50 – The Cauldron – Sacrifice – Burning Wood

The cauldron is used to cook the sacrifice or meal for all. It is now time to bite the bullet and give something up that we prize for the sake of furthering our cause. We shall give this thing freely and without regret for this is the only way that it can assist us. A sacrifice is only a sacrifice if it is something that we love. The wise man spends all day preparing a meal and invites the villagers to his home for the ceremonial sacrifice.

1^st – Overturning the Cauldron – The meat is bad and must be done away with. It is not shameful to dispose of something that no longer gives us use. His wife is infertile, he takes a concubine to bear child.

2^nd – The Iron Cauldron – Our will is steadfast and our enemies have encountered unforeseen trouble.

3^rd – The Cauldrons Handles – The handles are missing and we are unable to offer what we have prepared. Sad that such a thing should go to waste. This happened because we spent too much time remising about affairs past. In the end, rain will come and make everything right.

4^th – The Cauldrons Legs – The legs snap and the sacrifice is spilled all over, spoiling our clothes. Through gross carelessness, he not only lost something, but created additional trouble for himself.

5^th – The Golden Cauldron – Our prior mishaps have been resolved to the point where everything is in better standing than when it started. It is time to be persistent, yet civilized.

6^th – The Jade Cauldron – She approaches wearing a white silk gown. He knows that if he can have her, then the rest of the world would be but his playpen. Go for it young lion, never keep a woman waiting.

All Six – The Families Cauldron – Cooking the sacrifice, he calls in his family and cultivates the virtue of the home. It is best to now pay attention to the simple aspects of life.