Pathfinder
Hexagram 54 Arrest
The model of the moment: Here one has committed oneself to a costly, long term arrangement, to attain short range goals and rewards. Some limited satisfaction may be had in the beginning, but afterwards ( too late ) realization of the mistake dawns on the one who made the error. One appropriate, but extreme example of the concept this hexagram represents would be the awful predicament of someone who has sold their soul to the devil, as often portrayed in popular fiction. A more secular scenario would be that of someone who has been arrested for stealing a car, and now faces a prison sentence. Or a person who has married solely for money, not love, and now must live out their life with all the problems but few of the rewards of matrimony. Mistakes and weaknesses which can lead to such sorry circumstances as these, include: excesses in behavior or attitude, a shaky value system, low self esteem, little or no self-discipline ( which can render one a slave to impulse ), and errors in setting goals. The course usually recommended for such times: After the commission of error, all that can be done is to live up to the commitments involved and attempt to adapt as well as possible to the new conditions ( In other words, tough luck. Fulfill the obligations you've incurred and try never to do such a dumb thing again! )
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: You have put yourself into a closed loop; a circular path that essentially leads nowhere. The only way out is back the way you came. This may mean forsaking the objective that brought you here in the first place.
Changing Lines:
1
You've bargained your way into an dismal position here. Adapting as cheerfully as possible to your obligations, and aiding others where you can will bring the best results you can hope for, under the restrictive circumstances.
2
Misfortune is not necessarily the child of disappointment. Continuing to cling to your original ideals may still bring benefits.
3
Fickle decisions and actions are driving away from you the very people you wish better relationships with. Strive towards consistency in your behavior to regain respect.
4
Do not make big decisions impulsively. While moderate delay may lose you some small opportunities, it will rarely lose great ones. For one thing, we all encounter far more trivial or downright undesirable opportunities in life, than great ones. Opportunities to cheat on our spouse, or steal from our workplace, for instance. Such opportunities are best avoided, and can be irksome to even contemplate under most circumstances, considering the vast harm they could bring to us. So most of our decisions for accepting opportunities will be in regard to these small or inferior choices, rather than more valuable ones like a job offer that doubles our salary, or a career change that could make a long held personal dream come true. Only the 'grander' opportunities are the ones we should consider, and in some cases, be prepared to make a quantum leap into, if they appear. All the rest, the temptations for illicit sex here, petty theft there, cruel prank elsewhere, and so on and so forth, we would do well to ignore or avoid wherever possible. For to succumb to these temptations would be to enter willingly some level of the hell represented by the above hexagram.
5
Adapt to the situation to gain certain reward. This will involve abandonment of egotistical pride and hopes of high honors at this time, however.
6
Trivial and superficial endeavors will bring no benefit to you.
When all lines are changing;
We all make mistakes, but here is indicated a whopper. In effect, it looks like you or someone else closely involved may have 'given away the store' ( or be about to ). If you still have a choice in the matter, back pedal and reconsider what you or your compatriot is doing here. If not, then just 'take it on the chin', and remember this lesson well in the future if there is any.