Hexagram 5: Waiting (Sü) – I Ching (Wilhelm)

Hexagram

5. Waiting · Sü

Structure of the sign

All beings require nourishment from above. But the bestowal of food has its appointed time, which one must await. The sign shows clouds in the heavens that yield rain, gladdening all growing things and providing man with food and drink. This rain will come in its own time. It cannot be forced; one must wait for it. The idea of waiting is further suggested by the attributes of the two primary trigrams: strength within, danger before it. Strength faced with danger does not plunge forward recklessly, but is able to wait, whereas weakness in the face of danger falls into agitation and lacks the patience to wait.

The Judgment

Waiting. If you are sincere, you have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. Waiting is not an empty hoping. It possesses the inner certainty of reaching its goal. Only this inner certainty bestows the light that alone leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune and imparts the strength to cross the great water. A danger lies ahead that must be overcome. Weakness and impatience accomplish nothing. Only he who is strong masters his fate, for by virtue of inner security he can endure. This strength reveals itself in unyielding sincerity. Only when one is able to look things as they are in the face, without any self-deception or illusion, does a light evolve from events that makes the way to success visible. Upon this insight must follow resolute, persevering action; for only when one goes to meet his fate with determination does he master it. Then one can cross the great water, that is, resolve upon the decision and endure the danger.

The Image

Clouds rise up into the heavens: the image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, and is joyous and of good cheer. When clouds rise in the heavens, it is a sign that it will rain. There is then nothing further to be done than to wait until the rain falls. So it is also in life when a destiny is preparing itself. As long as the time is not yet fulfilled, one should not worry and seek to shape the future by one's own contriving and intervention, but quietly gather strength through food and drink for the body, and through serenity and good cheer for the spirit. Destiny comes entirely of itself, and then one is ready.

The lines

Line 1

Waiting on the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame. The danger is still distant. One is still waiting on a wide plain. Circumstances are still simple. There is merely something in the air that is to come. It is therefore necessary to maintain the regularities of life as long as possible. Only thus does one preserve oneself from too early a squandering of strength, remaining free from blame and error that would signify a weakening for later.

Line 2

Waiting on the sand. There is a little gossip. The end brings good fortune. The danger gradually draws nearer. The sand is close to the bank of the river, which signifies danger. Unfavorable circumstances begin to show themselves. In such a time a general restlessness easily arises. Mutual blame is cast. He who remains calm will succeed in bringing everything to a good end at last. All evil slander must finally fall silent if one does not grant it the favor of an offended reply.

Line 3

Waiting in the mud brings about the arrival of the enemy. The mud, already washed by the water of the river, is no favorable place for waiting. Instead of gathering strength to cross the water in one sweep, a premature rush was made, the force of which carries only as far as the mud. Such an unfavorable position attracts enemies from without, who naturally take advantage of the situation. Through seriousness and precaution alone is it possible to guard against injury.

Line 4

Waiting in blood. Out of the pit! The situation is extremely perilous. It has become deadly serious, a matter of life and death. Bloodshed is immediately to be expected. One can go neither forward nor backward. One is cut off as in a pit. It is now simply a matter of enduring and letting fate take its course. This quiet composure, which does not worsen the affliction through one's own action, is the only way to get out of the dangerous pit.

Line 5▶ ruling line

Waiting at wine and food. Perseverance brings good fortune. Even in the midst of danger there are pauses of rest when things go relatively well. If one possesses the right inner strength, one will turn the intervals of rest to account in order to fortify oneself for new struggle. One is able to enjoy the moment without allowing oneself to be diverted from the goal; for perseverance is required to remain victorious. It is so in public life as well. Not all things can be attained at once. It is supreme wisdom to grant people such periods of recreation, which revive the joy of labor toward the completion of the work. Here lies the secret of the entire hexagram. It is distinguished from the sign 'Obstruction' by the fact that in waiting one is sure of his cause, and therefore does not allow himself to be robbed of the calm of inner cheerfulness.

Line 6

One falls into the pit. There come three uninvited guests. Honor them, and in the end good fortune comes. The waiting is over: the danger can no longer be averted. One falls into the pit and must submit to the inevitable. Now everything seems to have been in vain. But precisely in this extremity an unforeseen turn occurs. From without, without one's own doing, an intervention takes place, concerning which one may at first be in doubt as to what it portends—whether rescue or destruction approaches. Here it is essential to remain inwardly pliant. Not a defiant, rejecting seclusion, but a reverent welcome of the new turn of events is the right course. Thus one ultimately emerges from the danger, and all goes well. Fortunate turns also frequently come in a guise that at first seems alien to us.

Below ☰ Heaven (Kien)

Direction: NW
Element: Heaven · Metal
Attributes: Creative · Strong · Untiring · Luminous
Family: Father

Above ☵ Water (Kan)

Direction: N
Element: Water · Moon
Attributes: Abysmal · Dangerous · Penetrating · Profound
Family: Middle Son