What this change means
The first three lines and the top one move, and the wind now travels over the earth. The reading rests on the two still lines of 20 Observing. The fourth says you can look at things with wisdom and bring light into dark places, and this tends to earn recognition. The fifth says that observing responsibly lets you see how similar situations turned out before, and apply those lessons now.
So the waiting of 5 Inaction becomes a time of careful watching. You don't need to act yet; you need to see clearly. Study the patterns, recall what happened in comparable moments, and let that knowledge shape your next step. Watch for confusing observation with passivity, and for rushing to act before you've understood. Insight is what this change offers, and it's worth more than speed.
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 20 Observing, which stays still
You can look at things with wisdom and bring light where there is darkness. This will bring you recognition.
Contemplating the light of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the king's guest.
- Line 5 of 20 Observing, which stays still
If you observe responsibly, you'll see how similar situations turned out in the past and can apply the corrections now.
Contemplating my own life. For the noble person, 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 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 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
The trigrams
The way back
20 Observing → 5 Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Inaction
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 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.