In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.
'The want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men in Phî, and its indication as unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man; with the intimation that the great are gone and the little come:'—all this springs from the fact that in it heaven and earth are not in communication with each other, and all things in consequence do not have free course; and that the high and the low (superiors and inferiors) are not in communication with one another, and there are no (well-regulated) states under the sky. The inner (trigram) is made up of the weak and divided lines, and the outer of the strong and undivided: the inner is (the symbol of) weakness, and the outer of strength; the inner (represents) the small man, and the outer the superior man. Thus the way of the small man appears increasing, and that of the superior man decreasing.
The Image
天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。
(The trigrams of) heaven and earth, not in intercommunication, form Phî. The superior man, in accordance with this, restrains (the manifestation of) his virtue, and avoids the calamities (that threaten him). There is no opportunity of conferring on him the glory of emolument.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
傾否，先否後喜。
The sixth line, undivided, shows the overthrow (and removal of) the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.
Its symbolism
否終則傾，何可長也。
'The distress and obstruction having reached its end, it is overthrown and removed:'—how could it be prolonged?
In the fifth line, undivided, we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close,—the great man and fortunate. (But let him say), 'We may perish! We may perish!' (so shall the state of things become firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.
Its symbolism
大人之吉，位正當也。
'The good fortune of the great man' arises from the correctness of his position.
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.
Its symbolism
有命无咎，志行也。
'He acts in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and commits no error:'—the purpose of his mind can be carried into effect.
The second line, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.
Its symbolism
大人否亨，不亂群也。
'The great man, comporting himself as the distress and obstruction require, will have success:'—he does not allow himself to be disordered by the herd (of small men).
The first line, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness (on the part of its subject), there will be good fortune and progress.
Its symbolism
拔茅貞吉，志在君也。
'The good fortune through firm goodness, (suggested by) the pulling up of the grass,' arises from the will (of the parties intended) being bent on (serving) the ruler.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 12, Blockage, mean?
Heaven and earth pulling apart: nothing communicates. The great departs, the small arrives; the unworthy prosper while the worthy keep still.
Which trigrams form Blockage?
乾 above 坤 — heaven over earth. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 漸 Gradual Advance.
What happens when a line of Blockage changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Blockage in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - - - - - — — — is Blockage. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.