Hexagram 29: The Abysmal Water → Hexagram 10: Treading

The Abysmal Water
Water / Water
Treading
Heaven / Lake
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 4, 6).

Line 1

初六 習坎。入于坎窞。凶。

twice
kǎnexposed
entering
into
kǎnthe pit's
dànhidden
xiōngominous

Six at the beginning means: Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.

Line 4

六四 樽酒簋貳。用缶。納約自牖。終无咎。

zūna jug
jiǔof wine
guǐa simple bamboo basket
èror two
yòngand utensils
fǒuof clay
handed
yuēsimply
through
yǒuthe window
zhōngin the end
no
jiùblame

Six in the fourth place means: A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it; Earthen vessels Simply handed in through the Window. There is certainly no blame in this.

Line 6

上六 係用徽纆。寘于叢棘。三歲不得。凶。

bound
yòngwith
huībraided
and stranded
zhìand put aside
in
cónga thicket
thorny brambles
sānfor three
suìyears
of no
gain
xiōngis unfortunate

Six at the top means: Bound with cords and ropes, Shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramWater HeavenThe Deep → The Creative
Lower TrigramWater LakeThe Deep → The Joyous

Yilin Verse

陸居少泉,山高無雲。車行千里,塗不污輪。渴為我怨,佳思廣得。

Dwelling on land with few springs; the mountains high, without clouds. The cart travels a thousand li; the road does not soil its wheels. Thirst becomes my grievance; yet fine thoughts are broadly gained.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Water upon water, yet the scene is parched. The highland has few springs, mountains stand tall without clouds, and a carriage travels a thousand li without mud touching its wheels. This is water's absence within water's hexagram — a paradox that sharpens desire. Thirst itself becomes the grievance, but the verse resolves: fine aspirations are broadly fulfilled. From The Abysmal to Treading, danger gives way to careful steps upon the proper path. The one who traverses a thousand dry miles without soiling the wheels embodies Treading's discipline: walking upon the tiger's tail with such propriety that the tiger does not bite. Scarcity is navigated through measured conduct, not reckless haste.

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