Hexagram 26: Great Taming
Great accumulation, restraint of power
| Chinese | 大畜 (Dà Chù) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☶ Mountain — Keeping Still (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Heaven — The Creative (Metal) |
| Keywords | accumulation, restraint, wisdom, power |
| Opposite | Hexagram 45: Gathering Together |
| Inverted | Hexagram 25: Innocence |
What does Hexagram 26 (Great Taming) mean?
Great Taming 大畜 (Dà Chù) is hexagram 26 of the I Ching, formed by Mountain (Keeping Still) over Heaven (The Creative). Its theme is great accumulation, restraint of power, with key ideas of accumulation, restraint, wisdom, power. The Judgment reads: “The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.”
The Judgment of Great Taming
The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.
The Image of Great Taming
Heaven within the mountain.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 26
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist.”
Recognise the restraining force and do not press against it. Voluntary stopping averts a forced halt.
Nine in the second place
“The axletrees are taken from the wagon.”
The means of forward movement are removed; one cannot proceed. Accept the halt gracefully rather than straining in vain.
Nine in the third place
“A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, with perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.”
Disciplined practice during the period of restraint prepares one for the moment of release. Use constraint as training time.
Six in the fourth place
“The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.”
Controlling the impulse before it fully develops is the most effective and least costly form of restraint.
Six in the fifth place
“The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune.”
Restraint that removes the source of danger rather than merely containing it achieves lasting security.
Nine at the top
“One attains the way of heaven. Success.”
The period of accumulation and restraint reaches its completion; the stored energy is released in alignment with natural order.
Will Great Taming answer your question?
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