What this change means
Heaven above, earth below, and no meeting between them: four lines move and the abundant figure turns to stagnation. In 12 Decline, the still lines speak. The fourth says that if you act genuinely and with integrity, you'll come out of any situation well and be rewarded. The top line says a period of growth, well-being and harmony follows the stagnation. So the outlook is harder than the starting point suggested, though not without hope. Circumstances may not favor big moves, and people around you may not have your best interests at heart. Keep your conduct honest and steady whatever they offer. Lie low where you need to. What you protect now by integrity, rather than by cleverness, can carry you through to the better season this movement points to at its end.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 12 Decline, which stays still
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 6 of 12 Decline, which stays still
After a period of stagnation comes a stage of growth, well-being and harmony.
Stagnation is overturned. First stagnation, then joy.
- The judgment of 14 Wealth
A time of abundance and prosperity, both inner and outer. It's important to keep your character centered and to cultivate good deeds and generosity, so that this wealth lasts and reaches others.
Great success.
- Line 1 of 14 Wealth
It's the early stage of wealth, and obstacles may arise. If you stay on the straight path and act simply, you'll keep moving forward.
No dealings with what harms; not a fault. Mindful of hardship, no fault.
- Line 2 of 14 Wealth
Not only can you have wealth, you also have the capacity to enjoy it and to surround yourself with the right people to make it grow.
A great cart for carrying. There is somewhere to go. No fault.
- Line 3 of 14 Wealth
Greed, or using wealth only for your own benefit, will bring difficulties and loss. Generosity opens new possibilities.
The prince makes offerings to the Son of Heaven. The petty person cannot.
- Line 5 of 14 Wealth
It's a time of wealth whose challenges aren't outside you but in falling into inertia or apathy. If you stay active and alert, you'll succeed.
Its sincere trust is shared, and it has majesty. Good fortune.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 14 Wealthlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Wealth
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 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.