Difficulty at the Beginning

Difficulty at the beginning. Things are sprouting but tangled; organise, seek help, and don't rush ahead.

• 初九 · Line 1
  磐桓，利居貞，利建侯。
  The first NINE, undivided, shows the difficulty (its subject has) in advancing. It will be advantageous for him to abide correct and firm; advantageous (also) to be made a feudal ruler.
  象曰：雖磐桓，志行正也。以貴下賤，大得民也。
• 六二 · Line 2
  屯如邅如，乘馬班如，匪寇婚媾，女子貞不字，十年乃字。
  The second SIX, divided, shows (its subject) distressed and obliged to return; (even) the horses of her chariot (also) seem to be retreating. (But) not by a spoiler (is she assailed), but by one who seeks her to be his wife. The young lady maintains her firm correctness, and declines a union. After ten years she will be united, and have children.
  象曰：六二之難，乘剛也。十年乃字，反常也。
• 六三 · Line 3
  即鹿无虞，惟入于林中，君子幾不如舍，往吝。
  The third SIX, divided, shows one following the deer without (the guidance of) the forester, and only finding himself in the midst of the forest. The superior man, acquainted with the secret risks, thinks it better to give up the chase. If he went forward, he would regret it.
  象曰：即鹿无虞，以從禽也。君子舍之，往吝窮也。
• 六四 · Line 4
  乘馬班如，求婚媾，往，吉无不利。
  The fourth SIX, divided, shows (its subject as a lady), the horses of whose chariot appear in retreat. She seeks, however, (the help of) him who seeks her to be his wife. Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously.
  象曰：求而往，明也。
• 九五 · Line 5
  屯其膏；小貞吉，大貞凶。
  The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the difficulties in the way of (its subject's) dispensing the rich favours that might be expected from him. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune in small things; (even) with them in great things there will be evil.
  象曰：屯其膏，施未光也。
• 上六 · Line 6
  乘馬班如，泣血漣如。
  The topmost SIX, divided, shows (its subject) with the horses of his chariot obliged to retreat, and weeping tears of blood in streams.
  象曰：泣血漣如，何可長也。