Twenty-Ninth Hexagram : The Wisdom of The Abysmal

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-ninth hexagram of the I Ching, Kan (坎), which symbolizes 'The Abysmal' or 'The Repeating Pit'. It represents water over water, like falling into repeated perils of the abyss, emphasizing facing danger with sincerity, holding the heart fast, and navigating challenges without recklessness for success and honor. The hexagram statement is: "Kan: The Abysmal (Water). If sincerity, then success from the heart. Action brings honor."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Repeating Abyss, Trials of the Heart'

Once upon a time, in a treacherous gorge where waters plunged over more waters, creating endless abysses, a determined traveler sought to cross the perilous ravine, guided by sincerity that would bring success from the heart, with action earning honor. At the outset, by repeating the abysmal path without learning, he fell into a pit, misfortune deepening his trap as he failed to adapt.

The abyss proved dangerous with sheer walls; he strove for small gains only, seeking modest progress to navigate the peril.

Forward and backward, abyss on abyss surrounded him in danger; he paused and clung to a rock to avoid falling into the pit, waiting without acting rashly.

Trapped in the abyss, a jug of wine and bowl of rice were handed through the window with earthen vessels; no blame in accepting this simple sustenance to endure.

The abyss did not overflow, filled only to the rim; no blame as the danger crested and began to recede, returning to normalcy.

Bound with cords and ropes in a thorny prison of illusions, for three years he gained nothing, misfortune from the entrapment until he dispersed the delusions to escape.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

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First Line (Initial Six): Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.

This line warns of repeating perilous patterns without change, leading to deeper traps and ill fortune. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, by repeating the abysmal path without learning, he fell into a pit, misfortune deepening his trap as he failed to adapt." This symbolizes the danger of habitual errors compounding peril. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram first line: "Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to attain small things only.

This line advises modest goals in danger to make gradual progress. Matching part in the tale: "The abyss proved dangerous with sheer walls; he strove for small gains only, seeking modest progress to navigate the peril." Modest strides navigate. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram second line: "The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to attain small things only."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing abyss dangerous striving for small things only, representing Kan hexagram second line: gradual progress, sheer walls scene with water water, earthy tones with subtle yellows for modest gains."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): Forward and backward, abyss on abyss. In danger like this, pause at first and wait, Otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss. Do not act in this way.

This line cautions patience amid repeated dangers to avoid falling further. Matching part in the tale: "Forward and backward, abyss on abyss surrounded him in danger; he paused and clung to a rock to avoid falling into the pit, waiting without acting rashly." Pause prevents fall. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram third line: "Forward and backward, abyss on abyss. In danger like this, pause at first and wait, Otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss. Do not act in this way."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating forward backward abyss on abyss pausing to wait avoiding pit, embodying Kan hexagram third line: patient caution, repeated danger scene with water water, muted browns and reds for waiting."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it; Earthen vessels simply handed in through the window. There is certainly no blame in this.

This line suggests accepting simple help in peril blamelessly to endure. Matching part in the tale: "Trapped in the abyss, a jug of wine and bowl of rice were handed through the window with earthen vessels; no blame in accepting this sustenance to endure." Simple aid endures. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram fourth line: "A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it; Earthen vessels simply handed in through the window. There is certainly no blame in this."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying jug wine bowl rice through window no blame in trap, symbolizing Kan hexagram fourth line: enduring sustenance, trapped abyss scene with water water, serene greens and golds for acceptance."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): The abyss is not filled to overflowing, It is filled only to the rim. No blame.

This line indicates danger cresting without overflow, blameless as it recedes naturally. Matching part in the tale: "The abyss was not overflowing, filled only to the rim; no blame as the danger passed, and the situation returned to normal." Cresting danger recedes. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram fifth line: "The abyss is not filled to overflowing, It is filled only to the rim. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing abyss filled to rim no blame danger passing, representing Kan hexagram fifth line: receding normalcy, rim scene with water water, vibrant yellows and blues for crest."

Top Line (Six at the Top): Bound with cords and ropes, Shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.

This line warns of being trapped by illusions for a long period, leading to misfortune until freed. Matching part in the tale: "Bound with cords and ropes in a thorny prison of illusions, for three years he gained nothing, misfortune from the entrapment until he dispersed the delusions to escape." Illusory trap misfortunes. Annotation: I Ching Kan hexagram top line: "Bound with cords and ropes, Shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting bound in thorny prison three years misfortune from illusions, symbolizing Kan hexagram sixth line: trapped delusions, prison scene with water water, dark purples and grays for entrapment."

This blog should make the six lines of Kan hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~