Hexagram 44 姤 - GÒU / COMING TO MEET
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Trigrams#
- Above: Qián, The Creative, Heaven
- Below: Xùn, The Gentle, Wind
The hexagram indicates a situation where the dark principle secretly and unexpectedly forces its way back in from within and below, after having been eliminated. The feminine comes to meet the masculine of its own accord. This is a dangerous and unfavorable situation because of the possible consequences, which must be recognized in time and thus prevented. The hexagram is associated with the fifth month (June-July), because with the summer solstice, the dark principle gradually begins to rise again.
The Judgment#
Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful. One should not marry such a maiden.
The rise of the inferior is depicted under the image of a bold girl who gives herself up lightly and thereby seizes power. This would not be possible if the strong and light element did not also come to meet it halfway. The inferior element looks so harmless and flattering that one finds pleasure in it. It appears so small and weak that one thinks one can jest with it without worry.
Thus, the inferior person rises only because the superior person considers them harmless and grants them power. If one were to oppose them from the very beginning, they could never gain influence.
But the time of Coming to Meet also has another side that is worth noting. While the coming to meet of the weak toward the strong must not be the rule, it has great significance at times. When heaven and earth come to meet each other, all creatures prosper. When prince and helper come to meet each other, the world is set in order. A mutual coming to meet of principles designed for each other and dependent upon each other is necessary. It must only be free from impure ulterior motives; otherwise, it leads to evil.
The Image#
Under heaven is the wind: the image of Coming to Meet. Thus does the prince act when spreading his commands and proclaiming them to the four quarters of heaven.
The situation is similar to Hexagram 20 (Contemplation). There, the wind blows over the earth; here, it blows under heaven. In both cases, it goes everywhere. But while there, the wind on the earth below provided the image of the ruler gathering knowledge of conditions, here the wind blows from above; this indicates the influence the ruler exerts through his commands. Heaven is far from earthly things, but it sets them in motion through the wind. The ruler is far from the people, but he sets them in motion through his commands and expressions of will.
The Individual Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
It must be checked with a brake of bronze. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one lets it take its course, one experiences misfortune. Even a lean pig has it in its nature to rage about.
If an inferior element has crept in, it must be checked immediately and energetically. By consistently checking it, evil consequences can be avoided. If it is allowed to take its course, misfortune will certainly result. One must not be led to take it too lightly due to the insignificance of what creeps in. As long as a pig is still young and lean, it cannot rage about much, but once it has eaten its fill and grown strong, its true nature asserts itself if it has not been restricted beforehand.
Nine in the second place means:#
There is a fish in the tank. No blame! Not favorable for guests.
The lower element is not forced, but kept under gentle control. Then nothing bad is to be feared. However, one must ensure that it does not come into contact with outsiders, because if left loose, it would unfold its negative traits without restraint.
Nine in the third place means:#
There is no skin on the thighs, and walking becomes difficult. If one is mindful of the danger, one makes no great mistake.
One is inwardly tempted to entangle oneself with the negative element that offers itself. This is a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, one is hindered by circumstances. One would like to, but cannot. This results in a painful indecisiveness of action. But if one realizes the danger of the situation, one will at least avoid major mistakes.
Nine in the fourth place means:#
There is no fish in the tank. This gives rise to misfortune.
The lowly people must be tolerated so that they remain well-disposed. Then they can also be utilized when needed. If one becomes estranged from them and does not meet them halfway, they turn away, and they are not available when needed. One then has only oneself to blame.
Nine in the fifth place means:#
A melon covered with willow leaves: hidden lines. Then it falls to one from heaven.
The melon, like the fish, is a symbol of the dark principle. It is sweet but rots easily, which is why it is protectively covered with willow leaves. The situation is such that a strong, high, and self-contained person protectively shields the lowly who are under his hand. He possesses the firm lines of order and beauty within himself, but he does not display them. He does not burden them with external appearances or troublesome reminders, but leaves them completely free, with firm trust in the inner transforming power inherent in a strong and pure personality. And lo and behold! Fate is favorable. The lowly are influenced and fall to him like ripe fruit.
Nine at the top means:#
He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation. No blame.
When one has withdrawn from the world, the turmoil of the world often becomes unbearable. There are often people who, in noble pride, keep themselves distant from everything vulgar and abruptly reject it whenever it approaches them. Such people are criticized as proud and inaccessible, but since they are no longer bound to the world by duties of action, this is not serious. They know how to bear the dislike of the masses with composure.
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