What this change means
A lake lies at the foot of the mountain as the third, fifth and top lines move. Three moving lines mean the starting and resulting judgments count equally. The first counsels a waiting that prepares for what's coming, seeing the situation without self-deception and staying relaxed but alert.
41 Decrease, the resulting hexagram, says it's a time for moderation and saving: conserve resources and energy, avoid excess of every kind, and get ready for growth that tends to follow. Together, the waiting and the saving reinforce each other. Spend less, do less, and keep what you have in good order. Watch for impatience that pushes you to spend before the time is right, and for the feeling that restraint means falling behind. Holding back now is what lets you take on bigger things later.
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 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 5 Inactionlines 3, 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
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 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.