履 Lǚ Cautious advance (Pressing forward) [hexagram 10]

Metal element

谦 Qiān [15] Humility; Modesty

Opposite

小畜 Xiǎo xù [9] Small gain; Little accumulation

Inverse

家人 Jiā rén [37] Home; Domesticity

Mutual

The Decision

Treading on a tiger’s tail without being mauled. Progress will be made.

Weakness meets strength, the weakness presses upon the strong; and so ‘Treading on a tiger’s tail without being mauled. Progress will be made’. The center is firm and correct. Walking in a sacred place without distress or failure would be wise.

履虎尾, 不咥人, 亨. Lǚ hǔ wěi, bù dié rén, hēng.

彖传: 履, 柔履刚也. 说而应乎乾, 是以履虎尾, 不咥人, 亨. 刚中正, 履帝位而不疚, 光明也. Tuàn zhuàn: Lǚ, róu lǚ gāng yě. shuō ér yìng hū qián, shì yǐlǚ hǔ wěi, bù dié rén, hēng. gāng zhōng zhèng, lǚ dì wèi ér bù jiù, guāng míng yě.

The Image

Heaven over lake indicates advance. It is wise to take account of that which is high and that which is low, seeking agreement among the community.

象传: 上天下泽, 履; 君子以辨上下, 安民志. Xiàng zhuàn: Shàng tiān xià zé, lǚ; jūn zǐ yǐ biàn shàng xià, ān mín zhì.

Line Change 1

讼 Sòng [6] Contention; Conflict

Advancing forward according to habit. Progress without going astray.

‘Advancing forward according to habit’ – alone pursuing the dream.

初九: 素履, 往无咎. Chū jiǔ: sù lǚ, wǎng wú jiù.

象传: 素履之往, 独行也. Xiàng zhuàn: Sù lǚ zhī wǎng, dú xíng yě.

Line Change 2

无妄 Wú wàng [25] Honesty; Without Pretense

Advance along a level and easy path. Persistence in a single- minded goal will be successful.

‘Persistence in a single-minded goal will be successful’ – if hold true then will not go astray.

九二: 履道坦坦, 幽人贞吉. Jiǔ èr: lǚ dào tǎn tǎn, yōu rén zhēn jí.

象传: 幽人贞吉, 中不自乱也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yōu rén zhēn jí, zhōng bù zì luàn yě.

Line Change 3

乾 Qián [1] Beginning; Initiating

You can still see with one eye; you can still take steps though lame. Treading on a tiger’s tail is dangerous; being brave does not make you a leader.

‘You can still see with one eye’ but cannot see as clearly; ‘you can still take steps though lame’ but not walk at the same pace as others. ‘Treading on a tiger’s tail is dangerous’ – it is not an ideal situation; ‘being brave does not make you a leader’ – the objective is too ambitious.

六三: 眇能视, 跛能履, 履虎尾, 咥人, 凶. 武人为于大君. Liù sān: miǎo néng shì, bǒ néng lǚ, lǚ hǔ wěi, dié rén, xiōng. wǔ rén wéi yú dà jūn.

象传: 眇能视; 不足以有明也. 跛能履; 不足以与行也, 咥人之凶; 位不当也. 武人为于大君; 志刚也. Xiàng zhuàn: Miǎo néng shì; bù zú yǐ yǒu míng yě. Bǒ néng lǚ; bù zú yǐ yǔ xíng yě, dié rén zhī xiōng; wèi bù dàng yě. Wǔ rén wéi yú dà jūn; zhì gāng yě.

Line Change 4

中孚 Zhōng fú [61] Inner truth; Heartfelt

Treading on the tiger’s tail. Proceed with caution and all will be well.

‘Proceed with caution and all will be well’ – keep to the dream.

九四: 履虎尾, 愬愬, 终吉. Jiǔ sì: lǚ hǔ wěi, sù sù, zhōng jí.

象传: 愬愬终吉, 志行也. Xiàng zhuàn: Sùsù zhōng jí, zhì xíng yě.

Line Change 5

睽 Kuí [38] Opposition; Diversity

Advance resolutely but there is danger.

‘Advance resolutely but there is danger’ – this is the appropriate action.

九五: 夬履, 贞厉. Jiǔ wǔ: guài lǚ, zhēn lì.

象传: 夬履贞厉, 位正当也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guài lǚ zhēn lì, wèi zhèng dàng yě.

Line Change 6

兑 Duì [58] Joyfulness; Satisfaction

Pay regard to the route, review progress. If all looks favorable there will be great success.

Great success at the top. Congratulations are deserved.

上九: 视履考祥, 其旋元吉. Shàng jiǔ: shì lǚ kǎo xiáng, qí xuán yuán jí.

象传: 元吉在上, 大有庆也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yuán jí zài shàng, dà yǒu qìng yě.