Ok, Everybody! The elements in i-ching...
Here I am again--
Why don't we start with a little chat about elements?
I will compare and contrast with Tarot, since you are all familiar with tarot's four elements--
The I-ching has 8 elements which can combine into many different transmutations of meaning
they are
earth
which is represented by
all yin lines
fire
which is represented by
yang
yin
yang
water
which is represented by
yin
yang
yin
wind
which is represented by
yang
yang
yin
lake
which is represented by
yin
yang
yang
thunder
which is represented by
yin
yin
yang
mountain
which is represented by
yang
yin
yin
oh! i almost forgot, mama and papa:
earth
yin
yin
yin
and heaven
yang
yang
yang
here is a link where you can learn more:
http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Yijing&no=-1
it is a very good website which explains some of the chinese elementals...
here are some basic meanings for the elements:
water-
danger, deep emotions, lack of clarity
fire-
brightness, passion, clarity
lake-
joy, expressiveness
wind-
gentleness, penetrative
mountain-
stillness, contemplativeness, immobility
thunder-
shock, arousing, action
earth-
receptive, devoted, fertile
heaven-
creative, active
so these compare to the 4 elements of the minor arcana:
wands- action, passion
swords- conflict, intellect
pentacles- earthiness, wealth
cups- emotions, love
to me, you can still see the same basic elements:
water and lake= cups
thunder= wands, or maybe swords
creative= wands or maybe major arcana
earth= pentacles
etc
the difference is, in i-ching you combine different elements... the effect of the rarity of all yang, or all yin to make a hexagram like NO.1, Heaven, the Creative--
is similar in effect to a card of the Major Arcana...
Whereas
Preponderance of the Small (no.9)
would be more similar in stature to a card of the minors...
okay, everybody?
toss those coins and toss back your questions over your shoulders!
(i mean, toss back your questions to here if you get confused!)
sincerely,
serendipity