Hexagram 05

Xū, the rain dancer

Hex.5 is is complementary to hex.35

Gua Poem:
Waiting with sincerity: shining expansion, determination auspicious.
Fruitful to cross the great stream.

The great image says: Clouds rise up to heaven: Needing a change in the weather. The noble one drinks and eats and reposes relaxed.

The character xū is an image of a shaman dancing for rain. In another old character a sweating person. Dancing for rain. Also 'needing', whatever it is you need. More about Xu

If you receive Xu as primary or relating hexagram, it is advice not to get annoyed but to make the most of this time. The way you wait can make a difference. An open mind tends to invite a change for the better.

The trigrams: Water (or clouds) in Heaven. There is nothing you can do about rain, so simply wait until the weather changes. Use this time for relaxing or preparing. Don't get stuck in the mud.

If no lines change: either the situation is such that you cannot do anything or change much about it, or there is no need for it and things simply are the way they are.

If all lines change: this will be a huge task, it looks as if the entire situation has to be turned over. Hex.35 is not the opposite of 5, it is complementary. They need each other but it is very difficult to experience them simultaneously. See 'contrasts'.
(hex.1's 35 Grasping opportunities)

Top line: Entering the cave. There are unexpected visitors. Three people come. Respect them. The end is auspicious.
Even in difficult situations there are always possibilities. Keep your mind open, something might come up. Especially when your mind is at a loss, the unexpected can happen. Some call it a miracle. Rumi about visitors
(hex.5 its 9 Cultivating the small) Mirror

Line 5: Waiting with liquor and food. Determination auspicious.
Every situation asks for its own appropriate attitude. When you eat, then enjoy eating, when you work, enjoy it, when you wait, enjoy it. Give every aspect of life an honorful place in your mind. Positive living summons positive forces, negative living drains life of all its energy and worth.
(hex.5 its 11 Eminence) Mirror

Line 4: Waiting in the blood. Get out of the cave.
Don’t wait and stay in a place not fit for you. A bad place, a wrong mind-set, low company. It is often difficult to take the plunge, but if you don’t, you spoil your time, your mind, maybe even your life. Fear is only as strong as you allow it to be.
(hex.5 its 43 Breakthrough) Mirror

Line 3: Waiting in the mud. It will attract bandits.
Don't stay in a bad place. The mind has a tendency to fall asleep when it has to wait. Sometimes an impulsive, maybe foolish, act is better than becoming dull.
(hex.5 its 60 Limits) Mirror

Line 2: Waiting in the sand. There is some talk. In the end auspicious.
Stranded in a place without much footing. Relax, talk and listen and maybe in between the insignificant chatter or strife you or someone else will come with a good idea.
(hex.5 its 63 Already) Mirror

Initial line: Waiting in the outskirts. Harvest: benefit of steadiness. No fault
When there are no possibilities, then wait but do not give up or leave, something might come along. Keep your ears, eyes and especially your mind open and alert.
(hex.5 its 48 Well). Mirror

More about hex.5 and 6 (myth, lines, opposite, trigrams)