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Above; Earth the
passive
Below; Thunder and awakening
This hexagram is
linked with the eleventh month, the time of the winter
solstice. This is the turning point between a year
gone by and a year yet to come. The Chinese believed
that natural forces, of which thunder is the representative,
rested in the earth at wintertime.
In Fu there is
free going out and coming in. Friends arrive without
blame, returning to their homes on the seventh day.
Advantage in all directions.
This hexagram indicates
success, because the strong yang line is rising from
the bottom, returning to its natural starting point.
Motion and acceptance of motion are combined in the
two trigrams making up the hexagram.
That is why there is going out and coming in without
hindrance. This movement, with its return after 7
days, is a natural motion in accord with the movements
of heaven.
The very workings of heaven and earth are represented
in the return to the turning point of the year.
Thunder within
the earth is the very symbol of the turning point.
So, at the time of the winter solstice, the kings
of old closed the passes so that merchants and strangers
were unable to travel abroad. The kings themselves
did not progress through their dominions.
Change comes in
a natural flowing manner. This development is no surprise.
No reason to hurry. Enjoy the experience.
Line 1;
Returning from a short distance. No regrets and great
good fortune.
Small deviations
from the way are often unavoidable, but he who turns
back before he has gone too far, knowing the error
he has made, is not to be blamed. Indeed, in acknowledging
his mistake, he brings good fortune on himself.
Line 2;
Turning back with heaven’s blessing. Good fortune.
All turning back
requires an act of conscious decision, and wins the
approbation of heaven. If one can put pride aside
and follow the example of others, there will be good
fortune.
Line 3;
Turning back many times brings danger but no reproach.
This represents
those who lack constancy, who wander from the way
of righteousness, turn back, and then are diverted
again. There is danger that they may eventually find
themselves lost in evil ways, but provided they recognize
this danger, there is no blame.
Line 4;
Walking with others but returning alone.
This is perhaps
the hardest of all; to be associated with companions,
to realize that they are going in the wrong direction
and to leave them.
Line 5;
Turning back in nobleness brings no remorse.
This represents
a man of high principal who, recognizing that he has
gone astray, immediately turns back whatever it may
cost him.
Line 6;
He turns back too late. Misfortune. Evil causes, evil
effects. Armies sent into battle in this way are sure
to suffer defeat.
Disastrous to their emperor. Even for 10 years there
will be no redress.
When a man persists,
pursuing the wrong path in blind obstinacy, there
comes a point at which he cannot turn back. Nothing
but disaster can ensue and it will be a very long
time before he can attempt to right matters.
© 1979 Neil
Powell
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