HEXAGRAM 33: ORIGINAL, INTERPRETATION AND CASES

HEXAGRAM 33 – Tun - Retreat

Above CHIEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN

Below KEN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN

The power of the dark is ascending.

The light retreats to security, so that

the dark cannot encroach upon it.

This retreat is a matter

· not of man's will

· but of natural law.

Therefore in this case withdrawal is proper;

it is the correct way to behave

in order not to exhaust one's forces. 1

In the calendar this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which

the forces of winter are already showing their influence.

THE JUDGMENT

RETREAT. Success.

In what is small, perseverance furthers.

Conditions are such that the hostile forces favored by the time are advancing.

In this case

· retreat is the right course, and

· it is through retreat that success is achieved.

But success consists in being able to carry out the retreat correctly.

Retreat is not to be confused with flight.

· Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances whereas

· retreat is a sign of strength.

We must be careful not to miss the right moment while

we are in full possession of power and position.

Then we shall be able

· to interpret the signs of the time

o before it is too late and

· to prepare for provisional retreat

o instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle.

Thus

· we do not simply abandon the field to the opponent;

· we make it difficult for him to advance

by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance.

In this way

we prepare, while retreating, for the counter - movement.

Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy.

The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important.

THE IMAGE

Mountain under heaven: the image of RETREAT.

Thus the superior man

keeps the inferior man at a distance,

Not angrily but with reserve.

The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature

it finally comes to a stop.

Heaven on the other hand

· retreats upward before it into the distance and

· remains out of reach.

This symbolizes the behavior of the superior man toward a climbing inferior;

he retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward.

He does not hate him,

for hatred is a form of subjective involvement

by which we are bound to the hated object.

The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that

he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain)

by his dignified reserve.

THE LINES

0 Six at the beginning means:

At the tail in retreat.

This is dangerous.

One must not wish to undertake anything.

Since the hexagram is the picture of something that is retreating,

· the lowest line represents the tail and

· the top line the head.

In a retreat it is advantageous to be at the front.

Here

one is at the back,

in immediate contact with the pursuing enemy.

This is dangerous, and under such circumstances

it is not advisable to undertake anything.

Keeping still is the easiest way of escaping from the threatening danger.

Six in the second place means:

He holds him fast with yellow oxhide.

No one can tear him loose.

Yellow is the color of the middle.

It indicates

· that which is correct and

· in line with duty.

Oxhide is strong and not to be torn.

While

· the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them,

· the inferior man represented here

holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior men that

the latter cannot shake him off.

And because

· he is in quest of what is right and so strong in purpose,

· he reaches his goal. 2

Thus

the line confirms what is said in the Judgment:

"In what is small" - here equivalent to "in the inferior man" - "perseverance furthers."

Nine in the third place means:

A halted retreat Is

· nerve-wracking and

· dangerous.

To retain people as men - and maidservants

Brings good fortune.

When it is time to retreat it is both

· unpleasant and

· dangerous

to be held back,

because then

one no longer has freedom of action.

In such a case

the only expedient is to take into one's service, so to speak,

those who refuse to let one go,

so that

one may at least

· keep one's initiative and

· not fall helplessly under their domination.

But even with this expedient

the situation is far from satisfactory –

for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?

Nine in the fourth place means:

Voluntary retreat brings

· good fortune to the superior man And

· downfall to the inferior man.

In retreating the superior man is intent on taking his departure

· willingly and

· in all friendliness.

He easily adjusts his mind to retreat,

because in retreating

he does not have to do violence to his convictions.

The only one who suffers is the inferior man from whom he retreats,

who will degenerate when deprive of the guidance of the superior man.

0 Nine in the fifth place means:

Friendly retreat.

Perseverance brings good fortune.

It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that

the moment for retreat has come.

If the right moment is chosen,

the retreat can be carried out

· within the forms of perfect friendliness,

· without the necessity of disagreeable discussions.

Yet, for all the observance of amenities,

absolute firmness of decision is necessary

if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations.

Nine at the top means:

Cheerful retreat.

Everything serves to further.

The situation is unequivocal.

Inner detachment has become an established fact, and

we are at liberty to depart.

When one sees the way ahead thus clearly, free of all doubt,

· a cheerful mood sets in, and

· one chooses what is right without further thought.

Such a dear path ahead always leads to the good.

1. The idea expressed by this hexagram is similar to that in the saying of Jesus: "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39)-

2. A similar idea is suggested in the story of Jacob's battle with the angel of Peniel: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Gen. 32 : 26).

