As you all know, Warren loved the I Ching. In his autobiography he describes the oracle as a close friend and counsellor, much like speaking to ‘a very old Chinese rabbi’. My own personal love for the I Ching comes from my years steeped in the Taoist traditions, and so each time Warren and I met privately in his study over the years, he never failed to pull out his own little I Ching. This was a photocopy of the text that he had carefully bound himself, true to the Halevi way, turning this great divination tool into a useful little pocketbook. We would then cast a reading together and share conversation. These moments remain as some of my most cherished memories with Warren.
And so, ahead of our group together on February 8 at Greencroft, I felt a strong pull to reach out to this old friend of Warren’s and ask some advice on the future of the school. I often find the I Ching to be an honest and objective advisor to any situation and it did not fail to deliver a clear and exacting message. I didn’t say anything of it in our meeting, there were plenty of other things being shared and guided, but I do feel it would be a shame not to share with all of you the conversation that I had with this sacred book. I feel it could be very valuable in deepening our understanding as a school and it would be a pity to waste such a special message.
A small practicality before I get into it (for those interested); I personally use the Wilhelm translation and then, if I need further clarification, I cross-reference to other translations that are helpfully laid out on James Dekorne’s website. I use coins to cast the oracle.
Here is what came up:
Hexagram 55.5 – Abundance
Changing to Hexagram 49 – Revolution
First thing to say, whenever we have a changing line, where one hexagram is changing into another, we see an evolving process. Where a given situation is changing into a different one.
Let’s look at Hexagram 55, with a changing line at line 5. This is a Yin line changing into a Yang line.
Here we have the image of the lower trigram Li, and the upper trigram Chen. This is fire (flame, light, clarity) under the image of thunder (movement). This is light within, thunder/movement without. This immediately brings to mind the idea of the lightning flash that we speak of in this Tradition. This is pointing towards the sacred Teaching, in the form of the unfolding of the Tree of Life, as it manifests into the physical world. The movement of the Divine Flame and the Teaching, from Heaven to Earth.
The name of this hexagram is Abundance. Also translated as fullness, greatness, richness, fruitful, zenith, and expansion of awareness.
This signifies a period of advancement, particularly with regards to human consciousness. In our case this also points towards the bringing of Kabbalah in a way that advances and evolves the Teaching. Essentially, what we are looking at here is a snapshot of Warren’s destiny and how he served to develop the Teaching in a way that served the time. However, considering abundance as a time of fruitful generosity, we must also understand that this cannot be maintained permanently. Like all things in nature when things are at their most abundant, they are also at their zenith.
THE JUDGEMENT – (i.e., the way in which the hexagram should be understood).
Abundance has success.
The king attains abundance.
Be not sad.
Be like the sun at midday.
In our context – Not all men who are born to this world are men of destiny, however some, like Warren, come in at a very particular time and place with a particular job to do. When such men are born it is a time of greatness and generosity for the job at hand. Wilhelm tells us that only a born leader of men is able to do this because their Will is oriented towards that which is greater than them. And so, abundance has success and the King attains abundance. Such a time is usually brief, one’s lifetime so to speak. It is natural to feel sad when such men leave us, but it should be understood much like the sun at midday which reaches its zenith and then heads back down towards its setting.
THE IMAGE – (i.e., the way that the hexagram appears in relation to nature’s reflection)
Both thunder and lightning come:
The image of Abundance.
Thus the superior man decides lawsuits
And carries out punishments.
In our context – Consider the image of Moses up the holy mountain, where the Holy One reaches down from Heaven, through thunder and lightning, and imparts to Moses the law that is to govern his people.
As mentioned, this is about the bringing of the Teaching. It is thus the responsibility of a superior man who is up to the job, a Tzadik, to take that Teaching and carry out the Work in a way that is in alignment to Truth. In that way, judgement and mercy are applied and all is balanced.
Changing Line 5 – A changing line within a hexagram will not only give us the place at which things are changing, but also a commentary that is very specific to the situation at hand. Here, we see a Yin Line changing into a Yang line, and so the image of thunder changes into the image of a lake:
Lines are coming,
Blessing and fame draw near.
Good fortune.
This shows us a man who is surrounded by others. Line 5 is the place of a leader and because it is a Yin line it is a magnetic force; this quality holds all the other lines in place. Legge’s translation describes this as a man who is able to attract around him those of brilliant ability and sound heart; and not only attract them but bring them into service towards the aim of the good. This is a fully cooperative framework, that brings great blessing, fame and good fortune to him and all the people who surround him.
In our context – This speaks volumes about the quality of Warren as a man and teacher, the kinds of students who he attracted towards him, their ability to receive the blessing of Kabbalah through him, and the group’s ability to then form and arrange itself into a cohesive and successful school of the soul. A beautiful depiction of his legacy.
But note that this is also the line that is now changed. The leader at line 5 having now left us, we find ourselves with a completely different situation.
