Reading
Judgment
Deliverance. The southwest furthers.
If there is nothing more where one has to go,
the return brings good fortune.
If there is still somewhere one must go,
then promptness brings good fortune.
It is a matter of a time in which tensions and entanglements are beginning to resolve. In such times it is necessary to withdraw to ordinary relationships as quickly as possible: this is the meaning of the southwest. Such times of reversal are very important. Just as a releasing rain resolves the tension of the atmosphere and brings all buds to opening, a time of deliverance from oppressive burden has a releasing and stimulating effect on life. But one thing is important: in such times one must not want to exaggerate the triumph. The point is not to press on further than is necessary. As soon as deliverance is attained, to return to the order of life: that is good fortune. If there are still remains to be worked through, it is a matter of doing this as quickly as possible, so that a clean slate is made and no delays occur.
Image
Thunder and rain set in:
the image of Deliverance.
Thus the noble one pardons mistakes and forgives guilt.
The thunderstorm has an air-purifying effect. Thus the noble one does the same with the mistakes and sins of people, which produce states of tension. Through clarity they create deliverance. But when the transgressions are brought to light, they do not dwell on them; rather, they simply pass over the mistakes, the unintentional transgressions, as the thunder dies away, and forgives the guilt, the intentional transgressions, as water cleans everything of dirt.
Commentary
The motion here leads out of danger. The obstruction is removed, the difficulties are in the process of resolving. The deliverance is not yet past, but is just setting in, and its various stages come to representation in the hexagram.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A six at the beginning means:
No blame.
Commentary
Not many words are made, corresponding to the situation. The obstruction is past, deliverance is at hand. One recovers in quiet and keeps still. This is entirely the right thing in times after difficulties have been overcome.
Line 2
A nine in the second place means:
In the field one bags three foxes
and receives a yellow arrow.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Commentary
The image is taken from the hunt. The hunter catches three cunning foxes and receives as reward a yellow arrow. The obstructions in public life are the false foxes who seek as flatterers to influence the ruler. They must be removed before deliverance can set in. But the fight must not be waged with false weapons. The yellow color points to measure and the middle in proceeding against the enemies; the arrow, to the straight direction. If one devotes oneself to the task of deliverance wholeheartedly, one gains such a force of inner straightness that it acts as a weapon against all that is false and base.
Line 3
A six in the third place means:
If one carries a burden on one's back
and yet rides on the wagon,
one thereby causes robbers to come near.
Perseverance leads to humiliation.
Commentary
A person has emerged from poor conditions into a comfortable situation, having been freed from distress. If they now, in the manner of an upstart, want to make themself comfortable without in their being suiting the comfortable conditions, they thereby attract robbers; and if they continue thus, they will certainly come into disgrace.
Confucius says of this: "To carry a burden on one's back is the business of a lowly person. A wagon is the equipment of a noble man. When, now, a lowly person uses the equipment of a noble man, the robbers think of taking it from them. When one is insolent toward those above and harsh toward those below, the robbers think of attacking them. Careless storage tempts the robbers to steal. Lavish ornament on a girl entices to the robbing of her virtue."
Line 4
A nine in the fourth place means:
Free yourself from your big toe.
Then the companion comes,
and him you can trust.
Commentary
In times of standstill it happens that lowly people attach themselves to a higher person and, through daily habit, grow together with them and become indispensable, as the big toe is to the foot, to which it makes walking easier. But when the time of deliverance approaches with its call to action, one must free oneself from such chance acquaintances, with whom one does not inwardly belong together. For otherwise the like-minded friends whom one can truly trust and with whom one can accomplish something together hold back in mistrust.
Line 5
A six in the fifth place means:
If the noble one can only free themself, that brings good fortune.
They thus show the petty that they are in earnest.
Commentary
Times of deliverance require inner resolve. The petty cannot be removed through prohibitions and outer means. If one wants to get rid of them, one must first free oneself inwardly and completely from them; then they themselves will notice that one is in earnest, and will withdraw.
Line 6
A six at the top means:
The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall.
He brings it down. Everything is furthering.
Commentary
The hawk on a high wall is the image of a powerful lowly person in a high place, who hinders deliverance. He resists influence through inner effects, since he is hardened in his wickedness. He must be forcibly removed; for this the corresponding means are needed.
Confucius says of this: "The hawk is the object of the hunt. Bow and arrow are the tools and means. The shooter is the human being, who must use the means to the end rightly. The noble one keeps the means hidden in their person. They wait for the time, and then they act. How should not all then go well? They act and are free. Therefore they need only go forth and bring down the prey. So it stands with a human being who acts after they have prepared the means."