ASK ROASTIE

BAD ADVICE. GOOD TIMING.

HEXAGRAM 39 OF 64 WATER OVER MOUNTAIN

OBSTRUCTION

蹇 Jiǎn

obstruction, a mountain and a river, turning back, seeking help, the southwest

ROASTIE

Obstruction. Water piled up in front of a Mountain, the road that stops. The book says turn back, go southwest, find help. Honey, every road you've ever taken has stopped, and your move every time is to sit down in front of it and explain to the mountain why this is the mountain's fault. Ya roasted!

THE JUDGMENT

The southwest profits, the northeast does not. See the great man; firmness brings good fortune.

THE LINES, BOTTOM TO TOP

  1. Line 1 Going forward leads only into obstruction; turning back to wait wins praise.
  2. Line 2 The king's minister meets obstruction upon obstruction, and not through any fault of his own.
  3. Line 3 Going forward leads into obstruction; he turns back, and those at home rejoice.
  4. Line 4 Going forward leads into obstruction; coming back, he joins with others.
  5. Line 5 In the midst of the greatest obstruction, friends come to help.
  6. Line 6 Going forward leads into obstruction; turning back brings great merit; good fortune; see the great man.
THROW YOUR OWN ALL SIXTY-FOUR

Text: the I Ching, after James Legge's 1882 translation, public domain, trimmed into plain English. The take: a coffee bean, licensed in nothing.