Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

 Kăn-Gèn, Water-Mountain

    

  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 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 nurturing power of Earth.
  He 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?
  

Gěn or Mountain. He is high but does not boast, is strong but does not force anyone. Gen may be grumpy or a recluse but has a good heart and cares. Gěn is about individuality, staying true to yourself even when it is difficult and giving in would be easier. Gěn stands high above the valley below and seems aloof, but the mountain shelters and feeds the valley, makes the clouds release their water and sends it down to the vegetation and all creatures at its foot.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Kan enters the mountains, Gèn directs the water, it provides the boulders and crevices to either prevent it from finding solutions or to accelerate it on its way. There is no telling where it will end up, but that also gives the freedom, or compels the necessity, to find new solutions and follow any road that opens up.
  Kan with Gen is like a water canyon. Danger and risk, but if you embark on it, it also gives the elation of finding an unexpected new path and the thrill of having dared to tread it.

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.
变上为巽,水气乘风,飘逸高远,类多润泽。
When the top line changes, trigram Water activates Wind.
The Qi of water penetrates the high blowing wind and makes it moist.

  When the yin top line of Water activates yang, it activates Xun, the Wind or Wood. The trees spread their roots down to the water, and move it up through their trunks. They spread it towards their leaves where it evaporates after feeding them.
  Work like Water and Wind. Bring a bucket and get down to the roots, bring it up and spread the water over your field or drink it and don't forget to share.
  When work is done the way nature does, it loses its heaviness and becomes the foundation of living your life with pride and love.
  General: when a yang initiative joins the yin potential of surroundings or a time, its clear and strong ideas will stand out by their own merit. Yang can initiate the change that ensures that ideas and the work which has been done so far gain clarity and structure. This is a good time to develop visions and plans with creativity and enthusiasm. To put energy into your projects and to show them. Now you have the power to ward off evil or insecurity, a power that is part of yang.
  Yang brings inspiration and joy, but yang also means that you have to put in effort or money in what you aim for, it can drain your resources, but decisions can be made; progress or new ideas can be shown.

    The timing of this change of the initiative:
   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 this means dew, nourishing and nurturing.
  In autumn the dew is thick, everything alive diminishes in strength. There will be defiance and reproach.
  In winter, the dew is frozen. There will be hardship and hard labor.

The subject

    
The bottom line (Earth-line) shows the change of the field or subject.

  The Earth-line is unchanging yin. This line is the subject, or the ‘field’ where you pour in or find both the cause and the means for your initiative: space, material, helpers or other people, resources and realization, even food for thought. It is a 'receiving' line, the earth needs input and resources to make things grow and bring concrete results.
  Your subject or project will stay attractive, but it will continue to absorb and process and use it to continue the work. It will not shine on its own or show increase to the outside, the work of building up happens in the background.

Beauty comes from the space within.

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)

  A Yang line is generally bright and giving. Yang is great for enthusiasm and spreading joy or success, but don’t expect solid results.
  A 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 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 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 stationary 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 creativity and 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 Yin: Yin: A good line for concrete results. More work is needed, but your dedication is not in vain. For now, it will reduce the 'shine' because it focuses on creating, on growing something of quality, not on the result itself.

  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. Stationary helpers are part of the core meaning, they are your soul talking. They reinforce the overall power of a reading.
  Advice for the initiative: Xun, Wind, with her power to choose and influence.
  Advice for the subject: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice 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. But 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