Transformation · lines 1 and 4

Loss, Then Gain becomes Wealth

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Fire rises above heaven as the first and fourth lines change. The fourth line leads, and it's a warning: if you show a weak character and let stronger personalities steer you, success won't come. Indulging old damage instead of facing it leads to distress. The first line offers the remedy: drop rigid traditional ways, be flexible, innovate. There's danger in that, but it ends well. Together they ask you to stand on your own feet and find a new approach. The result is 14 Wealth, a time of abundance, inner and outer, that lasts when you keep your character centered and act with generosity. So the reward for taking charge is real. Don't hand your judgment to others, don't cling to the old ways either, and when gains come, share them so they last.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The judgment of 14 Wealth

    A time of abundance and prosperity, both inner and outer. It's important to keep your character centered and to cultivate good deeds and generosity, so that this wealth lasts and reaches others.

    Great success.

The trigrams

Below Wind Heaven
Above Mountain Fire

The way back

14 Wealth → 18 Loss, Then Gain
lines 1 and 4

Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

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