渐
GUA 53 · JIAN
GRADUAL PROGRESS
Overall Image (大象)
On top of the mountain there is a tree
Gradual progress
The noble young one, accordingly,
abides in excellence and character to raise the social norms▼
Overall Image (大象)
On top of the mountain there is a tree
Gradual progress
The noble young one, accordingly,
abides in excellence and character to raise the social norms
In strong and steady winds the tree up on the mountain grows slowly, keeping still and adapting to its place. By imperceptible steps, the young sprout fashions itself into a wizened and gnarly old tree, well developed and firmly rooted. Haste in this climate will not grow strong roots; one would battle the winds and lose. Landmarks do not fly. Adapting to the forms it is given to live with, like paths of least resistance, the little green root takes years, but it finally splits the boulder in two and makes it an anchor. It becomes an inspiration. Others won’t grow by pulling their branches, so the sage considers the use of example and cultivates consistency in his character.
Main Judgment (Gradual Progress) (卦辞)
The young woman’s engagement is promising
Worth the persistence▼
Main Judgment (Gradual Progress) (卦辞)
The young woman’s engagement is promising
Worth the persistence
Following years of engagement, the maiden is ready at last to call the young man her husband and make an even longer commitment. After growing steadily closer, strictly according to the ways of their kind, the wild geese mate for life, and their family begins with a pair. Their signals are clear and flight is in order. In due time, with patience, formalities and necessities, the good nest is made and young goslings begin to arrive. Tradition, custom and time-tested methods lay down the protocols, all the little details, and lots and more lots of givens. Few geese can simply wing it. Progress follows the pace of approved success, not many move at their own pace. Patience makes progress that lasts and builds on itself, one day’s growth at a time, and one year’s growth every year. Keeping still and penetrating makes the surest progress. Needs are carefully mated to the situations at hand. As sunlight, wind, water and earth slowly take form in a living, intelligent wood, the small things are added, tested, adjusted and built upon. Like migratory plans, personal expressions are little more than variations on a theme. Cultures also remember average success.
Key Words (关键词)
Advancing by degrees, steadiness of pace, thoroughness, reliability, consistency▼
Key Words (关键词)
Advancing by degrees, steadiness of pace, thoroughness, reliability, consistency
Constancy, tenacity, endurance; procedures to follow, proceedings, conventions Incremental growth, maturation, development; a longer process, one day at a time Accommodation, patience, meeting criteria of place, due process, rites, protocol Wild goose as symbol for long-term fidelity and commitment; following the order Practicality, day to day progress, slowly and surely, a progressive conservatism
Structure & Connections
Structure Class
No Family
This classification indicates the hexagram's role in the 12 Sovereign Cycle (Earthly Branches) or its structural family.
Astrology
note:Taurus Ascending, Fixed Earth
element:Earth
Tarot
card:Prince of Pentacles
suit:Pentacles
Qabalah
note:Yetzirah of Atziluth
sphere:Yetzirah
The Lines
11st • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to the shoreline
The little fledgling* is struggling
There will be criticism
But not blame▼
1
1st • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to the shoreline
The little fledgling* is struggling
There will be criticism
But not blame
53.1x The little fledgling is having difficulties:
Deserving no blame
The wild geese cross the great water, returning from their migration, bringing their latest fledgling. They approach with the same formation, the same steady bearing and wingbeats they began their journey with. But now they need to rest their wings in a place their youngster has not seen before. The young one is weak, and in an odd place, and he’s struggling to stay in formation. Strange noises assail him, echoing in the cliffs, the other birds, giving odd and discomforting glances, squawk doubtfully. It is known that a predator waits, since not all of the fledglings survive, or can prove their worth and grow old, but this youngster has never seen one. As small as he is, he would make a pretty good meal. Education will be a long and serious business, and it begins with the language and signals. Constructive critique might save his life.
22nd • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to the cliffs
Drinking and eating and honking and honking*
Auspicious▼
2
2nd • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to the cliffs
Drinking and eating and honking and honking*
Auspicious
53.2x Drinking (and) eating (and) honking (and) honking:
Not merely filling up
After circling for half of the morning and getting the lay of this land, the wild geese find a good place to rest. Even the old predator is full and enjoying a nap. Although there is enough food to gorge themselves and be gone, proper geese won’t do this. Flapping their wings and calling with great celebration, they’ll summon all of the geese who inhabit this land to come as a flock to the feast. Now the whole gaggle’s here for the day, dining and drinking in peace and good cheer. With a whole lot of jovial honking, they make their arrival both known and welcome. Getting familiar with the territory, and bonding with the neighbors, will serve them longer than their much needed meals and rest. Had they entered this new land as sneaks, suspicions would have haunted them all day and night. This way they will soon have fit in here.
