23

Doing Away With the Old

‘The old order changeth, yielding place to new,

And God fulfils himself in many ways.’

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, The Passing of Arthur

The situation is deteriorating. Things are collapsing around you. This is a matter of external conditions beyond your control. It is not a result of your having done anything wrong. What it means is that some aspect of your life which has until now been important no longer serves your best interests. It belongs to the cycle which is coming to an end. Because a new situation needs to come into being, the old has to die. Trying to struggle against the odds would therefore be pointless. Avoid confrontation. The consequences could be devastating. There is simply too much going against you. Try to stay detached. You are already vulnerable. Emotional involvement will only weaken you further. Whereas by remaining cool and disinterested, you will give nobody the opportunity to undermine you. Keep a low profile and bide your time. Take comfort from the fact that the current process is unavoidable, if painful. It has to run its course before conditions can take a turn for the better.

An opportunity for personal growth

As there is no action you can take to improve matters, use this time to replenish your energies. In due course, you will need firm foundations on which to build the new situation. You can begin creating them now. Start building up your strength. Do not allow yourself to become depressed. Avoid any tendency to cling to the past. You can only go forward from here. Try not to have expectations of others. Take no part in power struggles. Do nothing which would compromise your sense of your own worth. Be patient. Resist any pressure to try and make things happen. Wherever possible, be kind and generous. The attitude which will best serve you is what the Chinese call wu wei. It means ‘going with the flow’ and involves trusting that matters will work themselves out as they are meant to without your having to intervene.

Further aspects of the situation

SIX AT THE BEGINNING

Someone or something is working to undermine your position. Since this involves people you think you can rely on, you must be very cautious. At this point, there is nothing you can do except be on your guard and wait until the situation becomes clearer.

SIX IN THE SECOND PLACE

You are in a difficult position and must be careful. Do not be stubborn. Distance yourself from unsupportive people. You have nothing to gain by remaining in a situation which does not serve your best interests.

SIX IN THE THIRD PLACE

Circumstances are such that you are unavoidably involved in a negative situation. Stick to your principles. Honour your own values and do nothing which would go against your conscience. If others choose to behave in a despicable manner, that is their affair. By refusing to identify yourself with them, you can at least retain your own light and integrity.

SIX IN THE FOURTH PLACE

You are faced with misfortune and can do nothing to avoid it. Matters have gone too far for you to be able to turn back the tide of events.

SIX IN THE FIFTH PLACE

An unfavourable situation is now beginning to change for the better. Those who have been at odds with each other decide to cooperate for their mutual benefit. Success now becomes possible.

NINE AT THE TOP

The situation has deteriorated as far as it can. Now the stage is set for you to embark upon a period of renewed life, hope and personal effectiveness. Surviving a very difficult time has given you great resilience. Your future success will be a direct result of the strength you acquired in the process of battling with negative forces. This illustrates the truth that evil can only survive when fed by the power of the good. If left to feed on itself, it will use up its resources and destroy itself.