Theme
Furthering
Carried by fifty-five chapters
In the constellation
PerseveranceSublime Success04 Youthful Folly33 Retreat39 Obstruction40 Deliverance48 The Well56 The Wanderer59 Dispersion34 The Power of the Great07 The Army12 Standstill20 Contemplation28 Preponderance of the Great30 The Clinging, Fire31 Influence36 Darkening of the light52 Keeping Still, Mountain63 After Completion05 Waiting06 Conflict14 Possession in Great Measure15 Modesty16 Enthusiasm35 Progress37 The Family41 Decrease43 Break-through44 Coming to Meet47 Oppression53 Development03 Difficulty at the Beginning17 Following21 Biting Through27 Corners of the Mouth49 Revolution50 The Caldron54 The Marrying Maiden62 Preponderance of the Small01 The Creative09 The Taming Power of the Small11 Peace18 Work on what has been spoiled19 Approach23 Splitting Apart25 Innocence26 The Taming Power of the Great32 Duration42 Increase46 Pushing Upward13 Fellowship with Men57 The Gentle64 Before Completion02 The Receptive24 Return45 Gathering Together61 Inner TruthCrossing the Great WaterHaving Somewhere to Go
Furthering is the third of the Creative's four attributes and, as a verb, the oracle's commonest word of approval ("It furthers one to ...", "Perseverance furthers"). Wilhelm gives its literal meaning:
... "furthering" (literally, "creating that which accords with the nature of a given being").
To further is thus to promote each thing along the line of its own nature. In the pairing of the attributes with the cardinal virtues, furthering is matched with justice:
The attribute furthering is correlated with justice, which creates the conditions in which each receives that which accords with his being, that which is due him and which constitutes his happiness.
So when the oracle says a course "furthers," it means more than "is advantageous": it means the course is in harmony with the nature of things and helps them toward their proper fulfillment. It is the active, benevolent aspect of the Creative at work in the world.
Where the thread runs
- 01 The Creative
- 02 The Receptive
- 03 Difficulty at the Beginning
- 04 Youthful Folly
- 05 Waiting
- 06 Conflict
- 07 The Army
- 09 The Taming Power of the Small
- 11 Peace
- 12 Standstill
- 13 Fellowship with Men
- 14 Possession in Great Measure
- 15 Modesty
- 16 Enthusiasm
- 17 Following
- 18 Work on what has been spoiled
- 19 Approach
- 20 Contemplation
- 21 Biting Through
- 23 Splitting Apart
- 24 Return
- 25 Innocence
- 26 The Taming Power of the Great
- 27 Corners of the Mouth
- 28 Preponderance of the Great
- 30 The Clinging, Fire
- 31 Influence
- 32 Duration
- 33 Retreat
- 34 The Power of the Great
- 35 Progress
- 36 Darkening of the light
- 37 The Family
- 39 Obstruction
- 40 Deliverance
- 41 Decrease
- 42 Increase
- 43 Break-through
- 44 Coming to Meet
- 45 Gathering Together
- 46 Pushing Upward
- 47 Oppression
- 48 The Well
- 49 Revolution
- 50 The Caldron
- 52 Keeping Still, Mountain
- 53 Development
- 54 The Marrying Maiden
- 56 The Wanderer
- 57 The Gentle
- 59 Dispersion
- 61 Inner Truth
- 62 Preponderance of the Small
- 63 After Completion
- 64 Before Completion