小过
Xiǎo GuòUpper: Thunder · 震 · Lower: Mountain · 艮
Judgment亨。利贞。可小事，不可大事。飞鸟遗之音，不宜上宜下，大吉。
In plain wordsSuccess, and it favors staying on the right course; small things may be done but not great things. A flying bird leaves its call behind: it should not go up but come down, and then there is great good fortune. Be a little more careful and low-key, and handle the small things well.
The imageThunder above, mountain below: thunder rolls out over the mountaintop, a little beyond its usual bounds; a picture of slight excess.
A hint for youThis is a time for careful small tasks, so put big goals aside for now. Be a bit more modest and courteous than usual, and if you must overdo something, overdo courtesy and thrift rather than display.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初六飞鸟以凶。The first line, divided, suggests (the idea of) a bird flying, (and ascending) till the issue is evil.
- 六二过其祖，遇其妣；不及其君，遇其臣；无咎。The second line, divided, shows its subject passing by his grandfather, and meeting with his grandmother; not attempting anything against his ruler, but meeting him as his minister. There will be no error.
- 九三弗过防之，从或戕之，凶。The third line, undivided, shows its subject taking no extraordinary precautions against danger; and some in consequence finding opportunity to assail and injure him. There will be evil.
- 九四无咎，弗过遇之。往厉必戒，勿用永贞。The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject falling into no error, but meeting (the exigency of his situation), without exceeding (in his natural course). If he go forward, there will be peril, and he must be cautious. There is no occasion to be using firmness perpetually.
- 六五密云不雨，自我西郊，公弋取彼在穴。The fifth line, divided, (suggests the idea) of dense clouds, but no rain, coming from our borders in the west. It also (shows) the prince shooting his arrow, and taking the bird in a cave.
- 上六弗遇过之，飞鸟离之，凶，是谓灾眚。The sixth line, divided, shows its subject not meeting (the exigency of his situation), and exceeding (his proper course). (It suggests the idea of) a bird flying far aloft. There will be evil. The case is what is called one of calamity and self-produced injury.
Small steps; avoid big moves
For entertainment and self-reflection only