On the heels of Limitation we have Decrease.
Hexagram 41: Decrease of the I Ching is the image of a lake at the bottom of a mountain. The mountain evaporates and decreases to the increase of the mountain, which benefits from the moisture.
It also represents a structure with a weak foundaton, symbolizing a decrease in prosperity of the people in favor of the government.
The message here, per Richard Wilhelm’s translation, is that decrease does not always mean something bad. “Increase and decrease come in their own time.” What’s needed in times of scanty resources is simplicty, for that provides “inner strength for further undertakings.” And: “One must draw strength of the inner attitude to compensante for what is lacking in externals…Even with slender means, the sentiment of the heart can be expressed.”
Saturn is the host planet of Aquarius. Saturn is the archetype that represents protective boundaries, maintaining order, and self-preservation. With Pluto now in Aquarius (it will be in the Limitation portion for most of this year), we have an energy that will help us challenge homeostasis and limited viewpoints. The area of life Aquarius represents in your chart will have the opportunity to express the sentiment of your heart.
The Sun is in exile in Aquarius and struggles to express its true nature. Therefore, Decrease might be obvious in your life right now. But as Wilhelm says, “By this decrease of the lower powers of the psyche, the higher aspects of the soul are enriched.”
Below are some journal prompts you can feel free to use to incorporate Decrease into your life this week:
- How can you navigate your connections with others in a way that brings more clarity and purpose to your relationships?
- Dive into the theme of moderation and balance suggested by Decrease. Examine areas of excess or deficiency in your life, especially the area of life Aquarius represents in your natal chart.
- If your means are slender right now, what are some ways you can find to still express the sentiments of your heart?
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I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm
