9. Xiao Xu | Small Taming
- 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): yang (unbroken)
小畜：亨。密云不雨，自我西郊。
Translation: 小畜 / Small Taming: Draft rendering: 亨。密云不雨，自我西郊。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Xiao Xu (Small Taming), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
初九：复自道，何其咎，吉。
Translation: First Nine: 复自道，何其咎，auspicious。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
九二：牵复，吉。
Translation: Second Nine: 牵复，auspicious。.
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：舆说辐，夫妻反目。
Translation: Third Nine: Draft rendering: 舆说辐，夫妻反目。.
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：有孚，血去惕出，无咎。
Translation: Fourth Six: there is sincerity，血去惕出，no blame。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
九五：有孚挛如，富以其邻。
Translation: Fifth Nine: there is sincerity挛如，富以其邻。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence.
上九：既雨既处，尚德载。妇，贞厉。月几望，君子征凶。
Translation: Top Nine: 既雨既处，尚德载。妇，uprightness still requires vigilance。the moon is nearly full，君子征misfortune。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk; “danger” calls for vigilance.