晉 → 歸妹

Commentary

Fire rises above the earth, and the seasonal cycle completes its arc. Spring plowing gives way to rest; autumn's harvest brings bounty and blessing. A great beast is offered in sacrifice to celebrate the year's success. The verse follows the agricultural calendar from sowing to reaping to thanksgiving — the rhythm that sustains civilization. The sacrificial animal confirms that abundance is not hoarded but shared with heaven and community. From Progress to the Marrying Maiden, the transformation adds a social dimension to this natural cycle. Thunder above the lake signals the consummation of alliances — the harvest celebration becomes a wedding feast. Just as the agricultural year culminates in offering, social bonds are sealed through ritual exchange. Seasonal progress and human union mirror each other.