Reading
Judgment
Retreat. Success.
In small matters, perseverance furthers.
The conditions are such that the hostile forces, favored by the time, are advancing. In this case, retreat is the right thing, and precisely through retreat one attains success. Success consists in being able to carry out the retreat rightly. Retreat is not to be confused with flight, which is concerned with nothing more than rescue at all costs. Retreat is a sign of strength. One must not miss the right moment, while one is still in full possession of strength and position. Then one understands how to read the signs of the time in good time and prepares a timely retreat, instead of getting involved in a desperate struggle of life and death. In this way one also does not simply yield the field to the opponent, but makes their advance difficult by still showing perseverance in detail. In this way, in the retreat one already prepares the turnabout. To understand the laws of such an active retreat is not easy. The meaning hidden in such a time is significant.
Image
Under heaven is the mountain:
the image of Retreat.
Thus the noble one keeps the petty at a distance,
not angrily, but with reserve.
The mountain rises under heaven, but it lies in its nature that it ultimately comes to rest. Heaven, by contrast, retreats upward into the distance before it, so that it remains unreachable. This is the image of the way the noble one conducts themself toward the rising petty one. They withdraw from them in their disposition. They do not hate them; for hatred is a kind of inner participation, through which one binds oneself to the hated object. The noble one shows strength (heaven) in that, through their reserve, they bring the petty to a standstill (mountain).
Commentary
The power of the shadowy is on the rise. The light retreats before it into safety, so that the other can do it no harm. It is not a matter in this retreat of human willfulness, but of laws of natural events. Therefore, in this case, retreat is the right manner of action, which does not wear out the forces.
As a month-sign, the hexagram is assigned to the sixth month (July-August), in which the winter forces already begin to show their effect.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A six at the beginning means:
At the retreat, at the tail: this is dangerous.
One must not want to undertake anything.
Commentary
Since the hexagram is the image of something that is withdrawing, the first line is the tail, and the topmost is the head. In retreat it is advantageous to be at the front. Here one is at the back, in immediate contact with the enemies pressing after. This is dangerous. Under such dangerous circumstances it is not advisable to undertake anything. Through keeping still, one most easily escapes the threatening danger.
Line 2
A six in the second place means:
He holds him fast with yellow ox-leather.
No one is able to tear him away.
Commentary
Yellow is the color of the middle. It points to the correct, the dutiful. The leather of an ox is firm and untearable.
While the noble retreat and the lowly press after, here is depicted a lowly one who holds so firmly and tenaciously to the noble that they cannot free themselves from him. And because he wills what is right and is so strong in his will, he reaches his goal. In this way the line confirms the words of the Judgment: "In small matters" (here as much as: for the petty man) "perseverance is favorable."
Line 3
A nine in the third place means:
A held-up retreat is painful and fraught with danger.
To keep people as servants and maids brings good fortune.
Commentary
When it is time to retreat, and one is held back, this is unpleasant and dangerous at the same time, since one's freedom of action is taken from one. In such a case the only way out is to take into one's service, so to speak, the people who do not let one go, so as at least to preserve the initiative and not come defenselessly under their rule. But even if this is a way out, the situation does not become pleasant. For what can one accomplish with such servants?
Line 4
A nine in the fourth place means:
Voluntary retreat brings the noble one good fortune,
the petty one decline.
Commentary
In retreat it is a matter, for the higher-placed person, of taking leave in all friendliness and gladly. The retreat is easy for them also inwardly, because in this way they need not do violence to their conviction. The one who has to suffer under it is only the petty one, from whom they retreat, and who must go to ruin without the leadership of the noble one.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means:
Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Commentary
It is the business of the noble one to recognize in good time when it is time to retreat. If one chooses the right point of time for retreat, this retreat can take place in wholly friendly forms, without unpleasant disputes being necessary. But despite all cordiality in outer form, unconditional firmness of resolve is necessary, so that one does not let oneself be thrown off by other considerations.
Line 6
A nine at the top means:
Cheerful retreat. Everything is furthering.
Commentary
The situation is unambiguous. The inner detachment is an established fact. Through it one has the freedom to go. Where one sees one's way so clearly and indubitably before one, a cheerful composure sets in that chooses the right without any misgiving. Such a clear way always leads to the good.