The I Ching Speaks!



     48.  Ching / The Well

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----
          ----------
          ----------     below     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          The Well. The town may be changed,
          But the well cannot be changed.
          It neither decreases nor increases.
          They come and go and draw from the well.
          If one gets down almost to the water
          And the rope does not go all the way,
          Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.

     The Image

          Water over wood: the image of the Well.
          Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work,
          And exhorts them to help one another.

     The Lines

          Six at the beginning means:
          One does not drink the mud of the well.
          No animals come to an old well.

          Nine in the second place means:
          At the wellhole one shoots fishes.
          The jug is broken and leaks.

          Six in the fourth place means:
          The well is being lined. No blame.

          Six at the top means:
          One draws from the well
          Without hindrance.
          It is dependable.
          Supreme good fortune.


     13.  T'ung J^en / Fellowship with Men

          ----------
          ----------     above     Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
          ----------
          ----------
          ---- ----     below     Li     The Clinging, Flame
          ----------

     The Judgement

          Fellowship with Men in the open.
          Success.
          It furthers one to cross the great water.
          The perseverance of the superior man furthers.

     The Image

          Heaven together with fire:
          The image of Fellowship with Men.
          Thus the superior man organizes the clans
          And makes distinctions between things.