ChineseStudy

5. Xu | Waiting

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English translation

Xu / Waiting: There is sincere trust, and matters proceed smoothly with clarity. Keeping to what is right is fortunate, and a major crossing is possible.

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.

First Nine: Wait outside the settlements; persistence is the right course. No blame results.

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.

Second Nine: waiting on the sand, there are small words of blame, auspicious in the end.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Third Nine: waiting in the mud, bringing robbers near.

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.

Fourth Six: waiting amid blood, coming out from the cave.

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.

Fifth Nine: waiting with wine and food, uprightness is auspicious.

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.

Top Six: Retreat into the hollow, and three uninvited guests will arrive; receive them with reverence. The outcome is ultimately fortunate.

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.

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