Yi Jing · Chinese tarot
Nourishment
Hexagram 27 of the Yi Jing · 颐 Yí
The figure
The Mountain above Thunder: stillness above, movement below — the image of a mouth, of care for what nourishes.
What this figure illuminates
Nourishment lights up what you feed on — in the broad sense: thoughts, company, attention. You become what you take in; care begins with choosing what you let enter.
For a decision, the figure questions your sources: “what I'm feeding on right now — information, relationships, habits — does it grow me, or consume me?”.
The classical text
The Judgment
Nourishment: to stay upright brings good fortune. Watch what you feed, and what you seek to fill your own mouth with.
The Image
The mouth's two corners, still above and moving below. Seeing this, the noble person guards their words and is temperate in food and drink.
The Six Lines
- First line
You set aside your own true sustenance to gaze, mouth agape, at another's. Envy of what feeds others: misfortune.
- Second line
Seeking nourishment where you should not — below your station, or grasping above it. To advance this way ends badly.
- Third line
Feeding yourself against all right measure. However firm, this is misfortune — for ten years let it rest; nothing here furthers.
- Fourth line
Reaching down to nourish those below you — good fortune. Watch with the steady, unwavering gaze of a tiger, and you make no error.
- Fifth line
You cannot yet nourish others by your own means — lean on the strong one above. Stay firm: good fortune. But do not cross the great stream.
- Sixth line
Upon you the nourishing of all now depends. The charge is heavy and the position exposed, yet good fortune — and it furthers to cross the great stream.
Daoa's wording, written after the classical reference translations, now in the public domain: James Legge (1882) and Charles de Harlez (1889).
A question to keep
Does what you're feeding on right now help you grow?
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