What this change means
Thunder and lightning: five lines move, every one but the first, leaving one still line of 21 Biting to carry the message. It says that if you realize you're doing the wrong thing, take responsibility for it and change course quickly.
This sharpens the end of the waiting in 5 Inaction. The time for decisive action is near, and the obstacles may call for firmness, even legal steps if needed. But the first task is honest self-correction. Look at what you've been doing; if something's off, own it and adjust without delay. Watch for defending a mistake out of pride, and for biting into others' faults before your own. Clear limits and quick correction tend to open the path forward.
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 21 Biting, which stays still
If you realize you're doing the wrong thing, take responsibility for your actions and change course quickly.
Feet in the stocks, the toes lost from sight. 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 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.
- 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 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 5 Inactionlines 2, 3, 4, 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.