Also known as The Taming Power of the Great, Great Taming, Great Accumulating.
The characters 大畜 mean "great" and "to tame or store". Hexagram 26 is the larger sibling of hexagram 9. Here a great force is held in check and stored up, the way a mountain holds back the sky. The restraint builds power for a big move later.
The figure
Mountain over Heaven. The creative force of heaven is contained inside the mountain. Strength isn't wasted. It's gathered, kept and allowed to deepen.
The judgment
It pays to hold. Better not to eat at home. This is the moment for the big crossing.
Staying steady pays. "Not eating at home" means putting your strength to public use, in service, not keeping it to yourself. Once the reserves are built, take on something big.
The image
The whole sky held inside a mountain. Learn what was said and done before you, and let it build in you.
Store up knowledge, not just resources. Study those who came before you, and let what you learn shape you.
The six lines
Counted from the bottom, the way the figure is built when you cast it.
- Line 1, at the bottom. There is danger ahead. It helps to stop. Hold back now and save your strength.
- Line 2. The axle is taken off the cart. You can't move yet, and that's fine. Wait without resentment.
- Line 3. A fine horse running in a pack. Keep alert to the risk and keep at it. Drill each day. Having a destination helps.
- Line 4. A guard board on a young bull's horns. This goes very well. Restraint placed early, before the force grows, works easily.
- Line 5. The tusk of a gelded boar. It goes well. Deal with the cause of the wildness, not the symptom.
- Line 6, at the top. The road to the sky stands open. It succeeds. Stored-up force is let loose.
Reading it for a question
Hexagram 26 says build up before you spend. Hold back, train, study and save. When the reserves are full, the big move will go through.