33 RETREAT

MANAGERIAL ISSUE:

The CEO – managing a strategic retreat (from any condition such as for instance, a partnership, a market, a product, an industry or a country) to save his corporation.

Hexagram 33 is a Time-Space where the Superior CEO must realize:

1) There are moments in which fate will work against his corporation. In a cyclical world, hard times are inevitable. The Superior CEO knows no corporation can win all the time and he must prepare contingency plans to deal with worst-case scenarios. All CEOs have to accept this and prepare for it. In this particular moment, the corporation is going through a difficult time requiring defensive action. A tactical retreat could be both honorable and wise. The Superior CEO therefore looks for the proper place to retreat so as not to be exposed to a takeover. He prepares for the worst and thus avoids losing precious resources in futile battles; especially because he knows he will need these same resources later on.

2) The amount of harm his enemy can inflict is limited and thus he must retreat and wait for such damage to spend itself out. If we look at the YIN and YANG round symbol we realize that both are limited in their advance because they are confined to a given space. Neither the YIN nor the YANG are in a perfect equilibrium position and there is always a time in which each will have the upper hand; however, neither the YIN nor the YANG can completely destroy each other.

3) Sometimes it is necessary for a strategic retreat, as the enemy might be too strong. This retreat, in turn, will bring about success.

4) Throughout the six stages of the Retreat Time Space, the CEO sometimes will be able to complete the Retreat but other times his enemies will get too close and block his Retreat. Each stage will require different strategies.

MANAGERIAL LESSON:

To perform a strategic retreat, the Superior CEO must:

1) Plan and carry out the retreat in a proper manner. A tactical retreat should not be confused with running away in panic.

2) See well in advance the moment to retreat and do so accordingly, otherwise the retreat will not be a strategic or a temporary one but rather a desperate run for one’s life. When we are on top we must use our financial strength to prepare for the hard times - when in peace, prepare for war.

3) Make things difficult for the enemy as the retreat takes place. This was the case of the Russians burning everything (scorched earth) on their path as Napoleon advanced. This destruction should be done gradually rather than total. This is very much guerrilla warfare and evokes images of Mao’s Long March. For instance, the corporation can do a tactical retreat by creating poison pills for the company that is trying to take it over, or drawing it into a legal battle to make things harder for it.

4) Include a plan to counter attack as part of the strategic retreat.

5) Maintain a proper attitude. Be calmed and keep a superior attitude. Any CEO might hate his enemy but the Superior CEO does not allow his emotions to affect his decisions. He reserves his emotions for his wife only (General Marshall). The Superior CEO knows that a regal attitude towards his enemies or towards the corporation that is trying to take them over is a must, and sometimes only the superior attitude would be enough to deter the enemy from making further advances. This condition is also applicable to both: a CEO who prepares his corporation for a possible takeover by a larger corporation, and to a CEO who prepares for one of his subordinate’s attempts to try and take over his job.

6) Keeps from implementing any grand new project. It is obvious that during the Retreat Time -Space no CEO could handle any new project that would require both his attention as well as the corporation’s resources.

INVESTMENT ADVICE:

For the investor, the RETREAT is not a favorable Time-Space to invest. Who wants to invest in a corporation where the Power of the Dark is ascending? Who wants to invest in a corporation where the CEO’s main role is to Retreat to ensure the corporation’s survival?

By itself (no lines) it points to the possibility of success if the CEO stays in small projects. But even then, it would be best to look for another investment opportunity.

RETREAT. Success.

In what is small, perseverance furthers.

Conditions are such that the hostile forces favored by the time are advancing. In this case retreat is the right course, and it is through retreat that success is achieved. But success consists in being able to carry out the retreat correctly. Retreat is not to be confused with flight. Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances whereas retreat is a sign of strength. We must be careful not to miss the right moment while we are in full possession of power and position. Then we shall be able to interpret the signs of the time before it is too late and to prepare for provisional retreat instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle. Thus we do not simply abandon the field to the opponent; we make it difficult for him to advance by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance. In this way we prepare, while retreating, for the counter - movement. Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy. The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important.

The lines point to two possibilities of investing in the third and fifth lines. The investor must keep in mind that the lines point to good fortune because the retreat was possible or completed. Does the investor want to invest in a corporation that is successfully retreating?

