into concrete results.

  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 Yang: the initiative is clear and strong, this is a good time to develop visions and plans, pouring in creativity, efforts and enthusiasm.

  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: Li, Fire, with her power to discern and create order, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice or help for the subject: Kun, Earth, with her ability to nurture and concretize.
  Advice or help for the outcome: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade .

  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