Development (Gradual Progress, Advancement) The Kien hexagram suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct. The Changes The first line, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against ; but there will be no error. The second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune. The third [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 52
Keeping Still (The Mountain) When one’s resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it, there will be no error. The Changes The first line, divided, shows its subject keeping his toes at rest. There will be no error ; but it will be advantageous for him to be persistently firm and correct. The second line, divided, shows its subject keeping the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help (the subject of the line [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 51
The Arousing (Thunder) The Kan Hexagram gives the intimation of ease and development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred li, he will be (like the sincere worshipper)who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits. The Changes The first line, undivided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, looking out and around with apprehension, and afterwards smiling and talking cheerfully. [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 50
The Cauldron (Holding) Ting gives the intimation of great progress and success. The Changes The first line, divided, shows the caldron overthrown and its feet turned up. (But) there will be advantage in its getting rid of what was bad in it. (Or it shows us) the concubine (whose position is improved) by means of her son. There will be no error. The second line, undivided, shows the caldron with the things (to be cooked) in it. (If its subject can say), ‘My enemy dislikes me, but he cannot approach me,’ there will be good fortune. The [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 48
The Well (Looking at) Jíng, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil. The Changes The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it ; or an old well [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 47
Oppression (Confining, Entangled) In (the condition denoted by) Khwãn there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good. The Changes The first line, divided, shows its subject with bare buttocks straitened under the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley, and for three years has no prospect (of deliverance). The second line, undivided, shows its subject straitened amidst his wine and viands. There come to him anon the [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 46
Pushing Upwards (Ascending) Shãng indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. Seeking by (the qualities implied in it) to meet with the great man, its subject need have no anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate. The Changes The first line, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards with the welcome (of those above him). There will be great good fortune. The second line, undivided, shows its subject with that sincerity which will make even the (small) offerings of the vernal sacrifice acceptable. There will be no error. The third line, undivided, shows its [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 45
Gathering Together (Finishing) In (the state denoted by) cuì, the king will repair to his ancestral temple. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man ; and then there will be progress and success, though the advantage must come through firm correctness. The use of great victims will conduce to good fortune; and in whatever direction movement is made, it willbe advantageous. The Changes 1. The first line, divided, shows its subject with a sincere desire (for union), but unable to carry it out, so that disorder is brought into the sphere of his union. If [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 44
The Attraction of Opposites (Coupling, Meeting) Kâu shows a female who is bold and strong. It will not be good to marry (such) a female. (This needs to be updated!) The Changes The first line, divided, shows how its subject should be kept (like a carriage) tied and fastened to a metal drag, in which case with firm correctness there will be good fortune. (But) if he move in any direction, evil will appear. He will be (like) a lean pig, which is sure to keep jumping about. The second line, undivided, shows its subject with a wallet [...] Read more »
iChing Hexagram 43
Resoluteness (Displacement, Breakthrough) Kwâi requires (in him who would fulfill its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit’s guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to. The Changes The first line, undivided, shows its subject in (the pride of) strength advancing with his [...] Read more »