Transformation · lines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes Attraction
What this change means
A lake rests on the mountain once the second, fourth, fifth and top lines change. The still lines of 31 Attraction carry the reading, the first and third. The first says your stance is already sound; what's missing is backing, and alliances need time to show up. The third warns against hasty action, attaching yourself to the wrong people or chasing dreams without thought, which would take you off the path. The resulting hexagram says good results come as far as you stay open and receptive, letting people approach who'll help generously. After a time of correction, this asks for patience in relationships. You've done the inner work. Now let the right connections come to you instead of grabbing at the first ones available. Openness and restraint together are the key.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 31 Attraction, which stays still
Your outlook and attitude are right, but you still need to wait for support and alliances to arrive.
Contact at the big toe.
- Line 3 of 31 Attraction, which stays still
Don't act hastily, attaching yourself to the wrong people or chasing your dreams without thinking: this will take you off the path.
Contact at the thighs. Holding on to what follows. Going on: distress.
- 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 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.
- 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 5 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
If you're aware of your weaknesses and vulnerable spots and look for helpers to support you there, you'll gain success and recognition.
Setting right what the father spoiled. It wins praise.
- 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 31 Attraction
You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
31 Attraction → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 4, 5, 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
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, 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
- 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.