What this change means
All six lines move, and Decline turns completely around: Earth goes up, Heaven comes down, and the two meet in 11 Well-Being. When every line changes, the resulting hexagram speaks. A time of well-being, harmony and mutual understanding is arriving, and it's yours to enjoy. Whatever was harming you is drifting off, and in its place come people and conditions that bring blessings and support. The small goes, the great comes. The image adds that the sovereign shapes and measures the way of heaven and earth to help the people. So the closed season is over. The withdrawal and low profile that protected you can now be set down. Open the door, welcome the support that's arriving, and use the good time to help others as well as yourself. Enjoy it fully, and give it shape so it lasts.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 12 Decline
Even when adverse people and situations surround you, keeping your strength inside helps you get through this moment.
Embracing and obeying. For the petty person, good fortune; for the great person, stagnation. Success.
- Line 3 of 12 Decline
Little by little things will improve; it's a matter of waiting patiently for justice to be done.
Embracing shame.
- Line 4 of 12 Decline
If you act genuinely and with inner integrity, you'll come out of any situation well and be rewarded.
There is a mandate. No fault. Companions share in the blessing.
- Line 5 of 12 Decline
The stagnation is ending, but you still need to act with caution until the situation is fully stable.
Stagnation comes to rest. For the great person, good fortune. “It may be lost, it may be lost”: tied to the leafy mulberry.
- Line 6 of 12 Decline
After a period of stagnation comes a stage of growth, well-being and harmony.
Stagnation is overturned. First stagnation, then joy.
The trigrams
The way back
11 Well-Being → 12 Declinelines 1, 2, 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.