24- Fu/ Returning- No changing lines
Earth/ Kun above Thunder/ Zhen
Commentary on image:
“Thunder under Earth.
An image of Turning Back.
In correspondence with this,
The ancient king closed the gates of the passes
On the winter solstice.
Traveling merchants did not travel,
Nor did the king make inspection of his states.” (215)
Associated with the Earth element
Associated with the eleventh lunar month, December
Host of the Gua: initial/bottom line
Opposite: 44- Gou/ Encountering (Mutual Influence)
Inverse: 23-Bo/ Falling Away (Splitting Apart)
Mutual: 2- Kun/ Responding
The main theme of the hexagram involves the idea of the beginning of a new cycle, which ended with the previous hexagram’s theme of falling away. Going around full circle. Some interpretations mention it’s connection to the phase of the new moon, which indeed will come during this week on Friday, April 1st. Being also associated with the month of December, when the winter solstice takes place, one can get the idea that initiating energies, or yang, begin to grow (the light returns) as the full yin condition of the dark of the moon or the dark of winter begins to diminish. [the host line, of the previous 23 was the last of the light ending, represented by the sixth nine (yang line), which has fallen, but has returned at the bottom of 24- slight, but growing] “Things cannot go beyond the extreme. When they reach the limit, they turn back to the origin. Thus, after Falling Away comes Turning Back.” (213)
Decay to renewal; everlasting law of the universe, and universal truth. It is an auspicious sign, even though there may still be more time before the light is seen, but it is there, and the darkness is ebbing. This is a natural turn of events, indicating that no human efforts can stop it. {in seven days comes the return is a phrase that can indicate a week; or maybe it indicates 7 months, as from the each solstice, there is an unfolding cycle of 6 months) (216)
As a piece of advice, getting this hexagram might say something about paying attention to right timing for the good fortune indicated can be experienced.
Reference: Taoist Master Alfred Huang's, "The Complete I Ching: 10th Anniversary Edition".