Pathfinder
Hexagram 17 Survival
The model of the moment: Pain and unhappiness must often precede great achievement, child. For dissatisfaction with the status quo is what spawns superior motivation. And success usually demands such a commitment. The course usually recommended for such times: Survival requires flexibility and responsiveness to the environment. If hungry, food must be secured. If cold, warmth must be found. Many plants and animals take shelter beneath ground during the harsh winter. And store nutrients for the ordeal during warmer seasons, when food is plentiful. People too face similar circumstances, though often the likenesses are not recognized. Unemployment can be like a winter that descends upon us with little or no warning. If we have not saved monies from our jobs beforehand, we may face hardship and humiliation. Strong negotiating and persuasion skills can enhance modern day survival. Conservation of resources and discriminating tastes in buying are essential. Carefully avoid circumstances of danger and undue risk. Survival must be stealthily stalked; obvious efforts are clumsy and will alert others to your goal. In such a case you may find another gets to your objective ahead of you. You are not alone in this quest, after all. And the rules can be harsh. Therefore guard your strategies well. Don't act without reason. Enter direct conflict only as a last resort. Practice an economy of movement so that each and every action has value towards achievement of your goal, and no precious energy is wasted. Do not allow doubt a foothold in your thoughts. Make no plans for failure or retreat; for both are unacceptable. Your own lack of faith in yourself is your enemy's greatest advantage, child. You must, and will, survive. By doing whatever it takes. Resolve critical problems quickly, for here the general environment is your greatest enemy, and possesses infinite resources to sustain itself, while you do not.
Fixed (no changing lines);
This is a plateau process or event; the given model will hold true for an extended period of time. Attempts to manipulate events away from the present course could prove frustrating and fruitless, until destiny is satisfied. Consider the following as well as the above: Do what is demanded of you. Get it over with. Do not fight it. After you have paid this due, the way for progress will reopen to you.
Changing Lines:
1
You are in a changing position, which you must accept. Open your heart and head to new associations and ideas, and you will suffer less from the transition.
2
If you lower your goals, you will also limit your opportunities. It is necessary to realize that commitment to one path usually forecloses another.
3
Free yourself of inferior influences and consistently seek higher principles to gain the progress you desire. Though every move you make might seem a mistake, this is not true.
4
You are courting disaster. The person you follow suspects you of ulterior motives. If you cannot clearly demonstrate your sincerity, you will be lost.
5
You gain both good fortune and the trust of others with your honest support of noble causes.
6
Your achievements are not yours alone. Others helped you make them. If you fail to recognize these others for their efforts your affairs will fall into disarray.
When all lines are changing;
Adapt to the new circumstances surrounding you. Relax and realize that you will be able to continue your progress later as things improve. Hard times, like everything else, cannot last forever.