Archetype 63: After Completion

CR P02 C63 A01

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:16–20

The Reading

The human incarnation of the word eternal has come to an end. Jesus has delivered his message of love. He has proven that love cannot be killed, even by the feared Roman Empire. If love can survive the cruelty of Rome, it can survive anything. We hope.

The Jesus who appears in this reading is the word resurrected. This is the word that lives on in the hearts of all who turn away from the darkness and commit themselves to being children of love. It would seem that we have reached the end of the story. Jesus has preached. Jesus has been murdered. Christ has been resurrected. Love has triumphed.

However, as we all know, the battle between love and darkness continues. Even today, the outcome is uncertain. At any moment, the world could slip into an abyss of hatred that even God’s love cannot penetrate.

Before us lies a divergence in the road. In one direction lies destruction and darkness, the way of Ego. In the other direction lies love and light, the way of Wisdom. Jesus died making a desperate plea to us to choose Wisdom’s way.

The future of the human race depends on whether we listen.

The Hexagram

CR P02 C63 A02

This hexagram consists of the lower trigram Christ and the upper trigram Chaos. In hexagram numerology, the first, third, and fifth positions are considered strong. The second, fourth, and sixth positions are considered weak. This is the only hexagram in which every weak position is taken by a weak line and every strong position is taken by a strong line. This is the perfect equilibrium. However, it is also fragile. Just a single line change destabilizes the hexagram.

The Archetype

There is a time...

  • To celebrate the climax, when everything seems aligned just so.
  • To know that the climax is a delicate time, when even a small miscalculation can result in unraveling.
  • To pay the most careful attention to details so that we can avoid disintegration.
  • To understand that the only path to maintaining what has been accomplished is Wisdom’s way.

Now is that time.

Moving Lines

Moving Line in the First (Bottom) Position

A moving line in the bottom position describes a transition after which there is great jubilation over the progress that has been made. The momentum is pressing forward, but this is not the time to be carried forward by that momentum. Doing so will cause us to move too fast and miss our goal. The line advises that time must be taken to fully understand the forces at play and move with caution, lest we be forced to retrace our steps.

Moving Line in the Second Position

A moving line in the second position warns that there is a danger that those in power will use this completion as a time to regress into Ego. When that happens, they fail to support those who are needed to move forward. We may feel we no longer enjoy their trust. We are tempted to respond with a power grab. But the line advises this is ill advised. This is a time to wait and cultivate Wisdom. Our time is coming.

Moving Line in the Third Position

A moving line in the third position describes the period of rapid expansion that inevitably follows times of completion. The line tells us it is critical to take the best possible care of the newly acquired territories and dedicate only the wisest administrators to overseeing them. The expansion being discussed can be literal or metaphorical.

Moving Line in the Fourth Position

A moving line in the fourth position describes the inevitable scandals that accompany any great intellectual movement. Sometimes a hidden problem is uncovered, and this can cause great consternation. There is a temptation to ignore the issue and sweep it under the rug. While this may result in apparent concord, this line tells us to pay careful attention to these issues, lest they fester and flare up in the future.

Moving Line in the Fifth Position

A moving line in the fifth position describes the ceremonies that follow a great completion. The old ceremonies are replaced by new ceremonies that were created to be even more elaborate, even more inspirational. But this is all an appeal to Ego, and it invites idolatry. God is not interested in elaborate shows and ceremonies. God is interested in a pure and contrite heart. This is a good time to meditate on Psalm 51.

Moving Line in the Sixth (Top) Position

A moving line in the top position warns that this is not the time to sit around admiring our accomplishments. Doing so places us in danger. This is the time to move forward with determination.

Other interpretations of Archetype 63:

Internal Links:

  • Return to the Hexagram Index Table [click here].
  • Return to Consulting the Christian I Ching [click here].
  • Purchase a printed copy of Wisdom's Way; The Christian I Ching [click here].
  • Learn about our Online Christian I Ching Workshop [click here].
  • Find out about personal consultations [click here].

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

To celebrate the climax, when everything seems aligned just so.

To know that the climax is a delicate time, when even a small miscalculation can result in unraveling.

To pay the most careful attention to details so that we can avoid disintegration.

To understand that the only path to maintaining what has been accomplished is Wisdom’s way.