A little bit about the lines

We will get into this deeper in time, but for now a little bit about the nature of the lines, and a little bit about other things.

Each hexagram is made up of two outer trigrams, (and two nuclear trigrams). Within the context of that setup, the first line is, generally speaking, premature. The second line is central and balanced, and the third line has as a general rule gone too far. That can give us some hint about how to interpret questions about relationships, or any other subject for that matter. When we receive the first line of a trigram, especially the first line of a hexagram, things tend to be in their incipient stages. It might be remembered also, that the first line is properly a yang line. Therefore, when we get the first line we can look at hexagram one line one and see that the "dragon has not yet appeared in the field." In other words, the power of spirit has not manifested yet on the material plane. When we get a first line that is yin, then there is an element, but an element only of manifestation, but the situation has not developed yet, and we need to look at the signs to see which direction the situation is heading. The first line of hexagram two says, "When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off." In other words, look at the signs. But the signs cannot be there unless the material world is already in existence. And that is what the yin energy is all about. Yang is spirit, yin is material. The material world in hexagram two is in existence because yin is material, and yin follows yang. The spirit is infused into the material world. They are one and the same. They only appear different. But appear they really do. And about appearance. Scientists, in discovering the quantum world, came to the conclusion that a cat in a box, before being seen, is not necessarily either dead or alive, and it is not determined until someone opens the box and observes the cat. In the same way, the physical plane only exists when there is an observer to observe it. This is spirit. And since spirit observes, the form comes into being. But again, the first line shows the beginning of the creation of form. And in a reading, the beginning of a concrete situation which we need to be aware of. So too, in relationships, so much depends on the perspective of those in the relationship that are observing it, for ultimately it is our own inner belief systems about the relationship, and relationships in general, that create the nature of the relationship. Therefore, when we receive an I Ching reading, it is only reflecting back to us our subconscious images that we hold within, which ultimately create the nature of the relationship.

The fourth line of a hexagram which an aspect of prematurity to it too, but on a different level. It is only premature in relationship to a higher level situation than we had before. In other words, the fourth line has reached a certain level, and has just experienced a transition into the upper trigram, which is heaven in relationship to the lower trigram earth. This puts the fourth line into a little bit of danger, having not previously been in the upper trigram. So, the fourth line, being properly yin, is described in hexagram two, in the Wilhelm/Baynes commentary, as a situation where, "the strictest reticence is indicated here. The time is dangerous, because any degree of prominence leads either to the enmity of irresistible antagonists if one challenges them or misconceived recognition if one is complaisant." It is premature in the sense that the line has now entered the upper trigram and as such has not fully comprehended the laws that apply to that order. And how do we know the fourth line has transcended? Hexagram one, which implies time and energy, the commentary on line four says, "a place of transition has been reached."

This can give one pause for thought when a question is asked about a relationship, because it is saying in effect that the relationship has reached a new level, and there is a twofold path that can unfold here depending on how we handle the situation. If we are careless, we can wreck the relationship, but with caution and circumspection, we can create an even more delightful situation.