What this change means
Water settles on Earth as four lines move, the three lower ones and the fifth, and Well-Being becomes 8 Union. Since four places change, the advice sits in the two lines of the new figure that stay put. The fourth says it helps to stay faithful to your allies and to let that bond be seen. The top line warns that if you're slow to seek alliances, by the time you see you need help it may be too late. The resulting hexagram puts success in joining people aligned with your project, while also having the qualities to carry it out yourself. So this good season is about bonds. Don't wait for trouble to look for partners. Choose the people who share your aim, say so plainly, and stand by them. Check honestly whether you bring what the project needs, too; union works best when everyone brings something to it.
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 8 Union, which stays still
Staying loyal to the people you ally with, and showing that alliance openly, helps you right now.
Joining outwardly. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 6 of 8 Union, which stays still
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.
- The judgment of 11 Well-Being
A period of well-being, harmony and understanding is coming, and you can enjoy it. People and situations that weren't good for you are moving away, and in their place come people and situations that bring blessings and support. Heaven grants its gifts.
The small goes, the great comes. Good fortune. Success.
- Line 1 of 11 Well-Being
A season of flourishing: you surround yourself with like-minded people.
The grass is pulled up, and its tangled roots come too, each with its clump. Setting out brings good fortune.
- Line 2 of 11 Well-Being
It's favorable to take decisive action that gets you out of your comfort zone and to recognize the people around you. There's no need to push anyone away; it's enough to know each person's nature.
Embracing the untilled. Wading across the river; not forgetting the distant; leaving friends behind. So it is honored on the middle way.
- Line 3 of 11 Well-Being
There will be ups and downs. Don't despair: enjoy the calm moments and act with caution in the face of danger.
No plain without a slope, no going without return. Constancy in hardship: no fault. Do not grieve over its truth; in eating there is blessing.
- Line 5 of 11 Well-Being
Joining with those who are at a disadvantage compared with you, and supporting them, brings you blessings.
Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. Blessing. Great 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 trigrams
The way back
8 Union → 11 Well-Beinglines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Well-Being
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 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.