The following cases are those of corporations under the Retreat Time-Space:

· Clorox Corporation CLX under CEO Donald R. Knauss

· Sears Holdings Corporation SHLD under CEO W. Bruce Johnson

· Expeditors International of Washington Inc. EXPD under CEO Peter J. Rose

· Symantec Corporation SYMC under CEO Enrique T. Salem

(Read at end of the Hexagram).

THE LINES

SIX IN THE FIRST PLACE

Managerial Issue: The CEO – managing a strategic retreat (from any condition such as for instance, a partnership, a market, a product, an industry or a country) to save his corporation – in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Managerial Lesson: Be still.

Managerial Warning: At the first stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO faces a dangerous condition. His position is too weak at the time of retreat.

Managerial Advice: The Superior CEO knows that both: to do and not to do are equally important. In this case, he knows the best way to escape danger is to do nothing.

Investment Advice: Do not invest.

SIX IN THE SECOND PLACE

Managerial Lesson: Be longsuffering.

Managerial Warning: At the second stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO fails to shake off his enemy.

Managerial Advice: the Superior CEO knows that sometimes even evil men can overcome good men when evil men pursue with enough resolution what they believe to be right.

Investment Advice: Do not invest.

NINE IN THE THIRD PLACE

Managerial Lesson: Be prepared.

Managerial Warning: At the third stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO can no longer act freely. His Retreat is held back. As a result, the corporation is placed in danger.

Managerial Advice: The Superior CEO knows sometimes the way out is to embrace his enemy, to put his arms around him so that he cannot get a hold of his weapons, “so that one may at least keep one's initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination.” This is what the Japanese did with the Americans’ culture after their defeat. This, however, is not an ideal situation.

Investment Advice: Do not invest. There is a possibility of success, but it is best to look for better alternatives.

NINE IN THE FOURTH PLACE

Managerial Lesson: Be positive.

Managerial Warning: At the fourth stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO realizes the retreat is correct and adjusts easily to it because it is an attitude that does not go against his principles. However, The I Ching warns his enemies who pursue him that they will suffer from their pursuit.

Managerial Advice: The Superior CEO keeps a positive attitude when retreating. By such positive attitude, he focuses on the fact that retreating will add value to his corporation while those who pursued it will suffer for it.

Investment Advice: Do not invest. There might be a strong chance of success, but it is best to look for better alternatives.

NINE IN THE FIFTH PLACE

Managerial Lesson: Be resolute.

Managerial Warning: At the fifth stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO has a good opportunity for a proper Retreat.

Managerial Advice: The Superior CEO knows that for the timing of the retreat to be proper, his resolution must be unwavering so as not allow minor items to distract him from his plans.

Investment Advice: Do not invest. There is a strong chance of success, but it is best to look for better alternatives.

NINE IN THE SIXTH PLACE

Managerial Lesson: Be clear.

Managerial Warning: At the sixth stage of the Retreat Time-Space, the CEO has the necessary clarity of vision to proceed with his plans to retreat.

Managerial Advice: The Superior CEO knows that clarity of vision provides the positive mood necessary to know the proper way. This in turn, leads to inner peace and the right choice.

Investment Advice: Do not invest. There is a strong chance of success, but it is best to look for better alternatives.

MANAGERIAL CASES

Clorox Corporation CLX under CEO Donald R. Knauss

Donald Knauss’ Performance: ROI= (0.68%) Annualized Return= (0.14%)

SPY’s Performance: ROI= (16.57%) Annualized Return= (3.64%)

Donald Knauss has been CEO of Clorox Corporation since October of 2006. Since then his performance has been poor in that it has been flat. For any CEO, including a Superior one, it is extremely difficult to manage a retreat, even when the retreat is the proper way out (favorable).

His performance has been very poor which points to the line in the 1^st place. However, he still might be able to pull off the retreat given he has two positive lines in the 3^rd and the 5^th places.

Points the investor should consider:

1) THE HEXAGRAM

HEXAGRAM 33 – Tun - Retreat

The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach upon it. This retreat is a matter not of man's will but of natural law. Therefore in this case withdrawal is proper; it is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust one's forces.

In the calendar this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which the forces of winter are already showing their influence.

THE JUDGMENT

RETREAT. Success.

In what is small, perseverance furthers.

2) THE ADVICE

Mountain under heaven: the image of RETREAT.

Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance,

Not angrily but with reserve.

The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature it finally comes to a stop. Heaven on the other hand retreats upward before it into the distance and remains out of reach. This symbolizes the behavior of the superior man toward a climbing inferior; he retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward. He does not hate him, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which we are bound to the hated object. The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain) by his dignified reserve.

