Here’s another ‘non-Yi’ post I came across that strikes me as helpful in understanding a hexagram. This one from Scott Young, about lateral growth. He differentiates between this and vertical, directed growth:
‘Opportunity is critical for lateral growth. With vertical growth, you are already aware of what you aim and motivation is. The very essence of lateral growth is in uncovering elements of reality and your environment that you were completely unaware of before. This means that you cannot pursue lateral growth in a completely directed manner. Lateral growth can only come from snagging opportunities on the periphery of your current position.’
Hexagram 3 is about being the seedling that puts out roots before shoots – or establishing the initial garrison that will be the base camp for future ventures – or centring yourself as ruler, and ‘setting up feudal lords’ to expand your understanding of the surrounding territory. ‘Seeing, and not letting go your dwelling place,’ says the Zagua. I think Scott’s talking about very much the same thing.