既济 Jì jì Satiated (Already fulfilled) [hexagram 63]

Water element

未济 Wèi jì [64] Almost there; Not yet fulfilled

Opposite, Inverse and Mutual

The Decision

Satiated – fulfillment in small matters. Perseverance is key. Starts with good fortune but ends in disarray.

‘Satiated – fulfillment’ – in minor matters there will be success. ‘Perseverance is key’ – the strong and weak parts are in their correct place. ‘Starts with good fortune’ – the weakness is in the middle. ‘But ends in disarray’ – energy dwindles.

既济: 亨, 小利贞, 初吉终乱. Jì jì: hēng, xiǎo lì zhēn, chū jí zhōng luàn.

彖传: 既济, 亨, 小者亨也. 利贞, 刚柔正而位当也. 初吉, 柔得中也. 终止则乱, 其道穷也. Tuàn zhuàn: Jì jì, hēng, xiǎo zhě hēng yě. Lì zhēn, gāng róu zhēng ér wèi dāng yě. Chū jí, róu dé zhòng yě. Zhōng zhǐ zé luàn, qí dào qióng yě.

The Image

Water over fire forms ‘Satiated’. The wise accordingly consider the dangers and take measures against them.

象传: 水在火上, 既济; 君子以思患而预防之. Xiàng zhuàn: Shuǐ zài huǒ shǎng, jì jì; jūn zǐ yǐ sī huàn ér yù fáng zhī.

Line Change 1

蹇 Jiǎn [39] Obstruction; Hardship

The vehicle brakes just as a fox wets his tail. No blame.

‘The vehicle brakes’ – deserving no blame.

初九: 曳其轮, 濡其尾, 无咎. Chū jiǔ: yè qí lún, rú qí wěi, wú jiù.

象传: 曳其轮, 义无咎也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yè qí lún, yì wú jiù yě.

Line Change 2

需 Xū [5] Pausing; Halting

The wife loses the carriage’s curtain. Not to be pursued. In a week regained.

‘In a week regained’ – taking the middle path.

六二: 妇丧其茀, 勿逐, 七日得. Liù èr: fù sāng qí fú, wù zhú, qī rì dé.

象传: 七日得, 以中道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Qī rì dé, yǐ zhōng dào yě.

Line Change 3

屯 Zhūn [3] Slow progress; Inhibition

Emperor Gaozong attacks the land of demons, taking three years to subdue it. Unsuitable people proved ineffective.

‘Taking three years to subdue it’ – exhausting.

九三: 高宗伐鬼方, 三年克之, 小人勿用. Jiǔ sān: gāo zōng fá guǐ fāng, sān nián kè zhī, xiǎo rén wù yòng.

象传: 三年克之, 惫也. Xiàng zhuàn: Sān nián kè zhī, bèi yě.

Line Change 4

革 Gé [49] Change; Renewal

Finest clothes used as rags to stem a boat’s leak. Remaining alert all day.

‘Remaining alert all day’ – something is not right.

六四: 繻有衣袽, 终日戒. Liù sì: xū yǒu yī rú, zhōng rì jiè.

象传: 终日戒, 有所疑也. Xiàng zhuàn: Zhōng rì jiè, yǒu suǒ yí yě.

Line Change 5

明夷 Míng yí [36] Overshadowing; Darkening

The eastern neighbor slaughters a sacrificial ox, but the western neighbor’s spring offering is more modest. Such sincerity receives heaven’s blessing.

‘The eastern neighbor slaughters a sacrificial ox, but the western neighbor’s spring offering is more modest.’ – this is more appropriate. ‘Such sincerity receives heaven’s blessing’ – a great deal of good fortune arrives.

九五: 东邻杀牛, 不如西邻之禴祭, 实受其福. Jiǔ wǔ: dōng lín shā niú, bù rú xī lín zhī yuè zhài, shí shòu qí fú.

象传: 东邻杀牛, 不如西邻之时也; 实受其福, 吉大来也. Xiàng zhuàn: Dōng lín shā niú, bù rú xī lín zhī shí yě; shí shòu qí fú, jí dà lái yě.

Line Change 6

家人 Jiā rén [37] Home; Domesticity

Immersing one’s head. Danger.

‘Immersing one’s head. Danger’ – how can this be endured for very long?

上六: 濡其首, 厉. Shǎng liù: rú qí shǒu, lì.

象传: 濡其首厉, 何可久也. Xiàng zhuàn: Rú qí shǒu lì, hé kě jiǔ yě.