This i-Ching hexagram #36 sometimes called “twilight” or “darkening of the light” relates to a similar theme we saw last week (don’t rush into motion, there might not be anything you can DO) and the re-view, re-negotiate, and be thoughtful themes of this month’s mercury retrograde. “Twilight” speaks of an especially fortunate time for continuing to guard steady, amazing progress by sticking to our personal integrity and letting go instead of leaping into fevered motion.
When the twilight comes it’s a magical time of evening with fireflies glowing and stars beginning to shine. But it’s also a time between rest and motion when visibility is low and when not all the little day-creatures have found their safe nests. Bound by day and night, the land between these two worlds creates the need for caution and consideration. After all, you don’t want to be the day-mouse darting around haphazardly under the watchful eyes of a night owl.
(this picture painted on a tiny wooden disc makes it hard to see – but there’s a little mouse peeking out of a hole)
This week, appreciate the beauty of the transitional energy underway. Count the fireflies and stars, but be mindful about what you’re doing. Don’t get lured out of your nest before the time is right and don’t scurry without direction or a flashlight. Even if you find yourself going to lots of social engagements, you’ll do best if you keep yourself grounded in your own immovable core as you have a good time or as you bring your wisdom and friendship to those who are having a tough go.
This week is not about dimming your PERSONAL light or living in the dark! In fact, this is a great week to think about ways in which you can stay true to yourself without getting all caught up in what’s going on. If you’re true to yourself then your light can really shine the way it’s meant to and you’ll have way more fun that way.
Twilight hexagram is also about not always going along with what’s popular. Conventional thinking could lead you down a road that is just not YOU. The masses can be right about a lot of things but there’s also time when the conventional wisdom around you might suggest the most basic “little me” ego way to see the world – for example: — don’t try to understand another person’s pain or experience – ditch ‘em! — don’t think about what role you played in things, blame someone else! You shouldn’t have to be kind or loving, the person in the wrong should do it!
Think twice before you let what’s popular or common define your direction. You might even find yourself swimming against the Zeitgeist this week. Think about all those scientists who were laughed at; of Copernicus who had the crazy notion that the Earth revolves around the sun, and how very much AGAINST the grain of popular thinking that once was.
Yes, the twilight brings dimmer light and with it, it’s harder to see far ahead and harder to connect the dots and see how everything fits together but sometimes it’s not important to see how it all fits and to trust the Heavens in their sparkling, infinite array of stars and potential ahead. You’re safe, you’re you and you have an important light to bring to the world!
Have a great week!
About this deck: I made this oracle many years ago using wooden discs painted with wood pencils, varnish, and wood enamels. It is inspired by the I-CHING or “Book of Changes” dating back to end of the second millennium BCE, it’s also one of the oldest books in recorded history. The I-Ching comprises a set of 64 hexagrams (6 lines each) which represent all the possible six-line combinations of yin/yang energy. Yin and Yang energy are the dualistic building blocks of the universe; feminine/masculine, active/passive, light/dark, etc. Each hexagram is made up of two of the 8 “Hua” Trigrams that represent the classical fundamental elements and which were said, in legend, to have been inspired when the first Emperor of China Fu Hsi had visions related to the lines and dashes on a turtle’s back. Because of some of the legends surrounding it, scholars believe some of the “I-Ching” material pre dates recorded history in Ancient China.
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