Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 5

Well-Being becomes Water

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Both trigrams become Water when the first, third and fifth lines move: Well-Being turns into 29 Water, the double pit. The two judgments are weighed together. One speaks of peace, when the small leaves and the great arrives and support replaces what harmed you. The other describes obstacles coming one after another, which you get past if you keep moving like a stream through a gorge. Fear that freezes you is the real danger, because standing still leaves you stuck. Read together, they say that a good season doesn't exempt you from difficulty; it gives you the footing to pass through it. Keep your conduct steady and your heart sincere, as the image asks, and keep teaching and learning along the way. Don't stop at the first hard stretch. Flow around what you can, through what you must, and trust the course.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 29 Water

    Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.

    There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Heaven Water
Above Earth Water

The way back

29 Water → 11 Well-Being
lines 1, 3, and 5

Other transformations of Well-Being

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins