Above; thunder and awakening
Below; fire, brightness

The trigram above symbolizes movement. The lower trigram symbolizes clarity. This combination produces abundance. However, here, the height of development has been reached, suggesting that such a situation will not endure indefinitely.

Abundance means great success. The greatness of the king is an inspiration. Do not be downhearted for the bright sun is now at its zenith.

Brilliance conjoined with movement signifies abundance. The king has still greater possibilities before him. He inspires his people and they respect him. He shines like a sun before the whole world. But then the sun at its zenith begins to decline. The moon that has waxed begins to wane. So all that is in heaven and earth grows and diminishes according to the season. How much truer indeed is this of men, as well as of the gods?

Thunder and lightening coming together is the image of Feng. The Superior Man accordingly hears law suits, judges, and inflicts the necessary penalties.

Line 1

Meeting his equal and accepting his hospitality for ten days there is no error. Going forward earns respect.

Those who represent the attributes of brilliance and movement are well matched. Even if they spend a complete cycle of time together, the total period of affluence the time is well spent. Nevertheless, accepting the hospitality of equals is only a temporary respite and very soon the time comes when it is essential to one’s intellectual well being to go forward again.

Line 2

The shadows close in. The polestar can be seen at noonday. Going forward now invites mistrust and hate. But sincere devotion brings good fortune.

From the depths of a mine shaft or a well, where the scattered light of the sun has been dissipated, it is possible to see the stars even at midday. The same phenomenon is visible during an eclipse. When the machinations of a powerful party obscure the brilliance of the ruler, it is a time for the wise man to give up any ideas of energetic advance. This would only earn him mistrust and envy. Nevertheless he should maintain his loyalties and his principals. In the end all will be well.

Line 3

The shadows are thick as a great banner. At noonday the smallest stars are visible. Though he break his right arm there is no blame.

All is now eclipse. Even the most insignificant persons seem like bright stars in the gloom and confusion. Even the right hand man of the ruler is without power to undertake anything.

Line 4

The shadows are like a huge tent. The polestar can be seen at noonday. He meets his prince, an equal. Good fortune.

Even though the darkness is still unrelieved, the eclipse is beginning to pass. Meeting with a prince of equal rank indicates that the time for action is almost arrived.

Line 5

Light begins to appear in the sky as after a storm. Unexpected good fortune and fame draw near.

The dominance of the adversary’s party is waning and the ruler is surrounded by wise and able men who propose a modest course of action.

Line 6

His house is full of abundance and there is a wall about it. Peeping out through the gate he sees no one. For three years – nobody. Misfortune.

The subject of this text has gone too far. In devoting his attentions solely to material success he has cut himself off not only from his friends and associates but from his closest family.

© 1979 Neil Powell

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