Transformation · lines 4 and 5
Inaction becomes Great Manifestation
What this change means
Thunder rolls above Heaven as the fourth and fifth lines move, and great strength builds up behind the patience of 5 Inaction. The fifth line leads, with its quiet table of wine and food: hold your goal, relax, rest and watch without acting. The fourth line shows the other side: you're in a painful spot where any action only makes things worse, and only by not struggling do you climb out of the pit.
The resulting hexagram, 34 Great Manifestation, says you have what it takes for big projects, provided you stay active, keep persevering and keep thought and action in harmony with what is right. That's the tension here: a lot of power, and a moment that still asks for restraint. Don't spend the strength on reactions. Watch for force that outruns timing, and let the energy build until it can be used cleanly.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 4 of 5 Inaction
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- 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 34 Great Manifestation
You have what it takes to carry out big projects and achieve extraordinary things. Still, you need to stay active and keep persevering. Thinking and acting in harmony will keep you holding to what is right and will make your achievements last.
Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
34 Great Manifestation → 5 Inactionlines 4 and 5
Other transformations of Inaction
- 39Held Backlines 1 and 2
- 29Waterlines 1 and 3
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2 and 3
- 28Excesseslines 1 and 4
- 49Renewallines 2 and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 3 and 4
- 46Going Uplines 1 and 5
- 36Darknesslines 2 and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3 and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1 and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2 and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 3 and 6
- 1Activitylines 4 and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.