节
JiéUpper: Water · 坎 · Lower: Marsh · 兑
Judgment亨。苦节不可贞。
In plain wordsSuccess; but a harsh, painful restraint cannot be kept up. Restraint should be moderate and reasonable; if it is overdone it becomes a hardship that is hard to continue.
The imageWater above, lake below: water over a lake, a lake with limited capacity, which overflows when full and so needs restraint.
A hint for youSet reasonable limits for yourself, such as budget, routine and emotions. A limit only means something if you can keep to it over the long run.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初九不出户庭，无咎。The first line, undivided, shows its subject not quitting the courtyard outside his door. There will be no error.
- 九二不出门庭，凶。The second line, undivided, shows its subject not quitting the courtyard inside his gate. There will be evil.
- 六三不节若，则嗟若，无咎。The third line, divided, shows its subject with no appearance of observing the (proper) regulations, in which case we shall see him lamenting. But there will be no one to blame (but himself).
- 六四安节，亨。The fourth line, divided, shows its subject quietly and naturally (attentive to all) regulations. There will be progress and success.
- 九五甘节，吉；往有尚。The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject sweetly and acceptably enacting his regulations. There will be good fortune. The onward progress with them will afford ground for admiration.
- 上六苦节，贞凶，悔亡。The topmost line, divided, shows its subject enacting regulations severe and difficult. Even with firmness and correctness there will be evil. But though there will be cause for repentance, it will (by and by) disappear.
Limits; healthy moderation
For entertainment and self-reflection only