What this change means
Both trigrams become Water as four lines move: a pit, then another. With this many changing, the reading leans on the unmoved second and fifth lines of the resulting hexagram, 29 Water. The second says you're in danger and will only get results in small matters; this isn't a time for great success. The fifth says you'll get through the obstacles if you follow the path of least resistance and head step by step toward your goal. So the creative strength of 1 Activity has to flow now, not charge. Expect difficulties to come one after another. Don't freeze in front of them, and don't try to break through by force. Look for the way around, take small wins seriously, and keep moving. Water doesn't fight the rocks; it finds the gap, and that's what carries it forward.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 29 Water, which stays still
You're in a dangerous situation where you only get results in small matters. This isn't the time for great success.
In the pit there is danger. Seeking, a little is gained.
- Line 5 of 29 Water, which stays still
You'll get out of the obstacles now if you follow the path of least resistance and, step by step, head toward your goal.
The pit does not overflow; it fills just to the level. No fault.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 1 of 1 Activity
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- Line 3 of 1 Activity
Things are working, yet you worry for no apparent reason.
The noble person strives and strives all day long, and at nightfall is still watchful. Danger. No fault.
- Line 4 of 1 Activity
It's time to decide whether you want to keep moving forward or stop.
Perhaps it leaps in the abyss. No fault.
- Line 6 of 1 Activity
Pride may be your worst enemy right now.
A dragon that climbs too high. There is regret.
- The judgment of 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
The trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 1 Activitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Activity
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.