Hexagram 57 of 64
巽
The Gentle
Xùn
Upper Trigram
巽
Wind
Gentle, Penetrating
Wind/Wood · Eldest Daughter
Lower Trigram
巽
Wind
Gentle, Penetrating
Wind/Wood · Eldest Daughter
The Judgment
The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. It furthers to see the great person.
Wind repeated — gentle persistence that penetrates even the hardest stone over time. Dramatic action is not required; what is required is the unwavering continuation of gentle, right direction. Seek wise counsel to confirm your bearing.
The Image
Winds following one upon the other — the image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior person spreads their commands abroad and carries out their undertakings.
The wind does not announce itself; it simply penetrates. The wise person's instructions and actions carry the same quality — not loudly declared but consistently executed.
The Six Lines
Line 1
In advancing and retreating, the perseverance of a warrior furthers.
The gentle force needs the warrior's quality of commitment — moving forward and backward as needed, but never abandoning the mission.
Line 2
Penetration under the bed. Priests and magicians are used in great number. Good fortune. No blame.
Even hidden influences, pursued with dedicated ritual effort, can reach what is concealed. No shame in thorough spiritual investigation.
Line 3
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
Penetrating again and again without reflection or direction is mere obsessive repetition — humiliating and unproductive.
Line 4
Remorse vanishes. During the hunt three kinds of game are caught.
The gentle penetration finds its mark — multiple results from the same well-directed effort. A fine harvest.
Line 5
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Nothing that does not further. No beginning, but an end. Before the change, three days. After the change, three days. Good fortune.
The gentle influence completes its transformation. Not a dramatic beginning — but a true ending, with careful attention before and after the change.
Line 6
Penetration under the bed. He loses his property and his ax. Perseverance brings misfortune.
Excessive gentleness that becomes spinelessness — investigating even what should not be disturbed, losing what was most essential. Persisting in this brings only misfortune.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.