Stripping Away
bō · Mountain over EarthWhen things are eroding, protect what matters and stop pushing.
不利有攸往。
Darkness climbs and only one strong line remains at the top, like a mountain wearing down to flat earth. It is not a good time to press forward. Hold still and wait.
The six lines
初六：剝牀以足，蔑貞凶。
The bed is being cut away at its legs. Damage starts at the base, and ignoring what is right here invites danger.
六二：剝牀以辨，蔑貞凶。
The damage reaches the bed's frame. Support is thinning around you, and abandoning your principles now would be dangerous.
六三：剝之，无咎。
Even amid the stripping, you break from those doing the harm. Standing apart this way carries no fault.
六四：剝牀以膚，凶。
The wearing away has reached the mattress, right against your skin. The danger is close now, so take it seriously.
六五：貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。
Fish strung in a line: the palace women come in good order and receive favor. Leading others with order and grace, little goes wrong.
上九：碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
One large fruit remains uneaten. The person of character gains a carriage of support; the small-minded tear down their own shelter.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.