I Ching

Congratulations! There is strength and vigor in this situation – like a ram who has knocked down a fence to free himself from captivity.  This points to a time when a strong force comes into its own and achieves power.

When a leader finally comes into power, his or her personal strength usually has peaked.  Great strength has been required in climbing to the mountaintop, but once at the summit, the support of others is needed to maintain position.  A shift in attitude becomes necessary.  Raw strength must be tempered by wisdom; to maintain power, the strong leader must learn to give it away, to share it with others.  Only then will his position be secure, for he will not only be the possessor of power, but the source of it as well.

If you find yourself in a powerful position, it is especially important to act responsibly and react with care.  Power must not be allowed to degenerate into raw force which rides roughshod over everything in its path.  A strong sense of responsibility to the collective good is the key to the successful exercise of power.  By following what we intuitively know to be for the greater good, we avoid reckless abuses of power which in the end undermine the source of our strength.  Arrogance contains the seeds of its own undoing.

1. Simply possessing great personal vigor does not assure success.  If you start your movement from a lowly or weak position, attempting to advance prematurely through forceful efforts will only bring misfortune.  Even for those of great strength and ability, progress is achieved step by step.
2. The gates of good fortune are swinging open; the time has come to plunge ahead.  In times of great opportunity, beware of premature celebrations.  Keep your balance.
3. A ram crashing through a hedge gets his horns tangled up.  He may be the strongest animal in the flock, but a proud, haughty ram only brings misfortune upon himself.  Avoid empty displays of power or force.
   A wise leader measures success in terms of finely-tuned performance, not raw power.  Power is the fuel, but precision is the carburetor.
4. The resolute application of a strong force brings success.  Like the axle of a large wagon, a powerful person’s real strength is often hidden inside.  By quietly bringing inner strength to the outer world, great achievements become possible.
5. When a strong person finds himself or herself in a loose and easy situation, a loss of alertness and a weakening of power can set in.  If external resistance is absent at work, relax and enjoy the situation – but avoid becoming complacent, and learn to create challenges for yourself in recreational activities.
6. Use of excessive force can generate strong opposition, often leading to deadlocks which make it impossible either to advance or retreat.  Once you have pushed things too far, the only option is to recognize the impasse created by an overly-aggressive attitude, and make the proper adjustments.