Last time, we looked at a hexagram that was all yin lines, except one -- the fifth line, the "head" line, was yang. Energy at the head is a good thing, and that was a particularly favorable ("lucky" isn't quite the word) hexagram. This time, we've got a hexagram that's all energy -- all yang lines -- except one, the fourth line. The "heart" line is yin. So... is this a receptive heart in the middle of brash, ascending energy? Or is a sinking heart overwhelmed by chaotic moving forces?

The name, Little Gathering, could go either way. The trigrams, gentle sun, or "wind," over radiant qian, or "heaven" give a little more of a hint. Let's see what the book says.

The verses for the Judgement and the Image play off the idea of the gentle wind blowing clouds across an otherwise clear expanse, while the verses for the Lines describe a man facing various obstacles on the way to his goal. It appears that this hexagram describes how little things can hold you back -- that one weak line is keeping us from heavenly perfection.

So, how does the wise person deal with that one flaw -- the fleck of spinach on the supermodel's teeth, or the hairline crack in the heirloom china? The Image tells us that when you see clouds overhead, this is the time to make superficial changes in yourself:

...the superior man
Refines the outward aspect of his nature.

As Wilhelm explains:

The wind can indeed drive the clouds together in the sky; yet, being nothing but air, without solid body, it does not produce great or lasting effects. So also an individual, in times when he can produce no great effect in the outer world, can do nothing except refine the expression of his nature in small ways.

He also translates the name as "The Taming Power of the Small," so of course, for him, it's all about little things that keep big wheels humble.

Me, I'm more interested in the line commentaries. We start with a couple reminders that when you're trying to get somewhere and you find the way is blocked, it's usually a good idea to back up and try to go another way. The first two (bottom two) lines depict a strong man retreating from an obstacle, while the third line will be "broken" (remember, the individual line verses only come into play with changing lines, in this case, a yang line becoming yin line) like a wagon wheel's spokes when forced to go over too big a bump.

The fourth line is interesting, lauding the virtue of a counselor (like an imperial advisor, say) who manages to keep his commander (in this case, an angry emperor) from doing whatever it is he really wants to do but shouldn't. By acting with wisdom and prudence in this situation, you're beyond harm or blame. In other words,

If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way.
No blame.

The fifth line continues this theme, emphasizing the importance of loyalty -- the devotion of a lesser person to a superior, and the trustworthiness a superior displays to a subordinate. What does this have to do with overcoming obstacles?

The sixth line brings them together -- success that comes not through one big push, but through the accumulation of lots of little things... little things that happen as the result of admiration for a greater character.

Cleaning the spinach out of your own teeth. Polishing your discount flatware. And most of all, being content with where you are, and not trying to venture any farther than you're able.

As Wilhelm warns:

But a success thus secured bit by bit calls for great caution.... The dark power in the moon is strongest when the moon is almost full. When it is full and directly opposite the sun, its waning is inevitable. Under such circumstances one must be content with what has been achieved. To advance any further, before the appropriate time has come, would lead to misfortune.

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_{I'm using the Wilhelm/Baynes translation from the comprehensive Wengu collection or the user-friendly Eclectic Energies site. Feel like going deeper? Check out Hong Kong's Taoist Culture & Information Centre's I Ching page, and the essays & reviews on Ma Xia's Yijing Page}