Forty-Second Hexagram : The Wisdom of Increase

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the forty-second hexagram of the I Ching, Yi (益), which symbolizes 'Increase'. It represents wind over thunder, like gentle winds enhancing thunder's power to foster growth, emphasizing expansion, abundance, and the beneficial flow from higher to lower. The hexagram statement is: "Increase. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water."

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 Gentle Gale, Thunder's Growth'

Once upon a time, in a kingdom where gentle winds amplified distant thunder, fostering increase across the realm, a wise ruler sought to expand prosperity by undertaking great ventures and crossing metaphorical waters of challenge. At the outset, going ahead in expansion brought misfortune, nothing furthering his rash plans without preparation.

Someone increased him with ten pairs of tortoises that could not be opposed; constant perseverance brought good fortune as the king presented him before God, blessing his growth.

He was enriched through misfortune, no blame in being sincere as he walked the middle path to recovery.

Walking in the middle while abiding by rules brought favor; he could move the capital city, sharing the increase wisely.

If the heart was true, no need to ask; supreme good fortune came from kindness as a virtue in his benevolent rule.

Increasing no one and therefore reprimanded, his heart was not steady, leading to difficult beginnings in his unbalanced expansion.

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 Nine): Going ahead brings misfortune. Nothing furthers.

This line warns of premature expansion leading to failure without benefit. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, going ahead in expansion brought misfortune, nothing furthering his rash plans without preparation." This part illustrates avoiding hasty actions in growth. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram first line: One is in a position to accomplish something great = supreme good fortune.

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): Someone does indeed increase him; Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.

This line represents unopposable increase through perseverance and divine blessing. Matching part in the tale: "Someone increased him with ten pairs of tortoises that could not be opposed; constant perseverance brought good fortune as the king presented him before God, blessing his growth." Unopposable blessing perseveres. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram second line: Someone does indeed increase him; Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing someone increase ten tortoises oppose perseverance good fortune king God, representing Yi hexagram second line: divine blessing, tortoise presentation scene thunder wind, earthy tones with golden highlights for unopposable."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): Enriched through misfortune, no blame in being sincere = walk the middle path.

This line suggests gaining from adversity blamelessly through sincerity and balance. Matching part in the tale: "He was enriched through misfortune, no blame in being sincere as he walked the middle path to recovery." Adversity enriches sincerely. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram third line: Enriched through misfortune, no blame in being sincere = walk the middle path.

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating enriched misfortune no blame sincere middle path recovery, embodying Yi hexagram third line: sincere gain, middle path scene wind thunder, muted browns and greens for adversity."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): Walking in the middle while abiding by rules brings favor = one can move the capital city.

This line indicates central balanced action leading to favor and beneficial change. Matching part in the tale: "Walking in the middle while abiding by rules brought favor; he could move the capital city, sharing the increase wisely." Balanced rules favor. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram fourth line: Walking in the middle while abiding by rules brings favor = one can move the capital city.

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying walking middle abiding rules favor move capital share wisely, symbolizing Yi hexagram fourth line: beneficial change, capital move scene thunder wind, serene blues and golds for balance."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): If the heart is true, no need to ask = supreme good fortune from kindness as a virtue.

This line emphasizes true heart leading to supreme fortune through kindness. Matching part in the tale: "If the heart was true, no need to ask; supreme good fortune came from kindness as a virtue in his benevolent rule." True heart kindens. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram fifth line: If the heart is true, no need to ask = supreme good fortune from kindness as a virtue.

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text in English, showing heart true no ask supreme good fortune kindness virtue benevolent rule, representing Yi hexagram fifth line: kind fortune, benevolent scene wind thunder, vibrant purples and yellows for truth."

Top Line (Six at the Top): Increasing no one and therefore reprimanded = one’s heart is not steady.

This line warns of unbalanced increase benefiting no one due to unsteadiness. Matching part in the tale: "Increasing no one and therefore reprimanded, his heart was not steady, leading to difficult beginnings in his unbalanced expansion." Unsteady increase unbalances. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram top line: Increasing no one and therefore reprimanded = one’s heart is not steady.

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting increasing no one reprimanded heart not steady difficult beginnings unbalanced, symbolizing Yi hexagram sixth line: unsteady failure, unbalanced scene thunder wind, dark grays and reds for reprimand."

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