45. Gathering Together

The two trigrams

above

☱

The Lake

兌 · duì

gathered water, as in a marsh or lake

below

☷

Earth

坤 · kūn

the earth

The Judgement

This is the hexagram of gathering, of coming together: people assembling around a centre, a family reuniting, a team pulling together, a community closing ranks around the one who leads it. The old text describes the king repairing to his ancestral temple: before every great gathering, the one who leads reconnects with their roots, with what gives meaning to being together. Then it says it will be advantageous to meet the great man, and that then there will be progress and success, provided the advantage comes through firm correctness. It adds that the use of great victims will bring good fortune, that is, in a moment of union one must not be stingy: one invests generously in what holds people together. And it concludes that in whatever direction one moves, it will be advantageous. If in this period you find yourself organising, gathering, acting as the glue, it is the right moment. The practical advice: before gathering others, be clear with yourself about why you are doing it and for what; then seek the support of an authoritative person, do not skimp on the things that matter, the celebration, the gift, the time devoted, and keep to correctness even when the group's enthusiasm might push toward cutting corners.

The Image

The image is the earth with the water of a lake above it, raised higher than the ground: water like this must be held in by banks and dykes, otherwise it disperses. The wise person, in accordance with this, keeps their weapons in good repair, to be ready for the unforeseen. It is not an invitation to war: it is the good sense of someone who knows that, when many people gather, friction can arise inside and envy outside, and that the union must be protected. In practice, if you are building a group, an extended family, an association, also lay down the rules for the hard moments: who decides in case of disagreement, how money is handled, what to do if someone wants to leave. The advice: build the banks while the lake is still calm.

First line

You have a sincere desire for union, but you cannot carry it out, and this brings confusion into your relationships: you would like to be with someone or within a group, but between you and that person there are obstacles, other presences, misunderstandings. The text says that if you cry out for help to the one who truly corresponds to you, all at once tears will give way to smiles. Do not mind the difficulty of the moment: going forward there will be no error. The advice: call the one who cares for you, say clearly that you need them, and let them come to meet you.

Second line

You are led forward by the one who corresponds to you: a person in a higher position encourages you and draws you in, and there will be good fortune and no error. Your sincerity is complete, and in that case even the small offerings of spring are acceptable: there is no need to bring great things to be welcomed into a group or a relationship, it is enough to be genuine. If you feel embarrassed because you can offer little, a small contribution, little time, a modest skill, do not hold back: give that little with your heart, and it is more than enough.

Third line

You strive after union and seem to sigh, but you find advantage nowhere: your neighbours do not take you in, and the one who would correspond to you is not your natural partner. And yet the desire is sincere. The text says that if you go forward you will not err, though some small regret will remain. The meaning is that sometimes you must accept a slightly marginal position in a group and still look for someone who shares the same wish to be together. The advice: do not force closed doors; knock on the one that opens, even if it is not the most comfortable.

Fourth line

You are in such a state that only if you are greatly fortunate will you receive no blame. You are strong, close to the one who leads, with a following and influence, but the position you occupy is not entirely yours and attracts suspicion: if your work does not produce an evident good for everyone, they will reproach you. If you are gathering support around yourself, in a company or a family, make sure it serves the group and not you. The advice: act transparently, account for what you do, and let the results speak.

Fifth line

Everyone gathers under you, who occupy the place of dignity: there is no error. But if some still do not have confidence in you, the text tells you what to do: see to it that your virtue be great, long-lasting and firmly correct, and every cause for regret will disappear. The trust of the doubtful is not won with promises, but with time and constancy. If you lead a group and feel that part of it follows you with reservations, do not chase them with flattery: be consistent day after day, and the doubts will dissolve.

Sixth line

You sigh and weep, but there will be no error. You have reached the end of the hexagram, in the highest but most isolated position: all the others have united around the one who leads, and you find yourself outside, without a partner who corresponds to you. Your sorrow is sincere, and this very feeling keeps you free from blame: you have not yet given up the desire to belong to the whole. If you feel excluded from a group or a family, do not hide your sadness; showing it with dignity is the first step toward being welcomed back.

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