What this change means
The two trigrams trade places as the third and top lines move: the Mountain now rests on the Earth instead of hiding in it. The top line leads, asking you to hold firm and correct what isn't right. Behind it, the third line offers the toiling noble person who keeps rivals at bay by staying modest despite position. The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, warns of a time of obstacles when even correct words aren't believed, and when lesser people misusing power are on the rise. You could become their target. This tempers the urge to correct. Firmness is still right, but pushing ahead now can backfire. Recognize the moment, don't force progress, and be generous toward those who depend on you. Strengthen your base the way the image does, giving substance to those below, and hold on while circumstances change.
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 3 of 15 Simplicity
If, despite your position and fame, you stay humble, you won't create rivalries and you'll succeed.
A noble person humble in toil. Reaching the end: 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 15 Simplicitylines 3 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
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2 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.