What this change means
Every line turns firm as the second, third and top lines move, and the figure becomes Heaven doubled. The two judgments sit in balance. Adapting, in the starting hexagram, means acting from where you genuinely belong, sometimes as leader and sometimes as follower. 1 Activity speaks of new beginnings and of the qualities you need to carry an undertaking through to success. The meeting point is this: having adapted well, sorted your ties and found your place, you're now in a position to take the initiative. The movement is from responsiveness to drive. That's a big shift, and it asks you not to lose what adapting taught you. Keep listening even as you lead. Use your strength steadily, without rest that turns into stalling, and without pushing so hard that the people who followed you stop wanting to.
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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 2 of 17 Adapting
Choosing very carefully who you surround yourself with makes your projects succeed.
Cling to the boy, lose the grown man.
- Line 3 of 17 Adapting
People or situations that weren't good for you are moving away. Don't regret it: this clears the way for what is new and right for you to come closer.
Cling to the grown man, lose the boy. Following, what is sought is found. Abiding in constancy is favorable.
- Line 6 of 17 Adapting
You can win followers and support; even the most powerful people back you and recognize you.
Seized and bound, then tied fast still more. The king makes his offering on the western mountain.
The trigrams
The way back
1 Activity → 17 Adaptinglines 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Adapting
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, and 3
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, and 4
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 3, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 3, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.