What this change means
Clouds gather in the sky as the fourth and top lines move, and Water takes the upper place. The top line leads: having climbed too high, the dragon has to watch its pride. The fourth puts a choice before you, to go on or to stop. With pride in the lead, the honest answer leans toward stopping. The resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction, agrees. It's time to wait, though waiting isn't standing still: it's a chance to prepare for the active period ahead. Look at conditions without lying to yourself. Stay relaxed and alert, ready to move when the moment arrives. So don't leap just to prove something. Step back from the height, eat and rest well, and let things follow their own course. A strong person who can wait tends to choose the right moment better than one who can't.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 1 Activity
Pride may be your worst enemy right now.
A dragon that climbs too high. There is regret.
- 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.
- 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 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 1 Activitylines 4 and 6
Other transformations of Activity
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1 and 2
- 6Conflictlines 1 and 3
- 25Innocencelines 2 and 3
- 57Gentlenesslines 1 and 4
- 37The Tribelines 2 and 4
- 61Inner Integritylines 3 and 4
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1 and 5
- 30The Flamelines 2 and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 3 and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 4 and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1 and 6
- 49Renewallines 2 and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 3 and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.