Welcome to Hexagram 8 of the I Ching,
Known as Union.
The themes here are loyalty,
Connection through shared values,
And of course,
Unity.
There are moments when we feel called towards others.
And this calling comes from a deep place of resonance,
Trust,
And belonging.
This hexagram of union,
Also known as holding together,
Speaks of coming into alignment,
Of joining through a chosen connection,
A weaving together of hearts,
Minds,
And wills.
And this is often seen as sacred work.
In this hexagram,
What you see in the lower trigram is the element of earth with water in the upper trigram.
Earth is that which receives,
And water flows across and through the earth,
Perhaps gently,
Perhaps persistently.
But it does so without resistance,
So there is no collision,
There is partnership.
And this image shows when things find their place together,
Individuals who,
Though separate,
Move with a shared purpose.
The I Ching says,
Holding together brings good fortune.
Inquire whether you possess the qualities to lead.
Then,
If you are sincere,
Those who follow will come.
So this is talking about loyalty that is natural.
It is about trust earned through authenticity.
And reminds us that people hold together through shared values.
We are reminded through this message that unity is not uniformity.
It is not the absence of difference,
But the presence of harmony.
To hold together is to accept diversity without dissolving into disorder.
It is the art of weaving without unravelling.
Leading without controlling.
Of belonging without becoming someone else.
So ask of yourself now,
What binds me to others?
Is it truth,
A shared vision,
Or perhaps fear of being alone?
So when this hexagram arises for one,
It is always valuable to examine our connections and to ask,
Who am I aligning with and what are we really holding on to?
True union nourishes the self.
It does not erase it or try to conform it.
This hexagram may appear when life asks you to gather people or join a cause.
Strengthen a relationship.
It may be a time of building community or forming teams or entering commitments.
In doing so,
One is invited to check one's sincerity.
You must be clear in yourself,
Otherwise what holds the group together will not last.
If you are in a leadership role,
Ask of yourself,
Are you drawing others towards something true or towards your own insecurity?
And if you are seeking connection,
Ask,
Do I offer presence or just need?
So this is the time for honest bonds,
For mutual purpose and for chosen solidarity.
Think of geese flying in formation,
Each one in rhythm with the other.
They take turns leading and none flies alone.
Or imagine the lattice of roots beneath a forest,
Each tree connected to its neighbor,
Not in competition,
In quiet conversation.
And this is the essence of this hexagram union.
To hold together is to move with respect.
To share the weight,
To listen deeply,
To trust.
It's not always easy.
There might be tensions,
Differences,
Moments when part of you wants to break away.
Unity that endures is never shallow and is not built in a day.
It is tended like a garden with care,
With patience,
With love.
So when you are drawn to this hexagram,
Pause and look around you.
Who walks beside you,
Not just in appearance but in truth?
What do you belong to and why?
What kind of unity are you being called to shape?
Holding together is not about clinging,
It's about choosing,
Choosing to stand with others.
Because something in you says,
We are better in harmony.
So let your integrity guide the way,
Let your openness invite the right companions.
Because when the center is clear,
The circle holds.
And when trust is true,
No storm can break what has been freely joined.
This is the teaching of the union.
Be together,
Form together,
With love.
