K'an / The Abysmal (Water)

above:K'an The Abysmal, Water
below:K'an The Abysmal, Water

The topmost [six], divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.

The case of the subject of line 6 is hopeless. When danger has reached its highest point, there he is, represented by a weak line, with no proper correlate below. The 'thicket of thorns' is taken as a metaphor for a prison; but if the expression has a history, I have been unable to find it.