I Ching Hexagram 24 - Fu / Return (The Turning Point)

• Above K'un the Receptive, Earth
•  
• Below Chen the Arousing, Thunder

Introduction

The idea of a turning point arises from the fact that after the dark lines have pushed all of the light lines upward and out of the hexagram, another light line enters the hexagram from below. The time of darkness is past. The winter solstice brings the victory of light. This hexagram is linked with the eleventh month, the month of the solstice (December-January).

See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.

Judgement

Return. Success. Going out and coming in without error. Friends come without blame. To and fro goes the way. On the seventh day comes return. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.

Judgement Commentary

After a time of decay comes the turning point. The powerful light that has been banished returns. There is movement, but it is not brought about by force. The upper trigram K'un is characterized by devotion; thus the movement is natural, arising spontaneously. For this reason the transformation of the old becomes easy. The old is discarded and the new is introduced. Both measures accord with the time; therefore no harm results. Societies of people sharing the same views are formed. But since these groups come together in full public knowledge and are in harmony with the time, all selfish separatist tendencies are excluded, and no mistake is made. The idea of Return is based on the course of nature. The movement is cyclic, and the course completes itself. Therefore it is not necessary to hasten anything artificially. Everything comes of itself at the appointed time. This is the meaning of heaven and earth. All movements are accomplished in six stages, and the seventh brings return. Thus the winter solstice, with which the decline of the year begins, comes in the seventh month after the summer solstice; so too sunrise comes in the seventh double hour after sunset. Therefore seven is the number of the young light, and it arises when six, the number of the great darkness, is increased by one. In this way the state of rest gives place to movement.

The Image

Thunder within the earth: The image of The Turning Point. Thus the kings of antiquity closed the passes at the time of solstice. Merchants and strangers did not go about, and the ruler did not travel through the provinces.

Image Commentary

The winter solstice has always been celebrated in China as the resting time of the year--a custom that survives in the time of rest observed at the new year. In winter the life energy, symbolized by thunder, the Arousing, is still underground. Movement is just at its beginning; therefore it must be strengthened by rest so that it will not be dissipated by being used prematurely. This principle, ie., of allowing energy that is renewing itself to be reinforced by rest, applies to all similar situations. The return of health after illness, the return of understanding after an estrangement: everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering.

The Lines

Nine at the beginning means: Return from a short distance. No need for remorse. Great good fortune.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 2 - K'un / The Receptive. Small mistakes in our behaviour are natural and to be expected. What matters is that we return to what is right. Legge has it "...shows its subject returning from an error of no great extent." The resultant hexagram 2 indicates a very good outcome from the return to the correct course.

Six in the second place means: Quiet return. Good fortune.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 19 - Lin / Approach. Legge and Wilhelm have slightly different interpretations for this line with Wilhelm focusing on the fact that our associates help us determine the correct way where Legge just says that "...the return of its subject (us) is called excellent or admirable." The resultant hexagram 19 reminds us that constant efforts are required if we are to remain free from error. Backsliding is always possible.

Six in the third place means: Repeated return. Danger. No blame.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 36 - Ming I / Darkening of the light. This line warns that inconstancy will make it difficult to maintain our focus non the good. We keep flip flopping from one attitude/belief to another. At least we are not always doing the wrong thing. Legge puts it "The position is perilous". The resultant hexagram 36 shows that if we continue down this path we will pay dearly.

Six in the fourth place means: Walking in the midst of others, one returns alone.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 51 - Chen / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder). Here we have someone in a decayed society run by bad people. He decides to make his own way and return to a path commensurate with his own values. Legge shows the subject of this line "...returning alone to his proper path" even amongst discordant surroundings. The resultant hexagram 51 shows that we will experience shocking and scary times but, success will come if our response is self controlled and calm.

Six in the fifth place means: Noble hearted return. No remorse.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 3 - Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning. We make no excuses but follow what our heart says and return to what is correct. Legge puts this lines state as "...the noble return of its subject" to what is right. The resultant hexagram 3 shows that such a return may lead to increased difficulties initially but promises supreme success if persisted with.

Six at the top means: Missing the return. Misfortune. Misfortune from within and without. If armies are set marching in this way, one will in the end suffer a great defeat. Disastrous for the ruler of the country. For ten years it will not be possible to attack again.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 27 - I / Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment). This line counsels us not to continually put off to tomorrow what we should be doing today. There will come a time when change will be impossible Legge makes clear that even if the subject of this line were eventually to act, failure would result "if... he put the hosts in motion, the end will be a great defeat". The resultant hexagram reinforces this lines message and provides the only way to cure its ills, "...he bestows his care on what sides of his own nature he cultivates and nourishes." The lesson being pay attention to what you think and believe as that determines how you act.

See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 24 - Fu / Return (The Turning Point) translation of this hexagram.