03 Sprouting In a context of enlightenment, a new beginning, we utilise control.

Trigrams : enlightenment (bottom), control (top) : with/from enlightenment comes control. [water over thunder]

The mud from which 03 has emerged is best described by analogy to the under-stated qualities of hexagram 20, admiring (passive motivation - setting an example, being an example). There is a sense here of a new bud emerging and turning itself to face the source of its nourishment - the sun - and so an attractive source that aids in, that motivates, development (as covered in hexagram 20).

A situation covering analogy to a bud breaking through the surface (the enlightening) and turning to its source of nourishment (the 'Sun') and so controlling.

Commentary :

Cooperative format : Hexagram 03 is where one meets difficulties as one starts a new task or introduces a new paradigm (rooted in an initial context of admiration and an hungering for anything); usually because we have found the present foundations (if any) unacceptable but still in force. However, there are still basic social foundations that we can use to help accomplish our task.

Oppositional format : Hexagram 03 reflects water against thunder; control against enlightenment.

Template/Persona format : Contractive Bounding in a context of Expansive Binding. The dynamic binding reflects a 'newness', a beginning within which we find attempts to control, to direct, this beginning (expressed in contractive bounding).

Five-Phase Relationship : The trigram of Thunder reflects the process of raw production (as reflected in a new sprout). The trigram of Water reflects consumption. Consumption of the 'raw' can be difficult.

Hexagram 03 is the general expression of the particular described in hexagram 56 (loyalty).

Goal of 03 - hexagram 08 (or 'how do I 08? - 03' - How do I unify? Sprout, work through new beginnings)

03 is the goal of 29 (or 'how do I 03? - 29' - How do I sprout, work through new beginnings? Through Containment and Control)

The I Ching tells us about hexagram 03:

Some PAIRS of hexagram 03 and other hexagrams:

• In the traditional sequence hexagram 03 pairs with hexagram 04.

This pairing of 03 with 04 reflects issues in initial development, the individual focus on 'breaking through' reflected in 03, compared to the need for mixing-in with society through learning social requirements, being educated as an act of socialisation rather than for explicit understanding of what has been taught. The bias in the traditional sequence is to the distinctions of purity (reflected in 03) as compared to mixing (reflected in hexagram 04).

BEGINNINGS:

03 : beginnings - through sprouting (pierce the earth) 03 sprouting comes out of a context described by hexagram 20 - admiring(encouragement)

04 : beginnings - through socialising (masking) (beneath the surface) 04 masking comes out of a context described by hexagram 19 - approach (defer)

• In the binary sequence hexagram 03 pairs with hexagram 42.

The overall focus in this pairing is on attaining a 'new' level. As hexagram 03 focuses on pulling things together to 'sprout', so hexagram 42 focuses more on a point of differentiation, the act of augmentation that also reflects a 'new' level.

• In the binary sequence hexagram 03 opposes hexagram 50.

This pairing reflects the concept of a 'raw' development (03) as compared to a 'refined' development (50). Thus in 03 the breaking through of a surface and so the sprouting of 'something' is complemented in 50 by a focus on transformation, on a need for a finished product to be 'cooked' prior to exposure to the environment.

At the LOCAL level we are dealing with an octet of hexagrams with the THUNDER trigram as base. In this sequence hexagram 03, the focus on sprouting, difficult beginnings, 'opposes' hexagram 21, the focus on problem-solving (resolving deviations). More so, the exaggerated sense of chewing over a problem is reflected in a more balanced format in the process of sprouting, 'natural' getting over of difficulties.

• In the traditional sequence hexagram 03 opposes hexagram 62.

Just as hexagram 03 reflects the 'birth' of something, so hexagram 62 focuses on re-birth through the exaggeration of traditions to aid in maintaining social structure, to give a collective a 'kick' to keep it going.

• The generic properties of hexagram 03 reflect the mixing of the generic properties of hexagram 42 with the generic properties of hexagram 20.

Hexagram 42 reflects the process of augmentation, of going 'up' a level. Combined with the generic properties of hexagram 20, with its focus on being an example, and so a source of motivation, a source of admiration, we see emerge the generic properties of hexagram 03.

• In the variations on a theme sequence, hexagram 03 complements hexagram 08.

The theme here is overall on a beginning that reflects (a) in the individual and (b) on the group. As 03 reflects the personal struggles of making the initial breakthrough, the first moments of birth, so 08 reflects the initial attraction to a group context, a need to 'belong' to something/someone.

Copyright © 2003-2009 C. J. Lofting