Your current situation can be depicted as "Fellowship with Men" transforming into "The Taming Power of the Small".
In front of you lies "Heaven" which transforms into "Wind". That means that strength and creativity are being transformed into penetration and following. Behind you lies "Fire" which transforms into "Heaven". That means that brightness and warmth are being transformed into strength and creativity.
The Situation
13. T'ung Jên - Fellowship with Men Above (in front): Ch'ien - The Creative (Heaven) Below (behind): Li - The Clinging (Fire)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The image of the upper trigram Ch'ien is heaven, and that of the lower, Li, is flame. It is the nature of fire to flame up to heaven. This gives the idea of fellowship. It is the second line that, by virtue of its central character, unites the five strong lines around it. This hexagram forms a complement to Shih, THE ARMY (7). In the latter, danger is within and obedience without–the character of a warlike army, which, in order to hold together, needs one strong man among the many who are weak. Here, clarity is within and strength without–the character of a peaceful union of men, which, in order to hold together, needs one yielding nature among many firm persons.
The Judgement for the Current Situation
Fellowship with Men in the open. Success. It furthers one to cross the great water. The perseverance of the superior man furthers.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
True fellowship among men must be based upon a concern that is universal. It is not the private interests of the individual that create lasting fellowship among men, but rather the goals of humanity. That is why it is said that fellowship with men in the open succeeds. If unity of this kind prevails, even difficult and dangerous tasks, such as crossing the great water, can be accomplished. But in order to bring about this sort of fellowship, a persevering and enlightened leader is needed–a man with clear, convincing, and inspiring aims and the strength to carry them out. (The inner trigram means clarity; the outer, strength. )
The Image for the Current Situation
Heaven together with fire: The image of Fellowship with Men. Thus the superior man organizes the clans And makes distinctions between things.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Heaven has the same direction of movement as fire, yet it is different from fire. Just as the luminaries in the sky serve for the systematic division and arrangement of time, so human society and all things that really belong together must be organically arranged. Fellowship should not be a mere mingling of individuals or of things–that would be chaos, not fellowship. If fellowship is to lead to order, there must be organization within diversity.
Interpretation of the Changing Line(s)
Line 2: Fellowship with men in the clan. Humiliation.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
There is danger here of formation of a separate faction on the basis of personal and egotistic interests. Such factions, which are exclusive and, instead of welcoming all men, must condemn one group in order to unite the others, originate from low motives and therefore lead in the course of time to humiliation.
Line 4: He climbs up on his wall; he cannot attack. Good fortune.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Here the reconciliation that follows quarrel moves nearer. It is true that there are still dividing walls on which we stand confronting one another. But the difficulties are too great. We get into straits, and this brings us to our senses. We cannot fight, and therein lies our good fortune.
The Future
9. Hsiao Ch'u - The Taming Power of the Small Above (in front): Sun - The Gentle (Wind) Below (behind): Ch'ien - The Creative (Heaven)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
This hexagram means the force of the small–the power of the shadowy–that restrains, tames, impedes. A weak line in the fourth place, that of the minister, holds the five strong lines in check. In the Image it is the wind blowing across the sky. The wind restrains the clouds, the rising breath of the Creative, and makes them grow dense, but as yet is not strong enough to turn them to rain. The hexagram presents a configuration of circumstances in which a strong element is temporarily held in leash by a weak element. It is only through gentleness that this can have a successful outcome.
The Judgement for the Future
The Taming Power of the Small Has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
This image refers to the state of affairs in China at the time when King Wên, who came originally from the west, was in the east at the court of the reigning tyrant Chou Hsin. The moment for action on a large scale had not yet arrived. King Wên could only keep the tyrant somewhat in check by friendly persuasion. Hence the image of many clouds, promising moisture and blessing to the land, although as yet no rain falls. The situation is not unfavorable; there is a prospect of ultimate success, but there are still obstacles in the way, and we can merely take preparatory measures. Only through the small means of friendly persuasion can we exert any influence. The time has not yet come for sweeping measures. However, we may be able, to a limited extent, to act as a restraining and subduing influence. To carry out our purpose we need firm determination within and gentleness and adaptability in external relations.
The Image for the Future
The wind drives across heaven: The image of The Taming Power of the Small. Thus the superior man Refines the outward aspect of his nature.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The wind can indeed drive the clouds together in the sky; yet, being nothing but air, without solid body, it does not produce great or lasting effects. So also an individual, in times when he can produce no great effect in the outer world, can do nothing except refine the expression of his nature in small ways.
13. T'ung Jên - Fellowship with Men
9. Hsiao Ch'u - The Taming Power of the Small