What this change means
Clouds climb into the sky: four lines move, the first, third, fourth and top, and the two trigrams of 6 Conflict trade places. The still lines of 5 Inaction guide the reading. The second asks you to stay calm even if gossip comes up. The fifth says to hold on to your goal while you relax, rest and observe instead of acting.
So the dispute turns into waiting, and waiting is the right response. You don't need to answer every remark or make the next move. Keep your aim clear and let time do part of the work. Rest, eat well, watch. Watch for mistaking calm for weakness, or for being provoked by talk into acting before the moment comes. Patience held with ease tends to outlast any quarrel.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
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, which stays still
It's important to keep your goal, but relax, rest and watch without acting.
Waiting with wine and food. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 1 of 6 Conflict
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 3 of 6 Conflict
What you've gained honestly can't be taken from you. Even if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated; hold firm.
Feeding on old virtue. Constancy is in danger; in the end, good fortune. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own.
- Line 4 of 6 Conflict
Accepting the adverse conditions of this moment without fighting them, and staying flexible, will lead you to success in the middle of difficulties.
Unable to win the lawsuit. Turning back, accepting the decree, changing. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 6 of 6 Conflict
Insisting on being right at this moment will only make you lose.
Perhaps a belt of honor is bestowed; before the morning is out, it is stripped away three times.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 6 Conflictlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Conflict
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 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.