What this change means
Five lines move, all but the top one, and Heaven below becomes Earth while Water above becomes Thunder: thunder bursts out of the ground. The single still line of 16 Passion holds the reading. It warns that passion can blind you or burn up the very interest that fuels it, and that the answer is to notice that moment and relax.
After so much waiting, enthusiasm can arrive in a flood. That energy is useful, and it can draw others to help, but it needs a cool head. Keep the drive, and keep the calm you learned while you waited. When you feel yourself rushing or losing perspective, ease off rather than push harder. Watch for excitement that runs ahead of reality, and for exhaustion when the first fire fades.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 16 Passion, which stays still
It's important not to let passion blind you, or let it burn up the interest itself. If that happens, recognize the moment and relax: that way you'll succeed.
Delight in the dark. What is done changes. No fault.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 5 Inaction
You still have control over the situation. It's time to act in a relaxed way, while keeping an eye on what's happening.
Waiting on the outskirts. It is favorable to hold steady. No fault.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction
Stay calm even if gossip comes up.
Waiting on the sand. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 3 of 5 Inaction
If you act in haste, you'll run into trouble.
Waiting in the mud. It brings the raiders on.
- Line 4 of 5 Inaction
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- Line 5 of 5 Inaction
It's important to keep your goal, but relax, rest and watch without acting.
Waiting with wine and food. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 16 Passion
A time of passionate drive toward action. You can pass this passion on to others to gain their help, which lets you take on big projects with resolve and optimism. For these ventures to succeed and last, you can't look after only your own interests; you also need to keep in mind the needs of the people working with you.
It is favorable to install lords and set the army in motion.
The trigrams
The way back
16 Passion → 5 Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Inaction
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.