Holding Together
The Willing Allegiance
Allegiance has to be freely given. The king leaves one side of the hunt open, and latecomers fare badly.
Bi sets Kan, the Abysmal Water, above Kun, the Receptive Earth, and the Image is of water upon the earth, which runs into every hollow and leaves no gap between itself and the ground. The single whole line in the fifth place is the ruler about whom the yielding lines gather. The Judgement advises consulting the oracle once again, to be certain of sublimity, constancy and perseverance before such a bond is entered, and warns that whoever comes too late meets with misfortune. In the fifth line the king hunts with beaters on three sides only, letting the game before him escape, for allegiance must be freely given.
Light
Signifies union, loyalty offered freely, and a centre worth gathering around. Bonds formed in good time and on honest terms hold without any need for coercion.
Shadow
Union imposed rather than chosen, or entered without examining who stands at its centre. The final line finds no head for holding together, and hesitation until the moment has passed brings misfortune.
