Shi He · Biting Through
噬嗑卦 · 火雷噬嗑
- Removing obstacles
- Clear judgement
- Decisiveness
- Rules
The Judgment
Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.
亨。利用狱。
The Image
Thunder and lightning: biting through. The ancient kings, in the same way, made penalties clear and laws firm.
雷电噬嗑。先王以明罚敕法。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
There is an obstacle between you and your goal, like something hard caught between your teeth: until you bite through it, your mouth cannot close. Shi He is the image of something stuck in the mouth. It might be a difficult person, an unresolved issue or a line that keeps being crossed.
Where to put your effort
This calls for decisiveness, not delay. Get the facts clear, then act firmly. Resolve the issue with clear rules and proportionate consequences, focusing on the matter rather than the person. Small problems dealt with early cost the least; leave them until they harden and every bite will hurt more.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Good luck begins to stir and your reputation climbs.
- Wealth
- Deals go through and goods sell well.
- Family
- Beware of fire; a lifelong, happy union.
- Health
- Watch for pent-up heat; lost items may not be recovered.
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.
Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows one with his feet in the stocks and deprived of his toes. There will be no error.Moving
初九：屦校灭趾，无咎。
Image：Feet in the stocks so the toes disappear: unable to walk on.
- Career
- Watch for small mishaps and you will avoid big ones.
- Wealth
- Trade carefully and avoid the timber business.
- Family
- Building or renovation; not a good time to marry.
- Health
- A foot problem is starting; treat it early.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows one gnawing the flesh dried on the bone, and getting the pledges of money and arrows. It will be advantageous to him to realise the difficulty of his task and be firm,—in which case there will be good fortune.Moving
九四：噬乾胏，得金矢。利艰贞，吉。
Image：It helps to persevere through hardship, good fortune: the light has not yet shone.
- Career
- Replace the old with the new and everything goes well.
- Wealth
- Small capital, big profit; cause for joy.
- Family
- Protect the household well; a marriage built on hard work and thrift.
- Health
- A stubborn condition; rest and recuperate.
Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows one wearing the cangue, and deprived of his ears. There will be evil.Moving
上九：何校灭耳，凶。
Image：Neck in the cangue so the ears disappear: hearing is not clear.
- Career
- Be gentle with the world and you will stay safe.
- Wealth
- Stop once you profit and you will avoid big losses.
- Family
- Guard against accidents.
- Health
- Eye or ear problems; look after your head.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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