33rd • YangThe wild goose advances by degrees across the highlands
The husband, on expedition, never returns
The wife conceives but cannot raise her young
Brutal
Worthwhile to guard against predators▼
3
3rd • YangThe wild goose advances by degrees across the highlands
The husband, on expedition, never returns
The wife conceives but cannot raise her young
Brutal
Worthwhile to guard against predators
53.3x The husband presses on instead of returning:
Abandoning flock (and) kindred
* The wife conceives but (can)not raise (her) young:
Losing her own way
* Worthwhile (and) productive to guard against predators: Responding (by) protecting each other He flies to the rugged plateau and beyond, seeking out greater purpose and drama. On vigorous wings, thinking of heaven, our gander gets lost somewhere above the high desert, where even few trees can survive. Alas, he is not smart enough to live like a raven. Being headstrong is not this bird’s strength. This is a better home for wild ideas. Meanwhile, his mate leaves the nest to forage for food and the predator snatches the cold eggs and goslings. This is why most of the geese who will carry their bloodline forward carry the trait of fidelity and continue their old proven ways. When our higher purpose involves continuing life, we’ll subordinate our other plans and care for these priorities in something like proper order. These wild, bird-brained schemes, the barren and fruitless impulses, only miscarry successful continuance.
44th • YangThe wild goose advances by degrees to the trees
Perchance to find that flat branch
No harm done▼
4
4th • YangThe wild goose advances by degrees to the trees
Perchance to find that flat branch
No harm done
53.4x Perchance to find that flat branch:
Accepting in order to adapt
Making still greater headway, the wild goose wings onward towards the great tree high on the mountain. What a fine and exalted place to rest! Imagine a goose with a view fit for eagles! But of course his ambitions are tempered, he knows he is not a raptor. There is no harm in trying, no blame if he stumbles, if he has his fallback position, his fallback plan being his nod to conservative thinking. Perching in trees is no easy thing when all you can grip with is floppy, webbed feet, even without the strong winds here. These gnarly, old trees will seldom grow flat or regular branches. He circles around in search of a perch, perchance to find that branch that does not belong here as he doesn’t either. And if he cannot find his purchase up high here he can still always waddle around on the hill. Not very right is not always wrong.
55th • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to higher ground
The wife is three years without conceiving
In the end nothing overcomes her
Promising▼
5
5th • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees to higher ground
The wife is three years without conceiving
In the end nothing overcomes her
Promising
53.5x In the end, nothing overcomes her good fortune:
Securing a home for hope
Our gander has waited a third of his life to find this young goose by his side. His routine was just impressive enough and her honking had just the right tone. They can finally un-steady their flight and do their great aerial dance. Goose and gander consummate and play for a day or two. But then they move back to those practical matters, social adjustments and seasonal cycles, the plans to cross the great waters and designs for just the right nest. Aging seems to take ages, but the time, when it’s allowed to keep going, will eventually come around. Problems which earlier had no solution, when all of the pieces just were not there yet, seem to resolve themselves. Those delays were not setbacks here, there were just a lot of steps to take forward. The unconceived and unhatched dreams now have a world to live and grow up in.
6Top • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees across the highlands
Their feathers are worthy to use in performing the sacred dance
Auspicious▼
6
Top • YangThe wild geese advance by degrees across the highlands
Their feathers are worthy to use in performing the sacred dance
Auspicious
53.6x (That) their feathers (are) worthy to use
(In) performing the sacred dance (is) promising:
Not likely to be distracted
The formation of geese in the sky has grown gradually smaller and smaller, as they slowly ascend beyond the cloud heights and over the far horizon. The steady pace has lasted, and persistence has furthered them vastly. Before they were just a flock of birds, but now they have gone beyond, become one with that grandest mystery. Even the goose gets to heaven.* The humans stuck on the ground, watching these geese going south, are not to be disconcerted. The feather that comes drifting down is no minor omen or charm. It has a special place in the rites, as a central prop for the sacred dance. It honors and captures the spirit of patient transcendence. None will laugh at their funny feet now: it’s the humans who face the long winter. If the people can be wise, they’ll be lifted up by example. Liberation is a lifetime of work.
Reference in Original Text & Resources
This content is derived from Bradford Hatcher's THE BOOK OF CHANGES: Yijing, Word By Word.
Original text for Hexagram 53 begins on Page 378-386.
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