Darkening of the Light (36)

6
5
4
3
2
1

The Judgement

DARKENING OF THE LIGHT.  In adversity
It furthers one to be persevering.

The Image

The light has sunk into the earth:
The image of DARKENING OF THE LIGHT.
Thus does the superior man live with the great mass:
He veils his light, yet still shines.

Line Poems

  • 6 - Not light but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, Then he plunged into the depths of the earth.
  • 5 - Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers.
  • 4 - He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light, And leaves gate and courtyard.
  • 3 - Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too soon.
  • 2 - Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
  • 1 - Darkening of the light during flight. He lowers his wings. The superior man does not eat for three days On his wanderings. But he has somewhere to go. The host has occasion to gossip about him.

Commentary

Here the sun has sunk under the earth and is therefore darkened. 
The name of the hexagram means literally “wounding of the bright”; hence the individual lines contain frequent references to wounding. 
The situation is the exact opposite of that in the foregoing hexagram. 
In the latter a wise man at the head of affairs has able helpers, and in company with them makes progress; here a man of dark nature is in a position of authority and brings harm to the wise and able man.
Code Incarnate