The I Ching Oracle Text
I Ching Translation by Richard Wilhelm and Cary Baynes
Comments, poetry, and web-script by Ebon Lupus :o~
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Hexagram: 1
Judgment: The Creative works sublime success, Furthering through perseverance.
Image: The movement of heaven is full of power. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.
Energy, Present and Future: “The Creative brings about rulership.” • “’He [God] battles in the sign of the creative.’ The Creative is the trigram of the northwest. It means that here the dark and the light arouse each other.” • “The Creative is strong.” • “The Creative acts like a horse.” • “The Creative manifests itself in the head.” • “The Creative is heaven, therefore it is called the father.” • “The Creative is heaven. It is round, it is the prince, the father, jade, metal, cold, ice; it is deep red, a good horse, an old horse, a lean horse, a wild horse, tree fruit.
Comments: Emulate greatness and be great, even when trials and tribulations try the soul. By doing what needs to be done, setting tangible goals and carrying them through, one finds success. In order to gain strength and energy and fulfill tasks without error, one must maintain vitality of body and mind. This is achieved though adequate rest, a healthy diet, proper exercise; both physical and mental, and an ethical life discipline that avoids complacency and extremes while honoring the sacrifices of others.”
Line 1 text: Nine at the beginning means: Hidden dragon. Do not act.
Line 1 comment: Be humble. Although skilled, loyalty and ability are not yet evident to peers. Remain free of jealousy, greed, and ambition; remain calm. Do the best job possible; do not seek glory or position; work to perfect the task, and in time there will come just reward. Beware of ego and do not speak until the time is right. Path 44 Coming to Meet.
Line 2 text: Nine in the second place means: Dragon appearing in a field. It furthers one to see the great man.
Line 2 comment: Admiration is gathering as good deeds manifest. Skill in duty and action has set one apart from others. Constancy brings positive and lasting change; thus, surroundings are improved. One achieves a state of effortless work; where tasks are completed through practice and skill with relaxed conscious effort. One is glad to help others. Now is a good time to speak with people in charge. Path 13 Fellowship With Men.
Line 3 text: Nine in the third place means: All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame.
Line 3 comment: Beware ambition! Having proven one’s ability one climbs the ladder of success. People come seeking help and advice or simply give praise that stokes the ego. There is much work to be done, and one forgoes rest as the mind is beset with plans. It is easy to be tempted; swayed from one’s course by wealth and fame. This is a time to be prudent and to walk the path of virtue. Path 10 Treading .
Line 4 text: Nine in the fourth place means: Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.
Line 4 comment: Having achieved greatness a decision point is reached: Should one travel the public or the private road? Which way to go depends on what best serves one’s lifestyle and preference. The public road leads to society, visibility, and fandom, while the private road leads to solitude, introspection and sagacity. Whichever path one chooses leaves one free from blame. Path 09 The Taming Power of the Small.
Line 5 text: Nine in the fifth place means: Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man.
Line 5 comment: One seems blessed by heaven. The people are watching as one’s influence begins to move across the land. This is a time when the like minded achieve an accord and one has the support of multitudes. Power rests in holding onto honesty and dignity; with these, one subverts thoughts of opposition. Path 14 Possession In Great Measure.
Line 6 text: Nine at the top means: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent.
Line 6 comment: By taking on more than can be dealt with one is doomed to failure. Arrogance leads to loss of friends and associates; this path will end in ruin. Carelessness at times like this; merely overlooking one detail, can give wickedness the power to resurface later with even greater vigor. Path 43 Resoluteness.
Miscellaneous: When all lines are nines, it means: There appears a flight of Dragons without heads. Good fortune.
Hexagram: 2
Judgment: The Receptive brings about sublime success, furthering through the perseverance of a mare. If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead, he goes astray; but if he follows, he finds guidance. It is favorable to find friends in the west and south, to forgo friends in the east and north. Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
Image: The earth’s condition is receptive devotion. Thus the superior man who has breadth of character carries the outer world.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Six at the beginning means: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Six in the second place means: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the fourth place means: A tied up sack. No blame, no praise.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Six in the fifth place means: A yellow lower garment brings extreme good fortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Six at the top means: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 3
Judgment: Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers one to appoint helpers.
