The I Ching Speaks!



     41.  Sun / Decrease

          ----------
          ---- ----     above     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ----------     below     Tui    The Joyous, Lake
          ----------

     The Judgement

          Decrease combined with sincerity
          Brings about supreme good fortune
          Without blame.
          One may be persevering in this.
          It furthers one to undertake something.
          How is this to be carried out?
          One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.

     The Image

          At the foot of the mountain, the lake:
          The image of Decrease.
          Thus the superior man controls his anger
          And restrains his instincts.

     The Lines

     []   Six in the third place means:
          When three people journey together,
          Their number decreases by one.
          When one man journeys alone,
          He finds a companion.

     ()   Six in the fifth place means:
          Someone does indeed increase him.
          Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it.
          Supreme good fortune.


     9.   Hsiao Ch'u / The Taming Power of the Small

          ----------
          ----------     above     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
          ---- ----
          ----------
          ----------     below     Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
          ----------

     The Judgement

          The Taming Power of the Small
          Has success.
          Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.

     The Image

          The wind drives across heaven:
          The image of the Taming Power of the Small.
          Thus the superior man
          Refines the outward aspect of his nature.