What this change means
The cart loses its spokes in the third line, and the second line is led back: two moving lines that both say this isn't the moment to charge ahead. The third leads, with its warning that forcing things brings bigger trouble from outside and friction at home. The second softens it: return and prepare, and good fortune follows. As they move, Heaven below becomes Thunder, and Small Things turns into 42 Increase, a time of gain in which projects can grow and prosper. That's the surprise of this change. Growth comes after you stop pushing, not because you pushed. To meet it well, keep your integrity, learn from people who have the qualities you'd like, and drop the habits that have caused you trouble before, such as the one that made you strain against the wheel. Prepare now, and generosity can carry the rest.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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.
- 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 42 Increase
You're in a time of gain and growth: your projects will grow and prosper. At times like this it's important to keep your inner integrity, follow the example of people who have the qualities you want to gain, and get rid of the traits that have caused you trouble before. Overall, it's a time of achievement and generosity.
It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
42 Increase → 9 Small Thingslines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Small Things
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1 and 2
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 3
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 3 and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1 and 5
- 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.