I Ching

Hexagram 9 — The Power to Tame the Small Xiao Xu

Hexagram 9, The Power to Tame the Small — the six lines

Classical meaning

Small accumulation of strength brings success. Dense clouds without rain in the west.

小畜。亨。密雲不雨。自我西郊。

Image: Wind moving in the sky: the image of the power to tame the small. The superior man refines his culture in the details.

It represents subtle strength, restraint, and influence without imposition.

The six lines

Line 1. Returning to one's own path. Where would the fault lie? Good fortune. If you stray, return without delay. A sincere return to one's own path is auspicious.
Line 2. Being led back. Good fortune. Accept help from those who guide you rightly. Allowing yourself to be led on the proper path brings fortune.
Line 3. The chariot loses its axle. Husband and wife fall into discord. Avoid disputes and misunderstandings. When unity breaks, progress stagnates.
Line 4. With confidence, the blood recedes and fear dissipates. Without error. Cultivate mutual trust. Sincere faith eliminates risks and pacifies the heart.
Line 5. With confidence, as if bound. Prosperity extends to the neighbors. Trust and solidarity bring abundance not only to you but also to those around you.
Line 6. It has rained and then calmed. Virtue is honored. The woman maintains her firmness, yet it is dangerous. The moon is nearly full. If the noble man acts, misfortune will follow. At the peak, when everything seems complete, avoid acting beyond measure. Recognize that the height is also the beginning of transition; maintain sobriety and do not force fate.
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