28. Ta Kuo; Preponderance of the Great Above; Tui the Joyous lake Below; Sun the Gentle wind, wood |
21st Century | Comparison |
| The image of an unsupportable beam is the meaning of the hexagram.
By preparing for what is inevitable you mitigate the worst of the sudden
change when the beam fails. It is not a surrender but a reconciliation
with new circumstances. In this case of the beam, falling. Those
supported by the beam, also falling. Disaster all around. Hence the value
of placing cushions where the fall will end.
Events come and sometimes nature designs the challenge to find the improbable combination which will take the entity into the next generation. Sometimes the unlikeliest combinations are the ones most likely to flourish. Closing ones mind to possibilities signals one has closed off to another's advice. People will turn. Testing reality is always best. Does what one is doing make sense? Has it a purpose and is it something one can believe in? When it meets these criteria it will appeal to others. When something appeals to many it becomes supported. From this support evolves the authority of a consequential person. We each have a place. That place is constantly changing its location. By looking away for a moment it has gone. Imagine chasing a fish while riding a hot air balloon. |
Line 1 |
Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) one placing mats on the white mƒo grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error.
b) To spread white rushes underneath. No blame.
c) The man places white mats beneath objects set on the ground. No mistakes.
d) Place mats for things set down; then faults are few.
a) a decayed willow producing shoots, or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way.
b) A dry poplar sprouts at the root. An older man takes a young wife. Everything furthers.
c) A rotting willow produces shoots. An old man possesses his young wife. General improvement.
d) Dead willow shoots; old man young wife well wooing.
a) a beam that is weak. There will be evil.
b) Ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Misfortune.
c) The beam is weak. Ominous.
d) The Beam is weak - Fate's busy with the brewing;
a) a beam curving upwards. There will be good fortune. If (the subject of it) looks for other (help but that of line one), there will be cause for regret.
b) The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune. If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating.
c) The beam is braced. Auspicious. If you look for support you will regret it.
d) The beam curves up - Loyalty did the gluing.
a) a decayed willow producing flowers, or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor for praise.
b) A withered poplar puts forth flowers. An older woman takes a husband. No blame. No praise.
c) Flowers sprouting from a rotting willow. The old woman possesses her young husband. No blame. No praise.
d) Dead willow flowers; old wife young man pursuing!
a) with extraordinary (boldness) wading through a stream, till the water hides the crown of his head. There will be evil, but no ground for blame.
b) One must go through the water. It goes over one's head. Misfortune. No blame.
c) The man walks straight into the stream and keeps right on going until he finally disappears beneath the water. Ominous but no blame.
d) Bold wader, thine head's wet - but thou wast true.