5. Xu | Waiting
- Line 1 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yin (broken)
需：有孚，光亨，贞吉。利涉大川。
Translation: 需 / Waiting: there is sincerity，光亨，uprightness is auspicious。it is beneficial to cross the great river。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Xu (Waiting), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “crossing the great river” suggests undertaking a difficult but meaningful passage; “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
初九：需于郊，利用恒，无咎。
Translation: First Nine: 需于郊，利用恒，no blame。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
九二：需于沙，小有言，终吉。
Translation: Second Nine: 需于沙，小有言，auspicious in the end。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
九三：需于泥，致寇至。
Translation: Third Nine: Draft rendering: 需于泥，致寇至。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
六四：需于血，出自穴。
Translation: Fourth Six: Draft rendering: 需于血，出自穴。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
九五：需于酒食，贞吉。
Translation: Fifth Nine: 需于酒食，uprightness is auspicious。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
上六：入于穴，有不速之客三人来，敬之终吉。
Translation: Top Six: 入于穴，有不速之客三人来，敬之auspicious in the end。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.