23. Po / Splitting Apart
(Mountain above Earth)
Description
The weight of the Mountain presses down upon a weak foundation of Earth:
The Superior Person will use this time of oppression to attend to the needs of those less fortunate.
Any action would be ill-timed.
Stand fast.
Analysis
This is a situation easily mistaken for Stagnation (Hexagram 12) or Revolution (Hexagram 49).
It just depends on which side you're on.
During a time of Stagnation, human worms invade to feed on the decay.
During a time of Revolution, oppression is being overthrown.
But in this situation, oppressors are violently seizing power.
Pay special heed when you receive this hexagram, because the oracle is often warning you of a situation of which you are totally unaware.
You are about to be blindsided.
Changing Lines
Line 1
The legs of the throne are hacked away.
The loyal are cut down.
Line 2
The arms of the throne are split to kindling.
Those closest to the leader are slashed away.
Line 3
He moves among those who would overturn the throne.
Discretion and a true heart are the key to survival.
Line 4
The seat of the throne is ripped apart; the leader is falling.
Outrageous fortune.
Line 5
Others follow you like fish on a line.
The tide turns as you bring order from the chaos.
Line 6
Refusing fruit offered by the serpent, he gains a carriage when the snake swallows its own tail and the light is restored.