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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  48. Welling (jǐng). The WellAdvise
The main pit for a person is in the soul.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water and the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.
The Image
Water over wood: The image of the Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work, and exhorts them to help one another.
- One does not drink the mud of the well. No animals come to an old well.
- At the wellhole one shoots fishes. The jug is broken and leaks.
- The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart's sorrow, for one might draw from it. If the king were clear-minded, good fortune might be enjoyed in common.
- The well is being lined. No blame.
- In the well there is a clear, cold spring from which one can drink.
- One draws from the well without hindrance. It is dependable. Supreme good fortune.
Prediction
External immovability is along with internal mobility. External sources of power are exhausted, they should looked for inside. There is a temporary respite, but it is not stagnant, but only the suspension. Help can be obtained from the outside, but do not rely on it. Act with caution; consider action in advance, making mistakes is dangerous: getting water is not simple to do even if pit is full. Choose the right tools to achieve the goals and be capable to use them. If you do not miss the opportunity, you will be successful.
Wood is below, water above. The wood goes down into the earth to bring up
water. The image derives from the pole-and-bucket well of ancient China.
The wood represents not the buckets, which in ancient times were made of
clay, but rather the wooden poles by which the water is hauled up from the
well. The image also refers to the world of plants, which lift water out of the
earth by means of their fibers.
The well from which water is drawn conveys the further idea of an
inexhaustible dispensing of nourishment.
THE JUDGMENT
In ancient China the capital cities were sometimes moved, partly for the sake
of more favorable location, partly because of a change in dynasties. The style
of architecture changed in the course of centuries, but the shape of the well
has remained the same from ancient times to this day. Thus the well is the
symbol of that social structure which, evolved by mankind in meeting its
most primitive needs, is independent of all political forms. Political
structures change, as do nations, but the life of man with its needs remains
eternally the same-this cannot be changed. Life is also inexhaustible. It grows
neither less not more; it exists for one and for all. The generations come and
go, and all enjoy life in its inexhaustible abundance.
However, there are two prerequisites for a satisfactory political or social
organization of mankind. We must go down to the very foundations of life.
For any merely superficial ordering of life that leaves its deepest needs
unsatisfied is as ineffectual as if no attempt at order had ever been made.
Carelessness-by which the jug is broken-is also disastrous. If for instance the
military defense of a state is carried to such excess that it provokes wars by
which the power of the state is annihilated, this is a breaking of the jug.
This hexagram applies also to the individual. However men may differ in
disposition and in education, the foundations of human nature are the same
in everyone. And every human being can draw in the course of his
education from the inexhaustible wellspring of the divine in man's nature.
But here likewise two dangers threaten: a man may fail in his education to
penetrate to the real roots of humanity and remain fixed in convention-a
partial education of this sort is as bad as none- or he may suddenly collapse
and neglect his self-development.
THE IMAGE
The trigram Sun, wood, is below, and the trigram K'an, water, is above it.
Wood sucks water upward. Just as wood as an organism imitates the action
of the well, which benefits all parts of the plant, the superior man organizes
human society, so that, as in a plant organism, its parts co-operate for the
benefit of the whole.
1
If a man wanders around in swampy lowlands, his life is submerged in mud.
Such a man loses all significance for mankind. He who throws himself away
is no longer sought out by others. In the end no one troubles about him any
more.
2
The water itself is clear, but it is not being used. Thus the well is a place
where only fish will stay, and whoever comes to it, comes only to catch fish.
But the jug is broken, so that the fish cannot be kept in it.
This describes the situation of a person who possesses good qualities but
neglects them. No one bothers about him. As a result he deteriorates in
mind. He associates with inferior men and can no longer accomplish
anything worth while.
3
An able man is available. He is like a purified well whose water is drinkable.
But no use is made of him. This is the sorrow of those who know him. One
wishes that the prince might learn about it; this would be good fortune for all
concerned.
4
True, if a well is being lined with sone, it cannot be used while the work is
going on. But the work is not in vain; the result is that the water stays clear.
In life also there are times when a man must put himself in order. During
such a time he can do nothing for others, but his work is nonetheless
valuable, because by enhancing his powers and abilities through inner
development, he can accomplish all the more later on.
5
A well that is fed by a spring of living water is a good well. A man who has
virtues like a well of this sort is born to be a leader and savior of men, for he
has the water of life. Nevertheless, the character for "good fortune" is left out
here. The all-important thing about a well is that its water be drawn. The
best water is only a potentiality for refreshment as long as it is not brought up.
So too with leaders of mankind: it is all-important that one should drink
from the spring of their words and translate them into life.
6
The well is there fore all. No one is forbidden to take water from it. No
matter how many come, all find what they need, for the well is dependable. It
has a spring and never runs dry. Therefore it is a great blessing to the whole
land. The same is true of the really great man, whose inner wealth is
inexhaustible; the more that people draw from him, the greater his wealth
becomes.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationProbably, that your business go not absolutely smoothly. But even if it so, do not deny assistance to another. You are convinced subsequently, that it - is unique a correct image of actions. Be not afflicted, but now, probably, hardly it is possible to count that your abilities on advantage will be estimated and recognized by your heads. Certainly, you very much would like, that circumstances have changed, but hardly it is possible now. It concerns only your "global" desires and aspirations, less significant can will be executed and now. Despite of everything, your monetary business are not bad enough.
  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