Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
Develop skill alongside discernment. Restraint can give your strength a reliable direction.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初九 有厲，利已。
02
九二 輿說輹。
03
九三 良馬逐，利艱貞。曰閑輿衛，利有攸往。
04
六四 童牛之牿，元吉。
05
六五 豶豕之牙，吉。
06
上九 何天之衢亨。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Qian · Heaven; the upper is Gen · Mountain. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. Develop skill alongside discernment. Restraint can give your strength a reliable direction.
Tuan commentary · reading the judgment
大畜，剛健篤實，輝光日新，其德，剛上而尚賢，能止健，大正也。不家食吉，養賢也；利涉大川，應乎天也。
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
天在山中，大畜。君子以多識前言往行，以畜其德。
The Great Image turns Great Taming into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to great taming fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初九 · 1
有厲，利已。
《小象》：有厲利已，不犯災也。
Stopping can be the appropriate response to danger.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
九二 · 2
輿說輹。
《小象》：輿說輹，中无尤也。
A damaged connection calls for a pause and repair.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
九三 · 3
良馬逐，利艱貞。曰閑輿衛，利有攸往。
《小象》：利有攸往，上合志也。
Capacity needs practice and preparation.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
六四 · 4
童牛之牿，元吉。
《小象》：六四元吉，有喜也。
Early prevention is easier than force after growth.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
六五 · 5
豶豕之牙，吉。
《小象》：六五之吉，有慶也。
Address the source of a harmful force rather than its surface.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上九 · 6
何天之衢亨。
《小象》：何天之衢，道大行也。
An open course follows preparation rather than replacing it.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
