Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
Withdraw from an unhelpful struggle. Preserve energy and create space for a better next step.
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
初六 遯尾，厲。勿用有攸往。
02
六二 執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
03
九三 係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
04
九四 好遯，君子吉，小人否。
05
九五 嘉遯，貞吉。
06
上九 肥遯无不利。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Gen · Mountain; the upper is Qian · Heaven. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. Withdraw from an unhelpful struggle. Preserve energy and create space for a better next step.
Tuan commentary · reading the judgment
遯亨，遯而亨也。剛當位而應，與時行也。小利貞，浸而長也。遯之時義大矣哉。
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
天下有山，遯。君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
The Great Image turns Retreat into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to retreat fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初六 · 1
遯尾，厲。勿用有攸往。
《小象》：遯尾之厲，不往何災也。
A delayed retreat is exposed; avoid pressing further.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
六二 · 2
執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
《小象》：執用黃牛，固志也。
A strong bond may also make disengagement difficult.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
九三 · 3
係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
《小象》：係遯之厲，有疾憊也；畜臣妾吉，不可大事也。
Entangled withdrawal needs attention to dependency and duties.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
九四 · 4
好遯，君子吉，小人否。
《小象》：君子好遯，小人否也。
A valued attachment can be released through clear judgment.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
九五 · 5
嘉遯，貞吉。
《小象》：嘉遯貞吉，以正志也。
Withdraw in a measured way that preserves integrity.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上九 · 6
肥遯无不利。
《小象》：肥遯，无不利，无所疑也。
A free withdrawal can avoid unnecessary entanglement.
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?
