Oracle of the Tao -- "Approach"
When the last frost of winter has melted and the scent of spring is in the sir, we can practically hear nature's sigh of relief. The pungent scent of earth in our nostril quickens the spirit of joy in our own hearts, as days grow longer and warm the sleeping seeds underground into life. And the thrill of reawakening life is felt as keenly in the city as in the countryside. The stripped-down, no nonsense place that people have adopted to navigate the cold pavement gives way to the burgeoning expansiveness of loose stride, windows open to reveal bright colors in flowerpots, and smiles blossoming more readily on the faces of passersby.
In town and country alike, the earliest days of spring are made sweeter by a long and patient wait. And Nature has been patient, too, through thee months of silent hibernation, and then through the infinitely slow unfloding of life beneath the earth's surface as it prepares for its cyclic debut. When time comes for Mother Nature to show her fresh green and new-bud colors, the effect is intoxicating and uplifting. It's no wonder that spring is universally identified with young lovers, hopeful new beginnings, generosity, and happiness.
In the unfolding affairs of human life there will be many springs, and they are not just those defined by the calender. The hexagram of Approach points to such a climate of new life awakening, and the signs of transformation are visible everywhere. the opportunities that present themselves to you now are all in the direction of expansion, abundance and growth. it might start with a new business opportunity, a flowering love affair, or simply a sense of well-being that spreads upward from your inner depths. But whatever the species of flower that emergies first time at this time, it is, like its counterpart in nature, likely to herald an ever-growing abundance of flowers to follow.
What must be remembered in times of Approch in that the expansiveness of the moment cannot last forever and the challenge is to actively support the new climate with your total energy and full attention. It might be tempting to just spread out the beach towel on the lawn, close your eyes, and bask in the warmth of the sun. But if you squander the good fortune that's coming your way on an extended holiday, you will have missed the chane to gather resources and build-up reserves that could sustain you through harder times. In a similar vein, it's prudent not to get so carried away by the thrill of sighting the first robin that you miss the whole chorus of songbirds to come.
The best gardeners welcome spring with joy and exuberance -- and match its abundance with an abundance of dilligent preparation and energetic labor. it's time to be a good gardener now, so that by the time sutumn comes, the harvest will nourish and sustain you through the winter that will follow as susrely as the spring has come.
In town and country alike, the earliest days of spring are made sweeter by a long and patient wait. And Nature has been patient, too, through thee months of silent hibernation, and then through the infinitely slow unfloding of life beneath the earth's surface as it prepares for its cyclic debut. When time comes for Mother Nature to show her fresh green and new-bud colors, the effect is intoxicating and uplifting. It's no wonder that spring is universally identified with young lovers, hopeful new beginnings, generosity, and happiness.
In the unfolding affairs of human life there will be many springs, and they are not just those defined by the calender. The hexagram of Approach points to such a climate of new life awakening, and the signs of transformation are visible everywhere. the opportunities that present themselves to you now are all in the direction of expansion, abundance and growth. it might start with a new business opportunity, a flowering love affair, or simply a sense of well-being that spreads upward from your inner depths. But whatever the species of flower that emergies first time at this time, it is, like its counterpart in nature, likely to herald an ever-growing abundance of flowers to follow.
What must be remembered in times of Approch in that the expansiveness of the moment cannot last forever and the challenge is to actively support the new climate with your total energy and full attention. It might be tempting to just spread out the beach towel on the lawn, close your eyes, and bask in the warmth of the sun. But if you squander the good fortune that's coming your way on an extended holiday, you will have missed the chane to gather resources and build-up reserves that could sustain you through harder times. In a similar vein, it's prudent not to get so carried away by the thrill of sighting the first robin that you miss the whole chorus of songbirds to come.
The best gardeners welcome spring with joy and exuberance -- and match its abundance with an abundance of dilligent preparation and energetic labor. it's time to be a good gardener now, so that by the time sutumn comes, the harvest will nourish and sustain you through the winter that will follow as susrely as the spring has come.