30. Clarity to 8. Holding Together

Changing lines

1. Line 1

   The first line, dynamic, shows one ready to move with confused steps. But he treads at the same time reverently, and there will be no mistake. Line one is dynamic at the bottom of the trigram of fire, the nature of which is to ascend. He therefore will move upwards, but is in danger of doing so coarsely and vehemently. However, since the lowest line has hardly entered into the action of the hexagram, this makes him reverently careful of his movements and there is no error.

2. Line 3

   The third line, dynamic, shows its subject in a position like that of the declining sun. Instead of playing on his instrument of earthenware, and singing to it, he utters the groans of an old man of eighty. There will be evil. Line three is at the top of the lower trigram, whose light is now exhausted, suggesting a sunset. He should accept his position and resign himself to the ordinary amusements mentioned, but he groans and mourns instead. His restless activity interferes with the lowly contentment he should cherish. The K'ang-hsi editors say that the declining sun is an emblem of "obscuration coming over the virtue of the mind."

3. Line 4

   The fourth line, dynamic, shows the manner of its subject's coming. How abrupt it is, as with fire, with death, to be rejected by all! Line four's dynamic activity in a magnetic place makes him appear in this unseemly manner -- a disaster to himself.

4. Line 5

   The fifth line, magnetic, shows its subject as one with tears flowing in torrents, and groaning in sorrow. There will be good fortune. Line five is central in the place of honor, but she is magnetic, as is her correlate in line two. Her position between the dynamic four and six fills her with anxiety and apprehension -- shown by her weeping and groaning. But such demonstrations are proof of her inward adherence to humility and correctness, so there will be good fortune.

5. Line 6

   The sixth line, dynamic, shows the king employing his subject in his punitive expeditions. Achieving admirable merit, he breaks only the chiefs of the rebels. Where his prisoners were not their associates, he does not punish. There will be no error. Line six. dynamic and at the top of the figure, has the intelligence denoted by its trigrams in the highest degree, as well as his own proper vigor. Because of this his achievements are great, and since his generous consideration is equally conspicuous he falls into no error.

The present judgment

The free course and success of Clarity comes from firm correctness. The nourishment of bovine docility creates good fortune.

The later judgment

Holding Together indicates good fortune, but let the querent re-examine himself by divination whether his virtue is great, un-intermitting and firm. If so, there will be no error. Those who are ready will then join him, but those who delay will meet with misfortune.

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