Hexagram 52Upper Gen · MountainLower Gen · Mountain

Gen · Stillness

艮卦 · 艮为山

Stopping
Calm
Knowing when to stop
Being present

The Judgment

When one’s resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it,—there will be no error.

艮其背，不获其身。行其庭，不见其人。无咎。

The Image

Mountains standing together: stillness. The noble one, in the same way, does not let their thoughts go beyond their own position.

兼山，艮。君子以思不出其位。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

This is a time when you need to stop. Gen is mountain upon mountain, completely still. You may have been rushing, running and overthinking, and your body and mind are signalling that you need rest; or what lies ahead should not be pushed any further.

Where to put your effort

Learn to stop where you should stop: stop when it is time to stop, move when it is time to move. Bring your attention back to your own position and the present moment, and do not worry about matters that are not yours. Give yourself quiet time, and keep impulsive thoughts and words in check. Once you are still, you can see the next step clearly.

Four areas of life

Career: Average luck; do not push ahead rashly.
Wealth: Look after your core business; do not be greedy.
Family: Not a good time to renovate; fate has already decided.
Health: Living long with a chronic condition.

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 keeping his toes at rest. There will be no error; but it will be advantageous for him to be persistently firm and correct.Moving

初六：艮其趾，无咎。利永贞。

Image：Keeping the toes still: not yet straying from what is right.

Career: Good luck is beginning; holding back brings no blame.
Wealth: Contentment brings happiness; do plenty of good.
Family: You can stay for a long time; a lifelong, happy union.
Health: See a doctor about the foot problem.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, shows its subject keeping the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help (the subject of the line above) whom he follows, and is dissatisfied in his mind.Moving

六二：艮其腓，不拯其随，其心不快。

Image：Unable to save the one he follows: the other has not stepped back to listen.

Career: Your path is blocked and help is lacking.
Wealth: Holding stock without selling; inevitably worrying.
Family: Not a good time to move; avoid this marriage.
Health: Hard to cure with medicine.

Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows its subject keeping his loins at rest, and separating the ribs (from the body below). The situation is perilous, and the heart glows with suppressed excitement.Moving

九三：艮其限，列其夤，厉薰心。

Image：Keeping the waist still: danger smothers the heart.

Career: Going with the times succeeds; do not force things.
Wealth: Shutting yourself off leads to hardship.
Family: Keep in touch with others; do not be fussy about family background.
Health: Poor circulation.

Six in the fourth placeThe fourth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his trunk at rest. There will be no error.Moving

六四：艮其身，无咎。

Image：Keeping the body still: stopping oneself.

Career: No gain, no loss; protecting yourself brings no blame.
Wealth: You can protect your capital and find another good opportunity.
Family: Safe and sound; an ordinary marriage.
Health: Living long with a chronic condition.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his jawbones at rest, so that his words are (all) orderly. Occasion for repentance will disappear.Moving

六五：艮其辅，言有序，悔亡。

Image：Keeping the jaws still: through being central and correct.

Career: Balanced, fair words are naturally well received.
Wealth: Keep things confidential and the deal will happen.
Family: A balanced, proper position; beware of smooth talkers.
Health: Once you can speak again, the illness can be treated.

Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows its subject devotedly maintaining his restfulness. There will be good fortune.Moving

上九：敦艮，吉。

Image：The good fortune of generous stillness: ending in steadfastness.

Career: Better and better; naturally auspicious.
Wealth: Business in hand brings plenty of profit.
Family: Generations of honesty; an auspicious marriage.
Health: A robust constitution.

Related hexagrams

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

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