Gou
The Unexpected Encounter
When you receive Hexagram 44, Gou, the I Ching turns your attention to the unexpected encounter. Encounter. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Encounter. A bold and powerful woman. It will not be good to marry such a woman.
Classical (Legge)Kau shows a female who is bold and strong. It will not be good to marry (such) a female.
The Image
Wind beneath heaven. Gou. The sovereign delivers his charges and sends announcements to the four quarters.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) wind and that for the sky above it form Kau. The sovereign, in accordance with this, delivers his charges, and promulgates his announcements throughout the four quarters (of the kingdom).
The Changing Lines
Bound with a metal brake. Steadfastness brings good fortune. If he moves in any direction, misfortune appears. Like a lean pig, sure to keep jumping about.
Classical (Legge)It will be bound with a brake of metal. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. (But) if he move in any direction, evil will appear. He will be like a lean pig, which is sure to keep jumping about.
A wallet of fish. No error. It will not be well to let the guest go forward.
Classical (Legge)He has a wallet of fish. There will be no error. But it will not be well to let (the subject of the first line) go forward to the guests.
The skin of his buttocks is torn. He walks slowly and with difficulty. The position is perilous, but there will be no great error.
Classical (Legge)The skin of (his) buttocks is torn, and he walks slowly and with difficulty. (The position is) perilous, but there will be no great error.
No fish in the wallet. This gives rise to misfortune.
Classical (Legge)He has no fish in his wallet. (This) will give rise to evil.
A willow wrapping round the gourd of offering. He conceals his bright qualities as if they had fallen from heaven.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line uses) a willow in wrapping round his gourd (of offering). He conceals (his admirable) qualities (as if) they had fallen from heaven.
He meets others with his horns. Occasion for regret, but no error.
Classical (Legge)He meets (others, and especially the subject of the first line,) with his horns. There will be occasion for regret, but there will be no error.
Ask your own question
StillPoint casts Hexagram 44, Gou, the traditional way, then offers a reflection grounded in your actual question. The full ritual lives on your iPhone.
Cast a reading in StillPoint