09 · Small Taming (XIǍO XÙ)
Small Taming is not forceful control. It gathers strength through a modest, well-placed restraint while the larger moment is still forming.
The judgment
Small Taming: success. Dense clouds, but no rain, from our western outskirts.
Potential is gathering but has not yet become action. Keep direction with modest order, patience, and cultivation until the conditions can truly deliver.
Original Chinese text
小畜，亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — Return to one's own path. What blame could there be? Good fortune.
Original Chinese
復自道，何其咎？吉。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Draw back together. Good fortune.
Original Chinese
牽復，吉。
- 九三 · Line 3 — The cart's spokes come loose; husband and wife turn against one another.
Original Chinese
輿說輻，夫妻反目。
- 六四 · Line 4 — With sincerity, blood departs and alarm goes out. No blame.
Original Chinese
有孚，血去惕出，無咎。
- 九五 · Line 5 — With sincerity in close bonds, one is enriched together with neighbors.
Original Chinese
有孚攣如，富以其鄰。
- 上九 · Line 6 — It has rained and settled. Honor virtue that carries its load. A woman's steadfastness brings danger. The moon is nearly full; for the noble one, setting out is ominous.
Original Chinese
既雨既處，尚德載，婦貞厲。月幾望，君子征凶。