Reading No.5 in our series has been posted here.
In this reading Stephen shows how a personal reading can say so much more than merely explaining a situation and the possible ways through it. He shows how the person’s issue can be opened up into its different parts, or dimensions, using different methods. He demonstrates how we can find that beautiful simplicity which so often emerges in counselling. Not a complicated maze but that, ‘Oh its that simple?!’ moment which is the hallmark of real insight. I would like to thank the person for whom this was originally done for giving their permission to share it.
This reading demonstrates a number of interesting things. Firstly the way that a reading really only comes alive in that kairos or moment where it is created with that person. It is as if it is born out of the moment that exists between the diviner and the seeker. This is not to say that long distance advice can never be given about the meaning of a reading, but without entering into the kairos from whence it emerged its deeper meanings and subtleties will be unclear and choices of meaning will become ambiguities.
It is a great demonstration of the way different techniques each uncover different dimensions of the situation being examined. For those unfamiliar with the language used here, ‘Core Theme’ is the same as 'Nuclear Hexagram’. This and other terms and methods, are explained here.
The Karmic Nodes show those aspects which the seeker carries within themselves and which point to themes we carry within ourselves. Sometimes, as in this case, these are problems which block up our energies until we resolve them. Just as with dreams and their interpretation only the seeker or recipient of the reading can really sense the degree to which these are important. I have posted a short paper explaining Karmic Nodes for those who want to explore them further.
The reading goes on to explore the use of Time Cycles which often yield a different time dimension to that of the immediate oracle often represented in the changing line. This reading is centred on hexagram 21, Biting through. It is all too easy to draw on the familiar imagery of ‘biting through an obstacle’. However here we are given the components that make up the Chinese glyph as well as some of the rituals to which this hexagram refers. On this level it takes on a deeper, more subtle, cluster on meanings and actions.
Particularly interesting is where the emphasis has been placed in the reading. In this case the seeker was stuck because of their issues and history which they carried within themselves. So it is little wonder that the Karmic Nodes became one of the main dimensions to the resolution. Were the problem to be caused more by an external forces then we might expect another dimension to be more central. For me this is the art of divination. Like the psychotherapist the diviner must peer deeply into the kairos and draw out the most relevant parts, those which most clearly reveal the issue and which point to the way forward. If you are interested in discussing any of these views or have any questions someone has already started a thread here.
Quite clearly I am a little slow with the blog!