Yi
Judgment
益. 利有攸往, 利涉大川.
If there is a place to go, it's good, If you cross over a big river, It will be good.
Interpretation
The Ik (Increase) Hexagram has Son (Wind) in the upper trigram and Jin (Thunder) in the lower trigram. Son represents wind, and Jin represents thunder. The image of the Ik hexagram is wind above and thunder below. Wind typically blows from below, but when it is above, its power increases. Thunder usually rumbles from above, but when it is below, its force is even greater. Ik means to increase or to augment.
In the commentary, it is said that when the power of King Wu increased, it was a time for action. If there is a path to follow, it is favorable, and crossing a great river in the way will lead to success.
The hexagram indicates that now is a time when your strength and influence are growing, and if you approach things actively, everything will be resolved positively. Wind above and thunder below signify vigorous and proactive movement, urging you to act without hesitation when you recognize what is right.
Joy will be multiplied, your wealth will grow, your crops will yield abundantly, and your status will rise. By actively engaging in these pursuits, the outcomes will be favorable.
This is a time of vitality, so while it is an excellent opportunity, you should not act recklessly. With careful planning and determined forward movement, success will follow. Any obstacles in your way should be confronted head-on, and you will find that overcoming them will be beneficial.
Additionally, prioritizing others' interests over your own will lead to even greater success.
初九 利用爲大作,元吉,无咎
Initial Nine: It is advantageous to undertake great works, great good fortune, no fault.
The "Usage method" refers to a dragon, and "Great" means to build a great structure or carry out a big task, referencing the Duke of Zhou building the city of Lu. A person who receives this line is in a situation where they are undertaking a significant endeavor. This is a time for undertaking great tasks, and the inquiry will be successful with no fault.
六二 或益之十朋之龜,弗克違,永貞吉,王用享于帝,吉.
Six Two: Some increase, like a turtle with ten companions, but it cannot break the rule, eternal firmness brings good fortune. The king uses this to offer sacrifices to the Emperor, bringing good fortune.
The character "fire" means not, and "Hand" refers to removal. The situation described involves an offering ceremony where the product should be increased, not diminished. The person drawing this hexagram is in a situation where they are dealing with a matter that requires a careful and generous approach. The work they are asking about will be successful if handled properly.
六三 益之用凶事,无咎,有孚,中行告公用圭.
Six Three: Increasing brings danger, no fault, but faith exists. The middle way is to publicly announce, using a ritual vessel.
The term "Ik" means to help. "Yong" refers to a dragon. "Bu" is an old character meaning captured prisoners or stolen goods. "Junghaeng" refers to the younger brother of Mija Gye. "Gyu" means a jade object. The nobleman helped resolve a crisis involving the younger brother of Mija Gye and captured prisoners. The person asking about the hexagram is in a situation where help is being provided and prisoners are being captured. By being considerate and helpful, they will avoid any wrongdoings.
六四 中行告公從,利用爲依遷國
Six Four: The middle way is to announce, and the public follows, it is useful to relocate the country.
The person receives aid in a time of transition. The task at hand requires careful support to succeed.
九五 有孚,惠心,勿問,元吉,有孚,惠我德
Nine Five: Faithful and sincere, beneficent heart, no inquiry, great good fortune, faithful and beneficent to my virtue.
Duke Zhou quells rebellion and aids Yin’s calamity, capturing many prisoners who submit to his virtue, a great fortune. The task at hand will be greatly auspicious, as treating others with virtue wins universal allegiance.
上九 莫益之,或擊之,立心勿恒,凶
Top Nine: Do not increase, or it may strike. Stand firm, but do not be constant, this brings misfortune.
Duke Zhou’s brothers rebel with Wu Geng but find no aid, facing attack; abandoning their cause could save them, yet death and exile follow. The task at hand warns against folly, as isolation and peril ruin body and fame, portending misfortune.