I Ching hexagram 17
Hexagram 17: Sui
Following · 澤雷隨 · Lake above, Thunder below
Following a lead or adapting to change works when you choose carefully what you follow.
What this hexagram is about
Whether to follow someone else's lead or adjust to a change is the question here. Sui (Following) puts thunder inside a lake, and the image text says to go in and rest at nightfall, meaning you fit yourself to the time.
A way to think about it
Think about whom or what you are following right now. Did you choose it with open eyes, and would you still choose it if the rewards disappeared?
The text, with Legge's translation
Judgment
元亨。利貞。无咎。
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
A great and open beginning comes with a condition attached. Following carries no fault when you stay steady and correct about what, and whom, you follow.
Image
澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。
(The trigram for the waters of) a marsh and (that for) thunder (hidden) in the midst of it form Sui. The superior man in accordance with this, when it is getting towards dark, enters (his house) and rests.
Line 1 · 初九
官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
The first line, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.
Your position or direction changes, and that is fine as long as you stay correct. Going out through the door to meet and work with others earns results.
Line 2 · 六二
係小子，失丈夫。
The second line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
You attach yourself to the junior option close at hand and lose the stronger, more mature one. You cannot hold both.
Line 3 · 六三
係丈夫，失小子。隨，有求得利，居貞。
The third line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.
Now you stay with the mature, experienced person and let the junior one go. Following this way finds what it looks for, and it pays to stay steady and correct.
Line 4 · 九四
隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。
The fourth line, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?
Gaining followers and success is itself risky, even when your motives are sound. Stay sincere and make your aims clear, and there is nothing to fault.
Line 5 · 九五
孚于嘉，吉。
The fifth line, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.
You put your faith in what is excellent and deserves it. The omen is good.
Line 6 · 上六
拘係之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
The topmost line, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.
Loyalty here has become so strong that people seem tied on with cords. The text pairs it with a king offering sacrifice on the Western Mountain, which treats the bond as sacred.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi, public domain. English: James Legge, The Yi King, Sacred Books of the East vol. 16 (1882), public domain. Plain notes written by this site.
Questions
I cast hexagram 17. Which text do I read?
With no changing lines, read the judgment: "Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error." With changing lines, read the lines that changed. When several change at once, Zhu Xi's rules decide which text leads, and the casting page marks it for you.
What are the nuclear, opposite and inverted hexagrams of Sui?
The nuclear hexagram is 53. Jian (Gradual Progress). The opposite is 18. Gu (Repair). The inverted hexagram is 18. Gu (Repair).