Xiao Xu
Judgment
小畜 亨 密雲不雨 自我西郊
It will be prosperous; thick clouds will rise but no rain will come from our west.
Interpretation
The Xiaoxu (Small Accumulation) Hexagram consists of the upper trigram Xun (Wind) and the lower trigram Qian (Heaven). Xun represents wind, while Qian represents heaven. The image of this hexagram depicts the wind blowing above the sky. Since the wind is blowing above the sky, rain has yet to fall, meaning one must wait a little longer. The influence has not yet reached below, indicating that accumulation is still small. Xiaoxu means small accumulation.
In the hexagram statement, "Dense clouds" (密云, mì yún) refers to thick clouds, and "Western outskirts" (西郊, xī jiāo) specifically refers to the western outskirts, where the Zhou Dynasty was located. At the time, the Shang Dynasty was in the east, and the Zhou Dynasty was in the west. Dense clouds have formed, so although rain has not yet fallen, it will eventually come. Farmers of the Zhou Dynasty, seeing the thick clouds rising in the western sky, are waiting for the rain to fall.
If a person casts divination and receives this hexagram, they should reflect on the imagery and meaning of the hexagram. Just as one looks up at the sky, waiting for rain that has yet to fall, now is not the right time. One must endure and wait for the opportune moment. Since the wind is blowing above the sky, accumulation is still small, and its influence has yet to reach below. Things will not go smoothly for now. However, as dense clouds rise in the western fields and rain will eventually pour down, if one perseveres, they will surely achieve great success. The matter inquired about in the divination will ultimately be favorable.
初九 復自道,何其咎,吉
Initial Nine: Returning to the path, what is the blame, good fortune.
'Bok' means to return. 'Do' refers to a field path. A farmer, after finishing their work, walks home along the field path with a light heart, facing no obstacles, which naturally leads to good fortune. A person who receives this line in divination is in a situation where they are like a farmer returning home along the field path. Having completed the day's work safely, what fault could there be? The matter inquired about in divination will be auspicious.
九二 牽復,吉
Nine Second: Tying the return, good fortune.
The character "Silk" means to pull. "Suit" refers to pulling and returning. Farmers load harvested crops onto carts pulled by oxen or horses and return with them, which is a favorable sign. The person drawing this hexagram is currently in a situation where crops are loaded onto a cart and being pulled back home. They will eventually fill the cart, and the work they are asking about will be successful.
九三 輿說輻,夫妻反目
Nine Third: The chariot moves, the wheel and axle, husband and wife argue.
The situation involves a family conflict, symbolized by a broken cart. This points to a situation where things are falling apart and relationships are strained. The matter in question is likely to be unsuccessful and should be reconsidered.
六四 有孚,血去惕出,无咎
Six Fourth: There is trust, blood goes, vigilance leads, no blame.
The term "Bu" refers to a captured prisoner, and "Hyul" means worry or anxiety. "Cheok" means to guard against something. The person is in a situation where a farmer has captured robbers, removing the worry, but still must remain vigilant. The person asking about the hexagram is in a situation where they have overcome one worry but must remain cautious. The task will be successful if vigilance is maintained.
九五 有孚攣如,富以其鄰
Nine Fifth: Trust tied, wealth increases with neighbors.
A farmer captures and binds thieves plundering crops, rejoicing together with neighbors who share the triumph. The task at hand will bring blessings, as shared gains double the joy.
上九 旣雨旣處,尚德載.婦貞厲,月幾望,君子征凶
Top Nine: After the rain, the place settles, great virtue rises. The woman’s persistence is dangerous, the moon nears fullness, the gentleman goes out to fight the danger.
The wife loads crops onto a cart but pauses for rain, only to lose them to thieves after resuming, making her divination perilous unless the君子punishes them after the full moon. The task at hand will face sudden hardship, yet luck follows loss, so act timely to avoid misfortune.