Hexagram Forty-four—Gradual Invasion A devious person wins government office, then tries to take over by appointing like minded people as ministers. The situation is compared to a motivated woman marrying a man for his money. The first line, yin, shows that such a person should be kept in check like a carriage with the brake set firmly. Movement in any direction will bring misfortune. The analogy is given of a young pig that is sure to cause trouble if let loose. The second line, yang, shows a person with fish in their sack. They could lose their good fortune if they allow the unruly person of the first line to meet with their guests. The third line, yang, shows one who walks with great difficulty after a flailing cuts the skin of their buttocks. It is good to stand up for oneself, since the humiliation and pain will eventually go away. The fourth line, yang, shows a person carrying their bag, but the fish have been lost. Since an unqualified person has managed to make away with the fish there will be misfortune. The fifth line, yang, shows a small, spreading tree that conceals a jewel. There is a deep faith that one can regain their wealth and overcome the petty invader. This faith will bring good fortune. The sixth line, yang, shows one who is desperate to regain their lost wealth. This person puts on horns and fights the aggressor. Although their position is dangerous and will cause some regret, the action is necessary given the circumstances. Hexagram Forty-four Commentary This hexagram discuses deception, or gradual invasion. It's gradual because first a devious person enters government, then they gradually appoint corrupt people to spread bad influence. The introduction compares this to "a motivated woman marrying a man for his money." The first line, yin, offers two metaphors. The first one says such a person should be "kept in check like a carriage with the brake set firmly." The other comparison is to a pig "that is sure to cause trouble if let loose." The second line, yang, explains why it's dangerous to have devious people around. The subject of the line has "fish in their sack." The subject's good fortune can become clouded if they the unruly person to insult their guests. The third line, yang, shows another flailing that leaves a person with a "flailing" that "cuts the skin of their buttocks." This time it is the unruly person who has gotten the better of an honest person. The line recommends standing up, even though it's difficult, because "the humiliation and pail will eventually go away." The fourth line, yang, shows the unruly person who has managed to get the fish from another person's bag. This is unfortunate. The fifth line, yang shows the best way to overcome the petty invader. The line describes "a small, spreading tree that conceals a jewel." The jewel symbolizes the subject's faith of reclaiming their wealth. The sixth line shows another way to get back what was stolen, and that is brute force. The metaphor to put on horns and fight the aggressor. Although dangerous, sometimes this is necessary. 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