Xiao Guo :: Small Succeeds

Offering: auspicious :: Success in small matters; not in large expeditions :: Not up, but down : very auspicious

小過

䷽

6 :: first

Bird flight. Disaster.

You get in trouble by acting above your station or breaking rank. Fledglings should not attempt flight too soon.

9 :: second

Passing grandfather you meet grandmother.
Passing a palace you meet a minister. No misfortune.

You do not meet directly with those in power, but you have good rapport with their assistants. These connections bring good results. Those in secondary positions have power to grant important favors.

6 :: third

Guard against excess to avoid attack. Disaster.

Over-extending yourself makes you vulnerable on all sides. Your enthusiasm defeats you. Exaggerating your strength provoked your assistants; they do not let you back down. Disaster is inevitable.

9 :: fourth

Small errors caught. Be alert. To press forward is dangerous.
Do not overdo divination.

Remain modest in your expectations and pay attention to details. Do not waste your gi or offend those in power. This is simply not a time for you to advance. Do not use excessive divination to escape a modest fate. Ambition is draining your strength.

9 :: fifth

Heavy clouds in the West, but no rain falls.
A bird is retrieved from a pit by a corded arrow.

Your situation appears to have great potential (clouds) but, so far, nothing has happened. You can, however, accomplish a great deal unexpectedly, through an action of studied precision (corded arrow).

6 :: top

Passing, but not meeting. A bird in flight is bagged. Catastrophe!

You have ignored all cautions and are acting far beyond your means (poach-ing). Your egotism introduces you to disaster.

Image

Xiao Guo is about small or unripe opportunities and/or being in a subordinate position (down). It is the innocent freedom to act without the burden of great responsibility (expeditions). It is not a grand sort of power, but it is certainly not about being powerless.

Auspices

Success in small matters. The judicious and timely use of small force succeeds. Being an assistant is favorable. Things go well if you avoid pretense.

Good for staying home, retiring, maintaining discipline, education, and editing.

Bad for unbridled ambition, extra effort, and fantasies.

Comment

Xiao Guo is about the windows of opportunity available at the end of a cycle of growth. It is about a time when it is best to work on small matters and not on grand plans. It is important to note the wisdom inherent in the unique power of Xiao Guo. This power, though small, succeeds by precise and accurate application.

Near the end of the Zhouyi, Xiao Guo offers advice on how to prolong influence through small and intelligent actions. The gi of "small success" is not only in prolonging influence near the end but also in preparing for the inevitable loss of power (retirement).

Other Correspondences

Business: Downsizing, conferring with assistants, and detailing contracts.

Disharmonies: Childhood respiratory illnesses, heart disease, cancer, and injury.

Prognosis: Fair. The patient shows improvement (regains some comfort) but does not completely recover.