P'i / Standstill [Stagnation]
above: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
below: K'un The Receptive, Earth
Nine at the top means:
The standstill comes to an end.
First standstill, then good fortune.
The standstill does not last forever. However, it does not cease of its
own accord; the right man is needed to end it. This is the difference
between a state of peace and a state of stagnation. Continuous effort
is necessary to maintain peace: left to itself it would change into
stagnation and disintegration. The time of disintegration, however,
does not change back automatically to a condition of peace and
prosperity; effort must be put forth in order to end it. This shows the
creative attitude that man must take if the world is to be put in
order.