Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

Lí-Qián, Fire-Heaven
    

  What are the potential and qualities of this situation?
   Lí. It is the trigram of discernment and order, of searching for truth and meaning. Lí is separating or leaving, but also clinging, holding on to things. It is what light does: discerning things, seeing their differences and similarities. Both by recognizing and acknowledging them.
  Fire can easily be extinguished, buried under earth or water. To spread light and warmth it needs to be nourished itself. Attention, inspiration, order and truth will make it shine wide and spread its warmth, like the sun emerging from the clouds.
  Moments fly past like birds. You will have to catch them right now, to enjoy something when it happens, to seize an opportunity, to realize a flash of insight.
  But reckon with its timing, don't try to push two days into the space of one or it will burn you to ashes.

  What is the subject, intent or hope of your question?
  Qián. Its Qi is powerful and energetic; it refers to wealth and glory, leadership and taking charge. The laws of Heaven give life its power, endurance and creativity. Qián provides the substrate that gives all things structure and meaning. Qian deals with the mental or intangible.
  Heaven regulates the time and following it gives you the right timing. Look up at the North pole and you will see the entire cosmos turning around it, everything moves according to Heaven's law. Heaven brings the seasonal rains, which benefit all. A person, team or venture with Heaven can reason and judge well and they are known for their strong, powerful appearance.
  天命 tiānmìng, mandate of heaven; destiny; fate; one's life span.
  乾元 qiányuán beginning of creation.

  What do you want or need to do, or what will fate cause to happen in this situation?
  When Lí meets Qián, the sun is shining in Heaven and all creatures are out in the daylight. The sun's journey follows Heaven's cycle of time, an incessant rotation. Momentary enthusiasm turns into great lasting achievements because Fire is always looking forward, going on. Long journeys consist of another step, over and over.
  Fire depends on food. It does not need much, but even a little resistance can extinguish it. A cloud which obscures the sun, evening which ends the day, a shower which sends everyone out of the rain and ends campfires and fireworks. On the other hand, it can pick up on little things and make them shine far. Integrity, confidence and the openness to share will achieve great things.

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 stationary yang. A yang initiative, entering a yang world, fits right in. Both clear and inspiring, full of plans. Even when other things change, you will remain giving, pouring ideas, efforts or money into this situation. Yang brings and spreads creativity and ideas with a good basic structure, It is the master of good timing and planning, but not of finding a final solution or concrete results.
  Stay within limits, Yang is also prone to deplete itself. It is relentless, and it can focus so intensely on mental images that they can turn into air castles or delusions. Yin is necessary for concrete results but not before the planning is right, too early can be disastrous, no matter the quality of your ideas or how determined you are.

Yang has the talent to enjoy the road
before reaching any destination.

The subject

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

  The bottom line is stationary yang. 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, even food for thought. It is the line of the earth, of resources and realization. It is a 'receiving' line, the earth needs food to develop things.
  Here she is yang, she does not absorb or concretize, she is giving. Things look interesting and bright and give back. What you want to achieve inspires you, but take care not to deplete resources. Things will gain clarity but it is not yet a time of concrete results.
  Yang at the bottom line brings balance between yin and yang. Its light penetrates the undefined power of the earth-line, it inspires yin to make its imaginings grow, and it gives each creature or plan or venture its rightful structure.

Enjoy the now and its possibilities.

The outcome

    
The middle line (Man-line) shows the outcome.
  变九二为离为火。 离为火为日, 吐焰发耀, 光照天下, 太阳之三三 象，
长育之君, 万象贤明, 百物附丽。
  The change of the middle yang line activates Li, which is fire and the sun, spewing flames and brightly radiant; its rays illuminate everything under the sky, its image is repeated eminent yang.
  It is the ruler who brings greatness. The source of life and clarity for everything on Earth, all beings bind themselves to it.

   When Fire changes to Heaven, Qian supports the fire, it doesn’t go too high. This indicates a gifted character. The change is from yin, doing the work, to yang, where it shines.
  The change from yīn to yáng will be bright and bring joy. Bright sunny days will alternate with showers of nurturing rain, the ruler will be good for the people and they will be happy and proud, the crops will abound.
  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.

  The timing of this change of the outcome:
  春日无处不蒙和煦,
  夏日万域畏其炎热,
  秋日旱干而万物焦枯,
  冬日可爱而天下皆暴其昭明之德。
  The spring sun is pleasantly warm everywhere,
  The summer sun's scorching heat is feared in all regions.
  The autumn sun is dry, it withers all living things and causes discord.
  The winter sun is amiable, and all under heaven expose themselves to its luminous virtue.

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 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 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 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.

  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: Zhen, Thunder with his energy and stimulation and quick actions
  Advice or help for the subject: Gen, Mountain with his constancy, his ability to make things endure
  Advice or help for the outcome: Qian, Heaven, with his severe structure and his timing, is lacking here or not needed. Yin remains Yin.
  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