And so, from this Yin line changing into a Yang line, we now see the following hexagram:
Hexagram 49 – Revolution
Here we have the image of the lower trigram Li, and the upper trigram Tui. This is now fire (flame, light, clarity) under the image of a lake (water). Fire below, water above.
The name of this hexagram is Revolution. Also translated as metamorphosis, change and moulting.
This points towards inevitable change, much like we see in the rhythms of the natural world, where an animal sheds its fur, a snake sheds its skin, and a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. With this kind of change, a different organism is left behind. In affairs within human society, such as a school of the soul, this is about a change in governance.
This is represented by the idea of two daughters within the hexagram, who are the inheritors of governance. We have the young daughter above and the older daughter below. This positioning of the members of the family naturally brings conflict and the forces will combat each other like fire and water. There is a natural incompatibility in this set up. It is the conflict that arises between these two daughters that actually brings about the transformative process.
The Judgement
Revolution. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.
Again, here we are reminded that not everyone is called to the task of furthering the Teaching and the school that has been left to us. Many will believe themselves of able capacity, but time will reveal those who are right for the job, as the various changes within the school unfold. That means that those who are able and willing, must proceed correctly in a way that brings confidence to other members, preventing further conflict. This requires that those who proceed in this be free of selfish aims and focus solely on the needs of the whole. We must all also accept inevitable change and conflict as a natural part of the process.
The Image
Fire in the lake: the image of revolution.
Thus the superior man
Sets the calendar in order
And makes the seasons clear.
Wilhelm tells us that the conflict between the two daughters is a reflection of the conflict that takes place between light and dark forces; given to us in the image of the fire in the lake. This conflict is a normal byproduct of any change. We see this even in the changes of the seasons, where periods of light tussle to give way to periods of dark, and back again. However, hidden within the seeming chaos, there is order. The superior man (ie those who walk the path of honesty) will understand this as a natural and inevitable part of the process, and will understand that there is a Divine plan to the seeming chaos and conflicts that may occur at this time.
In our context – As shown above, a period of seeming conflict of ideas, or disorganisation, or lack of clarity within the school is normal, as the various people and forces rearrange themselves in accordance to the shift that has taken place. A true Kabbalist will understand and have faith that this rearrangement is a part of the Divine plan. However, we are also being pointed very strongly towards timing in this particular image of the hexagram. That there is a time for everything, and that time will reveal the right way to proceed. The reference to the ‘sage setting the calendar in order’ is also a direct message, I believe, that it may be worth consulting the stars for further advice. We know in Kabbalah, that astrology may show us something of the fate of an individual or collective and so I put it to the astrologers of our school, that sharing their thoughts and knowledge at this time would be more than useful and will help guide us. They will help ‘make the seasons clear’. This also reminds us that the evolution of the school cannot be forced, as these celestial sequences are also at play, not just the will of the two daughters; change only comes when it is due. It is our job to understand this process of revolution at each level.
A reminder also that a butterfly eventually emerges from the cocoon; no-one would believe that until the revolution is complete.
And then, to end, the most remarkable thing happened during my reading of the oracle. I mentioned at the start that I often cross-reference translations of the I Ching from James Dekorne’s website. James Dekorne is someone I know nothing about, its just a website I use from a man who has created a platform for the various interpretations of the I Ching. It is easy and straightforward, that is, you click on the hexagram you wish to know about and he has translations listed in a simple to read format. At the end of each translation he adds his own personal commentary, often adding quotes from various other books and authors to help bring more understanding to the ideas being presented. So, imagine my surprise when I come to his final commentary to this hexagram, only to see that he quotes a passage from ‘Kabbalah and Exodus’ by Z’ev ben Shimon Halevi.
It was magical, as if Warren was speaking to me directly, and giving a direct message to the school. For that reason the only way to give it justice is to quote directly from James Dekorne’s commentary, so that you may read it, just as I read it:
James writes, “Psychologically interpreted, Metamorphosis (Revolution) means that changes are taking place in the unconscious psyche but don’t expect them to manifest until their growth is complete. The ego must recognise this and persevere with the Work, even when ‘common sense’ counsels otherwise. It is a period of probation and trial, and many there are who fail the test. [He then quotes Warren…]
There is no short cut without impeding growth or setting the flow pattern of the Soul back, until each physical or psychological function has been correctly connected or developed. Thus, the flow pattern of the Tabernacle demonstrates in its construction a most important spiritual lesson that things can only be completed when everything else is ready to move on. Many aspirants do not perceive this law and become impatient and even lose faith when Providence seems to be holding back. Nothing occurs outside its time as it is part of a sequence in the great cosmic cycle that unfolds the Grand Design of Existence.
Z’ev ben Shimon Halevi — Kabbalah and Exodus Chapter 45
Of course, here Warren is speaking of the flow pattern that the Israelites are instructed to follow while building the Tabernacle.
So, I guess, let us continue with our Work. As Warren speaks to us from the realm of the ancestors and we move on in this caravan, this School of the Soul, as it evolves and changes, and with each step we hope and pray to continue to build a sacred vessel that can hold this blessed Teaching.
© Yiota Panayiotis