3) THE LINES:

Six in the second place means:

He holds him fast with yellow oxhide.

No one can tear him loose.

Yellow is the color of the middle. It indicates that which is correct and in line with duty. Oxhide is strong and not to be torn. While the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them, the inferior man represented here holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior men that the latter cannot shake him off. And because he is in quest of what is right and so strong in purpose, he reaches his goal. 2 Thus the line confirms what is said in the Judgment: "In what is small" - here equivalent to "in the inferior man" - "perseverance furthers."

Nine in the third place means:

A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous.

To retain people as men - and maidservants

Brings good fortune.

When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into one's service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep one's initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory - for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?

0 Nine in the fifth place means:

Friendly retreat.

Perseverance brings good fortune.

It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations.

1. The idea expressed by this hexagram is similar to that in the saying of Jesus: "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39)-

2. A similar idea is suggested in the story of Jacob's battle with the angel of Peniel: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Gen. 32 : 26).

4) THE MOVING HEXAGRAM

HEXAGRAM 64 - Wei Chi - Before Completion

This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram are in relation to those in the lower (1). However, they are not yet in their places. While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winter's stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of Changes comes to its close.

THE JUDGMENT

BEFORE COMPLETION.

Success.

But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,

Gets his tail in the water,

There is nothing that would further.

The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before completion," deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.

THE IMAGE

Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition.

Thus the superior man is careful

In the differentiation of things,

So that each finds its place.

When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect, and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.

Sears Holdings Corporation SHLD under CEO W. Bruce Johnson

W. Bruce Johnson’s Performance: ROI= (7.50%) Annualized Return= (2.55%)

SPY’s Performance: ROI= 0.03% Annualized Return= 0.01%

W. Bruce Johnson was CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation from February 2008 to February 2011. During his time as CEO his performance was poor compared to the SPY’s which underlines the fact he did not possess the qualities which the I Ching would require from someone whose mandate is to manage the Retreat Time-Space.

Points the investor should consider:

1) THE HEXAGRAM

(Same as Above).

2) THE ADVICE

(Same as Above).

3) THE LINES:

0 Six at the beginning means:

At the tail in retreat.

This is dangerous.

One must not wish to undertake anything.

Since the hexagram is the picture of something that is retreating, the lowest line represents the tail and the top line the head. In a retreat it is advantageous to be at the front. Here one is at the back, in immediate contact with the pursuing enemy. This is dangerous, and under such circumstances it is not advisable to undertake anything. Keeping still is the easiest way of escaping from the threatening danger.

4) THE MOVING HEXAGRAM

HEXAGRAMA 13 - T'ung Jen - Fellowship with Men

The image of the upper trigram Ch'ien is heaven, and that of the lower, Li, is flame. It is the nature of fire to flame up to heaven. This gives the idea of fellowship. It is the second line that, by virtue of its central character, unites the five strong lines around it. This hexagram forms a complement to Shih, THE ARMY (7). In the latter, danger is within and obedience without - the character of a warlike army, which, in order to hold together, needs one strong man among the many who are weak. Here, clarity is within and strength without - the character of a peaceful union of men, which, in order to hold together, needs one yielding nature among many firm persons.

THE JUDGMENT

FELLOWSHIP WITH MEN in the open.

Success.

It furthers one to cross the great water.

The perseverance of the superior man furthers.

True fellowship among men must be based upon a concern that is universal. It is not the private interests of the individual that create lasting fellowship among men, but rather the goals of humanity. That is why it is said. That fellowship with men in the open succeeds. If unity of this kind prevails, even difficult and dangerous tasks, such as crossing the great water, can be accomplished. But in order to bring about this sort of fellowship, a persevering and enlightened leader is needed - a man with clear, convincing, and inspiring aims and the strength to carry them out. (The inner trigram means clarity; the outer, strength.)

THE IMAGE

Heaven together with fire: The image of FELLOWSHIP WITH MEN.

Thus the superior man organizes the clans

And makes distinctions between things.

Heaven has the same direction of movement as fire, yet it is different from fire. Just as the luminaries in the sky serve for the systematic division and arrangement of time, so human society and all things that really belong together must be organically arranged. Fellowship should not be a mere mingling, of individuals or of things - that would be chaos, not fellowship. If fellowship is to lead to order, there must be organization within diversity.

