Return

The Turning Point

The light turns back at its lowest point; shelter the new beginning instead of exploiting it.

Return, Fu, places the Receptive, Earth, above the Arousing, Thunder: thunder within the earth, movement stirring where nothing is yet visible above ground. One firm line has come back at the bottom of the figure after the five yielding lines that preceded it, and the tradition reads this as the light returning at the winter solstice. The judgement says that going out and coming in are without error, that on the seventh day comes return, and that it furthers one to have somewhere to go. The Image counsels protecting a new beginning rather than exploiting it: the kings of antiquity closed the passes at the solstice, merchants did not travel, and the ruler did not tour the provinces.