Above is the trigram Qian (Heaven), below is the trigram Kun (Earth). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is unworthy (foolish) people governing the situation, driven by momentary selfish interests, justice and rational approach cannot be expected from them. If the inverted positions of the two trigrams in the hexagram Tai (Prosperity) show a favorable mixture of Earth and Heaven, here these two trigrams are distant and alienated from each other. Heaven strives upwards, Earth downwards, there is no connection or contact. The result is an obstacle and negativity. Where strength is above and weakness below, everything can easily fall apart; where strength is outside and weakness inside, there is only superficiality and impermanence. This is a time when the important and great departs. Immediately, everything related to momentary gain, only the small and insignificant arrives.
This is a time for conservation, not dispersal of one’s forces and energy. The original Chinese text uses the image of ‘impossibility to distinguish oneself in service’. Those who think only of themselves and forget about the people around them may temporarily gain power and authority, but it will not last long and will not bring benefit to anyone. An alternative image for understanding this hexagram is a state of illness, in which the patient needs to accumulate strength and help the body to cope with the affliction. If he pretends to be healthy and does not accept the situation as it is, the illness will only worsen.
The hexagram warns us that if we allow ourselves to be carried away by illusions, we face only the aggravation of problems. In such periods of misfortune, Pi reminds us to remain steadfast and remember that all states are temporary and better times will definitely come.