I Ching Hexagram 45 - Ts'ui / Gathering Together (Massing)
- Above Tui the Joyous, Lake
- Below K'un the Receptive, Earth
Introduction
This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, Holding Together (8). In the latter, water is over the earth; here a lake is over the earth. But since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that bring about the gather together, whereas in the former case one strong line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.
See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.
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Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something.
Judgement Commentary
The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved. Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is no need of great deeds in the time of Gathering Together.
The Image
Over the earth, the lake: The image of Gathering Together. Thus the superior man renews his weapons in order to meet the unforeseen.
Image Commentary
If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise, where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus in the time of Gathering Together we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means: If you are sincere, but not to the end, There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 17 - Sui / Following. Seeking a leader is dangerous and confusing owing to the prevailing tumult. A true leader is at hand, make the right decision. Legge's line shows "...its subject with a sincere desire for union, but unable to carry it out" so disorder reigns but "his tears will give place to smiles". The resultant hexagram 17, Following, indicates a good outcome for this line as "Following has supreme success."
Six in the second place means: Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere it furthers one to bring even a small offering.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 47 - K'un / Oppression (Exhaustion). Here we have a natural affinity with a particular group, we should follow our heart and join in. Legge says "There is entire sincerity..." in desire to join so what could be bad here? However the resultant hexagram is 47, Oppression (Exhaustion) a bad omen. Just because we feel an affinity to a cause or group does not mean that that cause or group willsucceeded in its aims. "Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success" the best result for us here is remain cheerful and realistic so that we do not get ground down by the times.
Six in the third place means: Gathering together amid sighs. Nothing that would further. Going is without blame. Slight humiliation.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 31 - Hsien / Influence (Wooing). We want to join but are excluded by circumstances. We need a sponsor to help us, even if that is somewhaembarrassingng. in Legge's interpretation we find "...striving after union and seeming to sigh, yet nowhere finding any advantage". The resultant hexagram 31, Influence (Wooing), means we will need to convince the sponsor of our good intent and legitimacy before finding any success.
Nine in the fourth place means: Great good fortune. No blame.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 8 - Pi / Holding Together (union). Wilhelm and Legge differ here in that Legge implies a great need for caution, this line "...shows its subject in such a state that, if he be greatly fortunate, he will receive no blame" whereas Wilhelm has no such reservations. For us the meaning is, we are gathering a following as part of our duties and not for personal gain. As long as remember this the outcome is good. The resultant hexagram 8, Union, indicates this line will be successful, "Holding Together (Union) brings good fortune." To be absolutely sure consult the oracle again to clarify the answer.
Nine in the fifth place means: If in gathering together one has position this brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then remorse disappears.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 16 - Yu / Enthusiasm. Not all our followers are really supporters of our goals, some are merely around for their own advancement. This line needs to make real supporters of these people by providing a good example. Legge's version of this line is "...If any (supporters) do not have confidence in him, let him see to it that his virtue be great, long-continued, and firmly correct", and in this way convince them of the truth. The outcome indicated by hexagram 16, Enthusiasm, shows that this lines subject will succeed in its goal of gaining enthusiastic supporters.
Six at the top means: Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears. No blame.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 12 - P'i / Standstill (Stagnation). We are unable to convince anyone to follow us. The only choice is to demonstrate our sincerity and hope to convince in that way the unbelievers to come around to our way of thinking. Legge just says "Its subject mourns his solitary condition and his good feeling will preserve him from error and blame." Then resultant hexagram 12, Standstill, suggests very strongly that we will just have to accept our fate and endure it till better time arrive.
See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 45 - Ts'ui / Gathering Together (Massing) translation of this hexagram.