I Ching Oracle / Hexagrams / 2
The Judgement
Supreme success through the perseverance of a mare. If the noble one has somewhere to go, he first goes astray, then finds his way.
Receptive endurance; yield, support, and let things ripen.
The Image
The earth's condition is receptive devotion; the noble one carries the outer world with breadth of character.
This hexagram on ten matters
- WorkCAREER
- Supporting and executing suits you better than initiating here. Lost at first, then finding a master — once you have found the direction worth following, your endurance becomes the advantage.
- LoveRELATIONSHIP
- Receive rather than pursue. Straight, square, great means honest, proportionate, and able to give — this outlasts intensity.
- MoneyFINANCE
- Wealth by steady accumulation. Capacity to carry, not speed of action, sets the ceiling.
- HealthBODY
- Rest and regularity. When there is frost underfoot, ice is coming — small signals deserve early adjustment rather than later repair.
- StudyLEARNING
- A season for accumulation. Repetition beats speed; a thick foundation carries you far later.
- An examEXAM
- A steady-accumulation hexagram. Aim not to shine but not to drop marks; securing every basic question is the win.
- PeopleSOCIAL
- Be the one who holds the room together. Hidden lines: you need not display everything to be relied upon.
- A choiceDECISION
- Do not force the call alone. This hexagram favours joining a direction, not leading one.
- TravelJOURNEY
- Travel with others rather than alone. Companions found in the southwest.
- A lost itemLOST ITEM
- Kun is earth and concealment. Look low — the floor, or under other things. It is close by. Search slowly.
The Six Lines
When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off.
Frost underfoot, and ice is coming. What you see is only a sign, but the sign is the message. Do not wait for it to freeze.
Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Straight, square, great. Honest, proportionate, able to give — do these three and nothing needs managing.
Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. Complete the work but claim no credit.
Hidden lines. You need not display everything. Letting the credit go, here, is what carries you further.
A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
A tied-up sack. The moment for a closed mouth. Silence wins no applause and no trouble; this line takes the second.
A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune.
A yellow lower garment. Holding the centre while in a high place — the best line in this hexagram: capable, and not first.
Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
Dragons fight in the meadow. Yielding taken to its limit turns into conflict. Retreat no longer helps, and fighting damages both.
The governing line
Nuclear · Opposite · Reverse
The nuclear hexagram shows the middle stretch of the matter; the opposite is the same situation seen from the reverse position; the reverse is the view from the other party's side.