Image: Clouds and thunder: The image of Difficulty at the Beginning. Thus the superior man brings order out of confusion.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Nine at the beginning means: Hesitation and hindrance. It furthers one to remain persevering. It furthers one to appoint helpers.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Six in the second place means: Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. He is not a robber; he wants to woo when the time comes. The maiden is chaste, she does not pledge herself. Ten years - then she pledges herself.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: Whoever hunts deer without a forester only looses his way in the forest. The superior man understands the signs of the time and prefers to desist. To go on brings humiliation.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the fourth place means: Horse and wagon part. Strive for union. To go brings good fortune. Everything acts to further.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Nine in the fifth place means: Difficulties in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune. Great perseverance brings misfortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Six at the top means: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 4
Judgment: Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information. perseverance furthers.
Image: A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of Youth. Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Six at the beginning means: To make a fool develop it furthers one to apply discipline. The fetters should be removed. To go on in this way brings humiliation.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Nine in the second place means: To bear with fools in kindness brings good fortune. To know how to take women brings good fortune. The son is capable of taking charge of the household.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the fourth place means: Entangled folly brings humiliation.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Six in the fifth place means: Childlike folly brings good fortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Nine at the top means: In punishing folly it does not further one to commit transgressions. The only thing that furthers is to prevent transgressions.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 5
Judgment: Waiting. If you are sincere, you have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Image: Clouds rise up to heaven: The image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Nine in the second place means: Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Nine in the third place means: Waiting in the mud. Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the fourth place means: Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Nine in the fifth place means: Waiting at meat and drink. Perseverance brings good fortune..
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Six at the top means: One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 6
Judgment: Conflict. You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further one to cross the great water.
Image: Heaven and water go their opposite ways: The image of Conflict. Thus in all his transactions the superior man carefully considers the beginning.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Six at the beginning means: If one does not perpetuate the affair, there is little gossip. In the end, good fortune comes.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Nine in the second place means: One cannot engage in conflict; one returns home, gives way. The people of his town, three households, remain free of guilt.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance. Danger. In the end, good fortune comes. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Nine in the forth place means: One cannot engage in conflict. One turns back and submits to fate, changes one's attitude, and finds peace in perseverance. Good fortune.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Nine in the fifth place means: To contend before him brings good fortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Nine at the to means: Even if by chance a leather belt is bestowed on one, by the end of a morning it will have been snatched away three times.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 7
Judgment: The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame.
Image: In the midst of the earth is water: The image of the army. Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity toward the people.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Six at the beginning means: An army must set forth in proper order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Nine in the second place means: In the midst of the army. Good fortune. No blame. The king bestows a triple decoration.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the fourth place means: The army retreats. No blame.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Six in the fifth place means: There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. Without blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The youngest transports corpses; then perseverance brings misfortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Six at the top means: The great prince issues commands, founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should not be employed.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
Hexagram: 8
Judgment: Holding Together brings good fortune. Inquire of the oracle once again whether you possess sublimity, consistancy, and perseverance; then there is no blame. Those who are uncertain gradually join. Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune.
Image: On the earth is water: The image of holding together. Thus kings of antiquity bestowed the different states as fiefs and cultivated friendly relations with the feudal lords.
Comments: Not Entered
Line 1 text: Six at the beginning means: Hold to him in truth and loyalty; this is without blame. Truth, like a full earthen bowl: Thus in the end good fortune comes from without.
Line 1 comment: Not Entered
Line 2 text: Six in the second place means: Hold to him inwardly. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 2 comment: Not Entered
Line 3 text: Six in the third place means: You hold together with the wrong people.
Line 3 comment: Not Entered
Line 4 text: Six in the forth place means: Hold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 4 comment: Not Entered
Line 5 text: Nine in the fifth place means: Manifestation of holding together. In the hunt the king uses beaters on three sides only and forgoes game that runs off in front. The citizens need no warning. Good fortune.
Line 5 comment: Not Entered
Line 6 text: Six at the top means: He finds no need for holding together. Misfortune.
Line 6 comment: Not Entered
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