Hexagram 2 · Earth

Earth

Earth above · Earth below

Traditional palace notation: 坤宫 · 八纯卦

Earth gives things room to take shape. This hexagram considers the work of receiving, supporting and carrying through. Following a sound direction can be an active choice; dependable care does not require taking the lead in everything.

A question in mind. A moment to reflect.

Cast the coins rather than choosing a result.
Write one question, then cast three coins six times.

Cast coins

Hexagram text · Classical Chinese (untranslated)

坤:元亨。利牝马之贞。君子有攸往,先迷后得主。利西南得朋,东北丧朋。安贞,吉。

Tuan commentary · Classical Chinese

彖曰:至哉坤元,万物资生,乃顺承天。坤厚载物,德合无疆;含弘光大,品物咸亨。牝马地类,行地无疆,柔顺利贞。君子攸行,先迷失道,后顺得常。西南得朋,乃与类行,东北丧朋,乃终有庆。安贞之吉,应地无疆。

Image commentary · Classical Chinese

象曰:地势坤,君子以厚德载物。

Six lines · Classical Chinese (untranslated)

上六

龙战于野,其血玄黄。

象曰:龙战于野,其道穷也。

六五

黄裳,元吉。

象曰:黄裳元吉,文在中也。

六四

括囊,无咎无誉。

象曰:括囊无咎,慎不害也。

六三

含章,可贞。或从王事,无成有终。

象曰:含章可贞,以时发也。或从王事,知光大也。

六二

直方大,不习无不利。

象曰:六二之动,直以方也。不习无不利,地道光也。

初六

履霜,坚冰至。

象曰:履霜坚冰,阴始凝也。驯致其道,至坚冰也。

用六

利永贞。

象曰:用六永贞,以大终也。