Hexagram 57 巽 - XÙN / THE GENTLE
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Trigrams#
- Above: Xùn, the Gentle, the Wind, Wood
- Below: Xùn, the Gentle, the Wind, Wood
Xùn is one of the eight double signs. It represents the eldest daughter, its image is wind or wood, and its attribute is gentleness, which nevertheless penetrates just like the wind or like wood with its roots.
The dark element, rigid and immobile in itself, is dissolved by the penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in gentleness. In nature, it is the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving behind a clear and serene sky. In human life, it is the penetrating clarity of judgment that shatters all dark, hidden motives. In the life of the community, it is the powerful influence of a prominent personality who uncovers and disperses all underhanded machinations.
The Judgment#
The Gentle. Success through small things. It is favorable to have a destination. It is favorable to see the great man.
Penetrating influence produces gradual and inconspicuous effects. It should not work through force or violation, but through continuous, subtle impression. These effects are less conspicuous than those achieved by surprise attack, but they are more lasting and complete. To influence in this manner, one must have a clear objective; only when the penetrating influence works consistently in the same direction can something be achieved.
The small can only achieve something by subordinating itself to a prominent man who possesses the ability to establish order.
The Image#
Winds following one another: The image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior man spreads his commands and carries out his business.
The penetrating power of the wind rests upon its relentlessness. This is what makes it so powerful. It uses time as its instrument. In the same way, the ruler’s thoughts must penetrate the soul of the people. This also requires a sustained influence through education and enlightenment. Only when the command has been integrated into the soul of the people does corresponding action become possible. Unprepared action only startles and repels.
The Individual Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
In advancing and retreating, the perseverance of a warrior is favorable.
A gentle nature often leads to indecisiveness. One does not feel the strength to move forward resolutely. A thousand doubts arise, yet one does not wish to withdraw either, drifting indecisively back and forth. In such a case, military decisiveness is the correct approach, doing resolutely what order requires. Resolute discipline is far better than indecisive lack of control.
Nine in the second place means:#
Penetrating under the bed. One employs priests and magicians in great numbers. Good fortune! No blame.
At times, one has to deal with hidden enemies or intangible influences that crawl into the darkest corners and suggestively manipulate people from there. In such cases, it is necessary to track these things down into their most secret recesses to determine the nature of the influences - which is the task of the priests - and to eliminate them - which is the task of the magicians. The anonymous nature of such intrigues demands untiring energy, but it brings its reward. Once such uncontrollable influences are brought to light and exposed, they lose their power over people.
Nine in the third place means:#
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, otherwise it paralyzes the power of decision. When a matter has been thoroughly thought through, it is time to decide and act. By repeatedly rethinking things, one falls into fresh doubts over and over again, which leads to humiliation because one proves incapable of taking action.
Six in the fourth place means:#
Remorse vanishes. During the hunt, three kinds of game are caught.
When innate modesty is combined with energetic action, especially due to a responsible position and gathered experience, great success is assured. The three kinds of animals served as sacrifices for the gods, for entertaining guests, and for daily consumption. When game was caught for all three purposes, the harvest of the hunt was exceptionally good.
Nine in the fifth place means:#
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Nothing that is not favorable. No beginning, but an end. Before the change, three days. After the change, three days. Good fortune!
While in “Work on What Has Been Spoiled” (No. 18) a completely new starting point must be established, here it is only a matter of reforms. The beginning was not good, but a point has been reached where a new direction can be taken. One must change and improve. This must be done with constancy, that is, with a correct and firm attitude, and then it will succeed and remorse will vanish. However, one must note that such improvements require careful consideration. Before making the change, repeated reflection is necessary, and after the change is made, one must carefully observe for a while how the improvements work out in reality. Such thorough work is accompanied by good fortune.
Nine at the top means:#
Penetrating under the bed. He loses his property and his axe. Perseverance brings misfortune.
One’s insight is penetrating enough. One tracks the harmful influences down into their most secret corners. Yet, one no longer possesses the strength to combat them decisively. In this case, any attempt to penetrate into the personal domains of darkness only brings misfortune.
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