Black Turtle Feng Shui

On Omens

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an omen as "an occurance or phenomenon believed to portend a future event". Some related words are "forerunner, harbinger, herald, precurser".

An simple example of an omen is the folk saying "Red sky at night, sailor's delight"; a portent of good weather to come. We tend to look for omens, or towards help from less-than-rational means when circumstances bring nothing rational and useful to hand. An example is wearing your lucky shirt to a sporting event-the last time you wore it, your team won, so why not? Or maybe you'll pick up a coin you spot while walking, for good luck.

There are simple ways to seek omens. One is to just close your eyes while standing in front of a window with a question in mind, then opening your eyes and seeing what your eyes are drawn to. Or walking in a bookstore randomly until you feel drawn to a book, picking it up, and only then reading the title and learning what it's about.   

An omen is something that occurs naturally that becomes infused with significance. A bird, a bug, a tree, can become symbols with ties to one's life. The universe is delighted to share these discoveries with us. Everyone meets with omens from time to time. 

The Yijing is an omen system; the lines, diagrams, and stories are formally paired omens of the sort that occur in natural life. The oracle is packed with images of trees, plants growing, thunder, streams, lakes, and all manner of things very naturally seen along a life's path. Instead of taking a walk to see what you may see, throwing the coins is an alternative that scatters unmistakable omens in front of you.

After considering your question and tossing the coins, you receive an encounter with omens. This leads to experiencing synchronicity and seeming coincidence in a deeply personal, meaningful way. A Yijing reading can be a key to new insight.

 

 

 

   

 

Fellowship With Men

Fellowship With Men is the title of the Yijing's Hexagram 13. The yin and yang lines are an image of fire under heaven. Heaven means strength, endurance, and The Creative, while fire means clarity, enlightenment, and human consciousness. The clarity here comes from within a group or gathering of people. Their strength is based on their common, universal goals rather than on individuals each serving their own interests. It means sharing and agreeing, not simply mingling.

"Heaven and fire combine: This is Fellowship with People."

This hexagram was my answer when I asked Yi what to write about today. The truest meaning of the hexagram is about creating harmony and peace among people, not about assuming these things will come into existence without effort. It is about discovering our commonalities among our many differences, and finding the place where all fit in.

This was an interesting answer, since I spent some time this morning turning over the thought of creating or organizing a venue for readers, healers and seekers of all kinds here in Asheville, NC. My thought was a monthly (or other timing?) group or gathering for not just Yijing readings, but for all who have gifts to share. This could be Reiki, massage, energy healing, Tarot, or other body, mind and spirit offerings. There could be information available about specific groups or places to learn or practice meditation, or Tai Chi, or yoga. There are so many resources and gifted people here.  

This thought is just a seed right now. The rest of the text of Hexagram 13 follows naturally with the concept.  

"People in harmony in the wilds: Creating success.

Harvest in crossing the great river."

The "wilds" here are open ways, beyond the usual mental and physical boundaries that limit us. Creating harmony in the wilds is about coming togther on neutral ground to expand concepts about collective human potential. Exposure to different traditions and ways of knowing can spark greater awareness of our common humanity and our shared goals.

"Crossing the great river" means having the courage to step outside of the comforting familiar and to embrace the unknown. To find something greater than the sum of its parts. To find reasons for inclusion rather than exclusion of others. To create Fellowship With Men.

Here's to this seed finding fertile ground in Asheville. I seek your comments, suggestions, and interest.   

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yijing-Your Ally In Times of Change

The old saying “Change is the only constant,” has never seemed truer. It is also the very basis of ancient Chinese thought. This philosophy is very relevant in these challenging, rapidly changing times.  

Fortunately, there are two constants. For 3,000 years, the Yijing (formerly spelled I Ching) has offered sage personal  advice about moving through change with grace.

 

What The Yi Can Do For You

The Yijing is also called the Oracle. Simply put, it answers questions. A demonstration of how it works seemed like the best introduction, so I asked Yi what to say to you here. The answer? Hexagram 64, Not Yet Crossing. It is a metaphor for crossing a great stream; for the voyage of life.

Not Yet Crossing means being on the verge of an important change; about to launch a plan or overcome an obstacle. There are great possibilities ahead. Potential is simply the difference between what could be and what is. Now is the time to gather your energy and resources to successfully cross the great stream.

That described you, with your plans and obstacles. The Yi (for short) is your resource. It describes itself as a well of pure water; the wise source of advice for meeting with changes of all kinds.

 

Whatever questions you may have about changes in your life-whether about family and relationships, money, career, personal growth, or choices you're facing-you can ask Yi. Your answer will be rich in imagery, contain personal meaning about potential directions, and uncover possible new ways of seeing your situation.  

 

Not at all a parlor game or fortune-teller (in the sense that you won't be told to expect an unexpected check or something similar), the Yijing is a divination tool for thinking people. What is YOUR question?

 

Black Turtle and Yi

 

I bought my first translation, Hua-Ching Ni's "I Ching-The Book of Changes and the Unchanging Truth" six years ago for its explanations of energy cycles and other Chinese metaphysical theory. I have since developed my understanding of the book itself. After much work with it, and after building a library of translations, I am pleased to offer Yijing readings as a new Black Turtle service. 

The Yi and feng shui go hand in hand. Where you live and work has deep influences on a third of your life. What you DO also greatly matters. Your attitudes and actions most certainly have direct influence on the unfolding of events. The Yi connects us to a source of wisdom designed and cherished as a guide towards finding beneficial paths in all life situations. 

Read more about the Yijing on my website- http://blackturtlefengshui.com Best qi!

 

 

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