Hexagram 53 · Line 3
Development — 三六
Jian Gradual · San Liu
The Line
The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau. The man goes forth and does not return. The woman carries a child, but does not bring it to the world. Misfortune! It is favorable to ward off robbers.
Interpretation
The dry plateau is not for the wild goose. If she draws thither, she has lost her way and has gone too far. This contradicts the law of development. So it goes too in human life. If one does not let things develop calmly, but plunges prematurely into the fight from one's own initiative, it brings misfortune. One stakes one's own life, and the family perishes over it. But this is in no way necessary; rather, it is only the consequence of transgressing the law of natural development. If one does not seek out the fight from oneself, but limits oneself to asserting one's place forcefully and warding off unjustified attacks, all goes well.