Thunder above – Water below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Jie which translates to “remove or separate from pain” and later came to mean “relief from what is causing hardship”. Other titles for this hexagram are: Deliverance, Relief, Liberation. The ancient diviners taught that when something reaches a peak, it alternates to its opposite. The tension of hardship always builds to a point of release, pictured here by a wild and cleansing thunderstorm with heavy rain. Together they relieve and clear away the old atmosphere in preparation for something new. After the noise, shock and cleansing rain of a thunderstorm, everything seems to have been reset or altered. Then a period of overall reconnection commences which, in this hexagram, aligns with concepts such as consciously letting go and forgiveness.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Water is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Ancients saw water as dangerous partly because it deals with the realms of feelings and the unconscious (which are often hidden and not necessarily logical). Water’s ability to carry the patterns that shape things comes from the fact it has no shape (agenda) of its own as it adheres to and carries the will of Heaven and Earth. Water holds memories and, as the inner condition of this hexagram, provides opportunity to let go of the past and move toward your destiny.
Trigram Thunder is on top of trigram Water offering a loud wake-up call, voicing and amplifying Heaven’s directives. Thunder is about changes, beginnings, renewals, bringing impetus and usable energy to the situation on all levels: physical, mental, spiritual, intellectual and creative.
The ancient ideograph is on the upper left portion of the image below. The three portions of the image are as follows: an animal horn, knife, a cow or ox. There is reference to ancient peoples cutting off and carrying a piece of an animals’ horn or antler, which they used to untie knots. This is an analogy for untying knots of situations, emotion or beliefs which have obstructed the flow of life.
In summary: Jie highlights a time when nothing is certain because Water is releasing outward through the sudden, tremendous power of Thunder. Water can signify danger from within, such as guilt, excess tension, anger and similar emotions. In receiving a sudden shock, one may be freed in that moment, providing an opportunity for recalibration. Letting go means forgiveness, forgetting and releasing old grudges. When an individual’s consciousness is not holding such blockages, there is no need for negativity, tension, defenses or stress because one is free and there is opportunity to choose a different way. The timing is important though: if there is no clear path, stay still and then, when opportunity presents itself, take it.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – This time is a turning point, a kind of balance between hardship and relief which infers the need for continual adaptation and adjustments as to what is possible and what is not. Mistakes, assumptions, errors in judgement have and will be made. Rather than holding on to negativity, take the lessons learned, own your own part and forget about blaming either yourself or others.
Line 2 – There is a golden opportunity at this time to successfully walk a middle road. Centering and focusing persistently on your path while sincerely holding to your values means you need to discern who/what is aligned with your values (and walking away from those who are not).
Line 3 – Attitudes may place you at odds with society. Some of these could be: assuming or pretending you are more than you actually are, seeking only quick, superficial solutions or pathways and so on. These become your burden and can invite envy or embarrassment. Guidance suggests to make sure your life situation matches with your values and to divest yourself of unhelpful attitudes.
Line 4 – It is better to walk away from someone or a situation whose values you cannot agree with, even if this may cause a temporary hardship or adjustment. Sometimes, however, your own overreactions such as mistrust or defensive anxiety can become the problem. Letting go of these excessive attitudes may allow true partners and friends into your life.
Line 5 – You are being challenged to action because it must be you who releases yourself from what is binding you. When free of distrust, agitation, defensiveness (or any of the other mindsets that invite oppressive conditions) your mind cannot be taken over, nor will you wish to dominate others. This is the way people build trust.
Line 6 – There is an old story about the “ability to focus on the task” and a group of archers who were aiming their arrows at a bird in an effort to impress their Master. When questioned about their technique, the archer who won the Master’s approval saw only the bird’s eye as he aimed and nothing else. This is the quality of focus needed at this time in identifying and eliminating whatever holds you back from liberation (such as dangerous, entrenched thoughts, attitudes, illusions).