归妹
GUA 54 · GUI1 MEI
LITTLE SISTER’S MARRIAGE
Overall Image (大象)
Over the pond there is thunder
Little sister’s marriage
The noble young one uses enduring ends
to understand the ephemeral▼
Overall Image (大象)
Over the pond there is thunder
Little sister’s marriage
The noble young one uses enduring ends
to understand the ephemeral
The pond is aroused by the thunder, her surface all ripples and splash, but soon the thunder is gone. This nubile, young daughter is a shimmering wave of delight, but movement comes from desire alone. Seducing superior males is the only thing on her mind. This is of no real consequence. A wise one might still enjoy some timely adventure and mischief, yet he’ll consider beginnings in the light of enduring ends. He makes his choices with values, and the cure for his having too many good ideas is a higher standard of good. Haste has no depth or duration. Short sight will trade rights for privileges, liberty for security, the long-term for the short-term prosperity.
Main Judgment (Little Sister’s Marriage) (卦辞)
To go boldly has pitfalls
Not a direction with merit▼
Main Judgment (Little Sister’s Marriage) (卦辞)
To go boldly has pitfalls
Not a direction with merit
It might have been simple, a hundred millenia past, to leap with one’s whole heart at the first opportunity, without any pretense or pretexts. Humans began in this way. Were it not for the animal passions, only plants would exist. Heaven and earth must unite to bring forth the ten thousand things. But we modern people believe that we have a lot farther to go. Now one might leap instead into webs, and nets, and other entanglements. This can even cause some folks to think about what they are doing, to consider the long-term priorities and defer their gratifications until the time ripens a little. It’s bred in the bone to want and desire. It’s part of a young maiden’s nature to hunt and try to entrap the young noble. She chases him now, thinking nubile and noble to be a good mix, thinking charm and desire will lead him, ready to get him to jump to some early conclusions. Yet there may be more to his life than trolling this lake for nubile young maidens, and the awkwardness of the following days to regain the distance he wants. For longer vision, or more distant ends, this fling might best be begun with a clear, level talk about options. Deferring gratification isn’t forever.
Key Words (关键词)
Premature engagement, compromising position, settling early for less, entrapment▼
Key Words (关键词)
Premature engagement, compromising position, settling early for less, entrapment
Jumping to conclusions, immediate gratification, haste, impulsiveness, immaturity Impatience, eagerness, quick solutions, ephemera, transience; whim, flush, rush Fascination, allurement, unenduring enthusiasm, charm, appeal, desire as a leader Passing fancy, short sight, seduction, bait; addiction meaning to give into slavery Difficulties in right mating, discrimination, subordinating offer to long term goals
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:Cancer Ascending, Cardinal Water
element:Water
Tarot
card:King of Cups
suit:Cups
Qabalah
note:Atziluth of Briah
sphere:Atziluth
The Lines
11st • YangLittle sister marries as second wife
The lame are still able to take steps
To press on is promising▼
1
1st • YangLittle sister marries as second wife
The lame are still able to take steps
To press on is promising
54.1x Little sister marries as second wife:
In order to endure
* The lame can (still) take steps:
Fortunate
(In) supporting each other
Little sister settles in a little bit early for something a little bit less, beginning at the bottom and building with modest means. With her simple roof and her simpler life and just enough wherewithal to get by, she seems content to be this far from the top. There are many who get by with less, content with substance and content. Many too, who must tramp along resigned to having one leg gone lame, no longer asked to run errands, no longer envied or challenged, perhaps to never go farther than an ordinary reality. But freedom from all these demands might set her free from the hustle, and leave her time to be just herself, enjoying her life as it is. Her daring not to be great does not prevent her becoming the best she can be. This is not so inferior after all: life is many-dimensioned. And she does not purposely cripple herself to attain this.
22nd • YangThe one-eyed can still see
Warranting the secluded one’s persistence▼
2
2nd • YangThe one-eyed can still see
Warranting the secluded one’s persistence
54.2x Warranting the secluded one’s persistence:
Not yet ready to vary the rules
Even a one-eyed man can see right through little sister. Without the eye for depth, he still sees shallowness well and does not get excited. He’s had enough bad luck and with only one eye remaining, he is in no rush to risk what remains of his vision and hopes. Now he is more than doubly wary of further risky adventures. Without his age and sound judgment he might have leapt at this, getting pulled or seducted along. Today, he still wants a partner, a new point of view and a second opinion, and he still wants the flow, just not down the drain. His next one won’t be ill-considered. Such a caution will refute joy whenever it can, with or without hope of failure, until it cannot be refuted. This is just how it must be now, a caution out of proportion to prospect and not the brightest of futures. Little sister is also better off elsewhere.
