Hexagram 26 of 64
大畜
The Taming Power of the Great
Dà Chù
Upper Trigram
艮
Mountain
Keeping Still, Resting
Mountain · Youngest Son
Lower Trigram
乾
Heaven
Creative, Strong
Sky · Father
The Judgment
The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers to cross the great water.
Great creative power is held and concentrated by the mountain. This is not suppression but the accumulation of potential energy. The sage feeds on the wisdom of the past rather than on present comfort, and is thus prepared for great deeds.
The Image
Heaven within the mountain — the image of the Taming Power of the Great. Thus the superior person acquaints themselves with many sayings of antiquity and many deeds of the past, in order to strengthen their character thereby.
The concentrated study of what is great in human history and thought builds inner reserves that no external circumstance can deplete.
The Six Lines
Line 1
Danger is at hand. It furthers to desist.
The power is real but the moment is not right. Pause. Forcing forward against the constraining force brings harm.
Line 2
The axletrees are taken from the wagon.
One cannot move forward. This restraint is not punishment but protection. Use the pause to build inner strength.
Line 3
A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, with perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily. It furthers to have somewhere to go.
Disciplined daily training prepares the power for the moment of release. Readiness requires continuous practice.
Line 4
The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.
Restraining a force before it becomes unmanageable. Prevention is the highest form of control.
Line 5
The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune.
Transforming dangerous energy through skillful inner work. The power is not lost but redirected toward creative ends.
Line 6
One attains the way of heaven. Success.
The period of restraint and accumulation is complete. The way opens. Moving in accordance with heaven's rhythm brings complete success.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.