I Ching hexagram 16

I Ching hexagram 16: Enthusiasm

豫 yù · thunder above earth

Thunder bursting from the earth, music after silence: rousing energy that works when it's shared and kept steady.

The judgment: It pays to install lords and set armies marching.
"Yü indicates that, (in the state which it implies), feudal princes may be set up, and the hosts put in motion, with advantage."
James Legge's translation, 1882
What it says to you: Thunder breaks out of the earth, the first spring storm, and the old commentaries tie the image to music: sound that moves people and gets them moving together. The judgment says it pays to install lords and send out troops, meaning the mood is right for organizing and launching. The lines are a field guide to good and bad enthusiasm. Announcing your own delight is bad. Being firm as a rock, seeing the shift before the day is out, is good. Gazing up for approval brings regret, and so does hesitating too long. The fourth line is the source of the joy, and friends gather around it like hair in a clasp. At the top, the reveler in the dark can still change course. Rally people around a real plan, and keep your own head clear.

Matter by matter

Love: Excitement and attraction run high; enjoy it without bragging or losing your judgment.
Work: A good time to rally a team and launch. Inspire others, but don't oversell.
Money: Momentum favors action and mobilizing resources; avoid giddy overconfidence.
A yes or no question: Yes, with a condition: launch while energy is high, keeping your head clear and plans sound.

The six lines of Enthusiasm

A hexagram is built from the bottom up, so the first line is the lowest. You read a line's text only when your cast made it a moving line.

Bottom line, broken

Enthusiasm that calls out. Misfortune.

You're broadcasting your excitement or good luck to anyone who will listen. Showing off invites trouble. Keep it to yourself for now, and let the results do the talking.
Second line, broken

Firm as a rock. Not waiting a whole day. Steadiness brings good fortune.

Don't get swept up in the excitement around you. Stay solid as a rock and recognize the turn early, before the day is out. Clear-eyed steadiness is fortunate here.
Third line, broken

Looking upward for enthusiasm: regret. Delay brings regret too.

You're waiting for someone above to make you happy. That dependence leads to regret, and so does putting off your own decision. Act on your own.
Fourth line, solid

The source of enthusiasm. Much is gained. Don't doubt. Friends gather like hair in a clasp.

You're the one generating the energy, and others follow. Trust your role and stay sincere. People will gather around you, held together by your confidence.
Fifth line, broken

Steady, though ill. Long-lasting, not dying.

There's a chronic problem, perhaps pressure from someone powerful, that won't go away. It won't destroy you either. Endure it with patience and keep steady.
Top line, broken

Enthusiasm in the dark. Even when complete, change. No mistake.

You're lost in excitement or indulgence, and it has gone on a while. Even late in the game, you can still change course. Turning around now spares you the error.

About hexagram 16

What does I Ching hexagram 16 mean?

Hexagram 16, Enthusiasm, puts thunder above earth. Thunder bursting from the earth, music after silence: rousing energy that works when it's shared and kept steady. Its judgment reads: It pays to install lords and set armies marching.

Is hexagram 16 a yes or a no?

Yes, with a condition: launch while energy is high, keeping your head clear and plans sound.

What does hexagram 16 mean for love?

Excitement and attraction run high; enjoy it without bragging or losing your judgment.

What does hexagram 16 mean for work?

A good time to rally a team and launch. Inspire others, but don't oversell.

Cast the coins for a new question , or for a straight yes or no, throw the moon blocks

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The judgment and lines are rendered from the Chinese text; the quoted judgment is Legge's 1882 translation, and every other English line is Jade Almanac's own. A cast is a prompt for reflection, not advice about health, money or the law.