Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes Fleeting Success
What this change means
Earth above the lake is the figure that appears when the first, third and top lines move. The two judgments are weighed together. The starting hexagram asks you to look at what went wrong, take responsibility, make the corrections and give things time to recover; its old text speaks of crossing the great river. 19 Fleeting Success describes a period of luck and well-being that won't last long. If you read the signs and take precautions before the decline, you can soften its effects. The connection is foresight. Your repair may bring a good stretch quickly, and it's worth enjoying. But don't relax as if the work were finished. Use the favorable season to strengthen what you've fixed and prepare for the change that tends to follow. Those who learned from one decline can meet the next one better.
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 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 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
19 Fleeting Success → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 3
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 2, 3, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, and 5
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 3, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 3, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 3, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.