Archetype 55: Abundance

CR P02 C55 A01

Now King Hiram of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram had always been a friend to David. Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, “You know that my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. So I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to my father David, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ Therefore command that cedars from the Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will join your servants, and I will give you whatever wages you set for your servants; for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.”

—1 Kings 5:1–7

The Reading

The reading describes a time when the Jewish civilization was at its most advanced and powerful. Solomon is now king. He is going to use this time of peace, prosperity, and abundance to fulfill a promise that his father had made. He would build a great temple for God. The temple will stand for more than four hundred years, but not even Solomon’s temple can last forever.

The Hexagram

CR P02 C55 A02

This hexagram consists of the lower trigram Christ and the upper trigram Word. The Word and Christ are two aspects of the same manifestation. The Word is the creative outpouring of God power. Christ is God power made manifest as human. Christ is the God child who shows us the way to also become God children. We are then no longer aligned with the finite and limited but with the infinite and unlimited, and we have within our grasp the inexhaustible abundance the Word promises.

The Archetype

There is a time...

  • To appreciate the great abundance that God has provided, knowing that all worldly wealth is fleeting.
  • To recognize that not all are equally able to bring about a time of abundance; it takes a great leader.
  • To understand that not all are equally able to lead in a time of abundance; it takes wisdom to understand how to make use of the abundance God has given.
  • To carefully investigate the facts, enforce the laws, and apply discipline swiftly and fairly.

Now is that time.

Moving Lines

Moving Line in the First (Bottom) Position

 A moving line in the bottom position gives advice on how to bring about desired abundance. It takes the union of clarity and energy. These two attributes may be found in two people who form a close partnership and commit to that partnership for the long term.

Moving Line in the Second Position

A moving line in the second position suggests that politics and conspiracies have come between a leader who has a plan to bring about abundance and a helper who is critical to that plan. The line warns against moving forward at this time. Doing so will only result in obstructions. Instead, the line suggests remaining outwardly still while inwardly gathering wisdom. In time, truth will win out.

Moving Line in the Third Position

A moving line in the third position warns that the inauspicious conditions warned about in the previous (second) moving line have become even more pronounced. The intrigue is now so intense that the leader has little allure. Now, even the pettiest and most insignificant riffraff are able to distract from what needs to be accomplished. There is nothing the leader can do at this time.

Moving Line in the Fourth Position

A moving line in the fourth position suggests that the darkness that has been described in the last two moving lines is beginning to ebb. It is now time to bring Wisdom and Action together into one joyful whole.

Moving Line in the Fifth Position

A moving line in the fifth position advises the ruler to be open to the wisdom of others. Fortunately, there are many wise and able people who can offer wise counsel. This brings success to all.

Moving Line in the Sixth (Top) Position

A moving line in the top position describes one who is arrogant and seeks abundance only for Ego satisfaction. This person’s thirst for power quickly alienates everybody and leaves the arrogant one isolated.

Other interpretations of Archetype 55:

Internal Links:

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Reproduced with permission from Wisdom's Way; The Christian I Ching copyright (c) 2015 Roger Sessions.