Hexagram Twenty—Reverence Hexagram Twenty focuses on one who is purified and ready to make sacred offerings. This is the proper mood to bring about good results while waiting for events to unfold. The first line, yin, shows a child who observes events innocently. This is fine for a child, but an adult must have a plan of action. The second line, yin, shows one who coyly looks upon a situation. This is fine for a docile person, but the time has come to be strong. The third line, yin, shows an introspective person contemplating the events of their life. This is good because they will know how to take action when the time comes. The fourth line, yin, shows one who contemplates the results they wish to receive. It is encouraging to concentrate on one's goal. The fifth line, yang, shows a mature person contemplating their mission in life. The subject must take the welfare of others into consideration when they contemplate their own purpose. The sixth line, yang, shows a mature person contemplating their own character. Such a person is advanced beyond their own perception and will do good work for others. Hexagram Twenty Commentary This hexagram explains the right attitudes while waiting for events to unfold. The attitude in the introduction is personified in a person who is purified and ready to make sacrificial offerings. The first line, yin, shows an innocent child who observes events. This works at the beginning, but the situation really calls for an adult who can see ahead due to experience, and create a plan. The second line, yin, shows a docile person observing events. However, the situation demands a strong person. The third line, yin, shows an introspective person. This attitude shows both maturity and strength. The introspective person will be ready to take action when the time comes. The fourth line, yin, shows a person who uses autosuggestion to envision the desired results. This line affirms the attitude of positive visualization, saying, "It is encouraging to concentrate on one's goal." The fifth line, yang, reminds the subject to consider the highest good in their vision of the future. Once events unfold under the subject's personal vision, it will affect many other people's lives as well. The sixth line, yang, shows a person who is courageous enough to do a searching moral inventory of their own character. The hexagram confirms this is the correct attitude. The plans of such a visionary will benefit many people. To the reader: Most of the hexagrams have at least one line that predicts bad results, but that does NOT mean you are fated to that result. The hexagrams illustrate different attitudes, so study the actions and reactions to learn the attitudes that will lead to better outcomes. The I Ching teaches you to flow with changes and create positive change from the inside through conscious living. Your future is in your hands. Consult the I Ching for ideas that lead to clear thinking and positive mental attitude. Reading the I Ching helps you take the time to reflect on your attitudes and ideas. Continue asking until you feel positive about your course. Click here for another hexagram. A note about this interpretation of the I Ching: Nori Muster wrote this version of the I Ching in 1994 and put it online at Surrealist.org in 2000. It is also available at Amazon: e-book paperback