There were "old" features in your gua (hexagram). It means that you have two hexagrams. The first one — is something that the Book tells you at the moment, the second is something it warns you about. |
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  34. Great Invigorating (dà zhuà ng). Great PowerAdvise
Efforts are not enough to move forward, you must select the correct direction and illuminate the way with intelligence.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.
The Image
Thunder in heaven above: The image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.
- Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.
- Perseverance brings good fortune.
- The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled.
- Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart.
- Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
- A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.
Prediction
The potential is great; a lot of energy is accumulated. Learn how to properly send and distribute them. Excessive use of force and power is fraught with bad consequences, gradually increase your efforts. The use of force for other purposes - is dangerous. If you curb power - you will benefit. Before you start on the job, assess your capabilities - do not shoulder the burden unbearable. Rely not only on yourself, act together with others. To maintain relationships with like-minded be firm.
The great lines, that is, the light, strong lines, are powerful. Four light lines
have entered the hexagram from below and are about to ascend higher. The
upper trigram is Chên, the Arousing; the lower is ch'ien, the Creative.
Ch'ien is strong, Chên produces movement. The union of movement and
strength gives the meaning of THE POWER OF THE GREAT. The hexagram
is linked with the second month (March-April).
THE JUDGMENT
The hexagram points to a time when inner worth mounts with great force
and comes to power. But its strength has already passed beyond the median
line, hence there is danger that one may rely entirely on one's own power
and forget to ask what is right. There is danger too that, being intent on
movement, we may not wait for the right time. Therefore the added
statement that perseverance furthers. For that is truly great power which does
not degenerate into mere force but remains inwardly united with the
fundamental principles of right and of justice. When we understand this
point--namely, that greatness and justice must be indissolubly united--we
understand the true meaning of all that happens in heaven and on earth.
THE IMAGE
Thunder--electrical energy--mounts upward in the spring. The direction of
this movement is in harmony with that of the movement of heaven. It is
therefore a movement in accord with heaven, producing great power.
However, true greatness depends on being in harmony with what is right.
Therefore in times of great power the superior man avoids doing anything
that is not in harmony with the established order.
1
The toes are in the lowest place and are ready to advance. So likewise great
power in lowly station is inclined to effect advance by force. This, if carried
further, would certainly lead to misfortune, and therefore by way of advice a
warning is added.
2
The premise here is that the gates to success are beginning to open.
Resistance gives way and we forge ahead. This is the point at which, only too
easily, we become the prey of exuberant self-confidence. This is why the
oracle says that perseverance (i.e., perseverance in inner equilibrium, without
excessive use of power) brings good fortune.
3
Making a boast of power leads to entanglements, just as a goat entangles its
horns when it butts against a hedge. Whereas an inferior man revels in
power when he comes into possession of it, the superior man never makes
this mistake. He is conscious at all times of the danger of pushing ahead
regardless of circumstances, and therefore renounces in good time the empty
display of force.
4
If a man goes on quietly and perseveringly working at the removal of
resistances, success comes in the end. The obstructions give way and all
occasion for remorse arising from excessive use of power disappears.
Such a man's power does not show externally, yet it can move heavy loads,
like a big cart whose real strength lies in its axle. The less that power is
applied outwardly, the greater its effect.
5
The goat is noted for hardness outwardly and weakness within. Now the
situation is such that everything is easy; there is no more resistance. One can
give up a belligerent, stubborn way of acting and will not have to regret it.
6
If we venture too far we come to a deadlock, unable either to advance or to
retreat and whatever we do merely serves to complicate thing further. Such
obstinacy leads to insuperable difficulties. But if, realizing the situation, we
compose ourselves and decide not to continue, everything will right itself in
time.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationYou too actively aspire to be beaten out forward; it is not necessary, it only harms to you. Think of associates you people. Remember, that it is impossible to construct the well-being on failures of others. It is not necessary anybody and anything to sacrifice to own ambition. Behave more modestly, more tactfully, and your desire will be executed. Try to find here "golden mean".
  62. Small Exceeding (xiǎo guò). Small PreponderanceAdvise
Learn from past mistakes. Learn to meet failures. Do not pay much attention to small insignificant things. «Do not make a mountain out of a molehill.»
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Preponderance of the Small. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune.
The Image
Thunder on the mountain: The image of Preponderance of the Small. Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence. In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief. In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.
- The bird meets with misfortune through flying.
- She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame.
- If one is not extremely careful, somebody may come up from behind and strike him. Misfortune.
- No blame. He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. Do not act. Be constantly persevering.
- Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave.
- He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. This means bad luck and injury.
Prediction
It is time of experience accumulating. Starting your own business, try to avoid extremes. Do not expect quick achievements and profit. You are concentrated on small things and wrapped in own routine. Personal affairs can experience disappointment, professional sphere slack period.
