I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
12 - P`i / Standstill (Stagnation)
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh month (August - September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is setting in.
Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent, and the way of superior people is on the decline. The superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.
When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. The superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances, and he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh month (August - September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is setting in.
The Judgement
STANDSTILL. Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man. The great departs, and the small approaches.Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent, and the way of superior people is on the decline. The superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.
The Image
Heaven and earth do not unite: The image of STANDSTILL. Thus does the superior man falls back upon his inner worth in order to escape the difficulties. He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. The superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances, and he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.
Changing
Six in the second place means:
The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He wins the steadfastness of a young servant.
The wanderer here described is modest and reserved. He does not lose touch with his inner being, hence he finds a resting place. In the outside world he does not lose the liking of other people, hence all persons further him, so that he can acquire property. Moreover, he wins the allegiance of a faithful and trustworthy servant which is a thing of inestimable value to a wanderer.
The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He wins the steadfastness of a young servant.
The wanderer here described is modest and reserved. He does not lose touch with his inner being, hence he finds a resting place. In the outside world he does not lose the liking of other people, hence all persons further him, so that he can acquire property. Moreover, he wins the allegiance of a faithful and trustworthy servant which is a thing of inestimable value to a wanderer.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an ax. My heart is not glad.
This describes a wanderer who knows how to limit his desires outwardly, though he is inwardly strong and aspiring. Therefore, he finds at least a place of shelter in which he can stay. He also succeeds in acquiring property, but even with this he is not secure. He must be always on guard, ready to defend himself with arms. Hence, he is not at ease. He is persistently conscious of being a stranger in a strange land.
The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an ax. My heart is not glad.
This describes a wanderer who knows how to limit his desires outwardly, though he is inwardly strong and aspiring. Therefore, he finds at least a place of shelter in which he can stay. He also succeeds in acquiring property, but even with this he is not secure. He must be always on guard, ready to defend himself with arms. Hence, he is not at ease. He is persistently conscious of being a stranger in a strange land.
Transformed
56 - Lü / The Wanderer
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
The mountain, Kên, stands still. Above it fire, Li, flames up and does not tarry. Therefore, the two trigrams do not stay together. Strange lands and separation are the wanderers lot.
When a man is a wanderer and stranger, he should be not be gruff nor overbearing. He has no large circle of acquaintances, therefore he should not give himself airs. He must be cautious and reserved; in this way he protects himself from evil. If he is obliging toward others, he wins success. A wanderer has no fixed abode, and his home is the road. Therefore, he must take care to remain upright and steadfast, so that he sojourns only in the proper places, associating only with good people. Then he has good fortune and can go his way unmolested.
When grass on a mountain takes fire, there is bright light. However, the fire does not linger in one place, but travels on to new fuel. It is a phenomenon of short duration. This is what penalties and lawsuits should be like. They should be a quickly passing matter, and must not be dragged out indefinitely. Prisons ought to be places where people are lodged only temporarily, as guests are. They must not become dwelling places.
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
The mountain, Kên, stands still. Above it fire, Li, flames up and does not tarry. Therefore, the two trigrams do not stay together. Strange lands and separation are the wanderers lot.
The Judgement
THE WANDERER. Success through smallness. Perseverence brings good fortune, to the wanderer.When a man is a wanderer and stranger, he should be not be gruff nor overbearing. He has no large circle of acquaintances, therefore he should not give himself airs. He must be cautious and reserved; in this way he protects himself from evil. If he is obliging toward others, he wins success. A wanderer has no fixed abode, and his home is the road. Therefore, he must take care to remain upright and steadfast, so that he sojourns only in the proper places, associating only with good people. Then he has good fortune and can go his way unmolested.
The Image
Fire on the mountain: The image of THE WANDERER. Thus, the superior man is clear-minded and cautious in imposing penalties, and protracts no lawsuits.When grass on a mountain takes fire, there is bright light. However, the fire does not linger in one place, but travels on to new fuel. It is a phenomenon of short duration. This is what penalties and lawsuits should be like. They should be a quickly passing matter, and must not be dragged out indefinitely. Prisons ought to be places where people are lodged only temporarily, as guests are. They must not become dwelling places.