Mountain Tea Question #1
Amid the frantic anxiety, how can I stay slow to build nourishing ground both within myself and for all earth’s systems and beings to flourish as one?
The first Mountain Tea question comes from JVP of Port Townsend, WA. It was asked on 4 April 2020. JVP's coin tosses resulted in hexagram #49 ䷰Ko/Revolution changing to hexagram # 17 ䷐Sui/Following. The first element of a reading is the title of the hexagram, which suggests a certain theme, consisting of an archetypal element or aspect of human life (Cleary). The theme is revolution. It says: Try again. It means confusion and subsequent enlightenment (Cafe au Soul). Taken with the statement, overall judgement and imagery aphorism contributed by Confucious, the "following statements" on the components, which deal with specific ways of handling oneself in situations of relative strength and weakness, are also read when the consultation deals with unexpected or unpredictable changes (Cleary).
Here is the situation: A revolutionary Change must be made forcibly. There is no negotiating with the Established Order. Perfect timing is essential. Let the abuse of power become apparent and oppressive to those around you before making your move. Lay the groundwork, sow the seeds for Revolution without tipping your hand prematurely. You will need a strong foundation, because you will have to bring about this necessary change alone. You cannot count on popular support, so you must wait until there is massive dissent. Then the avenue for your assault will be cleared.The support you need will come only after the deed is done. Renewed forces, however, will provide fresh energy for exceptional progress. Persevere. All differences vanish.
Line 3 is changing. The statement for it says: Premature action would prove disastrous. Let the talk of revolution ferment among the people.
The outcome of the situation, if you heed the I Ching's advice: Supreme success. No mistakes if you keep to your course. It talks about following as the tides follow the cycles of the moon. It asks, What cyclical forces pull you along? Are you futilely attempting to resist a natural attraction?
1. Consider a question that goes beyond yes or no, such the effects of an action on a situation. For Mountain Tea we are considering our health and the health of our planet.
2. Write your question down.
3. Keep your question in mind while tossing 3 coins 6x.
4. Record the outcome of each toss, # of heads and tails.
5. Each toss produces a line. We build hexagrams from the bottom up. The first toss is the bottom line, the next toss is the line above and so on, until there are 6 lines.
6. Heads have a value of 3. Tails have a value of 2.
7. A dot · after a line distinguishes it as changing.
2. Write your question down.
3. Keep your question in mind while tossing 3 coins 6x.
4. Record the outcome of each toss, # of heads and tails.
5. Each toss produces a line. We build hexagrams from the bottom up. The first toss is the bottom line, the next toss is the line above and so on, until there are 6 lines.
6. Heads have a value of 3. Tails have a value of 2.
7. A dot · after a line distinguishes it as changing.
3 heads = 9 = old yang ––––––– ·
3 tails = 6 = old yin ––– ––– ·
2 heads + 1 tail = 7 = yang –––––––
2 tails + 1 heads = 8 = yin ––– –––
Thank you for your questions about your health and the health of the planet. I have received seven questions so far. Please keep them coming. I am beginning to walk with them, hoping to better understand them and the answers. I am keenly aware of your language and intentions. I am reading your coin tosses in Wilheim/Baynes, Thomas Cleary and Café au Soul.