Oppression 困

Oppression describes a hard time when resources run dry and no one listens. If you keep your inner strength and good cheer, you will find your way.

What does Oppression mean?

The lake has drained and its bed is showing. Oppression describes a time when you feel your strength, your money, or your patience running out. Things have closed in around you, and whatever you do seems to get no result. On top of that, whatever you say right now does not sound convincing. People do not listen or understand. This loneliness makes the situation heavier still. At such times the most dangerous thing is letting the narrowness outside seep inside you.

But this period is also a test. Hardship shows who a person really is. When the ordinary person is cornered, they either give up or lose themselves. The wise person keeps their inner cheer and faith, however bad the outer conditions. Rather than talking a lot now, stay quiet and let your actions speak. Trying to explain yourself wastes energy. Look at what you can do with the little you have, and do not pull yourself deeper into disappointment. Hardship does not last forever. If you get through this time by enduring and holding on to who you are, you come out both stronger and wiser. Sometimes daring to take a single step is enough to loosen the knot.

The lines

If a line changed (red) in your reading, read only that line. Lines are counted from the bottom up.

1. First line

   You sit trapped on a bare tree stump. You enter a dark valley and see nothing for three years. Do not give in to despair. This darkness also has an end.

2. Second line

   You are in distress even amid food and drink. There is plenty outside, but it is empty within. Someone with a red sash, a helping power, is approaching. Pray. Attacking now would go badly, though it is not counted a mistake.

3. Third line

   You stumble on a rock and cling to thorns. You enter your house and do not see your spouse. Leaning on the wrong things drags you deeper. Misfortune.

4. Fourth line

   You come slowly, stuck in a golden carriage. Wealth and position hold you back. There is shame, but in the end you find your way.

5. Fifth line

   Your nose and feet are cut, and you are hemmed in by officials in purple sashes. Joy comes little by little. Sincere prayer and patience serve you well.

6. Top line

   You are tangled in creeping vines, shaky and unsure. You think that if you move, you will regret it. But if you admit your mistake and move forward, the outcome is good.

Trigrams

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