Divination

You have to develop your whole game. — Isaiah Thomas

WEI CHI

Before Completion

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 this hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed.  The change is indeed prepared for.  The hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winter's stagnation into the fruitful time of summer.

THE JUDGMENT 

BEFORE COMPLETION.  Success.

But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,

Gets his tail in the water,

There is nothing that would further.

The conditions are difficult.  The task is great and full of responsibility.  It is nothing less than leading the world out of confusion back to order.  But it is a task that promises success because there is a goal that can unite the forces tending in different direction.  At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice.  The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China.  His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice as her carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots.  A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happens that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water.  Then of course his effort has been all in vain.  Accordingly , in times "before completion," deliberation and caution are the prerequisite of success.

THE IMAGE

Fire over water:

The image of THE ARMY.

The image of the condition before transition.

Thus the superior man is careful

In the differentiation of things,

So that each finds its place.

When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effect take opposite directions and remain unrelated.  If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place.  If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved.  But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work corrcctly.

THE LINES

Six in the third place means:

Before completion, attack brings misfortune.

It furthers one to cross the great water.

The time of transiion has arrived, but one lacks the strength to complete the transition.  if one should attempt to force it, disaster would result, because collapse would then be unavoidable.  What is to be done?  A new situation must be created; one must engage the energy of able helpers and in this fellowship take the decisive step-cross the great water.  Then completion will become possible.

 (See below for the specific line’s significance and how to interpret it.) 

SIGNIFICANCE OF SPECIFIC LINES DETERMINES 

ITS STATUS AND FUNCTION IN A HEXAGRAM

LINE 3

Lines three and four are of the human domain.  

Line three represents the feudal lord, i.e., the duke.   

In present times, it is interpreted as a civilian leader. 

The line is at a position full of ill omens, but it teems with ambition and is very active.

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