Hexagram 21 changing to 25: Biting Through to Innocence

Where it starts: 21 Biting Through

An obstruction that must be bitten through: clear, firm, lawful action against what is in the way. Thunder below, fire above: lightning and thunder, clarity and force together. The image is of a mouth with something stuck in it that must be bitten through before the jaws can close. Biting Through describes an obstacle, often a person or a wrong, that cannot be talked around and must be dealt with decisively. The tradition's judgement is that it furthers to administer justice: to act with the clarity of lightning and the firmness of thunder, in proportion, under rule. The reading is favourable to firm action and it insists that the action be fair.

Where it goes: 25 Innocence

Acting without calculation: doing what is right because it is right, and accepting what comes. Thunder below, heaven above: movement in accord with heaven. Innocence describes action that springs from an honest nature rather than from scheming, and the tradition ties it to the unexpected: what comes to the person who acts without ulterior motive cannot be planned and is not always pleasant. The judgement promises great success with persistence, and warns that anyone not as they should be will meet misfortune. The reading asks for sincerity without agenda. It also says, in the lines, that undeserved misfortune can happen to the innocent, and that the right response is not to lose one's innocence over it.

The lines that move

1. Line 5

   Biting on dried lean meat, receiving yellow gold. Persistently aware of danger. No blame.

   The one with authority judging a difficult matter fairly, aware of the danger of both leniency and severity. Yellow is the colour of the mean, gold of firmness. Impartiality under pressure. Judge the matter fairly and firmly, and stay aware of how it could go wrong.

What is changing. The situation of Biting Through is moving toward Innocence. Identify the obstruction precisely and remove it with firm, fair, proportionate action. As the change completes: Act from honest motives without calculation, and take what comes without losing your integrity.

love and relationships

Now: Something is stuck between you and it will not clear on its own. Name it plainly and deal with it. Firmness here is kindness; the obstruction left in place poisons everything around it. Then: Act from what you honestly feel, without strategy. The reading favours the natural gesture and warns against managing the other person. Unexpected events, good and bad, come to those who are sincere; take them as they are.

career

Now: An obstacle, a wrong or a person who is blocking things, and the moment to act on it decisively. Be clear about the facts, proportionate in the response, and do not let it drag. Justice, not vengeance. Then: Do the work honestly, without positioning. The reading supports straightforward action and is suspicious of clever plans. If something undeserved happens, do not let it make you cynical; that would be the real loss.

money

Now: A dispute, a debt or a bad arrangement that needs resolving by firm action. Get the facts straight, act through proper channels, and bite through rather than nibbling. Then: Do not scheme. Honest dealing, straightforward work and acceptance of what comes. The reading warns against calculated moves and against reacting to a setback by abandoning your principles.

decisions

Now: Decide firmly and act. The reading supports the decisive option, and it conditions it on fairness and clarity: know exactly what the obstruction is before you bite. Then: Choose the option you would choose if no one were watching and nothing could be gained. If a decision requires cunning to work, the reading says it will not.