While in the hexagram Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the
strong lines preponderate and are within, inclosed between weak lines at the
top and bottom, the present hexagram has weak lines preponderating, though
here again they are on the outside, the strong lines being within. This indeed
is the basis of the exceptional situation indicated by the hexagram. When
strong lines are outside, we have the hexagram I, PROVIDING
NOURISHMENT (27), or Chung Fu, INNER TRUTH, (61); neither represents
and exceptional state. When strong elements within preponderate, they
necessarily enforce their will. This creates struggle and exceptional conditions
in general. But in the present hexagram it is the weak element that perforce
must mediate with the outside world. If a man occupies a position of
authority for which he is by nature really inadequate, extraordinary prudence
is necessary.
THE JUDGMENT
Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with
success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that
they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined
always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the
demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies
and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the
requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that
one should not strive after lofty things but hold to lowly things.
The structure of the hexagram gives rise to the idea that this message is
brought by a bird. In Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the
four strong, heavy lines within, supported only by two weak lines without,
give the image of a sagging ridgepole. Here the supporting weak lines are
both outside and preponderant; this gives the image of a soaring bird. But a
bird should not try to surpass itself and fly into the sun; it should descend to
the earth, where its nest is. In this way it gives the message conveyed by the
hexagram.
THE IMAGE
Thunder on the mountain is different from thunder on the plain. In the
mountains, thunder seems much nearer; outside the mountains, it is less
audible than the thunder of an ordinary storm. Thus the superior man
derives an imperative from this image: he must always fix his eyes more
closely and more directly on duty than does the ordinary man, even though
this might make his behavior seem petty to the outside world. He is
exceptionally conscientious in his actions. In bereavement emotion means
more to him than ceremoniousness. In all his personal expenditures he is
extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the man of the
masses, all this makes him stand out as exceptional. But the essential
significance of his attitude lies in the fact that in external matters he is on the
side of the lowly.
1
A bird ought to remain in the nest until it is fledged. If it tries to fly before
this, it invites misfortune. Extraordinary measures should be resorted to only
when all else fails. At first we ought to put up with traditional ways as long
as possible; otherwise we exhaust ourselves and our energy and still achieve
nothing.
2
Two exceptional situations are instanced here. In the temple of ancestors,
where alternation of generations prevails, the grandson stands on the same
side as the grandfather. Hence his closest relations are with the grandfather.
The present line designates the grandson's wife, who during the sacrifice
passes by the ancestor and goes toward the ancestress. This unusual behavior
is, however, an expression of her modesty. She ventures rather to approach
the ancestress, for she feels related to her by their common sex. Hence here
deviation from the rule is not a mistake.
Another image is that of the official who, in compliance with regulation,
first seeks an audience with his prince. If he is not successful in this, he does
not try to force anything but goes about conscientious fulfillment of his duty,
taking his place among the other officials. This extraordinary restraint is
likewise not a mistake in exceptional times. (The rule is that every official
should first have an audience with the prince by whom he is appointed. Here
the appointment is made by the minister.)
3
At certain times extraordinary caution is absolutely necessary. But it is just in
such life situations that we find upright and strong personalities who,
conscious of being in the right, disdain to hold themselves on guard, because
they consider it petty. Instead, they go their way proud and unconcerned. But
this self-confidence deludes them. There are dangers lurking for which they
are unprepared. Yet such danger is not unavoidable; one can escape it if he
understands that the time demands that he pay especial attention to small
and insignificant thing.
4
Hardness of character is tempered by yielding position so that no mistakes are
made. The situation here calls for extreme caution; one must make no
attempt of one's own initiative to reach the desired end. And if one were to
go on, endeavoring one must be on guard and not act but continue inwardly
to persevere.
5
As a high place is pictured here, the image of a flying bird has become that of
flying clouds. But dense as the clouds are, they race across the sky and give
no rain. Similarly, in exceptional times there may be a born ruler who is
qualified to set the world in order, but who cannot achieve anything or confer
blessing on the people because he stands alone and has no helpers. Is such
times a man must seek out helpers with whose aid he can carry out the task.
But these helpers must be modestly sought out in the retirement to which
they have withdrawn. It is not in the fame nor their great names but their
genuine achievements that are important. Through such modesty the right
man is found, and the exceptional task is carried out in spite of all difficulties.
6
If one overshoots the goal, one cannot hit it. If a bird will not come to its nest
but flies higher and higher, it eventually falls into the hunter's net. He who
in times of extraordinary salience of small things does not know how to call a
halt, but restlessly seeks to press on and on, draws upon himself misfortune
at the hands of gods and men, because he deviates from the order of nature.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationProbably, you will be disappointed in that person whom love, but it is not necessary to perceive all too tragically. It is necessary to tell, that you have missed that happy and best chance which would help execution of your desire. But soon will appear new. The given period suits for distant trips a little, but there is an opportunity considerably to correct for financial business. Do not waste the talents on trifles, do not give to them too much value, it never and nobody goes on advantage.
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary