Already Across
jì jì · Water over FireFinished is a fragile state; stay as careful as when you began.
亨小。利貞。初吉終亂。
The crossing is done, and small things still go well if you stay upright. Everything sits in its place, which is why it cannot stay so. It starts well; disorder comes at the end if you relax.
The six lines
初九:曳其輪,濡其尾,无咎。
You drag back on the wheels and your tail gets wet. Checking your speed at the start is blameless.
六二:婦喪其茀,勿逐,七日得。
The wife loses her carriage screen. Do not chase after it; in seven days it may come back.
九三:高宗伐鬼方,三年克之,小人勿用。
King Gaozong marches on the distant Guifang and takes three years to win. Do not use lesser people for such work.
六四:繻有衣袽,終日戒。
The boat springs leaks and you have rags ready. Stay on guard all day.
九五:東鄰殺牛,不如西鄰之禴祭,實受其福。
The eastern neighbor slaughters an ox, yet the western neighbor's modest offering receives the blessing. Sincerity counts more than scale.
上六:濡其首,厲。
The water reaches your head. This is a danger; do not linger where it is this deep.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.