P26

26. Ta Ch'u; The Taming Power of the Great

Above; Ken Keeping Still mountain

Below; Ch'ien the Creative heaven

21st Century

Comparisons

Life is not so much a struggle or a conflict as a long crossing over a hot and dry plain or a wide ocean. It can be arduous. There are times when energies must be marshalled. When you must desist for a moment and collect yourself.

An overburdened truck will eventually break down. Redistribute your load, rationalise what you have and where you want to go and make your arrangements. This will allow you to undertake the journey again with renewed vigour.

Perseverance is profoundly important. The journey is long. It is not how you begin but how you undertake to finish the journey which marks your character. The journey produces the arrival yet the whole birthing process may still be incomplete. If this is so then what lies beyond the arrival?

To ask the question helps return proportion to the minutiae of obstacles which litter this plain and impede our path.

Line 1

Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley

Hex 26 Line 1:

a) in a position of peril. It will be advantageous for him to stop his advance.

b) Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist.

c) Halt! You are in peril.

d) Peril: move not, but look within thine heart,

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Hex 26 Line 2:

a) A carriage with the strap under it removed.

b) The axletrees are taken from the wagon.

c) The strap that holds back the carriage has been removed.

d) Then, with due care, be ready for the start.

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Hex 26 Line 3:

a) urging his way with good horses. It will be advantageous for him realize the difficulty (of his course), and to be firm and correct, exercising himself daily in his charioteering and methods of defence; there there will be advantage in whatever direction he may advance.

b) A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, With perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defence daily. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.

c) He has good horses and drives himself on. Keep to your course, recognizing the difficulties involved. Train daily to defend yourself against them. You may advance in any direction.

d) Now, with good horse, well trained, play hard thy part!

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Hex 26 Line 4:

a) the young bull, (and yet) having the piece of wood over his horns. There will be great good fortune.

b) The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.

c) A piece of wood has been placed on the young bull's head where his horns will be. Very auspicious.

d) Block even the young bull's horns! He's safer so.

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Hex 26 Line 5:

a) the teeth of a castrated hog. There will be good fortune.

b) The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune.

c) The tusks of a castrated boar. Auspicious.