兌 → 坤
Hexagram 58: The Joyous Lake → Hexagram 2: The Receptive
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 4, 5).
Line 1
初九 和兌吉。
Nine at the beginning means: Contented joyousness. Good fortune.
Line 2
九二 孚兌吉。悔亡。
Nine in the second place means: Sincere joyousness. Good fortune. Remorse disappears.
Line 4
九四 商兌未寧。介疾有喜。
Nine in the fourth place means: Joyousness that is weighed is not at peace. After ridding himself of mistakes a man has joy.
Line 5
九五 孚于剝。有厲。
Nine in the fifth place means: Sincerity toward disintegrating influences is dangerous.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
子鉏執麟，《春秋》作元。陰聖將終，尼父悲心。
An old tree holds an empty nest — the spring swallows do not return. Fallen petals fill the steps; there is no one left to sweep.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Paired lakes give way to doubled earth: all receptivity, no voice. The original verse names Zichushang capturing the qilin, Confucius composing the Spring and Autumn Annals at its first chapter, the sage-saint nearing his end, and Father Ni grieving. In 481 BC, the qilin — omen of sage rule — was caught in a chaotic age, and Confucius wept, knowing his Way had reached its limit. From The Joyous to The Receptive, open delight dissolves into silent endurance. The joyous surface has given way entirely; what remains is the earth's capacity to receive sorrow without breaking. Even the sage's grief must find ground to rest upon.
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