From every ending arises a new beginning: the Return
Start over where you left off. Seasonal changes were vital to agriculture and livelihoods in every Northern Hemisphere culture. The return of the lengthening of the hours of light, which comes with the winter solstice, is also a sign of a spiritual nature, in all religions it is seen as the most favorable moment of the year.
This was the case for all populations of Indo-European origin, for the North American natives and it could not be different in China. Indeed it is precisely in China that there is the oldest and historically confirmed tradition on the sacredness of the winter solstice.
In the Book of Changes (I Ching), the oldest text not only of China but of all humanity, the winter solstice is connected to the hexagram "Fu", which means "The Return".
The sign is characterized by a clear line that returns from below and rises to the top. It means root and trunk of the character. The good that appears below is at the beginning, almost insignificant, but it is strong enough to establish itself permanently, in its peculiarity (as it is congenial to it), in the face of every temptation of the environment.
The word "return" also suggests the idea of a continuous turnaround after mistakes, as well as the idea of self-knowledge and self-criticism needed to correct oneself.
With reference to the formation of character it is meant that the clear principle turns back towards the inner light and turns its back on the confusion of the exterior. In the depths of the soul, then, one sees the divine (the One).
This consciousness is still in a germinal state, barely a beginning, but as such clearly distinct from all external objects.
To recognize this One is to recognize one's own nature in the ascending force of life.
In the commentary on the hexagram Confucius says: "In the sign The Return we see the meaning of Heaven and Earth". Here the idea is expressed that the luminous force is the creative principle of Heaven and Earth.
It is an eternal cycle, from which existence always arises again, just at the moment in which it can seem completely defeated. From this conclusions are drawn which indicate the right course of action at this time.
Paul D'Arpini
This was the case for all populations of Indo-European origin, for the North American natives and it could not be different in China. Indeed it is precisely in China that there is the oldest and historically confirmed tradition on the sacredness of the winter solstice.
In the Book of Changes (I Ching), the oldest text not only of China but of all humanity, the winter solstice is connected to the hexagram "Fu", which means "The Return".
The sign is characterized by a clear line that returns from below and rises to the top. It means root and trunk of the character. The good that appears below is at the beginning, almost insignificant, but it is strong enough to establish itself permanently, in its peculiarity (as it is congenial to it), in the face of every temptation of the environment.
The word "return" also suggests the idea of a continuous turnaround after mistakes, as well as the idea of self-knowledge and self-criticism needed to correct oneself.
With reference to the formation of character it is meant that the clear principle turns back towards the inner light and turns its back on the confusion of the exterior. In the depths of the soul, then, one sees the divine (the One).
This consciousness is still in a germinal state, barely a beginning, but as such clearly distinct from all external objects.
To recognize this One is to recognize one's own nature in the ascending force of life.
In the commentary on the hexagram Confucius says: "In the sign The Return we see the meaning of Heaven and Earth". Here the idea is expressed that the luminous force is the creative principle of Heaven and Earth.
It is an eternal cycle, from which existence always arises again, just at the moment in which it can seem completely defeated. From this conclusions are drawn which indicate the right course of action at this time.
Paul D'Arpini