What this change means
Water over Wind: the second and fifth lines of Simplicity move, and the image becomes a well, wood drawing water up from below. The fifth line leads. It speaks to anyone with authority: don't misuse it, yet don't be careless about other people's errors; observe first, then act in measure, together with those around you. The second line brings in a heartfelt modesty that people can hear, and steadiness that pays off. The resulting hexagram, 48 Right Action, says opportunities are on your side, but they're useless if you keep postponing decisions. It's not about chasing new things; it's about using what you already have. Here modesty takes a practical form. Draw on the resources at hand, encourage the people around you to help one another, and step in when something needs correcting. Waiting too long would waste what's within reach.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 15 Simplicity
If you hold a position of power, don't abuse it, but don't be careless about other people's mistakes either. It's time to observe and to take measured action.
Not rich, alongside the neighbors. It is favorable to attack and subdue. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 2 of 15 Simplicity
If you do things from the heart and with simplicity, you'll be recognized.
Humility that makes itself heard. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
- The judgment of 48 Right Action
You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.
The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
48 Right Action → 15 Simplicitylines 2 and 5
Other transformations of Simplicity
- 11Well-Beinglines 1 and 2
- 24Coming Backlines 1 and 3
- 7The Armylines 2 and 3
- 55Abundancelines 1 and 4
- 32What Lastslines 2 and 4
- 16Passionlines 3 and 4
- 63After the Endlines 1 and 5
- 8Unionlines 3 and 5
- 31Attractionlines 4 and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2 and 6
- 23The Falllines 3 and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 4 and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.