大畜 Dà xù Great development (Nurturing the Great) [hexagram 26]

Earth element

萃 Cuì [45] Bringing together; Gathering

Opposite

无妄 Wú wàng [25] Honesty; Without Pretense

Inverse

归妹 Guī mèi [54] Union; Marrying

Mutual

The Decision

Great development when persevering towards virtue. Not eating at home brings advantage. Worthwhile to embark on a great journey.

Strength and solidity bring brightness, renewing virtue each day. The strength is in a high place to honor the virtuous, there is power to maintain restraint and both these show due discipline. ‘Not eating at home’ – independence nourishes virtue. ‘Worthwhile to embark on a great journey’ – in correspondence with Heaven.

大畜: 利贞, 不家食吉, 利涉大川. Dà xù: lì zhēn, bù jiā shí jí, lì shèdà chuān.

象传: 大畜, 刚健笃实辉光, 日新其德, 刚上而尚贤. 能止健, 大正也. 不家食吉, 养贤也. 利涉大川, 应乎天也. Tuàn zhuàn: Xiàng zhuàn: Dà xù, gāng jiàn dǔ shí huī guāng, rì xīn qí dé, gāng shàng ér shàng xián. néng zhǐ jiàn, dà zhèng yě. bù jiā shí jí, yǎng xián yě. lì shèdà chuān, yīng hū tiān yě.

The Image

Heaven between mountains forms ‘Great development’. The wise learn from the past in order to accumulate virtue.

象传: 天在山中, 大畜; 君子以多识前言往行, 以畜其德. Xiàng zhuàn: Tiān zài shān zhōng, dà xù; jūn zǐ yǐ duō shí qián yán wǎng xíng, yǐ xù qí dé.

Line Change 1

蛊 Gǔ [18] Decay; Detoxify

Impending danger – movement should be stopped.

‘Impending danger – movement should be stopped’ – it would be rash to take the risk.

初九: 有厉利已. Chū jiǔ: yǒu lì lì yǐ.

象传: 有厉利已, 不犯灾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǒu lì lì yǐ, bù fàn zāi yě.

Line Change 2

贲 Bì [22] Elegance; Grace

The car’s driveshaft is broken.

‘The car’s driveshaft is broken.’ – the central position brings no blame.

九二: 舆说輹. Jiǔ èr: yú shuō fù.

象传: 舆说輹, 中无尤也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yú shuō fù, zhōng wú yóu yě.

Line Change 3

损 Sǔn [41] Decrease; Diminution

Riding onward following fine horses. It is wise to assess the difficulty while remaining persistent. If practice riding and self-defense all undertakings will prosper.

‘All undertakings will prosper’ – in harmony with the higher purpose.

九三: 良马逐, 利艰贞. 曰闲舆卫, 利有攸往. Jiǔ sān: liáng mǎ zhú, lì jiān zhēn. yuē xián yú wèi, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.

象传: 利有攸往, 上合志也. Xiàng zhuàn: Lì yǒu yōu wǎng, shàng hé zhì yě.

Line Change 4

大有 Dà yǒu [14] Great Harvest; Profusion

Corral for a young bull – excellent prospects.

‘Excellent prospects’ – the fourth ‘six’ is most favorable.

六四: 童牛之牿, 元吉. Liù sì: tóng niú zhī gù, yuán jí.

象传: 六四元吉, 有喜也. Xiàng zhuàn: Liù sì yuán jí, yǒu xǐ yě.

Line Change 5

小畜 Xiǎo xù [9] Small gain; Little accumulation

The tusks of a castrated boar – good fortune.

The good fortune indicated by the fifth ‘six’ gives cause for celebration.

六五: 豮豕之牙, 吉. Liù wǔ: fén shǐ zhī yá, jí.

象传: 六五之吉, 有庆也. Xiàng zhuàn: Liù wǔ zhī jí, yǒu qìng yě.

Line Change 6

泰 Tài [11] Progress; Interplay

The great road to heaven is unimpeded. Satisfaction.

‘The great road to heaven is unimpeded’ – the way is wide open for advancement.

上九: 何天之衢, 亨. Shàng jiǔ: hé tiān zhī qú, hēng.

象传: 何天之衢, 道大行也. Xiàng zhuàn: Hé tiān zhī qú, dào dà xíng yě.