Hexagram 16Upper Zhen · ThunderLower Kun · Earth

Yu · Enthusiasm

豫卦 · 雷地豫

Joy
Preparation
Momentum
Inspiration

The Judgment

Yü indicates that, (in the state which it implies), feudal princes may be set up, and the hosts put in motion, with advantage.

利建侯行师。

The Image

Thunder bursts out of the earth: enthusiasm. The ancient kings, in the same way, made music to honour virtue and offered it to the Supreme, with their ancestors.

雷出地奋，豫。先王以作乐崇德，殷荐之上帝，以配祖考。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

You are in a light, happy state where people respond to you. Yu is spring thunder breaking out of the earth, stirring everything into motion, a sign of rising spirits and moving with the times. Things have started well, and your enthusiasm easily inspires others.

Where to put your effort

While the mood is good, plan ahead: set things up and bring people on board. But beware of boastful enthusiasm; do not get lost in pleasure or carried away by success. Keep a measure of clarity and restraint, and joy will drive you forward instead of becoming an excuse to slack off.

Four areas of life

Career: Spring thunder stirs; all is auspicious.
Wealth: New products launched will bring great profit.
Family: Honour your ancestors and the family will be safe.
Health: Calm your mind through quiet reflection.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Six at the beginningThe first line, divided, shows its subject proclaiming his pleasure and satisfaction. There will be evil.Moving

初六：鸣豫，凶。

Image：The first six, enthusiasm that boasts: the will is exhausted, misfortune.

Career: Getting carried away leads to trouble.
Wealth: Early profit; do not get greedy.
Family: A strange scare; guard against danger.
Health: Rather unfavourable.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, shows one who is firm as a rock. (He sees a thing) without waiting till it has come to pass; with his firm correctness there will be good fortune.Moving

六二：介于石，不终日，贞吉。

Image：Not waiting a whole day, perseverance brings good fortune: being central and correct.

Career: A person of high character who does not chase vanity.
Wealth: Decide your goal and profit quickly.
Family: Run the house strictly and keep petty people out.
Health: A new illness will heal; an old one will fade.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows one looking up (for favours), while he indulges the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. If he would understand!—If he be late in doing so, there will indeed be occasion for repentance.Moving

六三：盱豫，悔。迟有悔。

Image：Enthusiasm that looks upward brings regret: the position is not right.

Career: You are not in the right yourself, and so you regret it.
Wealth: Fleeting chances; take quick profits.
Family: Guard against theft right away.
Health: See a doctor immediately.

Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows him from whom the harmony and satisfaction come. Great is the success which he obtains. Let him not allow suspicions to enter his mind, and thus friends will gather around him.Moving

九四：由豫，大有得，勿疑，朋盍簪。

Image：Enthusiasm from which much is gained: the will is widely carried out.

Career: Your luck is running strong; no need to worry.
Wealth: Goods gather and the market thrives.
Family: Blessings and wealth.
Health: No need to worry.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows one with a chronic complaint, but who lives on without dying.Moving

六五：贞疾，恒不死。

Image：Six in the fifth place, persistent illness: riding on a hard line. Lasting without dying: the centre is not yet lost.

Career: A soft character that struggles to rally.
Wealth: The wrong people lead to losses.
Family: Your property may be encroached on.
Health: Living long with a chronic condition.

Six at the topThe topmost line, divided, shows its subject with darkened mind devoted to the pleasure and satisfaction (of the time); but if he change his course even when (it may be considered as) completed, there will be no error.Moving

上六：冥豫，成有渝，无咎。

Image：Blind enthusiasm at the top: how could it last?

Career: Winter passes and spring arrives; rise up and act.
Wealth: Replace the old with the new and you will profit.
Family: A move or renovation is favourable.
Health: A turn for the better should come.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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