I Ching 9 Hexagram xiǎo chù (Small Accumulating)

I Ching 9 Hexagram xiǎo chù (Small Accumulating)

I Ching 9 Hexagram xiǎo chù (Small Accumulating)

Keywords
Team up with others. Make arrangements. Join. Together we win.
Short interpretation of Hexagram 9 – The Taming Force of the Small
It is a complicated moment, you have to be patient, wait and in the meantime take care of yourself and your health

I Ching – General Description

The sign signifies the small, the strength of the shadowy, which holds, tames, inhibits. In fourth place, that of the minister, is a weak line, which holds all other strong lines in check. Considered as an image, it is the wind that blows high in the sky and obstructs the ascending breath of the creative, so that the clouds condense. But it is not strong enough to cause them to fall in rain. The sign provides a constellation in which a strong is momentarily held at bay by a weak one. This can happen, if it is to be accompanied by success, only by means of gentleness.

I Ching – Comment on sentence

The small taming force has succeeded.
Dense clouds, no rain from our western lands.

This allegory comes from the conditions that reigned in China at the time of King Uenn. He was a native of the West, but was at that time in the East, at the court of the great king, the tyrant Ciou Sinn. The time for the great deed had not yet come. He could keep the tyrant at bay to some degree, only by coaxing him with good words. Hence the image of abundant clouds that rise promising the country irrigation and prosperity, but which for now do not change into rain yet. The situation is not bad. There are prospects of ultimate success. The way is still blocked. Only preparatory work can be done. One can act through small things, blandishments and good words. The moment of the great decisive action has not yet come; however, it is possible to slow down and tame to a limited extent. In order to assert one’s will, there is a need for firm inner decision and mild outer adaptation.

I Ching – Image

The wind blows in the sky:
The image of the small taming force.
Thus the noble refines the outward forms of his character.

The wind, it is true, pushes the clouds together in the sky, but, since it is only air without a solid body, it does not produce great and lasting effects. Even to man, in times when a great action towards the outside is not possible, there is nothing left but to refine his character in its manifestations in a small way.

I Ching – Series

With solidarity it is certainly possible to tame. Therefore it follows: the taming Force of the little one.

I Ching – Single Lines

Analytical description of each individual line

I Ching – First line:

Nine at the beginning means:
Back on the way. How could this be a stain! Health!

It is in the character of the fort to push forward. Thus, however, he enters the sphere of inhibition. For this reason he returns to the path corresponding to his situation, on which he is free to progress or to withdraw. It is well done and reasonable that one does not want to achieve anything by using violence, and this, by the very nature of things, brings health.

I Ching – Second line:

Nine in the second place means:
He allows himself to be induced to return. Health!

The intention is to move forward. But again, before taking a step, the example of other like-minded people shows us that this path is prevented. A determined and reasonable man, in this case, will never expose himself to a personal rejection, but will withdraw, when the aspiration to progress does not correspond to the times, together with others of his own nature. This brings health because in this way he does not betray himself.

I Ching – Third line:

Nine in the third place means:
The spokes of the wheels fly off the carriage. Husband and wife roll their eyes.

Here is the attempt to advance with violence knowing full well that the hindering power is only weak. But since the circumstances are such that the weak actually have the upper hand, this attempt at a sudden assault cannot succeed. Outward circumstances impede progress, as a carriage cannot advance when the spokes of the wheels fly off. We do not yet adapt to this sign of fate. Therefore, angry discussions take place like between two spouses. This state is of course not favorable; for even if the situation allows the weaker party to hold still, this is combined with too many difficulties for it to have a satisfactory effect. Consequently, even the strong cannot use his strength in such a way as to gain adequate influence on his environment.

I Ching – Fourth line:

Six in the fourth place means:
If you are true, blood vanishes and anguish yields. No stains.

In a difficult and responsible position, you have to tame the powerful at whose side you stand as a guide so that what is right happens. In this there is a grave danger, such as to cause fear even bloodshed. But the power of selfless truthfulness is greater than all these impediments. It makes such an impression that one can successfully carry out one’s efforts, and all danger of bloodshed and all anguish disappears.

I Ching – Fifth line:

Nine in the fifth place means:
If you are joined in faith and sincerity, You are rich in your neighbor.

Fidelity leads to solid union, because it is based on mutual completion. At the weaker party, fidelity consists in dedication, at the stronger one in trustworthiness. This mutual completion leads to true wealth, which is shown even more in the fact that one does not keep it all to oneself, but possesses it in common with one’s neighbor. Shared joy is double joy.

I Ching – Sixth line:

Nine above means:
The rain comes, the quiet comes. This is due to the lasting action of the character. Persevering wife ends up in danger. The moon is almost full. If the noble persists, there is misfortune.

Here is the success. The wind gathered the rain, a stable point of view is reached. This has come about as a result of the great accumulation of small effects, which result from the venerability offered to a higher character. Such a success, put together piece by piece, however, needs a great deal of attention. If now we wanted to abandon ourselves to the illusion of being able to make ourselves strong, this would be dangerous. The weak feminine who has won a victory must never stubbornly refer to it. This would attract danger. The shadowy force in the moon is greatest when it is nearly full. When it stands, like a full moon, directly in front of the sun, it is bound to drop. In such conditions, one must be content with what has been achieved. Continuing to advance before the time has come would be calamitous.