21. Biting Through to 19. Approach

Changing lines

1. Line 2

   The second line, magnetic, shows one biting through soft flesh, and going on to bite off the nose. There will be no error. Line two is appropriately magnetic in a central place, therefore her action should be effective. This is shown by her biting through the soft flesh -- an easy thing. Immediately below, however, is a strong offender represented by the first line. Before he will submit it is necessary to bite off his nose. Punishment is the rule, and it must be continued and increased until the end is secured. Ch'eng-Tzu says: "Being mounted on the dynamic first line means punishing a strong and vehement man, when severity is required, as is denoted by the central position of the line."

2. Line 4

   The fourth line, dynamic, shows one gnawing the flesh dried on the bone, and getting the pledges of money and arrows. It will be advantageous for him to realize the difficulty of his task and be firm -- in which case there will be good fortune. Of old in a civil case, both parties brought to the court an arrow in testimony of their rectitude, after which they were heard. In a criminal case they in the same way each deposited thirty pounds of gold, or some other metal. The fourth-line judge who receives these pledges is responsible for "gnawing through” a difficult case and rendering a just verdict. Though dynamic, he is in a magnetic place, and hence the cautionary warning. "His light has not been sufficiently displayed" means that there is still something for him to do. He has to realize the difficulty of his position and be firm.

3. Line 6

   The sixth line, dynamic, shows one wearing the cangue, and deprived of his ears. There will be evil. The action of the hexagram has passed, and here we have one still persisting in wrongdoing. He is a strong criminal, wearing the cangue and deaf to counsel. Of course the auspice is evil.

The present judgment

Success is found in Discernment. The restrictions of the law bring advantage.

The later judgment

Approach means successful progress through firm correctness. In the eighth month there will be evil.

What the move asks

Clear obstacles decisively to establish order, then approach the situation with gentle persistence and clear vision.

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