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Hexagram 60: Limitation

䷻ 節 (Jié) · Limits. Healthy boundaries create freedom.

boundaries, moderation, measure, discipline

Lower trigram: Lake ☱ · Upper trigram: Water ☵

The judgment

Healthy limits give life its shape, the way the joints of bamboo give it strength. Know what is enough. But limits that are too harsh cannot last, and they turn bitter if forced, on yourself or anyone else. Find the measure that leaves room to breathe.

The image

Lake below and Water above: the lake holds only so much before it overflows. Decide what your measures are, and examine what good conduct means to you.

The six lines

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

• Line 1 (bottom): Stay inside your own door for now. Knowing when not to act, and keeping your own counsel, is wise.
• Line 2: The time to step out has come, yet you stay behind your gate. Holding back now is a missed chance.
• Line 3: Without any limit you end up with regret. Own it honestly, and you can begin again.
• Line 4: Limits you accept without strain, easy and natural, bring success.
• Line 5: You set limits on yourself first, and you set them gently. People follow willingly, and this earns respect.
• Line 6 (top): Harsh, bitter limits cannot be kept up for long. Sometimes they are necessary for a while, but loosen them when you can.

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