Hexagram 08

Bĭ, compare, stand by

Gua Poem (the invocation):
To stand by. Auspicious. Source of oracle consulting with yarrow stalks. Eminent long range divination. No fault. The border states which are not peaceful will come. The man who comes late: pitfall.

The great image says: On the earth water flows: standing by. The ancient king founded innumerable territories, maintaining close relations with the feudal lords.

Bǐ: the ideogram and the story (NEW). What does it mean for your question?
This hexagram is complementary to hex.14.

Top line: Standing by without a head. Pitfall.
To be known by others, you have to be open and honest. Anything you hold back can break you. But just as important is to let them know in a way they can understand. Misunderstandings can cause huge problems.
(hex.8 its 20 Contemplation One can only 'see' with a free mind. Mirror

Line 5: Manifestation of standing by. The king uses three beaters and lets go the game ahead. No warning of the people of the county, auspicious.
When leniency and understanding are a natural part of the laws, and people are free to leave, then those who stay will be loyal and need no warning. They stand by each other and the ruler according to their own choice.
(hex.8 its 2 The Field Leading as example instead of authority) (non-leading). Mirror

Line 4: Standing by outside. divination auspicious.
Open up to views beyond your own and connect with what feels worthwhile to you. Staying inside a narrow circle will shut you off from the larger world, both from people and inside your own mind. Good fortune can only come to you if you yourself draw it towards you.
(hex.8 its 45 Gathering needs a broad view) Mirror

Line 3: Standing by bad people.
Be severe in what you accept and what not. One rotten apple can spoil a whole basket, so throw it out. If that is not possible, then leave yourself. You have just one life, don’t waste it.
(hex.8 its 39 Limping Needing a new view or direction) Mirror

Line 2: The origin of standing by is inside. divination auspicious.
If you want to function well in your group, then be a real member, in your heart. Just doing all the right things is not enough, if you are not really committed the others will know. Accept them the way they are, even if they are weird, be proud of your group, even if it is a motley crew. All your actions will testify what you feel, so make your feelings great.
(hex.8 its 29 The Pit One step can mean in or out of trouble) Mirror

Initial line: Being sincere standing by. Without fault. Sincerely filling the jar. In the end, there it is. Auspicious.
Do not try to show what you are inside, what you might accomplish, what your talents are, but give others what you actually do with it. Bring your own sincerity in and connections will be true.
(hex.8 its 3 Start Make the best of a situation) Mirror

More about the lines and their characters