Hexagram 24 of 64
復
Return
Fù
Upper Trigram
坤
Earth
Receptive, Yielding
Ground · Mother
Lower Trigram
震
Thunder
Arousing, Movement
Thunder · Eldest Son
The Judgment
Return. Success. Going out and coming in without error. Companions come without blame. To and fro goes the way. On the seventh day comes return. It furthers to have somewhere to go.
The single yang line returns at the bottom after the darkness of Splitting Apart. The winter solstice, the seed beneath the snow — this is the moment the light begins its return. Do not force the movement; let it unfold at its own pace.
The Image
Thunder within the earth — the image of Return. Thus the kings of antiquity closed the passes at the time of the solstice. Merchants and strangers did not travel, and the ruler did not journey through the provinces.
The solstice asks for rest, not activity. Honor the moment of turning by going inward, not rushing outward.
The Six Lines
Line 1
Return from a short distance. No need for remorse. Great good fortune.
Catching oneself quickly after a small deviation and returning to the right path — this is the finest kind of return.
Line 2
Quiet return. Good fortune.
Returning through the quiet influence of good companions and inner stillness, without drama or self-reproach.
Line 3
Repeated return. Danger. No blame.
Returning again and again from the same error is concerning but not shameful if the desire to return is genuine.
Line 4
Walking in the midst of others, one returns alone.
Sometimes returning to what is right means separating from the crowd. The independent return of one person can influence many.
Line 5
Noblehearted return. No remorse.
Returning with full sincerity and generous spirit, without self-justification or complaint — this is the noble way.
Line 6
Missing the return. Misfortune. Misfortune from within and without. If armies are set marching in this way, one will in the end suffer a great defeat, disastrous for the ruler of that country.
Failing to recognize the turning point and pressing forward into darkness brings comprehensive ruin.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.