above Sun, the Gentle, wind · below Dschen, the Arousing, thunder
This sign shows a time of growth in which a great deal succeeds. Make use of this time while it is here, because it will not last; even difficult things succeed now. The Image shows how you yourself can grow: copy the good you see in others, and cast off the faults you notice in yourself. That is the most important increase of all. Take on what you have been meaning to do for a long time, and try out the good things you see in others straight away. Don’t let this favourable time slip by unused.
What good have you seen in someone else that you could start practising yourself now?
The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the lowest line of the upper half-sign, a strong one, has come down and placed itself beneath the lower half-sign. This conception, too, gives expression to the basic idea of the Book of Changes. True rule must be service. A sacrifice by the higher that brings about an increase of the lower is called increase pure and simple, so as to point to the spirit that alone is able to help the world.
Some old words keep coming back in Wilhelm’s sayings:
Increase. It is favourable to undertake something.It is favourable to cross the great water.
Through the sacrifice made from above for the increase of what is below, a mood of joy and gratitude arises among the people, and this is of the greatest value for the flourishing of the commonwealth. When people are devoted to their leaders in this way, something can be undertaken, and even difficult and dangerous things will succeed. In such rising times, whose course is accompanied by success, it is therefore important to work and to make full use of the time. This time is like the time when heaven and earth are wedded, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven and then shapes living beings and brings them into being. The time of increase does not last; therefore it must be used while it is here.
Wind and thunder: the image of increase.Thus the noble one: if he sees good, he copies it;if he has faults, he casts them off.
By observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each other, one learns the way to one’s own increase and betterment. If one discovers something good in others, one should copy it and so make all the good on earth one’s own. If one sees something bad in oneself, one should cast it off. In this way one becomes free of evil. This ethical change is the most important increase of the personality.
Wilhelm placed the signs ○ and □ after certain lines (p. 334 f.). They mark the rulers of the hexagram. □ stands by the constituting ruler: the line that gives the hexagram its meaning, however high it stands and whatever its character. ○ stands by the governing ruler. It is always of good character and becomes ruler through the meaning of the time and its position, usually in the fifth place. Where a line is both, it carries ○.
It is favourable to accomplish great deeds.Supreme good fortune! No blame.
When strong support comes from above, the added strength should go into something great that you would otherwise never have dared. Use this backing for a venture that reaches beyond your own advantage. If you stay free of selfishness as you do so, you do a great deal of good; that turns out very well.
When one receives great support from above, one must use the strength thus gained to achieve something great, for which one might otherwise have found neither the strength nor the willingness to bear responsibility. Because one is free of selfishness, great good fortune is brought about, and by bringing about great good fortune one remains free of reproach.
Someone surely increases him.Ten pairs of tortoises cannot stand against it.Constant perseverance brings good fortune.The king presents him before God. Good fortune!
This is an increase that comes from within: from the readiness to take something in and from a love of the good. Nothing that grows this way can be stopped by chance. Don’t let unexpected good fortune make you careless; make it your own through inner strength and steadiness, and it turns out well and lets you do a great deal of good.
Real increase comes when one creates the conditions for it within oneself: receptiveness and love of the good. Then what one strives for comes of its own accord, with the necessity of a law of nature. Where increase is in harmony with the highest laws of the world in this way, no constellation of chance events can prevent it. But everything depends on not letting unexpected good fortune make one careless, and on making it one’s own through inner strength and steadfastness. Then one gains standing before God and men and can accomplish something for the good of the world.
One is increased through unfortunate events.No blame, if you are truthfuland walk in the middleand report to the prince with a seal.
In a time of blessing, even bad events can turn to good in the end. If you stay truthful and keep to the right measure, it is not a mistake. Whoever acts in keeping with the truth in this way gains an inner authority, as if it had been confirmed under hand and seal.
A time of blessing and enrichment is so strong in its effect that even events which would otherwise be unfortunate must turn to the good of those they befall. They become free of faults and, by acting in accordance with the truth, gain such inner authority that they exert influence as though they had been confirmed under hand and seal.
If you walk in the middleand report to the prince,he will follow.It is favourable to be usedin moving the capital.
This line describes someone who mediates between those who decide and those who are affected. If you are in such a role, keep nothing back for yourself and make sure the benefit reaches the people it is meant for. Such a person matters most in times of great change that need everyone’s consent.
It is important that there should be people who mediate between leaders and led. They must be unselfish personalities, especially in times of increase, when benefit is meant to flow from the leader to the people. Nothing of the blessing may be selfishly held back; it must truly reach those for whom it is intended. Such a mediating personality, who also has a good influence on the leader, is especially important at times when great undertakings are at stake that will decide the future and need the inner consent of all concerned.
If you truly have a kind heart,do not ask. Supreme good fortune!Truly, kindness will be recognised as your virtue.
Real kindness does not calculate, nor does it ask whether the other person deserves it or will be grateful. Do good because it comes from within you, and leave the question of reward aside. A heart like that is recognised in time, and its good influence spreads unhindered; that turns out very well.
Real kindness does not calculate, nor does it concern itself with worthiness or gratitude; it acts out of inner necessity. Such a truly kind heart also finds itself rewarded by being recognised, and so its beneficent influence will spread unhindered.
He brings increase to no one.Someone may even strike him.He does not hold his heart firm for long. Misfortune!
Whoever gives nothing to anyone, though able to spare something, loses the support of others too, soon stands alone and draws attacks on themselves. That turns out badly. Share what you have, stay steady in your conduct, and strengthen your relationships before you ask for anything yourself.
The meaning of the situation is that those above should increase those below by renunciation. If one neglects this duty and benefits no one, one also withdraws from the helpful influence of others and soon finds oneself alone. In this way one draws attacks upon oneself. An attitude that is not constantly in harmony with the demands of the time must bring misfortune.
Confucius says of this line: ‘The noble one settles himself before he moves; he collects his mind before he speaks; he consolidates his relationships before he asks for anything. By setting these three things in order, the noble one is entirely secure. But if one moves abruptly, people will not go along. If one’s words are agitated, they find no echo among people. If one asks for something without first having established relationships, people will not give it. If no one is with one, those who would do harm draw near.’
Would you like to put your own question to the I Ching? Six throws of three coins, and the answer appears straight away.
Consult the I ChingTexts by Richard Wilhelm: I Ging. Das Buch der Wandlungen (first edition Jena 1924), translated into English by NUMEN COMPASS from the Diederichs edition, Munich 1996. Wilhelm’s German text is in the public domain. The section ‘What the hexagram says today’, the question for you and the short notes under the lines are our own reading. The I Ching is no substitute for medical, legal or psychological advice.