What this change means
Heaven and water go opposite ways as four lines move, and the peaceful Earth faces a dispute. Four lines change, so attention goes to the still first and third lines of the resulting hexagram, 6 Conflict. The first says that when the situation stirs up gossip, standing firm serves you best. The third says that what you've gained honestly can't be taken from you; if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated, hold firm. So there may be talk, perhaps unfair talk. Don't answer it with force or try to win the argument. Stay where you are, steady in what you've earned honestly. Think through the start of any new undertaking. Seek wise counsel if you need it. Quiet firmness tends to outlast noise, and honest gains tend to stand up on their own.
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 6 Conflict, which stays still
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 3 of 6 Conflict, which stays still
What you've gained honestly can't be taken from you. Even if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated; hold firm.
Feeding on old virtue. Constancy is in danger; in the end, good fortune. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own.
- 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.
- 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 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 5 of 2 Passivity
Right now success depends on acting with reserve. Your light shines from within.
A yellow skirt. Great good fortune.
- 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 judgment of 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 2 Passivitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Passivity
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 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.