The Village Well
jǐng · Water over WindTend the source that feeds you and others.
改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶，凶。
Towns move but the well stays. It neither shrinks nor overflows, and all who come can draw from it. Yet a rope that falls short or a cracked jar spoils everything, so tend the means.
The six lines
初六：井泥不食，舊井无禽。
The well is muddy and no one drinks. At an old, neglected well not even birds gather. Clear out what has silted up.
九二：井谷射鮒，甕敝漏。
The water only trickles to small fish at the bottom, and the jar leaks. Your gifts are real but going to waste.
九三：井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。
The well is clean, yet no one drinks, and that is painful to see. With a clear-sighted leader, everyone could draw and share the good.
六四：井甃，无咎。
Time to reset the stones inside the well. Pause and repair yourself; no water comes today, but this work is sound.
九五：井冽，寒泉食。
The well runs clear, with a cold fresh spring to drink. What you have to offer is pure and ready to be shared.
上六：井收勿幕，有孚元吉。
The water is drawn up; leave the well uncovered. Stay dependable and open to all, and great good can come from it.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.