We were discussing hexagram 17 which caused me to start thinking about hexagram 18 so I thought I'd start a new thread.
It occurs to me that 18 makes a lot of sense if you read it as a commentary on recycling.
1. Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
If there is a son,
No blame rests on the departed father.
Danger.
In the end good fortune.
Recycling what has been left by the former inhabitants. Like a building that is no longer livable.
If someone can easily scoop up and reuse the materials,
then no blame goes to the former tenants.
Danger however, there may be asbestos or lead paint.
So be careful but ultimately good fortune.
2. Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother.
One must not be too persevering.
Somethings have deteriorated because they were not cared for.
They can't be recycled, better to let them return to earth.
3.Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse.
No great blame.
Sometimes you can't just carefully sort and redistribute discarded items like clothes.
You just have to tear them all up for mattress stuffing.
No great blame.
4.Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father.
In continuing one sees humiliation.
Landfills and the islands of plastic trash in the ocean.
Our children will curse us.
5.Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
One meets with praise.
This is the most powerful line in the hexagram.
Groups of people work together to clean up the beaches,
recycle etc.
6. He does not serve kings and princes
Sets himself higher goals.
Perhaps a promise that one needn't donate their entire lives to cleaning up the oil spills and slums -
One need only do their share and then this sets a good example and others do theirs - problem solved.
Key lesson (Image) The superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
By setting a good example others see the positive results and inspired to help too.
---------
Anyway, I share this here as it was fun to figure out and has helped me in memorizing the lines.
It occurs to me that 18 makes a lot of sense if you read it as a commentary on recycling.
1. Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
If there is a son,
No blame rests on the departed father.
Danger.
In the end good fortune.
Recycling what has been left by the former inhabitants. Like a building that is no longer livable.
If someone can easily scoop up and reuse the materials,
then no blame goes to the former tenants.
Danger however, there may be asbestos or lead paint.
So be careful but ultimately good fortune.
2. Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother.
One must not be too persevering.
Somethings have deteriorated because they were not cared for.
They can't be recycled, better to let them return to earth.
3.Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse.
No great blame.
Sometimes you can't just carefully sort and redistribute discarded items like clothes.
You just have to tear them all up for mattress stuffing.
No great blame.
4.Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father.
In continuing one sees humiliation.
Landfills and the islands of plastic trash in the ocean.
Our children will curse us.
5.Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
One meets with praise.
This is the most powerful line in the hexagram.
Groups of people work together to clean up the beaches,
recycle etc.
6. He does not serve kings and princes
Sets himself higher goals.
Perhaps a promise that one needn't donate their entire lives to cleaning up the oil spills and slums -
One need only do their share and then this sets a good example and others do theirs - problem solved.
Key lesson (Image) The superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
By setting a good example others see the positive results and inspired to help too.
---------
Anyway, I share this here as it was fun to figure out and has helped me in memorizing the lines.