Reading
Judgment
Development. The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune!
Perseverance furthers.
Hesitant is the development that leads to the maiden following the man into his home. The various formalities must be settled before the marriage comes about. This gradual development can also be transferred to other situations, always when it is a matter of correct relations of cooperation, for example in the appointment of an official. Here a correct development must be awaited. A precipitate procedure would not be good. So it is finally also where one wants to exert influence on others. Here too it is a matter of a correct way of development through the culture of one's own personality. All agitatorial influence does not work in the long run.
Also within, development must take the same way if lasting results are to be attained.
The gentle, adapting, but also penetrating is the outer, which must proceed from inner rest.
Precisely the gradualness of the development makes it necessary that constancy be present. For only constancy effects that the slow progress does not after all run out in the sand.
Image
On the mountain is a tree: the image of Development.
Thus the noble one dwells in dignified virtue in order to improve the customs.
The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development is of influence on the landscape-image of the whole region. It does not shoot up like the swamp-growths, but its growth proceeds gradually. The effect on people too can only be gradual. No sudden influencing or awakening is lasting. Progress must be quite gradual. And in order to attain this progress in public opinion, in public customs, it is necessary that the personality acquire influence and gravity. This happens through careful and lasting work on one's own moral development.
Commentary
The hexagram consists of Sun (wood, penetrating) above or outside and Ken (mountain, stillness) below or within. A tree on the mountain develops slowly and according to order, and as a result it stands firmly rooted. From this arises the thought of development, which proceeds step by step gradually. The attributes of the figures also point to this: within is rest, which protects from rashness, and outside is penetration, which enables development and progress.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A six at the beginning means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the shore.
The young son is in danger.
There is talk. No blame.
Commentary
The individual lines all have the gradual passage of the wild goose as their image. The wild goose is the symbol of conjugal faithfulness. It is said of her that after the death of her mate she does not join with another.
The first line shows the first station on the passage of the water birds from water to the heights. The shore is reached. The situation is that of a solitary young person who wants to begin to make their way in life. Because they have no one who comes to meet them, their first steps are slow and hesitant, and they are surrounded by danger. Naturally they are much criticized. But precisely the difficulties bring it about that they do not overhasten themselves, and their progress succeeds.
Line 2
A six in the second place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the rock.
Eating and drinking in peace and concord. Good fortune!
Commentary
The rock is a secure place at the shore. The development is a step further. One is past the initial insecurity and has found a secure life-position through which one has a sufficient livelihood. This first success, which opens the way to the possibility of effectiveness, gives the mood a certain cheerfulness, and reassured one strides toward the future.
It is said of the wild goose that she calls her companions when she finds food; that is the image of peace and concord in happiness. One does not want one's happiness for oneself alone, but is ready to share it with others.
Line 3
A nine in the third place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau.
The man goes forth and does not return.
The woman carries a child, but does not bring it to the world.
Misfortune!
It is favorable to ward off robbers.
Commentary
The dry plateau is not for the wild goose. If she draws thither, she has lost her way and has gone too far. This contradicts the law of development.
So it goes too in human life. If one does not let things develop calmly, but plunges prematurely into the fight from one's own initiative, it brings misfortune. One stakes one's own life, and the family perishes over it. But this is in no way necessary; rather, it is only the consequence of transgressing the law of natural development. If one does not seek out the fight from oneself, but limits oneself to asserting one's place forcefully and warding off unjustified attacks, all goes well.
Line 4
A six in the fourth place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the tree.
Perhaps she gets a flat branch. No blame.
Commentary
The tree is no place suited for a wild goose. But if she is clever, she finds a flat branch on which she can stand. In life too one often comes in the course of development into situations that do not suit one, in which one can hardly assert oneself without danger. Here it is important that one be clever and yielding. Then one can in the midst of danger find a secure place at which one can live.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the summit.
The woman for three years gets no child.
Finally nothing can prevent it. Good fortune!
Commentary
The summit is a high place. In a high place one easily comes into isolation. One is misunderstood by the one on whom one is dependent: the woman by her husband, the official by their lord. The cause of this is false people who have pushed themselves between. The consequence is that the relations remain sterile and nothing is accomplished. But the development brings it about that such misunderstandings dissolve and union finally comes about after all.
Line 6
A nine at the top means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the cloud heights.
Her feathers can be used for the holy dance.
Good fortune!
Commentary
Here life is concluded. The work lies completed. High its course rises into the heavens, like the flight of wild geese when they have left every earthly ground. There they fly on and hold to the order of their flight, forming figures of strict lines.
And when their feathers fall down, they can be used for adornment at the holy temple-dance pantomimes.
Thus the life of a consummated human being is a bright light for the people of earth, who look up to them as an example.