AUTHOR’S NOTE: In my ongoing I Ching studies I’m reading about enlisting the qi (life-force) of water to effect a reversal of misfortune. In nature, water flows where it will, surrounding and over-topping all obstacles in its relentless advance. It fills “potholes” in the road, which can give the illusion of firmness even though water in its liquid form is entirely yielding, something we don’t appreciate until a tire comes down hard in one of them. On the other hand, water will float us out of a deep pit if we give ourselves up to its buoyancy.

Here is a spread that proposes two ways of deciding a course of action based on the “Water” paradigm. We can either enter the stream and “ride the wave” until it crests (the “Active Way”), or remain inert and let the waters flood over us, hopefully cleansing rather than stagnating (the “Passive Way”). It would be best to use two decks with this spread so all cards are available to both paths.

Begin by shuffling Deck #1 while concentrating on the decision and deal four cards face-up from left-to-right in the pattern shown. Then shuffle Deck #2 and deal four cards from left-to-right immediately below the first set. Reversals may be used with this spread. (If you prefer, you can deal more than one card into the “Options” position of each row to provide a broader scope for your scrutiny, at the risk of overly complicating the deliberation.)

Perform the series of four “process” steps for each row and determine which of the paths offers the most favorable progression of circumstances: proactive engagement or patient detachment. Before deciding to follow that advice, conduct a “quintessence” calculation for each path as a “synthesis of consequences” (essentially a long-range forecast). Then reflect on whether to harvest the prompt benefits of the favored way or wait for the potentially greater rewards of the extended outlook even if near-term prospects seems less desirable.

Finally, come up with a plan of action or restraint to implement your decision.