Transformation · lines 1 and 5
Small Things becomes Loss, Then Gain
What this change means
Wind below the mountain: the first and fifth lines move, and the figure that results speaks of mistakes and their repair. The fifth line leads, with its picture of trust bound tight and wealth shared with a neighbor; alliances held loyally bring success. The first line adds a homecoming: back to the path that's yours, where you hold more sway. The resulting hexagram, 18 Loss, Then Gain, explains why both are needed. Errors have brought you into decline, but admitting them and making the needed corrections can lead you back. Take time to understand what caused the loss, then act, and give the recovery time to show. So the order is clear: go back to where you stand firmly, own what went wrong, and lean on the people you're loyal to. Repair done in good company holds better than repair done in secret.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
The trigrams
The way back
18 Loss, Then Gain → 9 Small Thingslines 1 and 5
Other transformations of Small Things
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1 and 2
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 3
- 42Increaselines 2 and 3
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 3 and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 2 and 5
- 41Decreaselines 3 and 5
- 14Wealthlines 4 and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 1 and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 3 and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 4 and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.