• Hexagram 29 (our 17)
• Hexagram 3 (our 18)
• Hexagram 48 (our 19)
• Hexagram 5 (our 20)

29. Kan - The Abysmal (Water). Gorge / The Dangerous Ravine

Statement: By adopting a careful attitude, some dangers can be avoided (M).

HEXAGRAM 29: Both penetrating and able minds rests on sincerity deep inside. Order may be brought about through not getting badly hemmed in, bound and maimed among thorny thickets or ravines.

Kan represents the heart, the soul within the body, light enclosed in the dark - reason too. (W)

If you are sincere, you have success in your heart. Wade well (W, K)

The abyss is quite dangerous. (W)

A man who has lost the right way, should be likened to someone who sits shackled behind thorn-hedged prison walls. (W)

By adopting a careful attitude, some dangers can be avoided, like falling on sharp rocks or drowning in the current. Perhaps you can relax, collect yourself and look at the alternatives calmly. (M)

In times of danger simple meals and short words should serve. (M)

3. Kun - Difficulty at the Beginning. Sprouting / Difficult First Steps

Statement: In the beginning stages of any project, it is advisable to advance intelligently to smooth the way (M).

HEXAGRAM 3: What is fit in small things may work for harm in great things. Back out instead of driving blood out of anyone you care dearly for.

The one who overcomes the first obstacles may make progress (M).

If other people interpose and distort things against you, you should be cautious and proceed step by step by such as conscientious work. Stay calm and persevering, but take the needed first steps. Also, get help that you can profit from. (W, M).

Keep going despite difficulties in order to grow to full stature. (M)

If many new things seem to be rushing upon you, confusion may take over. (M)

Difficulties at the beginning prove too great for those who get stuck and never find their way out, fold their hands and give up the struggle. Such resignation is sad and uncalled for too.

48. Ching - The Well. Welling / The Deep Well

Statement: Folks come and go and draw from the well so long as they get to its water. A well with clear, limpid water suggests sincerity. (W, L)

HEXAGRAM 48: Rustic sincerity is no error, but may have to be guarded and tended like a good well of limpid water to bulwark against overuse and marring changes.

The deep well is often taken as a symbol of basic vitality that is shared and common. (M)

The all-important thing about a well is that its water be drawn. (W)

Communities and individuals are to tend to and not neglect their source of inner strength. They need to set aside time to cultivate their contact with the inner sources through good meditation and other fith doings. Thus, a good well is useless if nobody drinks from it. (M)

A deep well has to be kept in good repair, and people need to cultivate their source of vitality by setting aside time enough for this deep purpose. (M)

The source of vitality is very deep inside oneself and everyone else alive in the community. (M)

Carelessness - by which the jug is broken - bodes not well. (W)

The superior man encourages the people to help one another. (W)

The dependable well never runs dry. The same is true of the really great man. (W)

5. Hsü - Waiting (Nourishment). Attending

Statement: While waiting for a while, the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer. And keeps himself and his wits. (W)

HEXAGRAM 5: Receiving entering guests with common respect may work for good, just as eating merrily through a period of much waiting.

By adopting a more patient approach and keeping long-term goals in mind he avoids needless conflict. (M)

A more realistic approach should do justice to the circumstances too. (M)

There should be time to celebrate although our circumstances may not be ideal in every respect. We must know how to enjoy the moment without being deflected from the goal. (M, W)

We should not spoil our present enjoyment of life with mere worries about possible future events. Caution and a sense of the seriousness of the situation should keep us from injury. (M, W)

Fit quiet times are not wasted insofar as they allow us to replenish our vital reserves. (M)

While we wait we can appreciate our present blessings and any unexpected help that may come our way. (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).