• Hexagram 47 (our 53)
• Hexagram 17 (our 54)
• Hexagram 28 (our 55)
• Hexagram 43 (our 56)

47. Kun - Oppression (Exhaustion). Confining / Adversity

Statement: There is sweet and sour reality. Sour sides to reality may contain gains in firm composure, if nothing else. Some who have risked, and tasted disappointments and the like, may often speak from sourness-reality only. (M)

HEXAGRAM 47: A great man doesn't go back on his given word. A tree doesn't crawl back into its roots.

Correct yourself whenever you have lost the right path so that nice things will start happening again and you may reach a worthy goal. (M)

One could turn within, with firm composure, and go for the general well-being. (W)

Powerful and wealthy acquaintances draw him into their circle; he has to do as they do and cannot withdraw from them. Hence there can be great embarrassment. (W)

A worthy cause should be your own. And you can be sparing with words. (R)

To someone who perseveres patiently in a worthy cause, right actions might accumulate and all may turn out well. (M)

Your best ideas and best intentions should not so silly as they are thought of. (M)

Strong silence might the most skillful help when facing advancing adversity in public. (M)

17. Sui - Following

Statement: To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. (W)

HEXAGRAM 17: Many forms of excellence depend on parents and good upbringing to be firmly held and clung to.

At nightfall the superior man goes indoors for rest and recuperation. Immature others may leave you if they feel offended by your honest approach. Yet sincerity that is excellent may bring good fortune too. (W, M, L)

Remain steady enough to be sincerely committed to right values and cultivate worthwhile relationships.

By choosing meaningful guiding images and by associating with worthwhile people you can ensure your success in life. (M)

We may have to leave some inferior habits and relationships behind, quite as when retiring for the night. (M)

28. Tun (Ta Kuo) - Preponderance of the Great. Great Exceeding / Inner Strength

Statement: The superior man, when he stands alone, is quite unconcerned. (W)

HEXAGRAM 28: There are times when retiring in a noble way (and let the ox do the main work) is a fit solution.

An older woman takes a husband, a withered poplar puts forth flowers. (W)

In tense times people need to be aware of their perilous position and proceed with great caution. (M)

You must be confident to be able to win the support of your neighbours. Be free to brace yourself and thereby remain master of the situation. (M)

With a ford a stream or when starting on a significant venture, first seek to make sure that the water will not go above your head. (M)

Someone of so-called firm correctness may have been trained and thereby half-tamed for it. In such a light so-called correct firmness spells "retiring in some noble-looking way". (L)

Exhausted soil cannot produce strong plants. (M)

43. Kuai - Breakthrough Resoluteness). Parting / Determination

Statement: Everything looks easy. Just there, however, lies the danger. (W)

HEXAGRAM 43: Showing a culprit's guilt without getting repressive or getting blame for these doings, could work well. But the one who is alone, may have to back off or meet with evils.

In dealing with the evil in one's own character, one must go to work with thoroughness. (W)

Your attitude should be friendly but uncompromising where calm thoroughness helps you out. (R)

Uprooting corruption can be a very difficult task. (M)

You can follow the sane middle path and cultivate worthwhile social relationships. (M)

(B) Baynes, Cary F., tr. I Ching or Book of Changes: The Richard Wilhelm Translation. London: Penguin Books, 2003.

(H) Barrett, Hilary. I Ching: Walking Your Path, Creating Your Future. London: Arcturus, 2010.

(L) Legge, James, tr. The Yî King. Part II of The Texts of Confucianism. Sacred Books of the East Vol. 16. The Sacred Books of China. Vol. 2. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1882. - Online version.

(M) Markert, Christopher. I Ching. The No. 1 Success Formula. Wellingborough: Aquarian, 1988.

(R) Wing, R. L. I Ching arbejdsbogen (I Ching Workbook). Copenhagen: Borgen, 1988 (New York: Doubleday, 1979).