小畜 Xiǎo xù Small gain (Little accumulation) [hexagram 9]
Wind/Wood over Heaven
Wood element
Lunar month: 4 ; Host (controlling) line : 4
The Descision
‘Small gain’ as there will be some progress and success. There are heavy clouds but not yet rain in the west.
The weak are in their proper position while those around respond to them. This is called small gain. Strength is in the center and so the aims will be fulfilled. ‘There are heavy clouds but not yet rain’ – forward progress. ‘In the west’ – no benefit has yet been accrued.
小畜: 亨. 密云不雨, 自我西郊. Xiǎo xù: hēng. Mì yún bù yǔ, zì wǒ xī jiāo.
彖传: 小畜; 柔得位, 而上下应之, 曰小畜. 健而巽, 刚中而志行, 乃亨. 密云不雨, 尚往也. 自我西郊, 施未行也. Tuàn zhuàn: Xiǎo xù; róu de wèi, ér shàng xià yīng zhī, yuēxiǎo xù. Jiàn ér xùn, gāng zhōng ér zhì xíng, nǎi hēng. Mì yún bù yù, shàng wǎng yě. Zì wǒ xī jiāo, shī wèi xíng yě.
The Image
Wind above sky represents ‘Small Gain’. It is wise to refine the cultivation of virtue.
象传: 风行天上, 小畜; 君子以懿文德. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēng xíng tiān shàng, xiǎo xù; jūn zǐ yǐ yì wén dé.
Returning to the proper course. How could there be fault? All will go well.
‘Returning to the proper course’ – it is appropriate that this should be rewarded.
初九: 复自道, 何其咎, 吉. Chū jiǔ: fù zì dào, hé qí jiù, jí.
象传: 复自道, 其义吉也. Xiàng zhuàn: Fù zì dào, qí yì jí yě.
Contemplating the benefit of a return to the proper course. There will be benefit.
‘Contemplating the benefit of a return to the proper course’ – returning to the middle. A just reward is attainable.
九二: 牵复, 吉. Jiǔ èr: qiān fù, jí.
象传: 牵复在中, 亦不自失也. Xiàng zhuàn: Qiān fù zài zhōng, yì bù zì shī yě.
The car falls apart. Partners avoid each other’s gaze.
‘Partners avoid each other’s gaze’ – proper relations are not maintained.
九三: 舆说辐, 夫妻反目. Jiǔ sān: yú shuō fú, fū qī fǎn mù.
象传: 夫妻反目, 不能正室也. Xiàng zhuàn: Fū qī fǎn mù, bù néng zhèng shì yě
By seeking sincerity conflict is prevented and suspicions vanish. No blame.
‘By seeking sincerity suspicions vanish’ – agreement from above.
六四: 有孚, 血去惕出, 无咎. Liù sì: yǒu fú, xuè qù tì chū, wú jiù.
象传: 有孚惕出, 上合志也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǒu fú tì chū, shàng hé zhì yě.
Seeking sincere friendships; prosperity nourishes them both.
‘Seeking sincere friendships’ – joint enterprise brings prosperity.
九五: 有孚挛如, 富以其邻. Jiǔ wǔ: yǒu fú luán rú, fù yǐ qí lín.
象传: 有孚挛如, 不独富也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǒu fú luán rú, bù dú fù yě.
The rain has stopped; appreciate the virtuous progress made so far. Regardless of propriety a partner is in danger. As the moon is almost full, to persevere is unwise.
‘The rain has stopped’ – virtue has reached its limit. ‘To persevere is unwise’ – progress will be halted.
上九: 既雨既处, 尚德载, 妇贞厉. 月几望, 君子征凶. Shàng jiǔ: jì yù jì chù, shàng dé zài, fù zhēn lì. Yuè jǐ wàng, jūn zǐ zhēng xiōng.
象传: 既雨既处, 德积载也. 君子征凶, 有所疑也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jì yùjì chù, dé jī zài yě. Jūn zǐ zhēng xiōng, yǒu suǒ yí yě.
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