Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 小畜 (Xiǎo Chù) |
| English Name | The Taming Power of the Small / Small Accumulation |
| Trigrams | Wind over Heaven (巽上乾下) |
| Number | 9 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Taming Power of the Small has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
The wind blows across heaven: the image of the Taming Power of the Small. Thus the superior man refines the outward aspect of his nature.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Return to the way. How could there be blame in this? Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九二 | 2nd | He allows himself to be drawn into returning. Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九三 | 3rd | The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六四 | 4th | If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 九五 | 5th | If you are sincere and loyally attached, you are rich in your neighbor. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 上九 | Top | The rain comes, there is rest. Perseverance brings the woman into danger. The moon is nearly full. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Gentle restraint; small forces taming large ones gradually
- Upper trigram Wind (gentle and penetrating) over lower trigram Heaven (creative and strong)
- Embodies the qualities of restraint, patience, gentle influence and accumulation, subtlety, refinement
Keywords
RestraintPatienceGentle influenceAccumulationSubtletyRefinement
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Moderate — Small Matters Only
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Gentle restraint; small forces taming large ones gradually Success is possible through gentle influence and accumulation. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance restraint with patience to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels restraint and patience. The Wind trigram above suggests gentle and penetrating energy in your outer dealings, while the Heaven trigram below points to creative and strong foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on thighs and immune system and lungs and head. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody restraint and patience. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes gentle influence and accumulation. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate restraint in all your actions
- Practice patience consistently
- Embrace gentle influence as your guiding principle
- Develop accumulation through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of subtlety
- Abandon refinement under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 26. Dà Chù (大畜) | Great Taming — when taming power is sufficient |
| 5. Xū (需) | Waiting — patience during accumulation |
| 14. Dà Yǒu (大有) | Great Possession — fruition of patient accumulation |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Should I push for a major organizational restructuring?”
You received Hexagram 9, The Taming Power of the Small. The judgment says: 'The Taming Power of the Small has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our wester...' Gentle restraint; small forces taming large ones gradually This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to patience and gentle influence. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.