小畜
Hexagram 9 · 小畜
Upper trigram: 巽 · Lower trigram: 乾
Xiao Xu (Small Restraint): the hexagram of gentle limits. Refine the details, gather trust, and let modest efforts accumulate.
The image
Wind moves above heaven, a gentle influence meeting strong creative energy. Dense clouds gather, yet their rain has not spread. Xiao Xu means small restraint or small accumulation. The picture favors careful refinement while a larger result remains incomplete.
Judgment
亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。
Flourishing. Dense clouds bring no rain, coming from our western outskirts.
The commentary describes a yielding influence restraining strength without yet distributing its benefits. A promising proposal may need several small revisions before others can put it into practice.
Great Image
風行天上，小畜，君子以懿文德。
Wind travels above heaven: Small Restraint. The exemplary person accordingly refines cultivated virtue.
Gentle improvement works through details of expression and conduct. Revising an unclear email or listening more attentively can improve cooperation without a dramatic intervention.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初九
復自道，何其咎，吉。
Returning by one's own path. What blame could there be? Good fortune.
Nine in the first place is correctly placed yang able to recover its direction. The Small Image approves that return, like correcting a small budgeting mistake before making further purchases.
Line 2 · 九二
牽復，吉。
Drawn back together. Good fortune.
Nine in the second place has central yang steadiness and does not lose itself. The Small Image suggests a sound return, like colleagues helping one another resume an agreed working method.
Line 3 · 九三
輿說輻，夫妻反目。
The carriage loses its spokes. Husband and wife turn against each other.
Nine in the third place presses yang strength against restraint. The Small Image locates disorder within the household, suggesting that a practical disagreement needs repair before either partner pushes harder.
Line 4 · 六四
有孚，血去惕出，无咎。
With sincerity, bloodshed departs and fear gives way. No blame.
Six in the fourth place is the single yin line, correctly placed beside authority. The Small Image emphasizes shared purpose above, like honest discussion easing a tense review between staff and management.
Line 5 · 九五
有孚攣如，富以其鄰。
Sincerity binds closely. Wealth is shared with one's neighbors.
Nine in the fifth place gives central yang strength to mutual trust. The Small Image rejects isolated wealth, like a successful shop sharing useful contacts with nearby businesses.
Line 6 · 上九
既雨既處，尚德載，婦貞厲，月幾望，君子征凶。
Rain has come; there is rest. Esteemed virtue has accumulated fully. The woman's constancy is dangerous. The moon is nearly full; the exemplary person's advance brings misfortune.
Nine at the top is yang at the completion of restraint, where accumulated virtue now supports the whole. The Small Image cautions against further advance, like adding demands after a delicate agreement has finally settled.
When asking about
Career
Small improvements often have more traction than sweeping changes. Refine communication and make existing work dependable.
Love
Gentle attention can ease friction. Repair ordinary misunderstandings before asking for a larger commitment.
Money
Modest accumulation tends to suit this image. Watch small recurring costs and value trustworthy cooperation.
Home
Minor repairs often improve everyday comfort. Agree on one manageable change rather than redesigning everything.
Study
Careful revision can strengthen an almost finished piece of work. Concentrate on weak details instead of starting again.
Health
Small changes to sleep and rest may be easier to sustain. See a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Work patiently with the limits you can influence. Let small improvements accumulate, and recognize when enough has been achieved.
Related hexagrams
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Cast a hexagramReference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.