What this change means
A lake gathers at the foot of the mountain as the first and third lines move. The third line leads: rigidity in the past brought loss, and clinging to it as a cure won't help. A little regret, the old text says, but no great fault. The first line gives the direction: be flexible and willing to innovate, like a child who sets right what a parent spoiled and so clears the parent's name. These two lines agree that the old firmness has to soften. The result is 41 Decrease, a time of moderation and saving, of conserving energy and avoiding excess while you prepare for bigger projects. So the repair is quiet and lean. Cut what no longer works, try a lighter way of doing things, and keep your resources in reserve. Less force, more flexibility, and growth can follow in its season.
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 18 Loss, Then Gain
Acting too rigidly in the past has led you to loss, but holding on to that rigidity to fix it won't help either.
Setting right what the father spoiled. A little regret; no great fault.
- 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.
- 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 judgment of 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 1 and 3
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 2
- 23The Falllines 2 and 3
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 4
- 64Transitionlines 3 and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1 and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 4 and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1 and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2 and 6
- 7The Armylines 3 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 4 and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.