Approach
The Strong Drawing Near
The strong drawing near to what yields: a rising season that already carries its own reversal.
Approach, Lin, sets the Receptive, Earth, above the Joyous, Lake, the image of earth standing over the lake and drawing near to what it contains. Two firm lines have entered at the bottom of the figure and are rising, which the tradition reads both as the powerful advancing upon what yields and as the season turning towards spring. The Image gives it a benevolent sense: the superior man is inexhaustible in his will to teach, and without limit in his tolerance and protection of the people. The judgement promises supreme success and perseverance that furthers, then adds a warning that when the eighth month comes there will be misfortune, since every advance carries its own reversal.
Light
Signifies advance, growing influence, the goodwill of those above towards those below, and a favourable season in which effort meets little resistance.
Shadow
Can indicate condescension, an approach made for advantage rather than care, or complacency in a rising fortune that ignores the turn already written into it.
