益 → 遯
Hexagram 42: Increase → Hexagram 33: Retreat
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 3, 4).
Line 1
初九 利用為大作。元吉无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
Line 3
六三 益之用凶事。无咎。有孚中行。告公用圭。
Six in the third place means: One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere And walk in the middle, And report with a seal to the prince.
Line 4
六四 中行。告公從。利用為依遷國。
Six in the fourth place means: If you walk in the middle And report the prince, He will follow. It furthers one to be used In the removal of the capital.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
出門得堂，不逢禍殃。入戶自若，不見矛戟。
Stepping through the gate one finds the hall; no disaster or calamity is met. Entering the household at ease, one sees neither spear nor halberd.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind and thunder bestow increase, and the transformation leads to heaven above the mountain — the strategic withdrawal of Retreat. Stepping out the door, one finds a spacious hall; no calamity is encountered. Entering the household, everything is as it should be; no spears or halberds are in sight. The verse describes total safety in both public and private spheres: going out brings openness rather than danger, coming home reveals peace rather than armed threat. From Increase to Retreat, the paradox resolves beautifully. The gentleman who retreats distances himself from petty people, not through hostility but through dignified separation. The absence of weapons at home and hazards abroad is the hallmark of a life wisely withdrawn from conflict. Increase provides the resources for a comfortable retreat; wisdom chooses when to use them.
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