Pi 天地否
A time when communication is blocked
Words don’t get through and everything feels stuck. Don’t push; build your skills inside while you wait.
What does I Ching hexagram 12 (Standstill) mean?
Heaven and earth turn away from each other and communication is blocked. A frustrating period: build your character inwardly and wait.
- Standstill in love
- Talk stalls and misunderstandings pile up, so don’t force anything.
- Standstill at work and with money
- Work is blocked. Strengthen what you have rather than expanding.
- Advice
- In a blocked time, stepping back and building strength is the best plan.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Standstill
Caution“Standstill is caused by the wrong people. It is not fitting for the noble person to persevere. The great goes and the small comes.”
The Image: Heaven and earth do not meet: standstill. The noble person withdraws into virtue to avoid trouble and does not take pride in honors.
原文 · 否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。 / 天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。
The six lines of hexagram 12
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Very auspicious“Pulling up reeds, the roots come up with their cluster; perseverance brings good fortune and success.”
Even in a bad time, a united group can hold firm.
原文 · 拔茅茹以其彙，貞吉。亨。
Line 2 · 六二
Very auspicious“Putting up with and serving: the small person finds good fortune; for the great person, the standstill continues, and yet success.”
Going along with things is easy for some, but a person of principle holds out.
原文 · 包承，小人吉，大人否。亨。
Line 3 · 六三
Neutral“Putting up with shame.”
You are accepting something you are ashamed of. Notice it.
原文 · 包羞。
Line 4 · 九四
No blame“There is a mandate: no blame; companions share the blessing.”
When the time begins to turn, acting under proper authority is safe and others benefit.
原文 · 有命，无咎，疇離祉。
Line 5 · 九五
Auspicious“The standstill ceases; good fortune for the great person. “It may perish, it may perish”: so tie it to a bush of mulberry shoots.”
The turn comes, but stay alert and secure things firmly.
原文 · 休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，繫于包桑。
Line 6 · 上九
Neutral“The standstill is overturned; first standstill, afterward joy.”
The blockage finally breaks. It was hard first, but it ends happily.
原文 · 傾否，先否後喜。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 11. Tai (Peace)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 11. Tai (Peace)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.