What this change means
Thunder and lightning: three lines move, and the quiet Earth is split by a sudden, clarifying force. Both judgments speak with equal weight. 2 Passivity advises yielding: be guided, and wait things out with patience. The resulting hexagram, 21 Biting, asks for firm, decisive action to overcome an obstacle, even legal steps if needed; act with energy, set limits, and don't be afraid. That's a striking pairing. The receptive stance doesn't mean letting something harmful go unchallenged. There's a specific block in your way, and it needs a clear response. Act on that, decisively and fairly, perhaps with guidance from someone who knows the rules. Then return to patience. Firmness on the one point that matters, and yielding everywhere else, tends to be the right balance here.
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 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
- 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 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.
- 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
21 Biting → 2 Passivitylines 1, 4, 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
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, 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.