P'i / Standstill [Stagnation]
above: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
below: K'un The Receptive, Earth
This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above,
drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther
into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time
of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh
month (August-
September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is
setting in.
The Judgement
STANDSTILL. Evil people do not further
The perseverance of the superior man.
The great departs; the small approaches.
Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What
is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and
disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without.
Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and
without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent; the
way of superior people is one the decline. But the superior people do
not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the
possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless
remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.
The Image
Heaven and earth do not unite:
The image of STANDSTILL.
Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth
In order to escape the difficulties.
He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.
When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails
in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the
fundaments are wrong. Therefore the superior man knows what he must do
under such circumstances; he does not allow himself to be tempted by
dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only
expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the
others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.