Crowley: Let the illusion of the world pass over thee, unheeded, as thou goest from the midnight to the morning. Illusion, deception, bewilderment, hysteria, even madness, dreaminess, falsehoods, error, crisis, "the darkest hour before the dawn", the brink of important change. (BT P. 259)

Crowley: The poisoned darkness which is the condition of the rebirth of light. (BT p. 112) Mysterious, intoxicating, drunkenness of sense, after the mind has been abolished... The Dark Night of the Soul. (BT p. 113)

Here is a paraphrase of the content of the kua titles: Before completion of the transition from chaos to order there is oppression, conflict, and exhaustion; but eventual deliverance.

In the patriarchal mode of interpretation the moon has long been the primary symbol of all that is false and illusory. The moon is the false sun; a poor, pale imitation of the definitive source of light and clarity. By its phases it demonstrates an inconstancy that marks it as being untrustworthy. It rules the night, when all reasonable beings sleep; and dream. The dream easily becomes the nightmare. The nightmare is the vehicle of all our fears. It reflects, therefore distorts, the waking world reality. As the sun symbolizes clarity, the moon stands for confusion and chaos.

In the symbolism of the I Ching; the trigram KAN, is the symbol of the moon. It is also representative of reason (see trump I, "THE MAGUS"). All four of the kua associated with this trump have KAN as the lower trigram. KAN is called "THE ABYSMAL" and represents danger through its imagery of fast flowing water in mountainous terrain. The function of reason is to bring order to the mind through clarity and therefore order to the world through right action based on clear understanding. But like most things in this world, reason has its limits, traps, and pitfalls. We can all recall times when we have been led into confusion and delusion through the intricate tangles of a strict systematic application of logic.

In those times when the world seems mad and all our efforts seem doomed to being misunderstood and opposed; we can take comfort from the knowledge that this too shall pass; and that a proper attitude of acceptance of the challenges such a time brings can provide us with valuable lessons which will stand us in good stead later on.

Crowley: We see a path or stream, serum tinged with blood, which flows from a gap between two barren mountains; ... a sinister and forbidding landscape. (BT p. 112)

The trigram, THE ABYSMAL, represents a swift flowing mountain stream. It also represents, among others, the following concepts: moon, danger, melancholy, and blood. Crowley's sinister and forbidding landscape finds its twin in line 1 of kua 47, "OPPRESSION."

Kua 47, line 1: ONE SITS UNDER A BARE TREE AND STRAYS INTO A GLOOMY VALLEY. (p. 182)

Wilhelm: (kua 47) Such an attitude comes from an inner delusion that he must by all means overcome.

Kua 47, Appended judgements: OPPRESSION LEADS TO PERPLEXITY AND THEREBY TO SUCCESS. (p. 624)

Regarding the lesson to be learned and the proper attitude to exhibit during these times:

Crowley: The best men, ... consider the matter ... "How splendid is the adventure!" (BT p. 113)

Kua 47, Appended judgements: OPPRESSION IS THE TEST OF CHARACTER. (p. 624)

Wilhelm expands on this theme in his exposition of the Ta Chuan chapter VII on p. 347.

Wilhelm: This hexagram (47) leads the individual of developed character finally into the field where he must prove himself. difficulties and obstacles arise; these must be overcome, yet they often prove insuperable. He sees himself confronted by bounds that he cannot set aside and that can be surmounted only by recognizing them for what they are. In thus recognizing as fate the things that must be so taken, one ceases to hate adversity - of what use would it be to storm against fate - and through the lessening of resentment, character is purified and advances to a higher level.

Crowley: deception, falsehoods and error

Kua 47, The judgement: ... WHEN ONE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY IT IS NOT BELIEVED. (p. 181)

Wilhelm: (kua 47) Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all dangers, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. (p. 181)

Kua 47, The image: THE IMAGE OF EXHAUSTION. THUS THE SUPERIOR MAN STAKES HIS LIFE ON FOLLOWING HIS WILL. (p. 182)

Wilhelm: (kua 6) The attribute of the Creative is strength, that of the Abysmal is guile. Where cunning has force before it, there is conflict. If a man is entangled in a conflict, his only salvation lies in being so clear-headed and inwardly strong that he is always ready to come to terms by meeting the opponent halfway. (p. 28)

Wilhelm: (kua 64) This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. ... The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. (p. 248-249)

Crowley: ... ,drunkenness of sense, ...

Kua 64, line 6: THERE IS DRINKING OF WINE IN GENUINE CONFIDENCE. NO BLAME. BUT IF ONE WETS HIS HEAD, HE LOSES IT, IN TRUTH. (p. 252)

As promised, there is an end to this confusing and trying time. Kua 40, "DELIVERANCE" is included in this constellation of concepts and it provides a vision of lightness and hope.

Kua 40, Miscellaneous notes: DELIVERANCE MEANS RELEASE FROM TENSION. (p. 584)

Wilhelm: (kua 40) Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. ... At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible; ... Deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. Through clarity he brings deliverance. (p. 154-155)

In addition to the imagery of the moon and the gloomy valley, there is further symbolism in the various canine beasts that inhabit Crowley's card. There are dogs or wolves and the jackal- headed Egyptian god Anubis. In two of the kuas there is direct mention of foxes, a member of the canine family and therefore cognate with dogs, wolves, and jackals. In addition, the trigram KAN, besides being the symbol of the moon, is also symbolic of the fox.

Kua 40, line 2: ONE KILLS THREE FOXES IN THE FIELD...(p. 155)

Wilhelm: (kua 40) The obstacles in public life are the designing foxes who are trying to influence the ruler through flattery. (p. 156)

Kua 64, The judgement: BEFORE COMPLETION. SUCCESS. BUT IF THE LITTLE FOX, AFTER NEARLY COMPLETING THE CROSSING, GETS HIS TAIL IN THE WATER, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WOULD FURTHER. (p. 249)