Reading
Judgment
Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful.
One should not marry such a maiden.
The rise of the petty is depicted under the image of a brazen maiden who lightly gives herself away and thereby seizes the rule. This would not be possible if the strong and light did not also on its side come to meet her. The petty looks so harmless and ingratiating that one takes pleasure in it. It looks so small and weak that one thinks one can jest with it without concern.
Thus the petty rise only in that the noble one takes them to be harmless and grants them power. Were one from the very beginning to meet them opposed, they would never be able to gain influence.
But the time of Coming to Meet also has another side that is worthy of note. While the coming-to-meet of the weak to the strong must not be the rule, it is still at certain times of great significance. When heaven and earth come to meet each other, all creatures come to thrive. When prince and assistant come to meet each other, the world comes into order. A mutual coming-to-meet of principles destined for and dependent on each other is necessary. Only it must be free of impure ulterior motives, otherwise it is evil.
Image
Under heaven is the wind:
the image of Coming to Meet.
Thus the prince, when spreading his commands
and proclaiming them to the four regions of heaven.
The situation is similar to that of the hexagram Contemplation (Number 20). There the wind blows over the earth; here it blows under heaven. Both times it reaches everywhere. But while there the wind was below on the earth, giving the image of the ruler taking cognizance of conditions, here the wind blows from above; this points to the influence the ruler exerts through commands. Heaven is distant from the things on earth, but it sets them in motion through the wind. The ruler is distant from the people, but sets them in motion through commands and expressions of will.
Commentary
The hexagram points to a situation in which the dark principle, after having been removed, secretly and unexpectedly presses in again from within and below. The feminine comes on its own to meet the masculine. This is a dangerous and unfavorable situation, because of the possible consequences, which it is important to recognize in good time and thereby prevent. The hexagram is assigned to the fifth month (June-July), when with the summer solstice the dark principle gradually begins to rise again.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A six at the beginning means:
One must check it with a brake of bronze.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
If one lets it run, one experiences misfortune.
Even a lean pig has it in it to rage about.
Commentary
When an inferior element has crept in, one must check it at once energetically. By its being consistently checked, one can avoid evil effects. If one lets it run its course, misfortune certainly arises from it. One must not let oneself be seduced by the triviality of what is creeping in into taking it too lightly. As long as a pig is still young and lean, it cannot yet rage about much; but once it has eaten itself full and strong, its true nature comes into force, if one has not beforehand restricted it.
Line 2
A nine in the second place means:
There is a fish in the container. No blame!
Not favorable for guests.
Commentary
The lower element is not violated, but is held under gentle control. Then nothing bad is to be feared. Only one must take care that it does not come together with those further away, because when let loose it would unfold its bad sides unchecked.
Line 3
A nine in the third place means:
On the thighs there is no skin,
and walking comes hard.
If one is mindful of the danger,
one makes no great mistake.
Commentary
One is inwardly tempted to get involved with the bad element that offers itself to one. This is a very dangerous situation. Fortunately one is hindered by circumstances. One would like to, but cannot. This gives a painful indecision of action. But if one becomes clear about the dangerousness of the situation, one will at least avoid greater mistakes.
Line 4
A nine in the fourth place means:
There is no fish in the container.
Misfortune arises from this.
Commentary
One must tolerate the small people, so that they remain well-disposed toward one. Then one can also use them when one needs them. If one estranges them and does not come to meet them, they turn away from one, and one does not have them at one's disposal when one needs them. But this one must then ascribe to oneself.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means:
A melon covered with willow leaves:
hidden lines.
Then from heaven something falls to one.
Commentary
The melon, like the fish, is a symbol of the dark principle. It is sweet but rots easily, which is why it is covered protectively with willow leaves. The situation is such that a strong, high, self-contained person tolerantly shelters the lowly who are under their hand. They have the firm lines of order and beauty within themself. But they do not assert them. They do not trouble those below through outer appearance or tiresome admonitions, but leave them wholly free, in firm trust in the inwardly transforming power that dwells in a strong and pure personality. And behold! Fate is favorable. The lowly are influenced and fall to them like ripe fruit.
Line 6
A nine at the top means:
He comes to meet with his horns.
Humiliation. No blame.
Commentary
When one has withdrawn from the world, the bustle of the world often becomes unbearable to one. There are often people who, in noble pride, hold themselves away from everything lowly and abruptly push it back when it comes to meet them. Such people are scolded as proud and inaccessible, but since they are no longer bound to the world through the duties of action, this is no great matter. They know how to bear the dislike of the masses with composure.