Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 6

Fleeting Success becomes The Fall

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

The mountain rests on bare earth: the first, second and top lines move, and the lake disappears. Both judgments carry equal weight, and together they trace the arc of a season. 19 Fleeting Success describes a good stretch with a limited span; make the most of it, read what's coming, and prepare so the turn hits less hard.

23 The Fall, the resulting hexagram, describes that harder stretch: obstacles, words that aren't believed even when you're right, and lesser people misusing power. The counsel is not to push ahead but to recognize the time and be generous toward those beneath you, which helps you hold on while things change. So the preparation the starting hexagram asks for has a concrete shape here. Don't fight the current, protect what matters, and look after the people who depend on you. Watch for insisting on being proven right; that tends to make you a target.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Line 1 of 19 Fleeting Success

    If you join with the right people, you'll have support and backing when the decline comes.

    Drawing near together. Constancy brings good fortune.

  4. Line 2 of 19 Fleeting Success

    Recognizing that every situation is impermanent will let you move through each phase not from fear, but trusting that you have what you need to get through it.

    Drawing near together. Good fortune; nothing that is not favorable.

  5. Line 6 of 19 Fleeting Success

    Being generous in times of power and plenty, helping others improve, will keep your success going.

    Drawing near with generosity. Good fortune, no fault.

The trigrams

Below Lake Earth
Above Earth Mountain

The way back

23 The Fall → 19 Fleeting Success
lines 1, 2, and 6

Other transformations of Fleeting Success

Make your own cast

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

Toss the coins