Your current situation can be depicted as "Standstill (Stagnation)" transforming into "Abundance (Fullness)".
In front of you lies "Heaven" which transforms into "Thunder". That means that strength and creativity are being transformed into movement, initiative, and action. Behind you lies "Earth" which transforms into "Fire". That means that docility and receptivity are being transformed into brightness and warmth.
The Situation
12. P'i - Standstill (Stagnation) Above (in front): Ch'ien - The Creative (Heaven) Below (behind): K'un - The Receptive (Earth)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh month (August-September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is setting in.
The Judgement for the Current Situation
Standstill. Evil people do not further The perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent; the way of superior people is one the decline. But the superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.
The Image for the Current Situation
Heaven and earth do not unite: The image of Standstill. Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth In order to escape the difficulties. He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. Therefore the superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances; he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.
Interpretation of the Changing Line(s)
Line 1: When the ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Perseverance brings good fortune and success.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The text is almost the same as that of the first line of the preceding hexagram, but with a contrary meaning. In the latter a man is drawing another along with him on the road to an official career; here a man is drawing another with him into retirement form public life. This is why the text says here, "Perseverance brings good fortune and success," and not "Undertakings bring good fortune. " If it becomes impossible to make our influence count, it is only by retirement that we spare ourselves humiliation. Success in a higher sense can be ours, because we know how to safeguard the value of our personalities.
Line 3: They bear shame.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Inferior people who have risen to power illegitimately do not feel equal to the responsibility they have taken upon themselves. In their hearts they begin to be ashamed, although at first they do not show it outwardly. This marks a turn for the better.
Line 5: Standstill is giving way. Good fortune for the great man. "What if it should fail, what if it should fail?" In this way, he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The time undergoes a change. The right man, able to restore order, has arrived. Hence "good fortune. " But such periods of transition are the very times in which we must fear and tremble. Success is assured only through greatest caution, which asks always, "What if it should fail?" When a mulberry bush is cut down, a number of unusually strong shoots sprout from the roots. Hence the image of tying something to a cluster of mulberry shoots is used to symbolize the way of making success certain. Confucius says about this line:Danger arises when a man feels secure in his position. Destruction threatens when a man seeks to preserve his worldly estate. Confusion develops when a man has put everything in order. Therefore the superior man does not forget danger in his security, not ruin when he is well established, nor confusion when his affairs are in order. In this way he gains personal safety and is able to protect the empire.
Line 6: The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The standstill does not last forever. However, it does not cease of its own accord; the right man is needed to end it. This is the difference between a state of peace and a state of stagnation. Continuous effort is necessary to maintain peace: left to itself it would change into stagnation and disintegration. The time of disintegration, however, does not change back automatically to a condition of peace and prosperity; effort must be put forth in order to end it. This shows the creative attitude that man must take if the world is to be put in order.
The Future
55. Fêng - Abundance (Fullness) Above (in front): Chên - The Arousing (Thunder) Below (behind): Li - The Clinging (Fire)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Chên is movement; Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without–this produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.
The Judgement for the Future
Abundance has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
The Image for the Future
Both thunder and lightning come: The image of Abundance. Thus the superior man decides lawsuits And carries out punishments.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down; here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.
12. P'i - Standstill (Stagnation)
55. Fêng - Abundance (Fullness)