Expeditors International of Washington Inc. EXPD under CEO Peter J. Rose

Peter J. Rose’s Performance: ROI= 4,382.11% Annualized Return= 19.69%

SPY’s Performance: ROI= 153.64% Annualized Return= 4.50%

Peter J. Rose has been CEO of Expeditors International of Washington for a long time. He became CEO October of 1988. Since then, his performance has been excellent because it refers to a previous Time-Space.

Going forward from 2011 and as the takes the corporation through the RETREAT Time-Space, the question is if he possess the qualities which the I Ching would require from someone whose mandate is to manage the Retreat Time-Space. Heaven might favor him because he has two relatively positive lines. What is worrisome is the Moving Hexagram: Obstruction.

Points the investor should consider:

1) THE HEXAGRAM

(Same as Above).

2) THE ADVICE

(Same as Above).

3) THE LINES:

Nine in the fourth place means:

Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man

And downfall to the inferior man.

In retreating the superior man is intent on taking his departure willingly and in all friendliness. He easily adjusts his mind to retreat, because in retreating he does not have to do violence to his convictions. The only one who suffers is the inferior man from whom he retreats, who will degenerate when deprive of the guidance of the superior man.

Nine at the top means:

Cheerful retreat.

Everything serves to further.

The situation is unequivocal. Inner detachment has become an established fact, and we are at liberty to depart. When one sees the way ahead thus clearly, free of all doubt, a cheerful mood sets in, and one chooses what is right without further thought. Such a dear path ahead always leads to the good.

4) THE MOVING HEXAGRAM

HEXAGRAM 39 – Chien - Obstruction

The hexagram pictures a dangerous abyss lying before us and a steep, inaccessible mountain rising behind us. We are surrounded by obstacles; at the same time, since the mountain has the attribute of keeping still, there is implicit a hint as to how we can extricate ourselves. The hexagram represents obstructions that appear in the course of time but that can and should be overcome. Therefore all the instruction given is directed to overcoming them.

THE JUDGMENT

OBSTRUCCION.

The southwest furthers.

The northeast does not further.

It furthers one to see the great man.

Perseverance brings good fortune.

The southwest is the region of retreat, the northeast that of advance. Here an individual is confronted by obstacles that cannot be overcome directly. In such a situation it is wise to pause in view of the danger and to retreat. However, this is merely a preparation for overcoming the obstructions. One must join forces with friends of like mind and put himself under the leadership of a man equal to the situation: then one will succeed in removing the obstacles. This requires the will to persevere just when one apparently must do something that leads away from his goal. This unswerving inner purpose brings good fortune in the end. An obstruction that lasts only for a time is useful for self-development. This is the value of adversity.

THE IMAGE

Water on the mountain:

The image of OBSTRUCTION.

Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself

And molds his character.

Difficulties and obstructions throw a man back upon himself. While the inferior man seeks to put the blame on other persons, bewailing his fate, the superior man seeks the error within himself, and through this introspection the external obstacle becomes for him an occasion for inner enrichment and education.

Symantec Corporation SYMC under CEO Enrique T. Salem

Enrique T. Salem’s Performance: ROI= 0.85% Annualized Return= 0.36%

SPY’s Performance: ROI= 38.96% Annualized Return= 14.76%

Enrique T. Salem became CEO of Symantec Corporation in April of 2009. Since then, his performance has been poor compared to the SPY’s which points to the difficulties of the 1^st line. However, he has two relatively positive lines which should favor him going forward. The Moving hexagram is also positive.

Points the investor should consider:

1) THE HEXAGRAM

(Same as Above).

2) THE ADVICE

(Same as Above).

3) THE LINES:

Six in the second place means:

He holds him fast with yellow oxhide.

No one can tear him loose.

Nine in the fourth place means:

Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man

And downfall to the inferior man.

0 Nine in the fifth place means:

Friendly retreat.

Perseverance brings good fortune.

Nine at the top means:

Cheerful retreat.

Everything serves to further.

4) THE MOVING HEXAGRAM

Hexagram 46 – Sheng - Pushing Upward

The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K'un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood in the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent - direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.

THE JUDGMENT

PUSHING UPWARD

Has supreme success.

One must see the great man.

Fear not.

Departure toward the south

Brings good fortune.

The pushing upward of the good elements encounters no obstruction and is therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured. But he must set to work, for activity (this is the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.

THE IMAGE

Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD.

Thus the superior man of devoted character

Heaps up small things

In order to achieve something high and great.

Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.