Visit part 1 and part 2 prior to reading this section of the example on I Ching coin toss which will explain Lake over Water, Hexagram 47: Blockade prior to the transformed Heaven over Earth, Hexagram 12: Stalemate.

Hexagram 47

The Oracle speaks of Hexagram 12, "What should be flowing is going stale. The ill-intentioned are blocking the flow. Risk of Loss. Practice the virtue of frugality to alleviate difficulties."

"Incompetence prevails. Honor the gods and ancestors for protection. Come what may, no matter how grave the inequity, you cannot falter in your own virtue."

"Do not let their malignity erode your integrity. If you want to know why the malevolent has come out victorious, you may ask the Oracle."


With this Hexagram, we obviously can notice that Heaven and Earth are divided, with a stagnation, cessation of movement. There has been a halt in growth and progress.

There are no blessings or gains received, no advancing and no flow. There is a feeling of not sure where to go but also confusion on when to create movement.


All six lines can reveal intuitive insight, but we focus mostly on the changing lines. For line 2 of the transformed Hexagram 12: Stalemate: "Ceremonial meat is wrapped in palm. The adversary is faring well. The eminent one, however, is not. Favorable to proceed."

With the generalization of medical and technology for line 2, this could have meaning toward asking for guidance and to hold steady with simple faith and principles in regards to personal health. Meditation is recommended and to not make haste in decisions.


For line 6 of the transformed Hexagram 12: Stalemate: "Overturning the opposition. First part, stagnation, final part, success. Temporary stagnation followed by jubilation."

Line 6 is international travel and affairs, which proves the stalemate to be temporary and there are opportunities to seize at the right moment that ends the stalemate.

The situation surrounding the endeavor improves and there is great success and joy. There are celebrations and blessings.


In conclusion, of the primary Hexagram 47: Blockade which transformed into Hexagram 12: Stalemate, we have a strong suggestion from the Oracle that the inner strife that created superficial impression that all is well lacked self-honesty, which an opposition becomes reflected as an entanglement.

Ultimately, this created a loss in flow and no progression, so the insight is to hold steady and re-obtain a focus to shift direction back into a flowing state, but to not move to quickly. The opportunity will display itself if there is not lack of attention or intention.

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