Xu
Waiting with Trust
When you receive Hexagram 5, Xu, the I Ching turns your attention to waiting with trust. Waiting. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Waiting. With sincerity comes brilliant success. Steadfastness brings good fortune. It furthers to cross the great stream.
Classical (Legge)Hsu intimates that, with the sincerity which is indicated by it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
The Image
Clouds rise over the sky. The centered one eats, drinks, and rests at ease.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram for) clouds ascending over that for the sky forms Hsu. The superior man, in accordance with this, eats, drinks, and is at ease, (feasting and enjoying himself).
The Changing Lines
Waiting at the far edge. It is well to hold firm and unchanging. There will be no error.
Classical (Legge)Waiting in the distant border. It will be well to use (the quality of) unchanging (firmness). There will be no error.
Waiting on the sand. There may be small talk against him, yet in the end, good fortune.
Classical (Legge)Waiting on the sand (of the mountain stream). He will (suffer) the small (injury of) being spoken (against), but in the end there will be good fortune.
Waiting in the mud. This invites the approach of harm.
Classical (Legge)Waiting in the mud (close by the stream). He thereby invites the approach of injury.
Waiting in blood. He will get out of the cavern.
Classical (Legge)Waiting in (the place of) blood. But he will get out of the cavern.
Waiting amid food and drink. Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Classical (Legge)Waiting amidst the appliances of a feast. Through firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
He has entered the cavern. Three guests arrive, uninvited. Receive them with respect, and in the end, good fortune.
Classical (Legge)He has entered the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.
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