Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 5
Activity becomes Loss, Then Gain
What this change means
Wind below a mountain: three lines move, and what was pure, rising strength turns into something that has to be repaired. Both judgments weigh the same here. 1 Activity speaks of the creative qualities that carry a project to success. The resulting hexagram, 18 Loss, Then Gain, speaks of mistakes that have brought decline, and of the way back: admitting them and making the needed corrections. It's honest about the timing, too. Reflect on what caused the loss, act, and then give success time to come. So your energy here is best spent on repair rather than on new ventures. Look plainly at what went wrong, without blaming yourself into paralysis. Fix what can be fixed. Then be patient. Creative strength used to rebuild is no less creative than strength used to begin, and it often lasts longer.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
- Line 1 of 1 Activity
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- 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 5 of 1 Activity
What you undertake brings good results, and help is there if you ask for it.
The dragon flies in the sky. It is favorable to see the great person.
The trigrams
The way back
18 Loss, Then Gain → 1 Activitylines 1, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Activity
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, and 3
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 4
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 4, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 4, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 3, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 5, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 3, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.