Hemmed In
kùn · Lake over WaterSay less, and keep your spirit steady under pressure.
亨，貞大人吉，无咎，有言不信。
The lake has drained away and you feel confined. A person of depth can still get through by holding to what is right. Words will not be believed now, so let your conduct speak.
The six lines
初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三歲不覿。
You sit stuck on a bare stump and sink into a dark valley, unseen for three years. Do not let gloom take you deeper.
九二：困于酒食，朱紱方來，利用亨祀，征凶，无咎。
You feel trapped amid food and wine, yet honor in red sashes is on its way. Keep to quiet devotion; rushing out is risky.
六三：困于石，據于蒺藜，入于其宮，不見其妻，凶。
You are blocked by rock and grasp at thorns. At home your spouse is gone. Beware of clinging to what only wounds you.
九四：來徐徐，困于金車，吝，有終。
Help comes slowly, held up behind a bronze carriage. It feels awkward and embarrassing, but the matter does reach an end.
九五：劓刖，困于赤紱，乃徐有說，利用祭祀。
Cut at nose and foot, you feel trapped by those in red sashes. Relief arrives slowly. Stay with patient, sincere devotion.
上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。
Tangled in vines on a shaky ledge, you say any move will bring regret. Admit that regret, then go; moving on can help.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.