Reading
Judgment
The Taming Power of the Small has success.
Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
The simile comes from the conditions in China at the time of King Wen. He came from the west but was at that time in the east, at the court of the great king, the tyrant Chou Hsin. The time for great action had not yet come. He could only keep the tyrant somewhat in check through gentle persuasion. Hence the image of abundant clouds rising that promise the land moisture and blessing, but from which no rain yet falls.
The situation is not unfavorable. There is prospect of eventual success. But obstacles still stand in the way. Only preparatory work can be done. One can only work through the small means of gentle persuasion. The time for decisive action on a large scale is not yet here. But one succeeds at least in acting restrainingly and tamingly within limits. Firm resolve within and gentle adaptation without are needed to carry one's will through.
Image
The wind drives across the sky: the image of the Taming Power of the Small.
Thus the noble one refines the outward form of their being.
The wind does indeed drive the clouds together in the sky, but because it is only air, without a solid body, it produces no great, lasting effects. So too a person, in times when a great effect outward is not possible, has nothing left but to refine their being in its expressions on the small scale.
Commentary
The hexagram denotes the small, the power of the shadowy, which holds back, tames, restrains. At the fourth place, the place of the minister, there is a weak line that keeps all the other strong lines in check. Regarded as an image, it is the wind blowing high in the sky. It checks the ascending breath of the Creative, the clouds, so that they thicken. But it is not yet strong enough to bring them to precipitation. The hexagram gives a constellation in which something strong is temporarily kept in check by something weak. This can come about only through gentleness, if it is to be attended by success.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A nine at the beginning means:
Return to the way. How could this be a blame! Good fortune!
Commentary
It lies in the nature of the strong to press forward. In so doing, however, they enter the sphere of checking. Therefore they return to the way that corresponds to their situation, on which they are free in advancing and withdrawing. This is good and reasonable, that one does not try to force anything by violence, and brings good fortune in the nature of the case.
Line 2
A nine in the second place means:
Being drawn along to return. Good fortune!
Commentary
One would of oneself press forward. But before one goes further, one sees from the example of other like-minded people that this way is blocked. A reasonable, resolute person will in such a case not first expose themself to a personal rebuff, but will withdraw along with the other like-minded ones, if striving forward does not correspond to the time. This brings good fortune, because in this way one does not give oneself away.
Line 3
A nine in the third place means:
The spokes break from the wagon.
Man and wife roll their eyes.
Commentary
Here the attempt is made to press forward by force, in the awareness that the restraining power is only slight. But since, corresponding to the circumstances, the weak in fact possesses the power, this attempt at surprise must fail. External circumstances prevent progress, as a wagon cannot move forward when its spokes break off. One does not yet submit to this hint of fate. Hence there come vexing disputes, as between two spouses. This is of course no favorable state; for even if, owing to the situation, the weaker party succeeds in holding fast, too many difficulties are bound up with it for it to be a pleasing outcome. As a result, the strong one too cannot use their strength for the right influence on their surroundings. They have experienced a rebuff where they had hoped for an easy victory; thereby they have compromised themself somewhat.
Line 4
A six in the fourth place means:
If you are truthful, blood vanishes and anxiety gives way.
No blame.
Commentary
In a heavy, responsible position one must tame the powerful one at whose side one stands in a guiding capacity, so that what is right is done. Herein lies a great danger that might even lead one to fear bloodshed. But the power of selfless truth is greater than all these hindrances. It makes such an impression that one brings one's efforts to a successful conclusion, and all danger of bloodshed and all anxiety vanish.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means:
If you are truthful and faithfully bound,
you are rich in your neighbor.
Commentary
Faithfulness leads to firm bonding, because it rests on mutual completion. On the weaker side, faithfulness consists in devotion; on the stronger side, in reliability. This mutual completion leads to true riches, which show themselves as such precisely in that one does not keep them for oneself alone but shares them with one's neighbor. Shared joy is double joy.
Line 6
A nine at the top means:
The rain comes, the rest comes.
This is owed to the lasting effect of character.
The woman comes into danger through perseverance.
The moon is nearly full. If the noble one persists,
misfortune comes.
Commentary
Success is at hand. The wind has driven the clouds together. A firm standpoint has been reached. This has come about through the gradual accumulation of small effects arising from reverence for a superior character. But such a success, gathered piece by piece, requires great caution. Were one now to give oneself over to the fancy that one could rely on it, that would be dangerous. The feminine, the weak, that has gained the victory must never insist on it stubbornly. That would bring danger. The shadowy power in the moon is at its strongest when the moon is nearly full. When, as a full moon, it stands directly opposite the sun, its waning is inevitable. In such conditions one must be content with what has been attained. To press further before the time has come for it would bring misfortune.