What this change means
Five lines move, every one but the fourth, and the mountain now rests on bare earth. The single still line of 23 The Fall holds the reading, and it's a stark one: adversity is advancing, and even your body may be affected.
This doesn't call for panic, but it does call for care. The waiting of 5 Inaction asked for an honest view of conditions, and here honesty means admitting the situation is wearing you down. Protect your health and your energy. Don't push forward against the current; this is a time when even good arguments tend not to be heard. Be generous with those who depend on you, and hold on while circumstances change. Watch for ignoring signs of strain in your body, and for fighting battles you can't win right now.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
Adversity is advancing; even your body may be affected.
The bed is stripped down to the skin. Misfortune.
- 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 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.
- Line 6 of 5 Inaction
At a moment when everything seems to be against you, help appears that will resolve the situation.
Into the pit. Three guests come without being called; receiving them with respect brings good fortune at last.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 5 Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Inaction
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.