Hexagram 8: Holding Together (Grouping)

“The Future: 2027”

I. The Oracle

A. Central Theme: Grouping and Alliance
Hexagram 8 symbolizes the concept of Holding Together, which is fundamentally about forming alliances and finding unity. Picture a puddle of water, separate from the vast sea or ocean yet cohesive within its boundaries. This small body of water represents the delicate balance of a group or community:

1. Unity Brings Good Fortune
   Success in Holding Together stems from proactive steps, such as revisiting the oracle for guidance. Similarly, in modern contexts like marketing, early adopters reap the benefits of innovation, while latecomers often find the opportunities diminished—the hors d’oeuvres are gone, and the excitement has transitioned into established norms.

B. The Image

1. “On the earth is water”
   a) This illustrates Holding Together as a natural process.
   b) In ancient times, kings would foster unity by granting fiefs to feudal lords, cultivating trust and cooperative relationships. These alliances strengthened their realms through shared purpose and mutual respect.

II. Interpretation and Insights

A. The Nature of a Puddle
A puddle’s destiny is shaped by its placement. Without connection to a larger, sustaining body of water, it eventually dries up. In life, this reflects the need to connect with broader networks or communities. Through conjoining with others, we gain not only sustenance but also greater perspective.

• Think of this process as “Becoming Doctors”—a metaphor for achieving mastery and understanding through shared experiences and collective growth.
• Quote: “This hexagram describes your situation in terms of how you categorize people and things and how you relate to these categories. It emphasizes that joining people and things through recognizing their essential qualities is the adequate way to handle it. To be in accord with the time, you are told to: GROUP!” – Karcher, S., & Ritesema, R. (1995)

B. The Role of the Avatar
Hexagram 8 also evokes the image of an avatar, a conduit that channels water from a higher source to the immediate surroundings. This avatar, like a gutter directing rainwater from a roof, has a profound and immediate effect on those closest to it. However, the puddle’s existence is precarious; under the heat of the sun, its smallness becomes its vulnerability.

• Key Reflection: Which resonates more deeply—the sound of a small bell or the resounding echo of a large bell? It is the aura and presence of The Great Person, the one who radiates influence, that transforms and sustains the group.

By aligning ourselves with the principle of Holding Together, we connect not just physically but spiritually and emotionally. We learn to resonate with the larger rhythms of life, adapting to cycles of growth and unity.

Key Takeaways

• Join and Connect: Unity, whether through small or large groups, fosters resilience and growth.
• Be the Avatar: Act as a bridge that nurtures those around you while drawing strength from greater sources.
• Embrace Cycles: Recognize the ebb and flow of connections, knowing that unity thrives on adaptation and shared purpose.

Hexagram 8 is an enduring reminder that togetherness is not only a strategy but a path to personal and collective evolution.