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Hexagram 9: Small Taming

䷈ 小畜 (Xiǎo Chù) · Small restraint. Gentle influence works better than force.

gentle restraint, patience, small steps, influence

Lower trigram: Heaven ☰ · Upper trigram: Wind ☴

The judgment

Heavy clouds gather in the west, but the rain has not come. Your strength is held back for now by something small and soft, and forcing it won't help. Work gently and kindly, take care of the details, and trust that what is held back is building toward its time.

The image

Wind moving high across the sky, gathering clouds that do not yet rain. Refine the smaller, outward things in yourself while the larger moment approaches.

The six lines

Read only the lines that changed in your casting, counting from the bottom.

• Line 1 (bottom): Held back, you return to your own path. That is no fault, and it brings good fortune.
• Line 2: Seeing others turn back, you are drawn to return as well. Following that sensible example is wise.
• Line 3: Pushing ahead anyway, the wheel's spokes break and tempers flare at home. Forcing what is blocked leads to quarrels.
• Line 4: Honest intentions dissolve fear and danger. Sincerity lets a gentle person restrain a strong one without harm.
• Line 5: Bonds of trust mean your neighbors' riches are shared with you, and yours with them. Shared good faith multiplies what each of you has.
• Line 6 (top): The rain has come and things settle. Like a moon that is nearly full, you have reached enough; pressing further now brings misfortune.

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