What this change means
The second and third lines move, and Wind below becomes Earth: a mountain resting upon the ground. The third line leads, warning that the rigidity that caused the loss won't fix it either. The second names the other side of the problem, a lack of perseverance, and asks for a resolute but gentle return to the path. One fault is too much hardness, the other too little constancy. The movement leads to 23 The Fall, a time of obstacles when even true words aren't believed and lesser people misuse power. That's the hard part of this reading. Repair now won't be easy or quick. Don't push ahead against the season. Hold on, stay generous toward those who depend on you, and correct your own habits quietly. The setting will change; what you fix in yourself meanwhile is what lasts.
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 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.
- 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 2
- 41Decreaselines 1 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.