无妄
Wú WàngUpper: Heaven · 乾 · Lower: Thunder · 震
Judgment元亨。利贞。其匪正有眚，不利有攸往。
In plain wordsGreat success, and it favors staying on the right course; if one is not upright there will be misfortune, and going ahead is not favored. One should act genuinely, without banking on luck, or else bring trouble on oneself.
The imageHeaven above, thunder below: thunder moves beneath the sky and everything grows according to its own nature, without pretense or recklessness.
A hint for youAct from your true intention and the facts, without expecting windfalls or taking shortcuts. The more your actions match your thinking, the more steadily you can advance.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初九无妄，往吉。The first line, undivided, shows its subject free from all insincerity. His advance will be accompanied with good fortune.
- 六二不耕获，不菑畬，则利有攸往。The second line, divided, shows one who reaps without having ploughed (that he might reap), and gathers the produce of his third year's fields without having cultivated them the first year for that end. To such a one there will be advantage in whatever direction he may move.
- 六三无妄之灾，或系之牛，行人之得，邑人之灾。The third line, divided, shows calamity happening to one who is free from insincerity;—as in the case of an ox that has been tied up. A passer by finds it (and carries it off), while the people in the neighbourhood have the calamity (of being accused and apprehended).
- 九四可贞，无咎。The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case) in which, if its subject can remain firm and correct, there will be no error.
- 九五无妄之疾，勿药有喜。The fifth line, undivided, shows one who is free from insincerity, and yet has fallen ill. Let him not use medicine, and he will have occasion for joy (in his recovery).
- 上九无妄，行有眚，无攸利。The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject free from insincerity, yet sure to fall into error, if he take action. (His action) will not be advantageous in any way.
Sincerity; no ulterior motives
For entertainment and self-reflection only