What this change means
Thunder stirs below the Mountain as the first, fourth and fifth lines move, turning Decline into 27 Nourishment, the open jaws. The two judgments are weighed together. Decline is a time of adverse surroundings and withdrawal, when the great goes and the small comes. 27 Nourishment asks you to look after what feeds your body and spirit, so nothing essential is missing, while helping others grow; success lies in giving and receiving. Placed side by side, they suggest that a stagnant period is a time to replenish. Look at what you're feeding yourself, from food to ideas to the company you keep, and cut out what drains you. Then share what does you good. The image counsels care with words and moderation in eating and drinking. Simple care, practiced daily, is how strength returns after a long dry spell.
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 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 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
27 Nourishment → 12 Declinelines 1, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Decline
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, and 3
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 1, 3, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 3, and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 3, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 2, 4, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 3, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 3, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.