What this change means
Only the fourth and sixth lines hold still as the other four move, and the figure becomes a mountain resting on the earth. With four lines changing, the counsel comes from those still lines in the resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall. Its fourth line is stark: adversity is advancing, and it may even reach your body. Its top line answers that, little by little, the adverse situations give way and adversity turns into opportunity. This is a harder reading than Small Things alone suggests. The restraint you've felt may deepen into a real stripping away, a time when even being right doesn't get you heard. Don't push. Protect your health and your foundations, be generous toward those who depend on you, and hold on. The same still lines that warn of the fall also promise the turning, though it comes gradually.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
Adversity is advancing; even your body may be affected.
The bed is stripped down to the skin. Misfortune.
- Line 6 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
Little by little the adverse situations will give way, and gradually adversity will turn into opportunity.
A great fruit left uneaten. The noble person gains a carriage; the petty person's hut is stripped.
- The judgment of 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
- Line 1 of 9 Small Things
What's called for now is to fall back to situations where you have more control. This isn't a loss: it's a smart move.
Returning by its own way. What fault could there be? Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 9 Small Things
Even though circumstances push you to advance, for now it's time to go back and prepare to act at a better moment.
Led back. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 9 Small Things
Trying to advance at any cost only brings bigger obstacles from outside.
The spokes come loose from the cart. Husband and wife glare at each other.
- Line 5 of 9 Small Things
Allying with others and being loyal in that alliance will bring success.
There is sincere trust, bound together as by a cord. Growing rich alongside the neighbor.
- 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 → 9 Small Thingslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Small Things
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 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.