34. Ta Chuang / Awesome Power
(Thunder above Heaven)
Description
Thunder fills the Heavens with its awful roar, not out of pride, but with integrity; if it did less, it would not be Thunder:
Because of his Great Power, the Superior Person takes pains not to overstep his position, so that he will not seem intimidating or threatening to the Established Order.
Opportunity will arise along this course.
Analysis
The Awesome Power available in this hexagram stems from what the Taoists call your Te, a term not perfectly translated into English.
Roughly, it is your Integrity -- not in the Western sense of honor -- but more in the psychological definition of a full integration of Who You Are.
This Awesome Power is achieved only by fully embracing both the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the masculine and the feminine -- all polarities within you.
Such self-knowledge spawns a Mastery tempered with the humility necessary to rein in and harness this Awesome Power.
Changing Lines
Line 1
He uses all his remaining strength to stamp his hoof and paw the ground.
If his bluff is called, it will bring misfortune.
Line 2
Good fortune ahead if you stay on course.
Line 3
The inferior person throws all his energy toward his goal.
The Superior Person makes conserving energy his goal.
The ram butts into a hedge, entangling his horns.
Line 4
Entanglements loosen, and a way opens through the wall that has blocked you.
The opening is narrow and must be navigated with the greatest caution, or you will be stopped dead in your tracks again.
Line 5
There are no threats left before you.
You may set your ram free without regret.
Line 6
If the ram butts into the hedge, the entangling thorns will prevent both advance and retreat.
It is best to recognize this danger and avoid it.