Hexagram 9: Small Taming
Gentle restraint, small accumulations
| Chinese | 小畜 (Xiǎo Chù) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☴ Wind — The Gentle (Wood) |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Heaven — The Creative (Metal) |
| Keywords | restraint, patience, accumulation, gentleness |
| Opposite | Hexagram 16: Enthusiasm |
| Inverted | Hexagram 10: Treading |
What does Hexagram 9 (Small Taming) mean?
Small Taming 小畜 (Xiǎo Chù) is hexagram 9 of the I Ching, formed by Wind (The Gentle) over Heaven (The Creative). Its theme is gentle restraint, small accumulations, with key ideas of restraint, patience, accumulation, gentleness. The Judgment reads: “The Taming Power of the Small has success.”
The Judgment of Small Taming
The Taming Power of the Small has success.
The Image of Small Taming
The wind drives across heaven.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 9
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“Return to the way — how could there be blame in this? Good fortune.”
Returning to the right path after a small detour brings no shame and only benefit.
Nine in the second place
“He allows himself to be drawn back. Good fortune.”
Accepting gentle guidance and yielding to appropriate restraint leads to success.
Nine in the third place
“The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes.”
Forcing ahead despite small but real obstacles results in breakdown and discord. Pause before the mechanism fails entirely.
Six in the fourth place
“If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way. No blame.”
Authentic sincerity dissolves apparent dangers. Inner truth is the best protection in tense situations.
Nine in the fifth place
“If you are sincere and loyally attached, you are rich in your neighbor.”
Genuine goodwill shared with those nearby multiplies abundance for all. Loyalty and trust create collective wealth.
Nine at the top
“The rain comes; there is rest. This is due to the lasting effect of character. Perseverance brings the woman into danger. The moon is nearly full. If the superior man persists, misfortune comes.”
The task of gentle restraint reaches its natural limit; pushing further inverts the good already achieved. Know when the work is done.
Will Small Taming answer your question?
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