Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
Thunder rumbles above the lake as four lines move, all except the second and fifth. Those still lines of 54 A Subordinate Role guide the reading. The second says that even if the person you answer to ignores you, keeping your position and loyalty shows your greatness. The fifth says that calmly accepting a lower position right now brings success, and that your talent will show despite unfavorable appearances. After a hexagram about repair, this is a lesson in humility. The resulting hexagram says personal initiative tends to fail now; recognizing the moment and acting accordingly is all you can do until things change. So accept second place without resentment. Be loyal, do good work and let it speak. The correction here is in your attitude toward rank, not in any bold move.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still
Even if the person you answer to ignores you, keep your position and your loyalty: this will show your greatness.
The one-eyed can see. The constancy of the one who lives apart is favorable.
- Line 5 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still
Calmly accepting a subordinate position right now will bring you success. Your talent will show in spite of a situation that seems unfavorable.
Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The lady's sleeves were not as fine as the second wife's. The moon is nearly full. 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 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 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 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, 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
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 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.