What this change means
A Lake now lies at the foot of a Mountain: with the third and top lines changing, Well-Being becomes 41 Decrease. The top line leads: the city wall falls back into its moat, conditions may worsen, and insisting on going forward brings loss. Watch for early signs of decline. The third line agrees from its own angle: no level ground without a slope, no going without returning; when the road dips, keep your footing, enjoy whatever calm there is, and find blessing in simple things like a meal. The resulting hexagram turns this into a practice. It's a time for moderation and saving, conserving resources and energy, avoiding excess while you prepare for a later period of growth. The image asks you to curb anger and hold back desire. So meet the turn with restraint. Spend less, want less, and keep your strength for the next rise.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 11 Well-Being
The situation may take a turn for the worse. Pay attention and watch for the first signs of decline. If you insist on pressing ahead, there will be loss.
The city wall falls back into the moat. Do not use the army. From the town, orders are proclaimed. Constancy brings distress.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 11 Well-Beinglines 3 and 6
Other transformations of Well-Being
- 15Simplicitylines 1 and 2
- 7The Armylines 1 and 3
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 3
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 4
- 55Abundancelines 2 and 4
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 3 and 4
- 48Right Actionlines 1 and 5
- 63After the Endlines 2 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 3 and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 4 and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1 and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 2 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 4 and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.