I-Ching & Change & Transition
Change is the only constant the I-Ching recognizes. These hexagrams address revolution, renewal, completion, and the art of navigating life's transitions with wisdom.
Key Hexagrams (8)
革Gé — Revolution
On your own day you are believed. Supreme success, furthering through persistence. Remorse disappears. Revolutions are extremely grave matters—undertaken only under direst necessity when there is no other way out. Not everyone is called to this task, only one who has the confidence of the people, and only when the time is ripe. Proceed in the right way to gladden the people and prevent excesses. Be free of selfish aims, genuinely relieve the need. Only then is there nothing to regret.
復Fù — Return
Success. Going out and coming in without error. Friends come without blame. To and fro goes the way. On the seventh day comes return. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. After decay, the turning point. The light returns.
蠱Gǔ — Work on the Decayed
Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Three days before the turning point, three days after. What was spoiled through neglect can be repaired through work. Deliberate carefully before and after beginning.
未濟Wèi Jì — Before Completion
Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, gets his tail in the water, there is nothing that would further. The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility—nothing less than leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice as he carefully searches out the safest spots. A young fox who has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly and may fall in and get his tail wet. In times 'before completion,' deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
既濟Jì Jì — After Completion
Success in small matters. Persistence furthers. At the beginning good fortune, at the end disorder. The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematized, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. We must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. This is the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it can avoid its effects through unremitting perseverance and caution.
豐Fēng — Abundance
Success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday. Clarity within, movement without—this produces greatness and abundance. Development has reached a peak, but this extraordinary condition cannot be maintained permanently. Not every mortal is able to bring about such a time. A sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit them. Only one who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance—like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
旅Lǚ — The Wanderer
Success through smallness. Persistence brings good fortune to the wanderer. When a stranger, you should not be gruff or overbearing. Having no large circle of acquaintances, don't give yourself airs. Be cautious and reserved—this protects from evil. Be obliging toward others and win success. A wanderer has no fixed abode; home is the road. Take care to remain upright and steadfast, sojourning only in proper places, associating only with good people. Then you have good fortune and can go your way unmolested.
小過Xiǎo Guò — Preponderance of the Small
Success. Persistence furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune. Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies. We must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. A bird should not try to surpass itself and fly into the sun; it should descend to the earth, where its nest is.