I Ching

Throughout various cultures and political systems of the world, the well has served as a universal symbol for that which sustains life and provides a constant, inexhaustible source of nourishment for mankind.  For the life-force, in other words.

Like the well, human nature is the same around the world.  The passage of time cannot add to its essential dimensions, nor take anything away.  Still, just as a well can be deepened to produce clearer, cleaner water, so can we enrich our lives by delving deeply into our essential natures.

Beware of shallow thinking; like a little learning, it can be dangerous.  The image of the well suggests that with depth comes clarity.  Be patient, and penetrate both problems and your own nature to the core.  If you do not lower your bucket to the depths, you’re very likely to come up empty.  When greater depth is desired, a lessening of speed is often required.

1. Drinking from a muddy well: great misfortune.  The mind can easily become confused as a result of being preoccupied with trivialities or phantom images.  Go to the source; live your life, plunge in deeply – but don’t dive in too far over your head.
2. The water in the well is clear, but it is not being used.  This illustrates the situation of a person who possesses talents that are being neglected.  Others may begin to neglect you, if you neglect what is best in yourself.  At a time such as this, nothing significant can be accomplished, but no specific bad fortune is indicated either.
3. The well is clean, but is not being used.  This is a shame, for like an abandoned well, your abilities are not being recognized – to your own chagrin, and to the detriment of others also.  If someone in a high position (or perhaps the highest part of yourself) recognizes your abilities – then great good fortune.
4. The walls of the well are being lined with stone, so the time is not yet ripe to lower the bucket.  Similarly, there are times when the priority in life is to put the details in order, and save profound exploration for another time.  For now, it is most important that you gain discipline in small things, so that you will be able to profit from this self-improvement in the future.
5. The well is fed from a clear, cool spring.  A good and honest character is as clean and refreshing as spring water.  This points to profit, advancement, and success; but the water is not drawn just yet, so your potential is not yet fulfilled.  It’s not enough to have access to a good well; for it to be of use, you must drink from it.  If you have doubts about your path, it cannot work for you.  You can only make knowledge yours through real-life experience.
6. You draw from the well without hindrance because you have grown to be as dependable as it is.  Supreme good fortune, for you possess the qualities necessary for success.  Just as when a well is brimming with fresh water, your openness and generosity benefit everyone as well as yourself.