蠱 → 比
Hexagram 18: Work on the Decayed → Hexagram 8: Holding Together
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 2, 3, 5, 6).
Line 2
九二 幹母之蠱。不可貞。
Nine in the second place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.
Line 3
九三 幹父之蠱。小有悔。无大咎。
Nine in the third place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame.
Line 5
六五 幹父之蠱。用譽。
Six in the fifth place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.
Line 6
上九 不事王侯。高尚其事。
Nine at the top means: He does not serve kings and princes, Sets himself higher goals.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
視暗不見，雲蔽日光；不見子都，鄭人心傷。
Gazing into darkness and seeing nothing; clouds obscure the sunlight. Unable to see Zidu -- the people of Zheng are heartsick.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind beneath the mountain obscures what once was clear, and the transformation seeks water upon earth — the bonding of Holding Together. Vision darkens until nothing can be seen; clouds veil the sun's light. Unable to glimpse Zidu, the people of Zheng are heartbroken. Zidu (子都), also known as Gongsun E, was the legendary beauty of the state of Zheng, celebrated in the Shijing ode 'Shan You Fusu' as every maiden's dream. His absence here signals the loss of what is admirable and desirable. From Work on the Decayed to Holding Together, the remedy for obscured vision is not solitary striving but seeking alliance. When clouds block the sun, one must bond with others to find the light — the water flowing across earth's surface naturally gathers.
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