臨 → 小過

Commentary

Earth above the lake encounters thunder above the mountain — Small Exceeding's cautious overreach. Betrothed across the river, but the water has risen and there is no boat. The heart reaches out across the distance but meets only disappointment; one never sees the beloved lord. The river that separates the betrothed couple has become impassable — the marriage arranged but the crossing impossible. From Approach to Small Exceeding, the lake's accessible surface gives way to thunder rumbling atop the mountain, where small things succeed but great things must wait. The verse's lovers face exactly this constraint: the small gesture of longing succeeds, but the great reunion cannot yet occur. One must not attempt the crossing when the water is too high — small exceeding, not great.