Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 5
Decline becomes The Vessel of Nourishment
What this change means
Fire stands over Wind, a flame above wood, as the second, third and fifth lines move, and Decline becomes 50 The Vessel of Nourishment. The two judgments weigh evenly. Decline describes a stagnant time with the wrong people around you, when it's wise to withdraw and avoid decisions. 50 The Vessel of Nourishment describes change and adjustment that happen naturally, without upheaval, the way food cooks: keep the flame of enthusiasm lit, and know your resources the way a cook knows ingredients. Together, they suggest that stagnation is turning into slow transformation. Nothing dramatic is needed. Pick good ingredients, meaning the people and means that truly serve you, and leave out what spoils the dish. Keep your interest alive through the long simmer. The image asks you to set your place right and make your commitments firm. Let the change come little by little.
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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great 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 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
50 The Vessel of Nourishment → 12 Declinelines 2, 3, 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
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 4, 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.