Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes Abundance
What this change means
Thunder and lightning arrive together as four lines change: the first, second, fourth and top. The still lines of 55 Abundance carry the reading, the third and fifth. The third warns that if your spirits sink, even a small obstacle can stop you. The fifth says you're willing to listen to advice and act on it, which makes difficult situations give way naturally. That's an encouraging pair after a time of loss. The resulting hexagram describes growing satisfaction and abundance that lasts a while, and asks you to stay calm when it wanes. So mind your mood. Repair can feel discouraging, and discouragement magnifies every hurdle. Keep your spirits up, take good counsel when it's offered, and let the hard spots loosen. Enjoy the fullness when it arrives, without fearing 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 3 of 55 Abundance, which stays still
If your spirits sink, any obstacle, however small, will stop you from reaching what you want.
Full is the curtain: at noon the faint small stars are seen. The right arm is broken. No fault.
- Line 5 of 55 Abundance, which stays still
You're willing to listen to advice and act on it; this will make difficult situations give way naturally.
Brilliance comes; there is blessing and renown. Good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
The loss came from being too rigid and wanting to do things the traditional way. If you can be flexible and innovate, you'll succeed.
Setting right what the father spoiled. There is a son; the late father is left without fault. Danger; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 2 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
Your losses come from weakness, from not persevering. Reflecting and taking up the path again with resolve will bring success.
Setting right what the mother spoiled. Constancy will not do.
- Line 4 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
If you show a weak character and keep letting stronger personalities lead you, you won't succeed.
Indulging what the father spoiled. Going on: distress.
- Line 6 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
If you have high goals, beyond purely personal interests, and let them drive you, you'll succeed.
Serving neither kings nor lords; holding one's own work high.
- The judgment of 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
The trigrams
The way back
55 Abundance → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 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.