Mountain above – Heaven below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Da Chu. Da translates to “great or big” and Chu to “accumulation”. Other titles include: Great Accumulation, Raising Great Beasts, Controlled Power, Great Taming. The ancients saw accumulation as the raising of large animals for sacrificial purposes but they also prized the accumulation of virtue, wisdom and compassion. Great power within and stillness without forms a picture of “controlled power” through the cultivation of higher values.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Heaven is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Heaven on the inside gives strength, universal meaning, purpose and provides natural structure to the external trigram Mountain. Heaven within is an opportunity to deal with issues larger than personal survival, such as learning to align in harmony with the will of Heaven and/or how to develop resources for use beyond oneself.
Trigram Mountain, the 3 uppermost lines in the image (below right) is on top of trigram Heaven. One of the attributes of Mountain is the ability to “conserve”, thus it becomes a reservoir through remembrance, acquiring and increasing comprehension. The largeness of Mountain’s reality in this hexagram shows a great accumulation, inferring it is about more than the individual. Stillness, another attribute of Mountain, becomes possible when there is no need to prove or defend oneself.
The ancient ideograph is on the upper left portion of the image below. The top figure shows a person displayed as “great” through the posture. The lower image shows (from bottom to top) a field and two sheaves of grasses with a lid on top to depict the idea of accumulation or storage.
In summary: Taming power means building up resources, knowledge, self-development; cultivating higher values. In this hexagram creative power and knowledge is accumulating within, represented by trigram Heaven. Trigram Mountain is the container and overseer of the accumulation. The ancients took care to emphasize knowledge should include study of the wisdom of the ancestors (which guide and provide prospective to modern life). This accumulation is not meant for release during day-to-day life within the context of this hexagram. The implications reach further to include the big things which give life purpose and meaning, providing structure and guidance for future generations.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – Described here is a situation where you may be feeling blocked. Do not push forward as things can only get worse that way. Knowing when to stop is just as vital as knowing when to continue. Remaining conscious of your status and abilities allows for time for to stop, build up and accumulate wisdom from those who know more than you.
Line 2 – This is a time which may evoke feelings similar to an experience of something you relied upon being abruptly cancelled. Your reaction can be frustration or anger or it could be re-framed as a creative opportunity. Sometimes it is good to take time out and even find a way to enjoy it with graceful acceptance.
Line 3 – A sense that accumulation is beginning to take on some momentum, but it is still not time to advance despite restless anticipation. There is much yet to learn about great accumulation and it requires practice on a daily basis. Great possessions include increased duties and responsibilities which take time and experience to manage with proficiency.
Line 4 – An analogy for this position is the practice of attaching a headboard (a piece of wood) to the horns of a young bull (protecting the handler as well as molding the shape of the horns). As one’s inner power builds, it needs to be structured, channeled, shaped and focused. Care and intent at the beginning prevent built-in faults; a much better option than regret and repair later.
Line 5 – The ancients taught when a large, powerful and dangerous boar is castrated, he still has the power, but the danger of his instincts has been restrained. This story suggests to “tame” wild energies by building up a solid base within yourself so the unpredictable wildness within this power is channeled in a way that can work for you.
Line 6 – One who has accumulated and stored wisdom and resources, you may be close to the point where the creative energy can accomplish good within the world. Be attentive to when the way opens and an opportunity is presented.