36. Darkening of the Light (Ming I)

Earth over fire. Suggests maintaining inner light during difficult times.

Line 1: Darkening of the light during flight. He lowers his wings. The superior man does not eat for three days on his wanderings. But he has somewhere to go. The host has occasion to gossip about him.
Line 2: Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the power of a horse. Good fortune.
Line 3: Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too soon.
Line 4: He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light.
Line 5: Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers.
Line 6: Not light but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth.