9. Hsiao Ch'u / Gentle Restraint
(Wind above Heaven)
Description
Winds of change high in the Heavens:
Air currents carry the weather.
Dense clouds blow in from the West, but still no rain.
The Superior Person fine tunes the image he presents to the world.
Small successes.
Analysis
No matter what you do, the fruit of your labors never seems to ripen.
Your reward remains just out of reach.
Men have gone mad from such anticipation.
Don't lose your balance lunging for the brass ring.
While the Fates continue to restrain you, go them one better and display a self-generated restraint and grace.
Look for the humor in the situation.
Changing Lines
Line 1
He turns back to his proper course.
No harm done.
In fact, good fortune comes of this return.
Line 2
He lets himself be drawn back.
Good fortune.
Line 3
The spokes burst out of a wagon wheel, stopping the couple's journey.
The man and wife waste time and energy blaming each other, causing major damage to their love instead of fixing the minor damage to the wagon.
Line 4
By gaining confidence, the man keeps control of the conflict, avoiding the blood that could be spilled by fear.
No mistakes.
Line 5
His sincerity is the cord that binds the hearts of others to his.
He holds wealth who holds the hearts of others.
Line 6
The needed rain finally pours down, bringing a well-earned time of rest.
It is Nature's time to enrich the crops, so leave it to her.
To work the fields in the rain and mud would only undo all good effort.
Do not seek more; the gibbous moon seeks to be full, but once full can do nothing but wane.