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Above; a pool of
water, joy
Below; water, dangerous pit
This hexagram
represents a pool which has drained away into the
deep pit. The water of the pool is exhausted. Within
the joyousness of the pool is an abyss… an emptiness.
Though there is exhaustion and adversity, righteous
persistence will lead to eventual success. There is
good fortune for the truly great man and no blame.
Even though he has something to say, however, his
words will not be heeded.
Joy and danger are joined together. Adversity comes
from something that lies hidden. He who succeeds in
spite of the difficulties that face him is certainly
one of the truly great. The strong line in the fifth
place indicates that righteous persistence will bring
good fortune to such a man. But since his words will
not be heeded, it is most sensible of him not to speak
at all.
The water of the pool has drained away. The image
of Kun. The Superior Man will risk even his life to
achieve the result that he wishes.
Line 1
Exhausted by the
bare branches that entangle him he strays into a gloomy
valley and for three years meets no one.
A man who is overwhelmed
by adversity may lose all initiative. He cares nothing
for his material condition and fixes his attention
solely upon his problems rather than upon their solution.
Until he can begin to think constructively about his
situation there will be no way out for him.
Line 2
Exhausted, even
with a meal before him a minister in his scarlet sash
arrives. Now is the moment to make sacrifice. Going
forward brings misfortune but no blame.
Sitting at the table, apparently well fed and content,
one is still exhausted and oppressed by care from
which there seems to be no escape. But the minister
is a messenger from the prince who is seeking able
men. It is an appropriate moment to make an offering
and pray for the removal of difficulties. Nevertheless
the time is not yet ripe for setting out. All must
first be prepared.
Line 3
Exhausted by the
rocks that face him he finds nothing to lean on but
thistles and briars. Returning to his house he finds
his wife has gone. Misfortune.
This represents a man who is too easily discouraged
by adversity. Although it is possible that the rocks
may be climbed, or even passed by, he exhausts himself
almost at the sight of them and finds nothing reliable
on which he can depend. Turning back from the obstruction
to seek rest in his home, he finds that even there
he can depend on nothing.
Line 4
He advances very
slowly delayed by the golden carriage in front. There
are no regrets, but not for long.
Here is a man who is wealthy and successful in all
material things. But he has only recently come into
wealth and the ways of the rich prove an obstruction
to his desire to press forward spiritually. However,
the underlying strength of his nature overcomes the
drawbacks and he reaches his goal.
Line 5
His nose and feet
are cut off. There is oppression at the hands of the
scarlet sashed minister. Slowly, however, joy comes
to him. now is the time for sacrifice.
The man is obstructed both above and below and receives
no assistance from those whose duty it should be to
render aid to the people. Gradually, however, matters
will take a turn for the better. In the meantime,
offerings and prayer should be made.
Line 6
Exhausted by the
clinging creepers and tottering on the edge of the
cliff, he tells himself, ‘if I move I shall
regret it.’ But repenting former mistakes he
can go forward to good fortune.
The difficulties are slight. The clinging creepers
should be easily broken. But the man is still without
resolution. He is racked with fear that whatever he
does may prove to be wrong. If only he can make up
his mind and come to a decision on the basis of recognizing
his errors. Then all will be well.
© 1979 Neil
Powell
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