35 Growing - The I Ching

In this hexagram, we see the Sun risen over the Earth. The ideogram shows us heliotropism; growth which follows the sun. This is not restricted to vegetable life, for all are moved by the sun, whether they live by day, or avoid it and wake at night.

Judgment: Here, we are shown the image of one going on the right path, a powerful person who helps those around him, and has an audience with other powerful people. This is a solar individual who, like the sun, prospers and causes those beneath him to prosper in accord.

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1  This is breaking new ground, moving ahead by cutting a new path. It is not the destruction of nature, but the achievements of others. Progress often comes through the demise of old forms.

Nietzsche puts it perfectly: "If a temple is to be erected, a temple must be destroyed."
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2 The more we progress, the more we can lose touch and become sad. This can be avoided by being with family and getting back in touch with the ground from which you are growing.

3 This is a collective movement, a shared progress. It is the dream of nearly all radical politics: , a universally agreed upon solution and path ahead.

4 A squirrel sprints ahead, and then stops, nervously looks around, and either goes on in this manner or runs away to safety. This is no way to make progress. When we are anxious, we make slow gains, and often run at the first sign of danger, losing what we’ve worked toward.

5 Growth and movement are victories in themselves. The sun does not worry about shining, it simply follows its own nature. Greatness can be natural, a confidence without self conscious anxiety.

6 We return to the destruction of the first line. Here we are no longer simply moving forward or growing, we are developing weaponry to take on the world.

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This hexagram shows us the nature of individual development. As the natural imagery is that of the Sun and its life-giving rays, the human image is that of a “Star”. These are exceptional people who many others hold in high regard and follow the example of, yet they reach their heights only by climbing atop those who love them.

Nietzsche again describes exactly this image:

“The society should exist, not for the sake of the society, but only as a base and framework on which an exceptional kind of nature can raise itself to its higher function and, in general, to a higher form of being, comparable to those heliotropic climbing plants on Java—people call them sipo matador—whose tendrils clutch an oak tree so much and for so long until finally, high over the tree but supported by it, they can unfold their crowns in the open light and make a display of their happiness.”

All of mankind are heliotropes, growing toward the highest light, going higher and higher until at last we will seek light beyond the sun. Distant stars will give mankind even stranger goals.

For now, let us continue to grow ourselves and get ahead in the world, the rest will follow.