Directions in Hexagrams

[lovi]

Can anyone explain to me what directions in a hexagram's translation mean/refer to? Here's an example...hexagram 9 "The Restraining Power of the Small:success. From the west come thick clouds, but no rain."

Thanks.
Lovi

[bradford_h]

Hi Lovi
I have been unable to make sense of any of the eight directions in terms of either of the two Bagua or Trigram arrangements, but other translators try to interpret in these terms. Only some of the eight are used in the Zhouyi.
SW and NE had some local cultural meanings in the direction of friendly vs. hostile neighbors and climates, respectively. West, as (I think) everywhere north of the equator, is simply the direction from which most prevailing weather comes. South was the direction the sovereign faced when giving commands, so going or facing south meant assuming a bolder attitude. East and West (the neighbors in 63.5) refer to places relative to the time, early or late, which I try to account for in my commentary.

[dobro]

It seems south has a sunny connotation; west has a 'that's where the weather comes from' connotation (like Brad says); the southwest has a friendly connotation and the northeast has a challenging or difficult or unfriendly connotation.