Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 5

Passivity becomes Inner Peace

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Both trigrams become Lake as four lines move, two waters joined over what was solid ground. The counsel here lies in the third and top lines of the resulting hexagram, 58 Inner Peace, the two that hold still. The third warns that neglecting your inner strength and letting distractions sweep you along can lead to addictions and a loss of purpose. The top adds that without real inner peace, shallow entertainments can win you over bit by bit until you lose yourself, at the mercy of fate. So the calm this reading points to has to be genuine, not just pleasant. Notice what you reach for when you're restless. Spend time with people who nourish you rather than distract you. Build peace from the inside, and keep your goals in sight so ease doesn't become drift.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 3 of 58 Inner Peace, which stays still

    If you don't cultivate your inner strength and you let distractions carry you off, you may fall into addictions and drift from your purpose.

    Joy that comes seeking. Misfortune.

  2. Line 6 of 58 Inner Peace, which stays still

    If you haven't developed real inner peace, you're easy prey for shallow entertainments, which will win you over bit by bit until you lose yourself in them. Now you're only in the hands of fate; you have no control.

    Joy that draws on.

  3. The judgment of 2 Passivity

    This is not the time to take the initiative to achieve things. It's better to let others guide you and to keep at your projects with patience.

    Great success. The constancy of a mare is favorable. The noble person has somewhere to go: going ahead, they lose the way; following behind, they find someone to guide them. It is favorable to find friends in the southwest and to lose them in the northeast. Calm constancy brings good fortune.

  4. Line 1 of 2 Passivity

    Things can decline without anyone noticing. It's time to take precautions so the decline doesn't become total.

    Frost underfoot. Firm ice is on its way.

  5. Line 2 of 2 Passivity

    Quietly, without a lot of fuss, you can succeed.

    Straight, square, great. Without learning it, nothing that is not favorable.

  6. Line 4 of 2 Passivity

    Staying away from the noise, out of sight, is the best way to get what you want.

    A bag tied at the neck. No fault, no praise.

  7. Line 5 of 2 Passivity

    Right now success depends on acting with reserve. Your light shines from within.

    A yellow skirt. Great good fortune.

  8. The judgment of 58 Inner Peace

    You're in a time of calm and inner peace that lets you achieve great things. Spending time with people whose energy is like yours will nourish and recharge you to reach your aims. Still, don't lose sight of your goals, or you'll slide into inertia.

    Success. Constancy is favorable.

The trigrams

Below Earth Lake
Above Earth Lake

The way back

58 Inner Peace → 2 Passivity
lines 1, 2, 4, and 5

Other transformations of Passivity

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins