Above; A pool of water, joy
Below; Heaven, the creative.

The strong yang lines are rising resolutely upward through the hexagram and cannot be restrained by the weak line at the top. The result will be a breakthrough, like a cloudburst, or a flooded river bursting its banks. The outcome of such a breakthrough will be a resolution of the state of tension that produced it. Guai is associated with the third month of the year ( March-April) when frequent rainstorms burst upon the land.

Everything should be reported in full at the king’s court, even though frankness is dangerous. When reporting to one’s own city, it is not proper to be armed. It is good to have a destination in view.

The strong resolve the affairs of the weak. Strength is combined with cheerfulness and determination is combined with placidity. Reporting, possibly the guilt of a criminal, at the king’s court is indicated by the single weak line above the strong lines. The importance of a known destination is also indicated by the way in which the movement of these strong lines is brought to an end.

The lake has risen above the heavens. The image of Guai. The Superior Man, accordingly, bestows his gifts upon those below him. he does not rest upon his virtues.

Line 1

Might and proud in his strength he advances his feet. But he is unequal to the task and suffers humiliation.

In the Chinese, the text employs much the same words as in the text for the bottom line of hexagram 34 (Da Zhuang – Strength of Greatness). There is a reference to advancing with the toes. This represents an attempt to go forward by sheer brute strength without proper consideration to the means or to the outcome. In such circumstances, one is likely to suffer a setback at the most damaging moment.

Line 2

Shouts in the night. But he who is forearmed is forewarned and has no fear.

The Superior Man is always on his guard and so, when there is an alarm, he does not become excited and flustered. When reason triumphs over fear, he treats difficulties as though they did not exist. As he develops his strength of character, so others submit to him without argument.

Line 3

Setting the jaw and advancing straight forward brings misfortune. The Superior Man determines on interception. Walking alone in the rain he is splattered with mud. His friends murmur against him. No blame.

In the struggle against evil, the most obvious course is to set one’s jaw firmly and nobly plunge forward. But this is not wise. The wise man, although, his resolve is firm, takes a way that will enable him to cut off the criminal even though it may appear to be devious. Because of this he will be misjudged and thought to be inferior. but remaining true to himself and his faith, he will make no mistake.

Line 4

His haunches are flayed and he walks with difficulty. Letting himself be led like a sheep he could put an end to his pain. But though he hears this advice he believes it not.

Obstinately, the man pushes forward, even though he suffers. He has an inner drive that will not let him rest. This is not the way. He should desist from his foolish course and take the advice of others. But obstinacy deafens a man to all good counsel.

Line 5

Like a bed of weeds, tenacious but shallow rooted, inferior men cling to the earth. The Superior Man, determined to uproot them, treads the middle way and suffers no reproach.

The inferior man in a high position holds desperately to his place and it takes dangerous determination to remove him. but one must not be deflected from the true path.

Line 6

There is no warning. The end is misfortune.

At the very moment when victory appears to be in one’s grasp, a moment of inattention can bring disaster.

© 1979 Neil Powell

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Hexagram 44

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