Hexagram 62 for decisions: Small Excess

小過 Xiǎo Guò · A decision

Choose the small, careful option and decline the large one. The reading is explicit: small things may be done, great things may not. Decide accordingly.

Mountain below, thunder above: thunder on the mountain, louder than in the sky and smaller in reach. Four yielding lines outweigh two strong ones. Small Excess describes a time when the small predominates and the correct response is to attend to small things with slightly more care than usual: more reverence in conduct, more grief in mourning, more thrift in spending. The tradition's judgement is that small things may be done and great things may not, and its image is the flying bird whose call should go downward, not up. The reading says this is not a time to attempt anything large or to fly high, and that success lies in modesty carried a little past the ordinary.

Advice: Do small things with extra care and stay low; this is not a time to fly high.
Warning: The bird that ignores the warning and flies too high in a time of the small is caught in the net.

The changing lines, read for decisions

If your cast of Hexagram 62 had changing lines, these are what each one adds to a decision question, and where each leads.

Line 1 · changes into 55 Abundance
The bird meets with misfortune through flying. Do not fly yet; the attempt itself is the misfortune.
Line 2 · changes into 32 Duration
She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame. Deal with whoever is available; do not insist on the top.
Line 3 · changes into 16 Enthusiasm
If one is not extremely careful, somebody may come up from behind and strike him. Misfortune. Take the precaution you would normally skip; this is not a normal time.
Line 4 · changes into 15 Modesty
No blame. He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. Do not act. Be constantly persistent. Meet the situation without forcing it; stay on guard, do not act.
Line 5 · changes into 31 Influence
Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave. The help you need has withdrawn; seek it out where it is hiding.
Line 6 · changes into 56 The Wanderer
He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. This means bad luck and injury. You have overshot; the bird is gone. Come down at once.

Hexagram 62 in full Love & relationships Career Money

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