I was going to do some significant exposition here, but tempus fugits and i'm behinder every minute. This morning I downloaded a much awaited Kindle copyTao Te Ching for my Xoom and decided to see, while I was at it, if there was an I Ching app that would actually cast it. There was, at the Android Market, so I grabbed it too, and after doing it "throwing coins", I grabbed the 99 cent upgrade and ran it again ""casting yarrow stalks"
The results follow the squigglydoo ...
Present
Hexagram 3: Difficulty at the beginning - (Kun (Chun))
Kun (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be great progress and success, and the advantage will come from being correct and firm. (But) any movement in advance should not be (lightly) undertaken. There will be advantage in appointing feudal princes.
Future:
Hexagram 29: The Abysmal (Water) - ((Khan (K'an))
Khan shows the possession of sincerity, through which the mind is penetrating. Action (in accordance with this) will be of high value.
Row 2 {This was a moving line}
Present: The second line, divided,shows (its subject) distressed and obliged to return; (even) the horses of her chariot (also) seem to be retreating. (But) not by a spoiler (is she assaulted), but by one who seeks her to be his wife. The young lady maintains her firm correctness and declines a union. After ten years she will be united, and have children.
Future: The second line, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.
Row 1 {Another moving line}
Present: The first line, undivided, shows the difficulty (its subject has) in advancing. It will be advantageous for him to abide correct and firm; advantageous (also) to be made a feudal ruler.
Future: The first line, divided, shows its subject in the double defile, and (yet) entering a cavern within it. There will be evil.
Updated from using coins to get yarrow:
Present: Hexagram 52. Keeping Still, Mountain (Kan (ken))
When one's resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it, there will be no error.
Future: Hexagram 15. Modesty (Khien (Ch'ien))
Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).
Row 6 {moving}
Present: The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject devotedly maintaining his restfulness. There will be good fortune
Future: The sixth line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognized. The subject of it will with advantage put his hosts in motiion; but (he will only) punish his own towns and state.
James Legge translation
No divination intended, no subject except today's date.
So, to derive the ancient meaning, need we use the ancient methods? How about the ancient meanings? What means a mountain? Should we look to the ancient Chinese symbology, considering all of the innumerable aspects and contexts of the mountain, or maybe the poems of Gary Snider or personal time on the mountain? Must one "be the mountain"