Step by Step
jiàn · Wind over MountainTake the next right step; the slow order is the point.
女歸吉，利貞。
A woman marrying goes through each proper stage, and that is what makes it good. Growth here comes in order, like a goose working its way up from the shore. Stay true and patient.
The six lines
初六：鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，无咎。
The wild goose edges toward the riverbank. The young one is at risk and people talk, but no real fault lies here.
六二：鴻漸于磐，飲食衎衎，吉。
The goose reaches a broad rock, eating and drinking with delight. You have found firm footing, and it is good to enjoy it.
九三：鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。
A goose on dry land, out of its element. The husband goes and stays gone; a pregnancy fails. Take care; it helps to ward off raiders.
六四：鴻漸于木，或得其桷，无咎。
The goose reaches a tree, awkward for webbed feet, yet it may find a level perch. A stopgap like that is no fault.
九五：鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。
The goose reaches the high hill. For three years the wife bears no child, but in the end nothing prevails over her. A good sign.
上九：鴻漸于陸，其羽可用為儀，吉。
The goose comes to the high plateau, and its feathers serve in ceremony. Your way of living becomes a pattern others can honor, a good sign.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.