What this change means
A lake at the foot of a mountain: three lines move, the two lowest and the top, and the open Earth gives up some of its fullness. Both judgments carry the reading together. 2 Passivity says not to take the lead; patience and good guidance serve you better. The resulting hexagram, 41 Decrease, calls for moderation and saving: conserve resources and energy, avoid every kind of excess, and prepare for the big projects that will come with a later period of growth. The two fit well. This is a lean, quiet season, and that's fine. Spend less, rest more, and keep anger and appetite in check. Let others steer while you build reserves. What you set aside now tends to become the base for what you'll be able to do when the time of increase returns.
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 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.
- The judgment of 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 6 of 2 Passivity
It's not the time to lead; it's the time to follow. Trying to take a leading position now will bring retaliation on you that affects everyone.
Dragons fight in the open country. Their blood is dark and yellow.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 2 Passivitylines 1, 2, and 6
Other transformations of Passivity
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, and 4
- 55Abundancelines 1, 3, and 4
- 32What Lastslines 2, 3, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 3, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 3, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.