Hexagram 19 · 臨 · lín
Hexagram 19. Lín · Approach
☷☱ Earth over lake: Kūn above, Duì below.
Lin (indicates that under the conditions supposed in it) there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.
Lin (indicates that under the conditions supposed in it) there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.
The great draws near: rising strength, a time to grow and to care generously for those below. Act now, broadly and openhandedly — but heed the warning of the eighth month: ascent will turn to decline, and one prepares for it at the height of fortune.
The Image
Earth above the lake: the shore bending toward the water — the higher approaches the lower with goodwill. Your influence grows; you are listened to. Expand generously: teach, mentor, invest in people. Yet the rise carries its own limit (the 'eighth month'): build so the structure outlives the season's change.
Interpretation of hexagram 19
XIX. The Lin Hexagram. i. The first line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the
The lines of hexagram 19
First line
The second line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the first line). There will be good fortune ; (advancing) will be in every way advantageous.
yet great. By giving heed to the cautions in the Text, he will accomplish what is promised.
Second line
The third line, divided, shows one well pleased (indeed) to advance, (but whose action) will be in no way advantageous. If he become anxious about it (however), there will be no error.
The ruler in line 5 is represented by a weak line, while 2 is strong. Thus the symbolism takes the form of a son dealing with the prevailing decay induced somehow by his mother. But a son must be very gentle in all his intercourse with his mother, and espe¬ cially so, when constrained by a sense of duty to oppose her course. I do not think there is anything more or better to be said here. The historical interpretation adopted by Regis and his friends, that the father here is king Wan, the mother Thai-sze, and the son king Wft, cannot be maintained. I have searched, but in vain, for the slightest Chinese sanction of it, and it would give to Kft the mean¬ ing of misfortunes endured, instead of troubles caused.
Third line
The fourth line, divided, shows one advancing in the highest mode. There will be no error.
Line 3 is strong, and not central, so that its subject might well go to excess in his efforts. But this tendency is counteracted by the line’s place in the trigram Sun, often denoting lowly submission.
Fourth line
The fifth line, divided, shows the advance of wisdom, such as befits the great ruler. There will be good fortune.
Line 4 is weak, and in an even place, which intensifies that weakness. Hence comes the caution against going forward.
Fifth line
The sixth line, divided, shows the advance of honesty and generosity. There will be good fortune, and no error.
The weak line 5, as has been said, is the seat of the ruler; but its proper correlate is the strong 2, the strong siding champion minister, to whom the work of the hexagram is delegated.
Top line
Line 6 is strong, and has no proper correlate below. Hence it suggests the idea of one outside the sphere of action, and taking no part in public affairs, but occupied with the culture of himself.
Did hexagram 19 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
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