In the latter a

wise man at the head of affairs has able helpers, and in

company with them makes progress; here a man of dark

nature is in a position of authority and brings harm to the

wise and able man.

THE JUDGMENT

DARKENING OF THE LIGHT. In adversity

It furthers one to be persevering.

One must not unresistingly let himself be swept along by unfavorable

circumstances, nor permit his steadfastness to be shaken. He can avoid

this by maintaining his inner light, while remaining outwardly yielding

and tractable. With this attitude he can overcome even the greatest

adversities.

In some situations indeed a man must hide his light, in order to make his

will prevail in spite of difficulties in his immediate environment.

Perseverance must dwell in inmost consciousness and should not be

discernible from without. Only thus is a man able to maintain his will in

the face of difficulties.

There are times when the negative factors take place in a preponderant

way. This implies that it is necessary to support such state of

annoyances during a time until it disappears. Times of darkening of the

light mean that there is not much to do than to try to stay steady, to

conserve the essence.

Times of darkening of the light imply a stage of lack of possibilities, of

decreasing perspectives. This means, also, energy that has been

drained and disappeared.

In another interpretation level, the darkening of the light symbolizes not

being able to see, not to be able to notice, not to be able to understand.

THE IMAGE

The light has sunk into the earth:

The image of DARKENING OF THE LIGHT.

Thus does the superior man live with the great mass:

He veils his light, yet still shines.

In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One

should not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate

behavior. In such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of

others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In

social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let

many things pass, without being duped.

The light hidden under the earth represents the truth that is not shown

that doesn't manifest itself. The light, means clarity, therefore, the light

hidden under the earth would mean lack of lucidity to understand certain

things. The light hidden under the earth also symbolizes a time of

intellectual decadence.

The superior man, if the conditions are not given to show his knowledge,

hides his brilliance and bides his time. Being bright inside and gentle

with the others is the proper way to be preserved in this time.

THE LINES

Nine at the beginning means:

Darkening of the light during flight.

He lowers his wings.

The superior man does not eat for three days

On his wanderings.

But he has somewhere to go.

The host has occasion to gossip about him.

With grandiose resolve a man endeavors to soar above all obstacles, but

thus encounters a hostile fate. He retreats and evades the issue. The time

is difficult. Without rest, he must hurry along, with no permanent abiding

place. If he does not want to make compromises within himself, but

insists on remaining true to his principles, he suffers deprivation.

Nevertheless he has a fixed goal to strive for even though the people

with whom he lives do not understand him and speak ill of him.

The Darkening of the light during flight means unexpected contingency

that forces to suspend some projects. To lower the wings gives the idea

of descending, of losing advancing power. This would mean to be

forced to act in a lower ambitious level. However, such an interruption

doesn't constitute a modification of own principles, rather it represents a

challenge that consists on continuing faithful to own behavior and sense

of life.

The three-day pilgrimage symbolizes the resolute search of a way to go

on over the critical situation. The abstention of food for the same period

means that he doesn't pervert his essence adopting customs or ways he

considers unrighteous. As he differs from his fellow men to the utmost

degree, he is slightly criticized by people.

Six in the second place means:

Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh.

He gives aid with the strength of a horse.

Good fortune.

Here the Lord of Light is in a subordinate place and is wounded by the

Lord of Darkness. But the injury is not fatal; it is only a hindrance.

Rescue is still possible. The wounded man gives no thought to himself;

he thinks only of saving the others who are also in danger. Therefore he

tries with all his strength to save all that can be saved. There is good

fortune in thus acting according to duty.

To be injured in the left thigh means difficulty that weakens and

damages the capacity. Therefore, this gives the idea of losing a factor

for the action of advancing. This implies to have to overcome carrying

out an extraordinary effort.

The strong horse means to receive external support to go on.

Nine in the third place means:

Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south.

Their great leader is captured.

One must not expect perseverance too soon.

It seems as if chance were at work. While the strong, loyal man is

striving eagerly and in good faith to create order, he meets the ringleader

of the disorder, as if by accident, and seizes him. Thus victory is

achieved. But in abolishing abuses one must not be too hasty. This would

turn out badly because the abuses have been in existence so long.

The path is not clear, but one is constantly searching a way to solve the

problems. The southern hunt means to go forward to eliminate the

source of darkness ("the great leader"). The south was placed at the top

of the maps in ancient China, thus to hunt in the south means to hunt the

Lord of Darkness (sixth yin).

To rectify the situation one must not be too hasty because people were

misleading for long time, and they must be corrected gradually.

Six in the fourth place means:

He penetrates the left side of the belly.

One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light,

And leaves gate and courtyard.

We find ourselves close to the commander of darkness and so discover

his most secret thoughts. In this way we realize that there is no longer

any hope of improvement, and thus we are enabled to leave the scene of

disaster before the storm breaks.

This means to enter in the matter, to go towards the root, to want to

arrive until the bottom of the matter, with the result that he arrives to the

heart of darkness, that is to say, to the center of the question. To arrive

to the heart of darkness represents to have arrived at the end, to the

place where is possible to know everything.

Once well known the truth, there is nothing else to do there, in the

darkness. To leave the gate and the courtyard also means to overcome

stage, expectations already fulfilled, and the right moment for leaving

the dangerous place.

Six in the fifth place means:

Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi.

Perseverance furthers.

Prince Chi lived at the court of the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, who, although

not mentioned by name, furnished the historical example on which this

whole situation is based. Prince Chi was a relative of the tyrant and could

not withdraw from the court; therefore he concealed his true sentiments

and feigned insanity. Although he was held a slave, he did not allow

external misery to deflect him from his convictions.

This provides a teaching for those who cannot leave their posts in times

of darkness. In order to escape danger, they need invincible perseverance

of spirit and redoubled caution in their dealings with the world.

In times of danger, in moments when it is not opportune to let the others

know the own ideas, one should abstain from exposing what one thinks.

It is better to conceal the brightness underneath a dull aspect than

arousing suspicion. But one should not abandon its ideals, because

being steadfast and upright that splendor won't be annihilated.

Six at the top means:

Not light but darkness.

First he climbed up to heaven,

Then plunged into the depths of the earth.

Here the climax of the darkening is reached. The dark power at first held

so high a place that it could wound all who were on the side of good and

of the light. But in the end it perishes of its own darkness, for evil must

itself fall at the very moment when it has wholly overcome the good, and

thus consumed the energy to which it owed its duration.

Full darkness means total lack of vision and resources to emerge from

the current situation, impossibility for finding an exit. This situation is

reached because what should have been made was not made.

To climb up to heaven is the symbol of having had the great opportunity

that was wasted by lack of greatness. This means that the entire

splendor got lost because of a wrong handling, meanness and personal

machinations. To fall into the depth of earth is to fall for the own weight

of the bad action.