Hexagram 42 of 64 · King Wen sequence

Increase

益 · yì

Above: Wind
Below: Thunder

Wind above thunder: the wave that travels — increase that flows downward to the people, and a river crossing taken with urgency.

Wind and thunder together, the wave rolling on: Increase is the hexagram of gain that moves downward — the good that strengthens those beneath it, not just the holder. Its motto has dates in it: it is time to cross the great river, and the day is favourable.

The counsel guards the flow: increase that only flows upward curdles. Give to those beneath, act on the good impulse with urgency (do not sit on a confirmed plan), and take the crossing — twice announced, twice meant.

Questions this hexagram asks

What increase am I holding that should flow downward?
Which good plan have I let sit past its confirmation?
What would crossing the great river now, actually mean?

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