What this change means
Clouds rising toward the sky, rain not yet fallen: four lines move, the first, third, fifth and top, and the still second and fourth lines of 5 Inaction carry the reading. The second asks you to stay calm even if gossip starts. The fourth says plainly that any kind of action will only make things worse.
From the learner's place of 4 Immaturity, this is a moment to wait without fretting. People may talk, and you may feel pressure to prove something, but moving now would harm your position. The resulting hexagram adds that waiting isn't idleness: prepare for the active period that's coming, see your situation honestly, and stay alert for when it's time. Watch for reacting to rumors. Let them pass, keep learning, and let events follow their own course while you ready yourself.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
Stay calm even if gossip comes up.
Waiting on the sand. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 4 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- The judgment of 4 Immaturity
Be aware that you don't yet have the maturity you need to reach what you're after in the area of your question. Act with humility: ask for guidance, seek advice and counsel, and put what you're told into practice.
Success. I do not go looking for the ignorant youth; the ignorant youth comes looking for me. The first time the oracle is asked, I answer. A second and a third asking is an offense, and an offense gets no answer. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 1 of 4 Immaturity
You'll receive help, but you have to apply what you're told. Choose guides who demand a lot of you without being domineering.
To wake the ignorant, it is favorable to use punishment and to take off the shackles. Going on this way: distress.
- Line 3 of 4 Immaturity
To get what you want, don't submit to strong personalities who belittle you.
Do not take this woman: at the sight of a man of gold, she is no longer her own. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 5 of 4 Immaturity
If you recognize your lack of knowledge in the area of your question and seek advice, you'll get good results.
A child's ignorance. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 4 Immaturity
Accepting the consequences of your actions and correcting what's needed will help you right now.
Striking the ignorant. Being a raider is not favorable; stopping the raider 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 → 4 Immaturitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Immaturity
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 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.