What this change means
Fire glows at the foot of the mountain as the second, fifth and top lines move. Three lines, so the judgments weigh the same. 5 Inaction asks for calm, active waiting: prepare, see the conditions as they are, and stay alert to when action is due.
The resulting hexagram, 22 Good Manners, says kindness, courtesy and good manners bring good results now, even if they might seem superficial at other times. It's a season for everyday matters rather than great undertakings. Combined, the waiting is best spent tending to small things well. Be gracious, answer messages, look after details and relationships. Watch for dismissing courtesy as unimportant, or for launching something large while this moment favors the ordinary. Small graces, done steadily, tend to open the doors you're waiting for.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 judgment of 22 Good Manners
It's a time to be kind and courteous and to use good manners with others if you want good results in what you undertake. What might seem superficial at another time leads you to success now. It's a time to handle everyday matters, not great undertakings.
Success. In small things, it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
22 Good Manners → 5 Inactionlines 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Inaction
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, and 3
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, and 4
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, and 5
- 7The Armylines 1, 3, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 3, and 5
- 32What Lastslines 1, 4, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 2, 4, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 3, 4, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 6
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 4, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 4, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 3, 4, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 3, 5, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.