Rudhyar: Yi King

Rudhyar: Yi King

What is needed, however, is a simple symbolic presentation of life-principles such as we find in the old Yi King: a general formula which relates, centers and crystallizes all the new ideas and ideals; which brings to formulation in a new and significant manner the basic forces which in every field seek a new type of adjustment. Realizing the apparent magnitude of the task, it would seem presumptuous even to attempt it. Yet what is more simple than the basic principles of the Yi King? Our civilization is overburdened with complexities. What it needs is a few simple and synthesizing ideas, which at last can structurally coordinate the bewildering maze of our intellectual knowledge. It needs one, or a few, significant symbols to integrate the whole mass of materials, data and sciences which are crowding our encyclopedias. Can such be found, at this present moment? It is hard to say. But we may at any rate contribute a suggestion toward the eventual solution. On the other hand, the following concepts will be of essential value to us in determining the bases of astrological symbolism. And let us not forget, astrological symbolism, as symbolism, may yet play a most important part in making concrete and intelligible some of the deepest ideas involved in the philosophy of the new civilization.

The nature of change