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Hexagram #62 of 64Xiao Guo (Preponderance of the Small)

Small Exceeding

The micro-patch — small corrections that prevent cascading failures.

smallnesshumilitycautiondetaillimitationmodesty

Trigram Composition

Upper Trigram

☳ Thunder (Zhen)

Lower Trigram

☶ Mountain (Gen)

Binary Structure

Line 6
Yin (0)
Line 5
Yin (0)
Line 4
Yang (1)
Line 3
Yang (1)
Line 2
Yin (0)
Line 1
Yin (0)

Binary: 001100

Hexagram Meaning

The Oracle Speaks

Thunder on the mountain — the bird in flight. Small things succeed; great things do not. The flying bird brings the message: it is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune. Attend to details. Small contributions matter more now than grand gestures. The micro-optimization that makes the difference. The minor patch that prevents the major outage.

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.

1

Line 1 (Yin — broken) — Bottom

The bird meets with misfortune through flying. Flying too high too fast — the small creature exceeding its capacity.

2

Line 2 (Yin — broken)

She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame. Reaching the accessible person rather than the inaccessible one.

3

Line 3 (Yang — solid)

If one is not extremely careful, somebody may come from behind and strike him. Misfortune. Lack of caution in small matters invites attack from blind spots.

4

Line 4 (Yang — solid)

No blame. He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. The direct encounter that doesn't overshoot — precise but risky.

5

Line 5 (Yin — broken)

Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave. Ready, aimed, connected — but the rain still hasn't come. Partial success.

6

Line 6 (Yin — broken) — Top

He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. The opportunity flies past — exceeded in the wrong direction.

Related Hexagrams — Upper ☳ Thunder (Zhen)

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Consult the I Ching