Reading
Judgment
Gathering Together. Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It is favorable to see the great man.
This brings success. Perseverance furthers.
To bring great sacrifices creates good fortune.
It is favorable to undertake something.
The gathering of people into larger communities is either a natural one, as within the family, or an artificial one, as in the state. The family gathers around the father as its head. The continuation of this gathering takes place through the ancestral sacrifices, at which the whole clan gathers. The ancestors are concentrated in their spirit through the gathered devotion of the survivors, so that they do not scatter and dissolve.
Where people are to be gathered, there is need of religious forces. But there must also be a human head as center of the gathering. To be able to gather others, this center of gathering must first be gathered in itself. Only through gathered moral strength can the world be united. Such great times of unification will then also leave behind great works. This is the meaning of the great sacrifices that are brought. And also in the worldly realm there is need in times of gathering of great works.
Image
The lake is above the earth:
the image of Gathering Together.
Thus the noble one renews their weapons
in order to meet the unforeseen.
When the water in the lake gathers so that it rises above the earth, a break-through threatens. Against this one must take precautions. So too strife easily arises where people gather in large numbers; where goods gather, robbery easily arises. Therefore in times of gathering one must arm oneself in good time to fend off the unexpected. Suffering on earth comes mostly through unexpected events for which one is not armed. If one is prepared, it can be prevented.
Commentary
The hexagram is related in form and meaning to the hexagram Pi, Holding Together (Number 8). There, water over the earth; here, a lake over the earth. The lake is the collection point of water, so the idea of gathering is expressed here even more strongly than in that hexagram. The same basic thought arises also from the fact that here it is two strong lines at the fourth and fifth place that effect the gathering, while there only one line at the fifth place stands in the midst of the weak.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A six at the beginning means:
If you are truthful, but not to the end,
there is now confusion, now gathering.
If you call, you can after a handclasp laugh again.
Do not regret. To go there is without blame.
Commentary
The situation here is that one wants to gather around a leader to whom one looks up. But one finds oneself in numerous company, by which one is influenced, so that one becomes wavering in one's resolve. Thus one has no firm center for gathering. But if one gives expression to this distress and calls for help, a single grasp of the leader suffices to turn all distress. Therefore one must not let oneself be thrown off. To join that leader is without further ado the right thing.
Line 2
A six in the second place means:
Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains without blame.
If one is truthful,
it is also favorable to bring a small sacrifice.
Commentary
In times of gathering one should not choose one's way arbitrarily. Secret forces are at work that bring together the people who suit each other. One must yield to this attraction; then one makes no mistake. Where inner relations are present, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. One understands each other without further ado, as the divinity also graciously accepts a small sacrifice when it comes from the heart.
Line 3
A six in the third place means:
Gathering amid sighs. Nothing that would further.
To go there is without blame. Small humiliation.
Commentary
One often feels the need for connection, but all the others in the surroundings have already joined with one another, so that one remains isolated. The whole situation is such that it proves untenable. Here it is a matter of turning toward progress, of resolutely joining a man who stands closer to the center of gathering and is able to introduce one into the closed circle. This is no mistake, even if as an outsider one at first has a somewhat humiliating position.
Line 4
A nine in the fourth place means:
Great good fortune! No blame.
Commentary
Here is depicted a man who in the name of his lord gathers people around himself. Since he strives for no particular advantages for himself but works unselfishly for the general unity, his work is crowned with success, and all becomes right.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means:
If in gathering one holds the necessary position,
there is no blame.
If some are not yet truly part of it,
sublime, lasting perseverance is needed,
then remorse vanishes.
Commentary
When people gather around one of themselves, that is, when one receives this unsought, is only good. One thereby obtains a certain influence that can be thoroughly useful. But with this is also naturally given the possibility that some gather around one who do not come from inner trust but only for the sake of the influential position. That is certainly regrettable. Toward such people there is no other means than to earn their trust through increased, unwavering faithfulness to duty and constancy. Thereby the secret mistrust is gradually overcome, and the occasion for regret falls away.
Line 6
A six at the top means:
Lamentation and sighing, tears in streams! No blame.
Commentary
It can happen that one would gladly join up but is misunderstood in one's good intentions. There one is sorrowful and laments. But this is the right way. For through it it may come about that the other one comes to reflection and that one finds after all the sought and painfully missed connection.