Transformation · lines 5 and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes Right Action
What this change means
The fifth and top lines change, and the mountain above becomes Water: water drawn up over wood, a well. The top line leads, with aims that go beyond your own interest and work honored for its own sake. The fifth gives the method: know your weak spots and find helpers for them, a kind of repair that wins praise. The movement leads to 48 Right Action, a moment when opportunities are on your side but will be wasted if you keep postponing decisions. It's about using what you have, not hunting for something new. So the elements are already here: a worthy purpose, people who can help, a favorable moment. What's missing is the decision. Stop waiting for perfect conditions. Draw from the well in front of you, and let it serve others too.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 48 Right Action
You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.
The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
48 Right Action → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 5 and 6
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 2
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 3
- 23The Falllines 2 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.