Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Decline becomes Fleeting Success
What this change means
Earth above the Lake: five lines move, every one but the third, and Decline becomes 19 Fleeting Success. The third line, unchanged, gives its warning: relying too much on favorable situations leads to inertia and loss, though reacting early lets you recover. The resulting hexagram describes a period of luck and well-being that's coming, to be used fully because conditions will change after a while; reading the signs and taking precautions before the turn can lessen its effects. So the stagnation flips into fortune, but not a permanent one. Enjoy it and work with it, rather than coasting. Notice early if things start to slide, and correct right away. The image of tireless teaching and wide care suggests using the good time to strengthen others too, so that when it passes, you're not left alone.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 19 Fleeting Success, which stays still
Relying too much on favorable situations will lead you to inertia and loss. If you react early, you can recover.
Drawing near with sweetness. Nothing is favorable. Once grieved by it, no fault.
- 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 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 judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
19 Fleeting Success → 12 Declinelines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Decline
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.