Transformation · lines 2 and 6
Simplicity becomes Loss, Then Gain
What this change means
Wind blows below the Mountain when the second and top lines of Simplicity move, stirring what has been left to decay. The top line leads: when a situation isn't right, your stance needs to be firm and your corrections real. The second line supports it with a humility that's heard because it comes from the heart. The resulting hexagram, 18 Loss, Then Gain, says mistakes have brought you into decline, but that admitting them and making the needed corrections can lead back to success. It asks you to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, to give results time to arrive. Humility is what makes that admission possible. Be honest about your own part, speak plainly, and repair with firmness rather than excuses. Then be patient: what's been corrected tends to recover gradually, not overnight.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 15 Simplicity
If situations come up that aren't right, your stance must be firm: take the actions needed to correct them.
Humility that makes itself heard. It is favorable to set the army in motion against the town and the country.
- 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 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
The trigrams
The way back
18 Loss, Then Gain → 15 Simplicitylines 2 and 6
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
- 48Right Actionlines 2 and 5
- 8Unionlines 3 and 5
- 31Attractionlines 4 and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 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.