I Ching hexagram 53
Hexagram 53: Jian
Gradual Progress · 風山漸 · Wind above, Mountain below
Progress comes one careful step at a time, in the proper order, like a wild goose moving inland.
What this hexagram is about
A tree grows on a mountain in Jian (Gradual Progress), slowly and in order, while the lines follow a wild goose from the shore up to the heights. A marriage or a career works best when each stage is respected.
A way to think about it
Which of your goals are you trying to rush through stages that need their own time? Ask what the next natural step is, and whether you can be content with it.
The text, with Legge's translation
Judgment
女歸吉，利貞。
Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Staying steady and correct pays here. The model offered for good progress is a young woman's marriage, which proceeds through set steps in order.
Image
山上有木，漸；君子以居賢德善俗。
(The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for a tree form Kien. The superior man, in accordance with this, attains to and maintains his extraordinary virtue, and makes the manners of the people good.
Line 1 · 初六
鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，无咎。
The first line, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
The wild goose first reaches the riverbank. A beginner feels exposed and others talk about it, yet no real fault attaches.
Line 2 · 六二
鴻漸于磐，飲食衎衎，吉。
The second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
The goose settles on a broad rock and eats and drinks at ease. You have a firm spot and steady supplies, which is a good place to be.
Line 3 · 九三
鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。
The third line, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
The goose pushes ahead onto dry plain, away from the water. Going too far too fast brings loss and trouble, though standing your ground against raiders suits the moment.
Line 4 · 六四
鴻漸于木，或得其桷，无咎。
The fourth line, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
The goose reaches the trees, where its webbed feet cannot grip every branch but a flat one will do. Being adaptable keeps you free of fault.
Line 5 · 九五
鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。
The fifth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
The goose reaches the high mound. A partner meant for you is kept away for three years, yet in the end nothing can overcome the bond, and the outlook is good.
Line 6 · 上九
鴻漸于陸，其羽可用為儀，吉。
The sixth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
The goose rises to the highest path in the sky, and its feathers can be used as ceremonial ornaments. Finishing the climb in good order is a fine ending.
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 53. Which text do I read?
With no changing lines, read the judgment: "Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct." 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 Jian?
The nuclear hexagram is 64. Wei Ji (Not Yet Across). The opposite is 54. Gui Mei (Uneven Union). The inverted hexagram is 54. Gui Mei (Uneven Union).