Motion and balance

So, why did I adopt (in modified form) this symbol for my other spots relating to trading? The underlying t'ai chi tu symbol is one many will recognize, and it depicts both motion and balance. Of course this resonates throughout the Tao Teh Ching. The concept is introduced right from the beginning, in TTC chapter 1, when the original undivided unity subdivides into beingness and non-beingness, and then beingness subdivides into the myriad things.

The radiating lines, reminiscent of Gann angle lines, relate to the points where yin and yang begin, progress, wax and wane. They can be related to the energetic calendar and, of course, cycles. Those lines also relate to the strength (angle) of ascent and descent.

All these concepts relate to trading and may serve as a reminder that we don't control the cycles and waves, the motion and balance. Rather, we may attune ourselves to these so that we might move in flow at the right times, and balance ourselves in meditative stillness at the right times.

To relate this to trading, one might think for example of time frames. Many are engaged in daytrading, and will therefore be looking at the intraday cycles and waves traced out in minute increments. Tempting as it is for myself as a swing trader to follow those, and confusing as it looks for beginners especially when looking only at where markets begin or end the day, for swing trader the focus needs to pull back a bit and observe across hours and days.

This may lead to some thought about trading psychology and the importance of exercising patience to be flat with no position at the right times, in order to be prepared and take action for a trading position when the moment is right. There's probably a good analogy here also to sports and martial arts - there are times to observe and gather energy, and there are times to act when opportunity presents.

So ... may we find ourselves in balance and movement during these trading days.

PS - The "Astronomy Picture of the Day" from the NASA gadget along the right-hand side of this site, coincidentally is this great shot of "unusual auroras at Saturn's north pole." Pretty neat that this picture shows as a nice corollary to the t'ai chi tu based picture I'm using as a logo for my other trading-related sites.