Hexagram 59: Huan

Judgment

亨，王假有廟，利涉大川，利貞。

Hwân intimates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. The king goes to his ancestral temple; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

Progress is named, and the king goes to the ancestral temple, where hearts gather. Provided you stay steady and correct, a large undertaking suits the time.

Image

風行水上，渙；先王以享于帝立廟。

(The trigram representing) water and that for wind moving above the water form Hwân. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, presented offerings to God and established the ancestral temple.

Line 1 · 初六

用拯馬壯，吉，悔亡。

The first line, divided, shows its subject engaged in rescuing (from the impending evil) and having (the assistance of) a strong horse. There will be good fortune.

At the first sign of scattering you step in with a strong horse, acting quickly while the damage is small. That works out well.

Line 2 · 九二

渙奔其机，悔亡。

The second line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the dispersion, hurrying to his contrivance (for security). All occasion for repentance will disappear.

As things scatter you hurry to a steady support, something firm to lean on. Any regret fades.

Line 3 · 六三

渙其躬，无悔。

The third line, divided, shows its subject discarding any regard to his own person. There will be no occasion for repentance.

You let go of your own self-interest to help the situation. That sacrifice leaves nothing to regret.

Line 4 · 六四

渙其群，元吉。渙有丘，匪夷所思。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject scattering the (different) parties (in the state); which leads to great good fortune. From the dispersion (he collects again good men standing out, a crowd) like a mound, which is what ordinary men would not have thought of.

Breaking up a clique lets the wider group come together, which is very favorable. From that scattering a great gathering rises, one that ordinary minds would not have imagined.

Line 5 · 九五

渙汗其大號，渙王居，无咎。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject amidst the dispersion issuing his great announcements as the perspiration (flows from his body). He scatters abroad (also) the accumulations in the royal granaries. There will be no error.

A great proclamation spreads like sweat and cannot be called back, and what was stored in the king's house is opened up. Nothing there invites criticism.

Line 6 · 上九

渙其血，去逖出，无咎。

The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject disposing of (what may be called) its bloody wounds, and going and separating himself from its anxious fears. There will be no error.

You dispel the bloody wounds and step well away from the danger, leaving it behind. No fault attaches to getting out.