Xiao Guo · Small Exceeding
小过卦 · 雷山小过
- Caution
- Small steps
- Low profile
- Attention to detail
The Judgment
Hsiao Kwo indicates that (in the circumstances which it implies) there will be progress and attainment. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (What the name denotes) may be done in small affairs, but not in great affairs. (It is like) the notes that come down from a bird on the wing;—to descend is better than to ascend. There will (in this way) be great good fortune.
亨，利贞。可小事，不可大事。飞鸟遗之音。不宜上，宜下，大吉。
The Image
Thunder on the mountain: small exceeding. The noble one, in the same way, goes a little too far in respect, a little too far in grief at a funeral, and a little too far in thrift.
山上有雷，小过。君子以行过乎恭，丧过乎哀，用过乎俭。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
This is a time for small things, not big ones. Xiao Guo is like a flying bird: it is not right to strive upward, it is right to stay below. Flying high is dangerous; landing low is safe. You may want a big breakthrough, but your current strength and timing do not support it.
Where to put your effort
Scale your goals down a little and do the details a little better. In what you say and do, erring slightly on the side of courtesy, restraint and caution is good. Do not push ahead or show off. Hold your current position and wait for a time that truly suits flying high.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Keeping yourself aloof attracts resentment.
- Wealth
- Prices do not match; no profit to be had.
- Family
- A house on high ground; an older husband and young wife.
- Health
- Too cold or too hot.
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 in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows its subject taking no extraordinary precautions against danger; and some in consequence finding opportunity to assail and injure him. There will be evil.Moving
九三：弗过防之，从或戕之，凶。
Image：Someone may follow and harm him: how great the misfortune!
- Career
- Do not rush; protect yourself and avoid disaster.
- Wealth
- Doing business away from home, thieves are a real risk.
- Family
- Guard against misfortune; beware of enemies.
- Health
- Knife wounds are dangerous.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject falling into no error, but meeting (the exigency of his situation), without exceeding (in his natural course). If he go forward, there will be peril, and he must be cautious. There is no occasion to be using firmness perpetually.Moving
九四：无咎，弗过遇之，往厉必戒。勿用，永贞。
Image：Without going too far, he meets it: the position is not right. Going forward is dangerous, be on guard: it cannot last.
- Career
- Watch how things develop; do not act rashly.
- Wealth
- Stop at the right point; do not be greedy.
- Family
- A settled home is best; do not rush the engagement.
- Health
- Rest and calm your mind.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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