Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

  Kăn-Duì, Water-Marsh/Lake
    

  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?
  Duì. Its image is the marsh, it captures the flow of water and the flow of words and emotions. It is the trigram of gaining fame and fortune, but only when ambition has no hold. One needs balance between one’s own wishes and the rules of right conduct.
  Dui means 'open' or 'to open'. The words of Duì are compelling, persuasive, they open the minds of others.
  Duì is the spirit of pure autumn, which is a good time for results but not for the start of something new. Like the autumn harvest time, Dui is contained within borders, it has limits. It has variable beginnings but a definite end. If you need to finish something, then do it now.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Kan meets Duì, Water and Lake prove their worth when there is no rain. When people and animals are thirsty. Duì collects the water, but sometimes there are draughts, 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.
Impulsive or reckless acts can harm others, but selfishness can be just as disruptive.

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 it fills. Contained it cannot flow on; completion is difficult and takes long.

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 people and animals are thirsty. But first Duì must collect enough water and often there are dry times. But even when full, 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. It is a never ending work.

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. But here you also meet your problems, fears, hopes and expectations.
  The subject is yang, but your question means you are 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, it will grow brighter and give joy.
  If things don't meet expectations, this is the right time to get new inspiration. Usually, yang at the bottom is positive, you find a balance between yang and yin that will help your efforts. Or you'll discover a way to help your work to finally become visible.

    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.

  The middle line shows the result. It is stationary yang, there will not be any increase or decrease, but still action and output. Yang is inspiring, but it is too early to expect concrete results. The middle line is the 'man' line, it can also be about you yourself, not only what you do.
  If this project does not need a concrete solution, yang can be very positive. It will continue to inspire and bring joy and brightness. Even if it stays unsubstantial in a material sense, it can improve the lives of people, like movies, holidays, love or a guiding star. But stay within limits, yang brings increase, but without yin it is prone to deplete itself, it is relentless and tends to be too cold or to strive too much. Plans may be too theoretical or even illusionary. If you are aware of this and rein it in, yang brings the joy of plans and visions.

Inspire yourself and your surroundings.

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 stationary Yin: this is a good time to work on ideas. Usually, yin at the top is very positive and creative, there is balance between yang and yin, ideas and their possibilities can 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 stationary Yang: if you need increase, this is a great line. Your efforts will show results. Occasionally not of the concrete kind, but joy and satisfaction are valuable as well.

  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, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  Advice for the subject: Dui, Lake, with her ability to resonate and persuade.
  Advice for the outcome: Kun, Earth, with her ability to nurture and concretize, is lacking here or not needed. Yang remains Yang.
  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