Hexagram 45 - Gathering Together - TS’UI

To guide others towards goodness, it is essential to purify oneself and trust in one's principles. Doubt, whether self-doubt or doubt of one's principles, can cloud Judgment and hinder progress. By taking the time to introspect and work on personal growth, we can become a positive influence and inspire others to do the same. 

Summary

This hexagram represents a coming together of people or things. It symbolises unity and cooperation and suggests a time of gathering, literally and metaphorically. The key takeaways from the Judgment and image of this hexagram are to come together with others, form a community and support one another.

Interpretation

Focus on developing character and principles before attempting to lead others. A true leader has accumulated knowledge of the Cosmic principles that govern life and has the strong character to uphold them. They must be patient and wait without wavering in their essential direction while being open and receptive to new ideas and perspectives.

It is essential to remain steadfast in one's beliefs and ideals and positively influence the community. The I Ching emphasises the importance of collective strength in achieving positive change in the world. However, this power must be directed by a qualified leader who is balanced and collected within themselves. They must purify their character and cling steadfastly to higher things, leading themselves and others towards well-being and good fortune.

The image of the hexagram of a fire being fed by fuel suggests that when people come together and support each other, they can achieve great things. The I Ching advises maintaining unity and cooperation while respecting those in positions of authority. It is also essential to be aware of potential conflicts and to renew one's inner discipline after every step of progress to avoid overconfidence and carelessness.

Ultimately, by focusing on self-improvement and following ethical principles, we contribute to a better world and heightened spirituality in all beings. The world's progress depends on our thoughts and actions, and by improving ourselves, we can lead others towards well-being and good fortune.

Sage Advice

This represents the ability to gather people, resources, and energy to achieve a common goal, whether in business, teamwork, or community building. However, the best spiritual advice from this hexagram goes beyond the realm of material success. It is about cultivating inner strength, remaining humble, and being in harmony with the natural order.

True power comes from within, and true greatness is achieved through humility and a willingness to be in harmony with the universe. This advice reminds us to be patient and persistent, persevere through challenges, and focus on long-term goals. It also emphasises the importance of being honest with oneself and being receptive to constructive criticism. Keep your innermost values and principles in mind and remain faithful to them, even in adversity. This means we should not be swayed by external forces or be tempted to compromise our integrity for short-term gains. Instead, we should focus on developing our inner strength and being in harmony with the natural order to become a force for good in the world and achieve lasting success.

Line 1

Stay true to what is correct, and do not let the ego take control. Doubt and hesitation can lead one to lose their way, so it's important to remain firm and resolute in what is right and true. The key is to maintain a sense of humility, acceptance, and innocence in the face of challenges and to stay centred on these qualities. By doing so, one can avoid being unbalanced or tempted by the games others may try to play and can meet with success.

Line 2

To achieve harmony and balance in relationships, the best approach is to remain open and free to allow things to unfold naturally. We should avoid contrived attitudes or attempts to force balance, as this can lead to imbalance and disharmony. Instead, we should stay centred on our inner truth and allow the natural attraction between individuals to guide the way. It is essential to remain sincere and authentic to ourselves while also being open to the inner truth of others. The second line advises us to let ourselves be drawn by relationships' inner truth and natural flow. This means avoiding the urge to control or manipulate outcomes and remaining open and innocent. When relationships are mending, it is essential to let the Creative do the work rather than trying to structure or control the process. By remaining true to our values and principles and accepting nothing false, we create the conditions for natural attraction to flourish and for positive outcomes to emerge.

Line 3

Suggests that a person who seeks to follow the path of the good may feel isolated and humiliated, making it difficult to reunite with the group. It may be better for them to proceed with their development outside the group for the time being as long as they remain steadfast in following their higher nature and the way of the Sage. As members of the group, we must stay patient and open-minded and not view the person as a tired bother due to their mistakes as a beginner. When seeking to join the unity of the good, one must accept the humility of starting from a lower position. True humility is the beginning of enduring change. By submitting themselves sincerely to the guidance of the Sage, accessible through dreams, meditations, one's inner sense of truth, and the I Ching, one can progress towards goodness. It is not enough to want to be part of the unity of good or to make progress. One must work sincerely at self-correction and submit to being taught by the Sage. In summary, the third line advises us to practice generosity, tolerance, and reliance on the Sage to heal all wounds in time and to help those who seek to follow the path of the good but may feel isolated and humiliated.

Line 4

Represents the great rewards of selfless efforts toward the greater good. Despite facing obstacles and being misunderstood by others, success is achieved by remaining undisturbed and persevering in pursuing the common welfare. By focusing on the good of the community rather than personal gain or recognition, the work is crowned with success, and all obstructions are removed. This line reminds us that true success comes from unselfishness and dedication to the greater good.

Line 5

Suggests that some people in a group may need to be more sincerely committed to doing what is right and may resist efforts to unite for a common goal. To deal with this, it is vital to maintain inner independence and not force or manipulate others to see our point of view. It is natural for others to be suspicious of our influence and envy our leadership position. The best way to overcome this resistance is through consistent, conscientious behaviour and self-improvement. This line can also suggest times when we are resistant to following the guidance of the Sage and need to examine our commitment to the work.

Line 6

Experiencing frustration and doubt. This line indicates a sense of frustration and distrust in our progress towards the good. We may feel our efforts have been in vain or we are not making the progress we desire. At times like these, it is essential to remain patient and persistent and to continue seeking guidance from the Sage. We should not let our childish desires and emotions cloud our Judgment and prevent us from making enduring progress. By reaching out for help and working to deepen our understanding of the way of the Sage, we can overcome our doubts and frustrations and continue on the path towards the good. Alternatively, this line may refer to another person experiencing frustration and doubt. In this case, we should remain open-minded and supportive when they reach out to us for help or guidance. It is essential to offer encouragement and to remind them that progress is possible with patience and perseverance.