节 Jié Limitation (Restriction) [hexagram 60]

Mediation, section, regular division

Water over Lake

Water element

旅 Lǚ [56] Traveling; Journeying

Opposite

涣 Huàn [59] Dispersion; Scattering

Inverse

颐 Yí [27] Nourishment; Food

Mutual

Lunar month: 7 ; Host (controlling) line : 5

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Show Key

The Descision

Limitation – there will be progress and success but if the limitations are too stringent this will not last.

‘Limitation – there will be progress and success’ – strong and weak are equally divided with strength at the center. ‘If the limitations are too stringent this will not last’ – this action comes to an end. Success gives confidence when facing adversity. Limitations are in the proper place allowing action in the middle and correct place. Heaven and earth are regulated to generate the four seasons. If regulations are made properly then there is no disadvantage with no harm to the people.

节: 亨. 苦节, 不可贞. Jiē: hēng. kǔjiē, bù kě zhēn.

彖传: 节, 亨, 刚柔分, 而刚得中. 苦节不可贞, 其道穷也. 说以行险, 当位以节, 中正以通. 天地节而四时成, 节以制度, 不伤财, 不害民. Tuàn zhuàn: Jiē, hēng, gāng róu fēn, ér gāng dé zhòng. kǔjiē bù kě zhēn, qí dào qióng yě. shuì yǐ háng xiǎn, dāng wèi yǐjiē, zhōng zhèng yǐ tōng. tiān dìjiē ér sì shí chéng, jiē yǐ zhì dù, bù shāng cái, bù hài mín.

The Image

Water over lake forms ‘Limitation’. The wise devise systems of counting and measurement as well as considering virtuous conduct.

象传: 泽上有水, 节; 君子以制数度, 议德行. Xiàng zhuàn: Zé shǎng yǒu shuǐ, jiē; jūn zǐ yǐ zhì shǔ dù, yì dé xíng.

坎 Kǎn [29] Flowing water; Darkness

Line Change 1

Not venturing past the garden gate. No fault.

‘Not venturing past the garden gate’ – correctly distinguishing freedom and hindrance.

初九: 不出户庭, 无咎 Chū jiǔ: bù chū hù tíng, wú jiù

象传: 不出户庭, 知通塞也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bù chū hù tíng, zhī tōng sāi yě.

屯 Zhūn [3] Slow progress; Inhibition

Line Change 2

Not venturing outside the house. Misfortune.

‘Not venturing outside the house. Misfortune’ – the time for action is permanently lost.

九二: 不出门庭, 凶. Jiǔ èr: bù chū mén tíng, xiōng.

象传: 不出门庭, 失时极也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bù chū mén tíng, shī shí jí yě.

需 Xū [5] Pausing; Halting

Line Change 3

Ignoring the proper regulation leads to regret. No-one to blame but oneself.

‘Ignoring the proper regulation leads to regret’ – who else is there to blame?

六三: 不节若, 则嗟若, 无咎. Liù sān: bù jiē ruò, zé jiē ruò, wú jiù.

象传: 不节之嗟, 又谁咎也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bù jiē zhī jiē, yòu shéi jiù yě.

兑 Duì [58] Joyfulness; Satisfaction

Line Change 4

Following regulations. Progress and success.

‘Following regulations. Progress and success’ – deference to the superiors.

六四: 安节, 亨. Liù sì: ān jiē, hēng.

象传: 安节之亨, 承上道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Ān jiē zhī hēng, chéng shǎng dào yě.

临 Lín [19] Advance; Approach

Line Change 5

Embracing limitation with delight. Good fortune. Such progress receives wide approval.

‘Embracing limitation with delight. Good fortune.’ – the power is at the center.

九五: 甘节, 吉; 往有尚 Jiǔ wǔ: gān jiē, jí; wǎng yǒu shàng

象传: 甘节之吉, 居位中也. Xiàng zhuàn: Gān jiē zhī jí, jū wèi zhōng yě.

中孚 Zhōng fú [61] Inner truth; Heartfelt

Line Change 6

Tough regulations. Even if persistent there will be misfortune. Eventually regrets pass.

‘Tough regulations. Even if persistent there will be misfortune’ – this path leads nowhere.

上六: 苦节, 贞凶, 悔亡. Shǎng liù: kǔ jiē, zhēn xiōng, huǐ wáng.

象传: 苦节贞凶, 其道穷也. Xiàng zhuàn: Kǔ jiē zhēn xiōng, qí dào qióng yě.

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节 Jié Limitation (Restriction) [hexagram 60]

The Descision

The Image

See also