What this change means
Water upon water: the fourth and top lines move, and the Heaven over 6 Conflict sinks into Water, so the danger now runs above as well as below. The top line leads. Insisting on being right will only make you lose; what you grab that way gets stripped from you. The fourth line shows the other way: turn back, accept the conditions without fighting them, and stay flexible with a calm, steady mind.
The resulting hexagram, 29 Water, describes obstacles coming one after another, which you get past by continuing to flow, not by freezing in fear. So let the water teach you. Don't stand and fight each wave; move around and through. Watch for digging in where you should be adapting, and for letting fear leave you stuck in the current.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
The trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 6 Conflictlines 4 and 6
Other transformations of Conflict
- 25Innocencelines 1 and 2
- 1Activitylines 1 and 3
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 and 3
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 4
- 20Observinglines 2 and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 3 and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 1 and 5
- 35Advancelines 2 and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3 and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 4 and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 6
- 28Excesseslines 3 and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.