12
Hexagram 12, Pi — “Standstill,” “Stagnation.” The opposite of the eleventh: the forces have drifted apart, connections don't work.
The image of the hexagram
Below is the trigram Kun (earth), above is Qian (heaven). Heaven over earth: heaven moves up, earth moves down; they drift apart and stop touching.
General meaning
The answer is unfavorable, but not catastrophic. Pi describes stagnation: people don't hear each other, agreements don't hold, efforts don't reach a result. The classic advice for such a time is to withdraw inward: don't start anything, don't expand, preserve yourself, and wait for the turning point, which will come.
In love and at work
In relationships — estrangement, talking past each other, formal coexistence. What helps is not having it out but a pause and honesty about what is wrong right now. At work — not a time for anything new: tend to what you already have, cut back on commitments. As a “yes or no” — no.
What to do
Don't start or add anything. Slow down and wait it out — this period will end.