I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
64 - Wei Chi / Before Completion
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FLAME
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram are in relation to those in the lower. However, they are not yet in their places. While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winters stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of Changes come to its close.
The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. However, it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before completion", deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FLAME
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram are in relation to those in the lower. However, they are not yet in their places. While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winters stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of Changes come to its close.
The Judgement
BEFORE COMPLETION. Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, gets his tail in the water. There is nothing that would further.The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. However, it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before completion", deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
The Image
Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition. Thus, the superior man is careful in the differentiation of things, so that each finds its place.When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.
Changing
Six at the beginning means:
If you are not sincere until the end, there will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, then, after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.
The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader who they look up to, but they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus, they lack a firm center around which to gather. If expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore, they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader.
If you are not sincere until the end, there will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, then, after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.
The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader who they look up to, but they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus, they lack a firm center around which to gather. If expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore, they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader.
Six in the second place means:
Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering.
In the time of GATHERING TOGETHER, we should make no arbitrary choice of the way. There are secret forces at work, leading together those who belong together. We must yield to this attraction, then we make no mistakes. Where inner relationships exist, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. People understand one another forthwith, just as a divinity graciously accepts a small offering if it comes from the heart.
Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering.
In the time of GATHERING TOGETHER, we should make no arbitrary choice of the way. There are secret forces at work, leading together those who belong together. We must yield to this attraction, then we make no mistakes. Where inner relationships exist, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. People understand one another forthwith, just as a divinity graciously accepts a small offering if it comes from the heart.
Nine in the fifth place means:
If in gathering together one has position, this brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work, sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then, remorse disappears.
When people spontaneously gather around a man, it is only a good. It gives him a certain influence that can be altogether useful, but of course there is also the possibility that many may gather around him not because of a feeling of confidence but merely because of his influential position. This is certainly to be regretted. The only means of dealing with such people is to gain their confidence through steadfastness and intensified, unswerving devotion to duty. In this way secret mistrust will gradually be overcome, and there will be no occasion for regret.
If in gathering together one has position, this brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work, sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then, remorse disappears.
When people spontaneously gather around a man, it is only a good. It gives him a certain influence that can be altogether useful, but of course there is also the possibility that many may gather around him not because of a feeling of confidence but merely because of his influential position. This is certainly to be regretted. The only means of dealing with such people is to gain their confidence through steadfastness and intensified, unswerving devotion to duty. In this way secret mistrust will gradually be overcome, and there will be no occasion for regret.
Transformed
45 - Ts`ui / Gathering Together (Massing)
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, HOLDING TOGETHER (8). In the latter, water is over the earth. Here a lake is over the earth, but since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that bring about the gather together, whereas in the former case one strong line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.
The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved. Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is need of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.
If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly, where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise. Where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus, in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, HOLDING TOGETHER (8). In the latter, water is over the earth. Here a lake is over the earth, but since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that bring about the gather together, whereas in the former case one strong line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.
The Judgement
GATHERING TOGETHER. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something.The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved. Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is need of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.
The Image
Over the earth, the lake: The image of GATHERING TOGETHER. Thus, the superior man renews his weapons In order to meet the unforeseen.If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly, where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise. Where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus, in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.