I Ching, Yijing or Zhou Yi
"Oracle of the moon": © 2000 LiSe

  Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon



Hexagram 10

Lǚ, Treading
(the footprints of the ancestors)

Gua Poem:
Stepping on the tiger's tail. He does not bite man. Expansion.

The great image says: Above is Heaven, below is the Marsh: treading. The noble one discriminates between high and low. He gives the ambitions of the people the suitable position.

  Lǚ: the ideogram and the story. What does it mean for your question?
  This hexagram is complementary to hex.15.

Top 9: Observe the steps. Forefather sacrifice. His return: eminent auspiciousness.
Do not just fill in your duties or perform your rituals, but look always for the signs of their meaning. They are the omens which reveal the sense of life. If one can integrate these signs, sometimes small and hardly visible but always rich, in his soul, his life will be meaningful and rewarding. (About the steps of the ancestor see HERE)
(Changes to hex.58)

9 at 5: Decisive treading. Determination: danger.
When one's treading is strong and clear and decisive, one summons danger, but one also creates lasting values. The soft and half way is safer, but has only a short life with few accomplishments.
Do not always show your convictions right away though. Explore the situation, the ambiance, the feelings of the others. Find in every situation anew the best course of action
(Changes to hex.38)   

9 at 4: Stepping on the tiger's tail. Panic, panic. The end is auspicious.
If you are doing something big or dangerous, then first of all make sure if it makes sense to do it. Risk your life for a real goal, but if the goal is not big enough, then it is better to be a scaredy-cat.
(Changes to hex.61)

6 at 3: Squinting, able to observe. Limping, able to walk. Tailing the tiger, he bites man, pitfall. A soldier acting like a great chief.
As long as one acts within one's abilities, no tiger will bite. A small thing done in a great way is great, a great thing done in a small way is small. 
Adapt your actions to what is possible or not, what is smart, what is good in a situation, and what is within your abilities.
(Changes to hex.1) Mirror

9 at 2: Walking the way, calm and frank. Hermit’s determination, auspicious.
To live a real life means to be faithful to oneself and to follow one's own road. Out of reach of society this road is straight, but in the world of people one will have to defend it. Hold on to it, always. 
(Changes to hex.25)

Initial 9: Plain white shoes. To proceed is without fault.
Moving simple and without pretensions, pure in your intentions and not needing anyone or leaning on anything not your own. That is the way to lead your life without being impaired or restricted.
(Changes to hex.6)   Mirror

More about the lines and their characters