What this change means
Thunder wakes beneath Heaven as the first line of Decline moves, and the hexagram becomes 25 Innocence. This single line is the heart of the reading. It shows grass pulled up with its roots tangled together, clump by clump: you don't leave alone. In practical terms, if you recognize the decline for what it is and withdraw in time, warning others as you go, success can come later. Steadiness here brings good fortune. The resulting hexagram adds the condition that makes this work. Act with a pure heart, free of hidden motives and close to what is right, and the blessings of heaven can reach you; act from calculation and things tend to snag. So step away from what's going wrong, but do it honestly. Tell the people near you what you see, without drama or self-interest, and let a clear conscience guide the timing of your return.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 12 Decline
If you recognize the decline and withdraw in time, warning others about it, you'll succeed later on.
The grass is pulled up, and its tangled roots come too, each with its clump. Constancy brings good fortune. Success.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
- The judgment of 25 Innocence
If you act with a pure heart, free of hidden motives and without straying from what is right, true to original human nature, you'll let the blessings of heaven reach you. Otherwise you'll meet obstacles and your affairs will become difficult.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. If it is not upright, there is calamity. It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
25 Innocence → 12 Declineline 1
Other transformations of Decline
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.