Hexagram 21
Biting Through
噬嗑
Upper
Fire · 離
the clinging, clarity
Lower
Thunder · 震
the arousing, movement
Contemporary judgment
Biting through. An obstacle stands between you and what you rightly seek, and it will not simply dissolve. It must be addressed directly and cut through. Avoid the temptation to rationalize the obstruction away; clarity and firm action are what the moment requires.
Image
Thunder and lightning meeting. The ancient rulers made the laws clear and the penalties just.
Counsel
Name the truth of what has been avoided. A single honest, decisive correction accomplishes what months of hedging cannot. Be firm, but not cruel; the purpose is to restore right relationship, not to punish. Do not let resentment pollute what needs to be a clean act.
The six lines
Numbered from the bottom upward; displayed here from first to sixth.
Line 1
A nine at the beginning means: His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame.
Line 2
A six in the second place means: Bites through tender meat, so that the nose disappears. No blame.
Line 3
A six in the third place means: Bites on old dried meat and strikes on something poisonous. Small humiliation. No blame.
Line 4
A nine in the fourth place means: Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It is favorable to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune!
Line 5
A six in the fifth place means: Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Persevering, be mindful of danger. No blame.
Line 6
A nine at the top means: His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that his ears disappear. Misfortune!
Contemporary sections are original app interpretations. Line text comes from the CC0 translation in jesshewitt/i-ching.