33rd • YangLittle sister marries as a bondmaid
Then comes back to marry as second wife▼
3
3rd • YangLittle sister marries as a bondmaid
Then comes back to marry as second wife
54.3x Little sister marries as a bondmaid:
Still not satisfactory
Poor little sister spies her great chance in the person of dashing prince charming. This one has every trait that she wants in a man: he is tall, attractive and wealthy. Not once did she think to look for honest or kind, so instead she finds herself sold into slavery. She gets out of this misadventure and she bounces right back as a cool concubine. From the worst to second to worst: only for slaves is this upwards. Still she thinks she is still on her way to the top. But every year means a little more paint, more money for clothes and a trinket or two. Just a few more lessons in judgment and she might even find that simpler home she was offered so long ago. Her race to the top is with wrinkles and sags, and the only time that she has. So this one is not a pursuit she is likely to win. Why would her happiness even need such pursuing?
44th • YangLittle sister’s marriage is delayed beyond the allotted term
A later marriage becomes timely▼
4
4th • YangLittle sister’s marriage is delayed beyond the allotted term
A later marriage becomes timely
54.4x Exceeding the allotted term has its purpose
There will be a delay and then progress
Little sister's betrothal does not much excite her. At least this is how it may seem. If this is her only reward, maybe she needs to work on her merit some more. She postpones the day to the limits of social endurance. She burns her strange candles at midnight, and marks up the floor with circles and runes. She arranges a handful of risky encounters between her betrothed and nubile, young maidens. Her dowry becomes a bride price. Her chances to screw things up are rapidly passing her by. She could pick her nose in public. She’s tried everything except saying no, which might show some wisdom. If this engagement outlives her trials, it is nothing less than pure fate. Then she can get on with her life, resigned to a well-tested destiny. Let’s hope that she does not drive him insane, then accuse him of being irrational.
55th • YangWhen Lord Yi gave his maiden daughter in marriage
This noble woman’s gown was not equal
to her bridesmaids’ gowns in fineness
The moon approaching fullness
Is hopeful▼
5
5th • YangWhen Lord Yi gave his maiden daughter in marriage
This noble woman’s gown was not equal
to her bridesmaids’ gowns in fineness
The moon approaching fullness
Is hopeful
54.5x When Lord Yi gave (his) maiden daughter in marriage
There was no equal to her bridesmaids’ gowns (in) fineness * Her place was in the center, In order to honor the journey The king’s maiden daughter cannot help but wed a man from a lower station in life. How easy it would be here to have the perfect wedding and to be the perfect bride, but at the insistence and with the help of her wise, old father, Lord Yi, a statement is made instead: she dresses more humbly than good taste allows, more humbly than her bridesmaids. Even if this is a moment to be remembered forever, why would she want perfection so soon in her life? The moment the moon gets full it stops waxing and shortly begins to wane. Thus to take the position of the moon less than full is to make the sun wait to see her full face. Hereby this princess has left herself room to blossom and grow throughout life. This lady will age very well: she will find her rewards in longer-term prospects and in sharing her prime with her grandchildren.
6Top • YangThe bride offers up a basket, with no contents
The groom sacrifices a lamb, with no blood
Not a direction with merit▼
6
Top • YangThe bride offers up a basket, with no contents
The groom sacrifices a lamb, with no blood
Not a direction with merit
54.6x Top six has no content
Offering a basket without substance
All the best forms are adhered to, and all the acceptable motions are made, but this wedding is a sham. Empty baskets, gold-painted daggers and pre-slaughtered lambs: be certain that someone is making a profit here, but it will not accrue to this couple. She walks and looks like a bride. He stands and moves like a groom. We wonder, and look for content in all of their lovely speeches and vows. Are these statements fruitless and bloodless as well? The sacred is missing here. Has the impressive cost of this farce bought any meaning at all? How long can such vain pretense continue? They do not prepare to endure. Appearance cannot be maintained without substance behind it. Yes, this is all very modern, the sacrifice civilized, not primitive or messy. But all this means is that modern must fail as well: we see this in meaningful signs.
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 54 begins on Page 384-392.
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