Shihe :: Biting

Offering :: Fitting to use punitive measures

噬嗑

䷔

6 :: first

Legs in stocks. Toes cut off. No misfortune.

You are restrained, but it is to your benefit. You are imprisoned and punished, but safely locked in jail (hidden), you are out of harm's way.

9 :: second

Biting the meat so hard it covers the nose.

You are trying too hard-overdoing it. You have anxiously misjudged the need to use force.

6 :: third

Biting dried meat. Poison. Small error. No misfortune.

You take improper risks but the result is neither good nor bad. You push ahead into a situation that contains danger, but the resulting problems are not serious.

9 :: fourth

Biting the shank of meat. Hit upon a bronze arrowhead. Difficulty. Auspicious.

Though there is clearly something inappropriate or odd about the situation, the omen is auspicious. In the process of going forward (biting) the unexpected (arrowhead) is discovered, but this creates no problem.

9 :: fifth

Biting dried meat. Hit upon gilt-bronze arrowhead. Danger. No misfortune.

Jealousy and confusion create danger, but no radical reversals occur. Continuing on with force, despite difficulties (arrowhead), you discover an unexpected reward (gilt-bronze). In this case, a judicious use of force works to your benefit.

6 :: top

Wearing the cangue.' Cut ears. Disaster.

You go forward without regard for convention or law. Convicted criminals are imprisoned (cangue) and humiliated (cut ears). The results of your actions are painful.

Image

The hexagram pictures an open mouth with teeth bared about to bite through an obstruction and/or the lips pursed to sip a libation. Shike represents going forward forcefully and impulsively. It is biting down hard, in an effort to bite through an obstacle. It also means meting out harsh punishment (sipping poison) when it is appropriate. Shihe describes the various results that come from the use of force.

Auspices

There is a great chance of miscalculation here. One feels obstructed and decides to use force (punishment), but breakthroughs (harsh justice) may also create adversity (backlash). Generally inauspicious, but some cases only mild injuries occur.

Good for cautious yet abrupt change, divorce, quitting your job, and moving home.

Bad for romance and negotiations.

Comment

A Zhou leader was both a warrior and a sage, not a brute. Good leaders know that it is their own miscalculations and poor management that lead to the need for a strong use of force (war). When we resort to harsh punishments we must do so cautiously-even humbly.

However, sometimes, deliberate confrontation and strong action can be useful in the reunification of allies. What is obstructing unity and justice must be dealt with deliberately. A correct use of force must be cautiously restrained and then abandoned before it degenerates into brutality. Uncontrolled impulses lead to injustice and loss of unity. If you are addicted to impulse and brutality you will never become a true leader.

Other Correspondences

Business: Reducing staff, lawsuits, cutbacks, and selling out.

Disharmonies: Rebellious qi attacks the heart, injuries to teeth and bones, and malignant tumors.

Prognosis: Poor. The patient needs purging or strong invasive treatments to survive.