随 Suí Following (Succession) [hexagram 17]

Metal element

蛊 Gǔ [18] Decay; Detoxify

Opposite and Inverse

渐 Jiàn [53] Gradual development; Progression

Mutual

The Decision

To follow gives great success but only with determination. No mistake.

The strong is beneath the weak, giving delightful movement. ‘To follow gives great success but only with determination’ – all things follow the seasons. In following there is an appreciation of appropriate timing.

随: 元亨利贞, 无咎. Suí: yuán hēng lì zhēn, wú jiù.

彖传: 随, 刚来而下柔, 动而说, 随. 大亨贞, 无咎, 而天下随时, 随时之义大矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Suí, gāng lái ér xià róu, dòng ér shuō, suí. dà hēng zhēn, wú jiù, ér tiān xià suí shí, suí shí zhī yì dà yǐ zāi!

The Image

Thunder in the middle of a Marsh forms ‘Following’. The wise at sunset head indoors and rest.

象传: 泽中有雷, 随; 君子以向晦入宴息. Xiàng zhuàn: Zé zhōng yǒu léi, suí; jūn zǐ yǐ xiàng huì rù yàn xī.

Line Change 1

萃 Cuì [45] Bringing together; Gathering

The objective has changed but with perseverance it will be achieved. There will be merit in seeking aid from neighbors.

‘The objective has changed’ – keeping to a true course brings good fortune. ‘Seeking aid from neighbors’ – cannot fail to further one’s intentions.

初九: 官有渝, 贞吉. 出门交有功. Chū jiǔ: guān yǒu yú, zhēn jí. chū mén jiāo yǒu gōng.

象传: 官有渝, 从正吉也. 出门交有功, 不失也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān yǒu yú, cóng zhèng jí yě. chū mén jiāo yǒu gōng, bù shī yě.

Line Change 2

兑 Duì [58] Joyfulness; Satisfaction

If you cling to childishness, you lose maturity.

‘If you cling to childishness’ – it is not possible to be both an adult and child.

六二: 系小子, 失丈夫. Liù èr: xì xiǎo zǐ, shī zhàng fu

象传: 系小子, 弗兼与也. Xiàng zhuàn: Xì xiǎo zǐ, fú jiān yǔ yě.

Line Change 3

革 Gé [49] Change; Renewal

If you cling to maturity, you lose childishness. Such a progression will achieve advantage but only if steadfast.

‘If you cling to maturity’ – deciding to abandon the child within.

六三: 系丈夫, 失小子. 随有求得, 利居贞. Liù sān: xì zhàng fu, shī xiǎo zǐ. suí yǒu qiú dé, lì jū zhēn.

象传: 系丈夫, 志舍下也. Xiàng zhuàn: Xì zhàng fu, zhì shè xià yě.

Line Change 4

屯 Zhūn [3] Slow progress; Inhibition

Gaining followers but despite being steadfast brings misfortune. If sincerely follow the path there is no error.

‘Gaining followers’ – there is misfortune. ‘However, if sincerely follow the path’ – clear thinking leads to achievement.

九四: 随有获, 贞凶. 有孚在道, 以明, 何咎. Jiǔ sì: suí yǒu huò, zhēn xiōng. yǒu fú zài dào, yǐ míng, hé jiù.

象传: 随有获, 其义凶也. 有孚在道, 明功也. Xiàng zhuàn: Suí yǒu huò, qí yì xiōng yě. yǒu fú zài dào, míng gōng yě.

Line Change 5

震 Zhèn [51] Energizing; Arousal

Sincere in trusting what is excellent. Good fortune is assured.

‘Sincere in trusting what is excellent’ – this is the centered position.

九五: 孚于嘉, 吉. Jiǔ wǔ: fú yú jiā, jí.

象传: 孚于嘉, 吉; 位正中也. Xiàng zhuàn: Fú yú jiā, jí; wèi zhèng zhōng yě.

Line Change 6

无妄 Wú wàng [25] Honesty; Without Pretense

Sticking to a sincere view. High honor will be given.

‘Sticking to a sincere view’ – the culmination of progress.

上六:拘系之,乃从维之.王用亨于西山. Shàng liù: jū xì zhī, nǎi cóng wéi zhī. wáng yòng hēng yú xī shān.

象传: 拘系之, 上穷也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jū xì zhī, shàng qióng yě.