水天需
Core Insight
水天需 — Hexagram 5
Waiting with inner truth. The clouds gather above heaven but the rain has not yet fallen. Eat, drink, prepare, and trust — the right moment crosses the great water.
The Image
雲上於天，需；君子以飲食宴樂。
The Image of Waiting: wait actively: restore yourself, prepare resources, and do not rush the rain. Treat the image as practical discipline, not decoration: let it shape the next concrete choice.
Shifting lines
初爻
At the beginning of Waiting, keep the move small. Clarify the real question before seeking momentum.
二爻
A steadier position appears. Accept help, test the facts, and choose the next step that can be repeated.
三爻
Pressure rises in Waiting. Do not make the tension theatrical; name the risk and reduce the unnecessary load.
四爻
The situation nears a threshold. Recheck motives, adjust the method, and avoid forcing a premature outcome.
五爻
This is the governing line of Waiting. Act from the clearest principle and make the decision useful to others.
上爻
The pattern is reaching its limit. Complete what can be completed, release excess, and prepare for the next change.