Wounded in the Thigh

Wings Lowered in Flight

"Darkening of the light in flight: he lowers his wings. The superior person goes three days without eating on the journey — but has somewhere to go. The host has cause to gossip."

The dark time strikes at the start of your effort, and the counsel is costly: lower your wings, withdraw from visible striving, and accept hunger rather than compromise. Hexagram 36 line 1 says don't strive from despair for visible gains. Keep the destination fixed and the pace invisible — gossip is the going rate for integrity in flight.

The Leader of the Darkness Captured

"Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. The great leader of the darkness is captured. But do not expect everything set right too soon."

In the middle of vigorous, honest effort, the very source of the trouble falls into your hands — the ringleader, outer or inner, captured almost by accident. Hexagram 36 line 3 says seize the gain, but don't expect instant repair. The habits of darkness outlive their chief; old patterns dissolve slowly, and patience with the mopping-up is part of the victory.

The Heart of the Darkness

"He penetrates the left side of the belly, reaches the very heart of the darkening — and leaves through gate and courtyard."

You've got close enough to the darkness to grasp its true nature — and the seeing is what licenses the leaving. Hexagram 36 line 4 says once you know the heart of the matter, it's beyond fixing from within. Examine honestly what's kept you here, then depart before the storm breaks — through the gate, openly and in good order.

The Perseverance of Prince Chi

"Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Steadfastness rewards."

This is the model for those who cannot leave. Hexagram 36 line 5 gives you Prince Chi — kinsman to the tyrant, trapped at the dark court itself — who feigned madness, accepted slavery, and never once let his inner light go out. When escape is impossible, the way is total: yield completely on the outside, stay invincible within. Steadfastness rewards.

Darkness at Its Zenith, and Falling

"Not light, but darkness. First it climbed to heaven; then it plunged into the depths of the earth."

This is the end of the dark power, written into its nature. Hexagram 36 line 6 shows the darkness that rose to heaven on the injury of the light now overreaching — stretched to its limit, the false dragon plunges into the depths. The climax is the hour before its collapse. Hold fast precisely now, when all seems lost.

A dark season for the heart — veil your light, don't extinguish it.

A hostile workplace season — veil your light, don't extinguish it.

A hostile season — veil the venture's light and outlast the dark.

A dark season at home — veil your light, don't extinguish it.

A dark financial season — protect quietly, keep your judgement, outlast it.

A dark season — veil your light outwardly, keep it whole within.

A dark stretch for the mind — veil your light, keep it.

A dark season for the work — veil your light, don't extinguish it.

A dark season — veil the light, persevere, and time your exit.

The wounded brightness — veil your light, never extinguish it.

A dark room — dim your light, never put it out.

A dark passage — veil your light, keep it whole, persevere.