Wu Wang

Judgment

无妄 元亨 利貞 其匪正 有眚 不利有攸往

It will prosper greatly, it is beneficial. If it is not right to do it, there will be a bad omen.
If there is a place to go, it will not be beneficial.

Interpretation

The Mu Mang hexagram consists of the upper trigram Qian (Heaven) and the lower trigram Zhen (Thunder). Qian represents Heaven, and Zhen represents Thunder. The image of the Mu Mang hexagram is thunder operating beneath the heavens. When the forces of Yin and Yang combine, and thunder vibrates, all things in nature grow and develop. This is an inevitable phenomenon of the great natural order. The natural laws do not deviate from their principles.

Mu Mang means that there is no deviation from the principle or the Way. In the hexagram, it is interpreted with the character Bi, meaning "not," signifying that there is no straying from the natural order. If there are no actions that deviate from the correct path, great success will follow. However, if actions go against the natural way, there will be misfortune.

For someone receiving this hexagram, it suggests that now is a time to abandon personal desires and instead align with the natural laws. One should avoid acting in a way that goes against the natural course. The thunder beneath the heavens signifies that this is not the time to actively push forward or force things to happen. Rather, it is the moment to surrender to nature and follow the will of the heavens.

By letting go of artificial actions and placing trust in the natural process, with a sincere heart and devotion to Heaven, one will remain in harmony with the Way and will attain success and happiness. However, if one fails to follow the natural order and acts contrary to it, misfortune will arise, and pursuing one's ambitions at this time will not be beneficial.

初九 无妄,往吉

Initial Nine: No falsehood, going forward brings good fortune.

'Muwang' means to act without deviating from the right path, ensuring good fortune. A person who receives this line in divination is in a situation where they are proceeding with no deviations from the right course. The matter inquired about in divination will be auspicious.

六二 不耕穫,不菑畬,則利有攸往

Six Second: Not plowing or harvesting, no sowing or tending, beneficial for progress.

The character "京" means to cultivate, and "Xxxxx" refers to harvesting. The situation described involves someone expecting a reward without putting in the necessary effort. The person drawing this hexagram is in a similar situation, where they may be hoping for success without putting in the required effort. The work they are asking about will not yield favorable results if they do not commit to the necessary labor.

六三 无妄之災,或繫之牛,行人之得,邑人之災。

Six Third: False disaster, possibly tied to the cow, traveler’s gain, city dweller’s disaster.

The phrase "mu mang ji jae" means a calamity that is not contrary to the way of things. This hexagram implies that a person loses a cow they had carelessly tied up, a misfortune that is a natural consequence of negligence. The person receiving this hexagram is currently in a situation where negligence or carelessness may lead to unnecessary misfortune.

九四 可貞,无咎.

Nine Fourth: Can be firm, no blame.

The term "Gajeong" refers to finding something lost, symbolizing a favorable result. The person asking about the hexagram is in a situation where they will recover something lost. The task will proceed smoothly, and there will be no major issues in achieving the desired result.

九五 无妄之疾,勿藥有喜

Nine Fifth: False illness, no medicine, joy.

A townsman loses a cow and falls ill, but this illness stems from neglecting the cow, not randomness, and will heal without medicine once it’s found. The task at hand will bring self-inflicted hardship, yet resolving the cause will cure it effortlessly.

上九 无妄行,有眚,无攸利

Top Nine: False action, with harm, no benefit.

Acting against principle, like the townsman losing his cow and falling ill, brings calamity and no benefit. The task at hand will suffer misfortune if pursued wrongly, reaping only disaster.