Small Taming
Dense Clouds, No Rain
Dense clouds, no rain: gentleness can restrain the strong for a while, but it cannot compel the outcome.
Small Taming sets the gentle wind of Xun above the creative heaven of Qian. Wind moves across the sky and can drive the clouds together, but it cannot compel the rain, which is why the Judgement reads "dense clouds, no rain from our western region". The restraint is small because it is exercised by the one yin line in the fourth place over five strong lines; it works by gentleness rather than by force, and it holds only for a while. The Image draws the practical conclusion, that while the great cannot yet be moved the superior man refines the outward aspect of his nature.
Light
Signifies gradual accumulation, influence exercised by gentleness rather than force, attention to small matters and to outward form, and patience while conditions ripen.
Shadow
Can represent restraint that is only partial, effort that gathers without yet producing a result, and preoccupation with appearances during an enforced delay.
