above CHêN THE AROUSING, THUNDER below K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. Deliverance is not yet achieved; it is just in its beginning, and the hexagram represents its various stages.
THE JUDGMENT
DELIVERANCE. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one has to go, Return brings good fortune. If there is still something where one has to go, Hastening brings good fortune.
This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible; this is the meaning of “the southwest.” These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however: in such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no retardations occur.
THE IMAGE
Thunder and rain set in: The image of DELIVERANCE. Thus the superior one pardons mistakes And forgives misdeeds.
A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air; the superior one produces a similar effect when dealing with the mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity one brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, one does not dwell on them; one simply passes over mistakes, the unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. One forgives misdeeds, the intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: Without blame.
In keeping with the situation, few words are needed. The hindrance is past, deliverance has come. One recuperates in peace and keeps still. this is the right thing to do in times when difficulties have been overcome.
° Nine in the second place means: One kills three foxes in the field And receives a yellow arrow. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The image is taken from the hunt. The hunter catches three cunning foxes and receives a yellow arrow as a reward. The obstacles in public life are the designing foxes who try to influence the ruler through flattery. They must be removed before there can be any deliverance. But the struggle must not be carried on with the wrong weapons. The yellow color points to measure and mean in proceeding against the enemy; the arrow signifies the straight course. If one devotes oneself wholeheartedly to the task of deliverance, one develops so much inner strength from one’s rectitude that it acts as a weapon against all that is false and low.
Six in the third place means: If one carries a burden on one’s back And nonetheless rides in a carriage, One thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation.
This refers to one who has come out of needy circumstances into comfort and freedom from want. If now, in the manner of an upstart, one tries to take one’s ease in comfortable surroundings that do not suit one’s nature, one thereby attracts robbers. If one goes on thus one is sure to bring disgrace upon oneself.
Confucius says about this line: Carrying a burden on the back is the business of common person; a carriage is the appurtenance of a person of rank. Now, when a common person uses the appurtenance of a person of rank, robbers plot to take it away from them. If one is insolent toward those above one and hard toward those below one, robbers plot to attack one. Carelessness in guarding things tempts thieves to steal. Sumptuous ornaments worn by a maiden are an enticement to rob her of her virtue.
Nine in the fourth place means: Deliver yourself from your great toe. Then the companion comes, The one you can trust.
In times of standstill it will happen that inferior people attach themselves to a superior person, and through force of daily habit they may grow very close to one and become indispensable, just as the big toe is indispensable to the foot because it makes walking easier. But when the time of deliverance draws near, with its call to deeds, one must free oneself from such chance acquaintances with whom one has no inner connection. For otherwise the friends who share one’s views, on whom one could really rely and together with whom one could accomplish something, mistrust one and stay away.
° Six in the fifth place means: If only the superior one can deliver himself, It brings good fortune. Thus one proves to inferior people that one is in earnest.
Times of deliverance demand inner resolve. Inferior people (or thoughts and habits) cannot be driven off by prohibitions or any external means. If one desires to be rid of them, one must first break completely with them in one’s own mind; they will see for themselves that one is in earnest and will withdraw.
Six at the top means: One shoots at a hawk on a high wall. One kills it. Everything serves to further.
The hawk on a high wall is the symbol of a powerful inferior in a high position who is hindering the deliverance. This person, thought or habit withstand the force of inner influences, because of being hardened in wickedness. They must be forcibly removed, and this requires appropriate means.
Confucius says about this line: The hawk is the object of the hunt; bow and arrow are the tools and means. The marksman is one who must make proper use of the means to one’s end. The superior one contains the means in one’s own person. One bides one’s time and then acts. Why then should not everything go well? One acts and is free. Therefore all one has to do is to go forth, and one takes one’s quarry. This is how one fares who acts after one has made ready the means.
