䷈ Small Nurturing xiǎo xù
Core Meaning
The Small Nurturing hexagram symbolizes accumulating little by little, progressing step by step. Dense clouds but no rain indicates potential being built up, but the time is not yet ripe. With one yin line restraining five yang lines, the power disparity means one can only advance slowly. The superior person refines their literary virtue, cultivating character while waiting, and should not rush to achieve success.
The Judgment
Success. Dense clouds gather, but no rain. From our western suburbs.
Interpretation:
The Small Nurturing hexagram symbolizes small accumulations, leading to success. Dense clouds have gathered but no rain has fallen, the clouds come from the western suburbs.
The Image
Wind moving above heaven: The image of Small Nurturing; Thus the superior person refines their literary virtue.
Structure
Wind above Heaven below, wind moves above heaven. Heaven is strong and robust, Wind is gentle and yielding; one yin line restrains five yang lines, a small force can only make small accumulations.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial nine: Returning to the path. What blame is there in this? Good fortune.
Nine in the second place: Held back from returning. Good fortune.
Nine in the third place: The spoke is detached from the wheel of the carriage. Husband and wife turn against each other.
Six in the fourth place: Sincere. Blood departs, apprehension goes away. No blame.
Nine in the fifth place: Sincere, like holding hands. Rich through their neighbors.
Top nine: The rain has fallen, and it has settled. Still upholding virtue and carrying responsibilities, the woman's steadfastness is dangerous. The moon is almost full. The superior person's expedition brings misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Your career is in a phase of accumulation, results have not yet materialized. 'Dense clouds but no rain' suggests conditions are still brewing. 'Returning to the path' and 'Held back from returning' mean upholding the right way and working together. But 'The spoke is detached from the wheel' warns against acting too hastily. Nine in the fifth place, 'Rich through their neighbors', means understanding cooperation and mutual benefit.
❤️ Relationships
Relationships need to be cultivated slowly. 'Husband and wife turn against each other' warns against arguments over trifles; mutual understanding is key. 'Sincere' emphasizes the importance of trust. 'The moon is almost full' reminds us that things reverse when they reach their peak; emotions should also be kept in moderation, and not forced too much.
🎯 Decision Making
Currently, large actions are not advisable; accumulate in small steps. 'Dense clouds but no rain' means the time is not yet ripe, so wait patiently. 'The superior person's expedition brings misfortune' warns against rash advancement. Instead, like 'refining literary virtue', use this time to improve yourself and gather strength.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is impatience. 'The spoke is detached from the wheel' implies the wheel came off due to forcing progress. 'The moon is almost full, the superior person's expedition brings misfortune' means caution is needed when things are at their peak. It is important to recognize the essence of 'Small Nurturing' and not use small power as if it were large.
Applicable Scenarios
The Small Nurturing hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
The King of Yue, Goujian, enduring hardship and tasting gall, is an embodiment of Small Nurturing. After defeat, he was not eager for revenge but slowly accumulated strength like 'dense clouds but no rain'. He 'refined his literary virtue' to cultivate himself, and 'became rich through his neighbors' to win people's hearts. After twenty years of accumulation, finally 'the rain has fallen and it has settled', and he destroyed the state of Wu in one fell swoop. This is the wisdom of the Small Nurturing hexagram: small power requires great wisdom; only through gradual progress can great achievements be made.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Small Nurturing hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: