Strategic Retreat ䷠

“Graceful deprecation — strategic withdrawal that preserves all critical data.”

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Trigram Composition

Upper Trigram

☰

☰ Heaven (Qian)

Lower Trigram

☶

☶ Mountain (Gen)

Binary Structure

Line 6

Yang (1)

Line 5

Yang (1)

Line 4

Yang (1)

Line 3

Yang (1)

Line 2

Yin (0)

Line 1

Yin (0)

Binary: 001111

Hexagram Meaning

䷠

The Oracle Speaks

Mountain beneath heaven — the small advances, the great retreats. Retreat is not defeat; it is strategic repositioning. The strong withdraw at the right moment to preserve their power. Graceful deprecation of a service is better than catastrophic failure. Know when to pull back and you preserve everything that matters.

The Six Lines — Changing Line Oracles

When a line is “changing” (old yin or old yang), its oracle activates. These texts reveal the specific mutation occurring at that position in the hexagram.

Line 1 (Yin — broken) — Bottom

At the tail of the retreat. This is dangerous. One must not wish to undertake anything. Being last to retreat is the most dangerous position.

Line 2 (Yin — broken)

He holds him fast with yellow oxhide. No one can tear him loose. Absolute commitment to the retreat — nothing can pull you back in.

Line 3 (Yang — solid)

A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. Retaining servants and concubines brings good fortune. The partial retreat — maintaining some connections while withdrawing.

Line 4 (Yang — solid)

Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior person and destruction to the inferior person. Clean separation benefits the disciplined.

Line 5 (Yang — solid)

Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune. Retreating with goodwill — closing the service with grace notes.

Line 6 (Yang — solid) — Top

Cheerful retreat. Everything serves to further. The joyful shutdown — mission accomplished, time to move on.