Influence

咸其拇。

Influence reaches the big toe.

Influence first reaches the big toe at Line 1, the body's first point of motion. Changing the bottom line makes Fire below Lake and yields Hexagram 49.

咸其腓，凶，居吉。

Influence reaches the calves. Movement brings misfortune; staying in place is favorable.

Line 2 locates influence in the calf, where a step begins before the whole body follows. The change turns lower Mountain into Wind and produces Hexagram 28, Lake above Wind.

咸其股，執其隨，往吝。

Influence reaches the thighs. Holding fast to what one follows, going onward brings regret.

At Line 3, the thighs follow the lower limbs rather than directing movement themselves. Zhu Xi reads this as dependence on what one follows. Changing the firm line makes Earth below Lake and produces Hexagram 45.

貞吉，悔亡。憧憧往來，朋從爾思。

Constancy is favorable; regret vanishes. In restless coming and going, companions follow your thoughts.

At Line 4 the bodily sequence reaches the region of the heart, though the organ is not named. The traditional reading contrasts steady influence with anxious calculation that reaches only one’s companions. Changing Line 4 makes Water above Mountain, Hexagram 39.

咸其脢，无悔。

Influence reaches the muscles of the upper back. No regret.

Line 5 places influence in the upper back, away from the heart. Zhu Xi reads this as freedom from private attachment, but also as limited responsiveness. Changing the firm line makes Thunder above Mountain, Hexagram 62.

咸其輔、頰、舌。

Influence reaches the jaw, cheeks, and tongue.

By Line 6, influence has risen to the jaw, cheeks, and tongue. Making the top line firm turns Lake into Heaven and produces Hexagram 33, Retreat above the same inner Mountain.