What this change means
Thunder stirs below a mountain as the four middle lines move, and the shape that emerges is an open mouth. When four lines change, the meaning gathers in the two lines of the resulting hexagram, 27 Nourishment, that don't move: the first and the top. The first warns that being ungrateful for what you have, and busy envying what others have, will hold back your achievements. The top says you gain the means to handle your own affairs and to help others with theirs, a great responsibility and a source of real success. The strength of 1 Activity becomes the power to provide. So start with gratitude, and drop the comparisons. Look after your body and spirit, and what feeds them. Then extend that care outward. You're in a position to support others, and doing so well tends to be the success here.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 27 Nourishment, which stays still
Being ungrateful for what you have and busying yourself envying what others have will hold back your achievements.
You let go of your sacred tortoise and watch my jaw working. Misfortune.
- Line 6 of 27 Nourishment, which stays still
You gain the resources to take care of your own affairs, and you help others get theirs. This brings a great responsibility, but also great success.
From here comes sustenance. Danger; good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- 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 2 of 1 Activity
It's time to talk with the people who can help you.
The dragon shows itself in the field. It is favorable to see the great person.
- 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 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 judgment of 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
The trigrams
The way back
27 Nourishment → 1 Activitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
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
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, 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.