What this change means
The fifth and top lines move, and the water above hardens into a mountain resting on bare earth. The top line leads with its warning: delay in seeking allies may leave you without help just when you need it. The fifth line adds that those who can help will come naturally, and that chasing reluctant people is wasted effort.
The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, describes a time of obstacles when, even if you're right, your words may not be believed, and lesser people misusing power are on the rise. It advises not pushing ahead and being generous toward those beneath you while circumstances change. So in a difficult season, reach out early to the willing and let go of the unwilling. Watch for spending your last energy courting people who won't come. Generosity and patience tend to hold you up until things turn.
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 8 Union
If you're slow to seek alliances, by the time you realize you need help it will be too late.
Joining with no head. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 8 Union
Those who can help you will come naturally. Don't keep seeking help from someone who is reluctant to give it.
Open union. The king hunts, driving from three sides, and lets the game in front escape. The townspeople are not alarmed. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 8 Union
Right now success lies in joining with people who are aligned with your project and who are a support for you. But it's important that you, too, have the qualities needed to carry it out; that's why you can toss the coins once more to find out whether you have those qualities.
Good fortune. Consult the oracle again: great and lasting constancy. No fault. The restless come from every side. The one who comes late: misfortune.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 8 Unionlines 5 and 6
Other transformations of Union
- 60Thriftlines 1 and 2
- 63After the Endlines 1 and 3
- 48Right Actionlines 2 and 3
- 17Adaptinglines 1 and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2 and 4
- 31Attractionlines 3 and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 1 and 5
- 7The Armylines 2 and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 3 and 5
- 16Passionlines 4 and 5
- 42Increaselines 1 and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2 and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 3 and 6
- 12Declinelines 4 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.